Posey County, Indiana - Biographical sketches, 1913 (part 4 of 7)

Lewis W. Cleveland, farmer and justice of the peace of Smith township, Posey county, Indiana, was born in Gibson county, same State, June 16, 1842, son of Charles and Phoebe (Lundford) Cleveland. Charles Cleveland was born May 10, 1800, in Harrison county, Kentucky, and his wife was born in September, 1806, a native of Virginia. The father of Charles Cleveland was Micajah Cleveland, who was born in Virginia and served with his two sons in the ^^'ar of 1812. In 1834 Charles Cleveland came from near Cynthiana, Ky., and with his wife and five children settled in Gibson county, Indiana, then a wilderness with plenty of game roaming the woods. He and his wife, whom he married in Harrison county, Kentucky, became the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom lived to be men and women. Lewis W. Cleveland was the tenth child in the family. He was reared in Gibson county, where he attended common schools in a rude log building (for full description see sketch of Thomas Marvel in this book). After leaving school he taught for one j'ear and then farmed on the home place, where he was born. He was married May 25, 1862, to Elizabeth Meadows, daughter of George H. and Matilda (Allen) Meadows, after his marriage continued for five years to live on the home farm with his parents, removing from there to Posey county in 1869. For one year he farmed in Rohb township, after which he traded his farm for a grocery business in Cynthiana. He closed out this business in 1874, since which he has farmed. In 1884 he was elected justice of the peace of Smith township and has held the office continuously ever since. He and his wife had nine children : Arthur M., George W., Lucian N. (deceased), Laura E., Mandaily, Effie G. (deceased). Dexter Lee, in St. Louis, Mo., Grover and Guy. Laura E. married Newton Finley and they live in Cynthiana. Mandaily married Ed Harper and they now live near Mt. Carmel, 111. Mr. Cleveland has been a member of the Regular Baptist church for fifty years. He is a Democrat and his first vote was cast for Stephen A. Douglas for President.

John H. Williams, farmer and stock raiser, of Cynthiana. Ind., was born November 6, 1856, son of \\'illiam H. and Mary (Meadows) Williams. William H. was the son of Enoch Williams, who married Miss Lowe and was the first of the family to come to Posey county, having removed to this section from South Carolina. The country was in a wild condition at that time and the woods were still full of Indians and wild animals. They located in Smith township, and here William H. was born in 1820, and was reared in the woods, where he helped clear the ground. He attended the schools of those times and later engaged in farming and stock raising, continuing in this business until his death in 1886. His wife preceded him in death, passing away in 1861. John H. Williams was born in Smith township, where he attended the country schools, which were still furnished with log benche=. He afterward attended the graded schools of Cynthiana and went one year to high school at Poseyville, Ind. Upon leaving school he worked at home with his parents until his marriage, which occurred December 10, 1881, to Martha E. Marvel, daughter of John and Mary (Young) Marvel. This Marvel family is descended from the Marvels of Sussex county, Delaware, and the Youngs were early settlers in Posey county. John Marvel was a soldier in the Civil war. He was a farmer and stock raiser, and, following the family tradition, was a breeder of fine horses. Some of the best colts in this section were raised from his stallions. Mr. and Mrs. Marvel are both dead, the latter passing away about two years ago. Mrs. Williams was born and raised in Smith township, where she attended common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Williams had four children: Harvey T., James W. (deceased), Ethel, and one who died in infancy. Harvey T., a farmer and former teacher, married Ivy L. Yates and now lives in Knox county, Indiana. Ethel married Dr. D. W. Montgomery and lives in Princeton, Ind. The first wife died October 12. 1889, and Mr. Williams married again, on June 2, 1891, to Mrs. Elzina Witherspoon, widow of James N. Witherspoon. daughter of Dean and Elizabeth Martin, natives of Vanderburg county, where she was born and raised. She received a common school education. They have no children. The family are members of the Big Creek Regular Baptist Church, in which Mr. Williams is one of the deacons. He is a Democrat. Mr. Williams is one of the two men who are raising alfalfa in Smith township. He was the first in Posey county to begin raising pure-bred White Leghorn poultry and now there is hardly a farm that does not have them. He has won many blue ribbons at the poultry shows of Evansville, Princeton and elsewhere. Mr. Williams served as president of the Wabash Valley Poultry Association from 1904 to 1909. He ships his chickens all over the United States. The Williams farm has the largest apple orchard in Posey county, having seven acres exclusively in apple trees. Its yield has been 2.000 bushels of apples besides fruit enough to make 2,000 gallons of cider.

John C. Scherer, undertaker, of St. Wendel, Ind., was ])orn October 30, 1864, a son of Jacob and Margaret (Knapp) Scherer, the former a native of Niederzengheim, Germany, a cabinet maker, who traveled extensively in his native land before coming to America. Jacob Scherer was born in 1816, learned his trade by the time he was nineteen years of age and came to America in 1842, locating first in Canada, and later in Evansville, Ind., where he lived until the war broke out. He was engaged in the furniture business, but the war drove him out and he came to St. Wendel, where he opened a general merchandise store. After living here for some time he removed to Fort Branch, but returned seven years later and engaged in cabinet making and in the undertaking business, in which he continued until his death, June 10, 1891. Mrs. Margaret Scherer was also born in Germany, coming to this country at the age of eight years with her parents, who settled in Pennsylvania and afterward removed to Posey county, Indiana. John Scherer graduated from the public schools of St. Wendel, after which he went to work with his father and learned the cabinet making and undertaking business, and after the death of the father he succeeded to the business. In May, 1897, Mr. Scherer graduated from Clark's Embalming School,

Evansville, Ind.. and the next year graduated from Clark's Embalming College, of Indianapolis. In 1902 he was admitted by the State Board of Embalmers to practice his profession in the State of Indiana. Until the year 1906 he was engaged in the implement business under the firm name of Coudret & Scherer, but sold out to devote his entire time to undertaking. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Catholic church. On October 10, 1893, Mr. Scherer married Miss Benie Hofmann, daughter of William and Catherine (Wolf) Ilofmann. Her father, a native of Rheinphalz, Germany, came to America at the age of nineteen and first located in Penns^dvania, three years later coming to Posey county and locating in Parker's Settlement, where he engaged in the general merchandise business and later, with Philip Speck, ran a brewery at the same place. He was trustee of Robinson township several terms and was also postmaster for many years. He died [anuary 20. 1876. Mrs. Hofmann was born in Evansville, Ind., August 20, 1838, and raised in Parker's Settlement, where she received her education and married. Her death occurred October 15. 1889. Mrs. Scherer was born in Parker's Settlement September 5, 1864. She re^ ceived her education in the town of her birth and later graduated from Eurmick's Commercial College at Evansville, of which her sister was principal of typewriting, bookkeeping and shorthand. Mr. and Mrs. Scherer have three children: Clarence, born August 13, 1894; Irma, November 13, 1896; Elsie. April 4, 1899. Clarence attended commercial college at Evansville. was for one year in the office of the auditor of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois, Evansville, Ind., and is now telegraph operator at Petersburg, Ind., with the same company. Irma is attending high school at Tell City, Ind. Elsie is now attending public school in Smith township. Mr. Scherer and children are communicants of the Catholic church. Mrs. Scherer is a member of the German Evangelical church.

George Franklin Trainer, station agent of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad at Wadesville, Ind., was born March 7, 1868. on a farm in Robb township, Posey county, son of George King and Susan (Schrader) Trainor. George K. Trainor was born about 1813 at Williamsport, Pa., and came to Posey county at the age of twenty years, where he was a farmer until his death, in 1897. He married Miss Susan Schrader, daughter of John and Pamelia ( Jaques) Schrader, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Posey county, where she was born in 1826. She died at Poseyville in 1901. They both belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. George K. Trainor had eight children : John Schrader Trainor, now a merchant at Hayti, Mo.; Charles Edward Trainor, grain merchant. Griffin, Ind. ; Clara, wife of Joseph W. Stevens, wagon maker and justice of the peace, Poseyville, Ind.; Algernon (deceased), William A., formerly agent of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois at Poseyville, who was killed by hold-up men in 1S92, and leaving a wife and three children; Carrie, wife of James Kilroy, a lawyer at Poseyville; George F., of this record; Chauncy, graduate of the medical department of Louisville University, now an employe of the patent office at Washington, D. C, and also a magazine writer. George F. Trainor was educated in the public schools of Poseyville, graduating from the high school in the class of 1889. He then took a business course in Lexington, Ky., after which he taught school one year in Bethel township, Posey county. He then began the study of telegraphy in the depot of Illinois Central at Poseyville, and after eight months became operator at Stewartsville, where he remained five years, when he was appointed cashier at Mattoon, 111., for the same road. After one year at Mattoon he became station agent at Stewartsville, and has since filled that position successively at Hartsburg, Latham, Mt. Zion, Sullivan, Newton, West Libert}', Parkersburg, Grayville, Griffin and New Harmony, all on the Illinois Central. In 1910 he became station agent at Wadesville, his present location. For a town of its size Wadesville is an unusually good shipping point, the freight business averaging about 400 cars per annum, while it does a good local passenger business. Mr. Trainor is a member of the Order of Ben Hur at Parkersburg, 111., of the Mystic Workers at West Liberty, 111., and also of the Order of Railway Telegraphers. On March 10, 1897, Mr. Trainor married Miss Lottie Bare, daughter of Alexander and Margaret (Dawson) Bare, of West Salem, 111., the former a hardware merchant. She was born June 7, 1879, at Belmont, 111. Her father is a native of Germany and her mother of Illinois. They have four children : Murtel Kenneth, born May 23, 1899; Margaret, born September 8, 1903; Fred, born March 8, 1905, and Katherine, born December 6, 191 1. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.

