LOUGHRY FAMILY.-Among those who have become very actively engaged in the manufacturing interests Of Monticello during the past few years, are members of the family whose name forms the subject of this sketch. N. B. Loughry, father of the - brothers who so successfully operate the Monticello Mills, is a native of Indiana County, Penn., as were also his parents, Joseph and Sarah N. (Howard) Loughry; but his grandfather, William Loughry, was born in Northern Ireland, and, in about 1780,- emigrated to the United States and settled in Indiana County, Penn., then a part of Westmoreland County. Joseph Loughry made farming and merchandising his principal occupation through- life, but by an election on the Anti- Masonic ticket to the office of County Sheriff in his native county, served in that capacity three years. N. B. Loughry was born February 13,.1815, and is the only issue of his parents' marriage. At the age of twelve years, he moved with his parents to Blairsville, where he received the greater part of his education, and at the age of fourteen years was sent alone to Philadelphia to purchase a stock of goods, which he did, displaying rare business qualities in one so young. November 13, 1838, he married Miss Rachel Wright, who was born in what is now Juniata County, Penn., July 21, 1816, and to them have been born a family of six children Sarah L. (deceased), Joseph E., Clara, Mrs. Rev. Edwards, Albert W., Amy and Cloid. Succeeding his marriage for a number of years, Mr. Loughry was engaged in merchandising, at the same time taking an active part in all public matters, especially politics. He cast his first vote with the Whig Party in 1836, but on the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks, and has since been identified as one of its members. While a resident of Blairsville, he was elected to the office of County Prothonotary and served in that position three years. In 1855, he and family emigrated to LaFayette, Ind.. and from there moved to White County four years later. The family resided in Monon Township until 1872, engaged in different pursuits, then removed to Monticello and engaged in milling, having traded their farm as part payment on the Monticello Mills. - The mill at that time only had a capacity of about seventy-five barrels per day, and needed many improvements to make it first class. Being strangers in the place, without credit, and with a -heavy debt overshadowing their efforts, the Loughrys began work under adverse circumstances. By their united efforts, the father-managing the financial part, together with the practical experience of J. E. Loughry as a Miller, and the invaluable assistance of the other two sons, A. W. and Cloid, they have produced a wonderful change. The mill is a three-story and basement frame structure, 4Ox6O feet, is operated by water-power, runs both night and day, and gives employment to thirteen hands, including three experienced millers, and is what is known as a fixed mill, operating both stone and rolls. It is one of the best equipped mills in Northern Indiana, possessing all the latest and best improvements known to the business, and has a capacity of 150 barrels per day. They convert into flour about i25,000 bushels of wheat per annum and, besides supplying home demand with their product, which is not excelled in quality by any mill in the State, they ship large quantities to Great Britain. Their head miller, Frank P. Berkey, began work shortly after they obtained possession, and by honesty and a faithful performance of his duties has advanced step by step to his present position, which he fills with entire satisfaction. In addition to their milling interests, the Loughrys own and operate a furniture factory directly opposite their mill, and also a furniture store up town.' For the past ten years, these gentlemen have done far the largest business of any firm in either White or Pulaski County, and to their enterprise and sagacity the town of Monticello is largely indebted for the greater part of her manufacturing interests. N.B. Loughry and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. J.E. Loughry, the eldest son, was born in Saltsburg, Indiana County, Penn.,September 4, 1842, and has always resided in the same locality with his parents. He received a good practical education in youth, and while residing in LaFayette. attended the high school of that city. August 11, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Twelfth Indiana Volunteers, but instead of going with the regiment to the front, was detailed on recruiting duty. He thus happily escaped being made prisoner, which disaster overtook his company at the battle of Richmondl KY. In November, 1862, after the parole and exchange of the prisoners, Mr. Loughry and the company of which he was a member, were sent to Memphis, Tenn.; it remained there that winter, doing guard duty, etc., and in Jane, 1863, it was ordered to assist the troops under Gen. Grant in the immediate vicinity of Vicksburg. On the evening of July 4. after the city was surrendered, the troops made a forced march to Jackson, and after the reduction of that city returned and wintered near Vicksburg. Mr. Loughry participated in the battle of Mission. Ridge next, and here he was wounded in the right leg, but not sufficiently severe to keep him from active duty. After this engagement, they were ordered to Burnside's relief at Knoxville, followed by Mr. Loughry's participation in the Atlanta':campaign, including every important battle. At the battle of Atlanta, the was a member of the body of troops which repelled the charge in which gallant McPherson was killed. The memorable march to the sea was the succeeding movement, and the Twelfth Regiment was the first to enter Columbia, S. C. From Columbia they went to Richmond