USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Indiana > Part 70
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Politically, Mr. Kerlin gives his support to the Democratic party. al-
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though in no sense a seeker after office. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, and religiously his affiliations are with the Baptist church, to which he gives a liberal support.
In 1887, Mr. Kerlin was united in marriage with Mary L. Cutsinger, of Franklin, a daughter of George Cutsinger, and this union has been blessed with the following children: J. Paul, who is engaged in the automobile business at Franklin; Mark C., a graduate of Franklin College with the class of '13; Warren, who graduated from the Franklin high school, class of '13; Norris, a student in the high school, and Hugh W.
Mr. Kerlin is a man of splendid personality and, because .of his indus- trious habits and persistent energy, he has attained definite success in his vo- cation and enjoys the respect and esteem of the community in which he resides.
DANIEL D. DORRELL.
Dependent very largely upon his own resources from his early youth, Daniel D. Dorrell, of White River township, has attained no insignificant success, and though he may have, like most men of affairs, encountered ob- stacles and met with reverses, he has pressed steadily forward, ever willing to work for the end he has in view. His tenacity and fortitude are due, no doubt, in a large measure to the worthy traits inherited from his sterling ancestors, whose high ideals and correct principles he has ever sought to per- petuate in all the relations of life.
Daniel D. Dorrell was born in Johnson county, Indiana, on October 15, 1862, and is the son of William and Marcella (Bristow) Dorrell, who were the parents of eleven children, namely: Jacob G., who is referred to else- where in this work; Daniel D., who is the immediate subject of this sketch : Joseph, who died in infancy ; Mrs. Sarah Matilda Umbarger, of near Stone's Crossing; Pascal E., of Indianapolis; William A., of Morgan county, this state; Thomas, who is referred to elsewhere in this work; James M., who lives in Missouri; Robert, of near Whiteland, and Mrs. Cena J. Repass, of Hamilton county, this state.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of his home neighborhood and was reared to the life of a farmer, which he followed until of age, and then he took up carpenter work, in which he is ac- tively engaged in connection with his agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of fifty-one and one-half acres of good land in White River township, in the
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cultivation of which he has achieved a splendid success, owing to his sound judgment and up-to-date methods, and he is enjoying a gratifying degree of success in everything to which he turns his hand. As a carpenter he is a good workman and believes in doing well whatever he undertakes, so that he has enjoyed a liberal patronage in that line.
In 1891 Mr. Dorrell was united in marriage to Rosa A. Dorrell, the daughter of Peter and Polly Dorrell, natives of Ohio county, Indiana, and to this union have been born five children: Raymond, Gaylord and Thomas and two who died young. Mrs. Dorrell died on November 3, 1909.
The subject of this sketch gives his political support to the Democratic party, while, religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has served two terms as justice of the peace and has discharged the duties of this office to the entire satisfaction of all having business with him in this particular capacity. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, in the workings of which he takes a live interest. Mr. Dorrell is a man whom to know is to admire, for he has led a most exemplary life, and has sought to do his full duty in all relations with his fellow men, being a man of honor, public spirit, charitable impulses and unswerving integrity and * enterprise, consequently he is eminently deserving of mention in a history of his county, along with other well known and representative citizens.
EDWARD GILL BREWER.
Among the strong and influential citizens of Johnson county the record of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section, the gentleman whose name appears above occupies a prominent place and for years he has exerted a beneficial influence in the locality where he resides. His chief characteristics are keenness of perception, a tireless energy, hon- esty of purpose and motive, and every-day common sense, which have en- abled him not only to advance his own interests, but also largely contribute to the moral and material advancement of the community.
