USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 2 > Part 11
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While living at Rock Island, Illinois, Mr. Sindlinger married Dora Saron, a native of Hamburg, Germany, who proved to be a helpmeet of great- est value during the first trying years at Shelbyville, and a wise adviser throughout her husband's successful career. Equally industrious with him- self she stood side by side with him in all the toil and planning which were necessary to bring good results. Of the five children born to them, only one survives, but he is a worthy son of a worthy sire. Charles P. Sindlinger was born at Cincinnati, Ohio. August 26, 1863. When his father removed to Shelbyville he was but a babe. As he grew up he was carefully trained in all the details of the business and celebrated his sixteenth birthday by killing his first bullock. Meantime. he had been attending the public schools and ac- quired all the education essential to his life work. In time he became a full partner in the business, showing clearly the possession of business ability of a high order. that his father felt satisfied to leave matters practically in his charge. December 4. 1894, he married Lillian, daughter of John and Louise M. (Chambers) Applas, who came to Shelbyville from St. Mary's, Ohio. They have three children : Frederick Lewis, Harold Applas and Doris Louise. Mr. Sindlinger succeeded Mr. Teal as director in the Farmers' National Bank. and holds a similar position in the Homestead Building Association, and the Springling Association, of Shelbyville. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, the Elks, and the Presbyterian church, and both himself and father were al- ways adherents of the Republican party.
VALENTINE POSZ.
After a long and vigorous life in active farm work. Valentine Posz has achieved not only success as a farmer. but holds also a high place in the es- teem of his neighbors and friends. He was born in Bavaria, Germany. Jan- uary 15, 1830, and is the son of John Adam and Margaret ( Shoemaker ) Posz, peasant farmers in that country. John Adam Posz was born June 6. 1800, and died in Shelbyville in 1879. He was a sturdy worker. a Democrat. and a good Christian gentleman, public-spirited and highly respected. His companion in life was also born in Bavaria in 1802, and was married to Mr. Posz in 1828. The following children were born to these parents : Valentine; Anna M., born in 1831, now deceased; Mary Ann, born in 1833. married Frank Flaitz, of Shelbyville; Elizabeth, born in 1836, married Jacob Deitzer, and is now deceased: Daniel, deceased, born in 1839; Margaret, deceased. born in 1843. married Jacob Haehl: Catherine, born in 1846. married John Deitzer, and is now a widow. All the children were born in Germany.
When the matter of leaving Europe for America was taken up by the
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family, Elizabeth was the first one to make the venture. She came over in 1851, followed the next year by Valentine and Anna M., and two years later by her parents and the rest of the family. Valentine and his sister came over in a sailing vessel which made the trip from Hamburg to New York in forty- three days. He then came on to Cincinnati, where he remained a year, after which he came to Shelby county.
In 1854 Mr. Posz was married to Margaret Becker, who was born in Germany March 13, 1837. She was the daughter of George M. and Kather- ine ( Westerman) Becker. She was born at Moerheim, Germany, and came with her parents to America when but six years old. landing at New Orleans, having been on the water sixty-three days. Her father died two years after their arrival here, and the mother with the family continued the management of the farm until Margaret's marriage to Mr. Posz, who from that time as- sumed the direction of the affairs on the farm.
Nine children were born to this union: Mary married Daniel Callahan. a Shelby county farmer, and has four children, Albert, Catherine, Nora and Anna ; Katherine married William Gayheimer, a farmer living in Rush coun- ty. and has two children, Louis and Bertha : John Adam married Mary Gay- heimer and has two children, Emma E. and William Conrad : Emma married Edward Cotton and they have one child, Harry Edward; Margaret married John Gayheimer, and has two children, Ellen and Maud : Conrad married Louisa Kuhn, who has two children, Ethel Norah and Julia May; John George is at home; Barbara E. married Frederick Kulin, they live in this county and have four children. Julius, Carl, Edna and May. The ninth in order of birth of Mr. and Mrs. Posz's children died in infancy.
Eighty acres comprise Mr. Posz's present farm. He has lived on this farm for over fifty years: it is well improved. Mr. Posz's education was ob- tained in Germany, and his wide-awake spirit and industrious temperament placed him in the front rank as a farmer. He is an active church worker and for several years was a trustee of the German Evangelical church of Union township.
