Harrison Township
View a history of Terre Haute.
Under this head we propose to give extended biographies or personal sketches of a large number of the leading citizens of Terre Haute and vicinity, not only of early settlers, but also of the more modern. The items have been obtained, as far as possible, from the parties themselves, or their intimate friends, and are believed to be perfectly reliable. Many of the subjects have already been mentioned in the preceding pages, but we believe it will add vastly to our work as a book of reference and as a basis for the future historian, to give to this department a most minute detail. As far as practicable, the sketches have been arranged in chronological order or rather than in the order of coming to the township or county.--[Ed.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 159
These sketches have been arranged in alphabetical order and by township.
B.J. ABBOTT, the present trustee of Harrison township, is a native of Watertown, Litchfield county, Connecticut. While he was still a child his people moved to Hudson, Ohio where they remained for two years, then removed to Tabor, Iowa, where they resided for three years. It was while residing there that his mother died. After this event they returned to York state, and became residents of Camden, Oneida county, where, at the age of sixteen, he began to learn the trade of a machinist. He continued work at this until he was twenty-one years of age, and then went to Brookfield, in 1868. He remained at Brookfield for about one year, then went to Litchfield, Illinois, where he entered the employ of the Indianapolis & St. Louis railroad, where he was stationed for about one year. From Litchfield he went to Mattoon, still in the employ of the Indianapolis & St. Louis road, where he remained for four years. Quitting the Indianapolis and St. Louis company, he removed to Terre Haute and entered the employ of the Evansville, Terre Haute and Chicago railroad. His business with this road, as with the Indianapolis & St. Louis, was that of a machinist. He continued working for the Evansville, Terre Haute & Chicago until 1878, when he was elected to the office he is now filling. He is a lineal descendant of the old Mayflower stock, his people being among the early settlers of the New England states. Since the age of thirteen years he has been dependent upon his own resources, both in obtaining an education and in the accumulation of property.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 350
JAMES M. ALLEN, attorney, Terre Haute, senior member of the law firm of Allen, Mack & Davis, was born March 3, 1827, in Shelby county, Kentucky. In 1831 his parents moved to Parke county, Indiana, where his life was spent on a farm until he was seventeen years old. He then went to the Bloomington College and Law School at Bloomington, Indiana. In the fall of 1848 he went to Mississippi, where he spent one year. Returning to Parke county he began the study of law in Rockville. As a relief from study for a time he taught one term of school, after which he returned to the study of law, and in 1852 was admitted to practice at the Indiana bar. He followed the practice of law in Rockville until 1862, in the fall of which year he went to Lawrenceburgh, Indiana, and for one year practiced his profession in that city. Leaving that city in 1863 he came to Terre Haute, and in 1864 formed a partnerhsip with Mr. O.Y. PATTERSON, the present circuit judge of the circuit of which Vigo county forms a part. They were associated together until about 1867. In 1868 Mr. MACK became associated with him in practice, and recently Mr. DAVIS has become a member of the firm. Of the few leading law firms of the city the firm of Allen, Mack & Davis stands among the highest in name, talent and reputation. Much of this is due to Mr. ALLEN, who has for years been one of the leading attorneys of the city. Recently, however, his health has been very poor, which has hindered him somewhat in his practice. He is a gentleman highly respected by the best circles of society in the city in which for years he has had the esteem of the best citizens.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 289-290
B.H. ALVEY, wholesale dealer in tobaccos and liquors, Terre Haute, of the firm of Barker & Alvey, is a native of Vigo county. His people settled in the county as early as 1838. His father was one of the first residents of what is now St. Mary's, where he still resides, and was a resident of that place before the building of the college, he being one of the parties who helped to build it. B.H., after receiving a good education, became a resident of Terre Haute, where he has now resided for about ten years. In 1877 he engaged in company with Mr. BARKER in the wholesale liquor and tobacco trade, theirs being now one of the largest houses in their line in the city. Their business house is No. 636 Main street, where they are occupying three floors; the first as a general sales-room; the second as a store-room, and the third as a manufacturing department, where they keep about fifteen men employed in the manufacture of cigars. Mr. ALVEY is a charter member of Francis Lodge, No. 60, A.O.U.W., and is a gentleman not only of recognized business ability, but respected for his sobriety, industry and enterprise.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 223
