German Township

German Township

James S. Wills, a highly respected citizen and pioneer of Perry township, was born March i, 1822, in Scott township, this count}', tiie son of WilHam Wills and his wife, Frances Sellings. The parents came to Vanderburgh county in 18 19 from the county of Kent, England, where the father was engaged as a measure-maker. James spent the early part of his life with his father at the farm in Scott township, and was able to receive but a limited education. At the age of eighteen he learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for three years and then returned to the farm hfe, which he followed for thirteen years with success. In June, 1S57, he again began to work at carpentry, but this was interrupted in 1861 b}' the war of the rebellion. He enlisted July 8, 1861, in Company B, Twent\'-fifth regiment Indiana volunteers, under Col. Veatch. With his regiment he participated in the following battles: Blackwater, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth. Mr. Wills was severely wounded on the steamer Continental iroingc from St. Louis to Cairo, ana he has never recovered full}- from the wound. After the siege of Corinth, Mr. Wills returned to Evansville and remained in the hospital for some time, and on regaining strength, returned to his regiment and participated in the battle of Davis Mills, Miss. He was discharged in October, 1863, at Evansville, ending a most honorable service in defense of his country and flag. Since then he has devoted himself to the peaceful business of farming and carpentry. In 1845 he was married to Frances Martin, and they had four children, William, Armilda, John Perry, and Laura. But two are living, John Perry and Laura, in California. Mr. Wills was married a second time in 1864 to Amelia Newman, by whom he had ten children: Carrie, U. S. Grant, AmeHa, James, Henry, Wallace, George, Aaron,

German tozvnship, with its present name and bounds, was created September i, 1845. Upon the organization of the county and its division into civil townships, its territory formed a part of each of the two first townships - Pigeon and Armstrong. Subsequently the two tiers of sections on the south formed a part of Perry township. It is now bounded on the north by Armstrong, on the east by Scott and Center, on the south by Perry township, and on the west by Posey county, and embraces within its limits twenty-seven sections. Its surface, rolling and in parts hilly, was originally covered with a dense growth of majestic forest trees. Perhaps no part of the county produced more splendid timber, and furnished a more inviting retreat for the game that was in all these parts in great abundance. When deer and turkeys began to be scarce in some other parts of the county, here they remained plentiful, and he was a poor marksman, indeed, who, penetrating the wildernesses of German township, could not secure venison and fowl for his larder.

Eiirh' Settlers. - It was about the time that the few Anglo-Saxons began to occupy the wild lands of what is now Armstrong township that German was first invaded by the hardy, dauntless pioneers. It is probable that occasional hunters and trappers crossed its territory while still in the possession of the Indians, but such persons had litde influence upon its subsecjuent growth, and their acts form no part of its history. The first permanent settlement, which, by gathering together a few families for mutual protection from hostile red men and wild beasts, formed a nucleus about which a neighborhood was gathered, and where the woodman's ax first made a clearing and raised a cabin, which, though rude and uninviting in its aspect, was designed for more than a temporary shelter, was made in the northwest corner of the township by the Hensons, David and Jesse, and Joseph Chapman. The date of their coming can not be stated. The Hensons took the gifts of a bountiful providence, as they were sent, without any worry or complaint. The Chapmans, Joseph and his famil}-, were a " fighting set," yet withal good, respectable people, honest, and always poor. William and Walter Bryant, hardy backwoodsmen, who were known as more than ordinarily skillful and successful hunters, came into the Henson settlement in very early days.

