Dearborn County, Indiana - The whole text, 1915 (part 13 of 15)

Hennan I'.erner was born in Switzerland county, Indiana, on July 9, 1866. a son of Ercd and Louisa (Eerkemeyer) Berner, both natives of \\'ehringdorf, Osnabruck, Germany. Ered immigrated to the United States when a young man, settling in Swit?:erland county. There he purchased a farm of eighty acres, where he passed the remainder of his life, meeting his death by drowning when in middle age. Louisa, his wife, came to this countf}' with her parents in 184S. when eighteen years old, and was married one , year later. She was a daughter of Frank and ^lalissa ( P>erkemeyer ) I'.erkemeyer, who settled in Switzerland county and there passed the remaining years of their lives. There were six children in the Berkemeyer family, two having died in early infancy. The others are Louisa, Ernest. Charles and Malissa.

The paternal grandparents were Herman Berner and his wife. Elizabeth, both natives of Wehringdorf, Osnabruck, Germany, Avho came m ilie United States and in the early history of this section .settled in Ripley county,

work. He then came back to Indiana, settling at Friendship, where for twelve years he worked on a farm and conducted a huckster business j)art of the time. In igoo he came to Clay town.^hip and purcliascd the old Perlce farm containing- one hnndred and eleven acres, for which he paid fonrieen hundred and fifty dollars. On this homestead he has continued since to make liis home, and carries on general farming as practiced in this section of the countr}-. Mr. Eerner follows twentieth century methods in conducting the business of his homestead, and his land and huildings attest the fact that he is thorough in his work.

Herman Berner was married on .August 12, 1896, to Sophia Lou.isa Vinup. daughter of Henry and Mary (Oatman) Vinup, the former of whom is a native of Germany who came to this country when a youn.g man. He located in Ohio county, where he first jjurchased ten acres of ground. This he put into an excellent state of cultivation, got it paid for and then added to his original holdings from time to time until at the time of his death he owned a fine farm of one hundred and si.xty acres. lie passed away on .-\ugust 25, 1903. ]\rrs. Vinup died on .April iS. 191 1. There were eight cliildrcn in their family, namely: Henry, Carrie, William, John, .\nnie. George, Sophia (}ilrs. Berner) and Lucinda. ]\Irs. Berner was born in Ohio county on February 5, 1875, and received her education in the schools near her home. To Mr. and Mrs. Berner ha\c been born two children, Jessie and Irene, both of whom are attending schoi^l.

Mr. and Mrs. Berner both take considerable interest in church work, he being a charter member of the Trinity Lutheran church and one of its past trustees. Mr. Berner has given his support to the Democratic part}- ever since attaining his majority. He is a pleasant man of sincere purposes and honest convictions, honest and upright in all his dealings with his fellow men.

Alajor James Elmer Larimer, Cnited States ganger, who lives at 222 East High street. Lawrenceburg. Indiana, was born near Middlebury, F.lkhart. Indiana. July 19, 1840, the son of James and Asenath (CornwelH Larimer, the former of whom was a native of Bremen, Fairfield county. Ohio, and the latter of Rome, New York.

James Larimer, Sr.. who was born in 1S07, accompanied three brothers and a brother-in-law and a neighbor to ]\Iiddlebury. Elkhart county, Indiana, about 1833, and there purchased land and engaged in farming, which he coutimied until his death in 1S47. In that year he was accidentally killcfl when thrown by a horse. His wife li\cd ni'ire than a i.alf century ImigxT, passing away at the age of eighty-nine, in 1896. They were "old school" Presbyterians, and very strict and devout in their living. He was i-f Scotch- Irish stock and his wife's ancestors Vv'ere English. In hi^ generation he was known to be the best chopper, the hardest fighter and the most gener'">us man in the neighborhood. Of tlieir fi\"c children, twf) are deceased, John having been killed in the Civil War. and Amos D., wlm. was lost at sea when his schooner foundered. I1ie living children arc. Anderson Wright, who lives in San Francisco, California, with his noble wife and two sons, James and Elmer: Nancy E., who li\'es in California, has been twice marrietl and has two daughters, and James Elmer, the subject of this sketch.

Major Larimer's paternal grandfather, Isaac Larimer, who ]i\-ed in Westmoreland county, PennsylvaTiia, during the early part of his married life, moved to Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1800, where he died at a ripe old ag'e. Fie was a fanner by occupation and of farmer and pioneer stock since 1730 in America. He had a family of nine children, iwo of whom, Jolm and Robert, in the \\'ar of 1812. John was the eldest child and Robert was the third born. The (jther children were Moses, Wriglil. Isaac, James, ]\Irs. Betsy Everett, ]\Irs. Sallie Haggerty and ^Irs, Cynthia Work. Majoi Larimer's maternal grandfather, a native of New "^'ork state, remained loyal to his country during the War of 1812, although he was impiisoned in Canada. After the W'ar of 1812 they came West to Ohio and settled in Athens county, where they reared a family of five children, Asenath. Joshua. John. Goldsmith and Lucinda Eggleston.

James E. Larimer lived in Elkhart county. Indiana, until eight )-ear.- old when, after the death of his father, lie was taken to be reared by a preacher living in Michigan. After two and one-half jears, he ran away from the preacher and returned home. Soon afterwards, the mother, who had sold her equity in the little farm left her by her husband, returned to her old hon>e in Ohio, and then, with a brother and four nephews, made the trip overland to California in 1850. She keiit a Ijoarding house near the mines, later removed to San Francisco and conducted a bakery, and still later sold her property and went to live at Santa Monica. California, where she died in 1896.

James Elmer Larimer drifted back to Ohio to the home of his ancestors, where, fortunately. Samuel Smiley, a genial and warm-hearted blacksmith, taught him the trade. He remained with him for three years. Major

Ljirimer remembers Mr. Smiley as an exceptionally fine boss. After workin,^ for him for some time, he came to Indiana and conducted a horse-shoeing' shop in Goshen for three months, when the ai)pro;irhing war sjiiiilcl Ins business. He returned to Bremen. Ohio, and had just taken empliivment imder Air. Smiley for another year, when a dispatch which was handed him said they were raising a conipany at Lancaster. Without a word he pul the iron bi'ck in the fire, went around to the cistern and washed, changed his clothes, caught the train for Lancaster and enlisted on April 16, 1861, in Company A, h'irst Regiment. Ohio \'olunteer Infantry, for three mmuli^' service, being' the first ]:'>v in his township to enlist in the first com[):uiv Ohio sent to the war. He was never away from the front until the wir ended. He was at once sent to the east across the Alleghany mountains to help defend the city of Washington.

A.fter a small engagement at Vienna, James Larimer was in the first battle of Bull Run, five days after the period of his enlistment had expired. On his way home he re-eiilisted for three years with Company A, Seventeenth Regiment, Ohio \'olunteer Infantr}-, and served the entire three years, when lie re-enlisted as, a -veteran in the same compan}' and regiment in 1S64. He first enlisted as a private, later was made sergeant and "orderly," and still later was commissioned first lieutenant, comnianding four conipanies of the Twenty-third Missouri Volunteer Infantry. This position gave him, by courics}'. the rank of mai<;ir, which title is sometiriies gi\en him, tho-ugh he is indifferent to rank. He lived in his town over twenty vears before anyone knew he was an officer. He served on the brigade staff and was provost marshal. His regiment was a great marching regiment, having marched during the w'ar eight thousand miles. Its battles were Wild Cat, Stone's River, Hoover's Cap. Chickamauga. Missionary Ridge, the .\tlanta campaign, in which the regiment was eighty-four days out of the hundred under fire; Jonesboro. Bentonville and innumerable skirmishes tiiat \\'ere engagements with no recorded name.

A single incident in the soldier boy's life may be worth preserving. Camping a mile from Duck river, he saw a rebel line of works and a battery on the other side. About ten o'clock that night on call, he volunteered to go on a "danger<:'us l>ut important" duty. He w ent down to the river, crawled down the wreckage of a burned railroad bridge and built a raft of boards around the pier to the wreckage on the other side. He then crawled ashore, about opposite the "line of works." Lie crawled up the dump, heard nothing crawled up along the foot of the railroad dump until he thought he was

Tind then stood up on the raih-oad. The rear guard of the enemy saw him rise against the dim moonhght and went panic struck. Thcv went o\cr a pile of boards and up the road hl<e a drove of stampeded cattle. I'^-erv moment after he struck the river that boy expected to be fired on, but he (h'd not fjuit until he v>as able to report to Gen. St. Clair Morton, and he to General Rosecians, that Bragg had aljandoned the Duck river line. 'J'he world spreads the great general's fame, but never knows that to get the information on which he can make his dispositions, some modest hov must put his life up to be shot at, alone and in the dark, and manv a one never gets back.

After the war Major Larimer returned to Indiana, married and operated a blacksmith shop at Guilford for three years. Appointed United States gauger by President Grant in 1869, he has sef\-ed continuouslv, barring the two Cleveland administrations. In point of service he is now the oldest gauger with tlie widest experience in the I'nited States. He had held this position despite the opposition of political enemies, not only in other parties, but in his ovrn as well. Not everything has been smooth sailing. Major Larimer has unfortunately made enemies as well as friends. .\ biluilous editor did not know that his bitter sarcasm not oid\- did not crush. Init brought to notice and distinction an obscure and modest man. "The selfish and ambitious boss did not know that he was a fool to kick a sleeping dog." The major was always easy to counsel with, but hard to drive. lie was the only ganger in his district who ever frmnd a fraud, and he found and bri^ke up six. In one of these he was twice offered ten thousand dollars if he would not report, but remained loyal to his obligation as an officer of the Lhiited States.

For fifteen years, from 1878 to 1893, Major Larimer was the editor and publisher of the Lawrcncebiirq Press. One of the best-known cditi">rs in Indiana said of him, "He entered the profession with a modest sentence and ended with a 'stick-full,' but in that tiirie he had become the best political counsellor in southeastern Indiana." \\'hile editor of the Press he did two things that were worth while. By a sincere and respectful appeal thnnigh many months to the Democracy of the c(.)unty he induced them to Ijreak' up a regular system of robbery of the people by county officers through illegal fees. He also gave Lawrenceburg the first idea it ever had that it could get a government appropriation for a levee against floods. He stmlied the question deeply in all die l>ooks he could find in order to be of service to the town, hoping to make it a secure and good place to come to.

Amelia Ward, daughter of William S. and Sarah (Doyle) Ward. One daughter, Laura, who was graduated from the l^uvreuceburg high schrio! and who took two terms at Indiana University, at Bloomington, was born to this marriage. She married Benjamin R. Smith and lives in Park Ridge. Illinois. They ha\-e four children, Sara Mildreil. Jessamine, Larimer and Mary.

Mrs. Larimer's father. William S. \\ ard. was one of the best-loved men in that community. lie and her mother (who was bom in roughkeepsie. New York) were married in Xew Jersey, and came to Y(jrkville. Dearborn county, Indiana, in 1816. Both died in Dearborn county, the father in 1858, and the mother in iQcS. at the age of ninety-eight years. They \\ere the parents of ele>'en children, Isaac, William, Charles, Richard. George.- Jane, Sarah, Caroline, Mary, Adelaide and Rhoda. Mrs. Larimer was born at Yorkville, Indiana, in 1S43. ^^^ was assistant editor of the Press and there developed an attractive and successful literary capacity.

