JOHN HENRY SCHROEDER
The student interested in the history of Decatur county does not have to carry his investigations far into its annals before learning that John Henry Schroeder has long been one of its most active citizens, in both its mercantile and agricultural interests, and that his labors have been a potent force in advancing the interests of this locality. Mr. Schroeder has lived a useful and honorable life, a life characterized by perseverance and well-defined purpose and he has established a character as a man who measures up to the type of the good American citizen. To him there also belongs the distinction of being the oldest resident of Decatur county.

John Henry Schroeder, who lives on a farm adjoining the town of Enochsburg, Salt Creek township, was born in Germany, November 19, 1822, the son of Frank and Mary Elizabeth Schroeder, who came to America two years after their son had located here. When John H. Schroeder was about fourteen years of age, in 1836, enthused by the wonderful stories of the great possibilities in the United States for a young man of ambition and energy, he came to this country, locating first at Cincinnati, where he engaged in common labor. He also worked in a store for five years. In 1841 he went to Louisville, Kentucky, where, for five years, he was employed in a store, and in 1846 went to Missouri, and clerked in a store at Lottsport. Two years later he returned to Louisville and after a residence there of one year came to Decatur county in 1849, locating in Enochsburg, where he established a store, which he operated with considerable success for about eight years. It was at a period antedating the advent of railroads in this section of the state and it was necessary to bring his stock of goods from Cincinnati. On one occasion when he was sending a wagon load of dressed hogs to the Cincinnati market and while crossing a stream near Harrison, the ice broke and the valuable team of horses which he was driving was drowned. When he discontinued his store at Enochsburg, Mr. Schroeder located on the farm where he now lives and which comprises two hundred and seven acres of valuable land. He has resided there for about forty years and has worked a wonderful transformation in the condition of the place. At the time he moved upon it there were no improvements of any kind and it was necessary for him to cut timber in order to erect his buildings. He since then has clone strenuous labor, but despite his hard luck he is now, at the advanced age of ninety-three years, remarkably well preserved, both physically and mentally. He has always taken a keen interest in local affairs and has lent his aid to the advancement of all worthy propositions and to the raising of the standard of living. While living in Enochsburg he served two years as trustee of the township, and one term as appraiser and was in other ways prominent in the affairs of his neighborhood. During the Mexican War, Mr. Schroeder assisted in organizing a company for service and also helped to organize a military company during the Civil War.

On February 8, 1849, Mr. Schroeder was married to Elizabeth Tuka, who was born in Germany on September 8, 1828, and who passed away in March, 1894. She came to America, locating in Louisville when fourteen years of age and her marriage to Mr. Schroeder occurred at Enochsburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder were born the following children: Henry H., Henry, deceased; Everhard Henry, October 9, 1852, who died in 1905; John G., November 17, 1854, who lives three miles south of Greensburg and who is married and has four sons, John. Edward, Frank and Gregory; John Ambrosius, deceased; Herman Henry, October 24, 1858, was married, July 13, 1897, to Rosa Sandrock; Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Northorst, of New Albany, is the mother of three children, Joseph, Rosa and Henry; Louisa Zizilia, December, 1862; Mrs. Annie Frances Thea, of Posey county, who has seven children, Rosa, Elizabeth, Joseph, Clara, Frances, Julia and Anthony; Rosa Clara Wessels died in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 23, 1899, at the age of thirty-two years, leaving four children, Lizzie, Bennie, Edward and Rosa. John Henry Schroeder also has four great-grandchildren, namely: Joseph and Leonard, sons of his grandson, John; and Richard and Paul, sons of Joseph Morthorst.

Mr. Schroeder has been a life-long adherent of the principles of the Democratic party, having cast his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay and has voted for every Democratic presidential candidate since. His religious affiliation is with the Enochsburg Catholic church, of which he is a liberal supporter.

As the oldest resident of Decatur county, J. H. Schroeder has seen his county develop from a sparsely settled community to its present prosperous conditions, and has performed a very important part in helping to bring about the advanced standing of the locality. Though now in the evening of life, he is still hale and hearty and enjoys life with the zest of a far younger man. His long residence in this section has given him a great number of friends, by whom he is held in the highest esteem for his many commendable traits of character.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.


OMER T. MANLIEF
Ripley county, Indiana, has furnished many of the present generation of enterprising farmers in Decatur county. It is not difficult to explain why many of the more ambitious young farmers of Ripley county have come to Decatur, the principal reason being, according to all loyal Decatur county folk, that the soil in Decatur county is far superior to that in Ripley county. Of the many native-born sons of Ripley county, who have sought a home and fortune in Decatur county, Omer T. Manlief, of Marion township, who came here more than forty years ago, may be mentioned.

Omer T. Manlief, who owns one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land in Marion township, Decatur county, was born on July 17, 1849, in Ripley county, Indiana, the son of Benjamin and Catherine (Ruble) Manlief, of German descent, both of whom died in Ripley county.

