"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

FELIX LAMPERT, blacksmith and manufacturer of wagons, carriages and plows, of Jasper, Ind., was born in Baden, Germany, March, 1834, and is the younger of a family of two children who were brought by their parents to the United States when our subject was but three years of age. They settled immediately in this county and State and began farming. At the age of nineteen Felix came to Jasper and learned the blacksmith’s trade and for some time worked in St. Louis and at other points. He settled permanently in Jasper in 1856 and worked the first five years as journeyman, with Sebastian Kuebler. He began business for himself in 1861. May 30, 1859, he married Helena Bretz and they became the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are living: William J., Edward, Isabella, Caroline, George, Charles, Frank and Otho. Our subject started in business on a small scale, but now has the best manufactory in town. He is a Democrat and he and wife belong to the Catholic Church.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

FRANK LECHNER, a son of Frank and Mary (Fritsch) Lechner, and one of three children, was born in Baden, Germany, October 5, 1823. The father, who was a native of France, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war in that country, being a member of Napoleon’s army. He was afterward engaged as stage driver, and had the honor of having the Emperor ride with him when he was on a trip to Prussia. March 31, 1837, the family took passage for America, landing at New Orleans. They came to Cincinnati, Ohio, and later came to Jasper, via Troy. Here they settled on the farm where our subject now lives. Seven years after their arrival the mother died, and about five years later the father’s death occurred. Frank was raised on a farm, but received no English education. February 7, 1848, Mary Wagner became his wife, and to them ten children have been born; only Frank, Conrad, Peter, Joseph, Felix, Mary, Maggie, Alice and Adam now living. Frank has been a farmer all his life, and by good management now owns a farm of 500 acres of good land. He is identified with the Democratic party, and he and wife are members of the Catholic Church.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

ANDREW MEHRINGER was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 20, 1829, and is the next eldest in a family of seven children born to Andrew and Margaret (Dearhoff) Mehringer. In 1834 they learned of the advantages to be gained by coming to the new world, and accordingly they and a family by the name of Spindler came here to seek their fortunes, and were the first families known to have left that providence for America. They landed at Baltimore, and came as far as Cincinnati, Ohio, where Andrew Mehringer, Sr., left his family and came on to Dubois County, Ind., and purchased land making the entire trip here and back on foot. Our immediate subject made his home with his parents until he was seventeen years old; he then went to work as a gardener at Louisville, where he lived until 1854, when he returned to Dubois County and has ever since resided. In September, 1853, he married Mary Schwerer, and to them one child was born - John F. In October, 1855, Mrs. Mehringer died, and September 30, 1856, he took for his second wife Kathrina Brosemer, by whom he is the father of eleven children, ten of whom are living: Joseph A., Henry S., Lawrence L., Josephine, Lizzie, Katherine, Antony, Mary, Rosa and Lucy. Mr. Mehringer has succeeded well as a farmer, and now owns 128 acres of well improved land. He and family are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat, and has been appointed sheriff twice, and acted as deputy sheriff for about twenty-four years.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

JOHN F. MEHRINGER, brother of Joseph A., was born March 30, 1855. He was reared on a farm in this county, with his parents, and obtained a fair education in the common schools near his home. He remained at home, following a farmer’s life, until August 30, 1881, when he married Elizabeth Bretz, native of Dubois County. In February, 1882, he engaged in the drug business with his brother, Joseph A., whose sketch follows this. Mr. Mehringer is a Democrat in politics, and was town treasurer two years. He is the father of two children: Frank J. and Ernest H. He and wife are members of the Catholic faith, and he is esteemed by the community for his many excellent business and social qualities.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

JOSEPH A. MEHRINGER, druggist, of Jasper, Ind., was born July 19, 1857, son of Andrew and Kathrina (Brosemer) Mehringer. (See sketch of Andrew Mehringer.) Joseph A. was raised in this county, and received a fair German and English education. At the age of fourteen, he engaged in the drug business as clerk for Martin Friedman, at Jasper, and remained with him three years. He then attended the Louisville College of Pharmacy, and received a diploma from there in 1881. He afterward clerked in various places until 1882, when he engaged in the drug business in partnership with his brother John. They have a well-stocked store, and are doing a thriving business in Jasper. In 1882 he was elected a member of the American Pharmaceutical Association, of which he is still a member. June 19, 1883, he married Rosa E. Friedman, a native of Jasper. He is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

