USA > Indiana > Posey County > History of Posey County, Indiana > Part 42
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Henry Uhde, a farmer of Black township, Posey county, Indiana, was born on the place where he now lives February 6, 1873, the only child of William and Margaret (Schnack) Uhde, natives of Germany, the mother from Holtstein and the father from Brunswick. He came to this coun- try about 1855 and the wife in 1864. They settled in Posey county. William Uhde was a soldier in the Civil war, serving in the Sixty-fifth
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Indiana. They were married September 12, 1869. Henry was reared on the farm and graduated from the Mt. Vernon high school in 1889. The family lived in Nashville, Tenn., for a year and he attended the Catholic school of that place, as well as the public school. After leaving school he began farming and stock raising on the home place. His father died April 18, 1878. On May 15, 1902, Mr. Uhde married Carrie Starken, daughter of August and Margaret (Riecken) Starken, her parents being natives of Holtstein, Germany, where they were reared. They were married in the spring of 1864 and came to this country in 1865. Mr. Starken was a carpenter besides being a farmer and stock raiser. He died April 18, 1888. His wife died November 3, 1904. Carrie Starken was born in Black township May 31, 1878, where she was reared and at- tended common school at the Gill schoolhouse, also attended the Mt. Vernon schools. Mr. and Mrs. Uhde have three children: Marguerite, Henry and Erwin. All three are attending at the Gill schoolhouse. The family are members of the Lutheran church at Mt. Vernon, and in poli- tics Mr. Uhde is a Republican.
Herman Hellenberg, a farmer of Black township, Indiana, was born in Posey county April 9, 1878, son of Henry and Minnie (Uhde) Hellen- berg. Henry Hellenberg was born in Germany August 19, 1845, and came to this country on August 1, 1866, locating in Mt. Vernon, Ind. Henry Hellenberg was a carpenter by trade and worked at his trade in addition to farming and stock raising. He and his wife had seven chil- dren, of whom Frank, of Black township, who has three boys, William, Louis and Frederick, and our subject are living. Minnie, who married George Quinzer, William, Annice, August and Henry died in infancy. The subject was the third child. He was reared in the place of his birth, attended the Gill and Upton schools. After finishing the common school course he began farming on the home place with his parents, who re- tired in 1900 and located in Mt. Vernon. He has been farming the home place ever since, having eighty-seven acres west of Mt. Vernon. On January 28, 1905, Mr. Hellenberg married Emma Schmack, daughter of Fritz and Lizzie Schmack, natives of Germany, who came to this coun- try in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Schmack had seven children, Emma being the fourth. She was born in Black township and attended school at Gill schoolhouse. Mr. and Mrs. Hellenberg had three children : Henry, deceased ; Herman and Louise. Louise is now attending school in Black township. They are members of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Hellenberg is a Republican. The mother of our subject died July 19, 19II.
Elijah D. Whipple, a prosperous farmer, minister and former mer- chant and postmaster, was born on the same farm where he now lives near Upton, Ind., September 7, 1856. At that time there were but two or three houses in the neighborhood and Upton did not exist. The parents of our subject were Willard and Mahalah (Jones) Whipple, the
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former a native of New York and the latter of Livingston county, Ken- tucky. The elder Whipple settled at Lawrenceburg, Ind., about sev- enty-five years ago, and from there removed to Posey county when there was as yet only a little of the ground cleared and wild game was abundant, especially turkey and deer. Elijah Whipple was the eldest of three sons, and after finishing the common schools of those times he went to work on the farm with his parents. Later he farmed for two or three years in the bottoms. Upon the death of his father in the spring of 1876 he returned to the home place, and has lived there ever since. His mother died in 1877. In 1884 Mr. Whipple built a pretty home on his farm, which is well improved and contains 106 acres, all under cultiva- tion. Formerly he was a breeder of Poland China hogs, but at present is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has been a grain buyer for a number of years and is now agent for the Home Grain and Mill Company of Mt. Vernon, for which concern he buys grain at Up- ton. At one time Mr. Whipple was in the general merchandise busi- ness at Upton, and served as postmaster of the town for four years. The Whipple family are members of the Baptist church, in which our subject was ordained as a minister in 1908. He is a forceful speaker and has preached at several places with great success. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Ben Hur Lodge and of the Court of Honor, and in politics is a Prohibitionist. On July 18, 1875, the marriage of Mr. Whipple to Nancy J. Nestler, daughter of Gilson and Permelia Nestler, took place. The parents of Mrs. Whipple were born in Black township, Posey county, where her father farmed. She was also born in Black township of that county, and was educated in the public schools. Two children were born of this union: Bessie E., December 25, 1891, who married Harley Crawford, and a resident of Kansas City, Mo., where he is an employee of the Metropolitan Railway Company, and Burton E., June 7, 1896, who is at home. The Mrs. Whip- ple died December 1, 1901. On October 12, 1902, our subject married Mrs. Osie A. Aldredge, nee Welborn, daughter of William and Fre- donia Welborn, natives of this county engaged in farming and stock raising. She was born in Black township of this county, where she attended the common schools. They have two children, Bonnie M., born July 5, 1903, and Earle E., September 3, 1906, both attending school at Upton, where they have made exceptionally good records.
