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

THOMAS LAWS, foreman of the blacksmith department of the Vandalia railroad, Terre Haute, has since 1851 been in the employ of the Vandalia railroad, except from 1865 to 1867, when he was engaged in the foundry business on his own account. He is a native of Henderson county, Kentucky. He is now about thirty-eight years old, and by an honorable and trustworthy course he has filled for many years a responsible position. In 1847, when he was fifteen years old, he went to Louisville, Kentucky, and began learning the blacksmith trade, which he completed in 1849. He was then for a time employed in the foundry of Dennis, Long & Co., of Louisville, and after leaving them he began work for the Madison & Indianapolis Railroad Company, with whom he remained for about eighteen months, and then in 1851 came to Terre Haute and began work for the Vandalia company. He was the first blacksmith to begin work for the company at Terre Haute. When he began it was in a little old blacksmith shop belonging to Chauncey ROSE. The total number of mechanics employed by the company at this point was four. At that time, where the passenger houses now stand there stood a grove, and where the extensive shops of the company are, there was being raised a crop of corn. Mr. LAWS is now foreman of the smithing department, and has under his instructions and subject to his orders about twenty-six men. He is thoroughly capable of instructing them in the discharge of their duties, and is one of the men upon whom the Vandalia company have relied for the success which has made theirs one of the leading railroads of the west. Mr. LAWS was a member of the city council from 1861 till 1866, from the fifth ward. He is a member of Social Lodge, No. 86, A.F. and A.M., of Fort Harrison Lodge, No. 157, I.O.O.F., Vigo Encampment, No. 17, and also of the Order of K. of G.R. His reputation is such that any industrious and enterprising citizen may feel proud to own.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 227-228

JUNIUS P. LEAKE, lumber dealer, Terre Haute, of No. 925 Mulberry street, has now been engaged in the lumber trade in Terre Haute since 1866, though he has been a resident of the city since 1851. After learning the trade of carpenter for some time he did "jour." work, and afterward some contracting and building. In 1866 he engaged in the lumber trade in company with a Mr. EAGLESFIELD, the style of the firm being Eaglesfield & Leake. They also did some manufacturing of lumber, though that branch of the business he has discontinued. He is now engaged in the business alone and is not only handling lumber, but lath and shingles. Mr. LEAKE is a native of Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania. He is a man of about thirty-seven years of age. Since his residence in Terre Haute he has been dependent upon his own resources in the building up and establishing a business. He has taken no active part in political affairs, but instead has devoted his time to business affairs, and is now connected with a branch of the business industries of Terre Haute which is well known as one of importance in the growth of any city.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 230

ELI W. LEEDS, jeweler, 29 South Fourth street, Terre Haute, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, September 9, 1850. His father, Capt. E.R. LEEDS, was prominent in local military affairs during the Mexican war. Mr. LEEDS was educated in the high schools of his native county, his business education being obtained in Cincinnati and Terre Haute. He came to Terre Haute in 1874, having been married to Miss Lillie SMITH. In 1878 Mr. LEEDS established his present location, and has succeeded in building up a prosperous business. In politics Mr. Leeds is a republican.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 350

HERMANN LEIBING, music teacher, Terre Haute, is one of the leading professors of music of Terre Haute. He was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, May 29, 1857, and is the son of Christopher and Barbara E. (BIEL) LEIBING. At the age of six years he was taken by his people to Germany, they both being natives of that country. His parents, on their return to Germany, located at Thuringia. There the subject of this sketch remained a resident until ten years of age, and there he began the study of music, which he continued about three years. When he was ten years of age his people again removed to the United States, and became residents of Terre Haute, where the life of Hermann was spent, until 1878, in attending school and studying music, though during this time he also spent some time in the office of the "Daily Gazette," at learning the trade of printer. Having made rapid progress in the study of music at the date before mentioned, he went to Leipsic, Germany, to prosecute his studies. In the latter part of 1879 he graduated and received his diploma from the Musical Conservatory of Leipsic. He spent some time in travel and then returned to Terre Haute, where, though he has but just established himself as a teacher of music, he already has a reputation of which any man of his age may well be proud. Natural musical talent has won for him a distinction and a place in the estimation of the people of Terre Haute that no amount of advertising could have done, the latter being a method of courting notoriety to which he is very much averse, his belief being that if he possesses real talent the public will, and should, award a proportionate amount of patronage. In this view the public has certainly, and to his credit, settled the question of his proficiency in his chosen profession.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 313-314