William H. Webb, a farmer of Smith township, Posey county, was born in Franklin county, Illinois, September 30, 1869, son of S. M. and Louisa (Britton) Webb. .S. M. Webb was a son of Louis and Harriet Webb, and Louisa Britton Webb was the daughter of William Britton. The whole family are natives of Illinois, where S. M. Webb was a farmer and stock raiser, and where the subject of this sketch was raised and attended the country schools. He was a student one term at Ewing College, Ewing, 111., after which he farmed at home with his parents until the age of twenty-three years, at which time the family removed to Posey county, Indiana. This was in 1892, and Mr. Webb lived and farmed in Robb township until 1905, when he bought a farm in Smith township, where he now lives. His entire farm of eighty-six acres is under cultivation and he has some very fine stock, although he has never made a specialty of any breed. In politics Mr. Webb is a Democrat. He has served the township as election judge and road supervisor, and is now employed by the township trustee to haul the children in a bus to and from school. On March 5, 1893, occurred the marriage of William H. Webb to Miss Alice Dunn, daughter of William and Susan (Gill) Dunn, natives of Tennessee, where they were engaged in farmingand stock raising. They later lived in Duquoin, 111., where their daughter, Alice, was born and where she was educated, first attending common school, and later a private high school, in which she completed the course. Mr. and Mrs. Webb have three children : Estella, born February 27, 1895, is a graduate of the common school and has attended the Cynthiana High School ; Normalee, born in September, 1897, 's now attending high school in Cynthiana, and Donald, born September 13, 1900. is attending the common schools of Cynthiana. Mrs Webb is a member of the Baptist church.

John C. Smith, a prosperous farmer of Cynthiana, Ind., was Ijorn in Patoka township, Gibson county, that State, June 18, 1831, son of Daniel and Nancy (Spain) Smith, natives of North Carolina, where the former was born in 1788, and the latter about 1800, and they came to Indiana in 1818, locating in Gibson county. In coming to this State he crossed the river at West Franklin and moved northward, stopping at old Fort Branch, which had been built shortly before for the protection of the settlers. He camped at the fort for the night and the next day moved north into what is now called Pike county, where they entered land. On the way they often had to cut their own road through the forest. After coming to the State they moved around from place to place trying to find a suitable location and finally settled in Johnson township, Gibson county. John C. Smith was born before his parents moved to Johnson township. He began attending school at the age of four. His first teacher was Joshua Kitchen and school was held in a log building with split log seats and it was heated by a big fire-place. The window was made by leaving out a log. The school was moved to the public road later and, as there were no bridges, they put logs across the streams so the children could cross. The teacher was Dr. Ralston, now of Evansville, who is ninety-six years old. The school was maintained by subscription, as there were no public schools. After leaving school he continued to work on the farm with his parents. They removed to Posey county about 1848, but as John C. was working as a hired hand he did not come till 1852, when he was twenty-one years of age. In that year he married Lavina Robb, daughter of Peyton and Susan (Finch) Robb, in whose honor Robb township was named. The Robb family were among the earliest settlers of the county and Lavina Robb was born in Robb township, where she lived until her marriage. After his marriage Mr. Smith bought a farm in Smith township, just east of Poseyville, where he lived for some time, when he sold out and bought the property he now owns, two and one-half miles southeast of

Cynthiana. He has been assessor for his township for six years and later was elected county commissioner, serving three terms. He was State representative twice, 1889 and 1891. He has been a lifelong Democrat and is prominent in the councils of the party. In i860 he was a delegate to the Democratic State convention. The feeling was so strong that it was said that the convention could not be held, but with the aid of guards the meetings went on. While in the legislature he helped elect two United States senators - Dan Voorhees and Senator Turpie. He was also a member of the county and township committees in the house. Since serving in the legislature he has not sought any further political honors and has limited his political activities to looking after his party in Posey county. His first vote for the President was in 1852, for James K. Polk. Mr. and Mrs. John Smith became the parents of ten children: Peyton, Mary, Annie (deceased), Walter, Nora, Flora, Alice, and two who died in infancy. Mary married Walter Endicott, of Poseyville. Nora is the widow of Osbourne Endicott, of Cynthiana. Flora married Newton Martin and after his death married Treat Saulmon and lives on a farm. Alice married Hugh McNair, a druggist, and they live in Sullivan, Ind. Mrs. Smith died August 13, 1888. Mr. Smith remarried in February, 1891, Catherine Robb, daughter of William Robb, and a cousin of his first wife. She died June 13, 1902.

Henry Brinkman. - A man's real worth to his community is best determined by inquiring into the sentiment of his neighbors and fellow citizens. Their estimate of him is found to be of more value in uncovering the truth than all other sources of information. However, if there is found in this sentiment a diversity of opinion, it is difficult to arrive at accurate conclusions. On the other hand, if absolute harmony prevails in it, if it is found to be a single unit, if a man's neighbors and daily associates, without a single dissenter, proclaim him to be a worthy citizen and a power for good in the community, then accuracy of conclusion is made easy ; for no precedent exists in which perfect harmony of public opinion has proved to be wrong. The conclusions formed and herein set forth with reference to the man under consideration have been moulded entirely from the sentiment of his friends and fellow citizens and, since this sentiment had in it not a single discordant note, its accuracy can be fully vouchsafed and relied upon. Henry Brinkman is the nestor of Posey county's men of affairs. He became a resident of the county in 1850, a principal in a commercial enterprise in 1851, a manufacturer in 1853, and is still the active head, at the age of eightyeight, of a drain-tile plant and a retail hardware, implement and furniture business. Sixty-two years of continuous commercial activity, during which time his name has become familiar in practically every home within the county, a reputation for honesty, fairness and high business ideals, seldom attained in the field of commerce, entitle him to distinctive recognition in this publication. Henry Brinkman was born in the Duchy of Lippe-Detmold, Germany, May i6, 1825. He obtained a fair education in the schools of his native country, which he attended until the age of fourteen, learned the brickmaker's trade in the succeeding six years and, during the next five, that of wagon-making. In 1850 inclination led him to seek the opportunities then offering in the United States and he came to Indiana, remaining for about two months in Evansville, and then locating in Mt. Vernon, where he secured employment in the wagon factory of Gottlieb Koerner, and in the following year, 1852, secured in interest in the business. During the years 1854 to 1861 he was engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements and wagons, the last two years having as an associate in business, John H. Barter. In the last-named year he began the manufacture of the "Brinkman Wagon," having but one apprentice to assist him at the start. His products were well received, proved to be of high quality, and the factory force soon numbered twenty hands. He was the inventor of the "Posey Clipper" plow and manufactured them in profitable quantities. In 1869 he established a brick manufacturing plant which he operated successfully imtil 1875, when he changed it into a drain-tile factory. This enterprise he has conducted with success, it has given employment to as many as thirty-five hands, and is still operated with profit. In 1875 he formed, with William Burtis, the firm of Brinkman & Burtis and engaged in the implement business. Mr. Burtis retired from the firm in 1881 and the firm name was changed to Brinkman i1- Sons, two of his sons, Henry A. and Charles, being admitted to partnership. Another son. Otto, was given an interest later and he, with his father and brother, Charles, constitute the present firm, Henry A. Brinkman having died in 1900. Hardware and furniture have since been added to the line of implements and the business is not only the oldest in years of establishment in Posey county, but enjoys a satisfied clientage, while its sales exceed $40,000 per annum. Mr. Brinkman has also been interested directly and indirectly with many other business enterprises of his home city and perhaps no one of its citizens has had more to do with the development and building up of Mt. Vernon than he during the years i860 to 1895. In truth he has been one of the foremost in every movement which had for its object the city's progress, thrift and substantial growth. He was for several years president of the Manufacturers' Aid Society of Mt. Vernon and brought to this office the same business ability which he had displayed in his private affairs, with the result that the society's affairs were conducted in a wise, conservative and businesslike way. He has been a Republican since the formation of that party. He served as a member of the city council for several terms, having been first elected in 1869. Mr. Brinkman is a member of the directorate of the Mt. Vernon National Bank, is seldom absent from a meeting of the board, and it is probable that there is not another man of his age in the State of Indiana that is a member of the board of directors of a financial institution, much less one who is actively concerned with the conduct of his bank and who is conceded to be a valued member of its governing body. He is a member of the Masonic order and of the Evangelical church. Mr. Brinkman married in October, 1852, Miss Margaret Hahn, a native of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, and the daughter of Henry Hahn. Mrs. Brinkman died in 1893. Ten children were born of this union, who are as follows : Minnie, who married John C. Leffel, of Mt. Vernon, publisher of "The Western Star" and editor of this work ; Mrs. Leffel died on February 28, 1907. Henry A., until his death in 1900 a member of the firm of Brinkman & Sons; Mollie, who has never married and resides with her father; Charles, of the H. Brinkman Company ; Caroline, who became the wife of Fred Walter, a merchant of Mt. Vernon, both of whom are deceased ; Louis, formerly interested with his father and now a manufacturer of tile in Georgia; Anna, who married Meade Williams, of Mt. Vernon, both of whom are deceased ; Otto, a member of the H. Brinkman Company ; Matilda, the wife of William A. Holton, cashier of the Mt. Vernon National Bank, personal mention of whom appears in this work, and Hattie, the wife of William O. Wilson, superintendent of the schools of Posey county, who is also mentioned in the biographical section of this volume. To do justice to the many phases of the career of Mr. Brinkman within the limits of an article of this order would be impossible, but in even touching upon the more salient points there may come objective lesson and incentive and thus a tribute of appreciation. As a man among men. bearing his due share in connection with the practical activities and responsibilities of a work-a-day world, he has been successful, but over all and above all, he has gained a deep knowledge of the well springs from which emerge the stream of human motive and action. He has gained a clear apprehension of what life means, what its dominating influences, what its possibilities, and is ever ready to impart to his fellow men the fruits of his investigation, contemplation and mature wisdom.

