Gibson County, Indiana - Biographical sketches, 1914 (part 14 of 20)

After the subject's marriage he was engaged in the operation of a portable saw mill for some years, but the timber in the community becoming scarcer each year, he decided to locate permanently in Hazleton, where he established his present business in 1902. Here a large local business has been built up, he handling a large amount of Southern pine, most of his other grades of lumber also coming from the South. In addition to his large lumber business, he also handles cement, plaster and building materials. Mr. Phillips has conducted his business on a plane that has won for him a respected place m the commercial world, and has gained for him an enviable position among the public-spirited and progressive citizens of Gibson county. His residence, at the corner of Brown and Second streets, adjoining his kiniber yard, is all that a modern home should be. and a spirit of genuine hospitality pervades it at all times.

Mr. Phillips efficiently served his township as trustee for the four years from 1905 until 1909. Fraternally, he is a past master in the Masonic blue lodge, while he has passed through all the chairs in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

One of the conspicuous names on the list of Gibson county agriculturists is James S. Mowry, a gentleman of high standing, to whom has not been denied a full measure of success. Long recognized as a factor of importance in connection with the farming and stock raising industries here, he has been prominently identified with the material growth and prosperity of this part of the state, his life having been closel)' interv.o\en with the history of the county where he has been content to !i\e and follow his chosen \ocation for nearly three-quarters of a centur}-.

James S. Mowry was born September 10, 1839, in Montgomery township, Gibson county, the son of Jacob and Margaret ( Summers) Mowry. the father being born in 1778 in Shenandoah count}-, A'irginia, the mother lieing also a native of the Old Dominion.

Jacob Mowry, father of the subject, came to Indiana with his parents in pioneer days, they first locating in Harrison county, and later remo\ed to Gibson county, settling in Montgomery township, where land was purchased and a home place established. Here subject's father spent his entire life. He died in 1850, and the subject's mother passed to her reward in 1844. Jacob Mowry was twice married and to the first union were born five children. By his second marriage eight children were born, namely : George, now deceased, a farmer in Gibson county; Delila, also deceased, the wife of Xclson Johnson ; Polly, deceased, married James Sargent; Margaret first married William King and then John Alsop. and she is now deceased: Robert died in Illinois: Anna, deceased, the wife of Thomas N'ewcoml): Ella, deceased: the sulaject. Jacob Mowry, the subject's father, was an exiicrt millwright and in politics gave his support to the Democratic party.

James Mowry's chances for obtaining an education were verv meager, his only schooling being one short three-months term. At the age <jf seven years he was bound out to Joseph Wasson for a year and a half, after which he lived with Abrani MaucK* Sr., until he reached his fifteenth year, when, Mr. MaucH dying, he took up his abode with a cousin, Joseph Summers. Remaining with Mr. Summers for four years, the subject struck out for himself and engaged in farm work for about a year, when, the Civil war breaking out, he enlisted in the army, his service beginning August 6, 1861, as a member of Company F, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After being recruited to full war strength in Princeton, the company left for Indianapolis, where the regiment was organized and outfitted, and in a short time sent to Lexington. Kentncky. where they took part in the battle of Wild Cat. From this point the command to which Mr. Mowry was attached was dispatched to Tennessee, and at Thompson's Station, Tennessee, Mr. Mowry was captured and sent to Libby prison for thirty-nine days. However, he was fortunate in being among the early exchanges, and was taken to City Point and from there to Annapolis, Maryland, by boat. Here he was granted a ten days' furlough and returned to Indianapolis and then home for a brief visit. At the expiration of his leave of absence, Mr. Mowry, in June, 1863, rejoined his comrades at Franklin, Tennessee, and was engaged in the Atlanta campaign, receiving an honorable discharge from his country's ser\ice at Atlanta, Georgia, in September, 1S64. While in the army Mr. Mowry contracted rheumatism, from which he has since sufifered a great deal.

The subject of this review has been twice married. His first marriage occurred May 28, 1863, to Ophelia Hanks, daughter of James S. and Rose (McMullen) Hanks, who came to Gibson county, Indiana, in 1810, and located in Patoka township, one and one-half miles southwest of Princeton. The parents of subject's wife are now deceased, and she died March 9, 1905. Mr. Mowry's first union was blessed by the birth of four children : Sarah D., deceased; Oscar F., a farmer in Patoka township, who married Anna Dakin ; William, a printer in Princeton, who married Isabelle Able; Ross, who died ill his twelfth year.

In November, 1907, the subject was united in marriage to Maria L. Kendel. the widow of James M. Kendel, a farmer of Patoka township, who died in 1868. By her first marriage Mrs. Kendel had two children : Perry .A. is a farmer in Morris county, Kansas, and married Emma Chastine; Catherine Elizabeth married Ulysses Collins, of Chicago, Illinois.

Subject's second wife was a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Calvin) Brown. Her father. Frederick Brown, was born in 1787 in Pennsylvania, and her mother was a native of Kentucky. He first located in Greene county, Tennessee, after leaving his home state, later removing to Harrison county, Indiana, in i^ii, and then to Clilison cmnUy, about 1840, settlins; in Patoka township, where he followed agricullural pursuits until his death. 1 le first married Sarah Kohl, of Tennessee, and lo this union were horn seven children : David, Mary Ann, Daniel, John, Elizabeth, Abraham and Kate. By her father's second marriage Mrs. Mowry was the only child.

At the close of the Civil war James S. Mowry located in Patoka township, southwest of Princeton, and purchased land, which he farmed for some years. He removed to Princeton in 1909, and then located at his present place, known as "Taft Town," a short distance northeast of the city, where he bought a small place and has since resided. For many years Mr. Mowry worked at the carpenter's trade, and later was in the grocery business in Princeton for six years.

Mrs Mowry's grandfather, George Hniwu. was a soldier in the American Revolution, serving in the Colonial army for eight years. Her mother was first married to William Cochran, a C.ihson county farmer, and they were the parents of eight children: Joseph H., James W., Nancy, Alary Ann, Jane, Cynthia. William and Melinda. Mrs. Mowry was born December 18, 1842.

Tames S. Mowry belongs to Post No. 28, Grand Army of the Republic, at Princeton, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal churc'i. while his wife belongs to the General Baptist church.

Samuel O. Marvel

To a great extent the prosperity of the agricultural sections of our country is due to the honest industry, the sturdy persistence, the unswerx ing ]ierseverance and the wise economy which so prominently characterize the farming element of the Hoosier state. Among this class may be mentioned Samuel O. Marvel, the subject of this life record, who by reason of years of indefatigable labor and honest efifort, has not onl\- acquired a well-merited material prosperity, but has also richly earned the highest esteem of all with whom he is associated. On his farm of one hundred and eight\-two acres of well located land in Montgomery township, this county, he carries on general farming and stock raising in a manner that attests his business ability.

Samuel O. Marvel was born in 1849 '" the southern portion of Montgomery township, in the vicinity of his present home. He is the son of James, born in 1803, but the place of whose birth is doubtful. His father.

Prettyman Marvel, removed from their original home in Delaware to Georgia, and it is uncertain whether James was born before or after their move, but it is probable Georgia was his birthplace. However, he was but a small child when his father, Prettyman Marvel, and family came to Gibson county, settling first where Fort Branch now is (that was in 1808), and in 181 1 entered the land where the immediate subject of this sketch now lives, and lived there to a good old age. The last year or two of Prettyman Marvel's life was spent in Illinois, whither he had journeyed to see a son. Travel was very wearisome in those days, and as he became quite feeble, while there, he was unable to make the return journey and died there in 1854^

James Marvel, who was five years old when his parents brought him to Gibson county, grew to manhood on his father's farm. He took as his wife Comfort Knowles, a native of Kentucky and the daughter of David Knowles. Pie came to Gibson county about 18 10, and purchasing land a short distance south of where Samuel O. Marvel now resides, passed the remainder of his life there. After his marriage, James Marvel lived on his father's place, buying ground from time to time until he had accumulated some four hundred acres. They were the parents of eleven children, only three of whom are living: David, James L. and Samuel O., the immediate subject of this sketch. William K. died March 9, 19 14. James Marvel and wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and gave much of their time and substance to forward the cause of that denomination. He died in 1S85, and her death occurred two years earlier.

Samuel O. Marvel grew to manhood on the old homestead of his father and grandfather and when a young man went to Franklin county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm and lived for about ten years. While there, in 1872, he was united in marriage with Parthena Bailey, a native of Franklin county, Illinois, daughter of James and Catherine (Launius) Bailey. In 1884 Samuel O. Marvel moved his family back to the old homestead in Montgomery township, and here he has since made his home and carried on his business. Eight children were bom to the union of Samuel O. and Parthena Bailey Marvel, namely: James R., who lives near his father and whose wife was Elsie Knowles; Lewis, who remains at home with his father; Da\id Byron, who is engaged in the hardware business at Owensville, where he resides. His wife was Ora E. Knowles and they have one daughter, Thyra C. lola, who became the wife of Ora Rogers, lives in Arkansas and is the mother of two children, Alona and Wilbur. ]\Iinnie, who is Mrs. John Mont- gomery, of Owensville, has one daughter. Rita. Ethel is the wife nf Magnus Montgomery, who is in tlie hardware business in (_)\vens\ille. A httle slaughter, Mattie. died when not i|uile thirteen years old and the\- also lost an inlanl son, Ralph. Parthena Bailey ]\larvel died in 1902. and in 1904 Mr. Marvel again married, his bride being Mary Launius. a cousin of his first wife. .She was born in Franklin county. Illinois, a daughter of Thomas and l-llizaheth Launius.

