USA > Indiana > Clark County > Baird's history of Clark County, Indiana > Part 22
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Jacob Eberts, whose life, like that of his brother, has been closely inter- woven with the business and industrial interests of Clark county and who, as already indicated, is now associated in some of the largest business enter- prises in this part of the state, was also a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting at St. Louis in 1861 and serving for a period of four years and five months ; three months with the Fourth Missouri Infantry, thirteen months in the First Regiment, United States Reserve Corps, Missouri Volunteer, and three years
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and one month in the Second Missouri Battery, spending his last five months in the army on the frontier, guarding the settlers against the hostile Indians. He witnessed the construction of the first five miles of the Union Pacific Railroad, saw the building of the first locomotive on the Iron Mountain Rail- road System, besides participating in many daring adventures and thrilling experiences during his long and strenuous period of service in behalf of his ·adopted country. He married Eliza Baumbarger, of Henryville, and is the father of three living children, Carrie, wife of George B. Parks, County At- torney of Clark county; John J., who is engaged in business at El Paso, Texas, and Edith, who is still with her parents.
Both Jacob and Conrad Eberts belong to the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, and in religious matters are zealous and respected members of the German Reformed church, taking an active interest in the congregation to which they belong and contributing liberally to its material support. Politically they are Republicans, but not partisans, nor have they ever asked for office at the hands of their fellow citizens or aspired to leader- ship.
Conrad Eberts, Sr., spent the closing years of his life in Jeffersonville, where his death occurred at the ripe old age of eighty-one; his mother, who accompanied him to the city, departed this life when eighty-four years old.
CHARLES F. ANTZ.
Like many of America's progressive men of affairs, Mr. Antz is of foreign birth, being a native of Oberdam Winesburg, Wurtemburg, Germany, where he first saw the light of day on December 2, 1850. His father, Charles F. Antz, was a man of high standing and wide influence in his town, having been a successful lawyer for a number of years and later a judge of the highest court of his province, which office he was holding at the time of his death in the year 1853. Subsequently in 1854 the widowed mother and her two children, a son and a daughter, came to the United States and located in Louisville, where for some years she was obliged to rely upon the hardest kind of manual labor in order to rear her children respectably and provide for their education. Later she became the wife of Charles Schiffer, of Jef- fersonville, a very worthy man who came to this city in 1860 and made it his place of residence until his death in the year 1885, Mrs. Schiffer depart- ing this life on the 3d day of November, 1907. The two children born to her first marriage were Katie, who died in 1880, and Charles F., whose name introduces this sketch. By her marriage with Mr. Schiffer she had three children, two daughters, the older being Mrs. Emma Quick, the younger Mrs.
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Carrie, both living in Jeffersonville, and a son, Louis Schifler, died in 1904, at the age of thirty-six years.
Charles F. Antz was but four years of age when brought to the United States and from that time until attaining his majority he spent the greater part of his life in Jeffersonville, receiving the meanwhile a practical edu- cation in the city schools, though his opportunities in this direction were rather limited. In 1862 he engaged to drive a government train in conveying soldiers and war supplies to the scene of action and later drove an express wagon until the year 1867, when he resigned his position and entered the Ohio Falls Car Works to learn the moulder's trade. Applying himself closely to his work he made such rapid progress that at the age of twenty he was con- sidered one of the most efficient moulders in the city, his wages at that time ranging from six to eight dollars per day. He continued his trade until the panic of 1873, when his trade was rendered no longer profitable and he accepted employment as a hod-carrier in the building of the quarter-master's department, United States Army, on the completion of which job he returned in 1883 to his work in the foundry, where he remained during the ensuing years commanding high wages the meantime and filling one of the most important positions in the moulding department. Severing his connection with the foundry in March, 1884, he made a trip to San Antonio, Texas, where he purchased two car loads of Texas ponies, which he brought to Jeffersonville and sold at a handsome profit, which marked the beginning of his career as an enterprising and successful trader and business man. During the several fol- lowing years he traded and sold in various parts of Indiana, Missouri and Illinois, coming in contact with the people and acquiring a practical knowledge of business which proved valuable to him, not only at the time, but after- wards. On retiring permanently from his trade he melted his tools, declaring that never again would he enter a foundry as a workman, a resolution to which he has adhered strictly ever since.
