USA > Indiana > Pike County > History of Pike and Dubois counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. : together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 39
USA > Indiana > Dubois County > History of Pike and Dubois counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. : together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 39
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
JOSEPH MILLARD, merchant, of Winslow, Ind., is a son of William and Etheldra ( Sparks ) Willard, who were natives of Londonshire. England, where the father was born, in 1802. The father was a butcher by trade, and worked at that business for twenty-six years. In 1847 he came to this country, and farmed in Williams County, Ohio, for two years, and then went to Steuben County, Ind., and then to Illinois, and finally settled in Pike County, Ind., in 1858. The father still lives with his daughter in Illinois; the mother died in 1851. Joseph was born July 15, 1840, in the same shire as his parents, and at the age of twenty enlisted in Company H, Twenty-fourth Indiana In- fantry. He served his adopted country faithfully for eight months, when he received an injury that disabled him for the rest of the war. As a slight compensation for the injury, he re- ceives a pension of $8 per month. After his return from the army he began blacksmithing in Winslow, and continued at that business about seventeen years. He kept a restaurant in Illinois for some time, but in 1879 he began keeping groceries in Wins- low, where he is doing a good business. Margaret Erans be- eame his wife December 8, 1867, and they became the parents of three children: Dora, Carrie and Bertha. Mr. Millard is one of the leading Republicans in his township, and cast his first vote for Lincoln. He is a successful business man and a wide- awake citizen.
WILLIAM C. RICHARDSON is a son of Edward P. and Eliza ( Fleener ) Richardson, who were natives of Indiana, born in 1807 and 1808, respectively. The father, when quite young. moved to Warrick County, where he married and followed the life of a farmer in that county until his death, in 1831. The mother lived until 1876. Our subjeet was born in Warrick County. December 8, 1830. When nineteen years old he left home and began working for himself. In 1852 he bought his first farm of forty acres, which he afterward sold, and took charge of the poor asylum, which he ran two years. He then purchased the 220 acres of land. where he now lives. December 5. 1850, he married Caroline Parker, born September 3, 1833, daughter of Lorenzo D. and Elizabeth ( Ferguson) Parker, and to their union twelve children were born: Eliza J., Brazilla, Thomas J., Joseph W., Andrew J., Mary E., John W., Sarah M., Caroline B., Nancy E., Edward P. and one unnamed. Both hus- band and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Rich ardson is a Democrat in polities, and east his first vote for Pieree.
HENRY G. SELBY, farmer, of Pike County, Ind., is a son of Richard and Betsey A. ( Gladish ) Selby. The father came to this county at a very early day, when nearly all the present pro- ductive farms woro dense forests, inhabited by many wild animals.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKEICHES.
Here he located. and here both his parents died. Our subject was born in Pike County, Ind .. February 11, 1835, and at the age of twenty-one began to do for himself, working on the farm of eighty acres given him by his father. Ho succeeded so well that he now owns 160 acres of land. of which 100 acres are under cul- tivation. March 1, 1860, he married Elizabeth McCain, born August 11. 1838, in Pike County, and after a wedded life of sev- enteen years. Mrs. Selby died, leaving two children: Zilpha A. and Harley E. October 13, 187. Mr. Selby married Louisa Crow, born March 6. 1843, in Pike County. Both husband and wife are members of the General Baptist Church. August 19, 1.62. Henry enlisted in Company I. Forty-second Indiana In- fantry, and participated in the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn .. and numerous other engagements. He was quite severely wounded while in service, and now receives a pension of $4 per month. He is a stanch Republican, and cast his first vote for Lincoln.
GEORGE SHEPHERD, farmer, was born November, 1. 1827. in Sullivan County, Ind., and is the son of Stephen and Sarah Porter ) Shepherd. The father was born in Virginia, and his parents were natives of Wales. The mother was born in South Carolina, and her ancestors were Scotch. They lived most of their married life in Sullivan County, where they died, the father in 155% and the mother in 1879. Our subject's educational advantages were limited, but by his own ef- forts he acquired a practical education. It was his father's custom to give his sons ( of whom he had nine) forty acres of land on reaching their majority, but George surrendered his el: im to the land in consideration that he should be free at nine- teen. By the time he was of age he had saved enough money to j archase eighty acres of land. In 1852 he married Berthana Wyatt. and to them were born five children: Sarah, Lucinda, Thomas. Rachel and Stephen. Mr. Shepherd is a wide-awake Democrat and cast his first vote for Cass on the very day he was twenty-one years old; he moved to Pike County in 1867. and owns a good farm of 335 acres; he has followed the various occu- pations of flat-boating, working on the canal and railroad, and in a saw-mill, but now makes farming his occupation. in which he has been very successful.
