USA > Ohio > Memoirs of the lower Ohio valley, personal and genealogical : with portraits, Volume I > Part 30
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
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twenty-five. The work accomplished by this divine has been simply wonderful. He has never tired of pushing the good work, and to-day he can look back over his past life and truthfully say that he has done his whole duty. No other priest in Louisville stands higher in the estimation of the higher church dignitaries and of the people of Louis- ville than Father Bax. He has done so much for the city and his parish that he is esteemed and reverenced by all. It is to be hoped that his life may be spared for years to come and that the work of the parish under his direction may continue to grow.
HENRY A. J. PULS, the leading dyer and cleaner of wearing apparel for both men and women, Louisville, Ky., was born in Holstein, Germany, Feb. 17, 1855. In 1872 his parents, August and Mary (Sat- tel) Puls, came to America and located in Chicago, where the father opened a dyeing establishment and conducted it until 1879, when he removed to Alabama. There he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1897. Henry A. J. Puls was educated in the schools of his native land before coming to this country. He learned trade of dyer with his father and for several years worked at it as a journeyman in Chicago. In 1886 he went to Evansville, where he managed a dyeing establishment for five years. At the end of that time he came to Louisville and opened a dye-house of his own. It was soon discovered by the people of the city that his work was of a high order and the natural result was to bring him a large volume of business. His trade extends not only to the city of Louis- ville, but to a large number of the surrounding towns in Kentucky and the adjoining states, his plant being thoroughly "up-to-date" and probably the best of its kind in the entire Lower Ohio Valley. Politically Mr. Puls is a Democrat, but can hardly be called an active party worker. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight of Pythias, and a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. On June 21, 1887, he was married to Miss Anna, daughter of Frank Sattel, of Bavaria, Germany, and has two children: Luella and Walter.
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JACOB A. TOGGWEILER, shingler, with the Ewald Iron Company, Louisville, Ky., and colonel of the Twelfth regiment of the Kentucky Uniform Rank, Woodmen of the World, was born at Zurich, Switzer- land, Oct. 23, 1869, his parents being Albert and Mary A. (Kung) Toggweiler. Until he was seventeen years of age he continued to live in his native city, receiv- ing his education by attending school two days in the week, the remainder of his time being devoted to learning the tinners' trade. For this privilege he paid the sum of $200. In 1886 he came to America and soon after his arrival in this country made his way to Louisville, where for the next six years he worked at his trade. He then entered the employ of the Ewald Iron Company, with which concern he has been connected, with the exception of short intervals now and then, ever since. At the pres- ent time he holds the position of head shingler with the company, hav- ing charge of that division of the work. Prior to the Spanish-Ameri- can war he was a member of the Kentucky State Guards and on June 5, 1898, was mustered into the Federal service as a member of Com- pany A, First Kentucky volunteers, to serve in the war, the regiment being mustered in at Lexington. The regiment was ordered to Chickamauga Park, where it remained from June IIth to July 25th, when it was ordered to Porto Rico, arriving on that island August 17th. When peace was declared, on Dec. 5, 1898, it returned to the United States and was discharged from the service in February, 1899. Colonel Toggweiler is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of Modoc Lodge, No. 102, Improved Order of Red Men; Live Oak Camp, No. 6, Woodmen of the World, which enjoys the distinction of being the largest camp in the State of Kentucky and to the Amal- gamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers. On Dec. 2, 1903, he was elected major of the Twelfth regiment, Uniform Rank, Wood- men of the World, and served in that capacity until in June 8, 1904, when he was promoted to the colonelcy to succeed S. J. Hall, who was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, commanding the First brigade. In October, 1891, Colonel Toggweiler was married to Miss Lizzie, daughter of Henry and Anna (Hudson) Gottschalk, of Louis- ville, her father being a native of Germany and her mother of Ken- tucky. To this marriage has been born one son, Arthur M. Both
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Colonel Toggweiler and his wife belong to the Church of Christ and are consistent practitioners of the precepts of their religious faith. In politics Colonel Toggweiler is a Republican; is recognized as one of the progressive men of the city, and is universally popular because of his many sterling qualities.
