USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 80
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landing at Philadelphia, in April or May, ISI9. Thence they made their way to Pittsburgh, by wagon, and from the latter place by flat-boat down the Ohio river to Evansville, Ind. From Evansville they ' came to what is now Scott township, this county, where they settled on a farm and where their family grew to manhood. Here Henry F. Hornby was married March 10, 1831, to Miss Caroline Mansell, daughter of Samuel Mansell, of Vanderburgh county. Her mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Bellamy, was born in London, England, December 29, 1813, and came with her parents to Evansville, in 1819. Henry F. and wife had three sons and three daughters, of whom the sons only are living: William H., Charles J. and George W. William H. is the eldest son and was born April 10, I836. His early life was spent on his father's farm in Scott township, where he worked and attended school, attaining both a thorough knowledge of farming and a com- mon school education. He was married October 29, 1863 to Mary J., daughter of James Hayhurst, a pioneer of Vanderburgh who has lived in the county since 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Hornby have only three children living: Oliver W., Cicero G., and Herbert F. Mr. Hornby served as justice of the peace from 1882 to 1886, giving en- tire satisfaction. He and wife are members of the Episcopal church.
CHARLES KELLAWAY HORNBY was born in Dorsetshire, England, March 4, 1829. He is the son of William and Mary (Burgh or Burch) Hornby, natives of the same county, the father born in 1800, and the mother about five years later. At the age of nine or ten, Charles accompanied his parents to America, and came at once to Scott town- ship. They settled on the farm where his father resided until his death. Here he passed his youth on his father's farm assist-
ing in its culture. The opportunities for school being somewhat limited, he only suc- ceeded in obtaining such essential instruc- tion as was sufficient for transacting his own business. He was married February, 1863, to Miss Martha E. Paul, daughter of Cyrus and Ann (Hayhurst) Paul. They had four children: Charles E., Margaret, Anna E. and Martha E., the first two dying when quite young. When the youngest child was only two years of age Mrs. Hornby died. August 29, 1881, he was married a sec- ond time to Mrs. Harriet (Burtis) Brown, who had one daughter, Ada. He has re- sided in this township continuously, and three or four years on the farm where he now lives and owns about 200 acres of good land. Mr. Hornby is an Episcopalian in belief, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
PHILIP KAISER, ex-soldier and well-known citizen of Center township, was born near Frankfort, Germany, May 8, 1845, and is the son of Frederick and Mary (Binghe- mer) Kaiser. He remained in his native country until he was nine years of age, and then accompanied his parents to the United States. They made their way at once to Vanderburgh county, and settled on the farm where the son now resides. Here the par- ents continued to reside. Mr. Kaiser pro- cured the greater portion of his education in the schools of Center township. August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company H, Thirty-second volunteer infantry, and served until February 14, 1865, when he was mustered out as captain at Chattanooga, Tenn. While in the ser- vice, he was in the following battles: Per- ryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and in the Atlanta campaign, and then did guard duty mostly in the vicinity of Atlanta and Chattanooga until March 21, I873, when he was mustered out of the ser-
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vice. In the battle of Chickamauga he was severely wounded in the leg. Since coming home, he has devoted his attention to the farm. He was married April 21, 1872, to Miss Mary J. Linxwiler, who was born in this county, May 25, 1845, the daughter of Will- iam and Jane Linxwiler. They are the par- ents of six children: William, Elizabeth,
WILLIAM H. KIRKPATRICK is a native of Center township, born January 21, 1848. He is the son of Alfred and Hannah (Smith) Kirkpatrick. His mother's parents were natives of England, coming to the United States and settling at Evansville in 1832. Our subject was raised in this county, and obtained his education in the public schools. He enlisted as a private in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Indiana, under Capt. Hollingsworth, and served three months. He was engaged mostly in doing guard duty in the vicinity of Murfreesboro, Tullahoma and other places. After remain- ing at home a short time, he re-enlisted as a private in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-third Indiana, under command of Capt. Kellogg. He was promoted to the rank of a corporal, which position he held until he was mustered out. He was mar- ried March 14, 1867, to Miss Mary Jane Niehous, who was born in Allegheny, Penn., December 17, 1847, and is the daughter of John H. and Catharine (Muntz) Niehous, both of whom were natives of Germany. They are the parents of eight children : Ella S., Edward, Katie S., Emma A., Mary J., Charles, William H., and Harry W., all of whom are living except Edward and William H., who both died in infancy. In March, 1871, he was employed as sexton of Locust Hill cemetery, which position he still holds. Mr. Kirkpatrick and wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Kirkpatrick is a member of Farragut post, G. A. R., and of the Order of the Iron Hall.