ARTHUR THOMPSON, one of the pioneer settlers of Pike County, Ind .. is the son of James and Mary ( English ) Thomp- son. The father was a native of Ireland, and when quite young came to Kentucky, where he married. In 1920 he came to this State and located in Patoka Township, Pike County. where he lived till his death, which occurred in 1537, the mother living till 1857. Our subject was born in Kentucky, January 20, 1516. As the nearest schoolhouse was six miles from his home his
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
educational advantages were limited. In 1837 he began clearing the farm where he now lives, and by energy and good manage- ment he at one time owned nearly 1,000 acres of land. Septem- ber 20, 1837 he married Ada Almon, who was born in Kentucky, in 1820. Their children are Johu, James, Levi, Matilda. Frank- lin and Francis, Holland and Marian. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church, and for twelve years he has been postmaster of Arthur, the town named in honor of him. He is a Democrat in politics and a prominent and enterprising citizen; one of the few men who have made Pike County what it is. He was among the famous hunters of pioneer times, having killed wolves and as many as fifty deer in one winter.
JOHN THOMPSON is a son of Arthur and Ada Ahnon Thompson, and was born in Pike County, August 23, 1838. When twenty-one years old he began teaching, and followed that business three years giving good satisfaction; he then turned his entire attention to farming and followed that occupation through life. October 6, 1839, he married Catharine Selby, born August 5, 1842, and daughter of Richard and Betsey Selby. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, six children were born: Arthur W., Richard (deceased ), Franklin E., Amon, Henry and Gilbert. Mr. Thomp- son was a Democrat and cast his first vote for Douglas. He was a successful farmer, being the possessor of one of the finest farms in Patoka Township. His death occurred July 8, 1876. He was a kind father and husband, a useful member of society and his loss was deeply felt by all. In 1872 he was appointed county commissioner to fill an unexpired term, and filled the duties of that office creditably and well.
ARTHUR W. THOMPSON, merchant of Arthur, Ind., is the son of John and Catharine (Selby ) Thompson and was born Sep- tember 25, 1860, near Arthur. He was educated in the common schools and attended one term at Petersburg. At the age of twenty he began merchandising in Arthur and at first carried a stock of drugs but since carried a full line of groceries and dry goods, in which he is doing an active business. September 3, 1882, Johanna Wilson became his wife. She was born July 7. 1860, in Warrick County, Ind., and is a daughter of James and Sarah J. (Judd ) Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of one child: Alice M. (deceased). In 1882 Arthur was ap- pointed notary public and has held that position ever since. He is a wide-awake young Democrat and cast his first vote for Cleve- land. As a business man he is highly successful and now runs a $3,000 stock of goods.
JOHN F. THOMAS, merchant of Winslow was born July 17, 1841, in Washington County, Ky., and is a son of James Thomas and Mary Trotter who were born in Virginia and North
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Carolina respectively. The father chose ministry as his lite work. After marriage he lived for some time in Kentucky and afterward moved to Pike County, Ind., where he has lived ever since. John F. worked on his father's farm until nineteen years old when he enlisted in his country's service in Company I, Forty second Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battles of Mur- freesboro. Resaca, Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga and on that ever memorable march to the sea. After serving nearly four years he returned to home and friends and attended for some time the schools of Petersburg and then worked on the farm. About 1880, he began the mercantile business, dealing in furniture, and two years later he became a partner in the store known as Thomas & Berton. A year later Mr. Thomas became sole proprietor. Novem- ber 3, 1867, he was married to Isabel Adams, daughter of Ed- ward and Martha Adams. Mr. Thomas is a warm Republican. having cast his first vote for Lincoln. He is a very successful business man and owns a first-class store.
GEORGE WHITMAN was born January 19, 1842, in Pike County, Ind., and is a son of Job and Perlina ( Hunt ) Whitman. The father was born February 19, Is11. in Randolph County, Va., and the mother March 1, 1815, in Tennessee. They were married in 1835 and five years later came to Pike County, loca- ting near Ingle. The mother passed from among the living Feb- ruary 8, 1585. The father still lives at the ripe old age of sev- enty-four. At the age of twenty years George began working for himself on his present farm. In 1865, he volunteered his services for the Union and enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Forty-third Infantry. At the close of the war, he returned home to take charge of his farm of seventy acres, which he has since increased to 150 acres. In 1861, he married Mary A. Williams, born May 21, 1845, daughter of Charles H. and Phoebe ( Bolin ) Williams. To them two children were born: Palina and Noble K. both deceased. March 2, 1865, Mrs. Whitman died and April 7. 1868, he was married to Alice, daughter of George W. and Abarila DeBruler, and they became the parents of these children: Abarila, Morley S., Gingsley L., John W., and Ethel. In 1862, Mr. Whitman was licensed to exhort and in 1866 was licensed to preach, becoming a regularly ordained minister of the Methodist Church in 1883, in which profession he has been an earnest worker ever since. He is a Republican and he and wife are much esteemed and respected by all.
