USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 96
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Alfred Mauck, the father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was born as above stated, in 1827. He received only a limited schooling in his youth, but it was a foundation properly laid and on it he reared a structure of learning which would do credit to one of excellent college training. He was a great reader of history, a tireless student of the Bible, and a fine mathe- matician. He was always fully informed on current events and considered an authority in such matters. In all this he had the advantage of a re- markable memory, which was doubtless of untold assistance both in acquiring knowledge and in the conduct of his business. All his life was spent in Gib-
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son county. Until his twenty-third year he made his home on the old home- stead, and at that time bought a general store in Owensville, where he was int partnership with Smith Devin for several years. He later had as a partner Henry Ayres, which connection continued until he came to Princeton, in 1859 and purchased the Zenith mill. This mill he operated for several years, in the course of which he purchased his partner's interest. During this time he was also in the mercantile and pork-packing business. He sold his milling interest in 1881, after which time he gave his undivided attention to his farming interests. He owned land in Patoka, Washington, Mont- gomery and Center townships. He was a stanch Democrat, vitally interested in the affairs of his party, but never aspired to office, although he was in- duced to serve once as councilman.
Alfred Mauck was first married in 1849 to Nancy Devin, of Princeton, who was born in 1833, a daughter of James and Hannah ( Chapman) Devin. Her father was the son of the Rev. Alexander Devin, one of the first Baptist ministers in Gibson county, who resided in Princeton, where he died. He was also a farmer. Her mother was a native of Kentucky and the daughter of Robert Chapman, who built the first brick building on the town square of Princeton. He later went to Glasgow, Missouri, where he died. Nancy Devin Mauck had one son, Edgar, subject of this sketch, and she died May I, 1854, while still a young woman.
Alfred Mauck was married the second time to Rachael Lindley, of Orange county. Indiana, who died in 1856. His third wife was Mary A. Maris. of Parke county, Indiana, who died May 17, 1893. To this union was born the following children: Luella, who became the wife of William Hargrove, of Indianapolis; Grace, who married John B. Chism, of Prince- ton ; Mabel K., wife of Ellis A. Auburn, farmer and dealer in automobiles of Princeton; and Alfred M., who married Jenetta Tresloff. He is a farmer on the old home place in Patoka township. Alfred, the father, was connected with his brothers in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, where they carried on a thriving commission business.
Edgar Mauck was born in Owensville, Indiana, January 4, 1854. His elementary schooling was received in Princeton and he later attended a nor- mal school and also received instruction at other places. He was early en- gaged with his father in his milling and farming interests. He was united in marriage April 5, 1883, to Margaret Angeline Fitzgerald, of Posey county, Indiana. Her father was a native of Gibson county, who moved to Posey county, Indiana, later to White county, Illinois, and again back to Posey
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county, where he died in 1901. His wife died in 1886. He was a farmer all his life. In addition to their daughter, who became the wife of Edgar Mauck, they had other children, namely: Florence, who married Nathan Montgomery and resided in Posey county, Indiana. Both are now dead. Laura ( deceased), who was the wife of Al Robb, who lives in Missouri. Lizzie (deceased), wife of Y. P. Smith, of Platsburgh, Missouri. Janie, wife of Silas Hines, and D. G., who married Mary Turpin, and they live on the old place in Posey county.
After his marriage, Edgar Mauck farmed in Washington township for three years, when he removed to Pleasanton, Iowa, where for eight years he engaged in farming and stock raising. . At the end of this time he returned to Gibson county and settled in Center township, where he has since engaged in stock raising in connection with farming. Up-to-date in all methods per- taining to his chosen line of work. he has been very successful. Mr. Mauck has been a life-long supporter of the Democratic party, to whose affairs he has given much of his time. He was elected treasurer of Gibson county in 1908 and served four years. He has filled other offices within the gift of his party, and to the discharge of such duties has carried the unvarying integrity and kindly manner which have won for him the liking and respect of all who know him.
