USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A portrait and biographical record of Delaware county, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 41
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" As a young man Mr. Sanders was pos- sessed of an ambition to leave the drudgery of farm life, to which he was unfitted by reason of his physical disability, and take up the pro- fession of the law; and while yet on crutches he worked for neighboring farmers at ditching, chopping wood and other hard labor, until he had accumulated several hundred dollars for that purpose. In 1865 he came to Muncie and began reading law in the office of Shipley & Kilgore. To keep down expenses he boarded himself in an obscure back room, and in order to husband his little store of money did such odd jobs of manual labor as time and opportunity offered. After beginning the practice of his profession he was elected jus- tice of the peace, which position offered a considerable advantage to a young man begin- ning the law."
"Mr. Sanders was admitted to the bar April 22, 1867, from which date until within a short time of his death, he continued the practice in Muncie very successfully, with the result of securing a large and lucrative business and ac- cumulating a handsome fortune. He pos- sessed strong, quick brain force and great determination, and few men would have suc-
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ceeded in life as he did, were they handicapped as was he from childhood up. In politics, he was a republican, and while strong in his faith at times asserted his independence of party. In religious matters he acted inde- pendently of churches and creeds, but always expressed himself as ready for death and be- lieved that he and his family would be happily reunited in the great beyond. Mr. Sanders took an active interest in the work carried on by the benevolent and secret societies, and among other positions held by him in such or- ganizations was that of great sachem of the Improved Order of Red Men of the state of Indiana."
"Mr. Sanders was married April 2, 1868, to Miss Millie J. Barnes, daughter of William and Eveline (Wachtell) Barnes, who proved a faithful and worthy helpmeet and whose ten- der ministrations during his years of affliction are well known and commended on all sides. They had no children. Mr. Sanders was a good citizen, a kind neighbor and a firm friend. He believed implicitly in the future of Muncie and rendered substantial aid to the various movements having for their object the upbuilding of the city. His death occurred, after a five weeks' illness, on the 14th day of November, 1892."
Additional to the above the following tribute to his worth as a man and citizen is taken from an address delivered by one who knew him long and intimately, on the occasion of his funeral: "He was a great student of the mysticisms and theologies of the past and present. He was not a believer in the creeds and dogmas of church as commonly told, but he was often heard at the shrine of the be- loved order in whose faith he died reverently to proclaim 'I believe in the Great Spirit.'
"His soul was content in the faith that the Father who knew of the errors of his children would more certainly bless their virtues and
forgive their shortcomings. His life was a model of faith. It was strong, hopeful and lasting. He went down through the valley and shadow of death conscious of his approach- ing end. At the River he lingered for a mo- ment. His passage was not obstructed, but his soul looked once more upon the relatives and friends whom he had so shortly told he would meet in his eternal home on the other shore. The grave had no terrors for him and he awaited death as one friend waited for another."
Mr. Sanders had only turned the meridian of life; he had struggled with poverty and suffered with bodily afflictions as few of the sons of men ever did. In every station he filled he reflected honor upon himself and the community, and in the true sense in which the term is used his life was indeed a most signal success.
R EV. WILLIAM GEORGE SCHMIDT, pastor of the St. Lawrence Catholic church of Muncie, is a native of Ger- many, born in the province of Nas- sau, on the 5th day of February, 1852. His father, Christian Schmidt, also born in Ger- many, was by occupation a carpenter, and came to the United States in 1856, locating first in New York, thence moving to Wisconsin and working at his trade in both of these states. He returned to his native country in 1860, and one year later brought his family to the United States and settled at the town of Mineral Point, Wis., where he followed his calling until his death, which occurred on the 29th day of January, 1862. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Blum, came to Muncie, Ind., and resided with her son, William George, until called to her final rest, October 31, 1889. Christian and Elizabeth Schmidt were the
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parents of six children, namely: Mary, de- ceased; Elizabeth, John, William, Margaret and Nettie.
