USA > Indiana > Posey County > History of Posey County, Indiana : from the earliest times 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 41
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HON. RUSSEL BLACKLEY is a native of Fairfax County, Va., born December 30, 1817. He is one of eight children born to N. and Nancy (Cornwall) Blackley. The father was a native of Scotland and came to the United States when quite a small boy. He was a merchant tailor by trade. Russel received a common school education and remained at home aiding his mother until he attained his majority. March 30, 1837, he took for his life companion, Julia Haskinson, daughter of Ezekiel and Mary Haskinson. She is a native of Pennsylvania, born February 13, 1820. She and her husband became the parents of these ten children: William (deceased), George (deceased), George (de- ceased), Mary, Charlotte, Thomas, Franklin, Martha, Harriett and John. In 1837 Mr. Blackley purchased forty acres of land
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in Ohio and lived there ten years when he sold out and came to Posey County, Ind., where he has lived ever since. His political views are Democratic and he cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren. He was a member of the State Legislature during 1878-79.
FRANK P. BLACKLEY, an enterprising young farmer of Posey County, Ind., was born in the county, October 14, 1853, and is a son of Russel and Julia Blackley (elsewhere written). He was reared at home receiving a common school education. He resided under the parental roof until he attained his majority. He took for his life companion Geneva W. Curtis and their mar- riage was celebrated March 12, 1878. She is a daughter of John S. and Margaret Curtis, and was born December 17, 1856, in Posey County. To their marriage were born these children: Hal- lie, Homer and Boyd C. Mr. Blackley is a moderately success- ful young farmer and owns forty acres of land in Black Township. He is politically a Democrat and cast his first vote for Samuel J. Tilden. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
WILLIAM L. BOYCE, secretary and treasurer of the Mount Vernon Mill & Elevator Company and a native of Posey County, was born October 8, 1848. He is the elder of two children born to the marriage of Washington Boyce and Martha Kivett, na- tives respectively, of Dearborn and Posey Counties, Ind. The father came to this county in 1835 and located on the river above town. In 1853 he moved to a farm near Farmersville and resided in that vicinity until 1868 when he moved to his farm near Mount Vernon and followed farming, stock raising, and also engaged in the milling business in town. His death occurred March 24, 1885, the result of an accident at the mill. Our subject received a good education and completed his freshman year in Wabash College at Crawfordsville. At the age of twenty-three he en- gaged in the grain business here and in 1874, he went to Colo- rado and sold drugs there until 1877, when he returned and re-engaged in buying and selling grain and became a member of the firm of Fuhrer, Boyce & Co. In 1882, when the new firm was organized, he accepted the position of superintendent and two years later assumed his present office. April 11, 1880, he mar- ried Martha W. daughter of John B. Gardiner. They have one
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child named Edna. Mr. Boyce is a Republican and Mason, and is recognized as one of the enterprising men of the county.
DAVID BREECE may be mentioned as one of the prominent farmers of the county. His parents, James and Lucretia (Cul- ley) Breece, were born and raised near the sea-coast in North Carolina. They moved first to Sumner County, Tenn., and after remaining there three years, came to Posey County, Ind., and located on a farm near Mount Vernon. The father's death oc- curred in 1846 and the mother's in 1844. Our subject was born in North Carolina, January 27, 1812, but was raised in the woods of Posey County. When twenty-two years old he began work- ing for himself, receiving $10 per month for his services. A year later he purchased a small tract of land and worked on this and his father's for some time. He has been very prosperous and owns over 500 acres of good land, lying in three different farms. He is a member of the Regular Baptist Church and a Democrat in politics. December 31, 1840, he was married to Jane Rogers who was born October 7, 1817, and died December 2, 1868, leav- ing five children: James A., Jeremiah C., Maria, David R. and Silas. Mr. Breece makes his home with his son James, who farms the home place.