Mr. and Mrs. Mauck have a family of three children: Samuel F., who was educated in the home schools and the Kirkville state normal, became a teacher in the public schools and is now superintendent of the schools of Bunceton, Missouri. He married Fay, daughter of W. H. Million, of Boon- ville, Missouri. To them has been born one son, William E. Luella and Laura, young daughters, remain at home, the former attending high school and the latter still in the grades. The religious sympathies of the family are with the Baptist church. He became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1877.
Mr. Mauck is one of the prominent and leading men of Gibson county, a man foremost in every movement which has as its object the good of the community. Abreast with all questions of the hour, his generous nature is moved not alone by sentiment, but directed by intelligence as well. Such a clean, helpful life is of inestimable value to a community and a host of warm personal friends bear witness to the regard in which he is held. Such ster- ling characters are "the salt of the earth" and by their saneness and clean- ness set up the standard for right living in their communities.
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MICHAEL EISLER.
There is perhaps no record in this volume which more clearly demon- strates the force of industry and honesty in the affairs of life than does the life history of the late Michael Eisler. Almost every civilized country on the face of the globe has sent its representatives to Indiana, but there is no more important or valued element in our citizenship than that which has come from Germany. Mr. Eisler was among the native sons of the Fatherland who crossed the Atlantic to America, finding here good opportunities which he improved, with the result that he became a successful man and one whose efforts were of great value to the community in which he lived. His birth occurred in Germany on October 6, 1830, and he grew to manhood in his native country, where he learned the trade of a shoemaker.
Upon coming to this country he took up his abode in Princeton, Indiana, where he followed his trade of shoemaker, building up a large and lucrative business in the town and vicinity. He crossed the briny deep several years before the Civil war and the demand for his product was largely augmented by the war, with the result that he was enabled to buy a farm after the close of the war. He gradually added to his landed possessions until at the time of his death, on October 6, 1911, he owned a fine farm of one hundred and eighty acres of land in Center township, which was well improved and in a high state of cultivation.
Although he started out with nothing, he worked earnestly and persist- ently and because of the productiveness of the soil and his careful and prac- tical manner of engaging in agricultural pursuits he was known as one of the most prosperous farmers of the county at the time of his death. Early in life he was married to Dora Rinefort, a native of Germany, and she is still living at the advanced age of ninety-three and has good health. Mr. and Mrs. Eisler were the parents of two sons: John W., who was born November 4, 1865, and lives with his aged mother and his brother on the old home farm. He has never married. The other son is Thomas, born February 6, 1867, who was married on June 24, 1913, to Lizzie McDivit, the daughter of James and Lizzie McDivit.
The Eisler brothers are now operating their farm of two hundred acres, which is owned jointly by them and their mother. The brothers are among the most progressive and enterprising farmers of the county and in their diversified system of agriculture have met with very gratifying success. The county has benefited by their labors because they have raised the standard of
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farming by the use of modern and up-to-date methods of operation. They have a fine home, excellent barns and outbuildings, and take a great deal of pride in keeping their premises in neat condition. Thomas is a stockholder and director in the Francisco State Bank, and takes an active part in the management of the affairs of the bank. The brothers are both affiliated with the Democratic party, but have never taken an active part in politics, pre- ferring to devote all of their time to the care of their agricultural interests. They are loyal members of the German Evangelical church, and have always contributed liberally of their means to the support of that denomination. They are keen and clear-headed, always busy, always careful and conserva- tive in financial matters, moving slowly and surely in every business trans- action, and in all that they have done they have so conducted themselves that they have won the confidence of all with whom they come in contact.
Michael, the father of these two worthy sons, never regretted his determination to come to America, for he found that its advantages had not been exaggerated. He was a man of strong will and marked force of char- acter and these elements gained him the success which made him one of the most substantial citizens of the county. His loss to the community and by his family was deeply felt and it is with pleasure that we present his record to our readers as that of one of our representative citizens of foreign birth. loyal to his adopted country, and a man whom to know was to love.
