USA > Indiana > Dearborn County > History of Dearborn County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 79
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Joseph Schleicher has passed his entire life in Lawrenceburg. He re- ceived his education in the public schools of that city, attending at the time Prof. John C. Ridpath was superintendent, and after his school days were over went to work in the factory of the Miami Valley Furniture Company as a cabinetmaker, continuing thus engaged from 1873 to 1882, in which latter year he formed a partnership with his brother, George. and the two embarked in the grocery business, remaining thus connected until the death of the latter, a period of thirty-three years, as above stated. Mr. Schleicher has never married, and he lives with his sister, Sarah, and his aged mother in the old
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family homestead. In politics, he gives his support to the Republican party, and, religiously, he is a German Methodist. The Schleicher family has always been considered one of the foremost in the city of Lawrenceburg, standing for all that makes upright and honored manhood and advancing the welfare of the community whenever possible.
WILLIAM H. KIMBALL.
The subject of this sketch is descended from good old New England ancestry, who settled at Aurora when that city was very small, and he has been well rewarded for his loyalty and interest in the place of his birth. He has prospered beyond the average, and at a little past middle age is enabled to retire from an active life and enjoy his remaining days in quiet and com- fort.
William H. Kimball was born on November 12. 1856, in the same town- ship where he now resides, and is a son of Ira and Catharine (Bruce) Kim- ball. He grew up on the same farm entered by his father from the govern- ment. and on which he lived until about forty years old. Mr. Kimball has followed farming all his life. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both subordinate lodge and encampment.
Tra Kimball. father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was born on June 21. 1807, at Concord, New Hampshire, and came to Aurora with his parents, Timothy and Elizabeth Kimball. about 1826. They settled on the Aurora and Moores Hill pike in Hogan township. remaining there until they (lied. Ira Kimball and his sister each entered government land, and Ira settled on the farm where James W. Clements now resides. When they first went to housekeeping, they had no furniture, and their beds were made of dry leaves raked up on the ground in a little log cabin the first winter. They soon became more prosperous, and built a better house, and it was on that same farm that Ira Kimball established his home amid pioneer conditions. His was the last tract of government land in Dearborn county. Mr. Kimball was a carpenter by trade, and he and his father used to go south during the winter and do carpenter work. returning in the summer. His wife. Catherine (Bruce) Kimball. was born in Hogan township, and was a sister of Martin Bruce, whose sketch. on another page of this volume. tells of her parentage. She was the mother of five children.
William H. Kimball was united in marriage in November. 1886. with
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Louisa Hoppmire, daughter of Ernest and Catherine (Meyers) Hoppmire. She was born in Manchester township, Dearborn county.
Ernest and Catherine (Meyers) Hoppmire, parents of Mrs. William H. Kimball, were natives of Germany. They at first lived in Manchester town- ship, and later moved to Hogan township, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
Mr. Kimball is one of the best known residents of Hogan township, hav- ing lived there all his life, and has many loyal friends throughout the com- munity. He at present makes his home with Mr. William Shuter.
JOHN F. HOUSMYER.
No people that go to make up our cosmopolitan population have better habits of life than those who came originally from Germany. The descend- ants of those people are distinguished for their thrift and honesty and these two qualities alone in the inhabitants of any country, will in the end make that country great. When these two qualities are coupled with sound judg- ment, the result is a man whose life is well-balanced and who meets the va- rious issues of life squarely and conquers the obstacles that arise in his path. Of this class of men John F. Housmyer, the immediate subject of this sketch, may safely be said to be one.
John F. Housmyer is a native of the Hoosier state, born in Ohio county, April 13, 1856, a son of Christian K. and Louisa (Marsh) Housmyer, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Germany. Christian was born in 1826, and when fifteen years of age immigrated to America. He had received his education in his native land, so the years of his life here were entirely devoted to labor. For a short time he remained in Baltimore, Maryland, later coming to this section where were many of his people. He settled in Cæsar Creek township on the Hayes Branch and lived there for ten years. When twenty- five years of age he was united in marriage with Louisa (Marsh) Niebaum, who had come to this country from Germany when a mere girl. She became the wife of Mr. Niebaum, who died soon after their marriage, and she then became the wife of Christian K. Housmyer.