Major Larimer is a Republican. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Grand Army of the Republic. For man}- years he has been a director of the Ohio Valley Coffin Company, which he helped to organize.

As one of the older residents of Lawrenceburg and Dearborn county. Major Larimer is especially well known in this section of the state, a man of splendid bearing and of happy, genial disposition. His favorite sport is baseball. His church - all of them. His Bible - "The Book" and Emerson. His reading- - everything, but preferably scientific. His friends - every good man or woman. His hopes - the best of what he has been. His hates - a human skunk or fox. His pride - that he has li\'ed through seventy-fi\'e years of more valuable achievement b\- man than all the race had previously accomplished.

.\ Ci\'il War \-eteran, township assessor for a period 'of se\'enteen vears, elected to the office of squire and constable, the subject of the present sketch is worthy of more than passing mention, and his family relationships are so extensive as to make him a man of wide acciuaintance and influence. He was born in Xew Alsace. Kelso town.ship, Dearborn county, September J_', 1842, and is the son of Mathias Theobald and Magdalena (Keichler) Theobald.

there until his thirty-sixth year, when he came to America, going directly from New York to Cincinnati. Buying forty-three acres one anil one-half miles northeast of New .Msacc, he resided there for twelve year.s, and then moved to Oldenburg on a farm of eighty acres. In 1852 he purchased a farm of eight)- acres near Lawrenceville, Jackson township, later adding to this forty acres, so that at the time of his death in 1880, he owned in all. two hundred and forty-three acres. He died in Jackson township. During his residence in C!ermnn\- he was a soldier in the Ijavarian army, serving lor six years. All of his life he took an interest in pul.ilic affairs. Me was a member of the Catholic church at St. Peters, Xew Alsace and Oldenburg, and voted the Democratic ticket.

Magdalena, wife of Mathias Theobald, and mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in Bavaria, and lived there until 1836, when she came to this country with her husband. She was the daughter of Lenard and Katherine Keichler, l;oth of whom were born in Uavaria, Germany, and came to the United States in 1836. The former was a tailor. Both lived to b,c ninet_\"-one years of age. }^Iathias an.d IMagdaleua Theobald were the parents of the following children: Christian, Jtiscph, Elizabeth, Peter, Jact ib. John and George. Christian, a farmer of Xew .Vlsace, married- Catherine Red, and their two children are Jacob and John. Joseph married Frances Plumb, of Cincinnati, and they live on their farm of eighty acres in Spencer county, Ohio.

Elizabeth is the wife of Jacob Kurtz, a farmer living in Oldenburg. Their children are John, Maggie, Elizabeth, Mary, Lena, Emma, Josephine (who died at the age of eighteen), Christina (who died while young), Joseph. Nicholas and Adam. Elizabeth is Mrs. Jacob Brown Theobald, her husband being a fanner in Xew Alsace, his farm lands consisting of eighty acre-.. They have twelve children. Jacob married Agnes Schneider, and with their six children they live on the Theobald homestead in Jackson township. Iheir children are Elizabeth, John. ]\Iary, Xicholas, Anthony and Martha. George became the hu.-iband of Elizabeth Scb.neider, and their h"me was in Cincinnati. The children born to this couple are George (deceased). Elizabeth. Rosa. Florence, John, Adam and Peter. After the death of his first wife, Geoige married Rosena Keichler, of Cincinnati. Their only child is a daughter named Mary.

John Theobald received his education in the Jackson cinmty schools, and lived at home, assisting his father on the farm until his marriage. When he was needed to defend his country, he was among the first to enlist. He was nineteen years old when the Ci\'il War broke out, and enlisted in Indianapolis on December 15, 1861. On January 28. 1862, he was mustered into Company B, Fifty-second Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Strickland and Col. J. M. Smith. So efficient was his service that he was pr.v moted to the rank of corporal in 1863. lie was discharged on Febniar\- 26. i86a, at Canton, ^lississippi, to rank as corporal, was re-instated, and finally discharged on September 10, 1865, at 3.Iontg'omcry, .Vlabama. John Theobald was noted for his bravery and took part in the following engagements : Ft. Donelson, February 14, 1S62 ; Siege of Corinth, .\pril 30, 1S62: I)erkansville, Tennessee, September 17. He was then placed on garrison duty at Ft. Pillow. Tennessee, until January 18, rS6|: took jiart in the raid on JNIeridian, [Mississippi, in February, 1S64; was stationed at Ft. Remsey, Pleasant Flill, Franklin. October i ; Ft. Scott, October 22 ; Nashville, on December 15 and 16; took part in the capture of [Mobile, .Xhliaina, on }>larch 28, including Ft. Blakeley and Spanish b'ort; remaining in Alabama until mustered out. At [Montgomery and at Opalaca, Companies G and B were consolidated.

At the close of the war, John Theobald returned to his father's farm. and in 1867, was married to Elizabeth Fleneg'an, who was torn in Rijiley county, Indiana. [Moving to the old homestead, [Mr. and [Mrs. Theoliald lived there until the hitter's death on [March 31, 1870. Their daughters are Elizabetli and Katherine. On November 22 of the same year, [Mr. Theobald married for his second wife, Rosa Ensprucker, daughter of [Michael ar.d [Monica (Cachmeier) Ensprucker, natives of Germany.

Six }'ears later, John Th.eohald remo\'ed his family to Eawrenceville. where he opened a shoemaking shop, which he operated for the next fifteen years. In 1801. however, he decided to return to agricultural activities, and purchasing eighty acres in Jackson township, all timber land, he settled dijwn there for permanent residence.

[Mrs. Rosa ( Ensprucker) Theobald belongs ro a very large family. Immediately after their marriage, in 1848, her parents left thei^- nati\'e Germanv to seek a new home in the United States. They lived for ten years in Cincinnati, then moved to Franklin county, in 1853, taking up their new life on a farm of forty acres. Here they lived until the death of Michael Ensprucker in 1899. when he was seventy-nine years of age. [Mrs. En.sprucker passed away in 1897, at the age of seventy-five. Their children were as follow: John, [Michael, Barbara, Rosa, Martin, Peter, George (deceased).

Joseph (deceased). Susanna and Mary. John married L-olta Arm-Strong, of Indianapolis, and the couple made their home in Connersville. The cliildren lx)rn to them are Sallie. Martin. William, Joseph, Gruver and Bertha. ^^lichacl is the husband of Caroline Armstrong and they and their two children. George and Edith, are living on the homestead in Franklin connty. l^.arliara is Mrs. Frank Flincgan, also living on the homestead place. Martin, who lives in Turlington, Ohio, is the husl>and of ^lary Follie, their Imnic Ijcing on a farm. They have a large family of children. Peter, a shoemaker li\- ing in Co!incrsville, is married to Elizalieth Biddinger. Su.sanna is Mrs. Frank F^'red, of Hamilton. Ohio, and their children are Kalherine, Rosa, Phillip, George D., and Earl. ^Lary married tfenry Steiger, a moulder, of Detroit, iNIichigan, and they have a large family.

Rosa (Ensprucker) Theohakl, who v>as horn on Fehruary lo, i''^53, at Cincinnati, Ohio, lived with her parents until her marriage. She i> the mother of fifteen children, these lieing Mary, Frank J.. Rosa, Peter C, Magdelena, Emma A,. Susie A., John G., Joseph P., Andy J., Jacoj) \\ .. Charlie IF, Elnora Bertha, who died on April to, 191 5, and John Edward and Rosena, who died in infancy. ]\Fary married Henry Ilenkel, of Hamilton, Ohio. Two of their children, Flarry and Walter, are dead. The living are Edgar and Harvey. Rosa hecanie the wife of Jacob Steinhauser, of Cincinnati, he being a grocer. Their children are John and F'rank. Peter C. married Clara Smith, and the couple is living in Indianapolis, wh.ere }ilr. Theobald is engaged in the grocery business. Their children arc Charles. Clarence and Robert. Magdalena is Mrs. Otto \Vissel, of Batesville, Indiana. Their children are Hilda, Alvin, Leo and Agnes. Emma .\. married ?^Iartin. Ward, a grocer of Indianapolis, and their children are Helen and Roy. A general store of Lawrence\ ille is owned and mai;aged by Harr\' Haft, who is the husband of Susie A. Their three children are named Ohrim, Ruth and Roy. John G. is married to Clara Frencemeier and is a farmer of Greensburg, their children being Edward and Arthur. Joseph P. married Mary Fitzgerald and their hcMne is on a farm in Helmuth, Indiana. They have an only son, named Joseph, Jr. Andy married Mary Smith. Their iK.mie is on a farm near ]\Iilton, Indiana. Their children are Thalma and Lawrence. Lizzie married a carpenter named George Eucker, of Cincinnati. Katherine also married a carpenter of Cincinnati, his name being Frank Har))ering. Their six children are Daniel, ]\Iaria, George, Katherine, Frank and Rosella.

John Theobald, the subject of this sketch, is a Democrat, and his prominence in his party is indicated by the fact that he was for seventeen years assessor of Jackson township, having been elected in 1878. Although elected' squire and constable, ]\[r. Theobald never cjualified and so did not serve, lie is a prominent member of tiie St. Peter's Catholic church, and in the church as in the community, is a man of importance.

Edward Barker

Edward Barker was born on August 25, 1853, '" Kelso township, and is the third child of Robert and Susan (Dunn) Barker. He was educated at Kelso, where he grew to manhood, and has since resided. At the age of eighteen he leai'ned the wagon-maker's trade, which he followed for ten years, when he made up his mind to try farming, and accordingly purchased a forty -acre tract in Kelso, to which he later added eighteen acres, making fifty-eight acres in all, which he still cultivates. Mr. Baker has always given his support to the Democratic party, and has taken great interest in all questions concerning the general benefit of the citizens of his county. As an evidence of his popularity he was elected, in 1891, to the office of township trustee, serving four years, and in 1908 he was elected by a large majority to the office of county commissioner, which called for a six-)ear term, which ends in 1915. Air. Barker is a member of St. John's church. at Kelso, to which he is a liberal contributor of his worldy goods.

Robert Barker, father of Edward Barker, was born in England, in 1823, and while still a small lad came with his mother to the United States, his father having died in his native land. His mother settled in Kelso township, where she was finally laid to rest. Roljert was given as good an education as the schools of those times afforded, and after being left alone at the death of his mother, he bought sixty-four acres of land, wdiich he cultivated until the war of 1861. when he was drafted and ser\'ed four months, during which time he was taken ill and died at the age of thirty-eight years. He gave his supp'jrt to the Democratic i)arty. and contributed liberally to the Catholic church, of which he was a loyal member. His wife, Susan J. fDunn) Barker, was a native of Kelso township, and was born in 1837. She moved to Kansas during the latter part of her life, and died there. To this union were born four children, Mary Elizabeth, Edward. Emma and John. Mar}- Elizabeth Ijecame the wife of Joe McCain, and lives in Cincinnati. Thev have one child, Florence. Emma is married to Charles Deny

Edward Barker was married to Julia Lally, daughter of Anthonv and Mary (Lyness) Lally, natives of Ireland. Mrs. Barker was born on October 18, 1857, at Florence, Boone county, Kentucky, and renuiineil at the home of her parents until her marriage, which took place Februarv 5, 18S0. To Mr. and Airs. Barker were born nine children, as follow: Mary, Rol)ert, Florence, William, Charles, Susan, Anna, George and one who died in infancy.

