USA > Indiana > Decatur County > A Genealogical and biographical record of Decatur County, Indiana : compendium of national biography > Part 47
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Politically Mr. Jenkins has been a life- long Democrat. As a citizen he has ever striven to do his duty toward his country and toward his neighbors, using his influ- ence in the maintenance of law, order and good government. During the civil war. when Indiana was threatened with an inva- sion by the rebel forces, he joined the Seventy-sixth Regiment of Indiana Infantry and assisted in repelling the enemy. Hay - ing been uniformly upright and honorable in all of his relations with his fellow men. Mr. Jenkins enjoys and richly deserves the love and esteem of all who know him.
GEORGE H. DUNN.
Lieutenant George H. Dunn, a promi- nent citizen of Greensburg, and one of the most popular men in his section of country.
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comes of good old Scotch-Irish stock, and combines the admirable traits of tliose sturdy races with the progressiveness' and loyalty of an American citizen. . His grand- father, Gresham Dunn, was born in Ireland, and emigrated to the United States in the early colonial times. The family was a large one, and while a number of them fought, both as privates and officers, in the war for independence, others came over from England with General Howe, as of- ficers in the British army. Gresham Dunn's father served as king's high sheriff in New Jersey, and lost his life by being thrown from his horse. Joseph B. Dunn, an uncle of our subject's father, held the rank of captain, as aid-de-camp to General Wash- ington, and also served on the staff of Gen- eral St. Clair in the war of 1812-14. He was killed at the battle of Papacanoose. Another prominent military man of this family was killed in a duel, near Cincinnati, in 1793.
The Hon. George H. Dunn, father of our subject, was born in New York city, where the family settled on coming from England, and where his father, Gresham Dunn, died. George H. was given an ex- cellent collegiate education, and early in the '20s came west and located in Cincinnati, later removing to Lawrenceburg, where he died in 1856, aged fifty-eight years. He was a prominent lawyer, a brilliant speaker, and acquired a national reputation as a statesman and a man of business. He filled many high offices, being at various times secretary of state, judge of circuit court, and represented the fourth congressional district in congress. He was for a number of years president of the Indiana State Bank, and was chief promoter of the Big
Four Railroad, running from Indianapolis to Lawrenceburg. He was the first presi- dent of the company, serving as such until his death. He had a family of eight chil- dren. His wife's maiden name was Mary Gibson. She was born in Indiana and was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Gibson.
The subject of this sketch was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 28, 1841, and had the misfortune to lose his father when he was only twelve years old. When of a suitable age he entered Kenyon Col- lege, at Gambier, Ohio, and was a student there at the breaking out of the civil war. He enlisted in 1861, in Company C, Thirty- fifth Indiana Volunteers, and served two years and eight months as private and as first lieutenant of his company, taking part in the campaigns ending in the battle of Mission Ridge. When the war closed he returned home, and soon afterward located at Greensburg, where he has resided ever since. He was employed as bookkeeper. but his active interest in politics brought him into public notice, and he was appointed postmaster under Grant. He retained that office during the administrations of Grant. Arthur, Hayes and Garfield, for seventeen consecutive years, and for one year under Cleveland, going out in 1885. Mr. Dunn subsequently engaged in the plumbing and gas-fitting business until 1897, when he was appointed deputy clerk in the United States collector's office, which position he is now filling.
In all the relations of life Mr. Dunn has acquitted himself with honor, and deserv- edly holds a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens. He is a prominent member of the Masons, the Knights of Pythias. and the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a
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public-spirited man, and always in sym- 'pathy with movements intended to benefit his community. .
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Mr. Dunn was married February 14, 1865, to Anna Trimple, of Gambier, Ohio, daughter of Professor John Trimple, of Kenyon College, and they have one son, George H., Jr.
E. G. SCHULTZ.
The modern spirit of business push and enterprise is nowhere in Greensburg to be seen to better advantage than in the ex- · tensive furniture establishment of which the subject of this article is proprietor. The same upright principles which animate him in public life are carried into each of his business transactions, thus winning for him the just confidence of his patrons. Though his has not been an extremely eventful life, there are numerous lessons to be gleaned from it, and a careful review of its details - doubtless would serve as an incentive to many a young man who has his own way to make in the world. The following out- line of career will be of interest to his hosts of lifelong friends in this thriving city.