AMOS LEMMON, assistant clerk of the circuit court of Harrison county, Ind., was born in that county, Aug. 3, 1850, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Johnson) Lemmon, both natives of Shelby county, Ky. Both of his grandfathers, James Lemmon and Henson Johnson, were sol- diers in the Revolutionary war. His an- cestors on his father's side emigrated from Europe in 1763, being two brothers. They settled at Baltimore, remaining there a number of years agitating the question in favor of American liberty, and when the war came on they were at the front and in the heat of battle and were present at Braddock's defeat and the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. James, being a youth of twelve years, officiated as a message-bearer between his father and General Washington during the struggle of the Revolution. After peace had been established the family remained in Pennsylvania until 1786, when they removed to Kentucky, where John Lemmon, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1804. When John was twelve years of age his parents came to Indiana, settling in Harrison county. He was a life long Demo- crat and a recognized leader of his party. He served as county com- missioner for a number of years, was elected to the legislature in 1852, re-elected two years later and again in 1862 as the representative from Harrison county, and elected in 1864 as the joint representative from Washington and Harrison counties. John Lemmon was an ordained minister of the regular Baptist church, preaching in Indiana and Illi- nois for twenty years previous to his death. John and Elizabeth Lemmon were the parents of ten children, four sons and six daugh- ters. James W. was a merchant at Rockport, Ind., until his death in 1886. He was also active in politics and in 1862 was elected a member of the legislature from Spencer county, serving in the same session with his father. Henson Lemmon died in 1892, being for many years a prominent liveryman of Corydon, Ind. Daniel F. is a
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prominent attorney at law, was superintendent of the public schools of Harrison county for twelve years, and was also clerk of the Harri- son circuit court for four years. Four daughters, Mary E. Pfrimmer, Ellen Pfrimmer, Sarah J. Zenor and Martha E. Hess are living and two, Annie Benson and Eliza C. Zollman are dead. Amos, the sub- ject of this sketch was educated in the common schools, afterward attending the Hartsville university at Hartsville, Ind., and for about one year taught in the public schools of Harrison county. In 1871 he went to Rockport, where he entered the employ of his brother James and was in the store with him until 1883. He then returned to Corydon in his native county and a year later was appointed deputy clerk of the Harrison circuit court. Since that time he has been continuously in the public service either as assistant to the clerk or the auditor. In 1892 he was elected clerk of the circuit court of his county and served one term of four years. His long service stands as a testimony, not only as to his expertness and efficiency as an accountant, but to his popularity as a Democrat and citizen. Mr. Lemmon has not forgotten his early training, however, and still retains his farm near Corydon and there makes his residence. On June 2, 1877, he was married to Miss Caddie, the daughter of Morris Sharp, a merchant of Rockport. She died without children in 1882 and on June 15, 1884, Mr. Lemmon led to the altar Dora, daughter of John P. and Sarah (Faith) Sonner, of Harrison county. To this marriage there have been born three children: Walter Wesseler, born March 9, 1886, and died at the age of one and one-half years; Georgia Hess, born February 18, 1888, and Hardin John, born October 24, 1890. Mr. Lemmon and his family are attendants at the Presby- terian church; he is a member of Gregg Lodge, No. 235, Independent Order of Odd Fellows located at Corydon; and is popular in the community at large, because of his genial disposition and general good-fellowship.
PLEASANT JENKINS, of Corydon, Ind., one of the best known educators in that section of the state, and now superintendent of the Harrison county schools, was born in that county, June 2, 1869. His parents, Leroy and Charlotte (Baylor) Jenkins, were both natives of Indiana, the former of Clark and the latter of Harrison county. But little is known of the Jenkins family, further than it originated in Vir- ginia, as all reliable records of the ancestry have been lost. Leroy Jenkins was a soldier in the Mexican war, serving under Gen. Zachary Taylor, and while in the military service he received an injury that
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gave him trouble all his subsequent life. Pleasant Jenkins received his primary education in the public schools of his native county, afterward attending the Central Normal college at Danville, Ind. Upon leaving school he adopted the profession of teaching and taught for fifteen years in the Harrison county schools. In June, 1903, he was elected superintendent of the county schools, a position for which his long experience as a teacher, and his intimate knowledge of the needs and character of the schools, gave him a peculiar fitness. The field of his labors is a large one, there being thirteen townships in the county, but his duties are performed with an efficiency and conscien- tiousness that fully demonstrates the wisdom of his selection. Mr. Jenkins is not a pretentious individual. He believes in doing rather than talking. In his visits to the schools his mission is improve- ment. The teachers know that his criticisms of their methods are made with a view to that end and not simply for the purpose of show- ing off his superior position. Consequently there is always perfect harmony between him and those under his supervision. In addition to his school duties he owns and manages the old homestead formerly owned by his father. As a farmer he is as thorough as he is in teach- ing, giving that attention to details that brings success. He is a member of Georgetown Lodge, No. 641, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has a high standing and a due measure of popu- larity. On April 12, 1896, Mr. Jenkins was married to Miss Lizzie K., daughter of Harvey and Nancy (Bryerly) Johnson, natives of Harrison and Floyd county, respectively, Mr. Johnson being now a prominent farmer of the former county. Mrs. Jenkins is a member of the Christian church.