Mary Barker became the wife of Elmer Grogan. who is following the carpenter's trade at Cincinnati. They have three children, Harry, Edith and Ada. Robert Barker was united in marriag"e with Bridget Reilly, and moved to Portsmouth, Ohio, where his wife died in a siiort time. He was again married, and is now in the insurance business at Washington C. H., Ohio. By his first wife, he had one child, Edward, and one by his second wife, Margary. Charles Barker was married to Naomi Schilling, who was a school teacher at Greendale, Indiana.

Edward Barker has lived a clean, wholesome life, and is in every way worthy of being esteemed as one of the representative men of his townsliip.

Albert Henry Kammeyer, farmer, son of Cortson and .Adeline (Barg- ,, man) Kammeyer, was born on December i, i860, in Miller township, Dear- ,. bom county, Indiana. His parents were natives of Germany, near Hanover, !, and came to America when quite young, settling in Alanchester township, jv. His father followed the occupation of a farmer all his life, and at the time of his death owned a farm of one hundred and thirtv acres. Mrs. Adeline

Kammeyer died in August, 1914. They were the parents of nine children, namely: Mrs. Anna \\"ilson (deceased). Mrs. Alice Sclnvitzer, Albert Menry, Mrs. Margaret Schlater, I\Irs. ^^lary Hillnian, William, Charley. Mrs. Josephine Kasens and James.

Albert Henry Kammc}-er recci\cd his education at tlie public and German schools of Dearborn county, where he has lived all his life. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and in politics is a Democrat.

On April 10, 1890, Albert Henry Kammeyer was married to Anna Dorothy Hiller, by whom he has had the following children : Lydia. William, Alma. Anna, Otto. Sophia, Amelia, Albert, \'iola, Lucille and Josephine, who died when four years old. Mr. Kammeyer lives on his own farm of eighty acres, located in Lawrenceburg township, about four miles west of L.awrenceburg.

^Ir. Kammc\er's grandfather came from Gcrmanv when middle-aged, and resided in Dearborn and Ripley counties until the time of his death, which occurred about 18S2. Llis grandmother died in 1886.

Mr. Kammeyer's wife is a daughter of John Henry Hiller and }ilarguerite (Aloorsehlodc) Lliller. She was born on December 16, 1866, in Law renceburg township, where she attended the German schools. Her parents were natives of Germany, and on their arrival in America settled in Dearborn township, Indiana. Her father died aliout 1894, and her mother still lives on the home place. Two unmarried brothers live with her. There were seven children in this family, as follow: }slrs. Anna Kammeyer, Mrs. [Marguerite Bode, Mrs. Sophie Oelker, Henry. John, William and Louis.

David F.. [ohnston was l)orn on January 27, 1873, at Indianapolis. Indiana, and is a son of James and Mary (Russell) Johnstrjn. His early education was oI)tained at Indianapolis and the public schools of Dearliorn county and he later attended iloores Hill College. In igoo he was graduated from The medical college of Indiana, now a part of the Indiana University. After graduation he ser\ed as house physician and surgeon in the Deaconess Hospital, at Indianapolis, for one year, and after practicing for one year in Indianapolis he came to Moores Hill, where he has established himself in a good-paying practice. Doctor Johnston is a Democrat, to which party he has always given his enthusiastic support, being elected in 1910 as coroner of the county, and re-elected in 1912, and again in 1914. He was president of the school board of ^loores Hill for six years. Doctor Johnston belongs to the Masonic Order, Independent Ortler of Odd Fellows, and Independent Order of Foresters. He is a member kA the Dearborn County, the Indiana State, and American ^Medical Associations, a member of the Fourth Councillor District ^ledical .Association, of which he is president, and also a meml)cr of the Baltimore & Ohio Association of Railway Surgeons. He is a member of the Baptist church.

James Johnston, father of David E., was born on June 10, 1S31. near Johnston Mill, on Hogan Creek, and was educated in Dearborn county. After school he worked on the home place, and operated the old mill wb.icb belonged to the family. When about thirty years of age, he went to Indianapolis, where he engaged in the real estate business, in. connection with the erection of houses, etc., which he followed up to the last three years of his life, when he was stricken with apople.xy. He was a Democrat, and held some , ' of the township offices, among them being that of justice of the jjcace for a

ston. his wife, was born on Little Hogan creek, Manchester township. Dear- ' born countv. October 28, i8_|.|.. She was a daughter uf James Allan and Elizabeth ( Barclay ) Russell. James Allan Russell was l.iorn in County Antrim, Ireland, and died on Marcii 13, 1885. lillizabeth Russell was born in

County Antrim, Ireland, :May 15, 1815, and died on Xo\ep.iber 22, 190J. To James and ^Nlarv (Russell) John.^ton were born four children, Xor-

ents. The former was born on ]vlay 2.2, 1790, and lived in Winchester, X'lr- ginia, the most of his life, and then moved to Indiana, where he followed ^'- farming. Air. Johnston built John.-.t(.)n's Alill on Hogan creek, and lixed there '^'' until his death, December 31, 186 1, quite an'old man. Catherine (Karney) **' Johnston, his wife, was born at Lexington, Kentucky, in 1800, and died on '''-'~' February 22, 1879. aged eighty years. This union was blessed with seven children, Henry, Xora, Lucy, George, Joseph, William and James.

Lemuel Bigney, father of Airs. Johnstun. was born in Nova Scotia, on February 32, 1S26, and died on September 11. 1900. His wife was a native of New Jersey, born in Summerset county. November 13, 1S31, and died nn July 5, 1903. The\- were residents of Dearborn county, Indiana.

]>3ctor Johnston has won the confidence and respect of the entire communit}- in which he resides, and the large practice which he has built up speaks well for the high efficiency of his skill. ' -. ,; ^ ,,

John F. Dittmer. of Manchester township, is a native of Germany, where he was born on August 4, 1S49, ^ son of Ciaus and -Margaret Dittmer. He was educated in his nati\'e land, and after leaving school helped his father on the farm until he grew to young manhood. Hearing of the wonderful advantages in America, he was filled with a desire to have a share in these benefits, and at the age of eighteen he sailed for the new country, arriving at New York City, where he was employed several weeks, thus giving him tmie to select a permanent location. He immigrated soon after to Ripley county, engaging his ser\-ices on a farm, where he remained three years, and then rented various tracts of land in Ripley and Dearlwrn. Tiring of [)aying so much of his hard-earned money to others for such a purpose, lie determined upon investing his savings in a tract of land in Manchester township, consisting of one hundred and forty acres. His first payment on this propert^- was a substantial amount in cash, after which he made payments as he earned the money. After this farm \\as paid for it was not long before he was in a position to purchase iine hundred and fifty-six acres more, adjoining his own place, making in all, two hmidred and ninety-six acres, all of which he continued to cultivate for many years. A few years since IMr. Dittmer decided to retire from an active farm life, and rented his home place to his son, mosing to Aurora, where he resided five years, and then made arrangements to return and take charge of the farm, retaining at the same time his residence in Aurora. Mr. Dittmer is a strong belie\"er in Democratic principles, and in religion he is a faithful attendant of the Lutheran church.

Germany. iNlargaret Dittmer died in Germany Ijut Claus IJittmer came lu this country and stayed with his son John, where he died in his t-is^iuy-secund year.

John F. Dittmer was married, March 24, iS7_', to Minnie Kreitlein, in Ripley county. Site was born in Dearborn county, near Tanners creek, and is a daugliter of Frederick and Alary Kreitlein. :Mrs. Dittmer was reared and educated in Dearborn county, remaining at home until the time nf her marriage. To this couple were born eleven children, namely; I'red, .Maggie, Anna, Barbara, Carrie, Henry, John, Dora, Ida, and two who died in infancy.

Fred Dittmer married Alyrtle Jackson, and is now a prosperous farmer of Manchester township, where he is one of its substantial citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Dittmer are the parents of six children, Guy, Rosie, Helen, Edward, William and Hazel. Maggie is now Mrs. John Rhinstidt, and reside^ <jn a farm in Ripley county. They have five children, Harvey, John, Frank, Rachel and Josephine. Anna became the wife of Eugene Hnusc, a farmer in Hogan township, and has seven children, Charles, George, Alma, Frank, Di->rothy, Elmer and Xorma. Carrie was united in marriage with Isaac Peasley, and lives on a farm in ^Manchester township. They have no children. Henry is married, and is cultivating a farm near Jeftersnuville, Indiana. His wife was Rena Donnan. daughter of John and Jane Durman. John was married to Emma Donnan. and is fanning in Hogan township. They ha\e had twi. children, IMarie and Avery. Dora was united in marriage to George F. Kaiser. They live on one of her father's fanns. They have no children. Ida lives at home.

John F. Dittmer is well deserving of the success which fortune has dealt out to him. He has been considerate in his attitude toward his fellow men, and a good husband and father.

Henrv- T. Longcamp was born in Clay township, near Dillsboro. Dearborn county, November 22, 187S. He is a son of Flenry and Catharine (Rullmann) Longcamp. and was reared on his father's farm. He attended the district schools, graduating from the Dillsboro high school, after which he entered Moores Hill College. He then taught school for one year, when he took up the study of dentistry, graduating from the Cincinnati College of Dental Surgery in 1904, at the end of which year he began his practice in

Aurora, and has continued here ever since. Doctor Longxanip is a stanch Repuhhcan. He and his wife are memliers of the Baptist church, in which he officiates as assistant Sunday school superintenderit. He belongs to .Aumra Lodge Xo. 51, Free and Accepted ]\lasons; the Improved Order of Red Men. and the ^Modern ^^'oodmen of America.

Henry and Catharine ( Rullmann) Longcamp, parents of the subject of this sketch, were early settlers in Clay township, Dearborn county. Henry Longcamp was born in Germany, ]\Iay 14, 1S43. and came with his parents to America while still an infant. The famih- settled in Cacsai- Creek township. Dearborn coimty, where Henry grew to manhood on a farm, lie went to the Civil War as a pri\ate in C<-)mpany A, Eleventh Kentucky Ca\'alry, ser\'- ing through the entire war; was a prisoner in Andersonville, Belle Island and Charleston for sixteen months. When the war was over, Air. Longcamp bought a farm in Cla)- township, of ninety-six acres, where he followed agriculture and reared his famih', residing there for many years, finally disposed of liis farm and moved to West Aurora, and bought a small tract of eigiUe.-n acres, which is now a part of the city of Aurora, and where he spent his la<t days, his death occurring in Januar}-, 1912, at the age of sixty-eight years and eight months.

