USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > History of Old Vincennes and Knox County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 31
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John Kroggel was educated in the public schools of Germany, where he received a good training, which has been of great benefit to him during his active life. He came to the United States at the age of eighteen years, in 1884, and for eight years engaged in farming. However, his talents seemed to attract him in another direction and he changed his occupation, becoming driver of a huckster wagon. Twelve years ago he entered the mercantile business for himself and has since continued, attaining a grati- fying measure of success, which usually is the result of well applied in- dustry.
In 1898 Mr. Kroggel was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Due, and two children have blessed the union, Theodore and Herbert, both of whom are at home. Mr. Kroggel is in hearty sympathy with the principles of the democratic party, whose candidates he usually assists to the extent of
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his ability, and is a valued member of the Evangelical German church of Westphalia. He is a man who would make his way anywhere. He under- stands the necessity of economy in the beginning of any successful career and he has the patience and perseverance that are not to be defeated by dif- ficulties. Hence it is no wonder that he has scored success in his adopted country, and it is hardly necessary to say that no more patriotic citizen is to be found than the worthy subject of this review.
NELSON CARROLL.
Nelson Carroll, of Sandborn, Knox county, who by application and sound judgment has gained recognition as one of its substantial business men, was born in Vigo township, this county, one and three-fourths miles west of Sandborn, February 7, 1876. He is a son of Jackson and Elizabeth (Brewer) Caroll. The father was also a native of Knox county and passed his life here but died in Sandborn in 1879. He was one of the successful farmers of Knox county and a man of very high standing, whose influence was always exerted in the direction of upbuilding the permanent welfare of those with whom he was connected. The mother of our subject was a native of Greene county, this state, and was married in Knox county. She is now living and makes her home at Sandborn. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Carroll: John W., a farmer of Vigo township; Emmett, who is also engaged in farming in Vigo township and is in partnership with our subject in business ; and Nelson, our subject.
Educated in the old North Vincennes school for a few years, the sub- ject of this review received a fair start along the lines of mental training, which he has greatly extended by reading and observation. He was brought up to work and remembers that at eight years of age he was set to plow- ing corn and succeeded in holding the plow between the furrows. Later he learned the brickmason's trade and became a contractor, in which he continued until 1903, when he invested in the lumber business. After some experience in his new enterprise he associated with his brother and they are now in charge of a large lumber yard, with a complete line of every- thing pertaining to the building interests. Being men of good business ca- pacity, they have attracted a large patronage in Sandborn and from the surrounding country, so that now they are receiving handsome returns upon their investment and the business is steadily growing. Our subject is also identified with real estate and other interests and finds his time well taken up in meeting the demands of a progressive community.
On the 10th of July, 1896, Mr. Carroll was happily united in marriage to Miss Alice Wells, of Sandborn, Indiana. Two children have blessed the union, Roxie and Lester. Politically Mr. Carroll is in sympathy with the democratic party and socially he is identified with the Masonic lodge of
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Sandborn, being past master of the same. He is a firm believer in the authority of the Bible and he and his wife are active members of the Christian church, of which he is a deacon and treasurer. By conscientious application and wise business sagacity, he has become in a large degree financially independent and is known as one of the progressive business men of Knox county. He has gained his present enviable position very largely through his innate spirit of perseverance, never yielding to dis- couragements, and he is a living illustration of the value of those important characteristics in attaining a laudable success in life.
ROBERT CURRY.
