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Gc  1^  U 

977.201 

D34s 

V.2 

1628694 

fISYNOLDS  HISTORICAL 
<li»^EALOGY  COLLECTIOfcl 


-"  ALLEN  COUNTY  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

3  1833  02322  3206 


HISTORY 

OF 


DEARBORN  COUNTY 


INDIANA 


HER  PEOPLE,  INDUSTRIES  AND  INSTITUTIONS 

VmL.^         :  ^,...     ■".  ■■■,  .    ■.;.:■: 

ARCHIBALD  SJrjAW 

Editor  .    :         •     .      • 


With  Biographical  Skctciies  of  P^epresentritive  Citizens  anv 
Genealogical  Records  ol  Old  Families 


ILLUSTRATED 
/C 

1915 
F.  BOWEN  cS:  COMPANY,  Inc. 

Indianapolis,  Indiana 


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-i.joii^i'.Kii/i  ,:'.v 


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1628694 


DEAKBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  ^T^J 

seven.  John  A.  Cole  was  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church,  but  his  widow  is  a 
member  c>f  the  jMethodi.sL  chinch.  Of  their  eight  children,  jc^lm,  the  eldest. 
is  deceased;  Jeremiah  lives  in  Portland.  Oregon:  Chailes  }I.  li\  es  in  Seati:e. 
Washington:  Laura  J.  is  the  widow  of  Dr.  H.  \V.  Swales,  of  Ilarrisim,  Ohio; 
George  C.  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch:  Leonard  X.  resides  in.  ^larvsville.  K.in- 
sas,  and  two  died  young. 

Dietrich  Kohl,  whi)  married  a  Miss  Muhle,  was  tlie  paternal  gr;mdiallKr 
of  George  C.  Cole,  who  lived  in  Oetlie,  in  the  |)i"o\'in.ce  of  Oldenburg,  Ger- 
many, where  he  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine.  He  and  his  w  ife  were  tiie  parems 
of  eight  children,  Anthony,  Frederick,  Joseph,  Henry.  John  A..  Charles  and 
two  ^vho  died  in  infancy.  The  mother  of  these  cliildren  was  well  advanced  in 
years  at  the  time  of  her  death.  Professor  Cole's  maternal  grandpai'ents,  Jatnes 
M.  and  Elizabeth  (Cohee)  r)0at;rian,  the  former  a  native  of  flamiiton, 
Ohio,  and  the  latter  of  Delaware,  were  early  settlers  in  Dearborn  county 
and  reared  a  large  familw  t'.ieir  children  ha\ing  been  named  as  follow  :  fanies. 
John.  Pel:ecca,  Jeremiah,  (k-orge  hi.,  ALark.  Eliza.  A'ai'ian  and  I\Ianrice. 
James  AI.  Boatman,  a  farmer  and  general  merchant,  lived  to  be  si.xty-nine 
years  old,  his  widow  sur\'i\  ing  him  for  some  years,  her  death  occurring  at  the 
age  of  se\'ent\-nine.  (Jne  of  their  sons.  Jeremi;i!i,  was  killeiJ  in  tlie  ser\ice 
of  his  country  durin.g  the  Civil  War. 

Reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Dearborn  county,  George  C.  Cole  attended 
tlie  district  schools  oi  Logan  township  and  there  he  was  trained  and  educated 
in  the  rudiments  of  history,  geography,  arilhmelic.  English  gramm:.'.r,  reatiing, 
writing-  and  spelling.  In  his  home  he  recei\"cd  what  was  of  mucii  greater 
value,  splenditl  character  training  from  his  fatlier  anij  mother.  Ear!\  in  life 
he  learned  to  know  that  there  is  little  reward  without  effort  and  no  great  com- 
pensation without  industry.  Always  a  studious  young  man,  alter  finishing  the 
course  in  the  district  schouls  he  attended  tlie  National  Normal  L'niversitv  at 
Lebanon,  Ohio  ;  the  Central  Normal  College  at  Danville,  Indiana  ;  the  Ni.'rthern 
Indiana  Normal  School  at  \alparaiso,  Indiana,  and  the  Lndiana  .Staie  Normal 
School  at  Terre  Haute,  ha\ing  graduated  from  the  latter  institution  with  the 
class  of  1902.  His  career  as  a  teacher,  which  covered  a  period  of  about  seven- 
teen years,  began  in  i8go,  when  he  was  eighteen  years  old.  After  teacliing 
in  the  country  schools  for  six  years,  he  v.-as  appointed,  in  iSqtj,  to  a  position  in 
the  eigh.th  grade  in  Lawrenceburg,  where  he  taugh.t  until  1S98,  at  which  time 
he  was  appointed  to  the  principalsliip  oi  the  Lawrenceburg  high  school,  which 
position  he  held  until  his  election  as  county  superimenileut. 

Two  years  after  his  election  as  count\-  superintendent,  or  on  June  [,  1909, 


^£dr':^^l: 


5^8  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  ■.         "  ' 

Professor  Cole  was  niarricrl  to  Tillie  Lorciiz,  who  was  liorn  at  Piscalaway, 
Mar  viand,  the  daughter  ni  Charles  A.  and  Afary  Loren/,  t1ic  fomicr  of  wh.m 
was  a  native  of  nortliern  Austria,  of  (k-rninn  d.escent.  and  the  latter  a  ua.iive 
of  Baden.  Gernianv.  Charles  A.  I,orcnz  was  accidentally  killed  in  a  saw-mill 
at  Piscatawav,  Maryland,  in  igi4.  His  widow,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Cole,  is 
still  living-.  Thev  had  nine  children,  three  of  wh'im  died  in  early  life.  Those 
who  lived  to  maturitv  were  Mar}',  Charles.  .\nna,  Joseph,  Theresa,  and  Ralph. 
]Mrs.  Cole  is  a  devout  member  of  the  Catholic  church.  }dr,  and  IMrs.  Cole 
have  one  child,  i\lary  Rel;iecca. 

Prof.  George  C.  Cole  is  a  memher  of  Pawrenceburg  Lodge  No.  4,  Free 
and  Accepted  ^lasons,  and  is  high  priest  of  Pawrenceburg  chapter  No.  56, 
Rova!  Arch  Masons.  He  is  an  ardent  Democrat  and  for  years  has  been  more 
or  less  identified  with  the  leadership  of  the  party  in  this  section.  Professor 
Cole  eniovs  high  standing  as  an  educator  in  southern  Pidiana.  He  is  a  pr(.«Tii- 
nent  member  of  the  C(jimt_\  .Superintendents"  Association  of  Indiana,  and  is  one 
of  the  leading  citizens  of  this  community. 


•■.■--     ■  MISS  GEORGPANA  SUTTON. 

Every  enlightened  community  is  proud  of  its  noble  men  and  women,  of 
whom  Dearborn  coimty  has  had  in  the  i)ast.  and  has  today,  a  gciidl}"  number. 
Among  the  noljle  women  of  a  day  now  past  in  this  county  there  is  none  more 
worthy  of  mention  than  Miss  Georgiana  K.  Sutton,  decea>ed.  the  daughter 
of  the  late  Dr.  George  Sutton.  This  good  \\oman  was  IxTrn  and  reared  in 
Aurora,  and  was  always  loyal  to  the  ti:)wn  of  her  birth  and  tlie  fner.ds 
with  whom  she  grew  up  from  childhood.  She  lived  not  alone  fur  herself,  bur 
for  others,  and  among  the  good  deeds  of  her  life,  which  were  many,  she  Ije- 
queathed  to  her  h<ime  t(3\vn  the  l)cauiiful  public  library,  which  now  stands  a 
perpetual  monument  to  her  memory;  haying  made  provision  for  the  same  prior 
to  her  death,  by  her  last  will  and  testament,  setting  aside  th.e  sum  i;>f  ten 
thousand  dollars  for  this  i)iu'pose,  as  a  memorial  in  loving  remembrance  of 
her  distinguished  father  and  her  beloved  mother.  According  to  her  earnest 
wish,  this  building  ^\•as  erected  under  the  -.uriien-isi'.Ti  of  her  brother.  Dr.  IP  H. 
Sutton,  who  presented  the  completed  buihiing  to  the  city  of  Aurora  on  Octoljer 
13,  J914,  with  appropriate  remarks,  in  conformity  to  the  plans  outlined  by  his 
generous  sister,  the  donor. 


.i;)vi. 


./.'■I 


.1    -j: 


DEARBORN'   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 


539 


In  the  Dearborn  InJcpciuicnf  of  Tliursday,  Jamiarv  20,  i')io,  apjicared  tlie 
fill  lowing-  Ijeautiful  trilnite  Id  ]\fif>  Sutton's  wrjrth  aiul  cliar;icttrr.  in  the  an- 
nouncement of  !icr  death  !)_v  her  friend,  Mrs.  M.  V..  Culiln  wlm  had  knnwn  her 
fur  many  _\ears : 

"The  death  rif  ]\Iiss  Geen-j^iana  Sutlrjn  was  lliat  of  a  \erv  ele\cr  \\'nnian. 
known  and  lo\ed  for  lier  forceful  personatii\-  and  lirilliavit  ■attainments.  Few 
women  prohalilv  comhined  more  strikin.qh-  than  did  }iliss  Suttun  thc>se  (juali- 
ties  which,  make  e\"eryone.  young-  and  old.  respect,  admire  and  eniow  Slie  \vas 
ever  gracious,  ever  courteous,  and  e\"er  considerate,  a  jrure  t\'pc  of  gentle 
;\oman.  Possessed  of  superior  quahties  of  mind,  her  greatest  pleasures  were 
those  things  which  cuUivate  the  intellect.  She  was  a  lo\'er  of  books  and  was  a 
great  reader  all  her  life,  and  while  not  a  musician,  she  w'as  a  lo\'or  of  music  and 
knew  and  enjoyed  the  best,  ne\-er  missing  an  opjiortunity  to  hear  the  famous 
artists  and  the  classical  music  in  our  own  and  other  lands.  She  gave  freely 
of  her  happy  experiences  and  many  there  are  w  ho  will  remember  her  descrip- 
tion of  the  Passion  Pkiy  at  Oberammergau,  which  she  attended  some  years 
agu.  She  \vas  a  traveller,  knowing  her  own  lan:i  well  and  having  made  many 
trips  abroad,  visiting  nearly  e\'ery  country  in  the  world. 

"While  she  ^\as  an  enthusiastic  tra\'eller  ami  enjo\'ed  to  the  utmost  her 
joume}'s,  a  strong  characteristic  in  her  nature  was  always  made  manifest  on 
her  return — her  loyalty  to  her  home  cit\".  She  was  always  glad  to  return  and 
always  declared  she  never  found  in  all  of  her  travels  more  beautiful  scenery 
than  from  our  own  surrounding  hills.  Such  was  her  devotion  to  her  home  and 
its  cherished  surrriundings  that  it  seemed  to  hurt  her  that  anyone  should  ever 
want  to  leave  Aurora,  ne\"er  to  return.  Highlv  cultm'ed,  with  the  innate 
charm  of  gentleness  and  refinement,  she  was  the  noble  d,anghter  of  her  hon- 
ored father,  the  late  Dr.  George  Sutton,  wdiom  she  revered  with  a  de\'Otion 
above  all  things  else. 

"Miss  Sutton  was  the  president  of  the  Aurora  Woman's  T\esearch  Club 
and  also  the  Orphans'  Club  for  several  }'ears.  She  was  a  most  excellent  presi'I- 
ing  officer,  always  being  just,  impartial,  yet  fimi.  She  was  beloved  by  the 
members  of  both  organizations,  who  were  filled  with  regret  wdien  she  gave  w]') 
the  offices,  thougii  always  continuing  in  active  membership.  Miss. Sutton  will 
be  missed,  for  slie  was  so  interested  in  exeiything.  so  genial,  that  her  absence 
will  be  felt,  there  will  be  a  void  that  can  never  be  filled. 

"^liss  Sutton's  trip  to  the  Orient  last  year,  though  most  enjoyable  to 
her,  was  very  trving  and  she  came  home  worn  out  and  exhausted.  In  lier 
last  illness  she  imagined  herself  preparing  for  a  journey,  little  realizing  the 


J(-  ,1 .1 


ir'j.lv     .iK   ;,. 


540  DEARBORN    COL'XTV,    IXOIAXA.  :    •'  ' 

long  journey  into  eternity.  While  Miss  Gcorgiana  Sutton  has  passed  into  the 
deep  valley  her  memoiy  still  lives  in  the  hearts  of  her  friesids,  and  with  all  in. 
this  community,  which  has  liccn  her  life-long  home. 

"Miss  Sutton  was  Lorn  in  Aurcira.  Se|)tember  T2,  1842.  the  nnh-  d.n'.ghter 
of  the  late  Dr.  George  Sutton.  She  died  at  her  home  in  this  citv,  January 
iS,  1910.  A  life  with  few  riffles  in  its  stream,  and  filled  with  all  the  aitri- 
butes  that. cheer  and  inspire. 

'Deadi  sh>xdd  come  gently  to  one  of  gentle  mould  like  thee. 

As  light  winds,  wandering  through  groves  of  hit^nm. 

Detach  the  delicate  blossoms  from  tlie  trees. 

Close  thy  sweet  eyes  calmly,  and  witlirmt  jiain.         '    ''•■    '"'      ■■■■■ 

And  we  \\  ill  trust  in  God  to  see  thee  yet  again.' 

-M.  E.  C." 


DR.  JESSE  LEROY  :McELd^OY. 

The  name  heading  this  sketch  belongs  to  one  of  the  well  known  phvsi- 
cians  of  Aurora,  this  comity,  a  man  of  fine  intellect.  ^vI^o  is  well  informed  along 
the  lines  of  his  chosen  profei>ion.  lie  has  dem.:instrated  that  he  is  skilled, 
thorough,  and  careful  in  all  departments  of  his  profession,  and  has  estab- 
lished himself  in  a  practice  that  speaks  well  for  the  regard  in  which  he  is  held 
in  the  community.  Doctor  McElrr^y  takes  the  deepest  possil'le  interest  in  all 
the  cases  that  come  under  his  ob.servatiun.  the  poor  receiving  th.e  same  un- 
selfish care  as  do  those  of  his  wealthier  patients. 

Dr.  Jesse  Lero\-  McElroy.  physician  and  surgeon,  of  Aun.ira.  Indiana,  is 
a  son  of  Welcome  R.  and  Mary  M.  (Rarnett)  }ilcElroy.  He  was  born  on 
October  iS,  1S84.  at  Cireencastle.  Putnam  county,  Indiana,  and  was  reared  and 
secured  his  education  at  Reelsville,  this  state,  graduating  from  the  high 
school  of  that  place  in  19C0,  after  which  he  entered  DePauw  Universil}-,  tak- 
ing a  three-years  course.  He  then  eiitered  the  Indiana  Medical  Culloge  at  In- 
dianapolis, and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1907,  after  wliich  lie 
served  as  interne  at  the  Indianapolis  city  dispensary-  for  se^'eral  months.  He 
then  located  at  Darlington,  Indiana,  where  he  practiced  for  a  peric)d  of  i?ne 
year,  but,  not  b^ing  entirely  satisfied  with  the  location,  moved  his  office 
to  Aurora,  where  he  still  continues  to  practice.  Politically.  Dr.  ?^lcElrov  is 
a  Democrat.  Pie  is  a  member  of  the  [Methodist  church,  and  a  member  of 
Aurora  Lodge  Xo.  51,  Eree  and  Accepted  Masons. 


■I.:   I-    l!'    •       V;      f:il/. 


^'^^  i'<^?\   :ia 


^\'    ■.:(!     ,M 


.■I   )i'  ;.■    •-:J^>TJ 


'iO':]".i'.   i'    '■  I ',■.'/■.   )'■!.■-.  '"-J  I  ■'    .'.    ,<>/. 


DEARUORX    COUNTY,    IXDIAXA.  54  I 

Welcome  R.  IMcElroy,  father  of  Doctor.  AIcElroy,  is  a  son  of.  W'illiain 
and  IMartha  (Charlott)  McElroy,  ami  was  horn  on  Alay  26.  1S41,  in  Putnam 
county,  Indiana.  lie  was  reared  at  Reelsville,  near  Greencastlc,  where  he  was 
trained  in  the  occupation  of  farming-,  and  was  later  eng'agcd  in  the  mercan- 
tile husiness  ahuut  twenty  years.  In  iSOi  he  enlisted  in  Company  .\.  Twenty- 
ninth  Regiment,  Iowa  \'olunteer  Infantry,  serxing  until  Alarcii  12.  18O3.  when 
he  was  discharged  on  account  of  illness.  In  1865  Welcome  R.  ^IcPdroy  was 
married  to  Mary  M.  Barnett,  daughter  of  David  and  Elleri  Harnett,  and  he 
then  established  himself  in  a  general-merchandise  business  at  Reelsx'ille.  Me 
was  also  interested  in  the  breeding  of  fine  horses,  and  in  1S80,  took  a  premium 
over  thirteen  other  exhibitors.  He  made  his  own  way  in  the  world,  and  never 
had  a  dollar  given  him,  except  a  pension  of  four  dollars  a  month.  \\'elcome 
R.  ]\IcElroy  gives  his  support  to  the  Democratic  party,  and  is  a  member 
of  the  old  predestinarian  Baptist  chu.rch.  He  was  church  trustee  and  deacon, 
and  is  still  active  in  church  work.  He  is  ;i  member  C)f  the  ^Masonic  fraternity. 
His  wife  died  in  1S96,  of  pncumom'a.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children, 
Cora.  Paul  F..  Frank  D.,  Alartha  C,  Ralph  E.,  Jesse  L.,  and  two  who  died  in 
infan.cy.  Cora  ^ilcElroy  became  the  wife  of  Perry  ]McCullough,  of  Terre 
Haute.  Indiana;  Paul  Ii\es  at  Clayton,  Indiana;  Alartha  C.  was  the  wife  of 
David  Skelton,  of  Greencastlc,  and  is  now  deceased;  Frank  D.  lives  at  Ham- 
mond. Indiana,  and  Ralph  is  a  resident  of  Kokomo,  Indiana. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Doctor  }iicElroy  was  William  ^^IcElroy,  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania  and  a  shoemaker  by  trade.  He  married  }*Iartha  Char- 
lott and  he  and  his  wife  came  to  Indiana  in  1837,  settling  in  [Madison,  township, 
Putnam  count}',  where  they  sjient  the  rest  of  their  lives,  Mr.  [McElruy  d_\ing  in 
1S70,  aged  seventy-eight  yc'.rs,  and  his  widdw  in  1S75,  aged  seventy-nine 
years.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Stephen.  Henr}-, 
Welcome  R.,  all  of  whom  were  Union  soldiers  during  the  Ci\"il  \A'ar:  James. 
Mary,  Rachel  and  Charlotte.  Doctor  ^McElroy's  maternal  grandi)arents  were 
David  M.  and  Ellen  Barnett,  early  settlers  in  Putnam  county,  where  they 
owned  large  tracts  of  land  during  the  Civil  War,  and  where  Mr.  Banictt  cn- 
ducted  a  general  merchandise  store,  in  the  town  of  Reelsville,  for  about  forty 
years.  His  son-in-law.  Welcome  R.  McElroy,  succeeded  him  in  the  business, 
which  he  carried  on  in  connection  with  his  farming  ilnterests.  !\Ir.  Burnett  and 
his  wife  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  the  former  dying  at  the  age  of  ninety-frmr. 
and  the  latter  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight.  Shortly  before  their  death,  they 
moved  to  Hoosierville,  Indiana,  and  thence  to  Janes\'ille,  Illimiis,  v.here  tlicy 
died.  To  them  three  children  were  born,  [Nlary,  Maria  and  a  daughter  who 
died  in  infancv. 


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542 


DEARBORN'   COl'XTY,    IXDIAXA. 


On  January  i8,  tqoq,  Dr.  Jesse  Lerciy  IMcinroy  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Ruby  J.  Caniphell.  who  was  l_)orn  on  August  15,  t88q,  at  Darlington,  Monl- 
oijniery  canity,  Tndiana,  the  daugliter  of  Thomas  ]\I.  and  Ehzaln-th  ( ILjlling;- 
worlh)  Campbell.  Her  religious  s^'mpati^ies  arc  ■with  the  Methrxlist  church.  Tii 
Dr.  and  !Mrs.  ^IcFdrov  one  child  has  been  boni,  a  daughter.  W'ilhelmina. 

Thomas  M.  and  .Elizaljeth  ( Hollingsworth)  Campbell  are  nat'ves  of 
Indiana,  and  still  reside  in  Darlington.  They  are  the  parents  of  four  children, 
Mrs.  Catherine  \\'alkup,  Zola,  Rub)-  J.   (Mrs.  ?\IcElroy)   and  Lawrence. 


ALBERT  SPAXAGEL. 


Among  the  prominent  younger  citizens  of  Lawrenceburg-,  who  ha\e  en- 
joyed a  successful  career  in  business  and  who  have  been  honored  with  positions 
of  political  trust  and  responsibility,  no  one,  perhaps,  has  surpassed  Albert  Spau- 
agel,  the  present  postmaster  of  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg.  For  many  years  Mr. 
Spanagel  has  been  prominent  in  the  Democratic  councils  of  Lawrenceburg  and 
Dearborn  county,  and  after  an  exciting  contest  in  1914,  received  the  apiwint- 
ment  as  postmaster  of  Lawrenceburg  over  a  large  field  of  applicants  and  con- 
testants for  this  Iionor.  The  award  is  well  deserxed  and  the  honor  is  well 
bestowed,  since  IMr.  Spanagel  has  behiml  him  an  efficient  and  honorable  record 
in  tlie  lawrenceburg  city  council.  Beginning  life  in  a  modest  way  he  has 
risen  gradually  to  a  position  of  profound  respect  and  esteem  among  his  fel- 
low townsmen  and  the  people  of  Dearborn  county  generally. 

Albert  Spanagel  was  born  in  Lawrenceburg,  June  20,  1S73,  the  son  of 
John  L.  and  Louisa  (INIeyers)  Spanagel,  nati\es  of  the  province  of  Baden, 
Gennany,  who  had  eight  sons  and  one  daughter.  John  I^.  Spanagel  spent 
practically  his  entire  life  in  this  cnuntr}'.  having  come  to  America  at  the  age 
of  fifteen,  after  he  had  conipleted  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  nati\"e 
land.  He  made  the  voyage  to  America  with  some  relatives,  who  located  in 
New  York  City,  and  there  he  was  afterwards  engaged  in  the  shoe  business. 
Subseciuently  he  removed  to  Newark,  Xew  Jersey,  and  was  there  engaged  in 
the  shoe  business  for  some  eight  years.  He  came  to  Dearborn  county  in  1869, 
after  locating  in  Lawrenceburg.  engaged  in  the  shoe  business  there  for  many 
years.  In  fact,  he  was  active  in  business  until  within  five  years  of  his  death. 
He  was  a  \\elbkno'.\n  citizen  and  one  of  the  >>l(btime  residents  of  this  count}'. 
He  passed  away  in  Jul\',   1914.  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  }ears.     His  wife 


■j:Ii  lo 


DEAR1!0RX   COUNTY,   IXPIANA.  543 

died  in  1902,  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven.  She  was  a  niemher  of  the  Lutheran 
churcli,  akhough  her  husband  was  a  memher  of  the  Cathuhc  chureh.  John 
L.  Spanagel  had  two  l)rothers,  John  J.  and  Adam. 

Of  the  nine  children  of  Jolm  L.  and  Louisa  (  Meyers)  Spanagel.  Charles 
li\'es  at  Lawrcnceljurg-;  John,  at  Cincinnati;  Jacob,  at  Law  rencebui'g :  Allien, 
tlie  subject  of  this  sketch;  Frank  b'ves  at  Seymour,  Indiana;  Wilham  died  at 
the  age  of  twenty-one;  August  died  at  tlie  age  of  twenty-four,  and  LLarry 
died  in  infancy.     There  was  one  daughter. 

All^ert  Spanagel's  paternal  grandparents  nc\er  came  to  thi^>  coniUry.  His 
maternal  grandparents,  however,  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Newark. 
New  Jersey.  Mr.  Spanagel's  motlier  was  their  only  child.  After  the  death  of 
his  maternal  grandmother  his  grandfather  married  a  second  time  and  was 
the  father  of  se\-eral  children  by  the  second  marriage. 

Albert  Spanagel  was  educated  in  the  pjublic  schools  of  Lawrencelmrg  and 
at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  began  clerking  in  various  stores.  Subsequent! v 
learning  the  barber's  trade,  he  was  thus  engaged  for  twehe  vears.  A!>jut 
191 1  he  engaged  in  the  men's  furnishing  business,  and  was  so  engaged  at  the 
time  of  his  appointment  as  postmaster,  June  4,  1914.  Mr.  Spanagel's  com- 
mission extends  for  a  period  of  four  years  and  his  term  uill  expire  in  June, 
191S. 

On  September  12,  1902.  Albert  Spanagel  was  married  to  Jeanette  Eminer- 
son,  daughter  of  William  Emmerson,  to  which  union  four  children  ha\e  been 
bom,  George  L.,  Emmerson  G.,  Elizabeth  and  Harry  B.  George  L..  the  eldest 
child,  died  at  the  age  of  three  years. 

^Irs.  Spanagel  was  born  at  Patriot.  Indiana.  Her  mother  haxing  died 
when  she  was  three  years  old,  she  was  denied  the  close  companionsbiii  and  wise 
counsel  of  a  loving  mother.  Her  father  is  still  living.  Mrs.  Spanagel  was 
one  of  ten  children,  the  others  being  Mary.  Emma,  Isabel,  Grace,  Carrie, 
Frank,  William.  Hally  and  Thomas,  the  latter  of  whom  is  deceased.  ]Mrs. 
Spanagel's  paternal  grandfather,  William  Emmerson,  who  married  a  Miss 
Hally.  was  a  well-known  citizen  of  this  state.  Their  children  were  Charlotte, 
Cynthia,  Emma,  Hattie,  "Dick"  and  William. 

As  heretofore  noted.  Mr.  Spanagel  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  served 
in  the  Lawrenccburg  city  o nincil  for  a  period  of  four  years.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles  and  is  an  active  and  enthusiastic  member 
of  the  Lutheran  church.     3.1rs.  Spanagel  is  a  member  of  die  Methodist  church. 

Mr.  and  iVIrs.  Spanagel  have  a  host  of  friends  in  the  city  of  Lawrence- 
burg.    Mr.  Spanagel  is  known  as  a  hale  fellow,  well  met ;  a  man  (U'  most  cardial 


.1 

■,«':    l!  ) 


>\';  arr   ;;; 


!  y: 


.  .   >ll     -J  V.' 


.^7i 


iv; 


544 


DEARBOKX    COUXTV,   IXniAXA. 


manners  and  agreeable  personality.  In  Dearborn  eounty  politics  he  is  a  man 
of  more  than  local  prominence  and  influence  and  is  considered  an  in\aluable 
counselor  in  the  deliberations  f)f  a  party  whicli.  tor  the  most  part,  lias  been 
dominant  in  this  section  of  the  state. 


■     •■■'■'•  ERNEST  W.  SWARTflOUT. 

Prominent  in  various  leading  enterprises  of  Aurora  stands  the  name  of 
Ernest  W.  Swarthout.  Being  a  man  of  broad  business  experience,  capable 
and  progressive,  as  well  as  possessing  unusual  executive  ability,  his  opinion 
is  highly  appreciated  in  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  his  city.  He  is 
a  man  with  ideas  frequently  ahead  of  the  times,  and  never  permits  himself  to 
get  into  a  rut  by  clinging  to  out-of-date  methods  in  anything  and,  as  president 
of  the  People's  Telephone  Association,  and  secretan.^  and  manager  of  the 
Southern  Indiana  Telephone  Company,  of  Aurora,  has  kept  fully  abreast  of 
the  receiit  wonderful  advances  in  that  line  of  endeavor. 

Ernest  W.  Swarthout  was  born  at  Haydcn,  Jennings  county,  Indiana, 
on  ]\Iay  14.  1866,  a  son  of  Porter  and  Elizabeth  (Walton)  Swarth.out.  IP's 
education  was  secured  in  the  little  city  of  his  birth,  where  he  grew  up.  after 
which  he  secured  employment  with  the  old  Ohio  &  Mississippi  Railroad,  with 
which  contpan}-  he  was  engaged  as  a  telegraph  operator  for  some  ten  vears. 
which  position  he  gave  up  to  go  to  Aurora  to  take  charge  of  the  telegraph 
office  at  that  place.  In  1S99  ^^^-  Swarthout  organized  the  People's  Telephone 
Company,  and  later,  the  S':'uthcrn  Im.liana  Telephone  Company,  and  has  been 
with  these  companies  e\'er  since.  Fraternally,  he  is  a  member  of  Chosen 
Friends  Lodge  Xo.  13.  Independent  Qrder  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  Aurora,  and 
of  the  ]\Ioclern  Woodmen  of  America.     Politically,  lie  is  a  stanch  Republican. 

Porter  Swarthout  was  a  native  of  New  York  state,  and  was  a  boy  when 
his  parents  came  to  Indiana,  locating  at  Haydcn.  at  which  place  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  followed  the  \'arious  professions  of  farmer,  merchant  and  lawyer. 
in  addition  to  which  he  operated  a  large  stone  quarry.  He  was  enthusiastic 
over  the  progress  of  his  liome  town,  in  which  he  was  appointed  prosecutor, 
and  likewise  officiated  in  \-arious  other  offices.  He  married  Elizabeth  Wal- 
ton, also  a  native  of  New  York,  and  to  this  union  the  following  children  were 
born  :   James  Monroe,  Edwin,  Ernest,  Herbert,  Cecil,  Harriet,  and  Lydia. 

On  July  15,  1891,  Ernest  W.  Swarthout  was -united  in  marriage  to  Alice 


/•-/■  f'f V  :    '■./_•  M r..   /Mi... in ' 


.ill   .,,  ,,..,)-,,- 


I  :■>!', ■,    -iii  :■(■  ■!      ,  -  -Ci^.  I    i: 


,i(i  •     1  ^  -,;;.((' 


■■■■  ■"•  r. 


■•  ■■'^r-'-]-    ;;:  n;  '  ■:>Jini;.  'f;v/  :':-  llr-:i;.:'-t   , '//•  l,!5in:i 


DEAREORX   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  545 

M.  Piatt,  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Sarah  J.  (Palmer)  Piatt,  who  was 
born  on  May  29,  1869,  in  Illinois,  Ijut  reared  and  educated  at  .Kurora,  Indiana. 
Her  religious  sympathies  are  with  the  Presbyterian  church.  To  this  union 
has  been  born  one  son,  Walton  Palmer. 

William  PI.  Piatt,  father  of  [Mrs.  Swarthout,  was  born  in  December, 
1843.  in  Manchester  township,  and  his  wife  Avas  born  in  the  same  township, 
.April  4,  1844,  and  died  on  January  14,  18S4.  yh.  Piatt  enlisted  in  Company 
K,  Twenty-sixth  Regiment,  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  August  11,  1861, 
and  was  mustered  out  in  1862,  on  account  of  Ijeing  disabled.  He  was  married 
on  February  29,  1S63.  to  Sarah  J.  Palmer,  which  union  was  Iilc.^scd  with 
the  following  children:  Harry  W.,  born  on  August  29,  1865;  Alice  M.,  !May 
29,  1869;  Herbert  L.,  September  4,  1S73,  who  died  on  [March  14,  1877,  and 
Frank  M.,  October  16,  1S75. 

Ernest  W.  Swarthout  is  an  enterprising  and  public-spirited  business  man, 
who  takes  a  sincere  interest  in  doing  all  in  his  power  to  further  the  progress 
of  Aurora.  He  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  governors  of  the  Ohio  Valley- 
Motor  Club;  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Aurora  Commercial 
Club;  a  member  of  the  Aurora  Chautauqua  Association  and  president  of  the 
Aurora  Tennis  Association. 


JOHX  F.  PIORXBERGER.    ,.       ■ .,        .    .; 

Each  generation  necessarily  builds  upon  the  foundation  laid  by  preceding 
generations.  According  to  the  firmness  of  the  foundation,  the  superstructure 
will  be  substantial,  or  not.  The  future,  of  course,  must  be  tlie  judge  of  what 
character  of  foundation  has  been  laid  for  the  social,  moral  and  commercial 
edifice  being  erected  by  tlie  citizens  of  Dearborn  county.  However,  from  what 
the  present  historian  notes  of  the  high  character,  the  determination  of  purpose 
and  the  exalted  standards  of  conduct  maintained  bv  the  leaders  of  thought 
and  action  in  this  section  of  the  state  in  their  work  of  carrying  on  the  labors 
of  those  who  wrought  so  wisely  and  securely  in  the  past,  it  hardly  can  l^e 
doubted  that  the  superstructure  of  the  coming  civilization  of  this  region  will 
be  all  that  the  present  generation  may  hope  for  those  who  shall  come  after. 
It  is  partly  the  purpose  of  this  volume  to  preserve  for  the  future  some  account 
of  the  lives  and  the  labors  of  those  who  now  are  doing  so  well  their  part  in 
bearing  aloft  the  torch  of  civilization  in  this  region  and  it  therefore  is  fitting 

(35); 


I    ..  .'.I.-'/ 


-i-jyi3dv '■■•'■[[    I  :'Hr>i 


f..    .-.•  ur-j  1. 


,y.    i'.if-Fit 


546  DEAKDORN    COUNTV,   INDIAXA. 

and  proper  that  brief  biographies  be  here  presented  of  those  who  are  and  win, 
have  been  leaders  in  this  noble  work.  As  such  a  purpose  would  be  but  incom- 
pletely carried  out  without  the  introduction  of  a  biographical  sketch  of  the 
gentleman  whose  name  forms  the  caption  of  this  modest  review,  it  is  a  pleasure 
for  the  biographer  here  to  present  for  the  consideration  of  the  future  iiis- 
torian  a  Ijricf  resume  of  the  life's  history  of  John  F.  Hornberger.  one  of  the 
oldest  and  best-known  merchants  in  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg. 

John  F.  Plornberger  v.as  born  in  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  January  14, 
1845,  the  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Loge)  Hornberger,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Germany,  to  whom  were  born  four  children  who  grew  to  maturity, 
namely:  jNIarie  (deceased),  who  was  the  wife  of  Valentine  Koehler;  John 
F.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch  ;  Henry,  deceased,  and  Richard,  who 
died  shortly  after  attaining  his  majority. 

John  Hornberger,  father  of  John  F.,  was  born  in  [Nlinnfeld,  kingdom  of 
Bavaria,  Germany,  August  iG,  1S17,  the  son  of  George  Nicholas  and  Anna 
M.  (Forster)  Plornberger,  natives,  respectively,  of  Steinweiler  and  Minnfeld, 
Bavaria,  the  former  of  whom  was  lx)rn  on  October  24,  178S,  the  son  of  Nich- 
olas and  Margaret  (Fiever)  Hornberger,  and  the  latter  on  January  7,  1797, 
the  daughter  of  John  and  ]^Iargaret  Forster,  the  forbears  of  both  having  for 
many  generations  been  Bavarians.  In  1831  George  N.  Hornberger  imini- 
grated  to  America  with  his  family,  consisting  then  of  his  wife  and  foiu"  chil- 
dren, another  child  having  been  born  to  this  \\'orthy  couple  after  their 
arrival  in  this  country.  The  Flornbergers  landed  in  New  York  in  June 
or  Jtily  of  I  S3 1,  and  on  August  8,  following,  arrived  in  Cincinnati, 
in  which  city  they  made  their  home  for  six  years,  Air.  Hornberger, 
for  a  time  after  locating  there,  follinving  his  trade  of  cabinetmaker,  he  lieing 
a  skilled  workman  in  that  line,  but  later  engaged  in  the  hotel  business.  In 
1837  he  came  to  Dearborn  county  and  established  a  permanent  home  in  Law- 
renceburg, where  he  quickly  became  one  of  the  most  influential  men  in  the 
town.  He  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  rapidly  growing  village 
and  left  his  distinctive  impress  upon  all  he  touched.  He  was  quick  to  perceive 
the  ultimate  values  hidden  in  the  wilderness  surrounding  the  town  and  en- 
tered from  the  government  one  thousand  acres  of  land  in  Dearborn  and  b'ranlc- 
lin  counties,  on  much  of  wliich  he  realized  handsomely  in  after  years,  as  the 
community  developed;  his  family  being  left  in  ver-\'  comfi^rtable  circumstances 
at  the  time  of  his  death  on  ]\Iarch  19,  18G5.  He  left  five  children,  Jolm.  Mrs. 
Anna  M.  Hauck  (mother  of  Judge  Hauck),  Mrs.  Mary  C.  Schulze,  Airs. 
Elizabeth  Wiedelstadt  and  Airs.  Caroline  Hitzfeld. 


't  ■■:  1    .1    ,:'! 


■■:  ■     ■f\''.i  'I'l    ■{■!■■ '  I. 


'!■•    '  'i   ,>r!;_  ii 


:i,      "■-'  }    7j:; 


:.-:tii:!i/\    r- .,     '"!!■■     .  ;  f.'-ii     i 


.i.i'.:-'i:-;:u  :   ::n<ifj'i.;J    -"i/.   rini; 


DEARBORN'   COIXTY,    INDIAXA.  547 

Toliii  HornbergtT,  who  liecaine  one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of  Lawvencc- 
burg,  was  fourteen  years  <if  age  when  his  parents  immigrated  to  America  and 
he  grew  to  nianliO'Kl  in  the  city  oi  Cincinnati  and  was  married  there.  May  14, 
1837,  to  Catherine  Lege,  shortly  thereafter  moving  to  Lawrenceburg.  where 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Catherine  Loge  was  a  native  of  Steinweiler. 
Coudel,  Germany,  and  was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Anna  M.  (Odenl)ach) 
Loge,  tiie  former  of  whom  was  a  son  of  Jolin  and  Alary  Loge  and  tlie  latter, 
a  daughter  of  Carl  and  Catherine  Odenbach.  John  Loge  brought  his  family, 
consisting  of  his  wife  and  three  children,  Catherine.  John  and  Bernhardt,  to 
America  in  the  twenties  of  the  last  century  and  died  at  Lawrenceburg  in  1843, 
his  widow,  surviving  liis  death  more  than  twenty  years,  her  death  occiu'ring 
in  1865.  LTpoii  arriving  in  Lawrenceburg  John  Hornberger  engaged  with 
his  father  in  the  hotel  and  grocery  business  and  also,  for  some  time  during 
the  early  portion  of  his  residence  in  that  town,  engaged,  at  intervals,  in  flat- 
boat  transportation,  his  line  of  boats  doing  a  thriving  business.  Tie  also 
engaged  in  contract  w-ork,  with  particular  reference  to  street  work,  his  effect- 
ive service  on  the  streets  of  Lawrenceburg  still  being  a  matter  of  distinct 
recollection  among  the  older  residents  of  Lawrenceburg.  In  1853  he  manu- 
factured about  one  million  bricks  and  in  the  winter  of  1855-6  engaged  in 
the  rendering  business.  Extending  his  general  contracting  business,  he  em- 
ployed a  large  force  of  men  and  filled  heavy  contracts  on  railroad  and  other 
engineering  works,  continuing  that  business  until  1S74.  being  one  of  tlie  best 
known  contractors  in  that  line  of  work  in  this  section  of  the  country.  While 
thus  busily  engaged  in  pushing  his  private  enterprises,  John  Hornberger  was 
not  idle  to  the  welfare  of  the  public  and  took  a  large  part  in  the  civic  affairs 
of  the  rapidly-growing  city.  In  1S59  he  was  elected  township  assessor  of  real 
estate,  to  which  office  he  was  re-elected  in  1864.  He  sat  in  the  cit}-  council 
for  sixteen  consecutive  years,  from  the  year  1859,  and  was  one  of  the  fore- 
most factors  in  the  development  of  the  city's  best  interests.  He  was  a  stanch 
Democrat  and  for  many  years  was  one  of  the  most  forceful  counsellors  of 
that  party  in  Dearborn  county.  For  eighteen  years  he  ofliciated  as  controller 
and  manager  of  the  Greendale  cemetery  and  was  for  sometime  a  director 
of  the  Lawrenceburg  Gas  Company.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  having  joined  the  society  in  1839,  and  lived  to  be  the 
oldest  member  of  the  lodge  at  LawTcnceburg.  Though  not  a  member  of 
any  church,  he  attended  and  was  a  contributor  to  the  good  works  of  the 
Lutheran  church,  of  which  his  wife  was  a  devoted  and  active  member,  and 
both  were  earnest  participants  in  all  the  good  works  of  the  community,  no 


!f;7i     riy 


ill.       i/:     ,:::'' 


-T'.rf- 


•   :>■'    5   -iV:.' 


548  '  DEARRORX   COUXTY,   INDIANA. 

couple  ill  the  city  being  held  in  higher  regard  than  they,  or  more  popular  in 
the  general  esteem  of  the  townspeople.  John  Hornbergcr  died  in  the  year 
1S8S,  at  the  age  i:)f  se\-enty-t\\'n  years,  his  widow  sur.vi\-ing  him  brieth',  her 
death  occurring  tliirty  days  later,  of  paralysis,  she  then  being  about  seventy 
years  of  age.  The  funerals  of  tlicse  two  excellent  old  people  were  said  to 
have  been  the  largest  ever  held  in  the  city  of  Lawrcnceburg,  there  having 
■been  a  general  outpouring  oi  the  people  of  the  town  and  countryside  to  pay 
a  tribute  of  general  respect  to  the  departed. 

John  F.  Hornberger,  now  the  sole  survivor  of  the  family  of  John  Horn- 
bergcr, was  born  and  reared  in  Lawrenceburg,  in  which  city  his  whole  life, 
covering  a  period  of  sexent}-  years,  has  been  spent.  He  was  educated  in  the 
local  schools  and  upon  reaching  young  manhood  began  writing  in  the  offices 
of  the  court  house,  present!}-  being  made  deputy  county  recorder.  Following 
this  term  of  public  service.  ]\lr.  Hornberger  made  a  trip  to  Knoxville,  Tennes- 
see, but  did  not  locate  in  that  city ;  shortly  returning  to  Lawrenceburg.  where 
he  learned  the  jeweler's  trade,  and  presently  opened  a  jewelry  store  in  the 
city,  which  business  he  has  since  continued  without  interruption,  a  period  of 
forty-six  years ;  a  most  honorable  and  quite  successful  business  career.  Shortly 
after  starting  in  business  for  himself  in  Lawrenceburg,  Mr.  Hornberger  was 
elected  city  treasurer,  which  office  he  held  for  four  years,  still  maintaining 
his  jewelry  business,  howe\er. 

On  December  22,  1869,  John  F.  Hornberger  was  united  in  marriage  with 

Buenavista  McCright,  who  was  born  in  Lawrenceburg  in  1847,  the  daughter 

of  Joseph  B.  and  Xancy   ( [Major)    McCright,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and 

.  early  settlers  in  Lawrenceburg,  and  who  died  on  April  13,  1905,  at  the  age  of 

fifty-eight  years. 

Josejih  B.  AlcCright  was  born  in  fiercer  county,  Pennsylvania,  ]\Iarch 
•  25,  1819,  the  son  of  Charles  and  Mary  McCright.  On  August  19,  1S39,  he 
married  Nancy  H.  Major,  to  which  union  seven  children  were  born,  Eliza- 
beth, JNlary,  Charles,  Buenavista,  Squire  and  two  who  died  in  early  ymuh. 
The  jMcCrights  came  to  Dearborn  coun.ty  in  1S44.  settling  in  Lawrenceburg, 
where  ^Ir.  ]\lcCright  and  his  wife  si)ent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  becoming 
prominent  and  influential  in  the  social  and  civic  affairs  of  the  community. 
She  died  on  December  24.  18S4,  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years,  seven  months 
and  seven  days,  and  he  died  on  April  24,  1899,  at  the -age  of  eighty  years  and 
one  month,  leaving  sixteen  grandchildren  and  twelve  great-grandchildren. 

To  John  F.  and  Buenavista  (McCright)  Hornberger  were  born  five 
children,  Catherine,  Xancy,  George  and  John  (twins)  and  Verona.    Catherine 


'  •■'<'■[  '■■■J  v!ii-';;    „i: 


■-n-.    I. 


ii. 


0-j.ij  iiriw  m;n    yriiiiojtjijiv/r. 


'■11,1/,    ,-  ■fi«/lYifii:5':    . /;r.ij.o  T'-., 


,f.'o-iv  /  i..ui,  ;  -r:fv/j 


DEARBORN   COr.\TV.   INDIAXA.  •  549 

married  Hiram  Guard,  of  Lawrcnceliury',  to  which  union  one  cliild,  has  been 
Ijiirn,  Crclchen.  The  Guards  have  a  pleasant  home  in  I.awrenceburg  and  it 
is  with  them  that  ]\Ir.  llornberger  makes  his  hotne.  Nancy  married  J.  I. 
W'ingate.  of  Petersburg,  Kentucky,  to  wln'ch  union  has  been  Ijorn  one  son, 
Heniy  Clay.  George,  who  married  Anna  Schincman,  h\'es  in  Cinciim.ali. 
John  met  his  death  by  accidental  drowning,  at  the  age  of  nine,  while  swim- 
ming in  the  Ohio  river.  Verona  married  Harvev  Green,  of  East  Li\er|)<i'il. 
Ohio,  to  which  union  was  born  one  daughter.  Ciretchen.  ■Mrs.  Ilornberger 
was  a  faithful  and  active  member  of  the  ^Methodist  cluuxh  and  her  children 
were  brought  up  in  the  faith  of  that  communion. 

Mr.  Hornberger  is  a  Democrat  and  for  many  years  took  an  active  inter- 
est in  the  political  affairs  of  the  county,  but  in  later  years  has  somewhat  re- 
tired from  participation  in  the  councils  of  his  party.  His  onl\-  office-holding 
experience  was  that  gained  in  the  county  recorder's  office  in  his  early  man- 
hood, mention  of  which  is  made  ab'^ve,  he  having'  preferred  to  give  his  time 
and  attention  to  his  business  affairs  rather  than  to  lead  in  civic  affairs.  This, 
how'ever,  has  not  prevented  his  earnest  participation  in  all  movements  having 
as  their  object  the  betterment  of  local  conditions  in  all  lines,  and  there  has 
been  no  more  public-spirited  citizen'  in  Lawrenceburg  these  many  years  than 
he,  his  sage  counsel  and  advice  often  having  proved  of  value  to  the  party 
leaders  in  this  county.  JNIr.  Hornberger  is  a  member  of  Union  Lodge  No. 
8,  Indcpen.dent  Order  of  Odd  Fellow  s,  and  of  Dearborn  Lodge  No.  49,  ivnights 
of  Pythias,  in  tlie  affairs  of  both  of  which  orders  he  for  many  years  has  taken 
an  active  interest. 

Kindly  in  manner  and  speech,  considerate  in  all  his  rclati'^ns  with  his 
fellow  men;  just  in  his  dealings,  a  lover  of  all  mankind,  'Sir.  Hornberger  is 
one  of  the  most  popular  and  most  highly  esteemed  men  in  the  city  of  Law- 
renceburg, where  he  is  honored  and  respected  by  all. 


\\TLLL\M  LEWIS  HOSKINS.  r-,.    ,  .  .,.,. 

One  of  the  business  men  of  this  community  wliose  industry,  energy  and 
ability  have  given  impetus  to  the  commercial  life  of  Aurora  is  the  man  whose 
name  appears  at  the  head  of  this  sketch.  While  not  a  native  of  that  town, 
or  even  of  the  county,  'Mr.  Hoskins  has  identified  himself  with  the  business 
interests  of  the  town,  during  his  residence  of  ten  years,  to  such  an  extent 


i  !  Mr,: 


I,.     ,; 


.cY.l'AZQm  ?.\ 


550  DKAUBORX   COC.NTY,   INDIANA. 

that  his  influence  as  a  merchant  and  mnnufacturer  has  heen  stron,e;-lv  feh. 
Mr.  Hoskins  is  secretary,  treasurer  and  t;eneral  manager  of  the  W}Mnond 
Coof)eraye  Compan}-  of  .Vurrira,  Indiana.  He  was  born  in  Washington  county, 
Kentucky,  April  19,  1871.  tlie  son  of  llugli  and  Elizabeth  (  Snepp)  IToskins, 
both  natixes  of  Kentucky.  Hugh  Iloskin's  fatlier  died  in  Sh.elby  conntv, 
Indiana,  iri  tiie  earl}-  thirties,  while  his  mother  died  about  1S40.  Their  chil- 
dren were  Elisha.  Josiah,  Hugh,  Enos,  Sarah  and  Isrdjel.  Both  were  twice 
married.  Hugh  Moskins  was  only  a  lad  when,  with  his  ]iarcnts,  he  said  good- 
bye to  his  childhood  hi:ime  in  the  Si')Uthland,  and  entered  ii[)on  the  new  life  in 
the  Hoosier  state,  Shelby  county  being  the  place  chosen,  and  there  he  grew  to 
manhood.  After  engagang  for  some  years  in  the  tobacco  and  livery  business 
in  Edinburg,  Johnson  count}-,  he  n-io\-ed  on  a  farm,  where  he  added  to  his 
regular  labors  contracting  and  building.  At  the  age  of  seventy-six  yca.rs.  he 
died  in  Shelby  count}-  in  the  }-ear  iSijy.  lie  was  a  member  of  the  Christian, 
or  Disciplo'  church;  his  wit'e,  an  adherent  of  the  English  Euthcran  church. 
Mrs.  Hoskins  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  her  maternal  graridmother,  Catharine 
(Neibel)'  Snepp,  ha-^'ing  been  a  nali\e  (jf  i\Icintgomer\-  conntv,  that  state. 
whose  husband.  John  Snep]),  was  born  in  Germany.  Tlie  latter  -was  a  farmer, 
and  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age.  Their  children,  six  in  nun-ibcr,  were  Williaan, 
Elizabeth,  Alaria,  Jo.^eph,  David  and  Jane. 

To  Hugh  rmd  Elizal'eth  (Snepp)  Hoskins  nine  children  were  born, 
namel}',  Catherin.e,  wife  of  Daniel  Oaks  of  Chicago;  John  S.,  of  Bartholomew 
county,  Indiana:  Sarah,  who  married  A\'illiam  AA'eil,  of  St.  Louis,  [Missouri: 
Alice,  wife  of  James  !Moran,  of  New  York  City;  Emma  (deceased),  who  was 
the  wife  of  Clement  Hnbbell:  David  J.,  of  Elmhurst,  Illinois;  Josiah  H.,  of 
Aurora,  Indiana:  I\Iargaret.  wife  of  John  Barnes,  of  Texhoma,  Oklahoma. 
and  William  E..  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  The  mother  of  these  children  dic;I 
in  1876,  at  the  age  of  forty-two  years. 

At  the  close  of  his  school  days  on  the  home  farm  in  Shelby  couj-it}-,  Will- 
iam E.  Eloskins  took  up  his  residence  in  Cincinnati,  where  he  also  atteridcd 
school.  He  then  became  a  clerk  in  a  drug  store  in  Cincinnati,  and  while  there, 
devoted  his  spare  time  to  the  study  of  phannacy.  In  1S90,  he  changed  his 
occupation  to  that  of  a  traveling  man.  being  employed  by  a  wholesale  shoe 
house,  and  followed  that  business  for  six  years.  Returning  again  to  the  drug 
business,  he  worked  in  the  office  of  a  wholesale  drug  company  at  Chicago. 
In  1905  he  left  that  city  and  went  to  Aurora,  this  county,  to  assunie  the  man- 
agement of  the  Aurora  Eurniture  Company.  After  holding  that  position  for 
a  period  of  nine  years,  he  became  manager  of  the  Wymond  Cooperage  Com- 


./:/..  izv  ./ 


■I'-.     !rr.i-.!-iM     •      ')-. 


■<■>)•  I, 


'II A     .  '■•Mtl.'i-.in 


■L{!T     .7:!r-!;Tr;i 


•  •  '■■■   ■'.'       ,■-  I  .i.'.iHi^;    !■.■    ,.(_   ijl .  !■■  1    ,  i'"<j 


j'-'-^i  I  .1    , ,  ■■  If  I 


DEARbORX  COtXTV,  IXDIAXA.  55I 

pany  atthe  time  of  its  organization  in  191 1,  a  position  he  has  held  ever  since, 
and  which  has  occupied  his  entire  time.  This  is  an  incorporated  company, 
being  capitahzcd  at  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  and  employs  about  sixty 
persons.  It  manufactures  a  high  grade  of  barrels  and  markets  its  product 
in  all  parts  of  the  United  States.  Besides  managing  this  enterprise.  ]\lr. 
Hoskins  is  a  stockholder  and  director  in  the  Aurora  Furnitui'e  Company  and 
is  vice-president  of  the  In.dianapolis  Furniture  Company,  of  Aurora. 

On  June  21,  1S93,  W'illiatn  L.  Hoskins  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ella 
A.  Smitli,  who  was  born  in  Aurora  on  December  26,  1873.  Pier  mother,  who 
before  her  marriage  was  Elizabeth  Dennerline,  also  was  born  in  Aurora. 
Her  father  died  when  she  was  only  twelve  or  thirteen  years  of  age.  The 
mother  is  still  living.  Grandfather  Smith  was  a  Methodist  minister  in  Ne- 
braska. Grandmother  Deimerline  was  a  Von  Dressendoerfcr,  the  modier  of 
two  children,  Elizabeth  and  George.  Although  not  having  lived  in  Cincin- 
nati for  some  time,  !Mr.  and  JNIrs.  Hoskins  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church 
in  that  city.  They  are  both  acti\"e  in  the  social  life  of  the  community  and  are 
held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  their  many  friends. 

JMr.  Eloskins,  besides  being  a  director  of  the  Commercial  Club  of  Aurora, 
is  a  member  of  the  Dearborn  Club,  the  Country  Club  and  of  Yeatman  Lodge 
No.  162,  Free  and  Accepted  INIasons.  In  his  political  affiliations,  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  has  shown  vital  and  practical  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his 
party. 

By  his  genial  nature,  his  ready  sympathy  with  all  movements  tending-  to 
advance  the  city's  prosperity,  and  his  generosity,  Mr.  Hoskins  has  made  many 
friends,  who  repose  in  him  the  utmost  confidence. 


HENRY  HARMON  FOLKE. 

Henry  Harmon  Folke,  farmer  of  Lawrenceburg  township,  son  of  John 
Dietrich  Folke  and  Anna  (Schwers)  Folke,  was  born  on  March  12.  1S79,  in 
Manchester  township.  He  was  educated  in  the  German  and  public  schools 
of  the  county,  and  lived  at  the  place  of  his  birth  until  his  marriage  to  .\nna 
D.  Hiller,  February  18,  1009.  and  then  moved  to  his  present  location,  which 
he  rented,  for  one  year,  and  then  bought.  The  farm  contains  one  hundred 
and  forty  acres  and  is  well  improved.  It  is  located  about  three  and  one-half 
miles  west  of  Lawrenceburg.  His  parents  came  from  Hanover,  Germany, 
when  young  and  settled  in  Manchester  township,  where  the  father  still  resides. 
His  mother  died  in  the  vear  188^.     His  father  married,  secondly,  [Margaret 


/..■C/'-'l/  -.    ,•/  i  / 


biri    -:.'    .;! 


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'J  I   '/.':>r::/^H  Y'A/.'All 


;!.'.:,  ,    '. 


552 


DliAREOKN   COrNTV,   INDIANA. 


Brandt,  of  Ripley  county.  To  the  first  marriage  were  born  three  children, 
Henry  Harmon,  John  and  Aaron;  and  to  the  second,  one  child,  Margaret. 
Aaron  married  Alma  llillman  on  April  30.  1914,  and  has  one  child.  Marcella. 

Anna  D.  Hiller  was  born  on  November  2,  1879,  in  what  was  then  [Miller 
township,  now  Lawrenceburg  township,  and  is  a  daughter  of  John  and  I)ur 
othy  (EUinghausen)  Hiller.  She  attended  the  public  and  German  sch.nds. 
Her  parents  came  from  Hanover,  (lermany.  aljout  1S65.  and  were  married  '>n 
August  26,  1866.  r^Ir.  Hiller  was  a  farmer  all  his  life,  first  as  a  renter,  then 
bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  acres,  which  is  now  the  home 
of  his  son-in-law,  Henrv  H.  Folke.  John  Hiller  died  in  Xovember,  1910. 
and  his  wife  died  in  [March,  1905.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children, 
namely:  Henry,  of  Jackson  county,  [Missouri;  Albert,  of  Hampton.  T<iwa; 
Mrs.  [Margaret  Diefenbaugh;  Frederick,  of  Hampton,  Iowa;  [Mrs.  [Mary 
Engleking.  of  Newkirk,  Oklahoma:  George,  of  Hampton,  Iowa;  [Mrs.  Anna 
D.  Folke:  John  F.  Hiller,  Tipton,  Indiana. 

Henrv  Hiller  has  three  children,  Caroline.  Frieda  and  Alma.  Frederick 
has  three  children,  Rudolph,  Letha  and  Lavlin.  George  has  two  children. 
Lyle  and  Wayne.  John  has  one  child.  Dorothy.  [Mrs.  [Margaret  Diefen- 
baugh has  eight  children.  Albert,  Vrcd,  Louis.  Mary,  Flarry.  Arthur.  Ar.na 
and  George.     [Mrs.  [Mary  Engleking  has  one  child,  Herman. 

[Mr.  and  [Mrs.  Henry  H.  Folke  have  two  children,  Irma.  born  on  Jan- 
uary -1,  1910:  and  Alvin,  June  23,  1912.  The  family  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  church,  and  take  an  active  part  in  all  good  works  in  the  community. 


i        :..   ■:-':_  ARCFIIBALD  SHAW. 

Having  lived  in  Dearborn  county  for  forty-one  years,  all  of  which  time 
has  been  spent  in  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg,  and  being  interested  in  local 
history,  Archibald  Shaw  is  peculiarly  well  equipped  to  supervise  the  preparation 
of  this  history.  Aside  from  Mr.  Shaw's  wide  acciuaintance  throughout  Dear- 
born county,  he  is  well  acquainted  with  sources  from  which  the  history-  of 
this  section  is  drawn,  and  has  made  a  long  and  patient  study  of  the  Dearborn 
county  annals.  [Moreover,  Mr.  Shaw  received  a  splendid  education  early  in 
life,  and  from  the  professional  standpoint  is  well  prepared  to  act  as  editor  of 
this  volume.  Archibald  Shaw  has  held  many  positions  of  trust  and  responsi- 
bility in  Lawrenceburg  and  Dearborn  count}-,  and  to  all  of  them  he  has  gi'.-en 
the  conscientious  attention  and  service  they  have  appeared  to  demand.  [Mr. 
Shaw  is  well  acquainted  with  the  business  growth  and  progress  of  Dearborn 


(■ij;;v,r  10   Mr 


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AROinr.Ai.il  sriAw 


rr.li  i:;,:.. 


DEARDORX   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  553 

county,  since  lie  himself  tor  some  years  was  personally  iilentified  with  the 
business  life  of  the  cit)'  of  Lawrenceburg. 

As  Mr.  Shaw  has  said  in  his  announcement  to  the  pei^jile  of  Dearborn 
cou,nt\'.  "It  has  been  aliout  thirty  years  since  an  authentic  hi^tur}  of  Dearl.Kiru 
county  has  been  pulilishecl.  Since  that  date  the  county  has  made  wonderful 
progress  along  all  lines  of  endeavor,  and  it  will  be  the  purjiose  of  the  editor 
and  publishers  of  the  proposed  work  to  chronicle  fully  and  faithfully  all 
important  historical  events,  from  the  earliest  coming  of  the  white  men  to  this 
section  down  to  the  present  time." 

Archibald  Shaw  is  a  natixe  of  Switzerland  county,  Indiana,  where  lie 
was  born  on  August  8,  1847.  His  parents  were  William  and  Linda  (  Runs) 
Shaw.  William  Shaw  was  a  native  of  Paisley,  Scotland,  and  }.Irs.  Linda 
(Rous)  Shaw  was  a  native  of  Little  Horton,  now  a  part  of  BradfL>rd,  York- 
shire, England.  William  Shaw  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  18 16. 
and  landed  at  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  Not  long  afterward  his  I'alher 
crossed  the  mountains  to  Pittsburgh  and  bought  a  flat-boat  and  floated  dov.n 
the  Ohio  river  with  his  family.  They  settled  in  Switzerland  county.  Indiana, 
and  li:  ed  there  many  years.  Archibald  was  the  eleventh  of  twelve  children 
born  to  his  parents. 

AL-.  .Shaw  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  near  \'evay,  and  attended  the 
country  schools.  Later  he  attended  tlie  high  school,  and  was  graduated  from 
DePauw  University,  when  it  was  known  as  Asl.iury  Uni\'ersity,  \vith  l1ie  class 
of  1S72.  In  college  'Sir.  Shaw  was  prominent  in  the  Phi  Kappa  Psi  college 
fraternity,  \vhere  he  is  an  honored  alumnus,  not  only  of  DePauw  Lni\'crsitv, 
but  of  this  great  Greek  letter  society. 

After  leaving  college  Air.  Shaw  was  married  and  farmed  for  five  or  six 
years.  He  then  moved  to  Lawrenceburg  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business 
for  about  six  years.  Later  he  was  express  agent  for  the  Adams  Express  Com- 
pany for  four  years.  ^^Ir.  Shaw  served  as  postmaster-of  Lawrenceburg  f<ir 
eight  vears,  and  was  a  school  trustee  for  one  term.  It  is  obxinus.  th.ercfore, 
that  he  has  been  connected  with  the  important  phases  of  the  life  of  Dearh<jrn 
county.  He  is  acquainted  at  first  hand  with  its  business,  with  its  political 
life,  and  especially  with  its  agricultural  life.  His  rather  wide  and  extensive 
connection  with  the  fraternal  societies  of  Dearborn  county  has  given  to  him 
further  advantages  in  pi-eparation  of  this  volume.  Not  the  least  of  Mr. 
Shaw's  interests  is  his  connection  with  the  educational  life  of  Lawrence) lurg. 
He  has  therefore  been  able  to  give  due  care  and  consideration  to  all  the 
phases  of  the  community's  progress  and  prosperity. 

Archibald  Shaw  was  married  on  July  31,    1S73,  to  Hannah  V.   Fitch, 


'I  .■:<!    |i  ■    J I 


■  ;■/'..  .  ji 

;j   i!   0  ''  ].. 


554  DEARBORX   COUNTY,   IXDIAXA.  •' 

daughter  of  De  Witt  C.  and  Leah  (Hayes)  Fitch.  Air.  and  Mrs.  Shaw 
have  iiad  eight  children,  four  of  whom  are  deceased,  as  follow:  Ida  C,  died 
at  the  age  of  sixteen;  Cora.  T.eah.  died  at  age  uf  twenty-two;  DeW'itt  C,  dierl 
at  the  age  of  fifteen,  en'  appendicitis,  and  W'ilHani  De  Witt  died  in  iufancv; 
Harris  F.  is  a  law  clerk  in  the  land  office  in  Cocur  D'Alene,  Idaho:  Edward 
R.  is  a  bookkeeper;  John  A.  is  a  civil  engineer,  and  is  now  living  at  ?\Ianila. 
Pliilippine  Islands;  and  I'-lla  ]\I.  is  a  school  teacher. 

Mr.  and  ilrs.  Shaw  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Royal 
Arcanum,  aside  from  his  membership  in  the  Phi  Kappa  Psi  college  fraternity. 
For  twelve  years  j\Ir.  Shaw  served  as  chairman  of  the  county  central  com- 
mittee of  Dearborn  county,  and  is  one  of  the  foremost  Republicans  of  this 
section.  Flaving.  as  heretofore  noted,  li\ed  in  Dearborn  county  for  upwards 
of  forty-one  years,  Archibald  Shaw  is  well  equipped  to  act  as  editor  of  the  his- 
tory of  Dear1)':irn  cuunty.  Personally,  Air.  Shaw  is  popular  with  all  classes  of 
people  and  he  and  his  wife  are  popular  socialh-  in  the  cit\-  of  Lawrencebtirg. 
He  is  a  worthy  citizen  whose  interests  in  preserving  the  historical  lore  of  thi? 
county  is  to  be  commended  by  all  the  citizens  of  Dearborn  county. 


WILLIAM  G.  GLOVER. 


W'illiam  G.  Glover,  editor  and  proprietor  of  tlie  Laierencchiirg  Press, 
which  he  has  owned,  edited  and  published  since  191 1,  is  one  of  the  well-known 
citizens  of  Dearborn  county.  Air.  Glover  was  fortunate  in  being  able  to  ob- 
tain a  splendid  education  and  this  has  been  of  no  small  assistance  to  him  in 
editing  and  publishing  a  first-class  newspaper.  During  his  ownership  and 
management  the  Press  has  gained  in  circulation  and  influence  in  Deari.iorn 
county,  and  today  is  recognized  as  the  leading  Republican  organ  of  south- 
eastern Indiana,  no  weekly  newspaper  in  this  section  of  the  state  being  better 
edited  than  the  Press. 

William  G.  Glover  was  born  on  September  24,  i88i,.in  Switzerland 
county,  Indiana,  the  son  of  William  and  Anna  R.  (Long)  Glover,  the  former 
of  whom  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  the  latter  of  Indiana.  William  Glover,  Sr.. 
was  a  mere  lad  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Indiana.  They  located 
in  Switzerland  county,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood.  He  was  a  farmer  and 
contractor  and  his  family  was  reared  in  that  county.  He  passed  away  at 
Aloores  Hill  in  1886,  at  the  age  of  fifty-two  }'ears,  and  his  widow  is  still  living 
at  Moores  Hill,  ^^'illiam  Glover  was  a  soldier  in  tlie  L^nion  army  during  the 
Civil  War,  serving  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  in  Company  E,  Fiftieth 


/./.M"/  I 


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,-' — :f  .-.P 


DEARBORN   COUXTV,  IXDIAXA.  555 

Regiment,  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which  he  was  a  prixatc.  He  wa^  a 
niemljer  of  the  ^Methodist  church,  of  which  his  widow  also  is  a  member.  The_\ 
were  the  parents  of  four  cliildren,  Grace  G.,  the  widow  of  Charles  S.  McKr.wn ; 
Albert  H.,  who  lives  near  Greenfield.  Hancock  county,  Indiana;  Catherine  J., 
the  wife  of  W.  E.  Pennington,  of  Moores  Hill.  Indiana,  and  William  G.,  of 
Lawrenceburg. 

Mr.  Glover's  paternal  grandparents  emigrated  from  Virginia  Ui  Ohio, 
spending  their  last  da^'s  in  Cincinnati.  His  maternal  grandparents  were  na- 
tives of  Pennsylvania,  Grandfather  William  Long  having  been  a  Methodist 
preacher,  one  of  the  pioneer  circuit  riders  in  Ohio  and  Indiana,  an  influential 
man  in  his  day  and  generation,  and  was  exceptionally  well  educated  and  well 
informed  for  those  times.  V\'hile  Gran<llather  Long  lived  to  the  great  age  of 
eighty-nine,  his  first  wiie  died  while  still  a  comparati\-ely  young  woman. 
There  were  only  four  children  boni  to  that  union,  ]\Irs.  Mary  E.  Williams, 
1  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Jonte,  !Mrs.  Caroline  Wicks,  and  ]\Irs.  Anna  R.  Glover.  After 
the  death  of  his  first  wife.  Rev.  William  Long  married  again  and  by  this 
second  marriage  had  several  children. 

^\'illiam  G.   Glover's  elementary  education  was   received  in   the  public 
schools  of  Moores  Hill,  and  he  supplemented  the  same  by  a  course  in  jMoores 
Hill  College,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1905. 
After  teaching  school  for  four  years,  he  took  a  post-graduate  course  in  Chi- 
cago University,  and  also  in  Indiana  University.     In  191 1  he  purchased  the 
Lazvrciiccburg  Press,  and  at  once  1>ecame  editor  and  publisher  of  that  news- 
paper, a  Republican  weekly  established  more  than  sixty  years  ago,  and  which 
has  always  enjoyed  an  exceptionally  fine  reputation  in  this  section  of  Indiana. 
On  June  21,  1913,  William  G.  Glover  was  married  to  Clara  B.  Smith, 
daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  (Albright)  Smith,  to  uhich  union  has  been 
i      born  one  son,  Theodore  Alfred.     Mrs.  Glover  was  born  in  Ripley  county.  In- 
-,      diana,  her  parents,  wdio  were  also  natives  of  Indiana,   residing  on  a   farm 
\      near  Milan,  in  that  county.    ^Irs.  Glover  has  two  sisters,  2\Iimiie  and  Bertie. 

]\Ir.  and  ]\Ir5.  Glover  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and 

Mr.  Glover  is  an  enthusiastic  and  ardent  advocate  of  Republican  principles, 

as  the  editor  of  the  Lai^roiceburg  Press  exerting  a  wide  influence  in  this 

section  of  the  state.     Although  the  fiAirth  congressional  district,  in  which 

1       Mr.  Glover  lives,  is  strongly  Democratic,  yet  the  Press,  even  during  the  brief 

■]      period  of  his  ownership  and  management,  has  done  something  to  reduce  this 

I      substantial  majority.     ]Mr.  Glover  has  his  enemies,  as  well  as  his  friends,  but 

^      the  former  are  comparati\ely  few,  he  being  one  of  the  most  pnpular  citizens 

of  Dearborn  county.     Politically,  his  growing  power  and  influence  are  being 

closely  watched  by  the  leaders  of  the  opposing  party  in  this  section  of  Indiana. 


/'  -.1  .< 


,;r;:7/ 


riif^i' 


556  DKARBORN   COL'XTV,   INDIANA. 

MICHAEL  EDWARD  ^L-VLOXEY. 

Micliael  Edward  Ahdoiiey,  the  present  postmaster  at  Aurora,  this  county, 
was  horn  on  September  J3,  1S77,  at  Aurora,  son  ot  Michael  and  Mary  (^Tav- 
lin)  Alaloney.  both  natives  of  Ireland.  He  has  always  lived  at  Aurora,  where 
lie  attended  the  parochial  and  public  schools,  as  well  as  the  high  school.  When 
about  fourteen  years  of  age  he  began  working  at  odd  jolis,  and  his  first  real 
position  was  when  he  engaged  liis  services  as  collector  for  the  Sargent  Coal 
Company,  remaining  with  that  concern  two  years.  He  next  served  as  clerk 
in  the  general  store  of  Chambers,  Steven^  &  Company,  where  he  remained 
for  five  years,  after  wdiich  he  was  one  year  with  the  John  H.  Elibbens  Dry 
Goods  Company  in  Cincinnati.  He  then  served  as  a  molder's  apprentice  in  the 
plant  of  the  Addyston  Pipe  and  Foundry  Company,  of  Addyston,  Ohi'j,  and 
was  there  about  ten  years.  ^Ir.  Maloney  was  then  elected  city  clerk  of  Au- 
rora, in  Vvhich  public  capacity  he  served  three  and  one-Iialf  years,  resigTiing 
on  August  I,  1913,  to  accept  the  appointment  of  postmaster  of  Aurora,  which 
office  he  took  on  September  3.  1913.  and  which  he  still  holds.  While  in  the  of- 
fice of  the  city  clerk,  after  seven  ballots,  he  was  defeated  by  one  vote  for  mayor 
to  fill  the  vacanc_\'  caused  by  the  resignation  of  Willard  B.  Stier.  Politically, 
Mr.  ^Nlaloney  is  a  stanch  Democrat,  for  many  years  active  in  the  councils 
of  his  party,  and  was  chairman  of  the  local  Democratic  ccimmittee  for  si-K 
years,  resigning  that  position  when  he  took  charge  of  the  postot'fice.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Catholic  church,  and  is  an  acti\'e  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Columbus. 

Mr.  Maloney's  father,  }ilichael  Malone\-,  came  to  America  with  his  parents 
when  a  boy  of  five  years.  The  family  settled  at  Aurora,  where  ^Michael  Ma- 
loney grew  to  manhood,  and  where  he  still  resides.  When  a  young  man,  he 
began  his  first  work  in  the  Xathan  Stedman  foundrj-,  and  remained  there  man}" 
years.  He  also  conducted  a  saloon  for  some  time.  Ever  active  in  the  piilitical 
life  of  the  community  he  was  several  times  elected  to  positions  of  public  trust 
and  responsibility  and  served  successively  as  city  clerk,  city  treasurer,  town- 
ship trustee,  and  county  treasurer,  serxing  two  terms  in  each  office.  He  is 
now  living  in  retirement.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Catholic 
church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that  faitli.  These  children,  six  in 
number,  are  as  follow:  John  F.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  insurance  business; 
Henry  A. ;  Elizabeth,  who  is  a  teacher  in  the  jvublic  schools  of  Aurora ;  Michael 
Edward,  the  subject  of  this  biographical  sketcli :  Mary  Alice,  who  is  at  home, 
and  William. 


./.  ■- 1  i-\  .•   .  •  1  /    ■•  I  J       Ai, ■.'.:■:.     y\ 


'V.' 


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A'iAiar 


DEAkBOKX   COL'XTV,  IXDIAXA.  "  55/ 

Mr.  Maloncy's  paternal  grandparents,  }*Iichael  and  Katherine  f^Iurphy) 
Alaloney,  also  natives  of  Ireland,  died  at  Anrora,  aged  about  eighiy-li\"c  years, 
leaving  the  following"  children:  INIichael,  Ann,  John,  .\nlhnnv  and  Richard. 
His  maternal  grandparents.  John  and  Elizabeth  (McGinnis)  Tavlin,  also 
natives  of  Ireland,  came  to  America  at  an  early  day.  settling  at  Cold  Springs, 
Indiana,  where  INlr.  Tavlin  engaged  in  farming,  and  was  one  of  the  pioneers 
who  helped  to  build  the  old  Ohio  &  ^Mississippi  railroad.  Idiev  died  at  Cold 
.Springs,  both  past  eighty  vears  of  age.  Their  children  were  as  follow: 
James,  Ann,  ?vlan",  Ellen,  Michael  and  others  who  are  not  now  a  matter  of 
record. 

On  September  23,  1913.  Michael  Edward  iMaloney  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Ella  W'ilhelmina  Mayer,  daughter  of  George  and  Alary  INIayer.  She 
was  bora  on  June  20,  18S1,  at  Aurora,  and  was  educated  in  St.  John's  Lutheran 
school  and  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  To  this  union  has  been 
born  one  son,  Edward  iNIayer  ]\Ialoney,  barn  on  July  20,  1914.  ]\Irs.  IMalo- 
ney's  parents,  both  now  deceased,  were  natives  of  Germany,  \\ho  came  to 
America  when  about  twenty-one  years  of  age.  They  met  here  and  were 
married  at  Aurora.  I\Ir.  Ma)-er,  who  was  a  well-known  jeueler,  died  in  18S1, 
about  two  months  before  Mrs.  Maloney  was  born,  and  his  widow  died  in 
January,  1913.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  William, 
Conray,  Mary  (who  married  Gatch  L.  Baker),  Ella  Wilhelniina  and  two  or 
three  who  died  young.  IMrs.  INIaloney's  maternal  grandparents  came  from 
Germany  to  this  country  at  an  earh'  day  and  located  at  Cold  Springs,  where 
they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  children, 
Henry  and  Mary. 

Michael  Edward  Alalone}',  in  filling  the  position  of  postmaster  at  Aurora, 
is  following  out  the  principles  which  have  always  been  marked  characteristics 
in  all  business  transactions  with  which  he  has  been  connected,  namely,  giving 
his  untiring  and  sincere  attention  to  the  business  in  hand,  and  is  serving  tlie 
people  to  the  best  of  his  ability.  ■,  u,-- 

:   Tio-,,  V 


LEW  W.  HILL. 


Lew  W.  Hill,  the  cashier  of  the  Dearlx)rn  National  Bank  at  Lawrence- 
burg,  who  has  been  associated  with  the  political,  commercial  and  financial 
life  of  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg  and  Dearborn  county  since  he  was  a  young 
man,  is  a  well-known  citizen  of  this  countv.     Mr.  Hill  has  been  connected 


.■  .r,-t.  'ill. 


;■:■! 


'i   .;  :>-,i  ^:f■,ilM  nl 


..IJJH  .V/  Waj 


III!-'       -,  1  / 


55S  DEAREORX   C()U  XTY,   INDIANA. 

with  the  hanking  intLM'ests  of  the  city  of  Lawrencchurg  for  ahout  ten  years, 
and  during  that  time  his  energy,  liis  wise  foresight  and  his  genial  personal 
relations  with  the  oftlcers,  directors  and  patrons  of  the  institution  with  which 
he  has  hcen  connected  ha^■e  had  much  to  do  with  the  growing  deposits  of  the 
bank  and  its  e\er-increasing  patronage.  Although  he  lives  in  Am-ora.  practi- 
cally all  of  his  business  life,  except  the  very  earlv  years,  has  been  identified 
with  tlie  business  life  of  Lawrencchurg.  Mr.  Hill  has  inade  a  gratifying  suc- 
cess of  his  business  and  today  is  numbered  among  the  honored  and  respected 
citizens  of  Dearborn  county.  The  only  son  of  Mr.  and  ]\'Irs.  Hill  enjoys  the 
distinction  of  having  sprung  from  stock  which  was  foremost  in  the  service 
of  their  country  during  the  tning  days  of  the  Civil  War.  The  father  of  Lew 
W.  Hill  and  the  father  of  Mrs.  Hill  were  both  soldiers  in  that  war. 

Lew  W.  Hill  was  born  at  Aurora,  this  county,  on  August  15,  1862,  s-^in 
of  Abram  and  ^Minerva  (Kerr)  Hill,  natives,  respectively,  of  \'irginia  and 
North  Carolina.  During  a  period  of  nearly  three-quarters  of  a  century,  his 
parents  lived  near  one  of  the  historic  streams  of  this  section,  three  miles  from 
Aurora,  having  located  in  Dearborn  county  earlv  in  life.  Abram  Hill  \\-as 
a  farmer  and  merchant.  His  later  years  were  spent  in  the  vicinit^•  of  Aurora, 
where  he  looked  after  the  management  of  two  large  farms,  and  where  he 
was  engaged  in  the  coal  business  and  in  operating-  a  wharf  boat  on  the  river. 
He  had  served  valiantly,  during  the  Civil  \\'ar,  in  the  Seventh  Regiment,  Lii- 
diana  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which  he  had  risen  from  the  rank  of  first  lieu- 
tenant to  that  of  captain  by  meritorious  service.  The  periiid  of  his  service 
extended  practically  throughout  tb.e  Civil  War.  He  died  in  IQ03.  at  the  ripe 
old  age  of  eighty-five.  His  widow  is  still  living  and  is  ninety-two  years  old. 
Of  their  nine  cliildren  only  one,  Alice,  who  married  Riley  \A'.  Cu-rtis.  is  de- 
ceased. She  was  the  fifth  in  the  family.  The  living  children  are  as  follow: 
.'\manda,  the  widow  of  William  Seidler,  of  Fairmoimt,  West  \'irgiuia:  Adam 
K.,  of  Aurora;  Wilton  V.,  of  Mound,  Texas;  Harvey  B.,  of  Aurora;  Altha. 
the  widow  of  Enos  ButBngton,  of  Aurora;  Elizabeth,  of  Aurora;  Lew  W..  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  and  Jennie,  the  wife  of  William  T.  Boone,  of  Seattle, 
Washington. 

The  parents  of  Abram  Hill.  Eli  and  Mary  Hill,  were  picjueers  in  Dea''- 
bom  count}-,  ha\-ing  come  to  this  state  from  \"irginia.  They  li\-ed  to  advanced 
ages  and  in  the  meantime  had  reared  a  family  of  six  children,  John,  Williaiii, 
Abram,  ^^Irs.  Elizabeth  Wood,  Mrs.  IMelinda  Osborn  and  Ira  C.  Eli  Hill 
was  a  farmer  Ijy  occupation.  Walter  Kerr,  who  was  the  maternal  grand- 
father of  Lew  \\'.  Hill,  and  whose  wife  was  Betsey  Kerr,  was  likewise  a  pioneer 
in  Dearborn  county,  and  he  also  was  a  farmer.     He  was  prominent  in  the 


:/;ii  iT. 


.  t. 


;      .      ,-jr.   oH    T  ,-rTi:.i  '(V/  io  nv.ti  ori)  ,3'a(9l_  hrir,  .rf-j' 

,   ;    ;•    ■i<.si:ijirT    t*T-'''      i'ii^    Tin!  \    iini'    (l.'>(    ..'I'M    fiTi.Ti!/.   io  »I.'! 


•I-] 


DEARBORN-   COUXTV,  INDIANA.  559 

poliiical  life  of  Dearborn  county  durintj  his  day  and  generation  and  served 
as  sheriff  of  Dearborn  county  at  a  time  when  the  personal  jieril  of  such  an 
oftice  was  vastly  greater  than  at  the  present  time.  He  and  his  wife  bolli  had 
come  to  Indiana  from  North  Carolina.  The  Kerr  family  has  been  noted  for 
its  longevity,  \\'alter  Kerr  having  lived  to  be  one  hundred  and  two  years 
old,  and  his  v/ife  having  lived  to  the  ripe  old  age  of  ninety.  Of  the  Kerr 
faniilv  of  nine  children,  Charles,  the  eldest,  died  the  death  of  a  true  patriot, 
having  been  killed  in  action  on  one  of  the  hard-fought  battlefields  of  the 
Civil  War.  The  other  children  were  Mahlon  P..,  William  ]\I.,  David  R.,  i\Irs. 
Catherine  A\'orley.  of  Iowa,  }i[rs.  Betsey  Terhune,  Mrs.  Alary  zVim  Elder, 
Mrs.  Minerva  Hill  and  Airs.  Jane  Ketcham. 

Aurora  has  been  the  life-long  home  of  Lew  W.  Hill.  It  was  there  that 
he  was  reared  to  manhood,  and  there  he  received  his  education,  at  least  his 
elementary  training.  His  business  interests,  however,  for  the  most  part  have 
always  been  identified  with  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg.  After  Mr.  Hill  had 
completed  the  prcscri!">cd  educational  course  in  tlie  Aurora  public  schools  he 
attended  the  Southern  Business  College,  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  after 
remaining  there  for  sometime,  began  his  active  career  as  a  clerk  on  a  steam- 
boat, plying  between  Cincinnati  and  New  Orleans,  serving  in  that  position  for 
a  period  of  eight  years.  Twelve  years  of  Mr.  Hill's  life  were  spent  in  the 
revenue  service  of  the  United  States  government.  After  he  liad  resigned  his 
position  as  clerk  on  the  steamboat  he  was  stationed  at  Lawrenceburg  as  deputy 
United  States  intemal  revenue  collector,  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  four 
years,  after  which  time  he  served  for  eight  years  in  the  capacity  of  cashier  in 
the  revenue  office  at  Lawrenceburg,  resigning  that  position  to  become  cashier 
of  the  Dearborn  National  Bank,  at  the  time  of  its  organization  in  1905,  and 
has  been  continuouslv  connected  with  that  bank  since  that  date.  The  Dear- 
born National  Bank  is  one  of  the  strong  financial  institutions  in  the  city  of 
Lawrenceburg  and  to  Air.  Hill  is  due  much  of  the  credit  for  its  growth. 

On  October  23,  1S89.  Lew  W.  Hill  was  married  to  Ella  C.  Hubbartt, 
daughter  of  Asa  B.  and  Palace  (Harbaugh)  Hubbartt.  The  one  child,  a 
son,  Harley  H.,  who  has  been  born  to  this  union,  is  assistant  cashier  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Aurora,  and  is  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  pop- 
ular young  men  of  Dearborn  county. 

Mrs.  Hill's  father,  Asa  B.  Hubbartt,  served  during  practically  the  entire 
period  of  the  Civil  \\'ar  as  a  Union  soldier,  giving  four  of  the  best  years 
of  his  life  to  the  cause  of  his  country.  He  died  in  1902  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
five.  His  widow  lives  with  her  daughter,  Airs.  Hill,  in  Aurora.  Richard 
Hubbartt,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  Airs.  Hill,  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and 


•T  .   s  li 


Ti/.    '    t    I). 


)()nmc(    >.[l'M|tr     Ic'lVflS       ■11'tr 


,'::'^ 


560  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

an  earl}-  settler  in  Dearborn  county,  wlio  lived  to  a  venerable  age.  His  seven 
children  were  Thomas  R.,  William,  Arminus,  Hiram,  Rebecca,  Rjarker  and 
Mrs.  Lida  ]\liller.  Jacob  Harbaugh,  who  married  Betsy  Ilnrrel,  and  who 
was  the  maternal  grandfather  of  !Mrs.  Hill,  was  an  earl\-  settler  in  Dearborn 
connty,  ha\ing  come  to  this  state  from  Pennsylvania.  Both  v»erc  loiig  past 
the  meridian  of  life  at  the  time  of  their  death.  He  passed  away  during  the 
eighties  and  she  was  nearly  ninety  years  i>ld  at  the  time  ot  her  death.  They 
were  the  parents  of  six  children.  }vlrs.  John  Cheek,  ]Mrs.  Ida  West,  Fran'-; 
HarliauL^h,  George.  ]\Irs.  Palace  Hubbartt  and  two  or  three  others  who  died 
before  reaching  maturity. 

Although  'Sh'.  Hill  is  first  and  foremost  a  banker,  he  and  his  brother, 
Adam  K.  Hill,  own  two  farms  near  Aurora,  and,  incidentally,  he  devotes  some 
of  his  time  to  looking  after  the  management  of  these  farms. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hill  are  members  of  the  ]\Iethodist  Episcopal  church  in 
Aurora  and  acti\"e  in  the  affairs  of  that  congregation.  Mr.  Hill  is  a  member 
of  the  }ilodern  \\'oodmen  of  America.  He  has  always  been  a  Republican,  and 
during  the  past  few  years,  when  the  Republican  party  has  been  more  or  less 
divided,  he  has  been  identified  with  the  conservative,  or  so-called  "standpat," 
wing  of  the  partv. 

Lew  W.  Hill  is  a  capable,  courageous  and  well-rounded  Ijanker  and  a 
successful  farmer,  but  more  than  all  that,  a  good  citizen,  especially  for  the 
reason  that  he  has  always  taken  an  earnest  part  in  the  best  interests  socially, 
politically  and  morally  of  the  county  where  his  life  has  been  spent  and  where 
his   friends   are   leg^ion. 


GEORGE  F.  BUSSE. 


Xo  class  of  farmers  ranks  higher  in  the  state  of  Indiana  than  those  of 
Dearborn  county,  standing  at  the  head  of  which  we  find  the  name  of  George 
F.  Busse,  wdiose  ancestors  emigrated  from  Germany  at  an  early  day,  and 
whose  labors  hav^  profited  the  community  in  whicli  he  lives,  as  well  as  him- 
self and  his  family.  He  is  of  a  quiet,  retiring  disposition,  and  is  looked  upon 
as  one  of  the  most  substantial  men  in  the  agricultural  district. 

George  F.  Busse  was  born  on  March  15,  1S68,  in  Hogan  township,  on  the 
farm  w'here  his  brother  John  now  lives.  He  is  a  son  of  Flenry  Christian  and. 
Angeline  (Gesell)  Busse,  a  biography  of  whom  is  presented  elsewhere  in  this 
volume.  Mr.  Busse  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Hogan  township.  He 
was  five  years  old  when  his  parents  moved  into  the  new  brick  house  built 


I  / ;  lit;  ;  ,i\\ 


.1  ar>r.io;;;j 


C^-^!?//03 


DEARBOKX  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  .  561 

from  tlie  brick  made  by  his  father  on  the  place.  Mr.  Busse  has  been  a  farmer 
from  the  time  of  his  marriage,  and  now  owns  a  fine  fann  of  one  hundred  and 
one  acres,  on  which  there  is  an  exceptionally  comfortable  house,  a  good  bam 
with  a  substantial  stone  foundation,  and  the  whole  place  is  substantially  im- 
proved and  well  cared  for.  He  divides  his  attention  between  general  fanning 
and  stock  raising,  and  is  one  of  the  most  progressive  citizens  of  the  community. 

George  F.  Busse  was  married  on  April  21,  1S93,  to  Mary  Reinking, 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Wolber)  Reinking.  She  was  born  in  Miller 
township,  Dearborn  county.  To  Mr.  and  ]Mrs.  George  F.  Busse  has  been  born 
one  daughter,  Laura  Louise.  They  have  two  other  children  whom  they  took 
to  bring  up,  as  their  only  other  child,  Albert,  died  in  early  infancy.  Mr.  Busse 
and  his  wife  have  long  been  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Henry  Reinldng,  father  of  Mrs.  George  F.  Busse,  was  born  in  Prussia, 
coming  to  America  with  his  parents  when  but  five  years  old.  He  has  followed 
farming  all  his  life  near  Lawrcnceburg.  and  now  makes  his  home  with  ;i  son 
in  Manchester  township.  His  wife,  Mary  (\\'olber)  Reinking,  was  a  native 
of  Franklin  county,  Lidiana.     Her  death  occurred  on  September  15,  190S. 

The  paternal  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Busse  were  Ernest  and  Wilhelmina 
Reinking,  natives  of  Prussia,  who  were  early  settlers  in  Manchester  town- 
ship, moving  later  over  on  the  state  road  near  Lawrcnceburg,  where  they  spent 
their  last  days. 

Mr.  Busse  has  many  warm  friends  in  Dearborn  county,  where  his  name  is 
so  well  and  prominently  known. 


PHHHP  C.  BRAUN. 


The  Braun  family  has  been  identified  with  the  financial  life  of  the  city 
of  Lawrcnceburg  for  nearly  sixty  years.  Peter  Braun  was  cashier  of  one  of 
the  Lawrcnceburg  banks  continuously  from  1S55  to  1905.  His  son,  Philip 
C.,  began  his  career  as  a  banker  in  1S90,  when  he  was  appointed  assistant 
cashier  of  the  old  People's  National  Bank.  LIpou  the  consolidation  of  the 
Citizen's  National  Bank  with  the  People's  National  Bank  in  1905,  Philip  C. 
Braun  became  cashier  of  the  consolidated  banks,  and  still  holds  that  position. 
It  is  a  coincidence  that  his  father,  Peter  Braun,  retired  from  active  life  in 
1905,  the  same  year  in  which  Philip  C.  was  appointed  to  his  present  position. 
Xaturally  the  Braun  family  is  well  known  in  this  section  of  Indiana. 

Philip  C.  Braun  was  born  in  Lawrenceburg,   Indiana,  on  October   15, 

(36) 


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562  DEARHORX  COUNTY,  IXDIAXA. 

1868,  son  of  Peter  and  Sarah  K.  (  Bn.wiieller )  i'.iann.  natives,  re<i>e(:lively. 
of  Nassau,  Gerniany,  and  Pennsylvania,  and  the  jjarents  <>f  fr>nr  chihU'en: 
Elizabeth  B.,  widow  of  William  J.  Manning-,  or  Wasliington,  D.  C. :  l-'annie 
W.  (deceased),  wln)  was  the  wife  of  F.  H.  Shedd ;  William  F.,  of  Pitts- 
hnrgh.  Pennsylvania,  and  Phili]'  C,  nf  Lawreneeburg. 

Peter  Braun,  who  was  born  on  May  iS.  1S26.  was  edncated  in  Germany 
and  came  to  America  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  landing-  in  New  ^'ork  City.  He 
worked  on  a  farm  near  that  cit_\-  for  little  niorc  than  a  year,  and  then  came 
to  Indiana,  lijcating  at  Lawrcricehnrg-,  where  he  took  a  cnntract  for  furnishing 
wood  for  the  engines  on  the  old  Ohio  &  ^Mississippi  railroad.  He  had  seven 
stations  between  Lawreneeburg  and  \"inccnncs  and  operated  saws  run  by  Ixv/^c 
power.  In  1856  he,  in  comjian}-  with  William  Probasco,  established  the  Peo- 
ple's Bank  at  La\\rcnceljnrg.  under  the  proiirietorshi[)  of  William  Prr)')asco, 
Braun  tS:  Company.  As  heretotVire  noted,  Peter  Braun  was  in  the  banking- 
business  continuously  from  iS-,6  m  1005,  a  period  of  forty-nine  years,  lie 
was  cashier  all  of  that  time,  and  at  the  time  of  his  retirement  was  the  olrjest 
cashier  in  the  state  of  Indiana.  .\t  one  time  he  had  been  connected  w  itii  a 
branch  liank  of  the  state  of  Indiiana,  and  he  was  also  connecte<l  \vith  th,e  ^M 
City  National  Bank  at  Lawreneeljurg.  ha\'ing-  been  cashier  of  that  institution. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  still  li\-ing-,  he  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  years,  and  she 
at  the  age  of  se\-ent}--four.  Peter  Braun  was  reared  as  a  Lutlieran,  but  }\Irs. 
Braun  is  a  Presbyterian  and  her  husband  w-as  a  trustee  of  that  churcli  for 
man}-  years. 

Peter  Braun's  parents  were  natives  of  Germany  and  died  there.  Flis 
father  was  a  farmer  and  mayrir  of  the  village  of  Nister.  Peter  hin-iself  was 
one  of  a  good-sized  family,  among  tlie  other  children  being  William,  Philip 
and  Christian.  Mrs.  liraun's  fcUher  was  Frederick  Browneller.  who  married 
a  Miss  Kuhns.  fioth  natives  of  Pennsyh'ania.  Frederick  Bniwneller  was  en- 
gaged in  the  tanning  business  with  former  Governi:)r  Durbiii's  father  on  the 
present  site  of  the  saw  works  of  George  H.  Bishop  1!^  Company  at  Lawrenee- 
burg. Both  he  and  his  wife  died  in  Evansville.  They  had  two  children, 
Sarah  R.  and  To'm  K. 

Philip  C.  Braun  was  reared  in  Lawreneeburg.  and  has  lived  there  all  his 
life.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and  then  went  to  Cincinnati,  where  he 
was  a  clerk  for  the  Pullman  Car  Ciimpany  until  1S90,  leaving  that  position 
to  become  assistant  cashier  of  ihe  People's  National  Bank  at  Lawreneeburg, 
and  when  the  Citizen's  Xati^nal  Bank  was  consolidated  with  the  Peiiple's 
National  Bank  he  became  cashier  of  the  consolidated  institutions,  a  p(-isition 
which  he  now  occupies. 


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DEARBORN'   COL' \  TV,   IXDIAXA.  563 

On  October  i6,  1895,  Philip  C.  Draun  was  niarried  to  Grace  A.  Wytnond. 
the  voungest  daughter  of  \\"illiani  W.  and  Laura  1\  (Harthny)  W'ymond, 
tleceased,  and  to  this  uni'in  four  chiUh'cn  have  been  born.  T'hihp  \\  .,  lv<ilicrt 
M..  John  F.  and  Sarah  F. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Braun  are  nieml)crs  of  the  Presbyterian  churcli,  lie  being 
a  trustee  of  the  church,  having  succeeded  his  father  in  liiis  posilidn.  Mr. 
Braun  is  a  member  of  Lawrenceburg  Lodge  Xo.  4,  Free  and  .Vccepted  Ma>ons, 
and  is  treasurer  of  the  lodge.  He  also  is  a  member  of  Dearborn  Lodge  Xo. 
49,  Knights  of  Pythias.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican.  Pie  is  a  member 
of  the  board  of  school  trustees  of  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg,  having  served 
in  that  position  since  1905. 

Mrs.  Braun  \vas  born  in  Lawrenceburg  on  April  i,  1877.  Tier  father 
was  a  wholesale  grocer  in  Cmcinnati.  associated  with  her  grandfather.  Mrs. 
Braun  was  one  of  three  children  born  to  her  parents,  she  having  a  sister, 
Laura  F.,  and  a  brother,  l^dwin  P.  ^Nlrs.  Braun's  paternal  grandfather  was 
John  Wymond,  the  seventh  son  of  his  parents,  who  were  natives  of  England. 
i\Irs.  Braun's  maternal  grandfather  was  Myron  IL  Harding,  among  whose 
children  were  Dora,  Hector,  Hollie  and  Laura  F. 

Bankers  who  are  broad-minded  and  puljlic-spirited  are  able  to  do  very 
much  for  the  city  and  county  where  they  live.  The  Braun  family  liavc  been 
well  known,  not  only  for  their  generosity,  but  for  their  public  spirit  and  keen 
interest  in  public  enterprises  and  worthy  movements.  Philip  C.  Braun  in  every 
wav  is  carrying  on  the  worthy  public  duties  so  well  discharged  for  nirun-  years 
bv  his  father,  and  enjoys  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  entire  community. 


i'*<i:'   •^■^'■'     ■'    ;- ■  ■         CHARLES  A.  DOWNEY.      '       ■' 

Charles  A.  Downey,  now  a  well-known  railway  postal  clerk,  livir.g  at  Au- 
rora, this  county,  was  born  on  July  26,  1S68,  in  Ohio  county,  this  state,  a  son 
of  Erastus  S.  and  Elizabeth  (Cloud)  Downey.  When  his  parents  came  to 
Aurora  he  was  a  small  lad  of  eight  years.  There  he  attended  the  [luiilic 
schools,  and  when  througli  school  kept  bouks  for  liis  father  for  several  years, 
after  which  he  followed  various  pursuits,  until  he  was  employed  in  the  rad- 
way  mail  service,  where  he  has  remained  for  the  past  t\venty-f<jur  _\e;'.rs  or 
more.  Politically,  Mr.  Downey  has  always  been  an  ardent  Republican,  and 
he  and  his  wife  are  earnest  members  of  the  Baptist  cluu'cli. 


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56-1.  DEARBORX   COUXTV.  IXOIAXA. 

Erastus  S.  Dowiiev  was  l)nrn  in  Ohio  cfi'Linty,  wliere  lie  was  reared  cm  a 
farm.  He  later  learned  the  cabinet-ir.aker's  trade,  and  was  at  one  time  super- 
intendcnt  of  the  Ohio  c.mnty  jioor  farm.  In  1S76.  Mr.  Downey  moved  to  An- 
rora,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  and  in  the  sale  of  farm 
implements  until  his  death,  which  necnrred  in  July,  lyio,  caused  by  a  stroke  of 
paralysis,  he  then  being  seventy-one  years  of  age.  His  widow,  who  also  is  a 
native  qf  Ohio  county,  sui-\dves  him,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  }-ears.  They 
were  th.e  parents  of  two  children.  Cora,  who  became  the  wife  of  Thomas 
Haines,  and  is  now  a  widow,  and  Charles  A.  Downey.  A'Irs.  Elizabeth 
(Cloud)  Downey  is  an  ardent  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  E^astns  S. 
Downev  was  a  son  of  George  and  Betsey  (Van  Dusen")  Downey,  the  former 
born  in  Cincinnati,  early  pioneers  in  Ohio  county,  where  George  Downey  fol- 
lowed farming,  and  where  he  died  well  advanced  in  years.  The}-  were  the 
parents  of  the  following  children:  Erastus  S.,  King,  Susanna,  Belle,  .\del- 
more  E.,  Ernma  and  Eliza.  George  Downey  was  the  sou  of  James  Downe\-,  a 
native  of  Ireland.  The  maternal  grandparents  of  Mr.  Downey,  Daniel  a!id 
Elizabeth  (Drake)  Cloud,  were  natives  of  Indiana,  and  followed  farming  in 
Ohio  county,  where  th.ey  died  well  advanced  in  years.  Their  children  \vere 
Daniel.  Benjamin.  Elizabeth.  Henry,  Lida,  Edward  and  William. 

On  Jt'lv  1 1,  1895,  Charles  A.  Downey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ella  Snv- 
der,  who  was  born  at  Columbus.  Indiana,  on  April  iS,  1S73.  daughicr  of  Rob- 
ert and  Caroline  (  Slienk)  Snyder,  to  which  union  have  been  born  six  children, 
Elizabeth.  Lucille,  Frank.  Alvira.  Carlotta  and  William,  all  of  whom  are  living 
save  EHzabeth,  the  eldest,  who  died  when  ten  years  old. 

Robert  and  Caroline  (Shenk)  Snyder  w^ere  natives  of  Indiana,  ^h.  Sny- 
der was  a  photographer,  and  \A-hen  the  Civil  War  broke  out  he  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  the  Union  army,  serving  three  years.  They  are  both  now  dead,. 
They  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  Robert,  Ella,  Frank,  and  one  who  died 
early  in  life.  Robert  Snyder  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  William  W.  Snyder,  a 
Methodist  minister.  Both  he  and  his  wife,  Catharine  Elizabeth,  were  natives 
of  Indiana,  and  both  lived  to  advanced  ages.  They  were  the  parents  of  six 
children,  Robert,  Flettie,  Jennie,  William,  Edmund  and  Frank.  Mrs.  Downey's 
Grandfather  Shenk  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  were  both  natives  of  Indiana,  and 
lived  at  Wilmington. 

Charles  A.  Downey  has  always  discharged  his  duties  with  satisfaction  to 
the  postal  authorities,  and  is  an  active  and  energetic  citizen,  standing  high  in 
the  esteem  of  all  who  know  him.      ,,  i.      :,  ,;',,;>  1  ' 


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1628694 

DEARBORN'  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  ■  565 

GEORGE  W.  JOHNSTON. 

Descending  from  one  of  tlie  oldest  and  best  families  of  Dearljorn  county, 
the  gentleman  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch  has  always  been  one  of  the 
most  successful  and  public-spirited  citizens  of  the  rural  district,  never  allow- 
ing politics  to  interfere  with  good  administration,  and  ha^  done  his  share,  as 
a  county  commissioner,  in  serving  the  public  in  an  official  capacity.  Mr. 
Johnston  is  wonderfully  well  informed  on  the  history  of  the  county,  and  one 
could  be  entertained  indefinitely  with  the  incidents  with  which  he  personally 
has  been  associated. 

George  W.  Johnston  was  born  at  what  is  known  as  Johnston's  [Mill,  about 
five  miles  from  Aurora,  this  county,  on  February  25,  1839,  a  son  of  George 
and  Catherine  (Kearney)  Johnston.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  liis  father's 
farm,  helping  at  the  mill  in  his  younger  days.  His  education  was  obtained 
at  the  common  and  graded  schools  at  Wright's  Corners.  During  the  Civil 
War,  Mr.  Johnston  went  to  Indianapolis  and  drilled  a  company,  of  which  he 
was  first  lieutenant,  but  was  never  called  out  to  service.  In  1863,  he  started 
to  farm  for  himself,  but  after  the  first  year,  went  back  to  the  old  home  farm, 
taking  entire  charge  for  a  time,  and  moving,  in  1866,  to  where  he  now  resules, 
in  Center  township,  at  the  line  of  Hogan  township,  and  has  for  a  number  of 
years  been  cultivating  a  fine  tract  of  one  hundred  acres.  In  earlier  life,  Mr 
Johnston  took  an  active  interest  in  politics,  and  in  188S  was  elected  on  the 
Democratic  ticket  to  the  office  of  county  commissioner,  to  which  office  he  was 
re-elected,  serving  in  all  si.K  years,  and  held  various  local  offices  for  a  period 
of  twenty-five  years,  among  these  being  that  of  township  assessor,  to  which 
he  was  elected  over  his  protest. 

Mr.  Johnston's  father,  George  Johnston,  was  born  on  IMay  23,  1790,  in 
Frederick  countv,  \^irginia.  He  was  a  well-educated  man,  having  a  scholarly 
knowledge  of  the  subjects  of  geometry  and  trigonometry,  as  well  as  having 
a  good  general  knowledge.  He  married  Catherine  Kearney,  who  was  born 
near  Lexington,  Kentucky,  and  to  this  union  were  born  ten  children,  William, 
Henry,  Nancy,  Joseph,  Robert,  James,  Elizabeth,  Nora,  Lucy  and  George 
W.  The  senior  George  Johnston  was  the  son  of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Kyle) 
Johnston,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  Virginia  in  1796,  leaving  a  wife  and 
the  following  children:  John,  David,  George,  Joseph,  Nancy,  who  married 
a  Mr,  Griffin  in  Virginia ;  Rosanna,  who  became  the  wife  of  John  Griffin,  and 
Margaret,  who  married  a  Mr.  Mills.  In  iSio  Elizabeth  Johnston,  with  her 
four  sons  and  daughter,  ■Margaret,  came  west  across  the  mountains,  and  after 


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5^6  •  DEARBORX  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  •  ' 

crossing-  the  Ohio  river  at  W'lieehng,  proceeded  o\erland  to  Hamilton,  where 
George,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  taught  school  for  several  months. 
Later  the  faniih'  went  to  V'inccnnes.  where  George  became  priwate  secretary 
to  Gii\'.  William  IIenr_\-  Harrison.  Sliortly  before  the  battle  of  Tippecam.ie 
the  faniil}'  nio\e<l  tu  Kentuekw  having  been  warned  to  get  out  because  of  t!ie 
danger  frojii  Indians.  In  1S13  lhe\-  again  crossed  the  Ohio  ri\'er  and  lived  for 
a  time  at  a  town  called  Salem,  hitei'  moving'  to  .Middletown,  Kentucky.  In 
181 5  tlie}'  returned  to  Indiana  an.rl  made  a  permanent  settlement  in  Dearborn 
comUw  John,  the  eldest  son,  had  previously  entered  go\-ernment  land  north- 
west of  Aurora,  along  the  line  of  Hogan  and  Center  townships.  He  had  a 
large  tract  of  land,  and  set  out  a  fine  apple  orchard,  and  also  had  a  large 
sugar  camp,  his  farming  being  on  a  much  larger  scale  than  A\a^  usual  in  ilioso 
davs.  The  other  lirothcrs,  Da\'id,  George  and  Joseph,,  settled  in  Alanchester 
township,  on  north  Hogan  creek,  at  a  time  when  the  country  was  almost  un- 
inhaliitable,  on  account  of  swam]is,  brush  and  a  generalh'  rough  country,  l.ini 
they  chopped  and  dug  out  a  hrane  and  later  established  the  noted  Johnston's 
Mill,  making  a  success  of  a  business  that  later  became  widely  known.  George 
and  Joseph  married  sisters,  and  David  remained  single,  making  his  home  with 
his  married  brothers.  George  afterward  sold  out  his  share,  and  he  and  Joseph 
built  a  mill  in  the  southwestern  part  of  Manchester  township,  which  is  still 
standing. 

On  ]\Iay  14,  1S63,  George  \\'.  Johnston,  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Mary  Jane  F.ainum,  who  was  born  in  Hogan  township,  this  county,  dauglitrr 
of  Ci.inwa}-  and  Sarah  (Deshiell)  P.ainum,  and  to  this  union  six  children 
have  been  hijrn,  l-'rank,  Ella,  Robert,  Oda,  Maurice  and  Jessie.  Frank  John- 
ston is  parole  officer  for  the  Indiana  Reform  Schoiil  for  Bo}s,  at  PlainfieM. 
He  married  Mattie  Grubbs,  by  whom  he  has  had  three  children,  Lorene, 
Loren  and  Donald.  Robert  Johnston,  a  biographical  sketch  of  whom  will 
be  found  in  another  part  of  this  volume,  is  in  the  hardware  and  implemer.t 
business  at  Aurora.  [Maurice  J(jhnst<>n.  a  well-known  farmer  of  tliis  counry, 
married  Xellie  Weislcigel,  e>f  IndianaiJDlis,  and  has  r.ine  daughter,  Catherine. 
Ada  Johnston  became  the  wife  of  William  Memlell,  a  grocer,  and  resides 
at  Indianaiiolis.  She  has  two  sons,  Jose[)h  and  William.  Jessie  Johnst'.n 
became  the  wife  oi  C.  A.  White,  and  niC'ved  to  Indianapolis,  but  later  settled 
at  Aurora,  where  she  died  in  1899,  leaving  two  daughters,  Florence  and 
Lillian.  Miss  Ella  Johnst(5n  taught  school  for  a  number  of  years,  but  since 
her  sister's  death  has  remained  at  home,  caring  for  her  sister  Jessie's  two 
daughters,  who  are  now  attending  high  school.     She  has  in  her  possession 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  ■     5^7 

se\-eral  books  of  problems,  wriUen  by  her  grandfatlier,  George  Johnston,  in 
a  very  fine  hand,  under  date  of  1813.  and  also  has  a  letter  written  in  Xo- 
veniber,  1812.  to  her  aunt  in  \'inceunes.  fruni  a  young  man  in  Danville,  ken- 
tuck}-,  who  had  previously  ridden  un  horseljack  all  the  way  to  Vincennes  to 
see  the,  then,  voung  lady.  In  addition  U<  the  above  prized  ancient  articles,  she 
has  in  her  cohcction  a  letter  written  by  Jolin  Washiugiun,  a  cousin  of  George 
Washington,  to  one  of  the  Johnston  family,  after  he  became  the  husband  of 
Nancy  lohnston.  a  sister  of  David  Johnston,  of  Virginia,  her  great-grand- 
father. 

The  esteem  in  which  Mr.  Johnston  is  held  by  the  citizens  of  Center  town- 
ship is  fully  attested  by  the  great  number  of  loyal  friends,  who  never  fail  to 
sive  him  a  cordial  social  call,  when  in  his  locality.  , 


GEORGE  FOSTER  SMITH,   M.  D. 

Fortunatelv  there  is  no  caste  system  in  this  country,  which  requires  the 
bov  to  take  the  same  jjlace  in  society  occupied  Iw  his  father  and  his  grand- 
father. This  is  a  democracy,  and  here  the  individual  is  the  arbiter  of  his 
own  fortimes.  Among  those  who  by  their  own  efforts  have  attained  a  posi- 
tion of  responsibility  and  rendered  praiseworthy  service  in  this  cominunity 
is  George  Foster  Smith,  the  subject  of  this  biograjjliy. 

Dr.  George  Foster  Smith,  a  well-known  physician  and  surgeon  of  Law- 
renceburg,  Indiana,  is  not  descended  directly  from  a  line  of  physicians,  but 
on  the  maternal  side  of  his  family  he  had  an  uncle  who  was  a  physician.  On 
his  paternal  side  he  is  descended  from  substantial  stock  that  came  from  old 
Virginia,  and  on  his  mother's  side  he  is  descended  from  ecjually  substantial 
stock,  which  came  from  the  state  of  ^Massachusetts.  Since  coming  to  Law- 
renceburg,  some  ten  years  ago,  Doctor  Smith  lias  attained  an  enviable  position, 
not  only  as  a  practicing  physician  and  surgeon,  but  as  a  man  and  as  a  citizen. 
As  coroner  of  Dearborn  county,  as  township  physician,  and  president  of  the 
Lawrenceburg  citv  board  of  health.  Dr.  Smith  h.Ts  filled  positions  in  line  with 
his  professional  activities.  He  is  well  known  in  this  section  and  enjoys  a 
large  and  lucrative  practice. 

Dr.  George  Foster  Stuith  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  having  been  born  in 
Boone  county  on  February  2,  1S75.  His  father,  Robert  Smith,  was  six  years 
old  when  his  parents,  Fleary  and  Xancy  (Batten)  Smith,  came  from  Madison 


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56S  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

county,   Virginia,   to   Boone   county,    Kentucky.     Coming   from   \''irgini;i   to  I 

Kentucky  in  a  covered  wagon,  Robert  Smith  grew  to  manhood  in  that  state  | 

and  was  a  well-known  farmer,  a  prominent  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  j 

a  substantial  citizen.    He  died  early  in  life  in  1SS4.    His  wife,  Amanda  Foster,  I 

a  native  of  Kentucky,  who  survived  him  more  than  twenty  years,  was  a 
devout  Baptist.  Robert  and  Amanda  Smith  were  the  parents  of  two  children: 
George  F.,  and  Julia,  wife  of  Otto  Rector,  of  Boone  county,  Kentucky. 
Amanda  (Foster)  Smith  married,  secondly,  Benjamin  Hensley,  wlio  now 
Hves  on  the  old  homestead  in  Boone  county,  which  has  been  in  the  family 
for  more  than  one  hundred  years.  Doctor  Smith's  mother  is  deceased,  having 
passed  away  at  the  age  of  forty-nine  years. 

Henr}-  .Smith,  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  his  wife,  who  before  her 
marriage  was  Nancy  Batten,  both  of  Madison  county,  Virginia,  and  early 
settlers  in  Boone  county,  Kentucky,  lived  to  advanced  ages,  and  reared  a 
family  of  nine  children,  as  follow:  John,  William,  Lystra,  Whitfield,  Fayette, 
Sarah  Ann,  Mary  EHza,  Laura  and  Elivira.  Others  died  early  in  hfe.  }>Irs. 
Nancv  (Batten)  Smith  v.as  ninety  years  old  at  the  time  of  her  death.  The 
Foster  family,  the  maternal  ancestors  of  Doctor  Smith,  came  west  from  ^Nfassa- 
chusetts.  Charles  and  America  (Payne)'  Foster,  the  maternal  grandparents 
of  Doctor  Smith,  and  farmers  by  occupation,  were  early  settlers  in  I'oone 
county,  Kentucky,  where  they  died  in  middle  life,  after  having  two  children, 
Amanda,  who  is  Doctor  Smith's  mother,  and  Alfred,  who  was  educated  in 
medicine  and  who  became  a  physician. 

Born  and  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Kentucky  and  educated  in  the 
district  schools  of  Boone  county,  and  in  the  Lawrenceburg  high  school.  George 
Foster  Smith  has  been  a  resident  of  Dearborn  county  for  eighteen  years, 
eight  j-ears  of  which  were  spent  at  Weisburg,  and  ten  years  at  Lawrenceburg. 
After  completing  the  course  in  the  Lawrenceburg  high  school.  Doctor  Smith 
entered  the  ]\riami  Medical  College  at  Cincinnati,  in  1S94,  and  was  graduated 
on  April  i,  1S97,  after  which  he  began  practicing  at  Weisburg,  removing  to 
Lawrenceburg.  Indiana,  in  1905.  His  prominence  as  a  physician  and  surgeon 
in  Dearborn  is  attested  by  the  fact  that  although  a  resident  of  Dearborn  a 
comparatively  short  time,  and  a  resident  of  Lawrenceburg  for  only  ten  years, 
he  has  served  as  county  coroner  for  tAvo  terms,  as  president  of  the  Dearborn 
County  Medical  Society  for  one  term,  and  is  at  present  the  township  physician 
and  president  of  the  Lawrenceburg  city  board  of  health.  He  was  the  surg-eon 
for  the  Shutt  Improvement  Company  when  they  reconstructed  the  Big  T^our 
railroad  from  Sunman  to  Lawrenceburg  Junction.     He  is  an  active  member 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  •  569 

of  the  Indiana  State  and  the  American  ^Medical  associations,  aside  from  liis 
.membership  in  the  Dearborn  County  Medical  Society. 

George  Foster  Smith  was  married  on  June  30,  1897,  to  Etta  Mriody, 
daughter  of  John  and  \Mary  (Ilotts)  bloody,  who  were  natives  of  Kentuc!<y 
and  who  are  now  deceased.  Mrs.  Smith  and  her  eight  brothers  and  sisters, 
I^aura,  AHce,  Emma,  Hattie,  ^\nna,  William,  John  and  Eugenia,  were  born 
in  Boone  county,  Kentucky.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  had  two  children, 
Amy  and  Ruth. 

Mrs.  Smith's  paternal  grandparents,  also  natives  of  Kentucky,  died  in 
the  .<50uthern  part  of  that  state.  Her  maternal  grandfather,  Richard  Botts, 
who  married  a  Miss  Ryle,  was  the  father  of  three  children,  Xewton.  Jasper 
and  Mary.     They  were  also  natives  of  Kentucky. 

Dr.  George  Foster  Smith  and  wife  are  members  of  tlie  Baptist  church  at 
Lawrenceburg.  They  are  regular  attendants  at  the  services  of  this  church, 
and  are  liberal  contributors  to  its  support.  They  likewise  take  an  active  inter- 
est in  the  affairs  of  the  congregation.  Doctor  Smith  is  a  member  of  Sunman 
Lodge  No.  590,  Free  and  Accepted  IMasons,  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  ]Mod- 
ern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles.  He  is  a 
Democrat. 

A  man  of  scholarly  attainments,  of  democratic  tastes  and  manners,  of 
earnest  and  sincere  purpose  in  life.  Doctor  Smith  has  won  for  himself  a  place 
in  the  hearts  of  his  fellow  townsmen  and  the  people  of  Dearborn  county.  His 
election  to  two  terms  as  coroner  of  Dearborn  county,  his  presidcnc}-  of  the 
city  board  of  health  and  to  other  positions  of  professional  responsibility  are 
evidence,  not  only  of  the  confidence  placed  in  his  professional  attainments 
by  the  people  of  his  adopted  city,  but  also  the  warm  feeling  of  friendship  be- 
stowed upon  him  by  the  leading  men  of  Lawrenceburg  and  Dearborn  county. 
Doctor  Smith  is  a  capable  physician,  a  warm  friend  and  a  gQod  citizen. 


iwc  AT;,=>r.':,v':,„  ROBERT  L.  JOHNSTON.  :.,.   :,?;. 

From  his  first  initiation  into  the  business  world  of  Dearborn  county, 
Robert  L.  Johnston  has  displayed  a  marked  degree  of  executive  ability,  which 
has  continued  to  increase  with  his  wide  scope  of  experience,  until  now.  he 
is  one  of  the  most  progressive  and  successful  merchants  in  Aurora,  where 
he  conducts,  in  partnership  with  Paul  A.  Smith,  a  remunerative  and  up-to- 


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5/0  DEARBORiV    COUNTY^    INDIANA. 

date  hardware  establislinient.  \\'ith  a  gond  education  and  careful  trainiii:^' 
in  liis  vouthtul  ilays,  he  started  out  in  life  \vell  prepared  to  "conquer  an\- 
foe,"  and  has  met  with  llie  success  in  his  Imsiness  career  tliat  his  energ'etic 
and  enterprising-  course  so  well  merits. 

Robert  L.  Johnston  was  liorn  on  Januar_\-  13,  1S72,  about  two  miles 
northwest  of  Auri:>ra,  on  Xorth  Hogan  creek,  Cer.ter  township,  this  county; 
a  son  of  Gei^rge  W.  and  ]\Iarv  ].  (I.jainum)  Johnston,  prominent  residents 
of  that  vicinity.  His  education  \^'as  secured  at  the  district  schools  and  tlie 
Xormal  University  at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-two,  he  went 
to  Wcisburg,  where  he  taughl  one  term  of  winter  school,  after  which  he  to'ik 
over  the  management  of  a  retail  lumber  yard  at  Xewtown  ( l.awrenceburgj, 
and  was  thus  engaged  for  a  period  of  four  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  T.  J.  Cobb  and  Henry  A.  Bobrink,  under  the  firm 
name  of  the  John  Cobb  Chair  Company,  which  arrangement  was  continued 
from  1900  to  1909.  when  the  firm  was  dissolved,  Mr.  Johnston  selling  his  inter- 
est. He  then  formed  a  partnership  with  Paul  A.  Smith,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Johnston  &  Smitli.  dealers  in  hardware  and  farm  implements,  of  which  they 
carr}-  a  large  stock.  Politicalh-,  yir.  Johnston  is  a  Democrat,  and  his  religiijus 
views  are  th(ise  of  the  Baptist  cinuxh,  he  being  clerk  of  the  congregation  with 
which  he  is  associated.  He  has  also  done  considerable  singing  in  the  church 
choir,  and  is  very  fond  of  music.  Fraternally,  ]Mr.  Johnston  belongs  to  the 
Improved  Order  of  Red  I\Ien,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Commercial  Club.  In 
1905  Mr.  Johnston  was  elected  clerk  of  the  city  of  Aurora,  taking  his  otTice 
in  September,  1906,  and  served  until  May  20,  1907.  On  the  resignation  of 
JMayor  Louis  E.  Beinkamp,  ]\Ir.  Johnston  filled  out  the  unexpired  term,  as 
mayor  of  Aurora,  vacating  this  office  on  January  i,  1910. 

In  a  biographical  sketch  of  George  \\'.  and  Mary  J.  (Bainum)  Johnston, 
presented  elsewhere  in  this  volume,  is  set  out  in  detail  the  genealogy  of  the 
Johnston  family.  Robert  L.  Johnston's  paternal  grandparents,  George  and 
Catherine  (Kearney)  Johnston,  nati\'es  of  \'irginia,  were  among  the  early 
settlers  in  Dearbcrn  county,  coming  here  in  1S15.  George  Johnston,  witii 
two  other  brothers,  cleared  a  farm  and  started  the  first  mill  on  Llogan  creek. 
Mr.  Johnston's  maternal  grandfather  was  Conway  Bainum,  a  farmer  of  Ho- 
gan township,  this  county,  who  was  born  on  August  9,  1S09.  in  Virginia. 
He  followed  farming,  and  made  fref|uent  flatljoat  trips  to  Xew  Orleans  with 
produce,  and  at  odd  times  cut  cordwood  and  sold  it  to  boats  along  the  river. 
In  addition  to  his  otiier  sources  of  income,  Mr.  Bainum  built  a  lime  kiln.  He 
developed  a  fine  farm  in  Hogan  township,  where  he  reared  his  family,  and 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  •  5^1 

where  he  died  at  tlie  age  of  eighty-nine  }ears.  His  parents  were  William  and 
Elizabeth  (Bryan)  Bainuni,  natixcs  o\  Wilmington,  l)cla\\are,  the  former 
liaxing  been  l.iorn  on  }'\-l)ruary  _'0.  17'>5-  ^'ml  the  latter  in  October.  1790. 
Cc-tnuay  Bainum  was  niariaed  on  April  ii,  1832.  to  Sarah  Deshiell,  who  \\as 
born  on  b^ebrnary  10,  1812,  in  Alaryland,  and  ti^  this  nnion  there  were  boi'n 
fonr  children,  ^frs.  Elizabeth  Canfield.  .Mfrtd  IB,  Mary  J.  (mother  of  the 
snbject  of  this  sketch)  and  Charles  W.  Mrs.  B.ainnni  died  on  October  15, 
186S,  and  Air.  Bainnm  married,  secondly,  on  October  21,  iHOq.  3>Irs.  Harriet 
(Hayes)  Swing,  who  was  born  on  P"el)rnary  2j.  1834,  near  D^lhi,  Kentucky. 
As  a  leading-  citizen  of  Am-ora,  Robert  L.  Johnston  is  eminently  entitled 
to  representation  in  a  work  of  snch  valne  as  the  history  of  Dearborn  ci.anity. 
He  has  not  only  given  the  most  thoughtful  attention  to  his  business,  l)ut  has 
invariably  shown  liis  acti\'e  interest  in  all  good  works  in  the  city  of  Aurt)ra 
and  is  held  in  high  esteem  bv  all  who  know  him. 


JOHN  BE   STIER. 

John  BE  Stier,  undertaker  and  li\-eryman,  .Vnrora,  Bidiana,  was  born 
in  that  city,  September  13,  1866,  and  is  a  son  of  John  P.  and  Erances  (  Sted- 
man)  Stier.  Ble  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  home  town,  where  he 
graduated  from  high  school  in  the  class  of  1884.  After  leaving  school  he 
engaged  his  services  as  a  furniture  carver,  and  later  as  a  designer,  and  for 
twelve  years  traveled  for  the  firm  by  whom  he  was  employed,  H.  H.  Wigger^ 
&  Sons  Company,  mannfacturers  of  mantels  and  hardwood  furniture,  of 
Cincinnati,  Ohio.  In  1894,  Mr.  Stier  organized  the  firm  of  Sanks  &  Stier, 
furniture  merchants  and  undertakers,  of  Aurora,  of  which  he  was  a  member. 
and  in  1897  he  resigned  his  position  and  became  sole  owner  of  the  new  com- 
pany, until  1912.  when  he  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  furniture  business, 
and  has  since  de\'oted  his  entire  time  and  atteniion  to  the  undertaking  and 
livery  business. 

John  P.  Stier  was  born  and  reared  at  Natchez,  Alississippi,  \vhere  he  fol- 
lowed various  pursuits  for  a  time,  and  then  came  to  Aurora,  where  he  engaged 
in  general  merchandise,  and  for  the  last  twenty  years  of  his  life  was  a  book- 
keeper. He  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  Confederate  army  during  the  Civil  War, 
serving  in  a  ]Mississippi  regiment.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church. 
His  death  occurred  in  1S87,  at  the  age  of  forty-five  years.     His  wife.  Frances- 


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57-  DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  '  -^ 

(Stedimn)  Stier,  \vas  born  in  May,  1S44,  and  is  a  native  of  Indiana.  Sii.e 
survi\x^s  her  husband  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  \cars.  This  union  was  b!e>L 
with  four  children,  as  follow:  John  H.,  of  Aurora;  ^^^i]lard  P.,  of  Omaha, 
Nebraska ;  Ethel,  who  is  the  wife  of  Frank  Clark,  of  Aurora ;  and  one  who 
died  in  infancy. 

The  paternal  grandparents  were  John  H.  Stier,  a  native  of  Germany,  and 
his  wife,  Mary  (Schwarts)  Stier,  a  native  of  Iowa.  They  were  early  settlers 
at  Natchez,  Mississippi,  where  they  died  well  along  in  years.  Mr.  Stier  fol- 
lowed the  vocation  of  a  hotel  keeper.  There  were  two  children  to  this  union. 
John  and  Julius.  Mr.  Stier  was  married  a  second  time,  to  Caroline  Schwartz, 
a  sister  of  his  first  wife,  by  whom  he  had  the  following  children:  Julia,  Xora 
and  Virgie. 

John  H.  Stier  was  married  in  September,  1894,  to  ]\Iarv  Kassebaum. 
daughter  of  Fred  W.  and  Merther  (Vandevcr)  Kassebaum,  and  four  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  this  union,  namely:  Donald,  Rachel,  ^larjorie  ami 
Eleanor.  Donald  Stier  is  attending  Purdue  University.  Rachel  is  a  graduate 
of  the  yVurora  high  school  and  is  now  attending  Butler  College,  at  Indianapo- 
lis. 

Mrs.  Stier  was  born  at  Indianapolis,  in  i.S/i.  Her  father  was  born  in 
Germany,  and  her  mother  was  a  native  of  Indiana.  They  were  both  residents 
of  Aurora  for  twenty-seven  }  ears,  and  tlieir  children  were  :  Louis,  Xannie. 
Callie,  Mary.  Bert,  Ernest.  Jesse.  Frederick  and  Drewerv. 

John  H.  Stier  docs  a  ^■er^-  larg-e  undertaking  business.  ha\'ing  buried  to 
date  nearly  eighteen  hundred  persons  and  his  painstaking  efforts  and  com- 
mendable methods  in  all  his  business  ventures  are  largely  responsible  for 
his  present  success. 

]\Ir.  Stier  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church.  Air.  Stier 
belongs  to  Aurora  Lodge  No.  5 1 .  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  Aurora  Chap- 
ter No.  13,  Royal  Arch  Masons:  Chosen  Friends  .Lodge  No.  13,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows ;  Bethlehem  Encampment.  Tribe  No.  229,  Improved 
Order  of  Red  Men:  Union  Lodge  No.  34,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  served 
for  two  years  as  grand  regent  of  the  Rciyal  Arcanum  of  the  state  of  Indiana. 
Originally,  Mr.  Stier  was  a  Democrat,  but  is  now  giving  his  support  to  the 
Republican  party.  He  served  as  Sunday  school  superintendent  for  several 
years,  and  was  on  the  official  board  of  the  church.  He  was  president  of  the 
Dearborn  Club  of  Aurora,  in  19 14,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Aurora  Commer- 
cial Club. 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.'  573 

JOSEPH  LEONARD  AXBY,  D   V.  S.     .        .  ^ 

Although  the  parents  of  Dr.  Joseph  Leonard  Axby  were  natives  of 
Indiana,  he  is  of  English  descent  on  his  paternal  side,  both  of  his  paternal 
grandparents  having  been  born  in  Devonshire,  England.  On  his  maternal 
side  he  is  of  Pennsylvania-Dutch  descent.  Two  generations  of  the  .Vxln- 
family  already  have  been  pron-;inent  in  the  political  and  civic  life  of  Dearliorn 
county.  Dr.  Axby's  father  was  a  well-kriown  citizen  and  held  many  riffices 
of  trust  and  responsibility  in  Dear1)orn  county.  Doctor  Axljy  himself  has 
filled  no  inconsiderable  niche  in  the  political  and  official  life  of  Lawrenceburg. 
As  a  veterinary  surgeon  he  has  during  the  period  of  nearly  fifteen  years 
cnjovcd  a  large  practice  in  this  section  of  the  state.  In  fact  he  is  regarded 
as  one  of  the  foremost  veterinary  surgeons  in  southern  Indiana,  though  Ins 
practice  is  not  confined  to  the  state  of  Indiana  alone.  An  evidence  of  h'S 
professional  equipment  was  liis  long  service  as  a  lecturer  in  the  Cincinnati 
\'eterinary  College.  A  farmer  by  proxy.  Doctor  Axby  has  given  his  be^c 
tlmught  and  attention  to  the  profession  into  which  he  came  from  educational 
work. 

Joseph  Leonard  Axby  was  born  on  July  28,  1876,  in  ^Miller  township, 
Dearljorn  county,  Indiana,  and  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  ]\Iilier  town- 
ship. He  attended  the  district  schools  and  completed  his  education  at  the 
National  Normal  University,  at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  and  the  Southern  Indiana 
Normal  School,  now  extinct,  at  ^Mitchell,  Indiana.  After  a  successful  career 
as  a  school  teacher,  which  profession  he  followed  for  six  years,  he  entered 
the  Chicago  Veterinary  College,  at  Chicago,  Illinois,  and  was  graduated  with 
the  class  of  1903.  Beginning  the  practice  of  his  profession  immediately  after 
graduation  he  located  in  Lawrenceburg  and  has  lived  in  this  city  and  prac- 
tised his  profession  ever  since.  During  the  period  of  1903  to  191 1  he  was 
a  lecturer  in  the  Cincinnati  Veterinary  College,  Dr.  Joseph  Leonard  Axby 
belongs  to  the  Indiana,  Ohio  and  National  Veterinary  societies,  and  for  many 
years  has  been  a  prominent  member  of  these  organizations. 

Among  the  successful  farmers  of  Dearborn  county,  who  by  reason  of 
efficient  service  and  genial  relations  with  the  public  arose  to  positions  of 
prominence  in  the  political  life  of  Dearborn  county,  was  John  Axby,  who 
married  Melissa  Grubbs,  and  who  was  the  father  of  Dr.  Joseph  Leonard  Axby. 
After  having  been  reared  on  the  farm  in  Dearborn  county,  John  Axby  began 
fanning  on  his  own  account,  owning  a  sixty-acre  farm  in  ^vliller  township, 
which  he  very  greatly  improved  and  where  he  reared  his  children.     Being  a 


^^'•^lr'0\ 


■i-f.i-''  i:''  '■II !,  ,;i>^ 


■  ■  _  ,  ._.'    /  I'jii-i'vi-)  / 
■'        :  '■•  rm.  lii'i.  jilvt.'i  .:!.i 


:i74  DEARBORN'   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

good  judge  of  horses  and  mules  he  became  an  extensi\-e  dealer,  and  this  busi- 
ness brought  him  into  contact  with  a  gre.al  many  people.  His  popularity 
grew  from  year  to  year,  and  after  serving-  two  terms  as  township  assessor  of 
Miller  township,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  board  of  county  eomiuis- 
sioners  of  Dearborn  county,  ant!  subsequently  was  elected  sheriff,  which 
office  he  held  for  two  terms.  Afterwards  he  removed  to  the  farm,  and  passed 
away  the  day  after  having  reached  his  sixty-fifdi  year,  November  4.  19 14. 
Eiglit  years  previously  his  loyal  and  devoted  wife,  ^Nlrs.  INIelissa  (Gruliljs) 
Axl.)}-  had  passed  away  at  the  age  of  fift}--three.  ■  Her  death  occurred  on 
February  22,  1906.  It  is  a  matter  of  interest  that  their  two  children,  both 
sons,  are  now  veterinai'}-  surgeons.  Dv.  William  .V.  Axby  is  a  veterinary 
surgeon,  located  at  Harrisiin.  Ohio:  Dr.  Joseph  L.  is  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.     The  parents  were  beVih  members  of  the  ?^Iethodist  church. 

Idle  cholera  epidemic  of  1849  took  away  many  men  and  women  in  the 
prime  of  life  and  among  the  victims  of  this  dread  plague  was  Joseph  Axliy, 
the  foiuider  of  the  Axby  famil}-  in  America  and  the  paternal  grandfather  of 
the  subject  of  this  re\'iew.  Ilaxdng  come  to  this  countr\-  to  engage  in  farm- 
ing, he  arri\-ed  in  the  spring  of  1S49.  and  died  in  the  frdl  of  the  same  year. 
His  wife,  Mary  Axby,  lived  to  be  seventy-five  years  r)ld,  and  was  married, 
secondly,  to  William  Brown,  by  whom  she  had  no  children.  John  Axby,  the 
Doctor's  father,  was  the  only  child  born  to  the  first  union. 

The  Grubbs  family,  from  which  Doctor  Axby  is  descended  on  his  ma- 
ternal side,  came  from  renns_\I\ania,  and  are  believed  originally  to  have 
come  from  Ilolland.  Allen  Grublis,  the  maternal  grandfather,  and  his  wife, 
a  Miss  Beule,  nati\es  of  Penns\l\ania,  were  pioneers  in  Dearl.wrn  countv.  In- 
diana, where  he  owned  and  operated  a  little  farm  and  where  he  was  a  cooper. 
Although  he  died  in  Dearborn  count}-,  and  his  wife  in  Rush  county,  binh 
were  buried  in  Dearborn.  The}-  li\-ed  to  rear  a  family  of  six  children :  Me- 
lissa, Susan,  Joseph,  John,  Eva  and  Nettie,  and  to  see  them  grow  to  niaii- 
hood  and  womanhood  and  establish  homes  of  their  own.  Allen  Grul.ibs  hail 
been  married  formerly  and  by  the  previous  marriage  had  one  son,  Josliua. 

Joseph  Leonard  Axby  was  married  on  September  12,  1906,  to  Dollie 
J.  Watts,  daughter  of  Warren  and  }vlardia  (Parson-)  Watts,  and  they  have 
one  daughter,  ]\Iary  Elizabeth. 

ilrs.  Axby"s  father  is  still  living.  Her  mother  passed  away  in  June, 
1914,  at  the  age  of  fifty-three  years.     Mrs.  Axby  has  one  brother,  All)ert. 

DcKtor  Axb}-  is  a  menilier  of  the  >.Iethodist  churcli  and  ]\Irs.  Axbv  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  church.     He  belongs  to  Lawrenceburg  Lodge  No. 


J^'vr. 


.    ,i.;    n-.m 


i_    lli     v-.r/;;;    ij'i'ifiij    7V(i.''."f;    T)'I 


DEARBORN    COUNTY^    INDIANA.  5/5 

4,  l'"rce  and  Acce;nei:I  ^^lastms;  Lawreiicclmry  Cluiptcr  of  Rnyal  Arch  ^Tasons; 
Aurora  Comniaiulery  Xo.  17.  Kiiiglits  Templar;  and  to  the  ^[odeni  ^\'oodmcll 
of  America.  .V  Democrat  in  pi.ihtics,  Doctor  .\xhy  ser\-cd  a  term  of  four 
years,  1910  to  1914,  as  mayor  of  Lawrencehurg.  He  resides  at  131  Ehn 
street,  Lawrencehurg. 

Possessed  of  a  lucratix'c  and  cnjriyable  ))rofcssion,  a  substantial  competence 
to  insure  all  the  comforts  and  nv>st  id'  the  luxuries  which  a  man  might  crave, 
the  liouor  and  respect  of  his  fellow  townsmen  and  the  confidence  of  the 
public  generally.  Dr.  Joseph  Leonard  Axb}'  is  well  and  favorably  situated  to 
enjov  life.  Xaturallx'  possessed  of  an  optimistic  temperament  and  a  friendly, 
apivroachable  manner,  lie  is  a  sterling  t^■pe  of  the  aggressive,  shrewd  and  far- 
seeing  American.  He  is  a  worthy  rcprcsentati\e  of  a  family  whi'>se  name  is 
hiohl\-  honored  in  this  section. 


FRAXK  AXDRF.W  SCHIPPER.  '    '  ' 

Having  grown  up  at  Aurora,  Indiana,  tlic  place  has  become  familiar  in- 
deed to  him  whose  name  starts  this  sketcli,  and  no  place  holds  such  tender 
memories  of  fishing-pole  da}S.  or  has  offered  better  inducements  in  his  more 
ad\-anced  }ears.  From  his  b<.>}'hood  to  the  present  time.  Mr.  Schip]'.er  has 
never  left  the  friendly  little  city  that  served  as  his  birthplace.  It  has  done 
its  duty,  in  supplying  him  with  an  education  necessary  for  a  successful  business 
career,  and  remaining  faithfid  through  all  his  more  mature  years,  after  his 
entrance  into  the  business  world. 

Frank  Andrew  Schipper,  shoe  merchant,  Aurora,  Indiana,  is  a  son  of  Bern- 
hard  and  Catherine  Schumm  Schip[ier,  and  was  born  on  September  J7,  1848, 
at  Aurora,  Indiana,  where  he  has  always  lived.  He  attended  the  parochial 
scliools  of  the  town.  At  the  age  of  thirteen,  during  the  Ci\'il  War,  he  began 
to  learn  the  shoemaker's  trade,  which  he  has  followed  ever  since.  About  1885, 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  John  Xeff.  and  they  opened  a  shoe  store  under 
the  firm  name  of  X'eff  &  Schipper,  whicii  was  later  dissolved,  and  since  1893 
Mr.  Schipper  has  conducted  a  .shoe  business  alone,  and  is  now  one  of  the 
oldest  merchants  in  Aurora.  He  was  th.e  organizer  of  two  military  bands, 
and  a  ladies'  orchestra  composed  of  eighteen  members ;  at  the  present  time 
he  leads  a  quartette.  He  is  an  exceptionally  fine  clarinet  plaver.  and  a  natural- 
born   musician.      Mr.    Schipper   is   a    Republican.      In    addition    to   his    shoe 


J    .-Ai.ii:'^/-ia 


I    ".. 


1 1  .:    '•'!■,  V    ';,■!!  'til 


';.-:  /■■i/M 


I    :r.-<  :■ 


■ri;  ,  .  h-yv.iw.A   ,Ulju\         ^ 


.Mfii     !■/■■    ,,.;1     -. 


'-:    i''j   <XIC::]  rC 


'^  I.j7/0lf' 


':'  '<:i     ,7Ci(;    il    J,,; 

-.)i'\),-',-i,|  -'jtl)    Jj- 


5/6  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

Store,  Mr.  Schipper  is  proprietor  of  the  Lange  Maciiine  Works,  Avhich  is  now- 
being'  i"un  b)-  tln'ee  of  his  sons. 

Bernhard  Scliipper  was  a  nati\'e  of  Bavaria,  Germany,  where  he  was 
reared  and  received  a  good  common-school  education,  and  came  to  America 
with  his  mother  when  a  lad,  his  father  having  died  in  Germany.  They  set- 
tled at  North  Bend,  and  in  1846  came  to  Aurora,  where  he  grew  to  man- 
hood and  v.'hcre  he  engaged  in  burning  lime  and  stone-C|uarrying.  He  died 
here  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  His  wife.  Catherine  (Schumm)  Schipper, 
also  a  natiw  of  Bavaria,  survived  him  six  months,  and  died  at  the  age  of 
scventv-tluee.  1  he\'  were  both  members  of  the  Catholic  cliurch,  and  had  the 
following  children:  Catherine,  widow  of  John  Gerhardt  ?\lartin;  John  (  d.e- 
ceased)  :  Mary,  who  became  the  wife  of  George  W'eitner,  and  lives  at  the  old 
home  place  in  Aurora;  Frank  A.,  of  Aurora;  Benjamin,  Elizabeth,  Emma, 
William,  and  Rose,  who  is  nov/  the  wife  of  Jacob  Pfiester,  all  of  whom  reside 
in  Aurora,  Indiana. 

Frank  Andrew  Schipper  was  married  in  April,  1871,  to  Emma  Doerr, 
daughter  of  Nicholas  and  Christina  (Martin)  Doerr.  She  was  born  on 
August  28,  185 1,  in  Carrollton,  Kentucky,  of  German  parentage.  ^Ir. 
Schipper  and  his  wife  are  attentive  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  They 
have  had  twelve  children,  namely ;  Agatha.  Alexander,  Gustav,  Adam,  Paul-, 
ine,  Harry,  Frank,  Irene.  George,  ^^'alter,  Everett  and  Alfred. 

Agatha  Schipper  is  married  to  Gustav  Stoll.  Alexander  is  a  machinist  in 
Lange  ^Machine  A\'orks  and  married  Lillian  Cox,  by  whom  he  has  two  children, 
Alexander  and  Thelma.  Gustav  is  following  the  trade  of  a  machinist,  and 
married  Lulu  Zimmennan,  by  whom  he  has  three  children,  Helen,  Harold 
and  Frank.  Adam  was  united  in  marriage  with  May  Adler,  and  they  reside 
at  Turlock,  California,  where  ]Mr.  Schipper  is  employed  as  a  machinist. 
Pauline  is  married  to  Harry  Hogan,  and  is  the  mother  of  three  cliildren, 
Beatrice,  Dorothy  and  Timothy;  Harry  is  married  to  Clarissa  Kinzer,  by 
whom  he  has  had  one  child,  Donald,  and  they  reside  at  Hamilton,  Ohio, 
where  ]Mr.  Schipper  is  a  successful  jeweler.  Frank.  Avho  clerks  in  his  father's 
store,  married  Mary  Agnes  Green,  and  they  have  two  children,  Georgia 
Frances  and  Mary  Agnes.  Irene  became  the  wife  of  William  Ullrich,  to 
which  union  have  been  born  tw'O  children,  Wilfred  and  Justina.  George 
is  also  a  machinist,  and  married  Cornelia  Spanagel.  Walter  died  at  the  age  of 
eleven  years.  Everett  died  when  eighteen  years  old.  Alfred  is  following  the 
vocation  of  a  pilot  on  the  Ohio  river,  and  lives  at  his  father's  home  in  Aurora. 

The  parents  of  jNIrs.  Frank  A.  Schipper  were  natives  of  Germany,  her 


:;.j;   .1.   .liuni' 


DEARBORN'    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  5/7 

fatl'.er  from  Alsace-Lorraine,  raid  her  mother  froin  Saxon',-.  Tliey  were  early 
settlers  in  Kentucky,  and  for  many  years  residents  of  Aurora,  Indiana,  where 
ll'.ey  died,  \vell  along  in  years.  To  this  union  were  born  the  following  chil- 
dren :  William,  jNIan,-,  Emma,  Frank.  Augusta,  Charles,  John  and  Theodore. 
Mr.  Schipper  has  arrived  now  at  the  age  where  he  can  look  back  over  his 
mistakes  and  his  successes,  and  feel  that  he  has  few  regrets.  lie  is  one  of  the 
best-known  residents  of  Aurora,  where  he  has  many  warm  friends. 


ROBERT   P.    WILSON. 


The  biograjjhy  of  the  gentleman  ^\•hl:Ise  name  initiates  this  sketch  will 
be  of  especial  interest  to  his  descendants,  since  it  so  clearly  sets  forth  the  re- 
.sourceful  character  of  one  of  the  most  successful  citizens  of  Moores  Hill. 
Although  beginning  in  a  modest  way,  Mr.  ^^'ilson,  through  his  own  efforts, 
industry  and  determination,  has  gained  that  success  which  many  are  seeking, 
but  which  few  attain,  thus  permitting  him  to  live  a  life  of  cjuiet  retiremen.t, 
with  all  the  comforts  and  luxuries  to  make  up  for  the  long  years  of  strenu- 
ous attention   to   business. 

Robert  P.  \^'ilson,  retired  dentist,  Moores  Hill,  Indiana,  was  born  on 
February  5,  1S3S,  near  old  [Milan,  in  Ripley  county,  Indiana,  and  is  a  son 
of  Golf  M.  and  Amanda  ]\I.  (Johnson)  AVilson.  Pie  was  educated  in  the  public 
school  of  Ripley  county,  after  which  he  took  a  course  in  dentistry  with  a 
practicing  dentist,  following  this  vocation  nearly  all  his  life,  although  not 
gis'ing  his  entire  time  to  his  dental  practice.  Pie  divided  his  time  between 
his  profession  and  teaching-  school  for  a  period  of  some  twenty  years.  ]Mr. 
Wilson  went  to  the  Civil  W'ar  in  Company  D,  Thirty-seventh  Regiment,  In- 
diana Volunteer  Infantry,  under  General  Rosecrans,  participating  in  the 
battles  of  Stone's  River,  Missionary  Ridge,  Pumpkin  Vine  Creek,  Lookoui 
Mountain,  and  others,  being  severely  wounded  at  Stone's  River.  He  has 
always  been  an  extremely  active  and  busy  man,  conducting,  in  addition  to 
his  school  work  and  dental  practice,  a  successful  farm  near  Moores  Hill.  ]Mr. 
Wilson  has  always  been  a  loyal  supporter  of  the  Prohibition  party.  Pie  is 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  of  which  he  is  a  licensed  preacher,  and  was 
pastor  of  the  Hogan  Hill  and  other  churches.  His  fraternal  alliance  is  with 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Golf   M.    Wilson,    father   of   the   subject   of  this    sketch,    was   born   on 

(37) 


H-.-yr  II  /•■"■■ii;;-l-,-ii| 


hiq    li,^ 


i      .'lUV   'IT')     '    I'.l 


Mi^  'iii''  '  !i  ■    \:'.ti'ur.'i 


■i  . .  .:    •  ofst 


578  DEAKBOKX   COl'XTY,   INDIANA. 

October  2Q.  iSii.  in  ]\Iainc.  and  when  two  years  of  ai;e,  came  r)verl:i.nd  by  i 
wagon  witli  hi?  parents,  who  settled  in  Ripley  county.  He  lived  the  Ixdancc 
of  his  life  in  Ripley  county.  d}ing  on  September  23.  1839,  while  still  quite 
young.  His  wife.  Amanda  AI.  (Johnson)  U'ilson,  was  born  on  March  i_j, 
1820,  in  Ripley  county,  Indiana.  They  were  united  in  marriage  on  April 
9,  1S37,  and  were  the  parents  of  two  children.  Robert  P.  and  Golf. 

After  the  death  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  ^^"ilson  was  married  to  Reuben 
G.  Wilson,  February  20,  1843,  *o  which  union  two  children  were  b.)rn, 
namely:  Clarence,  born  on  July  30.  1S54:  and  Cornelia,  December  IQ.  1842. 
Clarence  Wilson  was  married  to  Carrie  D.  Buchanan,  and  is  now  li\-ing  in. 
Dearborn  county.  Cornelia  became  the  wife  of  George  E.  Parsons,  ^.fr^y 
24,  1S60,  a' physician  of  Ripley  county.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren, all  of  whom  died  young. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  Ami  Wilson,  a  nati\e  of  Maine,  and  was 
married  there,  prior  to  coming  to  Ripley  county,  where  he  entered  land  from 
the  government  near  Old  Milan,  following  the  vocation  of  a  farmer  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  when  he  was  seventy-eight  years  old.  His  wife 
was  also  a  native  of  Maine,  where  she  was  reared  and  married.  This  unii'U 
was  blessed  with  the  following  children:  (iolf.  Olicd.  Eliza.  Agnes.  James, 
Mary  Jane  and  Thomas.  Ami  Wilson  had  four  brothers  and  two  sisters, 
Ira,  Artis,  Obecl,  who  had  three  srms;  01i\'er,  John  AI.  and  Obed.  Oh\er  was 
superintendent  of  schools  in  Cincinnati  at  an  early  day ;  Obed  marrici 
Sara  Johnson,  and  the}  lived  in  Ripley  county,  Indiana,  and  were  the  parents 
of  the  following  children:  [Martha  Ann,  Daley,  Thomas  E.,  Charlie,  luiima 
and  Alice. 

Eliza  Wilson,  the  third  child  of  Ami  Wilson,  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Seth  .Smith,  a  Methodist  Episcopal  preacher,  and  lived  at  Shelbyvilie, 
Indiana.  Their  children  were,  Sara  Eliza,  ]\[artha  and  John  D.  Agnes  W'd- 
son  became  the  wife- of  John  Tucker,  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Ripley  ciiunty, 
and  had  several  children.  James  was  married  to  Anne  Harding,  and  made 
his  home  in  Ripley  count}-.  Aviary  Jane  became  the  wife  of  Benjamin  Slack'. 
of  Ripley  county.  Thomas  was  united  in  marriage  witli  Levina  EoA\Idr}-, 
and  resides  in  Ripley  county.  They  have  had  the  following  children :  Will- 
iam, Charles,  Byron  and  one  who  died  young. 

Robert  P.  Wilson  was  united  in  marriage,  in  1856,  with  Clementine 
(Cochran")  Wilson,  of  Dearborn  county,  who  was  born  on  May  21,  1841, 
near  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children,  as  follow:  Edgar  (de- 
ceased), Ida  (deceased),  Horace,  Lynn.  Carrie  (deceased),  Stella,  Clarence, 


:•  .11'//   ■■>■  'm<.ij 


I  • ,  »  S . '  • 


■ir.    .-(Ol 


■  '  :)i:ri   i:   •  .r.'r.  f.i/:' 


.9jiIA    Ii<l6 


•'into 


■3' 


:;"  •'    fi' .    '-•:,■■'    -rv,'    ■  tVii    .  i 


DEARBORN    COUiXTY,    INDIANA.  579 

ilenrv  and  Charles.  Horai-e  was  married  to  Hattie  Gi\an,  and  !i\-cs  al  (iary. 
Indiana,  w  lui'e  lie  is  preaching  in  a  Baptist  chiu-ch.  They  ha\e  f')nr  children, 
i\iibert.  Clenrentine.  Russell  and  an  infant.  Lyini  was  niari'ied  to  lidnh 
Owens.  1)\-  whom  he  has  had  ten  children,  namely:  Grace,  ]\Iatthew,  James, 
Lee,  Emmett,  Evan.  Walter,  luhcl,  Evalyn  and  Hazel.  Stella  became  the 
wife  of  Joe  ]\Ioran,  and  is  living  at  Cedar  Ealls,  Iowa.  Thev  ha\e  no  chil- 
dren. Clarence  was  married  to  Alice  Garigus,  and  is  residing  at  .Aurora, 
Indiana,  where  he  is  in  the  banking  business.  They  have  three  children, 
Xonna,  Esther  and  lielen.  Hemy  was  uniteil  in  marriage  with  ^Nlattie 
Sims,  and  is  living  at  Parkersburg,  Iowa.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with 
three  children,  Lorain,  Horace  and  Claudius.  Charles  was  married  tti  M^rta 
Drain,  and  is  living  at  Dumont,  Iowa,  where  he  is  employed  by  the  govern- 
ment as  a  mail  carrier.     They  have  one  child,  Xeva. 

■Mr.  Wilson's  first  wife,  Clementine  (Cochran)  \\"ilson,  died  on  March 
29,  187S,  at  the  age  of  thirty-si.x  years,  and  ^Nlr.  Wilson  was  marrieil,  sec- 
ondl}',  on  August  7,  187S,  to  Lucretia  Shockley,  who  li\cd  but  a  short  time 
after  her  marriage.  Mr.  \\'il.son  was  married,  thirdly,  on  July  27,  iSSo.  to 
Margarette  E.  Dennison,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  Zwickel,  natives 
of  Germany,  who  was  born  on  November  6,  1846,  at  Lawrenceburg,  to  which 
union  four  children  were  born,  as  follow:  Frank  R.,  liorn  on  August  31, 
18S1,  near  Moores  Hill:  Clyde  E.,  October  31,  1883.  near  ]Moores  Hill:  Je_;se 
J.,  August  7,  1881.  near  Milan:  and  E.  Myrtle.  Ajjril  2.  1S90,  near  Moores 
Hill,  Indiana.  Frank  R.  is  a  lawyer  and  resides  at  Mimcie,  Indiana.  He 
was  married  to  Leora  Heaton,  by  whom  he  has  had  two  children,  ^vlarjory 
and  Herchal.  Clyde  E.  is  married  and  makes  his  home  at  Parkersburg. 
Iowa.  Jesse  J.  is  married  to  Lydia  Ruble,  and  is  following  agriculture  near 
Moores  Hill.  E.  ]\Iyrtle  became  the  wife  of  Grover  Manlief,  and  resides  on 
a  farm  near  Moores  Hill.     They  have  two  children,  Ruth  and  Weldon. 

Robert  P.  Wilson  is  one  of  the  best-known  citizens  in  and  around  Moore.s 
Hill,  where  his  friends  numljer  as  many  as  his  list  of  acquaintances. 


CLAY  J.  MILLER. 


In  the  life  of  an  earnest,  industrious  man,  there  are  always  lessons  which 
might  well  be  followed  along  the  highway  of  endeavor.  \ot  that  there  are 
striking  incidents  in  the  e.xperience  of  a  farmer's  life,  but  the  qualities  neces- 


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HHJJIM  1  yaj:) 


580  DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

sary  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  desired  end  stand  out  as  prominently  in 
the  rural  districts  as  they  do  in  the  crowded  cities. 

Clay  J.  Miller,  a  farmer  in  Caesar  Creek  township,  was  born  on  .\ugust 
14,  1872,  a  son  of  John  R.  and  Margarette  (Tholke)  ?ililler.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  district  schools  of  the  township  in  which  he  has  always  lived. 
After  leaving  school  he  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm,  at  whose  death  he  took 
over  the  management  of  the  place  for  his  mother.  Mr.  T^liller  has  always 
given  his  earnest  support  to  the  Republican  party.  He  and  his  family  are  all 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

John  R.  ]Miller  was  bom  on  March  16,  1S37,  in  Ohio  county,  Indiana, 
and  received  his  education  there.  He  was  married  on  March  21,  1S61,  to 
Margarette  Tholke,  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Sophia  Tholke.  She  came 
to  the  United  States  with  her  parents  at  the  age  of  eight  years,  settling  at 
Cincinnati,  where  she  was  educated.  After  their  marriage,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Miller  moved  to  Clinton,  Iowa,  where  they  lived  for  five  years  on  a  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which  they  sold  and  came  to  Ohio  county, 
and  lived  there  one  year,  when  they  moved  to  Hartford,  Indiana.  They  again 
sold  out,  and  moved  to  Caesar  Creek  township,  w^here  they  have  lived  ever 
since.  Mr.  ^Miller  died  in  January,  1897.  To  this  couple  were  born  five 
children,  Sophia,  Laura,  John,  Emma,  and  Clay. 

Sophia  Miller  became  the  wife  of  William  Fisser,  and  is  living  in  Cresar 
Creek  township,  and  they  have  two  children,  John  and  ^Maggie.  Laura  is  mar- 
ried to  Charles  Hunger,  and  resides  in  Ripley  county,  and  is  the  mother  of 
two  children,  Robert  and  Elsie.  John  was  united  in  marriage  with  !\Iaggie 
King,  and  lives  at  Lockland,  Ohio,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  nine 
children.  Clay,  Clyde,  Goldie,  Gladys,  Vanden,  Emma,  Robert,  Orvil  ami 
Ralph. 

Henr\-  I\Iiller,  the  paternal  grandfather,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania. 
He  died  on  January  23.  18S9.  in  Ohio  county,  Indiana,  at  c^uite  an  advanced 
age. 

The  maternal  grandparents  were  Frederick  and  Sophia  Tholke,  natives 
of  Germany,  who  immigrated  to  America  and  settled  at  Cincinnati,  and  later 
purchased  a  farm  in  Ohio  county,  Imiiana,  where  they  remained  until  their 
death.     They   had  three  children,    Margarette,   Frederick   and   Henry. 

Clay  J.  Miller  was  united  in  marriage  on  April  i,  1900,  with  Lida  Rump, 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Lizzie  (Burman)  Rump.  She  was  born  on  March 
28,  18S0,  in  Ripley  county,  and  received  her  education  there.     Three  children 

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DEAKBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  58 1 

!i,-i\e  been  born  to  this  union,  namely:  John,  bom  on  June  27,  1901  ;  Alaggic, 
May  4,  1904;  Willard,  ^lay  25,  1907. 

Mr.  ATillcr  is  one  of  the  wide-awake  farmers  of  Cajsar  Creek  townshiji. 
and  has  the  respect  of  the  entire  community. 


HARRY  E.  FISHER. 


With  the  sound  habits  of  pioneer  thrift  instilled  in  his  make-up,  [Mr. 
b'ishcr  has  taken  good  care  that  these  valuable  aids  have  lost  none  of  their  force 
through  any  fault  of  his.  Starting  out  in  young  manhood,  he  so  impressed 
tiiose  with  -whom  he  came  in  contact  with  his  determination  to  win  for  himself 
a  name,  that  his  efforts  met  with  good  returns  from  the  very  beginning; 
since  which  time  fortune  has  continued  to  smile  upon  him,  not,  perhaps,  with- 
out some  of  life's  clouds,  which  only  added  plea.sure  to  the  sunshine.  His 
success  is  a  source  of  pleasure  and  satisfaction  to  both  himself  and  his  friends. 

Harry  E.  Fisher,  of  Lawrencelmrg,  was  born  on  IMay  7,  1869,  at  Foster^ 
Kentucky,  fie  is  a  son  of  \\'illiam  S.  and  Laura  (Downing)  Fisher.  His 
early  education  was  secured  at  the  district  schools,  after  which  he  assisted  his 
father  on  the  farm,  ttntil  grov,n,  when  he  became  ambitious  for  a  more  pre- 
tentious line  of  employn.icnt,  and  went  to  Covington.  Kentucky,  where  he 
applied  for  a  position  as  agent  for  the  Metropolitan  Life  Lisurance  Company, 
which  he  secured,  and  one  year  later  was  promoted  to  the  office  of  assistant 
superintendent,  and  ten  years  later  was  still  further  promoted  to  the  position 
of  superintendent  at  Lawrenceburg.  Mr.  Fisher  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  and  belongs  to  L^nion  Lodge  No.  8,  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  and  Dearborn  Lodge  No.  49,  Knights  of  Pythias. 

William  S.  Fisher  was  born  and  reared  in  Bracken  county,  Kentucky, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  interested  in  all  questions  concerning 
the  welfare  of  his  county,  and  proved  his  loyalty  by  serving  one  term  as 
county  sheriff,  and  was  then  appointed  United  States  storekeeper-ganger,  in 
which  capacit}-  he  serv-ed  for  four  years.  He  then  returned  to  his  farm  and 
resumed  his  agricultural  pursuits.  His  wife,  Laura  (Downing)  Fisher,  was 
also  a  native  of  Kentucky.  ^She  died  in  1910,  aged  sixty-two  years,  and  yir. 
Fisher  now  resides  with  his  daughter,  in  Pensacola,  North  Carolina.  To 
this  couple  were  born  four  children,  as  follow:  Frederick,  deceased:  Harry 
E..  of  Lawrenceburg.  Indiana:  Charles,  of  Colorado:  \\'inifred,  who  is  now 
the  wife  of  Rush  Alexander,  of  Pensacola,  North  Carolina. 


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582  DEARKOKN    (.'OLWTV.    IXUIAXA. 

The  paternal  grandfatlier  was  James  A.  Fisher,  a  nati\'e  of  Kentucky 
and  a  pioneer  farmer  of  13racken  county,  who  cleared  a  site  for  a  home  in 
the  dense  wood-  wiiere  he  l)uilt  a  log  cabin,  and  where  he  later  had  a  \vcll- 
improved  tract  of  land.  He  belonged  to  the  Methodist  church,  and  was  a 
meni])er  of  the  Free  and  Acccjited  Masons  aiul  the  lnde[)endcnt  Order  i.if  Odil 
Fellows.  He  ne\-er  drank  lir|uor.  imr  tasterl  tol.iacco.  His  life  came  to  an 
end  in  iQio.  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  years.  His  wife,  Rebecca  (Daw- 
son) iMsher,  flied  two  years  pric;)r,  aged  about  se\enty-seven  years.  Their 
children  were:  William  S.,  Mary  (]\[arkley),  }ilattie  (Duncan),  J.  Gates, 
George  B.,  Lessie,   and   Edwartl,   deceased. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  Charles  Downing.  He  and  his  wife  were 
natives  of  Kentucky,  and  farmers.  ]\Irs.  Downing  died  in  middle  life,  and 
Mr.  Downing"  well  advanced  in  years.  Their  children  were;  Laura,  Liju, 
Emma,  Mattie  and  Charles  E. 

Harry  E.  Fisher  was  united  in  marriage  on  November  10,  1S92,  wirh 
Minnie  ^L  Mefford,  daughter  of  John  and  :Mary  C.  (Hobbs)  :N[eflord. 
She  was  liorn  at  Leno.xburg.  Kentucky,  and  died  on  July  10,  1904.  Mrs. 
Fisher  was  an  earnest  member  of  the  ^lethodist  church,  and  the  mother  of 
two  children,  Elwood  and  Altha  Irene.  Elwood  is  a  graduate  of  the  Law- 
rencelnn-g  high  school,  an.d  has  also  taken  a  course  in  chemistry.  He  is  now 
employed  by  the  Industrial  Appliance  Company,  Chicago,  Illinois.  Altha 
Irene  is  also  a  graduate  of  the  Lawrenceburg-  high  school.  She  has  consid- 
erable musical  talent,  and  leads  the  orchestra  in  the  Church  of  Christ,  at 
Lawrenceburg.     She  is  the  wife  of  William  Kemp,  of  Aurora.  Indiana. 

John  and  i\Iary  C.  (Hobbs)  Mefford  were  both  born  in  Kentucky.  Mr. 
Mefford  is  deceased,  but  his  wife  still  survives  him.  They  had  the  following 
children:     Denipsey,  ^linnie  ]\I..  Josie  Riley  and  Burns. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Minnie  M.  h'isher  was  John  IMefford. 
whose  \vife  was  Patsey  Mefford,  natives  fif  Kentucky,  and  fanners.  Their 
children  were  John  and  William. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Minnie  ]\T.  Fisher  was  John  Hobbs. 
who  died  at  the  age  of  ninety-four  years.     He  was  married  four  tim.es. 

On  December  12,  1906,  Harry  E.  Fisher  was  married,  secondly,  to  Jean 
Berkshire,  daughter  of  John  W.  and  Fannie  (Walton)  Berkshire.  She  was 
born  at  Petersburg.  B(jone  county,  Kentucky. 

John  W.  and  Fannie  (Walton)  Berkshire,  parents  of  ^Mrs.  Jean  Fishe'-, 
were  nati\'es  of  Petersburg,  Kentucky,  where  thev  were  verv  prominent. 
Mr.   Berkshire   was  a  member   of  the   state   Senate   of   Kentuckv.   and   had 


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DEARBORN  COl'NTV,   IXDIAXA.  583 

fiiniicrl}'  served  as  representative  two  terms.  He  owned  a  larg^e  and  profitable 
mercantile  establishment,  and  was  also  a  tobacco  dealer.  He  died  in  Law- 
rcnccburg,  from  a  stroke  of  paralysis,  in  ]\larch,  1914,  ag-ed  seventy  years, 
leaving  a  widow  ami  six  children,  whose  names  are:  Frank,  John,  Jean, 
Maude,  William  and  Bernard. 

Mr.  l-'isher  is  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  highly  respected  citizens 
of  Lawrenceburg,  in  which  town  he  takes  considerable  personal  pride. 


EDWARD  GREENHAM. 


Following  is  a  short  sketch  of  the  career  of  Edward  Greeiiham,  a  farmer 
of  Manchester  township,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  and  a  descendant  of 
one  of  the  first  families  in  this  section. 

Eilward  Greenham  was  born  on  December  4,  1S3S,  in  ^lanchester  town- 
ship, a  son  of  Sebastian  and  ^Vlary  TBarrows)  Greenham.  FTis  father  was 
born  on  September  15,  1840,  in  this  same  township,  and  was  educated  in  the 
early  subscription  schools.  He  was  raised  on  a  farm,  making  his  home  with 
his  grandparents.  Pie  married  ^lary  Barrows  and  took  his  bride  to  his  grand- 
parents' home  and  they  continued  to  live  there  until  the  death  of  the  older 
couple  about  a  year  later.  At  that  time,  Sebastian  took  complete  charge 
of  the  homestead  of  eighty  acres  and  has  continued  to  make  his  home  there 
through  succeeding  years.  There  were  eleven  children  in  the  family,  all  born 
and  reared  imder  the  same  roof,  of  whom  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch 
is  the  eldest.  The  second  child  was  Douglas,  a  farmer  near  Manchester.  He 
married  Amanda  Tyrell  and  they  have  one  child.  Ivy.  McClellan  married 
Belle  Rising'er  and  he  is  a  merchant  in  ^Manchester  and  the  father  of  three 
children  :  Pearl.  Fern  and  I.cla.  Grant  is  deceased.  He  owned  and  cultivated, 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  a  large  plantation  in  Mississippi.  He  left  a  widow, 
who  was  Anna  Hargitt,  and  ten  children.  These  were.  Bertha,  Whitfield 
(deceased),  John.  ]Man,-,  Frieda,  George.  Sophia,  Mercer,  Roger  and  Ches- 
ter. Thomas  married  Clara  Ruble  and  lives  on  a  farm  near  ^Moores  Hill, 
this  county.  They  have  two  children.  Wilmer  and  'Minnie  AI.  Anna  is 
the  wife  of  John  Gabler.  a  carpenter  living  in  Aurora,  this  state,  and  the 
nvither  of  three  children.  Iva.  Molton  and  Parker.  John  has  never  married 
and  is  in  the  creamery  business  at  Versailles.  Riplev  coimty.  Clint  married 
Efina  Manlief  and  is  a  farmer  near  Manchester.     Thev  have  two  children. 


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5S4  DKARBOKX   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

Evelvn  and  Dorothy.  Ciaude  married  Xcllie  Russell  and  is  a  farnier  and  th': 
father  of  two  children,  Ruth  and  Erma.  Wilmer  and  Lillie  remain  at  home 
with  the  father. 

Edward  Grcenham  received  his  education  in  the  district  school  near  his 
home  and  continued  to  live  with  his  parents  until  ihe  time  of  his  marria.ije 
to  Carrie  Sims,  September  11,  1S81.  At  that  time  he  rented  a  farm  from 
Frank  Reynolds,  where  he  lived  a  year  as  a  renter  and  then  purchased  tl'e 
place  and  has  since  given  his  attention  to  general  farming. 

Carrie  Sims  was  a  daughter  of  Andrew  J.  and  ^Margaret  (Ellis)  Sims 
and  was  born  in  Manchester  township,  September  3,  1856.  She  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  of  her  home  district.  There  is  one  child  to  this  union, 
Bernice  E.,  who  has  been  a  teacher  in  the  jN'Ianchester  township  schools  for 
the  past  twelve  years. 

In  politics  Mr.  Greenham  is  a  Democrat  and  served  his  party  as  road 
supervisor  for  twelve  years,  with  satisfaction  to  all.  Since  March  i,  1914,  he 
has  been  superintendent  of  the  Dearborn  county  infirmary,  located  in  M;;n- 
chester  township.  The  famih'  are  members  of  the  Christian  Union  church. 
Mr.  Greenham  holds  his  frat-.-rnal  affiliation  with  the  Independent  Order  cf 
Odd  Fellows,  having  successively  filled  all  the  chairs  in  his  local  lodge,  ilr. 
Greenham  enjoys  in  a  large  measure  the  sincere  regard  and  confidence  as 
well  as  the  good  will  of  all  who  know  him,  and  is  numbered  among  the  goofl 
citizens  of  his  locality. 


'.:  GEORGE  SUTTON,  M.  D. 

The  foot-prints  that  some  men  leave  behind  them  serve  as  guides  along 
the  pathway,  which  those  coming  after  may  follow  with  impunity.  It  is 
the  lack  of  continuity  and  thoroughness  that  is  responsible  for  so  many  fail- 
ures in  life,  and  unless  that  wliich  one  undertakes  is  given  the  proper  amount 
of  interest  and  attention,  it  is  useless  to  hope  for  the  desired  success.  Dr. 
George  Sutton,  whose  name  introduces  this  biographical  sketch,  and  who  has 
passed  to  the  "great  beyond,"  gave  the  best  there  was  in  him  to  his  life 
work,  the  truth  of  which  statement  is  substantiated  by  the  degree  of  promi- 
nence to  which  he  arose,  and  the  high  order  of  skill  he  attained  in  his  calling. 

George  Sutton  was  born  on  June  iG,  1812,  in  London,  England,  the  son 
of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Ives)  Sutton,  with  whom  he  came  to  America  in 
1819,  locating  at  Cincinnati,   Ohio,    from   which   city   they   removed   to   the 


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DFAKCORN   COrXTY,  INDIANA.  '  585 

W'liitewater  valle}-  in  Franklin  county.  Indiana.  After  he  had  spent  several 
years  at  Miami  Uni\crsity,  Geor<;;e  Sutton  began  the  study  of  medicine  in 
Cincinnati,  under  the  instruction  of  Prof.  John  Eberle,  and  afterwards  under 
that  of  Prof.  S.  D.  Gross,  a  distinguished  authority  on  medicine.  After  at- 
tending three  full  courses  of  lectures  at  the  ^ledical  College  of  Ohio,  lie  v,:is 
graduated  from  that  institution  in  1S36.  From  this  sterling  old  college  two 
of  his  sons  ha\'e  since  received  diplomas.  Locating  at  Aurora,  this  count \-, 
Dr.  George  Sutton  practiced  his  profession  there  for  fifty  years,  buikling 
up  a  large  and  profitable  business.  Doctor  Sutton  was  a  close  and  observant 
student,  and  all  his  writings  are  replete  with  original  and  valuable  ideas.  He 
contributed  largely  to  both  medical  and  scientific  literature,  his  articles  ha\-ing 
been  extensively  copied  in  various  journals  of  the  countr}-.  In  the  winter 
and  spring  of  1S43  he  wrote  a  series  of- papers  on  epidemic  ers-sipelas,  popu- 
larly known  as  "black  tongue,"  a  disease  then  prevalent  in  Aurora  and  the  sur- 
rounding country,  which  pap'crs  were  published  in  full  in  "Copland's  Medical 
Dictionary,"  and  "Xumerly  on  Erysipelas,"  both  standard  English  works. 
Doctor  Sutton  gave  much  attention  to  microscopic  study,  and  made  valu3J)lc 
discoveries  in  regard  to  trichina  and  trichinosis,  showing  that  ivowi  three  to 
ten  per  cent,  of  the  hogs  in  southeastern  Indiana  are  affected  with  trichina, 
and  that  the  disease  may  assume  \-arious  forms  hitherto  unnoticed  by  the  pro- 
fession. "His  method  of  reducing  dislocations  of  the  hip  joint,"  says  Pro- 
fessor Pooley,  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  "is  a  beautiful,  original  and  practical  piece 
of  surgery,  and  one  sure  to 'be  adopted  by  the  profession."  In  1867  Dr.  George 
Sutton  was  elected  president  of  the  Indiana  State  Medical  Society,  an  honor 
highly  aj^preciated  by  him,  because  he  was  not  present  at  that  meeting  and  had 
not  suggested  the  office.  In  1877  '^^  ^^'^^^  chosen  president  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  Indiana,  and  ser\'ed  in 
that  capacity  for  several  years,  delivering  the  annual  address  to  the  graduating 
classes.  As  president  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  Medical  Association  he  de- 
livered a  masterly  address  before  that  body  at  its  meeting  in  Xew  Orleans  on 
May  6,  1885.  Although  engaged  in  active  practice  in  the  different  branches 
of  his  profession,  he  devoted  a  portion  *of  his  time  to  geology,  meteorology 
and  archaeology,  directing  his  special  attention  to  the  antiquities  of  the  neigh- 
borhood. He  made  a  collection  of  fossils  and  geological  specimens,  forming 
a  cabinet  of  many  thousand  specimens,  unsurpassed  by  any  other  of  the  kind 
in  this  section  of  Indiana,  Among  the  subjects  upon  which  Doctor  Sutton 
had  written  are  here  mentioned,  'cholera,  erysipelas,  trichina,  scarlatina,  jila- 
centa,  praevia,  parasites,  dislocation  of  the  hip  joint,  epidemics  of  southern 


Ifr  ■-    >::-    I.  .  ■-■ 


-  ■■•  "M  ,  J   r- 


orii   ^iH"       ■■  T^-^^t 


586  DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

Indiana,  hug-  cliolera.  glacial  deposits,  formation  of  storms  and  causes  of  tb.c 
great  floods  in  the  Ohio  valley.  Doctor  Sutt<.)n  was  a  man  remarkable  for 
independence  of  tliought  and  action,  and  enjuxed  the  confidence  (if  h.is  fel- 
lowmen  for  o\er  half  a  century.  He  took  an  active  part  in  \vhate\er  was 
for  the  good  of  the  city:  was  elected  mayor  of  Aurora  for  three  successive 
terms;  was  a  memlier  of  the  hoard  of  school  trustees  for  more  than  sixteen 
years,  being  instrumental  in  the  establishment  of  the  graded  school  systen; 
and  the  erecticju  of  the  handsome  school  building  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
city. 

On  June  7,  1S3S.  Dr.  George  Sutton  was  married  to  Sarah  P'olbre,  !o 
which  uni(in  fi\e  children  were  born,  four  sons  and  one  daughter,  of  which 
number  only  one.  Dr.  Harle\-  H.  Sutton,  is  now  li\'ing.  At  the  time  of  his 
death.  Doctor  Sutton  was  a  member  of  the  International  ]\Iedical  Congress, 
the  American  Medical  Association,  the  Indiana  State  Medical  Association, 
the  Dearborn  County  Medical  Society,  which  he  helped  to  found,  and  which 
is  now  one  of  the  foremost  in  the  state ;  the  American  Association  for  the 
Advancement  of  Science,  the  Archaeological  Association  of  Indiana,  the  Nat- 
ural History  Society  of  Cincinnati  and  the  Natural  History  Society  of  Dear- 
born county,  being  president  of  the  latter,  and  an  honorary  member  of  numer- 
ous societies  of  similar  character. 


AMOS  w.  snis. 


One  of  the  successful  and  well-known  farmers  of  ^lanchester  township. 
Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  is  Amos  W.  Sims,  the  subject  of  this  biiography. 

Amos  W.  Sims  was  born  in  the  township  where  he  resides,  near  Hogan 
Hill,  on  I'ebruary  12,  1S5Q,  a  son  of  William  and  Catherine  (Ellis)  Sims. 
William  Sims  was  a  native  of  the  Emerald  Isle,  born  in  County  Antrim  on 
April  6.  1S29,  a  son  of  Robert  and  Rose  (  Mackey)  Sims.  When  a  child  of 
two  years,  his  parents  immigrated  to  the  United  States  and  first  located  in 
Ohio.  The  father  was  a  brick  mason  by  trade  and  upon  first  coming  to  this 
country  he  worked  at  that  occupation.  XiDt  being  satisfied  with  their  li^cation 
in  Ohio,  they  came  to  Indiana  and  permanently  settled  in  Manchester  town- 
ship, Dearboi'n  count}',  where  he  took  up  farming.  His  original  holdings  were 
not  large.  t)ut  he  prospered  in  his  undertaking  and  added  to  his  farm  from 
time  to  time  Ipy  purchasing  adjoining  land,  so  that  at  the  time  of  his  death. 


.)'/,: 


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DEARBORN   COUXTV,   INDIANA.  56/ 

at  a  ripe  old  age,  he  was  possessed  of  over  two  hundred  acres  of  fine  farniiny 
land.  He  continued  to  work  at  his  trade  in  addition  to  niana;::ing  liis  farm. 
and  there  are  some  buildings  still  standing-  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home  which 
bear  witness  to  the  care  and  thoroughness  of  his  work.  William  Sims  grew 
to  manhood  in  this  county,  and  when  a  youth  allended  district  sclmol  Xo. 
lo,  of  Manchester  township.  W'hcn  quite  young  he  began  assisting  his 
father  with  the  farm  work  and  as  he  grew  older  he  also  worked  under  his 
father  at  his  trade,  and  until  the  time  of  his  marriage  lie  was  his  father's 
helper  in  whatever  he  undertook.  William  Sims  was  married  to  Catherine 
Ellis  on  Mav  9.  1S51,  and  from  that  time  on  followed  the  trade  of  brick 
mason  until  his  death  on  ]March  8,  189S.  William  was  the  eldest  of  a  family 
of  nine  children,  the  others  being  Andrew,  James,  John,  Robert,  I'^rank,  Rose 
(Mrs.  MclNlullen).  Jane  (Mrs.  Morton),  and  Mary,  of  Kansas  City,  Missouri. 

Catherine  Ellis  was  a  daughter  of  David  Ellis  and  wife,  and  was  born 
in  Manchester  township,  this  county,  where  her  parents  were  among  tl;e 
early  settlers.  She  was  educated  in  the  early  schools  near  her  home  and 
remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  the  time  of  her  marriage.  Her  death 
occurred  in  1895. 

Amos  W.  Sims  is  one  of  a  family  of  twelve  children,  being  the  second 
child  in  order  of  birth.  INlary  ( ]Mrs.  ]\Iorton)  is  the  eldest.  The  others  are, 
Alelvina  ( ?ilrs.  Hall),  Jolin,  IMattie  ( 3.1rs,  Wilson),  William  0.,  and  si.x 
who  died  in  infancy.  Amos  W.  Sims  attended  the  same  district  school  to 
which  his  father  had  gone  in  the  earl\-  days  of  the  county  and  still  known  as 
district  No.  10.  After  his  school  days  were  over,  he  worked  iov  his  father 
a  part  of  the  time  and  at  other  times  hired  out  by  the  month  to  farmers  in  the 
neighborhood.  After  liis  marriage,  he  rented  the  farm  where  he  now  li\es 
and  remained  there  for  two  years,  moving  from  there  to  Wrights  Corner. 
where  he  rented  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  ten  acres  and  remained  five  years. 
He  succeeded  well  in  his  work  and  l>y  that  time  was  able  to  purchase  the  farr.i 
where  he  has  since  lived  and)  which  at  that  time  was  owned  by  his  father-iiv 
law,  William  D.  FIuls. 

On  February  4,  1891,  Amos  W.  Sims  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Eva  Huls,  daughter  of  William  D.  and  Aurilla  (Greene)  Huls.  both  of 
whom  are  descended  from  old  families  in  this  section,  and  living  in  Man- 
chester to\Vnship  at  the  time  of  Eva's  birth.  Eva  received  her  education 
in  the  same  school  Amos  W.  Sinrs  attended  and  remained  at  home  until  the 
time  of  her  marriage.  From  early  girlhood  she  has  been  a  faithful  member 
of  the  Baptist  churcli  and  has  continuously  had  charge  of  a  class  in  the  Simday 
school  ever  since. 


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5S8  DEARBORN    COUNTY^    INDIANA. 

William  ] ).  Huls,  father  of  Mrs.  Sims,  was  born  in  Hamilton  count}-, 
Ohio,  on  May  26,  1S21,  and  came  to  ^lanchcster  townslii]^,  this  county,  with 
his  parents  in  1,828,  during-  the  early  pioneer  days  of  this  section,  and  many 
hardships  and  privations  fell  to  their  lot  in  the  new  homo.  He  received  his 
education  in  tlie  early  subscription  schools  of  pioneer  times  and  worked  wit!i 
the  father,  assisting  him  in  clearing  the  land  and  getting  it  ready  for  culti- 
vation. He  was  married  on  December  24,  1S43,  to  Aurilla  Greene  ami  brought 
his  bride  to  his  father's  house.  There  they  continued  to  reside  and  at  tlie 
time  of  the  father's  death,  took  charge  of  the  farm  and  continued  to  manage 
it  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  William  D.  Huls  died  on  October  35, 
1893.  Aurilla  Greene,  his  wife,  was  born  on  February  18,  1829,  near  where 
the  town  of  Manchester,  Indiana,  now  is,  and  continued  to  reside  there  until 
the  time  of  her  marriage  to  \A'illiam  D.  Huls.  She  was  the  mother  of  eight 
children,  the  youngest  being  Eva,  wife  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch. 
The  others  are:  Laura  (deceased),  who  was  Mrs.  Bratten ;  Henry,  residing 
in  California;  Emmalissa  (deceased),  who  was  ^Irs.  MclMullen;  Emral,  of 
Cincinnati ;  Sarah,  deceased ;  ^larius  and  Plubius,  twins,  the  former  deceased 
and  the  latter  oi  Cincinnati. 

Williani  D.  Huls  was  a  son  of  William  D.  Huls,  Sr.,  and  Fathia  Smith, 
his  wife.  \\'hcn  the  senior  Williani  Huls  came  here  in  the  year  1828  he 
secured  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  government  land  in  ]\Ian- 
chester  townsln'p,  for  which  he  paid  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  per  acre. 
He  was  able  to  clear  part  of  this  and  tilled  the  land  so  prepared  for  cultivation 
until  the  latter  years  of  his  life,  when  his  son  took  charge  of  the  farm.  Will- 
iam Huls,  Sr.,  died  about  1859,  and  was  the  first- person  laid  to  rest  in  Hogan 
Hill  cemetery.  Fathia  (Smith)  Huls  came  from  Ohio  to  this  section  with 
her  husband  in  1S28  and  proved  a  most  faithful  and  helpful  wife  to  hiui 
throughout  the  years  which  were  filled  with  heavy  burdens  for  her  in  rearing 
and  raising  her  family  in  a  new  territory.  She  was  the  mother  of  five  chil- 
dren: Pamelia  (Mrs.  Riggle).  James,  Edmond,  William  D.,  Jr.,  and  Henry. 
Henry  was  preparing  himself  for  the  ministry  and  had  been  licensed  to  preach 
in  what  is  known  now  as  the  Hogan  Hill  Baptist  church,  but  died  at  tlie 
early  age  of  t\venty-one  years,  before  taking  charge  of  the  work. 

Amos  \A'.  Sims  is  known  as  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  his  community 
and  throughout  the  years  of  his  life  in  this  section  he  has  ahvays  been  ac- 
corded the  respect  of  those  who  know  him.  Honest  and  sincere  in  all  he 
undertakes,  he  is  eminently  entitled  to  the  esteem  in  which  he  is  held.  He  is 
a  faithful  member  of  the  Baptist  church  and  in  accordance  with  his  convictions 


, A >  {-.in ,  i     ■,•:':<  1-)    ,'.  vxui : ■  Aaa 


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!:i;ir-:    :  ;:'.'I-.rl.''-«L':     ■-    K    -r..     Otl  v    ,(  h-.-  I'-^v 
.-L)   ■.;:-.-:<,;    :.;!.     ; -;  ■    ,     vi  -f;.,!'!    furs   ^-/r^J    .  ( 

.'<'  /.■(';■■'■    !■  i:,     r-y   ,','iill   .Q  rUi;:!!!'//  'In  tu--   r     ■ 
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.  ../it  :.-.  r 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  589 

on  the  liquor  question  he  votes  the  Prohibition  ticket.  He  is  a  man  of  sterhng 
character,  one  who  gives  an  air  of  substantiahty  to  any  community  and  he 
gladly  renders  any  service  which  count~^  for  the  betlerment  of  any  j^hase  of 
the  life  of  the  section  in  which  he  dwells. 


HENRY   H.   ELLTNGHAUSEN. 

A  beautiful  country  home  is  one  of  the  most  pleasing  sights  upon  which 
the  eye  could  possiblv  rest  in  a  day's  tra^•el  through  the  rural  district,  and  the 
residence  of  Henry  H.  Ellinghausen  is  one  that  not  only  presents  an  attractive 
exterior,  but  it  suggests  that  the  interior  receives  the  same  care  and  attention, 
and  gives  a  general  impression  of  peace,  quiet  and  happiness  beneath  its  roof. 

Henry  H.  Ellinghausen  is  a  son  of  Henry  and  Sophia  (Schrader)  Elling- 
hausen, and  was  born  on  April  13,  i860,  in  jNIanchester  township.  Here  he 
received  a  good  public  school  education.  Before  his  marriage  he  bought  out 
the  other  heirs  of  his  father's  estate  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land, 
and  through  good  management,  he  continued  to  add  to  this  tract,  until  he 
now  owns  about  five  hundred  and  eighty-five  acres,  a  possession  upon  which 
any  man  might  look  with  pride.  Mr.  Ellinghausen  devotes  his  time  and  at- 
tention to  general  farming  and  stock-raising,  in  addition  to  which  he  conducts 
a  good-paying  dairy  business.  He  believes  strongly  in  the  Democratic  poli- 
cies, and  has  sensed  as  superintendent  of  the  Dearborn  county  poor  farm  for 
the  past  ten  years,  and  is  also  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Kyle  Creamery 
Company.  During  the  years  when  toll  roads  were  owned  in  this  locality,  "Mr. 
Ellinghausen  was  president  and  director'  of  the  Manchester  Turnpike  Com- 
pany. 

Henry  Ellinghausen,  Sr..  was  born  in  181 7,  in  Germany,  where  he  at- 
tended school,  and  grew  to  young  manhood,  and  served  for  a  short  time  vr,  I 
the  German  army.  When  twenty-three  years  of  age  he  came  to  the  United  ; 
States  with  his  parents,  landing  at  Baltimore,  and  coming  directly  to  Dear-  j 
born  county.  They  settled  in  I^Ianchester  township,  bu\ing  forty  acres  oi  1 
timber  land,  where  a  place  had  to  be  cleared  before  they  could  build  a  log  j 
cabin.  Mr.  Ellinghausen  soon  united  his  fortunes  "for  better  or  for  worse"  j 
with  those  of  Sophia  Schrader,  and  immediatelv  set  up  a  new  housekeeping  1 
establishment  in  the  new  log  cabin,  which  he  had  helped  to  build.  After  ; 
finding  this  farm  too  small  for  his  requirements,  I\Ir.  Ellinghausen  sold  out.  | 


^:4i.A;i>^Aavi 


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500  •  DEAUr.ORN'    COL'XTV,    IXDIANA. 

and  bou,i4"lit  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  fifteen  acres,  and  in  1864  again  sold 
and  HKived  to  K\le.  Indiana,  where  lie  bun.i^ht  (me  luindred  and  sixty  acTes, 
which  he  euUiwited  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  Decemljer  18,  1875. 
He  was  a  Iwyal  Democrat  and  a  member  of  tlie  Lutheran  chiu'cli,  of  uhicli 
lie  was  one  of  its  official  l^oard  members.  His  wife,  Sophia  Schrader,  was  also 
a  native  of  Germany,  where  she  received  her  education,  coming  to  America 
with  her  parents  a  short  time  before  her  marriage.  Mr.  and  ]\irs.  lillinghausen 
were  the  parents  of  the  following  children  :  Albert,  Sophia,  ]\Iary  (deceased), 
Henry  H..  and  Alartha. 

Henry  tl.  Fdlinghausen  was  married  April  13,  1898,  to  ^lar}'  Fillenworih, 
who  was  born  in  1864,  in  Manchester  townsliip,  and  whose  death  occurrk-d 
on  July  2,  1912.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Catharine  Fillenw<jrth. 
This  union  has  been  blessed  with  one  child,  Selah,  who  is  now  a  student  at 
Kyle.  Indiana.  They  also  have  an  adopted  child,  Elsie  ElHnghausen,  whian 
they  took  into  their  home  while  she  was  very  young..  She  is  now  the  wife 
of  Julius  Lange,  a  farmer  in  Manchester  township,  to  whom  she  was  married 
on  December  24.  1914. 

Jacob  and  Catharine  Fillenwortli,  parents  of  Mrs.  Ellinghatisen,  were 
of  good  pioneer  stock  in  this  section,  where  they  built  a  good  foundation 
for  the  futvn-e  welfare  of  their  descendants. 


CLAUDE  D.  GRFEXHA^L 

Claude  D.  Greenham,  son  of  Sebastian  and  Mary  (Barrows)  Green- 
ham,  was  born  in  Manchester  township,  .April  11,  1875,  where  he  was  reared 
and  educated.  After  his  marriage,  he  established  himself  on  a  fifty-six-acre 
tract  at  Holnian  Ridge,  in  Manchester  township,  which  he  had  previously 
purchased,  and  which  he  cultivated  in  connection  with  one  hundred  and 
twent}'-se\'cn  acres  belonging  to  James  Murdock.  In  1914  Mr.  Greenham 
added  to  his  possessions  by  the  purchase  of  a  six-acre  tract,  containing  a  good 
house  and  barn.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Union  church,  and  his  fraternal  interests  are  with  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows. 

For  the  history  of  Sebastian  and  Mary  (Barrows)  Greenham,  parents 
of  Claude  D..  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  sketch  of  Edward  Greenham,  pre- 
sented elsewhere  in  this  volume. 


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'<->        ,.ri..O      jii. 


DEARIIORN    COUNTY.   IXIUAXA.  591 

Claude  D.  Grccnham  was  married  on  February  j^.  1901,  to  Xellie 
Russell,  daughter  of  William  aud  Jane  (Walker)  Russell.  She  was  l)iirn  in 
.Manchester  township,  where  she  was  educated.  Mrs.  Greenham  was  left  .an 
orphan  at  the  tender  age  of  five  years,  when  she  went  tn  li\e  with  an  aunt 
in  Kansas,  and  two  years  later  was  adopted  by  James  and  .\nna  Murdink,  of 
Manchester  townshiji,  with  wlixm  she  li\-ed  until  her  marriage.  INlrs.  Green- 
ham  is  a  direct  descendant  nf  the  I'.all  faniil}',  who  came  to  .\merica  in  llie 
"Mavflower."  Mr.  and  ]Mrs.  Greenham  have  had  two  cliiUlren,  Ruth  l-diza- 
belh  and  Irma  Mildred. 

William  Russell,  father  of  Airs.  Greenham,  was  born  on  December  2-^, 
1846,  in  Manchester  township,  where  he  attended  the  public  schools,  lie 
was  married  on  May  19,  1S69,  to  Jane  Walker,  and  immediately  went  to 
housekeeping  on  a  farm  ])re\iously  purchased,  and  after  cultivating  the  same 
for  several  years  he  disposed  of  it  and  bought  another  place  near  Cold 
S])rings.  Indiana.  Remaining  here  a  few  years  he  again  sold  out  and  ninxed 
his  family  to  Illinois,  where  he  bought  a  farm  wdiich  he  cidtivated  until  his 
death.  August  2j.  1903.  Mr.  Russell  was  a  Democrat.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Air.  Russell  was  allied  with  the  Masonic  ijrdei'.  in 
which  he  was  a  past  master.  His  wife,  Jane  (Walker)  Russell,  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Alexander  and  Elizabeth  (  Turner)  \\'alker.  She  was  born  in  Sparta 
township,  and  remained  at  home  until  her  marriage.  To  Mr.  and  Airs. 
Russell  were  born  four  children,  Robert,  Xellie,  Mary,  who  died  aged  eighteen 
months,  and  \\'illiam,  also  deceased.  Robert  Russell  and  his  wife,  Sarah 
(\''incent)  Russell,  reside  on  a  fruit  plantation  in  .Arkansas,  of  which  he  is 
overseer.     They  ha\'e  four  children,  Ivan,  bloyd,   Paul  and  X(jel. 

Mr.  Russel!  could  trace  his  lineage  back  to  General  Russell,  who  fought 
under  William  of  Orange. 


EDWARD  COOPER,  D.  V.  S. 


There  are  individual-  in  nearly  every  community  who,  by  reason  of  pro- 
nounced ability  and  force  of  character,  rise  abo\-e  the  heads  of  their  fellows 
and  command  the  esteem  of  their  fellow  men.  Characterized  by  perseverance 
and  a  directing  spirit,  two  virtues  that  never  fail,  such  men  always  make 
their  presence  felt  and  the  vigor  of  their  strong  personality  serves  as  a  stimulus 
to  the  yoimg  and  rising  generation.     To  this  energetic  and  enterprising  class 


/I   /iI'.>-i.'t/.,iU 


:ij"!(h'l    M«>    t'tii'  ..;;i;    -v  .>     tuc 


',,,,!/■ 


I,         ■':!    I'l.i,    I'''.J    ''(■'■:'    f!ii:>jj'.    •.)!'/   .iTn?/     /•/  .'t    ;-;  'J" 

,  ^   .:■-■'■-_     -Ir, ..■!,•/    Mi'!   r!i:,'   '.-ililr 
■:■!•'        i      ...  /,■      ''.--    (1/1     I    i-i-Uc'^   i 


.2  .V 


:v,J. 


592  DEARBORN*  COUNTY,   IXDIAXA. 

the  subject  of  this  review  properly  beiong-s.  Having-  never  been  seized  with 
the  roaming-  desire  that  has  led  many  of  Dearborn  county's  best  voung  men 
to  other  fields  of  endeavor  and  other  states,  Doctor  Cooper  has  devoted  his 
energies  to  enterprises  at  home  and  that  he  has  succeeded  well  is  proven  bv 
his  present  position  in  the  business  life  of  Dearborn  county. 

Edward  Cooper  was  born  in  JNIiller  township,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana, 
May  31,  1S63,  a  son  of  John  and  Ruth  Ann  (Darling)  Cooper.  John  Cooper 
was  a  native  of  England,  having  first  seen  the  light  of  day  in  Lincolnshire, 
January  18.  1S14.  He  received  a  good  education  in  his  native  land  and 
worked  for  his  father  on  the  family  homestead  until  1832,  when,  together 
with  a  sister,  he  inimigrated  to  the  I'nited  States.  They  landed  in  New 
York,  wliere  they  resideil  for  some  time  and  where  John  learned  the  cooper's 
trade.  He  worked  at  that  in  New  ^'ork  City  for  a  few  years  and  then  came 
westward,  locating  at  Cheviot,  Ohio.  At  that  point  he  secured  employment 
on  a  large  stock  farm,  and  being  somewhat  versed  in  the  care  of  live  stock. 
he  soon  became  manager  of  the  establishment  and  remained  there  for  several 
years.  He  purchased  in  that  locality  a  tract  of  land,  which  is  now  the  presei'.t 
site  of  a  portion  of  the  city  of  Cincinnati.  While  living  there  he  married 
and  became  the  father  of  two  children,  later  losing  his  entire  family  through 
death.  He  then  disposed  of  his  holdings  at  Cheviot  and  came  to  this  state, 
locating  in  Ripley  county,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres.  He 
lived  there  but  a  short  time  and  remo\-ed  to  Miller  township,  this  county, 
where  he  was  joined  in  marriage  with  Ruth  Ann  Darliiig,  January  i,  1845. 

Shortly  after  his  marriage  John  Cooper  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred 
acres  from  his  father-in-law.  He  farmed  this  tract  and  raised  some  li-\e 
stock  and  in  addition  to  those  duties  he  kept  tavern  for  traveling  stock  men, 
and  often  kept  in  his  pens  and  field's  over  night  thousands  of  various  heads 
of  cattle.  In  those  days  there  was  no  shipping  by  railroad  as  is  now  done, 
and  all  stock  intended  for  Cincinnati  market  and  points  farther  down  the  river 
had  to  be  driven  to  their  destination.  Often  great  distances  were  covered 
in  this  way.  and  a  place  which  offered  shelter  and  protection  for  both  man 
and  beast  was  n-iuch  prized  and  well  patronized.  In  this  way  John  Cooper 
formed  an  extremely  wide  acquaintance  and  was  probably  as  well  or  better 
known  than  any  other  man  in  this  section.  To  his  original  farm  of  one 
hundred  acres  he  added  an  additional  fifty-six  acres  on  the  east  and  later 
another  fifty  acres  on  the  north.  Here  he  lived  at  the  time  of  his  death,  Jan- 
uary 6,  1903.  , 

Ruth  Ann  Darling,  who  became  the  wife  of  John  Cooper,  was  a  native 


■'.  :        L<y^'r)  >.'»^  '    -  I  .  ■     '■■-■    ;r:' ,    '  •;  >        ):i;    :■ 

■•J      :    •^:;.  1  ■   1,1^;;     .:.   ^(  ■  -    •-•;■    ,.';■  ■  :-'    'v ■■■>:-  r' 

:     '.m:.';;     -:-'"'  >j;.^::^'     hi-a;    )     •:!':       .>     '.-^M:';:'!         '      ■: 


M  .,                    ■.  :;         '■'',^'■1     '■■■■'    Kr'V     1:     I-.'--     fvTr;q     -^n  yi^^!,.        • 

.  ._■-.:     :       .„,iu.]    .;-;,nhKC   riri',   ;"■■-'    '--  -  •  ■ .  • 

-'     .  !    -''.,!')(..    ■  ,  rbuhrAiOii-  jn':.;fii  'isvo     '  • 

'■  Tf!    li:."'/    -/■■_.! 


"|oc~   .!.■{;!_  Vj  ■jjlv;  jffj  Drri/.n-id  ariv/  ,^n!i; 


DEARBORN'  COUXTY,  INDIANA.  ■  '        .  593 

of  this  county,  born  on  September  9,  1825.  She  received  her  education  in 
llie  early  subscription  schools  of  the  county  and  remained  with  her  parenis 
until  the  time  of  her  marriage.  To  her  were  born  nine  children,  as  follow: 
William,  the  eldest,  was  born  on  May  14,  1S45,  and  is  now  a  farmer  near 
Oxford,  this  state.  His  wife  before  her  marriage  was  Isabelle  AlclNIullen  and 
to  them  has  been  born  a  family  of  four  children,  Grace,  Herbert,  Laura  and 
Pauline.  Thomas  was  born  on  May  22,  1S47,  and  lives  near  Boswell,  Ben- 
ton county,  this  state,  \\'herc  he  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising  business.  His  wife  was  Sallie  Hazleby,  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
seven  children.  Charles,  William,  Etta,  Walter,  Flora,  Artliur  and  Edith. 
Sarah  was  born  in  1849  and  now  lives  at  Robinson,  Illinois.  Jairies  R.  was 
born  on  October  12,  1851,  and  is  located  in  Bell  county,  Texas,  where  he 
is  engaged  in  agriculture.  His  wife  was  Ella  Blasdell  and  they  have  a  family 
of  ten  cliildren,  Carrie,  Ora,  Sadie,  Florence,  Blanche,  James ;  and  four  de- 
ceased, Fannie,  John.  Scott  and  an  infant.  John  W.  was  born  on  October 
27.  1853,  and  married  Ella  Jackson.  He  also  lives  in  Benton  county,  where 
he  is  engaged  in  farming  and  is  the  father  of  four  children.  The  eldest, 
Edna,  is  dead,  and  those  living  are  Ethel,  Floyd  and  Pearl.  ^lalthew  was 
born  on  December  13.  1855,  and  married  for  his  first  wife  Jennie  Hayes, 
who  bore  him  one  daughter,  Bessie.  After  her  death  he  married  Adeline 
Courtney  and  by  that  marriage  he  has  a  son,  Bert.  Matthew  is  a  general 
stock  farmer  in  Benton  count}',  this  state,  and  is  also  known  as  the  owner 
of  a  good  line  of  race  horses.  David,  who  was  born  on  January  13,  1857, 
died  when  young,  on  ]\Iarch  22,  1865.  The  next  in  the  family  is  Edward, 
the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  born  on  May  31,  1863.  Lucy  is  the 
widow  of  Frank  Bodine  and  the  mother  of  three  children,  Bern,  Harry  and 
Darrell.  Harr^-,  the  youngest  of  the  family,  born  on  May  19,  1871,  also 
resides  at  Boswell,  Benton  county,  where  he  is  in  the  butcher  business.  He 
married  Mary  Myers  and  has  two  children,  Lelia  and  Flelen. 

When  a  boy,  Edward  Cooper  attended  the  common  schools  of  his  home 
district  and  aided  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  farm  and  tavern  until  the 
time  of  his  marriage  to  Mildred  Boswell,  December  16,  1885.  They  were 
married  at  Parish  Grove,  Benton  county,  this  state,  and  for  four  years  they 
rented  and  farmed  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  They  then  sold 
out  their  belongings  and  moved  to  Manchester,  this  state,  purchasing  seventy- 
si.x  acres  of  land  there  in  1890.  He  was  engaged  in  general  farming  for 
a  few  years  and  then  began  specializing  in  the  horse  and  stock  business. 
About  1905  he  added  to  his  original  tract  of  land,  buving  seventv-two  acres 

(38) 


1 1  '   --/',.,),  =: 


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■O  (,o  M.-.A  ^, ....  .V,  ,,,  .,,;      •,..,.!,,  ,, 

•       -lu^'   -   :,-'i:-W    ,v,   ;.,■.,;       [;;    ,:.i       ,, 
^jrlT      ,rr.--:i  !t,'-i    i-oi    ,     t-!;i:'    >r\^ 
/'■,:-'!'.^!.:    .!/,;v;    ;,;,j,   [.-/  .ri    ,i^,t:i    -i-i.. 
'-'     •'!!     ■]_      n  •/   :-  .■'.    -■'■■;■        "i    ^^i  I  ir.  :i    \>'.;:^ 
i.    l.>;'ni>rr     -r;    iilj7;>0   T'.i    'I:'!:  \       .-jiv- 

,;  '     ,.'..;().(_  rv  .rr-d  ^,  ■// 

T        r  ;,o-,      , ?./■  ....  . 


^r>. 


594  DKAKBORX   COUXTV,   IXDIAXA.  .      - 

(in  the  north,  and  from  thai  time  to  1909  he  practiced  as  a  non-g^raduaie 
veterinary  physician.  On  Scpteniljer  20,  1909,  he  entered  the  Indiana  \'ete!  i- 
nar_\'  College,  at  Indianapolis,  and  took  the  complete  course,  being  graduated 
from  that  institution  on  April  12,  1912,  and  since  that  time  he  has  practiced 
his  profession  in  additii^n  to  managing  the  work  of  his  farm. 

Doctor  Cooper  is  uniformly  successful  in  treating  his  dumb  patient;, 
having  a  natural  understanding  of  and  aptitude  for  handling  those  of  tb.c 
equine  race.  He  has  se\'eral  fine  stallions  in  his  stables,  among  them  being 
a  Shire  stallion.  No.  10306,  atul  "Kappa,"  Xo.  77044,  the  latter  being  a  pure- 
breed  Percheron.  He  also  owns  "Little  Dan,"  one  of  the  best  road  horses 
ever  owned  in  this  count}-,  and  in  previous  }-ears  has  owned  man}-  stallions 
equally  as  good  as  those  now  occupying  his  stalls. 

Mrs.  Cooper  was  born  in  Parish  Grove,  this  state,  on  February  4,  1-^65, 
and  being  orphaned  when  a  child,  she  made  her  home  with  her  uaicle.  IleiT}- 
Robertson,  until  the  tim.e  of  her  marriage.  Doctor  and  ^Nlrs.  Cooper  ha^■e 
two  sons,  .Ernest  and  Roy,  both  at  home. 

Doctor  Cooper  is  a  man  of  decided  con\-ictions  on  all  the  questioiis  of 
"the  da}-  and  gives  earnest  support  to  all  movements  ha\-iug  as  their  ultimate 
object  the  betterment  of  \he  social,  moral,  educational  or  material  life  of  the 
community.  The  result  is  that  he  enjijys  in  a  large  measure  the  sincere  regard 
and  esteem  of  a  wide  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances  throughout  th.e 
county. 

His  religious  membership  he  holds  with  the  ^lethodist  Episcopal  church, 
to  which  he  gives  liberall}-  of  his  means,  and  his  fraternal  affiliation  is  held 
with  the  Free  and  Accepted  ^Masons. 


GEORGE  F.  DIEFEXBAUGH.  ;.         • 

The  foundation  for  the  present  prosperity  of  the  Hoosier  state  was  laid 
many  years  ago  by  those  who  cleared  the  land  and  made  it  ready  for  culti- 
vation, and  among  these  early  citizens  of  the  state  there  was  no  class  which 
contributed  more  rapidly  to  the  growth  and  development  of  the  common- 
wealth than  those  men  and  women  who  came  here  from  the  German  empire. 
The  predominating  trait  of  their  nation  is  frugality  and  this,  coupled  with 
integrit}-  and  an  honest  desire  to  succeed,  played  no  small  part  in  opening  up 
this  section  to  the  advance  of  civilization.  Of  this  excellent  class  of  citizens. 
the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  worthv  descendant. 


•'.i/l   ,',  rz   !•    ;    ^j<  jt,,'  •  -I  I 


i|  .-J.'.    I  I'ji'i     .  •;    •«frs;     '    ii:    irii  •;;     h;;:: 


H 


,)  -..'if   III  ili->]  ,  ,■ 
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.no'j/ az^'i.uia  .T  :i;)>:oMO 


•h    'fin 


DEARISORN    COLW  TV,   IXDIAXA.  595 

Gcorgu  F.  Dietenliaugli  was  hurn  in  Cincinnati,  Ohii.i,  June  15,  1S63, 
being  a  son  ol  Ailam  ami  ]^lizal)Cth  ( W'endcl )  Dicfenbaugli,  being  the  tb.irJ 
child  in  their  familv  oS  twelve  children.  The  others  arc:  William,  deceased; 
Anna,  now  ?ilrs.  Amni ;  Henry,  of  Xebiaska:  Kate,  was  ]\Irs.  Link,  now- 
deceased;  Elizabeth,  now  Mrs.  Adams;  John,  of  Ohio;  Martha,  nnw  .Mrs. 
b'.ode;  Ed.,  of  Milan,  Rii)le_\-  count),  this  state;  John  Wdliani,  of  Cincinnati; 
and  two  who  died  in  infanc}'. 

Adam  Diefenbaugh  was  born  in  Germany  in  1S32,  and  when  a  child  of 
two  years  was  brought  to  this  country  by  his  parents.  The  voyage  was 
made  in  a  sail  boat,  many  weeks  being  consumed  in  the  passage,  and  the 
family  finally  touched  the  shores  of  the  new  land  at  Xew  Orle:ms.  They 
h.ad  the  Hoosier  state  in  mind  as  their  destination,  and  filling  themselves 
out  with  a  team  of  oxen  and  a  covered  wagon,  they  accotnplished  the  dis- 
tance between  this  county  and  New  Orleans  entirely  in  this  manner.  Upoa 
reaching  Lawrenceburg  after  their  arduous  journey,  they  located  on  a  farm 
which  thev  rented,  north  of  the  then  small  town  of  Lawrenceburg,  and  there 
they  remained  but  one  year.  Their  next  move  was  to  a  farm  near  Harmon 
Station  known  now  as  the  i'ligel  place,  and  there  the  family  remained  for 
six  vears.  at  which  time  they  came  to  JManchestcr  township  and  settled  per- 
manently on  a  laim  near  Hogan  creek.  Adam  Diefenbaugh  remained  under 
the  parental  roof  until  the  time  of  his  marriage  to  EHzabeth  Wendel,  in  185S, 
and  continued  to  work  on  the  homestead  with  the  father  until  the  time  of 
the  latter's  death  in  1S71,  when  he  took  complete  charge  of  the  farm  of 
eighty  acres,  buying  out  the  interests  of  the  other  heirs.  There  he  continued 
for  the  balance  of  his  life,  passing  away  on  April  7,  1894. 

Adam  Diefenbaugh  held  his  religious  membership  in  the  Lutheran 
church,  being  an  active  member  of  the  same.  For  many  years  he  was  a 
member  of  the  official  board  and  did  much  t(.i  advance  the  cause  of  the  society. 
In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  although  not  devoting  much  titne  to  this  ques- 
tion, although  he  was  a  man  who  took  great  interest  in  all  questions  which 
affected  the  welfare  of  the  community  in  wdiich  he  had  chosen  to  make  his 
home.  He  was  a  son  of  Michael  Diefenbaughj  w1k>  was  born  in  Germany  in 
1801,  receiving  an  excellent  education  in  his  youth  and  also  serving  his  time 
in  the  German  army.  After  returning  hnme  from  the  army,  he  turned  his  at- 
tention to  farming,  and  remained  in  his  native  land  until  thirty-three  years  of 
age,  at  which  time  he  immigrated  to  tliis  countn-.  His  wife  died  the  year 
after  he  reached  Dearborn  county  and  he  ne\er  remarried.  He  first  se- 
cured from  the  government  a  tract  of  land  containing   forty  acres  and  the 


d  >■  .:■    ,.l..:fi  f.-ahA 


■'  •  .-J I  o  vi 


ij'fi      I:    '    .     :■■.    .:   .  ■•// 

.-'■-,»■;,■■  -      ■■•  ? 

■)   ■•>!:,  .      •  ■■;   ■,:;':;  if..  i(,v/  ;::  .i'i;-->v  "'i-' 


r.'l        .  !!■:<    tjih    to    r,dit"i:r-    . 


...)  vrirr;^  .^w' 


-•'.■•■\  "lo   !:>in?   \;    ki- 


596  DEARBOKN   CO^.^\■TY,   IXDIAXA. 

next  year  secured  an  addilional  forty,  for  all  of  which  he  paid  one  dullar  and 
twenty-five  cents  per  acre.  Six  years  later  he  added  the  Fogel  place  to  his 
farm,  and  continued  to  farm  the  entire  tract,  with  the  aid  of  his  son  Adam, 
until  the  time  of  his  death. 

Elizabeth  (W'endel)  Diefenbaugh  was  born  in  Germany,  in  1833.  She 
received  a  good  education  in  her  native  land  and  when  fifteen  years  of  age 
was  brought  to  this  countr)-  by  lier  parents.  They  located  first  in  Cincinnati 
and  lived  in  that  city  for  three  years,  when  they  decided  to  try  farm  life  and 
settled  in  Riplev  county,  remaining  there  for  the  balance  of  their  lives.  Eliza- 
I^eth  remained  with  her  parents  until  the  time  of  her  marriage  to  Adam 
Diefenbaugh. 

George  F.  Diefenbaugh  was  but  an  infant  when  his  parents  came  from 
Cincinnati  to  ^lanchester  township,  Dearborn  county.  He  grew  to  manhood 
here,  receiving  his  education  at  district  school  Xo.  11,  near  his  home,  and 
remained  with  the  father  until  1SS7,  when  with  the  desire  to  see  something  of 
the  country  he  went  to  Xebraska.  and  for  one  year  lived  the  life  of  a  cowboy. 
Soon  after  his  return  home,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  [Marguerite 
Hiller,  daughter  of  John  and  Dora  (Ellingliausen)  Hillcr,  the  ceremony 
being  performed  on  February  21.  1889.  ]Mr.  Diefenbaugh  and  his  bride  set- 
tled on  a  farm  of  eightv  acres  which  they  rented  from  Enoch  Xowlin.  and 
remained  there  three  years.  They  next  rented  a  farm  of  three  hundred 
and  forty  acres  from  F.  i\Ie}er  and  lived  there  until  the  house  was  destro}'ed 
by  fire  one  year  later.  They  next  went  to  York  township,  where  for  seven 
years  they  lived  on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  owned  by  Thi^mas 
Emerson.  By  that  time  the  family  homestead  was  in  need  of  someone  to  take 
charge  of  it,  and  for  the  next  two  years  Air.  Diefenbaugh  rented  this  farm 
from  his  mother.  The  place  was  then  purchased  by  a  brother  and  for  auijt'ner 
year  Mr.  Diefenbaugh  continued  to  be  a  renter  and  then  purchased  the  old 
family  homestead  for  his  own.  This  contained  eighty  acres  and  after  living 
thereon  for  another  six  years,  subject  purchased  a  farm  adjoining-  of  the 
same  size.    This  makes  him  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  his  homestead. 

Mrs.  Diefenbaugh"s  parents,  John  and  Dora  (Elhnghausen)  Hiller. 
were  both  born  in  Germany  and  while  they  were  acquainted  in  their  native 
land,  their  marriage  did  nijt  take  place  until  they  were  settled  in  Lawrence- 
burg.  He  settled  first  on  a  tract  of  land  which  he  rented  and  farmed  for  fi\c 
years  and  thtn  purchased  the  Xowlin  farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty-five 
acres,  where  bodi  he  and  his  wife  passed  the  remainder  of  their  days.  Both 
were  devout  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  ^Ir.  Hiller  served  bnth  as  a 


-.}A  ,f  >,     (i.   -TO*      .  :-.%> 


'.;  ,-.■:;  h\'.J  Hi    t^-i-''.    'ij-r, 
'■...  ■:■■'  if:-:':  -.  .-  o!  1 

r>;  ,.   .^ir:    d   ^i('  -rnoa   .!  t    .w-'''   lot  . 
./'.imV/''J  ;;  l^j  cjJiS  j!li  hc'/'i  •i;:o7  -■;,■-   fr'j   fin 

-    -^    ■  :   rul    wrl    ;„:.      ,{y:; 


J  .      ,    ^. 


.  ■'■,..■!!-  .1)  ::j;y/  :>■ 

111      j:!      ;M!|J      i^'i/ilT' 


DEAKBORN   COU.XTV,   INDIANA.  ■  597 

deacon  and  elder  for  several  years.  There  were  eight  chiUlren  in  this  famil_y, 
Mrs.  Uiefenbaugh  being  the  third  in  order  of  birth.  Tlu-  eldest  was  Henry, 
who  is  a  fanner  living  in  the  state  of  IMissonri;  Albert,  who  farms  in  Iowa; 
as  do  also  Fred  and  George;  r^Iary  is  j\irs.  Engelking,  and  lives  in  Okla- 
homa; John  resides  at  Tipton,  Indiana;  and  .Anna  is  ;\Irs.  Fonlkc.  of  Law- 
renceburg  township,  this  county. 

George  F.  Diefenbaugh  is  a  man  of  quiet  and  unassuming  disposition, 
genial  and  friendly  in  his  relations  with  others,  and  he  has  for  many  years 
enjoyed  a  wide  acquaintance  and  large  prestige  throughout  the  community 
where  he  lives.  In  politics  he  votes  the  Republican  ticket,  and  holds  his  reli- 
gious membership  with  the  Lutheran  church,  being  an  official  member  of  that 
body.  To  IMr.  and  Mrs.  Diefenbaugh  have  been  born  a  family  of  eight 
children,  of  whom  Albert  is  the  eldest.  ?le  is  located  on  a  farm  near  Sheldon, 
Illinois.  Louis  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  and  one-half  years.  The  other 
children,  Fred,  ^lary,  Harry,  Arthur,  Anna  and  George,  remain  at  home  with 
the  parents. 


JAMES  ^lURDOCK. 


The  decade  from  1S40  to  1S50  witnessed  the  arrival  in  this  countrv  of 
many  desirable  immigrants  from  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland,  who  were  quick  to  see  the  opportunities  in  this  new  land  and  had 
the  strength  and  courage  to  transform  their  hopes  into  realities.  Among 
them  was  James  IMurdock,  the  subject  of  this  biography. 

James  Murdock  is  a  son  of  William  and  Anna  (McGookin)  ]\Iurdock, 
and  was  born  on  June  2^.  1S36,  in  Ireland,  where  he  attended  school  for 
several  years.  Coming  to  America  with  his  parents,  when  but  eleven  years 
old,  in  1847,  he  completed  the  course  in  the  country  school,  and  remained 
with  his  parents  on  the  farm  until  the  time  of  his  marriage,  when  he  com- 
menced housekeeping  at  Aurora.  Indiana,  where  he  was  employed  in  a 
foundrv'  about  four  years.  Leaving  that  place,  lie  went  to  Missouri  and  rented 
a  farm,  and  not  liking  the  climate,  he  removed  in  a  short  time  to  Sullivan. 
Indiana,  where  he  bought  eighty-twii  acres  of  land,  and  cultivated  it  for 
fourteen  years.  Tiring  of  this  location,  he  sold  and  moved  to  Manchester 
township,  Dearborn  county,  where  he  did  general  farming  until  satisfied  with 
his  accumulation  of  wealth.  He  rented  his  farm  to  Claude  Greenham,  and 
is  living  a  life  of  retirement,   which  he  enjoys  to  the   fullest  extent.     His 


?i/    rWJ 


.      ,    ■■:       ■    i    /  ;:    ;;;    -  ,ni:']j-r-  II'     aU    -yi--   ■■!    Aj 


558  DEAKUORN   COUXTV,   INDIANA. 

straightforwai'il  method  of  dealing  with  his  fellow  men  has  won  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  the  citizens  of  the  township,  and  he  is  a  man  who  has 
always  been  interested  in  cjueslions  concerning  the  welfare  and  benefit  of 
the  public.  ■Mr.  .\liu-doek  has  always  jjcen  a  true  Democrat.  At  present  he 
is  a  director  of  the  Moores  Hill  State  Bank. 

William  and  Anna  (Gookin)  Murdock  were  both  natives  of  Ireland. 
The  former  was  born  in  1796,  and  was  educated  in  the  land  of  his  nati\itv. 
After  his  marriage  he  cultivated  a  farm  for  several  years,  about  tweh-e  miles 
from  Belfast,  Ireland.  He  brought  his  family  to  the  I'nited  States  in  1S47, 
and  landed  at  New  Orleans,  after  a  voyage  of  ten  weeks  and  three  da}-?. 
They  came  up  the  !Mississi]ipi  river  and  then  up  the  Ohio  river  to  Aurora, 
Indiana,  and  rented  a  farm  in  Sparta  to\Miship,  where  they  remained  but  a 
short  time,  and  then  rented  sixty  acres  in  Manchester  township.  Thev  lived 
on  this  place  three  years,  and  after  a  number  of  later  moves,  finally  settled  in 
Sullivan  county,  jMissoui'i,  in  1S56,  where  he  bought  sixty  acres,  on  which 
he  lived  and  died  a  few  years  later.  His  wife,  Anna  (!McGookin)  ^vlur- 
dock,  lived  with  her  parents  until  her  marriage,  and  came  to  America  with 
her  husband  and  children,  of  whom  she  was  the  mother  of  eight,  John,  George. 
William,  James,  Isabel,  Jane,  ^latilda  and  Jennie. 

John  ]^Lurdock  died  on  their  \'oyage  to  the  United  States,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Gulf  of  ]\Iexico;  George  died  on  a  farm  in  ^lissouri ;  William 
was  a  school  teacher  in  ^^lissouri,  where  he  also  died;  James,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch :  Isabel,  the  wife  of  Samuel  !McKinstrey,  died  in  ]\Ianchester  town- 
ship;  Jane  became  the  second  wife  of  Samuel  Steele,  of  Sullivan  coimty, 
Missouri,  where  she  died,  leaving  twelve  children,  including  four  sets  of 
twins;  ]\Iatilda  is  the  wife  of  James  Bo}dand,  and  is  now  living  on  a  farm 
in  Sullivan  county,  Missouri,  and  they  have  three  children,  Samson,  .\nna 
and  Edna.  Jennie,  the  first  wife  of  Samuel  Steele,  died  in  Aurora,  in  1S49. 
leaving  no  children. 

James  [Murdoch  was  married  on  November  1,3,  1862.  to  Anna  Russell, 
daughter  of  James  A.  and  Elizabeth  (Barclay)  Russell.  !\Irs.  ]\Iurdock  was 
a  native  of  Ireland.,  but  came  to  America  with  her  parents  when  cjuite  \oung, 
remaining  with  them  until  lier  marriage.  'Mr.  au'l  Mrs.  [Murdoch  have  ne\er 
been  blessed  with  any  children  of  their  own,  and  longing  for  childish  voices 
to  brighten  their  lonely  hours,  adopted  four  children :  Samuel  [McKinstrey. 
Anna  McKinstrey,  David  Johnston  and  Nellie  Russell.  Samuel  AIcKinstrey 
died  in  Colorado  at  the  age  of  twenty-five;  Anna  [McKinstrey  became  the 
wife  of  Hugh  Withered,  a  farmer  in  ^lanchester  township.     They  have  two 


/  -',.Mi:  Vl      n  /,  .;,•,:;   ,■  ?i:VMi.^H\ 


/'..'!    •    -<  I    rili',      ;*•:!. 


;    ■  i;     fll'-„l     ■:■■■}.■■ 


.  i  y'::  '■■■'.in  ^rl  yr:^d  ;;  .■  i;M.-;_:i':    ::}  -fs. 


fl.   .ciK 


u'/'?';v;V  ^y^i^:3r^^,,,;JC■  f(i  ■'-r 


DEARBORN   COirXTV,   IXPIAXA.  JQf) 

chilrlrcn,  Beiijainiii  and  Rayinond.  David  Johnston  is  a  prosperous  pli}sieia;i 
at  ^loores  Hill,  Indiana.  Xfllic  became  the  wife  of  Clande  Greenham,  whose 
sketch  is  presented  elsewhere  in  this  book. 

James  A.  and  Elizabeth  (Barclay)  Russell,  the  parents  of  Mrs.  Mur- 
dock.  were  natives  of  Irelaiifl,  where  the  former  was  educated  and  afterward 
learned  the  stone  mason's  trade,  which  he  folh^wed  for  a  number  of  years 
before  coming  to  America,  lie  arrived  at  I'hiladelphia  about  1844,  and  came 
directly  to  Aurora,  Indiana,  buying  a  small  farm  near  Hogan  creek,  where 
he  lived  until  death  called  him  hence.  JMr.  Russell  continued  to  follow  the 
stone  mason's  trade  in  this  country,  and  assisted  in  building  many  of  the  finest 
houses  in  this  section  of  the  county.  In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  in 
religion  a  memlier  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Sparta,  which  church  he 
helped  to  build,  and  served  as  its  first  elder.  He  died  on  Alarch  i,  1855, 
shortly  before  the  church  Avas  finished,  leaving  a  widow  and  eight  children. 
His  wife,  Elizabeth,  was  a  daughter  of  James  and  Amelia  Barclay.  She  was 
born  and  educated  in  Ireland,  and  lived  with  her  parents  in  that  country 
until  her  marriage.  This  union  was  blest  with  eight  children,  Anna,  John, 
Robert,  Hilary,  William.  Hugh,  Elizabeth.  Sarah  J.  John  Russell  went  to 
war  in  the  Seventh  Regiment,  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  was  taken  pris- 
oner and  died  in  Andersonville  prison;  Robert  went  to  war  in  the  Sixteenth 
Re,giment,  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  lost  his  life  at  Vicksburg. 

After  an  active  and  useful  life,  James  ^Nlurdock  is  justly  entitled  to  the 
peace  and  quiet  which  he  is  now  enjoying. 


■   PROF.  ROBERT  WALLACE  LUSK. 

There  is  perhaps  no  calling  more  fraught  with  potential  possibilities  for 
the  future  than  that  of  an  instructor  of  youth.  While  young  children  are 
sent  to  school  primarily  to  secure  the  rudiments  of  an  education,  oftentimes 
the  knowledge  gained  from  books  is  the  least  part  of  the  training,  for  a  high- 
minded  and  far-seeing  teacher  can  instill  info  the  tender  minds  under  his  care 
the  seeds  of  an  honorable  ambition  which  with  the  unfolding  of  the  life  of  the 
pupil  may  expand  into  a  wonderful  and  far-reaching  benefit  to  humanity.  Tb.e 
man  whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  while  young  in  years,  is  possessed  of  the 
worthy  ambition  to  so  influence  the  lives  of  the  young  under  his  care  as  toj 
throw  all  his  influence  on  the  side  of  the  better  things  of  life. 


Y.I  U'  y:    ■/ ,  /  lov    ■_■■  •T.J,    .<j 


.f!-».;,>l 


:,.;     ,r    /■:;.:!..    n_;    l.^ii'    v!t       '•■(•.   :?i:!    -ji 


.^.•i:j>.!    : 'iV    i:;  ■■!;!  riid  ;^:'-    !•  m;  .vUr/'f. 


:':s'  ij  'ro/  ejay/  T^.'^iaoa  ."^ojim 


■!■  J     ^   ;-;-ri;,.v,n,     ^.;,  ;ii:;j,   ,-!    r\:rrf 


.yi.'j  M  ''Ti'milt  733jrjr!  y;-)  v^  'ifti?  SiiJJ  no 


600  DEARBOKN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

Roliert  Wallace  Lusk  was  born  in  Manchester  townsln'p.  I^carborn  conn 
ty,  April  4,  1S89,  a  son  of  Luther  and  Emma  (Van  Scyoc)  Lusk.  His  father 
was  born  in  Dayton,  Kentucky,  June  15,  i860,  and  owing-  to  the  death  of  liis 
mother  when  he  was  a  small  child,  Liither  was  taken  into  the  home  of  Mrs. 
Phyllis  Alexander,  of  this  township,  and  there  carefully  reared.  He  received 
his  education  in  the  schools  near  his  home  and  worked  on  the  farm  for  ]\Irs. 
Alexander  until  the  time  of  his  marriage  to  Emma  Van  Scyoc,  February  4, 
1885.  After  his  marriage,  he  purchased  from  Mrs.  Alexander  her  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  twelve  acres,  and  there  he  has  since  lived  and  reared  liis  family. 
Luther  Lusk  is  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church,  devoting  much  time  and 
means  to  the  cause  of  the  local  society  which  he  serves  in  an  official  capa- 
city. In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
party  and  holds  his  fraternal  affiliation  with  the  ancient  order  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons.  Emma  Van  Scyoc,  his  wife,  was  born  in  ]\Lanchester 
township  and  received  her  education  in  the  public  school  near  here  home.  She 
remained  with  her  parents  until  the  time  of  her  marriage  to  Luther  Lusk, 
to  whom  she  has  borne  two  children,  Alton  G.,  and  Robert  Wallace,  the 
immediate  subject  of  this  sketch.  Alton  G.  married  Ethel  Davenport,,  and  is 
a  farmer  near  Soutli  Bend,  this  state.  Previous  to  going  there,  he  taught 
school  in  this  township  for  four  years  and  has  many  friends  among  those 
with  whom  he  labored.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church  and  also 
of  the  order  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons. 

Robert  Wallace  Lusk  received  his  elementary  education  in  the  schools  near 
his  home,  later  attending  high  school  and  the  Normal  College  at  Danville, 
this  state,  taking  his  teacher's  training  at  the  same  institution.  After  returning 
to  his  home  he  taught  one  term  at  district  school  No.  14,  of  Manchester  town- 
ship, and  has  now  been  principal  of  high  school  No.  6,  at  Manchester,  for  the 
past  two  terms. 

In  Januaiy,  1914,  Robert  Wallace  Lusk  was  united  in  marriage  with  Fern 
Greenliam,  and  to  their  union  has  been  born  one  son,  Paul  Enloe.  Mrs. 
Lusk  is  a  daughter  of  McClellan  and  Belle  Greenham  and  was  born  at  Man- 
chester, being  one  of  a  family  of  three  children,  namely :  Pearl,  Lela  and 
Fern. 

Professor  Lusk  is  a  member  of  the  L'niversalist  church,  as  are  the  other 
members  of  his  family.  He  holds  his  fraternal  affiliation  in  the  ancient  order 
of  Free  and  Accepted  ^tlasons,  through  Burns  Lodge  No.  55,  of  which  body  he 
is  serving  as  secretary  at  the  present  time.  Professor  Lusk  is  most  anxious 
to  advance  the  welfare  of  his  community  along  all  possible  lines,  and  any  move- 


'/  Kivcj  ,yr ■/-■.;<.;>  /s* on »,.•-. •in' 


.(.H 


.:'■'  "    /'lod  -';,0],  ; '  • 

,J.    :■   ■  o  I    ''*   '•;;i-i-.7Gi,[  Tjii   ;., 


•sirif:.'it  rr'f  fiilfniJ  rKV/  :'• 


IV.   ::      ri,'-7'  ,.-"jfr:  'iWi.--;^oq  lib  :5: 


DEARBORX   COUNT V,  INDIANA.  Coi 

meiit  having  as  its  ultimate  aim  the  betterment  of  the  social,  moral,  educational 
or  material  life  of  the  locality,  finds  in  him  a  most  earnest  advocate.  He 
has  proved  himself  faithful  to  e\ery  trust  imposed  in  him  antl  in  \-ie\v  of  his 
accomphshments  Avhile  still  so  young-  a  man,  he  bids  fair  to  do  still  greater 
tilings  in  the  future  as  the  years  bring  greater  opportunities  and  add  to  him 
their  dignity  and  experience. 


WILLIAM  F.  BUSSE. 


No  class  of  our  adopted  citizens  has  been  more  successful  in  America  than 
that  of  German  lineage.  Their  courage  and  energy  have  done  much  to  insjiire 
many  of  our  native-born  sons  and  daughters  with  energy  and  ambition,  with- 
out which  progress  and  success  are  at  a  standstill.  The  skillful  maimer  in 
which  Mr.  Busse,  whose  sketch  is  here  written,  has  managed  and  increased 
his  splendid  farming  interests,  has  established  an  example  which  generations  to 
come  would  do  well  to  follo\\-.  Simple  as  it  appears  to  one  looking  on,  it  takes 
an  expert  to  make  a  financial  success  of  farming.  Most  anyone  can  make  a  liv- 
ing, but  a  man  makes  a  serious  mistake  in  neglecting  to  see  to  it  that  he  puts 
enough  aside  for  the  proverbial  "rainy  day,"  and  the  subject  of  this  biography 
was  one  of  the  few  who  not  only  provided  for  the  wet  weather,  but  saw  to  it 
that  even  the  storms  could  beat  their  strength  out  without  materially  affect- 
ing his  comfort,  or  give  him  any  concern  regarding  his  financial  soundness. 

