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 57
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JOHN HERRMANN, one of Posey County's most enter- prising and intelligent citizens, was reared and educated in Ger- many, his native land, his birth occurring August 10, 1827, the fourth in a family of six children born to John and Magdalena (Wagner) Herrmann, who were native Germans and lived and died in the old country. Our subject came to the United States in 1851 and located in the State of New York where he remained for one year. He then went to Ohio, and March 18, 1853, he lo- cated on the place where he now lives. He made his own start in life, unselfishly leaving his share of the estate to his widowed mother and brothers and sisters. By indomitable courage and energy he now owns 300 acres of very fine land under good cultivation. His barn, the finest in the county, cost $6,000. He has an elegant residence, and financially is one of the foremost farmers in the State. August 20, 1851, he married Margaret Heffling, who has borne him these seven children: Barbara (de- ceased), Elizabeth (deceased), Christina, Carolina (deceased), Simon (deceased), John and Sophia. Mr. Herrmann and family are members of the Lutheran Church and he is a Democrat and takes an active interest in politics. He has held the office of jus- tice of the peace for sixteen years and in all respects is worthy of the confidence reposed in him, and has been proffered many po- sitions of honor and trust by his political friends, but for various
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reasons could not accept. He is a prominent man politically. As a farmer and citizen he takes the lead in his community.
NICHOLAS JOEST, merchant, of Wadesville, Ind., was born May 1, 1834, son of Adam and Margaret (Schiller) Joest, who were native Germans. When sixteen years old our subject be- gan learning the tailor's trade and worked as an apprentice for two years. In 1856 be came to the United States and spent some time in Evansville, Ind., and Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked at his trade, meeting with good success. He finally came to Wadesville, Ind., where he has remained ever since. For the first twenty years he kept a tailor's shop and worked at his trade. He began adding general merchandise to his stock until he now has one of the finest stores in this section of the country. In 1872 James Cross became his partner in business. They also own the Centre Flouring-mill and our subject has considerable property in West Vernon and owns different farming lands. Mr. Joest has been a successful business man. He started with but little capital but his two hands, but at the expense of his own energies he has now a comfortable competency. He was married to Catharine Rothert, of the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, August 25, 1859. They have one child, Anna. Mrs. Joest died July 3, 1863, and in December, 1866, he married Cassie Fox. They have three children: Laura, Charles and Fannie. Mr. Joest is a member of the I. O. O. F., Masonic and A. O. U. W. fraternities. Politically he is a very ardent Democrat and has been county treasurer of Posey County two terms. He has also been township trustee and postmaster several years. He is widely known as a business man and an excellent neighbor.
CONRAD KOLB, the leading blacksmith of Wadesville, Ind., was born June 10, 1843, in Bavaria, Germany. He was one of a large family of children born to the marriage of John Kolb and Elizabeth Fisher, who died in Germany, their native land. Conrad had good educational advantages but spent the most of his time in his father's blacksmith shop. He remained at home to the age of sixteen and later worked in three of the largest manufacturing establishments in the world. In 1869 he came to the United States and traveled over several States and finally located at Wadesville, Ind., where he has very successfully plied his trade ever since, being also a manufacturer of wagons
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and buggies. He owns a one-half interest with Louis Fox in handling all kinds of farming implements and they also have the agency for all kinds of machinery, including the Davis Sewing Machines. November 23, 1869, he was married to Margaret Dieds, who bore him six children, five now living: Anna, Henry, Eddie, Louis and Laura. Mr. Kolb is a member of the A. O. U. W. His wife is a Catholic and he is a member of the Luth- eran Church and belongs to the Democratic party.
DR. DAVID KRAUSGRILL was born January 2, 1848, in Harrison County, Ky., son of Philip and Mary (Keller) Kraus- grill. He was reared and educated in his native county, and when sixteen years old enlisted in the army in the Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, serving from March 14, 1864, to December 4, 1865. After his return from the war he attended school at Or- leans, Ind., for three years, and followed the occupation of teach- ing for four subsequent years. He then commenced the study of medicine and entered college at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating from the medical college of that State in 1879. He began, however, the practice of medicine in 1873 in Francisco, Gibson Co., Ind., and two years later moved to Wadesville, where he has ever since successfully practiced his profession. He married Miss Linnie Barber, October 7, 1874. To their union three children were born: Ernst, Clyde and Emmett. The Doctor is a member of the A. O. U. W. and Masonic fraternities. Po- litically he is a Democrat and a leader of his party, and is one of the most successful physicians in that section of the county.
