Dearborn County, Indiana - The whole text, 1915 (part 14 of 15)

When the Emmert family came from Delaware to this county, locating at Lawrenceburg. Philip J. Emmert was thirteen years of age and had practicall\- completed his education in the schools of Wilmington, Ijut for a short time after arrriving in Lawrenceburg, he attended the schools conducted by Hamlet Sparks, an uncle of former Governor Durbin, of Indiana. On August ir, 1855, at the age of thirteen, he began clerking in the dry-goods store, at tliat time owned and operated by Lewis Brothers, at the corner of Short and High streets. Two years later, in 1856, the firm name was changed to Lewis,

Moore & Lewis and in the siirint,^ of 1S57 this firm mo\cd to the corner room of the I. O. O. F. o{_>era house l:)uilding. and at the expiration of the lease covering tliat room, in 1SG2. mo\"ed ti.i tlie quarters now occupied h\ the Ennnert store, at the corner of High and Short streets. Seven years later. in 1869, PhiHp J. Emmert succeeded to tlie business and has operated it ever since. Thus was begun the independent career of the young man, who, at the age of thirteen, had been given the key of the store of his employers ant! who, during all the }ears of his apprenticeship, -was accustomed to open the store in the morning. '\[v. Emmert has sold goods in the city of Lawrenceburg for a peri':)d of sixty years and for the past forty-six Acars has been in business for himself. The good will and the share of trade accorded him by the community in the sale of dry goods and other commodities pertaining to the business is not a matter of accident or sudden "good fortune." }vlr. Emmert's success has been built upon a firm foundation of skillful anrl careful management and honorable and fair dealing with the public.

In Xo\-ember, 18(15, *"'-"-'^" }ears before he became propriettjr of his present store, Phihp J. Emmert was united in marriage to Catherine Hodell. daughter of George and Catherine ( Berke) Hodell, natives of Alsace, who were the parents of si.x children, of whom Catherine was the fifth in or<ler of birth. ]\Irs. Catherine Emmert died in Marcii, 1S67, without issue, and on October 22, 1869, Mr. Emmert married, secondly, ]\Iary AI. Deuschle. daughter of Lorenz and Ann ^lary (Schopper) Deuschle, natix'es of Kingen. near Stuttgart, in Wurtemburg. Germany. ]Mar_\' M. Deuschle was born near Stuttgart on Xo\'ember 19, 1845, '^"*^ ^^''^* seven \ears of age when her parents came to America with their family and settled in Lawrenceburg. During a temporary residence of the Deuschle family in Cincinnati she had attended a private school in that city. She is one of se\'en children born to h.er parents. A brother, George, the second of the family, was killed while ser\-- ing as a L'nion soldier during the Civil War. The other children were John, Joseph, IMary M., !Mrs. ]Minnie Ferger, of Indianapolis, and William and Carrie, of Lawrenceburg, where they own a dry-goods store. The father of these children died at Lawrenceburg in 1874, at the age of sixty-four and his widow died in the same city in 1893, in her eightieth year. !Mrs. Emmert's maternal grandfather, Gottlieb Schopper, married Anna Haspel and was the father of three children, Anna ^lary, Ix)uisa and Minnie.

To Philip J. and Alary ]\[. (Deuschle) Emmert one son has been born, their only child, Edward, who, upon completing the course in the Lawrenceburg public schools entered DePauvv University, later attending Johns Hop- kins University, at Baltimore, and Miami Medical College, from which latter institution he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine, and is now a wellknown and successful jiracticing physician at Lawrencehurg, the citv of his birth. Doctor Emmert married Edna Menke and he and his wife occupy a high position in the social life of the city.

Mr. F.mmert, \\ho has had reasonable success in his business, is thoroughly honorable and straightforward in his dealings and commands the respect and confidence of the entire community. Having l.icen somewhat of a reader during his long life, he is a man of intellectual acquirements and, possessing a retentive memory, which is brought into requisition while in conversation, he gives his hearers an impression of his earnestness, a desire fiir accuracy and precision, which to some might convey an impression of undue earnestness on his part. For one of his years he is a remarkably active man and attends personally to the more important details of the management of his store, in which he is ably assisted by his good wife, who, though of small stature, fills the niche of. her particular sphere in the home, in the store and elsewhere, with good judgment and rare tact.

Cornelius O'Brien

Business is a hard taskmaster and those who would worshiji at her shrine must apply themselves diligently and to some extent follow well-settled and well-determined rules. In the larger sense, however, business is especially a matter which calls forth the indi\-idualit\' of each and every person engaged in it, and that vocation is most profitable which offers and in\-ites the best talent and energies of which the individual is possessed. Success in business is a relative term, and depends upon many factors. Because men are not equal in opportimity or in ability the measure of success must be different for different persons. Cornelius O'Brien, who for a number of years was engaged in banking in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and who has become prominent in the financial circles of Dearborn county, is the son of a distingT.u'shed banker and citizen of this state. No one is able to say that he has relied for his success upon his native ability alone. He has always been quite willing to apply himself diligently and personal effort has been a large factor in his accomplishments. Associated now with .\. D. Cook, manufacturer of pumps at Lawrenceburg, Mr. O'Brien has given to this business not only tlie native aliility with which lie is eiulowed,, but his lx?st pliysical ami mental efforts, and to him is due no small measiu'e of success of tlie firm in recent years.

The Hon, William H. O'Brien is one of the best-known citi;^ens of the state of Indiana, ami has lately retired after ha\ing ser\ed two terms as auditor of the state of Indiana, h'or a quarter of a centiu'}' he has been connected prominently with financial and commercial enterprises in this city. The president of the Peoples National Bank at ]_awrenceburg, Imliana, he was born in Lawrenceburg. August 22. 1855, and is the son of Cornelius and Harriet Jane (Hunter) O'Brien, the former a native of Countv Kilkennv, Ireland, and the latter of Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Of their children. Hon. William H. O'Brien is the otily one living. At the age of eighteen Cornelius O'Brien came to America, and located at Do\-er, now Kelsu, Indian.a, where for se\'eral years he worked ab a clerk in a store. Later he became c<->uuty clerk and suljsecjuently county treasurer, ser\'ing in the latter nffice two terms. In 1S5S he was elected to the Indiana state senate and served one term. In 1856 he was a delegate to the Democratic national ccjinentiun that nominated President Buchanan. In i860 he was the nominee of the Democratic party for clerk of supreme court and was defeated in the Republican landslide of that year, which resulted in the election of Abraham Lincoln as President. Lie then settled down to practice la\\' aufl died in 1869, at the age of fifty years. His wife died in 1885, at the age of fifty-five. She was a member of the ^^lethodist church.

Educated in the public schools of Lawrenceljurg and in .\sbury ( nr,\v DePauw) L'niversity. Hon. William H. O'Brien, after completing his si^phnmore year, returned home, learned the printer's tratle and was engaged in the newspaper business. From 1877 to 1894 he published the LaicrL-iicchur'^ Register. Subsequenth-, he liecame vice-president of the Citizens Brink, which he organized. Later, upon the consolidation of the Peoples National Bank and the Citizens National Bank, he became president of the consolidatefl institution. He served five terms as mayor of Lawrenceburg, and in 1902 was elected to the Indiana state senate, serving through two sessions. In 1910 to 1914 he was auditor of state. For six years he was chairman of the Democratic state central ci:>mmittee. and treasurer of the Democratic national committee in 1908. Mr. O'Brien is prominent in fraternal circles of Dear-

Dearborn Col'Xty. Ixdiaxa. I027

Iwrn county, lieing a Knight 'I'emplar and a tliirty->ieciinfl-ilegrec Scottish Rite ]\rasoi). He is also a member of the Knights of Pytliias and the Red Men.

Hon. W'ilham H. O'Brien's wife, to win mi he was marricil on Mav 0. 1882. and who before her marriage was Harriet Hunter, was li<irn at Mexico. Missouri, and is the daughter of W'ilham I). H. and I'rances A. (Canthorn) Hunter, the former of whom was a native of Lawrencchurg, Indiana. and the latter of whom A\'as a nati\e of Tappahannock. Essex countv. \'irginia. For twenty years the\- resided at Lawrencehurg, and Mr. Hunter was associated with his son-in-law, Mr. ()'l;!rien, in the puhlicatii>n oi the Ri\^isLT. Air. Hunter ser\-ed as a memlx-r of the Missouri legislature and at the time of his death was cashier of the Citizens National Bank. He was also mayor of Alexico, [Missouri, and a delegate to the Democratic national conxentii'U from Missouri in 186S. For a number of years he was collector of internal revenue for the Lawrenceljurg district. In association with J(jhn P.. StoU. of South Bend, Indiana, he established the Democratic Editorial Association of Indiana. He and liis wife had two children, Mrs. W. H. O'Brien, and Flizabetli, who married Herbert F. Patton, of Clexeland, Ohi<i.

Mr. and Airs. W. H, O'Brien ha\-e had se\"en children. Cornelius, the subject of this sketch, Frances, Robert Emmett^ William H.. Jr.. Elizabeth. Harriet Jane, and Ruth. Robert Emmett was graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and is a first lieutenant in the I'ifth Iiifantr}-, which is now stationed at Panama, tie married Keturah b'oulds. William H., Jr., graduated from tlie United States Xaval Academy at Annapolis, and is now an ensign in the I'nitcfl States na\}-. He is assigned 10 tlie torpedo lx)at destro}'er. "Paul Jones." Elizabeth, who graduated from the Bartholomew Clifton School, is the wife of Cabin W. \'erity. Harriet Jane graduated from the Barthc^lomew Clifton School. Ruth died in infancy.

Reared in Lawrencebiirg, Indiana, Cornelius O'Brien, the eklest child born to his parents, was educated in the pul.ilic schools of this city, and later attended Moores Ilill College for twD vears. Subse(|uently. he entered Pu.rdue I'niversity and was a student there for some time, .\fter leaving Purdue he became cashier of the Citizens' National Bank of this city, and at the end of this period, the Citizens' National having been consolidateil with the People's National, became assistant cashier of the consolidated bank, a po-iti'>n which he still holds. In this count}- he is known as a most careful and consen'ative banker, and appreciates the large opportunities which the banker has to promote industrial, agricultural and commercial enterprise. He is a

In 1909 Mr. O'Brien became connected with the A. D. Cook Pump Works, and now devotes all of his time to this business. This conipaii}- employs about eighty people, and is one of the prosperous industrial enterprises of this city.

On April 14, 19C9, Cornelius O'Brien was married to Anna Belle Cook, the daughter of Augustus I), and .-\nna (Hassmer) Cook. Two daughters, Anna Belle and INIary, have been born to this union.