Henry Longcamp and his wife loth became members of the Luth.eran church, and he was for a time a member of John Platter Post, Gran.d .Army of the Republic. His wife, Catharine (Rullmann) Longcami), is a native 'jf Indiana, and still survi\es him. They were the parents of three cliiklren. namel}- : William, deceased: Henry J., of Aurora, and Anna, who became the wife of Pkhvard Harves. of A\'est Side, Aurora.

The paternal grandfather was I'rederick Longcamp, and his wife w :is Mary- (Sheibumbj Longcami^, nati\es of Germany, the former dying in Caesar Creek township, and the latter at Rising Sun in Ohio count}', Indiana, well along in years. They had eight children, Alary, Frederick, Eliza, Will iam, Flenry, Louise, Minnie and Rosena.

The maternal grandparents of Doctor Longcamp were early settlers in Dearborn county. Indiana, where they culti\'ated a farm in Clay township, .and spent the remainder of their days, dying at an advanced age. Their children were, Catharine, Alargaret, Aaron and Hem-y.

Dr. Henry J. Longcamp was united in marriage on September 5, 1907. with Bessie Teaney, daughter of Frank and Olive (Writer) Teanc}', to which union have been born two children, Virgil Henry and Wikhs Olive. Mrs. Longcamp was born in Aurora.

Frank and Olive (Writer) Teanc}-, parents of Mrs. Longcanip, were born in Dearborn county, and now reside at Indianai)olis. Their children were, Bessie (Airs. Longcamp) and Grace, now the wife of Jack W'estfield.

One of the we!l-kno\\n citizens of Caesar Creek township. Dearborn county, Indiana, is Herman H. Afoeller. |the subject of this short bir)o-raphical sketch. Air. Aloeller is a native of Hanover, Germany, born, I'ebruary 3. 18S3, and was brought to this country by his parents when a babe of but six months. He is a son of tienry H. and Louise (Schliebaum) Aloeller, Ijnth natives of Hanover, the former born on Alay 28, 1839, and the latter on Ma\- 7, 1S54. Upon their arrival in this country thev came directly to Dearli'ini county, bleating at I'armers Retreat, where tlie suliject of this sketch receixed his education. They purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres and were actively engageil in farming for a great many years.

The subject of this sketch is one of a familv of nine children, nanic-ly : William (deceased). Louisa. Sadie. Henry (deceased), Herman, Elizabeth. Carrie, Emma and Fred. Sadie married Henry Xiederbaumer and lias two children, Ruth and Willard. Elizabeth became the wife of John Vinup, living in Cincinnati. Ohio. Carrie married Edward Ruhr and also resides in Cincinnati, C~)hi(j. Emma is the wife of Alva Schulenborg and they live in Caesar Creek township.

After his school days were over, Herman H. Moeller assisted iiis father in the work of the farm home and then in 1913 he purchased the pbice for his own and has continued to reside there. He was married on b'ebruary 3, 1907, to Carrie Linkmeyer, who was born at Farmers Retreat. August 30. 1879, ^ daughter of Henry and Emma Linkmeyer, both of whom were born m this section. There were four children in their family, Hannah. Alartin. Carrie and Matilda. Carrie was etiucated in the schools near her home and after her school days were over she went to Cincinnati, where she secured employment and remained for two years, returning home for her marriage. Hannah married William Thomas and lives at Ludlow, Kentucky. She has one daughter, Esther. Alartin married Anna Bobrinck and lives at Lawy" :izu--'.'J] '-10 bm: yUicr.'-l ---iK renceliurg. They have had four children, two of whom died in infancy, the others are Catherine and Carol. Matilda hecaine the wife of Jesse Booster, who lives at Dillsboro, and she has three children. Francis, Edith and F,\elyn. To A[r. and Mrs. Herman H. Moeller have been born three children, namely: Alartin, \vho was born on Decem])er 5, 1908. and is attending school; Paul, November 11, 1910, and Lucile. September J2. 1912. The entire family ;'.re members of the Lutheran church. Wv. 3iIoeller gives his support to the Republican party. In all the essential elements oi good citizenship ]\Ir. Moeller is a man among men, and by his earnest life, sturdy integrity and strict regard for the highest moral ethics, he has earned and retains llie warm regard of those who know him.

Robert R. Gardner was born at Lawrcnceburg, Indiana, September 14, 1891, a son of George ]NJ. and Luella { Ruter) Gardner. Since he was six months old his home has been in Aurora, where he attended the public schools and spent three years in the high school, when his health obliged him to discontinue his studies. While attending school, Robert R. was employed by the Bell Telephone Company as a collector, and in !May. 19 12. he started for himself in the electrical contracting and supply Imsiness. in which lie i-^ still engaged, and is conducting the most successful business in his line in the city. To this business he has added plumbing work. [Mr. Gardner is a member of th.e Presbyterian chmxh. in' which he is a deacon. He belongs to the Aurora Commercial Club, and is a member of the Society for Electrical Development in the United States.

George M. and Luella f Ruter) Gardner, parents of the subject of this sketch, are natives of Indiana. George M. Gardner was reared at Lawrenceburg and learned the mechanic and wood-worker's trade, working for several years in the old furniture factory, and later in the factory of the Ohio Valley Coftin Company at Lawrenceburg. He came to Aurora in October, 1891, and has been employed in the coffin factory here ever since, where he is now general foreman. Mr. and ]Mrs. George M. Gardner are the parents of five children, Robert R., Marguerite, Juanita, George and Nel Gene.

I>orraine, and the latter was of German ancestr)-. 'J'hc_\- came to America in 1849, settling at Lawrencebnrg, where ]Mr. Gardner carried on the tailm-V trade. Air. Gardner died at the age of sixt_v-fonr years, and his wife at the age of seventy-seven, and botli are buried at Lawrencelmrg. Tliey h.ad a large family of cliildren. as follow: William. George, h'dward, Henry, Jikcphine, who died in infancy. Rose, \'ettie, Luella and one who died \\>. infancy.

The maternal grandfather was Capt. Raynaldo Riibert Ruter. a nati\e of Lexington, Indiana. His wife, Sophia (Before) Rnter, was horn at Vevay, Switzerland county, Indiana. Cajjtain Ruter \\;is a physician and surgeon of considerable prominence. He died in February, 1S84. aged fifty-four years, and Airs. Ruter died on Xoveml^er 4, 1900, at the age of sixty-four years. This couple had five children. Alma, Xellie. Luella. I\hca and Frank. Captain Ruter was a veteran and a captain in the Xinei_\'-third Regiment, Indiana A'olunteer Infantr}-, and a surgeon in the Ci\'il War. ser\- ing without pay. He was a prominent physician, and was well kii'jwn throughout Dearborn county.

Calvin Before, the great great-grandfather of Robert R. Gardner, nn liis mother's side, was one of the first pioneers of Switzerland county. Indiana.

Robert R. Gardner is an expert in his line of work, which accounts for his prominent position in his vocation, and his large circle of S(jcial and business acquaintances esteem him highh- lor his sul)stantial qualities.

Wilbur A. Williams, L^nited States storekeeper-ganger, of Lawrenceburg. Indiana, was born at Ellisburg, Jefferson county. New York, Alarch u. 1841. His parents were W^illiam and Jerusha fPlnmmer) Williams. He grew to maturity on his father's farm, and attended the district schools, going later to Bassett's Commercial College at Syracuse, Xew York. \Mren the Ci\il War broke out he enlisted in the Tenth X^ew York Fleavy Artillery, serving three years. He was on picket duty just prior to the battle of Petersburg, and in a skirmish was wounded in the left leg, and also met with the loss of his left eye. He enlisted as a private for three years, and was promoted to second lieutenant on September i, 1S63. He served through the entire war and was discharged August 26, 1865.

taught school for a period of seventeen years in tlie graded schools of Ohio, finally returning to the soil, where he superintended a stock farm for two years, and later mo\'ed to Brookville, Indiana, interesting himself in a grocery. Not finding this to his liking, he took a civil service examination aufl entered the revenue service in the sixth district of Indiana, in which he was appointed storekeeper-ganger in 1898 and which position he still occujiies.

Mr. Williams is a Re]jublican. and while in Ohio he served as tuwnship treasurer of ^Nliddleton township, U'ood county. He was reared in the faith of the Universalist church, hut at present is not identified with an\- church. He is a Master Alason, and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic.

William and Jerusha (Plummer) ^^'illiams, parents of the subject of this sketch, were natives of Brattleboro, \'ermont. where thev followed farming until they moved to Pierrepont ilanor. New York, where 'S.lr. William^ combined farming with real estate deals. He p\n"cliased v\liat was knc)wn as the Webster farm in Jefferson county, where he h\ed until hisdeath in i88f^, which occurred in his eiglity-second vear, his wife d\'ing a year prior, in 1887. The}' were members of the Universalisi cliiuxh, and were the parents nf fi\e children, na.me!}" : La\^-son B. born No\eniljer i, 1833, died, August .24. 1907; Nancy E., who manned Lewis Tallman, and died on May 6, 1862; Wilbur .V., of Lawrenceburg; Pardon C, who resides at Watertown, New York, where he follows tlie practice (if law, and was judge of the ap]iellate court it^' a number of years: and William Oscar, who \\as born on October i, 1849, at Pierrepont Manor, and died on April 8, 191.;.

The paternal grandfatlier was William Williams, and his first wife was Sally }\lixer, who was born at Brattleboro, \'ermont. May 20. [770. and died on December 5, 1826. His second wife was' Eunice Plummer, wlio was born on March 2^. 17S3, at Brattleboro, Vermont, and died on July 24, 1805. in l-Uisburg, New York. William Williams was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He belonged to the state militia, but it is believed he was a S'lblier in the War oi 1812. He mo\-ed with his familv to Jeffersnn county. New Ni'fk, where he sj^ent his last tlays, \vhich ended at an adwanced age. Mr. and Mrs. \\ illiam Williams were the parents of the following children: }>Irs. Celinda Brown, Airs. Nancy Brown, Mrs. Eastman, Mr^^. Joseph Allen, William, John and Roswell,

The maternal grandfather was a Mr. Plummer, and his wife was Eunice ( I'razier) Plummer, who afterwards married William Williams. This grandfather and grandmother Plummer were nati\es of Brattleljoro, \^ermont, anti moved into Jefferson county. They had four children : Da\'id, who resided at

Boston; a son, who \vas killed while on his wav west by stepping off a moving train; Roswell. who was in the commission business in New York Cilv; and Jerusha. tlie mother of the subject of this sketch.

Wilbur A. Williams was united in marriage on Octolicr 22. i8'')6, with Leonora J. Close, daughter oi Solonum and Sybid E. (Graves) Close, who died on Afarch 31, 1885. aged forty-two years, leaving one chikl. Xellie Mav. Nellie [May Williams became the wife of Frederick W. (.^uellhorst. Thev live near Camiel. Indiana, and have three children. William I... llenrv W.. and Carroll.