Shortly after his business experience in the states above mentioned, Mr. Antz engaged in the saloon business in Jeffersonville and during the ensuing fifteen years devoted his attention to that line of trade, meeting with encour- aging financial success and becoming known as a progressive man of affairs. In 1890 he was one of the nine men who incorporated the Jeffersonville Ice Company, an enterprise which continued under the original management until 1897, when he bought out the last of the stockholders' interests and became sole proprietor. Since taking possession of the plant he has added greatly to its capacity and built up a large and lucrative business, the present daily output being twenty-seven tons of excellent high grade ice, all of which finds ready sale in the city, the factory being taxed to the utmost to supply the con- stantly increasing demand. The improvement in the plant have kept pace with the steady growth of the business and under the judicious oversight of
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the present proprietor it has become a very valuable property, one of the larg- est and best of the kind in the southern part of the state. with encouraging, prospects of still greater growth in the future.
Financially Mr. Antz's success has been commensurate with the energy and sound business ability displayed in the management of his affairs, being at this time one of the substantial and well-to-do men of the city, with a suffi- ciency of material wealth to place him in independent circumstances. In addi- tion to his manufacturing plant and other business interests he owns a beau- tiful and commodious modern brick dwelling erected in 1902 on the lot ad- joining the ice plant and is well situated to enjoy the results of his many years of well directed profit. The former presiding spirit of the comfortable and luxurious home was the amiable lady to whom he was joined in the bonds of wedlock in the year 1872, and who previous to that time was Elizabeth Green- agle, a native of Wayne county, New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Antz were born five children, namely: William C., who is engaged in the ice business in Jeffersonville; Anna M., her father's housekeeper; Edith who has charge of the books in her father's establishment: George, who holds a position in the factory, and Walter, a student in the Manual Training School of Louis- ville. William C., the oldest of the family, is married and is the father of two children, Gertrude and Kenneth, his wife having formerly been Daisy Akers, daughter of Charles Akers, of Jeffersonville. Mrs. Antz, who was an exemplary wife and mother, and a devoted member of the German Lutheran church, departed this life on the 5th day of September, 1904, since which time the household has been looked after and successfully managed by the · daughter, Anna, a young lady of high social standing.
Politically Mr. Antz is a Democrat and as such has taken an active part in county and municipal affairs, representing the third ward four years in the City Council and proving an able and untiring worker while a member of that body. At the age of twenty-one he was initiated into the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias and has been an active member of the fraternity from that time to the present. He is also identified with the uniform rank of the order, besides holding membership with the Benevolent . and Protective Order of Elks and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in both of which societies he has been from time to time honored with important official positions. He. was one of the organizers of the society known as the Knights and Ladies of Washington, and has been prominent in the affairs of the same. holding at this time the office of treasurer of the supreme body in the United States. In his religious belief he subscribes to the Lutheran creed, himself and family being members of the church of that name in Jeffersonville.
Mr. Antz is interested in various business enterprises in Jeffersonville and elsewhere, being a stockholder in the New Albany Ice Company and in the American Machine Company of Louisville, besides owning considerable valu-
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able real estate in these cities to say nothing of his large private means, all of which bear witness to his mature judgment and sound financial ability. He is in the best sense of the term a self-made man as few started in life with poorer prospects.
THE MERIWETHER FAMILY.