William  F.  Busse  was  one  of  the  wealthiest  and  most  influential  farmers 
of  Dearborn  county.  He  was  born  on  January  31,  186 1,  in  ^lanchester  town- 
ship, but  received  his  education  in  Hogan  township.  His  parents  were  Henry 
C.  and  Angeline  (Ges.sel)  Busse.  After  leaving  school  he  assisted  his  father 
on  the  farm  until  his  marriage,  when  he  set  up  a  housekeeping  establishment 
of  his  own  in  Hogan  township,  on  a  ten-acre  tract,  which  he  cultivated  for 
about  nine  years,  and  then  bought  a  more  profitable  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
ninety-six  acres  in  Manchester  township.  Here  he  carried  on  a  general  farm 
and  dairy  business,  and,  about  ten  years  since,  he  bought  the  old  Busse  home- 
stead, which  he  rented  out  to  a  good  advantage.  Mr.  Busse  filled  several  of 
the  township  offices,  ser\-ing  faithfully  as  township  trustee  for  four  years. 
He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics.  A  firm  believer  in  the  religion  of  Christ,  he 
was  an  attentive  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  to  which  he  was  a  liberal 
contributor,  and  of  which  he  was  an  official  board  member. 


■la:'  .:■  '^  ;;;.;.!.;/// 


i  -U", 


"'■yi.':.:'    ;:.-:->■.!  iircaro  nii  >.t;v/  jn 


602  DFARP.ORX   CDLXTV,   IXDIAXA. 

Hemy  C.  Busse,  father  of  William  V.,  was  a  native  of  Prussia,  where 
he  was  born  on  September  23.  1834,  and  where  he  received  a  g-nod  English  and  \ 

German  edncation.     He  Avas  a  son  of  Rev.  Cliristian  and  Durrithea   (  Po.iO  I 

Bnsse.     Mr.  Bnsse  came  to  America  with  his  parents,  when  but  nine  vears  I 

of  age,  remaining  with  'them  until  his  marriage,  wlien  he  bought  land  and  5 

started  farming"  on  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-four  acres,  in  1861.     He  1 

continued  to  add  to  his  acres  until  he  owned  over  three  hundred,  and  con- 
tinued to  do  general  farming  until  a  few  years  prior  to  his  death,  when  he 
moved  to  Aurora,  Indiana,  wlicre  he  spent  his  remaining  years,  dving  on 
August  2,  1914.  He  was  a  quiet,  industrious  citizen,  and  everything  about 
his  place  indicated  taste  and  tln-ift.  Mr.  Busse  and  his  entire  family  were 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  of  which  he  filled  the  office  of  trustee  for 
sixteen  years. 

Henry  C.  Busse  was  united  in  marriage,  April  27,  1S54,  to  Miss  Anjel- 
ica  Gessel,  a  native  of  Germany,  who  was  born  on  March  22,  1833,  by  whom 
he  had  nine  children,  namely:  Henry  P.,  born  on  June  27.  1856;  Caroline, 
December  4,  1S58 ;  William  F.,  January  31,  1S61 ;  John,  March  27,  1868; 
Louisa  ;  Anna.  ]\Iay  16.  1870;  George;  Abalona,  June  20.  1S72  ;  ^latilda,  Janu- 
ary 4.  1S75.  Henry  P.  is  a  farmer  at  \\'ilmington,  Luliana,  and  is  married 
to  Louisa  Oehlman,  by  whom  he  has  had  six  children.  Arena,  Frederick, 
Bertha,  Henry,  Lydia,  and  Christopher.  Caroline  is  the  wife  of  Henry  L 
Meyers,  and  lives  on  a  farm  near  Lawrenceburg,  Lidiana.  She  is  the  mother 
of  five  children.  Henry.  Anna.  Louis.  Echvard  and  George.  John  P.  mar- 
ried Anna  Reinking,  who  died,  leaving  three  children,  Edna.  Walter  and 
Elizabeth.  This  family  lives  in  Hogan  township,  on  a  farm.  Louisa  became 
the  wife  of  Theodore  Droege.  a  prosperous  grocer,  of  Aurora,  Indiana,  and  is 
the  mother  of  two  children,  Sona  and  August.  George  was  united  in  marriage 
with  ]Mary  Reinking,  and  is  doing  general  farming  in  Hogan  township. 
Only  one  child  has  been  born  to  this  union,  but  they  have  adopted  two  other 
children.  Anna  is  the  wife  of  John  Peters,  a  farmer,  near  Aurora,  Lidiana, 
and  is  the  mother  of  one  child,  Martha. 

The  paternal  grandfatlier  of  our  subject  was  Christian  Busse,  who  was 
born  on  November  11,  1806,  in  Prussia,  and  was  married  in  that  country. 
December  27,  1826.  They  came  to  America  in  October,  1S44.  locating  in 
Mancliester  township.  In  i8_i6  he  was  ordained  as  a  Lutheran  EvangelicrJ 
minister,  his  first  pastorate  being  St.  Stephen's  church.  Manchester  town- 
ship, where  he  preached  for  twenty-eight  years.  Llis  wife.  Dorothv  (Poos) 
Busse,   was   also   a   native  of   Prussia,   and   was   born  on   March    10.    1806. 


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DEARBORN'   COUXTV.   IXDIAXA.  603 

They  were  the  parents  of  four  children  as  follow:  Doriith}',  horn  in  1S27, 
and  died  in  1S31  :  Christina.  February  24.  1832.  died  June  24,  1850:  Jijhanna, 
now  Mrs.  Henry  En,£;'clk!ng'e,  and  Henry  C.  Christian  llusse  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  tlie  Lutheran  church  in  Deaiborn  county. 

William  F.  Busse  \\as  married  to  .\nna  Bidner.  b\-  whom  he  has  had 
eight  children,  namely:  Emma.  Ida  and  Alma,  twins,  Herman,  Edwin,  Diiro- 
tln',  Miimie  and  Gusta.  Emma  is  now  the  wife  of  Henr\'  Rcinking,  and  lives 
on  a  farm  in  [Manchester  township;  to  this  couple  have  been  born  two  chil- 
dren, Evelyn  and  Esther.  Ida  lieeame  the  wife  of  Walter  Renter,  a  veterinary 
surgeon,  and  lives  in  Cincinnati.  She  is  the  mother  of  two  girls,  Laverne  and 
Martha;  Alma  is  married  to  George  P.  Steinmetz.  a  successful  lawyer  of 
Indianapi  ■!i<;,  where  she  lives  with  her  husband  and  one  boy,  Orsa  George. 
Flennan  is  at  home,  assisting  his  father  on  the  farm.  Edwin  is  working  in 
Illinois.  Dorothy  is  also  at  home.  Minnie  and  Gusta  are  both  attending 
the   Manchester  township  schools. 

Mrs.  Busse  was  born  on  October  iS,  i860,  in  [Manchester  township,  and 
is  a  daughter  of  Peter  and  Dora  (Fillanworth)  Bidner.  For  the  genealogi- 
cal record  of  the  Bidner  family  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  sketch  of  Peter 
Bidner,  presented  elsew  here  in  this  book. 

Mr.  Busse  is  one  of  the  leading  and  active  citizens  of  the  township,  and 
is  highly  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 


ADOLPHUS  W.  BENNETT.  ,•;:,,     •  , 

One  of  the  well-known  and  prosperous  farmers  of  [Manchester  township, 
Dearborn  county,  is  Adolphus  W.  Bennett,  who  ably  manages  the  farm  on 
which  he  is  comfortabh'  situated. 

Adolphus  W.  Bennett  was  born  on  Januar}-  22,  1855.  at  Wright's  Corner, 
Indiana,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Phoebe  (Duncan)  Bennett.  He  re- 
ceived a  g'ood  common-school  education  in  [Manchester  township,  and  be- 
ing interested  in  the  subject  of  agriculture,  took  charge  of  his  father's  farm. 
After  his  marriage,  [Mr.  Bennett  commenced  housekeeping  on  the  place,  in 
order  that  he  might  look  after  the  wants  of  his  father,  as  well  as  th.e  in- 
terests of  the  farm,  which  later  became  his  own  property.  This  farm  con- 
sisted of  fifty  acres,  to  which  Mr.  Bennett  has  since  added  thirty  acres  nv>vc, 
and  has   done   a   general   farming  and   stock-raising  business,    in   which   he 


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fj04  DEARBOUX   COl'NTV,   INDIAMA. 

lias  been  rewarded  with  more  tlian  ordinary  success.     He  is  a  stanch  Repuhli- 

can,  although  lie  has  never  sought  public  office.     Plis  religious  views  are  Avilh  | 

the  l"'ree  Baptist  church.     ]^Ir.  I'ennctt  is  a  member  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  2 

Masons,  and  was  master  of  [Manchester  Lodge  No.  503,  for  three  years,  and  is  I 

now  serving  his  third  term  as  worshipful  master  of  Burns  Lodge  Xo.  55.  '? 

John  Bennett,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  on  September  30,  1S23,  in  | 

W'arren  county,   Ohio,   where   he   received   a  good   public-school   education.  | 

He  was  married  to  Phoebe  Duncan,  October  25,  1848,  shortly  after  coming  to  | 

Dearborn  county.     She  was  born  on  October  25,  1823,  in  Manchester  town-  1 

ship,  and  met  her  husband  while  on  a  visit  to  Ohio.     Mr.  and  Airs.  Bennett  1 

started  to  housekeeping"  on  a  rented  farm  consisting  of  forty  acres,  and  in  tuo  | 

years'  time  were  enabled  to  buy  a  place  of  their  own.    They  located  at  Wright's  1 

Corner,  where  [Sir.  Bennett  opened  a  slioe  store,  which  he  conducted,  in  addi-  | 

tion  to  liis  farm,  a  fifty-acre  tract,  between  which  he  di\'ided  his  time  and  at-  | 

tention  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  March  25,  1893.     Mr.  Bennett  was  i 

a  strong  believer  in  the  Republican  policies,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Free  | 

Baptist  church,  of  which  he  was  a  deacon  for  several  years  prior  to  his  death.  I 

Mrs.  John  Bennett  was  a  daughter  of  William  and  Phoebe  Duncan,  pioneers  | 

of  this  section.     She  died  on  September  3,  1901.     Their  children  were:  Adol-  | 

piius,  Hattie,  who  died  in  18S7,  and  five  who  died  in  infancy.  j 

Adolphus  W.   Bennett  was  married  on  December   10.    18S9,   to  Luella  | 

Darling,  who  was  born  in  Dearborn  county,  where  she  was  educated,  and  j 
where  she  lived  until  her  marriage.     3.1r.  and  Mrs.  Bennett  have  had  two 
children,  Roy  and  Ivan,  both  of  wb.om  are  at  home.     Mr.  Bennett  has  al- 
ways been  a  devoted  husband,  and  a  kind  and  considerate  parent,  and  has  the 
respect  of  all  who  know  him. 


JOHN  C.  HALL. 


The  subject  of  this  biography  is  a  man  in  whom  the  citizens  of  his  town- 
ship have  the  utmost  confidence.  He  is  descended  from  good  old  pioneer  stock, 
whose  children  and  grandchildren  continue  to  make  their  homes  where  the 
first  log  cabins  were  built  in  the  days  when  deer,  wild  turkey  and  prairie 
chicken  were  plentiful  in  this  county. 

John  C.  Hall  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Ann  (Collier)  Hall,  and  was  born 
on  January   13,    1848,   at  Cincinnati,  where  he  started  his  education.     His 


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DEARBORN'   COUNTY,   IXDIAXA.  605 

parents  moved  to  ^lan(■he^te^  township,  where  lie  continued  at  school  until  his 
education  was  finished.  Immediately  after  his  inarri;i,qe,  Mr.  llaU  hei^an  ihe 
Hfe  of  a  farmer  on  a  sixty-acre  tract,  whicli  was  only  partially  cleared,  hut 
in  a  short  time  he  had  the  entire  place  in  a  tillable  condition  and  cultivated  it 
for  twenty-six  years,  when  he  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  superintendent  of 
the  Dearborn  county  poor  farm,  sei"ving-  in  this  capacity  for  three  years,  and 
then  left  it  in  charg'e  of  his  eldest  son.  jVftcr  giving  up  the  supen'ision  of  the 
poor  farm,  Mr.  Hall  secured  possession  of  his  father's  old  homestead,  buy- 
ing out  the  interest  of  the  other  heirs,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a  general 
farmer.  ]Mr.  Hall  has  always  been  an  acti\e,  energetic  man,  and  has  de\T)ted 
a  portion  of  his  time  and  talent  to  handling  stock,  which  has  always  brought 
him  a  good  living  outside  of  his  farming  interest.  In  politics,  he  is  a  loyal 
Republican. 

Joseph  Hall  was  born  in  1823,  in  Dearborn  county,  \vhere  he  attended 
school  and  received  as  good  an  education  as  the  facilities  afforded  in  those 
days.  Shortly  before  his  marriage,  Mr.  Hall  purchased  an  interest  in  a  furni- 
ture store  in  Cincinnati,  in  -which  he  was  very  successful  for  about  fifteen 
years,  when  he  disp<jsed  of  his  interest  and  niox'ed  to  Manchester  township,  m 
1861.  Here,  he  invested  in  a  tract  of  land,  coxxn'ing  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres,  a  portion  of  which  was  in  timber,  but  he  set  to  work  and  soon  had 
enough  cleared  for  his  needs,  and  then  improved  the  place  with  good  build- 
ings and  did  general  farming  for  many  years.  Seeing  a  good  opening,  he 
left  his  son  in  charge  of  his  farm,  and  went  into  the  grocer}-  business  in 
Lawrenceburg,  following  this  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  December 
21,  1881.  Mr.  Hall's  wife,  Ann  (Collier)  Hall,  was  born  near  Tanner'? 
creek.  She  was  educated  in  the  town.ship  schools  and  remained  at  home  un- 
til her  marriage.  Their  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  John  C,  Albert 
R.,  Elizabeth  Emily,  William  H.,  Annie  J.,  Mary  F.,  Clara  L.,  and  01i\er  Al. 
William  H.  is  married  to  Elvira  Dunn,  and  is  doing  general  farming  at 
Muncie,  Indiana.  They  have  three  children,  Freeland  A.,  Mary,  and  Ray- 
mond. Mary  F.  is  the  wife  of  Thomas  Vaughn,  and  lives  on  a  farm  in 
Manchester  township.  They  have  had  one  child,  Ethel.  Albert  R.  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Alice  Elliot,  and  moved  to  Kansas,  where  he  is  d"- 
ing  general  farming.  They  have  three  children,  Blanche,  Nora  and  ]\Iar- 
garet,  Anna  J.  is  the  wife  of  I-ee  Elliot,  and  lives  on  a  farm  in  Manchester 
township.  She  is  the  mother  of  one  child.  Alma.  Oliver  M.  was  married  to 
Ella  Martin.  He  di\'ides  his  time  between  the  practice  of  law  and  stock- 
raising,  in  Idaho.  To  this  couple  have  been  Wjtu  three  chiWren,  Carl,  Mildred 
and  Harold. 


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6o6  DHAKEORX   COTXTV,  INDIANA. 

Tlic  pntcrnal  grandfalhcr  of  John  C.  Hall  was  Joseph  Hall.  Sr.,  who 
came  with  his  family  from  Ohio  to  [Manchester  township  at  a  very  early  date, 
and  lived  here  long  crioitg-h  to  see  its  forests  disappear  to  make  nxmi  for  the 
more  profitable  ptirsuits  of  agriculture.     His  wife  was  l*'annie  Hall. 

John  C.  Hall  was  married  on  l"ebruar\"  ii.  1869,  to  Alary  L.  Collier, 
daughter  of  Ralph  and  'Slv.ry  D.  Collier.  She  was  born  on  June  9.  1848,  in 
jManchester  township,  where  she  rccei\-ed  a  good  education  in  th.e  public 
schools.  They  have  had  three  children,  as  follow:  Herbert  C.  who  died  in 
1906;  Edgar  A.  and  Edith  L.  Herbert  C.  was  a  general  farmer,  in  connection 
with  which  he  also  conducted  quite  an  extensive  business  in  lumber.  His  wife 
was  Kate  Jolly.  They  have  two  children,  Delores  B.  and  Theron  D.  Edgar 
was  married  to  Blanche  Kelly,  and  is  assisting  his  father  on  the  home  place. 
The)'  have  one  child,  Vera  F.  Edith  L.  is  the  wife  of  T.  J.  Alartin,  a  veteri- 
nary surgeon,  and  lives  at  Aurora,  Indiana.  They  have  one  child,  Cra^'ton  J. 
Ralph  Collier,  father  of  Airs.  Hall,  was  born  in  Pittsburgh.  Pennsylvania. 
October  7.  1S19,  and  is  of  English  lineage.  His  parents  were  John  and  Jane 
(Hodgson)'  Collier,  and  he  v.as  an  infant  when  his  parents  came  to  Dearborn 
count}-,  where  he  was  reared  and  where  he  enjoyed  the  best  educational  ad- 
vantages afforded  ir:  those  days.  Finishing  school,  he  began  teaching  under 
the  old  regime  when  subscription  schools  were  in  vogiie.  Flis  wife.  Alary, 
was  a  daughter  of  Reuben  and  Betsey  L.  (Goodwin)  True,  to  whom  he  was 
married  on  October  8,  1S40,  when  he  began  farming  on  a  tract  of  one  hun- 
dred acres  of  excellent,  well-improved  land.  Their  family  consisted  of  ten 
children,  as  follow:  George  G.,  who  moved  to  Missouri:  Jr)hn  T.,  Williaui 
G.,  R.  Frank.  S.  P.  Chase,  Clara  J.,  Mary  L.,  Sebra  E.,  Harriet  B.  S.  and 
Susie  E.  Ralph  Collier  was  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Alethodist 
Protestant  church,  with  which  he  was  connected  about  forty  years. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Airs.  Hall  was  John  Collier,  a  native  of 
England,  born  in  1775  and  was  the  only  son  of  John  Collier,  who  lived  and 
died  in  England.  In  1817,  while  still  single,  he  visited  America  on  a  pros- 
pecting tour,  returning  home  the  same  year.  In  1819  he  was  married  to 
Jane  Hodgson,  and  accompanied  by  two  sisters.  Airs.  Ann  Flansell  and  Airs. 
Jane  Cornforth,  again  crossed  the  water,  and  came  to  Dearborn  county.  Air. 
Collier  died  at  his  home  on  Tanners  creek,  in  184S.  aged  seventy-two  years. 
His  wife  died  in  1S58,  in  h.er  seventy-first  year.     They  had  two  children. 

The  position  occupied  by  Air.  Hall  is  an  evidence  of  his  character  and 
popularit}-  as  a  reprcsentati\e  citizen — a  truly  good  man. 


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DEARllORX   COrXTY.   IXDIAXA.  ,  607 

ELIJAH  FULLER.    '■  '    '  ■      ..     „,  /  :; , ,  =  ,      .,. 

The  SUCCC--S  of  a  mar.  in  anv  \-ocatiiin  in  life  'Icpends  ui)iin  the  force  of 
character,  and  the  business  confidence  which  he  is  able  in  send  forUi.  yh. 
I'uller.  wdiose  name  heads  this  sketch,  heheved  that  liis  native  state  affnr<le'l 
liim  ab  many  opportunities  as  could  be  found  elsewhere,  and  with  that  th.ou;:;ht 
in  \  iew  he  set  to  ^vork  with  the  determination  of  carving-  for  himself  a  future 
and  a  fortune,  and  has  ahva}'s  l)een  alive  to  his  business  interests,  neglecting- 
U'lthing-  of  importance,  keeping  always  \\-ell  within  the  lines  of  straightforward 
methods. 

Elijah  Fuller,  farmer,  Sparta  township.  Dearborn  county,  was  born  on 
Xuvember  lo,  1835,  a  son  of  Elijah  Fuller,  Sr.,  and  Azubah  (Gloyd)  Indler. 
Ho  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Sparta  townshif*,  where  he  v/as 
horn.  After  leaving  school,  he  assisted  his  father  in  agriadtural  pursuit^, 
and  when  his  father  died,  he  took  over  the  farm,  running  it  entirely  alone. 
Mr.  Fuller  has  always  given  his  luyal  support  to  the  Republican  party.  Fie  is 
a  member  of  the  FVeslnterian  c!uu-ch.  IMr.  Fuller  has  alwa^'s  been  greatly 
interested  in  all  n-)atters  con.cerning  the  welfare  and  ad\ancment  of  his  town- 
ship. 

Elijah  F'uller,  Sr.,  was  a- farmer,  and  was  born  on  ]\Iay  ic),  1783,  in  the 
stale  of  Xew  York.  Flis  wife,  Azubah  (Gloyd)  Fuller,  was  born  on  Decem- 
ber II,  179S.  Their  marriage  took  place  on  June  15,  1823,  in  Dearborn 
county.  ]\Irs.  Fuller  was  a  native  of  ^lassachussetts.  ]Mr.  F'uller  came  to 
Dearborn  county,  where  he  followed  agriculture  and  engaged  in  saw-millin.g. 
He  later  bought  a  boat-load  of  corn  and  took  it  to  New  Orleans,  but  the 
trip  proved  an  utter  failure,  necessitating  his  return  withrmt  a  cent.  He  after- 
wards saved  enough  to  make  a  new  start,  and  b.uilt  the  first  saw-mill  in 
Sparta  township,  which  was  run  by  water-power,  and  later  built  two  n-iore, 
on  Hogan  creek,  which  he  sold,  and  then  bought  a  fine  tract  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  timber  land  on  the  hill,  which  he  cleared  and  farmed  nntil 
his  death,  which  occurred  on  August  8,  1858.  Mr.  Fuller  was  a  W'lug.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  old  South  Sparta  Free  Will  P.aptist  church,  whicli  he  and 
Mr.  Oathiiudt  built,  ?ilr.  Fuller  practically  keeping  up  the  church.  His  \vife, 
Azubah  (Gloyd)  I'uller,  was  a  daughter  of  Asa  Gloyd,  and  lived  in  ?vlassa- 
chussetts  until  twent}--three  3'ears  of  age.  coming  o^-erland  with  her  parents 
until  they  reached  the  Ohio  river,  and  cnue  down  the  river  ivom  Pittsburgh 
to  Cincinnati  b}-  boat.  To  this  union  were  bon-i  six  children.  An-ianda,  Eliza, 
Truman.  ]vlartha,  Emily  and  Elijah.  Mv.  Fuller  had  one  child.  Sarah,  by  his 
first  wife. 


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6o8  DEARBORX   COXXTV,   IXDIAXA. 

Amanfl;i  I'\il!er  liccame  the  wife  of  Frederiek  Snyder,  and  li\ed  in  Sparta 
township.  They  Iiad  cme  child,  who  died  young.  Ehza  i.s  the  wife  of  lleiija- 
min  Hartley,  and  lived  at  Moores  Hill.  They  had  one  child,  Frank,  who  died 
in  the  army  of  the  Civil  War.  Martha  became  the  wife  of  James  Daughters, 
and  lived  in  Sparta  township.  Their  one  child  died  in  infancy.  Emily  mar- 
ried John  M.  I.arahee,  and  lives  in  Jennings  eoimtw  !Mr.  Larabee  is  nrivi" 
deceased.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War.  Thev  had  three  children,  Wal- 
lace, Minnie  and  Hugh. 

Asa  Gloyd.  the  maternal  grandfather,  was  a  Revolutionarv  soldier. in  a 
Massachussells  regiment.  He  came  we5.t  witli  his  family  and  died  in  Dearborn 
county,  when  quite  old.  He  had  a  large  farnily  of  children,  Xoalt,  Turner, 
Sara  (Williamson),  Nancy,  Xaomi,  Abigail,  and  others.  Xoah  married  a 
Aliss  Johnson,  bv  whom  he  had  a  number  of  children,  John,  Benjanrin,  Will- 
iam, James,  and  Jane.  Sara  became  the  w^ife  of  Da^•^d  Williamson,  and  is  now 
(Jeceased.  Mr.  \\'^illiamson  was  again  married  and  lives  south  of  Dillsboro. 
He  has  had  one  child  by  the  second  marriage,  Sarah,  and  by  his  first  wife 
he  had  two  children,  John  and  Henry.  Nancy  was  the  wife  of  Rufus  Hol- 
comb,  and  li\-ed  in  Sparta  township,  but  both  are  now  deceased.  They  had  a 
large  famil}',  Daniel,  Eithel,  Euther,  Eli,  Turner,  Rufus.  Huldah,  Nancy, 
Elizabeth,  Evdia  Lucinda.  and  one  who  died  in  infancv.  Naomi  became  the 
wife  of  Elisha  Ilrown,  and  lived  in  Sparta  township.  They  had  two  chiMren, 
Man.'  and  Ezra.  Abigail  married  John  .Vilccn,  and  lived  in  Sparta  township. 
They  had  one  child,  Narcissa. 

Elijah  Fuller  was  united  in  marriage  on  December  5,  185S.  with  Mary 
Jane  Noble,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth  (Dashiell)  Noble.  She  was 
born  on  Seplemljer  23,  183(1,  '^^  WMlmington,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana.  To 
Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Fuller  were  born  four  children,  Ella,  John,  Elizalieth  and 
Anna.  Ella  was  born  on  August  29,  1S59,  and  becam.e  the  wife  of  George 
Craven.  They  live  in  Kansas  on  a  farm,  and  have  four  children,  Elma,  "V'iola, 
Berlin,  and  Bennett.  John  was  born  on  April  15,  1S62,  and  was  married  to 
Harriet  Craven,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  I\or.  They  reside  at  }>Iilan,  In- 
diana, where  Mr.  Fuller  is  engaged  in  the  livery  business.  Elizabeth  was 
born  on  December  13,  1864,  and  died  on  July  13,  1904.  Anna  was  born  on 
June  8,  1867,  and  was  married  to  Benjamin  B.  ^lulford,  on  April  19,  1S91. 
Mr.  Mulford  first  attended  the  common  school,  and  later  entered  ^loores 
Hill  College.  They  lived  on  a  farm  at  Cold  Springs  for  several  years,  and 
then  mo\-ed  to  Norwood,  Ohio,  where  he  became  paymaster  of  the  Globe- 
Wernicke  Company,  returning  later  to  the  old  homestead.     They  have  two 


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DEARBORX  COUXTV,   INDIANA.  •  609 

ctiiiJrcii,  Clarence  E.,  and  Idclle.  ]\Ir.  Mullord  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  niem- 
lier  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
l-'clk>\vs  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 

Elijah  Fuller  possesses  the  qualities  which  not  only  gain  friendship  and 
rcs])ect.  but  hold  them  after  being  once  gained,  and  he  enjoys  the  confidence 
and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him. 


MRS.  NANCY  L.  VAN  DOLAH. 

Mrs.  Nancy  (Larrabee)  Van  Dolah,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch, 
is  a  woman  whose  biography  it  is  a  pleasure  to  add  to  those  of  the  many 
other  worthy  citizens  of  Sparta  to\A-nship.  Pier  life  has  been  one  of  exem- 
plary ])rinciples.  and  she  has  done  well  her  part  in  carrying  out  the  duties  en- 
tailed upon  wifehood  and  motherhood,  and  has  trained  her  children  to  be  re- 
spected citizens  of  the  community  in  which  they  live. 

Nancy  Larrabee  was  born  September  28.  1858,  in  Ripley  county,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Richard  D.  and  Alary  C.  (Stockwell)  Larr.abee.  She  was  educated  in 
Ripley  cotuity,  and  after  arriving  at  the  age  of  thirteeen  years  she  earned 
her  own  living  until  she  was  married. 

Richard  D.  Larrabee  was  born  on  Novemljer  24,  1830,  in  Dcarl^orn 
county,  Indiana,  li\irig  in  Ripley  county  later  and  now  li\ing  in  NeJjraska. 
His  wife,  Mary  C.  (Stock\\ein  Larrabee,  was  born  in  Ripley  county,  In- 
diana, in  1837,  and  lived  there  all  her  life.  To  this  union  three  children  were 
born,  Nancy  L.,  Maiy  A.,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Aviary  A.  l)ecame 
the  wife  of  Charles  E.  Shockley,  and  lived  in  Ripley  county. 

Nancy  Larrabee  was  united  in  marriage  with  James  Van  Dolah,  son  of 
James,  Sr.,  and  Frances  (Hall)  Van  Dolah.  He  was  torn  on  January 
23,  1848,  at  Dillsboro,  and  was  educated  in  Sparta  township,  Dearboai 
county,  where  he  was  reared  ])y  Benjamin  Alulford.  living  with  him  until  his 
marriage.  He  died  on  November  13.  U)04,  aged  fifty-six  years.  After  his 
marriage,  he  moved  to  Delaware,  Ripley  county,  where  they  lived  for  two 
years,  and  then  bought  forty  acres  in  Sp.irta  township,  Dearborn  county,  to 
which  he  later  added  fifteen  acres  more,  dividing  his  attention  between  general 
farming  and  fruit  raising,  being  the  first  successful  fruit  farmer  in  the  town- 
ship. Politically,  3,Ir.  Van  Dolah  was  an  independent  voter.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  he  was  an  elder  and  one  of  the 

(39) 


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6lO  DEARBORN   COL'XTV,   IXDIAXA. 

organizers  of  the  church  in  Sparta  township.  James  and  Xancy  Van  Dolah 
had  two  children,  Mary  Frances  and  Maggie  May.  Mary  Frances  became  the 
wife  of  C.  B.  RawHns,  and  is  living  on  the  old  homestead.  They  ha\'e  two 
children,  Charles  and  Alarion  Francis,  both  going  to  school.  Maggie  May 
died  when  young. 

Mrs.  Nancy  L.  Van  Dolah  is  a  good  Christian  woman,  and  dceplv  sym- 
pathizes with  those  in  distress  and  sickness,  and  is  ever  ready  to  lend  a  helping 
hand  when  it  is  within  her  power  to  do  so. 


BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN  BLOO.AI. 

One  of  this  county's  experts  on  the  subject  of  scientific  agriculture  is 
Benjamin  F.  Bloom,  who  was  born  near  Peoria,  Illinois,  February  iS,  iS^o. 
He  is  the  son  of  A.  J.  and  Caroline  ( Roof)  151oom,  the  former  of  whom  w  as 
born  in  Ohio,  January  i,  1833.  x-\.  J.  Bloom  lived  in  Ohio  until  his  eigh.t- 
eenth  year,  when  he  came  alone  to  Indiana,  first  stopping  at  Aurora,  then 
going  on  to  Hogan  township,  where  he  found  employment,  and  from  that 
time  until  his  marriage  worked  by  the  month  in  the  farming  districts.  ,\fter 
his  marriage  to  Caroline  Roof,  in  1857  he  removed  to  Illinois  and  lived  there 
four  years,  and  then  returned  to  this  state.  He  bought  forty-nine  acres 
in  Sparta  township.  In  1877  he  bought  seventy-seven  acres  v/hich  com- 
prise the  land  where  he  now  lives.  ]\lr.  Bloom,  Sr.,  is  a  general  farmer,  a 
Reptiblican,  and  a  member  of  the  INIethodist  Episcopal  church. 

The  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  this  county,  in  1836, 
and  has  lived  here  since.  The  children  of  Air.  and  Airs.  A.  J.  Elo.Mn  are 
Benjamin  E.,  Samuel  L.,  Edward  and  Harvey  G.  Samuel  L.  went  to  Cali- 
fornia to  live  a  number  of  years  ago.  Harvey  G.  married  Gertrude  Zeise,  an. I 
they  live  in  Oxford,  Indiana. 

Caroline  Roof  was  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Olimphia  (Kazine) 
Roof,  the  former  of  whc>m  was  a  farmer  and  native  of  Pennsyhania,  after- 
wards making  his  home  in  Virginia.  Olimphia  Kazine  and  her  parents  came  to 
this  state  at  a  time  when  Cincinnati  numbered  only  seven  houses  and  .\urora 
two,  and  settled  in  this  county.  Mr,  Kazine  has  the  distinction  of  having 
helped  to  build  the  first  road  in  the  center  of  the  county  in  Sparta  township. 
Sarnuel  Roof,  like  many  others  of  his  time,  responded  to  the  call  to  arms  and 
served  throughout  the  Revolutionary  War  and  served  in  PIull's  army  in  the 
War  of  18 12. 


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DEARBORN   COIXTV,   IXDIAXA.  6ll 

On  Januan,-  4,  18S2,  Benjamin  ]■".  Rlooni  was  married  to  Sarah  C.  I'riteh- 
ard,  a  native  of  Hogan  township,  who  was  I>orn  on  September  28,  1S59.  Her 
sehooh'ng  took  place  in  the  cnunty  of  her  nativity.  Her  father  ^\•as  Levin 
Pritchard.  and  her  mother  Catherine  (Glass)  Pritchard.  Levin  Pritchard  was 
horn  in  the  state  of  Delaware,  and  came  to  Indiana  while  still  a  young  man. 
He  became  a  farmer,  and  this  continued  to  be  his  occupation  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  Six  children  were  born  to  Levin  and  Catherine  (Glass)  Pritchard. 
as  follow :  John  S.  married  Susan  Livingston,  and  lives  near  Wilmington, 
their  only  child  being  a  son,  Ralph ;  Rebecca  Ann  married  John  Slater,  of 
Sparta  township,  and  her  two  children  are  named  Ella  and  Warren ;  James 
R.  married  Ella  F.  Baker,  of  this  township:  Elizabeth  married  Jasper  M. 
Slater,  of  Lawrenceburg,  and  to  them  two  children  have  teen  born,  Ora  M. 
and  Clayton  J. ;  Sarah  C.  was  the  fifth  child,  and  the  sixth  child  died  in 
infancy- 
Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Benjamin  F.  Bloom  are  the  parents  of  three  children, 
namely:  Stanley  W.,  born  on  December  1 1,  18S2,  and  married  to  Alma  Cham- 
ber, is  now  farming  near  \\'ilmington,  they  have  one  child,  Dorothy  Kather- 
ine:  Holley,  July  9,  18S5;  and  Irwin  Waldo,  July  9,  18S9. 

After  their  marriage.  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Bloom  lived  on  a  little  farm  in 
Sparta  township,  tliis  land  luu'ing  been  purchased  by  them.  In  1903.  they 
bought  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  moved  onto  the  new  place,  and  later  added 
fifteen  acres  to  this. 

Mr.  Bloom  has  given  his  entire  time  and  attention  to  agricultural  ac- 
tivities, and  has  always  been  an  honorable,  industrious  man.  He  is  an  inde- 
pendent voter,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Mr.  Bloom  has 
made  many  improvements  on  his  present  place.  He  has  erected  a  new  barn 
and  silo  and  is  contemplating  erecting  a  new  residence. 


WILLIAM  L.  ABRAHAM.  ■•:,      .      '■;     . 

Prominent  among  the  prosperous  and  thriving  business  men  of  ]\Ioores 
Hill  is  William  L.  Abraham.  ]vlr.  Abraham  has  built  up  a  very  successful  and 
important  business,  and  now  owns  the  best  equipped  livery  and  undertaking 
establishment  in  Sparta  township. 

William  L.  Abraham  was  born  on  August  4,  1864,  at  Dillsboro,  Clay 
township,  and  is  a  son  of  Lewis  and  Elizabeth   (Gould)   Abraham.     He  re- 


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6l2  '    IJEARBORX   COUNTY,  INDIAXA. 

ceived  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools,  coming-  to  Sparta  township 
when  quite  young.  In  1900  he  mo\'ed  near  Sunman.  and  in  1904  bought  a  liv- 
ery and  undertaking  business  from  Jesse  French  which  he  conducts'  in  partner- 
ship with  W.  H.  Ulrich,  under  the  firm  name  of  Abraham  &  Ulrich.  Mr. 
Abraham  has  always  given  his  support  to  the  Democratic  party,  and  his  fra- 
ternal membership  is  with  the  Masonic  Order. 

Lewis  Abraham,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  1826, 
at  Dillsboro  and  lived  tlicre  until  1866,  where  he  followed  the  cooper's  trade. 
Becoming  dissatisfied  with  tliis  line  of  v.'urk,  he  bought  sixty-five  acres  of  land 
near  Moores  Hill  and  li\ed  there  until  1900,  when  he  moved  to  Ripley  county 
on  a  farm.  He  remained  there  si.x  years,  and  then  moved  to  !Moores  Hill, 
where  he  died  in  September,  1906.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  (Gould)  Abraham. 
was  born  on  Januar}-  13,  1835,  in  Dearborn  county,  where  she  was  educated 
and  grew  to  young  womanhood.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Levi  Gould,  whose 
wife  was  a  IMiss  Keith,  natives  of  Switzerland  comity.  jMr.  Gould  was  a  pio- 
neer preacher  of  the  Free  Baptist  church.  He  went  overland  to  California, 
where  he  died. 

George  Abraham,  the  paternal  grandfather,  was  a  native  of  England, 
and  settled  in  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  in  1818.  He  followed  farming  all  his 
life,  and  lived  in  Dearborn  county  until  his  death. 

William  L.  Abraham,  tlirough  his  straightforward  and  business-like  meth- 
ods of  transacting  business,  has  won  the  confidence  of  the  community  in  which 
he  lives,  which  reputation,  has  resulted  in  his  present  prosperous  business. 


MRS.  ERMIXA  C.  SMITFI. 

Mrs.  Ermina  C.  Smith,  whose  name  introduces  this  biographical  sketch, 
is  a  woman  of  good  education  and  possesses  many  fine  qualities,  taking^  great 
pride  in  her  \'irginia  ancestry,  who  came  west  in  pioneer  days  by  oxen  team. 
Mrs.  Smith  has  performed  well  her  {>art  in  the  progress  of  the  worUl,  and 
reared  a  fine  family  of  children,  who  have  grown  to  be  citizens  of  honor  in 
the  various  communities  in  which  they  reside. 

Ermina  IMcGee  was  born  on  March  14,  1842.  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  is 
a  daughter  of  William  and  Margarette  ( Wisby)  McGee.  She  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Cincinnati,  and  lived  there  with  her  parents  until  licr 
marriage. 

William  and  Margarette  (Wisby)  McGee  were  both  born  in  Virginia. 
The  former  was  born  in  June,  1800,  and  after  marriage,  moved  his  family  by 


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DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  613 

oxen  team  to  Cincinnati,  -where  he  enf:;agcd  in  the  saddlery  liusiness  for  a 
period  of  forty  years,  and  then  Ixiught  a  farm  on  the  Redchnq-  pike,  near 
Cincinnnati,  where  he  followed  farming'."  I.aier  he  was  a  building  contractor 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1880,  Avhcn  he  was  eighty-nine  years  of  age. 
Pic  was  a  Republican,  and  to'>k  part  in  affairs  of  puiilic  interest.  He  served  as 
school  trustee  in  Hamilton  comity,  Ohio,  for  many  years,  lie  was  a  member 
of  the  Universalist  church,  of  which  he  \\'as  an  officer.  Mr.  AIcGee  had  but 
one  brother.  John  ^NIcGee,  who  was  a  brick-mason  by  trade,  and  lived  in 
Kansas. 

Margarette  (W'isby)  ]\IcGee,  the  wife  of  William  McGee,  was  born  in 
1805,  in  \''irginia,  \\diere  her  parents  were  i>ioneer  settlers.  Mr.  and  IMrs. 
]\IcGee  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  as  follow:  JNlary  Jane,  Semiramis. 
Zcmia,  Philamelea,  William  L.,  Edwin,  Ermina  C.,  Minerva  H.,  Francis  M., 
Walter  Scott,  and  one  who  died  young.  Mary  became  the  wife  of  John 
Rapcr,  and  had  eleven  children.  Semiramis  married  William  A.  Barnes,  and 
after  his  death,  married  Dr.  J.  Pettijohn,  who  also  died,  and  she  was  mar- 
ried, thirdly,  to  a  Mr.  Knapp.  Edwin  is  married  and  lives  in  Seattle,  Wash- 
ington, and  has  three  children.  Francis  M.,  who  married  Catherine  Stout,  lives 
at  Cincinnati  and  they  have  three  children. 

Errhina  C.  McGee  was  united  in  marriage  on  March  14,  1865,  with 
Orson  Smith,  son  of  Jonathan  Anthony  and  Liicinda  (Babcock)  Smith. 
He  was  born  in  the  state  of  Xew  York  on  October  4,  1837.  and  came  west 
overland,  settling  near  Versailles,  Ripley  county,  Indiana,  \vhere  he  was  edu- 
cated. Mr.  McGee  served  as  a  privatfe  in  the  Civil  W^ar  from  1861  to  1865, 
and  was  twice  wounded.  He  bought  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Ripley  county, 
which  he  traded  for  property  at  Wright's  Corner,  and  again  sold  and  moved 
to  Sparta  township,  living  there  seventeen  years.  His  next  move  was  to  a 
fann  near  Moores  Hill,  wiiere  he  died  on  ]March  15,  1901,  aged  si.xty-three 
years.  Mr.  Smith  was  a  life-long  Republican.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Universalist  church,  and  belonged  to  the  Grand  .\rmy  of  the  Republic.  After 
his  death,  Mrs.  Smith  sold  the  farm.  This  union  was  blessed  with  five  chil- 
dren, namely:  Alaude  E.,  Grace  E.,  Phila  M.,  Ethel  V..  and  one  who  died  in  in- 
fancy. }ifaude  E.  became  the  wife  of  Francis  A.  Cole,  a  barber,  and  is  now  liv- 
ing at  Mansfield,  Alissouri.  They  had  four  children.  Hazel,  ^Nlerl,  Earl,  and 
one  who  died  young.  Phila  M.  married  Charles  M.  Givan,  a  carpenter,  and  is 
living  at  Anderson,  Indiana.  Ethel  V.  is  the  wife  of  W'illiam  Steinmctz,  and 
resides  at  Indianapolis,  where  her  husband  is  in  railroad  work.  Grace  E.  be- 
came the  wife  of  Irving  P.  Givan,  a  son  of  George  M.  and  Anna  ( Jaquith) 


■..iiA:.\.:i  .i^-.'.-X'j  v.yt.nm  <, 

,  ^1  •:  Ml':-..  V>  .- 


'i>grir.y| 


.:^    ■.','      ■--:•   :;-h;  ■■■(.■   .  ■f(..!nj->'l    .  i; 
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•4*t' '•:>'-■'    1''    'I''--    "   .tifi'Jt 


6l4  DEARBORN   COUXTV.   IXDIAXA. 

Givan,  and  this  union  has  been  l:)lessecl  witli  three  children:  Clyde,  bocn  on 
IMarch  ii,  1S97:  Roy,  February  2,  1901  ;  and  Gilbert  J.,  November  30,  1902. 

Jonathan  Anthony  and  Lucinda  (Babcock)  Smith,  father  of  Orson  Smith, 
were  natives  of  New  York  state,  and  came  west  in  early  pioneer  days,  settling 
on  a  farm  in  Ripley  county,  where  they  spent  their  remaining  days,  and  were 
quite  old  when  they  died.  Their  children  were,  Washington,  Orson,  Susan  L., 
Simon,  and  Columbus,  who  died  young.  \\'ashington  was  married  to  Ellen 
Ludwic,  and  lives  in  Illinois.  They  have  three  children.  Susan  L.  married 
the  Rev.  Elisha  Caldwell,  and  lives  at  Washington.  Indiana.  Simon  mar- 
ried IMartha  Helmich,  and  they  have  ten  children.  Elmer,  Everet,  Howard, 
Luvilla,  Orson,  Herbert,  Eelva,  Vivian,  and  two  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mrs.  Ermina  C.  Smith  has  many  friends  in  Sparta  township,  and  slie  is 
interested  in  all  the  good  works  of  this  commtmitv. 


LLEWELLYN  E.  DAVIES. 

Llewellyn  E.  Davies.  la\v_\-er,  x\urora,  Indiana,  was  born  on  January  5. 
1SS5,  in  ^lason  county,  \\'est  Virginia,  and  is  a  son  of  Samuel  E.  and 
Nellie  I.  (Wilson)  Davies.  He  has  lived  at  Aurora  since  he  was  a  small 
lad  of  seven  or  eight  years.  He  was  graduated  from  the  Aurora  high  school, 
and  then  entered  the  Cincinnati  Law  School,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  1906,  being  admitted  to  the  bar  during  that  year.  INIr.  Davies  at  once 
began  practicing  his  profession  at  Aurora ;  at  first  in  partnership  with  William 
S.  Llolman,  Jr..  under  the  firm  name  of 'Holman  &-  Davies.  which  arrangement 
was  continued  from  1906  until  1909,  when  Mr.  Davies  formed  a  new  i^arl- 
nership  with  Frank  B.  Shutts,  which  lasted  up  to  January  i,  191 1.  Since 
that  time  he  has  been  practicing  alone.  Mr.  Davies  is  a  staunch  Republican. 
and  is  a  member  of  the  First  Baptist  church  of  Aurora. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  E.  Davies.  and  his  wife,  Nellie  I.  (Wilson)  Davies. 
parents  of  the  subject  of  tliis  biography,  are  natives  of  Virginia  and  Ohio. 
respectively.  Mr.  Davies  was  a  graduate  of  Dennison  L'niversity  at  Gran- 
ville. Ohio,  and  of  Chicago  University.  He  has  been  a  Baptist  preacher  from 
young  manhood,  and  is  at  present  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church,  at 
Brazil,  Indiana.  Mrs.  Davies  died  in  1S94,  aged  thirty-four  years,  leaving 
three  children:  Llewellyn  E.,  of  Aurora;  Gladys  G.,  a  teacher  in  the  high 
school  at  Muskogee,  Oklahoma:  and  Larene  B.,  a  teacher  in  the  high  school 
at  Orleans.  Indiana. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  Daniel  Davies,  and  his  wife  was  ]Mary 
(Davies)   Davies.     They  were  natives  of  Wales,  and  were  early  settlers  in 


./-•••-/.■av. !    .'Tvu.-  X'^o;;  w:ia 


;^    -:i    :■:'  '    j;    sr   ini!,    .iinv^it'/    1-     '/     di 
:■;'   :i.;'i  ■■   <--i''\   .loiri:,:)--;   v. 


/'  1  '  .if 


"jf".!  fii   ,jrl-jn?l  .'.  ..ri  3n3-rr..l  f 


DEARBORX   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  615 

Mason  county,  West  \'irgiiiia,  where  they  died  at  past  middle  aj^e,  Icaviiii^ 
a  good-sized  family  of  children,  as  follow :  Benjamin,  Daniel,  James,  Samuel, 
William,  John,  Thomas  and  Mary. 

The  history  of  the  maternal  grandparents  is  lost. 

Mr.  Davies  holds  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  entire  community  in 
which  he  practices  his  profession  and  makes  his  home.  '  ■  ;    .    ,  ,: 


JAMES  H.  SHUTTS.  .    ^  .     ,  .  .  ., 

A  list  of  the  representative  citizens  of  Dillsboro,  Clay  township.  Dearborn 
county,  Indiana,  would  be  incomplete  were  there  failure  to  make  mention  of 
James  H.  Shutts,  one  of  the  older  citizens  and  the  immediate  subject  of  this 
sketch.  2\Ir.  Shutts  deserves  special  mention  owing  to  the  fact  that  he  was  one 
of  the  faithful  sons  of  the  Union  in  the  dark  days  when  the  integrity  of  our 
nation  was  threatened,  and  was  among  those  who  laid  his  all  upon  the  altar  of 
his  country's  need. 

James  H.  Shutts  is  a  native  of  this  country,  having  been  born  on  Decem- 
ber 29,  1843,  a  son  of  Minard  and  Emily  (Hinds)  Shutts.  Minard  Shutts 
was  a  son  of  Isaac  who  is  thought  was  born  in  New  York,  where  he  is  known 
to  have  lived  for  a  time  at  least,  and  who  w'ith  his  wife  and  family  later  became 
pioneers  in  the  wilds  of  Ohio.  In  the  latter  years  of  his  life  he  came  to  In- 
diana, where  he  died  at  a  very  advanced  age. 

The  birthplace  of  ]\Iinard  Shutts  is  not  definitely  known.  He  may  have 
been  born  while  the  family  lived  in  New  York,  but  it  is  thought  he  first  saw  the 
light  of  day  in  Ohio.  When  a  young  man  he  mastered  the  cooper  trade  and 
when  twenty-four  years  of  age  purchased  his  first  farm,  a  tract  of  sixty  acres, 
located  near  where  Cold  Spring  station  now  stands.  That  land  he  retained 
for  three  years,  w'hen  he  sold  it  and  purchased  a  fanri  of  sixty-one  acres,  west 
of  Dillsboro,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life.  His  death  occurred 
in  1862,  when  forty-five  years  of  age.  Emily  Hinds,  mother  of  the  immediate 
subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Ohio  and  died  in  Dillsboro  when  eighty- 
seven  years  of  age. 

James  H.  Shutts  was  one  of  a  family  of  ihree  boys,  being  the  eldest. 
The  others  were  William  and  Isaac.  William  was  one  of  Uncle  Sam's  Indian 
fighters  in  the  West  during  the  years  when  the  red  man,  strongly  resenting 
the  encroachments  of  his  white  brother,  caused  such  terror  among  the  settlers 
on  the  frontier.  William  and  James  were  both  in  the  Civil  War,  James  en- 
listing when  but  seventeen  years  old  in  Company  F,  Thirty-seventh  Regi- 


■     '      ;;;.     'Ji-hii::    J^:J-    )i,   ^-nh    /nit    J7-H 


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jJi'.;  'u'lj.  u 


6l6  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

inent,  Indiana  ^'oluntec^  Iiitantr}-.  He  scrx'ed  tlirce  years  and  two  iriont'n^  and 
during  that  time  was  in  some  of  die  important  engagements  of  the  war. 
among  tliem  being  Stone  Ri\'er,  ]\esaca.  Chickamauga  and  others.  After  his 
time  of  enhstment  liad  CNpired,  he  returned  to  his  home  and  took  up  tlie  coop- 
er's trade,  which  he  mastered  and  which  he  foUowed  for  fully  twenty-five 
years.  \\'ear_\-ing  of  his  trade,  he  opened  up  a  grocery  store  in  Dillsboro.  which 
he  operated  for  three  years,  when  he  retired  from  the  acti\e  affairs  of  life. 

In  September,  1865,  James  H.  Shutts  was  united  in  marriage  with  Jane 
Pearson,  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Sarah  (i'erlee)  Pearson,  of  Dearboni 
county.  Air.  Pear.son,  was  born  on  boardship  en  route  from  England,  when  his 
parents  were  immigrating  to  this  country  and  ]\Irs.  Pearson  was  born  in  Dela  ■ 
'  ware,  Ohio,  coming  to  this  country  when  a  }-oung  woman. 

Mr.  Shutts  is  a  member  of  the  Alethodist  Episcopal  church  and  is  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  Republican  party,  serving  as  justice  of  the  peace 
at  the  present  time.  He  holds  his  fraternal  affiliation  with  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  through  William 
Spear  Post,  No.  89,  at  Dillsboro.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shutts  have  never  had  any 
children.  ,  .       ,  .      .  ■ 


•/"   ■  ■  WILLIA?^!  H.  MEXDELL.  ,._.- 

Among  the  well-known  citizens  of  other  counties  in  the  great  Iloosier 
state  who  were  born  and  reared  in  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  is  William 
H.  Mendell,  a  prosperous  business  man  of  Indianapolis,  who  for  more  than 
twenty  years  has  conducted  a  grocery  in  the  capital  city  of  the  Hoosier 
state.  By  both  birth  and  marriage  he  is  connected  with  two  of  the  substantial 
families  of  Dearborn  county,  families  which  have  had  a  conspicuous  part 
in  the  developments  of  private  enterprise  in  Dearborn  county.  Although  not 
now  a  resident  of  Dearborn  county,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mendell  are  attached  to  this 
splendid  county  by  the  warmest  ties  of  affection  and  family  home. 

William  H.  3.fendell,  a  native  of  ^^lanchester  township.  Dearborn  coimty, 
Indiana,  was  born  on  March  24,  1871.  He  is  the  son  of  Willard  and  Martha 
(Stevenson)  Mendell,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  the  Hoosier  state,  the 
former  in  Ohio  county  and  the  later  in  Dearborn  county.  Thoy  were  married 
in  Dearborn  county  and  had  as  the  fruit  of  their  marriage  nine  children, 
of  whom  William  H.  was  the  fifth  of  the  family.  Both  of  his  parents  are  now 
deceased.  Thev  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  Will- 
ard Mendell  was  identified  with  the  Republican  party.  He  was  n  carpenter  by 
trade.     Seven  of  the  Mendell  children  are  still  living. 


(">iA 


(.     -:v-:''Mj;;;.     ,:cr7^-!n 


i-lh'7  ^'i:  u"  j'>iA 


■'j    f  I     nj'A  v-\    r.    ' 


DKAKIIORX   COUNTY,  IXLUAXA.  617 

William  11.  Mendel!  receix-ed  his  ed.ucation  at  Wrights  Corner  in  Dear- 
horn  CLiunty,  Indiana,  near  which  he  remained  until  iwenty-one  years  uld.  Jnst 
after  reaching  his  majnrity,  he  went  to  INIorristnw^i,  Inrliana,  and  there 
in  partnership  with  his  hmlher,  Joseph  A,  Alendell.  engaged  in  the  grocery 
husincss  for  six  months.  From  ?\[orristown,  Mr.  Mendell  went  to  Indianapolis 
and  established  a  grocery  at  the  corner  of  IMicliigan  and  We^t  Streets,  After 
having'  engaged  in  business  at  this  location  for  eight  years,  Mr.  Mendell  sold 
out  and  in  iqoi  established  a  grocery  at  the  corner  of  California  street  and 
Indiana  avenue.  He  carries  a  stock  worth  approximately  twenty-five  hundr.Hl 
dollars  and  for  a  number  of  years  has  enjoyed  a  large  and  lucrative  patronag-e. 
Mr.  Mendell  not  only  carries  a  complete  and  up-to-dale  line  of  groceries,  Init 
he  likewise  carries  a  complete  line  of  meats. 

On  September  30.  1900,  William  H.  INIendell  was  married  at  Wrights 
Corner,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  to  Ada  C.  Johnston,  a  daughter  of  George 
W^ashington  and  Mollie  (Bainum)  Johnston,  the  former  of  whom  is  the 
son  of  George  Johnston,  whose  liiography  appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 
George  W.  Johnston  is  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Dearborn  county,  and  has  been 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  all  liis  life.  ]\Ir.  and  ^Irs.  George  W. 
Johnston  now  resides  on  a  farm  near  Aurora,  in  Dearborn  county. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  H.  IMendell  are  the  parents  of  two  children,  Joseph 
Emery  and  William  H.,  Jr.,  both  of  whom  live  at  home  with  their  parents. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  ]\Iendell  are  affiliated  with  the  Methodist  church.  ]\lr.  Men- 
dell is  a  Republican  in  ])olitics,  and  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  I'ylhias.  The 
Mendells  reside  at  1802  Schumtann  avenue,  Indianapolis,  Indiana. 


MRS.    EMMA    SMALL. 


The  subject  of  this  biography  and  her  husband  were  both  born  in  this 
county,  and  have  done  well  their  part  in  bringing  about  the  present  high 
standard  of  living  in  this  commimity. 

Mrs.  Emma  Small,  wife  of  Elias  Small,  deceased,  was  born  on  November 
26,  1853,  in  W'ashington  township,  near  Taber  Ridge,  and  is  a  ilaughter  of 
David  D.  and  Catherine  (Clark)  Durham.  She  resides  at  Wilmington.  Hogan 
township.  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  where  she  and  Mr.  Small  made  their 
home  for  many  years.  The  place  is  improved  with  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
brick  residences  in  the  township,  and  in  addition  to  which,  Mrs.  Small  owns 
two  farms,  of  V\-hich  she  is  sole  manager. 

Of  her  parents,  David  D.  and  Catherine   (Clark)   Durham,  Mrs.  Small 


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6l8  DEARBORN   COUNTY.   INDIANA. 

remembers  but  little,  as  she  was  quite  young-  at  the  time  nf  their  death.  Her 
father  was  boni  in  \'irginia,  and  her  mother  in  Connecticut,  and  were  among 
the  very  early  settlers  of  the  village  of  Wilmington,  Hogan  township.  Her 
father  was  a  very  fine  wood  worker,  being  employed  by  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio 
Railroad  Compan}'  as  a  coach  builder,  which  business  he  followed  for  many 
years. 

The  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Small  were  natives  of  Connecticut,  and  were 
early  settlers  in  Hogan  township,  where  they  were  farmers.  They  had  a  small 
family  of  children. 

Emma  Durham  was  married  on  August  25,  1872,  to  Elias  Small,  son  of 
Fred.  Harrison  \\'.,  and  Catherine  Small.  In  his  early  days  Fred.  H.  W. 
Small  operated  fruit  boats  on  the  Ohio  river,  and  in  later  life,  he  followed 
farming  in  Hogan  township  until  his  death.  Elias  Small  -was  born  on  July 
30,  1850,  in  Hogan  township,  Dearborn  county,  where  he  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools.  After  leaving  school  he  commenced  farming,  which  oc- 
cupation he  followed  all  his  life  and  in  which  he  was  veiy  successful.  He 
was  a  thrifty  and  energetic  worker  and  with  able  co-operation  of  his  wife 
soon  accumulated  good  farm  lands.  To  this  union  four  children  were  born, 
David,  Joseph,  Addic  and  Harry,  all  now  married.  Addie,  became 
the  wife  of  Ralph  Prichard;  David  is  married  to  Edna  Conger;  Joseph  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Katherine  Radspinner;  Harry  married  Gertrude 
Abdon  and  li^'es  in  Dearborn  county. 

Mr.  Small  died  on  ;\Iay  20,  ic;i2,  and  his  demise  was  deeply  regretted 
by  his  many  friends,  among  v\'hom  he  was  held  in  high  esteem. 


'■■  JOHN  FREDERICK  HOMANN. 

Born  in  Germany,  and  reared  in  America.  Mr.  Homann  has  blended  his 
thrifty  German  instincts  with  the  progress  and  push  of  his  adopted  country, 
the  result  of  which  is  a  highly  satisfactory  combination  from  a  business  stand- 
point. Prosperity  and  good  fortune  have  followed  his  everj'  venture.  He  has 
always  been  a  public-spirited  man,  taking  a  deep  interest  in  e\'erything  that 
has  stood  for  the  best  in  his  home  town,  and  is  now  rewarded  with  one  of 
its  principal  offices,  that  of  postmaster,  which  he  is  amply  qualified  to  fill. 

John  Frederick  Homann.  postmaster.  Cold  Springs,  Sparta  township, 
was  born  on  December  20,  1848,  at  Flanover,  Germany,  near  Celle,  and  is  a 
son  of  John  Frederick  and  Fredreeka  (Wrede)  Homann.  He  was  educated 
in  Germanv.  and  when  fourteen  vears  of  age  began  to  learn  the  shoemaking 


\.  ,.,,;.     .,:,";-:!  i     .         ■ ■■ifi    ", 

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DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  6lQ 

trade,  completing  his  apprenticeship  in  1S70,  when  he  came  to  America,  land- 
ing at  New  York  City  on  May  7,  1S70,  and  went  direct  to  Chicago.  He  re- 
mained there  for  a  short  time,  and  t'.ien  made  a  tour  of  Illinois,  Michigan,  Ten- 
nessee, Mississippi  and  Arkansas,  and  in  the  spring  of  1S71,  settled  at  Cin- 
cinnati and  engaged  in  the  shocmaking  trade.  In  1875  he  came  to  Cold 
Springs  and  purchased  the  general  store  of  Henry  Wilkining,  which  he 
successfully  conducted  until  1913.  Mr.  Homann  was  appointed  postmaster  of 
Cold  Springs,  and  has  held  the  office  for  the  past  thirty-three  years. 

John  Frederick  Homann,  Sr.,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  1826, 
in  Hanover,  Germany,  and  his  wife,  Fredreeka  fWrede)  Flomann.  was  also  a 
native  of  Hanover,  where  they  lived  all  their  lives.  They  were  prosperous 
people,  owning  a  large  farm.  Mr.  Homann  died  in  1875,  'iged  fifty-one 
years,  and  his  wife  was  fifty-five  years  old  when  she  died,  in  1881.  They  had 
two  children,  John  Frederick,  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  Caroline,  who  mar- 
ried Henry  Jager,  and  lived  in  Wensen.  Germany.  She  has  one  daughter, 
Henrietta,  who  is  also  married  and  living  in  Germany,  the  mother  of  three 
children.  John  Frederick  Homann,  Sr..  had  two  sisters,  Caroline  and 
Louisa. 

The  history  of  the  maternal  grandfather  is  lost. 

John  Frederick  Homann  was  united  in  marriage  on  August  13,  1874, 
with  Emma  Schilling,  daughter  of  August  and  Dorothy  ( Ideker)  Schilling. 
She  was  born  on  August  24,  1855,  near  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  and  was  educated 
in  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  and  lived  with  her  parents  until  her  marriage. 
Their  children  are  as  follows:  John  Frederick,  George  A.,  Augusta  E.,  Char- 
lotte M. ;  and  two  adopted  children,  Fay  F.  and  IMarie  D. 

John  Frederick  Homann.  the  third,  w-as  married  to  Alice  Harwood.  and 
resides  at  Washington,  Indiana,  where  he  is  a  successful  dentist.  They  have 
two  children,  Frederick  and  Virginia.  George  A.  was  married  to  Cora 
Trietch,  and  is  living  near  Dillsboro  on  a  farm.  Thev  have  three  children, 
Arthur  F.,  Charlotte  A.,  and  Leonard.  Augusta  E.  became  the  wife  of  Rev. 
Theodore  Henkel,  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  resides  at  Hillards,  Ohio. 
They  have  four  children,  Paul,  Richard,  Kurt,  and  Alfred.  Charlotte  'M.  is 
the  wife  of  the  Rev.  William  F.  Henkel.  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  is  living 
at  Ashland,  Kentucky.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  two  children,  Luther 
and  Vera.  Fay  Manleif  became  the  wife  of  Harry  Smith,  and  resides  at  Cold 
Springs.  They  have  one  daughter,  Louise.  Marv  Richardson  is  living  at 
home. 

August  and  Dorothy  Schilling,  parents  of  Mrs.  John  Frederick  Homann, 


./  /iz-iayi  .iivijo':  v«;iiv;<t/ irirf 


^rj;:;i-f:r:-<  ■.■,-;i    'iliiij    Vn- 
,-:s-;M:iK:  j^"!/!'   -v,';;;;    .:j(il'      ,rn-M;i   j.;  no 


620  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

were  natives  of  IIano\-cr.  Germany.  The  former  was  born  on  Decemljcr 
g,  1825,  and  the  latter  on  January  5,  1829.  Afr.  Schillinc;-  immigrated  to 
.America  in  1S40,  lanthng'  at  Xew  Orleans,  cuniing  soon  after  to  Cincinr.ati, 
Ohio.  He  was  married  at  Delhi,  TTamiltcn  county,  Ohio,  June  2t,.  1834,  to 
Dorothy  Ideker,  who  came  to  America  with  her  sisters  when  a  young  woman. 
They  settled  at  Delhi,  v.herc  they  followed  farming,  and  later  moved  to 
Dearborn  county,  Indiana.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  Emma, 
August,  John,  Dora  and  Henry.  Mrs.  Schilling  died  in  1896,  aged  sixty-thi'ee 
years.     Mr.  Schilling  died  in  1S85,  aged  fifty-nine  years. 

Mr.  and  Airs.  Plomann  occu])y  a  positit.m  of  high  esteem  in  the  com- 
munity in  which  they  reside  and  where  they  made  many  sincere  friends.  Air. 
Ilomann  took  a  leading  part  in  tlie  establishment  of  the  Lutheran  cluirch  at 
Cold  Springs,  which  was  built  in  1893,  and  helped  to  secure  the  funds  for  its 
erection.  Rev.  R.  Eirich  was  the  first  pastor,  yir.  Homann  served  for  many 
years  as  secretary  of  this  church. 


WILLIAAI  TRABOR  TURNER. 

Among  the  enterprising  and  progressive  farmers  of  Sparta  township. 
Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  is  \\'il!iam  Trabor  Turner,  who  for  a  number  of 
years  has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  belongs  to  a  class  of  men 
who  furnish  a  fine  exainple  of  steadfast  perseverance  and  a  stroiig  illustratiijn 
of  what  may  be  accomplished  by  the  individual  who  makes  up  his  mind  to  do 
liis  share  of  the  pulling,  when  necessit}-  places  liini  in  the  harness  of  human 
endea\-or. 

William  Trabor  Turner,  farmer,  of  Sparta,  township,  Deari)orn  county, 
Indiana,  was  born  where  he  now  lives,  January  19.  1859.  He  is  a  son  of  Will- 
iam and  Catherine  (Lippard)  Turner.  He  w^as  erlucated  at  the  district  schools, 
and  later  followed  agriculture,  under  the  instruction,  of  his  father,  and  after 
the  death  of  his  father,  he  took  the  farm  over,  bought  sixty-five  acres  more, 
making  ninety-five  acres  in  all.  Air.  Turner  has  given  his  life-long-  support  to 
the  Republican  party.     He  is  a  member  of  the  chapter.  Royal  .\rch  Alasons. 

William  Turner  was  born  near  Alanchester,  England,  in  iSio,  and  came 
to  the  United  States  when  ten  years  of  age  with  his  parents,  who  located  at 
Cincinnati  and  who  later  came  to  Sparta  township  and  snon  after  took  one 
hundred  and  sixtv  acres  from  the  government,  at  a  cost  of  one  dollar  and 


\(      \\: 


I  ,  r.  .-  ,    t 


-)!'ij.  -r./A-   hwa 


DEARBORN   COUXTV.  IXDIAXA.  621 

(wcntv-five  cents  an  acre,  to  wliich  they  later  added  forty  acres  more.  Mr. 
Turner  lived  here  uith  liis  parents  until  their  death,  and  then  went  itito 
the  g-eneral  store  business  at  Chesterville,  Indiana,  and  at  the  end  of  eij^lit 
years,  sold  out  and  bought  part  of  the  old  farm,  where  he  lived  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  February.  iSSo.  He  was  quite  a  traveler,  and 
made  two  trips  back  to  England.  }*Ir.  Turner  always  ti;io]<  an  actis'e  interest 
in  public  enterprises,  and  was  well  informed  on  all  topics  of  the  time,  lb-  al- 
ways gave  his  loyal  support  to  the  Republican  party.  He  was  an  earnest  mem- 
ber of  the  Episcopal  church.  His  fraternal  membership  was  with  the  Ma.-Mjnic 
lodge. 

Catherine  Lippard  was  born  in  August,  1S27,  at  Hamilton,  Ohio,  and. 
when  young-  moved  to  Ripley  county,  Indiana,  and  was  educated  in  Wash- 
ington township,  where  she  lived  until  her  marriage  to  William  Turner. 
This  union  was  blessed  with  three  children:  William,  and  two  who  died  in 
infancy.  Catherine  Lipjiard  ^\•as  the  second  wife  of  William  Turner,  his  first 
wife  being-  Rebecca  Xoble,  by  whom  he  had  two  children :  Sara,  who  died 
aged  twelve  years,  and  JMan*  I\I.,  who  was  bom  on  October  17,  1856,  at 
Chester\-ille,  Sparta  township.  Mary  ]M.  was  educated  and  lived  at  Chester- 
ville until  her  marriage  to  John  H.  Stockwell,  of  Ripley  county,  who  was  a 
school  teacher  in  early  life,  but  was  later  employed  by  the  Altinan  Threshing 
^lachine  Company,  as  general  manager  of  Indiana,  Illinois,  Ohio,  and  part  of 
Kentucky,  for  fifteen  years  with  headquarters  at  Indianapolis.  [Nlr.  Stock- 
well  died  in  1900,  aged  forty-two  years. 

William  Turner,  the  paternal  grandfather,  was  born  in  Englanrl,  and 
brought  his  family  to  America.  His  children  were  :  William,  Mary  Ami.  Sam- 
uel, Betsey,  John  and  Sarah.  Mary  Ann,  now  deceased,  was  married  to 
Thomas  Obder,  and  lived  at  Chesterfield,  Indiana.  They  had  three  children, 
John,  Mary,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Samuel,  now  deceased,  was  mar- 
ried to  Nancy  Huntingtim,  and  lived  in  Sparta  township  on  a  farm.  They 
had  five  children,  George,  Cora,  Addie,  Clara  and  Stanley.  Betsey  Turner 
became  the  wife  of  Alexander  Walker,  lived  in  Sparta  township,  where  her 
husband  followed  agriculture,  and  both  are  deceased.  They  liad  six  chil- 
dren, Jane,  Mary,  ^^'illiam,  George,  Elizabeth  and  Ella.  John  married  Anne 
Noble;  he  was  a  farmer  of  Sparta  township.  Their  children  were  seven  in 
number,  Sara,  Frank,  William  S.,  Harry,  Fannie.  Edward  and  Herbert.  Sarah 
became  the  wife  of  Frank  Elrod  and  moved  to  Ripley  county,  where  they 
followed  farming.  They  had  four  children,  John.  George,  Amy  and  one 
other. 


'U'''  .-■-li.:.: 


622  DEARBORN'   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

William  Tralxir  Turner  was  married  on  December  31,  1885,  to  Effie 
Chance,  daughter  of  Hiram  and  Eliza  (Thompson)  Chance.  She  was  born 
in  1864,  in  Sparta  township,  and  lived  there  until  her  marriage. 

Mr.  Turner  has  won  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  entire  community 
in  which  he  lives  by  his  pleasing  address  and  his  industrious  habits. 


AIRS.  LAURA  EWAN  KRUSE. 

Among  the  leaders  in  the  social  life  of  this  township  is  a  woman  whose 
ability  to  make  and  retain  friends  is  far  above  the  average.  Gifted  with 
those  qualities  of  mind  and  heart  which  endear  her  to  those  who  know  her, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  has,  from  early  womanhood,  been  prominent  in  the 
community;  a  contributing  cause  being  the  fact  that  for  several  generations, 
her  ancestoi"S  have  been  among  the  best-known  of  the  residents  of  this  township 
and  county. 

Mrs.  Laura  Ewan  Kruse.  the  sul>ject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Sparta 
on  April  3,  1S51.  Slic  is  the  daughter  of  Charles  and  Ann  Augusta  (King) 
Ewan,  the  former  l,>eing  a  native  of  Victor,  Ontario  county.  Xew  York, 
born  on  April  9,  iSio,  and  the  latter,  born  on  October  2,  1818,  in  Law- 
renceburg,  Indiana. 

Samuel  Ewan,  paternal  grandfather  of  Airs.  Kruse,  was  a  native  of  Xew 
York,  where  he  made  his  home  until  the  year  1822,  when  he  migrated  to 
Sparta  townsliip  and  took  up  government  land,  where  he  lived  until  his  death. 
W'hen  his  country'  called.  Samuel  Ewan  shouldered  his  musket,  and  served 
in  the  War  of  1S12  until  its  close.  He  was  a  Whig,  and  adhered  to  the  tenets 
of  the  Alethodist  Episcopal  church.  As  a  man  and  as  a  farmer,  lie  was  an 
important  citizen  in  his  time,  and  was  highly  respected  by  all  who  knew  hiir). 
His  wife,  Alercy  (Sprague)  Ewan,  was  born  in  Rhode  Island,  and  lived  there 
until  she  was  a  young  woman.  After  her  marriage  to  J.  Hawley,  of  New 
York,  she  moved  to  that  state.  By  this  marriage  she  had  one  child,  Asenelh. 
Her  first  husband  did  not  live  long,  and  after  his  death,  she  again  married,  her 
second  husband  being  Samuel  Ewan,  by  whom  she  had  eight  children.  These 
were;  Mary,  Charles  (father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch),  Elizal^eth,  Levi, 
Mercy,  Jane,  Rebecca  and  John.  Charles  Ewan  was  about  twelve  years  old 
when  he  came  west  \vith  his  parents,  and  locating  near  Cold  Spring,  they 
settled  on  government  land.      Flere  the  young  man  lived   with  his  parents 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  623 

until  1839,  when  on  August  22,  he  was  married  to  Ann  King,  tiie  mother  of 
Mrs.  Kruse,  and  they  purchased  a  farm  adjoining  that  of  iier  father,  Hving 
there  a  few  years.  They  then  bought  a  farm  near  by,  and  remained  on  his 
wife's  farm  until  the  father's  death,  on  August  10,  1S85,  their  residence  here 
having  begun  in  1850.  Charles  Ewan  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-five,  after 
having  been  a  farmer  all  of  his  life.  It  was  his  custom  to  load  a  flatboat  uitii 
hay  every  winter,  and  take  it  to  New  Orleans  to  sell.  He  was  strong  in  his 
Republicanism,  and  in  his  loyalty  to  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge,  of  which  he 
was  a  member. 

Ann  Augusta  (King)  Ewan  was  the  daughter  of  Phineas  Lonsbarv  and 
Clarissa  H.  (Thompson)  King,  l^oth  of  whom  were  born  in  I'oughkeepsie, 
New  York,  were  married  and  came  to  Indiana,  settling  in  this  township  on 
government  land.  Ann  Augusta  was  educated  in  the  Sparta  schools,  and  at- 
tended school  in  Richmond,  Indiana.  She  was  a  well-read  woman.  She  was 
married  on  Augxist  22,  1839.  to  Charles  Ewan.  To  this  union  were  born  seven 
children,  namely:  Ezra  H.  and  Columbus  E.,  both  deceased;  N.  Bonaparte; 
Rosaline;  Laura  Helen,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Alice,  and  John  deceased. 
N.  Boneparte  was  married  to  ^lary  Bell,  who  lives  in  ^.loores  Hill.  They 
had  four  children,  Caroline  E.,  Laura  Leigh  (]\Irs.  McClure),  ^ilarv-  Myrtle, 
and  Charles  Carver,  deceased.  Rosaline  was  born  on  May  7,  1846,  and  was 
married  to  Carver  Jones  on  January  18,  1S70,  in  Geneva,  New  York.  The 
Kings  lived  in  Sparta  until  their  death.  Phineas  King  and  Clarissa  (Thomp- 
son) King  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  Amanda,  Ann  Augusta,  Elmira. 
Isaac,  John  Dean,  Henry  and  Milo  Caleb. 

Mrs.  Kruse  spent  her  girlhood  days  on  the  farm  of  her  parents.  There 
she  was  married  to  George  \Y.  Kruse,  who  was  born  on  Februar}-  22,  1856, 
at  Cold  Springs.    They  have  always  lived  on  the  old  homestead. 

The  present  home  of  Mr.  and  Airs.  Kruse  is  the  center  of  much  of  the 
social  life  of  the  community,  for  Mrs.  Kruse  especially  is  fond  of  enter- 
taining, and  many  friends  frequently  accept  her  hospitality. 


■        '  '  WILLIAM  R.  W'HITEFORD. 

As  a  man  whose  interests,  while  centering  in  the  agricultural  industry,  are 
not  limited  to  it,  William  R.  Whiteford,  farmer  and  politician,  is  one  whose 
name  deserves  special  mention  in  a  publication  of  this  kind,  one  of  the  func- 


,r.:\  .:uu,l 


VAi.i.U// 


0^4  DEARBORN   COUXTV,   INDIANA. 

ticms  of  which  is  to  pay  tribute  to  tliose  whose  lives  merit  honor  and  respect. 
yir.  W'hiteford  is  a  nati\  e  of  Sparta  town.ship,  having  been  born  here  on  Feb- 
ruary 28.  1869,  and  is  the  son  of  Robert  and  Jane  (Cunningiiam)  W'hiteford. 

Robert  \Miiteford.  born  in  County  Antrim,  Ireland,  April  ij,  183 -, 
crossed  the  ocean  with  his  parents  when  he  was  a  mere  lad,  and  came  with 
them  to  Dearborn  county,  settling  near  Laughery.  In  those  dava  it  was  not 
easy  fur  those  who  did  not  possess  land  to  make  a  living  for  themsel\'es  and 
theii"  families,  and  Rubert  was  still  only  a  youth  when  he  was  required  to  earn 
his  way  through  the  world  by  his  own  efforts.  He  had  quick  success,  how- 
ever, for  soon  after  his  marriage,  he  bought  seventy-two  acres  of  land  in  th.is 
township,  where  he  still  resides.  In  political  affiliations  he  is  a  Democrat. 
Jane  Cunningham,  who  became  the  mother  ijf  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a 
native  of  the  same  Irish  county  a^  her  husband,  and  also  came  to  this  countrv 
in  her  youth,  settling  in  this  county  near  Laughery  creek.  ^Ir.  and  Mrs. 
W'hiteford  became  the  parents  of  six  children,  as  follow :  Luella,  Elizabeth, 
Anna  (deceased),  William,  Jennie  and  Mulvina.  Elizabeth  married  Era:il: 
INIcMahan,  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Brown  county,  Kansas.  Their  children  are 
Imes  and  Gertrude.  Jennie  married  Isaac  Smith,  of  Hogan  township,  and  is 
the  mother  of  Edna,  Crlad^'s,  Mildred  and  Elizabeth. 

William  R.  W'hiteford,  after  his  schooling  in  this  township  was  com- 
pleted, continued  farming  with  his  father  until  his  marriage,  on  December  6, 
1893,  to  Anna  C.  Hoppmire,  daughter  of  Ernest  and  Christina  ( ^vleyers) 
Hoppmire.  After  their  marriage,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W'hiteford  moved  to  their 
own  farm  of  seventy-two  acres,  where  they  have  led  a  busy,  happy  and  useful 
life.  Mr.  W'hiteford  is  a  good  farmer,  studies  the  business  from  a  scientific 
point  of  view,  and  his  success  gives  proof  of  the  efficiency  of  his  methods. 

Ernest  Hoppmire,  father  of  Mrs.  Whiteford,  was  the  son  of  Anton  E.  and 
Anna  ilaria  Hoppmire,  and  canie  to  America  when  a  young  man,  taking  up 
his  home  in  Xew  York  City.  He  was  born  in  Prussia,  on  November  7,  18.^7. 
He  remained  only  a  few  years  in  Xew  York,  and  then  migrated  to  Indiana, 
where  he  purchased  a  farm  in  IManchester  township,  Dearborn  county,  and 
lived  there  until  1872.  Moving  to  Hogan  township,  they  continued  farming 
on  three  hundred  acres,  and  lived  there  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Hoppmire,  which 
occurred  on  March  29,  1907,  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years.  He  was  a 
Democrat,  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Christina,  his  wife,  was  a 
native  of  Olfte  Oberlubbe,  Germany,  being  born  on  April  7,  1834.  She  died 
on  the  home  farm  on  November  27,  1907,  aged  seventy-four  years. 

The  children  born  to  Air.  and  Mrs.  Ernest  Hoppmire  were  eleven  in  num- 


i      ■■••I; 


■..K 


M'-' 


DEARBURX   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  "  625 

l)cr,  these  being  Caroline,  Louisa,  l-"redcrick,  Hcnr}-,  William,  Anna  (Mrs. 
Whiteford),  Ernest,  and  four  who  passed  away  in  early  childhood.  Caroline 
is  now  Mrs.  Lewis  \Mse,  of  Aurora,  Lidiana.  Louisa  married  William  Kim- 
ball, who  lives  in  Hogan  township.  Their  daughter  is  Edna  P.  Sheeter.  Fred- 
erick is  the  husband  of  Viola  Ragsdale,  of  ^lanchester,  Lidiana,  and  their  chil- 
dren are  named  Lulu,  George  and  Frank.  Henry  is  the  husband  of  Frances 
Smith,  living  on  the  homestead  in  Ilogan  township.  Their  onlv  son  is  named 
Willis.  William  married  Lillian  Ragsdale,  of  Hogan  township,  and  their  chil- 
dren are  Walter  and  Mabel.  Ernest  was  united  in  marriage  to  Amy  Roof, 
of  Flogan  township,  \vliere  they  still  reside,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  a 
(laughter.  Madonna.  Anna  was  born  on  October  6,  1871,  on  a  farm  in  Hogan 
township.  Her  only  son  is  named  Lawrence  M.,  he  being  born  in  Sparta 
on  ]\[ay  11,  1897. 

William  R.  Whiteford  has  taken  for  many  years  a  deep  interest  in  politics, 
and  has  found  time  to  serve  in  public  office.  He  is  nov/  a  trustee,  having  been 
elected  in  November,  1914,  for  a  term  of  four  years.  Being  brought  up  in  a 
home  in  which  the  political  affiliation  was  with  the  Democratic  party,  may  ac- 
count for  his  present  membership  in  that  party.  Mr.  Whiteford  is  an  Odd  Fel- 
low, lieing  a  past  grand  in  that  order.  He  is  interested,  too,  in  church  work, 
and  is  a  deacon  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  It  is  because  of  his  interest  in 
public  affairs,  as  well  as  in  the  farming  industry,  that  Mr.  W'hiteford  has  be- 
come so  widely  and  so  favorably  known  in  his  community,  where  he  has  the 
esteem  of  friends,  neighbors  and  acquaintances  alike. 


CHARLES  H.  NIEMAN. 

After  trying  his  hand  at  farming  and  various  other  pursuits,  Charles 
H.  Xieman  has  discovered  that  his  particular  talents  lie  in  the  direction  of  the 
leading  business  of  the  age,  that  of  the  automobile,  and  is  very  successfully 
conducting  a  salesroom  and  garage  at  Aurora.  Mr.  Nieman  has  worked 
his  own  way  up,  step  by  step,  and  the  man  who  possesses  such  sterling  quali- 
ties is  a  credit  to  any  city  fortunate  enough  to  have  him  for  a-  resident. 

Charles  H.  Xieman  was  born  on  ]^Iarch  5,  1868,  in  Aurora,  Indiana,  and 
IS  a  son  of  John  Frederick  and  Clara  (Eylar)  Nieman.  His  education  was  ob- 
tained at  the  country  and  parochial  schools.  At  the  age  of  seven  years  his 
parents  moved   to   a  farm   in   Randolph   township,   Ohio   countv,    where   he 

(40) 


iK'j:    I'l.     t -f. 


626  DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

remained  until  twenty-two  years  old,  when  he  learned  the  buttcr-niakiii;; 
business,  and  C(3ndueted  a  creamery  in  Aurora  for  two  years,  after  whioii 
he  engaged  in  the  ice  business  for  a  period  of  three  years,  changing  fn.ini 
that  to  the  grocery,  and  later  opened  a  hardware  store  and  handled  farm 
machinery  for  about  thirteen  years,  and  after  one  or  two  other  changes, 
finally  went  into  partnersliip  with  J.  C.  I.inkmeyer  in  the  automobile  and 
garage  business,  in  which  he  is  still  interested.  Mr.  Xieman  is  an  ardeiit 
Republican,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

John  Frederick  Nicman  was  a  natiye  of  Germany,  where  he  was  reared 
and  educated.  He  came  to  America  in  1S63,  and  located  first  at  Rising  Sun 
where  he  was  employed  on  a  farm  for  a  short  time,  and  then  moyed  to 
Aurora  and  apprenticed  himself  in  the  cabinet-maker's  and  carpenter's  trades, 
serving  three  years  without  pay  in  learning.  He  died  in  Aurora  in  1902. 
In  addition  to  his  trades,  ]Mr.  Nieman  was  the  owner  of  a  small  chair  factory 
at  Aurora,  in  which  he  employed  a  number  of  workmen.  ]Mr.  and  ^^Irs. 
Nieman  -were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  were  the  parents  of 
twelve  children,  as  follows :  Ernest,  who  resides  in  Texas ;  Florentina,  de- 
ceased, who  was  the  wife  of  Henry  Schumacher;  Hem-y,  deceased;  Charles 
H.,  of  Aurora,  Indiana;  Frederick,  who  resides  at  Paducah,  Kentucky;  Clara. 
the  wife  of  John  C.  Linkmeyer,  partner  of  our  subject;  W'ilhelmina,  \\ho 
became  the  wife  of  Henry  Hollman,  of  Seymour,  Indiana ;  Eliza,  who  died 
unmarried,  and  fijur  who  died  young. 

The  paternal  grandparents  of  our  subject  died  in  Gennan}-.  They 
had  three  children,  John  Frederick  and  two  others. 

The  histoiy  of  the  maternal  grandparents  is  lost,  except  that  they 
were  natives  of  Germany  and  died  there,  leaving  four  children,  Clara  (  ilrs. 
Nieman),  and  three  others. 

Charles  H.  Nieman  was  married  on  February  18.  1897,  to  Magdalena 
Linkmeyer,  daughter  of  John  F.  Linkmeyer,  whose  wife  was  a  Miss  Hilker. 
There  is  one  son  to  this  union,  Stanle}-  L.  }ilrs.  Nieman  was  born  in  Ciesar 
Creek  township  in  August.  1S68. 

John  F.  Linkmeyer,  father  of  Mrs.  Nieman,  was  born  in  Germany,  and 
is  still  living  on  the  home  place.  His  wife  died  in  1875,  and  he  was  again 
married.  By  his  first  wife  ]Mr.  Linkmeyer  had  three  children,  Theodore. 
Magdalena  and  John  C.  His  second  wife  was  Anna  Bocksicker,  and  to  that 
union  six  children  were  born,  Mary,  ^linnie,  Clara,  Catharine,  Norma  and 
Harry. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nieman  have  many  warm  friends  in  Aurora,  and  Mr.  Nie- 
man has  built  up  a  prosperous  business  in  the  city  and  surrounding  territory. 


:  DEARBORN   COrXTV,   INDIANA.  '  627 

OSCAR   LOTSHAW  and   HAXXAH    LOTSMAW. 

At  the  time  when  Oscar  Liitsliaw  began  hi?  agricultural  career,  fanning 
was  carried  on  under  ver}-  different  and  more  difficult  meth'ids  than  it  is 
toda_y.  and  more  hours  were  necessary  in  securing  the  same  resuhs.  Mr. 
J^otshaNV  has  noted  the  various  ciianges  and  im[irovemenls,  and  is  mr)'.e 
capable  of  appreciating  these  adwantages  than  those  who  have  filled  their 
allotted  time  and  passed  on.  or  those  who  have  grown  to  maturity  later, 
having   had    no   personal   experience   with    pioneer    methods. 

Oscar  Lotshaw  \vas  born  on  -\Iay  5.  1854,  in  Ripley  county.  Indiana, 
and  is  a  son  of  David  and  ]\Iary  Ann  (Bell)  Lotshaw.  At  the  age  of  two 
months  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Cold  Springs,  where  he  was  educated, 
living  at  home  until  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  then  worked  out  by  the  month 
for  several  years.  Later  he  rented  two  fanns  in  Dearborn  county,  wiiicl) 
he  so  successfully  managed  that  he  v.-as  enabled  in  a  short  time  to  buy  a 
farm  of  twenty-eight  acres  near  Arran.  but  which  he  soon  sold,  reserving 
three  acres  for  himself. 

Da\'id  Lotshaw  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  Ripley  county, 
Iniliana,  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years,  and  here  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Mary  Ann  Bell,  daughter  of  John  B.  and  Harriet  Bell.  She  was  born 
in  Ireland,  and  caine  to  the  United  States  when  eleven  years  old,  with  ht-r 
parents,  who  settled  in  Ripley  county,  and  lived  there  until  they  died.  They 
were  the  parents  of  six  children,  Oscar,  Ellen  M.,  Mahaley,  John  B.,  Andrew 
and  Elizabeth.  ]\Ir.  Lotshaw  moved  from  Ripley  county  to  Cold  Sprin.gs, 
Dearborn  county,  where  he  had  lived  eight  years  prior  to  the  commencement 
of  the  Civil  War.  He  enlisted  in  the  Eighty-third  Regiment,  Indiana  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  and  died  from  an  injury  received  while  at  ]\Iulligan  Bend, 
Louisiana,  and  lies  buried  there.     He  was  a  son  of  George  W.  Lotshaw. 

George  \V.  Lotshaw,  the  paternal  grandfather,  was  born  and  reared 
in  Pennsylvania. 

John  B.  and  Llarriett  Bell,  the  maternal  grandparents,  were  born  and 
reared  in  Ireland,  coming  to  the  L'nited  States  at  middle  age.  and  settling  in 
Ripley  county,  whefe  they  lived  to  an  advanced  age,  and  are  buried  there. 

Oscar  Lotshaw  was  united  in  marriage  with  Susan  Peterman.  daughter 
of  William  and  Lucinda  Peterman.  She  was  born  on  July  4.  1S55.  in  Ripley 
county,  where  she  was  reared,  and  lived  until  her  death,  which  occurred  in 
1S94.  This  union  was  blest  with  the  following  children:  William  W.,  John 
W.,  Benjamin  B.,   David,  Andrew,   Bessie   Ann   and  Oscar.      Mr.   Lotshaw 


Kn.:  :■  r-"-!)-)' 


fv.-:.  !  ,,;. 


6^8  •  '  DEARBORX   COU!XTV,   IXTHAXA. 

I 

was  married,  scccndlv,  iti  Switxerland  ciuinty,  to  Ca??ie  Leonora  ^vlcadi.',  a  f 
native  of  that  county,  Dy  wnom  he  had  fi\'e  children,  tiarry,  Xora,  Mamie,  ! 
Francis  anri  Loa.     Crissie  L.    (Meade)    Lotshaw  died  in    1904,  and  one  year  ! 

later,  Air.  Lotshaw  was  married  to  Alice  Webb,  of  Dearliorn  county,  by  | 
whom  he  had  two  children,  \\'allace  and  Fay.  Alice  (Webb)  Lotshaw  died  | 
in  a  sh'^rt  time,  and  Mr.  Lotsliaw  took  unto  himself  a  fourth  wife.  AJ.rs. 
Hannah  (Shaffer)  Collins,  widow  of  Irlenry  Collins,  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  (Sells')  Shaffer.  .She  was  married  to  Henry  Collins  in  1890, 
bv  whom  she  had  one  daughter,  b'Jla -Collins,  who  became  the  wife  of  Oscar 
Rhuble,  and  resides  at  .Ab^ores  Hill,  To  Oscar  and  blannah  Lotshaw  ha\'e 
been  born  three  children,  Emma  J.,  Alamic  L.  and  Ida  H. 

John  and  Llizabeth  (Sells)  Shaffer  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
came  to  Dearborn  count-e  tw(_^  ^ears  after  their  marriage,  in  pioneer  da}"s. 

Mrs.  Hannah  Lotshav.-  is  a  woman  of  great  force  of  charact^'r,  and  is 
well  kuMwn  throughout  Sparta  township,  and  both  she  and  Mr.  Lotshaw 
have  the  respect  of  the  community  in  which  they  reside. 


•       .       ■  HARRY  ANDREWS  KING,  D.  D.  ■     ' 

Indiana  has  long  been  noted  for  high  efficiency  in  its  school  system.  It 
is  said  that  the  schools  have  reduced  the  illiteracy  of  the  state  until  it  now  rep- 
resents but  six-tenths  of  one  per  cent,  of  those  ranging  between  the  ages  of 
ten  and  twenty.  The  state  has  shown  in  recent  years  a  progressive  spirit  and 
materially  strengthened  its  school  system  by  providing  uniform  textbooks:  by 
enacting"  a  teachers'  minimum  wage  law;  by  passing  a  compulsory  educatiim 
law,  and.  by  maintaining  the  high  efficienc}'  of  its  teachers  and  instructors. 

Harry  Andrews  King  was  born  on  Octobar  27,  1867,  at  Kansas  City, 
Missouri,  and  is  a  son  of  David  C.  and  Sarah  L.  (Andrews)  King.  He  at- 
tended the  public  schools  at  Alarshall,  Illinois,  graduating  from  the  liigh  school 
in  1SS5,  after  which  he  became  bookkeeper  in  the  office  of  the  Kansas  City, 
Fort  Scott  &  Memphis  Railroad.  In  1893,  Mr.  King  moved  to  Baldwin,  Kan- 
sas, and  entered  the  Baker  University  as  a  freshman,  graduating  in  T897,  and 
later  entered  the  ministry  of  the  Alethodist  Episcopal  church, .his  first  paste'ratc 
being  at  Belton,  Missomi.  He  remained  there  one  year  and  then  went  to  Kan- 
sas City,  in  the  same  state,  where  he  had  charge  of  the  Kansas  Avenue  and. 
Oakley  churches  for  three  years.     In  the  fall  of  1901  he  resigned  that  pastorate 


1  I-.         Ii:,',     •-.( 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  629 

to  enter  the  Boston  Uni\er?it_\  School  nf  Theology,  and  w as  pastier  of  l^s^lcston 
Square  ^Methodist  Episco])al  clunch  in  Boston  at  the  same  time,  servin;^'  three 
years,  while  attending  the  theological  schi'ol,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
lOO-i,  with  the  degree  of  Di.'Ctor  of  Sacred  Theology.  ha\iug  already  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  from  Baker  L'niversity,  and  in  1900  h^; 
received  from  the  same  university  the  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Di\init\. 
In  1904  Doctor  King  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  ]\Iethodist  Episcoprd 
church  at  Kents  Hill,  [Maine,  serving  one  year,  and  then  received  his  second 
call  to  the  Oakley  Metliodist  Episcopal  church  at  Kansas  City,  in  1905:  In 
1907  he  was  elected  educational  secretary  of  Baker  University,  at  Baldwin. 
Kansas,  serving  two  years.  On  September  i,  1909,  Doctor  King  was  elected 
president  of  -Moores  Hill  College,  Moores  Hill,  Indiana,  serving  until  Novem- 
ber, 19 1 5,  wdien  he  resigned,  to  accept  the  presidency  of  Clark  University,  at 
Atlanta,  Georgia.  In  1903  Doctor  King  made  a  bicycle  tour  of  England, 
Scotland  and  the  continent,  and  in  1905  he  and  his  wife  spent  two  montlis  in 
Ireland,  Wales,  England,  Scotland,  France,  Switzerland  and  Italy. 

David  C.  King,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Tennes- 
see, September  19,  1S37.  in  a  moving  wagon,  while  the  family  was  en  route  to 
Illinois  from  Virginia,  He  is  a  son  of  Valentine  and  Deborah  Ann  (Um- 
barger)  King.  His  parents  settled  at  ^lar.shall,  Clark  county,  Illinois,  where 
he  was  educated,  attending  the  [Marshall  College  (now  (liscontinued),  where 
he  was  preparing  for  the  ministry,  but  he  was  called  to  serve  in  the  Civil  War, 
going  as  lieutenant-colonel  of  Company  F.  Seventy-ninth  Regiment.  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  twice  wountled,  and  was  in  practically  all  the 
battles  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  twenty-five  or  more.  In  1865,  David 
C.  King  was  married  to  Sarah  L.  Andrews,  daughter  of  Rev.  Dean  and  Louisa 
fShaw)  Andrews.  They  moved  to  Kansas  City,  where  Mr.  King  engaged  in 
Uisiness  as  merchant  and  building  contractor,  which  he  followed  until  about 
1890,  when  he  retired  from  business.  In  1910,  because  of  poor  health,  he 
moved  to  Long  Beach,  California,  where  he  died  on  May  19,  1915.  [Mr.  King 
was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Ei)iscopal  church,  and  for  years  wa-s  an  officer 
in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  Sara  L.  (Andrews)  King  was  born  in 
1844,  at  Marshall,  Illinois,  where  she  received  her  early  education,  graduatmg 
from  the  Terre  Haute  Seminary  (now  discontinued).  She  died  in  April,  [868. 
They  were  the  parents  of  but  one  child,  Elarry  Andrews  King. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  Valentine  King,  and  his  wife  was  Deb- 
orah Ann  (Umbarger)  King.     The  former  was  born  in  1837,  near  Wythe- 


jt:.  -li^i 


I,,'.:! 


630  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

ville,  \\'}"the  count}",  Virginia.  They  c.inie  b}-  wagon  to  ^lar.^hall.  Illinois,  in 
1S37,  and  were  tlie  parents  of  six  children,  David  C,  Harvey,  Lvman,  Slrod- 
der,  Louisa  and  Emma. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  the  Rev.  Dean  Andrews,  who  was  born  in 
1808,  at  Fryeburg.  Alaine.  He  was  a  minister  and  a  graduate  of  PSowdoin 
College,  Maine.  He  was  the  founder  of  the  Congregational  church,  and 
also  founder  of  JManshall  College,  both  located  at  Marshall,  Illinois.  This 
college  was  celebrated  for  having  turned  out  a  number  of  prominent  Illinois 
men.  The  Rev.  Dean  .\ndrews  died  in  1S72,  aged  sixty-four  vears.  His 
wife,  Louisa  (Shaw)  Andrews,  was  born  in  the  country,  near  ^Marshall, 
Illinois.  Their  children  were  Albert,  Simon,  Sarah  and  Mary.  Rev.  Dean 
Andrews  was  married,  secondly,  to  ^Miss  Mc^Iillen,  of  Rockville,  Indiana. 
By  this  marriage  there  Avere  three  children,  Fannie  M.,  \\'illiam  3,1.  (de- 
ceased), and  [Margaret  (also  deceased). 

Harry  Andrews  King  was  united  in  marriage  September  i,  1891,  with 
Susie  A.  Newgent,  daughter  of  Col.  A.  G.  and  Susan  (Bullene)  Newgent. 
She  was  born  on  June  13,  1874,  at  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  and  received  her 
education  at  Kansas  City  and  Independence.  Missouri.  To  this  union  lune 
been  born  four  children,  as  follow:  Marie  S.,  born  on  October  15,  1S93; 
Susie  N..  November  19,  1895:  }ilartha,  November  24,  1900,  and  died  on 
November  9,  1901;  Sarah  Elizalieth,  September  17,  1906. 

Col.  A.  G.  Newgent,  father  of  Mrs.  King,  was  born  in  Clark  coimt\-, 
Indiana,  and  his  wife.  Susan  (Bullene)  Newgent,  was  a  native  of  New  York 
state. 

Doctor  King  has  reached  a  high  rank  in  his  profession,  and  through 
the  good  work  accomplished  in  this  community  came  to  be  highly  esteemed. 


WELDON  E.  HOWREY. 

Weldon  E.  Howrey.  a  farmer  of  Manchester  township.  Dearborn  county, 
Indiana,  was  born  in  the  same  township  where  he  now  resides,  August  23. 
1859,  a  son  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Gass)  Howrey.  Daniel  Howrey  was 
born  in  Germany.  August  17,  1827,  and  was  brought  to  this  country  by  his 
parents  when  a  small  boy.  They  came  directly  to  this  section  and  settled 
on  a  farm  near  Hogan  Hill  in  [Manchester  township,  and  in  the  early  schools 
of  that  district  Daniel  received  his  education.      He  worked  with  his   father 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  63I 

Oil  the  family  homestead,  for  tlic  land  had  to  be  put  into  proper  conditirm 
for  cultivation,  and  the  removal  of  the  forests  meant  an  immense  amount 
of  labor.  Ik-  remained  with  his  father  until  the  time  of  his  marria.^c  to 
Elizabeth  Gass,  January  3,  1850,  when  he  started  out  in  life  for  himself  l)v 
renting  a  fami  north  of  Hogan  Hill,  near  his  parents,  which  land  he  after- 
ward purchased. 

After  farming"  near  Hogan  liill  for  a  few  years,  Daniel  Huwre\-  dis- 
posed of  his  holdings  there  and  mo\'cd  to  Douglas  count}-,  Illinois,  where  he 
purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  continued  to  live  there 
until  the  death  of  his  wife.  He  then  sold  out  and  went  to  Oregon,  where  lie 
made  his  home  until  the  time  of  his  death,  about  thirty  years  later.  He 
never  remarried,  and  the  last  three  months  of  his  life  he  lived  with  E/ra 
Dixon,  an  old-time  friend,  dying  in  that  home  on  March  24,  igoi.  He  was  a 
man  who  was  universally  liked  and  respected,  and  was  a  faithful  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  although 
never  taking  any  particular  interest  in  political  matters. 

Elizabeth  (Gass)  Howre\',  mother  of  the  immediate  subject  of  tliis 
sketch,  and  wife  of  Daniel  Howrey,  was  a  daughter  of  Anthony  Gass,  and 
was  born  in  Manchester  township,  March  23,  1S30.  She  received  her  edu- 
cation in  the  early  schools  of  her  home  district  and  remained  with  her  parents 
until  the  time  of  her  marriage.  Both  her  parents  were  born  in  Germany  and 
directly  after  their  marriage  they  immigrated  to  America.  They  came  di- 
rectly to  this  township,  and  here  passed  the  remainder  of  their  li\es.  There 
were  five  children  in  their  family,  the  eldest  of  whom  was  Joseph.  Elizabeth 
was  the  second  child  in  order  of  birth.  Then  followed  Muzella  (Mrs. 
Wilson),  late  of  Ripley  county,  and  Mary  and  [Martha,  who  died  \oung. 
Joseph  is  still  living  in  Louisville,  Kentucky,  where  he  is  a  cigar-maker. 

Weldon  E.  Howrey  is  the  third  child  of  his  parents,  there  being  four 
children  in  the  family.  The  eldest  was  Henry  E.,  who  died  young.  ]\Iartha 
A.  is  the  wife  of  a  Mr.  Langley,  a  retired  farmer  of  Illinois.  She  is  the 
mother  of  five  children,  Otto,  (deceased),  Oiler,  Cora,  Nellie  and  Albert. 
Marion  E.  is  in  the  tile  business  in  Fountain  county,  this  state.  He  has  been 
twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  JNIary  Cox,  by  whom  he  had  one  child, 
Clarence  E.  His  second  wife  was  Anna  Cuppy,  and  there  are  no  children  to 
that  marriage 

When  quite  a  young  boy,  Weldon  E.  Howrey  went  wdth  his  parents 
to  Douglas  county,  Illinois,  and  was  but  seven  years  old  at  the  time  of  the 
death  of  his  mother.     After  his  father  sold  out  and  started  west,  Weldon 


!.i'. -.;.■:    -■;■    •  •   .'  ,-^l^ 


632  DEAUliOU.V   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

was  sent  back  to  this  county  and  was  taken  into  t!ie  h(ime  of  Andrew  Sims, 
where  he  Hved  for  about  two  and  one-half  years.  He  then  made  his  home 
W'ith  Wilham  ^[orton,  at  Jvlanchester,  for  a  short  time  and  for  the  followini>- 
eight  years  hved  with  \V.  Rumsc)-  and  worked  lor  him  on  his  farm,  iiis 
first  independent  business  venture  was  the  rental  of  a  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres,  which  he  tended  for  a  year  previous  to  the  time  of  his 
marriage,  November  10,  18S1,  to  Anna  I.  Walser.  They  first  went  to  house- 
keeping in  Alanchester  and  then  for  one  year  they  lived  on  the  Ellis  farm 
of  eighty  acres,  and  then  for  the  following  three  years  they  lived  on  the 
Rumsey  farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres.  Their  next  move  was  to 
Union  Ridge,  this  county,  where  they  rented  and  farmed  a  tract  of  fifty 
acres,  remaining  there  two  years.  From  Union  Ridge  they  went  to  near 
Kyle  Station,  where  tlie_\-  lived  for  a  number  of  years  on  a  farm  of  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-four  acres  and  then  in  1901  they  again  moved  to  [Manchester, 
purchasing  a  farm  containing  eighty  acres.  The  place  was  at  that  time  in 
a  badly  run-down  condition  and  they  have  made  considerable  improxement 
in  it.  There  was  on  .the  farm  an  old  brick  dw^elling  which  subject  has  re- 
modeled and  made  a  fine  modern  home  out  of  it.  The  land,  too.  has  been 
put  in  excellent  condition  and  altogether  the  farm  is  one  of  the  most  up-to- 
date  in  the  community. 

Anna  Walser  was  born  in  [Manchester  township,  a  daughter  of  Benjamin 
P.  and  Amanda  (Jackson)  Walser.  She  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  that  township  and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  the 
time  of  her  marriage.  Benjamin  P.  Walser,  her  father,  was  a  son  of  James 
and  Mary  (Bailey)  \\'alser.  and  was  born  in  Manchester  township  on  April 
21,  1835.  tlis  education  was  rather  limited,  owing  to  the  restricted  oppor- 
tunities of  that  day  in  this  section,  and  from  early  boyhood  he  assisted  his 
father  in  clearing  and  farming  the  home  place.  Pie  remained  at  home  until 
the  time  of  his  marriage  to  Amanda  Jackson,  May  15,  1856,  and  shortly 
afterward  they  started  to  housekeeping  on  a  farm  which  he  rented  near 
his  father's  home.  They  remained  there  but  a  short  time  when  he  purchased 
one  hundred  acres  near  Plyle,  this  township,  and  later  added  a  tract  of  sev- 
enty acres.  Benjamin  Walser's  first  wife  did  not  live  very  long,  passing 
away  on  May  22,  1S65.  In  the  nine  years  of  their  married  life  she  bore 
him  five  children,  as  follow:  Charles,  who  married  Lora  Tibbetts,  is  deput}' 
auditor  of  Dearborn  comity,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children, 
Frances,  Robert  and  Herbert,  the  latter  deceased.  Mary  became  the  wife  of  a 
Mr.   Rumsey  and  is  the  mother  of  three  children,   Florence    (Mrs.    Cross  1^ 


.<.H';:'l 


'AL  ...ir. 


:,t  ■^■^^ 


:u.    A    :-.:i.    /-'J-;:';./!     •I.' 


DEARKURN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  633 

Walter  and  Lucile  (Mrs.  Welsh).  John  is  a  farmer  of  jMaiicheslci-  lownsln]!, 
Anna  is  the  wife  of  the  sul)ject  of  this  biography.  Americas  D.,  the  young'f  st 
child  of  the  family,  married  Ida  Aiulrcws  and  lives  in  Lawrenceburg-,  wliere 
he  is  connected  with  the  United  States  revenue  service.  He  is  the  father  of 
two  children,  Hobart  and  Howard.  Benjamin  W'alser  later  remarried,  his 
second  wife  being  Anna  Alaria  Case,  with  whom  he  was  united  in  marriage 
on  September  2."/,  iS66,  and  by  whom  he  jjecame  the  father  of  one  child, 
Nancy  (Mrs.  Schooley).  Benjamin  Walser  was  a  prominent  man  in  this 
community  in  his  day,  being  considered  among  the  most  influential  citizens 
of  his  time.  He  was  a  strong  advocate  of  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
part\'  and  for  one  term  ser\-ed  as  county  commissioner. 

To  Weldon  E.  Howrey  and  wife  have  been  born  four  children :  ]\Iollie. 
wife  of  Roy  Fansler,  a  railroader  living  in  Shelby  county,  this  state,  and 
mother  of  one  child,  Weldon  Wesley;  Hazel  G.,  the  youngest  of  the  family, 
died  on  February  lo.  1914,  age  twenty  years;  Ernest  W.  remains  at  home 
with  the  parents ;  Hattie,  the  eldest  of  the  family,  is  the  wife  of  Thomas 
Edwards,  a  section  foreman  on  the  Big  Four  railroad,  resides  at  Indianapolis, 
and  is  the  mother  of  three  children,  Estelle,  Floyd  W.  and  Imogene. 

Air.  Howrey  is  considered  one  of  the  best  citizens  of  his  township,  wh.o 
is  al\\a}-s  readv  to  ad\-ance  the  public  interests  whenever  possible.  For  four 
years  he  served  as  township  trustee,  being  elected  on  the  Democratic  ticket, 
and  is  counted  among  the  active  workers  of  that  party  in  this  section.  He 
holds  his  fraternal  aftiliation  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 
and  is  a  past  grand  of  that  order.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America  and  in  the  workings  of  both  order  he  takes  a  deep 
and  intelligent  interest.  In  ever)-  phase  of  life  he  is  eminently  deserving 
of  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  bv  all  who  know  him. 


CAPT.  ABRAM  HILL. 


Tt  is  seldom,  indeed,  that  the  publishers  are  given  the  privilege  of  re- 
cording the  life  of  a  man  who  has  serv^ed  his  country  so  well  as  has  Capt. 
Abram  Hill,  and  who  has  been  survived  by  a  wife  who  in  her  ninety-first 
year,  is  so  keen  and  alert  mentally  that  she  retains  her  old-time  knowledge  of, 
and  interest  in,  the  world  in  which  she  lives.  Those  who  have  had  long 
acquaintance  with  the   family  marvel   at   the   retentive   memon.*,   as   well   as 


;:;  lo 


^..:     ,..    f'...    ...    ,1 


.r    -ji;^    f'i'^f 


634  DEARBORN    COUNTY,   IMUAXA. 

the  physical  and  mental  acti\-ity  of  a  woman  upon  whose  head  tlie  snows  of 
manv  winters  have  fallen,  and  they  remember  with  keen  satisfaction  the 
service  she  rendered  her  countr\-  when  she  gave  her  beloved  husbanfl,  kissinij 
the  young  soldier  good-b}',  when  she  knew  not  whether  she  might  exer  see 
him  again.  '  It  is  nut  strange,  therefore,  that  their  children  desire  not  onl_\ 
to  commemorate  the  worthy  life  of  their  departed  father,  but  to  place  a  laurel 
wreath  upon  the  brow  of  the  dear  mother  who  still  brightens  their  lives  b;.' 
her  presence.  Capt.  Abram  Hill  was  a  Hoosier  by  birth,  having  been  born 
near  Lawrenceburg,  in  the  township  of  the  same  name,  in  Dearborn  county, 
Indiana,  on  November  10.  1S23.  He  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years 
and  four  months,  ^larch  iS,  1905. 

Back  in  the  days  of  1815.  when  wild  animals  roamed  what  are  now 
the  streets  of  Indiana  cities,  the  sturdy  parents  of  Abram  Hill  came  from 
Virginia,  and  built  their  rude  cabin  in  this  county,  undaunted  by  the  dangers 
that  surrounded  them.  Eli  and  Elizabeth  (Hamilton)  Hill  were  among  the 
first  to  pre-empt  govcrnrwent  land  in  this  part  of  the  state,  and  into  the  task 
of  clearing  and  cultivating  it  they  put  all  the  fervor  of  their  youthful  enthusi- 
asm and  hope.  Their  farm  was  in  Lawrenceburg  township,  and  here  the_\' 
died,  after  they  had  lived  long  and  useful  lives.  Like  most  all  pioneers,  they 
had  a  large  family  of  children,  these  being  by  name:  John,  Ira,  Eh,  Elizabeti:, 
Wood,  Susan  Wood,  Melinda  Osborn,  Daniel,  Abram  (the  subject  of  this 
biography),   ~\Iary   Ann   Kerr,   and   William. 

A\'ith  the  exception  of  the  few  years  during  which  he  served  in  the 
Civil  War,  the  life  of  Abram  Hill  was  spent  in  Dearborn  coimty,  the  place 
of  his  nativity.  His  boyhood  was  not  different  from  that  of  other  farmers" 
boys ;  much  of  his  time  was  spent  in  fishing,  hunting"  and  swimming,  and 
some  time  in  the  field,  for  there  was  plenty  of  work  in  clearing  away  the 
forest  wilderness.  Grown  to  manhood  he  was  a  farmer  until  his  removal 
to  Aurora  in  1S76.  when  he  became  a  coal  merchant,  continuing  in  this 
business  along  with  other  commercial  enterprises  until  the  time  of  his  death. 
Soon  after  his  residence  in  town  j\lr.  Hill  purchased  the  wharf  landing  and 
wharf  boat,  and  conducted  the  business  at  first  in  his  own  name,  afterwards 
associating  with  him  his  two  sons,  Adam  K.  and  Han,-ey  E.,  who  carried  on 
the  business  after  their  father's  death,  for  the  first  three  or  four  years  under 
the  old  name  of  A.  Hill  S:  Sons.  They  then  consohdated  the  firm  with  the 
Sunnyside  Distilling  Company,  at  the  same  time  organizing  the  Pittsburg 
Coal  Company,  incorporated,  which  company  retains  its  name  and  is  under 
the  management  of  Adam  and  Harvev  B.  Hill  and  H.  T.  Howe. 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  635 

When  the  call  to  arms  was  heard,  and  tlic  country's  youth  responded, 
Abrani  Hill  was  among  the  first  to  offer  his  services,  enlisting  in  Company 
I\,  Twenty-sixtli  Regiment,  Indiana  \'olunteer  Infantry,  in  which  he  served 
lor  one  vear,  at  the  end  of  which  he  resigned  and  returned  home  in  onler 
to  recruit  a  cavalry  company,  assisted  by  Captain  Wright.  This  being  accom- 
plished, in  1863  he  reiurned  lo  the  front  as  First  Lieutenant  of  Comjiany  D, 
Seventh  Indiana  Cavalry,  and  served  two  years  and  four  months.  Althiiuj;h 
taking  part  in  many  battles  and  skirmishes,  the  young  officer  was  never 
wounded.  However,  he  narrowly  escaped  injury  and  probable  death,  when, 
on  oue  occasion,  his  horse  was  shot  from  under  him.  At  the  close  of  the 
war,  having  served  with  honor,  he  was  mustered  out,  and  again  took  up  the 
thread  of  business  activities  where  he  had  left  them.  Besides  the  oM  lines, 
he  fed  stock  at  the  distilleries  of  Lawrenceburg,  Aurora  and  Cincinnati,  dealt 
extensively  in  real  estate,  and  at  the  same  time,  managed  three  farais. 

On  March  26,  1846,  Abram  Hill  was  united  in  marriage  with  ]\Iinerva 
Kerr,  daughter  of  \^'alter  and  Elizabeth  (Russell)'  Kerr.  ]\Irs.  Hill  has  been 
and  still  is  such  a  remarkable  woman,  that  she  rightfully  occupies  a  large 
.'ihare  in  the  present  family  history.  Having  always  been  fond  of  reading, 
Mrs.  Hill  has  not  allowed  the  years  to  lessen  her  interest  in  affairs,  and  she 
is  considered  one  of  the  best-read  women  of  her  vicinity.  In  spite  of  her 
ninetv-one  years,  she  reads  without  glasses.  She  was  born  in  a  log  cabin 
near  .'Vurora  on  September  3,  1S24.  When  a  young  girl,  Mrs.  Hill  attended 
the  old-fashioned  "subscription  schools,""  having  to  walk  a  distance  of  three 
miles,  and  then  sat  on  a  slab  bench  in  the  days  when  thc_\-  had  to  "toe  the 
mark"  and  "spell  down."  She  was  only  fifteen  years  of  age  wlien,  with 
others  of  the  neighborhood,  she  joined  the  ]\Iethodist  Episcopal  church,  ex 
which  denomination  she  has  continued  to  be  an  active  member  for  seventy- 
si.x  years. 

The  father  of  Mrs.  Hill  was  born  and  reared  in  North  Carolina,  and 
migrated  to  this  state  in  1816,  he  and  his  wife  having  married  near  Aurora, 
although  the  latter  was  a  native  of  Elizabethtown,  Ohio.  They  began  house- 
keeping in  H^ogan  township  where  ]Mr.  Kerr  was  a  farmer,  and  at  various 
times  held  a  number  of  public  offices,  having  been  deputy  sheriff  for  main- 
years.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kerr  were  remarkably  long  lived,  he  passing  away 
in  1901,  at  the  age  of  one  hundred  and  one  and  a  half  years,  and  his  wife 
living  to  be  ninety  years  old.  her  death  occurring  in  1S93.  Mr.  Kerr  was 
unusually  active,  considering  his  age,  even  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  A 
family  of  ten  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  JMrs.  Kerr :     Mary  Ann  became 


636  DEARBORX   COUNTY,   IXDIAXA. 

the  wife  of  Elijah  Elder,  and  lived  tu  the  ripe  old  age  of  cighty-fnur :  Minerva 
is  now  past  ninety-one:  ^ilahlon  Pr.  died  at  tiie  age  of  eighty-fonr ;  Catherine 
married  a  ^Jr.  W'orley :  Rachel  was  a  A[rs.  Laird,  and  died  in  loof);  Xanc. 
Jane  is  the  widow  of  William  Ketcham ;  Elizaheth.  Mrs.  William  Terlmne, 
passed  away  in  1903;  \Mlliam  lives  on  Salem  Ridge;  Charles  died  in  the  Civil 
War  at  \^icksburg,  a  few  days  after  the  surrender  of  that  city,  having  taken 
part  in  the  siege ;  David  is  now  a  resident  of  Greensburg,  Indiana. 

William  Kerr,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Abram  Hill,  lived  to  Ijc 
eighty-four  years  of  age.  His  wife  was  Lydia  McClain.  who  at  the  time 
of  her  death  was  living  in  North  Carolina.  They. had  the  usual  large  familv 
so  common  to  pioneers,  in  this  case  consisting  of  eight  children:  Jane  (Mrs. 
Brown),  Mary  Ann  (Mrs.  ^McHridc).  Catherine  (.Mrs.  Shutts),  David.  Wal- 
ter, Aiken,  John  and  Xancy.  William  Kerr,  who  was  of  Irish  descent,  had 
the  distinction  of  being  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionarv  \\'ar.  The  grand- 
father of  ]Mrs.  Hill  on  the  mother's  side  of  the  family  was  William  Russell, 
his  wife's  Christian  name  being  Mary.  The  former  was  an  Englishman 
by  birth,  and  it  is  quite  certain  that  his  wife  was  a  native  of  Xew  York,  as 
they  were  married  in  that  state,  coming  to  Cincinnati  when  that  citv  was 
still  a  village.  Ideating  at  first  on  the  Licking  river,  thev  afterwards  re- 
moved to  Ehzabethtown,  Ohio,  where  they  lived  until  their  death,  both 
being  comparatively  young  at  the  time  they  passed  from  earth.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Maiy  f^^Irs.  Simondson),  ^Martha  (Mrs.  Thompson),  Elizabeth 
(Mrs.  Kerr),  Joseph,  who  lost  his  life  in  the  War  of  1S12 ;  ^Moses.  who  passed 
away  in  infancy:  and  William,  who  was  never  married  and  who  died  at 
seventy. 

Abram  and  Minerva  (Kerr)  Hill  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  as 
follow :  Amanda.  Adam  K.,  Milton  V..  Llarvey  B.,  Alice,  Alta,  Elizaberh, 
Lew  W.,  and  Jennie  E.  Amanda,  the  first-born,  is  the  widow  of  William 
Seidler,  of  Aurora.  Indiana,  and  the  mother  of  Otto  E.  and  Russell  W.  Adam 
K.,  of  Aurora,  married  Ella  Worley,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  a  daughter, 
Grace,  the  wife  of  C.  J.  Dils.  ^lilton  V..  of  ^lound,  Texas,  of  which  t^iwi-i 
he  is  postmaster  and  general  merchant,  became  the  husband  of  Sophronia 
Sargent,  and  the  father  of  f(^ur  children,  Walter  (deceased),  x\bram  H., 
Gertrude  (wife  of  Eletcher  Dils)  and  James.  Harvey  B.,  of  Aurora,  married 
Alary  L.  Conger,  who  died  leaving  a  son,  Edwin,  a  leading  writer  on  the  Xc7^ 
York  Sioi.  and  a  man  prominent  in  the  newspaper  world.  The  second  ^^•ife  of 
Harvey  B.  Hill  was  .\lma  Hart,  who  also  passed  away.  One  of  her  children 
is  named  Harold,  and  the  other.  Gale,  the  wife  of  a  Air.  Taylor,  of  Et.  Smith. 


DEARBORN   COrXTV,   INDIANA.  G^~,/ 

Ark'T'^'^s.  Harvey  B.  Hill  married,  thirdly,  Cornelia  Parrish.  Four  children 
were  bom  to  this  union,  Louise,  I'lionias,  Estella  and  Robert.  .Mice,  wife 
.if  Rilev  W.  Curtis,  is  deceased,  and  her  three  children  surxdve  her.  The\' 
are  Lola,  the  wife  of  W'illiani  Ketcham,  'Sine,  who  married  James  H.  Lwbanl:, 
of  Lawrenceburg,  and  Carl  Curtis,  a  farmer  living  near  Aur(_)ra.  .\Ua  was 
1,'fl  a  widi.nv  by  the  death  of  her  husband,  Enos  iJuftnigtiin,  of  .Aurora.  Eniil, 
lier  son,  lives  at  home  with  his  mother;  Alinerva,  one  of  her  children,  grew 
tn  be  a  young  woman,  and  passed  away ;  the  other  daughter,  Elizabeth,  is 
living  at  home.  Elizabeth  lives  with  her  mother.  Lew  \\'..  of  Aurora,  has 
one  son  who  is  assistant  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Aurora.  Jennie 
E.,  \vife  of  ^^'illiam  Boone,  of  Seattle,  Washington,  is  the  youngest  of  the 
children  born  to  ]Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hill,  and  is  the  mother  of  two  children, 
Marcia  Leona,  who  is  Mrs.  Henry  Fox,  of  Seattle,  and  Clyde,  of  the  same 
city. 

^\'bile  Captain  Hill  deserves  all  praise  for  having  done  the  work  of  a 
man  in  caring  for  his  large  family,  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  he  had  the 
ready  and  sympathetic  co-operation  of  his  noble  wife,  whose  only  ambition  was 
to  be  a  good  wife  and  mother.  But  even  with  the  many  and  trying  cares  which 
are  the  lot  of  a  mother,  this  energetic  woman  found  time  for  the  cultivation 
of  her  mind,  and  perhaps  it  is  for  this  reason  that  her  mental  faculties  are  so 
remarkable  today.  She  is  an  authority  on  the  early  history  of  the  county, 
as  her  memory  enables  her  to  recall  with  vividness  and  accuracy  e\-cnts  ami 
incidents  of  many  years  ago,  and  is  an  interesting  conversationalist,  retaining 
much  that  she  has  read.     Such  a  wife  was  a  real  helpmate. 

Among  the  activities  in  which  both  Captain  and  Mrs.  Hill  were  most 
interested  were  the  affairs  connected  with  their  religious  life,  for  during 
their  many  years  of  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  they  ditl 
much  to  build  it  up  both  materially  &nd  spiritually,  for  they  were  leaders. 
Captain  Hill  held  many  offices  in  the  church,  thus  attesting  his  value  to  it 
and  to  the  community.  He  was  also  a  prominent  ]\Iason.  Like  his  father 
before  him  he  was  a  Whig,  and  then  a  Republican  of  the  old-fashioned 
"stand-pat"  variety. 

The  family  from  which  Lew-  W.  Hill  has  sprung  has  been  for  se\eral 
generations  one  of  the  sort  out  of  wdiich  the  best  type  of  American  citizenship 
IS  made.  Ancestors  such  as  his  are  not  a  memory.  They  are  an  inspiration. 
And  among  these  stands  out  most  clearly  the  stanch  patriotism  of  his  father, 
and  the  true  idealism  of  his  mother. 


63S  DEARBORN   COUXTV,   INDIANA. 

CHARLES  F.  LUKE. 

To  describe  iiitelligentlv  tlie  life  and  career  of  an  acti\'e  and  successfr.l 
man  is  a  difficult  undertaking  in  a  limited  space,  as  it  is  necessary  to  toiicli 
briefly  on  the  important  instances  of  general  interest,  as  well  as  dates  and 
names,  places  of  birth,  marriage  and  death,  for  the  benefit  of  those  inteiested 
in  ancestral  research  work.  For  the  benefit  of  descendants,  this  impnrtant 
matter  should  receive  the  most  careful  attention. 

Charles  F.  Luke,  farmer,  Cresar  Creek  township,  was  born  on  February 
16,  1858,  in  the  township  where  he  now  resides.  He  is  a  son  of  Frederick 
and  Flora  (Lothmann)  Luke.  He  was  educated  at  Farmers  Retreat,  and 
after  leaving  school,  he  followed  agriculture  under  the  instruction  of  his 
father,  until  his  marriage,  \\hcn  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  from  his 
father,  to  which  he  later  added  ninety  acres,  and  at  another  time  eighty 
acres,  making  in  all  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  good,  rich  farm  land,  and 
as  time  went  on,  he  purchased  the  old  \Volf  farm,  containing  one  hundred  and 
seventy  acres.  Mr.  Luke  later  sold  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  acres  to  his 
son,  and  he  still  resides  on  a  splendid  farm  of  two  hundred  and  sevent}-  acres. 
Mr.  Luke  has  always  been  a  stanch  Republican,  taking  part  in  public  affairs. 
serving  for  four  years  as  township  trustee.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church,  of  which  he  has  officiated  as  trustee  and  treasurer. 

Frederick  William  Luke  A\"as  born  in  Hanover,  German}-,  as  was  also 
his  wife,  Flora  (Ix>thmann)  Luke.  They  settled  in  Ctesar  Creek  township 
at  an  early  day,  renting  for  a  time,  and  then  bought  a  farm  of  forty  acres  in 
section  35  at  a  cost  of  eight  hundred  dollars,  to  which  they  later  added 
forty  acres,  making'  in  all,  eighty  acres,  on  \\hich  they  lived  until  their 
death.  Mr.  Luke  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  }ears,  in  1894.  He  belonged 
to  the  Lutheran  church.  His  wife.  Flora  (Lothmann)  Luke  was  born  in 
1819,  in  Hanover,  Gennan_\",  and  died  in  1901.  aged  eighty-two  years.  To 
this  union  were  born  ten  children,  \^'ilHam,  John,  Carrie,  Elizabeth  (de- 
ceased), Emma  ("deceased),  Charles,  Rosa,  Hannah,  Amelia  and  one  who 
died  in  infancy. 

William  Luke  was  killed  in  the  Civil  War,  at  Port  Republic,  in  1862. 
John  was  married  to  Man,-  ^lelcher,  and  is  living  at  Cleveland,  Ohio.  They 
have  two  children,  Frank  and  Ollie.  Carrie  became  the  -^vife  of  William 
Hildebrand,  and  is  living  at  Cleveland,  Ohio.  Rosa  is  the  wife  of  Williar;-! 
Renner.  of  Aurora,  who  is  a  cooper  by  trade.  They  had  five  children.  Edna. 
Alvin,  Norma,  Lawrence  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.     Hannah  became  the 


-■'.'.rA 


,  1 1  ;  1 


DEAIUiOKX   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  6^:;9 

i 

uifc  of  Fred.   Hcidcniann,   ai;f!   is  li\-ing"  at   Seymour,    Indiana.      Tliey   ha\e  ! 

three  cliildrcn,  lima,  Edwin  and  Irene.     .-Vmelia  i.=;  married  to  John  Vinup,  of  j 

.\urnra.     They  had  one  child,  Jean,  who  died.  j 

Charles  F.  Lnke  wa.s  nniled  in  marriac^e  on  Octohcr  15,  1883,  with  Carrie  I 

\'inup,  daughter  of  Flenry  and  iNlary   (Oaiman)    Vinup.      She  was  horn  on  { 

l'\'l)ruar\'  u,  iSfii,  in  Pike  township.  Ohio  county,  and  was  educated  in  that 
countv.  on  Bear  creek,  wliere  she  lived  until  b.er  marriage,  'ilns  union  h:is 
been  blest  with  seven  children,  T']dward,  Lydia,  Amelia,  Daniel,  William,  Wal- 
ter and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

Edward  Luke  was  married  to  Amelia  Kenniger,  and  is  living  in  Ca-sar 
Creek  township.  They  have  four  children,  Lucille,  ^Marvin,  Arnold  and 
Aleda.  Lvdia  is  the  \vifc  of  Flenry  Ruhlmann,  and  lixes  at  Dillsboro. 
Amelia  became  the  wife  of  Theodore  Westmeier,  and  is  living  at  Farmers 
Retreat. 

Henn-  Vinup,  father  of  3i[rs.  Charles  F.  Luke,  was  born  on  March  jo, 
1827,  in  Prussia,  Germany,  ami  died  in  1905,  in  Ohio  county,  Lidiana,  aged 
seventy-eight  years.  His  wife,  ;\lary  (Oatman)  Vinup,  was  also  a  native 
of  Prussia,  German\-,  her  birth  occurring  on  October  15,  1S39.  They  were 
married  in  Ohio  county,  Indiana,  November  i,  1857,  and  lived  there  until 
their  death.  Mrs.  Vinup  died  in  19 10,  aged  seventy-one  years.  They  were 
the  parents  of  eight  children,  Henry,  Carrie,  William,  Annie,  John,  George, 
Sophia  and  Lucinda. 

Charles  F.  Luke  is  one  of  the  genial  and  accommodating  citizens  of 
Ca-sar  Creek  township,  where  he  is  well  known  for  his  honorable  and  indus- 
trious life. 


JOSEPH  C.  SAL'\LL. 

The  Small  family  has  been  honorably  and  influentially  represented  in 
Hcarborn  county  almost  ever  since  the  days  of  the  beginning  of  the  estab- 
lishment of  social  order  hereabout.  The  first  of  the  name  in  this  county 
was  Eliezer  Small,  a  Virginian,  who,  with  his  wife  and  family  of  small  chil- 
dren, immigrated  to  Indiana,  shortly  after  the  opening  of  this  region  to 
general  settlement,  and  established  a  home  on  what  is  known  as  Ebenczer 
ridge,  in  ^Tanchester  township,  this  county.  At  that  time  wolves  still  were 
plentiful  in  that  part  of  the  countv  and  this  pioneer  family  met  with  many  diffi- 
culties in  making  their  home  in  the  then  wilderness.      Eliezer  Small  was  a 


'.  !    ;• 


640  ■  DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

mail  Of  much  force  of  character,  possessing  the  true  pioneer  spirit,  and  h.i- 
wife  was  a  mosi  competent  helpmeet;  it  being-  undoubted  that  this  worthy 
couple  did  very  much  toward  bringing  about  proper  social  and  ce<inoniic 
conditions  in  the  earl_\-  days  of  that  now  well-established  district.  They  weie 
influential  in  all  good  works  thereabout  and  their  memor}'  is  held  in  hig'.i 
regard  in  that  part  of  Dearborn  county  to  this  day.  Eliczer  Small  and 
his  \\;fe.  with  the  diligent  assistance  of  their  growing  childixm.  cleared 
their  homestead  farm  and  created  a  home  in  the  wilderness  which  radiated 
good  influences  far  and  wide  in  that  region.  Both  of  these  earnest  pioneers 
lived  to  good  old  ages  and  their  deeds  are  not  forgotten.  They  were  the 
parents  of  six  children,  William  H.,  Henry,  Perry,  America,  Elizabeth  and 
Phad^e  Ann. 

William  II.  Small  was  but  a  lad  when  his  parents  emigrated  from  \^ir- 
ginia  and  settled  in  the  wilds  of  Manchester  township,  in  this  county,  con- 
sequently he  had  practically  all  his  rearing-  in  Dearborn  county.  He  grew 
to  manhood  on  the  Ebenezer  ridge  homestead  farm  and  in  the  early  part  of 
his  life  followed  farming,  also  becoming  one  of  the  first  general  dealers  in 
hay  and  produce  in  that  part  of  the  county.  In  1S64  he  moved  to  \\'ilmington. 
the  first  county  seat  of  Dearborn  county,  continuing,  howe\'er,  to  keep  uj) 
his  extensive  farming  operations ;  at  the  same  time  being  largely  interested 
in  the  grain  business.  He  later  erected  a  large  warehouse  in  Aurora,  this 
county,  and  Avas  engaged  in  the  grain  business  in  that  city  up  to  within  ten 
years  of  the  time  of  his  death. 

\\'illiam  PI.  Small  n-iarried  Elizabeth  Clements,  who  was  born  in  the 
state  of  [Maryland,  daughter  of  Charles  Clements  and  wife,  early  settlers 
of  this  county,  the  latter  of  whom  died  in  her  young  womanhood,  lea\ing 
three  small  children.  John,  Charles  and  Elizabeth.  To  this  union  five 
children  were  born,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  now  the  only  sm-- 
vivor,  namely:  Joseph  C,  the  well-known  banker  and  niantifacturer  of 
Aurora,  this  county:  Emily,  who  was  the  wife  of  John  Wolcott;  Charles  H., 
Elias  C.  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  William  PI.  Small  died  in  iSSS,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-eight  years,  his  widow  surviving  him  some  years,  she 
being-  se\ ent_\-six  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her  death.  Mr.  and  ]\Irs. 
Small  were  earnest  and  devout  members  of  the  ^Methodist  church,  and  their 
children  were  reared  in  that  faith. 

Joseph  C.  Small,  son  of  William  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Clements)  .Small, 
was  born  on  the  old  Small  homestead  in  Manchester  township,  D'^arborn 
county.  Indiana,  on  November  28,   1844,  and  practically  his  whole  life  has 


hi-  ■  -Al: 


'•'..-      \  ,'■,.,     :•',  -,,■ 


DEARBURX   COINTV,   INDIANA.  64I 

liecii  spent  in  this  county,  though  for  a  few  years  in  his  young  manhood 
ho  was  engaged  hi  business  in  lUinois  and  in  Cincinnati.  Since  the  year 
!8(')'),  however,  he  has  been  continuously  engaged  in  business  in  Aurora,  this 
counl\',  and  few  men  in  the  county  have  built  up  a  better  or  more  substantial 
t.usiness  reputation  than  he.  Joseph  C.  Small  lived  on  the  paternal  farm 
nitil  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age,  receiving  his  elemcntar\-  education  in  the 
district  schools  of  Manchester  townsliij).  lie  then  was  placed  in  a  private 
school  at  Wilmington  and,  after  finishing  tlie  course  prescribed  in  that  ex- 
cellent school,  received  a  thorough  business  education  in  Bar'dett's  Commer- 
cial School  at  Cincinnati.  During  the  period  of  the  Civil  War  his  services  were 
engaged  by  a  river  traffic  company  and  for  two  years  or  more  he  was  in 
charge  of  that  company's  tow  barges  on  the  Ohio.  He  then  went  to  Ouincy, 
Illinois,  where  for  a  little  more  than  one  year  he  was  engaged  in  the  hay  and 
grain  business,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  went  to  Cincinhati,  where  for 
several  vears  he  was  quite  successfully  engaged  in  the  grocery  business.  In 
1S69  Mr.  Small  returned  to  Dearborn  county,  locating  in  Aurora,  where  he 
took  charge  of  the  John  C.  Cobb  Chair  Company's  affairs,  being  thus  en- 
gaged for  some  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was  elected  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  Aurora  Gas  Company,  a  position  which  he  occupied  for 
more  than  twenty  years;  his  duties  as  practical  manager  and  superintendent 
of  the  gas  company's  affairs  being  performed  with  the  utmost  regard  for 
good  faith,  both  in  his  relations  with  the  company  and  with  the  public.  ]\Ir. 
Small's  able  services  then  were  engaged  by  the  company  operating  the  Aurora 
tool  works  and  until  1913  he  had  practical  charge  of  this  extensive  plant, 
his  duties  as  secretary,  treasurer  and  general  manager  gi\'ing  him  general 
control  of  this  companv's  affairs,  during  which  time  the  industry  expanded 
and  flourished.  His  investments  were  largely  confined  to  real  estate  and  lie 
became  a  landowner,  one  of  his  farms,  in  Newton  county,  Indiana,  covering 
ten  thousand  five  hundred  acres  of  fine  prairie  land,  and  another,  in  Mason 
county,  Illinois,  covering  two  thousand  four  hundred  acres. 

Mr.  Small  retired  from  tlie  tool  works  and  on  September  29,  1913,  was 
appointed  receiver  of  the  affairs  of  the  Royer  Wheel  Company,  of  Aurora,  a 
position  which  he  still  occupies,  under  direction  of  the  court.  The  Ro>cr 
\\  heel  Company,  which  was  incorporated  about  twenty-five  years  ago,  with 
a  capitalization  of  three  hundred  thousand  dollars,  is  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  all  kinds  of  wheels  for  vehicles,  its  product  being  sold  in  all  parts 
of  the  United  States,  as  well  as  in  many  foreign  countries.  The  concern 
employes  on  an  average  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  this   factory 

(41) 

i 


;•!.■•■      I..  ! 


I  :■;  ):■    l\r-- 


',,h  ■,:<.■ 


642  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  

being  regarded  as  one  of  Dearborn  county's  most  valuable  industrial  insti- 
tutions, yir.  Small  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Dearborn  National 
Bank,  of  T.a\vrenccl)urg,  being  a  stock-bolder  in  tliat  sound  old  financial  insti- 
tution, and  alsn  is  a  director  of  the  I'irst  National  Bank,  of  Ain'ora.  to  whicii 
latter  excellent  institution  he  gives  much  of  his  personal  attention. 

On  November  27,  1869,  Joseph  C.  Small  was  um'ted  in  marriage  to  Leali 
Elizabeth  Cordry,  who  was  born  in  Wilmington,  this  county,  daughter  of 
James  and  Leah  (Collins)  Cordry,  natives  of  Delaware,  who  came  to  this 
county  many  years  ago,  locating  in  Wilmington  when  that  promising  village 
was  the  county  seat  of  Dearborn  count)-,  and  both  died  there  well  along  in 
years.  They  were  influential  and  useful  citizens  of  Wilmington  and  the 
parents  of  five  children,  all  daughters,  Mary,  DoUie,  Sarah,  Elizabeth  ami 
Alice.  To  Joseph  C.  and  Leah  Elizabeth  (Cordry)  Small  two  children  have 
been  born.  Bertha  C,  and  one  daughter  who  died  in  infancv. 

]\Ir.  Small  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  for  many  years  has  taken  a  pail 
in  the  political  affairs  of  Dearborn  county.  He  has  been  a  delegate  to  Repub- 
lican state  conventions  on  numerous  occasions  and  a  factor  in  such  meetings 
of  the  leading  men  of  the  party  in  Lidiana.  INIrs.  Small  and  her  daughter 
are  earnest  and  active  members  of  the  ?vIethodist  church,  the  familv  being 
active  in  all  good  v\orks  hereabout,  and  all  are  held  in  the  highest  esteem 
in  their  very  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances.  Mr.  Small  for  many 
years  has  given  his  best  endeavors  to  the  upbuilding  of  the  commercial,  in- 
dustrial and  financial  interests  of  Dearborn  countv. 


.  ,  JOHN  M.  JACKSON,  ^L  D. 

Being  self-reliant,  and  equipped  with  a  good  education,  together  with 
a  firm  determination  to  reach  the  top,  Doctor  Jackson  has  won  his  wav  from 
the  life  of  a  farmer  boy  to  his  present  well-established  and  successful  business 
in  Aurora,  wdiere  he  is  not  only  well  known  as  being  an  able  and  skillful  prac- 
titioner, but  where  he  is  considered  an  authority  in  many  of  the  branches 
of  his  profession,  and  through  his  fraternal  alliances,  as  well  as  through  his 
professional  successes,  he  is  one  of  the  most  popular  men  in  the  city  of  Aurora. 

John  M.  Jackson  was  born  on  February  9,  1S81,  at  the  little  village  of 
Pleasantville,  Sullivan  county,  Indiana,  and  is  a  son  of  Jefferson  G.  and  Re- 
becca (Carbin)  Jackson.     He  grew  to  young  manhood  on  his  father's  farm 


lO  :>:--.  I     I  '•).'- iC 


DEARDORX   COUN'TV,   INDIANA.  643 

ill  Sullivan  county,  Indiana,  where  he  attended  the  district  scIkjoIs,  graduating 
fidni  the  rieasantville  higli  scIiumI  in  the  spring  of  1900,  and  then  entered 
Marion  Sims  Medical  College.  St.  Louis,  spending  one  year  there,  after  which 
he  spent  three  years  in  the  ^iledical  College  of  Indiana,  graduating  April  19, 
i()Ov  He  then  spent  one  year  in  the  hospital  at  Vincennes,  after  which  he 
!  icaied  at  Lyons.  Indiana,  remaining  there  six  and  one-half  years,  and  came 
til  Aurora  on  February  3,  1913.  since  \\hicli  time  he  has  built  up  a  lucralixe 
[ir;ictice.  Doctor  Jackson  gives  his  support  to  the  Republican  part\'.  He 
helnngs  to  Aurora  Lodge  No.  51,  Free  and  Accepted  ?.lasons,  and  is  a  past 
master  of  Lyons  Lodge  Xo.  63-I :  he  is  a  member  of  Lyons  Lodge  Xo.  647, 
bidependent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  which  he  is  past  grand,  and  also  served 
as  district  deputy  grand  master,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Rebekahs,  as  is  also 
his  wife.  They  are  both  members  of  the  Eastern  Star  at  Lyons.  lie  is  a 
member  of  the  County  }*ledical  Society  and  the  State  }iledical  Society,  and  was 
vjrgeon  for  the  Indianapolis  and  \'incennes  division  of  the  ^'anda!ia  railroad 
for  five  years  during  his  stay  at  Lyons. 

Jefferson  G.  Jackson,  father  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  biography, 
s'. as  ix>rn  in  Kentucl:v,  ami  came  to  Indiana  when  a  boy,  growing  to  manhood 
ill  Sullivan  county,  wliere  he  always  followed  agricultural  pursuits,  owning 
a  small  farm  in  the  hills  of  Sullivan  county.  lie  went  to  the  Civil  War  in 
Company  C,  Fift3'-ninth  Regiment,  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantiy,  and  partici- 
jtated  in  many  of  the  hard-fought  battles  under  General  Sherman.  He  was 
■ill  through  the  battles  of  Atlanta,  Vieksburg  and  Chattanooga,  and  was  with 
Sherman  on  the  march  to  the  sea  and  was  at  the  Grand  Review  at  ^Vashing- 
'"U.  D.  C.  He  was  a  private,  and  served  some  time  as  a  sharp-shooter.  Fle  is 
nnw  living  in  retirement  in  Sullivan  county  on  the  old  home  farm,  at  the  age 
"1  seveny-five  years.  Flis  wife,  Rebecca  (Corbin)  Jackson,  also  a  native  of 
Kentucky,  died  in  1900,  aged  fifty-five  years.  They  were  both  !Missionar\- 
I'aplists,  and  \er}'  strong  in  their  faith.  To  this  union  were  born  fi\-e  chil- 
dren, namely:  Elza  A.,  who  died  in  infancy;  Mary  Margujrite.  deceased,  who 
'•••as  the  wife  of  Ji.  B.  Lind ;  Vi'iley  .\.,  of  Greene  county.  Indiana;  Amand;i  A.. 
•'ho  died  in  infancy;  and  John  M.,  of  Aurora. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  John  T.  Jackson,  and  his 
'•■'ife  was  Mary  L.  (Pirtle)  Jackson,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  pioneers  in 
^'•illivan  county,  Indiana,  where  Mr.  Jackson  died  at  the  age  of  seventv-eight, 
•ind  his  wife  at  the  age  of  ninety-three  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  six 
•.hilrlrcn,  namely:  William,  John  II.,  James,  Jefferson  G..  riarriet  and  Eliza- 
'.-•th. 


644  UKAKBORN   COl'XTV,  INDIANA. 

The  maternal  grandparents  were  ^NTartin  Corbin  and  his  wife,  natives 
of  Kentucky,  and  early  settlers  in  Sullivan  count)-,  Indiana.  Mr.  Corbin  died 
in  Kansas,  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight,  and  his  wife  died  in  Kentuckv,  aged 
about  thirty-six.  They  had  three  children,  Rebecca,  Fdizabeth  and  John, 

John  jM.  Jackson  was  imited  in  marriage  on  September  7,  1904,  with 
Daisy  C.  O'llaver,  daughter  of  Thomas  B.  and  Sarah  (Pluffman)  O'Haver. 
She  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Indiana,  and  Avas  reared  in  Sullivan  county, 
where  she  was  educated,  graduating  from  the  Pleasantville  high  school.  She 
later  attended  the  Normal  College  at  Danville,  Indiana,  and  taught  school 
for  some  years.  This  union  was  blessed  with  three  children,  Robert  jNL, 
Dorothy  L.  and  J.  Kenneth.  Dorothy  died  when  three  years  of  age.  ^Mrs. 
Jackson  is  a  loyal  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Thomas  B.  and  Sarah  (Huffman)  O'Haver,  parents  of  Mrs.  Daisy 
Jackson,  were  born  in  Indiana.  Her  mother  died  on  August  31,  1904.  Her 
father  is  still  living.     Their  children  were  Myrtle,  Roscoe  C.  and  Daisv  C. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Daisy  Jackson  was  Pleasant  O'Haver, 
for  whom  the  town  of  Pleasantville  was  named.  He  and  wife  had  ten  chil- 
dren, as  follow:  ^Villiam  P.,  Charles,  Stanley,  Frank,  Thomas  B.,  Grace, 
Louisa,  Martha,  John  and  Serilda. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  Isaac  Huffman,  whose  wife  was  Clarissa 
Huffman.  To  this  union  four  children  were  born,  onl}-  one  of  whom  lived 
to  maturity,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Daisy  C.  Jackson. 

Doctor  Jackson  is  a  man  of  admirable  character,  and  all  through  his 
honorable  career  his  transactions  with  his  fellow  men  have  been  above  criti- 
cism. ,  ,      .    , 


CflARLES  R.  BISHOP. 


Perhaps  no  other  single  factor  has  been  so  largely  instrumental  in  putting 
the  city  of  Lawrenceburg  "on  the  map"  as  that  great,  progressive  and  thriving 
industrial  concern,  the  Bishop  saw  and  tool  manufacturing  plant,  the  product 
of  which  is  known  all  over  the  country  wherever  tools  of  the  description 
manufactured  in  this  plant  are  used.  The  great  advance  made  by  this  plant 
during  the  years  that  Charles  R.  Bishop  was  at  the  head  of  the  concern  and 
in  active  management  of  the  same  is  conclusive  evidence  of  3»Ir.  Bishop's  ex- 
traordinary ability  as  a  business  manager  and  promoter  of  industry.  Prior 
to  May  I,   1914,  at  which  time  j\Ir.  Bishop  retired  from  the  active  cares  of 


.  >r!! 


)        .!        ■{■r^'.       OJ 


DKARCORX  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  645 

business,  turr.iiig  the  maiiag-enient  of  the  p;reat  factory  over  to  his  son,  Charles 
E.,  and  Frank  Gould,  ilr.  Bishop  had  full  control  of  the  factory  and  to  hini, 
therefore,  very  properly  may  he  .£,M\-en  full  credit  for  the  creatiDn  of  one  uf 
the  largest  concerns  nf  its  kind  in  the  central  states.  Beginning,  at  the  tender 
age  of  thirteen  years,  to  make  his  \\ay  in  the  world,  witliMUt  a  cent  of  cap- 
ital to  hack  him  and  with  fcv,  if  an}-.  heli)ful  outsiile  influences  to  give  him  a 
friendly  push  along  the  wav  to  fiirtuue,  ]\[r.  Bishop.  l)v  sheer  force  of  energv 
and  enterprise  has  risen  to  a  post  of  commanding  intluencc  in  the  commercial 
and  industrial  affairs  of  this  section,  and  no  work  assuming  to  present  a  faidi- 
ful  reflection  of  the  events  of  the  times  in  Dearborn  county  would  be  com- 
plete without  a  comprehensive  reference  to  his  career  as  a  "captain  of  indus- 
tr\-."  It  is  with  pleasure,  therefore,  that  the  present  biographer  assumes  the 
task  of  setting  out  here  the  following-  brief  and  modest  re\-ie\\  of  the  life  and 
the  labors  of  the  gentleman  whose  name  the  reader  notes  at  the  head  of  this 
biographical  sketch. 

Charles  R.  Bishop  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  the  "Queen  City  of 
the  West,"  the  son  of  John  and  INlary  Ann  ('R_\der)  Bishop,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  England,  the  former  a  native  of  Devonshire  and  the  latter  of 
Ivent,  who,  at  an  carl}-  date,  came  to  America  and  located  in  Cincinnati,  and 
who  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  Charles  R.,  the  immediate  subject  of 
this  sketch;  Emily  I.,  widow  of  Thomas  Croxton,  a  resident  of  DiUsboro,  this 
county;  and  George  H.  (deceased),  a  one-time  well-known  resident  of  Cin- 
cinnati. 

John  Bishop,  ujjon  arriving  in  America,  first  located  in  Cincinnati,  but 
later  moved  to  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  where  he  engaged  in  farming, 
buying  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  the  Dillsboro  neightorhood, 
on  which  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  prospered  in  his  farming 
venture  and  later  bought  another  farn-i  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-eig-ht  acres. 
His  widow  survived  his  death,  her  death  not  occurring  until  some  years  later. 
John  Bishop  was  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Rachel  Bishop,  the  former  of  whom 
was  a  capitalist  and  owned  a  larg-e  estate  in  England,  who  were  the  parents 
of  diree  children,  John,  Joseph  and  Rel^ecca.  Mr.  Bishop's  maternal  grand- 
parents, Thomas  and  Isabel  (Instep)  Ryder,  lived  to  ripe  old  ages.  Thomas 
Ryder  was  a  minister  of  the  established  church  of  England,  four  of  whose 
children  came  to  the  United  States,  Mary  An.n,  Henry,  George  and  Charles. 

Charles  R.  Bishop  remaii-ied  on  the  paternal  farm  near  Dillsboro  until  he 
was  thirteen  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  decided  that  the  life  of  the  farm 
was  not  the  life  for  him  and  struck  out  for  the  citv.     Arri\-ing  in  Cincinnati, 


646.  DKARIiORX   COUXTV,  IXDIAXA. 

tlie  city  of  his  !)irth.  lie  fiir  a  time  worked  in  a  cooper  shop,  but  later  took 
to  carriage  blacksmithing  ami  served  an  ajjprenticeship  at  this  latter  trade. 
His  health  beginning  to  decline,  he  was  advised  to  get  out  into  the  open  and, 
pursuant  to  this  advice,  secured  a  position  as  brakeman  and  fireman  on  the 
Ohio  &  Mississippi  railroad,  faithful  ser\ice  in  this  capacity  soon  bringing 
to  him  jiromiition,  he  being  given  a  run  as  a  freight  conductor  on  the  same 
road,  this  run  being  between  Cincinnati  and  Seymour,  Indiana.  Further  pro- 
motion presently  gave  him  a  run  as  a  passenger  conductor  on  the  same  road, 
this  run  being- between  Cincinnati  and  St.  Louis,  and  in  this  capacity  he  serve.! 
for  many  jears.  Not  content  with  this  apparent  slow  advancement  in  the 
railroad  service  in  this  section,  ^Ir.  Bishop  went  west  and  was  made  division 
superintendent  of  one  of  the  growing  roads  in  the  west,  later  being  promoted 
to  the  position  of  district  superintendent,  which  }X)sition  he  presentlv  re- 
signed to  take  the  position  of  general  manager  of  the  saw  and  tool-making 
plant  at  Lawrenceburg.  Indiana,  a  concern  in  which  he  had  been  heavily  in- 
terested from  its  foundation,  and  in  which  he  still  is  interested,  though  living 
a  life  of  quiet  retirement  in  his  fine  home  at  Cincinnati,  having  turned  his 
active  interest  in  the  business  over  to  his  son,  Charles  E.,  and  Frank  Gould. 

The  great  plant  owned  and  controlled  by  the  Bishop  Saw  and  Tool  INIanu- 
facturing  Company,  at  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  manufactures  all  kinds  of 
saws,  together  with  tools  of  nearly  every  description  and  has  established  an 
enviable  reputation  in  nearly  every  state  in  the  L^nion.  The  motto  of  this 
company  is  "Quality,  not  Quantity,"  and  the  output  of  the  plant  susiains  the 
motto  in  every  respect,  the  quality  of  the  product  of  the  factory  ha\ing  made 
friends  among  the  users  of  these  tools  all  over  the  countiy.  The  Bishop  saw 
and  tool  manufacturing  plant  is  one  of  Lawrenceburg's  chief  industries  and 
keeps  several  hundred  men  employed  the  year  round,  a  fact  upon  which  the 
members  of  the  company  very  properly  pride  themselves  somewhat.  In  the 
full  sense  of  that  much-abused  term,  'Mr.  Bishop  rightly  may  be  styled  a  self- 
made  man,  as  solely  upon  his  own  initiative  has  his  success  been  founded. 
Starting  in  life  as  a  youth  of  tender  years,  with  a  very  limited  education  and 
without  a  penny  in  his  pockets,  by  industry  and  close  application  to  business 
and  by  judicious  management,  he  developed  this  extensive  industry  until  it 
has  become  known  far  and  wide  as  one  of  the  leading  industries  of  its  kind 
in  the  country-. 

On  November  12,  1S76,  Charles  R.  Bishop  was  rmited  in  marriage  with 
Amelia  J.  Doeneka,  who  was  born  in  Hartford,  Connecticut,  the  daughter 
of  August  and  Elizabeth   (W'olbert)   Doeneka,  natives  of  Germany,  both  of 


'■■^  DEARDORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  647 

whom  are  now  dead,  who  were  the  parents  of  five  children.  Ameha,  Louisa, 
Carohne,  Joseph  and  Thomas.  Augaist  Doeneka  was  colonel  of  a  Kansas 
regiment  during  the  Civil  War  and  was  drowned  while  in  the  service. 

To  Charles  R.  and  Amelia  J.  (Doeneka)  Bishop  four  children  were  l)orn, 
Benlah,  Viola  and  Pearl  (iwins^,  and  Charles  E.  Beulah  married  A.  W. 
Frank,  of  Cincinnati,  to  which  union  one  child  has  been  born,  Bett}sue.  \'iola 
died  at  the  tender  age  of  four  years.  I'earl  married  Harry  K.  Prudden,  of 
Harrison,  Ohio.  Charles  E.,  who  is  unmarried,  is  in  association  with  Frank 
Gould,  now  at  the  head  of  the  Bishop  saw  and  tool  works  and  is  gi\'ing  full 
promise  of  following  faithfully  in  the  footsteps  of  his  competent  father  as 
a  manager  and  business  promoter.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Cincinnati  Technical 
School  at  Cinciimati,  and  of  Nelson's  Business  College. 

Mrs.  Bishop  is  a  member  of  the  Presyterian  church,  of  which  church 
Mr.  Bishop  is  an  attendant  and  warm  supporter.  He  is  a  member  of  Hope- 
well Lodge  No.  87.  Free  and  Accepted  ^ilasons.  of  Dillsboro,  Indiana ;  of 
Aurora  Chapter  No.  17,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Aurora  Commandery,  Knights 
Templar,  and  of  the  Indianapolis  Consistory,  Scottish  Rite  ^Masons.  His  son, 
Charles  E.,  also  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Cincinnati  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 

Mr.  Bishop  not  only  has  made  a  large  success  of  his  own  business,  but  at 
the  same  time  has  taken  a  large  interest  in  the  general  commercial  and  indus- 
trial progress  of  Lawrenceburg  and  for  years  has  been  recognized  as  one  of  the 
most  public-spirited  and  influential  men  in  that  city,  he  ever  doing  liis  part 
toward  the  development  of  the  city's  best  interest  in  every  direction.  Needless 
to  say,  he  is  a  man  who  is  regarded  with  the  highest  esteem  on  the  part  of  all 
who  know  him  and  there  have  been  few  more  popular  residents  of  Dearborn 
count V  than  he. 


PHILIP  H.  ALIO. 


Philip  H.  Alig,  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  bom  on  August  24, 
1882,  at  St.  Leon,  Kelso  township,  and  is  a  son  of  Philip  and  Magdalena 
(Wilhelm)  Alig.  Fie  has  always  been  an  enthusiastic  farmer,  and  after 
his  marriage  he  rented  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  from  his  father. 
which  he  cultivated  for  two  years  very  successfully  and  then  purchased  the 
place  outright.  Having  been  satisfied  with  his  land  investment.  Mr.  Alig 
has  never  moved  from  the  place  on  which  he  originally  settled  when  he  first 
went  to  housekeeping.     He  is  one  of  the  honored  and  respected  citizens  of 


648  DEARBORN   COl'XTV,   INDIANA. 

the  township,  in  which  he  has  held  sc\"eral  of  its  offices,  among  thcni  being- 
those  of, town  marsh;',!,  to  which  he  was  elected  in  190S,  serving  two  ^■ears. 
and  in  1913  he  was  elected  to  the  offices  of  clerk  and  town  treasurer  of  St. 
Leon,  winning  out  by  a  large  majorit}-.  He  is  a  strong  bclie\er  in  the  Demo- 
cratic policies,  and  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church  at  St.  Leon. 

I'hilip  Alig,  Sr.,  was  born  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  came  to  St.  Leon  with 
his  parents  when  but  two  years  old.  Here  he  was  reared  and  received  a  good 
common  school  education,  and  the  inducements  offered  in  his  home  town 
have  always  been  sufficient  to  prevent  him  seeking  new  fields  of  endeavor. 
To  the  original  tract  of  thirty  acres,  purchased  when  he  first  ventured  out  on 
his  own  responsibility,  he  has  added  piece  by  piece,  until  he  now  owns  a  splen- 
did farm  of  four  hundred  acres,  all  of  which  he  put  under  cultivation,  ilr. 
Alig  has  always  been  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  held  some  of  tlic  township 
offices,  one  of  wliich  was  that  of  town  trustee,  which  he  filled  for  twenty 
years.  He  is  a  devout  m.ember  of  the  Catholic  church,  to  which  he  contributes 
liberally  each  year.  His  wife,  Magdalena  (Wilhelm)  Alig.  was  born  in 
Franlslin  county,  where  she  was  reared  and  educated.  They  lia\e  had  ten 
children,  !Mary  (]\Irs.  \A'erner),  George,  Philip  H.,  Anna  (Airs.  Frcy).  John. 
William,  Otilda  (Mrs.  \A'illielm),  and  three  \\ho  died  young. 

Philip  H.  Alig  was  married  to  Josephine  Schuman,  who  was  born  on 
July  16,  1S90,  the  daughter  of  Joseph  A.  and  Alice  (Metzler)  Sclui- 
man,  a  sketch  of  whom  is  presented  elsewhere  in  this  book.  Mr.  and  ]\Irs. 
Alig  have  had  two  children,  Joseph  and  Marcella.  Mr.  Alig  and  liis  wife 
have  many  warm  friends  in  the  township,  in  which  he  has  always  taken  a 
great  personal  interest  in  questions  of  general  interest  and  benefit  r)f  the 
public. 


CARROLL  L.  STEVENS. 

The  late  Carn,ill  L.  Ste\"ens,  for  years  one  of  the  best-known  and  most 
influential  citizens  of  Aurora,  this  county,  was  born  on  November  10,  1S80,  a 
son  of  Charles  Carroll  and  Suzanne  (Fogelmann)  Stevens,  of  Scottish  de- 
scent. His  birthplace  was  Aurora,  Indiana,  and  there  he  was  reared  and 
received  his  elementary  education.  Upon  com^pleting  the  public-school  course, 
he  entered  Moore's  Hill  College,  after  which  he  attended  Culver  Aililitary 
Academy.  Mr.  Stevens  \-\-as  an.  earnest  member  of  the  Alethodist  church,  of 
which  his  widow,  ■who  survives  him,  is  also  a  member.  At  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  on  September  4,   1913,  at  the  age  of  thirty-two  years 


•I'.:''. 


::-■:.< 


CAitKor.i.  I..  s'ii:\i:x> 


DEAKBOKN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  649 

:uk1  ten  months,  his  widow  and  sons  became  liis  si'.cccssors  in  liis  store,  which 
lias  been  cstabHshed  o\-er  sc\ent_\ -five  years,  duiinp;  all  i<i  which  time  it  has 
been  in  the  Steven-  I'amil).  Mr.  Stevens  was  allied  with  the  Anmra  ("om- 
niercial  Chilj,  and  the  Dearborn  Chili,  ami  was  ahvav'S  greatly  interested  iri 
the  welfare  of  his  home  cit)-. 

Charles  Carroll  Stevens,  father  of  the  late  Carroll  I...  Stevens.  \vas  born 
in  Indiana,  being  reared  and  educated  at  Aurora,  where  he  was  a  merchant 
for  a  great  many  years.  His  death  occurred  on  December  6,  1906.  while  mi 
a  trip  ti)  hlorida  for  his  health,  at  the  age  of  fift}--six  vcars.  and  his  widnw, 
who  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  died  on  April  30,  1014,  aged  sixty  years.  They 
were  both  members  of  the  }\[ethodist  church.  The  only  child  born  to  their 
union  was  Carrol!  L,  Stevens,  the  suliject  of  this  memoir,  Charles  C,  StCN'ens 
was  the  son  of  William  I'rank  Ste\-ens,  a  native  of  Pennsyh-ania,  wIk)  came 
to  Dearborn  county  when  a  mere  lad,  and  after  growing  to  manhood  furmed 
a  partner.ship  with  Josiah  Chambers,  establishing  the  firm  of  Chainliers,  Ste- 
vens &  Company  in  Aurora,  where  they  handled  a  large  and  attractive  line 
of  merchandise,  this  store  being  C)nc  of  the  oldest  in  the  state.  At  the  death 
of  Charles  C,  Stevens,  his  son  became  his  successor,  whose  son  also,  in  turn, 
succeeded  him,  William  F.  Stevens  married  ]\Iary  Scott,  by  whom  he  h.ad 
three  children.  Charles  Carroll.  Mrs,  Ida  ]\laltby,  and  ^^frs,  Al)igail  Cole, 
Suzanne  I'^3gelmann  was  the  daughter  of  William  h^tgelmann,  who  li\-ed 
for  a  t'lne  at  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  and  later  moved  to  Loveland.  in  the  same  state, 
where  he  and  his  wife  both  died,  the  former  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine,  and 
the  latter  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  foll(.nving 
children:  Mrs.  Martha  Townsend,  Mrs.  Lydia  ^Morrow,  Airs.  Louise  Will- 
iamson. Mrs.  Stizanne  Stevens  and  William. 

Carroll  L.  Stevens  was  married  on  January  15,  1003,  to  Marie  Coutant, 
daughter  and  only  child  of  Melvin  Ransom  and  Lizetta  (Melson)  Coutant, 
She  was  born  on  December  24,  1881,  at  ]\IcComb  City,  Mississippi,  and  was 
.graduated  from  the  high  school  at  Springfield,  Illinois.  To  this  union  two 
children,   sons,   were  bom.   Charles  Carroll   and   Melvin   Ransom. 

Melvin  Ransom  Coutant.  father  of  Airs.  Carroll  L.  Stevens,  was  born 
at  Lawrenceburg,  this  couiUy.  His  wife  died  on  January  29,  1900.  and  lie 
now  makes  his  home  at  Kingston,  New  York,  where  he  is  master  mechanic 
of  the  Ulster  &  Delaware  railroad.  Alelvin  R.  Coutant  is  the  son  of  Man- 
rice  and  Mary  Elizabeth  Coutant,  both  natives  of  Nev.-  York  state,  the  former 
of  French  descent.  Maurice  Coutant,  as  a  young  man.  was  located  at  Coch- 
ran, Indiana,  where  he  occupied  the  position  of  master  mechanic  in  the  shops 
of  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Southwestern  Raihvav.     At  the  time  of  his  death 


■■]r.      ::t.-Mm! 


.Tt=  ■  /  ■; 


650  DEARBORN   COL'NTY,   INDIANA. 

he  was  sevent\'-se\"cn  years  old.  His  widow  sur\  i\es  him.  and  now  makc> 
her  home  at  Decatur.  Illinois.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  children.  ]\kl- 
vin  R..  William.  Cleorge  Edward  and  Ida. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Carroll  L.  Stevens  was  Benjamip. 
P.  Melson.  whose  widow  is  still  living",  at  the  age  of  ninety  }'ears.  lie  was 
a  nati\-e  of  ?\Iar}-land,  of  English  lineage,  and  ]\Irs.  IMelson  was  born  in  this 
coimty.  Eenjamin  P.  INIelson  was  an  early  settler  in  Dearborn  countv.  where 
he  followed  the  vocation  of  a  merchant  tailor.  He  died  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
three  vears.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  Maurice 
Henr)'.  David,  Carl.  Ella  and  Lizetla.  L'pr)n  the  death  of  .Mrs.  Suzanne 
Stevens,  widow  of  Charles  C.  Ste\-ens.  who,  together  with  her  son,  the  late 
Carroll  L.  Stevens,  owned  the  large  store  which  so  long  had  been  in  the  Ste- 
vens famil)-,  r^lrs.  Carroll  L.  Stevens  assumed  the  management  of  the  store, 
which  .she  and  her  son,  Charles  C.  Stevens,  now  own  and  operate. 


HENRY  WERNER. 


The  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  sketch  is  one  of  the  most  prosper- 
ous and  highly-respected  citizens  of  Kelso  township.  Being  well  educated,  he 
has  afforded  valuable  assistance  to  the  Democratic  party,  of  whose  policies  ho 
has  alwavs  been  a  stanch  advocate,  throughout  all  of  which  he  has  clung  to  the 
more  quiet  life  of  a  farmer,  in  preference  to  a  home  in  the  city.  Springing 
from  German  stock,  ^Ir.  Werner  inherits  the  cjualities  of  thrift  and  economy 
that  have  been  prominent  characteristics  for  generations  back,  and  which  will 
doubtless  be  prominent  for  generations  to  come,  as  time  appears  to  have  made 
no  inroad  on  their  efficiency. 

Hcnn-  Werner,  township  assessor  and  farmer,  was  born  on  July  16,  1S70. 
in  Kelso  township,  where  he  was  also  reared  rmd  educated.  He  is  a  son  of 
Alichacl  and  !Magdalena  (Hahn)  \A'erner.  His  father  ga^'e  him  a  good  edu- 
cation at  the  public  schools  of  St.  Leon,  and  after  leaving  school,  lie  assisted 
his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  was  married,  when  he  took  entire  charge  of  the 
place,  and  managed  it  until  in  1907,  when  he  bought  it  outright,  since  which 
time  he  has  continued  as  a  general  farmer.  Since  arriving  at  manhood,  Mr. 
Werner  has  always  been  deeply  in  the  policies  of  the  Democratic  party,  to 
which  he  has  given  his  earnest  support,  and  in  igoo  was  elected  to  the  offices 
of  clerk  and  treasurer  of  St.  Leon,  in  v.hich  he  served  a  five-year  term.  In 
1914  he  ran  on  the  Democratic  ticket  for  the  office  of  assessor  of  Kelso  town- 
ship, and  was  the  successful  candidate,  the  temi  of  office  being  four  years. 


I..   .. 


j   -'..y'.'  ..  ■r';,'^f  ■    ,.;ij 


DEARBORN   COUNTV,   IXUIAXA.  ■  65 1 

lie  was  the  first  man  in  St.  I.eon  ever  re-elected  to  a  township  or  cour.ty 
office,  and  in  general  has  been  alive  to  the  best  interests  of  the  conininnity  in 
which  he  resides. 

Michael  ^\'erner  was  born  in  Germany,  in  1S21.  bnt  was  fillcfl  \vith  a 
desire  to  see  more  of  the  world,  and  while  still  a  yonng  man  he  gathered  his 
heli^ngings  and  de[)arted  for  the  United  States,  selecting  Cincinnati  ;ls  a  ])lace 
of  abode.  He  was  a  cabinet-makei'  by  trade,  and  followed  this  vocation  until 
about  1875,  when  he  bought  one  hundred  and  fourteen  acres  of  wooded  land 
in  Kelso  township.  Dearborn  county,  near  St.  Leon,  and  having  already 
selected  his  life  partner,  he  set  to  work  with  a  will  and  soon  cleared  enough 
land  for  his  immediate  needs,  continuing  as  a  general  farmer  until  his  death, 
in  1807.  He  was  a  loyal  Democrat,  and  an  attentive  member  of  the  Catholic 
church,  to  which  he  contributed  freely.  His  wife.  [Nlagdalena  (Hahn)  Wer- 
ner, was  also  a  native  of  Germany.  She  was  born  in  June,  1829,  and  died  on 
April  19,  1907.  She  came  to  America  with  her  parents,  wdio  settled  in  Kelso 
township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  \\'^erner  were  blest  with  eleven  children,  namely. 
Katherine.  Charlie.  Emma,  Louise,  Adam,  George,  Joseph,  Henry,  Lena,  aiui 
two  who  died  in  infancy. 

Henry  Werner  was  married  on  September  9,  1891,  to  Mary  Alig,  who 
was  born  on  April  19,  1872,  in  Kelso  township.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Philip 
and  iN'tagdalena  (Wilhelm)  Alig.  A  history  of  the  Alig  family  is  presented 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  \\'erner  have  been  born  nine  chil- 
dren, Ida  (deceased).  Helen,  John,  Oscar  (deceased),  George  Lewis  (de- 
ceased), Edw-ard  (deceased)  and  Albert.  Those  now  living  are  all  at  home 
W'ith  their  parents. 

Mr.  Werner,  besides  being  a  successful  farmer,  holds  a  high  rank  in  thf 
citizenship  of  his  communitv,  and  merits  the  confidence  which  he  now  enjoys 


JOHN  A.  ANDRES. 


With  a  splendid  education  before  starting  his  business  career.  Mr.  Andres 
was  fitted  to  "conquer  any  foe,"  and  for  eighteen  years  fitted  others  for  the 
same  strenuous  business  of  foe-conquering,  at  the  end  of  which  time,  he  felt  the 
need  of  a  complete  change  to  give  him  a  much-needed  rest.  Being  wise  enough 
to  know  that  resting  did  not  mean  merely  doing  nothing,  he  interested  himself 
in  a  store  doing  a  general  merchandise  business,  in  which  he  has  also  been  very 
successful,  and  in  all  questions  pertaining  to  the  benefit  of  the  citizens  of 
his  county,  he  has  given  his  sincere  support,  believing  it  the  duty  of  each  one 


1    I'TiiZ 


6^2  DEARBORX   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

to  do  his  share  in  such  matlers,  whenever  possil^le.  INIr.  Andres  has  been 
especially  fortunate  in  lK?ing  situated  so  he  could  follow  his  inclination  and  de- 
sires along'  these  lines. 

John  A.  Anilres,  townsliio  trustee  and  merchant,  was  born  at  Kelso.  Kelso 
township,  Dearborn  county,  Novemlier  19,  1874,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and 
Rosina  (Ilannnierle)  Andres.  He  was  educated  in  the  parochial  sclux^ls  of 
Kelso,  and  Moores  Hill  College,  finishing  in  1894,  after  which  he  attended  the 
Central  Normal  College,  at  Danville,  Indiana,  and  being  thus  qualified,  he  at 
once  began  teaching  school,  in  which  line  he  continued  for  eighteen  years.  He 
finally  felt  the  need  of  a  change,  both  mentally  and  pliA'sically,  and  in  1914, 
when  he  was  elected  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  by  a  large  majority,  to  the  office 
of  trustee,  calling  for  a  four-year  term,  he  gave  up  his  school  work,  and  is  now 
dividing  his  time  between  his  official  position  of  trustee,  and  a  general  store, 
in  which  he  has  been  successfully  interested  since  1901. 

John  Andres,  Sr.,  was  b<3rn  in  Rhenish  Bavaria,  Germany,  ^lay  20,  1846, 
and  died  on  February  29,  191 2.  at  Kelso,  Dearborn  count}-.  At  the  age  of 
twelve  years,  he  came  with  his  motlier  to  America,  settling  in  Kelso  township, 
where  he  spent  his  entire  life.  At  an  early  age.  ]\[r.  Andres  learned  the  wagon- 
maker's  trade,  and  later  became  an  undertaker,  in  which  business  he  continued 
for  forty  years.  After  taking-  instructions  as  an  undertaker  under  Phillip 
Huber,  he  became  expert  enoug"h  to  manufacture  his  own  coffins,  and  in  ad- 
dition to  his  wagon-manufaccuring  plant  and  his  undertakipig  establishment, 
in  the  former  of  which  he  was  associated  with  John  Probst,  he  w;is  alsri  inter- 
ested in  a  good-paying  blacksmith  shop,  of  which  'Sir.  Probst  was  the  man.ager. 
Another  special  line  of  manufacture,  in  which  Mr.  Andres  was  especially  in- 
terested, was  that  of  grain  cradles,  and  in  1SS2,  he  still  fiu-ther  increase<l 
his  source  of  income  by  opening  a  general  store  at  Kelso,  which  he  conducted 
until  his  death,  in  1912.  Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  he  spent  the  most 
of  his  time  and  attention  looking  after  his  business  in  the  village.  Mr.  Andres 
did  not  lose  sight  of  the  value  and  importance  of  owning  a  farm,  and  bouglu 
fifty  acres  of  good,  tillable  land  in  Kelso  township.  He  was  trustee  of  Kelso 
township  for  a  five-year  tenn.  His  political  beliefs  .were  with  the  Democratic 
party.  His  wife,  Rosina  (Hannmerle)  Andres,  was  Ijorn  in  1850,  in  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio.  She  died  in  1887,  aged  thirty-seven  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Andres  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  as  follow :  George,  Joseph, 
John,  Katherine.  !Mar\-,  Jacob.  Balser,  and  three,  who  died  young.  George 
Andres  was  married  to  !Mar\-  Tallnn.  and  is  now  living  at  Marion.  Ohi<i. 
where  he  is  employed  as  master  mechanic  by  the  Huber  Manufacturing  Com- 


vA. 


DEARBOKX   COUXTY,   INDIANA.  653 

panv.  To  this  union  have  been  born  seven  children.  Rose,  Cyral,  Sarali 
George,  Bertrand.  Ang^ela  and  Robert,  who  died  in  infancy.  Joscjih  Andres 
was  married  to  Catherine  Ennis,  and  is  a  successful  undertaker  in  Kelsn. 
Thcv  have  three  children.  }>Iary,  Stella  and  Edith. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  J'lhn  A.  Andres  had  the  distinction  of 
fighting  under  Napoleon.  He  died  before  his  family  left  Ikivaria,  the  land 
of  his  nativity. 

John  A.  Andres  ^vas  united  in  marriage.  June  5,  1901.  with  Cecelia 
Merkl,  who  was  born  in  Kelso,  Kelso  town.ship,  October  10,  iSSi.  and  is  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Elizal>eth  (Walsman)  ISIerkl.  Mrs,  Andres  was  reared 
and  educated  in  Kelso,  and  both  she  and  her  husband  are  de\nui  memliers 
of  St.  John's  Catholic  church.  Five  children  have  come  to  bless  this  union, 
namelv :  Alma.  Corinne,  Leo,  Virgil  and  Martha,  three  of  whom  are  now 
attending  school. 

Through  his  official  position  of  township  trustee  and  his  honest  method 
of  transacting  business,  Mr.  Andres  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  best  and  mo^t 
able  citizens  of  Kelso  township. 


•  i:  "  LOUIS  FREDERICK  FISCHVOGT. 

Louis  Frederick  Fischvogt,  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Oay  township. 
Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  was  born  of  German  parentage  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  on  July  4.  iSz,2.  being  a  son  of  John  Henry  and  ]\Iargaret  Soiihia 
(Corwes)  Fischvogt,  h^th  of  whom  were  natives  of  Hanover,  in  Germany- 
John  Henry  Fischvogt  was  born  on  April  i,  1815,  and  immigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  1S48.  He  located  first  in  Cincinnati  and  turned  to  the  car- 
penter trade  as  his  means  of  livelihood.  He  had  learned  the  trade  in  hi-^ 
native  land,  but  after  coming  here  he  again  apprenticed  himself  for  three 
years  and  in  that  tiine  mastered  the  English  language  and  American  ways. 
He  followed  his  trade  in  Cincinnati  for  some  fifteen  years  and  then  came  to 
Dearborn  county  w^here  he  purchased  a  farm  on  ]Mud  Lick  branch.  ab(jiit 
one  and  one-half  miles  south  of  the  then  small  town  of  Dillsboro.  This  farm 
contained  fifty  acres  and  he  paid  the  sum  of  fourteen  hundred  and  fifty  d(>l- 
lars  for  it.  However,  he  did  not  take  up  his  residence  thereon  for  the  next 
two  years,  remaining  in  Cincinnati  at  his  trade  in  the  meantime.  In  i860 
he  settled  on  his  farm  and  remained  there  for  the  balance  of  his  life.      His 


•1    s..:'!    :■:■:■> 


)!     Mj'  ■■■   :-l 


rl-i      It  -:o;  ;•■ 


'>1    *•()!•    -:-:/:- 


654  DliARIiORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

death  occurred  on  July  16,  1877,  at  the  age  of  sixty-t^vo  \-ears.  'Slv.  Fisch- 
vogt  was  a  faithful  member  of  the  (lerman  LiUherau  church,  scr\iug  his 
local  society  as  trustee  for  a  nuniher  of  years.  ile  was  a  warm  adherent  of 
the  principles  of  the  Republican  party  and  took  a  keen  interest  in  the  manage- 
ment of  its  affairs.  John  Henry  Fischvogt  was  a  son  of  Henry  Fisch\'Ogt:, 
who  witli  his  wife  never  left  their  native  land.  However,  all  of  their  four 
children  (John  Henry,  Frederick,  Louis  and  Sophia)  came  to  the  United 
States  and  here  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 

IMargaret  Sojiliia  (Corwes)  Fisclivogt.  mother  of  the  immediate  subject 
of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Flanover,  Germany,  in  1821,  and  in  1S47  -'"-' 
came  alone  to  thi«  countr\',  settling  in  Cincinnati  \\  ith  friends.  She  worked 
out  for  a  year  and  at  that  time  met  'Mv.  Fischvogt  and  was  soon  married, 
their  wedding  being  celebrated  in  January  of  1849.  To  their  uniun  were 
born  eight  children,  namely:  Henry,  Louis,  Frederick,  Eliza  (deceased), 
George  (deceased),  Frederick  (deceased),  Charles,  Sophia  (deceased),  and. 
William.  Henr}'  married  W  ilhelmina  Prnss  and  is  living  in  Riplev  countw 
He  is  the  father  of  six  children,  Amelia,  Anna,  William,  Tlieodorc,  Emn':i 
and  Ida.  Charles  married  Minnie  Stadtlaudcr  and  lives  in  Ohio  couniy, 
this  state,  south  of  the  tri\vn  of  Milttm.  ?Te  has  tlu-ee  children,  Louis,  Charles 
and  Martha  (deceased).  W'ihiam  married  Emma  Konig  and  lives  at  ]\b_iupt 
Healthy,  Ohio.  Lie  is  the  father  of  seven  children,  Lillie.  Edwin,  Grace, 
Leslie.  Cora,  Jnhn  and  Emma.  Margaret  Sophia  (Corwes)  Fisch\-OQt  was 
a  daughter  of  Gerhard  Corwes,  who  spent  his  entire  life  in  his  natixe  land^ 
Her  brother  anil  sifters  \vere :  Henry,  Harr}-,  George.  ]\fargarct.  Soplu'a, 
Louisa  and  Dorothy. 

Louis  Frederick  Fisch\'ogt  rccei\'ed  liis  elementary  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Cincinnati  and  also  in  Green  township,  IIamiIt(Mi  county. 
He  later  attended  the  German  schools  at  Farmers  Retreat  and  South  Dills- 
boro,  this  county.  After  completing  his  studies,  he  took  up  farm  \vork  on  the 
family  homestead  near  Dillsboro  and  remained  there  until  1873,  when  he 
took  up  farm  work  in  various  parts  of  Dearborn  county.  In  18S9  he  started 
a  huckster  route,  which  he  operated  four  years,  living  in  Dillsboro  two  years 
of  the  time.  Fie  abandoned  that  enterprise  an.d  returned  to  the  farm  in 
Clay  township  belonging  to  his  wife  and  in  i8qS  removed  to  his  own  farm 
which  he  had  Ijor.ght  fr^nn  one  of  tlie  heirs.  In  1901  the  family  returned 
to  hi";  wife's  farm,  where  they  still  reside. 

On  .August  16,  1877,  Louis  Frederick  Fischvogt  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Anna  M.  Louisa  Plumer,  born  in  Cincinnati   on  October   14,    1S56,  a 


1  ;!i  -■:,vi 


DKAKliORX   COrXTY,  IiXllIAXA.  655 

daughter  of  John  W.  and  .\nn_it.'  Mary  (Lnhrsenl  I'liuncr.  John  W.  I'lumcr 
was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  in  1S15,  and  died  in  lyor.  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty-six  years.  Annie  Ahiry  Luhrsen  was  born  in  Oldenburg. 
Germany,  and  died  in  April  of  iS(38.  when  but  thirty-two  }-ears  old.  Upmi 
coining  to  this  country  she  settler!  in  Cincinnati,  where  her  marriage  tnnk 
place.  To  John  W'.  PKuner  and  wife  were  born  four  children,  Anna  .\I. 
Louisa,  Anna  Louisa  (deceased),  John  Henry,  and  John  Christian  (deceased). 
John  Henry  Plumer,  who  is  a  carpenter  and  farmer  living  in  Dearborn  countv, 
married  Elnora  M.  Hocker  and  has  six  children,  John  (deceased),  Emma, 
William,   Sophia   Elizabeth,    Harry   and   Clara    Elizabeth. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fischvogt  ha-\-e  been  born  four  children,  nan.ielx-. 
John  Henry  William,  Anna  ALargarct  Soph.ia,  Carl  Louis  Henry  and  Carl 
George  Louis.  William,  the  eldest  son,  married  Amelia  Sandmian  and  li\"cs 
in  Tipton  county.  He  has  four  children,  Dorothy  Louisa,  Aviary  Elizabeth. 
Anna  Leonora  and  Louis  William  flcnry.  Anna  Margaret  Sophia  became 
the  wife  of  John  Tepker,  living  in  Hamilton,  Butler  county,  Ohio.  He  is 
a  blacksmith  by  trade  and  they  have  three  children.  Helena  Dorothea,  Erwin 
Louis  William  and  Howard  William  Carl. 

The  Fischvogt  family  has  always  been  considered  aniong  the  represeiUa- 
tive  citizens  of  this  commimity,  the  head  of  the  family  having  always  been 
known  as  a  man  of  sterling  qualities  of  character  and  entitled  to  the  high, 
degree  of  respect  which  he  enjoys.  jNIr.  Fischvogt  is  a  member  of  the  Lu- 
theran church  of  Dillsl.)oro,  as  is  also  his  wife.  His  political  support  is  given 
to  the  Republican  party.  He  is  keenly  alive  to  the  political  questions  of  the 
hour  and,  while  never  seeking  office  for  himself,  is  known  to  be  a  man  of 
influence  in  his  party's  ranks. 


CHARLES  A.  OFF. 


Charles  A.  Opp,  whose  name  commences  this  sketch  has,  by  associating 
his  interests  with  the  various  institutions  of  his  home  citv,  arrived  at  a  point 
of  affluence  that  ought  to  satisfy  the  ambitions  of  more  than  the  average 
individual,  and  no  doubt,  were  he  urged  for  an  answer,  he  would  admit  that 
Fate  has  been  most  generous  in  dealing  out  her  prizes.  Tn  these  times  of 
competition  and  trust-juggling,  the  man  is  fortunate  who  can  earn  from  h's 
business  investment  a  fair  living,  and  when  success  such  as  Mr.  Opp  is  en- 
joying rewards  one's  efforts,  that  man  is  especially  favored. 


/    :r  :■■  ,   ■,i,-.".'. 


656  DEAKKORX   COUNTY,   IXDIAXA. 

Cliarles  A.  Opi^,  coal  dealer,  Aurora,  Indiana,  is  a  son  of  Anth(3ny  and 
Mary  (Heffclmire)  Opp,  and  was  born  on  January  16,  1S66,  at  Farnu-rs 
Retreat,  Cresar  Creek  township,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  and  was  reare! 
on  his  father's  farm.  He  attended  the  district  schools  and  then  took  a  course 
at  a  business  college  in  Cincinnati,  after  which  he  became  a  commercial 
traveler,  and  at  the  end  of  nine  years  he  associated  himself  with  his  brother, 
Frank  ^l.,  in  a  g'eneral  store  at  Farmers  Retreat  for  a  period  of  eight  years, 
and  then  conducted  it  alone  until  1904,  when  he  came  to  Aurora  and  estai> 
lished  himself  in  the  coal  business,  in  which  he  is  still  interested.  In  politics 
Mr.  Opp's  views  are  in  line  with  the  Republican  principles,  and  his  religious 
views  are  in  accord  with  those  of  the  Methodist  church.  }ilr.  Opp  is  a 
director  of  the  Aurora  State  Bank. 

Anthony  Opp  was  born  at  Hessen  Damistadt,  and  his  wife  was  a  native 
of  Bremen,  Germany.  They  were  reared  and  educated  in  the  land  of  their 
birth,  coming  to  .America  in  1849.  They  were  early  settlers  in  Cresar  Creel: 
township,  where  Mr.  Opp  became  engaged  in  merchandising,  and  also  op- 
erated one  of  the  first  cooper  shops  in  the  township,  and  later  conducted 
a  blacksmith  and  shoe  shop.  FIc  and  his  three  brothers  were  men  of  such  influ- 
ence that  their  neighborhood  was  called  Opp  town.  He  died  there  on  the 
home  place  in  1S99,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years.  Mr.  Opp  was  very  fond  of 
travel,  having  made  three  trips  to  Germany,  and  was  all  through  South 
Africa,  but  became  t'loroughly  Americanized  and  enthusiastic  for  the  inter- 
ests of  this  country. 

He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  German  ^lethodist  church,  and 
he  was  postmaster  at  Farmers  Retreat  for  over  thirty  years. 

The  paternal  grandparents  were  Abraham  Opp,  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth 
Opp,  both  natives  of  Germany.  They  immigrated  to  America  at  an  early 
day  and  settled  at  Fanners  Retreat,  wdiere  they  died  at  an  old  age.  They 
had  eight  children :  John,  Frederick,  Jacob,  Anthony,  George,  Catherine, 
Rebecca  and  Elizabeth.  Their  son  Anthony  was  thrice  married,  his  first  wife 
being  a  Miss  Dexhcimer,  of  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana.  To  this  union  one 
son  was  bom,  Philip,  now-  a  resident  of  Portland,  Oregon.  Plis  second  wife 
was  Mary  (Heffclmire)  Schmolsmire,  widow  of  Casper  Schmolsmire.  To 
this  union  were  born  six  children,  namely:  John  F.,  of  Cincinnati;  Elizabeth, 
the.W'idow-  of  Isaac  Shutts,  of  Seymour,  Indiana;  Sarah  C,  who  married 
J.  M.  Pate,  passed  away  during  the  fall  of  1904;  Frank  M..  of  Cincinnati, 
Ohio:  Lydia  K.,  wife  of  Christian  Lubbe,  of  Aurora:  and  Charles  A.,  of 
Aurora.     His  third  wife  was  Mrs.  Frederick  Heffclmire. 


1    ^^'^:^^'.''  .;    '^Mi     .->:!,'    ^i.,v 


<   r;        .;.i_iii/.A 


DEARBORN   COUXTV,  INDIANA.  657 

Mrs.  Mary  E.  Opp  was  twice  married,  her  first  husband  Iicing  Casper 
Schmolsniire.  Mr.  Schmolsmire  passed  away  during-  the  cholera  epidemic 
of  18.-19.  To  this  union  three  children  were  born,  Mary,  Henry  and  Louise. 
The  only  surviving  child  at  this  writing  is  Louise,  wife  of  Martin  ^^fat- 
ting,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

Charles  A.  Opp  was  united  in  marriage  June  6,  1S95,  with  Mary  E. 
]3enton,  daughter  of  John  H.  and  Martha  (Cole)  Denton,  of  Aurora.  Indiana. 
There  is  one  son  to  this  unicJn.  Denton  Y.,  who  is  now  in  high  school.  !Mrs. 
Opp  was  born  in  Aurora,  December  9,  1S65. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Charles  A.  Opp  came  from  one  of  the  eastern  states, 
and  were  early  settlers  in  Aurora,  \\here  her  father  was  postmaster  for  eight 
vears.  He  died  in  1893,  '"''^  her  mother  is  still  living.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  three  children,  Mary,  Nellie  and  Cora. 

After  his  many  years'  experience  in  a  commercial  life  Mr.  Opp  knows 
just  how  to  meet  the  demands  of  his  many  customers. 


HERiMAN  H.  LEIVE. 


An  Italian  writer  has  said,  "It  is  not  by  sleeping,  but  by  working,  waking 
and  laboring  continually,  that  proficiency  is  attained  and  reputation  ac- 
quired." a  sentiment  that  may  apply  truthfully  to  every  self-made  man. 
A  splendid  strength  of  character  is  his  who,  forced  to  confront  obstacles  early 
in  the  struggle  of  life,  removes  them  one  by  one  from  his  path  to  success,  and 
finally  finds  himself  a  conqueror  who  not  only  has  kept  his  own  self-respect, 
but  has  won  the  esteem  of  his  fellow  men.  This  is  what  Herman  H.  Lei^e 
has  done,  and  his  life  has  thereby  become  an  inspiration  to  the  younger 
generation  who  are  beginning  to  tread  the  same  difficult  path.  Mr.  Leive's 
first  difficulty  was  overcome  when  he  mastered  the  language  and  customs 
which  he  found  in  America,  the  new  country  to  which  he  migrated  when  a 
lad  of  seventeen.  It  was  then  that  he  came  with  his  parents,  John  Elenry  and 
Cicrtrude  (Obermueller)  Leive,  from  Germany,  where  he  was  born  on  Sep- 
tember 3,  1842,  in  Oldendorf  by  Melle. 

During  the  Napoleonic  War.  the  paternal  grandfather  of  Herman  H. 
Leive  drove  a  team  for  the  government.  His  occupation  was  farming,  in 
which  task  he  was  helped  by  his  good  wife  who,  before  her  marriage,  was 
Clara  Bishop.     To  this  union  one  child  was  born,  a  son,  John  Henrv. 

(42) 


■!■:■;:  A 


n    :icr:i'j'  .■.!j/{' 


65S  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

The  maternal  grandfatlicr  Oliennucllcr  was  a  miller  ami  farmer.  He  and 
his  wife  were  natives  of  German)',  and  lived  to  be  quite  aged.  Their  chil- 
dren were  three  in  number,  Henry,  Gertrude  and  William,  of  whom  the  first- 
named  was  ijudfather  to  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

To  John  Henry  and  Gertrude  (Obermueller)  Leive  were  born  twcb.e 
children,  namely:  Henr_\'  \\'.,  of  South  Webster,  Scioto  comity,  Ohio;  \\'iil- 
iam,  deceased:  Louisa,  ^Irs.  \\'illiam  Sherman,  deceased;  Herman  H.,  of 
Aurora,  Intliana ;  John  Christian,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohin ;  Charles.  decease<l; 
Catherine,  who  married  Barney  Lecker,  of  Cincinnati;  Henry,  deceased,  whn 
was  for  several  years  an  Aurora  jeweler;  August,  a  retired  farmer  of  Aurora, 
and  three  who  passed  away  in  early  childhood. 

John  Henry  Leive  came  to  America  with  his  mother,  wife,  and  children 
in  i860,  first  living  in  Cincinnati,  afterwards  purchasing  a  farm  in  Dear- 
born county,  Indiana.  This  land  which  he  proceeded  to  improve  consisted 
of  eighty  acres  in  Center  township,  and  here  he  lived  until  after  the  death 
of  his  wife  in  1S73,  whicli  occurred  in  her  fifty-eighth  year.  He  spent  the  vear 
beginning  1876  in  the  old  country,  and  returning  to  America,  bought  a  tract 
of  good  land  near  Brockville,  Salina  count)',  Kansas.  But  because  of  illness, 
his  son  Hemian  brought  him  liack  to  Aurora,  and  he  died  at  the  home  of 
his  daughter  in  Cincinnati,  in  1898.  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty-two.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  were  adherents  to  the  Lutheran  faith. 

When  only  a  lad  of  seventeen  Herman  H.  Twelve  began  his  battle  with 
life's  realities  by  becoming  an  apprentice  of  the  cabinet-maker  and  wood- 
carver's  trade,  in  Cincinnati.  His  ne.xt  ventures  were  in  the  grocerv  and 
furnitiu'e  business,  and  after  some  experience  in  these  lines  of  trade,  he 
moved  to  Batesville,  in  the  year  1S66,  at  the  time  when  there  was  in  tlie  town 
only  one  factory.  It  appears  that  business  affairs  did  not  run  as  smoothly  as 
he  had  expected,  and  in  a  few  months  he  returned  to  Cincinnati,  and  from 
there  went  to  Louisville  to  open  up  a  grocery  store  wnth  his  brother-in-law, 
William  Sherman,  at  the  same  time  working  at  his  carving  trade.  After  the 
death  of  his  mother  he  returned  to  Aurora,  which  has  been  his  home  ever 
since.  His  first  position  there  was  with  the  Aurora  Chair  Factory,  whose 
proprietor  was  John  Cobb.  He  preferred,  however,  to  have  a  business  of 
his  own,  and  in  1878  formed  a  partnership  with  Henry  Wolka  and  John  Fran^, 
who  established  together  the  Cochran  Furniture  Company,  at  Cochran,  now 
a  part  of  Aurora.  One  year  later  he  and  Mr.  Franz  bought  out  the  interest 
of  Mr.  Wolke,  and  the  firm  became  the  Cochran  Chair  Company.  Subse- 
quently, in   1879,  August  Steinkamp  and  Clemens   Post   were  added   to  the 


;!i!.ji> 


DEARBORN   COl'NTV.   IXDIAXA.  659 

partnership,  but  this  arrangement  lasted  tor  only  a  vear,  at  the  eml  of 
vviiich,  Mr.  Post  sold  out,  and  Frederick  Schmntte  was  adfled  to  the  firm. 
In  1901  Mr.  Lei\-e  retired  from  active  business,  when  William  E.  Stari; 
and  ilarrv  Schniutte  became  the  sole  owners,  and  devoted  their  entire  time 
to  the  manufacture  of  chairs  of  all  descriptiuns,  selling-  these  in  everv  part 
of  the  United  States.  About  one  hundred  and  twenty  emplovees  vvcrc  re- 
quired in  the  establishment.  \\'hile  ]\Ir.  Leive  still  retains  stock  in  the 
company,  he  gives  his  time  to  other  business  interests,  being  vice-president 
and  treasurer  of  the  Aurora  Tool  Works,  a  stock-holder  m  the  Wvnu.'nd 
Cooperage  Company,  and  in  the  Indianapolis  Furniture  Company  of  Aurora, 
as  well  as  in  the  Aurora  State  Bank. 

Margaret  Schwaka,  of  Cincinnati,  became  the  wife  of  Herman  FL 
Leive  on  December  3.  1863.  To  this  union  seven  children  were  born,  two 
of  \\'hom  passed  away  in  infanc}',  as  fi.illow :  Anna  married  John  Ritter,  ot 
Cochran,  and  is  the  mother  of  six  children,  Walter,  Edna,  Herman,  Flildah, 
Anna  and  Harry;  Mary  married  Henry  Poehlmann,  of  Cochran,  and  of  this 
union  three  children,  Lucille,  Lelah  and  Emma,  were  born;  Carrie  becaiv;e 
the  wife  of  John  Hang,  a  merchant  tailor  of  Aurora,  their  children  bein.g 
1-oretta.  Esther  and  Alvin ;  Amelia  is  at  home;  Matilda  Ijecame  the  wife 
of  William  Sieffermann,  also  a  merchant  tailor  of  Aurora.  Besides  being 
an  ideal  wife  and  mother,  ]Mrs.  Leive  has  been  of  invaluable  assistance  to 
her  husband  in  the  social  life  which  his  prominence  in  the  communitv  at- 
tracted, and  their  home  has  been  one  of  the  popular  gathering  places  for 
their  friends.  Both  Mr.  and  Airs.  Leive  are  members  of  the  German  Evan- 
gelical church,  having  identified  themselves  with  it  "when  it  was  first  estab- 
lished in  1S74. 

For  over  fifty  years  Air.  Leive  has  been  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Indei)endent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  also  belonging  to  the  Encampment.  Re- 
publicanism in  this  county  has  had  a  strong  ally  in  the  subject  of  tliis  sketch, 
and  for  one  term  he  was  a  member  of  the  town  council  of  Cochran.  Not  all 
of  Mr.  Leive's  attention  has  been  given  to  business  and  politics  for,  being 
a  lover  of  music,  he  has  been  a  singer,  possessing  a  splendid  tenor  voice,  and 
has  done  much  for  the  community  in  bringing  to  it  good  music,  this  being 
made  possible  through  his  activity  in  the  Saengerbund;  of  which  organization 
he  is  at  present  treasurer. 

Herman  H.  Leive  has  risen  above  the  common-place,  and  by  business 
ability,  foresight  and  an  unusual  amount  of  energy,  has  passed  from  the  oli- 
scure  life  of  a  German  youth  in  a  strange  land,  to  a  place  of  prominence  in  a 


66o  DEARBORN    COUXTY,    INDIANA. 

larg'e  American  coniniunit\'.  thus  showing  the  possession  of  innate  abihty  and 
integ'rity.  He  has  been  true  to  his  ideals,  and  in  his  own  success,  has  contrib- 
uted to  the  commercial  activity  of  his  town  in  which  he  is  a  recognized  leader. 


TOTIN  A.  EOBRIXK. 


Thackeray,  in  introducing  to  "the  gentle  reader"  one  of  the  most  inter- 
esting of  his  manv  f.'unilies  of  story  folk,  observes,  in  one  of  his  inimitable 
asides :  "You  may  not  like  my  friends ;  very  few  people  do  like  strangers  to 
whom  they  are  presented  with  an  outrageous  flourish  of  praise  on  the  part  of 
the  introducer.  But  don't  you  acknowledge  that  the  sight  of  an  honest  man, 
with  an  honest,  Icn'ing  wife  by  his  side,  and  surrounded  by  loving  and  obedient 
children,  presents  something  very  sweet  and  affecting  to  }'OU?  If  you  are 
made  acquainted  with  such  a  person,  and  see  the  eager  kindness  of  the  fond 
faces  round  about  him,  and  that  pleasant  confidence  and  affection  which 
beams  from  his  own,  do  you  mean  to  say  you  are  not  touched  and  gratified?" 

It  does  not  require  an  overly  inclusive  acquaintance  in  Dearborn  county 
to  make  positi\'e  the  statement  that  there  are  many  families  in  this  favored  sec- 
tion which  might  very  properly  be  introduced  in  just  such  a  fashion  as  the 
above,  and  it  is  a  pleasure  on  the  part  of  the  present  biographer  to  call  the 
reader's  attention,  at  this  point,  to  just  such  a  family  as  the  great  n(j\elist 
might  have  had  in  mind  when  he  penned  the  above  introduction,  the  family 
of  the  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  brief  biographical  review,  John  A. 
Bobrink,  a  well-known  and  popular  grocer  of  the  Greendale  section  of  Law- 
renceliurg  and  the  present  efficient  treasurer  of  Dearborn  county,  Indiana. 

John  A.  Bobrink  was  bom  in  Lawrenceb^urg  township,  this  county,  on 
February  22,  1867.  the  son  of  Henrj'-  and  Anna  ( Niehaus)  Bobrink,  natives 
of  Germany,  to  whom  three  sons  and  five  daughters  were  born :  John  A., 
treasurer  of  Dearborn  county:  Henry,  who  lives  in  Lawrenceburg;  Louis, 
who  lives  in  Greensburg,  Indiana;  Alaggie,  the  wife  of  Enoch  Hilderman,  of 
North  Vernon,  Indiana;  ]Mary  deceased;  Sophia,  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools 
of  Lawrenceburg;  Anna,  the  wife  of  jNIartin  Linkmeyer,  of  Lawrenceburg 
townshijj,  and  Alice,  the  wife  of  A.  J.  Blackburn,  of  Tampa.  Florida. 

Henry  Bobrink  was  the  only  son  of  Albert  Bobrink  and  grew  to  }Oung 
manlmod  in  his  native  land,  receiving  there  the  careful  tuition  prescribed  b}' 
the  German  regulations.     In  1866,  shortlv  following  his  marriage  with  .Anna 


0  tifiJ 


DEARBORN   COl'NTV.   INDIANA.  66  I 

Nielinus.  the  daughter  of  Albert  Xieliaus,  he  came  to  America,  pnicccilini;-  im- 
mediately to  Dearliorn  C'>iint\-,  hiihaiia.  where  he  settled  on  a  farm  in  Millar 
township,  where  he  reared  hi-^  family  and  where  for  fi:)rty  years  he  enL;aged  in 
farming',  dairying  and  stock  raiding.  His  wife  died  in  18S4.  at  tlie  age  of 
fortv-fonr  rears,  and  he  is  nin\  living,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two,  in  comfi:irtahle 
retirement  on  his  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  (the  old  William  Marshall 
farm),  in  Lawrenceburg  township.  In  his  native  days  Henry  Bobrink  was 
a  man  of  large  influence  in  the  neighborhood  in  which  he  lived  and  there  are 
few  men  in  the  county  today  who  have  a  wider  acquaintance  or  a  UKjre  de- 
voted circle  of  friends  than  he. 

John  A.  Bobrink  was  reared  on  t!ie  paternal  farm  in  Lawrenceburg 
township,  attending  the  district  scliools  of  that  township  and  the  Lawrence- 
burg high  school.  For  fourteen  years  he  dro\e  a  milk  wagon  in  the  interest 
of  his  father's  daily  and  for  the  past  twenty-fi\'e  years  has  been  eng-aged 
in  the  grocer}-  business  in  the  Grccndale  section  of  Lawrenceburg,  in  which 
business  he  has  been  quite  successful,  the  scrupulous  care  and  attention  which 
he  from  the  very  start  of  this  enterprise  gave  to  the  wants  of  his  customers 
having  made  his  store  one  of  the  most  popular  in  the  citw 

While  thus  engaged  in  business.  >lr.  Boljrink  never  neglected  his  duty  as 
a  citi;ren  and  was  active  in  the  political  affairs  of  the  city  and  count}',  his  in- 
terest in  good  government  forcing  him  to  the  front.  Li  19 14  he  was  nominated 
by  the  Democrats  of  Dearborn  county  for  the  office  of  county  treasurer,  was 
successful  in  the  ensuing  election  and  is  no\v  serving-  \'ery  efficientlv  as  treas- 
urer of  the  county,  his  fitness  for  this  office  being  a  matter  of  general  recogni- 
tion throughout  the  county.  This  extension  of  his  activities  has  not  interfered 
with  the  business  of  his  grocery,  however,  the  store  being  continued  at  the 
same  old  stand,  as  for  man}-  years. 

On  September  4,  1901,  John  A.  Bobrink  was  united  in  marriage  with  Mar- 
garet Ulrich,  who  was  born  in  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  the  daughter  of  Chris- 
topher and  Christina  (Lommcl)  Ulrich,  natives  of  Germany  and  early  set- 
tlers in  Lawrenceburg.  Mrs.  Bobrink's  father  and  mother  both  are  dead. 
They  were  the  parents  of  a  number  of  children,  four  of  whom  li\-ed  to  ma- 
turity; Margaret,  who  married  ]\[r.  Bobrink;  Frederick,  of  Lawrenceburg; 
Louise,  the  wife  of  Prof.  Farl  T.  Gold,  suj^erintendent  of  the  Cincinnati, 
(Ohio)  public  schools;  and  I'reda.  who  is  a  teacher  in  the  public  -^chnuls 
of  Lawrenceburg.  ]\Irs.  Bobrink's  paternal  grandfather  came  to  America 
after  the  death  of  his  wife  in  Germany  and  died  in  Lawrenceburg.  He  was 
the  father  of  Christina,  Mrs.  Kate  Hriefer,  of  Cincinnati,  Charles  and  Chris- 


662  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

topher.  Her  maternal  grandfalher,  Peter  Lommel,  was  a  well-known  resident 
of  Lawrenceliurg-  in  an  earlier  day.  He  and  his  wife  came  to  this  coiintr)-  fol- 
lowing- their  marriage  in  Germany  aiKl  reared  a  large  family  in  thJs  county. 

To  John  A.  and  ^ilargaret  (Ulrich)  Robrink  three  children  have  been 
torn,  Irma  Mary.  John  Henry  and  Charles  Louis.  ]\Jr.  and  !Mrs.  Bobrink  are 
members  of  tlic  Zion  Evangelical  churcli  and  are  raising  their  children 
in  the  faith  of  that  church.  Yir.  Bobrink  is  a  member  of  Dearborn  Lodge  Xo. 
49,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  is  an  active  participant  in  the  affairs  of  that  lodge. 

Mr.  and  !Mrs.  Bobrink  take  a  proper  interest  in  the  social  affairs  of  the 
community  and  are  deservedly  popular  in  a  large  circle  of  social  acquaint- 
ances, their  friends  according-  them  the  confidence  and  respect  to  which  they 
are  so  justly  entitled.  Mr.  Bobrink  is  a  man  of  large  public  spirit  and  is  doing 
well  his  part  in  the  promotion  of  the  best  interests  of  the  city  and  county,  of 
which  he  is  so  prominent  and  influential  a  citizen.  His  counsel  and  ad\ice  on 
matters  of  public  import  are  mucli  souglit  and  on  more  than  one  occasion 
have  proved  of  value  to  the  community,  his  sound  business  judgment  and 
political  acumen  gi\'ing  much  weight  to  his  suggestions  in  affairs  relating  to 
the  common  weal. 


frf:derick  schmutte. 

The  gentleman  whose  biography  is  here  presented  has  always  followed 
the  principle  of  doing  whatever  fell  to  his  share,  in  the  best  possible  manner 
of  which  he  was  capable,  ^nd  has  instilled  into  the  minds  of  his  children  the 
same  sound,  sensible  views. 

Frederick  Schmutte,  president  of  the  People's  Building  and  Loan  Com- 
pany, of  West  Aurora,  Indiana,  was  born  on  February  7,  1847,  in  Hanover, 
Germany,  and  is  a  son  of  Frederick  and  Sophia  (Fracking)   Schmutte.     He 

was  reared  and  educated  in  the  land  of  his  birth,  coming  to  America  in  Octo- 
ber, 1866,  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  and  engaged  his  services  on  a  farm 
in  Jackson  county,  Indiana,  near  Seymour,  receiving  one  hundred  and  eighty 
dollars  a  year,  including  board.  At  the  end  of  the  first  year,  he  went  to 
Cincinnati  and  did  teaming  for  a  short  time,  after  which  he  went  into  a  cigar 
facton,'.  during  which  employment  he  was  married,  and  on  March  15,  1882. 
he  brought  his  wife  and  two  children  to  Cochran,  now  West  Aurora,  Indiana, 


,(■■    .;  .!■;;!■.  :'l     h 


DEAKBOKN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  663 

where  they  ha\-c  since  resided.  At  this  place  Atr.  .'-!chnuille  entered  into  part- 
nership with  Herman  Leive,  John  Fi'anz  and  Angiist  Sleinkanip,  continuing 
for  twenty-five  years  in  the  n\annfacture  of  chairs  and  rockers.  'I'iic  factrir\- 
was  then  sold  out  to  \\'illiani  E.  Stark  and  Harry  Schmulte,  and  has  since 
been  continued  inider  the  name  of  the  Cochran  Chair  Company.  Air. 
Schnuitte  is  a  Rcjniblican,  antl  has  demonstrated  his  loyalty  hv  serving  one 
term  as  a  memljer  of  the  comnir)n  council  of  Cochran.  He  ser\ed  as  presi- 
dent of  the  fire  department  for  a  number  of  years,  and  is  at  present  a  director 
in  the  following  institutions:  First  National  Bank,  of  Aurora;  Dearborn  Na- 
tional Bank,  of  Lawrenceburg ;  the  Aurora  Tool  Works,  and  is  also  a  director 
on  the  executive  committee  of  the  River  View  Cemetery  Association.  AFr. 
Schniutte  belongs  to  Almania  Lodge  No.  334,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  attentive  members  of  the  Evangelical 
Protestant  church,  on  which  board  he  officiates  as  president. 

Frederick  Schmutte,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  nati\'e  oi 
Germany,  where  he  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  regular  army.  He  died  in  Wach- 
enfeldt,  ag"ed  over  sixty  years.  He  was  a  public-spirited  man,  and  held  various 
town  offices.  His  wife,  Sophia  (Fracking)  Schmutte,  was  also  a  native  of 
Germany,  and  they  were  both  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Airs. 
Schmutte  died  while  still  a  young  woman,  and  Frederick  Schmutte  is  the  only 
one  of  their  children  now  living. 

Both  the  names  and  history  of  the  paternal  grandparents  are  lost.  They 
were  farmers,  and  had  four  children,  Frederick,  Henry.  Lena  and  Sophia. 

The  history  of  the  maternal  grandparents  is  also  lost,  except  that  they 
were  natives  of  Germany,  where  they  lived  and  died. 

Frederick  Schmutte  was  married  on  August  24,  1S71,  to  Dora  Steinkamp. 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Wilhelmina  (Biermann)  Steinkamp.  She  was  born 
on  February  15,  1845,  '"  Enkter,  Llanover,  Germany.  This  union  has  been 
blessed  with  two  children,  Minnie  and  Harry.  Alinnie  is  the  wife  of  Paul 
Smith.  They  reside  at  Aurora,  and  have  two  children,  Irvin  and  Kenneth. 
Harr)'  is  the  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Aurora,  and  is  married 
to  Lilly  Oerster. 

Heni^'  and  Wilhelmina  (Biermann)  Steinkamp  were  natives  of  Germany, 
the  fomier  dying  there  in  1S62,  aged  fifty-two  years.  His  widow  came  to 
America  in  1867,  and  died  at  Cincinnati,  Alarch  3,  1905,  aged  ninety-one  years 
and  over.  To  this  union  were  born  eight  children,  as  follow:  Mary,  William, 
Anna,  Louis,  Dora,  Louisa,  Henry  and  August. 

Mr.  Schmutte,  through  his  svstematic  methods  and  straightforward  deal- 


-;    n  'K; 


rf.,   .  r-f-^' 


664  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

ings  with  his  customers,  has  placed  himself  in  a  position  of  high  esteem  with 
the  citizens  of  the  community  in  which  he  lives.  He  lives  retired  although  he 
assists  in  directing  the  concerns  in  which  he  is  interested.  He  is  still  active  in 
body  and  mind  and  is  a  highly  intelligent  and  interesting  gentleman  who  has 
contributed  greatly  toward  tlie  advancement  of  this  community  and  its  people. 


,.,,..   ,   i       ,      .      .  W.  J.  NELIKOAI.  .         \      ■ 

While  the  professional  man  makes  his  great  and  precious  gift  to  his 
time,  it  must  be  recognized  also  that  the  American  business  man,  by  reason 
of  his  ability  to  organize,  also  is  a  benefactor.  Especiall}-  is  that  man  to  be 
credited  who  is  fair  in  his  commercial  transactions,  honest  in  his  purpose,  and 
unselfish  in  his  desire  to  contribute  to  the  general  good,  as  well  as  to  build  up 
his  own  individual  fortune.  The  gentleman  mentioned  at  the  head  of  this  bio- 
graphical sketch  is  one  who  recognizes  such  obligation,  and  therefore  it  is  wiih 
satisfaction  that  the  present  publishers  include  him  among  those  who  have  been 
a  real  benefit  to  the  community  in  which  they  have  made  their  homes.  \\'.  J. 
Neukom  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Indianapolis  Chair  and  Furniture 
Company,  of  Aurora,  and  a  native  of  Indianapolis,  having  been  born  there  on 
May  8,  1872. 

\V.  J.  Xeukom  is  a  son  of  Frank  and  Verona  fEerner)  Neukom,  natives 
of  Switzerland,  who  established  their  home  in  this  country,  and  to  whom  eight 
children  were  born.  These  were:  William  J.,  of  z^urora ;  Frank,  of  Denver, 
Colorado ;  George,  deceased ;  Grace,  who  married  Edward  Podmore,  of  Ander- 
son, Indiana;  John  and  Walter,  of  Indianapolis;  Sadie,  wife  of  Thomas  B. 
Campbell,  of  Indianapolis,  and  Robert,  of  Denver,  Colorado. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Neukom  was  Henry  Neukom,  and  he 
and  his  wife,  Barbara,  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age,  their  deaths  taking  place  at  Ful- 
ton, Missouri.  Their  children  were  Conrad,  Melchior,  Frederick,  William. 
Jacob,  John  and  Barbara. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  Rudolph  Berner,  his  wife  being  Barbara 
(Conrad)  Berner.  The  latter  died  while  still  a  young  woman,  on  shipboard 
coming  to  America.  Mr.  Berner,  who  was  a  silk  weaver  by  trade,  and  later, 
kept  a  saloon,  died  in  Indianapolis,  at  the  age  of  eighty-si.K.  He  was  survived 
by  Verona,  Barbara,  Jacob,  Samuel.  Wilhelmina  and  John. 

Frank  Neukom  came  to  this  country  when  a  lad  with  his  parents,  who 


f.io 


;;ij       .n. 


(V.  ,  .'-.f;.;/:  >lnr,-.  i 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  '  665 

settled  in  Fulton.  [Missouri,  where  he  had  lived  three  year.s  when  the  Civil 
War  broke  out.  As  a  private,  sen'ing  under  General  Siegel,  lie  was  in  inan\- 
battles,  his  service  covering  three  enlistments,  and  a  period  (jf  tour  }ears  and 
four  months.  He  was  enrolled  in  the  Third  Regiment,  Missouri  Volunteer 
Infantry.  The  war  over,  Mr.  Xeukom  made  his  li\"elihood  in  the  baker's  trade, 
later  beconu'ng  proprietor  of  a  first-class  boarding  liouse  and  saloon  in  Indi- 
anapolis. This  was  the  old  Chicago  House,  which  he  managed  for  man\- 
years.  When  he  gave  this  up.  he  again  became  a  baker.  In  iQoo,  when  he  had 
reached  his  fifty-eighth  milestone  he  passed  away,  his  wife  who  had  shared 
all  his  J03-S  and  sorrows,  having  preceded  him  by  six  v'ears,  when  she  was 
forty-three.  Both  were  at  one  time  members  cif  the  Lutheran  church,  but  in 
later  years  they  ^\•ere  adherents  of  the  ^Methodist  Episcopal  denomination.  Air. 
Neukom  belonged  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  was  a  Republican 
all  of  his  life. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  began  his  business  career  as  "bell-bov"  at  the 
Spencer  House,  having  gone  through  the  public  schools  of  Indianapolis. 
Shifting  about  for  employment,  he  found  work  at  the  old  Indianapolis  Chair 
Factory,  and  although  that  was  thirty  years  ago,  he  has  maintained  connec- 
tions with  the  firm  ever  since.  Coming  to  Aurora,  ]\lr.  Neukom  organized  a 
company  composed  of  Edward  Schulz,  Clarence  B.  Wilson,  John  Ullrich. 
W^illiam  L.  Hoskins  and  himself,  for  the  manufacture  of  chairs,  and  in  this 
enterprise  has  been  engaged  ever  since.  The  factory,  which  occupies  a  floor 
space  of  fifty-five  thousand  square  feet,  employs  one  hundred  persons,  and 
sells  its  products  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States. 

On  May  i8,  1898,  W.  J.  Neukom  married  Cornelia  Taylor,  daughter  of 
Alexander  and  Jean  (Forrester)  Taylor,  of  Indianapolis,  in  which  city  she 
was  horn,  on  ^larch  6,  1S74.  IMrs.  Neukom's  parents  were  natives  of  Scot- 
land,, the  occupation  of  the  father  being  the  grain  and  fruit  business.  Both 
parents  are  now  dead.  i\Irs.  Neukom's  brothers  and  sisters  are  Mary,  ^lar- 
garet,  William,  Alexander,  Jennie,  Annie  and  Edward.  The  daughter  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  ].  Neukom  is  Jean  Forrester  Neukom. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Neukom  have  entered  largely  into  the  social  life  of  the 
vicinitv,  and  also  have  contributed  much  to  the  usefulness  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  to  which  thev  belong.  Mrs.  Neukom  is  domestic  in  her  tastes,  and  a-^ 
a  home-maker  she  has  achieved  the  same  degree  of  success  that  her  husband 
has  achieved  in  business. 

Mr.  Neukom  is  a  man  of  many  interests.  He  belongs  to  Marion  Lodg'? 
No.  35,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  to  Keystone  Chapter  No.  6,  Royal  Arch 


rr>,.  I  -■■</ 


^\\i 


'I  .'.--■'  ..'.■  I 


■  \'yy'<.  ■s, 


666  DEARBORX    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

Masons :  also  to  the  Knights  of  l^ythias.  IndianapoHs  Lodge  No.  56 :  and  to 
the  Maccabees.  As  a  Repubhcan  poh'tician,  he  is  known  not  only  in  Aurora. 
but  in  Indianapolis,  where  at  one  time,  he  was  president  of  the  cily  council. 
Alen  possessing  the  sterling  characteristics  which  are  evinced  by  the  life 
and  work  of  the  subject  of  tb.is  biography  are  of  distinct  value  to  the  com- 
munity fortunate  enough  to  have  their  citizenship.  Having  won  for  himself  a 
conspicuous  place  among  the  leaders  of  men,  Mr.  Neukom  has  still  been  true 
to  his  ideals,  and  has  thus  enlianced  the  value  of  his  example  to  the  younger 
generation. 


TOHX  L.  XOLTE. 


John  L.  Xolte,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  like  the  most  of  the  country- 
men of  his  ancestors,  began  life  in  the  business  that  presented  the  best  induce- 
ments, namely,  farming.  Being  forced  to  take  charge  of  the  farm  at  his 
father's  death,  he  earlv  learned  the  successful  methods  of  agriculture,  and  was 
well  qualified  for  his  chosen  vocation,  of  which  he  could  not  have  made  a 
better  selection. 

John  L.  Xolte,  county  commissioner,  Dillsboro,  Caesar  Creek  township. 
Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  was  born  in  that  township,  Novem]>er  17,  1871, 
and  is  a  son  of  Christian  and  Mary  (Willman)  Nolte.  He  was  educated  at 
the  district  and  parochial  schools,  and  remained  on  the  farm,  following  agri- 
culture, under  the  instruction  of  his  father.  When  John  L.  was  nineteen  years 
old,  in  1S91,  his  father  died,  and  he  was  thrown  upon  his  own  responsibility 
in  managing  the  farm.  His  mother  died  in  1S96,  and  he  bought  out  the  heirs 
to  the  one-hundred-acre  fann.  ^Iv.  X'olte  has  always  been  an  ardent  su])- 
porter  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  in  1912  was  elected  to  the  office  of  county 
commissioner  from  this  section,  being  re-elected  in  1914.  He  is  an  earnest 
member  of  the  Lutheran  church  of  Farmers  Retreat,  and  to  which  he  con- 
tributes liberally.  ]Mr.  N'olte  is  also  president  of  the  Farmers'  Telephone  Com- 
pany, with  headquarters  at  Friendship,  Indiana,  and  is  a  director  of  the  Ger- 
man -Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company,  covering  this  section  of  the  country, 
and  of  which  his  father  was  an  organizer.  Mr.  Nolte  was  also  township  chair- 
man of  the  Democratic  party  in  Caesar  Creek  township  for  six  years. 

Christian  Nolte,  father  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born 
on  November  12,  1833,  in  Hanover,  Germany,  and  came  to  the  United  States 
with  his  parents  when  but  five  years  old.    He  was  a  son  of  Charles  Nolte,  and 


I.     -         .:pl', 


•■\-.,'  :-:■] 


DEARBORX   COUNTY,  IXWAXA.  667 

his  early  education  was  secured  in  Caesar  Creek  township,  after  which  he  as- 
sisted his  father  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  His  marriage.  ]Mr.  Xolte  was  a 
slanch  Democrat,  and  served  as  road  supervisor  for  many  years,  bcino-  later 
elected  trustee,  in  which  office  he  served  two  terms.  His  death  occurred  on 
May  23.  1S91,  aged  fifty-eight  years.  His  wife,  ^Fary  (Willman)  Xctlie,  was 
born  in  Hanover,  German}-,  coming  to  the  United  States  with  her  ])rothers 
and  sisters  at  the  ag'e  of  twelve  years.  They  settled  on  Bear  creek,  Switzer- 
land county.  There  were  two  sisters  and  three  brothers,  b'rederick.  Henry, 
Florence,  William  and  ^Nlary.  Mary  A\'illman  was  educated  in  Switzerland 
countv.  To  ■Mr.  and  3.1rs.  Christian  Xolte  were  born  nine  children,  I'retlerick, 
Elizabeth,  Louisa,  William,  Henry,  Mar}',  ^finnie,  John,  and  Henry,  who  died 
in  infanc}".  Frederick  was  married  to  Annie  Fleiderman,  and  li\'es  at  Aurora. 
They  have  two  children,  Clara  and  Marie.  Louisa  became  the  wife  oi  John 
Windhorst,  and  lives  at  Seymour,  Indiana.  She  is  the  mother  of  three  chil- 
dren. Alma,  ILarry  and  one  deceased.  William  died  single  at  the  age  of  thirty- 
nine  years.  Henry  was  married  to  Carrie  Shicle,  and  is  living  in  X^ebraska. 
The}-  have  a  large  family.  Minnie  is  the  wife  of  Benjamin  Rueter,  and  resides 
in  Scott  county,  Illinois.  They  have  six  children,  ^lartin,  Irvin,  Harvey, 
Ehner,  Jessie,  and  ^Matilda,  who  is  deceased. 

Charles  X^'olte,  the  paternal  grandfather,  was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany. 
He  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Caesar  Creek  township,  a  Httle 
southeast  of  Farmers  Retreat,  on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  acres,  in  1844,  where 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

The  maternal  grandparents  were  nati\-es  of  Hanover,  Gern-iany,  and  died 
in  that  country. 

John  L.  Xolte  \\-as  united  in  marriage  on  X'ovember  9,  1898,  with  ]Miss 
Amelia  Miller,  daughter  of  Rudolf  and  ]\Iary  (Honsmeyer)  Miller.  She  was 
born  on  October  6,  1S75,  in  Pike  township,  Ohio  county,  where  she  was  edu- 
cated and  lived  until  her  marriage.  To  this  union  have  been  born  four  chil- 
dren, Edith,  Clifford,  Xorma  and  Gilbert;  the  three  younger  of  whom  are 
going  to  school. 

Rudolf  jMiller,  father  of  Mrs.  John  L.  Xolte,  is  a  native  of  Hanover, 
Germany,  and  came  to  the  I'nited  States  when  seven  years  of  age,  with  hi.; 
parents,  Henry  and  ]\Iinnie  (Huhlmire)  Miller.  His  wife,  Mar\-  (Hons- 
meyer) Miller,  was  a  daughter  of  Fred  Honsmeyer.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  John.  George,  Louisa,  Christian  (deceased), 
Edward  (deceased),  Theodore,  and  Christina  (deceased).  John  was  married 
to  Anna  Offencamp,  and  lives  in  Caesar  Creek  township.     They  have  three 


r*rt:,- 


1:.j  ..         I     ,, 


668  DEARBORX    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

children,  Alfred.  ]\I_vrtle  and  W'iliner.  Georo-e  was  married  to  AuKdia  Wicli- 
man,  and  lives  in  Johnson  township,  Ripley  county,  Indiana.  Thev  have  one 
child — Mabel.  Louisa  became  the  wife  of  William  Eushnian,  and  resides  in 
Washington  townsliiii,  Ripley  county.  Theodore  is  emplovetl  in  I'ike  towi;- 
ship,  Ohio  count}",  Indiana. 

Henry  and  ]\Iinnie  (Huhlmire)  ATiller,  paternal  £;-randparents  of  Mrs. 
John  L.  Xolte.  were  natives  of  Germany,  and  were  earlv  settlers  at  Cincinnati, 
moving-  later  to  I'ike  township,  Ohio  county,  Indiana. 

John  L.  Nolte  resides  on  a  splendid  farm  of  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
two  acres,  wiiere  he  has  won  for  himself  a  place  in  the  front  rank  among  the 
farmers  of  the  countv,  and  where  he  has  manv  warm  and  admiring-  friends. 


TOHN  F.  >.IEYER. 


The  love  of  freedom,  so  dominant  a  passion  in  the  breasts  of  all  people 
.  of  the  Teutonic  division  of  the  human  race,  has  given  to  America  man\-  of 
this  nation's  best  and  most  patriotic  citizens.  One  of  the  best-known  and 
most  influential  residents  of  Dearborn  county,  the  gentleman  whose  name  the 
biographer  takes  pleasure  in  calling-  to  the  attention  of  the  reader  at  this  point, 
is  the  son  of  a  German  immigrant  who  fled  from  his  native  coiuitry  at  the  age 
of  nineteen  to  escape  the  oppressions  uiider  which  his  people  were  groaning  at 
ihat  tin-ie  incident  to  the  perpetual  wars  which  were  Ijeing  v.aged  in  that  coun- 
try, and  \\-ho.  with  no  outside  influence,  but  spurred  on  constantly  b_\-  his  in- 
flomitable  energ\-  and  per^e\-erance,  to  which  was  joined  the  spirit  C)f  tlu'ift  for 
which  his  countrymen  are  so  noted,  became  one  of  the  largest  and  \\ealthiest 
landowners  in  Dearborn  county,  and  a  man  of  wide  influence  in  the  section 
of  the  county  in  which  he  lived. 

John  F.  !Meyer  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Miller  to\vnship,  this  county,  ad- 
joining the  farm  on  which  he  now  makes  his  residence,  December  24,  1S54.  the 
son  of  John  F.  and  Mary  (  Ba.sker)  Meyer,  both  natives  of  Hanover,  Ger- 
many. 

The  senir)r  John  F.  ]vleyer  was  the  son  of  Flenry  Meyer,  a  small  farmer 
in  Hanover.  Oppressed  by  the  sense  of  dependence  under  which  the  German 
people  were  suffering  at  that  time  by  reason  of  the  militaristic  passion  of  the 
governing  classes.  John  F.  Meyer  borrowed  enough  money  to  insure  his  pas- 
sage to  America  and.  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  came  to  this  country,  seeking 


'    :  '-"i.^  .  ..f  .'i.i-. 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  669 

freedom  and  a  larger  opportunity  than  any  he  reasonably  could  ever  hope  for 
in  the  Fatherland.  Upon  arriving  in  this  country,  he  presently  made  his  way 
to  this  county  and,  in  company  with  John  Garnier.  beg;ui  working  for  Colonel 
Ferris  for  the  munificent  wage  of  seven  dollars  a  month.  At  the  time  he  ar- 
rived in  this  county  he  could  not  speak  the  English  language,  but  he  quickly 
acquired  not  only  the  speech,  but  the  customs  and  the  manners  of  his  doptcd 
cour.tr}'.  Realizing  the  better  advantages  which  awaited  anyone  of  thrift  and 
industr}^  on  this  side  of  the  water,  John  F.  Meyer  presently  borrow  ed  einiugh 
money  to  bring  his  parents  to  this  side,  and  Henry  [Nleyer  and  his  wife  joined 
their  son  in  this  county,  remaining  here  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  dying 
on  the  farm  home  which  John  F.  Meyer  was  not  long  in  establishing  after  he 
found  himself  on  the  upward  course  of  things  in  this  county.  Ilenry  ]\Ieyer 
was  eighty  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Th.e  death  of  his  wife  had 
occurred  some  years  previously.  Both  these  old  ]icople  were  highly  respected 
by  their  neighbors  in  IMiller  township  during  the  time  of  their  residence  there. 
John  F.  Aleyer,  Sr.,  married  ilary  Basker,  the  daughter  of  Frederick  and 
Sophia  Basker,  who  also  were  immigrants  from  Flanover,  who  lived  to  ripe 
old  ages  in  this  county,  the  latter  living  to  be  eighty-eight  years  of  age,  and 
who  had  but  two  children,  both  daughters,  ]\Iary  and  Dora.  Spurred  to 
greater  endeavors  by  his  marriage,  John  F.  Meyer,  Sr.,  presently  bought  a 
farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  a  part  of  the  Roland  tract  in  ]\Iiller  township,  and 
began  farming  on  an  extensive  scale.  He  prospered  and  from  time  to  time 
added  to  his  original  holdings  until  he  owned  thirteen  hundred  acres  of  as  fine 
land  as  was  embraced  within  the  confines  of  Dearborn  county.  He  lived  en 
the  original  farm  for  many  years,  but  late  in  life  moved  over  onto  the  Law- 
renceburg  and  Indianapolis  state  road,  where  he  died,  in  April,  1900,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-two  years.  His  widow  survived  him  nine  years,  her  death  not 
occurring  until  the  year  1909,  she  then  being  seventy-four  years  of  age,  the 
home  in -which  this  faithful  and  devoted  old  couple  passed  their  last  days  still 
being  known  as  "Three-lNIile  House."  The  senior  ^Meyers  were  devoted  mem- 
bers of  the  Lutheran  church  and  reared  their  children  in  the  faith  of  that 
church.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  to  each  of  whom  th.e}-  gave 
deeds  for  good-sized  farms  when  the  children  were  ready  to  start  out  for  them- 
selves. These  children  were:  Anna  (deceased),  who  married  Leonard  Ran- 
dall, a  Dearborn  county  farmer;  John  F.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Henry  J.;  William;  Dora,  who  married  Henry  Kaiser,  a  farmer  in  Ohio 
county,  this  state;  Frederick  W.,  who  owns  two  hundred  and  forty-five  acres 
in  this  county;  George,  of  Lawrenceburg  township,  who  at  one  time  owned, 


570  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

but  later  sold  the  old  homestead;  and  Alary,  who  died  unmarried,  in  iS9<). 
The  senior  John  F.  Meyer  and  his  wife  were  prominent  in  all  good  works  in 
their  community  and  were  generous  contributors  to  all  worthy  causes.  Their 
devotion  to  the  Lutheran  church  was  pronounced,  and  they  helped  to  build  sev- 
eral churches  and  school  houses. 

