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

JOHN JACKSON, the father of S.H. JACKSON, farmer, Terre Haute, was one of the early settlers of Vigo county, Indiana, and was born in England in 1774, and came to America in 1787 and located in Licking county, Ohio. He removed to this county in 1818, and resided until his death, which occurred in 1845. He was married in 1817 to Mary CROUCH, a native of Pennsylvania, born March 8, 1784, and died January 27, 1840. S.H. JACKSON was born in Vigo county, Indiana, in 1823, and has been a resident of the county ever since. He has been twice married: in 1846, to Miss Sarah RYMAN, a native of Kentucky, born in 1825, and died in 1865. He afterward was united to Mrs. PETERS, a native of Ohio. He has a family of six children by his former wife: Mary A., wife of E.A. ROBERTS; Sarah E., Jemima, Carolton, Charles, Helen, and one deceased: Hamilton.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 175

The Star notion house was founded in 1878, and for about one year was managed by Mr. J.W. HUNLEY, and he was succeeded by W.D. JAMES, the present manager, who is a native of Warren county, Ohio, though his people moved to Iroquois county, Illinois, about 1860, where he resided for about eight years. He then came to Terre Haute and entered the store of Mr. RYCE, as salesman, continuing in his employ about seven years. He then went to Chicago, and for three years was salesman in the house of Mr. GOSSAGE, corner of State and Washington streets. He returned to Terre Haute, and shortly after took charge of the Star notion house, which position he is thoroughly competent to fill.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 319

E.W. JOHNSON, of No. 613 Main street, Terre Haute, is an extensive dealer in oysters and liquors. He has been engaged in handling liquors since 1855, his residence in Terre Haute dating back to 1854. Until 1873 he had been in company with different parties from time to time. At this date he engaged in the wholesale liquor trade on his own account, and has since continued the business alone. He is occupying a room 24x130 feet, and in connection with the wholesale trade in liquors he does by far the largest oyster business in the city. This is also an exclusive jobbing business with him. During the season of 1878-9 his sales in this line amounted to 160,000 cans. He is a native of La Fayette, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and, as before stated, became a resident of Terre Haute in 1854. Though he is a man of about forty-two years of age, he does not appear to be more than thirty years. This alone is pretty good evidence of his temperate habits. Though he has been buying and selling liquors for over twenty years he has never contracted a habit of using it himself. He has been, and is, one of the live, energetic business men of the city, always ready to donate liberally toward the support of churches, schools, etc., it being generally understood among the different benevolent and other societies that E.W. JOHNSON always gives something.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 249

MARY ELIZABETH JOHNSON, formerly Mary Elizabeth ROBINSON, and widow of WILLIAM JOHNSON, an elder of the A.M.E. church, Terre Haute, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, November 9, 1823. Her mother came to Indianapolis in 1832, and she followed her mother to that place in 1834 and lived there a number of years. She married William JOHNSON when seventeen years of age. Afterward they came to Terre Haute, where she has lived ever since. She and Mr. BASS and Mrs. BASS, with their father and mother, Jethro and Polly BASS, and some others, first organized the A.M.E. church that now meets and worships in Allen A.M.E. chapel, on South Third street, Terre Haute. Her husband, William JOHNSON, was born at Frankfort, Kentucky, went from there to Ohio, near Cincinnati, then to Canada, and after traveling for some time he came to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he married Miss Mary Elizabeth ROBINSON, the subject of this sketch. He was a traveling elder of the A.M.E. church, and was one of the bright and shining lights of the church. He was a member of the Masonic order and temperance society. He was a well read man, yet he never received a college education. He came to Terre Haute in 1842, where most of his family now live. He died August 26, 1878, at Mound City, Illinois. Mrs. JOHNSON has had nine children, four of whom are dead, two boys and two girls, and five are living: Mary Ann, Susanna, Sarah Alice, Maria A. and Charles Alexander. Those dead are Martha J., Angellica, Rufus T. and John. One lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, and one daughter is a teacher at Mount Vernon, Indiana.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 366-367

