USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana > Part 13
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W. S. MINNIS, a representative of one of the pioneer families of Gibson County, was born in Barton township. April 5, 1848. Ilis father, James Minnis, also a native of Gibson County, was born in 1817, and is a son of Thomas Minnis, a native of the Emerald Isle. For three years during the Civil war Janres Minnis served his country as one of the boys in blue of Company A. Fifty-eighth Illinois Infantry. He has been three times married. and the children of the first tinion are Thomas and Mrs. Arminta Elwin. His second wife was Martha J. daughter of Philemon Dill. Their children are Melvina, wife of T. F. Davis; W. S .: Cynthia A., wife of W. S. Hurst: Minerva J. wife of John W. Coleman: Nellie R .. wife of John Yeager: Belle, wife of J. T. Beatty: James J .: Willis; William S. deceased: Warwick. Cythia and John M. The only child of the third marriage is Walter. Mr. Minnis, of this review, spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads, and enjoyed the educational privileges afforded by the district schools. He was married July 27, 1871. to Seba A., daughter of David and Nancy (Kilpatrick) Martin. Her father was born in South Carolina, and was one of the first
settlers of Gibson County. His surviving children are Mrs. Jane Canadly, Mrs. Nancy Burton, Mrs. Kate Watt, Mrs. Minnis. John C., Mrs. Laura Moore, Mrs. Alice B. Shiner. Mrs. Helen M. Stingle and Mrs. Flora B. Blackwell. Mr. Minnis was elected township trustee on the Democratic ticket in 1982, and served one term. In 1894 he was re-elected to the same office, and is doing effective service in the interests of good schools, grod made and substantial improvements in Barton township. He has al- ways followed farming and his honorable and well spent life has won him the respect of all.
. HENRY W. LUHRING, an esteemed citizen, now follows merchandising in Haubstadt. A man of unswerving integrity and honor, who has a perfect appreciation of the higher ethics of life. he has gained and retained the confidence and respect of his fellow men, and is distinctively one of the leading citizens of Gibson County, with whose interests he has always been identified. Mr. Lubring was born in thiscounty, January 25. 1852, a son of William and Catherine Luhring, natives of Hanover, Germany. On coming to America the father first went to Cincinnati, Ohio,
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and later arrived in Gibson County, with a cash capital of only twenty dollars, but by perseverance and energy he accumulated a comfortable competence. Here he married Catherine Dick- inger, by whom he had two children. Her death occurred about 1861, and the father afterward married again, by which union he had three children. He made farming his life work. continuing that pursuit until his death, which occurred nineteen years ago. On the home farm Henry W. Luring was reared, and with the labors of field and meadow carly became familiar. He acquired a good education in the public schools, and afterward engaged in teaching with excellent success for five years. Subsequently he engaged in clerking in Haubstadt for one year. and in 1876 formed a partnership with Jacob Heimann, for the purpose of dealing in general merchandise. For about eighteen years he continued operations in that line, and then turned his attention to the grain and live stock business. A year later. Imwever. he resumed merchandising with a stock valued at aobut cleven hundred dol- lars. This he has steadily increased and to-day carries a large assortment of general merchandise, while from the public he re- ceives a liberal patronage. Mr. Lubring was married in 1878. the lady of his choice being Miss Martha Boren, daughter of James Boren, of Johnson township. Their only chikl. O. Raymond. having obtained a good literary education, is now studying law. Mr. Lahring exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party, and is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has through his own exertions attained an hon- orable position and marked prestige among the business men of this locality, and with signal consistency it may be said that he is the architect of his own fortunes, and one whose success amply justifies the application of that most expressive title "a self-made man."