To Christian Housmyer and wife were born four children, Henry, Eliza- beth. Mary and John F. Henry chose Grace Schuffitt for his wife; Elizabeth became the wife or Henry Ehlers and the mother of nine children, John, Charles, Louis, Ernest, Fred, Henry, Mary, Laura and Harry. Mary became
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the wife of Henry Housmyer, who died within a few years, when she married for her second husband Charles Landvermeyer.
The paternal grandparents were Christopher and Amelia (Housmyer) Housmyer, both born in Germany where they remained until near middle age, when they immigrated to the United States and settled in Dearborn coun- ty, where they obtained eighty acres of government land at a cost of one dollar and fifty cents per acre, and on that farm they lived their remaining days. They were the parents of four children, Fred, Louisa, Christian and Mary. Fred chose Louisa Blanke for his wife and she bore him a family of nine children, Elizabeth, Lena, Henry, William, Mary, John, Emma, Sophia and Maggie. Louisa married John Cline and became the mother of seven children, Elizabeth, Lena, Henry, Mary, Minnie, William and Fred. Mary became Mrs. Garrett Westmeyer and had seven children, Louisa, Elizabeth, Henry, Christ, Emma, Sophia and Minnie.
John F. Housmyer received his education in the district schools of Ohio county, and by the time his studies were over he had been educated in both German and English. Then for a few years he assisted his father in the work of the farm home, in this way mastering the secrets of successful hus- bandry and when twenty-two years of age he made his first purchase of land. This was a farm of one hundred and thirty acres, costing thirty-five hundred dollars. He lived there for three years, when he sold it and purchased a tract of one hundred and sixteen acres near Dillsboro, in Clay township. He later purchased thirty-six additional acres and on that land has continued to make his home. He carries on general farming, giving considerable atten- tion to the raising of live stock, which he finds a lucrative side line.
John F. Housmyer was married on March 14, 1878, to Amelia Sieker- man, daughter of Henry and Clara (Hehe) Siekerman, both of whom were natives of Germany and came when young to this country, where they met and were married. They located in Ripley county, where they farmed for a number of years. Mr. Siekerman's death occurred on September 6, 1905, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. There were six children in their family : George. Amelia, Charles, Theodore, Lewis and Edward. . George married Elvina Nintrup and had seven children. Albert. Otto, Earl. Elnora, Theodore. Stella and Emma. Theodore married Mary Nintrup and had two children, Pearl and Clyde. Louis married Flossie Faulver and had two children, Mabel and Ralph. Edward married Lula Prusse and had two children, Mabel and Clermont. Amelia Siekerman was born on October 27, 1861, in Ripley county, and received her education in its district schools.
To Mr. and Mrs. Housmyer have been born four children, Charles, Lula,
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Clara and Eva. Charles married Miriam Spicknal and they lived at Farmers Retreat. They have one son, Leonard. Lulu became the wife of Fred Fisse, of Versailles, Ripley county. Clara married George Longkamp. Eva re- mains at home with her parents.
Mr. Housmyer is a public-spirited man who takes a keen interest in pub- lic affairs, particularly pertaining to his own community. He is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and has filled with efficiency and satisfac- tion to all the position of road supervisor for two terms and that of town- ship trustee of Clay township for six years. He is a faithful member of the Lutheran church, giving liberally of his means toward its support and giving also much of his time toward the furtherance of its interests. He has served his local church in an official capacity and his influence counts for good in whatever question is at issue. During his long and industrious career he has not only gained the confidence of those with whom he has transacted busi- ness, but as a man of force of character, upright and honest in his dealings with his fellow-men, he has gained the esteem of all who know him.
CLARENCE M. SHOCKLEY.
Conspicuous among the leading and enterprising citizens of Moores Hill, Indiana, stands Clarence M. Shockley, whose entire life has been interwoven with the history of Ripley and Dearborn counties, in both of which he has been greatly interested in all matters of advantage and advancement of public interest. He has wielded a force beyond that of the average citizen, because of his strong belief in the fact that it is the man who makes the town, and not the town who makes the man.