]\Ir. Williams was married secondly, on the 12th of DccemlKr, 18S7, to ITthel L. Close, a sister of his first wife, to which union was born one daughter, Catherine L., who is now the wife of Edward Hauck. They reside at Greendale, and have one daughter, Ethel Juanita. ]\lrs. Ethel L. Williams was born on ^Marcli i, 184S. at Henderson. Jeflcrsoii countv. Xew York, and was formerly a member of the Swedenborgian church.

Solomon and Sybil E. (Graves) Close Vv'ere natives of Dutchess and Jefferson c(.iunties, Xew York, respectively. Mr. Clnse followed the trade of a brick and stone mason, and died at Lawrenceburg. Indiana, in Janu;irv, 1S97. a little under eighty-three years of age. rlis wife died at Brookville. Indiana, in 18S9, aged sixty-eight years. To this union were Ijorn six children, namely: Leonora, deceased; Frances -\., deceased; Adelaid, who makes her home at Lawrenceburg; Emily ]\I.. deceased, and a son, who died in infancy.

The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Ethel W'illiams was Jonathan Close, whose wife was Louisa ( Wetmore) Close, natives of Xew ^'ork. where he followed agricultural pursuits. This union was blessed with three sons ami two daughters, Alonzo, Lucinda, Solomon, Sanford and Ruth.

The maternal grandfather of }klrs. Ethel Williams was Joseph Graves, and his wife was Cynthia (Tousley) Graves, natives of Jefferson county, X'ew York, where they followed farming. Mr. Gra\es died at the age of eighty-four years, and his wife at ])ast middle age. This union was blessed with a large family of children, Joseph, Sidney. Orin. .\lanson, Mosel_\-. Smith. Elvira, Emil}- and Melissa.

Mr. Williams has been a lover of music from boyhood, and is a violinist of a high order. At present he is conductor of the Sunday school orchestra of the Church of Christ at Lawrenceburg; and for the last half century has conducted orchestras in various cities throughout the country, during which time he has delighted thousands of people with the quality of the music he has rendered. He takes the greatest jjossible pleasure in adding to the happiness of others in this way, and both he and his wife enjoy a large circle of friends, who esteem their acquaintance highly.

Vandex B. C.Vxkield

Vanden B. Canfield was born on January 2, 18S0, at ]\Iaysville. Kentucky, a son of 01i\"er T. and Henrietta ( A'anden) Canfield. At the age of four years Vanden B. was brought to .Aurora, which place has since been his home. He attended the public schools, and when through, engag'ed his services on a farm for two years, and then went into the grocery business with his father, whicli partnership lasted o\er a period of fourteen years, tie is at present engaged in the automobile repair and sales business, in partnership with Xieman & Linkme}"cr. .\s salesman f<jr this firm lie has been ver\' successful, placing- a large number of automobiles in Dearborn county. Air. Canfield is a stanch Republican, and his religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to Aurora Lodge Xo. ;i. Free and Accepted IMasons : the Improved Order of Red Alen. and the Alodern Woodmen of America.

Oliver T. Canfield was born in Dearb<jrn countv, and was rearer on North Hogan creek, Uvo or three miles from Aurora, w here he grew up on a farm, and was afterward a general merchant at Wilmington fi-^r a luuuber of years. Lea\'ing here, he \\ent to Alaysville, Kentuck\\ where he also did merchandising, and in i8.'^4 he came to Aurora, following the same line of business until his death, with the exception of about four years spent in farming, on account of ill health. He died at Aurora in May, 1912, aged sixtynine years. Air. Canfield was public-spirited, and held some of the local offices. He served on the Aurora school board for a number of years and was a member of the council several terms. At one time he was treasurer of the Union Building Association, and was one of its first directi^rs. Ele was a Republican and was prominent in the councils of his party. His wife, Henrietta fVandenj Canfield, was born at Maysville, Kentucky, and survives her husband at the age of sixt_\-two years. Mrs.

Canfield was a member of the Christian church until late years when she has been an active member of the Baptist church. Mr. Canfield was a Alethodist.

The paternal grandfather was C} rus ('anfield, and his wife was Marv (Richardson) Canfield. They were natives of Xew York, and pioneer settlers in Dearborn count}', Indiana, clearing and improving a farm in Hogan townshii), where they both died. Cyrus Canfield was over sevenlv vears of age at the time of his death, and his wife was o\er eightv vears nf age. Thev left the following children: 01i\'er T., William \\'.. iMarion, Arminda, F.mma, Holman and George.

Vanden B. Canfield was married on June 8, 1904, to Lola M. .Mathews, daughter of Thomas and Adelia (Day) Mathews. She was burn at Covington, Kentucky. Mrs. Canfield is an earnest member of the [Methmlist Episcopal church, and is the mother of one son, Thomas Vanden Canfield.

Thomas Matthews, father of !Mrs. Canfield, was a native of Kentucky and his \vife, Adelia ( Day) Matthews, was liorn in Indiana. Thev arc IhiIIi dead. They were the parents of two children, Lola and Henr_\', deceased.

Vanden B. Canfield is highly esteemed b\' his large circle of both persona! and business acquaintances in .\urtira. where he is ha\iiig sucli success in the automoliile trade.

Hox. William H. O'Brien'

Hon. \\'illiam H. O'Brien, president of the Pei.iple's Xational Bank, Lawrenceburg, Indiana, was born at Lawrenceburg, August 22. 1855, a son of Cornelius and Llarriet Jane ( Hunter) O'Brien, nati\es, he of the town nf Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland; she of Lawrenccliurg, Indiruia. Of tlieir ciiiidren, William H. is the only one now living. The father of the subject of this sketch was reared in Ireland and educated at the city of Waterfurd. .\t the age of eighteen he came to America and located at Dover (now Kel-.o). Indiana, where he clerked in a st'ire for se\eral years. He later became deputy county clerk under William \^ Cheek, and was afterward elected county treasurer, in which office he ser\'ed two terms. While cotuitv treasurer he was elected count}' clerk and ser\ed two terms. In 185S Mr. O'Brien was elected to the state senate, where he served one tenn. He was elected tlelegate to the Democratic national convention that nominated Buchanan in 1830. Mr. O'Brien was nominated for clerk of the supreme court in i8r)o, but was defeated in the land-slide of that year, after which he settled down to the practice of law. lie died in 1809, aged fifty years. His wife survived him, and died in 1885, aged fifty-five years. Slic was an earnest member of the Methodist church.

William H. O'Brien is one of the foremost citizens of Lawrcnceburg, and tal:es an active interest in its welfare and dexelopment. Being wideawake and progressi\e. he saw jjossibilities in his home town that were o\erlooked by many of his friends, anrl is ever on the alert to do wliat lies in his power in promotin.g its interests, as well as taking a cixic pride in anything pertaining to the ad\ancement of the entire comity and its citizenshiji.

William H. O'Brien was reared in Lawrenceburg, where he attended tiitpublic school. He later entered Asbury (nnw DePauw j' University, finishing the sophomore year, after which he returned home, learned the printer's trade, and v\ent into the newspaper business. He bought the LazLrenccbitrg Register and published it from 1S77 to 1894. That paper was established in 1847, and is a Democratic weekly newspaper. 'Sir. O'Brien then became vice-president of the Citizens" Bank, which he estabhshed. He later bought the T'eojde's National Bank and consolidated the two. The People's National Bank was estabhshed in i88_', and the consolidation took place in 1005. with a capital stock of S125.000.

Mr. O'Brien is a Democrat, and has always taken the greatest possiljle interest in public affairs. That he is a wonderfully popular man, with a host of friends, is clearly shown by the following list of offices to which he has been elected, and which he has faithfully filled : He served five terms as mayor of Lawrenceburg, and in 19CJ was elected to the state senate, serving through two sessions. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention in 1900 and 1904, and in each convention was a member of the CDUimittee to notify the nominee for President. He ser\cd two terms as state auditiar - from 1910 to 1914; was chairman of the Democratic state central committee for si.\ years, and treasurer of the Democratic national committee in 1908. Mr. O'Brien belongs to Lawrenceburg Lodge No. 4, I'ree and .\ccepted Masons; Lawrencelnu-g Chapter No. 56, Royal Arch Alasons; Aurora Commanderv- No. 17. Knights Templar; also to Indiana Consistorv, and is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason. He belongs to Dearborn Lodge No. J,Q Knights of Pythias, and Tawana Tribe No. 301, Improved Order of Red ]\[en.

On the 9th of May, i88j, William H. O'Brien was united in marriage with Harriet Hunter, who was lx)m at ]\Iexico, ^Missouri, and is a daughter of William D. H. and Frances A. (Cauthorn) Hunter. Mr. Plunter was born at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and his wife at Tappahannock, Essex county.

Virginia. They resided at Lawrenccburg about twenty years. He was' asMjciated with his son-in-law in the puljjicalioii of the Register, and was formerly publisher of a paper at Mexico, Alissduri. Me dieil in 1898, aged sixtvsix years. He was a member of the Missouri legislature, and at the time of his death was cashier of the Citizens National P)ank. lie was ma\"or of tlic city of ]\Iexico, and was a delegate to the Democratic national c<invention from Missouri, in iSCtS. He was collector of internal revenue for the Lawrenccburg district, in which cajtacity he seiwed four veari>. -Mr. lluiUer and John R. Stoll, of South Bend, Indiana, established the Democratic lulitorial Association of Indiana. ]\Irs. Hunter died in 1913, agecl seventy-two years. They had two daughters, ^Irs. OT'>rien and Elizabeth, who liccame the wife of Herbert F. Patton. and resides at Cleveland, Ohio.

To ]\Ir. and Mrs. O'Brien were born the following children: Cornelius, Frances. Robert Fmmett, William IL, Elizalieth, Harriet Jane and Ruth. Cornelius is associated with the A. D. Cook Rump Manufacturing Company. His wife was Anna Belle Cook, by whom he has had two daughters. Anna Belle and Mary. Frances is a graduate of Glendale College, Glendale, Ohii k and is unmarried. Robert Emmett graduated from the E'nited States }ililitary Academy at West Point, and is a first lieutenant in the Fifth Infantry, which is no^\- stationed at Panama. He was united in marriage with Keturah Foulds, daughter of F. W". Foulds. of Highland Park, Illin(Ms. Thev have one son, Robert Emmett, Jr. \\"illiam H. graduated from the United .States Naval Acadeni}- at Annapolis, and is now an ensign in the United States navy. He is an officer on the torpedo boat destroyer, "Paul Jones.'' Elizabeth graduated from the Bartholomew Clifton School, and is the wife of Calvin \V. Verity. Tliey reside at Middletown, Ohio, and have a daugjrter, Elizabeth Jane. Flarriet Jane also graduaterl from the Bartholomew Clifton School and R}-e, New Vork, Seminary. Ruth died in infancy.