NICHOLAS J. OBERST is a member of the firm of Friedman, Scheirich & Co., who established their business in 1884, with a capital stock of $50,000. He is a native of Dubois County, born February 24, 1850, and is the third in a family of eleven children born to John N. and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Oberst, who were natives of Germany, the former coming to this State and county about 1832. Our immediate subject was raised in this and Martin Counties, and received a good common school education. In 1874, he entered into partnership with P. Scheirich and Paul Egg, under the firm name of P. Egg & Co. Two years later Mr. Egg retired from the saw-mill business, and the remaining partners purchased his interest and established a planer in connection with their sawing department. They continued in the business under the name of P. Scheirich & Co., until 1884, where the firms were united as above. They deal in all kinds of lumber, lath and shingles, sashes and blinds, and, in connection with their mill, operate a retail hardware store, and deal in all kinds of goods pertaining to that line of business. They employ about thirty-five men and are doing one of the most extensive trades of any firm in southern Indiana. Mr. Oberst’s marriage with Miss Davis was solemnized in 1872. They are the parents of four children, and he and his family are members of the Catholic Church.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

GEBHARD F. REYLING was born in Dubois County, Ind., May 24, 1850, and is one of two surviving children born to George A. and Monica (Oberst) Reyling, who were born in Germany, and came to this country at a very early day. They were among the first settlers of the county, and first located about four miles east of Jasper, where the father established a mill on the Patoka River, and operated it until 1875, when he sold out and removed to Jasper. Here our subject was raised and educated, and at the age of seventeen years, he began learning the cabinet-maker’s trade, at which he continued until he had attained the age of twenty-three years. June 15, 1876, his marriage with Lucy Eckstein was celebrated. They became the parents of four children: George J., Mary, Theodore and Helena. Since his marriage he has followed the occupation of farming, and has been quite successful. He now owns 234 acres of well improved land. He is a Democrat, and the family belong to the Catholic Church.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

JOHN SALB & SON, retail liquor dealers, established their saloon in June, 1878. The senior member of the firm was born in Baden, Germany, August 24, 1821, and is a son of Paul and Kathrina (Ereth) Salb. He was raised in his native country, and obtained a good ordinary education in the schools of that land. In the latter part of 1849, or fore part of 1850, he married Barbara Hauser, and they became the parents of three children, only two now living: Henry, who married Agnes Eckstein, and John P., whose wife was Maggie Betz. November 11, 1852, John Sr., and family, started for the United States, and while en route, were shipwrecked off Long Island, January 14, 1853, and reached New York City four days later, when they removed to Ohio, remaining there three yeas, when they came to Jasper, Ind., where they have since remained, with the exception of some time spent in Louisville, Ky. Up to the time he established his present business he was engaged in farming, and as boot and shoe merchant, and has been very successful in all his undertakings. October 12, 1877, Mrs. Salb died. Mr. Salb and family are members of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been a member of the town council two years.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

CHRIST. SCHENK, native of Prussia, was born March 10, 1843, son of Christ and Dorothea (Jacobs) Schenk. Our subject remained in his native land until he was twenty-four years old and received a good common school education. Meanwhile he learned the cabinet-maker’s trade and in 1867 took passage for the United States, and first settled in Indianapolis, Ind., where he remained for one year and then moved to Tell City. In 1879 he came to Jasper, Ind. August 1, 1870, his marriage with Augusta Steiner was solemnized. To their union two children were born: Fritz and Oscar. in the fall of 1883, he became one of the partners of the firm, Benkert & Co., manufacturers of oak and hickory spokes. They have a capital of $3,500 and are doing an extensive business in their line, and have a fair outlook for the future. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church and he is an ardent Democrat and an excellent citizen.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

PETER SCHEIRICH, of the firm Friedman, Scheirich & Co., is a native of Dubois County, Ind., born February 29, 1842, son of Martin and Kathrina (Gearla) Scheirich, who were natives of Germany and who came to this State and county in October, 1832, and made their home two miles southeast of Jasper. Peter remained at home assisting his parents until he was twenty-four years old. He received such education as the facilities of the day afforded. May 16, 1865, his marriage with Regina Doll was celebrated. After marriage he engaged in farming for himself, and beneath his sturdy stroke many a lofty oak has been laid low. He continued farming until 1872 when he disposed of his farm and embarked in the saw-milling business at which he has since continued. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church. He has been very successful in all his business undertakings, being a member of one of the most enterprising firms in the vicinity.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

ISIDOR SCHUHMACHER, auditor of Dubois County, Ind., was born in Wurtenburg, Germany, November 10, 1841, son of _______ and Magdalena Schuhmacher, both natives of Germany where the father died in 1847. Isidor was raised in his native country and received a fair education for the time and advantages he had for securing it. At the age of ten years he immigrated to the United States with his mother and located on a farm near Ferdinand where he lived three years, and then came to Jasper and learned the wagon-maker’s trade, following this and carpentering until the war broke out, when he enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Indiana Infantry, and served his country faithfully and well for over a year. He then returned home and continued at his trade over two years, and then took the position as United States mail carrier from Jasper to Loogootee, continuing four years. He then returned to his old occupation and in 1876 engaged in selling furniture and agricultural implements. In 1878 he was elected county auditor, and four years later was re-elected. Caroline Vollmer became his wife in 1861. She died seven years later, leaving him one child, Joseph I., who is deputy auditor. November 17, 1868, Isidor too for his second wife Mary Egg, who has borne him seven children six now living. He has been very successful in business affairs, and is considered an excellent citizen. He and wife are Catholics.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