JOHN SIPP .- Germany has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men, who have left the Father- land to enter the business circles of this country with its more progressive business methods, livelier competition and advance- ment more quickly secured. Among this number is Mr. Sipp. who was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, August 25, 1820). a son of William and Barbara (Pfeiffer) Sipp, the former a native of Bavaria, and the latter of Hesse-Darmstadt. In the land of their birth they spent their entire lives, and reared their family of two sons and three daughters. John Sipp learned the trade of blacksmithing under his father and gained a good education in his native tongue. He remained in the land of his nativity until 1852. when hoping to improve his financial condition he came to America. Ile was entirely unacquainted with the ways and cus- tomos of the people and could not read or speak the English. language, but fre soon learned to do both. He landed in New
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York and came to Evansville, where for two years he worked at his trade. On the expiration of that period be located in Warren- kom. Gibson County, where he resided for twenty-five years, con- ducting a blacksmith shop. He was then elected County Treas- urer on the Republican ticket and by re-election served in that office for four years, during the greater part of which time he nrade his home in l'rinceton. Near the close of his public service be purchased property in Haubstadt, where he has since lived retired. In 1865 Mr. Sipp was united in marriage to Mary Ella Staser, the second daughter of John C. Staser, of Vanderburgh County. She died in 1881, leaving four children-Margaret. William W., Lula and Olive. Mr. Sipp is a member of the Evangelical Church. Fortune has dealt kindly with him, and has rewarded his energy, diligence and application to business by a comfortable competence. His career is identified with that of Gibson County, where he has acquired fortune, and where he is an honored and respected citizen.
JOHN BALLARD, M. D., who is engaged in the practice of medicine in Haubstarkt, has attained an enviable position in the ranks of the medical fraternity of Southern Indiana. Earnest stirly, broad research and the thoughtful application of the knowledge that he has acquired has given him a skill as a prac .. titioner which makes him a most worthy representative of the profession. He was born in Johnson township, Gibson County. July 16, 1839, and is a son of Thomas and Anna (Carter) Ballard. both natives of Cambridgeshire, England, the former born in 1&x. They were married in their native land, and buried one chikl there. With a daughter they came to America in 1835, tak- ing up their residence in Johnson township. where the father still makes his home on the farm where he first located. The daughter. Mary Ann, who came with the parents to the United States, is now deceased. The children born in this country were cleven in number, and only two are now living-John and Thomas. The latter resides on the old homestead. The father has follower farming throughout his entire life. He adheres to the faith of the Episcopal Church, in which he was reared, and to the principles of Democracy. His wife died in 1891, at the age of seventy-five years. On the farmstead Dr. Ballard spent his boyhood and youth, assisting in the labors of the fields as soon as old enough to handle the plow. His early education, acquired in the district schools, was supplemented by study in Forest Academy of Van- derburgh County, and in Owensville. In 1865 be completed a commercial course in Indianapolis, and in 1866 he entered Jeffer- son College of Philadelphia, where he was graduated in 1868. Dr. Ballard began the practice of his profession in Wheatonville. and in 1872 located in Ilaubstadt, where he has since successfully practiced. In 1878 he went abroad, visiting the leading colleges
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and hospitals of Europe, and throughout this professional career has been a close student of the science of medicine. keeping fully abreast with the progress which characterizes this nineteenth cen- tury development. His worth is acknowledged by his professional brethren and is attested by his large and lucrative practice. The Doctor was married in 1882, the lady of his choice being Miss S. E. Brumfield, of Gibson County. Their home is blessed with four children-Ella, William. Robley and Herbert.
JACOB HEIMANN is one of the enterprising merchants of Haubstadt, whose systematic methods, executive ability and sound judgment, combined with energy and industry have made him one of the substantial citizens of the community. He was born in Bavaria, Gernmany, July 26. 1854, a son of Max and Rachel (inrbel) Heimann, now residents of Evansville, Indiana, where they have made their home since 1865. in which year they crossed the Atlantic to America. Jacob Heimann was at that time eleven. years of age. Ile remained under the parental roof until 1870. when he entered upon his business career as a salesman in War- renton, Gibson County. For six years he was thus employed, and in 1876 he entered into partnership with Henry W. Luhring for the purpose of engaging in general merchandising. The business connection between them continued for eighteen years, after which Mr. Heimann bought out his partner's interest and has since been alone in business. His store in Haubstarkt is filled with a well assorted stock of general mercahudise and a liberal patronage is accorded its proprietor, who by his genial and courteous man- ner and honorable dealing has won the confidence and good will of the public. In 1888 was consummated the marriage of Mr. Heimann and Miss Effa Davis, of Enfield, Illinois. They now have one chikl. Norman. In his political views Mr. Icimann is a Republican, who warmly advocates his party principles. He started out in life for himself when only sixteen years of age, and has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources, so that the success that he has achieved is the merited reward of his labors. He has earned the proud title of a self-marle man, and this life is an examplification of what can be accomplished through determined effort and diligence when guided by sound judgment and characterized by thorough reliability.
