USA > Indiana > Warrick County > Warrick and its prominent people : a history of Warrick County, Indiana from the time of its organization and settlement, with biographical sketches of some of its prominent people of the past and present > Part 10
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S. L. TYNER, M. D.
Chance not only has much to do at times with furthering men's progress in life, but has frequently been the cause of their adopting those very callings in which they afterwards attain a high degree of excellence, and, in some cases, become famous. Sir Robert Wilson, a general of distinction, would, in all likeli- hood, have adopted the law as his profession had it not been for a chance introduction to the Duke of York, which changed what might have been an indifferent lawyer into an able general. Gen. U. S. Grant's entrance upon a military career is said to be due to a circumstance of chance when a boy by borrowing butter from a neighbor one morning. Dr. Tyner's adoption of the medical profession is due to a fortunate and somewhat amusing circumstance. At the close of the war, in 1865, he returned home with the intention of engaging in farming. He began plowing the ground, and had doubtless been at work an hour or two when the horses, getting into a hornet's nest, ran away, tearing the plow and harness into flinders. Thoroughly disgusted, he went to the house, determined to engage in a more congenial business. After a conversation with his wife as to the stock of money on hand he decided to study medicine. Accordingly he entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, Sep- tember 28, 1865, and after attending the first course of lectures, commenced practicing at Somerville, Gibson county. In 1869
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he again entered college, and graduated the same year. He returned home and engaged in practice at Lynnville until 1876, when he removed to Boonville, forming a partnership with Dr. Scales. However, he returned to Lynnville in 1878, where he has since remained in the enjoyment of a wide practice.
Dr. Tyner was born in Cynthiana, Posey county, Ind., July 30th, 1838. His education was limited to fifteen months in the common schools of that time, and from his sixteenth to his twenty-second year he was engaged in blacksmithing. Septem- ber 20th, 1861, he enlisted in company K, 42d regiment Indi- ana volunteers, and participated in all the battles and skirmishes in which his company was engaged. At Goldsboro, N. C., he passed examination, and was commissioned as a surgeon in the army. He was mustered out of the service on July 28th, 1865. He is spoken of by his comrades as a brave and noble-hearted soldier, whose duty to his country as a patriotic citizen was ever uppermost in his mind.
Dr. Tyner was married to Mary J. Zimmerman, of Warrick county, April 13, 1858. She died January 21, 1859, less than one year after their marriage.
On the 30th of July, 1861, he was married to Jane Morrison, and by this union has had five children-four boys and one girl.
Dr. Tyner is devoted to his profession, and he is esteemed for his ability and admirable personal qualities by his fellow physi- cians. He has attained considerable success as a medical prac- titioner, and in county affairs generally he is one of the fore- most citizens.
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Charles Gordner, Sr.
CHARLES GORDNER, SR.
A large per cent of the business men of Warrick county are natives of Germany. They are nearly all men who came here with almost nothing, and have acquired means by frugality and . careful management. They are now the back-bone of the coun- ty. Charles Gordner, sr., is a worthy representative of this class. He is the son of Phillip and Louisa Gordner, and was born at Abendtheier, Birkenfeld, in Germany, January 17th, 1830. His father was a miller and in good circumstances. He received an ordinary school education, and at sixteen years of age was apprenticed for two years to learn blacksmithing. He travelled four years following his trade.
He was married to Julia Eppinghouse, August 27th, 1852. The next three years he was engaged in business for himself. July 27th, 1855, he sailed for America, and landed at New York on August 27th. He came direct to Evansville, and when he arrived there he had only forty cents left, which he gave to a drayman for taking his baggage from the wharf-boat. The first man whose acquaintance he formed was William Heilman, who at once became his friend and gave him employment in the foundry. However, after working here several weeks he fell sick and lost his position. When he recovered he worked at whatever he could get to do until March, 1856, when he came to Boonville, and here formed a partnership with Phillip Schneider in the blacksmithing business, but it was dissolved a short time afterwards, leaving Mr. Gordner in debt. He then entered into partnership with McCoy Casey in the same business, but it, too, was soon dissolved on account of Casey's ill-health. Being now considerably in debt and much discouraged, Mr. Gordner went to Samuel Orr, of Evansville, who had been supplying him with iron, related his misfortunes and stated that with the little money on hand he wanted to pay off his indebtedness and
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Warrick and its Prominent People.
