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 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
512
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
H., Thornton, Daniel and John D. June 12, 1855, he married his present wife whose maiden name was Martha Wallace. They also became the parents of six children, four of whom are living: Henry C .; Olive, wife of George Welker; Julia M., and Luella. Mr. Neale is a stanch Republican, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he has been a mem- ber and supporter for fifty years.
CHARLES NEBE is a native of Prussia, Germany, where he was born October 15, 1853, and is the eldest of six children born to Conrad and Kathrina Nebe, who were natives of the same country as our subject. The family came to the United States about 1857, and lived in New York City about three years and then removed to Evansville, Ind., where the father and mother now reside. Charles was raised in Evansville, and secured little or no education, but has since secured a comparatively good edu- cation by his own efforts and by contact with business life. He learned the machinist trade and worked at that occupation until 1874. He then followed various callings with indifferent results till 1877, when he came to Mount Vernon and worked as clerk for C. F. Tente until November, 1883, when he began keeping a grocery and saloon in partnership with Valentine Schneider, and continued with him until February 12, 1885. Since that time he has con- ducted the business by himself. He carries a good stock of goods and is doing a thriving business. In October, 1880, he was mar- ried to Lizzie Dietz, a native of Germany. They have one child, Emma. Mr. Nebe is a Democrat and a member of the Harugari order.
TURNER NELSON, deceased, was born in North Carolina, August 8, 1799, and came to Posey County in 1828 or 1829, and followed the occupation of farming and school teaching. In 1835 he was elected clerk of the Posey County courts, and held the office until 1867, when he was appointed to the Ute Indian agency under President Buchanan, but refused the appointment. He mar- ried Jane Walker, a native of Kentucky, and they became the par- ents of ten children, four of whom are living: Angeline, Evaline, James M. and William, who was born May 22, 1837, and married Josephine E. Whitworth, who bore him four children. He was appointed clerk of the county courts in 1867, to fill the vacancy caused by his father's death, and served until 1875. Turner Nel-
513
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
son, our subject, was known by all as an enterprising and active citizen, a faithful and efficient official, and a worthy member of the Baptist Church. His death occurred August 7, 1867.
JOHN I. NIEDERST is the eldest of six children born to Martin and Odelia (Bailey) Niederst, and was born in Alsace, France, December 13, 1847. His parents were natives of the same country and came to the United States and located at Vincennes, Ind., where the father engaged in the merchant tailor- ing business until his death in 1861. John I, was raised in Vincennes and received a common school education in his native and the English language. At the age of fourteen years he began learning the printer's trade and after having mastered it was in the employ of the Vincennes Sun until 1863, and then worked on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad until 1867, when he began retailing merchandise through Indiana, Illinois and Ken- tucky, until 1870. He then located in Shawnee Town, Ill., and engaged in the retail liquor business. In the fall of 1881 he re- moved to Mount Vernon, where he has since been engaged in the same business. He built his present business block in 1881. In 1868 he married Mary Guyer, a native of Vincennes. They have four children: John, Richard, Florence and Garnet. Mr. Nied- erst is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Catholic faith.
WILLIAM J. L. NOEL is a native of the county in which he now resides, and was born September 26, 1820. He is a son of John and Margaret (Lowrey) Noel, who were natives of Penn- sylvania and Ireland respectively. The father was a farmer and distiller and also operated a copper still, the first in the county. In 1850 he removed to Mount Vernon, where he is now living a retired life. Our subject was raised in the county, but secured a limited education owing to the, undeveloped school system of that day. In 1842 he began farming in Lynn Township, continuing with good success until 1858, when he removed to a farm near Mount Vernon. About 1867 he began selling general merchan- dise and dry goods and at the end of two years he began selling grain and continued the management of his farms in the county. In 1841 he married Harriet J. Nettleton, a native of the county. To their union four children were born, two of whom are living, named John M., a merchant of Poseyville, and Edward W., a
514
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
dealer in musical instruments and sewing machines in Mount Vernon. Mr. Noel is a stanch Republican in politics and is rec- ognized as one of the successful business men of the county. December 28, 1875 his wife died and he then moved to Mount Vernon where he now resides.