Dr. J.S. JORDAN, physician, Terre Haute, whose office is No. 326½ Main street, is one of that class of physicians who, upon beginning the study of medicine, recognized the fact that the science is broad enough to require years of hard and comprehensive study to become a thorough master of diseases peculiar to certain parts of the human body. Recognizing this fact in the early part of his studies, the doctor gave his time to the study of diseases of the throat and lungs and attendant ailments. Having been afflicted himself with the wasting away of one lung, he was actuated by the strong law of self preservation to find a radical cure for consumption. The splendid health that he has for years enjoyed is the best proof of how well he succeeded. Believing what would cure him would be of equal value to others afflicted like himself, he gave the curing of consumption his special attention; and now, after having been in active practice for about three years, no other proof is needed of his success in treating disease of the head, throat and lungs than the hundreds of testimonials sent him from all parts of the county by leading physicians, as well as others, who testify to the happy relief and cure by using his medicines. Dr. J.S. Jordan’s Lung Renovator and Liniment are fast superseding all other medicines of their nature in the market. The doctor is a native of Putnam county, Indiana, where he was born in 1845. At the age of five years, with his parents he became a resident of Parke county, Indiana, where most of his early life was spent. At the early age of fifteen years he began the study of medicine. He has traveled over most of the states and territories of the United States, and has now been practicing in Terre Haute about two years. For the past year he has been spending a part of each month in Indianapolis, where he does a large and lucrative business.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 361-362

P.H. KADEL, dealer in harness, etc., Terre Haute, is another of the business men of the city who has proven that hard work, energy and enterprise will build up a good business. He was born in 1847, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. In 1856 he came to the United States, and for the past twenty-three years he has been a resident of Terre Haute. The first six years of his life in Terre Haute were spent in attending school. He then spent a short time at clerking in a grocery, after which he began serving an apprenticeship of three and a half years in learning the trade of a harness and saddle maker. After completing his trade he spent some time at work as a "jour." workman. At length he had saved money enough to enable him to engage in business on his own account, and now he has built up a business that keeps about six men busy in manufacturing. In the fall of 1879 he purchased the right to sell, in Vigo county, the American trace coupler. This is an ingenious arrangement for attaching the tug or trace of the harness to the hame. Mr. KADEL, in securing the right to sell this in Vigo county, has already increased his trade on account of it, and has supplied himself with an article that bears about the same relation to the old fashioned buckle as the present breech-loading Henry rifles do to the old flint-lock muskets of 1776. Mr. KADEL's place of business is No. 650 Main street.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 268

PETER KATZENBACH, undertaker, Terre Haute, who has been a resident of Terre Haute since 1852, has been connected with the business of undertaking since 1867. He was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in May, 1830. Before leaving his native country to come to the United States, which he did in 1851, he had received a good business education and had learned the trade of a cabinet-maker. He spent a short time in New York city upon his arrival there, and then he went to Utica, New York. There he also remained but a short time, when he again removed to Terre Haute. Arriving at Terre Haute he began work at his trade, which he followed for four or five years and then engaged in the furniture trade on his own account, in company with Jacob SEITZ. They did business together for about three years, when they met with reverses, and Mr. KATZENBACH again began work at his trade, which he followed until he engaged in the business of undertaking, in 1867. He had become somewhat familiar with the business while in the furniture trade, and when he turned his attention to it as a business, he succeeded. He has now been engaged in the business so long that he has become well known and respected by all classes of citizens of the city and county. His place of business is No. 20 North Third street, where he keeps a stock of goods embracing everything pertaining to his business. Mr. KATZENBACH was married in 1851 to Miss Mary BEST, who is also a native of Germany. They have raised a family of nine children, two sons and seven daughters, of all of whom Mr. KATZENBACH speaks very highly in their efforts to contribute something toward the support of the family.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 235-236