relinquish the business. Orr told him to return to Boonville and go to work ; that he (Orr) would supply him with iron, which he might pay for whenever able. Mr. Gordner did as he was advised and in this manner was enabled to continue business, owing Samuel Orr as high as two and three hundred dollars up to 1863. Mr. Gordner is now in easy circumstances, but he still feels grateful to William Heilman and Samuel Orr, who were his steadfast friends when in need. Physically, Mr. Gordner is of low stature, but corpulent and robust, and his physiognomy bears a close resemblance to that of William Heilman. Mr. Gordner has never sought office himself, but he is a strong Re- publican, and a very influential member of his party, as well as a leading citizen.
WILLIAM B. SCALES, M. D.
William B. Scales, a leading practitioner of medicine of Boonville, was born in Pigeon township, Warrick county, on October 9th, 1841. His father, Thomas Scales, was recorder of Warrick county from 1867 to 1875, and was an old resident of the county, having settled in this section with his father in 1807 (see sketch of William Scales). He was married to Sarah Bogan, a native of Kentucky, in June, 1826, and they had five children-three girls and two boys-of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest.
Mr. Scales was a quiet unpretentious citizen, and a member of the Baptist church. He was born September 2, 1805, and died in October, 1876.
At the age of seventeen years William B. Scales, like many other young men of the present, commenced teaching school for the purpose of earning money with which to qualify himself for his chosen pursuit in life, and taught several terms. He
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William B. Scales, M. D.
attended the academy at Dale, Spencer county, which was one of the best educational institutions in Southern Indiana, during 1859 and 1860. His parents wanted him to become a lawyer, but he preferred the study of medicine, and he became a student in the office of Dr. Wm. T. Houghland, of Taylorsville, from 1864 to 1867, when he entered the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati. After completing his first course in college he com- menced practicing at West Buena Vista, Gibson county, where he remained five years, and then moved to Boonville. In 1876 he formed a partnership with Dr. S. L. Tyner, and during the winters of 1877-8 he again attended the medical college, com- pleting his course.
The partnership with Dr. Tyner was dissolved in 1878, and in January, 1879, another was formed with Dr. T. J. Hargan. In 1863 Dr. Scales enlisted in the 91st Indiana regiment, com- pany B, under Captain Bogan ; but on account of ill health was discharged, after being in the field three months. He was married to Emma Badger, on April 2, 1868. Dr. Scales has been remarkably successful in his profession. He has estab- lished an enviable reputation in this county as a skillful physi- cian, and enjoys an extensive practice.
GUSTAVUS SCHREIBER.
Gustavus Schreiber was born at Herford, Prussia, October 2, 1839. His parents, August and Albertine Schreiber, were in good circumstances, and his father was an officer of the probate court in his native city. Gustavus attended the high school at Herford, which was superior to many of our American colleges, where thoroughness is compulsory, and he obtained a good school education. At fifteen years of age he obtained a position as a clerk in the Transportation and Banking House at Minden,
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Prussia, where he remained four years, and it was here he acquired much of the excellent business knowledge, which has been of great service to him in after years. He was afterwards a travelling salesman for wholesale hardware dealers in Prussia. In 1865 he emigrated to this country, arriving at New York on the first day of May in that year. He came direct to Evans- ville, Indiana, where he obtained employment with Topf & Long, wholesale saddle and harness dealers, as book-keeper for the firm, and he remained with them a little over a year. In the fall of 1866 he became acquainted with Victor Bisch, audi- tor of Vanderburgh county at that time, who offered him a posi- tion as clerk in the auditor's office, which he accepted in order that he might become more familiar with the English language. He relinquished this place after holding it one year, and in 1867 accepted a position with Major Blythe Hynes, at that time clerk of Vanderburgh county, which, however, he also relinquished at the end of five months, having been appointed by Victor Bisch as deputy assessor of Vanderburgh county. On account of the sickness of the assessor Mr. Schreiber was employed until May, 1868, in making the assessment. In 1868 he was married to Babetta Kuechler, of Evansville, a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. In July of the same year he moved to Inglefield, Vanderburgh county, where he engaged in the grocery business. He removed to Buckskin, Gibson county, Indiana, in February 1869, and in partnership with his brother-in-law kept a grocery store. In January, 1871, Mr. Schreiber came to Boonville, and engaged in the hardware and grocery trade with Wm. Kinder- man, but in 1875 this partnership was dissolved, since when he has continued in the business himself, conducting it on a larger scale and enjoying an extensive patronage. Mr. Schreiber is an excellent accountant and possesses extraordinary business quali- fications. In 1878 he was chosen at the Democratic primary
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Gustavus Schreiber.
