Gibson County, Indiana - Biographical sketches, 1914 (part 16 of 20)

George W'itherspoon was echicated in the district schodls of \erniillion county, IlHnois. .\s a farmer's boy he was tlie recipirm of all those ad\antages which fall to the lot of the l)ov on the farm, and there learned all the intricacies which the successful farmer must have at his command, lie was married October 4, 1893, to Mary W'ood, daughter of John and Lovvie (Ireland) Wood, and to their union have been born two children : I.ura, born November 6, 1894, who is now attending the high school at 1-rancisco and will graduate in spring of 1914 ; Edna, born June (). iSoy. is also a student in the Francisco high school, from which she will graduate in 191 5. John Wood, a native of England, came to this country with his parents and the rest of the family. They first settled in X'anderburg county, Indiana, near A\'arrenton. and later moved to the farm where they !i\ed the rest of their li\es. John Wood came here after his marriage and bought a farm m Center township where he remained all his life. Lov\'ie Ireland was a native of Gibson county. Her parents were early settlers in this count v and are referred to elsewhere in this volume.

Mr. Witherspoon is living on his fine farm of one hundred and eighty acres and in addition to his general farming, makes a specialty of breeding fine Percheron horses. Fie has registered his farm under the laws of Indiana as the "Sunnyside Stock Farm." He keeps well informed on the latest and mo.st improved methods of farming and has his farm ec|uipped with all the latest improved maciiinery, and as a result he has lieen \er\' successful in the prosecution of his chosen xocation and is fast accumulating a \ery comfortable competence for his old age. He is now getting ready to build a modern home and expects to have it completed within the coming year.

Mr. Witherspoon has been a life-long member of the Republican party, but has never sought any political office, being content to devote all of his time and attention to his agricultural and stock raising interests. He and his wife are loyal and earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Francisco, and are actively interested in all the difl:'erent organizations of the church. Every nioxenient which has for its object the bettering oi the .social or civic life of the community finds a ready helper in Mr. Witherspoon, and becau.se of the clean life he has led in this community and the worthy movements which he has helped, his friends and ac(|uaintances are found everywhere throughout the community.

The United States is the most cosmopolitan nation of the earth. Her citizens are drawn from every country and clime, and a residence of a few years in this country so imbues them with the American spirit that they become among our best citizens. No nation has furnished better or more substantial citizens to this country than has the little island of Ireland. From the Emerald Isle has come many a family which has won an honored place in the community in which they chose to settle. Among the many families of Irish descent who have come to this state, there is none who are more loyal to their adopted country than the McEllhiney family of Gibson county.

Cunacum McEllhiney, the son of John and Mary J. (Curscadin) Mc- Ellhiney, was born November 19, 1875, at Princeton, Indiana. His father and mother were married in Ireland and came to this country in 1866, landing at New York. Later they moved westward and settled in Princeton, Indiana. John McEllhiney was a millwright in the old country and when he came to Gibson county he followed his trade and also was a watchman at an engine house in Princeton for several years. Afterward he engaged in farming, continuing in that occupation until his death. To Mr. and Mrs. John McEllhiney were born nine children, some of whom were born in the old country.

Cunacum McEllhiney received his elementary education in the district schools of Gibson county, and early in life started out to make his own way. He was first a bricklayer and plasterer and worked at his trade for several years. He then bought a small tract of land and went to farming, and by hard work and wise management he has become a very successful farmer in this county, and is the owner of one hundred acres of good land with a beautiful home on it.

Mr. McEllhiney was married December 14, 1899, to Ida Legier, the daughter of Amos and Mary (Wallace) Legier, both natives of Gibson county, and to this union there have been born two children, Earl, iiorn January 25, 1902, and Lloyd, born November 27, 1912.

Politically, Mr. McEllhiney is an ardent Prohibitionist and does all he can to further the interests of his party. He is a member of the Cumberland Presl3}terian church and contributes of his sub.stance to the support of that denomination. He has always been an industrious and hard working citizen and has made his way unaided from the bottom of the ladder. Whatever success he now enjoys he can attribute to those sterling c[ualities of head and heart which are always the concomitants of success. He has managed his business affairs in such a way that he has won the hearty approbation of all the citizens of his community, and always takes a stand on the right side of every public question and every movement which seeks to better his community's welfare finds in him a sympathetic helper.

William J. McEllhiney, the brother of the subject of this sketch, was born in April, 1866, in Donegal county, Ireland, and came to this country with his parents when he was about one year old. He received his early education in the district schools of this county. He has always exercised those admirable qualities which characterized his brother and the success which he has attained is the natural result of persistent effort backed by these qualities.

William McEllhiney was married November 7, 1889, to Elissa M. Greek, the daughter of Joseph and Berilla (Mills) Greek, the father a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where his birth occurred October 7, 1822. At an early age he accompanied his parents to Indiana, coming down on a flat boat to Evansville on the Ohio river. Joseph Greek's father was a carpenter by trade, which occupation he followed until his death in 1835 at the age of forty years, his widow, Catherine (Sellers) Greek, surviving him many years, her death occurring in 1875, at the advanced age of eighty years. In his early life Joseph Greek was employed in various ways until he finally secured a permanent position in a brick yard, where he remained for several years. Mr. Greek was married to Berilla Mills on March 4. 1848, and this marriage was blessed with the following children : Mrs. Ellen Seals, deceased April II. 1873; A. T.. deceased October, 1908: .Airs. M. T. Paul: Samuel M.. deceased: George W., deceased; John H., who lives in California; Airs. .Mice M. Brown; A. L., deceased; Mrs. Hattie L. McCormick. whi) lives in Giliscm county; Mrs. Rhoda McEllhiney, the wife of Thomas J. McEllhiney. who is represented elsewhere in this work, and Mrs. Elissa McEllhiney, the wife of William McEllhiney.

To Mr. and Mrs. William McEllhiney ha\e been liorn eight children : Moses M., born November 25, 1890, who graduated from the common schools of Gibson county March 29, 1907, from the Erancisco high school March 31, 1911, and will graduate from Valparaiso University in 1914. He taught school one winter in Center township ; Rhoda A., born July 29, 1892, is still at home; Margaret E., born January 7, 1896, died November 5. 1897; William A., bom November 8. 1898; Rosie .\., born January 9, 1901 ; Joseph H., born October 6. 1902; Rachel H.. born December 28, 1905, and Mary B., born February 5, 1908.

William J. McEllhiney has by his industry acquired a fine farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres of land in this county. This has been accomplished only by steady persistence and untiring effort and the application of upright principles in all of his financial transactions. He carries on a system of diversified farming and is recognized as one of the most progressive farmers of his township. He and the members of his family are attendants of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and are very actively interested in all the organizations of the church. He has always been a stanch Prohibitionist and ever faithful to uphold the teachings of that party. Since his party has never been in power he has never held any public office, although he is deeply interested in all the great political questions of the day. Mr. Mc- Ellhiney is a fine type of the man who makes his way unaided and while he has been primarily attending to his own agricultural interests he has not neglected that larger life, which tends to the upbuilding of the community in which he lives. He has always been a man oii whom his neighbors could depend in every respect. He has that respect for law and order which characterizes a good citizen and is ready at all times to uplift humanity along civic and social lines.

The McEllhiney brothers are respected throughout the length and breadth of Gibson county and their friends and acquaintances honor and esteem them for the good work which they have done in their respective communities.

William Prentice Bearing

The life of the scholarly or professional man seldom exhibits any of those striking incidents that seize upon public feeling and attract attention to himself. His character is generally made up of the aggregate qualities and qualifications he may possess, as these may be elicited by the exercise of the duties of his vocation or the particular profession to which he may belong. But when such a man" has so impressed his individuality upon his fellow men as to gain their confidence, and through that confidence be retained in important positions, he becomes a conspicuous figure in the body politic of the community. The subject of this review is one of the scholarly men of his county, who, not content to hide his talents amid life's sequestered ways, by the force of will and a laudable ambition forged to the front in an exacting and responsible calling and earned an honorable reputation in one of the most important branches of i^ublic service. A well educated, synimclrically dc\eIoped man, his work as an educator has for many years been of such a high standard of excellence that his position in the front rank of his profession has long been conceded. Keeping abreast of the times in advanced educational methods, and possessing a broad and comprehensive knowledge, he is, because of his high attainments, well rounded character and large inlluence, eminently entitled to representation in the annals of his county.