Capt. Alferd Ribeyre, of New Harmony, known far and wide as "The Corn King," is one of the most extensive land owners and developers in the State. He has inaugurated a plan of farming so extensive that it is difficult to contemplate the man and his great institution, and give him due credit. Captain Ribeyre's vast farming interests aggregate over 7,000 acres, about one-half of which is composed of Cut-off Island. These extensive farms are occupied by about 150 tenants, who work the land on a crop sharing plan, Mr. Ribeyre furnishing everything necessary to go on and do the work. The principal crops are corn and wheat; however, other crops are raised, but not extensively. But, on account of the great corn production, Captain Ribeyre has earned the title of "The Corn King." He is a native of Posey county, born February 17, 1851, one mile southeast of New Harmony, on the "Deep Creek Stock Farm." He is a son of John and Emily Ribeyre, both natives of France. John Ribeyre settled in Posey county, near New Harmony, in the '40s. He was one of the most extensive business men in Southern Indiana. He bought land, developed it, and also dealt extensively in cattle. He owned several boats, with which he marketed his own products in St. Louis and New Orleans. He owned the "Buckeye," the "Hoosier," and other boats. lie was also a banker, owning and operating the Cut-off Island Bank, at New Harmony, in 1866. He loaned money extensively, and was always lenient to the unfortunate. At the time of his death, he owned about 8,000 acres. John Ribeyre was a man thoroughly abreast of his time. He was a member of the W'orkingmen's Institute, and public-s])irited. His first wife died, leaving two children, Alferd, the subject of this sketch, and Emily, who married Frank Fitton, of Indianapolis. After the death of his first wife, he married Harriet Stanhope, and to this union was born one daughter, Erma, who married Charles A. Greathouse. the present Superintendent of Public Instruction of Indiana. Captain Ribeyre spent his boyhood days in New Harmony, and vicinity, and was associated with his father. While he inherited considerable property from his father, he has made good on his own account, and added vast holdings to his original property. Captain Ribeyre possesses many traits of his father. He is a progressive, liberal, and charitable man. He is always read}- to contribute to worthy public enterprises, and render assistance to the needy. He contributes to churches of all denominations, and when the question of raising funds for the New Harmony Centennial of 1914 was being discussed, Captain Ribeyre came forward with a donation of $1,000. Such men are worth while to a town or community. He was united in marriage December 14, 1879, ^ an estimable lady. Miss Pauline Arnold, of New Harmony. She was born at sea. To Mr. and Mrs. Ribeyre were born three children, only one of whom, Robert R., survives. He resides in New Harmony, and is one of its progressive 3^oung business men. He married Jessie, daughter of A. C. Thomas, and to this union have been born one child, Susanna, who, by the way, occupies a prominent place in the affection of her grandfather. Captain Ribeyre is interested, as a stockholder, in the New Harmony Banking Company, and the Mt. Vernon National Bank. His splendid residence, located on Main street, in New Harmony, is one of the finest to be seen anywhere. While Captain Ribeyre has not been active in politics, he has always been a Republican, and served on the town council. Besides his vast farm holdings, and interests above described. Captain Ribeyre owns seven of the best business properties in New Harmony. He also owns and operates a private ferry for his own business.

Joseph R. Welbom, successful farmer, influential citizen, and member of the council of Posey county, was born on his father's farm in Montgomery township, Gibson county, Indiana, December ii, 1849, ^ son of Samuel P. and Mary ( Waters) Welborn. The family was founded in Indiana by Moses Welborn, a native of North Carolina, who was born in Guilford county, near Guilford court house, July 4, 1783. He came to Posey county in 1833 and located at Mt. Vernon, subsequently entering land at the forks of Big creek, which he cleared and developed into productive farm land. He died in 185 1, a victim of the cholera scourge of that year. He married, about 1808, Deborah Chipman, born on November 3, 1787. They reared a family of eight children, of whom Samuel P. Welborn was the third in order of birth. The latter was born in North Carolina in 1814, and came to Posey county with his parents. Shortly after arriving in Mt. Vernon, he engaged in flat boating, the one means of transportation at that time, his cargoes consisting of grain and provisions, which he carried to the New Orleans market. While visiting in Gibson county he became acquainted with Mary Waters, a daughter of James Rice Waters, a native of North Carolina, and pioneer settler of Gibson county, where she was born in 1816. They were married shortly afterwards and located on land in that county, at the time densely wooded, which he cleared ; and for a time continued, during the winter months, the transportation of produce to the New Orleans market by flat boat. He became not only a successful farmer and man of means, but was a citizen of influence in his county. He served as treasurer of Gibson county from 1857 to 1861. His death occurred in 1875, and that of his wife in 1887. They were the parents of eleven children, ten of whom reached their majority, and six of whom are living at this writing, 1913. They are as follows: William P., James F., Francis M. Oscar M., Ellen, Sarah, Mary, Joseph R., Eliza, Alice and John. Joseph R. Welborn acquired his education in the schools of his native township, held in the primitive school buildings of that period, later attended the graded school in Owensville, and during the winter of 1868-69 was a student in the Indiana State University at Bloomington. With the exception of two years, in which he was engaged in the general merchandise business in Poseyville, his occupation has been that of a farmer and stock raiser. The Welborn farm, situated one mile west of Cynthiana, consists of 150 acres, and is known as "Homeland." Mr. Welborn has retired from active business cares and the farm is conducted by his son, Ernest P. Welborn, a graduate of the Wisconsin State Agricultural College, who as a breeder of registered Poland China hogs has attained wide prominence. Animals from his breeding farm, known to breeders as "Homeland's" stock, have a ready sale over a wide area and bring attractive prices. As regards improvements and farming methods, the property represents all essentials known to the scientific agriculturist.

and is one of the model enterprises in this line of Southern Indiana. As a citizen, Mr. Welborn has always taken an active interest in the political life of his county and State. He is a Democrat, and has been honored by his party with public office, in which he served with credit to himself and his constituents. He was elected trustee of Smith township in 1882, a member of the council of Smith township in 1900, and to the Posey county council in 1910, in which capacity he is still serving. Mr. Welborn married on June 3, 1874, Miss Rebecca Calvert, a daughter of William and Martha (Endicott) Calvert. Mr. Calvert was born in Vanderburg county, Indiana, of which his father, a native of Ireland, was a pioneer. Martha Endicott was born in Posey county, and is descended from Colonial stock, and members of the family have held positions of prominence in the town, State and Xation. Rebecca Calvert was born in Posey county, Indiana, June 14, 1847, ^"d died September 15, 1907. They were the parents of four children, who are as follows, viz. : Edgar C. Welborn, a graduate of the literary department of the Indiana State University of the engineering department of Cornell, Ithaca, New York, and who is now a mechanical engineer, residing in Milwaukee, Wis. ; William C. Welborn, a graduate of both the literary and law departments of Indiana State University, and junior member of the firm of Veneman & Welborn, attorneys; Evansville. He married Miss Edith Gauntt, a daughter of Jasper Gauntt, of Marion. Ind. They are the parents of four children, Alarion, Ruth, Dorothy an<l F"rancis. Alice Welborn, the third ehild, is deceased. Ernest P. Welborn, the youngest of the family, born December 12, i88i, received his early educational discipline in the schools of Cynthiana, later attended Indiana State University, and subsequently was graduated from the Wisconsin State Agricultural College at Madison. He married on April 12, 1903, Miss Ethel Emerson, a daughter of Benjamin F. Emerson, president of the Cynthiana Banking Company. They are the parents of two children : Joseph E. Welborn, born October 4. 1905. and Virginia C. A\'elborn, born July 4, 1908. Mr. Welborn is manager of the "Homeland" property. The family are popular in the social circles of their county and are members of the Baptist church.

Timothy Scott Downen, a farmer in Robinson township, Posey county, Indiana, is a native of the same township, having been born on the place where he now lives, on December i. 1880, son of George T. and Classic (Allyn) Downen, natives of Posey county, the father reared on the place in possession of our subject, and the mother in Black township, near Bufkin. George Downen was born in June, 1854, son of Tillman Downen and Classic Allyn was the daughter of Bijah .-Mlyn, of Black township. The father died April i, 1910, and the mother in June, 1897. Timothy attended the schools of Robinson township, and after finishing his education remained at home with his parents. After they passed away the farm came into his possession. This farm was entered by a Downen iir years before it came into the hands of Timothy Downen, and has remained in the family all this time. Mr. Downen makes a specialty of Duroc Jersey hogs, also does general farming and stock raising. He has a good farm of eighty acres. Mr. Downen was married November 30, 1902, to Miss Mary Mills, daughter of Aleck and Matilda (Wilkie) Mills, both parents born in Posey county. Matilda Wilkie was reared in the place of her birth, but Aleck Mills went south with his parents when about eight years old, and did not return for thirty years. Mrs. Downen was born in Posey county, and was reared and educated here. Her father died in autumn of 1905 and her mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Downen have had four children, Merle and Leona, who are attending school in Robinson township, Clarisey, and Lynn, who is deceased. Mr. Downen is a Democrat in politics.

