USA > Indiana > Posey County > History of Posey County, Indiana > Part 36
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Peter Schick (deceased), of Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, was born in Germany, January 27, 1850, and came to America in 1883, locating in Evansville, where he worked in a saw mill for two years. In 1885 he removed to Marrs township, where he bought a farm near Ca- borns Station, and was engaged in the occupation of farming until his death, April 18, 1910. He was a member of the Evangelical church. Mr. Schick was married April 3, 1876, to Miss Anna Mary Wirth, the wed- ding taking place in Germany. Mrs. Schick was born April 8, 1855, and was the only member of her family to come to America. Mr. and Mrs. Schick became the parents of six daughters and five sons: Magdalena Maria, born August 15, 1877, married to John Hofman February 22, 1906, and became the mother of two children, Laura Marie, born December 16, 1906, and Alma Katherine, born November 10, 1911; Elizabeth, born October 2, 1879, married George Kaffenberger October 6, 1904; Mar- garet, born July 10, 1881 ; Peter, born April 3, 1883, died May 1, 1898; George, born February 20, 1885, married Miss Phoebe Schreiber April 10, 1912, and has one child, Alma Marie, born December 23, 1912 ; Mary, born October 15, 1886, now a teacher in Marrs township; Abraham, born September 19, 1889; Katherine, born December 18, 1891, graduated from
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the Mt. Vernon High School in 1910, now a teacher in Marrs town- ship; Jacob, born November 1, 1893, died March 10, 1896; Anna, born August 4, 1895, and Friedrick, born August 19, 1897.
John G. Layer, a prominent farmer of Marrs township, was born in Chambersburg, Pa., July 23, 1843, a son of David and Rachel (Doberer) Layer, both natives of Germany, who, on coming to America, located at Baltimore. The father died when John was a small boy, and he was left on his own resources. Prior to his fifteenth year he worked on a farm, and was a sheep herder, so that his schooling was limited. In 1859 he came to Posey county and worked as a farm hand until the Civil war. On November 7, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Company A, Tenth Indiana cavalry, serving until the close of the war, being mus- tered out at Vicksburg, Miss. In his period of service he participated in many battles, the last being the siege of Mobile, and he is able to relate many interesting reminiscences. He was wounded once. Upon returning to Posey county, after the war, Mr. Layer bought land, and for the first time in his life became a farmer on his own account. On March 30, 1870, the marriage of John C. Layer and Miss 'Lodema Har- rison occurred. She is the daughter of Zephnirah and Nancy (Cox) Harrison, of Center township, both now deceased, the father dying in 1873 and the mother in 1874. They were both natives of Posey county, and their daughter, Lodema, was born in Center township, July 27, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Layer became the parents of eight children : Evaline, born February 12, 1871, died February 12, 1876; Ida May, born June 30, 1883, died July 17, 1894; Charles Sherman, born August 14, 1885, died August 26, 1886; Emma Jane, born July 17, 1872, married George Rodel, of Warrick county, Indiana, February 13, 1901 ; Rachel Ellen, born Novem- ber 27, 1874, married William Vaupel, of Warrick county, Indiana, Au- gust 12, 1902 ; Walter George, born March 26, 1877, married Emma Baker December 14, 1902; Henry Harrison, born May 29, 1879, married Lena Miller July 20, 1902, and Elizabeth Anna, born March 20, 1881. Mr. Layer is' a member of the Harrison Post, No. 91, Grand Army of the Republic, of Mt. Vernon.