FREDERICK W. NOLTE, a native of Herford, Prussia, was born June 14, 1847, son of August and Charlotte (Schwartz) Nolte, who were native Germans and came to America in 1856, settling in Evansville, Ind., where the father supported his family by shoe-making. Frederick obtained a good German education in the schools of Evansville, but has since acquired his English education by his own exertions. When thirteen years of age he began clerking in a dry goods and boot and shoe estab- lishment in Evansville, continuing there a few years when he engaged in an exclusive dry goods store. Here he remained seven years. Later he became managing proprietor of a large dry goods store, but being rather unsuccessful he discontinued this after about eighteen months' trial. He then became travel- ing agent for Sweetser, Caldwell & Co., of Evansville, and re- mained with them in that capacity for about five years, In 1880 he moved to Mount Vernon and has been carrying on farming very successfully ever since. He owns 1,400 acres of very fertile land and has 650 acres under cultivation. He was married in 1875 to Lizzie Link, of Vanderburg County. who lived but seven months after her marriage. He took for his second wife, Mary Broadhead Edision, a native of Mount Vernon. They have four children: Mary E., Lola E., Fred E. and James E. Mr. Nolte has always been a very zealous and ardent Republican. He is now chairman of the Republican Central Committee and in this capacity he has always been connected with his party in both Vanderburg and Posey Counties.
DAVID DALE OWEN, M. D. (deceased), was born at Brax- field House, near New Lanark, Scotland, June 24, 1807, being the third son, who lived to manhood, of Robert Owen, the philan- thropist. He received his education during the years of 1824-25-26, at Hofwyl, near Berne, Switzerland. He also took a course in chemistry with Dr. Ure, of Glasgow, Scotland, and then attended the University of London. He received his diplo- ma as M. D. in this country, from the Cincinnati Medical College
515
-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
in the times of Dr. Locke Eberle and associates. He was en- gaged the greater part of his life as geologist, devoting his winters to chemical analysis connected with the geological sur- veys. He was first State geologist of Indiana, and in 1830, was appointed United States geologist for Iowa, and from 1848 to 1850 worked in the same capacity for Minnesota and the remain- ing Northwestern Territory. The results were published in a large quarto volume besides plates and maps. He was for many years afterward State geologist for Kentucky, his labors for that State being embodied in four large octavo volumes. Later, as State ** geologist for Arkansas, he published two octavo volumes. He mar- ried the third daughter of Dr. Neef, an associate of Pestalozzi. They became the parents of two sons and two daughters: Alfred D., Anna (wife of Charles Crawford), William H. and Nina (wife of Charles A. Parke). Mr. Owen's death occurred November 13, 1860. It is said of him that his ability as a geologist was only equaled by his manly spirit and modesty. Works treating on geology and chemistry have given him a national reputation in scientific circles.
COL. ALFRED DALE OWEN, of Mount Vernon, Ind., was born, and lived until he was thirteen years old, in New Har- mony, Ind. His birth occurred October 16, 1840, and he is the eldest child of Dr. David Dale Owen. In 1853 he was sent to Stutgart, in Wurtemberg, Germany, where he completed his education in German. When sixteen years old he returned to the United States and completed his education at the Western Military Institute, of Nashville, Tenn. The war of the Rebel- lion breaking out, he enlisted in 1861 as private in Company I, Fifteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served in this capacity for five months. He was then promoted to lieutenant in the Sixtieth Indiana Volunteers, and at the end of six months was made adjutant of the Eightieth Regiment; six months later, commissioned lieutenant colonel, and in 1863 (Oc- tober 15), was made colonel of the Eightieth Regiment, serv- ing until the close of the the war. He then returned home .. and engaged in the mercantile business at New Harmony until 1875, when he was elected auditor of Posey County, and served until 1883 by re-election. The latter year he was appointed cashier of the Mount Vernon Banking Company, and is filling
516
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
that position efficiently and well at the present time. In 1866 he married Anna Caldwell, a native of Jeffersonville, Ind. They have five children-three sons and two daughters. Col. Owen is a Democrat, and a member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities, and is also a member of the G. A. R.