Those who read the history of the United States, including the period of discovery, the subsequent settlement, the colonial times and event- ually the great work of development that followed the establishment of the Union, will frequently come across the name Meriwether, Sometimes it is a soldier fighting the battles of England against the French and Indians, then a patriot taking part in the struggle for independence; bleeding at the crossing of the Delaware, starving at Valley Forge, suffering the privations of the march through the western wilderness under the banner of George Rogers Clark. Then we find these heroic descendants of worthy sires, filling high places in the state, as representatives of the Federal government, members of the Legislature or Congress, governors, administrators and promoters of the great industrial enterprises. The Meriwethers were especially conspicuous during the formative period of the Republic, and we hear of them in Ken- tucky and Indiana, when the Indians were still on the war path, when the woodsman's ax awakened the echoes in the lonely glens, before the buffalo had crossed the Mississippi, and while Daniel Boone was endeavoring to plant the white man's standard in the regions of the Blue Grass. It was one of this patriotic family that Jefferson selected to lead his celebrated exploring expedi- tions to the mouth of the Columbia river, an expedition that resulted in ac- quiring the Oregon country for the United States, and which made possible that American possession of the Rocky Mountain regions, with its romantic and dramatic developments, that give such fascination to the era of discovery and settlement in the times of Bonneville, Bridges, Sublette, and other heroic spirits. During ten generations of North American history there has not been a time when some man with Meriwether blood in his veins was not acting a conspicuous part in the great drama unfolded by the occurrences of the last three centuries.
It was Nicholas Meriwether, born in Wales, in 1678, to whom this coun- try is indebted for the red blood that enriches so many men and women dur- ing the troublous years that succeeded the first settlements on the Atlantic. Nicholas, his namesake, and one of three sons, reared a family of children and became a man of vast wealth. He owned one tract of land near Char- lottesville, Virginia, 'that included seventeen thousand nine hundred and fifty- two hundred acres and many other thousand acres in other sections, besides
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horses and immense numbers of cattle. This Nicholas, of the second genera- tion, lived to the advanced age of ninety-seven years, was a figure of conse- quence during the period of his activities and left descendants well worthy of his name. One of his sons was Col. David Meriwether, who married Anne Holmes, and became the direct ancestor of the famous Meriwether Lewis, who went with Clark across the continent in 1803-4, on what was perhaps the most momentous exploring expeditions in the history of the world.
Another of his descendants was Col. Nicholas Meriwether, who was one of four American soldiers that bore General Braddock from the fatal field at Fort DuQuesne, when Washington was serving in his first important mili- tary expedition, as a subordinate officer of the Virginia troops. Still an- other Meriwether was with George Rogers Clark in his daring campaigns against Vincennes and Kaskaskia. The roll of governors of Kentucky, filled with glorious and heroic names, shows a Meriwether as one of the earliest and most enterprising of the state's executives. William Meriwether, a son of Colonel David, married Martha Wood and died in 1790 on a large farm near Louisville. His son, William, married Sarah Oldham and after making two or three trips from the Virginia home, finally settled near Louisville in 1784.
It was the son of the latter, Dr. Samuel Meriwether, who settled in Jef- fersonville in 1813 and through his descendants became interwoven through all its subsequent local history. He served during the War of 1812 as a sur- geon in the Northwest Territory and subsequently became chief of the land office at Jeffersonville and receiver of the public moneys. He was a leader in founding the Presbyterian church at Jeffersonville, buying ground for the site and otherwise contributing liberally to the enterprise. He was the first and for many years the only elder and clerk, holding the flock together in the face of many discouragements until it became a large and flourishing congregation. His sacrifices for the church and his stalwart Christian char- acter are commemorated for a marble tablet in the edifice which he helped to build and to which he devoted so much of his time and energy.
In 1813 Doctor Meriwether married Mary Lewis, by whom he had five children, one son and four daughters. One daughter became Mrs. J. H. McCampbell and mother of Mrs. Joseph M. Hutchinson. The son, Waller, Lewis, was born at Jeffersonville, Indiana, April 23, 1824, and during a long life was actively and influentially connected with the development of that city. For thirty-five years he was engaged in business as a druggist, and became the owner of considerable real estate, including the beautiful homestead in Clarks- ville, fronting on the Falls of the Ohio, which he built for a family residence. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and respected by all who knew him as an upright citizen. On December 10, 1846, he married Rebecca Keig- win, member of a very prominent family. She was the daughter of James Keigwin, Sr., a sister of Col. James Keigwin, Jr., and an aunt of James S.