John Espenlaub, a farmer and land owner of Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, was born in Robinson township of the same county, October 14, 1856, son of John C. and Barbara (Mueller) Espenlaub. The father of our subject was born in Germany, September 26, 1826, and came to the United States at the age of twenty-six years, locating in Robinson township, where he bought land and became a farmer, following that occupation until his death, in November, 1907. He was an active mem- ber of the Zion Evangelical church in Robinson township, and was a trustee in that organization. He married at the age of twenty-seven, and he and his wife became the parents of fourteen children : Lena, Elizabeth, Caroline, Katherine, John, Louise, William, Henry, Charles, Bertha,
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Pauline, Minnie, Ernest, and Herman. All are living except Lena. The mother died in 1900. The subject of this record was reared in Robinson township, and in 1882 bought the farm he now owns in Marrs township, where he has since lived and prospered. On November 27, 1882, he mar- ried Miss Minnie Dora Schroeder, daughter of Fred and Mary (Berger) Schroeder, farmers of Robinson township, where Mrs. Espenlaub was born, May 10, 1863. The Schroeders came from Germany early in life be- fore their marriage. Their other children were: Louise, Henry, Minnie, Mary, Ernest and Fred. All are living, except Ernest, who died No- vember 15, 19II. They are members of the Evangelical church. Mr. and Mrs. Espenlaub have had two sons and four daughters: Anna Bar- bara, born August 28, 1883, now the wife of Fred Donner, of Robinson township, has had five children, Edward, born December 22, 1907, Fred, born July 14, 1906, Albert, born in January, 1910, Clarence, born No- vember 6, 1912, and Henry, the second, died in infancy ; William Henry, born April 8, 1885; Mary Minnie, born March 8, 1889; Fred, born Sep- tember 26, 1893, a graduate of the Posey County High School, studied special courses at the State Normal, and is now a teacher in the Marrs township schools ; Selma K. L., born August 14, 1896; Emily Anna, born July 31, 1903, died January 21, 1908. The family are members of the Zion Evangelical Church and are active workers. Mr. Espenlaub is a Republican, but has never sought office. He is one of the progressive farmers of Posey county, and has a well improved farm, where he car- ries on general farming and stock raising.
Edgar J. Llewelyn, superintendent of schools of Mt. Vernon, and one of the leading educators of the State, is a native of Ohio. He was born at Martinsville, Ohio, Clinton county, November 21, 1876. He is the son of John and Anne Elizabeth (Kester) Llewelyn, both natives of Ohio, the former of Welsh descent and the latter of German; the former was born at Pennsville, Morgan county, Ohio, and the latter near Mar- tinsville, Ohio. Both parents are now deceased. The mother died in 1881, when the subject of this review was only five years old, and the father departed this life in 1905. There were six children in the Llew- elyn family, only two of whom survive: Edgar J. and Mrs. G. D. Burg- noon, of Lawrenceville, Il1. Prof. Llewelyn is a descendant from teach- ers on both sides, which, no doubt, had its influence in shaping his ca- reer in that profession, while good, hard, honest work has been the mas- ter force of his success. When young Llewelyn was about six years of age, and about the time of his mother's death, the father settled near Marion, Grant county, Indiana. Here Edgar attended the public schools until he was thirteen years of age, when his father broke up house- keeping. From this time on the boy made his own way in the world. He went to Hamilton county and completed the course in the Westfield High School, graduating in the class of 1899. In the meantime he had
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taught school and at one time was engaged in threshing, owning and operating his own machine. In 1900 he entered Earlham College, devot- ing part of his time to teaching, and graduating in 1907 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1908 he entered the University of Indiana at Bloomington, where he was graduated in 1910 with the degree of Master of Arts, and at the present time is taking a course in Columbia Uni- versity, New York City. Mr. Llewelyn's life, so far, has been a busy one. He has done things from the start, and at all times has been a close student, taking advantage of every opportunity for improvement and advancement. His career as a teacher began in the district school be- fore he was nineteen, and three years later we find him holding the responsible position of superintendent of city schools at Fishers, Ind. He held this position three years, when he accepted a similar one at Arcadia, Ind. He remained there four years, during which time his sal- ary was nearly doubled, which is the best evidence of the appreciation of his services. In 1905 he was elected superintendent of city schools of Sheridan, Ind., where he was engaged until 1911, with the exception of one year spent in special study at Earlham College. July 1, 19II, Mr. Llewelyn was elected superintendent of city schools of Mount Ver- non and has since maintained the high standard of the Mount Vernon schools, which are second to none in the country-with its corps of thirty-nine of the most efficient teachers to be found anywhere. Prof. Llewelyn was married May 17, 1899, to Miss Florence E. Mendenhall, of Westfield, Hamilton county, Indiana. They have one child, Martha Myrtilla, born at Mount Vernon October 14, 1913. Several years ago Mr. Llewelyn became interested in the Men's Bible Class movement. He has made an exhaustive study of the subject and is an enthusiastic promoter of that organization. While at Sheridan, Ind., he organized a class of 200. When he came to Mount Vernon he continued the work of organization with the same untiring zeal which he had manifested at Sheridan. In January, 1912, he organized a class with seventeen mem- bers, which has grown to a membership of nearly 700. Mr. Llewelyn has taken an active part in the broader field of educational matters, out- side of the school room. He takes an active interest in State and na- tional matters, generally attending conventions of that character. As a public speaker he is well known in many sections. He has delivered a number of addresses at commencement exercises, as well as a number of lectures, and on several occasions acted as an instructor at various teachers' institutes, etc. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Masons.