SIMEON H. PEARSE, M. D., of Mount Vernon, Ind., was born in Alleghany County, N. Y., April 29, 1830, being the oldest son of a family of three sons and three daughters born to Benjamin H. and (Mary Heath) Pearse, natives, respectively, of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The father who was a practical farmer, settled in Alleghany County, N. Y., in 1812, where he led a long and useful life. His death occurred Au- gust 13. 1885, in his eighty-fifth year. The mother died there in 1874. Our subject was raised in his native county, and secured a fair education, completing his academic course, and securing a State teacher's license at the age of twenty-one. He taught school during the winters and thus obtained means to enable him to pursue the study of medicine. He attended the Castleton Medical College of Vermont, and graduated from this institution in 1854. He then practiced his profession in Onondaga and Alleghany Counties for four years, and then spent one winter in Bellevue Hospital, New York City, and in March, 1859, he came to Mount Vernon where he soon established a good practice, and has remained ever since, meeting with more than ordinary success in his profession. September 12, 1855, he married Lucy A. Abbott, born in the Doctor's native county. They have two children: Eliza M., wife of Andrew E. Lewis, of Princeton, Ind., and Warren M., a druggist in Louisville, Ky. The Doctor is a Democrat in politics, and a Mason, P. W. M. and H. P. of Mount Vernon Lodge No. 163. He and wife are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Pearse has always taken an active interest in all matters pertaining to the general advance- ment or welfare of the county. He was one of the prime factors in establishing the graded school system in Mount Vernon. He was a member of the school board from 1868 to 1878, with the exception of two years from 1870 to 1872. He is justly recog- nized in the community as a worthy citizen and a competent and successful practitioner.
517
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
MILTON W. PEARSE (deceased), was born in Alleghany County, N. Y., July 4, 1841, and is a brother of Dr. S. H. Pearse. He was raised on a farm and secured a good education. In early life he attended the same institution of learning as the Doctor, and prepared himself for teaching, which profession he began at the age of sixteen years. In August, 1860, he came to Mount Vernon and taught in the town schools until 1864, when he en- listed in the 100 days' service in the war of the Rebellion. After his return home he taught the following winter, and then began the study of law with the view of making it a profession. In 1866 he was admitted to practice in the county, and soon became well and widely known as one of the foremost practitioners of the county. May 11, 1865, he married Mary S. Edson (a widow ), who died June 20, 1880, having borne to him one child, now liv- ing, May W. March 5, 1884, he married Mrs. Adelaide Well- man, who still survives him. His death occurred April 22, 1884. He was a Democrat and a Mason, and a member of theA. O. U. W.
GEORGE R. PECKINPAUGH, M. D., of Mount Vernon, Ind., was born in Crawford County, this State, June 5, 1854, and is the next youngest of twelve children born to Nicholas and Eleanor (Sheckell) Peckinpaugh, who were born in Hardin County, Ky. The father was a pioneer citizen of Crawford County, immigrating there with his parents in 1818. Here he was raised and married and brought up his large family. He followed farming, merchandising and steamboating with consid- erable success; he was a member of the State Legislature from that district, and was well and favorably known throughout the region as one of the few Whigs who was a successful aspirant to office; he died in 1859. George R. remained on the farm until he was seventeen years old, when he attended the Hartsville In- diana University and later, the State University at Bloomington, Ind., and completed his sophomore year; he then took a two years" course in chemistry and some other branches pertaining to the medical profession, and in the fall of 1878 he entered the Cin- cinnati Medical College and graduated from that institution in the spring of 1881. He came here in September of the same year, and has been practicing his profession, in which he has been reasonably successful; he has capital invested in the drug
518
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
business; he is a Republican in politics, and a Mason and mem- ber of the State and county medical societies.
JOHN PFEFFER, SR., is the only living child of four sons born to Frederick Jacob and Margareta ( Wessinger) Pfeffer, and was born in Germany, January 19, 1826. John remained with his parents until seventeen years of age when he left home and learned the butcher's trade. In 1849 he immigrated to the United States and followed his trade in Buffalo, N. Y., and Louisville, Ky., and in 1856 came to Mount Vernon, and in con- nection with John D. Dieterle and John Schiesler, kept a meat- market in Mount Vernon. He then continued this business with Mr. Dieterle and also carried on grist-milling until 1877. Since that time he and Philip Traudt have carried on the milling busi- ness very successfully. In 1849 Mr. Pfeffer married Fredericka Gemelil, a native of Alsace, France (now Germany). To their union three children were born: John, Louisa (wife of Dr. O. T. Schultz) and Caroline (wife of Dr. Ernst Heusler). Mr. Pfeffer is a Republican, and was a member of the city council for six years and trustee of the city schools nine years. He is a Mason and a member of the Harugari and German Aid Societies; he and family are members of the Lutheran Church.