Among the men who bravely performed their duty on the field of battle when the country was in danger may be named Robert Curry, an honored resident of Edwardsport, Knox county. He was born in Dubois county, Indiana, September 30, 1844, and is a son of Thomas and Catherine (Bar- ren) Curry. The father was born in Durham county, England, in 1809, and was a coal miner there. He came to the United States in 1833, stopping for a time at Pittsburg and then going to Hawesville, Kentucky, where he be- came a coal operator on the Mississippi river, delivering to the market at New Orleans. After seven years' experience in the south he located in Dubois county, Indiana, where he purchased eighty acres of land, which he cultivated until 1854, when he settled in Edwardsport. Here he lived until his death, which occurred April 23, 1876. Politically he was a stanch repub- lican. A firm believer in the authority of the Bible, he was a valued member of the Christian church. The mother of our subject was also born in Dur- ham county, England, where her eyes first opened to the light of day in 1812. She was married in England, in 1831, and departed this life at Edwardsport, September 18, 1877. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Curry : John, who was born March 1, 1833, and died October 5, 1861 ; Alice, who was born July 5, 1835, and passed away in February, 1898; Elizabeth, who was born February 21, 1837, and died in March, 1898; Thomas, Jr., who was born December 9, 1840, and was called to his final rest in September, 1858; Robert, our subject; James, who was born May 5, 1848, and now a farmer of Decker, Indiana; Jacob B., who was born February 2, 1852, and died August 19, 1953; and Jacob II, who was born July 3, 1854, and died August 23, 1854.
The subject of this review was educated in the district schools and grew up on the home farm, where he remained until he was twenty-three years of age. On July 4, 1863, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Eighteenth Indiana Volunteers, for a period of six months, and remained in the field until discharged in March, 1864. After a short visit at home he re- enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Indiana Volun- teers, for one hundred days, serving until after the close of the war, when
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he was honorably discharged. He took part in the battles of Blue Springs, Bullsgap, Mains Crossroads and many lesser engagements, always perform- ing his duties in such a way as to meet the hearty approval of the officers of his company. After returning from the army he devoted his attention for a time to farming and later was a coal operator, also engaging in the grain and live-stock business. He has been very successful and is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and sixty acres in Vigo township and a beau- tiful home at Edwardsport, to which is attached sixteen acres of ground.
In 1866 the subject of this review was united in marriage to Miss Mar- garet Walker, who was born in Daviess county, Indiana, May 31, 1841, and is a daughter of John and Anna (Smiley) Walker. Two children blessed the union. Catherine is the wife of W. E. Payne, pastor of the Christian church of Brownstown, Indiana. They have two children, Elmer Curry and John Howard. Orris Asa was married to Jessie Roby and they have six children: Ruby, Robert C., Charlotte, Garnette, Teddy R. and Frances.
Mr. Curry is a stanch supporter of the republican party and, although he has never sought political honors, he takes great interest in the party's success. He is prominently identified with a number of fraternal organiza- tions and was a charter member of the Edwardsport lodge, A. F. & A. M. He has passed through all the chairs in the blue lodge and holds membership in the chapter at Bicknell, Indiana. He and his wife are both members of the Order of the Eastern Star and he is grand patron of the local lodge. He was a charter member of the Edwardsport lodge, I. O. O. F., being the only charter member of this organization now living. The lodge was insti- tuted June 27, 1867, and he has passed through all of its chairs. He was also a charter member of the encampment and is now chief patriarch. He and his wife both hold membership in the Rebekahs and he was a charter mem- ber of the local lodge of the Grand Army of the Republic and its first com- mander. Mr. and Mrs. Curry are identified with the Christian church and are socially quite prominent in the community. Their pleasant home is a gathering place where friends and acquaintances may at all times be assured of a cordial welcome. In his wife Mr. Curry has been greatly blessed, as she is a woman of excellent judgment and the possessor of many beautiful traits of character.
H. G. CONRAD.
H. G. Conrad, the superntendent of the Freeman mines, was born in Ed- wardsport, Knox county, Indiana, on the 13th of November, 1877, his par- ents being Gideon and Lorena (Greene) Conrad. The father, a native of Pike county, Indiana, came to Knox county in early life and here continued to reside until called to his final rest save for a period of about ten years which he spent in the west. He worked as a miner throughout his entire
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business career and passed away in 1900. The mother of our subject, who was born, reared and married in Pike county, still resides in Bicknell, where she has an extensive circle of friends.