Rev. William George Schmidt received his early education in the schools of his native country, which he attended for three years, and the schools of Mineral Point, Wis., where he pursued his studies for two years after coming to the United States. Subsequently, he attended a denominational school of his church for one year, and then became a student of Calvary college, Fon du Lac, Wis., in which institution he pursued his studies for a period of two years with the object of entering the priesthood. For some time thereafter he was engaged as salesman in a mercantile house at Warren, Ill .; later was similarly employed for a limited period at Dodgeville, Wis., and then entered the seminary of St. Francis, at Mil- waukee, of which he remained a student for three and one-half years. He continued his theological studies for two and one-half years at Mt. St. Mary's seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio, and after completing his course in that institu- tion, was ordained priest on the 19th day of December, 1874, and given his first charge at Muncie, Ind. He assumed pastoral control of the church in this city on the 28th day of Jan- uary, 1875, since which time his success in building up the St. Lawrence congregation has been most gratifying. He found a church com- paratively weak in numbers and meeting for worship in an old and somewhat indifferent structure, but under his judicious leadership the congregation has increased very rapidly, making the erection of a building of enlarged proportions a necessity. For some time Father Schmidt has been compelled to hold two serv- ices each Sabbath in order to accommodate the worshipers, and he is now building a mag- nificent structure, which, when completed, will be one of the largest and most imposing church edifices in Muncie, and will cost at least
$35,000, and stand an enduring monument to the energy, perseverance and wise forethought of a beloved pastor. Father Schmidt is a man of broad and liberal views, a fluent and logical pulpit orator, a wise and faithful pastor, and, since locating in Muncie, has greatly en- deared himself to the members of his immedi- ate flock and earned the good will of all, irre- spective of church or creed.
EORGE SHAFER, a deceased pio- neer of Centre township, Delaware county, Ind., was a native of Wur- temberg, Germany, born February 25, 1800. His parents, too, were both natives of Wurtemberg. His father, John A. Shafer, was born January 15, 1775, and his mother, Sabina Leiben (before marriage), was born December 2, 1772. By this union George was the eldest of eight children-three sons and five daughters-namely: George, Catha- rine, Adam, Rosanna, Christina, Barbara, Sa- bina and Jacob, all of whom grew to maturity, married and became heads of families. With this large family, having but limited means, John A. Shaffer thought best to emigrate to the new world. Accordingly, on the 19th of September, 1819, they left their native country, went to Amsterdam, Holland, and there took passage on ship-board for Baltimore, Md., where they arrived February 25, 1820-the twentieth birthday of the subject of this sketch. Promptly thereafter they proceeded to Ohio-first, by wagon to Brownsville, Pa , on the Monongahela river, and from there by flatboat to Portsmouth, Ohio. Here his father, John A. Shafer, at first rented land near Portsmouth and began farming. How- ever, after a brief period, he purchased 100 acres in the same vicinity, and commenced clearing and cultivating. Thus in the acqui-
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sition of property they prospered, yet sorrow and sadness awaited their household. Mrs. Shafer, the mother, died in the fall of 1822, a little more than two years after their arrival. Ten years subsequently, Father Shafer re- moved to Hamilton county, Ind., where, until his death, July 8, 1870, he continued to live. In the spring of 1832-the same year his father removed to Hamilton county-George Shafer came to Delaware county., Ind. After enter- ing 160 acres, about one and a half miles to the west of the then village of Muncietown, and after engaging some neighbors to build for him a cabin, he returned to Ohio for his family. Early in the fall of that year found them all comfort- ably settled at their new Indiana home. And upon this land he resided until his death, proud of holding his title by a deed from the hand of President Jackson, for whom he cast his first ballot. Prior to his removal to this county, on September 27, 1827, he wedded Miss Martha Wilcoxon, of Scioto, Ohio, and by this union, on September 19, 1828, their little daughter, Margaret, was born. Subsequent to their arri- val, four other children came to bless their pioneer home, namely: Sabina Leiben, born October 19, 1834; Levin W., born August 8, 1837; John Willard, born July 27, 1842; and lastly Louisa Ann, born May 27, 1845,. But sorrow and sadness awaited another prosperous, happy fireside. Baby, Louisa Ann, died Sep- tember 3, 1846, and August 18, 1848, followed Martha, the fond wife and mother. A second time Mr. Shafer gave his hand in marriage, on May 11, 1851. Catherine Bradrick this time became his companion and helpmeet. She was born July 8, 1808. She proved a genial, faith- ful wife while she lived, but she, too, was called from the shores of Time, dying October 11, 1879. Three children survive the last marriage, namely: Margaret, wife of Hiram W. Weir, a prosperous farmer of Mount Pleasant township; Levin W., a successful attorney of Greenfield,
Dade county, Mo., and John W., a sketch of whom appears below.