After coming to Decatur county in 1873, at the age of twenty-four, Omer F. Manlief purchased eighty acres of land at ten dollars an acre, paying cash for the tract. At this time the land was covered with timber. Immediately after purchasing this tract, he built a log house of two rooms in which he and his family lived for twenty years, or until they built their present home. During the first year or two after coming to Decatur county, Mr. Manlief rented cleared land, which he cultivated and worked at odd times and at night to clear his own land. In 1910 he purchased eighty acres of land situated across the road from his original tract, paying for the same twenty-four hundred dollars. He ordinarily has about forty acres of corn and about the same amount of wheat. He now has a good home with well-kept and well-painted buildings and with many fruit and shade trees, which add greatly to the attractiveness of the place.

In 1872 Omer T. Malllief was married to Mary Elizabeth Suter, of Dearborn county, who was born on January 13, 1852, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah Ann Suter. To this union three children have been born, all of whom are married and now have children of their own: Mrs. Edna Leo Lena Surface, of Westport, who has five children, Omer, Ollie, Anna, Erra and Birdie; Clyde, a farmer of Jennings county, who married Mary Shumach and has one daughter, Martha; and Carl, who farms at home, married Stella Rathburn and has two children, Woodrow Lowson and Ruth.

Mr. Manlief is a Democrat but has never been active in politics, preferring to devote his time and his energy to his own personal and private business. The Manlief family are all members of the Baptist church and Mr. Manlief is a liberal contributor to the support of this faith.

By prodigious industry, most economical living and careful management, Omer T. Manlief has accumulated a snug fortune in farm property and is recognized today as one of the foremost citizens of Marion township. He well deserves the confidence of the public because he has won that confidence by his own personal efforts.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.


JOHN R. COLLINS
During recent years much has been written and said regarding intensive farming in this country. The apparent inexhaustibility of the soil of this favored land for generations caused the tillers of the soil to display an almost disdainful laxity in the matter of the proper upkeep of the same, with the very natural result that in time many once valuable farms became worthless, by reason of being worn out, and were abandoned. Then came the demand for scientific fertilization and intensive farming; agriculturists all over the land began to wake up to the importance of keeping the soil alive, and the result has been the raising of crop that would have been deemed impossible by the pioneers, even in the days of the soil's virgin fertility. Much has been done along this line in Decatur county, though it must be admitted that there still remains very much yet to be done. There is one farmer, however, who has cultivated his land to such advantage that he has become recognized among his neighbors as the most successful farmer in the county; a measure of praise which lie by no means courts, but which is ungrudgingly given him by those who have noted with much interest the results of his labors. Though the possessor of but a small acreage, his place consisting of eighty acres in all, John R. Collins, of Salt Creek township, is widely known as the man who raises the bumper crops in this county and his methods have attracted much attention, the spirit of emulation thus created undoubtedly having resulted in the elevation of the standards of farming throughout the whole county. As an example of the intensive methods adopted by Mr. Collins, it may be mentioned that at one time he spent one thousand dollars for tile with which to drain a tract of forty acres. Those who may have looked askance at such an apparently extravagant expenditure altered their opinion when this tract was found to be producing seventy-five bushels of corn to the acre. As this was written this tract was bearing a luxuriant stand of wheat which promised to break all local records for yield. In 1912 Mr. Collins sold seed corn for two dollars a bushel to his admiring neighbors and he has raised as high as eighty bushels of corn to the acre. The title of most successful farmer in Decatur county, therefore, very properly may be applied to him, notwithstanding his modest disclaimer of any such distinction.

John R. Collins was born in Jennings county, this state, near the town of Brewersville, on July 29, 1857, the son of John Roberts Parsons and Nancy Jane (Roszell) Collins, the former of whom was born in 1823 and died on July 29, 1911, and the latter of whom was born on June 2, 1832, and died on July 13, 1895. John Roberts Parsons Collins was a native of Scotland and, with a sister, was brought to this country when quite young by his mother. The father was to follow his family to this country on a vessel sailing later, but never again was heard from and it was supposed that he was lost at sea. Mr. Collins's mother died shortly after coming to America and her son and daughter were reared by their maternal grandparents, who some years before had come to this country, locating at Oxford, Ohio. There J. K. P. Collins lived until he was fifteen years of age, at which time he moved to Jennings county, this state. He had been apprenticed to the carpenter trade and upon locating in Jennings county he worked at this trade until the year 1862, in which year he came to Decatur county, locating in Salt Creek township, buying the farm on which his son, John R., now lives. On this place he built a log cabin and lived there until 1865, moving in that year to Pennington, where he farmed and worked at his trade the rest of his life. His death occurred in a hospital at Madison.

Nancy Jane( Roszell) Collins was born in Greensburg, this county, daughter of John Roszell, the first blacksmith in the town of Greensburg. John Roszell was a native of Kentucky, whose father lived to be one hundred years old. He came to this county about the year 1822 and built the first blacksmith shop in the then hamlet of Greensburg. Upon arriving here he turned his wagon-bed upside down, erecting around the same a barricade of brush, thus creating his first shelter in Decatur county. He married a Miss Brockman, cleared a tract of land for a home and became one of the best known pioneer settlers of the county.