H. G. Conrad attended the common schools until fourteen years of age and then went into the mines as a trapper. When a youth of eighteen he was made boss driver, while two years later he was promoted to the position of boss and at the early age of twenty-one became mine superintendent, which position he has held continuously since. He first served in that capac- ity at Edwardsport for five years and then came to Bicknell, where he acted as assistant superintendent for two years before being advanced to the posi- tion of superintendent. When the mine was opened he laid it out according to his ideas, having full charge of the underground development. He was graduated from the Scranton Correspondence School as a civil engineer, mining engineer and superintendent of mines and also passed the state ex- amination, holding license as fire boss, mine boss and mine superintendent. He has worked his way steadily upward from a humble position to one of large responsibility and has proven himself especially capable in planning work and directing the labors of those under him.
On the 14th of June, 1905, Mr. Conrad was united in marriage to Miss Grace Thompson, by whom he has one son, Harvey Earl. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Edwardsport. He also belongs to the encampment. In the county where his entire life has been spent he is well known and popular, having won the kindly regard and esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
ALBERT G. CRAIG.
Albert G. Craig, who for the past six years has conducted a well ap- pointed jewelry store in Bicknell, was born in Otwell, Pike county, Indiana, on the 17th of June, 1874, his parents being William and Louisa M. (Mc- Christy) Craig. The father, whose birth occurred in Kentucky in August, 1830, was but six months old when taken by his parents to Pike county, Indiana, where he has resided continuously to the present time. He has worked at the cooper's trade throughout his entire business career, which occupation was followed by his ancestors for many years. Unto him and his wife were born eleven children, the record of whom is as follows: Herman E., who is a resident of Vincennes, Indiana ; William T., a jeweler of Otwell, Indiana ; Theresa A., the wife of John H. Smith, who follows farming near Spurgeon, Indiana ; Elisha R., who is engaged in agricultural pursuits near Mountain Grove, Missouri; John P., of Otwell, Indiana, who is a driller for oil and coal; Oliver A., who was drowned in 1881; Marshall E., who fol- lows carpentering at Otwell, Indiana; Cassius E., who is deceased; Louisa
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Etha, who has also passed away; Albert G., of this review; and Eva Eme- line, who is likewise deceased.
Albert G. Craig obtained his education in the graded schools of Otwell and there began his work as a jeweler. Subsequently he spent three years in Winslow and then removed to Hazleton, where he remained for four months. On the expiration of that period he came to Bicknell, here estab- lishing his present business on the 10th of October, 1904. He handles a very select stock of jewelry, cut glass, chinaware, music, etc., and enjoys an extensive and profitable patronage. He also does a general line of repairing and is widely recognized as one of the substantial, enterprising and repre- sentative business men of the town. For the past four years he has been collecting old Indian relics and now has one of the finest collections of the kind in Knox county.
On the 5th of April, 1905, Mr. Craig was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Couch, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, by whom he has three children, namely : Elva Lorain ; and Ethelyn Louisa and Evelyn Louesea, twins.
Mr. Craig is a socialist in politics but has always voted the prohibition ticket, being a firm believer in the temperance cause. Fraternally he is identi- fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Bicknell. He belongs to the Christian church and acts as an elder therein as well as chairman of its board. He is likewise a member of the Retail Jewelers Association of Indi- ana and the National Jewelers Association. In all the relations of life he has proved himself an earnest, honest, upright man and a citizen of whom any community might well be proud.
WILLIAM A. DELLINGER.
William A. Dellinger, who has lived in honorable retirement at Bicknell for the past two years, was long and successfully identified with the agri- cultural interests of Knox county as a farmer and stock-raiser of Widner township. His birth occurred in Virginia on the 17th of November, 1852, his parents being Joseph and Sarah (Cash) Dellinger. The father, likewise a native of the Old Dominion, came to Indiana in 1856, locating in Harrison county. Subsequently he removed to Kansas and there followed farming throughout the remainder of his life. The mother of our subject was born, reared and married in the Sunflower state and resides there at the present time.
