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

J.L. FARLEY, of the firm of Farley & Roach, has been a resident of Terre Haute for about twenty-three years. He is a native of Bath county, Kentucky. In 1831, when he was two years old, his people moved to Edgar county, Illinois, and there the early part of his life was spent in the country. At the age of sixteen years he went to Paris, Edgar county, and for four years learned his trade. He then went to Rockville, Indiana, where he remained about four years, and then removed to Westport, Missouri, spending two years there, and thence he came to Terre Haute, where he has since resided. Before the war of 1861-5 he and Mr. ROACH had begun business on their own account, but continued it but about one year, when they again sold out and began at "jour." work. Of the twenty-three years that he has been a resident of Terre Haute, he has been engaged in business on his own account about one half of the time. He and Mr. ROACH, his partner, have been associated together in business during this time and before when they were both working at "jour." work, they usually stuck together and worked for the same firm. Mr. FARLEY began learning his trade in Paris a poor boy, and wholly dependent upon his own resources. Now, though he may not be termed rich, he has, however, accumulated a fair property, and in company with Mr. ROACH, has by honorable and fair means built up and established a good trade, and of all the dealers in their line in Terre Haute there is not one bearing a better reputation than Farley & Roach.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 259

FRANK A. FARIS, insurance agent, Terre Haute, has been engaged in the insurance business in Terre Haute for about ten years. He first began at soliciting, which he continued about two years, and then became the partner of Mr. B.F. HAVENS. They did business together for a time and then he opened an office and for a time had no partner. He again, however, became associated with Mr. HAVENS, and October, 1878, sold out to him and again opened an office on his own account. He is a live, energetic worker, and is now representing eight fire and and one life insurance company at this point. Recently, however, he has taken Mr. Cliff ROSS as a partner. His business is one in which by his own efforts he has built up and established a good and paying business, and is recognized as one of the leading insurance men of Terre Haute. Mr. FARIS is a native of Lawrence county, Indiana. He was educated at the college of Bloomington, Indiana, and in August, 1863, he entered the Federal army during the war of the rebellion. He enlisted in Co. D, 117th Ind. Vol. Inf., under Col. T. BRADY, for a six months' term of service, though he remained in the service for about eight months, during which time he participated in some of the hard-fought battles, the repulse of Knoxville and the battle of Clinch Mountain Gap being among the number. His office is on South Sixth street, near Ohio, where he is usually found writing policies, in which he is an adept.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 331

FRED FAUST, grocer and provision dealer, Terre Haute, of the firm of Fred Faust & Co., corner Seventh and Lafayette streets, is by birth a German, and was educated in schools of his native land. He was born in 1847. In 1866 he came direct to Terre Haute. His business education was obtained with such eminent firms as W.H. Williams and Hulman & Cox, being with the latter firm over four years. Mr. FAUST is a young man of excellent business talents, and is doing a very prosperous business in the north part of the city. He has a wife and three children; was married in 1873. He is a member of the Masonic order, Humboldt Lodge, No. 42.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 313

JAMES FERREL, the father of WALTER D. FERREL, foreman in the Vandalia shops at Terre Haute, was one of the early settlers of Vigo county. He came to the county in 1818 from Butler county, Ohio, and remained about three years and then returned to Ohio, where he resided until 1825, and then again came to Vigo county. During this latter residence in Ohio Walter D. was born, and was brought to Vigo county by his parents, where his early life was spent at his father's home. When he arrived at man's estate he engaged in farming on his own account, and though he is now in the employ of the Vandalia Railroad Company, he still owns a farm, which is located just across the line in Clay county, which he bought in 1846 and resided there until 1856, when he removed to Terre Haute. August 15, 1862, he enlisted in the 85th Ind. Vol. Inf., three-years service, under Col. Jno. P. BEARD. He remained in the service until June of 1865. During this time he was in many of the hard fought battles of the Atlanta campaign, being among those in which he was engaged. October 12, 1865, he began work for the Vandalia company at car repairing. In 1876 he was made foreman in his department, which position he still holds, and is filling it to the satisfaction of the company, who retain in their employ only honest, sober and industrious men.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 176-177