John  ]■".  Meyer,  Jr.,  was  reared  on  the  paternal  farm,  in  what  then  was 
a  jwrtion  of  Miller  townsliip,  recci\"ing  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of 
his  neighborhood.  He  rcmain.ed  at  home  until  his  marriage,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-three  years,  when  he  worked  at  farming  on  rented  land,  and  on  his 
father's  death  became  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  foity-five  acres  of  the 
home  farm.  To  this  farm  he  lias  since  added,  imtil  he  now  owns  a  fine  farm 
of  three  hundred  and  forty-five  acres  of  fine  land  in  Lawrenceburg  township, 
and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  nK)st  substantial  and  influential  residents  of  this 
county. 

On  February  4.  1877,  Jolm  F.  INIeyer  was  united  in  marriage  with  ]\lar- 
garet  Behlmer,  who  was  born  in  Riple_\-  county.  Indiana,  January  27,  1S37, 
the  daughter  of  Court  and  Adeline  ('Studebach)  Behlmer.  natives  of  Hanover, 
Germ.any,  and  early  settlers  in  Ripley  county,  the  former  of  whom  died  at  the 
age  of  sevent}--five,  and  the  latter  at  the  age  of  sixty-two,  and  who  were  the 
parents  of  six  children,  Albert,  Alargaret,  z\nna,  Henry,  Lena  and  Dorn. 
Court  Behlmer  was  one  of  five  children  born  to  his  parents,  the  others  being- 
Henry,  Diederick,  Albert  Jlnd  ^Margaret.  His  wife,  Adeline  Studebach,  was 
the  only  child  of  her  parents  who  grew  to  maturity. 

To  John  F.  and  }i[argaret  (Behlmer)  Meyer  haA'e  been  born  four  chil- 
dren, as  follow :  Charles  F.,  who  married  Elsie  Schweps.  and  is  farming  one 
of  his  father's  farms;  Lena  Adeline,  who  married  J.  J.  Ott,  and  also  lives  on 
the  paternal  farm ;  Clara  Mary  Dora  and  Margaret  Anna,  br.)th  of  whom  are 
at  home  with  their  parents.  ]\[r.  and  Mrs.  Meyer  are  members  of  the  Luth- 
eran church,  and  their  children  have  been  reared  in  the  faith  of  that  church. 
the  family  being  active  workers  in  the  same. 

Mr.  ]Meyer  is  a  Democrat  and  for  years  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  the 
political  affairs  of  the  county.  For  thirteen  years  he  was  super\'isor  of  roads 
in  his  home  township,  and  for  two  terms  served  the  public  very  acceptably  as 
a  member  of  the  county  council,  his  sound  business  judgment  and  far-seeing 
knowledge  of  the  needs  of  the  people  proving  of  much  value  to  the  public 
while  he  was  serving  in  that  capacity,  yir.  Meyer  is  a  public-spirited  citizen, 
and  ever  has  been  one  of  the  foremost  promoters  of  all  measures  for  the  bet- 
terment of  local  conditions.  Fie  is  a  man  of  large  influence  in  the  community 
and  is  held  in  the  very  highest  regard  by  all  who  know  him. 


.f  3Tb 


DEARBOKX   COl'XTV.   IXDIAXA.  6/1 

-MISS  FA'A  r,AYLY. 

Miss  E^■a  I'layh-  is  one  of  the  bright,  intelleclual  woniiiii  of  Dearborn 
countv,  Indiana,  possessing  great  exeruti\'e  ability  throughout  tier  life  work. 
Always  equal  to  emergencies,  and  ne\-er  at  a  Idss  for  the  right  word  for  tbo,-,o 
in  trouble  and  distress,  always  kind  and  con-^iderate  of  those  serving  her,  and 
gentle  and  sympathetic  toward  the  sick,  and  at  home  wherever  fate  has  de- 
creed she  should  be. 

Miss  Eva  Bayly,  Cold  Springs,  Dearliorn  count}',  Indiana,  was  born  on 
July  26,  1844,  at  [Nloores  Hill,  and  is  a  daughter  of  James  and  Anna  E.  Wills 
Piayly.  She  was  educated  at  ]\Ifiores  Hill  College,  after  which  she  taught  school 
in  her  home  town  for  three  }'ears,  and  later  at  the  Union  school,  near  Cold 
Springs,  and  one  year  at  the  Mulford  scliool.  At  the  death  of  her  father. 
Miss  Bayly  took  over  the  farm,  and  after  disposing  of  a  portion  of  it,  she  now 
has  forty-one  acres,  which  she  continues  to  manage,  and  for  a  change  from 
farm  duties,  does  sewing  for  her  friends.  She  is  an  earnest  Christian  woman, 
having"  joined  the  ]\IethocHst  E]3iscopal  church  when  tweU'e  vears  of  age.  and 
is  interested  in  all  church  enterprises. 

James  Bayly,  father  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born 
on  February  8.  1S20,  at  Wilmington.  Indiana.  mo\-ing  to  Cold  Springs  with 
his  jjarents  when  quite  young,  remaining  with  them  until  his  marriage,  and 
.  then  bought  a  part  of  his  fiither's  farm,  as  well  as  se\'enty-three  acres  adjoin- 
ing. In  1852  ]Mr.  Bayly  had  the  gold  fever,  and  went  to  California  with  a 
party,  remaining  there  two  years.  On  the  return  trip  the  boat  sank,  and  he 
nearly  lost  his  life  as  well  as  the  most  of  his  gc)ld.  He  fi^llowed  farming  ail 
his  life,  and  died  on  April  Q,  1873.  aged  fifty-three  )ears.  'Sh.  Bnyly  was 
always  a  loyal  Republican.  He  was  a  member  of  the  [Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  His  parents  were  Obadiah  and  ^Margarette  (Branm^n)  Ba}dy.  His 
wife.  Anna  E,  (Wills)  Bayly,  was  born  on  July  24,  1S22.  at  Lexington. 
Kentucky,  and  moved  with  her  parents  to  Dearborn  county,  whcir  quite 
young,  and  was  married  here.  She  died  on  November  2,  igi2,  aged  ninety 
years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bayly  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  Maggie,  Eva, 
Zachary  and  Marcellus. 

Obadiah  and  ]Margarette  fBrannon)  Bayly,  the  paternal  grandparents, 
were  natives,  the  former  of  England,  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania.  When 
Mr.  Bayly  emigrated  from  England  he  settled  on  a  farm  at  Cold  Springs 
which  he  had  entered,  from  the  government.  They  were  the  jjarents  of  r.inc 
children,  Theopholis,  Obadiah.  George.  Thomas.  James,  Valeria,  Lititia,  \'ic- 
toria  and  Mary. 


672  DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

Miss  Eva  Bavly  is  highh"  esteemed  ami  well  beloved  for  her  beaulifnl 
character  and  Christian  spirit,  and  many  citizens  of  the  township  have  tender 
memories  of  her  patience  in  imparting-  knowledge  in  da}'s  gone  liy. 


CHARLES  L.  VOSTIEf:L. 

One  of  the  most  prominent  stock  raisers  of  Dearborn  county,  and  a  man 
who  has  a  large  circle  of  friends  because  he  deserves  them,  is  Charles  Leonidas 
Voshell,  of  Sparta  township.  Mr.  Voshell  has  given  so  many  years  to  the 
occupation  of  stock  raising  and  trading  that  in  this  community  he  is  con- 
sidered an  authority  on  the  subject,  and  his  advice  and  opinion  is  often  sought 
by  others  in  the  same  line  of  work.  Mr.  Voshell  was  born  in  Sparta,  of  this 
state,  on  April  14,  1S65.  He  is  the  son  of  George  Cornelius  and  Mahala  Jane 
(Johnson)  Voshell,  the  former  being  a  native  of  Petersburg,  Boone  county. 
Kentucky.  He  was  born  on  November  18,  1S33.  and  lived  in  his  home 
county  until  he  v,as  married. 

After  his  marriage,  George  C.  Voshell  removed  to  Sparta  township, 
and  purchased  a  farm  consisting  of  eighty  acres,  and  besides  carrying  on 
general  agricultural  pursuits,  he  traded  in  farms  until  he  made  his  home  in  a 
village  not  far  from  Sparta,  where  he  and  his  family  lived  f(3r  several  years. 
But  often  their  thoughts  would  wander  longingly  back  to  the  old  place  in 
Kentucky,  where  a  happy-  childhood  had  endeared  every  foot  of  ground,  and 
finally  the  family  returned  to  the  old  homestead  in  Boone  county,  Kentucky, 
where  they  lived  for  eight  vears.  At  the  end  of  this  time,  the  land  was 
ecjualh-  divided  among  the  heirs,  and  after  the  death  of  his  wife,  Mr.  Voshell 
made  his  home  with  his  son,  until  his  second  marriage.  His  second  wife 
being  Dorotha  (Beckett)  [McConnell.  The  newly  married  couple  removed  to 
Aurora.  Indiana.     Mr.  Voshell  is  a  Democrat. 

Mahala  Jane  Johnson,  who  afterward  became  the  wife  of  George  C. 
Voshell,  was  born  in  Sparta  township,  where  she  lived  until  her  marriage. 
She  is  the  daughter  of  John  D.  and  Sarah  (Brvmiblay)  Johnson.  The  children 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Voshell  were  si.\  in  number,  these  being,  Harr\-,  Frank, 
Elizabeth,  Dana,  Charles  L.  and  Anna,  who  passed  away  in  infancy.  Harry 
married  ]\Iamie  Stalder.  and  is  li\-ing  in  Indianapolis,  where  he  is  a  member 
of  the  fire  department.  They  have  three  children,  Bernice,  Helen  and  Dorothy. 
Frank  became  the    husband  of  Eliza  Lowes,  and  they  have  since  occupied  a 


I...r:    1.    ,,:!,,: 


.nc/. 


DEARBORN   CUCXTV,  INDIANA.  673 

farm  in  Belleview-.  Booiic  county,  Kentuck}-.  Tiicir  only  child  is  a  son  nanicd 
Leroy.  Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  James  White,  ami  their  home  is  the  old 
Voshell  homestead  in  Petersburg,  Kentucky.  They  are  the  parents  of  four 
children,  William,  Alice,  George,  who  is  deceased,  and  an  infant  also  deceased. 

The  subject  of  the  present  biographical  sketch  was  educated  in  Boone 
county,  Kentucky,  and  after  school  days  were  over,  was  a  valuable  helper  of  his 
father  on  the  farm,  until  his  marriage.  After  his  marriage,  ho  and  his  wife 
\\-ent  to  live  on  the  old  home  place  in  Kentucky,  remaining  there  for  eight 
years.  Events  then  shaped  themselves  so  that  their  best  interests  were  served 
by  a  residence  in  this  county,  and  returning",,  they  have  resided  there  ever 
since.  Mr.  Voshell  purchased  a  fine  tract  of  land  consisting  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  acres,  attended  to  its  cultivation,  and  engaged  in  the  business  of 
stock  raising.  Later  he  added  seventy-four  acres,  this  giving  him  in  all  tv.o 
hundred  and  twenty-four  acres. 

On  October  4,  1887,  Charles  L.  Voshell  married  Ida  May  Canfield. 
daughter  of  Holman  and  Hannah  (Shuter)  Canfield.  Holman  Canfield  was 
born  in  ^Manchester  township  on  August  29,  1S41,  and  later  moved  to  Hogan 
township,  and  was  married  in  1S64.  and  bought  a  farm  in  Sparta  township, 
where  he  engaged  in  general  farming  the  remainder  of  his  life,  which  was  a 
useful  one  and  one  which  gained  the  respect  of  all  who  knew  him.  Holman 
Canfield  was  an  ardent  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  a 
Mason.  He  died  on  Januaiy  31,  1905,  at  the  age  of  sixty- four.  Hannah 
(Shuter)  Canfield.  his  wife,  was  born  in  Manchester  township,  living  there 
until  her  marriage.  The  date  of  her  birth  is  January  10,  1846.  The  children 
born  of  this  union  were :  Ida  May,  George  W.,  Or\ille.  Eugene  and  Cora 
Etta.  The  eldest  son,  George  W.,  married  Ella  Slater,  and  took  up  their  home 
in  Frankton,  Indiana.  Their  children  are,  Ethel  and  Rov.  Orville  E.  married 
Alaggie  Mendel,  and  is  living  now  in  Sparta  township.  Their  only  daughter 
is  named  Flossie.  Cora  Etta  is  the  wife  of  Louis  Pritchard,  also  living  in 
Sparta.     They  are  the  parents  of  two  children,  Leslie  and  Mable. 

Holman  Canfield  was  the  son  of  Cyrus  and  ilary  (Richardson)  Canfield, 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  1818,  and  died  in  1892.  Cyrus  Canfield  was 
the  son  of  Noyes  Canfield,  born  in  1818,  and  Fanny  (Taylor)  Canfield. 
Noyes  Canfield's  father  was  Phineas  Canfield,  son  of  John  Canfield,  and  his 
mother  was  Amy  Newton. 

Ida  M.  Canfield  was  born  in  Sparta  township  on  November  3,  1S64.  and 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  that  county.  She  was  a  dutiful  daugh- 
ter, and  during  her  lifetime  at  home,  which  was  until  her  marriage,  she  did 

(43) 


6/4  ■      DEARHORX   COUXTV,   INDIANA. 

much  to  lighten  the  burdens  of  her  parents,  who  hved  the  strenuous  life  inci- 
dent to  those  engaged  in  farm  work. 

The  children  born  to  IMr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  L.  VoshcU  are  as  follow : 
jMahala.  horn  on  October  .[.  iSSS;  Purncll,  May  i8,  1897;  Beatrice,  December 
27,  igoo;  and  two  children  who  died  at  the  age  of  ten  }-cars.  Mahala  mar- 
ried Clarence  \Miitefield,  and  lives  in  Sparta.  They  ha\-c  two  children,  Charle-, 
and  Jennie. 

^Ir.  \'oshell  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  so  much  of  a  Democrat  that  one  does 
not  have  to  know  him  very  long  before  finding  out  this  fact.  Politics  is  a 
very  vital  part  of  his  life  and  he  gives  much  time  to  its  study  and  discussimi. 
Mr.  Voshcll  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  an  enthusiastic  and  earnest 
member.  He  is  also  connected  with  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  and  the  lodge  of 
Modern  Woodmen. 

Mr.  Voshell  is  well  known  in  the  communit}-  in  ^\■hich  he  li\-es.  He  takes 
an  actixe  part  in  the  subjects  that  interest  him,  and  in  the  organizatiims 
which  represent  these  subjects,  and  is  sparing  neither  of  time  nor  thought  ncir 
money  where  he  feels  that  these  can  be  profitably  used  to  pmmote  the  welfare 
of  the  community. 


FRANK  BITTNER. 


North  New  Alsace  lies  in  the  southwestern  corner  of  Kelso  township,  a 
few  miles  north  of  the  Big  Four  railroad,  the  first  settler  in  which  is  though.t 
to  have  been  Anthony  W'alliezer,  a  native  of  France,  who  came  to  this  countrv 
in  1833.  George  Voglegesang.  a  native  of  Bavaria,  settled  here  quite  earh,-, 
and  was  the  first  village  smith,  thus  starting  the  business  that  later  grew  to 
be  of  considerable  importance  at  this  point.  Among  those  who  soon  followed 
in  the  footsteps  of  Anthony  Walliezer  were,  John  Decker,  who  openefl  a 
grocery  store,  and  James  Cannon,  who  did  a  successful  dry-goods  trade.  The 
first  postoftice  was  opened  in  1840,  with  John  B.  Kessler  as  postmaster,  and 
it  was  not  long  ere  the  township  was  \\-ell  represented  by  churches  and 
schools. 

Frank  Bittner  is  a  son  of  Frank,  Sr.,  and  Mary  (Numever)  Bittnci", 
and  a  native  of  North  New  Alsace,  Kelso  township,  Dearborn  countv.  He 
was  born  on  September  i,  1849,  and  attended  the  common  schools  of  New 
Alsace.  In  ^Sf>q  he  went  to  Missouri,  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  in  1871 
went  to  Indianapolis  and  worked  at  trade  and  got  married.     In  about   18S0 


.';./.,[..: 


1  V    1     •'.';  I 


..;(.;•., hr!    ..: 


DEARBORX   COUNTY,   IXDtANA.  6/5 

went  lack  to  fiinninq-  in  Kel-;o  township,  and  bought  fift_\'-t\vo  acres  near 
ilie  ukl  liuiiicstcad  in  Ivel^n  tnwnship,  \\licre  he  has  since  niadc  his  lionie.  He 
has  gi\cn  his  supp-ua  to  the  T'enmcratic  jiarty,  and  has  held  a  nunil)er  vi  th'j 
township  ohices,  was  elected  assessor  in  i88(),  serving  a  four-year  term,  wlieu 
he  was  re-elected,  and  served  ten  years,  in  all.  In  1900  he  was  elected  town^ 
s!n'[)  trustee,  aiid  in  1914  was  elected  to  the  office  of  count}-  commissioner  for 
district  No.  2.  hy  a  large  majority,  in  which  capacity  he  served  a  three-year 
term. 

I'^rank  Bittner,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Ck'rman}-,  in  1S21,  and  at  the 
age  of  twenty-five,  in  1846,  came  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  Dearborn 
county.  He  bouglit  eighty  acres  of  land  in  section  21,  Kelso  township,  to 
\vhich  he  later  added  fifty-five  acres  more,  and  lived  on  the  place  until  his 
death,  in  18S8,  at  the  age  of  sixiy-five  _\ears.  His  attention  was  divided  be- 
tvi'een  general  farming  and  sti-ck-raising'.  ^Ir.  Bittner  \vas  a  strong  supporter 
of  the  Demcicratic  policies,  but  was  modest,  and  ne\er  sought  public  office.  In 
religion  he  was  a  loyal  member  of  St.  Paul's  cliurch,  at  Xew  Alsace.  r\Irs. 
P.ittner  was  born  in  1824,  in  Jutvaria,  and  died  in  1911.  To  this  union  were 
liorn  nine  children,  Mary.  Michael,  Frank,  }tlartin,  George,  John,  Joseph, 
i'Vederick  and  Lewis.  ]\Iary,  now  deceased,  married  Henr\-  W'olfort,  and  they 
had  six  children.  Frederick  married  ]\Jary  Feller,  and  is  a  merchant  in  Ripley 
county.     Lewis  lives  at  Cincir.nati. 

Frank  Bittner  was  united  in  marriage  with  Elizabeth  Cook,  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Katharina  CcKjk.  She  was  born  in  Decatiu-  count}',  Indiana,  in 
1855,  3nd  li\'ed  there  until  her  marriage.  I\Ir.  and  ■Mrs.  Bittner  are  the  par- 
ents of  eleven  children,  namely:  Frank,  Katharine,  Anna,  Louis,  John,  liliza- 
beth,  William.  Mary,  Henry,  Robert  and  Leo. 

Frank  Bittner,  eldest  son  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  married 
to  Louisa  W'ilke,  and  is  now-  li\ing  at  Cincinnati.  Katharine  is  the  \\ife  of 
Martin  Knue\-en,  and  is  li\ing  in  Kelso  tow-i-iship.  Thev  have  five  child.ren. 
John,  Robert,  Clara,  Frieda  and  Francis.  Anna  is  married  to  Peter  Flausser, 
aiid  is  living  on  a  ranch  in  Colorado.  Louis  married  Amelia  Schetzel,  and 
is  living  in  Ohio.  They  have  two  children,  Frank  and  Flarry.  John  Bittner 
was  married  to  Gertrude  Parnell.  and  is  superintendent  in  a  rubber  estai)- 
lishment  at  Akron,  Ohio.  They  have  one  child,  Paul.  Mary  is  marrierl  to 
Leo  Roth,  a  contractor  at  Reading,  Ohio. 

Frank  Bittner  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  the  community  iri 
which  he  lives,  and  is  well  liked  by  all  who  have  the  privilege  of  knowing  him. 


676  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

HENRY  HERMAN  KNIPPENEERG. 

Heniy  Herman  Knippenherg,  a  well-known  farmer  of  Lawrenccburg 
township.  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  was  born  on  April  23,  1S66,  in  Wilming- 
ton. Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  the  son  of  Herman  and  Elizabeth  (Seiker) 
Knippenberg. 

The  Kiiippcnbergs  have  been  prominent  in  Dearborn  county  for  more 
than  half  a  century.  Herman  Knippenberg,  who  was  born  in  Germany  and 
who  served  the  required  period  in  the  German  ami)-,  learned  the  stone  mason's 
trade  early  in  life,  and  after  coming  to  America,  about  i860,  settled  in  Cin- 
cinnati, where  he  worked  in  a  pork-packing  house.  Later  he  worked  as  a 
farm  hand  near  Aurora  lUitil  his  marriage,  which  took  place  about  1865.  He 
then  rented  a  farm  in  Dearborn  county  and  later  purchased  sixty  acres  in 
Manchester  township,  where  he  lived  for  eleven  years.  The  remainder  of  his 
life  was  spent  upon  a  farm  on  the  Aurora  road,  in  Lawrenceburg  township, 
until  his  death  on  March  2.  rgoS.  ]\Irs.  Knippenberg  was  the  daughter  nf 
Casper  Seiker,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Germany  with  his  wife  imme- 
diately after  their  marriage,  and  settled  in  Dearborn  county,  where  he  worked 
as  a  farm  hand.  He  purchased  sixt\-  acres  of  land  near  Aurora  and  lived  there 
for  some  time.  Subsequently,  he  moved  to  Aurora  and  lived  in  that  town  until 
his  wife's  death  in  18S0.  The  last  years  of  his  life  were  spent  among  his 
children.     He  died  in  1895. 

After  attending  the  district  schools  of  Dearborn  county  and  completing 
his  education.  Henry  Knippenberg  began  working  on  neighboring  farms  as 
a  farm  hand.  Subsequently  he  became  a  renter.  During  late  years  he  has  been 
very  prosperous  and  is  living  on  a  farm  of  seventy-five  acres  owned  by  Jere- 
miah Hunter. 

Heiu'y  H.  Knippenberg  was  married  on  ^larch  i,  1891,  to  Laura  Hunter, 
who  was  born  on  July  10,  1861,  in  Dearborn  county.  After  attending  the 
public  schools,  she  lived  at  home  until  her  marriage.  Mrs.  Knippenberg  is 
the  daughter  of  Peter  and  Phoebe  Hunter,  the  former  a  native  of  Pittsburgh. 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  latter  of  Dearborn  county.  They  had  seven  children : 
Jeremiah,  William,  John,  and  Laura,  all  of  whom  are  living;  and  three 
daughters,  deceased.  Mrs.  Knippenberg's  father  was  a  farmer  all  of  his  life, 
and  at  the  time  of  his  death  owned  a  small  farm  of  about  eight  acres.  This 
eight  acres  is  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Henry  Knippenberg,  Jeremiah  and  William 
Hunter,  but  is  included  in  the  farm  owned  by  Jeremiah  Hunter. 


'^^  "  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   IXDIAXA,  677 

To  Mr.  and  ]Mrs.  l\nii)peiiberg  have  bet'ii  born  two  cliikh'cn :  luner^-, 
who  is  a  city  mail  carrier  in  tlie  Lawrenceburg  postoflice :  and  Everett,  wlio 
is  a  shipping  clerk  for  the  Rossville  distilleiy. 

Not  only  is  Mr.  Knippenberg  a  well-known  farmer  in  this  count\-,  but 
he  is  a  man  who  takes  a  worthy  interest  in  public  questions  and  is  considered 
bv  his  neighbors  as  a  well-informed  man.  He  is  a  man  of  genial  personaliiv 
and  is  popular  in  the  community  where  he  has  li\-ed  many  years.  Ilis  standing 
in  this  communitv  is  the  best  testimonial  to  his  worth  and  merit. 


THOMAS  JOHNSTON. 


Among  the  retired,  successful  citizens  of  Dearborn  county  is  found 
Thomas  Johnston,  around  whose  family  is  centered  a  great  deal  of  early 
history.  Since  the  coming  of  the  three  Johnston  brothers,  David,  George 
and  Joseph,  from  \^irginia  to  this  county,  they  and  their  descendants  have 
been  first  in  many  of  the  progressive  improvements  for  the  benefit  of  the 
general  public.  From  the  \'er}'  beginning  of  their  residence  here,  they  have 
accomplished  difficult  things,  setting  an  example  for  those  of  a  less  venture- 
some disposition.  Coming  to  a  country  of  woods  and  wilderness,  they  found 
it  necessan,-  to  cut  out  a  road  by  which  to  reach  their  land,  and  soon  afterward 
they  erected  the  first  grist-mill  in  this  section  of  the  country, 

Thomas  Johnston  was  born  on  January  i,  1828,  in  ^Manchester  township, 
and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  ]\Iary  (Karney)  Johnston.  He  grew  up  about  the 
mill,  and  his  early  history  is  pretty  well  associated  with  that  of  the  mill.  His 
life  has  always  been  one  of  great  activity,  and  the  wealth  which  he  accjuired, 
and  which  enabled  him  now  to  enjoy  life,  is  the  result  of  the  prurience  and 
good  management  exercised  in  his  early  business  career.  In  1855  he  be- 
came county  treasurer,  serving  two  and  one-half  years,  and  is  probably  the  only 
one  now  living  who  held  office  here  so  long  ago,  at  which  time  he  was  only 
twenty-seven  years  of  age.  He  always  had  great  executive  ability,  and  dur- 
ing the  latter  life  of  the  old  mill,  although  much  younger  than  his  two  brothers, 
he  was  head  miller  and  manager,  but  the  dust  proved  very  annoying  to  him, 
necessitating  a  change  to  outdoor  work,  and  resulted  in  his  taking  up  the  life 
of  a  farmer,  although  not  confined  exclusively  to  this  line  of  work.  His 
attention  was  directed  to  real  estate  to  some  extent,  and  he  was  public  spirited 


678'  DEAKBCKN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

enough  to  serve  in  some  of  the  township  offices.  Alx)Ut  iSSo  Mr.  Johnston 
was  on  two  committees  to  go  over  the  bdoks  of  pulihc  officials. 

Joseph  Johnston,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  on  March 
22,  1793.  in  Frederick  comity,  A'irginia,  and  was  a  son  of  Da\id  and  Ehzalietli 
(Kyle)  Johnston.  He  inimigrate(.l  to  Ohio  in  1810.  wlien  about  sixteen  years 
of  age.  in  compau}'  w  ith  his  mother  and  t\\o  brothers,  David  and  George, 
his  father  having  died  in  A'irginia.  In  1S12  the}-  went  to  Vincennes,  Indiatia, 
fording  creeks  and  rivers,  or  Ijuilding  rafts  where  streams  were  too  deep  to 
ford.  At  this  time  the  war  with  the  Indians  was  threatening,  just  before 
the  battle  of  Tippecanoe,  so  acting  under  the  advice  of  General  Harrison  they 
spent  only  one  season  there.    From  \'incennes  they  moved  to  Dearborn  county. 

When  ]\Irs.  Johnston  and  her  sons  came  to  this  county  they  settled  on 
\\''ilson  creek,  near  Aurora.  In  1S15  they  moved  to  a  site  on  North  Ilogan 
creek  where  Joseph  Johnston  and  his  two  brothers  built  a  grist-mill  run  by 
water  power.  They  ground  wheat,  corn  and  buckwheat  for  the  pioneer 
settlers  of  that  region.  In  1845  Joseph  Johnston  bought  his  brothers'  in- 
terests and  became  the  sole  owner  of  the  mill.  He  continued  in  the  btisiness 
until  his  death  in  1873,  when  his  sons  took  charge  of  the  mill.  The  mill  had 
been  overhauled  and  enlarged,  and  valuable  improvements  of  the  most  ap- 
proved tN-pe  were  put  in  from  time  to  time.  In  1S82,  at  a  time  when  milling 
was  being  revolutionized,  the  mill  burned  down,  and  as  the  future  was  \'ery  un- 
certain they  did  not  rebuild.  At  present,  there  is  very  little  to  mark  the  place, 
except  the  old  brick  smoke  stack.  The  old  mill  served  a  territoiT  from  North 
Bend  to  Ripley  C(5unty,  and  awav  south,  having  at  times  nearl_\-  a  week's 
grinding  ahead.  Customers  from  a  distance  would  be  housed  and  their  horses 
fed,  which,  although  eating  up  the  profits,  served  as  an  acU'ertisement.  In  ad- 
dition to  his  mill,  Joseph  Johnston  owned  about  two  hundred  acres  of  land 
which  had  been  entered  from  the  government  in  the  name  of  an  elder  brother, 
David.  ^Ir.  Johnston's  wife,  Mary  (  Karney)'  Johnston,  was  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky. To  this  imion  were  born  the  following  children:  John,  George, 
Thomas,  David,  Columbus,  James  and  Joseph.  David  died  in  1876;  James 
died  in  1S58;  Columbus  was  in  the  Flouse  of  Representatives  and  also  in 
the  State  Senate  two  or  three  times. 

Thomas  Johnston,  the  immediate  suliject  of  this  sketch,  was  married 
in  September,  1867,  to  Abigail  Heustis,  daughter  of  Elias  and  Sarah  (Ellis) 
Heustis.  She  \vas  bom  in  Februarv',  1843.  in  ^lanchester  township,  Dear- 
born county.  To  this  union  were  born  four  children.  Joseph  E.  died  in 
infancy.    Anna  Marj-  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  years,  when  just  finishing 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  ■  6/9 

college  at  Moorcs  Hill  at  the  head  of  her  class.  She  was  graduated  from  the 
Lawrenceburg  high  school,  at  the  head  of  her  class.  The  two  children  now  liv- 
ing arc  Robert  C.  and  David  T.  Robert  C.  was  born  on  December  25,  1868. 
and  lives  with  his  father  in  the  eastern  part  of  Hogan  township.  He  is  married 
to  Liiella  Barkley.  and  has  four  children,  Robert  Preston,  Stanley  Maurice, 
Harold  J-,  and  Laird  Barkle\';  David  was  born  on  June  11,  1S76.  He  is  im- 
married  and  is  also  at  home  with  his  father  and  mother. 

Elizabeth  (Kyle)  Johnston,  the  paternal  grandmother,  died  on  August  21, 
1S19,  aged  eighty-three  years.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Kyle,  a  native 
of  Ireland,  and  a  son  of  Robert  and  Margaret  Kyle. 

Elias  Heustis,  father  of  Mrs.  Thomas  Johnston,  was  a  native  of  New 
York  state,  and  located  in  "Manchester  township  about  i8iS,  and  his  wife, 
Sarah  (Ellis)  Heustis,  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts.  ]\Ii-.  Heustis  was  a 
tavern-keeper  along  the  much  traveled  road  where  he  settled,  and  entertained 
many  drovers  and  travelers. 

It  would  be  a  difficult  matter  to  find  one  more  entitled  to  the  comforts  of 
a  retired  life  than  Thomas  Johnston,  who  numbers  among  his  sincere  and  earn- 
est friends  an  enviable  list  of  the  representative  citizens  of  Dearborn  county. 


HENRY  DIETRICH  BOCKHORST. 

There  is  something  lacking  in  the  man  who  can  ride  past  a  beautiful  fieUl 
of  golden  wheat,  a  fine  apple  or  peach  orchard,  or  a  drove  of  fine  Holstein- 
Friesian  cattle  and  not  have  a  desire  to  be  the  possessor  of  a  farm.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  biography  is  among  those  earnest  folk  who  know  from  experience 
not  only  the  attractive  side  of  farm  life,  but  the  hardships  and  disappointments 
which  accompany  it. 

Henry  Dietrich  Bockhorst.  farmer,  son  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Elling- 
hausen)  Bockhorst,  was  born  on  January  6,  1865,  in  Lawrenceburg  township. 
He  attended  district  school  No.  6,  and  in  1885  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Alvena  Leffler,  who  died  in  iSgi.  Two  children  were  born  to  this  union: 
Clara,  now  Mrs.  Green,  of  Hogan  township ;  and  Ora,  who  lives  with  his 
uncle.  William  Bockhorst.  His  second  wife  was  Marv-  Smith,  to  whom  lie 
was  married  on  )ilarch  10.  1903.  They  have  three  children,  Alton,  Herbert 
and  Robert.     The  last  two  were  twins. 


_I     ..,.,i( 


680  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  ^ 

Henry  Bockhorst  \v^.s  born  in  Germany  and  came  to  America  wlien  qu'le 
young,  settling  at  Spades.  Ripley  county,  and  was  a  farmer  all  his  life.  His 
wife  also  came  from  Germany  at  an  early  age,  and  after  marriage  located 
in  Lawrenceburg  township.  They  bought  one  hundred  and  forty-seven  acres 
of  land  from  his  wife's  father,  and  lived  on  the  place  the  remainder  i:>l  their 
lives.  This  farm  now  belongs  to  Henry  Dietrich  Bi_^ckliorst,  he  ha\"ing  i)ur- 
chased  it  from  the  heirs.  There  were  ten  children  in  this  family :  ^vlrs. 
Henr}-  Lcfller,  Sophia,  Mrs.  Alice  Engleking,  William,  John,  Louis,  Henry 
and  three  who  are  dead.  ^Irs.  Henry  Leftler  has  had  si.xteen  children,  eight 
of  whom  are  li\"ing,  namely:  William,  John,  Harry.  Louis,  Luella.  Luzena, 
Mar\'  and  Lena.  ]Mrs.  Alice  Engleking  has  four  children.  Harry,  Estell.  Will- 
iam and  another.     Louis  has  three  children,  Rhoda,  Harry  and  Omar. 

Mrs.  Henry  Dietrich  Bockhorst  is  a  daughter  of  George  and  ^fargaret 
(Bolke)  Smith.  She  was  born  in  Hogan  township.  December  6,  1S72.  and 
secured  her  education  in  the  public  schools.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church.  Ller  parents  were  born  in  Germany,  and  came  tn  America  when 
very  young,  settling  in  Ripley  county.  After  marriage  her  father  moved  to 
Aurora,  Indiana,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming.  Lie  later  went  to  Hogan 
town.ship,  where  he  rented  a  farm,  and  after  living  on  it  a  number  of  years 
moved  to  Dillsboro,  Indiana,  where  he  bought  a  truck  farm,  which  he  sold 
in  1904  and  went  to  Dinuba,  California,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He 
served  three  years  in  the  army.  His  wife,  ^Margaret,  died  in  1895.  He  was 
married,  secondly,  to  Alice  Hehe,  at  Dillsboro.  There  were  seven  children 
by  the  first  marriage,  as  follow :  Harvey,  John,  who  married  and  has  three 
children,  Carl,  Russell  and  Clayton.  Louis  is  married  and  has  one  child.  Ray- 
mond ;  Frank  is  married  and  has  one  child,  Lorene ;  Edward  has  one  child. 
Hazel;  Charles  has  four  children;  and  Airs.  Bockhoist.  By  the  second  mar- 
riage there  were  three  children,  Rudolph,  Lois  and  Harriet. 


.  ALBERT  TRAVAXYAX  GRIDLEY. 

Albert  Travanyan  Gridley,  former  county  surveyor  and  civil  engineer 
of  Dearborn  county,  an  educator  of  many  years'  standing  in  the  county,  a 
gallant  soldier  of  the  Civil  War  and  a  citizen  who  is  fully  representative  of 
the  best  life  of  the  commimit}-  in  which  well  nigh  his  whole  life  has  been 
spent,  was  born  on  a  farm  three  miles  east  of  Cleves,  Hamilton  county,  Ohio. 
on   September  6,    1S47,  the  son  of  Francis  Asbury  and  Caroline  Elizabeth 


■  :  .    r    ,  .      ,    ...if!    v,J 


-r-..'    „      :'  (! 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  68l 

I  Duvain  nridley,  hotli  of  whom  were  natixcs  of  Ohio,  the  fcirmer  born  in 
Hamilton  county  and  the  latter  in  ]\Inskingum  coiiiUy. 

]-"rancis  Asbury  Clridley  was  burn  at  Eeljire,  Ohio,  the  smi  of  Re\-ili:i  and 
L,ouisa  (Pease)  Gridley.  natives  of  Xew  York  state  and  early  settlers  of 
Hamilton  county,  Ohio,  where  the_\-  li\ed  for  many  years  and  where  their 
famil}-  was  rearetl.  Revilo  Gridley  died  at  Rockport.  Indiana,  and  his  wife 
died  at  Ca])e  Ciirardean,  Alissouri,  both  being  well  alung  in  years  when  death 
overtook  them.  They  were  the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  some  of  whom 
died  in  infancy  or  in  early  youth,  but  seven  of  wdiom  lived  to  niaturit\-  and 
to  make  their  impiess  upon  the  respective  communities  in  which  the\-  lived, 
these  being,  beside  the  father  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  Cyprian, 
Chester,  Mary,  Sybil,  Ethan  and  Henry. 

Francis  A.  Gridley  was  reared  on  the  paternal  farm  in  Hamilton  coiiiily, 
Ohio,'  receiving  such  education  as  the  neighborhood  schools  affordcil,  to 
which  was  supplemented  the  careful  instructions  received  from  his  educated 
and  intelligent  parents.  He  became  a  proficient  carpenter  and  the  exercise 
of  this  vocation  took  hip-i,  from  time  to  time,  to  various  places  of  residence. 
For  a  time  he  lived  in  Cincinnati,  but  his  several  moves  ne\'er  toeik  him  farther 
than  thirty  miles  from  the  town  of  Cleves.  He  married  Caroline  Elizabeth 
Duvall,  of  Alukingum  county,  Ohio,  the  daughter  of  John  anfl  I'risciha 
(Standiford)  Duvall.  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Virginia  and  the 
latter  of  Maryland.  John  Duvall,  who  emigrated  from  Virginia  to  ]\Ius- 
kingum  county.  Ohio,  with  his  parents  in  the  da}-s  of  his  early  youth,  was 
reared  as  a  farmer  of  the  pioneer  period  and  died  there  well  ad\anced  in 
years.  His  wife  lived  to  the  great  age  of  ninety-one  years.  John  Du\'all  was 
a  soldier  of  the  War  of  1S12  and  he  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  six 
children,  Caroline  E.  Tolbert,  who  died  unmarried,  Priscilla  Amanda,  Xelson 
M.,  Harriet  and  Louisa. 

To  Francis  Asbury-  and  Caroline  Elizabeth  (Duvall)  Gridley  were  born 
seven  children:  Albert  T.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Ida,  the  wife  of  W'iH- 
iam  D.  Holliday,  of  Erookville,  Indiana;  Willie  C,  \vho  died  in  the  year 
191 1  ;  Clara  ]\I.  (deceased),  who  was  the  wife  of  Charles  Roberts,  and  three 
who  died  in  infancy.  In  1882  the  Gridleys  moved  to  Aurora,  this  count\-, 
where  Francis  A.  Gridley  died  in  1903,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years.  His 
widow  still  is  living  there  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years. 

Albert  T.  Gridley 's  early  youth  was  spent  in  Hamilton  county.  Olii'), 
and  he  attended  the  public  schools  at  Cincinnati,  beginning  early  to  make 
his  own  wav  bv  doing  such  work  as  his  hands  found  to  do.     When  the  Civil 


;    1       I'lfr    ;■.,   • 


ll"      ■\f}' 


I     •  '  :'1[I .      ■  i':'",i;li  i  '  (y;3' 


,f--,--;: 


682  DEARBORX   COl'NTV,  INDIANA. 

War  broke  uut  his  youthful  heart  was  fired  with  patriotic  zeal  to  aid  the  cause 
of  tlie  Union,  but  the  war  was  drawing  to  a  close  before  he  found  an  opportu- 
nity to  enlist,  his  tender  years  being-  a  handicap  to  his  ambition  to  be  a  soldier. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen,  liowever,  he  succeeded  in  enlisting  in  Company  I.. 
Thirteenth  Regiment.  Ohio  \^oIunteer  Cavalry,  but  was  assigned  to  Com- 
pany M.  of  the  same  regiment,  in  which  company  he  served  as  first  sergean.t 
.for  a  period  of  fi\'e  months,  being  mustered  out  on  Julv  4,  1S65.  I'pon  his 
return  to  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  life,  x'oung  Mr.  tlridlev  engaged  in  teaching 
school  and  for  se\'enteen  \ears  followed  this  profession,  meanwhile  quahf\ing 
himself  for  the  practical  work  of  surveying'  and  civil  engineering.  In  1SS2 
Mr.  Gridley  was  elected  county  surveyor  of  Dearborn  county  and  for  twenty 
years  was  retained  by  the  people  in  this  position  of  responsibility,  in  that  time 
performing  a  great  and  permanent  ser\ice  for  the  county.  Since  his  retire- 
ment from  the  public  office  of  surveyor,  ]\Ir.  Gridley  has  devoted  his  time  and 
talents  to  such  civil  engineering  work  of  a  local  character  as  lie  may  be  called 
upon  to  ,perf<_irm,  his  fine  technical  and  practical  knowledge  of  the  require- 
ments of  such  work  bringing  his  services  in  much  demand.  'Sir.  Gridley  has 
been  the  city  engineer  of  the  city  of  Aurora  for  thirty-three  years  continuoush' 
and  had  charge  of  the  construction  of  the  first  brick  streets  laid  in  that  city. 
Mr.  Gridle}-  has  given  considerable  attention  to  the  study  of  economics,  and 
is  the  author  of  an  interesting  book,  entitled  "Man — Neighbor — Brother," 
which  has  attracted  considerable  attention  in  thoughtful  circles.  In  1900  h.c 
compiled  and  published  an  atlas  of  Dearborn  county,  wdiich  has  proved  a  very 
valuable  wijrk  and  which  has  stood  as  an  authoritati\e  work  of  reference  in 
this  county  ever  since. 

On  ]\Iarch  25.  1S75,  Albert  T.  Gridley  was  united  in  marriage  to  Anna 
Mary  Jenkins,  lovingly  known  to  her  friends  as  "Minnie,"  who  was  the 
daughter  of  Samuel  Jenkins,  of  hVanklin  county,  Indiana.  To  this  union  two 
children  were  born,  both  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Gridley  died  on 
March  25,  1879,  at  the  early  age  of  twenty-two  years,  and  in  1885,  Mr.  Grid- 
ley  married,  secondly,  Ilora  ^'vlaud  Johnson,  daughter  of  Thomas  Johnson. 
to  which  union  there  has  been  no  issue. 

^Ir.  Gridley  has  a  large  and  interesting  following  of  friends  and  is  very 
popular  with  his  large  circle  of  acquaintances.  He  takes  a  proper  share  of  re- 
sponsibility in  the  good  works  of  the  community  and  no  man  in  Aurora  is  held 
in  higher  regard  that  he.  Mr.  Gridley  is  a  Democrat  and  his  long  experience 
in  pubhc  affairs  and  his  sound  judgment  on  matters  of  public  policy  give 
to  his  voice  considerable  weight  in   the  councils  of  his  party   in   Dearbo'-n 


if.ii;    :■!    \>         •■:•;■»   JJIi 


r'  1'  ■  ■ .- 


DEARBORN   COUXTV,   IXDIAXA.  ,  683 

county  nncl  in  tlie  cit}-  of  .\urora.  Pie  is  a  good  cilizen.  in  all  that  tb.ii^  niucli- 
alnised  term  implies,  and  very  rightly  is  held  in  the  highest  esteem  throughout 
the  cou!it\ .  nut  only  in  social  and  political  circles,  but  in  business  circles,  hi.-i 
advice  on  matters  of  business  policy  often  being  sought  and  accci)tcd.  white 
his  earh'  experience  as  a  teacher  has  given  a  value  to  his  suggestiijns  along 
educational  lines  which  even  to  this  day  is  found  profitable  to  the  school  au- 
thorities of  the  city  and  county.  His,  indeed,  has  been  a  well-rounded  life. 
Possessed  of  the  liighest  ci\ic  and  political  ideals,  he  has  kept  clear  tlie  \ision 
vhich  inspires  higher  ideals  of  government  and  now,  in  the  calm  and  pleasant 
evening  of  his  life,  as  sage  counsellor  and  friend,  he  still  is  doing  nobly  his 
work  in  his  home  community,  his  life  being  an  inspiration  to  the  youth  wh" 
are  seeking  only  those  tilings  \\hich  are  of  good  report. 


REV.  MARTIN  ANDRES. 

It  is  with  peculiar  pleasure  that  a  writer  approaches  the  task  of  recording 
something  of  the  life  and  work  of  a  man  who  has  gi-\-en  himself  in  the  service 
of  humanity,  for  it  is  certain  that  such  a  life  and  work  have  left  an  ineradicable 
impress  upon  the  lives  which  it  has  touched.  In  reviewing  even  briefly  the 
career  of  Rev.  Martin  Andres,  the  beloved  priest  of  St.  J'^seph's  church,  at  St. 
Leon,  one  is  reminded  of  the  words  of  an  American  •who  said:  "Great  hearts 
there  are  also  among  men:  th.ey  carry  a  volume  of  manhood:  their  presence 
is  sunshine:  their  coming  changes  our  climate:  they  oil  tlie  bearings  of  life: 
their  shadow  always  falls  behind  them:  tliey  make  right  living  easy.  Blessed 
are  the  happiness-makers.  They  represent  the  best  forces  in  civilization. 
They  are  to  the  heart  and  home  what  the  honeysuckle  is  to  the  door  over 
\\hich  it  clings.     These  embodied  gospels  interpret  Christianit}'." 

It  will  be  of  interest  to  preface  this  biographical  sketch  with  a  statement 
concerning  the  predecessors  of  the  present  priest  in  charge  of  St.  Joseph's.  Tii 
1841  the  Rev.  Joseph  Ferneding,  of  New  Alsace,  built  a  log  church,  placing 
it  under  the  patronage  of  St.  Joseph.  After  his  departure,  the  church  ami 
young  congre,gation  were  attended  succe-^sivelv  by  Rev.  Michael  O'Rourke, 
of  Dover,  Indiana:  Rev.  William  Engeln,  of  St.  Peters:  Rev.  Martin  Stalil, 
of  New  Alsace,  and  Rev.  Andrew  Bennett,  of  Dover,  until  1853.  The  Rev. 
Aeg.  Moeshall  was  the  first  resident  pastor,  from  March  till  November,  1853. 
The  next  is  Rev.   Arnold  Pinkers,   in    1854,   succeeded   by  the   Rev.    Henry 


G84  DEARBORN    COUNTY^    INDIANA. 

Koeriiig  in  1S55,  remaining  until  the  beginning  of  i860.  Under  his  auspices, 
the  present  church  was  begiui  in  1S59.  The  cluuxh  is  of  brick,  one  hundred 
and  twenty  by  fifty-six  feet.  Rev.  L.  Schneider  came  in  i860,  remaining 
but  six  months.  The  Rev.  Anthony  Scheideler  took  charge  in  November, 
i860.  He  completed  the  church,  built  a  new  school  and  erected  a  parsonage. 
On  July  28,  1874,  Rev.  John  Gabriel  arrived  at  St.  Joseph's  and  remained 
until  1897,  when  Rev.  A.  Feigcn  took  charge.  He  built  the  present  splendid 
new  parsonage  at  the  cost  of  four  thousatul  dollars.  Rc\'.  A.  Feigen  died  "u 
April  28,  1902,  and  was  buried  in  St.  Joseph's  cemetery  on  ^lay  i,  1902.  His 
successor  was  Reverend  Andres. 

Martin  Andres  was  born  at  New  Orleans,  January  28,  1855,  and  is  the 
son  of  Sebastian  and  Gertrude  (Sebastian)  Andres.  Sebastian  Andres  was 
born  in  Rhenish  Bavaria,  Germany,  where  he  lived  until  he  was  thirty  years 
old.  After  his  marriage,  which  took  place  in  his  native  country,  he  came  to 
America,  and  settled  in  New  Orleans,  but  remained  there  only  six  months. 
He  then,  with  his  family,  migrated  to  Fli^yd  county,  Indiana,  where,  ha\'ing 
purchased  eighty  acres  of  good  farm  land,  he  began  the  culti\-ation  of  tb.e 
ground  which  furnished  his  livelihood  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  later 
added  one  hundred  and  forty  acres.  At  the  age  of  sixty-eight  vears  he  passed 
away  in  the  year  1892.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and  ?  member  of  the  St.  Mary's 
church,  of  Floyd  county.  Gertrude  Andres  lived  in  Germany  at  the  time  of 
her  marriage.  She  was  a  devout  Catholic,  bringing  up  her  children  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  tenets  of  that  church.  Besides  Martin  Andres  there  were 
five  children,  namely:     Elizabeth,  William,  Teressa,  Nicholas  and  Peter. 

Alartin  Andres  had  in  early  childhood  and  youth  the  environment  and 
training  necessary  to  prepare  him  for  the  priesthood,  for  the  religious  at- 
mosphere of  the  home  was  supplemented  by  denominational  schools.  Coming 
to  Floyd  county  with  his  parents,  he  first  attended  the  parochial  schools  located 
near  his  home  at  Floyd  Knobs,  until  1872.  Next  his  studies  were  continued 
at  St.  Meinrad's  Seminary,  in  Spencer  county,  Indiana,  and  he  was  ordained 
on  June  11,  1881,  by  Rt.  Rev.  Francis  Silas  Chatard,  D.  D.,  bishop  of  Indi- 
anapolis. At  that  time  he  was  appointed  to  a  charge  in  Frenchtown,  Indiana, 
at  St.  Bernard's  church,  where  he  remained  until  July,  1888.  when  he  was 
transferred  to  Haymond,  Franklin  county,  Indiana,  the  church  being  St. 
Mary's  of  the  Rocks.  Here  he  ser\ed  until  June,  1902,  when  he  was  sent  to 
be  the  pastor  of  St.  Joseph's  church,  at  St.  Leon,  where  he  is  living  at  pres- 
ent. Father  Andres  has  since  his  pastorate  here  built  up  the  material  welfare, 
as  well  as  the  spiritual  life  of  the  parish. 


■(     >,tj 


auJ 


■i!  il-iT^nic..  ^ftl  .  •;  i!l'V^  ifi 


DEARBORN   COL'XTY,  INDIANA.  •  685 

Rev.  Martin  Andres  is  a  man  of  marked  mental  attainments,  as  well  as 
of  forceful  character,  and  as  he  goes  aljout  among-  his  jKviple,  has  won  their 
refpcct,  their  admiration  and  their  love. 


DAXIEL  E.  McKINZIE. 


Prominent  for  many  years  in  the  councils  of  the  Democratic  partv  in 
Dearhorn  count}-,  and  popular  alike  among-  the  leaders  and  the  ranlc  and  file  of 
that  party,  as  well  as  with  the  people  of  the  county  generally,  Daniel  E.  Mc- 
Kinzie,  the  present  sheriff  of  Dearborn  county,  is  making  a  splendid  record 
in  the  office  of  which  he  took  charge  on  January  i,  1915.  Dearborn  county 
is  well  known  among  its  sister  commonwealths  of  Indiana  for  its  standi 
Democracy,  and  Mr.  Mclvinzie,  undaunted  by  his  defeat  by  a  narrow  margin 
of  ninety-eight  votes  at  the  fiist  primary  in  which  he  participated,  received, 
in  his  second  canvass,  a  plurality  of  seven  hundred  and  thirty-six  votes  and 
was  triumphantly  elected,  at  the  general  election  in  1914,  by  a  plurality  of 
nine  hundred  and  seventy-six. 

Daniel  E.  McKinzie  is  one  of  a  family  of  seven  sons  born  to  Daniel  E. 
and  Tabitha  (Giffin)  AIcKinzie.  Of  these  sons,  Joseph  is  deceased;  Jacob  lives 
at  Aurora;  Samuel  is  deceased;  Clarence  lives  at  Cincinnati;  Daniel  E.,  Jr.,  is 
the  subject  of  this  sketch:  Charles  and  Harry  live  at  Aurora.  Daniel  E. 
McICinzie,  Jr.,  was  born  on  the  old  Doc  Swayles  farm  in  Logan  township., 
this  county,  on  !March  27,  1863.  His  father,  who  was  reared  near  Dover, 
Indiana,  and  who  was  a  laborer  and  farmer,  removed  from  Petersburg, 
Kentucky,  to  Aurora,  this  county,  in  1871,  and  lived  there  until  his  death  in 
1889.  he  then  being-  sixt}--fi\e  years  of  age.  His  widow,  who  is  still  living, 
at  the  age  of  eighty-five,  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church, 

Mr.  McKinzie's  paternal  grandfather  also  was  Daniel  E.  McKinzie,  and 
his  maternal  grandfather  was  Samuel  Giffin.  The  latter  was  a  nati\-e  of 
Indiana  and  lived  in  Dearborn  county  and  died  at  .\urora.  He  was  the 
father  of  seven  children,  as  follow:  Kate,  Tabitha,  Sarah,  Charles,  Samuel, 
David  and  John. 

When  David  E.  McKinzie  was  seven  years  old  his  parents  moved  from 
Petersburg,  Kentucky,  to  Aurora,  and  the  latter  city  continued  to  be  his  home 
until  Januar}'  i,  1915,  when  he  moved  to  Lawrenccbm-g  and  took  charge 
of  the  office  of  sheriff.    Sheriff  ?iIcKinzie  was  first  engaged  in  the  ice  business 


.3   i>V.V. 


686  ■  DEARBORN   COUXTV,   INDIANA. 

at  Aurora,  subsequently  heini^  engaged  in  the  restaurant  business  iov  a  period 
of  seven  vears,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  engaged  in  the  h\ery  business  and 
still  owns  a  !i\ery  Ijarn  in  .Aurora,  liaxing  o[)erated  tliis  barn  for  a  [icriod  of 
six  years  before  his  election  as  sheriff.  He  prospered  in  \.\u>  business  and 
became,  during  his  residence  in  Aurora,  a  well-known  citizen,  not  only  of 
Aurora,  but  of  all  Dearborn  count}'. 

Daniel  E.  IMcKenzic  married  Ella  Co.x,  daughter  of  Ilirani  and  Xancy 
(Kerr)  Cox,  and  Iierself  a  native  of  Indiana,  whose  father  died  in  1S90.  at 
the  age  of  sixtv-se\en  vears,  after  ha\'ing  reared  seven  children,  the  other 
six  being  Elias,  James,  Jacob.  John,  Paul  and  Emma.  ^Irs.  Hiram  Cox  is 
still  living  and  is  now  past  eighty-five  years  of  age.  Hiram  Cox  was  a  flat- 
boatman  during  the  Civil  War,  and  a  pilot  on  one  of  the  Federal  gun  br)ats. 
performing  distinguished  service  in  behalf  of  the  Unirm.  He  was  one  ui 
three  children  born  to  his  parents,  the  others  being  Jacob  and  James,  ]\Irs. . 
Pliram  Cox  was  one  of  se\'eral  children,  among  others  being  Xancy,  Aron, 
James  and  l\Jary. 

To  'Mr.  and  ?klrs.  ^IcKinzie  have  been  born  one  son  and  one  daughter, 
Paul  and  Pearl.  Paul  AicKinzie  is  now  deputy  sheriff  of  Dearborn  county 
and  is  unmarried.     Pearl  died  at  the  age  of  eight  months. 

Sheriff  McKinzie  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum.  His  son,  Paul, 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum. 
Since  going  to  Lawrenceburg,  the  ]\IcKiiizie  family  have  become  popular 
socially  in  that  city,  where  they  maintain  a  comfortable  and  refined  home. 
Already  the  recipient  of  a  high  honor  from  the  Democracy  of  Dearborn  county. 
Sheriff  iIcKinzie"s  friends  predict  for  him  even  greater  honors  in  a  public 
wav. 


CHARLES  MOS.AIEIER. 


When  the  election  for  township  assessor  was  held  in  this  township  in 
1914,  the  man  elected  to  fill  the  office  by  an  overwhelming  majorit}-  was 
Charles  Mosmeier.  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Long  residence  in  the  neigii- 
borhood  contributed  to  the  cause  of  the  election,  but  this  particular  selection 
was  the  result  of  personal  popularity  and  public  confidence  in  the  man. 

Charles  Abjsmeier  was  born  in  .-\dams  township,  Ripley  county,  Alarch 
2.  1S65,  and  is  the  son  of  John  Alosmeier  and  Katherine  (Christian)  AIos- 
ineier.     The  former  is  still  li\-ing,  a  hale  and  hearty  man  of  eightv-one  vears. 


■■•'.1. 


EEARBORX    COUXTY,    IXDIAXA.  687 

Like  many  other  thrift}-  early  settlers  of  this  seetion  of  the  country,  John 
Mosmeier  was  lx)rn  in  Germany,  the  date  heing-  April  30,  1834.  I'.eing-  s^nie- 
what  adventurous  in  his  taste*,  he  early  sought  his  fortune  in  the  new  world, 
coming  to  America  when  a  lad  of  nineteen.  Landing  at  Xew  Yoik,  he  trav- 
eled overland  to  Cincinnati,  and  later  li\-cd  in  Ripley  county,  where  he  hegan 
the  new  life  ou  fort}-  acres  in  Adams  township.  It  was  ahuut  this  time  that 
his  marriage  occurred,  soon  ;ifter  which  he  purchased  forty  acres  adjoining 
his  jilace.  later  adding  another  forty,  and  then  twenty  more,  so  that  he  now 
has  one  hundred  and  forty  acres.  Besides  farming,  Mv.  Alosmeier  has  heen 
interested  in  politics,  being-  a  Democrat,  and  is  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Lutheran  chiu'ch  at  Penn  Town,  ki|-jlev  countv.  He  has  a  brother  and  sister, 
Michael  :md  Elizabeth,  both  li\-ing  in  the  I'nited  States.  Katheriue  (Chris- 
tian) Mosmeier,  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  woman  o\  such 
beautiful  character  that  her  memory  is  hallowed  by  all  who  knew  her.  She 
was  born  in  Franklin  county,  in  1841,  ai-id  li\-ed  w-ilh  her  parents  until  her 
marriage  to  John  [Mosmeier,  ha\-ing  received  her  education  in  the  local  schools. 
In  the  building  up  of  his  material  success,  Airs.  ^Mosmeier  co-operated  with  her 
husband,  and  until  her  death,  August  17,  190:2,  she  w-as  a  loyal  and  devoted 
w-ife.  Hers  was  a  life  of  unusual  unselfishness.  She  was  ever  ready  to  forget 
self  in  ministering  to  the  needs  of  others.  She  was  a  devoted  wife  and  mother, 
and  for  her  fan-iily  and  its  i:appiness,  no  sacrifice  w-as  too  gi-eat.  It  was 
characteristic  that  during  her  last  illness,  w-hich  lasted  nearly  a  year,  she  fre- 
quently spoke  of  the  kindness  of  those  who  ministered  t(5  her  needs,  and 
although  she  was  a  great  sufferer,  she  bore  her  sufferings  patiently  and  with- 
out complaint. 

The  children  born  to  John  and  Katharine  Mosmeier  were  six  in  number: 
John,  Charlie,  Michael.  \\'illian-i,  Frank,  and  one  who  died  an  infant.  John 
died  at  the  age  of  tw-ent_\",  }\Iichael  w-hen  a  child  of  two,  and  William  passed 
aw-ay  at  the  age  of  thirty-four.  Frank  married  Reca  Guinter,  born  in  Ri]ile\- 
county,  Adams  township,  and  their  children  are  Harvey,  Harris  and  Godfreil. 

After  his  schooling-  -\vas  completed,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  continued  his 
farm  work  on  the  home  place,  helping  his  father  until  twenty-one  years  of 
age.  On  April  12.  18S8.  the  ceremony  w-hich  united  Charles  Mosmeier  in  mar- 
riage to  Louise  Clemence  was  performed,  his  bride  having  been  born  on  April 
6,  1868,  in  Ripley  county.  She  was  educated  in  the  local  schools,  and  lived 
at  home  until  her  marriage.  Mrs.  Mosmeier's  parents,  George  and  Eliza- 
beth (Ale)  Clemence,  were  both  natives  of  Germany,  but  came  to  Ripley 
county,  and  were  married  there.     Their  children,  otiier  than  Mrs.  Mosmeier, 


'It  ' 


■  I 


688  .  DEARBORN   COUXTV,   INDIAXA. 

were  Fred,  deceased,  George,  John,  Henry,  Carrie,  died  an  infant,  and  Lonise. 
George  married  ]\Iary  Ilornbcrger,  who  Hves  in  Lawrenccville,  Indiana,  and 
is  the  mother  of  nine  children,  Emma,  John,  Edward,  Ida,  Albert,  l,illiaii, 
Gertrude,  Clara  and  Harry.  John  married  Maggie  Conrad,  living  in  \\'illarn, 
Minnesota,  two  of  their  children  being  Harry  and  Lula.  Henry,  husband  of 
Louise  Gutapfel,  is  residing  in  Sunman,  Indiana. 

iNIr.  and  j\Irs.  Mosmeier  continued  to  live  in  Ripley  county  f(jr  three  years, 
after  which  they  purchased  eighty  acres  in  Dearborn  county,  tW'O  miles  south- 
east of  Lawrenccville,  their  present  home.  In  1909  Mr.  Mosmeier  bought  an 
additional  eighty  acres  in  Ripley  county  adjoining  his  home,  and  improved  this 
land  until  it  became  one  of  tlie  best  farms  in  the  county.  Besides  farming. 
Mr.  Mosmeier  owns  and  operates  a  corn  shredder,  and  is  interested  in  the 
Farmers  National  Bank  of  Sunman. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  INIosmeier  are  the  parents  of  three  children,  namely:  Clara, 
born  on  Alarch  15,  1889,  is  the  wife  of  Fred  Tegler,  a  farmer  of  Ripley 
county;  Lewis,  August  14,  1S94,  and  Esther,  November  6,  1903. 

Mr.  Mosmeier  is  known  throughout  the  neighborhood  for  his  strong 
Democratic  principles.  He  has  been  more  or  less  active  in  the  party  in  which 
he  has  many  warm  fr'ends  and  admirers.  Both  he  and  Mrs.  Mosmeier  are 
well  known  and  well  liked  in  the  communitv  in  which  thev  live. 


HENRY  H.  RULLMANN. 

Henr}'  H.  Rullmann,  flour  miller.  Aurora,  Indiana,  is  a  son  of  Ernest 
H.  and  Louisa  (Westerfeld)  Rullmann.  and  was  born  on  October  23,  i86r, 
in  Dearborn  county,  three  miles  west  of  Dillsboro,  and  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm  in  Clay  township.  His  education  was  obtained  at  the  district 
and  German  Lutheran  scliools,  and  after  finishing  school,  he  remained  at 
home  until  nineteen  years  of  age,  when  he  learned  the  miller's  trade,  which 
he  has  since  followed,  covering  a  period  of  thirty-four  years.  He  was  first 
employed  by  Droege  &  Doenselman,  remaining  with  them  five  years,  being 
later  engaged  by  Langtree.  McGuire  &  Company,  in  the  same  mill.  In  1891. 
Mr.  Rullman  organized  the  Star  Milling  Company,  of  which  he  was  manager 
until  1897,  when  he  sold  his  interest.  He  then  did  some  prospecting  for  a 
new  site,  visiting  different  locations,  but  soon  made  up  his  mind,  and  at  once 
set  to  work  on  the  erection  of  the  Acme  Flour  Mill,  of  which  he  and  his 
brothers  and  A.  H.  Ebel  are  the  proprietors,  and  of  which  he  is  the  manager. 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  6S9 

Tlic  responsibility  and  care  necessitated  by  his  undertakings  told  upon  his 
Iicalth.  and  he  was  finally  compelled  to  take  a  rest,  covering  a  period  of  twenty- 
one  months,  when  he  went  to  Colorado,  where  he  spent  six  months  in  an  en- 
deavor to  rcciqierate  his  health.  ]\Ir.  Rullmann  is  an  independent  Democrat, 
and  was  elected  councilman  on  the  Citizen's  ticket,  and  is  serving  his  first 
term.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Wymond  Cooperage  Company,  in  which  he 
owns  considerable  stock,  and  is  also  a  director  in  the  Commercial  Clulj. 

Ernest  H.  Rullmatm,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Ger- 
many, coming  to  America  with  his  parents  when  but  four  years  old.  They 
settled  on  a  farm  near  Dillsboro,  where  he  spent  his  entire  life,  until  about  a 
year  before  his  death,  when  he  moved  to  Dillsboro,  retiring  from  work.  Dur- 
ing his  farm  life  he  accumulated  considerable  wealth,  and  owned  a  .splendid 
tract  of  land  in  Clay  township,  the  most  of  which  was  cleared  by  himself  an'l 
his  brothers.  Mr.  Rullmann  died  in  Dillsboro,  in  1900,  aged  sixty-two  years. 
His  wife,  Louisa  (Westerfeld)  Rullmann,  was  also  a  native  of  Germany,  and 
came  to  the  United  States  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years.  They  were  married 
in  Clay  township,  and  were  the  parents  of  eight  children:  Henry  H.,  of 
Aurora;  Louis  H.,  who  resides  at  Louisville,  Kentucky;  William  H.,  Herman 
H.,  and  Charles  E.,  all  reside  at  Aurora,  Indiana;  Anna,  who  became  the  wife 
of  William  F.  Ivnollman,  of  Aurora,  and  two  who  died  young.  Mrs.  Rull- 
mann died  in  1910,  aged  about  sixty-eight  years.  They  were  both  members 
of  the  Lutheran  church. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  Herman  H.  Rullmann,  whose  wife  was 
Maria  Elizabeth  (Bussman)  Rullmann,  both  natives  of  Germany,  and  both 
dying  in  Clay  township.  Dearborn  county,  Mr.  Rullmann  at  the  age  of  ninety- 
one  years,  and  his  wife  some  years  younger.  To  this  union  were  born  four 
children,  Henry  H.,  Ernest  H.,  Margaret  and  Catherine. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  William  Westerfeld,  and  his  wife  was 
Angeline  (Meyers)  Westerfeld,  natives  of  Germany,  where  they  both  died. 
To  this  union  were  born  two  children,  Louisa  and  Elizabeth.  Mr.  Wester- 
feld -was  twice  married,  and  by  his  second  v.-ife  had  three  children,  Minnie, 
Anna  and  Louisa. 

Henr>-  H.  Rullmann  was  married  on  August  23,  1883,  to  Minnie  K. 
Rosse,  born  near  Farmers  Retreat,  Dearborn  county,  and  is  a  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Catherine  Bosse,  by  whom  he  has  had  six  children,  namely : 
Vina,  William,  Pauline,  Walter,  Alvin  and  Harry.  Vina  is  a  stenographer  in 
the  employ  of  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad,  where  she  has  been  for  the 
past  ten  vears ;  William  is  married  to  Ida  Vinup,  and  is  also  etnployed  as  a 

(44) 


•d  h 


690  DEAREORX    COU.\T>-,   IXDIAXA. 

Stenographer;  Pauline  lives  at  home;  Walter  is  clerking  in  the  office  of  the 
Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railway,  at  Aurora;  Alvin  and  Harry  are  in  high  school. 

Henry  and  Catherine  Bosse,  parenl?  of  Mrs.  Rullmann,  were  horn  in 
Germany,  and  are  both  dead.  They  had  a  family  of  four  children,  Sophin, 
Minnie  K.,  Hannah  and  Helena.  .Mr.  Biisse  was  married  twice,  his  first  wife 
being  a  Miss  Droege.  They  had  seven  children,  Frederick,  Henry,  William, 
Garrett,  Herman,  Elizabeth  and  Mary. 

Mr.  Rullman  has.  with  the  exception  of  the  six  months  spent  in  Colorado, 
always. lived  in  Dearborn  county,  throughout  which  he  has  a  large  acquain- 
tance. He  has  been  eminently  successful,  and  has  the  confidence  and  respeci 
of  cvenbody.  In  his  manner,  he  is  quiet  and  modest,  and  believes  a  man 
should  show  his  character  through  his  works,  rather  than  through  his  words. 


AMBROSE  E.  STARK. 


The  following  brief  sketch  of  the  life  of  Ambrose  E.  Stark  will  scarcely 
do  justice  to  his  character,  or  the  ability  with  which  he  has  handled  the  op- 
portunities as  th.ey  have  come  to  him  thus  far  in  life.  Being  well  educated, 
and  having  the  inherent  cjualifications.  he  was  fully  equipped  to  take  up  the 
work  in  earlv  life  to  whicli  he  has  ever  since  given  his  undivided  time  and  at- 
tention, and  in  which  he  has  met  with  remarkable  success.  The  Cochran 
Chair  Company,  of  Aurora,  with  which  he  is  connected,  is  one  of  the  nuist 
prosperous  concerns  of  its  kind  in  the  surrounding  country. 

Ambrose  E.  Stark,  vice-president  of  the  Cochran  Chair  Company,  Au- 
rora, Indiana,  was  born  on  February  27,  1871,  at  Versailles,  Ripley  county, 
where  his  parents  settled  when  he  was  five  years  old,  and  where  he  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools,  as  far  as  facilities  and  conditions  permitted,  lin- 
ishing  the  course  in  the  public  schools  of  Cochran,  Indiana.  After  leavinc; 
school,  he  went  to  w^ork  in  the  Cochran  Chair  Factory,  in  18S5,  with  which 
institution  he  has  been  associated  ever  since,  with  the  exception  of  two  years 
spent  at  Ft.  Smith,  Arkansas.  The  first  twelve  years  of  his  connection  with 
his  present  business,  Mr.  Stark  spent  in  the  capacity  of  an  employe,  but  since 
1907,  he  has  officiated  as  vice-president  of  the  company,  his  brother,  William 
E.,  being  the  president,  and  Miss  B.  M.  Smith  occupies  the  position  of  secre- 
tary. The  hist<5ry  of  this  company  dates  from  1879,  when  it  was  organized, 
but  it  w^as  not  formed  into  a  stock  company  until  1899.    They  now  employ  a 


1  ;i'  ■•i'>o- 


■„     •  DEARBORN   CtJUNTV,   INDIANA.  •  69I 

force  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  people  in  the  niauut'acture  of  finely 
finished  chairs  of  even  description,  their  gdnds  being  sold  in  all  i)arts  c,i  the 
I'nited  States.  'Mr.  Stark  is  a  firm  believer  in  the  Republican  principle^,  and, 
he  is  associated  \vith  Aurora  Lodge  No.  51.  Free  and  Accepted  ]\lasi)ns.  ami 
is  the  present  master  of  the  lodge. 

Silas  and  Margaret  E..  (Johnson)  Stark,  parents  of  the  subject  of  llrs 
skeirh,  were  natives  of  Ripley  county,  Indiana,  where  the}'  li\ed  on  a  farm. 
In  1S73  ^Ir.  Stark  immigrated  to  IVttis  county,  ^^lissouri,  niak-ing  the  trip 
by  wagon,  with  his  wife  and  fi\e  children.  lie  settled  on  a  farm,  two  miles 
from  Green  Ridge,  in  that  st;ite,  and  li\-ed  there  until  his  death,  h"ebruar\-  22, 
1875,  aged  thirt}-fonr  years.  His  wife  sur\ived  him,  and  retm-neil  \\itli  her 
children  to  Riple_\-  count}-,  Indiana,  in  ]\Iarch  of  the  same  year,  liut  decided,  in 
September,  1S77,  to  make  Versailles  her  place  of  residence.  After  a  few  }ears 
here,  Mrs.  Stark  again  moved,  in  September,  1883,  to  Cochran,  Indiana, 
where  her  son,  A\'illiani,  was  employed  in  the  store  of  Frederick  Opperman, 
and  her  sons,  Lytle  and  Ambrose,  found  emplo}nient  with  the  Cochran  Chair 
Company.  She  died  at  the  home  of  her  son,  William,  at  Cincinnati,  August 
31,  1914,  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years  and  past.  Mrs.  Stark  and  her  family 
were  all  earnest  members  of  the  Methodist  churcli. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  Elijah  Stark,  \\hose  wife  was  Margaret 
(Johnson)  Stark.  Fie  was  born  in  Virginia,  and  his  wife  was  a  native  of 
Kentucky.  They  moved  to  Riplc}'  county,  Indiana,  in  1S37,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  general  farming".  Prior  to  his  marriage  Mr.  Stark  was  a  carpenter 
by  trade,  but  abandoned  that  work  for  the  life  of  a  farmer,  of  which  he  was 
one  of  the  most  prominent  in  Ripley  county.  Fle  gave  his  generous  support 
in  all  questions  for  the  benefit  and  progress  of  his  countv,  in  which  he  occu- 
pied some  of  the  prominent  offices,  among  which  were  those  of  county  clerk, 
for  two  terms,  and  one  term  as  county  treasurer,  in  which  position  he  was 
officiating  when  Alorgan  went  through  that  part  of  the  county  on  his  raid.  In 
1SS5  ^Ir.  Stark  moved,  with  his  wife  and  daughter,  Anna,  to  Grant  City, 
\\'orth  county,  ^Missouri,  \\here  he  died,  aged  eighty-seven  years,  and  his  wife 
at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years.  They  were  the  parents  (jf  the  following  chil- 
dren: James.  \\'illiam,  Flenry,  Silas,  Anna,  Wilson,  Calvin,  Emery,  and  sev- 
eral who  died  in  infancy. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  William  Johnson,  a  native  of  Schenectad}', 
Xew  York,  and  his  wife  was  Margaret  E.  (Shook)  Johnson,  who  died  at  the 
•'ige  of  fifty-two  years.  He  was  a  painter  by  trade,  and  followed  that  line  all 
his  life.     Mr.  Johnson  went  to  the  Civil  War  in  Kilpatrick's  Cavalry,  and  died 


■)   !.;.il.: 


/  :.i;:i   ,i;;':iii' 


692  DEAKBOKX   COUXTV,  IXDIAXA. 

in  1878.  To  this  union  were  born  six  dauglitcrs :  Margaret,  Eliza,  \\'ik';-, 
Fannie,  !N[ati!fla  and  Jennie. 

Ambrose  E.  Stark  was  married  on  June  24,  iSg6,  to  Lotiise  Kerr,  daugh- 
ter of  Mahlon  B.  and  Ehzabetli  (Bruce)  Kerr.  lie  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  tlie  Methodist  Ei)iscopal  church  of  Aurora,  of  which  he  is  church 
steward,  in  ad(h'ti'in  to  his  office  of  district  stewardship,  and  his  membership 
on  the  state  board  of  tlie  Inthana  Sunday  School  Association. 

The  parents  of  ]Mrs.  Ambrose  E.  Stark  were  born  in  Dearborn  county, 
and  both  died  at  Aurora,  Indiana.  Her  father  reached  the  ripe  old  age  of 
eighty-seven  vears.  P'ive  children  were  born  to  this  miion,  Walter,  Julia, 
Emeline,  Rachel  and  Louise.  • 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Stark  was  Walter  Kerr,  who  was  born 
on  April  23.  1799,  at  Guilford,  North  Carolina,  and  was  a  son  of  William 
and  Elizabeth  Kerr.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth  Russell,  who  was  born  on  June 
14,  1803,  on  the  Licking  river,  Campbell  count)-,  Kentucky,  and  to  whom  lie 
was  united  in  marriage  on  September  13,  182 1.  Ten  children  were  born  {■'< 
this  couple,  as  follow:  Mary  A.,  ]Minerva,  Mahlon  B..  Catharine,  Rachel. 
Nancy  J.,  Elizabeth,  William.  Charles  and  David.  Minerva  married  a  3.1r. 
Hill,  and  resides  at  Aurora.     Elizabeth  is  now  Mrs.  Terhune,  of  Rush  county. 

The  maternal  gi'andfather  of  Mrs.  Stark  was  named  Bruce.  He  and  his 
wife  were  pioneers  of  Dearborn  county,  where  they  cleared  and  improved  a 
farm  and  reared  their  children,  and  where  Mr.  Bruce  died,  well  advanced  in 
years,  as  did  also  his  wife.  They  w'ere  the  parents  of  a  large  family  of 
children. 


EDGAR  U.  BAILEY. 


We  cannot  but  admire  the  pluck  and  determination  of  a  man  who,  in 
spite  of  long  odds,  keeps  hammering  away  at  a  proposition  until  he  overcomes 
all  difficulties  and  clears  for  himself  a  pathway  to  a  successful  career.  Mr. 
Bailey  belongs  to  this  class,  and  is  deserving  of  praise  and  congratulations  in 
making  a  second  attempt  at  a  business  which,  on  first  trial,  failed  to  result  as 
profitably  as  he  had  anticipated. 

Edgar  U.  Bailey,  grocer,  Aurora,  Indiana,  was  born  on  January  13,  1869, 
in  Ohio  county,  Indiana,  and  is  a  son  of  William  G.  and  Eliza  (]\lclienry) 
Bailey.  He  was  reared  in  Switzerland  county,  and  received  a  good  education 
in  the  district  schools.     After  leaving  school  he  assisted  his  father  on  the 


DEARBORN   COUXTV,  INDIANA.  •  693 

laiiu.  until  the  time  of  lii?  marriage,  when  lie  engaged  in  farming  on  liis  own 
responsibility,  which  he  followed  up  to  1907,  and  then  moved  tn  .Aumra,  where 
lie  went  into  the  grocery  l^usir.ess.  X'ot  finding  business  as  he  liad  aniiciiiated, 
he  returned  to  his  farm,  after  a  trial  of  four  years,  and  resumed  his  agri- 
cultural pursuits  for  a  short  time,  when  he  again,  in  191.3,  n.'turned  to  Aurora 
.and  eng'aged  in  the  grocery  Ijusiness  a  second  time,  which  business  he  still 
follows,  under  the  firm  name  of  Tlic  Bailey  Grocery  Company,  w  ith  unusu- 
ally successful  results.  Mr.  Baile\-  is  a  stanch  believer  in  tlie  Republican 
policies,  and  never  fails  to  cast  his  vote  on  election  day.  He  is  an  attentive 
and  prominent  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  in  which  he  occupies  the  office 
of  treasurer.  He  belongs  to  Chosen  Friends  Lodge  Xo.  13,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

William  G.  Bailey,  the  father  of  Edgar  U.,  was  a  native  of  Indiana,  and 
was  reared  in  Dearborn  and  Ohio  counties.  He  followed  farming  in  Unicai 
township,  Ohio  count_\-,  Indiana,  and  served  three  years  in  Company  C, 
Eighty-third  Regiment,  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  as  a  private  in  the  Civil 
War,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  resumed  farming.  He  owned  a  comfortable 
farm  of  forty  acres  in  Ohio  county.  He  died  in  Xovember,  191 1,  aged  si.xty- 
seven  years.  His  wife.  Eliza  (-JcHenry)  Bailey,  is  also  a  native  of  Indiana, 
and  is  the  mother  of  four  children:  Edgar  C,  of  Aurora;  Anna  E.,  wife 
of  Charles  Smith,  of  Ohio  county:  Elmer  H.,  also  of  Ohio  county ;  and 
Nellie,  who  lives  at  home.  Mrs.  Bailey  is  now  seventy-five  years  of  age.  and 
is  an  earnest  member  of  the  Metliodist  Episcopal  church. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  Philander  Bailey,  and  his  wife  was 
Elizabeth  (Wethers)  Bailey,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They  settled 
at  an  early  day  in  Ohio  county,  Indiana,  wdiere  they  both  died,  the  former 
aged  about  fifty  years,  and  the  latter  at  seventy-five  years.  They  became  the 
parents  of  the  following  children  ;  Samuel,  William  G.,  George,  who  died 
in  infancy,  Rosanna,  Matilda  and  ]\Iaggie. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  Hugh  ^IcHenry,  and  his  wife  was  Mary 
(Stone)  McHenry.  The  former  was  of  Scotch  descent,  and  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  followed  the  vocation  of  a  fanner,  ^frs.  McHem-y 
was  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  but  of  German  lineage.  They  migrated 
west  at  an  early  day,  and  settled  in  Switzerland  county.  Mr.  IVIcFIenry  died 
at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-seven,  and  his  wife  some  years  younger.  They 
had  the  following  children:  Isaac,  James,  Irvin,  Joseph,  Sarah,  Eliza  and 
Mary. 

Edgar  U.  Bailey  was  married  on  Decemlx-r  24,   1893,  to  Elizabeth  W. 


."••rl 


r.n 


694  DEARBORN    COUNTY^    INDIANA. 

Cotield,  daughter  of  Walker  W.  and  Elizabeth  (Ray)  Cofielrl.  She  was 
born  in  Ohio  county,  near  Hartford,  January  20,  1S73.  There  arc  five 
children  to  this  union,  namely:  01i\'e  E.,  William  Orville,  Mildred  E.,  Irene 
Ra_\-  and  l-^hvard  ]\IcIIenry.  ]Mrs.  Bailey  and  two  of  her  children  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Alethodi.st  church. 

Walker  W.  Cofield,  lath.er  of  Mrs.  Bailey,  was  born  in  Kcntncky,  and 
his  wife,  Elizabeth  (Ray)  Cofield,  was  a  native  of  Ohio  count}-,  Indiana, 
and  both  are  now  deceased.  They  had  three  children,  Elizabeth  and  two 
who  died  young. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  ^Irs.  Bailey  was  Robert  Cofield,  and  his 
wife  was  Amanda  (Wallingford)  Cofield.  natives  of  Kentucky.  They  moved 
to  Ohio  county  at  an  early  day.  where  he  died  when  past  middle  life,  and 
she  when  over  eightv  vears  of  age.  Thev  had  a  large  famil}',  as  follow: 
Robert,  John,  Walker.  .Stephen,  David,  Lida,  Caroline,  Elizabeth  and 
Margaret. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  ]Mrs.  Bailey  was  John  Ray,  and  his  wife 
was  Elizabeth  (Monroe)  Ray.  He  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  They 
were  early  settlers  in  Ohio  county,  and  were  the  parents  of  the  following 
children :     Elizabeth,  Jane,  and  Caroline,  who  died  young. 

Mr.  Bailey  and  his  wife  have  a  large  circle  of  friends,  and  well  deserve 
the  lucrative  business  which  they  now  enjoy. 


NATHAN  STEDMAN. 


The  name  starting  this  sketch  belongs  to  a  descendant  of  good  old 
Revolutionary  stock,  and  is  in  every  sense  of  the  word  entitled  to  be  called 
an  American.  Mr.  Stedman  has  been  fortunate  in  more  ways  than  having 
been  born  an  American.  His  father  established  a  plant  at  Rising  Sun,  Indiana, 
for  a  general  foundry  and  machine  business,  which  was  later  moved  to 
Aurora,  Indiana,  where  he  trained  his  son  in  all  the  impi.irtant  details  of  a 
business  that  was  destined  to  become  a  factor  in  the  industries  of  the  town. 
The  son  came  in  as  partner  in  his  father's  business  in  1S67,  and  was  fully 
qualified  at  the  death  of  his  father  to  take  over  the  entire  management  of 
the  business,  in  which  he  became  even  more  successful  than  his  father  had 
been  before  him. 

Nathan  Stedman,  retired  manufacturer,   of  Aurora,  Indiana,   was  born 


'^'i   r.i;. 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  695 

at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  July  ii,  183S,  and  is  a  son  of  Nathan  R.  and  Sarah 
(Ecldcn)  Stedman.  He  grew  to  maturity  at  Aurora,  from  a  lad  of  eleven 
years,  and  has  lived  there  since  1849.  His  parents  gave  him  a  gockl  education 
in  the  public  and  select  schools,  after  which  he  went  to  school  at  Wilmington, 
to  which  place  he  was  obliged  to  ualk.  He  then  s])ent  two  years  at  college, 
and  vhcn  through,  went  to  work  in  his  father's  foundry,  where  he  s[)ent 
fitt\'  years  of  his  life.  .At  the  death  of  his  father,  he  succeeded  to  the  business, 
and  conducted  it  with  the  assistance  of  his  sons,  W.  R.  and  (leorge  M.  Sted- 
man, until  his  retirement  from  acti\'e  \\ork,  when  he  turned  it  over  to  his 
second  son,  George,  who  afterwards  sold  it.  Mr.  Stedman  has  afliliated  with 
the  Masonic  order  fi:>r  man_\-  years,  and  was  for  a  time  a  member  of  the 
Knights  Templar.     In  politics  he  is  an  independent  voter. 

Nathan  R.  Stedman  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  in  1814.  and  when  quite 
young  went  to  Connecticut,  where  he  learned  the  molder's  trade,  after  w  hich, 
in  1S37,  he  went  to  Cincinnati,  and  a  little  later,  to  Rising  Sun.  where  he 
started  his  first  foundry,  in  partnership  with  Col.  Pinkney  James.  In  1849 
Mr.  Stedman  moved  his  family  and  his  foundry  tn  Aurora,  where  he  o;in- 
tinued  in  business  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  in  'Sbiy.  1884,  aged  sevent-y 
_\ears.  His  wife,  Sarah  (Belden)  Stedman,  \\as  a  native  of  Connecticut. 
She  died  about  1847.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  namely: 
Nathan,  of  Aurora;  Harriet,  widow  of  A.  G.  Wilson,  of  Pueblo,  Colorado; 
Abigail,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  James  D.  Parker;  Sophia,  who  is 
now  Mrs.  J.  W.  Christie,  of  Norwood,  Ohio;  Frances,  widow  of  John  P. 
Stier,  of  Aurora,  Indiana.  Mr.  Stedman  was  married,  secondly,  to  Louisa 
Caldwell,  by  whom  he  had  five  children:  Lucy,  Seth,  Hazen,  Charles  and 
John.  Lucy  became  the  wiie  of  Torrence  Hurst,  of  Streator,  Illinois,  and 
is  now  dead;  Seth,  deceased:  Hazen  lives  at  Natchez,  ]\Hss. ;  John  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Hamilton,  Ohio.  The  third  wife  of  Nathan  R.  Stedman  was  ]\Irs. 
Sarah  Jane  Langley,  whose  maiden  name  was  Stage,  and  by  whom  he  had 
one  child,  Mary,  who  lives  at  Columbus,  Ohio.  She  was  married  twice,  her 
last  husband  being  a  Mr.  Candler. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  Nathan  Stedman,  whose  wife  was  Belinda 
Stebbins.  They  were  both  natives  of  Connecticut,  and  both  dier  in  the 
East.  Mr.  Stedman  followed  various  pursuits,  and  was  a  soldier  in  one  of  the 
early  wars.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  namely :  John  \V., 
James,  Nathan  R.,  Hazen  and  Rachel.  Grandfather  Stebbins  was  a  native 
of  Massachusetts  or  Connecticut,  where  he  followed  farming  all  his  life, 
except  the  time  spent  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 


696  DEARBORIN'    COUM'Vj    INDIANA. 

Nathan  Stcclnian.  the  immediate  subject  of  thii  sketch,  was  unilec!  in 
marriage  on  March  24,  1S59,  with  Elvira  Smith,  tlaughter  of  WilHam  imd 
Rachel  (Tcagarclen)  Smith,  and  was  born  on  February  9,  1S40.  at  Ang'ustn, 
Kentucky.  To  this  union  have  been  born  four  children,  namely :  Sarah 
R.,  William  R.,  George  Isl.,  and  Vira  Grace.  Sarah  R.  became  the  wife  of 
Charles  C.  Coimor,  and  is  now  deceased.  She  was  the  mother  of  two  chil- 
dren, Ellen  and  Ruth  L.  \Villiam  R.  is  now  living  in  retirement,  after  a 
successful  business  career.  His  wife,  Anna  (Noble)  Stedman,  died  several 
years  since,  leaving  no  children.  George  yi.  became  successful  and  has  re- 
tired from  an  active  business  life.  He  was  united  in  marriage  with  Jeannette 
Benedict,  by  whom  he  has  two  children,  Nathan  P.  and  Louise  E.  Vira 
Grace  became  the  wife  of  Pinckney  Flowers,  and  has  two  children,  William 
H.  and  another. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Nathan  Stedman  were  natives  of  Kentucky,  nmi 
lived  on  a  farm  in  P>racken  county.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following 
children:  Eliza,  Jeremiah,  George,  Elizabeth,  Elvira,  Robert  A.  and  some 
who  died  young. 

Nathan  Stedman  has  led  an  exemplar)'  life,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
highly-respected  citizens  of  Aurora. 


MARC  L.   BOND,   ^l.  D. 


Marc  L.  Bond,  of  Aurora,  Indiana,  was  born  on  ^larch  12,  1S59,  in  the 
same  block  in  which  he  is  now  practicing  medicine.  He  is  a  son  of  Richard 
and  Eliza  fBevan)  Bond.  After  attending  the  public  schools,  he  was  gradu- 
ated from  theAurora  high  school  in  1S72,  and  then  entered  the  Ohio  ^ledical 
College,  at  Cincinnati,  from  which  he  graduated  in  18S0.  His  shingle  made 
its  debut  in  Louisville,  Kentucky,  where  he  practiced  for  a  period  of  four 
years,  and  then  returned  to  his  home  town,  where  he  established  a  practice 
in  which  he  has  become  eminently  successful.  Doctor  Bond  is  a  member 
of  Union  Lodge  No.  34,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  belongs  to  the  countv  and 
state  medical  societies,  and  the  American  Medical  Association. 

Dr.  Richard  Bond  was  a  native  of  Virginia.  He  was  born  on  >.[arch 
22.  -1822.  in  Wood  county,  and  was  the  seventh  son  of  Lewis  and  Lydia 
(John)  Bond.  In  his  eighteenth  year  he  entered  the  New  Gcne^;a  Seminary. 
in  Pennsylvania,   and  in    1S43   he  began  reading  medicine   with   Dr.   James 


J  ■,::.]r: 


..'.ffifvj-.  .-"•;  '1  '     rn 


DEARF.ORN    COUXTV,    INDIANA.  .  697 

Stevenson,  of  Greensboro,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1846  settled  in  Ripley  countv. 
and  in  July,  1S48.  mo\'cd  to  Aurora,  where  he  hecanie  well  knnwn  as  a 
])h}sician  of  great  skill  and  ability,  and  where  bis  goud  judgment  and  effi- 
cient co-operation  in  the  interest  of  his  community  placeil  him  in  a  pnsition 
of  enviable  prominence.  He  continued  the  practice  of  medicine  in  the  county 
until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  while  on  a  visit  to  his  brother 
and  .sister  in  Virginia,  in  1904,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years.  He  was 
married  on  April  i,  1847,  to  Eliza  Bcvan,  only  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Elizabeth  }3evan,  who  was  born  on  June  11,  1829,  and  died  in  190S.  Doctor 
Bond  and  his  wife  were  both  earnest  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  he 
was  for  several  )ears  jiastor  in  charge  of  the  churches  at  Wilmington,  Rising 
Sun  and  Aunjra,  during  which  time  he  continued  to  practice  medicine.  Doc- 
tor Bond  served  as  surgeon  through  the  entire  period  of  the  Civil  War. 
resuming  his  practice  when  peace  was  declared.  Doctor  Bond  and  his  wife 
were  the  parents  of  six  children,  namely:  Flora  B.  married  John  A.  Conwell, 
and  resides  at  Cincinnati ;  Charles  R.  was  scalded  to  death  at  the  age  of 
three  years;  Harry  is  deceased;  Fannie  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen;  Marc 
L.,  of  Aurora;  Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  Crawford  S.  Wymond,  and  resides 
at  Louisville.  Kentucky. 

Lewis  Bond,  the  ]iaternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a  farmer 
and  a  Baptist  minister,  and  his  wife,  L)"dia  (John)  Bond,  was  of  Welsh 
ancestry,  and  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania.  Mr,  Bond  was  over 
ninety  years  old  at  his  death,  and  was  killed  by  being  thrown  from  a  horse. 
His  wife  also  lived  to  the  age  of  ninety  years. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  Thomas  Bcvan,  whose  wife  was  Eliza- 
beth Bevan,  both  natives  of  Ohio,  and  were  very  early  settlers  in  Dearborn 
county.  Mr.  Bevan  established  his  little  family  on  a  farm  in  Center  township, 
about  two  and  one-half  miles  from  Aurora,  which  he  cleared  and  improved, 
and  where  he  reared  his  family.  Like  the  paternal  grandfather,  he  also 
met  with  a  tragic  death,  in  being  killed  by  a  horse,  when  about  forty  years 
old.  yivs.  Bevan  siirvived  her  husband,  and  lived  to  the  'ripe  old  age  of 
eighty  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  John,  Thomas  and 
Eliza, 

Dr.  Marc  L.  Bond  was  united  in  marriage  in  1894  with  Lida  Truelock. 
daughter  of  James  Truelock  and  wife.  Mrs.  Bond  was  born  on  January  i. 
1859,  at  Aurora,  Indiana,  where  she  was  reared  and  educated.  She  is  a 
uoman  of  culture  and  refinement,  and  has  a  large  circle  of  admiring  friends. 


•  dT 


-..-■A     ■'■'■:■:.. I    i;    ■.'.It  35(. 


-■  ■•'  -"jfj 


698  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

Doctor  Bond  is  one  of  the  most  successful  physicians  of  Aurora  and 
ricinitv,  and  he  and  his  wife  enjoy  the  confidence  and  high  esteem  of  the 
people  living  here. 


JOHN   McCULLOl'GH. 


There  is  ahvavs  considerable  interest  in  accomplishing  anything-  on  a 
large  scale,  and  in  the  manufacture  of  drugs,  in  which  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  especially  interested,  there  is  a  fascination  not  to  be  found  in  many 
other  lines.  While  the  profit  to  be  gained  is  the  most  important  feature,  it 
is  extremelv  gratifying  when  one  is  able  to  combine  both  profit  and  pleasure 
in  his  daily  employment. 

John  ]\IcCullough,  wholesale  druggist,  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  is  a  son 
of  John  C.  and  Louise  F.  CKoons)  McCullough,  and  was  born  on  December 
24,  1875,  in  that  city,  which  is  still  his  home.  Here  he  attended  the  public 
schools.  After  his  father's  death,  Mr.  ^IcCullough  and  his  brother,  Edwin 
C,  who  attended  Hanover  College,  and  later  was  graduated  from  the  Cin- 
cinnati College  of  Pharmacy,  continued  the  business,  with  himself  as  president 
and  treasurer,  and  his  brother,  William  T.,  as  vice-president,  and  Louise  F. 
McCuhough  as  secretary.  Mr.  ]McCullough  is  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  is 
demonstrating  his  interest  by  sendng  as  a  member  of  the  city  council.  He 
belongs  to  Lawrenceburg  J^odge  Xo.  4,  Free  and  Accepted  ]\Iasons,  Law- 
renceburg Chapter  Xo.  56.  Royal  Arch  ^iLisons,  and  also  belongs  to  the 
Scottish  Rite  and  is  a  member  of  Mystic  Shrine,  Murat  Temple,  Indianapolis. 

John  C.  McCullough  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  reared 
on  a  farm  in  \\'ashington  county,  and  came  west  about  1865,  settling  at 
Osgood,  Ripley  county,  Indiana,  engaging  in  the  dnig  business.  In  1874  he 
came  to  Lawrenceburg  and  established  a  store  in  X'ewtown,  I-^-\vrenceburg, 
which  he  conducted  until  188S,  when  he  was  appointed  deputy  internal  revenue 
collector,  under  the  administration  of  President  Cleveland,  which  office  he 
held  about  three  years,  and  then  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health.  He  was 
then  engaged  in  the  drug  business  at  Warsaw  for  a  period  of  one  year,  when 
he  returned  to  Lawrenceburg.  establishing  himself  in  Oldtown,  where  he 
conducted  a  wholesale  business  on  a  small  scale.  Seeing  possibilities  in  a 
larger  establishment,  he  again  sold  out  and  went  into  exclusive  jobbing  and 
manufacturing  of  drugs,  which  he  continued  until  his  death.  He  incorporated 
the  business,  in  1901,  under  the  firm  name  of  The  McCullough  Dmg  Com- 


1       :  1 


DEARBORN    COUNTy,    INDIANA.  '  699 

pciny,  with  a  capital  str>ck  o'f  ten  tliousand  dollars,  which  was  later  iiicreasc:! 
to  fifty  thcmsand  dullars,  associating  with  him  his  sons,  Edwin  C,  and  John. 
Mr.  ]\IcCnl!oug"h  died  in  Septemher,  1906,  aged  fifty-six  vears.  Me  and  his 
wife.  Louise  F.  (Koons)  McCullough.  h^th  became  members  of  the  Fiist 
T'resbyterian  church,  in  v.liich  he  was  an  elder.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and 
g-:o-e  his  support  by  ser\'ing"  as  city  clerk  for  two  terms.  His  fraternal  alli- 
ances were  with  the  Lawrenceburg  L-odge  Xo.  4.  T'^rec  antl  .\ccepted  Masons. 
Mr,  and  Mrs.  !McCullough  had  the  following  chikJren  :  Edwin  C.  T'''hn.  of 
Lawrenceburg:  "William  T..  of  Lidianapolis;  and  Harry,  of  Lawrencebmg. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  John  AlcCullough,  and  his  \vife  was 
Agnes  P..  (Morrison)  ^rcCullough,  natives  of  Scotland.  !\fr.  McCullough 
died  when  a  yoimg  man,  and  his  wife  hvtd  to  be  aljout  ninet}-  years  of  age. 
The}'  liad  four  children:     \\'illiam  B..  !Mary,  Martha  and  John  C. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  Charles  T.  Koons.  and  his  wife  was 
Sojihia  S.  Koone,  nati\'es  of  Germany,  who  came  at  an  earlv  date  to  America, 
settling  in  Ripley  county,  Indiana,  where  ]Mr., Koons  officiated  as  paymaster 
and  auditor  for  the  old  Ohio  &  Alississippi  Railway.  He  afterward  moved 
to  Lawrenceburg.  and  from  there  to  Cincinnati,  wdiere  he  died  while  still  quite 
young.  His  widow  still  survives  him  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  years.  They 
were  the  parents  of  a  large  family  of  children:  Charles  T..  Elerman  W., 
Walter,  Louise  F.,  Sophia  S.  and  others. 

John  McCullough  is  a  man  of  sterling  qualities,  and  occupies  a  position 
of  high  standing  as  a  citizen  in  his  community. 


'      ■  LOUIS  WILLARD  COBB. 

Louis  ^^'illard  Cobb,  son  of  the  late  O.  P.  Cobb,  was  born  in  Aurc^ra, 
Indiana,  .A^pril  29,  1S47,  and  died  on  December  29,  1912.  All  of  his  life,  with 
the  exception  of  the  years  he  was  away  at  school,  and  in  pursuance  of  pro- 
fessional studies,  was  spent  in  Aurora.  He  attended  the  celebrated  Chick- 
ering  Institute  at  Cincinnati,  where  he  made  a  brilliant  record  as  a  student, 
A  unique  feature  of  his  graduation  was  the  delivery  of  his  commencement 
oration  in  Latin.  Later  he  entered  Yale  College  and  was  for  two  years  a 
student  at  that  institution.  Here,  as  formerly,  his  grade  as  a  student  was  of 
the  highest  rank,  and  the  training  he  received  here  furnished  the  foundation 


•fl'  ■;. 


•  u:  { 


].■':!.,  .M't-.i  isau'" 


700  ,  DEARRORX   COCNTV,  INDIANA. 

for  the  hig-hcst  culture  and  qualified  him  for  the  most  exact  educational  tests 
of  the  times.  It  is  no  di.sparag-ement  to  others  to  say  that  Mr.  Cohb  was  one 
of  the  best  equipped  men  in  his  fund  of  knowledge  and  in  the  accurac\-  nf 
it,  in  the  community.  He  was  a  master  in  the  use  of  English,  in  both  its 
spoken  and  written  form,  as  all  who  knew  him  and  his  writings  can  well 
attest. 

In  early  life  it  was  !Mr.  Cobb's  ambition  to  become  a  lawyer.  With  this 
in  view,  he  took  up  the  study  of  law  and  for  a  time  was  a  student  under 
T.  D.  Lincoln,  in  the  latter's  office,  in  Cincinnati.  But  after  some  time,  con- 
cluding that  the  field  of  journalism  afforded  the  best  opportunit^-  hn"  the 
accomplishment  of  the  most  successful  constructive  work  m  the  civic,  moral 
and  social  betterment  of  the  people,  he  gave  up  the  law  and  took  up  the  latter 
profession. 

His  career  as  an  editor  and  publisher  began  in  April.  1873,  when  he 
bought  the  Dearborn  Independent,  at  Aurora,  Indiana.  In  that  occupation 
he  continued  his  life  work  with  the  same  paper,  until  the  time  of  his  death, 
December  2C).  1912,  lacking  four  months  of  coinpleting  his  fortieth  vear  of 
service  in  his  chosen  vocation. 

Mr.  Cobb  was  a  man  of  strong  convictions  and  high  ideals.  He  stood 
for  the  right  in  all  civic  and  public  affairs,  and  had  the  best  interests  of  the 
people  at  heart.  This  sentiment  is  evinced  in  the  line  appearing  continuf>usly 
below  the  name  of  his  paper,  "Devoted  to  our  own  locality,  we  labor  for  its 
interests."  So  far  as  the  policy  of  his  paper  was  concerned,  it  can  be  said  that 
in  all  matters  of  local  interest  it  stood  as  a  fearless  cliampion  of  the  rights 
and  sacred  interests  of  the  community  at  large,  regardless  of  the  fear  or 
favor  of  anyone.  And  so  strict  was  he  in  the  observance  of  this  policy,  that 
it  was  maintained  throughout  his  life  at  the  cost  of  serioiis  financial  los^  and 
personal  hardships. 

It  was  a  matter  of  great  pride  to  Mr.  Cobb,  and  a  thing  of  far  more 
importance  than  it  might  at  first  seem,  that  he  was  the  first  newspaper  :nan 
in  the  state  to  ojien  the  columns  of  his  paper  for  the  full  publication  of  kical 
church  news.  This  was  a  concessi(jn  to  the  churches  which  was  quickly 
followed  by  other  papers  throughout  the  state,  and  so  general  has  become 
this  practice  that  a  jiaper  without  a  church  column  is  now  the  exception  and 
not  the  rule. 

Louis  W'illard  C(.ibb  was  the  second  son  of  the  late  O.  V.  and  Caroline 
(Foulk)  Cobb,  and  through  his  father  was  a  descendant  of  the  noted  Re\-olu- 
tionarv  War  hero,  William  Crawford.     Louis  ^\''illard  Cobb  was  married  on 


■>  ■■■ ,  ,.^vl  ,i-i,, 


DEARBORN    COUNTY^    INDIANA.  70 1 

September  30,  1S75.  to  Mary  Emma  McCreary,  \\lu>,  with  three  cliildrer:, 
Inez  S.,  Frank  Mac  and  L.  W'illard,  Jr.,  survi\e  him.  Since  his  death  b.is 
widow,  Mrs.  Mar}'  E.  Cobb,  and  his  daughter,  Inez  S.,  have  continued  the 
pubhcation  of  the  paper  to  which  his  hfe  and  interests  had  all  been  devoted. 


JOSEPH  RUSSELL  HOl'STON,  A.  M. 

The  biog'raphy  of  a  man  of  fine  education  and  character  serves  as  a 
photograph  for  future  generations,  and  gives  cause  for  regret  in  not  having 
had  the  pleasure  of  a  personal  acquaintance.  It  provides  food  for  thought 
for  his  descendants,  and  serves  as  the  whip  that  urges  them  on  to  accomplisii 
the  best  of  which  they  are  capable,  and  fit  themselves  to  take  their  place  in 
human  affairs. 

Joseph  Russell  Houston,  superintendent  of  city  schools,  Aurora,  Indiana, 
is  a  son  of  William  and  Jennie  (Russell)  Houston,  and  was  born 
on  Febniary  29,  1S64,  at  Sparta,  Indiana,  and  was  reared  on  his  father's 
farm.  His  early  education  was  obtained  at  the  district  school,  and  he  later 
was  graduated  from  ^Nfoores  Elill  College  in  1893,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Arts,  and  two  years  later  with  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts.  He  began 
teaching  when  twenty  }-ears  old,  and  has  followed  that  vocation  ever  since. 
He  was  principal  of  the  Cochran  public  schools  four  years,  and  was  then  ap- 
pointed superintendent  of  the  Aurora  public  schools,  which  position  he  has 
held  for  the  past  nineteen  vears.  Professor  Houston  is  a  loyal  Democrat,  and 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  belongs  to  Dearborn  Lodge,  Knights  of 
Pythias,  and  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America. 

William  Houston,  father  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
born  in  County  Antrim,  Ireland,  and  came  to  America  when  but  twelve  years 
old,  with  his  parents,  who  settled  in  Sparta  tow^nship.  Dearborn  county,  In- 
diana, where  he  grew  to  manhood.  His  wife,  Jennie  (Russell)  Houston, 
was  eight  years  old  when  she  came  to  America  with  her  parents.  After  his 
marriage  Mr.  Houston  rented  farms  for  several  years,  and  then  bought  a 
small  tract  on  the  Lawrenceburg  and  Aurora  road,  where  they  spent  tlie 
remainder  of  their  lives,  Mr.  Houston  dying  in  May,  1913,  and  his  wife  in 
January  of  the  same  year,  aged  eighty-one  and  seventy-five  years,  respect- 
ively. Both  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  To  this  union  vere 
born   ten   children,    namely:      i\!artha,    Mary,    Joseph    R.,    Sarah^    William, 


y02  DEARBORN'   COUNTV,   IXDIAXA. 

Sanmel,  Hattio.  Frederick  and  two  who  died  in  infanc}'.  Martha  is  Ihx- 
wife  of  W.  J.  French,  and  resides  at  [Nloores  Hill,  Indiana  ;  ^lary  is  now 
Mrs.  Edward  Adkins,  and  is  also  a  resident  of  Moores  Hill;  Joseph  R.  n:alces 
his  home  at  Aurora;  Sarah  became  the  wife  of  Henry  Bohrink,  of  Lawrence- 
burg;  A\'illiam  !i\-es  in  Lawrenceburg  township;  Samuel  is  in  busiriess  at 
Brownstown.  Indiana;  Hattie  lives  with  her  br(^t]ier  \\"illian),  and  Frederick 
lives  at  Brownstown. 

The  paternal  grandfather  \\-as  Samuel  Houston,  anil  his  wife  was  ~\h\\ 
Houston.  They  settled  in  Sparta  township  in  pioneer  days,  where  they 
followed  farming,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  dying  at  a  good 
old  age.  They  had  a  large  family  of  children ;  Hugh,  John,  William, 
Thomas,  Samuel,  James.  Martha,  Mary,  James,   ^Margaret,  and  others. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  William  Russell.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
were  natives  of  Ireland,  of  Scotcli-Irish  descent,  and  were  early  settlers  in 
Sparta  township.  Dearborn  county.  Mr.  Russell  was  a  prominent  member  in 
the  Sparta  Presbyterian  church.  He  died  aged  about  fifty  years,  and  his 
wife  lived  to  an  old  age.  To  this  union  were  birn  five  children;  Jennie, 
John,  William,  Martha  and  Joseph. 

Joseph  Russell  Houston  was  married  on  August  ii,  1897.  to  Dai-y 
Holliday,  daughter  of  William  and  Louisa  (Gridley)  Holliday.  Mrs. 
Houston  was  born  on  January  23,  1875,  at  Wynn,  Indiana.  She  is  an  earnest 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

William  Holliday,  father  of  Mrs.  Daisy  Houston,  was  born  in  Indiaria, 
and  his  wife,  Louisa  (Gridley)  H(.)lliday,  was  a  native  of  Ohio.  They  were 
early  settlers  in  Franklin  county,  where  Mr.  Flolliday  was  engaged  as  a 
wagon  maker,  being  located  at  Brookville.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Ci'.il 
War,  serving  in  Compan}'  I,  One  Hundred  and  l-'orty-sixth  Regiment,  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry,  ser\ing  eij^ht  months  at  the  close  of  the  war.  His  death 
occurred  January  7,  1003,  aged  fifty-two  years.  His  wife  is  still  living. 
Their  children  were ;     Edward,  Nellie,  Daisy,  Mary,  William  and  Frank. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Houston  was  Samuel  Holliday,  and 
his  wife  was  Mary  ( Isgreeg)  Holliday,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Mary- 
land, respectively.  Mr.  Holliday  was  a  wagon  maker  by  trade.  He  and 
his  wife  lived  to  an  ath^anced  age,  and  had  the  following  children ;  Squire, 
Elizabeth,  Hester,  Jane,  ilartin  and  William. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Houston  was  Francis  Gridley,  who 
married  Caroline  Du  Vail,  both  natives  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Gridley  followed  farm- 
ing all  his  life,  and  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years.     His  wife   still 


/It 


/v;'/  -    ,/  -An;  : 


'[olA    ^-V 


DEARBORN  COUXTV,  INDIANA.  703 

survives  liim  at  the  age  of  ninety  years,  Inle  and  hearty.  To  this  union 
were  born  the  following  children:  .\lberl,  Louisa,  Ella,  Clarissa,  U'illiani 
C.  and  IMary. 

Profe^.-^or  Houstor!  has  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  he  is  one  of  the 
most  \alual)Ie  servants  of  the  public,  and  that  his  work  will  remain  a  marker 
Ki  h.is  nieniory,  kmg  rears  after  his  usefidncss  lias  ceased. 


GEORGE  \Y.  SA\\'DON. 


Prominent  among  th.e  names  worthy  of  honorable  mention  is  that  <.>f 
George  W.  Sawdc'U,  whose  ancestors,  like  hundreds  of  others,  felt  the  call  ■ 
of  the  new  world,  and  also  like  hundreds  of  others,  were  preparetl  to  take 
their  chance  for  success  in  the  tide  of  emigration,  the  flow  of  which  has  lost 
none  of  its  h;irce  as  time  has  advanced.  The  father  of  the  immediate,  subject 
of  this  sketch  came  from  England,  that  "tight  little  isle"  that  has  contributed 
such  a  large  number  of  desirable  citizens  to  this  country. 

Georg'e  W.  Sawdon,  farmer.  \\'ashington  township.  Dearborn  count}-, 
was  horn  on  ]\Iay  7,  1846.  on  his  father's  farm  in  the  township  w^here  he  now 
resides.  He  is  a  son  of  William  and  PLinnah  (Cornforth)  Saw  don.  Tie 
was  graduated  from  the  public  schools  and  remained  at  home  until  186 J, 
when  he  enlisted  in  the  L'nion  army  in  the  Civil  War.  serving  about  six 
months,  during  which  time  he  participated  in  many  skirmishes.  Pie  was 
mustered  in  August  19.  and  \\'as  captured  by  Kirby  Smith,  at  Richmond, 
September  i,  of  that  year,  during  some  heavy  fighting,  and  was  in  a  uu.mber 
of  other  engagements,  after  which  he  returned,  and  was  paroled  in  camp 
at  Indianapolis.  Immediately  after  the  war,  he  returned  home  and  entered 
school  at  Oberlin,  Ohio,  after  which  he  completed  his  education  at  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  .\fter  his  marriage  ]\Ir.  Sawdon  inherited  a  splendid  farm  from  his 
father,  and  at  once  began  the  \ocation  of  an  agriculturist,  \vhich  he  has  since 
followed.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Grange  since  1873,  and  was  repre- 
sentative at  the  state  Grange  on  several  occasions,  and  has  held  the  offices  of 
steward,  overseer  and  chaplain  Air.  Sawdon  is  a  blaster  ]Mason,  w  hich  order 
he  joined  in  1873,  and  in  1884  he  became  a  Royal  Arch  Mason.  Pie  has 
always  been  a  public-spirited  man,  and  from  1874  to  1879  was  township 
trustee. 

William    Sawdon,    father   of   our   subject,    was   born    on    December   24. 


:l-j  h 


704  DEARBORX  COIXTV,  INDIANA. 

iSii.  in  '^'orksliire.  England,  and  was  a  son  of  William  and  Ami  (Boddy'i 
Sawdon,  and  was  brought  to  America  by  an  uncle,  who  reared  and  educated 
him.  He  was  a  bound  apprentice  to  a  shoemaker  in  England  and  worked 
at  his  trade  in  Cincinnati.  He  came  to  what  is  known  as  Sawdon  Ridge, 
Miller  township,  Dearborn  county,  after  the  flood  of  1832,  and  lived  there 
until  his  death.  ]\Ir.  Sawdon  was  married  on  .March  4,  1835,  to  Hannah 
Cornforth,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Jane  Cornforth,  natives  of  England,  and 
came  to  America  in  tlie  early  thirties.  To  this  union  were  born  eight  children, 
as  follow:  Thomas  H.,  Robert  C,  Sarah  J.,  JMartha  A.,  Alary  E.,  George 
W.,  Hattie  E.  and  Emma  H.  Mrs.  William  Sawdon  was  born  on  April  27, 
181 5,  in  England,  and  died  on  December  29,  1S74,  in  Dearborn  county.  Mr. 
Sawdon  w-as  married,  secondly,  March  26,  1876,  to  Airs.  Eliza  Ann  Shoup, 
who  was  born  on  Jtdy  15,  1S26,  near  Wilmington,  Indiana,  and  was  the 
mother  of  three  children  b}'  her  first  husband,  Edward,  Thomas  and  James 
Shoup.     Air.  Sawdon  was  eighty-four  years  old  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

\\'illiam  Sawdon,  Sr.,  the  paternal  grandfather,  was  born  on  Alarch 
21,  1786,  in  Yorkshire,  England.  His  wife,  Ann  (Boddy)  Sawdon,  was 
also  a  native  of  England,  and  on  account  of  her  poor  health,  they  started 
for  America,  but  she  died  in  June,  1S30,  while  on  the  voyage,  and  was  buried 
at  seat.  Air.  Sawdon  settled  in  Dearborn  county,  and  was  married  to  Alary 
Liddle,  who  was  bom  on  October  16,  1807.  On  the  fann  where  they  lived 
was  a  block  house  for  protection  from  Indians.  The  first  school  house  in  this 
part  of  the  county  was  near  the  block  house.  There  were  five  families  living 
on  the  place.  An  Indian  trail  passed  through  the  farm.  He  died  on  No- 
vember 27,  1870. 

George  \\'.  Sawdon  was  united  in  marriage,  in  1S70,  with  Annie  Aliller, 
daughter  of  William  B.  and  Sarah  A.  ("Gullet)  Aliller.  She  was  born  on 
July  26,  1846,  near  Dillsboro,  Indiana.  They  have  four  children,  R.  x\din, 
Charles  Otto,  Will  Aliller  and  Laura  Alay. 

Mrs.  Sawdon  has  three  sisters  and  fi\'e  brothers:  C.  B.  Miller,  Doctor 
Miller,  of  Alontana ;  J.  G.  Aliller,  a  retired  manufacturer,  of  Ft.  Smith, 
Arkansas ;  Jennie,  who  died  in  infancy ;  Alary,  deceased ;  Emma,  who  became 
the  wife  of  H.  Schmolsmire,  and  has  had  two  children,  Florence  and  Annetta, 
both  graduates  of  DePauw  University.  Florence  is  married  and  Annetta  is 
teaching  school  at  Oklahoma. 

Air.  and  Airs.  Sawdon  are  among  the  leading  farmers  of  \\'ashington 
township,  and  are  highly  esteemed  by  their  neighbors  and  acquaintances. 


n1  ■   '  [ 


Jo6  DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

With  tlie  exception  of  a  few  years  spent  in  Cincinnati,  and  six  years' 
residence  in  Ashvilic,  XiTth  Carolina,  Afrs.  Emma  Borgerding  has  lived  in 
Aurora,  the  place  of  her  birth.  Here  it  was  that  she  attended  the  pubuc 
schools.  Her  marriage  to  her  first  husband,  August  Sunderbruch,  took  place 
on  June  3,  18S5,  and  he  passed  away  on  August  11,  1896,  when  only  thirty- 
tv.-Q  years  of  age.  Mr.  Sunderbruch.  who  \vas  a  comi>etcnt  gardener,  was  a 
native  of  Lawrenceburg.  his  parents  living  on  what  was  known  as  the  Ludlow 
hill.  ]\Ir5.  Borgerding  was  married  to  Bernard  H.  Borgerding,  of  Newport, 
Kentucky,  Octoljcr  3,  I9(.)0.  Mr.  Borgerding  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
where  he  was  for  many  Acars  a  shoe  dealer.  It_was  in  1902  that  he  came 
to  Aurora,  which  became  his  home  until  his  death  on  September  15,  191 1,  he 
being  at  the  time  forty-two  years  of  age. 

Since  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Borgerding  has  continued  the 
business  which  he  started  not  long  before  his  demise.  In  connection  wifli 
the  restaurant  Mrs.  Borgerding  has  built  up  a  splendid  trade  in  the  line  of 
confectionery,  ice  cream,  and  soda  fountain,  her  attractive  store  being  one 
of  the  popular  places  where  the  young  people  like  to  gather,  especially  on 
warm  summer  evenings. 

Mrs.  Borgerding  has  the  qualities  which  go  to  make  up  a  successful 
business  woman,  and  in  this  capacity,  as  well  as  in  her  home  life,  she  has 
won  a  large  number  of  friends  and  acquaintances.  She  is  a  deyoted  member 
of  the  Lutheran  church,  this  being  the  church  of  her  parents,  and  althougki 
her  life  is  a  busy  one,  ]\Irs.  Borgerding  finds  time  to  devote  to  the  welfare 
of  her  denomination. 


HKXRY  F.  LAUMAN. 


Since  the  soil  is  the  ultimate  source  of  wealth,  it  may  not  be  inappropriate 
to  consider  him  who  cultiyates  it  as  a  public  benefactor.  It  is  by  his  toil  tliat 
the  nations  of  the  earth  live,  and  though  his  life  may  for  the  most  part  be 
unvaried  bv  incident,  it  is  not  unimportant  to  the  world  at  large  as  well  as 
to  the  more  intimate  surroundings.  Henry  F.  Lauman,  who  was  born  in 
this  township  on  March  29,  1854,  has  followed  the  vocation  of  farming  all 
of  his  life,  as  did  his  father  before  him,  with  the  possible  exception  of  a 
few  years. 

Heury  Lauman's  father,  Adam  Lauman,  was  born  in  Germany  on 
August  17,  182S,  and  after  his  marriage  to  Mary  (Angel)  Lauman,  left  his 


I'l  ;.  r.  ... 


v'   'i-.y^v 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  707 

iialive  land  for  the  new  world  ^^■hen  he  was  only  twenty-five  years  (if  a,t;e. 
I  lis  birthplace  was  Hanover,  Germany.  1'here  did  not  seem  to  be  an\  cipen- 
iug  in  the  line  in  which  he  was  best  versed  in  the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati  to 
which  he  first  came,  and  for  two  years  he  became  a  laborer.  lie  then  began 
a  more  independent  career  hv  becoming'  the  proprietor  of  twenty  acres  in 
this  tiiwn-hip,  which  he  immediately  liegan  to  cultivate,  later  adding  an 
additional  twenty  acres.  This  property  was  near  Cold  Springs,  and  here 
he  lived  and  labored  until  iSIarch  28,  1914,  the  date  of  his  death,  at  which 
time  he  was  eight3'-six  years  of  age.  Mr.  I.^uman  was  a  Democrat  and  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  His  wife,  Mary  Angel,  was  born  in  Ger- 
many. She  came  to  this  country-  with  her  husband,  but  did  not  li\e  long- 
afterwards.  Her  three  children  were.  Mary,  Henry  and  one  child  who  passed 
away  in  infancy.  ]Mary  Lauman  was  born  in  Germany,  came  to  the  I'niied 
States  and  married  George  Ma}-er,  ^vho  lived  in  Aurora.  Their  children 
were,  Ella.  ^laurice.  William.  Colonel,  and  one  child  \\-ho  died  in  infanc\ 
After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Adam  Lauman  married  Louise  Aufterniasch, 
also  a  native  of  Germany,  who  came  to  Sparta  while  still  a  young  won:an. 
Henry  F.  Lauman  attended  school  at  Sparta,  and  later  assisted  his  father  on 
the  farm  until  he  married,  in  1884,  his  bride  being  Catherine  Zeigcnbiiie. 
who  was  born  in  Clay  township  on  x-\ugust  22,  1855.  She  was  the  daughter 
of  Christian  and  Sophia  (Deitrich)  Zeigenbine,  both  natives  of  Germany, 
who  came  to  this  country  after  their  marriage.  Their  seven  children  were. 
Charlie,  ^lary,  Minnie,  Catherine,  and  three  who  died  while  ([uite  young. 
Mary  became  the  wife  of  Henry  Licking,  who  lives  cm  a  farm  in  Clay  town- 
ship. Their  children  are,  Edward,  ]\Iaggie,  Laura,  Sarah  and  Catherine. 
Minnie  married  Christian  Licking,  of  Ccxsar  Creek  township,  is  the  mother 
of  six  children,  Louis,  Cora,  William.  We.stly,  ^label  and  Herbert. 

Henry  F.  Lauman  attended  school  at  Sparta,  and  later  assisted  his  lather 
on  the  farm  until  he  married,  in  1884,-  his  bride  being  Catherin  Zeigcnliine. 
eighty  acres  at  different  times,  making  his  land  consist  of  one  hutidred  and 
twenty  acres  in  all.  P.esides  his  farming  enterprises,  'Mw  Lauman  is  a  suc- 
cessful stock  raiser,  and  has  sold  large  quantities  of  live-stock. 

The  three  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lauman  are,  Anna,  hVederick 
and  Flora.  The  first  daughter,  who  has  achieved  distinction  as  a  nurse,  was 
bom  on  Februarv  24,  1S80.  Anna  Lauman  now  has  charge  of  the  Lutheran 
Hospital  at  Ft.  Wayne,  Lidiana,  having  graduated  froin  Moores  Hill  College, 
taught  school  and  later  graduated  from  the  Lutheran  Hospital  in  Ft.  Wayne, 
after  which  she  did  post-graduate  work  in   Philadelphia.     Miss   Lautiian   is 


70S  DEARBORX   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

very  popular  in  Ikt  chosen  profession  in  which  she  has  made  sig'nal  success. 
Her  l)rother  Frederick  was  born  on  I^Iarch  20,  iSSS,  in  this  township.  After 
attending  the  local  schools  he  took  a  course 'at  IMoores  Hill  College,  and  later 
spent  a  winter  studying  in  the  animal  huslxuidry  de])artnient  of  Purdue 
University,  at  Lafayette,  Indiana.  The  youngest  daughter,  Fkira,  wins  was 
born  on  February  _'6.  i8qi,  in  this  township,  is  li\'ing  with  her  {)arents.  She 
has  been  a  student  of  Moores  Flill  College  and  also  took  the  course  in  do- 
mestic science  at  Purtlue  University. 

yir.  and  Mrs.  Launian  believe  in  young  people  being  tluM'oughly 
ecjuipped  for  their  work  in  the  world,  and  therefore  ha\"e  gi\'cn  very  careful 
attention  to  the  education  of  their  children,  all  of -whom  have  been  given  rare 
opportunities  for  training  in  both  practical  and  theoretical  branches.  These 
parents  may  justly  be  proud  of  the  attainments  already  accomplished  by  their 
gifted  children. 

Mr.  and  ^Nlrs.  Lainnan  are  active  in  the  religious  affairs  of  their  com- 
munity, both  lieing  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  of  Cold  Springs. 

Mr.  Lauman  is  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  a  man  much  interested  in  politics 
and  the  questions  of  the  day.  He  is  noted  for  his  honor  as  a  business  man. 
his  devotion  to  his  home  and  its  interests,  and  his  loyalty  as  a  friend,  neighl^or 
and  citizen. 


TPIOMAS    BEXTOX    COTTJXGHAM. 

Much  credit  must  be  gi\tn  to  those  farmers  who  for  a  number  of  years 
have  worked  steadilv  away  at  their  chosen  field  of  endeavor,  giving  their 
best  thought  and  energy  to  the  difficult  problems  of  agricultural  life,  and 
who  at  the  same  time  ha\"e  not  been  blind  to  the  various  needs  of  their  com- 
munity, but  have  made  themselves  felt  as  an  influence  for  good  among  their 
fellows.  Dearborn  county  has  reason  to  be  proud  of  the  many  true  me!i 
she  has  produced,  among  whom  is  Thomas  Benton  Cottingham,  a  well-known 
farmer  of  IMiller  township. 

T.  B.  Cottingham  was  born  at  Logan  Cross  Roads,  Dearborn  county, 
Indiana,  on  .\pril  3.  1846.  He  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  ]\Iills 
(Stohmes)  Cottingham,  natives  of  Yorkshire,  England,  and  Ohio,  respect- 
ively. 

Thomas  Cottingham.  Sr.,  was  born  in  Yorkshire.  England,  in  1810.  and 
at  an  early  age  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  America.     They  settled  near 


■  ■    Ir    .: 


>■;    ■■      .  1 


DEARBORN'   COrNTV,  INDIANA.  709 

P.altiinoro,  IVrarvland.  A  short  time  after  the  death  of  the  father,  Thomas 
Ciittinpliam.  Sr.,  came  with  his  mother  to  Cincinnati.  Here  he  received  tlie 
ru(h'ments  of  a  common-schodl  education  and  learned  tlic  Ijlack-^milh's  trade 
iiy  a]iprenticeship.  Later  removing  to  Dearborn  county  and  settling  on  a  farm 
at  Logan  Cross  Roads,  he  huilt  a  shoji  and  followed  his  tnide  as  a  blacksmith. 
The  farm  where  he  located  was  oljtained  from  Alfnrd  Stohmes.  his  liinlher- 
indaw,  for  whom  he  assumed  certain  financial  obligations.  Thomas  Cot- 
tingham  was  married  to  Sarah  ]Mills  Stohmes,  a  native  of  Delhi,  Ohio,  born 
in  1S15.  To  this  union  were  horn  nine  children,  as  follow:  Eliza,  Charlotte, 
deceased:  Alonzo.  Sarali  Amelia,  Jacob,  deceased;  Thomas  B.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch:  Matilda,  decea-ed :  Louisa,  deceased;  and  one  child  who  died 
in  infancy.  The  mother  of  these  children,  Sarah  Mills  (Stohmes)  Cot- 
tingham,  died  on  the  farm,  in  Harrison  township,  in  1850,  at  the  earl\-  agi' 
of  thirt\-fi\e  years.  The  father,  Thomas  Cottingham,  Sr.,  after  operating 
his  ninet_\-acre  farm  in  Harrison  towii>liip  and  following  his  blacksmith's 
trade  for  a  number  of  years,  spent  the  last  fifteen  years  of  his  life  with  a 
daughter,  Mrs.  Lidflle.  of  Bright,  Indiana.  He  died  at  the  ripe  old  age  of 
nearly  eightv-seven  vears.  He  was  an  active  Democrat,  having  served  as 
trustee  of  Harrison  township  one  term. 

T.  B.  Cottingham,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  grew  up  in  Harrison  town- 
ship. Dearborn  county,  Lidirna,  and  received  a  common-school  education 
in  the  district  township  schools.  He  remained  on  the  Inime  farm  until  eighteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  w<jrked  out  at  different  places  for  himself.  Reared 
a  farmer,  he  chose  his  vocation  as  such,  and,  with  the  exception  of  three  O'" 
four  vears  in  which  he  was  engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  business  at 
Bright,  Luliana.  in  partnershij:)  with  W.  S.  h'agalev,  he  has  followed  farming 
all  his  life.  After  his  marriage,  in  1874,  he  continued  in  the  mercantile 
business  for  about  a  year,  and  then  sold  his  interest  and  bought  a  farm  of 
sevent}-five  acres  in  Miller  township.  After  living  here  for  about  six  years 
he  sold  the  fami  and  bought  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres,  to  whicli  he  nioxed  in  1S81,  and  where  he  has  continued  to  reside.  Mr. 
Cottingham  has  a  tjeautifnl  farm,  kcjjt  in  excellent  shape,  and,  located  on 
high  ground,  his  place  commands  a  magnificent  view  of  the  surroun.ding 
country. 

On  June  24,  1874,  T.  E.  Cottingham  was  married  to  Louisa  Langtlale,  a 
native  of  Miller  township.  Dearborn  conntv,  Indiana,  who  was  born  on 
January  29.  1844.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Robert  Hill  and  ^Llrtha  (  Colvin) 
Langdale.     To  this  happy  union  were  born  three  children,   Stanley  L.,   de- 


-,,  ,  :1 


-i^' 


7IO  DEARBORX   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

ceased ;  Howard  and  Edna  A.  Howard  niarried  Elizaljctli  Reiick  and 
operates  the  home  farm.  They  have  three  children,  Atjnes,  Clayton  anrl 
Albert  S.  Edna  married  J.  D.  ^Nloore,  and  lives  at  Charleston,  West  V'ir- 
g'inia,  and  they  have  three  children.  Rossebell,  Louisa  and  Thomas  Benton. 
Mrs.  Lonisa  (Langdale)  Cottinghani  died,  May  i,  1911,  a  loving  wife  and 
devoted  mother  and  lo\ed  by  all  who  knew  her. 

Mr.  Cottingliam,  as  was  his  beloved  wife,  is  an  ardent  member  of  the 
Christian  church.  He  has  been  an  elder  in  the  church  at  Bright,  Indiana, 
since  its  organization,  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  its  work. 
Mr.  Cottingliam  is  not  affiliated  with  any  lodges,  and,  although  an  active 
Democrat,  he  has  not  held  public  office.  T.  B.  Cottingliam,  who  is  now 
practically  retired,  is  a  fair  type  of  the  prosperous  and  progressive  farmer. 
He  is  a  companionable  man  of  cheery  disposition,  genteel  and  sociable.  A 
man  who  stands  for  what  he  thinks  is  right  and  just,  he  is  favorably  known 
and  looked  upon  as  an  honorable  citizen. 


MARTHA  AND  MARY  E.  REES. 

In  their  comfortable  farm  home,  located  on  the  crest  of  a  gently-sloping 
hill,  overlooking  the  beautiful  Ohio  valley,  live  "Martha  and  Mary  E.  Rees 
worthv  representatives  of  one  of  the  pir.neer  families  of  Lawrenceburg  tow'ii- 
ship.  The  Alisses  Rees  have  done  well  their  part  in  advancing  the  best  inter- 
ests of  this  neighborhood,  and  have  a  host  of  friends  hereabout. 

Mary  and  Martha  Rees,  daugliters  of  Amos  and  INIary  (Daniel)  Rees. 
were  born  and  reared  in  Dearborn  county,  near  Lawrenceburg.  Their 
mother  died  while  they  were  still  young,  and  they  were  reared  by 
their  father's  sister,  Martha  Rees.  They  still  live  at  the  old  homestead,  which 
embraces  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  in  Lawrenceburg  township. 
In  addition  to  this  tliev  o\vn  another  farm  of  about  twenty-nine  acres  in  the 
same  township.  Thev  are  devoted  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
of  Lawrenceburg,  and  take  an  active  part  in  the  church  work. 

Amos  Rees,  the  father,  was  born  in  Dearborn  county  in  1815,  and  spent 
his  entire  life  on  farms  in  Lawrenceburg  township.  His  death  occurred  in 
November,  1886.  His  wife  was  Mary  Daniel,  born  in  1816.  She  belonged 
to  the  Methodist  church.  Her  parents  were  William  and  Rebecca  Daniel. 
They  came  from  Virginia  at  an  early  day,  and  lived  for  some  time  near  Dills- 
boro,  Indiana. 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  '  71I 

The  jjatornal  grand  father  was  David  Rees,  a  Quaker,  wlio  came  fro.n 
llcrkeley  county,  Virginia,  to  Indiana  in  1S07.  He  had  previously  made  a 
Irip  in  1803.  He  h'ved  to  he  ahout  forty  years  old.  His  wife  was  Susanna 
Daniel.  Ity  whom  he  had  the  following  children:  Jacob,  John,  Amos,  Martha, 
Davitl,  Rezin.  and  one  wIili  died  in  infancy.  After  her  husband's  death,  ]\Irs. 
.Susanna  Roes  was  married  a  second  time,  to  Joshua  Sanks,  and  they  were 
the  parents  of  two  sons,  Samuel  B.  and  \\'illiam  F.,  both  deceaseil. 


'  ■    •    ■   GEORGE  HEXRY  MEYER. 

Among  the  well-known  and  successful  citizens  of  Lawrenceburg  town- 
ship, Dearborn  countv,  is  George  Henrv  ^.leyer.  who  is  descended  from  one 
of  the  pioneer  families  of  this  neighborliood. 

George  Henry  ?i[eyer.  son  of  John  Frederick  and  Alary  Sophia  (Erasky) 
Meyer,  was  born  on  September  27,  1870,  in  what  was  then  Miller  township, 
now  Eawrenceburg  to\vnshi]'>.  He  has  li\"ed  at  his  present  address  six  years. 
He  formerly  owned  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  acres,  which 
he  improved  and  for  which  he  was  offered  a  good  round  sum.  He  accepted 
this  offer  and  then  bought  another  splendid  farm  of  good  size,  which  he 
also  sold  to  an  advantage.  Becoming  dissatisfied  with  farm  life,  Mr.  Meyer 
made  up  his  mind  to  get  into  something  more  to  his  liking,  and  his  principal 
occupation  at  present  is  that  of  running  a  threshing  machine  outfit.  Fie  was 
appointed  road  supervisor,  and  served  for  two  terms,  ending  in  1914.  Mr 
Meyer  is  an  ardent  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

John  Frederick  Meyer  was  born  near  Hanover.  Ciermany,  about  1821, 
and  died  in  1900.  He  came  to  America  when  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age, 
and  selected  Dearborn  county  as  his  place  of  abode,  where  the  most  of  his 
life  was  s])ent.  His  chief  occupation  was  farming,  in  which  he  was  very 
successful.  In  Dearborn  county  he  owned  about  seven  hunrlred  and  eighty 
acres  of  land,  and  in  Ohio  county  he  owned  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
more,  nearly  one  thousand  acres  in  all.  His  eight  children  were  as  follow : 
Henry  J.,  John  F.,  William,  Fred  W.,  George  H.,  Mrs.  Dora  Kaiser,  of 
Aurora,  Indiana:  Mrs.  Anna  Randall,  deceased:  and  Mary,  deceased. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  John  Henry  Meyer,  who  was  born  near 
Hanover,  Germany,  in   1801,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  was  married. 


q       ^M- 


;.  1  '"    'ij" 


;i,  !.:r,:-^f  I    '-.^ 


uH 


712  •  DEAREOKX   C'JL'XTV,   IXDIANA. 

His  occupation  was  that  of  a  trader.  After  hearing"  the  s])lcn(H<l  reports  from 
America  lie  decided  to  pack  up  his  belongings  and  bring  his  familj-  here. 
They  settled  in  Dearborn  comity,  where  they  resided  for  a  time,  and  later 
mo\ed  to  Spencer  cou!it\-,  where  his  wife  died,  and  then  he  went  to  Ripley 
comity  and  made  his  home  for  a  time  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Anna  Bahlmer, 
au'l  llien  went  to  the  hiime  of  his  sou,  Ji^hn  F.,  in  Dearborn  county,  where 
he  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life.  He  was  about  eighty  years  old  wdien  he 
died.  They  were  the  ]Kirents  of  the  following  chiklren  :  Jolm  Frederick 
Aieyer   (called  Frederick),   ]\Irs.   Anna  Bahlmer  and  John  ]Meyer. 

On  April  25,  1S95,  George  Henry  ^Nleycr  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Rosa  Marguerite  IClizahelh  Wnlher.  dau.ghtcr  of  Frederick  W'olber  and  Mary 
(Piutt)  W'olber.  She  was  born  on  January  i,  1872,  in  Lawrenceburg  town- 
ship, where  slie  grew  up  and  received  her  early  education  at  the  German  aiul 
district  'schools.  She  is  a  member  of  the  German  Lutheran  church.  To  Mr. 
and.  Mrs.  ^feyer  have  been  born  two  children.  Louise  Mary,  now  seventeen 
years  old.  and  a  son  ',\ho  died  in  infancy. 

Frederick  W'olber,  father  of  ]\Irs.  Me^er,  \vas  born  in  Clay  townsliip, 
February  20,  1850.  Flis  wife  was  bi>rn  on  April  13,  1848.  at  Sunman,  Indi- 
ana. Tiiey  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  namely:  Mrs.  Ivatie  INbilter, 
Mrs.  -Mary  Cramer,  Anna,  ]\L"s.  Clara  Alolter,  Henry,  3.1rs.  Rosa  Meyer,  and 
one  uhij  died  in  infancy.  The  paternal  grandparents  of  ]slrs.  Meyer  came 
from  Germanv,  probabh'  near  Hanover. 


ELLA  JAXE   (BRUMBLAY)  JOHNSTON. 

Mrs.  Ella  Jane  (  Brimiblay )  Johnston,  widow  of  Columbus  Johnston,  is 
one  of  the  best-known  and  well-beloved  citizens  of  Sparta  township,  this 
county,  where  she  has  long  resided,  and  is  now  tra\-eling  life's  path  without 
the  companionship  of  the  husband  who  so  carefully  guarded  her  from  all 
hardships  and  cares  during  their  many  years  spent  together.  Being  well 
educated,  and  springing  from  a  good  family,  she  made  a  suitable  and  intelli- 
gent life-partner  for  her  husband,  who  was  held  in  high  estimation  in  his 
community,  because  of  liis  high  character  for  honesty  and  integrity. 

Ella  Jane  Brumbiay  ^vas  born  in  Sparta  township.  Dearborn  county. 
Indiana,  on  June  2^.  1852,  daughter  of  Da\is  M.  and  Sara  Catherine  (Givan) 
Brumbla}-.  She  recei\ed  her  early  education  in  the  pul.)lic  schools  and  later 
attended  ^loores  Hill  College,  living  at  home  until  her  marriage. 


^^^^^^*^^ 


§^- 


'■*.& 


'\ 


^;'?S 


i^tfeatei  lifeifitfi  <■  ;',-ia>L-}fe;„ 


^ 


COLU.MBUS   JOHXSTOX 


DEAKBORX   COL'XTY,   IXPIANA.  7I3 

Davis  M.  P>mml)la}-  was  born  on  ]\Iay  6,  i8jS,  in  Sparta  township,  oi> 
taiin'ng-  his  education' at  the  district  schools  and  tanght  scliool  for  two 
\ears.  He  remained  on  tlie  farm  and  cared  for  his  father  until  the  latter's 
death,  and  then  took  over  the  farm,  spending  the  rest  of  his  life  there,  lie 
was  a  son  r>f  John  and  Elizabeth  (  McGee)  Brumblay,  and  was  united  in  niar- 
ri.ige  on  May  4.  184S,  to  Sara  Catherine  Gi\-an,  who  was  born  on  Dccemlier 
16,  1829,  in  Sjiarta  township,  daughter  of  Gilbert  T.  and  Sara  (Merrill) 
(iivan  They  li\"ed  on  the  old  (ii\-an  liome  place  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Gi\-an 
on  June  22.  IQ03.  To  this  union  were  bitrn  se\'en  children,  six  of  whom  died 
in  infancy,  Davis  "SI.  being  the  onh'  one  wlio  greu'  to  maturity. 

John  and  Elizabeth  (McGee)  Brumblav  were  both  natives  of  ^Maryland 
and  belonged  to  the  Society  of  h'riends.  They  came  overland  to  Indiana  1)\' 
the  wagon  trail,  when  middle  aged,  and  settled  in  'Sparta  townsiu'p.  this 
county,  entering  land  from  the  government,  on  which  they  spent  the  rest  if 
their  lives,  John  Brumbla}'  dying  at  the  age  of  se\'enty-two  years,  and  his 
wife  at  qtiite  an  advanced  age.  Their  children  were:  John.  Da\'is,  Ami;!, 
Sarali,  Elizabeth  and  Mar}-.  John  Brumblay  married  Aima  Truet,  and  li\-ed 
in  Sparta  township.  They  were  the  p.arents  of  elc\'en  children,  George  I\.. 
Albert,  J<ilui,  Frank.  Gatcli.  Charlie,  Elizabeth,  ]\tary  Jane,  Haltie,  Maggie, 
and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Anna  Brumblay  became  the  wife  of.  IvDliert 
Givan,  and  li\ed  in  Dearborn  countw  She  dieil  and  he  remarried  and  by  the 
second  marriage  had  seven  children,  George,  Joseph,  Matilda,  ]!elle,  ]\Iol!ie. 
Aria  and  Hattie.  Sarah  Brumblay  married  John  D.  Johnson  and  lived  in 
Dearborn  county.  Their  cb.ildren  were  Joseph,  Benjamin,  Wesley,  Frank, 
I'urnell.  William,  .Vnna,  Mahaley  and  two  who  died  in  infancy.  Elizabeth 
Brumblay  married  John  Hines,  who  died,  whereupon  site  married,  secondly. 
Berry  Miller,  of  Aurora,  diis  county,  and  had  two  children.  Perry  and  Frank- 
lyn,  tlie  latter  dying  in  infancy.  ^lary  Bnunblay  married  John  Ilines  au<! 
lived  in  Ripley  county.  They  were  the  parents  of  Elizabeth,  Mary  Ann,  John, 
James,  Alfred,  Emma  and  Frank. 

Gilbert  T.  Givan  was  born  on  July  31,  17S9,  in  Worcester  county,  Mary- 
land, and  his  marriage  took  place  on  December  2,  1813,  in  Accomac  county, 
\'irginia.  His  wife  was  Sarah  C.  Merrill,  daughter  of  George  and  Charlotte 
Merrill,  born  on  September  6,  1795,  in  Accomac  county,  Virginia.  Mr. 
Givan  died  on  February  8.  1S62.  and  his  wife  died  on  July  28,  1861.  They 
were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  Margaret  M.,  Albert  G.,  John  W..  Robert 
H.,  Elizabeth  A..  ]\Iaria  J.,  George  !\I.,  Sarah  R.,  Adoniran  J.,  Peter  M.,  .A.!- 
fred  B.  and  Sandford  G. 


fVo      I.-, 


Ihifn,^ 


714  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

On  January  4,  1S70,  Ella  Jane  P.runiblay  was  married  to  Columbus 
Johnston,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Karney)  Johnston.  lie  was  born  Jan- 
uary 7,  1S34,  in  Manchester  to\vnshii».  Dearborn  county,  where  lie  attendeii 
the  pulilic  schools,  receiving  the  !)est  education  afforded  in  those  days,  an.l 
later  educated  himself.  Mr.  Johnston  was  a  stanch  Democrat  and  .^^crved 
this  district  as  representative  for  two  terms  in  the  state  Legislature  and  as 
state  senator  four  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and 
of  the  Masonic  Order  and  was  at  all  times  a  public-spirited  citizen. 

To  Columbus  and  Ella  Jane  (Bruniblay)  Johnston  were  born  two  children, 
Edgar  F.  and  Florence,  the  latter  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Edgar  Johnston 
was  born  in  Sparta  township,  this  county,  in  1874.  and  was  married  to  Ele;ie 
Friedlev,  of  Madison.  Indiana.  They  reside  at  South  Bend,  Indiana,  and  have 
had  five  children,  ITiedley,  William  (deceased),  Frederick,  Mary  and  Rob- 
ert. ]Mrs.  Johnston  also  has  an  adopted  daughter,  whoin  she  reared.  Edna 
Haq)er,  who  married  Lownes  Runner,  of  ]\lilan.  liuliana.  and  lias  two  chil- 
dren. George  II.  and  Gladys  FZ. 

]Mrs.  Johnston  numbers  among  her  friends  the  entire  community  in 
which  she  resides. 


GEORGE  AUGUST  DIETRICH. 

George  August  Dietrich,  a  well-known  farmer  and  dairyman  of  Law- 
renceburg  township.  Dearborn  county.  Indiana,  who  has  been  a  resident  or 
Dearborn  county  all  his  life  thus  far,  was  born  on  October  3,  1877,  in  Law- 
renceburg,  Indiana,  the  son  of  August  and  Louise  (Flaspel)  Dietrich.  The 
father  was  a  well-known  cabinetmaker  of  Lawrenceburg,  \vho,  after  coming 
to  this  country  from  Switzerland,  first  settled  in  Pittsburgh,  and  later  moved 
to  Cincinnati,  and  still  later  to  Lawrenceburg.  After  coming  to  this  city  he 
was  married  to  Louise  Haspel,  in  Lawrenceburg,  and  made  this  city  his  home 
the  balance  of  his  life.  There  were  si.x:  children  born  to  August  and  Louise 
(Haspel)  Dietrich,  as  follow:  Mrs.  Matilda  Poehlman,  Albert,  George,  Ar- 
thur, August  and  Carl.  Mrs.  Poehlman  has  had  five  children,  Louzetta. 
Flarrv,  Calanthia,  and  two  deceased.  Albert  has  three  children,  Chester,  Don- 
ald and  Isabelle.  George  has  three  children,  Florine,  Louise  and  Edwin. 
Arthur  has  three  children.  Harold,  Robert  and  Ruth. 

Mr.  Dietrich's  mother,  Mrs.  Louise  (Haspel)  Dietrich,  who  was  born  in 


M 


DEARBORN    COUXTV,   INDIANA.  715 

ricnnaiiy,  came  to  America  when  eight  years  old  and  settled  first  at  Cinciii- 
nati,  and  later  at  Lawrenceburg'.  Her  parents,  who  were  William  antl  Louise 
llas[icl,  both  died  at  Lawrenceburg.  Mrs.  Dietrich  is  still  living  at  Lawrence- 
burg, a  member  of  the  St  Emanuels  church  and  of  the  Uebekah  lodge.  Her 
husband  died  in  1SS4. 

George  August  Dietrich,  who  attended  the  jjublic  and  high  sclmols  of 
Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  afterward  learned  the  machinist's  trade,  and  fnllowed 
this  trade  fourteen  years.  For  several  years  he  has  maintained  a  dairy  in 
Lawrenceburg  townshijo,  and  supplies  a  large  anmunt  cif  dairy  j.rmlncts  to  pt-n- 
[ile  living  in  Lawrenceburg.  Mr.  Dietrich  has  one  of  the  most  ni'idern  dairies 
to  be  found  in  Dearbr>rn  count}-,  and  during  late  }-ears  has  built  uj)  a  large 
])atronage  in  the  dairy  business.  His  dairy  is  equipped  with  all  the  modern 
conveniences  and  devices  for  furnishing  pure  milk  and  btitter  to  his  patrons. 

George  August  Dietrich  was  married  on  Noveml)er  7,  1901,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-five,  to  Mollie  Edith  I'aker,  daughter  of  Z.  Taylor  and  ]\Iollie  (Mu!- 
lin)  Baker.  To  this  happy  union  ha\-e  been  born  three  children,  I'doriue  Xow- 
lin,  Edith  Louise  and  Edwin  Baker,  all  of  whom  arc  li\-ing  at  home  with  their 
parents.  Mrs.  Dietrich  was  born  on  August  4,  i88i,  in  Lidianapolis,  Indian.'., 
and  was  brought  to  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  when  three  months  old,  by  hei 
parents.  Here  she  attended  the  public  schools,  and  afterwards,  completed  he. 
education  by  three  years'  study  in  the  academy  at  Oldenburg,  Luliana.  Her 
father,  who  was  born  and  reared  at  Manchester.  Indiana,  was  a  distiller  and 
\vh(.ilesale  liquor  dealer  in  Indianapcjlis  for  eight  years.  Coming  to  Man- 
chester in  iSSi,  he  lived  here  until  his  fleath,  March  26,  1887.  Mrs.  Dietrich's 
mother,  who  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  who  came  to  Pennsylvania  when  a  mere 
girl,  removed  to  Indianapolis  after  her  marriage  and  there  died,  Xovemb.J' 
18,  i88i.  She  was  the  mother  of  three  children,  ^Irs.  Flora  Belle  Morton. 
Birchard  Hayes  and  Mrs.  Mollie  Edith  Dietrich.  ]Mrs.  ^Morton  has  had  two 
children,  ]Mrs.  Jewell  Wade  Smith,  and  William,  deceased. 

The  maternal  grandparents  were  William  Holmes  and  !Margaret  (Coll- 
ier) Baker,  lioth  of  whom  were  natives  of  Dearborn  county,  where  they 
lived  all  their  lives.  He  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  and  his  wife  at  the 
age  of  seventy-three.  The  maternal  great-grandmother,  Mrs.  William  Collier, 
lived  in  Lawrenceburg  and  died  here  when  past  one  hundred  years  of  age. 

George  August  Dietrich  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  served  as  trus- 
tee of  Greendale  four  vears,  1900  to  1904.  He  belongs  to  the  Improved  Order 
of  Red  Men,  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  also  a  memljer  of  St. 
Emanuel's  Lutheran  church.  Mrs.  Dietrich  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church. 


7l6  DEARBORN"   COl'NTV,   INDIANA. 

Not  only  has  ^[^.  Dietricli  made  inan_\-  friends  in  a  business  way  in  Law 
renceburg"  and  Lawrenceburg-  township  where  lie  hves,  but  he  is  popular  per 
sonally  as  a  man  of  more  than  avera,f^e  ability  and  of  genial  pleasing'  person 
ity.      Me   is  possessed  of  an   exeeedingly  active   interest   in   the   comfort   and 
happiness  of  his  neighbors,  and  is  knr)wn  as  a  good  citizen. 


al- 


THOAIAS  M.  MILLER. 


Thomas  AI.  ]\Iiller,  fanner,  ilairyman  and  evangelist,  who  is  one  of  the 
best-known  citizens  of  Lawrenceburg  township,  TJearborn  county,  Indiana. 
with  the  exception  of  two  years,  has  lived  on  the  old  homestead  farm  all  his 
life.  lie  has  done  considerable  evangelistic  work  thrimghout  the  southern 
part  of  Indiana,  and  is  especially  well-known  as  a  powerful  and  successful 
preacher. 

Thomas  3^1.  }vliller  was  born  on  April  24,  187 1,  on  the  homestead  fann 
where  he  now  lives.  After  completing  the  prescribed  course  in  puljlic  schools 
of  Lawrenceburg  he  attended  !Moores  Hill  College  for  some  time,  and  this 
training  has  admirably  fitted  him,  not  only  for  farming,  but  for  the  ministry, 
to  which  a  considerable  portion  of  his  life  has  been  devoted. 

Thomas  AI.  ?vliller  is  tl:e  son  of  Job  and  Rachel  Miller,  the  former  of 
whom  was  Ijorn  on  June  2,  1S32,  in  Ilardentown,  DearbDrn  count}-,  Indiana. 
and  who  died  on  March  4,  1912.  A  farmer  by  occupation  he  also  operated  a 
flour-mill,  located  on  the  present  site  of  the  Greendale  distillery.  He  owned 
•a  section  of  land  in  Lawrenceburg  tiiwnship,  and  here  he  lived  during  his  en- 
tire life.  His  wife,  Rachel  (  Whipple)  Miller,  was  one  of  a  family  of  thirteen 
children.  The  others  were  Isaac,  Job,  Thomas  M.,  Airs.  Carrie  Halverstadt, 
all  of  whom  are  living,  Airs.  Abigail  Suit  and  Airs.  Harriett  Fitzpatrick,  de- 
ceased, besides  se\en  who  died  without  leaving  families.  Of  these  children, 
Isaac  married  Lulu  Knowles  and  they  had  one  child,  Isaac.  Airs.  Carrie  Hal- 
verstadt has  four  clhldren,,  .Anthony,  Rie,  Rachel  and  Opal.  Airs.  Abigail  Suit 
had  four  children,  Airs.  Carrie  Alartin,  Anthony,  and  two  deceased.  Airs. 
Harriett  Fitzpatrick  had  three  children,  Thomas,  Charles  and  Job.  Job  Alil- 
ler's  father  was  Job  Aliller,  Sr.,  who  married  Sarah  Morrison.  He  was  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania  who  came  to  Dearborn  county  when  the  land  was 
covered  with  timber,  settling  on  a  government  claim,  part  of  which  is  in  the 
hands  of  the  present  generation.     He  was  a  farmer  all  his  "life,  and  quite 


r.  ■  I ■.»]-''»■>,  ,':i!/;--riofi 


I       ..i;i  -iii 


DEAREORX   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  7I7 

successful.  He  was  married  twice.  The  seccind  wife.  Sarah  Morrison,  was 
the  grandmother  of  Thomas  'M..  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Her  parents  came 
from  Pennsylvania.  They  were  higldy  cultured  people  and  quite  well-to-do 
for  their  day  and  generation.  Mrs.  Sarah  (Morrison)  Miller's  father  and 
mother-  are  deceased. 

On  February  3,  1893,  Thomas  W.  Miller  was  married  to  Alice  T.  Hayes, 
the  daughter  of  Omer  and  ]\!inerva  Hayes,  the  former  of  wh')m  was  the  son 
of  Jacob  and  Leah  Hayes,  early  settlers  in  Dearborn  county.  Mrs.  ]\liller  was 
l)orn  and  reared  in  Dearborn  county  ami  educated  in  the  puldic  schools.  She 
was  one  of  a  family  of  seven  children.  The  others  are  Charles,  George, 
Mrs.  IMargaret  \\'eisenbach,  Walter,  Mrs.  Cora  Whiteford  and  Thomas. 
Charles  married  [Matilda  Walters,  and  they  had  one  child,  Paul.  Walter 
married  JMay  Barrows,  and  they  ha\-e  three  chihlren,  Jennie,  Odettic  and 
Katherine.  r^Irs.  Cora  \Miitefori,l  has  three  children  lixing,  Ruth,  Lucille 
and  Edna,  and  two  are  deceased.     Thomas  has  one  child,  Alice. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  'SI.  [Miller  have  Ijeen  born  four  children. 
Harriett,  Thomas,  Arnold  and  Ruth.  Harriett  is  a  school  teacher  in  Harden- 
town,  and  Thomas  is  a  student  in  the  last  \ear  of  high  schii(jl. 

The  [Miller  family  is  popular  in  Lawrenceburg  township,  where  Mr.  [Mil- 
ler owns  a  farm  of  a  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  and  a  dairy  with  forty  cattle. 
Guided  by  a  keen  and  predominant  religious  impulse,  [Mr.  Miller  has 
l)een  of  great  service  in  promoting  religious  living  in  the  ct:)mmunity  where 
he  lives.  He  is  a  man  who  believes  strongly  in  the  efficacy  of  the  Christian 
gospel  and  is  one  of  its  able  and  ardent  exponents. 


EDWARD  C.  CLEMENZ. 

Every  community  must  have  its  enterprising,  far-sighted  tmsiness  men, 
for  upon  them  depends  much  of  its  material  prosperity.  The  man  whose 
name  appears  at  the  head  of  this  biographical  record  has  long  been  a  resident 
of  this  county,  having  taken  upon  himself  the  business  interests  of  his  father 
when  the  latter  died.  He  was  born  in  Ripley  county,  near  Penntown.  on 
July  17,  1882,  and  is  the  son  of  George,  Jr.,  and  [Mary  (Hornberger)  Clem- 
enz. 

Among  those  earnest,  hopeful  young  poeple  who  in  the  earh^  days  sought 
the  shores  of  America,  were  George  Clemenz,  Sr.,  and  his  wife,  Lizzie  (Ale) 


'K:I  ■..: 


i;').--in',j    ■•-•  --.^  .^'•^  1'''  I 


7l8  DEAKliOKN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

Clemenz,  having  been  married  a  short  time  before  the  journc}-  from  their 
native  Germany.  They  finally  decided  to  make  their  home  in  Ripley  coun- 
ty, where  they  lived  until  the  death  of  the  husband  and  father  which  took  [)lace 
in  iStSS.  George  Clemenz  became  a  well-known  farmer  although  his  holdings 
included  only  eightv  acres.  Their  children  \\ere  six  in  number,  these  being 
Frcil,  John,  George.  Henry,  Louisa  (Mrs.  Mosnieier)  and  Carolina.  In 
lviplc\'  countv  this  family  of  children  were  born  and  brougdit  up.  Until  his 
marriage.  George  lived  with  his  parents,  but  soon  after  his  wedding  day.  he 
rented  a  farm  in  the  same  county,  living  there  until  he  and  his  wife  removed 
to  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  which  was  about  the  year  1893.  In  this  year,  he 
changed  his  occupation  from  that  of  farmer  to  saloon  keeper,  in  which  busi- 
ness he  remained  until  his  death.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and  an  influential 
committeeman  in  tliat  party.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Blue 
Creek  Lutheran  cluirch.  Mary  (  Hornberger)  Clemenz,  mother  of  the  suli- 
ject,  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  attended  school  there,  remo\ing  later 
to  Ripley  county  with  her  parents.  It  was  here  that  she  met  and  married 
George  Clemenz.  In  her  girlhood  home,  there  were  nine  brothers  and  sis- 
ters, as  follow:  Emma  married  George  Roehme,  a  contractor  of  Terre  Haute, 
Lidiana,  and  the\-  ha\e  se\en  children.  Esther,  Julia,  luigene.  Hellen,  Ethel, 
Paul  and  Ruth;  John,  who  married  Susan  Huber,  is  a  farmer  of  Louisville, 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  Grace,  Francis,  Pauline  and  Goldie ;  Ida,  now 
deceased,  married  George  Hill,  a  railroad  man  of  Cleves,  Ohio;  Gertrude 
married  Edward  Heibeck,  a  carpenter  of  Terre  Haute;  Edward,  Albert  Clara, 
Lillian  and  Harry  are  single. 

Edward  C.  Clemenz  is  now  owner  and  manager  of  a  saloon  and  harness 
shop,  and  is  very  well-known  in  this  community,  tie  was  educated  in  the 
county  of  his  birth,  and  in  Lawrenccville,  Indiana,  having  completed  the 
course  in  the  graded  schools.  At  his  father's  death,  it  became  necessary  for 
him  to  earn  the  main  part  of  the  living  for  his  younger  brothers  and  sisters, 
and  it  was  then  that  he  began  the  management  of  the  business  that  he  still 
retains.  In  1895,  he  bought  a  harness  and  saddlery  shop  in  Lawrenceville, 
and  since  that  time  has  been  prosperous  in  his  undertaking.  He  also  operates 
a  threshing  machine,  hiring  the  workmen,  and  contracting  for  most  of  the 
threshin,g  that  is  done  in  the  northern  part  of  Jackson  township,  ]Mr.  Clemenz 
is  proud  of  his  blooded  horses  in  which  he  takes  a  great  interest.  He  is  also 
the  owner  of  several  Percherons,  including  "Duke"  5122  and  a  registered  jack, 
"Black  Joe"  206SS,     Mr.   Clemenz  is   an   enthusiast   in   matters   relating  to 


DEARBORN   COUNTV,   INDIANA.  7X9 

horses  and  horse  racing^,  and  sucli  an  expert  has  he  become  in  jud.t;ins'.  that 
liis  opinions  are  always  respected  by  his  associates.  Like  his  father,  he  is  a 
Democrat  and  a  Lutheran,  and  contributes  Hberally  of  his  means  to  the  party 
and  cliurch  of  his  adoption.  >.■   ,.•■., 


.;,'>..         ,..       .      JOHN  HORXBERGER.      ,  ■_ 

The  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  sketch  belongs  to  one  of  the  old- 
est and  best-known  families  of  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  and  he,  person- 
ally, is  one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of  Jackson  township,  as  well  as  being  one 
of  the  wealthiest  farmers  in  Dearborn  county.  His  success  came  through,  put- 
ling  his  entire  thoughts  and  best  efforts  into  the  work  which  he  very  wisely 
selected  as  a  vocation,  when  starting  out  to  shift  for  himself,  on  arriving  at 
the  age  of  young  manhood;  and  from  the  splendid  results,  and  the  fine 
farm  which  stands  as  a  monument  to  his  ability,  it  would  be  safe  to  sav  he  is 
well  satisfied  with  his  selection. 

John  Hornberger  was  born  on  August  28,  1849,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and 
Rachel  (Klein)  Hornberger.  He  was  educated  in  the  district  schuols.  .inil 
remained  on  the  farm  until  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  was  then  married, 
and  bought  for  himself  eighty  acres  of  good  farm  land,  near  the  old  home- 
stead, to  which  he  later  added  eighty  acres  more,  dividing  his  time  and  at- 
tention between  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  also  did  threshing 
for  over  forty  years.  He  was  probably  the  first  in  the  business  in  his  section 
of  the  county,  using  horse  power  at  first,  and  later  changing-  to  steam.  ]\Ir. 
Hornberger  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  officiated  in  some  of  the  township  offices. 
holding  among  others,  that  of  township  trustee  from  1889  to  1894.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Lawrenceville,  Lidiana. 

Eor  the  history  of  Jacob  and  Rachel  (Klein)  Hornberger,  the  reader  is 
referred  to  the  sketch  of  William  Hornberger  presented  elsewhere  in  this 
VI  ilume. 

John  Hornberger  was  united  in  marriage  on  May  9,  1870,  with  Anna 
Suphia  Kretzmeier,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Dorothy  (Lomeier)  Kretzmeier, 
natives  of  Germany,  and  pioneer  farmers  near  New  Alsace,  Jackson  township. 
^Irs.  Hornberger  was  born  in  Jackson  township,  near  New  Alsace,  Feliruary 
-o,  1S54,  where  she  was  educated.  IMr.  and  Airs.  Hornberger  have  had  six 
children,  as  follow :  Emma,  married  Henrv  Westerman,  and  lives  in  Ripley 
county  on  a  farm;  John  married  x\nna  Huber,  is  farming  in  Jackson  township. 


.!!oi    T   j;.';;.i^^ 


720  DEARBORN   COUXTV,  INDIANA. 

and  they  have  three  children.  Raymond,  Sophia,  and  Henry;  Minnie,  married 
Philij:)  Berg,  lives  in  Jackson  township  on  a  farm,  and  is  the  mother  of  two 
children,  In-in  and  Esther;  Edward  married  Anna  Probst,  is  also  a  farnier 
in  Jackson  township,  and  three  children  have  blessed  this  union,  Paul.  Ilelen. 
and  Mildred;  Lydia  married  Albert  Huber.  who  is  a  farmer  in  Jackson  town- 
ship;  and  one  child  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Hornberger  is  now  living'  a  retired  life  on  his  fine  farm  of  one  hun- 
dren  and  sixty  acres,  where  he  enjoys  the  high  esteem  of  the  citizens  of  his 
community. 


HENRY  FABER. 


The  parents  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  biography  set  up  their 
cabin  home  in  what  is  now  Jackson  township  when  it  was  an  unbroken  wilder- 
ness, and  at  a  time  when  Indians  were  their  neighbors.  Deer  antl  other 
wild  animals  made  their  way  through  the  forest  close  to  the  primiti\c  home 
of  George  Allen  Falier  and  his  wife,  Mary  Elizabeth,  the  parents  of  Henrv 
Faber,  whose  name  appears  al)Ove.  Tlie  latter  was  born  in  Jackson  town- 
ship on  November  26,  1848,  twenty  years  after  his  parents,  leaving  their 
home  in  Muhlberg,  Germany,  had  sought  the  shores  of  America. 

George  Faber  was  born  in  1795,  and  when  still  a  young  man  first  made 
his  home  in  Pittsburgh  after  landing  in  New  York.  In  Pittsburgh  he  learned 
the  glass-blower's  trade,  and  worked  at  it  for  awhile.  After  living  for  two 
years  in  Cincinnati,  he  came  to  this  county,  buying  eighty  acres  of  government 
land  at  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  an  aci-e,  on  June  15.  1833.  The 
land  was  a  trackless  forest  except  fi.ir  the  foot-prints  of  wild  ain'mals  and  In- 
.dians,  but  he  went  to  work  w'ith  a  will,  and  with  his  faithful  wife  attending 
to  the  home  and  its  daily  needs,  he  cleared  and  cultivated  the  farm  which  he 
afterwards  handed  down  to  his  children.  His  death  occurred  in  1858.  He 
was  a  Republican  and  a  devout  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  ]Mrs.  Faber's 
maiden  name  was  Ansttenstd,  and  she  was  still  a  girl  of  fourteen  years  when 
her  parents  brought  her  to  America.  Her  marriage  took  place  in  Pittsburgh, 
in  1829.  To  this  union  nine  children  were  born,  the  names  and  dates  of  birth 
being  as  follow:  George  .\dams,  born  on  December  30.  1S30;  Jacob.  October 
II,  1833;  Mary,  February  21,  1835;  Elizabeth,  July  18,  1837;  Martin.  .March 


:  /,  i'  .■-■■>^!-y    -3(1.! 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  72  1 

21,  1S39;  John  J.,  Dcccmher  15,  1841  ;  Peter,  July  11,  1843;  \\'illi;im,  April 
17,  1847:  Henry,  Xoveniber  26,  1S48.  One  of  the  brothers,  John  J.  Faber, 
g-avc  his  life  for  his  countn,-,  for  he  died  as  a  result  of  having-  his  leg  shot 
off  at  the  battle  of  Murfreesboro,  December  31,  1862.  This  was  after 
a  year  and  a  half  of  service  in  the  army,  he  having-  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the 
Thirt^v'-second  Regiment.  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  Comi)any  Xinc,  in  Au- 
gust, 1861.  This  was  known  as  the  "German  Regiment,"  and  he  was  under 
Captain  Schwartz,  the  enrollment  taking  place  at  Lawrenceburg. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  at  Lawrenceburg  in  the  con-i- 
mon  schools.  After  the  death  of  his  father,  he  managed  the  farm  for  his 
mother  until  she  too  was  taken,  her  death  occurring  on  October  25,  1S87. 
He  then  bought  out  the  other  heirs  and  has  followed  the  farmer's  life  frnm 
then  until  the  present. 

On  April  25,  1872,  Henry  Faber  w-as  united  in  marriage  to  Louisa 
Knerr,  daughter  of  George  and  Margarette  (Fink)  Knerr,  the  latter 
of  whom  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  eighty-two.  Both  were  nati\es  of  France. 
Mrs.  Faber's  birthdate  is  July  10,  1S53.  and  she  was  educated  in  Jacksnn 
township,  the  place  of  her  birth.  Nine  children  have  blessed  this  union,  as  fol- 
low:  George  William  was  born  on  September  19,  1872;  John  Jacob,  October 
14,  1874,  and  died  on  Alay  i,  1901  ;  Jacob,  June  21,  1877,  and  died  on 
March  22,  1879;  Albert  Henry,  April  i,  1879,  died  on  May  29,  1888;  Emma 
Mary,  October  30,  188 1  ;  Jacob  Henn-,  March  29,  1884,  Lucy  Margaretta, 
June  7,  1887,  died  on  March  8,  1S89;  Mary  Margaretta,  March  i,  1890,  died 
on  June  14,  1891 ;  Benjamin  Charlie,  September  9,  1892.  died  on  Augaist  19, 
1896.  The  eldest  son,  George,  married  Jay  Keppler.  He  is  an  employee  of  the 
street  car  company  at  La  Salle,  Illinois.  Their  daughter  is  Ruth  Emrdine. 
Emma  Mary  is  Mrs.  \\'alter  E.  [Miller,  of  Sunmrm,  Indiana,  and  the  mother 
of  two  children,  Ida  Louisa  and  Howard  Henry.  Jacob  Henry  is  farming 
on  the  old  homestead,  and  is  the  husband  of  Ada  Brumpter,  their  only  child 
being  Mary  Louisa. 

Henr}'  Faber  is  one  of  the  most  enthusiastic  Republicans  in  the  county. 
The  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  is  made  evident  by  the  fact  that  he  has  been 
township  committeeman  of  Jackson  township  a  number  of  times.  Like  his 
father,  he  too,  is  a  Lutheran,  and  much  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the 
church. 

As  a  descendant  from  parents  who  were  pioneers  in  the  state,  Mr.  Faber 
lays  claim  to  special  respect,  as  ^s'ell  as  by  reason  of  his  own  merits  as  a 
man  and  as  a  loyal  citizen.      '.   ' 

(46)  ■  '■:  .  .       ■,  "  '  ,  '  '■ 


![.,.■     ■-  ■         I      \ 


722  DliAREOKX   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

WILLIAM  HORXBERGER. 

William  Honilierger  has  passed  through  that  interesting  and  absorbing 
occuijation  of  building  up  a  business,  and  is  now  enjoA'ing  tlie  fruits  of  his 
strenuous,  busy  life,  which  not  only  all'>w  him  the  necessaries,  but  the  luxuries, 
to  which  lie  is  well  entitled.  The  fine  tract  of  over  one  hundred  acres  of 
good,  rich  land,  all  in  a  fine  state  of  cultivation,  now  owned  by  Mr.  Horn- 
berger,  is  evidence  of  his  industry  and  good  management. 

William  Hornberger  was  born  on  May  2,  1863,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob 
and  Rachel  (Klein)  Hornberger.  lie  was  educated  at  the  public  schools  of 
the  district,  and  remained  at  home  until  the  time  of  his  marriage,  when  he 
bought  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  four  acres  of  fine  land  belonging  to  the 
old  liomestead.  which  he  still  farms,  and  in  1915,  Mr.  Hornberger  bought  a 
home  at  Lawrenceville,  Indiana,  consisting  of  five  acres,  and  in  addition  to 
his  farm  and  town  home,  he  owns  considerable  stock  in  the  I'\armers'  National 
Bank,  at  Sunman.  In  connection  with  his  farming  interests  he  has  carried 
on  a  custom  business  in  siirghum  molasses,  covering  a  territory  of  ten  miles 
each  way,  and  during  his  thirty-two  years  in  this  branch,  has  produced  over 
fifty-five  thousand  gallons  of  molasses.  JNIr.  Hornberger  has  always  been  a 
stanch  Republican,  and  in  1914  was  elected  to  the  office  of  township  trustee 
for  a  four-year  term,  winning  over  his  opponent  by  a  large  majority. 

Jacob  Hornberger,  father  of  the  sul)ject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  on 
August  28,  18 1 6,  at  Steinweiler,  Rheinpfalz.  German v,  and  on  arriving  at 
'the  age  of  young  manhood,  came  to  the  United  States  in  1837,  landing  at  , 
New  York,  from  whence  he  came  directly  to  Lawrenceburg.  Mr.  Horn- 
berger here  followed  the  carpenter's  trade  for  a  few  years,  and  in  1842.  he 
moved  his  family  to  Jackson  township,  where  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land, 
to  which  he  later  added  one  hundred  and  four  acres  more.  He  died  on  April 
24,  1904.  His  wife,  Rachel  (Klein)  Hornberger,  was  bom  on  March  6. 
182 1,  at  Minden  Rheinbaiern,  Germany,  and  came  to  the  L^nited  States  in 
1832  with  hei-  parents,  who  settled  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  later  moved  to 
Jackson  township.  Dearborn  county.  She  was  educated'  in  Gennany  and 
Cincinnati,  remaining  with  her  parents  until  her  marriage,  November  23, 
1843.  This  union  was  blessed  with  seven  children,  Jacob,  Michael,  John, 
Peter,  Frank,  Emma  and  William.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Jacob  Hornberger 
were  Peter  and  Katherine  (Hey)  Klein. 

W'illiam  Hornberger  was  united  in  marriage  on  April  3,  1SS4,  with 
Katherine  M.  Holzl>erger,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Julia  Ann  (Adams) 
Holzberger.     She  was  born  in  Ripley  county,  Indiana,  September  3,   1S63, 


■jd  .".ni  i;;..<:;i 


DEARBORN   COUXTY,   INDIANA.  723 

and  attended  the  township  schools,  remaining  with  her  parents  initil  her 
marriage.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  four  children,  Clara,  married 
Marrv  Weiderman,  and  is  living  at  Ridgeway,  Iowa,  on  a  farm;  they  have 
two  children,  Mildred  and  Vern;  P^arl.  married  Augusta  Heilbeck,  and  follows 
fanning  in  Tackson  township;  they  have  one  child,  Avilla ;  Ada,  married 
Peter  Probst,  is  living  in  Jackson  township  on  a  farm,  and  is  the  mother  of 
two  children,  Arnold  and  Walter;  Sarah  lives  at  home. 

Michael  Holzberger,  father  of  Mrs.  William  Ilornberger,  was  born  at 
Diespeck,  Neustadt,  Baiern,  May  8,  1833,  and  his  wife,  Julia  (Adams) 
Holzberger,  was  born  on  ]March  27,  1842,  at  Williamsburg,  Pennsylvania. 
They  resided  for  many  years  in  Jackson  township,  ?^Ir.  Holzberger  dying  on 
Tune  3.  1891,  aged  fifty-eight  years,  and  his  wife  died  on  August  24,  1907. 
aged  sixty-five  years. 

The  Homberger  family  are  members  of  the  German  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  at  Lawrenceville.  'Sir.  Hornberger  is  well  known  throughout  the 
county,  and  has  a  wide  range  of  customers  for  his  molasses  trade,  which  has 
proved  a  successful  and  remunerative  business — the  result  of  honest  business 
principles, — and  his  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  two  acres  is  one  of  the  best 
in  the  county. 


CHARLES  L.  VAN  OSDOL,  D.  D.  S. 

No  man  in  tlie  medical  profession,  in  this  neighborhood,  has  given  more 
careful  studv  or  been  more  successful  than  the  gentleman  whose  name  intro- 
duces this  sketch,  and  no  one  is  more  entitled  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  efforts 
and  sincere  interest  in  a  subject  of  such  vital  interest  to  humanity  at  large. 

Charles  L.  Van  Osdol  was  born  on  May  12,  1S54,  in  Cass  township. 
Ohio  county,  Indiana,  near  New  Plope.  His  parents  were  Nathan  A.  and 
Elizabeth  (Crowley)  Van  Osdol.  He  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in 
Ohio  county,  where  he  was  sent  to  the  district  school,  and,  after  leaving 
school,  he  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of 
age.  He  learned  the  carpenter  trade  and  followed  it,  in  connection  with 
farming,  until  he  earned  enough  to  pay  his  way  through  college.  He  was 
graduated  from  the  Miami  Medical  College.  Cincinnati,  in  1885,  and  imme- 
diately began  practicing  medicine  at  Allensville,  Switzerland  county,  where 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  his  brother,  Dr.  John  W.  Van  Osdol,  and  after 
a  period  of  over  twelve  years  he  moved,  in  1890,  to  Dillsboro,  Indiana,  and 


1  .    .:;:u..n.r;! 


I  /•'  t        'J  i  ■ 


724  llEARIiORX  COUNTY,   IXDIAXA. 

began  tlie  practice  of  dentistry,  wliich  he  followed  for  twenty-five  years.  He 
had  previously  passed  an  examination  before  the  Indiana  State  Board,  in 
1S89.  This  branch  has  been  more  to  his  hking,  and  he  has  given  it  the  same 
careful  attention  that  lie  g'a\'e  to  his  work  as  a  physician  and  surgeon.  In 
191 1  Dr.  Van  Osdol  moved  to  Aurora,  still  retaining  his  office  at  Dillslioro, 
and  continued  to  practice  in  both  places  until  December,  1914,  when  he  sold 
his  office  at  the  latter  place,  since  which  time  his  entire  attention  has  been 
devoted  to  his  jiractice  at  the  Aurora  office,  where  he  enjoys  a  large  and 
profitable  practice.  Dr.  A'an  Osdol  is  a  Republican,  and  he  belongs  to  Chap- 
man Lodge  No.  78,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  the  Aurora 
encampment,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  State  and  National  Dental  As- 
sociations. 

Nathan  A.  Van  Osdol,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania  and  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Mav  .'25,  1813.  He  was 
a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Rebecca  Van  Osdol,  and  came  to  Indiana  with  his 
parents  in  18 16,  settling  in  Ohio  comity.  For  se\eral  years  during  his  early 
life  he  did  flatboating,  going  as  far  as  New  Orleans,  and  later  bought  gov- 
ernment land,  and  from  that  time  until  his  death,  made  farming  his  principal 
business.  Tradition  has  it  that  he  started  out  in  life,  at  the  age  of  si.xteen 
years,  with  a  capital  consisting  of  one  calf,  the  sale  of  which  brought  him  the 
magnificent  sum  of  one  dollar.  During  the  winter  season,  when  the  river 
business  was  dull,  he  employed  his  time  at  coopering,  and  by  thrift  and  in- 
dustry, he  eventually  became  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  si.xty  acres  of 
valuable  land,  which  he  cleared  and  improved.  He  was  a  veritable  pioneer, 
and  ended  his  days  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  had  reared  his  family.  He 
was  seventy-four  years  old  at  the  time  of  his  death,  his  wife,  surviving  him 
eight  years.  She  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  Nathan  A.  Van  Osdol 
was  united  in  marriage  on  June  30,  1836,  to  Elizabeth  Crowley,  a  daughter  of 
James  and  Elizabeth  Crowley.  Air.  and  ]Mrs.  Van  Osdol  were  active  members 
of  the  New  Hope  Methodist  Episcopal  cli*urch,  and  were  the  parents  of  twelve 
children,  as  follow:  Melissa  became  the  wife  of  Peter  Richmond,  of  New- 
Hope,  Ohio  county;  Boston  \V.  moved  to  Greensburg,  Indiana;  John  W  . 
became  a  successful  practicing  physician  at  Allensville,  Indiana,  for  thirty 
years;  William  Wesley  is  a  resident  of  Rising  Sun,  Indiana;  Charles  L.,  of 
Aurora;  Mary  Iilizal>eth  became  the  wife  of  Andrew  J.  Sedam,  and  is  now 
deceased ;  Benjamin  Franklin  is  living  at  Bascom,  Ohio  county ;  Margaret 
Ann,  who  grew  to  maturity  and  died  single;  Nancy  Jane,  w^ho  died  young; 
David  A.,  Nathan  Allen  and  Clara,  all  of  \s'hom  died  in  infancy. 


-       DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  '       725 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  Benjamin  Van  Osdol,  of  Ilolhmd  Dutch 
ancestry,  and  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  hrought  him  l"amil\-  down  the 
river  in  a  flathoat,  in  1816,  landing  at  Rising  Sun,  Indiana,  wliere  lie  followed 
the  trade  of  cabinetmaker,  in  which  line  he  was  a  finished  w<>rknnn.  His 
wife,  Rebecca  Van  Osdol.  was  also  a  native  of  Penns^dwania.  They  lioth 
ended  their  days  on  the  home  farm  of  their  son,  Nathan  A.  \'an  Osdi  T  ']'o 
this  couple  were  bc^rn  four  children,  John,  Xalhan  .Mien,  Jane  .\.  and  Mary 
Sutton. 

James  Crowlev,  the  maternal  grandfather,  was  born  in  \'irginia,  and  was 
drowned  from  a  raft  in  18 17,  while  on  his  way  to  Ohio  county,  Indiana,  with 
his  family.  His  wiflow.  Elizabeth  Crowley,  came  on  with  her  children  and 
settled  at  Rising  Sim.  Their  children  were,  \'an  S.,  Margaret  Jane,  Mary 
Ann  and  Elizabeth.  Being  still  a  young  woman,  Mrs.  Crowley  was  married, 
secondly,  to  Da\id  Hufford,  and  settled  in  Ohio  county,  near  Dillsboro,  where 
she  died,  February  6,  1868,  aged  seventy-seven  years. 

Charles  L.  Van  Osdol  was  married  on  May  i,  187S,  to  Sadie  A.  Flem- 
ming,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Susanna  (  Harbert)  Elemming,  wlm  was  born 
on  Februaiy  26.  1S54,  in  Ohio  county,  and  died  on  ]\Iarch  22.  1898,  aged 
forty-four  years.  Doctor  and  Mrs.  \'an  Osdol  have  had  three  children, 
Ernest  F.,  Harry  yi.  and  Robert  C.  Ernest  was  graduated  from  the  Indiana 
Dental  College,  of  Indianapolis,  and  is  now  practicing  at  Warsaw,  Indiana. 
He  was  married  to  Pearl  Wheeler,  by  whom  he  has  one  sim,  Cortes  Dean  ; 
Robert  C.  was  graduated  from  the  Ohio  Dental  College,  of  Cincinnati,  and 
is  established  in  a  good-paying  office  at  Tiffin,  Ohio.  His  wife  was  Ilildal 
Kattenhorn. 

RolK'rt  and  Susanna  (Harbert)  Elemming,  parents  of  Mrs.  A'an  Osdol, 
were  natives  of  Indiana,  the  former  dying  at  Aberdeen,  Indiana,  and  the  latter 
at  Dillsboro.  Their  children  were,  John  W.,  Sadie  A.,  and  Lydia. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  ?klrs.  Sadie  Van  Osdol  was  Caleb  Harliert, 
whose  wife  was  Sarah  (Downey)  Harbert,  to  whom  were  burn  the  following 
children :     Susanna,  Emma,  Malissa,  ]\Iary  and  Sophia. 

Dr.  Charles  L.  \^an  Osdol  was  married,  secondly,  on  October  9,   1901. 
to  Alta  M.  Hainia,  daughter  of  David  A.  and  Mary  J.  (Barricklow)  Hanna, 
of  Union  township.     Two  children  have  been  born  to  this  union,  Leo  Donald 
and  Marie  Elizabeth.     Dr.  and  Mrs.  \'an  Osdol  arc  earnest  members  of  the    j 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  Aurora,  Indiana. 

David  A.  and  Mary  J.  (Barricklow)  Hanna  were  born  and  reared  in  i 
Ohio  county,  Indiana,  and  now  reside  at  Rising  Sun,  Indiana,  where  tl'.ey  j 
are  enjoying  a  peaceful,  retired  life  on  a  farm.  : 


;-.,  :b;ulj 


726  DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

The  paternal  g^rand father  of  Mrs.  Alta  IM.  Yzn  Osdol  was  William 
Hanna,  and  his  wife  was  Rebecca  (Higbee)  Hanna,  natives  of  Indiana.  Their 
children  were,  David,  Charles,  Josie,  Ruth  and  Annabell,  who  died  young. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  }i[rs.  Alta  M.  Van  Osdol  was  Hiram  Bar- 
ricklow,  who  was  bom  in  1S29.  in  Ohio  county,  and  was  a  son  of  John 
Barricklow,  born  in  1800,  whose  father  was  Daniel  I'.arricklow,  a  native  of 
Pennsvlvania.  Hiram  Barracklow  was  twice  married,  first,  to  Sarah  A.  Pate, 
daughter  of  \\^illiam  T.  Pate,  by  whom  he  had  the  following  children :  Re- 
becca became  the  wife  of  Stephen  Hastings;  Mary  J.,  mother  of  Mrs.  Van 
Osdol:  William  Taylor  was  married  to  Agnes  Fisher,  January  30,  18S1, 
daughter  of  John  and  Agnes  G.  (Flannigan)  Fisher;  George  G.  married 
Laura  Turner:  Anna  M.  became  the  wife  of  Lawrence  Turner. 

Doctor  \'an  Osdol,  through  his  ability  as  a  dentist,  has  won  for  himself 
a  successful  practice  in  the  community,  and  he  and  his  wife  have  a  large  circle 
of  warm  friends,  whose  society  they  \'ery  frequently  \m\e  the  pleasure  of 
enjoying. 


FRED  GRELLE. 


The  following  is  a  brief  sketch  of  the  career  of  a  plain,  honest  man  of 
affairs,  who  by  close  application  to  the  path  he  had  marked  out  in  life  for 
himself,  has  succeeded  not  only  along  material  lines,  but  in  the  better  things 
of  life  also,  being  held  in  high  esteem  not  only  by  those  with  whom  he  has 
business  dealings,  but  also  those  who  know  him  only  in  a  social  way.  Mr. 
Grelle  has  long  since  proven  that  he  is  possessed  of  an  untiring  energy  and 
indomitable  will,  and  he  stands  to  the  younger  generation  as  an  example  of 
what  can  be  accomplished  by  an}-  young  man  who  will  bring  the  best  of  his 
ability  to  his  task. 

Fred  Grelle  is  a  native  of  Ccesar  Creek  township,  Dearborn  county,  hav- 
ing first  seen  the  light  of  day  within  its  borders  on  Christmas  day  of  the 
year  i860.  He  is  a  son  of  Henry  and  Sophia  (Froelich)  Grelle,  b(jth  natives 
of  the  German  empire.  Flenry  was  born  in  the  year  1825  and  came  to  this 
country  when  a  young  man.  He  remained  for  a  time  in  Cincinnati,  where 
he  had  friends,  and  later  came  to  Dearborn  county  to  engage  in  farming.  Fie 
purcliased  forty  acres  in  Csesar  Creek  township  and  when  that  was  paid  for 
bought  twenty  acres  additional,  and  later  on  added  a  tract  of  sixty  acres.     He 


i  li  :  -•TIT?/ '   to  !!'"'■'  R  '' 


DEARKORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  727 

ga\'e  his  attention  to  general  farming  and  the  raising  of  a  small  amount  of 
live  stock,  and  was  gratifyingly  successful  in  liis  undertaking.  He  died  in 
]i)o.|.  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years.  Sophia  Froelich,  his  wife,  was  Ijnrr. 
in  1829.  and  upon  coming  to  America  located  in  Cincinnati,  wlierc  she  met 
and  married  Mr.  Grelle.  Her  death  occurred  on  ]\Iarch  25,  1914,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-fi^■e  years.  She  was  the  mother  of  twelve  children,  namely: 
Margaret,  Louisa,  Cynthia,  John,  George,  Fred,  Anna,  William,  Louis,  Car- 
oline, Henry  and  Gei'rge.  Of  this  family,  George,  Louis,  Caroline,  Henry, 
George  and  Margaret  have  passed  into  the  great  beyond.  !vlargaret  married 
Henry  Droege  and  lived  at  Laporte,  Lidiana.  She  was  the  mother  of  four 
children,  Theodore,  Louisa,  Emma  and  Lena.  Louise  became  the  wife  of 
\\'i!Iiam  Ilunche,  living  at  Laporte,  this  state,  and  they  also  had  a  family 
of  four,  Emma,  Martha,  Edward,  and  Sophia,  who  died  when  a  small  infant. 
John  married  Lizzie  Niederbaumer  and  they  live  at  Seymour,  this  state. 
There  are  eight  children  in  their  family.  Lulu,  Clara,  William,  Augusta,  Alma, 
Dorothy,  Esther  and  Ruth,  who  died  when  a  little  child.  Anna  married 
Ernest  Peters  and  they  live  in  Elmwood  Place,  Ohio,  where  they  are  rearing 
their  three  children,  William,  Amelia  (deceased)  and  Lulu.  William  married 
Annie  Huseman  and  they  are  engaged  in  farming  in  Dearborn  county.  They 
have  four  children:     Jesse,  Amelia,  Edward  and  Esther. 

Fred  Grelle  received  his  education  in  the  school  at  Farmers  Retreat, 
and  then  for  a  few  years  after  his  studies  were  over  he  assisted  his  father 
in  the  Vv'ork  of  the  home  farm.  In  1887  he  made  his  first  independent  busi- 
ness venture,  this  being  the  purchase  of  forty  acres  of  land  in  Cjesar  Creek 
township.  In  1906  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  adjoining 
and  again  in  191 3  he  purchased  twelve  acres,  making  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
four  acres,  all  of  which  he  has  converted  into  an  up-to-date  stock  farm  and  he 
has  met  with  more  than  ordinarv  success.  In  the  year  1900  he  purchased  a 
complete  threshing  outfit  and  for  the  following  fifteen  years  he  operated  that 
throughout  this  community. 

On  May  23,  18S9,  Fred  Grelle  was  married  to  Louisa  Huseman,  born  in 
Rijjley  county,  December  23,  1864,  a  daughter  of  William  and  ^lary  (Weacii- 
man )  Huseman.  ^lary  Weachman  had  been  previously  married  to  William 
Oesting,  by  -whom  she  became  the  mother  of  three  children,  Henry,  Jolm  and 
Louise.  Henry  and  John  are  deceased.  After  the  death  of  ]Mr.  Oesting  his 
widow  married  Mr.  Huseman.  Both  Mrs.  Grelle's  parents  were  born  in  Ger- 
many, and  immigrated  when  young  to  this  country,  locating  in  Cincinnati, 
where  both  worked  for  a  few  years.   After  their  marriage  thev  came  to  Firown 


1    '        i-'''r.  :f<    '.■  ■        fl  n 


■di -I 


-r.d 


728  DEARBORN   COUXTV,   INDIANA. 

to-\vn,>hip,  this  county,  wliere  they  remained  for  some  time.  To  William  and 
Mary  Iliiseman  were  burn  .se\-en  children,  Henry.  Mary  (deceased),  Amelia. 
William  (deceased),  Louisa.  Anna  (deceased)  and  Anna  3ilary.  Henry  mar- 
ried Rieke  Forncamp  and  liecame  the  father  of  four  children,  Bertha.  .Mlic, 
William  (deceased),  and  an  irfant  who  died  early  in  life.  The  family  li\e>  ni 
Ripley  county,  where  they  are  engaged  in  farming'.  Amelia  became  the  wife 
of  Frank  llenclien  and  the  mother  of  five  children,  Gustof,  Elmer,  ClaMcn, 
Edna  and  Hilda. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fred  Grelle  are  the  parents  of  seven  children:  Clara,  horn 
on  March  23,  1S90;  Harry,  July  10,  1892  ;  Walter,  October  2^,  1894;  Charles, 
May  14,  1897;  Alfred.  January  29.  1900;  Howard,  January  10,  1904;  and 
Martin,  October  25,  \Q)OCj. 

Fred  Grelle  is  one  of  those  broad-minded  men  who  not  only  are  alerl  to 
their  own  best  interests,  but  who  also  desire  to  serve  their  community  whene\er 
possible.  Fie  is  one  of  the  staunch  Republicans  of  his  communit}-  and  for  tihr- 
teen  years  has  moct  efficiently  served  his  party  as  superintendent  of  road 
work.  He  has  also  been  a  member  of  the  township  school  board  for  a  number 
of  years,  and  is  keenh-  interested  in  all  that  concerns  the  educational  advan- 
tages for  the  youih  of  the  ti-iw  nship.  He  and  his  familv  are  devout  members 
of  the  Lutheran  church,  giving  generously  of  their  means  and  time  toward  the 
work  of  the  local  organization. 


ALBERT  V.  DIETZ. 


Being  a  man  of  excellent  character  and  business  qualifications,  the  suli- 
ject  of  this  biography  is  in  every  way  worthy  of  the  responsible  position 
which  he  occupies  as  cashier  in  the  German  Ainerican  Bank,  of  Lawrenceburg. 
Being  present  at  the  organization  of  the  bank,  he  has  had  the  pleasure  of 
watching  it  g.row,  until  he  now  feels  almost  a  paternal  interest  in  its  welfare. 

Albert  V.  Dietz  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Bauman)  Dietz,  and  was 
born  on  July  8,  1866,  at  Brookville,  Indiana,  where  he  attended  the  parochial 
and  public  schools,  going  from  there  to  the  Central  Normal,  at  Danville,  and 
later  entered  the  State  Normal  School,  at  Terre  Flaute,  working  his  way 
through.  Fie  then  became  clerk  in  the  L'nited  States  revenue  service,  at  I^aw- 
renceburg.  and  f(jr  twenty  years  has  been  a  resident  here.  In  1905,  when 
the  German   American   Bank   was   organized,   he   became   its   cashier,   which 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  "J 2<.) 

position  he  still  holds.  This  bank  was  organized  wiih  a  cajjital  stock  of 
twenty-five  thoiisanrl  dullars.  Mr.  Dietz  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  a  nicnilier  of 
the  Catholic  chnrcli.  His  fraternal  membership  is  with  the  Knights  of 
Columbns. 

John  l^ietz  was  a  native  of  Germany,  where  he  was  reared  and  received 
his  edncatic)n.  lie  ser\ed  an  apprenticeshi[)  of  five  ^ears  witli  a  wholesale 
and  retail  merchant,  and  was  afterward  employed  as  clerk  in  the  same  estab- 
lishment for  ten  years.  Coming  to  America  in  1850,  he  located  at  Brook- 
ville,  where  he  engaged  in  merchandising.  He  died  there  in  1884.  aged  sixty- 
six  years.  His  wife,  ?\Iary  (Baiunan)  Dietz,  was  a  nati\e  of  Ohio.  She 
died  in  1S94,  aged  fifty-nine  years.  The)-  were  both  members  of  the  Catholic 
church,  and  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  namely :  Thercssa  became 
the  wife  of  Philip  Hartman,  of  Brookville;  Frank  also  resides  at  Brookville; 
Catherine  died  \\hen  two  }-ears  of  age;  John  and  Elizabeth  reside  at  Brook- 
ville: .Vlbcrt  A'.,  of  Lawrencebnrg;  Irene  was  married  to  b'rank  Tulle}-;  ^\'ill- 
iam  C.  makes  his  home  at  Greenville,  Ohio. 

The  paternal  granilpareiits  died  in  CIerman\-  when  lohii  was  an  infant. 
They  were  farmers,  and  were  the  parents  of  three  sons  and  four  daughters, 
all  of  whom  came  to  this  country  and  died  here. 

The  maternal  grandparents  were  Fedalia  Bauman  and  wife,  natives  of 
Germany.  They  came  to  America  and  were  early  settlers  at  Brookville,  when 
the  w-ohes  were  in  the  forest,  and  spent  their  remaining  years  here.  Air. 
Bauman  died  aged  eight}--two  years,  and  his  wife  died  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
six.  To  this  union  Avere  bom  five  children,  Alary,  Anthony,  Catherine, 
Theressa  and  Julia. 

Albert  V.  Dietz  was  married  on  Septenibcr  17,  1S95,  to  AFarv  Sattler, 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Agnes  (Graff)  Sattler.  Airs.  Dietz  was  born  at 
Cedar  Grove,  F"ranklin  county,  Indiaria,  To  Air.  and  Airs.  Dietz  were  Xwxw 
four  children,  Agnes,  Gertrude,  Elizabeth  and  Albert.  Agnes  died  aged 
eight  years,  and  Albert  died  in  infancy. 

The  father  of  Airs,  Dietz  was  a  native  of  Austria,  and  his  wife  of  Cedar 
Grove,  Indiana.  She  died  in  1894.  Air.  Sattler  was  a  pri\-ate  in  the  Ci\'il 
War,  and  is  still  living.  There  were  ten  children  born  to  this  union,  as  follow : 
Alary,  Peter,  Anna,  Joseph,  Bernardina,  Philip,  John,  George,  Frank  and 
Edward. 

The  paternal  grandparents  of  Airs.  Dietz  were  natives  of  Austria,  w-here 
they  died. 

Air.  Dietz  enjoys  the  respect,  friendship  and  confidence  of  a  large  number 
of  people,  both  in  the  immediate  and  surrounding  territory. 


730  DEARBORN    COfNTV,   INDIANA. 

CHARLES  EDGAR  TORBET. 

Education  and  progress  have  formed  the  outUnes  along  whicli  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  a  well-known  and  influential  man  in  school  work,  has 
traveled  all  his  life.  I\Tr.  Torbet  has  made  an  earnest  and  sincere  study  of  his 
profession,  and  advocates  and  follows  the  principles  of  perpetual  research 
work.  He  has  never  reached  the  jjoint  of  feeling  that  there  is  nothing  more  to 
be  gained  by  study,  wherein  lies  the  secret  of  his  great  value  in  educational 
work. 

Charles  Edgar  Torbet  was  born  on  July  22,  1871,  near  Shreve,  Holmes 
county,  Ohio,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Laura  (Becker)  Torbet.  He  was 
educated  at  the  public  schools  of  his  district,  the  high  school  at  Frederick- 
town,  and  the  college  at  Delaware,  Ohio,  graduating  in  1897,  after  which 
he  was  professor  of  Latin  and  Greek  at  West  Famiington,  Ohio,  Western 
Reserve  Seminary,  remaining  three  }ears.  and  then  took  a  post-graduate 
course  at  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University,  of  Delaware,  Ohio,  coming  in  Sep- 
tember. 1901,  to  Moores  Hill  College  as  professor  of  English  and  history. 
Professor  Torbet  is  a  stanch  Republican,  to  which  party  he  has  given  his 
loyal  support,  and  shown  public  spirit  by  holding  some  of  the  local  offices. 
He  has  been  secretarT,-  of  the  school  board  for  the  past  three  years,  and  he  is 
a  member  of  the  ^lethodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  he  has  been  recording 
steward  for  a  number  of  years.  Professor  Torbet  is  greatly  interested  in 
church  work,  and  has  for  many  years  been  a  teacher  in  Sunday  school  work. 
He  belongs  to  Delta  Tau  Delta,  of  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  Chapter 
Mu. 

James  Torbet,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  on  Decem- 
ber 16,  1S47,  in  Holmes  county,  Ohio,  where  he  attended  the  public  schools, 
of  that  locality,  and  was  engaged  in  teaching  for  five  years.  He  remained  on 
his  father's  farm  until  two  years  after  his  marriage,  when  he  entered  the 
ministry  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  the  North  Ohio  conference,  in 
1S73,  where  he  spent  the  greater  portion  of  his  ministerial  hfe,  two  years 
of  which  were  spent  in  the  Northwest  Iowa  conference.  Mr.  Torbet  retired  in 
iqn,  after  thirty-eight  years  of  active  service,  and  is  now  living  at  Shelby, 
Ohio.  He  is  an  independent  voter.  His  wife.  Laura  (  Becker)  Torbet,  was  born 
in  1846,  in  Fostoria,  Ohio,  where  she  was  educated  in  the  public  schools.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Torbet  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  Charles  Edgar,  Howard  L.. 
John  E.,  Robert  D.,  and  Mary  K.  Howard  L.  Torbet  was  married  to  Edith 
Patterson,  of  Adelphi,  Ohio,  and  is  pastor  of  the  Park  Avenue  Congregational 


-.0  -M 


:..t,':   ■■.  :vj  ,;((■ 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,   liNDIANA. 


731 


cluuch,  Cleveland,  Ohio.  They  have  one  child,  Alice.  John  Torbet  died  wlien 
twelve  and  Robert  at  six  years  of  age.  Mary  is  teaching  school  at  Niobrara, 
Nebraska. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  Robert  Allen  Torbet,  and  his  wife  was 
Keziah  (Scott)  Torbet.  They  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania, 'and  came  to 
Ohio  about  1832,  settling  in  Holmes  county,  on  a  fine  tract  of  land  covering 
eighty  acres,  where  they  lived  until  their  death.  Mr.  Torbet  added  to  his  acres 
until  he  owned  one  luuidred  and  sixty,  and  followed  farming  all  his  life.  He 
was  a  Whig,  and  at  its  organization  became  identified  with  the  Republican 
party  and  was  quite  prominent  and  active  in  a  public  way.  He  was  a  "Squire," 
and  wrote  many  wills  and  settled  many  estates  for  his  neighbors,  and  was 
one  of  the  pioneer  school  teachers  in  northern  Ohio  until  long  after  his  mar- 
riage. Mr.  Torbet  was  a  member  of  the  ]\lethodist  Episcopal  church.  His 
wife,  Keziah  (Scott)  Torbet,  was  a  native  of  Holmes  county,  Ohio,  where 
she  was  married.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  David.  Elizabeth, 
James,  Eleanor,  Hiram,  Albert,  Alargarette,  Walter,  Robert  S.,  and  one  who 
died  in  infancy. 

Charles  Edgar  Torbet  was  united  in  marriage,  October  29,  1903.  to  Maude 
Bainter,  daughter  of  Charles  A.  and  Mary  Ellen  (Davis)  Bainter.  She 
was  born  on  March  19,  1874.  This  union  has-  been  blessed  with  two  children  : 
Virginia,  born  on  November  20,  1905;  and  Esther,  June  6,  190S. 

Charles  A.  and  Mary  Ellen  (Davis)  Bainter,  parents  of  ^Irs.  Charles  E. 
Torbet,  were  both  natives  of  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  but  lived  the  greater 
portion  of  their  lives  at  ]\It.  V'ernon,  Knox  county,  Ohio. 

Professor  Torbet  is  well  liked,  and  through  his  fearless  method  of  thwart- 
ing discouraging  situations  in  bringing  his  work  to  a  high  standard,  lie  has 
the  admiration  of  all  with  whom  he  is  associated. 


WILLIAM  H.  GREENE. 


Among  the  older  agriculturists  of  Clay  township.  Dearborn  county, 
Indiana,  is  the  subject  of  this  brief  biographical  sketch.  For  more  than  half 
a  century  Mr.  Greene  has  conducted  the  business  of  his  farm  and  in  that  time 
has  seen  methods  of  tilling  the  soil  and  harvesting  crops  make  some  radical 
changes.  In  that  time,  too,  he  has  seen  the  status  of  the  fanner  change  from 
what  was  once  considered  a  most  humble  calling  to  what  is  now  regarded  as 


732  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

the  most  independent  and  ele\'ating-  life  a  man  can  lead.  ]Mr.  Greene  has  nni 
been  slow  to  take  advantage  of  these  changes  as  they  came  about  and  has 
always  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  up-to-date  farmers  of  his  communiu-. 

William  H.  Greene  is  a  native  of  the  Blue  Grass  state,  born  in  Boone 
count}-,  on  February  27,  1S33,  a  son  of  John  C.  and  Sallie  S.  (Green) 
Greene.  Jinhn  C.  was  also  iKirn  in  Bivjue  count}-,  the.  date  of  his  birth  being 
February  21,  1S02.  He  recei\ed  his  education  in  the  subscription  schools  of 
his  native  county  and. when  a  yji-Uig  man  mastered  the  art  of  the  flour  miller. 
He  followed  his  trade  for  many  years  and  in  1S46  retired  from  that  life,  |)ur- 
chasing  a  farm  on  which  he  lived  until  his  death,  in  August  of  1858,  at  the 
age  of  fifty-six  years.  John  C.  Greene  was  a  son  of  William  and  Marv 
(Cochran)  Greene,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  the  state  of  Virginia,  where 
they  grew  to  maturity  and  were  married.  In  the  early  clays  of  the  state  of 
Kentucky  they  came  into  that  state,  locating  near  Lexington,  afterward  remov- 
ing to  Boone  county  where  they  engaged  in  farming  for  the  balance  of  their 
lives.  In  early  life,  William  Greene  had  followed  flat-boating  un  the  waters 
of  the  Ohio.  He  lived  to  be  quite  an  old  man,  his  death  occurring  in  1849. 
W^illiam  Greene  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  a  large  famil}-,  some  of  them  be- 
ing Edward,  John  C.,  Ruben  C.,  Sylvester,  [Morton  B.,  EUina  and  ^lary. 

Sallie  S.  Green,  mother  of  the  immediate  subject,  was  born  in  the  state 
of  Connecticut  and  in  her  youth  received  a  excellent  education,  She  attended 
a  convent  near  her  home,  later  finishing  her  studies  in  the  high  schools  of 
Hartford  and  Xew  Haven,  termed  "academies"  in  those  days.  It  was  her  am- 
bition to  be  an  instructor  to  the  children  on  the  frontier  and  in  1820  she 
journeyed  to  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  and  from  that  point  took  passage  on 
a  family  boat  for  pjoone  county,  Kentucky.  There  she  f<3und  a  fertile  field 
for  her  efforts  as  school  teacher  and  there  too  she  met  and  married  John  C. 
Greene.  To  their  union  were  born  six  children,  namely:  Joseph  and  John, 
deceased;  Alartha,  Elizabeth,  William  H.  and  George.  Martha  married  John 
Ross  and  makes  her  home  in  Missouri.  She  is  the  mother  of  three  children, 
only  one  of  them.  Verner.  surviving.  Elizabedi  became  the  wife  of  Henry 
Klenkenbeard  and  has  three  daughters,  ^Marguerite.  Louella  and  Elizabeth. 
George  enlisted  for  ser^vice  in  the  Ci\il  War,  and  wliile  at  the  front  receive;! 
the  wound  which  resulted  in  his  death. 

William  H.  Greene  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Boone 
county,  Kentucky,  receiving  also  valuable  instruction  from  his  excellent 
mother,  and  wlien  twenty-three  years  of  age  engaged  in  the  tanning  business 
at  Montgomery,  Indiana,  in  company  with  his  uncle,  Matthew  Greene.    There 


DEARr30RX   COfXTY,   INDIANA.  •  733 

he  remained  for  five  years,  when  he  returned  to  his  childhood  home  in  Ken- 
tucky and  passed  the  following-  six  years.  In  l(S64  in  company  witii  his 
brother,  Joseph,  William  Greene  purchased  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  fitty- 
fi\-e  acres  in  Cla}-  township,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  and  on  that  farm  he 
still  remains,  his  brother  Joseph  having  passed  from  this  life  some  vears  since. 

\\'illirmi  II.  Greene  was  married  on  November  lo,  1858,  to  Susan  Dur- 
ham, a  daughter  of  John  and  ^lary  (Fields)'  Durham,  originalh-  of  Kentucky 
but  later  of  INIontgomery  county,  this  state.  Susan  Durham  was  one  of  a 
family  of  five  chililren,  being  the  third  child  in  order  of  birth.  The  others 
are  Henry  C.,  John,  ]\Iary  F.,  and  James  W.  John  married  Lee  ,\nn  Tucker 
and  resides  near  Indianapolis.  Fie  has  five  children,  Omer,  Frank,  John, 
Harry  and  Mar)-.  ^lary  F.  became  the  wife  of  G.  Hall  Adams,  and  re- 
sides in  Flendricks  county,  this  state.  James  W.  married  Elvira  Cowan  and 
lives  in  Iowa.     They  are  the  parents  of  two  children. 

To  \\'illiam  H.  Greene  and  wife. were  born  four  children,  two  sons  and 
two  daughters,  Joseph  H.,  Minnie  May,  Sallie  S.  and  Harry  D.  INIinnie 
May  became  the  wife  of  Hansel  Gray  and  makes  her  home  in  Tennessee. 
Joseph  C.  resides  in  Dillsboro.  Sallie  S.  remains  with  her  |)arents.  Har''\ 
D.  makes  his  home  in  Indianapolis  where  he  is  employed  in  the  state  capitol 
in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  state. 

The  William  H.  Greene  family  is  one  of  the  representative  families  of 
this  district,  honorable,  upright  and  excellent  people  in  every  res|)ect.  P>oth 
Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Green  can  trace  their  ancestry  back  to  Colonial  times,  !\Irs. 
Greene  being  the  great-granddaughter  of  a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  War 
and  Mr.  Greene  tracing  back  to  Gen.  Nathaniel  Greene,  of  South  Carolina, 
a  general  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  yir.  Greene  has  ever  enjoyed  the  respect 
and  esteem  of  those  who  know  him  for  his  friendly  manner,  his  business  ability, 
his  interest  in  public  affairs  and  his  upright  living  and  he  is  regarded  by  all  as 
one  of  the  substantial  and  worthy  citizens  of  the  community  in  wdiich  he 
lives. 


'.     CHARLES  M.  BOWERS. 

The  true  glory  of  a  city  lies  in  the  character  of  its  citizens,  and  the  true 
character  of  the  gentleman  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch  stands  out  iti 
the  searchlight  of  public  opinion  with  a  background  of  honor  and  stability  of 
^vhich  any  man  might  well  be  proud.     Well  supplied  with  a  good  stock  of 


I  '.'vi'i> 


■■■   :fT) 


734  DEARBORN   COUNTV,  INDIANA. 

high  ideals  for  a  foundation,  -which  have  always  been  followed  up  with  a  full 
share  of  energy  and  ambition,  Mr.  Bowers  has  not  found  the  road  to  success 
filled  with  as  many  obstacles  as  he  would  have  done  had  he  started  out  in  life 
unequipped  with  these  splendid  qualities. 

Charles  M.  Bowers,  insurance  and  investments.  Aloores  Hill,  Indiana. 
was  born  on  No\-ember  iS,  iS^o.  in  the  city  whci'e  he  resides.  He  is  a  son 
of  Andrew  James  and  Margaretie  (Shockley)  Bowers.  ]N'Ir.  Bowers  was 
educated  at  Moores  Hill  College,  after  which  he  was  for  several  years  man- 
ager of  a  drug  store  of  which  his  father  was  proprietor,  and  later  accepted 
a  position  as  special  agent  and  adjuster  for  a  fire  insurance  company,  contin- 
uing in  the  work  for  ten  years,  ending-  in  1897.  ^^^^  territory  covered  the 
central  states.  He  left  this  work  to  take  charge  of  the  district  management 
of  the  ^Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company,  of  New  York,  covering  the  southeast 
portion  of  Indiana,  remaining  with  this  company  until  1905,  and  during  which 
time  he  organized  the  first  independent  telephone  company  in  this  section, 
which  is  still  in  operation.  He  is  the  proprietor  of  the  Alilan  mill  and  elevator. 
of  Milan,  Indiana,  one  of  the  foremost  interests  of  that  thriving  town.  Mr. 
Bowers,  with  his  associates,  organized  the  State  Bank  of  Milan,  and  also  the 
Dillsboro  State  Bank,  and  later  organized  the  ]Mo(,m"cs  Hill  State  P.ank,  all  I'f 
which  institutions  have  proven  most  useful  and  successful.  In  both  of  the  last 
named  banks  he  is  a  director.  [Mr.  Bowers  is  a  Democrat,  of  which,  party 
he  has  always  been  a  loyal  advocate,  and  is  one  of  the  board  of  trustees  of 
Moores  Hill  College. 

Andrew  James  Bowers,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born 
on  August  25.  182S,  at  Moores  Hill,  and  was  a  son  of  Henry  James  and 
Rizpath  (  Morgan)  Bowers.  His  education  was  obtained  at  College  Hill, 
Ohio.  He  was  a  graduate  of  IMiami  [Medical  College,  and  the  Ohio  Medical 
College,  and  later  he  associated  himself  with  his  father  in  the  practice  of 
medicine.  In  politics  Doctor  Bowers  was  an  ardent  Democrat,  and  in  1882 
w^as  elected  to  the  Indiana  Legislature,  and  re-elected  three  times,  b}-  a  large 
majority  in  each  instance.  In  his  profession  he  was  always  w'ell  in  the  lead, 
a  prominent  member  of  the  County,  State  and  National  [Medical  Associations. 
Marvelous  discoveries  entirely  changed  methods  of  practice  in  his  time,  but 
being  a  vigilant  student.  Doctor  Bowers  was  among  the  first  to  take  advantage 
of  every  forward  step  in  both  medicine  and  surgery.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  church  and  was  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  Moores  Hiil 
congregation.  His  wife  was  Margarette  Shockley,  of  splendid  Marylan-l 
pioneer  parentage. 


n  ■,,-;,^ 


■iyr^'nfi:-']   T)-.tiiL';r; 


DEAKBORX   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  735 

Henn-  James  and  Rizpath  (Morgan)  Bowers  were  tlic  paternal  grand- 
parents of  Charles  M.  Bowers,  and  natives  of  Marblehead,  Massachusetts,  and 
Pennsylvania,  respectively.  They  were  born  about  1800.  Henry  James 
Bowers  was  a  physician.  He  came  to  Lawrenceburg  in  1823,  and  associated 
iiimself  with  the  then  prominent  pioneer  practitioner,  Doctor  Percival,  and  in 
1827  located  at  IMoorcs  Hill.  His  patients  scattered  at  long  distances  in  the 
then  wilderness,  were  visited  at  first  principally  on  foot,  there  being  then  no 
roads  worthy  of  the  name.  On  securing  a  good  saddle  horse  later,  he  rode 
overland  to  Massachusetts  and  brought  his  father,  the  Rev.  James  Bowers, 
an  Episcopal  minister,  his  mother  and  t\\-o  sisters,  Mary  and  Julia,  west 
with  him.  The  trip  was  made  in  the  winter  time,  principally  by  sleigh  to 
Pittsburgh,  and  thence  do\\  n  the  Ohio  liy  primitive  boat  ser\-ice  to  Lawrence- 
burg. iJr.  Henry  J.  Bowers  was  active  in  organizing  Moores  Hill  College, 
and  the  college  records  show  that  he  w^as  secretary  of  the  first  meeting,  held 
in  1S54.  to  perfect  the  organization.  Doctor  Bowers'  influence  was  used  to 
ad\antage  in  securing  the  present  location  of  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  South- 
western Railroad  (then  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi)  tlirough  this  locality,  and  of 
which  company  he  was  an  original  stockholder.  Dr.  Henry  J.  Bowers'  resi- 
dence on  the  eminence  just  west  of  Moores  Hill  station  is  still  standing,  ari'l 
at  the  time  the  railroad  was  built  was  reputed  to  be  the  finest  dwelling  along 
the  line  between  Cincinnati  and  St.  Louis.  The  confidence  he  enjrjyed  of 
his  neighbors  and  citizens  of  this  locahty  is  shown  by  the  record  he  made 
as  their  representative  in  the  state  Legislature  on  fi\e  occasions,  three  times 
as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  and  twice  in  the  state  Senate. 
He  was  also  a  member  of  the  constitutional  conventir)n.  elected  each  time  to 
represent  the  Democratic  party.  His  son.  Marmion  H.  Bowers,  was  editor 
and  publisher  of  one  of  the  first  papers  in  Dearborn  county,  the  Aurora  S/^cc- 
tator.  Marmion  Bowers  later  went  to  Texas,  where  he  became  prominent  in 
the  legal  profession  and  was  a  member  of  the  state  Senate  at  the  time  of  his 
early  death  in  1871.  Had  he  lived  he  would  have  in  all  probability  suc- 
ceeded to  the  LTnited  States  Senate,  for  he  was  in  direct  line  for  this  pro- 
motion. 

The  daughters  of  the  Rev.  James  Bowers  were  the  first  teachers  in  the 
public  schools  in  Dearborn  county,  away  back  about  1829.  Mary  Bowers  later 
married  Zebulon  Pike  Wardell,  a  nephew  of  General  Pike,  the  famous  ex- 
plorer to  whose  memor}^  the  famous  Colorado  snow-capped  peak  stands  as  a 
monument.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W^ardell  went  to  Louisiana,  w'here  a  prosperous 
banking  business  was  engaged  in  prior  to  the  Civil  War.     IMrs.  Wardell  met 


736  •  DEAREORX   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

a  tragic  dealli  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-se\'cn  years,  wlien  tlie  stcjini- 
boat,  "Oliver  Bierne,"  was  destrii\ed  by  fire  on  the  [Mississippi  river,  near 
Vicksbnrg,  in  Octol.icr.  1891.  Siie  \vas  a  passenger  en  route  from  St.  Louis 
to  New  Orleans,  \\'hcre  she  had  been  going'  ever\"  fall  to  spend  the  winter. 
Mrs.  W'ardell  had  retained  her  faculties  wonderfull}-  and.  her  wide-awake  in- 
terest in  the  current  literature  of  the  da_\-,  together  with  almost  incessant  tra'>-- 
el.made  her  a  chamrlng  companidu  and  associate.  Tall,  straight  anrl  of  queen- 
ly bearing,  an  interested  and  shrewd  oljserver,  few  persons  since  time  began 
ever  saw  more  marvelous  changes  than  this  remarkable  woman  who  taught 
the  first  public  school  in  Dearborn  county.  "Down  in  Cincinnati,  where  they 
burn  spermaceti  candles"  was  a  popular  saying  current  in  her  early  days. 

Charles  ]\I.  Bowers  was  married  on  October  7,  1884,  to  Flora  A.  Crozier. 
daughter  of  the  Hon.  John  Crozier  and  Angeline  (AA'ilson)  Crozier,  an  old 
family  prominent  in  Dearljorn  count}-.  To  this  union  were  born  two  children, 
Millard  A.  and  Florence  A.,  both  of  whom  have  been  educated  at  }i[oores  Hill 
College. 

[Millard  A.  Bo\\ers,  of  the  firm  of  C.  M.  Bowers  &  Son,  is  the  active 
manager  of  the  "Crystal  Springs"  farms  in  both  Dearborn  and  Ripley  coun- 
ties. A  herd  of  royally-bred  Holstein-Friesian  cattle  is  one  of  the  features  of 
these  productive  properties. 

Like  the  past  three  generations  briefly  sketched  above,  the  present  repre- 
sentatives of  this  old  and  honorable  family  are  always  foremost  in  every  good 
work  to  unselfishly  promote  the  public  weal. 


■  ■  JAMES  LOFTUS. 

The  gentleman  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch  springs  from  the 
class  of  our  pioneer  citizens  who  were  not  too  proud  to  do  the  work  which 
first  came  to  their  hands.  It  is  from  this  class  that  our  substantial  families 
have  been  built  up  in  America,  and  James  Loftus  may  well  be  proud  to  call 
himself  a  descendant  of  such. 

James  Loftus  was  born  on  ]May  23,  1857,  in  Dearborn  county,  and  is  a 
son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Phoena)  Loftus.  Lie  received  his  early  education 
in  the  public  schools,  and  later  attended  ]Moores  Hill  College.  After  leaving 
school,  he  went  to  Minnesota  for  a  short  time,  and  returned  to  take  charge 
of  his  father's  farm,  remaining  there  until  eight  years  after  his  marriage, 


.,;■     pr--'' ' 'r--''.4 


'ir.   ;,y.L 


It     .Svfil./      .   !fl     ^O 


DEARBOKX  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  737 

\\hen  he  bouglit  a  tract  of  one  hundred  acres,  which  he  improved  with 
o-ood  liuildings,  including-  a  blacksmith  shop,  which  he  still  operates.  He  later 
bought  sixty  acres  more,  and  now  has  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  town- 
sliiiJ.  Mr.  Loftus  has  always  given  his  support  to  the  Republican  party,  and  is 
a  member  of  the  Ivlethodist  Episcopal  church.  He  belongs  to  the  Knights  of 
I'ythias,  of  which  he  is  past  grand  chancellor. 

John  Loftus  was  born  in  1S27,  in  Ireland,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years  came  to  the  United  Stales,  landing  at  New  Orleans  in  May,  1848,  and 
from  there  he  went  to  Cincinnati  and  engaged  his  ser\  ices  as  a  coachman  for 
a  short  time,  and  then  came  to  .Aurora,  where  he  followed  the  same  vocation 
until  1865,  when  he  bought  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  acres  of  land  in  Sparta 
township,  on  which  he  lived  until  his  death,  in  Septembier,  1903,  at  the  age  of 
sevent_\'-s).K  years.  !Mr.  Loftus  was  a  Democrat,  and  he  belonged  to  the  Cath- 
olic church.  His  parents  were  William  and  Catherine  (Collins)  Loftus.  His 
wife,  Elizabeth  (Phoena)  Loftus,  was  born  in  Dublin,  Ireland,  and  came  to 
America  as  a  young  woman,  settling  at  Aurora,  where  she  was  married.  They 
were  the  parents  of  four  children,  John.  Jan)es,  Thomas,  and  Patrick.  Mrs. 
Loftus  had  one  son  by  her  first  Inisband,  Michael  H.  Pleffrein.  John  Loftus 
was  married  to  Hattie  Crosby,  and  lives  at  Versailles,  Indiana.  They  ha\-e 
three  children,  Grace,  Joseph  and  ]\lartin.  Thomas  was  married  to  Ada 
James,  and  makes  his  home  at  Lexington,  Indiana,  where  he  is  one  of  the 
wealthiest  citizens.  Patrick  married  Nettie  Scribner,  and  mrived  to  Hamilton, 
Ohio.  They  have  had  four  children.  Raymond,  Inez,  Arthur,  and  one  who 
died  early  in  life.  ^lichael  PI.  Hciffrein  is  married  and  lives  at  Denver,  Colo- 
rado. 

William  and  Catherine  (Collins)  Loftus  were  natives  of  Ireland.  They 
came  to  America  and  settled  at  Cincinnati,  where  they  died,  leaving  six 
children,    Patrick.   Americus,   Tliomas,    William,   ]\Iary,   and  John. 

James  Loftus  was  united  in  marriage  on  February  23,  1S88,  to  ]\Iary 
Sliuman,  daughter  of  John  and  Alartha  Ann  (Thompson)  Shuman.  She 
was  born  on  September  27.  1861,  near  Dillsboro.  and  when  young,  was  em- 
ployed in  the  home  of  W.  S.  Tyier,  of  Dillsboro,  until  her  marriage.  To 
this  union  were  born  four  children,  as  follow :  Leroy,  born  on  December  6, 
1888,  at  Dillsboro;  Edna  E.,  September  17,  1891,  died  when  seventeen  years 
old;  Albert  J.,  July  20,  1S93;  Lester  D.,  September  20,  1903,  and  died  on 
October  3,  1903. 

John  Shmiian,  father  of  Mrs.  James  Loftus,  was  born  at  Aurora,  and 
his  wife,  Martha  Ann  (Thompson)  Shuman,  was  a  native  of  Chesterville.  Mr. 
Shuman  lived  in  Sparta  township  all  of  his  life,  where  he  farmed  during  the 
(47) 


"I ■-     .  -J  : ! . r 


■.■.■.i-\   .  ^      .(■ 


738  DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.. 

sumnier  months,  and  taught  sclmol  in  the  winter.  Air.  and  Mrs.  Shunian 
were  the  parents  of  fnc  children,  namely:  .Vlbert  J.,  who  married  Anna  A. 
Wheeler,  i.s  living-  at  Dillsboro,  anil  has  tv.'o  children,  Cordis  S.  and  Ernest; 
I^ura  E.,  who  became  the  wife  of  William  Peck,  lives  at  Price  Hill,  Cincin- 
nati, and  has  five  children,  P.ertha  AI.,  Armor  S.,  Charles  W.,  Clarabelle,  and 
Raymond. 

Mr.  L'>ftus  is  a  prosperous  and  well-respected  citizen  of  the  community 
in  which  he  li\'es.  ?Iis  thrifty  and  industrious  habits  have  set  an  excellent  ex- 
ample for  many  of  his  tovvusmen. 


LOUIS  M.  EOULK. 


Loin's  ]\L  Foulk  was  born  on  April  23,  1829,  in  Ohio,  and  was  a  son  of 
Aaron  and  Xancy  (Smith)  Foulk.  He  was  reared  in  Lidiana,  and  Iowa,  and 
received  his  schooling  principallx  in  Iowa.  He  grew  up  as  a  farmer  boy,  and 
when  a  young  man,  returned  frcrni  Iowa  to  Aurora,  and  engaged  in  the  grocery 
commission,  and  pork-packing  business  for  a  number  of  years. 

Aaron  and  Xancy  ( Smitli)  Foulk,  parents  of  the  immediate  subject  of  tiiis 
sketch  were  nati\es  of  Ohio.  They  were  farmers  and  early  settlers  in  Dctr- 
bom  county.  They  li^•ed  on  H(>lmans  Hill,  in  Center  township,  and  were  both 
members  of  the  Baptist  church.  r^Irs.  Foulk  died  while  still  a  young  woman, 
leaving  four  children,  Esau,  Caroline,  Xancy  and  Louis.  Mr.  Foulk  was 
afterward  married  to  Eliza  Holman,  and  this  union  was  blessed  with  four 
children  also,  Lucinda,  Elizabeth,  Holman  and  Richard.  Aaron  Foulk  and 
his  wife  moved  to  Pella,  Iowa,  where  Mrs.  Foulk  died.  Mr.  Foulk  returned 
to  AiuDra,  and  died  here  when  middle  aged. 

The  maternal  grandfather  Smith  and  his  wife  lived  and  died  in  Ohio,  and 
their  history  is  lost. 

Louis  AT.  Foulk  was  united  in  marriage,  X'ovember  26.  1S56,  with  Alta 
M.  Squibb,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Eliza  (Cummins)  Squibb.  She  was  born 
on  April  20.  1S36,  on  Laughery_  creek.  Dearborn  county,  Indiana.  This 
union  has  been  blessed  with  six  children,  Myra,  Robert,  George,  Rosa,  Louis 
and  Fannie.  ]\Iyra  Foulk  became  the  wife  of  W.  V.  A\'ebber,  who  died  Decem- 
ber 2,  1914.  She  resides  at  Aurora  and  has  two  children,  Louis,  and  Will- 
iam. Roljert  died  in  infancy.  George  was  a  bookkeeper,  and  died  single, 
in  1902.  Rosa  was  married  to  Frank  Holman  and  lived  at  York,  Alabama. 
She  died  at  Aurora  while  on  a  visit,  leaving  four  children,  Fannie,  Marie,  ^ilar- 


DEARBORN   COUXTV,   IXDIAXA,  739 

jorie,  Frank  L.  and  Robert.  Louis  is  single,  and  is  a  iiartner  of  W.  P.  S(|uil)b 
&  Company,  distillers,  of  Lawrenceburg.     Fannie  is  at  home  with  her  mother. 

Robert  and  Eliza  Squilib,  parents  of  Mrs.  Louis  M.  Foulk,  were  natives 
of  Cayuga,  Xew  York,  and  early  settlers  in  Ohio  c<junty,  Lidiana.  moving 
later  to  Aurora.  In  1846  they  made  a  trip  down  the  Ohio  ri\-er  to  Cairo.  Illi- 
nois, which  place  did  not  please  them  as  a  permanent  hcimo  and  thev  returned 
immediately  to  Aurora,  where  Mr.  Squibl)  lost  his  life  in  an  accident  l)y  the 
bursting  of  a  cannon  at  the  celebration  of  the  opening  of  the  Ohio  &  Missis- 
sipppi  railway.  }lis  wife  survi\-ed  him  and  died  about  1890,  aged  eighty-one 
years.  The\'  were  the  parents  of  three  children.  William  P.,  George  W.  and 
Alta  M. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  ]\Irs.  Foulk  was  Enoch  Squibb,  and  his  wife 
was  Ja-ne  (Packington)  Squibb,  both  natives  of  Xew  York  state,  and  early 
settlers  in  Ohio  county,  Indiana,  where  they  died.  Their  children  were,  Xa- 
thaniel,  \A"illiam.  Rachel,  Ednnnul,  George,  and  Jatie. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  ]vlrs.  Finilk  was  Gideon  Cummins,  and  his 
wife  was  Eunice  (Ellis)  Cummins,  both  natives  of  Xew  York  state,  and  pio- 
neers in  Ohio  county,  Indiana.  ]Mr.  Cummins  died  in  Ripley  county  at  an  old 
age.     They  had  four  children,  Josiah,  Gideon,  Eliza  and  Effie. 

Louis  M.  Foulk  died  on  February  12,  1S89,  aged  sixty  years.  His  wife 
still  survives  him.     They  both  united  with  the  Baptist  church. 


MRS.  AXXA  SMITH  COXAWAY. 

The  following  is  a  short  biograph.ical  sketch  oi  one  of  the  worthv  women 
of  Dillsboro,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana.  ]\Irs.  Anna  Smith  Conaway,  daughter 
of  X'athan  Smith  and  widow  of  Robert  Conaway,  combining  something  of 
the  genealogy  of  the  two  families  mentioned. 

Anna  Smith  was  a  native  of  Dillsbon.i,  born  on  December  10,  1854,  a 
daughter  of  X'athan  and  Sarah  (Powell)  Smith.  When  a  young  man  Xa- 
than  Smith  came  ti"*  Dill^lloro,  where  he  passed  the  remaining  rears  of  his 
life.  He  was  engaged  in  a  stcjck  trading  business  in  which  he  was  faif'ly 
successful.  Fie  died  in  1861  when  in  middle  age,  having  for  many  years 
been  a  faithful  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Sarah  I^jwell,  m^ither 
of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  Imrn  at  Rising  Sun.  in  1820, 
and  became  the  mother  of  six  children.  nainel_\- :  Harriet.  Emily.  Henry  (who 
died  at  the  front  during  the  Civil  War),  Rebecca,  Anna  and  John,     Harriet; 


740  DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

married  Jolin  M.  Hoover,  of  Dillsboro,  to  whom  were  born  three  children, 
Minnie,  Frank  and  Ada  ]May:  the  two  eldest  of  whom  died  in  childhood  and 
Ada  Afay  became  the  wife  of  Will  Stewart,  of  Goodland,  Indiana.  Emily 
married  James  Abbott,  of  Dillsboro,  and  to  that  union  were  bOrn  four  chil- 
dren, Oran,  Lois.  Charles  and  Roy ;  Lois  is  married,  being  the  wife  of  Robert 
Thair,  of  Cincinnati,  and  the  mother  of  one  child.  Duret.  Rebecca  married 
Scott  Misner  and  became  the  mother  of  three  children;  Maggie,  Lawrence 
and  Ethel;  of  whom  [Maggie  became  the  wife  of  Will  Shisler  and  has  twri 
children,  Dorcas  and  Lawrence ;  Lawrence  chose  Vina  McGranihan  as  his 
wife,  and  Ethel  married  Carl  Decker,  and  is  the  mother  of  four  children, 
Charles,  Chester.  Elizabeth  and  another.  John  married  Alice  Smith,  of 
Dillsbiiro,  and  their  marriage  is  without  issue. 

