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 53
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 53
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At Henryville the congregation was organized in 1862 by Rev. Chrysostome Foffa. The church is located midway between Fer- dinand and Maria Hill, at the time of its organization it consisted of twenty-five families who built a stone church. From 1863 to 1871, Rev. Benedict Brunet visited the mission from St. Meinrad. From 1871 to 1878 the Benedictine Fathers regularly visited Henryville either from St. Meinrad or Maria Hill. From No- vember, 1878 to August, 1879, Rev. B. H. Kintrup at Hunting- burgh, had charge. Rev. Pins Bohm then attended until January, 1880, when he was appointed the first resident pastor of St. Henry's Church. He improved the cemetery and furnished the church with sets of vestments, a new pulpit, railing and organ. The membership now numbers about seventy families. In the fall of 1881, the Benedictine Sisters were introduced, and the school they have conducted has flourished from the beginning.
Until 1875 Schnellville formed a part of St. Anthony's congre- gation. Visiting the place November 10, 1873, Bishop de St. Palais permitted the election of a small church under the direc- tion of Rev. Placidny Services were held for the first time May 14, 1876. was faithfully attended from St. Mein- rad until December, 1882, when Rev. Joseph Villinger became the first resident pastor. The congregation numbers about fifty families. A lay teacher has eighty children in charge.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP.
JAMES M. BARTON, cashier of the Dubois County Bank, at Jasper, Ind., was born in Madison County, Ind., October 29, 1859. being one of a family of eightchildren born to William Bar- ton and Sinai Harmon, who were natives of Virginia and Indiana. Our subject was raised in his native county, and received a very good education. He learned the banking business in his father's bank at Ellwood, and held the position of teller and book-keeper there until his father's death in 1876. He was then book-keeper in Fremont, Ohio, for about eighteen months, when he returned to his native county and completed his schooling, and in 1882, engaged in the grain business in Anderson, Ind., until 1883, when he came to Jasper, and accepted his present position in the bank- ing house of that place, which position he fills admirably. He is an enterprising business man, and is sure to succeed.
JOHN BETZ, proprietor of the Union Hotel, in Jasper, Ind., was born in Kentucky, August 26, 1846. His parents were John and Elizabeth ( Mehringer) Betz, who were natives of Prussia, Germany, and came to this State and county at a very early date. They moved to Kentucky, and remained there about twelve years. Our immediate subject was raised principally in this county, on a farm, where he remained until eighteen years old. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-third Indiana Volunteers, but was not called into active service owing to the close of the war. He afterward worked in a brewery, and April 27, 1869, he married Mary Schiffhauer, They became the parents of eight children, five of whom are living: Frank, Charles J., Mary E., Pretonilla F. and one unnamed. The year fol- lowing his marriage, he embarked in his present business, at which he has since continued, with the exception of about six months. He is a Democrat, and he and his family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Betz is a live business man, and takes an active interest in political affairs.
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
FELIX BIRK. one of the Democratic pioneer citizens of Dubois County, Ind .. was born in Baden. Germany. August 15. 1\25, and when six years ohl. removed with his parents. Joseph and Eve ( Foot , Birk, to this country and State. On com- ing to this country, they first resided in Pennsylvania, and then moved to Ohio, where they remained until 1537. and then came to this State, when it was a wild unsettled country. By honorable conduct, and many kind. neighborly ways, they have acquired warm and steadfast friends. Joseph and three other men pur- chased their farms in 1835, and were the first German land own- ers in the county. Until his marriage with Emily Eckert, Jann- ary 29, 1849, Felix. our subject, made his home with his parents, but after that time, worked for himself. Although he began life a poor boy, by industry, economy and the aid of a good and loyal wife, he has accumulated 160 acres of excellent land. They are the parents of seven living children: Audrew. Joseph. John, Mary, Elizabeth, Rosa and Felix. and are members of the Catholic Church.
FREDERICK BOCKELMAN. farmer, was born in this county. November 18, 1845, and is the eldest of four children born to Fred- erick and Mary Ann ( Rumphurst ) Bockelman, who were natives of Germany. The father married and came to the United States about 1847 and located in Dubois County. Ind. Our subject was raised on his father's farm and received the education of the average boy of his time. At the age of twenty-one he mar- ried Julia Meyer, who died in 1>>3, having borne him six chil- dren, four now living: Mary. William. Henry and Laura. In 1\\3 he married Barbara Habig and they are the parents of one child. Lorenz. After marriage, Mr. Boekelman assumed man- agement of his father's farm and moved to his present residence where he has since resided. In 1877 or 157> he bought the place, and now owns 224 acres of good farming land. furnished with a good brick residence. He and family are Catholics and are highly esteemed as neighbors and friends.