NICHOLAS FILBECK, the present postmaster of Terre Haute, is a native of Germany. He was born December 15, 1848, and while yet a boy of three or fours years of age was brought to the United States by his parents, they locating first in Indianapolis, where they resided for some six years, and then, in 1853, came to Terre Haute. The subject of our sketch at that time was about ten years old. Looking around for some kind of work, he finally secured a place at the old Clark House at a salary of one dollar per month. After a time he left the Clark House and went to the old Eagle hotel at a salary of one dollar per week. Here he had some chance of going to school, though his school days in all did not exceed three months, his education having been gained at home. In 1861 he entered the army, enlisting in Co. E, 32d Ind. Vol. Inf., three years' service, under Col. A. WILLICH. During his service he participated in many of the hard-fought battles, among which we mention the battles of Mumfordsville, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, battle of Stone river and the Atlanta campaign. At the battle of Stone river he was shot through the leg and made a cripple for life, though in about eight months he so far recovered as to be again fit for active duty. At the expiration of his term of service he was mustered out at Indianapolis, Indiana, and returned to Terre Haute, where, for a time, he was engaged in milling with his father, who, during his absence, had engaged in this business. He then bought the Cincinnati House, which he run for four years, and then opened what has since been known as the Filbeck House. Of this he also was landlord for about four years. In 1873 he was appointed postmaster of the Terre Haute post-office, which he held until 1877, when he was reappointed by President Hayes. In all he gives employment to about nine clerks in the office. He is a man who has been wholly dependent upon his own resources. As a politican he is known as one among the shrewdest of the republican party of his district.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 243

J.R. FISHER, furniture, Terre Haute, is probably the most enterprising furniture dealer in the city, though in connection with that line of business he also does quite an extensive business in a variety of other lines of goods. He is a native of Vigo county, and has now been engaged in the furniture trade for nine years in Terre Haute. Two years previous to beginning business in the furniture trade he had been doing business in the line of boots and shoes. His place of business is Nos. 104-6 South Fourth street. The space occupied by him is 44 feet front by 100 feet deep, two floors and basement. No. 104 is devoted exclusively to the furniture trade, while No. 106 is stocked with an extensive line of boots and shoes, glass and queensware, stoves, etc. In connection with the retail trade he is doing an auction and commission business in different lines of goods. His object is not to keep a few costly sets of furniture, nor a small but expensive stock of goods in other lines, but instead a general line of goods that are in demand by the masses of the people.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 210

J.A. FOOTE, seed merchant, Terre Haute, has for many years been identified with the business industries of the city of Terre Haute. He was born in Clermont county, Ohio, in 1829, and at the age of four years, or in 1833, he was taken by his parents to Rockville, Parke county, were his father became a resident and engaged in the mercantile business. There as Mr. FOOTE grew to manhood a portion of his time was spent in his father's store. In 1852 he began in the drygoods business in Terre Haute, which he continued for a time, then moved to the country, but not finding country life agreeable, he again returned to Terre Haute and embarked in the grocery trade. This he also discontinued, and in 1866 began on a not extensive scale an exclusive business in flower, field and garden seeds. Finding the public willing to patronize a well stocked establishment of that character, he increased his facilities until at present he is occupying No. 306 Main street, a building 14 feet front by 65 feet deep, three floors and basement, all of which room he has supplied with all necessary varieties of goods pertaining to the seed trade. It is a business requiring much study to the adaptability of variety with climate. This ground of experimenting has been gone over thoroughly by Mr. FOOTE, enabling him, after fourteen years of study and experience, to do a safe and satisfactory business. His is not only the exclusive seed store in Terre Haute, but also the only establishment properly termed a complete seed store in the State of Indiana. Mr. FOOTE is a gentleman highly respected by those who know him, both in business circles and in private life--a respect due him, as to others like him who have spent a life of honesty, industry and sobriety.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 238-239