Henry Fisher, farmer and poultry fancier, was born on the same farm where he now lives in Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, on Sep- tember II, 1865, son of Valentine and Barbara (Soellner) Fisher, father
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a native of Hesse, Germany, and the mother a native of Bavaria. Val- entine Fisher was reared in Posey county, coming here with his parents when but eight years of age. He engaged in farming and stock raising until his death in 1895. Although very prominent in the Democratic party, he never sought or accepted office. The mother died in 1910. Henry Fisher attended school at St. Philips for seven years and then entered the college of Effingham, Ill., remaining two years. Upon fin- ishing his education he returned home and worked on the farm. For one year he was bookkeeper in a grocery house in Evansville. Aside from this he spent his entire time until thirty-three years of age on the Valentine Fisher farm. In 1898 he was elected county treasurer and in 1899 removed to Mt. Vernon, where he lived during his term of office. He served four years in this capacity and for one year was secretary of the E. B. Schenk Hardware Company. He then engaged in the insur- ance business. In 1906 he returned to his farm, where he has since re- mained. He has a fine herd of stock and a valuable flock of thorough- bred chickens. The Valentine Fisher farm contains 220 acres, has the best of improvements and among other things has one of the largest barns in the county. The house is of brick and modern in every respect. On November 21, 1894, Mr. Fisher married Clara Ledvina. The cere- mony took place at Trinity Church in Evansville, Father E. B. Ledvina, a brother, officiating. She is the daughter of George E. Ledvina, a na- tive of Bohemia, who is now a civil engineer in New York City. Her mother was born in Tell City, Ind. Mrs. Fisher was born in St. Louis, where she was educated. She came to Evansville to help an aunt who was a fashionable dressmaker, and remained here until her marriage. They have eight children : Victoria, Olivia, Erma, Arthur, Charles, Mar- garet, Helen Louise and Joseph. All of the children live at home with their parents and received their education in the schools of St. Philip and Mt. Vernon. The family are members of the Catholic church, the father having been trustee in the church at St. Philips for two years and trustee for three years in the church of Mt. Vernon. In politics Mr. Fisher is a Democrat. He is a member of the Mt. Vernon branch of the Catholic Knights of America.
George J. Ehrhardt, blacksmith and farmer of Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, was born in that township, February II, 1863, son of Jacob and Louisa (Dolde) Ehrhardt, the former a native of Germany and the latter of German township, Vanderburg county, where she was reared. The elder Ehrhardt came to America from Baden, Germany, about the year 1858, locating in Posey county, where he built a black- smith shop at St. Philip, and engaged in this business until his death, in 1880. His son, George, then succeeded in the business, hiring a skilled workman until he learned the trade himself. When our subject was a boy the free schools were only open six months each year, but he paid
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for three months additional each year until he finished the common school branches. He then went to Rank & Wright's Business College, at Evansville, where he studied bookkeeping. After completing the course he was called home by the death of his father to look after the business, and has remained here ever since. He has a farm across the road from his shop. In 1904 Mr. Ehrhardt was elected trustee of Marrs town- ship on the Democratic ticket, and served four years, after which he made the race for Democratic nominee for county treasurer against the present incumbent, A. A. Schenk, and carried every precinct in the coun- ty except Poseyville and Mt. Vernon. Mr. Ehrhardt is secretary of the Home Fire Insurance Company of Marrs township, and was the organ- izer of the St. Philip Telephone Company. His father helped organize the insurance company above named, and was its first president. The family are very progressive and thinkers as well as doers. Although not a medical man our subject was the first health officer in this district. He is a member of the Lutheran church and a Democrat in politics. On October 16, 1887, Mr. Ehrhardt married Miss Carrie Wild, daughter of Lawrence and Elizabeth (Schreiber) Wild, the former a native of Ba- varia, Germany, and the latter born in America of German ancestry. Mrs. Ehrhardt was born in Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, Feb- ruary 9, 1863, attended subscription school until she graduated from the common branches. They became the parents of four children: Carrie (deceased), Elfriede, Alma, and Arthur. Elfriede married Dan Seifert, and they live at Caborns, where he is engaged in farming and stock rais- ing. They have one child, Alma. Alma and Arthur are at home with their parents. Elfriede attended high school and Alma graduated from the Mt. Vernon High School. Arthur is now attending high school. Mrs. Ehrhardt is a member of the German Methodist church.