HENRY CHRISTIAN STUENKLE was born in Johnson township, Gibson County. November 26, 1847. and has continued his residence here throughout life. He is now a worthy represen- tative of its agricultural interests and his progressive methods Irave made him one of the Icarling farmers of the community: His father, Henry Stuenkle, was born in Hanover, Germany, Deceni- ber 12, 1822, obtained a fair education in that country, and when eighteen years of age came with his parents to America He then started out in life for himself, working one year on the Eric Canal,
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after which he was employed as hostler by a rich merchant of Cincinnati, serving in that capacity for nine years. In the mean- time he married Johanna Cook, who was born near Munson, P'russia, April 6, 1827. They became parents of seven children Henry C .; Louisa; Mary; August and Amelia, deceased; Gustaf H. and Theodore. On leaving Cincinnati Henry Stuenkle brought his family to Gibson County, purchased forty acres of land and began farming. His undertaking was crowned with success, and he was at one time owner of a valuable property for four hun- (red and sixty-three acres, but iras since divided with his children. He has made his frome in Gibson County since 1850, and is one of its well known early settlers. He and his family are members of the Evangelical Church. Henry C. Stuenkle was reared in Iris parents' home and in the public schools obtained a fair education, which fitted him for life's practical duties. Since attaining his ma- jority he has continuously folkwed farming, beginning operations on his own account on a tract of one hundred and twenty-two acres of land which he had received frm his father. Fortune has dealt kindly with him, and as his financial resources have increased Ire has added to his property until he is now the owner of a fine farm of three hundred and eighteen acres; its substantial buikling's are sounded by well tilled fields, and all the improvements and accessories of a model farm are found within its boundaries. On the 13th of October, 1870, when twenty-three years of age, Mr. Stuenkle married Louisa Hasselbruick, and their union has been blessed with six children-Amelia, John, Philip, William, Carl and Paul. Mr. Stuenkle and his family are members of the German Evangelical Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.
ALOIS ZILIAK is a well known and prominent representative of the industrial interests of Haubstadt. Indiana, being one of the stockholders in the Ziliak & Schafer Milling Company. proprietors of the Gibson Mills. A native of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, he was born on the 25th of November. 1850, and is a son of Law- rence and Elizabeth (Diemer) Ziliak, and were natives oof Alsace. France. The parents came to the United States in 1840, and took up their residence in Vanderburgh County, whence they afterward came to Gibson County. Here the father established a mill in 1859, which was the beginning of the present milling business, of which his son is now one of the proprietors. He continued to operate this mill until 1876, when he sold out to the firm of Spear & Schafer. these gentlemen conducting the business until 1880. During his early boyhood Mr. Ziliak, of this review, was brought by his parents to Gibson County, where he attended the common schools. He learned the milling business with his father and in 1880 became one of the proprietors of the old mill. At that time the stock company, known as the Ziliak & Schafer Milling Com- pany, was organized, and in this line they have done an excellent
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business. In 1800 the mill was rebuilt and fitted up with the most moxlern appliances, including the latest improved roller process, and now has a capacity of two hundred barrels of flour per day. They manufacture fine brands of roller flour and their product finds a ready sale on the market because of its superior quality. They also deal in grain and feed, and their business has assumed quite extensive proportions. In connection with his industrial interests in Haubstadt, Mr. Ziliak is proprietor of an elevator in. Cynthiana, and has a distributing room in Evansville and in Princeton, Indiana. His property in connection with grain trade . are valued at forty two thousand dollars. The larly who now bears the name of Mrs. Ziliak was in her maidenhood Miss Caroline Wolf, a daughter of William Wolf, of Baden, Germany. Their union has been blessed with seven children, namely: Lawrence A., August J., Joseph E., Fli M., Maggie M., Olivia L. and Otto C. The parents are members of the Roman Catholic Church and in politics Mr. Ziliak is a Democrat. He has the strictest regard for the ethics of commercial life and his business methods com- mend him to the confidence and regard of all.