JUDGE JOHN PITCHER, a native of Watertown, Conn., where he . was born August 22, 1795. He was raised in his native State, and at the age of seventeen began studying law and was admitted to the bar in 1815. ' A year later he came West, making nearly the entire journey on foot, and located first at St. Louis, Mo., and came to Indiana in 1820 and practiced his pro- fession in a number of the counties of Indiana; he came to Posey County in 1835 and has practiced his profession for forty years. He is a Democrat, but previous to the war was a Whig. In 1832 he was chosen to represent Spencer and Perry Counties in the State Legislature and was judge of the probate court for Gibson, Posey, Vanderburg and Warrick Counties. In 1815 he married Eliza Gamble who died in 1832, leaving three children, one now living, Thomas Gamble, who is a retired colonel of the United States Army and is governor of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Bath, N. Y. Judge Pitcher took for his second wife Amanda Cissna who died in 1854. She left two living children: Henry C. and Kate. Our subject is the oldest Mason in Indiana.
A to, thetaqual
521
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN W. POWELL, M. D., of Mount Vernon, Ind., was born in Henderson County, Ky., June 16, 1844, and is the only son of eleven children born to James M. and Matilda (Greene) Powell who were born in Kentucky and Virginia respectively. The father was a farmer and resided in the county of his nativ- ity all his life with the exception of two years' residence in Indiana, in 1841-42. John W. secured a good literary education, attend- ing the Asbury University at Greencastle, Ind., in 1864-65, and the Washington College at Lexington, Va., in 1866-67-68. In 1870 he began the study of medicine entering the medical de- partment of the university of Louisville, Ky., and graduated from that institution in March, 1872. He then began practicing his profession in his native county, continuing there with good suc- cess until 1880. In December of that year he came to Indiana and located at Mount Vernon where he has since resided and now controls a large and remunerative practice. In 1882 he was ap- pointed county physician and is serving in that capacity at the present time. In 1870 he was married to Belle Dorsey. They became the parents of six children, three of whom are living: Lila R., Wesley Dorsey and Clyde E. The Doctor is a Demo- crat and Mason and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
DOUGLAS C. RAMSEY, M. D., of Mount Vernon, Ind., was born in Clay County, Ill., where his father Dr. George D. Ramsey was a practicing physician for a number of years, and where he now lives a retired life. Our subject was raised in his native county with his father, beginning the study of medicine under him at the age of seventeen years. He received a good literary education in the public schools and by private instruction. In 1877 he entered the St. Louis Medical College attending three terms and graduating in 1880. Six months later he came to Mount Vernon where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession, meeting with good success. November 16, 1882, he married Letitia Lappin, of Xenia, Ill. They had one daughter named Ruby now deceased. In politics he is a Democrat and is United States pension surgeon for Posey County, receiving his appointment under Cleveland. He is secretary of the county board of health, member of the American Medical Association,
17
522
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
Mississippi Valley, State of Indiana and Posey County Medical Societies.
