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

P.M. SCHUMAKER, proprietor of the Mozart Hall, Terre Haute, whose place is well known to the citizens of Terre Haute as a pleasant, quiet and orderly place, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, from which place he emigrated to the United States, in 1866. He remained in New York city for about one year engaged in the butcher business. From there he went to Sandusky, Ohio, and for one and a half years was at work in a spoke factory. He then went to Louisville, Kentucky, and began clerking in a grocery. There he also took a course at the commercial college, after which he accepted the position of bookkeeper in a large wholesale commission house. He left Louisville and went to Bloomington, Indiana, where for about one year he was engaged in the grocery trade. In 1871 he left Bloomington and came to Terre Haute, and secured employment as barkeeper, which he followed but a short time, and then bought the Mozart Hall, and became engaged in company with August BUSCHMAN. They remained together but about three months, when Mr. SCHUMAKER became successor to the firm. In 1873 the building he at present occupies was built. When completed Mr. SCHUMAKER purchased and placed in it the large $4,000 organ well known to the people. In 1873 he sold out and went to Evansville and Cincinnati, but after a lapse of four years he returned and bought his old place of business again. In 1878 he was married to Miss Charlotte METZGER, who is a native of Sandusky, Ohio, though of German parentage.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 335

H.D. SCOTT, attorney, Terre Haute, is a native of Union county, Ohio. In the fall of 1838 he came to Terre Haute with his mother. He bagan the study of law with Mr. R.W. THOMPSON, present secretary of the United States navy, and in 1844 was admitted to practice at the Indiana bar. After he was admitted to the bar he became the partner of Mr. THOMPSON, and was associated with him in the practice of law for about eight years. He afterward formed a partnership with Mr. Newton BOOTH, present senator from California. Mr. DUY, of the firms of Gookins & Duy, was also for a time associated with him. In the fall of 1878, Mr. A.M. SCOTT became a partner with him and is still associated with him, the style of the firm being Scott & Scott. Mr. SCOTT has been one of the leading politicians of Vigo county, he having begun an active life in political matters during the early part of his practice, when he was elected to the office of district attorney. In 1852 he was sent to the legislature and in 1855 was elected congressman from the seventh congressional district. In 1858 he was elected treasurer of Vigo county and reelected to the same office in 1860, in whch he served two terms of two years each. In 1868 he was elected senator for a term of four years, and in 1872 was reelected to the same office for a second term. In the discharge of his duties in these several offices, Mr. SCOTT has acquitted himself in a manner creditable to himself and to the satisfaction of his constitutents. Since the close of his duties as senator in 1876, he has devoted his time to the practice of law. In his long political career Mr. SCOTT has retained the friendship of his old associates and friends of Terre Haute and though some of them differ from him in political views they still speak in his praise on all occasions.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 194-195

The confectionery trade of Terre Haute is governed by three leading houses. Of these three Mr. W.H. SCUDDER is the longest established. In speaking of those who have built up this branch of the business industries of Terre Haute he ranks as the pioneer. His residence in Terre Haute dates back to August 12, 1854. The same year of his arrival he began in a small way at the baker's trade and in the manufacture of candies. Since beginning he has devoted his time exclusively to his trade and gradually built it up, until now he is doing both a wholesale and retail business in confectionery, which he manufactures for the trade. His place of business is located at No. 637 Main street, where he is occupying three floors and basement of a building 25 feet front by 80 feet in depth, in which are located both his factory and salesroom. Almost from the date of his becoming a resident of Terre Haute he has taken an active part in the welfare of the First Presbyterian church, he having now been one of the trustees and the treasurer of that church for the past twenty-five years. In 1869-70 and in 1877-8 he filled the office of councilman from the first ward, and other than this he has never taken an active part in political matters. He has been a resident of Terre Haute since 1854. He is a native of Maysville, Kentucky, and is now about fifty years old.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 249-250