HARRY B. GUDGEL, M. D.
The physician who would succeed in his profession must possess many qualities of head and heart not included in the curriculum of the schools and colleges he may have attended. In analyzing the career of the successful practitioner of the healing art it will invariably be found to be true that a broad-minded sympathy with the sick and suffering and an honest, earnest desire to aid his afflicted fellow men have gone hand in hand with skill and able judgment. The gentleman to whom this brief tribute is given fortunately embodies these necessary qualifications in a marked degree and by energy and application to his professional duties is building up an enviable reputation and drawing to himself a larger and remunerative practice.
Harry B. Gudgel, M. D., was born in Hazleton, Gibson county, Indiana, October 7, 1877, the son of John Franklin Gudgel, M. D., a native of Gibson county, born in Columbia township near Oakland City, January 29, 1849, and
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died October 4, 1901, and Cynthia Anna (Baldwin) Gudgel, born in Gibson county. The father of John Franklin Gudgel was Andrew Gudgel, a native of Owensville, Indiana, while Andrew Gudgel's father, who was also named Andrew, came from Kentucky to Indiana in 1848 and located in what is now Gibson county, between Owensville and Fort Branch. Here he bought gov- ernment land and engaged in farming. He was a man of excellent stock and of unquestioned integrity.
The family name was formerly spelled "Goodshall," the change to the present mode of spelling having been made many years ago. Dr. Gudgel's father received his elementary education in the district schools, after which he taught several years, and then took up the study of medicine at Oakland City, Indiana, with Dr. McGowan. Subsequently he attended medical college in Louisville, Kentucky, and then the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, graduating from that institution in 1874. Upon completing his studies in preparation for the work of his chosen profession, he came to Hazleton, where he engaged in practice until his death. He was a man who took an active interest in public affairs, and while not an office seeker or holder, he took great pride in casting his vote for men and principles that stood on high moral grounds. His death, due to Bright's disease, occurred in his fifty-sec- ond year.
Dr. Gudgel, the eldest of a family of five children, secured a good ele- mentary education in the common schools and thereafter engaged in teaching in Hazleton, which profession he followed for three years. Being desirous of following in the footsteps of his worthy father, in 1893, he entered the Med- ical College of Indiana, at Indianapolis. On finishing the course at this in- stitution, he further pursued his studies in the Louisville Medical College and then at the University of Illinois, graduating from the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons at Chicago in 1904. With this thorough and con- scientious preparation for his life work, he returned to Hazleton and entered upon the practice of medicine, and the splendid practice which he has at present testifies that his efforts were not in vain.
In 1907 Doctor Gudgel was united in marriage to Emma Horrall, of Washington, Daviess county, Indiana, the daughter of S. O. Horrall, who was extensively interested in the lumber business and was well and favorably known throughout Indiana.
The subject is a member of the Indiana State Medical Association and of the Gibson County Medical Association, while, fraternally, he has mem- bership in the blue lodge of the Masonic fraternity, in which he is a past
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master; he has passed through the chairs in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is an earnest and appreciative member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
STANFORD WITHERSPOON.
An enumeration of the representative citizens of Gibson county, Indi- ana, would be incomplete without specific mention of the well known and popular gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. A member of one of the old and highly esteemed families of the county and a public spirited man of affairs, he has stamped the impress of his individuality upon the com- munity and added luster to the honorable name which he bears, having always been scrupulously honest in all his relations with his fellowmen and leaving no stone unturned whereby he might benefit his own condition as well as that of his neighbors and friends; consequently he has long ago won the favor of a great number of people of Center township, where he maintains his home and business and which township he is serving as trustee.