HERMAN H. APMANN, member of the city council of Terre Haute from the third ward, is a native of Germany, and was born in August, 1827, in what was then known as the Kingdom of Hanover. In 1851 he emigrated to the United States, landing in New Orleans November 8, his intention being to go to Cincinnati, but on account of the river not being navigable he remained in New Orleans for a time. Before leaving the old country he had acquired a good education, and had also learned the tailor trade. In April of 1852 he removed from New Orleans to Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and there he resided until the following December. He then went to Cincinnati, where he resided until 1854, when he made a final change and settled in Terre Haute. He made tailoring his business for many years after he became a resident of Terre Haute, and has now been in the grocery trade for about ten years. For a time he carried on both lines of business, but eventually gave up tailoring, and has since devoted his time to the grocery trade. In May of 1878 he was made a member of the city council for a two years' term of service. He has not been a resident of the third ward for about twenty-one years. He has been, and is still, paying much attention to the educating of his children.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 248
CHARLES ARLETH, bookkeeper, Terre Haute, is one of the thoroughly reliable and accurate bookkeepers who are holding responsible positions among the large manufacturing establishments of Terre Haute. He is a German by birth, his native place being Baden, Germany, from which place he emigrated to the United States in 1867, and one year later became a resident of Terre Haute. He received a thorough education in Germany, and shortly after his arrival at Terre Haute he entered the office of the revenue collector as bookkeeper. From there he entered the employ of J.B. LYNE, wholesale liquor dealer, in the same capacity. He remained with Mr. LYNE about two years, and then took charge of the sales-room in the liquor department of Hulman & Cox, where he spent about two years, and then engaged in the harness trade with Mr. P. MILLER, the firm name being Miller & Arleth. They did business together for about four years, when he sold out and accepted his present position as bookkeeper in the extensive brewing establishment of Anton MAYER, where he has now been employed about two years. He has full charge of the books and finances of that institution, and, as before stated, he has proven himself one of the thoroughly reliable bookkeepers who are holding responsible positions.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 323-324
W.P. ARMSTRONG, physician and surgeon, Terre Huate, whose name stands among those of the older and more prominent members of the medical fraternity of Vigo county, dates his residence in Terre Haute back to 1854, though since that date he has resided and practiced medicine in other localities. He was born April 5, 1829, in Bloomington, Indiana. He began the study of medicine in 1849 and graduated in 1857, the title of M.D. being conferred on him at the Louisville University of Medicine of Louisville, Kentucky. The doctor is a member of the Vigo County Medical Society. The large and lucrative practice that he now enjoys has been preceded by years of hard and comprehensive study, and the present position that he holds as a member of the medical profession of Vigo county has been attained by a close application to his business. His reputation is such as the public usually confer upon a man who has been an active and useful member of the society in which he resides a score or more of years.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 243
GODFREY ARN, money order clerk in post-office, Terre Haute, has now been connected with the postal service since 1865, and most of the time in the Terre Haute office. He was born in Switzerland in 1846, and at two years of age was brought to the United States, by his people. They settled first in Covington, Indiana, where they remained about three years, and then removed to Montezuma, Parke county, Indiana. They resided there until the death of Mr. ARN, which occurred in 1865. Godfrey being now dependent upon his own resources, came to Terre Haute and secured a position in the post-office as general delivery clerk. Previous to this, however, at the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861, he entered the army. At that time, being quite young, the only way he could enter the army was in the capacity of servant for his brother, who was major of the 31st Ind. Vol. Inf. His brother being killed at the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, he still remained in the service by enlisting. His last service was with Col. Hudson's 133d Ind. Vol. Inf., in 1864. In the post-office he continued for a time in the capacity of delivery clerk, and was then made mailing clerk. His next promotion was to the position of assistant postmaster under Mr. J.O. JONES, who at that time was postmaster. In the fall of 1871, while Mr. L.A. BURNETT was postmaster, the postmaster of the Vicksburg office, of Mississippi, requested Mr. John W. FOSTER, of Evansville, who was connected with the postal service, to send him a good man to straighten up the business of that office. Mr. ARN was chosen for this duty, and from 1871 till 1875 he remained in the Vicksburg office as assistant postmaster, except during the last three months of his stay, when he was postmaster of that office. Returning to Terre Haute in 1875, he was made money order clerk, which position he has since held. In his gradual promotion to his present position Mr. ARN has been dependent upon no one for help or influence, but he has from time to time been promoted upon the grounds of capability and merit.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 304-305