Mrs. O'Brien, a native of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, dining her entire life has been popular socially in this city. Her father was a native of Germanv and her mother of Ripley county. Both are now living in Greendale. The father is the chief owner and proprietor of the A. D. Cook Pump Works. Mrs. O'Brien is his only child. .\ further account of the Cook familv history is to be found elsewhere in this volume.

Among the financial enterprises with which ?dr. O'Brien is connected at the present time is the Dearborn County Building and Loan Association, in which he is a director. For many years he, has also been active in the management of the Dearborn County Fair Association, having been for three years secretary of the association and for six years, treasurer. For some time he has represented the first Indiana district on the state board of agriculture. Like his wortliy father and grandfather he has for a number of years been prominent in politics and is the present treasurer of the Democratic central committee of Dearborn county. In fact, he has held this position ever since he became a voter. His efforts in behalf of the financial success of the party and the raising of campaign funds have had a great deal to do with the success of the party in this county. Mr. O'Brien is a member of Lawrenceburg Lodge No. 4, Free and Accepted Masons. He is a past master. He is also a member of Lawrenceburg Chapter No. 56, Royal Arch ^Masons, and of Aurora Commandery, Knights Templar. He is past chancellor of Dearborn Lodge No. 49, Knights of Pythias. At college he was a member of the Phi Kappi Psi fraternity and is a prominent alumnus of this organization. ^Ir. O'Brien is a member of the Methodist church.

Too much cannot be said in commendation of the career of the subject of this sketch. It may be true that he has been favored somewhat by circumstances, but he has never taken advantage of these circumstances in preference to standing on his own merits and winning on this basis alone. It is no wonder therefore he is popular with all classes of people in this county, for among the young men residing here he occupies a position of confidence and esteem.

Among the well-known farmers of Lawrencehurg township, Dearborn county, Indiana, are Henry. Charles and Fred PI. Vonhnlt, the sons of Fred and Sophia (Leupke) Vonholt, natives of Germany, the former of whom was - born in March, 1S21, and the latter was born on October 27, 1S27.

Henn,- Vonholt was born on July 26, 1857; Charles Vonholt was born on July 2, 1S59. and Fred Vonholt was born in April, 1861. The X'onholt brothers now ha\'e no rclati\-es living except two cousins, Fred and Henry Gralibenkamper. who live at Vinton Place, Ohio, and who are the sons of Henry and Angeline (^'^onholt) Grabbenkamper, both deceased.

The parents of Flenry, Charles and Fred H. Vonholt came to America early in life and first settled in Cincimiati, Ohio, where they li\ed for many years. Subsequently, however, they renio\'ed to a farm near Lawrencehurg, Indiana, and li\ed in Lawrencehurg township for the remainder of their lives. They owned a farm consisting of one hundred and thirty acres in Lawrencehurg township, which is now owned jointly by their three sons, the subjects of this sketch. The farm is located three miles from Lawrencehurg, and also three miles from Aurora. It is beautifully situated, highly productive and shows the care and good management of the tlirifty German farmers who own it. The father was a most excellent farmer and from the products of this farm was enabled for many years to olitain a comfortable li\'ing. He is engaged in mixed farming, raising all of the grains common in this section of the state, and a considerable number of hogs and cattle every year. Llis sons, who have succeeded him in the management and ownership of the fann, have followed in his footsteps. The buildings on the farm are substantial and well located, fences well kept up, and the soil is well drained! Located on a much traveled thoroughfare, the \'onholt farm presents an attractive and pleasing appearance.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Vonholt were prominent farmers in their neighborhood and influeiitial citizens in the community. Both belonged to the Zion Evangelical church of Lawrencehurg. Of their seven children four are nowdeceased, the living children being the subjects of this sketch. After a long and useful life the father, who was kind and intelligent, and who by economic living, toil and good management pro\"ided well tor his faniilv. passed awav on February 18, 1904, at the age of nearly eighty-four years. His beloved wife, the mother of Henry, Charles and Fred H. Vonholt. died on Januar\- 17, 19IJ. at the age of nearly eighty-five years. Their meniDrv is revered by their dutiful sons, who at their passing succeeded tfi the comfortable furtune which liic}' left.

In many respects the li\es of Fred and .Sophia (Leupke) Vonholt were not unlike the lives of many men and ^vomen who ha\-e come to our shores from foreign lands, and who have adiled so much to the stability of our institutions. To say tliat they were diligent. God-fearing and sincere people is to tell only a small part uf the truth. They were all this, hut tliev were even more. In unremitting toil they expended their life's energies that their children migiit live in comfort and happiness. Nor is it too much to say that the three sons who hear their name revere their memory and respect' them for the loving kindness which they bestowed so generously, not onh- up'^n their children, but upon all who came in contact with their benign and endearing influence.

Williaai Meyers

A man's reputation is the property of the world, for the laws which govern modern society have so decreed. When after long years of residence in one locality a man is held in higli esteem by those wdio know him best and have come into contact with him in both a social and business way, then indeed is his reputation for all that makes for true manhood a thing to be highly prized by him and a rich inheritance to be left to his children. The reputation of William Meyers, one of the leading citizens of Clav township. Dearborn county, Indiana, has been unassailable all along the pathwavs of life, according to those who have known him long and well and it is therefore fitting that a short sketch of his career should find a place within the pages of a book of the character of the one in hand.

William Meyers has passed his entire life in this community, having been born in E)illsboro on September 2~. 1873, ^ ^O" of John and Marv (Johnson) Meyers. John Meyers also was a native of Dillsboro. having first seen the light of day in that hamlet on December 5, 1S44. The Aleyers familv were among the early citizens of Dillsboro and have been associated with its affairs from the time it was merely a village up to the present thriving town of today.

John Meyers was a farmer all his hfc. His first property lioldings consisted -of sixty acres of farm land, to which he added from time to time imlil he was owner of one hundred and eighty-eight acres. At the Ijeginning of the Ci\il War, he cnhsted with the cause of tlie Union, ser\ing for three years as a private in the Seventh Inihana Cavah'y. during wh.ich time he saw much active service. His deatli occurred on Fehruary ii, 1912, when si.\ty-eight years of age. Throughout his life he was one of the highly respected men of the communit}^ in which his entire life had heen passed. Mary (Johnsnn) JMeyers, his wife, was born in this count}-, near Farmers Retreat, on May 7. 1S46, and remained with her parents until the time of her marriage.

William and Evangeline }ileyers were the paternal grandparents of the immediate subject of this sketch and both were natives of the German empire. They \vere married before coming to this countr}-, wliich they did when about thirty-five }-ears of age, and brought one or two of their cliildren with them, the balance being born in this country. There were seven in their famih- : Louisa. Henry, Sophia. Catherine, John, Edward and .\nilre\v. William ^Meyers locatetl in Dearborn on land which he secured from the government and gave the balance of his life to agricultural work. He reclaimed his land from the virgin forests and after many years of hard labor put it into excellent shape for cultivation.

William [Meyers is one of a family of four children, one of whom died in early infancy. The others are Henry and Alice. Henry married Lillian Fritsch and they make their home in Dillsboro. They ha\'e one child. Harry. Alice Meyers became the wife of Andrew Zimmerman and they reside at ^lilroy, Minnesota, where they are engaged in farmin.g. There are three children in their family: Floyd, Velma and Clara, all of whom are attending school.

William Me\ers received his education in the schools of Cla_\' township and remained on the family homestead, assisting his father in the work of the farm, until the time of his marriage. After marriage he rented a farm in Clay township for some eleven years, and in 19 12 purchased the ;)iace. where he has continued to make his home to the present time. Mr. Meyers carries on general farming, such as is practiced throughout this section and is uniformly successful with his crops.

On August 22, 1901, William IMeyers was united in marriage with Minnie Graver, a daughter of William antl Millie (Buecker) Graver, both of whom were natives of Germany, having come to this section in 1S67, when thev settled near Dillsboro, where tliev continued to make their home. To

Mr. iMcyers holds his religious membership in the Presbyterian church, of which he has been a I'aithful member for a number of years. His political support is given the Republican party and he is regarded as one of the strong advocates of that party's principles in this community. For four years he served his party most efficiently as road supervisor for Clay township and he has also filled, with satisfaction to all, the office of township trustee. Mr. Meyers holds his fraternal affiliation with the Knights of Pythias and the Red Men through the local societies of those bodies. He is at present serving the former order as chancellor and has the distinction of being one of the charter members of the local lodge of the Red Men. Mr. Meyer has long since proven himself to be a man among men in every particular, ha\"- ing met the various issues of life in the proper spirit. He takes a deep and abiding interest in all that concerns the welfare of the communit_\- and natinn and gives his earnest support to all movements for the advancement of his fellow men.

The attention of 'the reader is now called to a short sketch of the life of William H. INIcCune, one of the oldest citizens of Dearborn county. Indiana. ]McCune was born in Clay township on April 10, 1S30, and during his life has seen many remarkable changes come to pass. In his earlier life much of the labor of the farm was done by hand, by methods which seem now most antiquated when the modern farm implements are considered. In the earlier da}"s the farmer was practically isolated from the world and its affairs, but now he may have at his door every da_\- the daily newspaper, his telephone places him in instant connection with the world at large and his home may be as modern and convenient as any city home.

William H. ]McCune is the son of John and Elizabeth (Riemer) McCune, the former born in Ohio and the latter in North Carolina. John iNIcCune came to Dearborn county when a young man, locating here for the balance of his life, his death occurring in middle age. William McCune had a great reputation as a hunter and trapper in his younger years, spending much time in that manner, and now at the age of eighty-five he is still able to handle a gun successfully in competition with the best shots. Throughout the years, many fox, coons, opossum and other game liave fallen by his hand and he has the distinction of having killed the last deer to be shot in Caesar Creek township.

William H. McCune was one of a family of four children, namely : Mary, John, William and Sylvester. In his younger }'ears he worked out b}- the month on farms throughout this section and then purchased a farm of forty acres in this county, wliere he lived for years, lie then purcha-^cd the interests of the heirs in the farm of his wife's father, this consisting of forty-two acres in Caesar Creek township and later purchased an adjoining tract of forty acres, whereon he farmed fur a number of years.

On August 4, 1855, \\"illiam H. McCune was married to Elizabeth Headley, who died on November 12, 190T. at the age of se\'enty-three years. She was the mother of eight children, namely: Harrison, Wesley, Mary, Sarah Belle, Anna, Philip, America and Emily. Harrison married Martha Spangler; Wesley married Elvira Hindman; America became the wife of Francis C. Gloyd and the mother of two children, ^Myrtle and Ilarry: Emily married Plenry Bohb and lives in Peoria, Illinois ; Philip married Emma L. Gloyd. who was born in Ripley county, a daughter of James H. and .\deline (0"Xeal) Gloyd, their marriage being solemnized on September 8, 1S87.