Mr. IMarvel's religious sympathies are with the Cumberland I'resbyterian church, of which he is a consistent member, and Mrs. Marvel holds her church membership with the Missionary Baptist church. There is very much that is commendable in the life record of this man, for he has been found true to duty in every relatiim. whether of a public or private character, and while energv and indu.stry ha\ e been salient features of his business career, he is equallv well known for his uprightness and, the hunorable methods he has always follo\\ed, and for his loyalty to any trust reposed in him. Because of his genial and unassuming disposition and his genuine worth, he enjo\s a well-deserved popularity- throughout this county.

Ewin Dallas Hulfish

Among the oldest newspaper men of the state is Ewin Dallas Hulfish, who published the first newspaper e\er printed in Owensville, Gibson county, Indiana. He has been actively engaged in the printing business for the last fortv-five years, and is said to be the oldest active printer in the state of Indiana. He was born August 25, 1849, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was a son of David and Rebecca (Carpenter) Hulfish. His father was a native of New Jersey and his mother was born in Philadelphia. Ewin D. Hulfish was onlv six years of age when his parents moved to Princeton, Indiana, and a vear later settled in Owensville, in this county, where tlie\- remained for the rest of their lives. David Hulfish was a shoemaker by trade, and followed that occupation successfully throughout his life.

Ewin D. is the only child living of the seven born to his parents. He received a very limited common school education and before he was of age he learned the shoemaker's trade and also followed carriage painting for a time. Bv the time he was twenty-one years of age he had learned the rudiments of the printer's trade and in that same year started the publication of the Owensville Montgomery Xctvs. which soon suspended. He is now sole owner and publisher of the Star-Echo. The paper is recognized as an influence for good in the community, as its editor uniformly takes a stand on the right side of all questions affecting the public welfare.

Mr. Hulfish was twice married, his first wife being Dora Sherrill, of McMinnville, Tennessee, to whom he was married on September 2, 1869, She was a daughter of Uriah and Charlotte (Martin) Sherrill, and to this union there was born one son, David S., who is now a resident of England, where he is employed by the British government in installing an automatic telephone exchange. Some years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Hulfish married Maggie E. Spore on May 5,, 1886, the daughter of Elbert W. and Nancy (Cochran) Spore, and there were three children born to this second marriage: Stephen, who is now foreman of the Star-Echo, and Emma Lee and Roderick, who are still at home.

Politically, Mr. Hulfish has affiliated with the Democratic party since he became of age, and has always advocated- the principles of that party. He is greatly interested in music, and organized - and was leader of the first Owensville brass band. He had the honor of drawing the first check paid Ijy an Owensville bank and also purchased the first postoffice money (jrder which was issued by the 0\vens\-ille postoffice.

John C. Gorman

It is generally acknowledged fact that journalism is one of the most important factors in twentieth-century life, exerting as it does an influence on practically every department of society. This relation is just as actual and potent in the smaller cities and towns as in the large cities, and he who directs the policy of a newspaper or wields the pen which gives expression to that policv, exerts a personal control over local thought and action that is not equaled by any other profession. Among the newspaper men of Gibson county who have, by their progressive attitude toward local afifairs, contributed in a very definite measure to the advancement of the community, is the gentleman whose name appears above and who is successfully publishing the Princeton Democrat.

John C. Gorman, the son of George W. and Mary A. (McQuaid) Gorman, was born in Owensville, Indiana, December 12, 1866. .His father was a native of Connecticut and was sent west as an orphan child to Terre Haute, where he was apprenticed to a printer. After serving his appresticeship in the

Terre Haute oflice he went to the E:\msvillc Jonniai where he remained for a number of years. Upon the outbreak of the Mexican war, in 1846, he en- Hsted as a private and served the full two years in the war with Mexico, being mustered out as a sergeant. Upon his return he went to Owensville, where he spent the rest of his life in business. When the Civil war broke out he was still filled with the patriotic zeal which iired men of younger years and organized Company H. Seventeenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in Gibson county. He entered the ser\ice as a major and later was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the same regiment. Later he resigned his commission and returned to Indiana, where he was commisisoned by Governor Morton to organize the One Hundred Twentieth Mounted Infantry at Vincennes. This he accomplished to the entire satisfaction of the governor and turned over the regiment to him for mustering in. although he did not himself go with the regiment. He served two and one-half years in the Seventeenth Regiment and saw service in some of the hardest fought battles of the war. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Gorman reared a faniilv df six children: James I'., deceased; George C. ; Agnes, deceased: Mnrcnce. Kninia and John C. George W. Gorman died in August, 1887, his widow surxiving him twenty year.s, her death occurring in February, 1907.

John C. Gorman was educated in the common and the high schools of Owensville, Indiana. When a small boy he started to learn the printer's trade and by the time he was through high school he had learned the mechanical end of the business. By the time he was seventeen years of age he was a fullfledged printer and able to make his living by the trade. At the age of thirteen he began to work in the office of the Ozvcns^Allc Echo and at eighteen he went to Princeton, where he entered the office of one of the papers, serving in different capacities. His first work was on the Gibson County Leader; from there he went to the Princeton Deiuorrat; then to the Princeton Clarion, after which he went to Posey ville, Indiana, where he took charge of the Poseyville News for two years. All the time he was gaining valuable experience and perfecting himself in the management of a newspaper, and at the expiration of his two years' service in Poseyville, he returned to Owensville and purchased a job office, which he continued to operate until October. 1888, at which time he started the Owensznlle Gleaner, a weeklv paper. He published this tmtil March, 1895, when he sold it out and went to Princeton, where he purchased the Princeton Democrat, buying the controlling interest. He has been the controlling factor in this paper for the past nineteen years and has greatly enlarged and improved the paper in that time and is now the owner. When he took charge of it, it only had four pages and only two of those were printed in Princeton. It is now an eight-page daily and also he issues a semi-weekly. In 1896 he moved his ofifice and equipment to a better location and the weekly was changed to a semi-weekly, and the morning daily was made an afternoon paper. As a newspaper man he ranks among the leaders in his section of the state, and the Democratic party finds in him one of the spokesmen for the principles and policies of the party. Recently, Mr. Gorman has been recommended by the congressman from this district for the position of postmaster of Princeton.

Mr. Gorman was married in September, 1891, to Mary L. McGinnis, the daughter of James P. and Melissa (Mauck) McGinnis, both of whom were natives of Gibson county. To Mr. and Mrs. Gorman have been born three children, Helen E., Georgia and John, Jr. Mrs. Gorman died December 15, 1896. She was a lady of sterling worth, whose many kindly deeds and loving ministrations will be remembered in the neighborhood in which she lived and which was made better by her presence and influence.

Mr. Gorman is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, and as an editor in this community he has wielded a wide influence in the councils of his party. Fraternally, he is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias at Owensville, and was one of the charter members of the lodge of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Princeton and is a member of the Sons of A^eterans. Personally, he is affable and popular with the people in his city and ready at all times to lend his aid to all laudable measures which have for their object the general good of the community. By a life consistent in motive and liecause of his many good qualities he has earned the sincere regard of all who know him, and his success in the newspaper field has been one well merited.

John T. Allbright

The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. In touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise; yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life - a life char- acterized by perseverance, energy, l)ro;ul cliarity and well-ik'Tmed purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate llie dictum prcmnunccil uimn the man liy ihc people who have known him long and w ell.

John T. Allbright was born in October, 183S. in Martin cdunly, Imliana. the son of John W. and Eliza (Jones) Allbright. \vii<i were botii natives ot Martin county. The Allbright family are of German stock and settled in Pennsylvania many years ago, and members of the family have been prominent in the various localities in wliich they have lived. The suliject's maternal ancestors were from \'irginia. John W. Allbright received but a limited school education, and practically his entire life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. He died at the C(>niparati\e]y earl\- age of lliirty-live years, liis death having been caused 1))- an injurx- received at a log rnlling. He was survived many years by his widow, wlm died at Oakland City, Indiana. Tliey were the parents of six children, .^ive suns and a daughter, namely: Jolm T., the immediate subject of this sketch; David, who lives at New Harmony. Indiana: Mary, of Pittsburg, Kansas; James, deceased; Thomas, who lives in Minnesota, and Joel, of Edwardsville, Illinois.