ANDREW KAUFMAN (deceased) was born in Florence, Germany, in 1832. His father was for about thirty years mayor of the city of Florence, Germany, and was one of the prominent and influential men of that place. He assisted his sons in acquiring a classical education, which advantage fitted the subject of this sketch for assisting in building up the school system of Terre Haute in after years. Before leaving his native country Mr. KAUFMAN had married Miss Catharine MAYER, who still survives him and is a resident of Terre Haute. July 4, 1852, they landed in the United States. They had but little means, but looked forward to a brighter future, made prosperous by their own energy and industry. They first settled in Utica, New York, where they resided for about two years, and then removed to Marshall, Illinois. There they resided for about one and one half years, and then made their final change, which made them residents of Terre Haute. Mr. KAUFMAN at once began in active business, and eventually had accumulated means sufficient to enable him to build the three-story brick business house on the southwest corner of Main and Seventh streets, and which is now occupied by the firm of Wright & Kaufman, the junior member of the firm, Peter KAUFMAN, being the son of the subject of this sketch. Being a thoroughly educated gentleman, Mr. KAUFMAN soon became recognized among the Germans as a leader in matters pertaining to their educational interests. As a consequence he was made a member of the board of education of the city, and held that position for about eight years, giving satisfaction to all interested. His death occurred in September, 1869. He left a family of three sons and two daughters, most of whom have already become useful members of society.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 256

Terre Haute at present is without a board of trade, though about eight years ago, or in 1871, Mr. F.F. KEITH, was instrumental in organizing a board, which was kept in operation only about one year. Since then the grain trade has been done principally by commission men. In 1872, when the board of trade ceased operations, Mr. F.F. KEITH began a broker's business. He has devoted his time and energy so thoroughly to his work that for some years he has done a very extensive trade in dealing in "options," both for himself and for others, he having now about sixty regular customers, and his daily trade amounting to about 200,000 bushels, and has reached to the extent of 2,000,000 bushels on hand at one time. He now represents the following firms: J.B. Reeme & Co., Chicago; C.A. King & Co., Toledo, and David Dows & Co., Baltimore. His office is located over the Prairie City bank, corner of Sixth and Main streets. Mr. KEITH is a native of Jefferson county, New York, though he has been a resident of the Wabash valley since 1834. He first located at Armiesburg, Parke county, where for fifteen years he was engaged in pork packing, general merchandising, and in the grain trade. He began in the business first as a clerk, gradually working his way up until he became a partner and finally proprietor, where he began first with no capital. In 1869 he removed to Terre Haute, where he has engaged in business as above stated. He is a shrewd, careful dealer in options as well as a successful commission merchant. From his starting in Armiesburg, a poor boy in 1854, he has gradually increased in business until he is now known as one of the more wealthy and influential citizens of Terre Haute.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 327-328

JAMES R. KENDALL, general freight agent Evansville, Terre Haute & Chicago railroad, Terre Haute, is a native of Owen county, Ky. He educated near Cincinatti, and in 1861, at the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, in five days raised Co. A of the 69th Ohio Vol. Inf., of which he was commissioned captain. They went into camp as the 60th, but were changed to the 69th, which was a three years' enlisted regiment. He was, however, transferred to the quartermaster's department, and began his first railroading by running a government transportation train between Nashville and Chattanooga. After the war he went to Xenia, Ohio, where for two years he was engaged in the wool trade. Changing his business in 1866, he went to Sidney, Ohio, and engaged in the grain trade, which he continued until 1871, when he accepted a position with the Logansport railroad. In 1873 he accepted the position of general freight agent with the Evansville, Terre Haute & Chicago railroad, which position he has since held. While traveling in the interests of his road, Mr. KENDALL has aided Mr. COLLETT, the president of the road, in making one of the finest archaeological collections of specimens to be found in the State of Indiana.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 338