HENRY J. WIGGS is a son of Alexander and Matary ( Wagoner) Wiggs. The father was born in North Carolina in 1799, and the mother in Tennessee in 1806. Here they were married and lived for five years and then came to Petersburg in 1828, where the father worked at the blacksmith's trade for about
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
thirteen years and then moved to his farm near Winslow, where he died February 7. 1872. The mother still lives and is seveniv- nine years old. Our subject was born February 5, 1839, and in boyhood received a common school education. By his own efforts he prepared himself for teaching and has been engaged in that business for the last twenty years, meeting with the best of sue- cess. August 18, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Eightieth Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battles of Perryville. Buzzard Roost, Big Shanty and Kenesaw Mountain. During his service, he received internal injuries for which he receives the slight compensation of $6 per month. After three years service he returned home and June 11. 1867. he married Elizabeth Mason, born February 12, 1816, danghter of David and Lonise ( Rhea ) Mason. To Mr. and Mrs. Wiggs, ten children were born: Alexander. Everett, Lonella. Joseph, Frederick, Mary. Minnie (deceased ). Thomas J. Addison and Clarence. Mr. Wiggs is a Democrat and east his first vote for Douglas. He owns 114 acres of good land and is a worthy citizen.
WILLIAM C. WIGGS is a son of William C. Wiggs, Sr .. and Patsey Coleman. The father was born near Winslow, April 25, 1825. By ocenpation he was a farmer and remained on the home place till his death. May 26, 1849. The mother lived until 1852. The subject of our biography was born in Pike County, Ind., October 3, 1849, and at the age of sixteen hired ont as a farm hand and began working for himself. He spent six years in Illinois and in 1872 he purchased forty acres of land and began his career as a tiller of the soil. He has since in- creased his farm to eighty acres and fifty-five are under culti- vation. December 29, 1870, he married Frances M. Selby, born August 28, 1852: She is a daughter of Peter and Eliza ( Butler ) Selby. Mr. and Mrs. Wiggs are the parents of three children: Orra A., Clarence and Purvace. Both husband and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Wiggs is a stanch Demo- erat and cast his first vote for Greeley.
CHARLES H. WILLIAMS was born in Kentucky August 25, 1820. His parents were Thomas and Mary ( Arnold) Will- iams and were natives of Maryland and Virginia. In early life the father worked at carpentering, but later followed the life of a farmer. In 1839 he and family came to Dubois County, Ind .. where he died a year later. The mother's death occurred in 1870. Charles worked on different farms until he had saved enough money to buy forty acres of land in Dubois County: later he . Id that and purchased eighty acres of timber land. In 1852 he sold his farm and came to Pike County. locating on a farm of 160 acres near Ingle. He now owns 347 acres of good farming land. furnished with good buildings. In addition to running his
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
extensive farm, he engages quite extensively in stock raising, and meets with good success in both occupations. May 25, 1842, he married Phobe Bolin, who died in 1865, leaving these children: Thomas, Mary, Jarret, Charles, Catharine, Philip and James. May 25, 1866, Elizabeth Cochran became his wife and to their marriage seven children were born: Charles E., Samuel, John, Melvina, Fannie, Ida and Curtis. Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Methodist Church, and he is a Republican. and cast his first vote for Clay.
EDWARD WILLIAM, the only miller in Winslow, is the son of Benjamin and Mary (Schultz) William, both of whom were natives of Prussia. The father was a miller and wheat merchant, and followed that occupation until his death in 1838. The mother's death occurred in 1882. Edward was born in the same province as his parents, January 27, 1827, and obtained a very good common school education. In 1850 he bade his native land farewell and embarked for the United States. He proceeded im- mediately to sonthern Indiana, where he followed milling until 1860, when he built a mill of his own in German Township, and ran it five years. In 1867 he located at Oakland City and oper- ated a mill at that place until 1883, when he built his present three-story flouring-mill in Winslow. known as the Patoka Val- ley Mill. He was married to Bettie Goerlitz in 1855, and they are the parents of five children: Caroline. Louise, Bettie, Anna and Edward. Both husband and wife are members of the Evan- gelical Church, and Mr. William is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Franklin Pierce. On reaching this country Mr. William had about $70 worth of clothing, all of which was stolen save the suit he had on, leaving him nothing but his trade. He now owns one of the best mills in the county, besides 166 acres of excellent farming land.