John T. Allbright attended the schools of his home neighljoriioocl and remained with his mother until his marriage, in 1S60, when he and his wife removed to Shoals, Indiana, where they resided until 1882. While living at Shoals, Indiana, on August 14, 1862. Mr. Allbright enlisted as a private in Company A, Seventeenth Regiment, Indiana \'olunteer Infantry, and accompanied his command to Indianapolis, wliere they were fitted out and were tlu-.i sent south to Green ri\'er and on tn MunifordsxiHe, Kentucky, (^n Xuxeml)er 27. t86^, the subject was taken sick at Gallatin. Tennessee, and was in the hospital from December 27. iShj. until February i, 1863. He then went back to Murfreesboro, and on June 24. 1863, was in the battle of Hoover's Gap on Duck river ; then the command went to Chattanooga, wliere they went into camp for a while. Later they went to Ringgold, Georgia, and thence to Rock Springs, where they were detailed to guard 1)ridges. Returning to Chattanooga and Murfreesboro, the command later went to Shelby ville, and took part in the battle at that place and then went on to near Rogers\ille. Alabama, from which place they returned ti> Pulaski. The subject then came home on furlough in January, 1864, and took the smallpo.x, being confined to quarters from January until .April. Rejoining his regiment at Pulaski, Tennessee, he re-enlisted as a veteran and was sent to Nashville, Tennessee, where his command was assigned to General \\'i!son's di\ ision. The regiment went to Macon, Georgia, where they remained until the close of the war, receiving their discharge at Nashville, Tennessee, on June 27, 1865, and at once came to Indianapolis, where they were paid off and mustered out. Mr. AUbright had many close calls from injury during his service, taking part in all of the battles in Rogers' campaign, in which his regiment participated, as far as he was able. He is now an honored member of the Grand Army ])ost at Oakland City, Indiana. In 1887 Mr. and Mrs. AUbright moved to Oakland City, Indiana, where he followed the shoemaking and harness-making trades, which he had learned in 1857, and which he has followed during practically all of his active life. He is well known in Gibson county, where he has won a host of warm personal friends and where he has built up a large and profitable business by strict attention to his aft'airs and courteous treatment of his customers.

In i860 Mr. AUbright was married to Amanda Teney, of Aurora, Indiana, and to them have been born the following children: Alice, the wife of William Cook, of Linton, Indiana; George, of Los Angeles, California, while four children died in early life. Religiously, Mr. AUbright is an earnest member of the Christian church, to which he gives a liberal support of his means and substance. Mr. AUbright is a man of splendid influence in his community, having been an industrious man and made an honorable career, setting a worthy example to the younger generation of his community. He is a public-spirited man and can always be counted on to support the right side of any mo\-ement involving the moral, educational or social \velfare of his fellow citizens.

William L. Leister

The subject of this sketch, William L. Leister, a well-known physician of Oakland City, Indiana, is descended from a line of sterling pioneer ancestry. His paternal grandparents. Dr. David and Elizabeth (Richey) Leister, were residents of McCracken county, Kentucky. There, in the year 1818, was born to them a son, William R., who in early youth suffered the loss of his parents by death. Thereafter he made his home with his maternal uncle. Simeon Richey, in Scott township, Vanderburg county, Indiana.

In the year 1840 W'illiam R. Leister married Mary, second daugh':er of William and Elizabeth (JNIarcus) Rogers, of Vanderburg county. To this union four children reached majority, three sons and one daughter : David R., Benjamin Franklin, William Leroy and Mary Elizabeth. Of these sons, David R. enlisted at the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion in 1861. in

Company A, Fifl^'-eitihth I'^einmciU Indiana N'olunleur lnl'anlr\, with wliicli he served three years, participatin!; in tlic ini[)ortant ^-nga,^enK-nt^ in whicli his regiment took part, includini,^ tlie liatllo of Chickaniauga. So(in aftrr the close of the war he began llie study and practice of medicine, making his home at Oakland City until in the year 1875, when he wenl to- Arkansas, in which state he resided (hiring the remainder of his life, lie (h'ed at his home in Ellsworth, Logan county, Arkansas, June u. 1001, in iiis sixty-lirst year of age.

Benjamin F. Leister was also a soldier in the L"ivil war, having enlisted in the summer of 1861, at X'incennes, Indiana, in Com])any K, Twentyfourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was with his regiment in all its campaigns. In the battle of Champion's Hill, ^Mississippi, he received a mortal wound and died on the battlefield.

William L. Leister, the immediate subject of this sketch, was born June the 14th, 1847, ri^^^r the village of Lynnville, Warrick county, Indiana, where his parents resided at that time, coming with his family to Gibson county in the fall of 1854. The youth received a common school education, and owing to the calamity of total blindness which befell the senior Doctor Leister in tiie fall of 1863, the son was denied a complete collegiate training, but as much as possible he made amends for this deprixation. While providing subsistence for his parents and for his own family he secured the assistance of a noted teacher. Professor Lee Tomlin, then principal of the Oakland City Normal Institute, and was enabled to become proficient in English and in Latin, studying through the school years 1875, '76, '"]-] and '78.

Doctor Leister matriculated in the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the fall of 1868. After attending part of four different years, the Doctor was graduated from the aboA-e named school of medicine in June, 1884.

September the 16th, 1869, Dcjctor Leister was united in marriage to Sue L. VanZandt, daughter of James and Mary Ncxy ( Fisher) X'anZandt, pioneers of Gibson county. To this union Gail. Lloyd, Stanley, Mary J\'e.xy and Josephine were born. In the \ear 1899, ^t Rogers, Arkansas, the wife of Doctor Leister passed awa}-.

In the fall of 1905 his children having settled to themselves. Doctor Leister, with his wife, returned to his old boyhood home, Oakland City, Indiana.

At present Doctor Leister is associate editor and medical bool< reviewer for the American Medical Journal of St. Louis, Missouri, liaving held this position the last twelve years. This well known publication is now in its fortv-second year of existence.

Politically, Doctor Leister has always affiliated with the Republican party, though his professional engagements have necessarily pre\ented him from taking active part in political afifairs. In his younger days the Doctor had been gi\-en to materialistic reasonings, but after he reached the summit of life's way, and when the shadows began to lengthen, he saw more clearly the will of the Master and more firmly believed in a happy immortality. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and gives liberal support to that society, yet he is broad in his religious views and acknowledges fellowship with all religious bodies.

In addition to his creditable career in his profession the Doctor has also proved an honorable member of the body politic, rising in the confidence and esteem of the public and in every relation of life he has never fallen below the dignity of true manhood, nor resorted in any way to methods that have invited criticism.

John Willis Smith

Indefatigable industry, sound business judgment and wise management have been the elements which ha\e contributed to the success achieved by John Willis Smith, enterprising and progressi\e farmer of Montgomery township, Gibson county, and director in the Owensville Banking Company. His farm is well improved and highly productive, being numbered among the best farms of the township in which he li\'es, and because of his high character and unquestioned integrit}-, he enjoys to a marked degree the sincere respect of the community.

J,ohn Willis Smith was born January lo, 1857, in Logan county, Illinois, near Atlanta, the son of Warrick and Margaret (Simpson) Smith. His father was originally from Gibson county, Indiana, having been born in Owensville, September 23, 1831, but directly after his marriage in 1S56 he took his bride to Logan county, Illinois, with the intention of making their permanent home there. They remained there until 1868, carrying on farming and running a livery stable in the town of Atlanta, when they returned to Gibson countv. Warrick Smith then purchased from his wife's father, John

C. Simpson, thuir old home near ( )\vcnsvillc, and there ihey passed tlie remainder of their Hves and reared their family. There were four children born to them, one dying in infancy. (Jf the remaining three, John W'iliis, the immediate subject of this sketch, is the oldest of the family, George Washington Smith is a retired farmer living in Owensville, and Lillie, the only daughter, is the wife of Charles ^Jurnahan of the same place.

Warrick Smith, father of the subject of this sketch, was the only son of Doctor Willis J. Smith, one of the pioneer physicians of Gibson county, who came here from Danville, Kentucky, his birth-place, in early days. He was born about the year iSoo, received an excellent education, finishing his medical training in Louisville. Kentucky, and came directly to Gibson county to take up his life work. He was a man of ])arts, broad minded and liberal beyond his time; in fact, a man many \ears in advance of his day and age. For several years he carried on an extensive practice over a large section, winning all with whom he came in contact through his charming personality and sterling worth. He won the friendship of the Indians who still roamed the forests hereabout and was by them considered a sort of demi-god. He died what seemed an early death for one so promising, departing this life in his thirty-sixth year. His wife was Patsy C. Warrick, daughter of Captain Jacob Warrick, whose history is closely associated with the early history of Gibson county, and who is often mentioned elsewhere in this volume.

Warrick Smith Vvas a worthy son of his excellent father and in his time was considered a leading citizen of Montgomery townshi]). He took an active interest in political affairs, giving his stanch support to the Democrat party, and while he never sought office for himself, was known as a man of influence. He was a member of the ancient order of Free and Accepted Masons and also a member of the General Baptist church, gix'ing of his time and substance to further the cause of that society. His death occurred in 1902, while his wife departed this life on January 24, 1895.

John Willis Smith was eleven years old when his parents returned to (Hbson county after their sojourn in Illinois, and he attended the schools of Owensville for a time after that. .\t llie early age of twenty-one he began to show his business ability and foresight, and rented a tract of land, putting in a crop of wheat which made him excellent returns. From this he got his financial start. He purchased forty acres of swamp land, considered not valuable, but by the time he had cleared and drained it, he had an excellent piece of farming land. When this was paid for. he added other tracts from time to time until he had accumulated almost five hundred acres of bottom land.-

This he later sold to William Watson and in turn purchased three hundred and sixteen acres of excellent ground north of Owensville. In addition to general farming, he devotes his especial attention to the raising of pure blood Hereford cattle and has about thirty registered head. He also gives particular attention to breeding an excellent strain of Percheron draught horses. In addition to his farming and stock raising interests, he is a director of the Owensville Banking Company, which compan}- he helped organize and in which he has been since interested.

Mr. Smith has never married. He is a member of the time-honored order of Freemasonry and politically gives his support to the Democratic party. At one time he was quite active in the afifairs of that party, but of late years business has too closely claimed his attention. By his persistent advocacy of wholesome living, pure policies and honesty in business, Mr. Smith has long enjoyed the undivided respect and esteem of all who know him, being regarded as one of Gibson county's most substantial and worthy citizens, and therefore, merits representation in a work of the nature of the one at hand.

