Darmstadt, Indiana

Probably the earliest settlement east of the Princeton road was that made by the Wheelers, Mark, Joseph and Richard, which was about two miles northeast of Inglefield. These were English people who became widely known as a worth}', respectable familv. Mark was a prosperous farmer, and his two brothers were best known by their devoted labors in spreading the gospel among tlie pioneers. They labored zealously, accomplished much good, and forever fixed their names in the grateful remembrance of the people. Their descendants have been eminently respectable always; as citizens there are none better. Among the industries engaged in by the farmers of early days with good profit was hog-raising. A well-known and successful farmer who grew wealthy chieflv through ihis means was David Powell. He commenced with little capital, and bv industry, economy and wise management, accumulated a valuable property. He had quite a large family, all of whom were good citizens, but attained no particular prominence. In very early days, probably about 1820, Hiram Nelson settled near the present site of Darmstadt. He was a farmer, and later opened a small store. Afterward he moved to Evansville, and was engaged as an auctioneer. He died in Evansville, leaving a widow, who still survives.

Passage source: History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from Earliest Times to the Present; with Biographical Sketches, Reminiscences, Etc, published 1889.

Towns. - On April 26, 1819, John Ingle laid out Sandersville. The plat covered 160 acres of land: and a public square 266 feet each way, was provided. An effort was made to build a town, but the project did not succeed. A number of small houses were put up, a store, a blacksmith shop, and such other conveniences as a farming community might demand were located there, and a postoffice was established. In a few years its projectors abandoned their hopes, and their supporters went to more promising localities. By 1830 the houses had all fallen into decay except the postoffice, which remained as a monument of departed glory. Inglefield, a station on the E. & T. H. R. R., is on the site of the ancient Sandersville. Darmstadt., a small place in the southwest corner of the township, has not been platted or incorporated, though for thirty years it has been in existence. It has a few country stores, a doctor, is the headquarters of the German churches in the neighborhood, and enjoys considerable business as a trading point. EarJe., on the Petersburg road, near the southern township line, is without importance except as a supply depot for a limited agricultural district. Christ Stock is the onty merchant. A small store was established here by John Grant, as early as 1850, which he subsequently sold to John Earle (an English settler who came about 182S), for whom the town was named. Chttrchcs. - The pioneer preachers early pushed their way into the new west and, regardless of all hardships and difficulties, with untiring zeal and devotion, worked in the Master's cause. Often on foot, clad in the plain garments of the huntsman, with rifle or gun on his shoulder, the preacher sought the hospitable roof of some lowly cabin and there with a thrilling description of the ineffable joys that awaited the saved, or a vivid picture of the never-ending torments of a literal hell, which would be the sure portion of the damned, sought to persuade or frighten his few hearers to flee from the wrath to come. All denominations sought for supremacy, and in many cases the war waged between the advocates of different Christian sects over theological dogmas and doctrines, was fiercer and far more bitter than that waged against the common enemy. The Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists all struggled for a foothold. The house of John Ingle was an early preaching place for all denominations. The doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal church were more generally accepted and became more firmly rooted in the minds of the people of this township than those of any other sect. The eloquent John Schraeder was the first to lift up his voice in behalf of Methodism. The first organized class of Methodists in this township was probably that made in the Milliard neighborhood, under the leadership of John and William Hilliard, and those beloved men, Joseph and Mark Wheeler, in 1824, which flourishes to this day, having now about sixty members. At first the little confrre<ration assembled for the purpose of worship at the humble houses of its members, and at length raising a log cabin, set it apart and consecrated it as a house of God. About fifty years ago this little structure gave wa}' to a commodious frame building, more suitable to the demands of the growing congregation, which remains in use. In early times among the preachers here, were: Revs. Joseph Wheeler, Mark Wheeler, Robert Parrett, Enoch G. Ward, Ravenscroff, Hensler, and Tower. The church is on the

Passage source: History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from Earliest Times to the Present; with Biographical Sketches, Reminiscences, Etc, published 1889.

George C. Beierlein, a native of Bava - ria, was born July 15, 1813. He emigrated to America in 1846, and in the same year came to Vanderburgh county, where he afterward resided during life. He was a farmer by occupation. In July, 1856, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Klousemeier, nee Elizabeth Weihe. She was born in Germany, April 24, 1822, and is the daughter of Herman and Fredericka Weihe. She came to America in 1854, with her first husband, Charles Klousemeier, a native of Germany, who wedded her in that country in 1847. He was born in 1823, and died in 1855, in Newburgh, Ind., where he settled on coming to America. By the first marriage she had the following children: Louisa, born March 6, 1849; Frederick, November 27, 1S50; Caroline, December 12, 1852, and Henry, November 26, 1854. The marriage of George C. Beierlein and Elizabeth Klousemeier resulted in the birth of five children: Anna K., born September 12, 1857 (deceased); Herman, born January 27, 1858; John, born January 2, 1861; Mar}^ born November 21, 1862, and Phillipine, born December 13, 1S64. The fathei of these children died June 7, 1882. The mother survives and is now beyond sixty-si.x years of age. Her home is Scott township, this count}-, where she and her children own a farm of sixty acres. Herm.vn Beierlein, the second of these children, was born and grew to manhood in the county, and is now one of the prosperous farmers of Scott township, residing on section 18. He is an influential member of the German Lutheran church, and politically

Passage source: History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from Earliest Times to the Present; with Biographical Sketches, Reminiscences, Etc, published 1889.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Scott Township - it names this place 3 more 3 times.