WILLIAM H. BRETZ, treasurer of Dubois County, Ind., and native of the county, was born May 6, 1843, being one of six children born to Jacob and Eliza Jane (Shively ) Bretz, natives respectively of Prussia and Kentucky. The father, who was born in 1817, came to the United States in 1831, a poor boy with only 50 cents in his pocket. He worked at manual labor two years, making his way westward. In 1833 he came to Dubois County and bought a farm of eighty acres near Huntingburgh, living there about two years; he then bought a farm southwest of the above place, where he lived until his death, March 21, 1859. The mother still resides with our subject. William passed his boyhood days on the farm, receiving a fair education in the com-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
mon schools. At the age of twenty-four he began working for himself, and four years later engaged in buying and selling stock, in connection with farming his 320 acres of land. He is a Democrat in politics and was assessor of Patoka Township two
years. In 1882 he was elected treasurer of the county, and was re-elected in 1884 without opposition. In 1866 he married Phoebe A. Lemond, by whom he is the father of eight children: John M., Leonard, Camden, William C., Appelonia, Frank (deceased), Bessie B. and Edward E. Mr. Bretz's wife and family are members of the Christian Church, and he is recog- nized throughout the county as an upright official and citizen.
JOHN L. BRETZ, prosecuting attorney for the Eleventh Judi- cial Circuit Court, is a native of Dubois County, Ind., and was born September 21, 1852, a son of Jacob and Eliza J. (Shively) Bretz, who were born in Germany and Kentucky, respectively, and came to this State at a very early day. John L, assisted his parents on the farm until twenty-two years old, and then began working for himself. In 1878 he commenced reading law with William A. Traylor, and the following winter and spring took a course of lectures in the Cincinnati Law College. In 1880 he took another course and graduated from the above named institu- tion in June 1880. The same month he established his office in Jasper. He has attained a lucrative practice and is quite suc- cessful in his profession. In July, 1881, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Daniel, by whom he is the father of two chil- dren: Waverly and Ross. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and also belongs to the Masonic fraternity ; he is a Democrat and is at present holding the office of prose- enting attorney.
JOSEPH BUCHART. merchant, of Jasper, Ind., was born June 20, 1841, being the sixth in a family of eight children born to Charles and Agnes Buchart, who were born in Germany and came here when the country was almost an entire wilderness. Joseph's education is limited, owing to the undeveloped school systems of his day. He was raised on a farm, and on attaining his majority he purchased a farm and launched out in life as a farmer. About 1863 he married Barbara Hope, but their union was of short duration. Her death occurred about a year later. Three months after this he led to Hymen's altar Catherine Marks, and to them were born the following children: Frank. Henry, Michael, Julia, Mary, Conrad, Felix, William and Eliz- abeth. In 1872 he established himself in the retail liquor busi- ness, and continued that until 1876, when he disposed of his goods and started a general merchandise store; he is a successful business man and an influential citizen: in politics a Democrat, and he and family are members of the Catholic Church.
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
JACOB BURGER, JE., trustee of Bainbridge Township, Dubois Co., Ind., was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, April 3, 1853, son of George and Agatha Burger, who came from Germany to this country about 1859. Our subject's moth- er died in Ohio, when he was about two years old, and he remained with his father until he was over twenty years old. September 23, 1873, he married Caroline Regel, by whom he is the father of these six children: Edward C. J., Helen A., Matil- da, Clara, Minnie and Agatha. March 3, 1883, Mr. Burger's wife was called to her long home, and April 21, 1885, his mar- riage with Barbara Regel was solemnized. Mr. Burger has a good, thorough education in the common branches, and in business affairs he has been very successful; he has been a farmer all his life, and owns 160 acres of well-improved land; he and family are members of the Catholic Church, and in politics he is a Democrat and is filling his present office very satisfactorily.
