Jefferson County IN

Madison, Indiana: History and Highlights

Madison Indiana History and Highlights

“Madison, Indiana: History and Highlights” provides a detailed overview of Madison’s development since its establishment in 1808. As a strategic city beside the Ohio River, Madison flourished following its incorporation as a city in 1838. By the mid-19th century, it had become a significant commercial center, particularly noted for its pork-packing industry, only second to Chicago. Pioneering in rail connectivity and industrial diversification, Madison was home to varied enterprises like shipyards, starch factories, and iron foundries. Its cultural footprint included landmarks like Lanier Mansion and memorable events such as Jenny Lind’s concert in 1851. Madison now attracts over 150,000 visitors annually, cherished for its historical architecture, scenic views, and vibrant community.

Slave Narrative of Mrs. Preston

Mrs. Preston, an 83-year-old resident of Madison, Indiana, reflects on her experiences during slavery. She recalls her early years sleeping at her mistress’s feet and performing various chores, such as tending to cows and hauling corn. Despite the challenges faced, she did not feel mistreated by her owners. After the Civil War, her family received land and support but later encountered threats from the Ku Klux Klan, prompting a move north. Now living alone, she is known for her cleanliness and hospitality.

Slave Narrative of Jack Simms

Jack Simms, interviewed by G. Monroe in Madison, Indiana, recalls his childhood in Mill Creek, Kentucky, during slavery. Although he was too young to remember much about the treatment of slaves, he expresses regret for missing out on education. Simms has vivid memories of soldiers during the Civil War, mistakenly referring to it as the “Revolution War.” He exhibits a strong personality, preferring to speak outside but ultimately welcomes the interviewer into his home, indicating a willingness to share his story.

Slave Narrative of Lizzie Johnson

Lizzie Johnson, 65, recounts the struggles of her father, Arthur Locklear, who was born in North Carolina in 1822 and faced significant hardships in the South. Driven by the desire for a better future for their children, Locklear and a group of families journeyed north in 1852, taking six weeks to reach their destination. Johnson highlights the importance her father placed on education, even as many faced brutal consequences for attempting to learn. She reflects on her parents’ values and critiques the moral decline she sees in her generation.

Biography of Henry A. Smith, M.D.

Dr. Henry A. Smith, born on September 16, 1857, in Indiana, is a St. Louis physician and surgeon, also serving as president and medical director of the Peoples Life Accident Insurance Company. After an early career in the drug business and the Wabash Railroad, he entered the ministry before pursuing medicine, graduating in 1905. Active in the local Methodist church, he is recognized for his contributions to the medical field and community, balancing his professional life with family and civic duties.

Biography of Louis N. B. Anderson

Louis N. B. Anderson, born on August 16, 1850, in Indiana, comes from a lineage dedicated to education and public service. After moving to Kansas, he pursued teaching and later studied law, becoming a prominent figure in Idaho’s educational and judicial systems. He served as Latah County probate judge and Idaho’s superintendent of public instruction during the late 1890s. A minister and political activist, he supported the Populist Party, advocating for silver remonetization. He and his wife Ellen raised two surviving children in Moscow, Idaho.

Biography of Samuel Bateman Chapman

Samuel Bateman Chapman, a prominent lumber merchant in Eskridge, Kansas, was born on September 19, 1845, in Meigs County, Ohio. His family has roots in colonial Maryland. After serving in the One Hundred and Fortieth Ohio Infantry during the Civil War, he became a farmer and later transitioned to the lumber business after moving to Kansas in 1885. Active in local politics and community organizations, Chapman had a successful career, marrying twice and raising several children, several of whom also entered the lumber trade.

Biography of William A. Quigley

William A. Quigley, born on July 19, 1842, in Jefferson County, Indiana, had a diverse career marked by significant contributions, especially as a soldier in the Civil War. He served in the Sixty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, enduring capture and wounds before his honorable discharge in 1865. Following the war, he held various positions, including in the jewelry and railroad industries, before becoming the cashier of the Kansas National Gas Company in Independence. Quigley, a devoted Republican and community member, married Helen Virginia Hurlbut and raised three children.

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Tweedy

Thomas Tweedy, born on September 12, 1853, in Indiana, moved to Jewell County, Kansas in 1878. After studying law in Red Cloud, Nebraska, and Oswego, Kansas, he was admitted to the bar in Indiana in 1881. He serves as the sole practicing attorney in Burr Oak, where he also attended college at Lancaster, Indiana. Tweedy married Ella M. Story in Burr Oak on September 12, 1882.

Biographical Sketch of Ira B. Jackson

Ira B. Jackson, born on October 31, 1851, in Indiana, moved with his family to Illinois in 1855. Raised as a farmer’s boy, he pursued various careers, including photography and grocery trading, before transitioning to fire insurance in 1876. Now a prominent insurance agent in Mattoon, representing numerous companies with assets exceeding $30 million, he has also served as City and Township Clerk. Married to Laura I. Carter since 1874, they have one daughter, Georgia.

Biography of Hon. John Lloyd Campbell

Hon. John Lloyd Campbell was born in 1855 in Illinois and grew up amidst a family deeply involved in business and public service. Following a military career and severe injury in the Civil War, he pursued law, graduating from Columbia College Law School in 1878. After various legal practices, he became District Attorney and then, in 1889, one of California’s youngest Superior Court judges. Married to Hattie Muscott in 1888, Judge Campbell established a home in Southern California, where he embraced his adopted state’s beauty and climate.