The paternal grandfather was Michael O'Brien, who wife was Harriet (Brennan) O'Brien. They died in County Kilkenny, Ireland. Cornelius was the only one of the family who came to .Vmerica. The maternal grandfather was James \\ . Hunter, who married Blarriet Protzman. Thev were both born at Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and came down the Ohio river in 18 17, locating at Lawrenceburg. Mr. Hunter was an architect and builder, was one of the very early postmasters of Lawrenceburg, and was major of the state militia. Mr. Hunter and his wife died at Lawrenceburg; he at the age of thirty-four, and she at the age of eighty- four.

Wesley George Buxger

W'esle}- George Eunger, fanner and stock-feeder, son of George Henry Bunger and Zilpha (Hizer) Bnnger, was born at Ouercus Grove, Indiana, March 13, 18S7. He was reared in Ouercns Grove, Switzerland county. His education was secured at Ouercus Grove and Patriot, Indiana, where he grew to young manhood. As a young man ^Ir. Bunger is aml)itious and filled with a desire to become as succcssfid as other wealthy farmers in his locality, he started out lu make his fortune, first going to Rising Sun, In.iliana, and later moved to LaNvrenceburg township, where he still resides, and tills a farm of almost one hundred acres. He is also a stockfeedcr, and conducts a dairy of about thirty head of cows. ]Mr. Bunger is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Ame.rica, Camp 9946. Air. Bunger is a stanch believer in Democratic principles.

Geijrge Henry Bunger, father of the subject of this sketch, was b.orn in North, Ohio count}-, Inrliana, and li\"ed there until twenty-two vears old. then moved to Ouercus Grove, Switzerland county, Indiana. Feeling that his locality was lacking in opixirtunities particularly suited to his qualifications, he then began to look about for a location that offered the required inducements, and in 1907 he moved his family to Rising Sun, Indiana, wliere he still resides. Idis wife was Zilpha Hizer, who was b'jrn and reared at Ouercus Grove, S\\it2erkind county, Indiana. They were united in marriage in 18S1, and lived at tlie place of her nativity until iCjOj. when they mi_i\-ed to Rising Sun. Two children were born to this union, Wesley George and Cla_\'- ton. The parents of Zilpha (Hizer) Bunger were Jacob Hizer and Martha Hizer. Martha Hizer was married secondly to Samuel Lostutter. and still resides at Rising Sun.

The paternal grandfather was William H. Bunger, whose wife was Flora Bunger. They came from Bremen, Germany, and settled at Xorth. Indiana, later moving to Rising Sun. v, here Air. Bunger still lives. He owned a fine farm of four hundred acres, which he recently sold to his son-in-law, George Lostutter. He is a strong Prohibitionist and a member of the Baptist church. Flora Bunger, the paternal grandmother, was a member of the Baptist church. She died in 1900, at Rising Sun, Indiana.

On August 8, 1909, Wesley George Bunger was united in marriage with Grace Schrumpf, daughter of William Arthur Schrumpf and Ida Alay ( \\^elch') Schrumpf. She was burn at Rising Sun, Indiana, April 18, 18S9, wliere she attended the public and high school. She remained at Rising Sun about a year and a half after finishing high school, and then moved to I.awrencehnrg. Her parents were also born anil reared at Rising Sun. They were the parents of four children, Grace, who became Mrs. Bunger; Laura, who married a Mr. Gar}', Julius James and Henry Russell Schrumpf.

The paternal grandparents were Julius Schrumpf and Anna i i^urth- ) Schruiiipf. The grandfather came from near Berlin, Germany, and settled at Rising Sun. Ilis wife was born at Rising Sun. They had but one si^n. William Arthur Schrumpf. Julius Schrumpf is a member of the Presl)yterian church, and his wife a member of the Baptist church. He was a successful business man, having been president of the Building and Loan Association, councilman and director in the Deposit Bank, and is a large property owner.

The mother of Grace ( Schrumpf) Bunger was a daughter of James Welch and }^Iahala ( O'Xit-I) Welch, who were l«rn near Rising Sun. James \Velch died in ic)i4, about sixty-eight years of age. Mahala Welch is still living at Rising Sun. They were the parents of five cliildren, Ida ^lay, Fred, Ernest. Lewis and Russell, all of whom have been married. Fred lives at Areola. Illinois; Ernest and Russell reside at Aurora. Indiana; and Lewis at Rising Sun. -

William A. Creath, a United States storekeeper-gauger, living at 637 Ridge avenue, Greendale, Lawrenceburg. Indiana, is a well-known citizen of this city. He was reared on the farm, and received a good education in the public schools of Ripley county, and at Purdue University, and taught seventeen years in the public schools of Riple\- and Dearborn counties. He has been engaged in the government service at Lawrencburg and while here has made many friends. Mr. Creath is prominent in the religinus. fraternal and political life of Dearborn county, and is well known in this section.

William A. Creath was born on July 22, i860, in Ripley county, Indiana, a son of Richard ]M. and Sarah Jane (Benham) Creath. They were natives of Ripley county, and had fi\'e children. William .\. is the eldest; James, the second born, and Joseph X., the fourth born, are deceased. Thomas L., the youngest child, who was a prominent lawyer of Versailles, died in the fall of 1914. The two living children are William A., and Ulysses Morton, a Methodist minister of Basin, Wvoming.

At odd times ^Ir. Creath, when not in school, worked in his father's machine shop as well as on the farm. lie began teaching at the age wf twcnly. In 189S he entered tlie goxxmnient v-n-ice in Lawrenceljin-g as United States storelceeper-gaugcr, and this position lie has held e\er since.

^^'illiam .\. Creath uas married on Angiist 28, 1889, to Emma Ma\' Piatt, the daughter of Gilbert and Elizabeth Xoyce OX'ilcox)' I'latt. Two children ha\-e been born to this union, ^lead Piatt and Clara l-'ay. Mead Piatt is a graduate of Purdue L'ni\crsity and is now in the creamer}- business at VanBuren, Indiana. Clara l'~ay was graduated from Indiana Univer.--it_\-, at Bloomington, Indiana, class 19 15.

The father of \\"illiam A. Creath was reared in Ripley county. Indiana, near Eriendship. He \\-as a fainier and also a machinist by trade. He oijcrated a shop at Eenham. He died there in 18S8, at the age of fifty-two years. Plis wife died in 1907, at the age of si.Kty-nine. r)oth were members of the Methodist church. ^Ir. Creath's paternal grandfather was William Creath, who married Leitha [Martin. They were natives of Ripley courty, Indiana, and lived at Friendship. William .Creath was a farmer. They had three children, James Anderson, ^Iclinda and Richard. Mr. Creath's patern;d great-grandfadier was Robert Creath, one of th.e pioneers of Eriendship. Ripley cotmty, Indiana, and came from Kentuck}'. He took up land from the government in 1803 and died near Erieudshi[) at an advanced age. The maternal grandfather of ]Mr. Creath was Lewis Benham, who married Xanr\ Hyatt. Both were born near Beidiam, Ripley county. The Beuhams and the Hyatts were among the early pioneers of Ripley county, coming to Ripley county from Kentucky. The first of the Benhams to settle in Rii) ley county were the parents of Lewis Benham. and the first of the Ihaits to settle in Riple}- county were the parents of his wife, Xancy. Both the Hyatts and the Benhams reared large families. The children intermarried and the progeny of these two families has grown until there are tliousands of them, a great many of whom are still living in Riplev county. Lewis Benham and wife had six children, James, Sarah Jane, Shadraeck, Eliza. Josejvb H. and Mary, of whom Joseph H. Benham is the oidy one living. The maternal great-grandfather Benham was James Benham, who served in the War of 1812.

Mrs. William A. Creath was born in ^lanchester. Dearborn count}', Indiana, ]May 17, 1865. Her parents were born in Manchester township. Dearborn county, Indiana. Both Gilbert and Elizabeth Piatt are nowdeceased. The father died in 1877, and her mother ten years previously, in

1S67. Among their children were Onier, deceased, W'ilnicr G., eliief cleri< of the comptroller of treasury, \\'ashingl(.)ii, 0. C. ; Emma Mav (Mis. Creath). Mrs. William A. Creath's paternal grandfather was SmiUi riatt. who married Elizaheth Manlitf. He was a pioneer in Manchester township, where he died well advanced in years. He had a large familv of children, as follow: Oliver. ]\lrs. Jane \'an Scyoc, ]^lrs. Prudeixe Montgomery, deceased; Mrs. Lucinda \'an Sc}-oc, Gilhert. deceased; .Mrs. llannah ^lilliken, deceased; Mrs. Susan ]Mc!Mullen and .\manda Idatt, who died in June, i<;i3. }ilrs. Creath's fnaternal grandfather. Peter Wilcn.x, was a native of New Yurk state and an early settler in [Manchester township. iJearhorn counl\-, lndi;uia. lie was a farmer. He and his wife moved to Shclhy cmintv, near Waldo m, and died there at advanced ages. They had a large family of cliiKlren. aninng whom were IMrs. Elizaheth Xoyce Piatt, Mrs. Dora Harlow, and a sun, T.-dnia Wilcox. ]Mrs. Creath's maternal grandmother, Mrs. Wilcu.x, died, ami after her death ^^Ir. Wilcox married again. Two children were horn to the second marriage, Mrs. Jennie Sparks and Elmer Wilcox. Jerry, Uz, George and Charles were children of his third wife.

Mr. and Mrs. Creath are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Creath is one of the stewards of the church. He belongs to Eawrenceburg Lodge Xo. 4, Eree and Accepted Masons. He is also a meml;cr of the Moden: Woodmen of America, and is identified with the Republican party. , ,

Nicholas Zimmer is a native of Lauterhach. Prussia, and is a son of Charles and Elizabeth Zimmer. Pie was born on December 12. 1844. and witli his father and other members of the family, left Havre. I'rance, December 16, 1852, arriving at New Orleans on IMarch ij. 1853, after an exciting voyage of ninety-two days on the ocean. They were overtaken in mid-octan by a pirate shi]i, hut when they were found to be onl\- emigrrnits. the\- were allowed to go on their way without further molestation. After this, tr;iveling was very slow and tedious, due to the fact that their main nrist Irid been broken off b}- the pirate vessel which had ran into them broadside. L'pon landing at New Orleans, they came at once to Dearborn county, where ;i lionie was soon estaldished on a farm. Nicholas Zimmer receixed a good educaf'on (such as was called good at that time) at the public schools of Death' >rn county. '

Ioi4 Dearborn County, Indiana

On January 20, 1862, Nicholas Zimmer eniisted in the Civil War, in Company I, and was later transferred to Company K, Fifty-second Regiment, Indiana \'okmteer Infantry. The following were the battles in which he saw service; Ft. Donclson, February 14. 15. 16, 1S62 ; siege of Corinth, Mississippi, June, 18G2; after which his regiment built a railroad from Corinth to Jackson, Tennessee. His regiment was later detached from Grant's forces. remaining in ]\iemphis, while the main army went to Vicksburg. and during which time, his regiment secured a steamer and patroled the river front, making themsehes safe behind bales of cotton. This was for the purpose of keeping the river open to traffic. Upon being fired upon bv the enemy, they immediately swung the boat around and landed, thus causing great surjirise to the rebels, who lost no time in disappearing frona that locality. After lea\'- ing patrol service, Mr. Zimmer went with his regiment to I'~t. Pillow. Tennessee, and was in the battle at Durhamsxille, Tennessee, and was again attached to the main army at \'icksburg. Remaining here a short time, his regiment was assigned to the Third Brigade, Second Division. Sixteenth Anny Corps, Gen. A. J. Smith, commander, and sent up Red river, and then back to Memphis. On the wa}- back Air. Zimmer was in the battle at Shreveport, Louisiana, and in the battle at Lake Chicot. Arkansas. In July, 1864, he participated in the battle of Tupelo and Gontotoc, Mississippi, and in August of the same year, took part in the battles of Hurricane Creek. College Hill and Oxford, Tennessee. From there the regiment went to Franklin, [Missouri, to head off the Confederates under General Price, who were on tlie way to St. Louis, Missouri. They gave battle at Franklin, ^Missouri, chasing the Confederates into Kansas. Mr. Zimmer also took part in the battle at Nashville, December 15 and 16, 1864, where the Union forces defeated Hood and followed Hood's army to Eastport. Alississippi, arriving tliere in I"ebruary, 1865. The army here was snowed under, starved and lived on rawcorn. The regiment was in the siege of Ft. Blakely, near Mobile, Alabama. which lasted from March 31 to April 9, 1865. The main battle was fought the same day General Lee surrendered. The war being ended, his regiment remained in Alabama until Septeml>er 10, 1865, to enforce civil law and help the southerners on their feet again. Air. Zimmer was discharged from duty September 10, 1865, and sent to Indianapolis with the regiment.