election as the candidate of that party for auditor of Warrick county, but was defeated by a very small majority. However, this defeat was not caused by personal unpopularity, but by odious issues sprung by the opposition at that time which had no individual relation whatever to him, and no such charge was even made during the campaign. He was renominated for the office by the Democratic convention in 1880, but owing to the annullment by the Supreme Court of the constitutional amend- ments, making the election of auditor unnecessary that year, the candidacy was of course abandoned. He has served four terms as councilman of Boonville, besides holding various minor offices of trust and honor, and some of the most important offices in the several secret societies of which he is a leading member. Mr. Schreiber is one of the best business men in Southern In- diana, and he has earned an excellent reputation for integrity. In political matters he has always taken an active part with the Democratic party. Mr. Schreiber's true worth is known only by those who have enjoyed his intimate acquaintance. He never talks to the public and hence the public knows nothing of the man. The freedom of thought and action is sacred to him, and honor and honesty guides him in his intercourse with men.
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C. J. KEEGAN, M. D.
Dr. Charles J. Keegan, who has been a practicing physician at Millersburg for twenty-three years, was born in Vanderburgh county, January 15th, 1832. His parents, Patrick and Eliza M. Keegan, were natives of Longford county, Ireland, and came to this country in their youth. Dr. Keegan obtained a common school education, and commenced the study of medi- cine under Dr. M. J. Bray, of Evansville. In 1856 he entered the Rush Medical College at Chicago, where he graduated in
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1858. However, during a part of 1857 he practiced at Millers- burg with Dr. Runcie, and after his graduation he located there.
March 16, 1858, he was married to Lucy H. Miller, a native of Cumberland county, Kentucky.
Dr. Keegan is a Republican politically, and is an active worker in his party. Religiously he is a Methodist Episcopa- lian. He has no aspirations outside of his profession, to which he devotes all his energies. He was one of the charter members of the Warrick County Medical Society, of which he was Presi- dent. He is a member of the State Medical Society, and also of the Tri-State Medical Society. He stands high in his profes- sion as a practicing physician of extraordinary skill and ability. He is a gentleman of fine personal appearance and pleasing address, and is highly esteemed by his fellow citizens and pro- fessional brethren.
CHARLES SCHNEIDER, SR.
The subject of this sketch is one of the oldest and most prom- inent German citizens of Boonville. He is the son of John C. and Louisa Schneider, and was born June 17th, 1820, in Idar, Fuerstenthum, Province of Birkenfeld, in Germany. His parents were in comfortable circumstances, and he received a good com- mon school education. At thirteen years of age he was appren- ticed to learn the silversmith trade, and he travelled through Germany eight years following that business. In 1848 he emi- grated to America, arriving at New Orleans. He came direct to Evansville, and after spending a week there came to Boon- ville, where he remained with his uncle during the winter. He then returned to Evansville, and learned the gunsmith trade with Chas. Kellar, with whom he remained five years. August 25th, 1853, he was married to Phillipina Hepp. In June, 1854,
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Charles Schneider, Sr.
he removed to Boonville, and engaged in gunsmithing in a log cabin on the west side of the public square, where a row of brick business houses now stand. He has been a witness to and a participant in the business progress of the town for now almost thirty years. Last year he opened a large and well selected grocery store in Boonville, which he has intrusted to his son William. He has six children. The eldest, Charles Schnei- der, jr., is of the firm of Baker & Schneider, druggists, of Boonville.
Mr. Schneider has lived a quiet, unpretentious life, and was never a candidate for political office. He is a leading member of the German M. E. Church of Boonville, and is a highly esteemed citizen.