A son of William and Margaret (Schwier) Schultz, our subject is of German descent on both the paternal and maternal lines, as their names plainly indicate. The father was born in Ripley county, Indiana, in 1843, and continued to dwell there until 1870, when he removed to Greensburg. In his early manhood he learned the trade of a carpenter, and later took and executed contracts for building. In 1860, in com- pany with his brother George, he succeeded in organizing what was known as the Union
Furniture Company, of Batesville, a stock company of which he was made president. The brothers were very influential in the actual working out of the plan and at- tended personally to the erection of the factory and the management of business. After some ten years of flourishing trade. carried on in spite of the depressing war period which intervened, the factory was destroyed by fire, and both brothers lost heavily. Soon after that event they settled in Greensburg, and, under the firm name of George & William Schultz. engaged in the furniture and undertaking business to- gether for five years. At the expiration of that time George Schultz withdrew from the firm and went to the west. while the . other partner continued to conduct the business alone for a few years. In April. 1899. he retired. and is passing his declin- ing days in quietness and freedom from care. For a quarter of a century he was a member of the Centenary Methodist Epis- copal church. and now is identified with the First Methodist Episcopal church, of this city. His wife. the mother of our subject. departed this life in 1896. They were the parents of two sons and a daughter. One son died in infancy, and the daughter. Hattie, is the wife of Patrick Ewing, of this county.
The birth of E. G. Schultz occurred April 29, 1868, in Batesville, Ripley county. In- diana, and as he was brought to Greensburg at the age of two years he remembers no other home. Here he grew to manhood. attending the common schools until he was fifteen, when he commenced working in a planing mill. At the end of a year spent in that employment he became a clerk in the freight office of the Big Four Railroad, and
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served for four years in that capacity. His fidelity and general trustworthiness placed him in line for promotion. and during a period of three and one-half years he was a fireman for the same corporation, and soon would have been placed in charge of an engine, as engineer, had he not obtained a ninety-days' leave of absence, and ere its close had resigned from the company's 1 employ in order to join his father in that gentleman's long established business here. They were associated until recently, when, as previously stated, the senior partner . withdrew, and the firm is now known as · that of E. G. Schultz & Company. The business, now managed solely by E. G. Schultz, has grown to large proportions, and few better locations or more extensive stocks of goods can be found in the state. The handsome store has a street frontage of forty feet, while it extends back one hun- dred and ten feet. and an additional space. thirty by sixty feet in dimensions. affords necessary storage room. The second floor of the building is also utilized for various ' departments, and three or more clerks are employed to attend to the needs of custom- ers. Mr. Schultz is a careful. painstaking un- dertaker, and at the time of his examination by the Indiana state board of health his standing was ninety-eight per cent.
He is a member of the Indiana Funeral Directors' Association.
Fraternally Mr. Schultz belongs to Greensburg Lodge, No. 476. F. & A. M .: Greensburg Lodge, No. 103. I. O. O. F., and Sexton Encampment, No. 42, of the . same order; Greensburg Lodge, K. of P .; Pequannock Lodge, No. 185. I. O. R. M .; and the Order of the Eastern Star. His marriage to Miss Martha Hightower was
celebrated in this city in 1892. They have a pleasant home and enjoy the esteem of a large circle of friends.
ANDREW M. WILLOUGHBY.
Andrew M. Willoughby, editor and pro- prietor of the Greensburg Daily and Weekly Review, and mayor of the city of Greensburg, was born April 1. 1857. After acquiring a public-school education he be- gan learning the printer's trade, August 17. 1874. and from that time until he came to Greensburg. in 1883, he served in various capacities in connection with the leading metropolitan journals of the central west. . From the time he began in the printing business, in 1874. up to the present, Mr. Willoughby has never been out of work a day and never was discharged. In 1885 he purchased an interest in The Greensburg Review, and has been continuously con- nected with the newspaper business longer than any other newspaper man in Greens- burg; and his extended experience is shown in the excellence of the papers he publishes. The Daily Review is an eight-column folio: the Weekly a seven-column quarto. In politics the papers are emphatically Repub- lican. Mr. Willoughby is a member of the Indiana Editorial Association and repre- sents the fourth congressional district on the legislative committee. In 1898 he was elected mayor of Greensburg for a term of four years.