G.A. LOCKRIDGE, Terre Haute, farmer, was born in Knox county, Indiana in 1825. His parents were natives of Kentucky, and came to Knox county in 1805, and removed to Vigo county in 1841, and located in Lost Creek township, where his father Robert died in 1855, and his mother, Catherine HARPER, in Terre Haute in 1862. In 1848 Mr. LOCKRIDGE was married to Miss Jane STEWART, daughter of Abraham and Margaret (MCMULLEN) STEWART, who were among the first settlers of Vigo county. Mr. MCMULLEN died in this county in 1828, and Mrs. MCMULLEN in 1861. Mrs. LOCKRIDGE was born in Vigo county, April 16, 1826. Their family consists of two daughters, Ida M. and Alice. Mr. LOCKRIDGE is the owner of a fine property which he has made by his own hard work, and by his honest dealings has gained the respect of all who know him. He is a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 198-199

The representative hat store of Terre Haute is that of S. Loeb & Co., located corner Fifth and Main streets, where they are occupying a room 20 feet front by 85 feet deep, which is stocked with everything in the line of hats, caps, fur goods, and a very complete stock of fine showcase goods, such as fine handkerchiefs, gloves and gents' neck-wear. Mr. S. LOEB, the active member of the firm, is a native of Prussia, Germany. At the age of sixteen years, or in 1863, he emigrated to the United States, and the same year became a resident of Terre Haute. He has now been engaged in the hat trade about two years, though for seven years previous he had been engaged in the millinery business. In his business relations with the people of Terre Haute, and vicinity he has become known as one of the honorable merchants of the city, who, in supplying his extensive trade with goods in his line, does a fair and impartial business. In doing business in this manner he has made a wide circle of friends. During his business experience in Terre Haute he has displayed both energy and good judgment in buying and selling goods. Through the energy and go-ahead qualities which he has displayed he has gradually established a reputation that places him among the more prominent merchants and business men of the city, a position he has fought for step by step and at last attained by fair and honorable means.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 290

J.H. LONG, physician, Terre Haute, is the oldest physician of Terre Haute who has devoted his time exclusively to the practice of his profession. He is a native of Lebanon county, Pennsylvania. In 1846 he became a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, and in the fall of the same year became a resident of Terre Haute, where he at once began the practice of medicine and has continued to practice until the present time, he having now been engaged in the practice of medicine in Terre Haute for about thirty-four years. When he first located in Terre Haute, in 1846, it was a village of about 4,000 population. He soon had established quite an extensive practice, and was frequently obliged to ride fifteen or twenty miles to make professional calls. He is now president of the Vigo County Medical Society, and is a member both of the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 212

Judge THOMAS B. LONG, Terre Haute, the present judge of the criminal court of Vigo county, is a native of Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio. He was born in 1836, and at the age of nine years came with his people to Terre Haute. At the age of eighteen years he began reading law under Col. R.W. THOMPSON, present secretary of the United States navy. In the spring of 1856 he became a graduate at the Cincinnati College of Law, after which he returned to Terre Haute and resumed the practice of his profession. In 1868 he was appointed county school examiner of Vigo county, that officer now being called county superintendent of schools. He served the people in the capacity of county school examiner until 1870, when he was elected to his present office. In 1874 he was reelected, and is still holding the office. The Vigo county bar for many years has been represented by highly educated and talented men. For years it has been known throughout the State of Indiana as a bar represented by men of more than ordinary ability. He is a man to be classed among the highest in both legal and literary attainments. The position he is now holding, and has held for the past ten years, is positive proof of his high standing among the citizens of Vigo county.