Elisha H. Phillips, a representative of one of the old established families of Posey county, was born in Black township (same county) July 8, 1852. His grandfather and grandmother, Irad and Eunice (Ben- nett) Phillips came here from New York, where they were both born, the former in January, 1773, and the latter in 1772. They located in Posey county, Indiana, in 1820, when their son Elisha Phillips, Sr., was a young man. Irad Phillips died in August, 1822, and his wife died in
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August, 1837. Elisha Phillips, Sr., was born in New York Novem- ber 19, 1802, and died in Posey county, Indiana, April 16, 1875. His vife, Volley (Burleson), daughter of Aaron and Mary (Hampton) Burleson, was born November 15, 1808, and died January 1, 1871. They are both buried in Burleson cemetery at Farmersville, Ind. When the Phillips family first came to Indiana this county was a wilderness, and Elisha, Sr., built his first home of logs in the woods, and was married in 1825. He and his wife became the parents of ten children: Ninvey, born April 17, 1827; Andrew H., born June 8, 1829; Elizabeth, born Jan- uary 17, 1831 ; Volley A., deceased, born December 14, 1834; Eunice M., born February 10, 1836; Aaron H., born July 15, 1839; Jonathan H., born February 27, 1845; Elisha H., born July 8, 1852; John T., born January 14, 1841, and Fidelia T., born February 21, 1843. Elisha H. Phillips, the youngest child of Elisha and Volley Phillips, was born on the same farm where he now lives, and attended common school at Farmersville. After graduating from the common school course he be- gan farming and raising stock. He remained at home with his parents until their deaths, after which the home place became his property. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator and Grain Company of Mt. Vernon. He is a member of the Regular Baptist church, and has sev- eral times been elected delegate to the General Association of that de- nomination. He is a director in the organization at Farmersville. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Ben Hur lodge, and of the Democratic party. On the first of June, 1876, Mr. Phillips married Annie Dunn, daughter of Robert and Mary Dunn, natives of Butler county, Ohio, who came to Posey county before their marriage. They engaged in farming and stock raising. Robert Dunn was the son of James and Mary (McCluskey) Dunn, natives of Butler county, Ohio, where they were married. They are of Irish extraction. They came to Posey county when their son Robert was nine years of age, and engaged in farming. (See tombstone in Dunn cemetery.) Robert and Mary (Jones) Dunn had six children: Malinda, deceased, Annie, now Mrs. Phillips, Elizabeth, deceased, Angeline, deceased, John T., deceased, and William H. Malinda married Caleb Erwin and had five children, Mary, Versie, Hannah, Elsie, and one who died in infancy. Elizabeth married Walter Hinkley and had one child, Owen. William H. married Elizabeth Buchannan and had two children, Robert and Margaret. Annie, the wife of our subject, was raised in Black town- ship and educated at the Gill schoolhouse, where she graduated. Her parents are both dead, the father dying in February, 1879, and the mother in August, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips had seven children, Albert, William and Eugene, deceased, and Lemnel R., Elisha D., Grace and Zillie, living. Lemnel R. is a farmer of Black township. He married Lulie Dunn, and they have two children, Clyde and Marie.
