Loop - Andrew
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana (Chapman, 1893) p 455
Andrew Loop, a retired farmer of ample means, occupies a pleasant home at Mace, where he has valuable property, and is still identified with the agricultural interests of Montgomery County as the owner of a large farm in Walnut Township. A native of Augusta County, Virginia, Mr. Loop was born March 24, 1816. He is of German descent, his paternal grandfather, Christian Loop, having been born in Germany.
Christian Loop, Jr., the father of our subject, was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, November 17, 1788. In early manhood he removed to Augusta County, where he married Eva, daughter of Christian Airhart. He continued his residence in that county, giving his attention to farming, until 1834, when he came to Indiana, and cast his lot with the pioneers of Boone County, where he bought land, and also entered some from the Government. His first purchase comprised a quarter section, for which he paid $1,000. About fifteen acres of it was cleared, and he devoted himself to the further improvement of his property during the twenty years that he resided upon it. In the meantime he added to his landed estate until he possessed a half section at the time of his death. In the latter part of his life he removed to Beckville, and lived retired until his death, November 20, 1879, and died in 1867. Mr. Loop was a member of the Lutheran Church and always let a consistent Christian life. Politically he was a Democrat.
Mr. and Mrs. Loop had eight children, all of whom grew to maturity. John is a farmer in Texas; Sallie, who resides in Iowa, is the widow of John Bowman; Andrew is the subject of this sketch; David, deceased, was a farmer of this county; Elizabeth married William Bowman and is now dead; Catherine married John Airhart of Boone County; Rebecca, deceased, was the wife of John Simmons of Missouri; Polly married Jacob Fall and lives with our subject.
Andrew Loop was eighteen years old when he came to Indiana with his father, with whom he remained until he was twenty-two years, affording him valuable assistance in clearing and cultivating his farm. After he was married he first located in Walnut Township, on a quarter section of land that he purchased of his father, and carried on the business of farming and stock raising. His land was partly cleared when it came into his possession, and he actively set to work to fell the remainder of the standing timber and to place the soil under cultivation. The fine condition in which we find it today indicates the perseverance and industry with which he has labored, for it is now one of the best appointed farms in this section of the country, all the improvements being the work of his own hand. He has dealt extensively in real estate, increasing the size of his farm to four hundred and fifty seven acres, all in Walnut Township, and at one time he owned one thousand acres of reality in Iowa.
Mr. Loop's first marriage, which occurred December 27, 1837, was with Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Airhart, of Augusta County, Virginia. She died, leaving one daughter, Mary Jane, now the wife of James G. Johnson, of Mace. Mr. Loop's second wife was Harriet, daughter of William Farlow, a farmer of Boone County. She was the mother of two children: Harriet E., the wife of Adam Gasgell, a farmer of Kansas, and Amanda C., wife of William Chambers of Walnut Township. Mr. Loop took for his third wife Mrs. Lydia Lockridge, widow of James Lockridge and daughter of James W. Wheat, who came form England. There are three children born to the third marriage: William C., a resident of Walnut Township, who married Euphema J., daughter of Christopher Dice; Virginia A., wife of William A., Stafford, a farmer of Union Township, and Lydia L., wife of Charles M. Brought6on, of Union Township.
Mr. Loop was a pioneer of Montgomery County, and relates many interesting incidents that occurred in the early years of its settlement. When the family came to Indiana they had to transport their household goods through the wilderness with horses and wagons, and were four weeks making the trip. The Airharts' came with them, and five of the girls walked all the way. At the time Crawfordsville was only a hamlet, and the nearest mill was on the Cox River, ten miles distance. Many of the framers took their wheat to Chicago to market. The pioneers here lived in log houses, wore clothes made of fax and wool, raised on their farms, and woven, cut and mad by the wives and daughters, and their food was of home production, varied by game from the forests.
Mr. Loop's ability and solid worth have received due recognition form his fellow citizens, who have called him to various responsible offices. He was a member of the County Board of Supervisors two years, was Justice of the Peace eight years, and Notary Public twelve years. He was also elected Constable, but declined to serve. He has acted as administrator of eight different estates, which fact proves that the integrity and conscientiousness of his life in the community have led the people to accord him entire respect and confidence. He belongs to the Horse Thief Detective Association, and was its Treasurer a member of years. Politically he leans toward the Democracy, and always votes that ticket in presidential elections. Religiously our subject is a Presbyterian, and is an Elder in the Union Church, tow miles east of Mace, while his wife has identified herself with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their children had good home training and are all church members but do not all belong to the same church. - typed by kbz
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Source: H. W. Beckwith History of Montgomery County, Indiana (Chicago: HH Hill), 1881, p. 393
Andrew LOOP, farmer, Mace, is among the old settlers of Montgomery County. He was born March 24, 1816, in Augusta County, Virginia. His parents, Christian and Eve (AIRHEART) Loop, were natives of Pennsylvania. They became residents of Virginia, and in 1834 moved to the western edge of Boone County, and settled so near Montgomery County that they felt at home when on this side of the line.
In 1855 they sold the Boone County farm and bought near Beckville, in Walnut township. Mr. Loop, at death, left 220 acres. He did all his business in German, although he could write his name in English. He was a life-long democrat. He died September 20, 1879, aged ninety-one years. His wife died November 1866, aged sixty-seven years.
Both belonged to the German Lutheran church. Andrew Loop, son of the above, and subject of this sketch, when twenty-one years of age, began life for himself. He worked one year for his father, then bought 160 acres of land, namely the N.W. 1/4 of Sec. 21, T. 18, 3 W. When he had the 160 clear of encumbrance he purchased the eighty acres south of it. He soon went to Iowa and entered 1,000 acres.
This he afterward traded for eighty acres near his home farm. He has traded, bought and sold, till he now owns 384 acres, with good house, etc. He also owns a large dwelling in Mace, where he now lives in easy circumstances. His success in farming is judged by the accumulation of property. Mr. Loop has been a life-long democrat, and somewhat prominent in the township. He has twice been lieutenant of the home militia.
He was constable in his young days, and since has been justice of the peace for over eight years, and township trustee two terms and is now notary public.
Mr. Loop was married December 27, 1837, to Elizabeth Airheart, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Airheart, who came to Indiana in 1834 with the Loops. She and her three sisters walked from Virginia to Indiana, a distance of over 600 miles. Mr. and Mrs. Loop have seven children: Sarah E., Mary J., Christian F., Harriet E., Amanda C., William C. and Virginia, twins, and Lydia E. Elizabeth is in Kansas and the rest are in Montgomery County. Mrs. Loop is a Methodist and Mr. Loop is a Presbyterian. They have contributed their share of toil toward the development of the County, physically as well as morally and spiritually. - typed by kbz