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Lost Creek Township
View a history of Lost Creek Township.


ALEX McPHERSON, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Scotland in 1816, and at three years of age his father and stepmother started to America. His father died on the way with the yellow fever, and he and his stepmother came to Ohio, and soon after young Alexander was sent back to Scotland, where he remained until 1835. At this date he came to Canada and thence to Vigo county, which has been his home since 1848. In 1873 he opened a coal mine on his farm, and it has proved to be of the very best quality. In course of time it will add much to the value of his farm. In 1849 he was married to Elizabeth WINNINGHAM.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - p. 401


SAMUEL MOLONE, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Dinwiddie county, Virginia, July 25, 1800, where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. In about 1821 he removed to North Carolina, where he remained until he came to Vigo county, in 1837, and settled in Lost Creek township. By hard work and economy he has become the owner of a fine farm of 180 acres, which he took in the timber, and on which he made all the improvements. In 1827 he was married to Miss E. STRAYHORNE, a native of North Carolina, now deceased. Mr. MOLONE has been liberal to all enterprises that have been beneficial to the community in which he lives.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - p. 396


J.W. MOORE, farmer, Cloverland, was born in Highland county, Ohio, September 16, 1823. In 1837 he came with his uncle to Clay county, where he lived until he became of age. After serving and apprenticeship at the blacksmith and wagon-maker's trade, in 1847 he built a shop close to Cloverland, on the National Road, whre he carried on business for some time. In 1853 he removed to his farm, where he now lives, and he has carried on his former occupation in connection with farming. When he began for himself he had not a dollar, but by industry and economy he is now the possessor of a fine farm consisting of 240 acres. Being a natural genius, he has had his building all arranged so that they are convenient and handy. He has also built a fine fishery, which in time will add much to the value of his farm. March 23, 1847, he took a life partner, his choice being Miss Mary A. JARVIS, daughter of James JARVIS, and the issue of their long and happy union is four sons and one daughter: Joseph F., Elvis, Mason, George W. and Clara A. Mr. MOORE has long been a member of the Christian church, and in politics is a staunch democrat.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - pp. 399-400


ISAAC MYERS, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1824. He served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade in his native county, and in 1849 he came to Indianapolis, Indiana, and thence to Paris, Illinois, and in 1859 came to Vigo county, where has since resided. He has been engaged in farming and working at his trade. Mr. MYERS has built five of the school-houses in Lost Creek township and three in Riley township. He has been always active in enterprises beneficial to the community in which he resides. He has been on the board of the agricultural society for the past few years. What property he possesses he has made by hard work.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - p. 402


NELSON PALMER, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Vigo county, Indiana, January 16, 1847, and at the breaking out of the last rebellion was one of the first to respond to the call for volunteers. He enlisted in 1861 in Co. B, 31st Ind. Vol. Inf., and served until 1866. He participated in many of the prominent battles: Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Stone River, Lookout Mountain, Buzzard Roost, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, where he was wounded, Franklin, and the last battle of Nashville. His regiment then went to Huntsville, Alabama, and it was under fire every day. After the close of the war Mr. PALMER went to Texas and did provost duty until 1866, after which he returned home to Vigo county, and since then has been engaged in farming. In 1868 he married Miss Mary MYERS, a native of this county, and the issue is three sons and two daughters. His father served in the rebellion, in the 6th cavalry, and died at Franklin, Tennessee. On of Mr. PALMER's brothers went out in the 31st Ind. Vol. Inf., and was killed at Buzzard Roost, May 11, 1864.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - p. 400


JOSEPH RIPLEY, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Vigo county, Indiana, in 1845, and has been a resident of this county all his life. In the late war he enlisted, in 1863, in the 11th Cav., 126th reg., Co. B, and served until the close of the war. He was all through Wilson's campaign, and Hood's raid, participating in the many skirmishes, and was in the fifteen days' fight at Nashville. After the close of the war he went to Kansas, where he was stationed on the Santa Fe stage road, to guard the road against the Indians. He subsequently returned to Vigo county, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1866 he was married to Miss Rachel C. COART, who was born in Vigo county, in 1848.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - p. 399


S.S. RIPLEY, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Vigo county, Indiana, December 19, 1841. His father, Joseph RIPLEY, was a native of Ohio, born 1818, and came to Vigo county about 1823, and settled within half a mile of where S.S. RIPLEY now resides. He continued to live in the county until his death, which occurred November 22, 1866. His wife was born in 1816, and she died in this county in 1862. The subject of this sketch was in the late rebellion three years, in the 4th Cavalry, and was all through the Atlanta campaign and Wilson's raid. After serving his country faithfully for three years he returned to his birthplace and engaged in farming. In 1867 he married Miss Rachel HUGHES, daughter of Peter HUGHES, who was one of the early settlers of the county. Mr. RIPLEY is a member of the A.F. and A.M., and his 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
Lost Creek Twp. - pp. 397-398