LOUIS BRETTNER, proprietor of the Brettner Hotel at Mount Vernon, Ind., was born in Bavaria, April 25, 1849, son of Simon and Elizabeth Brettner, natives of the same country, where the mother died and the father still resides. Louis secured the ordinary German education and at the age of thirteen began learning the hatter's trade, after completely mastering it, he worked in the land of his birth until 1870, when he came to the United States and worked six months at his trade in Newark, N. J. He then came to Evansville, Ind., and remained until 1877, working at his trade and retailing liquors. He then located in Mount Vernon and engaged in the same business until 1881 when he began keeping hotel at the corner of Third and Store Streets, but discontinued there in March, 1884, and took charge of his present hotel. He keeps a first class house in every respect and commands the leading trade in the city. In February, 1878, he married Emma Schollkopf. They have one child named Otto L. Mr. Brettner is a member of the A. O. U. W. and was born in the Catholic faith, but is not a member of any church. He is
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considered one of Mount Vernon's most honest and upright busi- ness men.
HENRY BRINKMANN was born in the Duchy of Lippe- Detmold, June 16, 1825. He attended school until fourteen years old, and obtained a very fair education; he worked for about six years in a brickyard, and then for about five years at learning the wagon-making trade. In 1850 he embarked for the United States and came almost directly to Evansville, Ind., where he remained for about two months, and then came to Posey Coun- ty, settling in Mount Vernon, where he obtained steady employment at wagon-making, and at the end of the year formed a partner- ship with his employer, Gotlieb Koerner. They remained in this connection two years, when they dissolved partnership, and for about eight years afterward, he was engaged in manufact- uring agricultural implements and wagons on his own responsi- bility. He and John H. Barter then became partners in the same business, continuing together until 1861, when he again began business for himself in a shop of his own. About this time he began manufacturing the "Brinkmann wagon," having but one apprentice to assist him in his labors. He found ready sale for his products, and business has gradually increased so that he now employs from twelve to fifteen hands during the year in the manufacture of wagons and buggies, which are noted for their excellence and durability, He invented the plow called the "Posey Clipper," and is also engaged in the manufacture of drain-tile, and employs about thirty-five men. From 1869 to 1875, he was engaged in making brick, and two years later, he with William Burtis as partner, began selling all kinds of agri- cultural implements in Mount Vernon. In 1881 Mr. Burtis retired from the business, and Mr. Brinkmann then took his sons, Henry and Charles, into partnership with him. The sales of the firm in this department reach the handsome sum of $40,000 per annum. They now have added a stock of hardware, which great- ly augments their yearly sales. He has been president of the Manufacturers' Aid Society of Mount Vernon, a number of years, and he was elected member of the city council in 1869, re-elected in 1878 and 1880, and is now holding the same office; he has been a Republican since the first election of Abraham Lincoln. He was married, in October, 1852, to Margaret Hahn; they have
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ten children-four sons and six daughters, all of whom are living. Mr. Brinkmann is essentially a self-made man, he started in life a poor boy but by diligence and economy built up an excellent trade, aud is now endowed with his share of worldly goods. By his upright and honest dealings he has won the respect and esteem of all. He was the Republican nominee for commissioner of the First District in 1876, but was defeated owing to the great dif- ference in strength of the two parties. He and wife are members of the Evangelical Association, and he is a Mason.
EUGENE BRYAN is a son of Gabriel and Susan M. (Hayden) Bryan, and was born in Daviess County, Ky., July 29, 1855. Both parents were born in Kentucky, and the father died in our subject's native county, February 8, 1873. The mother still makes that place her residence. Eugene was raised in his native county, securing the ordinary common school education; he worked in a tobacco factory in Owensboro, from 1868 to 1873, and then worked on a farm until 1875. He was then employed on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad for four years, and in 1876, removed to Mount Vernon, where, three years later he began tending bar in that place, continuing until November, 1884, when he began keeping his present saloon and restaurant. He has the finest bar and restaurant in the city, and controls the leading trade in his line of business. March 12, 1882, he was married to Nettie Williams, a native of Posey County. They have one child named Eda. Mr. Bryan is a Democrat and Mason, and a member of the A. O. U. W. He is recognized as one of the enterprising young business men of the city.