Mr. Zimmer farmed for tw'O years following his return from the army, and gave this up to go into a general merchandise store at Batesville, Indiana, selling out his stock one year later. About this time Batesville was almost destroyed by fire, throwing a great many out of employment. Mr. Zimmer then called a mass meeting, and organized a stock company and started the American Furniture Company, building" a large factor)-, wliich pn;)\ ided employment for a great number of men. After serving as secretary for tiiis establishment for alwut a year, Mr. Zimmer sold hih iiuerest and went to Cincinnati, where he started a notion store in 1879. Remaining in this business about two years, he again sold out, accepting a position as collect'jr for a brewer}-, in which capacity he served four years, vvhcn he was taken verv ill, and was obHged to take a much-needed rest.

After reg-aining his heahh ^Ir. Zimmer went to Danville, Kentucky. where he bought a Ixittling w-orks, which he also, later, sold out to good advantage. In 1890 he started in York\ilie, his present home, the hardware and implement store, and a few- years ago sold out. Mr. Zimmer is m^w lixing a retired life at Yorkville, Indiana. He is a strong liclievcr in the Rcpul>hcrui principles and holds the office of township trustee, being elected in Novemhcr, 1914. He was elected to the same office in 1891, a Democratic township, two to one. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Zimmer belongs to the Benjamin J. Spooner Post No. 586, Grand Army of the Republic.

Nicholas Zimmer was married to Barl)ara Hagen, No\-emlx;r 27, 1867. She was a native of York township, her birth occurring on .-\pril ^n. tSjS. She was reared and educated here, and remained at home until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer ha\-e no children of their own, but they adopted a cliild who died at the age of seventeen years.

Mr. Zimmer believes he is the oldest townsliip trustee in the state, and the only member of the Grand Army of the Republic holding that (office.

John Spencer Dorman

John Spencer Dorman, a farmer of Lawrenceburg townslu'p. Dearborn county, Indiana, who owns a beautiful home in Law-renceburg town-;Iiip and \vho has been prominent in civic affairs in Dearborn county, is descended from a family which was established in Dearborn county more than a hundred years ago. In fact, the Dorman family was established in DearlBirn county by Elijah and Elizabeth (Shockley) Dorman, tlic grandparents of the subject of this sketch, w-ho came to Dearl)Orn county in the ear')- twenties. They had five children, John, Wilson, Sarah, Jane and Mary. Elijah

Donnan, who was a fanner by occupation, after coming to Dearborn county froni IMaryland, lived in Sparta township the remainder of his life.

John Spencer Dormau was born on January 2^, 1851, in Holman, Manchester township, Dearl)orn county. After attending the pubHc schools of Dearborn county and Moores Hill College, at }iIoores Hill. ]\Ir. Donnan fallowed farming and school teaching until 1873, when he entered the mercantile business with his brother in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. He was a menil cr of his brother's fimi until 1S78, when he was married, after which he went into business for himself. In 1901 Air. Dorman closed out his business and in 1902 purchased sixt\-fi\e acres of land in Homestead. He also has une hundred acres in the Miami bottoms and sixty acres in Manchester tuwushij). Lately he has sold thirt_\--fi\e acres of the homestead f:irm at a greatU" advanced price. He and Mrs. Dorman purchased the entire farm his fadier owned and divided it, making three fanns, which thev sold at a good profit.

The parents of Air. Dorman, John and Jane ( Truitt ) Dorman, both came fnim near Salisbury, Alaryland. the former of whom was born in Worcester county and was married in 1832, in Mar.chester township. Dearborn county, to Jane Truitt, the daughter of Riley and Elizalieth Truitt, who came from jMar}dand to Dearborn county in 1818. John and Jane Dorman reared 'a family of four sons and one daughter: Frank R., John S., H. G., Charles W. and .-\merica A. After having cleared and improved a farm of two hundred and seventy-five acres in Manchester township, John Dorman lived Uiere the remainder of his life, dying about 1886.

John S. Dorman was married in 1887 to Airs. Xancy ( Hayes) Guard, tlie widow of Levi Guard and the daughter of Isaac and Eliza ( Fincli) Haves. Mrs. Dorman was born in Hardentown, Dearborn county, Indiana. Rv lier marriage to Levi Guard, there was born one daughter, Mrs. Harrv Sims, now deceased. Mrs. Sims left three children, Alarie and Ruth, twins, and Dorman, who is a graduate of Rurdue L^niversity, and is a chemical engineer. The father and mother had two children who grew to maturitv. Airs, hdiza Swift and Airs. Nancy Dorman. Airs. Swift has four children: Isaac, lolm. Bertha and Eva. Bertha married Charles Haye-; and Eva married Bonard Dam. Isaac Hayes was the son o{ Jacob Ha}'es, who was one of the earliest settlers in Dearborn county. Air. and Airs. Johti S. Dorman have no cliildren.

Air. Dorman has been a progressive, active man of affairs. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Rythias, as well as the Democratic party. He is a member of the Alethodist church at J.awrencebuig- and is also one of the trustees of the Homestead IMethodist church. He lias devoted his time and liis numc)- toward the uplift and impnivement of his ounmunity. ITe is a highlv respeete<l citizen of Dearborn county. ]Mrs. Dorman has proved an excellent helpmate. She is a woman of good business judgment and much credit for their success is. due directly to her.

Louis F. Rodenberg

Louis F. Rodenberg is the well-kmiwn superintendent of the Greendale di.stillery, an institution which was founded 1)_\- his father. Mr. Rodcnberg's father was engaged in the distilling Imsiness mcist i.if his life, having Ijegun his career in Lawrenceburg thirty-five _\ears ago, when he and his limtlier, Frederick, operated a distillerv near the bre\\er\- for simie time, l^aier they operated another distillery which was destroyed by fire and in 189S succeeded to the old Cereal Distillery Company, which was incorpurateil and reorganized as the Greendale Distilling Company. It was this institution of which Air. Rodcnberg's father. Christian Rodenberg, was vice-president mitil liis retirement in 19 14.

Louis F. Rodenberg was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Xo\ember 11, 1876. He is the son of Christian and Mary (Frank) Rod.enbcrg', the former of whom is a native of Germany and the latter of Ohio. They had eleven children: Caroline, who married E. LI. iMoeller, of Hartwell, Ohio; .Vmelia, wlm married John Dornette, of Cincinnati; May, who is the wife of John Thinncs. of Cinciiuiati ; Louis ¥., the sul.)ject of this sketch; Eilward. deceased; Amanda. \\ho Ijecame the wife of Harr\- Pellenus. (if Cincinnati; (ie'>rge, deceased; Catherine, who lives at home; Lillian, the wife of Clarence I'eters. of Cincinnati; Edith. wIkj married Joseph Landeuich, of Cincinnati, and Christian, who also lives in Cincinnati.

Christian Rodenberg, the father of Louis F., came to America with his parents when a boy and settled with them at Cincinnati. Here he grew to manhood and was educated. When he quit school he began working in a distillery and about 18S0 engaged in business for himself at Lawrencel.)urg. Here he and his brother. l*~rederick, built a distiller)- near the brewery which they operated for several vears. They sold it to the whiskey trust and afterwards built an independent distillery on Shipping and ]\Iill streets, which ihey operated for five years. It was destroyed by fire in 1S9S and in the fall of that year, they purchased of WilHam H. O'Brien, the assignee, the uM plant of the Cereal Distillery Company. In 1902 a stock company was formed of which IMr. Rodenbcrg- was vice-president until his retirement in 1914. This plant is nuw operated as the Greendale Distilling- Company. It is an incorporated institution and emplnys about thirlv people. Louis F. Rodenbcrg- is the superintendent in charge of the plant.

Louis F. Rodenbcrg was reared in Cincinnati, Ohio, and atten.ded the public schools of that city. _ .After leaving school he came to Lawrenceburg as a bookkeeper for his father and has remained in the distilling- business since that time. He has been superintendent since the retirement of his father.

On December 25. 1899. Louis F. Rodenberg was married to Matilda Brand, the daughter of Christian and Amelia (Fryen) Brand. Two sons. Lester R. and Louis B., ha\e lieen born to this union.

Mr. Rodenberg's paternal grandparents were Henry and Sophia Rodenberg, natives of Germany. They died in Cincinnati at advanced ages. Among their children were Christian, Louis, Fred and daughters, }vlina, Christina and .Louise. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Rodenberg were Henry Frank and wife, Elizabeth, natives of Germany, who also died in Cincinnati. He was a farmer. Their children were George, Henry, John, ]\lary and Catherine.

Mrs. Matilda Rodenberg was born in Lawrencelmrg and educated in the public sch'jols. Her father was a native of Genriany and her mother of Lawrenceburg. They are now living in Indianapolis, where he is a cabinetmaker. They had two children, [Matilda and Meta, who married L. L. Paul, of Dublin, Indiana. Airs. Rodenberg's maternal grandparents were George Fryen and wife, natives of Germany and early settlers in Dearborn county, where they died. Their children were ]\lollie, George. .Anna, Fred, William and Henry.

Mr. and Mrs. Louis F. Rodenberg are men-ibers of the Zion Evangelical church. Mr. Rodenberg belongs to Lawrenceburg Lodge No. 4, Free and Masons. He is also a member of Dearborn Lodge Xo. 49, Knights of Pythias. He is a director in the Dearborn Loan and Building .Association. In politics he is a Republican.

For three generations, the Rodenberg family has been identified with the history of this county and has been prominent in the business and civic life of the community. Louis F. Rodenberg is well equipped to uphold the traditions of the family. His knowledge of the business with which he is connected has been no inconsiderable factor in its growth and prosperity.