JULIUS EUGENE THEOBALD.
Among the many prominent and well known families of Shelby county, we here make mention of the one of whom Julius Eugene Theobald is a mem- ber. He is the son of Michael and Katherine ( Haehl ) Theobald, whose biog- raphy and the facts regarding their ancestry are found in another place in this work under the caption of George A. Theobald.
Julius was reared to manhood on the farm and was trained to hard work and frugal habits. His education was such as was afforded by the district
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schools of the vicinity and he profited by these meager opportunities, making. as has been his habit through life, the most of his privileges.
On March 24, 1889, he was joined in marriage to Susie A. Holbrook. She was born August 11. 1868, being the daughter of Robert W. and Amanda Holbrook, widely known residents of the county. Eight children have been born to this union. The first child died in infancy: Ella C. was born De- cember 9. 1891 : Laura A., born January 13. 1803 : Leola B., born February 9. 1895: Wallace F .. born November 9. 1897: Willard A., born November 8, 1900: Fay M. and Minnie May are twins, born September 4. 1906.
Mr. and Mrs. Theobald live on the old Theobald homestead, and this farm has received careful and effective attention. Mr. Theobald has given the conditions mest thorough consideration, and by means of drainage. clear- ings, rotation of crops, fertile soil, etc., has been able to make the farm a profitable proposition. Though not specializing in stock raising. Mr. Theobald has at times been the owner of excellent breeds of stock, and has managed to get good results from the industry.
Mr. Theobald is a member of the German Protestant church of Union township, and is one of its most loyal members. Mrs. Theobald belongs to the Christian Union church of Ray's Crossing. and contributes liberally of her time and means to further the advancement of the best interests of the church. Both husband and wife are widely acquainted in the county and held in high esteem by friends and neighbors.
Mr. Theobald is a Democrat in politics, but has no political aspirations. Quiet and unobtrusive, his greatest pleasure is found in the midst of his fam- ily though he retains warm friendships for all with whom he has a chance to make an acquaintance, and soon wins one's confidence by his sincerity of purpose.
JACOB KUHN, JR.
On May 13, 1810, there was born in the Province of Bavaria, Germany, George Michael Kuhn, the father of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. George's parents belonged to the farming class, but he received a good education and inherited the capacity for hard work and unabating energy. On January 22, 1834. he was married to Sophia Siapernagia, who was born in the same locality on May 15. 1811. Four children were born to them, viz: Conrad, Andrew W., John and Jacob, the last named being born August 4, 1849.
About this time the tide of emigration of German peasants to America was high, and after due deliberation Mr. Kuhn decided to take his family to try the much-talked-of realities of free America. Accordingly the family bade
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farewell to the Fatherland. boarded a slow sailing vessel and made the tedious voyage from Germany to New Orleans. From here they ascended by boat to Cincinnati, where they remained but a short time, coming on soon to Shelby county, where Mr. Kuhn bought some unimproved land in section 36, and set to work to establish his home in what was practically still a wilderness. Life in the New World was not a disappointment. Mr. Kuhn soon had matters under way. The family became active workers in the Evangelical Protestant church, of Union township, and Mr. Kuhn proved one of the successful farm- ers of the county. He died February 24, 1885. His companion in life passed to her reward April 1, 1894.
Jacob received a cominon school education and in 1878 was married to Mary L. Kuhn, daughter of George M. and Katherine ( Houck ) Kuhn. She was born December 5. 1860, and has become the mother of the following chil- dren : Michael Arno, born August 12. 1879, married Mahala Huntington, and lives in Liberty township. Shelby county. Indiana ; Emma Katherine was born January 26, 1881, and died November 1. 1883: Sarah Matilda was born on October 9. 1882. as was also her twin sister, Maria Sophia. Sarah Matilda departed this life February 1. 1884. George Rheinholt was born January 6, 1885; Elizabeth May, born February 25, 1887: Alice Laurie, born January 30, 1889; Clarence Jacob, born March 1, 1894: Idilla, born April 5, 1896: Claude Henry, born July 12, 1898, and Katie Ethel, born January 9. 1901.