JAMES SEATH, superintendent of the Terre Haute Car and Manufacturing Co., of which a history will be found in another place in this book, is a man of many years' experience in railroading as well as in manufacturing. A great portion of the success of the company of which he is superintendent is due to his thorough and practical knowledge as a machinist. He is a native of Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1833, when he was six years old, his people emigrated to the United States and became residents of Albany, New York, where he remained until twenty-one years of age. While there he learned the trade of a machinist and received a good education. At the age of twenty-one years he went to New York city and entered the employ of the Hudson River Railroad Company, with whom he remained about five years, the time being spent both in the shops and on the road. At the end of five years he left this road and took the position of master mechanic on the Hudson & Berkshire railroad. This position he also held for about five years, when he changed again and accepted the position of master mechanic on the Chicago & Alton railroad. He remained with this company about two years, when he went to Missouri and took the position of foreman for the Missouri Northern railroad, and the second year he was made master mechanic of the road. He remained with the Missouri Northern road until 1862, when he went back to the Chicago & Alton, where he remained until 1867, in which year he became a resident of Terre Haute. In 1868 he began the business of manufacturing in company with Mr. J.B. HAGER, and, as before stated, is now superintendent of the Terre Haute Car and Manufacturing Co. His wide and varied experience as master mechanic of different railroads has given him a thorough knowledge of the necessities of a railroad. He is a man of whom the people of Terre Haute speak very highly, and justly so, as the importance of the success of the Terre Haute Car and Manufacturing Co. is appreciated by all good 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. 318

JACOB SEITZ, proprietor of the Cincinnati House, Terre Haute, is one of the older class of residents of Terre Haute, 1845 being the year that he came to the city. He was born in Hease-Darnistadt, Germany, in 1824. He received a fair education and learned the trade of a cabinet-maker in his native country, and in 1842 he emigrated to the United States, landing in Baltimore, October 17, after having been seventy-six days on the ocean. When arriving at Baltimore he had just ninety-five cents left. He began work at his trade at once, and a short time after went to Pittsburgh, thence to Cincinnati, from there to the southern part of Illinois, and then to Evansville, Indiana, and from there to New Orleans, Galveston, Baton Rouge and numerous other southern cities. He then returned to the north via Louisville, Evansville, Shawneetown, Illinois, and finally settled in Terre Haute in 1845. During his travels he followed work at his trade, and after locating in Terre Haute he followed "jour." work for some years and then engaged in business on his own account, which he continued until 1861, when he bought his present place of buiness, which is Nos. 17½ and 19 North Fourth street, where he has since resided, doing a good business. Mr. SEITZ was married to Miss Mary JACOBS, who was born in Germany, but was brought to the United States by her people at the age of five years. They have but four children living, one son and three daughters.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 209

W.B. SHERBURNE, engineer, Terre Haute, is one of the few men whose connection with the Vandalia railroad dates back to more than twenty years of those who are still in the employ of that company. He is a native of Ontario county, New York, and is now a man of forty-six years of age. His residence has been in Terre Haute for the past twenty years, though he has been connected with the Vandalia line, or, as it was called at that time, the Terre Haute & Indianapolis railroad, since 1854. He began first as a fireman, but has now been running an engine for about twenty-two years. During all this time he has never been suspended, and has never had any difficulty with the company. By carefulness and a close attention to his business he has made for himself a record of which any engineer may well be proud, though he is modest enough to attribute his reputation to good luck. Two years ago he engaged in the drug business in Terre Haute in company with a Mr. BRYAN. He shortly after bought Mr. BRYAN's interest in the business and then took a Mr. FREEMAN as a partner, the firm name now being Freeman & Sherburne. Their establishment is known as the Depot Drug Store, and is lcoated at No. 930 Chestnut street. They have on hand all that class of goods pertaining to a well stocked drug store, and in connection they do quite a jobbing business in cigars. During Mr. SHERBURNE's connection with the drug trade he has still retained his position on the road, and is now, as he has been for years, one of the thoroughly reliable engineers of the Vandalia line.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 275

URAH SHEWMAKER, general agent, Terre Haute, has spent nearly thirty years of active business life in the city of Terre Haute. He was born in Spencer county, Indiana, April 18, 1823. Most of his early life was spent on a farm in Vermilion (sic) county, Indiana, which place his father moved when he was seven years of age. In 1846 he quit the farm and engaged in merchandising in Highland, Vermilion (sic) county, which he continued about six years. In 1852 he came to Terre Haute and began clerking in the crockery store of E.S. WOLFE. He continued clerking for about one year and then engaged in the shipping and commission business. He subsequently became extensively engaged in steamboating on the Wabash river, owning as many as half a dozen boats. During the war of the rebellion he owned the steamboat D.B. Campbell, which he kept in the employment of the government nearly three years, transporting troops, provisions and commissary stores. Mr. SHEWMAKER was captain of the boat, and in all his transactions discharged his duties in a satisfactory manner. When engaging in the commission business, Mr. SHEWMAKER had become general forwarding agent for the freightlines, and during his steamboating he had kept his railroad offices open. He first became agent for the Indianapolis, Cincinnati & Lafayette line. He then did business for the White line about one year, and then accepted the agency for the Continental, which he resigned and was appointed general agent for the pooled lines and east bound freight. This he gave up and accepted the position of contracting agent for the Vandalia line, in the discharge of which duties he is still engaged. He is a member of Terre Haute Commandery A.F. and A.M., No. 16. April 20, 1843, Mr. SHEWMAKER was married to Miss Sarah J. HENDRIXSON, of Vermilion (sic) county, Indiana. They are the parents of seven children, four of whom are living.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 234