JOHN H. KNIGHT was born in Center township, this county, September 8, 1846. He is the son of William G. and Caroline (Alleon) Knight, the former of whom was Letitia J., Erma, Clinton De Witt, and Katie. born in this county, November 18, 1822, Mr. and Mrs. Kaiser are members of the German Methodist church.
and the latter in Germany, November 24, IS28. They were the parents of six child- ren: John H., Elizabeth J., William L., Mary B., Caroline A. and Charles A., only two of whom are living, John H. and Will- iam L. John H. Knight spent his early life on his father's farm. He managed to acquire a good education, and taught school from the time he was twenty until he was twenty-three. With this exception he has devoted his entire life to farm work. He was married February 25, 1875, to Lucy S. Troup, who was born in Vanderburgh county, February 19, 1854, and is the daughter of William and Jessie (Jarvis) Troup, both natives of Aberdeen, Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Knight have three children living and have lost two. Their names are: John W. (deceased), James O., Jessie May, Charles Ira (deceased) and John H. Mr. Knight resides on the old homestead, forty acres of which he now owns.
JOHN R. KRATZ, son of John and Louisa (Beauchle) Kratz, was born in this town- ship July 1, 1860. He was educated in the schools of Center township, and was occu- pied on the farm for a few years afterward, and then learned the blacksmith's trade in his father's shop in Kratzville. In October, 1883, he formed a partnership with his bro- ther, and the following spring the two bought their father's shop and have since continued in partnership. He was married October 13, 1886, to Miss Hannah Rhine, a native of this county, but who, when young, removed
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with her parents to Louisville, where she resided when married. She was the daugh- ter of Frederick and Frederica Rhine, both natives of Germany. Her father is de- ceased, but her mother still resides in Louis- ยท ville. Mr. Kratz and wife went to housekeep- ing in Kratzville, where they still reside. They have one child, Viola, born July 26, 1887. Mr. Kratz is an honest, industrious young man, and he and wife are highly respected. They are both members of the Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Kratzis a republican.
CHRISTIAN W. KRATZ, trustee of Center township, was born in this county, July 2, 1855. He is the son of John and Louisa (Beauchle) Kratz, the former of whom was born May 31, 1830, the latter July 3, 1831, both natives of Germany. They came to the United States when quite young with their parents. Our subject's grandfather Kratz, settled first at Pittsburgh about 1834, where he remained about four years, and then moved to this county. He settled in German township in the first place, and then in Center township in 1857 or 1858. The grandfather Beauchle came to this county about 1841. Here the father and mother of Christian grew to manhood and womanhood, and were married August 10, 1854. They were the parents of eight children: Chris- tian W., Elizabeth, Louisa, John R., Peter, Christiana, Karl and Martha, all of whom are living except Louisa and Peter, the for- mer of whom died from the effects of a burn after she was about twenty-one years of age, and the latter died in childhood. Christian W. spent his early life, in good part, in school, and thus acquired a very good common school education. At the age of seventeen he entered his father's blacksmith shop, which was established in I854, and learned that trade, and continued to work with his father until he was twenty- three years of age, when he went into part-
nership with him. They remained in part- nership until October, 1883, when he formed a partnership with his brother, John R., in the same business. In the following spring the two sons bought the shop from their father, and have continued the business to the present time. Christian W. Kratz was married November 3, 1880, to Miss Minnie Schemet, who was born in this township January 14, 1860, and is the daughter of Louis and Caroline (Stahl) Schemet. In April, 1888, Mr. Kratz was elected trustee of Center township, and is filling the office to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. The Kratz family is one quite prominent in Vanderburgh county, and is noted for its in- dustry and enterprise. The late Christian Kratz, of Evansville, is an uncle of this sub- ject. Mr. Kratz and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a republican.