William Prentice Dearing. the president (jf Oakland City College, with which institution he has been connected lor many years, is a native son of the Hoosier state, having been born in Pike county on September 30, 1874, and is a son of J. B. T. and Betty A. (Selby) Dearing. the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Pike county, Indiana. These parents are both living and reside on a farm five miles south of Petersburg, Pike county. William P. Dearing received his elementary education in the public schools of Pike county and in the Oakland City high school, where he was graduated in 1890. He then entered Oakland City College, from which he was the first graduate in the classical course in 1895. He was then a student in the University of Chicago for a time and at the age of twenty years liecame dean of the faculty of Oakland City College. He served eight years in that capacity, and in 1903, at the age of twenty-eight years, became the president of the college and has been retained continuously in this position until the present time. It is a notable fact that Professor Dearing was born, educated, married and began his life work within a radius of five miles. While endowed naturally for the career to which he has devoted himself, Mr. Dearing supplemented his natural equipment with an enthusiasm for his profession and a close and critical study of advanced educational methods. He keeps in close personal touch with the student body, and as instructor or adviser he holds the interest of those under him, and many of the students who have come forth from Oakland City College have received from him their greatest inspiration for their life work. He is widely and favorably known as a lecturer before teachers' institutes and associations, as well as on the Chautauqua platform. He is naturally elocjuent, his marvelous descriptions and vivid word pictures holding his audiences and stamping him as a public speaker of unusual attainment. Among the special lectures which President Dearing has delivered on different occasions throughout the Middle West, are the following: "The Heritage of the American Youth," "The Battle with the Beast." "If I Were You," "The Educated ^fan and His Mission." "Jack and the Bean Stalk." "The Other Fellow." "The Old (59) and the New," "The Double Role," "z'\ii Hour With Poe," "The Dignity of Youth," "A Theology For the Business Man," "The Teacher's Creed," "Big Business," and "The Drama of Esther." A modern, practical thinker and an eloquent and forceful speaker, Doctor Dearing's lectures ha\e given universal satisfaction wherever he has spoken.

On January i, 1896, William P. Dearing was married to May Cockrum, the eldest daughter of Col. W. M. and Lucrecia Cockrum of Oakland City. To this union have been born two children, Mazo and William Cockrum.

Fraternally, William P. Dearing is an appreciative member of the Knights of Pythias, while religiously, he is a member of the General Baptist church, of which he is an ordained minister and in the various activities of which society he is greatly interested. Although a quiet and unassuming man, he has contributed much to the material and civic advancement of this community, adding to admirable qualities of head and heart, a straightforward and upright character in his daily life, that has won for him the esteem and confidence of all the circles in which he has moved. His personal relations with his fellow man have ever been mutually pleasant and agreeable, and he is highly regarded by all, being easily approached, obliging and straightforward in all the relations of life.

Fred C. Kuester

The farn:ing profession has been revolutionized within the last fifty years and the farmer of today knows few of the disadvantages which surrounded the pioneer farmers of this state. Scores of inventions have been put on the market which enable the farmer to lead a life of ease as compared to the arduous labors which his father had to undergo. The result is that an ever increasing number of our best young men are remaining on the farm in preference to trying their fortunes in the city. The farmer is certainly the most independent man of the country and all other professions must bow to him. Indiana is known throughout the length and breadth of this country as one of the best agricultural states of the Union, and Gibson county ranks with the best farming sections of the state. Gibson county ;tarmers are not to be excelled bv an^- other county in the state and among its many excellent farmers no one occupies a more prominent place than the subject of this review.

born October 20, 1859, in \'anderburg a^unly, Indiana, near Evansville. Both of his parents were of German extraction. His lather came to this country in 1854, setthng near Evansville, on a farm and there lived for fourteen years, after which he engaged in the grocery Ijusiness in F.xansvillc, at the corner of Sixth and Main streets until his death.

Fred C. Kuester, the subject of this sketch, received his early education in the sciiools of Evansville, and assisted his father in the grocery store until the time of his father's death. He then went on a farm and supported his mother and the rest of the family for several years by his work. At the age of twenty-one he was married to Barbara Apple, of Posey county, Indiana, and to this union were born three children : William, who lives with his father on the farm; Mrs. Katherine Roseraeyer, of Center township; one child died in infancy, .\fter the death of his first wife, he was again married on April 15, i8yi, to Matilda Garbers, the daughter of John and Lena (Labra) Garbers. Mrs. Kuester's father was a native of Germany, while her mother was born in Indiana. To Mr. Kuester's second marriage were born six children, five of whom are living: Myrtle, Laura, Jr>hn. Hulda. Edward and one child who died in infancw

Fred C. Kuester li\ed on a rented farm for fi\e years after his first marriage and then came to Gibson county, September 21, 1888, and bought forty acres of land from John Aulnn-n, and by unflagging industry and strict attention to his agricultural interests, he gradually increased his land holdings until he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of as fine land as can be found in the township. It is interesting tc n jie that the first house on his farm in Giljson county was a log structure, which he built himself. Howe\-er, with his good wife and his cliildren, he started to Iniild up his farm and not many years r<jlled around before he was alile to put up a substantial home and other good farm buildings. His farm is now under a high .state of cultivation and is well equi])i)ed with all modern improxenients and shows what can Ije acccimplished \\lien a goal is set and llic proper encrg\- applied.

Although i\Ir. Kuester has been a life-long Democrat, he has never asked for office at the hands of his party. He has been content to devote all of his time and ability to his agricultural interests. However, he has kept ]iace with the various movements of his party and takes an acti\'e interest in its deliberations. Religiously, he is affiliated with the German Snake Run church and helps in the various activities of that denomination. He is a member of the lodge of Eagles at Princeton.

Mr. Kuester is a good type of the American citizen who starts out with practically nothing and by the sweat of his brow has acquired for himself a comfortable home and laid by a sufhciency of this world's goods to insure his comfort in his old age. Too much credit cannot be given to the man who is thrown upon his own resources at an early age and by his own efforts is enabled to rear a family and supply them with all the comforts of modern civilization. This is what Mr. Kuester has done and it is to his credit that in so doing he has not neglected the moral and civic welfare of his community. Mr. Kuester is a genial and unassuming gentleman who has so conducted his affairs in the township as to win the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. His success has not been attained by any sudden stroke of fortune, but rather by unceasing industry and attention to his chosen vocation. Such men are a credit to any community, and were there more such men this country would be far better off. It is a pleasure to set forth in this brief sketch the life and character of such a man. He can pass on to his children and to his children's children the record of a life well spent.

There are no more highly esteemed citizens of Gibson county than the McEllhiney brothers. Born of sturdy Irish parents, they have inherited through generations of hardy ancestors all of those excellent quaHties which belong to the people of Ireland. With few opportunities except what their own efforts were capable of mastering and with many difficulties to overcome, they have made an exceptional success in life, and the communities in which they live are proud to number them among their residents. All of them are progressive and enterprising and persevering and these qualities are sure to bring success if faithfully directed. They are men of strong and noble character and have worked with zeal during their residence in this community for the moral, religious and social welfare of the locality.

Thomas J. McEllhiney, the second of the three brothers living in this county, was born March 15, 1862, in Ireland. His parents were John and Marv (Curscadin) McEllhiney, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The family history of the McEllhineys is specifically set forth in sketch of Cunacum McEllhiney elsewhere in this volume.

Thomas J. McEllhiney came with his parents to America when he was four years of age and settled with them in Gibson county, Indiana. Here he received his elementary education, but owing to the tact that it was necessary for him to start out early in hfe to earn a livehhood, his education was hmited, although he has not let that hinder him in any way, but has kept himself well informed upon all the current topics of the day by reading the newspapers and magazines.

Thomas J. McEUhiney was married on July 22, 1886, to Rhoda Greek, the daughter of Joseph and Berilla (Mills) Greek. He was born in Pennsylvania and his wife in Center township in this county. Joseph Greek was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1822. His parents moved to Intliana early in his life, and he worked at various occupations and upon reaching the age of twenty-six he was married to Berilla Mills on March 14, 1848. They reared a large family of children to honored and respected manhood and womanhood and this family history is specifically referred to elsewhere in this volume in the .sketch of Cunacum McEUhiney.

To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. McEUhiney have been born two children, Ruth and Robert R. Ruth, born November 13, 1887, is the wife of David Dunning, a farmer of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Dunning have three children: Elsie, Royal and Lela M. Robert R., born August 14, 1889, is still at home with his parents. Mr. McEUhiney purchased the farm on which he now lives, a tract comprising seventy-one acres, going into deirt for the whole amount of the purchase price. Within five years, however, he had by hard work and strict application to business, succeeded in paying off the total indebtedness incurred by this purchase. Since then he has bougiit sixty-one acres more land and has paid for all of this from the products of the farm. In addition to his agricultural interests, he is financially interested in the Francisco Telephone Exchange, of which he is the president and manager. In this he has shown excellent business judgment and administrative ability and the service given by this telephone company has increased in value since he took charge of the work.

Politically, Mr. McEUhiney is a Progressive and sees in that party a chance to bring about certain reforms which will be of benefit to the nation in general. In his religious affiliations he is found in the Methodist Episcopal church, where he takes an active interest in the \arious departments of the work of that denomination.