Anna  Smith  became  the  wife  of  Robert  Gonaway,  a  son  of  Hamilton  and 
Harriet  ^Lemons)  Conaway,  the  former  of  whom  was  boni  in  Laugliery, 
this  county,  where  he  passed  his  entire  life.  He  read  law  when  a  young  man 
and  ga^'e  more  or  less  time  to  his  profession  in  addition  to  his  duties  as  a 
farmer.  He  lived  to  be  past  seventy  years  of  age.  Robert  Conaway  was 
bom  in  Laughery  on  January  i6,  184S,  and  passed  his  entire  life  in  that  com- 
munity. He  gave  his  attention  to  farming,  stock  raising  and  shipping  live 
stock,  and  was  one  of  the  highly  respected  and  successful  men  of  that  section. 
A  faithful  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  one  of  the  stanch  sup- 
porters of  the  Deiuocratic  party,  he  was  a  man  of  much  good  influence  in 
the  community.  His  death  occurred  on  July  7,  1909,  leaving,  besides  his 
widow,  five  children,  namely:  Elizabeth,  Hamilton,  Eliza,  Harriet  and  Hany. 
Elizabeth  became  the  wife  of  J.  AI.  ]McKim,  of  Coles  Comer.  Hamilton,  who 
has  been  married,  now  lives  at  home  with  his  mother.  Eliza  is  the  \\\ie  of 
Joseph  Ake  ^ilunster,  of  Indianapolis,  and  the  mother  of  three  children, 
Elizabeth,  Dorothy  and  Marie.  Harriett  became  the  wife  of  Edward  Licking 
of  Cincinnati,  and  has  one  child,  Estal.  Mr.  Licking  is  connected  with  the 
internal  revenue  service  at  Cincinnati.  Harry,  the  youngest  of  the  family, 
remains  at  home  with  the  mother. 

Mrs.  Conaway  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  excellent  women  of  the  com- 
munity, and  quietl}'  discharges  her  duties  and  responsibilities  in  a  most 
efficient  manner.  For  forty  years  she  lived  on  the  family  homestead  and 
since  the  death  of  her  husband  has  taken  up  her  residence  in  Dillsboro,  where 
she  found  a  warm  welcome  from  a  large  circle  of  friends. 

\\'oman's  life  is  lived  within  the  home  circle,  where  there  is  rarely  anv- 
thing  of  a  spectacular  nature  to  record,  but  there  are  constantly  being  made 


DKARBORX   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  74I 

Upon  lier  fortitude  and  strength  of  character  such  demands  as  fall  tri  man's 
l(-)t  in  the  outer  world,  so  when  it  can  be  said  of  a  woman  that  she  has  ahlv  dis- 
charged her  duties  as  wife  and  mother,  much  has  been  said  and  much  credit 
and  praise  are  hers. 


CHARLES  R.  LIEBERMAN.  ' 

The  biographer'  with  pleasure  calls  attention  to  a  few  of  the  salient 
points  in  the  career  of  Charles  R.  Lieberman,  well-known  retail  meat  mer- 
chant of  Dillsboro,  Clay  township.  Dearborn  county,  Indiana.  Mr.  Liclicr- 
nian  is  a  Swiss  by  birth,  ha\'ing  first  seen  the  light  of  day  in  the  rcpuMic 
of  Switzerland  on  .-Viiril  7,  1S66.  He  is  one  of  two  sons  of  Joseph  ¥.  and 
Odela  (Geiscr)  Lieberman,  the  other  being  Erancis  Joseph.  Both  parents 
were  Swiss  natives  and  passed  their  entire  lives  in  their  own  country.  Joseph 
F.  operated  a  large  flour-mill  beside  a  turbulent  little  mountain  stream 
which  had  been  handed  down  to  him  b\'  his  parents,  Ferdinand  and  Julia  (von 
Hess)  Lieberman. 

Charles  R.  Lieberman  came  to  this  countrv  when  still  a  voung  man  and 
pursued  his  education  in  the  city  of  Cincinnati.  After  a  short  time  in  the 
I'nited  States,  he  returned  to  his  native  land  and  there  finished  his  education. 
\vhcreupon  he  again  came  tn  Cincinnati  and  secured  employment  in  one  of 
Iier  leading  packing  houses.  He  followed  this  line  of  work  in  many  of  the 
larger  cities  of  the  country  and  later  purchased  an  interest  in  a  packing  estab- 
lishment located  at  Springfield,  Ohio.  After  a  time  he  again  went  to  Cin- 
cinnati and  engaged  in  the  retail  butcher  supply  business  and  in  1905  came 
to  Dillsboro  and  opened  u[>  a  retail  meat  market  shop  in  the  Aiasonic  building. 
He  is  now  located  at  the  '"flatiron"  corner,  where  he  has  been  for  some  years. 

Charles  H.  Lieberman  was  married  in  1900,  to  Sophia  Xiester.  a  daugh- 
ter of  A.  F.  and  ^Nfaria  (Ehlers)  Xiester,  of  Dillsboro.  the  former  the  well- 
known  harness  anrl  shoe  dealer.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Liel.K;rman  ha\-e  been 
born  two  children.  Otto  C.  and  Olga,  both  of  whom  are  attending  school  in 
Dillsboro. 

Air.  Liebemian  holds  his  fraternal  affiliations  with  the  ancient  order  of 
f'ree  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  also  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  through 
tlie  local  lodges  in  Dillsboro.  His  political  support  he  gives  to  the  Republican 
l>arty  and  while  not  a  seeker  after  office  for  himself,  he  is  known  as  one  of 
the  influential  men  of  the  party  in  this  section  an<i  his  approval  is  earnestly 
sought  by  those  who  care  for  the  honor  of  public  office.     Mr.  Lieberman  is 


V    f       .   !     .-.. 


'    ■   lo  15; 


'(•  L,      n -.r. 


742 


DEARBORN   COUXTY,  IXDIAXA. 


a  man  of  agTOcahle  ]>erri')iiality  and  a  most  interesting  conversationalist.  IK- 
has  crossed  the  ocean  seven  times  and  has  traveled  all  over  Europe  from  the 
]\Iediterranean  to  the  iiorth  of  Sweden,  and  lieing  a  clcsc  observer  of  affairs 
and  an  excellent  student  of  human  nature,  his  society  is  found  most  delight- 
ful by  those  interested  in  places  and  men  outside  of  tlieir  own  coimtry.  Snce 
coming  to  this  community,  Air.  Liclierman  has  won  the  friendship  of  the 
best  people  throughout  tliis  section  and  their  high  regard  he  retains  liy  vir- 
tue of  his  sterling  riualities  of  heart  and  mind.  He  is  wide  awake  to  the  best 
interests  of  his  adopted  home  and  any  plan  for  the  advancement  of  com- 
munity interests  finds  in  him  a  warm  supporter. 


ROBERT  H.  CHANCE. 


It  is  especially  fitting  that  the  following  biographical  sketch  should  appear 
in  a  volume  of  the  character  of  the  one  in  hand  for  two  reasons;  first,  be- 
cause the  Chance  family  is  one  of  the  very  oldest  in  this  section  and  has  been 
identified  with  local  affairs  since  its  earliest  histor}- ;  and,  second,  because  the 
immediate  subject  of  this  sketch  was  one  of  the  faithful  sons  of  the  Union  who 
donned  the  blue  in  the  dark  days  of  the  sixties  and  helped  preserve  the  integ- 
rity of  the  nation. 

Robert  H.  Chance  was  born  in  Sparta  township.  Dearborn  county,  In- 
diana, on  February  26,  18-J4,  being  a  son  of  Robert  and  Anna  M.  (Champion) 
Chance.  Robert  in  his  turn  was  a  son  of  John  and  Polly  Chance,  who  were 
boni  in  Pennsylvania,  where  they  grew  up  and  married,  and  later  brought  their 
family  into  the  wilderness  which  is  now  the  great  and  beautiful  state  of  In- 
diana. They  secured  from  the  government  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land,  -which  they  in  time  cleared,  and  on  which  their  family 
was  reared.  In  spite  of  the  many  years  of  hardship  as  pjioneers  in  a  new  land, 
both  li\-ed  to  a  good  old  age.  John  Chance  was  a  Whig,  and  he  took  an 
active  part  in  the  early  affairs  of  this  section.  There  were  twelve  children  in 
their  family,  one  dying  in  infancy.  The  others  were:  Tom,  Jesse,  Robert, 
Parry,  Jackson-,  John,  Pliram,  Mary,  Hettie,  Lucinda  and  Lizzie. 

Robert  Chance  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  upon  the  family  coming 
westward,  he  stopped  in  Cincinnati  at  a  time  when  there  were  but  four  or  five 
log  houses  in  the  little  river  settlement.  Pie  then  came  to  Sparta  township, 
where  his  education  was  obtained  in  the  early  subscription  schools  of  the 
neighborhood,  and  in  that  township  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  passing 


.      ■    1    .;;i,    :,i     f'ryl   .'.l 

.•i:)i!rf'0 

■     .;:     ■'■'\r  ■    j.i 

!'ii    ,;iu;:^'; 

, !>•/.;      -  .     -yj--     ■■■'■ 

r        ,:-.Vr.. 

';   1  ::;■!-!  ',    .''.■■..'    ;.i  : 

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■^::    i.^1'  [,.■    .y    r' 

ii.-,:'!K    ■'■\^':  ?ii. 

.)."'      r:    ;       '  '-j'l'f;''  '■  '    '/. 


DF.ARBORX   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  743 

away  wlien  eiglity-tive  years  of  age.  Robert  Chance  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  .\fter  tlie  formation  n[  the  Reinil)hcan  party  he 
became  one  of  its  stanch  supporter,s.  His  wife.  Anna  M.  Champion,  w;is  l)Orn 
in  tlie  state  of  New  Jersey  and  was  bmuglit  to  Dearborn  county  in  earl\-  cliibh 
hood  by  her  parents. 

Robert  H.  Chance,  immediate  suliject  of  this  sketch,  was  one  of  a  family 
of  nine  children,  namely:  ^laiy  Jane,  Wesley,  Phoebe,  Catherine,  Robert  H., 
Joseph,  Isabelle,  Leven  I',  and  Frank.  Robert  remained  at  h.onie  with  his  par- 
ents, receiving  his  education  in  the  early  schools  of  Sparta  township  and  when 
but  seventeen  years  of  age,  fired  with  patriotism  over  the  causes  which  threat- 
ened to  disrupt  the  Nation,  he  enlisted  for  service  with  Companv  .\,  Se\'enth 
Regiment,  Indiana  A'olunteer  Infantr_\-,  and  for  the  ne.xt  three  years  was  in 
many  of  the  hardest  fought  battles  of  the  war.  He  was  at  Winchester,  .Antie- 
tam,  Fredericksbiu-g.  Chancellorsville,  the  A\'ilderness,  Petersburg,  Gettysburg, 
Slaughter  ^Mountain,  besides  many  lesser  engagements  and  skinnishes.  He 
served  as  a  non-commissioned  officer  through  the  greater  part  of  his  enlist- 
ment. 

x^fter  the  expiration  of  his  term  cif  service,  Robert  H.  Chance  returned  to 
his  home  and  purchased  a  tract  of  forty  acres  of  land  in  Sparta  township  for 
which  he  paid  nine  hundred  dollars.  There  he  resided  for  three  years,  when 
he  traded  it  for  a  seventy-acre  tract  nearby,  which  he  farmed  two  years  and 
then  sold,  buying  one  hundred  and  twenty-four  acres  in  Sparta  township, 
which  he  farmed  for  twelve  years,  at  that  time  retiring  from  the  active  affairs 
of  life. 

Robert  PI.  Chance's  marriage  occurred  on  September  23,  1S66,  wh.en  he 
was  united  in  matrimony  with  Sadie  ]\I.  Baker,  daughter  of  E.  W.  and  Mar- 
garet A.  (Hennigan)  Baker  of  Washington  township,  this  county.  Mr.  Baker 
was  born  and  passed  his  entire  life  in  Dearborn  count}-,  being  engaged  in  agri- 
culture during  all  his  active  years.  He  passed  away  in  1903,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty-four  years.  Mrs.  Baker  also  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age,  her  death 
occurring  on  December  13,  1907,  when  in  her  eighty-third  \ear.  Thev  were 
the  parents  of  ten  children,  namely:  Angeline,  Harlow,  Sadie,  Louis,  Ella, 
Mary,  Dolly,  Hattie,  Ulla  and  Carrie.  Sadie  (Mrs.  Cliance)  received  her  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  Washington  township.  Dearborn  county,  and  has  passed 
her  entire  life  here.  To  ]Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Chance  ha\-e  been  horn  three  children, 
Cora,  Ida  and  Alta.  Cora  is  the  wife  of  George  W.  Turner,  of  Sparta  town- 
ship, and  is  the  mother  of  two  children,  Robert  and  Grace.  Ida  is  Mrs.  W. 
Eckstein  and  has  one  child,  Frieda.  Alta,  the  youngest  of  the  family,  re- 
mains with  the  parents. 


744  DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

Mr.  Chance  holds  his  religious  membership  with  the  Presbyterian  church 
of  Dillsboro  and  his  fraternal  affiliation  witli  tlic  ancient  order  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Alasons,  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  William  Spear  Post,  No.  89, 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  at  Dillsboro.  In  politics,  he  is  a  firm  supporter 
of  the  Republican  party,  keenly  interested  in  all  affairs  pertaining  thereto. 
Jkli".  Chance  is  a  man  of  progressive  tendencies  and  enterprising  spirit,  who  has 
a  host  of  friends  in  the  community  where  he  has  passed  almost  his  entire 
life. 


GEORGE  H.  LEWIS. 


The  Lewis  family  came  to  this  country  from  \\'ales.  The  fath.er  of  George 
H.  Lewis  died  soon  after  reaching  this  country.  He  had  two  brothers 
Richard  and  Charles,  who  served  in  the  Civil  War.  Richard  was  killed 
in  the  ser\-ice  and  Charles  died  in  Andersonvillc  prison.  Although  born  in 
Wales,  George  H.  Lewis  learned  the  miller's  trade  at  London,  Canada,  having 
migrated  to  that  country  with  his  mother  after  the  death  of  his  father.  Mr. 
Lewis  has  been  engaged  in  the  milling  business  all  his  life,  and  has  never  lo^t 
a  day's  time,  except  on  account  of  sickness.  Mr.  Lewis  was  engaged  in  th:- 
milling  business  at  several  places  in  Canada,  in  Ohio  and  in  Pennsylvania 
before  finallv  locating-  at  Lawrenceburg,  this  county.  Pie  is  now  the  vice- 
president  and  general  manager  of  the  Lawrenceburg  Roller  Mills  Company. 

George  H.  Lewis  was  born  in  Oswestry,  Wales,  on  ]\[arch  23,  1S66.  the 
son  of  George  and  Rebecca  (Thomas)  Leuis,  both  natives  of  Wales.  They 
had  two  sons  and  two  daughters.  One  son,  George,  died  in  infancy  and  one 
daughter,  Sarah,  died  at  the  age  of  five  years.  Elizabeth,  the  other  daughter, 
married  \\'illiam  Watson,  of  Oil  Springs,  Ontario,  Canada,  and  George  H. 
is  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

The  elder  Lewis  was  reared  in  a  railroad  office  at  Oswestry,  Wales,  and 
followed  railroading  for  some  years.  He  came- to  America  in  1S68,  and  lo- 
cated near  Rockford,  Illinois,  dying  soon  after  locating  there  of  typhoid 
fever.  His  widow  sun-dved  him  for  many  years  and  died  in  1S97,  at  the  age 
of  sixty-three.  They  were  members  of  the  Methodist  church,  and  he  was  a 
Methodist  lay  preacher  and  rode  a  circuit. 

George  H.  Lewis's  paternal  grandfather  and  his  wife  died  in  Wales. 
They  had  three  sons  and  one  daughter  who  came  to  America,  two  of  these 
sons,  Richard  and  Charles,  having  served  in  the  Civil  War,  as  noted  above. 
]\Ir.  Lewis's  maternal  grandparents  spent  all  their  lives  in  Wales,  the  grand- 


-■  T^-^'i 


GEOKCK   H.    I.KWIS 


DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  745 

fatlicr  having  been  a  coiilractor.  He  died  at  tlie  age  of  about  sixty  and  hii 
wife  at  the  age  of  sixty-three.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren:    i\Iary,  Sarah,  John.  Andrew,  George,  Stephen  and  Rebecca. 

George  H.  Lewis  was  reared  until  he  was  five  years  old  in  Cleveland, 
Ohio.  He  then  went  to  Canada  with  his  mother  and  sister  and  there  grevv' 
ti)  nianhiiod  in  London.  He  attended  the  public  schools  in  London,  Canada, 
and  li\ed  on  a  farm  near  that  city  until  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  began 
to  learn  the  miller's  trade.  From  London  he  removed  to  Park  Hill,  Canada, 
and  after  being  there  a  short  time  removed  to  Strattero}-,  thence  returned 
to  Cleveland,  Ohio.  After  being  there  some  years,  engaged  with  the  National 
Milling  Company,  Mr.  Lewis  removed  to  Pittsljurgh,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  the  milling  business  for  seven  years.  From  Pittsburgh  he  went  to  Akron, 
Ohio,  and  then  returned  to  Pittsburgh  for  a  year.  On  September  20,  1900, 
Mr.  Lewis  moved  to  Lawrenceburg,  this  county,  and  became  superintendent 
of  the  manufacturing  department  of  the  Lawrenceburg  Roller  Mills  Company. 
Later  he  was  made  secretary  and  manager  of  this  company  and  was  then 
elected  vice-president  and  general  manager  of  the  concern,  which  responsible 
jiosition  he  now  holds.  In  the  meantime  he  had  bought  out  the  interest  of 
Mr.  Pdaney.  of  Boston. 

The  Lawrenceburg  Roller  Mills  Company  was  organized  in  1896  and 
was  incorporated  the  following  year  with  a  capital  of  sc^■enty-five  thousand 
dollars,  this  capital  later  beir.g  increased  to  one  hundred  thousand  dollari. 
The  present  officers  of  the  company  are  B.  J.  Rothwell,  of  Boston,  president : 
Ci.  H.  Lewis,  vice-president;  L.  S.  Brown,  of  Boston,  treasurer.  The  capacity 
of  the  mill  is  eighteen  hundred  barrels  a  day.  and  the  storage  capacity  for 
grain  is  five  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  bushels.  Tiie  company  ships  its 
gf'ods  to  all  parts  of  the  world,  except  the  Orient,  and  does  business  in  all 
European  ports  and  in  South  America,  also  carrying  on  a  large  domestic  trade 
in  the  East  and  Southeast.  The  company  employs  sixty-five  people,  the 
earnings  of  these  people  feeding  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  mouths  in  th.c 
cit_\  of  Lawrenceburg.  The  annual  pay  roll  is  about  fifty  thousand  dollars 
a  year. 

On  December  17,  1S88,  George  IL  Lewis  was  married  to  Xeftie  Schone- 
myer.  who  was  born  on  October  28,  1866,  daughter  of  Frederick  Ernest  and 
Elizabeth  Schonemyer.  One  son,  born  to  this  union,  died  in  1911,  at  the 
age  of  twenty-one.  He  attended  Purdue  L'niversity  for  three  years,  and  then 
associated  himself  with  the  Bullock  Electric  .Company,  of  Cincinnati,  later 
becoming  associated  with  the  Western  Electric  Company,  near  Chicago. 
Mrs.  Nettie  Lewis  died  in  1895,  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine,  and  on  June  7, 


I'.-, 


•..1/     1 


746  DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

1905,  Air.  Lewis  married,  secoiully.  Edna  J.  Gi\an.  who  was  born  in  I'eler  ;• 
burg.  Kentucky,  daughter  of  Sanford  and  EHzalieth  (Riddell)  Givan,  nati\'ei 
of  that  state.  Sanford  divan  was  postnijister  of  Aurora,  this  county,  and  lat;.-,- 
became  connected  with  t!ie  Ohiii  Loan  Association,  as  api)raiser.  He  is  de- 
ceased, but  his  widow  is  still  living.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children, 
Florence,  J'aul  and  Edna  J. 

Mrs.  Lewis  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church,  and  Air.  Lewis  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  church.  He  belongs  to  McKinley  Lodge  Xo.  31 8, 
Free  and  Accepted  Alasons.  and  is  a  Rei)ublican  in  politics.  lie  was  vice- 
president  of  the  Cincinnati  Chamber  of  Commerce  for  two  years.  During  t!ie 
flood  of  1913  he  was  treasurer  of  the  flood  committee  for  relief  at  Lawrence- 
burg,  lie  was  also  appointed  special-  rei)resentati\-e  of  the  Red  Cross  wiih 
power  to  act. 

Mr.  Lewis  is  an  expert  miller,  understanding  thoroughly  not  only  tlie 
manufacturing  end  of  the  business,  but  the  business  end  as  well,  having  fol- 
lowed the  business  since  he  was  a  boy  si.xteen  years  old.  It  may  proper!)- 
be  said  that  the  remarkable  success  of  the  Lawrenceburg  Roller  Alills  Com- 
pany diu-ing  the  jjast  fifteen  years  is  due  largel}-  to  Air.  Lewis's  efforts.  He 
not  only  believes  in  his  business,  but  is  a  born  optimist,  enthusiastically  devoted 
to  e\ery  phase  and  every  detail  of  the  enterprise  with  which  he  is  so  prom- 
inently connected. 

Mr.  Lewis's  onlv  living  sister,  Mrs.  Eli/:abeth  Watson,  has  a  pleasant 
family  of  children,  Alay,  Xettie.  Frank,  Edsie  and  George. 


,     •  EAIILY  ELIZABETH    (HUBBARTT)    WALKER. 

It  is  with  pleasure  the  biographer  calls  attention  to  a  short  sketch  of  the 
life  of  Airs.  Emily  b'lizabeth  W^alkcr,  one  of  the  worthy  and  respected  matrons 
of  Clay  ti:)wnship.  Dearborn  count}',  Indiana,  combining  a  brief  history  of  her 
own  and  her  husband's  people. 

Mrs.  Walker  is  a  native  of  Dearborn  county,  born  on  December  8,  1841, 
a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Jones)  Hubbartt,  the  former  also  a 
native  of  this  county  and  the  latter  born  at  Alilford,  Ohio,  in  August  of 
182 1.  Thomas  Hubbartt  first  saw  the  Hght  of  day  in  i8j2  and  received  his 
educaton  in  the  early  schools  of  his  native  county.  After  his  school  days 
were  over,  he  turned  his  attention  to  farming  and  gave  his  acti\'e  years  to  that 
occupation  in  addition  to  following  the  carpenter  trade.     Flis  entire  life  was 


DEAKJIORX   COLNTV,   IXDIA.NA.  747 

passed  in  Dearborn  county.    To  Thotnas  IliiljbarU  and  wife  \v;is  born  a  family 
of   nine    cliildrcn.    namely;    Emily,    George,    Jolin.    X'ancv,    Louisa.    I'Vaucis,  ■ 
James,  ^Morion,  and  one  child  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mrs.  Wall^er's  paternal  grandjDarents  were  James  and  Xancy  Ilubliartt 
both  of  wlmm  were  natives  of  Xorlli  Carolina  and  eai'Iv  in  their  married  life 
they  came  into  Dearborn  count}-,  locating-  near  ?vJount  'J'afjor.  They  later  ni'  ived 
to  the  little  settlement  on  White  ri\er  in  the  central  ijortimi  of  the  state,  where 
the  city  of  Indianapolis  now  stands,  but  called  at  that  lime  Xew  I'urchase. 
There  they  lived  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  James  attaining  the  unusual  age 
of  one  hundred  and  seven  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  se\-en  children : 
Charles,  Solomon,  Janies,  George.  Betsey,  Jane  and  Thomas. 

Emily  Elizabeth  Walker  received  her  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  Sparta  township,  near  her  childhor)d  home  and  remained  with  her  parents 
until  the  time  of  her  marriage  on  January  23,  1S62,  to  Thon.ias  James  Walker, 
son  of  Rdbert  and  Theodosia  (Cook)  Walker.  Roljcrt  Walker  was  a  nati\-e 
of  Ireland  and  immigrated  to  this  country  when  a  yoinig  man  and  finally- 
drifted  to  Dearborn  county,  locatiiig  on  a  farm  near  [Mount  Tabor,  lie  later 
remo\-ed  to  Wilmington  and  still  later  took  up  his  residence  on  a  farni  on 
Hogan  creek,  where  he  passed  his  remaining  da}-s.  His  death  occin-red  in  Au- 
gust of  1865,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years.  Theodosia.  his  wife,  was  born 
at  I^wrenceburg.  receiving  her  education  in  the  schools  of  that  town.  To  them 
were  born  iiine  children;  S}-l\'ester,  John,  William,  Thomas,  Jane,  Eliza,  ^la- 
tilda,  Catherine  and  Sarah. 

Thomas  James  Walker  was  born  on  December  _|,  1831,  while  his  parents 
were  living  in  [Mount  Tabor  and  he  received  his  edtication  in  the  schools  near 
his  home.  Inimediately  after  completing  his  education  he  went  to  the  Ohio 
ri\-er  and  for  the  following  ten  years  worked  on  boats  plying  its  waters.  He 
then  returned  home  and  farmed  the  family  homestead  until  the  time  of  his 
marriage,  when  he  purchased  fifty-two  acres  in  Clay  township  and  settled 
down  there.  He  later  purchased  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  acres  adjoining 
which  he  farmed  for  some  time,  later  on  disposing  of  frjrt_\-  acres,  but  retain- 
ing and  managing  the  balance.  In  addition  to  his  farm  home,  he  owns  a 
house  and  three  lots  in  Dillsboro  and  has  in  the  course  of  his  labors  accjuired 
a  pleasing  competency. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walker  are  the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  namely :  Alice, 
Anna,  Olive,  George,  John,  Gilbert,  Carrie,  May,  Evcritt,  Lee,  Walter,  Kate, 
and  Xora,  who  died  when  young.  Alice,  the  eldest,  became  the  wife  of  John 
Jewett  and  the  mother  of  six  children,  Thomas.  Cecil,  Emma,  Charles,  John 
and  Walker.    Anna  married  Columbus  Rowland  and  had  five  children,  Ethel, 


^>.. ..■:':'.    -tl 


748  DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

Harry  Bessie  and  two  dead.  Olive  became  the  wife  of  Thomas  Radley. 
George  married  Nellie  Siiicoe.  John  chose  Daisy  Gray  as  his  wife.  Carrie 
married  Harry  AIcKnight  and  has  one  child,  Esther.  Everitt  married  Nellie 
Everitt.  W'alter  married  Bessie  Siemental  and  has  three  children,  Carroll, 
Adeline  and  Tilford. 

Airs.  Walker  is  a  devout  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and 
in  that  faith  has  reared  her  excellent  family.  This  family  is  regarded  as  one  of 
the  best  families  of  the  community,  the  various  members  being  held  in  high 
esteem  throughout  this  section.  Air.  Walker  gives  his  support  to  the  Demo- 
cratic party  and  is  interested  in  all  questions  of  public  welfare.  He  is  ac- 
counted as  most  properly  as  among  the  substantial  citizens  of  this  community. 


HEXRV  PIEPER. 


In  the  respect  that  is  accorded  to  men  who  have  fought  their  own  wav 
to  success  through  unfavorable  environment,  we  find  an  unconscious  recog- 
nition of  the  intrinsic  worth  of  the  character  which,  cannot  only  endure  so 
rough  a  test,  but  gain  new  strength  through  the  discipline.  The  gentleman 
whose  name  appears  above  was  not  favored  in  his  early  life  with  inherited 
wealth  or  the  influence  of  successful  friends,  but  in  spite  of  this,  he  has 
attained  a  comfortable  station  in  life,  making  his  influence  felt  for  the  good 
of  the  community  life  of  Dillsboro,  where  he  has  long  resided.  Because  of 
his  honorable  career  and  because  also  he  is  numbered  among  those  patriotic 
sons  of  the  North,  who  assisted  in  saving  the  Union's  integrity  in  the  dark- 
days  of  the  si.xties.  he-  is  eminently  worthy  of  a  place  in  this  book. 

Henr>",  Pieper,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany, 
on  January  20,  1839,  son  of  Francis  H.  arid  Anna  Alary  (Schnitker)  Pieper. 
Francis  H.  \vas  also  a  native  of  Hanover,  born  there  in  1797.  He  was  fox 
many  years  a  farmer  and  carpenter  in  his  native  land  and  then  immigrated  to 
America  when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  small  child.  He  located  first 
in  Cincinnati,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  and  then,  in  1845,  he  came  to 
Dearborn  county  and  secured  work  on  a  farm.  He  managed  in  this  way 
for  a  few  years  and  then,  in  1851,  he  moved  to  Switzerland  county  and 
bought  a  farm  of  forty  acres,  costing  him  two  hundred  dollars.  This  was 
practically  unimproved,  the  only  effort  in  that  line  being  the  little  log  house 
on  the  tract.  In  1866  he  moved  to  Farmers  Retreat,  Caesar  Creek  township. 
purchasing  at  that  place  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  four  acres,  which  cost 


DEARBORN  COUISTY,  INDIANA.  ■  749 

liini  twenty-seven  hinidred  dollars.  He  carried  on  general  farming  and  lived 
there  a  number  of  years.  He  passed  away  in  the  spring  of  1S79,  at  the  age 
of  eighty-two  }-ears.  He  was  a  devout  member  of  the  I.ulheran  church,  and 
after  the  birth  of  the  Republican  party  in  1856  he  endorsed  its  principles 
for  the  balance  of  his  life.  There  were  four  children  in  his  family,"  Henry, 
the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  being  the  third  child  in  order  i.if  Ijirth. 
The  eldest  was  Caroline  Olrs.  Opp).  now  deceased.  She  v.as  the  m<;ither  of 
twel\-e  children,  W'illiaiu,  ^lary  (deceased),  Amelia  (deceased"),  Lizzie, 
George,  Frank,  Fred.  Anna.  Carrie  (deceased)  ;  all  these  grew  to  maturity. 
There  were  three  who  died  in  infancy,  Charley,  Henry  and  Eliza.  }*[innie. 
now  deceased,  the  second  daughter  of  the  family,  is  the  wife  of  Henry  \A'ort- 
man  and  the  mother  of  nine  children,  Elizabeth,  William,  John,  George, 
Catherine,  Loui.sa.  Carrie,  Mary  and  Henry.  Fred,  the  younge-^t  of  tlie 
family,  died  at  Dillsboro  on  April  8,  1914,  leaving  his  widow  and  ten  children, 
Frank,  Minnie,  Anna,  William  (deceased),  Carrie,  John,  Dora,  Agnes,  Jes- 
sie and  Alfred. 

The  mother  of  Henry  Pieper,  Anna  Mary  Schnitker,  was  born  in  Han- 
over, Germany,  in  the  year  iSoo,  and  died  in  the  spring  of  18S2.  Both  of 
her  parents  remained  in  their  native  land  and  died  there  when  about  sixt}'- 
five  years  of  age.  There  were  but  two  children  in  their  family,  Anna  M.  and 
a  brother,  Casper  Henry  Schnitker,  who  also  remained  in  Germany  all  his 
life,  where  he  was  a  farmer. 

Henry  Pieper  was  but  a  small  child  when  he  was  brought  to  this  country 
by  his  parents  and  after  they  located  in  this  country,  he  attended  the  early 
schools  near  his  home.  In  1861,  when  just  of  age,  he  made  his  first  business 
venture.  This  was  the  purchase  of  a  farm  of  forty  acres  located  in  Switzer- 
land county,  for  which  he  paid  the  sum  of  si.x  hundred  dollars.  It  was  partly 
cleared  and  he  set  ab'.uit  clearing  the  balance  and  putting  the  entire  tract  into 
an  excellent  state  of  cultivation,  \^'hen  he  had  succeeded  in  doing  this,  he 
purchased  a  tract  of  forty  acres  adjoining,  for  which  he  paid  eleven  hun- 
dred dollars.  That  was  almost  entirely  cleared  and  he  fanned  this  land  until 
1876,  when  he  disposed  of  it  and  moved  to  Ripley  county.  There  he  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  for  which  he  paid  twenty- 
four  hundred  dollars,  and  this  he  retained  until  1909.  In  1882  he  added 
forty  additional  acres  to  his  original  holdings  in  Ripley  county,  the  latter 
tract  costing  him  one  thousand  dollars  and  at  that  time  he  began  to  be  inter- 
ested in    the  raising  of  fancy  live  stock. 

He  retired  from  the  exacting  duties  of  a  farmer  in  1895  '^''''i  moved 
to  Dillsboro  and  there  the  following  year,  in  company  with  his  son,  Henry 


750  DEARBORN'   COL'XTV,  INDIANA. 

Smith,  he  opened  up  the  hardware  business,  which  they  still  run.  He 
has  from  the  first  succeeded  well  in  this  undertaking;"  and  all  who  e\'er  knew 
him  have  the  utmost  confidence  in  him. 

Henry  Pieper  was  united  in  marriage  with  Louisa  Brocksieker,  Lorn  in 
Ripley  county,  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Anna  ^lary  fBurman)  Brocksieker, 
both  of  \vh(un  were  Imrn  in  Germany.  Thev  came  to  tliis  countr\-  in  1843 
and  located  in  this  county,  wliere  fi^ir  a  number  of  years  the_\-  farmed  and 
where  both  died. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Piejier  were  born  two  children,  Anna  ^Iar\-  and  I'red- 
erick.  who  died  in  infancy.  Anna  Mary  was  burn  on  April  :ig.  1S67,  and 
received  her  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Ripley  county.  She  was 
uniterl  in  marriage  with  Henr}-  Smith  on  IMarch  10,  1S87. 

J.  Henry  Smith  was  born  in  Ripley  county  on  April  iS,  1861,  a  son  of 
John  F.  and  Louisa  (Lousa)  Smith,  Ixith  of  wlKmi  were  natives  of  the  Ger- 
man empire.  To  Henry  and  Auna  Mary  (Pie])er)  Smith  was  born  one  son, 
Harry  LVederick,  wlm  first  saw  the  light  of  day  on  March  2\.  1888,  and 
recei\'ecl  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Ripley  and  Dearborn  cf)unties. 

Special  mention  is  du.e  Mr.  Piejier  in  \iew  of  the  fact  that,  alth(~)ugh  not 
a  native-born  son  of  our  countr\',  he  pro\-ed  himself  as  loyal  as  anv  when  the 
integxity  of  the  Nation  was  at  stake,  and  served  tliree  years  with  the  "'bo-.s  in 
blue."  Pie  enlisted  early  in  the  beginning  of  hostilities,  being  a  private  in 
Company  A,  Seventh  Regiment,  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantrv,  and  was  in 
some  of  the  heaviest  engagements  of  the  war.  .\mong  them  were  the  bat- 
tles of  A\'inchester  (Virginia),  Fnrt  Repuldic,  Bull  Run,  South  Mountain 
(Maryland),  Antietam.  Fredericksburg,  Mine  Run,  the  Wilderness,  and 
others.  He  was  especially  fortunate  to  see  so  much  active  service  am!  escape 
without  serious  wounds.  In  prilitics  ?»Ir.  Pieper  is  a  stanch  Republican  and 
lias  rdways  been  active  in  those  ranks.  While  living  in  Switzerland  county 
he  served  as  township  assessor  for  four  years  (from  186S  to  1872)  and  in 
Ripley  county  he  was  a  county  commissioner  (from  1S81  to  1S84)  and  since 
becoming  a  resident  of  Dillsboro,  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  cit\-  co'uicil. 
His  religious  membership  is  held  in  the  Lutheran  church,  of  which  he  is  a 
faithful  member,  and  his  fraternal  affiliation  is  with  the  Knights  of  Pvt'iias 
and  the  Grand  Amiy  of  the  Republic  through  the  local  organizations  at 
Dillsboro.  Mr.  I'ieper  is  a  most. agreeable  con\'ersationalist.  He  has  tra\tled 
extensively  throughout  the  United  States  and  is  also  cimsideraljle  of  a  reader 
and  stuf'ent  of  human  nature.  He  is  a  man  of  strong  personal  qualities  and 
easi!}-  makes  friends  and  retains  them.  He  has  earned  for  himself  a  place 
of  prominence  among  the  enterprising  men  of  the  county. 


DEARBORN  COUXTY,  INDIANA.  75^.  \ 

JAMES  N.   HOOPER.  '.  '    ,   '      , 

James  N.  Hooper,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  J.  N.  Hooper  iS:  S<ui, 
dealers  in  hardware,  etc.,  of  Dillsboro,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  needs  no 
introduction  to  the  residents  of  this  count}-  in  general  as  he  is  among  its  most 
respected  and  Ijest-known  citizens.  However,  there  may  be  some  interesting 
point  of  genealog-v,  or  some  struggle  or  accomplishment  not  generalK-  kinnvn 
and  which  will  add  to  the  high  respect  and  confidence  in  wh.ich  he  is  held. 
therefore,  it  is  hoped  that  in  perusing  the  following  lines.  <kHlicatctl  to  the 
subject  of  this  re\ie\v.  some  new  idea  may  present  itself  even  ti^  thc/se  who 
know  and  like  him  best. 

James  N.  Hooper  is  a  native  of  the  Hoosier  state,  born  in  Hamilton 
county,  November  26.  1858.  being  a  son  of  William  and  Miramla  (C'.iance) 
Hooper.  William  Hoojjer  was  born  in  Ru^h  county,  this  state,  (jn  August  4, 
1837,  and  divided  his  tiijie  between  conducting  the  work  of  his  farm  home 
and  preaching  for  the  church  of  his  choice,  that  branch  (if  the  Piaptist  ch.urch 
known  as  the  Primitive  Baptists.  \\'illiam  Hooper  was  a  man  of  slrong  con- 
victions and  because  of  the  love  he  held  for  his  church  and  the  appeal  it  made 
to  him,  he  went  from  otic  pi;)int  to  another  thnjughout  Indiana  and  llliimi^, 
preaching  as  he  went.  His  liome  church  was  tliat  societv  kmiwn  as  the 
"Antioch"  church  in  Poone  county,  and  that  he  made  his  headf|uarters.  He 
never  recei^■ed  anv  salary-  for  his  services,  that  being  against  his  principles, 
and  supported  himself  and  family  by  the  lalwr  of  his  own  hands  and  gifts 
received  from  admiring  friends  in  the  church.  He  died  in  Feljruary,  1913. 
at  the  age  of  seveiity-five  years.  He  had  fought  a  good  fight,  being  willing 
to  live  in  a  way  of  which  most  men  would  rapidly  tire,  because  his  con- 
victions prompted  him  tn  do  so.  For  many  }ears  lie  was  an  earnest  ad\-o- 
cate  of  the  principk-s  of  th.e  Democratic  part}-,  although  having  \-ery  little 
time  to  devote  to  that  question. 

William  Hooper  was  a  son  of  James  Hooper,  whose  wife  was  a  >.[iss 
Baker,  both  born  near  Fayetteville,  Xnrth  Carolina,  where  they  were  farmers. 
The}'  left  their  nati\e  state,  going  into  Tennessee,  where  tliey  reniained  but 
a  short  time,  when  they  came  on  to  the  Hoosier  state,  settling  first  in  Rush 
county.  From  there  they  went  to  Hamilton  county,  then  to  Boone  county, 
and  finally  located  in  A\'ilson  county,  Kansas,  where  he  died  in  1906.  a  \ery 
old  man.  The  entire  journey  from  their  home  in  Xorth  Carolina  to  this  state 
was  accomplished  by  a  slow-going  ox  team  and  he  also  drove  the  entire 
distance  to  Kansas,  however  employing  horses  on  that  journe}-.  He  too  was 
a  Democrat,  although  taking  no  [larticular  interest  in  politics.     James  Hooper 


.-   i     ,;-;M   ::■     ;i      '■    -J    "rs:' 


752  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

was  thrice  married.  By  his  first  wife  he  had  fcmr  children,  W'ilhani,  Martha, 
James  K.  and  Nancy.  By  the  seci.uid  wife  he  became  tlie  father  of  two  daugh- 
ters, Adella  and  Ella.  By  the  third  wife  he  had  three  children,  Anna,  George 
and  Charles. 

Miranda  Chance,  mother  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a 
daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Hannah  (Clearwater)  Chance,  both  natives  of 
Ohio,  who  came  early  in  tlieir  married  life  to  tins  state  and  settled  near  Eagle- 
town,  where  for  many  years  they  were  farmers  and  where  both  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  their  days.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  daughters  and  two 
sons,  Jonathan  and  Ellis. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  one  of  a  family  of  nine  children,  two  of 
whom  died  in  earl_\-  infancy.  The  others  are  Alice,  ]\Iaggie,  William  X., 
Ernest  Burdett,  Izora  Ellen,  John  J.  James  X.  was  the  eldest  of  this  family. 
He  received  his  early  edncation  in  the  common  schools  of  Hamilton  and  Boone 
counties,  this  state,  and  in  the  winter  of  1879-S0  he  had  charge  of  a  rural 
school  in  the  latter  count}-.  The  following:  year  he  attended  Moores  Hill  Col- 
lege, taking  the  normal  course  at  that  institution  and  from  that  time  on  until 
the  winter  of  1893  ^^^  made  it  his  custom  to  teach  school  in  the  winter  and  in 
the  vacation  periods  to  follow  iiis  trade,  that  of  a  carpenter.  In  1S95  he  took 
up  his  residence  on  a  farm  and  from  that  time  on  to  1909  he  gave  his  atten- 
tion to  agricultural  work.  He  moved  to  Dillsboro  in  1909  and  purchased 
the  hardware  business  owned  b)-  H.  H.  Brow,  which  he  still  operates  in  part- 
nership with  his  son. 

James  N.  Hooper  was  married  on  August  9.  1S82,  to  Clara  B.  Wright, 
and  they  staiied  to  housekeeping  in  Cochran,  this  county.  ^Irs.  Blooper  is 
a  daughter  of  Henry  F.  Wright  and  Caroline  (Buffington)  W^right,  the 
former  a  native  of  this  countv,  born  in  Washington  township.  His  father 
was  a  farmer  and  after  living  for  a  short  time  on  another  farm  in  the  vicinity 
he  returned  to  the  old  homestead.  There  were  thirteen  children  born  to  the 
parents  of  Henry  F.  Wright,  as  follow:  John,  Emeline,  George,  Henry  F., 
Comfort,  David,  Charity,  Marguerite,  Benjamin  and  others  who  died  in 
infancy. 

Henry  F.  Wright,  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-eight  years  while  a* 
the  front  during  the  Civil  W'ar,  was  a  man  actively  concerned  in  all  the  best 
interests  of  his  home  community  He  was  well  educated  and  was  first  a 
teacher  in  the  school  of  Cochran,  was  active  in  the  building  of  the  old  Ohio 
&  Mississippi  railroad  and  was  interested  in  public  affairs  general!}'.  In 
politics  he  was  a  Democrat.  acti\'e  in  the  ranks  of  his  party  in  local  affairs 
and  his  religious  membership  he  held  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


•)'        .;,  .•    ,!■ 


■1    .-..'.'] 


DEARBORN"   COUNTY,   IXDTAXA.  j:,J, 

He  was  active  in  church  circles  and  aided  in  huilding-  the  churcli  of  that 
denioniiialion  at  Aurora.  His  death  occurreil  in  Septeniher,  1864,  at  Meni- 
]ihis,  'I'enncssce.  He  enli.-ted  in  the  hcginning  of  the  war,  being  coniniissii med 
hentenant,  was  huer  ad\-anced  to  a  captaincy  and  for  a  few  nn^nths  pre\iiins 
to  his  death  lie  served  \vilh  the  rank  of  major.  He  was  first  w  itli  the  Third 
and  later  widi  the  Sexxnth  Indiana  Cavah'y,  Army  of  the  l^otomac,  and 
•served  with  distinction  throughout  his  ser\'icc.  He  was  a  son  of  Tra  and 
EHzabeth  TCarpenter)  Wright,  natives  of  New  York  and  among  the  earliest 
pioneers  of  this  cijunty.  Ira  Wright  was  a  man  prominent  in  the  develop- 
ment of  this  section. 

Henry  F.  Wright  was  the  father  of  seven  children,  of  whom  Mrs. 
Hooper  is  the  youngest.  The  others  are :  Harriet,  now  Mrs.  Trister.  of  Lin- 
coln. Nebraska,  the  mother  of  fi\-e  children :  Josiah  C,  the  father  of  ''exxn 
children:  Henrietta  was  the  wife  of  a  ]Mr.  Fullerton,  1)oth  deceased,  and  the 
parents  of  one  son,  Charles  F. ;  James  B.  and  Amos  ]\T.  are  both  deceased : 
and  Emma. 

Caroline  Buffington  was  born  in  this  county  on  North  Hogan  creek, 
near  Aurora,  on  August  4,  1828.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Steven  and  Nancy 
(Flake)  Bulfingtc>n,  the  former  also  born  on  North  Flogan  creek.  l>eing  one 
of  the  first  children  born  in  this  section.  The  family  lived  in  one  of  the 
pioneer  block  hou.ses,  employed  by  the  early  settlers  as  a  protection  against 
ruifriendly  Indians.  As  was  the  custom  in  those  early  days,  thev  tilled  the 
soil  and  cleared  all  the  land  possible.  There  were  in  that  famil\'  six  sons 
and  one  daughter  and  all  passed  their  lives  near  North  Hogan  creek,  'ihe 
Flake  family  were  also  pioneers  of  the  same  time,  coming  from  the  same  local- 
ity     There  were  four  children  in  the  Flake  family. 

James  N.  Hooper  has  for  many  years  been  active  in  the  ranks  of  the 
Democratic  party  and  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  Democratic  trus- 
tee ever  elected  to  any  office  in  \\'ashington  township.  He  sen-ed  as  town- 
ship trustee  for  four  years,  and  in  1914  was  elected  cit_\-  treasurer  of  Dillslj'jro. 
He  has  filled  other  minor  offices  with  his  part}",  such  as  committeema.n. 

James  N.  and  Clara  (Wright)  Flooper  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  a 
son,  Orris  R.,  who  was  born  near  Cochran,  May  5,  1885.  Orris  R.  received 
his  elementary  education  in  the  schools  of  Cochran  and  later  went  to  Aurora 
for  high  school  work.  He  was  a  student  at  IMoores  Hill  College  for  a  time, 
where  he  took  normal  training,  finishing  his  studies  there  in  1905.  The  fol- 
lowing two  years  he  taught  at  the  "Ebenezer"  school  near  Aurora,  givmg 
instruction  in  all  grades  from  primary  to  the  end  of  the  common  branches. 

148) 


.:;■.  /;  .    r~r:\>   U-:.:     / 


754  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

In  1907  he  came  to  Dillsljoi'u  and  lor  tlirte  years  acted  as  principal  of  the 
school  here  and  also  instructor  in  certain  branches.  About  1910  he  became 
associated  with  his  father  in  the  hardware  business,  as  hereinbefore  stated, 
and  in-  1914  received  the  appnintnient  to  the  postmastership  of  Dillsboro,  hav- 
ing successful!}-  passed  the  civil  service  examination  co\ering  sucli  office. 

Orris  R.  Hooper  was  married  on  August  i,  1905.  to  Alma  F.  Robbins. 
daughter  of  John  T.  and  Ella  R.  (Trister)  Robbins,  the  former  bnrn  in 
Rockport,  this  state,  October  24.  1S59,  and  the  latter  born  near  Cochran,  thi--- 
state,  November  25,  1859.  They  were  imited  in  marriage  on  Februar}-  2, 
18S1.  For  many  years  ?ilr.  Rubbins  did  teaming-  and  later  was  engaged  in 
the  lumber  and  carpentering  business  at  Aurora.  He  some  time  since  remo\  erl 
to  Ludlow,  Kentucky,  where  he  still  resides. 

To  Orris  R.  Hooper  and  wife  have  been  born  three  sons,  James  Thomas. 
Orris  Ray  and  John  Wesley,  all  of  whom  are  in  school  at  Dillsboro.  Orris  R. 
Hooper  is  counted  among  the  leading  citizens  of  his  town,  where  every 
movement  for  the  public  welfare  finds  in  him  a  most  earnest  advocate,  fie 
owns  property  there  and  is  in  e\ery  wa\  identified  with  the  progress  oi  the 
place.  He  is  a  member  of  the  ^lethodist  Episcopal  church,  to  the  sun]:)ort  of 
which  he  contributes  liberally,  and  his  fraternal  affiliation  is  held  with  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  through  Dillsboro  Lodge  No.  78. 

James  N.  Hooper  and  his  son  are  representatives  of  the  best  type  of 
Americans,  the  men  who  do  things.  Br>th  are  pleasant  and  agreeable  to  meet 
and  are  held  high  in  the  esteem  of  their  fellow  citizens  and  a  wide  circle  of 
friends. 


ERNST  H.  HUESEMAN. 

Among  the  thrifty  and  industrious  farmers  of  Caesar  Creek  township. 
Ernst  H.  Hueseman  is  entitled  to  his  full  share  of  honor  and  praise  as  a 
worthy  and  respected  citizen,  and,  although  a  young  man,  he  is  working  with 
a  determination  that  admits  of  no  failure.  He  is  a  man  of  ability,  and  is 
cheerful  in  the  enjoyment  of  his  well-earned  comforts. 

Ernst  H.  Hueseman,  farn^er,  Dillsboro,  Ca;sar  Creek  township.  Dearborn 
county,  was  born  in  the  township  where  he  resides,  September  20,  1S82,  and 
is  a  son  of  Ernst  H.  and  Caroline  (Prante)  Hueseman.  He  receivccl  his 
education  at  Farmers  Retreat,  and  after  leaving  school  remained  on  the  farm 
and  assisted  his  father  until  the  time  of  his  marriage,  when  he  bought  his 
father's  farm  and  started  in  for  himself  in  agricultural  pursuits.     Mr.  Huese- 


.  1  ^ii  r.i  ,.'i 


;Mt.  fp'i.'.i      I'j.hK! 


DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  755 

mail  has  always  given  his  loyal  support  to  the  Democratic  party,  and  he  is 
a  member  of  the  Lutheran  cliurch. 

Ernst  II.  Huesetnan,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  bom  on 
February  4,  1S38,  in  Germany,  and  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents, 
who  settled  in  Caesar  Creek  township,  where  he  was  married.  He  linught  a 
fine  farm  of  ciglity  acres,  and  followed  agriculture.  He  later  bought  eighty 
acres  more  on  Laughery  creek,  and  later  bought  ninety  acres  in  Oliio  county, 
to  which  he  added  twenty  acres  more  adjoining  in  Qtsar  Creek  township.  His 
wife  was  Caroline  (Prante)  Hueseman,  by  whom  he  had  eleven  chiklren : 
Elizabeth  (deceased),  Emma,  Louise,  Minnie,  ]\lary,  Sophia,  Henrv.  Anna, 
William,  Ernst  and  John   (deceased). 

Ernst  H.  Hueseman  was  united  in  marriage  on  February  23,  1905,  with 
Alma  Fischvogt.  daughter  of  George  and  Caroline  (Buschman)  Fischvogl. 
of  Ohio  county.  She  was  born  in  Pike  township,  Ohio  county,  Indiana,  No- 
vember 19,  18S3,  and  received  her  education  there,  living  in  Pike  township 
until  her  marriage.  Three  children  have  been  bom  to  this  union :  Laurena, 
born  in  190S:  Lulie,  191 1  ;  Xorma,  1914.  }klrs.  Hueseman  is  an  earnest  mem- 
ber of  the  Lutheran  church. 

George  and  Carc>line  (  Buschman)  Fischvngt.  parents  of  Mrs.  Ernst  H. 
Hueseman.  were  nati\-es  of  Pike  township,  Ohio  county.  Indiana,  and  li\-ed 
there  all  tlieir  li\es.  Their  cliildren  were  three  in  number.  Alma,  TIarry  and 
William. 

Ernst  H.  Hueseman  is  regarded  as  an  extremely  energetic  farmer,  to 
which  occupation  he  gives  his  best  attention.  Fie  and  his  wife  have  many  warm 
and  sincere  friends  in  the  township. 


J.  H.  TRENNEPOHL. 

Many  helpful  lessons  can  be  learned  from  the  biography  of  one  who 
keeps  abreast  of  the  times,  as  has  the  subject  of  the  following  sketch.  The 
trouble  with  many  who  follow  agricultural  pursuits  is  that  they  allr>w  them- 
selves to  get  into  a  rut,  and  lose  sight  of  the  importance  of  keeping  in  touch 
with  \\hat  is  going  on  in  the  world.  Mr.  Trennepohl  has  rendered  his  natur- 
ally strenuous  vocation  far  more  interesting,  and  lessened  his  labors  by  his  inter- 
est in  what  others  were  accomplishing  and  how  they  did  it,  and  by  always  be- 
ing willing  to  profit  by  anything  and  everything  of  value  in  his  line  of  work. 
He  is  public-spirited  and  progressive,  taking  a  sincere  interest  in  the  welfare  of 
the  community  in  which  he  resides. 

John  Henry  Trennepohl  was  born  on  March  6,  1868,  in  Ripley  county. 


7S6  •  DEARBORN'  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

and  is  a  son  of  Frederick  and  I\Iary  (Brandt)  Trcnnepohl.  He  grew  to  man- 
hood on  tlie  home  farm,  and  at  an  early  date  left  Ripley  county  and  engaged 
his  .services  in  Center  township  for  one  year,  after  which  he  was  employed 
by  Henry  P.  Eusse  for  a  period  of  ten  years  at  Wilmington,  during  which 
time  he  saved  enougli  to  buy  a  good  farm  in  Hogan  township,  consisting  of 
one  hundred  and  thirl}'-four  acres.  Through  hard  \vork  and  honest  dealings, 
his  credit  was  of  the  best,  and  by  his  own  industr}'  and  good  character,  he 
succeeded  where  others  had  failed,  who  had  started  out  with  better  prospects 
than  he.  After  living  on  his  farm  about  six  years,  he  sold  it  to  J.  W.  Clem- 
ents, and  bought  another  tract  of  ninety-three  acres,  located  on  the  Aloores 
Hill  and  Aurora  pike.  The  only  improvements  on  this  place  consisted  of  a 
barn  and  an  old  shop  building.  The  barn  was  remodeled,  and  many  new  and 
valuable  improvements  were  put  on  the  place,  inckuling  an  attracti\-e  and  com- 
fortable new  house,  a  silo  added  to  the  barn,  corn  crili,  etc.,  and  Air.  Trcn- 
nepohl now  has  one  of  the  most  attractive  homes  in  the  township.  He  has 
continued  to  add  to  his  acreage  until  he  now  owns  one  hundred  and  eight  acres, 
all  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  with  the  exception  of  a  portion  whicli  has 
been  left  for  a  woods  pasture.  He  has  held  various  township  offices,  and  is 
at  present  superintendent  of  the  ^Moores  Hill  and  Aurora  pike ;  has  served  as 
a  director  of  the  Farmers  Co-operative  Telephone  Company,  and  was  elected 
in  1914  a  member  of  the  Hogan  township  advisory  board. 

Frederick  Trennepohl  was  born  in  German}-,  and  came  to  this  cc^nntry 
with  his  parents  when  quite  small.  The}-  located  in  Rijiley  county,  where 
he  grew  up  and  was  educated.  ]\Ir.  Trennepohl  was  an  ardent  niember  of  the 
Lutheran  church.  His  death  occurred  iNIarch  6,  1883.  Mr.  Trennepohl  was 
united  in  marriage  \\-ith  iMary  Erandt.  daughter  of  Henry  and  Adeline  (  Heit- 
man)  Brandt.  She  was  born  on  .\ugust  2.  1S45,  in  Ripley  county,  Indiana, 
and  died  in  the  same  county,  in  19 10.  She  survived  her  husband  many  years, 
and  was  again  married,  to  John  Harves,  living  the  remainder  of  her  life  in 
Ripley  count}-.  Frederick  and  iMar}-  f Brandt")  Tiennepohl  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children :  John  Henry,  Frederick.  John  D  ,  Christ,  Harmon  :  Annie, 
wife  of  George  Bauman:  and  Maggie,  who  became  the  wife  of  Adolph 
Herbst.  By  her  second  marriage,  ]Mrs.  Trennepohl  (iMrs.  Harves)  was  the 
mother  of  two  children,  Edward  and  Lulu,  who  is  the  wife  of  Frank  Drandt. 

John  Henry  Trennepohl  was  united  in  marriage  on  .April  2S.  1897,  witli 
Adeline  Annie  Peters,  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Annie  (Aleyer)  Peters. 
She  was  born  on  November  23,  1870.  in  Hogan  township,  Dearlxirn  county. 
They  have  three  children,  Fred  John  Henry,  Alma  Mary  and  I^ura  Anna 
Elizabeth.     The  entire  familv  belons:  to  the  Lutheran  church  at  Aurora. 


,.-;    !(:. 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  -J ^-J 

I'Vederick  Peters,  father  of  Mrs.  Trenncpohl,  was  born  in  Ccrniany,  ami 
his  wife,  Annie  (Meyer)  Peters,  is  a  nati\e  of  Ripley  county.  ]\Ir.  Peters 
ha?  followed  agriculture  for  a  grea-t  many  years,  and  is  now  living  a  retireil 
life  in  West  Aurora.  Indiana. 

Through  his  up-to-date  methods.  Mr.  Trenn.'pohl  has  Ijrought  his  fine 
farm  to  ?  perfect  state  of  cultivation,  thus  gi\'ing  him  the  rei)Ulation  of  being 
a  thoroughly  successful  and  prosperous  farmer. 


.        :MRS.    ELIZABETH    CAN  FIELD. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Bainum)  Canfield,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch, 
comes  from  early  pioneer  ancestiy,  and  has  personally  been  a  witness  to 
the  wonderful  changes  wrought  by  human  hands  since  the  fi->rests  were  filled 
with  wild  beasts  and  Indians.  Her  parents  and  grandparents  were  all  well 
educated  and  people  of  unusual  refinement.  They  were  zealous  church  work- 
ers, and  were  amcmg  the  most  progressixx  people  of  th(ise  times. 

Elizabeth  Bainum  was  born  in  1833,  in  Hogan  townshij).  and  is  a  daugh- 
ter of  Conway  and  Sarah  (Deshicll)  Bainum.  She  lived  with  her  parents  until 
the  death  of  her  mother,  when  she  made  her  home  with  her  brother  and  sister 
until  the  time  of  her  marriage. 

Conway  Bainum,  father  of  ]\Irs.  Canfield,  was  born  on  August  9,  1809.  in 
West  Virginia,  and  was  a  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Bryan)  liainum. 
He  was  one  year  old  when  his  parents  settled  in  Hogan  township,  in  1810. 
Here  he  grew  to  manhood,  and  was  married  on  April  11.  1833,  to  Sarah 
Dcshiell,  who  was  born  on  February  10,  18 12,  in  [Maryland,  and  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Charles  Deshiell.  She  came  west  with  her  parents  at  an  earl_\-  day. 
Air.  Bainum  was  engaged  at  farming  in  the  summer,  and  carried  on  a  flat- 
boat  trade  during  the  winter.  He  lived  for  a  time  between  .\in-ora  and  \^\\- 
mington.  In  1840  he  moved  on  the  Hogan  pike,  south  of  North  Hogan 
creek,  at  the  east  edge  of  Hogan  township,  at  which  place  he  bought  a  farm 
of  about  one  luuulred  and  thirty-fi\e  acres.  li\-ing  lure  until  he  passed  to  the 
"great  beyond."  Air.  Bainum  always  followed  farming,  giving  a  jjortion  of 
his  attention  to  the  raising  r)f  live  stock.  Air.  and  Airs.  Bainum  were  the 
parents  of  four  children,  Elizabeth.  Alfred,  Alary  J.  and  Charles.  Alfred 
Bainum  was  a  farmer,  but  is  now  retired,  spending  a  great  deal  of  his  time 
in  travel.     He  has  a  son  who  is  engaged  in  the  banking  business  at  X'incennes, 


i  sji    .;-  '•■■I.'  !i  ! 


758  DEARBORN  COL-XTV,  INDIANA. 

Indiana;  Conway  Bainuni  died  in  1S9S,  and  his  widow  died  in  1S6S.  They 
were  both  united  with  the  IMethodist  church. 

Ehzaheth  Bainuin  was  united  in  marriage  in  1S90,  with  Alfred  Canfield, 
who  was  Ixirn  in  Ilogan  township.  Dcarljorn  county,  in  1822,  and  was  a  son 
of  Noyes  Canfield.  He  followed  the  vocation  of  a  fanner  all  his  life,  and 
previous  to  his  marriage  with  our  subject,  he  had  been  married  and  had  five 
children  by  his  first  wife.  After  liis  second  marriage,  he  lived  in  Iowa  for  a 
time,  and  then  mo\'ed  to  Hogan  township,  where  he  bought  a  small  farm  near 
the  home  of  his  father-in-law,  and  about  a  year  prior  to  the  death  of  Mrs. 
Canfield's  father,  they  moved  in  with  him  and  cared  for  him  until  he  died. 
Mr.  Canfield  died  in  1904.  His  religinus  mcniljership  was  with  the  Methodist 
church,  of  wliich  [Mrs.  Canfield  is  also  a  member. 

\\"illiam  aiid  Elizabeth  Bainum,  paternal  grandparents  of  ]\Irs.  Canfield. 
were  natives  of  Wilmington,  Delaware.  The  former  was  born  on  February 
29,  1765,  and  the  latter  in  October,  1790.  They  came  to  this  county  in  iSio, 
where  ]\Ir.  Bainum  followed  fanning  all  his  life.  It  is  supposed  they  got  their 
land  from  the  government. 

The  maternal  grandparents  of  !Mrs.  Canfield  were  Charles  Deshiell  and 
wife,  who  came  from  Mar_\-land  at  an  early  day,  locating  just  east  of  Moores 
Hill,  \\iierc  tliey  bought  a  farm,  which  is  now  a  jiart  of  iloores  Hill.  They 
lived  here  until  quite  old,  when  tliey  sold  out  and  moved  to  Illinois.  IMr. 
Deshiell  was  a  man  of  good  education,  and  at  one  time  had  taught  school. 

Mrs.  Canfield  continues  to  reside  on  the  farm  where  her  father  lived  and 
died.  She  is  one  of  the  best  known  citizens  of  the  township,  where  she  has 
many  loyal  friends  among-  the  young  people  as  well  as  among  those  of  more 
mature  years. 


MARTIN  V.  BRUCE. 


One  of  the  most  interesting  citizens  of  Hogan  townsliip  is  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  having  gone  through  the  most  thrilling  and  exciting  battles 
of  our  Civil  War.  His  account  of  his  experiences  is  of  unusual  interest,  and 
it  is  a  matter  of  deep  regret  that  limited  space  prevents  a  more  complete  review 
of  them.  Although  amply  qualified  for  filling  a  position  of  high  honor,  he 
declined  the  commission  as  captain,  being  satisfied  with  the  duties  already 
under  his  charge. 

Martin  V.  Bruce  was  born  on  February  18,  1841,  in  Hogan  townsliip. 
Dearborn  county,  where  he  now   resides,  his  birthplace   being  a  log  cabin 


')   ,  f ' 


jj'T   '   "'CI  ■}  .     Jl.  .■;. 


■'     ■idi'iO'ri/: 


I       '  ,'     '.-iS-      VO 


DEARBORN    COUNTY^    INDIANA.  75Q 

iiist  east  of  where  he  now  lives.  He  is  a  son  of  W'iUiaiii  and  Lovey  (Dur- 
linm)  Eruce.  After  attending  the  pubhc  schools  of  the  district  and  com- 
pleting his  edncation,  Mr.  Bruce  followed  farming  on  the  home  place  nntil 
March  5,  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Third  Indiana  Cavalry,  and 
the  sen'ice  he  saw  was  sufficient  to  satisfy  the  most  ambitious  in  the  line  of 
wais  nnd  battles,  participating  in  sinme. fifty  or  more  of  the  mo.-.t  important 
(if  the  latter.  His  regiment  was  nmler  command  of  General  Cu.ster  and  C,cn. 
George  H.  Chapman,  serving  in  Pennsylvania,  ^Maryland  and  Virginia,  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Gettysburg.  Anlietam.  the 
Wilderness,  I'etersburg  and  others.  \\'hile  at  Antietam  he  was  engaged  in 
a  hand-to-hand  struggle  with  a  southern  major-general,  and  being  hard 
pressed,  on  account  of  his  foes  having  cut  off  the  hand-guard  at  the  hill  of 
his  saber,  Mr.  Bruce  drew  his  pistol,  which  «as  empty,  and  pointing  it.  de- 
manded that  his  foe  surrender.  The  general  dropped  his  sword  and  gave 
up,  and  Mr.  Bruce  brought  him  into  camp  with  his  horse  and  sword,  the 
latter  of  which  he  has  alwavs  retained  as  a  trophy.  Soon  after  this  he  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  sergeant,  and  a  little  later  was  virtually  put  in  com- 
mand of  the  company,  but  would  not  take  commission  as  captain.  W'hile  at 
South  ^Mountain,  he  was  taken  prisi.mer,  and  although  the  weather  was  at 
freezing  point,  his  shoes  and  socks  were  taken  from  him,  and  he  was  placed 
on  a  pony  behind  a  southern  soldier,  who  rode  along  in  the  night  and  went 
to  sleep  and  snored  while  riding-.  Mr.  Bruce  saw  his  chance  and  slipped  off 
into  the  bushes,  escaping  barefooted  over  the  frozen  ground  to  a  negro  cabin, 
where  he  secured  food  and  a  guide  to  go  along,  traveling  by  night  and  .-deep- 
ing by  day  until  he  reached  Fredericksburg.  From  a  darkey  he  met  en  route, 
he  secured  a  pair  of  shoes.  He  was  honorably  discharged  on  March  28.  1865, 
after  \\hich  he  returned  home. 

]\Tr.  Bruce  resumed  the  occupation  of  farming  in  the  southwest  corner 
of  Hogan  township,  where  he  remained  nearly  twenty-five  years,  when  he 
sold  his  property  and  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  the  northwest 
corner  of  the  same  township,  a  little  north  of  ]Mt.  Sinai,  where  b.e  li^•ecl  for 
eighteen  years.  After  disposing  of  this  second  tract  ^Ir.  Bruce  bought  a 
small  place  of  forty  acres  on  the  Aurora  and  Moores  Hill  pike,  where  he  has 
since  resided,  his  children  having-  all  married.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  his  re- 
ligious n-lember^hip  is  with  the  ]\Iethodist  church.  Pie  belongs  to  Dearborn 
Lodge  No.  536,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  at  Wilmington.  Indiana, 
and  Bethlehem  Encampment  No.  3,  Aurora,  and  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  belongs  to  John  A.  Platter  Post  No.  82,  at  Aurora.     He  has  been 


;^!->  .ui[ 


760  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

through  all  the  chairs  in  the  Odd  Fellows,  and  was  a  member  of  the  grand 
lodge  at  Indianapolis. 

William  Bruce,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Hogan 
township,  September  10,  1S04,  and  was  a  son  of  Amor  Bruce.  He  grew 
up  on  land  entered  by  his  father  on  Xorth  Hogan  creek,  and  spent  his  entire 
life  on  a  farm  at  tliis  place.  During  the  winter  seasons  William  Bruce  spent 
his  time  in  flatboating  to  Xew  Orleans,  and  for  a  time  was  justice  of  the 
peace.  His  death  occurred  on  August  6,  187S,  lea\'ing  a  competency  for  his 
entire  famih'.  His  wife,  I.o\'ey  (llurham)  Bruce,  to  whom  he  was  married 
on  December  25,  1S25,  was  born  on  July  25,  1809,  in  \'irginia,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Catharine  (Conaway)  Durham,  natives  uf  Delaware. 
Mrs.  Bruce  died  on  January  18,  1892,  in  Hogan  township.  She  was  but  five 
years  old  when  her  parents  moved  to  Lawrenceburg,  and  in  1S19  they 
moved  to  Mount  Tabor,  wliere  she  juined  the  Alount  Tabor  ]\Iethodist  church, 
which  was  originally  built  of  logs.  At  the  time  of  their  marriage  Mr.  Bruce 
and  his  wife  located  a  short  distance  west  of  \\'ilmington,  where  they  spent 
the  remainder  of  their  li\es.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Bruce  were  the  parents 
of  twelve  chililren,  two  of  wh(_mi  died  yijung:  Catharine,  Jolin  W.,  Sini'm 
B.,  Martin  \'.,  William  F.,  James  C,  ]\Ieli.ssa,  Isabelle,  Mary  ]\I.,  Bolivar, 
Sophrona  and  one  other. 

Martin  V.  Bruce  was  married  on  April  11,  1867,  to  Cornelia  J.  Givan, 
daughter  of  William  H.  and  Jane  (Ferris)  Givan,  who  was  born  in  ]\Ian- 
chester  township.  To  this  union  were  born  four  children,  Eugene,  Jennie 
L.,  Arthur  ]\L  and  Alma.  Eugene  is  now  a  member  of  the  Indianapolis 
police  force.  He  was  married  to  Christina  Amdor,  and  has  two  children, 
Raleigh  and  Gladys.  Jennie  L.  is  the  wife  of  Tilden  Smith  and  resides  at 
Indianapolis.  ^Ir.  Smith  weighs  about  three  hundred  and  twenty  pounds, 
and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Indianapolis  police  force,  being  located  on  one 
of  the  down-town  corners.  Mr.  and  }vlrs.  Smith  have  two  children,  Thelma 
and  Ralph.  Arthur  M.  is  principal  of  a  business  college,  at  Birmingham, 
Alabama.  Alma  became  tlie  wife  of  George  Morris,  and  lived  at  Aurora. 
She  died  on  Februarj-  15,  1915,  leaving  three  children,  Ruth,  Warren  and 
Glen. 

William  H.  Givan,  father  of  Airs.  ISIartin  V.  Bruce,  was  born  on  April 
22,  1S20,  in  INIaryland,  and  died  on  June  7.  1896,  aged  se\'enty-si.x  years. 
He  was  a  brother  of  Judge  Xoah  S.  Givan,  a  biography  of  whom  is  presented 
elsewhere  in  this  volume,  to  which  the  reader  is  referred  for  the  genealixgy 
of  the  Givan  family.  Air.  Givan  followed  fanning  all  his  life  in  Alanchester 
township,  where  he  officiated  as  justice  of  the  peace  for  sixteen  years,  and 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  '  761 

never  held  a  trial,  al\va_\s  settling  cases  out  of  cciurt.  He  was  a  natural  peace- 
maker and  an  ardent  friend  of  the  (icmians.  wlm  trusted  him  imi)licitl_\'. 
accepting  his  advice  and  judgment  gladly.  William  11.  Cii\an  was  united 
in  marriage,  October  19,  1843,  with  Jane  M.  Ferris,  daughter  of  Sylvester 
and  Rhoda  (King)  Ferris,  of  Ilolman,  }vlanchester  township.  They  were 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Cornelia  Jane,  Laura,  Rhoda,  Con- 
nelley  and  Saraii  Al. 

Joshua  Givan,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Bruce,  was  born  on 
July  2,  1788,  in  Maryland,  and  died  on  January  31,  1874.  Pie  was  united 
in  marriage,  in  181 1,  \vith  Hyirietta  Davis,  who  died  on  June  14,  1876,  aged 
almost  eighty -one  years.  ■Mr.  Givan  cast  his  first  vote  for  President  for 
James  ^ladison  at  his  second  election,  and  his  last  vote  was  for  Horace 
Greeley,  in  1872.  To  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Givan  the  following  chil- 
dren were  born:  George,  William  FL,  Alartha,  Xoali  S.,  Robert  and  Marv 
A.  They  were  anient  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  with  which  denomina- 
tion they  had  been  identified  for  sixty  years. 

Martin  V.  Bruce  is  a  gentleman  of  broad  and  generous  views,  and  has 
earned  a  reputation  as  an  enterprising  and  progressive  agriculturist. 


HENRY  F.  SCHUMACHER. 

Another  indication  of  the  thrift  and  industry  of  our  German  citizens 
and  their  descendants  is  the  history  of  Henry  F.  Schumacher  anrl  his  emigrant 
father.  In  times  of  failure  and  disappointment  th.ey  have  d<jggedly  adh.ered 
to  their  purpose,  brushing  aside  obstacles  and  renew^ing  their  attack  each  time 
with  renewed  force  until  success  rewarded  their  efforts. 

Henr\-  F.  Schumacher  was  boni  on  Xovember  13.  1857,  near  Hartfurd. 
Dearborn  county,  and  is  a  snn  of  John  C.  and  Caroline  (  Moerker  )  Schu- 
macher. He  grew  up  and  followed  farming  about  one  and  one-half  miles 
northwest  of  Aurora,  where  he  now  resides,  and  wdiere  his  father  made  his 
home  for  twenty-two  jears,  the  home  place  being  registered  under  the  name 
of  "Horse  Shoe  Bend."  Air.  Schumacher  has  always  been  devoted  to  farm 
life,  living  thirty-one  years  on  one  place.  He  is  an  ardent  Republican,  and  his 
■  membership  is  with  the  Lutheran  church. 

John  C.  Schumacher,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  horn  D.'cem- 
ber  4,  1830,  at  Flarbenfeldt,  near  Essen,  in  Germany,  coming  to  America  at 
the  age  of  twenty-one  years.     When  he  arrived,  all  his  earthly  possessions 


A   ;.;..■ 


1        :id<f.o 


762  ■  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

were  carried  on  his  bade  from  the  wharf,  and  he  ^vas  seven  dollars  and  fift\' 
cents  in  debt.  Engaging^  his  services  on  a  farm,  he  worked  until  he  had  sa\ed 
enough  to  start  tip  on  a  farm  for  himself.  Mr.  Schumacher  was  married  twice, 
his  first  wife  being  Caroline  Moerker,  who  was  reared  near  Coles  Corner 
in  Ohio  count}-,  Indiana,  and  was  of  German  parentage.  Her  death  occurred 
where  her  son,  Henry,  was  a  very  small  child,  leaving  two  children.  Henry  J 
and  Sophia.  Mr.  Schumacher's  second  wife  was  Anna  Hartker,  a  native  of 
Germany,  born  near  Essen,  tn  which  union  eleven  children  were  biirn. 

Henrv'  E.  Schumacher  was  united  in  marriage  in  1883,  with  Florence 
Nieman,  daughter  of  John  Frederick  and  Clara  (Eilert)  Nieman,  natives  of 
Gemiany,  where  ]Mrs.  Schumacher  was  born.  She  was  a  balie  in  arms  when 
her  parents  came  to  America.  Thev  settled  at  Aurora,  residing  there  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  finally  mo\-e(l  to  Ohio  count}-,  and  engaged  in  farn-iing 
until  well  advanced  in  years,  when  they  moved  to  Aurora,  where  ]^Ir.  Nieman 
died.  Mrs.  Xieman  survives  her  husband,  and  still  makes  her  home  at  Aurora. 
I\Irs.  Schumacher  died  in  1910,  leaving  eight  children,  as  follow :  Lulu  Anne, 
Walter,  David.  Carl,  Bertha,  Henry  ]..  Jr.,  Arthur  and  Leona.  Lulu  Anne  is 
the  wife  of  Albert  Petchen,  and  resides  at  Aurora.  She  is  die  mother  of  two 
children,  Marjorie  and  Albert  Ray.  Walter  is  in  California.  David  was  mar- 
ried to  Blanche  Almlraugh.  and  resides  at  Corona.  California.  Carl  also  makes 
his  home  at  Corona.  California.  Bertha  became  the  wife  of  Frank  Shuter,  and 
now  lives  on  the  home  place  with  her  father,  her  husband  taking  full  manage- 
n-ient  of  the  farm.  Henr}'  F.  lives  near  home  with  his  uncle  Frederick. 
Arthur  is  attending  .schiKjl,  as  is  also  Leona.  both  at  home.  ^Ir.  Schumacher 
is  one  of  the  most  highly  respected  citizens  in  the  township,  where  he  is  also 
one  of  the  most  prosperous. 


GEORGE  A.  RIGGS. 


Considerable  interest  centers  around  the  subject  of  the  following  sketch, 
since  he  has  die  distinction  of  having  seen  the  ninth  President  of  the  United 
States,  W'illiani  Henry  Harrison,  and  was  an  eye  witness  to  the  "rain  of 
stars,"  the  wonderful  event  of  those  never-to-be-forgotten  times.  He  has 
seen  all  the  changes  in  transportation  methods,  from  ox-teams  and  flatln'ats 
to  the  later  steamboat  and  steam  car,  as  well  as  the  present  day  auto-truck 
and  parcel  post  systems.  'Sir.  Riggs  possesses  a  wonderful  wealth  of  interest- 
ing incidents  of  early  days. 

George  A.    Riggs   was  born   on  January  4,    1828,   on  the  outskirts  of 


'■)  /.J 


:,':•■.■  'i:.i    •     .  if  ;■ 


■■;  -.iP 


DEARBORN    COUNTY^    INDIANA.  763 

Aurora,  Indiana,  on  the  road  leading  to  Wilmington,  in  a  log  cabin  on  the 
farm  now  owned  by  George  Parks.  His  parents  were  John  H.  and  Azuba 
(Richardson)  Riggs.  The  early  part  of  his  life  was  divided  between  fanning 
and  flatboating  to  New  Orleans,  hauling  produce  of  every  description,  some 
of  which  was  exchanged  for  deer  heads  and  hams.  He  remembers  hel]Mng 
to  kill  a  deer  at  Cave-in-Rock,  where  he  went  out  in  a  "skiff"  and  caught  the 
deer  while  in  the  water,  by  grabbing  it  by  the  tail  and  holding  it,  with  its 
head  in  the  water  until  nearly  drowned,  and  then  cut  its  throat.  ^Ir.  Riggs 
distinctly  remembers  hearing  the  early  settlers  tell  of  the  famous  "black 
Friday,"  when  the  earth  was  covered  with  darkness  during  the  whole  day, 
necessitating  the  use  of  lanterns,  and  during  the  same  year  the  weather  was 
so  cold  the  crops  were  frozen,  leaving  scarcely  enough  for  actual  needs,  and 
in  some  instances  not  enough,  as  a  body  of  men  had  to  be  sent  to  Tennessee 
for  seed  corn  for  the  following  crops. 

Mr.  Riggs  began  his  farm  life  on  a  branch  of  North  Hogan  creek,  later 
called  Goose  run,  where  he  l.iought  fort}'-eight  acres  at  a  cost  of  eight  hun- 
dred dollars,  but  was  \'ery  unsuccessful  the  first  year,  selling  only  seventy 
dollars'  worth  of  produce.  Prices  were  \-ery  low :  oats  bringing  only  twenty 
cents  a  bushel,  potatoes  as  low  as  ten  cents  a  bushel  on  several  occasions. 
However,  in  due  course  of  time,  conditions  improved,  and  he  added  one  hun- 
dred acres  to  his  farm,  which  he  still  further  increased  by  buying  out  the 
heirs  of  an  estate  of  one  hundred  acres.  !Mr.  Riggs  has  always  followed 
farming,  and  has  devoted  some  of  his  attention  to  sheep-raising,  having 
nothing  but  the  finest  stock.  He  has  always  been  extremely  unselfish,  and 
ever  ready  to  assist  his  worthy  neighbors  by  giving  his  advice  on  jjroper  busi- 
ness methods.  He  has  been  a  Republican  from  die  birth  of  the  party,  and 
ceased  to  vote  only  when  his  eyesight  failed  him.  lie  had  the  pleasure  of  vot- 
ing for  fifteen  presidents  of  the  United  States,  out  of  which  his  party  won 
eleven  victories.  About  1893  ^Ir.  Riggs  retired  from  farming  and  moved  to 
Wilmington,  where  he  has  since  resided.  In  1S92  he  was  nominated,  over  his 
protest,  to  the  office  of  county  commissioner,  but  was  not  elected,  owing  to 
the  Democratic  landslide  all  over  the  United  States.  He  and  his  wife  joined 
the  Baptist  church  in  1854,  of  which  he  is  still  a  member.  He  was  unfor- 
tunate enough  to  lose  his  eyesight  aliout  twenty  years  ago,  and,  although 
eighty-seven  years  of  age,  he  speaks  with  a  strc^ng,  clear  voice,  and  is  won- 
ilerfully  jovial  and  cheerful. 

Air.  Riggs  was  a  member  of  the  old  Dearborn  County  Agricultural  So- 
ciety, in  which  he  was  a  director  from  Hogan  township  for  several  years,  and 
for  twenty-seven  years  in  succession  was  gate-keeper  at  the  Aurora  fair,  his 


764  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

services  being-  retained  ljecau.se  of  his  acquaintance  witii  all  the  stocklmldci-s. 
Mr.  Riggs  also  remembers  the  flood  of  1832,  and  tlie  "rain  of  stars"  in 
November,  1833.  when  the  meteors  fell  so  thickly  they  liglited  up  the  wlvilc 
countrv'. 

John  H.  Riggs,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  bom  on  Ajiril 
14,  -1804,  in  Philadelphia,  F'ennsylvania,  and  came  {0  Indiana  in  1S14..  with 
his  mother,  who  located  near  Aurora,  where  he  lived  nearly  all  his  life.  Fur 
a  time  he  lived  on  Xordi  Hogan  creek,  in  Manchester  tmvnship,  and  spent 
considerable  time  on  the  Kanawha  river,  in  \'irginia,  in  his  \uuth.  lie  wa^x 
a  Whig,  in  tlie  strongest  sense  of  the  word,  but  was  never  an  office  seeker. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  His  wife,  Azubah  (Richardson) 
Riggs,  to  whom  he  was  married  on  September  2y,  1826.  was  born  on  De- 
cember 20,  1809.  They  were  the  parents  of  tweh'e  children.  Mrs.  Riggs 
died  on  September  13,  1863.  and  Mr.  Iviggs  was  married,  secondly.  March 
19,  i8r)4,  tu  Frances  Herljert,  l.iorn  in  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  December 
30,  18 II.  daughter  of  John  Herbert,  wlio  came  from  W'ales  when  young  and 
Settled  in  Airginia. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  John  H.  Riggs,  Sr..  who  was  born  at 
Liverpool,  England,  and  came  to  America  when  a  young  man,  taking  charge 
of  the  American  end  of  a  trading  company,  in  which  he  was  interested.  The 
family  had  been  well-to-do  but  during  the  Napoleonic  wars  their  shops  were 
taken,  lea\ing  them  ver)'  poor,  and  John  H.,  being  the  eldest  of  four  children, 
was  compelled  to  work  and  help  support  the  family.  After  coming  to  .Vmerica 
Mr.  Riggs  was  married  to  Sarah  Howard,  who  was  liorn  at  Philadelphia. 
He  died  in  1810,  and  his  wife  died  in  iSiS. 

George  A.  Riggs  was  marrietl  in  1848,  to  Elizabeth  Elder,  daughter  nf 
Charles  and  Jemima  Elder.  She  was  born  on  Ludlow  Ridge,  above  Law- 
renceburg.  To  this  union  were  born  eight  children,  as  follow:  Charles 
Henry,  John  L.,  Sarah,  Jemima,  Emma,  William  Duncan,  and  two  who  died 
in  infancy.  Charles  Henr\'  Riggs  lives  in  Nevada,  Missouri ;  John  L.  resides 
at  Eayless,  Pike  county,  Fllinois;  Sarah  became  the  wife  of  Jacob  Abdon, 
deceased,  and  since  the  death  of  her  husband  has  kept  house  for  her  faUier ; 
Jemima  is  the  wife  of  Joseph  Givan,  of  Milan,  Ripley  county,  Indiana,  who 
has  served  in  the  capacity  of  railroad  inspector,  and  was  also  associated  in 
the  revenue  service;  Emma  is  at  hrmie ;  William  I.'uncan  Riggs  is  a  traveling 
salesman,  and  makes  his  headquarters  at  Pittsburgh,   Penns}-lvania. 

George  A.  Riggs  has  a  miniature  painting  of  his  father,  showing  a  fine 
looking  young  man  of  aristocratic  apiiearance.     In  the  early  days  General 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  •"  765 

Harrison  and  his  troops  marched  past  wlicrc  ]Mr.  Kigi;'s  now  hs'cs,  on  his  way 
10  \'iiicennes.  He  hved  one  season  near  Lafayette,  on  the  trail  that  leads  to 
Tippecanoe  battlefield.  A  visit  with  Mr.  Riggs  is  well  worth  while,  lie  is 
never  at  a  loss  for  an  interesting  story  of  early  days.  INIr.  Riggs  has  a  fine 
f.irni  of  one  hundred  and  seven  acres. 


HENRY  CHRISTIAN  BUSSE. 

Henry  Christian  Busse  was  a  son  of  a  prominent  minister  of  the  Lutheran 
church,  and  was  another  illustraticm  of  the  thrift  and  industry  of  our  adopted 
citizens.  He  verv-  wisely  chose  the  vocation  of  a  farmer,  and  when  his  father 
grew  too  old  to  preach  he  cared  for  him  until  his  death,  cheerfully  gratifying 
his  every  wish,  in  an  earnest  endeavor  to  repay  him  for  his  kindness  and 
interest  all  along  his  early  years,  when  the  advice  and  experience  of  an  older 
mind  w^ere  of  the  utmost  value. 

Heniy  Christian  Busse  was  born  in  Preis  INIinden,  Prussia,  September 
23.  1S34,  and  was  a  son  of  Christian  and  Dorothea  (Poos)  Busse.  He  was 
abixit  nine  vears  old  when  his  parents  came  to  America.  They  located  in 
Manchester  township,  where  Mr.  Busse  recei\'ed  a  good  English  and  German 
education,  being  reared  on  a  farm  on  tlie^  south  side  of  North  Llogan  creek, 
near  the  center  of  Hogan  township.  He  was  a  good  manager  on  a  farm,  and 
accumulated  great  wealth,  adding  to  his  farm  until  he  owned  o\'er  three  lum- 
drcd  acres,  all  of  which  was  in  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  Mr.  Busse  was  an 
eamest  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.     His  death  occurred  in  August,  1914. 

Christian  Busse,  father  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born 
on  November  11,  1806,  in  Prussia,  and  his  wife,  Dorothea  (Poos)  Busse, 
also  a  native  of  Prussia,  was  born  on  March  10,  1S06.  Their  marriage  took 
place  on  December  2"/,  1826,  to  which  union  four  children  were  1)orn.  namely: 
Dorothea,  born  in  1827,  died  in  1831;  Christina.  February  24,  1832.  died 
June  24,  1850:  Johanna,  who  became  the  wife  of  Henry  Engelkinge :  and 
Henry  Christian.  Mr.  Busse  came  to  America  in  October.  1844,  locating  in 
Manchester  township,  where  he  preached  for  about  twenty-eight  years,  in 
addition  to  which  he  taught  school  from  1846  to  i860.  He  was  a  ver\'  suc- 
cessful minister  and  helped  to  build  up  a  good-sized  congregation  during 
his  labors.  ^Irs.  Busse  died  on  January  29,  1877,  after  which  he  made  his 
home  with  his  son,  Henrj-  Christian.  The  church  in  which  he  preached  was 
known  as  the  "Busse"'  church.     The  Rev.  Christian  Busse  resigned  in  old 


766  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

age  and  moved  to  Plum  Point  school,  in  Hogan  township,  prior  to  making 
his  home  with  his  son. 

Henry  Christian  Busse  was  united  in  marriage  on  April  27,  1S54,  with 
Angelica  Gesell.  a  nati\'e  of  Germany,  who  was  born  on  March  22.  1833,  in 
Hesse-Darmstadt,  and  came  with  her  parents  to  .America.  They  settled  in 
Franklin  county,  nr-nr  Brookville,  where  she  lived  until  her  marriage.  ]\Ir. 
Busse  died  in  August,  1914,  and  his  wife  preceded  him  in  1898.  They  were 
the  parents  of  nine  children,  as  follow:  Henry  P.,  born  on  June  27,  1S56; 
Caroline,  December  4,  1858;  William,  January  31,  1S61  ;  John,  March  27, 
1863;  Louisa,  December  12,  1865;  George,  March  15,  1868;  Anna,  May  16. 
1870;  Abalona,  June  20,  1872;  ]\latilda,  January  4,  1875.  The  entire  family 
are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  of  which  ]\Ir.  Busse  was  one  of  the 
trustees  for  over  sixteen  j-ears. 

Henry  P.  Busse  was  married,  in  1879,  to  Louise  Oehlmann,  and  resides 
near  Aurora,  Lidiana.  Caroline  became  the  wife  of  Plenry  J.  ■Meyer,  who 
lives  near  Lawrenceburg,  and  who  recently  became  county  commissioner. 
William  resides  on  the  Manchester  pike,  one  mile  below  Wrights  Corner. 
John  is  living  on  part  of  the  old  home  place  on  North  Hogan  creek.  Louise 
was  married  to  Theodore  Droge,  and  lives  at  Aurora.  Annie  became  the  wife 
of  John  Peters,  who  lives  on  the  Xorth  Llogan  pike,  on  the  eastern  edge  of 
Hogan  township.  George  also  lives  on  part  of  the  old  home  place,  in  Plogan 
township.  Abalona  and  ]\Iatilda  are  unmarried,  and  are  living  in  West 
Aurora. 

Henry-  Christian  Busse  was  a  thoughtful,  industrious  farmer,  and  an 
evidence  of  thrift  and  good  taste  were  about  everything  on  his  place. 


EDWARD  DOBER. 


More  than  forty  years  of  honorable  business  connection  with  a  com- 
munity like  that  of  Lawrenceburg,  this  county,  a  connection  x\\vjx\  which  never 
a  stain  has  been  cast  and  which  never  has  been  involved  in  a  transaction  of  a 
dubious  character  certainly  creates  a  record  of  which  anyone  well  might 
be  proud.  This  is  a  record  held  by  Edward  Dober,  the  well-known  clothier 
and  merchant  tailor,  of  Lawrenceburg,  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  highly 
respected  business  men  in  the  county  seat  of  Dearborn  county,  and  the  biog- 
rapher finds  much  pleasure  in  presenting  here  a  brief  outline  of  the  life  of 
this  honored  merchant,  for  the  information  of  the  present  generation,  as  well 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  .  767 

as  for  the  consideration  of  tlie  future  historian  of  tliis  comninuity,  upon  whom 
shall  rest  the  duty  of  making  a  faithful  transcript  and  reflection  of  the  present 
lime  for  the  information  of  future  generations  from  such  materials  as  shall 
be  created  now  for  his  ultimate  consideration. 

Edward  Dober  was  born  in  the  town  of  Onsbach,  province  of  Baden, 
Germany,  July  2,  1851,  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Henricka  (Weber)  Dober,  both 
of  wliom  also  were  natives  of  Eadcn  and  who  were  the  parents  of  eight  cliil- 
dren,  namely;  Edward,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch; 
Franz,  deceased;  Joseph,  of  Renchen,  Germany;  Paul,  of  Huntington,  West 
Virginia;  Theresa,  the  wife  of  William  Gardner,  of  Yorkville,  Indiana;  j\lar- 
tin,  of  Huntington,  \Vest  \'irginia,  and  Fridolin  and  Ignatz,  who  died  in 
youth. 

Joseph  Dober  was  a  village  councilman  and  farmer,  of  Onsbach,  Ger- 
many, where  he  died  in  the  year  1880,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five,  his  wife  having 
preceded  him  to  the  grave  in  1S74,  she  then  being  forty-eight  years  of  age. 
Roth  were  devoted  members  of  the  Catholic  church,  in  the  faith  of  which 
they  reared  their  children.  Joseph  Dober's  father  died  a  comparati\"ely'  }-oung 
man  and  his  Christian  name  is  lost  to  his  American  descendants,  as  is  also 
that  of  his  wife.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  Joseph,  Leo,  ^lary 
and  Margaret.  Air.  Dober's  maternal  grandfather  was  Joseph  Weber,  a 
farmer  and  also  a  dealer  in  wdieat  and  wood,  who  died  from  the  effects  of 
an  injury  recei\ed,  when  past  middle  age,  while  hauling  logs.  He  married  a 
Baer,  who  bore  him  seven  children  and  lived  to  old  age,  these  children  being 
Mag,  Henricka,  Veronica,  Theresa,  Frederick,  Paul  and  Ephr(.isina. 

Edward  Dober  was  reared  in  Germanv  and  was  educated  under  the 
excellent  school  system  of  his  native  country.  He  learned  the  tailor's  trade, 
under  the  careful  tutelage  of  a  master  workman  iii  that  craft,  and  in  1873 
determined  to  test  his  fortune  on  this  side  of  the"  Atlantic.  Coming  to 
America,  he  proceeded  to  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  where  for  a  time  he  worked 
at  his  trade  as  a  journeyman  tailor,  rapidly  acquirmg  a  knowledge  of  Amer- 
ican manners  and  methods,  and  in  1876  formed  a  partnership  with  Herman 
Klepper  to  conduct  a  merchant-tailoring  business  in  the  same  town.  This 
partnership  continued  until  1879,  '"  which  year  yir.  Dol)er  sold  his  interest 
to  his  partner  and  made  a  trip  back  to  his  old  home  in  Germany,  the  state  of 
his  health  at  that  time  being  such  as  to  demand  a  temporary  cessation  from 
the  cares  of  active  business.  Quickly  recuperating  his  health,  Air.  Dober 
presently  returned  to  Lawrenceburg  and,  in  1883,  opened  a  store  of  his  own 
in  that  city,  and  ever  since  has  continued  in  the  clothing  and  merchant-tailor- 


u'-'!^r.  ,     .  1 


;   '      '.      f) 


'.v.h    \'i:v  i'l'li  I" 


768  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

ing-  business  there,  with  a  measure  of  success  \vhich  has  not  only  placed  him 
.among  the  most  substantial  citizens  of  Dearborn  county,  but  which  has  been 
very  gratifying  to  his  many  friends  hereabout.  The  character  and  extent  of 
the  lousiness  carried  on  by  Mr.  Dober  need  no  encomiastic  description  here, 
Mr.  Dober  and  his  store  being  too  well  known  in  this  county  to  require  any- 
thing of  that  sort.  It  is  Ijut  projier  to  sax".  however,  that  straightforward 
methods  and  a  scrupulous  regard  tor  the  needs  of  his  patrons  have  borne  their 
just  fruitage  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Dober  and  he  is  higli  up  in  the  list  of  well-to-do 
merchants  of  Lawrenceburg. 

On  July  21,  1875,  Edward  Doljer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Catherine 
Gardner,  dangliter  C)f  Anthony  and  ^largaret  (L.ampert)  Gardner,  to  which 
vniion  two  children  were  born,  ¥j\a  and  Matilda,  the  latter  of  whom  died  in 
infancy.  Eda  married  Patrick  Stephen  lirady,  who  died  on  January  13,  1915, 
leaving  one  son,  Edward  Henr\-,  to  comfort  the  widow.  ^Irs.  Catherine 
Dober  died  on  September  20,  1S80,  at  the  early  age  of  twent\-six  years,  and 
Mr.  Dober,  on  April  26,  18S1,  married,  secondly.  Mary  Josephine  ^lorgan, 
who  was  born  at  Xew  Alsace,  Indiana,  August  28.  1854,  the  daughter  of 
Frederick  and  Elizabeth  (Borgerding)  Morgan,  both  natives  of  Gennany. 

Frederick  Morgan  was  brought  to  this  country  irom  the  .\lsace-Lorraine 
district  by  his  widowed  mother,  who  came  to  America  with  her  several 
young  children,  at  a  time  when  the  youngest,  Frederick,  was  a  babe  in  arms, 
he  being  then  l)ut  six  m(jnths  of  age.  Tlie  family  located  in  Cincinnati,  in 
which  cit}-  Frederick  Alorgan  grew  to  manhood,  learning  the  shoemaker's 
trade,  at  which  he  worked  for  a  time  in  Cincinnati  and,  about  the  year  1S81, 
moved  to  Lawrenceburg,  where  he  opened  a  shoe  store,  continuing  in  busi- 
ness there  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  in  191 1,  he  then  being 
eighty-three  years  of  age.  His  widow  is  still  living,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
■eighty-three.  She  .also  came  to  America  with  her  parents  when  she  was 
but  six  months  of  age  and  grew  to  womanhood  in  the  village  of  New  Alsace. 
She  has  been  a  resident  of  Lawrenceburg  since  1S81  and  is  held  in  the  highest 
esteem  by  a  large  circle  of  friends.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Dober 
•died  in  the  Alsace-Lorraine  country,  after  which  his  widow  came  to  this 
country,  locating  in  Xew  Alsace.  Indiana,  where  she  spent  the  remainder  of 
her  hfe,  her  two  children,  Frederick  and  Agnes,  surviving  her.  The  maternal 
grandfather  of  Mrs.  Dober  w^as  Henry  Borgerding.  who  married  Mary 
Hermmes.  Henry  Borgerding's  father  ( Mrs.  Dober's  maternal  great-grand- 
father) was  Henry  Schulte,  but  he  having  married,  high  above  his  station, 
Marj-  Von  Borgerding,  a  young  woman  of  noble  birth  and  large  wealth,  he 


•i  .\) 


VIA 


..)i,     .    \k    ■^•f.-il 
>i).A  ..I  i.ivifn 


;.;'■    i:  .'jii  :  -f^nu. ;   iic  /   vi»;i/. 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  769 

toolc  hur  surname  and  afterwards  was  known  as  Ilenrv  Rorg-crding,  that 
being  the  custom  in  those  days  in  that  country.  The  Borgerdings  came  to 
America  in  the  year  iS^^i  and  located  in  New  .Alsace,  this  state,  where  Ixjth 
died  and  where  their  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  local  cemetery.  Mrs. 
Dcjber"s  maternal  great-grandfather  \vas  Karl  Ilcrmmes,  a  doughty  soldier 
who  settled  in  Dinklage,  Holdorf,  Germany,  where  he  was  a  man  of  great 
influence. 

To  Edward  and  ^lar}'  Josephine  (Morgan)  Dober  have  been  born  ten 
children :  Frederick  Joseph.  Edward  Paul,  Henrique  Elizabeth,  Jo.sephine 
Cecelia.  ]Mary  Theresa,  Frank  Joseph,  Bonaventura  Amelia,  Agnes  Louise, 
Hildegarde  Marguerite  and  Anna  Theresa.  Frederick  Joseph  Dober  is  in 
business  for  himself  in  Richmond,  Indiana.  He  married  Rose  Ella  Dean  and 
to  this  union  three  children  have  been  born,  Julianna  Frebon.ia,  Rose  Ella 
and  Frederick  Dean.  Edward  Paul  Dober  is  cashier  of  the  Greendale  Dis- 
tillery Company,  at  Lawrenceburg.  Henrique  Elizabeth  is  at  home.  Josephine 
Cecelia  married  Edward  William  Burke  and  lives  at  Delhi,  Ohio.  Mary  Ther- 
esa married  I^ouis  E.  Henderson  and  lives  at  .-Vurora,  this  county.  Frank  Jo- 
seph Driber  is  in  the  employ  of  his  father  in  the  store  at  Lawrenceburg.  Bona- 
ventura .\melia  is  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Lawrenceburg.  Agnes 
Louise  and  Hildegarde  Marguerite  are  students  iu  the  Lawrenceburg  high 
school  and  Anna  Theresa  is  a  student  in  the  Catholic  parochial  school. 

Mr.  and  j\Irs.  Dober  are  dex'oted  adherents  of  the  Catholic  church,  and 
their  children  have  been  brought  up  in  the  faith  of  the  mother  church.  Mrs. 
Dober  is  a  member  of  the  Ladies'  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters,  and  Air.  Dober 
is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  St.  John.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  takes  a  good 
citizen's  part  in  local  politics,  being  earnestly  interested  in  all  movements 
looking  to  the  advancement  of  the  community's  welfare  in  a  civic  as  well  as 
in  a  social  and  moral  way.  Being  one  of  the  oldest  business  men  in  the  city, 
in  point  of  continuous  service,  he  naturally  has  a  dignified  and  honorable  place 
in  the  estimation  of  his  business  associates  in  Lawrenceburg,  and  none  there 
is  held  in  higher  repute  than  he.  F'ublic  spirited  in  matters  of  the  common 
weal,  enterprising  and  energetic  in  the  prosecution  of  his  private  business, 
affable  and  genial  in  his  intercourse  with  his  fellow-men,  Mr.  Doljer  is  a 
friend  of  all  and,  in  consequence,  all  are  friendly  to  him,  it  being  safe  to  say 
that  there  is  no  more  popular  citizen  in  lawrenceburg  than  he.  It  is  but 
proper,  therefore,  in  the  making  of  a  work  of  this  character,  dealing  with  the 
historical  and  biographical  things  of  this  county,  that  his  name  should  be 
included  in  the  list  of  the  men  who  have  made  history  hereabout. 

(49) 


•j''i  I 


7/0  DEARBORN    COUNTY^    IXDIANA. 

LEWIS  H.  HELMUTH. 

The  following  is  a  sketch  of  a  plain,  honest  man  of  affairs,  who  b\- 
correct  methods  and  a  strict  regard  for  the  interests  of  his  patrons,  has  made 
his  inflnence  felt  in  the  business  circles  of  Lawrcnceburg,  and  during  the 
thirl V  vears  he  has  served  his  fellow-townsmen,  has  won  for  himself  a  most 
enviable  reputation. 

Lewis  H.  ITelmuth  is  a  native  of  Lawrenceburg,  this  county,  born  th.erc 
on  Januarv  29.  1S48,  son  of.  Henry  and  Mary  (Sartwell)  Helmuth.  die 
former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  Bremen,  province  of  Han- 
over, where  he  remained  until  sixteen  years  of  age,  at  wlu'cli  time  he  im- 
grated  to  America  and  located  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  Xot  being  satis 
fied,  however,  with  the  opportunities  which  presented  themselves  there,  he 
decided  to  start  out  for  Cincinnati,  and  walked  the  entire  distance  between  the 
two  cities.  He  remained  in  Cincimiati  but  a  short  tiu'ic.  presentl}'  moving  to 
Lawrenceburg,  where  he  lived  for  over  sixty-six  years.  ?Ie  died  in  iSc)fi. 
past  eighty  years  of  age.  Li  1852  Hem'}-  Helmuth  opened  up  the  grucery 
business,  which  is  continued  at  the  present  time  by  his  son.  Lewis  H.  The 
parents  of  Henry  Helmuth  never  came  to  this  country,  but  passed  their  entire 
lives  in  their  native  land.  They  were  the  parents  of  Frederick.  ^largavet. 
Paul.  Harmon.  Jane.  William.  Caroline  and  Henry. 

Mary  Sartwell's  grandparents.  Justus  and  Dorothy  (De^vloss)  .Sart- 
well. were  of  French  birth  and  came  to  this  countr}-  at  the  time  tiie  .great 
General  LaFayette  brought  his  soldiers  o\er  from  France.  They  settled  fir-t 
in  Virginia  and  then  when  Lidiana  Territon-  was  first  being  opened  up,  they 
came  as  pioneers  and  located  in  Dearborn  county,  where  their  descendants 
have  since  lived  and  where  Air.  Helmuth's  mother  was  born.  Justus  Sartweli 
was  a  brickmaker  and  bunted  the  brick  used  in  the  construction  of  the  first 
brick  house  in  Lawrenceburg.  Pie  and  his  wife  were  people  of  strong  men- 
tality and  left  a  fine  family  of  children,  namely:  John.  Justus,  Xorman,  Dan- 
iel, Olive.  Luc\'.  Ann.  James  and  Alary.  Mr.  Helmuth's  mother  died  in  I'o'tS 
at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years.  Both  she  and  her  husband  were  charter  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  church  of  Lawrenceburg,  and  acti\"e  and  consistent  work- 
ers in  the  same.  They  had  a  family  of  nine  children,  five  of  whom  li\'erl  to 
maturity,  namely:  Margaret  (deceased),  who  was  tlie  wife  of  Hugh  Thomp- 
son: Henr\-  Oren  (deceased)  :  Ellen  (deceased),  who  was  the  wife  of  D.  G. 
Justice,  and  Lewis  H.  and  William  C:,  both  of  Lawrenceburg.. 

Lewis  H.  Helmuth  has  passed  his  entire  life  in  Lawrenceburg.  Pie 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  and  when  quite  young  began- 


f     . .    >  .   i:      :.   •     ii  i'    ::f 


/(-.•irt,i-i   I- 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  //I 

assisting-  liis  father  in  the  grocery  and  continued  thus  engaged  luitil  the  father 
sold  the  business.  After  remaining  out  of  the  store  for  a  year,  he  bought 
hack  the  old  business,  and  for  the  past  thirty  years  has  continued  to  run  it 
himself. 

On  IMay  22,  1877,  Lewis  H.  Helmuth  was  united  in  marriage  lo  Cek-s- 
tine  Haffner,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  IMagdalinc  (Traub)  TIaffuer.  bolli  nat- 
i\es  of  Germanw  The  Haffners  lived  for  a  time  in  C'incinnati,  in  which  city 
Mrs.  Helmuth  first  saw  the  light  of  day,  and  later  came  tn  I.awrencehurg. 
where  both  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  ?\Irs.  Ilelmuth's  paternal 
grandparents,  Valentine  and  Elizabeth  Traub,  had  also  immigrated  to  this 
country  and  lived  for  many  years  in  I.awrencebnrg,  being  amimg  the  earl}-  pio- 
neers of  this  section. 

]\[r.  Helmuth  is  well  known  and  unixxrsally  respected  throughout  La'\-- 
renceburg  and  \-icinity,  which  is  a  high  tribute;  for  it  is  said  that  one  of  Ihe 
highest  honors  which  can  come  to  a  man  is  a  long  continued  and  honorable 
residence  in  any  section.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Repulilican,  and  Mrs.  Ilehr.uth 
is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  which  ]\Ir.  Helmuth  also  attends. 
Mr.  PIcImuth  has  ah^■ays  been  considered  one  of  tlie  substantial  citizens  of 
Lawrencebnrg,  glad  to  do  wliatever  lay  within  his  power  to  promote  the  wel- 
fare of  the  communitv. 


EDWARD  KUHN. 


The  attention  of  the  reader  is  now  called  to  a  short  sketch  of  the  career 
of  Edward  Kuhn,  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  Dillsboro,  Dearborn 
county,  and  one  of  the  prominent  workers  of  the  Democratic  party  in  this 
section.  Edward  Kulm,  who  was  born  in  Petersburg.  Kentucky,  on  October 
'  I,  1S71,  has  been  a  resident  of  Dillsboro  practically  all  his  life,  having  been 
brought  here  by  his  parents  at  the  tender  age  of  four  months.  He  received 
his  education  in  tlie  schords  of  th.is  city  and  on  his  fifteenth  birthday  began 
his  business  career  by  accepting  a  clerkship  in  the  general  store  owned  and 
operated  by  John  X.  Calvert.  There  he  remained  for  nine  years,  giving 
faithful  service  to  his  employer  and  laying  up  valuable  business  experience 
for  his  own  future  use.  \\licn  twenty-four  years  of  age,  he  embarked  in  his 
first  independent  business  venture  by  opening  a  little  grocery  store  in  the 
Kamping  building,  on  North  street.  This  business  was  launched  in  a  small 
room,  eighteen  by  thirty  feet,  but  there  Mr.  Kuhn  remained  for  fifteen  years, 
prospering  more  and  more  each  year.  In  1910  he  erected  the  Kuhn  building 


772  DEARBOKN    COUNTY^    INDIANA. 

on  the  opposite  street  from  his  old  site  and  in  the  new  bnilding  opened  up 
the  only  exclusive  grocery  store  in  the  city.  This  Ijusiness  is  conducted  in 
a  manner  highly  pleasing  to  its  many  patrons  and  equally  gratifying  to  its 
worthy  proprietor.  ]Mr.  Kuhn  long  since  gave  evidence  of  such  attributes 
as  place  him  in  the  fore  rank  of  the  business  men  of  this  section  and,  in  addi- 
tion to  those  characteristics  which  have  won  and  retained  for  him  the  business 
confidence  and  esteem  of  his  associates  and  patrons,  he  has  a  pleasing  person- 
ality and  genial  manner  which  have  won  for  him  the  sincere  liking  of  a  large 
circle  of  friends. 

Mr.  Kuhn  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Spencer)  Kuhn,  the  former 
a  native  of  the  German  em])ire,  born  on  July  2,  1830,  who  was  brought  to 
this  country  by  his  uncle  wb.en  a  child  of  eight  years.  The  family  settled 
in  Baltimore.  Mar}land,  and  there  }-oung  Jacol)  received  his  education.  \\'hen 
a  young  man  he  decided  to  come  further  west  where  there  were  people  of  his 
nationality  in  the  farming  sections,  and  so  located  for  a  time  in  Ripley  county, 
where  he  was  employed  in  farm  work.  ^Vhile  li\-ing  in  that  countr\' 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Elizabteh  Spencer,  a  native  of  that  county, 
bom  on  March  16,  1838.  She  was  a  posthumous  child,  her  father  having 
been  drowned  some  time  before  her  birth.  She  received  lier  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  her  native  county  and  was  throughout  her  life  regarded 
as  a  most  excellent  woman.  She  was  a  most  consistent  Christian,  a  faithful 
member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  a  most  active  member  in  all  that  pertained 
to  the  well-being  of  the  local  society.  She  was  one  of  those  women  whose 
comforting  and  helpful  presence  was  always  to  be  found  in  the  sick  room  of 
any  about  her,  and  who  never  failed  to  give  encouragement  and  help  to  those 
needing  some  wise  counsel.  After  being  widowed  she  passed  most  of  her  time 
with  her  son,  Edward,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  lived  to  be 
sixty-seven  years  of  age,  passing  away  on  February  6,  1905. 

After  marriage,  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Spencer)'  Kuhn  removed  to  Pe- 
tersburg, Kentucky,  where  he  was  employed  on  the  farm  of  Joseph  Jenkins, 
remaining  there  until  1S72,  when  they  returned  to  this  section,  locating  in 
Clay  township,  Dearborn  county,  where  they  took  possession  of  the  farm 
of  J.  W.  Gaff.  After  operating  that  homestead  for  about  ten  years  Jacob's 
health  failed  and  he  was  obliged  to  give  up  such  heavy  work,  and  removed 
to  Dillsboro,  where  he  lived  for  a  number  of  years. 

Jacob  Kuhn  still  holds  a  warm  place  in  the  memory-  of  many  of  the 
older  citizens  of  Dillsboro,  for  he  was  one  of  the  representative  men  of  this 
section.  He  was  a  faithful  member  of  the  German  Lutheran  church  and  a 
charter  member  of  the  local  society  known  as  Saint  Peters.     He  was  largely 


'!•  11,    If ;.  i;-  ■,. 


"    .i.  ■  •'   f  ■    ';   :!::■'/ 


DEARBORN    COUNTY/  INDIANA.  773 

active  in  the  building-  of  the  church  edifice  in  187O.  besides  making  lilxral 
donations  of  money,  he  hauled  much  of. the  construction  material.  His  po- 
litical interests  were  with  the  Democratic  party,  and  he  was  known  as  one 
of  its  must  stanch  supporters.  He  will  be  remembered  by  many  as  pro- 
prietor of  the  "Chestnut  Grove"  dairy,  and  made  considerable  of  a  reputation 
for  himself  in  the  manufacture  of  cheese.  Jacob  Kuhn  was  interested  in  all 
matters  pertaining  to  public  welfare  and  had  left  the  impress  of  his  life  on 
many  of  the  affairs  throughout  this  section.  He  alone  of  his  immediate 
family  was  in  this  country,  for  his  sister  Mary,  who  together  with  himself 
had  been  brought  over  by  an  uncle,  did  not  survive  many  years  after  making 
her  home  in  the  new  world. 

Edward  Kuhn  is  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  five  children,  the  others 
being  Louis,  Anna,  Jacob  and  John  W.  Louis  Kulm  died  in  iS'jJ,  leaxiug 
a  widow,  who  was  l^illie  Steurer,  and  four  children.  Of  these  Albert  died 
in  infancy:  \\'ilHam  ( \\'ho  died  in  1907)  married  ^lary  Clriere,  of  Rising 
Sun.  and  had  one  child,  Leona :  Alma  became  the  wife  of  Adolph  Schr<irer, 
of  Aurora,  this  state,  and  has  one  daughter.  Norma:  Edna  remains  at  home 
with  the  mother. 

Anna  Kuhn  became  the  wife  of  William  Bushhorn,  of  Dillslioro,  a 
farmer,  and  is  the  mother  of  six  sons,  as  follow:  John  W.  is  a  dentist,  lo- 
cated at  Piqua,  Ohio,  where  he  married  Gertrude  Seits :  E-lward  H.  married 
Clara  Reinhart  and  they  li\'ed  on  a  farn^.  in  Ripley  count}- :  they  have  one 
son,  Plarold :  Louis  .\.  has  been  twice  married,  his  second  wife  was  Martha 
Lowe,  of  Aloores  Hill,  this  county,  and  his  first  wife  was  Lillian  Fox,  who 
bore  him  two  children,  .-Mvin  and  I'ertha :  Albert  H.  married  Agnes  Lowe, 
of  Moores  Hill,  and  is  the  father  (_)f  one  son.  Willis:  Charles  W.  and  Walter 
K.  remain  unmarried.  Anna  (Kuhn)  Bushhorn,  mother  of  this  interesting 
family  of  sons,  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years  on  February  7,  1915. 

Jacob  Kuhn,  Jr.,  was  united  in  marriage  widi  Marv-  Steurer  and  to  their 
union  was  born  one  child,  Amelia,  who  died  when  twenty  years  of  age. 
Jacob,  Jr.,  also  died  when  y<-jung,  his  death  occurring  from  typhoid  fever 
on  Xo\-ember  28,  1S85.  John  W.  Kuhii,  who  was  a  traveling  salesi-nan  and 
a  most  promising  young  man,  died  unn-iarried  on  April  6,  1886. 

Edward  Kuhn  is  a  men-iber  of  the  ]\rethodist  Episcopal  church,  being  a 
faithful  adherent  of  that  society.  His  fraternal  affiliation  is  held  with  the 
ancient  order  of  Freemasonry,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Red  Men,  all  through  the  local  lodges  at  Dills- 
boro.  In  politics  he  gi\-es  his  most  efficient  support  to  the  Democratic  party 
and  is  considered  one  of  its  leaders  in  this  section.     He  has  had  the  honor 


■  ■:  ■:■■•:'-     .1  '■',■' 
•I    ^  '(    Tijkm'        ; 


■Hi...  .-:rr,(     ■ 


774  DEARBORN    COUNTY^    INDIANA. 

of  being  sent  as  delegate  to  five  of  the  Democratic  state  conventions  and  has 
three  times  been  sent  as  delegate  to  congressional  conventions.  In  view  of 
his  activities  in  the  political  field,  he  has  made  himself  one  of  the  best-known 
and  most  highly-respected  men  of  this  section.  While  not  seeking  public 
office  for  himself,  he  has  been  of  greatest  assistance  in  administering  the 
party's  affairs  in  this  section. 

On  October  20,  1S95,  Edward  Kuhn  \vas  married  to  Agnes  Pearson, 
of  Dillsboro,  daughter  of  John  and  EHzabeth  (Abbott)  Pearson,  the  former 
known  as  one  of  the  leading  carpenters  of  this  community.  Mrs.  Kuhn  has 
passed  her  entire  life  in  the  town  of  Dillsboro,  having  attended  its  schools 
and  was  one  of  the  efficient  meniliers  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and 
a  worthy  wife  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Airs.  Kuhn  died  on  March 
12,  1915. 


CHARLES  EBERHART. 


In  the  front  rank  of  Lawrenceburg's  most  highly  respected  citizens  is 
Charles  Ebcrhnrt,  assistant  postmaster,  \vho  comes  from  one  of  the  old  fam- 
ilies of  the  community  and  has  passed  his  entire  life  within  the  borders  of 
that  city. 

Charles  Eberhart  was  bom  on  August  22,  1S69,  a  son  of  Henr\-  and 
Catherine  (Petri)  Eberhart,  both  natives  of  the  city  of  Pirmasens,  in  the 
palatinate  of  Bavaria.  Henry  Eberhart  was  well  educated  when  a  young 
man  and  for  some  time  was  a  traveling-  salesman  for  a  shoe  firm  in  his 
native  land.  He  came  to  America  in  1S54,  landinj^-  at  Xew  Orleans,  whence 
he  made  his  way  to  Lawrenceburg  by  boat  on  the  Mississippi  anrl  Ohio  rivers. 
The  first  employment  he  secured  in  this  section  was  in  the  stone  quarrv  of 
Kosmos  Erederick,  \\here  hi  remained  but  a  short  time.  Then  for  several 
years  he  was  with  the  old  Gaff  distillery  and  later  served  several  years  f:s 
engineer  for  the  distillery  of  \\'.  I'.  Squibb.  From  1876  until  the  time  of 
his  death  he  was  employed  at  the  James  Walsh  Company  distillerv.  His 
death  occurred  on  April  6,  1904,  in  his  seventy-first  year  and  his  wife  died 
in  1S95,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years.  Both  Air.  and  Airs.  Henry  Eberhart 
were  devout  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Henry  Eberhart's  parents, 
Henry  and  Alargaret  Eberhart.  ne\-cr  came  to  this  countrv,  but  passed  their 
entire  lives  in  their  native  land.  There  were  in  their  family  but  three  children, 
Gottfried,  Henry  and  a  daughter,  Elizabeth.  Air.  El>erhart's  maternal  grand- 
parents were  George  and  Elizabeth  Petri,  and  they  also  remained  their  entire 


■|t:ow    r. 
f.n    Ki 


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!  .   ir;!!':-!./     j 


'UI;;7/     --,.,.! 


DEARBORN    COUNTY^    INDIANA.  7/5 

li\c^  in  the  Fatherland.  There  were  three  daughters  in  their  famil_\' :  Cath- 
erine CMr.  Eherliart's  mcither),  Sehna  and  EHzabeth. 

Charles  Eberhart  is  one  of  a  family  of  ten  children,  eight  sons  and  two 
daughters,  namely:  Henry,  of  Greensburg",  this  state;  George,  deceaS'^d , 
Louis,  of  Lawrenceburg;  h>;ic?t.  of  Cincinnati;  Elizabeth,  of  Lawrenceburg; 
T'"rcd,  who  married:  John  and  Carrie,  who  died  unmarried,  and  \\'illiam  and 
Charles,  also  of  Lawrenceburg. 

Charles  Eberhart  recei\xd  his  education  in  Lawrencel,nn-g.  partly  at  the 
pubhc  schools  and  partly  at  tlie  parochial  school.  At  the  early  age  of  fnur- 
tcen  he  secured  employment  at  the  James  Walsh  Company  cooperage  plant, 
and  worked  there  for  ten  consecutive  years,  leaving  there  to  enter  the  Oliin 
Valley  coffin  factor}'  as  a  machine  hand,  where  he  remained  until  1896.  wlicn 
he  was  appointed  assistant  postmaster  of  Lawrenceburg.  in  which  position  he 
has  since  remained. 

On  X'ovember  15,  1895,  Charles  Eberhart  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Katherinc  Kunz,  who  was  born  in  Lawrenceburg.  daughter  of  George  and 
Elizabeth  (Kitzmann)  Kunz,  the  latter  of  whom  died  in  1906,  at  the  age  of 
fiftv-nine  vcars.  and  the  former  of  whom  still  li\es  in  Lawrenceburg,  one  of 
its  prominent  citizens.  ^Mrs.  Eberhart  is  one  of  a  family  of  seven  children, 
namely:  Katherine.  Malinda,  Agnes,  Edward  (deceased),  Mayme,  Alma  and 
Georgie.  George  Kunz  is  the  son  of  Michael  and  Katherine  (Bartholomew) 
Kunz,  both  natives  of  Mutterstadt,  Germany,  where  they  passed  their  entire 
lives.  r^Irs.  Eberhart's  mother  was  Elizabeth  Ritzmann,  daughter  of  Adam 
and  Christine  (Rupp)  Ritzmann,  who  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of 
Lawrenceburg.  They  were  fr.rmers  and  both  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age.  There 
were  eight  children  in  their  family,  namely:  Elizabetli,  Aviary,  Kate.  Anna. 
Carrie,  Christina,  ^lelinda  and  William  F. 

To  Charles  and  Katherine  (Kunz)  Eberhart  have  been  born  three 
children.  Elizabeth.  Edward  and  Paul.  Both  Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Eberhart  arc 
members  of  Zion  Evangelical  church  and  yir.  Eberhart  holds  fraternal  affil- 
iation with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Eellows,  through  the  local  lodge 
Xo.  8.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  one  of  the  stanch  supporters  of  the 
party,  r^lr.  Eberhart  is  one  of  those  sterling  characters  who  fully  appreciates 
his  duty  as  a  citizen  and  while  through  life  he  has  given  the  best  of  his  his  en- 
deavors to  provide  for  those  entrusted  to  his  care,  he  has  at  the  same  time 
ever  been  mindful  of  any  service  he  could  render  to  promote  the  good  of  the 
community.  He  is  a  genial  and  agreeable  man,  anrl  is  held  in  high  esteem 
by  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances. 


"Jjb  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

HARLEY  H.  SUTTON,  ]\I.  D. 

DesceiKlinj^  from  a  fainih-  of  distinguished  physician?,  Harley  M.  Sutton, 
of  Aurora,  this  county,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketcli,  comes  honestly  by 
his  love  of  the  study  and  practice  i)f  medicine  along-  scientific  lines,  in  which 
his  success  has  equalled  that  oi  his  ancestors,  as  will  he  seen  by  a  peiiisal  of 
this  biographical  sketch,  which  shows  his  untiring  interest,  froin  the  time  of 
his  early  student  days  to  his  present  enviable  position  as  a  diagnostician. 

Harley  H.  Sutton  was  born  on  December  24,  1852,  in  the  city  of  his 
present  success,  the  son  of  George  and  Sarah  (  h'olbre )  Sutton.  His  rudi- 
mentary education  was  received  in  liis  home  town,  where  he  was  graduated 
from  the  high  school  in  1S70,  under  Professor  Clark,  after  which  he  entered 
the  Indiana  State  L'nixcr^ity  at  r.loominglon,  taking  a  special  course,  cov- 
ering a  period  of  two  }-ears.  In  1873  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  under 
his  father,  rendering  the  latter  valuable  service  during  the  first  year,  in  th.e 
microscopical  examinalirms  rif  pi.)rk.  He  entered  the  Medical  College  of 
Ohio,  at  Cincinnati,  in  1874.  +rom  which  instituticni  he  was  graduated  in  tlie 
spring  of  1876,  at  the  end  of  which  year  he  attended  the  Jefferson  [Medical 
College  at  Philadelphia,  from  ^^•hich  institution  he  was  graduated  the  follow- 
ing spring,  his  thesis  being  ''The  reduction  of  the  dislocation  of  the  hip  joint 
'by  means  of  a  fulcrum  placed  in  the  groin."  setting  forth  a  new  method  for 
the  reduction  of  the  dislocation  of  the  hip  joint,  as  discovered  l>y  his  father, 
citing  a  case  of  three-months  standing,  under  the  observation  of  Prof.  William 
Pancoast,  which  reduction  was  made  under  the  care  of  Dr.  George  Sutt'^n 
at  Bleckley  hospital,  in  Philadelphia.  Before  deciding  upon  a  location  for 
permanent  practice.  Doctor  Sutton  was  called  upon  to  take  the  place  of  his 
brother.  Dr.  W.  E.  Sutton,  then  associated  with  his  father,-  who  was  taken 
seriously  ill,  and  never  regained  his  health,  dying  in  1878.  Dr.  Harley  H 
Sutton  continued  in  practice  with  his  father  until  the  father's  death,  which 
occurred  in  1886,  leaving  him  in  sole  charge  of  their  large  and  profitable 
practice.  Pie  has  selected  the  branches  of  his  profession  in  which  he  is  most 
interested,  and  is  noted  for  the  careful  and  painstaking  interest  he  takes  i:i 
his  cases. 

Doctor  Sutton  is  a  strong  believer  in  home  institutions,  feeling  that 
larger  organizations  do  not  render  the  same  benefit,  and  in  this  connection 
he  has  been  largely  instrumental  in  promoting  the  success  of  the  Dearborn 
County  Medical  Society.  He  has  received  many  honors  as  representative  of 
the  society  in  both  the  state  and  national  associations,  having  filled  all  offices 
of  the  society.     Doctor  Sutton  is  a  member  of  the  American  Medical  Asso- 


•1  •;.,.•;.(,: 


:!    Jr. 


,!i;.'.! 


DEARBORN    COUNTY^    INDIANA.  J-Jf 

ciatinn,  the  Indiana  State  Medical  Society,  the  Indiana  Fourth  District  Med- 
ical Society,  and  is  president  of  the  Dearborn  County  Society  for  the  Preven- 
tion of  Tuberculosis.  He  was  for  an  extended  period,  health  ofiicer  of  Aurora. 
In  1896  he  took  a  post-graduate  course  in  the  New  York  Polyclinic  Hospital, 
and  for  fifteen  years  has  been  surgeon  for  the  Big  Four  Railway  Company. 
}Ie  is  a  director  and  vice-president  of  the  Aurora  Coffin  Company,  a  director 
(if  the  River  \'ie\v  Cemetery  Association,  and  a  member  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  Aurora  Public  Library,  as  well  as  being  allied  witli  various 
other  organizations.  Fie  has  contributed  generously  to  various  pul)lications, 
on  different  subjects,  but  principally  on  tliat  of  his  profession.  IJ)octor  Sut- 
ton resides  at  the  old  homestead  in  the  southern  portion  of  Aurora,  on  which 
he  lias  spent  a  great  deal  of  money  in  impro\-enients,  thus  making  it,  in  con- 
nection with  its  own  natural  surroundings,  one  of  the  most  attractive  homes 
on  the  Ohio  river.  In  addition  to  his  other  alliances,  Doctor  Sutton  was 
president  of  the  Indiana  Fourth  District  Medical  Society  in  the  year  190S, 
and  is  at  present  a  member  of  the  Indiana  state  board  of  health,  which  posi- 
tion is  highly  prized  by  him.  He  occupied  the  chair  of  the  committee  repre- 
senting tlie  state  of  Indiana  at  the  international  congress  of  hygiene  anrh 
demography,  at  \A'ashington,  D.  C,  in  1912. 

The  reader  is  referred  to  a  liiographical  sketch  of  the  late  Dr.  George  Sut- 
ton, presented  elsewhere  in  this  \T)lume.  for  additional  details  regarding  the  Sut- 
ton genealogy.  Dr.  Harley  H.  Sutton's  paternal  grandparents  were  George  and 
I'^lizabeth  fives)  Sutton.  George  Sutton  was  born  in  London,  England,  and 
Elizabeth  Ives  was  born  in  Camberwell,  England.  They  caiue  to  America 
in  1819,  and  spent  one  year  at  Cincinnati,  after  which  they  moved  to  a  farm 
in  the  A\'hitewater  valley,  near  Xew  Trenton,  in  I-"ranklin  county,  Indiruui. 
Mr.  Sutton  died  in  Canada,  and  his  wife  died  on  the  home  place,  aged  thirty- 
nine  years.  Their  children  were  as  follow:  George,  ^Irs.  Ann  Gibbons. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Beresford,  ^Irs.  Charlotte  Murdock,  and  Mrs.  Caroline  Back- 
man. 

The  maternal  grandparents  were  Charles  and  Phoebe  (Monroe)  F^jlbre. 
\\ho  settled  at  an  early  day  in  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  where  she  died  at 
an  advanced  old  age.  Charles  Folbre  died  in  1858  at  Lindon.  St.  Francis 
county,  .Arkansas.  To  this  union  were  born  the  following  children :  Barna- 
bas, Thomas,  Charles,  Samuel,  Mrs.  Sarah  Sutton,  Durbin,  Mrs.  Clarissa 
Lathrop  and  two  others  v.ho  died  very  young. 

On  October  5,  1887,  Dr.  Harley  FI.  Sutton  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Mary  Duchemin,  who  was  born  at  Cincinnati  on  April  10,  1859,  ilaughter 
of  William  R.  and  Emma   (Lambe)    Duchemin,  to  which  union  have  been 


>r.  .-.     I..     '     !■  M " 


7/8  DEARBORN     COUNTY^    INDIANA. 

born  two  daughters  and  one  son.  Georyc,  the  latter  of  whom  is  the  only  one 
now  livinsj.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Indiana  State  University.  W'illiarii 
Duchemin  was  a  nati\'c  of  France,  and  his  wife,  Emma  Lambe,  was  born  in 
England.  They  lived  for  a  time  at  Cincinnati,  moving  from  that  city  to 
Aurora.  ^Iv.  Duchemin  died  in  1S84,  but  his  widow  still  survives  him  at 
the  age  of  seven-sexen  years.  Their  children  were  Mrs.  Mary  Sutton,  ]\Irs 
J.  J.  Backman,  Elizabeth  Duchemin,  and  some  who  died  young. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  ]\Irs.  Sutton  was  Peter  Duchemin,  a  French- 
man, \\h()  married  Luc}-  Davis.  They  settled  at  Cincinnati,  where  the  wife 
died,  and  ]\Ir.  Duchemin  afterward  moved  to  Aurora,  this  county,  where  lie 
died  at  the  house  of  his  si>n,  William.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  children, 
- — John  and  William  Duchemin.  The  maternal  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Sutton 
Avere  Jeremiah  and  Hannah  (Turner)  Lambe,  both  natives  of  England,  wiio 
came  to  America  and  settled  at  Newport,  Kentucky,  where  they  both  died. 
They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Mrs.  Ellen  Hyatt,  ]Mrs. 
Emma  Duchemin,  ?^Irs.  Jessie  Evans,  Hannah,  Mrs.  Alice  Terry  and  two  sons, 
William  and  FIcnry. 

Doctor  Sutton  takes  great  interest  in  the  growing  of  fine  fruit,  and  is 
justly  proud  of  his  prize-winning  apples  and  peaches. 


CHARLES  O.  KE:\[P. 


The  business  interests  of  Lawrenceburg,  the  county  seat  of  Dearborn 
county,  ;i.re  well  represented  by  a  careful,  prudent  and  conservative  class  of 
merchants,  who  gi\'e  to  the  commercial  life  of  the  city  a  character  for  sub- 
stantial worth  that  adds  no  little  to  the  fine  credit  which  the  historic  old  town 
€njoys  in  commercial  and  financial  circles  throughout  the  central  states. 
Among  these  business  men  few  are  better  or  more  favorably  known  than 
Charles  O.  Kemp,  of  the  firin  (jf  C.  O.  Kemp  &  Son,  dealers  in  hardware  and 
implements,  and  it  is  a  pleasure  for  the  biographer  here  to  set  out  briefly  in 
this  connection  a  few  of  the  salient  points  in  the  life  of  this  representati\e 
business  man  and  enterprising  citizen. 

Charles  O.  Kemp  was  born  in  Switzerland  county,  Lidiana,  April  22,  1S57, 
the  son  of  ^\'illiam  C.  and  Content  L.  (Hasting)  Kemp,  both  natives  of  Ohio 
•county,  Indiana.  William  C.  Kemp  was  a  son  of  John  Kemp,  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  of  English  descent,  and  an  early  settler  in  Ohio  county,  Indiana. 
He  was  the  father  of  the   following  children :     George,  Ezra,   William   C, 


,v-r;A 


I    .      ,  .    I  f'-  ■,  ii^'i 


■i:u-\    -■  \  i' 


DEARBORN    COUXTY,    INDIANA.  779 

Sallie,  Susan  and  ■Vlaiy.  John  Kemp  lix'ed  to  a  ripe  old  ag'c,  being-  fiir  man\- 
\ears  regarded  as  among-  tl:e  most  influential  farmers  of  his  coinitT.  It  was 
in  Ohio  county  that  William  C.  Kemp  greu"  to  maiiliDod.  and  where  lie  laid 
the  foimdation  for  the  successful  career  which  marked  liis  life.  He  was 
reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer  and  also  learned  the  cooper's  tratle,  which  latter 
vocation,  during-  a  part  of  his  life,  he  followed  with  considerable  success. 
During  the  Civil  \\'ar  period  Mr.  Kemp  carried  the  mail,  in  addition  to  his 
other  activities.  Farming-  was  his  principle  vocation,  liowever,  and  he  event- 
ually became  a  large  land  holder.  Mr.  Kemp  married  Ouitent  L  lla-ting;, 
daug-hter  of  Charles  and  Fanny  ( Athern)  Hasting-,  nati\es  of  l^enn'^\l\'ania, 
and  early  settlers  in  Ohio  county.  Indiana,  who  were  the  jjarents  of  Charles. 
Content,  Mollie,  Jai-nes,  Taylor,  Fanny,  Harriet,  Emma  and  Margaret.  The 
Hasting  family  was  one  of  the  best  known  families  in  Ohio  countv,  and  the 
parents  of  the  above  children  were  held  in  high  repute  in  the  ueighborhnod  in 
which  they  resided  and  where  they  li^'ed  to  a  good  old  age. 

To  William  C.  and  Content  L.  (Hasting)  Kenip  eleven  children  were 
born:  Laura  (deceased),  who  was  the  wife  of  PT  B.  Sparks;  John,  de- 
ceased: ^lollie  J.,  the  wife  of  M.  D.  Fisk,  of  Ohio  county,  Indiana:  01i\e 
deceascfl ;  James  ^L,  who  resirles  at  Indianapolis,  Imliana;  Charles  O..  who 
resides  at  Aurora,  Indiana:  Henry,  of  Indianapolis:  [Margaret,  the  wife  of 
William  Wade,  of  this  county;  Edward,  of  Ohio  county:  Lucian,  of  Illinois, 
and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  in  1887.  at 
the  age  of  sixty-four  years,  the  famil}-  at  that  time  living  near  Rising  Sun. 
Following  his  wife's  death,  Mr.  Kemp  came  to  Dearborn  county,  and  the  rest 
of  his  life  was  spent  here,  he  n-iaking  his  home  alternately  with  his  several 
'children  who  lived  in  this  county,  his  death  occurring  in  1910,  he  being  then 
eighty-seven  \ears  of  age.  Mrs.  Kemp  was  a  faithful  and  devoted  mi.mljer  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  which  church  i\Ir.  Keirip  also  attended.  He  was  a 
good  man.  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  all  the  duties  of  life,  and  was  regarded 
a=  an  influential  citizen. 

Charles  O.  Kemp's  early  youth  was  spent  in  Sw-itzerland  county,  he  re- 
maining there  until  he  was  eleven  years  of  age,  at  which  time  his  parents 
moved  to  Ohio  county,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farn-i.  Plis  elemen- 
tary education  was  received  in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood, 
to  which  he  added  further  instruction  in  the  schools  of  Rising  Sun  and  Aurora, 
supplementing  this  with  a  course  of  one  year  in  \\'abash  College,  at  Craw- 
fordsville,  Indiana,  after  which  he  married  and,  renting  a  farm  frorr.  his 
father,  started  upon  his  successful  career  as  a  farmer,  rei-naining  thus  occu- 
pied for  about  thirty  years.     Coming  into  possession  of  the  home  farm,  he 


/So  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

remained  there  until  1907,  in  wliich  year  he  retired  from  tlie  farm  and  moved 
into  the  town  of  Aurora,  where,  for  several  years,  lie  follmved  various  pur- 
suits. In  June.  19 14.  he  bought  a  new  stock  of  goods  and  established  a  hard- 
ware and  implement  business  in  Lawrenceburg,  associating  with  him  in  this 
venture  his  son,  \\'illiam  C,  under  the  firm  stj-le  of  C.  O.  Kemp  &  Son.  and 
has  already  built  up  a  large  trade,  which  gives  every  evidence  of  growing  to 
much  larger  proportions,  the  popularity  of  this  new  firm  having  been  quickly 
established  in  the  county  seat  and  throughout  the  communit\-,  which  it  serves 
in  tlie  line  which  it  so  effectively  represents  hereabout. 

On  December  7,  1876.  Charles  O.  Kemp  was  united  in  marriage  to  Cora 
Gerhard,  who  was  born  in  Hartford,  Ohio  county.  Indiana,  the  daugh.ter  of 
Jonathan  B.  and  Catherine  (]\Ierriman)  Gerhard,  both  of  whom.  also,  were 
natives  of  that  count}",  and  who  were  the  parents  of  three  children.  Inez,  Cora 
and  Aaron.  Both  ?^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Gerhard,  who  were  among  the  best  known 
and  most  influential  people  in  their  neighborhood,  long  have  been  deceased. 
Jonathan  E.  Gerhard  was  the  sim  of  William  Gerhard,  one  of  the  early  set- 
tlers of  Ohio  count)',  who  died  there  well  along  in  years.  He  was  a  prom- 
inent farmer,  and  among  his  childien  who  lived  to  impress  their  personalities 
upon  tliat  community  were  Dr.  Jerome  Gerhard,  Jonathan  B..  Reese  and  ^\'ill- 
iam.  Mrs.  Kemp's  maternal  grandparents,  the  ^ilerrimans,  were  early  settlers 
in  Ohio  ct-iunt}'.  who  lived  there  to  an  old  age,  and  whi>  were  the  parcits  of 
five  children,  Susan,  Catherine,  ]\Iollie,  Robert  and  Jane. 

To  Charles  O.  and  Cora  (Gerhard)  Kemp  eight  children  have  beer,  born, 
namely:  Jonathan,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years;  Inez,  who  is  a 
teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  this  county;  IaiIu  C,  a  teacher  in  the  public, 
schools  at  Dillsboro,  Indiana;  Katheryn,  a  stenographer  and  secretarv  at  Indi- 
ana State  University,  at  Bloomington  ;  William  C,  who  is  in  partnership  with 
his  father  in  the  store  in  Lawrenceburg;  M(jllie,  who  is  attending  the  high 
school  at  Aurora ;  Clyde,  who  died  in  his  tenth  year,  and  one  wh'i  died  in 
infancy. 

Th('>ugh  engaged  in  business  in  Lawrenceburg.  Mr.  Kemp  continues  to 
make  his  home  in  Aurora,  where  he  has  one  of  the  pleasantest  homes  in  that 
town,  and  where  he  and  his  family  are  held  in  the  highest  regard.  They  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  church,  in  the  various  beneficences  of  which  they 
are  actively  interested,  and  are  likewise  concerned  in  all  the  good  works  of 
that  community.  Mr.  Kemp  still  owns  the, old  lK)me  farm,  and  is  very  well 
circumstanced  as  regards  this  world's  goods.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  for 
years  has  taken  a  wann  interest  in  the  political  affairs  of  his  home  county 
though  never  having  been  included  in  the  office-seeking  class,   his  concern 


.11    .,  1■>(::^.■f^ 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  78 1 

hclug  rather  to  insist  upon  good  government  than  to  he  among  those  upon 
wliose  shoulders  tlie  duties  of  government  are  hud.  He  is  a  man  of  quiet 
and  modest  demeanor,  known  for  his  strict  integrity  of  character  and  very 
jiroperly  has  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  friends  and  all  those  v.ilh  whom 
he  has  husincss  or  social  dealings. 


ADAM  K.  HILL. 


Few  names  are  hetter  known  in  general  business  circles  in  this  part  of 
the  state  than  is  the  ()ne  the  reader  notes  ahove.  Prominent  in  the  business, 
social  and  ci\'il  affairs  of  his  home  town,  ]\[r.  Hill  for  many  years  has  been 
regarded  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  community  life  of  Aurora,  and  is  re- 
garded highly  in  general  business  circles  throughout  the  whole  of  Dearborn 
county.  .\s  the  head  of  the  well-known  firm  of  A.  Hill  &  Sons,  dealers  in 
coal  and  salt,  also  for  forty  years  proprietor  of  the  wharf-boat  at  Avirora,  ^Nlr. 
Hill  for  many  years  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  his  home  towr, 
and  his  business  associates  give  him  their  unreserved  confidence.  He  for- 
merlv  was  a  ineniber  of  the  Aurora  city  council,  and  in  tliis  capacitv  per- 
formed most  excellent  public  service.  He  also  for  years  was  the  ^•ice■  presi- 
dent and  treasurer  of  the  Dearborn  County  Agricultural  .\ssociation.  during 
which  time  he  was  indefatigable  in  promoting  the  best  interests  of  the  agri- 
cultural section  oi  the  county,  his  services  in  this  connection  still  bcii;g  re- 
membered with  gratitude  by  all  who  were  connected  with  him  in  that  useful" 
old  association.  A  member  of  one  of  Dearborn  county's  oldest  and  liest- 
known  families.  Mr.  Hill  e\er  has  had  the  interests  of  his  native  county  \ery 
dearly  at  heart,  and  ne\er  has  spared  himself  in  furthering  these  interests 
in  all  good  and  proper  ways,  in  consequence  of  which  he  deservedly  occupies 
a  very  high  position  in  the  general  esteem  hereabout. 

Adam  K.  Hill  was  born  on  the  old  Kerr  homestead  in  Hogan  township. 
Dearborn  county,  Indiana,' on  December  27,  184S,  son  of  Abram  and  Minerva 
(Kerr)  Hill,  both  members  of  old  and  influential  families  in  this  county, 
for  further  details^.of  which  excellent  families  the  reader  is  respectfully  re- 
ferred to  the  biographical  sketch  relating  to  the  late  Abram  Hill,  presented 
elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

Though  born  on  the  old  Kerr  homestead,  Adam  K.  Hill  was  reared  prin- 
cipally on  his  father's  farm  in  Manchester  township,  attending  the  district 
schools  of  that  neighborhood,  in  which  he  received  an  excellent  elementary 


''^   .  'i  r;..:  I 


'   .■%.'>!   .''-    i:::;'ii  )r  ;■  '   .  !">    ,:,.  • 


7S2  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

education,  -vxhich  he  sufiplenieiited  by  a  course  of  three  ycArs  in  Moires 
Hill  College,  thus  laying-  a  substantial  foundation  for  a  business  career.  L^pon 
completing  his  studies,  Mr.  Hill  engaged  in  the  live-stock  business  v.-ith  his 
father,  continuing  thus  occupied  until  his  marriage,  two  years  later,  .-.iter 
which  he  moved  onto  his  father's  farm  and  fi^r  some  time  was  successfn.ll\- 
engaged  in  farming.  He  then  became  interested  in  the  crial  business  with 
his  father  and  located  at  Aurora,  where  he  ever  since  has  been  actively  identi- 
fied with  the  business  interests  of  that  thriving  city.  His  father  had  acquired 
large  wharfage  rights  at  Ainxtra,  and  for  nearly  forty  years  the  firm  of 
A.  Hill  &  Sons  has  owned  the  wharf-boat  there,  few  names  being  better 
known  up  and  down  the  river  than  theirs.  In  later  years  j\Ir.  Hill  also  en- 
gaged in  the  salt  and  general  drayage  business  and  has  been  largely  interested 
in  other  flourishing  enterprises  in  and  about  Aurora.  He  is  president  of  ihc 
Pittsburgh  Coal  Company,  of  .-Vurora,  and  he  and  his  brother.  Lew  \V.  Hill, 
are  proprietors  of  Cheeks  Hill,  one  of  the  beautiful  mounds  on  the  north  side 
of  Aurora,  abutting  Sunnyside,  containing  thirty  acres  of  most  valuable  home 
sites.  Mr.  Hill  has  given  considerable  attention  to  public  affairs,  and  in  18S8 
and  18S9  served  his  ward  very  acceptably  in  the  Aurora  city  council.  For 
several  years  he  was  vice-president  and  treasurer  of  the  Dearborn  County 
Agricultural  Association,  and  is  now  a  meniber  of  the  executive  board  of  the 
River  View  Cemetery  Association. 

On  February  8,  1872,  Adam  K.  Hill  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ella  S. 
Wcrley,  who  was  born  in  Center  township,  this  county,  daugther  of  Francis 
and  Jane  (Sanks)  W'orley,  a  well-known  and  influential  family  of  that  town- 
ship, she  being  the  fourth  daughter  of  the  family.  ^Ir.  and  ■Sirs.  W'orley  came 
to  this  county  at  an  early  day  and  located  in  Center  townsliip.  where  fur 
many  years  Mr.  Worley  was  successfully  engaged  in  farming.  Fie  died  at 
the  age  of  eighty  }-ears,  his  wife  having  died  some  years  i)re\iously.  They 
were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  namely :  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  John 
Wood;  Martha,  now  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  George  Vahn,  of  Boone 
county,  Kentucky:  Jennie,  wife  of  John  S.  Cole,  of  Aurora,  this  county; 
Ella,  who  married  ]\Ir.  Hill;  Lillie,  wife  of  Robert  Griffin,  of  this  county; 
Fannie,  who  died  unmarried,  and  William  and  Frances. 

To  Adam  K.  and  Ella  S.  (Worley)  Hill  one  child  has  l>een  born,  Grace, 
who  married  Clifford  J.  Dils,  of  Aurora,  to  which  union  two  children  have 
been  born,  Eleanor  M.  and  Donald  C.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hill  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  church  and  ever  have  been  active  in  the  good  works  of  their 
home  community,  being  regarded  as  among  the  leaders  in  all  measures  de- 
signed to  promote  the  general  welfare.     Mr.  Hill  is  a  member  of  Aurora 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  '  ySj 

Lodg^e  No.  51,  Free  and  Acce[)ted  ■Masons,  and  is  much  interested  in  the  affairs 
,)i  that  order.  Though  now  ncaring  the  three-score-and-ten  mark  in  the  jour- 
ney of  hfe,  Mr.  Hill  retains  all  his  wonted  interest  in  his  extensive  business 
affairs,  as  well  as  in  the  general  interests  of  the  public,  and  is  still  regarded 
as  one  of  the  most  active  and  efficient  members  of  the  business  community 
of  Dearborn  county;  a  man  fully  entitled  to  and  receiving,  in  full  measure^ 
the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  business  associates  generally. 


ALBERT  G.  SilERROD. 


Prominent  among  the  well-known  citizens  of  Lawrenceburg,  and  a  meiu- 
ber  of  one  of  its  oldest  families,  is  Albert  G.  Sherrod,  stationary  engineer  for 
the  Bauer  Cooperage  Compmy.  He  was  born  in  Lawrenceburg  on  Feljrr.ary 
22,  1849.  a  son  of  James  M.  and  ^Lary  (Allison)  Sherrod.  b'.>th  natives  of 
this  state.  James  M.  Shernul  was  a  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Green)  Slierrod, 
the  former  a  nati\e  of  France  and  the  latter  of  Ireland,  \\\v>  were  am^jug  the 
earliest  pioneers  of  Dearborn  count}',  thev  having  come  here  in  1815  lohn 
Sherrod  was  a  sliip  carpenter  b}'  trade  and  died  here  at  the  age  of  lifty-si.x 
years.  His  widow  survived  him  for  many  years,  passing  away  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty-three.  They  were  the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  six 
of  whom  lived  to  maturit}".  James  ^I.,  Mary.  Martha,  Laura,  George  and 
Calvin. 

James  M.  Sherrod  was  reared  in  I^awrenceburg,  recei\ing  his  edncntiin 
there,  and  when  of  suitable  age  was  apprenticed  to  the  carpenter's  tra^le.  He 
finished  out  his  time  and  followed  that  trade  for  a  number  of  \ears.  aftei 
which  he  took  up  engineering  and  millwright  work  and  erected  a  number  of 
mills  throughout  Indiana,  Ohin  and  Kentucky,  .nid  for  a  number  of  years 
operated  a  stationar)-  engine.  His  death  occurred  m  Cincinnati  in  1890,  when 
in  his  sevent}'-third  year,  his  widow  passing  away  one  year  later,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-one.  He  was  a  man  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  tliis  community, 
had  served  as  councilman  at  Lawrenceburg  for  a  number  of  years  and  v.as 
also  active  in  military  circles,  having  received  a  commission  as  captain  in  the 
old  state  militia.  ^Nlary  Allison  was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Margaret 
(You.ng)  Allison,  both  natives  of  Scotland  and  pioneers  in  this  county,  the 
former  of  whom  was  a  veteran  of  the  \\'ar  of  1812  and  died  in  mid-life,  as 
did  his  wife  also.  There  were  three  children  in  their  familv  :  Jane,  Mary 
(mother  of  Albert  G.  Sherrod)  and  James  Y. 

Albert  G.  Sherrod  is  one  of  a  familv  of  six  sons,  three  of  whom  lived' 


784  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

to  maturity,  the  other  two  being'  Eflwanl  K..  of  Pittsl_)urgh.  renns\-l\ania. 
and  John,  of  Cincinnati,  all  being-  stationary  engineers,  as  was  their  father 
before  them.  Mr.  Shcrrod's  entire  life  has  been  s])ent  in  Lawrencebnrg,  v.  ith 
the  exception  of  four  }-ears  when  he  was  eniploxed  in  Cincinnati.  He  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Lawrenceburg.  and  at  tiie  age  of  thirteen 
began  to  learn  stationary  engineering-  in  the  engine  room  of  the  old  I'ni  ju 
factory.  After  mastering  his  chosen  vocation  he  served  in  that  capacity-  in 
the  Lewis  and  Eichellierger  flour-mill  for  two  years,  in  the  Union  factor\- 
for  nine  years,  with  the  Miami  Valley  Furniture  Company  for  eight  years 
and  the  four  years  spent  in  Cincinnati  were  passed  in  the  engine  room  of  the 
John  Walker  Bre\\'ing  Company.  After  returning  to  Lawrenceburg.  he  was 
with  the  Garnier  Brewing  Company  for  seven  Acars  and  b\-  that  time  tlie 
constniction  of  the  Lawrenceburg  electric  plant  was  under  way.  He  took 
an  important  part  in  the  erection  of  the  machinerv  for  that  plant  and  served 
as  its  superintendent  for  seven  years.  Si.x  vears  ago  he  entered  the  engine 
room  of  the  Bauer  Cot>perage  Ci.nnpany  and  has  been  with  that  concern  ever 
since. 

On  December  24.  1874.  .Mbert  G.  Shcrrod  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Eva  Knapp,  a  daughter  of  Ezekiel  Knapp,  to  which  union  two  children  have 
been  born,  daughters.  May  and  Xell,  the  fi^rmer  of  whom  is  a  teacher  in  liie 
public  schools  of  Lawrenceburg  and  the  latter,  instructor  of  art  in  INLoores 
Hill  College. 

Mrs.  Sherrod  was  born  near  Guilford  on  August  2fi.  1845,  her  parents 
Ijeing  among  the  early  settlers  of  this  county,  having  come  here  from  Xew 
York  state.  They  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives  in  this  county,  both 
dying  well  along  in  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  chiblren,  Lucv, 
Albert,  Joseph,  Xancy,  Mary,  Rhoda,  Eva,  Jennie  and  Julie. 

]Mr.  Shcrrod  is  affiliated  with  the  ancient  'jrder  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  through  Lawrenceburg  Lodge  Xo.  4,  and  politically  lie  is  a  Repub- 
lican, who  takes  an  active  interest  in  the  party's  affairs.  He  served  foi  si.x 
years  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  for  the  same  length  of  time  was 
engineer  for  the  fire  department.  This  was  a  volunteer  dc])artnient  and  dur- 
ing that  time  he  was  employed  regtdarly  elsewhere.  The  Sherrod  family 
home  is  at  Xo.  215  ^lain  street,  ]\rr.  Sherrod  owning  the  resirlence,  which  his 
father  erected  in  1S47.  It  is  not  given  to  every  man  to  live  his  entire  life 
among  dear  and  familiar  surroundings  and  perhaps  the  highest  tribute  which 
can  be  paid  any  man  is  that  which  may  be  truthfully  said  of  Mr.  Sherrod.  that 
he  is  held  in  the  very  highest  esteem  by  old  and  young  alike,  and  has  Ijecn 
so  regarded  throughout  his  entire  life. 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  ■  7S5 

■       '  EDWARD  G.  LOMMEL. 

Edward  G.  Lommel.  the  superintendent  of  the  James  S:  Meyer  Bu;:^s:y 
Company,  of  Lawrencehurg,  this  county,  belongs  to  one  of  the  old  and  highlv 
respected  families  of  Dearborn  county.  His  father  was  one  of  the  organizers, 
in  fact,  almost  personally  affected  the  organization  of  .the  Lawrcnceburg  Fur- 
niture Manufacturing  Company,  one  of  the  large  industries  of  this  county  foi 
many  years,  with  which  the  elder  Lommel  \\as  connected  until  his  death.  The 
Lommel  family  came  from  Germany  and  Edward  G.  Lommel  is  the  secc^nd 
generation  of  the  family  living  in  this  country^  his  father  having  established 
the  family  in  America.  Edward  G.  Lommel  has  been  a  school  teacher,  a  civil 
engineer,  the  superintendent  of  a  lumber  company  and  has  worked  at  various 
times  for  different  concerns.  He  began  his  active  business  career  with  the 
James  &  Aleyer  Buggy  Con.ipany.  as  traffic  manager,  and  is  now  superiiiten- 
dent  of  the  concern.  Lender  normal  conditions,  this  compan^-'s  output  is  >ix 
thousand  jolis  annually  and  its  goods  are  sold  all  over  the  world.  "Sir  Lom- 
mel's  position,  therefore,  is  a  very  responsible  one. 

Edward  G.  Lommel  was  born  on  February  19,  1879,  in  Lawrenceburg. 
Indiana,  son  of  Christian  and  ^lagdelena  (Kirsch)  Lommel,  both  natives  of 
Germany,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  1834  and  the  latter  in  1S51. 

Edward  G.  Lommel  was  reared  in  Lawrenceburg  and  has  lived  there  all 
of  his  life.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Lawrenceburg  and  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  high  school  with  the  class  of  1S9S.  After  that  he  taught  school 
for  one  year  and  was  then  employed  as  a  civil  engineer  in  one  of  the  dep?rt- 
ments  of  the  United  States  government  service,  after  which  he  taught  for 
two  more  years  and  then  became  superintendent  of  the  Lawrenceburg  Lumber 
Company,  which  position  he  held  for  one  year.  In  1901  he  went  to  work 
for  A.  D.  Cook  in  his  office  and  remained  with  him  for  five  }ears.  After  that 
he  worked  for  the  Fairbanks-^Morse  Company  in  Cincinnati.  Returning  from 
Cincinnati,  he  took  a  place  with  the  James  &  Aleyer  Buggy  Company,  and 
has  gradually  risen  from  traffic  manager  to  superintendent,  the  position  which 
he  now  holds. 

On  September  14.  1904.  Edward  G.  Lommel  was  married  to  Leora  Webb 
Walker,  who  was  born  in  Lawrenceburg  in  18S1,  the  daughter  of  James  and 
Clara  (Pierce)  Walker,  the  former  a  native  of  Harrison,  Ohio,  and  the  latver 
of  Lawrenceburg,  this  county,  who  are  now  living  in  Lawrenceburg.  Of  their 
children,  only  two  are  now  living",  Mrs.  Lommel  and  Grace. 

Edward  G.  Lommel  is  one  of  eight  children  born  to  his  parents,   four 
(50) 


:i    )-';  ,';:  ■■■ 


■I,;.  ;  (:■•   ' 


786  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

sons  and  four  daughters,  namely:  Louise,  who  is  a  teacher  of  music  in  Law- 
renccburg;  Charles  H.,  who  died  in  igo6,  and  who  was  formerly  cashier  in 
the  Peoples  Bank  and  before  that  was  employed  with  his  father  in  the  manu- 
facture of  luriiiture,  but  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  cashier  in  a  baTik  at 
Aurora;  Katherine,  who  is  the  wife  of  Rev.  B.  F.  W'ulfmann,  of  .Springfield, 
Ohio:  .\melia,  who  died  in  earl}-  cliildhnod:  Henry  L.,  who  is  superintendent 
of  the  box  factory  of  George  H.  Bishop  &  Company  :  Edward  G.,  the  imme- 
diate subject  of  this  sketch:  Tina,  who  is  the  wife  of  Lewis  A.  Lee.  of  Ham- 
mond. Indiana:  and  Arthur  F.,  a  druggist  in  Lawrenceburg. 

The  father  of  Edward  G.  Lrmimel  was  reared  in  Germany  and  remained 
there  until  he  was  seventeen  years  old.  He  received  a  good  comnn.^n  school 
education  in  his  native  country  and  in  1851  came  to  America  and  located  on 
a  farm.  Later  he  moved  to  Lawrenceburg  and  learned  the  carriage  maker's 
trade,  finallv  becoming  superintendent  of  the  Heifer  Carriage  Conipiuiy, 
\\hich  i;osition  he  held  for  some  years,  fie  also  bought  cattle  for  a  time.  In 
1868  he  organized  the  Lawrenceburg  Furniture  Manufacturing  Compan\'. 
one  of  the  largest  industries  in  that  city,  and  was  connected  with  that  enter- 
prise until  his  death  on  September  22,  1899,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years. 
His  widow  still  survives.  She  is  a  member  of  Zion  Evangelical  church,  her 
husband  also  having  been  a  member  of  that  church,  and  during  their  active 
careers  were  leaders  in  the  church.  Christian  Ixunmel  belonged  to  the 
Ancient  Order  of  Druids.  He  was  a  member  of  the  city  council  for  twelve  or 
thirteen  years  and  was  also  a  member  of  the  school  board  for  a  numljer  of  years. 
He  was  never  defeated  for  any  office.  He  took  a  very  active  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  his  adopted  cit}-  and  was  a  man  of  proved  integrity  of  character. 

Christian  Lommel  was  a  son  of  Henry  and  Christina  (Briar)  Lommel. 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  1807  and  died  in  1884  and  the  latter  born 
in  1806,  died  in  1877,  both  spending  their  last  days  in  Lawrenceburg.  Flenry 
Lommel  began  life  as  a  farmer  and  even  after  coming  to  America  followed 
that  occupation.  Later  in  life  he  became  a  grocer  in  Lawrenceburg.  He  and 
his  wife  were  the  parents  of  two  daughters  and  three  sons:  Christian,  Alinnie. 
Nettie,  Louis,  who  died  as  a  soldier  during  the  Ci\'il  War,  and  Charles. 
Magdelena  Kirsch  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  IMargaretha  CBeckuian) 
Kirsch,  nati\es  of  Germany,  the  former  born  in  1804  and  died  in  1883  :  the 
latter  born  in  180S  and  died  in  1886.  John  Kirsch  was  a  well-to-do  German 
farmer  and  after  coming  to  America  owned  a  large  \ineyard.  He  and  his 
wife  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children :  John,  George,  Jacob,  Valen- 
tine, Magdelena,  Katherine  and  lienry,  the  latter  of  whom  died  on  the  battle- 
field in  the  Civil  War. 


;.M.;i;l 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  787 

Edward  G.  Lfminiel,  tlierefore,  is  descended  from  German  ancestors  on 
both  sides  of  his  faniil_\-  and  he  himself  p.issesses  the  sterhng-  traits  of  cliar- 
acter  which  belong  to  that  people.  Mrs.  Lommel  is  a  member  of  the  J'rcs- 
bvterian  chnrch.  but  Mr.  Lommel  is  a  member  of  the  Zion  Evangelical  church. 
He  is  a  member  of  Union  Lodge  Xo.  8,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  t''elluws, 
and  is. a  Democrat. 


■     .  .      JOSEPH  PHILIP  FEIST. 

Joseph  P.  Feist,  bookkeeper  for  the  TJauer  Cooperage  Conipan_\'.  of  Law- 
reiiceburg,  has  been  a  resident  of  that  cit}-  for  forty-nine  years,  and  lias  seen 
the  city  of  Lawrenceburg  grow  from  a  straggling  village  to  a  thriving  ciiy, 
where  the  hum  of  industrv  ma\-  be  heard  on  everv  hand.  Air.  Feist's  i)ater'ird 
ancestry  is  German  and  his  wife's  ancestry  on  both  sides  extends  l.ack  to 
the  l-"athcrland.  Born  in  Lawrencelnirg  Joseph  P.  Feist  received  a  gO')d  edu- 
cati(>n.  not  only  in  the  public  and  parochial  schools  of  his  home  town,  but 
aLo  in  a  business  college,  wliere  he  jirepared  for  his  profession.  ¥iv:  many 
years  lie  was  engaged  in  railroad  work,  but  during  the  past  fifteen  years  i;as 
held  his  present  jjosition  as  bookkeeper  for  the  Bauer  Cooperage  Comp.mw 

Jacob  Philip  Feist  was  born  in  LawTenceburg.  Indiana,  on  October  13, 
1866,  the  son  of  John  P..  and  Mary  Anna  {  Lipps)  Feist,  the  former  a  native  of 
Baden,  German}',  and  the  latter  a  native  of  Madison,  Indiana.  John  l'.  I-'eist 
was  reared  and  educated  in  Germanw  and  was  a  truck  gardener  in  die  old 
country.  Coming  to  America  in  184S,  he  located  first  in  Cincinnati  and  in 
the  early  sixties  came  to  this  count}-,  locating  at  Lawreiiceluirg.  In  1867  he 
became  superintendent  of  the  Greendale  cemetery,  and  held  that  position  until 
188S.  since  which  time  he  has  lived  retired  among  his  children.  He  is  nov»- 
residing  near  Greensburg,  Indiana,  with  his  two  daughters  and  a  son-in-law. 
A  Union  soldier  during  the  Civil  \\'ar,  in  which  he  serx'ed  two  years  :is  a  pri- 
vate, John  B.  Feist  has  a  splendid  military  record.  He  served  several  terms 
as  councilman  of  Greendale.  To  John  B.  and  Mary  Anna  (Lipps)  Feist 
were  born  the  following  children:  Andrew  J.,  the  present  superintendent  of 
the  Greendale  cemetery:  John,  a  farmer  south  of  Greensburg,  Indiana;  Joseph 
P..  of  Lawrenceburg;  Rosa  !M.,  who  is  unmarried  and  lives  at  Green>l;iurg; 
}'"rank  E.,  deceased,  and  Cora  E..  wife  of  Harry  G.  Eoese,  who  lives  five  miles 
north  of  Greensburg.  , 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Joseph  Philip  Feist,  Paul  Feist,  spent  his 
entire  life  in  Germany,  dving  in  his  native  land.     The  maternal  grandfather. 


yiSH  DEARBORiN'^    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

Ferdinand  Lipps,  ^\as  a  pioneer  in  ]\Iadison.  Indiana,  and  died  in  tliat  cit\'. 
He  lived  to  rear  a  family  of  eight  children,  Mary,  Kate,  Maggie,  Barbara, 
Rachel,  Theresa,  Mathias  and  John. 

Joseph  1'.  Feist  was  reared  in  Lawrenceburg,  and  there  attended  'he  pub- 
lic and  parochial  schools.  Later  he  entered  the  Cincinnati  Business  College 
at  Cincinnati,  and  upon  completing  the  course  prescribed  by  that  institution, 
took  up  office  work  at  T^awrenceburg  Junction,  in  the  offices  of  tlie  Big  Four 
railroad,  and  was  in  the  employ  of  that  company  continuously  from  i8S8 
until  1901,  a  period  of  thirteen  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  accepted 
a  position  with  the  Bauer  Cooperage  Company,  which  position  he  now  holds. 

On  October  29,  1S93,  Joseph  P.  Feist  was  married  to  Clara  Speiser,  who 
was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  July  4,  1S67.  daughter  of  Blasius  and  Barbara 
(Kreher)  Speiser,  to  which  union  four  daughters  have  been  bom,  Lorena, 
Martha,  Frieda  and  Catherine.  Mr.-;.  Feist's  parents  came  from  the  province 
of  FlohenzoIIern,  Germany.  Having  come  to  America  in  1S66,  thev  located 
in  Cincinnati,  where  the  father  was  a  cabinetmaker,  and  where  he  lived  for 
six  or  seven  years.  He  Located  in  Lawrenceburg,  with  his  family,  in  1S73, 
and  died  in  Lawrenceburg  in  1892.  His  widow  died  in  June,  19 13.  at  the 
age  of  seventy.  Before  coming  to  this  country  Blasius  Speiser  served  his 
time  in  the  German  army.  He  and  his  wife  were  brought  up  as  Catholics, 
and  were  the  parents  of  three  children:  Clara,  wife  of  ^h.  Feist;  Charlie,  of 
Aurora,  this  count}',  and  Frank,  of  Lawrenceburg.  After  locating  in  Law- 
renceburg. Blasius  Speiser  was  a  director  in  the  Lawrenceburg  Building  Asso- 
ciation. Fraternall}",  he  was  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows.  Mrs.  Feist's  paternal  grandfather  died  in  Germany  in  middle  life. 
His  wife,  Catherine  Speiser,  lived  to  a  very  old  age.  They  had  only  two 
children,  Blasius.  ]\Irs.  Feist's  father,  and  another  son,  who  was  a  prominent 
soldier  in  the  German}'  army.  The  maternal  grandparents  of  ^Irs.  Feist  were 
Gregor  and  Philomina  (Hipp)  Kreher,  who  lived  and  died  in  Germany, 
Gregor  Kreher  having  been  a  wealthy  farmer,  who  held  various  public  offices. 
He  was  known  as  a  man  of  benevolent  disposition,  and  gave  liberallv  to  the 
poor.  Only  three  of  their  children,  Barbara,  Marie  ^Magdalene  and  Anna, 
grcAV  to  maturity,  the  remainder  dying  young.  Mrs.  Feist  was  reared  in  Law- 
renceburg. and  has  lived  there  since  1873,  having  lived  to  see  wonderful 
development  in  all  phases  of  life  in  Dearborn  county. 

Mr.  Feist  was  reared  as  a  Catholic,  but  is  not  now  identified  witli  that 
church.  ]\Irs.  Feist  is  a  member  of  the  Zion  Evangelical  church.  Fraternally. 
Mr.  Feist  is  a  member  of  Lawrenceburg  Lodge  No.  4,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  and  also  of  Morning  Star  Lodge  No.  16,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 


I  .•'  ...'I 


in'.( 


'f-'  "  li.njJ.rtrr-;   -^rl]     /■■T 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  /So 

Fellows,  of  Petersburg,  Iventucky.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics.  In  a  busi- 
ness way  Mr.  Feist  is  a  director  in  the  Progressive  P.uilding  and  Loan  Asso- 
ciation, of  Lawrenceburg. 

Some  men  are  known  in  the  conmninity  in  \\  liich  they  live,  not  so  much 
for  the  great  amount  of  money  they  accumulate  or  the  \\  calth  thc}-  acquire, 
Imt  for  their  intelligence  and  native  powers  of  leadership:  for  their  f^rnial 
personal  maimers  and  their  progressive  spirit.  'V  man  of  this  character  is 
h-iseph  Philip  Feist,  who  is  highly  respected  and  honored  by  all  the  people  of 
Dearborn  county  for  his  personal  worth,  his  splendid  moral  character  and  his 
buo\-ant  spirit. 


ORVILLE  SULLIVAN  JAOUITH,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Orville  Sulli\'an  Jaquith,  physician  and  surgeon  of  Lawrenceburg, 
this  county,  comes  from  a  family  which  has  an  interesting  history.  He  has 
one  sister  who  married  a  physician,  two  sisters  who  are  professional  nurses 
and  a  brother  who  is  a  pharmacist.  Dr.  Jaquith  was  well  educated  for  the 
medical  profession,  having  had  the  advantage  of  the  veiy  best  medical  col- 
leges in  this  country.  His  father  and  mother  were  ardent  advocates  of  edu- 
cation and  gave  all  their  children  every  advantage  ■  for  obtaining  the  very 
best  possible  training.  Having  received  a  good  classical  education.  Doctor 
Jaquith  then  took  up  the  preliminary  training  for  the  medical  profession  and 
after  being  graduated  from  a  college  of  proved  standing,  was  able  to  do 
some  three  years'  post-graduate  work.  This  training  has  admirably  fitted  him 
for  his  profession  and  is  responsible,  no  doubt,  for  his  large  success  as  a  prac- 
ticing physician  since  locating  in  Lawrenceliurg  about  twenty  years  ago. 

Born  at  Wright's  Corner,  Indiana,  on  September  27,  1S72,  Doctor 
Jaquith  is  the  son  of  Edwin  L.  and  Ann  Eliza  (  Howerton )  Jaquilii.  also 
natives  of  Indiana,  who  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  namely:  Cora,  who 
lives  in  Indianapolis:  Clementine,  wdio  is  the  wife  of  J.  B.  House,  of  Indianola, 
Mississippi;  Iva,  the  wife  of  Dr.  J.  \V.  House,  of  Indianapolis;  Nellie,  a  pro- 
fessional nurse  in  Indianapolis;  Dr.  Orville  S.,  of  Lawrenceburg;  Frank  E., 
a  pharmacist  of  ]\Iemphis,  Tennessee ;  Elizabeth,  a  professional  nurse  in  In- 
dianapolis and  Leoline,  a  music  teacher  in  Indianapolis,  a  graduate  of  the 
conservator}  of  music  at  that  place. 

Edwin  L.  Jaquith,  who  was  the  son  of  Sullivan  and  Lucy  Jaquith,  na- 
tives of  France,  was  reared  at  Wright's  Corner,  Indiana,  his  parents  having 
been  early  settlers  of  that  place.     He  was  a  farmer  there,  the  owner  of  two 


-frn)   n 


.1;    -■    .'iiijp'.l  i 


790  DEARBORX    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

hundred  acres  of  land,  and  there  he  reared  his  family.  After  some  of  the 
children  had  grown  to  maturity,  he  rented  out  his  farm  and  moved  to  Hills- 
dale, Michigan,  in  order  that  some  of  the  children  might  have  the  advantage  of 
the  educational  opportunities  which  Hillsdale  College  offered.  After  living 
in  Hillsdale  for  some  time,  the  family  came  to  this  cnunty,  locating  at  Law- 
renccburg.  v.here  Dr.  Orville  S.  Jaquith  was  already  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  medicine.  The  father  died  in  Lawrenceburg  at  the  age  of  si.xty-seven. 
His  widow,  who  before  her  marriage  was  Ann  Eliza  Howerton,  is  still  living 
and  makes  her  liome  with  her  daughters  in  Indianapolis.  Edwin  L.  Jaquith 
was  a  member  of  the  Freewill  Baptist  church  and  his  widow  is  a  member  of 
the  same  church.  The  grandparents  of  Doctor  Jaquith,  as  heretofore  stated, 
were  nati\'es  of  France  and  rather  early  settlers  at  Wright's  Corner,  Indiana, 
where  Sulli\'an  Jaquith  was  a  farmer  and  where  he  also  conducted  a  general 
store.  He  reared  a  family  of  six  children,  namely:  Edwin  L.,  Ella,  who 
married  H.  D.  McMullen.  of  Aurora,  Indiana:  Sena,  limma,  Anna  and 
Fannie.  Mrs.  Ann  Eliza  Jaquith,  Doctor  Jaquith's  mother,  is  of  English 
descent,  and  is  one  of  a  family  of  six  children,  the  others  being  Aviary,  Albert, 
George,  Frank  and  Laurinda. 

Reared  on  his  father's  farm  at  Wright's  Corner,  Indiana,  Orville  S. 
Jaquith  attended  the  district  schools  and  subsequently  the  Lawrenceburg  high 
school.  After  finishing  high  school,  he  entered  ]\liami  Medical  College  at 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  was  graduated  there  with  the  class  of  1897;  later  taking 
a  post-graduate  course  in  Rush  ^ledical  College  and  the  Chicago  Polyclinic 
Medical  College,  altogether  spending  three  years  at  these  latter  two  institu- 
tions. \\'ith  the  exceptiijn  of  the  time  he  has  spent  in  the  Chicago  institutions. 
Doctor  Jac|uith  has  practiced  medicine  in  Lawrenceburg  ever  since  1897. 

On  June  15,  1900.  Dr.  Orville  S.  Jaquith  was  married  to  3>Iaud  Rinaman, 
the  daug'hter  of  A'ictor  and  Lucy  (Kinney)  Rinaman,  to  which  union  five 
children  have  been  born,  ^lildred,  Maurine,  Edwin,  Frances  and  Cornelius, 
the  latter  of  whom  died  shortly  after  birth.  ]Mrs.  Jaquith  was  born  at 
Lawrenceburg.  Indiana,  her  father  being  a  native  of  Ohio  and  her  mother 
of  New-  Jersey.  Her  father  died  in  19 13  and  her  mother  died  in  1883.  They 
were  the  parents  of  three  children,  ^Irs.  Jaquith  and  two  who  died  in  infancy. 

Although  the  Jaquiths  have  long  been  itlentified  with  the  Baptist  church. 
Doctor  Jaquith  and  wife  are  now  members  of  the  Church  of  Christ  in 
Lawrenceliurg,  of  which  Doctor  Jaquith  is  an  elder  and  also  a  teacher  of  the 
men's  Bible  class.  He  takes  no  considerable  part  in  politics,  but  always  votes 
in  support  of  the  Prohibition  principles  and  the  Prohibition  candidates,  being 
a  bitter  foe  of  the  liquor  traffic  and  the  licensed  saloon.  .         ,    . 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  79I 

Dr.  Orville  Sullivan  Jarjuith  is  a  wmlhy  son  of  far-seeing  parents,  who 
made  every  sacrifice  to  give  their  sons  and  daughters  the  hest  availahle  edu- 
cational advantages.  He  is  strongly  attached  to  the  ]iractice  of  medicine 
and  has  made  a  success  which  is  a  wortliy  tribute  to  the  nieniury  of  his  de- 
parted father.  Successful  and  respected  in  Dearljorn  comity  as  a  physician 
and  surge>.in.  Doctor  Jaquith  is  also  popular  as  a  citizen  and  influential  in  the 
civic  life  of  the  county  and  city  where  he  has  so  long  lived.  Doctor  and  ?ilrs. 
Jacpiith  are  also  popular  socially  in  Lawrenceburg  and  enjoy  the  warm  es- 
teem of  manv  friends.  ... 


JUDGE.  WARREN  N.  HAUCK. 

Warren  X.  Hauck.  judge  of  the  circuit  court  of  the  seventh  judicial  cir- 
cuit of  Indiana,  comprising  Dearborn  and  Ohio  counties,  is  descended  from 
two  of  the  oldest  families  of  Dearborn  county.  He  was  the  son  of  John 
Jacob  Hauck,  who  was  mayor  of  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg  for  many  years, 
and  was  ver_\-  pnjminent  in  tlie  pulitical  and  civic  life  of  tliis  county.  He 
did  much  toward  the  early  fortuing  of  the  city  of  Lawrencelnirg  and  was  very 
active  iti  both  the  business  and  religious  interests  of  that  city.  He  was  a 
man  of  great  integrity  and  intellect;  kind  and  charitable  in  his  cottimunity, 
firm  and  just  in  all  his  decisiuns.  Judge  Hauck's  ftither  was  a  niciuljer  of 
the  home  guards  during  the  Civil  War,  and,  as  a  lieutenant  of  a  home  com- 
pany, helped  ward  off  the  attack  of  Morgan's  raiders.  He  made  several 
trips  to  Europe  on  account  of  failing  health,  and  after  a  long  illness  passed 
away  on  February  2,   1880. 

Judge  Hauck's  motlier  was  a  woman  of  strong  character,  loved  by  all 
that  knew  her.  She  was  \er)-  actix'e  in  religious  work  and  was  a  most  de- 
\'oted  wife  and  mother.  She  was  responsible  for  the  Ijeautiful  home  life  in 
which  Judge  Hauck  was  reared.  She  greatly  mourned  the  loss  of  her  de- 
\otcd  husliand,  and  after  twenty-two  years  of  widowhood,  on  Ajjril  16,  1902, 
in  her  eighty-third  year,  joined  him  in  eternal  rest.  Both  were  devout 
Presbyterians.  To  them  were  born  nine  children.  The  first,  a  boy  v.ho  died 
in  infancy;  John,  who  now  resides  in  Indianapolis;  Jacob,  deceased,  who 
li\ed  in  Greenfield,  Indiana;  Caroline,  widow  of  Daniel  H.  Aliller,  of  Law- 
renceburg; Henrietta  'SI.,  who  resides  with  Judge  Hauck;  George  F.,  de- 
ceased, who  resided  at  Greenfield.  Iiuliana ;  Mary,  who  died  in  her  eighteenth 
year;  Emina  C,  widow  of  Walter  V.  Denton,  of  Aurora,  Indiana,  and  lastly, 
\\'arren  X.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 


X      •■,.ll'-- 


792  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

The  paternal  grandparents  of  Judge  Haiick  lived  in  Billigheim,  Germany, 
where  his  grandfather  was  nia\or  fur  twenty  years.  He  was  a  grain  dealer 
and  operated  a  fioitring-mi!l.  After  being  twice  married,  he  died  well  ad- 
vanced in  years.  George  X.  and  Anna  M.  (Forbter)  Hornberger.  tlie  ma- 
ternal grandparents  of  Judge  Hauck,  were  natives  of  Bavaria,  Germany,  and 
came  to  America  in  183 1.  They  lived  in  Cincinnati  imtil  1S37,  then  moved 
to  Lawrenceburg,  this  county,  and  lived  there  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 
He  was  a  prominent  man  in  the  political  history  of  Lawrenceburg,  where  he 
operated  a  hotel  for  many  years.  George  N.  Hornberger  was  for  many  years 
a  soldier  in  the  French  army  and  fought  in  the  battle  of  Waterloo  under 
Napoleon. 

Warren  N.  Hauck  was  born  in  Lawrenceburg  on  June  6.  i860.  As  a 
boy  he  attended  the  public  schools  there,  graduating  with  the  class  of  1878. 
He  then  went  to  Nelson's  Business  College  at  Cincinnati,  during  iSSo  and 
1881,  graduating  there  in  the  fall  of  the  latter  year.  Immediately  after- 
wards he  entered  Cincinnati  Law  School  and  was  graduated  with  the  class 
of  1884.  In  the  meanitime  he  was  also  attending  the  ^vIcMicken,  or  Cincin- 
nati University,  where  he  pursued  a  special  course  of  instruction. 

In  May,  1SS4,  \\'arren  N.  Hauck  was  elected  city  attorney  and  served  in 
that  capacity  about  eighteen  years,  or  until  1913.  In  1885  he  was  appointed 
county  attorney  and  held  that  office  until  1908.  practicing  law  most  of  the 
time  while  he  held  these  offices.  In  1908  he  was  elected  a  representative  to 
tlie  Indiana  General  Assembly  for  Dearborn  county,  and  after  serving  two 
years,  in  1910  was  elected  as  joint-senator  from  Dearborn,  Franklin  and 
Ohio  counties  for  a  term  of  four  years.  While  in  the  Legislature  he  intro- 
duced many  bills  which  were  enacted  into  laws,  and  which  are  upon  the  stat- 
ute books  today.  He  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on  banks  and  trust 
companies  for  two  sessions  in  the  Indiana  Senate  and  was  a  prominent  and 
leading  member  of  the  judiciary  committees  in  both  houses  of  the  Indiana 
General  Assembly  when  a  member.  He  also  served  as  chairman  of  the 
Democratic  senatorial  caucus  in  1913.  He  resigned  as  senator  on  ^lay  10. 
1913,  to  accept  the  appointment  of  judge  of  the  seventh  judicial  circuit  of 
Indiana,  the  appointment  being  made  necessary  by  the  vacancy  created  by  the 
resignation  of  Judge  George  E.  Downey,  who  became  comptroller  of  the 
treasury  of  the  United  States.  Judge  Hauck  was  nominated  and  elected 
circuit  judge  of  Dearborn  and  Ohio  counties  by  the  Democratic  party  for  a 
full  term  of  six  years  in  November,  1914,  and  is  now  filling  his  first  elec- 
tive term. 

No  man  in  this  section  of  Indiana,  perhaps,  has  been  the  recipient  of 


I     '!      (J     'K 


iriO 


.fliijT    OJtl 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  795 

more  frequent  or  greater  honors  than  Judge  Hauck.  From  a  good  beginning 
he  has  gradually  risen  to  his  present  honorable  position  on  the  bench  and  it 
may  be  said,  in  all  fairness,  that  his  progress  is  the  result  of  true  merit,  and 
that  his  reward  has  come  through  faithful  and  sincere  service. 

As  one  of  the  leading  Democrats  of  Dearborn  county.  Judge  Hauck  has 
been  called  upon  frequently  to  serve  as  a  delegate  to  judicial,  congressional 
and  state  conventions.  Judge  Hauck  served  three  campaigns  as  chairman  of 
the  Dearborn  county  Democratic  central  committee  in  1900,  1902  and  1904 
and  his  infUience  and  support,  naturally,  are  much  sought  after  by  candidates. 
The  people  of  Dearborn  county,  especially  the  Democratic  rank  and  file,  be- 
lieve firmly  in  Judge  Hauck's  counsel  and  depend  upon  him  for  guidance. 
He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Peoples  National  Bank,  the  German  American  Bank, 
the  Lawrenceburg  Gas  Company,  the  Ohio  Valley  Coffin  Company,  and  is  a 
director  of  the  Greendale  cemetery. 

Judge  Hauck  is  a  worthy  son  of  ancestors  who,  in  their  day  and  genera- 
tion, also  served  with  distinction  and  honor  in  many  public  capacities.  He 
is  a  man  of  dignified  presence  and  of  agreeable  and  pleasing  personality, 
\cry  modest,  plain  and  unassuming  in  every  way. 


ARTHUR  THO^IAS  FAGALY,  M.  D. 

The  physician  comes  into  the  home  at  a  time  when  the  family  is  beset 
bv  sorrow  and  distress.  All  look  to  the  physician  to  save  the  life  of  the 
afflicted  one  vet  a  little  longer,  and,  even  when  his  skill  and  his  art  have  failed, 
he  is  a  good  comforter  in  tli>"  time  of  sorrow.  The  physician,  who,  in  liis  dady 
practice,  is  going  and  coming  among  the  sick,  always  conscious  of  the  noble 
ser\-ice  it  is  possible  for  him  to  perform,  is  perhaps  the  greatest  servant  of 
all  mankind.  The  physician's  equipment  consists,  not  only  in  science  and  skill, 
but  in  that  peculiar  personality  which  the  profession  develops.  Dr.  Arthur 
Thomas  Fagaly,  one  of  the  well-known  physicians  of  Lawrenceburg,  this 
county,  and  one  of  the  most  skillful  surgeons  in  this  section  of  the  state,  is 
far  more  than  a  physician  and  surgeon.  Even  though  Doctor  Fagaly  has 
scarcely  reached  the  prime  of  life,  by  his  kindly  personality  he  has  firmly  es- 
tablished himself  in  scores  of  homes  in  Lawrenceburg  and  Dearborn  count}'. 
Out  of  his  care  of  the  treatment  of  disease  and  his  sympathetic  regard  for 
the  conditions  under  which  his  labors  are  performed,  he  has  built  up  a  large 


:ii    .UI'J 


794  DEARKORX    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

practice  in  this  section  of  Indiana  and  tlioroughly  merits  the  esteem  of  the 
pubh'c. 

Born  in  HamiUon  county,  Oliio.  ten  miles  from  Cincinnati,  on  September 
8,  iS/O.  Arthur  Thomas  Fagaly  moved  with  his  parents,  Wilham  S.  and 
Matilda  \".  { Cottingham)  l'"agaly,  to  Bright,  Indiana,  when  one  year  old. 
There  he  lived  until  thirteen  years  of  age,  attending  the  public  schools  and 
acquiring  the  rudiments  of  the  splendid  education  and  intellectual  ecjuipment 
■which  he  later  was  to  accpiire,  nut  only  in  the  schools  and  colleges  of  the 
country,  but  in  the  scliool  of  experience.  Having  attended  the  schools  of  I.aw- 
renceburg,  this  county,  until  1SS3.  when  he  was  fifteen  years  old,  he  further 
pursued  his  etlucation  in  W'ashingliin,  D.  C,  by  attending  the  night  schoril  of 
that  city,  pa\ing  his  expenses  Ijv  ser\ice  as  a  page  in  the  national  House  (jf  Rep- 
resentatives for  one  year,  and  in  the  L'nited  States  patent  office  for  two  years. 
two  years,  after  which  he  began  the  study  of  niedicine  in  Lawrence- 
burg.  Fi\'e  years  later,  in  1S93,  he  recei\'ed  his  diploma  and  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Aledicine  fr.jm  the  Miami  ^Medical  College,  and  immedi- 
ately thereafter  began  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Moundville,  Missouri, 
remaining  there  for  one  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  located  at  Man- 
chester, Indiana,  where  he  remained  for  two  years,  following  which  he  re- 
turned to  Lawrenceburg,  in  1896,  and  there  established  the  office  and  prac- 
tice which  he  has  since  maintained.  Doctor  Fagalv  is  a  member  of  the  Dear- 
born County  ^Medical  Societx"  and  the  Indiana  State  Medical  .Vssociation  and 
is  prominent  in  both  organizations.  Year  by  \'ear  his  practice  has  grown, 
and  although,  as  heretofore  noted,  he  is  a  comparative!}-  young  man,  he  never- 
theless has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  the  city  of 
Lawrenceburg  for  almost  twenty  years,  and  is  nriw  well  established  in  this 
county. 

Dr.  Arthur  Thomas  I"agal\'s  father,  who  was  a  native  of  Hamilton 
county,  Ohio,  and  was  reared  a  farmer  in  that  county,  during  his  earl\-  man- 
hood combined  the  occupation  of  farmer  and  the  profession  of  school  teacher, 
working  on  the  farm  during  the  summers  and  teaching  in  the  winters;  l;iter. 
for  a  period,  being  engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  business  at  Bright,  tliis 
county.  In  1883  he  was  appointed  deputy  county  auditor  and  ser\ed  in  that 
public  capacity  for  eight  years,  after  which  he  was  engaged  in  the  grocer}' 
business  until  1906,  in  which  year  he  was  elected  county  auditor  and  for  eight 
years  very  efficienth-  administered  the  affairs  of  that  important  oflice.  Mr. 
Faga!}-  is  now  living  retired  in  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg.  Mrs.  Fagaly. 
mother  of  Doctor  Fagaly,  was  born  in  Dearborn  county,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Eliza  (Stoms)  Cottingham,  early  settlers  of  this  county,  who  came  from 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  795 

"Maryland  wlien  f|uitc  young.  Her  paternal  g-randfatlier,  I'^rancis  Nelson, 
wa'i  a  kinsman  of  Lord  Xelson,  llie  hero  of  Trafalg;ir.  Mrs.  h'ag'aly  passed 
away  on  October  jo.  1912,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four.  She  was  the  mother  of 
si.K  children,  as  follow:  Dr.  Arthur  Thomas  Fagal_\,  of  Lawrcnceburg;  Roy, 
of  North  Bend,  Ohio;  }ilabe1,  who  married  Ezra  P.  Hayes,  of  Lawrencehurg: 
riuy  N.,  of  Burnside,  Kentucky;  Carey,  of  Lawrencehurg.  and  Edward  ]\I.,  of 
Cincinnati. 

The  Fagaly  family,  whnse  name  originally  was  spelled  \'oegele,  ami 
which  is  of  German  origin,  was  founded  in  this  count)-  b}-  George  T'agaly,  the 
paternal  great-grandfather  of  Doctor  3*1.  Fagaly.  Born  and  reared  in  Ger- 
many, he  settled  in  ^Maryland  u[)on  his  arrival  in  America  and  there  he  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  His  widow,  Rosahe,  came  West  with  her  family 
and  settled  at  Cincinnati,  in  that  now  populous  city's  village  da}-s,  where  ^he 
became  the  owner  of  ten  acres  of  land  on  the  site  of  wliat  is  now  the  corner 
of  Fifth  and  Mound  streets.  Later  the  family  removed  to  the  c<juntry  and 
there  she  died.  John  Fagaly,  one  of  the  sons  of  George  and  Rosalie  h^agaly. 
married  ]Mary  T.  Stuart,  a  native  of  this  county,  and  was  the  grandfather 
of  Doctor  Fagalw  jolm  Fagah'  was  born  in  ]!\laryland  and  earlv  was  a 
meat  packer.  Later  he  became  a  farmer  in  tlamilton  county.  Ohio,  and 
died  in  1863.  at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years.  Flis  wife,  win;  was  a  daughter  of 
William  and  ^lary  (Tate)'  Stuart,  died  in  1S90.  at  the  age  of  eighty.  She 
was  tlie  mother  of  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  as  fol- 
low:  George  W.,  James  H..  Rosalie  E.,  Francis  M..  John  L..  Flizaljelh  and 
William  S.  William  Stuart,  after  serving  \aliantly  as  a  soldier  in  the  War 
of  1S12,  married  ]Man-  Tate,  daughter  of  Doctor  Tate,  who  was  a  surgeon  in 
the  patriot  army  during  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  l^ecame  a  pioneer  in 
Dearljorn  county.  His  wife  lived  to  be  one  hundred  and  four  years  of  age 
and  was  accidentally  burned  to  death. 

On  ^Larch  22,  1S94,  one  year  after  Doctor  Fagaly's  graduation  from  the 
medical  college  and  two  years  before  he  established  himself  in  the  practice  of 
medicine  at  Lawrencehurg,  he  was  married  to  Tillie  L.  Oester,  daughter  of 
Nicholas  and  Eliza  (  Loheide)  Oester,  to  which  union  has  been  born  one  son, 
William  J.  Mrs.  Fagaly,  who  was  born  at  Aurora,  this  county,  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  native-born  German  parents,  who  are  now  both  deceased,  but  who  lived 
to  rear  a  family  of  eight  children,  namely :  Mary,  Louise,  W'illiam,  Charles, 
Emma,  Lena,  Tillie  and  Lilly. 

Doctor  Fagaly  belongs  to  Lawrencebiirg  Lodge  No.  4,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  as  does  also  his  father,  W^illiam  S.  Fagaly,  who  also  belongs  to  Chap- 
ter No.  56,  Royal  Arch  ^lasons.     The  Fagaly  family  is  well  known  in  this 


796  DEARBORN    COUNTY^    INDIANA. 

section  and  Doctor  Fagaly,  at  the  Iieginning  of  his  career,  had  the  responsi- 
bility of  sustaining  the  high  reputation  and  honoral^le  standing  of  a  worthy 
fatlier.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say  tliat  he  has  worthily  fulfilled  this  respon- 
sibility, not  only  as  a  physician  and  surgeon,  but  as  a  citizen  of  Dearborn 
county. 


JOSEPH  SCHLEICHER. 

The  attention  of  the  reader  is  now  directed  to  a  short  biographical  sketch 
of  Joseph  Schleicher,  well-known  grocer  of  Lawrenceburg,  this  county,  whose 
business  bears  the  firm  style  of  Schleicher  Brothers.  The  family  is  an  old 
one  in  the  history  of  Lawrenceburg,  and  one  which  has  taken  a  leading  part 
in  community  affairs.  Joseph  Schleicher's  father  was  one  of  the  earliest  and 
most  progressive  manufacturers  of  this  district  and  over  a  goody  stretch  of 
years  did  much  to  enhance  the  commercial  interests  of  the  city. 

Joseph  Schleicher  was  born  in  Grccndale.  this  county,  on  August  i,  i^^J. 
a  son  of  Adam  and  Louise  (Meier)  Schleicher,  both  natives  of  the  Geriii.ui 
empire,  the  former  of  whom  came  from  Saxeweimer  and  the  latter  from  Han- 
over. They  were  the  parents  of  three  sons  and  nine  daughters,  eight  of  the 
children  living  to  maturity.  These  were  Louise  (deceased),  who  was  the 
wife  of  Charles  Kepper:  Sarah  and  Alice,  both  unmarried,  and  the  latter  a 
teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Denver,  Colorado;  Charles,  of  [Mobile.  Alabama, 
and  Emma,  wife  of  Doctor  J.  D.  Terrill,  of  the  same  city.  There  was  als'j 
Adelia,  who  died  uinnarried  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years,  and  George, 
who  for  many  years  was  a  partner  in  the  grocery  business  with  his  brriilier 
Joseph,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch.  Georg'e  died  on  Deccmljcr  10, 
1914,  leaving  his  widow,  who  was  Anna  Matilda  Israel,  before  her  marrir'ge, 
and  three  daughters,  Elizabeth,  Margaret  and  Mary,  all  of  whom  renriir. 
unmarried  and  are  teachers  in  the  public  schools  of  Anderson,  this  state. 
George  Schleicher  was  four  years  the  senior  of  Joseph,  and  their  partnership 
continued  uninterruptedly  over  a  period  of  thirty-three  years.  His  widow 
is  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Anna  Elizabeth  (Niklaus)  Israel,  her  father  a 
native  of  Germany  and  her  mother  of  Switzerland.  Both  spent  their  last 
days  in  Lawrenceburg.  the  father  dying  at  the  age  of  eightv-four  and  the 
mother  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven.  There  were  in  their  famih'  but  three 
children.  ^Irs.  George  Schleicher  and  two  brothers,  botii  of  whom  died  nn 
married. 

Adam  Schleicher  recei\-ed  an  excellent  education  in  his  youth  and   re- 


;.J 


■•■.■,b   ■ 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  797 

mained  in  his  native  land  until  he  was  twenty-eiglit  years  of  ag;e.  He  ini- 
grated  to  America  in  1S48,  landing-  in  Xew  York  City,  where  he  worked  for 
.a  short  time,  later  residing  for  a  while  in  Xew  Orleans  and  Cincinnati.  It 
was  in  the  year  1S50  that  he  arri\ed  in  Lawrenccburg  and  located  per- 
manently. Together  with  several  other  enterprising  citizens  he  organi.^ed 
tiie  old  Miami  Valley  Furniture  Company.  A  large  factory  was  erect^-d  and 
Mr.  Schleicher  was  actively  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  furniture  from 
1868  to  1890,  when  he  retired  and  sold  the  building  to  the  James-Meyer 
Buggy  Company.  Mr.  Scheicher  passed  away  in  Lawrcnceburg  in  180S,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-eight  and  his  widow  still  survives  at  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-six  Both  were  reared  in  the  Lutheran  faith,  but  upon  coming  to 
America  they  allied  themselves  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  ])r<r.-in.g 
faithful  and  devout  members  of  the  same.  Adam  Schleicher's  parents  were 
Justine  and  Elizabeth  (Stutz) Schleicher,  for  whom  he  sent  after  ha\ing  lie- 
come  well  established  in  this  country.  They  reached  Lawrcnceburg  in  1S54 
and  lived  the  balance  of  their  lives  in  that  city,  both  dying  at  a  good  old  age. 
He  was  a  machinist  and  builder  and  was  successful  in  his  labors.  Their 
children  were:  Adam,  Joseph,  George,  Christian,  ^^'illiam,  Henry  and  Eliza- 
beth. 

Joseph  Schleicher's  maternal  grandparents  were  AVilliam  and  Evangeline 
(Banker)  Meier,  both  natives  of  Germany,  the  former  of  whom  immigrated 
to  America  in  1837,  the  latter  following  him  two  years  later.  For  a  short 
time  they  remained  residents  of  Cincinnati,  but  tiring  of  city  life,  they  came 
to  Dearborn  countv  and  found  a  suitable  location  in  Clay  township,  where 
they  lived  out  the  remainder  of  their  allotted  days.  They  had  been  farn-iers 
in  the  old  country  and  were  successful  in  their  venture  in  the  new  land.  Will- 
iam Meier  passed  from  life  at  the  advanced  age  of  eight)'-six  years  and  his 
wife  at  the  age  of  seventy-five,  having  been  born  in  1807.  To  them  were 
born  the  following  children:  Louise,  mother  of  Joseph  Schleicher;  Sophia, 
Catherine,  Henry,  Christian,  John,  Edward  and  Andrew. 

Joseph  Schleicher  has  passed  his  entire  life  in  Lawrcnceburg.  Fie  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  that  city,  attending  at  the  time 
Prof.  John  C.  Ridpath  was  superintendent,  and  after  his  school  days  were 
over  went  to  work  in  the  factory  of  the  !Miami  Valley  Furniture  Company  as 
a  cabinetmaker,  continuing  thus  engaged  from  1873  to  18S2,  in  which  latter 
year  he  formed  a  partnership  with  his  brother.  George,  and  the  two  embarked 
in  the  grocer}'  business,  remaining  thus  connected  until  the  death  of  the  latter, 
a  period  of  thirty-three  years,  as  above  stated.  Mr.  Schleicher  has  never 
niarried,  and  he  lives  with  his  sister,  Sarah,  and  his  aged  mother  in  the  old 


liJ-    .     ■  ■  ■!    -    J/iJ 


;!  '.■'     ■) 


79S  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

family  homestead.  In  politics,  he  gives  his  support  to  the  Reiaiblican  party, 
and,  religiouslv,  he  is  a  German  Methodist.  The  Schleicher  famil\-  lias 
always  been  considered  one  of  the  foremost  in  the  city  of  Lawrencebiirg'. 
standing  for  all  that  makes  upright  and  honored  manhood  and  advancing  the 
welfare  of  the  community  whencxer  possible. 


.'■•'  ■  WILLIAM   H.   KIMBALL.  ••.      • 

The  subject  of  tin's  sketch  is  descended  from  good  old  Xew  England 
ancestry,  who  settled  at  .Aurora  when  that  city  was  very  small,  and  he  has 
been  well  rewnrded  for  his  loyalty  and  interest  in  the  place  of  liis  birth.  Me 
has  prospered  beyond  the  average,  and  at  a  little  past  middle  age  is  enabled 
to  retire  from  an  active  life  and  enjoy  his  remaining  days  in  quiet  and  cuni- 
fort. 

William  H.  Kimball  was  born  on  November  12,  1856.  in  the  same  town- 
ship where  he  now  resides,  and  is  a  son  of  Ira  and  Catharine  f  Bruce)  Kim- 
ball. He  grew  up  on  tlie  same  farm  entered  by  his  father  from  the  govern- 
ment, and  on  which  he  lived  \uitil  about  fort\'  \'ears  old.  yir.  Kimball  has 
followed  farming  all  his  life.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellou'S,  both  suliordiuate  lodge  and  encampment. 

Ira  Kimljall,  father  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  lai 
June  21,  1807,  at  Concord,  Xew  Hampshire,  and  came  to  Aurora  with  his 
parents,  Timothy  and  Elizabeth  Kimball,  aljout  1826.  They  settled  on  the 
Aurora  and  ^loores  Hill  pike  in  Hogan  township,  remaining  there  mitil  tli.^\- 
died.  Ira  Kimball  and  his  sister  each  entered  government  land,  and  Ira  settled 
on  the  farm  where  James  \Y.  Clements  now  resides.  When  they  first  went  to 
housekeeping,  thev  had  no  furniture,  and  their  beds  were  made  of  dvv  leaves 
raked  up  on  the  ground  in  a  little  log  cabin  the  first  winter.  They  soon 
became  more  prosperous,  and  built  a  better  house,  and  it  was  on  that  same 
farm  that  Ira  Kimball  established  his  home  amid  pioneer  conditions.  Jlis 
was  the  last  tract  of  government  land  in  Dearborn  county.  ]\Ir.  Kimliall  w.'is 
a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  he  and  his  father  used  to  go  south  during  the  wir.tor 
and  do  carpenter  work,  returning  in  the  summer.  His  wife,  Catherine 
(Bruce)  Kimball,  was  born  in  Hogan  township,  and  was  a  sister  of  Martin 
Bruce,  whose  sketch,  on  another  page  of  this  volume,  tells  of  her  parentage. 
She  was  the  mother  of  five  children. 

W'illiam  H.  Kimball  was  united  in  marriage  in   November,   1886,   with 


-  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  799 

T-ouisa  Hoiijiinire.  daughter  of  Ernest  and  Catherine  (Meyers)  Hoppniire. 
Slic  was  born  in  Manchester  townsliip,  Dearborn  county. 

Ernest  and  Catlierine  (JMe^'ers)  Hoppniire,  parents  of  ^Irs.  W'ilUam  M. 
Kimljall,  were  natives  of  Germany.  They  at  first  h\XHl  in  Manchester  town- 
sln'p,  and  later  mo\"ed  to  Ilogan  townsh.ij),  where  they  spent  the  remainder 
of  their  h\'es. 

Mr.  Kimball  is  one  of  the  liest  known  residents  of  Hogan  lownsh.ip.  hav- 
ing lived  there  all  his  life,  and  has  man\"  loyal  friends  throughout  the  com- 
munity.    He  at  present  makes  his  home  with  Mr.  William  Shuter. 


JOHN  F.  HOUS:\IYER. 


No  people  that  go  to  make  up  our  cosmopolitan  population  have  better 
habits  of  life  than  those  who  came  originally  from  Germany.  The  descend- 
ants of  those  people  are  distinguished  for  their  thrift  and  honesty  and  these 
two  qualities  alone  in  the  inhabitants  of  any  country,  will  in  the  end  m.ike 
that  country  great.  When  these  two  cjualities  are  coupled  with  sound  judg- 
ment, the  result  is  a  man  whose  life  is  well-balanced  and  who  meets  the  va- 
rious issues  of  life  squarely  and  conquers  the  obstacles  that  arise  in  his  path. 
Of  this  class  of  men  John  F.  Housmyer,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch, 
may  safely  be  said  to  be  one. 

John  F.  ILjusmyer  is  a  native  of  the  Hoosier  state,  born  in  Ohio  couni_\-, 
April  13,  1856,  a  son  of  Christian  K.  and  Louisa  (^Vlarsh)  Housmyer,  both 
nf  \vhom  were  nati\'es  of  Hanover,  Germany.  Christian  was  born  in  182^, 
and  when  fifteen  years  of  age  immigrated  to  America.  He  had  recei\ed  his 
education  in  his  native  lanil,  so  the  years  of  his  life  here  were  entirel)'  devote<l. 
to  labor.  For  a  short  time  he  remained  in  Baltimore,  Ivlaryland,  later  coming 
to  this  section  where  were  many  of  his  people.  He  settled  in  Cresar  Creek 
township  on  the  Hayes  Brancli  and  lived  there  for  ten  years.  When  twenty- 
five  years  of  age  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Louisa  (3.1arsh)  Niebaum, 
who  had  come  to  this  country  from  Germany  when  a  mere  girl.  She  became 
the  wife  of  Mr.  Xiebaum,  who  died  soon  after  their  marriage,  and  she  then 
became  the  wife  oi  Christian  K.  Housmyer. 

To  Christian  Housmyer  and  wife  were  born  four  children.  Henry,  Eliza- 
beth. Mary  and  John  F.  Flenry  chose  Grace  Schuffitt  for  his  wife;  Elizabeth 
became  the  wife  or  Henry  Ehlers  and  the  mother  of  nine  children,  John, 
Charles,  Louis,  Ernest,  Fred,  Henry,  Mary,  Laura  and  Harry,     Mary  became 


800  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

the  wife  of  Henry  Housmyer,  who  died  within  a  few  years,  when  she  married 
for  her  second  husband  Charles  Landvernieyer. 

The  paternal  grandparents  were  Christopher  and  Amelia  (Housmyer) 
Housmyer,  botli  born  in  Germany  where  they  remained  until  near  middle 
age,  when  they  immigrated  to  the  b'nited  States  and  settled  in  Dearljorn  coun- 
ty, where  they  obtained  eighty  acres  of  government  land  at  a  cost  of  one 
dollar  and  fifty  cents  per  acre,  and  on  that  farm  they  lived  their  remaining 
days.  The}-  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  Fred,  Louisa,  Christian  and 
Mary.  Fred  chose  Louisa  Blanke  for  his  wife  and  she  bore  him  a  family  of 
riine  children,  Elizabeth,  Lena,  Henr}-,  William,  Mary,  John.  Einma.  Sophia 
and  ^laggie.  Louisa  married  John  Cline  and  became  the  mother  of  seven 
children.  Elizabeth,  Lena.  Hcniy,  Mary,  ^Minnie,  William  and  Fred.  ^lary 
became  Mrs.  Garrett  Westmeyer  and  had  seven  children,  Louisa,  Elizabeth, 
Henry,  Christ.  Emma,  Sophia  and  Minnie. 

John  F.  Flousmyer  receiveil  his  educatirm  in  the  district  schools  of  Ohio 
county,  and  by  the  time  his  studies  were  over  he  had  been  educated  in  both 
German  and  English.  Then  for  a  few  years  he  assisted  his  father  in  the 
work  of  the  farm  home,  in  this  way  mastering  the  secrets  of  successful  hus- 
bandry- and  when  twenty-two  years  of  age  he  made  his  first  purchase  of  land. 
This  was  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres,  costing  thirty-five  hundred 
dollars.  He  lived  there  for  three  years,  when  he  sold  it  and  purchased  a 
tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixteen  acres  near  Dillsboro,  in  Clay  township.  He 
later  purchased  thirty-six  additional  acres  and  on  that  land  has  continued  to 
make  his  home.  He  carries  on. general  farming,  giving  considerable  atten- 
tion to  the  raising  of  live  stock,  which  he  finds  a  lucrative  side  line. 

John  F.  Housmyer  was  married  on  March  14,  1878,  to  Amelia  Sieker- 
man,  daughter  of  Flenry  and  Clara  (Flehe)  Siekerman,  both  of  whom  were 
•natives  of  Germany  and  came  when  young  to  this  countr}',  where  they  met  and 
were  married.  They  located  in  Ripley  county,  where  th.ey  farmed  for  a 
■number  of  years.  Mr.  Siekerman's  death  occurred  on  September  6,  1905, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-cme  years.  There  were  six  children  in  their 
family :  George,  Amelia.  Charles.  Theodore,  Lewis  and  Etlward.  George 
married  Elvina  Xintrup  and  had  seven  children,  Albert,  Otto,  Earl, 
Elnora,  Theodore,  Stella  and  Emma.  Theodore  married  ]\Iary  Nintrup 
and  had  two  children,  Pearl  and  Clyde.  Louis  married  Flossie  Faulver  and 
had  two  children,  Mabel  and  Ralph.  Edward  married  Lula  Prusse  and  had 
two  children,  Alabel  and  Clermont.  Amelia  Siekerman  was  born  on  October 
27,  1861,  in  Ripley  county,  and  received  her  education  in  its  district  schools. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Housmyer  have  been  born  four  children,  Charles,  Lula, 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  8o  I 

Clara  and  Eva.  Charles  married  Miriam  Spicknal  and  they  lived  at  Farmers 
Retreat.  They  have  one  son,  Leonard.  Lulu  became  the  wife  of  I'red  Fis.sc. 
of  Versailles,  Ripley  county.  Clara  married  George  Longkamp.  Eva  re- 
mains at  home  with  her  parents. 

Mr.  Housniyer  is  a  public-spirited  man  who  takes  a  keen  interest  in  j^ub- 
lic  affairs,  particularl}-  pertaining'  to  his  own  community.  He  is  a  stanch 
suppoiter  of  the  Republican  party  and  has  filled  with  efficiency  and  satisfac- 
tion to  all  the  position  of  road  supervisor  for  two  terms  and  that  of  town- 
ship trustee  of  Clay  township  for  si.x;  years.  He  is  a  faithful  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church,  giving  liberally  of  his  means  toward  its  support  and  giving 
also  much  of  his  time  toward  the  furtherance  of  its  interests.  He  has  served 
his  local  church  in  an  official  capacity  and  his  influence  counts  for  good  in 
whatever  question  is  at  issue.  During  his  long  and  industrious  career  he  has 
not  only  gained  the  confidence  of  those  with  whom  he  has  transacted  busi- 
ness, but  as  a  man  of  force  of  character,  upright  and  honest  in  his  dealings 
with  his  fellow-men,  he  has  "-ained  the  esteem  of  all  who  know  him. 


CLAREXXE  ]\I.  SHOCKLEY. 

Conspicuous  among  the  leading  and  enterprising  citizens  of  Moores  Hill, 
Indiana,  stands  Clarence  M.  Shockley,  whose  entire  life  has  been  interwoven 
with  the  history  of  Ripley  and  Dearborn  counties,  in  both  of  which  he  has  been 
greatly  interested  in  all  matters  of  atlvantage  and  advancement  of  pul>lic 
interest.  He  has  wielded  a  force  beyond  that  of  the  average  citizen,  because 
of  his  strong  belief  in  the  fact  that  it  is  the  man  who  makes  the  town,  and 
not  the  town  who  makes  the  man. 

Clarence  ]\L  Shockley  was  born  April  6,  1S78,  at  ]\Iilan,  Ind.,  and  a  son 
of  Elijah  and  Lydia  (Shockley)  Shockley.  He  was  educated  at  the  graded 
schools  of  Ripley  county,  and  at  Moores  Hill  College.  After  leaving  school 
he  taught  in  the  public  schools  of  Ripley  county  for  four  years,  and  in  1901 
became  the  editor  of  the  Riplc\  County  Journal,  which  was  published  at  Os- 
good, in  Ripley  county.  This  was  the  official  Democratic  organ,  and  he 
edited  it  for  a  period  of  fi\e  years,  and  in  1906  gave  up  the  management  to 
take  the  position  of  cashier  in  the  Moores  Hill  State  Bank,  in  which  he  is  also 
a  stockholder,  and  which  position  he  still  holds.  Mr.  Shockley  has  always 
.given  his  earnest  support  to  the  Democratic  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
school  board  of  Moores  Hill,  a   trustee  of  Moores   Hill   College,  and   is  a 

(51) 


802  DEARBORN    COUXTY,    INDIANA. 

member  of  the  [Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  wliich  he  is  church  treasurer. 
Pie  belongs  to  the  Masons  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Foresters. 

Elijah  Shockley  was  born  on  March  24,  1B32,  at  Milan,  Indiana,  and 
recei\'ed  his  education  in  that  section  of  the  comity.  After  leaving  school  he 
assisted  his  father  on  the  farm.  Later  he  started  out  in  life  for  himself  and 
bou.eht  sevent}-nine  acres,  to  which  he  later  arkled  fifty  acres  more,  and  has 
farmed  all  his  life.  He  is  still  living,  hale  and  hearty,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
three  years.  He  has  been  a  life-liiug  Deni'jcrat,  attending  the  countv  councils, 
and  has  always  been  interested  in  all  public  endeavors  in  behalf  of  good 
roads.  He  is  a  ]Mason.  His  wife,  Lydia  (Shockley)  Shockley,  was  born 
on  November  6,  1838,  at  ]\Iilan,  Indiana,  and  is  a  daughter  of  George  and 
Eliza  (GoldenJ  Shockley.  She  was  educated  at  Milan,  and  li\'ed  there  all 
her  life.  This  uni(.>n  has  been  blessed  with  seven  children,  Everett,  Edwin, 
Leona,  Addie,  Clarence  ]M.,  Lillian  and  one  who  died  in  infaiicy.  Everett 
was  married  to  Anna  Laws,  and  is  living  at  Milan.  They  have  had  one 
child,  T'"rank.  Mrs.  Shockle}-  died,  and  Mr.  Sliockley  married,  secondly, 
Emma  Gre\',  a  widow.  They  have  one  adopted  girl,  Pauline.  Edwin  mar- 
ried Alice  r.rewington,  and  is  living  at  Fort  Worth,  Texas,  where  he  is  en- 
gaged in  the  teleplione  and  telegraph  liusiness.  They  ha\'e  two  children. 
Hazel  Goldah  and  Myrle.  Leona  became  the  wife  of  Le\i  B.  Lewi?  and  is 
living  near  Milan  on  a  farm.  They  have  one  child,  Ethel  INIay.  Addie  is 
the  wife  of  John  X.  Ward,  who  is  a  druggist  at  Indianapolis.  They  have 
two  children,  Clarence  X.  and  Beulah.  Lillian  became  the  wife  of  Clarence 
E.  Laws,  and  lives  near  ]\lilan.     They  ha\e  one  child,  Alene. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  A\'illiam  Xoble  Shockle\-,  and  his  wife 
was  Elizabeth  (Livingston)  Shockley.  The  former  was  born  in  Maryland 
and  came  to  Ripley  county  when  past'  middle  age.  taking  land  from  the 
government,  on  which  he  li\ed  and  died.  He  was  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  his  fraternal  alliance  was  with  the  Masonic 
order.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  (Livingston)  Shockley,  was  also  a  native  of 
Maryland,  where  she  was  married.  She  died  in  Ripley  county,  Indiana,  as 
did  also  her  husband.  They  were  die  parents  of  twelve  children.  George, 
Theodore,  Sarah  (Mrs.  Chatfield),  Susan  (Mrs.  Spaulding),  Lulu  (Mrs. 
Hathaway),  ^Margarette  (Airs.  Bowers).  William,  Elijah,  and  four  who  died 
in  infancy. 

The  paternal  great-grandfather  of  Clarence  M.  Shockley  was  Elijah 
Shocklc}-,  uhu  was  a  son  of  Benjamin  Sh'jckley.  of  Revolutionary  fame. 
Benjamin  Shockley  emigrated  from   England  to  Alaryland  during  Colonial 


'       DEARBORX    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  803 

times.  He  lived  and  died  in  [Maryland,  as  did  also  his  son,  lilijah.  The 
Shockleys  were  ardent  supporters  of  the  Revolutionary  cause. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  George  Shnckle\-,  and 
his  wife  was  Eliza  (Golden)  Shocklcy,  who  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey. 
They  came  west  and  died  in  Ripley  county,  Indiana,  leaving  eight  children. 
Calvin,  Lydia,  William,  John,  Anna,  Dallas  and  two  who  died  in  inf;incy. 

Clarence  ^l.  Shockley  was  united  in  marriage  on  April  25,  1900.  with 
Melissa  ]\I.  Bell,  daughter  of  James  W.  and  Elizabeth  (Roland)  Bell.  She 
was  born  on  A]'>ril  17,  18S.2.  near  Elrod,  Ripley  county,  Indiana,  where  she 
was  educated  and  lived  urUil  her  marriage.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with 
two  children,  Leroy  A\'allace,  born  on  Jainiary  23,  1901,  and  Evelyn  Maude, 
April  26,  1904. 

James  and  Elizabeth  (  Roland)  Bell  were  both  natives  of  Riplev  count}-, 
where  [Mr.  Bell  followed  the  carpenter's  trade. 

Mr.  Shocklev,  through  bis  jierseverance  and  well-applied  energy,  has 
won  the  confidence  and  high  esteem  both  of  his  associates  in  business  and 
his  fellow  townsmen,  and  is  well  fitted  for  the  high  position  which  he  occupies 
in  the  Moores  tlill  State  Bank.  ■  ■ 


PROF.  ANDREW  J.  BIGNEY. 

Great  credit  is  due  to  the  members  of  tiie  teaching  profession  in  Dearborn 
county,  and  especially  to  those  associated  with  [Moores  Hill  College,  whose 
influence  is  so  far-reaching.  These  men  have  the  responsibility  <_if  the  char- 
acter-building and  the  future  of  the  students,  who  are  to  occU[iy  their  indi- 
vidual places  in  society,  and  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  public  fidly  realizes 
that  the  burden  resting  upon  the  shoulders  of  the  heads  of  successful  colleges 
is  not  a  light  one. 

Andrew  Johnson  Eigney  was  born  on  February  15,  1S64,  on  a  farm  oue 
and  one-half  nr'lcs  north  of  Moores  Hill,  and  is  a  son  of  Lemuel  rind  Sar.ah 
(Vandoren)  Eigney.  Fie  was  educated  at  the  district  schools  of  Dearb'jrn 
county,  and  was  also  a  graduate  of  [Moores  Hill  College  in  iSSS,  after  which 
he  attended  Johns  Flopkins  University,  of  Baltimore,  from  1892  to  1894. 
and  then  took  up  a  course  of  studies  at  the  marine  laboratories  of  Oal;  Bluff. 
[Martha's  Vineyard,  an  island  off  the  coast  of  [V[assachusetts,  and  at  Woods 
Flole,  [Massachusetts,  at  intei-vals  during  the  period  from  1902  to  191 1,  the 
latter  place  being  located  seventy  miles  south  of  Boston,  and  were  both  gov- 
ernment laboratories.     After  graduating  he  entered  the   facultv  of   [Mr'.re's 


804  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

Hill  College,  in  the  deparlnieut  of  science,  and  at  the  end  of  the  fourth  year, 
in  1893,  he  became  assistant  in  the  department  of  biology  at  the  Johns  Hop- 
kins University,  of  Baltimore,  and  in  1894,  he  returned  to  Moores  Hill,  where 
he  gave  instruction  in  biology  anfl  geology,  and  in  1901  he  was  made  vice- 
president  of  Moores  Hill  College,  which  office  he  held  until  November,  191 5. 
when  he  became  president.  Air.  Bigney  is  greatl_\-  interested  in  religious 
matters,  and  is  a  member  of  the  ]vlcthodist  Episcopal  church,  in  which  he 
holds  the  office  of  trustee  on  the  official  board,  and  has  officiated  as  Sunday 
school  superintendent  for  the  past  twenty  years.  In  190S  Professor  Bigney 
represented  his  church  at  the  general  conference  at  Baltimore. 

Lemuel  and  Sarah  ( \'an<liiren)  Bigney,  parents  of  the  immediate  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  were  natives  of  Xova  Scotia  and  Xew  Jersey,  respectively 
The  former  was  l)orn  on  P'ebruary  22,  1826,  in  Xova  Scotia,  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  district  schools,  coming  to  Boston  at  the  age  of  thirteen,  after 
which  he  came  west  to  Moores  Hill  by  wagon.  He  remained  on  tiie  fnrm 
and  assisted  his  father  until  his  father's  death,  when  he  bought  the  old 
homestead  and  lived  on  it  until  1894,  when  he  retired  and  moved  to  ]\Ioores 
Hill,  Indiana,  living  there  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  September  11, 
1900.  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  \ears.  Mr.  Bigney  was  a  Dem(icrat.  He 
participated  in  the  Mexican  War.  under  General  Scott,  being  located  at  Mex- 
ico City,  and  was  the  one  who  first  raised  the  American  flag  over  tliat  city. 
His  parents  were  Peter  and  Margarette  Bigney.'  His  wife,  .Sarah  ( Vandoren  ) 
Bigney,  was  born  on  Xovember  13,  1831,  in  Somerset  county.  Xew  Jersey, 
where  she  was  reared,  coming  to  Franklin,  near  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  was 
married  on  April  25,  1855.  Lemuel  and  Sarah  Bigney  were  the  pa^-ents  01 
eleven  children:  Verado  W.,  ?iIarion  E..  Windfield  S.,  Andrew  J.,  Etta  ^l.. 
Clara  B.,  Jacob  V.,  and  four  who  died  in  infancy. 

Verado  \V.  Bigney  was  married  to  Minnie  Wolf,  and  lives  at  Sunman, 
Indiana,  where  he  owns  a  drug"  store.  They  had  three  children,  Walter, 
Lynn  and  Merwin,  the  latter  being  killed  in  an  accident  in  19 15.  Marion  E. 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Rose  Tanner,  and  is  living  at  Moores  Hill.  They 
have  two  children,  Harry  and  Edna.  Winfield  S.  was  married  to  Zcila 
Brewington,  and  lives  at  Moores  Hill  on  a  farm.  They  have  two  children, 
Leslie  and  Altra.  Etta  M.  is  the  wife  of  George  M.  Smith,  and  is  living  at 
Evansville,  Indiana,  where  Mr.  Smith  is  district  superintendent  of  the  E\ans- 
ville  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  They  have  had  two  children,  Combie  and 
one  who  died  in  infancy.  They  also  have  an  adopted  child,  Iva.  Clara  B. 
became  the  wife  of  Dr.  David  E.  Johnston,  a  prominent  physician,  and  li\-es  at 


yii    r    jii,    viiii-.rjT! 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  '  805 

IMoores  Hill.  They  have  one  child,  Anna.  Jacob  V.  wa.s  married  to  Mat- 
tie  Laws,  and  is  living  on  the  old  homestead.  They  have  two  children, 
l'~d\in  and  Eula  Belle. 

The  paternal  grandparents  were  Peter  and  Margaret  Bigney.  Peter 
Bigney  was  born  on  Prince  Edward  Island,  and  immigrated  to  the  United 
States,  settling  near  !Moorcs  Ilill,  on  eighty  acres  of  land,  where  he  lived  un- 
til his  death,  about  1850.  The  farm  on  which  he  settled  was  virgin  forest 
and.  had  to  be  cleared  before  it  could  be  put  under  cultivation.  His  wife, 
Margaret  Bigney,  was  also  a  nati\e  of  Prince  Edward  Island,  and  was  mar- 
ried there  aliout  the  }ear  iSoo.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children: 
James,  Peter,  Eemuel,  Rosel,  Belle  T.,  one  who  was  drowned  while  coming 
to  the  United  States,  and  three  who  died  in  infancy, 

Andrew  J.  Bigney  was  united  in  marriage  on  September  2,  iSg6,  with 
Carrie  Ewan,  daughter  of  Napoleon  Bonaparte  Ewan  and  Mary  (Bill)'  Ewan. 
She  was  born  nn  May  29.  1869.  five  miles  east  of  IMoores  Hill.  She  is  an 
earnest  member  (.>f  the  ^vlethodist  Episcopal  church,  and  a  good  Christian 
woman.     No  children  have  come  to  bless  this  iuii(in. 

Napoleon  Bn'iiriparte  Ew.'tn,  fatlier  of  ^.Irs.  Bignev,  was  born  near  Ab.iores 
Hill,  on  a  farm,  April  2},.  1S44.  He  divided  his  attention  between  farming 
and  school  teaching,  and  lived  in  "Sparta  township  all  his  life.  His  wife, 
^Nlarv  (Bill)  Ewan.  was  a  nati\'c  of  .Msace-Lorraine,  Germanw  She  was  born 
on  Xnvemlier  20,  1843,  contiiig  to  America  while  }oung.  Her  parents  set- 
tled first  in  Ohin.  coming  later  to  Dearborn  comity.  The_\-  had  four  children. 
Carrie,  Laura,  Mary  and  Charles,  deceased.  Laura  Ewan  became  the  wite 
of  Charles  McClure,  and  is  living  at  Starkville,  Colorado,  where  her  husband 
is  a  practicing  physician.  Thev  have  three  children.  ]Mary  Ellen.  Alfred 
Marce  and  Ilarlin  Ewan. 

Prof.  Andrew  J.  Bigne^■  has  taught  two-thirds  of  all  the  graduates  of 
Moores  Hill  College,  instructing  three  luindred  and  eleven  out  of  four  hun- 
dred and  fifty-one  graduates  and  in  addition  about  four  thousand  umler- 
graduates  and.  with  his  life  devoted  to  the  noble  work  of  teaching,  he  is 
wielding  a  force  to  be  felt  throughout  future  generations.  His  connectiun  with 
Moores  Hill  College  covers  a  period  of  twenty-five  years,  with  the  exception 
of  two  years.  Aside  from  his  duties  as  president  of  the  college,  he  de- 
dcv(ites  some  time  to  delivering  lectures  in  teachers'  county  institutes,  and 
also  lectures  at  high  sch01.1l  ccimmencements,  and  his  services  are  in  great 
demaiul  and  his  ability  as  a  lecturer  on  educational  and  religious  topics  gen- 
erallv  recosnized. 


8o6  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

JA:\1ES  FREDERICK  TREOX,  M.  D. 

Although  modest  and  retiring  in  manner.  Dr.  James  Frederick  Treon, 
still  a  young  man,  is  one  of  the  most  successful  men  in  his  profession.  Tlie 
skill  and  composure  with  which  he  handles  his  cases,  do  much  toward  winning 
the  confidence  of  his  patients,  without  which  a  physician  is  greatly  handi- 
capped in  the  progress  of  his  work.  His  reputation  as  one  well  informed  in 
his  profession  has  reached  in  e\ery  direction,  far  beyond  the  limits  of  his 
home  town,  and  he  is  well  established  in  a  valuable  practice.  Coming  from 
a  family  of  physicians  for  generations  back,  he  naturally  takes  to  his  pro- 
fession with  an  interest,  the  result  of  which  can  only  be  of  benefit  to  those 
requiring  his  services. 

James  Frederick  Treon  was  born  on  June  30,  iSSo,  in  Aurora,  Indiana, 
where  he  now  resides.  He'is  a  son  of  Frederick  and  America  Cerella  (Lamb) 
Treon.  He  was  reared  at  Aurora,  and  was  graduated  from  the  high  school 
of  that  place,  in  i8Sg,  after  which  he  entered  the  Medical  College  of  Ohio, 
graduating  in  1903.  His  office  for  general  practice  was  immediately  es- 
tablished at  Aurora.  Indiana,  where  he  has  since  remained.  He  and  his  wife 
are  earnest  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  he  officiates  as  an 
elder.  Dr.  Treon  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of,  and  officer  in  various 
societies,  namely:  Aurora  Lodge  No.  51,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons:  Aurora 
Chapter  No.  13,  I\oyal  Arch  Masons:  Aurora  Commandery  No.  17.  Knights 
Templar:  Alurat  Temple.  Noble=.  of  the  ^Mystic  Shrine:  Harmony  Lodge 
No.  69,  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Coimty  ]\Iedical  So- 
ciety, as  well  as  being  secretary  of  the  city  board  of  health,  and  is  a  United 
States  pension  examiner. 

Frederick  Treon,  lather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  on  Au- 
gust 12,  1S55,  in  Shelby  county,  Indiana,  where  lie  received  a  common-school 
education,  graduating  from  the  Franklin  Academy,  after  which  he  completed 
a  special  course  in  geometry,  trigonometry,  and  civil  and  mechanical  engi- 
neering with  Hasklin  &  Barker,  at  ]^Iichigan  City,  and  later  took  a  course 
in  the  study  of  drugs,  and  in  1877  he  entered  the  Ohio  Medical  College,  from 
which  institution  he  was  graduated  and  received  his  diploma  on  March  i, 
1879,  when  he  immediately  entered  into  a  professional  partnership  with  Dr. 
James  Lamb,  his  father-in-law,  at  Aurora,  and  remained  there  until  he  en- 
tered the  Indian  service,  under  Cleveland's  administration,  with  headquarters 
in  South  Dakota.  For  a  number  of  years.  Doctor  Treon  retained  his  resi- 
dence and  voted  at  Aurora,  but  for  the  past  several  years  he  has  been  prac- 
ticing at  Chamberlain,  South   Dakota,  where  he  now  makes  his  permanent 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  867 

residence,  and  where  he  liolds  the  office  of  president  of  the  Stale  ^fedical  So- 
ciolv,  and  is  vice-president  of  the  Railway  Sin-geons'  Association.  Doctor 
Tret  III  was  married  on  May  29,  1S78,  to  America  Cerella  Lanil),  daughter  of 
Dr.  James  and  Sarali  A.  Lamti,  her  hirth  occurring-  on  April  30,  I'S.i". 
Their  onl}-'clii!d  \\'as  James  Frederick.  Dr.  Frederick  'IVeon  has  always 
hcen  a  loyal  and  active  memher  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  is  past  eminent 
grand  commander  of  the  Grand  Commandery,  Knights  Templar,  of  S'luih 
Dakota,  and  is  also  a  thirty-second-degree.   Scottish   Rite   Mason. 

The  paternal  grandfather.  .Vndrew  Treon,  was  born  on  .-Vpril  27,  1804, 
in  Lebanon  count}',  Pennsylvania,  in  the  same  house  where  his  father  was 
born.  Andrew  Treon  first  studied  medicine  under  Dr.  John  Treon,  of  !\[iam- 
isburg,  Ohio,  who  continued  his  practice  for  a  period  of  about  sixty-six  years. 

Dr.  Andrew  Treon  was  twice  married,  his  second  wife  being  Lydia 
Steinberger.  She  was  bom  on  ]May  6,  1822,  in  Bartholomew  countv,  In- 
diana. Dr.  Andi'ew  Treon  and  his  wife  were  early  settlers  near  Shelb)\'ille, 
Indiana,  where  they  lived  to  a  good  old  age.  Their  children  were:  Frederick, 
Elizabeth  Lytic,  Rebecca,  and  Kiser,  who  died  young. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  Dr.  James  Laml),  who  was  born  on  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1818,  on  Oil  Creek,  \'enango  county.  Pennsylvania,  and  was  a  son 
of  David  H.  and  Margaret  (Kidd)  Lamb.  He  was  married  in  November, 
184 1,  to  Sarah  A.  Carnine,  of  Switzerland  county,  Indiana.  Both  his  grand- 
mothers were  of  Scotch-L"ish  descent.  His  parents  mo\'cd  from  Pennsyl- 
vania to  Jefferson  county,  Lidiana,  in  1827.  Doctor  Lamb  settled  in  Dear- 
born county,  in  1866,  where  he  practiced  medicine  up  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occiu'red  in  1894,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  Doctor  Lamb  cast 
his  first  vote  for  General  FTarrison  in  1S40.  Fie  and  his  wife  were  earnest 
members  of  .the  Presbyterian  church.  Mrs.  Lamb  died  aged  about  sixty- 
fi\e  years.  They  had  five  children  ;  A.merica  CercUa,  Elvina,  Lamartine  K., 
Kossuth,  and  one  who  died  young. 