William A. Dellinger, who was but four years of age at the time of his parents' removal to this state, attended the common schools in the acquire- ment of an education. In 1870 he came to Knox county, locating in Widner township, where he was successfully engaged in farming throughout the re- mainder of his active business career, also devoting considerable attention to the raising and feeding of stock. Two years ago he put aside the active
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work of the fields and purchased a fine residence in Bicknell, where he has since lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease. He still owns two hundred and ten acres of valuable land in this county and is widely recognized as a most substantial and respected citizen.
Mr. Dellinger has been married twice. In 1873 he wedded Miss Mar- garet Chambers, who passed away the same year. For his second wife he chose Miss Alice Polk, by whom he has six children, as follows : Horace P., superintendent of schools at Pittsburg, Kansas, is married and has two chil- dren, Alice and Ralph. Lawrence, a resident of Missouri, is married and has one child, Blanche. Edgar, who follows farming in Widner township, is married and has two children, Thelma and Dwight. Ralph is at home. Chester is married and has one child, Ruth. Robert is also at home.
In politics Mr. Dellinger is a republican, while fraternally he was identi- fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for a time. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church. The period of his residence in Knox county covers four decades and he enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance within its borders.
PINKNEY DE LAY.
Pinkney De Lay, a well known business man and farmer of Knox county, now living partially retired, was born in Stafford township, Greene county, Indiana, April 8, 1835, a son of Alexander and Rachel (Carl) De Lay. The father was a native of North Carolina, born in 1801, and was one of the early pioneers of Indiana, coming to Greene county about 1832 or 1833, where he was identified with farming interests until his death, which occurred in 1866. The mother of our subject was born in North Carolina, in 1801, and was married in her native state before coming to Indiana. She departed this life twenty-two years after her husband, in 1888. They had eight children : Mary, and David, both deceased; James, who served in Com- pany C, Eightieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at the time of the Civil war and is now deceased; Nancy Jane, the wife of Samuel Hollingsworth, of Oklahoma; Malinda, deceased; Pinkney, our subject; Albert, who died in 1859; and Martha, also deceased.
Pinkney De Lay was reared on the home farm under pioneer conditions and received his early education in the subscription school, a system which was in use prior to the introduction of the common schools. He assisted in the farm work as he grew up and continued at home until he was twenty- three years of age, when he took unto himself a wife and removed to Knox county, locating on the White river bottom. Here he cultivated land and carried on general farming with a high degree of success, being recognized as one of the substantial farmers of the community. In 1892 he removed to Sandborn, where he has since lived and is actively identified with the Sand-
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born Bank, having been one of its organizers and now serving upon its board of directors. He is also interested in real estate and is the owner of one hundred and ninety acres of highly improved land in Knox and Greene counties. The farm is being cultivated by younger men and he is devoting his attention to other interests, in which he has made good paying invest- ments.
On the 10th of February, 1859, Mr. De Lay was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Maxwell, of this county, and they became the parents of eight children : J. A., a farmer of Bicknell, is married and has one daughter, Har- riet. Elizabeth is the next of the family. William, who is engaged in the drug business in Palestine, Illinois, is married and has four sons, Earl, Cecil, Floyd and Frank. James A., a Christian minister, now deceased, married and had one daughter, Jamie. David Curtis, who is operating a gristmill at Lyons, Greene county, Indiana, is married and has seven children, Stella, Eldon, Ellis, Ruth, Chester, Virgil and Dorothy. Clyde, a farmer of Vigo township, is married and has two sons, Elmer and William. One child died in infancy. Maud is the wife of Everett Jones, who is in business with our subject, and they have had three children but only one is living, Everett P.
In March, 1905, Mr. De Lay was called upon to mourn the loss of his beloved wife, a woman of many beautiful attributes of mind and heart, who made many friends by her unselfish life.