To John Roberts Parsons and Nancy Jane (Roszell) Collins were born nine children, namely: Ida, born on August 11, 1855, married W. R. Copper, of New Pennington, this county, and died in March, 1905; John R., the immediate subject of this sketch; James R., who served five years in the United States army, then became a conductor on the San Francisco street railway, serving in such a capacity for fourteen years, and has not been heard of since the San Francisco earthquake, in 1906; Anna B., principal of one of the ward schools at Indianapolis; Carvel H., of Eaton, Blackford county, Indiana; Minnie, of Indianapolis, a teacher in the schools of Elwood, this state; Albert, a successful contractor and builder in the Isle of Pines, off the coast of Cuba, and Grace, who married Edward Hatfield, of Indianapolis, and has three children.

On September 10, 1891, John R. Collins was united in marriage to Sophia Rachel Schilling, who was born in Salt Creek township, this county, daughter of William and Minnie (Harris) Schilling, natives of Germany and old residents of Salt Creek township, the former of whom was born in 1836 and died in 1899 and the latter of whom was born in 1836 and died in 1907, who were the parents of eight children, as follow: Sophia R., who married Mr. Collins; Henry, deceased; William, who lives on the old Schilling farm; Mrs. Rosa Cullicut, of this county; Mrs. Minnie Bradewater, of Salt Creek township, this county; Edward, of the same township; Lucy, deceased, and John, also of Salt Creek township.

To John R. and Sophia Rachel (Schilling) Collins have been born six children, William, aged twenty-two, who is at home ably assisting his father in the management of the farm; Edward, Ida, Minnie, Bertha and Harry, at school.

Mr. and Mrs. Collins are members of the Methodist church and their children have been reared in that faith. Mr. Collins is quite independent in his political views, ever giving the best citizens preference in making up his ballot. He is not a member of any of the various lodges, believing that home is man's best "lodge," and takes great pleasure and comfort in his home. He and his good wife take a warm interest in the church and social; affairs of their home community and no couple in that part of the county are held in higher regard than they. As pointed out in the beginning of this narrative, there is no better farmer anywhere in Salt Creek township than Mr. Collins, and it may be said with equal truth that no man in the township is more popular than he, or held in higher esteem.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.


GEORGE F. REDELMAN
One of the leading financial institutions of the eastern part of Decatur county is the First State Bank, of New Point, which was organized in 1906 as a national bank and on January 1, 1912, was converted into a state bank. The institution is housed in a commodious brick building owned by the company and is capitalized at twenty-five thousand dollars. It now has a surplus and undivided profits of thirty-five hundred dollars and deposits of one hundred thousand dollars. The officers of the bank include John Hoff, president; J. A. Meyer, vice-president, and George F. Redelman, cashier. The directors, besides the officers, include Edward A. Buckley, T. M. Clark, Joseph Kramer, J. H. Metz, Sr., Charles Risinger and Peter P. Schuh. During the last four years none of the officers has had more to do with the success and growth of this bank than its cashier, Mr. Redelman.

George F. Redelman was born on November 19, 1884, in Greensburg, this county, son of Henry M. and Sarah A. (Herman) Redelman, the former of whom was born in 1854, near Millhousen, this county, on a farm, son of Matthias Redelman, a native of Germany, and the latter of whom was born near Harris City, in Decatur county. Mrs. Sarah A. (Herman) Redelman's parents, however, were natives of Germany. Henry M. Redelman is an extensive farmer and stockman of Marion township, whose life history is told elsewhere in this volume.

Receiving his early education in the Slabtown school, in Marion township, George F. Redelman later attended the Hamburg schools, going to school in the same building and receiving instruction from the same teacher as did his father. This venerable teacher was Theodore Wilmer. After graduating from the Slabtown school when fourteen years of age, Mr. Redelman worked on the farm until twenty years old, at which time he received a license to teach school. Instead of teaching, however, he went to Indianapolis as a student of the Vorhees Business College, from which institution he was graduated in 1905. Subsequently he worked as a bookkeeper and collector for the Badger Furniture Company at Indianapolis for one year, and was then employed on the Indianapolis Star for some time. In the fall of 1906 he returned to Decatur county, going to Greensburg as bookkeeper of the Greensburg National Bank, and on July 5, 1911, took charge of the First State Bank at New Point.

On June 18, 1913, Mr. Redelman was married to Lena Spitzmesser, of Greensburg, daughter of Leopold and Caroline Spitzmesser, to which union one son has been born, Robert George, born on April 19, 1914.

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Redelman has never taken an active part in the councils of his party. He and his wife are members of the Enochsburg Catholic church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of St. John at Greensburg.

George F. Redelman is still a very young man to be charged with important financial responsibility, and this proves better than anything else the estimation in which he is held by the people of this section. He enjoys not only the confidence and respect of the officers and directors of the First State Bank at New Point, but he has also maintained, since his connection with the bank, cordial relations with the patrons of the institution and the public generally and well deserves the high esteem in which he is held by the people of this community.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.