GEORGE W. ROBERTSON, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Mount Vernon, Ind., was born in Fayette County, Ind., December 23, 1842. He is the son of Thomas and Lydia (Frost) Robertson, who were natives of the States of New York and New Jersey, respectively. George was raised in the county of his birth and secured a good education in the common schools and in the Marietta (Ohio) College. At an early age he began merchandising with his father and worked at that business pre- vions to his entering college. In 1863 he enlisted in the United States Navy and was immediately promoted paymaster's clerk and upon attaining his majority, was promoted to the office of paymaster and was ordered to duty on the gunboat "Carondelet." He was retained in the service until six months after the close of the war, being promoted paymaster of a fleet of fourteen vessels. He was compelled to abandon his career in the navy on account of sickness contracted during service. After returning home lie completed his education in the Marietta College. He then en- listed in the service of the United States as deputy assessor of the Fifth District, and at a later period, served in the United States collector's office at Evansville, Ind. In 1874 he ac- cepted the position as head book-keeper in the Citizens' National Bank of Evansville, and later removed to Monticello, Ind., where he accepted the position as cashier of the Citizens' Bank of that place, remaining there until October, 1882, when he removed to Mount Vernon, and accepted his present position, which office he has filled to the satisfaction of all concerned. In June, 1875, he was married to Anna P. Lockwood, daughter of John M. Lockwood; they are the parents of one child, Estella. Mr. Robertson is a Mason-Knight Templar degree, and a member of the G. A. R., and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
EVERSON W. ROSENKRANS, cashier of the First Na- tional Bank of Mount Vernon, Ind., is the next youngest of four children born to John B. and Margaret (Hornbeck) Rosenkrans, who were natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania respectively. Our subject was born in Sussex, N. J., in 1830, and was raised in his native State on a farm. When he was about ten years old his father died, and he remained with his mother and
523
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
received an ordinary education in the common branches. At the age of twenty years he became book-keeper for a dry goods house in St. Louis, Mo., and remained there three years. He then returned home and two years later he came to Evansville, Ind., and engaged as clerk in a wholesale dry goods store. In 1858 he came to Mount Vernon in company with John Burtis, and engaged in the grocery business, continuing at this five years, when he bought out his partner's interest and carried on the business alone until 1871. He then accepted a position as assistant cashier of the First National Bank, and in 1883 was promoted to his present responsible position, and is now filling that office in a very satisfactory manner. In 1860 he married Emily L. Lockwood, daughter of John M. Lockwood. To their union five children were born: John L. (deceased), Lucas, Na- tallie, Everson (deceased), and Carrie. In politics Mr. Rosen- krans is a Republican. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Rosenkrans attends regularly and contributes largely to its financial support. He is a reliable and worthy citizen of the county.
GEORGE D. ROWE was born in Posey County, Ind., Au- gust 16, 1828, and is one of seven children born to the marriage of Samuel Rowe and Mary Duckworth. The father was born" December 5, 1784, in Kentucky. He came to Indiana in 1809, and resided on two different farms in Posey County, and then moved to Harrison County, where he died March 23, 1870. The mother was born in 1799, in North Carolina. She died July 2, 1878. Our subject received a very good common school educa- tion, and when eighteen years of age left home and began flat- boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, continuing at this work for about six years. March 3, 1852, he married Martha Hamilton, born August 10, 1833, daughter of Francis and Ma- linda Hamilton. To Mr. and Mrs. Rowe were born eleven chil- dren: Samuel, Joshua, Mary, Sarah (deceased), Julia, George, Mattie, Rebecca, America, John and William. Mr. Rowe has been moderately successful as a farmer, and has been trustee of Black Township for six terms. In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Winfield Scott. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
524
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
RICHARD SARLLS, a prominent business man of Mount Vernon, was born in Carroll County, Ky., August 13, 1839, and is one of a family of eight children born to the marriage of Richard Sarlls and Julia Evertson. The father and mother died within three months of each other, when our subject was but eight years of age. After their deaths he came to Mount Vernon and lived with his uncle, J. R. Evertson, until he was eighteen years of age, learning the miller's trade. He worked at that occupation in Mount Vernon and Uniontown, Ky., until the close of the war, when he began buying and selling grain, and has continued in this business ever since, engaging, also, at times, in the dry goods and merchandise business. He was a member of the firm of Fuhrer, Boyce & Co. from 1874 to 1880. Since the latter date he has engaged in the grain and real estate busi- ness, and has also given considerable attention to farming, and' owns 750 acres of good bottom land in Kentucky, besides good residence property and business blocks in Mount Vernon. In 1860 he was married to Libbie Hinkle, who died in 1879, leaving seven children: Richard, Edward H., Jessie, Walter, Howard H., LeRoy and Louis P. In June, 1883, he married his present wife, Miss Fannie Hinch, a native of the county. Mr. Sarlls has been very prosperous financially, and is considered one of the foremost business men of the county. He is independent in his political views, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.