Rev. George T. Loesch, the son of George and Veronica Schmitt Loesch, was born at Nauvoo, Ill., April 18, 1857. Having entered St. Meinrad's Seminary, September, 1876, and completed his studies, he was ordained priest May 30, 1885, by the Rt. Rev. F. S. Chatard, D. D., of Indianapolis. His first appointment was as assistant to the Rev. F. T. T. Duddenhausen, of Holy Trinity Church, Evansville, Ind., after whose death, October 27, 1886, Rev. Loesch had temporary charge of Holy Trinity, until the permanent appointment of Rev. H. T. Diestel, of St. Philip, Ind. He remained one year as assistant rector under Father Diestel. November 9 he took charge of St. Bernard's Church in Spencer county ; from there he was transferred to Holy Guardian Angel's Church in Franklin county, where he remained until his appointment to St. Philip's in August, 1888. Many improvements being necessary he set to work at once. The entire congregation responded willingly and lent a helping hand. The church was covered with the best Bangor slate and two vestry rooms added. The church was also frescoed and artistically
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ornamented by Guy Leber, of Louisville, Ky. New side altars and stained glass windows were donated and placed in the church. Hand- some oil paintings and statues were bought, together with a complete out- fit of church vestments, and new regalias and banners for the societies. The sisters' residence was erected at a cost of $2,000 in 1894, and many other improvements were made, which are too numerous to mention. St. Philip is in a flourishing condition, and may be justly proud of her church property. At a cost of $10,000 the beautiful new school was built in 1904. This school presents a magnificent piece of architecture and fine arrangements for school room and hall for entertainments. The author of the plans and contractor for the building was Tom Rollett, of Howell, Ind.
Henry Espenlaub, farmer and land owner of Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, was born in Robinson township of the same county, May 24, 1861, the son of German parents, John C. and Barbara (Mueller) Espenlaub. (See sketch of his brother, John Espenlaub.) In 1887 our subject moved from the locality of his birth and located in Marrs town- ship on the tract of land he now occupies. His farm contains 120 acres, and is eight miles from Mt. Vernon. On February 10 of the above mentioned year he married Miss Maggie Jourdan, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Jourdan) Jourdan. Mrs. Espenlaub was born March 10, 1861, in Marrs township. Her parents, who were born in Germany, came to America early in life, locating in Posey county. They married in this country and became the parents of four sons and five daughters: John, Katherine, Phillus, Jacob, Johanna, Margaret, Abraham, Lizzie and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Espenlaub have had three sons and six daughters: Mary Anna, born November 28, 1887, now the wife of William Hausman, farmer in Marrs township, and mother of one child, Henry William, born January 27, 1913; John Jacob, born September 16, 1889; Henry Charles, born March 29, 1893; Elsie, born February 20, 1896, died July 3, 1898; Lydia Elizabeth, born February 27, 1898; Emma Hanna, born June 20, 1900; Lulu Katie, born January 6, 1901 ; the eighth child died in infancy ; Alice Maggie Minnie, born August 21, 1906. Mr. Espenlaub is a Re- publican and he and his family are members of the Lutheran church.
John W. Dieg, of Marrs township, Posey county, was born April 16, 1869, son of Joseph and Caroline (Fisher) Dieg, natives of Germany, who came with their respective parents to America at an early age, she at the age of three, and he at the age of eight. The families both located in Posey county. The father of our subject is still living, but the mother died in 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dieg became the parents of five sons and five daughters. Two of the daughters died in infancy. The other children are: Maggie, now the wife of George Fulz, of Evansville ; Julia, now the wife of George Nuruebern, of Vanderburg county ; Kate, now the wife of Louis Depple, of Evansville; Joseph, Jr .; Andrew, John, George
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(deceased), and Henry. Our subject has lived on a farm in Marrs town- ship all of his life, and has been four years on the place where he now lives. He is a Democrat and in 1908 was elected assessor of the township for a term of six years. Mr. Dieg was married July 28, 1907, to Miss Anna Brass, daughter of Casper and Dena (Kreger) Brass, of Marrs township. Mrs. Dieg was born August 29, 1878, in that township, her parents being natives of Germany, who came to America in their early years. Mr. Brass died in 1897. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dieg are Catholics. They have no children.