The final causes which shape the fortunes of individual men and the destinies of states are often the same. They are usually remote and obscure, their influence wholly unexpected until declared by results. When they inspire men to the exercise of courage, self-denial, enterprise, industry and call into play the higher moral elements; lead men to risk all upon conviction, faith - such causes lead to the planting of great states, great nations, great peoples. That country is the greatest which produces the greatest and most manly men, and the intrinsic safety depends not so much upon methods and measures as upon that true manhood from whose deep sources all that is precious and permanent in life must at last proceed. Such a result may not be consciously contemplated by the individuals instrumental in the production of a country ; pursuing each his personal good by exalted means, they work out this as a logical result; they have wrought on the lines of the greatest good. In reviewing the life of one such individual, we look back over the pathway he has trod and note its usefulness - its points worthy of emulation and perpetuation. What William Roy Genung. of Fort Branch, Indiana, has done for his fellow men and the community in general might, in a manner, be told in words, but in its far-reaching influences cannot be measured. He has been in touch with the people, and from a sincere and deep-felt interest in their welfare has labored for all that would prove of public benelit, his position as one of his county's rei^resentative citizens being cheerfully conceded by all who know him.

The genealogical record of the Genung family has been w ritten by several of the descendants, but that written by Mary Josephine Genung, now Mrs. L. AI. Nichols, of Ithaca, New York, is considered the most reliable. The name is variously spelled Gei)ung, Ganong and Ganung being the forms most commonly used by the present generation. The Genungs now living in Gibson county are descended from Jean Guenon, who died previous to May 21, 17 14. He was probably born in the province of Saintonge, France, in the vicinity of LaRochelle. At the time of the persecution of the Huguenots because of their religious belief, he, with others of that faith, went to Holland, where they tirst settled in Leyden, later going to Amsterdam. From the latter port Jean Genong sailed on April 2, 1657, in the ship "Draevat," under Captain Bestervaer, and after a long and tedious voyage, landed at New Amsterdam, now New York. From the fact that he was noted on the list of passengers, it is concluded that he was not a child at that time. He settled at Flushing, Long Island, and among others was credited with'being a property owner in records dated October 9, 1675. His will' is dated November 24, 1703, at which time he was possessed of considerable property, which he divided among his sons, giving to Jeremiah forty acres and to John twenty-nine acres, leaving the balance of his estate to his "beloved wife, ]Mararch.'' The military records contain the names of twenty-three members of this family who took part in the war of the Revolution, which is a ^-ery creditable record. Among the descendants of this emigrant and his wife was Elani Genung, son of Stephen Genung, who was born on May ij, 1796, at Genungtown (now East Madison, New Jersey), and died November 5, 1845. He was an ordained preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church, and one of the first pastors at the Mt. Horeb Methodist Episcopal church in Warren township. Somerset county. New Jersey. From September i to December 2, 18 14, he was in the United States service as one of Captain Carter's riflemen, and eventually removed to the state of Indiana, where he died. On January 15. 1820, he was married to Elizabeth Tucker, who was born on September 8, 1801, and who died in November. 1833. She was a daughter of Joseph and Deborah (Linn) Tucker, and the mother of six children. The third in order of birth of these children was Dr. William Roy Genung, who was born in Somerset countv. New Ter- sey, on JMarch i8, 1827. When five years of age he moved to Indiana with his parents and received his elementary education in the common schools of that frontier state. Later he became a student in old Asbury College (^now DePauw University) at Greencastle, where he pursued his classical and literary education, graduating in 1845. To him now belongs the distinction of being (in 1913) the oldest living graduate of that renowned educational institution. Because of that fact he has been for over a year the holder of an alumni cane which formerly was the property of Thomas A. .Goodwin, of Indianapolis, and which is to be handed down to the oldest living graduate, by whom it is to be retained the remainder of his life. At the time of the Doctor's graduation, in 1845, the finances of the college did not permit of their having an engraved diploma, the graduates in that day receiving a written certificate. In 1910, at the commencement, which the Doctor attended while the diplomas were being distributed, the Doctor remarked on the good fortune of the graduates that they had diplomas, and that they had none in his time. Thereupon the dean of the university made it his business to look up the first plate made for the college, and the Doctor was presented with a certified diploma, sixty-five years after his graduation, which gave him particular pleasure. The class of '45 has given a number of notable men to the country, among whom may be mentioned John Wesley Childs, of Kansas City, Missouri; Hon. James Harlan and others. Immediately after graduating from^ Asbury College, Doctor Genung took up the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Somerville E. Leonard, of New Albany, Indiana, with whom he continued his studies until 1849, when he entered the medical department of the University of New York, and after taking three full courses, was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Immediately afterwards he made a visit to Fort Branch, where his stepmother then resided, and was induced to remain here, and entered at once upon the practice of his profession, building up a large and successful clientele. During the subsequent years Doctor Genung was numbered among the most prominent and successful doctors in this section of the state, having practiced over a wide radius of the -country, and in many families he doctored successive generations. He was very successful and accumulated much material wealth, being owner of several splendid tracts of farm land at the time of his death. He long held distinctive prestige in a calling which requires much patience, sound mentality and intellectual discipline of a high order, supplemented by rigid professional training and thorough mastery of technical knowledge, with the skill to apply the same, without which one cannot hope to rise above mediocrity in his profession. In addition to his long and crcdilabk- career in one of the most nseful and exacting professions, the Doctor also proved an honorable member of the Ixxly politic, rising in the confidence and esteem of the public, and in every relation of life he never fell below the dignity of true manhood, nor in any way resorted to methods that invited criticism. In 1883 the Doctor was elected a member of the Indiana state Legislature, where he served with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Effectually a man among men, he ever moved as one who commanded respect by innate force, as well as by superior ability. As a citizen he easily ranked among the most influential of his compeers in affairs looking toward the betterment of his home city and county.

On June 17, 1866, Doctor Genung married Louisa Strain, daughter of Rev. T. M. and Mary (Lagrange) Strain, and to tiieni were lidin the following children: i^'rances Lake, who compku-d her education at D^i'auw University, was married on October 25, 1S86, to J. R. Hedden, representative of the Evansville & Terre Haute, now the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad, and whose death occurred in 1893. To Mr. and Mrs. Hedden were born the following children: Jessie May, the wife of Prof. Hallam Walker Davis, of Manhattan, Kansas; Edith Louise, assistant principal of the Fort Branch high school, was also a graduate of DePauw I'niversity: John Richard, a traveling salesman; Horace Genung is represented in a later paragraph of this sketch; Bertha, the wife of \\'. C. Polk, of Fort Branch: Mary Elizabeth, the wife of R. M. Stormont, of Oakland City, and Homer, who i^ also represented in a later paragraph.

Horace Genung was born at Fort Branch. Indiana, on J^cbruary 7, 1870, and secured his elementary education in the Fort Branch public schools, and attended the high school. He then entered DePauw University, and after finishing the course there, he returned to Fort Branch, and entered upon the management of the home farm, to which he devoted his attention for eight years. In 1893, owing to his wife's ill health, he removed to California, where he remained three years, then returning to Fort Branch, he bought an interest in the Fort Branch Milling Company, of which he became su]>erintendent. He continued purchasing stock in this enterprise, of which he eventually obtained the controlling interest, being now president and general manager. The original mill, which was built at King's Station about 1878, was later removed to Fort Branch, and many substantial and permanent improvements have been made, Mr. Genung having spent over ten thousand dollars in buildings and equipment. The mill, which is up-to-date in every respect, has a daily capacit}- of one hundred barrels. They buy corn and wheat, shipping the former and grinding the latter. Their favorite brand of flour bears the trade names of Seven Stars and Wild Rose. The former has an immense sale in the South, where it is considered a leading brand of flour. Mr. Genung is also a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank, and owns a farm one mile east of Fort Branch, which he has found a profitable source of income.

In March, 1890, Horace Genung was married to Margaret Blessing, the daughter of John Blessing, a pioneer settler of Gibson county, and to this union has been born one child, John Roy, who is now a student in the medical department of Indiana University. Fraternally, Mr. Genung is an enthusiastic member of the Masonic order, belonging to the chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and the Scottish Rite, in which he has taken the thirty-second degree. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee and he is also actively interested in the Sunday school, being the present superintendent.

Homer T. Genung was born at Fort Branch, Indiana, on February 12, 1882, being the youngest child born to his parents. His early education was received in the public schools of Fort Branch, and after his graduation from the high school, he took a course at Purdue University. Upon the completion of his technical training, he and his brother-in-law, W. C. Polk, purchased the -drain tile plant which had been organized by Douglas & Polk some time during the sixties, and after being engaged in this enterprise for some time they installed an electric light plant on the same premises, having continued since to supply the city of Fort Branch with commercial and public light. In 19 11 the tile plant was dismantled, because of the fact that a silo business had been started which demanded their full attention. The latter business consists of the manufacture of forms used in the making of concrete silos, and they also manufacture forms for making cement grain storage buildings. This business has steadily increased and has necessitated the erection of a fine new plant, now in the course of construction, which will be one hundred and ten by one hundred and fifty feet in size, the office being in the second story. The present officers of the Polk-Genung-Polk Company are as follows : President, W. C. Polk; vice-president, H. O. Cherry: secretary-treasurer, H. T. Genung; assistant treasurer, W. A. Polk. The new plant will employ about thirty men, and will, when completed, have cost about twenty-five thousand dollars. The output of this company has been distributed to many distant points of the country, including Brownsville, Texas, Montana, San Francisco and New York. The products of the company are covered by patents, and the outlook for future business is very promising. The production of electrical power has also proven a profitable feature of the business, it being a twenty-four hour service, and I\Ir. Genung, as one of the leaders in the enterprise, has shown a public spirit in all his enterprises, seeking ever to advance the best interests of the community. A good business man in every respect, keen and sagacious in his judgment, he has so managed his affairs as to reap satisfactory pecuniary reward and also gain the esteem and confidence of the entire community.