The members of the family belong to the German church, and are well known throughout the community. Mr. Kuhn has developed his farm to a high degree of excellence, and is deeply interested in the general welfare of the neighborhood.
GEORGE THEOBALD.
The subject of this review has earned an honorable place in the company of self-made men of Shelby county. He has learned the great truth which so many fail to grasp-that energy is talent and time is capital.
George Theobald was born in this county November 26, 1862. being the son of Michael and Catherine ( Haehl) Theobald, both of whom were emi- grants from Germany. Michael Theobald was born in Rheinpfalz, Germany, March 13. 1820. He came alone to America in 1840, and was followed one year later by his parents. Upon his arrival here he located at Natchez. on the Mississippi, where he worked for some time at his trade as a butcher. From there he went to Cincinnati, where he was married, and where his first four children were born. He then came to Shelby county, Indiana, where he continued to live until the close of his days. He followed farming and stock buying after coming to Shelby county, and was an active, liberal and public-
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spirited citizen. a Democrat, but not an office seeker, and a member of the German Protestant church. His companion was also born in Rheinpfalz, Ger- many, in 1827. She came to this country with her parents, who located at Cincinnati, where she was married to Mr. Theobald. She became the mother of twelve children, of whom George was the ninth.
George Theobald received a common school education and was reared to manhood on the farm. When twenty-two years of age. December. 1884. he was married to Elizabeth Hurst, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hurst. She was born in Louisville in 1863, was reared to womanhood in Clark county, Indiana, and came to Shelby county in 1883. She died June 28, 1887. Her only son. Julius J., born September 12, 1885, married one of the daughters of George Haehl. and now lives in Rush county.
Mr. Theobald's second wife was Minnie Stickel, born November 26, 1870. She has become the mother of six children, as follows: Viola was born January 9, 1890: Edna. June 6. 1892. married to Chester Phares, a teacher in the county; Florence, born February 8. 1894: Earl Andrew, born August 11, 1898; Rosie, June 21, 1902 : William Charles. September 10, 1904.
Mr. Theobald has devoted himself to general farming and stock buying. He is a Democrat and takes an active interest in the political affairs of the community. His unimpeachable integrity and sound judgment have won for him the confidence and esteem of friends and acquaintances, and as a result he was called upon to serve as Township Trustee from 1900 to 1904, and filled the duties of the office to the satisfaction of every one. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order cf Odd Fel- lows fraternities, having filled all the important offices in both of these orders. He and his family are members of the German Protestant church, and are liberal and faithful in its support. Through these many sided activities, the family has won a merited place among the records of Shelby county's citizens.
JOHN V. PENTZER.
Prominent among the tillers of the soil in Hendricks township. who are pointed out as eminently successful agriculturists is John V. Pentzer, whose broad acres show that their owner has given them the most painstaking care and attention. He was born in this township July 11, 1859, a son of Solomon and Cecelia ( Dobbs) Pentzer. His father was a native of Maryland, while the mother was born in Ohio. When quite young Solomon Pentzer removed to Ohio, and settled on a piece of land about five miles distant from Dayton. where he followed carpentering in connection with agricultural pursuits, being a very handy man with tools. In 1848 he conceived the idea that he could
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better his condition by removal to Indiana, and coming to this state took up his abode in Hendricks township, and it was there he married. His wife was the daughter of John M. Dobbs, who came to Shelby county from Ohio. He purchased three hundred twenty acres of land and lived thereon up to the time of his death. The maiden name of his wife was Hannah Veazel, who came from Ohio. They both died in Hendricks township and were the parents of four children. namely: Dewitt C .. John M .. Perry P. and Cecelia.
Solomon Pentzer, the father of John V., had a common school education. Shortly after he came to Hendricks township he acquired eighty acres of land and constructed a brick house thereon. where he lived for the remainder of his life, his death occurring April 21. 1867. His wife followed him to the grave November 6. 1886. They had but one child. John V. The latter's parents were anxious that he should receive as good an education as it was possible to procure in those days of limited educational facilities, and he at- tended the common schools. He was married to Jessie F. McFerran. De- cember 29, 1882. She was born in Johnson county, and was the child of Thomas and Eliza ( Gulley) McFerran. Her parents moved to Hendricks township when she was quite young. The father died in 1880, while the mother passed away December 3. 1907. Three children were born to thein: Jasper, who died at the age of four years: Mary, wife of James Cutsinger. Hendricks township, and Jessie M .. now Mrs. Pentzer. The union of Mr. Pentzer and wife was blessed with three children-De Witt C., Toylie, who died January 30. 1906, aged fifteen years, and Vey Valnor.