PHILIPP LEIPOLD. John Leipold, the father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was a native German. He married Mary Uffelmann in his native land, and they became the parents of five children, our subject being the eldest of the family. The father was a wagon-maker in ordinary circumstances. Philipp was raised in a little village, and received a good education in his native tongue. At the age of seventeen he began learning the wagon-maker's trade, and worked in the shop four years After serving three years in the regular army of Germany he again worked at his trade, continuing four years. When twenty-seven years old he came to the United States, and lived in the. follow- ing places: Pennsylvania, Ohio and Louisiana, and in 1861 he married and settled in New Harmony, where he remained four
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years plying his trade. In 1865 he came to Wadesville, where he has remained ever since, keeping the only hotel in the place. He married Catharine Uffelmann, who bore him seven children, these living: Elizabeth, Mary and Henry. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and an exceptionally enthusiastic Demo- crat.
GODFREY MILLER, son of Michael and Catharine (Utz) Miller, was born in Germany, June 17, 1814, and is the third of a family of four children. The parents were native Germans, and came to the United States about 1817, and settled in Dear- born County, Ind., where they remained the rest of their lives, and followed the occupation of farming. Godfrey was reared on a farm, and when about fifteen years old, began learning the blacksmith's trade. He never received but six months schooling, but has since acquired a good practical education by contact with business life. He followed his trade almost exclusively until 1835, when he moved to Posey County, Ind., and afterward to Henderson, Ky., remaining until 1843, when he married and lo- cated on his present farm of 160 acres. His land is well im- proved with good residence, barns, etc. October 24, 1843, he married Sarah J. Forcum. They have six children: Emily C., Elizabeth M., Thomas R., William H., John A. and Cornelius E. He and wife are members of the General Baptist Church, and politically, he has always been a Whig and Republican. He has been a resident of Posey County for forty-two years, and is one of its most worthy citizens.
THOMAS G. MOYE, of Wadesville, Ind., is a native of Craven County, N. C., born March 12, 1810. His parents John and Alice (Brown) Moye, were the parents of eleven children, and natives of North Carolina. They married and lived in their native State until Thomas was twenty years old, when they came to Indiana, and located in Posey County, where they resided for several years and then moved to Illinois, where both parents died. Our subject obtained the most of his education by self-applica- tion at home. When twenty-eight years old he began farming, and for forty-five years has continued at that occupation. He launched out in life with $100 capital, and now owns 370 acres of very fine land. January 1, 1840, his marriage with Hester Camp- bell was solemnized. To them were born seven children: Abner,
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Louisa, Hester, Jane, Joseph L., John B. and Martha Anne. All are dead but the last and youngest. Mr. Moye's wife has been dead about twenty-five years, and since that time he has lived with his daughter. Politically he is a Democrat, and a very prominent man of his party. He has held the office of township trustee and assessor for several years each, but has never aspired to public offices.
ISAAC G. W. WADE was born in what is now Centre Township, Posey Co., Ind., February 15, 1829. His parents, Zachariah and Nancy (Underwood) Wade, were the parents of eight children, and were natives of South Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. They came to Indiana from Kentucky, in 1815. The father was a farmer, and a very prominent man. His death occurred September 15, 1846, and the mother's December 15, 1834. Isaac remained at home to the age of twenty, when he began farming for himself, and eight years later, married and settled on his present farm of 260 acres of fertile land. He has a fine residence and many modern conveniences. Eliza J. Nash became his wife May 15, 1857. They became the parents of five children; William H., the eldest, died when quite young. The others are yet living: Maria, George B. M., Isaac M. and Andrew A. Mr. Wade is, politically, a very enthusiastic Demo- crat, and wields much influence in his community. He is an excellent farmer, and one of the most prominent men of the county. He is moral and energetic, and is ready to support all public enterprises.