Clarence M. Shockley was born April 6, 1878, at Milan, Ind., and a son of Elijah and Lydia (Shockley) Shockley. He was educated at the graded schools of Ripley county, and at Moores Hill College. After leaving school he taught in the public schools of Ripley county for four years, and in 1901 became the editor of the Ripley County Journal, which was published at Os- good, in Ripley county. This was the official Democratic organ, and he edited it for a period of five years, and in 1906 gave up the management to take the position of cashier in the Moores Hill State Bank, in which he is also a stockholder, and which position he still holds. Mr. Shockley has always given his earnest support to the Democratic party. He is a member of the school board of Moores Hill, a trustee of Moores Hill College, and is a
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member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is church treasurer .. He belongs to the Masons and the Independent Order of Foresters.
Elijah Shockley was born on March 24. 1832, at Milan, Indiana, and received his education in that section of the county. After leaving school he assisted his father on the farm. Later he started out in life for himself and bought seventy-nine acres, to which he later added fifty acres more, and has farmed all his life. He is still living, hale and hearty, at the age of eighty- three years. He has been a life-long Democrat. attending the county councils. and has always been interested in all public endeavors in behalf of good roads. He is a Mason. His wife, Lydia (Shockley) Shockley, was born on November 6, 1838, at Milan, Indiana, and is a daughter of George and Eliza (Golden) Shockley. She was educated at Milan, and lived there all her life. This union has been blessed with seven children. Everett, Edwin, Leona, Addie, Clarence M., Lillian and one who died in infancy. Everett was married to Anna Laws, and is living at Milan. They have had one child, Frank. Mrs. Shockley died, and Mr. Shockley married, secondly, Emma Grey, a widow. They have one adopted girl, Pauline. Edwin mar- ried Alice Brewington, and is living at Fort Worth, Texas, where he is en- gaged in the telephone and telegraph business. They have two children, Hazel Goldah and Myrle. Leona became the wife of Levi B. Lewis and is living near Milan on a farm. They have one child, Ethel May. Addie is the wife of John .N. Ward, who is a druggist at Indianapolis. They have two children, Clarence N. and Beulah. Lillian became the wife of Clarence E. Laws, and lives near Milan. They have one child, Alene.
The paternal grandfather was William Noble Shockley, and his wife was Elizabeth (Livingston) Shockley. The former was born in Maryland and came to Ripley county when past middle age, taking land from the government, on which he lived and died. He was a stanch Democrat, and a member of the Baptist church, and his fraternal alliance was with the Masonic order. His wife, Elizabeth (Livingston) Shockley, was also a native of Maryland, where she was married. She died in Ripley county, Indiana, as did also her husband. They were the parents of twelve children. George, Theodore, Sarah (Mrs. Chatfield), Susan (Mrs. Spaulding), Lulu (Mrs. Hathaway), Margarette (Mrs. Bowers), William, Elijah, and four who died in infancy.
The paternal great-grandfather of Clarence M. Shockley was Elijah. Shockley, who was a son of Benjamin Shockley, of Revolutionary fame. Benjamin Shockley emigrated from England to Maryland during Colonial.
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times. He lived and died in Maryland, as did also his son, Elijah. The Shockleys were ardent supporters of the Revolutionary cause.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was George Shockley, and his wife was Eliza (Golden) Shockley, who was a native of New Jersey. They came west and died in Ripley county. Indiana, leaving eight children, Calvin, Lydia, William, John, Anna, Dallas and two who died in infancy.
Clarence M. Shockley was united in marriage on April 25. 1900, with Melissa M. Bell, daughter of James W. and Elizabeth (Roland) Bell. She was born on April 17. 1882, near Elrod. Ripley county. Indiana, where she was educated and lived until her marriage. This union has been blessed with two children, Leroy Wallace, born on January 23. 1901. and Evelyn Maude, April 26, 1904.
James and Elizabeth ( Roland) Bell were both natives of Ripley county, where Mr. Bell followed the carpenter's trade.
Mr. Shockley, through his perseverance and well-applied energy. has won the confidence and high esteem both of his associates in business and his fellow townsmen, and is well fitted for the high position which he occupies in the Moores Hill State Bank.
PROF. ANDREW J. BIGNEY.
