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 50
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working at odd jobs around the neighborhood, such as picking berries, driving cart, etc. It being about the time the war broke out, our subject determined to take part in the conflict. Being too young to enlist, he joined his brother Edward at Camp Nelson, Ky., in the fall of 1863, and went with the Seventh Ohio Cavalry, participating in several engagements. He was at one time sent by Gen. Fry, the then commandant at Camp Nelson, with dis- patches from said camp to Mount Sterling, a distance of over seven- ty-five miles, which he made safely, going twice through the ene- my's lines. For this exploit he received the personal thanks of Gen. Fry. Being discharged in August, 1865, he returned to Lexing- ton, but remained there but a short time. He determined to go West but having a brother and sisterresiding in Evansville, Ind., he made them a visit and while there entered the employ of the wholesale dry goods house of Sweetser, Caldwell & Co. Here he found a business suiting his abilities and soon took the road as a traveling salesman, which position he held for over fifteen years, traveling over most of the Western and Southern States. No man that ever left the city of Evansville was better known than "Col. Bob" as his friends called him. September 4, 1873, he married Cora Alice Messick, daughter of Capt. J. W. and Sarah A. Mes- sick, of Evansville, Ind. She (his present wife), was born July 21, 1854, in Madison, Jefferson Co., Ind. They have two chil- dren named Harry A. and Bessie Brennan. Mr. Brennan re- mained in Evansville until March, 1884, when he came to Posey- ville and commenced business for himself by establishing a general merchandise store, at which he has since continued. He has always kept a large stock of goods of all kinds, buying from the largest houses in the Eastern markets, his early training in the wholesale business enabling him to make the best possible purchases. He is the leading merchant of the town and has the quality of push and energy which are essential to success. He is a shrewd business man and is honest and upright in all his deal- ings and has made many friends although a comparative stranger. Soon after his arrival in Poseyville he organized the Poseyville Building and Loan Association, and was elected one of its direct- ors and secretary, which position he now holds. He has ever worked for the good of the town and was the prime mover for the in corporation of the town, and he with other gentlemen advanced
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sufficient money to make the survey and have the town platted. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is now, after the early struggles of life, situated and surrounded with kind friends and neighbors.
JOHN CHRISTIE was born in Virginia, June 21, 1834, son of Henry and Ellen (St. Clair) Christie. The parents were natives of Virginia, born in 1806 and 1811, respectively. The father was a stone-mason, and came to Posey County, Ind., in 1850, where he followed the life of a farmer. His death occurred June 6, 1879. The mother is yet living. Our subject re- ceived a limited education, owing to the poor facilities of that day, and when nineteen years old began working for himself. June 13, 1859, he took for his companion through life Rosetta Kirby, born September 13, 1842, in Tennessee. They have this family: Jessie E., Minnie E. (deceased), Mary E. (deceased), Martha A., Nellie G. and Estella F. Mr. Christie enlisted in Company D., Ninety-first Regular Indiana Infantry, Aug- ust 20, 1862, and was an active and faithful soldier for three years. In June, 1865, he returned home, and in the fall of the same year, purchased forty-seven acres of land in Robb Town- ship, and began farming. December 8, 1880, he lost his wife, and since that time his daughter Jessie has been his housekeeper. He afterward increased his farm to 107 acres, but meeting with an accident which crippled him in 1884, he abandoned farming, and has since lived in Poseyville. He is a Republican in politics and cast his first vote for Fremont.
