USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 79
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60.4
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
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others. Among the early members in the neighborhood of the new church were: Lewis Short, Webster Goldsmith, Oliver Goldsmith and Jackson Reed. The congre- gation is prosperous at present, though not large.
Blue Grass Catholic Church .- Among the Irish settlers in the central part of the township were a few faithful followers of the Roman Catholic church. Under the leader- ship of Richard Raleigh, these people suc- ceeded, about 1846, in building a frame church of comfortable size and neat appear- ance. The membership has always been small. Priests from Evansville occasionally hold service here.
Towns .-- The principal village. in the township is Mechanicsville, commonly called Stringtown, because its houses are strung along the road, and known officially as Zipp's postoffice. At a very early date, the point where the Petersburgh road left the State road was selected as a good place for a smithy and wagon shop. It was a busy place in early times, and when a post- office was established, old man Zipp, then a resident of the town, was appointed post- master, and thus gave the place its present official designation. At present there is a small general store, several blacksmith, wagon and carriage shops, but beyond this the place is unimportant. Mr. Ira Fairchild, a son of Col. Seth Fairchild, and grandson of Jonathan Fairchild, who came with his family from New York to Indiana in 1818, thus pictures the early days of this village: " In 1829 my father removed to Mechanics- ville and opened a blacksmith's shop, which he carried on two or three years, when he purchased the old Hutson distillery, removed it to the State road and converted it into a smithy, which was a famous institution in its day. This house was built of heavy hewed logs, 30x40 feet square,
had five forges and worked a force of seven or eight hands. All the livery horses of Evansville were brought there to be shod, and all sorts of iron work was done. At this time Mechanicsville seemed in a fair way to outstrip Evansville in the race for position. Thomas Smith had built a saw-mill on Pigeon creek, and on the hill where he afterward kept tavern he carried on a cabinet shop, working several hands, and supplied the de- mand for furniture for miles around. It was in this shop that that the distinguished John Ingle, jr., learned his trade, which he plied for several years industriously before he be- came an attorney at law. The village also boasted of a well-kept hotel, a wagon shop, and country store, and was withal a place of very considerable local importance."
McCutchanville, in the northern part of the township, was brought into existence about 1845 by the establishment of a post- office and the appointment of Mr. McCut- chan as postmaster. It is without present importance.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOHN ALLEON, of Center township, was born in Germany, February 24, 1826. He is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Seeman) Alleon, who were both natives of Germany. They came to America about 1832, and set- tled in Marion county, Ohio, where they re- mained about nine years, after which they removed to Vanderburgh county, Ind., and settled on the farm where John Alleon now resides. The father died soon after reach- ing this county, but his wife survived until the fall of ISSo. Our subject is the oldest son, and when the family came to this coun- try was only a little over fifteen years of age. He has devoted his entire life to the farm and now owns 140 acres of good land. He was married to Miss Caro- line Becker, who was born about
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1839, in Germany, the daughter of John and Emma Becker. She died May 31, ISSO. Of their three children, two died when quite young. The other, John, was born February 14, 1860, and married Miss Caroline Ahles, daughter of John and The- resa Ahles, December 13, 1883. He and wife live with his father. They have one child, Edwin, born October 25, 1884. Mr. Alleon is a member of the German Metho- dist church. In politics he is a republican.
GOTTLIEB W. BAUMANN, a citizen of Center township, was born in Switzerland, May IS, 1849, the son of Rudolph and Susannah Baumann. They emigrated to the United States in 1853. They proceeded at once to Evansville, Ind., where the father became engaged at work as a car- penter. He remained but a few years in Evansville, and then removed to Posey county, Ind., where he continued until his death, about 18So, his wife dying about 1854. Gottlieb was educated in the schools of Evansville, both in English and German. At nineteen years of age he determined to learn a trade, and accordingly began life for himself in Posey county. He first worked on a farm for a time, and then learned the blacksmith's trade in St. Philips, that county. He worked there nearly three years, and then went to Henderson county, Ky., where he spent four years. He then removed to Evansville, and after ten years' work in Blount's plow factory, he came to his present home in Center township, where he has since been engaged in general black- smithing. He was married January 1, 1873, to Miss Amelia Riechelt, who was born in Warrick county, Ind., April 16, 1852, the daughter of Gottlieb and Philipina Riechelt. Her father is still living in Evansville, and her mother died April 1, 1888. They are the parents of four children, viz .: William, born October 7, 1873; Julia, born October
27, 1875; Virginia, born July 7, ISSo; Allan, born December 2, 1882. Mr. Baumann and family are members of the German Methodist church.