Edward Gill Brewer, than whom no farmer in Pleasant township, John- son county, Indiana, enjoys a higher degree of popular confidence and regard, was born on the farm where he now lives on September 23, 1860, and is the son of David D. Brewer, who was born in Kentucky in 1812 and died on April 24, 1884. The subject's paternal grandfather, Daniel Brewer, a native of Kentucky, came to Johnson county early in the thirties and entered the
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MR. AND MRS. EDWARD G. BREWER AND SONS
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present rural homestead. David D. Brewer married Nancy Green, a native of Tennessee and the daughter of George Green. She was born in 1825, was brought to Johnson county by her parents in an early day, and her death occurred in 1901. By her union with Mr. Brewer she became the mother of six children, namely: Daniel A., who lives on a part of the old home- stead in Pleasant township; Mary J., who died in 1900; E. G., the subject of this sketch; two who died in infancy, and John, who died at the age of two years. David D. Brewer was a prominent man in the community in his day and at one time owned three hundred and eighty acres of fine farm land near Whiteland. He was also largely interested in the First National Bank of Franklin, and at the time of the bank's failure lost between fifty and sixty thousand dollars. He was progressive in his disposition and enterprising in his attitude toward local matters, being an influential man and active in the advancement of the community's best interests. Politically, he was a Demo- crat, and, religiously, a Presbyterian.
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The subject of this sketch received his education in the Whiteland schools, though he was compelled by necessity to leave school at the age of eighteen years and assist his father in the operation of the home farm. At the latter's death he inherited a share of the estate, comprising one hundred acres, in the operation of which he has been successful and to which he has added eighty acres. At one time he owned two hundred and fifty acres, but of this he has sold seventy acres. He carries on a diversified system of farm- ing and raises all the crops known to this locality and gives a share of his attention to live stock. He has at present forty-five acres planted to corn, thirty-three acres in wheat and three acres in hay, eight acres in peas and twenty acres in clover. In live stock his annual output is one hundred and fifty hogs, he having more than two hundred animals on the place, and he feeds about one load of cattle, having also twenty head of horses and mules. The farm is kept up to the highest standard of agricultural excellence and its general appearance and the method of its operation reflects great credit on the sound judgment, wise discrimination and indefatigable energy of the owner.
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Politically, Mr. Brewer has given his ardent support to the Democratic party, but has been in no sense a seeker after the honors of public office for himself. Fraternally, he belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons and Knights of Pythias, belonging to the Franklin lodge of the first named order, while his religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian church, in the pros- perity of which he is deeply interested.
In 1889 Mr. Brewer married Cora Vanarsdell, the daughter of Jackson
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Vanarsdell, a native of Kentucky. Mrs. Brewer was also born in the old Blue Grass state, where she was reared and where her marriage occurred. To this union have been born two children, namely: Wilbur Jackson, born in August, 1890, graduated from Franklin College, and for the past two years has been teacher of English in the high school at Sioux City, Iowa; Norval David, the younger son, was born on December 16, 1901, is a graduate of the Whiteland high school and now has practical charge of the home farm. That Mr. Brewer is enterprising in his operation is evidenced by the fact that in 1897 he bought forty acres of land north of the interurban crossing at White- land, for which he paid two hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre, and three years later he sold this for three hundred dollars per acre, a substantial profit. In all his operations he is actuated by the highest motives, his relations with his fellow citizens having been such as to gain their confidence and good will, and, because of his unassuming manners and genial disposition, he has earned and retains the sincere regard of all who know him.
JOHN FOXWORTHY.
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 each 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 stimulas 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 outlined is a man who has lived to good purpose and achieved a splendid success. By a straightforward and commendable course he has made his way to a respectable position in the business world, winning the hearty admiration of the people of his county and earning a reputation as an enter- prising, progressive man of affairs which the public has not been slow to recognize and appreciate.