JOSEPH DAVIS, one of the early settlers of Posey County, Ind., was born November 9, 1816, and is a son of John and El- len (Journey) Davis. The father was of Irish extraction, born in Kentucky in 1790. He came to Indiana in 1816, and located on a 160 acre farm given him by his father. In 1818, while he and his brother-in-law, Ralph Martin, were attending a Method- ist camp meeting, in Gibson County, a violent storm arose, and while they were standing under a tree, waiting for the storm to pass, they were struck by lightning and instantly killed, together with their two horses. Our subject's mother was born in the State of New Jersey, and after the death of her husband, mar- ried James Downey, with whom she lived until her death in 1858. Joseph made good use of his time while in school, and was es-
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
pecially skillful in the science of mathematics. At the age of twenty-one he began teaching school, and taught in all five terms, receiving from $16 to $25 per month. November 7, 1839 he married Mary Endicott, born January 24, 1823, in Posey County. Nine children were born to them, seven of whom are living: Ellen, Martha R., John B., William, Joseph James, Pres- ton and Mary E. Mr. Davis began life as a farmer, with eighty acres of land, which he has since increased to 150 acres. He and J. W. Robb are the only two men now living who were born in the township when the State was a Territory. He is a Repub- lican, and cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
LEANDER DEFUR was born in Posey County, Ind., Feb- ruary 15, 1831, son of Roswell and Bedy (Roberts) Defur. The father was of French descent, born in 1803, in South Carolina, and came to Indiana in his youth. He was married in 1821, and resided in Posey County until his death in 1858. Our subject's grandfather took an active part in the battle of Tippecanoe. At that time the country was full of hostile Indians, and many atrocious crimes were committed. Some interesting stories re- lated by Mr. Defur will be found in another part of this work. The mother was born in South Carolina October 20, 1804. She is at present living with our subject, and is quite bright and active for so old a lady. Leander was educated in the district schools, and in 1854 took a trip to the Pacific coast, going ria the Gulf of Mexico, Isthmus of Panama, and up the Pacific coast to the Golden Gate. He became a miner, and only a few days after his arrival found a piece of quartz rock which con- tained over $60 worth of gold. He remained there four years and then returned to "Hoosierdom" with upward of $1,000, which he had earned. He located on the old place, where he has ever since lived, owning 101 acres of land. In 1874 the house caught fire and was consumed. Since that time he has rebuilt, and is doing well as a farmer. He is a Democrat in pol- itics, and is a member of the Regular Baptist Church.
JAMES H. DEFUR is a native of Posey County, Ind., born December 9, 1841, son of Louis and Julia (Bonner ) Defur. The father was of French lineage, born in 1811 in Posey County. At the time of his marriage, in 1833, he lived in the last named
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county, where he owned eighty acres of land. He was one of the old settlers of the county, and died January 24, 1851. The mother was of Irish descent, born November 17, 1809, in Penn- sylvania. Since the death of her husband she has lived with our subject. James was reared on a farm, and attended the dis- trict schools in boyhood. March 13, 1863, he married Ella, daughter of Hosea and Margaret Lee. She was born September 5, 1847, in Posey County. They have six children: William L. (deceased), Oscar L., Arthur C., Edgar O., Louis L. and Mar- garet C. After marriage he operated a shingle factory in Owens- ville, Ind., for two years. He then lived for some time in the "Hawkeye" and "Sucker" States, and then returned to Indiana, where he has since resided on the old homestead. He built a fine dwelling house in 1884, which is furnished with all the modern conveniences. He is a Democrat and cast his first vote for George B. McClellan.
JAMES T. DEMAREE was born in Kentucky August 1, 1834. His parents, Samuel and Frances (Cropper) Demaree, were born in Kentucky in 1803 and 1808 respectively. The father was a farmer, and lived successively in Kentucky, Illinois and lastly Missouri, where he died, December, 1884. The mother died in the same place in 1883, after a well spent life. James T. remained with his parents until twenty-four years old. November 18, 1857 he married Artemisia Ward, born in Tennes- see in 1841. They became the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living: John, Ida, Mary and Martha (twins), Lu- ella, Walter and Edna. Our subject was living in Missouri at the time of his marriage, and remained in that State until the breaking out of the war, when he moved to Posey County, Ind. September 17, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-eighth Regiment Illinois Infantry for three years and was in many of the bloodiest battles of the war. At the battle of Shiloh he re- ceived a wound which disabled him so badly that he was com- pelled to quit the service. In 1874 he was chosen county com- missioner to superintend the county poor for two years, and in 1879 was re-elected. Mr. Demaree began life for himself with but a few dollars, but by industry and the aid of his wife now owns 196 acres of good land. He is a Republican, and a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F.
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
HENRY DEMBERGER was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 6, 1849, and is the only child born to Martin and Henrietta (Faul) Demberger, natives of the same country as our subject. The father, who was born in 1824, was a cabinet-maker by trade, but at present is a farmer. In 1852 he and family came to the United States, locating in Stewartsville, Ind. The mother was born in 1824. Henry obtained a fair English educa- tion, and made his home with his people until he was twenty-two years old. January 8, 1877, he married Margaret Doll, daugh- ter of Jacob and Catharine Doll. She is a native of Posey County, born in 1855. They have four children: William A. (deceased), John A., Henrietta and Lewis Jacob. Mr. Dember- ger entered into partnership with George Faul in the mercan- tile business in Stewartsville. They keep a fine stock of goods, and are doing a very fair trade. In politics our subject is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the German Evan- gelical Church. In 1875 he was appointed postmaster, and held the office until 1882.