GEORGE A. LOGAN
The most pretentious country house to be found anywhere in the western part of Decatur county, Indiana, is that located on the farm of George A. Logan in Clay township. This house, of nineteen rooms, is finished throughout in native wood, cut and seasoned on the farm, the walls made of bricks of clay dug on the farm, and required five years for construction, being completed about 1889. The rooms are finished in wild cherry, walnut, ash and quartered-oak, and the poplar doors are cut from native wood. Logs for the construction of the house were hauled eight miles to Burney, and the rock was quarried near Milford. Incidental material for furnishings was hauled to Greensburg and then brought back to the farm. In 1913 a beautiful concrete and brick veranda was added to the house, a veranda which circles front and sides of the house and gives it a most imposing appearance. This magnificent place is located on a farm of two hundred and seventy-five acres of land which was given to Mr. Logan by his father, but at that time it had no improvements. Since that time Mr. Logan has erected two large barns, a double corn-crib, tool-house and garage, all of which are painted yellow. The proprietor of this splendid estate also owns seventy-five acres north of the home farm.

George A. Logan, who may be regarded as the author and finisher of this beautiful countryside home, was born on March 7, 1862, on a farm one-fourth mile from his present home, the son of John and Eliza A. (Hungate) Logan, the former of whom was born on August 14, 1829, in Decatur county, Indiana, and died on July 16, 1912, and the latter of whom was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, on June 7, 1838. The late John A. Logan was a son of early pioneers of Decatur county. Samuel and Susanna (Howard) Logan, natives of Pennsylvania, who, in 1818, came down the Ohio river on a flat boat and who, after stopping for a time in Kentucky, settled in this county. After constructing a rude log cabin, they entered land from the government, and during their lives became very prosperous. Samuel and Susanna Logan mere the parents of thirteen children, among whom were James, deceased; Samuel, Jr., of Letts Corners, Decatur county; John, of Greensburg; Aaron, who lives nest of Greensburg, in Washington township; Frank, of Topeka, Kansas; Martha Ann, who married a Doctor Hitt, now both deceased; Mrs. Margaret Jane Deen, deceased; Mrs. Mary Hamilton, deceased; Mrs. Rachel Hobbs, who was the wife of the Rev. Mr. Hobbs, a Christian minister, and who died at Des Moines, Iowa, in January, 1915. The late John Logan was married to Eliza A. Hungate on January 24, 1856, and after his marriage settled on a farm in Clay township, five miles west of Greensburg. They lived on the farm until in September, 1886, accumulating in the meantime seven hundred and forty acres of land.

Mrs. Eliza E. (Hungate) Logan was a daughter of John and Eliza (Gregory) Hungate, natives of Kentucky, who emigrated to Shelby county, Indiana, in 1840, and who later settled in Noble township, that county, where they died. John Hungate was born in 1798, and died on September 21, 1891. His wife had passed away previously, at the age of seventy-seven. They were the parents of the following children: Andrew Jackson, George Washington and Mrs. Cynthia Jones, deceased; John, who lives on the old homestead in Shelby county, Indiana; Mrs. Eliza Logan, and Catherine, the wife of Thomas Vaughn, deceased. John Logan and wife were the parents of three children, Orange, George Andrew and Eliza. Orange owns the old homestead farm. He was born on June 10, 1857. He married Emma Gregory, a native of Kentucky, and they have two children, Clem and Nellie. Eliza, born February 23, 1870, lives with her mother. She owns a farm of two hundred acres in Washington township.

After receiving a liberal education in the public schools of Decatur county, Indiana, George Logan took up farming and was so engaged until his marriage, on July 22, 1886, to Mary Hayman, a native of Shelby county, Indiana, daughter of Alfred and Minerva (Knight) Hayman, the former of whom was born on July 7, 1826, and who died June 29, 1887, and the latter of whom was born on October 16, 1831, and who died on May 8, 1872. Alfred and Minerva Hayman were married on March 23, 1856, in Shelby county, this state, and to this union were born two children; Everett, born on August 26, 1859, who is a resident of Waldron, and Mrs. Mary Logan, who was born on September 17, 1863.

Mr. and Mrs. George A. Logan have only one child, Harrison A., who was born on June 14, 1887. He lives at home with his parents on the farm and is engaged in farming with his father, who is extensively engaged in dairying. The dairy is located on the north farm, where Mr. Logan has a herd of Jerseys, varying from twenty to thirty in number, and ships his products to the Polk Dairy Company, of Indianapolis.

Mr. Logan is a Democrat, but has never been active in political affairs, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his agricultural interests. Mrs. Logan is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Adams and Mr. Logan is identified with Milford Lodge No. 94, Free and Accepted Masons. His son, Harrison A., is a member of the same Masonic fraternity, and of Adams lodge of Odd Fellows, and of Greensburg lodge, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Greensburg Lodge, Improved Order of Red Men.

Mr. and Mrs. Logan are hospitable entertainers, and Mr. Logan is known in this community and throughout Decatur county as a hail fellow, well met; broad-minded, good-hearted, a hustler and an optimist.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.