Mr. IMcEllhiney, because of his many excellent personal (|nalities and splendid influence which his life has shed over the locality in which he has lived, is a man who has won a host of friends throughout the township. His high moral character and persistent industry have brought him a meed of fame which he rightly deserves.

Walter T. Galligan

The most elaborate history is necessarily an abridgment, the historian being compelled to select his facts and material from a multitude of details. In every life of honor and usefulness there is no dearth of incident and yet in summing up the career of any man the writer needs touch only the salient points which give the keynote of the character, but eliminating much that is superfluous. Thus in giving the life record of Walter T. Galligan, sufficient will be said to show that he is one of the enterprising, influential and progressive citizens of Gibson county, Indiana.

Walter T. Galligan, junior member of the firm of Kell & Galligan, merchants at Oakland City, is a native son of the old Hoosier state, having been born in Terre Haute, Vigo county, on July 13, 1869. His parents were Michael and Mary (Troutman) Galligan, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother of Kentucky. Michael Galligan. who was a railroad engineer by vocation, came to Oakland City in the employ of the Southern railroad, with which company he was connected for many years, proving one of the most faithful and trusted employes. He is now retired from active work and lives in Louisville, Kentucky. After the death of his first wife, he married Mollie Wilson. The subject of this sketch was the only child by his first union.

Walter T. Galligan recei^'ed his education in the public schools of Oakland City and Louisville, Kentuck}-, and in 1888 he became a salesman in the store of John D. Kell & Company at Oakland City, the company being Mrs. Nannie Duncan, of Princeton. In 1890 Mr. Galligan purchased Mrs. Duncan's interest in the business, since which time the firm name has been Kell & Galligan, the store being known as the "Why" store. A large and complete stock of clothing, shoes and general furnishings for men are carried in this store. Three years ago the}' established another department under the name of the "When" store, containing a complete stock of dry goods. The "When" is a stock company, of which Mr. Galligan is the president, Mr. Kell, vice-president, and C. J. Powers, secretary and treasurer. The business has been very successful, and is now numbered among the leading commercial houses of this locality. ]Mr. Galligan has been very successful in everything to which he has applied himself, and is vice-president of the Creek & Heldt Hardware Company, a corporation at Oakland City, and a director in the Columbia State Bank, one of the successful and influential financial concerns of Gibson county. A man of earnest purpose and upright life, he has so ordered his actions as to win and retain the cdnfidence ami esteem of the entire community, and he is rightfully numbcretl anion;; the representative men of Gibson county.

Mr. Galligan was married to Essie M. Bucklin, of Princeton, the daui,diter of T. M. and Ann Bucklin. and to them ha\e been born two dau!.;luers. Helen and Margaret.

Religiously, Mr. Galligan is a member of the Presbyterian church, while fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has taken the degrees of the York Rite, holding membership in the commandery of Knights Templar at Princeton, and in Hadi Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Evansville. He is a self-made man and has made his way in life unaided. Personally, he is a man of pleasing address, obliging, genial, a good mixer, makes and retains friends without effort, and he is in every way worthy of the high esteem in which he is universally held.

No more substantial and moral citizens liave ever come to this country from foreign lands than the sons of Ireland and wherever they have settled they have become honored and respected citizens. As a race they are characterized by industry and a patience which overcomes all obstacles and thus insures them success in whatever undertaking they choose to follow, (iibson county has been honored by having several of the sons of the Emerald Isle as citizens, but no family of Irish descent has ever occupied a more prominent place in the material development of the county than has the Mc- Ellhiney family.

Moses McEllhiney, the youngest child of John and Mary J. (Curscadin) McEllhiney, was born in Ireland February 15, 1861. His parents were born, reared, married and spent several years of their married life in their native land. Moses was given his elementary schooling in the sod schoolhouses of Ireland, and his subsecpient education has been gathered in the wide school of observation and experience, and his success of today is convincing proof that he has been an apt student. \\'hen Moses was a young boy he came with his parents to the United States and settled in Princeton, Indiana. John McEllhiney was a millwright in Ireland and when he came to Gibson county he took up the same trade. For some years he was also a watchman at the engine house in Princeton, and a more efficient and faithful employee the railroad company never had. Some years before his death he engaged in farming and was engaged in this occupation at the time of his death. To Mr. and Mrs. John jNIcEllhiney were Ijorn nine children, among whom were Moses, Cunacum and William J., three brothers who are now living in Gibson county, Indiana.

]\Ioses McEllhiney is a fine example of the truly self-made man, for he has won his way through his own unaided efforts. He received a ver}' meager education in Ireland and as soon as he came to this country he started out to help make a living for the family, and since that time has been a man who has literalh' earned his bread by the sweat of his brow. His first work in this country was in a saw mill with his brother, where he worked about two weeks, and recei\'ed one hundred pounds of flour for his labor. His father then bought for him a horse and wagon and he started into the dray business in Princeton, his first job being the delivering of a sack of flour to John Oswald, for which he received five cents. His second and his next call was for J. J. Hartman, for whom he hauled some hardware from the depot for fifteen cents, the total for his first day's work being twenty cents. With this inauspicious beginning he laid the foundation for his future success, and at the end of two years he sold his draying outfit and went on a farm where he worked for his father for about fifteen years. He then went to Colorado, where he became the foreman of a cattle ranch and remained in that state for five years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Gibson county, where he and his brother purchased eighty acres of land. After his marriage in i8g8, he rented the farm of Harvey Greer and li\ed on this place for eleven years, when he purchased his father-in-law's farm of twenty-six and one-half acres. He proceeded to build a new home on this farm, which is one of the handsomest country homes in the county. He also has good outbuildings of all kinds, and is now in a fair way to become a landowner of some prominence. Shortly after building his new house, he bought sixty acres of land from Alexander Mooney, and to his rapidly growing farm he later added twenty-three acres of land which he bought from his brother, Robert, and twenty acres of his brother Cunacum's farm, making him a total at the present time of one hundred and thirty-five acres of good farming land. As a day laborer he never made more than twenty-seven dollars a month, and he can now look back with some satisfaction on a career which has been marked by good, honest hard toil.

tlie daughter of Frank and Luna Waltz, lie a native of ("lihsun edunty. while his wife was born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Kinehari were the parents of six children: Carrie: John, deceased: .Mrs. Sophionia Weidenhender, who lives in Princeton, Indiana; Mary, at home; Louis, of Bloomington, Illinois; and Daniel, who lives in Princeton. To Mr. and Mrs. Mcl""llhiney have been born six children: John, born Xovember 9, 1899: Henry, born June 10, 1902; Venito, born November 2, 1904; Daniel, born May 4, 1907; Mary, born August 24, 1909. and Mabel, born October j8. iqii. who lived only two weeks.

Mr. McEllhincy has been a strong Democrat in his i)olilical views, but has never taken an active part in politics. Much of his time has been spent outside of the state, and while he was working in Indiana, he had neither the time nor the means to indulge in the game of politics. He and the members of his family are devout adherents of the Catholic church and contribute liberally of their substance to this denomination. Mr. McEllhiney's career abounds in honest work, persistent efifort and a perseverance which has never forsaken him during all the years of his endeavor. His life and labors are worthy of emulation and show what can be accomplished by a man who starts out with the intention of making an honest living. He is rearing his family to lives of usefulness and intends to give them that education which will fit them for the affairs of life. He is highly resi)ected and honored by all who know him.

Felix N. Westfall

All honor is due the gallant veterans who an- still living today. They are fast answering the last roll call, and within a few years they will all have passed away, leaving nothing but the memory of an heroic life spent for the love of their country. When the news of the fall of Fort Sumter was flashed across the country the hearts of the North were lired by patrioti.-m which augured well for the nation. \o Xorthern state had a more patriotic governor than Indiana, and had every governor done as much to help Presiilent Lincoln as did Governor Morton the war would not have lasted as long as it did. No other state furnished as many men in proportion to its population as did Indiana; no other troops were sent into the field as well equipped and as well drilled as were the Indiana soldiers. More than two hundred thousand men enlisted from the state of Indiana alone, and in every engagement in which they participated they were never found lacking in that fine enthusi- asm which is conducive to victory. Whether upon the battle field or in the camp, whether in the prison pen of the South, they were always found faithful and loyal to the country which was supporting them. Amid the sound of shrieking shell they never faltered, but obeyed every command of their superior officers. Often wounded, they left the hospital and fought on until the end. Thousands who were made prisoners rejoined their companies and were often captured again, but it is to their credit that they never wavered; they never showed the white feather. No county in the state furnished braver or better men than did Gibson county, and of the thousands of men who went from this county, the seventeen-year-old youth whose name heads this sketch was fired by as pure a patriotism as was shown by any of the recruits who went to the front.