Stanford Witherspoon was born September 2. 1871, in Montgomery township, Gibson county, near the city of Owensville, and is the son of John L. and Katherine ( Scott) Witherspoon, both natives of Gibson county. They were the parents of a family of six children. the immediate subject of this sketch being the second child in order of birth. John L. Witherspoon had been engaged in farming in Gibson county all his life, his only absence being the three years' service he gave to his country during the dark days of the sixties as a member of Company A, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
Stanford Witherspoon received his early education in the district schools of his native county and from the time he was quite a young boy lie assisted his father in carrying on the work of the farm. His mother died when he was seventeen years of age and for five years thereafter he remained under the paternal roof. On August 26, 1894, he was united in marriage with Nora Stevens, daughter of E. B. and Julia ( Reaver) Stevens, the former a native of Warrick county and the latter of Gibson county. To their union have been born two children, namely: Glen P., horn June 26, 1896, and now in the second year of high school; and Hazel. born June 26, 1896, and in the first year of high school.
Until about three years ago, Mr. Witherspoon was engaged in farming.
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when he removed his family to the town of Francisco, Gibson county, and engaged in the hardware business. He has been eminently successful in this business venture and is the owner of the fine new building in which his busi- ness is located. He is also the owner of various pieces of residence prop- erty about town and by his success shows what steady determination and effort rightly directed can accomplish.
Mr. Witherspoon gives his political support to the Republican party, in the affairs of which he always evinces a keen interest, and in 1908 he was elected trustee of Center township, Gibson county, on that ticket and is still in office today. The religious sympathies of the family are with the Meth- odist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Witherspoon is a member, and to the furtherance of whose interests he gives of his time and means.
Mr. Witherspoon stands high in public estimation by reason of the upright life he has led and through his genial and kindly nature he has made for himself a warm place in the estimation of those who know him best.
WILLIAM MONTGOMERY.
The biographies of enterprising men, especially of good men, are in- structive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what it is in the power of cach to accomplish. Some men belong to no exclusive class in life; apparently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate renown. The instances of success in the face of adverse fate would seem almost to justify the conclusion that self-reliance, with a half chance, can accomplish any reasonable object. The gentleman whose life history is herewith out- lined was a man who lived to good purpose and achieved a splendid success. By a straightforward and commendable course he made his way to a respect- able position in the business world, winning the hearty admiration of the people of his county and earning a reputation as an enterprising, progressive man of affairs which the public was not slow to recognize and appreciate.
William Montgomery was born on May 8, 1840, on the old Montgomery homestead in Patoka township, Gibson county, Indiana, the son of Green B. and Eliza (Fitzgerald) Montgomery, natives of Kentucky and Indiana, re- spectively. Green B. Montgomery came at an early date to Gibson county, Indiana, where he obtained a tract of wild land, making his
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first home in the midst of a dense forest, which then covered this section of the country. He cleared a small spot and then erected a rude log cabin, which served him for a home until he was able to erect a more commodious and at- tractive home. Mr. Montgomery was a farmer, and spent the rest of his life actively engaged in the operation of this farm until his death, which oc- curred there. His wife died in Princeton. To him and his wife were born the following children : James, who was a farmer in Patoka township, but is now deceased, married Nancy Griffin; John B., who was a farmer near White Church, Patoka township, and was three times married-first to Sarah Per- kins, second to Rebecca Pritchett and third to Maggie Barnett; William B., the immediate subject of this sketch; Parmelia, who married, first, Sandison Emberton, and then Joseph T. Woods, of Princeton, Indiana; Richard, a retired farmer of Princeton, who was a veteran of the Civil War, serving in the Eightieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry; Martha, the wife of L. Olmstead of Patoka township; Willis, deceased, who married Elizabeth Faulkner, deceased; Thomas, the fifth child in order of birth, is a farmer in Patoka township, and married Cordelia McDowell; Victoris, the wife of Robert Corn; Nora, deceased, who was the wife of Charles Florica, of Arkansas.