WILLIAM A. DRAKE, miller, is a native of Kentucky, born August 23, 1854, son of Rev. James and Sarah Jane (Gish) Drake. The parents were natives of Kentucky, born in 1815 and 1821, respectively. The father was a farmer and miller by oc- cupation, and also became minister of the gospel while in his native State, and preached for upward of forty years. He came to Posey County, Ind., where he remained until 1880, when he moved to Kentucky and remained until his death in 1883. The mother's death occurred in 1872. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and aided his parents on the farm until nearly twenty-one years old. In 1879 he entered into partner- ship with his brother, John, in the saw-mill business. In 1884 they became partners of James Hall in grist-milling, and are do- ing a paying business. In politics Mr. Drake is a Republican. In 1884 he was married to Miss Mattie A. Sandefur, daughter of J. T. and Julia B. Sandefur. She was born April 28, 1866, and has borne her husband one child, George Humphrey. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
SOLOMON C. DUNLAP, superintendent of the county poor, is a son of William and Sarah (Green) Dunlap, who were natives of North Carolina and Indiana, respectively. The father was
Al MoCallister
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born in 1801, and followed the calling of a farmer. He lived for some time in White County, Ill., and then moved to Stoddard County, Mo., where he died November 4, 1880. The mother also died at that place, in August, 1882. Our subject was born in Illinois, April 17, 1830. He worked on the home farm until twenty-two years of age. January 27, 1854, he married Mahala Ann Wells, daughter of James and Elizabeth Wells. She is a native of Posey County, Ind., born May 22, 1832. They have four children living: James William, Sarah Elizabeth, John Martin and Burl Crawford. After his marriage he lived for some time in the " Sucker State," and in 1866 came to Posey County, Ind., where he rented property for some time. In 1879 he was chosen superintendent of the poor, and has held the posi- tion by re-election ever since, thus showing how he is appreciated by the people. In politics Mr. Dunlap is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Winfield Scott. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
WILLIAM B. ENDICOTT. Moses Endicott was born in Mount Vernon, Ky., September 2, 1808. He left his native State when but six years old, and came to Posey County, Ind., with his parents. He married his wife, Elizabeth Calvert, of Irish descent, born in Vanderburg County, Ind., and made his home in Posey County, where he at one time owned upward of 300 acres of land. They became the parents of eleven children. His death occurred July 18, 1882, and the mother's in 1854. Our subject was born in Posey County, Ind., September 3, 1848. He obtained a fair education, and remained with his parents until twenty-seven years of age. He began doing for himself on eighty-seven acres of land given him by his father and where he has since resided. He is a Democrat and his first vote was cast for Horace Greeley. June 30, 1877, he was married to Kate Rister, born in 1849 in Indiana, and daughter of Christopher and Margaret Rister. She has proved a helpmate to her husband, and is a member of the Regular Baptist Church.
WILLIAM W. FAIRCHILD was born December 19, 1825, in Vanderburg County, Ind., son of Sherman and Dyantha (Cody) Fairchild, who were natives of New York. The father was born in 1800, and was a farmer by occupation, and lived in the Hoosier State the greater part of his life. He died in 1860.
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
The mother was of English lineage. Her death occurred in Kirkland, Ohio, in 1832. Our subject obtained his education in the pioneer log schoolhouse, and remained with his father until twenty-three years old. December 10, 1848, he married Lucinda Young, born in Posey County in 1831. To their union eight children were born, seven of whom are living: Mary, Martha L., Edward, Frederick, Laura A., Delilah and Minor M. Mary and Frederick are living in Kansas. Edward is engaged in making brick and drain tile in Poseyville, and Minor is engaged in the same business on his father's farm. Mr. Fairchild owns 120 acres of land in Robb Township. In 1871 he commenced mak- ing drain tile in connection with farming, and was the first man to manufacture and introduce tiling in Posey County. Its demand was very slow at first, but is now a great industry. He continued the business for nine years, when his son Frederick took control. Mr. Fairchild is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Zachary Taylor. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., and he and wife are members of the General Baptist Church.