To the south of this settlement and within two miles of the south line of the township - in sections 5 and 6 - a few more cabins were raised in a cluster, and here others began life's rough experiences in the lonely wilds of the forests. Old Jesse Holloway, a good natured man, kindly disposed to all, and liked by every man who enjoyed the hospitality of his humble home, or met him at the "rolling" or on the hunt, was one of the earliest in this settlement, though it is impossible for any man to say whether or not he was preceded by some other equally courageous pioneer. In this "neck of the woods" John Warren became well and favorably known as an industrious man and good citizen. Very few of the earl}' settlers in these parts took the precaution or went to the expense of possessing themselves of the lands where they erected their cabins and established their homes. It was, indeed, a difficult matter'to accumulate enough money, when money was so scarce, to pay the sums required by the government for a title to the land, though the amount was but $2.00 per acre. The industry of John Warren had been productive of larger results than that of any other individual in the neighborhood where he lived, and perhaps, in the entire township. He succeeded in clearing not less than fort3--two acres on the congress land, and had it in very good condition. His cabin was a well-built, comfortable structure, such as might be expected from the hands of one so industrious and enterprising. A stable of moderate size was also on the place. These improvements were sold to John Morgan, who entered the land, and though they represented many days of toil, the purchase monej' was but $40.00.

About 1820 and 182 1 John and Morrison Fitzgerald, James F. Fauquhar, Nicholas Long, and the Judkins family, became a part of this settlement. They did not come together, but each family, some of them having been for some time in neighboring localities, drifted in singly, and took their places in the small and slowly increasing community. James Fauquhar was always upright, and was tolerabl}' " well fixed " financially for his day. He was one of the very few old settlers who in this township bought his land from the government and passed it to his children. William Fauquhar, a son of James, the pioneer, and probably the oldest native born citizen of the township, though only sixty-four years of age, still resides on the land entered by his father. John Fauquhar, now a resident of Evans\'ille, and Mrs. Lydia Saunders, of Union township, are the only other surviving descendants of James Fauquhar.

German township was very thinly settled; there were only a few spots where a hunter encountered human habitations for many years after the dawn of civilization in south western Indiana. There were none south of the settlement last named until Perry township was reached. To the eastward, in the wild and dense woodland, there was not a trail except those of the untamed beasts and their hunters, until the Parlcer neighborhood was reached, a little southwest of the site of the village of St. Joseph. Here in verj' early times, probably not later than 1809, the Parkers, Richard Wells, old Mr. McKinnis, the father of Alex and James, and others, formed a settlement, where lived some of the best hunters and most sterling characters of the period. In the extreme eastern part of the township a few settlers were scattered here and there; the smoke of a cabin occasionally beckoned the weary hunter to a haven of rest, and the ax of the pioneer at times made the woodland ring with sturdv blows and resounding echoes even in these less sought, for parts. It was in this part of the township that James Kirkpatrick and Brian Short, afterward very well known, but only as simple, rough backwoodsmen, and yet with the good traits characteristic of such men, built their cabins. Here also lived George B. Wagnon, the son of William Wagnon, one of the first associate judges of the county. Young George was rather pretentious for the times and was unpopular. His character had little in it worth}' of admiration. He was rough, unscrupulous and of a Icnv order mentally and morally.

Besides those whose names have found their way into these pages there were many other squatters and early settlers who, with what may be called the second settlement of the township, beginning about 1830, almost fleeing before the hordes of industrious immigrants who came from across the sea to possess themselves of homes in the land of liberty.

Soon after the year 1830, the state began to improve and to attract the attention of intelligent people in all parts of the country. The favorable location of Evansville respecting the cominerce of the west, became the objective point of many who were leaving the old world and fleeing to America - that mighty oak of freedom beneath whose umbrage the oppressed of all nations were intended to come for shelter and protection. When the Germans commenced coming in the lands were rapidly taken. The first who came to settle among the old set of pioneers and to open their eyes to a new condition of things, was John Eichle, a good man and valuable citizen. His industrious and economical habits at first amused the pioneers who had been accustomed to taking life easy, but saon finding that in the struggle for existence they must compete for success with these habits, which were soon found to be common to all of the new comers, they became alarmed and one by one left the countr}' to take up the thread of existence in some more favorable land. It is not possible or necessary for the purposes of this work to name those who came in the great throng, before whose surge the early settlers were forced from their forest homes. They were an enterprising, pushing, prudent people, who, with wonderful celerity, cleared away the forests and brought the land into cultivation. With the exception of a few families, who cling like the last leaves upon the tree, there are no representatives of the earlier settlers, and the entire township, as its nanie indicates, is peopled with Germans, who in the main are thrifty, honest, honorable, and valuable citizens.