Felix N. Westfall, a Civil war veteran and prominent citizen of this county, was born September i8, 1844, in Owensville, this county. His parents were Calvin and Juliana (Cormick) Westfall, the father born in Harrison county, Indiana, and the mother a native of Gibson county. Calvin Westfall came to Gibson county when he was about eight years of age with his parents and lived on his father's farm until he was about twenty-two years of age. He received his elementary education in Harrison and Gibson county schools and as a youth enjoyed all those advantages which fall to the lot of the ordinary country lad. After his marriage he bought a farm in this county, which he operated and improved, and where he lived for the remainder of his life. To him and his wife were born nine children, of whom Felix N. was the fifth in order of birth.

Felix N. Westfall was reared on the paternal farmstead and received his education in the district schools of Gibson county. On August 10, 1862, when he still lacked one month of being eighteen years of age, he enlisted in Company F. Eightieth Regiment Indiana \^olunteer Infantry, and served throughout the remainder of the great conflict, being discharged on June 22, 1865, at Salisbury, North Carolina. He left Princeton with his company on the 8th day of September, 1862, and on October 8th of the same year he engaged in his first battle in Kentucky. Here he was severely wounded, but quickly recovering, he again joined his company. The corps to which his company was attached followed the Confederates to Danville, Kentucky, where they (the Confederates) were going to encamp for the winter. On this forced march he was disabled and sent to the hospital, where he remained from the 27th of November, 1862, until March 20, 1863, when he was again able to rejoin his regiment. Within a short time he was again disabled and was this time sent Xo Luuisvilk-, Kentucky, tn recuperate. As stmu as he was discharged from the hospital, he rejoined liis regiment at Lel)an(in, Kentucisy, and was then in active service until the day on which he was mustered out. We cannot give too much credit to those gallant hoys in hlue who followed wherever their commander led them, whc) never (|uesti<Mied an order, hut fought through the bloodiest of conflicts without ever iiinciiing.

Immediately after being mustered out of the service Mr. West fall returned to Center township, Gibson county, and started to work on the farm. On December 13, 1867, he was united in marriage to Rosalie Dougherty, the daughter of Frank and Jane (Montgomery) Dougherty, and to this union there were born eight children: William, deceased, December 26, 1912; Melissa Edith, who died in infancy; Hiram T., who lives in Oregon; Marion O., who lives in Nebraska; Mamie A., who died in infancy; ]Mrs. Alary J. Combs, of Princeton, Indiana; Mrs. Julia A. Hyslop, whose husband is a farmer in Center township, and Orville, who died in infancy.

At the time of his marriage Mr. Westfall bought a fafm of eighty acres in Center township, this county, and continued to operate this tract until a few years ago when he moved to the town of Francisco. As a farmer he was very successful in raising all the crops common to this section. He gradually improved his farm and kept it well stocked with the latest farming machinery, thereby materially increasing the value of his farm. He has been a life-long Republican in politics, but has been satisfied to devote all of his time and attention to his agricultural interests and for this reason has not taken a very active part in politics. Howe\er. he keeps himself well informed on all the public questions of the day and can di.scuss them intelligently. He and his family are faithful and earnest members of the General Baptist church, and have alwavs taken a prominent part in the activities of this denomination. Mr. Westfall is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Princeton, and takes a great deal of pleasure in being present at the meetings of Archer Post.

Mr. Westfall can look back over a life well spent. As a soldier he performed his every duty with faithfulness and courage, and as a private citizen he has never fallen short of the dignity of true manhood. In all his business transactions he has so conducted his life that he has won tlie unqualified approbation of all of his fellow citizens, so that when he answers the final roll call there will be no one but what can say "His life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him that the whole v-orld might stand u]) and sav, he was a man."

There is no occupation which gives a man the independence of hfe, which brings him closer to nature than does farming. In pioneer times farming was very much of a drudgery, but with all the modern improvements, the farmer is relieved of much of the hard work which was the portion of his forefathers. Then, too, farming" has risen in dignity, until now it is often referred to as a profession rather than as an occupation. Fifty years ago the science of agriculture was in its mere jnfancy, and to think that a man had to take a course in college in order to be a successful farmer would have been laughed at, but today our colleges are teaching agriculture as a science and are turning out thousands of young men who are well trained in the scientific methods of farming. Another ad\'antage which the present day farmer commands which was totally unknown to his pioneer forefathers, is the matter of transportation. Good roads are threading every portion of our state today and the interurban and automobile keep the farmer in close touch not only with his neighbors, but with the life in the city as well. Gibson is one of the oldest counties in the state and consequently has many fine farms and good farmers within its borders. .Among the enterprising and progressive farmers of the county, there is no one who stands in higher esteem than does the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch.

John N. McKedy was born April ii, 1850, in Owensville, Indiana, the son of Thomas H. and Maria (Teal) McKedy, both natives of this county. They were the parents of seven children, the subject being the second child in order of birth. Thomas H. McKedy located in Center township on the farm where his son, John N., is now living. He cleared this land, drained and fenced it and put up a log cabin in the early days, where he and his good wife started to housekeeping.

John N. McKedy was reared on the home farm and received his early education in the district schools of his neighborhood and followed this by a course in the Oakland City College. That he took advantage of his educational opportunities is shown by the fact that he took the state teachers' examination and secured a license to teach school in his county. Although he only taught one term of school he made a good record as a teacher that j'ear and the teaching profession lost a good instructor when he decided to abandon teaching and engage in farming.

both natives of tlie Hoosier state. To Mr. and Mrs. McKedy have been born two children, Homer V., who is now the chief clerk in the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad at New Haven, Connecticut, and Mrs. Mary May Lagier, whose husband is a farmer in Center townshi]); siic has two children, May L., born .Vpril 4, 1909, and Madge, born June j;!,. ii;i_'. The wife and mother died December 31, 1S97.

Mr. McKedy is the owner of a finely improved farm of eighty-live acres, besides other land holdings in Center township. He has retired from active farm life and rents his farms out to tenants. As a farmer he was successful and was counted as one of the most progressi\e farmers of his comnninitv at the time when he retired from active labors on the farm. I'nliiically. he is a firm adherent and believer in the principles of the Pruhihitionist partv, and has taken a very acti\c interest in the deliberations of that party. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and has always been prominent in the activities of that denomination. Mr. McKedy is a man who is well informed on all public questions of the day and keeps apace with the progress of civilization. He does a great amount of reading and takes pleasure in talking o\er the problems of the day with his friends. He is a genial, unassuming man whom it is a pleasure to meet, and all of his neighbors speak in the highest terms of his genial comjianionship. While he has been looking out for his material advancement, he has not neglected those higher interests which go out after the welfare of his community, and accordinglv he is in hearty sympathy with all movements looking toward the betterment of the community of which he is a resident.

John Arbuthnot

In the history of Gibson county, as ajiplying to the agricultural inierests, the name of John Arbuthnot occupies a conspicuous ])lace. for through a nuiliber of years he has been one of the representative farmers of Center township, progressive, enterprising and i^ersevcring. .Such (|ualilies always bring success, sooner or later, and to Mr. .\rbuthnot they ha\e brought a satisfactory reward for his well-directed effort, and while he has Ijenefited himself and community in a material way, he has also I)een an influential factor in the educational, political, and mora! uplift of the comnuinity favored by his residence.

was born June lo, 1857, at Linnville, Indiana. His father came to Gibson county in 1867 and settled on a farm aljout three miles south of Princeton. He \'ias a saddlemaker by trade and later followed farming until his death in Jul}-, 1893. His widow is still living with her son John at the advanced age of eighty-two. She is still very active for a woman of her age. To Mr. and Mrs. Ulysses Arbuthnot were born four children: Nancy J., John, Martha (deceased) and Elizabeth (deceased).

John Arbuthnot received his elementary education in the district schools of Gibson county, and in 1892 began to learn the trade of a miller. He followed this occupation for e]e^'en years, but after his marriage he decided to engage in farming. Accordingly he mo\ed to Tennessee and operated a farm in that state for three years. Not liking to remain in that state, however, he sold his farm and returned to Gibson county, Patoka township, Indiana, where he purchased a farm near Poseyville. He improved this farm and conducted it very successfully for a number of years, but finding a farm in Center township which suited him better, he sold his other farm and bought the one in Center township which he owns today. On this farm of one hundred and fort3'-two acres he carries on a diversified system of farming and also raises stock which has proved to be very remunerative. He is a progressive and scientific farmer who is al)le to get the best results from the soil.

He was married on February 10, 1887, to PTarriet E. Chism, the daughter of William and Mary Fitzgerald Chism. His wife's parents were both born in Gibson county, his wife being born in the county on January 2, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Arbuthnot are the parents of five children : Mrs. Lillian M. Harbson (born November 21, 1887), whose husband is a teacher in Gibson county, at Francisco; Maud E. (born in Tennessee, April 12. 1890) ; Charles U. (born January 20, 1893), who is now living in the town of Francisco, Indiana : and two sons who are still under the parental roof - William C. born June 0. 1896) and Paul E. (born June 4, 1900)'.