CHARLES CARPENTER, cashier of the International Bank, of Mount Vernon, Ind., was born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1845. In 1850 he came with his father to the United States, the mother dying in her native land just before starting on the voyage. The father's demise occurred just after arriving in this country. Charles spent his boyhood days in the city of Buffalo, N. Y., where he secured a fair education in the city schools. At the age of sixteen he began working as mail clerk for the Buffalo Express, a leading newspaper of that city, continuing there two years. He came to Evansville, Ind., in 1863, and clerked for John E. Martin, secretary and treasurer of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad, and then worked in the employ of the
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Government as paymaster's clerk on the United States steamer "Fair Play." At the close of the war he returned to Buffalo, and was employed on the Express one year. He then removed to Dunkirk, N. Y., where he married Frances Z. Lord, in March, 1867. The following year he returned to Evansville, and was employed as book-keeper for the Evansville National Bank until February, 1873, when he came to Mount Vernon, and was cashier for the Mount Vernon Banking Company. In March, 1882, he returned to Evansville, and was treasurer for the Armstrong Fur- niture Company until September of that same year, when he re- turned to Mount Vernon, and accepted his present position. He is a Republican in politics, and a warm advocate for the princi- ples of his party. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., A. O. U. W. and K. of P. fraternities, and is the father of four living chil- dren: Clyde L., Wealthy S., Lottie B. and Earl L. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is one of the wide-awake business men of the town.
EDWIN W. CARR was the third in a family of six children born to Amasa and Louisa (Foote) Carr, who were natives of New York. Edwin was born in Thompkins County, N. Y., May 1, 1828, and came to Posey County, Ind., in 1837 with his par- ents, with whom he remained until about twenty-one years of age. March 31, 1852, he was married to Emily Robb, who died Janu- ary 8, 1872, leaving six living children: William F., James C., David R., Betheny, Mary Z. and Emma. July 30, 1873, he married Elizabeth (Ridenour) Duckworth, who bore him one son, who died in infancy. This wife died in 1874, and he took for his third wife America M. Robb, May 9, 1875. To their union six children were born, four now living: Edwin W., Ida, John W. and Clarence F. Mr. Carr has been quite prosperous, and owns 124 acres of very fine land, well improved. He is a mem- ber of the General Baptist Church, and politically he has always been a warm Republican. His wife is a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church.
VINCENT M. CARTWRIGHT, recorder of Posey County, Ind., was born in Harmony Township, January 17, 1843, being one of ten children born to Presley and Sidda M. (Moye) Cart- wright, natives respectively of this county and North Carolina (see father's sketch in Harmony Township). Vincent M. was
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raised on a farm in his native township, securing the ordinary education of his day in the county schools. He improved this, however, in later years by attendance at school, and also muclı desultory study, in order to prepare himself for a higher sphere in life than the ordinary laborer attains. When nineteen years old (in 1862) he enlisted as a private in Company C, Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served in this capacity in the Rebellion until its close. He was seriously wounded in the left leg at Blountsville, Tenn., and also received a flesh wound in the same leg in a skirmish with guerrillas in Kentucky. After his return home, in 1865, he went to Missouri and taught school a few months, and then went to Kansas and engaged in the timber business. Here he lost his left hand, in 1866, at Salina, Kas. He returned home the following November, and improved his education, as above stated. He then taught school and farmed in Harmony Township until 1871, when he moved to Lynn Town- ship, where he continued at the same work until November, 1883. During his residence there he held various local offices of trust, and was trustee of the township two terms. In November, 1882, he was elected to his present office, taking his seat in November the following year. He has filled the office ably and efficiently ever since. March 25, 1869, he married Elizabeth Wilson, a native of the county. They became the parents of five children: Cyn- thia M., William P. (deceased), Emma Ethel, Fannie O. and a daughter who died, unnamed, in infancy. Mr. Cartwright has always been a Democrat, and has taken an active part in the po- litical affairs of the county. He was chairman of the Democratic Central Committee during the campaign of 1884, and his con- stituents presented him with a beautifully engraved gold headed ebony cane after the close of the campaign, as a token of their appreciation of his faithful services during that trying time. He is a member of the K. of P. lodge, Past Chancellor, and he and wife are members of the Regular Baptist Church. Mr. Cart- wright is a successful and enterprising citizen, and is justly pop- ular as a politician and official of the county.