Fraternally, Mr. Genung is a member of the Masonic order, being a member of Fort Branch Lodge, No. 696, and has taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite, up to and including the thirty-second, being also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, Hadi Temple, Evansville.

Alexander D. Green

It was remarked by a celebrated moralist and biographer that -'there has scarcely a life passed of which a judicious and faithful narrati\e would not have been useful.'' Believing in the truth of this opinion, expressed by one of the greatest and best of men, the writer of this review takes pleasure in presenting a few facts in the career of a gentleman who, by industry, perseverance, temperancf and integrity, has worked himself from an humble station to a successful place in life and won an honorable position among the well-known and highly esteemed men of the locality in which he resides.

Alexander D, Green was born August 5, 1846, in Knox county, Indiana, the son of John D., of Knox county, he the son of John D., of Virginia. The grandfather, with a brother, Samuel, who had first settled in Henderson countv, Kentucky, came to Indiana in pioneer times and settled in Knox county, where he married a Miss Dun (her mother a Bogardus), and lived the remainder of his life. To the subject's grandparents were born the following children; William, Robert, James, Samuel, Harriett, Eliza and the subject's father. John D. died in Vincennes and the rest of the children have all lived and died in Knox county.

The father of Alexander D. Green received an exceedingly limited education in the Knox county schools and resided in that county until 1 864, when he removed to Evansville, Indiana. He was a bricklayer by trade and also engaged in agriculture. He was a very active man, a stanch Re|Hiblican and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. In 1868 he removed to

Princeton, Gibson county, and shortly afterward built the old school which stood on the site of the new high school. For a number of years he engaged in contracting and building and a number of the best structures of his day were monuments to his skill and industry. He lived to the ripe old age of seventy- four. Twice married, his first wife, who died in 1854, bore him the following children: Alexander D., the subject; Dora married Thomas Hart, of Denver, Colorado; Mollie died in Texas, and William M. died in Danville, Illinois. The second wife of the subject's father was Ann M. Draper, of Knox count)'. Indiana, and this union was blessed by the birth of eight children, namely : Fannie, the wife of William F. Westfall, of Knox county; Carrie married William Phillips, and lives in Evansville; Nellie, deceased, was the wife of George Brown, of Evansville; Charles, a bricklayer, resides in Memphis, Tennessee; Effie, deceased, was the wife of George Davis, of Gibson county; James lives in Vincennes; Frank is a bricklayer in Vincennes ; Fred is a railroad man of Vincennes.

The subject of this review in early boyhood attended the county schools, being compelled to follow a blazed trail four or five miles through the dense forest to reach the little log school house. Until the outbreak oi the Civil war Mr. Green remained at home working on his father's place and for neighboring farmers.

In August. 1863, Mr. Green enlisted in Company E, Fifty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Denny, his maternal grandfather. After being sent to Indianapolis for outfitting and drill, the command to which the subject was attached was sent first to Louisville, Kentucky, and then to Nashville, Tennessee, where, after a few skirmishes, they proceeded to Chattanooga and took part in the fighting at Missionary Ridge and Rome, Georgia. Here the regiment was captured and incarcerated in the famous Libby prison for three weeks, after which they were paroled, and Mr. Green returned to his home. However, he again enlisted in the fall of 1S64, this time as a substitute for his father, being assigned to Compan_\- K, Forty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and in this command he was a participant in the battles of Franklin, Nashville, Tunnel Hill and Ottawa and was also in a number of skirmishes. On the completion of his service at the end of the war, ]\Ir. Green v.as' mustered out in September, 1865, at Indianapolis.

July 22, 1870, Mr. Green was united in marriage to Sarah A. Pollard, daughter of A. C. and Lucinda (Thompson) Pollard, who came from their native state of Virginia in earlv davs and settled in Hillsdale, Vermillion county, where they engaged in agricukure and passed their hves. To the suhject and wife have been born four children, namely: Harry E., a bricklayer, of St. Louis. .Missouri, who married Jennie Birmingham and has two children, -Muriel and Ruth; John, who married Artie I'.erlin and lives in Princeton; Austin C, a bricklayer, who married' Maud Garrett, of Tennessee, and lives in St. Louis, Alissouri; William W., a brick layer, who married Chloe A. Mills, of Bellmont, Illinois, and resides at home with his parents.

After the Civil war j\Ir. Green located in Evansville. Indiana, and worked at his traile, also doing a great deal of contracting. Subsequently he followed his trade of masonry in a great man\- of the \\'estern states, returning to Indiana in 1871 and locating in Gibson count\- at Princeton. He lived there until 1884, when he bought his present home place, known as the "Green's Fruit Farm," one and one-half miles northeast of the town im the Wheeling and Princeton road, where he has developed a tine place. Since coming to this community Mr. Green has done a great deal of contracting, both in Princeton and throughout the county.

Mr. Green is a member of .\rcher Post Xo. 28. Grand Army of the Republic, in which he takes an active interest, having attended a great many reunions and encampments of that organi;^ation. He also belongs to the Bricklayers' Union at Princeton. In his political belief Mr. Green is a Democrat.

It is not an easy task to describe adecjuately a man who has led an eminently active and busy life and who has attained a position of relative distinction in the community with which his interests are allied. But biography finds its most perfect justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such a life history. It is, then, with a full appreciation of all that is demanded and of the painstaking scrutiny that must be accorded each statement, and yet with a feeling of satisfaction, that the writer essays the task of touching briefly upon the details of such a record as has been that of the honored subject whose life now comes under re\ iew.

John Kell McGregor, familiarly known as "Kell" McGregor, is a native of Gibson county, born in Barton township November 18, 1839, a son of John and Jane (Paris) McGregor, he a native of Ohio and she originally from eastern ]*vIissouri. John McGregor was a son of .\ndrew, born in county

Deery, Ireland, and who came to America when a young man and settled in Ohio. Later he came to Gibson county, Indiana, and located in Barton township, being among the first settlers in the county. He passed the remainder of his life in Barton township and died on his original home there at the advanced age of ninety-six years. He was twice married and to his first union were born four children, Robin, George, Eliza and John. By his second wife he also had four children, Andrew, Polly, Joseph and Nancy.

John McGregor, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, had but a limited education in his youth, opportunities for acquiring more than the rudiments of an education being so meager in this new country. He was but a small boy when his parents came to Gibson county, but he managed to acquire a limited education, and continued to pursue his studies alone, reading such works as came to his hand, until he came to be considered a well-informed man. When he grew to young manhood, he secured a tract of government land in Barton township, which he proceeded to clear and convert into a home. He put up a small cabin and here he and his wife set up their home and reared their family. He died at the age of seventy-six on this old homestead: his wife had preceded him several years. His mode of life was such as to win for him the highest regard and liking of all with whom he came in contact. There were thirteen children born to John McGregor and wife. Mary Ann, the oldest, became the wife of Joseph Gest, and both are dead. He was a member of Company F, Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was killed during the battle of Chickamauga. Mrs. Gest died in Tanuarv, 191 2. F. Marion married Iva Martin, a farmer of Barton township, and both are dead, as are also Elizabeth and her husband, James Sovercool. He was a member of Company F, Forty-second Regiment Indiana Infantry, during the Civil War. George W. (deceased) married Anna BurnsTand she is still living in Pike county. He was also a member of Company F, Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Ellen died unmarried. James (deceased) was a member of the same company and regiment mentioned above, and at his death left a widow, who was Mary Mc- Cleary. The seventh child in the family was John Kell, the immediate subject of this sketch. Gilbert married Jane Kell and lived in Barton township; both deceased. Jane is the widow ef George Johnson and resides in Barton township. Samuel is a farmer and gardener, in the same township. His wife was Lavina Currey. Eliza is the wife of John C. Martin, a farmer of Barton township. Josiah, who died in May, 1913, was a farmer. He married Tebitha Green. Hannah, the youngest, died when a small child.

John Kell AlcGregor received his education in the early subscription schools of the county. This he attended in a little old log school house and sat on benches made from split logs. He remained at home until the time of his marriage, March 28, 1861, to Isabelle Watt, of Xenia, Ohio, a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Dodds) Watt. They were originally from Ohio and came to Gibson count}- in 185S, locating in Columbia township, where they lived the rest of their lives. He was a farmer and also rulJuwed the trade of a cooper.

After his marriage, John Kell McCJregor took up farming on a i)art df the old McGregor homestead in Barton township and lived there until in 1901 when he moved to Oakland City, Indiana, where he has since resided, having retired from active work. In addition to his farm work, he also operated a country store at the farm and taught school f</r a nunil)er uf years. He was a school director for eighteen years.