Mr. Willoughby has been twice married. and by his first union, with Miss Minnie Christy. daughter of Samuel Christy, late cashier of the Citizens' National Bank, of Greensburg, he had one son, Raymond C.
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On the 12th of February, 1895, the mother · lied, in Greeley, Colorado, and on the 22d of November, 1898, Mr. Willoughby married Miss Clara Hallowell, an estimable lady of Harrison, Ohio.
HENRY KAMMERLING.
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One of the most popular business men of Greensburg is the gentleman of whom the following lines are penned. A native of Germany, he possesses the honest, indus- trious traits of character for which the Ger- man people are noted, and during his long residence in the United States he has be- come thoroughly imbued with the spirit of western push and enterprise which marks our successful citizens in every vocation.
He is of the third generation who have been engaged in the same line of business, all meeting with a fair measure of prosper- ity. His parents. Simon and Catherine (Herdt) Kammerling, and his paternal grandfather also, were natives of the town of Pirmasens, Bavaria, Germany, and spent their entire lives there. Simon Kammer- ling carried on a large meat shop and butch- ering business for many years, and em- ployed his sons in their early youth. Five of his eight children sought homes in the United States, Fred, the eldest, coming across the Atlantic in 1860. He is a well- to-do farmer near Greensburg at present. and Jacob, who accompanied his brother Ignatz to this country in 1866, is likewise occupied in agriculture, his farm being lo- cated in Rush county, Indiana. Ignatz. who formerly was a dealer in cattle and meat, is now taking contracts for street im- provements, his home being in this city.
Dora came to the land of promise in 1871.
The birth of Henry Kammerling took place in Pirmasens, Bavaria, March 9, 1857. and, in accordance with the law of his country, he attended the public schools un- til he was fourteen years of age. He had given earnest attention to everything bear- ing upon the subject of the United States. and, like his elder brothers, he determined to cast in his lot with the people of this favored land as soon as he was permitted to do so. Landing on these shores when less than fifteen years of age, he came direct to Greensburg, and, feeling the need of a knowledge of the English language, he set about the task of mastering it. finding a patient and able instructor in the person of the accomplished wife of Judge S. A. Bonner, formerly a successful teacher. The young man learned very rapidly, and, being ambitious, he next took up the study of law, his preceptors being the late Judge Miller and Colonel Gavin. In the course of time, he was admitted to the bar of this county, by Judge Bonner. For a year thereafter, or until 1877, he traveled for a Cincinnati house, after which he was induced to join his brother Ignatz in the butchering and pork-packing business. He continued in partnership with him until 1879, after which he embarked . in inde- pendent business in this city, and for six years was alone in the management of his affairs. In 1885 he became a member of the firm of Kammerling & Link, and it was not until 1890 that he again started a store of his own. Since then he has conducted a fine market and pork-packing establish- ment on the west side of the public square. Everything about the premises is always found in a neat condition, and a high grade
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· of meats of all kinds is kept. Uniform · courtesy and genuine desire to please, bring a liberal patronage from the public, and also account, to some extent. for the finanacial success of our subject.
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On the 18th of August, 1880, the mar- riage of Mr. Kammerling and Miss Emma Doles, of this city, was solemnized. They are the parents of one child, Ruth K. by name. Mr. and Mrs. Kammerling are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church and take an earnest part in religious work. He for- merly belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, at the time that a lodge of that order was located here. and at pres- ent he is associated with the Greensburg Lodge, No. 148, Knights of Pythias.
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WILLIAM A. WILLIAMS.
No family of Decatur county is more worthy of mention in its history than the one to which the subject of this article be- longs. He is a native of the township in which he resides. Clinton, his birth having occurred on New Year's day. 1858. and dur- ing nearly all his life he has dwelt here and been actively connected with its develop- ment and progress.