Mr. McCune is remarkably well preserved for one of his years and in the spring of 191 5, when eighty-five years old, he cut and split seventeen - cords of stove-wood. He owes his remarkable health and vigor to bis out-door life and for one of his age he shows unusual vitalitv.

The subject of this biographical sketch has always been a man of wonderful vitality and energy, far beyond that of tlie average individual, and taken a deep interest in the public affairs of his township. William Charles Mulford, justice of the peace, Sparta township, was born on November 11. 1842, in the same township in which he now resides. His parents were Benjamin and ^Nlary (Legg) ]\Iulford. He received his education at the district schools at Cold Springs, and when through school followed farming under the instruction of his father, and has been in that business all his life. Mr. Mulford has always been prominent in the affairs of his township, and has not escaped some of the public offices, among them being justice of the peace, which he held f<jr twenty-four years in Sparta townsliip. and was also road supervisor. Poh'lically, he has always given his support to the Democratic party, and his religious membership is with the Presbyterian church. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd I'ellows and the Knights of Pythias.

Benjamin AInlford, father of \\'illiani C. Alnlford, was born on August 17, 1803, in Clermont count}', Ohio, anil recei\'ed his education in that section. His father died when he was quite young and he was called upon to look after the farm and the family, living there until i83_', when he came to Sparta township and bought one hundred and si.xty acres of land at a cost of three hundred dollars, and in 1834 he bought forty acress adjoining, for which he traded a house. He lived on this farm until his deadi, which occurred on February 2S, 1S83, aged eighty-one years. Mr. ]\Iulford was a Democrat, was interested in all pul^lic enterprises and was particularly energetic on the question of good roads, many of which he assisted in building, and was road supervisor for a number of yeai-s. His religious membership was with the l''ree \\'ill Baptist church. His parents were Daniel and Constance Mulford, and his wife was Mary (Legg) .Mulford, daughter of John and Constance Legg. She was bom on February 22, 1808, in Boone county. Kentucky, and was educated at Cincinnati, where she lived until her marriage, which took place near the present site of the Cincinnati Zoo.

Mr. and ^[rs. Benjamin >,[ulford were the parents of six children, and had one adopted child: Oliver, John, Ann, William. Franklin and one who died young. Oliver Mulford married Sarah Wills and lived at Dillsboro, Indian.a, where he followed the blacksmith trade. They had seven children, Benjamin, C)liver, Martha, Sarah, Morton, Grant and Frank. John Mulford was married twice, first to Cynthia Henderson, by whom he had foiu" children, Charles, ATartha, Mary Alice and Ida, and liy his second wife, Mary Chance, he had three children, Morton, Laura and Emma. Ann Mulford became the wife of Michael Tarelin, and lived in Sparta township. They had six children, Mary, Elizabeth, Catherine, John, Edward and I''anny. F^-anklin jMulford was also married twice, first to Nellie Allen, who died young. They lived in Ripley county, and were the parents of four children, Oliver, Albert, Cora and Freemont. Mr. Mulford's second wife was Catherine Allen. They resided at Pierceville, Ripley county, and were the parents of four children. Mary. Laura, Hazel and Lora. James Vandolah was the adopted cliild, and he marrieil Mary Larabee. Thev li\ed in Sparta to\\nship and two children were born to this union.

The pnternal gramlparents were Daniel and Constance Mnlfonl. UKformer a native of the United States wh.i hved iluriiiq; Revolutionarv tinifs. rcnioving- to Clermont cinmty, Ohio, at middle ai^e. I'o this union nine chil dren were born: Daniel, Hugh. James; Abraham, Isaac and [acoh (triplets), Anna. INIary and Phoebe. Daniel Multord married Rillie I'arkuer, and moved to lUinuis, where he followed farming. The\- have had ti\e children. Perry, Jacob, Hilary, Elizabeth and Abigail. Hugh .MnllVird m.arricil Mariah Hall, and moved to Lafa_\ette. Indiana. 'I'hcv ha\e liad six children, William, Puther, Frahl, Scott, ^lary J. and Manah. James Mulf^rd was married to Pucena Sliults, and moved to Middletuwn, Ohio, in mi<Idle life. The}- hatl fi\'e children, Jasper, Van, Miner\a, .\lvina and Charlotte. The triplets died in infancy. .Anna Mulford became the wife of Richard Pall, and li\ed at Riverside, near Cincinnati, Ohio, where thev followed farming on a large scale. The}- were the parents of six children, Henr_\-, Richard, Mary Jane, .-\nn, Ehira and one boy who was killerl when ver}- _\oung. ]Mary Mulford married a ^Ir. Meyers, a grocer of Cincinnati. Thev haw had two children. Phoebe ]\hdford became the wife of Isaac \'ost, and Ii\ed at Milford, Ohio, where her husband follo\\e(l cabinet-making. Their children arc William, Benjamin and Mary.

The maternal grandparents were John and Constance Pegg, hcjth J natives of Scotland, and were very young at the time of landing in the ": United States. They settled at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and v\ere married there, after which they moved to Boone county, Kentucky, where they bought a farin and sold it again in a few years, coming to Sparta township, where they bought one hundred and sixty acres from a Mr. Kellogg. They again sold out, to Mr. Benjamin Mulford, and moved to Clav- township, near Dillsboro, where Mr. Mulford died at cjuite an advanced age. He was a private in the Mexican War, serving full time, and after his death his heirs bought ; the farm, and Mrs. Legg moved to Dillsboro, where she died in 1837, when quite an old lady. This union was blessed with five children, Owen, Richard (who tlied young), Claressa, Margarette Elizabeth and Mary. Owen Legg married and lived near Dillsboro, Cla\- township, and he and his wife were the parents of eight children, John, ESenjaniin, Hartsal, Mary. Jane, Claressa, Anna and another. Claressa Legg liecame the wife of Thomas Wilson, and lived in Clay township, near Dillsboro, and is the uKJtber of seven children, Sara, James, William, George. Mary Elizabeth, Judah and Millard. Margarette Legg married Thomas Patterson, and hved first at Aurora, and later at Versailles, Ripley county, where Mr. Patterson is con- nected with tlie re\enue office. Mr. Patterson was coinmissioned captain i in the Civil War, and came out as colonel, serving the full three years. This union was blessed wiih five children, Richard, }^Iartha, Thom;is, \\'illiani and Sarah. Elizabeth Legg was married to Peter Roland, and lixed in Clay township, near Dillsboro, where Mr. Roland followed farming in connection with the carpenter's trade. They had six children, Maggie, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Dean, Columbus and Richard.

Mr. Alulford has been a life-long farmer, and is well and favorably known throughout his township, where he possesses the respect and friendship of all who know him and his family. . .

Philip Berg

At the close of the war in which he ser\-ed faithfully and well. Philip Berg returned to his home town and married Ikirbara Bijsstler, who was a native of near Lawrenccburg, the date uf her l)irth Ijciiig September j;. 1841;. After their marriage they lived with the father of Mr. Cerg until his deat'i, after which they Ixjught a farm of one hundred and twenty-nine acres, where they still reside, engaging in general farming.

Mr. and ]\lrs. Philip P>erg are the parents of se\en children. Michael married Mary Donigan and lives in St. Paul. Katherine marrieil William Holbert and resides in bVanklin county. The}' have one son named Willirim. Frank is the husband of Maggie Scheffler. and dieir home, which is blcssetl with two children, E\'a and Louisa, is in Shellj\' cuunt\'. Indiana. I'di:<abcth married Joe Kelley and their home is in Kelso township. Their children. three in number, are Gladys, IMabel and Eve. George is the husband of Sallie Dake and they reside in Hancock county. Their only daughter is named Emma Barbara. Maggie is now Mrs. Henry Storm, of Plummcr, California. Their two boys are named Glen and Robert.

Besides his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is justly proud, ]Mr. Berg belongs to two organizations in w'hose history and purposes he has always had a deep interest. One of these organizations is the Eutheran church, and the other is the Republican party.

Mr. Berg is sincere and energetic in all that he undertakes to do, and all of his efforts have been aided and seconded by the cooperation of his wife. I ...-

Joseph Seifert

Like many other young men of his day, Mr. Seifert rented the farm on which he first set up to housekeeping, and. also like others, he was thrifty, economical, and withal a good manager, and soon managed to save and put aside enough for the purchase of a place of his own, to which he has continued to add until he now owns nearly two hundred acres of fine, tillable land, on which he has put a number of valualjle improvements. He has always been a cautious, energetic farmer, a man nf good sense, and has never failed his township when it needed his aid in furthering the interest of its citizens, and he has the satisfaction of knowing he has done the best within

Joseph Seifert, a prosperous farmer of Kelso tounship, was burn at Kelso, February 3. 1865, and is a son of .-Vnthony and iM'onecke ( W'ilhelm ; Seifert. His parents gave him the best education to lie had al the public and jiarochial schools of the townshij). Aftei- leaving school he assisted hi.-- father on the farm f.jr a time, and in 1883 he went to Illindi,'., returning linme after a period of fifteen months. IJe liked the home iilace better than anything he found in Illinois and rented a farm in Kelso township, where he did general fai'ming for two }ears, and then bought a tract containing one hundred and si.xteen acres, lielcmging t^ his lather. After tilling this for a few years, he found his needs calling for additional land and added eight}- aci"es more to his belongings. In pohtics. ilr. Seifert is a strong believer in the principles of the Democratic party, and his political ambitions have liecn rewarded with several of the township offices. In 19CO he was elected to the office of supervisor, in which he ser\ed nine years, and in 1909 was elected township trustee, by a two-t(.i-one In this official capacity he served si.x years. He also had charge of building tlie county pike, crossing the stiuthwest corner of the tuwnship, and through his good judgment and careful management he put the township out of debt, leaving it with a lialance t<> its credit. ;\Ir. Seifert is as loyal to his church as he is to his other interests and is a sincere member of St. John's church at Kelso.