ANDREW J. CLARK, jeweler and watch-maker, of Mount Vernon, Ind., was born in Columbus, Ohio, December 29, 1844, and is one of eight children born to Sarsfield and Elizabeth (Diemor) Clark, who were natives respectively of Ireland and
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Columbus, Ohio. The father came with his parents to the United States when quite a small lad, and located at Columbus. Here he married and brought up his family. He was engaged in sev- eral occupations, the theatre show business being the chief. He built the Atheneum Theater, of that city, and was one of the in- ventors of the hot air balloon. In 1860 he removed to Xenia, Ill., where he died in 1872. Andrew J. was raised in Columbus, and began working at the jeweler's trade when fourteen years of age. After 1860 he resided in the following places: Cincinnati, Ohio; Little Rock, Ark., and later at Xenia, Ill., where he en- gaged in the mercantile business. He went to Cincinnati in 1867, and worked at his trade about three years, when he returned to Xenia, Ill. Here, in 1871, he wedded Nannie Oliver. He was engaged in the jewelry business in that place until 1876, when he came to Mount Vernon, Ind., and engaged in his present business, and has met with pronounced success. He manufact- ures watches, clocks and jewelry of all kinds, and carries an ex- cellent and complete line of silverware. He gives especial atten- tion to repairing, and controls the leading trade in the county. Mr. Clark's political views are Democratic. He is a Mason, and is one of the reliable business men of Mount Vernon.
NOBLE CRAIG, a prominent citizen of Posey County, Ind., was born in Leesburg, Va., October 2, 1809, and is one of a fam- ily of four sons and three daughters of Samuel and Elizabeth (Hughes) Craig. The parents moved from their native State (Virginia) to Kentucky, where they passed the remainder of their lives on a farm. About this time, when Noble was eighteen years of age, le and his brother Hector came to Mount Vernon, Ind., and engaged in the merchandise business, continuing together until the latter's death, in 1835. About 1837 or 1838, Mr. A. C. McCallister became a partner in the business with him, and re- mained as such until 1858. Since that time Mr. Craig has lived a somewhat retired life, trading to some extent in land notes, etc. He has been very successful from a financial standpoint and now has quite a comfortable competency to sustain him in his declin- ing years. In 1837 he took for his life companion Elizabeth Baker, a native of Kentucky. They have had five children, all of whom are now dead. Mr. Craig has been a Republican ever since the existence of the party, and was a Whig before that time.
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He was a warm advocate for the Union cause during the Rebellion and contributed funds and assistance liberally during that time. He and wife are leading members of the Christian Church. He is an esteemed and respected citizen of the county and a sup- porter of all laudable enterprises.
JOSEPH K. CRALLEY, blacksmith, manufacturer and dealer in wagons, buggies, plows, etc., was born in Evansville, Ind., April 28, 1848, and is a son of Vinson and Rosanna (Brandis) Cralley, natives of the United States and England, respectively. The father, who is a carpenter by trade, removed to Mount Ver- non in 1851, where he has since resided. Joseph K. obtained a common education and remained with his parents until eighteen years of age, when he began learning the blacksmith's trade, and worked at it here and in various towns in Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois ever since. In 1875 he engaged in his present bus- iness here and has met with the best of success. He has the agency of the Columbus (Ohio) Buggy Company, and is doing an extensive business. In 1871 he took for his helpmate through life Laura Greenfield, a native of Kentucky. They have three children: Walter, Edward and Florence. Mr. Cralley is a stanch Republican and was a member of the city council during 1883 and 1884. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and is an excellent citizen. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ALEXANDER CRUNK was born in Marrs Township, Posey Co., Ind., October 7, 1836. His grandfather, John Crunk, was a native of Tennessee and immigrated to this State and county about 1808. His son, Timothy D., father of our subject, was born in this county and was married to Ruth Barton in 1832, and to their union four children were born-three sons and one daughter. Alexander's parents died when he was but thirteen years old, and he then made his home with his uncle, Lewis Bar- ton, for whom he worked three years for his board and clothes. He then worked one year for another uncle and received $80 and his board as compensation. As he was of an independent disposition he began chopping wood, for which he received 50 cents per day. He was engaged at this and farm work for about three years. September 17, 1857, he led to Hymen's altar Miss Louisa Dixon. To their union nine children were
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born, five of whom are now living. After marriage he fol- lowed the life of a farmer, meeting with the best of success. He then removed to Mount Vernon, where he held the position of jailer about eighteen months. The same year he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for sheriff and was elected by a full majority, and defeating Herman Munchoff. He was re-elected in 1872, defeat- ing Jonathan Burlison, the most popular candidate on the Repub- lican ticket. He served in this capacity until 1875, when he re- turned to his farm, remaining there till 1878, when he again received the nomination of sheriff. He was renominated in 1880 and defeated Braddock McGregor, a very popular candi- date. In all his years of public life he maintained his prin- ciples of honesty and uprightness, and by his impartial conduct in the management of business affairs he has won the respect and confidence of the community. He has always been a warm and outspoken Democrat and has labored faithfully and well to maintain and perpetuate the institutions of Democracy. Since the expiration of his office he has given the most of his time and attention to farming, being the possessor of 800 acres of valuable land, 650 acres of which are under cultivation. He is a Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F. His children's names are Jen- nie, William D., Edward, Eva and Celia.