WILLIAM L. WADE, son of Isaac M. and Sarah C. (Wil- son) Wade, was born in Centre Township, Posey Co., Ind., December 25, 1839, and is one of eleven children. The parents were natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, respectively, and both came to Indiana when quite young. They were among the prominent families of early times. The father's death oc- curred in 1863. The mother still lives near Wadesville. When our subject attained the age of twenty-two years, he married and began his career as a farmer, meeting with good success. He owns ninety-six acres of very fine land, and being well im- proved, is valued at perhaps $100 per acre. He was married to Palina J. Hunter, June 5, 1862, and to their union three chil- dren were born: Isaac L., Charlotte and Sarah C. Mrs. Wade
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died September 27, 1875, and January 29, 1879, he took for his second wife, Josephine Taylor. They have one son: Jesse. Mr. Wade is a zealous Democrat, and is recognized as one of the leading men of his township.
FREDERICK B. WILLIAMS is the fifth of a family of six children born to Joseph and Sarah (Carney) Williams, who were born and raised in Craven County, N. C. They came to Posey County, Ind., during its early settlement, with a family of three children. They rented farms for a few years, and then purchased a farm. The father is eighty-eight years old, and lives with Frederick. The mother died in 1882. Our subject received such education as could be obtained in those early times. He remained at home to the age of twenty years, when he married Argent Cross, February 14, 1853, and began farming for himself near his old home. He has been quite fortunate, and owns 172 acres of very fine land. His wife died December 2, 1877, leaving four living children (five dead) : Sarah, William, Charles and Virgil. November 21, 1879, Elizabeth Young became his wife. They have one daughter, Ida F. Mrs. Williams is a member of the General Baptist Church, and he is a Democrat, and a very prominent man of the county.
S. JETT WILLIAMS, a prominent young farmer of Posey County, Ind., was born February 17, 1853, in the house where he now lives. He was the third of a family of four children born to Asa C. and Anna (Gwaltney) Williams. The father is a prom- inent banker of Mount Vernon, mention of whom is made in this work. Our subject was raised on a farm and received a very good education. He attended the high school of Mount Vernon and the Commercial College at Evansville, receiving a diploma from each of those institutions. After coming from school he kept a book and stationery store in Mount Vernon and afterward, took charge of and edited the Western Star for four years. He then moved on the old homestead and began farming. He owns 160 acres of land and farms 400 acres of his father's farm. He still owns a one-half interest in the Western Star. He was mar- ried, March 5, 1873, to Jennie C. Riley. They became the par- ents of four children, three living: Asa E., Annie L., Florence L. and Clarence, who died in infancy. Mr. Williams is a Mason and
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he and wife are members of the Regular Baptist Church. Polit- ically he is a very enthusiastic Democrat and is now holding the office of justice of the peace. He is one of the most prominent young men in the county and is regarded as a worthy and enter- prising citzizen.
JACOB WINTERNHEIMER was born in Germany, in 1844, and lived there to the age of nine years. His parents were Louis and Louisa (Schweickert) Winternheimer, who, with their five children embarked for the United States in 1853. The mother and three of our subject's brothers died on the voyage and were buried in the Atlantic Ocean. The father located in Rob- inson Township, Posey Co., Ind., where he still resides. Our subject remained at home working on the farm until twenty-six years old, when he and his father purchased and operated a mill at Blairsville, Ind., until it was burned to the ground in 1874. A year later he and his brother rebuilt it, at the same place, and operated it until 1883, when Jacob formed a partnership with Nicholas Joest and moved the mill to Wadesville, refitting it with roller process machinery. The mill has a capacity of 100 bar- rels per day, and was erected at a cost of $14,000. Mr. Wintern- heimer married Mary Stein in 1872. She died in 1873. They had one child, who lived but a short time. In March, 1874, he married Rachel Damm, who died in 1881, leaving three children, only one of whom is living, George. He took for his third wife Mary Lutz, in 1883. Mr. Winternheimer and family are members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a Republican and has been trustee of Robinson Township two terms.
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MARRS TOWNSHIP.