Anthon\' Seifert was born in .\lsace-Lorraine, France, in 1829, and camt .to the United States when (|uite }Oung, landing at Xew York Citw He came from that point to Cincinnati, but not fiufling it to his liking, came soon afterward to St. Leon, where he was emplu}'ed as a day laborer until he had saved enough to buy a forty-acre tract in Logan township. Fie was i^ffered a profitable sum for this place, and being progressive and wide-awake, he sold, and was thus enabled to bu\' a larger place containing one hundred and sixteen acres in the saine township, where he farmed for about thirty x'cars, when he moved to Cedar (.jro\'e, Indiana, where he li\'ed until he was accidentally killed by a Big Four passenger train. He was a Democrat in politics, and in religion a faithful member of St. John's Catholic church. Flis wife, Fronecke (Wilhelm) Seifert, was liorn in 1837, at St. Leon, where she li\ed until her marriage. She died at Cedar (iro\'e. Indiana, at the age of seventyfour years, in 191 1.

William Seifert was married to Rosa Ililtz, and is imw livitig- in Kelsu tnwnship, \\lici"e lie is doing general farming: with the exceplinn uf the snliject iif this sketch, the nthcrs are all li\ing at hdmc.

Josej)!! Seifei't was married to Elizahcth Xead. daughter of Patrick ami Mary (Kelly) Xead, naii\-es of Dearhi:>rn county Mrs. Seifert was horn on March. 29, 1S70. in Logan townshiii. They ha\e had fi\e children, William, l^ohert, Loretta. (.iencxive and one whu died in infancy.

The course which iNIr. Seifert has always followed through life is highly commendable, and entitles him to tlie position which he now occupies in the estimation of his friends.

Colonel John Jeremiah r)ackman, who enjoys a ijrtmiinent ptisition in the commercial and business life of Aurora and Dearborn county, Indiana, is a native of Dearborn count}-. l;orn at .Aurora. September 13. 1864. His parents. John Jeremiah and Carcjline ( Sutton) Backman. were nati\es of Hanover. Renns} Ivania. antl of Indiana, respectively. The former was horn on ]May 15. 1S14, and died at Aurora. Indiana, January u, 1S74. Idie latter was born near X'ew Trenton, Indiana, May 16, 1825, and died on August 27. 1882. at Aurora.

Colonel Backman's paternal grandparents were lioth natives of Germany. who came to America early in 1800 and located at Hano\er. PennsyKania. His maternal grandparents were George and Elizabeth (Ives) Suttou. the former of whom was born in Englanfl in March. 1787. and the latter was born at Camberwell. England, in 1788. In 18 19 they came to America and. after spending a short time at Cincinnati. Ohio, mo\ed to a farm in the Whitewater \'alley near Xew Trenton. Indiana. George Siuton died at Stamfi.ird. Canada. December 10. 1850. and his wife near Xew Trenton, Indiana. Se[)tember 20. 1827. The}- were the parents of fi\e children. George. 3ilrs. Elizabeth Beresford, Mrs. Charlotte MuriJock. Mrs. Ann Cnbbons and Mrs. Caroline Backman.

Colonel Backn-ian is one of four children born to his parents, the others being. Mrs. Lillian I. Lamar, of Brookl}-n, Xew- York: George S., decea-ed. and Mrs. Caroline C. Dinvne}-. of .-Vtlanta, Georgia.

Born and reared in Aurora. Indiana. Colonel Backman was educated in the con-in-ion schools of .Aurora and in the Aurora high school, gradu'iting from the latter institution in 1883. Two years later he was graduatotl from

Upon finishing- his education, he returned to his old home at Aurora, Dearborn courity. and engag'ed in business. He is now a stockholder, a director, the secretary-treasurer and general manager of the Aurora Coffin Company, to which he devotes a consideral'le portion of his time.. He is also vice-president and a member. of the board of managers of the Rivervicw Cemetery Association. Colonel Packman's prominence in the business life of Aurora and his ability as a merchant and business man has been recognized by his fellow townsmen in a substantial way. He has been honored with the presidency of the Am'ora Commercial Club and now holds that position.

He is prominent in the organizations connected with his line of business, being president of the Indiana Commercial League, and a member of the executive cornmiUee of The Casket ^Manufacturers' Association of America.

After two years of military training at the Military Academy at Peekskill, New York, Colrjnel Backman applied his military knowledge in the organization of Company F, Fourth Infantry, Indiana National Guard, in 1890, and was commissioned a first lieutenant. After three years of service in the National Guard, he was elected and commissioned captain of this company and saw active sen'ice with his command during the miners' strike at Clark's Switch, Indiana. He also served three years as captain, and on October 7, 1896, was commissioned a major in th.e I-"ourth Infantry, Indiana National Guard.

When the Spanish-American War broke out, he was commissioned a major in the volunteer army and was placed in command of the second battalion of the One Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was mustered in at the fair grounds at Indianapolis. This regiment saw one year of ser\'ice and, during a part of the time. Colonel Backman was in command of the regiment. During the Spanish- American War. the regiment was stationed succcs'^ivel_\- at Camp George H. Thomas, Chickamauga Park. Georgia: Camp Grant, Newport News. Virginia; Camp Miles, Lexington, Kentucky; Camp Hamilton, Lexingtiin, Ken.- tucky; Camp Conrad. Columbus, Georgia; and at Charleston, South Carolina, en route to Cuba. Still later the regiment was stationed at the military camp. District of }*Iatanzas, Cuba, and. on .\pril 25, 1899, was nuistered 'uit of service at Savannah, Georgia.

The One Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, was one of the best volunteer regiments in the Spanish-American War. Dur- ing a great deal of time it was in scr\-ice it was stationed and brigaded with troojDS of the regular army. This regiment enjoyed the reputation of l)cing one which could be relied upon, and Ci^kinel Backman has letters ot ci.ininiendation from every officer under whom he served during this war.

Upon the reorgani;^ation of the Indiana Xational Guard, after the Spanish-Aniencan ^^ ar, he was eoniniissiijiied senii)r major of the Second Infantrx'. This positiun he held until Xovemhcr 29, 1905, when he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. In 1913. on account of hi; growing business and other duties, he tendered his resignation, ami in orders issued by the adjutant-general of Indiana, was honorably discharged. placed on the retired list, and highly complimented for his twenty-three years of faithful and efficient ser\ ices to his coimtry anr! his state.

In 1S94 Colonel Backman was elected city clerk of Aurora, Indiana, and four years later was re-elected to the same position. Altogether he ser\-ed as city clerk of Aurora for a period of eight }'ears.

On March 28. 1894, Col. John J. Backman was married to Lucie Emma EHichemin, who was horn at Cincinnati, Ohio, April 24. 1865. ^Irs. I'ackman's father, \\'illiain R. Duchemin, was ])C)rn at Cincinnati, C)hio, .Vugu.-t 13. 1S37, and her moth.er, ?^Irs. Emma (Lambe) nuchemin. wlio is imw living, was born in London. England, on May i, 1838. Mrs. Backiran's parents were married at Cincinnati, and after living there for se\'en years mo\ed to Aurora, Indiana, vhere Mr. Duchemin died on April 19, 1884. Their children were Mrs. Mary AHce Sutti;)n, Harr\- Alfred. Mrs. Lucie Emma Backman, Erancis Julian, and Elizaljeth ^largaret. Harry Alfred died in infancy and Erancis Julian died at th.e age of fourteen years.

Mrs. Backman's {)aternal grandparents were Peter and Lucie ( Daxis ) Duc!-ienitn, the fonner of whom was born on the Island of Jersey, English Channel, Xo\ember 2Ti. 1S08, and the latter was a native of Ohio. They lived at Cincinnati, Ohio, where the two children, John \V, and William R.. were born. }vlrs. Lucie ( Da\"is) Duchemin died in Cincinnati, Ohio, when her children were still sinall. After the marriage of his son. William R.. Peter Duchemin made his home with his son at Aurora, Indiana, and died there on April 24, 1880. Mrs. Backman's maternal grandparents were Jeremiah and Hannah (Turner) Lambe, the former of ^hom was born at Wickham, Buckinghamshire, England, January 21, 1800, and the latter was born at Derby, Derbyshire. England, in 1809. They were the parents of a large familv, seven of whom lived to maturitv, and three of whom are still living.

Three children have been born to Colonel and Mrs. Backman. all of whom are single: John Jeremiah, Jr., born on April 23, 1895, was graduated from the Aurora high school and is now a member of the junior class at Yale l^niversity; Bnmhilda, born September 16, 189S, is a member of the senior class of the Aurora high school, and William Duchemin, born Februarv 21. 1902, is now a student in the Aurora public schools.

Colonel Backman has long been prominent in the Masonic circles of this state. He is a member of Aurora Lodge No. 51, Free and Accepted Masons; of Aurora Chapter No. 13, Rnyal Arch Masons, and of Aurora Commandery No. 17, Knights Templar. He is also a member of the Indiana Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, and of Murat Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Among other organizations of which Colonel Backman is a member may be mentioned the Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States, and the Dearborn and Country Clubs, of Aurora. Indiana.

Albert H. Dietrich, the present township trustee at Lawrenceburg. Indiana, is descended from German stock on both his father's and his mother's side of the family. Educated as a pharmacist, Mr. Dietrich, after following this profession for many years, became coiuiected with the Lawrenceburg postoffice, and was in charge of the mailing division for many vears. until his election as township trustee, an office which he now holds, and which he is filling with exceptional credit to himself and to the people who elected him. He is a veteran of the Spanish-American War, having served in the field hospital, and having performed valuable service in Ijehalf of his country during this war. A resident of Lawrenceburg and Deartorn county practically all his life, he is well known here as a young man of sincere purpose and indomitable energy, wholly worthy of being honored with any trust which the people may see fit to bestow upon him.

Born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, March 11, 1876, Albert H. Dietrich is the son of Augaist and Louisa (Haspel) Dietrich, both of whom were natives of Germany, and who were the parents of the following children, all of whom except Arthur, who lives in Indianapolis, live in Dearborn county. Of these children, Matilda married FI. M. Poehlman, of Lawrenceburg. Albert H.,

George and August all li\e in Lawrenceburg, and Carl, the twin brother of August, died in infancy. August Dietrich, after having been reared in Germany, came to America when a young man and located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where he worked in a furniture factory for some time. He has been dead for many years. His wife, the mother of Albert H. Dietrich, still lives in Lawrenceburg. She is a member of the St. Lnmanuel's Lutheran church, as v\as her husband during his lifetime.

Mr. Dietrich's paternal grandparents never came to this country, having lived and died in their native land. The maternal grandfather, Henry Haspel, who was one of the early settlers in Lawrenceburg, and a gardener by occupation, lived here most of his life. He and his wife died at ripe old ages, after having reared four children, William. Louisa, Minnie and another.