Great credit is due to the members of the teaching profession in Dearborn county, and especially to those associated with Moores Hill College, whose influence is so far-reaching. These men have the responsibility of the char- acter-building and the future of the students, who are to occupy their indi- vidual places in society, and it is doubtful whether the public fully realizes that the burden resting upon the shoulders of the heads of successful colleges is not a light one.
Andrew Johnson Bigney was born on February 15. 1864. on a farm one and one-half miles north of Moores Hill, and is a son of Lemuel and Sarah (Vandoren) Bigney. He was educated at the district schools of Dearborn county, and was also a graduate of Moores Hill College in 1888, after which he attended Johns Hopkins University, of Baltimore, from 1892 to 1894, and then took up a course of studies at the marine laboratories of Oak Bluff. Martha's Vineyard, an island off the coast of Massachusetts, and at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, at intervals during the period from 1902 to 1911, the latter place being located seventy miles south of Boston, and were both gov- ernment laboratories. After graduating he entered the faculty of Moore's
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Hill College, in the department of science, and at the end of the fourth year, in 1893, he became assistant in the department of biology at the Johns Hop- kins University, of Baltimore, and in 1894, he returned to Moores Hill, where he gave instruction in biology and geology, and in 1901 he was made vice- president of Moores Hill College, which office he held until November, 1915, when he became president. Mr. Bigney is greatly interested in religious matters, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds the office of trustee on the official board, and has officiated as Sunday school superintendent for the past twenty years. In 1908 Professor Bigney represented his church at the general conference at Baltimore.
Lemuel and Sarah (Vandoren) Bigney, parents of the immediate sub- ject of this sketch, were natives of Nova Scotia and New Jersey, respectively. The former was born on February 22, 1826, in Nova Scotia, and was edu- cated in the district schools, coming to Boston at the age of thirteen, after which he came west to Moores Hill by wagon. He remained on the farm and assisted his father until his father's death, when he bought the old homestead and lived on it until 1894, when he retired and moved to Moores Hill, Indiana, living there until his death, which occurred on September II, 1900, at the age of seventy-four years. Mr. Bigney was a Democrat. He participated in the Mexican War, under General Scott, being located at Mex- ico City, and was the one who first raised the American flag over that city. His parents were Peter and Margarette Bigney. His wife, Sarah (Vandoren) Bigney, was. born on November 13, 1831, in Somerset county, New Jersey, where she was reared, coming to Franklin, near Cincinnati, Ohio, and was married on April 25, 1855. Lemuel and Sarah Bigney were the parents of eleven children: Verado W., Marion E., Windfield S., Andrew J., Etta M., Clara B., Jacob V., and four who died in infancy.
Verado W. Bigney was married to Minnie Wolf, and lives at Sunman, Indiana, where he owns a drug store. They had three children, Walter, Lynn and Merwin, the latter being killed in an accident in 1915. Marion E. was united in marriage with Rose Tanner, and is living at Moores Hill. They have two children, Harry and Edna. Winfield S. was married to Zella Brewington, and lives at Moores Hill on a farm. They have two children, Leslie and Alfra. Etta M. is the wife of George M. Smith, and is living at Evansville, Indiana, where Mr. Smith is district superintendent of the Evans- ville Methodist. Episcopal church. They have had two children, Combie and one who died in infancy. They also have an adopted child, Iva. Clara B. became the wife of Dr. David E. Johnston, a prominent physician, and lives at
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Moores Hill. They have one child, Anna. Jacob V. was married to Mat- tie Laws, and is living on the old homestead. They have two children, Elvin and Eula Belle:
The paternal grandparents were Peter and Margaret Bigney. Peter Bigney was born on Prince Edward Island, and immigrated to the United States, settling near Moores Hill, on eighty acres of land, where he lived un- til his death, about 1850. The farm on which he settled was virgin forest and had to be cleared before it could be put under cultivation. His wife, Margaret Bigney, was also a native of Prince Edward Island, and was mar- ried there about the year 1800. They were the parents of nine children: James, Peter, Lemuel, Rosel, Belle T., one who was drowned while coming to the United States, and three who died in infancy,
Andrew J. Bigney was united in marriage on September 2, 1896, with Carrie Ewan, daughter of Napoleon Bonaparte Ewan and Mary (Bill)' Ewan. She was born on May 29, 1869, five miles east of Moores Hill. She is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a good Christian woman. No children have come to bless this union.