JACOB LAUBSCHER was born in Switzer- land, November 4, 1832. He is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Gygi) Laubscher, both of whom died in Switzerland, the year of his father's decease being 1836. He was educated in his native country, where he attended school until he was fourteen years of age. He then learned the watch-maker's trade, at which business he worked until he was twenty-three years of age, and then he emigrated to the United States, arriving in Pennsylvania in 1855. There he did farm work for about one year. He then spent six months in traveling, and settled down in Hamilton county, Ind., where another year was spent in farm work. From there he came to this county in the fall of 1857-8. Here he did farm work for about two years, then went to Spencer county, Ind., and worked on a farm for another year. On July 21, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company F, First Indiana cavalry, and served until September 12, 1864, when he
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was mustered out at Indianapolis. During his term of service he was in the following battles: Farmington, Mo., 1861; Cotton Plant, in 1862; Yazoo Pass; Augusta, Ark., July 4, 1862, where he was struck in the left leg above the knee by a spent ball, causing a wound which though somewhat painful did not disable him from duty; Helena, Ark., July 4, 1863; Little Rock; Pine Bluff, and numerous other smaller en- gagements. At March's Mill, Ark., April 8, 1864, his command had a desperate encounter with an overwhelming force of the enemy, and he was severely wounded by being shot through the fleshy part of the left arm, also in the left elbow, his left thumb shot off, and he also received a scalp wound, which rendered him unconscious. He was taken prisoner, and was held until July of the same year, when he was paroled. He then re- turned to his regiment, but did not engage in any other battles until he was mustered out. Mr. Laubscher is grievously disabled by his wounds and exposure, and yet the pension he draws is only $12 per month. After the war he returned to Spencer county, where he remained until about 1876, en- gaged in farming. He then came to Center township, where he has since remained, with the exception of one year spent in Knight township. He was married in 1876, to Mrs. Emily Schide, who was born in French Switzerland, May 18, 1832. She was the mother of two daughters, Ida and Caroline, who still make their home with their step- father. Mr. Laubscher is a member of Farragut post, G. A. R., and politically is a staunch republican. He was a brave and gallant soldier, who never faltered from duty, and is in civil life an upright and indus- trious man, and his family are highly thought of.
JOHN W. LAUBSCHER, one of the leading
men of Center township, was born March 31, 1838. He is the son of Christian and Mary Ann (Swahlen) Laubscher. They were both born in Canton Berne, Switzer- land, in 1812, and emigrated to the United States late in the year 1837. They remained a short time in Pennsylvania, where John was born, and then settled in Ripley county, Ind., where they lived seven years, working on a farm. Coming to German township, this county, the father worked on a farm for two years, and then settled on the farm where his son now resides. They reached Evansville in 1846, and settled finally in 1848. Christian Laubscher died December 2, 1885. His wife survives and resides with her daughter on a part of the old homestead. Mr. Laubscher's early life was spent on the farm, while in Center town- ship. After coming to German township, he assisted in clearing the farm"and burning lime for ten years. In about 1863 he and his father formed a partnership in the steam machine business, owning a threshing machine, saw-mill, etc. This partnership lasted until about 1867 or 1868, when Christian S., another son, bought his father's interest, and the two brothers formed a partnership that has lasted to the present time. In 1876 they founded a grist-mill, with a saw-mill attached, and have since built up a splendid trade. In ad- dition to the grist-mill, the brothers still run a threshing machine every year, and each owns a small farm. The Laub- scher brothers are among the most substan- tial citizens of Center township, and are known far and wide for their industry, enter- prise and fair dealing with every one. John W. Laubscher was married October 6, 1861, to Miss Anna Kisling, who was born in Switzer- land, June 10, 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Laub- scher are the parents of seven children: Simon J., born July 22, 1863; William F.,
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August 29, 1864; Edward C., July 6, 1866; Adolph, November, 1868, died when sixteen months old; Adolph L., April 26, 1871; Andrew C., March 11, 1873; Samuel R., June 16, 1875, all of whom are engaged with .their father in the business. Mr. Laub- scher and family are members of the Ger- man Methodist church. In politics he is a republican. He was elected township trus- tee in April, 1884, and that he served the peo- ple well was proven by the fact that he was re-elected by a largely increased majority to the same office in 1886.