RANDOLPH STARK
To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and respected even from childhood deserves more than naming. One may take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke in public politics and even remain in the hearts of friends and neighbors, but to take the same position by dint of the practice of an upright life and without a craving for exaltation and popularity, is worthy of the highest praise and commendation. Probably no citizen of Decatur county occupies a higher place in the esteem of the community at large than "Uncle" Randolph Stark, of New Point, Salt Creek township. He is respected and honored by all who know him because of his exemplary daily life, each day having been one above criticism and passed upon in the light of true manhood. Strong and forceful in his relations with his fellowmen, he has not only made his presence felt, but has also gained the good will and confidence of his associates and the general public, ever retaining his reputation among men for integrity and high character, no matter how trying the circumstances, and never losing that dignity which is the birthright of a gentleman.

Randolph Stark, now retired and living in the pleasant little village of New Point, was born on October 14, 1838, in Clermont county, Ohio, and is the son of John and Charity (Meeker) Stark, natives of New York and New Jersey, respectively. John Stark was the son of John Stark, whose father was Gen. John Stark, of Revolutionary fame, whose words, "There are the redcoats! We must beat them today or Mollie Stark is a widow," are historical. In 1850 John and Charity Stark came from Ohio to Indiana, settling in Salt Creek township, Decatur county, where they resided nearly a half century, their deaths occurring in 1889. They were the parents of the following children: Mary Jane, deceased; Mrs. Sarah Jane Hollensbe, of Clarksburg; Mrs. Harriet Morrow, of Hidalgo, Illinois; Leander, who died in 1891; Alvira, deceased; Randolph, the subject of this sketch; James, who died in 1912; William H., of New Point, this county; John P., who died at the age of twelve years; Charles Foster, deceased; and Mrs. Maria Sample and Mrs. Melissa Freeland, twins, both deceased. John Stark followed the dual occupation of farmer and lumberman and was successful in both. He was a man of splendid qualities of character and stood high in the community where he so long resided.

Randolph Stark was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the district schools. At the early age of eighteen years, he engaged in the lumber business on his own account and was in partnership with his brother, Leander, for many years. They owned the New Point mills for over twenty years and at one time operated many mills scattered over different counties, the firm of Stark Brothers being one of the most important concerns of its kind in southern Indiana. So widely recognized is Mr. Stark's connection with the growth of New Point that he is frequently called "The Father of New Point." He has always had the keenest interest in the welfare of this community and in many substantial ways has contributed to its welfare and upbuilding. After sixty years of an honored and successful career, he has retired from active business affairs, but, although nearly seventy-seven years of age, is still hale and hearty. One of the interesting and pleasing incidents in Mr. Stark's later life was the post card shower of which lie was the recipient on November 13, 1910, the occasion being his seventy-second birthday anniversary. These cards, many hundreds in number, represented every state in the Union and were received from Odd Fellow lodges, war veterans, various publications and many eminent public men, including President Taft, ex-Vice-president Charles W. Fairbanks, Senator Albert J. Beveridge and other prominent men. One of the fine things in connection with Mr. Stark's life is the fact that he has never uttered an oath nor touched liquor or tobacco in any form. He is also a total abstainer from coffee and tea.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Randolph Stark enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served one hundred days and later, when General Morgan made his famous raids through southern Indiana, Mr. Stark again enlisted, assisting in repelling the invaders.

On March 13, 1864, Randolph Stark was married to Rosetta Showalter, who was born in Jackson county, Indiana, on August 3, 1844, the daughter of Isaac and Mary (Hollensbe) Showalter, natives of England. Mrs. Stark's parents eloped from England when Mary Showalter was only fourteen years of age. The Showalters later came to America, locating in Decatur county, about 1845. Late in Mr. and Mrs. Stark's lives there were born to them two children, a son and a daughter, the elder, the son, dying in infancy. The daughter, Cora, is a talented musician, having studied under the most competent instructors, both in Cincinnati and Indianapolis. For the past two years she has been conducting musicales and recitals in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Highly accomplished as a musical performer, and equally successful as a teacher, she is esteemed highly in musical circles of the cities where she is called.

Mr. Stark has always given his support to the Republican party and has been honored by his fellow citizens, having served as trustee of Salt Creek township for six years. His fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, he belonging to the lodge of that order at New Point. He assisted in building the New Point Christian church and has been one of its most faithful and earnest supporters. He takes an active part in the affairs of this church and served the communion for forty years.

Mr. Stark possesses a rare equanimity of temper and is noted for his kindness of heart, qualities which have won for him the sincere regard of all who know him. His nature is genial and cordial and his manner attractive. His mind is rich and cultivated by a life of reading and observation. He has no personal enemies and provokes no one to enmity, for the simplicity and cordiality of his nature and manner invite friendship and forbid enmity. He is a hospitable man and cordially responds to all social claims, his home, one of the most commodious and attractive in New Point, being favorite stopping places for many friends.