Henry Donner, a farmer of Robinson township, Posey county, Indiana, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 25, 1866, son of Fred and Barbara (Bauer) Donner, natives of Stuttgart, Germany, who came to this country before they were married. They both died while their five children were quite young, the mother in 1870, and the father in 1871. Henry was in bed with smallpox when his mother died, and could not attend the funeral. When left an orphan he lived with his brothers and sisters. His brothers worked in a brick yard, and Henry carried their breakfasts and dinners to them, beside going to school. In 1877, at the age of eleven years, Henry Donner came to Posey county with his brother,. William. He lived with his uncle, Henry Donner, Sr., while William went to live with their cousin, Henry Donner, Jr. Here our subject remained for three years, attending school and doing all kinds of farm work and assisting in clearing new ground. He then went to the farm of his cousin, John Donner, where he worked two years for his board and clothes. At the end of this time he hired out to his cousin, Henry Donner, for $80 per year. Half of this he spent for clothes and saved $40. The next year he hired to another farmer for $140 per year and board, saving $100 that year. The next year he was with another neighbor at $150 and board, remaining here two years. After this he returned to his cousin, Henry, who paid him $160 per year, and here he remained four years. He then learned the carpenter's trade and received $1.50 per day, and worked at the trade until his marriage, which occurred September II, 1892, to Miss Carry Huber, daughter of George and Barbara (Hahn) Huber, natives of Posey county, where they were reared. After his marriage he started farming for himself. Mrs. Huber, mother of Mrs. Donner, died in 1893, and they lived on the George Huber farm for two years. He then removed to Black township, renting the Joseph Welborn farm, where Samuel Benthal now lives, remaining there four years. In 1897 he rented a farm just west of Oliver, and in 1900 he bought his present farm, which is the old Tim Downen place in Robinson town- ship, and contains 130 acres. Mr. Donner is engaged in general farming. Mr. and Mrs. Donner have had six children: Henry, who died in infancy ; Ida, who married Fred Wedeking, at present hving in Evansville ; Alk, and Olive, graduates of the common school, at home with their parents ; Harry, now in the seventh grade in the Downen school. The Donner family are members of the Evangelical church. Mr. Donner is a Republican in politics, and is now holding the office of trustee of Robinson township, to which he was elected in 1908, and was for two years a member of the advisory board of the township.

Joseph Schmitt, a farmer of Posey county, Indiana, was born in Germany, his parents, Joseph and Anna Marie (Van Waltensberger) Schmitt, being natives of Elsas Ardelsheim, where they engaged in farming, and where their son, Joseph, was born, March 18, 1851. The family came to America in 1855, locating at Princeton, Gibson count}-. Indiana, where the father drove an ox team, hauling logs for one year, after which he removed to a farm in Robinson township, Posey county, the place where Adam Schmitt now lives, and remained here until his death in 1896. The mother died in 1900. Our subject started to school in Princeton, and after the removal of his parents to Robinson township, attended school at St. Wendel. He worked on the home place until he was seventeen 3'ears of age, when he started learning the carpenter trade, working at this until twenty-one. He then worked on a farm one year, and in the summer of 1873 worked with a threshing crew. He was married in September of that year and in the fall cholera broke out and his wife's sister lost her husband and four children and husband's father. After his marriage he began farming on the home place of his wife's father, and has continued farming ever since. In 1892 he was elected assessor on the Democratic ticket, and served five years, and since that time has been deputy assessor for the township every time one has been needed. In 1912 he was elected county commissioner, and is now holding that office. Mr. Schmitt is an auctioneer, and since he was twenty-four years of age he has cried over 300 sales. The marriage of Joseph Schmitt and Miss Amalia Dudenhefer occurred in Robinson township. Posey county, where the bride was born and raised, on September 29, 1873. She is the daughter of Jacob and Magdalene Dudenhefer, natives of Rheinprovinz, Hairxheim, Germany, who came to America, locating first in Cincinnati, where they were married. Mrs. Schmitt was educated in the schools of St. Wendel. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt became the parents of ten children : Helena, Anna. Alfonso, Amanda, Alice, Cecelia, Louisa (deceased), Ida (deceased), Olevia and Elvera. Elvera is a graduate of the St. Wendel school and lives at home with her parents. Helena married Jacob Rothlei, and had three children, Raymond, Daniel and Elmar, the latter deceased. Anna married William Weyer. They live in Robinson township and have had seven children, Urban, Viola, Arthur, Marie, Ran- dolph, Wilmor (deceased) and Norman (deceased). Amanda married George Baehl, and has three children, Leona, Genevieve and Joseph, the latter deceased. Cecilia married William Engbers, and has one child, William Joseph. Both Amanda and Cecilia live in Evansville. Olevia married Phillip Muhelbaur, and they live in Poseyville. The family are members of the Catholic church at St. Wendel, where Mr. Schmitt has been trustee of the church three terms, and is now director of the choir.

Earnest Willman, a farmer living near Mt. Vernon, Ind., was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., November 30, 1845, son of Earnest and Katherine Willman, natives of Germany, who came to Pennsylvania and later removed to Posey county, Indiana, when their son, Earnest, was about a year old. They made the trip from Pittsburgh by boat, there being no railroads. They located in the woods at St. Philip, and built a log hut. For more than a year Mrs. Willman baked bread in a skillet. Earnest attended the common schools, and remained at home, working on the farm, until thirty years of age, when he bought a farm of his own. He still owns this place, adjoining his present home. On September 22. 1877, occurred the marriage of Earnest Willman and Miss Johana Elderbrook, daughter of Henry and Sophia (Leonard) Elderbrook, natives of Hanover, Germany, who came to America in 1872, and located in Gibson county, Indiana, where Mr. Elderbrook engaged in farming and stock raising. Johana was born in Hanover in 1854, and attended school in Germany, coming to America with her parents at the age of eighteen. Mr. and Mrs. Willman have seven children : Folney, who married Barbie Winter ; Earnest, married Carry Roiddle ; George, married Louise Reinghie ; Frederick, married Annie Dempersenier ; Louise and Tillie. All five boys are farming in Posey county. The children are all graduates of the common schools. The family are all members of the Lutheran church.

John Henry Schreiber, a farmer of Black township, Posey county, Indiana, was born on the same farm where he now lives on February 23, 1868, son of Michael and Elizabeth (Franbel nee Dickout) Schreiber, natives of Germany. Michael Schrieber was born in the Fatherland in 1800 and about 1825 or 1826 he started with his young wife to America. She died on the way and was buried at sea. Upon his arrival he located in Posey county, and as land was cheap he soon became one of the largest land owners in this section of the country, having more than 1,000 acres. He was a hard worker, often helping his neighbors in the daytime and doing his own clearing at night. He used cattle exclusively in his farming and clearing. The mother of our subject came to America when a young lady about twenty-three years of age. She received her education in German}^. Michael Schreiber died February 22, 1881, at the age of eighty-one years, and his wife died four years later, on July 8, 1885. John Henry Schreiber was but thirteen years of age when his father died and at the death of his mother he was left in charge of the farm, being the only child by his father's third marriage. There was still plenty of timber standing and he cleared about forty-five acres on the place. At that time there were no rock roads, telephones, autos or other modern conveniences, and at times the roads were so bad that it would be impossible to get to Mt. Vernon for two months at a time, sometimes having to walk the entire distance on the Louisville & Nashville railroad ties. Mr. Schreiber can remember when this railroad was built. Being a hard worker, like his father he has met with a large degree of success, has a farm of 260 acres, all under cultivation except about thirty-five acres of fine white oak and poplar timber. During the past few years he has been raising cattle and hogs for market, meeting with much success in this line. The Schreiber farm is equipped with all modern improvements, gasoline engines for grinding grain, pumping water and other work, an auto, a fine residence and large modern barns. Mr. Schreiber was married December 14, 1888, to Bertha Deitz, daughter of Philip and Charlotta Deitz, natives of Germany, who came to Posey county, where their daughter. Bertha, was born and raised in Black township. Philip Deitz was a cabinet maker. Mr. and Mrs. Schreiber became the parents of five children: John Philip, William Fred, Elizabeth Margaret, George Arthur and William Henry, the last deceased. They are all at home with their father. William Fred married Carry Renner and they have one child. Albert Fred. The family belongs to the Evangelical church, and Mr. Schreiber is a Republican in politics.

William Renschler, farmer, dairy man and stock breeder, of Mt. Vernon, Ind., was born in Vanderburg county, Indiana, July 23, 1869, son of John and Elizabeth (Fuhs) Renschler, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Indiana. John Renschler, now in his eightieth }ear, still lives on his farm south of Caborn. William Renschler came with his parents to Marrs township, Posey county, at the age of six years and here attended common school. He remained on the farm with his parents until twenty-one years of age and then started for himself, buying his present farm north of Mt. Vernon, on which he has lived continuously since. He now has 160 acres with modern improvements and a beautiful residence. Mr. Renschler is a scientific farmer and breeder of cattle and hogs, using Durham for his beef stock and Jersey for his milk herd. He has lately begun breeding Guernsey for milk and is meeting with success. He breeds Poland China hogs. At present Mr. Renschler is making large quantities of butter, which he sells in Mt. Vernon. His leading farm products are wheat, corn and clover, and he has several smaller crops that pay well. On October 27. 1891, occurred the marriage of William Renschler and Maggie Sailor, daughter of John and Doradier (Schreiber) Sailor, natives of Germany, where the father was a farmer. Mrs. Renschler was born and reared in Black township.

Five children were born to this union: Anna, Christiana, Loulie (deceased), Minnie Katherine, Liddie Mary and George Wesley. The children are all at home with their parents and Anna Christiana and Minnie Katherine are graduates of the common schools. The family belongs to the Evangelical church and in politics Mr. Rensciiler is a Republican.