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

JOHN B. LUDOWICE, dealer in boots and shoes, Terre Haute, has done much toward the building up of Terre Haute, both in public and private enterprises. He is a native of Prussia, Germany, where he was born June 7, 1809. He received a good business education, and at the age of fifteen years began learning the trade of weaving fine broadcloths. In this he became so thoroughly practical and ingenious that at the age of nineteen years he was superintendent of 865 men in one of the large cloth manufacturing establishments of Prussia. August 11, 1831, he landed in Baltimore, Maryland. From that city he went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and resided there about four and a half years. While there he learned the trade and began business in a brass foundry on his own account. Disliking the prospects for business in Philadelphia, he went to St. Louis with the intention of prosecuting his business in that city. There he did not find things to his liking, and went across the river to Illinois and settled on a farm. There misfortune again befell him, in the shape of sickness, and for four years he was unable to do work. This period proved to be one of the most discouraging of his life. Being naturally energetic, he was obliged to pass year after year in idleness and sickness. At last he concluded to leave that climate, stop taking medicine and let time work a cure or prove fatal. With this determination he went to Cincinnati, and in a very small way engaged in the grocery trade. Being careful, never to contract a bill for stock unless he was positive of being able to meet it when due, he in that way won the respect and confidence of the wholesale men, who, finding him strictly honest, were willing to grant him greater favors. This course, in ten years' time, enabled him once more to accumulate some property. March 5, 1850, he came to Terre Haute, and, in company with F.K. HULMAN, engaged in the grocery trade, both at retailing and jobbing. They remained in business together until 1852, when, on account of Mr. HULMAN's determining to sell liquors, which Mr. LUDOWICE would not consent to be added to their business, they dissolved partnership. Mr. LUDOWICE continued the grocery trade until 1862. He then closed out and retired from active business. In 1855-6 he built the National Hotel, a large four-story brick, located on the corner of Sixth and Main streets. In 1870 he engaged in the boot and shoe trade, on account of his sons, who are doing a good business. Their store is in the corner room of the National House building. Politically Mr. LUDOWICE never had any aspirations, though he has been a member of the city council and has been appointed and reappointed street commissioner. In 1873-4 he built one of the fine residences which are to be found on South Sixth street, his being No. 1000, where he resides in peace and plenty. The peculiar characteristic of Mr. LUDOWICE's nature has been to deal with all men honestly. This trait of character has sometimes caused him a delay in the accumulating of property, but in the end has provided him with home, wealth and happiness.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 224-225

JAMES M. LYONS, New Bedford, Massachusetts, who was for many years one of the prominent citizens of Vermilion county, Indiana, and who was the predecessor of Mr. Jno. N. WOLF, hardware merchant of No. 404 Main street, Terre Haute, has recently removed to New Bedford, Massachusetts. He was identified with much of the early history of Vermilion county, where he began business as early as 1846. In political and civil affairs he took an active part, and especially in the free school question. Probably the first organized free school of the state was at Clinton, Vermilion county, Indiana. This was done through the influence of the Hon. Wm. P. DOLE, who at that time (1849) was a resident of Clinton, but was afterward commissioner of Indian affairs under President LINCOLN. The first teacher of that free school was Miss Anna P. HATHAWAY (now Mrs. James M. LYONS). She came to Clinton as a teacher under the auspices of a society formed by Gov. SLADES. Mr. LYONS continued business in Clinton until 1863, though he left there and became a resident of Terre Haute in 1860. John N. WOLF, who became a member of Mr. LYONs' family when ten years of age, is a native of Vigo county, and is now about twenty-five years of age. As before stated, his hardware establishment is located at No. 424 Main street, and is a building 20x80 feet, three floors and basement. Though a young merchant he is doing a first-class business.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 279

ROD. MAGWIRE, painter, Terre Haute, of the firm of Magwire & Yeakle, corner Fifth and Ohio streets, is one of the thoroughly practical and artistic workmen in his line in the city. The firm of Magwire & Yeakle stands at the head, and in speaking of the representative houses in different lines of trade and manufacture theirs stands in that position in taking rank with other firms in their line. Mr. MAGWIRE, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Rutland county, Vermont. His trade was learned with his father, and at the age of thirteen years he was a practical workman. In 1856 he came west and spent the time in travel and at work at his trade in different cities until 1861. In that year he went to Cincinnati, and at the breaking out of the war of the rebellion he enlisted in Co. K, 5th Ohio Vol. Inf., for a three years' term of service. His officers were Col. S.H. DUNNING and Capt. Chas. JACKSON. He was under fire during his service about twenty-two different times, some of which were heavy battles. At the battle of Cedar Mountain, Virginia, he was wounded so severely that he was discharged from the service. Before his discharge, however, he had served a little over two years of his term of enlistment. He has now been a resident of Terre Haute for the past thirteen years. During this time he has been associated with different parties in the prosecution of his business, and at other times he has been alone. In 1877 he formed a partnership with Mr. YEAKLE, with whom he is still associated. Their specialty is fine sign writing and lettering, they both being adepts at this line of work. Mr. MAGWIRE is a member of Terre Haute Lodge, No. 51, I.O.O.F., and of Vigo Encampment, No. 17, of that order.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 315-316