WILLARD KIDDER, miller, Terre Haute, of the firm of Kidder Bros., millers, is a native of Windham county, Vermont. He came west in 1854, and shortly after became a resident of Geneseo, Illinois, where he remained until about 1867, and then removed to Quincy, Michigan, where he became a member of the firm of Alden, Sutton & Co., manufacturers of coopers’ stock. They were also engaged in the mercantile and banking business, the latter being principally conducted by himself. In 1875 he sold his interest in the firm and removed to Terre Haute, where he has since resided, and since August 13, 1875, has been engaged in milling and buying grain. The firm was from August 13, 1875, until April, 1879, Kidder & Donmeyer. In April of the above date his brother, W.L. KIDDER, bought Mr. DONMEYER’s interest in the mill, since which the firm has been known as Kidder Bros. Their mill, which is located at the head of Main street, was first built and fitted out for a brewery, but was afterward remodeled and changed to a flouring mill. It was first built with four run of stone, but has since been changed to a six-run mill. They now have a flouring capacity of 200 barrels per day, and are making what is known as the patent flour. In all they give employment to about twelve men. Both being good financiers, and Mr. W.L. a practical miller of about fifteen years’ experience, there is but little doubt of their soon increasing their business to equal that of any mill in the city. In fact, they are already so well known that they have a retail trade of about 100 barrels per day, their business being entirely merchant milling. Such men as they are, whose financial standing, enterprise and ability are not questioned, are always welcome in any city. Terre Haute may well feel proud in being able to number them among her citizens.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 354

JAMES KING, Terre Haute, formerly of the firm of Wright & King, grocers, is probably more familiar with the gradual improvement that has been made for the past twenty years in Vigo and Parke counties than any resident of either of these counties. He is an old commercial traveler, about twenty years of his life having been spent on the road. He was at last obliged to give it up on account of rheumatism, brought on by exposure and night travel. From 1856 to 1859 he used to travel on horseback through portions of the Wabash valley and as far west as the Mississippi river. Mr. KING is a native of Cincinnati, his people having located in that place as early as 1808. His mother’s maiden name was SARGENT, she being of English parentage. To her people, could it be recovered, belongs a large estate near London, England, called Nohill. This, however, Mr. KING does not count upon, and he has fought his way through, in the commercial world, with the expectation of accumulating a good property only by his own energy and ability. He was educated in Cincinnati, and there for many years followed merchandising. Before becoming a resident of Terre Haute he had been a member of the firm of Chambers, Stevens & Co., of Cincinnati. For several years he has been afflicted with rheumatism in one of his legs. He has, however, recently been recovering somewhat and has a prospect of soon becoming completely cured. But for the stern will-power of which he is possessed Mr. KING must have succumbed to the disease with which he is afflicted. This, however, has kept him up and bids fair in the end to prove a radical cure.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 353

H. KINNSE Sr., foreman of carpenter shop of Vandalia railroad, was born in 1815, in Saxony, Germany. There the early part of his life was spent and an education obtained. There he also learned the trade of a carpenter and spent two years in the German army. In 1839 he came to the United States. After his arrival he spent about four years in Baltimore and on the Baltimore, Ohio and Pacific railroad. He then went to Georgia, and for about four years was connected with the road running between Augusta and Atlanta. Three years of this time he was foreman in the shops of that company. He then went to Madison, Indiana, and for about four years more was connected with the Madison and Indianapolis road. In 1852 he came to Terre Haute and accepted his present position, that of foreman in the carpenter shops of the Vandalia railroad. Mr. KINNSE was married to Miss Caroline HAGERFELT, who is a native of Hanover, Germany. The long number of years that he has held his position as foreman, and the large number of men who look to him for instructions, are proofs of his capability of doing the work to the satisfaction of the Vandalia company.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 237

G.W. and J.H. KLEISER, attorneys, Terre Haute, are among the younger class of attorneys who are now practicing at the Vigo county bar. Mr. G.W. KLEISER, the senior member of the firm, has now been practicing for about ten years. He was admitted to practice in 1868 at Crawfordsville, Indiana. His literary education was obtained at the Waveland Collegiate Institute, and in fitting himself for the practice of law he read under Mr. John M. BUTLER, of Crawfordsville. He has now been a resident of Terre Haute about ten years. Mr. J.H., the younger of the brothers, was admitted to practice in 1876, and is now but twenty-seven years of age. At the age of eighteen years he began teaching school, which he followed as a business until devoting his time to the legal profession. They are both natives of Montgomery county, their parents having become residents of that county about the year 1830. Having chosen the legal profession as a life business, the brothers are devoting their time fully and exclusively to the study and practice of law. They have given no attention to the side issues and specialties adopted by many young attorneys to pave the way to a fair practice, but have already established a good practice by fitting themselves to conduct their practice in a professional and successful manner. Their office is No. 314 Ohio street.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 330-331