FREDERICK BRANDENBERGER, a farmer of Center township, was born in Switzer- land, October 3, 1846. He is the son of Henry and Magdalena (Schorri) Branden- berger. They came to Vanderburgh county in October, 1848, remained one year in the city of Evansville and then settled on a farm in the southwestern part of Center township, and remained until 1865, when they removed to another farm, which the father occupied until his death, March 22, ISSO. His wife survived him about two years, her death occurring November 16, I882. Frederick attended the common schools and was employed chiefly in farm work until November 27, 1864, when he enlisted as a private in Company K, Twen- ty-second Indiana Volunteer infantry, and served until August 4, 1865. During his term of service the only hard battle in which he participated was that of Benton- ville, N. C. He was mustered out at Louisville, and received his discharge at Indianapolis. After returning home he went into the saw-mill and threshing-machine busi- ness, but was engaged in farming at the same time. This he followed for about ten years, since which time he has devoted his entire attention to farming. He was married November 7, 1867, to Miss Mary Schwartz, who was born in Scott township, this county, February 14, IS48, the daughter of Henry Schwartz. He owns a farm of eighty acres. He and his wife Mary were the parents of eight children: Amelia (de- ceased), Louisa, Martha, William W., Mary E., Bertha, John H. and Minnie M. Mrs. Brandenberger died August 14, 1885. He was married August 17, 1886, to Miss Mary Newmaster, who was born in Louis-
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EARLY SETTLEMENT.
ville, Ky., in November, 1854, the daughter of Charles and Dorothy (Loudonberg) Newmaster. Mr. Brandenberger and part of of his family are members of the German Methodist church. In politics he is a re- publican.
HENRY BRANDENBERGER, farmer and dairyman in Center township, was born in this county December 7, 1848. He is the son of Henry and Magdalena Brandenber- ger, who are noticed in this volume in connection with Frederick Brandenberger. When he was about sixteen years of age his father removed to the farm, on a part of which he now resides. Here he and his brother John own 160 acres of good land, nearly all of which is in cultivation, and is well improved, and supplied with buildings for carrying on the dairy business. With the exception of a few summers spent in threshing wheat, he has given his entire attention to the farm and the dairy. He and his brother have built up a very exten- sive trade in the latter business, and supply their customers twice a day with the pro- ducts of the dairy. Mr. Brandenberger was married October 24, 1875, to Miss Sarah Strobel, who was born in Center township, June 27, 1855. She was the daughter of Jacob and Catherine Strobel, who were both natives of Germany, and are still living in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Branden- berger are the parents of three children: William H., George S., and Edward G. He and his wife are members of the Ger- man Methodist church. In politics Mr. Brandenberger is a republican.
JOHN BRANDENBERGER, a prominent citi- zen of Center township, was born in this county February 9, 1858. He is the son of Henry and Magdelena Brandenberger, else- where noticed in this volume. Our subject was educated in the common schools of Center township, where he obtained a good common
school education. He has devoted his en- tire life to the dairy and farming. He and his brother Henry own 160 acres of good land, and are well established for carrying on the dairy business on an extensive scale. He was married January 4, 1880, to Miss Rose Miller, who was born in Switzerland, November 5, 1859. She is the daughter of John and Elizabeth Miller, who were both natives of Switzerland, and are now living in this county. They began married life at their present abode, the old Brandenberger homestead, and their happy home circle now includes six little ones, as follows: Charles, Rosalie, Frederick, John, Flora and an in- fant. Mr. Brandenberger is a member of the Methodist church, his wife of the Re- formed Protestant church. In politics Mr. Brandenberger is a republican. He is a young man of energy and enterprise, and bids fair to become one of Center township's most substantial citizens.