John Foxworthy, one of the representative citizens and successful agri- culturists of Nineveh township, Johnson county, Indiana, was born on Decem- ber 8, 1850, in Nelson county, Kentucky, and is the son of John and Margaret Foxworthy, both of whom were born, reared and married in Kentucky, and both of whom are now deceased, the father dying in 1891 and the mother in
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1898. Upon coming to Indiana the family first settled on Sugar creek in Blue River township in February, 1850, and they became known as respectable, hardworking and honest citizens. They became the parents of seven chil- dren, namely : Louise, deceased; Mrs. Sarah Ann Durham; Taylor, deceased; John, the immediate subject of this sketch; Mrs. Susan Hilt, deceased; Ed- ward and Joseph.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of Nineveh and Blue River townships, his first studies being pursued in a school house at the east edge of Nineveh. By necessity he was compelled to start in life on his own account at an early age and by hard work and the strictest economizing he was enabled to save a little money. He first followed sawmill work and later was employed in a grist mill until 1903 when he purchased his first farm of forty-three acres in Nineveh township, to the im- provement and cultivation of which he has devoted himself since. He is a practical and thorough agriculturist and has achieved a splendid success in his work. He follows the most practical methods of farming, not hesitat- ing to adopt new methods when their practicability has been demonstrated by experience to be better than old methods, and the general appearance of his place is a credit to him. In addition to the cultivation of the soil, he also gives some attention to the breeding and raising of live stock, which he has found to be a valuable adjunct to agriculture, and in every department of his work he has earned a reputation as a careful, painstaking and thorough man.
Politically a Democrat, Mr. Foxworthy has been for many years active- ly interested in the welfare of his community, and in 1904 he was elected trustee of his township, in which responsible position he discharged his duties in a manner eminently satisfactory to his fellow citizens. Fraternally, he is a member of Nineveh Lodge No. 317, Free and Accepted Masons. Reli- giously, he is a member of the Christian church and has served as an elder of that society for the past seven years.
In July, 1882, Mr. Foxworthy was married to Mary A. Sconce, the daughter of William Sconce, of Blue River township, this county, and to them have been born two children, namely: Mrs. Una Sledge, who is the mother of one child, Ivory, and Paul, who graduated from the Nineveh high school in May, 1913, and is now a student in the State University, intending to follow the vocation of teaching. Mr. Foxworthy has made his influence felt for good in his community in Nineveh township, being a man of sterling worth, whose life has been closely interwoven with the history of the com-
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munity in which he resides and whose efforts have always been for the material advancement of the same, as well as for the social and moral welfare of his fellow men. The well regulated life he has led, thereby gaining the respect and admiration of all his fellow citizens, entitles him to representa- tion in a biographical work of the scope intended in the present one. Genial and unassuming in his relations with his fellow men, he has won and re- tains the confidence and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.
MARTIN CUTSINGER.
The following is the sketch of a plain honest man of affairs, who by correct methods and a strict regard for the interests of his patrons has made his influence felt in Edinburg and won for himself distinctive prestige in the business circles of that city. He would be the last man to sit for romance or become the subject of fancy sketches, nevertheless his life presents much that is interesting and valuable and may be studied with profit by the young, whose careers are yet to be achieved. He is one of those whose integrity and strength of character must force them into an admirable notoriety which their modesty never seeks, who command the respect of their contemporaries and their posterity and leave the impress of their individuality deeply stamped upon the community.
Martin Cutsinger, who in many ways has been prominently identified with the commercial and industrial progress of Edinburg, was born in Shelby county, Indiana, on February 7, 1856. He is the son of Samuel and Eliza- beth (Harris) Cutsinger, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky and who came to Shelby county in 1830. Settling in the woods, he created and developed a splendid farm, and to its cultivation and improvement he gave his undivided attention for many years. In 1865 he engaged in the starch manu- facturing business in Edinburg with the assistance of two other men, but in 1890 the plant was sold to the National Starch Manufacturing Company, who ran the business until 1893, when the plant was closed. Eventually the Irwins, of Columbus, Indiana, bought the plant and equipment and now it is operated as a glucose factory, manufacturing fancy table syrup. After relinquishing his interest in the starch factory the subject's father engaged in business with J. A .. Thompson, with whom he was associated up to the time of his death, which occurred on October 20, 1893. Politically, he was a staunch Democrat, while his religious belief was that of the Christian church, in the building of
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MARTIN CUTSINGER