Samuel Carroll, a farmer of Black township, Posey county, Indiana, was born in the same township where he now lives November i6, 1870, son of John R. and Virginia (Adzech) Carroll. His fathc, a native of Tennessee, came to Posey county at the time of the Civil war. He enlisted in the Forty-sixth Ohio and served three years in the war. After peace was declared he located in Posey county, where he has lived ever since, and engaged in farming and stock raising. Samuel Carroll finished the common schools and then began farming, first hiring out by the month until 1900, when he rented a farm and began for himself. The man for whom he was working left the county and sold his teams to Mr. Carroll on three years' time. He paid for them in two years. In 191 1 he removed to his present home in Black township, where he owns forty acres and rents eighty-five acres. He is a member of the Ben Hur fraternal order, and in politics is a Republican. Mr. Carroll was married July 24, 1892, to Abbie (West) Gulledge, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob West. She was reared and educated in Posey county, where she died in 1902, leaving two children : John, born September 29, 1893, and Trin, born March 28, 1896. On August 10, 1903, Mr. Carroll married Ida Allyn, daughter of Joseph and Rachel Allyn, natives of Posey county, both now dead. Mr. Allyn was a farmer. Mrs. Carroll was born and educated in Posey county. They have two children : Joseph, born November 14, 191 1, and Esther Virginia, born April 5, 1912.

Reverend Charles G. Kettelhut, pastor of the Zion's Evangelical church at Lippe, Robinson township, Posey county, Indiana, was born in Pomerania, Germany, February 19, 1866, son of William and Henrietta Kettelhut, natives of the same place. His parents came to America in the fall of 1880 and settled in Freelandville, Knox county, Indiana. Here they engaged in farming and stock raising, and Charles attended the common schools, getting his first lessons in English, although his early education had already been begun in the Fatherland. While going to school he worked on the farm with his parents, but on completing his elementary education he entered the preparatory college at Elmhurst, 111., in the fall of 1887, graduating with the class of 1891. He was then transferred to Eden Theological Seminary of the Evangelical church at St. Louis, Mo., from which he graduated in 1894. After graduating from the seminary he returned to his home at Freeland, Ind., where he was ordained as a minister of the Zion Evangelical Church and was assigned to the charge at High Hill, Montgomery county, Missouri, in January, 1894, remaining about two years. From there he was called to fill the charge at New Palestine, Ind., remaining there until 1898, when he removed to Powhatan Point, Ohio. He had charge of that congregation until the fall of 1902, going from there to the congregation at Westphalia, Knox county, Indiana, remaining there until April 15, 1906, at which time he accepted the call of the church at I^ippe, Robinson township, Posey county, where he has a large and wealthy congregation with a membership of about 100 families. Since his pastorate here the church has prospered and has one of the largest churcli buildings in the county with a parsonage of brick in connection. Rev. Kettelhut was married October 7, 1894, to Elizabeth R. Preiss, daughter of George and Catherine Preiss, both deceased. George Preiss was very prominent in St. Louis county, Missouri, where several other members of the Preiss family have received political honors. He died in the fall of 1908. He was born in Germany and came to this country with his father at the age of nine years. Mrs. Kettelhut was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, and attended the public schools. They have five children: Herbert, who graduated from the Mt. \'ernon High School in 1913 and is now attending the Elmhurst College, Klmhurht, 111.; Freda and Hulda, graduates of the public schools, who are now taking a special course in music; Theophil and Gertrude, both attending the public schools of Robinson township at District Xo. 6. All the family are active church workers.

Charles Dausman, trustee of Marrs township and one of the leading farmers of the vicinity, was born in German township, Vanderburg county, Indiana, June 15, i860, son of Jacob and Barbra (Groeninger) Dausman, both natives of the same township, where they were farmers. The father died in 1867 and the mother in 1861. They were the parents of five children as follows: Mary A., born November 23, 1852, now the wife of Adam Roeder, Evansville, Ind. ; Henry Jacob, born October 5, 1854, now a blacksmith in Marrs townhip ; John, born December 3. 1856, died December 8, 1856; George F., born December 25, 1857, died in 1876, and Charles, the stibject of this sketch. Charles Dausman was educated in the public schools of Vanderburg county, after which he became a blacksmith, and followed this occupation for twelve years. On May 18, 1876, he came to Posey county, locating in Marrs township, where he worked at his trade. He purchased a small farm in 1889 and began farming. In 1910 he bought the 160-acre tract on which he lives at present. He is a successful agriculturist and stock raiser and has one of the finest farms in the county. In 1909 Mr. Dausman was elected trustee of Marrs township and is still holding that office. He is a Republican in politics and, with the remainder of the family, is a member of the Lutheran church. On January 4. 1885, Mr. Dausman married Miss Katherine Jourdan, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Jourdan, of

Posey county. Jacob Jourdan was born in Germany and died in Posey county, where he was engaged in farming. Mrs. Jourdan was born in Germany July 29, 1829, and died in Marrs township October 22, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Dausman became the parents of six sons and one daughter : Jacob Charles, born November 13, 1885, married Miss Caroline Noelle, December 27, 191 1. She died October 14, 1913. He is naw a farmer in Marrs township; Lydia Katherine, born June 6, 1888, is living with her parents; Charles Henry, born February 4, 1890; Arthur Philip, born May 6, 1894; George Adam, born October 5, 1896, died October 9, 1896; William Henry, born June 30, 1898, and Raymond Oscar, born May 6, 1904.

James Robert Lewis, a farmer of Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, was born in tliat locality October 7, 1861 (see sketch of Thompson Price Lewis). He was educated in the public schools of his native tov/nship and worked on his father's farm until the age of twenty-one, when he began farming for himself. In politics Mr. Lewis is a Democrat and in the past ten years he has been several times deputy assessor of Marrs township and has also been bailiff of the Posey county court several times. Mr. Lewis has been married twice. He first married Miss Ella Wade, in 1882. She was born March 11, 1863, in Harmony township, Posey county, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Wade, both deceased, and died June 20, 1887. She became the mother of two children: Ethel, born December 17, 1884, now the wife of John Derrington, a farmer of Black township, Posey county; and Stella, born August 15, 1886, died December 23, 1886. On March 15, 1888, our subject married Miss Edith Donna Reed, daughter of John H. and Jane A. (Johnson) Reed, of Akin, 111. Mr. Reed was born April 22, 1838, in \^irginia, and his wife on February 22, 1841, in Blairsville, Ind. They were married November 24, 1858, and had nine children: Marinda L., born January 21. i860, died September 5, 1894; Malissa Ellen, born April 17, 1862, died July 4, 1863; Mary Etta, born June 8, 1864. now the wife of Robert S. Lawrence, a farmer of Marrs township ; Marcus D., born August 26, 1866; Edith D., born October 20, 1868; Martha Ona, born October 25, 1870, now the wife of Wesley Crumens, of Illinois ; Ada Gertrude, born May I, 1872, died February 3, 1885; Perry Paul, born July 7, 1874, now a farmer in Illinois, and James Harvey, born April 6, 1880. By his second wife Mr. Lewis had three sons and three daughters : William David, born September 19, 1889, was married to Miss Minnie Conley, daughter of William and Eliza Conley, March 25, 1909; she was born May 16, 1889, in Polk county, Illinois, and became the mother of two children. Arvale Lee, born August 23, 1910, and Fred Leroy, born November 30, 1912; John Thomson Lewis, born September 20, 1891 ; James Herschel, born November 17, 1895; Jennie, born December 24, 1892, died August 5, 1895; Edith Donna, born July 30, 1896; Eva Belle, born April 11,

1898, who liad the honor in 1913 of being elected delegate from Posey county, in the contest conducted by the Evansville "Courier," to go to Washington for the the inauguration of President Wilson. Mr. Lewis is one of Posey countj-'s substantial citizens. He and his family are members of the General Baptist church.

James Pendell (deceased), who for many years was a successful and prominent farmer in Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, was born in that locality February 4, 1831, and died in the same township April 25, 1909, where his remains were interred in Colven cemetery. He was a son of Harrison Pendell, who came from North Carolina at an early date and settled in Posey county, where he died, in Marrs township, in 1886. Our subject was married January 17, 1883, to Mrs. Sarah J. Knowles, daughter of Stephen and Melvina (Gwaltney) Harrison. Mrs. Pendell was born March 26, 1858, in Marrs township. Her parents were native farmers of Posey county and her father was a veteran of the Mexican war. James Pendell and wife became the parents of five sons and two daughters: William, born February 10, 1886; Charles, born January 26, 1887; Herbert, born October 27, 1888; Ethel, born October 4, 1890; Myrtle, born February 20, 1893; Elmer, born November 22, 1897, died January 4, 1898; Raymond A., born June i, 1899. Mr. Pendell was a private in Company H, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Indiana volunteer regiment, during the Civil war. Mrs. Sarah J. Pendell was first married to William J. Knowles, January 7, 1874. He was a son of Thomas Knowles, of Black township. Mr. Knowles died in 1880. Four children were born to this union : Zella Belle, born October 14, 1874, died December 25. 1875; Stephen Thomas, born September 22, 1876, now in the artillery in the United States Army; Saphrona Lee, born December 3, 1878, now the wife of Herbert Frazier, a railroad man of Reading, Pa.; and Cynthia Jane, born January 4, 1880, died May 21, 1909. Mrs. Pendell now lives on the old homestead in Marrs township at Caborn Station. She is a member of the Primitive Baptist church.