GEORGE D. SEITZ, proprietor of a lumber yard and planing mill in Haubstart, belongs to that class of citizens who well repre- sent the opportunities offered in America for one of energy and determination. Starting out in life's journey he has overcome the difficulties and obstacles in his path by determined purpose and has worked his way steadily upward to a position of affluence. Mr. Scitz was born June 17, 1852, in Germany, and is a son of John Seitz, who died when George was about eight years of age. Thrown upon his own resources he started out in life for himself, and until seventeen years of age was employed as a farm hand. On abandoning agricultural pursuits, he entered the service of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad, with which he continued for three years. Losing his leg in an accident he was then given the position of station agent, in wirich capacity he served for eigh- teen years. In 1878 he became interested in his present business, and in 1802 resigned his position as station agent in order to devote his entire time to the lumber trade. He now has a large yard and planing mill, carries a good stock of all kinds of lumber and from the public receives a liberal patronage, his trade con- stantly increasing. Mr. Seitz was united in marriage to Miss Naomi J. Ott, a daughter of John Ott, and to their union have been born three children -- Amy R., Sophia F. aml Dora K. The family is widely and favorably known in this locality, and the members of the Seitz household occupy an enviable position in social circles. Mr. Seitz holds membership in Fort Branch Lodge, No. 291, T. (). O. F., and gives his political support to the Dem- ocracy. His life has been one of great energy and his success has been achieved through untiring labor. Dependent upon his own
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resources from an early age he is indeed a self-made man, and there is much in his life that should serve to inspire and encourage others. He has nade many warm friends in this community and is justly numbered among the leading citizens of Haubystadt.
C. M. THOMAS, M. D., has for ten years engaged in the practice of medicine in Haubstadt, where he has built up a good business. He is one of the native sons of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, February 21, 1844. His parents were Liklow K. and Mary (Mckinney) Thonmas. The father was born in Troyo, Miami County, Ohio, and was a son of Milton Thomas, who was of Scotch-Irish lineage and was also a native of the Buckeye State. The Doctor's mother, a native of Montgomery County, Indiana, was a daughter of James McKinney, who was born in Ohio, and was a representa- tive of one of the old families of this country. The marriage of Ludlow Thomas and Mary McKinney occurred in her native county, and there they spent their renmining days, their home blessed by four children. The Doctor was reared in Crawfords- ville and after attending its public schools became a student in the Christian Union College in Marion, Sullivan County, and was graduated in Wabash College of Crawfordsville in 1864. For about five years thereafter he traveled as a salesman for a whole- sale drug house of New York, and then took up the study of medicine. He is a graduate of the Indiana Medical College of Indianapolis, of the class of 1874, and on leaving school he estab- lished himself in the practice of medicine in Crawfordsville, where Ire remained until coming to Haubstadt in 1886. He has carrierl his researches far into the realms of medical science, and is well versed in the various branches of the profession. People never trust their most precious gift, life, in the hands of one unskilled, and the liberal patronage which Dr. Thomas enjoys is therefore a strong evidence of his pronounced ability. The Doctor is a prominent and valued member of the Masonic Fraternity. His present affiliations being with Princeton Lodge, No. 231, F. & A. M., Princeton Chapter, No. 75, R. A. M., and Lavalet Command- ery, No. 15, K. T. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party, and is a man of broad general inform- ation, both on political and other questions. In 1881 he wedded Miss Barbara M. Bible, and they have one son, Ludlow.