There are those gentlemen engaged in the furniture trade, as in other lines of mercantile business, in Terre Haute, who, though they may not be the oldest dealers, are the most important ones; or, rather, representatives of the trade. Of this class Mr. R. FORSTER Jr., the active member of the firm of R. Forster & Son, may be ranked. They are located at Nos. 102-104 North Fourth street, and are occupying a space of 40 feet front by 70 feet deep, which is well stocked with furniture of every grade to supply the wants of all classes. Their business now aggregates about $30,000 per year, and is probably the largest of any firm in the city in their line. The name of FORSTER is of English origin, Mr. R. FORSTER Sr., being the grandson of one of three brothers who emigrated from England to the United States during the seventeenth century. One settled in York state, another in Virginia, and the other in Pennsylvania. Mr. FORSTER is a descendant of the one who settled in Pennsylvania, his native place being Lycoming county. He is now a gentleman of seventy-three years of age, and has spent about fifty-four years of his life in the furniture trade, thirty years of which he spent in Buffalo, New York, that being the native place of R. FORSTER Jr., who has now been a resident of Terre Haute for about twenty-three years. Part of this time has been devoted to upholstering and dealing in carpets and window shades, until about 1872, when he again made the furniture trade an exclusive business. As before stated, R. FORSTER Jr. is the active member of the firm, and their present extensive business is due to his good management. He is now about thirty-four years old. During the war of 1861-65 he entered the army, enlisting in Co. F, 149th Ind. Vol. Inf., one year's service, under Col. FAIRBANKS. After this term of service he returned to Terre Haute, and for about four years was engaged in business. He then went west, and for about four years was a resident of the State of Kansas, but was obliged to leave on account of the Indians, with whom he experienced much trouble. He returned to Terre Haute and shortly began the furniture trade, at first on a very small scale, but in a few years he has built up the leading business in the city in his line.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 258-259

AUGUST FOX, dairyman, Terre Haute, was born in Switzerland, in 1825, and came to America in 1854, and spent the first year in Kentucky, and in 1855 came to Vigo county, where he engaged in farming for some time, and for about twelve years has been engaged in his present business, that of running a dairy, which is one of the finest in the county. He has fifty-seven cows, and by strict attention to business is considered among the first in his line. In 1857 he married Catherine LOCKER, a native of Switzerland, born in 1835. They have three children.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 245

S.R. FREEMAN, jeweler, Terre Haute, has now been a resident of Terre Haute since 1847, and his connection with the business industries of the city dates back to that time. He may now be considered the pioneer in his line of business, and in fact there are but few of the merchants in any line of business who began trade in Terre Haute as early as 1847, who are still doing business. Mr. FREEMAN is a native of Morristown, New Jersey, where he was born in 1821. He has now been engaged in the jewelry trade about thirty-five years, he having spent two years in the business in Newton, New Jersey, before coming west. In 1847, when he came to Terre Haute, it was a village of about 3,000 population. He has seen and helped to make the changes in it from a village of that size to a city of 25,000 inhabitants, as he has given, as far as his means would justify, to all public and private institutions requiring the aid of all enterprising citizens. He is now located at No. 304 Main street, where he is doing a general business in the line of clocks, watches, jewelry, etc. Politically he has never had any aspirations, choosing rather to devote his time to his business. He is a member of Terre Haute Lodge, No. 19, A.F. and A.M.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 213

JOSEPH FRISZ, grocer, Terre Haute, is another member of the present city council. He is a native of Loraine, France, though when he was one and a half years old his people emigrated to the United States. At the age of fourteen years he began to learn the grocery business. He coutinued at the business for about three years, and after quitting it he learned the blacksmith trade, and in 1862 entered the army, where he was so much disabled as to be obliged to give up blacksmithing. He enlisted in Co. I, 25 U.S. reg., three years' service, under Col. UPTON. He remained in the service about nineteen months, when he was discharged on account of disability. After leaving the army he returned to Indiana, got married and then went to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where for some time he was engaged in the grocery trade. From there he went to Hopkinsville for one year, and then removed to Terre Haute, where he has been engaged in the grocery trade for about twelve years. His place is located at No. 301 North Thirteenth street. He has accumulated his property and established his trade by hard work and honesty. In May, 1879, he was elected a member of the city council, which office he now holds.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 321-322