Mr. De Lay is politically in sympathy with the republican party. He has never aspired to public office but for two and one-half years he served with great acceptance as member of the town board. He is a man of liberal views and is not a member of any religious denomination but contributes to all of the local churches. Successful in business and also in making friends, Mr. De Lay is known as a citizen of sterling qualities and one who has been of distinct benefit to the community. Loved by his children and associates, he is now at ease passing the evening of a well spent life, which has re- flected credit not only upon himself but upon all with whom he has been connected. -
J. G. SIMONSON.
J. G. Simonson, of Edwardsport, who is a descendant of good English ancestry and whose father was a pioneer of Indiana, was born in Daviess county, Indiana, across the river from Edwardsport, August 9, 1845. He is a son of Alfred and Sarah (Perkins) Simonson. The father was born in a fort in the early pioneer days about half way between Edwardsport and Bicknell. He passed his entire life in Knox county with the exception of four years, which he spent in Daviess county, and until 1846 engaged in farming. At the time named he entered the general merchandise business at Edwardsport, dealing also extensively in grain and pork, which he shipped
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by water to New Orleans. Associating with George Morgan, he built a large brick pork house, which still stands and is the largest building in Edwards- port, being used as a grain elevator. It is one hundred and seven by thirty feet in foundation area. He also built a large brick store building, which still stands and is used by the subject of this review. The father was a prominent real-estate holder in Edwardsport and erected twelve residences in the town. He was a democrat and a member of the Masonic order, hav- ing advanced to the higher degrees in the organization. At the time of his death in 1901 he was the oldest member of Washington lodge, Daviess county. The mother of our subject was born at Sugar Grove, Daviess county, and departed this life in Knox county in 1907. There were nine children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Simonson: George, a farmer of Freelandville; Emeline, the widow of Dr. Anderson, of Vincennes ; J. G., our subject ; Lee, a farmer of Vigo township; Flora, the wife of David Bruner, of Sandborn, Indiana; Laura, the wife of Steve Slinkard of Los Angeles, California, and Florence, John and Dora, all deceased.
Educated in the public schools of Edwardsport, J. G. Simonson, at six- teen years of age, in 1861, began his active career in partnership with his father, in which he continued for many years. About 1889 the partnership was dissolved and he conducted business on his own account, retiring from active operations in 1905. He is the owner of two lots and the brick store building which his father erected and also of forty-five acres of valuable land near town and sixty acres one and one-half miles south of town, as well as other interests which yield him a handsome income upon his invest- ments.
Politically Mr. Simonson adheres to the democratic party. He has never aspired to official position but has always willingly assisted his friends who desired public office. Successful in business affairs, he can claim a host of admirers in the county where he has passed his entire life, and is recognized as a citizen whose honor has never been questioned and who has ever aimed to perform his duty to all with whom he was associated.
JOHN A. RISCH.
Among the successful business men of Vincennes stands John A. Risch, who is president of the Vincennes Milk Condensing Company and is promi- nently connected with other interests. He is a native of Knox county, born September 21, 1865, and is a son of Sebastian and Mary (Heller) Risch His father, who was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France, in 1834, came to America and for twenty-five years was engaged in the general merchandise business. The mother was a native of Indiana. Eight children of the family are now living: Catherine, now Mrs. John B. Prullage, of Vincennes, whose husband is sole owner of the Knox County Brick Yards ; John A., the subject
JOHN A. RISCH
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of this review ; and Anthony M., Joseph J., Henry, Josephine, Lawrence, and Anna, now Mrs. Aubrey Morgan, all of Vincennes.
John A. Risch received his preliminary education in the public schools of Vincennes and then completed a course in a commercial college, thus pre- paring for the active duties of life. He first engaged as a bookkeeper in his father's office and after having gained the necessary experience was given entire charge of the store, evincing an energy and enterprise which was a sure prophecy of success. In 1892 he began in the general mercantile busi- ness on his own account, conducting what was known as the Economy Depart- ment Store. He was at the head of this business for fourteen years, retiring in 1906. Being a man of practical business observation, he became interested in the milk condensing business. He accordingly organized the Vincennes Milk Condensing Company and has since been its president and general man- ager, the result proving that his judgment was correct, as the business has shown a steady increase from the beginning. In October, 1909, he took charge of the creamery at Montgomery, Indiana, and in March, 1910, was made general manager of the Eldorado Ice Cream Company of Eldorado, Illinois. He also has large farming interests in Knox county and is a prom- inent holder of real estate in Vincennes.
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