JOHN L. TAYLOR
Among the very young men of Warrick county who have received honorable recognition at the hands of the people none of the present day are more prominent than John Lewis Taylor. He was born August 30th, 1850, in Anderson township, Warrick county, and is the eldest son of Peter and Jane Taylor. Until twenty-three years of age he worked on his father's farm, and his school advantages were very poor, but in 1869 his father moved to Boonville, and he attended the graded school at this place two years. In 1871 he taught school in Anderson township, and the following spring attended the Normal school at Oakland City, Indiana. In the fall of 1871 he entered the freshman class for a scientific course in the State University at Blooming- ton, Indiana, and attended regularly three years, completing the junior course. He then returned home and during the winter of 1875-6 taught the graded school at Lynnville, this county. During the intervals of school hours he read law, and at the
I2
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Warrick and its Prominent People.
close of his school in the spring of 1876 he entered the office of Judge John B. Handy and pursued his law studies with avid- ity. It was during this year that he first took an active part in politics, canvassing the county in company with Hon. Benoni S. Fuller, then a candidate for re-election to Congress, and speak- ing in the interest of Tilden and the Democratic party. During the winter of 1876-7 he was teacher of the grammar grade in the Boonville schools. At the close of his school he was admitted to the bar and formed a partnership with John T. Thompson, with whom he had studied law in Judge Handy's office. After practicing about one year this partnership was dissolved, and in October, 1877, Mr. Taylor entered the Cincinnati Law School, which he attended regularly until his graduation on the 20th of May, 1878. He returned home and two weeks afterwards was nominated by the Democratic party for representative of War- rick county. He was elected by an overwhelming majority, being by far the largest received by any candidate on either tick- et, which is an auspicious beginning of political life for one so young as the subject.
January 5th, 1879, he was married to Katie E., daughter of Dr. W. L. Barker, a lady of extraordinary social qualities.
Mr. Taylor's career in the Legislature is worthy of passing notice. While he was watchful of the interests of his constitu- ents, he made no attempt to display statesmanship or take rank as a leader, as is too often the fault with ambitious young men just entering public life, but by "allowing his light to shine with becoming modesty," and being faithful to his trust, he won the esteem of both opponent and constituent. He was a creditable representative of the county and his official record in the State Legislature is one that will bear the closest scrutiny.
At the close of the session of the Legislature Mr. Taylor re- turned home and in partnership with W. H. Patterson again
Charles Parke, M. D.
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John L. Taylor.
commenced the practice of law. He has held the office of clerk of Boonville for two terms. In 1876 he was appointed deputy prosecutor for Warrick county by G. L. Rheinhard, but on entering law school in 1877 resigned. On his return home from the Legislature in 1879 he was re-appointed to the position, which he held until the expiration of the term in 1880. He was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court in 1879.
In 1880 he was appointed contingent Presidential elector for the First Congressional District by the Democratic State conven- tion. In the Presidential campaign of 1880 he took a very active part and was chosen as chairman of the Democratic cen- tral committee of Warrick county to succeed John Nester. He is recognized in his party as a leader and is very popular.
Socially, Mr. Taylor is an affable gentleman, and those most intimately acquainted with him like him best. He is a lover of literature and reads much desultorily. A prominent character- istic is his fearless manner of expressing his convictions and the zeal with which he supports his cause.
CHARLES PARKE, M. D.
Dr. Charles Parke, of Millersburgh, was born in Westneath county, Ireland, the boyhood home of Oliver Goldsmith, on June 3rd, 1836. His parents, Robert and Catherine Parke, came to America when he was five years old, and settled in Vanderburgh county, where he was raised. His grandfather, George Simpson, was wounded at the battle of Waterloo, and was a pensioned soldier of the British government.
The subject of this sketch received such an education as was afforded by the common schools, and he then taught school several terms to save money with which to attend college. He entered the State University at Bloomington, Ind., in 1853, and
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Warrick and its Prominent People.
was in the junior class at the time of beginning of the war. He enlisted in company C of the 6th Kentucky cavalry, under Col. Halisey, and was in the United States service three years, and the State service two months. He participated in the battles of Richmond, Ky., Chicamauga, and nearly all the battles of the army of the Cumberland, besides having an almost daily skir- mish with the enemy. He was one of the seventy-five soldiers that defended themselves for over eight hours in the Rasacca court-house against an army of three thousand, which was one of the most heroic achievements of the late war. He was also one of the three that captured Col. Orton Williams, chief of artillery on Bragg's staff, who was a spy in the union camp at Franklin, Tenn. His war career was one of unusual exposure and active service, and he can recount hour after hour incidents of personal experience of thrilling interest. He enlisted Novem- ber 20th, 1861, and was discharged December 22d, 1864.