Dr.  James  Frederick  Treon  was  united  in  marriage,  June  19,  1907,  with 
Margaret  C.  Coleman,  daughter  of  Joseph  S.  and  Abagail  E.  (Burgess) 
Coleman.  ^Irs.  Treon  was  born  on  September  5,  1884,  at  Huntington,  In- 
diana, and  is  the  mother  of  three  children,  Joseph  F.,  Kathryn  E.  and  Flen- 
rietta  C. 

Joseph  S.  and  Abagail  (Burgess)  Coleman,  parents  of  Mrs.  Treon,  were 
born  near  Ft.  Wayne,  Indiana,  and  have  lived  at  Aurora  for  the  past  fif- 
teen years.     Mr.  Coleman  is  a  manufacturer  of  wheels  and  spokes. 

Dr.  Treon  and  wife  have  a  large  number  of  warm  personal  friends,  and 
their  home  is  the  scene  of  much  cordial  hospitality. 


8c8  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

GEORGE  JOHXSTOX. 

No  history  of  Dearborn  county  would  be  complete  without  specific  men- 
tion of  George  Johnston,  one  of  the  county's  most  fiMceful  pioneers,  a  scIimI- 
arly  man  and  a  true  ■"gentleman  of  the  old  schnnl."  who  exeried  a  ver\'  wide 
influence  for  <;0(jd  in  the  fLirni;.iti\e  da\s  i>f  tlh^  eniiiniunit}'.  George  loh.n- 
ston  had  ser\-ecl  as  pri\ate  secretary  to  Gen.  William  Henr)  flarrison,  g<jv- 
ernor  of  Iniliana  Terrib  ir_\-.  at  V'inceimes.  during  the  truuhlr.us  davs  of  i^^ii 
ami  1812,  when  America  wa.-  fighting  its  seci:ind  war  fcir  independence  against 
Englan.d,  and  had  thus  taken  his  place  amr)iig  the  great  hisl<.ir}'  makers  nf 
that  i>eriud.  When  later  he  came  {o  this  count)-,  his  quiet  forcefuhiess  of 
character  made  him  a  natm'al  social  leader  and  it  is  undoubted  that  he  exerted 
a  very  beneficial  influence  duruig  the  earls  days  of  the  community.  Thoiigh 
it  is  not  km.iun  that  George  Johnston  ever  attended  a  se.->S!on  of  schiiol  a 
single  day  in  hi^  lite,  he  was  b_\-  natiu'e  a  profound  student  and,  bv  sedul'ius 
and  ccinscientious  application,  became  a  singidarK"  scliolarh  man  for' hi. -^  day 
and  generation,  whrilly  self-taught ;  therefore,  when  he  entereil  ui;on  his 
careL-r  a^  a  teacher  of  tlte  yoiuh  oi  this  section  h.e  wa-^  jierforming  a  most 
valuable  ser\-ice  to  the  new  ci:immttnity.  a  ser\ice  whicii  did  not  end  with  his 
death,  but  goes  on  and  on.  being  reflected  to  this  day  in  the  cultural  life  of 
Dearborn  county.  For  tliis  reas(_in.  it  is  especially  fitting  that  in  this  volume 
of  the  liistor}-  i_if  Dearborn  county  there  should  be  jiresentcd  the  following 
brief  memorial  of  this  gallant  old  pioneer. 

George  Johnston  was  Vv^vn  near  the  city  of  Winchester,  \'irginia,  on  ]Mav 
23.  1790,  the  third  son  of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Kyle)  Johnston,  tlte  former 
of  whom  died  in  ijyifi.  Thus  bereft  of  a  father  at  the  tender  age  of  ^ix, 
George  Johnston  grew  up  singularly  self-reliant  .tiid  \ery  early  began  helping 
his  brothers  and  his  widowed  mother  to  "get  along."  As  a  lio\-  he  worlced  in 
the  L'ewis  Xea!  flour-mill,  near  the  Johnston  hoine.  and  also  learned  the  shoe- 
maker's trade,  at  which  he  worked  for  some  time  in  \'irginia.  There  is  no 
evidence  in  the  family  pa[)ers,  or  in  the  traditions  of  the  familv.  that  George 
Johnston  ever  .-ittended  school  anywhere,  yet  he  early  acquired  an  excellent 
education.  His  mother  taught  him  to  read  and  his  eager  and  receptive  mind 
needed  no  such  si)ur  as  the  cold  formalities  of  a  schoid  room  to  lead  him  on 
in  the  paths  of  learning.  In  mathematics,  particularly,  he  excelled,  though  in 
all  the  general  branches  of  learning  he  acquired,  by  reading,  a  good  work- 
ing knowledge. 

In  1S09,  George  Johnston  then  being  nineteen  years  of  age,  the  Widow 


^awytt'^^i;yi*^^'g.y?y?;^^asj^^^^j7T<f^ 


fe' 


iaiasi:jta<^fii'-.ia-'iiv^faat;tfc^^jfc^'i-».^to>u 


(IKOUdi:  .TOIIXSTOX 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  809 

Johnston  and  her  three  sons  left  Virginia,  seeking;-  to  mai<e  a  new  home  for 
tliemselves  in  the  then  Far  West.  They  crossed  the  Ohio  river  at  what  is 
now  Wheeling  and  proceeded  by  raft  down  the  Ohio  to  what  is  now  Hamil- 
ton, Ohio,  where  the  family  spent  a  winter,  George  Johnston  employing  In's 
time  b}'  teaching  school  while  there.  In  the  spring  uf  iSio  tlie  family  started 
westward  thrt>ngh  the  wilderncs.s,  en  route  to  Ft.  X'inceiines.  where  it  was 
thought  safety  could  lie  secured  against  the  threatening  attacks  of  Indians. 
During  tlicir  stay  at  \'incennes,  George  Jt)hnslon  attracted  the  attention  of 
General  Harrison,  then  goverui.ir  of  Indirma  TerritDry,  and  the  go\ernor 
attached  him  to  his  staff  as  pri\atc  secretary,  a  position  which  he  held  until 
after  the  War  of  1S12,  after  which  the  Johnston  family  went  to  Kentucky, 
remaining  for  a  time  in  the  vicinity  of  Louisx'ille,  after  which  they  again 
crossed  the  river  and  came  o\er  intc)  Indiana  and  in  18:5  settled  on  Flogan 
creek',  about  six  miles  from  tlie  Ohicj  ri\er,  in  what  is  now  Dearljorn  county, 
and  there  established  their  permanent  Ivme.  George  Johnston  and  lii> 
brotiier,  Joseph,  erected  a  water-power  mill  on  Hogan  creek  and  became  suc- 
cessful millers,  for  )ears  doing  the  l.>ulk  of  the  milling  for  the  pioneers  of  that 
neighborhood. 

In  the  year  1S21  George  Johnston  was  united  in  marriage  at  the  hi_ime 
of  Thomas  Kyle,  to  Katherine  Kearney  and  to  Uiis  union  ten  children  were 
born,  of  whom  George  W.  Johnston,  the  last  born  of  this  large  familv,  is 
the  only  one  now  li\-ing  and  he  ^til!  makes  his  home  in  this  county,  not  far 
from  the  old  Johnston  home  place.  Presentl}-  George  Johnston  gave  up  the 
milling  business  and  thereafter,  for  years,  devoted  himself  to  teaching.  He 
was  a  scholarlv  gentleman  and  was  bighlv  gifte.j  as  a  teaclier,  possessing  a 
directness  of  style  singularly  well  adapted  for  the  duties  of  his  high  calling, 
and,  in  molding  and  directing  the  niinds  of  the  youth  whose  privilege  it 
was  to  sit  at  his  feet,  gave  a  direction  and  iinpetus  to  learning  in  this  com- 
munity that  is  still  reflected  in  the  cultural  and  social  life  of  this  entire  sec- 
tion of  the  state.  ]\Ir.  Johnston  was  regarded  as  a  remarkable  madicmati- 
cian ;  far  ahead  of  his  tiine,  his  neighbors  admiringly  were  wont  to  say,  and 
there  is  still  preser\"cd  in  the  family,  cherished  as  a  priceless  relic  of  the  past, 
a  considerable  fi-agment  of  his  interesting  mathematical  conclusions,  worked 
out  as  early  as  181 2. 

George  Johnston  died  on  December  31,  186 1,  and  a  contemporaneous 
neighborly  comment  accompanying  a  biographical  and  ol)ituary  comment  on 
liis  death,  published  at  that  time,  is  authority  for  the  statement  that  "a  quiet, 
modest,  good  man  has  left  a  noble  record." 


8lO  DEARBORN    COUNTY^    INDIANA. 

PERRY  CAXFIELD. 

It  is  always  a  great  pleasure  to  write  the  biographical  sketch  of  one  of 
French  descent,  as  the  citizens  of  this  country  should  ne\-er  allow  themselves 
to  forget  that  it  was  largely  to  the  children  of  friendly  France  that  America 
owes  lu-r  freedom.  They  willingly  cast  tlieir  lot  with  the  struggling  American 
colonies  and  their  descendants  ha-\-e  kept  the  faith  of  the  early  fathers,  by 
doing  their  slnre  in  the  building  up  of  a  country  destined  to  become  a  ])ov.er 
in  the  affairs  of  the  world. 

Perrv  Canfield.  farmer,  Hogan  township.  Dearborn  county.  Ind'a.ia, 
was  born  on  April  24.  1S66,  near  A\'ilmington,  in  the  township  where  he  now 
resides.  He  is  a  son  of  Wesley  and  Joseph  (Baker)  Canfield.  He  gre\\'  up 
on  the  home  farm,  where  he  attended  the  public  schools  of  tlie  district,  gradu- 
ating from  Moores  Hill  College,  and  at  once  began  teaching  school,  dividing 
the  time  as  follows :  five  }-ears  in  Dearborn  county,  one  year  in  Jennings 
county,  one  year  in  Ohio  county,  and  eight  years  in  the  cit}'  schools  of  Co\-- 
ington,  Kentucky,  where  his  work  was  all  of  a  supervisorv  character,  and 
while  at  Co\ingtiin,  he  ti>ok  a  post-graduate  course  at  the  L"ni\'ersitv  of  Cin- 
cinnati, specializing  in  the  philosopln-  of  education.  Having  earned  the  mcnev 
for  his  own  education,  he  thus  developed  a  strong  sense  of  responsiltility  arid 
self-reliance,  which  proved  extremely  valuable  in  after  life.  In  1912  ]\Ir. 
Canfield  ga\e  up  teaching  and.  remo\-ed  tD  Wilmingtrm,  where  he  own.ed  a 
farm,  on  whicli  was  a  large  brick  residence.  After  going  to  the  farm,  h.e 
thoroughly  remodeled  his  house,  putting  in  expensive  improvements,  such  as 
a  hot  water  system  of  heating,  an  acetylene  gas  plant  for  lighting  pr.rposes, 
fire-proof  asbestos  roof,  and  all  that  goes  to  make  up  a  modern  residence.  In 
191 1  he  erected  another  residence  on  his  farm  for  his  tenant,  which  is  also 
a  good,  substantial  home.  His  tract  of  land  covers  one  hundred  and  t\vt:-ty- 
six  acres  on  the  outskirts  of  Wilmington,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  dairy 
business,  with  a  herd  of  seventeen  Jersey  cattle.  In  1893,  and  again  in  i395, 
Air.  Canfield's  name  was  seriously  considered  for  sujwrintendent  iif  schriols. 
He  belonged  to  the  Free  and  Accepted  Alasons  and  Knights  of  Pythias.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church. 

Wesley  Canfield,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  near  Wil- 
mington, Dearborn  county,  and  was  a  son  of  Edwin  and  Elizabeth  (Vincent) 
Canfield.  Prior  to  the  Civil  \\'ar.  Mr.  Canfield  was  employed  in  the  raih'oad 
shops  at  Cochran.  He  enlisted  during  the  Civil  War  in  Company  T,  Eighty- 
third  Regiment.  Indiana  Volunteer  Infaiitry,  and  was  in  the  service  about  four 
years.     After  the  war  was  ended,  he  returned  to  agricidtural  pursuits  in  Ho- 


I  ,■    ■1,1 


DEARBORN    COUXXy,    INDIANA.  8ll 

|j;-an  township,  but  later  moved  into  r\lancliester  town.shiii  and  lived  tliere 
until  late  in  life.  While  here.  b,c  retired  from  acti\e  work  and  nv. >ved  to 
Sparta,  where  he  interested  himself  in  churcli  affairs,  altln  luqli  not  a  niem- 
l)er.  'Sh.  Canfield's  death  oecurred  in  the  spring-  of  1911.  His  wife,  Josephine 
(  llaker)  Canfield,  was  born  in  Hoq-an  township.  Dearborn  eountw  .and  wa.s 
the  twelfth  child  of  Thomas  and  Rachel  fPowell)  Baker.  W'e-.lev  and  Ti>- 
scphine  (Baker)  Canfield  were  the  parents  of  the  following-  cliildren  :  .\nna 
Eli.^a,  wife  of  W.  C.  Prichard,  of  Sparta:  Perry,  of  Hogan  township;  Pdwin 
P..  of  Sparta:  and  Robert  S..  also  of  Sparta. 

Edwin  and  Eliza  ( A^incent )  Canfield,  paternal  gran.dparents  of  our  sub- 
ject, were  natiscsof  Dcarbi:>rn  countv. 

The  Canfield  family  has  been  traced  back  to  1350  in  France  and  Ent^- 
land.  where  the  nan-ie  was  originally  spelled  Cam  de  Philo,  and  descended 
from  James  de  Philo.  a  French  Hug^ienot,  a  French  citizen  of  Normai-idy.  who 
was  given  a  grant  of  land  on  the  river  Cam  in  Yorkshire.  Ei-ig-land.  As  e;trly 
as  1639  the  name  was  knowi-i  in  Xew  Hax'en,  Connecticut,  as  Camphilo.  and 
in  16S0  at  Milford  the  spelling  was  Camfield.  and  again,  in  1720.  the  name 
was  Canfield.  Thomas  Canfield.  of  ^.[ilford.  Ci->nnecticut,  who  li\e  1  frnm 
1680  to  1730,  was  the  father  of  John  Canfield  and  others,  and  J(ihn  was  the 
father  of  I'hineas.  who  was  liorn  in  1753  and  married  Amv  Xewtun,  of  Dui'- 
ham.  Connecticut.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  the  fonrtii  <-.f 
whom  was  Xoyse.  born  in  17S2.  in  the  state  of  Xew  Yorl;,  and  died  i:i  P^vir- 
born  countv  in  1S60.  His  wife  was  l"ani-iy  T\'ler,  a  relati\-e  of  President 
Tyler.  They  moved  from  Xew  York  to  \"irginia,  and  at  the  end  of  one  year 
can-ie  down  the  ri\-er  on  a  raft  nearly  all  the  way,  locating  on  section  2^.  in 
Hogan  township,  near  X'orth  Hogan  Creek,  where  he  entered  land  frmri  the 
government.  PTe  securefl  eninlo}-ment  across  the  river  in  Kentucky,  and  was 
obliged  to  leave  his  wife  alone  in  their  home  until  Saturday  night  of  each 
week,  when  he  returned  with  provisions  sufficient  for  the  fullowing  week, 
and  frequently  during  his  absence  the  Pidians  would  c  ime  antl  tal-:e  it  all. 
leaving  her  \\-ithout  food.  The}-  were  friendly  Pidians  :uid  did  nnt  miilest 
her,  thanking  her  for  the  food,  w-liich  she  gave  without  protest.  After  tw-o 
years  spent  in  this  way.  ^Ir.  Canfield  built  a  home  on  the  hilltop,  and  nM\ ed 
there  in  order  to  avoid  the  chills  and  fever,  the  bottom  lands  being  damp  and 
malarial. 

X'oyse  Canfield  participated  in  the  War  of  1812.  and  was  a  faimer  all 
his  life,  owning  several  farms  where  he  first  settled.  To  Xo\-se  and  Fanny 
(Tyler)  Canfield  w-ere  born  nine  children:  Edwin,  born  in  1S05.  died  in  1885: 
hdi^a.   1808.  became  the  wife  of  Alcin  Kerr:  William,   1810.  died  in    1885; 


8l2  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

Newton,  1S13,  was  married  to  Susanne  Baker;  ]\Iary,  1S16,  died  in  1891. 
married  James  Chisman ;  Cyrus.  i8i8,  died  in  1S92,  married  IMaPt'  Ricliard- 
son :  Alfred,  1822:  ?Iemy.  1825.  married  Charlotte  Chisman;  Benjamin, 
1827,  married  a  Miss  Johnsim.  From  Noyse  Canfield  descended  most  oi 
the  Canficlds  in  his  part  of  De:irhr)rn  count}',  wlicre  they  were  good  suJjstan- 
tial  farmers. 

Josephine  (Baker)  Canfield,  mother  of  Perry  Canfield,  was  horn  in 
ITogan  to\\nship.  Dearborn  county,  and  was  the  twelfth  child  of  Thomas  and 
Rachel  (Powell)  Baker.     Her  death  occurred  in  the  spring  of  1914. 

Thomas  Baker,  the  maternal  grandfather,  was  born  on  October  24,  17S1). 
near  Salisbury,  ^Maryland,  coming  to  Dearborn  county  with  his  parents  in 
1800.  He  was  married  in  iSii  to  Rachel  Powell,  daughter  of  Nathan  and 
Sarah  Powell,  who  settled  in  Hogan  township  at  an  early  clay.  The  paren.ts 
of  Thomas  Baker  pre-empted  land  from  the  government  during  the  time  of 
Thomas  Jcffers'm.  Air.  Baker  followed  farming  all  his  life,  and  wa-  a 
soldier  in  the  W'dv  of  1S12.  To  this  union  were  born  twelve  children,  only 
two  of  whom  survi\e:  Airs.  Angclinc  Bruce,  of  Hogan  township,  who  was 
born,  on  April  3,  1824;  and  Xelson  T.  Baker,  now  residing  in  Illinois,  who 
was  born  on  ]\[arch  24,  1827. 

Perry  Canfield  was  united  in  marriage  in  i8';4,  with  Ida  Spicknall. 
daughter  of  Leonard  and  Rachel  (Sellers)  Spicknall.  She  was  born  just 
west  of  Wilmington. 

Leonard  Spicknall.  father  of  Mrs.  Perr_\'  Canfield.  was  born  on  Novem- 
ber 9,  1S28,  in  the  house  where  he  mjw  lives,  west  of  W'ilniington.  in  Hogan 
township.  Here  he  grew  up.  and  on  December  19,  1849.  '^^'^^  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Rachel  Sellers,  who  was  btirn  on  Decemlier  5,  1S26,  in  Hogan 
townphip,  on  the  farm  where  Adam  Bruce  now  resides.  Her  parents  were 
Benjamin  and  Elizalieth  (Bruce)  Sellers.  After  his  marriage.  Air.  Spicknall 
moved  ti)  Van  Buren  crjunty  in  soutlieastern  Iowa,  where  he  lived  about  se\'en 
years,  and  in  the  spring  of  1863,  feturned  to  Dearborn  count  v.  He  served 
as  trustee  of  Hogan  township  for  a.  period  co\'ering  thirteen  }ears,  in  all. 
In  1914  Mr.  Spicknall  sold  his  one  hundred  and  si.xty  acre  farm  and  now 
resides  at  Wilmington.  The_\  have  had  eight  children :  Rosanna  Elizabeth, 
deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Thomas  Ward,  and  left  three  children;  Marv  Eliza 
became  the  wife  of  Nathaniel  Dresser,  died  in  July,  1879.  leaving  two  soiis: 
Sarah  Catherine,  the  wife  of  David  E.  Clements,  who  resides  near  the  old 
Spi(;knall  home;  William,  who  is  at  present  trustee  of  Hi  igan  township,  ,-ind 
lives  on  a  portion  of  the  old  home  place ;  Clara  keeps  house  for  her  fatlier , 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  813 

Thomas  L.  is  a  farmer  in  Hogan  township:  Ida  became  the  wife  of  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch;  and  Alice,  who  was  a  twin  of  Clara,  died  in  infancy. 

Leonard  Spicknall  belongs  to  the  ^lasonic  Lodge.  He  and  wife  were 
nienil)ers  of  the  ]\Iethodist  Episcopal  church.  Mrs.  Spicknall  died  on  i-'eb- 
niary  lo,   1S85. 

Thomas  Spicknall.  the  paternal  grandfalher  of  Mr.s.  Perrv  Canfiekl,  was 
born  in  Virginia.  June  2.  iSoi.  and  died  on  December  31.  1873  '^'^"^  '^'^  wife, 
Elizabeth  Williams,  daughter  of  ^\'illiam  and  Lovc)-  Williams,  was  burn  on 
February  25,  1802,  in  Cornwall,  England,  and  died  about  1887.  Thev  were 
married  on  INIa}'  21,  1826,  and  were  the  parents  of  nine  children.  Thev  came 
to  America,  spending  the  first  two  years  at  Washington  City,  where  Mrs. 
Spicknall  died,  after  which  Mr.  Spicknall  brought  his  children  west  in  1820, 
settling  at  Lawrenceburg.  from  where  they  later  moved  to  Ilogan  town>hip. 
Thomas  Spicknall  was  a  son  of  Leonard  Spicknall,  Sr.,  who  lived  anfl  farmed 
on  the  farm  later  owned  by  his  son,  Thomas.     He  died  in  1873. 

Benjamin  Sellers,  the  maternal  grandfather  of  INIrs.  Canfield.  was  born 
and  reared  near  Elizabethtown,  and  Elizabeth  (Bruce)  Sellers,  his  wife,  was 
born  in  Dearborn  count}-,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Anicr  and  Catherine 
(Flake)   Bruce. 

The  name  of  Perry  Canfield  stands  for  all  that  is  of  the  best  in  his  com- 
munity, and  ever\-thing  about  his  home  indicates  thrift  and  enterprise.  He  is 
an  active  and  highl}-res|)ected  citizen. 


IRA  A.  SCRITTURE. 


The  subject  of  education  should  alwa}-s  be  a  matter  of  deep  interest  to 
all  thinking  people,  and  those  who  are  willing  to  devote  their  time  and  energv' 
to  imparting  knowledge  to  others  receive  but  a  small  portion  of  the  appre- 
ciation and  credit  to  which  they  are  justly  entitled. 

Ira  A.  Scripture  was  born  on  December  i.  1865,  near  W^estport,  De- 
catur count}',  Indiana,  and  is  a  son  of  Alfred  Marion  and  Mary  E.  (Mitchell) 
Scripture.  His  education  was  received  at  the  district  schools  of  Decatur 
county,  the  high  school,  Hartsville  College,  Hope  Normal,  and  he  was  grad- 
uated from  Moores  Hill  College  in  the  class  of  1902.  In  1887  he  began 
teaching  school  at  Gainesville,  Decatur  county,  in  connection  with  farming, 
and  in  1893  he  went  to  W^estport,  where  he  was  principal  in  the  city  school 
for  three  years.  In  1896  he  went  to  Dillsboro,  and  was  superintendent  of  the 
Dillsboro  school  until  1899,  going  from  there  to  Moores  Hill,  where  he  taught 


8l4  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

in  tlie  normal  Lle[)artniciU  ami  to<.jk  college  work  at  the  same  time.  On  ]Ma\ 
4,  1903,  Mr.  Scripture  bought  a  one-half  interest  of  F.  C.  Noble  in  the  hard- 
ware Imsiness,  and  they  conducted  the  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Xoble 
&  Scripture.  In  1903  i\Ir.  Noble  disposed  of  his  interest  to  George  C.  ]\Iiller, 
and  in  1906  Mr.  Miller  sold  out  to  J.  Frank  Turner.  In  190S  ]\lr.  Scripture 
bought  the  interest  of  his  partner,  and  tlie  business  is  now  known  as  Scripture 
&  Sons.  ]\Ir.  Scripture  has  always  gi\-en  his  support  to  the  Denmcratic 
party,  and  in  1904  was  elected  township  trustee  for  a  four-year  term.  He 
carried  the  first  gra\el  road  election  returns  which  made  the  first  free  road 
in  the  count}"  under  the  taxes  of  the  people,  securing  a  twentv-ninc  thousand 
five  hundred  dollar  bond  issue  to  cover  same.  This  was  the  start  of  the  good 
roads  of  Dearborn  county.  He  was  a  member  of  the  town  board  and  city 
council,  serving  until  1914.  Mr.  Scripture  is  a  member  of  the  [Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 

Alfred  ^ilarion  Scripture,  father  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  born  on  ?^Iay  t,o.  1S37,  in  Decatur  county.  Indiana,  where  he  was  edu- 
cated and  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  and  then  bought  si.xtv  acres 
of  his  father's  farm,  to  which  he  later  added  thirty-fi\-e  acres  nKjre,  and  be- 
came the  ow  ner  of  a  fine  tract  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  acres  in  all, 
where  he'  carried  on  general  farming.  He  was  always  an  active  and  loyal 
Democrat,  holding  some  of  the  local  offices.  He  belonged  to  the  church 
of  the  United  Brethren,  in  which  he  was  a  cliurch  officer.  Flis  death  oc- 
curred in  1S91.  at  the  age  of  fifty- four  years.  ^Iv.  Scripture  was  a  son  of 
John  and  Isabelle  (Holmes)  Scripture.  His  wife,  ^lary  E.  (Mitchell)  Scrip- 
ture, was  born  on  December  2,  184S,  in  Illinois,  and  came  to  Decatur  count v 
at  the  age  of  twelve  years  with  her  widowed  mother.  ]\Ir.  and  [Mrs.  Scripture 
were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  Leonard  E.,  Ira  A.,  Isom  E.,  Elmer  L.,  Brad- 
ford J.,  Alvin  P.,  Lanrlos  H.,  Lerta,  Emma  Netta  and  Fred  P. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  John  Scripture,  and  his  wife  was  Isabelle 
(Holmes)  Scripture.  The  former  was  a  native  of  New  York  state,  coming 
west  by  ox-team  when  twelve  years  of  age,  with  his  uncle,  who  took  up  .gov- 
ernment land  to  the  amount  of  one  hundred  and  sixt\-  acres,  at  a  cost  of  one 
dollar  anrl  twenty-five  cents  an  acre.  He  lived  near  Westport  all  !iis  lite, 
dying  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years.  His  wife,  Isabelle  (Holmes)  Scripture, 
was  born  in  Decatur  county,  where  she  lived  all  her  life. 

Ira  A.  Scripture  was  married  on  February  7.  18.89.  ''■"  Decatur  couiitv,  to 
Emma  Taylor,  daughter  of  Isaac  H.  and  Amelia  A.  (  McConnell )  Tavlor.  She 
was  born  on  Jul\-  iS,  1866,  in  Decatur  county.  This  miion  has  been  blessed 
with  three  children,  Ina,  born  on  March  22,  1S91,  is  the  wife  of  James  B.  Wirt, 


,  (i)  -I     ,'!*   (l')r7; 


DEAKKORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  815 

a  traveling  salesman  of  Dccatni'  county:  Martin  Luther  and  \\'illiani  Cngh- 
lon  Duffy. 

Isaac  H.  Taylr)r,  father  of  Mrs.  Ira  A.  Scripture,  was  born  in  Pennsxl- 
vania  and  came  to  Decatur  county  when  quite  small,  with  his  parents,  where  he 
followed  farming  all  his  life,  dying  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  His  wife, 
Amelia  (AlcConncU)  Taylor,  was  born  in  Decatur  county,  },larch  8,  1841,  and 
lived  there  all  her  life.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  Emma. 
George,  John.  James,  ]\Iary.  Gertrude  and  Hugh. 

Mr.  Scripture  and  his  \\\ie  move  in  the  best  society  of  the  township, 
where  they  have  the  respect  and  high  esteem  of  all  who  know  them. 


:\IORRIS   D.   OLCOTT. 

The  gentleman  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch,  although  born  anti 
reared  as  a  farmer  boy.  has  turned  out  to  be  one  of  the  most  prosperous  and 
successful  citizens  of  Moores  Hill.  Indiana.  He  was  careful  to  fit  himself 
with  a  good  education,  and  herein  lies  a  great  part  of  the  secret  of  his  success. 

Morris  D.  Olcott  was  born  on  December  24,  1866,  at  Chesterville,  In- 
diana, and  is  a  son  of  C.  L.  and  Adelia  (Record)  Olcott.  Mr.  Olcott  was 
first  a  pupil  at  the  public  schools  at  Woodbury,  and  later  attended  ]\Ioores 
Hill  College.  After  leaving  here  he  entered  Purdue  University,  and  after 
graduating  he  follnwed  farming  under  the  instruction  of  his  father  until 
1907.  when  he  saw  possibilities  in  a  feed  and  seed  store  at  the  thriving  little 
citv  of  }iIoores  Hill,  and  accordingly  established  himself  in  business,  the 
outcome  of  which  has  been  highly  satisfactory.  Through  his  own  efforts 
Mr.  Olcott  has,  in  addition  to  his  investment  in  the  business  already  men- 
tioned, been  enabled  to  acquire  considerable  valuable  real  estate  in  the  city  of 
Indianapolis,  as  well  as  in  his  home  city,  ^Moores  Hill.  He  is  a  strong  believer 
in  the  Prohibiiion  principles,  to  which  party  he  gi\-es  his  lo)  al  support.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Olcott  is  a  public- 
si)irited  man,  and  takes  a  deep  interest  in  all  endeavors  toward  bettering  the 
condition  of  the  community  in  general,  being  especially  interested  in  Epworth 
League  work,  serving  as  treasurer  for  a  good  many  years. 

C.  L.  Olcott,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  on  Feln-uary 
2y,  1841,  in  Dearborn  county,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Alary  (King) 
Olcott.  He  was  educated  at  the  district  schools,  after  which  he  remained  on 
the  home  farm  until  the  death  of  his  father,  and  then  bought  the  farm,  con- 


8l6  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

sisting  of  three  liutidred  and  eigliteen  acres,  following  agriculture  until  iqoj, 
when  he  moved  to  Moores  Hill,  where  he  still  resides.  His  wife.  Adelia 
(Record)  Olcott.  was  born  at  Chestervillc,  Indiana,  July  i/,  1844,  living- 
there  until  1907,  when  she  came  to  Moores  Hill.  This  union  was  blest  with 
three  children,  Morris,  Stella,  deceased,  and  Hattie,  also  deceased. 

The  paternal  grandparents  were  William  and  Mary  ( King)  Olcott. 
The  foimer  was  born  in  Connecticut,  and  came  to  Dearborn  county  when 
quite  young.     i^Irs.  Olcott  was  a  native  of  Dearborn  county,  Indiana. 

Mr.  Olcott  is  an  industrious  worker,  and  through  his  perseverance  and 
good  management  has  placed  himself  in  a  position  of  independence,  and  he 
occupies  a  position  of  high  esteem  in  the  city  of  Aloores  Hill. 


...       .:    -  JOHN  HENRY  NOLTE. 

Among  the  enterprising  citizens  of  Caesar  Creek  township,  Dearborn 
county,  Indiana,  none  stands  in  higher  esteem  than  the  man  whose  name 
forms  the  caption  of  this  article.  Descended  from  sterling  German  ancestry-, 
he  has  embodied  within  himself  their  leading  characteristics  in  such  manner 
as  to  make  of  him  a  man  in  every  sense  of  the  word  in  the  estimation  of  those 
who  have  known  him  long  and  well. 

John  Henr\-  Nolte  was  born  in  Cla\'  township.  Dearborn  count}",  on 
December  3,  1S79,  a  son  of  Charles  and  ]Mary  (Schriefer)  Nolte,  the  fonner 
born  in  C;esar  Creek  township  on  August  24,  1S54.  and  the  latter  born  in 
this  state,  on  June  16,  1854.  Charles  Noble  worked  on  a  farm  all  his  life 
and  never  owned  but  the  one  tract  of  land,  on  which  he  passed  his  active 
years  and  where  death  overtook  him.  That  was  his  farm  of  two  hundred  and 
thirty-six  acres  located  in  Clay  township.  His  death  occurred  on  June  6, 
1899,  when  forty-five  years  of  age.  All  his  life  he  had  been  a  devout  member 
of  the  Lutheran  church,  serving  his  local  organization  as  trUstee  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  and  in  other  official  capacities.  He  was  a  Democrat,  although 
taking  no  particular  interest  in  politics.     ^Irs.  Mary  Nolte  is  still  living. 

The  paternal  grandparents  were  John  Henry  and  Margaret  (Rullman) 
Kolte,  both  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  the  former  on  September  16,  1829.  and 
the  latter  on  November  2^,,  1833.  John  Henry  Nolte  came  to  this  country 
when  a  young  man  and  located  on  a  farm  in  Caesar  Creek  township,  where 
he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days,  tlis  death  occurred  on  December  19, 
1882,  when  fifty-three  years  old.     Margaret  Rullman,  wife  of  John  Heni7 


.  ^ !  ''» 


;,   V.;„: 


.:■.    ■.■•.<,<l 

■■  ■       ■■r.b 


'    ,■;  DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  Si/ 

Xiilte,  was  brought  to  this  country  by  her  parents  when  she  was  a  httle  girl 
of  ten  years.  They  located  in  Qesar  Creek  township,  and  in  the  schools  near 
her  home  she  received  her  education.  There  she  met  and  married  Mr.  Nolte. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  Harmon  and  Alary  (Bushman)  Ruhlman  and  was  one 
of  a  family  of  fi\e  children,  the  others  being  Henry,  Ernest,  William  and 
Catherine.  John  Henry  and  Margaret  XoUc  had  a  family  of  three  children, 
Charles,  Louisa  and  W'illiam.  all  born  and  reared  in  Dearborn  county. 

John  Henry  Nolte  is  one  of  a  family  of  four  chiklren,  being  the  eldest 
of  the  family.  The  other  members  are  Edward,  Laura  and  W'eslc}'.  John 
Hem-y  Nolte  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Clay  townsliip, 
and  remained  with  his  father  until  the  latter's  death,  assisting  him  with  the 
work  of  the  homestead.  After  his  lather's  death  he  took  over  the  farm  of  his 
grandmother  Nolte. 

John  Henry  Nolte  was  married  on  January  6,  1904,  to  Catherine  Anna 
Stocver,  daughter  of  John  P.  and  Sophia  (Lange)  Stoever,  residents  of  Cin- 
cinnati. Catherine  was  l)orn  in  Washington  township,  this  county,  on  starch 
20,  1883.  To  this  union  has  been  born  one  child,  a  son,  Wesley  Christo- 
pher, born  August  2,  1907.  Hoth  ]Mr.  and  iMrs.  Nolte  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran,  church.  His  political  support  is  gi\-en  the  Democratic  party.  Air. 
Nolte  is  a  man  of  progressive  tendencies  and  enterprising  spirit  and  enjoys 
the  sincere  regard  of  the  entire  community  in  which  he  lives. 


LOUIS  E.  RUHLMAN. 


Dependent  ^■cry  largely  upon  his  own  resources  from  youth,  Louis  B. 
Ruhlman,  successful  fanner  of  Clay  township,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  has 
attained  no  insignificant  success,  and  though  he  has,  like  most  men  of  affairs, 
encountered  obstacles  and  met  with  reverses,  he  has  shown  himself  resource- 
ful and  full  of  energ}-,  and  has  succeeded  well  in  his  undertaking.  Ilis 
tenacity  and  fortitude  are  due.  no  doubt,  in  a  large  measure  to  the  worthy 
traits  inherited  from  his  sterling  ancestors,  the  example  of  whose  well-regu- 
lated lives  he  has  sought  to  follow  in  all  the  relations  of  life. 

Louis  B.  Ruhlman  was  born  in  Clay  township  on  July  8,  1869,  a  son 
of  Henry  H.  and  Eliza  (Dulweaver)  Ruhlman,  both  natives  of  Germany; 
the  former  was  born  in  1838.  When  a  chikl  Henry  was  brought  to  this 
country  by  his  parents,  who  settled  in  Clay  township,  and  in  die  schools  near 
his  home  he  recei\'ed  his  education.     He  assisted  his  father  with  the  work 

(52) 


8l8  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

of  the  farm  home  until  such  time  as  he  made  the  purchase  of  a  farm  on  his 
own  account,  this  being  located  in  Clay  township,  and  on  which  he  remained 
but  a  short  time  when  he  disposed  of  it  and  b<_)Ught  another  in  Claw  town- 
ship, on  Hayes  branch.  That  farm  contained  fifty-nine  acres,  and  there  he 
continued  to  live  until  1S95,  when  he  muved  to  a  farm  near  Dillsljoro,  con- 
taininq-  one  hundred  and  five  acres,  and  there  passed  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  his  death  occurring  in  June  ijf  1903,  when  he  was  sixty-five  years  old. 
Henry  Ruhlman  was  a  devuut  memlier  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  his  po- 
litical support  was  given  the  Democratic  party.  In  all  things  he  was  an  hon- 
est and  upright  man  who  had  a  great  many  friends  who  highly  esteemed  him. 

Henry  Ruhlman  was  one  of  a  family  of  f(.iur  children,  the  others  being- 
Charles,  Fred  and  [Minnie.  These  all  came  to  this  country  with  the  parents 
about  the  }ear  1S43,  and  settled  in  Dearborn  county. 

Eliza  (Dulweavcr)  Ruhlman,  mother  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  a  daughter  of  Bernard  Dulweavcr  and  was  born  in  Germany, 
coming  to  this  country  with  her  parents,  who  first  settled  in  Cincinnati  and 
later  came  to  Dearborn  c^iunty,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Cresar  Creek  township, 
where  thev  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  There  were  but  two  children 
in  the  Dulweaver  family,  the  other  child,  a  son,  met  his  death  during  the 
Civil  War,  from  star\ation  while  a  prisoner  in  Anderson\ille. 

Henr\-  and  Eliza  Ruhlman  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  .\nna, 
Louis,  William,  ami  i>ne  child  who  die<l  in  infancy.  Anna  became  the  wife 
of  \\'il!iam  Cline  and  li\es  in  Cincinnati.  William  married  Ellen  Xelson  and 
lives  in  Sparta  township.  They  ha\'e  five  children,  Clifford  and  Allen,  de- 
ceased ;  Harry,  Ernest  and  Bertha.  Eliza  Ivuhlman's  death  occurred  the  same 
month  as  that  of  her  husband,  in  June  of  1903. 

Louis  B.  Ruhlman  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Clay  town- 
ship and  after  completing  his  studies  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  the 
farm  home  for  a  short  time.  He  was  filled  with  an  ambition  to  see  something 
of  the  world  and  first  went  t<j  Kansas,  where  for  a  year  he  followed  his  occu- 
pation of  a  farmer.  He  then  came  back  east,  locating  in  Chicago,  where  he 
worked  as  a  lineman  for  the  Western  Unirjn  Telegraph  Company,  out  of 
Chicago.  He  went  from  there  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  was  connected  with 
the  Cincinnati  Telephone  Company,  remaining  with  them  three  years,  when 
he  received  such  injuries  as  made  necessary  a  change  in  his  manner  of  labor. 
He  reverted  to  his  original  life  as  a  farmer  and  came  back  to  this  section, 
where  he  purchased  the  old  homestead  of  his  father,  near  Dillsboro.  He 
began  his  farming  in  a  small  way  and  gradually  paid  off  the  purchase  price 
of  the  place.     When  he  had  it  clear  he  purchased  an  additional  tract  of  fifty- 


.C.) 


•..u.r  ^^    I  ■:: 


DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA.  '  819 

nine  acres,  later  on  disposing  of  four;  and  on  the  balance  he  has  continued  to 
make  his  home.  Air.  Ruhhnan  has  long-  since  demonstrated  the  fact  that  he 
is  possessed  of  more  than  ordinary  business  abihty,  for  he  manages  his  inter- 
ests very  well  indeed.  He  is  a  large  stockholder  in  the  Dillsboro  Sanatorium, 
being  also  one  of  its  original  incorporators,  and  much  of  the  success  of  that 
institution  is  due  to  his  foresight  and  business  ability. 

Louis  B.  Ruhlman  was  married  on  April  12,  1905,  to  Ella  R.  Johnson, 
a  daughter  of  t\*illiam  and  Ella  ( Risinger)  Johnson,  born  on  March  8,  1872, 
in  Napoleon,  Ripley  county,  in  which  town  she  also  was  educated.  William 
Johnson  was  born  in  Batesvillc,  Indiana,  February  6,  1842,  and  was  engaged 
in  agricultural  work  all  his  life.  After  marriage  he  lived  for  a  time  at  Na- 
poleon and  after  selling  his  farm  tiiere.  moved  to  Osgood,  Indiana,  where  he 
remained  two  years,  coming  \o  Dillsboro  in  1910.  A\'illiam  and  Ella  (Ris- 
inger) Johnson  uere  the  parents  of  four  children,  Svlvia,  who  died  young, 
.Mma,  Harry  and  Ella  R!  .\lma  became  the  wife  of  G.  William  Niebrugge 
and  lives  in  Dillsl.ioro.  They  have  three  children,  Ella  Ruth.  Flovd  and  Lester 
Charles.     Harry  married  Barljara  Crane  and  li\'es  in  Osoood. 

To  Louis  ] ;.  Ruhlman  and  wife  have  been  born  two  daughters :  S_\l\'ia 
E.,  born  on  July  21.  1908,  and  Goldie  A.,  November  2,  1910.  Mr.  Ruhlman 
is  a  man  who  takes  a  keen  interest  i'a  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare 
of  the  community,  and  is  a  strong  supporter  of  the  principles  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party.  He  UK.ist  efficiently  served  Clay  township  as  assessor  for  four 
years  and  takes  much  interest  in  the  affairs  of  his  party  in  other  than  local 
matters.  His  fraternal  affiliation  is  held  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and 
he  is  a  past  chancellor  of  his  local  lodge.  He  is  a  faithful  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  giving  generoush'  of  his  means  toward  the  support  of 
the  local  organization.  In  all  the  affairs  of  life,  Mr.  Ruhlman  has  shown 
himself  a  man  who  stands  "foursi:[uare  to  every  wind  that  blows."  and  he  is, 
therefore,  eminently  entitled  to  mention  in  a  volume  of  the  character  of  the 
one  in  hand. 


HENRY  GE.AR. 


Among  the  older  citizens  of  Clay  township.  Dearborn  county,  Indiana, 
none  stands  higher  in  the  esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens  than  the  gentleman 
whose  name  forms  the  caption  of  this  sketch.  Henrj'  Gear  has  long  been 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  this  section  and  the  years  of  his  residence 
here  have  but  strengthened  the  feelincr  of  honor  and  respect  on  the  part  of 


I 

820  ■  DEARBORN'   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

his  fellow  men,  owing  to  the  worthy  life  he  has  led  and  the  examjile  of  in- 
dustry and  frugality  he  has  set  the  younger  generation. 

Henry  Gear  is  a  native  of  Gennany,  having  been  Ijorn  in  Deepholtz, 
Hanover,  on  November  i,  1S33.  a  son  of  Frederick  and  Hannali  {  Finke) 
Gear.  F^rederick  Gear  was  born  on  January  2.  181 1,  and  Hannah  Finke  on 
September  iS,  of  the  same  year.  In  the  year  1845,  with  their  young  family, 
they  immigrated  to  the  United  States,  coming  directly  to  Dearborn  county, 
where  they  found  many  of  their  naticniality.  They  secured  a  tract  of  eighty 
acres  in  Cla\-  township,  near  Dillsboro,  paying  seven  hundred  dollars  for  their 
homestead.  There  the  family  was  reared  and  the  old  folks  passed  their  re- 
maining days.  Frederick  Gear  departed  this  life  on  April  4,  18S0,  and  his 
j     wife  lived  until  December  31,  189S. 

I'  Henry,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  eldest  of  their  family 

l  of  six  children,  the  others  being  Frederick.  William,  Mary,  Lizzie  and  Louisa. 
{■  William,  JMar\'  and  Lizzie  are  deceased.  Frederick  chose  Barbara  Steple 
i  as  his  wife  and  she  has  borne  him  five  children.  Will,  Fred,  Laura,  Ruth 
I     and  Lulu.     \\'illiam  married  Mary  ]\Iiller  and  died  childless.     Mary  became 

•  the  wife  of  Fred  Gartemman  and  has  three  children.  Flarry,  Kate  and  Laura. 

•  The  famil)-  lives  on  a  farm  in  Ripley  county.  Lizzie  became  the  wife  of 
i'  William  Kamman  and  has  one  son.  Horace,  junior.  I^ouisa  is  the  wife  of 
|.     Henrv'  Reinhardt  and  has  four  daughters,  Clara,  Rose.  Lulu  and  Augusta. 

Henry  Gear  attended  the  schools  of  his  native  home  when  a  young  boy 

I  and  after  coming  to  this  country,  attended  the  common  schools  of  Clay  town- 

1  ship.     When  seventeen  years  old  he  started  out  in  life  for  himself,  beincr  em- 

I  ploved  at  farm  work  among  the  neighboring  farmers  at  the  rate  of  nine  dr)l- 

,ir  lars  per  month  and  board.     Fie  labored  in  that  manner  for  three  years  and  then 

,j  went  to  Aiu'ora.  Indiana,  where  he  secured  emjjloyment  in  the  staliles  of  tlie 

'|,  James  Gaff  Distilling  Company,  and  soon  became  foreman  of  that  division  of 

i  their  labor.     There  he  remained  until  18S4.  when  he  returned  to  Clay  town- 

'.[  ship  and  purchased  the  old  homestead  from  the  mother  for  fifteen  hundred 

;[  dollars,  and  on  that  spot  rich  in  association  for  him,  he  has  since  made  his 

I  home.      Mr.  Gear  devotes  his  land  to  agriculture  such  as  is  carried  on  in  this 

I  section  and  is  accounted  one  of  the  thorough  farmers  of  his  community. 

I  On  Se]5tember  10,   1S63.  Henry  Gear  was  married  to  Anna  Rupker.  a 

•  daughter  of  Henry  and  Anna  (Hefflemeier)  Rupker,  both  natives  of  Ger- 
I  many.  The  parents  were  married  in  the  fatherland  and  brought  their  young 
I  family  to  this  country,  .^nna  being  eight  years  old  at  the  time  the  long  jour- 
j  ney  was  made.     They  found  their  location  in  Ripley  county  and  there  passed 

the  remainder  of  their  lives.     There  were  three  other  children  in  the  fanul}. 


'.I.\ 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  S2I 

Eliza,  Henry  and  Louisa.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Gear  were  born  three 
daugliters.  Magijic,  Anna  and  Louisa.  Anna  became  the  wife  of  William 
Nintrup.  a  farmer  of  Dearborn  county.  Louisa  married  J.  H.  Sclmeider, 
of  Cochran,  this  county,  and.  is  the  mother  of  one  daughter,  \'iola.  Maggie 
li\'es  in  Clay  township. 

Mr.  Gear  is  a  faithful  member  of  the  German  Lutheran  church  and  has 
the  distinction  of  having  filled  all  the  offices  in  that  society.  He  takes  a 
keen  interest  in  its  welfare  and  spares  himself  no  pains  to  further  its  advance- 
ment. He  oives  his  support  to  the  Democratic  party,  standing  alwavs  for 
what  concerns  the  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  number.  Mr.  Gear  has  nianv 
interesting  stories  to  relate  concerning  the  conditions  throughout  this  sec- 
tion when  they  first  took  up  their  residence  here,  and  he  enjoys  telling  of  his 
part  in  the  work  of  getting  the  old  Ohio  &  Mississippi  railroad  (now  the 
l*>altimore  &  Ohio  Southwestern)  in  shape  to  handle  passengers.  It  was  of 
course  a  momentous  day  when  the  road  was  really  put  in  operation  and  Mr. 
Gear  had  the  privilege  of  hauling  the  first  load  of  wood  to  the  station  in  Coch- 
ran. ]\Ir.  Gear  is  a  man  of  sterling  character,  scrupulouslv  honest  in  all  the 
relations  of  life  and  is  held  in  the  highest  esteem  hx  a  laro-e  circle  of  friends. 


'        ■        .  WILLL\M  SIEKERMAN. 

Among  the  citizens  of  Dearborn  county  who  have  won  a  pleasing  de- 
gree of  success  in  their  chosen  field  of  endeavor  is  William  Siekerman,  the 
respected  subject  of  this  short' biographical  sketch.  Air.  Siekerman  gives 
much  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  in  this  line  is  regarded  as  among 
the  best  farmers  of  the  community.  He  is,  however,  perhaps  best  known 
as  a  plasterer  and  bricklayer  of  considerable  ability  and  has  the  distinction 
of  having  plastered  and  laid  the  bricks  for  nearlv  all  the  buildings  in  Clay 
township  and  rendered  the  same  service  in  connection  with  more  than  eighty 
of  the  buildings  of  Dillsboro. 

Mr.  Siekerman  is  a  native  of  Dearborn  county,  having  been  born  on 
January  i,  1857,  a  son  of  Garrett  Henry  and  Eliza  (Leavcrcamp)  Sieker- 
man, she  being  the  second  wife  of  Henry.  Henry  Siekerman  was  bom  in 
Germany  on  ^^larch  17,  1815,  and  immigrated  to  America  when  quite  a  V(uuig 
m.an.  Lie  came  to  this  section  in  the  early  pioneer  davs,  being  among  the 
first  wiiite  settlers.  At  that  time  there  were  no  roads,  only  Indian  paths. 
and   the   primeval   forests   still   stood   throughout  this   section   of   the    state. 


S22  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

Henry  Siekcrman  grew  fond  of  his  home  in  tlic  wilderness  and  as  the  first 
onrush  of  the  tide  of  civilization  reached  this  part  of  the  country,  he  \\as 
eager  to  secure  for  his  adopted  home  all  possible  benefits.  His  first  farm 
consisted  of  eighty  acres,  for  which  he  paid  the  government  tlie  sum  of  fif- 
ty cents  per  a^re.  He  passed  his  remaining  ^-ears  in  Dearl)orn  county  and 
as  better  dwellings  than  the  first  primitive  cabins  began  to  be  erected,  he  re- 
verted to  his  old  trade  of  plasterer  and  all  of  the  earlier  buildings  through 
this  community  gave  evidence  of  his  ability  in  that  line.  Mr.  Siekerman's 
first  wife  came  with  him  from  Germany,  but  died  shortly  after  reaching  the 
United  States,  leaving  him  with  one  daughter,  Etta.  His  second  wife  was 
Eliza  Lcavercamp,  who  bore  him  two  sons,  \\'illiam.  the  immediate  subject 
of  this  sketch,  and  Henry.  By  his  third  wife  he  had  six  children:  George, 
Amelia,  Charles,  Theodore,  Lewis  and  Edward,  all  of  whom  are  living. 
Henry  Siekerman,  brother  of  William,  married  Louisa  Smalle  and  bv  her 
had  seven  children  :  Sam.  I'rank,  Eva,  John,  Lyda,  Walter  and  Clarence. 
Her,ry"s  death  occurred  in  1892. 

William  Siekerman  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
Ripley  county  anrl  at  an  early  age  took  up  farm  work.  He  continued  at  this 
for  a  few  years  and  then  learned  the  plasterer  and  bricklayer's  trade  and 
has  combined  his  two  lines  of  endea\or  ever  since.  In  1SS5  he  purchased 
a  fanri  in  Clay  township  consisting  of  thirty-si.\  acres  and  to  this  he  added 
twenty-five  acres  at  one  time  and  forty-one  acres  at  another  time,  making 
his  present  holdings  one  hundred  and  two  acres  in  all,  this  land  well  testi- 
fying to  his  ability  as  a  farmer. 

^Ir.  Siekennan's  marriage  took  place  in  1S84,  when  on  November  25 
of  that  year  he  was  united  in  wedlock  with  Clarabelle  Worley,  daughter  of 
Robert  and  Caroline  (Fowler)  Worley,  the  former  a  native  of  the  state  of 
Kentucky  and  the  latter  born  in  Dearborn  county.  Robert  Worlev  passed 
the  greater  portion  of  his  young  manhood  in  the  state  of  Ohio  and  for  many 
years  operated  a  steamboat  on  the  waters  of  the  Ohio  ri\'er.  Robert  \\'or- 
ley  and  wife  had  the  following  children  :  Alice,  Florence,  Harry,  Clarabelle, 
Annie  and  Fannie.  Harry  married  Lizzie  Steward  and  has  two  children, 
Eva  and  Vera.  Annie  became  the  wife  of  Harry  K.  Evans  and  thev  lia\-e  had 
the  misfortune  to  lose  the  entire  family  of  three  children. 

To  William  Siekerman  and  wife  have  been  born  three  children,  two  of 
whom  died  in  infancy,  but  one  daughter.  Clara,  remaining.  This  daughter 
became  the  wife  of  Harry  Linkmeier  and  resides  on  a  farm  in  this  county. 
William  Siekerman  has  all  his  life  been  a  faithful  member  of  the  Lutheran 


:1!.  // 


DEARBORX   COUXTY,  INDIANA.  823 

diurch  and  lives  his  life  in  accordance  with  its  teachings.  His  political  snp- 
]]nrt  he  gives  to  the  Democratic  party,  hcing  especially  interested  in  its  af- 
fairs as  relate  to  local  matters.  In  all  the  relations  of  life  Air.  Sickerman 
has  proved  himself  a  man  among  men  and  because  of  his  sterling  personal 
qualities  and  stanch  intcgrit}-,  he  is  deserving  of  the  confidence  which  has 
been  placed  in  him  by  his  fellow  men. 


CIIRISTIAX   GOTTLIEB   HARSCH. 

Christian  Gottlieb  Harsch,  concrete  contractor,  of  Lawrenceburg,  this 
county,  is  a  son  of  Gottlieb  and  Elizaljeth  (Schaeffer)  Harsch.  and  was  born 
on  December  22,  185 1,  at  Cincinnati.  Ohio.  He  was  not  two  years  old  when 
his  parents  moved  to  this  county  in  1853,  l<_)cating  at  Lawrenceburg,  where 
he  has  since  reijiained.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and  the  German 
parochial  school  and  after  leaving  school  did  everything  in  the  \vay  of  odd 
jobs,  from  driving  a  team  for  fifteen  cents  a  day  to  railroading,  ha\ing  been 
employed  in  the  bridge  department  for  several  years,  after  which  he  learned 
the  plasterer's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  sixteen  years,  later  going  into 
business  as  a  concrete  contractor  and  for  years  past  has  been  awarded  contracts 
for  most  of  the  sidewalks  of  Lawrenceburg.  Politically,  'Sir.  Harsch  is  a  stanch 
Republican,  to  which  party  he  has  gi\en  his  earnest  support,  and  shown  his 
liiyalty  by  ser\'ing  in  some  of  the  city  offices.  He  was  city  marshal  for  two 
terms  and  was  treasurer  of  the  fire  department  for  twenty-seven  years.  Fra- 
ternally, he  is  a  member  of  Dearborn  Lodge  No.  4,  Knights  of  Pythias, 
Mr.  Harsch  owns  a  good  home  at  226  ]Mary  Street,  and  is  an  attentive  mem- 
ber of  Zion  Evangelical  church. 

Gottlieb  and  Elizabeth  (Schaeffer)  Harsch,  were  born  in  Wurtemburg. 
German}-,  yir.  Harsch  was  reared  and  educated  in  Germany  and  came  to 
America  about  1849,  locating  at  Cincinnati,  where  he  was  employed  in  a  pork- 
-l)acking  establishment,  and  where  he  died  in  1S51.  To  him  and  his  wife  were 
born  two  children,  Anna,  who  died  in  infancy,  and  Christian  G.,  the  subject 
I't  this  sketch.  After  the  death  of  her  husband,  Airs,  blarsch  married 
Matthias  Hanselman  and  became  the  nii_")ther  of  four  more  children,  name- 
!>■ :  Mar\'  and  Alatthias,  both  living  in  Lawrenceburg;  Louis,  wlio  makes 
his  home  at  Hamilton,  Ohio,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Christian  G. 
Harsch's  paternal  grandparents  died  in  Germany,  both  having  lived  to  be 
past  ninety  years  of  age.     Among  their  children  were  Christian,  Louisa  and 


824  DEARBORN'    COUXTV,    INDIANA. 

Gottlieb.  !Mr.  Ilarsch's  maternal  grandparents  aUo  died  in  Germany,  where 
they  were  farmers,  and  had  a  large  family. 

Christian  Griltlicb  Ilarsch  was  united  in  marriage  on  January  25,  1S74, 
to  Julia  Brunson,  who  was  born  at  ]\Iilford,  Ohio,  on  May  22,  1852,  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Eliza  (Varguson)  Brunson,  to  which  union  five  children 
have  been  born.  Anna.  Christian;  Cora,  Mae  and  George.  Anna  became 
the  wife  of  Ben  R.  IMacElvain.  of  Lawrencelmrg,  and  is  the  mother  of  four 
children.  Ford,  Bernice,  }ilerline  and  Inez ;  Christian  is  employed  as  an 
automobile  trimmer  at  Detroit,  Michigan.  He  married  Inez  Tebbs,  to  which 
union  two  children  have  been  born,  Lois  and  Clifford;  Cora  died  in  her  third 
year;  Mae  became  the  wife  of  Richard  Fieler,  and  is  the  mother  of  <ine 
daughter,  Catherine  Elizabeth  l-"ieler;  George  is  associated  with  his  father 
in  the  manufacture  of  concrete,  and  lives  at  home.  His  fraternal  affiliations 
are  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  Mrs.  Harsch  is  a  member  of  the  Meiho- 
dist  church.  Her  father,  James  Brunson,  was  a  nati\e  of  New  Jersey.  lie 
died  in  1855,  aged  thirt\-fi\"e  years,  leaving  four  children,  Samuel,  Mary. 
Julia  and  James.  His  widow  survived  him  and  married  secondly,  ^Martin 
Knapp,  a  soldier  in  the  Mexican  War,  by  whom  she  had  two  children,  Emuia 
and  Alice.     Mr.  Knapp  was  dmwned  in  1S61. 

The  paternal  grandparents  of  ]\Irs.  Harsch  were  James  and  Julia  Brun- 
son, who  lived  to  be  quite  old,  and  were  the  parents  of  the  following  cb.il- 
dren:  Mrs.  Julia  Harmon,  Mrs.  ]\Iary  Usterhouse,  Den  and  James.  The  ma- 
ternal grandfather  of  ]\Irs.  Harsch  died  when  a  young  man.  His  wife  was 
Catharine  Varguson,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children,  Charles,  Lucinda,  Han- 
nah, George,  Eliza,  and  others  whose  names  the  biographer  was  unable  to 
obtain. 

Having  led  an  active  business  life,  Mr.  Harsch  is  a  man  of  wise  general 
information  and  is  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  know  him. 


•  ,  ■  REV.  JOHN  WILLIA:^!  DASHIELL,  D.  D. 

As  the  sands  of  life  trickle  through  the  glass  of  time  and  record  the 
history  of  those  who  have  performed  their  duty  and  accomplished  things 
of  importance,  the  subject  of  this  biography,  the  Rev.  John  William  Dashiell. 
may  rest  content  in  the  thought  that  he  has  left  nothing  undone  that  has 
been  within  his  power  in  making  t1ie  lives  of  his  fellow  men  happier  au'i 
better  through  his  interest  and  unselfish  labor. 


■  r  A 


DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA.  825 

Rev.  John  William  Da'^hiell  was  born  on  October  8,  1S44,  at  Monres 
Hill,  Indiana.  Me  is  a  son  of  John  Thonia.s  Dashiell  and  h'dizabcth  (M.int- 
gomerv)  ]')ashiell.  He  was  educated  at  ^loores  Hill  Collej^e.  graduating-  in 
1871,  receiving  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Surgery.  In  iSjj  he  receised  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  .Arts,  and  in  1R75  the  degree  of  IMa.stcr  uf  .\rts.  He  has 
also  received  the  honary  degree  of  Doctor  of  I)i\-inity.  In  1S71  he  was  junior 
preacher  on  tiie  Melroy  circuit,  (if  which  he  later  had  entire  charge.  John 
William  Dashiell  went  to  the  Civil  War  on  August  8,  1862,  in  Company 
A,  Eighty-third  Regiment,  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  dis- 
charged in  February,  1863,  disabled.  He  re-enlisted  in  Compan\'  D, 
Seventh  Indiana  Cavalry.  August  6.  1863,  and  was  discharged  May  3,  1865. 
While  in  the  cavalrv  he  participated  in  many  battles  chiefly  directed 
against  Gen.  Bedford  Forest,  the  greatest  Confederate  cavalry  leader.  During 
this  campaign  INIr.  Dashiell  fought  in  west  Tennessee,  j\Iis>issii)pi,  Louisiana, 
Arkansas  anti  Kentucky,  fighting  all  the  way  and  engaged  most  r)f  the  time. 
He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Chickasaw  and  Arkansas  Post,  where  seven 
thousand  prisoners  were  captured.  He  preached  for  forty-three  years,  in 
the  Methodist  church,  was  retired  in  1914,  and  is  now  enjoying  a  much- 
needed  rest  from  active  work.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the 
Free  and  Accepted  ^Masons,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  San- 
dusky Lodge  Xo.  856,  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Repitblic,  and  is  commander 
of  Adams  Post  No.  254. 

John  Thomas  Dashiell  was  born  on  September  30,  1S17,  in  Queen  Anne 
countv,  Maryland,  and  when  young  came  with  his  parents  to  Sparta  township, 
attending, school  in  the  first  school  building  in  Sparta  township,  located  near 
the  present  site  of  the  Moores  Flill  postoffice.  His  parents  later  moved  to 
Moores  Hill  where,  from  lack  of  educational  facilities,  he  received  the  most 
of  his  education  through  study  at  home.  He  learned  the  cooper's  trade  and 
went  into  partnership  in  that  business,  losing  all  he  had  in  one  year,  through 
the  irregular  business  methods  of  his  partner.  Tw"0  years  later  he  went  into 
business  alone,  taking  freight  and  produce  to  New  Orleans,  during  which  time 
he  was  stricken  with  typhoid  fever  and  was  ill  for  seven  months,  again  lobing 
all  he  had.  This  second  entire  loss  so  completely  discouraged  him  that  it 
was  only  through  the  efforts  and  kindness  of  his  friend,  John  C.  Moore, 
that  he  was  again  started  on  the  road  to  success.  Three  years  later  he  liought 
the  farm  belonging'  to  his  wife's  parents,  located  in  Ripley  county,  where  he 
lived  until  he  died,  December  12.  1899.  In  politics  Mr.  Dashiell  was  a  Re- 
publican, and  in  1861  was  sent  to  the  Legislature  from  Ripley  county,  by  the 
largest  vote  of  any  office  on  that  ticket.     He  also  served  many  times  as 


826  DEARBORN'   COUNTY.    INDIANA. 

township  trustee.  He  was  a  nienibcr  nf  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
His  wife,  Ehzabeth  (Montgomery)  Dashiell,  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Jane  (Sproul)  Montgonier)-,  and  was  born  on  September  _'!^,  iSjo,  in  Ripley 
county,  Inihana.  To  this  union  were  liorn  four  children,  ]\[ary  Jane,  Xoah 
Davis,  Sarah  Amelia  and  John  William. 

John  Dashiell,  the  paternal  grandfather,  was  born  on  February  27,  1786, 
in  Worcester  county,  ^Maryland,  and  was  iniitcd  in  marriage  on  July  6,  1S09, 
with  Amelia  Duncan.  They  came  to  Sparta  township  in  1S18,  and  slept 
under  sheets  spread  on  poles  until  their  one-room  log  caliin  was  completed, 
which  occasion  was  celebrated  by  John  Dashiell  taking  down  the  family  liible 
and  dedicating  his  new  home.  He  later  m'i\ed  to  ^lomence,  Illinois,  return- 
ing in  1S63  to  ;\Ioores  Hill,  where  he  bought  his  son's  old  home  in  Aloores 
Hill,  and  lived  on  it  until  his  death.  ]Mr.  Dashiell  was  a  Methodist  minister, 
known  in  those  days  as  a  "local  preacher."  He  folloAyed  agriculture  for  a 
living,  di\'iding  his  attention  with  that  and  liye  stock.  He  was  originally  a 
A\'hig,  but  later  became  a  Republican.  His  parents  were  John  and  Sara 
Dashiell. 

John  and  Sara  Dashiell  were  the  paternal  great-grandparents,  the  former 
having  been  born  on  April  17,  1751,  and  died  on  December  15,  18 16.  Sara 
Dashiell  was  born  on  June  11.  1751.  and  died  on  Xovember  i,  1S43.  '"'  'i*-'!" 
ninety-third  year.  Amelia  (Duncan)  Dashiell  was  born  on  February  17, 
1794,  in  Worcester  cfiunty,  ^Maryland.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Fannie  Duncan.  John  and  .Amelia  (Duncan)  Dashiell  were  the  parents  of 
eleven  children,  namcl_\- :  Sallie  O.,  Elizabeth,  Emaline.  John  Thomas,  b^an- 
nie  C,  Mary,  Charles  R.,  William  'Si.,  Drusilla,  Amelia  J.  and  one  who  died 
in  infancy. 

John  William  Dashiell  was  married  on  Xovember  19,  1872,  to  Fannie 
Myers,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Rachel  Myers,  of  Jef  fersonville,  Indiana.  She 
was  born  on  December  21,  1852,  and  was  educated  at  Jef  fersonville  and 
Moores  Hill,  getting  the  degrees  of  Bachelor  of  Surgery  and  Master  of  Arts. 
She  was  a  very  fine  musician.  This  union  was  blest  with  twelve  children,  as 
follow:  Thomas  Myers.  Emma  Amelia,  Xewton  Haynian.  Edward,  Eawrence 
Basil,  Rachel,  Fannie,  Edith.  John  Frederick.  Stanley,  Leland  Elder  and  Mary 
Locke.  Thomas  Myers  was  born  on  Septemi^er  30,  1873,  was  married  to  Marie 
Boyle  on  June  21,  1899,  in  Chicago,  Illinois,  and  lives  at  Los  Angeles.  Califor- 
nia. Emma  Amelia  was  born  on  December  7,  1874.  X'ewton  Haynum  was 
born  on  September  6,  1876.  married  Rhoda  K.  Adams  on  June  12,  1900,  in  In- 
dianapolis. They  li\'ed  at  Minneapolis  and  haye  two  children,  Joseph  Adam- 
and  Xe\rton  Hayman,  Jr.     Edward  was  bom  on  May   i,   1878.     La\yrence 


DEARBORX    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  '  827 

liasil  was  born  on  February  9,  18S0,  married  Anna  W'right,  of  Pittsburgli, 
in  [gog.  Raebel  was  born  on  April  19,  1RS2,  married  J.  D.  Sediner  on 
Xiivember  4,  1913,  and  lives  at  Hope,  Indiana.  Fannie  was  Iwrn  on  Septem- 
ber 25,  i!SS3,  married  O.  X.  Orebaugh  on  June  12,  1914,  and  lives  at  Louis- 
ville, Kentucky.  Editli  was  born  on  x-\ugust  iS,  18S5.  John  Frederick  was 
born  on  April  30,  iSSS,  was  united  in  marriage  on  September  17,  1912.  with 
Svlvia  Knowles.  ble  is  professor  of  philosophy  at  ^Minnesota  Unixersity. 
Stanley  was  born  on  January  11,  1890,  died  in  1898,  at  Aurora.  Leland 
I'dder  was  born  on  June  9,  1S91.  !Mary  Locke  was  born  on  February  24. 
1894.     Mrs.  Fannie  Dashiell  died  on  March  20,  1910. 

The  immigrant  ancestors  of  the  Rev.  John  William  Dashiell  landed  in 
Maryland  in  165 1.  They  were  French  people  and  could  trace  their  ancestiy 
back  to  families  of  great  prominence,  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch  has  lost 
none  of  the  aristocratic  bearing  long  associated  with  his  ancestry. 


,    ■-      ,■  GEORGE  L.  P.  SQUIBB. 

The  Scjuibb  name  in  Dearborn  county  is  conspicuously  associated  with 
the  distilling  firm  of  W.  P.  Squibb  &  Company. 

George  L.  P.  Squibb,  the  present  secretary  of  this  company,  was  jiorn  at 
.Aurora,  Indiana,  on  November  13,  1869,  spending  his  \outh  and  attending 
the  public  schools  there  until  his  family  removed  to  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana, 
in  March,  1884,  where  he  continued  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Lawrenceburg  until  1885  when  he  commenced  working,  at  the  age  of  fifteen 
years,  at  the  distillery  owned  and  operated  b}-  his  father  and  uncle :  so  to  speak, 
"growing  up"  with  the  business,  and  has  continued  with  it  ever  since. 

On  May  17,  1900,  George  L.  P.  Squibb  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mina 
Louis  Brand,  the  daughter  of  John  and  jMargaret  Cook  Brand  and  niece  of 
A.  D.  Cook,  of  Lawrenceburg,  to  which  union  five  children  have  been 
bom,  Francis  P.,  Margaret  C,  Ella  Louise,  Alta  Virginia  and  George  R. 
Mrs.  Squibb  was  born  at  Lawrenceburg,  but  spent  the  early  years  of  her 
life  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  where  she  received  her  education.  Her  parents, 
lioth  of  whom  are  now  deceased,  had  come  to  the  L'nited  States  from  ( jermany 
•'It  an  earlv  age. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Squibb  are  members  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  Mr. 
Squibb  is  at  present  ser\-ing  his  third  term  as  school  trustee  of  the  town  of 
Greendale,  which,  though  a  separate  cor[)oration,  is  virtually  a  part  of  Law- 
renceburg-. 


828  DEARBORX   COUXTV,   INDIANA. 

JESSE  RUETER. 

Clay  township.  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  can  well  point  with  pride  to 
the  quality  of  her  young-  manhood,  fur  she  can  number  among  her  citizens 
many  young  men  wlio  came  from  some  of  the  older  families  here,  wh<i 
are  filled  with  the  worthy  ambition  of  filling  useful  places  in  the  world  and 
have  been,  or  are  being,  especially  fitted  for  the  line  they  have  chosen  to  fol- 
low. An  especially  gratifying  fact  lies  in  the  number  who  have  elected  to 
remain  in  their  native  community  and  for  this  reason  the  history  of  Dear- 
born county  bids  fair  to  be  much  greater  in  the  future  than  it  has  in  the  past, 
pleasing  as  that  has  been.  Among  the  young  men  who  have  chosen  tlie  pro- 
fessional field  for  tlieir  endeavors,  the  name  of  Jesse  John  Henry  Rueter, 
who  has  fitted  himself  for  the  calling  of  a  veterinary  surgeon,  stands  promi- 
nent. 

Jesse  Rueter  was  born  in  Clay  township  on  }vlay  13,  1S93,  ^o"  of  -'^'-'"' 
gust  and  [Minnie  ( Kuhlmier)  Rueter,  both  natives  of  Switzerland  county, 
this  state.  AugTJSt  Rueter  was  born  on  July  6,  1862,  a  son  of  Bernard  and 
Catherine  (Buchstetter)  Rueter.  both  of  wdiom  immigrated  to  this  countiy 
from  Germany.  They  came  when  in  middle-life  and  settled  in  Cfesar  Creek 
township,  Dearborn  county,  \\here  for  a  number  of  years  thev  gave  them- 
selves to  arduous  agricultural  labors.  In  later  life  thev  retired  from  such 
active  labors  and  removed  to  Farmers  Retreat,  where  they  passed  their  de- 
clining years  in  peace  and  plenty.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children: 
Anna,  Carrie,  Henry,  Harmon,  August,  Fred,  Benjamin,  George  and  Will- 
iam. Bernard  Renter  passed  away  when  eighty-seven  yeats  of  age  and 
Catherine  died  previously.  This  excellent  couple  won  many  warm  friends 
after  becoming  residents  of  this  community,  and  in  memory  are  held  in  high 
esteem  by  many  who  knew  them  best. 

August  Rueter  received  his  education  in  the  school  at  Farmers  Retreat 
and  after  completing  his  education,  he  took  up  farm  work,  working  out  by 
the  month  among  the  farmers  of  his  community.  Fie  did  this  for  four  vears, 
when  he  went  out  west  and  remained  until  1891,  when  lie  returned  to  this 
section  and  was  married.  He  bought  a  fami  of  ninety  acres  located  about 
two  miles  south  of  Dillsboro  and  there  lived  until  the  time  of  his  death  on  Oc- 
tober 2;^.  1911.  August  Rueter  married  Minnie  Kuhlmier,  a  young  woman 
who  had  been  born  near  his  birthplace  on  Bear  Creek,  in  Ohio  county.  When 
five  years  of  age.  her  parents  moved  to  Farmers  Retreat,  and  there  she  re- 
ceived her  education,  and  later  they  took  up  their  residence  in  .-Vurora,  where 
she  was  married  on  ^^larch  8,   1891.     August  Rueter  was  a  ,']evout  member 


'  i 


■  Ili<  i 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  S29 

of  tlie  Lutlieran  church  and  was  one  of  llie  charter  nicnil)ers  of  Trinit)-  Luth- 
eran church,  at  Dillsboro,  serving  that  society  as  a  trustee  for  a  number  of 
vears.  His  pohtical  support  he  gave  to  the  Democratic  partv.  heing  inter- 
ested in  its  welfare.  ^Ir.  Rueter  was  a  man  who  was  interested  generally  in 
all  matters  which  concerned  tlie  public  welfare  of  his  comniuuitv  and  na- 
tion, keeping  well  posted  on  current-  events  and  throwing  his  influence  al- 
ways on  the  side  of  the  right.  He  was  a  strong,  clean  man  who  counted  the 
best  citizens  of  his  commum'ty  as  his  friends. 

Jesse  Rueter  is  one  of  a  family  of  six  children,  being  the  second  child  of 
the  family  in  order  of  birth.  The  eldest  is  Carl  and  then  after  Jesse  came 
I'Vank,  Anna,  Dora  and  Paul.     Both  Carl  and  Anna  died  when  children. 

Jesse  Rueter  received  his  elementary  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  Clay  township,  later  attending  the  German  schools  at  Dillsboro  and  Tar- 
niers  Retreat.  He  was  a  good  student  all  through  his  younger  years  and 
for  special  training  in  his  chosen  profession,  he  matriculated  in  the  London 
Veterinary  College,  graduating  therefrom  in  1914,  at  which  time  he  returned 
home.  Jesse  Rueter  is  a  young  man  of  excellent  parts,  who  bids  fair  to  win 
success  in  life.  He  has  had  the  advantage  of  good  training  all  his  life  and  is 
therefore,  fitted  above  some  others,  to  cope  with  the  affairs  of  life.  As  the 
years  bring  him  greater  opportunity  and  experience,  it  is  safe  to  say  he  will 
take  advantage  of  every  possible  good  means,  and  advance  rung  by  rung  up 
the  ladder  of  success. 


BEN    R.    I\L\cELVAIN. 


One  of  the  most  resourceful,  and  consequently  one  of  the  most  success- 
ful men  of  Dearborn  county,  is  the  gentleman  whose  sketch  is  here  presented. 
Leing  a  true  son  of  Indiana,  he  has  never  wandered  about  fri_^m  state  to  state. 
He  knew  that  opportunities  awaited  him  within  the  limits  of  this  state  and 
set  himself  to  work  to  meet  them  giving  to  each  due  consideration,  until  now 
he  finds  himself  filling  the  vocation  in  life  for  which  he  is  no  doubt  best 
fitted,  and  in  which  he  has  been  quite  successful 

Ben  R.  ilacElvain,  sales  manager  and  cashier  of  the  Lawrenceburg 
Roller  Mill  Company,  at  Lawrenceljurg,  this  county,  is  a  son  of  Edgar  P. 
and  Henrietta  (Frey)  MacElvain,  and  was  born  on  June  i,  1S72,  at  Seymour, 
Indiana,  where  he  attended  the  public  schools.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years 
he  became  a  telegraph  operator,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-three,  went  to  L;nv- 
renceburg.  where  he  married  and  settled  down,  being  employed  by  the  Baiti- 


:   Di-dl 


830  DEARBOKX    COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

more  &  Ohio  Railroad  Company.  When  twenty-nine  years  of  age,  he  entered 
the  employ  of  the  company,  witli  which  he  i.s  now  engaged  and  has  been  thns 
engaged  for  the  past  fourteen  years,  first  as  bookkeeper,  and  then  for  the  past 
ten  years,  as  sales  manager  and  cashier.  Mr.  MacElvain  is  a  strong  believer 
in  Democratic  policies,  and  has  always  given  his  vote  to  that  party.  lie  is  a 
memljer  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  to  which  he  is  a  generous  contributtir, 
and  liis  fraternal  alliances  are  as  follow:  Lawrenceburg  Lodge  Xo.  4.  Free 
and  Accepted  ^Masons;  Lawrenceburg  Chapter  No.  59,  Royal  Arch  ?\lasons, 
Aurora  cominandery.  Knights  Templar,  Indiana  Consistory.  Scottish  Rite 
iNIasons  at  Indianapolis,  and  to  Murat  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order,  No- 
bles of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  at  Indianapolis. 

Edgar  P.  MacElvain.  father  of  Ben  R.  ]\IacElvain,  was  a  native  of  Cin- 
cinnati, where  he  was  reared  and  educated.  After  growing  to  manhood 
there  he  became  a  locomotive  engineer  on  the  old  Ohio  &  Mississippi  rail- 
road, which  vocation  he  followed  for  many  years,  dying  at  Cincinnati,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-five  }-ears.  His  wife,  Henrietta  ( Frey)  IMacF^hain,  was 
born  at  Seymour,  Indiana.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  children,  Ren  R. 
and  Anna,  the  latter  of  whom  became  the  wife  of  A.  N.  Rineliart,  of  St.  Paul, 
Minnesota.  Mrs.  AlacEhain  survives  her  husband,  and  is  living  with  her 
daughter  in  St.  Paul.  PjOih  'Sir.  McEKain  and  his  wife  at  an  earlv  date 
became  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Grandfather  MacElvain.  who 
married  Minerva  Mc^tlanaman,  wa^.  an  early  settler  of  Cincinnati,  where 
he  and  his  wife  lived  to  a  round  old  age.  Among  the  children  of  this  ex- 
cellent old  couple  were  Edgar  P.,  Alonzo,  Charles,  Belle  and  Josie. 

On  June  i.  1895,  Dr.  Ben  R.  MacElvain  was  united  in  marriage  to  .\nna 
Harscli,  whn  was  born  at  Lawrenceliurg  on  October  35,  1874.  daughter  of 
Christian  and  Julia  (Brunson)  Harsch,  to  which  union  were  born  t!ie  follow- 
ing children :  Ford.  Bemice,  Merline,  Inez  and  Esther.  F'ord  was  graduated 
from  the  Lawrenceburg  high  school  and  is  mnv  an  art  student  in  Cincinnati. 
The  other  children  are  all  in  schnol,  with  the  exception  of  Esther,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  three  years. 

Christian  and  Julia  (  Brunson)  Harsch,  parents  of  Mrs.  MacEhain.  are 
natives  of  Cincinnati  and  ]\Iilford,  Ohio,  respectively,  and  now  reside  at  Law- 
renceburg. The_\-  have  four  children,  Anna,  Christian.  George  and  ]May. 
Christian  Harsch,  Sr.,  is  the  son  of  Gottlieb  and  Elizabeth  ( Schaeffer) 
Harsch.  both  natives  of  German}',  and  both  now  dead,  who  reared  a  large 
family  of  children.  Julia  (Brunson)  MacElvain  is  the  daughter  of  James 
and  Eliza  (Varguson)  Brunson,  natives  of  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania, 
respectively,  whose  children  were  INIary,  Julia  and  James.     L'pon  the  death 


:>y:i:  vil* 


DEARBORN   COUXTY,   INDIANA.  S3  1 

of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Brunsnn  married  secondly,  Marlin  Knapp,  to  which  union 
were  born  two  children,  Emma  and  Alice. 

Ben  R.  MacElvain  by  his  fine  executive  qualities  and  careful  attention 
to  business  details,  as  well  as  by  his  consideration  for  the  interests  of  those 
with  whom  he  is  associated,  has  won  for  himself  an  cn\-iable  jmsition  and  is 
cme  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Lawrenccburg. 


WILLIAM  P.  SQUIBB. 

The  Squibb  family  has  been  prominently  identified  witli  the  business 
and  commercial  life  of  Dearborn  counts'  for  more  than  three-((uartcrs  of  a 
century  and  within  that  period  has  contributed  materially  to  the  growth  and 
prosperity  of  the  coimty.  The  father  of  William  P.  Squibb,  was  Roliert 
Packingham  Squibb,  who  was  well  known  in  his  day  and  generation  and  an 
influential  and  highly  respected  citizen.  He  lost  his  life  in  an  explosion 
which  occiu'red  on  the  occasion  of  the  celeliration.  liy  tlie  pec_ii)le  of  Aurora, 
of  the  running  of  the  first  train  over  the  old  Ohio  &  Mississippi  railroad, 
when  it  was  first  built  to  Aurora. 

William  Pinckney  Squibb  was  torn  on  Laughcry  creek,  Ohio  county, 
Indiana,  on  January  15.  1S31,  the  son  of  Ro]>ert  Packingham  and  Eliza 
(Cummings)  Squibb,  to  whom  were  born  two  other  children,  Aha  M..  who 
was  married  to  Louis  ^I.  Foulk,  and  George  ^\'.  Squibb. 

On  December  25,  1S60.  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  }>Iary  Prances 
Plunmier,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Posey  Plummer  and  sister  of 
Scwell  and  Sidney  Plummer,  and  to  tliem  were  born  ten  chiUlrcn :  ^NI.u-}-  .\., 
who  married  A.  E.  Geisert :  Alta  E.,  who  died  after  slie  had  attained  young 
womanhood;  Robert  L.,  Ella  R.,  George  L.  P.,  Elorence  I..,  whr>  married 
J.  P.  Carter;  William  P.,  who  died  in  infancy;  Xatlianiel  E.,  Horace  G. 
and  Samuel  T.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen.  All  of  these  who  are  living- 
reside  in  Lawrenccburg,  except  Mrs.  Carter,  who  lixes  at  Cincinnaii.  Mrs. 
William  P.  Squibb  died  in  1888  in  her  forty-fifth  year. 

After  having  been  reared  on  a  farm  and,  by  the  death  of  his  father, 
thrown  on  his  own  resources  at  a  veiy  early  age.  William  P.  Squibb,  a  per- 
son of  powerful  personality,  great  determinatiijn  and  much  brain  power, 
started  in  business  in  a  small  way  at  Aurora,  Indiana,  when  but  se\'enteen 
years  of  age,  being  joined  some  }-ears  later  by  his  younger  brother,  George 
W.  Sr|uibb.  forming  the  firm  of  W.  P.  Squibb  &  Company  and  doing  a  whole- 


S32  '  DEARBORN    COl.'XTY,   INDIANA. 

sale  liquor  and  rectifying-  business  at  Aurora,  this  county.  V>\  hard  applica- 
tion and  sound  business  ]>rinci[)les,  the  brothers  prospered  and  in  1869,  starter! 
the  present  distillinc^  business  at  Lawrenceburg,  this  county,  continuing- 
tog'cther,  with  their  descendants  until  after  over  fifty  years  of  steadfast  and 
congenial  association,  the  death  of  George  ^V.  Squibb  occurred  in  February, 
1913,  in  his  seventy-fifth  year,  ^^'illia^l  P.  Squibb  survived  his  brother 
by  only  eight  months,  dying  on  October  15,   1913,  in  his  eighty-third  year. 

In  1905,  the  two  brothers  had  taken  into  partnership,  Robert,  George, 
Nathaniel  and  Horace,  sons  of  William  P.  Squibb  and  Thomas  and  Alex- 
ander, sons  of  George  W".  Squibb  and  Louis  H.  Foulk,  son  of  Alta  Foulk, 
all  of  whom  had  been  associated  with  the  business  since  their  boyhood  davs 
and  assisted  materially  in  building  it  up.  After  the  death  of  George  \Y. 
Squibb,  in  l^'ebruary.  1913.  a  corporation  was  formed  to  carry  on  the  busi- 
■ness  under  the  same  name,  \V.  P.  Sc[uibl_)  &  Companv,  the  present  acti\-e 
members  of  the  same  being  Robert.  George,  Nathaniel  and  Horace  Squibb 
and  Louis  H.  h'oulk. 

Several  \-ery  large  and  sulistantial  warehouses  had  been  erected  by  the 
firm  in  the  course  of  years,  in  which  to  properly  store  and  mature  their  prod- 
uct, the  present  t.jt'al  storage  capacity  being  about  sixty  thousand  barrels  of 
whiskey,  and  in  19 15  the  corjioration  completed  and  started  to  operate  a  new 
reinforced  concrete  and  brick  distillery  and  elevator,  equipped  wit!'  the  most 
approved  and  economical  apparatus  for  the  handling  of  grain  and  the  con- 
version of  the  same  into  the  high-grade  whiskey  for  which  the  companv 
enjoys  an  enviable  reputation  in  the  chaiuiels  of  their  trade  throughout  the 
United  States,  so  that  the  small  beginning  made  by  William  P.  Scjuibb  in 
1S4S  is  today  one  of  the  leading  and  substantial  institutions  of  Dearborn 
count^■. 


WILLL\2\I  RUBLE. 


William  M.  Ruble  was  born  and  reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer,  but 
like  many  another  ambitious  citizen,  the  lure  of  the  city  proved  too  strong, 
and  the  quiet  neighborhood  was  abandoned  for  the  rnore  exciting  atmosphere 
of  the  state  capital.  This  move  proving  the  other  extreme,  another  change 
was  made,  and  the  happy  medium  was  found  in  the  growing  town  of  Aurora. 
which  he  has  since  been  satisfied  to  retain  as  his  voting  place,  and  where  he 
is  ever  ready  and  anxious  to  please  his  many  customers,  in  both  his  paint 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  833 

and  wall-paper  business,  and  in  his  barber  shop,  the  latter  of  which  is  equip- 
ped with  the  latest  and  most  up-to-date  appointments. 

William  Rulile,  now  the  well-known  township  trustee,  barber,  paint 
and  wall-paper  dealer,  of  Aurora,  this  county,  son  of  William  }vl.  :ind  Ilannah 
(McCune)  Rulile,  was  burn  on  July  14,  1873,  at  Dillsboro.  Indiana,  where 
111-  was  reared  anil  educated.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  \vent  to  work  on 
his  father's  farm,  remaining  there  several  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
his  parents  decided  upon  a  change,  moving  to  Indianapolis,  but  this  still  did 
not  seem  to  be  their  liking  and  in  1892  the  family  moved  to  Aurora,  which 
has  since  been  their  home.  ^Ir.  Ruble  first  engaged  his  services  in  a  brick 
}ard,  but  soon  after  learned  the  l_)ar].;er  trade,  which  he  has  followed  e\'er 
since,  and  for  the  past  seventeen  years,  has  owned  his  own  shop.  Politicallv, 
j\Ir.  Ruble  is  a  strong  believer  in  Democratic  policies,  and  has  shown  his 
public  spirit  by  serving  as  township  trustee,  to  which  office  he  was  elected  m 
November,  1914,  and  which  he  now  holds.  Religiously,  he  is  a  mcml.ier  of 
the  Baptist  church,  and  his  fraternal  alliances  are  with  the  'Independent  Or- 
der of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  iMen  and  the  Fraternal  Or- 
der of  Eagles. 

William  M.  Ruble,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch,  was 
born  in  Butler  county.  Ohio,  and  lived  there  until  seven  years  of  age,  when 
his  parents  moved  to  Dillsboro.  and  later  to  Aurora,  Indiana.  Mr.  Ruble  \vas 
a  cooper  by  trade,  and  during  the  Civil  War  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundreil 
and  Forty-sixth  Regiment.  Indiana  \'olunteer  Infantry,  serving  a  little  o\er 
seven  months  as  a  pri\ate.  After  the  war,  he  moved  to  Ohio  count},  this 
state,  and  soon  after  his  marriage  settled  at  Dillsboro.  where  he  followed  the 
cooper's  trade  for  several  years,  when  he  moved  to  a  ten-acre  farm  in  Clay 
township,  remaining  there  about  twenty  years.  William  M.  Ruble  was 
married  three  times.  His  first  wife  died  in  Ohio  county,  leaving  no  children, 
second  wife,  Hannah  (McCune)  Ruble,  mother  of  William  Ruble,  was  a 
native  of  Dillsboro,  Dearborn  county,  and  died  in  1876,  while  still  a  young 
woman.  Two  children  were  born  to  this  uniiju.  William,  of  Aurora,  and 
John,  of  Petersburg.  Kentucky.  William  }J.  Ruble's  third  wife  was  Zerikla 
(iray,  but  no  children  ha\-e  been  born  to  tliis  union.  Both  are  earnest  members 
of  the  Methodist  churcii.  INIr.  Ruble  belongs  to  John  A.  Platter  Post.  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  and  is  a  Democrat. 

W  illiam  Ruble's  paternal  grandfather  w-as  Leander  Ruble,  a  native  of 
Permsylvania,  and  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Aurora,  where  he  was  engaged 
both  as  a  carpenter  and  a  cooper.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  I'nion  army  during 
the   Civil  W^ar,  and  died  in   Libbv  prison.     Plis  wife,    Julia   Ann    ( Smith  1 

(33) 


I  ••.     •  i. 


834  DKAKBORX    CDL'.NTV,    INDIANA. 

Ruble,  died  during  the  war.  They  were  tiie  parents  of  fi\e  children,  Ellen. 
Sarah  E.,  William  AL,  Mary  Jane  and  Emma.  Air.  Ruble's  maternal  grand- 
parents. John  and  Lorinda  (Beck)  ?\IcCnne,  were  both  natives  of  Indiana 
and  earlv  settlers  at  I^illsboro.  Mr.  IMcCune  was  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and 
an  attorney-atdaw,  and  was  also  a  preacher  of  the  Universalist  faith.  He 
died  at  the  age  of  eiglu_\-fiiur,  and  his  wife  when  past  middle  age.  They 
were  the  p^raents  of  four  children,  .Margaret,  Elizabeth,  Hannah  and  Cornelius. 

William  Ruble  was  mavried  to  Lydia  Henry,  who  was  born  in  1S73, 
daughter  of  Aaron  and  Sarah  (Powell)  Henry,  and  to  this  union  have  been 
born  three  children,  Lee  Elarold,  Arnold  Cilenn  and  Shirley.  Aaron  Henry, 
the  father  of  Mrs.  Ru,ble,  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  as  is  also  his  wife.  They 
row  reside  at  Aurora,  wliere  'Sir.  Ilenrv  is  a  park  policeman.  He  ser\ed 
during  the  Ci\il  \\'ar  in  ihe  Ele\enth  Regiment,  Kentuck)-  Volunteer  In- 
fantry. To  him  and  his  wife  were  bcirn  nine  children.  Susie,  Laura,  Annie, 
Lydia,  Mar)-,  James,  Walter,  Jesse  and  Albert.  The  paternal  grandfather 
of  ~Mrs.  Ruble  Vvas  Aaron  Henrw  Sr.  He  and  his  wife  were  nati\es  c>f 
Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  and  both  lived  to  old  age,  leaving  three  children, 
Jesse,  Aaron  and  Lydia.  ]>Irs.  Ruble's  Grandfather  Lowell  was  also  a  native 
of  Dearborn  county. 

Mr.  Ruble,  by  perseverance  and  good  management,  has  added  to  his 
possessions,  and  now  stands  in  line  as  one  of  the  useful  and  substantial  citi- 
zens of  Aurora. 


-.;,..;  ;,    '■   ,,,  ^    ,   .  .         JOHNE.  \TNUP. 

The  gentleman  whose  name  is  noted  above  has  been  a  resident  of  Au- 
rora, where  he  is  a  well-known  general  merchant,  long  enough  to  become  a 
part  of  the  force  tliat  makes  the  wheels  of  the  city  go  'round.  Everv  man 
thus  contributing  toward  the  making  of  history  is  entitled  to  his  full  share 
of  recognition  in  the  biographical  records  of  the  count^■. 

John  I''.  \'inup  was  born  on  September  22,  1868,  in  Ohio  county.  Indiana, 
a  son  of  Henry  and  ]\Iary  (Oatman)  Viiuip.  He  was  educated  in  the  dis- 
trict and  parochial  schools  and  remained  at  home  on  the  farm  tmtil  grown, 
when  he  was  employed  b\  the  month  at  farm  work  until  he  was  about  twer.tv- 
seven  years  of  age.  Believing  he  would  like  a  commercial  life,  he  bought  a 
general  store  at  Bear  Branch,  in  Ohio  county,  and  in  about  seven  vears  dis- 
posed of  it,  in  190 1,  and  moved  tt)  Aurora,  where  he  bought  tlie  obi  Mavi)in 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  835 

dry  goods  and  general  mercliandise  store,  whicli  was  tlien  owned  !iv  William 
Sti\er,  and  moved  to  his  present  location,  continuing-  in  the  husiness  to  the 
present  time,  covering  a  period  of  over  fourteen  years.  He  has  built  up  a 
large  and  prosperous  business  and  employs  several  clerks.  Mr.  X^inuji  is  a 
Republican  and  both  he  and  his  v/ife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Henry  and  ]\Iary  (Oatman)  Yinup  were  natives  of  GernKun-.  Mr. 
Vinup  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  home  town,  and  came  to  .\mcric,-i  w  ith 
his  parents  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  located  in  Ohio  connt\-,  where 
he  engaged  in  farming,  and  became  the  owner  f)f  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  land,  where  he  reared  his  family.  He  died  on  tlie  home  farm  in 
1903,  aged  seventy-six  years,  seven  months  and  nine  days.  His  widow  died 
in  1910,  aged  about  seventy  years.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Lutheran 
church,  and  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  namely  :  Henry,  who  make  his 
home  in  Ohio  county:  Caroline,  who  married  Charles  Luke,  of  Ca?sar  Creek 
township,  this  cminty:  William,  who  li\es  in  the  same  township:  Anna,  who 
married  \\'illiam  Laker,  of  Clay  township;  John  F.,  the  immediate  subject 
of  this  sketch :  Sophia,  the  wife  of  Herman  Berner,  of  Clay  township:  George, 
who  lives  on  the  home  place  in  Ohio  county,  and  Lucinda,  the  wife  of  Fred 
Ohlmanseak,  of  C;esar  Creek  township,  this  county. 

Mr.  \'inup's  paternal  grandfather  was  a  teacher  and  farmer.  His  wife 
died  in  Germany  and  he  died  in  Ohio  county,  Indiana.  Thev  were  the  parents 
of  the  following  children :  Andrew,  Henry,  William  and  Catherine,  the  latter 
of  whom  is  the  onlv  one  now  li\'ing.  Grandfather  Vinup  was  twice  married 
and  had  two  children  b}-  the  second  marriage,  Charles  and  Jelta,  both  now 
deceased.  Mr.  Vinup's  maternal  grandparents,  Frank  and  Mary  Oatman, 
came  from  Germany  and  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Ohio  count\ ,  where 
he  followed  farming  and  where  he  spent  his  last  da}s,  dying  at  the  age  of 
eighty-five.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children;  Mar_\-,  Will- 
iam, Henr}-,  Margaret,  Louisa  and  Fmma. 

John  F.  \^inup  was  married  to  Amelia  C.  Luke,  to  which  union  one 
sou  has  been  born,  Eugene,  who  died  at  the  age  of  five  years.  Mrs.  X'inup 
was  born  on  July  8.  iSoj,  in  Cffisar  Creek  township,  this  county.  The 
parents  of  Mrs.  Vinup  \\ere  early  settlers  in  Dearborn  county,  aiul  died  on 
the  home  farm  in  Crcsar  Creek  to\vnship.  They  were  the  parents  (-)f  the  fol- 
lowing children:  William,  who  was  killed  in  battle  during  the  C\\i\  War: 
Caroline,  John,  Charles,  Rosa,  Hannah  and  Amelia. 

J<.ihn  r".  \'inup  occupies  a  position  of  high  esteem  in  the  estimation  of 
the  citizens  of  his  home  town  and  is  alwa}'S  courteous  and  an:\ious  to  plea^e 
the  public  in  every  possible  way. 


836  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

EDWARD  HOLTHAUSE. 

After  various  vicissitudes  and  misfortunes,  the  plucky  man  to  whom 
the  name  at  the  head  of  the  following  biographical  sketch  belongs,  has  estab- 
lished himself  in  a  prosperous  and  remunerative  business,  to  the  success  of 
which  he  is  thoroughly  entitled.  His  undertaking  and  livery  establishment, 
at  Aurora,  this  county,  is  one  of  the  best-equipped  and  most  up-t(^-date  in 
this  communit}',  where  he  has  an  extensive  circle  of  friends  and  is  well  known 
throughout  an  area  extending  to  a  distance  far  beyond  the  precincts  of  his 
home  town.  His  courteous  attention  tn  the  wants  of  his  customers  has  dnne 
much  towards  insuring  the  successful  business  which  aimually  comes  his  way. 

Edward  Holthause  was  \x<Tn  on  X<ivember  .|.  1858,  at  Covington. 
Kentucky,  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth  (>ilauntcl)  Holthause.  He 
was  reared  and  educated  at  Covington,  attending  the  parochial  schools,  after 
which  he  entered  Nelson's  Business  College.  Upon  finishing  school,  he 
learned  the  upholstering  trade,  and  later  the  molding  trade,  which  he  fol- 
lowed until  ]\Iarch  26,  1S81,  at  which  time  he  went  into  business  for  himself, 
starting  a  small  upholstering  and  repairing  business,  making  mattresses, 
etc.,  in  Lawrenceburg,  this  county.  In  18S2  Mr.  Holthause  lost  everything' 
he  had  in  the  flood  of  that  }-ear.  necessitating  a  new  start  in  business.  In 
1883  he  located  at  Aurora,  engaging  in  the  furniture  and  undertaking  busi- 
ness, which  he  later  discontinued  and  mo\'ed  to  Washington,  Indiana,  where 
he  was  engaged  for  more  than  four  years  in  the  same  line.  Selling  out  there, 
he  moved  to  Cincinnati  and  engaged  in  a  livery  and  undertaking  business 
which  in  nineteen  months  he  sold  and  then  returned  to  Aurora,  where  he  has 
since  followed  the  same  vocation.  Mr.  Holthause  introduced  the  first  rubber- 
tired  bugg}'  and  surrey  into  Dearborn  county,  also  the  first  white  hearse  and 
funeral  car  and  amliulrmce  fitted  w  ith  rubber  tires,  and  claims  to  have  had  one 
of  the  first  gasoline  automobiles  in  Dearborn  county.  He  was  one  of  the 
first  embalmers  in  the  state  of  Indiana,  having  graduated  from  the  Clark 
School  of  Embalming,  at  Indianapolis,  in  18S7.  Professor  Clark  told  him 
at  that  time  that  he  was  the  youngest  man  on  his  roll  in  the  state.  IMr.  Holt- 
hause passed  the  state  board  examinations  for  embalming  in  both  Indiana 
and  Kentucky.  In  1885  and  1S86  he  was  assistant  superintendent  of  the 
Aurora  Valley  Eurniture  Company,  which  position  he  abandoned  to  go  into 
the  furniture  business  for  himself.  bu\ing  out  Matthew  Herring.  Politically, 
Mr.  Holthause  is  a  Dennocrat.  and  has  shown  his  public  spirit  by  serving  on 
the  township  advisory  board  for  several  years,  of  which  board  he  is  now 
president.     He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church.     He  belongs 


l-i-l    •  .   I.->.-.r!  '-r 


DEAKBORN    COUNTV,    INDIANA.  837 

to  St.  Joseph's  Society,  and  lias  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  ttic  \\elfare 
of  Aurora,  liaving  disphned  his  pubhc  spirit  b}-  estabhsliing  a  city  morgue 
and  an  emergency  hospital 

Benjamin  Hohhause,  father  of  Edward  Hohhause,  was  born  at 
Bentheini.  Germany,  where  he  attended  schnol  until  fourteen  years  of  age, 
and  then  came  to  America  with  his  parents,  who  settled  at  Covington,  Ken- 
tucky, where  he  grew  to  manhood.  He  was  a  molder  by  trade,  which  he 
followed  until  his  death,  which  occtu'recl  at  Co\'ington,  in  1896.  lie  was  a 
teamster  during  the  Civil  ^\'ar,  and  dri;>ve  a  six-mule  team  tc")  a  commissary 
wagon,  hauling  provisions  and  ammunition.  Elizabeth  (Mauntcl)  Hohhause. 
his  wife,  was  also  a  native  of  Germany,  her  birth  occurring  at  Ossenljrcck. 
At  an  early  day  ]\Ir.  Holthause  and  his  wife  became  members  of  the  Catholic 
church.  She  siu'vives  him,  and  is  now  seventy-nine  \'ears  of  age.  Thev  were 
the  parents  of  the  following  children,  Edward,  of  Aurora;  Sarah,  who  mar- 
ried Clement  Hembrock.  of  Covington,  Kentucky;  Anna  and  iMary.  both 
single,  who  mak'e  their  home  in  Covington,  Kentucky,  and  five  others,  who 
died  young.  Mrs.  Holthause  came  with  her  parents  to  America  wdien  bt;t  ten 
years  old,  and  settled  at  Cincinnati,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was 
married.  Air.  Holthausc's  paternal  grandparents  were  "Benjamin  and  Char- 
lotte Holthause.  the  former  a  shoemaker  by  trade.  Both  died  at  Co\ington 
at  ripe  old  ages.  The}-  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  Benjamin,  Anthony 
and  a  daughter,  Anna.  Mr.  Holthause's  maternal  grandfather,  Louis  [Maun- 
tel,  followed  teaming  at  Cincinnati,  where  he  owned  a  number  of  teams. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  died  there,  he  at  the  age  of  ninety-four,  and  she  at' 
ninety-eight.     Among  their  childreri  were  John.  Elizabeth  and  Frank. 

Edward  Holthause  was  niarried  on  November  5,  18S0,  to  Belle  Biasing, 
born  at  Lawrenceburg,  daug'hter  of  Eawrcnce  and  Barbara  Biasing,  who  dicl 
twii  years  after  her  marriage,  at  the  age  of  twenty- three.  One  son  was  born 
to  that  union.  Edward,  Jr.,  who  is  following  the  undertaking  business  at 
Lincoln.  Nebraska. 

Lawrence  Biasing,  father  of  Airs.  Belle  Holthause,  was  a  native  of 
Germany, 'and  her  mother  was  born  in  Hardintown,  Dearborn  county,  In- 
diana, JMarch  6,  1S34,  and  died  on  August  7,  1914.  at  Lawrenceburg,  aged 
eighty  years,  five  mcMiths  and  one  day.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents 
of  two  daughters  and  two  sons,  Belle,  Lawrence.  Charles  and  Lucy,  the  two 
latter  being  the  only  ones  now-  living. 

On  May  25.  18S5.  Edward  Holthau>e  married,  secondly.  Maggie  Car- 
roll, daughter  of  Patrick  and  Maiw  rDumeen)  Carroll,  to  which  union  two 
children  were  born,  John  and  Millie,  both  of  whrnn  died  of  diphtheria,  the 


838  DEARRORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

former  at  the  age  of  five  years  and  the  latter  at  the  age  of  three  years. 
Patrick  Carroll,  father  of  !Mrs.  Maggie  Holthause,  was  born  in  Ireland  and 
came  to  America,  locating  at  Chattanoog-a,  Tennessee,  \\here  he  died,  .\tlcr 
the  death  of  her  husband  I\Irs,  Carroll,  who  also  was  a  native  of  Ireland, 
moved  to  Aurora,  about  1S70,  with  her  two  chiMren,  Fr;uik  and  Maggie. 
She  was  married  there  to  INIartin  Cochran,  who  died  aged  seventy  }-ear^ 
There  were  no  children  born  to  this  union.  ]Mrs.  Cochran  died  in  1905,  at 
the  age  of  sixty  years. 

Mr.  Holthause  is  ver_\'  popular  in  a  social  way,  being  a  member  of  the 
City  Business  ]\Ien's  Club,  and  i)f  the  Automobile  Club,  and  is  chairman  nf 
the  good  roads  committee  of  the  Ohio  \'alley  3.totor  Club.  He  is  a  thor- 
oughly enterprising  and  successful  business  man  and  enjoys  the  respect  and 
confidence  of  all  his  business  associates. 


GEORGE  DEMAS. 


The  biographer  is  pleased  to  include  in  this  volume  the  sketch  of  a  man 
who  belongs  to  the  type  of  foreign-l;orn  citizens  that  this  country  should  de- 
light to  honor.  Bereft  of  a  mother's  tender  care  at  the  age  of  six,  and  in 
other  ways  handicapped,  ]\Ir.  Demas  earl}^  decided  that  he  would  win  in  the 
battle  of  life,  and  so  steadily  has  he  held  to  his  purpose  that  now  in  his  young 
manhood,  he  has  realized  his  ambition,  and  has  become  an  .\merican  citizen 
respected  by  those  countrymen  with  whom  lie  has  made  his  adopted  home, 
Mr.  Demas,  who  owns  a  large  and  attractive  ice  cream  parlor  and  confection- 
ery store  in  .-\urora,  this  count}',  was  liorn  in  the  city  of  Trekkala,  state  of 
Thessaly,  Greece,  August  20,   1S81, 

George  Demas  and  his  brother,  James,  a  confectioner  of  Seymour,  In- 
diana, were  the  only  children  of  Nicholas  and  Rena  (Spanos)  Demas,  natives 
of  Trekkala.  Greece.  Both  parents  died  at  a  comparati\'ely  earh-  age,  the 
father  being  forty-eight,  and  the  mother  only  twent\--si.x,  when  they  left  iheir 
sons  to  the  mercy  of  the  world  and  their  own  brave  hearts.  They  died  in 
Trekkala,  he  in  1S96,  and  she  in  1SS7,  and  were  buried  with  the  ceremonies 
of  their  church,  the  Greek  Orthodox  Catholic.  The  father's  father  was  James 
Demas,  and  he  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of  Nicholas  and  A^asclcke. 
The  latter  married  Athanese  Vowondas,  and  is  now  a  widow  in  Trekkala. 
Unfortunately,  the  family  history  of  the  subject's  mother,  a  brave  industrious 
little  woman,  is  lost.  But  many  of  her  estimable  traits  of  character,  it  is  said, 
survi\-e  in  her  children.  ■• 


>'M 


DEARBORN   COUNTY.   INDIANA.  839 

George  Denias  spent  his  bo}hood  in  classic  old  Greece,  receiving  his  edu- 
cation in  Trekkala.  a  cit}-  of  twenty-five  tliousand  inhahitants.  A  lad  of  six 
when  his  mother  was  taken,  he  grew  ti5  young  manhood  in  his  nati\'e  city, 
;uid  was  onlv  twent\-two  _\"ears  of  age,  ^vhen  b^■  his  own  efforts,  he  managed 
1(1  cross  the  ocean  and  land  in  New  York  with  scarcely  anything  ni'ire  than 
\,n\)r  and  faith  iu  himself  as  his  capital.  On  the  night  of  his  arrival  in  .Amer- 
ica, January  2,  1903.  George  Demas  departed  for  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  for- 
tunately, he  met  some  friends.  Putting  to  them  the  very  practical  question 
as  to  what  vocation  it  would  be  best  for  him  to  follow  in  the  new  country, 
he  was  advised  to  become  a  confectioner,  and  he  was  sent  to  Columbus.  Oliio. 
to  work  for  the  firm  of  Zaharako  Brothers.  From  this  time  on,  until  he 
finalh-  settled  in  .Aurora,  his  life  was  somewhat  \aried  as  to  residences,  but 
each  change  of  place  was  made  for  the  purpose  of  bettering  his  materird  con- 
dition. Having  worked  two  years  for  the  above-mentioned  firm,  Air.  Demas 
went  into  business  in  partnership  with  his  brother  in  Columbus,  Indiana,  a 
partnership  which  lasted  for  five  years.  Removing  to  Connersville,  Indiana, 
George  Demas  started  in  a  business  enterprise  for  himself,  remaining  in  that 
town  for  eighteen  months.  The  two  following  years,  he  had  a  store  in  Wa- 
bash, Indiana,  and  then  spent  a  similar  period  of  the  time  in  New  Albany, 
Indiana,  from  which  place  he  went  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  where  he  re- 
mained one  }'ear,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  went  to  Brazil,  Indiana,  where 
he  remained  for  a  short  time,  and  in  1913,  liicated  at  Aurora,  where  he  opened 
a  most  attractive  ice-cream  parlor  and  confectionery  shop.  There  he  has 
exercised  all  of  his  knowledge  and  skill  in  the  manufacture  of  sweets,  and 
so  successful  has  he  been  that  his  well-kept  establishment  is  acknowledged 
to  be  the  center  of  an  enviable  trade. 

George  Demas  has  not  lived  alone  all  of  these  years,  for  on  October  14, 
1910,  Alary  Athanaseade  became  his  bride.  Airs.  Demas  is  the  daughter  of 
-Anthony  and  Klyo  (Alavros)  Athanaseade,  and  was  born  in  V'olo,  Greece, 
in  1885.  Her  father  died  there  in  February,  1915.  at  the  age  of  eighty-one 
years.  The  motlier.  who  is  now  fifty  years  of  age,  is  still  living.  The  five 
children  born  to  this  couple  are  Mary,  Arestaer,  Demetra,  Athanase  and  Jones. 
During  all  of  his  mature  life,  the  father  was  a  wholesale  grocer.  Air.  and 
Airs.  Demas.  are  members  of  the  Greek  Catholic  church,  and  Air.  Demas,  who 
since  coming  to  this  country  has  become  .somewhat  interested  in  our  politics, 
votes  the  Democratic  ticket. 

Although  at  first  unfamiliar  with  our  language  and  customs.  Air.  Demas 
has  overcome  this  handicap,  and  by  his  industry,  ambition  and  persrjnal  char- 
acteristics has  won  not  only  success,  but  the  respect  of  the  citizens  of  his  adop- 


1 


840  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

ted  home.  He  is  a  wide  awake  biisine.'^s  man,  and  has  contributed  something 
to  the  commercial  interests  of  tlie  town  in  which  lie  has  chosen  to  make  his 
home.  Both  Mr.  and  ^Jrs.  Demas  have  many  friends  and  are  held  in  high 
esteem  by  all  who  know  them. 


WI].L.\RD  :d.  DEAN. 


To  do  justice  to  the  bi'.'graphical  sketch  of  a  successful  professional  man  is 
a  difficult  task  in  the  sjjace  allutted  in  a  volume  of  this  nature,  for  no  doubt 
there  would  be  sufficient  in.teresting  data  in  the  experience  of  a  man  holding 
the  p'lsitiyn  of  prosecuting  attorney  to  fill  more  than  a  volume  of  this  size; 
but  when  it  is  pointed  out  that  a  man  has  made  a  success  of  any  undertaking  in 
life,  it  speaks  volumes;  for  in  these  days  of  competition  and  scientific  training, 
the  m.an  who  climbs  to  the  top  possesses  a  force  beyond  the  average. 

W'illard  yi.  Dean,  for  many  years  a  prominent  and  well-known  attrirne\- 
at-law  at  .\urora,  this  county,  and  nuw  prosecuting-  attornev  fur  the  se\enth 
judicial  circuit  of  Indiana,  cumprising  the  counties  of  Dcarljurn  and  Ohio, 
was  born  un  October  4,  1S70,  ai  Cochran,  now  a  part  of  Aurora,  a  son  of  John 
and  Cecelia  (  Dobel)  Dean.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Cochran,  and 
later  went  to  St.  Mar_\''s  parochial  school  at  Aurora.  His  first  emi)loyment 
^vas  in  the  capacity  of  a  machinist  but  continued  thus  engaged  frir  a 
short  time  only,  his  inclination  being  in  the  direction  of  the  law.  and  he 
scion  entered  the  ^McDonald  Law  School  .at  Cincinnati  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1904,  being  admitted  to  the  bar  the  same  vear.  He  also  took' 
a  course  in  the  law  department  of  the  Michigan  Universitv  at  Ann  .\rbor, 
^Michigan,  \^■here  he  performed  regular  wi.irk  in  the  literarv  departn.ient.  Mr. 
Dean  established  his  law  offices  at  Aurora  in  1906,  and  built  up  a  very  suc- 
cessful legal  practice.  He  lield  the  position  of  cit\-  attornev  for  three 
years,  and  in  1914,  was  elected  to  the  office  of  prosecuting  attornev  for  the 
seventh  judicial  circuit,  resigning  as  city  attorney  on  December  31,  1914,  and 
at  once  entered  upon  his  duties  as  prosecuting  attorney.  On  January  i,  1915, 
r^Ir.  Dean  associated  with  him  his  brother,  John  Dean,  Jr.,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Dean  &  Dean.  John  Dean,  Jr.,  is  a  graduate  of  the  Aurora  high 
school,  and  also  attended  the  parochial  school  at  Aurora.  He  was  graduated 
from  the  Indiana  University,  at  EIo(.imington,  in  iQii,  after  which  he  \vas 
engaged  in  the  sale  of  law  bor.ks,  traveling  from  place  to  place  for  a  period 
of  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  took  a  post-graduate  course  at  Cin- 
cinnati,  just  prior  to  entering  into  partnership  v.-ith  his  brother,    W'illard. 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  84 1 

He  was  elected  city  attorney  in  January.  19 15.  Mr.  Dean  and  liis  brother 
are  still  bachelors,  and  both  belong  to  the  Catholic  church.  They  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  the  Dearborn  County  Bar  Association  and 
the  Aurora  Commercial  Club. 

John  Dean,  father  of  Willard  M.  Dean,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  came  to  this  county  as  a  small  boy  locating  at  Cochran  where  he  was 
employed  as  a  machinist  in  the  old  Stedman  foundry  and  machine  works  for 
many  years.  His  wife,  Cecelia  (Dobel)  Dean,  was  born  in  County  ]vIayo, 
Ireland.  Their  children  were  eight  in  number,  namely:  James  V.,  of  Kansas 
City,  Missouri;  Silas  D..  of  Aurora.  Indiana;  Willard  M..  the  subject  of  this 
sketch:  Anna  M..  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Aurora;  Cecelia  yi.,  a 
teacher  in  the  academy  at  Asheville,  North  Carolina;  Rosella  G..  who  mar- 
ried Fred  J.  Dober.  of  Richmond,  Indiana;  John,  Jr.,  law  partner  of  his 
brother  Willard,  and  Theodosia  R. 

The  senior  John  Dean  was  the  son  of  Peter  and  Bridget  (  Cochran)  Dean, 
natives  of  County  ^layo.  Ireland,  who  came  to  xA.merica  about  1840,  locating  in 
Pennsylvania,  whence  they  came  to  Indiana,  locating  at  Wilmington,  from 
which  point  they  moved  to  Aurora,  atid  finally  settled  at  Cochran.  Peter  Dean 
was  drowned  when  comparati\-ely  a  young  man  and  his  widow  lived  to  the 
age  of  seventv-eight  vears.  She  died  at  Cincinnati  and  was  buried  in  River 
View  cemeterv-  by  the  side  of  her  husband.  They  were  the  parents  of  three 
children,  John,  3.1ary,  the  wife  of  Patrick  Feeley.  and  ]\[ichael. 

Mr.  Dean's  mother  was  the  daughter  of  James  and  r\[ary  (McGrath) 
Dobel,  natives  of  the  County  Mayo.  Ireland,  and  early  settlers  in  Dearborn 
county.  Tames  Dobel  was  a  contractor  and  stone  mason,  who  lived  to  be 
eighty-seven  years  old.  his  wife  living  to  the  age  ijf  seventy-nine.  Tlxy 
were  the  parents  of  six  children,  Patrick.  Anthony.  Cecelia.  Luke.  ]Mary  and 
Julia. 

The  well-known  law  firm  of  Dean  &  Dean,  is  doing  a  thriving  legal 
practice,  and  bids  fair  to  become  one  of  the  most  successful  law  finns  in  Dear- 
born county,  the  members  of  this  progressive  firm  being  very  popular  du-ough- 
out  this  section  of  the  state,  their  practice  bringing  them  in  connection  with 
affairs  bevond  the  confines  of  their  home  county.  Both  are  Democrats  ard 
are  earnestly  interested  in  the  political  affairs  of  their  home  county.  Willard 
M.  Dean  is  secretary  of  the  Democratic  central  committee  and  his  counsels  in 
the  delilxirations  of  the  party  managers  in  this  county  receive  much  weight. 
He  is  public  spirited  and  enterprising,  taking  a  warm  interest  in  all  matters  per- 
taining to  the  advancemeiU  of  the  better  affairs  of  this  county  and  enjoys 
the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  entire  communitv. 


,.;.,    ■■:■;  fr 


S42  DEARr.ORX    COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

FRANK  HEFFEI3IIRE. 

Frank  Heffelmire  has  spent  the  greater  portion  of  his  hie  in  Caesar  Creek 
township,  where  he  has  successfully  followed  agriculture,  and  through  his 
sound  and  progressive  business  methods,  has  made  for  himself  a  name  that 
stands  at  the  head  as  an  enterprising  and  representative  citizen.  His  farm 
is  one  of  the  most  attractive  places  in  the  township,  and  consists  of  almost 
two  hundred  acres. 

Frank  Heffelmire  was  born  on  August  i.  1S64,  in  the  township  where 
he  now  resides.  He  is  a  son  of  Frederick  and  Caroline  (Tiepper)  Heffel- 
mire. His  education  was  obtained  in  C;csar  Creek  township  and  Farmers 
Retreat,  and  after  school  he  remained  on  the  farm  for  two  years,  assisting 
his  father.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  he  became  interested  in  seeing 
other  parts  of  the  country  and  took  a  trip  to  Nebraska  where  he  remained 
two  years,  returning  to  Caesar  Creek  and  bought  the  old  homestead,  con- 
sisting of  eightv  acres,  which  he  later  sold  and  bought  another  tract  of  ninety- 
two  acres,  to  which  he  added  one  hundred  acres  more,  and  is  still  lix'ing  on 
the  place.  ]Mr.  Heffelmire  has  always  given  his  ardent  support  to  the  Demo- 
cratic party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  of  which  all  the  other 
members  of  his  family  are  also  members. 

Frederick  and  Carolina  (Piepper)  Heffelmire.  parents  of  Frank  Heffel- 
mire, \\'ere  natives  of  Germany.  They  immigrated  to  .\merica  and  came  to 
Indiana,  settling  in  Csesar  Creek  township.  Dearborn  county,  where  ]Mr. 
Heffelmire  bought  eighty  acres  of  land,  on  which  he  lived  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1SS7,  at  sixty-nine  years  of  age.  Mr.  Heffelmire  was  mar- 
ried twice,  his  first  wife  Ijeing  Mary  ( Calkmier)  Heffelmire.  by  wh<  im  he 
had  three  children :  John,  Louisa  and  Julia.  By  his  second  wife,  Caroline 
(Piepper)  Heffelmire,  he  had  twelve  children:  Hein-y,  Eliza,  ^lary,  William, 
Amelia,  Elizabeth,  George,  Frank,  Fred,  Anna,  Caroline  and  Charlie.  Eliza 
and  Henry  died  in  infancy.  Caroline  (Piepper)  Fleffelmire  died  in  1013. 
aged  eightv-two  years,  after  \\hich  his  widow.  Caroline,  \\as  married  to 
Antex  Opp,  and  lived  at  Farmers  Retreat. 

Frank  Heffelmire  was  united  in  marriage  on  December  4,  1890,  to  Anna 
Linkmeyer,  daughter  of  Christian  and  ]\Iinnie  (Coleman)  Linkmeyer.  She 
was  born  on  March  4,  1866,  in  Cx-sar  Creek  township,  and  received  her  edu- 
cation in  the  district  schools.  To  this  union  five  children  were  born,  Clifford, 
Elmer,  Herbert,  Lawrence  and  Alina. 

Christian   and   ^Minnie    (Coleman)    Linkmeyer,   parents  of   ]Mrs.   Frank 


\  J    -■      .-,T| 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  843 

lleffelniire,  were  early  setllers  in  Cxsar  Creek  townsliip,  aucl  livcil  there  un- 
til tlicir  death.  Mr.  Liiikmeyer  cl_\'ing  in   1910,  aged  seventy-three  }ears. 

Mr.  Hcffelmire  i.s  a  gentleman  whose  dailv  life  has  been  upright,  and 
whose  in.dustrious  habits  have  set  a  good  example  for  his  children,  as  wx-ll 
as  others,  who  are  willing  to  learn  from  those  who  have  had  practical  ex- 
perience in  hotli  agriculture  and  the  important  business  of  being  a  gocjcl  and 
desirable  citizen.  '  ,,- 


FRANK  M.   COX. 


The  name  at  the  head  of  this  sketch  is  that  of  a  man  who  is  a  fine  ex- 
ample of  the  progressiv'C  instinct  and  determination  of  the  present  generati'm 
His  pathway  has  not  all  the  way  been  strewn  with  flowers,  lie  has  had 
his  full  share  of  thorns  and  "rainy  days,"  but  he  struggled  witli  the  tlmrns 
and,  with  the  knowledge  that  all  things  must  come  to  an  end,  he  i)LM-se\'ered 
until  the  sunshine  dro\'e  the  clouds  away,  and  is'  now  well  established  as  a 
representative  merch.ant  ijf  Aurora,  where  he  is  highly  respected  for  his  fine 
character  and  the  interest  he  takes  in  the  welfare  of  his  city. 

Frank  Ak  Cox  was  born  on  October  26.  1S59,  at  Bellevue  (now  Cram's 
Post  Office),  Kentucky,  son  of  Thomas  and  }\larietta  (Carson)  Cox.  When. 
he  was  three  years  old,  his  parents  moved  to  Petersburg,  Kentucky,  where  he 
attended  the  public  .scliools  until  thirteen  years  of  age,  and  then  engaged 
his  services  on  a  farm  b}-  the  month,  covering  a  period  of  four  }-ear3.  after 
which  he  was  employed  in  a  distillery  at  Petersburg,  remaining  thus  engaged 
until  twenty-one  years  old,  when  he  began  clerking  in  a  general  store,  after 
a  time  going  into  the  grocery  business  for  himself.  Fie  later  sold  his  grocery 
and,  in  July,  1S95,  located  in  Aurora,  where  he  entered  the  emplo}-  of  \\  .  \\\ 
Lamar,  remaining  thus  engaged  a  number  of  )'ears.  at  the  end  of  which  time 
he  purchased  the  general  store  of  R.  J.  Gardiner,  and  is  now  doing  a  verv- 
successful  business,  being  one  of  the  prosperous  merchants  of  Aumra.  Mr. 
Cox  is  a  Democrat,  to  which  party  he  has  always  given  his  loyal  support. 
While  in  Petersburg  he  was  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  one  term,  and 
since  locating  in  Aurora  served  as  councilman  for  two  years,  during  which 
time  many  improvements  were  made  in  the  way  of  street  paving,  cement 
sidewalks,  waterworks,  and  the  rebuilding  of  the  R(\val  wheel  works,  wliich 
had  burned.  Mr.  Cox  is  a  member  of  Harmony  Lodge  No.  69,  Knights  of 
Pythias,  of  which  he  is  a  charter  member,  and  also  is  a  member  of  Walla 
Walla  Tribe  No.  229,  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  and  of  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America,  in  the  latter  of  which  orders  he  has  been  verv  active. 


844  IIEAKI'.ORX    COLXTV.    INDIANA. 

Mr.  Cox  is  a  large  stockholder  in  the  Fortuiie  Mining-  Company,  whose  mine 
is  located  near  Prescott,  Arizona. 

Thomas  Cox,  lather  of  P'rank  M.  Cox.  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  where 
he  was  reared  on  a  farm.  He  moved  to  Kentucky  and  followed  various  pur- 
suits, but  was  a  miller  by  trade.  He  died  in  Petersburg,  Kentucky,  in  1S93, 
aged  sixty-three  years.  His  wife,  Marietta  (^^ Carson)  Cox,  was  also  a  native 
of  Virginia.  She  survived  her  husband  and  died  in  1910,  aged  seventy-six 
years.  The_\-  were  earl\-  settlers  at  l^ellevue,  Kentucky,  and  were  members 
of  the  Christian  church.  Th.ev  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  as  follow: 
Frank  M.,  of  Aurora;  \A'illiam,  deceased;  .Vllen  S.,  of  Indiatiapolis;  Charles, 
of  P^etersburg,  and  Anna,  who  is  the  wife  of  Levi  Spencer,  a  commission 
merchant  in  Chicago.  Thomas  Co.\  had  a  brother,  John,  and  his  wife  was 
one  of  four  children  born  to  her  parents,  the  others  being  Marion,  .\nn  ''.ud 
Arminta. 

Frank  'M.  Cox  was  united  in  marriage  on  June  7,  18S5,  tn  Lill_\'  IJ.  Mc- 
Guffin,  who  was  born  on  April  2,  1865,  at  Rising  Sun,  Indiana,  daughter  of 
Shannon  and  Harriet  (Stcgner)  ^IcGuffin,  to  which  union  two  daughters 
have  been  born,  Ethel  and  Frances.  Ethel,  who  was  graduated  from  the 
Aurora  high  school,  married  PMwin  ^\'.  Randall,  of  Chicago,  and  has  one 
son,  Marcus ;  Frances  clerks  in  her  father's  store.  Mr.  Cox  is  a  member  of 
the  Christian  church  and  ]\Irs.  Cox  and  her  daughters  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church. 

Shannon  McGuffin,  father  of  !Mrs.  Cox,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania 
and  his  wife  of  Indiana.  They  were  early  settlers  in  Ohio  county,  Indiana, 
and  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  namely:  Ouella,  Jerome,  ^Nlary, 
Lilly  P>.,  Perry,  Nellie  and  Richard. 

Mr.  Cox  is  one  of  the  enterprising  citizens  of  Aurora,  where  he  has 
a  large  circle  of  \varm  and  admiring  friends,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  held 
in  the  highest  esteem  by  all. 


LOUIS  D.   STOLE. 


Dealing  out  honest  measure  and  honest  meat  in  return  for  honest  money 
has  always  been  the  pivot  on  which  the  success  of  Louis  D.  Stoll's  business 
has  turned.  He  not  only  holds  his  old  customers,  but.  by  reason  of  the 
reputation  already  established,  he  is  constanth-  adding  new  ones.  In  treating 
one's  fellow  men  as  one  would  be  treated,  the  average  citizen  is  bound  to 
get  his  innings  in  the  long  nui,  and  tlie  square  deals  given  by  Mr.  St'^ll  all 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  845 

along'  life's  pathway  are  now  bringing  him  compound  interest  in  his  present 
line  of  business. 

Louis  D.  Stoll,  proprietor  of  tlie  Stoll  meat  market,  at  Aumra.  tliis 
county,  is  a  son  of  Leonhart  and  Caroline  (  Sauter)  Stoll.  He  was  l.iorn 
on  No\-ember  2,  1859,  at  Covington,  Kentucky,  where  he  attended  the  pa- 
rochial and  ])ublic  schools,  going  later  to  St.  Xavicr's  College,  at  Cinciun<ili. 
after  which  he  went  to  work  in  the  liutchcring  estaljlishnient  of  his  brother- 
in-law,  Peter  Fiinck,  at  Covington,  where  he  remained  fo'"  one  year,  at  the 
end  of  which  time,  in  1878,  he  mo\'ed  to  Aurora,  where  he  entered  into 
partnership  with  his  father  in  the  butchering  business,  which  arrangement 
was  continued,  with  the  exception  of  about  three  years,  until  his  father's 
death,  in  January.  1915,  since  which  time  he  and  his  l)r(.)tliers,  August  and 
William,  have  been  partners  in  business  under  the  firm  name  of  the  Stoll 
Meat  Company,  incorporated  with  a  capital  stoclc  df  three  thousand  dollars. 
The}-  have  a  strictly  first-cla^s  meat  market,  with  modern  improvements,  and 
do  an  extensive  business.  Politically,  ]\Ir.  Stoll  is  a  Republican,  and  his 
religious  belief  lies  with  the  Lutheran  church.  Pie  is  also  one  of  the  direc- 
tors of  the  Aurora  State  Bank. 

Leonliart  Stoll.  father  of  Louis  D.  Stoll,  was  born  on  September  10, 
182S.  in  Aluhlhausen,  Alsace,  his  mother  dying  when  he  was  but  three  clays 
old.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  he  left  home,  going  to  Paris,  then  to  Havre,  and 
later  immigrating  to  America,  landing  at  New  Orleans,  going  from  thence 
to  Louisville,  Kentuck}-,  and  from  there  to  Covingtun,  Kentucky.  He  was 
married  to  Karoline  Sauter  in  1S54,  and  this  happy  union  was  blessed  with 
eighteen  children,  ten  of  whom  are  still  living  to  testify  to  the  goodness  and 
nobility  of  their  highly  honored  parents.  Fifty-one  years  of  happy  wedded 
life  was  granted  this  g>:iod  man  and  his  wife.  They  celelirated  their  golden 
wedding  anniversary  in  ioo_|,  and  Mrs.  Stoll  died  in  the  following  _\ear. 

In  187S  Leonhart  Stoll  and  family  moved  to  Aurora,  and  there,  for 
nearly  thirty-se\'en  years,  he  lived  a  life  above  reproach;  reared  his  children 
to  noble  men  and  women  and  comlucted  so  wisely  his  business,  that  his  name 
stood  for  the  very  liest  in  his  line,  success  crowning  his  cnnscienlinus  efforts. 
Few  men  h.ad  more  friends  than  Mr.  Stoll  and  few  are  there  blessed  with  so 
noble  a  line  of  descendants;  ten  children,  forty-two  grandchildren  and  twelve 
gieat-grandchildren  being  left  to  mourn  their  loss.  At  the  venerable  age  of 
eighty-si.x  years,  four  months  and  eightecTi  fla_\s.  Leonhart  Stull  rests  in 
peace.  The  following  obituary  notice  from  a  local  paper  is  appropriate  at 
this  place :  .         ■ 


■ll-AU     ,.:f,   ['••     1. 


'.J. a.   ■  yi:      '  {n;, 


846  '  DEAKUOKX    COVSTY,   INIHANA. 

"Leonhart  Stoll,  one  of  our  most  highl\-  respected  citizens,  rlied  nt  Ins 
home  on  Park  avenue,  Friday,  January  ^9,  1915,  after  a  l)rief  illness.  He 
had  been  apparently  in  the  best  of  health,  but  on  Wednesday,  complained 
of  not  feeling  well,  when  a  pii}-sician  was  summoned  and  the  difficnltx" 
thought  to  be  overcome,  but  at  half-past  nine  b'riday  morning,  the  life  work 
of  Leonhart  Stoll  was  finished,  and  his  S()ul  passed  to  the  "great  bescmd."  " 
Mr.  Stoll  was  buried  in  Ri\er  \"iew  cemeier)-.  The  children  of  Leonhart 
and  Karoline  (Sauter)  Stoll,  now  li\-ing,  are  as  follow:  Catherine,  Louis 
D.,  Josephine,  Caroline,  Flora,  August,  Bcrnardena,  Anna,  ^largaret  and 
\\^illiam,  the  other  eight  having  died  while  young.  Catherine  is  the  wife 
of  Peter  Funck,  and  resides  at  Aurora;  Louis  D.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
also  lives  at  Aurora;  Josephine  became  the  wife  of  John  Pelgan  and  re>ides 
at  San  b^rancisco,  California;  Caroline  is  now  ?\Irs.  Robert  Dean,  of  Indianaj)- 
olis ;  Flora  married  Joseph  .Maffe_\-,  of  Kiplc_\"  county,  Indiana;  August,  as-  >- 
ciated  with  his  jirotber,  Louis,  in  business,  also  makes  his  hoiue  at  ,\urora; 
Bernardena  is  ]Mrs.  Theodore  Loerr,  of  Lidianapolis ;  Aima  is  the  wife  of 
Frederick  Schmitz,  of  Covington,  Kentucky;  Margaret  is  the  widow  of  Harry 
Siemantel,  of  Aurora,  and  William,  also  of  Aurora,  is  associated  in  business 
with  his  brothers,  Louis  D.  and  August.  The  modier  of  these  children  w;as 
the  daughter  of  Andreas  and  Bernardena  (Lieberman)  Sauter,  natives  of 
Germany  and  early  settlers  at  Covington,  Kentucky,  wdiere  they  died  well  ad- 
vanced in  years.  They  were  blessed  with  seven  children,  namely:  Caroline, 
August  Benjamin.  ]^Iary,  Flrira.  Pemielia  and  Bernardine. 

Louis  G.  Stoll  was  united  in  marriage  on  November  24,  iSSo,  to  Sarah 
Evansberg,  who  was  born  on  b'ebruar\-  7,  1859.  at  Covington,  Kentucky, 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Christina  (  Huttenlocher)  Evansberg",  to  which  union 
have  been  born  two  children,  A\'alter  and  John  C.  Walter  died  when  three 
years  old  and  John  C.  is  engaged  in  the  meat  busin.ess  at  Oak  Creek,  Colorado. 
He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Jennie  Wintersohl,  by  whom  he  has  had  one 
child — John.      Mrs.  Stoll  is  an  earnest  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Jacob  and  Cliristina  (Huttenlocher)  Evansberg,  parents  of  ]\h's.  Stoll. 
were  natives  of  Germany,  and  early  settlers  at  Covington,  Kentucky,  botii 
of  whom  are  now  deceased,  the  former  dying  in  1915,  aged  eighty-three 
years.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children  ;  William,  Caroline. 
Mollie,  }iIarA ,  John,  Frederick,  Michael  and  Emma. 

Louis  G.  Stoll  commands  the  respect  and  esteem  of  the  communitv  in 
which  he  resides,  and  in  point  of  progressiveness  and  keen  business  judgment, 
has  few  superiors. 


■:'t''  DEARBORN'   COUNTY,    INDIANA.  '  8^7 

..-..::.,.  EDWARD    SCHL'LZ.     . 

Having-  tried  varimis  comljinations  in  his  nati\c  cit_\',  and  not  hcinc;  en- 
tirely satisfied  with  the  field  offered  for  the  display  of  his  qualifications, 
F.flward  Schiilz  al)andoned  th.e  state  of  his  Ijirth  and  selected  th"  grijwiny 
and  jirosperous  little  city  of  Ain-<_)ra,  which  has  returned  him  gin  id  interest 
on  his  imestnient,  and  he  now  stands  at  the  head  in  his  particular  line  nf 
husiness.  owning  one  of  the  hest-equipjied  merchant-tailoring  and  men's 
eliitliing-  establishments  in  Aurora,  where  he  is  always  prejjared  to  meet  the- 
wants  of  his  large  and  loyal  list  of  customers. 

Edward  Schulz  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Josephine  (Licln'nger)  Schulz, 
and  was  born  on  I^'ebruary  21,  1S61,  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he  was  reared 
and  attended  the  public  schools.  After  leaving  school,  his  first  emplovnient 
was  in  a  grocerv  store,  where  he  remained  two  years  on  a  weekly  salarv  of 
one  dollar  and  fifty  cents.  He  then  was  engaged  with  Meyers  &  Demicli.  in 
the  furnishing  goods  business  in  Cincinnati,  after  which  he  was  with  H.  & 
G.  Eeder  in  the  same  line  for  about  eight  years,  and  then  tcok  charge  of  th.e 
wholesale  establishment  of  Bell,  iMiller  &  Company,  now  "d'he  h'air,"  at 
the  corner  of  Sixth  and  Race  streets.  After  a  period  of  service  with  that 
concern  lasting  about  six  years,  iMr.  Schul.7  severed  his  association  with  that 
firm  and  in  iS8g  moved  to  Aurora,  where  he  and  his  brother,  William,  en- 
gagc'l  in  the  clothing  and  furnishing  business  together  for  two  vears,  at  the 
end  of  which  time  he  bought  his  brother's  interest  and,  in  1894.  toiik  his 
brother,  Otto,  in  with  him.  In  1S96  Otto  went  to  Columbus.  Indiana,  since 
which  time  Edward  Schulz  has  been  conducting  the  business  alone.  He  has 
a  fine  store,  and  carries  a  large  stock  of  goods,  engaging'  in  a  general  mer- 
chant-tailoring line,  handling  a  fine  line  of  men's  clothing.  He  is  a  th(.ir- 
oughly  up-to-date  haberdasher,  employing  a  number  of  clerks.  In  addition 
to  the  foregoing  ]Mr.  Schulz  is  president  of  the  \A'ymond  Cooperage  Com- 
pany, of  Aurora,  a  director  of  the  Indianapolis  Chair  and  Furniture  Company, 
of  Aurora,  and  a  stockholder  in  the  Aurora  Creamery  Company.  He  is  a 
Republican  and  his  fraternal  alliances  are  with  Aurora  Lodge  Xo.  51.  b'ree 
and  Accepted  Masons:  Aurora  Chapter  No.  13,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  .Vurora 
Commander}-  Xo.  17.  Knights  Templar;  Harmony  Lodge  Xo.  69,  Knights  of 
I'ythias;  Walla  Walla  Tribe  Xo.  229,  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  and  the 
Royal  Arcanum,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Aurora  Comn-iercial  Club. 

Robert  and  Josephine  (  Lichinger)  Schulz.  parents  of  Edward  Schulz. 
were  natives  of  Germany.  Robert  Schulz  w-as  reared  and  educated  in  the 
land  of  his  birth  and  came  to  America  when  a  young  man,  locating  in  Cin- 


I     -,!    V:    !   -I 


84S  DEARBORN    COUXTYj    INDIANA. 

cinnati,  where  he  followed  the  trade  of  a  machinist,  dying  there  is  1SS5,  at^ed 
fifty-seven  years.  His  wife  survived  him  and  died  in  1903,  aged  sixtv-eight 
years.  The}-  were  both  nieniljcrs  of  the  Evangelical  church.  Being  an 
expert  mechanic,  Mr.  Schulz  was  employed  on  the  construction  of  the  gov- 
ernment monitiMs  during  tlie  Civil  War.  To  this  couple  were  horn  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Amelia  (^ deceased),  who  was  the  wife  of  .Vlexander 
Demick;  Edward,  who  lives  at  Aurora;  Otto,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  William, 
and  one  who  tlied  in  infancy.  Robert  Schulz's  father  was  a  member  of  the 
lesser  nobility  in  German)-  and  was  known  as  Von  Schulz.  lie  and  his  wife 
died  in  Germany,  where  he  was  an  (jffice  hokler.  llie\-  were  the  parents  of 
two  children.  Robert  and  Emil.  ^Ir.  Schulz's  maternal  grar.dfather  dieil  while 
crossing  the  water  and  was  buried  at  sea.  His  widow  came  to  .\merica  with 
her  children  and  settled  at  Cincinnati,  where  she  died.  Tlieir  children  were 
five  in  nunil>er,  namely:  Josephine,  v.ho  married  i'iobert  Schulz;  Catherine, 
Gerstel,  who  is  now  I\lrs.  Ulrich,  and  two  others,  one  of  whom  was  drowned 
in  the  Ohio  river  when  thirteen  years  old,  and  the  other  died  from  home- 
sickness at  Cincinnati. 

Edward  Schulz  was  married  on  November  24.  iSSS.  to  Rosa  Good, 
daughter  of  T'"ihn  and  Elizabeth  Gond,  to  which  union  the  following  children 
-were  born:  Edward,  a  clerk  in  liis  father's  store;  Arthur,  also  a  clerk  in  his 
father's  store,  married  'Slay  Reed,  of  Cincinnati,  and  has  one  child,  Joseph 
Arthur;  Rosa,  who  married  Walter  Rea,  of  West  .Vurora.  and  has  one  child, 
.Donald,  and  Amelia,  -vvho  married  Edgar  Hizer,  of  Center  township,  this 
county,  and  has  one  child,  Aldemore. 

Edward  Schulz  is  a  puljlic-si)irited  and  emeri)rising  business  man  of 
x-\urora,  and  always  takes  an  active  interest  in  the  welfare  and  progress  of  the 
citv  in  which  he  lives. 


EDWARD  BLAKE  LAMAR. 

In  contributing  materially  to  the  advancement  of  his  home  cit}',  Edward 
Blake  Lamar  has  accomplished  results  of  a  lasting  qualitv,  where  others  have 
made  sad  failures.  He  made  up  his  mind  early  in  life  that  the  vocation  of  a 
merchant  was  suited  to  his  particular  qualifications,  possibly  because  of  the 
business  already  establi.shed  by  his  father,  in  whose  employ  his  most  valuable 
training  was  secured.  At  any  rate,  he  decided  wisely,  since  he  has  built 
up  a  valuable  shoe  trade,  and  is  one  of  Aurora's  most  successful  shoe  mer- 
chants. 


DEARBORN    COUXTY,    INDIANA.  849 

Edward  Blake  Lamar  was  horn  on  July  22,  1852,  at  Maysville,  Mason 
county,  Kentucky,  a  son  of  William  W.  and  Elizabeth  E.  (Blake)  Lan;ar, 
natives  of  Ahar^'land.  His  education  was  secured  first  at  a  pnvate  school  at 
Maysville,  and  later  at  the  public  schools  at  Newport,  Kentucky,  after  which 
he  attended  Beach  Grove  Academy  under  Professor  Richardson,  who  also 
taught  r,en.  U.  S.  Grant  and  James  C.  Blaine.  After  leaving  school  Air.  Lamar 
liegan  clerking  in  his  father's  store  at  Aurora,  going'  from  there  to  St.  Louis, 
and  later  to  San  Francisco.  Returning  to  St.  Louis  he  was  married  there  and 
then  went  to  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  with  his  wife,  and  associated  himself  with 
Henry  Eiseman  in  the  dry  goods  Inisincss.  'Sir.  Lamar's  mother  died  while 
he  was  at  Council  Bluffs,  and  he  returned  to  Aurora  to  attend  the  funeral,  and 
shortly  afterward  moved  there,  and  has  been  in  the  shoe  business  in  tliat  citv 
for  the  past  twenty-five  years.  Politically  he  has  always  been  a  loval  Demo- 
crat. 

William  W.  Lamar  was  a  flatboatman  and  traded  on  tl'ic  river  between 
Cincinnati  and  New  Orleans,  and  for  a  time  li\ed  and  traded  among  the  Choc- 
taw Lidians  at  Jackson,  ^Mississippi.  He  was  married  in  Maryland  and  came 
West,  settling  at  ^Maysville,  Kentuck}',  where  ncarh-  all  his  children  were 
born.  He  moved  to  Aurora  in  1865  and  conducted  a  prosperous  business  for 
years.  His  death  occurred  there  at  t!ie  age  of  ninety-one  years,  blis  wife 
died  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
church.  3.[r.  Lamar  \vas  a  warm  personal  friend  of  General  Jackson,  whose 
acquaintance  he  made  while  in  ^Mississippi,  and  was  one  of  Jackson's  seconds 
when  the  latter  fought  his  historic  duel.  To  William  W.  and  Elizabeth 
(Blake)  Lamar  were  born  twelve  children,  as  folhjw :  Elizabeth  Eleanora, 
deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  William  Brewington;  Josephine,  who  married 
James  A.  Greer,  of  Covington,  Kentucky:  Catharine,  wh(.i  bc.ame  the  \\ife 
of  Merrill  Burlingame,  (.)f  St.  Louis,  Missiiuri :  Sallie,  who  married  l-'rank  M. 
Munson,  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania:  Williani  E.,  deceased;  John  Howard, 
deceased:  Edward  B.,  of  Aurora,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch:  ILiriT 
B.,  of  Terra  Haute,  Indiana;  Bessie,  the  wife  of  Buckner  Goodman,  of  Mays- 
ville, Kentucky,  and  three  others  who  died  young. 

]Mr.  Lamar's  maternal  grandfather  was  Edward  U.  Blake,  a  direct  de- 
scendant of  Admiral  Blake  of  the  English  navv,  and  was  entitled  to  display  the 
coat-of-arms  of  the  Blake  family.  He  and  his  wife,  who  was  a  Horsey,  were 
natives  of  Alaryland,  ]Mrs.  Blake  having  been  a  relative  of  President  Wash- 
ington's wife,  Martha  \\'ashington.  These  grandparents  came  west  and  set- 
tled at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  where  the\-  both  died  at  advanced  ages,  both  li\  ing  to  be 

(54) 


850  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

past  ninety.  INIr.  Blake  was  a  well  educated  man.  He  and  his  wife  were  !hc 
parents  of  three  children;  Elizabeth  E.,  Sarah,  and  Alary  Ann. 

Edward  Blake  Lamar  was  tmited  in  marriage  (..n  April  19,  1884.  to  Marie 
Heffern,  who  was  born  in  1862,  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  of  Irish  lineage. 
Her  parents  died  in  St.  Louis.  To  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Lamar  have  been 
born  five  children,  namely;  William  W".,  who  resides  at  St.  Louis,  and 
is  married;  Carroll,  who  died  in  Council  Bluffs,  when  thirteen  years  of  age; 
Harry  H.,  who  is  tra\'eling  for  the  Liggett  iS:  iMyers  Tobacco  Compan;,-,  of 
St.  Louis,  is  married  and  resides  at  Cincimiati ;  Elizabeth  Eleanor,  a  graduate 
of  the  Aurora  high  school,  is  librarian  in  the  Aurora  public  lifiran-,  and  Ed- 
ward B.,  Jr.,  a  stenotypist  in  the  real  estate  office  of  the  Big  Four  Railroad 
Company  at  Cincinnati,  v,ho  is  married. 

Mr.  Lamar  is  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  successful  shoe  dealers  of 
Aurora.  He  receives  a  large  trade  from  the  surrounding  territory,  where  his 
name  is  equally  as  well-known,  and  is  held  in  high  repute  throughout  this  en- 
tire section  of  the  state. 


\\TLLL\M  H.  LEIVE. 


Now  and  then  an  individual  is  found  who  started  out  on  his  life's  work 
with  the  pathway. practically  cleared  for  him,  thus  enabling  him  to  escape  the 
drudgery  of  wading  through  obstacles  and  climbing  to  the  top  single-handed 
and  unaided.  With  his  father  well  established  in  the  watchmaker's  trade,  Will- 
iam H.  Leive,  watchmaker  and  jeweler,  of  Aurora,  was  far-sighted  enough 
to  grasp  his  opportunity  at  the  proper  moment,  when  he  had  tlie  advice  and  as- 
sistance of  an  older  and  more  experienced  head,  which  has  resulted  in  liis 
present  well-established  business. 

William  H.  Leive  was  born  in  Aurora,  this  county,  on  .\ugust  26.  1874, 
a  son  of  William  and  Sophia  (Resing)  Leive.  He  attended  the  German  pa- 
rochial school  at  Aurora  until  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  then  a  short  time  at 
the  public  school,  after  which  he  commenced  to  learn  the- watchmaker's  trade 
in  the  old  Opera  House  building,  in  1889,  and  a  few  years  before  his  father's 
death  relieved  him  at  the  work  bench,  his  father  having  pre\'iously  taken  him 
into  partnership  and  when  his  father  died,  lie,  in  partnership  with  his  lirother, 
Charles,  continued  this  business  as  their  father's  successors,  under  the  old 
firm  name  of  William  Lei\-e  &  Sons,  hi  1913  Cliarles  died,  and  William  H. 
Leive  has  continued  to  run  the  business  alone.  Air.  Leive  is  a  stanch  Reiiubli- 
can,  and  in  addition  to  his  jewelry  business,  he  is  financial!}-  interesteil  in  the 


DEARBORN    COUXTY,   INDIANA.  85 1 

Indianajjolis  Fui'iiiture  Company,  of  Aurora,  and  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the 
Wymond  Cooperage  Company,  and  the  Aurora  State  Bank. 

William  Lei\-c,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  native  of  Han- 
over, Germany,  where  he  received  an  elementary  education.  He  catnc  to 
America  with  his  parents  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years,  settling  first  at  Cin- 
cinnati, and  they  were  early  pic^neers  in  Dearborn  CQunl_\-.  Indiana.  He  grew 
to  manhood  near  Aurora,  and  then  went  to  Cincinnati  and  leanicd  the  watch- 
maker's trade,  and  in  1S61  established  a  business  at  Aurora,  in  which  he  con- 
tinued up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  (occurred  in  iqio,  at  the  age  of 
se\'enty-two  years,  leaving  a  well-established  and  good  paying  l)usiness.  His 
wife  was  born  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  survi\es  him  at  the  age  of  sixty-se\en 
vears.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  namely:  Charles,  deceased; 
Alvina,  who  became  tlie  wife  of  Archibald  Rudell.  and  William  H.,  of  Aurora, 
Indiana. 

The  paternal  grandfatiier  was  John  Henry  Leive,  and  his  wife  was  Ger- 
trude (Obermuller)  Leive.  ]\Ir.  Leive  died  at  the  home  of  his  daughter  in  Cin- 
cinnati, and  his  wife  died  in  Dearborn  county  at  an  ad\'anced  old  age,  leaving 
the  following  children;  Henry,  the  first;  Henry,  the  second;  William,  Herman 
H.,  .Vugust,  Christian,  Charles.  Catheri'ie  and  Louise. 

The  maternal  grandparen.ts  \\'ere  Henry  Resing  and  wife,  natives 
of  Gennau}-.  who  settled  first  at  Cincinnati,  and  later  moved  to  Ripley 
county,  near  Friendship,  and  finally  went  to  Westmoreland,  Kansas,  and  they 
died  in  Topeka,  Kansas,  well  atb'ancetl  in  }ears.  Their  children  were  as  fol- 
low:  Sophia,  flarry,  Louis,  Louise,  Tillie,  Amelia,  Emma  and  Tvlargaret. 

William  H.  Lei\e  makes  his  home  witli  his  mother,  to  whom  he  is  a  de- 
voted son,  taking  great  pleasure  in  pro\'iding  for  her  every  need. 


HENRY  P.  BUSSE. 

Among  the  beautiful  rural  homes  of  Hogan  township,  Dearliorn  coun- 
ty, none  is  more  attracti\e  or  better  care<l  for  than  that  of  Henry  V.  Busse. 
Mr.  Busse  fully  appreciates  his  good  fortune  in  having  his  efforts  rewarded 
w  ith  favors  beyond  the  average,  and  has  shown  his  good  faith  by  doing  his 
part  in  handling  his  holdings  to  the  best  of  his  ability,  neglecting  nothing  that 
would  tend  toward  furthering  the  value  of  the  same.  And,  ntit  only  has  he 
done  the  best  within  his  povver  for  his  own  personal  interest,  but  he  has  also 
b-een  publically  interested  and  helped  in  ever}-  possible  way  toward  the  welfare 
of  his  township. 


852  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

Henry  P.  Basse  \vas  born  on  June  27,  1S56,  and  is  a  son  of  Christian 
Busse.  He  was  reared  Ironi  early  childiiood  in  Hoqan  township,  where  he 
received  his  early  ediuation.  After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Rus,'>e  liegan  farming 
for  himself  on  a  portion  of  the  old  home  farm,  remaining  there  se\'en  years, 
when  he  bought  a  farm  on  the  southeastern  edge  of  Wilmington,  overlooking 
the  ■valley  of  South  Hogan  creek,  and  giving  a  fine  view  of  Aurora  and  many 
miles  beyond.  He  now  owns  a  splendid  tract  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight 
acres  of  fine  farm  land,  on  which  he  has  made  many  improvements,  remodeling 
and  adding  new  buildings.  He  now  has  a  good  home,  substantial  barn,  and 
other  necessary  outbuildings,  which  render  his  place  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
country  homes  for  many  miles  around.  Mr.  Busse  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

A  biographical  sketch  of  Christian  Busse,  father  of  Blenry  P..  is  presented 
elsewhere  in  this  volume,  to  which  the  reader  is  referred  for  the  genealogical 
record  of  tlie  family. 

Plenry  P.  Busse  was  united  in  marriage,  in  1S79,  with  Louise  Oehlmann, 
daughter  of  Harmon  and  Hannah  (Poos)  Oehlmann.  She  was  born  on  April 
19,  1S5S.  at  St.  Leon,  Dearboi'u  count)-,  Indiana,  and  received  her  educatirm  at 
the  district  schools.  Air.  and  ]Mrs.  Busse  have  had  six  children  ;  Irene,  Fred- 
erick, Henry.  Bertha,  Lydia  and  Christian.  Irene  became  the  wife  of  ?Ienry 
Weisemaim  and  lives  in  Washington  township,  near  Wilmington.  The}-  have 
three  children,  Carl,  1-^red  and  Ruth.  Frederick  was  married  to  Cora  Gassell 
and  lives  in  ^Manitoba,  Canada,  where  he  follows  farming.  They  have  two  chil- 
dren. Ruth  and  Freda.  Henry  lives  at  home.  Bertha  also  resides  at  home. 
Lydia  became  the  wife  of  George  Straisinger  and  resides  at  Aurora.  Cliristian 
is  at  home. 

Harmon  Oehlmann.  father  of  Airs.  Henry  P.  Busse.  was  born  in  Han- 
over, Gennany,  and  when  he  came  to  America  settled  at  Cincinnati,  where  he 
was  married  to  Hannah  Poos,  a  native  of  Prussia.  Fie  settled  on  a  farm  at  St. 
Leon,  where  he  followed  agriculture  until  his  death,  which  occurred  while  Mrs. 
Busse  was  a  very  young  child.  His  widow  afterward  left  the  farm  to  her  eldest 
son  and  bought  a  farm  in  Manchester  tov.-nship  where  she  lived  with  her  second 
son  until  his  marriage.  She  then  came  to  North  Hogan  road  where  she  kept 
a  toll-gate  for  a  number  of  years,  and  after  giving  this  up.  she  made  her  home 
with  Henry  P.  Busse  and  his  wife  until  her  death,  which  occurred  in  1907. 

Mr.  Busse  has  always  been  a  kind-hearted  man,  and  a  loyal  and  devoted 
son  to  his  mother,  and  can  count  many  sincere  friends  in  the  township  where 
he  resides. 


■  '■:-;n  -.ir,     i  ■■■ 


DEARBORN    COUXTV,    INDIANA.  .  S53 

JACOB  HORNBACH. 

Although  of  German  lineage,  the  subject  of  this  sketi-h  was  burn  in 
Ohio,  and  came  with  his  father  to  York  township,  Dearborn  county,  Itn  liana, 
while  still  a  small  lad.  Jacob  Hornbach  is  one  of  the  most  successful  farmers 
in  his  township,  and  stands  well  in  the  estimation  of  his  friends  and  all  with 
whom  he  has  either  social  or  business  dealing's. 

Jacob  Hcn'nbach  was  born  on  March  25,  1S50,  in  Ohio,  a  son  of  Andrew 
and  Frances  (Kirchkopli)  Hornbach.  lie  "attended  the  townshij)  schools, 
and  when  through  school,  he  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  was  mar- 
ried, after  which  he  went  to  housekeeping  near  Vork\'ille.  renting  seN'enty-fivc 
acres  of  land,  which  he  cultivated  for  several  years,  and  then  bought  ninety 
acres  from  his  father,  to  which  he  later,  in  1906,  added  sevent\'-eight  acres 
more.  He  is  one  of  the  prosperous  and  prominent  citizens  of  the  township, 
and  has  held  some  of  the  township  of^ces,  among  which  was  that  of  road 
supervisor,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  eight  years.  He  is  a  stanch 
Democrat,  and  an  ardent  member  of  the  Catholic  cliurch. 

Andrew  and  Frances  (Kirchkopli)  Hornbach  were  born  and  educated  in 
Germany,  and  were  farmers.  Coining  to  America,  they  settled  in  Ohio,  \vhere 
they  bought  a  farm  of  eighty  acres.  Andrew  Hornbach  farmed  here  for  a 
short  time,  and  then  sold  out  and  settled  in  York  township,  buving  eighty 
acres,  to  which,  as  his  prosperity  permitted,  he  continued  to  add,  until  he 
owned  a  half-section  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Mr.  iiornljach  was  an  earnest 
and  attentive  member  of  the  Catholic  church,  and  a  never-failing  voter  of  the 
Democratic  ticket.  His  wife,  Frances  (Kirchkoph)'  Hornbach,  received 
a  good  education  in  the  land  of  her  birth,  and  was  a  young  woman  when 
she  came  to  the  United  States  with  her  husband.  To  this  couple  were  burn 
thirteen  children,  Albert,  Lena,  ,\lo\ie,  Louisa,  Charles,  John,  Jacob.  George, 
Michael,  Mary,  and  three  who  died  in  infancy. 

Albert  Hornbach  was  married  to  Sophia  CBehm),  and  is  a  thriving 
faiTner  in  York  township.  Lena  lives  in  Dearborn  county.  Aknis  is  the 
proprietor  of  a  flourishing  grocery  in  Middletown,  Ohio,  and  has  si.K  cliib 
dren.  Charles,  John.  Frank.  Theodore.  Carrie  and  Adolph  deceased.  I^ouisa 
is  the  wife  of' John  Krieger.  and  lived  on  a  farm  in  York  township.  Charles 
is  a  general  farmer,  dealing  in  hay.  grain,  cattle,  etc..  in  York  township. 
His  wife  was  Rosie  Kueble.  John  resides  at  [Middletown.  Ohio.  George  was 
married  Helen  Ege,  and  is  also  a  farmer  in  York  township.  Michael  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Elizabeth  Stcinmetz.  IMary  became  tlie  wife  of  Philip 
Fuchs.  a  farmer  of  York  township. 


854  DEARBORN    COUNTYj    INDIANA. 

Jacob  Hombach  was  married  tM  ^lary  W'idolff,  who  was  born  Januar\- 
4,  1861,  in  York  township,  where  she  received  a  good  education.  She  be- 
came the  HK^ther  of  eiglit  chikh'cn,  namely :  August,  Minnie,  Tonv,  Gertrude, 
Frances,  Marie,  Ilenr}-  and  Eleanora,  the  latter  two  of  whom  died  in  youth. 
These  children  are  all  living  at  home,  with  the  exception  of  Frances,  who  is  the 
wife  of  John  liartmaii,  and  resides  on  a  farm  in  Decatur  county.  Thev 
have  one  child,  ^Nlary  Martina. 


HARRY  STFWART  BURLINGAME 

The  subject  of  the  following  sketch  is  a  gentleman  of  good  education, 
and  splendid  cxecuti\-e  aliility.  and  in  every  wa>-  capable  of  managing  and  add- 
ing to  the  property  inherited  at  the  death  of  his  mother.  He  has  always  taken 
a  sincere  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  township,  and  is  one  of  the  best  known 
and  most  popular  men  in  the  community  in  which  he  resides. 

Hany  Stewart  Burlingame  was  liorn  on  July  21,  1865,  and  is  a  son  of 
Benjamin  F.  and  Doroth}-  (Churchill)  Burlingame.  His  earl}-  education  was 
received  in  the  district  schools  of  Sparta  township,  and  he  later  entered  Moores 
Hill  College,  and  after  leaving  school,  he  took  charge  of  his  mother's  farm  and 
managed  it  until  her  death.  He  inherited  from  his  mother  a  fine  farm  of 
forty  acres,  to  which  he  added  three  acres  later  on.  I"or  the  past  twenty-six 
years,  Mr.  Burlingame  has  taught  school,  twent}-five  years  of  which  time 
have  been  spent  in  Dearborn  county,  and  of  the  latter  period,  has  been  three 
years  principal  of  the  DillsJDOro  high  school,  ^[r.  Burlingame  is  a  Demo- 
crat, and  has  always  been  a  ^vl:n-ker  in  tlie  ranks  nf  the  part\-.  His  church /.r.eni- 
bership  is  with  the  Presbyterian  congregatii^n.  He  is  a  past  chancellor  in  tiie 
Ivnights  of  Pythias,  and  past  master  in  the  ]\Iasonic  lodge. 

Benjamin  Franklin  BurHngame,  father  of  Harr}'  S., -was  born  on  Decem- 
ber 23,  1809,  in  Xew  York  state,  living  there  until  1840,  when  he  came  to 
Indiana  and  settled  in  Posey  county,  but  later,  in  1S45,  moved  to  Wilmington, 
where  he  opened  a  wagon  shop  in  the  old  ci>urt  house,  which  huilding  is  still 
standing.  In  iS^;-  Mr.  Burlingame  srjld  his  shop  and  bought  a  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  si.vty  acres  in  Sparta  township,  where  he  resided  until  his  death. 
which  occurred  Xovember  25,  18S2.  He  was  a  loyal  Democrat  and  gave  his 
support  by  serving  as  county  commissioner  for  two  or  three  years,  and  alwa}'S 
attended  the  conventions  of  the  party.  He  was  a  Mason,  a  Granger  of  Sparta 
township  and  a  charter  member  of  the  latter,  in  wliich  they  advocated  the 
methods  of  better  farmmg. 


DEARPORX   COUNTY,   IXPIAXA.  855 

On  Afarch  28.  1S33.  Benjamin  F.  Burlingame  was  married  to  Adaline 
Merrell.  a  native  of  Xew  York  state,  who  was  born  on  OctoLier  6,  1817.  She 
died  on  February  8,  1857,  leaving  surviving  her  husl>and  and  four  sons,  Ben- 
jamin F.,  Jr.,  SoloniiMi  Merrell,  Dwight  U.  and  Andrew  J.  Benjamin  F..  Ji., 
was  married  to  Elizabeth  Rogers,  of  Wilmington,  and  died  at  Jeffersonville, 
Indiana.  They  had  six  children,  ^linnie,  I'aul.  Frank,  Rogers,  Elizabeth 
and  Benjamin.  Soloman  Alerrell  was  married  to  Kate  Lamar,  of  Aurora,  and 
(h'ed  at  St.  Louis.  They  had  seven  children,  Harry,  Anna  Lnuise.  Charles. 
Dudley.  Xora,  Howard  and  Ella.  Dwight  H.  was  married  to  .\nna  Stabler, 
of  Wilmington,  and  they  have  one  child,  Clara.  .Vndrew  J.  was  married  to 
Emma  Aldridge,  of  Wilmington,  and  died  at  St.  James,  [Missituri.  They  had 
two  children,  Eduard  and  William,  Dwight  H.  Burlingame  was  a  member 
of  the  Twentv-sixth  Regiment,  Indiana  \'olunteer  Lifantry,  serving  full  time 
as  a  pri\-atc  in  tlie  Civil  War:  Andrew  J.  Burlingame  seiwed  as  a  private  in  the 
Eighteenth  Regiment,  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  during  liie  entire  C'vil 
War.  Benja.min  F.  Burlingame,  Jr.,  was  regimental  quartermaster  o(  the  Sev- 
enth Regiment,  Lidiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  sen-ing  first  in  the  three  mouths' 
sei-\ice  in  West  Virginia. 

After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Benjamin  F.  Burlingame  was  married 
secondly,  to  Dorotha  Churchill,  of  Sparta  township.  She  was  born  on  the 
same  farm  where  Harry  Stewart  Burlingame  now  lives,  April  \f),  1826.  To 
this  uniiin  were  born  four  children,  Mary,  Harry  S.,  Caroline  W.,  and  one 
who  died  in  infancy.  Mary  died  young.  Caroline  became  the  wife  oi 
Joseph  E.  Allen,  of  Sparta  township,  and  is  living  at  ^Nlilan,  Ripley  county. 
They  have  five  children,  Onema,  Waldron  E.,  Arthur,  Hilda  and  Xorman. 
all  living. 

Dnrotha  (Churcliill)  Burlingame  was  a  daughter  of  Joscjih  and  Mary 
(Hennegin)  Churchill.  Joseph  Churchill,  father  of  Mrs.  Plenjamin  Frank- 
lin Burlingame,  was  born  in  Vermont,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  He 
came  to  Indiana  and  settled  cm  the  same  farm  on  which  Harry  Stewart 
Burlingame  now  resides,  taking  five  hundred  acres  from  the  govennnent,  .at  a 
cost  of  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  an  acre.  He  lived  here  all  his  life, 
I)Ut  deeded  much  of  the  land  to  his  children,  having  left  only  t\V(^  hundred  and 
ii.'rty  acres  when  he  died.  Mr.  Churchill  was  a  V\'hig.  ami  took  part  in  all 
Icjcal  politics.  He  and  his  family  were  all  members  of  the  Baptist  church. 
His  wife,  Mary  (Hennegin)  Churchill,  was  born  in  centra'  Xew  ^'Mrk. 
and  when  quite  young  came  with  her  parents  to  Indiana,  settling  in  Hogan 
tiwvnsbip,  near  Wilmington,  on  the  farm  now  owned  liy  .\ndre\v  J.  Bloom, 


856  DEARBORN'    COUNTY.   INDIANA. 

which  they  took  from  the  government.  They  were  the  parents  of  eleven 
children,  Eveline,  Charles,  Dorotha,  Vcrmm,  Burke,  Harrietle,  Rhoda,  Ann, 
Jeanette,  Alta  and  John. 

Harry  Stewart  Burlingame  was  united  in  marriage  on  September  22. 
1886.  with  ^linnie  Houston,  daughter  of  John  and  Margarette  (Beatty) 
Houston.  She  was  born  on  ^lay  29,  1S65,  in  Sparta  township,  where  she 
lived  until  her  marriage.  This  union  has  lieen  blessed  with  two  cliildren : 
Frank  S.,  born  on  January  27.  18S9 ;  and  Olive  D.,  November  iS,  1S90. 

Mr.  Burlingame  is  a  gentleman  of  exceptional  education,  and  is  well  in- 
formed on  all  matters  of  public  interest  going  on  throughout  the  world.  His 
school  work  has  received  the  approval  of  all  concerned,  and  hi':  many  warm 
friends  are  the  best  evidence  of  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  in  the  com- 
munity. ■  ■ 


THO:^IAS  EDWARD  TERRU.L. 

Although  still  in  his  \"outh,  the  indications  are  very  flattering  for  the 
futuie  business  success  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  The  attention  and 
thoroughness  which  he  has  devoted  to  the  business  of  securing  an  education 
will  prove  to  be  of  inestimable  value  as  a  corner-stone,  on  which  to  build  his 
fortune  in  life.  Thomas  Edward  Terrill  is  one  of  the  most  i)opular  teachers  in 
Manchester  township.  Dearborn  county,  Indiana. 

Thomas  Edward  Terrill  was  born  on  July  i,  1S95,  near  Petersburg, 
Boone  county,  Kentucky,  and  is  a  son  of  Simeon  Edward  and  Mary  CGrant) 
Terrill.  His  first  years  at  school  were  spent  in  the  public  schools  of  MisMiuri. 
and  from  there  he  went  to  Manchester  township,  where  he  attended  the 
township  schools  for  six  years,  going  then  to  Aurora,  Indiana,  high  scbj^ol, 
covering  a  period  of  three  years,  graduating  at  the  Lamar,  Colorado,  high 
school,  and  completed  his  education  at  iMoores  Hill  College,  Moores  Hill. 
Indiana,  where  he  has  been  a  teacher  for  the  past  two  years. 

Simeon  Edward  Terrill,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born 
on  March  29,  1850,  near  Petersburg,  Boone  county.  Kentucky.  His  parents 
gave  him  a  good  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Boone  countv,  after  which 
they  sent  him  to  high  school,  at  Aurora.  After  leaving  school,  Simeon  Ter- 
rill assisted  his  father.  Capt.  George  ^\'.  Terrill,  on  the  farm,  until  he  took 
unto  himself  a  wife,  when  he  commenced  housekeeping  on  a  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  twent}-  acres  in  Boone  county.  Kentuck}'.  He  remained  on  this 
farm  about  eight  years,  during  which  time  he  had  accumulated  enoueh  to 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  '  ^  857 

buv  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  the  southern  part  of  Pioone 
count}',  Kentucky,  to  which  he  soon  added  forty  acres  adjoining  his  nwn 
farm.  Air.  Tcrrill  farmed  this  tract  of  land  twenty-one  years.  Me  was 
offered  a  good  price  for  his  place,  and  was  wise  enough  U>  recognize  a  bar- 
gain when  lie  saw  one.  lie  sold  out,  and  moved  back  to  the  home  iilacc.  near 
Petersburg,  where  he  became  a  rural  route  mail  carrier,  in  which  capaciu  he 
served  about  ten  years.  Becoming  dissatisfied  with  this  work.  'Sir.  Tcrrill 
moved  his  family  to  Alissouri,  where  he  farmed  for  three  }'ears,  and  then  re- 
turned to  ^Manchester  township,  where  he  bought  eighty  acres,  which  he  culti- 
vated until  shnrtl}'  before  his  death,  which  occurred  in  May,  i(;i2,  at  the 
home  of  his  dar.ghter,  ]\[rs.  E.  K.  iMorris,  at  Chillicothe,  ^Missouri. 

On  October  25,  1S70,  Simeon  Edward  TerriU  was  married  to  Mary 
I'Vances  Grant,  who  was  bora  near  Petersburg,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Will- 
iam and  Jane  (Willys)  Grant.  Her  earl}-  education  was  secured  at  public 
schools  of  Boone  count}-,  and  later  at  a  college  at  Ghent,  Kentucky,  where  she 
was  a  ver}-  attentive  student.  She  is  a  direct  descendant  of  Daniel  Fiooue's 
famil}-,  than  which  none  has  e\-er  been  n-iore  prominent  in  the  history  of  Ken- 
tucky. She  still  sur\-ives  her  husband.  To  iMr.  and  ;\Irs.  Terrill  were  biirn  si.x 
children,  as  follow:  Simeon  Ruford.  Ethel  Sue,  James  Grant.  Robert  Lindsay, 
Mary  Alice,  and  Thomas  Edward.  Simeon  Buford  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Jennie  Randell,  and  is  now  cultivating  a  farm  in  ^Manchester  township. 
Ethel  Sue  is  the  wife  of  E.  K.  IMorris,  a  prosperous  fanuer  in  iMissouri. 
They  have  one  child.  Alice  May.  James  Grant  was  i-narried  to  Ida  Ambcrg, 
and  is  now  residing  at  Cincinnati,  where  he  is  emplo}-ed  b\-  the  Ohin  1^-ust 
Company.  They  have  had  two  children,  Mary  E.  and  James  Gordon,  Ivolicrt 
Lindsay  is  conducting  a  farm  in  ]\Ianc!iester  township.  ]\lar}-  Alice  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  Kentucky  and  Alanchester  township,  going  later 
to  the  high  school  at  Aurora,  Indiana,  after  which  she  attended  schoul  at  La- 
mar, Colorado,  one  year,  finishing  at  }iIoores  Llill  College,  where  she  has  been 
teaching-  for  the  past  three  years. 

The  Terrill  famil}-  comes  from  good  old  Kentucky  stock,  and  has  al- 
ways believed  in  taking  every  possible  advantage  leading  up  to  a  good  educa- 
tion, the  result  of  which  is  shown  in  the  number  of  professional  and  able  mem- 
bers it  has  produced,  and  of  which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  pron-iises  much 
in  bearing  out  its  reputation,  Thomas  Edw-ard  Terrill  does  not  believe  that 
rest,  after  a  long,  strenuous  term  of  school,  means  simply  driing  nothing.  He 
is  a  l(j\-er  of  nature,  and  employs  his  \-acation  seasons  on  the  home  place, 
spending  most  of  his  time  out  of  doors. 


858  DEAKllORX    COUNTY.   INPIAXA.  ■  '  ' 

PRESTOX  II.  CONAWAY. 

Preston  H.  Conaway.  farmer  and  highly  respected  citizen  of  Clay  town- 
ship, Dearborn  connty.  Indiana,  was  born  in  the  township  where  he  now  li\cs 
on  Alarch  25,  185(1,  son  of  Simon  B.  and  Hannah  (Harper)  Conaway,  the 
former  a  native  of  Clay  tnwnship.  and  the  latter  born  in  Fayette  county. 
Pennsylvania.  August  29,   1830. 

Simon  B.  Conawa}-.  fatlior  of  the  imiucdiate  subject  nf  this  sketch,  was 
born  on  September  4,  1824.  and  recei\ed  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his 
native  township,  also  at  Wilmington  and  later  at  Hartford,  this  county. 
After  his  school  days  were  over,  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  the 
farm  hume.  becoming  unusally  skilled  in  the  practice  of  successful  husbandry. 
Upon  the  death  of  his  father,  the  homestead  fell  to  his  share  and  he  continued 
to  manage  it  for  the  rest  of  his  active  years.  His  death  occurred  on  ]March 
20,  1907.  \\hen  eighty-two  years  of  age.  Simon  B.  Conaway  was  the  son  of 
Robert  and  Edith  (Weathers)  Conaway. 

Hannah  Harper.  m<jther  of  Preston  H.  Conaway,  was  a  daughter  of 
Henry  and  ?ilatilda  (  Swearingen )  Harper,  the  former  of  whom  was  boni 
on  September  14.  1800.  in.  Greene  county,  Pennsyh'ania.  and  the  latter.  Ihtu 
on  November  24.  1803,  in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  Flarpers  came. 
to  Adams  county.  Ohio,  in  1S35,  and  remained  there  until  1S42.  when  they 
came  to  Indiana,  lucating  in  Riplev  count}",  where  lienrv  died,  on  .Vugust  3. 
1844.  His  widow.  ^Matilda,  lived  to  be  quite  an  old  lady,  passing  awav  when 
in  the  eighties.  They  were  the  parents  of  a  family  of  twelve  children,  namely  : 
Thomas.  Rebecca,  Jane,  Samuel,  Hannah,  Louisa,  Sarah  Ann,  George,  Allen, 
James,  John.  Hem-y,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

Thomas  Harper  married  a  Miss  Pendergrass  and  had  a  familv  of  five 
"children,  Louisa  ( ]\Irs.  Pryun),  Matilda,  Ann.  Etuma  and  Addie.  Re- 
becca Jane  married  James  Huckstaff  and  had  a  large  family.  Samuel  married 
Sarah  Robison  and  had  a  family  of  eight  children,  two  of  them  l>eing  John  and 
Malinda.  Li^uisa  became  the  ^vife  of  Charles  XettletcMi  and  lived  in  ^Minnesota, 
where  they  reared  a  large  family.  Sarah  Ann  became  the  wife  of  Cal\-in  Shook 
and  had  one  daughter.  Alice.  .Vllen  married  Lessie  White,  of  \'ersailies.  li'iv- 
ly  county,  and  had  the  following  children.  James.  Enimett.  Charles  and  Anna. 
James  chose  Julia  Fall  as  his  wife  and  they  reared  a  family.  John  married 
Belle  Pr\-or  and  'he}-  reared  a  fatnil_\-  of  fi\-e  children.  Ira.  XeLon.  Clay. 
Hcnvard  ami  Laura.  Henry  married  ]\[ar\-  O'X'eal  and  liad  three  children: 
Lizzie.  X'ora  and  IToward.  Hannah,  mother  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  born  in  Favette  county,  Pennsvlvania,  and  located  with  her  par- 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  859 

ents  in  Ripley  county,  where  slie  was  married  on  September  24.  1850.  and 
died  on  Xovember  3,  1882. 

Preston  II.  Conaway  was  one  of  a  family  of  two  cliildren,  the 
other  being  his  brother.  HaniiUon  A.  Preston,  who  received  his  t-duca- 
tinu  at  the  Xixon  school  house,  in  Clay  township,  assisting  his  father  with 
the  work  of  the  farm  home  during'  vacation  times.  After  finishing  school,  his 
entire  time  was  sper.t  on  the  homestead,  which  he  inherited  upon  the  death 
of  his  father. 

On  December  22,  1881,  Preston  H.  Conaway  was  married  to  Miss  .Mice 
y\.  Sale,  daughter  of  Fleetwood  H.  and  iNIary  C.  {[Morrison)  Sale,  the  former 
of  whom  was  born  in  Owen  county,  Kentucky,  May  17,  1S2S,  and  died  at 
Dillsboro,  Indiana.  January  14.  1007.  ^lary  C.  [Morrison,  his  wife,  was  born 
at  Cincinnati.  Ohin,  October  5,  1S37,  and  died  on  3*Iarch  17,  1856. 

Dr.  Fleetwood  H.  Sale,  father  of  ]\Irs.  Preston  H.  Conaway,  was  one 
of  the  oldest  practicing  plnsicians  in  Dearborn  count)'.  Me  also  served  as  a 
surgeon  in  the  Civil  \\'ar  from  April,  1862,  to  March,  1864.  He  resigned,  but 
in  November,  1864.  he  returned  and  served  until  1865.  His  father  was  also 
a  soldier  and  noted  pioneer,  having  served  in  the  War  of  1812,  enlisting  from 
Kentucky.  [Mrs.  Preston  H.  Conaway  was  l)orn  in  Dillsboro,  Xo\-ember  27, 
•1854.  and  recei\'ed  her  education  in  the  schools  of  Dillsborn,  later  taking  more 
advanced  studies  at  Moores  Hill  College.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Conaway  has  been 
born  one  son,  Fleetwood  R.,  wh'jse  birth  occurred  at  Aunira  on  January  6. 
1900.  Fleetwood  B.  remains  at  home  on  the  farm.  He  has  just  completed 
the  eighth  grade  course  in  the  district  school. 

Mr.  Conaway  is  a  man  who  goes  cjuietly  about  his  own  affairs  and  who 
by  his  consistent  manner  of  living  has  won  the  confidence  and  respect  of 
those  about  him.  His  political  support  he  gives  to  the  Democratic  party,  al- 
though taking  no  more  than  a  quiet  interest  in  political  affairs.  The  Conaway s 
are  numbered  among  the  older  families  of  the  county.  They  belong  to  the 
Methodist  church. 


GFORGE  NII-AIEYER 


In  the  days  of  his  youth,  the  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch  was  un- 
able to  secure  the  necessary  education  for  a  successful  business  career:  as  in 
those  (lavs  Indiana  did  not  have  her  present  splendid  ])ublic  schools  created  In- 
law of  the  commonwealth,  a  clause  in  the  first  constituti(jn  stating:  "It  -hall 
be  the  dutv  of  the  General  Assembly,  as  soon  as  circumstances  will  perni'.t,  to 


SGO  DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  ' 

pro\i(lc  by  law  for  a  general  system  of  education,  ascending  in  reofiilar  ^ei'a- 
dation  from  township  schools  to  a  state  university,  wherein  tuition  shall  be 
gratis  and  cqualh'  open  to  all."  Since  whicli  time  Indiana  has  l.'ng  l^ejn  w  idelv 
reputed  for  its  public  school  sjstem,  and  the  higli  efficiency  of  its  schools. 

George  Niemeyer  was  born  on  July  25,  1S62,  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and 
is  a  son  of  Henry  and  Louisa  (Ellerbrook)  Xiemeyer.  The  education  he  re- 
ceived in  Clay  township  was  of  a  limited  nature,  as  he  was  obliged  to  help 
his  father  on  the  farm  until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  decided  to  do 
some  investigating  as  to  a  desirable  location.  He  went  to  To()eka,  Kansas, 
but  after  remaining  there  one  year,  he  returned  to  Clay  township,  and  at  the 
death  of  his  father  took  over  the  fann,  to  which  he  later  added  two  tracts. 
one  of  ninet}-  acres,  and  one  of  ninety-six  acres,  which  he  still  operates,  doing 
general  farming'.  Mr.  Nieme\er  realizes  tlie  necessity  of  proper  schooling, 
and  is  sending  all  his  children  through  school,  and  in  order  to  keep  his  f-nnily 
together,  he  purcliased  ninety-six  acres  more,  so  he  could  keep  them  em- 
ployed at  home.  He  has  always  been  a  public-spiiited  man,  and  interested  in 
all  enterprises  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  his  township,  and  especially  in  good 
roads,  many  of  the  g'ood  roads  i'n  Clay  township  being  due  to  the  energy  dis- 
played by  him;  He  was  road  supeiwisor  for  thirteen  years,  and  is  now  town- 
ship assessor,  ha\'ing  been  elected  on  the  Republican  ticket.  ]Mr.  Niemeyer  is 
well  liked  by  all.  and  as  an  evidence  of  his  kind  and  thoughtful  disposition. 
one  hired  man.  Reason  Johnson,  has  remained  in  his  services  for  twenty- 
three  years. 

Mr.  Xiemeyer  has  tra\'eled  extensively  in  the  United  States.  In  18S7. 
he  was  called  to  the  deathbed  of  his  brother  in  Kansas,  and  while  in  that  sec- 
tion visited  many  of  the  important  cities  in  the  central  West.  In  1909  he  ac- 
companied a  party  through  the  southern  Gulf  states,  visiting  all  the  prominent 
cities  en  route.  The  greater  portion  of  his  life  has  been  spent  where  he  now 
resides,  and  he  is  the  oldest  living  resident  of  the  township.  He  belongs  to 
the  Improved  Order  of  Red  ]\Ien.  past  sachem ;  and  Knights  of  Pythias,  of 
which  he  is  past  chancellor  commander. 

Henry  X'iemexer.  father  of  George  Niemeyer.  was  born  in  18 16,  in  Ger- 
many, coming  to  the  United  States  as  a  young  man.  He  settled  at  Cincinnati, 
where  he  was  married,  and  followed  the  tinner's  trade  several  years.  In  1874, 
he  bought  a  farm  of  ninety  acres  in  Clay  township,  and  lived  there  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  on  December  8,  1884.  aged  sixty-eight  years.  "Sir 
Niemeyer  was  a  Republican,  and  belonged  to  the  I.utheran  church.  His  wife. 
Louisa  (Ellerbrook)  N'ieme_\er,  was  born  in  German}',  and  came  to  America 
with  her  parents,  John  and  Charlotte  Ellerbrook,  when  quite  _\oung.     }ilr.  and 


■     ;.;...[    -y. 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  86l 

Mrs.  Xieme_\er  were  married  at  Cincinnati,  and  were  the  parents  iif  six  chil- 
dren, Aineha,  George.  Harr}',  Matilda,  and  two  who  died  in  infancy.  Amelia 
hecamc  the  wife  of  Emest  Ruhlrnan  and  is  living-  in  Clay  tnwushii).  They 
have  four  children,  Henry.  Theodos,  Clara  and  Harry,  flarry  is  deceased. 
Matilda  is  the  wife  of  Ernest  Boulthop  and  is  living  at  Eawrencehurg.  She 
is  the  mother  of  three  children,  Elmer  and  two  others,  one  of  whom  died 
young. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  John  Ellerbrook,  and  his  wife  \vas  Char- 
lotte Ellerbrook,  both  natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  America  at  nn  earl_\- 
day.  setthng  at  Cincinnati,  and  later  bought  a  farm  in  Chi}-  townshin,  con- 
sisting of  ninetv  acres,  and  was  the  same  farm  which  Henr\'  Xieme\er  Iriuglit 
in  1S74.  After  ■celling  the  farm  they  made  their  hom.e  with  Henry  Xiemeyer 
until  they  died,  at  an  ad\'anced  age. 

Georg'e  Xiemeyer  was  united  in  marriage  on  October  26,  180-.  \\'ith 
Jennie  Joh.nsnn,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  X'ancy  flleadl}')  Johnson.  She 
was  born  in  ^lissouri.  and  when  six  months  old.  owing  to  the  death 'of  her 
mother,  came  to  Clay  township,  and  was  reared  by  Hezekiah  ^Martin,  a;vl 
was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  that  township.  ]Mr.  and  Mrs.  X'ieme\cr 
have  had  six  children,  Hariy.  Albert,  Ahna,  Laura,  Dora  and  John,  all  living 
at  home. 

Mr.  Xiemeyer  is  one  of  the  most  industrious  and  highly  respecte<l  citi- 
zens of  Clav  township,  where  he  is  bringing  up  his  familv  c'f  children  to  he  in 
telligent  and  useful  citizens. 


CHARLES  H.  BERKER:MEIER. 

Agriculture  is  the  oldest  vocation  and  as  a  usual  thing  men  of  honoraMe 
and  human  impulses,  as  well  as  those  of  energy  and  thrift,  have  been  patrons 
of  husbandry.  The  free  outdoor  life  of  the  farm  has  a  decided  tendency  to 
foster  and  develop  that  independence  of  mind  and  self-reliance  which  charac- 
terize true  manhood  and  no  greater  blessing  can  liefall  a  boy  than  to  be 
reared  in  close  touch  with  nature  in  the  healthful,  life-inspiring  labor  of  t!ie 
fields.  It  has  ahvays  been  from  the  fruitful  soil  that  the  moral  bone  and  sinew 
of  the  country  have  sprrmg,  and  the  majority  of  the  nation's  scholars  and 
distinguished  men  of  letters  were  bom  on  the  farm  and  were  indebted  to  its 
early  influence  for  the  inspiration  which  resulted  in  their  mature  attainments. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  true  son  of  the  soil  and  one  who  has  succeeded 
well  in  his  chosen  vocation. 


862  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

Charles  H.  Eerkernieier  was  born  on  January  i8,  1850,  in  IIan':>vfr. 
Gennany,  a  son  of  I'rank  and  Elizabeth  (  Berkermeier)  Berkermeier,  b'Jtli 
of  whom  were  horn  and  reared  in  Germany.  In  -868  Frank  Berkermeier 
brought  his  family  to  .America,  with  the  exception  of  Ilannah  and  William, 
the  two  eldest  of  the  faniil\-,  who  remained  in  the  Fatherland.  He  settled  on 
a  farm  of  eiglu_\'  acres  in  Switzerland  ciiunty.  this  state,  and  there  passed 
the  remainder  oi  his  life,  d_\ing  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  While  he 
gave  his  attention  to  farming  in  this  country,  he  was  by  trade  a  maker  of 
wooden  shoes,  a  commodity  which  is  not  greath-  known  in  this  country  except 
aiTiong  those  of  German  and  Dutch  birth. 

Frank  and  Elizabeth  Berkermeier  were  the  parents  of  seven  children, 
Flannaii,  William,  Louise.  Charles  H.,  Elizabeth,  Ernest  and  a  child  who  died 
in  infancy.  Ernest  married  hdora  Grive  and  had  a  large  family,  among  the 
children  being  Emma,  Lizzie,  Carl  and  flenry.  Louise  was  twice  married,  her 
first  husband  being  Fred  Berner,  by  whr>m  she  had  fi\'e  children,  Lizzie,  Anna, 
Lena,  Henry  and  Flarmon.  After  Air.  Berner's  death,  she  became  the  wife  of 
Henry  Rah.  Elizabeth  became  tlie  wife  of  Casper  Strader  and  the  mother  of 
three   children,   Lena,    Elizabeth   and  John. 

Charles  H.  Berkermeier  was  eighteen  years  of  age  when  his  family  im- 
migrated to  this  country  and  he  immediatel_\-  took  up  the  \\ork  of  the  farm 
home  purchased  in  S\\itzerland  county,  having  recei\ed  his  educatii>n  in  his 
nati\e  land.  In  1S72  he  purchased  for  himself  a  tract  of  land  containing  eigiity 
acres,  which  he  farmed  until  1<)13  when  he  disposed  of  it  and  mi^ved  tn  a  farm 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty-four  acres  in  Clav  township,  this  countv,  whicli  l;ie- 
longed  to  his  wife,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Air.  Flerkermeier  carries  on 
general  farming,  such  as  is  practiced  throughout  this  section,  and  in  addi- 
tion gives  some  attention  to  the  raising  of  live  stock,  being  uniformly  success- 
ful in  his  endeavors,  for  he  brings  to  the  task  in  hand  always  the  most  careful 
thought  and  energetic  performance. 

In  June,  1876,  Charles  H.  Berkermeier  was  united  in  marriage  witli  Alary 
Binning,  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Katherine  (Licking)  Binning,  both  of 
whom  were  born  in  Germany,  and  were  farmers  in  Su  itzerland  count}'.  Airs. 
Mary  Berkermeier  died  in  1910,  at  the  age  of  fifty-three  years,  leaving  her 
husband  and  seven  children:  Amelia,  Elizabeth,  Alinnie,  Clara,  Harry,  Edith 
and  Amanda.  Amelia  married  John  FI.  Smith,  of  Aurora,  Indiana,  and  has 
three  sons,  Carl.  Russell  and  Clayton.  Elizabeth  became  the  wife  of  Fred 
Thomas  and  li\es  on  a  farm  in  Switzerland  county.  There  are  three  children 
in  their  family,  Edith,  Hilda  and  Charles.  Alinnie  married  Flarry  Ampt  and 
lives  in  Aurora.    They  have  three  children,  Lester,  Alabel  and  Florence.  Clara 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  863 

became  the  wife  of  John  'I'iiomas  and  has  two  chilih-eii,  Laura  and  Irene.  They 
Uve  at  Cross  Plains,  Indiana.  Harry  married  Allie  Cutter,  and  Hves  in 
Sv  itzerland  countv.  Edith  married  Harmon  Sandbrink.  Amanda  mar- 
ried ]A\ke  Fishvogt. 

^[r.  Berkermeier  married  for  the  second  time  on  .\pril  9,  1913,  bcint;- 
united  in  wedlock  with  Bllizabeth  (  Stute)  Berner,  daughter  of  William  and 
Charlotte  (Busching)  Stute,  natives  of  Gcrmanv  who  settled  on  Laughery 
creek  in  Ripley  coimty. 

The  Berkermeier  family  is  considered  one  of  the  representative  families 
of  the  community,  the  name  having  always  stood  for  all  that  is  honest  and 
upright.  ]\lr.  Berkermeier  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  serving  his 
organization  as  an  officer  for  a  number  of  years.  He  gives  his  support  to  the 
Democratic  party  and  although  not  a  seeker  after  office,  is  always  intevesteil  m 
seeing  the  party's  affairs  properly  administered.  Mr.  Berkermeier  has  led  a 
well  regulated  and  wholesome  life  and  is  justly  entitled  to  the  high  degree  of 
respect  which  he  is  accorded  by  those  who  know  him. 


MRS.  ^lARGAHKTHA  BENNETT. 

In  the  following  sketch  mention  is  made  of  some  of  the  older  and  highly 
respected  citizens  of  Clay  township.  Dearborn  county.  Indiana,  the  immediate 
subject  being  Margaretha  ( Licking)  Bennett,  w idow  of  the  late  Joseph 
.\.  Bennett,  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  this  section,  a  man  well  liked 
by  all. 

-Margaretha  Licking  was  born  in  this  county  at  Fanners  Retreat,  on  Sep- 
tember 9,  1874,  a  daughter  of  Flenry  and  Mary  Christinia  (Zeigenbein)  Lick-_ 
ing,  the  former  born  also  at  Famiers  Retreat.  Cresar  Creek  township,  and  the 
latter  a  native  of  the  citv  of  Cincinnati.  Henrj-  Licking  was  born  on  January 
,ii.  18  ;o,  and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  home  dis- 
trict. He  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  homestead  and  when  thirty- 
five  years  old,  after  the  death  of  h.is  father,  he  purchased  one  hundred  and 
thirty  acres  of  the  home  place  from  the  other  heirs.  He  remained  on  that 
place  until  1896.  wlien  ho  disp«)sed  of  it  and  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  thirty-three  acres  near  Dillsboro,  in  Clay  township.  There  he  made  his 
lioine  and  conducted  the  business  of  his  farm  until  the  year  1909,  when  he  re- 
tired from  active  service  and  passed  away  on  April  4,  1914.  at  the  age  of  six- 
ty-four years.     Henry  Licking  was  a  faithful  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 


■y,i     .ii 


S64  <  DEARBORX    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

copal  church,  filling  various  offices  of  the  local  society  through  a  span  of 
years.  His  political  support  was  given  to  the  Democratic  party,  in  the  affair^ 
of  which  he  showed  a  commendable  interest.  He  was  a  member  of  the  an- 
cient order  of  Free  and  Accepted  Mason  and  took  a  keen  interest  in  the  work- 
ing of  that  society. 

Henry  Licking  was  a  son  of  Fred  and  Mary  Clara  (Libbert)  Licking, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Germany.  They  came  to  this  country  when 
young,  coming  directly  to  friends  in  Caesar  Creek  township,  and  there  they 
were  married.  They  bought  a  fann  in  that  locality  which  they  operated,  and 
Fred  Licking  also  ran  a  blacksmith  shop,  drawing  his  patronage  for  that 
class  of  work  from  over  a  wide  area.  His  death  occurred  in  January  of  1875, 
when  he  was  in  middle  age.  Fred  Licking  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  fifteen 
children,  many  of  whom  still  sur\-ive. 

INIary  Christina  Zeigenlicin,  mother  of  ■Mrs.  Margaretha  Bennett,  was 
born  in  Cincinnati,  ijn  October  18,  1850.  a  daughter  of  Christian  and  Sophia 
Margaretha  (  Deirech  )  Zeigenbein,  both  born  in  Germany.  Roth  were  brought 
to  this  country  by  their  respective  parents  when  children  and  grew  up  together 
in  Cincinnati,  where  they  were  married.  j\'Ir.  Zeigenbein  learned  the  trade  of 
plasterer,  at  which  he  worked  for  a  number  of  years,  and  when  in  middle  age 
he  decided  to  leave  the  city  and  live  the  life  of  a  farmer  for  the  balance  of  his 
days.  He  came  to  Clay  township,  this  county,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of 
eighty  acres  and  made  his  home  for  the  next  fourteen  years.  He  then  dis- 
posed of  ills  original  farm  and  purchased  a  tract  of  like  size  in  Sparta  town- 
ship, where  he  h\-ed  until  death.  He  died  when  fifty-four  years  of  age. 
There  were  eight  children  in  their  familv,  namely:  }ilary,  \\'ilhelniin,-i,  Cith- 
erine,  Charles,  and  four  who  died  in  infancy.  ]Mary  was  a  child  when  her 
people  came  to  this  county,  and  she  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of 
.  Clay  township,  remaining  at  home  until  the  time  of  her  marriage,  January 
18,  1872,  to  Henry  Licking. 

Margaretha  Licking,  now  Ivlrs.  Bennett,  was  one  of  a  family  of  six  chil- 
dren, the  others  being,  Laura,  Edward,  Sarah,  Catherine  and  Rosa,  who 
died  when  a  child.  Edward  married  Harriett  Conaway  and  has  one  son, 
Estal.     Sarah,  became  the  wife  of  Robert  Borders,  of  }ililan,  Ripley  county. 

Margaretha  Licking  received  her  elementary  education  in  the  school  at 
Farmers  Retreat,  later  attending  college  at  Moores  Hill.  For  special  intro- 
duction in  normal  work,  she  went  to  Winona,  this  state,  being  greatly  bene- 
fited by  her  studies  there.  On  November  iS,  1906,  she  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Joseph  A.  Bennett,  son  of  Edward  and  Catherine  (Huddartt)  Bennett. 

Joseph  A.  Bennett  was  born  in  Dillsboro  and  was  one  of  a  family  of  eight 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  865 

children,  his  birth  occurring  on  July  iS,  1865.  He  received  his  education  in 
the  schools  of  Dillsboro,  and  during  vacations  and  all  spare  time,  assisted  his 
father  in  the  work  of  the  farm  home.  For  a  while  he  was  railroad  black- 
smith at  Dillsboro.  and  later  gave  up  that  occupation  for  the  life  of  a  farmer, 
operating  the  farm  of  one  hundred  acres  located  near  Dillslmro,  belonging 
to  liis  wife.  ]\[r.  I'.onnett's  death  occurred  on  January  iS.  n;i5.  when  fifty 
years  of  age.  He  was  a  man  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  knew  him,  public 
spirited  and  deeply  concerned  in  all  that  related  to  the  best  interests  of  his 
community  and  country.  He  left  his  widow  and  one  child,  Paul  Esmond 
Bennett.  ]Mr.  Bennett's  fraternal  affiliation  was  held  with  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  in  the  working's  of  which  order  he'  took  an  appreciable  interest. 
His  jiohtical  support  was  given  the  Republican  party.  He  led  a  quiet,  well 
regidated  and  Imne^t  life  and  was  worthv  the  degree  of  confidence  whicli 
he  in-^pired  in  all  who  knew  him.  Mrs.  Bennett  was  a  worthy  helpmeet  for 
such  an  excellent  man  and  is  held  in  high  esteem  throughout  the 
communitv. 


ROBERT  LEWIS  BRO\\'N. 

Among  those  persons  who  by  \-irtue  of  their  strong  personal  qualities 
have  won  their  way  to  a  high  standing  in  the  estimation  of  their  fellow  citizens 
and  ha\-e  by  the  manner  of  their  living  proven  that  they  are  men  of  honcir 
and  good  parts,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  entitled  to  mention  in  a  volume 
of  the  character  of  the  one  in  hand. 

Robert  Lewis  Brown  was  born  near  Dillsboro,  Dearborn  county.  Lnliana. 
December  2S.  1S52,  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  McDowell,  both  natives 
of  the  state  of  \'irginia.  John  McDowell  and  wife  came  to  Dearborn 
county,  where  they  rernained  but  a  short  time,  returning  to  their  native  state 
of  Virginia.  Their  Httle  son  was  but  six  weeks  old  at  the  time  they  left 
Indiana,  and  he  was  given  into  the  care  of  his  uncle,  William  Brown,  who 
reared  him  as  his  o\\  n  son  and  whose  name  he  took-.  Robert  Lewis  recei\'ed 
his  education  in  the  schools  of  Clay  tov/nship,  and  after  leaving  school,  as- 
sisted his  uncle  in  the  work  of  the  farm  home.  William  Bnnvn  departed 
this  life  on  October  11,  18S9,  at  which  time  the  farm  of  sixty-seven  acres 
descended  to  his  foster  son,  Robert  Lewis  Brown.  Roliert  Lewis  has  c<in- 
tinuetl  to  make  his  home  on  the  place,  carrying  on  general  farming  together 
with  some  raising  of  live  stock. 

Robert  Lewis  Brown  was  married  on  Februarv  2^.  187J.  to  Alice  Bruce, 

(55) 


1 


866  ■'■'       DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

a  daughter  of  Torrance  and  Tamar  (Pate)  Bruce,  of  Clay  township,  and  the 
parent?  of  a  family  of  twelve  children.  These  were  I'hocbe,  Francis,  Rachael. 
Mary  Ann,  Annie,  Nancy,  Alice,  William,  Simeon,  Clarence,  Charles  and 
one  which  died  in  infanc}-.  William  married  .Mary  Howard  and  had  a  family 
of  four  children,  Frances.  .-Mice,  Allen  ami  Slanle\',  the  first  two  named  being 
deceased.  Simeon  married  a  ]\Jis3  Warner  and  became  the  father  of  two  chil- 
dren, Clarence  married  Matlie  Lockshaw  and  has  fdur  children,  John.  Will- 
iam, Louis,  and  Alinnie,  deceased.  Charles  married  Sophia  Shurman  and 
had  one  son  by  her,  \\'illiam.  l.'iion  her  death  he  married  Cora  Bright  and 
by  her  had  two  children,  Fvalph  and  Hattie.  Phoebe  became  the  wife  of  Will- 
iam Greene  and  the  mother  of  two  children,  Torrance  and  James.  Frances 
married  a  Mr.  Pate.  Racluicl  became  the  \\\ie  of  Thomas  Windsor  and 
raised  a  large  family.  Belle,  .\nna,  James,  h'ilbert  and  Lottie.  Mary  .V'ui 
married  Allen  Miles.  .Vnnie  married  Henry  I'owell  and  reared  a  large  fam- 
ily, David,  Rachael,  Laura,  ^ilnrton,  William,  Mary  and  Fannie  Xancy  be- 
came the  wife  of  Robert  Murra}-  and  had  two  chiMren,  Hiram  and  Calvin. 
Alice,  wife  of  the  immediate  sul>ject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  on  February  25, 
1853,  on  the  family  homestead  near  Dillsbi.iro,  and  received  her  education 
in  the  schools  of  Sparta  township. 

To  Robert  Lewis  and  Alice  (Bruce)  Brown  has  been  born  one  son.  Will- 
iam C,  who  was  born  on  the  family  homestead  in  Clay  tn\\nshi|.i,  Decemlier 
I,  1872.  On  January  25.  1911,  William  C.  Brown  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Delia  Wan  Osdol.  a  daugliter  of  William  and  ]\[ary  E.  (Chase)  Van  Os- 
dol,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Ohio  county,  and  the  later  was  born 
in  Switzerland  county,  this  state,  October  5,  1866.  Delia  Van  Osdol  v>as  born 
on  March  14,  1891,  in  Clay  township,  William  Br(iwn  and  wife  ;u'e  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  In  politics  he  votes  an  independent  ticket, 
choosing  his  men  rather  than  endorsing  any  party  ticket.  His  fraternal  af- 
filiation is  held  with  the  Red  ]\Ien  of  .\nierica,  having  served  his  local  society 
as  sachem. 

The  Brown  family  has  ever  been  considered  among  the  representative 
families  i>f  this  section,  standing  for  all  that  is  most  worth  while  in  life. 
Robert  Lewis  Brown  is  a  faithful  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  and  has  been  an  officer  in  the  same  for  a  number  of  years.  His  po- 
litical support  is  given  to  the  Democratic  party,  and  while  not  a  seeker  after 
office,  he  shows  a  commendable  interest  in  his  party's  affairs.  By  a  life  of 
consistent  action  and  thought,  Mr,  Brown  has  well  earned  the  high  standing 
which  he  now  enjoys  in  the  community. 


;•«:  vd 


v  -.riiV  :ti   rni^d  i/;//  rr!-.'ri '/    c  -i-arrni-i   .;rh  ,lob 


•  "1.    ■;:    1/;;'}   Hi-   -ijI    'jnfijitBt-   .•■K''-->'j.-   .•::iI)  "m  r'jilirnr.t 
■'     5"f'    t'      !')-.!fri-;!ri    Un:Ui\:.]    s    ^^i    ri//oitI    ?.iv/?.I    n-Hto/I 

'■j''^fiiiiT   '1  -H  .]    jr. I,-.-    ..ill    a:   Tjj'V^'i  nc   "v,  r.-  '   --     ' 


(IJ    ;ii    >  "   !  ilj    ,i/'JJt    ./M   jijh 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  867 

ALBERT  HEXRY  ISIATHTAS.  '       '       ' 

Ever}'  community  pnints  with  priije  to  it?  energetic  and  efficient  young 
men.  and  it  may  well  do  so.  for  in  them  rests  the  hope  of  its  future  well-I)eing. 
It  is  well  when  a  youth  can  deliniteK-  (lecide  along  what  line  his  future  course 
shall  he  and  so  plan  his  studies  and  reading  that  when  his  opportunit\-  comes, 
he  can  firmly  plant  his  feet  in  the  path  he  has  decided  upon.  It  is  especially 
gratifying  when  a  young  man  can  fiillow  in  the  footsteps  of  some  older  mem- 
ber of  his  family  and  in  the  present  instance  the  young  man  to  a  short  sketch 
of  whose  career  the  reader  is  now  directed  is  following  the  same  lines  laid 
down  by  his  maternal  grandfather  many  years  ago,  but  under  vastly  different 
conditions.  Albert  Henry  Mathias.  the  efficient  young  funeral  director  of 
Cla_\-  township,  Dearborn  cotmty,  has  been  especially  trained  in  his  chosen 
field  of  endea\-or  and  in  addition  to  his  education  along  professional  lines, 
he  is  by  nature  most  excellently  ecjuipped  for  tlie  delicate  duties  devoh'uig 
upon  him  and  his  sympathetic  manner  and  forget  fulness  of  sell  render  him 
of  great  assistance  to  those  who  need  his  services  in  an  hour  of  grief  and 
S'jrrow. 

Albert  Henry  ]\tathias  was  Isorn  in  Cochran.  Dearborn  county,  In- 
Indiana,  November  i,  18S7,  a  son  of  William  and  Maggie  ( Whittenburg) 
Alathias.  William  Mathias  was  born  in  Chesterville,  Indiana,  July  12,  1858, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Cochran.  At  the  earlv  age  oi 
fifteen  years  he  went  into  the  Cochran  chair  factor}-,  where  he  [)assed  his 
working  hours  for  the  lialance  of  his  life.  The  explosion  of  a  boiler  in  that 
factory  on  November  26,  1888.  caused  th.e  death  of  Mr.  ^Mathias  at  the  early 
age  of  thirty  years. 

William  Mathias  was  a  son  of  Henry  and  Lena  (Crngell)  iVIathias, 
Iioth  natives  of  Germany.  Henry  immigrated  to  the  United  States  while  still 
a  young  man.  locating  in  this  county  at  Chesterville  on  a  farm.  There  he 
remained  for  four  years,  when  he  moved  ot  Cochran  and  secured  cmplo}nient 
wiih  the  Ohio  iS;  Mississippi  Railroad  Company,  where  he  remained  for 
the  balance  of  his  life,  passing  away  when  an  old .  man  on  May  16,  1S90- 
He  was  one  of  the  good  and  substantial  citizens  of  Cochran  in  his  da}-  and 
gave  his  assistance  to  whatever  counted  for  the  good  of  the  community.  He 
was  a  faithful  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  ser\ing  his  local 
society  for  many  wears  as  one  of  its  officers.  In  politics  he  w  as  a  Republican, 
and  while  not  seeking  office  for  himself  was  always  anxious  to  see  the  right 
man  put  in  the  right  place.  Lena  Crugell.  his  wife,  came  to  this  country 
\Nhen  a  voung  girl  of  sixteen  years  and  was  soon  thereafter  married,  bearing; 


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868  DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  '■■■-■ 

her  husband  nine  children,  namely :  William,  Simon,  Frederick,  Ellsworth, 
Anna,  Lena,  Henry,  Mary,  and  one  child  who  died  in  infancy.  Lena  (Cru- 
gell)  Mathias  is  still  living-  at  an  advanced  age,  hale  and  hearty,  in  Kansas 
Cit}-,  Missouri. 

Maggie  ( Whitienburg )  ]\Iathias,  mother  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  born  in  Cla}'  township,  Dearborn  county,  January  lo,  i860,  and 
received  her  education  in  the  district  schools  of  her  native  township.  She  was 
married  to  William  ALithias,  at  Dillsboro,  September  i,  1886,  and  has  but 
the  one  child.  }ilrs.  ?slathias  is  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Anna  (Finkc) 
Whittenburg,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  Henry's  birth 
occurring  on  July  17,  1825.  When  twenty-two  years  of  age  he  immigrated 
to  the  United  States  and  settled  first  in  Cincinnati,  where  he,  for  six  years, 
worked  at  his  trade  of  cabinet-maker.  He  then  decided  to  come  into  Dear- 
born county  where  were  others  from  his  home  locality,  and  so  he  purchased 
a  tract  of  twelve  acres  in  Clay  townsh.ip.  On  this  he  erected  a  small  log  hut 
of  one  Yi>om  and  there  lived  and  farmed  his  land.  Being  expert  in  his 
trade,  he  formed  fine  tables,  chairs  and  other  pieces  of  furniture  frcjm  the 
trees  found  on  his  own  land,  and,  then  to  meet  the  needs  of  a  rural  community, 
he  began  making  caskets  in  which  the  dead  were  laid  to  rest.  These  he 
fashioned  from  fine  walnut  timber,  selling  them  for  from  four  to  six  dollars 
and  gradually  as  the  community  became  more  thickly  settled,  the  duties  of 
funeral  director  devrjjved  upon  him  and  he  fitted  himself  for  his  work  as  best 
he  could.  He,  however,  continued  to  make  caskets  until  forced  by  the  infirmi- 
tives  of  age  to  give  up  that  part  of  his  labors.  He  was  earlv  left  an  orphan 
through  the  death  of  both  parents  and  came  to  this  country  a  lonel_\-  youth 
but  the  years  have  wrought  him  many  filial  ties  and  he  is  still  living  at  the 
age  of  ninety  years,  a  fine  old  man.  Anna  Finke,  his  wife,  was  brought  to 
Cincinnati  by  her  parents,  and  there  she  met  and  married  ]Mr.  Whittenburg. 
To  their  union  were  born  seven  children :  Anna,  Charles,  Christian,  Maggie, 
Sophia  (who  died  young),  Mary  and  Carrie.  Anna  became  the  wife  of 
Ezra  ]McCrackcn.  of  Missouri,  and  there  are  three  children  in  that  fainib'. 
Wilbur,  Ida  and  Albert.  Charles  married  Louisa  Chamburg,  who  bi.ire  him 
eight  children.  Anna,  John.  William,  Henn.-,  Mary.  Clara,  Jerry  and  ]\Iaggie. 
all  living  in  Iowa.  Christian  married  ^Laggie  Brent  and  has  five  children. 
Adaline,  Laura.  Plenry,  George  and  Leona.  Mary  became  the  wife  of  Henry 
Ravenstein  and  has  three  children :  Carrie.  Arthur  and  Robert,  all  living  at 
Bradford.  Ohio.  Carrie  became  the  wife  of  George  Woodruff,  of  Eaton. 
Ohio.     She  is  the  mother  of  two  children,  Ethel  and  Lla. 

Albert  Henry  Mathias  received  his  elementary  education  in  the  public 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  869 

schools  of  Dillsljoro  anrl  for  s]>ecial  training  in  his  cliosen  field  of  endeavor, 
entered  the  Cincinnati  College  of  Embalming,  from  \vhich  institution  he  was 
"graduated  in  tlic  year  191 3.  This  was  the  year  of  the  disastrous  floods  along 
the  Ohio  river  and  young  ]\Iatliias  was  sent  by  the  city  of  Cincinnati  to  the 
flooded  districts  of  Ohio  to  render  his  services  to  the  communities  where 
many  lives  had  been  lost  by  drowning.  After  discharging  the  duties  duis 
thrust  upon  him,  he  returned  to  his  home  and  took  up  the  work  begun  by  his 
grandfather.  In  1914  he  purchased  the  undertaking  business  of  the  Xiebrugge 
company  and  maintains  his  office  at  Dillsboro. 

Mr  .Mathias  is  a  devout  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  In  politics 
he  votes  an  independent  ticket,  choosing  his  men  rather  than  endorsing  any 
partv  ticket.  He  is  a  voung  man  of  high  ideals,  sociable  and  of  plea^^ing  ad- 
dress and  b}'  virtue  of  his  sterling  qualities  he  will  win  his  way  along  the  best 
paths  of  life. 


EXOCH  HEADLEV 


Among  the  well  known  citizens  of  Clay  township,  Dearborn  county, 
Indiana,  is  the  respected  subject  of  this  sketch,  nov.'  living  in  Dillsboro,  where 
he  has  made  his  home  for  the  past  few  years. 

Enoch  Headley  comes  from  one  of  the  old  and  highly  esteemed  families 
of  this  comniunit\-  and  is  a  native  of  Dearborn  count}',  ha\ing  been  b'lrn  on 
April  16,  1S47,  >"  C;esar  Creek  to\Miship,  a  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth 
(Cousins)  Headley.  The  former  was  a  native  of  the  city  of  London,  I'.ngland, 
and  immigrated  to  America  when  a  young  man.  He  located  first  in  Baltimore, 
Maryland,  where,  however,  he  remained  for  a  short  time  only.  He  then  came 
westward  and  for  the  balance  of  his  life  was  engaged  in  farming,  being  located 
on  the  farm  which  he  .purchased  in  Ciesar  Creek  township.  This  was  a  tract 
of  forty  acres,  for  which  he  paid  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  per  acre. 
His  death  occurred  when  he  was  thirty-nine  years  of  age.  He  was  a  faithful 
member  of  the  ^lethodist  F.piscopal  church  and  did  much  to  further  the  cause 
c»f  that  society  in  the  earl\-  days  of  this  section.  In  politics  he  was  a  strmch 
supporter  of  the  X^'hig  party.  Elizabetn  (Cousins)  Headley,  his  wife,  was  a 
native  of  the  state  of  Ohio,  born  in  1S30,  and  when  a  child  was  brought  to 
Cresar  Creek  township  by  her  parents.  There  she  met  and  married  James 
Headley  while  still  a  young  girl.  Their  marriage  took  place  in  1846,  and  to 
their  union  were  born  three  children,  Enoch  being  the  eldest,  followed  by 
two  girls,  Rebecca  Ann  and  Elizabeth.  Rebecca  Ann  became  the  wife  of 
Philip  Helms,  of  Dillsboro,  and  the  mother  of  four  children,   Vina,  Lucy, 


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8/0  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

Stanley  and  Florence.  Elizabeth  married  Crist  Ceiving",  by  whom  she  became 
the  mother  of  two  chililren,  Katie  (deceased)  and  Louisa,  .\fter  Mr.  Ceil- 
ing's death,  she  became  tlic  wife  of  Isaac  W'aldon.  by  whom  she  became  the 
mother  of  si.x  children,  Ilarve}',  Louis.  Charles,  Earl,  Clara  and  Ik'ujamin, 
the  latter  two  being  deceased. 

Enoch  Headley  recei\ed  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Crcsar 
Creek  and  Clay  townships  and  was  emplo\ed  in  farm  work  until  the  time  of 
his  enlistment  in  the  army  during  the  Civil  War.  On  February  5,  1SG5,  he 
volunteered  as  a  pri\ate  in  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-sixth  Regi- 
ment, Lidiana  \'olunleer  Infantry,  serving  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  After 
the  close  of  the  war,  he  returned  home  and  was  engaged  in  farming.  He  pur- 
chased eighteen  acres  of  the  old  homestead,  which  he  farmed  for  two  vcars  and 
then  sold.  For  a  few  vears  he  then  rented  farms  throughout  the  tr:>wnship, 
finally  going  to  the  fann  of  an  uncle  and  aunt,  where  he  remained  for  some 
time. 

In  1869  Enoch  Headley  was  united  in  marriage  with  Clarissa  Flelms, 
daughter  of  Alfred  and  Eliza  (Jones)  Flelms,  of  Clay  township.  Dearborn 
count}'.  To  this  union  \\cre  burn  fi\'e  children,  Lcira  Ellen,  ]\taggie  Mhn  ,  Ada 
C,  Melvin  Eldo  and  Etta.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Headley  in  18S4  left  him 
with  this  }'oung  and  growing  famil}-,  the  youngest  child  being  Ijut  f:_nir 
weeks  of  age.  These  all,  however,  have  grown  to  maturity  and  have  taken 
their  places  in  the  world.  I,f>ra  Ellen  is  the  wife  of  \\'il!i;un  Ent,  of  Ripley 
county,  and  the  mother  of  a  son  and  daughter,  Harold  and  Margaret  Beatrice. 
Maggie  IMay  married  Frederick  Billinghearst  and  is  the  mother  of  seven  chil- 
dren, Daniel,  Fred,  Melvin,  Elmer,  Frank,  Dorothy  and  one  deceased.  Ada 
C.  became  the  wife  of  Gus  Cline,  of  Cincinnati,  and  has  one  child,  John.  }vlel- 
vin  married  Anna  Dearing  and  is  the  father  of  five  children,  Thelma  May 
(deceased).  Alma  May,  \'iola,  IMelvin  Eldo,  Jr.,  and  Thelma  Ruth.  Etta 
became  the  wife  of  William  Schillinger  and  resides  in  Peoria,  Illinois.  In  1898 
Enoch  Headley  married,  secondly,  Ida  B.  ('Gloyd)  Gilman,  widow  of  F. 
Gilman.  Air.  and  Mrs.  Headley  are  the  parents  of  a  daughter,  Edna,  who  is 
now  attending  school. 

In  1900  Mr.  Headley  took  the  United  States  mail  route  lietween  Cross 
Plains  and  Dillsboro,  carrying  it  for  eight  months,  when  he  gave  it  up  to  go 
on  a  fifty-four  acre  farm  which  he  had  purchased.  That,  however,  he  re- 
^tained  but  a  short  time  when  he  sold  it  and  moved  to  his  wife's  farm  in  Cresar 
Creek  township.  In  1907  he  purchased  a  farm  of  forty  acres  near  h^armers 
Retreat,  which  he  cleared  and  fanned  for  seven  years  and  then  sold  it,  pur- 
chasing property  in  Dillsboro,  where  he  has  since  resided. 


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'    '   '■  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  87I 

I\Ir.  Headley  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episccjpal  church.  He  holds 
his  fraternal  affiliation  with  the  Knights  of  Pj'thias  and  I'o^t  Xo.  189,  (Irand 
.\rniy  of  the  Republic,  at  Dill^boro.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican  and  lias 
ser\'cd  his  party  as  road  supervisor  for  two  years.  Throughout  the  yeru"s  of 
his  life  in  this  section,  Mr.  Headley  has  always  retained  the  confidence  and 
good  will  of  his  large  circle  of  friends. 


WILLIAM  SHUTER. 


Xo  class  of  citizenship  in  America  is  more  solid  or  substantial  than  that 
to  which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  belongs.  Those  who,  by  their  own  efforts, 
have  built  up  for  themselves  and  their  families,  a  successful,  remunerative 
business,  form  the  bone  and  and  sinew  oi  our  communities,  and  are  deserving 
of  admiration  and  appreciation.  William  SluUer,  of  Hogan  township.  Dear- 
born county,  has  achieved  success  as  a  farmer  and  has  established  a  gi.iod  rei>u- 
tation  in  this  community. 

William  Shuter  was  born  on  February  5,  1841,  in  Manchester  township, 
this  county,  and  is  a  son  of  Henry  and  Sophia  (Poos)  Shuter.  After  his 
marriage,  William  Shuter  followed  farming  on  a  rented  place  in  Hogan  town- 
ship, and  five  _\ears  later,  in  1869,  bought  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and 
forty  acres  in  the  northwest  part  of  Hogan  township,  where  he  has  since 
made  his  home.  He  has  since  added  to  his  possessions  by  the  purchase  of  the 
Huffman  farm  on  the  Aurora  and  ]\Ioores  Hill  pike,  and  again  bought  a 
farm  of  twenty-five  acres,  now  owning,  in  all,  two  hundred  and  fifty-five 
acres,  in  addition  to  \vhich  he  at  one  time  owned  the  old  home  place  of  one 
hundred  and  forty-seven  acres,  which  he  deeded  to  his  son,  Oliver.  IMr.  Shuter 
has  improved  his  place  with  valuable  buildings,  including  a  substantial,  at- 
tractive house,  good  barn  and  other  outbuildings,  and  now  has  one  of  the 
most  prosperous-looking  homes  in  the  townsiiip.  His  attentinn  has  been  di- 
vided between  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  Mr.  Shuter  is  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  church.  He  had  held  some  of  the  townsiiip  offices,  among  them 
being  that  of  township  trustee,  in  which  capacity  he  served  over  five  years, 
beginning  about  1900. 

Henry  Shuter,  father  of  William  Shuter,  w^as  born  in  Hanover.  Ger- 
many, January  26.  1812,  and  was  a  son  of  Frederick  and  Mary  Shuter.  He 
came  to  America  in  his  youth  with  his  parents,  who  settled  in  Jackson  town- 
ship, Dearborn  county,  in  1834.     As  a  young  man,  Henry  Shuter  employed 


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872  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

his  time  on  a  farm,  altliough  liis  first  emplnynicnt  in  America  was  tiiat  of  a 
hod-carrier,  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  after  wiiich  he  began  farming-  for  himself 
in  Manchester  township,  where  he  became  the  owner  of  several  \aluable  farms, 
owning  abont  three  hundred  acres,  and  was  also  the  owner  of  several  good 
farms  in  Illimais.  He  was  a  life-long  farmer,  and  started  at  the  bottom  of  the 
ladder  and,  unaideil,  earned  all  he  possessed.  At  the  beginning  his  only  as- 
sets were  thrift,  cccjnomy  and  gorxl  management.  Henry  Shuter  was  a 
Democrat  until   1S52.  and  in    1856  began  voting  for  the  Republican  party. 

On  January  14.  1840,  Henry  Shuter  was  united  in  marriage  with  Sophia 
Poos,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Christina  Poos,  who  was  born  on  June  7,  1S18, 
in  Meslingen,  Prussia.  Henry  and  Sophia  (  Poos}  Shuter  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children,  two  of  x^hom  died  in  Germany:  Arminda,  who  liecame  the 
wife  of  John  Rumsey  and  resided  in  r^Iancliester  township  until  her  death; 
William,  of  Hogan  township;  Henry,  who  is  li\ing  in  the  northern  part  of  Cen- 
ter township;  Haimah  became  the  wife  of  Holman  Canfield,  wdio  is  now 
deceased,  and  resides  in  Sparta  township  with  her  children;  Eliza  is  the  wife 
of  George  Ragsdale,  and  lives  in  Manchester  township. 

The  paternal  grandparents  were  Frederick  and  Mary  Shuter,  natives  ot 
Hanover,  Germany,  and  were  the  parents  of  two  children,  IIem"y  and  bred- 
erick.  After  the  death  of  his  wife,  Frederick  Shuter  was  married,  secondly  to 
^Margaret  Imhoff.  and  came  to  America  with  his  family,  landing  at  Baltimore 
in  18,^0,  coming  in  1832  to  Cincinnati,  and  in  1834  settled  in  Jackson  town- 
ship, Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  li\'es. 
This  last  union  was  ble^S(.d  w  itli  two  children,  William  and  Sophia.  Mr. 
Shuter  was  killed  by  a  fall  from  a  load  of  wheat.  He  and  his  wife  were  earnest 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

The  maternal  grandparents  were  Henry  and  Christina  Poos,  natives  of 
Prussia,  who  immigrated  to  America  and  settled  in  Riplej'  county,  Indiana, 
where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were  the  parents  of 
eight  children,  iwo  of  which  died  in  Germany,  the  onl}  mies  whose  names  are 
known  being  I'rederick.  Henry.  Sophia  and  tlannah. 

William  Shuter  was  united  in  marriage  in  1864,  with  Amanda  Canfield, 
daughter  of  Cyrus  and  i^.Iary  (Richardson)  Canfield.  Amanda  Canfield  was 
bom  in  Manchester  township.  Dearborn  ci'unty.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  church.  Mrs.  Amanda  (Canfield)  Shuter  died  on  March  24,  191 1, 
leaving  surviving  her  husband  and  si.K  children,  namely:  Oliver  P.,  who  mar- 
ried Emma  Weseman,  and  resides  in  Manchester  township  on  the  old  home 
farm,  and  has  three  children.  Raymond,  Leslie  and  Oliver  Ellsworth;  Edith, 
who  is  the  wife  of  William  Abdon,  and  lives  on  the  Huffman  farm,  has  three 


:Ai   >:.!  .vi/ 


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(fl'.-y    .•■■•  «!     ni 


DEARBORX   COL' NT  V,   INDIANA.  873 

children,  Myrtle,  Clyde  and  Earl;  Juhn  lives  near  Wilmington,  on  the  Moores 
Hill  and  Aurora  pike,  is  married  to  Lydia  Clans,  and  has  one  son,  F.ldridge ; 
Flora  E.  became  the  wife  of  ^Martin  J.  W'eis,  and  lives  on  a  farm  south  of  her 
father's  home  and  is  the  mother  of  two  children,  AX'illard  and  Edward  ;  Will- 
iam II.  lives  at  \\'estwood,  near  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he  is  engaged  in 
truck  farming,  he  is  married  to  Kate  Rei\'ers;  Harry  Raymond,  who  has 
charge  of  the  home  farm,  was  married  to  Edna  P.  Kimball,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Louisa  and  Harriett. 

Cyrus  and  ]^[ary  (Richardson)  Canfield,  parents  of  ]\Irs.  William  Shuter. 
spent  a  great  deal  of  their  lives  in  Hogan  township.  Mr.  Canfield  spent  the 
most  of  his  life  in  t!ie  stone  house,  where  his  son,  Clarion  Canfield,  now  lives. 
Two  rooms  of  this  old  house  were  built  probably  one  hundred  or  more  years 
ago.  There  is  a  large  fireplace,  \\'here  they  used  to  roll  in  big  back-logs,  too 
large  to  carry.  The  old  house  is  still  strong  and  durable.  ]Mar\-  (Richardson) 
Canfield  was  born  in  New  York,  about  1817,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Alfred 
Richardson  and  his  wife.  She  was  a  little  child  when  lier  parents  moved  to 
Hogan  township. 

An  ancestral  record  of  the  Canfield  family,  going  back  many  ccntiu"ies, 
is  given  on  another  page  in  tliis  history. 

Air.  Shuter  has,  through  his  great  force  of  character  and  determination, 
won  many  loyal  friends  in  Hogan  township. 


HORACE    G.    SOUIBB. 


Among  the  well-knoun  business  men  of  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  is  the 
subject  of  this  biographical  sketch,  who  is  a  native  of  this  county  and  meml,er 
of  a  family  which  is  well  represented  hereabout. 

Horace  G.  Squibb  is  a  son  of  William  P.  and  Mary  Frances  (  Plummer) 
Squibb,  and  was  born  on  August  25,  18S0.  at  Aurora,  Indiana.  Ijut  moved  from 
that  little  city,  when  but  eight  years  of  age.  and  settled  in  Lawrenceburg.  where 
he  has  since  resided.  Here  he  secured  his  education  at  the  ptiblic  schools.  At 
the  age  of  fifteen,  he  was  employed  in  his  father's  distillery,  in  which  he 
eventually  became  a  partner,  and  is  now  conducting  the  business  in  cimnection 
with  his  brothers,  Robert,  George  and  Nathaniel,  and  his  cousin.  Louis  Foulk. 
under  the  firm  name  of  W.  P.  Squibb  &  Company.  Mr.  Squibb  is  very  domes- 
tic in  his  habits,  and  thoroughly  enjoys  his  home  and  family.  When  not  en- 
gaged at  his  distillery,  he  is  generally  to  be  found  at  his  home,  which  he  con- 


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.     ■■      --■''  ''•■•■:  '■      '■■:'.   •!;'-  p   I    j.i->q? 

-/     -'•:''  '  !   ■^(:•'■  -    ]■     '    '.;■   ■  'if  ,-■■■'  ']  ;.   UO;f! 

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8/4  DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

siders  the  best  place  on  earth.  In  the  distillery,  he  is  superintendent  of  the 
cattle  department,  and  is  a  line  judge  of  cattle,  having  had  an  extended  ex- 
perience in  this  line. 

For  a  fuller  history  of  William  P.  and  Mary  Frances  (Plummer)  Squibb, 
the  reader  is  referred  to  the  sketch  of  George  L.  P.  Squibb,  presented  elsewhere 
in  this  volume. 

Horace  G.  Squibb  was  united  in  marriage  on  October  21,  1908,  with  Edna 
Mae  Weist,  daughter  of  William  D.  and  Lillian  (  Geisert)  \\'eist,  to  which 
luiion  has  l;een  born  one  son,  Howard  Da\id  Squibb.  ^Irs.  Squibb  was  born 
at  Mount  Auburn,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

William  D.  Weist,  father  of  Mrs.  Sijuibb,  was  born  and  reared  in  the  state 
of  New  York,  coming  to  Cincinnati  when  a  yourig  man.  where  he  learned 

I'     the  tailor's  trade,  which  he  followed  all  his  life.     To  William  D.  and  Lillian 

I     (Geisert)   Weist  have  been  born  three  children,  Lillian  Viola,  William  D., 

[;     Jr.  and  Edna. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Squibb  was  \\illiam  Geisert,  whose 
wife  was  iNlary  Geisert,  natives  of  Germany.     They  came  to  America  and 

I      settled  in  Dearborn  county  about  the  time  of  the  Civil  War,  and  both  died  here 

'''     at  an  advanced   age.      Their  children   were   Anna,   Albert,   Edward,   Flora, 

[■     Lillian  and  Amelia. 

'  Horace  G.  Squibb,  through  his  genial  temperament,  makes  many  friend^. 

and  there  is  accorded  to  him  the  fullest  measure  of  popular  confidence  and 
esteem  throughout  the  community. 


JACOB   M.    BAUER. 


Jacob  M.  Bauer,  of  the  Bauer  Cooperage  Company,  of  Lawrenceburg, 
Indiana,  is  one  of  the  best-known  citizens  of  this  section  of  the  state.  Mr. 
Bauer  is  also  well  known  in  Cincinnati,  where  he  is  prominently  identified  with 
the  business  and  commercial  hfe  of  the  Queen  City.  It  was  in  Cincinnati  that 
Mr.  Bauer  was  born,  and  it  was  here  that  his  father  was  engaged  in  the  hotel 
business  for  many  years.  Jacob  M.  Bauer  received  his  education  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Cincinnati,  and  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  there  nearly 
forty  years  ago.  Educated  for  the  law,  a  profession  which  Mr.  Bauer  did  not 
find  to  his  liking,  he  turned  his  attention  imtnediately  to  business,  and  after 
a  short  experience  in  a  Cincinnati  mercantile  house,  he  engaged  in  the  coop- 
erage business  with  his  brother,  John  G.     Very  shortly  afterwards  they  came 


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DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  875 

to  Lawrenccburg,  and  were  prominent  factors  in  tlie  organization  ot  tlie  com- 
pany of  which  they  now  have  the  complete  contml.  Mr.  r)auer  has  l)cen 
W(jn(lcrfully  snccessful  in  business  and  his  fimi  not  onlv  gi\"es  eni[ili  )\  nicnt  to 
more  than  two  hundred  persons,  but  has  large  holdings  in  Kentucky,  where  tlie 
raw  material  for  manufacture  is  prepared.  The  coniiiaiu'  lias  a  large  and 
prosperous  trade  throughout  this  section  of  the  country,  and  .Mr,  I'.auer's  keen 
business  foresight  has  been  no  inconsiderable  factor  in  the  grow  tit  oi  t'i:> 
great  business.  In  politics  Jacob  M.  Bauer  has  long  occupied  a  conspicui.us 
place.  Not  only  has  he  been  an  acti\'e  and  influential  counselK)r  in  the  laiik--, 
of  the  Republican  party,  but  for  many  years  he  was  a  close  friend  and  coun- 
sellor of  United  States  Senator  Beveridge  in  this  section  of  the  state, 

Jacob  ^[,  Bauer  was  born  in  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  February  12,  1858.  lie  is 
a  son  of  Jacob  and  Katherine  (Schmidt)  Bauer,  the  former  of  whom  was  a 
native  of  Wurlemburg,  and  the  latter  of  liavaria,  Germany,  Jacob  M.  Bauer 
was  one  of  four  children.  His  brother,  John  B.,  lives  in  Cincinnati.  Catlierine 
is  the  wife  of  E.  H.  Ringel,  of  Cleveland.  Ohio,     lunma  died  in  infanc}-. 

