Vigo County Historical Society

Paddock one of the early meat packers

Meat packing, especially pork, was one of the biggest industries in the early history of Terre Haute. Pork packing began in 1824 and was a flourishing business that continued until after the Civil War.

From 1848 to 1857, Terre Haute averaged over 66,000 hogs a year with the high point being 1852 with 108,791. One successful packer of the time was Samuel Paddock.

Samuel Paddock was born in 1806 to Ebenezer Paddock, one of the first settlers in this area, arriving in 1818 from Ohio. Samuel married Isabella Armstrong on Jan. 16, 1827.

In 1830, he purchased a farm from Truman Blackman, which was one mile east of Terre Haute on the National Road. He farmed until 1848, when he moved into Terre Haute to run his packing houses.

He began packing hogs on a large scale with Farrington, Williams & Co. Later he was co-owner of the hog packing firm of McGregor and Paddock, which was on Water Street between Swan and Oak.

He became very prosperous and retired from meat packing. He continued to increase his wealth with other investment and commercial endeavors.

During the Civil War in 1862, Samuel joined the company known as "Silver Grays," with James Hite serving as the company’s captain.

This company was mustered for home defense when Indiana was thought to be in danger of being overrun by such rebels at Gen. John Morgan.

The majority of the Silver Grays were age 60 or over, with a few in their 50s. This company was the pride of the county.

At the close of the war, Paddock’s fortune was swept away. He then retired to his farm where he lived out his remaining year. He died in 1878.

A large oval portrait of Samuel Paddock painted in 1845 can be found at the top of the front staircase in the Historical Museum.