When the pioneer emigrant, John Clark, came to Decatur county, Indiana, with his wife in 1823, and entered a quarter section of land in Marion township, he might not have been conscious of the fact that he was here establishing a homestead for his posterity which would remain in the family at least to the fourth generation. The present farm of Samuel Clark in Marion township, which comprises three hundred and ninety-two acres, includes the quarter section of land entered by John Clark, his grandfather, in 1824. Since the latter's time this farm has been owned successfully by the son, William Clark, and at present by the grandson, Samuel, the subject of this sketch.

Samuel Clark, who now lives in Greensburg, but supervises his farm, was born on September 16, 1859, the son of William and Rebecca (Casseldine) (Newman) Clark, the former of whom was born on September 22, 1807, and who died, April 1, 1893, and the latter of whom was born, June 10, 1817, and who died about three years before the passing of her husband, on November 14, 1890. Born at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, Rebecca Casseldine was descended originally from North Carolina stock. Her husband, who was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, was the son of John Clark, a native of Maryland, born in 1768, and who died in 1860. He came from his home near Blackhorse Tavern, in Maryland, on horseback to Kentucky, and there was married to Mary Beckett, and in 1823 came on to Decatur county, entering a quarter-section tract in Marion township. The next year he returned to Kentucky and removed with his family permanently to this state.

Each winter, however, he returned to Kentucky and cut cord wood. In his younger days he had been a fireman on a river steamer and with others had made several trips to New Orleans by flat-boat with various kinds of produce, walking all the way back home. He was a strong, sturdy character and one fitted to found a home in the Hoosier wilderness. He and his wife reared a family of eleven children, Joseph, Robert, William, James, Richard, Thomas, Walker, John, Nancy, Eliza and Susan, all of whom are deceased, Richard having died in August, 1913.

When William Clark reached maturity he purchased the old home farm, and during his lifetime accumulated altogether about four hundred acres of land in one tract. He also owned eighty acres south of Greensburg, or in all four hundred and eighty acres. He was a strong Republican. To William and Rebecca (Casseldine) Clark were born three children: Eliza J., who lives with her brother, Samuel, the subject of this sketch; Nancy A., who died on April 7, 1894, and Samuel.

Until his removal to Greensburg, Indiana, Samuel Clark had always lived on the farm where he was born. In March, 1915, Mr. Clark removed to north Greensburg, but still raises hogs and many cattle on the farm, which is immune from cholera and all other hog diseases. There have been altogether six different houses on the farm, but one burned, and there are only two left, these having supplanted pioneer structures. The house in which Mr. Clark himself lived was built in 1845.

On January 3, 1895, Samuel Clark was married to Susanna Clemons, who was born on October 4, 1866, in Dearborn county, Indiana, is the daughter of Frederick and Louise (Krummel) Clemons, natives of Germany, who came to this country when young people and who were married in Dearborn county. After their marriage they removed to Ripley county, and settled near Napoleon, where they died. A great-grandfather of the Clark children on their maternal side fought with and was killed while fighting under General Washington at the memorable defeat of General Braddock during the French and Indian wars.

To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Clark have been born four children, as follow: Helen, born on October 31, 1895; Bertha, 1900, died in 1902; Nesbit, December 21, 1904, and Chauncey Howard, April 2, 1907.

All the members of the Clark family, except Mr. Clark, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Clark himself attends church. At the formation of the Progressive party in 1912, Mr. Clark identified himself with this party, and. since then has been actively identified with the organization of the party. He is an enthusiastic admirer of Colonel Roosevelt and also of former Senator Beveridge. Samuel Clark takes a great interest in the farm which has come down to him from his grandfather, and is anxious that the farm he kept in the family for several generations to come. He is devoting his life not only to the business of farming, but to rearing his children to honorable and useful lives, for which he has every reason to expect that they will carry on the work so successfully carried forward by their father, grandfather and great-grandfather in this county. Here in old Decatur county the name of Clark is synonymous with industry, honesty, sobriety and intelligent citizenship, and Samuel Clark is a worthy exponent of these principles.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.


CHARLES W. WORLAND
Under the operation of the American system of politics there are few evidences of personal popularity more convincing in their expression than the returns given at the polls. When the election returns give to a candidate for a responsible and important county office the largest majority ever returned for any candidate of the party on whose ticket his name is represented in that county, this indisputable and very tangible evidence may be accepted as creating a very fair presumption of a most complimentary personal following on the part of that favored candidate. These thoughts are suggested by a review of the returns of the last election in Decatur county, in which County Commissioner C. W. Worland, of Clay township, was re-elected by the largest majority ever given a Democratic candidate for county commissioner in the history of this county. Not only that, but Mr. Worland has the further distinction of being the only Democratic county commissioner who was ever re-elected in Decatur county. His popularity in the vicinity of his home was amply demonstrated by the fact that, although his precinct is naturally heavily Republican, Mr. Worland carried the same by a majority of fifty-seven votes, an expression of confidence and esteem on the part of his neighbors that must have been exceedingly gratifying to the candidate. All agreed, however, that this expression was well deserved, for in the administration of the affairs of the county commissioner's office, Mr. Worland had displayed a degree of sagacity, sound business judgment and keen executive ability that very properly called for his retention in this important office, and there were many who announced, at the opening of his second campaign, that his reelection was a foregone conclusion, a forecast which the returns proved to be quite accurate. Commissioner Worland is one of the best-known men in Decatur county. He owns a fine farm of one hundred acres in Clay township, admirably tilled and prudently managed; the studious attention given to the management of his own affairs having been one of the strongest recommendations urged in behalf of his candidacy during the two campaigns he successfully conducted for the office which he now holds.