Frank Ritzert (deceased) was a farmer all his life in Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, owning his own land. Me was born February 7, 1865, in the same township where he spent his life, son of Henry and Barbara (Kroek) Ritzert, natives of Germany, who came to this country when the father was fifty-six years of age. They located in Marrs township and took up the occupation of farming and Mr. Ritzert became one of the most active and successful men in the locality. He died, March 28, 1913, and was buried in St. Phillip's cemetery. He was a Roman Catholic, as was also his son, Frank, who died April 15, 1909. On November 17, 1896, occurred the marriage of Frank Ritzert to Miss Bertha E. ^Ve^net, daughter of Henry and Mary (Mesker) Wernet. She was born March 27. 1867, in Vanderburg county, Indiana. Her parents, both of whom are deceased, came from Germany early in life. Mr. and Mrs.

Ritzert have had five children. Mary C, born October, 1897; Henry, born February 15, 1899, died on the same day; Cecelia E., born January 6, 1902; Sylvester J., born April i, 1904; and Leroy J., born December 31, 1906.

George J. Seifert, a merchant of Caborns, Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, was born February 8, 1874, in that township, son of William and Louise (Roesner) Seifert, the former having been born in Marrs township, March 3, 1847. The grandfather of our subject came from Germany to Posey county, and became one of its first settlers. He died in 1891. Four sons and four daughters survive him: William, Nicholas, Fred, John, Susan, Elizabeth, Anna and Carrie. Mr. and Mrs. William Seifert were married in 1873, and became the parents of several 'children, six of whom are living: George L., William H., Louis B., Edward, Hermann and Philip. George Seifert was educated in the public schools of Marrs township, and worked on his father's farm until twenty-four years of age, when he bought a farm for himself. He continued farming until 191 1, when he sold his land and established a general merchandise business at Caborns, where he has a large trade from the tributary neighborhood. The business was established by William H., his brother, who had conducted it seven years. He was married March 6, 1898, to Miss Emma Martin, daughter of Peter Martin, of Marrs township. Mrs. Seifert was born January 21, 1876, in Black township. Her parents are deceased. They have one child, Viola Martha, born September 12, 1908.

Peter Schick (deceased), of Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, was born in Germany, January 27, 1850, and came to America in 1883, locating in Evansville, where he worked in a saw mill for two years. In 1885 he removed to Marrs township, where he bought a farm near Caborns Station, and was engaged in the occupation of farming until his death, April 18, 1910. He was a member of the Evangelical church. Mr. Schick was married April 3, 1876, to Miss .A.nna Mary Wirth, the wedding taking place in Germany. Mrs. Schick was born April 8, 1855, and was the only member of her family to come to America. Mr. and Mrs. Schick became the parents of si.x daughters and five sons : Magdalena Maria, born August 15, 1877, married to John Hofman February 22, 1906, and became the mother of two children, Laura Marie, born December 16, 1906, and Alma Katherine, born November ro, 191 1 ; Elizabeth, born October 2, 1879, married George Kaffenberger October 6, 1904; Margaret, born July 10, 1881 ; Peter, born April 3, 1883, died May i, 1898; George, borii February 20, 1885, married Miss Phoebe Schreiber April ID, 1912, and has one child. Alma Marie, born December 23, 1912; Mary, born October 15, 1886, now a teacher in Marrs township ; Abraham, born September 19, 1889; Katherine, born December 18, 1891, graduated from the Mt. Vernon High School in 1910, now a teacher in Marrs township; Jacob, born November i, 1893, died March 10, 1896; Anna, born August 4, 1895. and Friedrick, born August 19, 1897.

John G. Layer, a prominent farmer of Marrs townsliip, was liorn in Chambersburg, Pa., July 23, 1843, ^ s"" o^ David and Rachel (Doberer) Layer, both natives of Germany, who, on coming to America, located at Baltimore. The father died when John was a small boy, and he was left on his own resources. Prior to his fifteenth year he worked on a farm, and was a sheep herder, so that his schooling was limited. In 1859 he came to Posey county and worked as a farm hand until the Civil war. On November 7, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Company A, Tenth Indiana cavalry, serving until the close of the war, being mustered out at Vicksburg, Miss. In his period of service he participated in many battles, the last being the siege of Mobile, and he is able to relate many interesting reminiscences. He was wounded once. L'pon returning to Posey county, after the war, Mr. Layer bought land, and for the first time in his life became a farmer on his own account. On March 30, 1870, the marriage of John C. Layer and Miss Lodema Harrison occurred. She is the daughter of Zephnirah and Nancy (Cox) Harrison, of Center township, both now deceased, the father dying in 1873 and the mother in 1874. They were both natives of Posey county, and their daughter, Lodema, was born in Center township, July 27, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Layer became the parents of eight children : Evaline, born February 12, 1871, died February 12, 1876; Ida May, born June 30, 1883, died July 17, 1894; Charles Sherman, born August 14, 1885, died August 26, 1886; Emma Jane, born July 17, 1872, married George Rodel, of Warrick county, Indiana, February 13, 1901 ; Rachel Ellen, born November 27, 1874, married \\'illiam \'aupel, of county, Indiana. .\ugust 12, 1902; Walter George, born i\Iarch 26, 1877, married Emma Baker December 14, 1902 ; Henry Harrison, born May 29, 1879, married Lena Miller July 20, 1902, and Elizabeth Anna, born March 20, 1881. Mr. Layer is a member of the Harrison Post, No. 91, Grand Army of the Republic, of Mt. Vernon.

John Espenlaub, a farmer and land owner of Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, was born in Robinson township of the same county, October 14, 1856, son of John C. and Barbara (Mueller) Espenlaub. The father of our subject was born in Germany, September 26, 1826, and came to the LTnited States at the age of twenty-six years, locating in Robinson township, where he bought land and became a farmer, following that occupation until his death, in November, 1907. He was an active member of the Zion Evangelical church in Robinson township, and was a trustee in that organization. He married at the age of twenty-seven, and he and his wife became the parents of fourteen children : Lena, Elizabeth, Caroline, Katherine, John, Louise, William. Henry, Charles, Bertha,

Pauline, Minnie, Ernest, and Herman. All are living except Lena. The mother died in 1900. The subject of this record was reared in Robinson township, and in 1882 bought the farm he now owns in Marrs township, where he has since lived and prospered. On November 27, 1882, he married Miss Minnie Dora Schroeder, daughter of Fred and Mary (Berger) Schroeder, farmers of Robinson township, where Mrs. Espenlaub was born. May 10, 1863. The Schroeders came from Germany early in life before their marriage. Their other children were : Louise, Henry, Minnie, Mary, Ernest and Fred. All are living except Ernest, who died November 15, 1911. They are members of the Evangelical church. Mr. and Mrs. Espenlaub have had two sons and four daughters : Anna Barbara, born August 28, 1883, now the wife of Fred Donner, of Robinson township, has had five children, Edward, born December 22, 1907, Fred, born July 14, 1906, Albert, born in January, 1910, Clarence, born November 6, 1912, and Henry, the second, died in infancy ; William Henry, born April 8, 1885; Mary Minnie, born March 8, 1889; Fred, born September 26, 1893, a graduate of the Posey County High School, studied special courses at the State Normal, and is now a teacher in the Marrs township schools; Selma K. L., born August 14, 1896; Emily Anna, born July 31, 1903, died January 21, 1908. The family are members of the Zion Evangelical Church and are active workers. Mr. Espenlaub is a Republican, but has never sought office. He is one of the progressive farmers of Posey county, and has a well improved farm, where he carries on general farming and stock raising.

Edgar J. Llewelyn, superintendent of schools of Mt. Vernon, and one of the leading educators of the State, is a native of Ohio. He was born at Martinsville, Ohio, Clinton county, November 21, 1876. He is the son of John and Anne Elizabeth (Kester) Llewelyn, both natives of Ohio, the former of Welsh descent and the latter of German ; the former was born at Pennsville, Morgan county, Ohio, and the latter near Martinsville, Ohio. Both parents are now deceased. The mother died in 1881, when the subject of this review was only five years old, and the father departed this life in 1905. There were six children in the Llewelyn family, only two of whom survive: Edgar J. and Mrs. G. D. Burgnoon, of Lawrenceville, 111. Prof. Llewelyn is a descendant from teachers on both sides, which, no doubt, had its influence in shaping his career in that profession, while good, hard, honest work has been the master force of his success. When young Llewelyn was about six years of age, and about the time of his mother's death, the father settled near Marion, Grant county, Indiana. Here Edgar attended the public schools until he was thirteen years of age, when his father broke up housekeeping. From this time on the boy made his own way in the world. He went to Hamilton county and completed the course in the Westfield High School, graduating in the class of 1899. In the meantime he had taught school and at one time was engaged in threshing, owning and operating his own machine. In 1900 he entered Earlham College, devoting part of his time to teaching, and graduating in 1907 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1908 he entered the University of Indiana at Bloomington, where he was graduated in 1910 with the degree of Master of Arts, and at the present time is taking a course in Columbia University,'New York City. Mr. Llewelyn's life, so far, has been a busy one. He has done things from the start, and at all times has been a close student, taking advantage of every opportunity for improvement and advancement. His career as a teacher began in the district school before he was nineteen, and three years later we find him holding the responsible position of superintendent of city schools at Fishers, Ind. He held this position three years, when he accepted a similar one at Arcadia, Ind. He remained there four years, during which time his salary was nearly doubled, which is the best evidence of the appreciation of his services. In 1905 he was elected superintendent of city schools of Sheridan, Ind., where he was engaged until 191 1, with the exception of one year spent in special study at Earlham College. July i. 191 1, Mr. Llewelyn was elected superintendent of city schools of Mount Vernon and has since maintained the high standard of the Mount Vernon schools, which are second to none in the country - with its corps of thirty-nine of the most efficient teachers to be found anywhere. Prof. Llewelyn was married May 17, 1899, to Miss Florence E. Mendenhall, of Westfield, Hamilton county, Indiana. They have one child, Martha Myrtilla, born at Mount Vernon October 14, 1913. Several years ago Mr. Llewelyn became interested in the Men's Bible Class movement. He has made an exhaustive study of the subject and is an enthusiastic promoter of that organization. While at Sheridan, Ind., he organized a class of 200. When he came to Mount Vernon he continued the work of organization with the same untiring zeal which he had manifested at Sheridan. In January, 1912, he organized a class with seventeen members, which has grown to a membership of nearly 700. Mr. Llewelyn has taken an active part in the broader field of educational matters, outside of the school room. He takes an active interest in State and national matters, generally attending conventions of that character. As a public speaker he is well known in many sections. He has delivered a number of addresses at commencement exercises, as well as a number of lectures, and on several occasions acted as an instructor at various teachers' institutes, etc. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Masons.