GEORGE LINXWILER, grandfather of Isaac W. Linxwiler, was born in the town of Two Bridges, Germany, April, 1768, and attended school in his native country from six to fourteen years of age, receiving a good common school education. He then served an apprenticeship of three years, learning the miller's trade. He emigrated to the United States, landing at New York in 1785, and going from there to Pennsyl- vania. He was married in 1790, to Miss Catherine Stull, a native of the same place in Germany, born June 5, 1767. After coming to New York in 1785, she worked three years in the city to pay her passage to America. They probably resided in Pennsylvania for several years after their marriage, removing to Vanderburgh county previous to 1809. George Linxwiler died February 22, 1857, his wife early in No- vember, 1858. William Linxwiler, father of Isaac, was born in this county February 12, 1809, being the third white child, and the first male white child born in the county. He was the youngest of thirteen children, one of his older brothers having been a soldier in the war of 1812, and wounded during that war. William Linxwiler was a farmer, his father having been the first to locate a number of farms in different places in the county. He was married February | the very oldest, families in the county.
IO, 1833, to Jane Clinton, who was born in Warren, Ohio, January 20, 1815, the daugh- ter of Jonathan and Letitia (McAlree) Clin- ton, both natives of Ireland, who came from that country to Ohio and settled in Trum- bull county. Thence they came to this county in 1831. Mrs. Clinton died August 24, 1874, aged eighty-seven. They were the parents of seven children: Henderson, born March 12, 1835, died January 22, 1839; John D., born July 11, 1837; Margaret E., born September 10, 1839; George H., born January 21, 1842, died September 5, 1858; Mary J., born May 25, 1845; Isaac W., born September 14, 1847; Benjamin L., born October 7, 1849, died January 8, 1867. William Linxwiler died February 10, 1882, his wife March 13, IS88. William Linx- wiler settled on the farm where his son resides, in 1833. ISAAC W. LINXWILER Was born and reared on this farm, and was edu- cated in the schools of this township. He has devoted his entire life to farming, and now owns sixty-two acres of land, a part of the old homestead, nearly all in cultivation. He was married October 31, 1872, to Miss Cidney W. Hanson, who was born in Ohio, January 20, 1852, daughter of William and Joanna Hanson, both of whom were natives of Ohio, and came to this county in I865. They went to housekeeping on the farm where they still reside. They are the par- ents of seven children living and one dead: Emma E., born July 25, 1874; Daisy L., June 28, 1876, died October 9, 1876; Charles E., March 14, 1878; James C., Feb- ruary 13, IS80; William H., July 5, 1881; Laura B., July 17, 1883; Jane J., April 28, 1885; Isaac L., August II, 1887. Mr. Linxwiler is a republican in politics. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., Vanderburgh lodge, No. 34. He is an honest, industrious man, and represents one of the oldest, if not
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SAMUEL C. LONGBINE, a prominent citi- zen of Center township, was born in this township, December 10, 1849. He is the son of George and Catherine (Severe) Longbine. The former is a native of Saxe- Coburg, Germany, and the latter of Vir- ginia. After their marriage they resided in Vanderburgh county, where Mr. Longbine gave his attention to farming until his death, which occurred August 24, 1880, his wife having preceded him about twenty-five years, October 11, 1855. Samuel was edu- cated in the schools of Center township, and worked on the farm with his father until he was fourteen, and the greater portion of the time until he was twenty-three. He was married May 24, 1873, to Miss Clarissa Brown, who was born in this township, November 20, 1849. She was the daughter of John M. and Clarissa (Linxwiler) Brown, the former of whom was born in the state of New York, and the latter on the farm where she and her husband now reside. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Long- bine settled down to farm life, and have oc- cupied their present home for seven years. He has devoted his time entirely to agricul- ture, except the time spent in filling various township offices, such as constable for six years, tax collector two years, and road su- pervisor, as which he is now serving his second term. They have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter, Ida (Willis) Longbine, who was born Janu- ary 10, 1877. Mrs. Longbine is a member of the Methodist church. In politics Mr. Longbine is a republican. He and wife own a farm of forty acres, nearly all of which is in cultivation. He is an honest, industrious gentleman, and he and family are well-known and highly respected.