D.B. ARNOLD, livery keeper, Terre Haute, is one of the most energetic workers in his line of business in the city. He was born April 23, 1848, in Cincinnati, Ohio, but has now been a resident of Vigo county for about eighteen years. He spent several years on a farm after becoming a resident of the county, and then, in the fall of 1874, engaged in the grocery trade on Bloomington avenue, which he continued for about three years. Leaving the grocery business, he for a time engaged in the feed trade. This, however, he only followed for a short time, when he quit and engaged in the livery and boarding business. His barn is located at Nos. 207-9 South Third street. His specialty has been boarding horses by the month, though he has gradually increased his facilities for doing a livery business, until now it is quite extensive in both lines. He sets free and independent of any associations or combinations formed by the liverymen of the city to establish a rate list, which course has proved conducive to his success. He has been entirely dependent upon his own resources in the building up of his business and in the accumulation of property. He is one of the class of business men of the city who, by energy, industry and honesty, have built up a business in the face of all opposition and difficulties.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 286
AUG. AUSTERMILLER, foreman Vandalia railroad depot, Terre Haute, is another of the old employes (sic) of the Vandalia Railroad Company. He is a native of Iieese-Cassel, Germany, from which he emigrated in 1845. After eleven weeks at sea he finally disembarked in safety, and a short time afterward became a resident of Terre Haute. For about seven years he did most any honorable work that promised a livelihood. October 1, 1852, he began work at handling freight in the Vandalia depot where he worked so carefully and faithfully that in a short time he was given charge of the shipping, though subject to the orders of the agent. This position he is still holding. During all these years of labor he has been economicaly and judicious in the investing of his capital. As a consequence, he has accumulated a good property, educated his children and fitted them for honorable positions, one of his sons now being employed in the office of the same department with himself. Mr. AUSTERMILLER, is now one among the oldest employees of the Vandalia company, which of itself is proof of his honesty, sobriety and good character.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 209
A.G. AUSTIN, merchant, Terre Haute, founder of the wholesale hardware trade in Terre Haute, and senior member of the wholesale and retail hardware firm of A.G. Austin & Co., was born in Hudson, New York, in 1836. In 1839 his parents moved to Schenectady, New York, where he received his early education. At fifteen years of age he was left by his parents, who removed th Paris, Illinois, to learn the dry-goods business with the firm of A. Mathews & Son, of Schenectady. Commencing as bundle carrier and clerk, he worked the first year for $25 and board. The second year he was promoted to salesman, and received a salary of $75. The third year his salary was raised to $125, though the time had not expired when the firm concluded to reduce stock, in view of which they established branch houses in Syracuse and Little Falls, New York. The Little Falls branch was styled A.G. Austin & Co. and under control of A.G. AUSTIN. Later the two branch houses were consolidate and stock centered at Schenectady, New York; the business conducted under the name of A.G. Austin & Co., by A.G. AUSTIN, who received one-third of the net profits, his only capital being strict integrity and a close application to business. In 1854 he sold out and followed his people to Paris, Illinois, where he entered the employ of Mr. Beebe BOOTH, father of Senator BOOTH, of California. He, however, remained a resident of Paris but a short time, as in 1856 he went to Kansas Territory, where he traded with the Pottawatomie tribe of Indians in the employ of Stimson & Martin. AFter many adventures with the Indians, border and freestate ruffians, he returned to Illinois, having secured 100 acres of land and innumerable shakes of chills and fever. In September, 1857, he arrived in Terre Haute in search of employment. He secured a situation in the dry-goods house of Mr. Firman NIPPERT, now president of the Terre Haute Nail Works. He continued selling dry-goods until 1860, when he accepted a situation with the firm of Booth & Greenough, of Marshall, Illinois. While there he entered the army and was elected orderly sergeant of Co. H of the Ill. Vol. Inf., and was shortly after promoted to a lieuntenancy. He was in the service nearly three years. At the head of his company at the battle of Chickamaugua he received five severe wounds and was discharged on account of said disability. During his service Mr. AUSTIN stood among the foremost for gallant and meritorious conduct, and when the suggestion was made to Gen. ROSECRANS, by Napoleon's old guard, to elect a corps of honor, he was appointed by Gen. W.P. CARLIN to the position of quartermaster of the corp. On account of difficulty, however, between Gen. ROSECRANS and Secretary STANTON, coupled with the work of organization, the project was given up and the men again returned to their respective regiments. After the war Mr. AUSTIN again became a resident of Terre Haute, and was married to Miss Sallie H., eldest daughter of Mr. CORNWELL, who at that time held the office of auditor of Vigo county. Later he became interested in the hardware trade, and to-day he is, by his own energy and enterprise, at the head of one of the most successful business houses of the city. It may be mentioned in conclusion that the father of the subject of this sketch, Judge A.B. AUSTIN, was for many years one of the leading men of Edgar county, Illinois, and he was also for a time at the head of the organization of Odd-Fellowship in the State of Illinois. Since his death, which occurred February 21, 1878, the members of that order, in organizing a new lodge at Paris, named it Austin Lodge in honor to the memory of their old friend and officer.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 277-279