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which edifice he was an important factor. The subject's father died on June 7, 1894. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom seven daugh- ters and one son are still alive. Mary is the widow of J. A. Thompson and is living in Edinburg; Jennie is the widow of J. I. Thompson and also lives in Edinburg; Maria is the wife of George Mullendore, a successful farmer near Edinburg; Catherine is the wife of D. C. Marsh, of Edinburg; Hannah B. is the widow of H. E. Smith, of Indianapolis; Indiana is the widow of James Detrick, of Chicago; Eleanora is the wife of J. C. Valentine, of Franklin; William E., of Indianapolis; George and Edmundson are deceased; the sub- ject of this sketch was next in order, and the two youngest were I. H., de- ceased, and a baby who died in infancy.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of John- son county and his energies were applied to the pursuit of agriculture from 1876 until 1890, when he moved to Edinburg and became interested in the starch business with his father until 1893 when he bought an interest in the grain and veneer business. For three years he was local agent for the Na- tional Starch Company, then he became associated with J. A. Thompson in the grain business, the latter eventually selling his interest to D. R. Webb, with whom the subject was associated for five years, when they both sold their interests and the subject has since conducted the grain and veneer business on his own account. In 1906 W. T. Thompson was associated with him for a while until May, 1913, when Mr. Cutsinger obtained full control of the busi- ness and is now operating on his own account. Mr. Cutsinger is a wide-awake business man of progressive ideas, keenly alive, to the best interests of his patrons and by honorable and straightforward methods has won the confi- dence of the public and forged to the front among the most enterprising men of his community. His career has indeed been an honorable one and, though strenuous, there is nothing in it savoring in the slightest degree of disrepute, his relations with his fellowmen having ever been above reproach and his good name beyond criticism.
In 1876 Mr. Cutsinger was united in marriage with Charity Williams, the daughter of Clayborn and Nancy (Scott) Williams, both now deceased. The father was a successful farmer in Johnson county and stood high in the com- munity. To Mr. and Mrs. Cutsinger have been born five children: Homer I., who is his father's assistant in business; Clarence D., who also is with the subject, married Rebie Thompson : Corwin, deceased : Minnie Belle, the wife of H. H. Mutz, a druggist, and David M., deceased.
Politically, Mr. Cutsinger has given an ardent support to the Democratic
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party, in the success of which he takes a live interest and in all the affairs of life he is a man among men. His religious affiliations are with the Christian church, of which he is an earnest member and to which he contributes lib- erally. He is a man of genial disposition and enjoys a large popularity in the community where he has spent his life, while in his home, being a man of marked domestic tastes, he finds his greatest enjoyment in the society of his loved ones and in the entertainment of his many friends, who ever find there the spirit of true, old-time hospitality.
ALBERT T. BRUNNEMER.
It was remarked by a celebrated moralist and biographer that "there has scarcely passed a life of which a judicious and faithful narrative would not have been useful." Believing in the truth of this opinion, expressed by one of the greatest and best of men, the writer of this review takes pleasure in pre- senting a few facts in the career of a gentleman who, by industry, perseverance, temperance and integrity, has worked himself from an humble station to a successful place in life and won an honorable position among the well known and highly esteemed men of the locality in which he resides.
Albert T. Brunnemer was born near his present home in Pleasant town- ship, Johnson county, Indiana, on October 29, 1869, and is the son of George L. and Nancy C. (VanArsdale) Brunnemer. George L. Brunnemer, who was born January 22, 1842, and who died in 1910, was the son of Anthony and Blanche (Mitchell) Brunnemer, natives respectively of Virginia and Tennes- see. In 1860 the family settled on a farm one mile north of Whiteland, Johnson county, Indiana, and the parents spent the rest of their days in the vicinity of Whiteland. George L. Brunnemer was married on February 5, 1863, to Sarah E. McClellan, the daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Clem) McClellan, natives of Kentucky, and to this union were born two children, James B., born December 11, 1863, who married Louie A. Sharp, and Sarah E., born August 12, 1866, now deceased. Mrs. Sarah Brunnemer died Sep- tember 5, 1866, and on October 23, 1867, he married Nancy C. Vanarsdale, the daughter of Cornelius A. B. and Nancy J. (Clem) Varnarsdale. She was born in Pleasant township, Johnson county, Indiana, on October 20, 1849, and bore to her husband three children : Albert T .; Amy J., born December 8, 1871, who became the wife of Hugh E. Johnson, and William J., born
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March 3, 1874. George L. Brunnemer enlisted on February 15, 1865, in Company E. One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served as corporal until receiving an honorable discharge on September 5, 1865. In 1866 he moved to his farm in section 29, Pleasant township, where at the time of his death he owned three hundred and sixty acres of splendid land. He also owned and operated a saw mill with success and profit.