William Montgomery received a limited education in the schools of his boyhood place, and his early years were characterized by hard, strenuous labor in assisting his father to clear and improve the home farm. However, he was not to be discouraged by the lack of educational opportunities, but, being naturally of a studious disposition and ambitious to learn, he applied himself closely to all the books obtainable and eventually became a well-informed man on general subjects. He lived at home until his marriage in 1869, when he located in Patoka township on the farm where his widow and son now live. Here he applied himself closely to agricultural pursuits during the re- mainder of his life and achieved a splendid success. He was readily recog- nized as an enterprising and progressive agriculturist, the peer of any of his contemporaries. He was not selfish in his interests, but was alive to every- thing that concerned the welfare of the community, giving his earnest sup-
port to every movement which promised to be of material benefit to his fel- lows. Mr. Montgomery had an honorable war history, having enlisted in 1861 as a private in Company B, Sixty-fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, and serving his country faithfully about four years.
On March 31, 1869, Mr. Montgomery married Anna J. Woods, of Lynn- ville, Warrick county, Indiana, daughter of James and Jennie (Bigham)
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Woods. James Woods was the son of David and Esther ( Witherspoon) Woods, and was born in Patoka township, going to Warrick county, Indiana, for several years and back again to Princeton. In 1851 he located again in Princeton and engaged in the mercantile business, eventually locating on a farm southwest of that city, where his death occurred, his widow dying in Princeton. They were members of the United Presbyterian church and were the parents of ten children : Mary, deceased, married David Pierce; Margaret became the wife of Richard Riggs, of Princeton; Thomas H., deceased, was a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and after four weeks' service, died and was brought home for bur- ial; Anna J., wife of the subject of this sketch; Catherine, deceased, was the wife of William C. Daily; Frank is a farmer near King's Station in Patoka township in this county, and married Mary Boyle; Gilbert died unmarried ; Louisa, deceased, was the wife of William Hanks; John B., a merchant at Princeton, married Mary C. Hanna.
To Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery were born ten children, namely: Charles F., who is employed in the Southern railway shops at Princeton, and married Amy Sherry, and has two children, Florence and Lillie; Mary Dell became the wife of Charles Knight, of Patoka township, and they have one son, Virgil; James died at the age of nine years; Elmer Walter, a farmer in Oklahoma, married Stella M. Brown; Clarence died at the age of three months; Jennie is the wife of William Blemker, a car repairer in the railroad shops at Princeton, and has two sons, Ralph and Jesse; Arthur is single, and remains at home with his mother; Maggie is the wife of Walter Arburn, a farmer near Princeton, and has four children, Darwin, Nola, Roy and Thelma; Ross is a lemon grower at Santa Paula, California; Fred, who is a ranchman at Santa Paula, California, married Bessie Woods, and has one child, Hazel Elenora.
Politically, William Montgomery gave life-long support to the Republic- an party, in the success of which he was deeply interested, though he was never an aspirant for public office for himself. His death occurred on De- cember 18, 1896. after a life of earnest efforts characterized by strictest integrity, and his death was deeply mourned by all who knew him. He has been for many years a prominent, substantial and influential citizen of his community, who always stood for the best things in the community, and whose influence was ever on the side of right. Though devoting the major part of his time and attention to the development of his own interests, he never allowed the pursuit of wealth to warp his kindly nature, but pre-
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served his faculties and the warmth of his heart for the broadening and help- ful influence of life, being to the end the kindly, genial friend and gentleman whom it was a pleasure to meet. Mrs. Montgomery is a woman of fine per- sonal character, possessing to a notable degree those womanly graces which win and retain friendship, and is highly respected throughout the community in which she has for so many years resided.
JAMES A. WESTFALL.
The student interested in Gibson county, Indiana, does not have to carry his investigation far into its annals before learning that James A. Westfall has long been an active and leading representative of its agricultural interests and that his labors have proven a potent force in making this a rich farming region. Through several decades he has carried on farming, gradually im- proving his valuable place, and while he has prospered in this, he has also found ample opportunity to assist in the material development of the county, and his co-operation has been of value for the general good.
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