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Keigwin. Mr. Meriwether died November 17, 1905. Only two children by this marriage are now living, Nora Elva, who married J. M. Glass, a former Mayor of Jeffersonville, is now a resident of Los Angeles, California.
Henry K. Meriwether, the surviving son, was born March 16, 1852, and grew up in Jeffersonville and after leaving school occupied a position in the First National Bank until his twenty-second year, when he went to Cincin- nati and engaged in the ice cream business, which he was compelled to aban- don on account of ill health. In 1878 he settled on a farm at Olney, Illinois, where he has since spent most of his time, though he still retains his home at Jeffersonville. He devotes his Illinois farm to stock raising, making a specialty of Hereford cattle and finds his chief pleasure in agricultural pur- suits, In 1877 he married Caroline, daughter of John C. Lewis, a county official at Cincinnati, and has three sons. Walter Lewis, who is married, lives on his father's farm at Olney; Samuel Eber is a resident of Los Angeles, and Henry Keigwin, familiarly called Harry, is also on the Illinois farm. The Jeffersonville branch of the Meriwether family has worthily sustained the reputation of an historic ancestry, by bearing bravely their share of life's bur- dens. In whatever department their lot was cast, as farmers, business men, officials of the county, members of the church, as plain citizens or officers they have always been found equal to the requirements and challenging both the respect and good will of the community in which they lived.
GEORGE W. LUSHER.
George W. Lusher was born in Floyd county, Indiana, near New Albany, August 27, 1846, being one of three children born to Michael and Mary (Knasel) Lusher. Michael Lusher, father of George W., was born in Switz- erland in 1812 and came to this country with his parents when he was five years old. Hetwas active in the affairs of life, making a success of whatever he attempted. His wife was born in Baden, Germany, on the Rhine river in 1832. She immigrated to America with her parents when seven years old. They attended the public schools of Floyd county and' were married in 1844. The other children besides George W. born to them were Carrie and M. D. Lusher, the former being deceased, and the latter a farmer of Jefferson county, Kentucky.
George W. Lusher attended the common schools in his native community until he was eighteen years old, receiving a good education, but being am- bitious for higher learning he entered the Hartsville Academy where he re- mained until he was twenty-two years old and where he made a brilliant record for scholarship.
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After leaving school he decided that his true calling and inclination lay along the peaceful lines of the husbandman, consequently he at once began farming on the land where he has ever since resided, giving it his undivided care and attention with the result that he has today one of the finest and best improved farms to be found in Utica township, highly improved in every respect, well drained and well fenced, and the soil produces as abundant crops as ever in the history of the place, which consists of one hundred and four acres, upon which general farming and truck growing are carried on with the care and skill that ever insures success and which yields the owner not only a comfortable living from year to year, but also enables him to lay up an ample competency for his declining years. The products raised here find a ready market near home, his vegetables especially being eagerly sought for, being always regarded as first class.
The residence of Mr. Lusher is a large brick structure that is well arranged for comfort and convenience, being substantial and well equipped with modern appliances, also nicely furnished. The other buildings on the place are up-to-date in every respect, so that all in all, Mr. Lusher has one of the most desirable places to be found in this locality.
George W. Lusher was united in marriage on May 8, 1872, to Mildred A. Gilmore, a native of Floyd county, Indiana, a member of a fine old family. The following children have been born to this union: Lena Byron, wife of Fielding L. Wilson, of Jeffersonville; Maud J., wife of E. M. Frank; Charles died when twenty years of age; Edna is now living at home. Mrs. Lusher · is a talented woman, and she was a student of DePauw University.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Lusher is a member of the Masonic Order, Clark Lodge No. 40. He is a member of the Christian church and a liberal subscriber of the same. In politics he is a Democrat.
Mr. Lusher has ever been known as a loyal citizen and has done his share irr aiding the march of progress and development in this county, and sur- rounded by everything conducive to his comfort and happiness he has the un- bounded esteem and confidence of a community for the material, social and moral advancement of which so much of his life and interest have been de- voted and no man in Clark county is held in higher esteem than he.