Charles W. Worland was born in Shelby county, Indiana, on January 20, 1862, son of William Leo and Nancy Ellen (Barnes) Worland, the former of whom was born on September 6, 1834, and died in July, 1903, and the latter of whom was born on July 16, 1843, and died on October 17, 1890, Mr. Worland dying at Shelbyville, Indiana, and Mrs. Worland dying at Letts Corner, this county. William L. Worland was born in Kentucky, son of Leo W. Worland, of Scottish ancestry, who, in an early day moved from Kentucky to Indiana and spent the rest of his life in this state. Nancy Ellen Barnes was a daughter of Elijah and Polly (Gregory) Barnes, whose last days also were spent in this county.

William L. Worland came to Decatur county in 1880, locating in Sand Creek township, engaging in the saw-mill business at Letts Corners, where he became quite successful. Upon the death of his wife, he went to Shelbyville, this state, where his last years were spent in the home of his daughter, Mary Margaret, who still is living in Shelbyville. William L. and Nancy Ellen (Barnes) Worland were the parents of eleven children, namely: Mary Margaret, who lives at Shelbyville, Indiana; Charles W., the immediate subject of this sketch; Elijah, who lives at Williamstown, Rush county, Indiana; Albert, who lives at Shelbyville, Indiana; Lewis, who lives at Indianapolis; Mrs. Nora Simmonds, of Indianapolis; Henry, deceased; William, deceased; Lilly, who lives at Denver, Colorado; Francis, who lives at Shelbyville, Indiana, and Morris, who lives at Greensburg, this county.

C. W. Worland has been a resident of this county since 1880, in which year he came with his parents from Shelby county. Until he was twenty-six years of age he assisted his father in the mill business at Letts Corners, but after that time rented a farm in Sand Creek township, where he lived until in September, 1904, when he moved to Clay township and entered seriously upon the life of a farmer. Being progressive in his methods of farming and energetic in his operations, he prospered and ten years ago bought his present farm of one hundred acres near the village of Milford, then known as the Rothschild farm. This is a fine farm, gently rolling, and its soil is of that variety locally known as "sugar tree" or "black walnut" soil.

On October 29, 1884, Charles W. Worland was united in marriage to Emma Davis, of Westport, this county, daughter of John and Mary (Dare) Davis, natives of Union county, this state, who came to Decatur county about the year 1870 and became prominent residents of the Westport neighborhood. Mary Dare's parents were natives of New Jersey and emigrated to Indiana shortly after their marriage, settling in Union county, where they spent the rest of their lives.

To C. W. and Emma (Davis) Worland were born six children, as follow: Mrs. Eva Miers, of Adams township, this county; Clarence E., who remains on the home farm; Mrs. Mary Pumphrey, of Shelbyville, Indiana; Edward Leo, an express messenger on the "Big Four" Railroad, whose run is between Cleveland and Kansas City; Mrs. Alma Salter, of Marion, Indiana, and Raymond, who lives at home.

Mr. Worland is a member of the Christian church and is active in the good works of that church. He is a Democrat and ever since coming to Decatur county has taken warm interest in the political affairs of the county, being deeply concerned in questions of good government. In November, 1914, he was re-elected county commissioner from his district, his services during his first term in that important office giving to the public ample evidence of his excellent qualifications for that important office. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Letts Corners and of the Masonic lodge at Milford, and takes a warm interest in the affairs of these two popular orders. Mr. Worland is a jovial man who has many warm friends throughout the county, all of whom hold him in the highest esteem.
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"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.


JOHN JOSEPH PUTTMANN
The gentleman, whose name appears at the head of this biographical review, needs no introduction to the people of Decatur county, since his entire active life has been spent here; a life devoted not only to the promotion of his own interests, but also to the welfare of the community at large. An honorable representative of one of the most highly esteemed families of this section and a man of high character and worthy ambitions, he has filled no small place in the public view, and, although a partisan, with strong convictions and well-defined opinions on questions on which men and parties divide, he holds the esteem and confidence of the people of his community. He has been identified with many of the most important enterprises of this community and, in this way, has been largely instrumental in the prosperity of the locality with which he has been identified. A successful business man himself, he has, by his counsel and advice, been instrumental in assisting others along the highway of life and has rightfully earned the enviable position which he holds in the community.