ELAM W. FAIRCHILD is a son of Sherman and Dyantha (Cody) Fairchild, and was born March 17, 1828, in Ohio. He was reared at home, and received his education in the district schools. April 14, 1850, he wedded Martha Linxwiler, daughter of Christopher and Mary Ann Linxwiler. She was born in Van- derburg County, Ind., September 28, 1828. To their marriage two children were born, named Eliza (wife of Franklin Knowles) and John. Eliza is living in Gibson County, and John is engaged in farming near the old homestead. After his marriage Mr. Fairchild rented land in Vanderburg County for upward of two years, and at the end of that time moved to Posey County, where he purchased sixty-five acres of land in Robb Township. Here he located and has since lived. By energy and industry he has accumulated property year by year until he at present owns 105 acres of good land. His political views are Republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and his wife is a member of the General Baptist Church. Her grandfather, Thomas Rose, was the father of twenty-nine children. He was married twice, his first wife bearing him eleven children and his second wife eighteen.
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E. EDWARD FAIRCHILD, manufacturer of brick and tile, is a son of William and Lucinda (Young) Fairchild, and was born in Posey County, Ind., August 29, 1853. The parents were natives of Indiana, the father born in 1825 and the mother in 1831. The father was a carpenter and farmer in early life, but for the last sixteen years has been engaged in making brick and tile. Our subject received his education in the district schools, and remained at home working on the farm until twenty-three years of age. October 29, 1876, he married Sarah A. Wallace (born in 1859), who bore him four children: Claudie C., Ethna F., Earl E. and Lola D. (deceased). Soon after marriage Mr. Fair- child purchased forty acres of land in Posey County and com- menced farming. Two years later he sold out and purchased a 120 acre farm near Poseyville, operating it about eighteen months, when he disposed of it. Since the spring of 1881 he has been manufacturing brick and tile. He makes about 250,000 bricks and 8,000 rods of drain tile per season, and employs about six men. In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for R. B. Hayes. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and General Baptist Church.
JACOB FAUL is a son of Louis and Lena (Gorlich) Faul who were natives of Rhein-Bavaria, Germany, born in 1808 and 1814 respectively. The father was a brewer and cooper by occu- pation. He has since been to the United States three different times and is yet living in his seventy-eighth year. The mother died in 1868. Our subject was born in Germany, July 25, 1833, and attended school until fourteen years old, living part of the time in Germany and part of the time in France. He learned the cooper's and brewer's trades of his father, and at the age of eighteen came to the United States locating first in New York, next in Philadelphia, and in 1853 reached Stewartsville where he located and commenced working at the cooper's trade, and after- ward at the carpenter's trade. In 1865 he purchased eighty acres of land which he has since increased to 160 acres in Robb Town- ship where he located and has since lived. He is a Democrat in politics. October 11, 1859 he married Carrie Mann, born April 13, 1841, in Posey County. They became the parents of nine children, six of whom are living: Margaret, Harriet, Susan, Henry, Carrie and Lena. Mrs. Faul is a member of the Evan-
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gelical Church and has been, in every sense of the word, a help- mate to her husband.
GEORGE W. FAUL, merchant of Stewartsville, Ind., was born May 24, 1851, in the place where he now lives. He at- tended the district schools and remained at home until twenty- eight years old. When fifteen years old he began learning the sad- dler's trade with his father, continuing four years; he then en- tered into partnership with Henry Demberger in the mercantile business, and as they keep a fine stock of goods, they are corres- pondingly prosperous. May 18, 1879, he wedded Mary J. Waller, born June 27, 1855, and daughter of David and Lucy Waller. They have two children: Frank and Nora. They have a fine house and lot in the village and are very comfortably situated. Our subject is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Samuel J. Tilden. His parents were Frederick and Elizabeth (Dickmeier) Faul, natives of Germany, the father born in 1819 and the mother in 1831. Frederick was a harness-maker by trade and came to the United States when only sixteen years old. He served in the Mexican war and was in many of its principal bat- tles; he located in Stewartsville, after coming from the war, where he owns considerable land; he held the office of township trustee for nearly fifteen years.