WILLIAM KURTZ, foreman at the Vandalia shops, Terre Haute, has been in the employ of the Vandalia Railroad Company since July 8, 1855, with the exception of from 1865 to 1867. He is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. In 1851, when he was seventeen years old, he came to the United States. He learned the trade of a machinist in Germany, where at the age of fourteen years he began at serving an apprenticeship of three years, in addition to which he was obliged to pay $175. From 1851 until 1854 he was in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. In 1855, when he began work for the Vandalia company, he worked at "jour" work. He continued in that capacity until 1868, when he was made foreman of the machinery and erecting department, which position he has since held. He has now under his supervision about sixty men, who are employed in the manufacturing of different kinds of machinery. Though their work is varied and extensive, Mr. KURTZ is thoroughly competent to direct them in the discharge of their duties. He is a thoroughly reliable man as well as a skilled machinest, and is eminently fitted to oversee the manufacture of machinery upon which so much depends. The holding of his position for so many years is proof of his having done the work to the satisfaction of the Vandalia company.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 253

L. KUSSNER, dealer in musical merchandise, Terre Haute, was born in Hasse-Darmstadt, Germany, June 26, 1836, and remained a resident of his native country until nearly sixteen years of age. While a resident of Germany he received a good education. In 1852 he emigrated to the United States and remained a short time in New York city and then went to Cincinnati. He arrived in that city nearly the same time as did the corpse of that great statesman, Henry CLAY. The demonstrations of sorrow in that city made an impression on his mind never to be forgotten. From Cincinnati he went to Dayton, Ohio, and there apprenticed himself to a manufacturer of pianos. This business being very much to his liking he made rapid progress, as in Germany he had studied music from the time he was five years old until he left there. He remained in Dayton about four years and then went to Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he taught music for a time, and then removed to Greencastle, Indiana. There he followed teaching music, repairing instruments, and for the first began dealing in musical merchandise. February 24, 1864, he came to Terre Haute and began at once selling musical merchandise. He had got nicely started and spent one year in the business when his establishment, which is located at No. 218 Ohio street, was consumed by fire. Mr. KUSSNER immediately rebuilt the building, and with an especial adaptation to the storing of musical instruments and to the music trade. His business house is styled the "Palace of Music," and is certaily deserving of the name. Mr. KUSSNER is certainly the pioneer in this branch of the business industries of Terre Haute. He has now been engaged in the sale of musical merchandise in Terre Haute for the past eighteen years From beginning upon a limited scale he has gradually increased his business to a standard to compare favorably with any institutions of the kind in the state. He is a thoroughly practical workman in the manufacture of pianos and organs. This knowledge alone has proved to be of great value to him in the extensive wholesale business which he is doing. He was married August 10, 1857, to Miss Emilie WEINHARDT, she also being a native of Germany. Mr. KUSSNER comes naturally by his musical talent, as his father was a teacher of music in one of the large educational establishments in Hesse-Darmstadt, an institution in which he remained a teacher for fifty years, and was then presented a fine medal of honor by the government and retired for life on full pay, an honor duly appreciated by himself and descendants.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 298-299

AUGUSTUS LAUX, locksmith, Terre Haute, who is the locksmith of the Vandalia shops, has been in the employ of that company since 1830, he being one of the oldest workmen in the shops. He is a native of the northeast of France, where he was born in 1826. He learned his trade in his native country, and in 1847 came to the United States. He first landed at New Orleans, and went from there to Cincinnati and from the latter city came to Terre Haute. His business is to look after everything in the way of car-locks on all cars manufactured or repaired at the Terre Haute shops. In 1850 he was married to Miss Sara ELLIOTT, who is a native of Kentucky.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 223

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