JOHN F. HABERMEL, Corydon, Ind., assessor of Harrison county, was born on a farm in that county, Oct. 24, 1856. His par- ents, Joseph and Catherine (Gettlefinger) Habermel, were natives of Germany, but came to America in 1856, settling upon a farm in Har- rison county, where the father died some years later: They had three children: Frederick, now living upon the old home farm, which he manages; Josephine, also living upon the homestead; and John F., the subject of this sketch. In 1865 Mrs. Habermel, the mother of these children, married John Geppner, of Dubois county, Ind., and by this marriage has the following children: John, who lives on the home place, Maggie, wife of Richard B. Dewess, of Jeffersonville; and Theresa, wife of Joseph Granger, a grocer at Howard Park, in Clark county. John F. Habermel attended the public schools of Har-
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rison county until he was fourteen years of age, when he went to Mobile, Ala., where he was for some time employed in a store con- ducted by his uncles, the firm being J. J. Diemer & Co. While in Mobile he attended school and completed his education. After five years in Mobile he returned to Harrison county and in 1875 the family removed to Indianapolis, where he found employment in a wholesale grocery house, remaining there two years, when the family returned to the farm. In 1881 Mr. Habermel took up his residence in Bradford, a village of Harrison county, where he opened a general store. His experience in Mobile and Indianapolis gave him excel- lent qualifications for a mercantile life, and the result is he has been prosperous in the undertaking. Shortly after locating at Bradford he began to take an active part in the politics of his county. In 1886 he was elected township assessor for Morgan township, and continued to hold the office until 1895. In 1893 he was appointed postmaster at the capitol, during the session of the legislature, and while in this position he made many new friends by his genial disposition and his uniform courtesy and kindness. In 1900 he was elected to the office of county assessor, which position he holds at the present time and in which he has fully demonstrated that he is the right man for the place. In order to give more attention to his official duties he sold his store in 1902 and removed to Corydon. In politics Mr. Haber- mel is a Democrat of the rock-ribbed type, and is always ready to defend his political views. He was married, June 14, 1881, to Miss Clara, the daughter of William Brockman, of Louisville, Ky., and to this union there have been born seven children, viz: William, born Oct. 29, 1882, a teacher in the Harrison county schools; Katie, born in April, 1884; Zetta, July 1, 1885; Susie, in November, 1887; America, in 1889; Clara, in December, 1897, and John, in March, 1900. William, the eldest son, was married in November, 1903, to Miss Katie Baker of Bradford. Mrs. Clara Habermel studied medi- cine before her marriage and began practice in 1879. As a homeo- pathic physician she has few equals and since her marriage she has continued to practice her profession. In addition to a technical knowledge of the science of medicine she has all the gentle nature of the wife and mother, which plays an important part in winning the confidence of the patient and in this way contributes to her success and popularity. Mr. and Mrs. Habermel are both members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church at Corydon.