John J. Puttmann was born on June 4, 1857, at Enochsburg, Franklin county, Indiana, the son of John Henry and Christina Charlotte (Storig) Puttmann, natives of Germany. John H. Puttmann was born in 1784 and died in September. 1861, and his wife, Christina C., was born in 1815 and died on February 28, 1885. John H. Puttmann was a sailor and worked on the sea for many years, being the captain of a German vessel and, at one time, owned two ships of his own. He was an accomplished linguist, being able to speak seven languages. He finally abandoned a sea-faring life and came to Cincinnati, where he operated a grocery, subsequently moving to a farm near Enochsburg. About 1858 he bought a farm in Salt Creek township, in Decatur county, where he spent the remainder of his days. His son, the subject of this sketch, now owns the homestead. Christina Puttmann had been married prior to her union with Mr. Puttmann, her name having been Klimper, to this first marriage two children having been born, Fred and Henry Klirnper, both of whom are deceased. Of the children born to the union of John H. and Christina Puttmann, John J. is the only survivor, Eliza, Frances, Margaret, Louis and Josephine, all being dead.

John J. Puttmann attended the common schools of Salt Creek township and, at the age of fifteen years, in 1872, he became a telegraph operator at New Point and on January 9, 1874, entered the service of the Big Four railroad as agent and telegraph operator at North Bend. On May 1, 1874, he went to Lebanon. Boone county, Indiana, and on October 2, of the same year, he was again assigned to New Point, where he remained until his resignation, on May 1, 1858. He had faithfully discharged his official duties and was held in high esteem by his superior officers.

During all these years Mr. Puttmann had been keeping closely in touch with the public affairs of his locality and in 1882 was elected trustee of his township. So efficiently did he discharge the duties of this office that in 1884 he was again nominated by his party and re-elected. In 1890 the Democrats of his county nominated him for the position of county auditor and, being successful at the polls, he served four years in this responsible position. During President Cleveland's first administration, Mr. Puttmann served as postmaster at New Point, beginning on April 1, 1886. He has taken an active interest in political and other public affairs for many years and is numbered among the strong and influential men of his community.

John J. Puttmann has from time to time, become interested in various enterprises in Decatur county and is now numbered among its most prominent business men. That his interests are diversified may be inferred from the following statements. A merchant at New Point, he deals in hardware, farming implements, grain, feed and building material and also operates, in connection with this business, a lumber yard and keeps a complete line of drain tile. He also owns two saw-mills, one in New Point and another a short distance from that place, both of which are devoted to the manufacture of hardwood lumber. He engaged in the lumber and building material business until 1878 and in the hay, grain and feed business until 1879, and in 1892 established the hardware business. He was successful in all of these lines and was counted one of the most successful business men of his community, gaining the confidence and good will of all who had dealings with him. His grain business has been very extensive. He bought grain while in the employ of the railroad company and, since entering business on his own account, he has pushed this line of operation so that now he ships from three thousand to five thousand bushels of wheat annually. His elevator has a capacity of thirty-five hundred bushels. His investments in these lines are approximately as follow: In the lumber and building material business, two thousand dollars; grain, two thousand dollars, and hardware and implement business, four thousand dollars. In addition, he is also the owner of four hundred acres in Salt Creek township, which he devotes largely to live stock and general farming and in the operation of which he has met with well-deserved success. One of the largest enterprises in this community and with which Mr. Puttmann is very closely identified is the Big Four Stone Company, which employs from thirty-five to sixty men and whose annual pay roll is from twenty thousand to twenty-five thousand dollars. The output of this quarry is shipped to all parts of the United States and, since the quarry began operations, in April, 1882, the annual shipment has amounted to from three hundred to five hundred cars. The output consists largely of building stones, flagging and crushed stone. The capital investment of this enterprise is thirty thousand dollars and the company has one of the best quarry equipments in central Indiana, including a private railroad three miles long, rolling stock and a locomotive to facilitate the handling of the quarry output. Stone is now being produced from this quarry for a large building in West Virginia and for the colored Young Men's Christian Association building at Cincinnati. In the management of this enterprise, as in everything else in which he has engaged, Mr. Puttmann has shown business qualities of a high order and his progressive spirit and indefatigable industry have been duly appreciated by his business associates. Wisely conservative, yet aggressive when necessary in his business affairs, Mr. Puttmann is considered a man of keen judgment and sagacious insight into the possibilities of a proposition to which he addresses himself.

On June 19, 1878, John J. Puttmann was married to Hester E. Osborn, who was born on January 10, 1855, the daughter of Albert I. and Florence Osborn, of New Point, this county. Mrs. Puttmann died on September 28, 1914. To this union were born five children: Rose E., the wife of Bernard Santen, of Columbus, Ohio, who has one son, Vernon; Clyde E. H., a farmer, who married Virginia Jones and has three sons, Joseph J., Charles and Walter; Elva Dora, who is the wife of Professor Bass, postmaster and principal of the schools at New Point; Leona L., at home, and Clara C., who married R. B. Bartow, of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, who is connected with the American Steel and Wire Company.

Mr. Puttmann is a member of the Catholic church at Enochsburg and gives liberally to all charitable and benevolent offerings. He has lived and labored to worthy ends and is one of the sterling citizens and representative men of his community.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.


Deb Murray