USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 107
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 107
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STEPHEN MAEGERLEIN is a native of Germany. born January 3, 1834, and is the third child of George and Margaret Maegerlein, also natives of Germany. At the age of thirteen years, Stephen was placed in a flouring mill, and served an apprenticeship to the milling business. In 1854, he emigrated to the United States, and followed various voca- tions until 1858, when he came to Indiana, located in Clay County, and thence came to Owen County, and commenced the milling business in a well-appointed establishment valued at $10,000. June 22, 1859, he wedded Mary Schmalz, a marriage which gave being to ten children --- Caroline, George, Alice, Mollie, John, Lottie, Hermenie, Arthur, Bertha and Ernest. Mr. Maegerlein has been a fairly successful man in the strife of life. He owns and controls a farm of 250 acres in this county, with good residence, well improved and well stocked, making a comfort- able home and valuable property. He is a highly respected citizen, and he and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
J. A. RALSTON, stock-dealer and member of the firm of Ralston & Co., was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, February 15, 1850, and is the fourth of the eight children in the family of John and Sarah (Scott) Ralston, the former a native of North Carolina, the latter of Pennsyl- vania, and respectively of Scotch and Irish descent. , Our subject passed his boyhood on the farm and in attendance at school. December 22, 1870, he wedded Miss Martha, daughter of Josiah and Fannie (Shuck) Neier, and a native of Owen County, Ind., as a result of which marriage . descended one child-Cora E. Since his marriage, Mr. Ralston has been principally engaged in the stock business; he is now handling English horses and sheep, together with short-horn Durham cattle. In March, 1877, he came from Jackson Township to this township, and is now pos- sessed of 320 acres of fine land, under good cultivation and improvement, which has been wholly acquired by Mr. Ralston's well-directed efforts and care. He is a man of many friends, and perhaps no enemies.
SAMUEL D. RICHARDS, M. D., was born in Spencer, Ind., Janu- ary 16, 1840, and is the second of the three children of Samuel and Ju- liette (Galway) Richards, natives of Kentucky, and of English descent. Our subject passed the early part of his boyhood on a farm, and when not so engaged attended the schools of the time, and so obtained a fair education. Afterward he went to the college at Waveland, Ind., but lacked the necessary means to complete the course. Having had a pre- dilection for medicine, he began that study under Dr. McNutt, a noted physician of Montgomery County, which he continued until 1861, when he enlisted in Company K, Eighth Illinois Infantry, and served until the
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battle of Fort Donelson, where he was wounded, and discharged in Feb- ruary, 1862. He afterward entered Rush Medical College, Chicago; graduated in 1864, and re-enlisted in Company A, Fifty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was soon made Hospital Steward, then Sergeant, serving as such until the close of the war. July 2, 1865, he married Miss Belle, of Owen County, daughter of Levi and Sarah Beem. Two children followed this union-Renos H. and Grace E. Au- gust 16, 1865, Dr. Richards located at Patricksburg, where he has a good practice. The Doctor is a Freemason, a Republican, and a farmer, hav- ing 285 acres in Clay, Owen and Morgan Counties. As a physician, he takes a leading place, and is a universally esteemed gentleman profes- sionally and in private life.
WILLIAM ROYER, merchant and proprietor of "Royer House," was born in Logan County, Ohio, August 13, 1831, and is the second of the eight children of John and Catharine (Funk) Royer, natives of Vir- ginia, and of German extraction. William was reared on the home farm until eighteen years of age, when he served three years to learn the tailor- ing trade, and afterward began business for himself. Soon after he moved to this State, and located in Bowling Green in 1852. December 7, 1854, he married Elizabeth Silvius, a native of Ohio, with an issue of three children, one of whom is living-John W. Mrs. Royer died Octo- ber 3, 1858, and March 10, 1859, Mr. Royer married Elizabeth Miller, a native of Ohio. This union was blessed with seven children-Elizabeth (Mrs. Coats), Lewis M. and Samuel M. (twins), Daniel Emery and Mary Emma (twins), Florence V. and Dennis. Mr. Royer has 780 acres of choice land in Owen and Clay Counties, all the result of his own well- directed and consistent labor. He also carries a stock of goods valued at $12,000, and does an annual business of $25,000. He began the mercan- tile business in 1861, and the hotel enterprise in 1865. Mr. Royer is an active citizen and able business man. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Royer of the Lutheran Church.