]\Ir. Arbuthnot has been a Democrat all his life, and keeps well informed on the political questions of the day. He has not been a seeker after political honors, preferring rather to devote all of his energies to his agricultural interests. He and his family are loyal members of the General Baptist church and are interested in the various activities of that denomination, ination.

]Mr. Arbuthnot has won his success only In- hard and unceasing labor and deserves an honoral^le place among the representati\'e farmers of his county. He has always taken a part in all movements whicli sou,y:]it to ameliorate the moral and social conditions of his communit)-, and in sn ddin^ has won the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.

The following is a sketch of a plain, honest man of aft'airs. who hy correct methods and a strict regard for the interests of his patrons has made his influence felt in Princeton and won for himself distinctive prestige in the professional circles of that city. He is one of those whose integrity and strength of character must force them into an admirable notoriety which their modesty never seeks, who command the respect oi their contemporaries and their posterity and leave the impress of their individuality deepl}- stamped upon the community.

C. A. Shubart, one of the most prominent photographers of this section of the state, was born October 5, 1869, i" Bethel, Pennsylvania. His parents, Augustus and Elizabeth (Welborn^ Shubart, were also natives of the Keystone state and lived their whole life in the city of Bethel. Augustus Shubart was a farmer and successful business man in Bethel during his whole career. He and his wife reared a large family of six children: Henrietta ; Anna, deceased ; Katherine, deceased ; Henry, deceased ; Aden, deceased; and C. A., the immediate subject of this sketch.

C. A. Shubart received his education in the schools of his native city and upon reaching the years of \-iiung manhood he entered the ser\ice of a photographer at Canton. Ohio, in cirder to learn the trade. He remained here for about ten \ears, when he removed to Marion, Indiana, where he remained a short time. Feeling that there was a good opening in Princeton for a photographer he o])ened up an establishment in that place in 1898 and has been successful from the first. A destructive fire which occurred on December 23. 191 2, destro3'ed twenty thousand negatives and all (jf his photographic equipment as well. However, with true determination to win and confidence in his ability to succeed he immediately re-established himself and is now rapidh- winning back enough to recoup himself for his heavv losses by this fire. He is recognized as a man of artistic tastes and one who can satisfy the most fastidious subject, while his courteous manner and affable personality have been the means of attracting to him an e\-er

Mr. Shubart was married on November 30, 1896, to Minnie Reese, the daughter of Brubaker and Martha (Sheckler) Reese. He met his wife while working in Canton, Ohio, and they were married in that city. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Although he is a Republican in politics, he has never taken an active part in political affairs and public offices have had no attraction for him. Mr. Shubart is a man who has the good name of the community at heart and his is the life of a man who gives character and stability to the body politic.

Among the strong and influential citizens of Gibson county, the records of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section, the gentleman whose name appears above occupies a prominent place and for years he has exerted a beneficial influence in the locality where he resides. His chief characteristics are keenness of perception, a tireless energy, honesty of purpose and motive, and every-day common sense, which have enabled him not only to advance his own interests, but also largely contribute to the moral and material advancement of the community.

Joseph K. McGary was born September 28, 1844, on a farm in Montgomery township, Gibson county, and is a son of Harrison D. and Nancy (Pritchard) McGary, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of North Carolina. Harrison D. McGary, who had come to Gibson county in early manhood, was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a farmer by vocation, and lived in Montgomery township until his death, which occurred in 1845, his widow dying some years later. The paternM grandfather, Hugh McGary, who was a native of Kentucky, took part in the early Indian wars with Daniel Boone, and became one of the first settlers of Evansville, having come up the Ohio river in a boat and tieing it to an elm tree which died only a few years ago ; another tree was planted on the spot with considerable ceremony, the subject of this sketch being present on that occasion. The subject of this sketch is one of three children, the others being William H.. who was killed in the battle of Stone's River on January 31, 1862, and Hugh D., who lives at Fort

Branch, but who is engaged in business in Princeton in partnership with the subject. Mr. ]McGary received his education in the public schools of his home community, residing on the paternal farmstead until 1885, when he removed to Princeton, where he has since resided. He was very successful in the operation of the farm, and also engaged in a number of other commercial enterprises, having been treasurer of the sheet metal works for seven years, or from the time the company was organized until it sold out. He is now engaged in the loan business, in partnership with his brother Hugh, and they are numbered among the successful and enterprising business men of Princeton.

During the Civil war, Mr. McGary took an active part in his country's defense, enlisting in March, 1864, in Company E, Forty-second \"olunteer Infantry, being the youngest of three brothers who took part in that conflict. He participated in all of the battles from Chattanooga down to Savannah, and was with Sherman on his historic march to the sea, proving a valuable and faithful soldier, according to the testimony of his comrades. He is now and has been for a number of years an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he, in association with D. W. Smith, got up the petition and started the effort for the erection of the soldiers' monument in Princeton, and probably more to Mr. McGary than anyone else is due the credit for the success of this project, as Mr. Smith died sooon after the petition was started and the burden of the work fell upon Mr. McGary.

Mr. ]\IcGary has been twice married, tirst, in September, 1872. to Rebecca Weed, to which union no children were born. Mrs. McGary died in 1901, having been an invalid for many years, and in June, 1904, Mr. McGary married Mrs. Matilda Degrafif, whose maiden name was Trible. She was born and reared in Johnson township, Gibson county, and is a lady of many excellent qualities of head and heart, who has endeared herself to all who knew her.

Politically, Mr. McGary is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, while religiously he is an earnest and active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In local civic affairs he has long taken a deep interest, having served efficiently as a meiuber of the city council for six years, and gi\ing his support to all movements for the betterment of the public \\elfare. Although his life has been a busy one, his every-day affairs making heavy demands upon his tiiue, he has never .shrunk from his duties as a citizen and his obligation to his church has never been neglected. He is. first of all. distinctively a man of the people, whose interests he has at heart and for whom he would not hesitate (60) to make any reasonable sacrifice. Genial and unassuming in his relations with his fellows, he has a wide acquaintance, among whom are many warm and loyal personal friends.

Henry Wild Em An

Among the prominent young farmers of Center township, Gibson county, Indiana, no one occupies a more prominent place than does the subject of this review. He comes from highly honored German parentage and has a heritage of all those sterling qualities which characterize the German emigrants who came to this country early in its history. He takes a very active part in all the social, material and intellectual interests of his community and is altogether one of those citizens whom any county would be proud to possess. With his good common sense, strict integrity and steady persistence he has won a name for himself early in life and is well liked by all with whom he has come in contact.

Henry Wildeman, the son of Charles and Sally (Aker) Wildeman, was born in Posey county, Indiana, No\ember 9, 1870. Henry Wildeman, Sr., the father of Charles, was a very highly educated man and school teacher in Germany. He spoke German and French. He brought his family to this country in 1849 ^"d settled in Posey county, Indiana, where he remained the rest of his life on a farm. He directed the farm work but was never actively engaged. Charles Wildeman was born in Germany in 1835, while his wife, Sally Aker, was a native of Posey county, Indiana. In 1882, the family moved to Gibson county and settled on the farm where Henry now lives. Charles Wildeman died on July z^j, 1909, his wife having passed away many years previous, February 23, 188 1. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wildeman were bdrn tweh'e children: Mrs. Carrie Whitman; Mrs. Katie Gerhart, deceased: .\ndre\A', who is represented elsewhere in this work; Mrs. Lizzie Weaver; Mrs. Rosie Stateman; Charles, who is also represented elsewhere in this work: Henry, the immediate subject of this sketch; Joseph; Frank, a farmer of Center townshi]^ in this county : Mrs. Maggie Smith and Sallie, who died in infancy.

Henry Wildeman received his common school education in the district schools of his neighborhood and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-five years of age; then he went west and followed teaming for two years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Gibson county, where he has since resided. He is the owner of a line farm ol one luindred and forty-five acres in this county in Center tiiwii^hip. whicii is well improved and equipped with the latest agricuUura! machinery, in addition to carrying on a system of diversified farming, he also raises cmisiilerahle H\e stocl<, in which he has been very successful.

Mr. Wildeman was married un May 21, 1902, to Katie Deters, the daughter of Barney and Mary Deters, and to this union there have been born three children: Edgar, born January 22, 1904; Roy, born October 18, 1908; Albert, born October 6, 191 1. Mr. Wildeman has had success commensurate with his ability and efi^ort and is recognized in the community as a man of more than ordinary ability. In addition to his farming interests, he has stock in the Francisco State Bank, at Francisco, Indiana. Politically, he is a Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for political preferment. He is a member, with his family, of the Catholic church, and contrilnites liberally of his substance to the support of this denomination and takes an interested part in all the activities of the church. He is one of the most prominent and progressive farmers and business men of this section of the county, and his counsel is frequently sought by his friends. He belongs to that class of men who are pushing forward the wheels of progress and by sheer force of character and persistency he has won his way to a place of influence and ])n)ininence in the community where he lives.