Shortly after his marriage Mr. Peutzer located on a farm in Hendricks township, and remained there until the year of 1905. when he removed to his present well cultivated land which is located five miles southwest of Shel- byville on the Franklin and Shelbyville pike. He has been a farmer all his life, and a very successful one. He is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. of Shelbyville. Mr. Pentzer belongs to the Shelbyville lodge of Red Men, and also holds membership in the Eagles and Maccabees.
JESSE SHAW.
One of the largest land owners and best known citizens of Hendricks township, Shelby county. Indiana, is Jesse Shaw, of section 19. He was born in the township on January 17. 1840, and is a son of William and Mar- garet (Scott ) Shaw. William Shaw was born in Franklin county, Indiana. a son of William Shaw, Sr .. who came to Jackson township in 1819. re- maining there one winter and returned in 1820 and entered land in Jackson
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township, being among the first to make an entry. He spent the rest of his days on the farm in that community.
William Shaw, the father of the subject of this sketch, was the eldest boy born to his parents, and he was about seven years of age when his parents settled in the township. He remained at home, assisting his father in clear- ing away the forest until his marriage, when he removed to Hendricks town- ship and bought land. He married Margaret Scott. a daughter of Jesse and Sarah ( Collins) Scott, who were early settlers of Shelby county. The fol- lowing children were born to the union: Noah, deceased: John E. lives at Marietta, Indiana: Jesse: Hiram, dead: Sarah Ann married Monroe Dritt. both deceased: Mary Ann married E. P. Smith, both dead: James lives in Hendricks township; William, dead.
William Shaw was a well-to-de farmer and an expert stock raiser and was widely known as a man of honesty of purpose and clean personal life. He and his wife are now deceased.
Jesse Shaw was reared on his father's farm and received but little educa- tion.' In his early life he assisted his sire in improving the home farm. He was married to Esther Cochran, a native of Butler county, Ohio, and to them the following children were born: Martha Ann married John Tucker and lives in Hendricks township: they have one child. Jesse. William, who lives in Hendricks township, married Martha Tucker and are the parents of the fol- lowing children : Harry, Bessie, Carl. Esta, Frank. Lillian and Jesse. Ander- ville lives in Shelbyville. married Frances Rose and they have one child, Robert. James, who is living at home. married Clara Atwood and has one child, Irene. Alice married George M. Phillips, lives in Hendricks town- ship and they have the following children: Artie. Esther, Dora ( dead) and Reba. Thomas lives in Shelbyville: he married Hattie Stoughton and has one child. Lora. Gertrude married Albert Luther and lives in Brandywine township. They have the following children: Morton. Helen, Juanita and Mynolia, the latter deceased.
Jesse Shaw has always been a resident of Hendricks township and is an extensive land owner. He has two hundred and forty acres comprising his home place, which is under fine cultivation and improved to a high degree. He also owns one hundred acres in another part of the township. He carries on general farming and stock raising and has considerable thoroughbred stock. He and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Protestant church at Marietta, and he has been a trustee of the congregation. He is a Demcerat and has been elected to various offices. He has been County Com- missioner and served six years and was identified with many progressive moves in the betterment of county affairs. He has always taken a deep in- terest in politics and has been chosen delegate to state and county conven-
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tions many times. As a man he stands high in the esteem of his fellow citi- zens and is loved and respected by all who know him. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Shelbyville.
GEORGE FUCHS.