JOHN SCHMALZ, merchant, is a native of Germany, born June 12, 1823. He served an apprenticeship to the shoe-making trade, afterward spent five years in traveling through France and Switzerland, and before he became of age emigrated to this country, landing at New York in 1845, whence he moved to Bedford, Ohio. June 17, 1847, he married Christina Croft, a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Schmalz have six chil . dren-Mary Ann (Mrs. Geckeler), Emma L. (Mrs. Wark), Frederick L., George W., John A. and Charlotte C. After marriage, Mr. Schmalz continued to work at his trade, and in 1850 moved to Vandalia, in this county, for five years, whence in 1855 he came to Patricksburg. In 1878, he purchased an interest in the business of Frederick Coats, under the firm of Coats & Schmalz. He still labors somewhat at his trade, and spends much of his time on his farm of 400 acres in Owen and Clay Counties. Mr. Schmalz is a stanch Democrat, and cast his first ballot for Franklin Pierce in 1852. He was County Commissioner for three years, and is a very liberal, genial gentleman, as well as a inuch esteemed citizen. He and wife are consistent and honored members of the Lu- theran Church.
DR. J. N. SLOWN was born in Columbia County, Wis., February 11, 1854, and is a sou of John and Rebecca (Beem) Slown, the latter a native of this county, and of German extraction. When of sufficient age, Dr. Slown attended a graded school at Spencer, Ind., and afterward,
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at the age of eighteen, commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Wiles in Spencer, and continued the same two years, after which he entered the Indiana Medical College, at Indianapolis. On his return from col- lege he located at Cuba, and two years later moved to Patricksburg, where he is engaged in a growing and successful practice of medicine and surgery. September, 1876, he married Carrie Vandiver, by which union he had born to him two children-Albert (deceased) and Kenneth K. Dr. Slown has a fine farm of 180 acres in Clay County, which contains a good residence and various other improvements; it is also well stocked, and provided with farming implements. He is a gentleman of consider- able culture, and has a fine literary and medical library. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and an uncompromising Republican. Mrs. Slown is a member of the Christian Church.
SAMUEL A. SOMMERS, stock-raiser and farmer, is the twelfth of the thirteen children of Jacob and Martha (Ackerman) Sommers, the for- mer a native of Virginia, the latter of Pennsylvania. Our subject was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, January 14, 1837, and remained with his parents until after his majority, working on the farm and attending school, and, by their request, he took care of them until their respective deaths, in 1875 and 1877. In 1853, he emigrated to Indiana and located in this township, where he has since remained. The land was at that period almost a wilderness. Now he has a good, well improved and cul- tivated farm of 219 acres. January 20, 1861, he married Terry, daugh- ter of Herbert and Amy Bolin, by which union were born to them nine children-Martha, Amy, Adella, Susan, Mary, Olive, Harvey A., Joseph P., Jacob H. and Lydia Grace. Mr. Sommers is indebted to no one but himself for his advancement and progress, and he is an esteemed and worthy citizen. He and wife are members of the German Baptist Church.
DAVID SUMMERLOTT, farmer and stock-raiser, is the ninth of the fourteen children born to Michael and Mary (Rider) Summerlott, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Maryland, and both of German extraction. David came into the world October 28, 1824, in Holmes County, Ohio, was reared on a farm, and acquired the rudiments of education at the common schools. December 3, 1846, he wedded Miss Elizabeth. daughter of George and Nancy Hyett, and a native of Ohio, to which marriage succeeded eight children, four of whom are living. When Mr. Summerlott came to this county in 1854, the country was a virgin plain, the haunt of wild animals and fowls, but he has been a successful immigrant, now owning 160 acres of valuable land. well cul- tivated, stocked, improved and adorned, making a desirable home, and in the acquirement of which he has been indebted to himself alone, the maker of his own fortune. He is a liberal and esteemed citizen, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.