Albert H. Dietrich's early education was obtained 'in the public schools of Lawrenceburg in Dearborn county. About the time he was finishing the course in the cijmmon schools he started to take up jjliarmacy as a jjmtession. Entering the College of Pharmacy, of Cincinnati, Ohio, he was graduated with the class of 1893. In the meantime, however, he had been a clerk in the store of C. A. Harrison, at Lawrenceburg, from the time ho was fifteen years old until the time of his graduation. He continued with Air. Harrison some two years after his graduation, at which time the Spanish- American War broke out, and Mr. Dietrich enlisted for the service in connection with the field hospital of the regular army, arid served under Lieutenant Darnell. From the time the Spanish-American V\'ar ended until about 1907 Mr. Dietrich was engaged in the drug business, first as an employee of Chester Miller in a drug store at Lawrenceburg, where he ser\-ed for several years. Purchasing a drug store in Xewton, ]\Ir. Dietrich, operated this for several years, and then sold it to L. Lommel, and worked as an employee for him for several years.

About 1907 ^Ir. Dietrich took a place in the Lawrenceburg postoffice. as a mailing clerk, and ser\-ed continuously in this capacity until August 31, 1914. when he was elected township trustee. Mr. Dietrich is now serving his first year in this office, but he has served long enough to prove to the pecjple his capacity for the office to which he was elected. He is naturally interested in educational questions, and since the duties of the township trustee are largely in supervising certain public schools ]Mr. Dietrich was especially well qualified for the office of township trustee.

Albert H. Dietrich was married on August 11, 1897, to Cora Johnson. daughter of Andrew J. and Sarah J. (Cunningham) Johnson. Three children have been born to this imion, Chester, Donald and Isabelle.

jMrs. Dietrich, whose parents were born in Pennsboro, West Virginia, where she also was born, is one of seven children. The others are Benjamni, Charles, x^rthur, Ida, Maude and Homer. Mrs. Dietrich's paternal grandparents were natives of Virginia and cHed in that state.

All)ert H. Dietrich is a member of Union Lodge Xn. 8, Inde[;endent Order of Ofid Fellows, and of Dearborn Lodge Xo. 49. Knights of Pylliias. Mr. Dietrich is a stanch member of the Lutheran church, and Mrs. I3ictrich i-s a member of the Baptist church. During his entire lijetime Mr. Dietrich has been an ardent and enthusiastic member of the Republican part}', and in this section of the state has contributed much to the success oi the party. Though a comparatively young man yiv. Dietrich lias taken a prominent place in the political and civic life of Dearborn county. He is looked upon today as one of its leading citizens and one of the most influential residents of the county. It must be admitted that h.e well deserves the confidence of his fellow townsmen, and the confidence which the people of his tn\\nshii). have reposed in him.

Roger William Lowe, Sr., the suljject of this short biographical sketch, is one of the well-known men in the \icinitv of Lawrenceburg, Dearborn cou.ntv, Indiana, being best known perhajjS' through his trade, that of a brick and stone mason. In addition to working at his trade, ]\Ir. Lowe conducts farming on his tract of eighty-two acres, lying just north of tl'.e fair grounds at Lawrenceburg', and being part of sections i and 2, in the land plaf of Lawrenceburg township, the residence being on Canal road.

Roger William Lowe was born on Stone street in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 15, 1S58, a son of Lewis D. (commonly known as "Jacob") and ^largaret M. (Davis) Lowe, the former a nati\'e of \'irginia, and tlie latter froni Ohio. There were in all five children in this family, of whom the suliject of this sketch is the only one living, the others having died young. "Jacob" Lowe was raised on a farm where he remained until maturity, and sh(irtl}' after starting out in life for himself, the Mexican War broke out and he enlisted in the cause, serving under "Jim" Leave. After the close of the war he became a "cub" pilot on boats plying the Ohio and Mississippi ri\'ers and in due time became a licensed pilot on those waters, serving in this connecticni for the balance of his life. He became a resident of Lawrenceburg wlien he first took to the river life and considered this !iis home, although his death occurred in tlic South about 1900, wlien lie was oigiuy-eiglit years old. His wife survi\ed liini tliree years, passing- away at tin.- age of eighty-one. Thoy had a wide acquaintance in Lawrcnceburg and \-icinity, where they were known as most excellent people. She was a de\!.uit nieniher (jf the Christian church and while lie never united with anv chinch society, he was a most enthusiastic member of tlte order of b^ree and AeceiJted Alasi^ns and li\ed his life in accordance with its tenets. In politics he was a Democrat.

"Jacob" Lowe was a son of James and Anna (Trinmary) I.i.iwe, both natives of \'irginia, the fi^rmer of bjiglish parentage and the latter nf W't-lsb descent. Iliey were among' the early settlers of Ripley county, and farmed for man}' years on Turkey creek. He died and was buried there when past middle age and after being widowed, Mrs. Lowe moved to bnva where she had twf) married daughters living near Keokuk arid there ijasscd the remaining years of her life, d_\-ing when well along in years. There were se\'en children in their family, namely; George, Willian.i Lewis D., Kate (wife of William \\'atson'). Mrs, Abraham Lersinger, ?^lrs. Stage and another.

Margaret ]\[. (Daxds) I^cwe was early left an orphan. Her father passed from life when she was a very small chiKi, not much m>:ire than an infant. The family at that time lived at Xew Haven. Ohio, and at'ter the father's death the mother married a ]\fr. Rhoades, a shoemaker, and took her little daughter to Elizabethtown, Ohio, to live, and there the mother's death occurred wdien Margaret was eight \-ears old. .\fter the mother's death she was taken into the home of a ]\I.rs. Elizabeth Mills, a nrist excellent woman (for whom the town of Elizal.)ethtown was named) and on tliis account Mrs. Lowe was never able to learn very much of her mother's faniilv histor}-.

Roger William Lowe, the subject of this sketch, was raised in Lawrenceburg and vicinity, his early boyhood being spent in the country and his vouth and young manhood in Law.renceburg. Fie first attended the public schools in the country and after coming to Lawrcnceburg in 1873, completed his studies here. PL's first employment uas with th.e Lawrcnceburg furniture factory, where he learned tlie art of finishing furniture and where he remained for about four and one-half years, and then fur a few months workerl on furniture machinery. He then began mason tending on the Big Four railroad, and afterwards became a mason for the road and in the discharge of these duties and others in following his trade, he worked in not onlv various porl:ions of diis state, but also Illinois. Tennessee and Kentuckv ; after which he returned to I^awrenceburg and followed his trade up to 19 10. At

This homestead consists of eighty-two acres and in addition to this ^Ir. Lowe also owns several residence properties in Lawrenceburg and Greendale and also some vacant lots in Hamilton, Ohio. In' conducting the work of his farm. Mr. Lowe takes pleasure in employing the latest appliances anrl was the man who introduced into this section the mould-board gang plow. This plow consists of a set of five plows, each weighing five hunched and seventy-five pounds and they plow six feet to the cut. This plow also has a harrow attached and does both the plowing and harrowing at one time and so rapid and thorough is it in its work, that a field of seventeen acres can be put in proper condition for planting in ten hours. This is a wonderful invention, a great improvement over the method employed for so many years. Mr. Lowe takes great delight in the management of his farm home and is eminently entitled to all the benefits which have become his. Being of an optimistic temperament and possessed of industrious habits, Mr. Lowe has been able to see much of the brighter side of life and has accumulated a fair portion of tliis world's goods.

On the 28th of December, 18S6, Roger William Lowe was united in marriage with Eva Wilson, a daughter of Arvah D. and Seraphine (Dorsch) Wilson, and to this union have been born two sons, Roger William, Jr., and Howard H., both remaining with the parents, and attending the Lawrenceburg high school. ]Mrs. Lowe was born at ^Milan, Ripley county, this state, on June 12, 1866. Her father, who was a native of Ohio, died in October of 186S when she was but fourteen months of age and her mother passed away on June 12, 1S74, Mrs. Lowe's eighth birthday. It is a remarkable coincidence that both the mother and wife of the subject passed through practically the same experiences of orphanhood, and fortunately both were well cared for by others.

Mrs. Lowe's paternal grandfather was Obed Wilson, his wife being Roxanna Gibbs, both native? of Maine and early settlers in Ohio, who afterward came into Ripley county. Both died in that county, she in middle life and he at the ripe old age of eighty-four. There were eight children in their family, namely : Oliver. Artis, Oran, Obed, Roxanna. Sallie, Elam and Arva.

Mrs. Lowe's mother was a daughter of John and Catherine (Risinger) Dorsch, both bom in the state of Ohio and early in their married life they came into Ripley county, where they farmed for a great many years. She died in her forty-sixth year and he passed away in 1872, at the age of sev-

The religious membership of both Mr. and ?^Irs. Lowe is held with the Ninth Street Christian church in Cincinnati. In politics i\Ir. Lowe votes the Prohibition ticket, in the success of which party he takes a live interest and in all the affairs of life he is a man among men. He is a man of genial disposition and enjr)ys a large popularity in the city and vicinity where he has spent practically his entire life.

James W. Parrott is descended from a fine old Kentucky fatnily whose ancestors settled there when trails were blazed, and homes were dug and chopped out of the wilderness; but feeling that the future awaited him with brigher prospects in other localities Mr. Parrott packed his trunk and began the pilgrimage which ended at xA.urora, Indiana, where he is optimi-tically and quietly enjoying the blessings that come his way. INIr. Parrott. having lived beyond the day when he is physically able to battle in the strenuous life, is now proprietor of a first-class boarding house, a very essential institution in every community.

James \V. Parrott. proprietor of the Parrott boarding house, .\urora. is a son of John and Catherine Jane (Lester) Parrott. He was born on October 23, 1839, in Carroll county. Kentucky, where he lived until sixteen vears of age. After going through the common schools of his home district he went to Missouri with his parents in 1S56, locating in .Adair county, where he continued his education, and later taught school four or five terms. After finishing his school work, Mr. Parrott returned to Kentucky and took charge of his mother's farm for a number of years, during which time he was married to bis first wife. Mr. Parrott went to the Civil War in Company K, Third Cavalry Missouri Volunteers, ,-erving almost three years. He was a non-commissioned officer, and participated in many skimiishes. among which was the battle of Little Rock. Politically, Air. Parrott is a stanch Democrat. His religious sympathies are with the Church of Christ at Lawrenceburg, and fraternally, he belongs to John Platter Post, Grand .\rmy of the Republic, and Aurora Lodge No. 51, Free and Accepted Masons.

John and Catherine Jane fLester) Parrott, parents of the subject of this sketch, were natives of Kentucky. Mr. Parrott was born and reared in

Io4S Dearborn County, Indiana

Carroll (.-ounty, where he followed fanning all his life, dying there in 1871. aged fifty-two years. To this nnion were born si.x children, nan.iely : James W'., of Aurora: Moses S., deceased; Lucintla, now the wife of Edward Bersot. of Tihent, Kcritiicky : Joshua \\"., who makes his home in Missouri; Matilda, deceased, who was tlie wife of James Howie, and Ethel.