Like the majority of the old settlers of "this county. the Williams family came here on the tide of immigration which swept from the southeastern to the northwestern states in the early part of the century. Will- iam L. Williams, grandfather of our sub- ject, located at first in Rush county, about two and a half miles north of Sandusky, In- diana, upon arriving in the Hoosier state. but subsequently removed to Clinton township, Decatur county. He lived to at-
tain an advanced age, dying at the home of his son, Darius C., many years ago. His wife had departed this life several years previously, and of their three children, Jus- tine, the only daughter. died when young. and James H., who never married. died a number of years ago. The remaining son. Darius C., is the father of William A. Will- iams. He was born in Kentucky, Septem- ber 15, 1831, came to this state in youth. and has passed the greater part of his life in this township, where he is known by everyone and well liked by all. For a wife he chose Mrs. Mary J. Swails, who had for- merly been a Miss Knox. A son and a daughter were born to this estimable couple, named Wiliam A. and Ida J. The . latter died when twenty-two years of age. and the mother also was summoned to the better land.
Thus it is seen that the only male repre- sentatives of this line of the Williams family are Darius C. and William A. Williams. Ever since the latter reached maturity they have been associated in business, and their relations in every respect have been per- fectly harmonious and pleasant. They deal extensively in grain and live stock. buying and selling. and have succeeded in building up a profitable business. Their standing in this community is of the best, and fairness marks all of their transactions. They are the owners of a fine farm in Clinton township. and have capital invested in various enter- prises. Both are active and liberal Repub- licans, thoroughly understanding the prin- ciples which the party advocates. In 1894 our subject was honored by being elected to the important office of trustee of Clinton township, and in this capacity he has made an enviable record. He entered upon his
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duties in August, 1895, succeeding Oliver. C. Sefton.
On the 19th of September. 1881, Mr. Williams married Miss Julia F. Rogers, who was born February 10, 1858. Her father died when she was an infant, and in 1897 her mother was summoned to her re- `ward. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have one child, Gertrude F., who was born December 18, 1883, and is now a student in the public " school of this district. The family have a . pleasant home and many friends.
HENRY LINK.
Henry Link, a successful business man and worthy citizen of Greensburg, was born in Pirmasens, Bavaria, Germany, March 20, 1854. He is the son of John and Eliza- beth (Baker) Link. The father was a far- mer in Germany, where he spent his entire life, dying there in 1885, and leaving a widow and three sons. Jacob, Christopher and Henry.
The latter was educated in the public schools of his native city, and when only fif- teen years of age started in life for himself, learning the butchering trade. He came to this county in 1877, and in October, 1877, located at Greensburg, where for two years he was in the employ of Ignatz Kammer- ling. The following six years he worked for Zoller Brothers. In 1886 he formed a partnership with Henry Kammerling in the butchering business, the firm being known as Kammerling & Link. He remained in this connection for five years, when he opened a place of his own, on the north side of the public square, where he carries on a large retail trade. He owns a small farm
just out of town, and deals extensively in live stock. He also owns a beautiful piece of property south of the city limits. In ad- dition to other business interests he has a large cold-storage plant. He is a progres- sive and liberal-minded citizen, and highly esteemed by all who know him. Like many of our most successful men, he began life with no capital but his willing hands and active brain, and has amassed a comfortable competence by steady work, economy and a wise investment of his earnings.
Mr. Link was married in September, 1883, to Elizabeth Kock, a native of Minne- sota. They have seven children, four sons and three daughters. Mr. Link's mother. who came to this country about thirteen years ago, makes her home with him. All the family are members of the Presbyterian church, and are active in its work. Mr. Link belongs to Decatur Lodge, No. 103. I. O. O. F.
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WILLIAM A. WATSON.
William A. Watson is a good example of the modern, enterprising business man, and Greensburg numbers him among her most public-spirited citizens. He was willing to begin at the bottom rounds of the ladder leading to success, and by unremitting en- deavor work his way gradually upward. and thus. now in his early prime, he is already reaping his rich reward, both in financial prosperity and in influential position.