On October 7, 1861, Mr. McGregor enlisted in Company F, Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, organized in Barton- township, and was first sent to Evansville. From there he was sent to Henderson, Kentucky, and up the Green river to South Carrollton and while on guard duty at Calhoun he became ill from the exposure. He was guarding a boat at the. time and his watch extended from eight in the evening until ten the next morning. He gave way under the strain and was sent to the hospital at Evansville, Indiana, and confined there from February, 1862, to .September of the same year, when he was discharged on account of disability and sent home. He has never fully regained his health since then.

Mr. and Mrs. McGregor were the parents of several children, of whom Nettie Jane was the oldest. She was a teacher four years before her marriage to Samuel McElroy. They made their home in Greene county, Indiana, near Scotland, where she died in 1900. James R. is at present a city mail carrier in Princeton. He taught school for ten years. His wife was Sadie Rucker. Their daughter Elizabeth has always lived at home. Newman, deceased, was a farmer and met his death while cutting saw logs in 1894. His widow, Mary Watts, still lives in Barton township. Nora was a teacher before her marriage to S. Asdell, of Scotland, Greene county. He is a blacksmith. Henrietta is teaching near Greenville, Tennessee. She has been engaged in this labor for about fifteen years, having taught in Greene, Crawford and Gibson counties. She has also taught in an Indian school at Tama Iowa, and is now an in.structor in a missionary school among the mountaineers of Tennessee. Their daughter Nancy died unmarried at the age of twentyseven. Mrs. John Kell McGregor died ]\Iay 2, 1880.

In politics, Mr. McGregor has always been a stalwart Republican and has done all in his power to uphold the dignity of the party. He is also a consistent member of the United Presbyterian church and gi\'es liberally of his substance to its maintenance. He is properly numbered among the substantial citizens of his locality, having contributed in many ways to the advancement of his fellow citizens. He has in the course of an honorable career been successful in his business affairs and at the same time has placed himself high in public estimation.

Benjamin O. Wilder

Dependent very largely upon his own resources from his early youth, Benjamin O. Wilder, of near Oakland City, has attained no insignificant success, and though he may have, like most men of affairs, encountered obstacles and met with reverses, he has pressed steadily forward, ever willing to work for the end he had in view. His tenacity and fortitude are due, no doubt, in a -large measure to the worthy traits inherited from sterling ancestors, whose high ideals and correct principles he has ever sought to ])erpetuate in all the relations of life.

Benjamin O. Wilder is a native of Franklin county, Tennessee, born at the foot of the Cumberland mountains, March 25, 1836, a son of Nathaniel and Mary (Taylor) Wilder. They were both natives of that county and he engaged in general farming as well as following his trade of a blacksmith. In 1847 ^li^y came with their family to Warrick county, Indiana, locating four miles west of Boonville on the old plank road. Here he erected a home and also a blacksmith shop, where he worked at his trade. Here they remained for seventeen years, when they disposed of that location and purchased eighty acres of land one mile west of Augusta, in Pike county, Indiana. On this place Nathaniel Wilder passed the remainder of his life and died at the age of seventy -five. Here his first wife died, at the age of fifty, having been a great sufferer from rheumatism and practically an invalid for many years. By his first wife, Nathaniel Wilder had fourteen sons, only five of whom grew to maturity, namely: Benjamin O., the immediate subject of this sketch; Plenderson, a retired farmer living at Oakland City : John, deceased, a member of the Fifty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry; Council, deceased, also a member of the Fifty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and George, deceased, who was second lieutenant of the same com- pany and regiment. Nathaniel Wilder took as his second wife luneline Murphy, a native of the Hoosier state, and to them were born three children : James and Walker, deceased, and Charles, who is engaged in the insurance business at Oakland Cit\'. The family were closely identified with the affairs of the Methodist Episcopal church and did much to extentl its connections in their home society. Originally, Mr. ^^'ilder was a Whig in politics, hut when the Republican party came into existence, he ga\e it the same stanch support he had accorded the older party in earlier years.

Benjamin O. Wilder recci'.ed onlx- a limited schooling in his \-outh, owing to the limited circumstances of his parents and the meagre opportunities afforded at best. He remained at his father's home until 1862, when he went to Mount Era, in \\"ayne county, Illinois, and there united in marriage with .Susan Aiken, of that place. He had a grocery store in the town named and maintained his home there until about a year after the close of the Ci\il war, and during that stormy period he gave more than a year's service to his country. About 1866 Mr. Wilder disposed of his interests in Mount Era and returned to Boonville, near which place he engaged in farming. .\ fter remaining" there for a short while, he engaged mi farming in I'ikc county and later took up residence in Gibson county, near Oakland City, where he sl'll resides.

To Benjamin O. Wilder, by his first marriage, were born three children, namelv : Mary, wife of the Reverend Albert Keaggy, a minister of the United Brethren church, located in the state of \\^ashington : William, a land agent at Perkins, Oklahoma, and Alice, deceased. After the loss of his first wife, Mr. Wilder united in marriage with Sarah A. Bailey, of Warrick countv, Indiana, by whom he reared a family of se\eral children. Ora is engaged in farming near Evansville, Indiana. His wife was Sarah Taylor. Olive resides in Evansville, the wife of Bone. Lillie, who is Mrs. Luther Thompson, is also a resident of Evansville. Hattie lives in Indianapolis and is the wife of Ed. \\'alters. Grace is the wife of Clyde Schrodes, of Evansville. Albert, whose wife was Doria Elliott, resides at Oakland City; Daniel, who married Mary Cummings, has his home in Indianapolis, while Eva, who is a bookkeeper and stenographer for the gas company of Oakland Citv, is the only one of the family who remains at home. In addition to the above named, three children died in infancy.

In addition to his business activities above mentioned. Mr. Wilder operated a grocery store in Scalesville, Pike county, for seven years and also dealt in real estate. This business interest he traded for his eighty acres of farm land, which he cultivated until 1903, when he retired from active duties on account of poor health resulting from exposure endured while in the army. In November of 1863 Mr. Wilder enlisted as a private in Company K, Sixty-first Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was first ordered to Springfield to be fitted out. From there he was sent to Camp Butler, where he remained for some time and from there went to Cairo, Illinois, and Duval's Bluff, Arkansas, under General Steele. He did guard duty a great deal of the time. He received his honorable discharge on January i, 1865. Mr. Wilder is a member of the honored Grand Army of the Republic at Oakland City and his religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a faithful and consistent member. Mr. Wilder has always been an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party and while never seeking ofifice for himself, has been interested in seeing the right man go into the right place and used his influence accordingly. There is much that is commendable in his life's record, for he has been found true to every duty in every relation of life. He is well known for his uprightness and the honorable methods he has always. followed. Because of his genial and unassuming disposition and genuine worth, he enjoys a well-deser\'ed popularity throughout his part of the county.

Leander Smith

Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward and Ijrings out his individual character and acts as a powerful stimulant to the interests of others. The greatest results in life are often obtained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense, perseverance and industry. There is no calling, however humble, in which enterprise and industry, coupled with well directed purpose, will not be productive of some measure of success, and in the pursuit of agriculture the qualities mentioned are quite essential. Among the well known and highly respected farmers of Gibson county, who have attained to a degree of success in their line, and who have at the same time benefited the community in which they have lived, is the gentleman to a review of whose career we now direct the reader's attention.

Leander Smith, the son of Joseph and Mary Caroline (Watkins) Smith, was born in 1853, at Princeton, Indiana. Joseph Smith was born in Smith county, Tennessee, in 1824, and came to Princeton, Indiana, with his parents.

W\'lie Smith and wife, when he was four years of age. Ji)se[)h Smitli's mother died when he was but five years of age, and he spent his boyhood days at Princeton, and for about twenty-fi\-e years drove teams there for Messrs. Dinimock and .\Faxani. He was a soKlier in the .Mexican War and also served in the Civil ^\'ar. In the latter he enlisted first in the l''ifty-eii;hth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served a while, afterwards re-enlisting in the One Hundred Forty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. ser\'ing his country well and faithfully. During his boyhood he had been bound out until his majority, thus learning the habits of thrift and industry, and developed into a reliable, upright citizen, who lived a life free from blame. His death occurred at the Soldiers' Home at Marion, Indiana, in the summer of 1905. Mary Caroline (Watkins) Smith, the mother of the subject, was also born at Carthage, in Smith county, Tennessee, and came to Gibson county with her parents. Jesse Watkins and wife, about the same time that the \\'ylie Smith family came to Indiana. She grew up at Princeton, and li\ed at that place all the rest of her life, her death occurring there in 1870.

