TERRE HAUTE — This week we have queries again, all involving Sullivan County.
n Robert and Samuel Curry bought land on the same day, June 28, 1817, next door to each other in Curry Township in Sullivan County, Indiana. Robert Curry was the son of James and Ann Curry of Mercer County, Kentucky. Samuel Curry was the son of John Curry of Busseron Township in Knox County, Indiana. Curry Township was supposedly named for a William Curry, who was one of the earliest settlers in that area. Robert was born Jan. 4, 1786, in Mercer County, Ky. He married Jane Thompson about 1830 after his first wife died. Robert died in Curry Township, Sullivan County, about 1851. His children were Mary J., Elenor R., and Robert B. from his first wife and John F. from his marriage to Jane Thompson. Samuel was born Dec. 22, 1789, in Mercer County, Ky. He married Sarah Watson on March 18, 1813. Samuel died in Curry Township, Sullivan County, on Nov. 27, 1875. Sarah died Apr. 4, 1887. Their children were James P., John S., Thomas F., William, Margaret, Andrew, Martha H., Samuel M., Elizabeth J. and Sarah A. My questions are: 1) Were Samuel and Robert related and how? I suspect they were cousins. John Curry, Samuel’s father, could have been related to either Robert’s father or mother (her maiden name was also Curry). 2) Could William Curry also be a relative? 3) Who was Robert Curry’s first wife? 4) When did she die and where? 5) When did Jane (Thompson) Curry die and where is she buried? 6) When did Robert Curry die and where is he buried? 7) Who did Mary J. Curry marry and when? 8) Who did Elenor R. Curry marry and when? 9) When did Eliza Jane (Nesbit) Curry (wife of John F. Curry) die, and where is she buried? Answers to any of these questions would be appreciated. Please contact Gene Curry, P.O. Box 261, Ione , CA 95640, e-mail gcurry40@yahoo.com.
n I am working on updating some files for Rhoda Crosley Clark of Sullivan County, Indiana. Rhoda’s second marriage, to Johnson Clark, produced quite a few children, four of whom all died within one week of each other, in January 1853. Two of the children were teenagers, two were under the age of 10. I find this information incredible and hard to imagine. Here in California in the 1880’s we had an epidemic of Diptheria. I am wondering if something similar happened in Sullivan County, Indiana in 1853. Any information on why these children all died so close together would sure be helpful. The only source I have for this particular data is an entry from WFT Vol, 13, and quite honestly, do not trust this as being accurate. Please contact Martha A. Crosley Graham at e-mail marthagra@gmail.com.
n I am looking for any information about Matthew Eaton, born 1822-1825 in Indiana. He married a Cynthia Johnson about 1838 in Indiana. I have been able to establish that they were living in Greene and Sullivan counties between census years 1850 to 1870. They appear in the 1880 St. Francois County, Missouri, census living with their daughter’s family: Johan Armin and head of household Willis G. Armin. Their son, Aron Eaton and his wife Sarah Hayes Eaton and family also moved from Indiana to Missouri and are also living in St. Francois County. The 1880 census shows that Matthew Eaton’s father and mother were both born in Indiana. I am trying to find out who Matthew’s parents were. I am aware of the courthouse fire that occurred in Sullivan County in the 1850s. I would be grateful for any information or suggestions to what appears to be a dead end. Please contact Phil Eaton at e-mail flipper167449@yahoo.com.
History
GENEALOGY: More queries — and all involve Sullivan County
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GENEALOGY: Columnist seeks info on families from Dana
Perhaps someone out there can help me with something I’ve been working on for quite a few years
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Early Terre Haute theater includes Billy Emerson
Traveling theater troupes performed in Terre Haute before the village was incorporated on Jan. 26, 1832.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Radiant heating — a hot idea
This week’s Historical Treasure is a bit out of season, but a wood stove will help drive away the morning chill and you can make breakfast on it.
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LOOKING BACK: 1987: Record-breaking temps hit Vigo
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSON: Emperor Constantine changes the world
The Emperor Constantine, the first Christian ruler of the Roman Empire and the man who ended that empire’s persecution of Christianity, died this week (May 22) in 337 AD, having lived a life that would change the world.