ISAAC BALL, undertaker, Terre Haute, is the oldest and best known undertaker of Terre Haute. He was born near Elizabethtown, New Jersey, August 29, 1829. When a boy about six years of age his father removed with his family from that place to Indiana. Mastering the rudiments of such education as was obtainable until he was sixteen years old, he then went to the town of Cambridge City, Wayne county, and there began to learn the trade of cabinet making with a Mr. GREER, a German by birth. They had a fair understanding that he should remain for five years, but at the end of three years Mr. GREER concluded to remove to the country and run a farm as well as continue his business. This arrangement was not satisfactory to young BALL. He became dissatisfied, and concluded to run away. He watched his chance, and when Mr. GREER was out one day looking at his farm he took his clothes, tied them in a handkerchief, and with a solitary shilling in his pocket he started on his prospective journey to Dayton, Ohio. He relied for his meals wholly upon the generosity of the people residing along the roads as he traveled along on foot. He succeeded in finding a place, though he remained but a few weeks, when he went to Hagerstown, Indiana, walking all the distance to where his father was then living; his parents, however, had not been previously informed of the change he had made. In Hagerstown he found work for a short period, and then again packed his knapsack and walked through to Indianapolis. In that city he found work at his trade with a firm by the name of Espy & Sloan, with whom he made an agreement to work for one year under instructions, and his salary was to be $5 per month, board and washing. At the expiration of this year he began working for Mr. J.I. STRETCHER, also of Indianapolis, who at that time was the leading undertaker of the city. He remained with Mr. STRETCHER until the summer of 1847, and then went to Lafayette, Indiana. At Lafayette he remained a short time engaged at cabinet making, but before the close of the year 1847 he had made his final change and settled in Terre Haute, where he at once began work at his trade. His experience at coffin making dates back to the time when he was an apprentice boy at Cambridge City. Mr. BALL did not remain long in Terre Haute until he began business for himself. For five years he continued the old practice of making coffins to order. He at first began in the furniture business and at undertaking, manufacturing, as before stated, his coffins to order for about five years. He then arranged a place especially for the storing of ready-made coffins, since which time he has from time to time made such improvements as has led to the manufacture of the fine and costly caskets now demanded by those wishing his services. Attending strictly to his business, he has had no time to give to public office, but has, however, allied himself with the popular organizations, Masons and Odd-Fellows, among whom he has obtained some preferment. He is now a member of Terre Haute Commandery, No. 16, A.F. and A.M., and of the Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment of Odd-Fellows. He is a gentleman whose reputation is such as only to reflect credit upon his connection with the business industries of Terre Haute for over a quarter of a century. It may truly be said of him that he is not only the pioneer, but the representative of his profession in Terre Haute.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 213-214
Mrs.NANCY BASS was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, in November, 1807, and was married in 1832 to Nelson BASS, of Vigo county, Indiana, who was a resident of Honey Creek, and a farmer. He died May 4, 1877. He was a member of the Masonic order, and belonged to Darwin Lodge, No. 4, of Terre Haute. He was also a member of the A.M.E. church, having joined the same some time in 1829, and was a consistent christian. They had nine children, two dying in infancy, and three after attaining their growth. Two sons and two daughters are living: George Washington, Jethro, Angeline, and Caroline. Jethro lives in Sullivan county, and Angeline married a Mr. THOMAS, and is settled in Parke county, Indiana. When living in Honey Creek they were robbed of between four and five hundred dollars by four men, names unknown, who entered the house one evening about seven o�clock, and with cocked revolvers demanded their money, and as they were unarmed and helpless there was no alternative but to give up the money. They were greatly damaged by the loss of the money, as some of it belonged to other parties, and they were obliged to deprive themselves of many of the necessaries of life in order to repay it. Mrs. BASS also belonged to the ladies� court of the Masonic order, which is now dissolved. She is one of those who by their example serve to cement the community together in which they live.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 366