Henry Fisher, farmer and poultry fancier, was born on the same farm where he now lives in Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, on September II. iS6s, son of Valentine and Barbara (Soellner) Fisher, father a native of Hesse, Germany, and the mother a native of Bavaria. Valentine Fisher was reared in Posey county, coming here with his parents when but eight years of age. He engaged in farming and stock raising until his death in 1895. Although very prominent in the Democratic party, he never sought or accepted office. The mother died in 1910. Henry Fisher attended school at St. Philips for seven years and then entered the college of Effingham, 111., remaining two years. Upon finishing his education he returned home and worked on the farm. For one year he was bookkeeper in a grocery house in Evansvilie. Aside from this he spent his entire time until thirty-three years of age on the Valentine Fisher farm. In 1898 he was elected county treasurer and in 1899 removed to Mt. Vernon, where he lived during his term of office. He served four years in this capacity and for one year was secretary of the E. B. Schenk Hardware Company. He then engaged in the insurance business. In 1906 he returned to his farm, where he has since remained. He has a fine herd of stock and a valuable flock of thoroughbred chickens. The Valentine Fisher farm contains 220 acres, has the best of improvements and among other things has one of the largest barns in the county. The house is of brick and modern in every respect. On November 21, 1894, Mr. Fisher married Clara Ledvina. The ceremony took place at Trinity Church in Evansvilie, Father E. B. Ledvina, a brother, officiating. She is the daughter of George E. Ledvina, a native of Bohemia, who is now a civil engineer in New York City. Her mother was born in Tell City, Ind. Mrs. Fisher was born in St. Louis, where she was educated. She came to Evansvilie to help an aunt who was a fashionable dressmaker, and remained here until her marriage. They have eight children : Victoria, Olivia, Erma, Arthur, Charles, Margaret, Helen Louise and Joseph. All of the children live at home with their parents and received their education in the schools of St. Philip and Mt. Vernon. The family are members of the Catholic church, the father having been trustee in the church at St. Philips for two years and trustee for three years in the church of Mt. Vernon. In politics Mr. Fisher is a Democrat. He is a member of the Mt. Vernon branch of the Catholic Knights of America.

George J. Ehrhardt, blacksmith and farmer of Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, was born in that township, February 11, 1863, son of Jacob and Louisa (Dolde) Ehrhardt, the former a native of Germany and the latter of German township, Vanderburg county, where she was reared. The elder Ehrhardt came to America from Baden, Germany, about the year 1858, locating in Posey county, where he built a blacksmith shop at St. Philip, and engaged in this business until his death, in 1880. His son, George, then succeeded in the business, hiring a skilled workman until he learned the trade himself. When our subject was a boy the free schools were 'only open six months each year, but he paid for three months additional each year until he finished the common school branches. He then went to Rank & Wright's Business College, at Evansville, where he studied bookkeeping. After completing the course he was called home by the death of his father to look after the business, and has remained here ever since. He has a farm across the road from his shop. In 1904 Mr. Ehrhardt was elected trustee of Marrs township on the Democratic ticket, and served four years, after which he made the race for Democratic nominee for county treasurer against the present incumbent, A. A. Schenk, and carried every precinct in the county except Poseyville and Mt. Vernon. Mr. Ehrhardt is secretary of the Home Fire Insurance Company of Marrs township, and was the organizer of the St. Philip Telephone Company. His father helped organize the insurance company above named, and was its first president. The family are very progressive and thinkers as well as doers. Although not a medical man our subject was the first health officer in this district. He is a member of the Lutheran church and a Democrat in politics. On October 16, 1887, Mr. Ehrhardt married Miss Carrie Wild, daughter of Lawrence and Elizabeth (Schreiber) Wild, the former a native of Bavaria. Germany, and the latter born in America of German ancestry. Mrs. Ehrhardt was born in Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, February 9, 1863, attended subscription school until she graduated from the common branches. They became the parents of four children : Carrie (deceased), Elfriede, Alma, and Arthur. Elfriede married Dan Seifert, and they live at Caborns, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising. Thev have one child, Alma. Alma and Arthur are at home with their parents. Elfriede attended high school and .Mma graduated from the Mt. Vernon High School. Arthur is now attending high school. Mrs. Ehrhardt is a member of the German Methodist church.

Rev. George T. Loesch, the son of George and Veronica Schmitt Loesch, was born at Xauvoo. 111., April 18, 1857. Having entered St. Meinrad's Seminary, September, 1876, and completed his studies, he was ordained priest May 30, 1885, by the Rt. Rev. F. S. Chatard, D. D., of Indianapolis. His first appointment was as assistant to the Rev. F. T. T. Duddenhausen, of Holy Trinity Church, Evansville, Ind., after whose death, October 27, 1886, Rev. Loesch had temporary charge of Holy Trinity, until the permanent appointment of Rev. H. T. Diestel, of St. Philip, Ind. He remained one year as assistant rector under Father Diestel. November 9 he took charge of St. Bernard's Church in Spencer county ; from there he was transferred to Holy Guardian Angel's Church in Franklin county, where he remained until his appointment to St. Philip's in August, 1888. Many improvements being necessary he set to work at once. The entire congregation responded willingly and lent a helping hand. The church was covered with the best Bangor slate and two vestry rooms added. The church was also frescoed and artistically ornamented by Guy Leber, of Louisville, Ky. New side altars and stained glass windows were donated and placed in the church. Handsome oil paintings and statues were bought, together with a complete outfit of church vestments, and new regalias and banners for the societies. The sisters' residence was erected at a cost of $2,000 in 1894, and many other improvements were made, which are too numerous to mention. St. Philip is in a flourishing condition, and may be justly proud of her church property. At a cost of $10,000 the beautiful new school was built in 1904. This school presents a magnificent piece of architecture and fine arrangements for school room and hall for entertainments. The author of the plans and contractor for the building was Tom Rollett, of Howell, Ind.

Henry Espenlaub, farmer and land owner of Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, was born in Robinson township of the same county, May 24, 1861, the son of German parents, John C. and Barbara (Mueller) Espenlaub. (See sketch of his brother. John Espenlaub.) In 1887 our subject moved from the locality of his birth and located in Marrs township on the tract of land he now occupies. His farm contains 120 acres, and is eight miles from Mt. Vernon. On February 10 of the above mentioned year he married Miss Maggie Jourdan, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Jourdan) Jourdan. Mrs. Espenlaub was born March 10, 1861, in Marrs township. Her parents, who were born in Germany, came to America early in life, locating in Posey county. They married in this country and became the parents of four sons and five daughters: John, Katherine, Phillus, Jacob, Johanna, Margaret, Abraham, Lizzie and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Espenlaub have had three sons and six daughters : Mary Anna, born November 28, 1887, now the wife of William Hausman, farmer in Marrs township, and mother of one child, Henry William, born January 27, 1913 ; John Jacob, born September 16, 1889; Henry Charles, born March 29. 1893; Elsie, born February 20, 1896, died July 3, 1898; Lydia Elizabeth, born February 27, 1898; Emma Hanna, born June 20, 1900; Lulu Katie, born January 6, 1901 ; the eighth child died in infancy; Alice Maggie ^linnie, born August 21, 1906. Mr. Espenlaub is a Re- ]3ublican and he and his family are members of the Lutheran church.

John W. Dieg, of Marrs township, Posey county, was born April 16, 1869, son of Joseph and Caroline (Fisher) Dieg, natives of Germany, who came with their respective parents to .America at an early age, she at the age of three, and he at the age of eight. The families both located in Posey county. The father of our subject is still living, but the mother died in 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dieg became the parents of five sons and five daughters. Two of the daughters died in infancy. The other children are ; Maggie, now the wife of George Fulz, of Evansville ; Julia, now the wife of George Nuruebern, of Vanderburg county ; Kate, now the wife of Louis Depple, of Evansville; Joseph, Jr.; Andrew, John, George

(deceased), and Henry. Our subject has lived on a farm in Marrs township all of his life, and has been four years on the place where he now lives. He is a Democrat and in 1908 was elected assessor of the township for a term of six years. Mr. Dieg was married July 28, 1907, to Miss Anna Brass, daughter of Casper and Dena (Kreger) Brass, of Marrs township. Mrs. Dieg was born August 29, 1878, in that township, her parents being natives of Germany, who came to America in their early years. Mr. Brass died in 1897. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dieg are Catholics. They have no children.