]\[r.  Bauer  was  reared  in  Cincinnati,  and  was  graduated  from  the  high 
school  there  in  i87ri.  He  then  studied  law  under  Judge  Straub,  but  not  liking 
the  law,  he  became  associated  \vith  the  mercantile  house  of  Jeffras,  Seely 
&  Company,  and  remained  with  the  firm  until  ]88o.  He  then  engaged  in 
business  with  his  brother.  John  G.,  at  Cincinnati,  and  tliere  thev  established  a 
cooperage  plant.  They  came  to  Lawrenccburg  in  1882.  and  consi.4idated  with 
the  Walsh  interests,  org-anizing  the  company  known  as  the  Bauer  Cooperage 
Compaii}-,  which  was  incorporated  with  a  capital  stock  of  one  hundred  thousand 
dollars.  This  organization  remained  intact  until  1895,  when  John  G.  and  Jaco]> 
M.  Bauer  bought  out  the  \\'alsh  interests,  and  have  continued  the  bu-^iness 
ever  since,  a  period  of  twenty  years.  The  factory  has  a  capacity  ni  ele\"en 
hundred  whiskey  barrels  a  day.  The  trade  of  the  company  extentls  over  the 
middle  and  eastern  states.  The  Bauer  Cooperage  Company  is  the  origiriator 
of  the  famous  Bauer  se\'en-hoop  barrel. 

Jacol>  yi.  Bauer  was  married  on  June  10,  1885,  to  Ex'angeline  I:Ia}es,  the 
daughter  'if  Ezra  and  Laura  (Morgan)  Hayes,  and  to  this 'union  four  chil- 
dren have  been  born,  Laura  Hortense,  Catherine  Evangeline,  Ezra  H.  and  Inez. 
Laura  H.  was  graduated  from  the  Bartholomew  Ely  School,  of  Cincinnati, 
and  her  sister  Catherine  also  was  graduated  from  the  same  institution.  Laura 
H.  is  the  wife  of  Clifford  S.  Diehl,  and  they  live  in  Lawrenccburg.  They  are 
the  parents  of  one  son,  Robert  Bauer.  Catherine  is  the  wife  of  John  E.  Luhr- 
man,  and  they  have  two  children,  ]'".vangeline  Mary  and  John  Jacob.  Ezra 
H.  died  at  the  age  of  four  years,  and  Inez  died  in  infancy. 


'/Kjy.r  ,yr.-  .lO'.  ,;i;0!iy.y,3'- 


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::     ■■■■  .■,;:>.;-  /-f.     , J  !       .■;:':  ::!  ■viuf!)  icnij:; 

I..  •  r.'  ■   ,  <:  ..:]i'\_  , ■!■>■''  ■'■;  -;,( ji?'-,-..  :..-,,iiir:(<i 

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8/6  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

jNIr.  Bauer's  father  was  reared  and  educated  in  Germany.  He  came  to 
this  cuuntr}'  and  located  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  pioneer  times,  and  there  he 
engaged  in  the  liotel  husiness.  lie  diet!  in  that  city  in  1885,  at  the  age  of  fift_\'- 
seven.  His  widow  still  survi\'es  him  and  lives  in  Cleveland,  and  is  now  aged 
eighty  years.  Jactib  Eauer  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  his 
wife  is  a  member  of  the  same  denomination. 

'Sir.  Bauer's  paternal  grandfather  was  Christian  Bauer,  who  died  in  Ger- 
manv  at  a  very  advanced  age.  Among  his  children  were  ]\Iichael  Gottlieb. 
William.  Jacid)  and  Emma.  Mr.  Bauer's  maternal  grandfather  was  a  farmer 
in  Germany,  and  among  his  children  were  Catherine,  Barbara,  Emma,  Mary 
and  George. 

Mrs.  Jacob  M.  Bauer  was  born  in  Greendale,  near  Lawrenceburg, 
Indiana.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  Dearborn  county,  and  her  father  is  still 
living  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight.  Her  mother  died  at  the  age  of  forty-five. 
They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Laura,  ^Matilda,  Xannie, 
Evangeline,  Theresa,  Ezra,  Arthur  and  Joseph.  ^Ls.  Bauer's  paternal  grand- 
father. Joseph  Hayes,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  this  section  and  one  of  three 
brothers  whn  \\-ere  prominent  in  the  early  life  of  Dearborn  county.  Joseph 
Hayes  married  a  Mis^  Biliingsley,  and  both  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania. 
Mrs.  Joseph  Hayes'  ancestors  were  of  Revolutionary  stock.  ?^Irs.  Bauer's  ma- 
ternal grandfather  married  a  }iliss  Glasgow,  of  Scotch  descent,  and  he  and 
his  wife  were  earlv  settlers  in  Dearborn  count}'. 

Jacob  M.  Bauer  is  a  Republicm  in  politics  and  for  several  years  was  a 
member  of  the  Republican  state  central  committee  of  Lidiana,  serving  from 
the  Fourth  Congressional  District.  He  was  one  of  the  ardent  supporters  of 
Senator  Beveridge's  org-anization,  and  was  a  delegate  to  several  conventions, 
among  them  being  the  conventions  which  nominated  President  Roosevelt 
and  President  Taft.  }vlr.  Bauer  is  still  regarded  as  an  influential  factor  in  the 
councils  of  his  party  in  this  section  of  the  state,  and  is  a  man  who  is  freely 
consulted  by  Rei)ul:licans  li\ing  in  other  sections  of  the  state.  Mrs.  Bauer 
is  a  member  of  the  I'resbyterian  church.  Mr.  Bauer  is  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Bauer  is  a  thirty-second  degree,  Scottish  Rite  ^^lason, 
and  belongs  to  Lawrenceburg  Lodge  No.  4,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons:  Law- 
renceburg Chapter.  Royal  Arch  Alasons ;  Aurora  Commandery,  Knights  Tem- 
plar, and  ^Lu-at  Temple,  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  Fie  is  also  a  member 
of  Dearborn  Lodge  No.  49,  Knights  of  Pythias. 

Jacob  M.' Bauer  is  a  director  of  the  Peoples  National  Bank,  of  Lawrence- 
burg, and  is  also  well  known  in  the  financial  and  commercial  life  of  Cincinnati, 


<  '■■::^-,>nn/.ia  iV 

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!  M'ji^y.f   .-ivtilr."!         I 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  S/y 

\\herc  he  is  a  member  of  the  Business  Glen's  Club,  the  Oueeti  Cit_\-  CUib,  and 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

When  the  history  of  the  present  generation  in  Dearborn  count v,  Indiana, 
is  written,  no  man  will  stand  out  more  prominently  in  the  histoiy  of  this  county 
tlian  Jacob  M.  Bauer. 


^    '■■■'■■-  CAPT.  HANSEN  DOWDEN  MOORE. 

Capt.  Hansen  Dowden  ^^loore  belongs  to  an  interesting  and  aristocratic 
Maryland  family,  whose  descendants  have  lost  none  of  the  family  pride.  'Jdiev 
have  also  retained  that  keen  foresight  so  prominent  throughout  the  generations, 
and  have  always  {>ossessed  great  fierce  of  cliaractcr  and  managericd  ab;!it_\-. 
The  record  of  Captain  ^loore  in  the  Civil  War  speaks  well  for  his  ability  to 
meet  any  and  all  emergencies,  and  he  has  never  been  at  a  loss  for  good  judg- 
ment in  doing  the  proper  thing  at  the  proper  time. 

Hansen  Dowen  -Moore  \va?  burn  on  February  2.  1838,  at  Moores  Hilk 
Indiana,  and  is  the  son  of  John  Collins  and  Indiana  Rutii  (Dnwueii) 
r^Ioore.  His  early  education  was  obtained  at  the  public  schools  at  iloores  Hill, 
after  which  he  entered  ]\Ioores  Hill  College,  but  was  compelled  to  leave  here 
before  he  finished,  because  of  the  ill  health  of  his  father.  He  assisted  his  father 
in  the  store  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  and  in  1S62,  he  organized 
a  company,  of  which  he  was  made  captain,  serving  in  Company  K,  Sixty- 
eighth  Regiment,  Indiana  \"olunteer  Infantry,  for  three  years.  Some  of  the 
battles  in  which  he  participated  being  those  of  Chickamauga  and  Missionary 
Ridge,  in  the  latter  of  which  he  was  severely  wounded,  and  others,  being  dis- 
charged at  the  close  of  the  war  in  1S65.  After  the  war.  Captain  Moore  re- 
turned to  Moores  Hill  and  went  into  partnership  with  his  Iimtlier,  taking  river 
his  father's  business,  which  was  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  J.  C. 
Moore's  Sons.  This  arrangement  continued  for  ten  years,  when  Hansen 
Dowden  Moore  took  over  the  entire  business  and  conducted  it  until  1905,  when 
he  sold  the  stock,  buildings  and  all,  to  }tIoi,n-es  Hill  College,  moving  back  to 
the  old  homestead,  where  he  still  resides.  Captain  M'jore  has  always  given 
his  loyal  sup[)ort  to  the  Republican  party.  He  was  a  niember  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  of  which  he  was  an  officer,  holding  the  offices  of  treasiu"er 
and  trustee  for  a  number  of  years.  He  belonged  \.o  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Eellows. 

John  Collins  Moore,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  boru  on 
February  8,   iSio,  near  Salisbury,  Marjdand,  and  when  eight  years  of  age 


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878  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

came  with  his  {)arents  to  I^'iwrenceljurg',  settling;-  here  tor  a  time,  ami  later 
•moving  to  Moores  Hill,  where  they  entered  a  qiiarteT  section  of  land  from 
the  govei-nment  in  1S18.  Mr.  }>Ioore  was  educated  in  his  home  town,  anrl 
at  the  age  of  seventeen,  went  io  I.av.-rencehm-g  to  learn  the  harness-nriker's 
trade,  and  later  learned  the  wood-worker's  trade  at  Wilmington,  when  the 
city  was  the  eom^.ty  seat,  .\fter  learning  his  trades,  he  returned  to  Moores 
Hill  and  houglit  fifty  acres  of  his  father's  farm,  and  after  his  marriage,  he 
Iniilt  a  comfortable  home  and  opened  a  saddle  and  harness  business,  in  connec- 
tion with  which  he  operated  a  general  store,  and  afterwards  started  a  cooperage 
factory,  a  large  plant  in  which  he  employed  forty  or  fifty  people.  John  Collins 
Moore  was  originally  a  ^\'hig.  and  later  became  a  Repulilican.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  which  he  trxik  an  active  and 
prominent  interest,  being  treasurer  and  trustee.  His  fraternal  meutr)er>liii)  was 
with  the  Indei^endent  Order  of  Odd  ]""ellows.  His  wife.  Indiana  Ruth  (Dow- 
den)  ?^[oore,  daughter  of  Samuel  H.  and  Soiihia  ( IMcCracken )  Dowden,  was 
born  on  January  16.  181 1,  near  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana.  ;\Ir.  and  ^Irs. 
Moore  were  married  on  December  23.  1S34,  in  Dearborn  county.  ^Ir.  Moore 
died  on  June  4.  187 1,  and  his  wife  sur\'i\-ed  him  t(j  a  good  old  age.  She 
was  a  woman  of  fine  intellect,  and  a  devoted  Christian,  having  joined  the 
jMethodist  Episcopal  church  at  an  early  age.  Their  children  were :  Hansen 
Dowden.  Isaac  S.,  America  S..  Helena  J.,  ?3enjamin  P.,  William  J.,  John  W., 
Virgil  Mc,  and  INfary  Thompsi.Mi. 

The  paternal  gran.dparents  were  Adam  and  Judith  (Smith)  Aloore.  na- 
tives of  ^Maryland.  ^Ir.  Moore  was  a  man  of  good  sense,  geneial  infonnation 
and  strong  moral  convictions,  always  havhig  his  own  opinion  in  questions  of 
religion  and  politics.  Their  children  were:  Isaac,  John,  Levi  Smith,  Elizabeth. 
JMars'.  Xancy  and  Harriett. 

The  maternal  grandparents  were  Samuel  H.  and  Sophia  (  McCracken) 
Dowden.  natives  of  Virginia,  where  they  were  united  in  marriage,  immigrat- 
ing in  1810,  settling  in  Dearborn  county. 

Capt.  Hansen  Dowden  ^loore  was  married  on  AL\y  8.  1868,  to  Jane  Susan 
Davies,  daughter  of  \\'illiam  and  Ann  (Jenkins)  Davies.  She  was  born  on 
a  farm  near  Guilford,  Indiana.  November  14.  1838,  and  received  her  educati()n 
at  Guilford  and  I^awrenceburg,  and  later  taught  school  at  Dover,  Indiana. 
To  this  union  were  born  two  children,  Ruth  and  Mary  E.  Ruth  was  born  on 
]May  15.  1870,  and  became  the  wife  of  J.  ^V.  Setters,  of  Pueblo,  Colorado,  who 
is  a  ranchman.  Mary  E.  was  born  on  Januarv  18.  1873,  and  is  married  to 
Claude  15.  Thomas.  They  are  living  at  Moores  Hill,  where  Mr.  Thomas  offi- 
ciates as  postmaster. 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  879 

William  Davies.  father  of  ]\Irs.  ^loore.  was  burn  (ni  April  20,  17S8,  in  Car- 
marthenshire. \^"ales.  His  wife.  Anna  (Jenkins)  Davies.  was  horn  on  August 
I,  1793,  a.t  Glamorganshire,  Wales.  They  were  married  April  jr..  1X14,  in 
Wales,  etmiii'.y  t(j  the  L'nited  States  in  1816,  lan.din.E;  at  Xew  Vurk  Cil>'.  eoming 
later  to  Cincinnati,  and  after  a  residence  there  oi  funr  years,  entered  land  frmn 
the  government  and  settled  near  Gnilford.  clearing  the  forest  away,  anil  living 
there  until  their  death.  Mrs.  Davies  died  on  .April  19.  18^)7.  and  William 
Davies  died  on  June  12,  18G8.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  naniel}' : 
George  \\'..  John  !•'.,  Alary  Ann,  Elizaheth,  Helen,  Thomas.  Wilham,  David, 
Jane  S.,  and  (me  who  died  voung. 

Through  his  sterling  integrity,  and  his  gcx^d  judgment,  Captain  Afoore's 
life  has  been  a  financial  success,  and  as  a  citizen  and  neighbor  he  is  highly 
esteemed  wherever  his  name  is  known.  ' 


REV.  JOHN  FLOREXTIXR  SOXDERMAXX. 

The  earlv  settlers  of  Dearborn  ci^unty,  Indiana,  very  sliurtly  after  social 
order  had  been  established  in  this  section,  organized  churches  where  th.ey 
might  worship  and  develop  their  spiritual  life.  These  churches  ha\-e  Ijeen 
loyally  sustained  by  the  descendants  of  the  pioneers;  and  it  is  to  the  pastor  of 
one  of  them,  the  Re\-.  John  Florentine  Simdermann,  of  St.  Lawrence's  Catho- 
lic church,  that  this  biographical  sketch  relates. 

John  Florentine  Sondermami  was  born  near  Attendnm,  Westphalia,  Ger- 
many. December  2.  1884.  and  is  a  siin  of  Theodore  and  Mary  Catherine 
(Theile)  Sondermami.  natives  of  Westphalia.  Germany.  They  had  eight 
children,  as  follow:  John  Florentine,  Frank,  deceased;  Joseph,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy :  Alary,  a  Sister  of  Providence  at  St.  Alarys  of  the  Woods.  \'igo 
count}-;  Anna,  who  died  when  nine  years  old;  Augr.st,  of  Jasper,  Du  r>ois 
countv,  Indiana;  Aleinrad,  who  died  while  a  tin- 'logical  student  at  Saint 
Aleinrad  Abbey,  in  Spencer  county,  Indiana;  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

Theodore  Sondennann  \\-as  reared  and  educated  in  German}-,  and  vvas 
a  farmer  and  horticulturist.  He  came  to  America  fir.-t  in  1846,  to  look-  at  the 
country,  with  which  he  was  well  pleased,  and  returned  to  Germany  to  make 
arrangements  to  return  to  this  countrv  at  once.  Ffe  returned  and  brought  hi'- 
wife  and  first  born  child,  settling,  first  at  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  where 
they  lived  a  year  or  two,  and  later  moved  to  Allegheny  Cit}',  where  he  was 
in  the  grocery  business.     When  he  came  to  America  the  second  time,  he  and 


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88o  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

his  wife  and  son  embarked  at  Havre,  France,  July  r6,  1847,  and  after  n 
journey  of  thirty-eigiil  daxs  on  the  saihng  vessel,  "St.  Nicholas,"  landed  in  Xcw 
York  City,  August  23.  1S47.  They  went  to  Pittsburgh,  where  they  arrived 
on  September  S,  the  same  )-ear.  They  lived  there  imtil  ^larch,  1848,  when 
they  returnefl  to  .Vllegheny  Cit_\-.  where  he  engaged  in  the  grocer)-  business 
until  December,  1852.  He  then  came  west  to  Du  Bois  ci>unty,  Indiana,  and 
settled  in  what  was  then  Hall  township,  and  ilevel^ped  a  farm  there.  He 
bought  a  large  tract  of  land  and  li\ed  tliere  so-me  years.  He  was  elected  countv 
assessor  and  served  two  terms,  utitil  the  fall  of  1885,  when  he  was  elected 
county  treasurer  of  Du  Bois  county,  and  at  the  end  of  his  second  term  as 
treasurer  he  was  elected  county  auditor.  At  the  expiration  of  the  term  he 
removed  to  Mount  \'ernon,  Posey  county,  Indiana,  and  established  a  hardware 
store  there.  He  was  in  that  business  about  foiu"  }ears  after  ^\•hich  he  returned 
to  Jasper,  Du  Bois  county,  to  spend  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  died  there  at  the 
age  of  eightv-seven  }'cars.  Blis  wife  died  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  Both 
were  members  of  the  Cathcilic  church.  Pie  belonged  to  the  '"iK^me  guards''  at 
the  time  of  the  Morgan  raid  duriiig  the  Civil  War. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  Francis  Xavier  Sondermann.  His  wife 
was  Mary  Theresa  (Kranz)  Sondermann,  natives  of  Germany.  He  was  a 
teacher,  and  occupied  a  position  similar  to  that  of  tmr  cminty  superintendent 
of  schools.  Fie  was  also  a  large  farmer  and  horticulturist.  They  died  in  Ger- 
man}'. He  was  born  in  1774.  and  died  in  1830.  His  wife  was  l>orn  in  1777  and 
died  in  1836.  They  had  a  family  of  four  children.  Ami  Mary,  IMary  Josepha, 
Mary  ^Magdalene  and  Theodi.ire.  The  maternal  grand  fatlier  was  I'rank 
Theije.  a  farmer,  whose  wife  was  ^Margaret  Bulle.  They  were  natives  of  West- 
phalia, where  the_\-  both  died,  he  at  past  middle  age,  and  she  at  eighty-four.  He 
was  born  in  1779,  and  died  in  1850.  She  was  born  in  17S7  and  died  in  1872. 
They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Hem'y.  Anthony,  bVancis 
Joseph.  John  Joseph,  ]\Iagdalene,  Man,-  Catherine,  Rachel  and  Louisa. 

Mary,  the  fourth  child  of  Theodore  and  Catherine  Sondermann,  is  now 
Sister  Mary  Albertine.  a  Sister  of  Providence  at  St.  Marys  of  the  Woods. 
Vigo  county,  Indiana.  She  is  an  artist  of  a  superior  . 'rder,  and  her  paint- 
ings are  to  be  seen  in  n-ian_\-  puldic  iristitutions.  among  them,  lieing  one  of  Sena- 
tor David  Turpie,  in  the  state  house  in  India'iap<ilis.  She  .also  pain.ted  a  lion, 
on  which  she  recei\ed  first  prize  at  the  World's  Fair  in  Chicago,  in  1893. 

The  Catholic  congregation  in  Lawrenceburg  was  organized  in  1840, 
consisting  at  the  time  of  fifteen  families,  among  which  George  Huschart.  Peter 
VVerst,  John  Kirnmel,  Jacob  ^Meier,  Louis  Cransart,  Anthony  Schwartz  and 
Michael  Lang  were  prominent.  Divine  services  were  held  at  first  in  a  house 
in  Xewtown   (a  part  of  Lawrenceburg),  then,  in  the  following  \-car,  in  the 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  ■    SSl 

house  01  George  Huschart,  and  at  tinies  also  in  tliat  of  Michael  Lang.  The 
coruer-.stone  of  the  first  church  was  laid  in  1S41,  on  \Valniit  street,  (tne  square 
.south  cif  the  present  church.  It  was  huilt  (^f  stone,  sixty  hy  fiMtv  feet,  hut  was 
not  ciint;ileted  until  1S47.  when  it  was  hlessed.  Rev.  Joseph  l^'ernediny,  of 
Xcw  .\lsace,  attended  the  place  from  1840  to  1841  ;  Rev.  F.  0'l\ourke.  of 
Dover,  from  184 1  to  1844,  when  he  returned  to  Irelar.d ;  Rev.  Andrew 
Dennett,  of  Dover,  from  1844  to  1850:  Rev.  i\I.  Stahl,  of  Xcw  Alsace,  during- 
the  first  part  of  1S50;  Rev.  A.  Carius,  of  iladison,  daring  the  latter  part  of 
1850;  The  l-'ranciscan  Fatlier.s,  Re\s.  G.  L'ntherdiener,  Sigismund  and  Anselm 
Koch,  of  Cincinnati  (  St.  John's  cluuxh).  had  charge  from  1851  tn  i^^().  Re\-. 
Ignace  Klein,  of  St.  Xichnlas,  Pipe  Creek,  from  1S50  to  1866. 

On  January  6.  1S66,  l-lev.  Clement  Scheve  became  the  first  resident  pas- 
tor of  Fawrencehurg.  The  present  beautiful  St.  Lawrence's  church  was  erected 
in  t866  on  Walnut  street,  one  square  north  of  the  old  church.  The  church 
is  of  brick,  one  hundred  and  twenty  by  fifty  feet,  wdth  a  large  basement  of 
stone,  at  first  used  for  school  purposes,  but  since  converted  into  a  chapel  and 
meeting-room  for  societies.  Father  Scheve  also  built  a  parsonage  in  18G7, 
a  spacicius  two-story  brick  building,  and  in  1869  a  large  three-story  school 
house  o.f  brick,  with  a  baseinent  of  stone.  The  school  is  the  property  of  the 
Sisters  of  St.  Francis.  Father  Scheve  w^as  born  on  October  4,  1828,  in  Lusche, 
Oldenburg,  and  immigrated  to  America  in  1848.  and  was  ordained  on  March 
19,  1839.  Loss  of  health  compelled  him  to  resign  his  charge  in  Lawrencebm-g 
in  August,  1870.  when  he  went  to  Minnesota  and  dicvl  there  in  tlic  spring  of 
1S75.  Rev.  Julius  J.  Duddenhausen  was  appointed  jiastor  of  St.  Lawrence's  011 
October  i,  1870,  and  successfully  administered  to  the  needs  of  the  congregation 
until  ]May  15,  1875,  when  he  was  transferred  to  Hoh-  Trinit_\-  church,  at  E\-ans- 
ville. 

Rev.  John  Florentine  Sondermann,  the  present  pastijr,  took  charge  on 
May  15.  1875.  He  studied  at  St.  I\Ieinrad,  and  was  ordained  there  by  bishop 
de  St.  Palais  as  priest.  September  22.  1868.  His  first  mission  was  'Sh.  \'er- 
non,  Posey  county,  of  which  he  was  the  first  resident  priest,  until  3.1ay  15, 
1874,  when  he  replaced  Father  Viehaus  during  his  absence  at  St.  Mary's 
church,  Evansville,  until  October  of  the  same  year.  Xe\t,  he  became  pastor  of 
St.  Joseph's,  \'anderburgh  county,  until  May,  i'875,  when  he  was  transferre<l 
to  Lawrenceburg.  where  he  has  continued  as  pastor  to  the  present  time,  a 
period  of  forty  years.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  he  is  strongly  entrenched  in  tlie 
hearts  and  affections  of  his  church  membership  and  the  citizens  of  Lawrence- 

(56) 


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882  DEARBOUN    COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

burg",  and  ho  eulogy  of  words  can  better  attest  liis  worth  as  a  priest  and  a 
citizen  than  liiis  enviable  record  of  his,  having  niinistereil  for  so  many  ye.ar^ 
continuously  to  one  congregation.  This  is  an  evidence  of  faithfulness  and 
efficiency.  The  church  now  has  a  membersliip  of  o\er  two  hundred  and 
fifty  families,  and  the  school  varies,  but  usually  has  about  two  hundred  pupils 
of  both  sexes.  ......        ,,.,,,. 


FREDERICK   SLATER. 


The  career  of  Frederick  Slater,  of  ]Moores  Hill,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana, 
whose  name  introduces  tliis  sketch,  has  been  a  long  and  busy  one,  and  is  a 
recortl  of  industry  and  courage  tliat  could  be  emulated  very  profitably  by 
many  of  the  younger  generation. 

Frederick  Slater  was  born  on  October  6,  182S,  in  Hanover,  Germany,  and 
is  a  son  of  Fi'ederick  and  Matilda  ( Repe)  Slater,  and  came  with  his  parents  to 
America  in  1838,  and  settled  in  Kentucky.  He  grew  to  manhood,  and  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Alexandria,  and  assi^ted  his  father  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits  until  twenty-rine  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  Aurora, 
Indiana,  and  clerked  in.  a  store,  returning  to  Kentucky  in  a  sl¥3rt  time.  In  1S52 
he  went  to  California  on  a  gold  prospecting  tuur.  While  there  he  develnpetl 
valuable  pr<;)perties,  and  in  1856.  he  returned  to  Kentucky  and  assisted  his 
father  in  pa\-ing  (iff  the  farm  debt.  .Vfter  his  marriage  Mr.  Slater  bought  a 
gTocer}-  store  at  Aurt'ra,  which  lie  sold  at  the  end  of  three  years,  and  b' niglit 
another.  In  1862.  he  organized  Company  E,  Ele\'enth  Kentucky  Ca\alry,  and 
ser\-ed  as  captain,  being  promoted  to  major  in  1S63,  in  which  ca[):icit\  he 
served  twelve  months,  and  was  then  promoted  to  lieutenant-colonel  nf  the 
same  regiment,  which  he  commanded  until  the  close  of  the  Civil  War.  Fle  was 
engaged  in  a  skirmish  at  Hartswell,  Tennessee,  where  he  was  captured,  but  was 
released  after  a  few  weeks.  He  also  participated  in  many  other  battles  of 
prominence,  thirty-si.x  in  all.  After  the  close  of  the  war,  he  went  to  Sparta, 
Indiana,  where  be  conducted  a  general  store  for  thirty  years,  during  which 
time  he  was  appointed  postmaster,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  twenty-eight 
years.  ]\Ir.  Slater  has  always  been  an  active  and  interested  member  of  the 
Republican  party,  serving  as  county  commissioner  for  a  period  of  six  years,  and 
as  trustee  of  Moores  Hill  four  years.  He  is  an  earnest  member  of  the  Baptist 
church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic. 

Frederick  Slater,  Sr.,  was  born  in  1801,  in  Hanover,  Germany.  He 
brought  his   family   to   America   in    1S35,   settling  at    Pittsburgh,   and   later 


it;;  ■.:.! 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  S83 

nitncd  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  remained  a  sliort  tin:e,  and  t1ien  nrnved  to 
Lawrence  county,  Ohio,  remaining  there  five  years.  He  then  moved  to  Alex- 
andria, Kentucky,  and  bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  lived 
tiierc  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  187S,  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years. 
He  was  a  strong  believer  in  Democratic  principles.  I  lis  wife,  Matilda  (Rcpe) 
Slater,  \\-as  bnm  in  1797,  in  Hanover,  Germany,  and  died  in  1874,  aged  seven- 
tv-seven  years.  Tiiey  were  the  parents  of  five  children.  Henry,  Frederick, 
Matilda,  Emily,  and  John,  all  of  whom  are  in  the  United  States. 

I'Vederick  Slater  was  united  in  marriage  on  June  23,  1856,  with  Sarah 
.Ann  Corbit,  who  was  born  in  1832,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  died  on  August  4, 
1888,  leaving  six  chiMren.  William  H.,  Frederick  .\.,  James  (deceased),  Law- 
rence (deceased),  Emily  and  Sada. 

William  H.  Slater  was  married  to  Kate  Johnson,  and  lives  at  Scotts- 
burg,  Indiana.  They  have  ihe  children,  Gertrude,  Anna,  William,  L-a  and 
Edith.  Frederick  A.  is  married  to  Alice  Givan,  and  resides  at  Pendleton, 
Indiana.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  four  children,  Milton,  Albert,  Lulu 
and  Xaoma.  Emily  became  the  wife  of  William  Heustis.  and  resides  at  Cov- 
ington. Kentucky.  She  is  the  mother  of  four  children,  Ira,  Sada,  Emily  and 
Merril.  Sada  is  the  wife  of  Fred.  Churchill,  and  resides  at  Springfield.  Ohio. 
The)-  are  the  ])arents  of  three  children.  Fern,  Vira  and  Donald. 

Frederick  Slater  was  married,  secondly,  December  23,  1890,  -to  Sarah 
Stewart  Harrison,  daughler  of  John  and  Alary  (La\vrence)  Harrison.  She 
was  born  in  1842,  in  Cincinnati,  and  was  educated  in  that  city. 

John  and  Mary  (Lawrence)  Llarrison,  parents  of  Sarah  (Harrison) 
Slater,  w-ere  bom  and  reared  in  England,  coming  to  America  in  1829,  and  set- 
tling at  Cincinnati,  where  Mr.  Harrison  was  engaged  in  the  foundry  supply 
liusiness.  John  and  Alary  (Lawrence)  Harrison  were  married  in  1828.  at 
St.  John's  church,  Wakefield.  England,  and  on  their  arri\-al  in  America,  lauded 
at  New  York,  and  from  that  point  came  overland  by  wagon  to  Ohio,  being- 
one  month  en  route  to  Cincinnati.  They  w^ere  members  of  the  English  Episco- 
I>al  churclr  Air.  Harrison  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years,  and  his  wife. 
Alary,  died  aged  eigthy-tw-o  years.  They  were  tlie  parents  of  eight  children: 
William,  Eliz;dieth,  .Anna.  Alary,  John,  Sarah,  Alartha  and  James. 

The  paternal  grandparents  of  Alary  (  Law-rence )  Harrison  w-ere  William 
and  Alargarette  ( Alaulton )  Harrison,  natives  of  England,  where  they  both 
died. 

In  1895  Air.  Slater  built  an  attracti\-e  and  comfortable  house  at  Aloores 
Hill,  where  he  and  his  wife  have  formed  a  host  of  friends  and  acquaintances, 
and  w  here  they  are  honored  and  highly  esteemed. 


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884  DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

CLIFFORD  J,  DILS. 

Clifford  J.  Dils  is  a  true  son  of  Indiana,  having  liccn  born  in  Dearborn 
county,  received  his  education  and  later  learning  the  agricultural  methods  of 
that  state,  it  proved  to  lie  the  magnet  that  drew  him  back  within  her  limits, 
after  testing  the  opportunities  which  he  had  imagined  might  be  more  advan- 
tageous in  a  neighliorin.g  state.  He  not  only  abainloncd  the  new  state,  but 
the  business  of  farming,  trying  slill  another  state  and  a  new  line  of  Inisiness,  in 
which  he  felt  better  satisfied  for  several  years,  but  the  call  of  DearVjorn  county 
proving  too  strong  for  him,  he  returned  and  settled  permanently  in  Aurora, 
which  inove,  in  view  of  his  business  success,  has  been  a  thoroughlv  satis- 
factory one. 

Clifford  J.  Diis  was  born  in  Manchester  township.  Dearborn  county, 
October  20,  1S74,  and  is  a  son  of  John' and  Louise  (House)  Dils.  He  was 
reared  on  his  father's  farm,  and  his  education  was  secured  at  the  district 
schools.  When  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  young  manhood  he  went  tu  Illinois 
and  engaged  his  services  for  two  years  on  a  farm,  after  which  he  went  to 
Cincinnati,  where  he  was  employed  on  the  railroad  for  twcKe  years.  He 
saved  his  money  while  here,  and  had  enough  to  enable  him  to  go  into  the  hay 
and  grain  business  at  Aurora,  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  Hugh  H., 
and  in  five  years  bought  the  entire  interest,  and  has  since  been  running  the 
business  alone.  ]Mr.  Dils  has  been  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  church,  of  which  he  is  a  regular  attendant. 

John  Dils,  father  of  Clifford  J.,  was  born  on  ]\Iarch  44,  1845,  '"  Man- 
chester township.  Dearborn  county,  Indiana.  His  wife,  Louise  (House) 
Dils,  was  also  a  nati\e  of  Dearborn  count}-.  Mr.  Dils  was  a  farmer  in  Man- 
chester township,  and  spent  his  remaining  years  here.  W'hen  he  died  he  owned 
over  two  hundred  acres  of  land.  His  death  occurred  on  April  i,  1909,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-four  years.  His  wife  survives  him.  and  is  living  at  Aurora,  aged 
sixtj-seven  years.  'Sir.  and  IMrs.  Dils  have  been  life-long  members  of  the  Bap- 
tist church,  as  ha\'e  also  their  children,  who  were  six  in  number,  as  follow : 
Hugh  H.,  of  Gary,  Indiana:  William,  who  resides  at  Aurora;  Clifford  J.,  of 
Aurora;  Fletcher,  who  is  still  on  the  old  home  place;  John,  a  druggist  in  In- 
dianapolis; and  Floyd,  who  resides  at  Lawrenceburg. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  William  Dils,  and  his  wife  was  Ann  (Alor- 
gan)  Dils.  They  were  natives  of  the  New  England  states,  and  uere  of  Eng- 
lish lineage.  They  were  pioneers  in  Dearborn  county,  and  the  towns  of  Dills- 
boro  was  named  for  the  family,  who  originallv  spelled  the  name  "Dills."  Mr. 
Dils  was  a  farmer  all  his  life,  and  died  in  Manchester  township  at  an  old 


il',  I 


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DKAREORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  885 

age.  They  had  the  following  children :  Judson,  William,  Hattie.  Carrie,  Til- 
lie,  Mrs.  Louise  Kerr,  Mollie  Harvey,  Elizabeth,  Frankland  and  John. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  William  House,  and  his  wife  was  .Mary 
Ann  (Wilson)  House.  They  came  from  London,  Enghuul.  in  1S2S,  and  were 
pioneers  in  Dearborn  county,  emig'rating  from  Cincinnati,  where  Mr.  Honsi, 
followed  the  carpenter's  trade  for  a  short  time.  He  later  followed  farming. 
He  lived  to  a  good  old  age.  and  was  killed  by  the  falling  of  a  tree.  Their  chil- 
dren were  as   follow:  John,  William,  George.   Lizzie,    Mary  and   Louise. 

Clifford  J.  Dils  was  married  on  October  20.  1901,  to  Grace  Greenwdi.d 
Hill,  daughter  of  Adam  and  Ella  (  Worley)  Hill.  She  was  burn  on  July  15. 
1874,  on  a  farm  near  Aurora,  and  has  always  been  a  member  of  the  ]\Ietho'li>i 
church.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  two  children,  Eleanor  Claude  and 
Donald  Clifford. 

For  the  history  of  the  parents  of  Mrs.  Clifford  J.  Dils  the  rearler  is  re- 
ferred to  tile  sketch  of  .Adam  K.  Hill,  presented  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

Through  hard  work  and  good  business  manag'ement.  Mr.  Dils  stands  a- 
one  of  the  leading  and  representaii\'e  business  men  of  .Am-ora,  where  he  h'i< 
established  a  good-paying  hay  and  grain  business. 


JOHN  PROBST. 

John  Probst,  a  native  of  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  born  on  Octfil.ier 
5,  1842,  farmer  and  blacksmith  by  occupation,  has  served  twenty  years  a- 
justice  of  the  peace  in  this  county  and  is,  therefore,  well  kuf^wn  to  all  the  citi- 
zens of  the  county.  jMr.  Probst  has  a  long  and  honoralile  military  record.  ha\  -. 
ing  enlisted  in  1862,  in  Company  H.  Eight)'-third  Regiment,  Indiana  \"olun- 
teer  Infantry,  in  which  he  served  for  about  three  vears  as  a  pri\'ate.  He 
participated  in  many  hard-fought  battles  of  the  Civil  War  and.  at  the  siege 
and  surrender  of  Vicksburg.  his  regiment  made  two  charges  on  tiie  entrench- 
ments about  that  city.  He  also  served  in  the  battles  of  Missionary  Ridge. 
Arkansas  Post,  Kenesaw  IMountain,  luka  and  in  many  minor  engagements. 
Dearborn  county  has  been  his  home  for  seventy-three  years  except  for  the 
period  he  spent  as  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army. 

John  Probst's  parents.  Ji;>hn  and  Julia  (Pleisler)  Probst,  were  natives  oi 
Bavaria.  Germany,  the  former  of  whom,  after  being  reared  and  educated  in 
Germanv,  came  to  America  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  in  1S3J,  and  Iricated  fir-t 
at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he  li\'ed  for  a  few  \ears.    On  coming  tcj  Dearborn 


f.-.i/-. 


'  .'_ 

i.:ol 

(l.V 

..:'r 

j'^.'-A 

or!j  • 

■  arc.' 

886  DEARBORN   COUiS'TY,   INDIANA. 

county,  Indiana,  he  .settled  on  a  farm  of  forty  acres,  a  part  of  the  tract  of 
land  purchased  by  his  father,  and  here  he  reared  his  family.  He  died  in 
185S,  at  the  acfe  of  fi:irty-se\en  years,  and  his  wife  died  four  \cars  prcviousl\-. 
at  the  age  of  thirty-six.  Both  were  devout  nK-mliers  of  the  Lutheran  church. 
They  reared  a  family  of  seven  children:  John,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Michael,  of  Montg-omery  county,  Illinois;  Louisa,  the  widow  of  John  Mettel, 
of  Connersville,  Indiana;  Elizabeth,  the  widow  of  Philip  Berk,  of  Cedar  Grove, 
Franklin  county,  Indiana;  [Nlary.  who  is  the  widow  of  David  Raster,  of  Indi- 
anapolis; Nicholas,  of  ]\Iiller  township,  and  Catherine,  who  is  the  widow  of 
Michael  Haag,  of  Greendale. 

Tlie  paternal  grandparents  of  Mr.  Probst  were  John  George  and  !Mar- 
garet  (Xeus)  Probst,  who  came  to  America  in  1S35  and.  after  landing  at 
New  Orleans,  came  up  the  ^lississippi  and  Ohio  ri\'ers  to  Cincinnati,  whence 
they  came  to  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  .\fter  buying  a  farm  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  in  Kelso  township,  they  engaged  in  farming.  Both  died 
on  the  home  farm,  the  grandfather  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  and  the  grand- 
mother at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  or  seventy-nine.  They  had  four  children, 
John,  Jr.,  Gerirge.  Elizabeth  and  Jacob. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Probst  was  John  Heisler.  whose  wife 
died  in  Germany.  After  her  death  he  came  to  America  in  company  with 
John  Probst  and,  being  a  coijper  by  trade,  worked  at  this  trade  in  Cincinnati 
for  a  number  of  }-ears,  dying  there  at  a  \ery  advanced  age.  Of  his  children 
Mrs.  Julia  Probst  was  the  only  one  who  came  to  this  country. 

Born  in  Kelso  township.  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  and  reared  to  man- 
hood on  his  father's  farm,  John  Probst  began  learning  the  blacksmith's  trade 
at  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  since  which  time  he  has  made  his  own  way  in 
the  world.  Pie  followed  his  trade  until  his  enlistment  in  the  L'nion  army  at 
the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War.  After  the  war  he  returned  home  and,  bemg 
discharged  at  Indianapolis,  resumed  blacksmithing  in  Kelso  township.  There, 
until  186S,  he  operated  a  blacksmith  shop  and  a  saw-mill.  During  this  time 
he  was  elected  ju.-tice  of  the  jieace  and  was  also  appointed  t(3wnship  trustee. 
Coming  to  I^awrenceburg,  Indiana,  in  1S86,  after  his  election  as  county 
treasurer,  he  lived  here  for  four  years  during  his  term  in  this  office.  Mr. 
Probst  was  in  his  day  one  of  the  most  capable  treasurers  in  the  history  of 
Dearborn  count}-.  He  made  an  honorable  and  efficient  record  in  this  office, 
and  at  the  end  of  his  first  term  was  triumphantly  elected  to  the  second,  an 
evidence  not  only  of  his  efficiency  in  the  office,  but  of  a  good  will  which  he 
enjoys  from  the  people  of  Dearborn  county.  In  the  meantime  he  had  pur- 
chased the  home  at  208  W'est  High  street,  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  and  here 


y,i  I'l'-iY  ^vr^ 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA..  88/ 

he  has  continued  to  hve  since  that  time.  Immediately  after  returning  from 
the  oflice  of  county  treasurer  he  began  farming  in  Lawrenceburg  township, 
just  west  of  the  corporation  hne  and  farmed  until  1907,  when  he  rented  the 
farm,  comprising  now  about  sixty-two  acres.  During  that  time,  huwe\er.  he 
had  been  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  in  which  office  he  has  now  served  for 
twenty  years. 

In  February,  1868,  John  Ih'obst  was  married  t<i  Amelia  I'^ender,  the 
daughter  of  Jacob  Fender.  ]Mrs.  Probst  died  in  i86g,  at  the  age  of  about 
twenty  years.  Born  in  Franklin  count}-,  she  was  the  daughter  of  Cierman  par- 
ents, both  of  whom  died  in  Franklin  county,  Indiana.  Jacob  Fender  and  wife 
had  si.K  children,  Edmund,  Jacob,  Amelia,  Catherine,  Elizabeth,  and  one  who 
died  in  infancy.  At  her  death  Mrs.  .Amelia  Probst  left  one  son,  Edwin  John 
Jacob.  In  August,  1869.  John  Probst  was  married  to  Christina  E.  Puissard, 
the  daughter  of  Martin  and  Elizabeth  (Fender)  Bussard.  ]\Irs.  Christina 
I'robst  died  on  ^larch  16,  191 1.  at  the  age  of  sixty-one,  leaving  no  children. 
She  was  a  native  of  Franklin  county,  Indiana. 

A  lifekmg  member  of  the  German  Lutheran  church,  John  Probst  has  been 
an  acti\'e  member  in  this  dennniination.  Both  of  his  wi\es  were  members 
of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  is  a  member  of  L'nion  Lodge  No.  8,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  also  of  the  encampment.  Fie  has  belonged  to  this 
lodge  since  1886.  He  also  belongs  to  Robert  Huff  Post  No.  89,  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic,  and  has  been  quartermaster  for  many  years.  In  politics  he 
is  identified  with  the  Democratic  party. 

By  diligent  and  unceasing  industry  ^Ir.  Probst  has  been  able  to  acquire 
a  substantial  competence.  Althougli  liis  life  has  been  devoted  to  many  enter- 
prises, he  is  recognized  as  a. man  of  no  mean  business  ability,  an  interesting 
conversationalist,  a  broad-nn'nded.  intelligent  citizen. 


ADAM  BRUCE. 


Having  tra\eled  considerably  througli  his  own  country  and  with  an  ex- 
tended trip  abroad,  visiting  all  the  principal  European  countries,  .\ilam 
Ilruce,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch,  is  a  successful  farmer  who  has 
l)rrifited  by  his  obser\-ation  nt  the  experiences  of  others.  He  has  a  large 
fund  of  general  information,  is  keenlv  alive  to  the  aihantage  of  conducting 
in's  fine  farm  along  the  most  approved  lines,  and  takes  a  deep  interest  in  the 
newest  methods  of  producing  goods  of  the  highest  quality.     He  is  a  breeder 


.^'■'.l:l:^'.i  ,y  '  •"K'  >  •/?.<, ;raA/fci 


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■  r    J 1 1 


Ji.    ijrl    -Jfll    'I'l    -:; 


888  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

of  fine  stock  and  true  lover  of  outdtK>r  sport,  having   always  been  a   fine 
marksman. 

Adam  Bruce  was  born  on  March  9.  1852,  on  Short  Ridge,  in  Hogan 
township,  this  county,  on  the  old  Aleck  place.  His  parents  were  John  and 
Jane  (Ross)  Bruce.  He  was  reared  in  the  community  in  which  he  now  re 
sides,  and  has  followed  farming.  In  the  fall  of  1S79  ]Mr.  Bruce  moxed  to 
Kansas,  where  he  spent  two  and  one-half  years  in  agricultural  pursuits,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  he  returned  and  resumed  farming  in  his  old  home  neigh- 
borhood. Here  ]\Ir.  Bruce  has  a  fine  farm  of  r)ne  hundred  and  seventy-eight 
acres.  In  18S8  he  went  on  a  tour  through  Europe,  visiting  Hamburg,  Ger- 
many ;  and  from  there  went  to  Laving  Station,  in  Denmark,  where  his  brother- 
in-law,  Air.  Dam.  at  one  time  made  his  home.  From  there  he  returned  to 
Hamburg  and  crossed  to  Havre,  France ;  and  thence  to  Southampton,  Eng- 
land, and  on  to  London,  Liverpool,  to  Belfast,  Ireland;  and  to  Glasgow, 
Scotland:  the  latter  being  the  pnint  from  which  liis  grandfather  startei.l  for 
America.  From  Glasgijw  Mr.  Bruce  went  to  Larne,  Ireland,  and  after  a  short 
stay  there  returned  home.  Mr.  Bruce  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  oi  the 
Methodist  church  and  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  With  a  number 
of  friends  and  neighbors  he  furn.ied  tlie  North  Hogan  Gun  Club,  which  has 
always  been  a  source  of  great  pleasure,  and  where  he  has  made  splendid 
scores,  breaking  sixty-two  out  of  sixty-three  balls,  and  e\'en  though  out  of 
practice  at  present,  can  make  eighteen  out  of  twenty-fi\e,  and  has  always 
owned  fine  guns.  ^Ir.  Bruce  is  engaged  in  the  dairy  business,  with  a  herd 
of  about  thirty  cattle,  princij^ally  Jerseys.  He  owns  a  pure-bred  Jersey  bull. 
and  has  recentl}'  purchased  am.ither  of  even  better  record,  with  a  view  to 
building  up  a  herd  of  excellent  stock. 

John  Bruce,  father  of  Adam  Bruce,  was  born  on  November  17,  1806.  on 
North  Hogan  creek,  near  where  .Adam  Bruce  now  lives.  After  gTOwing  to 
manhood  he  started  in  with  a  forty-acre  farm  on  Short  Ridge,  and  was  later 
presented  by  his  father  with  eighty  acres  more,  tu  which  he  continued  to  add 
until  he  owned  about  three  hundred  acres.  He  was  a  fanner,  trader  and 
flatboat  pilot,  making  twenty-three  trips  to  New  Orleans.  Lie  led  an  lionest 
and  successful  life,  and  his  word  is  said  to  have  been  as  good  as  his  bond.  He 
was  united  in  marriage  on  .\[>v\\  25.  1841,  with  Jane  Ross,  daughter  of  Amos 
L.  and  Eleanor  (Shumaker)  Ross.  She  was  born  on  Julv  26,  1S20.  Mr. 
John  Bruce  dieil  on  N':)vembcr  10,  1870,  and  his  wife  in  1890.  To  this  union 
were  born  eight  children,  as  fidLnv:  Louisa,  born  (.m  Jul_\-  2,  1842,  die<l  on 
January  4.  1883:  became  the  wife  of  William  Chisman;  John,  Jr.,  November 
29,  1843,  ^^^'^  <^*"  -^pril  24,  1846;  Amos,  December  3,  1845,  died  on  August 


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DEAKliORX    COUXTY,    INDIANA.  SSq 

8,  1847:  Amur  L.,  Xovemlier  8,  1847,  and  resides  on  Hog;m  creek,  in  Iloj^aii 
townsln'i);  .Vdani,  of  Ilogaii  township;  Sarah  E.,  Octdlier  23,  1854,  is  now  the 
wife  of  Frank  C.  Dam  and  H\es  at  Homesteatl,  Lawreneebnro-;  Landy  H., 
Aj.iril  24.  1857,  and  resides  near  Midxane.  Kansas;  Calvin  R.,  April  25,  1861, 
li\ed  at  Blaekwell,  Oklalnjuia.  and  <Jied  on  Xo\ ember  15,  19 14. 

Ihe  paternal  grandparents  were  Amur  and  Catharine  r.ruce ;  he  a  nati\e 
of  Scotland  and  his  wife  a  native  of  Germany,  wIkj  settled  in  America  in  the 
last  decade  of  the  eighteenth  century.  They  Ii\ed  in  Xew  V(irk  state  fur  a 
time,  but  later  came  to  Dearliorn  count}',  and  were  among  the  first  pioneers 
in  ♦heir  part  of  the  county,  lie  entered  land  from  the  government  and  lived 
amon.g  the  Indians  in  the  da)-s  of  log  cabins,  lie  later  built  a  l)rick-kiln  and 
made  the  brick  for  a  good  brick  dwelling,  to  which  he  mox'ed  his  fannly. 
Adam  Bruce  is  now  living  in  the  same  dwelling.  He  increased  his  acreage 
until  he  owned  about  nine  Iiuiulrefl  acres.  ^Ir.  Bruce  was  a  lover  of  nature 
and  enjoyed  hi^  wikl  sin'roundings  in  pii.incer  da}S,  wlien  the  panther  and 
wild  cat  were  plentiful,  as  were  also  the  wild  titrkeys  and  deer.  He  had  a 
large  family  of  ciiildren. 

Adam  Bruce  was  married  on  3ilarch  f'>.  1892,  to  X^ora  Sellers,  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Mary  (  Gi\"an )  Sellers.  She  was  born  on  March  10.  i86c),  on 
the  ridge  north  of  Wilmington,  in  Hogan  township,  and  has  always  been  an 
earnest  niemlier  of  the  Methijdist  church.  To  this  union  lia\e  been  born  three 
children:  Robert  E.,  born  on  December  10,  1892;  Elvin  Eeroy,  January  12. 
1895;  Irma  Eoral.  January  2j.  i8q8,  all  of  whom  are  still  at  home. 

The  parents  of  Airs.  Adam  Bruce  were  Thi')mas  and  Aviary  (  Civan) 
Sellers,  early  members  of  the  Hogan  Hill  Ba[)tist  church,  and  Wilmingtcu 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  the  fomier  being  a  son  of  Benjamin  Sellers,  a 
pioneer  settler  in  Hogan  township,  where  he  followed  agriculture  and  carried 
on  the  trade  of  a  gunsmith.  Thomas  Sellers  lived  about  one  and  one-half 
mile  w-est  of  Wilmington,  and  was  a  life-long  farmer.  Mrs.  Mary  (Givan) 
Sellers  was  a  sister  of  Judge  Xoah  S.  Givan,  whose  biography  is  presented 
elsewhere  in  this  volume. 


...<■':-'■       MRS.  AMEEIA  EEEEXBROOK  STEUVER. 

Devoting  all  her  best  energies  to  the  duties  which  devuh'e  upon  her  as 
wife,  mother  and  home-maker,  giving  the  best  years  of  her  life  to  this  sacred 
calling,  there  is  not  much  to  record  of  the  life  of  die  average  woman  bevond 


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S90  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

the  pleasing  fact  that  she  filled  her  place  faithfully  and  well.  The  essential 
work  of  woman  is  spoken  of  as  lowlx-  when  the  truth  is  that  the  well-being- 
of  any  community  or  nation  depends,  primarily,  upon  the  character  and 
ability  of  the  mothers  and  home-makers.  No  man  can  put  his  uncpialified 
best  into  any  undertaking  unless  his  home  is  all  that  the  word  implies,  and 
no  young  man  is  properly  fitted  to  wage  a  successful  fight  with  the  \\orld 
and  its  trials  and  temptations  unless  he  has  been  blessed  with  a  good  mother. 
So  when  it  is  said  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch  that  she  well  fills 
her  woman's  place  in  the  world,  much  h;is  been  said  and  full  praise  given. 

.\melia  Ellerbruok  was  l.)orn  in  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  being  a  daughter  of 
George  F.  and  Louisa  ( \'on  Scggern)  Ellerbrook.  Her  birtli  occiu'red  on 
June  7,  1S63,  and  she  is  of  German  descent,  her  grandparents  having  come 
from  the  Fatherland,  l.uuisa  \'on  Scggem  was  also  born  in  Cincinnati,  her 
birth  occurring  on  August  17,  1S41.  She  was  a  daughter  of  FTerman  \'on  Seg- 
gern  and  Catherine  Kruese.  his  wife,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Hanover, 
Germany.  Harmon  was  bi.irn  on  December  17.  1812,  and  came  to  this  country 
when  a  young  man.  He  eventually  settled  in  Cincinnati  and  there  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  liaving  been  engaged  during  all  the  years  of  his  resi- 
dence there  in  the  retail  drug  business  in  the  capacity  of  clerk.  His  death 
occurred  in  1S84,  when  in  tlie  seventy-third  year  of  his  age.  He  came  of  a 
small  family,  there  being  but  twu  nther  children,  both  sisters,  neither  one  of 
which  ever  left  their  native  land.  Harmon  von  Seggern  was  married  in  Cin- 
cinnati, to  Catherine  Kruese.  She  was  brought  to  this  country  when  rpiite 
young  by  her  parents  and  was  one  of  a  family  of  nine  children,  having  four 
sisters  and  four  brothers.  One  of  her  sisters,  INIrs.  Elizabeth  Kruese  Stephens, 
is  still  residing  at  Sunman,  this  county,  at  quite  an  advanced  age.  Catherine 
died  rather  early  in  life,  passing  away  in  1850.  at  the  age  of  thirty-three 
years. 

George  F.  Ellerbrook  was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  January  28,  1S37, 
and  came  to  Cincinnati  when  a  youth  of  fifteen.  He  had  received  the  founda- 
tion for  a  good  education  in  his  native  city  and  before  coming  to  this  coun- 
trv  had  ma,stered  some  of  the  secrets  of  the  cabinet-maker's  trade,  .\fter 
taking  up  his  residence  in  Cincinnati,  he  turned  to  this  trade  as  his  means  of 
support,  and  worked  steadily  at  it  until  1S75,  when  with  his  wife  and  family 
he  moved  to  Dillsboro  and  was  there  engaged  in  the  huckster  business  until  the 
time  of  his  retirement  from  active  affairs.  •  George  F.  Ellerbrook  was  one 
of  the  substantial  men  of  Dillsboro,  being  one  of  its  citizens  who  had  great 
faith  in  the  future  of  the  town.  Any  movement  which  had  for  its  object  the 
advancement  of  any  phase  of  community  life,  found  in  him  a  most  willing  sup- 


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DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  Sgi 

pcirter.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican  and  was  a  faithful  nicniljcr  of  the 
Lutheran  cluu'ch,  ser\ing  his  local  societ\'  as  trtistec  for  a  nunihcr  of  \cars. 
Cicorge  1''.  and  Louisa  I'lilerbrook  were  married  in  Cincinnati  in  i860,  and  to 
their  union  were  born  eiglit  children,  three  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Amelia, 
the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  the  eldest  of  the  family  living.  ;nid  then 
follow  George,  Albert,  Louisa  and  Alma. 

George  Ellerbrook  chose  Emma  Siefert  as  his  wife  and  their  union  has 
been  blessed  witli  four  daughters,  Dorothy,  Helen,  Gladys  and  Esther.  Albert 
iriarried  Carrie  Siefert  and  is  the  father  of  two  children,  Elixabcth  and 
I'Mward.  Louisa  became  the  wife  of  Louis  Wolf,  ni  Cincinnati,  and  has  two 
sons,  Lester  and  Paul.  .Mma  remains  at  home,  caring  for  the  mother  who 
is  now  enjo}'ing  the  peace  and  quiet  of  a  ripe  old  age.  Gc'irge  F.  Ellerbrook's 
death  occurred  on  October  10,  1908,  at  the  age  of  se\'enty-one  years  and  be 
was  laid  to  rest  in  Oakdale  cemetery,  Dillsboro.  His  sons,  George  and  Albert, 
are  still  carrying  on  the  huckster  business  which  their  fatlier  started  so  many 
^•ears  ago,  covering  consideralile  territory  thriDughout  this  section  in  following 
their  affairs,  having  long  since  W(,ui  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  their  many 
patrons. 

Aiuelia  Ellerbrook  recei\-ed  her  elementary  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  Cincinnati,  later  attending  the  schools  of  Dillsboro,  after  being 
brought  here  b}-  her  parents.  On  October  25,  i8S^^,,  when  twenty  years  of  age, 
she  was  united  in  marriage  with  John  C.  Steuver,  of  Dillslioro.  who  was  born 
in  Cincinnati,  August  S,  1858.  John  C.  Steuver  is  a  son  of  William  F.  and 
Maria  (Schroder)  Steu\er,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Hanover,  German}-. 
William  F.  Steuver  came  to  this  country  wlien  a  young  man,  locating  among 
old  friends  at  Cincinnati,  and  there  for  a  numlier  of  years  he  was  employed  in 
various  ways.  He  was  united  in  marriage  in  Cincinnati  with  Maria  Schroder, 
who  came  to  this  country  when  a  young  woman,  and  to  their  union  was  born 
a  family  of  six  children  :  William,  John,  Matilda,  Charles,  Mary  and  PMward. 
In  1872  ^Ir.  Steu\'er  brotight  his  family  to  Dillsboro  and  opened  up  a  general 
store,  later  gt'iug  into  the  proditce  business  with  his  son.  Dtu'ing  the  years 
of  his  residence  here  he  came  to  b.e  highlv  respected  1>_\-  a  large  circle  of  friends 
and  his  loss  was  felt  when  death  removed  him  in  1890,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three 
years. 

John  C.  Steuver  receix'ed  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Cincinnati  and 
came  to  this  section  with  his  parents  in  1872.  He  learned  the  cabinet-making 
business  by  the  time  he  was  eighteen,  but  gave  up  following  that  trade  to  en- 
gage in  the  huckstering  business  with  his  father,  and  this  he  followed  alone 
after  the  death  of  his  parent.     John  C.  Steuver  was  a  Republican  in  politics, 


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S<i.J2  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

one  of  the  faithful  members  of  the  party  in  this  section  and  gave  \akiable  ser- 
vice to  Clay  township  as  trustee  for  a  numlier  of  years.  He  was  interested  in 
all  enterprises  for  the  ad\'ancement  of  pui)lic  interests  and  was  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  serving  the  local  society  as  trustee  and  treas- 
urer for  }-ears.  His  fraternal  affiliation  \\'a-<  held  with  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows  in  the  local  society  of  Dill>boro.  Xo  cliildren  were  ever  born 
to  Air.  and  Mrs.  Steu\er,  Init  they  adopted  and  reared  a  daughter  whi,i  is  now 
Mrs.  Agatha  I'alnicr,  wife  of  John  Pahner,  of  Dillsboro. 

Such  well-balanced,  useful  lives  lend  their  influence  to  an}'  community 
and  make  for  the  st;ibilit\"  and  glorv  of  a  nation. 


CLIFFORD  S.  DIFHL. 


Although  still  a  voung  man,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  fine  example 
of  business  thrift  and  enterprise.  Coming  from  good  old  Pennsylvania-I3utch 
ancestry,  and  possessing  a  s[)lendid  education,  he  is  equipi)ed  in  a  maimer 
that  augurs  success.  From  his  early  youth,  he  has  shown  a  \enturesome, 
speculative  spirit,  and  has  never  been  handicapped  by  that  fear  of  failure 
that  hangs  over  many.  Starting  out  well  informed  on  matters  of  general 
interest,  Air.  Diehl  has  forged  ahead  until  now  he  finds  himself  at  the  head 
of  a  thoroughly  established  and  reniunerati\e  business. 

Clifford  S.  Diehl  was  born  on  April  29,  1SS3,  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and 
is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Caroline  (Alyers)  Diehl.  At  the  age  of  nine  years, 
he  started  to  school  at  Cincinnati,  going  later  to  Xew  York  City,  where  he 
graduated  from  high  schocil,  after  which  he  entered  Cornell  University,  and 
was  graduated  in.  1907,  when  he  returnetl  to  Lawrencelnirg,  where  his  fatlier 
had  established  a  plant  for  tlie  manufacture  of  fireworks,  .\fter  his  father's 
death,  Air.  Diehl  became  president  of  the  company,  where  they  now  employ 
about  sixty  people,  with  offices  at  Nowdin  avenue.  Greendale,  Lawrenceburg. 
His  residence  is  at  516  Ridge  avenue.  Air.  Diehl  is  a  loyal  supporter  oi  the 
Republican  prilicies,  and  is  affiliated  with  Lawrenceburg  Lodge  Xo.  4,  Free 
and  .Vccepted  Alasons. 

Thomas  Diehl,  father  of  Clifford  S.,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
his  wife,  Caroline  (Alyers)  Diehl,  a  native  of  Ohio.  Air.  Diehl  was  reare<l 
at  Reading.  Pennsylvania,  where  he  learned  the  plumber's  trade,  and  after- 
wards, about  1875.  mo\'ed  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  umi!  1S90, 
when  he  moved  his   family  to  Xew  A'ork  City  and  became  the  president  of 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  893 

the  Consolidated  I'irewcu-ks  Company  of  Ameriea.  He  later,  in  1901,  estalj- 
lished  an  independent  business  in  Lawrencebur^  and  ninved  back  tn  Cincin- 
nati in  1907,  and  died  there  in  1911,  aged  sixty-two  years,  flis  wife  ^till 
survives  him.  Mr.  Diehl  was  a  drummer  boy  in  tbe  Civil  War.  They  had 
two  children,  Clifford  S.  and  Helen  Alice,  who  li\es  at  Cincinnati. 

The  paternal  grandfather  Diehl  and  his  wife  were  natives  df  Penns\l- 
vania,  and  were  of  German  lineage.  Both  lived  to  a  ri]je  old  age,  and  left 
the  following  children :  Ho\vard,  Samuel,  Harry,  Mar\-,  'I'homas  and 
Amanda. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  John  r^Iyers,  and  his  wife  was  Mary 
(Crowdcr)  iM}-ers.  'Jlie}-  were  natives  of  German.y,  who  came  tn  the  United 
States  at  an  early  day,  settling  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  th.ey  Ix  ith  died  well 
advanced  in  years,  leaving  the  following  children:  Albert,  .Mice,  John,  .\lvin, 
Laura,  Bertha,  Rose  and  Caroline. 

Clifford  S.  Diehl  was  married  on  April  26,  191 1,  to  Laura  Bauer,  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  and  Evangeline  (Hayes)  Bauer.  She  was  born  in  Greendale, 
I.awTenceburg,  Indiana.  One  son  has  been  born  to  this  union,  Robert  Bauer 
Diehl.  For  the  history  of  the  parents  of  ]Mrs.  Laura  Diehl,  the  reader  is 
referred  t'j  the  sketch  of  Jacob  Bauer,  presented  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 


FREDERICK  HEIBECK.    ■ 

As  the  son  of  Frederick  Heibeck  and  ]vlargaretta  (Luntz)  Heibeck,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  has  inherited  tbe  thrifty,  industrious  characteristic  of  the 
Gemian  race,  and  these  traits  of  character  have  made  them  assets  to  the  Amer- 
ican commonwealth. 

Frederick  Heib.eck  was  born  in  Jackson  township.  Dearborn  county,  Octo- 
ber 15,  1857,  his  parents  ha\"ing  married  in  Germany,  and  settled  when  they 
first  came  to  this  country,  in  Aiu'ora,  Indiana.  The  father  was  born  in  the 
year  181 7.  After  draying  for  a  few  years,  the  senior  Frederick  Heibeck  pur- 
chased a  general  store  in  Lawrenceville  which  he  managed  for  two  years, 
then  traded  his  shop  for  seventy-six  acres  southeast  of  Lawrenceville.  Later, 
selling  fifteen  acres,  he  lived  on  the  remaining  sixty-one  acres  until  his  death 
which  occurred  on  August  18,  1S63,  when  he  was  a  comparatively  young  man 
forty-six  years  of  age.  He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church. 

Margaretta  (Luntz)  Heibeck  was  born  on  January  5,  1830,  at  Reinhart- 


■  /-    -(i/IJrV  ,; 


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894  DEARBOKN    COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

shofen,  Baiern,  Germany,  and  educated  there.  She  met  and  married  her  lius- 
band  in  Germany.  To  tliem  were  born  six  children,  Anna,  Frederick,  John. 
Margarette,  and  two  whd  died  in  infancy.  After  the  death  of  her  husband, 
Mrs.  Heibeck  married  ^Nlathew  Steiger,  and  to  them  were  h>orn  three  children, 
Mary.  Anthone  and  Katherine.  The  mother  of  these  children  lived  to  be 
seventy  years  of  age,  passing  a\vay  on  ^larch  24,  1900. 

After  h.is  education  in  the  pnljlic  schools  of  this  county,  Frederick  Heibeck 
looked  after  matters  on  the  farm  for  his  mother  until  his  twenty-first  year, 
then  beginning  his  independent  life  by  doing  miscellaneous  farm  work  for  the 
following  three  years  in  Decatur  county.  In  1881,  on  March  15.  Frederick 
Heibeck  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lena  Discjue,  daughter  of  John  and  Lena 
(Steinhauser)  Discjue.  He  then  rented  a  small  fann  near  Lawrenceville. 
where  he  farmed  for  three  years,  then  improved  his  material  condition  by  rent- 
ing a  larger  piece  of  land,  remaining  there  for  seven  years.  Buying  seventy- 
tW'O  acres  near  Sunman,  in  this  township,  he  started  life  on  the  farm  which  has 
been  his  home  until  the  present.  Sixty-one  acres  were  later  added  to  the 
original  ground,  and  again  a  strip  of  twelve  and  one-half  acres  adjoining  was 
added  to  his  rural  posse-^sions,  this  totalling  a  property  of  one  hundred  and 
forty-five  acres. 

On  April  10.  1S96,  Airs.  Lena  Heibeck  passed  away,  at  the  age  of  thir- 
ty-fi\-e.  Fler  father  was  borti  and  reared  in  this  country,  while  her  mother  was 
a  native  of  Germany,  but  came  to  this  country  when  young.  Lena  was  born 
in  i86r.  in  Lawrenceville.  which  continued  to  be  her  hi^me  until  her  marriage. 

The  nine  children  b^rn  to  Mr.  and  Airs.  Heibeck  were.  Charles.  Pearl. 
Edward.  Alice.  Elma.  Augusta.  W'eslc}-,  Lucinda  and  Alalinda.  Pearl  be- 
came the  wife  of  John  Edwards,  a  trimmer,  of  Indianapolis,  and  became  the 
mother  of  three  children.  Dortha,  Mable  and  Alelvin.  Edward  married  Ger- 
trude Clemenz.  a  carpenter  of  Terre  Haute.  Indiana.  Augusta  is  Mrs.  Earl 
Hornberger.  her  iiusband  being  a  farmer  in  this  township.  They  ha\e  a 
daughter  named  Arvilla.  Lucinda  is  now  Mrs.  Clarence  Eichacker,  her  hus- 
band being  a  farmer  of  Bates ville. 

Frederick  Heibeck  was  twice  married.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife. 
he  married  Mary  Michel,  daughter  of  Matthias  and  Mary  (Albers)  Michel, 
the  former  being  born  in  Switzerland  in  18 19,  He  came  :n  the  United  States 
in  1850,  and  settled  in  Batesville.  where  he  lived  until  his  death  at  seventy- 
nine  years  of  age. 

Mary  Michel  was  born  in  Batesville.  February  14,  187 1,  was  educated  in 
the  town  schools  until  her  thirteenth  year,  w  hen  she  began  to  be  self-support- 
ing bv  working  out,  and  continued  thus  until  her  marriage  to  Adam  Plainer, 


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DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  895 

of  Lawrenccville.  Mr.  Hafner  was  a  skillful  wood  carver.  At  the  time  of 
his  marriage  to  Mary  Michel,  he  was  the  father  of  two  children,  Virila  (de- 
ceased) and  Chester.  Mr.  Hafner  died  on  Augu.st  13,  iSc/-t.  at  the  at^e  of 
twenty-seven.  Then  Alary  (Michel)  Hafner  married  Frederick  Heibcck,  and 
to  this  couple  four  children  were  born,  Emma,  Irene,  Alvin  and  Harvey. 

Among  the  Republicans  of  the  county,  h'rederick  Heibcck  is  well-known, 
for  he  is  an  enthusiastic  supporter  of  tlie  princiiiks  of  that  party.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  has  served  on  its  board  of  directors. 
Mr.  Heibeck  is  respected  by  all  who  know  him,  for  he  is  known  to  be  a  man  of 
strict  moral  principles,  of  kindly  disposition,  of  strong  character,  and  of 
integrity. 


:je:.        ■;      '     ',    .,  Wn.LlAM  S.  CALHOUN. 

The  man  who  puts  into  any  enterprise  or  undertaking  the  best  that  is  in 
him  is  almost  sure  to  win  out  and  when  such  a  man  encounters  obstacles  and 
difficulties,  they  but  whet  his  determination  and  bring  out  traits  of  character 
which  might  h:i\e  gone  unde\cloped  but  fi ir  adversity.  It  is  especially  pleas- 
ing to  the  biographer  to  point  to  a  man  who  is  succeeding  in  his  own  particu- 
lar line  of  endea\or  and  the  attention  of  the  reader  is  directed  to  a  short 
sketch  of  the  man  \\hose  name  heads  this  paragraph. 

William  S.  Calhoun  is  a  native  of  this  county,  having  been  born  in  Wash- 
ington township,  on  February  24.  1877,  a  son  of  Simc'in  B.  and  Emma 
(Wright)  Calhoun.  His  father  was  also  born  in  this  count}',  receiving  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Washington  township  and  during  the  earlier 
portion  of  his  life  he  hved  the  life  of  a  farmer.  In  1884  Simeon  B.  Calhoun 
left  the  farm  and  became  a  contractor  and  builder,  which  business  he  still  fol- 
lows at  his  home  in  Aurora.  Fie  is  considered  among  the  leading  citizens  of 
his  town,  being  a  man  of  upright  character  and  interested  in  the  welfare  uf  his 
city.  He  is  a  tnember  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  to  tlie  support  of  which  he 
contributes  generously  of  his  means.  He  is  a  member  of  the  ancient  order 
of  Free  Masonry.  He  owns  property  in  Aurora  and  is  a  director  of  the 
Peoples  Building  and  Loan  Company,  of  Cochran,  this  county. 

Simeon  B.  Calhoun  is  a  son  of  William  Calhoun  and  wife,  who  were 
among  the  earlv  settlers  of  this  county.  They  lived  here  for  many  years  and 
had  the  privilege  of  seeing  something  of  the  onward  march  of  civilization  in 
the  great  improvements  in  this  region  over  the  days  of  the  pioneer. 

William  S.  Calhoun  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  home 


.Ay./.i«i'i  ,vrvi:(.n  /.aba>i/.;ifj 


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i'  :■'.-'  i:  ■:■■.:  ;,f'i  ■  ',  I     'i;-      .-:.!■  ^i    l  ;  •  ■  ,t  r  ^ ;  ;:;)i  ril:.  >  ..%  :in;t!i;  // 

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8(j6  DKAREORN'    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

district  and  remained  in  his  hrmie  neigliljorhood  working  out  among"  the  var- 
ious farmers  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  At  that  age  he  joined  Uic 
L'nited  States  navy  and  went  into  training  on  the  United  States  steamshi[) 
"Hartford."  From  tliere  he  went  to  the  battleship  "Indiana."  and  later  to  the 
cruiser  ".Vtlanta."  IJe  spent  two  and  one-half  \ears  along  the  coasts  of  South 
America,  touching  at  practical!)'  every  port  of  that  continent.  After  fulfilling 
his  enlistment  of  four  years,  he  relumed  to  Aurora,  an.d  there  followed  the  car- 
pentering trade  for  a  year.  However,  he  did  not  find  the  pursuit  of  that  trade 
to  his  liking,  and,  in  1904,  he  came  to  Dillsboro  and  opened  up  a  furniture 
store.  His  orig'inal  place  of  business  was  a  small  room  about  sixteen  by  forty 
feet  and  his  business  has  so  grown  that  it  now  occupies  two  floors  of  a  build- 
ing twent_\"-two  bv  one  hundred  and  thirty  feet,  and  h.c  also  owns  the  building. 
He  has  succeeded  admirably  in  this  undertaking,  but  the  result  is  not  to  be  won- 
dered at,  when'  it  is  considered  that  he  brings  to  his  enterprise  sincerity, 
undoubted  integrit_v  and  an  earnest  desire  to  please  his  patrons. 

In  1906  William  S.  Calhoun  was  united  in  wedlock  with  Nellie  Gilliland. 
daughter  of  Xewton  and  Jennie  (Shields)  Gilliland,  both  of  Ripley  county, 
where  Airs.  Calhoun  was  also  born.  She  received  her  education  in  this  county 
and  remained  with  her  parents  until  the  time  of  her  marriage.  William  S. 
and  Xellie  (  Gilliland)  Calhoun  are  the  parents  of  one  son,  Francis  W'.,  born 
Novcml)er  19,  1898. 

W'illirun  S.  Calhoun  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  the  work 
of  which  he  takes  a  commendable  interest.  His  fraternal  affiliation  is  held  with 
the  ancient  order  of  Free  Masonn-,  in  the  work  of  wdiich  he  has  attained  to 
the  chapter  degree.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  and  in  politics  he  votes  the  Republican  ticket.  Mr.  Calhoun  is  a  man 
of  strong  personal  qualities,  easily  makes  friends,  and  also  retains  them.  L'nited 
in  his  composition  are  man\'  elements  of  a  provident,  practical  nature  which  are 
winning  for  him  the  success  which  he  desires. 


';•»':'.•■'■''•■■  JOSEPH  GROFF.        :>  -i'-^  /^  ^ 

In  the  golden  sayings  of  Epictetus  there  is  no  nobler  utterance  than  this : 
"What  wouldst  thou  be  found  doing  when  overtaken  by  Death  ?  If  I  might 
choose,  I  would  be  found  doing  some  deed  of  true  humanity,  of  wide  import, 
beneficent  and  noble.  But  if  I  may  not  be  found  engaged  in  aught  so  lofty, 
let  me  hope  at  least  for  this — what  none  may  hinder,  wliat  is  surely  in  my 


:i    ':;■    r-.t 

to  ;/   Lf:::   v  ■  ■  n  ^'jj 

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:^'W)9o  H'uaoi 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  S97 

power — that  I  may  he  found  raising-  up  in  myself  that  which  had  fallen  :  learn- 
ing" to  deal  more  wisely  with  the  things  of  sense;  working  out  my  own  tran- 
quihl_\\  and  thus  reiidering  that  whicji  is  due  to  every  relation  of  life.*  *  *  ][f 
l^eath  thus  finds  me  thus  employed,  it  is  enough  if  1  can  stretch  forth  my 
hands  to  God  and  say,  'The  faculties  which  1  received  at  Th}-  hands  for  appre- 
hending this  Thine  administration,  1  have  not  neglected,  As  far  as  in  me  lay, 
1  have  done  Thee  no  dishonor.  Behold  how  I  have  used  the  senses,  the  pri- 
mar}"  conceptions  which  Thou  gavest  me.  Have  I  e\'er  laid  anything  to  Thy 
charge  ?  Have  I  ever  murmured  at  aught  that  came  to  pass,  or  wished  it  other- 
wise? Have  I  in  anything  transgressed  the  relations  of  life?  For  that  Thou 
didst  beget  me.  I  thank  Thee  for  that  Thou  hast  gi\en ;  for  the  time  during 
which  I  have  usefl  the  things  that  were  Thine,  it  suffices  me.  Take  them  back 
and  place  them  where  Ihcm  wilt!  They  were  all  Thine,  and  Thou  gavest 
them  me.' — If  a  man  depart  thus  minded,  is  it  not  enough?  What  life  is  fairer 
or  more  noble,  what  end  happier  than  his  ?" 

The  abo\-e  beautiful  and  tranquilizing  thought  is  suggested  to  the  biog- 
rapher by  a  review  of  the  life  of  the  late  Joseph  Groff,  for  many  years  one  of 
the  best-known  manufacturers  and  well-beloved  citizens  of  Lawrenceburg,  a 
man  who  was  known  and  respected  throughout  the  bounds  of  Dearborn  county 
as  few  of  his  contemporaries  were,  a  man  who  reflected  honor  upon  his  gen- 
eration and  \\ho  left,  at  his  passing,  a  pleasant  memory,  ever  to  be  cherished 
b}"  his  descendants.  A  work  of  the  ciiaracter  contemplated  b_\-  this  vohune 
is  peculiarly  adapted  to  memorial  utterance,  and  it  is  fitting  that  a  brief  biog- 
raphy of  the  former  well-kno\Mi  citizen  of  this  commonwealth,  whose  name 
is  noted  above,  should  be  presented  here  for  the  information  and  instniction 
of  coming  generations. 

The  late  Joseph  Groff  was  born  in  New  Jensey  on  August  6,  1813.  and 
died  in  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  in  ^lay,  1890.  He  was  a  son  of  Henry  and 
Rebecca  (Inness)  Groff.  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  of 
Dutch  descent,  and  the  latter  of  whom  also  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  of  Scot- 
tish descent.  The  Groffs  were  of  Quaker  stock  and  Henry  Groff's  father  was 
the  founder  of  the  family  in  this  country.  The  Inness  family  bar!  its  origin 
ni  Inverness,  Scotland,  the  founder  of  the  family  in  this  ci'.)untry  having  settled 
at  Asbury,  New  Jersey,  ui)on  his  arrival  in  America  and  from  that  point  the 
family  became  widely  scattered,  the  Innesses  being  well  and  worthily  repre- 
sented in  various  parts  of  the  country. 

Henry  Groff  was  brought  up  as  a  hatter  and  founded  and  for  years 
operated  a  hat  factory  at  Aslmry,  New  Jersey,  from  which  point  he  and  his 
familv  later  immigrated  to  Ohio,  locating  at  Elizabethtown,  where  he  and 

'^57) 


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tlr.-;,.)  V:ri?II   i.T. 


15 


-    )      ,1     /li: 


'  "'. ' 


898  DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

his  wife  spent  the  remainder  o{  their  clays,  she  tlying-  at  the  age  of  thirty-four 
and  lie  at  tlie  age  of  fifty.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  James, 
Robert,  Jcise{)h,  William,  Theodore,  Sarah  and  Alar}-. 

Joseph  Groff  was  hut  a  l>oy  when  his  parents  immigrated  to  Ohio  and  he 
grew  to  manhood  at  Elizaliethtown,  learning  from  his  father  the  details  of  hat 
manufacturing,  acquiring  at  the  same  time  an  excellent  education  in  the  schools 
of  that  town,  which  was  largelv  supplemented  by  the  instructions  he  received 
from  his  mother,  who  was  a  woman  of  superior  intelligence  and  of  a  degree 
of  education  far  in  advance  oi  the  average  woman  of  that  period,  that  being 
before  the  da}'s  of  schools  for  the  higher  education  of  women.  It  was  in  the 
town  of  l'~Iizabcthto\vn  that  Joseph  Groff  married  Deliah,  daughter  of  Zach- 
ariah  and  Mary  (T^ridej  Xowdin,  and  in  1S34  came  with  his  bride  to  Dearborn 
count}',  Indiana,  locatin.g  at  I.aw  renceburg,  where  he  started  a  hat  factorv  ant! 
in  the  business  section  of  the  then  rapidly  growing  village  opened  a  hat  store, 
which  for  many  years  was  one  of  the  best  known  business  lnouses  in  the  city. 
j\Ir.  Groff  was  a  man  of  much  activity  and  in  connection  with  his  hat  business 
operated  a  fleet  of  flatboats  in  the  New  Orleans  trade.  He  was  a  large  buyer 
of  furs,  of  which  there  was  an  apparently  inexhaustible  suppl_\-  in  this  region 
in  tliat  da}-,  the  greater  part  of  his  fur  supplies  being  consumed  in  the  manu- 
facture of  hats,  which  he  turned  into  a  profitable  trade,  the  product  of  his  fac- 
tory being  in  wide  demand.  He  was  a  \ery  successful  business  man  and  pos- 
sessed great  influence  not  onl}-  in  the  thrixing  city  of  Lawrenceliurg,  but 
tluMUghout  the  whole  countryside.  He  and  his  wife  were  ^lethodists,  in  the 
various  beneficences  of  which  the}-  w-ere  among  the  most  acti\-e  factors  in  their 
day  and  generation,  as  well  as  being  earnest  pron-ioters  of  all  the  good  w-orks 
of  the  communit}-.  Mr.  Griiff  was  one  of  the  first  men  in  Law-renceliurg  to 
discern  the  possibilities  of  the  beautiful  Greendale  section  of  the  cit\-  and  was 
the  first  to  build  a  modern  dwelling  house  on  the  Ridge,  wherein  he  made  his 
home  during  the  rest  of  his  life.  This  beautiful  home  at  141  Ridge  avenue 
is  now-  occupied  by  his  son.  William,  and  his  daughters,  Mary  and  Cordelia. 

Joseph  Groff  ditd  in  }vlay.  1S99,  in  the  eighty-sixth  year  of  his  age,  and 
his  widow^  sur\ived  until  the  }-ear  1910,  she  ])eing-  ninet}--fi\-e  years  of  age  at 
the  time  of  her  death.  This  \-encrable  and  worthy  coujile  were  the  parents  of 
eight  children,  four  dying  in  infancy.  Those  living  are  Mary.  Cordelia,  Will- 
iam and  George.  The  J^Iisses  Mary  and  Cordelia  Groff  were  graduated  from 
the  Springfield  h^emale  Sen-iinary.  at  Springfield,  Ohio,  after  which  Miss  INIary 
taught  school  for  two  }ears  and  Miss  Cordelia  ser\-ed  as  a  teacher  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  These  two  women  are  among  the  leaders  in  the  gentle  circles 
of  their  home  city  and  preside  charmingly  in  their  hospitable  home.     William 


:l"i      <:',:  l';7,       ' 
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DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  899 

Ciroff  owns  a  farm  near  Indianapolis  and  a  farm  near  Knightstown.  Indiana, 
though  making  his  hnnie  in  Lawrencebui'g.  In  CMunectinn  with  the  upei'alirjn 
of  his  farms,  he  is  widely  known  as  a  successful  trader  and  man  of  affairs 
in  the  city.  He  was  twice  married,  but  bulh  cif  his  wives  were  withi.nit  issue 
and  he  is  living  \vith  his  sisters  in  the  old  liroff  home,  (jeorge  C'iroff,  \\hi.> 
died  in  igio.  was  a  farmer  and  was  living  on  a  fa.rm  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
He  married  Sarah  Dobell,  to  which  union  there  were  Ijorn  se\en  children, 
Eva,  Edna,  Harry,  Clarence,  George,  Cora,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

'J^he  memor}-  of  the  late  Joseph  Groff  is  a  precious  legacy  to  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  s<j  long  lived  and  labored  and  in  which  the  intluence  of 
himself  and  that  i^f  his  gentle  wife  was  exerted  with  such  beneficent  re>-ults 
and  his  name  will  loirg  be  held  in  reverent  remembrance  throughout  this 
county.  He,  indeed,  had  rendered  "that  which  is  due  to  every  relation  of 
life,"  his  good  deeds  having  erected  for  him  a  monument  more  durable  than 
stone. 


GEORGE  KUNZ. 


Among  the  active  and  thrifty  business  men  of  Lawrenceliurg,  George 
Kunz  is  worthy  of  special  mention  in  this  \-olume.  Starting  empty-handed, 
but  with  a  brave  heart  and  undaunted  courage  he  has.  by  his  own  industry 
and  good  management,  become  associated  with,  and  is  uuw  at  the  head  nf 
a  number  of  the  leading  industries  of  the  town.  He  is  honored  and  respected 
by  his  business  associates  and  the  citizens  in  genei'al,  both  as  a  successful 
business  man  and  a  citizen.  Alwavs  public-spirited  and  enterprising,  he  has 
at  heart  the  welfare  of  the  community,  and  thus  he  has  won  the  high  esteem 
of  an  admiring  and  aiipreciative  public.  He  has  reared  a  family,  of  whom 
he  is  justl}-  proud,  and  is  entitled  to  recognition  as  a  man  who  has  accom- 
plished things.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  Lawrencehurg  practically  for  forty- 
six  years,  and  when  in  a  reminiscent  mood,  can  tell  manv  interesting  stories 
of  the  haiipenings  that  go  to  make  up  a  g'lod  history  of  the  city  ^luring  his 
king  residence  and  eventful  career.  He  h.as  been  a  Aaluable  citizen  in  the 
industrial  development  of  Lawrencehurg,  and  many  of  the  children  now- 
growing  up  will  remember  him  for  his  genial  and  social  ciualities,  and  the 
many  good  things  he  has  done. 

George  Kunz  was  born  on  August  15,  1S40,  in  Mutterstadt,  r.a\aria. 
Germany,  and  is  a  son  of  Michael  and  Catherine  (Bartholomew)  Kunz.  He 
was  reared  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Germanv,   from  which 


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country  he  came  on  May  2,  1S69,  to  America,  landing  at  New  York  Citv  on 
May  15.  Three  days  after  landing,  he  started  west,  settling  at  Lawrence- 
burg,  where,  with  the  exception  of  one  }-ear,  he  has  since  lived.  He  began 
his  first  work  by  assisting  in  putting  the  streets  of  Law  renceburg  in  g(X)d 
condition,  and  later  spent  a  >hort  time  on  a  farm,  going  from  there  to  Omaha, 
Nebraska,  but  sijon  returned  to  Lawrenceburg  and  went  to  work  in  a  cooper 
shop.  In  1872  he  was  em[)lo_\ed  in  a  spoke  factory,  where  he  remained  two 
years,  and  then  went  to  wurk  in  the  Ohio  \^alley  Coffin  Factory,  working 
there  continuously  for  nineteen  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  formed 
a  partnership  with  his  lirotlier-in-law,  William  F.  Ritzman,  and  established 
a  bottling  factoiw,  whicli  pni\-ed  a  verv  successful  investment.  Mr.  Kiniz 
disposed  of  his  interest  in  his  brother-in-law  in  1900,  in  order  that  he  might 
devote  more  of  his  time  to  the  coal  and  lumber  business,  in  which  he  was 
also  interested.  He  is  now  president  of  the  People's  Coal  Company,  aiul  of 
the  Lawrenceburg  Lumber  Company,  general  superintendent,  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  Lawrenceburg  Gas  Company,  president  of  the  Lawrenceburg 
Water  Company,  president  of  the  Dearborn  County  Agricultural  Societ}-, 
and  is  at  present  receiver  for  the  James  }ileyer  Buggy  Company.  ^Ir.  Kunz 
is  a  Republican,  and  his  fraternal  affiliations  are  with  Lawrenceburg  Lodge 
No.  4,  Free  and  Accepted  [Masons ;  Lawrenceburg  Chapter  No.  56,  Royal 
Arch  Masons;  the  consistorv',  Scottish  Rite  Alasons ;  L'nion  Lodge  N'j.  f>. 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows :  and  the  Society  of  Eagles.  He 
was  a  memlier  of  the  city  council  for  ten  years,  representing  the  third  v/ard. 

IMichael  and  Catherine  (Bartholomew)  Kunz  were  natives  of  Bavaria, 
the  former  serving  in  the  War  of  1848,  in  that  country,  after  which  he  became 
an  officer  of  a  railroad.  He  died  in  1872,  aged  seventj^-one' years,  and  his 
wife  died  in  1882,  aged  seventy-seven  years.  In  religion,  ^Ir.  Kunz  was  a 
Catholic,  and  his  wife  was  a  n'lcmber  of  the  Lutheran  church.  To  this  union 
were  born  seven  children,  namely:  Christian,  of  Mutterstadt;  Elizabeth,  who 
lives  at  Spcier,  German^y :  Catherine,  ^laria  and  Jacob  also  reside  at  Mutter- 
stadt: George  is  a  resident  of  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana:  Peter  lives  at  Nor- 
wood, Ohio. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  Michael  Kunz,  Sr.,  a  native  of  Germany, 
where  he  held  the  position  of  government  overseer  of  road  construction.  His 
wife,  Elizabeth  (  Bartholomew)  Kunz,  was  also  a  native  of  Germany,  where 
they  both  lived  and  died.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  [Michael. 
Peter  and  Carohne. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  George  Bartholomew,  a  native  of  Ger- 
manv,  and  a  farmer.     His  wife,  Anna   (Wendel)    Bartholomew,   was   also 


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DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  9OI 

born  ill  Gennaii_v,  and  both  died  in  the  land  of  their  birth.  They  had  four 
children,  Adam,  Andrew,  Catherine  and  Ijarbara. 

George  Kunz  was  united  in  marriage  on  October  31,  1872,  witli  I-^liza- 
beth  Ritzman,  daughter  of  Adam  and  Albertina  (Rupp)  Ritzman.  She  was 
born  on  March  10,  1847,  <^f  T.awrenceburg,  Indiana,  and  died  in  1906.  Her 
religious  sympathies  were  with  the  Zion  Evangelical  church.  She  was  the 
mother  of  eight  children,  as  follow :  Catherine,  INIclinda,  Caroline,  Agues, 
George.  Mamie.  Alma  and  Georgia.  Catherine  became  the  wife  of  Charles 
Eberhart,  and  is  the  nnjther  of  three  children,  Elizabeth,  Edward  and  I'aul. 
Melinda  is  housel-ieeper  for  her  father.  Caroline  died  at  the  age  of  se\'en 
years.  Agnes  is  married  to  Anthony  }\Ieischeider.  They  reside  at  W'aba.sh, 
Indiana,  and  ha\e  one  child,  George  Kunz.  George  was  drowned  in  tiie 
Ohio  river  when  seventeen  }ears  of  age.  ]\Iamie  and  Alma  are  at  liome. 
Georgia  is  married  to  Elmer  Harry,  bookkeeper  for  the  People's  Coal  Com- 
pany.    They  ha\e  one  daughter.  Elizabeth. 

Adam  and  Albertina  (Rupp)  Ritzman,  the  parents  of  Mrs.  Kunz,  were 
natives  of  Germany,  and  came  to  America  in  1847,  locating  at  Lawrenceburg, 
where  "SI v.  Ritzman  engaged  in  general  farming,  and  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life,  d\'ing  at  the  age  of  si.Kty-si.x;  }  ears.  His  wife  dieil  in 
18S1.  Their  family  consisted  of  se\-en  children,  as  follow:  Elizabeth,  ?i[aria, 
Catherine,  Anna,  Caroline,  William  F.  and  ]\Ielina. 

Mr.  Kunz  has  contributed  his  full  sliare  to  the  commercial  life  of  t'le 
city,  and  is  justly  entitled  to  the  high  regard  in  which  he  is  held. 


HARRY  LAXGDALE  XOWLIN.     , 

One  of  the  country's  greatest  manufacturers,  a  man  who  has  received 
more  than  passing  note  by  reason  of  the  methods  he  employs  in  securing 
ungruding  and  efficient  service  on  the  part  of  his  small  army  of  employes, 
and  whose  clrise  personal  relati<ms  with  the  men  who  have  helped  to  make 
the  product  of  lu's  great  factory  a  househrjld  word  throughout  the  country 
is  a  matter  of  common  knowdedge,  ttpon  being  asked :  ''What  do  you  call  a 
man?"  quickly  answered,  "One  who  stands  four  square  to  the  world  in  refer- 
ence to  the  functions  that  sh.ould  be  absolutely  right,  with  regard  to  himself, 
those  who  are  dependent  upon  him,  and  society  in  general."  Upon  being 
asked  to  extend  his  definition  so  as  to  cover  the  process  of  "making  a  mian," 
this  manufacturer  declared  that  he  made  men  "by  the  application  of  horse 


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902  DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

sense."  This,  of  course,  tnit  emphasizes.  l,)y  ci^iviiig-  personal  authority  to  !ho 
utteraucc,  the  trutli  lliat  is  not  only  self-evident,  hut  widely  accepted.  It 
invariabl}-  is  found  that  tlie  men  who  really  stand  four  square  to  the  world 
in  all  the  relations  of  life  are  the  men  who  are  poss'^ssecl  of  a  large  portion 
of  what  commoidy  has  crmic  to  be  known  as  "horse  sense."  upon  the 
proper  exercise  of  \\'hich  thev  base  the  success  which,  without  exception, 
follows  their  efforts.  IdappiK-.  there  are  many  such  men  in  Dearborn  county, 
among  the  best  kno\vn  of  whom,  perhaps,  is  Harry  Langdale  Xowlin,  retired 
farmer  and  enterprising  insurance  secretary   of  Lawrenceburg,   this  county. 

Harry  Langdale  Xo\\lin  was  born  in  ]\Iiller  township.  Dearborn  county, 
Indiana.  February  12.  1S60,  the  son  of  Enoch  P>.  and  Jane  H.  (Langdale) 
Nowlin,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  on  the  farm  in  Miller  township,  on 
which  he  spent  his  entire  life,  an.d  the  latter,  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Init 
who  came  to  this  county  with  her  parents  when  a  small  child,  rmd  grew 
to  womanhood  here. 

Enoch  B.  Xowlin  was  a  thrifty  and  successful  farmer  as  well  as  one  of 
the  most  progressive  and  influential  men  in  the  section  of  the  county  in 
which  he  spent  his  wdiole  life.  H^e  o\vncd  about  five  hundred  acres  of  fine 
huul  in  .Miller  townsliip.  as  well  as  lands  in  Kansas  and  \Msconsin.  and  at 
the  time  of  his  death  in  the  year  1900  was  accounted  cjuite  well-to-do.  IrLs 
father,  Jeremiah  Xowlin,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  was  one  of  the  pi(^neers  of 
^Tiller  township,  this  count}',  \vh,ere  he  married  Pamelia  Blasdel.  who  was 
born  in  that  township,  a  member  of  one  of  the  earlier  pioneer  families  of 
the  county.  He  was  of  Irish  descent  and  she  of  English  descent.  They 
foimded  in  this  county  one  of  the  most  substantial  families  of  the  county  and 
were  accounted  as  among  the  leading  residents  of  the  community  in  which 
tb,e\'  lived  and  labored,  being  among  the  fiiremiist  and  most  honored  pioneers 
of  that  region.  It  is  undoubted  thai  tlieir  influence  in  that  community  did 
very  much  'toward  bringing  about  proper  conditions  of  social  and  economic 
life  in  the  fonnative  ])eriod  of  the  now  prosperous  and  established  farming 
region,  and  tlie  fifth  generation  of  their  descendants  in  tliis  community  find 
conditions  of  li\  ing  immeasurably  easier  for  their  having  stri\"en,  "blazing 
the  way."  Jeremiah  X'owdin  died  at  the  age  of  si.xty-fi\e.  his  widow  sur- 
viving him  a  few  years,  her  death  not  occurring  until  she  was  past  seventy 
years  of  age.  They  were  the  parents  of  Enoch  B.,  Ferris  J.,  Ambrose  E. 
and  Jacob  Z.  X'owdin,  besides  two  or  three  children  who  died  in  infancy. 

Robert  H.  Langdale,  maternal  grandfather  of  ]\Ir.  X'owdin.  was  a  native 
of  England,  who  came  to  this  country,  locating  at  Cincinnati.  Oliio.  where 
he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  and  where  he  married  ]\Iary  Corbin,  the 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  9O3 

[)air  later  mo\ing  to  this  county,  settling-  in  }^[illL■^  t(j\vnshii).  wliei'f  they 
were  accounted  among-  the  substantial  residents  of  that  part  of  the  ci;>uiit\-, 
being-  held  in  the  \er\-  highest  regard  in  that  section  of  the  county.  lie  li\od 
to  be  abijul  seventy  rears  of  age.  and  she  died  several  rears  previous.  They 
reared  their  family  in  the  wars  of  sterling-  citizenship.  Five  of  their  childien 
grew  to  maturit}'  anrl  to  useful  manhnod  and  won-innhoi-)d,  Jai-ic  TL,  Alartha, 
Frances,  Robert  11.  and  Louisa,  the  first  named  ot  whiim  was  the  mother 
of  ]\lr.   Xcnvlin. 

Enoch  V).  Xowlin,  who  married  Jane  H.  I^^angdale.  lived  to  be  si.\t\-- 
eight  years  of  age,  his  death  occurring  in  the  }-ear  1900.  His  wife  died  in 
1S35,  at  the  age  of  fifty.  They  were  earnestly  devoted  to  the  best  interests 
of  tlie  community  in  which  they  li\-ed  and  were  an-iong  the  leaders  in  all  good 
worlds  tliereal)0ut.  The}-  were  devoted  mcml-)ers  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
and  actixel}-  interested  in  the  \arious  local  lieneficences  of  that  church.  Mr. 
Xowlin  was  a  men-iber  of  the  "home  guard"  during  the  Civil  War.  Ho 
w-as  a  Republican  and  took  an  active  interest  in  politics,  though  not  an  office 
seeker.  Ehioch  B.  and  Jane  H.  (Langdale)  Xi.>\\lin  were  parents  of  four 
children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters,  llarrv  L.,  of  Lawrenceburg,  the  im- 
iiiediate  .subject  of  this  sketch;  ]\Iarv,  wh<3  died  at  the  age  of  five  }'ears; 
Robert  Teremiah,  present  trustee  of  [Miller  townshij),  who  lives  on  the  old 
X^owlin  farm  in  that  township,  and  Ama,  who  died  daring  her  young  won-ian- 
hood. 

Harry  L.  Xowlin  grew  to  manhood  on  the  paternal  farm  in  Miller 
township,  being  reared  witli  the  highest  reg-ard  for  the  principles  of  gnnd 
citizenship.  He  attended  the  district  school  in  his  licmie  neighborhood,  tlie 
course  of  instruction  there  lieing-  supplemented  l;y  courses  in  the  iiormal 
schiiols  at  Ladoga  and  at  Danville,  this  state.  For  on.e  season  he  taught 
school,  after  which  he  turned  his  attention  to  practical  farming,  l.ieginning  his 
successful  career  in  this  line  of  endeavor  upon  a  siriall  tract  of  land  which 
he  rented.  He  prospered  at  this  renture  and  later  bought  a  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  sixt}-  acres  in  Miller  tow-nship  to  which  he  gradually  added  until 
at  one  time  he  owned  a  farm  of  four  huridred  and  ten  acres,  all  of  which 
w-as  under  a  high  state  of  cultirati(in,  the  most  of  which  he  still  owns.  In 
the  spring  of  1908  Mr.  Xow-lin  retired  from  the  farni  and  mored  to  r^biores 
Hill,  remaining-  there  imtil  1913.  in  which  year  he  mo\-ed  to  Lawrenceburg. 
re-purchasing  a  home  at  20  Oakey  arenue,  -which  some  years  before  he  had 
built  and  occupied  for  a  time,  later  selling  the  same,  and  wiiich  is  now-  his 
home.     Upon  mo\-ing  to  LawTenceburg,  Mr.  Xowlin  engaged  in  the  insurance 


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904  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  '" 

business  ami  has  built  up  an  extensive  business  in  the  way  of  fire  and  tor- 
nado insurance. 

On  Christmas  Day,  in  the  year  1SS2,  Harry  L.  Xowlin  was  united  in 
marriage  with  L.ana  ALartha  Smith,  who  was  bom  near  the  village  of  Guil- 
ford, in  Miller  township.  Dearborn  count}-,  Indiana,  February  12,  iSGi,  the 
daughter  of  David  E.  and  ^lartha  C.  (Grubbs)  Smith,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  the  same  tOAxnship. 

David  E.  Smith  was  the  son  of  William  and  Ann  (Ewbank)  Smith, 
natives  of  England  and  early  settlers  in  Dearborn  county,  who  died  in  Miller 
township,  both  being  well  past  middle  age  at  the  time  of  the  passing.  They 
were  the  parents  of  six  children,  four  sons  and  two  daughters,  John,  George, 
Thomas,  David,  Elizabeth  and  Ann.  Martha  C.  Gn.;bbs,  who  married  David 
E.  Smith,  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  (Cassidy)  Grubby.  nati\es  of 
Pennsylvania  and  pioneers  in  Dearborn  county,  the  former  of  whom  li\'etl  to 
a  green  old  age  and  the  latter  of  whom  died  in  middle  life,  and  who  were  the 
parents  of  nine  cliildrcn :  ^Irs.  ^lartha  C.  Smith,  ilrs.  Mary  Jane  Haddock, 
Mrs.  Honor  Kirkpatrick,  Mrs.  Susan  McClure,  Hugh,  John,  William,  Rich- 
ard and  Hansel. 

To  David  E.  and  Martha  C.  (Grubbs)  Smith  were  born  thirteen  chil- 
dren:  Mrs.  Jane  Ann  Whittaker,  \\'ill  John,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Julley,  Mrs. 
Mary  Lounsbury,  Honor  Davis.  Robert  Henry,  Jonathan  G..  Jarius  D.  and 
Lana  'M.  (twins),  George  IM.,  ^Irs.  Evelyn  C.  Hansell,  Scott  M.  and  Ira. 
The  father  of  these  children  died  in  1872,  at  the  age  of  fifty-three  years,  and 
the  mother  died  on  December  11,  191 1,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighi^'-frjur 
years. 

To  Harry  Langdale  and  Lana  ^Martha  (Smith)  Xowlin  five  children 
have  been  born:  Archey  E.,  Jennie  Gertrude,  Ama  L.,  Elma  L.  and  ]\Iartha 
Belle.  Archey  E.  X'owlin  is  managing  a  part  of  the  home  farm.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Huddleston,  and  to  this  union  three  children  have  been  b<irn : 
Hubert  A.,  Elizabeth  Lenore  and  Frances  Ama.  Jennie  Gertrude  married 
Milton  L.  Taylor,  of  Indianapolis,  to  which  miion  one  child  has  been  born. 
a  son,  Harry  jMilton.  Ama  L.  is  emplo_\ed  in  her  father's  insurance  office. 
Elma  L.  died  at  the  early  age  of  sixteen  years.  ^Martha  Belle  is  a  student 
in  the  Greendale  public  school  at  Lawrenceburg. 

Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Xowlin  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  as  are 
all  their  children,  and  are  deeply  interested  in  the  good  works  of  their  home 
community.  ]Mr.  X'owlin  is  a  member  of  Guilford  Lodge  X'o.  90,  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in   the  affairs  of  which   order   he   takes  a 


t.V..'.::\>-J    ,ViV;...  lO    Vi.c)fM:N;:>;-(t;  too 


!i'..  ic     i!j:::.v    !■ '    '"'':t'i-    ^li!    MI   ,;rv/i:>iljl    i. 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  ,905 

liearty  interest.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  for  years  has  been  a  strong  factor 
in  the  political  life  of  the  county.  During  his  residence  at  Moores  Hill  he 
was  for  nearly  five  years  a  member  of  the  school  board  there  and  for  two 
years  served  on  the  town  board,  while  some  years  ago  he  served  for  a  period 
of  two  years  on  the  town  board  of  Greendale. 

The  Nowlins  are  cultured  and  refined  people,  and  being  members  of  two 
of  the  oldest  families  in  the  county,  are  fully  representative  of  the  best  life 
of  the  community  in  which  they  reside  and  in  whicli  they  are  so  deservedly 
popular,  and  in  which  they  are  held  in  such  high  respect  by  all  who  know 
them.  Mr.  Nowlin  takes  an  active  interest  in  the  business  life  of  Law- 
renceburg  and  is  warmly  concerned  in  all  the  measures  designed  to  promote 
the  best  interests  of  the  citv  and  countv. 


HENRY  HODELL. 


If  unceasing  industry  is  the  price  of  success,  and  after  all  it  is  the  deter- 
mining factor,  Henry  Hodell,  "the  secretary-treasurer  of  the  Ohio  Valley 
Coffin  Company,  of  Lawrenceburg.  Indiana,  has  well  earned  the  large  meas- 
ure of  success  which  fortune  has  meted  out  to  him.  Mr.  Hodell  is  not  only 
one  of  the  oldest  living  citizens  of  Dearborn  county,  but  he  is  likewise  one  of 
the  most  popular  business  men  living  in  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg.  Having 
learned  early  in  life  the  cabinet-maker's  trade,  ]Mr.  Hodell  was  well  equipped 
to  become  one  of  the  executive  otficers  of  one  of  Lawrenceburg's  thriving 
industrial  enterprises,  since  cabinet-making  is  the  basis  of  the  productive 
department  of  this  industn,-.  Mr.  Hodell  has  been  connected  with  tlie  Ohio 
Valley  Coffin  Company  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  it  is  a 
remarkable  fact  that  during  this  period  he  has  been  absent  from  his  work 
only  one  week,  a  brief  respite  which  he  enjoyed  in  1893,  when  he  attended 
the  World's  Columbian  Exposition  at  Chicago.  The  institution  with  which 
he  lias  been  connected  has  prospered  through  his  remarkable  perseverance 
and  prodigious  and  unceasing  industry. 

Henry  Hodell  was  born  of  German  parentage.  His  father,  George 
Hodell,  and  his  mother,  who,  before  her  marriage,  was  Barbara  Catherine 
P)Urk,  having  been  natives  of  Alsace,  Germany.  Of  their  family  of  six  chil- 
dren, Henry  Hodell  was  the  youngest.  The  other  five  children  were  Caro- 
line, who  married  Rudolph  \\'alter,  of  Lawrenceburg:  George,  deceased: 
Frederick,  who  lives  at  Anderson.  Indiana ;  Catherine,  deceased,  who  was 
the  wife  of  Philip  J.  Emmert;  Margaret,  who  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen 


■   ''':r.  .  n'.;    -■■  ■   I'-ii:':  j     !  >  , .    i.s  ■  'j;!  ■  ■  -■>  ,    r  i  ■.' 
;-'■--.  if;   ;.-■    ;.,  ^.   ^.■Ji;T>•:li;,..:^    ,Irn:',-v  m 


[.■■■■■;■:'; 


;,..;  .;        ,.;,-,        1,, 


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■   ■  ,:-  3''  '        ....■;,Cii.r.'    I'- 


:^f.j':.vi.    /'^ii-;'.!!' 


'If.-''' 


906  .         "  DEARBORN    COUXTY^    INDIANA. 

years.  Mr.  Ilodell's  father,  wlio  was  reared  and  educated  in  Germany,  and 
\\!io  was  a  millwright  by  trade,  was  twenty-one  years  old  the  day  the  vessel 
iipnn  which  he  came  to  America  arrived  in  the  port  of  New  York  City. 
Aftei  working  for  a  time  in  Puffalo,  Xcw  York  and  Cincinnati.  Ohii^.  lie 
came  to  Lawrenccburg,  Indiana,  in  company  with  Joliann  C.  Ilanck,  in  1S36, 
and  here  worked  as  a  millwright  and  a  carpenter.  In  the  meantime,  however, 
he  had  also  learned  the  machinist's  trade,  and  devoted  some  time  to  this 
trade.  Subsequently  he  took  employment  in  one  of  tlie  Lawrenccburg  furni- 
ture factories  and  spent  most  of  his  time  in  this  factory  until  his  death,  in 
18S0,  at  which  time  he  was  sixty-eight  }ears  old.  Four  years  previouslv,  in 
1876,  his  wife,  Mrs.  George  Ilodell,  had  died  at  the  age  of  si.xty-eight.  .They 
were  both  members  of  the  Methodist  church  and  among  the  leaders  in  the 
local  congregation. 

]\Ir.  Hodcll's  paternal  grandfather,  who  was  the  proprietor  of  a  large 
paper-mill  in  Germany,  died  in  his  native  land,  after  rearing  a  large  family. 
The  maternal  grandfather  of  Plenrv  Ilodell  also  died  in  Germany.  He  had 
been  a  prominent  man  in  his  nati\'e  town  and  had  served  in  the  capacitv  of 
burgomaster.  Only  two  of  his  children,  Barbara  Catherine,  who  was  Mr. 
Hodell's  mother,  and  a  ?vlrs.  Rces.  ever  came  to  America. 

Having  been  born  in  the  city  of  Lawrenccburg,  Henry  Hodell  was 
reared  to  manhood  here,  and  this  city  has  always  been  his  home.  Here  he 
recei\'ed  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  and  here  he  learned  the  cabinet- 
maker's trade,  following  it  for  a  period  of  appro.ximately  twelve  years,  after 
which  he  engaged  in  the  service  of  tlie  L'nitcd  States  government  and  seri-ed 
as  a  storekeeper  for  somewhat  more  than  three  years.  His  experiences  in  the 
offices  of  the  Kentucky  Central  railroad,  at  Covington.  Kentucky,  where 
he  worked  until  February  i,  1889,  after  quitting  the  revenue  service,  has 
also  ser\ed  him  well  as  an  executive  officer  of  the  Ohio  Valley  Coffin  Com- 
pany, from  the  fact  that  the  transportation  of  its  products  is  no  small  factor 
in  the  efficiency  of  the  business.  The  Ohio  Valley  Coffin  Company,  estab- 
lished some  forty-three  years  ago.  in  1872,  with  a  capital  of  thirty  thousand 
dollars,  has  grown  to  a  capitalization  of  eighty-seven  thousand,  four  hundred 
and  fiftv  dnllars,  and  it  now  employs  about  forty-five  men  and  does  an  annual 
business  of  from  'Mie  hundred  thousand  to  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars.  Mr.  Hodell  served  as  secretary  of  the  company  until  June, 
1910,  when  at  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  directors  he  was  also  charged  with 
the  duties  of  treasurer  of  the  institution,  and  is  now  both  secretary  and  treas- 
urer. 

Henry  Hodell  was  married  on  November  2,    1 871,  to  Anna  Stockman, 


;?     I'Jiu.'iil'-i   iiii; 


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):;rn:7.i  '-.iz.'J 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  9O7 

(hiughter  of  Omar  T.  and  Julia  (Soycz)  Stncknian,  ami  in  this  ha]ii)\'  unidn 
three  children  ha\e  been  horn.  Julia  Soyez,  Ilattic  Tlelle  and  Henry  Lmiis. 
C)n!_\-  two  of  th.c  children  are  now  li\'ing',  Julia  Soyez  hax-in^-  died  in  infancy. 
ITatiie  P.elle  married  Eug-ene  Booth,  and  they  have  had  two  children,  VAl/.- 
aljeth  Jane  and  ]\[arian  Hodell.  Mr.  and  ^.Irs.  Doiith  live  at  Xor\M)od.  Ohio. 
Henry  Louis  i-~  connected  with  the  Central  Union  Life  Li?urance  Cotn]);iny, 
He  married  Ethel  Carter,  and  thc\'  have  had  two  children,  IL^nrv  Loni^,  |r., 
and  George  Richard. 

Mrs.  Hodell's  father,  Omar  T.  Stockman,  who  was  a  skillful  hni.k- 
keeper  and  accountant,  wa?  born  in  Lawrenceburo-,  and  passed  awav  some 
years  ago  at  the  age  of  eight}'-t\vo.  Her  UK.ither,  who  was  born  at  Marietta, 
Ohio,  died  at  the  age  of  se^•enty-two.  Their  three  children,  .\iuia,  now  [Mrs. 
Hodell,  Hattie  and  Belle,  all  were  born  in  Lawrencebnrg.  Benjamin  Stock- 
man, ]NL-s.  Llodell's  jjaternal  grandfather,  who  married  Elizabeth  Line  lid. 
operated  a  saw-mill  in  Lawrenceburg  and  died  in  the  prinie  <if  life  in  this 
cit}'.  He  was  a  nati\e  of  Indiana,  as  was  also  his  wife,  and  they  were  b.  th 
pioneers  in  Dearborn  county.  Mrs.  Stockman  died  at  the  age  of  eight\'-5ix 
years.  Their  children  were:  Oliver.  Omar,  George,  Benjamin,  Henr}'. 
Lucy,  and  others  who  died  early  in  life.  Louis  Sovez,  ^Irs.  Llodell's  mater- 
nal grandfather.  nati\-e  of  the  Rhtims  region  in  Prance,  was  an  early  SLltler 
and  a  well-k-nown  merchant  at  [Marietta.  Ohiix  He  and  his  wife  died  at 
[Marietta.  Ohio,  many  years  after  ha\-ing-  passed  the  meridian  of  life.  Their 
children  were  Augaistus.  LLiratio,  Adolphus.  ALu'ia.  Julia,  Harriet.  Elizabeth 
and  Belle. 

Mr.  and  [Mrs.  [Henry  Hodell  are  members  of  the  [Methodist  church,  and 
he  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  church  at  Lawrenceburg.  [Mr.  Hodell  belongs 
to  Lawrenceburg  Lodge  Xo.  4.  Free  and  Accepted  [Masons,  and  T..a\vrence- 
burg  Chapter  Xo.  56.  Royal  Arch  [Masons.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Lnion 
Lodge  No.  8,  Lidependent  Order  of  Odd  I'ellows.  During  his  entire  life  he 
has  been  identified  with  the  Republican  party. 

Prominent  as  he  is  in  the  business,  religious  and  fraternal  life  of  the 
city  of  Lawrenceburg.  Henry  PPidell  is  well  entitled  to  a  large  share  of  the 
credit  which  belongs  to  those  men  who  ha\e  made  Uiwrenceburg  and  Dear- 
born county  a  desirable  place  in  which  to  live.  Mr.  FTridell  is  jjossessed  of  a 
genial  personality,  is  charitable  in  his  relatiofis  with  his  fellows  and  a  highly 
esteemed  citizen  of  this  section  of  Indiana.  He  and  his  good  wife  are  popu- 
lar socially  in  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg.  They  have  won  a  substantial  com- 
petence and  the  salient  facts  in  their  lives  are  worthy  of  being  perpetuated 
in  the  biographical  annals  of  Dearborn  county. 


■o:  v'.Km'iA^a 


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908  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

■"'''''''■'    '        NATHANIEL  E.  SQUIBB.         ''''     '  '  ■■"''-"■' 

In  the  financial  and  commercial  life  of  Lawrenccburg  and  Deaiiiorn 
county  few  men  are  better  known,  and  none  is  more  Iiighly  respected  and 
admired  than  Nathaniel  E.  Scjuibb,  the  vice-president  of  the  W.  P.  Squibb 
iX:  Company,  distillers,  of  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana.  Nathaniel  E.  Squibb  is  a 
comparatively  young  man,  but  his  youth  has  not  interfered  with  his  rapid 
progress  in  business.  He  has  seized  every  opportunity  and  has  made  the 
most  of  the  business  achieved  in  association  ^vith  bis  brothers  and  with  his 
late  father.  Nathaniel  E.  Squibb  is  acquainted  with  every  detail  of  this 
business.  Like  his  elder  brothers,  he  "grew  up"  in  the  distilling  business. 
He  has  been  prominently  connected  with  the  sales  department  of  the  busi- 
ness which,  after  all,  is  the  determining  factor  in  the  success  of  any  enter- 
prise. Aside  from  his  connection  with  the  firm  which  bears  the  name  of  his 
father,  hi;  name  is  identified  with  other  commercial  enterprises  of  Dearborn 
county  and  for  man}'  years  he  has  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  worthy,  indus- 
trious and  well-equipped  young  men  of  this  section  of  Indiana. 

Nathaniel  E.  Squibb  was  born  in  Dearborn  county,  at  Aurora,  Jantiary 
5,  1S78.  His  parents,  William  P.  and  Frances  (Plummer)  Squibb,  were 
natixes  of  Dearborn  county  and  had  ten  children  as  follow:  ^lary  A.,  tlie 
wife  of  A.  F.  Geisert.  of  Lawrenccburg,  Indiana :  Aha  P.,  who  died  after 
she  had  reached  }'oung  \vomanhr.od ;  Robert  L.,  who  li\'es  in  Lawrenceljurg; 
Ella  R..  who  is  unmarried:  George  L.  P.:  Florence  L..  the  wife  of  J.  P.  Car- 
ter, of  Cincinnati;  Nathaniel  E.,  the  subject  cif  this  sketch:  Horace  G..  and 
Samuel  T..  who  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years. 

\\"!lliam  P.  Squibb,  the  father  of  Nathaniel  E..  was  reared  in  Dearbi^rn 
county,  and  when  a  \'ery  young  man  engaged  in  the  grocer}'  and  liquor  busi- 
ness at  Aurijra.  Subsequently,  he  was  a  rectifier  and  wholesale  dealer  in 
liquor,  and  in  1869.  forty-six  years  ago,  he  engaged  in  the  distilling  business 
at  Lawrenceburg.  He  was  associated  in  this  business  with  his  brother, 
George  AA'.  Their  business  grew  constantlv  from  vear  to  vcar  and  necessi- 
tated the  building  of  additional  warehouses.  Fcir  several  \ears  the  firm  has 
used  five  L'nited  States  bonded  warehouses.  After  the  death  of  George 
Sfiuibb,  more  than  two  years  ago,  the  distilling  business  in  which  he  and  the 
late  William  P.  Squibb  had  been  partners  for  more  than  fifty  }ears  was  reor- 
ganized as  the  William  P.  Squibb  &  Company.  Nathaniel  E..  George  L.  P., 
Robert  and  Horace  were  taken  into  their  father's  business.  A  cousin,  Louis 
H.  Foulk,  had  become  connected  with  the  firm  some  ten  years  previously. 
The  present  capitalization  is  three  hundred  thousand  dollars.     William  P. 


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UEAKBORX    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  QOt) 

Squibb  died  on  October  15,  191 3,  after  having-  almost  completed  his  eighty- 
third  }'ear.  After  this  his  sons  succeeded  him  directly  in  the  business.  .Mrs. 
William  P.  Squibb  died  twenty-five  years  l.iefore  her  husband.  She  passed 
awa}-  in  188S,  in  her  forty-fifth  year. 

.A.t  least  four  generations  of  the  Squibb  family,  including-  this  generation, 
of  which  Nathaniel  E..  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  a  representative,  have  lived 
in  Dearborn  county.  Mr.  Scjuibb's  paternal  grandfather,  Robert  Squibb, 
\\-as  a  native  of  this  county.  He  married  Eliza  Cumn-iins,  \vhosc  ancestors 
came  from  Penns_\lvania.  Robert  Squibb  was  killed  by  an  explosion  which 
occurred  when  the  running  of  the  first  train  over  the  first  railroad  built  into 
.A-iu'ora  was  being  celebrated.  His  wiflow  li\ed  to  he  a  very  old  ladv.  She 
was  the  mother  of  three  children,  William  P.,  George  W.  and  INIrs.  Alta 
M.  Foulk.  ^ilrs.  Foulk  is  the  mother  of  Louis  II.  Fonik,  who  is  associated  with 
the  Scjuibb  brothers  at  the  present  time  in  tlie  management  of  the  William 
P.  Squibb  &  Company. 

Nathaniel  E.  Squibb  was  only  si.x  years  old  when  his  parents  moved 
from  Aurora  to  Greendale  (Lawrenceburg),  Dearborn  county.  Fie  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Lawrenceburg  and  lost  no  time  between 
the  period  when  he  finished  school  and  the  period  when  he  went  to  work 
for  his  father  in  the  distillery.  Fie  began  at  the  bottom  of  the  business  and 
learned  it  from  the  bottom  u]).  After  having  learned  the  business  thor- 
oughly he  became  a  sales  agent  for  the  firm,  filling  this  position  in  connec- 
tion with  his  duties  as  \-ice-president  of  the  firm. 

Nathaniel  E.  S(]uibb  was  married  on  ^lay  i.  1901,  to  Elizabeth  Hunter 
Carter,  the  daughter  of  Richard  D.  and  Catherine  Jane  (Smith)  Carter. 
They  are  the  parents  of  two  children.  \\'illiam  P.,  Jr.,  and  Jane  Carter. 

Mrs.  Squibb  was  born  in  Petersburg-,  Boone  county,  Kentucky,  Septem- 
ber 4,  1878.  Fler  mother  was  a  native  of  that  state  and  her  father  was  born 
in  West  \'irginia.  Richard  D.  Carter  was  reared  at  Wheeling,  West  \'ir- 
ginia.  and  received  his  education  in  that  city.  He  gradually  worked  into 
the  distilling  business  from  experiments  he  made  on  his  father's  farm  in 
manufacturing  apple  brand}-.  He  was  in  the  distilling  business  until  his  death, 
and  was  regarded  as  an  expert  also  in  the  manufacture  of  compressed  yeast. 
He  died  in  18S5,  at  the  age  of  forty-six  years.  Mrs.  Carter  is  still  living  and 
is  sixty  years  old.  Mr.  Carter  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
Mrs.  Carter  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church.  Richard  D.  Carter  served 
as  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War.  He  was  a  private  and  a  member  of  a  battery 
of  heavy  artillery  recruited  in  West  Virginia.  Richard  D.  Carter's  father 
was  Samuel  Hunter  Bell  Carter,  a  native  of  old  Virginia,  who  died  in  West 


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/i.'fiH   IDr/niEr^   '■^■1 


91  O  DEARBOKN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  'i 

Virginia  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  Samuel  H.  B.  Carter  married  ^hir- 
tlia  Bishop.  They  owned  a  hirge  country  estate  near  W'heehng,  where  lie 
\\as  engag"ed  in  the  distilhng  business.  They  had  nine  cliildren :  Sarah 
}\,  Eh'zabetli,  Thumas.  John,  Henry,  Emily,  Eva,  Wihiam  and  Richard  D. 
Mrs.  Squihlj's  maternal  grandfather  was  a  merchant,  a  druggist,  and  sui)er- 
intendcnt  of  a  larg'e  cooperage  works.  His  name  is  \\'illiam  W.  Smith  and 
his  wife  was  Elizabeth  McXeely,  he  a  native  of  Xew  York  state,  ami  she  of 
Kentucky.  Tliey  li\"ed  at  Eetersburg,  whicli  was  the  scene  of  most  of  his 
activities.  They  both  died  in  Petersburg-,  she  at  the  age  of  fift\'  anfl  he  at 
the  age  of  seventy-five.  Their  children  were  William.  Catlierine,  Jane.  Sue. 
Harry,  Ida,  John  and  Benjamin.  Ik-fore  his  marriage  to  Elizabeth  McX'eelv 
\\'illiam  W.  Smith  had  married  a  Hiss  W'ingate  and  had  had  two  children. 
Mary  and  Sophia,  by  that  marriage.  Mrs.  Nathaniel  E.  Squiblj,  therefore, 
is  descended  from  a  line  of  ancestors  ^\■ho  had  been  prominent  in  three  or 
four  states  where  the\-  had  lived. 

]\Ir.  and  ]\lrs.  Xathaniel  E.  Si|uibb  are  members  of  the  Church  of 
Christ.  Xathaniel  E.  Squibl)  has  been  prominent!)-  connected  with  the  Deni- 
ocratic  party  all  of  his  life  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  Greendale  town  board. 
He  bias  alread\-  ser\-ed  three  years. 

X'athaniel  E.  Squibb  belongs  to  a  famil_\-  whose  g"Ood  fortune  it  has  been 
to  accumulate  a  great  deal  of  -wealth.  This  wealth,  however,  has  not  come 
without  effort.  X'athaniel  E.  Squibb  has  contributed  his  share  of  the  efforts 
and  energ"}'  it  has  required  to  make  the  business  pay  handsomely.  X^'athaniel 
E.  Sr|mdjb  is  well  known  in  southeastern  Indiana ;  in  fact,  is  well  kno-wn 
throughout  the  middle  We-^t,  especially  by  his  connection  with  the  well- 
known  Lawrenceburg  firm.  ]\Ir.  Squibb  is  popular  persrmallv  and  his  per- 
sonal charm  has  been  no  sm.all  factor  in  his  success. 


,.      ,;  JOHX  B.   KEXXEDY.  :    ■     ■■ 

X'^o  class  of  '"Xew-  Americans"  has  shown  its  appreciation  of  Uncle 
Sam's  generous  attitude  toward  all  nations  more  than  our  Irish  cousins,  and 
none  ha\'e  been  more  ready  to  fall  in  line  and  abide  b\'  conditions  as  thev 
found  them,  except  that  they  ha\-e  ever  been  ready  and  anxious  to  do  their 
part  in  bettering  the  condition  of  the  general  luiblic,  when  called  upon  to  do 
so.  The  quick  and  read\-  \vit  of  the  Irish  people,  their  most  valuable  asset. 
enables  them  to  blend  readilv  in  anv  nation. 


V  Mr;;vr  J'i 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  gil 

John  B.  Kennedy,  deceased,  son  of  Thomas  J.  Kenncdv  aufi  Mary 
(Dowliui;')  Kenncdv,  was  born  in  Count}'  lvill<ciin\-,  Ireland.  AuL;u>t  lo. 
1834.  He  received  his  e(Uieation  in  the  l:iu<.l  of  his  nativit_\-  and  reniainetl 
there  until  he  was  se\-enteen  years  of  age.  Being-  chssatisfied  with  the 
opportunities  afforded  in  his  own  country,  he  determined  to  seek  his  fortune 
in  the  I'nited  States,  and,  coming  here  in  1871,  lie  settled  in  Ci^xingtmi, 
Kentucky,  where  he  followed  various  pursuits  for  twn  years,  and  tlien  went 
to  work  for  James  ^^'alsh  in  his  distillery  in  Ci)vington,  lieing  Later  trans- 
ferred to  his  distillery  in  Lawrencehurg,  where  he  was  employed  as  proof- 
maker.  He  was  careful  and  attentive  to  his  duties,  and  as  an  eviilence  of  his 
faithfulness,  was  retained  in  the  employ  of  ]\Ir.  Walsh  for  thirty-nine  _\ears. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  town  council,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  Bawrenceljtu'g  in  191 2,  was  a  devout  member  of  the  Catli'dic 
church.  His  parents  were  nati\'es  o\  Ireland.  His  father  was  a  farmer  in 
Countv  Kilkenii}-.  and  li\ed  near  Thomastown,  where  he  died  at  middle 
age.  His  mother  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  Thex'  were  the  par- 
ents of  five  cliildren,  namely:  John  B. ;  James,  uf  Cincinntiti,  Ohin;  I'liilip, 
wlio  died  in  ^■outh :  Mar_\-,  deceased,  A\ho  \\as  the  wife  of  James  I^inskx' :  and 
Ellen,  wife  of  Thnnias  Shea,  nf  Thomastown,  Count\'  Kilkennv.  Ireland. 
The  paternal  grandfather  was  Thomas  Kennedy,  who  died  in  Ireland.  He 
had  tw(T  brothers.  John  and  James. 

On  July  3.  1877,  John  B.  Kenncdv  was  united  in  marriage  withi  Anna 
Hicke\-,  at  X'ewport.  Kentuek"y.  She  is  a  daughter  of  James  and  Margaret 
(Kanders)  Hickew  John  B.  and  Anna  (Hickey)  Kenneily  were  the  par- 
ents of  eight  children,  ^lary,  Margaret  E.,  Thomas,  Jr.,  Jnhn  J.,  Rcibert 
Emmet,  Elora,  Daniel  C.  and  Eugenia. 

Mary  Kennedy  was  graduated  from  the  Lawrencehurg  high  sclmi'l. 
and  was  also  grarluated  from  the  Louisville  City  Hospital  Training  Scinic.il, 
in  iQOO,  as  well  as  fmm  the  Southern  College  of  Phannac\',  of  Atlanta, 
Georgia,  in  1905.  She  then  returned  home  and  Ixiught  the  drug-  st')re  of 
Dr.  George  E.  Smith,  and  in  connection  with  drug-gist's  sundries,  also  sells 
carjdv,  ice  cream,  sioda  water,  paints  and  'mIs.  She  is  a  young  woman  of 
culture  and  refinement,  and  her  executi\e  al>ilitv  is  greatly  admired  by  an 
extended  circle  of  lo\al  friends.  She  is  a  tlmrough  and  successful  xoung 
business  woman.  Margaret  E.  is  principal  of  the  grade  department  of  the 
Lawrencebm-g-  public  school.  Thomas  J.  died  at  the  age  of  four  n-ionths. 
Jolm  J.  is  a  rectifier  for  tlie  Ed.  B.  Staunton  &  Company,  of  Columbus. 
Ohio.  His  wife  was  Amelia  Bryant.  They  have  had  two  children.  Shirley 
and   Donald.      Robert   Emmet   was  married   to  Ai-nelia   Garnier,   and  has   a 


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912  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

soil,  Robert  E.,  Jr.  Flora  is  at  St.  Vinctnt's  Hcispital,  Indiana[)oli.s.  traiii- 
incf  to  become  a  mirsc.  Daniel  C.  is  in  the  employ  of  Bentley  Brothers,  cif 
Toledo,  Ohio,  in  construction  wirk.  Eugenia  is  finishing  her  last  year  in 
high  scb.ool,  which  makes  six  children  from  this  family  who  have  been 
graduated  from  the  Lawrenceburg  high  school. 

Mrs.  Anna  (Hicke_\-)  Kenned}-,  deceased,  wb.o  was  the  wife  of  tlie 
subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  County  Clare.  Ireland,  ]\lay  21,  185 j. 
and  was  educated  there.  She  came  to  America  with  an  aunt,  a  ;\Irs.  Kellew 
and  made  her  home  at  Xeupi.irt.  Kcntuckv,  where  she  was  married.  Her 
parents  died  in  Ireland,  leaxing  the  following  children:  James,  of  Sharps- 
burg,  Kentucky;  Bridget,  wife  of  Thomas  Ouinn.  of  Harvey,  Illinois:  Anna. 
deceased;  Michael,  of  Danville,  Kentucky;  John,  who  died  in  Ireland;  and 
Margaret,  who  resides  at  Madisonville,  Ohio.  Like  her  husband,  Mrs.  Ken- 
nedv  was  an  earnest  member  of  the  Catholic  church. 


SAAIUEL  .WRES  VAN  HORN. 

As  the  shadow  moves  along  the  dial,  but  no  one  perceived  it  moving; 
and  it  appears  that  the  grass  has  grow  n.  though  nobody  ever  saw  it  grow ; 
so  the  advances  made  in  knowledge,  as  they  consist  of  such  insensible  steps, 
are  only  perceivable  at  a  distance.  The  same  truly  ma}-  be  said  of  the  progress 
of  communities  in  a  civic,  social  and  industrial  wav.  The  present 
generation  is  conscious  of  the  countless  advantages  shared  by  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  communit}-.  but  rarely  is  thought  gixen  as  to  how  these  advan- 
tages were  secured,  it  requiring  the  perspective  of  history  to  bring  into  view 
the  insei-isil)le  steps  b}-  which  die  preseiit  lofty  heights  were  reached.  It  is 
this  perspective  which  volun-ies  of  this  character  design  to  lend  to  the  view. 
A  rigid  comparison  of  the  days  of  the  pioneers  of  this  community  w-ith 
those  of  the  presei-it  generation  is  as  startling  as  it  is  illuminating,  and  if 
this  historical  and  biographical  work  shall  do  no  more  than  to  create  within 
the  breasts  of  the  }-oung-er  generation  of  readers  a  vivid  and  comprehensive 
appreciation  of  the  blessings  they  so  readily  accei)t  as  common  gifts,  the 
lalx>r  of  its  compilation  shall  haxe  been  well  requited.  There  are  still  a  few 
of  the  pioneers  remaming  in  this  section  who  have  seen  these  con-imonlv- 
accepted  blessings  slowly  bud  and  blossom  and  fructify,  and  it  is  of  one  of 
these  that  this  brief  biography  shall  treat,  the  venerable  Samuel  Ayres  Van 
Horn,  of  Lawrenceburg.  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  highly  regarded 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  9I_^ 

citi7cn:>  of  Dearltoni  ciumty,  a  man  to  whom  his  comniunitv  owes  much  for 
the  acti\'c  ])art  he  has  taken  in  the  development  of  tlie  same. 

Samuel  A}Tes  \^an  Horn,  a  retired  hay  dealer,  who  lives  at  159  Ridge 
avenue,  Lawrencehurg',  Indiana,  \\as  born  on  York  ridge,  in  York  town- 
sliip,  Dearliorn  county,  Inilian.a.  January  15.  1S33,  the  son  of  Cornelius  and 
L\'dia  (Ayres)  \'an  Horn,  the  former  of  ■whom  was  a  native  of  New  York- 
state  and  the  latter  of  wliom  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  early  settlers  of  this 
county. 

Cornelius  \''an  Horn  was  the  son  of  Cornelius  Van  Horn,  a  native  New 
Yorker,  who  came  to  Dearborn  county  by  way  of  Cincinnati  in  which 
latter  city  lie  resided  a  wliile  before  coming  here  in  1S16.  v^hen  Cornelius, 
Jr..  was  eight  years  of  age.  He  first  located  on  I'anner's  creek,  but  later 
bought  land  on  'S'ork  ridge,  in  York  to\\-nship,  wheie  he  and  his  wife  spent 
the  remainder  rif  their  lives,  both  living  to  good  old  ages.  They  were  the 
parents  of  four  cliiklren,  Andrew.  Cornelius,  J(-ihn  and  Jane.  Cornelius,' 
the  secrind  of  these,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  jiaternal  farm  and  remained  a 
farmer  all  his  life,  becoming  one  of  the  most  important  factors  in  the  develop- 
ment of  that  section  of  the  county.  He  married  L}'dia  Ayres,  daughter  of 
Samuel  A\  res,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  the  Cincinnati  neighborhood, 
whose  father  had  a  large  farm  near  Mount  Pleasant,  where  he  and  his  wife 
lived  to  ripe  old  age  and  where  they  reared  a  family  of  five  children, 
Stephen,  Samuel,  Emaline,  Julia  and  Anna. 

To  Cfirnelius  and  Lvdia  (A\'res)  Van  Horn  were  born  seven  children, 
namely:  John,  who  died  in  California  in  1912;  Samuel  A.,  the  immediate 
subject  of  this  sketch;  Stephen,  deceased:  Elizabeth,  who  died  unmarried: 
Angelina,  deceased:  Harrison,  who  died  in  Los  Angeles,  California,  in 
December,  19 14,  and  George  Cornelius,  deceased.  Cornelius  Van  Horn 
was  one  of  the  most  prominent  fanners  in  York  township,  owning-  a  fine 
farm  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  acres  on  York  ridge,  and  he  and  his  wife, 
both  of  whom  were  earnest  members  of  the  Methodist  church,  were  active 
in  all  the  good  works  of  the  commiuiity  and  were  held  in  the  highest  repute 
throughout  the  entire  countryside.  He  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-two,  his 
wife  having  preceded  hiin  to  the  grave  a  few  }-ears  previously. 

Samuel  A.  \'an  Horn  was  rea'-ed  on  the  paternal  farm  on  York  ridge, 
.growing  into  a  full  knowledge  of  the  ways  of  successful  farming,  and 
remained  at  home  until  the  time  of  his  marriage.  In  the  days  of  ]\Ir.  Van 
Horn's  boyhood  the  schools  were  not  as  well  organized  as  in  this  day  and 
he  therefore  did  not  possess  the  wonderful  advantages  in  that  line  possessed 

(58)- 


.-,•;-, I. 


914  DEARUOKN  COUN'TV,   INDIANA. 

by  the  youth  of  today,  Inis  scliooling  l)eing  hmiictl  to  attendance  on  the 
neighborliood  school,  which  was  secured  iiy  sul)scription  of  the  settlers 
thereabout,  but  three  months  in  the  year.  He  a\ailed  himself  of  these  meager 
ad\-antage5  with  such  good  effect,  howe\"er,  that  he  himself  becaine  a  schorjl 
teacher  and  for  twelve  years  tatight  school  in  his  home  and  other  townships 
during  the  wintei'  mijuths.  He  then  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  respon- 
sibility, leaving"  home  to  take  a  farm  on  Wilson  creek,  in  Lawrenceburg 
township,  where  he  remained  until  the  year  1S65,  in  which  year  he  moved 
into  Lawrenceburg  and  engaged  in  the  hay  and  grain  business,  in  which  he 
became  quite  successful  and  wdiich  he  followed  for  nearly  fifty  years,  at  the 
end  of  which  time  he  turned  the  business  over  to  his  son,  William  A.,  and 
his  son-in-law,  George  T.  Bateman.  and  is  now  living  retired  in  his  pleasant 
home  on  Ridge  avenue,  in  Greendale,  a  surburb  of  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg, 
calmly  enjoying  the  evening  of  his  life,  well  content  with  the  ripe  fruitage 
of  his  active  career. 

On  Chri>tmas  Day,  in  the  year  1S62,  Samuel  A.  Van  Horn  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Elizabeth  Lockwood  Emerson,  who  was  born  in  the  year 
1838,  in  this  comity,  the  daughter  of  pioneer  settlers  of  the  Wrights  Corners 
neighborhood,  in  IMiller  township.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  England, 
who  came  to  this  country  and  settled  in  ^filler  township  at  an  early  day  in 
the  settlement  of  that  part  of  the  county  and  there  .spent  the  remainder  of 
their  lives,  rearing  a  famib  of  children,  six  of  whom  lived  to  maturit}', 
William,  Thomas,  John,  Mary,  Frances  and  Elizabeth. 

To  Samuel  A.  and  Elizabeth  Lockwood  (Emerson)  \'an  Horn  were 
born  five  children:  Angie  Lou.  who  died  in  infancy:  Alma,  who  died  at 
the  tender  age  of  se\en  _\"ears:  \\'illiani  Emerscm,  who  died  in  infancy:  and 
William  A.  and  Fannie  Belle,  of  whom  William  A.  is  now  the  only  sur- 
vivor. Fannie  Belle  \^an  Horn,  who  married  George  Bateman,  died  on 
December  17,  1914.  leaving  her  husband  and  two  children,  Frances  Lock- 
wood  and  George  Emerson.  W'illiam  A.  Van  Horn  is  engaged  in  the  hay 
and  grain  business  in  Cincinnati  and  has  made  quite  a  success  ofdiis  business. 
He  married  Anna  Kurtzman  and  to  this  uni'.'U  were  born  three  children, 
Elizabeth,  Cornelius  Earl  and  Elmer.  !Mrs.  Samuel  A.  Van  Florn  died  in 
IMay,  1901,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years.  She  was  an  earnest  meml>er 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  her  children  were  reared  in  the  faith  of  that 
church.  Mr.  Van  Horn  long  has  been  actively  identified  with  the  Presby- 
terian congregation  in  Lawrenceburg  and  for  twenty  years  or  more,  in  the 
more  active  days  of  his  career,  was  a  trustee  of  the  church. 

Mr.  Van  Flora  was  reared  a  Whig,  but  since  the  Civil  War  has  been 


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DKARBOUN   CuUNTY,  INDIANA.  QIS 

an  active  member  of  the  Democratic  party  and  for  many  years  tor>lv  a  pn.un- 
inent  part  in  the  councils  of  iiis  party  in  this  county.  He  always  has  hecu 
noted  for  his  interest  in  educational  matters,  this  interest  dating  liack  to 
his  early  experiences  as  a  country  school  teacher,  and  lor  more  than  twenty 
vears  served  as  one  of  the  school  trustees  of  Greendalc.  most  of  the  time 
being  treasurer  of  the  board,  and  was  head  of  the  board  at  the  time  the 
present  fine  school  house  was  built.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  memViers  of 
Lawrenceburg  Lodge  No.  4,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  in  the  affairs 
of  which  lodge  he  for  many  years  has  taken  an  active  interest  and  among 
the  membership  of  which  he  is  highly  honored.  Mr.  Van  Horn  looks  back 
over  manv  vears  of  active  participation  in  the  busy  life  of  the  community 
in  which  his  life  thus  far  has  been  spent,  with  no  small  degree  of  saiisfac- 
tion.  An  honorable  and  useful  career,  amply  rewarded  by  a  competence 
for  his  declining  days,  has  left  him  with  perhaps  fewer  regrets  than  the 
majority  of  men  entertain  at  his  time  of  life,  and  he  views  the  past  frmn 
a  point  of  observation  which  gives  to  his  counsels  a  rare  value.  He  is  a  most 
entertaining  conversationalist  and  his  comments  on  men  and  affairs  are  mel- 
lowed bv  a  good  humor  and  a  fine  consideration  for  the  foibles  and  frailties 
of  humanitv  which  lend  to  them  a  fine  charm,  making  him  one  of  the  must 
agreeable  of  men  and  delightful  companions.  ^Ir.  Van  Horn  very  pmpcrly 
is  held  in  the  verv  highest  regard  by  a  large  circle  of  devoted  friends  and  it 
is  peculiarlv  fitting  that  this  fin.e  old  gentleman,  a  direct  link  between  the 
present  generation  and  tliat  of  the  pioneers,  slmuld  fmd  here  honorable  men- 
tion in  the  history  of  Dearboni  county.  Mr.  Van  Horn  has  been  a  meml)cr 
of  the  Cincinnati  Chamber  of  Commerce  for  upwards  of  fifty  years. 


THOMAS  A.  FITCH. 


•  The  Pilgrim  and  Puritan  spirit  has  not  fled.  Its  accents  may  l>e  heard 
wherever  there  are  gathered  those  who  were  reared  under  the  fine  influences 
of  old  New  England,"  and  in  whom  the  hereditary  principles  antl  ideals  ^till 
live  and  burn.  Both  young  and  old  are  animated  by  the  belief  that 
the  future  greatness  of  America  depends,  nut  upon,  material  possessions,  but 
upon  the  souls  of  those  who  inhabit  it.  Quality,  not  cpiantity.  is  the  watch- 
word:  and  the  sons  will  not  basely  relinquish  that  noble  denKicracy,  reaching 
up  to  the  highest  and  down  to  the  lowest,  which  the  fathers,  with  so  much 
difficulty,  attained.  Once  a  New  Englander,  always  a  New  Englander.  and 
a  common  ancestry-,  a  common  enthusiasm  for  the  great  memories  and  tra- 


■.''y. AUT/ '  ,/r/.  jiiu  •.'»■)«>!/ 'JNi 


--()  r. 


,f,     >-.:     .,„t. 


:,  •(■    .-ivn'  ,:  ■    I-    ;;:-    v    ):■:•<)  A-;;  ':;->(!  -rt 
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;:i  -f   -/Vi.r;,';   ■>  ■..■'   '■■•,.  j   .i  :(;-.>;;:  visvri.  -^  'jfinrjvn^lm 
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M-.  vl: 


9l6  DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

ditions  of  the  past,  is  a  tic  that  binds.  In  Deavhorn  county  there  arc  not  a 
few  \vho  are  bound  ti;)  the  old  Xew  England  traditions  and  ideals  by  ties 
of  ancestry,  in  ^\■hom  the  hereditary  principles  still  live  and  burn  with  ni'ist 
effective  force,  men  and  women  who  have  proved  or  are  proving-  dominant 
factors  in  the  development  of  the  best  interests  of  the  community  life.  Among 
these  properly  may  be  mentioned  the  gentleman  whose  name  the  reader  has 
noted  as  heading  this  interesting  biographical  review,  for  the  family  from 
which  he  has  descended  was,  in  its  day  and  generation,  one  of  the  most  force- 
ful in  the  old  New  England  colonies. 

The  Fitch  family  traces  its  history  in  this  country  back  to  Thomas 
Fitch,  who  was  captain-general  and  governor-in-chief  o\'er  His  ]\Iajesty's 
English  colony  of  Connecticut,  in  New  England,  and  who  appointed  Azel 
Fitch  captain  of  a  company  under  his  command  in  the  year  1760.  On  the 
distaff  side  of  Thomas  A.  Fitch's  family,  the  Hayeses,  there  were  several 
ancestors  who  were  soldiers  in  the  Continental  armv  during  tlie  colonists' 
struggle  for  independence  from  British  rule,  and  it  therefore  properly  may 
be  said  that  the  Pilgrim  and  Puritan  spirit  has  come  down  to  ]\Ir.  Fitch  with 
little  diminution  in  force.  IMr.  Fitch's  father  and  his  grandfather  were  men 
of  high  jirominence  and  large  influence  in  this  county  and  Mr.  Fitch  him- 
self has  done  well  his  part  in  maintaining  the  honorable  traditi'nis  of  his 
family.  It  therefore  is  but  fitting  and  proper  that  in  this  work  designed  to 
perpetuate  the  memories  of  the  past  as  related  to  this  county,  there  should 
be  found  a  place  for  setting  out  the  salient  points  in  the  career  of  the  immedi- 
ate subject  of  this  biographical  re\-iew,  a  task  to  wliich  the  present  biographer 
turns  with  pleasure. 

Thomas  A.  Fitch,  a  member  of  the  well-known  firm  of  B^itch  Brothers, 
livery  and  undertaking,  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  was  born  in  Lawrenceburg 
on  August  20,  1S71,  the  son  of  Dewitt  C.  and  Leah  (Hayes)  Fitch,  both 
of  whom  were  natives  of  this  county,  coming  of  pioneei-  families. 

Dewitt  C.  Fitch  was  born  in  Lawrenceburg,  the  son  of  Harris  and  Han- 
nah (Biggs)  Fitch,  nati\es  of  New  York  and  Kentucky,  respectively,  and 
early  settlers  in  Lawrenceburg.  \vho  rlied  in  that  town  when  well  along  in 
years,  after  a  long  and  honored  residence  therein.  Grandfather  Fitch  was 
one  of  the  old  town's  earliest  tavern  keepers,  the  Fitch  House,  which  he  and 
his  wife  conducted  for  many  years,  having  been  one  of  the  best  known  hos- 
telries  in  this  part  of  the  country.  The  bodies  of  both  Grandfather  and 
Grandmother  Fitch  were  buried  in  the  old  cemetery  at  Lawrenceliurg,  but 
many  years  afterward  were  exhumed  and  given  interment  in  the  Greendale 
cemetery,  where  a  fitting  stone  perpetuates  their  names  for  the  coming  gen- 


/HiJi-ay^:!' 


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DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  917 

erations.  Tliey  were  the  parents  of  Mrs.  Jane  Gazley,  George,  Dewitt  C. 
and  William. 

Dewitt  C.  Fitch  was  reared  in  the  town  of  Lawrenccburg-  and  during 
his  bo\hood  filled  in  the  school  vacation  periods  hv  clerking  in  a  grocery 
store,  but  upon  reaching  manhood  turned  tn  the  life  of  a  farmer  and  for 
years  was  successfully  engaged  in  farming  near  the  town,  lie  was  a  man 
of  large  public  spirit  and  was  one  of  the  foremost  factors  in  the  de\  clopmcnt 
of  the  town's  best  interests.  For  several  temis  he  .served  in  the  citv  council, 
his  voice  and  his  vote  ever  being  actuated  by  a  desire  to  advance  the  city's 
welfare  in  every  way.  He  also  took  an  active  part  in  the  citv's  business  and 
financial  life  and  for  years  was  the  president  of  the  First  National  Rank, 
of  Lawrenceburg,  being  recognized  throughout  the  entire  cnunty  as  a  lianker 
of  fine  judgment  and  rare  discrimination.  He  and  his  wife  both  were  merii- 
bers  of  the  ^Methodist  church  and  ever  were  active  in  promoting  the  various 
beneficences  of  that  church,  as  well  as  showing  on  all  occasions  a  deep  inter- 
est in  all  other  good  works  of  the  community.  Mrs.  Fitch  was  a  daughter 
of  Walter  Ha}es,  who  owned  a  fine  fami  five  miles  north  of  Lawrenceburg, 
at  the  state  line,  where  the  Hayes  family  in  this  county  had  its  origin. 
Dewitt  C.  Fitch  died  in  July,  1S92,  his  wido\A-  survi^■ing  him  nearh-  ten  vears. 

To  Dewitt  C.  and  Leah  (Hayes)  Fitch  were  born  nine  children,  seven 
sons  and  two  daughters,  namely:  Hannah  \'irginia.  who  married  Archibald 
Shaw,  of  Lawrenceburg:  Flenry,  who  lives  in  Los  Ang"eles,  Calif()rnia :  Wal- 
ter H,.  who  lives  at  Spades,  in  Ripley  county,  Tndi.ana :  FLirris  E.,  of  Law- 
renceburg; James  C.  of  Lawrenceburg-;  Ada  Florence,  who  is  unmarried 
and  hves  in  Lawrenceburg:  George  W'..  of  Madison,  Wisconsin:  and  Thomas 
A.  and  Joseph  (twins),  who  are  engaged  in  business  in  Lawrenceburg,  in 
the  livery  and  undertaking  way,  under  the  firm  style  of  Fitch  Brothers. 

These  twin  brothers,  who  were  born  and  reared  in  Lawrenceburg,  ha\e 
been  in  business  in  that  city  continunnsly  since  they  were  si.xteen  \-ears  of 
age,  at  which  time  they  opened  a  li\'ery  stable  on  Maiy  street,  conducting 
their  business  there  with  such  success  that  in  1893  ^hev  v.-ere  enableil  to 
buy  the  livery  stable  of  R.  H.  Goulrl,  on  \A'est  Fligh  street,  which 
they  remodelefl  and  modernized,  enlarging  the  barn  and  making  iither  im- 
provements essential  to  the  proper  care  of  their  growing  trade.  Thev  later 
enlarged  the  scope  of  their  business  by  adding  a  department  of  undertaking 
and  that  branch  of  their  business  also  has  proved  very  successful,  the  fine 
consideration  invariably  exhibited  to  patrons  of  this  latter  ilcpartment  of  the 
business  havitig  met  with  proper  recognition  in  the  community.  Few  names 
in  the  business  circles  of  Dearborn   countv  are  better  known   than   that  of 


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9l8  DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

Fitch  Brothers  and  the  popularity  which  has  been  accorded  diem  is  well 
desen.'ed. 

Thomas  A.  Fitch  was  united  in  marriage  on  March  27,  1906.  with  Lela 
Kepper,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Louise  (Schleicher)  Kepper,  who  was  bom 
in  Lawrenceburg.  Her  father  was  a  native  of  Waterloo,  Canada,  ami  her 
mother  was  born  in  Indiana.  The  mother  died  in  1894,  while  die  father  is 
still  living.  They  were  die  parents  of  nine  children,  those  beside  ]Mrs.  Filch 
being  Sarah,  William,  Carlos,  Alice,  Gertrude,  Lelia,  Earl  and  Celestine. 
Charles  Kepper  was  the  eldest  of  four  children  born  to  his  parents,  the  others 
being  Mary,  Lizzie  and  Anna.  The  maternal  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Fitch, 
Adam  and  Louise  ( ]\Iever)  Schleicher,  were  natives  of  Gennany  and  early 
settlers  in  Dearborn  county,  who  were  the  parents  of  Louise,  George,  Joseph. 
Sarah,  Alice,  Emma,  Charles  and  Delia. 

To  Thomas  A.  and  Lela  (Kepper)  Fitch,  have  l.ieen  born  three  children. 
Robert  Allen,  Theodore  Harris  and  Thomas  Clinton.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fitch 
are  earnest  ^Methodists  and  are  rearing  their  children  in  the  faith  of  that 
church.  Mr.  Fitch  is  a  Republican  and  though  giving  such  attention  to  the 
political  affairs  of  tlie  county  as  all  good  citizens  owe  to  the  commonwealth, 
never  has  been  included  in  the  office-seeking  class.  He  is  a  member  of 
Dearborn  Lodge  No.  49.  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  L'nion  Lodge  No.  8,  Indi- 
pendent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  the  affairs  of  both  of  which  lodges  he  takes 
a  warm  interest. 

Mr.  Fitch  is  a  progressive  and  ])ul)lic-spirited  citizen,  who  is  deeply  con- 
cerned in  the  welfare  of  the  city  in  which  he  w^as  born  and  in  which  he  has 
lived  z\\  his  life  and  is  counted  among  those  whose  names  are  connected  with 
all  movements  looking  to  the  advancement  of  the  best  interests  of  the  county 
of  Dearborn  and  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg.  He  and  Mrs.  Fitch  take  an 
earnest  interest  in  the  social  affairs  of  the  ci>mmunit_\-  and  are  very  popular 
amontT  a  larsre  circle  of  friends.       .     ■'•  .    


GEORGE  H.  WOOD. 


Among  the  prominent  citizens  and  successful  business  men  of  Law- 
renceburg, Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  is  the  gentleman  whose  name  heads 
this  article.  ]Mr.  Wood  has  passed  his  entire  life  thus  far  in  Lawrenceburg, 
having  been  born  there  on  February  29,  i860,  a  son  of  William  N.  and  ]\Iarv- 
(McCright)  \Vood,  the  former  from  Cincinnati  and  the  latter  from  Mercer 


■'     ''Or'.      ;■       '■■'■''    ni,    '^    ■■i,:'i;   fii    !r:i''i;j   ^S /^    rl,:!;''^     '^ 

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If)    -.I'L.'        r''^;     /u    iJ/'O    "■'..'      !.       'Ill'         i:':.<\i:{}    (l; 

;.  M.    ,m7    .i-K.  '     ■}:::■<'-.-■       .,!  '.    ,^.  .'-n,  t    ..■■■■\lrjf 
■  .—,1    ^.:.,  I   u^'  -'-■.-;;,  -:n  -i>,v  o.i       -,.•,,.<•  ■.  •- 


'',;     ,1     r    >:    -sH        .'.:.^i:.'    ^j'M.h^  ■/■;'■■• 'i .     /:'j      if    '  ■i;/  triM     ri" 


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■  I   -''Z  -i'jHU,!!  :;:-'; /i'./  --:f  li?  "grcinrK  K  -     -  -!         ' 


""  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  919 

county,  PennsyKaiiia.  William  X.  Wood  came  to  La-\vrenceburg  in  1847, 
and  JMary  McCriglit  came  at  a  somewhat  earlier  date  with  her  parents. 

William  N.  Wood  was  the  only  child  of  his  parents,  Joel  and  Amanda, 
the  former,  Joel,  a  native  of  Carrollton,  Kentucky,  and  the  latter  of  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio.  Joel  Wood  was  a  steamboat  pilot  on  the  Ohio  and  ^^tississippi 
rivers  with  his  home  in  Cincinnati,  where  he  had  married.  He  died  in  Xew 
Orleans  before  reaching-  miildle  age  and  his  widmv  again  married,  her  hus- 
band l;>eing  Samuel  Martin,  b}'  whom  she  had  two  ilaughters,  ^Iar_\-  and  Mar- 
garet. William  X.  Wood  came  to  Lawrenceburg  together  with  his  m<jther 
and  step-father,  who,  in  coinpany  with  James  Wymond,  opened  up  a  coper 
shop,  in  which  business  \\'illiam  X.  acted  as  foreman.  The  two  partners  had 
formerly  been  in  the  same  business  in  Cincinnati,  but  came  to  this  city  be- 
cause land  was  cheap  and  they  could  more  easily  secure  a  site  for  their 
business  and  also  because  this  was  at  that  titne  the  terminus  of  the  Piig  Four 
Railroad  Company  and  an  impcirtant  shipping  point.  The  partnership  con- 
tinued until  about  1S61.  when  ]\[r.  Wymond  sold  out  his  interest  and  went 
to  .Aiu'ora  and  for  about  se\'en  more  vears,  Mr.  Martin  continued  alone. 
After  hi?  death  the  business  was  closed  up  and  William  X'.  then  found,  em- 
ploj-ment  as  teamster  for  the  Lewis  &  Eichelberger  Milling  Company,  where 
he  remained  for  some  time  and  he  later  took  the  contract  for  filling  up  the 
streets  of  the  cit}-.  His  next  venture  was  in  the  grocery  business,  which  he 
conducted  until  1876.  when  he  sold  out  his  store  and  moved  to  the  country, 
where  he  became  manager  of  a  large  peach  orchard  fi^r  J.  C.  Davis,  located 
in  Clark  C(iunt}-.  this  state.  He  remained  there  three  years.  This  orchard 
contained  some  three  thousand  trees  on  a  tract  of  three  hundred  acres  and 
was  a  most  interesting  business.  After  his  return  to  Lawrenceburg.  he 
assisted  his  son.  George  H.  Wood  (who  by  that  time  had  become  proprietor 
of  a  gn^cery  store),  and  at  the  same  time  served  the  city  as  constable.  He 
died  in  Lawrenceburg  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years,  his  wife  having  passed 
away  some  five  years  prior  at  the  age  of  sixty  years.  Both  were  active  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episo'ipal  church  and  were  held  in  high  esteem  by 
all  who  knew  them.  William  X.  was  quite  a  versatile  man  and  could  turn 
his  hand  to  mo^t  anything.  During  the  Civil  War  he  served  the  govern- 
ment as  a  bridge  carpenter  and  rendered  excellent  .service  in  this  manner. 

Mary  ^McCright,  mother  of  George  H.  Wood,  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph 
B.  and  Xancy  ('Majors)  McCright.  both  natives  of  Mercer  county,  in  Penn- 
sylvania. They  came  westward  in  the  early  days  of  this  section,  and  located 
in  Lawrenceburg.  The  father  was  a  millwright  and,  together  with  Andrew 
Pusev,  built  the  woodwork  of  nearlv  all  the  big  mills  around  in  this  section 


''    A»UHSl/:z(l 


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9-'0  DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

of  the  State  at  that  time.  Both  he  and  his  wife  died  at  a  ripe  old  age,  hav- 
ing reared  a  family  of  five  children:  Elizabeth,  Mary,  Charles,  Buena  Vista 
and  Sqnire. 

George  H.  Wood  was  the  only  child  of  his  parents  and  received  his 
edncation  in  the  public  schools  of  Lawrenceburg.  He  began  his  business 
career  by  driving  a  deli\er_\-  wagon  for  his  father,  who  was  then  in  the 
grocery  business  here  and  later  w cnt  to  \\ork  for  his  uncle,  William  J.  Fitcli, 
in  the  grocery  store  which  he  owned.  He  remained  in  that  connection  until 
the  death  of  his  uncle  and  a  sliort  lime  later  took  o\er  the  business  himself, 
and  has  conducted  it  ever  since.  3ilrs.  Fitch,  after  being  widowed,  married  the 
second  time,  her  second  husband  being  George  C.  Columbia  and  the  business 
was  in  his  name  for  a  few  montlis  before  !\lr.  Wood  purchased  it  in  iS8S. 
He  has,  therefore,  conducted  the  business  in  his  invn  name  for  twent}'-se\en 
consecutive  years. 

On  December  25,  1SS4.  George  H.  Wood  was  married  to  Lou  Seekatz. 
daughter  of  George  P.  Seekatz,  and  her  death  occurred  December  11,  1S86. 
there  being  no  children  of  this  marriage.  ^Nlr.  Wood  chose  for  his  second 
wife,  whom  he  married  on  Decemljer  19,  1889,  Anna  Wingerter,  daughter 
of  Georc;e  and  Barlx^ra  (Louster)  Wingerter,  and  to  this  union  have  been 
born  three  children :  Harvey  X.,  Raymond  }>!.  and  George  C.  Harvey  X. 
is  an  electrical  engineer  in  the  employ  of  the  \\'estern  Electric  Compan}",  of 
Chicago.  Raymond  ^I.  has  elected  to  follow  the  same  course  and  is  a  student 
at  Cincinnati  L'niversity,  where  he  is  taking  a  course  in  electrical  engineer- 
ing. George  C.  the  youngest  of  the  family,  married  Mary  Hope  Pitcher, 
April  30,  191 5,  and  is  associated  with  his  father  in  the  store. 

Mrs.  Wood  was  born  in  Lawrenceburg,  her  parents  having  come  here 
from  Biron,  Germany.  Pier  father  died  in  18S8,  but  her  mother  still  sur- 
vives and  makes  her  home  with  ]Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Wood.  There  w-ere  nine 
children  in  the  Wingerter  family,  as  follow :  George,  located  at  Rushville. 
this  state:  Louisa,  of  Cincinnati,  ^vhose  husband  is  Charles  C.  ^^lochlcr:  Katie, 
also  of  that  city,  who  married  Plarr}'  Weiricli;  Louis,  of  Indianapolis:  .\nna. 
wife  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  :  Edward,  of  Cincinnati ;  ^laggie,  wdio  is  }ilrs. 
John  Strauss;  Ida  married  William  Eckstine,  of  Indianapolis;  and  Carrie, 
who  died  unmarried.  ^Irs.  Wood's  father  was  a  son  of  George  M.  Winger- 
ter, a  native  of  Germany.  ?^Irs.  \\'ood's  mother  was  a  daughter  of  John 
Louster,  of  Baden,  Germany. 

Mr.  \\'ood  is  considered  a  most  successful  business  man  and  owns,  in 
addition  to  his  lousiness  and  residence  in  town,  a  fine  fruit  farm  of  twenty 
acres  located  about  two  miles  from  town  and  there  he  says  he  intends  to  go 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA.  92I 

when  he  has  tired  of  business  hfc  and  wishes  to  settle  down  to  spend  the 
remainder  of  his  allotted  span  in  peace  and  quietness.  His  rclii^ious  affilia- 
tion he  holds  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  wliile  Mrs.  Wood  is  a 
Gemian  Lutheran.  ^Ir.  W'lXid  holds  fraternal  affiliation  in  Lawrenceburg; 
Lod.s^e  Xo.  4,  Free  and  Accccpted  Masons,  and  was  the  first  man  t^  be  made 
a  Mason  in  the  ntw  building.  He  also  is  a  member  of  Lawrenceburg-  Chapter 
No.  56,  Royal  Arch  Masmis.  In  addition  to  this,  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Felliiws  througli  Lawrenceburt^-  Lodge  Xo.  S, 
and  has  ser\'ed  tliat  bod}-  as  its  treasurer  for  the  ;)ast  twenty  years.  He  is 
also  a  mcmlier  of  the  L'nited  Order  'if  the  Golden  Cross.  Bain  Commandery. 
No.  15,  of  New  Alban\',  Indiana.  Li  politics  he  is  a  Republican  and  is  one 
of  the  stanch  supporters  of  that  party  in  this  section. 


JOSEPH  A.  SCHUMAN. 

The  town  of  St.  Leon,  where  Joseph  .-\.  Schuman  first  saw  the  light, 
and  where  he  has  become  a  prn>perous  citizen,  is  located  in  the  northern  part 
of  Kelso  township.  Dearborn  C(.iunty.  As  early  as  1841,  this  pleasant  village 
boasted  of  enough  business  establishments  to  insure  further  [irogress,  and  it 
was  in  this  year  that  the  first  house  of  worship  was  built.  Tt  was  a  log  struc-  . 
ture,  in  which  Rev.  Eadier  O'Rourke  officiated.  Mr.  Schuman  has  always 
found  the  demand  for  his  goods  a  sufficient  guarantee  of  ultimate  success, 
and  has  been  satisfied  to  watch  his  early  store  grow  into  a  flourishing 
business. 

Joseph  A.  Schuman,  son  of  Adam  and  Margaretha  (Herman)  Sclui- 
man,  was  born  in  1864,  near  St.  Leon.  Kelso  township,  Dearborn  count}, 
where  he  was  given  as  good  an  education  as  the  schools  of  his  da}'  aff'irdcf!. 
He  assisted  his  father,  and  lived  at  home  until  his  marriage.  Adam  Schu- 
man was  a  huckster  and  had  a  general  store  and  saloon  one  mile  from  the 
town  of  St.  Lc'in.  As  a  huckster  he  made  regidar  trips  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
for  many  years.  He  conducted  this  store  until  18S8.  when  his  son,  Joseph 
A.,  bought  the  store  and  moved  the  stock  to  St.  Leon.  Here  Mr.  Schuman 
conducted  the  business  in  a  rented  building  for  three  }'ears  and  then  built  a 
storeroom  of  his  own.  He  also  carried  on  the  huckster  business  established 
by  his  father  and  drove  through  to  Cincinnati  every  week  for  some  thirty 
years. 

In   1893  Joseph  A.  Schuman  bought  his  father's  farm  of  one  hundred 


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922  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

and  twenty-four  acres,  and  in  additic)n  to  his  mercantile  business,  has  dune 
general  fanning".  I]e  has  since  still  furthered  his  interest  by  th.e  purchase 
of  a  blacksmith  shup  and  house  and  one  acre  uf  ground  in  the  village  of  St. 
Leon,  the  property  on  wiiich  his  store  is  located.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat, and  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church  at  St.  I. eon. 

Adam  Schuman  was  a  native  of  Ciermany,  his  birih  ha\'ing  occurred  at 
Steinfeld,  German)-,  April  iS,  1S22,  and  here  he  was  reared  and  educated, 
and  here  he  li\ed  luitil  about  twenty-eight  }'ears  of  age,  when  he  left  the 
land  of  his  birth  and  came  to  America.  He  landed  at  Xew  ^'ork,  coming 
immediately  afterwards  to  Kelsn  township,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana.  He 
was  married  in  bis  native  land,  a  short  time  before  coming  to  the  l.'nited 
tates,  to  ]\Iargaretha  Herman.  After  settling  in  Kelso  towmship,  Adam  Schu- 
man purchased  foiu'teen  acres  of  land,  to  which  he  soon  added  forty-four  acres, 
and  continuetl  to  increase  his  land  holdings  until  lie  became  the  owner  of 
one  hundred  and  twent}-four  acres.  His  death  occurred  on  b^^liruary  9. 
1906,  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  Adam  Schuman  was  a  Democrat,  and 
was  a  devout  Catliolic.  His  w'lie  was  also  a  nati\-e  of  Germany,  her  birth 
having  occurred  at  Beirau,  Germany,  August  11,  1824.  Adam  Schuman  and 
M'ife  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  Mary.  Jolui,  Katherine  and  Michael 
(twins,  the  latter  of  whom  died  in  infancy),  ]Margretta,  Elizabeth,  Peter 
and  Joseph.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  on  the  home  fanu  near  St. 
Leon,  Jul}'  24,  1900,  and  after  his  wife's  death,  Aflam  Schuman  made  his 
home  with  his  son.  Joseph. 

Of  the  children,  born  to  Adam  Schuman  and  wife,  Mary,  the  eldest, 
became  the  wife  of  John  Boley,  and  now  lives  near  Topeka,  Kansas,  on  a 
farm.  The}'  have  a  family  of  ten  children,  all  living.  Katherine  is  the  wife 
of  George  Hammerley,  a  fanner  in  Kelso  township,  and  has  a  family  of  nine 
children.  John  married  Laura  Clutter,  and  is  living  at  Danville.  Illinois, 
where  he  is  conducting  a  successful  mercantile  business.  He  has  several 
children.  Margretta  is  the  wife  of  John  Gies.  of  Liberty,  Indiana.  Eliza- 
beth became  the  wife  of  John  Bishoff,  a  farmer  li\-ing  near  Xew  Alsace,  and 
has  a  family  of  se\'en  children.  I'eter  married  Anna  Weldshoefer,  anrl  lived 
at  St.  Leon,  where  he  died,  leaving  his  widow  and  four  children. 

Joseph  A.  Schuman  was  married  on  September  18.  iSSS.  to  Alice  }iletz- 
ler,  the  daughter  of  .Vlbert  and  Louisa  (Heinzman)  Metzlcr.  She  was  born 
in  Cincinnati,  April  S,  1870,  and  is  the  only  child  of  her  parents.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Joseph  Schuman  ha\e  been  born  thirteen  children,  as  follow :  Jose- 
phine. Joseph,  John,  [Martine.  Edward.  Irene,  Clara,  Robert,  Marie.  Florence 
and  Clarence,  and  two  children  who  died  in  infancy.    Josephine,  the  eldest  of 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA.  923 

these  children,  born  July  iS.  1S90,  is  the  wife  of  Philip  A.  Alig,  and  to  tiiis 
union  have  been  born  two  children,  Joseph  and  Marcella.  The  other  children 
are  living  at  home  with  their  parents. 

Mr.  Schuman  is  one  of  the   representative  citizens  of  his  sectiini,  and 
well  deserves  to  be  mentioned  in  the  annals  of  Dearborn  county. 


WILLIAM  H.  WESCOTT. 

The  duty  of  a  biographer  is  not  to  give  expression  to  a  man's  modest 
opinion  of  himself,  but  rather  to  put  on  record  that  which  seems  to  be  the  con- 
sensus of  opinion  of  the  subject's  friends  ami  neighljurs,  for  onlv  in  this  wav 
can  justice  he  doiie.  The  biographer  in  this  instance  takes  pleasure  in  call- 
ing attention  to  a  few  salient  points  in  the  career  of  the  life  of  the  gentleman 
whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  William  H.  Wescott,  tlic  efficient  county 
assessor  of  Dearborn  county,  Indiana. 

Mr.  Wescott  resides  at  Harrison,  this  county,  the  town  on  the  Indiana- 
Ohio  state  line,  his  postof  fice  address  being  in  the  latter  state.  He  is  a  descend- 
ant of  some  of  the  oldest  families  in  this  section,  being  a  son  of  Thomas 
and  Anna  (Cameron)  Wescott,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Ohio 
and  the  latter  of  Indiana.  Thomas  Wescott  was  born  and  raised  in  Cincin- 
nati, being  educated  in  the  schools  of  that  citv  and  in  young  manhood  mas- 
tered the  carjienter's  trade  under  the  guidance  of  his  father.  In  later  life 
he  came  to  this  county  and  was  a  farmer  in  Harrison  township  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  where  he  is  now  living  in  retirement  from  the  more  acti\'e 
duties  of  life.  His  wife  died  in  1S92,  at  the  age  of  forty-four  years.  She 
was  a  member  of  the  Christian  church.  Thomas  \\'escott  was  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Anna  Cameron  was  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Cameron  and  his  wife,  Polly 
(Turner)  Cameron,  toth  natives  of  Indiana  and  among  the  early  settlers 
of  this  county.  They  had  a  family  of  four  children,  ^Matilda,  Caroline,  Oli- 
ver and  Anna.  Mr.  Cameron  died  in  1S8S.  and  his  widow  married  William 
Stone,  and  thev  reared  a  familv  of  four  children,  Jrjhn,  James,  Thomas  and 
Mary. 

Thomas  Wescott  was  a  son  of  Charles  Wescott  and  his  wife,  Susan 
Borgeldt,  who  was  a  native  of  Baltimore,  Maryland.  Charles  was  born  in 
Xew  Jersey  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  among  the  early  citizens  of  the 
now  great  city  of  Cincinnati.     He  worked  at  his  trade  of  carpenter  there  for 


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924  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

several  years,  and  in  1856  came  to  this  county  and  engaged  in  fanniii:^  in 
Harrison  townshi]).  They  hved  here  lor  a  number  of  years  and  both  reachcil 
a  ripe  old  age.  He  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  and  she  -was  in  her  sixiy- 
sixth  year.  They  had  three  children,  Thomas,  Charles  and  Sarah.  The 
father  of  Cliarles  Wescott,  great-grandfather  of  \V.  H.  T.  Wescotl,  inmii^ 
grated  to  this  countiT  from  England  when  a  young  man  and  was  a  soKHlt 
of  the  Revolutionary  War.  He  died  in  one  of  the  eastern  states,  after  ha\- 
ing  lived  in  this  coimtry  fijr  many  years. 

William  H.  Wescott  was  horn  in  Harrison  township,  this  countv,  Afav 
7,  1S79,  and  is  one  of  a  family  of  eight  children  as  follow:  Touisa,  deceased, 
was  the  eldest  sister  and  the  \vife  of  FJmer  Gates;  Cornelia  died  unmarried, 
as  did  also  Li'h":  Caroline,  -who  was  the  wife  of  William  Burns,  is  also  dead, 
and  the  sole  surxiving  members  of  the  family  are  the  immediate  subject  of 
this  sketch  and  his  sister  Elizabeth,  who  remains  unmarried.  Two  children 
died  in  early  infanc}-.  \\"illiam  PI.  was  raised  on  the  family  homestead  in 
Harrison  township,  attending,  ^lien  a  boy,  the  schools  of  his  home  vicinity 
and  later  studying  for  two  terms  in  the  normal  department  of  -Nloores  Hill 
College.  For  fourteen  years  he  taught  school  in  the  rural  districts,  putting 
in  five  years  at  Tractville.  Jackson  township:  three  vears  in  Bright,  Harrison 
township;  his  home  schnol  two  years;  Lawrenceville  school  one  year;  the 
Hoffbauer  school  one  term  and  the  Logan  Creek  sclniol  one  term.  Througli 
his  services  as  an  instructor  of  youth  he  became  well  kmiwn  all  over  the 
county  and  wherever  he  went  he  made  friends  and  commanded  the  respect 
of  those  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  He  had  been  a  worker  in  the  ranks 
of  the  Democratic  party  ever  since  he  attained  his  majority  and  served  on  the 
Democratic  county  central  committee  for  six  years;  consequently  when  he 
came  out  for  the  nomination  for  county  assessor  on  his  ticket  in  IQ14  he 
made  a  most  excellent  race.  In  the  primaries  he  had  three  worthv  opponents, 
but  received  the  nomination  by  a  plurality  of  three  hundred  and  eighty-two 
votes  and  was  elected  to  the  office  b}'  a  plurality  of  seven  hundred  and  four- 
teen votes.  !Mr.  Wescott  made  a  personal  canvass  of  the  countv,  covering 
the  entire  way  on  foot.  In  this  way  he  came  into  personal  contact  with 
everv  voter,  and  being  of  winning  personality,  his  election  was  an  assured 
thing  from  the  start. 

Mr.  Wescott  is  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  intellectual  attainments, 
has  excellent  ability,  and  one  need  but  refer  to  the  record  of  his  election  to 
determine  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  those  who  know  him  best. 
As  a  school  teacher,  he  aimed!  to  instill  in  the  miiuls  of  the  ^■oun<r  under  hi< 


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DEARBORN   COUNTY.   INDIANA. 


care  a  proper  ambition  for  tlie  worthy  things  of  hfc  and  a  high  rcgartl  for 
all  that  constitutes  true  manhood  and  womanhood.  Mc  is  still  a  ywung  man 
and  as  he  gradually  attains  the  dig'nity  of  years,  he  bids  fair  to  becuuic  of 
itill  greater  service  to  his  community  and  the  commonwealth. 


■'■'■'■-'        ■  ■     .    CHARLES  B.   DAT^RAGH^ 

In  the  passing  of  the  jiioneer  settlers.  Indiana  is  losing  a  wealth  <'if  \al- 
uable  information  concerning  early  times  and  conditions,  which  will  e\er 
remain  a  sealed  book.  No  information  is  so  authentic  as  that  which  comes 
direct  from  the  lips  of  those  who  ha\'e  been  li\'ing  witnes'^es  to  the  liiauges 
which  have  taken  place  in  this  fair  state.  They  have  seen  the  forests  dis- 
appear, in  order  that  cities  might  be  built  up  to  accommodate  the  growing 
demand  for  commercial  interests,  and  could  relate  volumes  of  interesting 
incidents  that  have  taken  place  during  their  lifetime. 

Charles  B.  Darragh,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  at  Lawrerjcc- 
burg,  Indiana,  Februar}  ii,  1S37.  lie  was  a  son  of  Charles  and  Sarah 
(Bouie)  Darragh,  the  father  being  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  ni' ither 
of  North  Carolina.  They  were  early  settlers  in  Lawrenceliurg,  wl^;re  they 
remained  luitil  the  time  of  their  death,  he  at  the  age  of  fifty-one.  anil  she  at 
the  age  of  sixty-two  years.  He  ran  se\-eral  drays,  and  was  also  wliarf-iuaster 
at  one  time.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children;  Catharine,  who  was  tlie 
A\'ife  of  John  Edwards;  }^[argaret,  who  was  the  wife  of  Gilbeit  P'isher; 
Charles  B.,  Gillett,  and  Ann,  who  died  single. 

Charles  B.  Darragh  lived  in  his  home  town  all  his  life,  except  the  time 
he  spent  in  the  army.  His  education  was  obtained  at  the  select  rmd  public 
schools.  In  young  manhood  he  was  a  teamster,  and  on  August  2,  t86j,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  E,  sixty-eighth  Regiment,  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  ser\ed  until  the  close  of  the  Civil  War.  His  brother,  Gillett,  was  also 
a  soldier  all  through  the  war,  and  was  in  Anderson\-ilIe  and  Libby  prisinis 
for  eighteen  months.  After  the  war,  Charles  B.  Darragh  returned  luniie, 
where  he  learned  the  trade  of  wool-dyer,  and  worked  m  the  wo(.i!en-:i'.ill  at 
Lawrenceburg  until  it  went  out  of  business.  He  then  entered  the  emplo}- 
of  G.  Y.  Root's  flour  milling  company,  where  he  remained  until  they  ^\cnt 
into  bankruptcy,  after  which  he  worked  for  the  Lawrencebtirg  Roller  Mills 
Company  as  grain  inspector,  until  the  time  of  his  death — altogether  in  both 
companies  thirty-two  years. 


■  '■' _  -  ■'■!--■■■:'■  :    iu.n<::,y(.:i.t   -idrjj 


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,■'■'•'''"■•    ■•'"''    ^H      ..-rrii-jd    to    3U, 


926  DEARBORN   COUNTY.  INDIANA. 

Mr.  Darrag'Ii  beloitged  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  to  tlu- 
Knights  of  Pythias.  PoHtically,  lie  was  originally  a  Whig,  and  after  th.it 
a  Repubhcan.  He  died  on  August  15,,  1907,  aged  seventy  years,  and  ua.-  ;• 
member  of  the  Meihodist  church.  His  wife  survives  him  and  is  a  member 
of  the  same  church. 

On  the  23rd  day  of  October,  1859,  Charles  B.  Darragh  was  uriiicd 
in  marriage  \\iLh  .Sarah  Jane  Liddle,  who  was  born  in  Miher  township, 
Dearborn  county.  Indiana,  about  three  miles  above  Guilford,  Oclubcr  .m, 
1S41,  a  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Elizabeth  (.Smith)  Liddle.  Her  fadier  was 
born  in  Aliller  townshii)  in  1S19,  and  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight.  Her 
mother  came  from  Yorkshire,  England,  when  eight  years  old.  and  died  ;u 
the  age  of  fifty-seven  years.  Stephen  and  Ehzabeth  (Smith)  Liddle  were 
the  parents  of  ten  children,  who  grew  to  maturity:  Sarah  Jane,  ^Lary  .\nn, 
James  Thompson,  Isaac  Henry.  Ellen  Elizalieth,  Caroline,  Josephine,  Edward, 
Charles  B.  and  Thomas. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Jane  Darragli  has  lived  all  her  life  in  Dearborn  county,  the 
most  of  ^^•hich  has  been  spent  in  Lawrenceburg,  and  has  seen  the  most  of 
the  develo]iment  of  the  countv.  She  is  a  woman  of  refinement  and  great 
pi.'rsunal  wordi,  and  i;  greatly  belo\-ed  for  her  fine  womanly  graces.  Siie 
possesses  the  facult_\'  of  associating  incidents  and  dales  witli  an  a])tness  and 
accuracy  that  are  indeed  mar\-elnus.  She  used  to  know  all  tb.e  old  settlers 
in  Lawrenceburg  and  vicinity,  and  still  has  a  large  acquaintance  in  that  ci'iii- 
munity.  She  belongs  to  that  class  of  "old  school"  ladies  who  have  made  tiie 
world,  better  by  their  having  hved  in  it. 

To  JMr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  B.  Darragh  were  born  five  children.  Katie 
Belle,  Jeannette  Mae,  and  three  who  died  in  infancy.  Katie  Belle  became  the 
wife  of  Marion  R.  Cole,  and  died  on  January  19,  191 1,  leasing  une 
son,  Charles  F.  Jeanette  ]slae  was  united  in  marriage  to  Edwin  J.  Exrins. 
They  reside  at  Lawrenceburg.  and  have  had  four  children.  Edwin  Paul,  whi> 
died  aged  one  year:  those  now  living  are  Ruth  [Mae,  Esther  Lee  and  Donald 
Darragh. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Jane  Darragh  was  Stephen 
Liddle,  one  of  the  first  local  preachers  in  the  Methodist  church  in  Miller 
township.  His  wife  was  Sarah  (Thompson)  Liddle.  They  came  from  Y'>rk- 
shire,  England,  and  died  in  Dearborn  county.  They  now  lie  buried  in  Green- 
dale  cemetery.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Darragh  was  James  Smith, 
who  was  married  to  Jane  Langdale.  They  were  both  born  in  Yorkshire. 
England,  and  were  also  pioneers  in  Dearborn  county.  They  came  to  .-Vmerica 
in  a  sailing  vessel,  and  for  si.x  weeks  did  not  see  land.     Thev  moved  to  Can- 


.yAirv.:    'rTvi'..>  ..  /. «<'-(>{•  ■}(! 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  927 

ada  and  remained   there  a  number  of  years,   after  which   tiiey   rcmo\'ed   to 
Winnebago,  IlHnois,  where  they  both  died  and  were  buried. 

Charles  F.  Cole,  grandson  of  Charles  B.  Darragh,  was  born  on  April 
16,  1891,  at  Lawrenceburg,  where  he  attended  the  public  schools,  and  now 
has  a  position  as  clerk  in  the  Lawrenceburg  postoffice.  He  lived  with  his 
grandmother,  to  whom  he  is  devoted,  and  with  whom  he  has  spent  the  most 
of  his  life.     He  is  a  membx^r  of  the  ^lethodist  church. 


^,/\^.;;     "■;      ■;  ADAM  VESENMEIR.  .  ;'     . 

As  is  a  well-kno\\n  fact,  every  man  and  woman  exerts  an  unconscious 
influence  upon  the  people  with  whom  they  come  in  contact,  and  that  influence 
is  most  beneficent  when  the  heart  and  mind  of  the  person  in  question  are 
fired  with  noble  ambition  and  an  earnest  desire  to  fulfill  a  useful  part  in  the 
world.  Believing  firmly  in  this  opinion,  the  writer  of  this  review  takes  ]ileas- 
ure  in  jjresenting  a  few  facts  in  the  career  of  a  gentleman,  who,  by  industrv, 
perseverance,  temperance  and  integritv,  has  worked  himself  from  rai  hunil.ile 
station  to  a  successful  place  in  life  and  won  an  honorable  position  among  the 
well-known  and  highly  esteemed  men  of  the  locality  in  which  he  lives. 

Adam  Vesenmeir,  dealer  in  fancy  groceries,  residing  in  Lawrenceburg, 
Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  was  born  in  the  state  of  Kentucky,  in  Petersljurg, 
Boone  count}-,  April  8,  1S75.  He  is  a  son  of  George  and  Mary  (Horn)  \"es- 
enmeir,  both  natives  of  Germany,  he  of  Hessen  Darmstadt,  near  Koemgs- 
burg.  and  she  of  Schwobeland.  George  \'esenmeir  remained  in  his  native  land 
until  after  he  was  grown,  receiving  a  good  education  and  mastering  tlie  trade 
of  linen  spinner.  Li  1S52,  while  still  a  young  unmarried  man,  he  immigrated 
to  America,  and  went  directly  to  Petersburg,  Kentuck}-.  where  he  found 
employment  in  a  stillhouse,  and  where  he  remained  until  the  outbreak  of  the 
Civil  War.  At  that  time  he  proved  himself  a  most  faithful  adopted  •ion  rif 
our  country,  and  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Compan\'  D,  Thirty-second  Regi- 
ment, Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  in  service  for  tliree  years  and 
four  months.  He  was  in  man}-  of  the  hardest-fought  liattles  of  the  Civd  W  ar 
and  was  wounded  at  the  l.iattle  of  Pittsburg  Landing.  By  the  time  the  v,-ar 
was  over  he  had  risen  to  the  rank  of  corporal,  and  when  discharged  from  rhe 
service  he  returned  to  Petersburg,  and  again  secured  employment  in  the  dis- 
tillery, where  he  remained  until  he  was  sixty-five  years  old,  when  he  retired. 
and  spent  his  remaining  days  in  quiet  ease.     His  death  occurred  in  19 10,  at 


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928  ■  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

the  age  of  eighty-two  years.  His  wife's  death  occurred  in  1912.  whc\i  s!ic 
was  in  her  seventy-seventh  year.  George  Vesenmeir  was  reared  a  Roman 
Catholic  and  his  wife  a  Lutheran.  Maiy  Horn  was  a  daughter  of  John  Ildrn, 
a  native  of  Germany  wliu  never  left  the  Fatherland.  Her  parents  had  the 
following  children :  ^lary  was  the  eldest,  Anna,  John,  Leonard,  and  other 
children.  George  \^esenmeir's  parents  also  passed  their  entire  lives  in  their 
native  land. 

Adam  \''esenmeir  is  one  of  a  family  of  seven  children:  Earhara,  wife 
of  George  Kauffenburg,  of  Lawrcnceburg;  ]vlargarct,  wife  of  Ralph  Lishcr, 
of  the  same  place:  Anna,  wife  of  Adam  Hoffman,  of  Petersburg,  Kentucky; 
George,  of  Louisville,  Kentucky;  Amelia,  single,  and  Leonard,  both  of  I'ctcrs- 
burg;  and  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  is  next  to  the  youngest 
in  point  of  birth.  Adam  Vesenmeir  attended  the  public  schools  of  Petersburg 
when  a  small  boy,  and  at  the  extremely  tender  age"  of  ten  years  he  went  into 
the  general  store  of  J.  Frank  Grant  as  an  assistant,  where  he  remained  for 
ten  vears.  For  six  years  after  leaving  school,  he  pursued  his  studies  in  night 
schools,  and  in  that  way  acquired  an  excellent  education.  After  leaving  the 
store  of  ^Ir.  Grant  he  became  a  stockhi-ilder  in  the  Boone  ^^lercantile  Com- 
pany, of  that  city,  of  which  he  was  also  head  buyer,  and  that  concern  was 
prospering"  nicely  when  a  se\'ere  loss  was  suffered  by  fire.  After  that  yir. 
Vesenmeir  operated  a  grocery  for  practically  three  years,  and  in  the  s[)ring 
of  1901  came  to  Lawrenceburg  and  secured  employment  with  the  Great  China 
Tea  Company,  where  he  remained  but  a  short  time,  and  on  August  7,  of  that 
vear,  he  went  to  work  with  the  James  &  ]\Ieyer  Carriage  Company.  He 
prospered  in  this  connection,  and  in  due  time  worked  himself  up  to  the  fore- 
manship  of  the  blacksmithing  department,  remaining  therein  until  the  fall 
of  1914,  when  he  resigned  from  his  position  and  established  a  fruit  and  candy 
store,  which  has  developed  into  a  fancy  grocery  business.  Mr.  Vesenmeir 
is  also  one  of  the  managers  of  the  Odd  Fellows  opera  house,  in  which  he  and 
Doctor  Tirrell  have  been  interested  for  the  past  four  and  one-half  years. 

Adam  Vesenmeir's  marriage  occurred  on  the  Fourth  of  July,  1900,  when 
he  was  united  in  matrimony  with  Grace  McCool,  daughter  of  Fred  and  Mary 
(Pickerell)  McCool.  To  this  union  one  son  has  been  born.  Leo,  who  is  now 
attending  high  school.  ^Irs.  Grace  Vesenmeir  was  born  at  Lynchburg,  High- 
land countv,  Ohio,  .\pril  15,  1879,  both  parents  being  natives  of  that  state. 
Her  mother  died  in  1S99,  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-six  years,  and  her  father 
is  still  living.  She  is  one  of  a  family  of  six  children,  namely  :  Frank,  Arman- 
las,  Grace,  George,  Julius  and  Madge.  Airs.  Vesenmeir's  paternal  grand- 
father was  George  McCool,  his  wife's  maiden  name  being  Thompson.     He 


.''ji    :■'   }^i  -Mr.v   ,>:■■■- jT:-;;-   :  u -''-'-'■■■-■>: '■^-■-'   '<■'    V 

■M    .-:.:|:--;     ■■',    »     ,:,;:r,:i^-.'.   ■    :  :■/'     1;,    .si^   .;■•.■    , 

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.  J.;.;.  M-H  .;.•  L:,r.;'t;'  -;:.v  ,;.i  ;ri,.. .,■.--  ..  '.r^il  n  /!-):,!:• 
ii'  :,!  'in;-  .^"i  :,:',■  "i/'i.;;  .''In  jlJ:»ir;>.7  '!L'!  /"iO::"iv  ';  fi''Ji;':\>>v 
•^•jij    S'-    rih;';     'fl  .'!fi  ;; 'i;  ill    i.O'TIT'J^    :'ir,;  ■;.;'l  i  j'f -i^f!  ■  '  ' 

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1?  v^n;,.'!  i.-:i>;r;;n  '■'.'■A\)i 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  929 

has  passed  from  this  life,  hut  she  is  still  livini,^  in  GrceiKlalc,  this  county,  at 
nearly  one  hu.ndred  years  of  age.  This  excellent  oltl  lad}-  is  the  mother  of 
seven  children :     Manlus,  (icorge,  John,  Charles,  Sylvia,  h'red  and  Alice. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mr-^.  .\dani  V^esenineir  are  faitliful  memhers  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church,  giving  liberally  of  b'jtli  time  and  means  to  the  cause 
of  that  organization.  Mr.  Vesenmeir  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Felluws,  the  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Red  Men.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Republican,  although  never  having  much  time  to  devote  to  the  subject. 
Mr.  Vesenmeir  is  one  of  those  sterling  men  of  unimpeachable  character  who 
add  dignity  and  worth  to  any  community  and  are  the  backbone  of  our  nation's 
well-being.  He  has  been  faithful  to  e\er\-  trust  inipi.ised  in  him  and  has  made 
the  most  of  e\'er}'  opporiunity  offered  him,  and  in  consequence  he  stands 
high  in  the  respect  and  esteem,  not  only  of  his  friends  and  neighbors,  but 
also  of  the  business  men  of  his  citv. 


-    '  -    WTLLIA:^!   ANDREW    EMERSON. 

To  write  the  persona!  record  of  men  who  have  raised  themselves  from 
humble  circumstances  to  a  position  of  responsibility  and  trust  in  a  community 
is  no  ordinary  pleasure.  Self-made  men  who  have  achieved  success  by  reason 
of  their  personal  cjualities  stand  as  a  living  example  of  v.hat  any  young  man 
can  accomplish  who  will  bring  to  his  task  a  worthy  ambition  to  succeed  and 
unfailing  energy  and  persistence. 

William  Andrew  Emerson,  engaged  in  roofing,  plumbing  and  sheet 
metal-work  business,  having  his  office  at  231  North  Walnut  street,  Law- 
renceburg,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  has  a  wide  accjuaintance  throughout 
that  district  by  reason  of  tlie  service  he  renders.  Mr.  Emerson  is  a  Hoosier 
by  birth,  born  at  Patriot,  Switzerland  county,  this  state,  on  February  12, 
1869,  t>eing  a  son  of  William  Howe  and  Elizabeth  (Halley)  Emerson,  the 
former  a  native  of  Switzerland  county  and  the  latter  born  at  Cape  Girardeau, 
Missouri.  William  Howe  Emerson  was  reared  in  his  native  county  and 
when  a  young  man  was  ai)prenticed  to  the  miller's  trade,  whicli  he  followed 
for  about  forty  years.  At  that  time  milling  was  almost  entirely  done  with 
the  old  buhrstones  and  ^Ir.  Emerson  operated  one  of  the  first  mills  in  his 
township.  In  18S2  he  came  to  Lawrenceburg  and  secured  emplo\ment  with 
the  old  Greendale  distilleiy  as  miller,  remaining  in  that  capacity  until  the 
time  of  his  retirement.     He  still  resides  in  Lawrenceburg,  having  gix'en  up 

(59) 


.,..,..■>  ^;   ,.,■;..  ;  j;  ,,    .,  .  fj,,   ,;,,-;    ..(l!  ,,ri.  ,,.,-,> 

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'0i:>:i3'r/  .'>. 


930  '       DEARltORX    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

the  more  active  affairs  of  life  and  is  hale  and  hearty  at  seventy-eight  year? 
of  age.  His  wife  passed  away  in  1883,  at  the  age  of  forty-three,  having  fur 
many  years  been  a  faitliful  member  of  the  Universalist  church,  as  is  aUo 
Mr.  Emerson. 

William  Hcvwe  Emerson  \\'^s  a  son  of  Andrew  Emerson  and  his  wife. 
Amy  Howe,  both  being  natives  of  the  state  of  Vermont.  Andrew  Emerson 
was  a  veteran  of  the  War  of  1S12  and  also  served  in  the  Mexican  War.  lie 
died  in  Switzerland  county  at  a  ripe  old  age,  being  eighty-one  and  hi',  wife 
lived  to  be  eiglity-four.  The}-  \vcre  the  parents  of  nine  children,  as  fojldw: 
Samuel,  Rhoda.  Elizabetli,  Charlotte.  Cynthia,  William  11.,  Emma,  Hatiic 
and  Rebecca. 

Elizabeth  Halley,  mother  of  William  Andrew  Emerson,  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Gra}')  Halley,  who  were  among  the  earliest 
settlers  at  Cape  Girardeau,  Missouri,  and  there  both  of  them  died,  she  when 
but  a  young  woman  and  he  when  well  along  in  years.  There  were  three 
children  in  their  family.  Elizal)cth  being  the  eldest,  and  the  others  being 
Martha  and  a  brother. 

William  Andre^v  Emerson  was  reared  to  manhood  in  Switzerland  count}' 
and  when  a  youth  attended  the  schools  at  l^atriot.  After  his  school  da}'s  wlmc 
ended  he  started  on  an  ap]M-enticeship  in  a  plumbing  and  tinning-  business  in 
Patriot  and  b}"  1887  he  had  finished  his  trade,  and  he  came  to  Lawrenceburg, 
where  he  took  charge  of  tlie  business  of  E.  Barrott  S:  Son,  remaining  there 
mitil  1002.  wlien  he  started  in  business  for  himself.  He  is  an  expert  in  his 
line  and  has  a  constantly  growing  patronage,  of  whicli  he  is  eminenth 
deserving. 

On  Januarv  16,  1914.  \\illiam  Andrew  Emerson  was  married  to  Mrs. 
Matilda  ]\lyal,  widow  of  Aquilla  !Myal  and  a  daughter  of  Peter  and  Margaret 
Pfalzgraf.  who  was  born  in  Lawrenceburg,  Februar-\-  14,  1872.  The  Pfalz- 
grafs  were  among  the  early  German  residents  of  Eiwrenceburg  wliere  the 
mother  still  li\es.  The  father  died  in  1890.  at  the  age  of  forty-two  years. 
There  were  but  two  children  in  the  family.  JNIrs.  Em.erson  and  a  son,  Fred. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  one  of  a  family  of  ten  children,  of  whom 
Frank  A.  is  the  eldest  and  still  resides  at  Patriot;  Mary  is  the  wife  of  Frank 
Plummer,  of  Springfield.  Illinois ;  Grace  is  the  widow  of  George  Cadwell 
and  lives  in  Lawrenceburg:  Emma  is  Mrs.  Harn,-  W.  \Miller,  of  Cincinnati, 
Ohio:  Belle  is  the  wife  of  James  W.  Abbott  and  resides  in  Warsaw,  Ken- 
tucky: Clara  is  Mrs.  G.  B.  Wade,  of  \^alparaiso.  this  state:  William  .\..  Hal- 
ley H.,  and  Jeanette.  wife  of  Albert  Spanagel,  are  all  of  Lawrenceburg,  while 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  93 1 

Thomas  \\'.  was  killed  in  an  accident  at  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  in  1913,  at  the  aye 
of  thirty-four  years. 

In  politics  Mr.  Emerson  is  a  Republican.  He  holds  his  fraternal  affilia- 
tion with  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  through  Dearborn  Lodge  No.  49.  Mr. 
Tuncrson  is  well  respected  and  has  a  host  of  friends  in  his  home  city  and 
vicinity. 


\Y    ,,,      ,      ,,,     ,.    ,..      CARL  W.  DECKER.  <      ■■■■■K^- 

In  touching  upon  the  life  history  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  die  writer 
ainis  only  to  hold  up  for  consideration  those  facts  which  have  shown  the  dis- 
tinction of  a  true,  useful  and  honorable  life;  a  life  characterized  by  perse- 
verance, energy  and  well-defined  purpose.  To  do  this  will  be  but  to  reit- 
erate the  dictum  pronoimced  upon  the  man  by  people  who  have  known  him 
long  and  well. 

Carl  W.  Decker,  of  Lawreuceburg,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  dealer 
in  bool;s,  stationeiy.  wall  paper,  etc.,  was  born  in  that  town  on  September  27, 
1S76,  a  son  of  Charles  and  Alary  (Braucr)  Decker,  both  natives  of  Ger- 
many. Charles  Decker  remained  in  his  native  land  until  he  was  sixteen 
years  of  age,  receiving  his  education  there,  and  then  made  the  journev  to 
this  country  alone.  He  settled  first  in  Canada,  where  he  remained  for  sev- 
eral years,  and  in  the  meantime  an  older  brother  had  come  to  Lawrenceluirg 
and  induced  him  to  come  here,  which  he  did  during  the  ■  Civil  War.  ?Ie 
assisted  his  brother  in  his  store  for  some  time,  and  then  mastered  the  cabi- 
net-maker's trade,  which  he  followed  for  some  years,  working  first  in  the 
Dobell  furniture  factory.  He  tlien  went  to  the  Ohio  \''alley  Coftin  Company 
as  cabinet-maker,  and  finally  became  their  supierintendent,  remaining  in  tliat 
position  for  thirty-nine  years.  B}'  that  time  he  felt  that  he  had  discharged 
his  duty  as  an  active  worker  in  tlie  world,  and  retired  from  his  labors  to 
pass  his  remaining  years  in  quiet  ease.  His  wife  died  in  1894.  at  the  age 
of  fifty-two  years,  having  all  her  life  been  a  faithful  member  of  the  Luthcr.ui 
church,  of  which  Charles  Decker  was  also  a  member. 

The  paternal  grandparents  were  Dietrich  and  Dorothea  (Enders)  Decker, 
and  both  died  in  their  native  land,  having  never  joined  their  children  in  this 
country.  They  were  the  ])arents  of  the  following  children:  George,  Jacob, 
Lizzie   fwife  of  John  Doenges),  Louis,  Martin  and  Charles. 

Carl  Decker's  mother  was  Mar\-,  daughter  of  John  Brauer,  a  native  of 
Germany,  and  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  Lawreuceburg.     John  lived 


-'■■■'■•  -I.;.:'    ;.■";    j;    ■'>":,    oil 'r;-'  '-!!*:•     M':,_;    ii;!-;.i;,     .J!."!'    K    !•■■ 


\\.i-'f.:    Ill   IjmI'  jliv/  '-ifM 


932  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

to  the  ripe  old  age  of  ninety-seven  years,  having-  been  twice  married.  Bv 
the  first  marriage  he  became  the  father  of  ten  chilldren,  Mary,  mtjtlier  nf 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  Michael,  deceased,  the  others  dying  when 
young.  By  the  second  marriage  he  had  fourteen  children,  of  whom  there 
are  still  living  John,  h^rank,   Frances,   Carrie,  Anna  and  Rosa. 

Carl  W.  Decker  is  one  of  a  family  of  four  children  and.  together  with 
his  broiher,  George,  also  of  Lawrcnceburg,  are  the  sole  surviving  ones. 
The  two  daughters  oi  the  family  are  both  dead.  Catherine  was  the  wife 
of  Fred  Kberhart,  alsi)  deceased,  and  Emma  was  ]\Irs.  Joseph  Graser.  Carl 
W.  Decker  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  nati\-e  city 
atid  when  of  suitable  age  went  into  the  coffin  factory  under  his  father  U) 
learn  cloth  covering  and  trimming.  He  advanced  so  rapidly  and  proved 
himself  so  expert,  that  within  two  years  he  was  made  a  foreman  and  con- 
tinued in  that  connection  for  the  next  eighteen  years.  In  August  of  1912 
he  bought  out  the  business  of  the  Lee  Company,  dealers  in  books,  stationery, 
wall  paper,  notions,  etc..  and  is  conducting  that  business  at  the  present  time. 

On  October  6,  1897.  Carl  W.  Decker  was  united  in  marriage  with  Emma 
Ethel  Misner,  a  daughter  of  Scott  and  ^lary  Rebecca  (Smith)  ^lisner.  To 
their  union  have  been  born  four  children :  Charles,  Chester,  Elizabeth  and 
Marv  Lucille.  ^Irs.  Decker  is  a  native  of  Dearborn  county,  born  in  Dillbijro. 
at  which  point  her  parents  were  born.  They  are  now  living  at  Richmond, 
this  state,  where  r.er  father  does  carpentry  work.  There  are  three  children 
in  that  familv,  Margaret,  Lawrence  and  Emma  Ethel.  Mrs.  Decker's  father 
was  a  son  of  Scott  and  Suit  Misner,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  were  the 
parents  of  the  following  children:  Scott,  Clint,  Elias,  Jennie,  Anna,  Alice 
and  Eva.  Her  mother  was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Powell  Smith,  of 
England.  Thev  had  the  following  family :  Henry,  John.  Harriett.  Emma, 
Anna.  Rebecca. 

Mr.  Decker  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  in  which  faith  he  was 
reared,  while  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Fie  holds 
his  fraternal  affiliation  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  through  the  Dearborn 
Lodge  No.  49,  being  also  a  member  of  Union  Lodge  Xo.  8,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  belongs,  too,  to  the  encampment.  In  politics 
he  gives  his  support  to  the  Republican  party,  althougli  never  having  .shown 
any  inclination  for  the  intricacies  of  the  political  game.  JMr.  Decker  is  one 
of  those  fjuiet  men  of  sterling  worth  who  add  dignit}'  and  character  to  a  com- 
munity, being  anxious  always  for  anything  that  will  advance  the  general 
welfare. 


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DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  933 

._,,,    ANTHONY  HOFFAIEIER. 

Antliony  Hoffmeier  belongs  to  that  class  of  men  who  win  in  life's  battles 
by  sheer  force  of  personality  and  determination  rather  than  In-  the  iutluence 
of  friends  or  freak  of  forinne.  and  in  whalever  he  has  undertaken  he  has 
shown  himself  to  be  a  man  of  ability  and  honor,  true  to  whate\er  trusts 
have  been  imiiosed  in  him.  As  proprietor  of  a  model  bakery  antl  j^rocery  in 
Lawrenceburg  he  has  the  confidence  and  good  will  of  the  entire  ci  immunity. 
and  is  accounted  one  of  the  prosperous  and  enterprising  business  men  of  the 
community.  He  can  trul_\-  claim  the  honor  of  being  a  self-made  man,  for  he 
started  out  in  life  as  a  poor  boy  and  by  industry  and  good  management  has 
accumulated  a  nice  property  and  is  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  know  him. 

Anthony  Hoffmeier  is  a  native  of  this  county,  having  been  born  en  his 
father's  farm  near  St.  Leon,  September  29,  1871,  the  son  of  Jacoli  and  Mar- 
garet fKern)  Hoffmeier.  His  father  was  born  in  Switzerlaml  and  his 
mother  in  Alsace-Lorraine,  both  being  reared  and  educated  in  their  native 
land.  The  father  was  thirty-three  years  old  when,  in  1851,  he  and  his 
family  immigrated  to  America.  Thev  came  directh-  to  this  countr\-,  lucating 
first  in  KeLt)  township,  where  thev  engaged  in  farming,  and  later  reniri\ing 
to  York  township,  where  he  owned  a  farm  of  seventy-four  acres  and  where 
the  family  was  reared.  He  died  at  that  place  in  1896,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
nine  years,  and  his  widow  survived  him  a  number  of  years,  passing  away 
on  January  14.  191 5.  lacking  just  one  month  of  being  eighty-one  years  old. 
There  were  nine  children  in  the  family,  as  follow:  Christina,  wife  of  Charles 
Kuebel.  of  York  township:  Jacob,  of  the  same  township:  Lena  ami  Amia, 
both  sisters  in  the  con\'ent  of  Saint  Francis,  Oldenburg.  Franklin  county, 
this  state:  ^largaret  and  Caroline,  residiiig  with  the  iitimediate  subject  of 
this  sketch,  and  two  children  who  died  in  infancy. 

Jacob  Floffmeier  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Benedicta  Koch, 
who  bore  him  four  children,  but  one  of  whont  is  living.  Charles.  Rosa,  the 
eldest  daughter,  was  the  wife  of  Peter  Emenecker,  of  Plymouth,  this  state: 
Pauline  was  the  wife  of  Lawrence  Klump.  of  Cincinnati,  and  Jvlary  was  a 
Sister  in  the  convent  of  Saint  Francis.  The  paternal  grandparents  never 
left  their  home  in  Switzerland,  and  died  there  at  a  good  old  age.  They  had 
but  two  children.  Jacob  and  a  brother.  John.  Likewise,  the  maternal  grand- 
father of  subject  died  in  his  native  land  of  Alsace-Lorraine,  but  after  his 
death  his  widow  came  to  America  and  here  passed  away.  They  had  three 
children,  Margaret,  George  and  Anna. 

Anthony  Hoffmeier  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  York  township. 


./.i^.ATfr-;i  ..■•[/.Mo.»  >;«oaj?A?ja 

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■■    ■■•1   ;.;  .■'■•^;    n:  ^<jd'  jr.ili  3;,  b^^io  j'l       Io:gs)i  hi;v/ 
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.■I/I'I     70    . 


934  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

this  county,  and  attended  the  public  schools  near  his  home.  He  reniaincil 
under  the  paternal  roof  until  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Lawrence- 
burg  and  went  into  the  bakery  sliop  of  Joseph  Krciger,  to  learn  the  trade. 
He  was  with  him  for  two  and  one-half  years,  when  he  went  to  Cincinnali 
and  worked  for  a  time,  later  being  employed  in  Louisville,  Dayton  and  otiicr 
places.  He  returned  to  Lawrenccburg  in  1901  and  bought  nut  the  business 
of  Herman  Nordmeyer,  which  he  has  since  given  the  best  of  his  attention 
and  has  developed  a  most  lucrative  trade.  His  business  occupies  a  fine  t\vo- 
stor)-  building  which  he  erected;  the  baker}-  has  all  modem  appliances  and 
the  second  story  is  fitted  up  for  delightful  living  rooms,  and  there  Anthony 
Hoffmeier,  together  with  his  two  sisters,  ]\Largaret  and  Caroline,  makes  his 
home.  The  three  of  them  are  members  of  St.  Lawrence  Catholic  church. 
Mr.  Hoffmeier  holds  his  fraternal  affiliation  with  the  Order  of  Eagles. 

Mr.  Hoffmeier  stands  as  an  example  of  what  a  young  man  with  the 
determination  to  succeed  in  a  business  way  and  with  right  principles  of  living- 
may  accomplish,  fijr  not  onb'  i^  he  successful  in  material  things,  biu  he  has 
w-on  and  retains  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  with  whom  he  comes 
in  contact. 


RICHARD   CARROLL   MOORE. 

Richard  Carroll  Moore,  a  brief  sketch  of  whose  career  follo\\-s,  is  one 
of  the  well  and  favorably  known  citizens  of  Lawrenceburg,  Dearborn  county, 
Indiana,  where  he  has  lived  for  the  most  of  his  life.  He  is  one  of  the  gov- 
ernment's faithful  employees,  having  been  in  the  railway-  postal  sen.-ice  for 
the  past  eighteen  years. 

"Carroll"  Moore,  as  he  is  familiarly  known,  was  born  at  Patriot,  in 
Switzerland  county,  this  state,  a  son  of  Richard  C.  and  Alice  (Woods) 
Moore,  he  a  native  of  Illinois  and  she  of  this  state.  When  a  boy  the  senior 
Richard  C.  Moore  came  to  Patriot  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood,  receiving 
his  education  and  when  of  proper  age  being  apprenticed  to  the  carpenter 
trade.  At  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company 
H,  Forty-second  Regiment,  Indiana  \^olunteer  Infantry,  and  ser\-ed  through 
that  great  struggle.  He  was  in  a  great  many  engagements  and  was  made 
a  prisoner  and  forced  to  spend  a  year  in  Andersonville  prison.  After  the 
close  of  the  w-ar  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Patriot  and  follo^yed  his  trade 
for  a  while.  He  took  up  his  residence  in  Lawrenceburg  in  1890,  at  which 
time  he  entered  the  United   States  revenue  service,   in  which  he  remained 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  ■  ■  935 

until  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1902,  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine  years.  His  ^^■iclo\v 
sfiU  survives  and  makes  her  home  with  the  immediate  suhject  of  this  sketch. 
He  was  for  a  numher  of  years  a  faithful  memher  of  the  Universalist  church, 
of  which  his  widow  also  is  a  member,  and  he  held  fraternal  affiliation  \vith 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic. 

The  paternal  grandfather  Moore  and  his  wife  li\cd  at  Grand  Chain, 
Illinois,  and  there  the  wife  died  in  1853.  At  the  beginning  of  the  Ci\^il  \\  a.r 
the  father  enlisted  for  service  and  lost  his  life  by  drowning  in  if^G^.  .\t 
that  time  he  was  but  in  middle  life.  They  \vere  the  parents  of  the  following 
children:    Jane,  John,  Richard  C,  Joseph,  Erastus  and  Harriett. 

Alice  Woods,  mother  of  Richard  Carroll  Moore,  was  a  daughter  of 
John  and  Vienna  (Herrick)  W'oods.  both  natives  of  Switzerland  county. 
where  the  latter  died.  After  his  wife's  death  John  Woods  went  to  Missouri, 
where  he  located  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  He  was  a  man  of 
more  than  ordinary  intelligence  and,  wlien  a  ^•oung■er  man,  had  been  an 
instructor  in  the  public  schools.  He  became  interested  in  politics  and  was  at 
one  time  a  member  of  the  Indiana  state  Legislature.  There  are  but  two 
surviving  chilih'en,  Alice  and  her  sister,  ^Marian,  se\'eral  others  having  died 
young.  jMrs.  Moore's  maternal  great-grandfather  was  Elisha  Wade,  the  first 
settler  at  Patriot  and  the  founder  of  that  town. 

Richard  Carroll  Aloore  is  one  of  a  family  of  ten  children,  as  follow: 
Carrie  V.,  unmarried;  H^irace  B.,  of  Cincinnati:  Charles  R.,  of  Kansas  Citv, 
TVlissouri ;  John  Howard,  deceased;  ]\Iarian  H.,  wife  of  George  Fahlbush, 
of  Lawrenceburg ;  Allen  W.,  of  Greencastle.  Indiana;  Albert  L.,  of  the 
United  States  regular  army,  stationed  at  Fort  Barsancas,  Florida:  Ruther- 
ford B.  and  Richard  C,  of  Lawrenceburg,  Richard  C.  was  eleven  years  old 
when  his  parents  moved  to  Lawrenceburg  and  here  he  has  since  tnade  his 
home.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  this  city,  being-  graduated  from 
the  high  school  in  1895,  and  two  years  later  he  was  appointed  to  the  railway 
mail  service,  where  he  has  since  remained.  He  is  well  known  among  the 
citizens  of  his  home  town,  by  all  of  whom  he  is  universally  lilced.  He  is 
modest  and  una.ssuming  in  his  manners,  faithful  to  whatever  duties  befall  him, 
and  efficient  in  the  discharge  of  his  labors  in  the  service.  His  "run"  is  on 
the  Big  Four  railroad,  between  Chicago  and  Cincinnati. 

Richard  Carroll  Moore's  marriage  was  celebrated  on  the  4th  day  of 
October,  1904,  when  he  led  to  the  altar  Alice  Kepper,  a  daughter  of  Charles 
and  Louise  (Schleicher)  Kepper.  Two  children  have  come  into  this  home, 
Albert  V.  and  Louise  Y.     Mrs.   Moore  is  a  native  of  I^awrenceburg.     Her 


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936  li|{Ai;iU)l^.\    COl'NTV,   INDIANA.      '' 

parents  were  of  German  parentage,  and  the  motlier  died  in  1894.  Her  father 
now  resides  in  Indianapohs.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children : 
Sarah,  \\"ilham,  Alice,  Carlos.   Gertrude,   Lelah.  Celestine  and   Earl. 

Mr.  Moore  is  a  member  of  the  Universalist  cliurch,  in  which  faith  lie 
was  reared,  while  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  German  Metliodists.  ?Ie  hold^ 
his  fraternal  affiliation  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  through 
Lawrenceburg  Camp  No.  7460.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  although  he 
has  never  been  an  aspirant  for  the  honor  of  public  office.  He  owns  a  com- 
modious home  at  Xo.  301  West  High  street  and  is  jiroperly  numbered  among 
the  substantial  citizens  of  his  localit\',  having  from  boyhood  enjoyed  the 
undivided  respect  and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him. 


...   ,  MICHAEL  M.   HUSCHART.  '    ' 

Michael  ]\I.  Iluschart.  monument  dealer,  of  Eawrenceburg,  Indiana, 
was  born  in  that  town,  Octolier  10,  1849.  He  is  a  son  of  George  and 
Margaret  (Lang)  Hu;- chart,  natives  of  Bavaria.  Germany.  Thev  had  five 
sons  and  five  daughters;  INIargaret,  who  was  the  wife  of  Joseph  Limbach ; 
Frances,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  John  Joergen :  Marv  Magdalene,  a 
Sister  of  Charity  in  St.  Elizaljeth  Hospital,  Chicago :  George  II.,  of  Pleasant 
Ridge,  Cincinnati;  IVlichael  M.,  of  Lawrenceburg:  ^lagrlalene,  wife  of  ]\Iarcus 
Kieffer.  of  Camden,  Xew  Jersey;  Clara  J.,  wife  of  Frank  J.  Henn,  partner 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Frank  M.,  of  Cincinnati;  Henry  Alphonsus.  a 
Franciscan  Brother  in  Cincinnati ;  Edward,  who  died  when  four  rears  old. 

George  Huschart  lived  in  Germany  until  fourteen  rears  of  age,  and 
received  a  common  school  education  there.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  came 
to  America  with  his  parents,  who  landed  at  Xew  Orleans  and  came  north 
on  a  steamboat,  settling  in  Cincinnati,  where  he  '"emained  a  short  time,  and 
then  removed  to  Dearljr)rn  county,  Indiana,  settling  near  Dover,  where  he 
worked  on  a  farm  and  grew  to  manhnod.  When  he  was  married  he  left  the 
farm  and  came  to  Lawrenceburg,  and  at  the  age  of  twent_\'-four  went  into 
the  monument  business,  which  he  followed  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  died  in 
Lawrenceburg  in  18S9,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years  and  past.  His  wife 
survived  him  and  died  in  1906.  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years.  They  were 
both  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  Before  there  was  a  Catholic  church 
in  Lawrenceburg,  services  were  held  in  their  house,  which  early  priests  made 
their  home  when   they  came  to  town,   until  the   congregation  was  able   to 


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DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  937 

build  a  church  edifice.     He  served  several  teruis  as  a  member  of  the  city 

council. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  Henry  Huschart.     He  and  his  v.-ife  were 

among  the  early    settlers   in   Lawrenceburg   and   in    Kelso   township,    where 

they  permanently  settled  about  1833.     They  were  farmers,  and  died  on  their 

home  place  at  a  ripe  old  age.    Their  children  were :  Emma,  who  married  a  Mr. 

Meyer;    [Magdalene,    who   became   the   wife   of    Francis    Weintraut ;    George 

and  I'eter. 

The  maternal  grandfather.  Lang,  died  in  Germany,  as  did  also  his  wife. 

Their  children  were,  Michael,  Tvlargaret,  Frank  and  Magdalene. 

:\Iichael  M.  Huschart  was  born  and  reared  in  Lawrenceburg,  where  lie 

attended    the   parochial   and    public    schools.      He    then    began    learning   the 

marl)le  and  stone-cutler's  trade  under  his  father,  and  was  with  him  up  to 
1876,  when  he  visited  the  Centennial  Exposition,  at  Philadelphia,  and  from 
there  went  to  Baltimore,  where  his  brother,  George  H.,  was  in  the  provision 
and  pork-packing  business,  under  tlie  firm  name  of  Meyer-Huschart  Packmg 
Companv.  :\lr.  Fluschart  entered  their  employ  for  a  year  and  a  half,  and 
th.cn  returned  home  for  a  year,  after  which  he  went  to  Delphos,  Ohio,  and 
was  in  the  china  business  for  a  short  time.  He  then  went  to  Cincinnati, 
where  he  was  employed  in  the  Meyer-Huschart  packing  business  for  four 
years,  going  from  there  to  New  Orleans  for  a  vtar,  and  thence  back  to 
Cincinnati  again,  where  he  and  his  lirother.  George,  opened  a  provision  hou^e, 
in  which  business  they  continued  until  1900.  when  he  returned  home  to 
Lawrenceburg,  where  he  and  h.is  brother-in-law.  Frank  J.  Henn.  have  been 
in  the  monument  business  ever  since. 

Mr.  Huschart  is  a  single  man.  and  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church. 
He  was  once  appointed  by  Judge  Givan  with  others  to  inspect  the  county 
poor  house  and  prisons.  Fie  and  :\Irs.  Heim.  his  sister,  are  the  only  ones 
now  here  of  the  immediate  family.  He  has  seen  most  of  the  development 
of  Lawrenceburg  during  his  residence  of  sixty-five  years. 


MARTIN  J.  GIVAN. 


One  of  the  most  prominent  lawyers  in  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg  is 
[Martin  J.  Givan,  junior  partner  of  the  law  firm  of  Givan  &  Givan.  Whde 
he  has  for  many  years  occupied  an  eminent  position  in  the  ranks  of  the 
Dearborn  countv  bar,  it  seems  fair  to  believe  that  his  claim  for  distinction 


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Oj;8  DEARBURX    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

rests  not  so  much  on  the  fact  that  he  is  an  eminent  lawyer  and  prominent 
in  the  fraternal,  political  and  financial  life  of  Dearborn  county,  as  that  lie 
has  lived  to  rear  a  large  family  of  children,  who  either  have,  or  are  bcint; 
edncitcd  in  the  l^est  instiiutiijus  oi  learning  which  the  state  of  Indiana  affcuds. 
It  is  a  credit  of  no  mean  distinction  tliat  two  of  l\lr.  (ii\-an's  children  arc 
alread}-  graduated  from  Indiana's  leading  educational  institution;  that  two 
more  are  well  advanced  in  their  university  training;  that  one  child  is  pursuing 
his  studies  in  the  high  school,  and  that  still  another,  a  daughter,  already  is 
married  and  lives  in  her  own  home.  [Moreover,  Martin  J.  Givan  not  only 
has  been  able  to  provide  his  children  with  the  highest  educational  opportu- 
nities, but  he  will  lea\-e  to  them  a  good  name  which  they  may  cherish  when 
his  work  is  done. 

Son  of  Judge  Noah  Sam^-on  Givan,  one  of  the  well-known  citizens  of 
southeastern  Indiana,  jNIartin  J.  Givan  was  born  on  August  21,  1867,  in 
I.awrencelnirg,  Indiana.  Although  the  Givan  family  history  is  given  else- 
where in  this  volume  in  the  birigra])hical  sketch  of  Judge  Xoali  Samson  Givan, 
it  ma}'  be  noted  here  that  the  family  has  been  connected  with  the  history  of 
Dearborn  countv  for  nearly  a  century.  Established  in  Dcarliorn  county  by 
Joshua  Givari,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  INIartin  J.,  who  came  here  from 
Sussex  county,  Maryland,  in  1S25,  few  families  have  been  more  prominently 
connected  with  the  centurj'  of  Dearborn  county  history  than  the  Gix'ans. 
The  father  of  Joshua  Givan,  who  was  the  Rev.  George  Givan.  a  Bapiist 
minister,  and  his  wife,  after  rearing  a  large  family  of  children,  died  in  the 
state  of  Maryland. 

Martin  J.  Gi^•an,  the  son  of  Judge  Noah  Samson  and  Mary  (Martin) 
Givan.  was  born  and  reared  in  Lawrenceburg  and  attended  the  public  schools 
of  this  city,  graduating  from  the  high  school  in  1885.  After  completing  a 
normal  course  in  jMoores  Hill  College,  he  taught  one  year  in  Manchester 
township,  and  three  years  in  the  public  schools  of  Lawrenceburg,  after  which 
he  took  up  the  study  of  law  under  his  father,  being  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
iSSS.  Having  practised  law  continuously  in  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg  since 
1888.  he  has  been  associated  with  his  father  since  1S90,  with  the  exception 
of  about  a  year  and  a  half  during  which  he  was  in  partnersliip  with  William 
R.  Johnson.  This  period  covers  a  part  of  the  time  his  father  was  on  the 
bench. 

In  18S8  Martin  J.  Givan  was  married  to  Anna  Curtis  Hodell.  daughter 
of  George  and  Mary  E.  (Shoemaker)  Hodell,  and  who  was  born  in  Lawrence- 
burg, Indiana,  in  1869,  her  father  and  mother  being  natives  of  this  state. 
The  father,  who  lived  to  rear  a  family  of  three  children,  Anna  C,  Qiarles 


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DEARiiORN   COUNTY,    INDIANA.  939 

W.  atid  George,  is  now  deceased.  The  mother  is  still  hving.  George  Hodell, 
a  prominent  manufacturer  in  his  day,  after  serving  for  many  years  as  presi- 
dent an.d  general  manager  of  the  Miami  Valley  Furniture  Company,  removed 
to  Shelby ville,  where  he  organized  the  Hodell  l'\u-niture  Company,  and 
where  lie  remained  for  e'ght  or  nine  years.  Eventually  he  moved  \n  l:;rli- 
anajjolis,  ■where  he  was  living"  at  the  time  of  his  death.  .\  soldier  in  the 
Civil  AA'ar,  he  participated  in  many  of  the  hard-fought  battles  of  the  war 
along  with  the  Guthrie  Grays,  of  whicli  he  was  a  member.  Fie  fnuglit  \-al- 
iantly  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh.  Mrs.  Givau's  paternal  grandfather,  Gei^irge 
Hodell.  Sr..  came  from  Alsace-Lorraine,  and  after  settling  in  Lawrencelnirg 
earlv  in  life  li\ed  here  until  his  death.  His  fi\'e  children  were  I'red.  (iei'rge. 
Heni'v,  Mrs.  Carrie  Walter  and  ]\Irs.  Emmert.  The  maternal  grandijareiits 
lived  near  Winchestei,  at  Lynn.  Indiana,  and  were  fanners  in  Randolph  ci:iunty. 
They  died  there  after  rearing  a  family  of  four  children.  ]\Irs.  Givan,  wdio 
was  graduated  in  the  sam.e  class  of  the  Lawrencebnrg  high  school  with  her 
husband,  attended  Moores  IIlll  College,  and  soon  after  this  was  married. 

Of  the  nine  children  born  to  Martin  J.  Givan  and  wife,  three  are  deceased. 
Mary  and  Julia  died  in  infancy  and  Miriam  lost  her  life  in  an  accident  at 
the  age  of  three  years.  Of  the  six  living-  children,  Madge,  who  w  as  graduated 
from  DePauw  University  and  who  taught  for  two  years  at  Oueen-^  C'lllege. 
in  Charlotte,  North  Carolina,  a  Presbyterian  school  for  girls,  is  now  taking 
a  post-graduate  course  in  the  'L^ni\-ersity  of  Indiana,  at  Rloomington.  Clinton 
H.,  who  was  graduated  from  Indiana  University  with  the  class  of  I'9i2. 
having  finished  both  the  academic  and  the  law  work,  is  now  a  teacher  of 
commercial  law  and  public  speaking  in  the  Siou.x  City  high  school,  at  Sioux 
City,  Iowa.  Elizabeth  married  Clyde  Huffman  and  they  live  in  Lawrence- 
burg.  George,  a  senior  at  Indiana  L^niversity,  wdio  is  completing  a  course 
in  juurnalism,  reported  the  proceedings  of  the  Indiana  Legislature  for  the 
Associated  Press  during  the  winter  of  1914-15.  Ruth  is  a  junior  at  the  St'Ue 
L^niversity  and  Charles  is  a  junior  in  the  Lawrenceburg  high  school. 

During  the  earlv  part  of  ^Ir.  Givan's  practice  he  served  as  deputy 
prosecuting  attorney  for  four  years,  and  faithfully  diicharged  the  duties  of 
this  office.  During  the  past  eight  years  he  has  l;een  county  attorney  of 
Dearborn  county,  an  appointment  which  came  to  him  by  virtue  of  his  ability 
as  a  lawyer  and  his  prominence  as  a  Democrat  in  this  county.  When  the 
soldiers'  monument  was  dedicated  at  Lawrenceburg  Mr.  Givan  delivered 
the  dedicatory  address  on  that  occasion,  an  address  v.hich  is  well  remembered 
by  the  people  of  this  county  as  one  of  the  best  occasional  addresses  from  the 
standpoint  of  thought  and  eloquence  ever  heard  in  this  section.     A  director 


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940  DEARBORN    COUNTV,    INDIANA. 

in  the  Dearborn  National  Bank,  Mr.  Givan  is  also  prominent  in  fratcrr.al 
circles,  being  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  4  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  Law- 
renceburg  Chapter  No.  56,  Royal  Arch  ]\Iasons,  and  Dearborn  Lodge  No. 
49,  Knights  of  I'ylhias.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Givan  are  meniliers  of  the  3iIetliodist 
church.     He  is  a  meml)cr  of  the  official  Itoard. 

For  many  reasons  ^L'lrtin  J.  Givan  merits  the  confidence  and  respect 
which  have  freely  been  licstowed  upon  him  by  the  people  of  this  county. 
Step  by  step  he  has  carved  out  his  own  career  in  the  world,  and  reared  a 
family  to  honorable  and  useful  lives.  ...    ,.,,.    ,-■  '  .•,.,  ,■■  .  \.- , 


-  JOHN  N.  KNIPPENBERG.  ,,-,,■■.      ^         ■ 

It  is  a  pleasure  to  in\'estigate  the  career  of  a  successful,  self-made  man. 
Peculiar  honor  attaches  to  that  individual  who,  beginning  the  great  struggle 
of  life  alone  and  unaided,  gradually  overcomes  unfavorable  environment, 
removes  one  b}'  one  the  obstacles  from  the  pathway  of  success  and  by  the 
master  strokes  of  his  own  force  and  vitality  succeeds  in  forging  his  way 
to  the  front  and  winning  for  himself  success  in  a  commercial  sense  and  a 
position  of  influence  and  esteem  among  his  fellow  citizens. 

Such  in  brief  is  the  career  of  the  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch, 
well-known  carriage  and  wagon  manufacturer  of  Lawrenceburg,  Dearborn 
countv,  Lidiana.  John  H.  Knippenl)erg  is  a  natix'e  of  this  countv,  born  in 
Center  township,  ]NLay  6.  1S68,  a  son  of  Herman  and  Elizabeth  (.Siecher) 
Knippenberg,  the  former  a  native  of  Germany,  and  the  latter  born  and  reared 
in  this  county.  Herman  Knippenberg  remained  in  his  native  land  until  he 
had  attained  years  of  maturity,  being  well  educated  there  and  mastering 
the  trade  of  a  stone  cutter.  Fie  immigrated  to  America  before  the  Civil  War 
and  worked  for  a  time  at  his  trade  in  Cincinnati.  While  a  youth  in  his  native 
land  he  had  served  his  time  in  the  regidar  army.  After  coming  to  this  county 
he  worked  out  by  the  month  as  a  farm  hand  and  then  purchased  a  farm  in 
Center  township,  wliere  he  reared  his  family.  In  later  years  he  disposed 
of  that  property  and  farmed  rented  land,  eventually  purchasing  a  farm  in 
Lawrenceburg  township,  about  a  mile  from  town,  and  there  his  life  closed  at 
the  age  of  seventy-five  years.  Both  he  and  his  wife,  who  sundves  him,  were 
devout  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Nothing  is  known  of  the  history 
of  Flerman  Knippenberg's  parents  otlier  than  that  they  lived  and  died  in  theii 
native  land. 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  94 1 

Elizabeth  Seiclier  was  a  daughter  of  Caspar  and  Kalherine  Sicclicr, 
farmers  and  early  settlers  of  Dearborn  county,  coming  here  in  earliest  pioneer 
limes.  The  mother  died  in  this  county  and  after  lier  death  Caspar  Siccher 
mc>ved  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  lived  for  a  number  of  \ears,  ])assing  awav 
at  tlie  advanced  age  of  eighty  years.  There  were  three  children  in  their 
family.  Elizabeth  being  the  youngest.     The  others  were  Katherine  and  Lnuise. 