JOSEPH BULTMANN, a worthy and pros- perous farmer of this township, was born in Prussia, December 15, 1817, the son of Adam and Francisca (Kruz) Bultmann. He spent his time from six to fourteen years of age in school, and after this time he learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked until he was about eighteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents to this county and settled on the farm where he still resides. The father bought eighty acres of land and settled down in the woods. Soon after settling on the farm Joseph went to New Orleans, where he spent about ten years in the boot and shoe business. At the end of that time he came back to this county, and here met Elizabeth Osterman, whom he married July 13, 1847. His wife was born in Germany, January 24, 1827, and is the daughter of Adam and Elizabeth ( Floehr) Osterman. Mr. Bultmann owns 250 acres of good land, most of which
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CENTER TOWNSHIP.
is in cultivation and is well improved. He
has risen from a small beginning to be one of the most prosperous and substantial men in this township. He is the father of six living children: Joseph, John, Elizabeth, ' Henry, Josephine, Frank. Mr. Bultmann and family are members of the Catholic church. In politics Mr. Bultmann is a liberal democrat.
JAMES F. CRANE was born in the state of New York, May 6, 1831, the son of Arza Lucy (Boynton) Crane, the former of whom was born in the state of New York, in 1800, and the latter in Vermont, in about I803. When three years of age his parents removed to the state of Ohio. Here he attended school principally at Steuben- ville, and acquired a good common school education. At about twelve years of age he began river life as cabin boy, and since that time has served as cook, mate, pilot, and captain, almost continually to the present time. He has navigated the Ohio and Mis- sissippi rivers and all their principal tribu- taries. He was married October 20, 1856, to Miss Urania A. Blake, who was born in the state of Ohio, September 17, 1834, the daughter of Simon and Hannah (Cun- ningham) Blake, both of whom were na- tives of Maine. Since 1865 or 1866 they have resided in this county, and for nearly four years have occupied their present com- fortable home in Center township. Mr. Crane was steamboating during the war, and was in the service of the government the greater portion of the time, serving on the transports, and was frequently in greater danger than if he had been serving on the field, it being a frequent occurrence for the guerillas to fire upon them while navigat- ing the Green and Cumberland rivers. Mr. Crane and wife are both members of Grace Presbyterian church of Evansville. Mr. Crane is a member of Crescent lodge,
I. O. O. F., at Evansville, and in politics is a republican.
HENRY EISSLER, a farmer of Center township, was born in Evansville, October 12, 1854, and is the son of Jacob and Anna Maria (Steiger) Eissler. His parents were born in Germany, and emigrated to the United States more than forty years ago, settling in Evansville. After spending sev- eral years in the city, the father began on rented land until he was able to buy the sixty-six acres where he still lives. He has risen to be a prosperous and substantial farmer by reason of his energy and enter- prise. His wife died January 13, 1888. Henry is their oldest living child. He secured a good common school education, and also received instruction in German in the city of Evansville. He has de- voted his entire life to farm work, and now owns 105 acres of good land, about seventy-five acres of which is in cultivation. Mr. Eissler has obtained this farm by his own industry and economy. He was mar- ried May 6, 1879, to Miss Johanna Happel, who was born in German township, this county, June 8, 1857, the daughter of John and Magdalena (Damm) Happel. Mr. and Mrs. Eissler have only one child, Harry, born March 23, 1888. They are members of the St. John's Reformed church in Evans- ville. Politically Mr. Eissler is independent, voting with whichever party best suits him, and taking but little interest in politics.
LEVI ERSKINE, son of John Erskine, was born January 21, 1833, on the farm where his father first settled. His life, until he was twenty years of age, was spent on the farm, where he worked during the summer, and then in the winter attended school. In this way he obtained a good knowledge of the common branches, and an introduction to some of the higher ones. At the age of twenty he entered college at Greencastle,
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EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Ind., where he remained about two years. After leaving college he divided his atten- tion between farming and school-teaching, working the farm in summer and teaching school in winter, until he had taught six terms. In 1868 he busied himself as a rail- road contractor and bridge builder, which he followed for five years. The latter part of 1872, he became engaged in work for the county, graveling and macadamizing the roads, which he followed for two or three years, during which time more than 100 miles of roads were thus improved in Vanderburgh county. Since then he has been in the employment of George P. Heilman as general shipper and manager of the erec- tion of buildings. He was married Febru- ary 22, 1860, to Miss Sallie L. Benjamin, daughter of Elijah and Sarah (Waters) Benjamin, both of whom were natives of Connecticut. Mrs. Erskine was born De- cember 31, 1838, in the city of Evansville. By this marriage were born five children: Lottie, born December 19, 1860, died March 12, 1883; Wilbur, born January 8, 1863; Erwin F., born October 5, died December 22, 1872; Annie L., born September 14, IS74, and Levi, born August 9, 1876. Mr. Erskine is a liberal republican, but has never sought nor held office, except one or two terms as township trustee. Mr. Erskine and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are highly respected citizens of Center township.