RUDOLPH GAGG, dealer in artists' supplies, Terre Haute, has the only specialty house in his city in this line. He is very thoroughly posted in his business and instead of keeping a stock of goods of an inferior quality, he has none but the best, thinking thus to foster and encourage the talent of those requiring his goods. His place of business is No. 646 Main street, where he is occupying a neat new room 20x60 feet. He also has a stock of pictures and does framing to order. He came to Terre Haute in 1860 but in a short time after entered the army as sutler's clerk. After returning from the army he resided for about two years at Indianapolis and then again came to Terre Haute in 1867. He did not engage in his present business until about 1870, since which time he has devoted his time to the handling of artists' supplies. Mr. GAGG is a native of the town of Constance, Baden, in southern Germany, where he was born in 1832. He received a very liberal education in German and French and spent some time in travel. In 1857 he came to the United States and September 18, 1862, he was married to Miss Georgiaus HOLEERMANN, who is a native of Piqua, Ohio, though of German parentage. Mr. GAGG is a member of Humboldt Lodge, No. 42, A.F. and A.M., and is a citizen in good standing.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 280-281

L. GENIS, who is now receiver of the Illinois Midland railway, is a native of Belgium. He came to the United States in 1876 to accept the position of president of the Illinois Midland railway, which position he held for about three years. He was then appointed receiver for the company, and is still holding that position. Many changes and improvements have been made since the road has been managed by him. Though Mr. GENIS will probably some time return to France, where he has a large property, he will not have done so without his having become well and favorably known to many of our prominent railroad officials, and to the people of Terre Haute, by whom he is classed as one of the city�s prominent, wealthy and influential men.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 365

A.H. GENUNG, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Morris county, New Jersey, June 21, 1808, and at ten years of age his parents removed to Floyd county, Indiana, and thence to Owen county in 1823, where they were early settlers, and in 1828 came to Vigo county, where Mr. GENUNG has remained ever since. His father and the rest of the family removed in 1842 to Henderson county, Illinois. In 1833 Mr. GENUNG married Miss Mary A. MING, daughter of Morris MING, who was a native of New Jersey, and came to the Wabash valley in 1818. Mr. and Mrs. GENUNG have been constant members of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, and are honored and respected citizens, and have raised a respectable family of five children, of whom four are living: Emeline, wife of C. ANSTED, Harvey, Frank and Cora. The deceased was Warren. The three sons served in the late rebellion. Harvey served in the 31st Ind. Vol. Inf., Frank in the 85th Ind. Vol. Inf., and Warren in the one-hundred-days service. Mr. GENUNG's political views are in favor of the republican party.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 179

JOSEPH GILBERT, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Terre Haute, Vigo county, Indiana, in 1839, and is the son of Curtis GILBERT, who was one of the pioneers of Vigo county, and a personal sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this history. Joseph GILBERT has been engaged in horticultural pursuits in which he has taken quite an interest. He has been secretary of the Agricultural Society since its organization, and has been secretary and president of the Horticultural Society and president of the State Horticultural Society. In 1874 he was elected to the legislature. In 1862 he married Miss Sarah E. MORGAN, daughter of Dr. MORGAN, of Crawfordsville, Indiana. Mr. GILBERT is a wide-awake and energetic man, and does credit to the good name of his father long ago established. He is a kind husband and an indulgent father and a gentleman in every respect, and he has gained for himself a wide circle of friends both in the city and the surrounding country.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 195

GEORGE GLICK, farmer, Terre Haute, is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, and was born in 1820. He remained in his native county until 1847, after which he came to Terre Haute, Indiana, and began the brewery business, first in the old Rock house, located on Ohio street, between the river and Water street. Afterward he built the brewery now owned by M. EASTER, located on the corner of First and Ohio streets, where he continued business in the above named building for seventeen or eighteen years. He then sold out and built what is now the Wabash mills, where he carried on business for about eighteen months, after which he sold out with a view of following farming, and in 1869 purchased his present farm and removed where he now resides, and where he owns a fine farm within three miles of the city. In 1847 he was married to Miss Margaret DRAKE, a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, and they have a family of six children, one son and five daughters, - Don Pedro, Donnamartha, wife of Isaac WHITLOCK, Ada, Sarah J., wife of C.H. SMITH, Margaret E. and Naomi.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 217