John  H.  Knippenberg  is  one  of  a  family  of  eight  children,  as  follow: 
Hcm-y,  William  and  Augaist.  all  farmers  of  Lawrenceburg  township,  the 
latter  on  the  old  home  place ;  Louis,  carriage  and  wagon  maker,  of  Lawrence- 
burg; Emma,  wife  of  Fred  E.  Lutherbeck ;  John  H..  of  Lawrenceburg:  Albert, 
of  Aurora:  and  Clara,  wlni  died  when  a  child  of  seven  vears. 

John  H.  Knippenberg  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  attending  the 
schools  of  the  district  when  a  boy  and  remaining  at  home  initil  grown.  His 
first  venture  in  life  for  himself  was  when  he  worked  out  among  the  neigh- 
boring farmers  for  about  a  year.  This  decided  him  that  suinething  other 
than  farming  was  to  be  his  life's  vocation,  and  he  decided  to  learn  the  trade 
of  wagon  making.  He  mastered  this  and  in  1882  started  in  business  for 
b.imself  and  has  continued  to  the  present  time.  He  began  in  a  small  way 
an.d  through  good  management  and  excellent  business  ability,  he  lias  brought 
his  business  up  to  its  present  excellent  state  ami  his  product  is  known  all  over 
the  country. 

On  April  i.  1S94.  John  H.  Knippenberg  \vas  united  in  marriage  with 
JNIary  Schaffer.  daughter  of  ^lichael  and  Catherine  ( Grummel)  Scliaffer, 
the  former  a  nati\'e  of  Germany  and  tlie  latter  born  and  reared  in  this  ci)unty. 
The  Schaffers  were  farmers  here  tV^r  many  years,  and  here  all  the  children 
were  born  and  reared.  Those  other  than  Mrs.  Knippenberg  are  Charles. 
John.  William,  Elizabeth.  Frances,  George  and  some  wlio  died  in  infancy. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Knippenberg  have  been  born  two  children.  Elmer 
and  Frances.  ^Iv.  and  !\[rs.  Knippenberg  are  faithful  and  devout  members 
of  Zion  Evangelical  church,  and  he  holds  his  fraternal  affiliation  with  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  through  Union  L'dge  Xo.  S,  and  is  al'^'i 
a  member  of  the  ^vlodern  Woodmen  of  America.  In  politics  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  being  public-spirited,  he  served  on  the  city  council  for  about  five 
and  one-half  years. 

Mr.  Knippenberg  owes  tlie  success  he  has  attained  to  bis  own  efforts 
and  to  the  encouragement  and  assistance  he  has  received  from  his  capable 
and  sympathetic  wife.  He  has  encountered  many  obstacles  in  his  upward 
rise  and  whenever  a  time  of  doubt  and  anxiety  would  come,  by  her  encour- 
agement and  help  she  has  aided  him  to  meet  and  overcome  them.     Mr.  Knip- 


"ir;i;j;:;'  f   ot    f,<i'/-r->ui 


;;,  V.  -rooff-,.- 


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i:  ;n:i 


HI?    jKi    h^. 


942  DEARBORN     COUNTY,    INDIANA.  ' 

penbcrg  is  considered  one  of  the  city's  most  excellent  citizens  and  he  has 
done  much  to  enhance  the  commercial  strength  of  his  conimunitw  while  at 
the  same  time  he  stands  high  in  the  esteem  and  respect  of  his  fellow  citizens, 
a  most  fitting  tribute  indeed. 

Both  JMr.  and  iNIrs.  Knippcnberg  come  from  families  identified  with 
the  early  history  of  this  county  and  they  themselves  have  seen  many  changes 
which  the  years  have  brought  to  pass.  Great  strides  have  been  made  along 
all  lines  of  progress  and  development,  to  all  of  which  they  have  been  attenti\-e 
and  appreciative  spectators,  and  in  preserving  this  history  of  their  family,  it 
is  by  w'ay  of  being  a  tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  father  and  mother  of  both 
and  is  to  be  lianded  down  by  them  to  their  posterity.  Happ\-  indeed  might 
e\'ery  family  be  if  such  a  clean  record  of  proper  ambitions  and  wholesome 
living  might  be  handed  on  from  generation  to  generation. 


STANLEY  ELSTER  WILKIN. 

There  is  no  earthly  station  higher  than  a  minister  of  the  Gospel ;  no 
life  can  be  more  uplifting  or  grander  than  that  Avhich  is  devoted  to  the  ameli- 
oration of  the  human  race,  a  life  of  sacrifice  for  the  betterment  of  the  brother- 
hood (if  man,  one  who  is  willing  to  cast  aside  all  earthly  crowns  in  order 
to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  the  lowly  Nazarene.  It  is  not  possilile  to  measure 
ad.equately  the  height,  depth  and  lireadth  of  such  a  life,  for  its  influences 
continue  to  guide  the  lives  of  others  through  succeeding  generations;  so  the 
power  it  has  exerted  cannot  be  known  until  the  last  great  dav.  One  of  the 
self-sacrificing,  ardent  rmd  true  spirits  who  is  doing  his  utmost  for  the  uplift 
of  the  race,  who  lea\'es  in  his  wake  an  influence  that  ever  makes  the  world 
better  and  brighter,  is  the  honored  man  whose  name  appears  at  the  head  of  this 
sketch.  He  has  the  unequivocal,  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  people  among 
whcmi  he  labors  and  is  in  ever}'  sense  of  the  W(>rd  an  honest  and  sincere  man. 

Stanley  Elster  AN'ilkin,  pastor  of  the  Church  of  Christ  at  Lawrenceburg, 
Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  was  bnrn  in  Petersburg,  Highland  count\-,  Ohin. 
July  4,  18S0,  being  the  only  chiki  of  his  parents.  He  is  a  son  of  Elias  and 
Eva  (Powell)  Wilkin,  both  natives  of  the  same  county,  where  their  families 
were  among  the  earliest  settlers.  Elias  Wilkin  was  born  and  reared  on  a  farm 
in  Llighland  county  and  in  early  manhood  he  turned  to  landscape  and  portrait 
painting  aufl  also  practiced  photography  for  se\'eral  years.     He  is  an  artist  of 


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■'14 

DEARBORN    COUNTY^    INDIANA.  943 

no  mean  ahilily  and  is  also  a  musician,  having  been  leader  of  a  num'icr  of 
cornet  bands.     He  now  resides  at  Blanchesler,  Ohio. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  Eli  \\'ilkin,  whn  was  amonf^  the  earliest 
settlers  of  Highland  Cl:'unt^•.  Ohio,  where  for  a  number  of  years  he  carried 
on  farming.  He  died  there  at  a  good  old  age  and  among  his  children  were 
V^'illiam,  John.  Elias  and  others. 

Eva  I^^well,  mother  of  Stanley  Elster  \\'ilkin,  was  a  daughter  of  David 
F'owell,  who  came  to  Highland  county,  Ohio,  in  the  early  days  and  farmed 
there  for  a  nimiber  of  years.  He  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  died 
in  Highland  county  at  a  ripe  old  age.  There  were  eight  children  in  Uu-ir 
family,  namely:  Harvey.  Da\id.  Emma,  Precious,  Clara,  Eva,  Laura  and 
Hester. 

Stanley  Elster  ^\'ilkin  was  reared  in  his  native  county  and  in  luwa,  atteu<l- 
ing  the  district  schools  near  his  home  in  Ohio  and  later  the  pulilic  schoi,!.-,  of 
the  towns  of  IMonroe,  Grinnell  and  Marengo,  Iowa.  His  higher  educatiiin 
was  partly  obtained  at  Central  I'niversit}-,  a  Baptist  institution  at  Pella.  li.n\:i. 
He  began  preaching  the  G(^spel  when  sixteen  years  of  age  and  was  regularly 
on  the  platform  b_\'  the  time  he  was  seventeen  years  old.  He  returned  to  lu's 
native  state  and  his  first  charge  as  a  minister  was  at  old  Dallas  postoffice. 
in  Higliland  criunty,  where  he  received  his  board  and  clothes  and  tliirty-fix'c 
dollars  for  his  first  year's  services.  He  was  married  the  next  year  and 
returned  tij  Iowa  with  his  Ijride,  and  again  entered  school.  He  held  student 
charges  while  pursuing  his  studies  and  was  al)le  to  assist  himself  in-tliis  m:in- 
ner.  .Vfter  being  ordained,  he  went  to  Nebraska  and  preached  in  W'ilsonville 
and  wdiile  there  his  convictions  underwent  a  change  regarding  certain  doctiines 
oi  the  Baptist  church  and  he  came  to  the  conclusion  that  there  was  no  church 
for  w/hich  he  could  consistently  and  conscientiouslv  preach.  So  he  decided 
to  give  up  the  active  work  of  the  ministry  and  took  up  the  study  of  tele,:::r.ii>hy 
and  received  an  appointment  from  the  Santa  Fe  Railroad  Company  to  take 
charge  of  one  of  their  offices.  About  that  time  he  met  an  old  man  of  W'ipMn- 
ville  by  the  name  of  Lee  Thompson  and  during  their  con\ersation.  the  old 
man  asked  with  tears  in  his  eyes  if  he  might  present  to  him  a  few  tiioug'.Us 
concerning  the  church  he  loved.  He  was  a  most  devout  memlier  of  the  Cluu-ch 
of  Christ,  or  "Christian"'  church,  as  commonly  called.  rre\iousl}-,  }vlr.  Wilkin 
would  never  jiermit  one  of  that  faith  to  talk  to  him  regarding  religious  teach- 
ings, on  account  of  the  prejudice  and  dislike  he  felt  for  that  body  of  pecple. 
but  out  of  respect  for  that  man's  years  and  hoary  head,  he  permitted  him  to 
say  what  he  wished.  The  old  gentleman  spoke  five  sentences  only,  but  they 
opened  up  a  new  line  of  thought  to  Mr.  Wilkin  and  after  carefully  following 


-•]■.;>:;      ir 


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9^4  DEARBORN'  COUNTY,  IXDI\NA. 

the  line  of  thought  suggested  to  him,  he  found  himself  a  member  of  tlie 
Church  of  Christ  and  he  at  once  resumed  preacliing.  What  the  old  gentle- 
man said  was  "The  Old  Testament  conceals  Christ;  the  Gospels  (Matthew, 
Mark,  Luke  ant!  John)  co)iz'iuci'  men  of  Christ;  the  book  of  Acts  cojii-cris 
men  to  Christ:  the  Ejjistles  confinn  men  in  Christ  and  the  book  of  Revelation 
crot^-ns  men  in  Christ." 

Mr.  Wilkin  has  been  a  successful  minister  of  the  Word  and  since  becuni- 
iug  pastor  of  tlie  Lawrenceburg  Church  of  Christ,  November  i,  1914,  the 
clnirch  has  taken  on  new  life  under  his  watchful  care  and  preaching  and 
many  persons  ha\e  been  ailded  to  the  body  of  Christ. 

Mr.  Wilkin  has  a  nnjst  sympathetic  and  encouraging  helpmate  in  his  wile 
with  whom  he  was  united  in  wedlock  on  October  12,  1903.  }klrs.  \\"ilkin 
before  her  marriage  was  l-]thel  ]\lae  Smith,  flaughter  of  Charles  E.  anrl 
Amanda  (  k^reeland)  Smith,  and  was  born  in  \\'anisley,  Scioto  county,  Ohi(.i. 
October  12,  18S6.  They  have  an  adopted  son,  Paul  S..  attending  the  public 
schools  of  Lawrenceburg. 

Mr.  \\'^ilkin  holds  his  fraternal  affiliation  in  the  ancient  order  of  Free 
and  Accepted  ^lasons  through  Mount  iloriah  Lodge  Xo.  23,  of  Farming- 
ton.  Iowa,  and  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 
through  Helena  Lodge  Xo.  192,  of  Helena,  Arkansas. 

Although  Air.  ^^'ilkin  has  been  a  resident  of  Lawrenceburg  but  a  shi)rt 
time,  his  influence  is  already  being  felt  and  needless  to  say  so  sincere  antl 
devout  a  man  commands  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all. 


WILLIA:^!  EDWARD  EXYART. 

Few  men  of  the  past  generation  are  better  remembered  in  Lawrenceburg 
and  Dearborn  county  than  the  late  William  Edward  Enyart,  the  son  of  a 
prominent  Illinois  attorney,  who  came  to  Dearborn  county  and  became  the 
I-awrencfburg  agent  for  the  Baltimore  &:  Ohio  Railway  Company,  after  which 
he  was  comiected,  for  a  number  of  years,  with  the  James  S:  Mever  Buggy  Com- 
pany. The  late  William  Edward  Enyart  is  rememliered  as  a  man  of  striking 
personahty.  who  was  warm  and  ardent  in  his  friendship  and  who  also  pos- 
sessed the  capacity  of  acquiring  many  friends.  He  lived  a  most  useful  life, 
during  which  he  was  devoted  to  his  wife  and  to  the  children  who  still  bear 
his  name.  A  man  of  strong  and  acti\'e  religious  impulses,  he  set  a  sound 
example  of  religious  li\-ing.  His  character  was  such  as  radiated  a  warm. 
affectionate  and  kindly  personality  of  which  he  was  possessed. 


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DEARBOKN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  945 

\\'illiani  Edward  F.iiyart  was  born  on  March  iS.  1865,  in  Pcnnsyl\-ania, 
the  son  of  Samuel  and  ATary  Enyart,  who  liad  five  children.  Samuel  Enyart, 
n  law}er  by  profession,  practiced  law  for  many  years  at  Flora,  Illinois,  and 
was  scr\ing-  there  as  prosecuting  attorney  at  the  lime  of  his  death.  His 
wife,  who  survived  him  about  two  years,  during-  her  life  was  an  active  worker 
in  the  [Methodist  church.  He  also  was  a  member  of  this  church.  Of  their 
fi\'c  children.  C<'ra  is  the  wife  of  Joseph  Gadderburv,  of  Dot,  Washington; 
Myrtle  is  married  and  also  lives  in  \\'ashington :  Mary  is  the  witlow  of  Will- 
iam Mo(Tre,  of  Washin.^()n,  D.  C. ;  Elizabeth  is  married  and  also  li\-es  in 
^^'ashington.  D.  C. ;  and  William  Edward,  deceased,  is  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

■    The  paternal  grandparents  of  ^Iv.  Enyart  were  natives  of  England. 

William  Edward  Enyart  received  a  common-school  education  in  the 
Illinois  public  schools.  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  he  began  clerking  in  a  dry 
goods  store  and  after  being  engaged  in  this  occupation  for  a  few  }  ears,  took 
a*  position  in  the  court  house  as  an  abstract  title  writer.  Subsequently,  he 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Ohio  &  ^Mississippi  Railway  Company  at  East  St. 
Louis  as  a  freight  agent,  and  was  later  transferred  to  Lawrencehurg  in  1882 
and  became  freight  and  passenger  agent  of  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railway 
Company  here,  a  position  which  he  held  for  a  number  of  years.  Later,  how- 
ever, he  became  bookkeeper  for  the  James  &  Me}er  Buggy  Company,  which 
position  he  held  until  the  time  of  his  death. 

William  E.  Enyart  was  married  on  December  31.  1894,  to  ]Mrs.  Emma 
(Barrott)  Corbin.  the  widow  of  William  Corliin  and  the  daughter  of  Eneas 
and  Anna  (Sherman)  Barrott.  To  this  union  three  children  were  born, 
Howard  Barrott.  Claude  Eugene  and  William  Edward.  Howard  B.  is  a 
graduate  of  the  Lawrencehurg  high  school  and  now  a  mail  carrier  in  the 
city  of  Lawrencehurg.  William  Edward  is  attending  high  school.  Claude 
Eugene  is  a  Western  L'^nion  telegraph  operator  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

iMrs.  Enyart  was  born  on  May  5,  1S65,  in  Massachusetts.  Her  father 
was  a  native  of  Yorkshire,  England,  and  her  mother  of  Rhode  Island,  com- 
ing to  Lawrencehurg,  Indiana,  in  1867.  After  permanently  settling  in  Dear- 
born county,  the  father  established  the  old  woolen-mill,  which  he  operated 
for  many  years,  giving  employment  to  a  large  number  of  men  and  women. 
He  passed  away  in  Lawrencehurg,  April  4,  1914,  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine 
vears.  His  wife  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  seventy.  He  was  an  Episcopalian 
but  his  widow  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church.  They  had  four  children, 
William,  Emma,  Ida  and  Elkanah.  Mrs.  Enyart's  paternal  grandparents, 
(60) 


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946  DEARIJORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

who  lived  to  rear  a  family  of  eleven  children,  ten  daughters  and  one  <.<m. 
died  in' England.  Their  history,  however,  is  lost.  The  maternal  grar.dpar- 
ents  were  natives  of  Rhode  Island  and  were  well-known  citizens  of  tlint 
state.  Her  maternal  grandfather  died  in  Rhode  Island  and  after  his  death. 
his  widow  came  West,  settling  in  Lawrenceburg,  where  she  died  at  fifty- 
four  vears  of  age.  Her  only  child  was  Anna  Barrott,  the  mother  of  Mrs. 
Enyart. 

Before  ]\Irs.  Enyart's  marriage  to  William  E.  Enyart,  she  had  been 
married  to  William  Corbin  and  to  this  union  had  been  born  one  daughter, 
Willia  }ilae,  a  graduate  of  the  Lawrenceburg  high  school,  who  is  now  in 
the  dry  goods  business  on  \\\alnut  street  in  Lawrenceburg.  William  Corliin 
died  earlv  in  life,  March  3,  1S84,  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight  years.  A  farmer 
by  occupation,  he  was  the  son  of  Albert  and  Mary  Corbin,  who  were  the  par- 
ents of  six  children,  ^Michael.  Fanny,  Benjamin,  Alice,  William  and  Amelia. 

William  Edward  Enyart  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-eight  years,  July  23. 
1900.  He  was  a  member  of  Lawrenceburg  Lodge  Xo.  8,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  and  was  secretary  of  the  lodge  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  also 
belonged  to  Lawrenceburg  Chapter  Xo.  56,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  was 
a  thirty-second-degree  Scottish  Rite  Mason.  In  politics  he  was,  during  Ins 
life,  identified  with  the  Democratic  party.  He  was  also  secretary  of  the 
Lawrenceburg  school  board  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Mr.  Enyart's  memory  is  revered  not  only  by  his  loving  widow  and  chil- 
dren, but  by  a  host  of  friends  in  Dearborn  county.  Although  he  himself  is 
gone,  his  influence  continues  to  live  and  in  the  years  to  come  may  be  the 
guiding  star  of  the  three  loving  children  and  the  widow  left  to  mourn  his 
loss. 


GEORGE  W.  RUPPERT. 


George  W.  Ruppert  is  a  well-known  citizen  of  Lawrenceburg  and  Dear- 
born county,  and  a  United  States  storekeeper  at  this  place.  Mr.  Ruppert 
received  his  training  for  the  government  sen-ice  especially  as  a  clerk  of  the 
Greendale  distillery,  where  he  was  situated  for  four  years.  After  ha\'ing 
served  four  vears  as  bookkeeper  he  took  the  civil  service  examination,  and 
having  passed  the  examination,  was  assigned  the  position  which  he  now 
holds.  ]Mr.  Ruppert's  father  was  in  the  government  revenue  service  for  four 
vears,  and  during  his  life  was  engaged  in  many  busmesses.  He  owned  and 
operated  a  cigar  factory,  was  a  proprietor  of  a  steam  laundry,  was  engaged 


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DEARBOKX    COUXTV,   IXDIAXA.  947 

ill  the  baker}"  business  and  at  present  has  a  mercantile  store  in  the  city  of 
La\vreiicebiu-g.     The  Rnpperts  are  old  citizens  of  the  vicinity. 

George  W.  Ruppert  was  born  in  the  city  where  lie  lives,  April  ig.  1878. 
His  parents  are  George  C.  and  Augusta  (Linckenback)  Ruppert,  the  former 
a  native  of  Hessen  Darmstadt,  Germany,  and  the  latter  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
Only  two  of  their  four  children  are  living.  Clara  died  in  early  childliuod,  and 
one  died  in  infancy.  The  living  children  are  George  W.  and  Amelia.  .Vmelia 
is  a  stenographer. 

George  C.  Ruppert,  the  father  of  George  W.,  lived  in  his  native  land 
until  seventeen  years  old.  and  received  his  education  in  that  ciiunli"\'.  lie 
came  to  America  in  1869,  and  located  in  Xew  York  Citw  where  he  remained 
for  more  than  a  }"car.  ?Ie  then  came  to  Lawreneeburg,  where  he  went  t<i  \\<nk 
as  a  tobacco  stripper.  He  learned  the  cigar  making  trade  and  MpcraU-d  a 
shop  of  his  own  for  a  number  of  years,  employing  as  high  as  fift\-  men  at 
one  time.  This  business  he  discontinued  in  1888,  and  went  inti5  tlie  revenue 
service,  in  which  he  was  engaged  until  1892,  a  period  cif  four  years.  He 
then  purchased  the  Favorite  Steam  Laundiy  and  ran  that  for  two  years.  He 
was  next  engaged  in  the  baker)-  business  for  a  number  of  years.  For  some 
time  he  had  been  engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  business  in  Greendalc, 
Lawreneeburg.  George  C.  Ruppert's  father  was  Heinrich  Ruppert,  a  native 
of  German}-,  w  ho  died  there  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  }-ears.  He  was  a  farmer 
in  his  native  land,  and  had  a  good-sized  familv,  among  win  >m  were  the  follow- 
ing children :  Jacob.  Catherine,  George  C,  Heinrick  and  Charles.  The  mater- 
nal grandfather  of  George  ^^^  Ruppert  was  William  Linckenbach.  win)  with 
his  wife  came  from  Bremen,  Germany,  and  who  were  early  settlers  in  Cin- 
cinnati. They  came  from  Cincinnati  to  Lawreneeburg  in  pioneer  limes. 
He  was  a  cabinet  maker.  He  and  his  w-ife  died  in  Lawrenceinirg.  he 
at  eig'hty-twf)  and  she  at  sixty  years.  They  have  fi\-e  children  living,  and  five 
who  are  deceased.  The  living  children  are  ]Mollie,  George,  Augiista,  Will- 
iam and  Flenrietta. 

George  \\'.  Ruppert  was  reared  in  Lawreneeburg  and  attended  the 
public  schools  of  this  city.  He  later  was  a  student  at  the  Nelson  Business 
College  of  Cincinnati,  and  was  graduated  from  this  institution.  After  leav- 
ing the  business  college,  Mr.  Ruppert  became  a  clerk  in  the  Green.dale  dis- 
tillery, and  was  there  fotu-  years,  after  which  he  took  a  ci\'il  service  examina- 
tion and  was  assigned  a  possition  in  the  government  ser\-ice  as  United  States 
storekeeper-ganger. 

George  W.  Ruppert  was  married  on  January  3,  1900.  to  Sarah  C.  Kep- 
per,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Louisa    (Schleicher)    Kepper.     Two  children, 


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948  DKAIU;ORX    COl'XTY,   IXDIAXA. 

Helen  and  Earl,  have  been  horn  to  this  union.  ^Irs.  Ruppert  was  born  in 
Lawrenceburg-,  Indiana,  October  3.  1876.  Her  father  was  a  native  of  Can- 
ada, her  mother  of  Lawrenceburg",  Dearborn  county.  Indiana.  The  mother  di.d 
in  1895,  at  tlie  age  of  forty-two.  Her  father  is  still  living-  and  is  a  cabinet 
maker.  They  had  nine  children,  Sarah,  A\"illiam,  Carlos,  .Mice,  \'ela,  Ger- 
trude, Earl,  Celestinc,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  \\'illiam  died  on  April 
2,  1915.  Mr.  Ruppert's  paternal  grandfather  was  a  native  of  Germany,  who 
immigrated  to  Canada,  and  afterwards  to  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  wliere 
he  died.  He  and  his  wife  harl  five  children,  three  of  whom  were  Cliark-s, 
Anna  and  Elizabeth.  ]Mrs.  Ruppert's  maternal  grandfather  was  .\dam  Schlei- 
cher, who  rqarried  Louisa  Meyer.  They  were  both  nati\-es  of  Germany  and 
early  settlers  in  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  where  he  died.  Llis  wife  is  still 
living  and  is  eighty-fi\e  years  old.  They  had  a  large  family  of  children, 
Joseph,  Emma,  Sarah,  Alice,  Charles  and  several  who  are  deceased. 

Mr.  and  }ilrs.  Ruppert  are  members  of  the  Zion  Evang^elical  clnircli. 
Mr.  Ruppert  belongs  to  Dearborn  Lodge  Xo.  49,  Knights  of  Pythias.  In 
politics  he.  is  a  Republican,  but  he  has  never  been  especially  active  in  politic;tl 
matters. 


JOHN  MARTIN  ROEHM. 

Patience  and  perseverance  are  two  of  the  prominent  characteristics  oi 
the  German  people.  John  ^lartin  Roehm.  dealer  in  hardware,  stoves,  tinware 
and  queensware,  and  the  proprietor  of  a  prosperous  business  in  the  city  of 
Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  is  the  son  of  native-born  Gennan  [)areiits.  Mr. 
Roehm  himself  succeeded  to  his  present  business  six  vears  ago,  after  ha\-ing 
ser^-ed  in  the  employ  of  his  predecessor  for  a  period  of  thirty-eight  }ears. 
Young  men  of  the  present  generation  are  more  -restless  and  insist  generally 
upon  quick  returns  from  their  efforts,  }et  it  is  extremely  doubtful  whether  the 
young  man  who  moves  about  from  place  to  place  and  from  position  to  position 
actually  will  accomplish  as  much  in  the  long  run  as  the  man  who  takes  one 
position  and  holds  on  to  it  until  success  has  smiled  on  his  efforts.  The  career 
of  ^Tr.  Roehm  is  a  splendid  example  of  what  patience  and  persistence  will 
accomplish. 

John  ]\Iartin  Roehm  was  born  on  September  20.  1S57,  in  Cincinnati.  He 
is  the  son  of  ^vlartin  and  Anna  fSchaffer)  Roehm,  both  natix'es  of  \\Tirtem- 
burg,  Gennany.  John  Martin  was  one  of  four  children.  Loui.sa  married 
Harrv  Borman,  a  conductor  on  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  railroad,  out  of  Cin- 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  949 

cinnati;  Caroline  is  the  widow  of  George  Voll.  of  Cincinnati;  John  Martin 
is  the  subject  of  this  sketch :  and  Anna  is  the  widow  of  John  Schwoin,  of  Cin- 
cinnati. 

jNIr.  Rochm  was  reared  in  Lawrenceburg,  and  has  lived  here  from  the  time 
he  was  nine  vears  old.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Lawrenceburi;-,  and 
then  worked  in  a  brickyard  for  three  seasons.  After  that  he  liet^'sn  to  learn 
the  tinner's  trade  under  H.  G.  Kidd,  and  was  in  his  employ  continuously  for 
a  period  of  thirty-eight  years.  He  became  his  successor  in  the  hardware  busi- 
ness, and  has  now  run  the  business  himself  for  six  years.  He  ha^  a  splendid 
trade  in  the  citv  of  Lawrenceburg-  and  vicinity,  a  business  which  it  In^  taken 
years  to  build  up,  and  in  which  Mr.  Roehm  has  had  a  prominent  and  con- 
spicuous part. 

John  ^lartin  Roehm  was  married  on  October  26,  1882,  to  Mary  Osborn, 
a  daughter  of  William  Osbom,  who  married  a  Miss  IMartin.  To  John  Mar- 
tin Roehm  and  ]\Iary  (Osborn)  Roehm  four  children  have  been  bom,  Hugh 
G.,  John  Otis,  Carl  Edward  and  ^Marguerite.  Of  these  children,  Hugh  is  a 
fireman  on  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Southwestern  railway.  He  married  I'lora 
Caldwell,  and  they  live  at  Greendale,  Lawrenceburg.  John  Otis  is  a  st'i\e 
molder  in  Cincinnati,  but  lives  in  Greendale.  He  married  Emma  Probst,  and 
they  have  one  son,  Lee  Roy.  Carl  is  a  tinner  in  his  father's  shop.  He  mar- 
ried Medora  Is^yle,  and  they  have  one  daughter.  Rose  Mary. 

Mrs.  'Sls.rx  (Osborn)  Roehm  died  on  July  26,  1S96,  at  the  age  of  thirty- 
eight  years.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church,  and  was  born  in 
Manchester,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana.  Her  parer.ts  died  in  Mancliester, 
her  father  having  been  killed  when  she  was  a  baby  by  a  log  which  rolled  on 
him.  Her  mother  lived  to  be  seventy  years  old.  There  were  three  cliildren. 
Anna,  Ambrose  and  Mary. 

After  the  death  of  ^h.  Roehm's  first  wife,  Mr.  Roehm  was  married  on 
December  26,  1897,  to  Mrs.  Mary  Huffman,  the  widow  of  Elmer  Huffman, 
and  the  daughter  of  a  ^Ir.  Bixinstine.  'Sir.  and  Mrs.  Roehm  have  no  chil- 
dren bv  this  second  marriage.  Mrs.  Roehm  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  but  came 
to  Dearborn  county  with  her  parents  when  she  was  four  years  old.  and  has 
lived  in  the  county  ever  since.  Her  parents  settled  at  Dover,  and  both  died 
there.  Of  their  children,  three  are  now  living,  Mrs.  Alary  Roehm.  Edward 
and  Henry  Bixinstine. 

The  father  of  John  Martin  Roehm  was  reared  in  Germany  and  educated 
there.  He  learned  the  tailor's  trade  in  Germany  and  after  having  learned  his 
trade  came  to  America.  He  settled  in  Cincinnati.  He  was  a  merchant  tailor. 
In  1866  he  moved  to  Lawrenceburg.  and  worked  at  his  trade  here.    He  died  in 


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950  UEAK30KX   COUNTY^   INDIANA. 

1872,  at  the  age  of  forty-nine  years.  His  wife  died  in  1869,  at  the  age  of 
forty-five.  Both  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Rochm's  grand- 
parents h\cd  and  died  in  Germany.  They  had  seven  sons,  among  whom 
were  JMarlin,  Simon  and  John.  ]Mr.  Roehm's  maternal  grandparents  also 
lived  and  died  in  Gennany.     They  never  came  to  this  country. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  ^lartin  Roehm  are  members  of  the  Zion  Evangelical 
church,  of  which  for  several  years  Mr.  Roehm  was  church  treasurer.  He  was  a 
prime  mo\er  in  the  remodeling  of  the  cliurch.  and  has  always  been  influential 
in  the  congregation.  Air.  Rfiehm  belongs  to  Union  I^odge  Xo.  8,  Indepen- 
dent Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  encampment.  Like- 
wise he  is  a  member  of  Dearborn  Lodge  Xo.  49,  Knights  of  Pythias.  Lie  is 
a  Republican  in  politics,  and  for  about  ten  years  ser\ed  a^  city  councilman 
of  Lawrenceburg.  Air.  Roehm  is  well  and  fa\'orably  known  in  Dearborn 
count}-,  wliere  he  does  a  large  business.  He  is  a  good  man  and  a  good  citi- 
zen, and  throughout  his  life  he  has  been  connected  with  all  worthy  public 
movements,  but  next  to  his  Iiome  and  his  family  his  church  and  his  business 
are  most  important. 


RICHARD  WHITE. 


Richard  Wliite,  a  native  of  Cochran,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  and  at 
present  a  resident  of  Aurora,  Indiana,  and  inspector  for  the  Indiana  State 
Board  of  Health,  is  one  of  the  prominent  younger  politicans  of  southeastern 
Indiana.  He  has  been  interested  in  politics  since  he  was  fifteen  years  old 
and  has  been  a  delegate  to  ever}'  state  Democratic  convention  since  he  became 
a  voter.  He  has  also  been  a  delegate  to  congressional  and  judicial  conventions 
in  this  part  of  die  state  and  in  1912  attended  the  national  Democratic  con- 
vention at  Baltimore,  where  he  was  assistant  sergeant  of  arms  in  charge  of 
the  press  gallery.  Few  of  the  younger  men  living  in  Dearborn  county  have 
been  the  recipients  r.f  greater  honors  than  Mr.  W'liite.  While  a  conductor 
on  the  electric  line  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  Dearborn  county  and  carried 
ever}'  precinct  in  the  county  except  two.  Two  years  later,  when  a  candidate 
for  re-election,  he  received  one  more  vote  in  Dearborn  county  than  Governor 
Marshall,  who  was  a  candidate  that  year.- 

Richard  White  was  born  in  Cochran,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  .Septem- 
ber 15.  1874,  is  the  son  of  Janies  and  Catherine  fOuirk)  \\'hite,  natives  of 
Counts-  Tipperary,  Ireland,  who  had  twelve  children.  James  White  was  a 
farmer  in  the  Emerald  Isle  and  came  to  America  about  186S  and  located  at 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  '  Q5 1 

Cochran,  where  he  worked  for  the  old  Ohio  &  Mississippi  Railway  Company, 
afterwards  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio.  After  working-  for  about  twenty-five 
years  as  a  railroad  blacksmith,  he  died  in  February,  1894,  at  the  age  of  fiflv- 
threc.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  Richard  White,  is  still  living  at  the  age  of 
sevent}--fi\-e.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church,  as  was  also  her  hus- 
band. Their  twelve  children  were;  Maggie,  the  wife  of  Gus  Henry,  of 
Middletown,  Ohio :  Michael,  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri ;  Thcjmas,  deceased :  James 
deceased:  John,  deceased:  Richard,  the  subject  of  this  sketch:  Katie,  who 
died  single;  Xellie,  who  died  single;  Alice,  who  married  Jt)hn  \'o]mcr,  of 
St.  Louis,  ]^Iissouri ;  Edward,  deceased;  and  two  who  died  in  childhood  in 
Ireland.  Maggie,  ]\Iichael,  Thomas  and  James  were  born  in  Ireland  and  the 
six  children  following  were  Iwrn  at  Cochran,  Indiana. 

Mr.  White's  paternal  grandfather,  James  \\'hite,  died  in  his  native  land 
at  an  advanced  ag'e.  A  stock-drover  b}'  occupation,  he  and  his  wife,  Johanna 
White,  lived  to  rear  a  family  of  several  children:  Kate,  who  lives  at  Mon- 
treal, Canada:  Thomas,  who  lives  at  North  Vernon,  Indiana;  James,  two 
unmarried  daughters,  who  were  lost  at  sea,  and  other  children  who  died  early 
in  life  in  Ireland.  ^Ir.  White's  maternal  grandparents  were  farmers  in  Ireland, 
where  they  died  at  advanced  ages.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children  : 
Catherine,  I'atrick,  of  West  Garden,  }^Iassachusetts,  and  Richard,  who  died 
in  Ireland. 

Born  and  reared  at  Cochran,  Indiana,  and  educated  in  the  public  schijols 
there,  Richard  White  later  attended  the  parochial  schools  of  Aurora  for  two 
years.  He  then  began  clerking  in  a  grocery  store  at  Cochran,  where  he  wns 
employed  two  more  years.  After  this  he  worked  iu  the  Cochran  chair  factory 
for  nine  years  and  then  began  working  for  the  Cincinnati,  Lawrenceburg  & 
Aurora  Electric  Railway  Compan\-.  He  was  conductor  on  the  first  car 
whicli  crossed  Tanners  creek  bridge,  running  into  Aiu'ora.  He  worked  for 
the  electric  company  for  seven  }'ears. 

While  Mr.  White  was  acting  as  conductor  he  was  nominated  in  May, 
1906.  for  slicriff  of  Dearborn  county,  and  in  Xinember  of  that  year  was 
elected,  taking  office  on  January  i,  1907.  The  first  time  he  was  elected 
by  a  majority  of  nine  hundred  and  se\  enty-five,  and  the  second  time,  in 
190S.  by  a  majority  of  one  thousand  and  twenty-five. 

In  May,  191 1,  Mr.  White  was  appointed  assistant  sergeant  at  arms  of 
the  National  House  of  Representatives  at  Washington,  and  while  holdin.g 
that  position  traveled  through  every  state  east  of  the  IMississippi  river,  serv- 
ing various  kinds  of  papers.     He  held  this  position  for  two  years,  until  August 


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952  DEAKCORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

I,  1913.     One  month  later  he  \vas  apjininted  as  inspector  under  tlic  Indiana 
state  board  of  heahh  and  still  holds  this  position. 

Richard  White  has  lived  all  his  life,  thus  far,  in  Dearborn  count)-  and 
has  been  active  in  politics  since  he  was  fifteen  years  old.  He  is  a  member  cjf 
Dearborn  County  Council  No.  1231,  Knights  of  Columbus.  He  believes  there 
is  no  place  so  well  situated  for  a  home  and  a  place  to  live  as  Indiana  and, 
being  popular  with  the  rank  and  file  of  the  Democratic  party  in  which  he  has 
a  keen  and  abiding  interest,  he  can  naturally  be  expected  to  give  man_\-  more 
years  of  service  to  the  success  of  this  party.  Few  men  in  southeastern 
Indiana  are  so  well  known  as  Richard  White,  and  few  riKJre  deserve  the 
popularity  which  he  enjoys  among  the  people  of  this  section  of  the  state. 


REUBEN  :\I.  RICHMOND.  '  ■ 

In  the  interesting  biograpliical  sketch  relating  to  Prof.  Nathan  L.  Rich- 
mond, proprietor  of  tlie  business  college  at  Aurora,  this  county,  presented 
elsewhere  in  this  volume,  the  genealogy  of  the  Richmond  family  in  this  sec- 
tion of  the  state  is  set  out  in  full,  and  the  reader  is  respectfully'  referred  to 
that  sketch  for  further  details  in  connection  wdth  this  sketch  of  Professor 
Richmond's  brother,  well-known  throughout  Dearborn  count}'  as  the  affalMc 
assistant  cashier  of  the  Aurora  State  Bank. 

Reuben  yi.  Richmond  was  born  near  the  village  of  Aberdeen,  Ohio 
county,  Indiana,  August  17.  1S75,  S"^"  of  Peter  and  ]Melissa  (VanOsdol) 
Richmond,  the  former  of  whom  was  the  son  of  Orrin  Richmond,  native  of 
New  York  state,  son  of  a  soldier  of  the  American  Re\"i:)lution,  who  with  his 
wife  immigrated  from  the  neighborhood  of  Chautauf[ua,  New  York,  in  an 
early  day  in  the  settlement  of  this  section  of  Indiana  and  located  in  Ohio 
countv,  where  they  reared  a  large  and  useful  family. 

Reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Ohio  county,  Reuben  A,[.  Richmond 
recei\-ed  his  elementary  education  in  the  public  schools  of  that  neighborhood, 
which  he  supplemented  by  a  course  in  Aloores  Hill  College  and  in  the  Central 
Normal  College,  at  Danville,  Indiana,  following  which  he  t':>ok  a  thorough 
course  in  his  brother's  business  college  at  Kankakee,  Illinois.  During  his 
school  coiu'se  he  spent  several  vears  teaching  in  the  public  schools  of  Ohio 
count\-  and  also  in  the  schools  at  Dillsboro,  this  county.  He  was  elected 
countv  superintendent  of  Ohio  county,  in  which  form  of  public  service  he 
gave  such  excellent  satisfaction  to  the  school  authorities  of  that  coun.tv  that 


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DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  953 

he  was  rc-elccted,  but  bt'fore  com]>leting  Iiis  second  term  resii^iied  to  accept 
his  ])resent  position  as  assistant  cashier  of  the  Aurora  State  Uanlc,  of  Aurora. 
Indiana,  in  which  position  his  services  have  pro\e(l  most  satisfactory,  not  only 
to  the  directors  of  that  sound  financial  mstitution.  hut  to  the  des()ositors  and 
the  general  public,  whose  business  is  transacted  through  that  bank. 

On  June  12.  '912,  Reulien  M.  Richmond  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Gertrude  Marble,  who  was  lioni  in  Ohio  county,  Indiana,  on  ]\lay  23,  i.'^j''). 
daughter  of  Ephraim  P.  and  Elizabeth  (McIIenry)  Marble,  both  i^f  whom 
were  born  in  this  state.  ^Irs.  Richmond's  mother  died  in  1904,  InU  her 
father  is  still  livir.g.  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight  years.  He  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  five  children,  namely:  Rev.  Alitchell  S.,  C.  Mcllenry,  Frank, 
Lida,  wife  of  Scott  ^lendell,  and  Gertrude,  who  married  Mr.  Richmond. 
Mrs.  Richmond's  paternal  grandfather  was  Xathan  Marble,  atr  early  settler 
in  Ohio  county,  and  her  maternal  grandfather  was  James  Mcllenry,  a  pioneer 
of  tlie  same  part  of  the  state.  To  the  union  of  Reuben  Al.  and  Gertrude 
(Marble)  Richmond,  one  child  has  been  born,  a  son,  Xathan  Ernest. 

Mr.  and  Airs.  Richmond  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church,  in  the 
various  beneficences  of  wliich  they  take  an  acti\-e  interest,  Mr.  Richmond 
having  for  vears  ser\'ed  the  congregation  of  that  church  as  a  member  r,i 
the  board  of  stewards.  He  is  a  Republican  and  though  never  having  been 
included  in  the  office-seeking  class,  ever  has  given  his  warm  support  to  all 
measures  having  as  their  object  the  advancement  of  the  common  interest.  "Sir. 
Richmond  is  a  member  of  Chosen  Friends  Lodge  X'o.  13,  Independent  Ortler 
of  Odd  Fellows,  and  of  Bethlehem  Encampment  and  is  much  interested  in  the 
affairs  of  the  order.  He  takes  a  warm  interest  in  tb.e  general  business  inter- 
ests of  the  citv  of  Aurora  and  of  Dearbirn  county  anil  possesses  the  highest 
confidence  and  respect  of  the  leaders  of  the  financial  and  commercial  life 
hereabout. 


"'"^'"'f"       .''■'  MORTON    C.    MULFORD.         ./    '- 

at  (..  rr 

WP'.'e 

One  of  the  well-known  citizens  of  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  is  Morton 

C.  Mulford,  now  a  United  States  storekeeper-gauger,  of  the  sixth   Indiana 

revenue  district,   but   formerly  connected  actively   for  many  years  with  the 

educational  development  of  this  section  of  Indiana.     It  is  a  distinct  personal 

credit  to  ^^lorton  C.  Mulford  that  be  has  been  able  to  surround  himself  with  all 

the  comforts  of  life  out  of  the  careful  and  economical  management  of  his- 

business  and  the  savings  from  his  earnings  as  an  instructor  and  school  super- 


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954  DEARBORN  COUNTY^  INDIANA. 

visor  in  Dearborn  cminty.  He  is  a  man  of  well-rounded  personality,  well- 
known  in  Dearborn  county  and  popular  among  the  citizens.  His  home,  which 
is  located  near  the  Moores  Hill  depot  in  Dearborn  county  and  whicli  com- 
prises an  estate  of  thirty-six  acres,  is  the  most  pretentious  tn  be  found  an\- 
where  along  the  Baltimore  &  Oliio  railroad  between  Cincinnati  and  St.  Louis. 
This  is  a  most  tangible  evidence  of  its  owner's  foresighl,  vision  and  planning. 
The  JNfuIford  fann'ly  ha'^  been  intimately  associated  with  the  various  stages  of 
progress  in  Dearborn  county  for  at  least  three  generations. 

Reared  on  a  farm  in  Sparta  township.  Dearlinrn  county,  Indiana,  and 
educated  in  the  district  schools  of  this  county  and  in  Moores  Hill  College, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  after  completing  the  normal  course  in  i8c)8, 
Morton  C.  Mulford  was  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Dearfiorn  countv  for 
thirty-one  years.  After  serving  as  principal  of  tlie  IMoores  Hill  public  schools 
for  a  number  of  years  he  entered  the  internal  revenue  service  as  storekeeper- 
ganger  and  has  devoted  the  past  fmn-  years  of  his  life  to  the  service  of  the 
federal  governmeiu  in  the  various  distilleries  of  the  si.xth  Indiana  district 
and  principally  in  Lawrencebnrg.  Indiana.  During  all  of  this  time  Mr. 
]Mulford  has  resided  on  his  country  estate  near  Moores  Hill. 

Born  on  September  15,  1S63,  near  Chesterville,  in  Sparta  township. 
Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  ^Morton  C.  Mulford  is  the  son  of  John  L.  and 
Mary  J.  (Chance)  Mulford,  of  whom  the  former  is  a  native  of  Ohio  and 
the  latter  of  Indiana.  John  L.  ?vIulfor<l  was  reared  at  Cold  Springs,  Indiana, 
and  was  a  farmer  and  stockman.  Although  his  home  farm  comprised  fiftv- 
eight  acres  of  land  in  Sparta  township,  he  owned  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in 
1895.  when  he  was  sixty-five  years  old.  some  two  hundred  acres  of  farm 
land  in  different  parts  of  the  county.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of 
three  children:  ^Morton  C  of  Moores  Hill:  Laura  A.,  the  widow  of  Henrv 
Holtegal,  of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  Lmma  L.,  the  wife  of  David  B.  Staf- 
ford, of  Louisville,  Kentucky.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  in  1913. 
at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  Botli  she  and  her  husband  were 
members  of  the  Presbxterian  church  and  charter  members  of  the  congregation 
at  Cold  Springs,  Intliana.  The  paternal  grandparents  of  }ilorton  C.  Mulford 
were  Benjamin  Mulford  and  his  wife,  a  Miss  Legg,  he  a  native  of  Ohio  and 
she  of  Scotland.  They  were  among  the  first  settlers  in  Dearborn  county, 
having  followed  farming  in  Sparta  township.  He  died  at  the  age  of  seven.t\'- 
three,  but  his  wife  was  some  years  )-ounger  at  the  time  of  her  death.  They 
were  the  jiarents  of  fi\-e  children:  Oliver  S.,  John  L..  Clarissa  Ann,  W'illiam 
C.  and  Benjamin   F.     The  Mulford  family  was  established   in  America  by 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY.   INDIANA.  955 

Daniel   ^[ulford.   the   paternal   sjreat-grandfatlier   of   Morton    C,    who   came 
from  England  to  the  state  of  Ohio,  where  he  died. 

Among  the  carl}-  settlers  of  Sparta  tmvnship.  Dearhorn  county,  Indiana, 
were  Robert  and  Ann  (Smith)  Chance,  natives  of  New  York  and  Indiana: 
and  the  maternal  granilparents  of  ]\Ir.  AInlfurd.  The  Chance  family  originallv 
came  to  America  from  France  and  the  Smith  family  h.ad  come  to  this  country 
from  England.  Rob'crt  and  Ann  Chance  had  a  large  familv  of  chililrcn, 
iivc  sons  and  four  daughters:  John  Wesley,  Robert,  Joseph,  l..e\-in  P.,  Frank, 
^lary  J.,  Phoebe,  Catherine  and  Isabelle.  The  parents  of  these  children  died 
in  Sparta  to^vnsh^p,  Dearborn  county,  after  having  passed  the  ag"e  of  eight}- 
years. 

ilorton  C.  ]Mnlford  has  served  the  county  of  his  birth  and  the  county 
which  has  al\\a}S  lieen  his  home  with  the  vision  and  sense  of  rcspnusil)iht}- 
of  one  who  understands  the  importance  <_if  educational  work,  and  since  his 
retirement  from  the  educational  field  has  conscientiously  served  as  an  agent 
of  the  United  States  g"Overnment  in  the  revenue  service.  He  was  inarried 
at  the  age  of  twent}--three.  August  19.  1SS6,  to  Josephine  Downton.  the 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Ahvilda  ( Stockwell )  Downton.  Airs.  Alulford 
was  born  in  ^^'ashi^gton  township,  Ripley  county,  Indiana.  December  27. 
1863.  To  this  union  have  been  born  two  children,  Eeulah,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  three  years,  and  Mildred  C,  a  graduate  of  the  music  department  of 
Moores  Hill  College  and  a  teacher  for  one  term  in  the  public  schools  of 
Sparta  township.  She  is  an  accomplished  }-oung  woman  and  one  of  the  most 
jiopular  students  now  attending  Aloores  Hill  College.  An  adopted  daughter 
of  Mr.  and  ^vlrs.  !Mulford,  Carrie  .\..  is  now  a  stenographer  and  teacher 
of  music  in  Cincinnati.  Oliio.  haxing  been  taken  to  be  reared  after  the  rleath 
of  her  mother  when  she  was  an  infant.  .She  was  educated  by  Mr.  and  ?^Irs. 
Mulford  and  is  a  graduate  of  the  Conservatory  of  Music  of  Moores  Hill 
College. 

iMrs.  Mulford's  father.  Thomas  Downton.  who  was  a  native  of  Pontypo'd 
Wales,  died  in  Aloores  Hill  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  Her  mother 
is  also  deceased.  They  had  one  other  daughter  besides  Mrs.  Mulford,  Carrie 
O.  Fler  paternal  grandfather.  al>i>  a  native  of  Wales  and  the  operator  oi 
a  rolling  mill  in  his  younger  days,  settled  in  Cincinnati  and  died  there.  He 
and  his  wife  had  a  large  family  of  chiUlren  :  Thomas.  Celia,  Charles,  William, 
James,  Susan  and  ^Martha.  His  wife  also  died  in  Cincinnati.  Her  maternal 
grandfather  was  Joseph  Stockwell,  who  was  of  German  descent,  and  who  came 
from  Pennsylvania  to  Kentucky  in  pioneer  times  and  settled  in  Boone  county, 
after  which  he  moved  to  Ripley  county,  Indiana.     He  lived  in  this  county 


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95^1  DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

the  remainder  of  his  Hfe,  dying  at  an  advanced  age.  He  and  his  wife  had 
three  daughters.  Ahvilda,  Kate  and  Ann.  His  first  wife  ha\ing  died  Josl-jiIi 
Stockwell  married  again  and  by  tiiis  second  union  had  three  children,  George, 
Lucilda  and  John  H. 

^Ir.  and  ?ilrs.  Mulford  are  charter  members  of  the  Cold  Springs  I'res- 
byterian  church.  He  is  a  member  of  Allen  Lodge  No.  165,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  of  [Milan  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  },Iasnns ;  of  ^Madison  Council.  Ivoyal 
and  Select  ^^lasters ;  and  of  Aurora  Commandery  No.  17,  Knights  'rem[)lar. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  ]\Ioores  Plill  Lodge  No.  127,  Independt-nt  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows.     ]\[r.  3ihdfi.irtl  is  an  ardent  Republican  in  politics. 

The  career  of  Morton  C.  Alulford  is  well-rounded  in  the  \-arious  phases 
of  human  endea\"or.  His  educational,  religious  and  political  interests  in  the 
natural  avenues  through  which  the  normal  man  finds  an  expression  of  his 
instincts,  his  talents  and  his  energies  have  never  been  neglected.  He  is  a 
worthy  citizen  of  Dearborn  county,  honored  and  respected  by  all  of  its  people. 


,        •   -    JULIUS  POLLOCK  CARTER. 

F(ir  three  generations  the  Carter  family  have  been  influential  citizens  in 
the  commercial  life  of  at  least  three  states,  Lidiana,  Ohio  and  West  Virginia. 
By  marriage,  the  familv  has  also  tak'en  a  leading  part  in  the  industrial  and 
agricultural  development  of  two  or  three  other  states.  Samuel  Hunter  Bell 
Carter,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  the  generations  of  which  Julius  Pollock 
Carter  is  a  representative,  owned  a  vast  tract  of  land  in  West  Virginia,  a  part 
of  which  is  now  the  site  of  the  city  of  Wheeling.  !Mr.  Carter  is  one  of  those 
men  who  has  thoroughly  mastered  the  business  with  which  he  is  connected. 
He  is  the  vice-president  of  the  Greendale  Distilling  Company  and  has  held 
this  office  in  the  firm  since  191 4.  .Mr.  Carter's  residence  is  at  2221  Park  ave- 
nue, \\'alnut  Hills.  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  but  his  business  interests  are  largely 
in  the  city  of  Law renceburg,  where  he  is  ver\-  prominent  and  very  popular  in 
the  commercial  and   financial  life  of  the  city. 

Julius  Pollock  Carter  was  born  on  September  22,  1S76,  at  Petersburg, 
Kentucky.  He  is  the  son  of  Richard  and  Catherine  (  Smith  )  Carter.'  Although 
Richard  Carter  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  he  was  reared  at  Wheeling  and  edu- 
cated there.  ]Mrs.  Catherine  Carter  was  a  native  of  Kentucky.  She  was  the 
mother  of  four  children  :  Julius  Pollock,  the  subject  of  our  sketch  ;  Elizabeth, 
who  married  Nathaniel  E.  Scpublj,  of  Lawrenceburg;  Richard,  of  Chicago. 
Illinois:  and  Ethel,  who  is  tlie  wife  of  H.  L.  Hodell.  of  Norwood.  Ohio. 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA.  957 

It  is  a  fact  that  the  fortunes  of  individuals,  as  well  as  the  fortunes  of 
families  and  nations,  sometimes  turn  upon  small  events.  It  is  an  interestin.cf 
fact  that  Richard  Carter  received  his  introduction  intu  the  dislillin;.^  business, 
which  lie  afterwards  followed  until  his  death,  by  making  apple  hrandv  out  of 
the  apples  which  he  gathered  from  his  father's  orchard.  He  was  also  consid- 
ered an  expert  in  the  manufacture  of  compressed  }cast.  Mr.  Carter  passed 
av,  ay  in  his  fort_\-si.\th  year  in  1S85.  His  widciw  is  still  lix'ing  and  is  now 
sixty  years  old.  ?^[r.  Carter  was  a  member  of  the  r'resl)\  terian  church.  -His 
widow  is  a  member  (if  the  Christian  church.  He  was  a  SdUhcr  in  the  Civil 
\\'ar  and  ser\-ed  valiantly  as  a  private  in  a  battery  of  lieavv  ;irtiller\-  recruited 
in  \\'est  \'irginia,  or  in  that  portion  of  the  state  of  old  Virginia  which,  during 
the  war,  was  set  apart  from  the  eastern  section  and  which  became  West 
Virginia. 

Samuel  Hunter  Eell  Carter,  who  was  the  patenal  grandfalher  of  Tubus 
Pollock',  married  ^Martha  Bishop.  They  were  both  nati\-es  of  i)ld  \'ii'ginia 
but  died  in  West  Virginia,  he  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  and  slie  at  the  age  of 
sixty-five.  He  owned  a  tract  of  land  of  two  thousand  acres  in  West  \'irginia. 
a  part  of  which  is  now  the  site  of  the  city  of  Wheeling,  in  fact,  it  was  his 
father  who  established  the  city  of  \\'heeling.  Samuel  H.  P..  and  Martha  Car- 
ter had  a  large  family  of  children,  including  the  following:  John,  Jam:s, 
Richard,  W^illiam,  Sarah,  Elizabeth,  Emma,  Abigail,  Samuel  and  Eva.  Will- 
iam ^^'al]ace  Smith  was  the  maternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Carter.  He  married 
]\Iarv  McXeely.  He  was  a  nati\'e  of  Xew  York  state  and  she  of  Kentucky. 
For  man\"  rears  he  v.as  engaged  in  the  grocerv  business  at  Petersliurg.  Ken- 
tucky, and  tliere  built  up  a  large  and  flourishing  trade.  He  was  well  known  in 
that  communit}-.  His  children  were  A\'il!iam,  John.  Harr}-,  P>enjamin,  Sue. 
Ida  and  Catherine. 

Wlien  Ricliard  and  Catherine  Carter  left  Petersburg,  Kentucky,  and 
moved  to  East  ^fillstone,  New  Jersey,  their  son,  Julius  P.,  was  an  infant  two 
years  old.  Here  they  lived  for  seven  years  and  during  this  period,  'Sir.  Car- 
ter's father  dleA.  Julius  P.  then  came  to  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  and  grew  to 
manhood  in  this  state.  He  was  fourteen  years  old  when  he  came  from  Xew 
Jersey  to  Lawrenceburg  and  had  not  finished  his  education  at  the  time.  After 
leaving  the  Lawrenceburg  schools,  he  engaged  in  the  distilling  business 
and  has  been  engaged  in  this  business  ever  since. 

Julius  C.  Carter  was  married  on  December  9,  1S97,  to  Florence  Squibb, 
the  daughter  of  the  late  William  P.  and  Frances  (Plummer)  Squibb.  They 
have  had  two  children,  Julian  and  Catlierine. 


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-.;t  '-y 


.'(■'  VifllllJ 


958  DEAKBORX  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

Mrs.  Carter  was  bom  in  Aurora,  Indiana,  and  lier  parents'  fqmily  histor\- 
is  g'iven  in  tlie  biographies  of  George  L.  P.  and  Xathaniel  E.  Sqnibij,  lier 
brothers,  presented  elsewhere  in  this  vohnne.  It  nifiy  be  said,  however,  at 
this  point  tliat  Mrs.  Carter's  father  and  grandfather  were  prominent  citizens 
in  southern  Indiana  during  a  peri(jd  of  more  than  three-quarters  of  a  century. 

As  vice-president  of  the  (ircendale  Di.-tillery  Company,  \lv.  Carter  has 
filled  a  l.irge  place  ami:ing-  the  business  men  of  Dearborn  county.  Although 
he  lives  in  Cincinnati,  his  business  interests  are  in  this  cotinty  and  here  he 
is  well  know  n.  Mr.  Carter  is  especially  well  liked  by  the  business  men  of  this 
communitN'  with  whom  he  has  cast  fortune  and  here,  with  many  distinguished 
business  men,  he  is  devoting  the  best  labor  of  his  life.  .  .     ,■    ,  ■■ 


EZRA  PHILIP  HAYES. 


\\'hile  ndthing  perhaps  is  t')  be  gained  b_\-  the  worsln'p  of  one's  ancestors, 
yet  one  is  scarcely  human  if  h.e  fails  to  take  a  just  pride  in  what  thev  ha\e 
accomplished,  or  at  least  more  than  a  passing  interest  in  what  manner  of 
people  they  were.  Ezra  Philip  Hayes  is  a  representative  of  the  third  genera- 
tion of  the  Ha}'es  family  in  Dearborn  county.  P.oth  his  father  and  his 
grandfather,  the  former  nf  whom  was  a  pioneer  in  this  section,  were  identified 
with  every  enterprise  wliich  might  call  furth  the  best  talent  and  the  best 
energies  of  the  respective  generations  in  which  thev  lived.  The  Hayes  family 
have  always  been  foremost  in  business,  banking  and  agriculture  in  Dearborn 
county.  Ezra  Philip  Hayes  from  the  time  of  his  youth  has  been  es[)ecially 
interested  in  public  affairs,  and  nut  only  has  he  ser\-ed  his  home  cit\-  for 
several  years  as  postmaster,  but  he  has  been  a  striking  and  influential  figure 
in  all  public  enterprises  of  his  time.  He  is  a  good  citizen  and  is  p(jpular 
among  his  fellow  townsmen. 

Born  on  November  23,  1S69,  in  Greendale,  Lawrenceburg,  Dearborn 
county,  Indiana,  Ezra  Philip  Flayes  is  the  son  of  Ezra  G.  and  Laura  M. 
(Morgan)  Haye>.  natives  of  Dearlxjrn  county,  Indiana,  and  the  fdrmer  a 
banker  frir  many  years  in  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg  and  one  of  the  principal 
organizers  of  Due  of  the  prominent  banks  of  this  city.  At  one  time  it  was 
one  of  the  very  strongest  financial  institutions  in  the  state  of  Indiana,  and 
Ezra  Ha}-cs,  Sr..  was  connected  with  that  bank  for  many  }-ears.  Pie  was  a 
pork  packer,  a  distiller,  and  was  largely  interested  in  the  real  estate  transac- 
tions which  took  place  during  his  life  in  Dearborn  county.     During  his  active 


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DEARBORX  COUNTY,   INDIANA.  959 

career  he  was  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  and  influential  business  nien 
of  Lawrenccburg.  It  is  a  matter  of  good  fortune  that  he  has  been  able  to 
live  to  see  the  full  fnn'tion  of  his  labors,  being  now  past  eighty-eight  years 
old.  He  held  a  number  of  prominent  appointive  offices.  He  has  always  lived 
either  in  Greendale  or  Homestead.  Mrs.  Laura  'M.  (Morgan)  Hayes,  having 
died  in  1874,  her  husband  was  married  tn  Caroline  Major,  who  passed  away 
in  1914.  leaving  no  children.  Ry  the  first  marriage  there  were  nine  children, 
only  fiiur  cif  whom  are  living,  as  follow:  Ezra  I'hilip,  of  Lawrenccburg; 
Arthur  L.,  of  Naslnille,  Tennessee:  Mrs.  Jacob  r^I.  Bauer,  of  Lawrenccburg; 
and  ).Irs.  R.  M.  Duvall,  of  Lawrenccburg.  whose  husband  is  deceased.  The 
deceased  children  are  Laura,  whrj  was  the  wife  of  O.  T.  Ludlow,  of  Lawrencc- 
burg; Martha  E.,  who  married  Jaspar  Guarst :  Joseph,  and  two  who  died  in 
infancy,  Scott  and  Theresa. 

Joseph  Hayes,  who  was  (.me  of  the  original  three  Hayes  brothers  wlio 
came  from  Pennsylvania  to  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  in  pioneer  times,  was 
the  paternal  grandfather  of  Ezra  Philip  Hayes.  He  married  a  ]Miss  Billingsly, 
and  after  a  long  and  useful  life  in  Dearborn  county,  when  it  was  on  the 
frontier  of  ci\'ilizat;on,  they  passed  awav  in  this  county,  after  rearing  a  large 
family  of  ch.ildrcn.  Xancy.  I'riscilla.  Olha,  Walter,  Jacob  and  Ezra.  They 
were  very  old  people  at  the  time  of  their  death.  Joseph  Hayes  was  the 
son  of  Captain  Playes.  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionarv  ^Var. 

The  mother  of  Ezra  Philip,  who  before  her  marriage  was  Laura  M. 
Morgan,  \\'as  the  daughter  of  .Andrew  Alorgan,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania 
and  a  pioneer  of  Dearborn  county.  Andrew  Morgan  and  wife,  after  rearing 
a  family  of  five  children,  Laura  M..  Mrs.  Martha  Soper,  ?vlrs.  Rachel  Probasco. 
John  and  William  Morgan,  passed  away  after  having  led  useful  Ii\-es.  They 
had  kept  a  hutel  in  Xewton,  which  was  a  part  of  Lawrenccburg.  and  were 
pioneers  in  this  vicinity. 

Ezra  Philip  Hayes,  who  belongs  to  the  family  which  is  said  to  liave 
given  nine  of  its  members  to  the  cause  of  independence  during  the  days  of 
the  American  Re\-olution.  and  whose  grandfather  came  to  this  region  and 
made  heavy  in\estments  in  land  when  it  was  still  an  untraveled  \vilderness. 
was  reared  in  Greendale,  Lawrenccburg,  and  is  what  might  be  called  a  product 
of  the  Lawrenccburg  public  and  high  schools.  Born  in  this  county  and  edu- 
catedjiere,  he  began  work  early  in  life  for  the  Bauer  cooperage  works,  hrsr 
as  a  foreman  and  later  as  assistant  superintendent  of  the  plant.  Having 
served  in  this  capacity  for  a  period  of  twent}-  years,  he  recei\'ed  the  appi'iint- 
ment  as  postmaster  of  Lawrenccburg  during  the  second  administration  of  j 
President   Roosevelt,  in    1906.  and   being   reapiwinted  by    former   President 


<''>   ^.',;    f  .•ts:rr':;i  ;■  vi    -i,-/    orf   T-^oif;' 


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■960  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INIHANA. 

Taft,  served  until  1914.  Mr.  Hayes  held  this  office  for  eight  years,  and 
during  the  period  won  an  enviable  reputation  for  courtesy,  efficiencv  and 
punctuality  in  the  business  of  the  office.  Although  the  impression  has  been 
abroad  for  some  years  that  the  office  of  postmaster  is  a  sinecure,  this  impres- 
sion has  gained  small  color  from  the  fact  that  only  the  most  capable  citizens 
of  a  community  are  considered  eligible  to  the  office.  }i[oreovcr  the  impression 
has  been  pretty  thoroughly  dispelled  by  the  very  few  cases  where  this  office 
actually  has  been  mismanaged.  There  was  ne\'er  a  time'  during  the  adminis- 
tration of  ]\Ir.  Hayes  that  the  people  of  Lawrenceburg  did  not  enjov  prompt 
and  efficient  ser\-ice.  He  is  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  best  postmasters 
that  Lawrenceburg  ever  had. 

Ezra  Philip  Hayes  v.-as  married  on  Xovember  iS.  1896,  to  Mabel  Fagaly, 
daughter  of  \\'illiam  S.  and  Matilda  V.  (Cottingham)  Fagaly,  and  there 
have  been  two  children  born  to  this  union.  Ezra  B.  and  Mildred. 

Mrs.  Hayes'  father,  William  S.  Fagaly.  a  native  of  Hamilton  county, 
Ohio,  and  reared  there  on  a  farm,  bv  occujinti'in  or  profession  was  a  farmer, 
school  teacher,  merchant  and  public  official  in  Dearborn  county.  He  is  now 
living  retired.  He  was  deput}-  auditr)r  of  Dearborn  countv  for  eight  years,  and 
after  that  served  eight  years  as  auditor  of  the  county. 

To  W  illiam  S.  and  Matilda  V.  Fagaly  were  born  six  children,  as  follow: 
Dr.  Arthur  T.,  of  Lawrenceburg:  Roy,  of  North  Bend,  Ohio;  Mrs.  Ezra 
P.  Hayes;  Guy  X.,  of  Burnside.  Kentucky;  Carrie,  of  Lawrenceburg,  and 
Edward  M.,  of  Cincinnati. 

Mrs.  Hayes'  mother,  ^latilda  V.  ('Cottingham)  Fagaly,  was  the  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Eliza  (Stoms)  Cottingham.  ^Matilda  was  born  in  Dearborn 
county.  Indiana,  in  1849.  The  parents  of  ]Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cottingham  came 
from  Maryland  and  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  in  Dearborn  county. 
Thomas  was  a  cousin  of  the  late  ]\Irs.  Oliver  Perrin.  of  Cincinnati.  The 
grandmother  of  Thomas  Cottingham  was  Frances  Nelson,  a  relative  of  Lord 
Nelson,  the  hero  of  Trafalgar.  Mrs.  Matilda  V.  (Cottingham)  Fagalv  was 
a  devout  member  of  the  Christian  church.     She  died  on  October  20.  19 12. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  ]\l'rs.  Matilda  V.  Fagaly  became  a  farmer 
in  Hamilton  county.  Ohio,  and  died  on  the  home  farm  in  1863.  at  the  age 
of  fifty-six.  His  wife  died  in  1890,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years.  They  were 
the  parents  of  eleven  children:  George  W.,  James  H.,  Rosalie  E.,  Francis 
M..  John  L.,  Elizabeth,  William  S.,  and  four  who  died  young.  The  Fagaly 
family,  whose  name  originally  was  spelled  Voeg'ele.  is  of  German  origin  and 
was  established  in  this  country  by  George  Fagaly,  the  paternal  great-granrl- 
father  of  Mrs.  Hayes,  who  settled  in  Maryland  after  arriving  in  America  and 


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1^    v-    iitms. 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  g6l 

there  died  Sul)scqiiontly  liis  wife  came  west  and  located  in  Cincinnati,  on 
ten  acres  of  land  comprising  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Mound  streets,  and 
lived  tliere  for  some  time,  and  tiien  moved  farther  out  to  the  country.  Mrs. 
Hades'  maternal  grandfather,  William  Stuart,  who  married  Mary  Tate,  was 
a  pioneer  in  Dearborn  county  and  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812.  Mary  Tate's 
father  was  Doctor  Tate,  a  famous  surgeon  in  the  American  Revolution. 

T^Ir.  and  .-Mrs.  Ezra  Philip  Hayes  are  members  of  the  Episcopal  church, 
in  which  Mr.  Hayes  is  a  vestryman.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  Lawrence- 
burg  Lodge  No.  4,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  is  a  member  of  Lawrenceburg 
Chapter  No.  56,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  a  Knights  Templar.  Mr.  Hayes 
is  also  a  memlier  of  Dearborn  Lodge  No.  49,  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  after  serving  a  part  of  one  term  as  a  member  of  the 
city  council  by  appointment,  was  afterwards  elected  and  served  one  complete 
term.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  as  councilman.  Mr.  Hayes  was  appointed 
postmaster. 

Ezra  Philip  Hayes,  although  he  has  served  a  comparatively  long  period 
in  public  life,  is  nevertheless  a  man  of  modest  manners  and  retiring  disposi- 
tion. He  lays  no  claim  to  greatness  and  would  be  the  last  man  in  the  world 
to  emphasize  or  to  suggest  as  a  claim  for  preferment  his  own  personal  services. 
Since  retiring  from  the  postmastership  he  has  been  engaged  in  tlie  fire 
insurance  business  and  is  also  interested  in  the  automobile  industr\-,  being  a 
heavv  stockholder  in  the  Dearborn  ^hjtor  Company.  Air.  Hayes  is  closely 
attached  by  many  ties  to  the  progress  of  this  community.  He  has  always 
given  to  it  and  will  always  continue  to  give  to  it  his  very  best  energies  and 
his  very  best  inspiration. 


REV.  FRANK  HENRY  SONDERAL^NN. 

It  is  interesting  and  instructive  to  follow  the  life  of  the  man  whose  name 
stands  at  the  head  of  this  sketch.  In  fact,  it  is  always  a  pleasure  to  write 
the  biographv  of  men  ^\  ho  have  accomplislied  things :  men  who  have  not 
allowed  themselves  to  get  into  a  common  rut  and  stay  there.  Before  com- 
mencing his  studies  for  the  priesthood  the  subject  of  this  .sketch  fitted  himself 
with  a  thorough  education,  including  several  languages,  among  which  were 
Latin.  Greek,  German  and  English,  thus  lessening  the  difficulties  of  his  work 
later  in  life. 

Frank  Henry  Sondermann,  son  of  Albert  and  Frances  fRademaker) 
Sondermann.  was  born  on  February  21,  1873,  at  Ferdinand,  Indiana,  where 

(61) 


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■  ;  >'(   -rri/   "-  ■ 

I'l'!'    ,:T,ViJ    ^(ii    i'.  '     /-ji 


DEARBORiSr  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  963 

by  a  man  named  Poschen,  and  a  few  years  later,  when  ATr.  I'oschen  wislieJ. 
to  retire  from  business,  he  made  iAIr.  Sondermann  such  an  attractive  propo- 
sition that  he  took  the  business  over  and  assumed  the  management  himself, 
and,  making  a  success  of  his  new  venture,  he  began  to  have  thoughts  toward 
a  housekeeping  establislimcnt  of  his  own.  He  was  soon  afterward  united 
in  marriage  with  Frances  Rademaker.  who  was  horn  on  Xi.nemher  4,  184S. 
Mr.  Sondermann  was  a  devout  memljer  of  the  Calhohc  church  and  a  faith lul 
voter  of  the  Democratic  ticket.  After  the  death  of  her  husljand.  on  Se])tenil]er 
10,  1SS4,  Airs.  Si;ndcrmann  assumed  the  management  of  tlie  store,  which 
she  conducted  in  a  very  successful  manner,  until  she  turned  it  over  to  hct 
sons,  Joseph  and  Frank  H.,  in  the  fall  of  1S91.  Airs.  Sondermann  was  a  native 
of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  mo\'ed  to  Hall  township,  Dubois  county,  Indiana, 
with  her  parents,  while  still  quite  young.  She  died  on  Septcmlier  21,  [S;,;. 
Mr.  and  Airs.  Sondermann  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  Joseph,  Alary, 
Frank  Henry,  Bertha,  Alatilda,  Albertine,  and  three  wIki  died  in  infanc}-. 
August,   Rose  and  Louise. 

Joseph  Sondermann,  the  eldest  son  of  Albert  and  Frances,  was  married 
to  CathrAiie  Luken,  and  is  nov.-  a  banker  and  a  \'ery  jirominent  and  influential 
man  in  Ferdinand,  Indiana.  They  have  two  children,  Albert  and  \'erene. 
Alary  is  a  Sister  of  Providence  at  St.  Alary  of  the  W^oods,  near  ^"erre  Haute, 
Lidiana.  Bertha  is  deceased.  Alatilda  and  Albertine  are  keeping  house  for 
their  brotlier,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  at  Yorkville.  Indiana. 

Father  Sundermann  takes  such  a  personal  interest  in  the  w^rk  in  connec- 
tion with  the  building  of  his  new  church,  that  he  d.oes  not  hesitate  to  flon 
overalls  and  lend  a  helping  hand  whenever  necessary.  Anything  from  explain- 
ing blue  prints  to  unloading  bricks  with  the  bo}'s  is  all  right  to  him.  lie  is 
an  extremely  intelligent  and  interesting  conversationalist  and,  in  e\er\"  way. 
is  a  pleasant  man  to  meet. 


'Jy-A     '      '  PROF.  NATHAN  L.  RICHAIOND. 

Though  having  been  established  but  a  few  years,  the  fame  of  Rich- 
mond's Aurora  Business  College  has  sjiread  far  lieyond  the  confines  of  Dear- 
l)Orn  countv  and  graduates  of  t'.iis  excellent  Inisiness  college  dailv  are  cr\  ing 
its  praises.  Prof.  Nathan  L.  Richmond,  proprietvir  of  the  business  college 
which  bears  his  name,  at  .Aurora,  this  county,  is  a  native  of  this  section  of 
the  state  and  the  best  interests  of  this  part  of  Imliana  ever  ha\-e  been  dear  to 
his  heart.   He  therefore  has  been  putting  the  very  best  there  is  in  h.im  into 


•J-:.-.  1  :.rl- 


.;;.'■ 


CTXOUUDTq  ..I  ■ZATIT/.Z  ."-fOH'I 


7-1  ,iH..-.r.,  ..iX    ... 


964  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

that  city  in  1914,  and  tlie  course  there  gi\'en  is  second  to  none  in  point  of 
effectiveness  in  the  Middle  West.  This  school  is  growing  in  favor  more  and 
more  every-  day  and  now  has  an  enrollment  of  about  fifty  enthusiastic  pupils, 
who  are  being  given  the  very  best  training-  in  shorthand  and  a  general  busi- 
ness course,  mathematics  and  coni.mercia!  law,  with  emphasis  on  penman.-^hip 
and  business  forms,  it  being  Professor  Richmond's  earnest  desire  to  c>[iu\) 
his  pupils  thoroughly  for  practical  business  life  in  tlie  shortest  possible  time 
consistent  with  effective  instruction.  The  saving  of  time  and  expense  to 
young  people  from  this  section  of  the  country  who  are  seeking  a  business 
course  with  a  view  to  entering  quickly  upon  responsible  positions  in  the  busi- 
ness life  of  this  region  have  been  noted  from  the  very  start  of  the  Richmond 
school  and  many  are  availing  themselves  of  this  opportunity.  ]Manv  of  Pro- 
fessor Richmond's  former  graduates  are  earning  annual  salaries  of  from  fif- 
teen hundred  to  eight  thousand  dollars,  and  it  is  agreed  on  all  sides  hereabout 
that  the  people  of  this  vicinity  should  give  their  hearty  support  to  this  institu- 
tion, as  it  is  bringing  right  to  their  doors  the  opportunity  for  their  _\oung 
people  to  acquire  efficient  business  training  at  a  minimum  cost. 

Nathan  L.  Richmond  was  born  near  the  village  of  Hartford,  Ohin 
count}',  Indiana,  son  of  Peter  and  JNIelissa  (VanOsdol)  Richmond),  the  former 
of  whom  was  born  in  Switzerland  county,  Indiana,  and  the  latter  was  born 
in  Ohio  county,  Indiana. 

Peter  Richmond  was  born  near  the  village  of  Allenville,  in  Switzerland 
county,  si_in  of  Orrin  and  [Margaret  (Paer)  Richmond,  natives  of  New  York 
state,  who  left  their  liome  near  Chautauqua  and  came  to  this  section  of  the 
state  at  an  early  day.  spending  the  rest  of  their  lives  here.  Orrin  Richmond, 
whose  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionar}-  A\'ar,  was  a  miller  and  alsLi 
engaged  in  farming  in  Switzerland  county,  for  many  years  being  one  of  the 
best-known  men  thereabout.  Both  he  and  his  wife  lived  to  ripe  old  ages,  the 
latter  being  nearly  one  hundred  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her  death.  They 
were  the  parents  of  fourteen  children,  of  whom  David,  Reuben,  Josiah,  John. 
William,  Peter,  Margaret,  Elizabeth  and  Charles  grew  to  maturitv  and  left 
issue. 

Peter  Richmond  was  reared  to  both  the  life  of  a  miller  and  farmer,  both 
of  which  vocations  he  followed.  He  also  was  an  expert  carpenter  and  cabi- 
netmaker and  as  a  building  contractor  built  many  of  the  houses  and  barns 
in  the  vicinity  of  his  home  in  Switzerland  and  Ohio  counties.  During  the 
Civil  War  Peter  Richmond  aided  in  mustering  several  companies  of  soldiers 
under  Capt.  Moses  Cole.  Pie  was  an  expert  fifer  and  served  under  two  enlist- 
ments, being  mustered  v  ith  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and  Seventeenth  Regi- 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  965 

nient,  and  also  Company  H,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-Sixtli  Regiment  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry.  After  the  war  he  continued  to  follow  his  trade  as  a  car- 
penter and  later  became  a  farmer,  though  still  engaged  in  building  conlracting, 
which  he  continued  to  the  time  of  his  death  in  1895,  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven 
years.  His  widow  survives  him  and  is  now  seventy-eight  years  of  age.  She  is 
the  daughter  of  Xathan  A.  and  Elizabeth  (Crowley)  VauOsdol,  natives  uf 
Pennsyh-ania,  who  came  to  Indiana  at  an  early  day  in  the  settlement  of  this 
section  of  the  state  and  located  in  what  is  now  Ohio  county,  it  then  being  a  part 
of  Dearborn  county,  and  lived  to  good  old  ages,  rearing  a  large  famil\-  in  wa}"s 
of  usefulness,  their  children  being  ]\Ielissa,  Boston  \V.,  John  W..  Margaret 
A.,  Nancy  Jane,  ^^'illiam  \\'.,  Charles  L..  Elizabeth  and  Franklin. 

To  Peter  and  ^^lelissa  (VanOsdol)  Richmond  were  born  seven  children, 
namely:  Nathan  L.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketcli ;  ]\Iilton  O.,  of 
Rising  Sun,  Indiana :  Cearella,  of  Ohio  county,  this  state :  Annie,  of  the  same 
county;  Charles  C.  who  is  engaged  in  the  United  States  mail  service,  in  Cin- 
cinnati ;  Reuben  'M..  who  is  assistant  cashier  of  the  .\urora  State  Bank,  of 
Aurora,  this  county;  and  Estella,  wife  of  Walter  Planson,  of  Indianapolis. 

Nathan  L.  Richmond  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Ohio  count}-  and 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  received  his  elemcntarv  education  in  the  cum^ 
mon  schools  of  Ohio  county  and  later  attended  the  Indiana  State  Normal  at 
Terre  Haute,  supplementing  this  course  b}'  a  thorough  commercial  anrl  scien- 
tific course  in  the  Central  Normal  College,  at  Danville,  Indiana.  In  the  mean- 
time iie  had  taught  several  terms  of  school  in  the  common  schools  of  his  home 
county  and  upon  the  completion  of  his  commercial  course  was  called  on  to 
organize  and  conduct  the  commercial  department  of  the  Eureka  College,  at 
Eureka,  Illinois,  in  which  capacity  he  was  employed  for  a  period  of  four  years, 
at  the  end  of  which  time  he  resigned  to  accept  a  similar  position  in  Grand 
Prairie  Seminary,  at  Onarga.  Illinois,  where  he  remaned  for  fve  years.  He 
then  bought  a  half  interest  in  the  Ottawa  Business  University  at  Ottawa.  Illi- 
nois, and  while  connected  with  that  institution  organized  a  commercial  college 
at  Kankakee.  Illinois,  and  was  there  for  twenty  ^■ears.  He  sold  his  interest  in 
that  school  in  1913  to  the  Brown  Business  College  Company  and.  on  account 
of  ill  health,  retired  for  a  time  from  teaching.  After  taking  a  rest  of  a  few 
months,  he  was  induced  by  the  business  men  of  Aurora,  this  count}',  to  open 
a  business  college  in  that  city.  Upon  proper  investig'ation,  he  was  convinced 
of  the  desirability  of  such  a  location,  in  consideration  of  the  large  population 
to  be  drawn  on  from  this  part  of  the  state  and  from  Kentuck\',  anfl  on  October 
5,  T914.  opened  his  business  college,  the  same  having  received  mucli  encourage- 
ment since  that  time. 


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966  DRARI'.OKX  COUNTY,   IXniAXA. 

On  June  18,  18S9,  Nathan  L.  Richmond  was  united  in  marriage  tu 
Theona  M.  Ward,  of  Kcntland,  Indiana,  daugliler  of  Judge  Peter  H.  and 
Mary  (Windell)  W'ard,  the  former  of  whom  for  fifteen  years  was  judge  nf  | 

the  thirteenth  judicial  district  of  Indiana,  and  who  died  at  Pennfield,  Indiana.  | 

in  1912,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.     Mrs.  Richmond  is  tlie  only  child  of  | 

iicr  parents'  union,  her  mother  ha\-inei'  died  when  she  Avas  a  small  child.  She  3 

was  born  in  Cleveland.  Ohi<:i,  and  was  gi\'en  an  excellent  education.     She  is  i 

an  expert  stenographer  and  has  given  her  husband  much  able  assistance  in  | 

the  management  of  his  various  schools.  3 

Professor  and  ]\Irs.  Richmond  are  members  of  the  ?i[ethridist  church  and  j 

during  their  short  residence  in  Aurora  have  entererl  acti\el_\'  into  the  gooil  | 

works  of  the  community,  being  much  interested  in  all  movements  designed  | 

to  promote  the  common  welfare.  Professor  Richmond  is  a  Republican  and 
gives  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  political  affairs,  being  a  pronounced  advo- 
cate of  good  government  in  all  departments  of  the  administration  of  the  pul)- 
lic's  affairs.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  at  Onarga,  Illinois;  of 
the  ^Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  of  the  Court  of  Honor.  Professor 
Richmond  is  doing  well  the  part  he  has  undertaken  to  perform  in  the  edu- 
cational life  of  this  county  and  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  he  has  aniply 
earned  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  entire  community. 


'■■  -      '    '•    '  ■'.'■■'      ANDERSON  M.  T.  JAAIES. 

The  distilling  business  is  one  of  the  largest  single  enterprises  located  in 
the  citv  of  Lawrenceburg,  and  in  Dearborn  county.  This  business  directly 
and  indirectlv  gives  employment  to  thousands  of  people.  At  the  same  time 
the  regulations  of  the  distillery  business  which  the  federal  government  has 
imposed  have  also  made  it  necessary  for  the  government  to  maintain  in  Dear- 
Ijorn  county  many  storekeeper-gangers,  among  whom  is  Andrew  ]M.  T.  James, 
who  came  from  the  school  room  into  the  government  service. 

Anderson  }vf.  T.  James  is  a  native  of  Jennings  county,  Indiana,  having 
been  born  near  Lovett,  March  12,  1863.  His  parents  were  Joseph  \V.  and 
Damsel  f^McGannon)  James,  the  frirmer  of  whom  w-as  a  native  of  Kentucky 
and  the  latter  a  native  of  Indiana.  Anderson  James  was  one  of  eleven  chil- 
dren. Of  these  children :  Sarah  married  Allen  Shepherd,  who  lived  near  Co- 
miske,  Indiana:  John  died  in  1914:  Enoch  D.  lives  in  Indianapolis;  Joseph  W. 
lives  near  Comiske ;   Laura   Belle   married   Lewis   Orbison,   of   IMinneapolis. 


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PEARBURN  COUNTY,   IXDIAXA.  Cjfly 

Minnesota;  Mary  E.  married  \V.  P.  ^vlalick,  of  Indianapolis;  Anderson  M.  T. 
is  the  subject  of  tliis  skctcii ;  Matjgie  C.  married  T.  L.  'I'homas,  of  Vernon. 
Indiana;  Martha  A.  married  M.  J.  Ewing,  of  Slreldon,  Illinois;  and  two  died 
in  earl}^  cliiklliood. 

Anderson  I\I.  T.  James  was  reared  on  liis  father's  farm  in  Jeiminys 
county,  and  attended  the  district  schools  of  tliat  count)-.  lie  li\'ed  at  liome 
luuil  he  had  reached  maturity  and  then  began  working  out  by  the  month  on 
neighl)i)ring  farms.  In  the  meantime  he  liad  begun  to  teach  school,  and  after 
working  out  one  summer  taught  the  following  year.  He  taught  eighteen 
terms  of  school  in  Jennings  count}-,  having  begun  wh.en  he  was  eighteen  years 
old.  Mr.  James  canie  to  Lawrenceljurg.  T^Iarch  i,  189S,  to  become  United 
States  storekeeper-ganger,  and  still  holds  this  position. 

Anderson  ]M.  T.  James  was  married  on  Deceniber  22,  18S7,  to  xAriadne 
Adams,  daughter  of  Thomas  H.  and  Catherine  (Patrick)  Adams.  Four 
children  ha\-e  been  born  to  this  marriage,  Grace,  Clyde,  Charles  and  Man . 
Grace  is  a  graduate  of  the  Lawrenceburg  high  school  and  of  Indiana  Unixer- 
sity  at  Bloomington.  She  is  now  a  teacher  in  the  Lawrenceburg  public  schods. 
Clyde  is  employed  by  the  Procter  &  Gamble  Company,  at  Cincinnati.  He  is 
a  graduate  of  the  La  \-renceburg-  high  school  and  \vas  a  student  at  Purdue 
University  for  two  years.  He  married  Caroline  Zech.  Charles  is  a  high 
school  graduate  and  also  a  graduate  (-if  Purdue  I'niversity,  where  he  is  now 
an  instructor.     Mar}-  is  attending  the  Lawrenceburg  high  school. 

Mr.  James'  father  was  rearerl  in  Jeimings  county,  Indiana,  and  li\  ed 
there  froni  the  time  he  was  three  months  old,  having  come  to  the  county  with 
his  parents  from  near  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky,  in  1816.  Joseph  W.  James 
had  a  twin  brother,  Enoch.  Joseph  W.  grew  up  on  the  farm  and  lived  all 
his  life  on  the  farm.  Pie  also  at  one  time  ran  a  grist-mill.  He  died  on  the 
farm  in  September.  1S87,  ;•  t  the  age  of  se\'ent}--one  years.  His  wife  died 
on  Juh-  5,  i8y8,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four.  P.oth  w-^ere  members  of  the  [Meth- 
odist church,  and  he  was  a  trustee  of  the  church  for  forty-five  years. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Anderson  James,  and  the  father  of  Joseph 
\\'.,  was  Thomas  Jefferson  James,  who  married  Sarah  Herman,  the  fori-ner 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  ai-id  the  latter  a  native  of  Germany.  They 
were  married  in  Kentucky,  and  were  farmers.  He  came  to  Indiana,  first  in 
18 1 2,  and  purchased  govemment  land.  Pie  cleared  a  farm  and  improved  it. 
and  owned  a  half  section  where  he  died.  Pie  was  born  in  1789.  Plis  wife,  who 
was  born  in  17S7,  died  in  1S72,  -,vhen  she  was  nearly  eighty-five  years  old. 
Their  five  children  were  as  follow:  Joseph  W.  and  Enoch  \V.  (twins),  Ann, 
Thomas  and  Nancv. 


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968  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  "  ' 

Mr.  James'  maternal  grandfather  was  Thomas  ]\IcGannon,  who  marrictl 
Nelh'e  Tanner.  Tliey  were  both  natives  of  Indiana,  and  lived  near  Vernon, 
where  they  kept  a  tavern  and  operated  a  farm.  They  died  there  at  advanced 
ages,  and  at  the  time  of  their  death  had  thirteen  children,  all  of  whom  lived  to 
rear  families.  The  children  in  the  order  of  their  birth  were  as  follow:  John. 
Nancy,  Samuel,  Penelope,  Anderson,  Martha,  Nellie,  Damsel,  Jane,  Thomas, 
Susaii,  Alice  and  another. 

]Mrs.  Anderson  M.  T.  James  was  born  near  Paris  Crossing,  Indiana, 
Afjril  25,  1S6S.  Iler  parents  were  natives  of  Indiana.  Her  father  died  in 
1907,  at  tlie  age  of  sixty-seven,  and  her  mother,  who  was  born  in  1S56,  i'. 
still  living  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine.  Airs.  James'  father  was  a  farmer.  He 
and  his  wife  had  five  children,  Edward,  Ivan  (deceased),  Ariadne,  Blanche 
and  Josephine.  Mrs.  James"  paternal  grandfather,  James  Adams,  married 
a  Miss  Scott.  They  were  early  settlers  in  Jennings  county,  Indiana,  having 
come  from  Kentuck}-.  The}-  had  two  children,  Thomas  and  Sallie  Ann.  Airs. 
James'  maternal  grandfather,  Isaac  Patrick,  married  a  Aliss  Campbell.  They 
were  natives  of  Indiana,  and  lived  in  Jennings!  county,  where  he  was  a  car- 
penter. Among  the  children  of  Isaac  Patrick  and  wife  were  George,  Henry, 
Gran\  ille,  .\ddie.  Ida,  Belle,  Alice. 

Mr.  and  Airs.  James  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which 
Mr.  James  is  an  elder.  Pie  belongs  to  Paris  Lodge  No.  505.  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  a  Rejiublican  in  politics,  but  during-  late  }-ears 
has  not  been  active  in  the  councils  of  his  party.  The  federal  government 
imposes  certain  restrictions  upon  the  political  activity  of  its  agents  and  Mr. 
James  has  not  been  active  for  that  reason.  He  lives  at  No.  108  Ridge  avenue, 
(Greendale)    in  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg. 


■\u  ■  LOUIS  H.  CONES. 

Ill 

As  the  descendant  of  his  paternal  grandfather  who  was  a  pioneer,  and 
prominent  in  his  div.  as  well  as  for  his  own  personalit}'  and  pr(-)minence,  the 
subject  of  this  short  biography  is  deserving  ot  mention  among  those  who  ha\e 
helped  to  make  this  county  what  it  is.  Both  father  and  grandfather  were 
benefactors  to  the  communities  in  which  they  made  their  homes,  and  their 
example  is  followed  in  the  present  case.  Louis  H.  Cones  was  born  in  the 
Burnett  House,  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  William  M.  and  Rebecca 
(Orange)'  Cones,  the  former  a  native  of  the  same  city,  and  the  latter  of  Vir- 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  969 

ginia.  Mr.  Cones  is  manager  of  tlie  Theodore  Heck  Furniture  Company,  of 
Aurora. 

The  paternal  grandparents  of  Mr.  Cones  were  John  Cones  and  his  wife. 
Nancy  (McCollough)  Cones,  natives  of  Virginia.  They  were  l)Oth  quite  aged 
at  the  time  of  their  deatlis.  both  passing-  away  in  Greensburg.  Decatur  county, 
Indiana.  The  children  of  this  houseliold  were  William  M.,  father  of  Louis  II., 
and  Washington  Cones,  formerly  a  Cincinnati  banker.  Grandfather  Cones 
built  the  first  brick  house  erected  in  Cincinnati.  His  daughter,  Elizabedi  Jane 
(Cones)  Banks,  was  the  mother  of  Mary  Victoria  (Banks)  Halstcad,  who 
was  the  wife  of  the  noted  editor,  ]\Iurat  Halstead. 

Taking  up  the  maternal  relationships,  it  is  found  that  the  grandfather 
on  the  mother's  side  was  a  man  of  more  than  the  ordinary  force  of  charac- 
ter. He  was  W'iHiani  Orange,  and  both  he  and  his  wife,  Barbara  (Tate) 
Orange,  were  natives  of  England.  Coming  to  Cincinnati  at  a  very  early  d.ay. 
they  grew  up  with  the  community,  then  oidy  a  village.  He  was  presiden.t  of 
the  Horticultural  Society,  at  one  time  director  of  Spring  Grove  Cemetery, 
and  in  other  enterprises  became  one  of  the  welbknown  men  of  Cincinnati.  A 
large  farm  still  in  possession  of  the  family  is  one  purchased  by  him. 

A  large  family  of  children  were  born  to  ]Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Cone^,  one 
of  them  being  W'illiam  M.,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  ]\Ir.  Cones. 
Sr.  was  for  }"ears  a  wholesale  dry  goods  merchant  in  Cincinnati,  atid  was 
sixty-four  years  at  the  time  of  his  death.  His  wife  was  but  thirty  }-ears 
of  age  when  she  passed  away.  Both  were  members  of  the  English  Episcopal 
church.  Their  children  were  two  in  number.  Clara  'SI.,  widow  of  A\'.  Sc.:>tt 
Baker,  at  present  a  resident  of  Newport,  Kentucky,  and  Louis  H. 

After  graduating  from  the  Cincinnati  high  school,  Louis  H.  Cones 
attended  the  Farmers  College,  and  then  traveled  all  over  the  Ignited  States. 
returning  to  Cincinnati  where  he  engaged  for  a  time  in  mercantile  business. 
In  1913  he  was  attracted  by  the  business  opportunities  of  Aurora,  and  at  that 
time  assumed  the  management  of  the  Heck  Furniture  Company,  a  p»osition 
which  he  still  holds. 

Louis  H.  Cones  married  Lizzie  (PeeO  Clark,  who  died  in  1895.  He 
aftenvard  married  Catherine  Clark,  sister  of  the  first  wife.  No  children  have 
been  born  of  either  union. 

The  firm  with  which  the  subject  is  connected  is  one  of  the  largest  in 
Aurora,  carrying  an  immense  stock  of  high-grade  furniture,  household  goods. 
rugs,  carpets  and  stoves,  and  doing  a  large  volume  of  business. 

Mr.  Cones  has  repeatedly  given  evidence  of  his  qualifications  as  a  busi- 


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9/0  DEARBORX  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

ness  man.  He  is  genial,  enterprising  and  public-spirited,  and  readily  wins 
the  respect  and  esteem  of  the  people  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact.  He  is 
a  member  of  Higliland  Lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias,  of  Cincinnati.  .\Ir.  Cones 
is  a  strong  Republican.     He  has  very  many  friends  in  and  around  Aurora. 


PETER   REAGAN. 


Peter  Reagan,  the  well-known  proprietor  of  Hotel  Reagan  at  Lawrence - 
burg,  Indiana,  is  one  of  the  most  popular  hotel  keepers  in  southern  Indiana. 
Mr.  Reagan's  popularity,  however,  is  not  confined  altogether  to  the  traveling 
public,  who  come  to  Lawrenceburg  as  his  guests.  Mr.  Reag'an  is  a  popular 
and  widely  admired  citizen  of  Lawrenceljurg,  in  Dearljorn  county,  and  is 
well  known  from  one  end  of  the  countv  to  the  other.  In  this  section  of  the 
state  it  ma}'  be  truly  said  that  'Mv.  Reagan  is  quite  as  well  known  and  quite 
as  popular  with  the  people  who  live  here  and  who  are  not  transient  guests  at 
the  hotel.  Mr.  Reagan  has  striven  hard  for  success  and  in  the  prime  of  life 
enjoys  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  his  success  is  to  be  computed  with 
no  small  measure.  !Mr.  Reagan's  parents  were  pioneers  in  this  section  of  the 
state,  the  name  Reagan  having  been  identified  with  the  life  of  this  section 
since  1852,  \\hen  bis  father  settled  at  Lawrenceburg. 

Peter  Reagan  was  bom  at  Cochran,  now  a  part  of  Aurora,  and  known 
as  West  Aurora,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  May  31,  1870.  He  is  the  son 
of  ]\Iichael  D.  and  Bridget  (Hickey)  Reagan,  who  were  natives  of  Ireland. 
Michael  D.  Reagan  was  a  native  of  County  Kerry,  and  his  wife  of  Bridge- 
town, County  Clare.  Of  their  children,  Peter  is  the  only  one  who  grew  to 
manhood.  Michael  D.  Reagan  during  his  life  was  a  man  Avho  was  much  loved 
by  the  people  of  Dearborn  coiinty.  He  was  reared  and  educated  in  Ireland, 
and  after  coming  to  America  in  1852,  settled  at  Lawrenceburg.  He  attended 
night  school  under  Miss  Jennie  Beach,  and  during  the  first  few  years  of  his 
residence  in  this  country  was  the  '"water  boss"  on  the  White  Water  Valley 
canal.  In  the  meantime,  however,  he  had  taken  to  railroading,  and  having 
learned  this  thoroughly  followed  it  until  his  death  in  1893.  At  the  time 
Michael  Reagan  passed  away  he  was  sixty-eight  years  old.  INIrs.  Michael 
Reagan  is  still  living.  She  was  born  on  December  25,  1840,  and  is  now 
seventv-five  years  old.  She  has  a  vivid  recollection  of  many  interesting, 
important  and  thrilling  events  of  the  early  history  of  Lawrenceburg  and 
Aurora,  and  is  entertaining  as  a  conversationalist.     She  tells  pioneer  stories 


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^vith  a  dramatic  finish  characteristic,  not  only  of  pioneer  woman,  but  charac- 
teristic of  her  people,  who  are  rated  as  the  best  story  tellers  ainon^ij  all  ihe 
peoples  of  the  earth.  Mrs.  ]Michael  Reagan  is  a  member  of  the  Catbulic  churcli, 
as  was  her  deceased  husband.  He  was  the  first  Irish  trustee  of  St.  I,;i\v- 
rcnce  church,  at  Lawrenceburg.  and  assisted  by  a  few  others,  helped  in  build 
the  church.  In  those  times  very  httle  money  was  available  and  personal  effort 
and  labor  counted  most.  }vlichael  Reagan  assisted  in  the  construction  of  the 
church  by  digging  out  stones  from  the  quarr_\-  and  carrying  them  to  the  build- 
ing. He  was  a  good  Christian  man  and  during  his  entire  bfe  was  a  faithful 
attendant  at  churcli. 

Six  years  after  the  arrival  of  ]\Iichael  Reagan  in  this  country  his  parents, 
I'eter  and  Bridget  fDelaney)  Reagan  came  to  the  L'nited  States.  The}-  were 
the  grandparents  of  Peter  Reagan,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Arriving  in 
this  countr\-  in  185S  from  County  Kerry,  Ireland,  they  settled  in  Lawrence- 
burg. .-V  few  vears  later  both  passed  away.  Thev  li\'ed  to  ripe  ages,  Peter 
Reagan,  Sr.,  having  died  when  ninety-si.x  years  old.  and  his  wife  when  only 
a  few  years  younger.  He  was  a  farmer  in  his  native  country,  and  reared 
a  large  famil_\-,  consisting  of  the  following  children,  Peter,  Dennis,  Patrick, 
Michael,  !\Iargaret,  Johannah,  Catherine,  Bridget  and  Phmora.  'Mr.  Reagan's 
maternal  grandparents,  who  were  also  of  Irish  birth,  never  came  to  this 
country.  Thomas  Hickey  and  his  wife,  ]\Iary  (Hayes)  Hickey,  had  two  chil- 
dren, Mrs.  Michael  D.  Reagan  and  John,  both  of  whom  came  to  -\merica  after 
the  death  of  the  father,  -\fter  living  a  short  time  in  Cincinnati  witli  hc" 
brother.  Mrs.  Reagan  came  to  Pawrenceburg  and  has  made  her  home  here  ever 
since.  Thomas  Hickey.  Mr.  Reagan's  maternal  grandfather,  was  the  sun  of 
Simon  and  ]\Iary  (Sullivan)  Plickey. 

Peter  Reagan  u'as  reared  in  Pawrenceburg,  and  attended  the  parochial 
school  until  thirteen  years  old.  He  then  went  to  work  in  a  stove  foundry 
and  learned  the  trade  of  a  stpve  mounter.  He  next  worked  in  a  carriage 
factory,  in  a  liver}'  stable  and  at  various  odd  jobs  and  pursuits.  Por  two 
years  he  was  in  the  employ  of  ^Slajor  Feeney  and  his  sister.  Catherine  Steven- 
son, proprietors  of  the  Stevenson  hotel,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  leased  the 
hotel  in  181)7.  He  rati  it  for  three  years,  and  afterward  sold  out.  .\  few 
months  later  he  started  what  is  now  knov.'n  as  the  New  Central  Hotel,  and 
ran  it  as  the  Reagan  Hotel  for  four  years.  He  then  purchased  the  old  Ste- 
venson Hotel,  refurnished  and  remodeled  it  and  has  run  it  to  the  present  with 
marked  success. 

The  Reagan  is  a  first-class  hotel,  its  reputation  as  such  lieing  known  far 
and  wide.     It  is  lighted  with  gas  and  electric  lights,  and  is  comfortablv  heated 


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97-2  HEAUnORX  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

with  a  fine  hot  water  system,  which  keeps  the  house  warm  and  at  an  even 
temperature  in  the  coldest  weather.  The  table  is  unexcelled  by  any  hotel  \u 
southern  Indiana,  while  the  rooms  are  models  of  neatness  and  comfort.  The 
cleanliness  of  the  house  is  remarked  by  e\-eryone,  and  the  rates  are  satisfactory 
to  discriminating  minds.  JNIr.  Reagan  is  a  thorough  hotel  man  and  popular. 
lie  is  familiarly  known  by  the  "knights  of  the  grip"'  as  "Pete."  If  it  is  true 
that  there  are  doctors,  lawNcrs  and  preachers,  who  are  born  to  their  pro- 
fession (and  we  all  belie\'e  it  is),  then  Mr.  Reagan  is  Iiorn  to  his  vocation 
as  a  hotel  man.  Genial,  kind-hearted  and  attentive  to  the  wants  and  com- 
fort of  his  guests,  he  is  ever  on  the  alert  to  accommodate  them,  and  make  them 
feel  tliat  his  house  is  a  "home"'  to  the  traveling  man.  But  "Pete"  is  not  enti- 
tled to  all  the  credit ;  for,  \\itli  ;:11  his  ability,  what  could  he  do  without  the 
assistance  of  his  efficient  wife,  who  has  always  been  a  wise  counselor  and 
a  faithful  helpmate  in  the  making  of  the  Hotel  Reagan  a  model  hotel?  Mrs. 
Reagan  is  a  lady  of  refinement  and  womanly  grace  and  has  been  the  landlady 
durir.g  all  of  her  husband's  hotel  career. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reagan  were  married  on  July  i8,  1893.  Before  her  mar- 
riage Mrs.  Reagan  was  }>Iatilda  Adeline  Bonfer.  daughter  of  William  and 
Magdalena.  (  Vos^O  Bonfer.  Thc}-  have  one  son,  Charles  Alicliael  Reagan, 
who  is  now  a  young  man  and  a  general  favorite  with  every  one.  He  attended 
the  public  and  high  schools  of  Lawrenceburg  and  is  now  attending  the  Univer- 
sity of  Notre  Dame,  near  South  Bend,  Indiana,  v.-here  he  is  a  student  of 
chemistry. 

Mrs.  Peter  Reagan  ^vas  born  near  ]Milan,  in  Ripley  county.  Indiana,  Feb- 
ruary lo,  1867.  Her  parents.  W'illiam  and  Magdalena  (Voss)  Bonfer.  were 
born  in  Hanover,  Germany.  ]Mrs.  Bonfer  came  to  America  in  1843,  and  Mr. 
Bonfer  in  1848.  They  lived  in  Cincinnati  a  short  time  with  their  parents  and 
then  removed  to  Rii)]ey  count},  where  Mrs.  Bonfer  died  in  1910,  at  the  age 
of  siscty-m'ne.  Mr.  Bonfer  is  still  living  near  ]\Iilan.  They  had  eleven  chil- 
dren :  Mary  Dorothy,  Alatilda  Adaline ;  John  Frederick,  deceased :  Elizabeth, 
deceased,  who  married  James  Hallowell ;  Henrv',  William  and  Frank,  twins ; 
and  four  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Peter  Reagan's  paternal  grandfather 
was  John  Frederick  Bonfer,  who  married  IMarie  Ahlers.  They  were  farmers 
and  lived  near  Sunuum,  Indiana,  where  they  passed  away.  He  died  at  the 
age  of  eighty-two  and  she  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  Their  three 
children  were  William,  Henry  and  John,  Mrs.  Reagan's  maternal  grand- 
parents died  in  Ripley  county  and  were  buried  near  Sunman.  They  had  six 
children,  Henry.  Airs.  Mary  Ash,  Mrs.  Matilda  Price,  Mrs.  Sophia  Hinners 
Maedalena  and  Elizabeth.  .  ,,      .  . 


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DEARBORX  COUN'TY,  INDIANA.  973 

Mr.  Reagan  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church.  i\Irs.  Reagan  is  a  mem- 
ber of  tlie  Lutheran  church.  ^Ir.  Reagan  is  a  Democrat  in  pohtics.  Feu- 
men  pcrliaps  are  able  to  see  first  hand  and  study  more  phases  of  human  nature 
than  the  hotel  keeper.  Xo  stronger  testimonial  can  be  w  ritten  in  praise  of  the 
life  and  characteristics  of  a  hotel  man  than  to  say  that  he  is  able  to  please  his 
guests.  I'eter  Reagan  has  been  able  to  do  this  and  he  has  been  able  to  do  it 
with  an  amazing  degree  of  success.  This  perhaps  is  the  finest  tribute  which 
can  be  paid  to  his  personal  character  and  his  business  qualifications. 


fOHN  F.   GIVAN. 


Robert  Givan  \vas  born  in  the  state  of  }vlaryland.  March  12,  1760.  He 
married  Catherine  Duncan,  Januar}-  6.  1781.  She  was  born  in  ^laryland. 
September  3.  1763,  and  to  them  were  born  six  children,  namely:  Hetty,  Sal- 
lie,  Margaret.  Gilbert  T.,  Elizabeth  and  Matilda. 

The  mother  died  on  July  13.  1795.  and  the  father  was  married,  October 
28,  1795,  to  Rosanna  Butler,  by  whom  he  had  one  child — Xanc}-.  This  wife 
died  ^lay  5,  1797,  and  he  subsequently  marrieil  Ruth  Robertson,  October  17, 
1797,  who  died  April  12.  1S17.  He  married,  January  28.  1818,  ]^riscilh  Cot- 
tingham.  and  ir  1828  started  for  Indiana.  While  en  route  and  aliout  ninety 
miles  from  Baltimore.  Maryland,  he  died,  .-\pril  28.  182S  His  wife  came  on 
through  to  Indiana,  in  company  with  John  Burbage  and  family,  and  she  died 
in  Dearborn  county,  January  8,  1829.  The  above  names  and  dates  of  mar- 
riage were  obtained  from  the  county  clerk  at  Snow  Hill.  Maryland,  where 
the  marriage  licenses  were  gotten. 

Hetty,  born  ^larch  12,  1782,  married  William  Dickerson,  died  Oct'.iber 
II,  1810.  Sallie.  boni  ^lay  13,  1784,  married  George  Staton  ;  died.  Januan," 
4,  1S16.     Margaret,  born  February  4.  1787:  died,  September  19,   1794. 

Gilbert  T.,  born  July  31.  1789,  Worchesler  county,  Maryland,  was  mar- 
ried in  Accomac  county.  \'irginia.  December  3.  18 13.  to  Sarah  C.  Merrill,  who 
was  born  in  Accomac  county.  Virginia,  September  6.  1795,  and  \vas  the  daugh- 
ter of  George  and  Charlotte  Merrill.  After  their  marriage  they  settled  in 
Worchester  county,  Maryland,  where  they  remained  until  April.  1S18,  at 
which  time  they  immigrated  to  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  where  he  ei'.tered 
land  in  section  2.  Sparta  township,  which  he  impro\"ed  and  resided  on  until  his 
death,  February  8.  1862.  His  wife  preceded  him.  July  28.  1861.  They  were 
the  parents  of  twelve  children,  namely:     Margaret  M.,  .-Mbert  G..  John  W., 


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974  DEARBORN"  COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

Robert  H.,  Elizalxth  .A.,  Miriali  J..  Cieorge  AI.,  Sarali  K,.  A.  Judson,  Peter 
M.,  Alfred  I),  and  Sanford  G.,  all  torn  in  Sparta  townsliip.  ]\larg'aret  M., 
born  Jaiuiary  z^,.  1S15;  dierb  January  2t,.  1815,  ten  hours  nlcb  Albert  (b, 
born,  .March  4.  1S16:  died,  March  29,  iSj6.  John  \\'.,  born.  August  25, 
1817,  ^\■as  a  Baptist  minister.  }le  used  to  preach  at  Sparta,  Moores  Hill  and 
Hogan  ililb  Very  few  people  li\-ing-  at  the  present  time  who  heard  him 
proclaim  the  word  of  God.  There  are  one  sister  and  brother  li\ing.  He  died 
August  24,   1842. 

Robert  H.,  born  ]\Lay  i,  1820.  a  successfid  farmer.  SerA'ed  some  time  as 
justice  of  the  peace.  Was  a  Mason.  Married  Ann  Brumblay,  b'ebruary  7, 
1843.  Had  issue;  Klizabeth  A.,  born,  December  18,  1843;  died,  August  30, 
1846.  His  wife  died  Januar\-  15.  1846.  He  married  Amanda  ]Mastin,  !March 
14,  1S17.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  namely.  Matilda  J.,  Dora 
Isabell,  Mary  A.,  Cuilley  C.  and  Georg-e  G.  C.  ( twins),  Joseph  J..  Amanda  Y., 
Ara  E.  and  Hattie  'Si.,  all  born  in  Sparta  township.  The  mother  died  Novem- 
ber 2.  18S5.  The  father  died  June  2,  1894.  Matilda  J.,  born,  February  18, 
1S48 :  married  Francis  M.  Durham,  a  farmer,  she  married,  seci^mdh-,  Jacob 
Walters.  April  16,  18S4.  no  issue.  She  died  August  31,  '1890.  Dora  Isabell, 
born,  October  15,  1849;  died,  March  19,  1878.  Mary  A.,  born,  .September  4, 
1851:  died.  May  6,  18S7.  Curtley  C.  and  George  G.  C.,  born.  November  9, 
1853:  Curtley  C.  died,  November  10,  1853.  George  G.  C.  is  a  physician, 
resides  at  Harriman,  Tennessee;  married  Martha  L.  Small,  Septemlier  0. 
1885.  Had  issue:  Leila  May,  born.  June  9,  1887;  married  Harry  H.  Dan- 
iels, !May  3,  191 1.  Had  issue;  Martha  G.,  born,  May  6,  1912:  George  A., 
born.  July  12,  1914. 

Joseph  J.,  bOrn,  September  14,  1855,  followed  farming  on  his  father's 
farm  for  several  }-ears.  Lived  at  Aurora.  Lidiana,  mo\ed  from  there  to  a 
farm  one  and  one-half  miles  east  of  Milan,  Lidiana,  where  he  made  sc>me 
extensive  improvements  on  both  house  and  barn.  In  19 14  he  built  a  silo  out 
of  glazed  tiling.  At  the  present  time  he  is  employei.l  by  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio 
Southwestern  railroad  as  claim  adju.-^ter.  He  is  a  ]\fason.  He  married 
Jemima  Riggs,  August  i,  1876.  Had  issue:  John  F.,  born,  July  17,  1877; 
married  Blanch  Riggs,  1900;  married,  subsec(uently.  Ethel  Minor.  June,  1908. 

Willis  G.,  born,  April  30,  1885  ;  married  Nancy  Irwin,  February  22,  1907. 
Had  issue ;  Joseph  R..  born.  November  2,  1907. 

Amanda  V..  born,  February  i,  1858:  married  Edward  Billman,  July 
26,  1S96.     She  died  3.1arch  24.  1898. 

Ara  E..  born,  September  9,  i860;  married  Frederick  Slater,  Jr.,  a  mer- 
chant at  Sparta.  Indiana,  October  16,  1881.     Flad  issue;  Clarence,  Milton  L.„ 


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DEAREOKN  COUNTY,   INDIANA.  Q75 

All>ert,  Bulah  and  Lulali.     Clarence,  born,  Septemlier  7.  i88j;  died,  Jniie  22, 
1901.     Milton  L.,  born  June  zj,  1SS5,  helped  his  father  in  his  store  until  lie 
married  Ck-orgie  L.  Grinisk-y,  June  jS,  ujaS.      Soon  after  tlieir  marriage  llicy 
moveil  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  \\here  he  was  employed  as  clerk  at  the  Grantl 
Hotel,  which  position  he  held  for  some  three  years.     At  the  present  time  he 
is  vice-president  and  manager  for  the  Truni  Coal  Compam,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
Milton  and  wife  are  parents  of  Lois  K.,  bi.irn  July  22.   1909:  Milton  L.,  Jr., 
born,  December  17.  191 1.     Albert,  born.  March  _>-,  iSS().      I'.ulah  and  Lul:di, 
twins,  born,  ]March  14,  1892;  Bulah  died,  September  2t,.  1892. 
Elizabeth  A.,  born  April  27,  1822;  died,  April  25,  1837. 
Mariah    I..    b'>rn    Aivril     18,     1825:    married    Robert    Rumsey,    C)ctobcr 
12,  1S4S.     Had  issue:     Mary  E..  born  Xovember  15.  1850:  married  Charles 
T.  John.son,  Septemljer  22.  1868.     Had  issue:     Ada  F.,  Benjamin  R.,  Walter 
K.,  Clara,  3,lal:)Ie,  Olive  D.  and  Rutli  'W.     Ada  Iv,  bom  July  14,  1869:  mar- 
ried Curtis  \\'.  Stolder,  Sejnember  24,   1890.     Had  issue:    Willard  J.,  born, 
December    12,    1891.      Benjamin   R.,  l)Om,   July   5,    1871;  married   Amanda 
Parker.    Xovember  26,    1893.      Had   issue:     Edward   P.     born,    August   28, 
1S9-I  :  Louise  ?vlay,   born,   December    19,    1899.      Walter  K.,   born,   January 
19,   1873;  niarried  Emma  Klinglehoffer,   September  22,    1904.     Had   issue: 
Robert,  born,   February  21.   1910;  died  ]\[arch  2,    1910.      Clara,  born,   No- 
vember 17,  1874:  died  October  20,  1875.     Mable,  born,  September  17,  1876; 
married  Herbert  B.  Turner,  physician,  INLay  4,  1004.     01i\e  D.,  bi'rn,  March 
2,   1SS3:  married  Rev.   Charles  J.  Casey,  June    19,    1902:  had   issue:   Hilary 
E..  born.  September  6,  1903:  Ruth  T.,  bom  June  28,   1905,     Ruth  ?^I..  b'>m. 
March  22,  188S. 

Mariah  J.  Rumsey,  married,  secondly,  Henry  Allemong.  May  12,  1853. 
Llad  issue-  Henry  W.,  born  :\Iay  3,  1855;  Robert  B.,  born,  July  5,  1859; 
married  Anna  Cushman,  April  6,  18S6. 

George  ^L  Givan,  born,  June  19,  1827,  farmer;  he  married  Ann  Flix.a, 
daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  ILarriet  L.  (Sage)  JaquiUi.  in  L')earborn  county, 
January  6,  1848.  She  was  bora  in  Alanchester  fnvnship.  b'ebruary  23. 
1S30.  In  1S50.  with  his  wife  and  son,  John,  he  moved  on  to  his  father's  ol<I 
homestead,  of  vvhich  he  purchased  sixty-five  acres  in  1863,  and  resided  there 
until  1903,  when  he  moved  to  Sparta,  wliere  he  resided  until  hi^  death., 
which  was  ^lav  29,  1906.  Previous  to  moving  to  Sparta  he  sold  his  farm 
to  his  son,  Irvin.  In  the  spring  of  1902  he  purchased  the  property  of  James 
Ferrell.  and  was  remodelling  the  same  when  his  wife  died,  which 
was  November  11,  1902.  He  and  bis  wife  were  meml)ers  of  the  Baptist 
church.     He  was  one  of  the  trustees,  and  deacon  of  his  church.     To  this  union 


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9/6  DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

fourtefTi  children  were  bom;  throe  (Hcd  in  inlanc}-.  Names  of  the  children 
are  as  follow:  John  F..  Mary  Bell,  Sanford  E.,  Harriet  J.,  Sarah  E.,  Eva  Ann, 
Charles  M.,  Ella  J.,  Harry  R..  Ii-ving  P.  and  Cora  A. 

•John  F.  Givan.  Ijorn,  October  14,  1848,  at  Wrights  dirner.  lndi:ira 
All  the  other  children  were  born  in  Si)arta  township.  When  Jolm  was  about 
two  years  old  his  father  moved  onto  the  farm  of  his  grandfather,  in  Sparta 
township,  where  he  resided  with  his  parents  until  the  }'ear  oi  1865,  when, 
with  the  consent  of  his  father,  he  went  to  work  for  his  uncle  (by  marriage), 
John  Tufts,  a  farmer,  at  Mt.  Tabor.  He  stayed  with  his  uncle  two  years. 
He  then  went  to  work  in  a  printing  office  at  Aurora,  Indiana,  in  ^\■hich 
Tom  Ci>bb  was  editor.  He  remeinbcrs  very  distinctly  the  time  a  man  came 
riding  a  horse,  barebvick,  into  the  t(.^)wn  of  Aurora,  and  stopped  in  front 
of  Denton's  drug  store,  now  occupied  by  John  Ullrich,  and  gave  the  alarm 
relative  to  the  Harrison  and  Cheek  difficulty.  The  citizens  of  Aurora  \vere 
very  much  excited  o\-er  the  affair.  He  worked  at  the  cal)inet  trade  some 
eight  years,  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio :  worked  for  the  Cincinnati  Street  Car  Com- 
pany twenty  years.  In  October,  1895,  he  moved  his  family  to  Aloores  Hill, 
Indiana,  where  he  has  since  resided,  following  the  carpenter's  trade  and 
doing  other  odid  job^.  He  held  the  office  of  school  trustee  for  nine  years, 
and  town  clerk  for  six  years.  He  has  lieen  a  notary  for  sixteen  years,  pension 
attorney  for  four  years.  In  January.  1915,  he  went  to  Clirist  hospital,  Cin- 
cinnati. Ohio,  where  he  had  an  operation  performed  on  his  stomach,  ubicii 
saved  his  life.    He  is  a  Mason. 

John  F.  Givan  w-as  first  married,  May  19.  1875,  to  Emma  Moore, 
daughter  of  \\'illiam  and  Gertrude  Moore.  Emma  was  bom.  December  19, 
1850,  at  Cincinnati.  Ohio:  died  there  October  15,  1894.  To  this  union  eight 
children  were  born,  one  died  in  infancy,  as  follow  :  Grace  M.,  Howard  D., 
Harry  \\'.,  I'Ted  J.,  Gilbert  B..  Hattie  C.  and  Lee  Frank,  all  born  in  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio.  He  married,  secondly,  Margaret  G.  Wilson,  July  3.  1895. 
Grace  M.,  horn.  February  11,  1876:  married  Edward  F.  Long,  .August  13, 
1892.     Had  issue:  Agnes  M.,  born  August  7,  1S04:  Grace  G.,  bom,  October 

18,  1896;  died,  July  26,  1897.     She  married,  again,  Richard  Conser,  October 

19.  TQ04,  at  Los  Angeles,  California.  Howard  D.,  born,  November  24.  1877; 
married  Anna  Mary  Beggs,  Octiber  2,  1904.  Had  issue:  Ernest,  born.  Jan- 
uan.-  3,  1907:  Robert  Leroy.  born  November  12,  1911  ;  Lawrence  R.,  born, 
September  25,  1914.  Harry  W.,  born,  July  19,  1S79:  died,  February  if'>. 
1886.  Fred  J.,  born,  April  26,  1882;  married  Flora  Benham,  August  19, 
1908.      Had  issue:   Grace  E.,   born  January  30,    1909;   Cora   Louise,   born. 


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DEARBORN  COl'.N'TY,  INDIAXA.  977 

September  12,  1913.  Gilbert  B.,  born  October  28,  1SS5 ;  died,  Novemljcr 
5,  1805.  Hattie  C,  born,  July  23,  iSSS;  died,  Jul_y  11,  1907.  Lee  Frank, 
born,  June  29,  1S92. 

I\Iary  Bell,  born,  January  5,  185 1  ;  married  George  r^ruce,  December 
24,  1876.  Had  issue;  Clara  A.  and  Fred.  Clara,  born.  November  6,  1877; 
married  Alva  Alexander,  IMarcli  i.  1S96.  Had  issue:  Clarence  AI.,  brjrn, 
IMarcb  21,  1S97.  Fred,  born,  October  2,  1880;  married.  Ha  Krandall,  May 
28,   1903. 

Sanford  E..  born.  September  i,  1853.  He  is  employed  by  tbe  Indianap- 
olis Star,  as  a  solicitor.  He  is  a  Mason.  November  11.  1875,  be  married 
Rose  A.  Bolley.  Pie  married,  secondly,  Amanda  L.  I.owe,  Novemlier  15, 
1899.  ^^  married,  tbirdly,  Flarriet  Irwin,  March  27,  1909.  Had  issue  by 
the  first  wife  as  follow:  ^^'alter  I.,  Edward  B.,  William  H..  Arthur  F.,  Frank 
S.  and  Leroy  S.  Walter  I.,  born,  Octol.ier  4,  1876;  married  Emma  F.  Par- 
son, .September  23,  1900.  Had  issue:  Horace  L.,  born,  January  5,  1902; 
Ethel  Frances,  born.  Januar\-  4,  1905.  Edward  B.,  born.  October  4,  1877; 
died,  Februari,-  16,  18S1.  William  H.,  born,  November  4,  1879:  died,  July 
2y,  1885.  Arthur  F.,  b.rn.  August  5.  1883;  died,  "March  7.  1884.  Frank 
S.,  born,  July  i,  1886.    Leroy  S.,  bom,  August  27,  1891  ;  died,  July  31.  IQ09. 

Harriet  J.,  born,  October  iS,  1855;  married  Josiah  McCormack.  Jan- 
uary 10,  1878.  Had  issue:  Five  children;  one  died  in  infancy;  names  of 
ciiildren  :  George  L.,  Edgar  L.,  ^lae  Frances  and  Rose  A.  She  married, 
secondly.  Edward  J.  Smith,  January  24,  1901.  George  L..  born,  January  26, 
iSSo-  died.  December  15,  1880.  Edgar  L.,  born,  November  14,  1882;  died. 
January  26.  1899.  ^ifae  Frances,  born,  April  7.  1SS5;  married  Dale  A. 
Anderson.  November  17,  1904.  Had  issue:  Four  children,  one  died  in 
infancy:  Idorace  B.,  born.  June  13,  1907:  ]\Iargaret  E.,  born,  October  17, 
'1910;  Vivian  M.,  born,  June  15,  1913.  Rose  A.,  born,  October  20,  1888; 
died,  April  28,  1889. 
I    r-;    Sarah  Elmetta,  born.  December  25,  1857. 

Eva  Ann,  br.m.  Februaiy  25,  1S60;  married  James  F.  Farquer,  August 
17,  1887.  Had  issue:  Ruth  A.  and  Cora  E.  Ruth  A.,  born,  July  28,  1889; 
married  Francis  L.  Johanson,  September  6,  191 1.  Had  issue:  Leonard  J., 
bom,  March  12,  19 13.     Cora  E.,  bom.  May  13,  1897. 

Charles  M.,  born,  April  14,  1862;  married  Maggie  AI.  Barkley,  April 
15,  1883.  Flad  issue:  Mary  A.  and  Lu  Elva.  He  married,  secondly,  Phila 
M.  Smith,  September  15.  1897.    He  is  a  Mason.     Carpenter  contractor.    ^Mary 

(62) 


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97B  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

A.,  Ijorn,  ]\ray  22,  1884:  married  Henry  F.  W'right,  June  24,  1908.  Had 
issue:  Or\'il!e  B.,  bom  June  6,  191 1.  Lu  Elva,  born,  March  2"].  1889;  mar- 
ried Homer  C.  Cecil,  September  15,  1908.  Had  issue:  Roy  G.,  born  Febru- 
ary 17,  1910;  Xordas  M.,  born,  November  9,  191 1. 

Ella  J.,  bom.  July  28,  1864:  married  T.  Howard  ]\Iitehtll,  September  30, 
1891.  Had  issue:  Carl  C.  born,  .\pril  26,  1894;  married  Lctha  F.  Craw- 
ford, September  23.  1914.     Had  issue:    Esther,  born,  [May  30,  1915. 

Harry  R.,  born,  December  15,  i866:  marritd  Hattie  C.  Givan.  Decemi.er 
30,  1S88.  Had  issue:  Earl  E.  and  George  Merrill.  Harry  is  a  Mason  and 
belongs  to  the  chapter.  Earl  E..  born,  December  17,  18S9;  married  ^largaret 
E.  Kendall,  December  21,  1910.  Flad  issue:  Dean  K.,  born,  November  29, 
191 1 :  Zula  Elmore,  bDrn,  September  24,  1913.  George  Merrill,  born,  Octo- 
ber ig,  1897. 

Jrvin  P.,  born,  September  21,  1869,  fanner;  married  Grace  E.  Smith, 
Febru-iry  19,  189'''.  Had  issue:  Clyde  L,  born,  March  11,  1897;  Roy  S., 
born.  November  30,  1908. 

Cora  A.,  born,  March  3,  1S72;  married  Frederick  Slater,  Jr.,  May  7, 
1S93.    Had  issue:   Naomi,  bom,  August  11,  1901. 

Sarah  K.,  born,  December  16,  1829;  married  Davis  M.  Bnimbaly,  ^lay 
4,  1849.  Had  issue:  five  children;  four  died  in  infancy:  Ella  J.,  born,  June 
23,  1853;  married  Columbus  Juhnston,  January  4,  1870.  Had  issue:  Flor- 
ence, and  Edgar  F.  Florence.'  born,  June  18,  1872;  died,  June  19,  1872.  Ed- 
gar F.,  born.  May  23,  1874;  married  Elene  Friedly,  October  15,  1895.  Flad 
issue:  Edgar  F.,  Jr.,  bom,  August  4,  1896;  William  J.,  born,  August  6,  1889, 
died  in  August,  1901 ;  Frcdrie  ]M.,  born  June  2^.  1901  ;  !Mary  Ella,  bom. 
August  18,  1903;  Roliert  M.,  bom.  April  5,  1905. 

A.  Judson,  Ixira,  ]^Iay  17.  1832;  died,  Alay  30,  1837. 

Peter  ^L,  born,  October  31,  1834;  married  Angie  B.  Chisman,  May  20, 
i860.  Had  issue:  Frank  PL  and  Edgar  G.  Frank  H.,  born,  August  i,  1861 ; 
married  Frances  Creme,  June  2.  1897.  Had  issue:  Louis  C.  bom,  April 
10,  '8g8;  Dorothy  A.,  born,  Februar}'  27,  1900;  .Vernon  F..  born,  August  30, 
1865-  died,  August  17,  1873. 

Alfred  B.,  bom,  August  3,  1837;  died,  August  ij,  1837. 

Sanford  G.,  born,  September  15,  1839;  married  Lizze  Riddle,  December 
25,  1865.  Had  issue:  Paul  G.,  bom,  December  14,  1867;  Florence  V.,  bom, 
January  11,  1870;  Edna  J.,  bom.  May  5,  1872;  married  George  H.  Lewis, 
June  7.  T905.     Sanford  G.,  died,  June  it,  1907. 

Elizabeth,  born,  February  28,  1792;  married  Jacob  Richardson.  Matilda, 
born,  March  4,  1795:  died,  November  18,  1796.  Nancy,  daughter  of  Robert 
and  -Rosanna  (Butler)  Givan,  born,  January  28,  1797. 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA.  979 

ERNEST  O.  MARLOWE.       '  ■  "     ,'; 

The  attention  of  the  reader  is  now  directed  to  a  brief  sketch  of  the  career 
of  Ernest  O.  Marlowe,  the  efficient  letter-carrier  of  Lawrenceburo^,  Dear- 
born county,  Indiana.  ]Mr.  Marlowe  is  well-known  and  universally  liked  in  his 
resident  city,  having  lived  here  for  a  number  of  years  and  although  a  \oung 
man,  he  bears  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  entire  community  on  account 
of  the  exemplar}-  life  which  he  leads.  He  is  a  man  of  industrious  and  studious 
habits,  possessing  a  librar}-  of  valuable  liooks  of  which  he  is  an  earnest  student. 

Ernest  O.  ]Marlowe  was  born  near  Greensburg.  Indiana,  August  28, 
188S,  a  son  of  \\'illiam  and  Clara  ( ]\Iozingo)  INIarlnwe,  he  a  native  of  Ohio 
and  she  of  this  state.  There  were  four  children  in  their  family,  the  immedi- 
ate subject  of  this  sketch  being  the  eldest,  Frank  and  John,  of  Strawn.  Kan- 
sas, and  Rose,  a  teacher  in  the  public  sch('iols  at  Fort  Scott.  Kansas.  William 
Marlowe  was  born  on  September  21.  1851,  near  Prospect,  [Marion  county, 
Ohio,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm.  When  a  }-(.ning  man  he  mastered  the  car- 
penter's trade.  He  followed  his  trade  for  a  number  of  years  and  later  became 
a  contractor  and  in  1911  moved  his  family  to  Strawn.  Kansas,  near  where 
he  is  farming,  and  where  the  family  now  reside. 

William  Marlowe  was  a  son  of  Levi  Alarlowe  and  his  wife,  Sarah  (.Vsh), 
Marlowe.  Levi  Marlowe  was  a  native  of  West  Virginia,  born  near  Wheeling, 
Ohio  county,  INIarcli  21.  r8ii.  His  grandparents  came  from  Englaml  in  the 
settlement  of  \'irginia  and  were  the  descendants  of  the  English  poet,  Christo- 
pher Marlowe.  They  later  m-ived  to  Xorth  Carolina.  Levi  [Marlowe's  parents 
moved  to  Marion  county.  Ohio,  at  an  early  day  in  the  history  of  that  section 
and  there  Levi  died,  ^vlarch  2t,.  18S5.  His  wife,  Sarah  (.\sh)  Marlowe,  was 
born  at  Williamsport,  Washington  county,  [Maryland,  February  16,  1S16,  and 
died  in  Daviess  county.  Indiana,  December  9,  190J,  at  the  age  of  eighty-six 
years  and  ten  months. 

The  grandparents  of  Sarah  ( .Ash)  [Marlowe  came  from  Higland  before 
the  French  and  Indian  War  and  settled  near  Hagerstnwn,  Maryland.  Her 
grandfather  was  a  soldier  under  General  Washington  and  was  one  of  the  few 
survivors'  of  the  defeat  of  General  Bradilock,  at  Fort  Duquesne.  There  was  a 
number  of  the  .\sh  family  <crving  in  the  Colonial  army  during  the  Revolution- 
ary War,  among  whom  was  one  with  the  rank  of  general.  .\  few  of  ihem 
figured  as  scouts  and  had  many  interesting  experiences. 

There  were  seven  children  born  to  Levi  [Marlowe  and  his  wife:  John  W. 
is  a  practicing  physician  at  [Marshall,  Illinois;  Elliott  is  chief  clerk  in  the  rail- 
way mail  service  out  of  Indianapolis  on  the  Peoria  &  Eastern  railway;  Will- 


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980  DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

iam,  the  father  of  Ernest  O.,  and  David,  Mary  Ellen.  Albion  aTid  Frank  are 
deceased. 

Clara  (iMozins-o)  ?iIarlo\ve  was  born  on  January  24,  1^62.  the  dancilUer 
of  Henrj^  and  Eli;?abeth  Robinson  (Pembcrton)  Mozin,G:o,  lioih  nati\es  rif 
Kentucky.  The  former  was  born  in  Bourbon  county,  December  iS.  iSog.  and 
died  ?\Iarch  11,  iSSS,  and  the  latter  was  born  in  Lincoln  county.  October  i-j, 
18 1 7,  and  died  on  February  9,  1894.  They  were  married  in  their  nati\e  state 
■«>  anl  came  to  Indiana  in  the  earlv  pioneer  days,  settling'  in  Decatur  countv  wlien 
that  country  was  practically  all  forest.  They  located  near  where  the  city  of 
Greensburg  now  is  and  at  one  time  owned  a  large  tract  of  land  of  that  county. 
There  were  fifteen  children  in  their  family,  those  living  being  Mary  Riley. 
Elizabeth  demons.  Nancy  Tremain,  Etna  Beagle  and  Clara  Marlowe. 

Ernest  O.  Marlowe  was  born  on  a  farm  and  when  a  smrdl  child  his  par- 
ents moved  to  Greensburg.  where  his  early  boyhood  was  passed.  He  attended 
the  public  schools  of  that  city  for  a  number  of  years.  His  parents  moved  to 
Muncie.  Indiana,  where  he  attended  high  school,  and  in  1004  he  came  to 
Lawrenceburg.  Two  years  later  he  went  into  the  employ  of  the  Big  l■^?ur 
railroad  as  a  telegraph  operator  and  on  ^lay  i.  1908.  he  began  his  wnrk  as  a 
distributor  of  the  United  States  mail,  which  position  he  still  holds. 

On  October  12,  1911,  Ernest  O.  Marlowe  w-as  married  to  Caroline 
Christina  Kord.  daughter  of  John  and  ^lary  fHoerger)  Kord,  and  to  tliis 
union  one  child  has  been  born,  a  son,  Elbert  Winfield  ^ilarlnwe.  Ijorn  nn 
August  26.  1912.  ]\Irs.  Marlowe  is  a  worthy  wife  for  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  being  a  woman  of  refinement  and  cidture,  giving  every  indication  of 
her  excellent  early  training  and  the  assistance  given  her  in  character  building. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  [Marlowe  are  members  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  Law-rence- 
biirg,  in  the  work  of  which  both  are  keenly  interested.  ^Ir.  iMarlowe  is  church 
clerk,  secretary-treasurer  and  deacon  and  fills  a  place  in  the  church  orchestra. 
His  fraternal  affiliation  he  holds  in  the  Knights  of  Pythias  thrrmgh  the  local 
organization. 'Dearborn  Lodge  Xo.  49.  which  lodge  he  ha-^  served  as  chancel- 
lor commander.  He  is  a  member  of  the  grand  Vidge  of  Indiana  and  is  one  of 
the  youngest  past  chancellors  in  the  state  of  Indiana. 

Mrs.  Marlowe  was  born  in  Wayne  township,  Marion  county,  this  state. 
on  land  which  is  now  a  part  of  the  site  of  the  city  of  Indianapolis,  October 
15,  1885,  and  in  that  citv  her  parents  still  reside.  The  father  was  born  at 
Portsmouth,  Ohio.  October  2.  1861,  and  the  mother  at  Ixniisville,  Kentucky, 
July  2,  1864.  To  this  union  were  born  eight  children:  John  F.,  Caroline 
Christina.  Elizabeth.  Frieda,  Marguerite,  and  three  children  who  died  in 
infancy.    John  Kord,  Mrs.  iMarlowe's  father,  was  a  son  of  Frederick  and  Car- 


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DEARP.ORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  9S1 

oliuc  fSchultz)  Kord.  Frederick  Kord  was  liorn  on  December  21,  1S21.  and 
his  wife  oil  February  11,  1S22,  both  born  in  Sclnverin-iNIecklerilicrg,  (.lenuany. 
They  married  in  that  province,  in  1853  or  1S54,  and  came  to  this  country  in 
1864.  Tliey  were  among  the  early  settlers  in  the  western  portirm  of  ilie  state 
of  Ohio  and  from  there  mo\ed  to  Indianapolis,  where  he  died  August  1 1,  1S90, 
at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years,  and  her  death  occurred  se\'en  j'ears  later,  Janu- 
aiy  24,  1897,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five.  There  were  four  children  to  their 
union :  Frederick  Jr.,  Anna  Scherrer,  Lena  Schmidt  and  John  C. 

Mrs.  ilarlowe's  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Christopher  and  Christina 
(Eckert)  Hoerger,  both  natives  of  Baden,  Gcmiany,  he  being  born  on  Febru- 
ary 8,  1833.  and  she  on  October  6,  1833.  They  came  to  America  in  their 
early  life,  married  at  Jeffersonville,  Indiana,  in  1853,  and  settled  in  Kentucky. 
Their  lives,  however,  closed  in  Indianapolis,  he  dying  on  October  16.  190S, 
and  she  on  October  31.  1898.  To  their  union  were  born  nine  children;  Julia 
Lange,  Samuel  Hoerger,  Louis  Hoerger,  Lulic  Off,  Mary  (mother  of  Mrs. 
Marlowe)  and  Elizabeth  Sch'oenemann,  deceased,  and  three  children  who 
died  young. 

Mr.  Marlowe  is  keenly  interested  in  all  that  concerns  the  well-being  of 
his  community  and  gladly  renders  assistance  to  any  cause  having  as  its  object 
the  betterment  of  any  phase  of  community  life.  Perhaps  no  higher  eulogy 
can  be  passed  than  the  simple  statement  that  his  name  has  never  been  coupled 
with  anything  disreputable  and  that  there  has  never  been  the  shadow  of  a  stain 
upon  his  reputation  fnr  integrity  and  unswerving  honesty.  He  is  a  consis- 
tent man  in  all  he  undertakes  and  his  career  in  all  the  relations  of  life  is  abso- 
lutely without  pretense.  ,,,  ,    * 


HENRY  CLAY  WHEELER. 

One  of  the  older  citizens  of  Dillsboro,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  is 
Henry  Clav  W'lieeler,  descended  from  one  of  the  old  families  of  this  county, 
and  a  man  who  has  had  many  interesting  experiences  in  his  time. 

Henry  Clay  Wheeler  was  born  in  Sparta  township,  Dcarliorn  county, 
June  8.  1841,  son  of  Piercy  and  Ann  (Holliday)  Wheeler.  Piercy  Wheeler 
was  horn  in  Tennessee  in  1811,  and  there  secured  such  education  as  the 
schools  near  his  home  at  that  time  afforded.  When  a  \-oung  man.  in  t'le 
earlv  part  of  the  nineteenth  century,  he  journeyed  to  the  fort  at  the  falls 
of  the  Ohio,  where  the  city  of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  is  now  located,  and  there 
remained  for  a  short  time.     From  there  he  came  to  this  countv  and  secured 


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982  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

a  tract  of  government  land  in  Sparta  township.  This  tract  contained  ei,q-hl\- 
acres,  all  co\ered  with  virgin  forest,  ami  he  in  due  time  had  it  all  cleared 
and  in  an  excellent  state  of  cidti\ation.  lie  lived  on  that  farm  for  fifty 
years  and  there  his  entire  family  was  born  and  reared. 

Picrcy  Wheeler  was  a  man  of  strong  personality,  naturally  a  leader 
of  men,  and  he  had  the  reputation  of  being  the  first  Republican  ever  elected 
in  Sparta  township.  At  the  birth  of  that  party  he  had  espoused  its  principles 
and  was  one  of  its  strongest  advocates.  When  the  Alexican  \\"ar  com- 
menced he  organized  an  independent  company,  and  was  elected  its  captain. 
The  company,  however,  was  not  accepted,  Iiuliana's  quota  being  full,  lie 
also  got  together  a  band  of  men  from  this  section  who  started  out  on  the 
perilous  journey  across  the  continent  into  California  in  search  of  gokl. 
He  and  his  friends  started  on  the  jnurney  in  185 j  and  with  few  mishaps 
reached  their  destination  and  were  quite  successful  in  their  quest  for  the 
yellow   metal. 

Ann  Holliday,  mother  of  Henry  Clay  Wheeler,  was  born  in  Genesee 
Falls.  Xew  York,  and  when  a  small  child  her  parents  decided  to  emigrate 
westward  and  embarked  on  the  waters  of  the  Oliio  on  a  lumber  raft.  They 
in  dre  time  reached  Aunira.  where  tliey  landed  and  near  where  the}-  made 
their  home  for  the  balance  of  their  lives.  Her  father  was  Cortland  Holliday. 
bom  and  raised  in  the  vicinity  of  Genesee  Falls,  Xew  York.  To  Piercy 
Wheeler  and  Ann  Holliday.  his  wife,  were  born  the  following  children ; 
James,  William,  Charles,  Henry,  Sarah.  Piercy,  John  and  Cortes  H. 

James,  the  eldest,  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Seventh  Regiment  Indiana 
Infantry,  and  at  the  commencement  of  the  Civil  War,  and  died  in  a 
hospital  at  Cumberland,  Maryland,  in  1862.  He  was  a  school  teacher  for 
manv  years  and  had  two  children,  William  and  Anna.  Anna  is  Mrs.  Schur- 
man.  of  Ripley  county,  and  has  two  sons.  Cortes  and  Ernest.  Cortes  also 
lives  in  Ripley  county  and  is  the  father  of  one  son,  while  Ernest  lives  in 
Dearborn  county  and  is  also  the  father  of  one  son.  William  gave  his  life 
to  the  nation  when  a  young  man.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Mine 
Run.  \'irginia.  during  the  Civil  \\'ar  and  died  as  a  result  of  his  injury  one 
month  later.  Charles  married  Alice  Pell  and  had  two  sons,  John  and  Edward. 
Charles  was  a  memljer  of  the  Missouri  militia  during  the  Civil  W'ar.  The 
next  child  in  order  of  birth  is  Henry,  the  immediate  suliject  of  this  sketch. 
and  then  follows  Sarah,  who  married  Piercy  Phillips  and  resides  at  Pratt. 
Kansas.  She  is  the  mother  of  a  large  family.  John  Wheeler  married  Anna 
Peck  and  lived  at  Johnson  City,  Missouri,  where  he  was  a  very  successful 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA.  ,983 

physician.  In  addition  to  his  professional  duties  he  also  speculated  in  land 
and  was  well  known  and  highly  respected  in  his  community.  He  had  one 
sou,  Harry,  who  is  now  a  drug-gist  of  1.,-iwton.  Oklahoma.  Piercy.  tiic 
sixth  son  of  this  family,  married  IMaggie  Beatty,  by  whom  he  had  twn  chil- 
dren, INIamie  and  Flora. 

Cortes  H.  \Mieeler,  youngest  son  of  Piercy  and  Anna  Wheeler,  was 
born  in  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  August  _'S,  1849.  He  was  graduated 
at  the  Ohio  ?kledical  College,  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  :March  i,  1S75.  He  located 
at  Port  Townsend,  Washington,  as  temporary  acting  assistant  surgeon. 
United  States  Marine  hospital  (contract),  for  eighteen  months.  Thence 
to  St.  Paul's  Island,  in  the  Bchring  sea,  for  fourteen  months ;  then  to  China 
and  T:ipan,  for  six  months;  then  hi  San  Francisco.  California,  as  temj^orary 
acting  assistant  surgeon  in  the  United  States  marine  liospital,  for  twelve 
months;  then  to  Portland,  Oregon,  where  lie  is  now  located  in  private  practice, 
after  serving  the  city  of  Portland  for  about  ten  years  as  health  officer. 

Piercv  \'\'heeler,  father  of  Henry  Clay  Wheeler,  was  a  son  of  Samuel 
Wheeler,  who  was  born  in  North  Carolina  and  when  a  young  man  journeyed 
into  'J'ennessee,  where  he  was  numbered  among  the  pioneer  residents  of  that 
state. 

Flenry  Clay  Wheeler  received  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  this 
county,  and  when  older  took  more  advanced  work  at  Moores  Hill  College. 
When  the  Civil  War  broke  out  he  answered  the  first  call  for  volunteers  and 
served  for  three  and  one-half  years  as  a  non-commissioiied  officer.  He  was 
in  twentv-two  of  the  larger  battles  of  the  war,  auKjng  them  being  Gettys- 
burg, where  he  received  a  serious  wound.  He  was  sent  to  Philadelphia,  to 
the  Satterlee  hospital,  and  after  improving  was  sent  from  there  to  tlie  hos- 
pital for  Confederate  prisoners,  at  Chester,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  acted 
as  ward  master.  When  fully  recovered  he  entered  service  again,  rejoining 
his  regiment  at  Culpeper,  \'irginia.  and  shortly  afterward  was  engaged  m 
the  Battle  of  the  Wilderness.  A  short  time  later,  at  the  battle  of  North  Anna 
River  (\'irginia),  he  was  again  .seriously  wounded,  and  this  time  was  sent 
to  Cami)bell  hospital,  ac  Washington,  D.  C  He  was  mustered  out  of  service 
at  Indianapolis  on  October  26.   1864. 

.\fter  the  close  of  the  war  he  became  engaged  in  the  saw-mill  and 
lumber  business,  operating  in  six  of  the  central  and  southern  states.  He 
remained  in  tliis  business  for  thirty-five  years,  and  in  1893  suffered  a  loss 
bv  fire.  At  that  time  he  had  four  steamboats  plying  up  and  down  the  Mis- 
sissipni  and  Ohio  rivers  and  he  also  suffered  the  loss  of  these,  two  by  fire 


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■   ■  '  ;■;      I'./       -    ,■  ;        ','7''T:l;-nf    ■'■?,"r  j;:    !,lih      . 

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984  DEAREORX  COUNTV,  INDIANA. 

and  tlie  remaining  two  sank.  Following  this  series  of  misfortunes,  he  came 
to  Dillsboro,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home. 

Heniy  Clay  Wheeler  was  married  on  August  7,  1S62,  to  Elizal)eth 
Pierson,  a  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Sarah  (Perlee)  Pierson,  who  was  born 
in  the  state  of  Ohio  and  was  brought  to  Dearljorn  county  by  her  parents 
while  still  a  small  child.  Abraham  Pierson  was  born  on  the  .\tlantic  ocean, 
while  his  parents  were  en  route  from  their  home  in  ICngland  to  the  United 
States.  They  settled  first  in  Delaware,  where  they  remained  but  a  short 
time  and  tlien  came  on  to  this  county  and  slate,  where  thev  seemed  go\Trnm-jnt 
land  which  they  farmed  for  a  great  many  years.  Abraham  was  one  of  the 
leading  men  of  his  section,  and  a  fine  man  in  every  particular.  He  was  an 
active  meml'er  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  did  much  to  further 
the  cause  of  that  society  here  during  the  early  days  of  the  county. 

To  Henry  Clay  and  Elizabeth  (Pierson)  Wheeler  were  born  four 
children,  namely:  Sarah  Glcndora,  Dean  Ellsworth,  Walter  P.  and  Maggie 
Pearl.  Sarah  Glendora  became  the  wife  of  E.  B.  Thomas  and  resides  in 
Rushville,  this  state.  She  has  one  daughter,  Dorothy,  now  attending  Depauw 
University,  at  Greencastll,  this  state.  Dean  Ellsworth  married  Nora  Hay- 
don,  of  Kentucky,  and  the}'  liv*  at  Frankfort,  that  state.  There  are  no 
children  to  that  union. 

Walter  P.  Wheeler  married  Elvina  Wilson,  of  this  county,  who  died 
on  March  .''5.  1914.  Walter  P.  received  his  educatirm  at  Dillsboro  and 
when  a  young  man  went  to  Cincinnati  and  started  out  in  life  for  himself. 
His  first  ventures  were  as  laundry  agent  and  street  car  conductor,  and  his 
next  move  was  to  return  to  Dillsboro,  wdiere  he  opened  up  a  restaurant  and 
confectionery  business,  the  first  in  the  town.  He  operated  that  for  two  years 
and  then  converted  his  business  into  a  variety  store  and  since  iQii  has  fol- 
lowed that  line.  Walter  P.  Wheeler  is  a  supporter  of  the  Republican  parly, 
although  taking  no  special  interest  in  political  questions.  He  is  a  most 
active  member  of  the  ^Methodist  Episcofial  church,  serving  that  societ_\-  as 
steward  and  chorister  of  both  church  and  Sunday  school.  Mr.  \\'hee1er  is 
a  man  of  pronounced  musical  ability  and  is  especially  interested  in  the  devel- 
opment of  the  musical  talent  of  his  home  town.  Fie  has  four  children, 
Dorothy  Ray,  Dorrance  Elmer,  Benjamin  Thomas  and  Esther  Hope,  all 
of  school  age  e.xcept  the  last. 

Maggie  Pearl,  the  youngest  child  of  Flenry  Clay  Wheeler,  is  the  wife 
of  Dr.  E.  F.  Van  Osdol.  of  Warsaw,  Indiana.  There  is  one  son  to  this  uni'in, 
Cortes  Dean  Van  Osdol.     2\Ir5.  Van  Osdol  is  a  most  charming-  and  accom- 


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DEARKORX  COUNTY,   INDIANA.  9S5 

plished  woman,  giving-  special  pleasure  to  her  friends  by  virtue  of  her  talent 
for  elocution. 

IIenr_v  Cla)'  Wheeler  has  li\ed  a  life  full  of  activitx-  and  acconijjli^hnient. 
and  now  in  the  eventinie  of  life,  when  he  has  retired  from  the  more  acti\e 
duties,  he  has  a  mind  well  stocked  with  rich  and  varied  experiences,  the 
recounting  of  which  gives  pleasure  to  friend  and  stranger  alike. 


HERMAN  BERNER. 


The  following  brief  sketch  gives  a  few  salient  points  in  the  career  of 
a  plain,  honest  man  of  affairs,  who  by  industry  and  frugality  has  already 
achie\ed  a  competency  and  won  for  himself  an  enviahle  reputnticni  anidug 
the  best  citizens  of  his  community. 

Hennan  I'.erner  was  born  in  Switzerland  county,  Indiana,  on  July  9, 
1866.  a  son  of  Ercd  and  Louisa  (Eerkemeyer)  Berner,  both  natives  of 
\\'ehringdorf,  Osnabruck,  Germany.  Ered  immigrated  to  the  United  States 
when  a  young  man,  settling  in  Swit?:erland  county.  There  he  purchased  a 
farm  of  eighty  acres,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life,  meeting  his 
death  by  drowning  when  in  middle  age.  Louisa,  his  wife,  came  to  this  coun- 
tf}'  with  her  parents  in  184S.  when  eighteen  years  old,  and  was  married  one 
,  year  later.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Frank  and  ^lalissa  (  P>erkemeyer )  I'.erke- 
meyer,  who  settled  in  Switzerland  county  and  there  passed  the  remaining 
years  of  their  lives.  There  were  six  children  in  the  Berkemeyer  family,  two 
having  died  in  early  infancy.  The  others  are  Louisa,  Ernest.  Charles  and 
Malissa. 

The  paternal  grandparents  were  Herman  Berner  and  his  wife.  Eliza- 
beth, both  natives  of  Wehringdorf,  Osnabruck,  Germany,  Avho  came  m  ilie 
United  States  and  in  the  early  history  of  this  section  .settled  in  Ripley  county, 

)]  where  they  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age.     There  were  six  children  in  their  fann'ly. 

J,;   three  of  them  died  when  young.     Those  who  grew   to  maturity  are   Fred, 

T     Henry  and  William. 

;)  Herman   Berner    received    his    education    in    the    common    schools    nf 

Switzerland  county,  also  attending  school  at  Cincinnati,  and  after  his  school 

J,,    days  were  over  he  went  to  Illinois,  where  for  three  years  he  hired  out  to  farm 

;■    work.      He   then   came   back   to   Indiana,   settling  at   Friendship,    where    for 
twelve  years  he  worked  on  a  farm  and  conducted  a  huckster  business  j)art  of 


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986  DEAKIiORX  COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

the  time.  In  igoo  he  came  to  Clay  town.^hip  and  purcliascd  the  old  Perlce 
farm  containing-  one  hnndred  and  eleven  acres,  for  which  he  paid  fonrieen 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  On  this  homestead  he  has  continued  since  to 
make  liis  home,  and  carries  on  general  farming  as  practiced  in  this  section 
of  the  countr}-.  Mr.  Eerner  follows  twentieth  century  methods  in  conducting 
the  business  of  his  homestead,  and  his  land  and  huildings  attest  the  fact  that 
he  is  thorough  in  his  work. 

Herman  Berner  was  married  on  .August  12,  1896,  to  Sophia  Lou.isa 
Vinup.  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Oatman)  Vinup,  the  former  of  whom 
is  a  native  of  Germany  who  came  to  this  country  when  a  youn.g  man.  He 
located  in  Ohio  county,  where  he  first  jjurchased  ten  acres  of  ground.  This 
he  put  into  an  excellent  state  of  cultivation,  got  it  paid  for  and  then  added 
to  his  original  holdings  from  time  to  time  until  at  the  time  of  his  death  he 
owned  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  si.xty  acres.  lie  passed  away  on 
.-\ugust  25,  1903.  ]\rrs.  Vinup  died  on  .April  iS.  191 1.  There  were  eight 
cliildrcn  in  their  family,  namely:  Henry,  Carrie,  William,  John,  .\nnie. 
George,  Sophia  (}ilrs.  Berner)  and  Lucinda.  ]\Irs.  Berner  was  born  in 
Ohio  county  on  February  5,  1875,  and  received  her  education  in  the  schools 
near  her  home.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berner  ha\c  been  born  two  children,  Jessie 
and  Irene,  both  of  whom  are  attending  schoi^l. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berner  both  take  considerable  interest  in  church  work, 
he  being  a  charter  member  of  the  Trinity  Lutheran  church  and  one  of  its 
past  trustees.  Mr.  Berner  has  given  his  support  to  the  Democratic  part}-  ever 
since  attaining  his  majority.  He  is  a  pleasant  man  of  sincere  purposes  and 
honest  convictions,  honest  and  upright  in  all  his  dealings  with  his  fellow  men. 


]\IAJOR  JA]\IES  ELMER  LARIMER. 


Alajor  James  Elmer  Larimer,  Cnited  States  ganger,  who  lives  at  222 
East  High  street.  Lawrenceburg.  Indiana,  was  born  near  Middlebury,  F.lk- 
hart.  Indiana.  July  19,  1840,  the  son  of  James  and  Asenath  (CornwelH 
Larimer,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Bremen,  Fairfield  county. 
Ohio,  and  the  latter  of  Rome,  New  York. 

James  Larimer,  Sr..  who  was  born  in  1S07,  accompanied  three  brothers 
and  a  brother-in-law  and  a  neighbor  to  ]\Iiddlebury.  Elkhart  county,  Indiana, 
about   1833,  and  there  purchased  land  and  engaged   in    farming,   which  he 


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DF.AKBORN  COUNTY,   IXIHAXA.  <)ii/ 

coutimied  until  his  death  in  1S47.  In  that  year  he  was  accidentally  killcfl 
when  thrown  by  a  horse.  His  wife  li\cd  ni'ire  than  a  i.alf  century  ImigxT, 
passing  away  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine,  in  1896.  They  were  "old  school" 
Presbyterians,  and  very  strict  and  devout  in  their  living.  He  was  i-f  Scotch- 
Irish  stock  and  his  wife's  ancestors  Vv'ere  English.  In  hi^  generation  he  was 
known  to  be  the  best  chopper,  the  hardest  fighter  and  the  most  gener'">us 
man  in  the  neighborhood.  Of  tlieir  fi\"c  children,  twf)  are  deceased,  John 
having  been  killed  in  the  Civil  War.  and  Amos  D.,  wlm.  was  lost  at  sea  when 
his  schooner  foundered.  I1ie  living  children  arc.  Anderson  Wright,  who  lives 
in  San  Francisco,  California,  with  his  noble  wife  and  two  sons,  James  and 
Elmer:  Nancy  E.,  who  li\'es  in  California,  has  been  twice  marrietl  and  has 
two  daughters,  and  James  Elmer,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Major  Larimer's  paternal  grandfather,  Isaac  Larimer,  who  ]i\-ed  in 
Westmoreland  county,  PennsylvaTiia,  during  the  early  part  of  his  married 
life,  moved  to  Fairfield  county,  Ohio,  in  1800,  where  he  died  at  a  ripe  old 
ag'e.  Fie  was  a  fanner  by  occupation  and  of  farmer  and  pioneer  stock  since 
1730  in  America.  He  had  a  family  of  nine  children,  iwo  of  whom,  Jolm 
and  Robert,  ser^■ed  in  the  \\'ar  of  1812.  John  was  the  eldest  child  and 
Robert  was  the  third  born.  The  (jther  children  were  Moses,  Wriglil.  Isaac, 
James,  ]\Irs.  Betsy  Everett,  ]\Irs.  Sallie  Haggerty  and  ^Irs,  Cynthia  Work. 
Majoi  Larimer's  maternal  grandfather,  a  native  of  New  "^'ork  state,  remained 
loyal  to  his  country  during  the  War  of  1812,  although  he  was  impiisoned 
in  Canada.  After  the  W'ar  of  1812  they  came  West  to  Ohio  and  settled  in 
Athens  county,  where  they  reared  a  family  of  five  children,  Asenath.  Joshua. 
John.  Goldsmith  and  Lucinda  Eggleston. 

James  E.  Larimer  lived  in  Elkhart  county.  Indiana,  until  eight  )-ear.- 
old  when,  after  the  death  of  his  father,  lie  was  taken  to  be  reared  by  a 
preacher  living  in  Michigan.  After  two  and  one-half  jears,  he  ran  away 
from  the  preacher  and  returned  home.  Soon  afterwards,  the  mother,  who 
had  sold  her  equity  in  the  little  farm  left  her  by  her  husband,  returned  to 
her  old  hon>e  in  Ohio,  and  then,  with  a  brother  and  four  nephews,  made  the 
trip  overland  to  California  in  1850.  She  keiit  a  Ijoarding  house  near  the 
mines,  later  removed  to  San  Francisco  and  conducted  a  bakery,  and  still 
later  sold  her  property  and  went  to  live  at  Santa  Monica.  California,  where 
she  died  in  1896. 

James  Elmer  Larimer  drifted  back  to  Ohio  to  the  home  of  his  ancestors, 
where,  fortunately.  Samuel  Smiley,  a  genial  and  warm-hearted  blacksmith, 
taught   him    the   trade.      He   remained   with    him    for   three    years.      Major 


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988  DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIAXA.  ■'!    •. 

Ljirimer  remembers  Mr.  Smiley  as  an  exceptionally  fine  boss.  After  workin,^ 
for  him  for  some  time,  he  came  to  Indiana  and  conducted  a  horse-shoeing' 
shop  in  Goshen  for  three  months,  when  the  ai)pro;irhing  war  sjiiiilcl  Ins 
business.  He  returned  to  Bremen.  Ohio,  and  had  just  taken  empliivment 
imder  Air.  Smiley  for  another  year,  when  a  dispatch  which  was  handed  him 
said  they  were  raising  a  conipany  at  Lancaster.  Without  a  word  he  pul  the 
iron  bi'ck  in  the  fire,  went  around  to  the  cistern  and  washed,  changed  his 
clothes,  caught  the  train  for  Lancaster  and  enlisted  on  April  16,  1861,  in 
Company  A,  h'irst  Regiment.  Ohio  \'olunteer  Infantry,  for  three  mmuli^' 
service,  being'  the  first  ]:'>v  in  his  township  to  enlist  in  the  first  com[):uiv 
Ohio  sent  to  the  war.  He  was  never  away  from  the  front  until  the  wir 
ended.  He  was  at  once  sent  to  the  east  across  the  Alleghany  mountains  to 
help  defend  the  city  of  Washington. 

A.fter  a  small  engagement  at  Vienna,  James  Larimer  was  in  the  first 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  five  days  after  the  period  of  his  enlistment  had  expired. 
On  his  way  home  he  re-eiilisted  for  three  years  with  Company  A,  Seven- 
teenth Regiment,  Ohio  \'olunteer  Infantr}-,  and  served  the  entire  three  years, 
when  lie  re-enlisted  as, a  -veteran  in  the  same  compan}'  and  regiment  in  1S64. 
He  first  enlisted  as  a  private,  later  was  made  sergeant  and  "orderly,"  and 
still  later  was  commissioned  first  lieutenant,  comnianding  four  conipanies 
of  the  Twenty-third  Missouri  Volunteer  Infantry.  This  position  gave  him, 
by  courics}'.  the  rank  of  mai<;ir,  which  title  is  sometiriies  gi\en  him,  tho-ugh 
he  is  indifferent  to  rank.  He  lived  in  his  town  over  twenty  vears  before 
anyone  knew  he  was  an  officer.  He  served  on  the  brigade  staff  and  was 
provost  marshal.  His  regiment  was  a  great  marching  regiment,  having 
marched  during  the  w'ar  eight  thousand  miles.  Its  battles  were  Wild  Cat, 
Stone's  River,  Hoover's  Cap.  Chickamauga.  Missionary  Ridge,  the  .\tlanta 
campaign,  in  which  the  regiment  was  eighty-four  days  out  of  the  hundred 
under  fire;  Jonesboro.  Bentonville  and  innumerable  skirmishes  tiiat  \\'ere  en- 
gagements with  no  recorded  name. 

A  single  incident  in  the  soldier  boy's  life  may  be  worth  preserving. 
Camping  a  mile  from  Duck  river,  he  saw  a  rebel  line  of  works  and  a  battery 
on  the  other  side.  About  ten  o'clock  that  night  on  call,  he  volunteered  to 
go  on  a  "danger<:'us  l>ut  important"  duty.  He  w  ent  down  to  the  river,  crawled 
down  the  wreckage  of  a  burned  railroad  bridge  and  built  a  raft  of  boards 
around  the  pier  to  the  wreckage  on  the  other  side.  He  then  crawled  ashore, 
about  opposite  the  "line  of  works."  Lie  crawled  up  the  dump,  heard  nothing 
crawled  up  along  the  foot  of  the  railroad  dump  until  he  thought  he  was 


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DEARBORN"  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  .  989 

Tind  then  stood  up  on  the  raih-oad.  The  rear  guard  of  the  enemy  saw  him 
rise  against  the  dim  moonhght  and  went  panic  struck.  Thcv  went  o\cr  a 
pile  of  boards  and  up  the  road  hl<e  a  drove  of  stampeded  cattle.  I'^-erv 
moment  after  he  struck  the  river  that  boy  expected  to  be  fired  on,  but  he  (h'd 
not  fjuit  until  he  v>as  able  to  report  to  Gen.  St.  Clair  Morton,  and  he  to 
General  Rosecians,  that  Bragg  had  aljandoned  the  Duck  river  line.  'J'he 
world  spreads  the  great  general's  fame,  but  never  knows  that  to  get  the 
information  on  which  he  can  make  his  dispositions,  some  modest  hov  must 
put  his  life  up  to  be  shot  at,  alone  and  in  the  dark,  and  manv  a  one  never 
gets  back. 

After  the  war  Major  Larimer  returned  to  Indiana,  married  and  operated 
a  blacksmith  shop  at  Guilford  for  three  years.  Appointed  United  States 
gauger  by  President  Grant  in  1869,  he  has  sef\-ed  continuouslv,  barring 
the  two  Cleveland  administrations.  In  point  of  service  he  is  now  the  oldest 
gauger  with  tlie  widest  experience  in  the  I'nited  States.  He  had  held  this 
position  despite  the  opposition  of  political  enemies,  not  only  in  other  parties, 
but  in  his  ovrn  as  well.  Not  everything  has  been  smooth  sailing.  Major 
Larimer  has  unfortunately  made  enemies  as  well  as  friends.  .\  biluilous  editor 
did  not  know  that  his  bitter  sarcasm  not  oid\-  did  not  crush.  Init  brought  to 
notice  and  distinction  an  obscure  and  modest  man.  "The  selfish  and  ambitious 
boss  did  not  know  that  he  was  a  fool  to  kick  a  sleeping  dog."  The  major 
was  always  easy  to  counsel  with,  but  hard  to  drive.  lie  was  the  only  ganger 
in  his  district  who  ever  frmnd  a  fraud,  and  he  found  and  bri^ke  up  six.  In 
one  of  these  he  was  twice  offered  ten  thousand  dollars  if  he  would  not 
report,  but  remained  loyal  to  his  obligation  as  an  officer  of  the  Lhiited  States. 

For  fifteen  years,  from  1878  to  1893,  Major  Larimer  was  the  editor 
and  publisher  of  the  Lawrcncebiirq  Press.  One  of  the  best-known  cditi">rs 
in  Indiana  said  of  him,  "He  entered  the  profession  with  a  modest  sentence 
and  ended  with  a  'stick-full,'  but  in  that  tiirie  he  had  become  the  best  political 
counsellor  in  southeastern  Indiana."  \\'hile  editor  of  the  Press  he  did  two 
things  that  were  worth  while.  By  a  sincere  and  respectful  appeal  thnnigh 
many  months  to  the  Democracy  of  the  c(.)unty  he  induced  them  to  Ijreak'  up  a 
regular  system  of  robbery  of  the  people  by  county  officers  through  illegal 
fees.  He  also  gave  Lawrenceburg  the  first  idea  it  ever  had  that  it  could 
get  a  government  appropriation  for  a  levee  against  floods.  He  stmlied  the 
question  deeply  in  all  die  l>ooks  he  could  find  in  order  to  be  of  service  to 
the  town,  hoping  to  make  it  a  secure  and  good  place  to  come  to. 

On   August    15,    1865,   James   Elmer  Larimer  was   married    to    Rhoda 


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990  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

Amelia  Ward,  daughter  of  William  S.  and  Sarah  (Doyle)  Ward.  One 
daughter,  Laura,  who  was  graduated  from  the  l^uvreuceburg  high  schrio! 
and  who  took  two  terms  at  Indiana  University,  at  Bloomington,  was  born 
to  this  marriage.  She  married  Benjamin  R.  Smith  and  lives  in  Park  Ridge. 
Illinois.  They  ha\-e  four  children,  Sara  Mildreil.  Jessamine,  Larimer  and 
Mary. 

Mrs.  Larimer's  father.  William  S.  \\  ard.  was  one  of  the  best-loved  men 
in  that  community.  lie  and  her  mother  (who  was  bom  in  roughkeepsie. 
New  York)  were  married  in  Xew  Jersey,  and  came  to  Y(jrkville.  Dearborn 
county,  Indiana,  in  1816.  Both  died  in  Dearborn  county,  the  father  in  1858, 
and  the  mother  in  iQcS.  at  the  age  of  ninety-eight  years.  They  \\ere  the  parents 
of  ele>'en  children,  Isaac,  William,  Charles,  Richard.  George.- Jane,  Sarah, 
Caroline,  Mary,  Adelaide  and  Rhoda.  Mrs.  Larimer  was  born  at  Yorkville, 
Indiana,  in  1S43.  ^^^  was  assistant  editor  of  the  Press  and  there  developed 
an  attractive  and  successful  literary  capacity. 

Major  Larimer  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  and  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  For  man}-  years  he  has  been 
a  director  of  the  Ohio  Valley  Coffin  Company,  which  he  helped  to  organize. 

As  one  of  the  older  residents  of  Lawrenceburg  and  Dearborn  county. 
Major  Larimer  is  especially  well  known  in  this  section  of  the  state,  a  man 
of  splendid  bearing  and  of  happy,  genial  disposition.  His  favorite  sport  is 
baseball.  His  church — all  of  them.  His  Bible — "The  Book"  and  Emerson. 
His  reading- — everything,  but  preferably  scientific.  His  friends — every  good 
man  or  woman.  His  hopes — the  best  of  what  he  has  been.  His  hates — a 
human  skunk  or  fox.  His  pride — that  he  has  li\'ed  through  seventy-fi\'e 
years  of  more  valuable  achievement  b\-  man  than  all  the  race  had  previously 
accomplished. 


JOHx\  THEOBALD, 


.\  Ci\'il  War  \-eteran,  township  assessor  for  a  period  'of  se\'enteen  vears, 
elected  to  the  office  of  squire  and  constable,  the  subject  of  the  present  sketch 
is  worthy  of  more  than  passing  mention,  and  his  family  relationships  are  so 
extensive  as  to  make  him  a  man  of  wide  acciuaintance  and  influence.  He  was 
born  in  Xew  Alsace.  Kelso  town.ship,  Dearborn  county,  September  J_',  1842, 
and  is  the  son  of  Mathias  Theobald  and  Magdalena   (Keichler)   Theobald. 

Mathias  Theobald  was  born  in  Rheinum,  Alsace,  France,  in  1800,  living 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  991 

there  until  his  thirty-sixth  year,  when  he  came  to  America,  going  directly 
from  New  York  to  Cincinnati.  Buying  forty-three  acres  one  anil  one-half 
miles  northeast  of  New  .Msacc,  he  resided  there  for  twelve  year.s,  and  then 
moved  to  Oldenburg  on  a  farm  of  eighty  acres.  In  1852  he  purchased  a 
farm  of  eight)-  acres  near  Lawrenceville,  Jackson  township,  later  adding  to 
this  forty  acres,  so  that  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1880,  he  owned  in  all.  two 
hundred  and  forty-three  acres.  He  died  in  Jackson  township.  During  his 
residence  in  C!ermnn\-  he  was  a  soldier  in  the  Ijavarian  army,  serving  lor  six 
years.  All  of  his  life  he  took  an  interest  in  pul.ilic  affairs.  Me  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Catholic  church  at  St.  Peters,  Xew  Alsace  and  Oldenburg,  and 
voted  the  Democratic  ticket. 

Magdalena,  wife  of  Mathias  Theobald,  and  mother  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  born  in  Bavaria,  and  lived  there  until  1836,  when  she  came 
to  this  country  with  her  husband.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Lenard  and 
Katherine  Keichler,  l;oth  of  whom  were  born  in  Uavaria,  Germany,  and  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1836.  The  former  was  a  tailor.  Both  lived  to  b,c 
ninet_\"-one  years  of  age.  }^Iathias  an.d  IMagdaleua  Theobald  were  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  children:  Christian,  Jtiscph,  Elizabeth,  Peter,  Jact  ib. 
John  and  George.  Christian,  a  farmer  of  Xew  .Vlsace,  married-  Catherine 
Red,  and  their  two  children  are  Jacob  and  John.  Joseph  married  Frances 
Plumb,  of  Cincinnati,  and  they  live  on  their  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Spencer 
county,  Ohio. 

Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  Jacob  Kurtz,  a  farmer  living  in  Oldenburg. 
Their  children  are  John,  Maggie,  Elizabeth,  Mary,  Lena,  Emma,  Josephine 
(who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen),  Christina  (who  died  while  young),  Joseph. 
Nicholas  and  Adam.  Elizabeth  is  Mrs.  Jacob  Brown  Theobald,  her  husband 
being  a  fanner  in  Xew  Alsace,  his  farm  lands  consisting  of  eighty  acre-.. 
They  have  twelve  children.  Jacob  married  Agnes  Schneider,  and  with  their 
six  children  they  live  on  the  Theobald  homestead  in  Jackson  township.  Iheir 
children  are  Elizabeth,  John.  ]\Iary,  Xicholas,  Anthony  and  Martha.  George 
became  the  hu.-iband  of  Elizabeth  Scb.neider,  and  their  h"me  was  in  Cincinnati. 
The  children  born  to  this  couple  are  George  (deceased).  Elizabeth.  Rosa. 
Florence,  John,  Adam  and  Peter.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Geoige 
married  Rosena  Keichler,  of  Cincinnati.  Their  only  child  is  a  daughter 
named  Mary. 

John  Theobald  received  his  education  in  the  Jackson  cinmty  schools,  and 
lived  at  home,  assisting  his  father  on  the  farm  until  his  marriage.  When  he 
was  needed  to  defend  his  country,  he  was  among  the  first  to  enlist.     He  was 


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99-  DEARBORN  COUNTV,  INDIANA. 

nineteen  years  old  when  the  Ci\'il  War  broke  out,  and  enlisted  in  Indianapolis 
on  December  15,  1861.  On  January  28.  1862,  he  was  mustered  into  Company 
B,  Fifty-second  Regiment,  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Captain  Strick- 
land and  Col.  J.  M.  Smith.  So  efficient  was  his  service  that  he  was  pr.v 
moted  to  the  rank  of  corporal  in  1863.  lie  was  discharged  on  Febniar\-  26. 
i86a,  at  Canton,  ^lississippi,  to  rank  as  corporal,  was  re-instated,  and  finally 
discharged  on  September  10,  1865,  at  3.Iontg'omcry,  .Vlabama.  John  Theo- 
bald was  noted  for  his  bravery  and  took  part  in  the  following  engagements : 
Ft.  Donelson,  February  14,  1S62 ;  Siege  of  Corinth,  .\pril  30,  1S62:  I)er- 
kansville,  Tennessee,  September  17.  He  was  then  placed  on  garrison  duty 
at  Ft.  Pillow.  Tennessee,  until  January  18,  rS6|:  took  jiart  in  the  raid  on 
JNIeridian,  [Mississippi,  in  February,  1S64;  was  stationed  at  Ft.  Remsey, 
Pleasant  Flill,  Franklin.  October  i  ;  Ft.  Scott,  October  22 ;  Nashville,  on 
December  15  and  16;  took  part  in  the  capture  of  [Mobile,  .Xhliaina,  on  }>larch 
28,  including  Ft.  Blakeley  and  Spanish  b'ort;  remaining  in  Alabama  until 
mustered  out.  At  [Montgomery  and  at  Opalaca,  Companies  G  and  B  were 
consolidated. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  John  Theobald  returned  to  his  father's  farm. 
and  in  1867,  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Fleneg'an,  who  was  torn  in  Rijiley 
county,  Indiana.  [Moving  to  the  old  homestead,  [Mr.  and  [Mrs.  Theoliald 
lived  there  until  the  hitter's  death  on  [March  31,  1870.  Their  daughters  are 
Elizabetli  and  Katherine.  On  November  22  of  the  same  year,  [Mr.  Theo- 
bald married  for  his  second  wife,  Rosa  Ensprucker,  daughter  of  [Michael  ar.d 
[Monica  (Cachmeier)  Ensprucker,  natives  of  Germany. 

Six  }'ears  later,  John  Th.eohald  remo\'ed  his  family  to  Eawrenceville. 
where  he  opened  a  shoemaking  shop,  which  he  operated  for  the  next  fifteen 
years.  In  1801.  however,  he  decided  to  return  to  agricultural  activities,  and 
purchasing  eighty  acres  in  Jackson  township,  all  timber  land,  he  settled  dijwn 
there  for  permanent  residence. 

[Mrs.  Rosa  (  Ensprucker)  Theobald  belongs  ro  a  very  large  family.  Im- 
mediately after  their  marriage,  in  1848,  her  parents  left  thei^-  nati\'e  Germanv 
to  seek  a  new  home  in  the  United  States.  They  lived  for  ten  years  in  Cin- 
cinnati, then  moved  to  Franklin  county,  in  1853,  taking  up  their  new  life 
on  a  farm  of  forty  acres.  Here  they  lived  until  the  death  of  Michael  Ens- 
prucker in  1899.  when  he  was  seventy-nine  years  of  age.  [Mrs.  En.sprucker 
passed  away  in  1897,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five.  Their  children  were  as  fol- 
low:     John,    [Michael,    Barbara,    Rosa,    Martin,    Peter,    George    (deceased). 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA.  993 

Joseph  (deceased).  Susanna  and  Mary.  John  married  L-olta  Arm-Strong,  of 
Indianapolis,  and  the  couple  made  their  home  in  Connersville.  The  cliildren 
lx)rn  to  them  are  Sallie.  Martin.  William,  Joseph,  Gruver  and  Bertha.  ^^lichacl 
is  the  husband  of  Caroline  Armstrong  and  they  and  their  two  children. 
George  and  Edith,  are  living  on  the  homestead  in  Franklin  connty.  l^.arliara 
is  Mrs.  Frank  Flincgan,  also  living  on  the  homestead  place.  Martin,  who 
lives  in  Turlington,  Ohio,  is  the  husl>and  of  ^lary  Follie,  their  Imnic  Ijcing 
on  a  farm.  They  have  a  large  family  of  children.  Peter,  a  shoemaker  li\- 
ing  in  Co!incrsville,  is  married  to  Elizalieth  Biddinger.  Su.sanna  is  Mrs. 
Frank  F^'red,  of  Hamilton.  Ohio,  and  their  children  are  Kalherine,  Rosa,  Phil- 
lip, George  D.,  and  Earl.  ^Lary  married  tfenry  Steiger,  a  moulder,  of 
Detroit,  iNIichigan,  and  they  have  a  large  family. 

Rosa  (Ensprucker)  Theohakl,  who  v>as  horn  on  Fehruary  lo,  i''^53,  at 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  lived  with  her  parents  until  her  marriage.  She  i>  the 
mother  of  fifteen  children,  these  lieing  Mary,  Frank  J..  Rosa,  Peter  C, 
Magdelena,  Emma  A,.  Susie  A.,  John  G.,  Joseph  P.,  Andy  J.,  Jacoj)  \\  .. 
Charlie  IF,  Elnora  Bertha,  who  died  on  April  to,  191 5,  and  John  Edward  and 
Rosena,  who  died  in  infancy.  ]\Fary  married  Henry  Ilenkel,  of  Hamilton, 
Ohio.  Two  of  their  children,  Flarry  and  Walter,  are  dead.  The  living  are 
Edgar  and  Harvey.  Rosa  hecanie  the  wife  of  Jacob  Steinhauser,  of  Cin- 
cinnati, he  being  a  grocer.  Their  children  are  John  and  F'rank.  Peter  C. 
married  Clara  Smith,  and  the  couple  is  living  in  Indianapolis,  wh.ere  }ilr. 
Theobald  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  business.  Their  children  arc  Charles. 
Clarence  and  Robert.  Magdalena  is  Mrs.  Otto  \Vissel,  of  Batesville,  Indiana. 
Their  children  are  Hilda,  Alvin,  Leo  and  Agnes.  Emma  .\.  married  ?^Iartin. 
Ward,  a  grocer  of  Indianapolis,  and  their  children  are  Helen  and  Roy.  A 
general  store  of  Lawrence\  ille  is  owned  and  mai;aged  by  Harr\'  Haft,  who 
is  the  husband  of  Susie  A.  Their  three  children  are  named  Ohrim,  Ruth  and 
Roy.  John  G.  is  married  to  Clara  Frencemeier  and  is  a  farmer  of  Greens- 
burg,  their  children  being  Edward  and  Arthur.  Joseph  P.  married  Mary 
Fitzgerald  and  their  hcMne  is  on  a  farm  in  Helmuth,  Indiana.  They  have  an 
only  son,  named  Joseph,  Jr.  Andy  married  Mary  Smith.  Their  iK.mie  is 
on  a  farm  near  ]\Iilton,  Indiana.  Their  children  are  Thalma  and  Lawrence. 
Lizzie  married  a  carpenter  named  George  Eucker,  of  Cincinnati.  Katherine 
also  married  a  carpenter  of  Cincinnati,  his  name  being  Frank  Har))ering. 
Their  six  children  are  Daniel,  ]\Iaria,  George,  Katherine,  Frank  and  Rosella. 

John  Theobald,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  a  Democrat,  and  his  prom- 
inence in  his  party  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  he  was  for  seventeen  years 

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994  DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

assessor  of  Jackson  township,  having  been  elected  in  1878.  Although  elected' 
squire  and  constable,  ]\[r.  Theobald  never  cjualified  and  so  did  not  serve,  lie 
is  a  prominent  member  of  tiie  St.  Peter's  Catholic  church,  and  in  the  church 
as  in  the  community,  is  a  man  of  importance. 


EDWARD  BARKER. 


Edward  Barker  was  born  on  August  25,  1853,  '"  Kelso  township,  and 
is  the  third  child  of  Robert  and  Susan  (Dunn)  Barker.  He  was  educated 
at  Kelso,  where  he  grew  to  manhood,  and  has  since  resided.  At  the  age 
of  eighteen  he  leai'ned  the  wagon-maker's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  ten 
years,  when  he  made  up  his  mind  to  try  farming,  and  accordingly  purchased 
a  forty -acre  tract  in  Kelso,  to  which  he  later  added  eighteen  acres,  making 
fifty-eight  acres  in  all,  which  he  still  cultivates.  Mr.  Baker  has  always 
given  his  support  to  the  Democratic  party,  and  has  taken  great  interest  in 
all  questions  concerning  the  general  benefit  of  the  citizens  of  his  county. 
As  an  evidence  of  his  popularity  he  was  elected,  in  1891,  to  the  office  of 
township  trustee,  serving  four  years,  and  in  1908  he  was  elected  by  a  large 
majority  to  the  office  of  county  commissioner,  which  called  for  a  six-)ear 
term,  which  ends  in  1915.  Air.  Barker  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  church. 
at  Kelso,  to  which  he  is  a  liberal  contributor  of  his  worldy  goods. 

Robert  Barker,  father  of  Edward  Barker,  was  born  in  England,  in  1823, 
and  while  still  a  small  lad  came  with  his  mother  to  the  United  States,  his 
father  having  died  in  his  native  land.  His  mother  settled  in  Kelso  township, 
where  she  was  finally  laid  to  rest.  Roljert  was  given  as  good  an  education 
as  the  schools  of  those  times  afforded,  and  after  being  left  alone  at  the 
death  of  his  mother,  he  bought  sixty-four  acres  of  land,  wdiich  he  cultivated 
until  the  war  of  1861.  when  he  was  drafted  and  ser\'ed  four  months,  during 
which  time  he  was  taken  ill  and  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-eight  years.  He 
gave  his  supp'jrt  to  the  Democratic  i)arty.  and  contributed  liberally  to  the 
Catholic  church,  of  which  he  was  a  loyal  member.  His  wife,  Susan  J. 
fDunn)  Barker,  was  a  native  of  Kelso  township,  and  was  born  in  1837. 
She  moved  to  Kansas  during  the  latter  part  of  her  life,  and  died  there.  To 
this  union  were  born  four  children,  Mary  Elizabeth,  Edward.  Emma  and 
John.  Mar}-  Elizabeth  Ijecame  the  wife  of  Joe  McCain,  and  lives  in  Cin- 
cinnati.    Thev  have  one  child,  Florence.     Emma  is  married  to  Charles  Den- 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INniANA.  '995 

nison,  who  also  lives  in  Cincinnati.  To  this  union  have  been  born  tlirec 
cinldrcn,  Grace,  Arthiu"  and  Florence. 

Edward  Barker  was  married  to  Julia  Lally,  daughter  of  Anthonv  and 
Mary  (Lyness)  Lally,  natives  of  Ireland.  Mrs.  Barker  was  born  on  October 
18,  1857,  at  Florence,  Boone  county,  Kentucky,  and  renuiineil  at  the  home 
of  her  parents  until  her  marriage,  which  took  place  Februarv  5,  18S0.  To 
Mr.  and  Airs.  Barker  were  born  nine  children,  as  follow:  Mary,  Rol)ert, 
Florence,  William,  Charles,  Susan,  Anna,  George  and  one  who  died  in 
infancy. 

Mary  Barker  became  the  wife  of  Elmer  Grogan.  who  is  following  the 
carpenter's  trade  at  Cincinnati.  They  have  three  children,  Harry,  Edith  and 
Ada.  Robert  Barker  was  united  in  marriag"e  with  Bridget  Reilly,  and  moved 
to  Portsmouth,  Ohio,  where  his  wife  died  in  a  siiort  time.  He  was  again 
married,  and  is  now  in  the  insurance  business  at  Washington  C.  H.,  Ohio. 
By  his  first  wife,  he  had  one  child,  Edward,  and  one  by  his  second  wife, 
Margary.  Charles  Barker  was  married  to  Naomi  Schilling,  who  was  a  school 
teacher  at  Greendale,  Indiana. 

Edward  Barker  has  lived  a  clean,  wholesome  life,  and  is  in  every  way 
worthy  of  being  esteemed  as  one  of  the  representative  men  of  his  townsliip. 


,,,,,,•.,  ■  ALBERT  HENRY  KAMMEYER.    ' 

With   the  advantage  of   the   rural   delivery,   which    Uncle    Sam  has    so 

generously  provided,  no  man  is  so  independent  as  the  farmer,  and  none  so 

much  to  be  envied,  for  he  can  snap  his  fingers  in  the  face  of  hard  times.     The 

modern  farmer  has  advantages  of  which  his  pioneer  ancestors  never  dreamed. 

In  addition  to  the  many  useful  impro\ements  in  farm  machinery,  after  his 

.     day's  work  is  finished,  he  is  enaliled  to  keep  in  touch  with  the  news  of  t!ie 

,     world  through  the  daily  paper,  which  is  brought  to  his  door,  the  same  as  it 

;■     is  to  that  of  his  city  cousin. 

Albert  Henry  Kammeyer,  farmer,  son  of  Cortson  and  .Adeline  (Barg- 
,,  man)  Kammeyer,  was  born  on  December  i,  i860,  in  Miller  township,  Dear- 
,.  bom  county,  Indiana.  His  parents  were  natives  of  Germany,  near  Hanover, 
!,  and  came  to  America  when  quite  young,  settling  in  Alanchester  township, 
jv.  His  father  followed  the  occupation  of  a  farmer  all  his  life,  and  at  the  time 
of  his  death  owned  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirtv  acres.     Mrs.  Adeline 


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99^  DEARBORX  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

Kammeyer  died  in  August,  1914.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children, 
namely:  Mrs.  Anna  \\"ilson  (deceased).  Mrs.  Alice  Sclnvitzer,  Albert  Menry, 
Mrs.  Margaret  Schlater,  I\Irs.  ^^lary  Hillnian,  William,  Charley.  Mrs.  Jo- 
sephine Kasens  and  James. 

Albert  Henry  Kammc}-er  recci\cd  his  education  at  tlie  public  and  German 
schools  of  Dearborn  county,  where  he  has  lived  all  his  life.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat. 

On  April  10,  1890,  Albert  Henry  Kammeyer  was  married  to  Anna 
Dorothy  Hiller,  by  whom  he  has  had  the  following  children  :  Lydia.  William, 
Alma.  Anna,  Otto.  Sophia,  Amelia,  Albert,  \'iola,  Lucille  and  Josephine,  who 
died  when  four  years  old.  Mr.  Kammeyer  lives  on  his  own  farm  of  eighty 
acres,  located  in  Lawrenceburg  township,  about  four  miles  west  of  L.aw- 
renceburg. 

^Ir.  Kammc\er's  grandfather  came  from  Gcrmanv  when  middle-aged, 
and  resided  in  Dearborn  and  Ripley  counties  until  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  about  18S2.     Llis  grandmother  died  in  1886. 

Mr.  Kammeyer's  wife  is  a  daughter  of  John  Henry  Hiller  and  }ilar- 
guerite  (Aloorsehlodc)  Lliller.  She  was  born  on  December  16,  1866,  in 
Law  renceburg  township,  where  she  attended  the  German  schools.  Her  parents 
were  natives  of  Germany,  and  on  their  arrival  in  America  settled  in  Dear- 
born township,  Indiana.  Her  father  died  aliout  1894,  and  her  mother  still 
lives  on  the  home  place.  Two  unmarried  brothers  live  with  her.  There  were 
seven  children  in  this  family,  as  follow:  }slrs.  Anna  Kammeyer,  Mrs.  [Mar- 
guerite Bode,  Mrs.  Sophie  Oelker,  Henry.  John,  William  and  Louis. 


>    ^ V     DAVID  E.  JOHNSTON,  ]\L  D. 

David  F..  [ohnston  was  l)orn  on  January  27,  1873,  at  Indianapolis.  In- 
diana, and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Russell)  Johnstrjn.  His  early  edu- 
cation was  oI)tained  at  Indianapolis  and  the  public  schools  of  Dearliorn  county 
and  he  later  attended  iloores  Hill  College.  In  igoo  he  was  graduated  from 
The  medical  college  of  Indiana,  now  a  part  of  the  Indiana  University.  After 
graduation  he  ser\ed  as  house  physician  and  surgeon  in  the  Deaconess  Hos- 
pital, at  Indianapolis,  for  one  year,  and  after  practicing  for  one  year  in 
Indianapolis  he  came  to  Moores  Hill,  where  he  has  established  himself  in  a 
good-paying  practice.     Doctor  Johnston  is  a  Democrat,   to  which  party  he 


.       .   ,'>  )  ,■  M'l.-f      rrn!/. 


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-,'„  ■-( 


'     ('.":;  JuL 


DEARnORK  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  -  99/ 

has  always  given  his  enthusiastic  support,  being  elected  in  1910  as  coroner  of 
the  county,  and  re-elected  in  1912,  and  again  in  1914.  He  was  president  of 
the  school  board  of  ^loores  Hill  for  six  years.  Doctor  Johnston  belongs  to 
the  Masonic  Order,  Independent  Ortler  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  Independent 
Order  of  Foresters.  He  is  a  member  kA  the  Dearborn  County,  the  Indiana 
State,  and  American  ^Medical  Associations,  a  member  of  the  Fourth  Councillor 
District  ^ledical  .Association,  of  which  he  is  president,  and  also  a  meml)cr  of 
the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Association  of  Railway  Surgeons.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  church. 

James  Johnston,  father  of  David  E.,  was  born  on  June  10,  1S31.  near 
Johnston  Mill,  on  Hogan  Creek,  and  was  educated  in  Dearborn  county. 
After  school  he  worked  on  the  home  place,  and  operated  the  old  mill  wb.icb 
belonged  to  the  family.  When  about  thirty  years  of  age,  he  went  to  Indiana- 
polis, where  he  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business,  in.  connection  with  the 
erection  of  houses,  etc.,  which  he  followed  up  to  the  last  three  years  of  his 
life,  when  he  was  stricken  with  apople.xy.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and  held  some 
,    '   of  the  township  offices,  among  them  being  that  of  justice  of  the  jjcace  for  a 

■  period  of  seven  vears.     His  parents  were  George  and  Catherine    (  Karney) 

■  Johnston.     His  death  occurred  on  August  j6,   1902.      Mary  (Russell)  ]^Av\- 

■  ston.  his  wife,  was  born  on  Little  Hogan  creek,  Manchester  township.  Dear- 
'    born  countv.  October  28,    i8_|.|..      She  was  a  daughter  uf  James  Allan  and 
■■■'    Elizabeth  ( Barclay )   Russell.     James  Allan  Russell  was  l.iorn  in  County  An- 
trim, Ireland,  and  died  on  Marcii   13,   1885.     lillizabeth   Russell  was  born  in 

■'    County  Antrim,  Ireland,  :May  15,  1815,  and  died  on  Xo\ep.iber  22,  190J. 
■'  To  James  and  ^Nlarv   (Russell)  John.^ton  were  born  four  children,  Xor- 

''"'   man,  Allen,  Elizabeth  and  Da\id.    Mrs.  Mary  Johnst.ju  died  on  November  25. 
"     1879,  at  Indianapolis,  lu'liana. 

'■  George  and  Catherine   (Karney)   Johnston  were  the  paternal  grandpar- 

'■'  ents.  The  former  was  born  on  ]vlay  2.2,  1790,  and  lived  in  Winchester,  X'lr- 
<■''  ginia,  the  most  of  his  life,  and  then  moved  to  Indiana,  where  he  followed 
^'-  farming.  Air.  Johnston  built  John.-.t(.)n's  Alill  on  Hogan  creek,  and  lixed  there 
'^''  until  his  death,  December  31,  186 1,  quite  an'old  man.  Catherine  (Karney) 
**'  Johnston,  his  wife,  was  born  at  Lexington,  Kentucky,  in  1800,  and  died  on 
'''•'~'  February  22,  1879.  aged  eighty  years.  This  union  was  blessed  with  seven 
children,  Henry,  Xora,  Lucy,  George,  Joseph,  William  and  James. 

Dr.  David  E.  lohnston  was  united  in  marriage  on  March  26,   1008,  wuh 
Clara  B.  Eignev,  daughter  of  Lemuel  and  Sara  (Van  Doren)  Bigney.      She 


jvt:.\'i^.i  :n'.'.'.-:-}  ■/.>:< uLa.fi. jtis 


in  t>-'vol-  -Miv:  .,   .  .j-,,;^  •.;i.M^r,:[in; 


■'.ill  nav-- 


■''     '    •"■•'"I'-'l    T'/-K|  ..;_,,  ,,      ,,     ;     Hij;     :■<;,    r.l/     : 

.fl.;M;fl:, 

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'•'•■■•■.Hj  -Jill     .(if'j^iin'o^ 


■)■■!    'l.;f!/. 


■    ■'  '''■■'-    ':         IM  n  ;rtri   n;    (^^.H/n, 


QQS  dearborn  county,  INDIANA. 

was  born  on  October  b,  1867,  at  Moores  Hill.  Ilcr  education  was  obtained 
at  Moores  Hill,  graduating  from  ^loorcs  Hill  College. 

Lemuel  Bigney,  father  of  Airs.  Johnstun.  was  born  in  Nova  Scotia,  on 
February  32,  1S26,  and  died  on  September  11.  1900.  His  wife  was  a  native 
of  New  Jersey,  born  in  Summerset  county.  November  13,  1S31,  and  died  nn 
July  5,  1903.     The\-  were  residents  of  Dearborn  county,  Indiana. 

]>3ctor  Johnston  has  won  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  entire  com- 
munit}-  in  which  he  resides,  and  the  large  practice  which  he  has  built  up 
speaks  well  for  the  high  efficiency  of  his  skill.  '  ■        ■ -.     ■  ,;    ^  ,, 


'■■"■"  JOHN  F.  DITTMER.  >     '       .      .. 

John  F.  Dittmer.  of  Manchester  township,  is  a  native  of  Germany,  where 
he  was  born  on  August  4,  1S49,  ^  son  of  Ciaus  and  -Margaret  Dittmer.  He 
was  educated  in  his  nati\'e  land,  and  after  leaving  school  helped  his  father 
on  the  farm  until  he  grew  to  young  manhood.  Hearing  of  the  wonderful 
advantages  in  America,  he  was  filled  with  a  desire  to  have  a  share  in  these 
benefits,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  he  sailed  for  the  new  country,  arriving 
at  New  York  City,  where  he  was  employed  several  weeks,  thus  giving  him  tmie 
to  select  a  permanent  location.  He  immigrated  soon  after  to  Ripley  county, 
engaging  his  ser\-ices  on  a  farm,  where  he  remained  three  years,  and  then 
rented  various  tracts  of  land  in  Ripley  and  Dearlwrn.  Tiring  of  [)aying  so 
much  of  his  hard-earned  money  to  others  for  such  a  purpose,  lie  determined 
upon  investing  his  savings  in  a  tract  of  land  in  Manchester  township,  consist- 
ing of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres.  His  first  payment  on  this  propert^•  was 
a  substantial  amount  in  cash,  after  which  he  made  payments  as  he  earned  the 
money.  After  this  farm  \\as  paid  for  it  was  not  long  before  he  was  in  a  posi- 
tion to  purchase  iine  hundred  and  fifty-six  acres  more,  adjoining  his  own 
place,  making  in  all,  two  hmidred  and  ninety-six  acres,  all  of  which  he  con- 
tinued to  cultivate  for  many  years.  A  few  years  since  IMr.  Dittmer  decided 
to  retire  from  an  active  farm  life,  and  rented  his  home  place  to  his  son,  mosing 
to  Aurora,  where  he  resided  five  years,  and  then  made  arrangements  to  return 
and  take  charge  of  the  farm,  retaining  at  the  same  time  his  residence  in 
Aurora.  Mr.  Dittmer  is  a  strong  belie\"er  in  Democratic  principles,  and  in 
religion  he  is  a  faithful  attendant  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Glaus  and  Margaret  Dittmer,  parents  of  our  subject,  were  natives  of 


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DEARBORN  COUXTY,   INDIANA.  999 

Germany.    iNlargaret  Dittmer  died  in  Germany  Ijut  Claus  IJittmer  came  lu  this 
country  and  stayed  with  his  son  John,  where  he  died  in  his  t-is^iuy-secund  year. 

John  F.  Dittmer  was  married,  March  24,  iS7_',  to  Minnie  Kreitlein,  in 
Ripley  county.  Site  was  born  in  Dearborn  county,  near  Tanners  creek,  and 
is  a  daugliter  of  Frederick  and  Alary  Kreitlein.  :Mrs.  Dittmer  was  reared 
and  educated  in  Dearborn  county,  remaining  at  home  until  the  time  nf  her 
marriage.  To  this  couple  were  born  eleven  children,  namely;  I'red,  .Maggie, 
Anna,  Barbara,  Carrie,  Henry,  John,  Dora,  Ida,  and  two  who  died  in  infancy. 

Fred  Dittmer  married  Alyrtle  Jackson,  and  is  now  a  prosperous  farmer 
of  Manchester  township,  where  he  is  one  of  its  substantial  citizens.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Dittmer  are  the  parents  of  six  children,  Guy,  Rosie,  Helen,  Edward, 
William  and  Hazel.  Maggie  is  now  Mrs.  John  Rhinstidt,  and  reside^  <jn  a 
farm  in  Ripley  county.  They  have  five  children,  Harvey,  John,  Frank, 
Rachel  and  Josephine.  Anna  became  the  wife  of  Eugene  Hnusc,  a  farmer  in 
Hogan  township,  and  has  seven  children,  Charles,  George,  Alma,  Frank,  Di->r- 
othy,  Elmer  and  Xorma.  Carrie  was  united  in  marriage  with  Isaac  Peasley, 
and  lives  on  a  farm  in  ^Manchester  township.  They  have  no  children.  Henry 
is  married,  and  is  cultivating  a  farm  near  Jeftersnuville,  Indiana.  His  wife 
was  Rena  Donnan.  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  Durman.  John  was  married 
to  Emma  Donnan.  and  is  fanning  in  Hogan  township.  They  ha\e  had  twi. 
children,  IMarie  and  Avery.  Dora  was  united  in  marriage  to  George  F. 
Kaiser.  They  live  on  one  of  her  father's  fanns.  They  have  no  children. 
Ida  lives  at  home. 

John  F.  Dittmer  is  well  deserving  of  the  success  which  fortune  has  dealt 
out  to  him.  He  has  been  considerate  in  his  attitude  toward  his  fellow  men, 
and  a  good  husband  and  father. 

(  -    :;■;,;,■■ 


HENRA'  J.  LOXGCAMP,  D.  D.  S. 

Henrv-  T.  Longcamp  was  born  in  Clay  township,  near  Dillsboro.  Dear- 
born county,  November  22,  187S.  He  is  a  son  of  Flenry  and  Catharine  (Rull- 
mann)  Longcamp.  and  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm.  He  attended  the 
district  schools,  graduating  from  the  Dillsboro  high  school,  after  which  he 
entered  Moores  Hill  College.  He  then  taught  school  for  one  year,  when  he 
took  up  the  study  of  dentistry,  graduating  from  the  Cincinnati  College  of 
Dental  Surgery  in  1904,  at  the  end  of  which  year  he  began  his  practice  in 


'>ii\y   uf'f. 


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■jhi  j;;  .xcioi   nt  ^/-T9.i 


lOOO  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

Aurora,  and  has  continued  here  ever  since.  Doctor  Longxanip  is  a  stanch 
Repuhhcan.  He  and  his  wife  are  memliers  of  the  Baptist  church,  in  which  he 
officiates  as  assistant  Sunday  school  superintenderit.  He  belongs  to  .Aumra 
Lodge  Xo.  51,  Free  and  Accepted  ]\lasons;  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men. 
and  the  ^Modern  ^^'oodmen  of  America. 

Henry  and  Catharine  (  Rullmann)  Longcamp,  parents  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  were  early  settlers  in  Clay  township,  Dearborn  county.  Henry 
Longcamp  was  born  in  Germany,  ]\Iay  14,  1S43.  and  came  with  his  parents  to 
America  while  still  an  infant.  The  famih-  settled  in  Cacsai-  Creek  township. 
Dearborn  coimty,  where  Henry  grew  to  manhood  on  a  farm,  lie  went  to 
the  Civil  War  as  a  pri\ate  in  C<-)mpany  A,  Eleventh  Kentucky  Ca\'alry,  ser\'- 
ing  through  the  entire  war;  was  a  prisoner  in  Andersonville,  Belle  Island  and 
Charleston  for  sixteen  months.  When  the  war  was  over,  Air.  Longcamp 
bought  a  farm  in  Cla)-  township,  of  ninety-six  acres,  where  he  followed  agri- 
culture and  reared  his  famih',  residing  there  for  many  years,  finally  disposed 
of  liis  farm  and  moved  to  West  Aurora,  and  bought  a  small  tract  of  eigiUe.-n 
acres,  which  is  now  a  part  of  the  city  of  Aurora,  and  where  he  spent  his  la<t 
days,  his  death  occurring  in  Januar}-,  1912,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years  and 
eight  months. 

Henry  Longcamp  and  his  wife  loth  became  members  of  the  Luth.eran 
church,  and  he  was  for  a  time  a  member  of  John  Platter  Post,  Gran.d  .Army 
of  the  Republic.  His  wife,  Catharine  (Rullmann)  Longcami),  is  a  native  'jf 
Indiana,  and  still  survi\es  him.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  cliiklren. 
namel}- :  William,  deceased:  Henry  J.,  of  Aurora,  and  Anna,  who  became  the 
wife  of  Pkhvard  Harves.  of  A\'est  Side,  Aurora. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  I'rederick  Longcamp,  and  his  wife  w  :is 
Mary-  (Sheibumbj  Longcami^,  nati\es  of  Germany,  the  former  dying  in 
Caesar  Creek  township,  and  the  latter  at  Rising  Sun  in  Ohio  count}',  Indiana, 
well  along  in  years.  They  had  eight  children,  Alary,  Frederick,  Eliza,  Will 
iam,  Flenry,  Louise,  Minnie  and  Rosena. 

The  maternal  grandparents  of  Doctor  Longcamp  were  early  settlers  in 
Dearborn  county.   Indiana,  where  they  culti\'ated  a  farm   in  Clay  township, 
.and  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days,   dying  at   an  advanced  age.     Their 
children  were,  Catharine,  Alargaret,  Aaron  and  Hem-y. 

Dr.  Henry  J.  Longcamp  was  united  in  marriage  on  September  5,  1907. 
with  Bessie  Teaney,  daughter  of  Frank  and  Olive  (Writer)  Teanc}',  to  which 
union  have  been  born  two  children,  Virgil  Henry  and  Wikhs  Olive.  Mrs. 
Longcamp  was  born  in  Aurora. 


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ft,,.,  ^j..i-...^.. 


■'     DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  lOOI 

Frank  and  Olive  (Writer)  Teanc}-,  parents  of  Mrs.  Longcanip,  were 
born  in  Dearborn  county,  and  now  reside  at  Indianai)olis.  Their  children 
were,  Bessie  (Airs.  Longcamp)  and  Grace,  now  the  wife  of  Jack  W'estfield. 

Doctor  Longcamp  resides  on  Decatur  street,  Aurora,  where  he  and  Ins 
wife  make  their  home  the  center  of  much  genial  liospitality. 


•         :        .    .  •        HERMAN  H.  MOELLER.         ;,      ...,*;. 

One  of  the  we!l-kno\\n  citizens  of  Caesar  Creek  township.  Dearborn 
county,  Indiana,  is  Herman  H.  Afoeller.  |the  subject  of  this  short  bir)o-raph- 
ical  sketch.  Air.  Aloeller  is  a  native  of  Hanover,  Germany,  born,  I'ebruary  3. 
18S3,  and  was  brought  to  this  country  by  his  parents  when  a  babe  of  but  six 
months.  He  is  a  son  of  tienry  H.  and  Louise  (Schliebaum)  Aloeller,  Ijnth 
natives  of  Hanover,  the  former  born  on  Alay  28,  1839,  and  the  latter  on  Ma\- 
7,  1S54.  Upon  their  arrival  in  this  country  thev  came  directly  to  Dearli'ini 
county,  bleating  at  I'armers  Retreat,  where  tlie  suliject  of  this  sketch  receixed 
his  education.  They  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  and 
were  actively  engageil  in  farming  for  a  great  many  years. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  one  of  a  familv  of  nine  children,  nanic-ly  : 
William  (deceased).  Louisa.  Sadie.  Henry  (deceased),  Herman,  Elizabeth. 
Carrie,  Emma  and  Fred.  Sadie  married  Henry  Xiederbaumer  and  lias  two 
children,  Ruth  and  Willard.  Elizabeth  became  the  wife  of  John  Vinup,  liv- 
ing in  Cincinnati.  Ohio.  Carrie  married  Edward  Ruhr  and  also  resides  in 
Cincinnati,  C~)hi(j.  Emma  is  the  wife  of  Alva  Schulenborg  and  they  live  in 
Caesar  Creek  township. 

After  his  school  days  were  over,  Herman  H.  Moeller  assisted  iiis 
father  in  the  work  of  the  farm  home  and  then  in  1913  he  purchased  the  pbice 
for  his  own  and  has  continued  to  reside  there.  He  was  married  on  b'ebruary 
3,  1907,  to  Carrie  Linkmeyer,  who  was  born  at  Farmers  Retreat.  August  30. 
1879,  ^  daughter  of  Henry  and  Emma  Linkmeyer,  both  of  whom  were  born 
m  this  section.  There  were  four  children  in  their  family,  Hannah.  Alartin. 
Carrie  and  Matilda.  Carrie  was  etiucated  in  the  schools  near  her  home  and 
after  her  school  days  were  over  she  went  to  Cincinnati,  where  she  secured 
employment  and  remained  for  two  years,  returning  home  for  her  marriage. 
Hannah  married  William  Thomas  and  lives  at  Ludlow,  Kentucky.  She  has 
one  daughter,   Esther.     Alartin  married  Anna  Bobrinck  and  lives  at  Law- 


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I002  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

renceliurg.  They  have  had  four  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  the 
others  are  Catherine  and  Carol.  Matilda  hecaine  the  wife  of  Jesse  Booster, 
who  lives  at  Dillsboro,  and  she  has  three  children.  Francis,  Edith  and  F,\elyn. 
To  A[r.  and  Mrs.  Herman  H.  Moeller  have  been  born  three  children, 
namely:  Alartin,  \vho  was  born  on  Decem])er  5,  1908.  and  is  attending  school; 
Paul,  November  11,  1910,  and  Lucile.  September  J2.  1912.  The  entire  fam- 
ily ;'.re  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Wv.  3iIoeller  gives  his  support  to 
the  Republican  party.  In  all  the  essential  elements  oi  good  citizenship  ]\Ir. 
Moeller  is  a  man  among  men,  and  by  his  earnest  life,  sturdy  integrity  and 
strict  regard  for  the  highest  moral  ethics,  he  has  earned  and  retains  llie  warm 
regard  of  those  who  know  him. 


ROBERT  R.  G.\RDNER. 

Robert  R.  Gardner  was  born  at  Lawrcnceburg,  Indiana,  September  14, 
1891,  a  son  of  George  ]NJ.  and  Luella  { Ruter)  Gardner.  Since  he  was  six 
months  old  his  home  has  been  in  Aurora,  where  he  attended  the  public  schools 
and  spent  three  years  in  the  high  school,  when  his  health  obliged  him  to  dis- 
continue his  studies.  While  attending  school,  Robert  R.  was  employed  by 
the  Bell  Telephone  Company  as  a  collector,  and  in  !May.  19 12.  he  started  for 
himself  in  the  electrical  contracting  and  supply  Imsiness.  in  which  lie  i-^  still 
engaged,  and  is  conducting  the  most  successful  business  in  his  line  in  the  city. 
To  this  business  he  has  added  plumbing  work.  [Mr.  Gardner  is  a  member 
of  th.e  Presbyterian  chmxh.  in'  which  he  is  a  deacon.  He  belongs  to  the 
Aurora  Commercial  Club,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Society  for  Electrical  Devel- 
opment in  the  United  States. 

George  M.  and  Luella  f Ruter)  Gardner,  parents  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  are  natives  of  Indiana.  George  M.  Gardner  was  reared  at  Lawrence- 
burg  and  learned  the  mechanic  and  wood-worker's  trade,  working  for  sev- 
eral years  in  the  old  furniture  factory,  and  later  in  the  factory  of  the  Ohio 
Valley  Coftin  Company  at  Lawrenceburg.  He  came  to  Aurora  in  October, 
1891,  and  has  been  employed  in  the  coffin  factory  here  ever  since,  where  he 
is  now  general  foreman.  Mr.  and  ]Mrs.  George  M.  Gardner  are  the  parents 
of  five  children,  Robert  R.,  Marguerite,  Juanita,  George  and  Nel  Gene. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  Martin  Gardner,  and  his  wife  was  Ange- 
line   (Fisher)   Gardner.     The  former  was  of  French  descent,   from  Alsace- 


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•f  .■  .  DEAKIiORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA.  ]  OO3 

I>orraine,  and  the  latter  was  of  German  ancestr)-.  'J'hc_\-  came  to  America  in 
1849,  settling  at  Lawrencebnrg,  where  ]Mr.  Gardner  carried  on  the  tailm-V 
trade.  Air.  Gardner  died  at  the  age  of  sixt_v-fonr  years,  and  his  wife  at  the 
age  of  seventy-seven,  and  botli  are  buried  at  Lawrencelmrg.  Tliey  h.ad  a 
large  family  of  cliildren.  as  follow:  William.  George,  h'dward,  Henry,  Jikc- 
phine,  who  died  in  infancy.  Rose,  \'ettie,  Luella  and  one  who  died  \\>.  infancy. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  Capt.  Raynaldo  Riibert  Ruter.  a  nati\e 
of  Lexington,  Indiana.  His  wife,  Sophia  (Before)  Rnter,  was  horn  at 
Vevay,  Switzerland  county,  Indiana.  Cajjtain  Ruter  \\;is  a  physician  and 
surgeon  of  considerable  prominence.  He  died  in  February,  1S84.  aged 
fifty-four  years,  and  Airs.  Ruter  died  on  Xoveml^er  4,  1900,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-four  years.  This  couple  had  five  children.  Alma,  Xellie.  Luella.  I\hca 
and  Frank.  Captain  Ruter  was  a  veteran  and  a  captain  in  the  Xinei_\'-third 
Regiment,  Indiana  A'olunteer  Infantr}-,  and  a  surgeon  in  the  Ci\'il  War.  ser\- 
ing  without  pay.  He  was  a  prominent  physician,  and  was  well  kii'jwn 
throughout  Dearborn  county. 

Calvin  Before,  the  great  great-grandfather  of  Robert  R.  Gardner,  nn  liis 
mother's  side,  was  one  of  the  first  pioneers  of  Switzerland  county.  Indiana. 

Robert  R.  Gardner  is  an  expert  in  his  line  of  work,  which  accounts  for 
his  prominent  position  in  his  vocation,  and  his  large  circle  of  S(jcial  and 
business  acquaintances  esteem  him  highh-  lor  his  sul)stantial  qualities. 


:'.    -     ■  WILBUR  A.  WILLIAMS. 

Wilbur  A.  Williams,  L^nited  States  storekeeper-ganger,  of  Lawrenceburg. 
Indiana,  was  born  at  Ellisburg,  Jefferson  county.  New  York,  Alarch  u.  1841. 
His  parents  were  W^illiam  and  Jerusha  fPlnmmer)  Williams.  He  grew  to 
maturity  on  his  father's  farm,  and  attended  the  district  schools,  going  later 
to  Bassett's  Commercial  College  at  Syracuse,  Xew  York.  \Mren  the  Ci\il  War 
broke  out  he  enlisted  in  the  Tenth  X^ew  York  Fleavy  Artillery,  serving  three 
years.  He  was  on  picket  duty  just  prior  to  the  battle  of  Petersburg,  and 
in  a  skirmish  was  wounded  in  the  left  leg,  and  also  met  with  the  loss  of  his 
left  eye.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  for  three  years,  and  was  promoted  to  sec- 
ond lieutenant  on  September  i,  1S63.  He  served  through  the  entire  war  and 
was  discharged  August  26,  1865. 

After  the  war,  Mr.  Williams  spent,  a  year  on  the  Great  Lakes,  and  then 


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I004  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

taught  school  for  a  period  of  seventeen  years  in  tlie  graded  schools  of  Ohio, 
finally  returning  to  the  soil,  where  he  superintended  a  stock  farm  for  two 
years,  and  later  mo\'ed  to  Brookville,  Indiana,  interesting  himself  in  a  gro- 
cery. Not  finding  this  to  his  liking,  he  took  a  civil  service  examination  aufl 
entered  the  revenue  service  in  the  sixth  district  of  Indiana,  in  which  he  was 
appointed  storekeeper-ganger  in  1898  and  which  position  he  still  occujiies. 

Mr.  Williams  is  a  Re]jublican.  and  while  in  Ohio  he  served  as  tuwnship 
treasurer  of  ^Nliddleton  township,  U'ood  county.  He  was  reared  in  the  faith 
of  the  Universalist  church,  hut  at  present  is  not  identified  with  an\-  church. 
He  is  a  Master  Alason,  and  belongs  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

William  and  Jerusha  (Plummer)  ^^'illiams,  parents  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  were  natives  of  Brattleboro,  \'ermont.  where  thev  followed  farm- 
ing until  they  moved  to  Pierrepont  ilanor.  New  York,  where  'S.lr.  William^ 
combined  farming  with  real  estate  deals.  He  p\n"cliased  v\liat  was  knc)wn  as 
the  Webster  farm  in  Jefferson  county,  where  he  h\ed  until  hisdeath  in  i88f^, 
which  occurred  in  his  eiglity-second  vear,  his  wife  d\'ing  a  year  prior,  in  1887. 
The}'  were  members  of  the  Universalisi  cliiuxh,  and  were  the  parents  nf  fi\e 
children,  na.me!}" :  La\^-son  B.  born  No\eniljer  i,  1833,  died,  August  .24.  1907; 
Nancy  E.,  who  manned  Lewis  Tallman,  and  died  on  May  6,  1862;  Wilbur  .V., 
of  Lawrenceburg;  Pardon  C,  who  resides  at  Watertown,  New  York,  where 
he  follows  tlie  practice  (if  law,  and  was  judge  of  the  ap]iellate  court  it^'  a 
number  of  years:  and  William  Oscar,  who  \\as  born  on  October  i,  1849,  at 
Pierrepont  Manor,  and  died  on  April  8,  191.;. 

The  paternal  grandfatlier  was  William  Williams,  and  his  first  wife  was 
Sally  }\lixer,  who  was  born  at  Brattleboro,  \'ermont.  May  20.  [770.  and  died 
on  December  5,  1826.  His  second  wife  was'  Eunice  Plummer,  wlio  was  born 
on  March  2^.  17S3,  at  Brattleboro,  Vermont,  and  died  on  July  24,  1805.  in 
l-Uisburg,  New  York.  William  Williams  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits. He  belonged  to  the  state  militia,  but  it  is  believed  he  was  a  S'lblier 
in  the  War  oi  1812.  He  mo\-ed  with  his  familv  to  Jeffersnn  county.  New 
Ni'fk,  where  he  sj^ent  his  last  tlays,  \vhich  ended  at  an  adwanced  age.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  \\  illiam  Williams  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  }>Irs. 
Celinda  Brown,  Airs.  Nancy  Brown,  Mrs.  Eastman,  Mr^^.  Joseph  Allen,  Will- 
iam, John  and  Roswell, 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  a  Mr.  Plummer,  and  his  wife  was  Eunice 
( I'razier)  Plummer,  who  afterwards  married  William  Williams.  This  grand- 
father and  grandmother  Plummer  were  nati\es  of  Brattleljoro,  \^ermont,  anti 
moved  into  Jefferson  county.     They  had  four  children  :  Da\'id,  who  resided  at 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA.  IOCS 

Boston;  a  son,  who  \vas  killed  while  on  his  wav  west  by  stepping  off  a  mov- 
ing train;  Roswell.  who  was  in  the  commission  business  in  New  York  Cilv; 
and  Jerusha.  tlie  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Wilbur  A.  Williams  was  united  in  marriage  on  Octolicr  22.  i8'')6,  with 
Leonora  J.  Close,  daughter  oi  Solonum  and  Sybid  E.  (Graves)  Close,  who 
died  on  Afarch  31,  1885.  aged  forty-two  years,  leaving  one  chikl.  Xellie  Mav. 
Nellie  [May  Williams  became  the  wife  of  Frederick  W.  (.^uellhorst.  Thev  live 
near  Camiel.  Indiana,  and  have  three  children.  William  I...  llenrv  W..  and 
Carroll. 

]\Ir.  Williams  was  married  secondly,  on  the  12th  of  DccemlKr,  18S7,  to 
ITthel  L.  Close,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife,  to  which  union  was  born  one  daugh- 
ter, Catherine  L.,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  Edward  Hauck.  They  reside  at 
Greendale,  and  have  one  daughter,  Ethel  Juanita.  ]\lrs.  Ethel  L.  Williams 
was  born  on  ^Marcli  i,  184S.  at  Henderson.  Jeflcrsoii  countv.  Xew  York,  and 
was  formerly  a  member  of  the  Swedenborgian  church. 

Solomon  and  Sybil  E.  (Graves)  Close  Vv'ere  natives  of  Dutchess  and  Jef- 
ferson c(.iunties,  Xew  York,  respectively.  Mr.  Clnse  followed  the  trade 
of  a  brick  and  stone  mason,  and  died  at  Lawrenceburg.  Indiana,  in  Janu;irv, 
1S97.  a  little  under  eighty-three  years  of  age.  rlis  wife  died  at  Brookville. 
Indiana,  in  18S9,  aged  sixty-eight  years.  To  this  union  were  Ijorn  six  chil- 
dren, namely:  Leonora,  deceased;  Frances  -\.,  deceased;  Adelaid,  who  makes 
her  home  at  Lawrenceburg;  Emily  ]\I..  deceased,  and  a  son,  who  died  in 
infancy. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Ethel  W'illiams  was  Jonathan  Close, 
whose  wife  was  Louisa  (  Wetmore)  Close,  natives  of  Xew  ^'ork.  where  he 
followed  agricultural  pursuits.  This  union  was  blessed  with  three  sons  ami 
two  daughters,  Alonzo,  Lucinda,  Solomon,  Sanford  and  Ruth. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  }klrs.  Ethel  Williams  was  Joseph  Graves, 
and  his  wife  was  Cynthia  (Tousley)  Graves,  natives  of  Jefferson  county, 
X'ew  York,  where  they  followed  farming.  Mr.  Gra\es  died  at  the  age  of 
eighty-four  years,  and  his  wife  at  ])ast  middle  age.  This  union  was  blessed 
with  a  large  family  of  children,  Joseph,  Sidney.  Orin.  .\lanson,  Mosel_\-.  Smith. 
Elvira,  Emil}-  and  Melissa. 

Mr.  Williams  has  been  a  lover  of  music  from  boyhood,  and  is  a  violinist 
of  a  high  order.  At  present  he  is  conductor  of  the  Sunday  school  orchestra 
of  the  Church  of  Christ  at  Lawrenceburg;  and  for  the  last  half  century  has 
conducted  orchestras  in  various  cities  throughout  the  country,  during  which 


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I006  DEARBORN  COUXTV,   IXDIANA. 

time  he  has  delighted  thousands  of  people  with  the  quality  of  the  music  he 
has  rendered.  He  takes  the  greatest  jjossible  pleasure  in  adding  to  the  hap- 
piness of  others  in  this  way,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  enjoy  a  large  circle 
of  friends,  who  esteem  their  acquaintance  highly. 


VANDEX  B.  C.VXKIELD. 


Vanden  B.  Canfield  was  born  on  January  2,  18S0,  at  ]\Iaysville.  Ken- 
tucky, a  son  of  01i\"er  T.  and  Henrietta  (  A'anden)  Canfield.  At  the  age  of 
four  years  Vanden  B.  was  brought  to  .Aurora,  which  place  has  since  been  his 
home.  He  attended  the  public  schools,  and  when  through,  engag'ed  his  serv- 
ices on  a  farm  for  two  years,  and  then  went  into  the  grocery  business  with  his 
father,  whicli  partnership  lasted  o\er  a  period  of  fourteen  years,  tie  is  at 
present  engaged  in  the  automobile  repair  and  sales  business,  in  partnership 
with  Xieman  &  Linkme}"cr.  .\s  salesman  f<jr  this  firm  lie  has  been  ver\'  suc- 
cessful, placing-  a  large  number  of  automobiles  in  Dearborn  county.  Air. 
Canfield  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  his  religious  membership  is  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  belongs  to  Aurora  Lodge  Xo.  ;i.  Free  and 
Accepted  IMasons :  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Alen.  and  the  Alodern  Wood- 
men of  America. 

Oliver  T.  Canfield  was  born  in  Dearb<jrn  countv,  and  was  rearer  on 
North  Hogan  creek,  Uvo  or  three  miles  from  Aurora,  w  here  he  grew  up  on 
a  farm,  and  was  afterward  a  general  merchant  at  Wilmington  fi-^r  a  luuuber 
of  years.  Lea\'ing  here,  he  \\ent  to  Alaysville,  Kentuck\\  where  he  also 
did  merchandising,  and  in  i8.'^4  he  came  to  Aurora,  following  the  same  line  of 
business  until  his  death,  with  the  exception  of  about  four  years  spent  in  farm- 
ing, on  account  of  ill  health.  He  died  at  Aurora  in  May,  1912,  aged  sixty- 
nine  years.  Air.  Canfield  was  public-spirited,  and  held  some  of  the  local 
offices.  He  served  on  the  Aurora  school  board  for  a  number  of  years  and 
was  a  member  of  the  council  several  terms.  At  one  time  he  was  treasurer 
of  the  Union  Building  Association,  and  was  one  of  its  first  directi^rs. 
Ele  was  a  Republican  and  was  prominent  in  the  councils  of  his  party. 
His  wife,  Henrietta  fVandenj  Canfield,  was  born  at  Maysville,  Kentucky, 
and     survives     her     husband     at     the     age     of     sixt_\-two     years.  Mrs. 

Canfield  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  church  until  late  years  when  she  has 
been  an  active  member  of  the  Baptist  church.     Mr.  Canfield  was  a  Alethodist. 


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■  iv-    ..■..'I  i.'ni;    .i"jii  liu-.-ji'Mj-rq   ^K//   [ii':);in/;j    ."i ; 

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DEARBORN  COUXTV,   INDIANA. 


1007 


They  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  \'anden  B.,  of  Aurora;  llarr}-  R.,  of 
Cleveland.  Ohic),  and  Cyrus,  who  died  when  four  \-ears  old. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  C}  rus  ('anfield,  and  his  wife  was  Marv 
(Richardson)  Canfield.  They  were  natives  of  Xew  York,  and  pioneer  set- 
tlers in  Dearborn  count}',  Indiana,  clearing  and  improving  a  farm  in  Hogan 
townshii),  where  they  both  died.  Cyrus  Canfield  was  over  sevenlv  vears  of 
age  at  the  time  of  his  death,  and  his  wife  was  o\er  eightv  vears  nf  age.  Thev 
left  the  following  children:  01i\'er  T.,  William  \\'..  iMarion,  Arminda,  F.mma, 
Holman  and  George. 

Vanden  B.  Canfield  was  married  on  June  8,  1904,  to  Lola  M.  .Mathews, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Adelia  (Day)  Mathews.  She  was  burn  at  Cov- 
ington, Kentucky.  Mrs.  Canfield  is  an  earnest  member  of  the  [Methmlist 
Episcopal  church,  and  is  the  mother  of  one  son,  Thomas  Vanden  Canfield. 

Thomas  Matthews,  father  of  !Mrs.  Canfield,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky 
and  his  \vife,  Adelia  (  Day)  Matthews,  was  liorn  in  Indiana.  Thev  arc  IhiIIi 
dead.     They  were  the  parents  of  two  children,  Lola  and  Henr_\',  deceased. 

Vanden  B.  Canfield  is  highly  esteemed  b\'  his  large  circle  of  both  per- 
sona! and  business  acquaintances  in  .\urtira.  where  he  is  ha\iiig  sucli  success 
in  the  automoliile  trade. 


HOX.  WILLIAM  H.  O'BRIEN'. 

Hon.  \\'illiam  H.  O'Brien,  president  of  the  Pei.iple's  Xational  Bank,  Law- 
renceburg,  Indiana,  was  born  at  Lawrenceburg,  August  22.  1855,  a  son  of 
Cornelius  and  Llarriet  Jane  (  Hunter)  O'Brien,  nati\es,  he  of  the  town  nf  Cal- 
lan,  County  Kilkenny,  Ireland;  she  of  Lawrenccliurg,  Indiruia.  Of  tlieir  ciiii- 
dren,  William  H.  is  the  only  one  now  living.  The  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  reared  in  Ireland  and  educated  at  the  city  of  Waterfurd.  .\t  the 
age  of  eighteen  he  came  to  America  and  located  at  Dover  (now  Kel-.o). 
Indiana,  where  he  clerked  in  a  st'ire  for  se\eral  years.  He  later  became  dep- 
uty county  clerk  under  William  \^  Cheek,  and  was  afterward  elected  county 
treasurer,  in  which  office  he  ser\'ed  two  terms.  While  cotuitv  treasurer  he  was 
elected  count}'  clerk  and  ser\ed  two  terms.  In  185S  Mr.  O'Brien  was 
elected  to  the  state  senate,  where  he  served  one  tenn.  He  was  elected  tlele- 
gate  to  the  Democratic  national  convention  that  nominated  Buchanan  in  1830. 
Mr.  O'Brien  was  nominated  for  clerk  of  the  supreme  court  in  i8r)o,  but  was 


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lOOS  DEAKIJORX  COUNTY,   IXDIAXA. 

defeated  in  the  land-slide  of  that  year,  after  which  he  settled  down  to  the 
practice  of  law.  lie  died  in  1809,  aged  fifty  years.  His  wife  survived  him, 
and  died  in  1885,  aged  fifty-five  years.  Slic  was  an  earnest  member  of  the 
Methodist  church. 

William  H.  O'Brien  is  one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of  Lawrcnceburg, 
and  tal:es  an  active  interest  in  its  welfare  and  dexelopment.  Being  wide- 
awake and  progressi\e.  he  saw  jjossibilities  in  his  home  town  that  were  o\er- 
looked  by  many  of  his  friends,  anrl  is  ever  on  the  alert  to  do  wliat  lies  in  his 
power  in  promotin.g  its  interests,  as  well  as  taking  a  cixic  pride  in  anything 
pertaining  to  the  ad\ancement  of  the  entire  comity  and  its  citizenshiji. 

William  H.  O'Brien  was  reared  in  Lawrenceburg,  where  he  attended  tiit- 
public  school.  He  later  entered  Asbury  (nnw  DePauw  j'  University,  finish- 
ing the  sophomore  year,  after  which  he  returned  home,  learned  the  printer's 
trade,  and  v\ent  into  the  newspaper  business.  He  bought  the  LazLrenccbitrg 
Register  and  published  it  from  1S77  to  1894.  That  paper  was  established  in 
1847,  and  is  a  Democratic  weekly  newspaper.  'Sir.  O'Brien  then  became 
vice-president  of  the  Citizens"  Bank,  which  he  estabhshed.  He  later  bought 
the  T'eojde's  National  Bank  and  consolidated  the  two.  The  People's  National 
Bank  was  estabhshed  in  i88_',  and  the  consolidation  took  place  in  1005.  with 
a  capital  stock  of  S125.000. 

Mr.  O'Brien  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  always  taken  the  greatest  possiljle 
interest  in  public  affairs.  That  he  is  a  wonderfully  popular  man,  with  a  host 
of  friends,  is  clearly  shown  by  the  following  list  of  offices  to  which  he  has 
been  elected,  and  which  he  has  faithfully  filled :  He  served  five  terms  as  mayor 
of  Lawrenceburg,  and  in  19CJ  was  elected  to  the  state  senate,  serving  through 
two  sessions.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  Democratic  national  convention  in 
1900  and  1904,  and  in  each  convention  was  a  member  of  the  CDUimittee  to 
notify  the  nominee  for  President.  He  ser\cd  two  terms  as  state  auditiar — 
from  1910  to  1914;  was  chairman  of  the  Democratic  state  central  committee 
for  si.\  years,  and  treasurer  of  the  Democratic  national  committee  in  1908. 
Mr.  O'Brien  belongs  to  Lawrenceburg  Lodge  No.  4,  I'ree  and  .\ccepted 
Masons;  Lawrencelnu-g  Chapter  No.  56,  Royal  Arch  Alasons;  Aurora  Com- 
manderv-  No.  17.  Knights  Templar;  also  to  Indiana  Consistorv,  and  is  a  thir- 
ty-second degree  Scottish  Rite  Mason.  He  belongs  to  Dearborn  Lodge  No.  J,Q 
Knights  of  Pythias,  and  Tawana  Tribe  No.  301,  Improved  Order  of  Red  ]\[en. 