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Elisha D. resides in Louisville, Ky. Grace married Henry Kiltz, farmer and rural mail carrier of Black township. They had two children, Horace, deceased, and Helen. Zillie married Herbert Hogan, retail liquor dealer of Mt. Vernon. They have two children, Starlus and Hazel. Mrs. Elisha Phillips is a member of the Regular Baptist church and active in her congregation at Farmersville. The Phillips farm of 132 acres is one of the best in Black township, and has been in the Phil- lips family for three generations.
Lorenz C. Miller (deceased) was born in Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, July 9, 1851, and was reared on his father's farm near St. Phillips and later became a farmer on his own account near Caborns. ยท For many years he was a road supervisor. In politics he was a Repub- lican, but was never active, being a quiet industrious man. He was killed by a traction car at St. Philip's Station October 29, 1911. Mr. Miller was married February 8, 1877, to Miss Margaret Wimpelberg, daughter of John and Margaret Wimpelberg, born December 14, 1858, in Vanderburg county, Indiana, of parents who were natives of Ger- many, and who came to the United States about 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have one son and five daughters living, and two daughters dead, Katie and Amelia. Elizabeth, born September 21, 1878, was married to Henry Battieger and is the mother of three children, Henry, Carl and Odelia. John L., born March 27, 1881, married Miss Maggie Debes May 10, 1905, by whom he has three daughters and one son, Thelma, Leona, Mildred and John Eugene, is now in the general merchandise business at Caborns Station ; Magdalena, born August 22, 1883, was mar- ried to Henry Layer and is the mother of four children, Jessemay, Herdis, Clorous and Dorothy. Lillie, born February 17, 1890, married to Ramond Culley. Odelia, born May 26, 1892, and Emma O., born May 6, 1895. Odelia and Emma are still at home with their mother.
Pitts Johnson, a farmer of Black township, Posey county, Indiana, was born on the same farm where he now lives, December 23, 1849. He traces his ancestry back to Capt. Edward Johnson, who came from Eng- land with Governor Winthrop in 1630, and the genealogy of the family from this ancestor to our subject has been published and is very highly prized by him. His parents were D. F. and Dorcus (Duckworth) John- son. D. F. Johnson was a native of New York State, having been born in Cayuga county June 16, 1804, was married June 16, 1825, to Dorcus Duckworth, who was born May 8, 1810, and who died January 23, 1879. He died in 1884. The founder of the family in Posey county was Rufus Johnson, grandfather of Pitts, who brought his family here in 1822. The father of our subject, with Dr. Phillips, went to Vincennes to enter land, making the trip by "riding and tying." Later D. F. Johnson became so homesick that he and Frank Allyn walked back to New York State. When the Johnsons first came here all the land was wild and very little
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of it had been taken by settlers. Farming was done in the old fashioned way, the wheat being threshed by treading it out. D. C. Johnson, Mr. Allyn and another man were the first to bring a farm machine of any kind to this section of the country. It was a reaper and a man had to stand on it and rake the grain with a pitchfork. When the first frame house was built at Mt. Vernon people came for miles to see it. The building caused as much excitement as did the battleship which later came up the river. Mr. Johnson was married in 1869 and began farming for himself on the home place, where he had been working with his par- ents since finishing school. He has always been on the home place with the exception of three years, when he went to the bottoms to farm. Mr. Johnson's wife was Miss Louisa Combs, daughter of John and Eliza- beth Combs, natives of Posey county, Indiana, where Louisa was born June 28, 1853. She was reared in Black township and attended the com- mon schools. They had two children: Sylvanus, born January 29, 1870, and Victor, born October 3, 1871, and died October 9, 1873. Sylvanus is a teacher in the Farmersville school, and has taught all over the country. He married Miss Emma Smith, daughter of James and Alice Smith, the wedding occurring August 31, 1892. She was born in Union county, Kentucky, and was raised in Posey county, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Syl- vanus Johnson have five children: William, Harold, Dorothy, Virginia and Keith.