Abriam others
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HIRAM AKERS, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, was a member of one of the oldest and most prominent families of Clark county, Ind., and a man who, in his day, wielded a great influ- ence in the development of the material resources of the country in the vicinity of the Falls of the Ohio. About the beginning of the nineteenth century his father and grandfather left their homes in Virginia to seek their fortunes in the Ohio Valley, which was then almost unknown to civilized men. After living for several years in Shelby county, Ky., they crossed the river and located permanently near Muddy Fork Blockhouse, in what is now Wood township, Clark county. That was in 1809, and from that time to the present some representatives of the family have been identified with the growth and development of that region. Hiram Akers was born near the blockhouse on Feb. 26, 1812. He grew to manhood without those conveniences in the way of schools that boys of the present genera- tion enjoy, but the education of the frontier made him a strong, self- reliant man. What he lacked in book learning he more than made up in force of character. He was an upright Christian man, was one of the founders of the old State Run church, where his remains now rest in peace near his old home. In his later life he became the owner of a considerable tract of land in Jeffersonville township, near the Floyd county line, where he also held important milling interests. The old brick house, which he erected in 1848, and which was built of brick manufactured on the place, is still standing. It is one of the landmarks of the neighborhood, a silent but at the same time elo- quent witness to the industry and frugality of one of the early set- tlers. Mr. Akers was married on Oct. 10, 1833, to a Miss Amelia Garrittson, of Floyd county. A son, Reason L. Akers, was born to this marriage on Jan. 9, 1837. He grew to maturity in Clark county and, like his father, was a potent factor in shaping the affairs of the community. When the dread news spread in the spring of 1861, that the Confederates had fired upon Fort Sumter, he was one of the first to offer his services to his country for the suppression of the rebellion. He was connected with various volunteer organizations raised in Floyd county and made an honorable record as a soldier. After the war he engaged in the cement business in Clark county, which he continued to follow until his death, Nov. 23, 1878. His father, Hiram Akers, died May 22, 1856. Reason L. Akers married Miss Louisa Miller, of Clark county, on Sept. 28, 1865, and to this union were born a son and daughter: Matthew L., now living in Louisville, Ky., where he holds a responsible position in the service
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of the Big Four railway, and Miss Minnie Akers, residing in New Albany, Ind. Thus for four generations the family have been a part of the warp and woof of Clark county and the immediate vicinity. In all that time the representatives of the family have occupied a high place in the general esteem. Hiram Akers is still spoken of by old settlers as a man of the highest ideals and the most spotless integrity. These qualities he has transmitted to his descendants, and the name of Akers is one that is honored and respected in the three cities around the Falls of the Ohio.
JAMES HARGAN (deceased), who was for many years one of the leading business men of Madison, Ind., was a native of Ireland, hav- ing been born near Londonderry, in 1828. In his early youth he came to America with his parents, who settled in Cincinnati, where James received his education and learned the trade of locksmith. Later he came to Madison, and engaged in the retail grocery busi- ness, where he continued to live until his death, May 8, 1898. While living in Cincinnati he was married to a Miss Symms, and by this marriage he had one son, George Symms Hargan, now one of the leading wholesale grocers of Madison, and also a dealer in liquors at wholesale, as a member of the firm of Hargan & Johnson, the busi- ness having been established by his father. James Hargan's first wife died in Cincinnati, and after coming to Madison he married Mary Louise Luck, a daughter of Jacob and Louise (Cudlipp) Luck, both natives of England. Jacob Luck came to Baltimore in his youth, there learned the hatters' trade, and was for many years a member of the firm of Bartlett & Luck, dealers in hats and caps at Madison. He and his wife both died soon after the Civil war, in which he served for about six months. By his second wife Mr. Hargan had three children, viz .: Louise, now the wife of Greenville Johnson, of the firm of Hargan & Johnson, and the mother of two children, Corinne and Helen; Harvey W., engaged in the hardware business at Madi- son; his wife was Miss Caroline Howe, a daughter of S. Q. Howe, of Patriot, Ind., and a descendant of Lord Howe of Revolutionary fame; they had three children, Mary F., Caroline V., and James; James, now engaged in the drug trade, married May Barnard of Madison and they have three children, also: Gladys B., Joseph, and Martha L. James Hargan, during his life was a representative busi- ness man and a model citizen. He was a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and nearly all the family are members of the Episcopal church.