Mr. Shafer was a man of great industry and severe toil, caring well for his family. To schools and the advancement of education he was ever a friend, and to public enterprises having an advancing tendency he ever gave a cheerful support. He was a man of peace and good will to all, and never in his life participa- ted in a case of litigation. In religion he was a Lutheran, but in 1849, his belief being modi- fied, he united with the Wesleyan Methodists, and until the time of his death he adhered to the doctrine of that denomination. In politics he was a democrat. The death of this veteran pioneer occurred September 16, 1891.
J OHN W. SHAFER, son of George and Martha (Wilcoxson) Shafer, was born in Centre township, Delaware county, Ind., June 27, 1842. He received a practical English education in the common schcols and grew to manhood on the home farm, where he early learned those lessons of industry and thrift by which his subsequent years have been characterized. At the age of twenty-two he began the pursuit of agriculture upon his own responsibility upon the old home- stead, where he has ever since resided, and which he now owns. He looked after his par- ents' interests in their declining years, and, November 22, 1874, was united in marriage with, Miss Mary E. Howell, of Mount Pleas- ant township, where her birth occurred, April 21, 1853. Mrs. Shafer is the daughter of Dan- iel and Mary (Mckinley) Howell, a mention of whom will be found elsewhere in these pages. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Shafer have been born four children, namely: George D., Bessie, Robie W. and Lina.
On the 24th day of May, 1864, Mr. Shafer
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enlisted in company G, One Hundred Thirty- fourth Indiana volunteer infantry, for the hun- dred days' service, and was honorably dis- charged at Indianapolis, September 2, of the following year. He has devoted all his life to agriculture and stock raising, and is one of the representative citizens of Delaware county. He owns a fine farm of 120 acres of valuable land, upon which are some of the best improve- ments in the township. Mr. Shafer's influence in the community has always been salutary, and he is held in high esteem by a large circle of friends in the township where he resides. From his parents, he naturally inherited gen- erous impulses and a sympathizing heart, which, combined with pure aims and honorable dealings, have made him a friend to all with whom he has had business or other rela- tions. He is a member of Muncie tribe, No. 144, Improved Order of Red Men, and he has always been an earnest friend and liberal patron of all movements having for their aim the general welfare of the community.
EE SHAW, the principal facts of whose career are herewith set forth, is the efficient secretary of the Mun- cie Natural Gas company, and one of the city's well known and popular business men. His father, Isaac M. Shaw, a native of Ohio, moved to Wayne county, Ind., in 1847, and for some years thereafter carried on a suc- cessful fanning mill manufactory at Centre- ville. Subsequently, he embarked in the mer- cantile trade at Winchester, Ind., with but very little knowledge of the business; his venture proved a financial failure, entailing an almost complete loss of the savings of many years of industry. After the loss of his wealth, which at the time of commencing merchandising was considerable, he followed various enterprises
until his death, which occurred in the year 1872, at Winchester. Isaac M. Shaw was married about the year 1840 to Margaret Ash- well, of Morrow county, Ohio, who departed this life in 1886, at the age of seventy-four years. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Shaw four are living at this time, viz. : Lee, Benjamin F., Elmer and Melcena, wife of W. W. Wilson, of Farmland.