John H. Miller

Success in this life comes to the deserving. It is an axiom demonstrated by all human experience that a man gets out of this life what he puts into it, plus a reasonable interest on the investment. The individual who inherits a large estate and adds nothing to his fortune cannot be called a successful man. He that falls heir to a large fortune and increases its value is successful in proportion to the amount he adds to his possession. But the man who starts in the world unaided and by sheer force of will, controlled by correct principles, forges ahead and at length reaches a position of honor among his fellow citizens achieves success such as representatives of the two former classes can neither understand nor appreciate. To a considerable extent the subject of this sketch is a creditable representative of the class last named, a class which has furnished much of the bone and sinew of the count r\- and added to the stability of our government and its institutions.

John H. Miller, a veteran of the Civil war and a retired lawyer of Princeton, Indiana, was born in Rockport, Indiana, on December i, 1841. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Franklin Miher, his father being born in Virginia. B. F. Miller was reared in Washington, Pennsylvania, and after receiving a common school education started in the manufacture and wholesaling of tobacco, and later went to Co\'ington, Kentucky, where he followed the same business. He was married at Harrodsburg, Kentucky, to Nancy A. Fliggins, and in 1832 removed to Newberg, Indiana. After a residence of two years in that city, he went to Rockport, and in 1849 to Gentryville, Indiana, where his death occurred in 1884, at the age of seventy-nine years, while his wife died at the age of eighty-two years. Mr. Miller was a Whig in politics before that party was a part of the Republican party, and from 1856 on until the time of his death, he supported the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Miller reared five children: Jane, deceased; Addie, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Benjamin F., who served during the Civil war in Company H, Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and was killed at the battle of Stone's River; and John H., the immediate subject of this sketch.

John H. Miller received his common school education in the southern part of Indiana and for a time attended a private school taught by a Mr. Burns, a man of excellent learning for those days. When the Civil war was at its height in December of 1863, Mr. Miller enlisted in Company H, Tenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Cavalry. He organized the company and was the first lieutenant, being mustered into the service on March 8, 1863. His company saw service in the battles of Decatur, Alabama; Nashville, Tennessee; Mobile ; Fort Blakely" and Spanish Fort and many other engagements. Since he was a member of the cavalry service he saw a great deal of staff duty. He served until the close of the war and was discharged in the summer of 1865.

Immediately after the close of the war Mr. Miller returned to this state and located in Petersburg, where he read law for a time with Wiley C. Adams, of Jasper, Indiana. In the spring of 1866, he was admitted to the bar and took up the active practice of his profession at Petersburg, with a partner, E. P. Richardson, and continued his practice at this place until 1884, when he located in Princeton and resumed his practice with J. E. McCullough. This firm of McCullough & Miller did a general law business until 1906, when Mr. Miller retired on account of age, and since that time he has looked after his farm interests at Union in Pike county in this state, where he has one of the finest farms in the county. He is a breeder of fine mules. Here-

Mr. JMiller was married nn March 30, 1868, to Mary E. Montgomery, the daughter of Thomas L. and Elizabeth (Edmondson) Montgomery, of Petersburg. Indiana. She died on August 11, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. John H. Miller were the parents of two children, Montgomery L., who died shortly after he was admitted to the bar, and Bessie A., wIk) is still at home. Mr. Miller is a member of the United Presbyterian church of Princeton, taking an interested part in the various activities of this denomination. Fraternally, he is a member of the Archer Post, Grand Army of tlie Repul)lic, and takes a lively interest in the affairs of this order. Like his father before him. he has been a life-long Repulih'can. but has ne\er been a seeker for or held any political office.

As a lawyer ]\Ir. Miller, by a straightforward and honorable course has Iniilt up a large and lucratixe legal business and financially has been fairly successful. His life affords a splendid example of what an American youth, plentifully endowed with good common sense, energy ami thrift, can accomplish when accompanied by good moral principles. lie was intensely methodical and unswerving in his search of the essentials of the legal foundation and sources of legal conception and thought, holding devoutly to the highly embellished record of equity in all matters of jurisprudence. Ndw in his declining years he can look back upon a life which has l)een well spent and a record which needs no apology in any particular.

Joseph Robert Kexdle

Among those who are eminently entitled to a place in a work uf this character is the gentleman whose name initiates this paragra]ih, wh(j has passed to his reward, but whose name will continue to adorn the annals of his communit}- for all time, owing to the fact that he performed well his part in the drama of civilization and led a life that was exemplary in every respect. He set an excellent example to the younger generations, for he was a leader in his locality in all matters that pertained to its upbuilding, and in a conservative manner did what good he could in all lines as he labored for his own advancement and that of his family. His memory is well worthv to be cherished bv his descendants and friends.

Joseph Robert Kendle was born September 14, 1841, in Gibson county, Indiana, the son of George Kendle, who was a native of Harrison county, Indiana. George Kendle came to Gibson county at an early date, and passed the remainder of his life in this community, his death occurring in the city of Princeton.

The subject of this brief biographical review obtained such education as was afforded by the schools of that period, and then took up the pursuit of agriculture, in which he was one of the most successful men in Gibson county. The breeding and raising of fine live stock occupied much of his attention, a ready market always being found for his products in this line.

September 25, 1862, Mr. Kendle was united in the bonds of matrimony to Isabelle Polk, daughter of Clayborn and Rachel (Shoptaugh) Polk, \vho were born and reared in Kentucky, although Mrs. Kendle was a native of Gibson county. Clayborn Polk was a blacksmith, an expert sawsmith and gunsmith, but on his removal to Indiana devoted almost all his attention to agriculture, in which vocation he soon established himself as a leader among the progressive men of his time. He was one of the first in his community to ditch land in order to increase its fertility, and it is noted that his influence along the lines of scientific farming was felt in later years, while his interest in the schools was productive of much good along educational lines. He built the first grist mill in Gibson county.

No children were born to ]\Ir, and Mrs. Kendle. ^Ir. Kendle built the fine home in 1882 in which his widow resides, and at that time he retired from active farming. The discovery of oil on ]\Ir. Kendle's farm added much to its value, there now being twenty wells located on the three hundred acres owned by his widow.

Although never aspiring to public oiifice, Mr. Kendle took an active interest in public afifairs, being a Democrat and- having well defined views on the subject of prohibition, of which he was an earnest advocate. Fraternally, he was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, while his church affiliations were with the General Baptists.

Thus, in this all too brief life record, are gi^-en the principal events of interest in the life of one who ever ga\e his support to all worthy enterprises and projects for the general good, so that, although he has passed from the life militant to the life triumphant, his character still lives in the memories of his fellow men as a model citizen antl urn: who made a large contribution to the development and progress of this section of the state. I\Irs. Kendle has. since her husband's death, been very successful in the handling of her business affairs, and donates generous!}- to all enterprises having for their ends the good of the cunnnunily.

TliDUgh nature affords excellent o]jpurtunilies f(ir the carrying un of certain lines of labor in every locality, there is demanded of any man great industrv and diligence if he succeeds in any business. Competition makes him put forth his best efforts and it re(iuire^ great care In cnnduct any bu>iness enterprise along profitable lines. This is esi)ecially true of farming and from the time of earliest spring jilanting until the en ips ;ire har\ esled the farmer's life is a busy une. Imcu thrnugh the winter months he prepares for the labors of the coming year and thus lays the foundation of his success for the ensuing year. .\nd. }et. the farmer leads a most independent exi.stence and always has the satisfaction of getting a day off whenever he desires. Gibson county has as fine farms and excellent farmers as can be found anywhere in the state of Indiana, and among these farmers is the subject of this sketch.

George Weber, the son of Adam and Catherine (Cumbel) \\'eber, was born August 17, 1838, in Posey county, Indiana. His parents were both natives of Germany, and came to this country and settled in Posey county before the Civil war. .\dam Weber was a very successful farmer and at the time of his death was one of the largest land owners in Posey county, ha\ing se\eral hundred acres of land in the county. He exercised all those qualities of German thrift and industr_\- which have made the sons of ( iermany leaders in this country in whatever they have undertaken. Xo country has sent Ijetter emigrants to America than Germany and they are always an important factor in e\erv community so fortunate as to get them as settlers. .\dam W'eber li\ed to a ripe old age, not passing away until 1885.