Napoleon Bonaparte Ewan, father of Mrs. Bigney, was born near Moores Hill. on a farm, April 25, 1844. He divided his attention between farming and school teaching. and lived in Sparta township all his life. His wife, Mary (Bill) Ewan, was a native of Alsace-Lorraine, Germany. She was born on November 20. 1843. coming to America while young. Her parents set- tled first in Ohio, coming later to Dearborn county. "They had four children, Carrie, Laura, Mary and Charles, deceased. Laura Ewan became the wite of Charles McClure, and is living at Starkville, Colorado. where her husband is a practicing physician. They have three children, Mary Ellen. Alfred Marce and Harlin Ewan.
Prof. Andrew J. Bigney has taught two-thirds of all the graduates of Moores Hill College, instructing three hundred and eleven out of four hun- dred and fifty-one graduates and in addition about four thousand under- graduates and, with his life devoted to the noble work of teaching, he is wielding a force to be felt throughout future generations. His connection with Moores Hill College covers a period of twenty-five years, with the exception of two years. Aside from his duties as president of the college, he de- devotes some time to delivering lectures in teachers' county institutes, and also lectures at high school commencements. and his services are in great demand and his ability as a lecturer on educational and religious topics gen- erally recognized.
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JAMES FREDERICK TREON, M. D.
Although modest and retiring in manner, Dr. James Frederick Treon, still a young man, is one of the most successful men in his profession. The skill and composure with which he handles his cases, do much toward winning the confidence of his patients, without which a physician is greatly handi- capped in the progress of his work. His reputation as one well informed in his profession has reached in every direction, far beyond the limits of his home town, and he is well established in a valuable practice. Coming from a family of physicians for generations back, he naturally takes to his pro- fession with an interest, the result of which can only be of benefit to those requiring his services.
James Frederick Treon was born on June 30, 1880, in Aurora, Indiana, where he now resides. He is a son of Frederick and America Cerella (Lamb) Treon. He was reared at Aurora, and was graduated from the high school of that place, in 1889, after which he entered the Medical College of Ohio, graduating in 1903. His office for general practice was immediately es- tablished at Aurora, Indiana, where he has since remained. He and his wife are earnest members of the Presbyterian church, in which he officiates as an elder. Dr. Treon is a Democrat, and is a member of, and officer in various societies, namely : Aurora Lodge No. 51, Free and Accepted Masons; Aurora Chapter No. 13, Royal Arch Masons; Aurora Commandery No. 17, Knights Templar; Murat Temple. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Harmony Lodge No. 69, Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the County Medical So- ciety, as well as being secretary of the city board of health, and is a United States pension examiner.
Frederick Treon, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on Au- gust 12, 1855, in Shelby county. Indiana, where he received a common-school education, graduating from the Franklin Academy, after which he completed a special course in geometry, trigonometry, and civil and mechanical engi- neering with Hasklin & Barker, at Michigan City, and later took a course in the study of drugs, and in 1877 he entered the Ohio Medical College, from which institution he was graduated and received his diploma on March I, 1879, when he immediately entered into a professional partnership with Dr. James Lamb, his father-in-law. at Aurora, and remained there until he en- tered the Indian service. under Cleveland's administration, with headquarters in South Dakota. For a number of years, Doctor Treon retained his resi- dence and voted at Aurora, but for the past several years he has been prac- ticing at Chamberlain, South Dakota, where he now makes his permanent
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residence, and where he holds the office of president of the State Medical So- ciety, and is vice-president of the Railway Surgeons' Association. Doctor Treon was married on May 29, 1878, to America Cerella Lamb, daughter of Dr. James and Sarah A. Lamb, her birth occurring on April 30, 1847. Their only child was James Frederick. Dr. Frederick Treon has always been a loyal and active member of the Democratic party, and is past eminent grand commander of the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, of South Dakota, and is also a thirty-second-degree, Scottish Rite Mason.
The paternal grandfather, Andrew Treon, was born on April 27, 1804, in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, in the same house where his father was born. Andrew Treon first studied medicine under Dr. John Treon, of Miam- isburg, Ohio, who continued his practice for a period of about sixty-six years.
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