JOSEPH H. SIMMONS, grocer, Terre Haute, though but recently connected with the grocery trade of Terre Haute on his own account, has already established a business ranking with the more important houses of the city. He is a native of Parke county, Indiana. His father was one of the early settlers of that county, he having located there as early as 1816, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1876, when he was in his eighty-ninth year. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and during the war of 1812 served his country as a soldier and loyal citizen. He came to Parke county poor in property but rich in energy and a stern determination to win a home and comforts for himself and his. The large property left at his death was proof of how well he succeeded. The name of SIMMONS is of English origin, the grandfather of Joseph H. having been a native of that country. In 1871 the subject of this sketch came to Terre Haute and began attending the Commercial College, at which he graduated, and then sought employment in the capacity of clerk. His first engagement was with Mr. Wm. H. SCUDDER, dealer in confectionery. He was employed by different firms until the death of his father, when he went home to take charge of the home affairs. While there, in January, 1877, he was married, a short time after which event he returned to Terre Haute and began as salesman for Mr. W.W. OLIVER, who was engaged in the grocery trade. He remained with Mr. OLIVER until September, 1879, and in the following October he began for himself. His place of business is No. 512 Main street, where he is occupying a building of two floors, 16 feet front and 120 feet deep. His large and increasing trade is proof of his ability as a business man and financier. Mr. SIMMONS is a member of Ft. Harrison Lodge, No. 157, and a charter member of Court Sherwood Forest Lodge, No. 5, of I.O.F.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 337

LEO D. SIRRONIA, barber, Terre Haute, has now been engaged in business in Terre Haute for the past thirteen years. He is a native of Cherokee county, Georgia, where he was born October 6, 1833, and is of Spanish parentage, his parents both having been natives of Spain. In 1850 he began learning his trade, and after being able to engage in the business spent four years in Washington, District of Columbia, in business on his own account. In 1857 he went to Indianapolis and engaged in his business, which he continued until April 17, 1861, when he went in the army, joining Co. A, 11th reg. Ind. Vol. Inf., under Col. Lew WALLACE, this being his zouave regiment. This term of enlistment was for three months, and upon its expiration he again enlisted, the second term of service being for three years. He was in many of the hard fought battles, among which may be named the battles of Romney, Fort Henry, Donelson and Shiloh. At the latter he was wounded, and also at the fight of Port Gibbon, though neither one was so serious as to leave him a cripple. Upon returning from the army he again located at Indianapolis, where he remained for about one year, and then came to Terre Haute, where he has now resided for about fourteen years. His place of business is in the Terre Haute House, and is in keeping with that establishment. He is a member of Terre Haute Lodge, No. 19, A.F. and A.M., Chapter No. 11, and Commandery No. 8. He has also taken the Scottish rite degrees. Mr. SIRRONIA has devoted much of his time to study, which has led to a taste for accumulating books, of which he has a fair library. He has not only accumulated but has studied them as well, and as a consequence he is one among the intelligent, enterprising 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. 307