It was a natural and fitting thing in the material development of this country, that its lands should fall into the possession of a people who would bring out all its stored-up riches and give them to mankind for enjoyment and advancement, and yet the mind lingers with regret upon the fast-fading scenes of the early settlers.

Early Settlement

Towns. - There are no towns of commercial or industrial importance in this township. The only considerable town is St. yoseph, situated in sections 21 and 28, township 5 south, of range 11 west. Here Nicholas Long settled in early days, and by prudence and economy became quite wealthy. In the course of time he built a store-house, and opened a general store, about which clustered the few houses which make up a country village - -a postoffice, a smithy, a school building and a church. For some time the principal merchant at the place has been Joseph Hartlein. Upon his death in 18S7, his sons succeeded to the business, and still conduct it.

Kasson, situated in sections 9 and 10, township 6 south, of range 1 1 west, contains a postoffice and blacksmith shop, but is without prospects of becoming important. Very near Kasson, on the southeast corner of section 9, township 6 south, range 11 west, as early as March 20, 1838, J. W. Lilliston laid out a town and named it Germantown, but it never attained importance.

Vienna was laid out in section 31, township 5, range 11, January 11, 1838, by John A. Morgan. It was quite pretentious, having 177 lots, but they have long since gone back to cornfield and meadow. . Churches. - In earlv times there were no church buildings in this township except one in the Henson neighborhood. This was a Liberty church, free to all denominations, and was erected more than half a century asfo. It was the scene of manv ffood meetings. Here Benoni Stinson, Jerry Cash and the Methodist circuit riders often preached. For a time religious sentiment was very strong, and meetings were frequently held at the houses of the Fauquhars, Hensons, Eichles and others. The old Liberty church was not kept in repair and has long since passed away. There is now no church

German Lutheran. - After the emigration of the Germans to this township Lutheran churches were soon established. The first of these was near the old homestead of the Fauquhars, now on the Cynthiana road, in the northeast part of the township. It was founded about the year 1S38, and soon thereafter a log church was erected. This was afterward replaced by a spacious and comfortable edifice. The membership now numbers about ninety, and the church is in a very prosperous condition. About the same time St. John's church in the northwest part of the township, near the Posey county line, was organized. Its present membership is seventy-five; its church edifice is a handsome building, erected when the congregation had outgrown the little log cabin first raised. About 1855 the Presbyterians, chiefly through the instrumentality of George Naab, a wealthy farmer, organized a class and built a church. Its membership now numbers 125. All of these churches are supplied with comfortable parsonages, and are^prospering both temporally and spiritualh'.

St. Joseph's Catholic C//«rc//. - The first church, a two-stor}' log house, was built in the summer of 1841. The upper story was used for divine service, and the lower story for a school and pastoral residence. The congregation then numbered fifteen families. The Redemptorist, Father Czackart, had celebrated mass in the house of the widow Weiss, in 1836, and made a second visit in the following j-ear. Rev. Roman Weinzopfel attended up to May, 1842, and from October of that 3'ear to the fall of 1845, Rev. Conrad Schniederjans was in charge. In April, 1846, Father Weinzopfel returned and accomplished much good by many j-ears of active labor. The congregation soon be- came too large for the old church. On May 28, 1850, Bishop de St. Palais laid the corner stone for a new edifice, and on April 13, 1851, divine service was held in it for the first time. It was built of brick, 40x86 feet, ornamented with a handsome steeple, and cost exclusive of much labor and material donated, $2,200. It was dedicated April 27, 1857, since which time regular services have been held and the church has abundantly prospered.