Fred Schenk, a wealthy farmer of Robinson township, Posey county, Indiana, was born on the same farm where he still lives, on July 20, 1864, son of Theodore and Francisco (Schenk) Schenk. Theodore Schenk was born in Aslargen, Westfallen, Germany, and came to America in 1844. He was a tailor, having learned the trade in the old country, but after working at the business awhile in this country he went to farming on account of his health. He bought sixty acres of land from Frank Schenk, his father-in-law, and began with practically nothing, but made a large fortune before his death, which occurred in 1902, at the home of his son Fred. The father of Theodore Schenk fought in the French and German war, and had two bullets in his body as long as he lived. Francisco Schenk was the daughter of Frank Schenk, who came to America in 1824, locating in Robinson township, Posey county, Indiana. At that time there were but twenty houses in Evansville and they had to cut a road through the woods to reach that point. They built a log house, and the first plow had a wooden mould board. How- ever, a little land was cleared and planted to corn for bread, and they continually improved their condition. Francisco used to carry eggs to Evansville, sometimes taking a basket full which was so heavy that it took two men to put it on her head. One of the members of the Schenk family, on the mother's side, was considered one of the best singers in the world. She sang before the Emperor and became famous the world
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over. She is a second cousin of our subject. Fred Schenk was born in a long house on the site of which now stands a palatial residence, modern in every way, with inlaid hardwood floors, tile roofing, furnace heat, and hot and cold water. In the yard is a fountain, flower gardens and cement walks. It is one of the most beautiful homes in the county, unsurpassed by any in the city. Fred attended school in St. Philip, walking three miles to school every morning. After completing his education he began farming on the home place, his parents remaining with him until they passed away, the father in 1902 and the mother six years earlier. The brother of our subject was a Roman Catholic priest, and for several years was rector of the church at St. Joseph, Vanderburg county. He died in March, 1909. Mr. Schenk has seen the evolution of farm traffic from oxen to buggies and from buggies to automobiles, and drives one of the latter. He is agent for the Monitor Iron Com- pany of Big Prairie, Ohio, which produces a self-heating flatiron. He employes fifteen men in selling this article and makes his deliveries with an auto truck. All his farm produce is hauled to Evansville. In his memory wheat reaping was done with the cradle. He has tied many sheaves of wheat, and was considered very rapid in this line of work.' The Schenk farm consists of 135 acres. Mr. Schenk was elected justice of the peace on the Democratic ticket in 1910, and is now holding that office. Mr. Schenk was married in St. Philip's church to Julia Fisher, daughter of Valentine Fisher (see sketch of Henry Fisher). She was born in Posey county, attended school at St. Philip, and at the St. Joseph Academy of Evansville, from which she was graduated. They have two children, John and Lillie, both of whom attended school at St. Philip, and both are now helping their parents. The family are members of the Catholic church at St. Philip, and Mr. Schenk served the organ- ization as trustee from 1908 to 1912.
Enoch W. McFaddin .- To the resident of Posey county the name of McFaddin is as familiar as that of Washington to the school boy. Members of the family had examined the site of the present city of Mt. Vernon, while on hunting expeditions, previous to its cession by the Indians. Andrew McFaddin, known as "Piddle-de-dum," squatted on land now a part of the city about 1905. He was soon followed by "Slim" Andrew and William, and the locality became known as McFad- din's Bluff. In the development of the county, members of this family have borne an important part, have been honored with public office, in which they have served with credit, and numbered among them have been men of substantial property and influence. Enoch W. McFaddin was born on his father's farm in Lynn township, August 1, 1867, a son of Philocles P. and Malinda (Bundy) McFaddin. The father was a son of Noah and Sarah (Albright) McFaddin, and was also born on the McFaddin farm in Lynn township, November 4, 1844. Noah
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McFaddin was the first of the family to settle in Lynn township, and the original homestead is now owned by his grandson, Noah McFaddin. Philocles P. McFaddin attended the country schools of his home dis- trict, three terms at Mt. Vernon, and completed a course at Owensville (Indiana) Academy. He married when nineteen years of age. He was throughout his lifetime engaged in agriculture and in this occupation he was successful ; he accumulated a comfortable fortune, became a man of influence in his section, where he was highly respected for his honesty and clean living. He was a Democrat, took an active part in the work of his party, and was always ready to assist both with time and money any movement that had for its object the improvement of the commer- cial, civic or religious life of the community. He married, on May 15, 1864, Malinda Bundy, daughter of James and Louisa (Weir) Bundy. She was born January 8, 1845, in Posey county. Mr. and Mrs. McFad- din became the parents of six children: James F .; Enoch W., Noah, sketches of whom follow; Benoni, Idellia, Hannie B. and