LOCKHART TOWNSHIP.
DR. C. J. AGEE, is the son of Rev. Alfred and Katherine Agee, and was born March 22, 1839 in Campbell County, Tenn. In 186t he came to Pike County, Ind., where he permanently set- tled. In April of that year he enlisted in Company H. Twenty- fourth Indiana Volunteers and fought bravely for his country in the battles of Shiloh, Port Gibson, and Champion Hills. In the latter battle he was wounded severely in the left arm and side. He was in the battle of Blakely and then went to Galveston and was sent to Indianapolis, Ind., where he received his discharge. Feb-
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
ruary 4. 1572. he married Caroline Farmer of Pike County. Thei ranon resulted in three children -two sons and one daughter. day. Ray and Carl. Mr. Agee acquired an excellent English o.ln- cation bring a graduate of Walden Academy. Tennessee. HP taught eighteen terms of school in Pike County and two terms in Tome spp. In 1971 he citered upon the practice of medicine, in which profession he has been very successful. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. In politics he is a leading Republican and is one of Pike County's most esteemed citizens. His parents were natives of Tennessee, born respectively in 1813. and 1815, and died in 1873 and 1875.
CHARLES G. BEACH was born near Harrington, Conn .. June 22. 1821. April 16. 1562, he wedded Emily J. Woolsey of Pike County, Ind., and they became the parents of six children: Sylvester ( married ). Clara, James W. ( deceased). Arizona. Stell ! and Eva. Charles G. is the son of Levi and Abigail Beach whe were born in Connecticut, the father in 1790. The mother died in 1827. The father died in Missouri on the 1st of January. 1874. Our subject acquired his education through self exertion : he is not a member of any church, but his wife belongs to the General Baptist Church; he is at the present time keeping a gen- eral merchandise store in Augusta and also buys and sells to- bacco; he was for some time engaged in the milling business in Missouri, but has not worked at that business for a number of years: he is one of the founders of Augusta and a stanch Re- publican and has held the office of postmaster three years; he is the owner of 1.070 acres of land on which are three coal mines. one very extensive. The first is eighteen inches, the second five feet, and twenty feet below the first. the third vein is six feet in thickness and forty-seven feet below the five foot vein; he has also found some indications of silver and lead on his farm.
RUDOLPH BUTKA, farmer of Lockhart Township, Pike Co., Ind., was born in Hanover, Germany in 1527. Being a young man of energy and enterprise, he determined to come to America and seek his fortune. Accordingly he embarked for this country in 1845, and landed at Baltimore and then went to Dayton, Ohio, where he remained eleven years and worked as a day laborer: he finally settled on his present farm in Pike County, Ind., and has since tilled the soil. April 12, 1853. his marriage with Diena Wellmeyer, a native of Prussia, was solemnized, and to their union eleven children were born-eight sons and three daughters: Henry, John, Samuel, Sophia (wife of Ernst Poetker), Minnie, William, Mary, Eddie; and Ernst and two dead who were not named. Mr. Butka takes an active interest in political affairs and is a warm Democrat; he has succeeded well as a farmer and he and family are members of the Lutheran Church.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN H. DOTKER, a well-to-do farmer of Lockhart Township, Pike Co., Ind., and son of John H., Sr: and Kath- rina E. Dotker, was born September 16, 1819, in Germany, and when about twenty-eight years old, he determined to seek his fortune in the new world, and accordingly in 1847, embarked for the United States and landed at Quebec. He remained there but a short time and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked for eight years as a laborer. Christina Niemiller, of Cincinnati. became his wife in 1856, and their union was blessed with eight children-three sons and five daughters: Louisa and John (de- ceased ), Mina, Frederick, August, Lisetta, Emma and Lizzie, liv- ing. Mr. Dotker's German education is somewhat limited. He and his family belong to the Evangelical St. Paul's Church. In polities he is a warm Democrat, and has always followed farming as an occupation. in which business he has been very successful. In 1856, he settled on his present farm in Lockhart Township, and has since resided there, known and respected by all.