Biographical

Andrew J. Augermeier, trustee of German township, was born February 4, 1850, in that township. His parents were Henry and Rosina (Eder) Augermeier, both of Hesse Darmstadt, German^'. The father was born in 1810, and came to America in 1826, located at Lancaster, Penn., where he was married in 1846, and in 1849 removed to Perry township, Ind. In the fall of the same year h^ moved to German township, where he died October 20, 1857. The mother was born in 1818, and lives at present with her son. They had five children, all sons. Mr. Augermeier taught in the schools of the county, and continued in this calling for twelve years. In 1S79 he was married to Miss Mary L. Grossman, of Perry township. To this marriage were born four children, two sons and two daughters, all of whom survive. In 1886 he was the candidate of the democratic party for township trustee, and was elected without opposition, and reelected in 1888 in the same manner. This was a notable testimonial to the esteem in which he is held. He is a member of the St. Joseph congregation, Roman Catholic church.

and Mary Fares. The parents came to this country in 1835, settling in Auglaize county, Ohio, where they ended their days. When they emigrated, Mr. Fares was only eleven years old, but he had learned to read and write the mother tongue, and after coming here learned to write and read in English. Until he was seventeen he worked upon the farm, and after that he learned the trade of shoemaker, which he followed from 1840 to 1854. He is now living on the farm which he purchased in 1853. In October, 1859, he was married to Veronek Mann, and they have had twelve children : John, Catherine, Caroline, Frederick, Sabina, Christina, Gustavus, Margaret, Henry, Veronek, Edward, and Louisa. Mr. Fares was for many years a member of the I. O. O. F. He was raised a Catholic. In politics he is a republican. Since 1861 he has served the community efficiently as postmaster at Kasson.

Charles Gantner, a man of note in German township, was born in Germany, December 16, 1834. H*^ 's ^^'^ SO" of Clemens and Regina (Fisher) Gantner. His parents left their home in German}', March 20, 1840, came via New York, spent a few days in Ohio, then came on to Evansville, and moved into their new home in German township August 20, 1840. The family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Gantner, and four children: Marv, who was a daughter of Mr. Gantner, by a previous marriage, Abuns, Richard and Charles, our subject. When they settled here the farm was mostly in the woods, there being only about four acres of cleared land on the place. Charles remained on the farm with his father until he was about twenl}- years of age, when his father died, November 9, 1852. The farm was then rented for two years, and he and his mother went to Evansville. His mother became dissatisfied with the city, so.

at the end of two years, he and his mother returned to the farm. His mother remained a widow for eleven years, and then married Lawrence Spitzer. They reside in this township, and she is still hale and hearty, and does a great deal of work. Charles was married November 30, 1858, to Miss Phoebe Schmidt, who was born in Center township, this county, October 16, 1838, the daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Mauer) Schmidt, both of whom were born in Germany, and came to this county about 1834 or 1835. Her father died about 1871 or 1872, and her mother is still living, making her home with her son Andrew, in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Gantner went to housekeeping at their present home. They are the parents of thirteen children, all of whom are living, viz.: Clemens, born November 17, 1859; Elizabeth, born February 21, 1861; Regina, born October 4, 1862; Caroline, born February 25, 1864; Charles A., born December 4, 1865; Josephine, born October

9, 1875; Phcebe, born February i, 1878; Matthew A., born October 5, 1880, and Gressens, born December 7, 1882. Mr. Gantner is a member of Morning Star lodge. No 7, I. O. O. F., and his wife is a member of Colfax lodge, No. 34, Daughters of Rebekah. Politically Mr. Gantner is a democrat. He was elected township assessor in October, 1870, served two years and was elected township trustee the same month that his term as assessor expired, and was re-elected trustee in 1874, without opposition. In April, 1876, he had two opponents, both of whom were democrats, and he was again elected by a good majority. He did all of his own business while in office, and his reports were models of neatness and accuracy. After his term as trustee expired.

