Vigo County IN

Biography of Owen E. Jones

Owen E. Jones, born January 31, 1862, in Murdock Township, became a prominent merchant after establishing his business in 1893. Educated at a commercial college, he partnered with Percy Welliver in 1899. Married to Nora B. Dever in 1894, he was active in the Modern Woodmen and the Methodist Church. His brother, William Jones, also a notable figure in Murdock, engaged in grain buying and hotel management, contributing significantly to the local economy. Their father, Abram Jones, was an early settler in Douglas County.

Slave Narrative of John W. Fields

John W. Fields, born March 27, 1848, in Owensburg, Kentucky, narrates his life as an ex-slave during the Civil War period. Separated from his family at six due to his owner’s death, he endured harsh conditions and exploitation throughout his childhood. Despite the challenges of slavery and later ignorance of his freedom, Fields persevered, eventually joining the Union Army and establishing a respectable life in Lafayette, Indiana. He became a community leader and a member of the Baptist Church, embodying resilience and moral integrity.

Biography of William Divine Davis, M.D.

Dr. William Divine Davis, born on August 29, 1887, in Terre Haute, Indiana, has practiced medicine in St. Louis since graduating from Washington University in 1909. He served in World War I, achieving the rank of captain and working as a urologist. Notable for his connections to a musical family, he remained active in singing throughout his military service. Davis is involved in various fraternal organizations and holds a commission as a major in the Medical Reserve Corps, aligning with the Republican Party and the Episcopal Church.

Biography of Carl Edward Dudley, M.D.

Dr. Carl Edward Dudley, M.D., born on October 23, 1873, in Terre Haute, Indiana, pursued a career in surgery after graduating from Washington University of St. Louis in 1898. He served as a captain in the U.S. Medical Corps during World War I. Married to Harriet Belle Lee, he had one son, Lee Russell. A prominent figure in his field, Dudley is affiliated with various Masonic organizations and dedicates his efforts primarily to his surgical practice.

Biography of George B. Shepherd

George B. Shepherd, born on August 31, 1832, in Kentucky, became a prominent farmer and merchant in Stone County, Missouri, after relocating from Indiana in 1871. A veteran of the Civil War, he served in the Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry and participated in numerous battles. Shepherd built a successful 260-acre farm and established a mercantile business in 1875. Married twice, he had six children with his second wife, Elizabeth Bowman Cox. He was active in local politics as a Republican, serving as county judge and postmaster.

Biography of Hon. John Stewart

Hon. John Stewart, born in Virginia on February 12, 1800, moved to Indiana at fifteen, where he initially worked as a blacksmith before turning to cattle trading. A captain in the Black Hawk War, he became Holt County’s judge for four terms. In 1845, he led a challenging migration to Oregon, facing hardships but ultimately settling near Corvallis with his wife, Mary. Stewart died on February 28, 1885, leaving behind six children and a legacy of kindness and community service, remembered fondly by all.

Biography of James Wilson

James Wilson, born May 15, 1826, in Indiana, was a prominent farmer and stockman in Idaho, where he settled in 1864. A pioneer in the state’s agricultural development, he improved cattle quality by introducing thoroughbred shorthorns. By the time of his death on March 20, 1899, he owned over 1,000 acres and had amassed significant wealth. Wilson was a family man, married to Nancy Perkins, and had six children. He was also a Mason and politically independent later in life, leaving a lasting legacy in Idaho’s farming community.

Biographical Sketch of C. Brenton Cook

C. Brenton Cook, born on November 30, 1882, in Frankfort, Indiana, was educated at public schools and Rose Polytechnic Institute. He married Francis Florence Smith in 1910 and had one daughter. Cook’s career included roles as a sales engineer at Bullock Electric Manufacturing Company and manager at Allis-Chalmers Company, followed by a position as branch manager for Stevens-Duryea Company. He was an active member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and held a Bachelor of Science degree.