Leander Smith grew up in the city of Princeton, and received his elementary education in the public schools of that place. At an early age he started working in Jessup's woolen factory, and continued working there until he was twenty-one years of age. by which time he had worked himself up to a prominent position in the mill, and handled one of the most important machines in the mill. Upon reaching his majority he left Princeton and went to Mississippi, where he worked for two years in a sawmill, lie then came back to this county and worked for a short time in the stone qnarr}-. I'ollowing this he worked out on a farm near New Harmony, in Posey county, for a short time. While working in Posey county, he was married in 1878 to Missouri Martin, the daughter of William and Susan Martin. Her parents were born and married in Tennessee, and came to Black township, Posey county, Indiana, shortly after their marriage. They moved from Black township to Point township, and finally located in Linn township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Smith moved to Linn township, Posey county, eight miles south of Xew Harmony, where thev continued to reside until 1900, when they moved to Wabash township, (libson county, and settled on a farm three miles south of Crowleyville. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born eight children, five of whom are living. These children are as follows: Martha Jane died in 1904, at the age of twenty-six years; Joseph died in 1895. at the age of fifteen years; I'urnell died in 1894; Maude, the wife of William Hntchins, lives two miles southwest of her parents on a farm, and is the mother of five children. Hazel, Welborn, Manford, Melvin and Fred; Fred was a soldier in the United States army for three years, his term expiring in January, 191 2. He was stationed at Fort Russell, in \\'yoming, and is now at home in Wabash township; Frank is in the United States army, stationed at Pasadena, California; Lizzie, wife of A. A. Rutter, lives at Winslow, Indiana, and is the mother of two children, Raymond and Albert ; IVIackie is at home with his parents.

Mr. Smith has spent his whole life in agricultural pursuits, performing all those multitudinous details which fall to the lot of the American farmer. He is a quiet, unassuming man, who has won the esteem and confidence of his felloAv citizens by his uprig'ht dealings with them and by his support in the advancement of any cause looking to the general welfare of the communit}'. As a citizen he is public spirited and enterprising; as a friend and neighbor he combines the qualities of head and heart that have won confidence and commanded the respect of his neighliorhood. In all his acti\'ities as a citizen, he has so ordered his life that he has earned the unqualified endorsement of his fellow citizens.

William T. Watson

The men most influential in promoting the ad\-ancement of society and in gi\'ing character to the times in which they Vive are tw-o classes, to-wit, the men of study and the men of action. Whether we are more indebted to the one class or the other is a question of common diiiference of opinion. Neither class can be spared and both should be encouraged to occupy their several spheres of labor and influence zealously and without mutual distrust. In the following paragraphs are briefly outlined the leading facts and characteristics of one of the most striking men of action w-ho has ever lived in Gibson count}-. Although the subject of this sketch has lived in the county only about ten years, such has been his peculiar force and power that he has been a very material factor in advancing the interests of this county. His success as a business man is due to his keen perceptive faculties, unusual soundness of judgment and his uprightness in all his dealings with his fellow citizens, and his systematic and honorable methods have resulted in gaining for him the confidence of all those with whom he has come in contact.

Gibson county, was born June 24. 1855, near W'lieelin^-. West \'iri;inia, the son of Owen fl. and Martha (Clark) Watson. When Wilham T. was aliout four years of age the family left West \'in;inia and nioxed to l'".d!.;ar cimnty. Illinois, where he grew up and spent tlie most of his life. He took advantage of the best schooling which could l)c ol^taiiied from the district schools of his county. His father died when he was about twehe years of age, and as he was the eldest of a family of several children, he was liy this misfortune made the head of the family. He li\ed at home until the death of his mother, which occurred soon after he reached his majoritw During this lime he managed his father's farm of two hundred and forty acres and made a eonifortable living for the family. He was married in 1S78 to Linnie W ynn. whose parents were Thomas and Lina Wynn, and residents also of lulgar cr)unty, Illinois. Ha^-ing" inherited thirty acres of land from his paternal estate, he sold it for one thousand dollars and with this smn he began Ins Start in life. A man of more than ordinary- Imsiness ability, he has been very successful in all of his financial operations. He bought more land in the same county and started to farm on an extensi\e scale, not only raising the ordinary products of the farm, but buying and selling all kinds of live stock. Branching out in the real estate business, he bought and sold farms and has built up his material fortune in this way. .\lthough be considers Chrisman, Illinois, his home, he has been deeply interested in Montgomery township, (libson county, Indiana, since February, 1903, when he made his first purchase of real estate in the county. He now owns sixteen hundred acres in Montgomery township in addition to three hundred and fifty acres in Illinois. He has spent most of his time since 1905 in Montgomery township, superintending the management of his extensive holdings here. In September. 1911, he laid out the town of Skelton in Montgomery township, and still owns the town site.

^Ir. and Mrs. William Watson have reared six children: Minnie M.. Lydia W., Mabel, ]\Iartha C. N'ewton Everett and John W. His wife died May 2, 1905.

Mr. Watson has always taken an active interest in pulilic affairs and while living in Illinois was elected supervisor of bis township. A supervisor in Illinois is an official corresponding in general nature to the township trustee of Indiana, one supervisor being elected for each township and the supervisors of the county constituting the county board. Mr. Watson is a member of the time-honored order of Free and Accepted Masons, a Knight Temjilar, Knights of Pythias and is also a member of the Modem Woodmen f>i .\mer-.

Mr. Watson is a quiet, plain, unassuming" man, easily approached and a man who treats all of his employees well. His success has been attained because he has brought to bear all those qualities which win for him the confidence of his fellow men. He is industrious, temperate, economical and in every way exemplar)- in his daily life and conduct. As a factor of the body politic he has borne well his every duty and no one questions his standing in this favored localitv of the state.

Humphrey C. Heldt

Among those persons who have by virtue of their strong individual qualities earned their way to a high standing in the estimation of their fellow citizens, having by sheer force of character and persistency won their way from an humble beginning to a place of influence and prominence in the community where they live, the subject of this sketch is entitled to special mention in a volume of this character.

Humphrey C. Heldt, member of the well-known firm of Creek & Heldt Hardware Company, at Oakland City, Indiana, was born in Vanderburg county, this state, on November 17, 1866. His parents were C. D. and Caroline (Fickas) Heldt, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Vanderburg county. C. D. Heldt came to America in the spring of 1854, locating in Vanderburg county, Indiana, where he took up the vocation of farming, in which he met with splendid success. He was a soldier of the Civil war, having enlisted in Company F, Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served throughout that struggle. He was one of a family of thirteen, nine of whom came to America. After the war he returned to Vanderburg county and bought a farm, the purchase of which he had started during the war while home on a furlough. After completing the payment on this land, he added to it as he was prospered and eventually acquired the ownership of two hundred and twenty acres. To him and his wife were born eight children, of whom six are living, namely: Mary J., the wife of Joseph Haag. of Knight township, Vanderburg county, Indiana ; Elizabeth, the wife of Julius Wigger, also of Knight township: Martha, the wife of Elmer Hodson, of Evansville, Indiana; Bismark L., of Evansville ; Frederick, of Knight township, Vandcrbiirg county, and tlie subject of tliis sketch, wlio was the first born. The mother of these children died on December 25, 1910.

Humphre)- C. Heldt was reared on the home farm until twenty-six years of age, receiving his education in the public schools of Vanderburg county. He began teaching school upon the completion of his own studies, teaching during the winter months, and attending college in the summer. He was a student in the Southwestern Normal University at Princeton, and from there he was graduated in 1892. Altogether he taught seven years in Vanderburg county, gaining a splendid reputation as an enthusiastic and successful educator. In 1893 Mr. Heldt came to Gibson county, locating on a farm in Columbia township, which he operated and at the same time engaged in teaching in the township high schools for four years. During the following two years he taught in the Francisco high school, and then, on April 2, 1900, he bought a half interest in the hardware business with \\". T. Creek, of Oakland City, which has commanded his attention CDUtinuously since. The business was conducted as a private firm until 1903, wiien the cunipany was incorporated, and ]\Ir. Heldt has been manager of the business. The splendid success which has attended the Creek & Heldt Hardware Company is due largely to the persevering efforts and industry of the subject, who has been untiring along the line of building up the business in this community. He is also the owner of a splendid farm of one hundred and twenty-two acres in Columbia township, in the cultivation of which he maintains a deep interest, and which he has found a profitable source of income.

On August 3, 1892, Mr. Heldt married Eunice Coleman, the eldest daughter of W. H. Coleman, of Oakland City, and they have had three children, two of whom are living, Charles H., who is in school, and Robert C, also in school. Fraternally, Mr. Heldt is a member of the Masonic lodge, belonging to blue lodge, council and chapter, and also to the Tribe of Ben-Hur and the Modern Woodmen of America. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbvterian church, of which he has been an elder for twenty years. Politically, he is a Progressive and is enthusiastic in the political cause which he has espoused. Mr. Heldt has by his indomitable enterprise and conservative methods contributed in a material way to the advancement of his locality, and in the cour.se of his honorable career has been very successful in all of his enterprises. Having been a man of energy, sound judgment and honesty of purpose, he is well deserving of mention in this volume. He is unselfish in his outlook upon life and, aside from his own affairs, he takes an intelligent interest in cvcrythin"- (56) ' pertaining to the community in which he Hves, giving his earnest support to all measures having for their ohject the advancement of the public welfare, morally, educationally, socially and materially. Genial and unassuming, he has deservedly won a high place in the hearts of his acquaintances and friends.

The Storniont family is of Scotch-Irish origin. This much is certain, but there is a good deal lacking in the way of data to enable one to give a connected and reliable ancestral history of the family in that country. It is pretty well authenticated that the early ancestors came from Scotland and settled in the north of Ireland, probabty in the latter part of the sixteenth century. It is certain that Samuel Stormont, the father of the branch that came to America, came from county Antrim, Ireland. But how long he had lived there before emigrating is not known. There is a pretty well founded tradition that some of the family of that name in that country held titled honors, with inherited estates, and were identified with government affairs. The Lord Stormont, who figured in history of the Revolution as a representative of Great Britain, belonged to one of the family branches. It is related that this title came to him by inheritance from an uncle, as did also a landed estate, on which was a castle near Belfast, known as "Stormont Castle." This castle still stands and is known by that name, but the Stormonts do not occupy nor own it now.