FRED GOEZT, furniture dealer, Terre Haute, was born in Prussia, Germany, where, at the age of twelve years, he began serving an apprenticeship of four years in learning the trade of a cabinet-maker. This he completed and followed as a business until 1852. he concluded then to emigrate to the United States, which he did, making the voyage in safety and landing at Galveston, Texas. The next day after his arrival there he sought and obtained employment in work at his trade. He, however, remained there but about one year, when he went to Louisville, Kentucky. There he also spent about one year at work at his trade, and in 1854 came to Terre Haute, where he has since resided. When he first came to Terre Haute he was for a time engaged at work for other parties in the manufacture of furniture. In a short time he began for himself, and now, by energy and enterprise, he has built up an extensive trade and has established a house that, if not the foremost in the trade, may at least be termed one of the twain that represent his line of business in Terre Haute. For twenty-six years he has now been doing business on the same lot where, in 1873, he erected a fine business house, No. 635 Main street, which is 25 feet front by 80 feet deep, three floors and basement. This space he is using for the sale of furniture. For about ten years after he began business he manufactured many of the goods which he sold. Now his stock consists of a fine line of goods manufactured in other cities. He has taken a great deal of pride in giving his boys a good business education, three of whom have attended and become graduates of the Terre Haute Commercial College. Politically, Mr. GOETZ has had no aspirations. He is a member of Humboldt Lodge, No. 42, A.F. and A.M., and of Freya Lodge, No. 5, of Druids.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 246-247

Mrs. MARRILLA (PATRICK) GORDON, widow of ENOCH GORDON, Terre Haute, was born in Virginia and came with her parents to Indiana in infancy, where she has since lived, although a portion of her life has been spent in Illinois. Her husband, Enoch GORDON, was born in North Carolina. From there he went south and then came to Illinois, where he married Miss Marrilla PATRICK. His business was farming. He died a number of years ago. They had three children, all girls, only one of whom is living, Anna GORDON, now Mrs. Anna BROOKS. She and her mother are members of the A.M.E. church.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 367

CHARLES N. GOULD, bricklayer and mason, 459 North Fourth street, Terre Haute, was born in the town of Colwell, Morris county, New Jersey, May 1815. His father, AARON GOULD, came to the Wabash valley in the fall of 1816, and first settled in what was known as the Compton settlement, which was then in Edwards county, Illinois, but which is now in Wabash county, Illinois. He lived there about two years and then removed to a little place called Mt. Carmel, which is now the county seat of Wabash county, Illinois. When Charles N. was in his twentieth year he left home and spent about two years traveling back and fourth between Fort Gibson, Claybourn county, Mississppi, and Mt. Carmel and Terre Haute, Indiana. He first came to Terre Haute in April 1835. He was first married at Mt. Carmel, in 1838, to Miss Eliza J. RUNION, and made Mt. Carmel his residence until the year 1848, when he removed with his family to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he has since resided. His first wife died in March 1854. They had six children only two of whom lived to grow up, one of whom, Henrietta, resides at North Vernon, Indiana, and the other one, Augusta Ann, lives at Elizabeth, New Jersey; the other four died when young. Mr. GOULD was married again in October, 1854, to Mrs. Delia RYAN, of Terre Haute. She and her former husband, John RYAN, were born and raised in county Roscommon, Ireland, were married there, and in 1840 emigrated to America and came to Indiana. John RYAN, was the principal of the city school at Rockville, Parke county, Indiana, for a time, and then went to Vicksburg, Mississippi, where he edited a paper till he died. Aaron GOULD, the father of Charles N. GOULD, was a bricklayer and mason, and Charles N. learned his trade when fifteen years old. When he came to Terre Haute, in 1835, the land north of Main street was covered with brush and grapevines, and he cut a road through the brush to haul brick to lay the foundations of houses on North Fourth street. He has always made this place his home since coming and has always followed his trade. He has helped to build the towns of Mt. Carmel, Illinois; Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana; Paris and Charleston, Illinois. His work in those towns has been principally on churches, court-houses, etc., and he has helped to build as many or more buildings in Terre Haute than any other man in the city. The city-hall and market-house of this city was his last contract as a builder. He helped to build the First Congregational church. Up to 1845 there was no school north of Main street, and he was the originator of and helped to organize, the first school; and the old school-house of the first school north of Main street now stands on the southwest corner of Third and Locust streets. By the last marriage he has three children: Charles Edward, Alfred and Albert, the two last being twins, one of whom, Alfred, is in the boot and shoe business on the corner of Fourth and Ohio. Albert is bookkeeper at Riddle & Hamilton's insurance office, and Charles is a musician. Mr. GOULD cast his first vote for Gen. Wm. H. HARRISON. He has never taken any part in military affairs; has never held office or been an office seeker.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 201-202

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