HENRY CASSIDY, proprietor of the Daniels House at Jasper, Ind., took charge of that hotel in April, 1885, coming from Otwell, Pike Co., Ind., where he had been engaged in the same business. He was born in Perry County, Ind., March 11, 1848, and is a son of Thomas and Easter (Jackson ) Cassidy, who were born in Kentucky, and Perry County, Ind., respectively. Henry obtained a good, common school education, and at the age of twenty years moved to Pike County, where he lived until 1884, with the exception of one year spent in Kansas. For eight years after moving to Pike County he taught school, and in the inter- vals between terms farmed. In 1882 he began selling agricul- tural implements, at which he has since continued; he has a good trade and is doing well. In September, 1870, he married Eliz- abeth F. Brown, by whom he is the father of these children: Robert P., Victor V. and Emma. Mr. Cassidy has the only American hotel in Jasper, and controls the patronage of almost the entire traveling public. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is in sympathy with the Greenback party.
JOHN T. CORN, a prominent citizen and native of the county, was born February 18, 1849, and is the sixth in a family of nine children born to Jesse and Margery (Harris) Corn, natives of Crab Orchard, Ky., and Dubois County, Ind., respectively. The former came to this county with his parents in 1819, and here he afterward lived and made his home. John T. remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he attained his majority when he married Margery Ellen Wine- inger and to their union four children have been born: Maggie E., born October 11, 1871; Laura Belle, December 11, 1874; Oliver Edmund Porter, August 12, 1880, and Effie, December
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
14, 1882. Our subject has always been a farmer and now owns 300 acres of fertile land. The family are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the A. O. U. W. In politics he is a stanch Re- publican and has held the offices of constable and justice of the peace in Boone Township.
GEORGE COX, sheriff of Dubois County, Ind., was born August 28, 1842, and is a son of Robert and Nancy (Maxedon) Cox. (See sketch of Robert Cox of Jackson Township. ) George was raised on the farm and received a fair education in the com- mon branches. When he had attained his majority he began farming for himself in Jackson Township, where he remained about ten years and then engaged in the manufacture of shingles until 1876, when he was elected sheriff of Dubois County, and served until 1880. He next worked at the flour milling business in Portersville until the mill caught fire and was consumed in 1885. In 1884, he was elected the third time to the sheriff's office and is now acting in that capacity and giving excellent satisfaction. In 1861, he married Martha Main, who has borne him three children: Cyrenus W., Robert V. and Mary Jane. Mr. Cox is a warm Democrat, a Mason, a member of the I. O. O. F. and in all respects a good and useful citizen.
JOHN DICK, a native of Bainbridge Township, Dubois Co., Ind., was born February 22, 1845, and is the next eldest in a family of six children born to Peter and Elizabeth (Linden- berger ) Dick, natives of Germany. The father first came to this State in 1834 and traveled through Illinois, Missouri and Kansas to Arkansas. He was one of the party who surveyed the Wabash & Erie Canal. He located permanently in Indiana about 1849. Our subject remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he was twenty-two years old. He received a good education and in 1866-67 he made a trip through the Western States and for three winters flat-boated on the Patoka, Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and during the summer time raised crops on his father's farm. February 8, 1871, he married Anstasea Burger, by whom he is the father of seven children: Caroline, Lizzie, Minnie, Mary, Jacob, Theresa and Peter. He has been a farmer since his marriage, and has succeeded so well that he now owns 240 acres of improved land. He and family are members of the Catholic Church and he is a Democrat.
THOMAS H. DILLON, attorney at law of Jasper, Ind., was born in Pike County, Ind., June 22, 1857, and is one of six chil- dren born to James and Catharine (Haynes) Dillon, natives of Nova Scotia and Posey County, Ind., respectively. The subject of our sketch was reared with his parents in Pike County and was a farmer and miller by occupation. He received a fair education.
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
principally by his own efforts. He prepared himself for teaching and followed that occupation four years in Pike County, meeting with good success. In 1883 he began the study of law, with a view to making it a profession. He studied for some time in Petersburg, Ind., under Posey & Wilson, and in March, 1885, he was admitted to practice in Pike County. In June of the same year he came to Jasper, where he has since lived and practiced his profession. September 5, 1877, he took for his life com- panion Mary Green, a native of Dubois County, Ind. They be- came the parents of three children: Daisy M., Bessie E. and Mabel E. (deceased). His political views are independent, and he aud wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Dil- lon has been fairly successful in business affairs from a financial standpoint, and is recognized in the community as one of the en- terprising, successful young members of the legal profession, and an upright moral citizen.