WILLIAM E. COLLINGS.
Originally from Ireland the ancestors of the Collings family were early emigrants to America and settlers in various other states, and when William E. Collings and his family floated down the Ohio river they found no town on either side of the Falls of the Ohio in Kentucky or Indiana. They had to stop at the Falls because the water was too low to get over and they made a settle-
WILLIAM E. COLLINGS.
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ment in Clark county, the first family to locate there. The head of this pioneer household had a son named Kearnes and he also left a son of the same name, who was born in Clark county in 1823, on a farm, a portion of which is where the town of Underwood now stands. He died March 3, 1894, in the same house where he first saw the light of day and in which he spent seventy-two years of his life. His father bought the one hundred sixty acres from the gov- ernment at two dollars and twenty-five cents per acre. which is still in the pos- session of his grandson, and the latter has a valued souvenir in shape of the original sheepskin patent received from the government. Indians were still plentiful in Southern Indiana when the Collings settlers arrived and some of them were killed in the frequent fights that occurred. William E. Collings was an Indian fighter of note and was engaged against the band that perpe- trated the Pigeon Roost massacre. Everybody carried a gun in those days as a protection from wolves and other wild animals and one of these guns, handled down through three generations, is preserved as a precious heirloom by the owner, William C. Collings, a cousin of our subject. Kearnes Collings the second, was a well known man in Clark county and a farmer and timber man by occupation and prominent as a member of the Baptist church. The Underwood branch of this denomination, was organized in his house and he became a charter member both there and at Vienna. He was a great church worker and gave the ground on which two churches were built. He married Elizabeth Partin, who was born in Tennessee in 1847. By this union there were eight children, but by two previous marriages eight other children were born to Kearnes Collings.
William E. Collings, eldest of the children by his father's last marriage, was born at Underwood, Indiana, July 24, 1871. He inherited a part of the old homestead entered by his grandfather and cleared and improved by his father. In addition to farming he learned the carpenter's trade and has divided his time between these two occupations. On July 31, 1892, he was married to Maggie M., daughter of William H. and Cynthia (Mendenhall) Glessner, the former of Morgan and the latter of Marion counties, Indiana. Mrs. Collings is a native of the last named county, where her birth occurred July 20, 1873 .. Mr. and Mrs. Collings have three children, Charles W., born January 17, 1895, and died January 26th, in the same year ; Ruth G., born January 21, 1897, and Cynthia E., born January 21, 1902. Mr. Collings is justly proud of the patri- otic record of his ancestors, some of whom served in the War of the Revolu- tion, also the War of 1812, and in the Civil war of 1861. He also has just reason for recalling with pride the services of his direct line as pioneers in settling and civilizing Clark county. The farm he owns has been in the fam- ily for nearly a hundred years and no name is more highly respected in Clark county than that of Collings. Mr. Collings inherited his politics as well as his religion, being the latest representative of a long line of Baptist church people,
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while his wife affiliates with the Methodists. They live in a comfortable home in Underwood and cordially entertain all the friends who visit them.
SAMUEL NOBLE WOOD.
Among the self-made men in Clark county whose efforts have been influential in promoting the welfare of the community in which he lives, is Samuel Noble Wood, who has won success in life because he has worked for it and has exercised those qualities that always win out if properly and per- sistently applied, as has been done in his case.
Mr. Wood was born in Utica township, August 9, 1849. He is the son of Napoleon B. and Lucinda (Hay) Wood. They were natives also of Clark county, being among the pioneer families here.
Samuel Wood received his early education in the common schools of his native community, where he applied himself as best he could and laid a good foundation for his subsequent mental development, which has been done by coming in contact with the business world and by home reading. After cast- ing about for some time during his boyhood days in an effort to find just what line of work was best suited to his tastes he eventually became a stone contractor, which line of business he is still conducting in a most satisfactory manner, having handled some big jobs in Clark county. He understands thoroughly this line of work and has been very successful owing to his close application to business and his desire to please his patrons which he invariably does, always turning out high class work at reasonable charges. He is known as one of the leading stone contractors in this locality.
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