Philip J. E.Aiaiert

The moral and religious training- of a family several decades ago was regarded as very essential for the future well-being of its mcmliers ; such neglect of these essentials as is so commonly noted today being then frowned upon as little less than heathen. Such was the dictum in the native town of the Emmerts. With high moral and religious opinions dominating, it is needless to sa_\- that the children of this family were brought up amid conditions based upon the most rigid and austere discipline: the least disobedience often being followed by severe measures, the older sons of the family recei\- ing the full force of such harsh treatment proving an impressive object lesson to the younger members of the family. And the same was true of all the neighboring" families, de\-out. God-fearing, industrious people, among whom all forms of labor save those of actual necessity and mercy were rigorously suspended on the Sabbath day, not even the least member of the family being permitted to drive a nail or a tack in play on that day. The high principles underlying this austerity were lirought with them Ijy these people when they set out for their new homes across the sea. and had John Wesley, thc father of Methodism, who was so impressed by the practical daily religious conduct of the Moravians alx)ard the vessel when he was on his voyage to America, been present for two months on the good ship "Montpelier," James W'atkins, master, he would have been equally impressed by the daily de\'otions of that numerous company of parents and children, neighbors, among whom were the Emmerts, immigrants from their nati\e canton, a few miles from the river Rhine and twenty miles from the French frontier, in Rheiiu'^h Bavaria, who morning and e\ening knelt in silent devotion, placing their reliance on that over-ruling Providence that rules the winds and the waves of the great deep. These colonists who were seeking a new home on this side the Atlantic were Lutherans in their religious belief, but fully seven-eighths of them later became German Methodists and their descendants today are found in the [Methodist churches of the larger cities of Ohio, Indiana and the western states, even to the cities of the Pacific coast.

Several Emmerts with baptismal names similar to tiiose long borne in the family of Philip J. Emmert. came to America as early as 1730, according to "'Rupp," in his history of the 'Pennsylvania Germans, and others a few years following, from what then was known as the Rheinish Palatinate, who had settled in the latter place as Erench Huguenots, who had fled their native country because of persecution in the latter part of the seventeenth century.

during the reig-n of Louis XIV, many of whom later settled in other parts of Germany, England, Ireland and America, the descendants of such as came to this side being found numerously in Georgia, Tennessee, West \'irgii;ia, i'ennsylvania, Ohio, huliana, Illinois, ^^lissouri and Iowa. Peter hJnmert, brother of Philip J. b'.mmert. while at Xew Orleans as a memlicr of the Twelfth Regiment, Indiana \"olunteci- Infantry, during the Ci\il War, met an Emmcri, whose ancestors settled in Louisiana at the time of the early settlement of that territor}- ; while a competent authority on [Methodism in .Vnieriea states tliat Philip Lmbury and Barbara Pleck, the first Methodists in America, came here from Ireland, but whose parents were natives of the Rheinish Palatinate, confirming the statement of "Rupp" in reference to the Huguenots.

To have been connected with the business circles of Lawrenceburg, county seat of this cijunty, fijr ncarh- three-quarters of a century, ar.d to have attained honorable and enviable rank as the oldest living merchant, from the point of continuous activity, in that city, are the distinctions which properly belong to Philip J. Emmert, a native of Rlieinish Bavaria, who was brought to America by his parents, along with a goodly compan\' of their neighbors, on tlie good ship "^lontpclier,"' when he was five years of age. Mr. Emmert's attainment to his present business position has Iieen marked by the patient progress in achievement so peculiarly and commcndal)lv characteristic of the people of his racial stock. His career has not been marked by any spectacular accomplishments, }-ct he has gone on from year to year, performing each day's task and doing each day's duty as though each day were the last he was to live on earth. His code of living not only has redounded to the benefit of his personal fortunes, which, properly enough, are not inconsiderable, hut it also has redounded to the benefit of his fellow townsmen and to all the people of Dearborn county. It was he who wrote the subscription list for the establishment of the ^liami \'alley Furniture Company in Lawrencel)urg, which in.siitution proved to be the nucleirs of the coffin factory and the James-Meyer Buggy Company, which have become two of Lawrenceburg's thri\ing industries. Naturally, tliere are manv incidents in the life of Mr. Emmert which are not only worthy of preservation in the annals of Dearborn county but which it would be a distinct loss to omit.

Phihp J. Emmert strenuously favored the raising and strengthening of the Lawrenceliurg le\ee. He advocated this improvement while he was a meml;er of the city council, and both before and since that time urged that the city secure adequate protection liy the erecti(in cif a concrete wall: ])elie\ing that it would be the greatest factor for the future prosperity of the city. P.y \-oice and pen he has ad\ocated municipal ownership of all public utilities, .sucli ah gas, electric light plant and waterworks. Air. Emmert has worked for the improvement of public roads, industrial schools for boys and girls; and for a quarter of a century has made known through the public pre>s the ad\ isability of automatic safety appliances on all railways - ts[)ccially automatic tra.iii stops in case of threatened collision or open switch. Mr. hanmcrt has invented an automatic system (caveat of which is on file in the patent office) wliich indicates the arrival and departure of all trains, instantly \'isibie on a chart at ever}' station on the raihva}-. Philip J. Emmert has ever been ready with a word of encouragement for e\-ery enterprise, private, public, edncationrd (jr benevolent, that would redound to the benefit of the community.

Although Philip J. Emmert was born in the town of ]\lutterstadt, Rheinish Bavaria, on November 27, 1841. his parents, Christopher and Aima bdi/abeth (Ott) Emmert, who v/ere born in the same place, were born at a time when Mutterstadt was a part of the dominion of the French Empire, such having been the changes affected in course of time in consequence of the military contests between German}- and France. Oidy two sous of the five sons and two daughters born to Christopher and Anna Elizabetli Emmert are now (October, 1915) living. Philip J., the immediate subject of this liiographical sketch, and Jacob Emmert, who resides at Clarksburg, in Decatur count}', this state, where he established a flour and saw-mill business, now continued by his son, and who is, himself, manager and proprietor of one of the best stock farms in Decatur county, and a resident of Clarksburg for fifty years.

The three deceased sons were: Peter Emmert. who enlisted on the day of Lincoln's first call for seventy-fi\-e thousand \-olunteers. at the iieginning of the Civil War. in April. 1S61. and who; as a member of Capt. Xat. Lord's company. Seventh Reginient, Lidiana Volunteer Infar.try, F.b. F)umont, colonel. participated in the first skirmish or initial engagement between the northern and the southern armies, following the attack on the "Star of the West" In- South Carolina rel>els at Charleston, the act that precipitated the War of tlie Rebellion. He also was in the engagement at Carricks Ford, where the Rebel general, Garnett, was killed and his forces captured. At the expiration of his period of original enlistment, Peter Emmert returned home and presently re-inlisted and was later transferred to the cavalry branch of die service, with he performed valiant service until the close of the war, peace having been declared while he was engaged rounding up Rebel bushwackers in the swamps of Louisiana. Peter Emmert lived many years of usefulness after the

Frederick Emmert. second of the deceased sons of Christoplier Emmert, for many years had charge of the flour-barrel department of the Lewis & Eichelberger cooperage at Lawrenceburg. During the Civil War he served in the bridge-building service until disabled by Rebel raiders. He was in the United States re\enue collecting service during the Harrison administration and died in Kansas City on June 22, 1899. John Emmert, third of these deceased sons, established and for several years operated what is now Icnown as the Garland flour-mills, at Greensburg. this state, where his death occurred in 18S2. He left several sons and daughters who are now residents, variously, of Shelb}'ville, Anderson and Greensburg. The two daughters of Christopher and Anna Elizabeth Emmert, both of whom now are deceased, were: ElizalK-th, who married George Koffenberger and who died at \\'\\- mington, Delaware, in 1S71. and whose remains were laid to rest in the old Swedish cemeter\- of tiiat place, and Catherine Barbara, who married Solomon Prell. also of Wilmington. Delaware. She died in Xew York City in 1S83 and was buried in Mt. Vernon cemetery at Philadelphia. Her children and grandchildren are engaged in lucrative businesses in the cities mentioned. Christopher Emmert, father of the aliove children, who was born in 1802, died in 1868, and his widow, who was born in 1804, died in 1877, both having been for manv vears counted as among the useful and respected residents of the city of Lawrenceburg.

The great-grandparents of Philip J. Emmert were George Christian and Mary Elizabeth (Weinacht) Emmert, who were married m 1763. Both his grandfather and his father were farmers by occupation in their native land. The latter came to America with his wife and children in 1846 and for a time after settling in this country was employed in flour-mills. After having spent some tiine in Philadelphia, the Emmert family engaged in farming for a year in the state of ?^[aryland, near the city of Washington, and finally settled at Illchester, on the Baltimore '& Ohio railroad, where the father was employed in the Ellicott's mills and where the son, John, learned the miller's trade. They then moved to Wilmington, Delaware, in 185 1. and there Christopher Emmert and son, John, recei\"ed employment in the Brandywine flour-mills, then the most extensive mills of the kind in the United States. The family came to Indiana in September, 1854, locating at Lawrenceburg, this county, and were presently followed by other friends and acquaintances from the East, John Emmert having preceded the other members of the family to Law- rcnceburg the year previous, was at once employed bv Lewis & Eichelbergor in their newly built fluur-niill, then the largest in Indiana, because of his previous experience in the eastern export mills, and the father and the uther four sons, in the course of a short time, were employed by the same firm, and in that city Christopher Enimert and his wife spent the rest of their lives. Tliey were devoted members of the Lutheran church and their children were reared in that faith. Christopher Emmert's father, Martin Emmert. was a farmer by occupation and was the father of seven children, of whom Christopher was the fifth in order of birth.

Philip J., the sixth, was the only other of Christopher Emmert's brothers to come to America. He arrived in 1849 and 1S51 located near Queen City, Schuyler county, INIissouri. where he died in 1807. '"^ ^'''^ great age of ninetythree years. Two of his sons gave their serxices to their adopted country as soldiers in the Union army during the Civil War. Prompted by the emotions that inspired the artist's conception of that touching and thrilling picture, "Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way," in the rotunda of the capitol at Wasln'ngton, the children of Philip J. Enimert established homes in Oklahoma. Washington and other western states, availing themseh'es of the opportunities offered in this free and enlightened country: the ])rime object that moved to action their fathers in forsaking their native laud, that their posterity might inherit largely.

The other children of Martin Emmert were Peter, John, George. Elizabeth and Catherine. The founder of the Emmert family in IMutterstadt, Rheinish Bavaria, was Johan Christopher Emmert, who settled there about the year 1700. Jacob and Elizabedi (Wild) Ott. maternal grandparents of the subject of this review, did not come to America. Although but a shoemaker bv trade, Jacob Ott acquired cijnsiderable pnjpert}-, as reckoned at that time in that country. He and his wife had two daughters, .\una Elizabeth, mother of Mr. Emmert, and Catherine Barbara, who married a Mr. Miller.