George Weber received his. early education in the l^osey county schools and worked on his father's farm until his marriage. Here he w.'is taught by his worthy father all those luultitudinous iletails which the farmer nuist know if he wants to be successful in his chosen vocation.

ter of George and Elizabeth (Carter) Maurer, he went to farming on eighty acres which he had previously bought but not paid for entirely. His wife's father was a native of Germany and had come to this state early in life and settled in Gibson county where he married, his wife being a native of the county. To ]Mr. and Mrs. \A'eber were born nine children: Elizabeth (deceased), whose birth occurred April 15, 1885; Mary, born December 2", 1887; Maggie, born September 7. 1889; Joseph, born October 24, 1891 ; William, born April 15, 1894, who is a traveling salesman out of Chicago: Erances, born November 6, 1896; Theresa, born June i, 1899; Edith, born October 29, 1902; Anna, born September 2, 1906. All of the children are still at home except Mary and Maggie, who live at Evansville, Indiana..

Mr. Weber has been a very successful manager and has gradually added to his landed possessions until he now owns one hundred forty-three and a half acres in this county. He has built a fine residence upon his farm and enjoys all the modern conveniences of life. This has lieen accomplished by the application of those principles of sterling honest}- and integrity' in all his business transactions with his fellow citizens.

The Democratic party has always received his earnest endorsement and upon election days he gives to its men and measures his ballot. He has never asked for any political favors at the hands of his party being content to devote all of his time and energy to his agricultural interests. He and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church and contribute liberally of their means to the support of that denomination. They have ab.vays co-operated with e\'ery movement which was directed toward the bettering of the community in which they lived. The honesty of Mr. Weber stands as an uncpiestioned fact in his career and there are other elements which are equally strong in his character and which command for him the unqualified confidence of those with whom he is associated.

Joseph Sebastian

Gibson county is characterized by a goodly share of sturdy German descendants and no better people can be found in any section of the state. They have done much for the development of the state and wherever they have settled thev ha\'e been prominent factors in the material progress of their resi)ecti\-e communities and have done their full share towards the establishment of the various institutions of civilization. Manv of these honored pioneers are stil! li\ing in the midst of the scenes of tiieir furnier iahurs and are toda}- enjoying the richly merited respect and material rewards which have come to them as the resnlt of their earnest and honest endeavors. ( )ne of this nnmber is the gentleman whose name heads this Ijrief sketch and whose lather was one of the earliest German settlers of the county.

Joseph Sebastian, one of the most prosperous (lerman descendants of the county, the son of George J. and Genieva ( Arml)ruster) Sebastian, was born July lo, 1854, in Vanderburg county, Indiana. Both of his parents were natives of Germany, his father coming to America when he was about, thirty-five years of age and settling on land near Ex'ansville. At that time the land was a forest wilderness and the axe of the white man had never touched it. He paid the first taxes on the land and with grim determination started in to make his farm yield the best possilile results. He was compelled to endure all of those hardships and deprix'ations which fall to the lot of the pioneers in any new country, and with true (ierman thrift he succeeded. He and his good wife in the course of time had one of the best farms in the county and reared a large family of eight children, the sul)ject of this sketch being their fifth child.

Joseph Sebastian's boyhood days were spent in the usual manner of farmer lads, going to the district schools for a short time in the winter and w'orking on his father's farm in the summer. He continued to labor on the home farm until his marriage, which occurred on Ajiril 6, 1880. His wife was Louisa WoU. the daughter of Martin and Mary .\. ( Deamerl Wolf. Both of his wife's parents were Ijorn in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Sebastian are the parents of five children: Joseph G.. who was 1)orn May 10, 1881. He is a blacksmith and lixeryman at ]\ lackey, Indiana, and also manages^ the grain elevator at the same town. He married .\nna Brahm and has five children : Bruner, Katherine, ^^'ibert, Rosa and George Washington: John M., the second child, was born February 26. 1887, and lives upon one of his father's farms. He married Mary Angemier and has one son, Joseph G. ; two sons are living on a homestead in Montana - Martin F., born April 24, 1885, and Frank .\., born November 25, 1886; Mary G., the youngest child of the subject, is at Ferdinand, Indiana, in a convent.

Mr. Sebastian is possessed of more than ordinary ability, as is shown b\- his success in life. Starting out with practically nothing, he has gradually added to his landed possessions until he now owns a farm of three hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in the county. This result has been obtained only by painstaking and conscientious efforts and the application of strict business principles. As a citizen and neighbor he takes a Hvely interest in whatever concerns the welfare of his community, being a man of intelligence, good judgment and commendable public spirit. He has a beautiful home on his farm where he and his faithful wife are surrounded with all the comforts of modern life.

yir. Sebastian's affiliations politically have always been with the Republican party but he has never sought any office at the hands of his party. He and all the members of his family are devoted adherents of the Catholic church and have contributed to the various activities of their church in accordance with their means. Pfis life has been wholesome and exemplary in ever}- respect and his course in all matters has been such as to win him the respect and regard of all with whom he has come in contact. As a gentleman, citizen, business man and Christian, his life has been well rounded out and he stands toda}- as one uf the l:>est representative men of his county.

Levi Wallace Coulter

Conspicuous among the representative men and public-spirited citizens of Gibson county is the well known gentleman whose name forms the caption of this article. He has made his influence felt for good in his community in Montgomery township, where he owns eighty-eight acres of finely located land, being a man of sterling worth, whose life has been closely interwoven with the history of the community in which he resides. His efforts have always been for the material advancement of his locality, as well as for the social and moral welfare of his fellow men, and the well regulated life he has led has gained the respect and admiration of all his fellow citizens.

Levi Wallace Coulter was born on December 8, 1834, on the Susquehanna river in Pennsylvania, the son of Hugh and Rebecca (Wilaman) Coulter. When he was a little child about a year old, his parents decided to try their fortunes in what then seemed the far west and decided to settle in Indiana, and did so, locating about five miles north of Washington, Indiana, Daviess county. There they purchased land, but later disposed of it and removed to Gibson county. Hugh Coulter had lived there but a few }-ears when his death occurred about the year 185-, while the subject of this sketch was quite a young man.

having made arrangements to work for a brother-in-law residing here. This was Samuel Wheeler, who had rented a farm on Black river in the southern portion of Montgomery township. Two years later Samuel Wliecler moved within about seven miles of Evansville, Indiana, where he alsn rented a farm, and 3'oung Levi \\'allace Coulter went with him. They remained there abijut a }ear and in the fall uf * 850 Wheeler purchased land in (iihsun county, north of Union Chapel. Levi Wallace Coulter returned with his brother-in-law, but hired out to another man for six months. It was his wish to attend school and the arrangement entered into was that he should work for six months and board and clothing to be furnished him and be permitted to attend school. He fulfilled his part of the agreement, but his employer did not and so he sought another place, working about for different neighbors. He worked for Edward Knowles until 1854 and then entered into an agreement with him whereby he was to operate Knowles' farm for his board and half the crops. Wr. Knowles died the following autumn.

In the fall of 1856, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage to Knowles, daughter of Nathan and Temperance (Boren) Knuwles. IMalissa Knowles was born November 2^, 1834, and was reared on the land where they now reside, the same spot the}- have li\-ed ever since their marriage fifty-seven years ago. Truly this is an enviable record, a pri\ilege enjoyed by few indeed. Nathan Knowles, father of Mrs. Coulter, was born June 17, 1795, and, when a small boy, went from his home in Delaware to Georgia with his parents, James Knowles and wife. He had reached \'oung manhood when in 181 1 the family came here and his father, James Knowles, secured land on section 23 in Montgomery township, where Mounts Station is now, and there he passed the remainder of his life, .\fter a few )'ears. Nathan Knowles entered land in section 35, north of Cynlhiana, where he lived for manv years and on which spcit he died Fel^ruary 2. i8(;2. Had he lived until the following June, he would ha\'e been ninet\'-se\en years old. It was there he was married to Temperance Boren, who was born September 19. 1800, and died September 13, 1835. She was the daughter of Nicholas Bo-^n, who settled near Blythe Chapel in Gibson county and died there. Ezekiel and John were his sons and located and died east of Cynthiana.

Levi Wallace Coulter and. wife are the parents of two children, namely: Elvis M., who lives on the same farm with his father and attends to the actual work about the place. His wife was Sally Downs and they have a family of four children, two sons and two dau!?;hters : Floyd and Ciro\-er are the sons, and the dattghters are Mrs. Cleo Cater and Mrs. Mamie Steele. The other son of Mr. and Mrs. Coulter is Nathan McClellan, who resides about one and one-half miles east of his father on the line between Johnson and Montgomery townships. He married Etta Pitzer and they have two children. Opal and Wilson.

The house in which Mr. and Mrs. Coulter live was built in 1821 when timber was plentiful and that of which it is composed is heavy and strong. It was originally a log house of one large room with a great fire place in one end, but has since been weatherboarded, added to and made a more modern dwelling. Mr. Coulter has an excellent memory and has many interesting things to tell of early pioneer days. Their home has an inviting air of hospitality that insures a welcome to all. Mr. Coidter recalls the log rollings of those early spring times and says the first cook stove he ever saw was owned by his brother. Hiram, who had purchased it at Washington, Indiana, and used it to heat his house. That was about 1847. He also recalls the enthusiasm of the people over the first railroad, and the timidity felt at anything that could run so fast of its own power, although it would be considered anything but speedy in our day and age. Politically, Mr. Coulter has always given his support to the Democrat party. His many years of residence in the community have won for him and his faithful wife the unbounded friendship of old and young alike.