D. P. REAVIS, M. D., a leading physician of Gibson County, now engaged in the practice of medicine in Francisco, was born on the 6th of February, 1856, on the family homestead in this lo- cality. His father, Logan Reavis, was a native of North Carolina, followed farming as a life work and in 1832 came to Gibson County, where he died eighteen years later at the age of fifty-three years. He married Nancy Beasly, daughter of Thomas Beasly, and her death occurred in 1882. Of their family of nine children,
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the following are now living: Minnie E., Cochran: Julia, wife of E. B. Stevens; and D. P. In the common schools Dr. Reavis became familiar with the elementary branches of an English education, and on the homestead he received ample training at farm work, but not wishing to devote his life to agricultural pur- suits, he began the study of medicine when eighteen years of age, and fitted himself for the profession to which he now devotes bis energies. He was graduated from the Medical College of Indiana in 1880, after a two years' course, and at once located in Fran- cisco, where came into active competition with okler physicians of larger experience, but he soon gained the public confidence and has now a practice which might we'll be envied by many who have been much longer in business than he. He has been a close student of the profession and his broad knowledge and devotion to the interest of his patients has won him a skill and gained him a reputation that is indeed enviable. The Doctor was married in Gibson County, in October, 1880. to Keturah, daughter of S. J. Madden. of Illinois. Their union has been blessed with five children-M. Hovey. Jessic, Ralph, Don and an infant son. The Doctor is now camp phy- sician for the Modern Woodmen of America of Francisco. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is serving as superintendent of the Sunday school. and does all in his power to advance the work of the church in this community. In 1884 he was elected Trustee of Center township, and in 1886 was re-elected. During his term he rendered most efficient ser- rice to the township by keeping up the roadls and buikling bridges, and his record as a public official is beyond reproach.
J. C. PATTEN, M. D .- The world has little use for the mis- anthrope. The universal truth of brotherhood is widely recog- nizel, also that he serves God best who serves his fellow men. There is no professor or line of business that calls for greater self-sacrifice or more devoted attention than the medical pro- fession, and the successful physician is he who through love of his fellow men, gives his time and energy to the relief of human suffer- ing. Dr. Patten, of Francisco, is one of the pioneer physicians of Gibson County, who through many years has practiced his clemson calling. Six miles from Columbia. Tennessee, on the Pu- laski mad, stood the home of Hugh Patten, and there on the 8th of March, 1826, the Doctor was born. In 1835 the father brought his family to Gibson County, and engaged in the practice of med- icine in' Princeton He was a cultured gentleman, a graduate in literature of a college in Princeton, New Jersey, and for some years devoted his life to the work of the ministry. He married Jane Barclay. daughter of Samuel Barclay. of Rockbridge, Virginia. and the Doctor is the only surviving chikl. The father died in November, 1876, and the mother in 1879, at the age of sev-
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enty-five. The paternal grandfather, James Patten, was born in Philadelphia, served as a soldier in the French and Indian war, and was a patriot in the army of Washington, being an officer on the staff of the commander-in-chief. After the close of the strug- gle which brought to America her independence, he located in Tennessee, and in 1804 removed to Vanderburgh County, Indiana, where he died in 1815. . Dr. Patten, of this review, acquired his lit- erary education in the schools of Princeton and in carly manhoodl began reading medicine with Dr. William G. Helm, a brother of Governor Helm, of Kentucky. In 1847 aml 1848, in Cincin- nati, ()hio, he attended his first course of lectures and afterward pursued his professional studies in the Evansville Medical College, where he graduated in 1850. Two years previous he had opened an office for practice in Spencer County, and continued in the active prosecution of his profession until the war. Dr. Patten went to the front as a volunteer surgeon, being sent out by Gov- crnor Morton to aid'in the care of Indiana troops after the battle of Corinth, and later was cmmissioned assistant surgeon of the Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry, and attached to Sherman's pontoon train. He served in that capacity from 1864 until the close of .hostilities and his service was gratefully received by many a suf- fering hero of that sanguinary struggle. Since the war he has devoted himself almost exclusively to his profession and has built up a very large practice, which attests his superior skill and ability. He is the owner of a valuable farm in the Wabash Valley and has other property, all of which has been acquired through his own efforts. The Doctor was married in Gibson County, August 6, 1852, to Louisa, daughter of Ferdinand Marstella, who was lost on the Gulf of Mexico in 1844. Their children are Samuel, Mor- gan, Jennie, Elizabeth, Gilbert, Annie and Lewis. The Doctor is a Republican, and served as pension examiner for this county under President Harrison. He belongs to the Masonic Fraternity and to the Grand Army of the Republic, and his unfaltering devo- tion to all the duties of public and private life has won him high regardl.
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