via Raleigh, and from there to Washington, D. C., where the Twelfth Indiana Volunteers headed the grand review of the Army of the West. Mr. Loughry was discharged June 9, 1865, and from the time of his enlistment to his discharge never lost a day from service, never massed a campaign or battle in which his regiment was engaged. After the war, he took a thorough course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Indianapolis, after which he was engaged in milling in Monon and Attics until he came to Monticello. He is a Mason and Republican. In 1873,. he married Miss Nancy Turner, and a family of three children has been born to their union- Louisa T., Mabel and William N. A Standard History of White County Indiana, W.H. Hamelle, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1915, page 564. Joseph E. Loughry. An industry whose wheels have been turning and whose machinery has been making useful products for nearly half a century at Monticello is the mills operated under the name Loughry Brothers Milling & Grain Company, one of the oldest organizations of its kind in Monticello or of White County. This firm operates the largest mill and are also engaged in the grain business in the county, and in the forty odd years of its existence it has accomplished an aggregate of commercial service probably not exceeded by any other institution of the kind in the county. The Loughry Brothers are sons of Nelson B. and Rachel (Wright) Loughry, who came to White County in 1859. The grandparents were Joseph and Sarah (Howard) Loughry. Both the grandparents and parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and in 1855 moved to Lafayette, Indiana, but settled in ' White County, in Monon Township, in 1859. The late N. B. Loughry was commercially engaged in Pennsylvania, but followed the milling business in Monon Township, and was also a merchant and farmer. The grandparents died and were laid to rest in the Monon Chapel cemetery. Grandfather Joseph Loughry was a colonel in one of the Pennsylvania militia regiments and he served as a soldier in the War of 1812. He was also sheriff of Indiana County, Pennsylvania, and Nelson Loughry was deputy sheriff and was the prothonotary of Indiana County. The late Nelson B. Loughry, who died in 1890, was more or less actively identified with the republican party, served as trustee of Monon Township, and was held in the highest esteem both as a merchant and as a citizen. His wife died in this county in 1895 on her eightieth birthday, and the bodies of both now rest in Monticello cemetery. N. 13. Loughry was an elder in the Presbyterian Church both in White County and during his residence in Lafayette. The ' re were six children: Sarah, who died at the age of thirteen in Indiana County, Pennsylvania; Joseph E.; Clara, widow of- J. H. Edwards, of Logansport; Albert Wright, of Monticello; Amy, who lives at Monticello, and is unmarried, and Cloyd, of Monticello. Joseph E. Loughry, the senior member of the firm of Loughry Brothers Milling & Grain Company, was born in Saltsburg, Indiana County,' Pennsylvania, September 4, 1842. He was thirteen years of age when the family removed to Indiana, completed his education in the high school at Lafayette, and in 1859 came to White County. His first experience in the milling industry, was as an employee in Cooper's mill in Monon Township. This was interrupted by the war and his service therein as one of the Indiana soldiers. He enlisted August 9, 1862, in Company D of the Twelfth Indiana, Infantry. He was mustered in at Monticello, and among other incidents of those stirring war times he recalls that just before the company left for the front a flag, presented by local citizens to the company, was delivered to the color bearer with a speech from Congressman Schuyler Colfax, who subsequently was vice president with General Grant as president. He marched away with his regiment, participated in many of the arduous campaigns of the war, was with Sherman in Tennessee, Georgia and the Carolinas, and with those victorious troops participated in the grand review at Washington in June, 1865, at the close of the war. In that grand review the Twelfth Indiana Infantry marched at the head of the army, and Mr. Loughry remembers seeing General Sherman refuse to shake hands with Secretary of War Stanton. He received his honorable discharge in Washington, and then returned to White County, laying aside the arms of warfare for the implements of peace. He took a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College at Indianapolis, and then was given active management of the Cooper mill. In 1869 he went to Attica, Indiana, was employed there in a mill, but in the following year returned to Monticello and took charge of the Monticello mills. It was on April 22, 1872, that Mr. Loughry and his two brothers established the firm of Loughry Brothers Milling & Grain Company, and in 1915 they celebrated the forty-third anniversary of their continuous association as business partners. Joseph E. Loughry was married June 3, 1873, to Mi s Nancy Turner, daughter of William and Susanna (Imes) Turner. To their marriage have been born three children: Louise T.., wife of W. E. Clapham, of Fort Wayne; Mabel, wife of W. C. Taylor, of Seattle, Washington, and William N., at home in Monticello. Mr. Loughrv has always manifested a general interest in public affairs, and has identified himself with a number of movements for local improvement and betterment. He is a Mason, a member of Libanus Lodge No. 154,,of Monticello, and he has occupied the chair of Most Worshipful Master. He is also a member of the G. A. R., and was commander of Post Tippecanoe, No. 51. Mrs. Loughry is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Back to the White County Biographies Main Page