JOHN M. CRUNK was born in Posey County, Ind., Febru- ary 25, 1828. He is the youngest in a family of nine children born to John and Patsy (Downen) Crunk. The father was born in Tennessee, and came to Posey County, Ind., during its very early settlement, and followed the occupation of farming. Our subject was born and raised on a farm in Posey County. He obtained but little schooling, and that under many difficulties. He remained with his mother until attaining his majority, when she died, his father having passed away at a much earlier period. Our subject then assumed control of the home farm for several years, when he purchased a farm about four miles from Mount Vernon, and has followed that occupation exclusively and with good success ever since. He owns 318 acres of exceptionally fine farming land, but is a resident of Mount Vernon where he owns town property. His marriage with Nancy Lewis was sol- emnized in 1853. Their union resulted in eight children, five of whom died in infancy, and one after becoming grown. The living
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ones are Robert J. and Martha V. Mr. and Mrs. Crunk are members of the Regular Baptist Church, and politically he is and always has been a Democrat.
MERRIT CURTIS is a son of Joshua and Sarah ( Aldridge) Curtis, and was born in Posey County, Ind., October 11, 1821. The father was born in North Carolina about 1795, and followed the occupation of farming. At an early day he came to Indiana, and located in Posey County, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1845. The mother was a native of the same State as her husband. She died in 1877. Merrit spent his boy- hood days on a farm, and obtained a very good education in the common branches. He was married to Jane Harrison, July 2, 1842. She is a daughter of John and Alice Harrison, and was born in England in 1822. They became the parents of eight children: Mary (deceased), Sarah, Alice, Nancy (deceased), Fran- ces M., John, James and Ellen. Mr. Curtis has been quite pros- perous and owns 100 acres of very good land. He is a Republican and cast his first vote for James K. Polk. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
GEORGE W. CURTIS, JR., was born in Posey County, Ind., June 28, 1860, and is one of a family of three sons and two daughters born to Thomas C. and Emily E. (McDaniel) Curtis. He was reared on a farm, and obtained a very fair common school education. When twenty-one years of age he began working for himself, and March 4, 1885, he wedded Miss Carrie Bra- sel daughter of Francis M. and Elizabeth Brasel. She was born in Morrison County, Ill., March 14, 1866. George W. is a warm Democrat in politics, and cast his first vote for Grover Cleveland. In 1881 he commenced teaching, and taught one term, meeting with good success. He has abandoned this how- ever, and is now an energetic tiller of the soil. He and wife are church members.
JOHN D. DIETERLE was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, November 11, 1827, son of Michael and Katharine (Hurler) Dieterle, who were natives of the same country, where the father died when John was six months old, and the mother when he was fourteen years of age. John D. obtained a very good education, and at the death of his mother began learning the butcher's trade, and followed that occupation in the old country until 1851,
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when he came to the United States and followed his trade in Buffalo, N. Y., and Louisville, Ky., until 1855. He then came to Mount Vernon, and engaged in the butchering business with John Pfeffer, Sr., and John Scheisler. He and Mr. Pfeffer con- tinued in this business and also in grist-milling until 1878, when our subject leased a farm in Black Township and worked it five years. He then re-engaged in butchering in Mount Vernon, and in 1885 opened his restaurant and saloon. In 1855 Anna M. Larch, a native of Baden, Germany, became his wife. They be- came the parents of thirteen children, seven of whom are living: Carrie, Charles, Mary, Catherine, Lena, Louisa and William. Mr. Dieterle was a Republican during the war, and served in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in the 100 days' service. He is now a Democrat. He has been a successful business man, and owns 160 acres of land in Point Township, besides considerable property in Mount Vernon. He is a Mason, and a member of the I. O. O. F., and Harugari and German Aid Societies. He and his family are German Lu- therans.
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