SIMON L. TRAVIS, Trustee of Marion Township, is the third of the nine children of John and Mary Ann (Masholder) Travis, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Simon dates his birth from May 3, 1848, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and was reared on a farm, with a fair education, his parents having moved to this State when he was six years old, and locating in this township. In 1854, they purchased a farm near Housertown, which is now a fully improved, cultivated, stocked and appointed property. Mrs. Travis died June 15, 1873, a member of the Lutheran Church, as was also Mr. Travis, who died June
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19, 1882. March 13, 1870, Simon L. Travis married Margaret A., daughter of J. G. and Margaret Hulett, and a native of this county; a union which produced two children-Silas A. and John O. Mrs. Travis died December 25, 1878, and June 26, 1879, Mr. Travis took as his sec- ond wife Leah C. Lautenschlager, a native of Rush County, Ind. To this second union followed two children-Myrtie F. and Florence A. Mr. Travis now resides at Housertown, engaged in the business of wagon- making. He is a radical Democrat, and is filling his second term as Township Trustee. Mrs. Travis belongs to the Lutheran Church.
JOHN A. WILLIAMS, M. D., is among the eminent representative men of the Fifth Congressional District, and there are none more worthy of extended mention. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Pirtle) Williams, who were natives of Tennessee and Indiana respectively. His father came to Owen County about 1840, and was married here in 1842. For a few years he followed stock-raising and farming, subsequently be- coming a practitioner of medicine, locating at White Hall, Owen County, where he remained until about 1856, when he removed to Lancaster, or Patricksburg, where he has since resided. He has been a man endowed with a strong physical constitution, and it is said he has lifted 1,400 pounds. He has accumulated a large property, owning at the present time over 1,500 acres of land. In politics, he is a Democrat, and in re- ligion a member of the Christian Church. He has been married three times, and is now living in retirement at Lancaster. The mother of our subject died October 1, 1855, leaving three children-Noel W. Williams, a prominent citizen of Spencer; John A. and William R., of Marion Township, the latter having been Superintendent of Schools of Owen County. They are all endowed with the iron constitution of their father, and are equally as strong in their fealty to the Democratic party. John A. was born in Monroe County, Ind., August 16, 1846, and is now in the prime of his life. Until sixteen years of age, he attended the common schools, and subsequently spent two years at the State University at Bloomington. He has been a student of medicine since nineteen years of age, and attended for two terms the State University of Medicine of Kentucky at Louisville. In 1870, he commenced the practice of his chosen profession with his father at Lancaster, but remained in associa- tion with him only a few months, since which time he has continued his practice alone. Dr. Williams has succeeded in establishing a large and successful business. He is progressive in all things, and notably so in his profession. All of the latest medical journals and books are found in his library, and the newest remedies and advanced theories are put to a practical test. His magnificent constitution comes into full play in the trying profession of medicine. He is ever ready to attend to its arduous labors, and has won a high place among the representative physicians of Indiana. He has also spent much study upon law. In the field of liter- ature, Dr. Williams has also won a high place. He is a great reader and student, and has accumulated a splendid library. He is a polished and fluent writer, many of his compositions being of a superior order. As a speaker, be is magnetic and eloquent, and is often called upon to fur- nish papers and debate in literary societies. In 1876, he prepared an address upon literature, which was delivered at Patricksburg, and was universally recognized as far superior to any paper ever delivered there. Upon the issues of the day, Dr. Williams has progressive and advanced ideas, is liberal in all things, generous to all matters of worth and merit,
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and a splendid representative of a self-made man. In politics, Dr. Will- iams has always been identified with the Democratic party, to the success of which he has always labored actively and earnestly, and to the ad- vancement of which, in county and State, he has been one of the leading factors. He has been mentioned often for prominent places by the party, but has always declined in favor of others. In the coming election of 1884, Dr. Williams will be a candidate for Congress from Owen County as the representative of the Fifth District, and will press his claims in an energetic manner. Dr. Williams deserves recognition for the long and faithful manner in which he has served his party, and again by the able attributes which he is well known to possess. If elected, he would be a representative of the best and loftiest interests of the whole people, and would reflect high honor upon the district. To charity and all benevo- lent societies Dr. Williams is a liberal giver. Many a poor soldier has been aided to secure a pension by his prompt and generous aid. In 1882, he dropped his large practice and went to Washington, securing the passage of a special act to relieve a poor and crippled soldier, ob- taining for him $3,000 and a monthly pension of $50. This fitly illus- trates the generosity of his nature. As a man of business, Dr. Williams has always been honorable and upright, and by a life of labor has ac- cumulated a fine property. In 1882, in connection with Franklin R. Drake, he established a drug store at Patricksburg, which business is still being conducted in a flourishing condition. Dr. Williams is now in the full meridian of his life, and in all probability will be spared for many years yet in the field of usefulness in which he has made already an honorable record. Dr. Williams was united in marriage, December 10, 1871, to Miss Sarah E. Rea, a native of Indiana. They have one child, Flora E. Dr. Williams, with his wife, is a member of the Chris- tian Church.
WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS, stock-raiser and farmer, is the youngest of the three children of William and Elizabeth (Pirtle) Williams, the former a native of Tennessee, the latter of Indiana. William R. was born in Monroe County, Ind., December 28, 1848, and was reared and attended school in Lancaster, Ind .; later he was entered at the Univer- sity at Bloomington, and there remained two years preparatory to becom- ing an educator. a profession he followed successfully for fourteen years. In 1875, he was appointed County Superintendent of Schools, which position he most ably filled. July 22, 1883, he married Miss Cordelia, daughter of Silas and Harriet (Long) Harrison, and a native of this county. Mr. Williams has a good farm of 360 acres, well improved, stocked and cultivated, with residence, barns, orchards, etc., all the out- growth of his unaided industry and prudence. He once engaged in the ministry of the Christian Church, but after discovering that his individ- ual views would conflict with the discipline of that institution, he with- drew therefrom. He is one of the most enterprising farmers and most worthy citizens.
JOSEPH ZINKELER, undertaker and furniture dealer, is a native of Germany, born September 16, 1838, and is the second of the three children of Martin and Paulina (Mocker) Zinkeler, likewise natives of Germany. Joseph spent the earlier period of his life on a farm and at- tending school in Germany and France. From the age of fourteen, he gave three years of an apprenticeship to the carpentering and millwright trades, and thereafter worked for six years at his trade in France and
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Switzerland. September 29, 1864, in Germany, he married Susanna Mocker, a union which was blest with six children, four of whom are liv- ing-Mary A., John, Sophia and Charles T. Mrs. Zinkeler died October 18, 1878. Mr. Zinkeler, having emigrated to America in 1866, lo- cated at Patricksburg, and has since resided there. He followed his trade as millwright and carpenter until 1870, when he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business must successfully. December 17, 1878, he married a second wife-Mary, daughter of John and Mary Bliar, and a native of Germany; three children succeeded to this union-Joseph, William and Elizabeth. Mr. Zinkeler has made his unaided way to his position of promise and comfort by his ability and integrity. He is a greatly esteemed citizen, and he and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
MIRON D. ALLEN, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Hamp- den County, Mass .; was born February 15, 1825, and is the second of the five children of Samuel and Julianna (King) Allen, the former a native of New York, the latter of Massachusetts, and of English descent. These parents moved to Connecticut when Miron was very young, and later they moved to Ohio. In the spring of 1838, he went to Terre Haute, at that time but a village, whence in the spring of 1847 he moved to this county and township, where he has since resided, ex- cepting for an absence of three years. Miron commenced the world for himself at the age of seventeen, and without assistance he has succeeded in acquiring a property of 160 acres, well cultivated and improved. February 14, 1847, he married Miss Abigail Bush, a native of this county, a union which gave being to ten children-Francis W., Florence E. (de- ceased), Rufus E. (deceased), Florence A. (deceased), Mary E., Eunice J., Samuel D. (deceased), William A. (deceased), Miron H. and Martha L. Mr. Allen is a Freemason, and for three years has been Master of his lodge at Freedom. He is a Republican, and has been Trustee and Clerk of this township. He is a man of humane nature, and a liberal and enterprising citizen; is comfortably situated, and in the enjoyment of life.