JOHN S. FITZGERRELL, the oldest citizen of Robb Town- ship, Posey Co., Ind., was born March 17, 1819, in Gibson County, Ind., son of James and Elizabeth (Ray) Fitzgerrell, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, and born in 1777 and 1789, and died in 1865 and 1874, respectively. The father lived in different parts of Kentucky and Indiana, and finally came to Posey County, where he purchased 160 acres of land and remained until his death. He was quite wealthy and owned, at one time, 800 acres of land. In boyhood John S. went three miles to receive instruc- tion. March 15, 1845, he married Nancy (Clism) Graham, born December 22, 1818. . They have six children: . Mary L., Eliza- beth A., Jane E., James and Patsey Ann, twins (deceased), and Louis E. Mr. Fitzgerrell purchased 165 acres of land soon after marriage, which he has since increased to 230 acres, besides giving three of his children sixty-six acres of land apiece. As a farmer he has been very successful. He is a stanch Democrat and cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren. He was trustee of
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Robb Township for three years; he and wife are members of the Regular Baptist Church.
JAMES FREEMAN, hotel proprietor, Poseyville, Ind., was born September 10, 1823, in Pennsylvania. His parents, James and Jane (Dugan) Freeman, were of Irish extraction. His father came to this country in his youth, and married his wife in Philadelphia. He was a shoe-maker by trade, and at times en- gaged in hotel keeping. He died of cholera at Massillon, Ohio. The mother died in Indiana about 1867. Our subject learned the saddler's trade in youth, and in time became a skillful work- man. About 1845 he married Purlina Anderson, who died in 1847, leaving one son, William. March, 1853, he wedded Louise Anna Durnal, born in Bowling Green, Ky., in 1837. They have five children, named Belle, Emery, Lizzie, Eva and Alva. Mr. Freeman located in Vincennes, where he lived about one year. He then resided in Illinois and in different parts of In- diana until 1853, when he moved to Poseyville. He was a strong Union man, and during the war fought bravely in Com- pany D, Ninety-first Indiana Infantry for three years. He plied his trade in Poseyville for twenty years, when he abandoned it and began keeping a hotel and livery stable. In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Zachary Taylor.
JOHN GRIN, shoe-maker, Poseyville, Ind., is one of two children born to John and Emma (Hoffman) Grin, his birth oc- curring August 11, 1848, in Bavaria, Germany. His father was a carpenter, of German birth, born in 1812. His death occurred February 6, 1866. The mother was born in 1811, and is yet liv- ing. Subject received the compulsory education of his country, and when thirteen years old began learning the shoe-maker's trade, at which he worked in the principal cities of Germany for over four years. When twenty years old he entered the army, remain- ing in the service two years. In 1872 he came to America, lo- cating in Evansville, Ind. August 24, 1874, he married Eliza Hoce, born in Evansville in 1848. She died January 31, 1876, leaving one child, named Henry. November 28, of the same year, he married Anna Helmann, who was born in 1848. They have one child, named Frederick. John Grin located in Poseyville in 1877. He was the first German settler of the town, and has made a success of life among the American people. He is a
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good workman, and has a good home in Poseyville. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and his wife is a member of the Ger- man Lutheran Church.
JAMES S. HALL, miller of Poseyville, Ind., was born Jan- uary 26, 1843, in England, and is a son of William and Jane ( Woods) Hall. The father was a native of England, born in 1785, and followed the life of a farmer. His death occurred in the mother country in January, 1851. The mother is a native of the same place, born in 1795, and is still living. Our subject at the age of fourteen commenced as an apprentice, learning the miller's and baker's trades, and worked for the same firm for four- teen years. May 12, 1867, he married Hannah Andrew, born February 28, 1843, in England. They have seven children: John H., Annie, Albert E., Victor (deceased), Stella, Frank and Ralph. Our subject left his native land in 1871, and came to the United States, locating in Jacksonville, Ill., where he con- tinued plying his trade. He lived in that city until 1876, when he moved to Evansville. Ind., and worked one year; thence to Englefield, Ind., where he remained four years. In June, 1884, he came to Poseyville, and purchased a one-third interest in the grist-mill, the firm being known as Drake Bros. & Hall. Mr. Hall is a skillful mechanic, and an excellent miller. In politics he is very conservative, voting rather for principle than party. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
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