A great deal has been said in behalf of the Germans who emigrated to America in the last century and the words of praise and commendation have not been at all misplaced. The steady, industrious and frugal sons of the Fatherland have indeed been important factors in the development of the American nation. In this respect Shelby county has been most fortunate. for she reckons among her citizens a goodly number of sturdy Germans, who were born abroad and also many more who are direct descendants of foreign ancestors. Among the latter we make mention of George Fuchs, whose name heads this review. He was born in Union township. March 28. 1862, being the son of John and Margaret (Henry) Fuchs. John Fuchs was born in Germany and came to America with his mother when still quite young. his father having died previous to the embarkation of the mother for America. The mother with her two children, John and Sallie, made the trip across the Atlantic in a sail-boat, having been over forty days in making the journey. They made their way to Cincinnati, where for some time the mother reinained and later was married to John Fuchs. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Fuchs removed to Shelby county, where the parents found things still in a primitive state. it being necessary to clear what ground they needed for use. Mr. Fuchs being a carpenter as well as a farmer, built his own cabin home, which is still standing on the old homestead. They affiliated with the German Lutheran church, and while the first church building was being con- structed the regular services were frequently held at the cabin home of Mr. Fuchs.
Margaret (Henry) Fuchs was born in Germany in 1827, having come to the United States with her parents when about eighteen years of age. The following children were born to her after her marriage to Mr. Fuchs: Kath- erine, Sallie, Margaret and Harrietta, all of whom are now deceased : Louise, wife of Daniel Meltzer; John, husband of Anna Kuhrt; George, cur subject, and Carrie, deceased.
George attended the district school of the neighborhood. applied himself to his studies and to all that he undertook in a diligent manner. In 1885 he was married to Louisa Theobald. daughter of Michael Theobald and wife, who are well known residents of the neighborhood. Lonisa was born on De- cember 27. 1860, and has become the mother of the following children: De-
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lores, who married Andrew Kuhn, a farmer of Rush county : Scott F. : Mon- roe F., deceased at the age of nine years; Orval C., deceased at the age of fourteen : Grace and Flora, and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Fuchs has been a farmer all his life and has much to show for his diligent and untiring efforts. He has not only done a great deal of hard work. but has managed to direct his efforts so as to bring the most effective results. He has been an active man in the community and is well known in political circles. He takes a lively interest in the affairs of the church and in all local questions. He is a Democrat politically, and has filled the office of Supervisor of the township.
As suggested at the beginning of this article, the Fuchs family have in George Fuchs a splendid example of that class of Germans that have done so much toward building up a strong and worthy civilization here in America.
HENRY WEINGARTH.
The above named gentleman was born in Bavaria, Germany, January 5, 1844. He was the son of Henry Weingarth, Sr .. and Barbara Zimplemann The former was a blacksmith and worked at his trade in France for seven years before starting out in business for himself in Germany, coming finally to America. He was a fluent speaker of the French language, and had intend- ed to make his home in St. Louis. Just a few days after landing at New Or- leans, in October, 1852, he was stricken with the yellow fever and in three days death claimed him as its victim. Two of his sisters that were with him were also taken ill of the same plague, but recovered.
The death of the father was quite a blow, leaving as it did the mother with a family of seven children, all of whom were born in Germany. They were as follows: Magdalena, who later died at Oakland, California: Cath- erine married Philip Beck, now living at Vallevista, California : Enima. now deceased, was the wife of Henry Favier ; Elizabeth, living in Pasadena, Cal- ifornia, married Alexander Edwards, the latter deceased; Henry, our subject : Jacob and George both died in California.
While on a visit to New Orleans. Henry's mother met the same fate as that of her husband twelve years before. She was stricken with the yellow fever, and died there August 15, 1867. After several years of work at whatever came to hand, Henry made his home with J. M. Brown, and con- tinned there until his marriage to Julia E. Theobald, daughter of Michael Theobald and wife, emigrants to America from Germany. Julia was born at Cincinnati, March 20, 1850, and was married to Mr. Weingarth on Wash- ington's birthday, 1868, and has become the mother of the following chil-
.
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dren : Albert, born November 27, 1868, married Maggie Schoelch : Charles H., born July 2, 1870. married Leah Waters and died January 10, 1900; George, born September 6, 1871, married Etta Nelson, now living at Morris- town; Catherine R., born October 5. 1872, married John H. Brown, of Rush county : Nora H., born April 29. 1875; Emma C. E., born November 23. 1876: Marie Louise, born February 21. 1879. married James H. Jeffries, of Rush county : William Fred. born October 2, 1880, married Bertha Bechstadt.
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