The paternal grandfatlier was Richard Parrott. His wife's name is lost. They died in middle age. and were the parents of five children, I'armelia, Betse}-, Juhn, Willian^ and Henry.

The maternal grandfather was James Lester, whuse wife was Damsel (Cogbill) Lester, natives, of Kentucky. The_\' lived in Carroll cinnity, Ker tuck}-, whcie Mr. Lester followed the \ocation of a farmer, and where he died at an adxanced age. Their children were, ALitilda, Nancy, Catharine J., Lucin<la. John, William, and some who died voung.

James W. Parrott was united in marriage on Xi_)\x'mber 26, 1S76. with r^Iary E. ]:^)Owie. She died ia i8S|, aged thirty-four \ears. To this union were born Uvo children, Allie and James ]\Ialone Parrott. Allie became the wife of Lediuird Swangn, Ijoih now deceased. The\' were the parents of three children, Ethel ; Vernon, of Sw itzerland county, Indiana, and Leona. who lives at Aurora.

James W. Parrutt was married, secondl_\". April 3, 1S95, to ]\rrs. Ruth ]\IcLane, widow of Lewis 3,IcLanc, and daughter of Samuel Fuller and Catharine (Kittle) Fuller. ]\Irs. Ruth Parrott \vas born on June 9. 1855. near Rising Sun, Ohio county, Indiana. Xo childre!i have come to bless this union. P>y her first husliand. Mrs. Parrott was the mother of th.ree children, Ida, Ji.ihn and Charles. Ida became the wife of Thomas Neal. of Aurora. John is a finisher in a coffin factory. His wife was May Rollins. Charles is a painter by trade. Mrs. Ruth Parrott is an earnest member of the Baj.itist church at .Vumra.

Samuel Fuller, father of Mrs. Ruth Parrott, was born in Pennsvl\-am'a. and his wife was a native of Indiana. They settled in Ohio countv at an early day. Mr. Fuller died in 1882, and his wife died three vears later, aged sixty-four years. They had a large family, namely: Jolm, deceased: Solomon, deceased: Plerculaneum, Sarah, Belle, Alice and Ruth.

The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Parrott was Solomon Kittle, who was born in Wood county, Virginia, in September, 1793. and who. at the age of eighteen }'ears went to Ohio. In 1814 he came to Ohio countv. Indiana, where he spent the remainder of hi^^ life. Llis wife, Xanc\- (Gibson) Kittle. .was born in 1795. and was a native of Kentucky. When he first came to -Indiana Mr. Kittle landed at the mouth of Laugherv creek, and rowed their

James W. Parrott has conducted his present successful briarding hrjuse since March 6, 1901. when he first settled in Aurora. Jrle is a cnnscientious Christian man, and has the re'spect of all who know him. His wife is a faithful helpmate to him, and is also an earnest Christian woiiiau.

Edward Otto Rohlfing, farmer, son of William and Dora Rnlilfing. was born cm April 17, i8n8, in Jackson tiiwnshiji, Dearli(jrn county, Indiana. His parents came from Alindeu, Germany, at an earl\- daw to seek fur themsehes a home in the new country. 'l"he fatlier selected Cincinnati for his home and became a fireman on a steamboat, which line he followed for three years, and later became engageil in the lumber business. Being thrifty and careful. William Rohlfing saved enough for the purchase of a farm of eigh.iy acres in Jackson township, Dearborn county, where he resided imtil the time of his death, which occurred about the }ear 1900, at the age of eighty-four years. His wife sur\i\es him, and is still living at the old homestead, at the age of seventy-se\'en years. They were the parents of fi\e children ; Henry (deceased), Edward Otto, Christopher, Mrs. Sarah W'olljung. and Clara, who resides at Cincinnati. Christopher, who still resides <^n the home place, was married and has had one daughter, Helen.

Edward Otto Rohlfing received his education at the puljlic schools of Dearborn county, where he was an attentive student. On I'A'l.iruary i, i8iu. he was united in marriage with Louisa Bode, and went to Seward couiitv. Nebraska, wdiere he rented a farm, on which he li\-ed tliree years. He then returned to Dearborir count\" and lived on hi> fatlier-in-law's farm for eight years, and later rented a farm from Fred W. M. Meyer, in Manchester township, for two years. Having accumulated sufficient funds, Mr. Rohlfing purchased a fine farm. of one hundred and seven acres, located iii Lawrencebifrg township, about five miles northwest of Law renceburg.

Mrs. Rohlfing was born on February 23, 1871, and at the time of her marriage was twent\'-three \cars old. She was a daughter of Dietrich and ^fargaret (Bortman) Bode, who came from ("iermany at an early age and settled at Cincinnati, where he was a gardener. They later came to Dearborn county, where they purchased a farm of one hunflred and sixty acres in T.nwrenceburg township. Jlc died in 1906, and his wife in 1873. Hv?y were the parents of eight cliilihen, Henry, John. Fred, W'ilhain, Herman. Anna, Maiy and Lonisa.

Henry Bode married and has four children, Ehner, Albert, George and Hen.r} . John Bode married and has four children, Edward, Emmet, Louis and Clara. Fred Bode married and resides in Xeliraska, and has five children, Walter, Carl and three others. Mary became the wife of a Mr. Diefenbangh, and now resides in Nebraska. She has four children, Elmer, Elfert and two others. Louisa Bode became the wife of Edward Otto Rohlfing, and is the mother of eight children, Lydia, Anna, Fred, Clara, Carl, Luella, Matilda and Ora.

William Holman McKinney. whose grandfather. Col. James ^I. ]\IcKinney, founded the family in Dearborn county, was born on April 2^. 1870, in Lawrenceburg township, the son of Thomas and Priscilla Anne (Miller) McKinney. After being educated in the public schools of Elizabethtown, Ohio, to which jjlace his father moved during his youth, he was married 0!i Januar\' 26, 1893, at the age of twenty-three, and coming back to Dearborn county has resided here since that tinie. He lives on a farm of four acres located in Hardingtown, Dearborn county.

Col. James M. McKinney, who married Abigail ]\Iiller, was a colonel in the ^le.xican War and a farmer by occupation, and also operated a general store at Hardingtown. He and his wife had two children, ^Irs. Lucy McKini and Thomas. Colonel McKinney died about 1839 and his wife about 1S92, at the age of eighty-forn- years.

Thomas McKinney. who married Priscilla .-\nne Miller, was born on February 19, 1832. in Hardingtown, Dearborn county, Indiana. He lived in Dearborn county until 1875, when he moved to Elizabethtown, Ohio, where he is still living at the age of eighty-three. At the age of twenty-five he was married and immediately after his marriage settled on the Miller homestead in Lawrenceburg township, where he lived for eighteen years. Fie and his wife had nine children: Silas Y:iu. who married Ruth Ann Guard and had seven children, Mrs. Ollie May, Robbin. Alta, Thomas, Frank, Dana and one who died earlv in life; Lucv Eldr.ra. who married Frank Guard and both are now deceased; Abbie, Avho is the wife of I'.ailev Guard: and had fnur children, Ruben S., Lewis, Lucy and Jerry, deceased; W'ilhani II,, the sulsject of this sketch; Mrs. Cora Ann Tebow, who has one cliiki, Lee; and iouv wiio died in infancy.

WilHam H. INIcKinney married Katie PrisciUa Hayes and to th.eni have been born thirteen children, four of whom are deceased. The nine lixini;' children are William H., Jr., Hallie Iva, Edward Francis. Eldora L., Helen Iheodore, Melville F., James Chester, Silas Van. Jr., and Hazel h'ern Hester.

Airs. JMcKinney is the daughter of Bailey H. and Hester Ann ( Cregg) Hayes. Her father, who is a native of Eliza1>ethtown, Ohio, still li\es there. His wife was a native of Logan, Dearborn county, Indiana. Lailev H. Hayes was a soldier in the Ci\-il War and served on a tcirpeclo boat called the "Nymph." A farmer by occupation, he now owns se\eral tracts of property in Elizabethtown. Ohio. He and his wife had ten children: Airs. Sallit Hayes, Rollie B., Horace. Mrs. Katie AIcKinney. Mrs. J 'earl Swango. Mrs. Carrie Whitney. John, Cole, Clementine and one deceased. Mrs. Sallie Hayes has six children living, Corine, Irene, Marie, George, Laura and. Jacob, and one deceased. Rollie B. married Alary Alartin and they have seven children. Horace married Lillian Welch and has five children. Katie, Earl, Enoch, Hilda and Louise. Airs. Pearl Swango has h;ul two children, Thriniton and Theodore, deceased. Airs. Carrie Whitney has two children, Ruth and Carl. John married Rosetta Van Gorder and has one child, William B.

Mr. McKinney is a member of the Alethodist Episcopal church at Homestead, in which the AIcKinney family are prominent workers. Fie is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 602, at Cleves. Ohio. Air, AIc- Kinney is one of the prominent citizens in the vicinity of Hardingtown. He is a man of honorable and upright instincts and for a number of years has been prominent in the ci\'ic life of this localit}-.

William F. Duncan, son of Josiah Duncan and Alelissa (AlcMullen) Duncan, is a native of Alanchester township, his birth occurring on December 28, 1864. His early life was spent in Alanchester township, where he attended the public school, and in due time entered the normal scho-l at Aurora, Indiana, where he spent one year, finishing at Aloores Hill College. After teaching through four terms in the schools of Dearborn countv Mr.

Duncan Ijcgan the stud\" of medicine, under Dr. House, at Kyle, Indiana, and in the fall of 18S9, enleivd the .Miami Medical Cullet;e at Cincinnati, ivom which he was graduated in the spring of 1892. D(.)ctor Duncan ])racticed fur a short time at Sparta, and then went ti-i K}le, wl.ere he enjoyed a luerati\-e practice for nine years, when he met with a se\ere loss by fire. After this misfortune, Docttir Duncan decided upon Alanchester, Indiana, as l)eing a location more to his liking, in many respects. It offered a larger field for his line of work, and accordingly, in 1902, he moved his family and all hi^^ worldK' belongings to that place, and has made it his home to the present time. He now has one of th.e finest modern homes in ^Manchester, and occui)ies the office formerly owned by Doctor Craig. Doctor Duncan is a stanch beliexer in the policies advocated in the platform of the Democratic party, altlmui^h he has never sought public representation. His religious membership is with, the Christian Union chinch, to the supi)ort of which he is a liberal contributor. He is a member of the M(;dern Woodmen of America, and is a past grand in the Independent Crder of Odd Fellows.