Albert T. Brunnemer received his education in the district schools of his community and lived on the home farm until twenty-nine years of age, when he located on his present place, in the operation of which he has achieved a very gratifying success. He is a practical and systematic farmer, giving his personal attention to every detail of the farm work, and in the raising of general crops and a due share of attention to live stock he has been re- munerated for his efforts. He was also an organizer and is at the present time a director of the Whiteland National Bank, and in the community is numbered among the men of strong business ability and progressive ten- dencies, having given his support to all movements for the upbuilding and progress of the community.
On December 9, 1896, Mr. Brunnemer was united in marriage to Rose Perkins, the daughter of George and Sarah (Yaste) Perkins, both of whom are natives of Mercer county, Kentucky. Mrs. Brunnemer was born March 19, 1878, and by her union with Mr. Brunnemer has become the mother of one child, Myron L., who was born on November 26, 1898.
Politically, Mr. Brunnemer gives his support to the Republican party, in the success of which he has taken a commendable interest, though in no sense a seeker for public office for himself. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church, in the prosperity of which he is deeply in- terested. On his splendid farm of seventy-four acres of land he is enjoying life to the full, realizing, as the public at large are realizing more than ever, that the farmer today is to be envied rather than his condition deplored, as was at one time the case. Mr. Brunnemer's life has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the notably systematic and honorable methods he has followed have won for him the unbounded confidence and regard of all who have formed his acquaintance. He has worked his way from an humble beginning to his present situation, which fact renders him the more worthy of the praise that is duly accorded him by his fellow men.
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WILLIAM J. BRUNNEMER.
Upon the roll of representative citizens and prominent and influential agriculturists of Pleasant township, Johnson county, appears the name of the gentleman at the head of this county since his youth and has worked his own way to a position of marked precedence in both business and political affairs, while he is held in unqualified esteem by the people of his community.
William J. Brunnemer, who is living on the old Vanarsdale homestead in Pleasant township, Johnson county, Indiana, where he operates successfully one hundred and thirty-two acres of splendid farming land, was born in the neighborhood where he now lives and is the son of George L. and Nancy C. (Vanarsdale) Brunnemer. The father was born on January 22, 1842, the son of Anthony and Blanche Brunnemer, who were born in Virginia and Tennessee respectively. In 1860, the family came to Indiana, locat- ing about a mile north of Whiteland, Johnson county, where they pursued the vocation of agriculture and where George L. spent the balance of his days, his death occurring there in April, 1909. He was a native of Morgan county, and at the outbreak of the Civil war his patriotism was aroused and he gave his support to the cause of the Union. On February 15, 1865, he enlisted as a private in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he was appointed a corporal. He served valiant- ly during the closing months of the war and on September 5, 1865, received an honorable discharge. The following year he located on his farm in section 29; Pleasant township, to the cultivation of which he devoted his time and energies with considerable success so that at his death he was the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of land. He also gave some attention to the operation of a saw mill which he owned in that neighborhood. He was twice married, first on February 5, 1863, to Sarah E. McClellan, the daugh- ter of Joseph and Margaret (Clem) Mcclellan, natives of Kentucky, and to this union were born two children: James D., who was born on December II, 1863, and married Louie A. Sharp, and Sarah E., whose birth occurred on August 12, 1866, and who is now deceased. Mrs. Sarah Brunnemer died on September 5, 1866, and on October 23d of the following year Mr. Brunne- mer was united in marriage to Nancy C. Vanarsdale, a daughter of Cor- nelius A. B. and Nancy J. (Clem) Vanarsdale, her birth having occurred in Pleasant township, this county, on October 24, 1848. To George L. Brunne- mer's last union were born three children: Albert T., who is represented elsewhere in this work; Ammie J., who was born on December 8, 1871, and
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