Biography of Andy Curry

Andy Curry, born on December 2, 1855, in Sullivan County, Indiana, has been a prominent figure in Montgomery County, Kansas, for over thirty years. A successful educator for six years, he transitioned into the insurance business, establishing one of the largest agencies in Coffeyville. Curry also served as mayor, implementing significant improvements to the city’s waterworks. He has held various civic roles, including school board member and township trustee. A Democrat, he remains active in community organizations. He is married to Ella E. Seldomridge, with whom he has a daughter, Bonnie.

Biographical Sketch of Worth M. Tippy

Worth M. Tippy, a clergyman born on November 8, 1867, in Larwill, Indiana, was educated at DePauw University and Cornell University. He married Zella Birda Ward in 1895 and had two daughters. Tippy held various pastorates in Indiana and New York, served as a university preacher, and was active in social service and church finance committees. He authored “The Socialized Church” in 1909 and participated in numerous organizations, reflecting his commitment to both church and community.

Biographical Sketch of Ellison J. Parrish

Ellison J. Parrish, born on October 9, 1865, in Terre Haute, Indiana, served as the superintendent of the Telegraph Department at Nickel Plate Railroad. He was educated in local schools and married Pearl J. Griffey in 1887. Notably, he was the first Democrat elected as Mayor of Conneaut, Ohio, serving from 1902 to 1909. Additionally, Parrish participated as a delegate in several National Democratic Conventions and was involved in local governance and community activities, including sports.

Biography of Ed Darnell

Ed Darnell, born on August 19, 1874, in Terre Haute, Indiana, moved to Kansas as a child and later settled in Oklahoma, where his father served as the first county recorder of Payne County. Starting as a cow-puncher at seventeen, Ed cultivated a successful career in agriculture and cattle raising, owning land in Osage County and Washington County. Married to Mary Gilliland, they had eleven children. The Darnell family remains active in their community and church, enjoying a fulfilling rural life.

Biography of Guy Patten

Guy Patten, born on January 11, 1883, in Keokuk, Iowa, is the enduring Mayor of Vinita and a prominent figure in Oklahoma’s oil and agricultural sectors. Educated in Illinois and Tennessee, he practiced law before dedicating himself to business interests, notably in oil and cattle farming. Married in 1908, he has one daughter and actively contributes to community development, leading numerous municipal improvements. Elected mayor in 1919, his leadership is marked by a commitment to public service, civic engagement, and agricultural advancement.

Biography of Miss Neva M. Scott

Miss Neva M. Scott, a prominent self-supporting woman from Bartlesville, Oklahoma, was born in Cattaraugus County, New York. She earned her education in Ohio and gained experience as a teacher before transitioning into public service. After serving as deputy county clerk for seven years, she was elected county clerk in 1920. An active community leader, she holds multiple memberships including the Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma State Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs. She advocates for women’s welfare and contributes to her community through various organizations.

Biographical Sketch of G. W. Smith

G. W. Smith, born on April 17, 1813, in Kentucky, moved with his family to Indiana before settling in Coles County in 1839. He farmed on various sections, maintaining a 87-acre farm since 1863. Smith held multiple terms as School Director and married Eliza Boland in 1840, raising nine children together. His brother, Anthony, also a farmer, passed away in 1857, leaving three sons. G. W. has remained close to his nephew, William R., who has lived with him since childhood.

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.

Biographical Sketch of John W. Soules

John W. Soules, born November 10, 1828, in Terre Haute, Indiana, began his career in the meat-packing industry after a formative childhood on a farm. After five years with Ferrington Williams, he worked for Jacob D. Early before moving to Mattoon in 1860, where he managed various pack houses. In 1849, he married Eveline Bailey and fathered six children. His contributions to Mattoon also included overseeing the construction of a vital water reservoir, and he remains a prominent figure in the local business community.

Biographical Sketch of M. Alshuler

M. Alshuler, born in Bavaria in 1836, emigrated to America in 1852, where he initially worked in various dry goods and jewelry stores. In 1865, he settled in Mattoon, Illinois, founding the first exclusively dry goods establishment in the city, transforming local commerce from a mixed-goods approach to a more systematic one. His business principles, including fair pricing and customer service, led to his success, making his store the largest in Mattoon. He married Fannie Frank in 1871 and had two children, Cora and Damon T.