CLEMENT DOANE, editor and proprietor of the Jasper Courier, was born in Circleville, Ohio, November 11, 1832, and is one of a large family of children born to Guy W. and Charlotte (Thrall) Doane, natives of Connecticut and Vermont, respect- ively. The father was born August 7, 1788 and was an attorney at law. He came to Circleville, where he married and practiced his profession. Clement was raised in his native town, getting a fair English education and learned the printer's trade. When eighteen years old he left home and began working at his trade in Portsmouth, Ohio, Louisville, Ky., and Rockport, Ind., until 1858, when he came to Jasper and started the Courier in com- pany with John Mehringer and Rudolphus Smith, continuing with these gentlemen until 1859. He then assumed complete control of the paper and has conducted it successfully ever since, having the leading and only English Democratic paper in the county. March 27, 1859, he married Rachel H. Edmonston, a native of the county and daughter of Benjamin Edmonston. She died March 8, 1874, having borne six children, three now living: Benjamin E., present clerk of a public land committee at Wash- ington, D. C., Charlotte and George P. In 1874 (December 31), Mr. Doane married Mary A. Crooks, a native of Spencer County, and daughter of Dr. Crooks of Rockport, Ind. She died March 18, 1883, leaving two children: Clement E. and Archibald C. Mr. Doane has taken a leading part in political affairs, and is an unswerving Democrat, and has been chairman of the County Democratic Central Committee for over twenty years, and is a member of the A. O. U. W. and belongs to the Methodist Church. He studied law and was admitted to practice in the county in 1860, but in later years he has given the most of his attention to his paper, with which he has had the best of success.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
BENEDICT DUPPS, a stanch Democrat of Dubois County, Ind., was born in Baden, Germany, March 3, 1833, and is the only child born to Christian and Otillia (Barger ) Dupps. Our subject was reared in his native country, where he remained un- til he was twenty-two years old. He received a good education in the schools of that country, and in 1853 he and his people took passage for the United States, landing first at New Orleans, from whence they came immediately to Dubois County, Ind., where they have since remained. In April. 1857, Helena Lampert be- came his wife, and to them eleven children have been born, of whom these ten are now living: John, Benedict T., Henry, Jo- seph, Theresa, Rosa, Elizabeth, Frank, Edward and Emma. Mr. Dupps is a successful farmer and now owns 216 acres of well im- proved land. He and family are members of the Catholic Church.
JOSEPH ECKSTEIN, of the firm of Kunkel & Eckstein, was born in Ripley County, Ind., March 9, 1856, and is the next oldest in a family of nine children born to Theodore and Louisa (Renner) Eckstein, natives of Germany, who came to this country when quite young, and settled on a farm near Jasper, in 1864. Joseph obtained a very good education and remained at home until he was twenty-five years old. February 14, 1882, his union with Theresa Haller was celebrated. They are the parents of one child. Louis. Soon after marriage Mr. Eckstein moved to Jasper, where he has ever since resided. He first engaged in teaming, which he followed about three months, and then pur- chased a one-half interest in a threshing machine, which business he follows every season. In 1883 he became a partner in the livery business, and has been very successful. He and family are Catholics, and he is a Democrat.
MARTIN ECKSTEIN is a native of Ripley County, Ind., and was born November 9, 1857. He is the third in a family of nine children born to Theodore and Louisa (Renner) Eckstein, who were natives of Germany, and came to the United States in 1864. Martin passed his boyhood on a farm, where he received a fair education in the common schools. His father died in 1870, and he was compelled to assist in the maintenance of the family. May 1, 1884, he embarked in the brewery business, at which he has been very successful. May 8, 1883, his marriage with Josephine Schilter was celebrated. They are the parents of one child, Hermann. He and wife are members of the Catho- lic Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.