HENRY EILERT, a native of Prussia, and a son of Henry and Margaret Eilert, was born April 21. 1828. He received a good education in the schools of his native country. and when about twenty-six years old, he left home and friends and came to América to seek his fortune. He landed at New Orleans, and finally settled in Lawrence County, Ohio, where he made his · home for a number of years. His marriage with Louise Wessel, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was sołemnized July 21, 1859, and their union was blessed with ten children, eight of whom are living: Henry, Fred. Mina, Rosa. Elizabeth, Katy. Flora and Martha. On the 21st of March. 1881. Mrs. Eilert was called from this earth, and since that time his daughters have been his housekeep- ers. As members of the Lutheran Church, he and his family have aided all benevolent enterprises with their money and influence. His political views are Republican, and he takes an active interest in the affairs of the day. He has always followed the occupation of farming, but is a cabinet-maker by trade, and is also a good carpenter, and has been successful in all his enterprises. His father was born in 1794, in Prussia, and died in 1865. The mother's birth occurred in 1797. and her death in 1844.
OBADIAH J. GREENWAY, is a son of William and Melin- da Greenway, who were natives of Kentucky and Tennessee, and born in 1816 and 1819. respectively. They are the parents of three living children: Agnes E .. Jennie and Obadiah. The sub- ject of our sketch was born in Dubois County, Ind., January 7. 1843. He obtained a fair education in the common schools of Dubois County, and when twenty-three years old, he married Sarah J. Marshall, of Warrick Co. Their union was blessed with seven children two sons and five daughters: William T.
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
(deceased ). Charles E. (deceased). Carrie J. (deceased), Melinda I., Nancy E. and Mary M. He is a Democrat, and a member of the I. O. O. F .. of Selvin. Warrick Co .. Ind. While he was a resident of Dubois County, he served two terms as assessor of Patoka Township, and i : 1884, was elected to the office of trus- tee of Lockhart Township, which office he holds at the present time. Previous to the election of trustee, he had been engaged in the hardware business in Stendal, where he was very success- ful financially. He is a good officer and prominent citizen of Lockhart Township.
DR. LOUIS H. HILSMEYER. is a son of Adolph and Henrietta Hilsmeyer, who were born in Germany; the father in 1818. and the mother in 1828. They were married in the United States, and became the parents of nine children, six now living. Louis H., was born in Pike County, Ind., October 16, 1856, and when nineteen years old, began to earn his own living by teach- ing school, which business he followed for about five years. He then entered upon the study of medicine at Holland. Ind., and afterward attended the Jefferson Medical College of Louisville, Ky., for one term, and the Evansville Medical College, and grad- uated in 1884. While at Evansville he served as resident physi- cian in the city hospital, and was ready to enter upon his profes- sion with considerable experience. He is an earnest member of the Methodist Church, a warm Republican in politics, a successful physician and prominent man of Stendal. Adolph Hilsmeyer, father of our subject, is a son of Henry and Mary Hilsmeyer, and was born January 2, 1818, in Prussia. He came to the United States in 1847, and remained for about five years in Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked as a day laborer. January 1. 1849, he married. Henrietta Meyer, and they became the parents of these children: John H., Henry W .. Louis. Sophia (wife of Fred Stork), Anna and Frederick. He is a Republican in politics and he and wife are very much esteemed as friends and neighbors.
JOHN HILSMEYER, a prominent citizen and farmer of Lockhart Township, Pike Co., Ind., was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 7, 1852. He lived with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, when he began working for himself. He came West, and April 18, 1876, Lydia Niehaus, of Dubois County, Ind., became his wife. They became the parents of four children-one son and three daughters: Lule, Cora, Emma and Daniel (deceased). Mr. Hilsmeyer has a good education in English and German, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. In politics he is a Republican and is looked upon by all as one of Pike County's most esteemed and well known citizens. He began life with little or nothing, but by in- dustry and the aid of his energetic wife, he has made a fair com- petency.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HENRY W. HILSMEYER, is a son of Adolph and Henri- etta Hilsm yer ( see sketch of Louis Hilsmeyer), and was born in Lockhart Township, Pike Co., Ind .. May 20, 1834. . He has a good German education in the schools of Indiana. and can read and write the English language. December 20. 1883, he took for his life companion Lizzie Satkamp, a native of Lock- hart Township and their union was blessed with one child. a laughter. Nettie Rosa. Mr. Hilsmeyer and wife are members of the Methodist Church, and as a Republican he takes a lively in- terest in the affairs of the county in which he is a prominent farmer and upright citizen.
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