Daniel Webster Goldsmith is the son of Daniel F. and Melissa Goldsmith. He was born in Center township, this county, June 10, 1832. He spent his early life on his father's farm in Center township, where he assisted in the toilsome work largely unknown to the present generation. He continued to work on the farm until several years after his father's death. He removed to his present home in German township in May, 1866, where he owns no acres of good land. He was married March 3, 1853, to Miss Martha J. Fuquay, who was born in Warrick county, Ind., September 15, 1833, and is the daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Peck) Fuquay. They are the parents of the following children: William H., Lizzie, Allen, Fannie, Morton, Mamie, Chauncey W., and Foster B., all living, except William H., Lizzie, Foster B. and Mamie. Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmith and a part of their family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are among the county's most highly respected citizens.

Henry Gumberts, sr., first became a resident of Evansville in 1842, when he arrived with his parents, Marx and Rosa Gumberts, from the Rhine country of Germany, where he was born August 8, 1822. They passed the remainder of their lives in the cit}', and he has had his home in Evansville with the exception of two years, 1844 to 1846, at Helena, Ark. He engaged in retailing dry goods in 1846, during the war was sutler for the Eleventh Kentuck}^ regiment, and in 1869 entered the wholesale liquor trade, at the same time attending to real estate auctioneering.,. For twenty j^ears he has been doing a large and profitable wholesale business at 323 Main street. In 1872 he was elected to the city council, and was twice re-elected. He was married in

1847 to Frederica Seusmeier, who was born in Prussia in 1827, and came to this country in 1844. They have four children : Jacob M., Clara, Fannie and Fred.

Simon Hartig was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, November 20, 1835, the son of Frederick W. and Catharine (TeoUe) Hartig. Frederick was born about 1807, and his wife about 1816. They immigrated in 1853 or 1854, and settled in this township. Simon, when thirteen years of age, came to the United States, reaching New Orleans, January i, 1S48. He became engaged in farm work, in this count}', and then learned the carpenter's trade, which business he followed thirteen 3-ears. He was married about January i, 1S63, to Miss Minnie Watermann, born in Germany, February 2, 1846, the daughter of Conrad and Christina Watermann. Mr. and Mrs. Hartig are the parents of ten children: William, Christina, Theodore, Charles, Henrietta, Simon, Henry, Minnie, John and Frederick. Mr. Hartig owns 166 acres of good land. He and family are members of the Evangelical church. He was elected township trustee in April, 1878, and re-elected in April, 1880, by a largel}- increased majority. In April, 18S2, he was elected justice of the peace, and served four jears.

Charles Henze, an old resident and prominent farmer of German township, was born in Germany, December 22, 1S38. He is the son of Henry and Dora (Kleiman) Henze. His parents were both natives of German}-, where his father was born, November 22, 179S, and his mother in August, 1801. At thirteen years of age, he accompanied his parents, together with four brothers, William, Henry, August and Christian, and three sisters, Henrietta, Louisa and Wilhelmina, to the United States, landing at New Orleans in the spring of 1 85 1. From there they came at once to this coimt}', reaching Evansville June 15 of the same year. In a few days they bought the farm, a part of which our subject now owns. Here the father died in the spring of 1875, his mother having preceded him ten years, her death occurring in 1865. Our subject went to school and worked on his father's farm until 1864, when he enlisted as a private in Company E, Twentysixth Indiana volunteer infantry, and served until August 28, 1865, when he was mustered out at St. Louis, Mo. During his term of service he was in the battle of Spanish Fort, Ala. He was married in 1859 to Catherine Groeninger, who was born in this township January i, 1843, the daughter of Frederick and Margaret Groeninger, both natives of Germany, who emigrated to this country in June, 1832, and settled first at Pittsburgh, in this township, about 1S40. Here her father died September 24, 1 886, her mother having died many years previous, in 1S57. They have six children: Anna, born January 5, i860; Henry, born March 30, 1S61; Wilhelmina, born March iS, 1S74; Edward, born February 3, 1878; Matilda, born December 24, 1879, ^"'^ Jacob, born February i, 1884. Mr. Henze and family are members of the Evangelical church. Politically Mr. Henze