DENNIS BARRETT, grocer, became a resident of Terre Haute April 16, 1851. He is a native of Ireland, from which country he emigrated to the United States, landing September 20, 1849. When he arrived at Terre Hatue, in 1851, he was obliged to begin work at day labor at any honorable employment. In 1852 he secured a place as night clerk in what is now the Terre Haute House, but at that time was called the Prairie City Hotel. He remained at the hotel until 1859, when he went to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he had a brother living. They engaged in the grocery trade, which was his first experience in that line of business personally, though he had been interested in the business with his brother in 1858. In 1861 he left St. Joseph and for three years was in Colorado and back and forth to St. Joseph. The winter of 1863 he spent in Salt Lake City. In the fall of 1864 he left the west and returned to Terre Haute, arriving in January of 1865. He at once began in the grocery business at this present place of business, No. 909 Main street, he having now been occupying the same room for over fourteen years. He now has a good business established, to which he is devoting the principal part of his time. By energy and good management he has accumulated a good property. In 1840 Mr. BARRETT was married to Miss Ann BYONE, who is also a native of Ireland.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 231
The leading millinery establishment of the city is that of Mr. EMIL BAUER, located at No. 22 South Fourth street, where he is occupying two floors of a building 19x70 feet. His is the only house in the city that does a jobbing business in his line to any extent. During the season he gives employment to about twelve girls on an average, all of whom are experienced workers. Mr. BAUER is thoroughly posted in his business, he having now spent sixteen years in the millinery trade, six of which were spent in Germany; he being a native of the State of Lippe-Detmold, but emigrated to the United States in 1870, where he has since resided with the exception of one trip made to his native country in 1875, from whence he returned in the spring of 1876, and on February 4, of that year, began in his present line in Terre Haute. Here he has since resided, and by a gentlemanly and courteous treatment of his lady customers has established a trade worthy of pride, which is the result of his own energy and good financiering.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 329
WILLIAM BAUGH, engineer, Terre Haute, is not only one among the oldest employees of the Vandalia Railroad Company, but he is well known among the many workmen for that company as the engineer who ran the first regular train over the road from Indianapolis to Terre Haute. This trip was made March 4, 1852, the train arriving at Terre Haute on a Saturday night. Mr. BAUGH is now sixty-two years old. He was born in West Virginia, where the early part of his life was spent, and where he used to walk five miles to attend school. In 1829 his people moved to Madison, Indiana, and there he began his first railroading in the capacity of a fireman, and later began running an engine on the Madison & Indianapolis railroad, where he was engaged for about eight years. He then quit, and for a short time was running on another of the Indiana roads. In 1851 he began work for the Vandalia company, though that was before the completion of the road from Indianapolis to Terre Haute. He made the first run over the road, as before stated, and continued to run on the road until 1869, when he quit running and began work in the shops, where he is now engaged. He has been a permanent resident and a sober and industrious citizen of Terre Haute since 1855.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 253-254
The largest, most complete and exclusive retail drug establishment of the city of Terre Haute is that of J.J. BAUR, southeast corner of Seventh and Main streets. Mr. J.J. BAUR, the proprietor, is a native of Zurich, Switzerland. He is now a man past fifty years of age. In 1847 he emigrated to the United States, and for about one year was a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From there he went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he remained about ten years, excepting a couple of years spent in California, where he went in 1850. In 1858 he bought a farm in Clark county, Indiana, and for three years tried farming. From this he commenced milling, he having bought a mill in New Washington, Clark county. This proved to be a good investment for him. He continued milling until 1866. In 1867 he became a resident of Terre Haute, and opened a drug store shortly after his arrival, and has since continued the business. He has probably devoted his time as fully and exclusively to his calling as any man has ever lived in Terre Haute, and the result has been success. It is now generally conceded that his is the finest drug establishment in the city. His store is 25X140 feet, three floors and basement. He has the help of his two sons in the managing of the business, they both being thoroughly educated business men, either of them capable of taking charge of the entire establishment. During his early life Mr. BAUR had not the advantages of a college education. He has, therefore, been the more willing to afford his sons this advantage. In 1876 he made a trip to the old country and to his old home in Zurich. While there he collected many fine views of noted buildings and important places, not only of Zurich, but of many other cities of Switzerland. He has taken quite an interest in his family history, and is able to trace the genealogy of his family back to the year 1600.
HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 317
View a history of Terre Haute.
Back to Vigo County Biographies Index
Back to Vigo County Biographies Project