After the close of the war he commenced the study of medi- cine with Drs. Runcie and Hilliard, of Millersburgh. He graduated at the Miami Medical College, of Cincinnati, March 1, 1867, and at once commenced practicing in Millersburgh, where he has since resided. He was married June 24, 1869, to Mary A. Jarrett, of Warrick county, and they have three children, viz: J. F., Clara B., and Chas. A. Parke.
Dr. Parke has always been a Republican, having cast his first vote for Oliver P. Morton and Abraham Lincoln. He is a member of the Episcopal church, and it is to his support that the building of Union church, of Millersburgh, is largely due. He is also a member of the Masonic order. He is strongly opposed to the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors, and the zealousness with which he has advocated these principles has stamped him as the champion of the temperance cause in this section. He enjoys a large, lucrative practice. is interested in various enterprises, and is a gentleman that generally leads and succeeds in whatever he undertakes.
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I. E. Youngblood.
I. E. YOUNGBLOOD.
Israel Ephraim Youngblood, the third of a family of five chil- dren, was born August 5th, 1840, five miles south of Boonville, in Warrick county. Hisfather, James W. Youngblood, was a son of the Rev. John W. Youngblood, the pioneer preacher, and was born in Warrick county. When the subject was only five years of age his father died, leaving the widow and a family of five children wholly dependent upon themselves for a livelihood. However, Mrs. Youngblood was a woman of rare energy and executiveness, and by industry and frugality she succeeded in rearing her little family in comfort, besides giving them such local school advantages as the county at that time afforded. By force of necessity our subject performed the duties of a farm laborer at a very early age, together with his two brothers, the fruits of their industry going toward the support of the family and the improvement of their home. When twenty-one years old a horse afflicted with fistula was given him by his mother, which he succeeded in curing, and sold at a fair price. His mother needing money at that time, he gave her all of the amount, in return for which she gave him a colt. He after- wards sold the colt to his brother for $125, and this money he decided to spend towards obtaining an education. Accordingly he entered the Indiana. State Normal School at Terre Haute in March, 1871. At the close of the spring term he returned home and raised a crop of tobacco during the summer, and sowed wheat in the fall. The proceeds of this crop were com- paratively large, and he was now able to repay borrowed money which he had used in defraying school expenses. After attend-
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ing a second term of the State Normal School, he returned home and worked on the farm. In the winter of 1872-3 he taught school in Ohio township, and saved sufficient money to attend the Normal School a part of the winter and all the spring term of 1873. The winter of 1873-4 he taught school in Boon township. With the money he had now saved, and after bor- rowing a small amount, he re-entered the State Normal School in the spring of 1874, and attended regularly until his gradua- tion in June, 1875. The perseverance here manifested in obtaining an education under such adverse circumstances deserves praise, and is a worthy example to the poor young man who would improve his condition.
The young graduate now returned home, but being too ambi- tious to again teach a country school, borrowed $25 at twenty- five per cent. interest, and started out in the world to obtain a more lucrative position in his chosen avocation. He was chosen principal of a school of two grades at Oaktown, Knox county, Indiana, at a salary of $4 00 per day, and in the spring of the following year taught a normal school at Carlisle, Indiana. To earn money with which to visit the Centennial Exposition in 1876 he taught a select school in Bethel township, Posey county, during July and August of that year, after which he went on a tour through the East, visiting some of the principal cities and popular resorts. In the fall of 1876 he was chosen principal of the graded school at McCutchanville, Vanderburg county, and he here taught several branches with remarkable success which he had not studied while at the State Normal School.
In June, 1877, Mr. Youngblood w.is elected superintendent of the schools of Warrick county. Under his administration there has been a marked improvement in the schools of the county, and they have advanced fully fifty per cent He was the first superintendent to grade the schools of the county, besides which
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