SILAS BREECE, teacher and farmer of Marrs Township, was born March 1, 1851, in Posey County, Ind., and is the young- est of five children born to David and Jane (Rogers) Breece. The father is of English descent, born in North Carolina in 1812. He came with his parents to Indiana in 1821. He married in 1839, and afterward entered eighty acres of land six miles from Mount Vernon; here he has since lived. He has been very fortunate in his agricultural pursuits, and owns.363 acres of land in Posey County, and 140 acres in Illinois. The mother was of English extraction, born in 1815, died: December 8, 1867. Our subject received his education in the district schools, and in addi- tion attended the graded schools at Carmi, Ill., for six months. At the age of nineteen he began pedagoguing, and follows that occupation during the winter seasons and farms during the sum- mer. December 25, 1873, he married Angeline Miller, daughter of Aaron and Louisa . Miller. She was born October. 4, 1854. They have three children: Oliver, Pearl and Lola. After mar- riage Mr. Breece took control of the home farm. for three years, and in 1876 purchased the farm where he now lives. He has been a prosperous farmer, and as an instructor ranks among the first in the county. , He is an influential citizen and an. enthusi- astic Democrat, and cast his first vote for Horace Greeley.
WILLIAM D. CRUNK is a native of the county in which he now resides, born March 10, 1842, son of Timothy and Ruthy (Barton) Crunk. The father was born about 1814, and followed farming as an occupation. After his marriage he purchased 120 acres of land in Marrs Township, and lived there until his death in February, 1849. The mother died in 1846. Our subject re- ceived his education in the district schools, and after the death of his parents made his home with his grandmother until he was thirteen years old, when she too died and he was left to fight the battle of life alone. He was one of the "boys in blue," enlisting July 8.1861, in Company B, Twenty-fifth Regiment Indiana Vol-
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unteers, and for three years took an active part in many of the principal battles of the war. He came home on furlough once, and was married April 7, 1863, to Missouri Dixon, daughter of John and Jane Dixon, born in Posey County in 1843. They have four children: Timothy, Ellen, Jennie and Carrie. Mr. Crunk purchased 120 acres of land after marriage, and has since in- creased his farm to 317 acres. He is an honest and upright cit- izen, and a Democrat, casting his first vote for George B. Mc- Clellan.
ROBERT J. CRUNK is a native of Posey County, Ind., where he was born December 19, 1854. He is one of a family of three children born to the marriage of John M. Crunk and Nancy Lewis, natives of this county, the father born in 1834 and the mother in 1832. They were married in 1857 and located in Marrs Township. where they purchased 210 acres of land and afterward increased it to 478 acres. In 1884 they moved to Mount Vernon where they are now living. Our subject received his education in the district schools. November 3, 1882, he mar- ried Rachael Kelly, daughter of Daniel and Mary Kelly. She was born in 1863 and is a native of the county in which she re- sides. Her death occurred August 23, 1883, and September 25, 1884, he married Ellen (Dixon) Derington, daughter of John and Jane Dixon. She was born in Posey County in 1854. They have one child: Agnes. After marriage Robert located on the home place. He is a Democrat and cast his first vote for S. J. Tilden. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
REV. H. JOHN DIESTEL, rector of St. Philip's Church of St. Philips, Ind., was born October 7, 1838, in Hanover, Ger- many and is a son of John and Gesina Diestel, who were both born in 1799 in Germany. The father was a farmer and died in his native country in 1839, and the mother in 1878. Our subject was reared at home without a father's care or guid- ance. He received his early schooling in Hanover, Germany. In 1857 he left his native country and came to the United States and entered the St. Charles Seminary, at Vincennes, Ind., and commenced studying theology. He was ordained priest Decem- ber 21, 1864, and was given the charge at St. Philips. He has proved worthy of the charge and has had control of one flock for
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nearly a quarter of a century. He is a devout Catholic and is highly esteemed by all who know him.
ALVIN P. DIXON, one of the enterprising farmers of the county, was born May 24, 1857, in Posey County, Ind., and is one of a family of three sons and eight daughters born to John and Jane (Downey) Dixon. The father is of Scotch lineage, born in the State of South Carolina, in 1808, and followed agri- culture as his occupation. He left his native State and came to Posey County with his parents and settled in the southern part of Marrs Township. He was married in 1831 and afterward pur- chased forty acres of land where he located and lived on or near said tract the remainder of his life. He was very fortunate in business and owned at his death 1,240 acres of land, being one of the largest land holders in Posey County. He died Novem- ber 12, 1875. The mother is of English extraction, born in. 1810, in Indiana. Alvin P. received a good education in the dis- trict schools near his home. November 10, 1880, he married Catharine Zigler, daughter of George and Catharine Zigler. Mrs. Dixon was born February 19, 1856. They have two chil- dren: Ethel and John Homer. After their marriage they settled on the old home farm. He and his mother have 347 acres of land. Mr. Dixon possesses the attributes which go to make a first-class citizen, and is one whose future success in life is un- questionable. He is a Democrat in politics and cast his first vote for Hancock.