JACOB EULER, JR., was born March 9, · 1845. He is the son of Henry Euler and his wife, Mary Ann Steinmetz, both natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States in 1836, and settled on land in Center township. Henry Euler died in January, 1860, his wife surviving until December, 1871. Our subject spent his early life on his father's farm, and attended school a few months each winter. In August, 1862, he
enlisted as a private in Company F, Fourth Indiana cavalry, and was mustered out July 9, 1865. During his term of service he was in the battles of Chickamauga, Fayetteville, Mossy Creek, Talbot's, Dandridge, Fair Garden, in the Atlanta campaign, and Wil- son's campaign in Alabama and Georgia. He was married December 22, 1871, to Miss Louisa Korb, who was born in this county, October 18, 1846, daughter of Adam and Catharine (Schmidt) Korb. Her pa- rents were natives of Wachenheim-on-the- Hardt, Germany. They are the parents of six living children, viz .: Frank A., Ella N., Oscar, Florence, Louisa, and George J. Mr. and Mrs. Euler are members of St. Peter's Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Euler is a republican, and is a member of Farragut Post, No. 27, G. A. R.
OLIVER GOLDSMITH .- The ancestry of the subject of this sketch, as far as can be determined, is as follows: Zaccheus Gold- smith, of Wenham, Mass., was the father of Richard Goldsmith, who married Hannah Dodge. They were the parents of the fol- lowing children, born between the years 1732 and 1747: Hannah, Abigail, Mary, Thomas, Richard, Lucy, Josiah, our sub- ject's grandfather, born September 9, 1744, and Jeremiah. Josiah Goldsmith married Sarah Fox. They were the parents of the following children, born between the years 1768 and 1786: Thomas, Sally, Hannah, John, Lucy, Betsy, Daniel F., born May 22, 1784, and Roxanna. Daniel F. came to Vanderburgh county, Ind., locating at Evansville about the year 1818. Here he went to work at his trade, that of a mason, and was one of the contractors who built the first court-house in 1820, and afterward erected many other buildings of more or less importance. He was married March 27, 1823, to Miss Melissa Hopkins, of this county, who was born in the state of Ver-
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CENTER TOWNSHIP.
mont February 3, 1804, the daughter of Stephen Hopkins and wife, the former of whom was born about 1766 and died in this county May 17, 1849. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmith made their home · on the farm in Center township, but his en- gagements as a contractor claimed the greater portion of his attention. They were the parents of ten children: Mary Ann, Cordelia, Electa, Daniel Webster, Oliver, Elmira, Hester, Lucy Roxanna, Chauncey, and John Henry. Mr. Goldsmith died December 5, 1855. His wife had preceded him a number of years, her death occurring April 27, 1844. Oliver Goldsmith was born on the old homestead April 8, 1834, and with the exception of fifteen months in Cal- ifornia, has devoted his entire attention to farming. He was married November 18, 1858, to Miss Mary Smith, who was born in this county January 18, 1839, daughter of Robert and Mary (Skinner), both of whom were natives of England. They are the parents of eight children, as follows: Moses R., Hester, Katie, Walter C., Jessie Elmer, Cora, Bertha, and Oliver, all of whom are living except Hester and Oliver. Mr. Goldsmith and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is one of the most substantial citizens of the town- ship, and he and family are highly respected.
married life on the Goldsmith homestead. In June, 1886, he bought a farm adjoining his father's, on which he erected a comfort- able house, and has resided there since. Mr. Goldsmith is the father of two children: Emma Estella, born December 20, 1884, and Fletcher Webster, March 6, 1887. Mr. Goldsmith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his wife of the Ger- man Methodist church.