Josiah Duncan, father of William F. Duncan, \vas a native of Sparta township. Dearborn county. He was born in 1S37, and was educated in the schools of the townshij). .\t an early day he learned the cooper's trade which he followed to the time of his marriage t<i Melissa ?ilcilullen, which loi.)k place on October 13, 1861. They at once went to housekeeping on a rented farm in "Manchester township, and, being economical and saving, it was not long ere they were able to buy a farm of their own, on which they lived until 1S93, when they mo\ed to IFjlman Ridge, and, later, to Kyle, where Mr. Duncan died on September 4, 1899. His political beliefs were Democratic, and his religious s\inpathies were with the Christian Union church. He was a man who stood \vell in the estimation of his neighbors, and did e\'erytliing in his power for the betterment of the conditions of his township, in which he hield the office of trustee for five years and was su[)erintendent of public highways for two years. He was always a booster for good roads. He was public spirited, and a gor)d Christian man. His wife was Melissa McMulIen. who was born on July 30, 1841, in Manchester township, and is a daughter of William and Melvina (Ketchum) McMuUen. She was given a good education in the public schools of the township in which she was born and reared and where she lived until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Duncan were four children. James, William, Elizabeth and George, who died in youth.

James Duncan became a very successful physician of Pawnee, Illin(5is, where he died. He was born in Manchester township, where he attended the public schools, and then entered IMoores Hill Cc)!lct;c, after which he taufiju school for three years jirior to his attendance at the Miami Medical CoIlei';e, where he gxaduated in 1892. He was a Democrat, antl a memhcr of the Christian Union church, anrl, at the time ot his ileath, was president of the town council. Dr. James Duncan was a mcmljcr of tlie Masonic order, Modern Woodmen of American, Order of the Eastern Star, an.d Roval Xeic;hbors. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Ih-unk. She and their only child, William Thomas, survive him.

Elizabeth Duncan, the only sister of the subject of this sketch, is now the wife of Robert ^^'ithered, a well-to-do farmer of Manchester township, and has two children, George and Lester.

The paternal grandparents were James and Mavy Duncan, both natives of Maryland. They came to Dearl)orn county in the early pioneer davs, and many are the times they have interested their children with stories of the dangers and difficulties which went hand-in-hand with a life in the wilderness. By his first wife Mr. Duncan had si.\ children, John, Henrv, William. Joshua, Ann and Eliza. By his second wife, Mary, he had four children, Josiah, James. Robert and Thomas.

Dr. \\'illiam F. Duncan was married to A[rs. Mary (Bidner) Becker, whose first huslxand was Harry Becker, an engineer on t!ie Big Four railroad, at I.awrenceburg, Indiana. :Mrs. Duncan was born in Manchester township. April 12, 1S65, and is a daughter of Peter and Dorothy (Fillenwoith) Bidnei . Mr. and ]Mrs. Duncan have two children, Stanley and Rubv.

Through his charitable and humane dealings, and the skillful abilitv with which he handles his cases Doctor Duncan stands high in his profession in Dearborn county.

The value to a community of a well-conducted book store hardlv can be estimated, so far-reaching are the consequences- of a proper distribution of books. The treasures of literature, through such a medium, are thus made easy of access and all the community is benefited thereby. The city of Lawrenceburg is favored in this respect by the establishment in that citv of a book-selling and stationery shop, so amply stocked and so wisely conducted as to have had a large influence througliout the whole county of Dearborn, and it is but proper that a brief biography of the owner and mana.ger of the same should be presented in tliis vulume of history and biography covering the history of the important events in this county and the' Hves of the leading men and women of the same.

Ernest Grant Oertling, book-seller and stationer, of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, was born in that city, August 25, 1864, the son of Herman and Margaret (Fahrenholtz) Oertling, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former of whom was born in the province of Brandenburg, and the latter in the province of Bremen. Both Herman Oertling and Margaret Fahrenholtz were reared in Germany and recei\-cd their education there. He came to this country in 1S62, she having preceded him here in the year 1859. B(jth located in Lawrenceburg and there they were married on September 10, 1S63.

Herman Oertling was one of the four children born to his parents, the others being Ernest. William and Mrs. Xabotz. the latter t)f whom died in early womanhood. His father was a blacksmith and expert horse-shoer and to this trade Herman Oertling was reared. Upon arriving at Lawrenceburg he opened a blacksmith shop, which he conducted for many years with much success, up to within about ten years of the time of his death, at which time he opened a grocery store and was engaged in the management of the same the rest of his life. His death on December 9, 1895, was due to an accident, lie having fallen from a ladder, being then sixty-three years, two months and twenty days of age. His widow, who was born on September 6, 1S39, still survives, she being now about seventy-eight years of age. Mr. and ^Irs. Oertling were among the charter members of the Zion Evangelical church at Lawrenceburg and among the most highly esteemed, residents of the cit}-. The widow Oertling. who was the only child born to her parents, was bereft of her mother when but a few weeks old and was tenderly reared by an aunt. Mrs. Kemper, who brought her to America.

Ernest G. Oertling was reared in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, the town of his birth, and was educated in the parochial and public schools. His first work was as a clerk in a grocery store, which occupation he followed for several years, after which time he opened the first steam laundry ever operated in Lawrenceburg, which, in partnership with Fred Pfalzgraf. he conducted for two years, at the end of which time he sold out to Wingate & McW'ethy and in 1894 opened another steam laundry, which he styled the "Favorite," and which, in partnership with his brother, Herman, he operated until 1905. in which vear the brothers bought a steam laundn,- at Springfield. Ohio, which they put on a paying basis and operated for nine months, at the end of w hich time they sold it. Ernest G. Oertling then returned to Lawrenceburg and for one vear was engaged as a clerk in the hardware store of E. Barrott &

Son, at the end of \\hich time lie hought his present book and stationery store, which he has since conducted witii much success and to the great benefit of the entire booI<-reading comniuuity. few merchants in the city being better known or more popular than he.

On FebruarA- i, 1905, Ernest Grant Oertling was united in marriage with Alice Frederika ^Nladaka, daughter of Henry and Sydna Anna (Smeed) jMadaka, to which union has been born one child, a son, Ernest John. Mrs. Oertling was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 13, 1869, her father having been brought to this country from Germany when three years of age, his parents locating in Cincinnati. John Henry ^ladaka, Mrs. Oertling's paternal grandfather, bought proiierty in Cincinnati and died there, his property still remaining in the possession of the ]\Iadaka family. Mrs. Oertling's mother was of Scottish descent, her parents, Bernard and Mary (Kinneman). having settled in Virginia upon coming to this country from Aberdeen, Scotland. later moving to Dayton, Ohio, in which city S\dna Ann Smeed was born on August 7, 1834. The Smeeds of an earlier day were known as ilacSmeed. Mrs. Oertling's great grandmother Creaghead was a McFatridge. Henry Madaka and Sydna Ann Smeed were married at Hamilton, Ohio, imrnediately thereafter, locating at Cincinnati, in which cit}- "Slv. ]\Iadaka engaged in business, which he is still conducting, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. He was born on [March 25, 1S37, and in his young manhood was a carj^nter. His wife died on September 14, 1902, at the age of sixty-eight years, she ha\'ing been bora on August 7, 1834. They were the parents of but two children, both daughters. ^Nfrs. Oertling's sister. Catherine, died in infancy. [Mrs. Oertling's mother had been twice married, several children having been born to her first marriage, with Michael [Milligan, among whom are noted W'illard [\Iil!igan, a well-known attorney, formerly of Cincinnati, later of Denver, Colorado, and Mrs. John Retteg, of Cincinnati.

Mr. and Mrs. Oertling are both active in the good works of the city and are desen'edly quite popular in the circle in which they move. Mr. Oertling is a member of the Zion Evangelical church and Mrs. Oertling is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. Mr. Oertling is a member of Lawrenceburg Lodge No. 4. Free and Accepted [Masons, and of Lawrenceburg Chapter No. 56. Royal Arch Masons, and also is v- member of Lawrenceburg Camp No. 7460. Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Democrat and takes a good citizen's part in the political affairs of the city and county, though he never has been included in the office-seeking class. The Oertlings reside in a pleasant apartment situated over the book store at 215 Walnut street.

spiriled. and during the }-ears he has lieen engaged in the l^ook business in Lawrenceburg has very definitely estaljhshed liiniself as one of the leading; business men of the city, a man who has the best interests of the cit_\- and the county very closel\' at lieart and who is interested in all mo\ements ha\ing as their object tlie advancement of the common welfare in this section oi the slate.

Robert Barr Cass

By his great force of character, an.d the zeal and energy in whate\"er he undertakes, as well as bv the assistance of his valuable publicatiim, the Aurora Biilleliu. ]Mr. Cass has become a \-ery potent factor in the home of his final adoption, Aurora, Indiana, where he also has a splendidl_\- equipped plant for serving the public with a high grade of printing in all lines. All who kn(_n\- Air. Cass, personally, and their name is legion, know him to be a man of high principles, and one in whom they may place the utmost confidence.

Robei t Barr Ca?s. editor and jnililisher, Aurora, Indiana, is a son of George B. and Catharine Ann (Kline) Cass, and was born on April 3. 1873, at Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio, where he attended the public schonl, and' later attended W'ooster University. After completing his education he returned home and superintended his father's three-thousand-acre farm fi <r three years, and then, assisted by his brother, Levi, he became the publisher of the old Toledo Coininercial (now the Toledo Times) for six years, when he sold out and moved to Warsaw, Xew York, and in partnership witli his brother, Le\-i, purchased and published the Western Xezc Yorker. A year later, Robert B. Cass returned home, and in 1906 went into the dry-goods business for a period of si.x months, trading the dry-goods store for the Aurora Bulletin, which he has published ever since. This paper was established in 1893 and Mr. Cass has one nf the best equipped establishments in the neighborhood for general job printing, including catalogs and railroad printing. His office is one of the finest and neatest in the state. In addition to his newspaper and printing interests, Air. Cass is personally interested in several fine farms in Putnam county, Ohio. In politics, Mr. Cass is a Democrat, and in religion, he is an earnest member of the Presbyterian church, to which he is a liberal contributor.