Lee Shaw was born April 6, 1845, in Mor- row county, Ohio, and was brought to Indiana by his parents when two years of age. In the schools of Centreville and Winchester, which he attended at intervals until his sixteenth year, he obtained the rudiments of an English education, and at the early age of twelve, by reason of his father's business failure, he was thrown upon his own resources, from which time until sixteen he was variously em- ployed. About the year 1861 he went into the office of the Big 4 railroad at Winchester (then the Bee Line) as errand boy and general helper, etc., in which capacity he continued for two years, and then began learning teleg- raphy, soon becoming quite proficient as a manipulator of the key. His first and only position as an operator was at Anderson, where he remained a short time, then entered the employ of the United States Express company as messenger, and later acted as agent for the same at different points for a period of thirteen years. For four years he had exclusive charge of the money department of the company at Indianapolis, but owing to failing health, superinduced by too close attention to the duties of the posi- tion, he was compelled to resign, after which for one year he had charge of the office at Muncie. Severing his connection with the express company, Mr. Shaw next entered the railway service of the Bee Line (now Big 4) road, and for some years was local agent at Anderson, Union City and Muncie, in the or-
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der named. In January, 1887, he retired from the road and became secretary of the Muncie Natural Gas company, organized that year, and has since held that position, dis- charging the duties incident thereto with credit to himself and satisfaction to the corporation. Mr. Shaw is an accomplished business man, fully alive to the interests of the company with which he has so long been identified, and is thorcughly familiar with all details pertain- ing to the natural gas business. Since taking charge of the books of the corporation, he has ยท instituted a number of new and greatly im- proved methods relative to consumers and their accounts, his services in this regard alone being highly valuable to the company in econ- omizing both time and expense, besides being duly appreciated by the public. Politically Mr. Shaw's allegiance is with the republican party; fraternally he is a Mason of high standing, having taken a number of degrees in the order, including that of Sir Knight. In the year 1874 he was united in marriage to Miss Rose Ross, daughter of John H. and Rebecca (Fleming) Ross; two children, Lottie and Amie, are the result of the union.
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RANVILLE W. SHEPP, the efficient chief of the fire department of Mun- cie, Ind., was born in Dayton, Mont- gomery county, Ohio, September 1, 1857, a son of B. F. and Fily (Cliclince) Shepp, who both were born in Shenandoah county, Va., near Stanton, and when children taken to Ohio, where they were reared. They were married in Washington, Fayette county, Ind., where Mr. Shepp engaged in farming until 1872, when he located in Delaware county, Ind., which was his home until 1892, when he removed to Muncie, of which city he is now a resident. He and his wife are the parents of
fourteen children, thirteen of whom survive. Politically Mr. Shepp, Sr., is a republican, and was a soldier in the late war. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church.
Granville W. Shepp was reared in Dayton, Ohio, until the age of seventeen years, receiv- ing only a limited education. He then engaged in teaming, but removed to Delaware county, Ind., in 1872, and in 1882 engaged in teaming in the Cumberland mountains in Kentucky. August 1, 1883, he returned to Delaware county, entering the fire department of the city of Muncie, driving the hose wheel from August to October, at which time he took the posi- tion of driver of the chemical engine and re- tained it until 1891. On June 8, 1891, he was appointed chief of the department, and so faithfully did he perform the duties of the posi- tion that he was elected in 1892. Mr. Shepp was married August 22, 1880, to Miss Emma F. Safer, who was born in Centre township, April 17, 1863, daughter of Martin and Mi- nerva (Wireman) Shafer, natives of Pennsylva- nia and Indiana, of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Shepp are the parents of three children -Carl W., Nellie F. and Lone F. Socially Mr. Shepp is a member of the Foresters, be- longs to Preston lodge of Red Men, No. 145 and is a Knight of Pythias. Politically Mr. Shepp is a republican and a stanch supporter of party principles. Mrs. Shepp is a consist- ent member of the the Baptist church.
ILLIAM P. SHERRY is the son of David and Cynthia A. (Kirkpatrick) Sherry, and was born on the Missin- nawa river, near the town of Eaton, Union township, Delaware county, Ind., Janu- ary 28, 1841. His early life was principally spent in Union and Niles townships in clearing