THEODORE HANNING, of Center township, was born in Germantown, Ohio, June 22, 184I. He is the son of John D. and Dora Hanning, the former of whom was born near Bremen, Germany, on August 26, 1806, where he grew to manhood, married, and in 1839 came to the United States. He removed to Spencer county in 1847, and now resides with Theodore, the only child living. Our subject has spent the greater portion of his life in farming, but in connec- tion with this has at times been engaged in commercial pursuits and milling, and since coming to Vanderburgh county has been in the dairy business. He was married De- cember 24, 1866, to Mrs. Susan Hanning, his brother's widow. She is the daughter of Jacob and Susan Fryhofer, both of whom were natives of Germany. Mrs. Hanning is a native of Jackson county, Ind., where she was born March 19, 1838. Mrs. Han- ning had two children by her first husband, John and Lena. Mr. and Mrs. Hanning are the parents of seven children, viz .: Albert, May, Dania, Wesley, Addie, Edwin and Oscar W., all of whom are living and un- married. Mr. Hanning and family are members of the German Methodist church, and are as highly respected as any one in the county.
MOSES RUSSELL GOLDSMITH, the oldest son of Oliver Goldsmith above mentioned, was born on his father's farm in this town- ship September 18, 1859. He was edu- cated in the district schools. He has devoted his entire attention to agriculture, and, having been raised to the business, is quite a successful young farmer. He was married, December 18, 1883, to Miss Lena Hanning, who was born in Spencer county, JAMES HENRY, of Center township, was born about the year 1820, in Johnston, Scotland. He is the son of Robert and Ind., June 29, 1859. She is the daughter of John and Susan Hanning. Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmith spent the first few years of their | Margaret (Fyfe) Henry. He spent his
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EARLY SETTLEMENT.
early life in a cotton factory of his native country. About the year 1850 Mr. Henry came to America and settled in Center township. Two years after this he returned to Glasgow, and in July, 1854, he was mar- ried to Miss Margaret Brodie, daughter of David and Janet ( Anderson) Brodie. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Henry re- mained five years in Glasgow, and then re- turned to America, about 1859, and settled on the farm where they now reside. From that time until the present he has given his entire attention to farming. He owns more than eighty acres of good land, nearly all of which is in cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Henry are the parents of twelve children. They are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He and his family have a large circle of acquaintances, by whom they are held in high esteem.
ROBERT R. HENRY, a well-known school teacher and farmer of Center township, was born in Scotland, October 27, 1855, son of James and Margaret Henry, an account of whom is given above. Mr. Henry was reared on his father's farm in Center town- ship, where he worked each summer and in the winter attended the schools of this town- ship and gained a good education. He began teaching about 1876, and has con- tinued in the same profession during the winter of each year until the present time, and is regarded as one of the most success- ful teachers of the county. During the sum- mer he devotes his attention to farming. He was married September 15, 1886, to Miss Sarah McCutchan, who was born in this county, March 2, 1857. She is the daughter of Samuel and Isabella (Brown) McCutchan. His wife was also a school teacher, she having taught for seven or eight years before her marriage. They are the parents of one child, Isabella, born August 4, 1887. Mr. Henry and wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are highly respected citizens.
PETER HEUBNER, deceased, was born in Germany, June 8, 1824, son of John G. and Anna Margaret Heubner. At fourteen years of age he accompanied his parents to America, locating first in Posey county, Ind., and after a few years they came to Vanderburgh county, settling in Center township, on the farm where his widow now resides. He was married, June 16, 1847, to Miss Harriet H. Inwood, who was born in this township October 20, 1828, the daugh- ter of William and Hannah (Chester) In- wood, both of whom were natives of England. Mrs. Heubner's parents emi- grated to America, arriving at Evansville in August, 1819. Here Mrs. Heubner was born. They are the parents of ten children, whose names are as follows: Hannah M., Annie E., George M., Sarah R., William W., Edward R., Lawrence, David, John H. and James C. Mr. Huebner died July 31, 1882, and in his death Center township lost one of its oldest and most highly respected citizens. His widow resides with her young- est son at the old homestead. Mrs. Huebner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which her husband was also a mem- ber, and is loved and honored by all who know her.
WILLIAM H. HORNBY .- The great-grand- father of the subject of this sketch was William Hornby, sr., a native of the north . of England, and by occupation a sea cap- tain. His grandfather, William Hornby, jr., was a native of Cerne, Dorsetshire, England, and married Sarah K. Ridout. Their family consisted of three sons: William, Charles, and Henry F. The latter, the father of William H. was born in Chickerell, near Weymouth, Dorchester, England, March 17, ISII. When he was eight years of age, The accompanied his parents to America,
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