H. ROBERTS, farmer, Burnett, was born in North Carolina in 1810, and came to Monroe county with his parents when sixteen years of age, thence to Vigo county in 1828. He at once became a resident of Lost Creek township, and began working at home on his father's farm until he was a grown man. After this he began for himself, and by hard work he has become the owner of a fine farm, consisting of 325 acres, on which he has made most of the improvements. In 1851 he was married to Miss Nancy JACKSON, and they have one son, Thompson, who resides at home and is engaged in farming.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - p. 393


REDEN ROBERTS, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in North Carolina, and came to Vigo county with his parents in about 1828. He has been a resident of the county all his life. In 1872 he married Alvira BONDS. Mr. ROBERTS has been a hard-working and energetic man. He is the owner of a fine farm, consisting of 300 acres, on which he has made all the improvements. He is considered a practical farmer. In politics Mr. ROBERTS takes sides with the republican party.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - p. 393


WILLIAM ROBERTS, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in New York city January 31, 1810, and when a boy his parents moved to Warren county, Ohio, where Mr. ROBERTS grew to be a man. In 1841 he took a life partner, his choice being Miss P.J. STEPHENSON, a native of Butler county, Ohio. In 1847 they moved to Vigo county, Indiana, to seek a home in the then wilderness of Lost Creek township, where he had previously purchased eighty acres of land. At present anyone passing his farm would scarcely think that it was once a forest, there being but three acres partly cleared when he came in possession of it. His family consists of seven children: La Fayette, Lear, Levina, Louisa J., Alonzo, Benjamin, Anthony, and Benton.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - pp. 400-401


ALEXANDER ROWAN, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, July 14, 1821, where he served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade, beginning when seventeen years of age, and completing at twenty-one. At that age he made up his mind to come west. He started on foot, and walked from Cincinnati, Ohio, to where he now resides, in Lost Creek township, where he arrived in 1842 with only $5 in money. Soon after this he began his former occupation, and after working hard for two years bought eighty acres of land, which is his present home, and by industry and economy he has accumulated all of which he is now the possessor. In 1847 he was married to Miss Rebecca COLLINS, daughter of Peter COLLINS. They have one daughter, Sarah B., and one deceased, James M.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - p. 398


J.H. SCOFIELD, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1814, where he remained until 1842, at which time he came to Vigo county and settled in Lost Creek township. He bought sixty-nine acres of unimproved land, which he has not only improved, but by hard work has added to it until he has a fine farm of 184 acres, all under a good state of cultivation. He began without anything but a good constitution and a practical knowledge of how to work. He has been twice married, first in 1836 to Miss Mary A. TURNER, a native of Warren county, Ohio. She died in 1864, and his second marriage was to R. DUBRE, formerly Rachel DICKERSON, daughter of Samuel DICKERSON, who was an early settler of the county. Mr. SCOFIELD became the father of five sons and one daughter by his former wife: Melissa, wife of C. ATMORE, Allison, Corwin B., now deceased, Constantine, who served in the rebellion and came home and died, Joseph H., who served in the war, and Fremont. He is the parent of two children by his present wife: Charles L. and Levi W.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - p. 398


O.B. SOULES, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Vigo county, Indiana, July 21, 1826. His occupation has been that of a farmer, and by strict attention to his business he now owns 557 acres of fine improved land. He served in the late rebellion in the 149th Ind. Vol. Inf. His father came to the county in about 1816, and had to live at Fort Harrison at different periods on account of the Indians, who were hostile at that time. In 1854 Mr. SOULES was married to F.F. WATKINS, daughter of William WATKINS. He had been previously married to Ann HUSSEY in 1851, but she died in 1853. Mr. SOULES has lived an honest life, and is respected by all who know him.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - p. 392


WARREN SOULES, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Vigo county, Indiana, October 7, 1828, and is the son of William and Almira (BAKER) SOULES, who were natives of York state. They came to Vigo county in an early day, and settled in Harrison township in about the year 1816 or 1817, where they resided until their deaths. Warren SOULES has been a resident of the county all his life, and has been engaged in farming. At present he is the owner of a fine farm consisting of 365 acres, most of which he has earned by hard work and good financiering. He served three months in the late rebellion in the 33d reg. Ind. Vol. Inf. In 1866 he married Sarah McFADDEN, who was born in Terre Haute in 1830. She is the daughter of Malcom and Elizabeth (DICKERSON) McFADDEN, who were natives of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They came to this county in an early day, and resided until their deaths, Mr. McFADDEN dying in 1860 and Mrs. McFADDEN in about 1857.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - p. 392