Dearborn Coitnty, Indiana. Io57

vania. but was reared in Wood county, Ohio, wlicre he taught school in vmuig manhood, which vocation he gave up and tVillowed railroading- for a time, and later went into the hardware business at Ottawa, and eventually became the owner of a number of valuable farms in I'utnam county. His death occurred in 1905. at the age of fifty-eight. - His wife, Catharine Ann (Kline) Cass, was a native of Ohio, and her death occurred in 1905, at the age of fifty-six }ears. The_\- were both sincere members of the Presbyterian church, to the support of which 'Sir. Cass was a liberal contributor. Their children were: Levi A., of A\"arsaw, New York; Charles, of Ottawa, Ohio; Catharine, who is Mrs. C. C. ^Ic]^Iichael. of Jackson, ^ilichigan ; Ora, the wife of W'illard Morrey. of Jackson, ?vlichigan ; Lucy, who became the wife of R. G. LeBIond, of Toledo. Ohio, and three who died in infancy.

The paternal grandparents were Lewis and Lucy Cass, both natives of Pennsylvam'a. Mr. Cass was a farmer by occupation, and lived in Wood county, Ohio, where he died about eighty-five years of age. Mrs. Cass was ninety-one years old when she died. ^Ir. Cass was a soldier in the Civil War. They were the parents of the following children : Louis, Levi, Daniel, George B. an.d Amanda and Lucy.

The maternal grandparents were Samuel and Catharine (Ami) Kline, natives of Penns}'lvania. ]\[r. Kline follo\\ed the double \"Ocation of blacksmith and farmer. They v.-ere early settlers in Putnam county, Ohio, where Mr. Kline died at the age of seventy-eight, and his \\\ie at the age of seventyfive. He was a soldier in the Civil War. To this couple_were born the following children: Samuel. Robert, Catharine, Octavia, Isabelle, ^Margaret and Isadore.

Robert Parr Cass was marrierl on ]'"ebruary i, 19 10, to ]\Irs. .'Vlice Slater, daughter of Charles and Lida (Johnson) ^loore. No children have been born to this union. AL's. Cass had one daughter by her former husband. Agnes. ]\[rs. Cass was born at Aurora, and is a member of the Baptist church there.

The parents of ^Irs. Robert Earr Cass were natives of Aurora. Her father died in 19 10, and the mother still survives him. Mr. ]\b:iore was a baker and confectioner in Aurora, and their two children, Mrs. Cass, and one who died in infanc}', were born there.

Having been so long identified with one of the leading enterprises of the city, 'Sir. Cass' influence has gained for him a wide circle of loyal friends.

Io5S Dearborn County, Indiana Peter Bidxer

Peter Bidner. farmer, of Manchester township, was born in Germany, April 25, 1S34. and is a son of John Bidner. At the age of seven years Peter Bidner came t.) the United States with liis parents, with whom he lived until he was married, when his father presented him with eighty acres of land in [Manchester township. He lived here one year and then rented sixty acres nearby and mo\ed ontr. the place, but had lived here only seven months when he decided to buy a farm adjoining the eighty acres originally given him by his father, consisting of one hundred and forty-eight and one-half acres, of which he afterward sold eighty acres, purchasing one hundred and one acres adjoining his place on the north, which he later sold to his son, John J., cultivating the balance of his farm up to within the past few years, when he retired. Mr. Bidner has always been a firm believer in the Demucratic policies, and is a regiilar attendant of the Lutheran church, to which he contributes liberally.

John Bidner, father of Peter Bidner, was a native of Germany, l)ut like many of his countrymen, decided to try his fortune in America. Arriving with his familv in 1S41, he landed at Baltimore and came at once to ]\Ianchesier township. Dearborn county, Indiana. On their voyage across the water, I\Irs. Bidner became very ill. and died five days after arri\al in Dearborn county. Two years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Bidner was married a second time, but was later divorced. He then disposed of his property and went to Hamilton. Ohio, where he rented three hundred acres of land and cultivated that for two years, at the end of which time he took unto himself a third wife, Barbara Wise, a native of Hamilton, Ohio, returning immediately to [Manchester township, Indiana, where he purchased eighty acres of land, to which six years later he added sixty acres more, all of which he tilled until he was quite old. Finding he was not physically able to continue the requirements of a farm life, he divided his land, gi^-ing eighty acres to Peter, ami the other half to [Michael, the children of his first wife. The last years of his hfe were spent in the home of his son John, dying at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a Democrat in his political views, and a loyal and liberal member of the Lutheran church, on whose board he served as one of its officers.

To John Bidner and his first wife were born five children, namely : John, Peter, [Michael, and two who died in infancy. E.arbara (\\"ise) Bidner, the third wife, was a native of Germany, where she was reared and married.

}^etcr Bichier was married in May, 185S. to Dorothy Fillenworth, dan,:^hter of Jacob Fillenworth. a pioneer settler in this locality. They were the parents of six children, Ji.^hn, .\nna, Mary, Elizabeth, Caroline, who died at the age of four, and Emma. John and his wife, Sophia (Wullner) Bidner, reside in Manchester township, with their famil}- of se\-en children: Clara, Elmer, Reuben, Clemens, Julius, Enna and Leona. Anna F.idner is the wife of ^^'illiam Russe, who is also a prosiicrous farmer in Manchester township. To this couple ha\e been born nine children, one of whom died at the age of two years: Emma, ^lary (deceased), Ida, Alma (twins). Herman, Edwin. Dora, ]^Iinnie and Augusta. Mary Hidner became the wife of Marry Becker, an eng"ineer on the Big Four railroad, who was killed in a wreck at Eawrenceburg, Indiana, leaving a widi_^w and two children, Wilbur and Eleanora, both of whom died }-oung. Mrs. Becker was married, secondly, to Dr. \\'illiam Duncan, a prosix-rous physician of Manchester. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have had two children, Stanley and Rulw. Elizabeth Bidner is the wife oi John Colligan. They reside in Cinciimali, and have had two children., Bessie auf! Arthur. Emma F'idner ^vas united in marriage with John Rush, an enterprising citizen of the townshi]). They li\-e at the old Bidner homestead, and ha\'e two children, I-Aereit and Doroth}-, the former of wb.om was married to -\Iarv Amm on Ajiril 11, 1913. 'I'hesc young peojile ha\e already started up a cozy house]-;eeping estalili-^hmenl of their own on an eiglit)--t\\o acre farn"; in Manchester township.

John Bidner, Jr.. brother of the subject of th.is sketch, was born in German\- and came to the United States on the same vessel with his parents and his brother, I'etc?r. He grew to ytiung manhood and remained in the home of his parents up to the time of bis marriage with Elizabeth Wise, his step-sister, daughter of hi'; father's tliird wife. They commenced housekeeping on an eighty-acre farm, which the_\- soon increased to <ine hundred and sixtv acres, on which they lived until death called them. Two children survived them, Mary. whi:i liecame Mrs. Billman, and Peter J.

Mary (Bidner) Billman. daughter of John and Elizabeth Bidner, became the wife of John t!illnian. a prosperous business man of Shelbyville. Indiana, who is now living a retired life in that city. To this couple were born two children. Peter ar.d Plenry. Peter J. I'idner was married to Caroline Steinmetz. and is a successful farmer in Manchester township. They have had two children. .Arthur and Delta.

Ricdel, by whom lie had six cliikh'cn, Dora, Anna, I'eter, I'red, Louise and Cairie; and by his second wife, JNIary, he had three cliildren, George, W'aher and Mamie.

Peter Bidner is a gentleman of wonderful c<jnstitution. He is eight\- one years old, and is still strong and in perfect health, lie keeps in touch with the news of the day and enjoys everything that goes on about him.

August D. Cook

It is inevitable that son;e interest should be felt in the parents of prominent men in order to learn of the influences under which their lives began. For this reason a brief mention of Frederick W. Cook, the father of the suliject of this sketch, should not be out of place at the start.

Frederick W. Cook was born at Bremen, Germany, April 30, 1816. His parents, Frederick William and ]\Iargaret Cook, were highly respected in the old country. He learned the tinner's trade and followed the same there until 185 1 when he immigrated to the United States, landing at New Orleans, where he resided not quite one year, working at liis trade for a Frenchman, who defrauded him of most of his earnings. He then went into business fijr himself at Carleton, Louisiana, but about one year later sold out and moved to JManchester, Indiana, and lived about one year, whereupon he mo\-ed to Lawrenceburg.

He conducted a successful hardware and tinware business up to 1877. when he turned the management over to his sons. A. D. and H. F. Mr. Cook was married in his native country to Anna Bottier (Batcher), by whom he had six children. 3.1argaret, John F., August D., Flem"}' F.. Anna A. and William F. At this writing but two of the family survive, August D. Cook, whose biography appears below, and W. F. Cook, who is the proprietor of a business engag^ed in the sale antl installation of Cook deep well products, in Louisville, Kentucky.

August D. Cook was born in Kirchweich, near Bremen, Hanover, Gernoany, November 18. 1847. He inherited his father's vocation as a tinner and in addition to working at his trade, with the same capacity which he later showed for manufacturing a large line of products for sale in the United States and many other countries, he added a coal business, pipe-fitting business, etc., which in connection with his hardware business, brought him a demand for pumps and their installation. At that time he was working ten to fifteen men. In order to be able to do machine work in connection with

Deakborx Countv, Indiaxa

One of the foundation stones upon which .Mr. Cook built and mainlained his success, was not to allow anything but the best of machines and products to remain in his control and so he was not long in realizing the necessity ni originating some improved method of making wells in the water bearing sands underljing Lawrenceburg and of inventing some more dependable type of pump for delivering the water to the citizens. As a result the crude well strainers of that day were replaced with the seamless brass strainer and the pumps with the hand pump whicli was adopted by snme of the largest cities - and may be seen today in service at Louisville, Indianapolis and Washington, D. C, notwithstanding the fine municipal waterworks in these cities.

Realizing the necessity of enlarging his facilities Mr. Cook built the Cook block, on Walnut street, in iSSi, and to this day it remains one of the city's most substantia.l buildings. In it he worked continually to improve his well strainers. At this time his brother. H. F. Cook, took the strainer into the South and brought the greatest necessity and blessing of all mankindpure water - to many towns and cities wrestling with unsanitary and deathdealing public water supplies. It is not saying too much to say that the success and growth of noany municipalities in the South dated from the sinking of Cook deep wells. One of the most noted examples of this was [Memphis, Tennessee, which first secured pure artesian water through the combined efforts of A. D. and H. F. Cook.

\\'hile H. F. Cook was engaged in instaUing strainers and drilling wells in every state in the union. A. D. Cook continued to improve his strainer, securing additional patents upon each improvement. It was through especial devotion to this strainer that Mr. Cook has been able to keep ahead of all imitators and competitors until it is today recognized the standard by railroads, consulting engineers, well drillers and municipalities.