Captain John Corbin. - On February 13, 191 1, there passed to life eternal one of Posey county's most notable citizens, Capt. John Corbin, who, during his lifetime, and held a position among the most honored business men of the community, and, as one of its most successful men of affairs. A 4istinct force of character and individuality appeared throughout the life of Captain Corbin. He was a man of strong personal conviction, sound and clear judgment, with a capacity for liberal views, and a natural spirit of benevolence. His patriotism, like his other characteristics, had an intensity that belonged to his nature. He was a native son of Posey county, and came of both Colonial and Revolutionary descent. His first ancestor in America was Henry Corbin, of Warwickshire, England, who settled in Westmoreland county, Virginia, in 1650. Captain Corbin was born at Farmersville, Posey county, Indiana, March 20, 1840, a son of John and Margaret (Gibson) Corbin. His parents came to Posey county in 1836, and settled in New Harmony. Two years later they removed to Yankee settlement, now Farmersville, but in 1844 returned to New Harmony. Captain Corbin spent his early boyhood in Posey county, attending the schools of New Harmony. In 1854 he and a brother and sister drove overland to California, where their father had preceded them four years. They remained in the Sacramento Valley until 1858, when he returned to Posey county via the Isthmus route and New York. In 1859 young Corbin entered Asbury University, Greencastle, Ind. Here he pursued his studies in the style of the average student until the thunder of the guns at Fort Sumter announced that the great conflict was on. Immediately he abandoned his college career, and gave his services to the cause of his flag, with the same indomitable courage that characterized his life. On April 19, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Sixteenth Indiana infantry. His company was known as the "Asbury Guards." He served in this company until May 14, 1862, when he was discharged by reason of expiration of term of enlistment ; August 10, 1862, he reenlisted in Company A. Ninety-first Indiana infantry, and was mustered in as first lieutenant. On June i, 1864, Captain Corbin was promoted to captain. This regiment was mustered out in June, 1865, and Captain Corbin was transferred to Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Indiana infantry. When the One Hundred and Twenty- eighth was mustered out, September 5, 1866, Captain Corbin was retained by telegraphic orders from the war department and appointed a member of the mihtary commission to try Maj. John H. Gee, Confederate keeper of Sahsbury mihtary prison. During his mihtary career he held many positions of great trust and responsibility. He was commander of military musters at Raleigh, N. C, and on various occasions served as regimental quartermaster. He was post commissary at Cumberland Gap and served as inspector general of the district of the Clinch ; he was inspector of the Second brigade, Third division Twenty-third army corps. He also served on the staff of General Couch, and was acting assistant general on the staff of General Schofield, and aide-de-camp on the staff of General McLean. He acted as judge advocate on several court martials. He was mustered out September 5, 1866, after having refused to accept a commission in the regular army, which was offered him by the war department. His army life was filled with incidents of active service. He participated in the battles of Perryville, the campaign against Morgan, battles of Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, the siege of Atlanta, operations against Hood, at Franklin and Nashville, and participated in the campaign through the Carolinas. At the close of the war he returned to New Harmony, where he read law for a year. In 1867 he engaged in the milling business, and founded the Corbin Milling Company. This venture was a notable success, and stands today as the chief industry of New Harmony. He was the president of this corporation to the time of his death ; also was engaged in various other business enterprises. He was one of the principal stockholders and a director in the New Harmony Banking Company. Politically Captain Corbin was a staunch Republican, and a local leader of his party, but never sought political preferment. He served several years on the school board, and took a deep interest in educational matters, and was a member of the Workingmen's Institute. He was public-spirited, and gave cheerfully to every worthy enterprise. He was a member of the committee that built the soldiers' and sailors' monument at Mt. Vernon, and was the author of the inscription which appears on that monument. These lines are typical of Captain Corbin's deep seated conviction of what constitutes citizenship, and are as follows: "A patriotism which readily responds to its country's call ; a deep reverence for its laws ; a decent respect for the rights of others; a sincere love of justice, truth and country are the best safeguards of a Nation's peace." Captain Corbin was united in marriage, January 13, 1869, to Miss Mary Truscott, a native of Cornwall, England. To Captain and Mrs. Corbin were born five children : Laura Lee, born January 13, 1870, a graduate of St. Mary's School, Knoxville, 111., married H. W. Monical, of Brooklyn, Ind., June 9, 1897; John, born December 9, 1871, graduated at the University of Michigan ; Marcia, born February 25, 1874, educated at Mt. Mary's School, Knoxville, 111., married

Harry Cuyler Ford, New Harmony, October 7, 1903, and three children have been born to them : Richard Corbin, born September 23, 1904, John Birkbeck, born December 4, 1906, and Wilham Michaux, born November 3, 1909; Helen Margaret, born March 31, 1882, married Robert Heinl, of Terre Haute, Ind., September 3, 1912. Mrs. Heinl is a musician of unusual talent. She studied under such noted instructors as Prof. Albino Gorno, Edward MacDowell, Carreno and Harold Bauer, and was a student at Madam Fredin's School, Cincinnati, and the Packer Institute at Brookl3'n, N. Y., also Barnard College, New York. The youngest child born to Captain and Mrs. Corbin is Courtland Gibson, born January 9, 1886, who resides in New Harmony. At college CaptJiin Corbin was a Beta Theta Pi. The Corbin family residence is one of deep historic interest. It is one of the finest modern residences to be found in the county, a part of it stands on the original foundation, built by George Rapp in 1819, and later occupied by William Maclure. The original house was burned in 1844, and rebuilt by the Maclure estate in 1847. afterwards owned by David Dale Owen and heirs, from whom it was purchased by Captain Corbin in 1901, who partially remodeled and rebuilt it. Thomas Say, the naturalist, at one time lived there, and in the rear of the Corbin home is a marble monument, erected by Alexander Maclure to the memory of this genius of his time. Here, too, is a mound, underneath the green sward of which rests the mortal dust of Alexander, Ann and Margaret Maclure, and Thomas Say. Surely, this spot possesses a rare combination, as it seems to whisper in deep historic accents, the story of past ages, and at the same time presents to the beholder a magnificent place with every modern convenience and luxury.

Conrad Meinschein (deceased), a German-born farmer of Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, came to the United States when two years of age, with his parents, who located in Posey county and lived there the remainder of their lives. Our subject was a farmer in Marrs township ail his life, and died there in 1894. He married Miss Mary Espenscheid, daughter of Peter and Katherine (Schnare) Espenscheid, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Posey county. Their daughter, Mary^ was born Januar}^ i, 1857, in Leavenworth, Kan., to which place the family had removed about 1850. They returned to Posey county in 1878. Mr. Espenschied died in 1892. He was a butcher. Mr. and Mrs. Meinschein became the parents of six children: Adam, born August i, 1884, died August 2, 1885; Conrad, born January 29, 1886; John, born January 2. 1888; Frank, born July 2, 1890, died in infancy; William, born September 20, 1892; George, born June 2, 1894. Mr. Meinschein died in 1894. He was a Republican and a member of the German Presbyterian church, in which organization he was an officer.

former). He was married July 23, 1902, to Miss Anna Katherine Niemier, daughter of Antone and Katherine (Wolfe) Niemier, of Marrs township, where she was born, July 23, 1885. Mr. Niemier was born in Germany, coming to the United States at the age of eighteen. He was a farmer in Posey county until his death, in 1898. By his first marriage he had one child, Henry Niemier. who lives in Marrs township. By his second marriage he had eight children: Antone, Benjamin F., Anna K., John, Maggie, Lena, Philip, and Mary. The Niemiers were Catholics, as are Mr. and Mrs. Edward Lewis, who became the parents of three sons: Amanel Antone, Edward Benjamin, and Charles Ellis. This family also belongs to the Catholic church.

Thompson Price Lewis, a pioneer farmer of Marrs township, Posey county, Indiana, was born June 8, 1840, in the same farm house where he now lives. He is the son of Robert and Martha (Price) Lewis, the former having been born March 26, 1814, in Marrs township, where he was a farmer till his death, on August 10, 1848. The father of Robert Lewis was a native of Kentucky and came to Posey county in 1809, making the trip on foot and carrying his supplies, and blazing the way with a hatchet. This was Col. John Lewis. He had two sons : James and Robert, the latter the father of our subject; and four daughters - Jane, Betsie, Nancy and Martha, all deceased. Colonel Lewis resided in Posey county till his death in 1854. Robert Lewis had four sons and one daughter: James, born in 1835, died March 16, 1876; John, born in 1837, died in infancy; Thompson Price, of this sketch; Orila Jane, born January 30, 1849, "ow the wife of Thomas M. Green, a farmer in Black township; Nathaniel, born in 1847, died in December, 1864. Thompson Price Lewis was married November 3, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth J. Green, daughter of Thomas S. and Mary Green, of Hamilton county, Illinois. She" was born February 22, 1844, in the same county. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis became the parents of six sons and six daughters : Mary Jane, born May 11, i860, now the wife of Miles Thomas, farmer and trustee of Black township; James Robert, born October 7. i86i, now a farmer in Marrs' township ; Udora, born January 6, 1863, now the wife of Alexander S. Goodall, a farmer of Marrs township ; Nathaniel, born January 6, 1866, a farmer in Marrs township; Patsey, born April 12, 1868, now the wife of Jacob Benner, farmer in Marrs township ; William David, born April 15, 1870, died October 18, 1877; Orila, born August 22, 1872, died August 26, 1873; Price, born August 18, 1874, a farmer in Lynn township ; Ellsworth, born September 22, 1876, a farmer in Marrs township; Edward, born April 20, 1879, a farmer of Marrs township; Thompson, born July 27, 1882, now on the old home place with his parents, married Miss Margaret Keitel December 31, 1905, and has one child - Elwood Thompson Lewis, born August 27, 1912; Oscar, the youngest child of Thomas Price Lewis, was born May 17, 1885, died

May 4, 1887. Mr. Lewis has 365 acres of land in Marrs township and has one of the best improved farms in Posey county with a fine residence and a number of large barns. He is a Democrat and a Baptist.