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GENEALOGY: Library archives contain tons of information
Inside the archives room of the Vigo County Public Library, row after row of fragile documents, rare out-of-print books, and historic photographs are kept on shelves in a humidity and temperature-controlled room.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Historic efforts to open Center Street from Cherry to Swan
Efforts to open Center Street, from Cherry to Swan, spanned a half century or more.
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LOOKING BACK: 2002 — Valley drenched in wettest spring in 107 years
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star. -
HISTORICAL TREASURE: Some history wreathed in hair
From the unfortunate occurrence of Prince Albert’s death in 1861 came the social mores of proper mourning practices and accoutrements witnessed and endorsed by the admirers of Queen Victoria in her reign-long state of grieving.
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LOOKING BACK: 1987: League of Women Voters reorganizes
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Here comes the bride
The newest major exhibit at the Historical Museum, which opens Tuesday, showcases wedding gowns worn by Vigo County residents.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Downtown changes featured in early 1927
During March and April of 1927 – about 85 years ago – the owners of interests in four major downtown Terre Haute theaters were negotiating to transfer their interests to representatives of Paramount Studios.
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GENEALOGY: Genealogy isn’t for the easily embarrassed
The saying goes, if you’re easily embarrassed or afraid of what you’ll find, don’t start doing genealogy.
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BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: The long, lost, last — the 27th —Amendment
Our very last constitutional amendment — the 27th Amendment — was ratified this week (May 7) in 1992 when Michigan became the 38th state to approve it.
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BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: The Haymarket Square Massacre
One unhappy byproduct of the Industrial Age was the growing discontent of its industrial workers, who constantly agitated for better pay and more humane working conditions.
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LOOKING BACK: 1962: Stands packed as Wiley takes county track title
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and the Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Death of Terre Haute jeweler gains national headlines
Terre Haute sought national publicity in 1910 through “Boosterism,” lauding the city’s significant advancements during the decade ending Dec. 31, 1909.
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GENEALOGY: Cemetery Committee to conduct restoration workshop
The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society’s Cemetery Committee will conduct an all-day cemetery restoration workshop on Saturday at the Smith Cemetery near Youngstown, Honey Creek Township, Vigo County, Ind.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Harmonious history
In 1923, a group of singers calling themselves the Harmony Four entertained regularly over the radio and at civic and various club events.
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BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: Cleveland observes Lincoln’s funeral
The death of America’s greatest president, Abraham Lincoln, resulted in an outpouring of national mourning, the apex of which came in late April of 1865 when a specially outfitted train carried his body on a thirteen-day, 1,700-mile, eleven-city funeral procession from Washington, D.C., to his home and final resting place in Springfield, Ill.
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GENEALOGY: Many people can trace ancestry to Titanic
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, which occurred on April 14-15, 1912.
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LOOKING BACK: 1987: ISU bowling team at nationals again
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Sullivan County mine explosion kills 8 in 1878
Shortly after 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, 1878, an enormous explosion rocked the Handford Brothers mine about one-half mile north of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad depot in Sullivan County.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: A common feature, but memorable
As an absolute architecture nerd, I tend to look at buildings noticing the odd ball things such as door hinges and door locks in addition to admiring the overall building.
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BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSONS: MLK’s letter written from a jail cell in Birmingham
This week (April 16) in 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. sat in a jail cell in Birmingham, Ala., having been arrested for violating a trumped-up court order that prohibited him and his followers from conducting various protest activities, most of which you can read about in the First Amendment.
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LOOKING BACK: 1962: Swope celebrates 20th anniversary
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: 1955 Babe Ruth League championship team to be feted
Currently in his 25th year as a college baseball coach, Rick Heller is in the midst of his third winning season at Indiana State and has embraced the university and the community.
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GENEALOGY: Long-awaited 1940 census is now available for the public
The long-awaited release of the 1940 census took place on April 2.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Memories baked from scratch
On my Historical Treasure hunt, I was drawn to a pasteboard barrel 28 inches high and 18.5 inches across with the words “Calumet Baking Powder Bakes Best, Received Highest Award” on one side and “Calumet Baking Powder Always Pleases, Try It” on the other.
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BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSON: Thomas Jefferson's flights of fancy
Thomas Jefferson, born this week (April 13) in 1743, is — deservedly so — in the pantheon of American heroes.
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GENEALOGY: Columnist seeks info on families from Dana