CHARLES F. McJOHNSTON, a native of County Longford, Ireland, was born Sep- tember 30, 1810. He is the son of Charles
McJohnson, sr., who was a native of the same county in Ireland, and was born in 1781. He married and lived in his native country until he had seven children, three sons and four daughters, when his wife died. He then took his children and emi- grated to America, and landed at Philadel- phia in August, 1818. Here he left his children while he spent some time in look- ing for a location in New York and else- where. Failing in this he procured wagons and made the journey across the mountains to Pittsburgh, where he arrived at the end of four weeks. He then built a flat-boat and started with his family down the Ohio river, but, after reaching Beaver Dam, a short distance below Pittsburgh, he landed, sold his boat and spent the winter at that place. In the next spring, however, he built two other boats, on one of which he placed his family, and on the other his horses, and con- tinued his journey down the Ohio to Evans- ville, which place was reached about March 25, 1819. Here he left his children on the boat, and went out into what is now Center township, this county, and entered 1,000 or more acres of land, his being the first land ever entered in that vicinity. He re- turned for his family, and took them onto his land, where he settled down in the wil- derness. He, with the help of his sons, at once began to clear the land for farming. The remainder of his life was spent here, and his home soon became known as one from which no wayfarer would be turned away. In August, 1827, he was elected to rep- resent the counties of Vanderburgh and Warrick, in the state legislature, but did not live to serve his term out. Nothing shows his popularity at home more than the fact that in this election only two votes were cast against him in his own township. He died May 3, 1828. Charles F. McJohnston | spent but eight years of his life in Ireland, a
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leyan Methodist, and he has been a member of the Methodist church for more than sixty years, and his wife for nearly as long. In politics he was a whig, and is now a repub- lican.
part of which he attended school and then he accompanied his father to this county, where he assisted his father in clearing the land, and he has lived up to the present time on some one of the farms he helped to 'make. He was married February 14, 1833, JOHN F. MOFFETT was born on the farm where he now resides, October 31, 1840, son of James and Wilhelmina (McJohnston) Moffett. The father was born in County Armagh, Ireland, March 10, 1805; the mother was born in Longford county, Ire- land, June 14, 1814. ,Mr. Moffett's father settled on the farm where his son now re- sides, entering the land from the govern- ment. Here he lived until his death Sep- tember 5, 1869. His wife survived until February 2, 1885. On this farm John Mof- fett passed his early life. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Sixty-fifth Indi- ana regiment, served three years, and was mustered out a corporal in July, 1865. While in the service he participated in the battles of Resaca, Nashville, of the At- lanta campaign, and various other engage- ments. March 19, 1868, he was married to Miss Janet Brodie, who was born April 3, 1844, in the city of Mexico, daughter of Andrew and Janet (Henry) Brodie, both natives of Scotland. The first seven years of their married life were spent at the home of Mr. Brodie in this township. They next removed to the farm where they now reside. He owns eighty acres of good land nearly all in cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Moffett are the parents of two children: James B., born January 1, 1869, and Mamie, born May 16, 1871; the latter died July 25, 1872. Mr. Moffett is a member of Farragut post, No. 27, G. A. R., and he and his entire family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a republican. to Miss Mary Wasson, of Gibson county, who was born September 15, 1815, and was the daughter of Joseph and Jane ( Adams) Wasson. Mr. Wasson was a Unitarian minister, and both he and his wife were natives of South Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. McJohnston are the parents of nine children, viz .: Catherine, born February 6, 1834; Arthur F., born February 19, 1837; Joseph W., born February 18, 1839; Maria J., born February 24, 1841; James W., born May 30, 1843; Melissa, born October 16, 1845; William H., born June 14, 1848; Levi I., born April 5, 1851, and Katie, born Febru- ary 21, 1854. All are living except the first two, Catherine, who died in her seventh year, and Arthur F., who died at the age of fifty, from the effects of exposure in the civil war, he having been a member of Company K, Sixty-fifth Indiana volunteers. Mr. and Mrs. McJohnston are now among the most venerable citizens of the county, and it is very interesting to hear them relate the many things of importance that have taken place within their recollection. They live all alone on the farm where they have been continuously for about forty years, but Mr. McJohnston has divided the estate among his children, and four of them live in sight of their parents. For their ad- vanced age they are hale and hearty, and seem to bid fair to remain some time yet. They were present at the birth of the county, and have witnessed its growth and advancement through all its stages of pro- gress, and have taken no small share in RACHEL H. PURDUE. - Daniel Williams, a native of Wales, immigrated to the making their portion of the county what it is. Mr. McJohnston's father was a Wes- United States before the revolutionary
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