J.W. MAND, grain dealer and grocer, Terre Haute, is one of the substantial business men of Terre Haute. He is a native of Germany. In 1852, when he was fourteen years of age, he, unaccompanied by his parents, emigrated to the United States, arriving in New York city with less than $1 in money. He remained in the city of New York for a short time and then went to Cincinnati, where he resided until September, 1864, when he removed to Terre Haute. In February, 1865, he engaged in the grocery trade and has since continued business in that line. In connection with which, in 1875, he began buying grain. The grain trade has now grown to quite an important feature of his business, as during the busy season in this trade he pays out about $2,500 per week for grain of different kinds. His grain house is located at No. 1, and the grocery at No. 11, Main street. These buildings are both commodious structures, so much so as to enable him to do a commission business in the line of produce during the season of this trade. During the war of 1861-5 he entered the Union army, enlisting in Co. G., 11th reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., three month's service. He has made his own way in life, financially, and has now a well established business in Terre Haute, as well as a good reputation as an honorable and respectable citizen.

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

LOUIS MAY, the present county sheriff, is a native of Vigo county, Fayette being his native township. His people were among the early settlers of the county. He was brought up in the country, and received his early education at the district schools. In 1864, during the war of the rebellion, he entered the Union army after making several ineffectual attempts to do so, he being at the time only thirteen years of age, and going to war being contrary to the wishes of his father. He first enlisted in Co. C, 133d Ind. Vol. Inf., one-hundred-days service. His father, seeing he was determined to enter the army, also concluded to enlist, which he did, connecting himself with the same regiment of which his boy was a member. Serving his term of enlistment, Louis returned and again enlisted, this time in Co. H, the same regiment which had been reorganized for a one year's term of service under the command of Col. D.H. McCAULY, his first service being under Col. R.N. HUDSON. In 1878 he became the democratic candidate for the office of sheriff of Vigo county, and on November 19 he was elected by a large majority, many republicans voting for him in preference to their own candidate, which is pretty good evidence of his standing among the citizens of his native county.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 231-232

PHIL MAY, saloon keeper, Terre Haute, proprietor of the well known opera-house saloon, has been a resident of Terre Haute for about thirteen years. His native place is Bingen on the Rhine. Before leaving his native country he had received a good education, it being the design of his parents to educate him for the priesthood. His mother, who is still a resident of Germany, is a lady now eighty years old, as was at the time of Philip's birth fifty years of age. On arriving at Terre Haute Mr. MAY began clerking in a grocery, which he continued for about one year and then bought the establishment of M. SCHOEMEHL, groceryman, and he and his brother continued the business from 1868 until 1873, under the firm name of May Bros. They broke up in debt about $4,000. In August, 1878, Philip bought of Mr. SCHOEFFER the opera-house saloon, and in one and one half years had paid the last dollar of the $4,000. His place is No. 13 North Fourth street, and the premises he occupies is 24 feet frontage by 75 feet deep, furnished with four fine billiard tables and a choice stock of liquors. His is one of the most orderly houses in the city, as since he has been engaged in the business not a single fight or "fuss" has occurred in this house. In home affairs, Mr. MAY has taken an active part. He is a member of the Terre Haute Lodge, No. 2, A.O.U.W., is a member of the order of I.O.R.M., and a member of the governor's guard. He also was the organizer of the liquor dealers' association of Terre Haute, and is the present secretary of this society. He has many friends in the city, and is a man of character and standing.