GEORGE W. BLEDSOE is a native of Greene County, Iud., born November 26, 1852, and is the fifth child in the family of Isaac and Nancy (Shrakes) Bledsoe, the former a native of Tennessee, the latter of Indiana, and respectively of Irish and German descent. Except during attendance at public school, George W. Bledsoe passed the early period of his life on a farm, but was later engaged in the saw milling business, excepting perhaps one year and a half passed with his half-brother at blacksmithing in Vigo County. His first work at saw milling was done in Sullivan County, and afterward he purchased a mill in Clay County, which he managed for eighteen months. After that period, he purchased and refitted the mill at Freedom, which he later sold and moved to Farm- ers, where he is now doing a profitable business, in company with his brother, being a practical man in every particular relating to his occu- pation. June 26, 1876, he was wedded to Miss Minerva E. Gentry,
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with an issue of two children-Ernest E. and Omer T. Mr. Bledsoe is an active member of the I. O. O. F. He is a Democrat in politics, and a benevolent and respected citizen. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
ISAAC A. BLEDSOE, of Farmers, was born February 14, 1854, in Sullivan County, Ind., and is the sixth of the family of Isaac and Nancy (Shrakes) Bledsoe. He was early thrown upon his own resources, his parents having both died when he was but a youth, and made his home with his half-brother, Pleasant Bledsoe, until he was eighteen years of age, then left, but returned to his home after a little time, and remained until he was twenty-two years old; he then moved to Freedom and formed a partnership with his brother in the saw mill business. This mill they sold, came to Farmers and established their present successful business. September 5, 1878, Mr. Bledsoe married Miss Laura A. Johnson, a native of this county, by which union they had three children-Effie C., Pleas- ant and Bonnie B. Mr. Bledsoe is a member of the order of Odd Fel- lows, an energetic business man, and an ardent Democrat. Mrs. Bledsoe is a member of the Christian Church.
WILLIAM F. CASSADY, of the firm of Johnson & Cassady, mer- chants at Freedom, was born January 4, 1855, in Van Buren County, Iowa, and is the fourth of the nine children of James J. and Minerva (Awings) Cassady, both natives of Kentucky, and of Scotch-Irish extrac- tion. William F. came to Indiana with his parents, who located in Lebanon, Boone County, in 1861, and after a residence of several years removed to Indianapolis, and thence, in 1876, to the village of Freedom, where he engaged as salesman with Pierson & Bro., with whom he re- inained about five years, and in the fall of 1882, formed his present con- nection with Mr. Johnson. August 29, 1878, he married Miss Maggie F. Arthur, a native of this county, which alliance gave being to two children --- Orlie and Eddie, both bright and charming boys. Mr. Cassady is a man of superior business capacity, giving his whole time and energy to improving his stock and furthering his growing trade. He is a much respected citizen, a Democrat in political preference, and a member of the I. O. O. F.
JOHN H. CROW, merchant at Farmers Station, is a native of Noble County, Ohio, was born November 5, 1846, and is the fifth of the family of Jacob and Elizabeth (DeLong) Crow, also natives of Noble County, Ohio, and respectively of German and French descent. John H. Crow was reared in his native county, where he remained until near manhood. In 1864, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to patrol duty, and only summoned to action during the aggressive campaign of Gen. Hood; he was honor- ably discharged in June, 1865. The following February, in company with his parents, he moved to Greene County, this State, where he was . for various periods engaged in the boot and shoe and lumber trades. He next moved to Freedom, where he embarked in the dry goods business, and after a brief period removed to Farmers, where he is engaged in the mercantile business, and also as railroad agent of that station. De- cember 31, 1869, he wedded Miss Sadie S. Crane, a native of this State, and has only an adopted child, a nephew -- John Freling. Mr. Crow is a leading business man, with a promising and growing trade. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics a Democrat. Mrs. Crow was appointed Postmistress of this station in 1880.
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ALBERT W. DYER, stock-raiser and farmer, was born in this coun- ty January 14, 1845, and is the eldest of the eight children of James M. and Elizabeth (Jackson) Dyer, the former a native of Greene, the lat- ter of Owen County, Ind., and of English descent, who came to this county in 1847, made a good home and improved one of the best farms in the county. Albert was reared on the home farm, where he remained until the summer of 1862, when he enlisted in Company F, Sixth Indiana Cavalry, serving in the following engagements: Richmond, Ky., Resaca, Atlanta campaign. In Stoneman's raid he was taken prisoner and con- fined at Andersonville until the end of the war-suffering all the horrors of that prison-pen-and after his release was discharged at Columbus, Ohio, June 24, 1865. May 24, 1866, he wedded Miss Sarah Snyder, of Greene County, Ind., which marriage was cemented by three children- Laura B., born July 15, 1867; Carson, deceased; and Ida M., born July 13, 1871. Mr. Dyer is a member of the G. A. R., of the I. O. O. F. and of the Republican party. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1872, and again in 1880. He is a man of fair ability in business relations, and owns 100 acres of excellent land, which is well cultivated and improved. He is charitable in disposition, and honest in purpose. Mr. and Mrs. Dyer are members of the Baptist Church.
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