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up the wild waste of woods of that section, and in other labor, with all the attending joys and privations incident to the early settlement of the county. In consequence of this, and in common with other boys of that time, he had only the benefits of the common schools about three months in the year, hence received only the elementary branches of education. He had just started for himself by working on a farm by the month when the late war began. He enlisted in the spring of 1862, in company K, Thirty-sixth Indiana volunteer infantry, under Capt. Milton Peden, for a term of three years. His regiment was attached to the army of the Cumberland at Camp Wickliffe, near Bowling Green, Ky., and participated in nearly all of the great battles of the south and west, his first battle of note being that of Shiloh, where for two memorable days he was constantly under fire, the next being the battle of Cornith, Miss., whence he followed the rebel army, under Gen. Braxton Bragg, through the states of Ala- bama, Tennessee and Kentucky, and sharing in all the skirmishes and various engagements in the record of the marches and countermarches of this famous organization at different points on the great map of its bloody field of opera- tion, notable amongst them being the battle of J'erryville and Wild Cat Mountains, Ky., also Nashville and Stone River, Tenn. On the his- toric field of Stone River Mr. Sherry was wound- ed December 31, 1862, by a minie ball, which passed through the right leg below the knee. He was then sent to the hospital at Nashville, Tenn. After being wounded he was for three hours within the rebel lines and was not taken from the field until the foe was driven back by the Union forces. He returned to his command at Camp Cripple Creek, Tenn., and afterward par- ticipated in the battles at Chattanooga, Chicka- mauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and later on in the famous Atlanta campaign, which lasted one hundred days and nights, in
which some portion of the army was engaged at different points, some of which were Tunnel Hill, Resaca, Rocky Face Ridge, Kenesaw Moun- tain, Atlanta, Jonesboro and Lovejoy's Station. At this latter point the time of service of the Thirty-sixth Indiana regiment expired and Mr. Sherry was transferred to company A, Thirty- first Indiana volunteer infantry, to serve out his unexpired term, and went with it, in the com- mand of Gen. Geo. H. Thomas, in pursuit of the rebel army under Gen. Hood. He took part in the decisive battle of Franklin, Tenn., after which the army fell back to Nashville, where Hood's army was defeated by Gen. Thomas. The Thirty-first Indiana was then sent to Knoxville, Tenn., where, in the spring of 1865, our subject's term of enlistment expired, and on his return home he had the pleasure of hearing the big guns firing a salute in glorifica- tion of the fall of Richmond. After his arrival he engaged to work in a saw mill for Henry and Jacob Stiffler, in Monroe township, Delaware county. Here he married, December 13, 1867, Miss Susan Ross, daughter of William Perry Ross, of Monroe township, and engaged in farming in that township until 1873, when his wife died and was buried in Rees graveyard, on White river. Four children were born to them; three died in infancy and rest beside their mother.
In the year 1874 Mr. Sherry removed to Mount Pleasant township, where he also en- gaged in farming for six years, and afterward he farmed with John Cassell in the west part of Centre township for four years, and still later on with Jacob Keesling, and then purchased a farm at or near the "Six-mile house," in Ham- ilton township. He continued in this voca- tion more or less until his election as sheriff of Delaware county, in November, 1892. In politics Mr. Sherry has always been a republi- can, and cast his first vote for Gen. Grant, having been in the army when he first became
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of voting age. He received the next highest number of votes when O. H. Swain was nomi- nated for sheriff, and at the subsequent contest he was nominated over all competitors by a large plurality, and ran ahead of his party ticket at the general election. He assumed charge of his office on August 28, 1893, with his son, Milton Sherry, as his efficient and courteous deputy. Mr. Sherry has well earned all hon- ors thus bestowed by a life of good and con- scientious citizenship, and a faithful and honorable service as a soldier for the perpetu- ation of the Union, and is now a member in good standing in Williams post, No. 78, de- partment of Indiana, G. A. R. and the I. O. R. M. at Muncie, Ind.
His father, David Sherry, was born in southern Ohio in 1813, and died in June, 1893, lacking but twenty days of being eighty years of age. He moved with his father, Daniel Boone Sherry, the grandfather of William P. Sherry to southern Indiana when a small boy, and settled first in Ripley county, and later moved to Rush county, Ind., followed farm- ing, and there the father of our subject was married to Cynthia Ann Kirkpatrick, as afore- said, and soon thereafter moved to Union township, Delaware county, Ind., where he entered eighty acres of land-this was about the year 1835. The grandfather, Daniel Boone Sherry, came with his family at about the same time and passed the balance of his life there, leaving four sons and one daughter: Absalom, Nicholas, John, Sarah, and David, who have all died. The old man and all his sons were honest, hardworking men, good citizens and were especially noted as hunters.
Sheriff Sherry is the youngest of three children-a sister, Melissa, who married John- son Hazelbaker and who died soon after her marriage, leaving no children, and John W. Sherry, who is now a farmer in Ness county, Kan. His father married for his second wife
La Rue Battrell, who bore him a son and daughter: Daniel B. Sherry is a well educated man and is engaged in farming and school teaching, also in Ness county, Kan .; Sarah is the wife of David Snider, a prosperous farmer of Blackford county. His father was a mem- ber of the Dunkard church, and, like those of that persuasion, was an honest man and good citizen.
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