The paternal grandparents of our sub- ject. James and Mary (Huggins) Watson. were natives of Norwich, England. James Watson was a ship carpenter by trade. at which calling he was employed until 1843. when he, with his family, emigrated to
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America. Settling first at Amboy, New Jersey, he worked as a carpenter on the railroad, and subsequently was similarly engaged at New Market, New Jersey. In 1848 he came to Indiana, and found em- ployment in general building until his death, which event occurred at his home in Shelbyville, in 1856, when he was forty years of age. His widow, now a resident of this city, has attained the advanced age of eighty-six years. In their native land they were members of the Methodist church, but after coming. to the United States, they became identified with the Presbyterian denomination. Their two sons and only daughter, Charlotte, were born in England, and the latter is the wife of Robert H. Elliott, a stationary engineer in Indianapolis. James, the elder son, and also a resident of the state capital, holds a position as engineer on the Big Four Rail- road. R. H. Watson, father of our subject. was employed as a fireman and engineer on the same railroad for thirteen consecu- tive years. In 1869 he embarked in the foundry and machine business at Greens- burg, and has since enjoyed a large trade. his specialty being the repairing of machin- ery and the construction of engines. He also owns and operates a flourishing brick plant, located on Jackson avenue, and, al- together, employment is given to a number of men and boys. For years Mr. Watson has been an active member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and at present is one of its trustees. He stands high in the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Decatur Lodge No. 103. and L. Sexton Encampment. No. 42. in both of which he has occupied official positions, and in 1876 he was honored by being chosen to repre-
sent the home lodge in the grand lodge of the state, at Indianapolis. He is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, as was his wife, formerly Sophia Ward, of this county. Their only daughter, Henrietta, is the wife of Edward E. Gaunt, of Clemons, Iowa.
William A. Watson was born in this county, January. 27, 1863, and spent six years in Indianapolis, then coming to Greensburg with his parents. From his boyhood he worked in his father's foundry, becoming a thorough, practical machinist. In 1890 he started out independently, and for a period was engaged in the business of sinking gas wells, having Mr. Williams as a partner for a few months. Mr. Watson is now the proprietor of a plumbing and gas-fitting establishment in this city. He carries a large and well selected stock of goods in his line, and takes contracts for putting in plumbing, gas and steam pipes in all kinds of public buildings and private residences. not only in this immediate lo- cality but in adjoining states as well. He gives employment to from ten to eighty-five men, according to the number of contracts which he has on hand. Among other con- tracts which he has filled during the past few years was that of putting in water mains and piping at Lancaster, Ohio. the work amounting to nine thousand dollars, and he it was who furnished the plumbing for Hanover College and the gas-fitting in the Odd Fellows' Home, in this city. Mr. Wat- son took a leading and active part in the establishment of the Odd Fellows Or- phans' Home at Greensburg, and it may be accredited him as being the prime mover . in bringing before the people the question of the establishment of the home here.
In his political convictions Mr. Watson
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is a stanch Republican, and for some four years he served as a councilman from the third ward. Fraternally he is a member and the present vice-grand of Decatur Lodge, No. 103. I. O. O. F., and belongs to Sexton Encampment No. 42, and to the Daughters of Rebekah. On the 16th of July, 1884, he wedded Miss Eva Bell, of this city. Three children, one of whom is deceased, were born to this worthy couple. Ernest, whose birth took place October 10. 1886, and Ethel, born April 1, 1888. are , bright, promising children, now attending . school. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are members of the Centenary Methodist Episcopal church, and loyally aid in enterprises calcu- lated to benefit their fellow men.
BENJAMIN F. LINCH.
Benjamin F. Linch was born in Franklin county, Indiana, April 2, 1828. a son of Philip and Catherine Linch. both of whom were natives of Virginia. in which state they were married. Pierce Linch was the paternal grandfather of our subject, and his wife, who before her marriage was a Miss Pierce, was a distant relative. of President Franklin Pierce. The parents of our sub- ject were married in the Old Dominion, and early in 1800 emigrated westward, locating in Butler county, Ohio, on Dry Fork. In 1808 Mr. Linch entered land, supposing it to be in Ohio, but when the survey was made it was found to be in Indiana terri- tory. There in the midst of an unbroken forest he established a home. his nearest neighbors being three miles distant. Indi- ans were still in the neighborhood. and dur- ing the war of 1812 the few white settlers
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