JOHN FISCHER, a prominent German farmer of Posey County, Ind., was born July 26, 1826, and is one of a large family of children born to John and Catherine (Yeagle) Fischer. When ten years old he came to America with his parents and made his home with them until he was thirty years of age. May 20, 1856, he married Louisa Blair, who died October 19, 1870, leaving two living children: John C. and Isabelle (wife of Henry Cobler). February 13, 1872, he married Christena Kebler, daughter of Benhart and Christena Kebler; Mrs. Fischer was born April 6, 1843, in Germany. They have one child, Georgie William. After Mr. Fischer's first marriage, he located on 160 acres of land given him by his father. He has been very indus- trious and owns 250 acres of good land. He has a fine residence and has made many other improvements which add to the beau-
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tiful appearance of his home. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Roman Catholic Church. His wife is a mem- ber of the Evangelical Church.
VALENTINE FISCHER was born April 9, 1828, and is a native of Germany, son of John and Catherine (Yeagle) Fischer, who were native Germans, born in 1790 and 1800, respectively. They came to America, in 1836, and located for a short time in Wheeling, W. Va., and then moved to Evansville, Ind., where the sons worked in the brick-yards, and the father entered eighty acres of land in Posey County, which he afterward increased to 200 acres. Here he died February 17, 1868, and the mother, May 14, 1855. Valentine remained with his parents until he was twenty-seven years old. He married Barbara Selner, May 1, 1855; she is a daughter of John and Catharine Selner, and was born February 6, 1835. They became the parents of fourteen chil- dren, nine of whom are living: Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Caroline, Julia, Henry, Matilda, Joseph, Barbara and Victoria. Mr. Fischer settled on the old home place after his marriage. He now owns 598 acres of land, besides seven houses and twelve lots in Evansville. In 1880 he erected one of the finest brick dwel- ling houses in the county, furnished with all the modern con- veniences. He is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Franklin Pierce. He and family are members of the Catholic Church.
SAMUEL C. HENDERSON, M. D., of St. Philips, was born in Tennessee, January 16, 1848, son of Samuel and Amy ( Will- iams) Henderson. The father is of Scotch descent, born in Ten- nessee, in 1802. He was a tanner by trade in early life, but afterward became a disciple of Blackstone. He is yet living, in his eighty-fourth year. The mother was of German descent, born in Kentucky in 1815, and died October 10, 1851. Samuel C. volunteered his services in the army, at the early age of four- teen years, in Company E., First Regular Tennessee Artillery, and participated in the battles of Rogersville, siege of Knoxville and numerous minor engagements. He remained in the field eleven months, and after coming home worked for some time in Gibson County, but becoming dissatisfied with his limited educa- tion he attended the district school during the winter of 1866 and 1867, and the next year entered the Owensville (Indiana)
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Graded School. In 1868 he entered the teacher's profession and taught his first school in Wadesville, Ind. In connection with teaching he began the study of medicine, and in the fall of 1876 entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Cincinnati, Ohio, attending one term. In 1878 and 1879 he attended the medical college at Evansville, Ind., and graduated from that in- stitution February 27, 1879. He then came to St. Philips and began practicing his profession. August 7, 1873, he married Barbara Pelt, daughter of James and Nancy Pelt. They became the parents of five children; Anna (deceased), Charles, Stella, Inez (deceased) and an infant. The Doctor is one of the first physicians of the county, a Democrat and Mason.
C. HICKS, M. D., of Caborn, Ind., was born October 22, 1847, in Kentucky, son of James and Ann (Reed) Hicks. James is of English descent, and was born in North Carolina, in 1820, and followed the life of an agriculturist. He and wife are residents of Kentucky. Our subject's literary education was acquired in the common schools and in the academy at Cairo,
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