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WILLIAM S. NYE, manufacturer of and dealer in monuments, marble and granite work, etc., Corydon, Ind., is a native of the Key- stone State, having been born near Brady's Lake, Pa., Oct. 9, 1862. He is a son of Seth S. Nye, a prominent minister of the Christian church, who came to Harrison county, Ind., in 1868, and though now in his eightieth year he is still hale and hearty, taking an active inter- est in his church work. William S. is the fourth child in a family of five. Herman M. is now in the milling business at Elmwood, Neb .; Wilbur C. is in the hotel and livery business at Bickelton, Wash .; Alva Austin is a contractor of stone work at Georgetown, Ind .; and Stella is the wife of Leonard C. Keller, a member of the mercantile house of the W. H. Keller Company, of Corydon. William S. Nye attended the public schools of Harrison county until he was about sixteen years of age, when he began life on his own account as a farm hand. After a short season at this occupation he went into the marble cutting establishment of H. Byrn & Son, of Corydon, and there learned the trade of marble cutter. Forming a partnership with J. M. Shaw the firm embarked in the monument business at Corydon. At the close of the first year Mr. Nye purchased his part- ner's interest and since then has been the sole proprietor of the busi- ness. In every cemetery around Corydon may be seen the handi- work of Mr. Nye in the monuments of chaste and tasteful design that mark the last resting place of those who have joined the silent majority. Mr. Nye takes a commendable interest in political affairs and in 1900 was elected coroner of the county, which office he held for one term. He is a member and one of the principal officers of Gres- ham Camp, No. 3270, Modern Woodmen of America, of Corydon. In 1893 he married Miss Lena, daughter of Levi W. Mauck, a promi- nent farmer of Harrison county and a member of the family from whom Mauckport received its name. Mr. and Mrs. Nye have had born to them five children: Nellie G., William J., deceased, George M., Daisy C. and Russell.
WILLIAM DANIEL, M.D., of Corydon, Ind., one of the lead- ing physicians of Harrison and adjoining counties, was born at Milltown, Crawford county, Ind., Oct. 7, 1852, his parents being Wil- liam S. and Sarah C. (Russell) Daniel, the former a native of New Albany, Ind., and the latter of Shenandoah county, Va. In 1851 Doc- tor Daniel's father located at Milltown, where he engaged in the harnesss and saddlery business until 1890, when he retired and now lives on a fine farm near that place. He has been three times mar-
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ried. His first wife, who was the mother of Doctor Daniel, bore him four children, viz .: William, the subject of this sketch; Oliver, deceased; John, a physician of Georgetown, Ind., and a second son named Oliver, who lived in Floyd county. The mother of these children died in 1871 and in 1875 Mr. Daniel married Julia Westfall, of Harrison county, who died within a year after the marriage. In 1880 the father married Julia Cole, of Crawford county, and they have one child, Olive, now the wife of Doctor Rhodes of Milltown. William S. Daniel served a term in the regular army in his youth and was one of the first men to volunteer in the Civil war, enlisting on April 19, 1861, in Company G, Twenty-third Indiana infantry, as an orderly sergeant. At the battle of Holly Springs, Miss., he was pro- moted for gallant conduct on the field, and at the close of the war was mustered out as a sergeant-major. Doctor Daniel received his primary education in the public schools and attended the Marengo academy, giving music lessons and teaching in the public schools to earn sufficient funds to pay his way through medical college. In September, 1873, he entered the Louisville Medical college and graduated in. February, 1875, with the degree of M.D. During the last year he was in college he served on the staff of the public dis- pensary and after his graduation, by competitive examination, was awarded a place as resident physician of the Louisville city hospital. He resigned the position, however, in July of the same year, and came to Corydon, where he became associated with Dr. Harvey Wolfe in the general practice of medicine. After a year with Doctor Wolfe he went to Marengo and practiced there until 1886, when he returned to Corydon and bought the good-will and practice of his old partner, Doctor Wolfe, remaining there ever since. In 1886 Doctor Daniel took post-graduate work in the hospital college of medicine of the Central university at Louisville, receiving the Ad Eundem degree. As a physician he has built up a lucrative business and ranks as one of the successful practitioners of Southern Indiana. He is a member of the Indiana Medical association; the Mississippi Valley Medical association; the Medical Society of the Mitchell district of Indiana; and the Medical Societies of Floyd and Crawford counties. In 1899 he was appointed secretary of the Harrison county board of health, and still holds that position. He is a member of Pisgah Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Gregg Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the Tribe of Ben Hur, at Corydon. He is also a member and one of the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has been for several years superintendent of the Sunday
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