Captain John Corbin .- On February 13, 1911, there passed to life eter- nal one of Posey county's most notable citizens, Capt. John Corbin, who, during his lifetime, and held a position among the most honored business men of the community, and, as one of its most successful men of affairs. A distinct force of character and individuality appeared throughout the life of Captain Corbin. He was a man of strong personal conviction, sound and clear judgment, with a capacity for liberal views, and a natural spirit of benevolence. His patriotism, like his other characteristics, had an intensity that belonged to his nature. He was a native son of Posey county, and came of both Colonial and Revolutionary descent. His first ancestor in America was Henry Corbin, of Warwickshire, England, who settled in Westmoreland county, Virginia, in 1650. Captain Corbin was born at Farmersville, Posey county, Indiana, March 20, 1840, a son of John and Margaret (Gibson) Corbin. His parents came to Posey county in 1836, and settled in New Harmony. Two years later they removed to Yankee settlement, now Farmersville, but in 1844 returned to New Har- mony. Captain Corbin spent his early boyhood in Posey county, at- tending the schools of New Harmony. In 1854 he and a brother and sister drove overland to California, where their father had preceded them four years. They remained in the Sacramento Valley until 1858, when he returned to Posey county via the Isthmus route and New York. In 1859 young Corbin entered Asbury University, Greencastle, Ind. Here he pursued his studies in the style of the average student until the thun- der of the guns at Fort Sumter announced that the great conflict was on. Immediately he abandoned his college career, and gave his services to the cause of his flag, with the same indomitable courage that character- ized his life. On April 19, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Sixteenth In- diana infantry. His company was known as the "Asbury Guards." He served in this company until May 14, 1862, when he was discharged by reason of expiration of term of enlistment; August 10, 1862, he re- enlisted in Company A. Ninety-first Indiana infantry, and was mus- tered in as first lieutenant. On June 1, 1864, Captain Corbin was pro- moted to captain. This regiment was mustered out in June, 1865, and Captain Corbin was transferred to Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Indiana infantry. When the One Hundred and Twenty-
2
John Carlin
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eighth was mustered out, September 5, 1866, Captain Corbin was re- tained by telegraphic orders from the war department and appointed a member of the military commission to try Maj. John H. Gee, Confederate keeper of Salisbury military prison. During his military career he held many positions of great trust and responsibility. He was commander of military musters at Raleigh, N. C., and on various occasions served as regimental quartermaster. He was post commissary at Cumberland Gap and served as inspector general of the district of the Clinch; he was in- spector of the Second brigade, Third division Twenty-third army corps. He also served on the staff of General Couch, and was acting assistant general on the staff of General Schofield, and aide-de-camp on the staff of General McLean. He acted as judge advocate on several court mar- tials. He was mustered out September 5, 1866, after having refused to accept a commission in the regular army, which was offered him by the war department. His army life was filled with incidents of active ser- vice. He participated in the battles of Perryville, the campaign against Morgan, battles of Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, the siege of Atlanta, operations against Hood, at Franklin and Nashville, and participated in the campaign through the Carolinas. At the close of the war he returned to New Harmony, where he read law for a year. In 1867 he engaged in the milling business, and founded the Corbin Milling Company. This venture was a notable success, and stands today as the chief industry of New Harmony. He was the president of this corpora- tion to the time of his death ; also was engaged in various other business enterprises. He was one of the principal stockholders and a director in the New Harmony Banking Company. Politically Captain Corbin was a staunch Republican, and a local leader of his party, but never sought po- litical preferment. He served several years on the school board, and took a deep interest in educational matters, and was a member of the Work- ingmen's Institute. He was public-spirited, and gave cheerfully to every worthy enterprise. He was a member of the committee that built the soldiers' and sailors' monument at Mt. Vernon, and was the author of the inscription which appears on that monument. These lines are typi- cal of Captain Corbin's deep seated conviction of what constitutes citizen- ship, and are as follows: "A patriotism which readily responds to its country's call; a deep reverence for its laws ; a decent respect for the rights of others ; a sincere love of justice, truth and country are the best safeguards of a Nation's peace." Captain Corbin was united in mar- riage, January 13, 1869, to Miss Mary Truscott, a native of Cornwall, England. To Captain and Mrs. Corbin were born five children: Laura Lee, born January 13, 1870, a graduate of St. Mary's School, Knoxville, Ill., married H. W. Monical, of Brooklyn, Ind., June 9, 1897 ; John, born December 9, 1871, graduated at the University of Michigan ; Marcia, born February 25, 1874, educated at Mt. Mary's School, Knoxville, Ill., married
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