G.W.G. SPARKS, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, in 1820, and when he was fifteen years of age his parents removed to Vigo county and settled in Lost Creek township. Mr. SPARKS has been a citizen of Vigo county ever since. His parents subsequently removed to Illinois, where they lived until their deaths, his father dying in about 1876 and his mother in about 1879. They were natives of Kentucky. In 1840 Mr. G.W.G. SPARKS was joined in marriage to Miss Sallie HODGES, daughter of John and Alley HODGES. Mr. SPARKS began in life a poor boy, but by hard work and economy he has come in possession of a fine farm of 114 acres. He has been a member of the Baptist church for thirty-seven years and his wife for thirty-nine years.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - p. 395


DIXON STEWART, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Wake county, North Carolina, in 1801, and came to Monroe county, Indiana, in 1827. From there he came to Vigo county in 1829, and became a resident of Lost Creek township. By energy and economy he became the owner of 900 acres of land, which he divided with his children, giving to each of his sons 100 acres, and to each daughter 75 acres. He has retained enough to keep him as long as he lives. In 1829 he married Lucinda ROBERTS, who was born in North Carolina in 1809. The result of their marriage has been four sons and four daughters: Elisha, Nancy, Mary J., Joseph, Julia, Dixon, Thomas, and Sarah J.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - p. 393


ELISHA STEWART, farmer, Burnett, was born in Monroe county, Indiana, in 1830, and came to Vigo county in 1832. He has been a resident of this county and of Lost Creek township ever since. In July, 1854, he married Emeline CHAVOUS. She died March 13, 1863, and December 19, 1865, he was married to Elizabeth WALDON, a native of North Carolina. Mr. STEWART is a member of the A.F. and A.M., and is a staunch republican. He has a fine farm, which he has under good cultivation.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - p. 394


The SWALLS family are among the early settlers of Vigo county. David SWALLS was born in 1799, and was married in 1838 to Miss Catharine MUNCIE, who was born in 1809. They came to Vigo county in an early day, where they continued to reside as one of the respectable families until their deaths, Mr. SWALLS dying in 1853 and Mrs. SWALLS in 1874. C.B. and N.P SWALLS have purchased the old homestead where their father resided for forty-seven years. They are both hard-working young men, and have quite materially improved the farm, and have it under a good state of cultivation.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - p. 400


ALEXANDER THOMAS, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1829, and at seventeen years of age he served an apprenticeship in the blacksmith trade. After learning the trade he followed the business in his native county until he was twenty-five years of age. After coming to Terre Haute, Indiana, April 28, 1854, he followed a farmer's occupation for a number of years. In 1865 he was elected city marshal of Terre Haute, which office he faithfully filled for two years, and gained the repect of his fellow citizens. In 1871 he was elected mayor of the city, which office he filled until 1875. By his meritorious conduct he won a wide circle of friends in the city and surrounding country. In 1878 he moved on his present farm and began agricultural pursuits. In 1856 he was married to Miss Hannah L. EDDY, a native of New Hampshire. He is a member of the A.F. and A.M., Terre Haute Lodge, No. 19. Also a member of the A.O.U.W.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - pp. 401-402


JOSEPH THOMPSON, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Richmond, Yorkshire, England, in 1846. He emigrated to America in 1868, and located in Terre Haute, where he worked as a peddler for eleven years. He afterward purchased his present farm and located in Lost Creek township, where he is engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1869 he was married to Miss B.C. STANTON, a native of Vigo county. She is the daughter of John and Mary STANTON, who were early settlers of the county. Mr. THOMPSON is the father of five children: William, Mary, Elizabeth, John and Annie.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - pp. 402-403


JOSEPH WATSON, farmer, Cloverland, Clay county, is the son of JAMES WATSON, who was a native of Tennessee, born in 1806. James WATSON, when a young man, came to Kentucky, where he remained about fifteen years, then came to Vigo county in 1832, and settled in Lost Creek township, on the farm where his son Joseph now lives. Here he continued to reside until his death, which occurred September 20, 1878. His wife, formerly Miss P. THOMPSON, was a native of Kentucky, and died in this county. Their family consisted of seven children: Nancy, wife of J. McHENRY; Richard, now deceased; Franklin, living in Missouri; Eliza, John, who is now in Iowa, James and Joseph.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Lost Creek Twp. - p. 394

View a history of Lost Creek Township.


Submitted by Charles Lewis
Data entry by Kim Holly

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