W.M. SLAUGHTER, hardware dealer, Terre Haute, is one of the busines men of the city whose connection with the business industries of Terre Haute reaches back to an earlier date, then any of the merchants now engaged in business, unless it be Mr. P.M. DONNELLY, the druggist. Mr. SLAUGHTER was born February 10, 1828, in Rockingham county, Virginia. During his early life his parents moved to Taylorsville, Kentucky, where he grew to manhood and received his education. In 1846 he came to Terre Haute and engaged in the saddle business. This he continued until 1860, when he changed his business to saddle hardware, Mr. WATKINS, his present associate in business being a partner and senior member of the firm. There were other changes made also, but in 1873 they closed out the saddle hardware business and embarked in the hardware trade, under the firm name of Slaughter, Watkins & Co., this still being the firm name. Their business house is located at No. 504 Main street, where they are occupying a building of three floors and basement of 20 x 135 feet each, which fact of itself is proof of their prosperity. Politically Mr. SLAUGHTER has not been ambitious. He has taken a very active part in the organization of many of the secret societies of the city and is a member of the Terre Haute Commandery, No. 16, A.F. and A.M.; Vigo Encampment, No. 17, I.O.O.F., and a charter member of Ft. Harrison Lodge, No. 157, of this order. He is also a member of the Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment of Odd-Fellows; a charter member of Occidental Lodge, No. 18, K. of P.; a charter member of lodge No. 27, A.O.U.W., and also a charter member of Court Harmony Lodge, No. 17, of Foresters. For the past seventeen years he has also held the office of trustee of Ft. Harrison Lodge of Odd Fellows. In private life as well as in his business career Mr. SLAUGHTER's reputation is above reproach, being such as is accorded to an honorable and enterprising citizen who has helped to change Terre Haute from a village to an enterprising and prosperous city.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 211-212

CHRISTOPHER SMITH, the father of DICK SMITH, farmer and gardner, Terre Haute, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1821, and came to Vigo county in 1851, where he lived until his death, in 1877. His wife was born in Germany in 1823 and died in 1873. Dick Smith was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, in 1852, and is residing at the old homestead. The family consists of Jacob, Henry, Caroline and Fredrick.

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

T.B. SNAPP, contractor and builder, Terre Haute, who is one of the oldest contractors and builders in the city, is a native of Vincennes. He was born at Ft. Knox in 1828 and spent the early part of his life in Vincennes. His people were among the earlier settlers of that city, the date of his grandfather's residence there reaching back to 1796. In 1840 Mr. SNAPP became a resident of Terre Haute, the distance between the two cities being made by him on foot. He arrived at Terre Haute with a balance of $5 after paying his expenses on the journey. Since then he has been dependent upon his own resources, and in his business has given employment to as many as sixty-five men at one time. He has contracted for and built many of the prominent public and private buildings of Terre Haute, among which the following are mentioned; The old and new Beach block, corner Sixth and Main, which includes the whole of the east side of Sixth street between Main and Ohio streets; State National Bank building, First National Bank building and Providence Hospital. In 1869 he built a large planing mill on the corner of Walnut and Eighth streets, which he operated until July of 1879, when it was destroyed by fire. His office is now No. 417 Walnut street. Since the burning of his mill Mr. SNAPP has given his attention to the handling of lumber in connection with his other business, as he designed gradually making the lumber trade his business. The extensive business done by him during his residence in Terre Haute has all been done by hard and honest work. During his early life he had but little chance of getting an education, on account of the newness of the country. The property of 320 acres located by his father was the first location made in the old Spanish grant at Vincennes. From this farm all subsequent surveys in that land grant have been made.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 220-221

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - pp. 345-346

P.W. STACK, hotel keeper, Terre Haute, of the Chestnut-street hotel, has now been a resident of Terre Haute for some twenty-two years. He was born in Ireland, but with his parents came to America in 1850, when he was about four years old. When he first came to Terre Haute he began attending school, and afterward went to Littlefield and began firing on a pony engine, which he continued until he was able to run on the road, when he secured a position as engineer, and for thirteen years ran an engine on the Indianapolis & St. Louis railroad. From 1868 till 1875 he was a member of the Brotherhood of Engineers. He is a member of no order now except Vigo Lodge, No. 27, A.O.U.W. For the past five years he has been running the Chestnut-street hotel, a neat building 38x69 feet, two stories in height, and twenty rooms. In connection with the hotel he has a fine bar of wines and liquors, and also a nice line of cigars and tobaccos. He is one of the enterprising, energetic citizens, and a man of good business ability.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 272

JNO. T. STAFF, saloon keeper, Terre Haute, is proprietor and owner of the Coburn saloon, No. 24 South Fourth street. This is one of the most elegantly furnished and neatly kept establishments of the kind in the city. Mr. Jno. T. STAFF, the young proprietor, is a gentleman of decision of character as well as business ability. Though but twenty-nine years of age he has already by his own exertions and enterprise accumulated a good property. Mr. STAFF is a native of Knightstown, Henry county, Indiana. He has now been a resident of Terre Haute for about ten years. during which time he has been engaged in his present line of business, three years of the time as clerk and seven years on his account. He has been liberal in his donations in helping to forward any enterprise for the general good of the city. He usually spends a portion of the summer season in some of the northern cities, whither he goes with his family for rest and amusement.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Terre Haute - p. 332

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