On  the  9th  of  May,  i88j,  William  H.  O'Brien  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Harriet  Hunter,  who  was  lx)m  at  ]\Iexico,  ^Missouri,  and  is  a  daughter 
of  William  D.  H.  and  Frances  A.  (Cauthorn)  Hunter.  Mr.  Plunter  was 
born  at  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  and  his  wife  at  Tappahannock,  Essex  county. 


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PEARBOKN   COL"XTV.  IXHIAXA. 


1009 


Virginia.  They  resided  at  Lawrenccburg  about  twenty  years.  He  was' asMj- 
ciated  with  his  son-in-law  in  the  puljjicalioii  of  the  Register,  and  was  for- 
merly publisher  of  a  paper  at  Mexico,  Alissduri.  Me  dieil  in  1898,  aged  sixtv- 
six  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Missouri  legislature,  and  at  the  time 
of  his  death  was  cashier  of  the  Citizens  National  P)ank.  lie  was  ma\"or  of 
tlic  city  of  ]\Iexico,  and  was  a  delegate  to  the  Democratic  national  c<inven- 
tion  from  Missouri,  in  iSCtS.  He  was  collector  of  internal  revenue  for  the 
Lawrenccburg  district,  in  which  cajtacity  he  seiwed  four  veari>.  -Mr.  lluiUer 
and  John  R.  Stoll,  of  South  Bend,  Indiana,  established  the  Democratic  luli- 
torial  Association  of  Indiana.  ]\Irs.  Hunter  died  in  1913,  agecl  seventy-two 
years.  They  had  two  daughters,  ^Irs.  OT'>rien  and  Elizabeth,  who  liccame 
the  wife  of  Herbert  F.  Patton.  and  resides  at  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

To  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  O'Brien  were  born  the  following  children:  Cornelius, 
Frances.  Robert  Fmmett,  William  IL,  Elizalieth,  Harriet  Jane  and  Ruth. 
Cornelius  is  associated  with  the  A.  D.  Cook  Rump  Manufacturing  Company. 
His  wife  was  Anna  Belle  Cook,  by  whom  he  has  had  two  daughters.  Anna 
Belle  and  Mary.  Frances  is  a  graduate  of  Glendale  College,  Glendale,  Ohii  k 
and  is  unmarried.  Robert  Emmett  graduated  from  the  E'nited  States  }ilili- 
tary  Academy  at  West  Point,  and  is  a  first  lieutenant  in  the  Fifth  Infantry, 
which  is  no^\•  stationed  at  Panama.  He  was  united  in  marriage  with  Keturah 
Foulds,  daughter  of  F.  W".  Foulds.  of  Highland  Park,  Illin(Ms.  Thev  have 
one  son,  Robert  Emmett,  Jr.  \\"illiam  H.  graduated  from  the  United  .States 
Naval  Acadeni}-  at  Annapolis,  and  is  now  an  ensign  in  the  United  States 
navy.  He  is  an  officer  on  the  torpedo  boat  destroyer,  "Paul  Jones.''  Eliza- 
beth graduated  from  the  Bartholomew  Clifton  School,  and  is  the  wife  of  Cal- 
vin \V.  Verity.  Tliey  reside  at  Middletown,  Ohio,  and  have  a  daugjrter, 
Elizabeth  Jane.  Flarriet  Jane  also  graduaterl  from  the  Bartholomew  Clifton 
School  and  R}-e,  New  Vork,  Seminary.     Ruth  died  in  infancy. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  Michael  O'Brien,  who  wife  was  Harriet 
(Brennan)  O'Brien.  They  died  in  County  Kilkenny,  Ireland.  Cornelius  was 
the  only  one  of  the  family  who  came  to  .Vmerica.  The  maternal  grandfather 
was  James  \\  .  Hunter,  who  married  Blarriet  Protzman.  Thev  were  both 
born  at  Uniontown,  Pennsylvania,  and  came  down  the  Ohio  river  in  18 17, 
locating  at  Lawrenceburg.  Mr.  Hunter  was  an  architect  and  builder,  was 
one  of  the  very  early  postmasters  of  Lawrenceburg,  and  was  major  of  the 
state  militia.  Mr.  Hunter  and  his  wife  died  at  Lawrenceburg;  he  at  the  age 
of  thirty-four,  and  she  at  the  age  of  eighty- four. 

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DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 


WESLEY  GEORGE  BUXGER. 


W'esle}-  George  Eunger,  fanner  and  stock-feeder,  son  of  George  Henry 
Bunger  and  Zilpha  (Hizer)  Bnnger,  was  born  at  Ouercus  Grove,  Indiana, 
March  13,  18S7.  He  was  reared  in  Ouercns  Grove,  Switzerland  county.  His 
education  was  secured  at  Ouercus  Grove  and  Patriot,  Indiana,  where  he  grew 
to  young  manhood.  As  a  young  man  ^Ir.  Bunger  is  aml)itious  and  filled 
with  a  desire  to  become  as  succcssfid  as  other  wealthy  farmers  in  his  local- 
ity, he  started  out  lu  make  his  fortune,  first  going  to  Rising  Sun,  In.iliana, 
and  later  moved  to  LaNvrenceburg  township,  where  he  still  resides,  and  tills 
a  farm  of  almost  one  hundred  acres.  He  is  also  a  stockfeedcr,  and  conducts 
a  dairy  of  about  thirty  head  of  cows.  ]Mr.  Bunger  is  a  member  of  the  Mod- 
ern Woodmen  of  Ame.rica,  Camp  9946.  Air.  Bunger  is  a  stanch  believer  in 
Democratic  principles. 

Geijrge  Henry  Bunger,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  b.orn  in 
North,  Ohio  count}-,  Inrliana,  and  li\"ed  there  until  twenty-two  vears  old.  then 
moved  to  Ouercus  Grove,  Switzerland  county,  Indiana.  Feeling  that  his 
locality  was  lacking  in  opixirtunities  particularly  suited  to  his  qualifications, 
he  then  began  to  look  about  for  a  location  that  offered  the  required  induce- 
ments, and  in  1907  he  moved  his  family  to  Rising  Sun,  Indiana,  wliere  he 
still  resides.  Idis  wife  was  Zilpha  Hizer,  who  was  b'jrn  and  reared  at  Ouer- 
cus Grove,  S\\it2erkind  county,  Indiana.  They  were  united  in  marriage  in 
18S1,  and  lived  at  tlie  place  of  her  nativity  until  iCjOj.  when  they  mi_i\-ed  to 
Rising  Sun.  Two  children  were  born  to  this  union,  Wesley  George  and  Cla_\'- 
ton.  The  parents  of  Zilpha  (Hizer)  Bunger  were  Jacob  Hizer  and  Martha 
Hizer.  Martha  Hizer  was  married  secondly  to  Samuel  Lostutter.  and  still 
resides  at  Rising  Sun. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  William  H.  Bunger,  whose  wife  was  Flora 
Bunger.  They  came  from  Bremen,  Germany,  and  settled  at  Xorth.  Indiana, 
later  moving  to  Rising  Sun.  v,  here  Air.  Bunger  still  lives.  He  owned  a  fine 
farm  of  four  hundred  acres,  which  he  recently  sold  to  his  son-in-law,  George 
Lostutter.  He  is  a  strong  Prohibitionist  and  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church. 
Flora  Bunger,  the  paternal  grandmother,  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church. 
She  died  in  1900,  at  Rising  Sun,  Indiana. 

On  August  8,  1909,  Wesley  George  Bunger  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Grace  Schrumpf,  daughter  of  William  Arthur  Schrumpf  and  Ida  Alay  (  \\^elch') 
Schrumpf.  She  was  burn  at  Rising  Sun,  Indiana,  April  18,  18S9,  wliere  she 
attended  the  public  and  high  school.     She  remained  at  Rising  Sun  about  a 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  lOIl 

year  and  a  half  after  finishing  high  school,  and  then  moved  to  I.awrencehnrg. 
Her  parents  were  also  born  anil  reared  at  Rising  Sun.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  four  children,  Grace,  who  became  Mrs.  Bunger;  Laura,  who  married 
a  Mr.  Gar}',  Julius  James  and  Henry  Russell  Schrumpf. 

The  paternal  grandparents  were  Julius  Schrumpf  and  Anna  i  i^urth- ) 
Schruiiipf.  The  grandfather  came  from  near  Berlin,  Germany,  and  settled 
at  Rising  Sun.  Ilis  wife  was  born  at  Rising  Sun.  They  had  but  one  si^n. 
William  Arthur  Schrumpf.  Julius  Schrumpf  is  a  member  of  the  Presl)yte- 
rian  church,  and  his  wife  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  was  a  suc- 
cessful business  man,  having  been  president  of  the  Building  and  Loan  Asso- 
ciation, councilman  and  director  in  the  Deposit  Bank,  and  is  a  large  property 
owner. 

The  mother  of  Grace  (  Schrumpf)  Bunger  was  a  daughter  of  James 
Welch  and  }^Iahala  ( O'Xit-I)  Welch,  who  were  l«rn  near  Rising  Sun.  James 
\Velch  died  in  ic)i4,  about  sixty-eight  years  of  age.  Mahala  Welch  is  still 
living  at  Rising  Sun.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  cliildren,  Ida  ^lay, 
Fred,  Ernest.  Lewis  and  Russell,  all  of  whom  have  been  married.  Fred  lives 
at  Areola.  Illinois;  Ernest  and  Russell  reside  at  Aurora.  Indiana;  and  Lewis 
at  Rising  Sun.  -     ■. 


WILLIA^M  A.  CREATH. 


William  A.  Creath,  a  United  States  storekeeper-gauger,  living  at  637 
Ridge  avenue,  Greendale,  Lawrenceburg.  Indiana,  is  a  well-known  citizen 
of  this  city.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  received  a  good  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Ripley  county,  and  at  Purdue  University,  and  taught 
seventeen  years  in  the  public  schools  of  Riple\-  and  Dearborn  counties.  He 
has  been  engaged  in  the  government  service  at  Lawrencburg  and  while 
here  has  made  many  friends.  Mr.  Creath  is  prominent  in  the  religinus.  fra- 
ternal and  political  life  of  Dearborn  county,  and  is  well  known  in  this  sec- 
tion. 

William  A.  Creath  was  born  on  July  22,  i860,  in  Ripley  county,  Indiana, 
a  son  of  Richard  ]M.  and  Sarah  Jane  (Benham)  Creath.  They  were  natives 
of  Ripley  county,  and  had  fi\'e  children.  William  .\.  is  the  eldest;  James,  the 
second  born,  and  Joseph  X.,  the  fourth  born,  are  deceased.  Thomas  L.,  the 
youngest  child,  who  was  a  prominent  lawyer  of  Versailles,  died  in  the  fall 
of  1914.  The  two  living  children  are  William  A.,  and  Ulysses  Morton,  a 
Methodist  minister  of  Basin,  Wvoming. 


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10I2  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

At  odd  times  ^Ir.  Creath,  when  not  in  school,  worked  in  his  father's 
machine  shop  as  well  as  on  the  farm.  lie  began  teaching  at  the  age  wf 
twcnly.  In  189S  he  entered  tlie  goxxmnient  v-n-ice  in  Lawrenceljin-g  as 
United  States  storelceeper-gaugcr,  and  this  position  lie  has  held  e\er  since. 

^^'illiam  .\.  Creath  uas  married  on  Angiist  28,  1889,  to  Emma  Ma\' 
Piatt,  the  daughter  of  Gilbert  and  Elizabeth  Xoyce  OX'ilcox)'  I'latt.  Two 
children  ha\-e  been  born  to  this  union,  ^lead  Piatt  and  Clara  l-'ay.  Mead 
Piatt  is  a  graduate  of  Purdue  L'ni\crsity  and  is  now  in  the  creamer}-  business 
at  VanBuren,  Indiana.  Clara  l'~ay  was  graduated  from  Indiana  Univer.--it_\-, 
at  Bloomington,  Indiana,  class  19 15. 

The  father  of  \\"illiam  A.  Creath  was  reared  in  Ripley  county.  Indiana, 
near  Eriendship.  He  \\-as  a  fainier  and  also  a  machinist  by  trade.  He  oijcr- 
ated  a  shop  at  Eenham.  He  died  there  in  18S8,  at  the  age  of  fifty-two  years. 
Plis  wife  died  in  1907,  at  the  age  of  si.Kty-nine.  r)oth  were  members  of  the 
Methodist  church.  ^Ir.  Creath's  paternal  grandfather  was  William  Creath, 
who  married  Leitha  [Martin.  They  were  natives  of  Ripley  courty,  Indiana, 
and  lived  at  Friendship.  William  .Creath  was  a  farmer.  They  had  three 
children,  James  Anderson,  ^Iclinda  and  Richard.  Mr.  Creath's  patern;d 
great-grandfadier  was  Robert  Creath,  one  of  th.e  pioneers  of  Eriendship. 
Ripley  cotmty,  Indiana,  and  came  from  Kentuck}'.  He  took  up  land  from 
the  government  in  1803  and  died  near  Erieudshi[)  at  an  advanced  age.  The 
maternal  grandfather  of  ]Mr.  Creath  was  Lewis  Benham,  who  married  Xanr\ 
Hyatt.  Both  were  born  near  Beidiam,  Ripley  county.  The  Beuhams  and 
the  Hyatts  were  among  the  early  pioneers  of  Ripley  county,  coming 
to  Ripley  county  from  Kentucky.  The  first  of  the  Benhams  to  settle  in  Rii) 
ley  county  were  the  parents  of  Lewis  Benham.  and  the  first  of  the  Ihaits 
to  settle  in  Riple}-  county  were  the  parents  of  his  wife,  Xancy.  Both  the 
Hyatts  and  the  Benhams  reared  large  families.  The  children  intermarried 
and  the  progeny  of  these  two  families  has  grown  until  there  are  tliousands 
of  them,  a  great  many  of  whom  are  still  living  in  Riplev  county.  Lewis  Ben- 
ham and  wife  had  six  children,  James,  Sarah  Jane,  Shadraeck,  Eliza.  Josejvb 
H.  and  Mary,  of  whom  Joseph  H.  Benham  is  the  oidy  one  living.  The  mater- 
nal great-grandfather  Benham  was  James  Benham,  who  served  in  the  War 
of  1812. 

Mrs.  William  A.  Creath  was  born  in  ^lanchester.  Dearborn  count}', 
Indiana,  ]May  17,  1865.  Her  parents  were  born  in  Manchester  township. 
Dearborn  county,  Indiana.  Both  Gilbert  and  Elizabeth  Piatt  are  now- 
deceased.     The  father  died  in  1877,  and  her  mother  ten  years  previously,  in 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA.  -       IOI3 

1S67.  Among  their  children  were  Onier,  deceased,  W'ilnicr  G.,  eliief  cleri< 
of  the  comptroller  of  treasury,  \\'ashingl(.)ii,  0.  C. ;  Emma  Mav  (Mis. 
Creath).  Mrs.  William  A.  Creath's  paternal  grandfather  was  SmiUi  riatt. 
who  married  Elizaheth  Manlitf.  He  was  a  pioneer  in  Manchester  township, 
where  he  died  well  advanced  in  years.  He  had  a  large  familv  of  children,  as 
follow:  Oliver.  ]\lrs.  Jane  \'an  Scyoc,  ]^lrs.  Prudeixe  Montgomery,  deceased; 
Mrs.  Lucinda  \'an  Sc}-oc,  Gilhert.  deceased;  .Mrs.  llannah  ^lilliken,  deceased; 
Mrs.  Susan  ]Mc!Mullen  and  .\manda  Idatt,  who  died  in  June,  i<;i3.  }ilrs. 
Creath's  fnaternal  grandfather.  Peter  Wilcn.x,  was  a  native  of  New  Yurk 
state  and  an  early  settler  in  [Manchester  township.  iJearhorn  counl\-,  lndi;uia. 
lie  was  a  farmer.  He  and  his  wife  moved  to  Shclhy  cmintv,  near  Waldo m, 
and  died  there  at  advanced  ages.  They  had  a  large  family  of  cliiKlren.  aninng 
whom  were  IMrs.  Elizaheth  Xoyce  Piatt,  Mrs.  Dora  Harlow,  and  a  sun,  T.-dnia 
Wilcox.  ]Mrs.  Creath's  maternal  grandmother,  Mrs.  Wilcu.x,  died,  ami  after 
her  death  ^^Ir.  Wilcox  married  again.  Two  children  were  horn  to  the  sec- 
ond marriage,  Mrs.  Jennie  Sparks  and  Elmer  Wilcox.  Jerry,  Uz,  George  and 
Charles  were  children  of  his  third  wife. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Creath  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
Mr.  Creath  is  one  of  the  stewards  of  the  church.  He  belongs  to  Eawrence- 
burg  Lodge  Xo.  4,  Eree  and  Accepted  Masons.  He  is  also  a  meml;cr  of 
the  Moden:  Woodmen  of  America,  and  is  identified  with  the  Republican 
party.  ,  , 


ih'-  '.\-^.i,l       .      ,r^,  K       NICHOLAS  ZIAIMER. 

Nicholas  Zimmer  is  a  native  of  Lauterhach.  Prussia,  and  is  a  son  of 
Charles  and  Elizabeth  Zimmer.  Pie  was  born  on  December  12.  1844.  and 
witli  his  father  and  other  members  of  the  family,  left  Havre.  I'rance,  Decem- 
ber 16,  1852,  arriving  at  New  Orleans  on  IMarch  ij.  1853,  after  an  exciting 
voyage  of  ninety-two  days  on  the  ocean.  They  were  overtaken  in  mid-octan 
by  a  pirate  shi]i,  hut  when  they  were  found  to  be  onl\-  emigrrnits.  the\-  were 
allowed  to  go  on  their  way  without  further  molestation.  After  this,  tr;ivel- 
ing  was  very  slow  and  tedious,  due  to  the  fact  that  their  main  nrist  Irid  been 
broken  off  b}-  the  pirate  vessel  which  had  ran  into  them  broadside.  L'pon 
landing  at  New  Orleans,  they  came  at  once  to  Dearborn  county,  where  ;i  lionie 
was  soon  estaldished  on  a  farm.  Nicholas  Zimmer  receixed  a  good  educaf'on 
(such  as  was  called  good  at  that  time)  at  the  public  schools  of  Death' >rn 
county.  ' 


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IOI4  DEARBORN  COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

On  January  20,  1862,  Nicholas  Zimmer  eniisted  in  the  Civil  War,  in 
Company  I,  and  was  later  transferred  to  Company  K,  Fifty-second  Regiment, 
Indiana  \'okmteer  Infantry.  The  following  were  the  battles  in  which  he  saw 
service;  Ft.  Donclson,  February  14.  15.  16,  1S62 ;  siege  of  Corinth,  Missis- 
sippi, June,  18G2;  after  which  his  regiment  built  a  railroad  from  Corinth  to 
Jackson,  Tennessee.  His  regiment  was  later  detached  from  Grant's  forces. 
remaining  in  ]\iemphis,  while  the  main  army  went  to  Vicksburg.  and  during 
which  time,  his  regiment  secured  a  steamer  and  patroled  the  river  front,  mak- 
ing themsehes  safe  behind  bales  of  cotton.  This  was  for  the  purpose  of 
keeping  the  river  open  to  traffic.  Upon  being  fired  upon  bv  the  enemy,  they 
immediately  swung  the  boat  around  and  landed,  thus  causing  great  surjirise 
to  the  rebels,  who  lost  no  time  in  disappearing  frona  that  locality.  After  lea\'- 
ing  patrol  service,  Mr.  Zimmer  went  with  his  regiment  to  I'~t.  Pillow.  Ten- 
nessee, and  was  in  the  battle  at  Durhamsxille,  Tennessee,  and  was  again 
attached  to  the  main  army  at  \'icksburg.  Remaining  here  a  short  time,  his 
regiment  was  assigned  to  the  Third  Brigade,  Second  Division.  Sixteenth 
Anny  Corps,  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith,  commander,  and  sent  up  Red  river,  and  then 
back  to  Memphis.  On  the  wa}-  back  Air.  Zimmer  was  in  the  battle  at  Shreve- 
port,  Louisiana,  and  in  the  battle  at  Lake  Chicot.  Arkansas.  In  July,  1864, 
he  participated  in  the  battle  of  Tupelo  and  Gontotoc,  Mississippi,  and  in 
August  of  the  same  year,  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Hurricane  Creek.  College 
Hill  and  Oxford,  Tennessee.  From  there  the  regiment  went  to  Franklin,  [Mis- 
souri, to  head  off  the  Confederates  under  General  Price,  who  were  on  tlie 
way  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  They  gave  battle  at  Franklin,  ^Missouri,  chasing 
the  Confederates  into  Kansas.  Mr.  Zimmer  also  took  part  in  the  battle  at 
Nashville,  December  15  and  16,  1864,  where  the  Union  forces  defeated  Hood 
and  followed  Hood's  army  to  Eastport.  Alississippi,  arriving  tliere  in  I"eb- 
ruary,  1865.  The  army  here  was  snowed  under,  starved  and  lived  on  raw- 
corn.  The  regiment  was  in  the  siege  of  Ft.  Blakely,  near  Mobile,  Alabama. 
which  lasted  from  March  31  to  April  9,  1865.  The  main  battle  was  fought 
the  same  day  General  Lee  surrendered.  The  war  being  ended,  his  regiment 
remained  in  Alabama  until  Septeml>er  10,  1865,  to  enforce  civil  law  and  help 
the  southerners  on  their  feet  again.  Air.  Zimmer  was  discharged  from  duty 
September  10,  1865,  and  sent  to  Indianapolis  with  the  regiment. 

Mr.  Zimmer  farmed  for  tw'O  years  following  his  return  from  the  army, 
and  gave  this  up  to  go  into  a  general  merchandise  store  at  Batesville,  Indiana, 
selling  out  his  stock  one  year  later.  About  this  time  Batesville  was  almost 
destroyed  by  fire,  throwing  a  great  many  out  of  employment.     Mr.  Zimmer 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  IOI5 

then  called  a  mass  meeting,  and  organized  a  stock  company  and  started  the 
American  Furniture  Company,  building"  a  large  factor)-,  wliich  pn;)\  ided  em- 
ployment for  a  great  number  of  men.  After  serving  as  secretary  for  tiiis  es- 
tablishment for  alwut  a  year,  Mr.  Zimmer  sold  hih  iiuerest  and  went  to  Cin- 
cinnati, where  he  started  a  notion  store  in  1879.  Remaining  in  this  business 
about  two  years,  he  again  sold  out,  accepting  a  position  as  collect'jr  for  a 
brewer}-,  in  which  capacity  he  served  four  years,  vvhcn  he  was  taken  verv  ill, 
and  was  obHged  to  take  a  much-needed  rest. 

After  reg-aining  his  heahh  ^Ir.  Zimmer  went  to  Danville,  Kentucky. 
where  he  bought  a  Ixittling  w-orks,  which  he  also,  later,  sold  out  to  good  advan- 
tage. In  1890  he  started  in  York\ilie,  his  present  home,  the  hardware  and 
implement  store,  and  a  few-  years  ago  sold  out.  Mr.  Zimmer  is  m^w  lixing  a 
retired  life  at  Yorkville,  Indiana.  He  is  a  strong  liclievcr  in  the  Rcpul>hcrui 
principles  and  holds  the  office  of  township  trustee,  being  elected  in  Novemhcr, 
1914.  He  was  elected  to  the  same  office  in  1891,  a  Democratic  township,  two 
to  one.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church.  Mr.  Zimmer 
belongs  to  the  Benjamin  J.  Spooner  Post  No.  586,  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic. 

Nicholas  Zimmer  was  married  to  Barl)ara  Hagen,  No\-emlx;r  27,  1867. 
She  was  a  native  of  York  township,  her  birth  occurring  on  .-\pril  ^n.  tSjS. 
She  was  reared  and  educated  here,  and  remained  at  home  until  her  marriage. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zimmer  ha\-e  no  children  of  their  own,  but  they  adopted  a  cliild 
who  died  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years. 

Mr.  Zimmer  believes  he  is  the  oldest  townsliip  trustee  in  the  state,  and 
the  only  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  holding  that  (office. 


JOHN  SPENCER  DORMAN. 

John  Spencer  Dorman,  a  farmer  of  Lawrenceburg  townslu'p.  Dearborn 
county,  Indiana,  who  owns  a  beautiful  home  in  Law-renceburg  town-;Iiip  and 
\vho  has  been  prominent  in  civic  affairs  in  Dearborn  county,  is  descended 
from  a  family  which  was  established  in  Dearborn  county  more  than  a  hun- 
dred years  ago.  In  fact,  the  Dorman  family  was  established  in  DearlBirn 
county  by  Elijah  and  Elizabeth  (Shockley)  Dorman,  tlic  grandparents  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  w-ho  came  to  Dearl)Orn  county  in  the  ear')-  twen- 
ties.    They  had  five  children,  John,  Wilson,  Sarah,  Jane  and  Mary.     Elijah 


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IOl6  DEARP.ORX  COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

Donnan,  who  was  a  fanner  by  occupation,  after  coming  to  Dearborn  county 
froni  IMaryland,  lived  in  Sparta  township  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

John  Spencer  Dormau  was  born  on  January  2^,  1851,  in  Holman,  Man- 
chester township,  Dearl)orn  county.  After  attending  the  pubHc  schools  of 
Dearborn  county  and  Moores  Hill  College,  at  }iIoores  Hill.  ]\Ir.  Donnan  fal- 
lowed farming  and  school  teaching  until  1873,  when  he  entered  the  mercan- 
tile business  with  his  brother  in  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana.  He  was  a  menil  cr 
of  his  brother's  fimi  until  1S78,  when  he  was  married,  after  which  he  went 
into  business  for  himself.  In  1901  Air.  Dorman  closed  out  his  business  and 
in  1902  purchased  sixt\-fi\e  acres  of  land  in  Homestead.  He  also  has  une 
hundred  acres  in  the  Miami  bottoms  and  sixty  acres  in  Manchester  tuwushij). 
Lately  he  has  sold  thirt_\--fi\e  acres  of  the  homestead  f:irm  at  a  greatU" 
advanced  price.  He  and  Mrs.  Dorman  purchased  the  entire  farm  his  fadier 
owned  and  divided  it,  making  three  fanns,  which  thev  sold  at  a  good  profit. 

The  parents  of  Air.  Dorman,  John  and  Jane  (  Truitt )  Dorman,  both  came 
fnim  near  Salisbury,  Alaryland.  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Worcester 
county  and  was  married  in  1832,  in  Mar.chester  township.  Dearborn  county, 
to  Jane  Truitt,  the  daughter  of  Riley  and  Elizalieth  Truitt,  who  came  from 
jMar}dand  to  Dearborn  county  in  1818.  John  and  Jane  Dorman  reared  'a 
family  of  four  sons  and  one  daughter:  Frank  R.,  John  S.,  H.  G.,  Charles  W. 
and  .-\merica  A.  After  having  cleared  and  improved  a  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  seventy-five  acres  in  Manchester  township,  John  Dorman  lived  Uiere 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  dying  about  1886. 

John  S.  Dorman  was  married  in  1887  to  Airs.  Xancy  (  Hayes)  Guard, 
tlie  widow  of  Levi  Guard  and  the  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Eliza  (  Fincli)  Haves. 
Mrs.  Dorman  was  born  in  Hardentown,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana.  Rv  lier 
marriage  to  Levi  Guard,  there  was  born  one  daughter,  Mrs.  Harrv  Sims,  now 
deceased.  Mrs.  Sims  left  three  children,  Alarie  and  Ruth,  twins,  and  Dor- 
man, who  is  a  graduate  of  Rurdue  L^niversity,  and  is  a  chemical  engineer. 
The  father  and  mother  had  two  children  who  grew  to  maturitv.  Airs,  hdiza 
Swift  and  Airs.  Nancy  Dorman.  Airs.  Swift  has  four  children:  Isaac,  lolm. 
Bertha  and  Eva.  Bertha  married  Charles  Haye-;  and  Eva  married  Bonard 
Dam.  Isaac  Hayes  was  the  son  o{  Jacob  Ha}'es,  who  was  one  of  the  earliest 
settlers  in  Dearborn  county.  Air.  and  Airs.  Johti  S.  Dorman  have  no  cliil- 
dren. 

Air.  Dorman  has  been  a  progressive,  active  man  of  affairs.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Knights  of  Ryth- 
ias,  as  well  as  the  Democratic  party.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Alethodist 


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DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  !OI7 

church  at  J.awrencebuig-  and  is  also  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Homestead 
IMethodist  church.  He  lias  devoted  his  time  and  liis  numc)-  toward  the  uplift 
and  impnivement  of  his  ounmunity.  ITe  is  a  highlv  respeete<l  citizen  of 
Dearborn  county.  ]Mrs.  Dorman  has  proved  an  excellent  helpmate.  She 
is  a  woman  of  good  business  judgment  and  much  credit  for  their  success  is. 
due  directly  to  her. 


LOUIS  F.  RODENBERG. 

Louis  F.  Rodenberg  is  the  well-kmiwn  superintendent  of  the  Greendale 
di.stillery,  an  institution  which  was  founded  1)_\-  his  father.  Mr.  Rodcnberg's 
father  was  engaged  in  the  distilling  Imsiness  mcist  i.if  his  life,  having  Ijegun 
his  career  in  Lawrenceburg  thirty-five  _\ears  ago,  when  he  and  his  limtlier, 
Frederick,  operated  a  distillerv  near  the  bre\\er\-  for  simie  time,  l^aier  they 
operated  another  distillery  which  was  destroyed  by  fire  and  in  189S  suc- 
ceeded to  the  old  Cereal  Distillery  Company,  which  was  incorpurateil  and 
reorganized  as  the  Greendale  Distilling  Company.  It  was  this  institution  of 
which  Air.  Rodcnberg's  father.  Christian  Rodenberg,  was  vice-president  mitil 
liis  retirement  in  19 14. 

Louis  F.  Rodenberg  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  Xo\ember  11,  1876. 
He  is  the  son  of  Christian  and  Mary  (Frank)  Rod.enbcrg',  the  former  of 
whom  is  a  native  of  Germany  and  the  latter  of  Ohio.  They  had  eleven  chil- 
dren:  Caroline,  who  married  E.  LI.  iMoeller,  of  Hartwell,  Ohio;  .Vmelia,  wlm 
married  John  Dornette,  of  Cincinnati;  May,  who  is  the  wife  of  John  Thinncs. 
of  Cinciiuiati ;  Louis  ¥.,  the  sul.)ject  of  this  sketch;  Eilward.  deceased; 
Amanda.  \\ho  Ijecame  the  wife  of  Harr\-  Pellenus.  (if  Cincinnati;  (ie'>rge, 
deceased;  Catherine,  who  lives  at  home;  Lillian,  the  wife  of  Clarence  I'eters. 
of  Cincinnati;  Edith.  wIkj  married  Joseph  Landeuich,  of  Cincinnati,  and 
Christian,  who  also  lives  in  Cincinnati. 

Christian  Rodenberg,  the  father  of  Louis  F.,  came  to  America  with  his 
parents  when  a  boy  and  settled  with  them  at  Cincinnati.  Here  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  was  educated.  When  he  quit  school  he  began  working  in  a 
distillery  and  about  18S0  engaged  in  business  for  himself  at  Lawrencel.)urg. 
Here  he  and  his  brother.  l*~rederick,  built  a  distiller)-  near  the  brewery  which 
they  operated  for  several  vears.  They  sold  it  to  the  whiskey  trust  and  after- 
wards built  an  independent  distillery  on  Shipping  and  ]\Iill  streets,  which  ihey 
operated  for  five  years.     It  was  destroyed  by  fire  in   1S9S  and  in  the   fall 


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lOlS  DEARBORX   COUNTY,   INDIAXA. 

of  that  year,  they  purchased  of  WilHam  H.  O'Brien,  the  assignee,  the  uM 
plant  of  the  Cereal  Distillery  Company.  In  1902  a  stock  company  was 
formed  of  which  IMr.  Rodenbcrg-  was  vice-president  until  his  retirement  in 
1914.  This  plant  is  nuw  operated  as  the  Greendale  Distilling-  Company.  It 
is  an  incorporated  institution  and  emplnys  about  thirlv  people.  Louis  F.  Rod- 
enbcrg- is  the  superintendent  in  charge  of  the  plant. 

Louis  F.  Rodenbcrg  was  reared  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  atten.ded  the 
public  schools  of  that  city.  _  .After  leaving  school  he  came  to  Lawrenceburg 
as  a  bookkeeper  for  his  father  and  has  remained  in  the  distilling-  business 
since  that  time.  He  has  been  superintendent  since  the  retirement  of  his 
father. 

On  December  25.  1899.  Louis  F.  Rodenberg  was  married  to  Matilda 
Brand,  the  daughter  of  Christian  and  Amelia  (Fryen)  Brand.  Two  sons. 
Lester  R.  and  Louis  B.,  ha\e  lieen  born  to  this  union. 

Mr.  Rodenberg's  paternal  grandparents  were  Henry  and  Sophia  Roden- 
berg, natives  of  Germany.  They  died  in  Cincinnati  at  advanced  ages.  Among 
their  children  were  Christian,  Louis,  Fred  and  daughters,  }vlina,  Christina  and 
.Louise.  The  maternal  grandparents  of  Mr.  Rodenberg  were  Henry  Frank 
and  wife,  Elizabeth,  natives  of  Germany,  who  also  died  in  Cincinnati.  He 
was  a  farmer.  Their  children  were  George,  Henry,  John,  ]\lary  and  Cather- 
ine. 

Mrs.  Matilda  Rodenberg  was  born  in  Lawrencelmrg  and  educated  in 
the  public  sch'jols.  Her  father  was  a  native  of  Genriany  and  her  mother  of 
Lawrenceburg.  They  are  now  living  in  Indianapolis,  where  he  is  a  cabinet- 
maker. They  had  two  children,  [Matilda  and  Meta,  who  married  L.  L.  Paul, 
of  Dublin,  Indiana.  Airs.  Rodenberg's  maternal  grandparents  were  George 
Fryen  and  wife,  natives  of  Germany  and  early  settlers  in  Dearborn  county, 
where  they  died.  Their  children  were  ]\lollie,  George.  .Anna,  Fred,  William 
and  Henry. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Louis  F.  Rodenberg  are  men-ibers  of  the  Zion  Evangelical 
church.  Mr.  Rodenberg  belongs  to  Lawrenceburg  Lodge  No.  4,  Free  and 
-■Accepted  Masons.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Dearborn  Lodge  Xo.  49,  Knights 
of  Pythias.  He  is  a  director  in  the  Dearborn  Loan  and  Building  .Association. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

For  three  generations,  the  Rodenberg  family  has  been  identified  with 
the  history  of  this  county  and  has  been  prominent  in  the  business  and  civic 
life  of  the  community.  Louis  F.  Rodenberg  is  well  equipped  to  uphold  the 
traditions  of  the  family.  His  knowledge  of  the  business  with  which  he  is 
connected  has  been  no  inconsiderable  factor  in  its  growth  and  prosperity. 


■uj  •.■..:'     r--,;/   ■•;T'>,'r;jb./y(    ."ii/. 

:■,:  .-.M  :n  .■,,.--:;■;•  '■.)  .r;  !■;>  ,:,■  >/•■.■/  ::- 

-v"/i     m!:     ,   :■    ■    i:;  .^:■■}fi;■!J:l!;  .    f,_'-ii!    '>,>'■    'j\\      .srv:i>    )r 

■       ;,,     -..;.     ■..  •:    'I'-tX'i^     • '1    '::iJ':'.I     .'X^^     ■■■■.      I -)ijl/)')'(':'f] 

.,""      ;:  .      ;  'V  ,•':"  i  i     ..;.  .ii'/      i.r;,:    r:;.!  ,:MTiC' 

:■■■  ;i'   ^;f''  .  J   iriwii  rr.  ,^. ;  -■'■',' 
■'   :    •.;    r.'.\:  i  I     ■-:'.'/   .-l':vicqi'  .■:;■   i'Mrrj;; 

,..i.  '  "    -'■.!.:v,;.  f.  bnr  ;.•>-■  :   .1.;     .  .    i  ■i-rdj  i.o/; 
:■■■;;     ;■!  fj- ':.:  1 -:/,']- J    :i;    n''.''t    -.i:.,    'i,!  v  !';-;' -Ovl 


iVtn'-'^r    ..y.,(   p,rf    -nrriiU    u-:>J,.i.ho.l    :j,! 


11-   'ij'/zo-;^! 


DEARBORN    COUNTY^    INDIANA.  IOI9 

PHILIP  J.  E.AIAIERT. 

The  moral  and  religious  training-  of  a  family  several  decades  ago  was 
regarded  as  very  essential  for  the  future  well-being  of  its  mcmliers ;  such  neg- 
lect of  these  essentials  as  is  so  commonly  noted  today  being  then  frowned 
upon  as  little  less  than  heathen.  Such  was  the  dictum  in  the  native  town  of 
the  Emmerts.  With  high  moral  and  religious  opinions  dominating,  it  is 
needless  to  sa_\-  that  the  children  of  this  family  were  brought  up  amid  condi- 
tions based  upon  the  most  rigid  and  austere  discipline:  the  least  disobedience 
often  being  followed  by  severe  measures,  the  older  sons  of  the  family  recei\- 
ing  the  full  force  of  such  harsh  treatment  proving  an  impressive  object  les- 
son to  the  younger  members  of  the  family.  And  the  same  was  true  of  all 
the  neighboring"  families,  de\-out.  God-fearing,  industrious  people,  among 
whom  all  forms  of  labor  save  those  of  actual  necessity  and  mercy  were  rigor- 
ously suspended  on  the  Sabbath  day,  not  even  the  least  member  of  the  family 
being  permitted  to  drive  a  nail  or  a  tack  in  play  on  that  day.  The  high  prin- 
ciples underlying  this  austerity  were  lirought  with  them  Ijy  these  people  when 
they  set  out  for  their  new  homes  across  the  sea.  and  had  John  Wesley,  thc 
father  of  Methodism,  who  was  so  impressed  by  the  practical  daily  religious 
conduct  of  the  Moravians  alx)ard  the  vessel  when  he  was  on  his  voyage  to 
America,  been  present  for  two  months  on  the  good  ship  "Montpelier,"  James 
W'atkins,  master,  he  would  have  been  equally  impressed  by  the  daily  de\'o- 
tions  of  that  numerous  company  of  parents  and  children,  neighbors,  among 
whom  were  the  Emmerts,  immigrants  from  their  nati\e  canton,  a  few  miles 
from  the  river  Rhine  and  twenty  miles  from  the  French  frontier,  in  Rheiiu'^h 
Bavaria,  who  morning  and  e\ening  knelt  in  silent  devotion,  placing  their  re- 
liance on  that  over-ruling  Providence  that  rules  the  winds  and  the  waves  of 
the  great  deep.  These  colonists  who  were  seeking  a  new  home  on  this  side 
the  Atlantic  were  Lutherans  in  their  religious  belief,  but  fully  seven-eighths 
of  them  later  became  German  Methodists  and  their  descendants  today  are 
found  in  the  [Methodist  churches  of  the  larger  cities  of  Ohio,  Indiana  and  the 
western  states,  even  to  the  cities  of  the  Pacific  coast. 

Several  Emmerts  with  baptismal  names  similar  to  tiiose  long  borne  in 
the  family  of  Philip  J.  Emmert.  came  to  America  as  early  as  1730,  accord- 
ing to  "'Rupp,"  in  his  history  of  the  'Pennsylvania  Germans,  and  others  a  few 
years  following,  from  what  then  was  known  as  the  Rheinish  Palatinate,  who 
had  settled  in  the  latter  place  as  Erench  Huguenots,  who  had  fled  their  native 
country  because  of  persecution  in  the  latter  part  of  the  seventeenth  century. 


'!  V]'jr:i/    I    .1   'HJIF^q 


'        -;vltrT,  t;    ■_    •■      --^     ill; 

If;]    h.ie   -i'liiv/-   'jr'j   -j'jii.  ■         .      . 

r>-    -rltn    \;y.'    i  <  l.^l  > 


'try-'-.'-   ^i')-  ]■■  hi:q 


.  I020  DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

during  the  reig-n  of  Louis  XIV,  many  of  whom  later  settled  in  other  parts 
of  Germany,  England,  Ireland  and  America,  the  descendants  of  such  as  came 
to  this  side  being  found  numerously  in  Georgia,  Tennessee,  West  \'irgii;ia, 
i'ennsylvania,  Ohio,  huliana,  Illinois,  ^^lissouri  and  Iowa.  Peter  hJnmert, 
brother  of  Philip  J.  b'.mmert.  while  at  Xew  Orleans  as  a  memlicr  of  the 
Twelfth  Regiment,  Indiana  \"olunteci-  Infantry,  during  the  Ci\il  War,  met 
an  Emmcri,  whose  ancestors  settled  in  Louisiana  at  the  time  of  the  early  set- 
tlement of  that  territor}- ;  while  a  competent  authority  on  [Methodism  in  .Vnier- 
iea  states  tliat  Philip  Lmbury  and  Barbara  Pleck,  the  first  Methodists  in 
America,  came  here  from  Ireland,  but  whose  parents  were  natives  of  the 
Rheinish  Palatinate,  confirming  the  statement  of  "Rupp"  in  reference  to  the 
Huguenots. 

To  have  been  connected  with  the  business  circles  of  Lawrenceburg, 
county  seat  of  this  cijunty,  fijr  ncarh-  three-quarters  of  a  century,  ar.d  to 
have  attained  honorable  and  enviable  rank  as  the  oldest  living  merchant,  from 
the  point  of  continuous  activity,  in  that  city,  are  the  distinctions  which  prop- 
erly belong  to  Philip  J.  Emmert,  a  native  of  Rlieinish  Bavaria,  who  was 
brought  to  America  by  his  parents,  along  with  a  goodly  compan\'  of  their 
neighbors,  on  tlie  good  ship  "^lontpclier,"'  when  he  was  five  years  of  age. 
Mr.  Emmert's  attainment  to  his  present  business  position  has  Iieen  marked 
by  the  patient  progress  in  achievement  so  peculiarly  and  commcndal)lv  char- 
acteristic of  the  people  of  his  racial  stock.  His  career  has  not  been  marked 
by  any  spectacular  accomplishments,  }-ct  he  has  gone  on  from  year  to  year, 
performing  each  day's  task  and  doing  each  day's  duty  as  though  each  day 
were  the  last  he  was  to  live  on  earth.  His  code  of  living  not  only  has 
redounded  to  the  benefit  of  his  personal  fortunes,  which,  properly  enough, 
are  not  inconsiderable,  hut  it  also  has  redounded  to  the  benefit  of  his  fellow 
townsmen  and  to  all  the  people  of  Dearborn  county.  It  was  he  who  wrote 
the  subscription  list  for  the  establishment  of  the  ^liami  \'alley  Furniture 
Company  in  Lawrencel)urg,  which  in.siitution  proved  to  be  the  nucleirs  of  the 
coffin  factory  and  the  James-Meyer  Buggy  Company,  which  have  become  two 
of  Lawrenceburg's  thri\ing  industries.  Naturally,  tliere  are  manv  incidents  in 
the  life  of  Mr.  Emmert  which  are  not  only  worthy  of  preservation  in  the  an- 
nals of  Dearborn  county  but  which  it  would  be  a  distinct  loss  to  omit. 

Phihp  J.  Emmert  strenuously  favored  the  raising  and  strengthening  of  the 
Lawrenceliurg  le\ee.  He  advocated  this  improvement  while  he  was  a  meml;er 
of  the  city  council,  and  both  before  and  since  that  time  urged  that  the  city 
secure  adequate  protection  liy  the  erecti(in  cif  a  concrete  wall:  ])elie\ing  that 


; /,;  )  ■ :  .    r  '  ir,;-i  /, -ion.;.:/ .H" 


v.!   I't!.! 


,-/..•  J.p 


!/;•■  (i..;.'  \ 


',  .•'    _:!■'■  ■',[    I..    •,!.,•;    j^ihT  .f'liiM    :^o   ■'■/rl   lii.t    iT;/,' 


7(  nib  vi'  fif!)v'.i;o 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA  I02I 

it  would  be  the  greatest  factor  for  the  future  prosperity  of  the  city.  P.y  \-oice 
and  pen  he  has  ad\ocated  municipal  ownership  of  all  public  utilities,  .sucli  ah 
gas,  electric  light  plant  and  waterworks.  Air.  Emmert  has  worked  for  the 
improvement  of  public  roads,  industrial  schools  for  boys  and  girls;  and  for  a 
quarter  of  a  century  has  made  known  through  the  public  pre>s  the  ad\  isability 
of  automatic  safety  appliances  on  all  railways — ts[)ccially  automatic  tra.iii 
stops  in  case  of  threatened  collision  or  open  switch.  Mr.  hanmcrt  has  invented 
an  automatic  system  (caveat  of  which  is  on  file  in  the  patent  office)  wliich 
indicates  the  arrival  and  departure  of  all  trains,  instantly  \'isibie  on  a  chart  at 
ever}'  station  on  the  raihva}-.  Philip  J.  Emmert  has  ever  been  ready  with  a  word 
of  encouragement  for  e\-ery  enterprise,  private,  public,  edncationrd  (jr  benev- 
olent, that  would  redound  to  the  benefit  of  the  community. 

Although  Philip  J.  Emmert  was  born  in  the  town  of  ]\lutterstadt,  Rhei- 
nish  Bavaria,  on  November  27,  1841.  his  parents,  Christopher  and  Aima  bdi/a- 
beth  (Ott)  Emmert,  who  v/ere  born  in  the  same  place,  were  born  at  a  time 
when  Mutterstadt  was  a  part  of  the  dominion  of  the  French  Empire,  such 
having  been  the  changes  affected  in  course  of  time  in  consequence  of  the  mili- 
tary contests  between  German}-  and  France.  Oidy  two  sous  of  the  five  sons 
and  two  daughters  born  to  Christopher  and  Anna  Elizabetli  Emmert  are  now 
(October,  1915)  living.  Philip  J.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  liiographical 
sketch,  and  Jacob  Emmert,  who  resides  at  Clarksburg,  in  Decatur  count}', 
this  state,  where  he  established  a  flour  and  saw-mill  business,  now  continued 
by  his  son,  and  who  is,  himself,  manager  and  proprietor  of  one  of  the  best 
stock  farms  in  Decatur  county,  and  a  resident  of  Clarksburg  for  fifty  years. 

The  three  deceased  sons  were:  Peter  Emmert.  who  enlisted  on  the  day  of 
Lincoln's  first  call  for  seventy-fi\-e  thousand  \-olunteers.  at  the  iieginning  of  the 
Civil  War.  in  April.  1S61.  and  who;  as  a  member  of  Capt.  Xat.  Lord's  com- 
pany. Seventh  Reginient,  Lidiana  Volunteer  Infar.try,  F.b.  F)umont,  colonel. 
participated  in  the  first  skirmish  or  initial  engagement  between  the  northern 
and  the  southern  armies,  following  the  attack  on  the  "Star  of  the  West"  In- 
South  Carolina  rel>els  at  Charleston,  the  act  that  precipitated  the  War  of  tlie 
Rebellion.  He  also  was  in  the  engagement  at  Carricks  Ford,  where  the  Rebel 
general,  Garnett,  was  killed  and  his  forces  captured.  At  the  expiration  of  his 
period  of  original  enlistment,  Peter  Emmert  returned  home  and  presently  re-in- 
listed  and  was  later  transferred  to  the  cavalry  branch  of  die  service,  with 
■which  he  performed  valiant  service  until  the  close  of  the  war,  peace  having 
been  declared  while  he  was  engaged  rounding  up  Rebel  bushwackers  in  the 
swamps  of  Louisiana.    Peter  Emmert  lived  many  years  of  usefulness  after  the 


,  y.AKi'i'A    ..-TAV'.'j    '/..M.MS Am 


H'  ■;:■/. -"'J  j\n- 


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.;  :r.  .'.vi„iiirjio/  lm'::<u:':'n  -y/'n-, 


■{;ii;r!;,  :),-.';|  jT^trcirs.'i  T5J.)'-i     .i^,; 


I022  DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

war,  his  death  occurring-  in  Lawrenceburg  in  191 1,  he  then  being  in  his  eighty- 
first  year. 

Frederick  Emmert.  second  of  the  deceased  sons  of  Christoplier 
Emmert,  for  many  years  had  charge  of  the  flour-barrel  department  of  the 
Lewis  &  Eichelberger  cooperage  at  Lawrenceburg.  During  the  Civil  War  he 
served  in  the  bridge-building  service  until  disabled  by  Rebel  raiders.  He  was 
in  the  United  States  re\enue  collecting  service  during  the  Harrison  adminis- 
tration and  died  in  Kansas  City  on  June  22,  1899.  John  Emmert,  third  of 
these  deceased  sons,  established  and  for  several  years  operated  what  is  now 
Icnown  as  the  Garland  flour-mills,  at  Greensburg.  this  state,  where  his  death 
occurred  in  18S2.  He  left  several  sons  and  daughters  who  are  now  residents, 
variously,  of  Shelb}'ville,  Anderson  and  Greensburg.  The  two  daughters  of 
Christopher  and  Anna  Elizabeth  Emmert,  both  of  whom  now  are  deceased, 
were:  ElizalK-th,  who  married  George  Koffenberger  and  who  died  at  \\'\\- 
mington,  Delaware,  in  1S71.  and  whose  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in  the 
old  Swedish  cemeter\-  of  tiiat  place,  and  Catherine  Barbara,  who  married 
Solomon  Prell.  also  of  Wilmington.  Delaware.  She  died  in  Xew  York  City 
in  1S83  and  was  buried  in  Mt.  Vernon  cemetery  at  Philadelphia.  Her  children 
and  grandchildren  are  engaged  in  lucrative  businesses  in  the  cities  mentioned. 
Christopher  Emmert,  father  of  the  aliove  children,  who  was  born  in  1802, 
died  in  1868,  and  his  widow,  who  was  born  in  1804,  died  in  1877,  both  hav- 
ing been  for  manv  vears  counted  as  among  the  useful  and  respected  residents 
of  the  city  of  Lawrenceburg. 

The  great-grandparents  of  Philip  J.  Emmert  were  George  Christian  and 
Mary  Elizabeth  (Weinacht)  Emmert,  who  were  married  m  1763.  Both  his 
grandfather  and  his  father  were  farmers  by  occupation  in  their  native  land. 
The  latter  came  to  America  with  his  wife  and  children  in  1846  and  for  a  time 
after  settling  in  this  country  was  employed  in  flour-mills.  After  having  spent 
some  tiine  in  Philadelphia,  the  Emmert  family  engaged  in  farming  for  a  year 
in  the  state  of  ?^[aryland,  near  the  city  of  Washington,  and  finally  settled  at 
Illchester,  on  the  Baltimore  '&  Ohio  railroad,  where  the  father  was  employed 
in  the  Ellicott's  mills  and  where  the  son,  John,  learned  the  miller's  trade.  They 
then  moved  to  Wilmington,  Delaware,  in  185 1.  and  there  Christopher 
Emmert  and  son,  John,  recei\"ed  employment  in  the  Brandywine  flour-mills, 
then  the  most  extensive  mills  of  the  kind  in  the  United  States.  The  family 
came  to  Indiana  in  September,  1854,  locating  at  Lawrenceburg,  this  county, 
and  were  presently  followed  by  other  friends  and  acquaintances  from  the 
East,  John  Emmert  having  preceded  the  other  members  of  the  family  to  Law- 


./.v?/jnv^i  ,.T,*.joj  v:KOHe.»;ia 

■,.://   hn')  ■:>■'}  ^uuJl      ,,-;ij.lo:j';->T/:'/;  I 

rr":'',''    •■  j/p''!,':''  ■•\,r:'".^f_  ■'n:\'.'yj[\<j'j 

M.j   .i ,  I  ,  ''•'    .IL    >i!ij  i    :j-'i  ■/  (i 


.n    ■'•"•11  >ii;  '•f: 


':jh  '.-if.    if-ir\   \;v'".\,-/  ''u  .fi'."t  .:^:>,'i!r~  :'.■,.■.' 
;i;  !_'.:!>  1,'iiv."  jiii;:.    i-j;;";^''Ii):>n"/l   '.jjH'^.i  bi'. 

■:■■  T*li      .f.;n'.jrv!. (;!:!■ 
"■  3l!i    ■■  j!!!U   jfl'   :<\    '^ -■:■'■ 

li'r'i!  ,\-.-'i   III  l>yib  .,'  '■•;   !i:  \rv.y\  -\,;(  oil v/  .//c.b!//  ^i 


■;  liiiitovji'ST  hi:i:. 


it,!,   vj:  (jjirrjco  r  ir.:r/ 


•■(■■.i:-:i'TM  ,>  o'^'ti'-jO  -yi  I'l   rigrrirn.'i    .]    niliri'i    n 


■)t:r,I   t<  'fjrri  -, .-'jil'  rti 


(:-.->o  ^!H)  ,',.1 
'   -noVL    .'i .■•■.;;' 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  .  102^ 

rcnceburg  the  year  previous,  was  at  once  employed  bv  Lewis  &  Eichelbergor 
in  their  newly  built  fluur-niill,  then  the  largest  in  Indiana,  because  of  his 
previous  experience  in  the  eastern  export  mills,  and  the  father  and  the  uther 
four  sons,  in  the  course  of  a  short  time,  were  employed  by  the  same  firm, 
and  in  that  city  Christopher  Enimert  and  his  wife  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives. 
Tliey  were  devoted  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  their  children  were 
reared  in  that  faith.  Christopher  Emmert's  father,  Martin  Emmert.  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation  and  was  the  father  of  seven  children,  of  whom  Chris- 
topher was  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth. 

Philip  J.,  the  sixth,  was  the  only  other  of  Christopher  Emmert's  brothers 
to  come  to  America.  He  arrived  in  1849  and  1S51  located  near  Queen  City, 
Schuyler  county,  INIissouri.  where  he  died  in  1807.  '"^  ^'''^  great  age  of  ninety- 
three  years.  Two  of  his  sons  gave  their  serxices  to  their  adopted  country  as 
soldiers  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  War.  Prompted  by  the  emotions 
that  inspired  the  artist's  conception  of  that  touching  and  thrilling  picture, 
"Westward  the  Course  of  Empire  Takes  Its  Way,"  in  the  rotunda  of  the 
capitol  at  Wasln'ngton,  the  children  of  Philip  J.  Enimert  established  homes  in 
Oklahoma.  Washington  and  other  western  states,  availing  themseh'es  of  the 
opportunities  offered  in  this  free  and  enlightened  country:  the  ])rime  object 
that  moved  to  action  their  fathers  in  forsaking  their  native  laud,  that  their 
posterity  might  inherit  largely. 

The  other  children  of  Martin  Emmert  were  Peter,  John,  George.  Eliza- 
beth and  Catherine.  The  founder  of  the  Emmert  family  in  IMutterstadt, 
Rheinish  Bavaria,  was  Johan  Christopher  Emmert,  who  settled  there  about 
the  year  1700.  Jacob  and  Elizabedi  (Wild)  Ott.  maternal  grandparents 
of  the  subject  of  this  review,  did  not  come  to  America.  Although  but 
a  shoemaker  bv  trade,  Jacob  Ott  acquired  cijnsiderable  pnjpert}-,  as  reckoned 
at  that  time  in  that  country.  He  and  his  wife  had  two  daughters,  .\una 
Elizabeth,  mother  of  Mr.  Emmert,  and  Catherine  Barbara,  who  married  a  Mr. 
Miller. 

When  the  Emmert  family  came  from  Delaware  to  this  county,  locating  at 
Lawrenceburg.  Philip  J.  Emmert  was  thirteen  years  of  age  and  had  practicall\- 
completed  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Wilmington,  Ijut  for  a  short  time 
after  arrriving  in  Lawrenceburg,  he  attended  the  schools  conducted  by  Hamlet 
Sparks,  an  uncle  of  former  Governor  Durbin,  of  Indiana.  On  August  ir, 
1855,  at  the  age  of  thirteen,  he  began  clerking  in  the  dry-goods  store,  at  tliat 
time  owned  and  operated  by  Lewis  Brothers,  at  the  corner  of  Short  and  High 
streets.     Two  years  later,  in   1856,  the  firm  name  was  changed  to  Lewis, 


■;   Jj     ■./;•>.!   7/i  ba'/r-']'  'j  .^.th.'  .'<;  ?'G/,'  ..kih  ••:>'rq 

■jMl     .;;•■!•;!!■,  \      .   'i     f;:;-!      ['nil   TJ'   i":     :1 


•■■■  ■  ■     :,■  I  :      I-.,   i-   I     !  iniil  '  ;( 

'  I     :;,  :  ■.'.  .-jA    Vilr  t^     '-!v;(;;-.(ri   ' 

If'-'    I-    ';■  ■    \    :       . ■''■;;}       -'-    ..://    i,i:|:    ij'"'" 


i-nrjnii.  J  inir,  ^rairun^    n.' 


,}"in  -lit  ■:.3  9-: 


''T'mij.ii:'   ^.;:/;    j'"  icri  (nut   arlj  .•'\-_8i    ni  ,1? 


I024  DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

Moore  &  Lewis  and  in  the  siirint,^  of  1S57  this  firm  mo\cd  to  the  corner  room 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  o{_>era  house  l:)uilding.  and  at  the  expiration  of  the  lease 
covering  tliat  room,  in  1SG2.  mo\"ed  ti.i  tlie  quarters  now  occupied  h\  the 
Ennnert  store,  at  the  corner  of  High  and  Short  streets.  Seven  years  later. 
in  1869,  PhiHp  J.  Emmert  succeeded  to  tlie  business  and  has  operated  it  ever 
since.  Thus  was  begun  the  independent  career  of  the  young  man,  who,  at 
the  age  of  thirteen,  had  been  given  the  key  of  the  store  of  his  employers  ant! 
who,  during  all  the  }ears  of  his  apprenticeship,  -was  accustomed  to  open  the 
store  in  the  morning.  '\[v.  Emmert  has  sold  goods  in  the  city  of  Lawrence- 
burg  for  a  peri':)d  of  sixty  years  and  for  the  past  forty-six  Acars  has  been  in 
business  for  himself.  The  good  will  and  the  share  of  trade  accorded  him  by 
the  community  in  the  sale  of  dry  goods  and  other  commodities  pertaining  to 
the  business  is  not  a  matter  of  accident  or  sudden  "good  fortune."  }vlr. 
Emmert's  success  has  been  built  upon  a  firm  foundation  of  skillful  anrl  care- 
ful management  and  honorable  and  fair  dealing  with  the  public. 

In  Xo\-ember,  18(15,  *"'-"-'^"  }ears  before  he  became  propriettjr  of  his  pres- 
ent store,  Phihp  J.  Emmert  was  united  in  marriage  to  Catherine  Hodell. 
daughter  of  George  and  Catherine  (  Berke)  Hodell,  natives  of  Alsace,  who 
were  the  parents  of  si.x  children,  of  whom  Catherine  was  the  fifth  in  or<ler 
of  birth.  ]\Irs.  Catherine  Emmert  died  in  Marcii,  1S67,  without  issue,  and 
on  October  22,  1869,  Mr.  Emmert  married,  secondly,  ]\Iary  AI.  Deuschle. 
daughter  of  Lorenz  and  Ann  ^lary  (Schopper)  Deuschle,  natix'es  of  Kingen. 
near  Stuttgart,  in  Wurtemburg.  Germany.  ]Mar_\'  M.  Deuschle  was  born  near 
Stuttgart  on  Xo\'ember  19,  1845,  '^"*^  ^^''^*  seven  \ears  of  age  when  her  par- 
ents came  to  America  with  their  family  and  settled  in  Lawrenceburg.  Dur- 
ing a  temporary  residence  of  the  Deuschle  family  in  Cincinnati  she  had  at- 
tended a  private  school  in  that  city.  She  is  one  of  se\'en  children  born  to  h.er 
parents.  A  brother,  George,  the  second  of  the  family,  was  killed  while  ser\-- 
ing  as  a  L'nion  soldier  during  the  Civil  War.  The  other  children  were  John, 
Joseph,  IMary  M.,  !Mrs.  ]Minnie  Ferger,  of  Indianapolis,  and  William  and 
Carrie,  of  Lawrenceburg,  where  they  own  a  dry-goods  store.  The  father  of 
these  children  died  at  Lawrenceburg  in  1874,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  and  his 
widow  died  in  the  same  city  in  1893,  in  her  eightieth  year.  !Mrs.  Emmert's 
maternal  grandfather,  Gottlieb  Schopper,  married  Anna  Haspel  and  was  the 
father  of  three  children,  Anna  ^lary,  Ix)uisa  and  Minnie. 

To  Philip  J.  and  Alary  ]\[.  (Deuschle)  Emmert  one  son  has  been  born, 
their  only  child,  Edward,  who,  upon  completing  the  course  in  the  Lawrence- 
burg public  schools  entered  DePauvv  University,  later  attending  Johns  Hop- 


.f.v./.v-i.:i  .vf'/i.joo  v.AonRi.'So. 


T'.i  !n.;;:>ri 


|.::i;     j.Vi:.^-    ;■  -    li    ■:  i.:'-     :w:    ,j,;  ;;  '    ,,    i  -'iv'    'MJKJ   iIl^.'   'I  :! 


:.    I,.');!   ,•;:  vrj'.Mn  J   './un'J  ii.i   ;>3-!.Mf7'j  4K 


DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  1025 

kins  University,  at  Baltimore,  and  Miami  Medical  College,  from  which  latter 
institution  he  received  his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine,  and  is  now  a  well- 
known  and  successful  jiracticing  physician  at  Lawrencehurg,  the  citv  of  his 
birth.  Doctor  Emmert  married  Edna  Menke  and  he  and  his  wife  occupy  a 
high  position  in  the  social  life  of  the  city. 

Mr.  F.mmert,  \\ho  has  had  reasonable  success  in  his  business,  is  thor- 
oughly honorable  and  straightforward  in  his  dealings  and  commands  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  the  entire  community.  Having  l.icen  somewhat  of  a 
reader  during  his  long  life,  he  is  a  man  of  intellectual  acquirements  and,  pos- 
sessing a  retentive  memory,  which  is  brought  into  requisition  while  in  con- 
versation, he  gives  his  hearers  an  impression  of  his  earnestness,  a  desire  fiir 
accuracy  and  precision,  which  to  some  might  convey  an  impression  of  undue 
earnestness  on  his  part.  For  one  of  his  years  he  is  a  remarkably  active  man 
and  attends  personally  to  the  more  important  details  of  the  management  of  his 
store,  in  which  he  is  ably  assisted  by  his  good  wife,  who,  though  of  small 
stature,  fills  the  niche  of.  her  particular  sphere  in  the  home,  in  the  store  and 
elsewhere,  with  good  judgment  and  rare  tact. 


CORNELIUS  O'BRIEN. 


Business  is  a  hard  taskmaster  and  those  who  would  worshiji  at  her 
shrine  must  apply  themselves  diligently  and  to  some  extent  follow  well-settled 
and  well-determined  rules.  In  the  larger  sense,  however,  business  is  espe- 
cially a  matter  which  calls  forth  the  indi\-idualit\'  of  each  and  every  person 
engaged  in  it,  and  that  vocation  is  most  profitable  which  offers  and  in\-ites 
the  best  talent  and  energies  of  which  the  individual  is  possessed.  Success  in 
business  is  a  relative  term,  and  depends  upon  many  factors.  Because  men 
are  not  equal  in  opportimity  or  in  ability  the  measure  of  success  must  be  dif- 
ferent for  different  persons.  Cornelius  O'Brien,  who  for  a  number  of  years 
was  engaged  in  banking  in  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  and  who  has  become 
prominent  in  the  financial  circles  of  Dearborn  county,  is  the  son  of  a  dis- 
tingT.u'shed  banker  and  citizen  of  this  state.  No  one  is  able  to  say  that  he  has 
relied  for  his  success  upon  his  native  ability  alone.  He  has  always  been  quite 
willing  to  apply  himself  diligently  and  personal  effort  has  been  a  large  fac- 
tor in  his  accomplishments.  Associated  now  with  .\.  D.  Cook,  manufacturer 
of  pumps  at  Lawrenceburg,  Mr.  O'Brien  has  given  to  this  business  not  only 

(6s) 


.-')    /.r.<._:.iy,/.v. 


;,.  .\]m-.'-c'  J  znvA 


ji:'  '■  'ill  p'l'  ;ij:"'  ";  An.-f, 

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r'    -..  !    I !■)!■!  ,7    n;     ■?"!0(': 


■    '  ''.!  ■    ''.jqu    ^;.i[;'''.i     ';;'£.     '";■■■    -'  '\  ■£'':>-'    J,    -- 

"'■*'■:   I     •    "l   Oil/'     'i..ti,')  i_i   ^itit:;jf  V.;. )       .'■r!it''-:j()   l:c.>~'>" 
V  '-"I?   -i   .;tf7;jo:i  (;-:'>'.fii;'.)G  "O  ^Axno  I.-.ijfirftt  ^'fi* 

/''^  --■'    •J''      .'ir;  ■!:    vji: 


1026  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

tlie  native  aliility  with  which  lie  is  eiulowed,,  but  his  lx?st  pliysical  ami  mental 
efforts,  and  to  him  is  due  no  small  measiu'e  of  success  of  tlie  firm  in  recent 
years. 

Cornelius  O'l'.ricn,  a  welM<no\vn  and  [)opulai-  young-  ijusiness  man  of 
Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  is  a  nati\e  of  this  city,  having  been  born  on  I'ebruary 
12.  T8S3.  the  son  uf  William  11.  and  Harriet  (Hunter)   O'Brien. 

The  Hon,  William  H.  O'Brien  is  one  of  the  best-known  citi;^ens  of  the 
state  of  Indiana,  ami  has  lately  retired  after  ha\ing  ser\ed  two  terms  as 
auditor  of  the  state  of  Indiana,  h'or  a  quarter  of  a  centiu'}'  he  has  been 
connected  prominently  with  financial  and  commercial  enterprises  in  this  city. 
The  president  of  the  Peoples  National  Bank  at  ]_awrenceburg,  Imliana,  he 
was  born  in  Lawrenceburg.  August  22.  1855,  and  is  the  son  of  Cornelius 
and  Harriet  Jane  (Hunter)  O'Brien,  the  former  a  native  of  Countv  Kilkennv, 
Ireland,  and  the  latter  of  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana.  Of  their  children.  Hon. 
William  H.  O'Brien  is  the  otily  one  living.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  Cor- 
nelius O'Brien  came  to  America,  and  located  at  Do\-er,  now  Kelsu,  Indian.a, 
where  for  se\'eral  years  he  worked  ab  a  clerk  in  a  store.  Later  he  became 
c<->uuty  clerk  and  suljsecjuently  county  treasurer,  ser\'ing  in  the  latter  nffice 
two  terms.  In  1S5S  he  was  elected  to  the  Indiana  state  senate  and  served 
one  term.  In  1856  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  Democratic  national  ccjinentiun 
that  nominated  President  Buchanan.  In  i860  he  was  the  nominee  of  the 
Democratic  party  for  clerk  of  supreme  court  and  was  defeated  in  the  Repub- 
lican landslide  of  that  year,  which  resulted  in  the  election  of  Abraham  Lin- 
coln as  President.  Lie  then  settled  down  to  practice  la\\'  aufl  died  in  1869,  at 
the  age  of  fifty  years.  His  wife  died  in  1885,  at  the  age  of  fifty-five.  She 
was  a  member  of  the  ^^lethodist  church. 

Educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Lawrenceljurg  and  in  .\sbury  (  nr,\v 
DePauw)  L'niversity.  Hon.  William  H.  O'Brien,  after  completing  his  si^phn- 
more  year,  returned  home,  learned  the  printer's  tratle  and  was  engaged  in 
the  newspaper  business.  From  1877  to  1894  he  published  the  LaicrL-iicchur'^ 
Register.  Subsequenth-,  he  liecame  vice-president  of  the  Citizens  Brink, 
which  he  organized.  Later,  upon  the  consolidation  of  the  Peoples  National 
Bank  and  the  Citizens  National  Bank,  he  became  president  of  the  consolidatefl 
institution.  He  served  five  terms  as  mayor  of  Lawrenceburg,  and  in  1902 
was  elected  to  the  Indiana  state  senate,  serving  through  two  sessions.  In 
1910  to  1914  he  was  auditor  of  state.  For  six  years  he  was  chairman  of  the 
Democratic  state  central  ci:>mmittee.  and  treasurer  of  the  Democratic  national 
committee  in   1908.      Mr.  O'Brien  is  prominent  in  fraternal  circles  of  Dear- 


:,  ;-:mi>;.>U'I'1 


_.;■-[  ^  J  .1  !    .iJi.ill;"/,'    . 

;Ivj/1     ->d     \>u:      r-t^Vluni     1...    vTSiii 


.      ■        ■   :     ,.        ■.-;  .      •;  ■-    ^Ir.o  Oil;   r,    I  M  ui  (J   .;)   (i:R(;i;7/ 

.,     ".    .         "  -  •  ■;'/..:   ■  !■•■;■..'      '!:rvj|i---'r<    i>'n:   Au'tj  vliin-o 

■  i  ■■■'i  .-.';  ■'!  ■''.".;i:);.  .  -.//  ,p  .,-'-'■  .•{  .rtntiJ  3n<;i 
■,;.  ■-;  -,  ;.  >•  ■  .  'i  ,il  :.Lii.  ;!_,;..'  M  ■;  ■•  'I  I.-"  '  ■■  ;  ■•::!! 
'.-,.   .     '    .   ,     -L-..    .-T    f.r;.   .,    ..  .,  -n.r<    1  ^.   .iV,!.   ^.    !    7 1 - 

^^    ;-    -_  :     .,     ■:    .'-■■'    <■:•  !-if>  ■>'.:■',   ^rH       ,-!>:;/    -; 

\     .'<':,<■          :  .,'.  ■       M  ..-Nl'tJ      !■'    ■!■ 
■■')    ''M'    '  -     ■  ■      

.  !;  ]■■<  1". 
■,^'i,-if!..j.'i. .  , 


DEARBORN   COL'XTY.   IXDIAXA.  I027 

Iwrn  county,  lieing  a  Knight  'I'emplar  and  a  tliirty->ieciinfl-ilegrec  Scottish 
Rite  ]\rasoi).  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pytliias  and  the  Red 
Men. 

Hon.  W'ilham  H.  O'Brien's  wife,  to  win  mi  he  was  marricil  on  Mav  0. 
1882.  and  who  before  her  marriage  was  Harriet  Hunter,  was  li<irn  at  Mexico. 
Missouri,  and  is  the  daughter  of  W'ilham  I).  H.  and  I'rances  A.  (Can- 
thorn)  Hunter,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Lawrencchurg,  Indiana. 
and  the  latter  of  whom  A\'as  a  nati\e  of  Tappahannock.  Essex  countv.  \'ir- 
ginia.  For  twenty  years  the\-  resided  at  Lawrencehurg,  and  Mr.  Hunter  was 
associated  with  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  ()'l;!rien,  in  the  puhlicatii>n  oi  the  Ri\^isLT. 
Air.  Hunter  ser\-ed  as  a  memlx-r  of  the  Missouri  legislature  and  at  the  time 
of  his  death  was  cashier  of  the  Citizens  National  Bank.  He  was  also  mayor 
of  Alexico,  [Missouri,  and  a  delegate  to  the  Democratic  national  conxentii'U 
from  Missouri  in  186S.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  collector  of  internal 
revenue  for  the  Lawrenceljurg  district.  In  association  with  J(jhn  P..  StoU. 
of  South  Bend,  Indiana,  he  established  the  Democratic  Editorial  Association 
of  Indiana.  He  and  liis  wife  had  two  children,  Mrs.  W.  H.  O'Brien,  and 
Flizabetli,  who  married  Herbert  F.  Patton,  of  Clexeland,  Ohi<i. 

Mr.  and  Airs.  W.  H,  O'Brien  ha\-e  had  se\"en  children.  Cornelius,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  Frances,  Robert  Emmett^  William  H..  Jr..  Elizabeth. 
Harriet  Jane,  and  Ruth.  Robert  Emmett  was  graduated  from  the  United 
States  Military  Academy  at  West  Point,  and  is  a  first  lieutenant  in  the  I'ifth 
Iiifantr}-,  which  is  now  stationed  at  Panama,  tie  married  Keturah  b'oulds. 
William  H.,  Jr.,  graduated  from  tlie  United  States  Xaval  Academy  at  Annap- 
olis, and  is  now  an  ensign  in  the  I'nitcfl  States  na\}-.  He  is  assigned  10  tlie 
torpedo  lx)at  destro}'er.  "Paul  Jones."  Elizabeth,  who  graduated  from  the 
Bartholomew  Clifton  School,  is  the  wife  of  Cabin  W.  \'erity.  Harriet  Jane 
graduated  from  the  Barthc^lomew  Clifton   School.      Ruth  died  in  infancy. 

Reared  in  Lawrencebiirg,  Indiana,  Cornelius  O'Brien,  the  eklest  child 
born  to  his  parents,  was  educated  in  the  pul.ilic  schools  of  this  city,  and  later 
attended  Moores  Ilill  College  for  twD  vears.  Subse(|uently.  he  entered  Pu.r- 
due  I'niversity  and  was  a  student  there  for  some  time,  .\fter  leaving  Purdue 
he  became  cashier  of  the  Citizens'  National  Bank  of  this  city,  and  at  the  end 
of  this  period,  the  Citizens'  National  having  been  consolidateil  with  the  Peo- 
ple's National,  became  assistant  cashier  of  the  consolidated  bank,  a  po-iti'>n 
which  he  still  holds.  In  this  count}-  he  is  known  as  a  most  careful  and  con- 
sen'ative  banker,  and  appreciates  the  large  opportunities  which  the  banker 
has  to  promote  industrial,  agricultural  and  commercial  enterprise.      He  is  a 


././■. I  i'/'  .-■'/,  liL''  v:iorr;f/,:»a 


r.-rr  v'fl-j  ;;  i  'r  :  i         .:!;rrL-; 


■)ij     I'.M     :sji":3/'3-! 


:'}  ■.1;  ■.:>;>  r;-i;i:ir!r.T^  ,.-|i.  ..il  (liKiUi/' 


■//   fl'    'r-J    r- 


■•".-:  •  ;.  ■  -i.irif):.-:  0'!''i(;t  'jHi  j:i  1; 
'1=-  . :!  .-/(lii  5n,'')"!i,'-i  .v-il.-j,'  '■,"]  -■ 
;  -  ■  ■-';  ■'■i;i  /.      '^rni.  'jnii  -  ->         ■  ,:  • 

I'    i:   ,  ;!'J   '.K;!  "tu    ^1! 


>iTv;;    .l£rc)^:i,i|i;tt    3'-lfr!C 


I028  DEAKBOKN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  / 

good  judge  of  credit  and  credit,  as  it  is  well  known,  is  the  basis  of  the  banking- 
business. 

In  1909  Mr.  O'Brien  became  connected  with  the  A.  D.  Cook  Pump 
Works,  and  now  devotes  all  of  his  time  to  this  business.  This  conipaii}- 
employs  about  eighty  people,  and  is  one  of  the  prosperous  industrial  enter- 
prises of  this  city. 

On  April  14,  19C9,  Cornelius  O'Brien  was  married  to  Anna  Belle  Cook, 
the  daughter  of  Augustus  I),  and  .-\nna  (Hassmer)  Cook.  Two  daughters, 
Anna  Belle  and  INIary,  have  been  born  to  this  union. 

Mrs.  O'Brien,  a  native  of  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  dining  her  entire  life 
has  been  popular  socially  in  this  city.  Her  father  was  a  native  of  Germanv 
and  her  mother  of  Ripley  county.  Both  are  now  living  in  Greendale.  The 
father  is  the  chief  owner  and  proprietor  of  the  A.  D.  Cook  Pump  Works. 
Mrs.  O'Brien  is  his  only  child.  .\  further  account  of  the  Cook  familv  history 
is  to  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

Among  the  financial  enterprises  with  which  ?dr.  O'Brien  is  connected  at 
the  present  time  is  the  Dearborn  County  Building  and  Loan  Association,  in 
which  he  is  a  director.  For  many  years  he,  has  also  been  active  in  the  man- 
agement of  the  Dearborn  County  Fair  Association,  having  been  for  three 
years  secretary  of  the  association  and  for  six  years,  treasurer.  For  some  time 
he  has  represented  the  first  Indiana  district  on  the  state  board  of  agriculture. 
Like  his  wortliy  father  and  grandfather  he  has  for  a  number  of  years  been 
prominent  in  politics  and  is  the  present  treasurer  of  the  Democratic  central 
committee  of  Dearborn  county.  In  fact,  he  has  held  this  position  ever  since 
he  became  a  voter.  His  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  financial  success  of  the  party 
and  the  raising  of  campaign  funds  have  had  a  great  deal  to  do  with  the  suc- 
cess of  the  party  in  this  county.  Mr.  O'Brien  is  a  member  of  Lawrenceburg 
Lodge  No.  4,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  He  is  a  past  master.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  Lawrenceburg  Chapter  No.  56,  Royal  Arch  ^Masons,  and  of 
Aurora  Commandery,  Knights  Templar.  He  is  past  chancellor  of  Dearborn 
Lodge  No.  49,  Knights  of  Pythias.  At  college  he  was  a  member  of  the  Phi 
Kappi  Psi  fraternity  and  is  a  prominent  alumnus  of  this  organization.  ^Ir. 
O'Brien  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church. 

Too  much  cannot  be  said  in  commendation  of  the  career  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch.  It  may  be  true  that  he  has  been  favored  somewhat  by  cir- 
cumstances, but  he  has  never  taken  advantage  of  these  circumstances  in  prefer- 
ence to  standing  on  his  own  merits  and  winning  on  this  basis  alone.     It  is  no 


1^  ^l  .•:■'/■  'C-i 


'I,.     ••:::  .;■     [,_ 


r.'vi)':''  )      si/.     lnHU     fi!. 


•■  /■  ! 


ALj.]i<I  rivv/i  .^f,i 


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.:  '}•-'  ■•■■'■'-..-: '  ?.&!  >o  no 


DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  IO29 

wonder  therefore  he  is  popular  with  all  classes  of  people  in  this  county,  for 
among  the  young  men  residing  here  he  occupies  a  position  of  confidence  and 
esteem. 


•    :,         ,  •■■  VONHOLT  BROTHERS. 

Among  the  well-known  farmers  of  Lawrencehurg  township,  Dearborn 
county,  Indiana,  are  Henry.  Charles  and  Fred  PI.  Vonhnlt,  the  sons  of  Fred 
and  Sophia  (Leupke)  Vonholt,  natives  of  Germany,  the  former  of  whom  was 
-  born  in  March,  1S21,  and  the  latter  was  born  on  October  27,  1S27. 

Henn,-  Vonholt  was  born  on  July  26,  1857;  Charles  Vonholt  was  born  on 
July  2,  1S59.  and  Fred  Vonholt  was  born  in  April,  1861.  The  X'onholt  broth- 
ers now  ha\'e  no  rclati\-es  living  except  two  cousins,  Fred  and  Henry  Graliben- 
kamper.  who  live  at  Vinton  Place,  Ohio,  and  who  are  the  sons  of  Henry  and 
Angeline  (^'^onholt)   Grabbenkamper,  both  deceased. 

The  parents  of  Flenry,  Charles  and  Fred  H.  Vonholt  came  to  America 
early  in  life  and  first  settled  in  Cincimiati,  Ohio,  where  they  li\ed  for  many 
years.  Subsequently,  however,  they  renio\'ed  to  a  farm  near  Lawrencehurg, 
Indiana,  and  li\ed  in  Lawrencehurg  township  for  the  remainder  of 
their  lives.  They  owned  a  farm  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres 
in  Lawrencehurg  township,  which  is  now  owned  jointly  by  their  three 
sons,  the  subjects  of  this  sketch.  The  farm  is  located  three  miles  from  Law- 
rencehurg, and  also  three  miles  from  Aurora.  It  is  beautifully  situated, 
highly  productive  and  shows  the  care  and  good  management  of  the  tlirifty 
German  farmers  who  own  it.  The  father  was  a  most  excellent  farmer  and 
from  the  products  of  this  farm  was  enabled  for  many  years  to  olitain  a  com- 
fortable li\'ing.  He  is  engaged  in  mixed  farming,  raising  all  of  the  grains 
common  in  this  section  of  the  state,  and  a  considerable  number  of  hogs  and 
cattle  every  year.  Llis  sons,  who  have  succeeded  him  in  the  management  and 
ownership  of  the  fann,  have  followed  in  his  footsteps.  The  buildings  on  the 
farm  are  substantial  and  well  located,  fences  well  kept  up,  and  the  soil  is  well 
drained!  Located  on  a  much  traveled  thoroughfare,  the  \'onholt  farm  pre- 
sents an  attractive  and  pleasing  appearance. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fred  Vonholt  were  prominent  farmers  in  their  neighbor- 
hood and  influeiitial  citizens  in  the  community.  Both  belonged  to  the  Zion 
Evangelical  church  of  Lawrencehurg.  Of  their  seven  children  four  are  now- 
deceased,  the  living  children  being  the  subjects  of  this  sketch.  After  a  long 
and  useful  life  the  father,  who  was  kind  and  intelligent,  and  who  by  economic 


m-i-iiij 


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l.'.,iT;  -   /■  tiui'.'!  siri;  ]i>  ^1  ■  <l 


1030  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

living,  toil  and  good  management  pro\"ided  well  tor  his  faniilv.  passed  awav 
on  February  18,  1904,  at  the  age  of  nearly  eighty-four  years.  His  beloved 
wife,  the  mother  of  Henry,  Charles  and  Fred  H.  Vonholt.  died  on  Januar\- 
17,  19IJ.  at  the  age  of  nearly  eighty-five  years.  Their  meniDrv  is  revered 
by  their  dutiful  sons,  who  at  their  passing  succeeded  tfi  the  comfortable  fur- 
tune  which  liic}'  left. 

In  many  respects  the  li\es  of  Fred  and  .Sophia  (Leupke)  Vonholt  were 
not  unlike  the  lives  of  many  men  and  ^vomen  who  ha\-e  come  to  our  shores 
from  foreign  lands,  and  who  have  adiled  so  much  to  the  stability  of  our 
institutions.  To  say  tliat  they  were  diligent.  God-fearing  and  sincere  people 
is  to  tell  only  a  small  part  uf  the  truth.  They  were  all  this,  hut  tliev  were 
even  more.  In  unremitting  toil  they  expended  their  life's  energies  that  their 
children  migiit  live  in  comfort  and  happiness.  Nor  is  it  too  much  to  say  that 
the  three  sons  who  hear  their  name  revere  their  memory  and  respect'  them 
for  the  loving  kindness  which  they  bestowed  so  generously,  not  onh-  up'^n 
their  children,  but  upon  all  who  came  in  contact  with  their  benign  and  endear- 
ing influence. 


WILLIAAI  MEYERS. 


A  man's  reputation  is  the  property  of  the  world,  for  the  laws  which 
govern  modern  society  have  so  decreed.  When  after  long  years  of  residence 
in  one  locality  a  man  is  held  in  higli  esteem  by  those  wdio  know  him  best 
and  have  come  into  contact  with  him  in  both  a  social  and  business  way,  then 
indeed  is  his  reputation  for  all  that  makes  for  true  manhood  a  thing  to  be 
highly  prized  by  him  and  a  rich  inheritance  to  be  left  to  his  children.  The 
reputation  of  William  Meyers,  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Clav  township. 
Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  has  been  unassailable  all  along  the  pathwavs  of 
life,  according  to  those  who  have  known  him  long  and  well  and  it  is  therefore 
fitting  that  a  short  sketch  of  his  career  should  find  a  place  within  the  pages 
of  a  book  of  the  character  of  the  one  in  hand. 

William  Meyers  has  passed  his  entire  life  in  this  community,  having  been 
born  in  E)illsboro  on  September  2~.  1873,  ^  ^O"  of  John  and  Marv  (Johnson) 
Meyers.  John  Meyers  also  was  a  native  of  Dillsboro.  having  first  seen  the  light 
of  day  in  that  hamlet  on  December  5,  1S44.  The  Aleyers  familv  were  among 
the  early  citizens  of  Dillsboro  and  have  been  associated  with  its  affairs  from 
the  time  it  was  merely  a  village  up  to  the  present  thriving  town  of  today. 


r  •■  ,ii.ij  .  v.',^>i/  iii 


■  '    ■  /.'    ■-■■>i  ■■    ■:'<']  -i;:v'n'.'^.i,Mi;iTi  : 


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t'ti   j-'/ht.i/  t.  vi^'iTrn  r-iiv; 


DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  IO3I 

John  Meyers  was  a  farmer  all  his  hfc.  His  first  property  lioldings  consisted 
•of  sixty  acres  of  farm  land,  to  which  he  added  from  time  to  time  imlil  he  was 
owner  of  one  hundred  and  eighty-eight  acres.  At  the  Ijeginning  of  the  Ci\il 
War,  he  cnhsted  with  the  cause  of  tlie  Union,  ser\ing  for  three  years  as  a 
private  in  the  Seventh  Inihana  Cavah'y.  during  wh.ich  time  he  saw  much 
active  service.  His  deatli  occurred  on  Fehruary  ii,  1912,  when  si.\ty-eight 
years  of  age.  Throughout  his  life  he  was  one  of  the  highly  respected  men  of 
the  communit}^  in  which  his  entire  life  had  heen  passed.  Mary  (Johnsnn) 
JMeyers,  his  wife,  was  born  in  this  count}-,  near  Farmers  Retreat,  on  May  7. 
1S46,  and  remained  with  her  parents  until  the  time  of  her  marriage. 

William  and  Evangeline  }ileyers  were  the  paternal  grandparents  of  the 
immediate  subject  of  this  sketch  and  both  were  natives  of  the  German  em- 
pire. They  \vere  married  before  coming  to  this  countr}-,  wliich  they  did 
when  about  thirty-five  }-ears  of  age,  and  brought  one  or  two  of  their  cliildren 
with  them,  the  balance  being  born  in  this  country.  There  were  seven  in  their 
famih- :  Louisa.  Henry,  Sophia.  Catherine,  John,  Edward  and  .\nilre\v. 
William  ^Meyers  locatetl  in  Dearborn  on  land  which  he  secured  from  the 
government  and  gave  the  balance  of  his  life  to  agricultural  work.  He 
reclaimed  his  land  from  the  virgin  forests  and  after  many  years  of  hard 
labor  put  it  into  excellent  shape  for  cultivation. 

William  [Meyers  is  one  of  a  family  of  four  children,  one  of  whom  died 
in  early  infancy.  The  others  are  Henry  and  Alice.  Henry  married  Lillian 
Fritsch  and  they  make  their  home  in  Dillsboro.  They  ha\'e  one  child.  Harry. 
Alice  Meyers  became  the  wife  of  Andrew  Zimmerman  and  they  reside  at 
^lilroy,  Minnesota,  where  they  are  engaged  in  farmin.g.  There  are  three 
children  in  their  family:  Floyd,  Velma  and  Clara,  all  of  whom  are  attending 
school. 

William  Me\ers  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Cla_\'  township 
and  remained  on  the  family  homestead,  assisting  his  father  in  the  work  of 
the  farm,  until  the  time  of  his  marriage.  After  marriage  he  rented  a  farm 
in  Clay  township  for  some  eleven  years,  and  in  19 12  purchased  the  ;)iace. 
where  he  has  continued  to  make  his  home  to  the  present  time.  Mr.  Meyers 
carries  on  general  farming,  such  as  is  practiced  throughout  this  section  and 
is  uniformly  successful  with  his  crops. 

On  August  22,  1901,  William  IMeyers  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Minnie  Graver,  a  daughter  of  William  antl  Millie  (Buecker)  Graver,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Germany,  having  come  to  this  section  in  1S67,  when 
thev  settled  near  Dillsboro,  where  tliev  continued  to  make  their  home.     To 


-l'-'"! 


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:    ■    .  ■  -;!      ;.:!  ■•       -   .      \i:x]   ;:-  ■■?-,..;!   ;    ■■■'•  ^J-r-^ 

.lc»orb.> 

'       ^  ''    '  ■  .    ■■     '."    ."^i    ;::    ;■■■  ■'r-VH!i>'j    --lid    {^'I'j.-^l    f::;'^:?//    .[iJJl!ii7/ 

'     '  ■  '.'It   '-1(1    (i(   !.riE 

■■■:'::    j;::>   slff  t»f(j   o]    ■ 


1032  DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

Mr.  Meyers  and  wife  have  been  l)orn  four  children,  Cora,  Ethel,  Howard  and 
Clifford,  all  of  wliom  are  in  school  receiving  good  educations. 

Mr.  iMcyers  holds  his  religious  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church, 
of  which  he  has  been  a  I'aithful  member  for  a  number  of  years.  His  political 
support  is  given  the  Republican  party  and  he  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  strong 
advocates  of  that  party's  principles  in  this  community.  For  four  years  he 
served  his  party  most  efficiently  as  road  supervisor  for  Clay  township  and 
he  has  also  filled,  with  satisfaction  to  all,  the  office  of  township  trustee.  Mr. 
Meyers  holds  his  fraternal  affiliation  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the 
Red  Men  through  the  local  societies  of  those  bodies.  He  is  at  present  serv- 
ing the  former  order  as  chancellor  and  has  the  distinction  of  being  one  of 
the  charter  members  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Red  Men.  Mr.  Meyer  has 
long  since  proven  himself  to  be  a  man  among  men  in  every  particular,  ha\"- 
ing  met  the  various  issues  of  life  in  the  proper  spirit.  He  takes  a  deep  and 
abiding  interest  in  all  that  concerns  the  welfare  of  the  communit_\-  and  natinn 
and  gives  his  earnest  support  to  all  movements  for  the  advancement  of  his 
fellow  men. 


WILLIAM  H.  :\IcCUNE. 


The  attention  of  'the  reader  is  now  called  to  a  short  sketch  of  the  life 
of  William  H.  INIcCune,  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  of  Dearborn  county. 
Indiana.  ■Mr.  ]McCune  was  born  in  Clay  township  on  April  10,  1S30,  and 
during  his  life  has  seen  many  remarkable  changes  come  to  pass.  In  his 
earlier  life  much  of  the  labor  of  the  farm  was  done  by  hand,  by  methods 
which  seem  now  most  antiquated  when  the  modern  farm  implements  are 
considered.  In  the  earlier  da}"s  the  farmer  was  practically  isolated  from  the 
world  and  its  affairs,  but  now  he  may  have  at  his  door  every  da_\-  the  daily 
newspaper,  his  telephone  places  him  in  instant  connection  with  the  world  at 
large  and  his  home  may  be  as  modern  and  convenient  as  any  city  home. 

William  H.  ]McCune  is  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Riemer)  McCune, 
the  former  born  in  Ohio  and  the  latter  in  North  Carolina.  John  iNIcCune 
came  to  Dearborn  county  when  a  young  man,  locating  here  for  the  balance 
of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  in  middle  age.  William  McCune  had  a  great 
reputation  as  a  hunter  and  trapper  in  his  younger  years,  spending  much  time 
in  that  manner,  and  now  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  he  is  still  able  to  handle 
a  gun  successfully  in  competition  with  the  best  shots.     Throughout  the  years, 


,' :^0!J  l! '  -iff 


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■j]''   :'i{o!_     .j.fiiloTt'j  n'JToZ   III  7aJ)G!   d 

;,:_.   -i.'fi   TJ.i'?   -^'-^n  •oni.'r;>,)[   ,rrr;nt - 

-   ''.:''i'   ■inti    '■:■!'    }{M?.V,Vi!        '>•_'. 


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DEAKIiOKN    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  IO33 

many  fox,  coons,  opossum  and  other  game  liave  fallen  by  his  hand  and  he 
has  the  distinction  of  having  killed  the  last  deer  to  be  shot  in  Caesar  Creek 
township. 

William  H.  McCune  was  one  of  a  family  of  four  children,  namely : 
Mary,  John,  William  and  Sylvester.  In  his  younger  }'ears  he  worked  out 
b}-  the  month  on  farms  throughout  this  section  and  then  purchased  a  farm 
of  forty  acres  in  this  county,  wliere  he  lived  for  years,  lie  then  purcha-^cd 
the  interests  of  the  heirs  in  the  farm  of  his  wife's  father,  this  consisting  of 
forty-two  acres  in  Caesar  Creek  township  and  later  purchased  an  adjoining 
tract  of  forty  acres,  whereon  he  farmed  fur  a  number  of  years. 

On  August  4,  1855,  \\"illiam  H.  McCune  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Head- 
ley,  who  died  on  November  12,  190T.  at  the  age  of  se\'enty-three  years.  She 
was  the  mother  of  eight  children,  namely:  Harrison,  Wesley,  Mary,  Sarah 
Belle,  Anna,  Philip,  America  and  Emily.  Harrison  married  Martha  Span- 
gler;  Wesley  married  Elvira  Hindman;  America  became  the  wife  of  Francis 
C.  Gloyd  and  the  mother  of  two  children,  ^Myrtle  and  Ilarry:  Emily  married 
Plenry  Bohb  and  lives  in  Peoria,  Illinois ;  Philip  married  Emma  L.  Gloyd. 
who  was  born  in  Ripley  county,  a  daughter  of  James  H.  and  .\deline 
(0"Xeal)  Gloyd,  their  marriage  being  solemnized  on  September  8,  1S87. 

Mr.  McCune  is  remarkably  well  preserved  for  one  of  his  years  and  in 
the  spring  of  191 5,  when  eighty-five  years  old,  he  cut  and  split  seventeen 
•  cords  of  stove-wood.  He  owes  his  remarkable  health  and  vigor  to  bis 
out-door  life  and  for  one  of  his  age  he  shows  unusual  vitalitv. 


WnXIAM  CHARLES  MULFORD.  •     • 

The  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch  has  always  been  a  man  of  won- 
derful vitality  and  energy,  far  beyond  that  of  tlie  average  individual,  and 
taken  a  deep  interest  in  the  public  affairs  of  his  township.  William  Charles 
Mulford,  justice  of  the  peace,  Sparta  township,  was  born  on  November  11. 
1842,  in  the  same  township  in  which  he  now  resides.  His  parents  were 
Benjamin  and  ^Nlary  (Legg)  ]\Iulford.  He  received  his  education  at  the 
district  schools  at  Cold  Springs,  and  when  through  school  followed  farming 
under  the  instruction  of  his  father,  and  has  been  in  that  business  all  his  life. 
Mr.  Mulford  has  always  been  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  his  township,  and 
has  not  escaped  some  of  the  public  offices,  among  them  being  justice  of  the 


,;l    I 


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7  'f'-y//  ;-ivi:; 
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i,T    .>(•  :       .i-'.'bis'j;    ■ 

•.•■■..||,-,'    W-..\:.>   /v,,..  .Til- 


:ii'_>   :;i!(!ui!   "AW   io   amn^ 


I034  DEARBORN    COUXTV,   IXDIAXA. 

peace,  which  he  held  f<jr  twenty-four  years  in  Sparta  townsliip.  and  was 
also  road  supervisor.  Poh'lically,  he  has  always  given  his  support  to  the 
Democratic  party,  and  his  religious  membership  is  with  the  Presbyterian 
church.  He  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  I'ellows  and  the 
Knights  of  Pythias. 

Benjamin  AInlford,  father  of  \\'illiani  C.  Alnlford,  was  born  on  August 
17,  1803,  in  Clermont  count}',  Ohio,  anil  recei\'ed  his  education  in  that  sec- 
tion. His  father  died  when  he  was  quite  young  and  he  was  called  upon  to 
look  after  the  farm  and  the  family,  living  there  until  i83_',  when  he  came  to 
Sparta  township  and  bought  one  hundred  and  si.xty  acres  of  land  at  a  cost 
of  three  hundred  dollars,  and  in  1834  he  bought  forty  acress  adjoining,  for 
which  he  traded  a  house.  He  lived  on  this  farm  until  his  deadi,  which 
occurred  on  February  2S,  1S83,  aged  eighty-one  years.  Mr.  ]\Iulford  was  a 
Democrat,  was  interested  in  all  pul^lic  enterprises  and  was  particularly  ener- 
getic on  the  question  of  good  roads,  many  of  which  he  assisted  in  building, 
and  was  road  supervisor  for  a  number  of  yeai-s.  His  religious  membership 
was  with  the  l''ree  \\'ill  Baptist  church.  His  parents  were  Daniel  and  Con- 
stance Mulford,  and  his  wife  was  Mary  (Legg)  .Mulford,  daughter  of  John 
and  Constance  Legg.  She  was  bom  on  February  22,  1808,  in  Boone  county. 
Kentucky,  and  was  educated  at  Cincinnati,  where  she  lived  until  her  mar- 
riage, which  took  place  near  the  present  site  of  the  Cincinnati  Zoo. 

Mr.  and  ^[rs.  Benjamin  >,[ulford  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  and 
had  one  adopted  child:  Oliver,  John,  Ann,  William.  Franklin  and  one  who  died 
young.  Oliver  Mulford  married  Sarah  Wills  and  lived  at  Dillsboro,  Indian.a, 
where  he  followed  the  blacksmith  trade.  They  had  seven  children,  Benja- 
min, C)liver,  Martha,  Sarah,  Morton,  Grant  and  Frank.  John  Mulford  was 
married  twice,  first  to  Cynthia  Henderson,  by  whom  he  had  foiu"  children, 
Charles,  ATartha,  Mary  Alice  and  Ida,  and  liy  his  second  wife,  Mary  Chance, 
he  had  three  children,  Morton,  Laura  and  Emma.  Ann  Mulford  became 
the  wife  of  Michael  Tarelin,  and  lived  in  Sparta  township.  They  had  six 
children,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Catherine,  John,  Edward  and  I''anny.  F^-anklin 
jMulford  was  also  married  twice,  first  to  Nellie  Allen,  who  died  young. 
They  lived  in  Ripley  county,  and  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  Oliver, 
Albert,  Cora  and  Freemont.  Mr.  Mulford's  second  wife  was  Catherine 
Allen.  They  resided  at  Pierceville,  Ripley  county,  and  were  the  parents 
of  four  children.  Mary.  Laura,  Hazel  and  Lora.  James  Vandolah  was  the 
adopted  cliild,  and  he  marrieil  Mary  Larabee.  Thev  li\ed  in  Sparta  to\\n- 
ship  and  two  children  were  born  to  this  union. 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  IO_^|;; 

The  pnternal  gramlparents  were  Daniel  and  Constance  Mnlfonl.  UK- 
former  a  native  of  the  United  States  wh.i  hved  iluriiiq;  Revolutionarv  tinifs. 
rcnioving-  to  Clermont  cinmty,  Ohio,  at  middle  ai^e.  I'o  this  union  nine  chil 
dren  were  born:  Daniel,  Hugh.  James;  Abraham,  Isaac  and  [acoh  (triplets), 
Anna.  INIary  and  Phoebe.  Daniel  Multord  married  Rillie  I'arkuer,  and 
moved  to  lUinuis,  where  he  followed  farming.  The\-  have  had  ti\e  chil- 
dren. Perry,  Jacob,  Hilary,  Elizabeth  and  Abigail.  Hugh  .MnllVird  m.arricil 
Mariah  Hall,  and  moved  to  Lafa_\ette.  Indiana.  'I'hcv  ha\e  liad  six  chil- 
dren, William,  Puther,  Frahl,  Scott,  ^lary  J.  and  Manah.  James  Mulf^rd 
was  married  to  Pucena  Sliults,  and  moved  to  Middletuwn,  Ohio,  in  mi<Idle 
life.  The}-  hatl  fi\'e  children,  Jasper,  Van,  Miner\a,  .\lvina  and  Charlotte. 
The  triplets  died  in  infancy.  .Anna  Mulford  became  the  wife  of  Richard 
Pall,  and  li\ed  at  Riverside,  near  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  thev  followed  farm- 
ing on  a  large  scale.  The}-  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  Henr_\-,  Richard, 
Mary  Jane,  .-\nn,  Ehira  and  one  boy  who  was  killerl  when  ver}-  _\oung. 
]Mary  Mulford  married  a  ^Ir.  Meyers,  a  grocer  of  Cincinnati.  Thev  haw 
had  two  children.  Phoebe  ]\hdford  became  the  wife  of  Isaac  \'ost,  and  Ii\ed 
at  Milford,  Ohio,  where  her  husband  follo\\e(l  cabinet-making.  Their  chil- 
dren arc  William,   Benjamin  and  Mary. 

The    maternal    grandparents    were    John    and    Constance    Pegg,    hcjth 
J       natives  of   Scotland,   and   were   very  young  at   the   time   of   landing   in    the 
":      United  States.     They  settled  at  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  and  v\ere  married 
there,  after  which  they  moved  to  Boone  county,  Kentucky,  where  they  bought 
a  farin  and  sold  it  again  in  a  few  years,  coming  to  Sparta  township,  where 
they  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  from  a  Mr.  Kellogg.     They  again 
sold  out,  to  Mr.  Benjamin  Mulford,  and  moved  to  Clav-  township,  near  Dills- 
boro,  where  Mr.  Mulford  died  at  cjuite  an  advanced  age.      He  was  a  private 
in  the  Mexican  War,  serving  full  time,  and  after  his  death  his  heirs  bought 
;  ■"     the  farm,  and  Mrs.  Legg  moved  to  Dillsboro,  where  she  died  in  1837,  when 
quite  an  old  lady.     This  union  was  blessed  with  five  children,  Owen,   Rich- 
ard  (who  tlied  young),   Claressa,   Margarette  Elizabeth  and   Mary.     Owen 
Legg  married  and  lived  near  Dillsboro,  Cla\-  township,  and  he  and  his  wife 
were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  John,    ESenjaniin,    Hartsal,    Mary.   Jane, 
'■•       Claressa,   Anna  and   another.     Claressa   Legg  liecame   the   wife  of  Thomas 
■<e(      Wilson,  and  lived  in  Clay  township,  near  Dillsboro,   and   is   the  uKJtber  of 
seven  children,   Sara,  James,  William,   George.   Mary   Elizabeth,  Judah   and 
Millard.     Margarette   Legg  married   Thomas   Patterson,   and   hved    first   at 
Aurora,  and  later  at  Versailles,  Ripley  county,  where  Mr.   Patterson  is  con- 


•/.la.-  i     ,  :  -  -jc:)  y.ihiu-A/.ria 


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1036  DEARBORN   COUNTYj   INDIANA. 

nected  with  tlie  re\enue  office.  Mr.  Patterson  was  coinmissioned  captain 
i  in  the  Civil  War,  and  came  out  as  colonel,  serving  the  full  three  years.  This 
union  was  blessed  wiih  five  children,  Richard,  }^Iartha,  Thom;is,  \\'illiani  and 
Sarah.  Elizabeth  Legg  was  married  to  Peter  Roland,  and  lixed  in  Clay 
township,  near  Dillsboro,  where  Mr.  Roland  followed  farming  in  connection 
with  the  carpenter's  trade.  They  had  six  children,  Maggie,  Rebecca,  Eliza- 
beth, Dean,  Columbus  and  Richard. 

William  C.  xvlulford  was  married,  August   17,    1S62,  to   Rebecca  Cald- 

\yell,  daughter  of  Barkley  and  Alice   ( Stage)    Caldwell.     She  was  born  on 

March  9,  1S45,  ^^^  Sparta  township,  and  died  on  October  2^,   1S95.     '^"^  this 

union  have  been  born  three  children,  James  E.   (deceased),  Benjanun  B.  and 

Fleetwood  S.,  who  died  aged  five  years.     PSenjamin  B.  Mulford  was  married 

to  Anna  Fuller  and  lives  in  Sparta  township.     They  have  two  children,  Idel 

and  Clarence.      Mr.  Mulford  also  adopted  a  boy,  Philip,  who  married  Sophia 

Honegar  and   is  engaged   in  automobile   work  at  Cincinnati.     He   has   two 

i    children.   Howard  and   one   \\ho   died   in    infancy.     After   the   death   of  his 

!  '  first  wife,  William  C.  ]\lidford  was  married,  sec(.indlv,  to  Amelia  Wilkennig, 

i    daughter  of  Plenry  and  Wilhelmina  (Wellholf)   Wilkennig. 

I  Barkley   and   Alice    ( Stage  j    Caldwell,    parents    of    Airs.    Mulford,    are 

j    natives  of  Sparta  township. 

Mr.  Alulford  has  been  a  life-long  farmer,  and  is  well  and  favorably 
known  throughout  his  township,  where  he  possesses  the  respect  and  friend- 
ship of  all  who  know  him  and  his  family.  „ .       . 


PHILIP  BERG. 


j  Philip  Berg  is  a  native  of  this  county,  having  been  born  here  on  July  2. 

1     1839.     His  parents  were  Theoboit  and  Eve  (Richard)  Berg.     Theobolt  Berg 

j    was  a  native  of  Germany,  coming  to  this  country  from  Strassburg  when  a 

j    young  man,  and  beginning  his  life  in  America  in  Kelso  township,  this  county. 

j    He  later  removed  to  Jackson  township  and  made  this  his  home  until  the  day 

of  his  death  in  1S73,  when  he  was  sixty-three  years  of  age.     Eve  (Richard) 

Berg  was  born  and  married  in  Germany.     Philip  Berg  was  still  a  young  man 

helping  his  father  on  the  farm  during  and  after  the  schooling  until  the  Civil 

War  broke  out.      He  then  enlisted  in   Company  B,   Fifty-second  Regiment, 

;    Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  for  four  years  he  followed  the  flag  of  his 


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DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.    '  IOo7 

adopted  but  beloved  country.  He  took  part  in  the  battles  at  I'"t.  L")oiiels(;n. 
Shiloh,  Tupelo,  Xaslu'ille  and  others. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  in  which  he  ser\-ed  faithfully  and  well.  Philip 
Berg  returned  to  his  home  town  and  married  Ikirbara  Bijsstler,  who  was  a 
native  of  near  Lawrenccburg,  the  date  uf  her  l)irth  Ijciiig  September  j;.  1841;. 
After  their  marriage  they  lived  with  the  father  of  Mr.  Cerg  until  his  deat'i, 
after  which  they  Ixjught  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine  acres,  where 
they  still  reside,  engaging  in  general  farming. 

Mr.  and  ]\lrs.  Philip  P>erg  are  the  parents  of  se\en  children.  Michael 
married  Mary  Donigan  and  lives  in  St.  Paul.  Katherine  marrieil  William 
Holbert  and  resides  in  bVanklin  county.  The}'  have  one  son  named  Willirim. 
Frank  is  the  husband  of  Maggie  Scheffler.  and  dieir  home,  which  is  blcssetl 
with  two  children,  E\'a  and  Louisa,  is  in  Shellj\'  cuunt\'.  Indiana.  I'di:<abcth 
married  Joe  Kelley  and  their  home  is  in  Kelso  township.  Their  children. 
three  in  number,  are  Gladys,  IMabel  and  Eve.  George  is  the  husband  of  Sallie 
Dake  and  they  reside  in  Hancock  county.  Their  only  daughter  is  named 
Emma  Barbara.  Maggie  is  now  Mrs.  Henry  Storm,  of  Plummcr,  California. 
Their  two  boys  are  named  Glen  and  Robert. 

Besides  his  membership  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  of  which  he 
is  justly  proud,  ]Mr.  Berg  belongs  to  two  organizations  in  w'hose  history  and 
purposes  he  has  always  had  a  deep  interest.  One  of  these  organizations  is 
the  Eutheran  church,  and  the  other  is  the  Republican  party. 

Mr.  Berg  is  sincere  and  energetic  in  all  that  he  undertakes  to  do,  and 
all  of  his  efforts  have  been  aided  and  seconded  by  the  cooperation  of  his 
wife.  I   ...- 


JOSEPH  SEIFERT. 


Like  many  other  young  men  of  his  day,  Mr.  Seifert  rented  the  farm  on 
which  he  first  set  up  to  housekeeping,  and.  also  like  others,  he  was  thrifty, 
economical,  and  withal  a  good  manager,  and  soon  managed  to  save  and  put 
aside  enough  for  the  purchase  of  a  place  of  his  own,  to  which  he  has  con- 
tinued to  add  until  he  now  owns  nearly  two  hundred  acres  of  fine,  tillable 
land,  on  which  he  has  put  a  number  of  valualjle  improvements.  He  has 
always  been  a  cautious,  energetic  farmer,  a  man  nf  good  sense,  and  has  never 
failed  his  township  when  it  needed  his  aid  in  furthering  the  interest  of  its 
citizens,  and  he  has  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  he  has  done  the  best  within 


1,,,  '■.:■      "    i;-:i;^        :      .-. 


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1038  DEAKEORX   COL'XTV,   INDIANA. 

his  power,  not  only  lowartl  himself  and  family,  bnt  towanl  his   fellow  men 
whenever  possible. 

Joseph  Seifert,  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Kelso  tounship,  was  burn  at 
Kelso,  February  3.  1865,  and  is  a  son  of  .-Vnthony  and  iM'onecke  (  W'ilhelm ; 
Seifert.  His  parents  gave  him  the  best  education  to  lie  had  al  the  public  and 
jiarochial  schools  of  the  townshij).  Aftei-  leaving  school  he  assisted  hi.-- 
father  on  the  farm  f.jr  a  time,  and  in  1883  he  went  to  Illindi,'.,  returning  linme 
after  a  period  of  fifteen  months.  IJe  liked  the  home  iilace  better  than  any- 
thing he  found  in  Illinois  and  rented  a  farm  in  Kelso  township,  where  he  did 
general  fai'ming  for  two  }ears,  and  then  bought  a  tract  containing  one  hun- 
dred and  si.xteen  acres,  lielcmging  t^  his  lather.  After  tilling  this  for  a  few 
years,  he  found  his  needs  calling  for  additional  land  and  added  eight}-  aci"es 
more  to  his  belongings.  In  pohtics.  ilr.  Seifert  is  a  strong  believer  in  the 
principles  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  his  political  ambitions  have  liecn 
rewarded  with  several  of  the  township  offices.  In  19CO  he  was  elected  to  the 
office  of  supervisor,  in  which  he  ser\ed  nine  years,  and  in  1909  was  elected 
township  trustee,  by  a  two-t(.i-one  ^■ote.  In  this  official  capacity  he  served  si.x 
years.  He  also  had  charge  of  building  tlie  county  pike,  crossing  the  stiuth- 
west  corner  of  the  tuwnship,  and  through  his  good  judgment  and  careful 
management  he  put  the  township  out  of  debt,  leaving  it  with  a  lialance  t<> 
its  credit.  ;\Ir.  Seifert  is  as  loyal  to  his  church  as  he  is  to  his  other  interests 
and  is  a  sincere  member  of  St.  John's  church  at  Kelso. 

Anthon\'  Seifert  was  born  in  .\lsace-Lorraine,  France,  in  1829,  and  camt 
.to  the  United  States  when  (|uite  }Oung,  landing  at  Xew  York  Citw  He  came 
from  that  point  to  Cincinnati,  but  not  fiufling  it  to  his  liking,  came  soon  after- 
ward to  St.  Leon,  where  he  was  emplu}'ed  as  a  day  laborer  until  he  had  saved 
enough  to  buy  a  forty-acre  tract  in  Logan  township.  Fie  was  i^ffered  a  profit- 
able sum  for  this  place,  and  being  progressive  and  wide-awake,  he  sold,  and 
was  thus  enabled  to  bu\'  a  larger  place  containing  one  hundred  and  sixteen 
acres  in  the  saine  township,  where  he  farmed  for  about  thirty  x'cars,  when 
he  moved  to  Cedar  (.jro\'e,  Indiana,  where  he  li\'ed  until  he  was  accidentally 
killed  by  a  Big  Four  passenger  train.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
in  religion  a  faithful  member  of  St.  John's  Catholic  church.  Flis  wife, 
Fronecke  (Wilhelm)  Seifert,  was  liorn  in  1837,  at  St.  Leon,  where  she  li\ed 
until  her  marriage.  She  died  at  Cedar  (iro\'e.  Indiana,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
four  years,  in  191 1. 

To  Mr.  and  ]Mrs.  Anthony  Seifert  were  born  the  following  children: 
John,    Joseph,    William,    Peter,    Benjamin,    Stephen,    Fronecke   and    Hen.ry. 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INWANA.  I03(-; 

William  Seifert  was  married  to  Rosa  Ililtz,  and  is  imw  livitig-  in  Kelsu  tnwn- 
ship,  \\lici"e  lie  is  doing  general  farming:  with  the  exceplinn  uf  the  snliject  iif 
this  sketch,  the  nthcrs  are  all  li\ing  at  hdmc. 

Josej)!!  Seifei't  was  married  to  Elizahcth  Xead.  daughter  of  Patrick  ami 
Mary  (Kelly)  Xead,  naii\-es  of  Dearhi:>rn  county  Mrs.  Seifert  was  horn  on 
March.  29,  1S70.  in  Logan  townshiii.  They  ha\e  had  fi\e  children,  William, 
l^ohert,  Loretta.  (.iencxive  and  one  whu  died  in  infancy. 

The  course  which  iNIr.  Seifert  has  always  followed  through  life  is  highly 
commendable,  and  entitles  him  to  tlie  position  which  he  now  occupies  in  the 
estimation  of  his  friends. 


COL.  JOHX  JEREMIAH  BACKMAX.      :,-.  , 

Colonel  John  Jeremiah  r)ackman,  who  enjoys  a  ijrtmiinent  ptisition  in  the 
commercial  and  business  life  of  Aurora  and  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  is  a 
native  of  Dearborn  count}-.  l;orn  at  .Aurora.  September  13.  1864.  His  par- 
ents. John  Jeremiah  and  Carcjline  (  Sutton)  Backman.  were  nati\es  of  Han- 
over. Renns}  Ivania.  antl  of  Indiana,  respectively.  The  former  was  horn  on 
]May  15.  1S14,  and  died  at  Aurora.  Indiana,  January  u,  1S74.  Idie  latter 
was  born  near  X'ew  Trenton,  Indiana,  May  16,  1825,  and  died  on  August  27. 
1882.  at  Aurora. 

Colonel  Backman's  paternal  grandparents  were  lioth  natives  of  Germany. 
who  came  to  America  early  in  1800  and  located  at  Hano\er.  PennsyKania. 
His  maternal  grandparents  were  George  and  Elizabeth  (Ives)  Suttou. 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Englanfl  in  March.  1787.  and  the 
latter  was  born  at  Camberwell.  England,  in  1788.  In  18 19  they  came  to 
America  and.  after  spending  a  short  time  at  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  mo\ed  to  a 
farm  in  the  Whitewater  \'alley  near  Xew  Trenton.  Indiana.  George  Siuton 
died  at  Stamfi.ird.  Canada.  December  10.  1850.  and  his  wife  near  Xew  Tren- 
ton, Indiana.  Se[)tember  20.  1827.  The}-  were  the  parents  of  fi\e  children. 
George.  3ilrs.  Elizabeth  Beresford,  Mrs.  Charlotte  MuriJock.  Mrs.  Ann  Cnb- 
bons  and  Mrs.  Caroline  Backman. 

Colonel  Backn-ian  is  one  of  four  children  born  to  his  parents,  the  others 
being.  Mrs.  Lillian  I.  Lamar,  of  Brookl}-n,  Xew-  York:  George  S.,  decea-ed. 
and  Mrs.  Caroline  C.  Dinvne}-.  of  .-Vtlanta,  Georgia. 

Born  and  reared  in  Aurora.  Indiana.  Colonel  Backman  was  educated  in 
the  con-in-ion  schools  of  .Aurora  and  in  the  Aurora  high  school,  gradu'iting 
from  the  latter  institution  in  1883.     Two  years  later  he  was  graduatotl  from 


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1040  .  PEARIIORX   COUNTY,   INniAKA.  ■    .     ■ 

the  ]^,Iilitary  Academy  at  Peckskill,  New  York,  and  in  1SS6,  from  the  East- 
man Business  College  at  Poughkeepsie,  New  York. 

Upon  finishing-  his  education,  he  returned  to  his  old  home  at  Aurora, 
Dearborn  courity.  and  engag'ed  in  business.  He  is  now  a  stockholder,  a 
director,  the  secretary-treasurer  and  general  manager  of  the  Aurora  Coffin 
Company,  to  which  he  devotes  a  consideral'le  portion  of  his  time..  He  is 
also  vice-president  and  a  member. of  the  board  of  managers  of  the  Rivervicw 
Cemetery  Association.  Colonel  Packman's  prominence  in  the  business  life 
of  Aurora  and  his  ability  as  a  merchant  and  business  man  has  been  recog- 
nized by  his  fellow  townsmen  in  a  substantial  way.  He  has  been  honored 
with  the  presidency  of  the  Am'ora  Commercial  Club  and  now  holds  that 
position. 

He  is  prominent  in  the  organizations  connected  with  his  line  of  business, 
being  president  of  the  Indiana  Commercial  League,  and  a  member  of  the 
executive  cornmiUee  of  The  Casket  ^Manufacturers'  Association  of  America. 

After  two  years  of  military  training  at  the  Military  Academy  at  Peeks- 
kill,  New  York,  Colrjnel  Backman  applied  his  military  knowledge  in  the 
organization  of  Company  F,  Fourth  Infantry,  Indiana  National  Guard,  in 
1890,  and  was  commissioned  a  first  lieutenant.  After  three  years  of  service 
in  the  National  Guard,  he  was  elected  and  commissioned  captain  of  this  com- 
pany and  saw  active  sen'ice  with  his  command  during  the  miners'  strike  at 
Clark's  Switch,  Indiana.  He  also  served  three  years  as  captain,  and  on 
October  7,  1896,  was  commissioned  a  major  in  th.e  I-"ourth  Infantry,  Indiana 
National  Guard. 

When  the  Spanish-American  War  broke  out,  he  was  commis- 
sioned a  major  in  the  volunteer  army  and  was  placed  in  command  of 
the  second  battalion  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixtieth  Regiment,  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry,  which  was  mustered  in  at  the  fair  grounds  at  Indian- 
apolis. This  regiment  saw  one  year  of  ser\'ice  and,  during  a  part  of  the  time. 
Colonel  Backman  was  in  command  of  the  regiment.  During  the  Spanish- 
American  War.  the  regiment  was  stationed  succcs'^ivel_\-  at  Camp  George  H. 
Thomas,  Chickamauga  Park.  Georgia:  Camp  Grant,  Newport  News.  Vir- 
ginia; Camp  Miles,  Lexington,  Kentucky;  Camp  Hamilton,  Lexingtiin,  Ken.- 
tucky;  Camp  Conrad.  Columbus,  Georgia;  and  at  Charleston,  South  Caro- 
lina, en  route  to  Cuba.  Still  later  the  regiment  was  stationed  at  the  military 
camp.  District  of  }*Iatanzas,  Cuba,  and.  on  .\pril  25,  1899,  was  nuistered  'uit 
of  service  at  Savannah,  Georgia. 

The  One  Hundred  and  Sixtieth  Regiment,  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry, 
was  one  of  the  best  volunteer  regiments  in  the  Spanish-American  War.     Dur- 


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DEARKORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  IO4I 

ing  a  great  deal  of  time  it  was  in  scr\-ice  it  was  stationed  and  brigaded  with 
troojDS  of  the  regular  army.  This  regiment  enjoyed  the  reputation  of  l)cing 
one  which  could  be  relied  upon,  and  Ci^kinel  Backman  has  letters  ot  ci.ininien- 
dation  from  every  officer  under  whom  he  served  during  this  war. 

Upon  the  reorgani;^ation  of  the  Indiana  Xational  Guard,  after  the  Span- 
ish-Aniencan  ^^  ar,  he  was  eoniniissiijiied  senii)r  major  of  the  Second 
Infantrx'.  This  positiun  he  held  until  Xovemhcr  29,  1905,  when  he  was  com- 
missioned lieutenant-colonel  of  the  regiment.  In  1913.  on  account 
of  hi;  growing  business  and  other  duties,  he  tendered  his  resignation,  ami  in 
orders  issued  by  the  adjutant-general  of  Indiana,  was  honorably  discharged. 
placed  on  the  retired  list,  and  highly  complimented  for  his  twenty-three  years 
of  faithful  and  efficient  ser\  ices  to  his  coimtry  anr!  his  state. 

In  1S94  Colonel  Backman  was  elected  city  clerk  of  Aurora,  Indiana,  and 
four  years  later  was  re-elected  to  the  same  position.  Altogether  he  ser\-ed 
as  city  clerk  of  Aurora  for  a  period  of  eight  }'ears. 

On  March  28.  1894,  Col.  John  J.  Backman  was  married  to  Lucie  Emma 
EHichemin,  who  was  horn  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  April  24.  1865.  ^Irs.  I'ack- 
man's  father,  \\'illiain  R.  Duchemin,  was  ])C)rn  at  Cincinnati,  C)hio,  .Vugu.-t 
13.  1S37,  and  her  moth.er,  ?^Irs.  Emma  (Lambe)  nuchemin.  wlio  is  imw  liv- 
ing, was  born  in  London.  England,  on  May  i,  1838.  Mrs.  Backiran's  par- 
ents were  married  at  Cincinnati,  and  after  living  there  for  se\'en  years  mo\ed 
to  Aurora,  Indiana,  vhere  Mr.  Duchemin  died  on  April  19,  1884.  Their  chil- 
dren were  Mrs.  Mary  AHce  Sutti;)n,  Harr\-  Alfred.  Mrs.  Lucie  Emma  Back- 
man,  Erancis  Julian,  and  Elizaljeth  ^largaret.  Harry  Alfred  died  in  infancy 
and  Erancis  Julian  died  at  th.e  age  of  fourteen  years. 

Mrs.  Backman's  {)aternal  grandparents  were  Peter  and  Lucie  (  Daxis ) 
Duc!-ienitn,  the  fonner  of  whom  was  born  on  the  Island  of  Jersey,  English 
Channel,  Xo\ember  2Ti.  1S08,  and  the  latter  was  a  native  of  Ohio.  They 
lived  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  the  two  children,  John  \V,  and  William  R.. 
were  born.  }vlrs.  Lucie  (  Da\"is)  Duchemin  died  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  when 
her  children  were  still  sinall.  After  the  marriage  of  his  son.  William  R.. 
Peter  Duchemin  made  his  home  with  his  son  at  Aurora,  Indiana,  and  died 
there  on  April  24,  1880.  Mrs.  Backman's  maternal  grandparents  were  Jere- 
miah and  Hannah  (Turner)  Lambe,  the  former  of  ^hom  was  born  at  Wick- 
ham,  Buckinghamshire,  England,  January  21,  1800,  and  the  latter  was  born 
at  Derby,  Derbyshire.  England,  in  1809.  They  were  the  parents  of  a  large 
familv,  seven  of  whom  lived  to  maturitv,  and  three  of  whom  are  still  living. 

(66) 


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1042  DEARIiORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

Jeremiah  Lambe  died  in  Newport,  Kentucky,  January  21,  1876,  and  his  wife 
at  the  same  place  in  Mav,  1894. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Colonel  and  Mrs.  Backman.  all  of 
whom  are  single:  John  Jeremiah,  Jr.,  born  on  April  23,  1895,  was  graduated 
from  the  Aurora  high  school  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  junior  class  at  Yale 
l^niversity;  Bnmhilda,  born  September  16,  189S,  is  a  member  of  the  senior 
class  of  the  Aurora  high  school,  and  William  Duchemin,  born  Februarv  21. 
1902,  is  now  a  student  in  the  Aurora  public  schools. 

Colonel  Backman  has  long  been  prominent  in  the  Masonic  circles  of 
this  state.  He  is  a  member  of  Aurora  Lodge  No.  51,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  of  Aurora  Chapter  No.  13,  Rnyal  Arch  Masons,  and  of  Aurora 
Commandery  No.  17,  Knights  Templar.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Indiana 
Consistory,  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  Masons,  and  of  Murat  Tem- 
ple, Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  Among  other  organizations  of  which  Col- 
onel Backman  is  a  member  may  be  mentioned  the  Military  Order  of  Foreign 
Wars  of  the  United  States,  and  the  Dearborn  and  Country  Clubs,  of  Aurora. 
Indiana. 


j:,  ALBERT  H.  DIETRICH.        ,,    ,  ,.,    ■,,._ 

Albert  H.  Dietrich,  the  present  township  trustee  at  Lawrenceburg. 
Indiana,  is  descended  from  German  stock  on  both  his  father's  and  his  mother's 
side  of  the  family.  Educated  as  a  pharmacist,  Mr.  Dietrich,  after  following 
this  profession  for  many  years,  became  coiuiected  with  the  Lawrenceburg 
postoffice,  and  was  in  charge  of  the  mailing  division  for  many  vears.  until 
his  election  as  township  trustee,  an  office  which  he  now  holds,  and  which  he 
is  filling  with  exceptional  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  people  who  elected  him. 
He  is  a  veteran  of  the  Spanish-American  War,  having  served  in  the  field  hos- 
pital, and  having  performed  valuable  service  in  Ijehalf  of  his  country  during 
this  war.  A  resident  of  Lawrenceburg  and  Deartorn  county  practically  all 
his  life,  he  is  well  known  here  as  a  young  man  of  sincere  purpose  and  indomit- 
able energy,  wholly  worthy  of  being  honored  with  any  trust  which  the  people 
may  see  fit  to  bestow  upon  him. 

Born  in  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  March  11,  1876,  Albert  H.  Dietrich  is 
the  son  of  Augaist  and  Louisa  (Haspel)  Dietrich,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  Germany,  and  who  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children,  all  of  whom 
except  Arthur,  who  lives  in  Indianapolis,  live  in  Dearborn  county.  Of  these 
children,   Matilda  married  FI.  M.   Poehlman,  of  Lawrenceburg.     Albert  H., 


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DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  I043 

George  and  August  all  li\e  in  Lawrenceburg,  and  Carl,  the  twin  brother  of 
August,  died  in  infancy.  August  Dietrich,  after  having  been  reared  in  Ger- 
many, came  to  America  when  a  young  man  and  located  in  Lawrenceburg, 
Indiana,  where  he  worked  in  a  furniture  factory  for  some  time.  He  has  been 
dead  for  many  years.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  Albert  H.  Dietrich,  still  lives 
in  Lawrenceburg.  She  is  a  member  of  the  St.  Lnmanuel's  Lutheran  church, 
as  v\as  her  husband  during  his  lifetime. 

Mr.  Dietrich's  paternal  grandparents  never  came  to  this  country,  having 
lived  and  died  in  their  native  land.  The  maternal  grandfather,  Henry  Has- 
pel,  who  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  Lawrenceburg,  and  a  gardener  by 
occupation,  lived  here  most  of  his  life.  He  and  his  wife  died  at  ripe  old  ages, 
after  having  reared  four  children,  William.  Louisa,  Minnie  and  another. 

Albert  H.  Dietrich's  early  education  was  obtained  'in  the  public  schools 
of  Lawrenceburg  in  Dearborn  county.  About  the  time  he  was  finishing  the 
course  in  the  cijmmon  schools  he  started  to  take  up  jjliarmacy  as  a  jjmtes- 
sion.  Entering  the  College  of  Pharmacy,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  he  was  grad- 
uated with  the  class  of  1893.  In  the  meantime,  however,  he  had  been  a 
clerk  in  the  store  of  C.  A.  Harrison,  at  Lawrenceburg,  from  the  time  ho  was 
fifteen  years  old  until  the  time  of  his  graduation.  He  continued  with  Air. 
Harrison  some  two  years  after  his  graduation,  at  which  time  the  Spanish- 
American  War  broke  out,  and  Mr.  Dietrich  enlisted  for  the  service  in  connec- 
tion with  the  field  hospital  of  the  regular  army,  arid  served  under  Lieutenant 
Darnell.  From  the  time  the  Spanish-American  V\'ar  ended  until  about  1907 
Mr.  Dietrich  was  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  first  as  an  employee  of  Chester 
Miller  in  a  drug  store  at  Lawrenceburg,  where  he  ser\-ed  for  several  years. 
Purchasing  a  drug  store  in  Xewton,  ]\Ir.  Dietrich,  operated  this  for  several 
years,  and  then  sold  it  to  L.  Lommel,  and  worked  as  an  employee  for  him 
for  several  years. 

About  1907  ^Ir.  Dietrich  took  a  place  in  the  Lawrenceburg  postoffice.  as 
a  mailing  clerk,  and  ser\-ed  continuously  in  this  capacity  until  August  31,  1914. 
when  he  was  elected  township  trustee.  Mr.  Dietrich  is  now  serving  his  first 
year  in  this  office,  but  he  has  served  long  enough  to  prove  to  the  pecjple  his 
capacity  for  the  office  to  which  he  was  elected.  He  is  naturally  interested  in 
educational  questions,  and  since  the  duties  of  the  township  trustee  are  largely 
in  supervising  certain  public  schools  ]Mr.  Dietrich  was  especially  well  qualified 
for  the  office  of  township  trustee. 

Albert  H.  Dietrich  was  married  on  August  11,  1897,  to  Cora  Johnson. 
daughter  of  Andrew  J.  and  Sarah  J.  (Cunningham)  Johnson.  Three  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  this  imion,  Chester,  Donald  and  Isabelle. 


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I044  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

jMrs.  Dietrich,  whose  parents  were  born  in  Pennsboro,  West  Virginia, 
where  she  also  was  born,  is  one  of  seven  children.  The  others  are  Benjamni, 
Charles,  x^rthur,  Ida,  Maude  and  Homer.  Mrs.  Dietrich's  paternal  grandpar- 
ents were  natives  of  Virginia  and  cHed  in  that  state. 

All)ert  H.  Dietrich  is  a  member  of  Union  Lodge  Xn.  8,  Inde[;endent 
Order  of  Ofid  Fellows,  and  of  Dearborn  Lodge  Xo.  49.  Knights  of  Pylliias. 
Mr.  Dietrich  is  a  stanch  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  Mrs.  I3ictrich 
i-s  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  During  his  entire  lijetime  Mr.  Dietrich 
has  been  an  ardent  and  enthusiastic  member  of  the  Republican  part}',  and  in 
this  section  of  the  state  has  contributed  much  to  the  success  oi  the  party. 
Though  a  comparatively  young  man  yiv.  Dietrich  lias  taken  a  prominent  place 
in  the  political  and  civic  life  of  Dearborn  county.  He  is  looked  upon  today 
as  one  of  its  leading  citizens  and  one  of  the  most  influential  residents  of  the 
county.  It  must  be  admitted  that  h.e  well  deserves  the  confidence  of  his 
fellow  townsmen,  and  the  confidence  which  the  people  of  his  tn\\nshii).  have 
reposed  in  him. 


'  -    '  ROGER  WILLIAM  LOWE,  Sr. 

Roger  William  Lowe,  Sr.,  the  suljject  of  this  short  biographical  sketch,  is 
one  of  the  well-known  men  in  the  \icinitv  of  Lawrenceburg,  Dearborn  cou.ntv, 
Indiana,  being  best  known  perhajjS'  through  his  trade,  that  of  a  brick  and 
stone  mason.  In  addition  to  working  at  his  trade,  ]\Ir.  Lowe  conducts  farm- 
ing on  his  tract  of  eighty-two  acres,  lying  just  north  of  tl'.e  fair  grounds  at 
Lawrenceburg',  and  being  part  of  sections  i  and  2,  in  the  land  plaf  of  Law- 
renceburg township,    the   residence   being  on   Canal    road. 

Roger  William  Lowe  was  born  on  Stone  street  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  on 
July  15,  1S58,  a  son  of  Lewis  D.  (commonly  known  as  "Jacob")  and  ^larga- 
ret  M.  (Davis)  Lowe,  the  former  a  nati\'e  of  \'irginia,  and  tlie  latter  froni 
Ohio.  There  were  in  all  five  children  in  this  family,  of  whom  the  suliject 
of  this  sketch  is  the  only  one  living,  the  others  having  died  young.  "Jacob" 
Lowe  was  raised  on  a  farm  where  he  remained  until  maturity,  and  sh(irtl}' 
after  starting  out  in  life  for  himself,  the  Mexican  War  broke  out  and  he 
enlisted  in  the  cause,  serving  under  "Jim"  Leave.  After  the  close  of  the  war 
he  became  a  "cub"  pilot  on  boats  plying  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  ri\'ers  and 
in  due  time  became  a  licensed  pilot  on  those  waters,  serving  in  this  connecticni 
for  the  balance  of  his  life.  He  became  a  resident  of  Lawrenceburg  wlien 
he  first  took  to  the  river  life  and  considered  this  !iis  home,  although  his  death 


;ivlr  ,( 


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DEAREORX    COLIXTV,   INDIANA.  I045 

occurred  in  tlic  South  about  1900,  wlien  lie  was  oigiuy-eiglit  years  old.  His 
wife  survi\ed  liini  tliree  years,  passing-  away  at  tin.-  age  of  eighty-one.  Thoy 
had  a  wide  acquaintance  in  Lawrcnceburg  and  \-icinity,  where  they  were 
known  as  most  excellent  people.  She  was  a  de\!.uit  nieniher  (jf  the  Christian 
church  and  while  lie  never  united  with  anv  chinch  society,  he  was  a  most 
enthusiastic  member  of  tlte  order  of  b^ree  and  AeceiJted  Alasi^ns  and  li\ed  his 
life  in  accordance  with  its  tenets.     In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat. 

"Jacob"  Lowe  was  a  son  of  James  and  Anna  (Trinmary)  I.i.iwe,  both 
natives  of  \'irginia,  the  fi^rmer  of  bjiglish  parentage  and  the  latter  nf  W't-lsb 
descent.  Iliey  were  among'  the  early  settlers  of  Ripley  county,  and  farmed 
for  man}'  years  on  Turkey  creek.  He  died  and  was  buried  there  when  past 
middle  age  and  after  being  widowed,  Mrs.  Lowe  moved  to  bnva  where  she 
had  twf)  married  daughters  living  near  Keokuk  arid  there  ijasscd  the  remain- 
ing years  of  her  life,  d_\-ing  when  well  along  in  years.  There  were  se\'en 
children  in  their  family,  namely;  George,  Willian.i  Lewis  D.,  Kate  (wife  of 
William  \\'atson').  Mrs,  Abraham  Lersinger,  ?^lrs.  Stage  and  another. 

Margaret  ]\[.  (Daxds)  I^cwe  was  early  left  an  orphan.  Her  father 
passed  from  life  when  she  was  a  very  small  chiKi,  not  much  m>:ire  than  an 
infant.  The  family  at  that  time  lived  at  Xew  Haven.  Ohio,  and  at'ter  the 
father's  death  the  mother  married  a  ]\fr.  Rhoades,  a  shoemaker,  and  took 
her  little  daughter  to  Elizabethtown,  Ohio,  to  live,  and  there  the  mother's 
death  occurred  wdien  Margaret  was  eight  \-ears  old.  .\fter  the  mother's 
death  she  was  taken  into  the  home  of  a  ]\I.rs.  Elizabeth  Mills,  a  nrist  excel- 
lent woman  (for  whom  the  town  of  Elizal.)ethtown  was  named)  and  on  tliis 
account  Mrs.  Lowe  was  never  able  to  learn  very  much  of  her  mother's  faniilv 
histor}-. 

Roger  William  Lowe,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  raised  in  Lawrence- 
burg  and  vicinity,  his  early  boyhood  being  spent  in  the  country  and  his  vouth 
and  young  manhood  in  Law.renceburg.  Fie  first  attended  the  public  schools 
in  the  country  and  after  coming  to  Lawrcnceburg  in  1873,  completed  his 
studies  here.  PL's  first  employment  uas  with  th.e  Lawrcnceburg  furniture 
factory,  where  he  learned  tlie  art  of  finishing  furniture  and  where  he  remained 
for  about  four  and  one-half  years,  and  then  fur  a  few  months  workerl  on 
furniture  machinery.  He  then  began  mason  tending  on  the  Big  Four  rail- 
road, and  afterwards  became  a  mason  for  the  road  and  in  the  discharge 
of  these  duties  and  others  in  following  his  trade,  he  worked  in  not  onlv  va- 
rious porl:ions  of  diis  state,  but  also  Illinois.  Tennessee  and  Kentuckv ;  after 
which  he  returned  to  I^awrenceburg  and  followed  his  trade  up  to  19 10.     At 


I'-j/'!  ■:<;/:  ^f/'i   '      :'-■'';    -i'!      .lit'-iuii 
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-i. ■<-'■;::<    !■■;•'.    -r  --■  :    r;  '      .  :uiii|li    .;,>[:;   Jii-i   ,•:.?/, 


1046  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

that  time  he  took  up  his  residence  on  the  farm  where  he  now  makes  his 
home,  and  in  addition  to  his  trade  he  manages  the  farm  home. 

This  homestead  consists  of  eighty-two  acres  and  in  addition  to  this  ^Ir. 
Lowe  also  owns  several  residence  properties  in  Lawrenceburg  and  Green- 
dale  and  also  some  vacant  lots  in  Hamilton,  Ohio.  In'  conducting  the  work 
of  his  farm.  Mr.  Lowe  takes  pleasure  in  employing  the  latest  appliances  anrl 
was  the  man  who  introduced  into  this  section  the  mould-board  gang  plow. 
This  plow  consists  of  a  set  of  five  plows,  each  weighing  five  hunched  and  sev- 
enty-five pounds  and  they  plow  six  feet  to  the  cut.  This  plow  also  has  a 
harrow  attached  and  does  both  the  plowing  and  harrowing  at  one  time  and 
so  rapid  and  thorough  is  it  in  its  work,  that  a  field  of  seventeen  acres  can 
be  put  in  proper  condition  for  planting  in  ten  hours.  This  is  a  wonderful 
invention,  a  great  improvement  over  the  method  employed  for  so  many  years. 
Mr.  Lowe  takes  great  delight  in  the  management  of  his  farm  home  and  is  emi- 
nently entitled  to  all  the  benefits  which  have  become  his.  Being  of  an  opti- 
mistic temperament  and  possessed  of  industrious  habits,  Mr.  Lowe  has  been 
able  to  see  much  of  the  brighter  side  of  life  and  has  accumulated  a  fair  portion 
of  tliis  world's  goods. 

On  the  28th  of  December,  18S6,  Roger  William  Lowe  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Eva  Wilson,  a  daughter  of  Arvah  D.  and  Seraphine  (Dorsch) 
Wilson,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  two  sons,  Roger  William,  Jr.,  and 
Howard  H.,  both  remaining  with  the  parents,  and  attending  the  Lawrence- 
burg high  school.  ]Mrs.  Lowe  was  born  at  ^Milan,  Ripley  county,  this  state, 
on  June  12,  1866.  Her  father,  who  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  died  in  October 
of  186S  when  she  was  but  fourteen  months  of  age  and  her  mother  passed 
away  on  June  12,  1S74,  Mrs.  Lowe's  eighth  birthday.  It  is  a  remarkable 
coincidence  that  both  the  mother  and  wife  of  the  subject  passed  through  prac- 
tically the  same  experiences  of  orphanhood,  and  fortunately  both  were  well 
cared  for  by  others. 

Mrs.  Lowe's  paternal  grandfather  was  Obed  Wilson,  his  wife  being 
Roxanna  Gibbs,  both  native?  of  Maine  and  early  settlers  in  Ohio,  who  after- 
ward came  into  Ripley  county.  Both  died  in  that  county,  she  in  middle  life 
and  he  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty-four.  There  were  eight  children  in  their 
family,  namely :  Oliver.  Artis,  Oran,  Obed,  Roxanna.  Sallie,  Elam  and  Arva. 

Mrs.  Lowe's  mother  was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  (Risinger) 
Dorsch,  both  bom  in  the  state  of  Ohio  and  early  in  their  married  life  they 
came  into  Ripley  county,  where  they  farmed  for  a  great  many  years.  She 
died  in  her  forty-sixth  year  and  he  passed  away  in  1872,  at  the  age  of  sev- 


./,...',..:■.:     <i.: '..'00    tOlO^iHASH 


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oil'//     '.vr./i   .-.     .    C'v  ,    -■  ■     :       ,  ..'  -j/rrl  ;-.■  :•:•     •,r{l  ol 

.-,  r,    ..-'.lO   ]  -'   _■■-■   ;:■■_■   i,  ,'i-.  ii   i.r! ;/     ivf!?!:)     i  ■!  1 
;;:  ^  v'  ''  ':j^   v::'.-  'o  cfftuom   n-3?r.';.'o";    lr;H  eK ;;   9. 


ii.i?lf.'y    rt'inC')    ?!;'    i^His; 'if;r.TTj    Ir.n". 


ii  /; 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,   INDIANA.  IO47 

enty-two  years.     There  were  five  children  in  their  family,  namely  :  Cather- 
ine, Jacob,  John,  Seraphine  and  Albert. 

The  religious  membership  of  both  Mr.  and  ?^Irs.  Lowe  is  held  with  the 
Ninth  Street  Christian  church  in  Cincinnati.  In  politics  i\Ir.  Lowe  votes  the 
Prohibition  ticket,  in  the  success  of  which  party  he  takes  a  live  interest  and 
in  all  the  affairs  of  life  he  is  a  man  among  men.  He  is  a  man  of  genial 
disposition  and  enjr)ys  a  large  popularity  in  the  city  and  vicinity  where  he 
has  spent  practically  his  entire  life. 


J.  W.  PARROTT. 


James  W.  Parrott  is  descended  from  a  fine  old  Kentucky  fatnily  whose 
ancestors  settled  there  when  trails  were  blazed,  and  homes  were  dug  and 
chopped  out  of  the  wilderness;  but  feeling  that  the  future  awaited  him  with 
brigher  prospects  in  other  localities  Mr.  Parrott  packed  his  trunk  and  began 
the  pilgrimage  which  ended  at  xA.urora,  Indiana,  where  he  is  optimi-tically 
and  quietly  enjoying  the  blessings  that  come  his  way.  INIr.  Parrott.  having 
lived  beyond  the  day  when  he  is  physically  able  to  battle  in  the  strenuous  life, 
is  now  proprietor  of  a  first-class  boarding  house,  a  very  essential  institution 
in  every  community. 

James  \V.  Parrott.  proprietor  of  the  Parrott  boarding  house,  .\urora. 
is  a  son  of  John  and  Catherine  Jane  (Lester)  Parrott.  He  was  born  on 
October  23,  1839,  in  Carroll  county.  Kentucky,  where  he  lived  until  sixteen 
vears  of  age.  After  going  through  the  common  schools  of  his  home  dis- 
trict he  went  to  Missouri  with  his  parents  in  1S56,  locating  in  .Adair  county, 
where  he  continued  his  education,  and  later  taught  school  four  or  five  terms. 
After  finishing  his  school  work,  Mr.  Parrott  returned  to  Kentucky  and  took 
charge  of  his  mother's  farm  for  a  number  of  years,  during  which  time  he 
was  married  to  bis  first  wife.  Mr.  Parrott  went  to  the  Civil  War  in  Com- 
pany K,  Third  Cavalry  Missouri  Volunteers,  ,-erving  almost  three  years. 
He  was  a  non-commissioned  officer,  and  participated  in  many  skimiishes. 
among  which  was  the  battle  of  Little  Rock.  Politically,  Air.  Parrott  is  a 
stanch  Democrat.  His  religious  sympathies  are  with  the  Church  of  Christ  at 
Lawrenceburg,  and  fraternally,  he  belongs  to  John  Platter  Post,  Grand  .\rmy 
of  the  Republic,  and  Aurora  Lodge  No.  51,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons. 

John  and  Catherine  Jane  fLester)  Parrott,  parents  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,   were  natives  of  Kentucky.     Mr.   Parrott  was  born   and   reared   in 


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IO4S  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

Carroll  (.-ounty,  where  he  followed  fanning  all  his  life,  dying  there  in  1871. 
aged  fifty-two  years.  To  this  nnion  were  born  si.x  children,  nan.iely :  James 
W'.,  of  Aurora:  Moses  S.,  deceased;  Lucintla,  now  the  wife  of  Edward  Ber- 
sot.  of  Tihent,  Kcritiicky :  Joshua  \\".,  who  makes  his  home  in  Missouri; 
Matilda,  deceased,  who  was  tlie  wife  of  James  Howie,  and  Ethel. 

The  paternal  grandfatlier  was  Richard  Parrott.  His  wife's  name  is 
lost.  They  died  in  middle  age.  and  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  I'ar- 
melia,  Betse}-,  Juhn,  Willian^  and  Henry. 

The  maternal  grandfather  was  James  Lester,  whuse  wife   was   Damsel 
(Cogbill)  Lester,  natives,  of  Kentucky.     The_\'  lived  in  Carroll  cinnity,  Ker 
tuck}-,  whcie  Mr.  Lester  followed  the  \ocation  of  a  farmer,  and  where  he 
died  at  an  adxanced  age.     Their  children  were,   ALitilda,   Nancy,  Catharine 
J.,  Lucin<la.  John,  William,  and  some  who  died  voung. 

James  W.  Parrott  was  united  in  marriage  on  Xi_)\x'mber  26,  1S76.  with 
r^Iary  E.  ]:^)Owie.  She  died  ia  i8S|,  aged  thirty-four  \ears.  To  this  union 
were  born  Uvo  children,  Allie  and  James  ]\Ialone  Parrott.  Allie  became  the 
wife  of  Lediuird  Swangn,  Ijoih  now  deceased.  The\'  were  the  parents  of  three 
children,  Ethel ;  Vernon,  of  Sw  itzerland  county,  Indiana,  and  Leona.  who 
lives  at  Aurora. 

James  W.  Parrutt  was  married,  secondl_\".  April  3,  1S95,  to  ]\rrs.  Ruth 
]\IcLane,  widow  of  Lewis  3,IcLanc,  and  daughter  of  Samuel  Fuller  and 
Catharine  (Kittle)  Fuller.  ]\Irs.  Ruth  Parrott  \vas  born  on  June  9.  1855. 
near  Rising  Sun,  Ohio  county,  Indiana.  Xo  childre!i  have  come  to  bless 
this  union.  P>y  her  first  husliand.  Mrs.  Parrott  was  the  mother  of  th.ree 
children,  Ida,  Ji.ihn  and  Charles.  Ida  became  the  wife  of  Thomas  Neal.  of 
Aurora.  John  is  a  finisher  in  a  coffin  factory.  His  wife  was  May  Rollins. 
Charles  is  a  painter  by  trade.  Mrs.  Ruth  Parrott  is  an  earnest  member  of 
the  Baj.itist  church  at  .Vumra. 

Samuel  Fuller,  father  of  Mrs.  Ruth  Parrott,  was  born  in  Pennsvl\-am'a. 
and  his  wife  was  a  native  of  Indiana.  They  settled  in  Ohio  countv  at  an 
early  day.  Mr.  Fuller  died  in  1882,  and  his  wife  died  three  vears  later, 
aged  sixty-four  years.  They  had  a  large  family,  namely:  Jolm,  deceased: 
Solomon,  deceased:  Plerculaneum,  Sarah,  Belle,  Alice  and  Ruth. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Parrott  was  Solomon  Kittle,  who  was 
born  in  Wood  county,  Virginia,  in  September,  1793.  and  who.  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  }'ears  went  to  Ohio.  In  1814  he  came  to  Ohio  countv.  Indiana, 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  hi^^  life.  Llis  wife,  Xanc\-  (Gibson)  Kittle. 
.was  born  in  1795.  and  was  a  native  of  Kentucky.  When  he  first  came  to 
•Indiana  Mr.  Kittle  landed  at  the  mouth  of  Laugherv  creek,  and  rowed  their 


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'-I         Tin.  i'f;.'    I. 


DEARBORX   COUNTY,   INDIANA.  I049 

boat   up  that   stream    to   Hanover   Landing.     Tlas   unii.m   was   blessed    with 
thirteen  children  and  numerous  grandchildren. 

James  W.  Parrott  has  conducted  his  present  successful  briarding  hrjuse 
since  March  6,  1901.  when  he  first  settled  in  Aurora.  Jrle  is  a  cnnscientious 
Christian  man,  and  has  the  re'spect  of  all  who  know  him.  His  wife  is  a 
faithful  helpmate  to  him,  and  is  also  an  earnest  Christian  woiiiau. 


'■  ;'^  ''■■    '      ''t'   ■■         EDWARD  OTTO  ROHI.1-7-XG.  ■      ■     '       '; 

Edward  Otto  Rohlfing,  farmer,  son  of  William  and  Dora  Rnlilfing. 
was  born  cm  April  17,  i8n8,  in  Jackson  tiiwnshiji,  Dearli(jrn  county,  Indiana. 
His  parents  came  from  Alindeu,  Germany,  at  an  earl\-  daw  to  seek  fur  them- 
sehes  a  home  in  the  new  country.  'l"he  fatlier  selected  Cincinnati  for  his 
home  and  became  a  fireman  on  a  steamboat,  which  line  he  followed  for  three 
years,  and  later  became  engageil  in  the  lumber  business.  Being  thrifty  and 
careful.  William  Rohlfing  saved  enough  for  the  purchase  of  a  farm  of  eigh.iy 
acres  in  Jackson  township,  Dearborn  county,  where  he  resided  imtil  the  time 
of  his  death,  which  occurred  about  the  }ear  1900,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four 
years.  His  wife  sur\i\es  him,  and  is  still  living  at  the  old  homestead,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-se\'en  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  fi\e  children ;  Henry 
(deceased),  Edward  Otto,  Christopher,  Mrs.  Sarah  W'olljung.  and  Clara, 
who  resides  at  Cincinnati.  Christopher,  who  still  resides  <^n  the  home  place, 
was  married  and  has  had  one  daughter,  Helen. 

Edward  Otto  Rohlfing  received  his  education  at  the  puljlic  schools  of 
Dearborn  county,  where  he  was  an  attentive  student.  On  I'A'l.iruary  i,  i8iu. 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Louisa  Bode,  and  went  to  Seward  couiitv. 
Nebraska,  wdiere  he  rented  a  farm,  on  which  he  li\-ed  tliree  years.  He  then 
returned  to  Dearborir  count\"  and  lived  on  hi>  fatlier-in-law's  farm  for  eight 
years,  and  later  rented  a  farm  from  Fred  W.  M.  Meyer,  in  Manchester  town- 
ship, for  two  years.  Having  accumulated  sufficient  funds,  Mr.  Rohlfing 
purchased  a  fine  farm. of  one  hundred  and  seven  acres,  located  iii  Lawrence- 
bifrg  township,  about  five  miles  northwest  of  Law  renceburg. 

Mrs.  Rohlfing  was  born  on  February  23,  1871,  and  at  the  time  of  her 
marriage  was  twent\'-three  \cars  old.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Dietrich  and 
^fargaret  (Bortman)  Bode,  who  came  from  ("iermany  at  an  early  age  and 
settled  at  Cincinnati,  where  he  was  a  gardener.  They  later  came  to  Dear- 
born county,  where  they  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hunflred  and  sixty  acres 


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.'.;'■     '■■■  'I       I   :.:u.!  //  m  ■  ,;ti ;,  'i 
■|-f/;'j;.!    '•ill  n(.   !>j  '.I   \)t.,\ 


1050  ■  DEARDORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

in  T.nwrenceburg  township.  Jlc  died  in  1906,  and  his  wife  in  1873.  Hv?y 
were  the  parents  of  eight  cliilihen,  Henry,  John.  Fred,  W'ilhain,  Herman. 
Anna,  Maiy  and  Lonisa. 

Henry  Bode  married  and  has  four  children,  Ehner,  Albert,  George  and 
Hen.r} .  John  Bode  married  and  has  four  children,  Edward,  Emmet,  Louis 
and  Clara.  Fred  Bode  married  and  resides  in  Xeliraska,  and  has  five  chil- 
dren, Walter,  Carl  and  three  others.  Mary  became  the  wife  of  a  Mr.  Dief- 
enbangh,  and  now  resides  in  Nebraska.  She  has  four  children,  Elmer,  Elfert 
and  two  others.  Louisa  Bode  became  the  wife  of  Edward  Otto  Rohlfing, 
and  is  the  mother  of  eight  children,  Lydia,  Anna,  Fred,  Clara,  Carl,  Luella, 
Matilda  and  Ora. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rohlfing  are  both  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 


\VILLL\M  HOLMAN  AIcKIXXEY. 

William  Holman  McKinney.  whose  grandfather.  Col.  James  ^I.  ]\IcKin- 
ney,  founded  the  family  in  Dearborn  county,  was  born  on  April  2^.  1870, 
in  Lawrenceburg  township,  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Priscilla  Anne  (Miller) 
McKinney.  After  being  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Elizabethtown, 
Ohio,  to  which  jjlace  his  father  moved  during  his  youth,  he  was  married  0!i 
Januar\'  26,  1893,  at  the  age  of  twenty-three,  and  coming  back  to  Dearborn 
county  has  resided  here  since  that  tinie.  He  lives  on  a  farm  of  four  acres 
located  in  Hardingtown,  Dearborn  county. 

Col.  James  M.  McKinney,  who  married  Abigail  ]\Iiller,  was  a  colonel  in 
the  ^le.xican  War  and  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  also  operated  a  general 
store  at  Hardingtown.  He  and  his  wife  had  two  children,  ^Irs.  Lucy 
McKini  and  Thomas.  Colonel  McKinney  died  about  1839  and  his  wife 
about  1S92,  at  the  age  of  eighty-forn-  years. 

Thomas  McKinney.  who  married  Priscilla  .-\nne  Miller,  was  born  on 
February  19,  1832.  in  Hardingtown,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana.  He  lived  in 
Dearborn  county  until  1875,  when  he  moved  to  Elizabethtown,  Ohio,  where 
he  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  eighty-three.  At  the  age  of  twenty-five  he  was 
married  and  immediately  after  his  marriage  settled  on  the  Miller  homestead 
in  Lawrenceburg  township,  where  he  lived  for  eighteen  years.  Fie  and  his 
wife  had  nine  children:  Silas  Y:iu.  who  married  Ruth  Ann  Guard  and  had 
seven  children,  Mrs.  Ollie  May,  Robbin.  Alta,  Thomas,  Frank,  Dana  and  one 
who  died  earlv  in  life;  Lucv  Eldr.ra.  who  married  Frank  Guard  and  both  are 


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■  DEARBORN   COUNTY^   INDIANA.  IO5I 

now  deceased;  Abbie,  Avho  is  the  wife  of  I'.ailev  Guard:  and  had  fnur  chil- 
dren, Ruben  S.,  Lewis,  Lucy  and  Jerry,  deceased;  W'ilhani  II,,  the  sulsject 
of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Cora  Ann  Tebow,  who  has  one  cliiki,  Lee;  and  iouv  wiio 
died  in  infancy. 

WilHam  H.  INIcKinney  married  Katie  PrisciUa  Hayes  and  to  th.eni  have 
been  born  thirteen  children,  four  of  whom  are  deceased.  The  nine  lixini;'  chil- 
dren are  William  H.,  Jr.,  Hallie  Iva,  Edward  Francis.  Eldora  L.,  Helen  Iheo- 
dore,  Melville  F.,  James  Chester,  Silas  Van.  Jr.,  and  Hazel  h'ern  Hester. 

Airs.  JMcKinney  is  the  daughter  of  Bailey  H.  and  Hester  Ann  (  Cregg) 
Hayes.  Her  father,  who  is  a  native  of  Eliza1>ethtown,  Ohio,  still  li\es  there. 
His  wife  was  a  native  of  Logan,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana.  Lailev  H. 
Hayes  was  a  soldier  in  the  Ci\-il  War  and  served  on  a  tcirpeclo  boat  called 
the  "Nymph."  A  farmer  by  occupation,  he  now  owns  se\eral  tracts  of  prop- 
erty in  Elizabethtown.  Ohio.  He  and  his  wife  had  ten  children:  Airs.  Sallit 
Hayes,  Rollie  B.,  Horace.  Mrs.  Katie  AIcKinney.  Mrs.  J 'earl  Swango.  Mrs. 
Carrie  Whitney.  John,  Cole,  Clementine  and  one  deceased.  Mrs.  Sallie 
Hayes  has  six  children  living,  Corine,  Irene,  Marie,  George,  Laura  and.  Jacob, 
and  one  deceased.  Rollie  B.  married  Alary  Alartin  and  they  have  seven  chil- 
dren. Horace  married  Lillian  Welch  and  has  five  children.  Katie,  Earl, 
Enoch,  Hilda  and  Louise.  Airs.  Pearl  Swango  has  h;ul  two  children,  Thrini- 
ton  and  Theodore,  deceased.  Airs.  Carrie  Whitney  has  two  children,  Ruth 
and  Carl.     John  married  Rosetta  Van  Gorder  and  has  one  child,  William  B. 

Mr.  McKinney  is  a  member  of  the  Alethodist  Episcopal  church  at  Home- 
stead, in  which  the  AIcKinney  family  are  prominent  workers.  Fie  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  Lodge  No.  602,  at  Cleves.  Ohio.  Air,  AIc- 
Kinney is  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  in  the  vicinity  of  Hardingtown.  He 
is  a  man  of  honorable  and  upright  instincts  and  for  a  number  of  years  has 
been  prominent  in  the  ci\'ic  life  of  this  localit}-. 


-    ■'■■     -   '  ••  -  WILLIAAI  F.  DUNCAN,  AI.  D.    , 

'■  William  F.  Duncan,  son  of  Josiah  Duncan  and  Alelissa  (AlcMullen) 
Duncan,  is  a  native  of  Alanchester  township,  his  birth  occurring  on  Decem- 
ber 28,  1864.  His  early  life  was  spent  in  Alanchester  township,  where  he 
attended  the  public  school,  and  in  due  time  entered  the  normal  scho-l  at 
Aurora,  Indiana,  where  he  spent  one  year,  finishing  at  Aloores  Hill  College. 
After  teaching  through  four  terms  in  the  schools  of  Dearborn  countv   Mr. 


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1052  '  DEARBORX  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

Duncan  Ijcgan  the  stud\"  of  medicine,  under  Dr.  House,  at  Kyle,  Indiana,  and 
in  the  fall  of  18S9,  enleivd  the  .Miami  Medical  Cullet;e  at  Cincinnati,  ivom 
which  he  was  graduated  in  the  spring  of  1892.  D(.)ctor  Duncan  ])racticed  fur 
a  short  time  at  Sparta,  and  then  went  ti-i  K}le,  wl.ere  he  enjoyed  a  luerati\-e 
practice  for  nine  years,  when  he  met  with  a  se\ere  loss  by  fire.  After  this 
misfortune,  Docttir  Duncan  decided  upon  Alanchester,  Indiana,  as  l)eing  a 
location  more  to  his  liking,  in  many  respects.  It  offered  a  larger  field  for 
his  line  of  work,  and  accordingly,  in  1902,  he  moved  his  family  and  all  hi^^ 
worldK'  belongings  to  that  place,  and  has  made  it  his  home  to  the  present  time. 
He  now  has  one  of  th.e  finest  modern  homes  in  ^Manchester,  and  occui)ies  the 
office  formerly  owned  by  Doctor  Craig.  Doctor  Duncan  is  a  stanch  beliexer 
in  the  policies  advocated  in  the  platform  of  the  Democratic  party,  altlmui^h 
he  has  never  sought  public  representation.  His  religious  membership  is  with, 
the  Christian  Union  chinch,  to  the  supi)ort  of  which  he  is  a  liberal  contrib- 
utor. He  is  a  member  of  the  M(;dern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  is  a  past 
grand  in  the  Independent  Crder  of  Odd  Fellows. 

Josiah  Duncan,  father  of  William  F.  Duncan,  \vas  a  native  of  Sparta 
township.  Dearborn  county.  He  was  born  in  1S37,  and  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  the  townshij).  .\t  an  early  day  he  learned  the  cooper's  trade  which 
he  followed  to  the  time  of  his  marriage  t<i  Melissa  ?ilcilullen,  which  loi.)k 
place  on  October  13,  1861.  They  at  once  went  to  housekeeping  on  a  rented 
farm  in  "Manchester  township,  and,  being  economical  and  saving,  it  was  not 
long  ere  they  were  able  to  buy  a  farm  of  their  own,  on  which  they  lived  until 
1S93,  when  they  mo\ed  to  IFjlman  Ridge,  and,  later,  to  Kyle,  where  Mr. 
Duncan  died  on  September  4,  1899.  His  political  beliefs  were  Democratic, 
and  his  religious  s\inpathies  were  with  the  Christian  Union  church.  He  was 
a  man  who  stood  \vell  in  the  estimation  of  his  neighbors,  and  did  e\'erytliing 
in  his  power  for  the  betterment  of  the  conditions  of  his  township,  in  which 
he  hield  the  office  of  trustee  for  five  years  and  was  su[)erintendent  of  public 
highways  for  two  years.  He  was  always  a  booster  for  good  roads.  He  was 
public  spirited,  and  a  gor)d  Christian  man.  His  wife  was  Melissa  McMulIen. 
who  was  born  on  July  30,  1841,  in  Manchester  township,  and  is  a  daughter 
of  William  and  Melvina  (Ketchum)  McMuUen.  She  was  given  a  good  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  the  township  in  which  she  was  born  and  reared 
and  where  she  lived  until  her  marriage.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Josiah  Duncan 
were  four  children.  James,  William,  Elizabeth  and  George,  who  died  in 
youth. 

James  Duncan  became  a  very  successful  physician  of  Pawnee,  Illin(5is, 
where  he  died.     He  was  born  in  Manchester  township,  where  he  attended  the 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  IQ:;  :< 

public  schools,  and  then  entered  IMoores  Hill  Cc)!lct;c,  after  which  he  taufiju 
school  for  three  years  jirior  to  his  attendance  at  the  Miami  Medical  CoIlei';e, 
where  he  gxaduated  in  1892.  He  was  a  Democrat,  antl  a  memhcr  of  the 
Christian  Union  church,  anrl,  at  the  time  ot  his  ileath,  was  president  of  the 
town  council.  Dr.  James  Duncan  was  a  mcmljcr  of  tlie  Masonic  order,  Mod- 
ern Woodmen  of  American,  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  an.d  Roval  Xeic;h- 
bors.  He  was  united  in  marriage  with  Elizabeth  Ih-unk.  She  and  their  only 
child,  William  Thomas,  survive  him. 

Elizabeth  Duncan,  the  only  sister  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  now 
the  wife  of  Robert  ^^'ithered,  a  well-to-do  farmer  of  Manchester  township,  and 
has  two  children,  George  and  Lester. 

The  paternal  grandparents  were  James  and  Mavy  Duncan,  both  natives 
of  Maryland.  They  came  to  Dearl)orn  county  in  the  early  pioneer  davs,  and 
many  are  the  times  they  have  interested  their  children  with  stories  of  the 
dangers  and  difficulties  which  went  hand-in-hand  with  a  life  in  the  wilder- 
ness. By  his  first  wife  Mr.  Duncan  had  si.\  children,  John,  Henrv,  William. 
Joshua,  Ann  and  Eliza.  By  his  second  wife,  Mary,  he  had  four  children, 
Josiah,  James.  Robert  and  Thomas. 

Dr.  \\'illiam  F.  Duncan  was  married  to  A[rs.  Mary  (Bidner)  Becker, 
whose  first  huslxand  was  Harry  Becker,  an  engineer  on  t!ie  Big  Four  railroad, 
at  I.awrenceburg,  Indiana.  :Mrs.  Duncan  was  born  in  Manchester  township. 
April  12,  1S65,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Peter  and  Dorothy  (Fillenwoith)  Bid- 
nei .     Mr.  and  ]Mrs.  Duncan  have  two  children,  Stanley  and  Rubv. 

Through  his  charitable  and  humane  dealings,  and  the  skillful  abilitv 
with  which  he  handles  his  cases  Doctor  Duncan  stands  high  in  his  profession 
in  Dearborn  county. 


•^'   "•■'"'  ''  ERXEST  GRANT  OERTLIXG.  " 

The  value  to  a  community  of  a  well-conducted  book  store  hardlv  can 
be  estimated,  so  far-reaching  are  the  consequences-  of  a  proper  distribution  of 
books.  The  treasures  of  literature,  through  such  a  medium,  are  thus  made 
easy  of  access  and  all  the  community  is  benefited  thereby.  The  city  of  Law- 
renceburg  is  favored  in  this  respect  by  the  establishment  in  that  citv  of  a 
book-selling  and  stationery  shop,  so  amply  stocked  and  so  wisely  conducted  as 
to  have  had  a  large  influence  througliout  the  whole  county  of  Dearborn,  and 
it  is  but  proper  that  a  brief  biography  of  the  owner  and  mana.ger  of  the  same 


J    /.Hu;i;!'.  Jia 


,1    • '  ■     ..III 


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I054  DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  ' 

should  be  presented  in  tliis  vulume  of  history  and  biography  covering  the  his- 
tory of  the  important  events  in  this  county  and  the'  Hves  of  the  leading  men 
and  women  of  the  same. 

Ernest  Grant  Oertling,  book-seller  and  stationer,  of  Lawrenceburg, 
Indiana,  was  born  in  that  city,  August  25,  1864,  the  son  of  Herman  and  Mar- 
garet (Fahrenholtz)  Oertling,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Germany,  the 
former  of  whom  was  born  in  the  province  of  Brandenburg,  and  the  latter 
in  the  province  of  Bremen.  Both  Herman  Oertling  and  Margaret  Fahren- 
holtz were  reared  in  Germany  and  recei\-cd  their  education  there.  He  came 
to  this  country  in  1S62,  she  having  preceded  him  here  in  the  year  1859.  B(jth 
located  in  Lawrenceburg  and  there  they  were  married  on  September  10,  1S63. 

Herman  Oertling  was  one  of  the  four  children  born  to  his  parents,  the 
others  being  Ernest.  William  and  Mrs.  Xabotz.  the  latter  t)f  whom  died  in 
early  womanhood.  His  father  was  a  blacksmith  and  expert  horse-shoer  and 
to  this  trade  Herman  Oertling  was  reared.  Upon  arriving  at  Lawrenceburg 
he  opened  a  blacksmith  shop,  which  he  conducted  for  many  years  with  much 
success,  up  to  within  about  ten  years  of  the  time  of  his  death,  at  which  time  he 
opened  a  grocery  store  and  was  engaged  in  the  management  of  the  same  the 
rest  of  his  life.  His  death  on  December  9,  1895,  was  due  to  an  accident,  lie 
having  fallen  from  a  ladder,  being  then  sixty-three  years,  two  months  and 
twenty  days  of  age.  His  widow,  who  was  born  on  September  6,  1S39,  still 
survives,  she  being  now  about  seventy-eight  years  of  age.  Mr.  and  ^Irs. 
Oertling  were  among  the  charter  members  of  the  Zion  Evangelical  church 
at  Lawrenceburg  and  among  the  most  highly  esteemed,  residents  of  the  cit}-. 
The  widow  Oertling.  who  was  the  only  child  born  to  her  parents,  was  bereft 
of  her  mother  when  but  a  few  weeks  old  and  was  tenderly  reared  by  an  aunt. 
Mrs.  Kemper,  who  brought  her  to  America. 

Ernest  G.  Oertling  was  reared  in  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  the  town  of 
his  birth,  and  was  educated  in  the  parochial  and  public  schools.  His  first 
work  was  as  a  clerk  in  a  grocery  store,  which  occupation  he  followed  for  sev- 
eral years,  after  which  time  he  opened  the  first  steam  laundry  ever  operated 
in  Lawrenceburg,  which,  in  partnership  with  Fred  Pfalzgraf.  he  conducted 
for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  sold  out  to  Wingate  &  McW'ethy 
and  in  1894  opened  another  steam  laundry,  which  he  styled  the  "Favorite," 
and  which,  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  Herman,  he  operated  until  1905. 
in  which  vear  the  brothers  bought  a  steam  laundn,-  at  Springfield.  Ohio,  which 
they  put  on  a  paying  basis  and  operated  for  nine  months,  at  the  end  of  w  hich 
time  they  sold  it.  Ernest  G.  Oertling  then  returned  to  Lawrenceburg  and 
for  one  vear  was  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  the  hardware  store  of  E.  Barrott  & 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  I055 

Son,  at  the  end  of  \\hich  time  lie  hought  his  present  book  and  stationery  store, 
which  he  has  since  conducted  witii  much  success  and  to  the  great  benefit  of 
the  entire  booI<-reading  comniuuity.  few  merchants  in  the  city  being  better 
known  or  more  popular  than  he. 

On  FebruarA-  i,  1905,  Ernest  Grant  Oertling  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Alice  Frederika  ^Nladaka,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Sydna  Anna  (Smeed) 
jMadaka,  to  which  union  has  been  born  one  child,  a  son,  Ernest  John.  Mrs. 
Oertling  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  December  13,  1869,  her  father  having 
been  brought  to  this  country  from  Germany  when  three  years  of  age,  his 
parents  locating  in  Cincinnati.  John  Henry  ^ladaka,  Mrs.  Oertling's  paternal 
grandfather,  bought  proiierty  in  Cincinnati  and  died  there,  his  property  still 
remaining  in  the  possession  of  the  ]\Iadaka  family.  Mrs.  Oertling's  mother 
was  of  Scottish  descent,  her  parents,  Bernard  and  Mary  (Kinneman).  having 
settled  in  Virginia  upon  coming  to  this  country  from  Aberdeen,  Scotland. 
later  moving  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  in  which  city  S\dna  Ann  Smeed  was  born  on 
August  7,  1834.  The  Smeeds  of  an  earlier  day  were  known  as  ilacSmeed. 
Mrs.  Oertling's  great  grandmother  Creaghead  was  a  McFatridge.  Henry 
Madaka  and  Sydna  Ann  Smeed  were  married  at  Hamilton,  Ohio,  imrnediately 
thereafter,  locating  at  Cincinnati,  in  which  cit}-  "Slv.  ]\Iadaka  engaged  in  busi- 
ness, which  he  is  still  conducting,  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-eight  years. 
He  was  born  on  [March  25,  1S37,  and  in  his  young  manhood  was  a  carj^nter. 
His  wife  died  on  September  14,  1902,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years,  she 
ha\'ing  been  bora  on  August  7,  1834.  They  were  the  parents  of  but  two 
children,  both  daughters.  ^Nfrs.  Oertling's  sister.  Catherine,  died  in  infancy. 
[Mrs.  Oertling's  mother  had  been  twice  married,  several  children  having  been 
born  to  her  first  marriage,  with  Michael  [Milligan,  among  whom  are  noted 
W'illard  [\Iil!igan,  a  well-known  attorney,  formerly  of  Cincinnati,  later  of 
Denver,  Colorado,  and  Mrs.  John  Retteg,  of  Cincinnati. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oertling  are  both  active  in  the  good  works  of  the  city 
and  are  desen'edly  quite  popular  in  the  circle  in  which  they  move.  Mr.  Oert- 
ling is  a  member  of  the  Zion  Evangelical  church  and  Mrs.  Oertling  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Oertling  is  a  member  of  Law- 
renceburg  Lodge  No.  4.  Free  and  Accepted  [Masons,  and  of  Lawrenceburg 
Chapter  No.  56.  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  also  is  v-  member  of  Lawrenceburg 
Camp  No.  7460.  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  takes 
a  good  citizen's  part  in  the  political  affairs  of  the  city  and  county,  though  he 
never  has  been  included  in  the  office-seeking  class.  The  Oertlings  reside  in 
a  pleasant  apartment  situated  over  the  book  store  at  215  Walnut  street. 

Mr.  Oertling  is  enterprising  in  business,  genial  in  manner  and  public- 


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1056  DEARBORN    COUNTY^    INDIANA. 

spiriled.  and  during  the  }-ears  he  has  lieen  engaged  in  the  l^ook  business  in 
Lawrenceburg  has  very  definitely  estaljhshed  liiniself  as  one  of  the  leading; 
business  men  of  the  city,  a  man  who  has  the  best  interests  of  the  cit_\-  and  the 
county  very  closel\'  at  lieart  and  who  is  interested  in  all  mo\ements  ha\ing 
as  their  object  tlie  advancement  of  the  common  welfare  in  this  section  oi 
the  slate. 


ROBERT  BARR  CASS. 


By  his  great  force  of  character,  an.d  the  zeal  and  energy  in  whate\"er  he 
undertakes,  as  well  as  bv  the  assistance  of  his  valuable  publicatiim,  the 
Aurora  Biilleliu.  ]Mr.  Cass  has  become  a  \-ery  potent  factor  in  the  home  of  his 
final  adoption,  Aurora,  Indiana,  where  he  also  has  a  splendidl_\-  equipped 
plant  for  serving  the  public  with  a  high  grade  of  printing  in  all  lines.  All 
who  kn(_n\-  Air.  Cass,  personally,  and  their  name  is  legion,  know  him  to  be 
a  man  of  high  principles,  and  one  in  whom  they  may  place  the  utmost  confi- 
dence. 

Robei  t  Barr  Ca?s.  editor  and  jnililisher,  Aurora,  Indiana,  is  a  son  of 
George  B.  and  Catharine  Ann  (Kline)  Cass,  and  was  born  on  April  3.  1873, 
at  Ottawa,  Putnam  county,  Ohio,  where  he  attended  the  public  schonl,  and' 
later  attended  W'ooster  University.  After  completing  his  education  he 
returned  home  and  superintended  his  father's  three-thousand-acre  farm  fi  <r 
three  years,  and  then,  assisted  by  his  brother,  Levi,  he  became  the  publisher  of 
the  old  Toledo  Coininercial  (now  the  Toledo  Times)  for  six  years,  when  he 
sold  out  and  moved  to  Warsaw,  Xew  York,  and  in  partnership  witli  his 
brother,  Le\-i,  purchased  and  published  the  Western  Xezc  Yorker.  A  year 
later,  Robert  B.  Cass  returned  home,  and  in  1906  went  into  the  dry-goods 
business  for  a  period  of  si.x  months,  trading  the  dry-goods  store  for  the 
Aurora  Bulletin,  which  he  has  published  ever  since.  This  paper  was  estab- 
lished in  1893  and  Mr.  Cass  has  one  nf  the  best  equipped  establishments  in 
the  neighborhood  for  general  job  printing,  including  catalogs  and  railroad 
printing.  His  office  is  one  of  the  finest  and  neatest  in  the  state.  In  addi- 
tion to  his  newspaper  and  printing  interests,  Air.  Cass  is  personally  interested 
in  several  fine  farms  in  Putnam  county,  Ohio.  In  politics,  Mr.  Cass  is  a 
Democrat,  and  in  religion,  he  is  an  earnest  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  to  which  he  is  a  liberal  contributor. 

George  B.  Cass,  father  of  the  subject  oi  this  .sketch,  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 


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DEARBORN    COITNTY,   INDIANA.  IO57 

vania.  but  was  reared  in  Wood  county,  Ohio,  wlicre  he  taught  school  in  vmuig 
manhood,  which  vocation  he  gave  up  and  tVillowed  railroading-  for  a  time,  and 
later  went  into  the  hardware  business  at  Ottawa,  and  eventually  became  the 
owner  of  a  number  of  valuable  farms  in  I'utnam  county.  His  death 
occurred  in  1905.  at  the  age  of  fifty-eight.  -  His  wife,  Catharine  Ann  (Kline) 
Cass,  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  her  death  occurred  in  1905,  at  the  age  of 
fifty-six  }ears.  The_\-  were  both  sincere  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
to  the  support  of  which  'Sir.  Cass  was  a  liberal  contributor.  Their  children 
were:  Levi  A.,  of  A\"arsaw,  New  York;  Charles,  of  Ottawa,  Ohio;  Catharine, 
who  is  Mrs.  C.  C.  ^Ic]^Iichael.  of  Jackson,  ^ilichigan ;  Ora,  the  wife  of  W'il- 
lard  Morrey.  of  Jackson,  ?vlichigan  ;  Lucy,  who  became  the  wife  of  R.  G. 
LeBIond,  of  Toledo.  Ohio,  and  three  who  died  in  infancy. 

The  paternal  grandparents  were  Lewis  and  Lucy  Cass,  both  natives  of 
Pennsylvam'a.  Mr.  Cass  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  lived  in  Wood 
county,  Ohio,  where  he  died  about  eighty-five  years  of  age.  Mrs.  Cass  was 
ninety-one  years  old  when  she  died.  ^Ir.  Cass  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War. 
They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Louis,  Levi,  Daniel,  George 
B.  an.d  Amanda  and  Lucy. 

The  maternal  grandparents  were  Samuel  and  Catharine  (Ami)  Kline, 
natives  of  Penns}'lvania.  ]\[r.  Kline  follo\\ed  the  double  \"Ocation  of  black- 
smith and  farmer.  They  v.-ere  early  settlers  in  Putnam  county,  Ohio,  where 
Mr.  Kline  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight,  and  his  \\\ie  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
five.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War.  To  this  couple_were  born  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Samuel.  Robert,  Catharine,  Octavia,  Isabelle,  ^Margaret  and 
Isadore. 

Robert  Parr  Cass  was  marrierl  on  ]'"ebruary  i,  19 10,  to  ]\Irs.  .'Vlice 
Slater,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Lida  (Johnson)  ^loore.  No  children  have 
been  born  to  this  union.  AL's.  Cass  had  one  daughter  by  her  former  husband. 
Agnes.  ]\[rs.  Cass  was  born  at  Aurora,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
church  there. 

The  parents  of  ^Irs.  Robert  Earr  Cass  were  natives  of  Aurora.  Her 
father  died  in  19 10,  and  the  mother  still  survives  him.  Mr.  ]\b:iore  was  a 
baker  and  confectioner  in  Aurora,  and  their  two  children,  Mrs.  Cass,  and  one 
who  died  in  infanc}',  were  born  there. 

Having  been  so  long  identified  with  one  of  the  leading  enterprises  of 
the  city,  'Sir.  Cass'  influence  has  gained  for  him  a  wide  circle  of  loyal  friends. 

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IO5S  DEARBORN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

PETER  BIDXER.  - 

Peter  Bidner.  farmer,  of  Manchester  township,  was  born  in  Germany, 
April  25,  1S34.  and  is  a  son  of  John  Bidner.  At  the  age  of  seven  years 
Peter  Bidner  came  t.)  the  United  States  with  liis  parents,  with  whom  he  lived 
until  he  was  married,  when  his  father  presented  him  with  eighty  acres  of 
land  in  [Manchester  township.  He  lived  here  one  year  and  then  rented  sixty 
acres  nearby  and  mo\ed  ontr.  the  place,  but  had  lived  here  only  seven  months 
when  he  decided  to  buy  a  farm  adjoining  the  eighty  acres  originally  given 
him  by  his  father,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  and  one-half 
acres,  of  which  he  afterward  sold  eighty  acres,  purchasing  one  hundred  and 
one  acres  adjoining  his  place  on  the  north,  which  he  later  sold  to  his  son, 
John  J.,  cultivating  the  balance  of  his  farm  up  to  within  the  past  few  years, 
when  he  retired.  Mr.  Bidner  has  always  been  a  firm  believer  in  the  Demu- 
cratic  policies,  and  is  a  regiilar  attendant  of  the  Lutheran  church,  to  which 
he  contributes  liberally. 

John  Bidner,  father  of  Peter  Bidner,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  l)ut  like 
many  of  his  countrymen,  decided  to  try  his  fortune  in  America.  Arriving 
with  his  familv  in  1S41,  he  landed  at  Baltimore  and  came  at  once  to  ]\Ian- 
chesier  township.  Dearborn  county,  Indiana.  On  their  voyage  across  the 
water,  I\Irs.  Bidner  became  very  ill.  and  died  five  days  after  arri\al  in  Dear- 
born county.  Two  years  after  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Mr.  Bidner  was 
married  a  second  time,  but  was  later  divorced.  He  then  disposed  of  his  prop- 
erty and  went  to  Hamilton.  Ohio,  where  he  rented  three  hundred  acres  of 
land  and  cultivated  that  for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  took 
unto  himself  a  third  wife,  Barbara  Wise,  a  native  of  Hamilton,  Ohio,  return- 
ing immediately  to  [Manchester  township,  Indiana,  where  he  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  land,  to  which  six  years  later  he  added  sixty  acres  more,  all  of 
which  he  tilled  until  he  was  quite  old.  Finding  he  was  not  physically  able 
to  continue  the  requirements  of  a  farm  life,  he  divided  his  land,  gi^•ing  eighty 
acres  to  Peter,  ami  the  other  half  to  [Michael,  the  children  of  his  first  wife. 
The  last  years  of  his  hfe  were  spent  in  the  home  of  his  son  John,  dying  at 
the  age  of  sixty-seven  years.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  his  political  views,  and 
a  loyal  and  liberal  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  on  whose  board  he  served 
as  one  of  its  officers. 

To  John  Bidner  and  his  first  wife  were  born  five  children,  namely :  John, 
Peter,  [Michael,  and  two  who  died  in  infancy.  E.arbara  (\\"ise)  Bidner,  the 
third  wife,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  where  she  was  reared  and  married. 


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DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  1059 

coining"  to  the  I'nitcd  States  after  the  death  of  her  first  husband,  by  whuni 
she  had  two  cliiidren,  Elizabeth  and  Sophia. 

}^etcr  Bichier  was  married  in  May,  185S.  to  Dorothy  Fillenworth, 
dan,:^hter  of  Jacob  Fillenworth.  a  pioneer  settler  in  this  locality.  They  were 
the  parents  of  six  children,  Ji.^hn,  .\nna,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Caroline,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  four,  and  Emma.  John  and  his  wife,  Sophia  (Wullner)  Bidner, 
reside  in  Manchester  township,  with  their  famil}-  of  se\-en  children:  Clara, 
Elmer,  Reuben,  Clemens,  Julius,  Enna  and  Leona.  Anna  F.idner  is  the  wife 
of  ^^'illiam  Russe,  who  is  also  a  prosiicrous  farmer  in  Manchester  township. 
To  this  couple  ha\e  been  born  nine  children,  one  of  whom  died  at  the  age  of 
two  years:  Emma,  ^lary  (deceased),  Ida,  Alma  (twins).  Herman,  Edwin. 
Dora,  ]^Iinnie  and  Augusta.  Mary  Hidner  became  the  wife  of  Marry  Becker, 
an  eng"ineer  on  the  Big  Four  railroad,  who  was  killed  in  a  wreck  at  Eawrence- 
burg,  Indiana,  leaving  a  widi_^w  and  two  children,  Wilbur  and  Eleanora,  both 
of  whom  died  }-oung.  Mrs.  Becker  was  married,  secondly,  to  Dr.  \\'illiam 
Duncan,  a  prosix-rous  physician  of  Manchester.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Duncan  have 
had  two  children,  Stanley  and  Rulw.  Elizabeth  Bidner  is  the  wife  oi 
John  Colligan.  They  reside  in  Cinciimali,  and  have  had  two  children.,  Bessie 
auf!  Arthur.  Emma  F'idner  ^vas  united  in  marriage  with  John  Rush,  an  enter- 
prising citizen  of  the  townshi]).  They  li\-e  at  the  old  Bidner  homestead,  and 
ha\'e  two  children,  I-Aereit  and  Doroth}-,  the  former  of  wb.om  was  married 
to  -\Iarv  Amm  on  Ajiril  11,  1913.  'I'hesc  young  peojile  ha\e  already  started 
up  a  cozy  house]-;eeping  estalili-^hmenl  of  their  own  on  an  eiglit)--t\\o  acre 
farn";  in  Manchester  township. 

John  Bidner,  Jr..  brother  of  the  subject  of  th.is  sketch,  was  born  in  Ger- 
man\-  and  came  to  the  United  States  on  the  same  vessel  with  his  parents  and 
his  brother,  I'etc?r.  He  grew  to  ytiung  manhood  and  remained  in  the 
home  of  his  parents  up  to  the  time  of  bis  marriage  with  Elizabeth  Wise,  his 
step-sister,  daughter  of  hi';  father's  tliird  wife.  They  commenced  housekeep- 
ing on  an  eighty-acre  farm,  which  the_\-  soon  increased  to  <ine  hundred  and 
sixtv  acres,  on  which  they  lived  until  death  called  them.  Two  children  sur- 
vived them,  Mary.  whi:i  liecame  Mrs.  Billman,  and  Peter  J. 

Mary  (Bidner)  Billman.  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Bidner,  became 
the  wife  of  John  t!illnian.  a  prosperous  business  man  of  Shelbyville.  Indiana, 
who  is  now  living  a  retired  life  in  that  city.  To  this  couple  were  born  two 
children.  Peter  ar.d  Plenry.  Peter  J.  I'idner  was  married  to  Caroline  Stein- 
metz.  and  is  a  successful  farmer  in  Manchester  township.  They  have  had 
two  children.  .Arthur  and  Delta. 

Michael  Bidner.  brother  of  Peter  Bidner.  was  married,  first,  to  a  Miss 


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I060  DEARBORN   COUNTV,   INDIANA.  ■ 

Ricdel,  by  whom  lie  had  six  cliikh'cn,  Dora,  Anna,  I'eter,  I'red,  Louise  and 
Cairie;  and  by  his  second  wife,  JNIary,  he  had  three  cliildren,  George,  W'aher 
and  Mamie. 

Peter  Bidner  is  a  gentleman  of  wonderful  c<jnstitution.  He  is  eight\- 
one  years  old,  and  is  still  strong  and  in  perfect  health,  lie  keeps  in  touch 
with  the  news  of  the  day  and  enjoys  everything  that  goes  on  about  him. 


AUGUST  D.  COOK. 


It  is  inevitable  that  son;e  interest  should  be  felt  in  the  parents  of  promi- 
nent men  in  order  to  learn  of  the  influences  under  which  their  lives  began. 
For  this  reason  a  brief  mention  of  Frederick  W.  Cook,  the  father  of  the  suli- 
ject  of  this  sketch,  should  not  be  out  of  place  at  the  start. 

Frederick  W.  Cook  was  born  at  Bremen,  Germany,  April  30,  1816. 
His  parents,  Frederick  William  and  ]\Iargaret  Cook,  were  highly  respected 
in  the  old  country.  He  learned  the  tinner's  trade  and  followed  the  same  there 
until  185 1  when  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States,  landing  at  New  Orleans, 
where  he  resided  not  quite  one  year,  working  at  liis  trade  for  a  Frenchman, 
who  defrauded  him  of  most  of  his  earnings.  He  then  went  into  business  fijr 
himself  at  Carleton,  Louisiana,  but  about  one  year  later  sold  out  and  moved 
to  JManchester,  Indiana,  and  lived  about  one  year,  whereupon  he  mo\-ed  to 
Lawrenceburg. 

He  conducted  a  successful  hardware  and  tinware  business  up  to  1877. 
when  he  turned  the  management  over  to  his  sons.  A.  D.  and  H.  F.  Mr. 
Cook  was  married  in  his  native  country  to  Anna  Bottier  (Batcher),  by  whom 
he  had  six  children.  3.1argaret,  John  F.,  August  D.,  Flem"}'  F..  Anna  A.  and 
William  F.  At  this  writing  but  two  of  the  family  survive,  August  D.  Cook, 
whose  biography  appears  below,  and  W.  F.  Cook,  who  is  the  proprietor  of  a 
business  engag^ed  in  the  sale  antl  installation  of  Cook  deep  well  products,  in 
Louisville,  Kentucky. 

August  D.  Cook  was  born  in  Kirchweich,  near  Bremen,  Hanover,  Ger- 
noany,  November  18.  1847.  He  inherited  his  father's  vocation  as  a  tinner 
and  in  addition  to  working  at  his  trade,  with  the  same  capacity  which  he  later 
showed  for  manufacturing  a  large  line  of  products  for  sale  in  the  United 
States  and  many  other  countries,  he  added  a  coal  business,  pipe-fitting  busi- 
ness, etc.,  which  in  connection  with  his  hardware  business,  brought  him  a 
demand  for  pumps  and  their  installation.  At  that  time  he  was  working  ten 
to  fifteen  men.     In  order  to  be  able  to  do  machine  work  in  connection  with 


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DEAKBORX   COUNTV,   INDIAXA. 


loGi 


his  business  he  installed  a  drill  press  and  lathe  in  the  Miami  stove  works,  in 
order  that  he  might  obtain  power  for  running-  his  niaehnies. 

One  of  the  foundation  stones  upon  which  .Mr.  Cook  built  and  mainlained 
his  success,  was  not  to  allow  anything  but  the  best  of  machines  and  products 
to  remain  in  his  control  and  so  he  was  not  long  in  realizing  the  necessity  ni 
originating  some  improved  method  of  making  wells  in  the  water  bearing 
sands  underljing  Lawrenceburg  and  of  inventing  some  more  dependable  type 
of  pump  for  delivering  the  water  to  the  citizens.  As  a  result  the  crude  well 
strainers  of  that  day  were  replaced  with  the  seamless  brass  strainer  and  the 
pumps  with  the  hand  pump  whicli  was  adopted  by  snme  of  the  largest  cities 
•  and  may  be  seen  today  in  service  at  Louisville,  Indianapolis  and  Washington, 
D.  C,  notwithstanding  the  fine  municipal  waterworks  in  these  cities. 

Realizing  the  necessity  of  enlarging  his  facilities  Mr.  Cook  built  the 
Cook  block,  on  Walnut  street,  in  iSSi,  and  to  this  day  it  remains  one  of  the 
city's  most  substantia.l  buildings.  In  it  he  worked  continually  to  improve  his 
well  strainers.  At  this  time  his  brother.  H.  F.  Cook,  took  the  strainer  into 
the  South  and  brought  the  greatest  necessity  and  blessing  of  all  mankind- 
pure  water— to  many  towns  and  cities  wrestling  with  unsanitary  and  death- 
dealing  public  water  supplies.  It  is  not  saying  too  much  to  say  that  the  suc- 
cess and  growth  of  noany  municipalities  in  the  South  dated  from  the  sinking 
of  Cook  deep  wells.  One  of  the  most  noted  examples  of  this  was  [Memphis, 
Tennessee,  which  first  secured  pure  artesian  water  through  the  combined 
efforts  of  A.  D.  and  H.  F.  Cook. 

\\'hile  H.  F.  Cook  was  engaged  in  instaUing  strainers  and  drilling  wells 
in  every  state  in  the  union.  A.  D.  Cook  continued  to  improve  his  strainer, 
securing  additional  patents  upon  each  improvement.  It  was  through  especial 
devotion  to  this  strainer  that  Mr.  Cook  has  been  able  to  keep  ahead  of  all 
imitators  and  competitors  until  it  is  today  recognized  the  standard  by  rail- 
roads, consulting  engineers,  well  drillers  and  municipalities. 

With  the  drilling  of  wells  and  equipping  them  successfully  with  strainers 
came  the  necessity  of  supph'ing  adequate  pumps  for  elevating  the  water  from 
the  depth  at  \vhich  it  was  found.  Steam  being  the  leading  form  of  power. 
Mr.  Cook  set  to  perfecting  a  steam  pump  suitable  for  the  rugged  work  of 
raising  water  from  great  depths.  The  Cook  steam  pump,  with  Mr.  Cook'v 
patented  valve  movement,  was  the  result,  and  it  early  took  rank  as  the  standard 
pump  for  railroads,  factories,  etc..  which  it  still  maintains  today. 

Widi  the  advent  of  electric  motors  and  gas  engines  came  the  demand  foi 
a  power  pump  and  iNlr.  Cook  has  kept  pace  Avith  this  demand  by  placing  upoi 
the  market  the  most  efficient  pumps  of  this  style.     ^Vith  the  thoroughness 


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I062  DKAKBOkN   COUNTY,   INDIANA. 

which  lias  always  been  his  characteristic,  Mr.  Cook  planned  to  manufacture 
every  part  that  went  into  the  pump  and  this  caused  him  to  move  successivclv 
into  larger  quarters.  I-Voni  Walnut  street  he  moved  into  the  old  woolen- 
mill  opixjsite  the  court  house,  and  after  ahout  four  }'ears  moved  into  the  cihl 
Miami  stove  works,  which  ser\ed  until  it  and  all  of  its  contents  were  destnived 
b}-  fire,  Xovember  2,  1901.  Air.  Cook  met  this  disaster  by  building  a  new 
and  better  factory  in  Greendale.  which  today  is  a  model  in  respect  to  working 
room,  light  and  sanitary  conditions  which  contribute  so  much  to  the  health 
and  happiness  of  the  Vvorkmen.  It  is  the  largest  factory  in  the  world  devoted 
e.\clusi\'ely  to  the  manufacture  of  deep  well  pumps  of  the  plunger  t_\pe  ami 
accessories.  Among  its  departments  are  steel,  brass  and  iron  foundries,  ma- 
chine and  forge  shops  and  .saw-mill. 

\\'hile  devoted  to  his  manufacturing  interests  to  a  degree  that  can  only 
be  measured  by  his  success,  he  has  been  interested  in  the  growth  of  the  town 
of  Greetidale  to  the  extent  of  installing  an  electric  light  plant  and  waterworks, 
not  with  pecuniar}-  success  of  these  ventures  as  his  first  consideration,  btU 
that  the  citizens  might  enjoy  these  conveniences  and  that  others  might  be 
attracted  to  take  up  their  homes  here  with  the  assurance  of  good  light  and 
water  ser\ice. 

Recognition  of  his  sound  judgment  has  caused  him  to  be  much  sought 
as  a  director  of  Lawrenceburg's  institutions,  chief  of  these  being,  the  Peoples 
National  Bank,  of  which  he  is  vice-president;  Law renceburg  Water  Com- 
pany, and  the  Fair  Association.  He  has  always  taken  the  front  rank  in  com- 
bating Lawrenceburg's  greatest  foe,  the  floods;  no  fear  of  the  exposures  to 
health  so  common  to  flood  times  ever  having  caused  him  to  hesitate  in  what 
he  felt  his  duty  to  the  best  interests  of  the  city. 

In  politics  Air.  Cook  always  has  been  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Lutheran  church.  It  is  generally  known  that  notwithstanding  Air. 
Cook's  great  strength  of  will  and  his  large  capacity  for  work  which  have 
brought  him  his  marked  success  from  his  obscure  beginning,  that  he  is  always 
willing  to  give  his  sympathy  and  of  his  means  to  the  weaker  and  less  for- 
tunate. 

This  sketch  would  be  incomplete  if  it  failed  to  make  mention  of  Mrs. 
Cook,  who  deserves  her  just  share  of  the  credit  of  her  husband's  success.  In 
their  earlv  married  life  when  the  practice  of  thrift  was  essential,  Mrs.  Couk 
measured  up  to  all  the  demands  and  through  her  careful  management  of  the 
home  and  domestic  affairs,  left  Mr.  Cook  free  to  devote  undivided  attention 
to  his  business.  Airs.  Cook  was  Anna  Mary,  daughter  of  Anthony  C.  and 
Marv-   Hassmer.     Like   Air.   Cook's   parents,   they  both   immigrated   to   the 


,,    ■,-.!■ 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA.  IO63 

L'liited  States  from  Germany  and  settled  in  Adams  township,  Ripley  county, 
Indiana,  later  ino\-ing'  to  \'ersailles,  the  county  seat.  Mrs.  Cook  was  the 
eldest  of  eight  cliildren,  the  following  of  whom  sur\'i\-e  with  her:  Anthony  J. ; 
John  O.,  of  Lawrencehurg:  Antionette,  Joseph  A.  and  Charles  \\'.,  of  Chicago. 

Mrs.  C<-mk  has  always  heen  a  flevdut  memher  of  the  Catholic  church. 
She  is  n.oted  iuv  her  charitv  hoth  within  and  without  her  church.  She  has 
shown  marked  executive  ability  and  has  been  very  willing  of  late  years  to 
devote  her  talents  to  the  interests  of  Lawrenceburg's  quasi-public  institutions. 
She  is  a  great  lover  of  music  and  it  is  largely  through  her  efforts  that  the  St. 
Cecelia  Musical  Society  has  reached  its  present  high  position  in  musical  cir- 
cles. She  has  been  a  member  of  the  Lawrenceburg  library  board  since  its 
organization  and  served  as  its  vice-president  during  the  building  of  the  new 
public  libran.-,  dedicated  on  October  9,  191 5. 

The  married  life  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cook  has  been  ideal.  They  maintain 
their  beautiful  home  in  the  best  of  taste.  The  good  fortune  which  is  theirs 
did  not  come  by  chance.  It  came  through  their  own  efforts:  that  it  was  hon- 
estly obtained  has  never  been  questioned,  and  all  concede  that  it  is  deserved. 

]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Cook  \Aere  married  on  November  i,  1883,  and  have  one 
daughter,  Anna  Belle  (now  Mrs.  Cornelius  OT'rien),  and  through  her  now 
have  two  granddaughters,  Anna  Belle  and  ^lary. 


JOSEPH  G.  PARKS. 


On  the  list  of  well-known  and  prosperous  business  men  of  Dearborn 
county  stands  the  name  of  Joseph  G.  Parks,  a  gentleman  who  desen-es  the 
success  that  has  come  to  him,  chiefly  through  his  determination  to  rise  to  the 
top  of  his  chosen  vocation.  Mr.  Parks  is  at  present  the  owner  of  a  fine  dairy 
herd  of  pedigreed  Jersey  cattle,  and  takes  a  deep  interest  in  offering  to  the 
public  nothing  but  the  best  that  a  good  grade  of  stock  and  careful  handling 
can  produce. 

Joseph  G.  Parks,  dairyman.  Center  township,  Aurora.  Indiana,  was  born 
on  June  29,  i860,  in  Hogan  township.  Dearborn  county,  and  is  a  son  of 
Lytle  W.  and  Mary  (Bruce)  Parks.  He  was  reared  and  educated  in  PTogan 
township  at  the  pubhc  schools,  going  later  to  normal  school  at  Ladoga. 
Indiana,  teaching  for  a  short  time  thereafter,  after  which  he  returned  to  his 
father's  farm,  remaining  there  until  his  marriage.  He  then  entered  the  dairy- 
business  in  PIngan  township,  and  with  the  exception  of  two  years  spent  in 


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1064  DEARBORX   COUNTY,  INDIAXA. 

the  groctry  business  about  ten  years  ago,  has  continued  in  the  same  hne.  In 
1905,  Mr.  Parks  bought  his  present  beautiful  home  place  of  eighty  acres,  one 
mile  west  of  Aurora,  where  he  has  a  large,  commodious  house  surrounded 
by  beautiful  and  neatly  kept  grounds.  He  now  has  forty-four  head  of  fine 
cattle,  principally  Jerseys.  He  owns  a  fine  registered  bull,  and  raises  a  good 
grade  of  stock.     ]\Jr.  Parks  belongs  to  the  Royal  Arcanum. 

Lytle  W.  I'arks,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  on  Jan- 
uary 6,  1824,  at  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  and  was  a  son  of  John  and  Mar- 
garet (Kitcliell)  Parks,  tlis  education  was  received  at  Wilmington  Sem- 
inary, after  which  he  returned  to  his  father's  farm  in  Hogan  township.  After 
his  marriage,  Lytle  W.  Parks  engaged  in  farming  along  North  Hogan  creek, 
near  Plum  Point  school,  where  he  remained  all  his  life,  with  the  e-xceptitni  of 
three  years  spent  in  southern  Illinois,  during  which  time  he  made  some  twen- 
ty-five flatboat  trips  to  Xew  Orleans,  as  a  produce  dealer.  He  served  in  the 
Mexican  War  from  1847  to  184S,  participating  in  several  battles  under  Gen. 
W'infield  S.  Scott  and  Gen.  Joseph  Lane,  and  took  part  in  a  number  of  light 
skirmishes.  He  was  captain  of  the  Hogan  township  militia  during  the  War 
of  the  Reli'dlion,  and  w  ith  his  well-drilled  little  force  prevented  Kirby  Smith 
from  invading  the  township. 

Lytle  W.  Parks  taught  school  a  few  }"ears  in  Hogan  township,  anrl  was 
always  a  strong  believer  in  education.  He  served  for  a  time  as  township 
trustee,  and  was  an  earnest  member  of  the  Methodist  church.  His  death 
occurred  on  January  26,  1909,  aged  eighty-four  years.  His  wife,  ]\Iary  J. 
Bruce,  to  whom  he  was  married  on  April  9,  185.1.,  was  born  on  Augtist  21, 
1824,  in  Hogan  township,  and  died  about  18SS.  Their  fi\'e  children  were: 
James,  who  died  in  infancy;  Laura,  who  became  the  wife  of  Lewis  Bailey, 
of  Aurora ;  Myra.  now  Mrs.  Joseph  Todd,  and  lives  between  [Manchester  and 
Moores  Hill;  Joseph,  dairyman,  near  Aurora;  and  Lewis,  of  Hogan  tOAvnship. 
The  paternal  grandfather,  John  Parks,  was  born  in  Virginia.  His  wife 
was  Margaret  (Kitchell)  Parks.  They  came  down  the  Ohio  river  at  a  ver\- 
early  day,  landing  at  Lawrenceburg,  where  Mr.  Parks  followed  the  carpen- 
ter's trade.  About  1S30  he  moved  his  family  to  Hogan  township,  on  the 
Moores  Hill  pike,  about  two  miles  east  of  Wilmington,  and  from  there  they 
went  to  another  farm  on  the.  North  Plogan  pike.  About  1S62  John  Parks 
moved  to  Ducjuoin.  Illinois,  where  he  and  his  wife  died.  Thev  were  faith- 
ful members  of  the  Methodist  Episcoprd  church. 

Joseph  G.  Parks  was  united  in  marriage  on  April  22,  18S8,  with  Julia 
Ross,  dauglncr  of  David  and  Louisa  (Jaques)  Ross.  She  was  born  at  Law- 
renceburg and  grew  to  }'Oung  womanhood  at  Moores  Hill.     This  union  A^as 


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DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  I063 

blessed  with  two  children,  Raymond  and  Jovert.  Ra\niond  is  at  present  an 
instructor  in  chemistry  in  the  Pennsylvania  State  CoIlei,a'.  Jovert  has  taken 
a  two-year  course  in  agriculture  at  Purdue,  and  is  n^w  at  home. 

David  Rojs,  father  of  Mrs.  Joseph  G.  Parks,  moved  his  faniil)-  from 
Lawrenceburg-  to  Aloores  Hill,  Indiana,  and  followed  the  tailor's  trade  all 
his  life. 

By  industrious  effort  and  good  management,  Joseph  G.  Parks  has  estab- 
lished a  remunerative  business,  lie  and  his  wife  have  many  warm  friends 
among  the  citizens  of  Center  township.  ..     ;.,     .•    .    ■_      .        .■■ 


EDWARD  HAVES. 


Edward  Ha^es  is  desceiided  from  one  uf  three  brothers  who  floated  dnwti 
the  Ohio  river  from  Pennsylvania  to  the  mouth  of  the  Big  Miami  and  there 
made  large  investments  in  land.  Capt.  Joseph  Hayes,  the  father  of  these 
three  brothers,  was  a  Re\-olutionary  patriot  who  gave  his  purse  and  his  per- 
son to  the  cause  of  independ.ence  and  who  fought  valiantly  in  the  coiUinental 
armv.  Nine  members  (if  this  family  fought  in  that  war.  Edward  Hayes,  a 
prominent  real-estate  dealer  and  insurance  agent,  of  Lawrenceburg,  this 
county,  is  a  worth}-  descendant  of  his  stern  and  determined  grandfather, 
Jacob  Hayes,  and  his  patriotic  great-grandfather,  Capt.  Joseph  Ha^es.  tie 
owns  seven  hundred  acres  of  land  and  other  property  in  Dearborn  county  and 
is  rated  as  one  of  its  foremost'  business  men  and  citizens. 

Edward  Playes  was  born  in  Lawrenceburg  township,  Dearborn  county. 
Indiana,  on  August  28.  1864.  the  son  of  Edward  L.  and  Jane  ( Xeal )  Hayes, 
the  latter  of  whom  was  born  in  Posey  county.  Of  the  four  children  born  to 
this  union,  three  died  in  infancy,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  alone  reaching 
maturity.  Edward  L.  Hayes  was  reared  as  a  farmer  near  Plomestead,  in 
Lawrenceburg  township,  this  county.  Upon  reaching  manhood  he  purchased 
the  William  Schleter  farm  of  sixty  acres  and  there  operated  a  saw-mill  for 
a  number  of  years,  using  the  mill,  as  a  means  of  clearing  his  land  of  heavy 
timber.  He  gradually  added  to  his  holdings  until  he  had  accumulated  alto- 
gether about  ^even  hundred  acres  of  land.  ]\'Iost  of  his  life  was  spent  on  the 
old  Jacob  Ha}'e3  homestead,  which  he  had  inherited  from  his  father,  and 
where  he  died  on  August  11,  1002,  at  die  age  of  sixty-five.  His  wife,  who 
was  the  daughter  of  James  and  LLinnah  (AA'hitehead)  Xeal,  natives  of  Eng- 
land and  pioneers  of  Posey  county,  died  in  1S86,  at  the  age  of  forty-six  years. 


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I066  DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA. 

She  was  one  of  three  children  boni  to  lier  parents,  the  other  two  being  James 
and  Hannah.  Both  Air.  and  Mrs.  Hayes  were  prominent  members  of  the 
tJellevue  ^^lethodist  church,  of  Lawrenceburg.  After  the  death  of  Mrs. 
Hayes,  Edward  L.  Hayes  married,  secondly,  Ellen  Hill,  a  native  of  Indiana, 
who  bore  him  two  sons.  Silas  and  Joseph,  and  who  is  still  living. 

Of  the  three  Hayes  brothers  who  came  from  Pennsylvania  on  a  flatboat 
to  the  month  of  the  Big  Miami  river  in  pioneer  times,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  a  direct  descendatit  of  Jacob.  The  other  two  brothers  were  Joseph 
and  Walter.  When  they  landed  in  Dearborn  county  they  had  seven  huu.dred 
dollars  in  gold,  v.ith  which  they  bought  large  tracts  of  land  and  eventually 
became  quite  wealthy.  Bulb  lived  to  ripe  old  ages.  Jacob  Hayes,  whcj  was 
married  three  times,  was  married  first  to  his  cousin.  Leah  Hayes:  the  second 
time  to  a  second  cousin,  and  the  third  time  to  a  third  cousin.  He  was  the 
father  of  the  following  children:  Mrs.  Mary  Jane  Guard,  George.  Mrs.  Anna 
B.  Hunter,  Edward,  Airs.  America  McKee  and  Omer  T.  Capt.  Joseph  Hayes. 
\\-ho  was  the  father  of  Jacob,  fitted  out  a  company  during  the  Revolutionary 
War  and  personally  paid  all  of  the  expenses  of  its  equipment. 

Edward  Haves  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Lawrenceburg  town- 
ship, receiving  his  elementary  education  in  the  sciiools  of  this  township,  sup- 
plementing the  same  by.  attendance  at  the  Lawrenceburg  high  school  and 
Nelson's  Business  College,  at  Cincinnati.  L'pon  completing  his  studies  he 
located  at  Lawrenceburg,  this  count}-,  where  he  engaged  in  the  real  estate 
business.  Shortly  afterward  he  entered  the  Young  Alen's  Christian  Associa- 
tion school,  at  Cincinnati,  where  he  further  schooled  himself  in  the  study  of 
law  as  a  practical  aid  to  the  proper  conduct  of  his  real  estate  business.  Air. 
Hayes  owns  about  seven  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Dearborn  county. 

Ed\\'ard  Hayes  was  married  to  Flossie  Heustis  on  Januaiw  lo,  1885, 
daughter  of  Zephaniah  and  Elizabeth  (Steele)  Heustis,  to  which  uni(jn  were 
born  three  children,  namely :  Janet  E..  who  married  Charles  W.  Evans,  of 
Hamilton,  Ohio,  and  has  two  children,  Janet  Pauline  and  Marie  Elizabeth : 
Edward  L.,  a  graduate  of  the  Lawrenceburg  high  school,  later  a  student  at 
Purdue  L'niversitv.  v^as  graduated  from  the  law  department  of  the  University 
of  Cincinnati  in  1910  and  was  admitted  to  the  Lawrenceburg  bar.  now  being 
a  member  of  the  law  firm  of  Comet  &  Hayes;  and  Zephaniah,  who  died  in 
infancv.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  in  1890,  at  the  age  of  tweutv- 
four  years.  She  was  one  of  the  six  children  born  to  her  parents,  now  deceased. 
the  others  being  Vina.  Ella,  Elizabeth.  Emma  and  Zephaniah.  She  was 
reared  in  Lawrenceburg  and  was  a  devout  member  of  the  Methodist  church 
Her  maternal  grandparents  were  early  settlers  in  Dearborn  county  and  Vwcd 


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DEARBORN   COUNTY,  INDIANA.  IO67 

to  ripe  old  ages.  'I'hey  were  the  parents  of  three  children:  Oliver,  Warren 
and  ElizFibeth.  Her  paternal  grandparents  were  Oliver  and  Elizabeth  (1  Mum- 
mer) Ileustis,  who  came  from  Massachusetts  to  Dearborn  county,  settling 
in  Manchester  township,  where  they  conducted  the  old  Pleustis  tavern  and 
where  the}-  li\'ed  the  remainder  of  their  days.  Their  children  :vere  William 
and  Zephaniah. 

Edward  Hayes  was  married,  secondly,  September  21,  1900,  to  Mrs. 
Emma  C.  Mueller,  widow  of  Charles  ^Mueller  and  daughter  of  Leopold  Kupf- 
erschmidt,  to  which  union  one  son  has  been  born,  Leyman  K.  Mrs.  Hayes 
had  a  daughter,  Pauline  E..  by  her  former  marriage.  She  is  a  native  of  Law- 
renceburg  and  one  of  two  children,  the  other  being  Vetta.  wife  of  Henry 
Ginter.  Her  father  was  a  native  of  Germany  and  her  mother  of  Dearborn 
county.     They  are  both  deceased. 


JOHN  W.  OBERTIXG. 

The  gentleman  about  whom  this  sketch  is  written  has  had  a  varied  and 
extended  business  experience,  all  of  which  has  been  very  valuable,  and  con- 
tributes largely  to  his  present  success  in  the  automobile  business.  It  may  all 
be  very  well  to  "do  one  thing  at  a  time,  and  do  that  one  thing  well,"  but  the 
writer  belie\-es  in  being  fitted  for  more  than  one  thing,  for,  in  the  event  of 
failure,  one  has  something  else  to  fall  back  on.  Thus,  should  tlie  auto- 
mobile business  prove  unprofitable  to  our  subject,  which  is  not  likely  to  be 
the  case,  he  would  very  quickly  find  an  open  door  in  another  direction. 

John  W.  Oberting,  automobile  dealer  at  Eawrenceburg.  Indiana,  was 
born  in  that  city  on  August  28,  1877.  He  is  a  son  of  Nicholas  and  Rebecca 
(Jackson)  Oberting.  He  was  reared  in  Eawrenceburg,  where  he  attended 
both  public  and  private  schools,  After  he  grew  to  manhood  he  began  rail- 
roading as  a  brakeman.  which  vocation  he  followed  for  three  years,  after 
which  he  became  chief  electrician  in. charge  of  the  new  electric  signal  s}-stern 
of  the  Big  Four  Railroad  Company,  which  position  he  filled  for  five  years. 
He  was  then  elected  township  assessor  of  Eawrenceburg  township,  and  served 
four  years,  dating  from  1905,  and  was  then  elected  township  trustee  and 
served  six  vears,  and  for  the  past  si.\  years  has  been  engaged  in  the  automo- 
bile business.  He  was  the  organizer  of  the  Hoosier  Auto  Company,  of  which 
he  is  president  and  general  manager.  Mr.  Oberting  is  a  stanch  Deniucrat, 
and  belongs  to  two  of  the  very  old  families  in  the  county. 


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I06S  DEARBORN    COL^.NTV,   INDIANA. 

Nicholas  Oberting,  father  of  the  subject,  is  a  native  of  the  Alsacc-T,'>r- 
raine  country,  Germany,  and  his  wife  is  a  native  of  Indiana.  They  were  the 
parents  of  eight  chiMren  :  John  \\'.,  Cliarles,  Morentinc  V.,  Amos  P..  Rr.lj- 
ert.  Lcoua,  wife  of  John  Cornehus;  Margaret,  single,  and  a  daughter  whu 
died  in  early  childhood.  Mr.  Oberting  came  to  America  with  his  parents 
when  ten  vears  old.  They  settled  in  Dearborn  county,  and  he  grew  to  mrui- 
hood  on  a  farm.  He  then  came  to  Lawrenccburg  and  became  engaged  in 
the  coal  business  for  a  short  time,  later  serving  as  city  marshal  for  several 
years.  Jn  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  in  religion,  a  Catholic.  His  wife 
is  a  member  of  the  ^Methodist  church. 

The  paternal  grandfatlier  of  our  subject  was  John  Oberting,  who  was 
a  soldier  in  the  Napoleonic  war.  He  and  his  wife  settled  in  Dearborn  county 
at  an  early  date,  when  he  became  a  farmer.  They  both  died  in  this  count\ 
at  a  ripe  old  age.  The  follow  ing  children  were  born  to  them :  George,  Nich- 
olas, John,  Martin,  Mctor,  Peter  and  Lena. 

The  subject's  maternal  grandfather  was  John  Jackson,  better  known  as 
'.'Old  Hickory  Jackson."  He  was  an  old  school-master.  He  and  his  wife 
were  pioneers  in  Dearborn  county.  He  was  a  -millwright  and  had  charge 
of  a  grist-mill  on  the  banks  of  the  old  canal  at  Plardinsburg.  They  died  in 
this  county,  well  along  in  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children. 
as  follows :  Juliette,  Rebecca,  Alice,  Huldah,  Louise,  Lester.  John  and 
Richard. 


■  ■      ■,;  SYLVESTER  D.  TONES.  '      •■""..'. 

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Sylvester  D.  Jones,  fanner  and  carpenter,  of  Cold  Springs,  Sparta  town- 
ship. Dearborn  county,  was  born  on  August  15,  1S59,  at  Cold  Springs,  and  is 
a  son  of  Jesse  C.  and  Alice  (Dorsey)  Jones.  Jesse  C.  Jones  was  born  on 
March  11,  1834,  at  Cold  Springs,  where  he  followed  the  carpenter's  trade 
practically  all  C'f  his  life,  building  most  of  tlie  best  liouses  within  a  radius  "f 
five  or  si.x  miles.  He  also  gave  some  attention  to  farming.  He  was  mar- 
ried, ^March  iS.  1858,  to  Alice  Dorsey,  w^ho  was  born  on  January  17,  1837. 
near  Wilmington,  on  North  Hogan  creek,  the  daughter  of  Sylvester  Dor-ey. 
Sylvester  Dorsey  was  twice  married.  Cy  his  first  wife,  who  died  young, 
there  were  five  children,  Phoebe,  Lucinda,  Alartha.  Alice  f^Irs.  Jones)  and 
Merritt.  By  his  second  wife.  Nanc}'.  there  were  also  fi\-e  children,  Albert, 
Plummer.  Sylvester,  Maria  and  Clara.  Alice  Dorsey  was  educated  in  die 
public  schools  and  made  her  home  with  an  aunt,  because  of  the  death  of  her 


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DEARBORN  COUNTY,  INDIANA.  I06g 

mother.  Mr.  Jones  was  a  lover  of  music  and  was  an  ex]>erl  fife  player.  lie 
kept  up  the  Cold  Springs  martial  band  from  the  time  of  the  Civil  War  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  on  August  lo.  1897,  at  the  age  of  si.xty-three  years. 
His  religious  membership  was  with  the  Christian  church  at  Chestervillc,  while 
fraternally,  he  was  a  member  of  tlie  Indejiendent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
Jesse  C.  and  Alice  Dorsey  Jones  were  the  parents  of  two  children,  Sylvester 
and  Elisha.  The  latter  remains  unmarried  and  is  still  living  on  the  old  home 
farm. 

The  subject's  grandparents  were  Elisha  and  Lucinda  (Chance)  Jones. 
Elisha  Jones  was  born,  November  4,  1S08,  in  I'ennsyh-ania.  and  came  to 
Cincinnati  when  a  young  man.  He  bought  a  tract  of  land  in  that  city  where 
the  "Zoo"  now  stands,  but  because  it  was  difficult  to  clear,  traded  it  for  a 
wagon  and  team  of  horses.  He  then  came  to  Cold  Springs  and  bought  a'nout 
sixty  acres  of  land  before  the  Ohio  &  Mississipjii  railnjad  was  buill.  He 
planted  all  of  his  cleared  land  in  an  orchard,  but  the  only  good  row  of  tress 
he  had  was  on  the  line  of  the  railroad  and  had  to  lie  taken  out  when  the  road 
was  built.  He  lived  on  this  farm  the  remainder  of  his  life,  and  died  at  the 
age  of  eighty-nine  years.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and  a  member  of  the  Xew- 
light  branch  of  the  Christian  church. 

Lucinda  (Chance)  Jones  was  born,  ^vlarch  15,  18 14.  near  ^^bjores  Hill, 
and  died  on  November  26,  1897.  She  was  educated  at  the  district  schools. 
Her  union  with  Elisha  Jones  was  blessed  with  seven  children,  Jesse  C.  John, 
Lucetta,  Druscilla,  ilary  Ann,  Elizabeth  and  Tucinda. 

Sylvester  D.  Jones  received  his  education  in  the  public  schouls  at  C'lld 
Springs  and  his  youtliful  days  were  spent  in  the  home  of  his  parents.  At 
the  time  of  his  marriage,  he  was  employed  by  the  Baltimr)re  &  Ohio  railroad 
as  station  agent  at  Cold  Springs,  holding  this  position  for  eleven  years,  since 
which  time  he  has  followed  the  life  of  a  farmer,  and  also  rloes  cunsiderable 
work  at  the  carpenter's  trade.  Politically  he  has  always  given  his  support 
to  the  Democratic  party,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church. 

Sylvester  D.  Jones  was  united  in  marriage.  May  26,  1887,  with  Elnora 
Cartwright,  daughter  of  William  and  Margarette  (Huntington)  Cartwright. 
She  was  born  in  Sparta  township,  where  she  received  her  education  and  lived 
with  her  parents  until  her  marriage.  ^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Jones  have  two  chili Iren, 
Fleetwood,  who  married  Mary  Davis,  and  follows  the  baker's  trade  at  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio,  and  Leander,  who  is  single  and  is  also  living  at  Cincinnati. 

William  Cartwright.  father  nf  Airs.  Jones,  was  born  in  Ireland,  and,  in 
boyhood,  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents,  who  settled  at  South 


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lO/O  ■  DEARBORN    COUNTY,    INDIANA. 

Hogan  creek,  in  Sparta  township.  There  he  followed  the  hrick  mason's 
trade  and  lived  in  that  section  all  his  life;  he  served  as  t<iwnsliip  assessor 
tor  a  number  of  years.  Plis  wife,  Margarette  (Huntington)  Cartwright, 
was  born  in  Sparta  township.  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Cartwright  were  the  parents 
of  five  children,  Getirge,  Charles,  Elnora,  Alice  and  Nellie. 


HENRY  MEYER. 

Henry  jMe_\-er,  deceased,  fai'mer,  Logan  township.  Dearborn  county,  was 
born  on  March  lo,  1S54,  in  Ripley  county,  Indiana.  His  parents  were 
natives  of  Hanover,  Germany,  and  died  when  he  was  abnut  fifteen  years  old. 
Starting  with  nothing,  and  with  no  one  to  whom  he  could  go  for  ad\ice,  ]\Ir. 
Meyer  achieved  success  by  determination,  ambition  and  possessing  the  qual- 
ities of  an  excellent  manager.  He  came  to  the  Haynes  farm  between  Rising 
Sun  and  Aurora,  south  of  Laughery  creek,  where  he  worked  for  one  year, 
and  then  went  to  Illinois.  After  a  short  time  there,  he  went  to  work  with  a 
railroad  construction  crew,  and  was  si;)  seriously  injured  that  he  was  compelled 
to  discontinue.  After  resting  up  and  preispccling  about,  he  returned  t<' 
Farmer  City,  Illinois,  and  again  took  up  farm  work.  In  the  fall  i<{  1S75  he 
engaged  his  services  as  a  farm  hand  in  the  northeast  portion  of  Washington 
township,  Dearborn  county,  and  in  1S78  he  began  to  farm  for  himself  on  the 
the  Conway  Bainum  farm  in  tlie  eastern  ))art  of  Hogan  townshij).  on  North 
Hogan  creek,  where  he  remained  about  eleven  years.  He  bought  a  farm  at 
\\'ilmington  in  i88q,  consisting  of  fifty-five  acres,  on  which  he  put  valuable 
improvements,  and  made  it  his  home  for  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Mr.  Mever 
was  an  excellent  manager  of  farm  work,  and  possessed  a  goo<l  store  of  'Jeter- 
mination,  being  always  conservati\'e  before  venturing  in  a  new  cause  of  action. 
He  died  on  May  22,  190S,  having  been  injured  by  the  tusk  of  a  hog  in  the  fall 
before,  but  was  up  and  around,  and  his  death  came  ver\-  suddenlv  i.me  morn- 
ing while  still  in  bed.  Politically,  he  was  a  stanch  Republican,  but  in  no 
sense  of  the  word  a  politician.  In  religion  he  and  his  family  all  belonged  to 
the  Lutheran  churcii  at  Aurora. 

Henry  }tle_\er  was  united  in  marriage  in  the  fall  of  1875,  with  Dora 
Frazer,  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Catherine  ( Schrader )  bVazer.  She  was 
born  on  November  25,  1854,'  in  Riple_\'  county,  Indiana,  anrl  was  educated  in 
the  district  schools.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Flenry  ]\Ieyer  were  the  parents  of  four 
children:  William  I).,  Minnie,  Annie  and  John  L.  'William  D.  Meyer  was 
born  on  October  jg,  1878,  in  Washington  township,  and  has  always  remained 
at  home  to  manage  the  farm.     Flis  father  often  spoke  of  how  William  lind 


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DEARBORN    COUNTY^    INDIANA.  IO7I 

helped  him  with  the  fann  work,  so  he  was  enai.)led  to  pay  off  the  farm  <lcht. 
William  D.  Alcyer  is  a  st.inch  Repuhlicar,,  and  his  relig'ous  memhcrship  is 
with  the  Lutheran  church.  ^Minnie  Meyer  hecanie  the  wife  of  Frclerick 
Andrews,  and  li\-es  on  the  hill  just  above  La\vrencel)urf;.  She  has  three 
daughters,  Dora,  Bertha  and  Lizzie.  Annie  JVIexer  is  the  wife  of  William 
Schuler.  They  reside  on  a  farm  at  Sparta  and  have  three  children,  John, 
W'illiam  and  Edna,  all  members  of  the  I'resl)yterian  church.  John  L.  Me_\er 
was  born  on  May  19,  1889,  and  is  still  at  home,  assisting-  in  managing  the 
farm.  His  religious  belief  is  with  the  Lutheran  church.  Mrs.  Meyer  makes 
her  home  on  the  farm  with  her  two  sons. 

Frederick  and  Catherine  (Schrader)  h'razer,  parents  of  Mrs.  Henry 
Meyer,  were  both  natives  of  German}-.  The  forn-ier  was  horn  at  Sanbrink  <in 
Von  Vraer,  and  the  latter  at  Bremen.  Mr.  }''razer  was  married  in  America, 
and  settled  in  Ripley  county,  where  he  -worked  at  odd  jobs.  He  later  mn\ed 
to  Aurora,  when  Mrs.  ]\Ieyer  was  a  small  child,  and  later  bought  a  farm 
in  Washington  township,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  but  he 
was  engaged  in  the  rJiilroad  shops  at  Cochran,  Indiana. 

Henrv  ^leyer  was  an  honest,  industrious  citizen — a  man  who  lo\-ed  his 
home,  and  his  heart  was  in  his  farn-i  work.  He  was  ambitious  and  anxious  ti> 
see  the  place  improved.  His  widow  and  two  sons  have  bought  more  laud,  and 
now  own  one  hundred  and  forty  acres,  all  situated  at  Wilmington.  His  si>!is 
are  well  trained,  industrious  and  progressive  farn-iers,  operating  a  fifteen.- 
horse-power  gasoline  truck,  hay  baler,  ensilage  cutter,  corn  shredder,  feed 
grinder,  wood  saw — as  well  as  serving  the  public  in  many  helpfid  ways,  when 
called  upon  to  do  so. 


HEWSOX  \\'RIGHT. 


For  many  years  one  of  the  prominent  business  men  of  Lawrencebiirg, 
Indiana,  Hewson  Wright,  the  present  secretary  of  the  Eauer  Cooperage  Com- 
pany, has  had  no  small  part  in  the  development  of  one  of  Lawrenceburg's 
most  flourishing  industries.  Mr.  Wright  has  seen  the  institution  with  w  hich 
he  is  connected  grow  from  a  very  small  concern  to  its  present  proportions. 

Born  in  Newport,  Kentucky,  December  21.  1863,  Hewson  Wright  is  the 
son  of  William  L.  and  Anna  \'irginia  (Hewson)  Wright,  the  fornier  oi 
whom  was  a  native  of  Missouri  and  the  latter  of  Ohio.  William  L.  \\Tight 
was  reared  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  during  his  lifetime  was  engaged  in  busi- 
ness in  that  city  as  a  publisher.     \\'hile  he  was  in  business  in  Cincinnati  he 


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■10/2  DEARBORN   COLW'TV,   INDIANA. 

resided  at  Newport,  KeiUucky,  and,  tliere  died  in  1S90,  at  the  ag'e  of  fifl_\- 
nine  years.  ^Irs.  William  L.  Wright  died  eleven  years  later,  in  iQOi,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-six.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Episcopal  church.  .  Of 
their  five  children,  two  aix-  now  deceased:  Emily,  who  was  the  wife  of  Capt. 
George  H.  Young,  and  William  I,.,  Jr.,  the  third  child.  The  living  children 
are,  Alary  Josephine,  the  wife  of  \\'.  L.  JMorkill,  of  Peru,  SoiUh  America; 
Hewson,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  Anna  Virginia,  who  is  urmiarried 
and  lives  at  Newport,  Kentucky. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  Air.  Wright,  Eethuel  Washburn  Hewson, 
liad  eight  children,  Anna  Virginia,  Helen,  Alary,  Alice,  Clara,  Alartha,  Paul- 
ine and  Paul  P>eck. 

Hewson  \\'right,  the  .subject  of  this  sketch,  who  was  reared  and  educated. 
at  Newport.  Kentucky,  worked  in  a  commission  house  at  Cincinnati  after  he 
had  finished  his  education.  Later  he  obtained  employment  in  the  Tliird 
National  Bank  of  Cincinnati,  as  a  clerk,  where  lie  was  empkiyed  for  a  peri"d 
of  eig'ht  years.  During  the  past  twenty-seven  years  he  has  lived  in  Law- 
rencelxirg.  He  was  first  engaged  as  a  bookkeeper  for  the  Piauer  Cooperage 
Company  and  a  short  time  after  becoming  bookkeeper  was  elected  to  the 
office  of  secretary  of  the  corporation,  which  position  he  has  held  most  of  the 
time  during  his  connection  with  the  company. 

Hew^son  \^Tight  was  married,  December  11,  1895,  to  Kate  Jessup,  the 
daughter  of  Capt.  William  and  Helen  (Cooper)  Jessup.  Air.  and  Airs. 
Wright  have  one  son,  William  Plewson.  Airs.  \\'right's  p.arcius  were  na- 
tives of  Hamilton  county,  Ohio,  and  she  was  born  at  Cleves,  Ohio.  Her 
father  died  on  December  2,  19 14,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years,  but  her 
mother  is  still  living.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  Alay,  William 
T.,  Kate  C,  Susan,  Samuel,  Harry,  Daisy,  Charles  L.  and  Erancke. 

Mr.  Wright  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  his  wife  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Alethodist  church.  Fraternally,  Air.  \\'right  belongs  to  Lawrence- 
burg  Lodge  No.  4,  Free  and  Accepted  Alasons ;  Lawrenceburg  Chapter  No. 
49,  Royal  Arch  Alasons,  and  Somerset  Commandery,  Knights  Templars, 
of  Somerset,  Kentucky.  Politically,  he  is  identified  with  the  Democratic 
party. 

For  many  years  the  family  of  Hewson  Wright  has  been  popular  in  the 
social  life  of  Lawrenceburg  and  Dearborn  county.  Air.  Wright  is  considered 
one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Lawrenceburg,  one  whose  advice  and  coun- 
sel are  sought,  not  only  in  matters  relating  to  his  personal  and  private  busi- 
ness, but  in  matters  concerning  the  public  welfare.  Aside  from  his  interests 
in  his  familv.  Air.  AA'right  has  been  interested  in  making  Lawrenceburg  a 
better  place  to  live.  g'"    LJ  *■•.*  %^ 


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