JOSEPH EGG, citizen of Jasper, Ind., was born in France, September 13, 1882, and is the only living child born to Henry and Ursula (Jemean) Egg. Our subject was reared in his na- tive country, where he received a good education, and remained until thirty years of age. At the age of thirteen, in accordance
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
with the customs of his native land, he learned the stone-cutter's trade. He was married to Mary Ruh, May 19, 1844, and they became the parents of five children: Emma, Rosa, Pauline, Charles and Mary. Mr. Egg and family immigrated to the United States in 1852, and landed at New Orleans with but $35 to meet their expenses. They came directly to this State and county, and settled at Jasper, where they have ever since lived. In 1854 his wife was called from among the living. He worked at his trade three years, and then purchased what is now known as the Daniel House, and began keeping hotel and saloon, con- tinuing in this till 1864, when he began keeping a general mer- chandise store, and in connection was appointed postmaster of Jasper by President Lincoln, and held the office almost without an interval of rest until 1877. In 1854 he married Rosa Miller, and by her he became the father of three children: Elizabeth, John and Theresa. He and family are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat, and has been town councilman for five years.
EDWARD ERNY was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., July 17, 1840, and is the eldest in a family of eight children born to Dominic and Johanna (Kaiser) Erny, who were born in Switzer- land and came to this State in 1842, and settled on a farm in Dubois County, near Jasper. One year later they moved to Jas- per and the father began working at the tailor's trade. Edward was raised in Jasper, where he received a good common school education, but he passed much of his time at the old homestead. His father died in 1864 and his mother in 1880. June 22, 1869, he married Katharine Goetz and to their union eight children have been born, of which these five are now living: Albert, Will- iam, Mary, Helen, and Emma. Edward has always been a farmer and quite a successful one financially. He owns 120 acres of ex- cellent and well cultivated land. He and family are members of the Catholic Church and in politics he is a Democrat.
MRS. T. ERNY, proprietress of the only hardware store in Jasper, Ind., succeeded to the business on the death of her hus- band, Wendolin Erny, who was a native of Switzerland, where he was born April 6, 1820. His parents were Benedict and Regina Erny. In 1832, Wendolin, who was about twelve years old, im- migrated to the United States, and remained for some time in Pittsburgh where he learned the tinner's trade. In 1847 he came to Dubois County and settled in Jasper where he immediately established a tinner's shop, and succeeded so well that he soon after added a hardware stock. June 13, 1848, he married Theresa Oberst, who bore him five children: Mary Ann, Theresa, Louisa, Louis and Rosa, the last four being deceased. Mr. Erny was very successful in all his business undertakings, and at his death,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
which occurred April 6, 1879, the community lost an honored and respected citizen whose memory will be cherished for years to come. He died in the Catholic faith. He was elected to the office of town treasurer, and in politics was a Democrat.
JOSEPH FRIEDMAN, senior member of the firm of Fried- man. Scheirich & Co., of the Eclipse Planing and Saw-mill is a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born March 19, 1831, son of Joseph and Mary Friedman, who were natives of Germany. Before our subject was three years old his parents removed from Pennsylvania to this State of which they have since been residents. Joseph Jr., assisted his parents until he attained his majority, when he married Apalonia Eckenfells; ten children were born to them, only eight of whom are living: Mary, Clarissa, Josephine, Elizabeth, Joseph and Anna (twins), William and Helena. In 1854 our subject engaged in the mercantile trade at Jasper, at which he continued until 1874. Some time prior to this he had embarked in the saw and planing-mill business and in connection bought and shipped tobacco. In 1874 he disposed of his store, and since that time has devoted his time almost exclusively to his mill, and dealing in Inumber of all kinds. February 26, 1878, Mr. Friedman's wife was called from among the living, and about April 11. 1880 he married Anna Habberly. He and family are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat and a very successful business man.
GEORGE FRIEDMAN, a member of the firm of Friedman, Scheirich & Co., is a native of Jasper. Ind., and was born April 23, 1838, the youngest in a family of nine children, born to Jo- seph and Mary A. Friedman, who came from Germany, and were among the first settlers of the community. George was reared on the farm and in the store until he attained his majority. His education is limited, owing to the undeveloped school systems of that day. In 1858 he married Rosa Reolle, and they became the parents of nine children: Mary, Joseph, Martin, John, Joseph- ine, Andrew, August, Louis, and Henry. Our subject made his first start in life as a farmer, in which business he con- tinued until 1861, when he realized the necessity of quelling the rebellion, and accordingly volunteered his services as a musician. A short time afterward bands were done away with, and in 1865 he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-third Indiana Vol- unteers. After his return he engaged in the planing-mill busi- ness, at which he continued until 1871, when he and his brother engaged in saw-milling and lumbering. In 1884, they and Peter Scheirich became partners, and have since been very successful in their business ventures. Mr. Friedman and family are mem- bers of the Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat.
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