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

The large brewery located corner Poplar and Ninth streets, which is now owned and managed by ANTON MAYER, was built in 1856 by M. MAGGER. Mr. MAYER, its present owner, is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, where he remained a resident until 1859. He was at that time sixteen years old. He had received a good education, and at the date above mentioned emigrated to the United States, coming direct to Terre Haute, where he remained but a short time and then went to Cincinnati, where for nine years he resided and was connected with one of the large breweries of that city. Upon the death of Mr. MAGGER, who was his brother-in-law, he returned to Terre Haute, and bought the brewery which he now owns. When he first came to Terre Haute he began work for $6 per month, being then only a poor boy. Now he owns one of the finest breweries in the State of Illinois. It has now a capacity of manufacturing about 100 barrels per day, and is also running the steam bottling works, which he established in 1878, with a capacity of about eighty dozen bottles per day. He gives employment to about eighteen men, and is at present building and increasing his capacity of manufacture to supply the demand for his goods.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 328-329

SAMUEL McELVAIN, American express agent, Terre Haute, has now been in the employ of the American Express company for the past twenty-seven years. He began first as messenger at Indianapolis, where he remained about three years. He then went to Lafayette, Indiana, and was there for about three and a half years as agent for the company. From Lafayette he went to Fort Wayne, and spent ten years there as agent for the American and United States Express companies. Tiring of the confinement of the office he took a route agency, which put him in charge of all the company's business done on 600 miles of railroad. One more change brought him to Terre Haute, where he has now spent about thirteen years in attending to the business of the American Express company. Mr. McELVAIN is a native of Columbus, Ohio. His father, as early as 1819, made a trip via the Scioto, Ohio and Wabash rivers to Clinton, Vermilion (sic) county, Indiana. He selected a tract of land at the foot of what is known as Helth's Prairie, in the vicinity of Clinton, where he resided for about three years, when Mrs. McELVAIN sickened and died, which event led to the return of the family to Ohio. Samuel at that time was but a child. The return of his father to Ohio was fortunate for him in so far as it enabled him to attend the schools of Columbus, where he obtained a good education, which in after years enabled him to transact important business for one of the largest incorporated companies of the United States. Though doing business for a company outside of the city he has taken interest in all matters of a local nature in Terre Haute, where he is known as one of the respected and reputable citizens of the city.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 316

ALEXANDER McGREGOR, retired, Terre Haute, residence 414 North Sixth street, one of the old pioneers of Terre Haute, was born in Scotland in 1805, and came to America in 1829, and located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained until he came to Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1838. Bringing with him from Cincinnati a hardware stock, he opened a hardware store in Terre Haute, which was the first in the Wabash valley, in which business he continued for some time. He then engaged in the grocery business for a few years. He afterward engaged in the distillery, which he managed successfully for fifteen or sixteen years. He was one of the first directors of the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad Company, and one of its present directors. He was also director of the old state bank of Indiana for twenty years, and is now one of the directors of the National State Bank of Indiana. Mr. McGREGOR formerly was an old-line whig in politics, and as soon as the republican party was organized joined its ranks, where he has since remained.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 180-181

J.E. McGREW, physician and surgeon, Terre Haute, who is one of the younger class of physicians of Terre Haute, is a native of Vigo county. In acquiring his medical education the doctor has been dependent upon his own resources. He began by teaching a common school, and saving and using his salary to prosecute his studies. When choosing the medical as his profession he recognized the fact that he could only hope to stand as an equal amoung the more prominent class of physicians of this county by devoting his time to hard and comprehensive study. Taking this practical view of the case, the doctor has already gone beyond the point usually attained by physicians of his age and practice, both in point of reputation and in a large and lucrative practice. His office is now over the drug store of Groves and Lowry, No. 232 Main street. In 1876 he graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Indiana, at Indianapolis. For two years after graduating he was connected with one of the hospitals of the city of Indianapolis, from whence he removed to Terre Haute in 1877, and entered upon the practice of his profession. At the February, 1880, meeting of the Vigo County Medical Society he was made a member of that organization. In May, 1876, Mr. McGREW had invented an instrument used in female surgery only. It is known as McGrew's Uterine Dilator, and is manufactured by Shephard & Dudley, of New York. It has already been recognized by the profession as the best instrument of the kind in use, and is being sold in all parts of the United States.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 225-226

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