Lemuel P., who died when quite young. Mr. McFaddin was a member of Artic Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of New Harmony, and both he and his wife were members of the General Baptist church. His death occurred in 1891, and that of his wife on January 20, 1893. Enoch W. McFaddin was reared in Lynn township, attended the public schools and assisted in the work incident to carrying on his father's farm. He engaged in farming on his own account in 1891, and is accounted one of the most successful agriculturists of his township. The improve- ments on his property are second to none in Posey county. He is widely known in southern Indiana and Illinois as a breeder of light harness horses. He is the owner of Argot W. Wilkes, one of the noted pacing stallions of this section of the State. Daisy Lee, 2:2314, was reared and trained by him, as well as several other valuable animals. He is quite an extensive breeder of Poland-China hogs, and in this line of endeavor has met with success. He is also the owner of a saw mill on Big Creek, which has proven a profitable investment. Mr. McFaddin has been a lifelong Democrat, and has been an active worker in the interests of that organization. He was elected trustee of Lynn township in 1908. His administration of the business of this office was highly creditable. Extensive improvements were made to the township roads, school buildings remodeled and repaired, and several bridges replaced by new ones. Through his handling of the township's finances he was able to reduce the tax levy each year, while accomplishing more in the way of improvements than had any of his predecessors in office. He was a candidate for the office of sheriff in 1912, but failed to secure the majority necessary for election. He is a member of Artic Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, No. 396, of New Harmony, Mt. Vernon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 277,
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Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Posey Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles. Mr. McFaddin married, on March 28, 1897, Miss Flora Alexander, daughter of David and Phoebe Alexander. She was born in Posey county on July 6, 1870. The McFaddin home is known for its hospitality, its hostess for her qualities of heart and mind; as is her husband for his goodfellowship, broadmindedness and charity toward his fellow man. He is one of the county's best known sportsmen, a splendid shot, and his hours of recreation are given to the woods, field and stream.
Noah McFaddin is a prominent farmer of Lynn township, and a representative of one of Posey county's honored pioneer families. He was born in Lynn township January 5, 1871, and is a son of Philocles P. and Malinda ( Bundy) McFaddin, both natives of Posey county. Malinda Bundy was born January 8, 1845, and was a daughter of James and Louisa (Weir) Bundy, both pioneers of Posey county. Philocles McFaddin spent his entire life in Lynn township, where he was a prosperous farmer. His parents were Noah and Sarah (Albright) McFaddin, both natives of Kentucky, where the former was born in 1802, the latter in 1804. Noah McFaddin, grandfather of the subject of this review, was a native of Kentucky and of Irish descent. Noah Mc- Fadden, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared on his father's farm in Lynn township and educated in the public schools. He is one of the progressive farmers and grain dealers of Lynn township, to which his fine, well kept acres bear witness. Mr. McFaddin was united in mar- riage January 8, 1902, to Miss Florence Gano, a native of Posey county. To this union have been born five children: Merle, Hazel, Charles, Hanie and Myron (deceased). Mr. McFaddin is a staunch Democrat and always takes an active interest in the party organization. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a genial gentleman and one of the substantial citizens of Posey county.
James F. McFaddin, former sheriff and influential citizen of Posey county, was born on his father's farm in Lynn township on April 13, 1865, and is the eldest son of Philocles P. and Malinda (Bundy) Mc- Faddin (see sketch of Enoch W. McFaddin). He was reared on his father's farm in Lynn township and educated in the schools of that township and New Harmony. Since boyhood, he has been actively identified with the agricultural interests of Lynn township, is an ex- tensive owner of farm properties, and has operated them profitably. He is best known to the citizens of his home county through his service in public office. In 1894 he was elected trustee of Lynn township and occupied the office of sheriff of Posey county from January I, 1902, until January 1, 1906. His administrations of the affairs of these offices were highly creditable to himself and profitable to his township and county. He is a Democrat and prominent in the councils of his party.
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On entering the sheriff's office he became a resident of Mt. Vernon, and on conclusion of his service engaged in the grain business. Mr. Mc- Faddin is also well and favorably known as a breeder of pedigreed horses. A number of the best animals produced in the county having been bred, trained and raced by him. He is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 277, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Baptist church. In 1885 he married Miss Ida B. Aldrich, daughter of Thomas L. and Isabella Aldrich, of Lynn township, and a member of. one of Posey county's most prominent pioneer families.
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