Andrew J. Wiedemann

One of the enterprising and successful farmers of Gibson county who has succeeded in his chosen vocation solely through his own courage, persistency and good management is Andrew J. Wiklemann, of Center township, a man who berie\-es in lending what aid he can to his neighbors and the general public while advancing his individual interests. Descended from German parentage, he has all of those excellent traits which make the German citizens of our country welcome wherever they settle.

Andrew J. Wildemann, the son of Charles and Sally (Aker) Wildemann, was born in Posey count}-, Indiana, November 4, 1863. Both of his parents were natives of Germany and lived there until after their marriage, when they came to America and settled in Posey county. In 1882 the family moved to Gibson county and settled on the farm now owned by their son, Henry. Charles Wildemann died July 2'j, 1909. his wile having passed away many years before, February 23, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wiklemanii were the parents of a large family of twelve chiklren : Airs. Carrie Whilman ; Mrs. Katie Gerhart, deceased; Andrew J.; Mrs. Lizzie \Vca\er; .Mrs. Rusie Stateman; Charles, who is represented elsewhere in this Ixink: licniy. wlm is also represented elsewhere in this volume; Frank, a farmer nf Leiiler township, in this county; Joseph; Mrs. Maggie Smith; and .Sallie. whu died infancy.

Andrew J. Wildcmann received the limited education which was tn be obtained from the district schools of Posey county and has supplemented it with reading and close observation. He assisted his father on the home farm until the time of his marriage, in this way becoming familiar with all the details which mark the successful farmer.

Andrew^ J. Wildemann was married to Katherine M. Freppon, the daughter of Mattias and Katherine Freppon, on November 22. 1892. Maltias Freppon was a native of Germany and came to this country with his jjarents when he was about three years of age. He saw ser\ice in the Ci\il war in Company A, Forty-second Regiment Indiana \'olunteer Infantry, and was in continuous action for three years and six months. Mr. anf! Mrs. Fre])pon are still living in Evansville, Indiana.

Mr. and Mrs. Wildemann are the parents of three children: Stella R., born August 23, 1893, and still living at home; Lillie, deceased; Leo, deceased; they also reared a boy. Herbert Chesser, taking him in llieir home when he was nine years of age. He continued to live with them until he was eighteen, when he moved to Montana.

jMr. Wildemann has l)cen very successful as a ttller of the .soil on his farm of one hundred and twelve and a half acres of land. He is careful and conservative in all his business transactions and yet is sufficiently far-sighted to make good investments. As a stockholder and director in the Francisco State Bank, he is closely identified with the financial interests of his communit}', and is recognized as a man of more than ordinary ability along business and commercial lines. He also has invested in property in the town of Princeton, Indiana.

Mr. Wildemann has alwa}-s advocated the policies and principles of the Democratic party, and takes an active interest in the caucuses and conventions of his party. However, he has ne\er been a candidate for political office. preferring to give all of his time and attention to his own affairs. He and the remainder of his family are devout members of the Catholic church and contribute liberally of their means to its support. Mr. Wildemann is a man who makes friends wherever he goes, and because of his personal qualities of honesty and integrity he has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in the conmiunitv where he has lived so nianv years.

Elijah Binkley

To a great extent the prosperity of the agricultural section of our country is due to the honest industry, the sturdy persistence, the -unswerving perseverance and the wise economy which so prominently characterize the farming element of the Hoosier state. Among this class may be mentioned the subject of this life record, who, by reason of years of indefatigable labor and honest effort, has not only acquired a well merited material prosperity, but has also richly earned the highest esteem of all with whom he is associated. Mr. Binkley has preferred to spend his life in his native community, believing that richer opportunities existed near his own threshold than elsewhere. He represents one of the old and sturdy families of the section of the state of which this history deals, the Binkleys having played well their part in the affairs of the same from the early days to the present time and- the subject has sought to keep the good name of his progenitors untarnished.

Elijah Binkley, who for many years was numbered among the active and industrious agriculturists of Gibson county, but who is now retired from active labor, was born on December 26, 1833, in Patoka township, this county, and is the son of George and Catherine (Chinn) Binkley. These parents, who both were natives of Yadkin county. North Carolina, were reared and married in their native state and in 1827 came to Warrick county, Indiana. A short time later they removed to Gibson county, locating in Patoka township, where Mr. Binkley secured a tract of wild land, which he cleared and developed into a good farm. Their first home was a rude log cabin, typical of that pioneer period, and here they established their home and reared their children to honorable manhood and womanhood. They spent the remainder of their lives on that place, and died there. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and people of sterling qualities of character, enjoying to a very creditable degree the confidence of the community. They were the parents of eleven children, namely : James, who went to Kansas and was there killed ; Frederick, who moved to Kansas, where his death occurred : Jacob, deceased; Elijah, the immediate subject of this sketch; Pauline, the widow of William Van Zant, and now residing in Princeton ; Julia Ann, the wife of Henry Thomas Tichenor, of Princeton; Dicy, deceased, wiio was tlie wife of William Spore, of Princeton; George, deceased; Caroline, who lives in Kansas; Lovina is the widow of Warren Wade of Missouri, and Lewis, a retired farmer of Princeton.

The subject of this sketch received a limited education, his only opportunity being the subscription schools of his neighborhood, which in that early day were rather primitive, both in methods and equipment. He lived at home until about 1858, when he was married, and then lived for a while on a part of his present farm, which he cleared and otherwise improved. This place has been added to from time to time until he is now the owner of eighty acres of valuable and well-improved land. To the cultivation of this tract, Mr. Binkley devoted himself with such splendid success that in 1901, feeling that he had gained a competency sufficient to free his later years from care, he retired, and is now living quietly at his home in Patoka township.

On April 8, 1858, Mr Binkley married Matilda Sweezey, a native of Gibson county, Indiana, a daughter of Sanford and Elizabeth (Jennings) Sweezey. These parents were born and reared in Nelson county, Kentucky, hut were early settlers in Gibson county, where they located on a tract of land in Patoka township. To Mr. and Mrs. Sweezey were born the following children: Nancy J., deceased; WilHam H., deceased, and Matilda, who is now Mrs. Binkley. Sanford Sweezey died at the age of fifty. He had been a successful farmer, and as a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, he wielded a beneficent influence in that community. He was three times married, his second wife being Nellie LaGrange, and the third wife, Mary Ann Booker. To Mr. and Mrs. Binkley has been liorn a sun, Oenry L. Binkley, a traveling salesman, who married Mar}- Alice Irvin. and they lia\e a (laughter, Hazel, the wife of Paul Carey.

Politically, Mr. Binkley has always voted the Republican ticket, especially in national elections, while in local affairs he assumes a more independent attitude, voting for the man whom he deems best c|ualitied for the office. He is in close touch with all public works, and holds a decided opinion on all the great issues of the day. He and his wife are members of the General Bajitist church, belonging to the society known as the White Church. Mr. Binkley is well preserved for a man of his years, retaining his mental and physical faculties to a marked degree, and, having a splendid memory, is authority on many incidents connected with the early life of the community. It is related of him that at one time he knew personally almost every resident of Gilison county. Having begun life practically at the bottom of the ladder, he climbed to the top with no help but a brave heart, industrious hand and an inteUigent brain and is a Hving example of what may be accomplished in this favorite country of nature, by patient perseverance, even under circumstances oftentimes discouraging. Genial and unassuming by nature, he has many warm friends and is liked by all who know him.

Edgar Mauck

The biography to which the reader's attention is now directed is that of Edgar Mauck, ex-county treasurer of Gibson county, Indiana, and successful farmer, a man who, by reason of his active interest in politics, his business connections and his genial personality, is widely known and universally liked and respected. The families from which Mr. Mauck is descended have been prominent in the history of Gibson and other counties in the southern portion of the state, and it is highly interesting to trace back his family for se\eral generations.

Beginning with John Mauck, great-grandfather of the immediate subject of this sketch, we find he was with Cornwallis's army at the battle of Yorktown. A nati\'e of Virginia, he married a Miss Keyser and after the close of the Revolutionary war he went into Tennessee, and, still journeying westward, came to the Kentucky shore of the Ohio river at a point opposite the present town of Mauckport, in Harrison county, Indiana. This was in the year 1801, at which time there was the merest settlement at the place named. He came into Indiana at that point, obtained land, on which he located and the town that sprung up about him was given his name. He was a man of ability and a leader of his day, and was known far and wide and highly respected by all. He built the first mill at ]\Iauckport and, after rearing a large family, he and his wife died and were buried there.