There is a story, which may be related in this connection, that this Lord Stormont had inherited a legacy from his uncle. Admiral Stormont, of the British navy, and that this legacy was passed to his nephew, David Stormont. son of Samuel, mentioned above; that this David Stormont refused to accept this legacy, or to have anything to do with it, because he regarded it as ill-gotten gains, the legacy being obtained as prize money from captured vessels. And the conscientious scruples of this David Stormont, who came with his father to this country, were maintained by some of his children, who lived and died in Princeton. So this legacy, whatever it amounted to, was never claimed.

As has been stated, the father of the branch that came to this country, and with whom this sketch has to do, was Samuel Stormoirt. At the time of his family leaving Ireland they were given a certificate from the church to which they belonged, of which the following is a copy:

"That Samuel Stonnont, liis wife, Martha, and son David, whd is a single person, who is about to go to South Carolina, with his daughter, Esther, who is also a single person, soberly and honestly, and may be received into any Christian society where (jod, in His providence hath ordered his lot."

This certificate is not dated, and there is no date obtainable as to the time of their arrival in America. It appears from this, and other instances along the line, that the Stormonts of early times were so much occupied in raising large families that they were very negligent about dates and details of their movements. But, from the fact that there w ere five children in the family, and only the two oldest are mentioned in tlie church certificate, it is probable that the others were born after the family came tn this country. And, from other evidence, it is likely that Samuel Stormont came to .\merica in the first half of the seventeenth century. The children were : David, who married Nancy Boyd; Esther, who married James Chestnut; Martha, who married Samuel Ferris; Mollie, who married Samuel McClure: John, who married (i ) Xancy (2) Betlie Maybin; William, who married Anna McClure.

It is not the purpose of this sketch to follow the line of family history of the Stormonts, from the time of the settlement of this first family in South Carolina, down to the present time. This would be impracticable, if not impossible, because of the lack of data upon which a reliable record could be made. Even if this were obtainable, a complete genealogical record of the several branches of this family down to the present time would interest but few of the readers of this volume. It is the purpose to deal only with the history of the branch of the original family that came to Gibson county, and were among the early settlers. These were well-known by many of the older citizens now living, and their family history may fi-nd appropriate place in a Gibson county history. This sketch will bring the genealogical line dow^n within the memory of the present generations, and those who care to do so may take up this line and follow the several family branches, ad infinitum.

So far as known, Sanuiel Stormont and all his sons and daughters found homes in South Carolina, probably all in Chester district, and there they spent their life time. From the best information obtainable, David, the oldest son, married Nancy Boyd in 1 788, and the history of this family comes within the purpose of this sketch.

teacher in the old Seminary in Princeton, who moved to Topeka, Kansas, in the early days of that territory, and was a well-known and prominent physician and citizen of that city and state. Crawford, another son, was well-known in Princeton, where he lived in his early years. He died at his home in Sparta, Illinois, a few years ago. Neither of the sons of Robert Stormont had any children.

Amanda, married Dr. George P>. Graff, who was a prominent physician in Princeton, in the later forties and early fifties. He removed to Omaha, Nebraska, about 1859, where he died several years ago. His wife died some years later. The only one of the family now living is a son, John, who is located some place in Wyoming.

Louisa, married Moses Biddle. One son, Crawford Biddle, is now living in Chicago. Another son. Dr. Edgar Biddle, lived in Patoka, and died there a few years ago.

Esther, born June 3, 1795, married Clem Allen. She had two daughters and one son; one of the daughters married John Garrett. Mrs. Garrett was the mother of the late Mrs. William Anderson, and the grandmother of Dr. Robert Stormont Anderson, Mrs. J. A. Pfohl and Mrs. David Burchfield, of Princeton, and Mrs. John Hamilton, of Manhattan, Kansas.

Nancy Agnes, born October 23, 1799, married Joseph Hartin The children were Margaret, the first wife of Andrew J. Wright ; David ; Mary, Catherine, Sarah and Joseph C. Hartin.

David, born August 7, 1802. married Mary Hartin 1825 and removed from South Carolina to Gibson county in 1812, and resided in this county from that time until his death in 1886. His children were Nancy J., who married John Hull; Amanda married John Adams; Martha married Alex. McConiiahe)- ; Joseph enlisted in the Forty-sectmd Indiana Regiment Volunteer Infantry and died in tlie service ; Robert, deceased : and Riley, _the only son living, who married ]\Iary Lytle.

John Stormont was twice married: First to Nancy Wilson: second to Elizabeth Maybin. James and Samuel were sons by the first wife. The children by the second wife were Mary, Thomas and Sarah. Mary married Samuel McClure; Sarah married William Stormont, a cousin; Thomas was killed in an accident in South Carolina ; Samuel removed to southern Illinois where he died. Some of the members of this family remained in the south. Idcatiny; in northern .Mississippi, and their descendants were loyal to tlie Confederate cause (hirint^- the Ci\il War. .\ Colonel Stormont eoninianded a .Mississippi ref,nnient and another by that name in the Confederate army was killed in the battle of Stone's River; another, a Confederate prisoner, died at .\lton. Illinois. James, the oldest son of John Stormont, removed with his' entire family e.\- cept the oldest son, John, to Gibson county in 1832, and settled on the Indian creek hills, about three miles east of Princeton. John, who was married before leaving South Carolina, removed to Greene county, Ohio. The family of James Stormont has been identified with the history of Gibson county from early times and their history is given more in detail.

reside in Princeton and are the only children of this familv now living. Mary, born April i, 1812, married David Stormont (a cousin), and lived and more detailed history of this family is gi\-en under a sub-head to follow.) Jane, born November 30, 1819, married (i) John Paul, (2) John McNeece, Samuel Riley, born March 6, 1823, married Mary Cooper and remo^'ed to

James Renwick, married Rebecca M. Clark, both deceased. The children living are, Sarah Elizabeth, who married Erastus L. Townsend ; Marietta, who married Hugh Morrow, and Miss Jane Amanda, living, Princeton.

Jane Amanda, married Charles B. Ford, both deceased. The children living are, William AI., who married Eleanor Ames, Indianapolis; Rose, who married E. T. Hoar, Indianapolis; J. Crawford, who married Emma Sulmer, Marion, Indiana.

Sarah Diantha, married William C. Lawrence. The children are, John C, who married Clyde Stormont, Canon City, Colorado ; Clarence E., who married Anna Massey, Princeton ; Elmer, who married Carrie Fischer, Danville, Illinois; and Emner, Cairo. Illinois.

Gilbert Reiley, married Kate Keys. The children living are, Harry K., who married Eunice Heston, Indianapolis; Donald M., who married Pearl Murphy, Princeton; Ralph M., who married I\Iary Genung, Oakland City.

John McLeod. married Nancv E. ^^^att. The children are Clyde, who married John C. Lawrence, Canon City, Colorado ; Frank Newton, who married Grace Gilmore, Jacksonville, Florida: Miss Lillian, living at home.

previous. The only daughter, Florence, is living in Canon City, (dlurado. Martha Araniinta, died at her home in Princeton in 1893. James Calvin, living in California. Gilbert McAIaster, married Lyda Cunningham. The hushantl died at his

Elizabeth Louisa, married Milton Kell (deceased), Princeton. The children are Miss Ella, and Lilly, who married \^'illiam Lockwood, Evansville.

John Crawford married (t) Jane McLaughlin, (2) Margaret Baldridge. The children are Arthur, who married Oma Boswell : Ernest. Laura. David and Bertha.

Edward Weisgerber

The following is a brief sketch of the life of one who. In- close attention to business, has achieved marked success in the wtirld's affairs and risen to an honorable position among the enterprising men of the county with wiiich his interests are identified. It is a plain recoril. rendered remarkable b\- no strange or mysterious adventure, no wonderful and lucky acciilent and no tragic situation. Mr. Weisgerber is one of those estimable characters whose integrity and strong personality must force them into an admirable notoriety, which their modesty never seeks, v.-ho command the respect of their contemporaries and their posterity and leave the impress of their individuality upon the age in which the\- live.

Ed Weisgerber was born on December 11. 1874, in Patoka township, Gibson county, Indiana, and is the son of Eniil and Gertiude Weisgerber. These parents, who were both born and reared in Germany, came to .\merica at different times, locating at Princeton, Indiana, \vhere their marriage occurred. The father was a brick layer by trade, and also owned a good farm in Patoka township where his son Henry and daughter Sophia now live. Sometime after the death of his first wife he married Nellie Hale, of Pike count}', Indiana, who is still living in the latter county. In his later life Emil Weisgerber lived in Pike county. In 1861, in response to the call of his adopted country for defenders of the national integrity, he enlisted as a private in Company F, Thirty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served during the remainder of the war. He went through many hardships and privations, and as a result of his exposures he contracted a bad throat. He also became a member of Archer Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Princeton. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and a man of excellent qualities of character, being widely known and highly esteemed by all. To him and his wife were born the following children: Emma, who now lives in Princeton, is the widow of L. Hill: Anna, who is unmarried, lives in Illinois; Sophia, with her brother Henr\-, lives on the home farm in Patoka township; Henry, just referred to, is a successful farmer; Gertrude,- deceased; Edward, the subject of this sketch; Clara, the wife of John H. Burns of Patoka township in this county.