ANDREW SCHULER, member of the firm of M. Scheirich, Schuler & Co., is a native of Dubois County, Ind., and was born September 21, 1851, and is the younger of two children born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Schitter) Schuler, who were natives of Pennsylvania and France, respectively. They were among the first settlers of the county. Our subject’s mother died when he was but eighteen months old and his father soon remarried. Andrew remained at home until he was twenty-six years old and assisted his parents. He received a good common school education. February 18, 1879, his marriage with Mary T. Reyling was solemnized. To their union were born three sons: Theodore, Albert and Emil. Mr. Schuler’s present occupation is merchant milling at which he is very successful. He and family are members of the Catholic church and he is a Democrat.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

M. SCHEIRICH, SCHULER & CO., are the proprietors of the Jasper Indiana Union Roller Flour Mill which was erected in 1876 by Joseph Egg & Co. who operated it until 1879 when it was purchased by its present owners. It was originally a stone mill, but in 1884 it was remodeled and fitted up with roller process. Its capacity is seventy-five barrels per day and is valued at $15,000. They do an annual business of $40,000. Martin Scheirich, Jr., senior member of the firm was born in this county, October 24, 1852, and is a son of Martin and Kathrina (Gearla) Scheirich (see sketch of Peter Scheirich). He remained at home until he was twenty-two years old, and received a good education and April 21, 1874, he married Mary Egg who bore him three children, two now living: Joseph and Kathrina. Martin Jr., has been very successful in his milling business and it is not necessary to state that their flour ranks among the best in southern Indiana. He and family are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat and a member of the town council.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

JOSEPH SCHULER a prominent citizen of Dubois County, Ind., was born in Pennsylvania, February 14, 1821, and is a son of Ptolemy and Rosa Schuler who were natives of Austria and Switzerland, respectively. They came to the United States in 1816 with the understanding that they were to come over free, but were to work their passage after their arrival in this country. The father was sold to work for three years to pay the debt, but at the end of two years his purchaser died and he was then liberated. He located in Pennsylvania where he remained over ten years and then came to this State and county in the fall of 1837, and located on a farm near Jasper. Joseph remained on the farm until he was twenty-seven years old, and August 10, 1849, he married Elizabeth Schitter, by whom he is the father of these two children: James and Andrew. March 16, 1853, Mrs. Schuler died, and July 18, 1853, he led to Hymen’s altar Mary E. Bowshert. They are the parents of seven living children: Joseph, Helena, William, Rosa, Henry, Mary and Frank. Mr. Schuler is a Democrat and has held the office of county commissioner. He and family are Catholics and he is a well to do farmer and owns 400 acres of well improved land.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

ADAM SCHMITT, farmer, was born in Germany, May 27, 1823, and the oldest living child born to Jacob and Margaret (Lang) Schmitt. Adam remained in his native land until he was seventeen years old. He received a good education, and in May, 1840, he and his parents immigrated to the United States, landing at Baltimore, Md., in August of that year. They came to Dubois county, Ind., soon after, where they have made their home. Adam remained at home and aided his parents until their deaths, and April 16, 1849, his marriage with Magdalena Hochgesang was solemnized, and to their union nine children have been born, six of whom are living: Apalona, Mandana, Andrew, Magdalena, John and Joseph. Our subject has always been a farmer, and a successful one. He owns 300 acres of land, mostly improved. In politics he is a Democrat, and has never aspired to office. As a member of the Catholic Church he is ever ready to aid the benevolent causes in his community, with both influence and money.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

FRANK SEIBERT, senior member of the firm of Seibert & Klingel, of Jasper, Ind., is a native of Germany, where he was born August 15, 1843. He came with his parents to the United States when but a few months old. They first settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, and when Frank was but six months old, his father died. They lived for ten or twelve years in Cincinnati, when his mother remarried and moved to Newport, Ky., from whence they moved to Troy, Perry Co., Ind. Our subject lived there until 1879, when he came to Tell City. In 1883 he moved to Jasper and purchased an interest in his present business, at which he has succeeded beyond his expectations. In May, 1873, he was married to Miss Louisa Knibel, by whom he is the father of three children: John W., Frank J. and Oscar E. He and family are members of the Catholic Church and in politics he is a Democrat.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

JOSEPH F. SERMERSHEIM, jeweler, of Jasper, Ind., was born February 1, 1852, and was raised at home, where he remained until he was eighteen years old, when he went to Evansville, Ind., and learned the jeweler’s trade. He remained there two and a half years, and then went to Louisville, Ky., where he remained over a year, and then returned to Jasper and embarked in his present business for himself. He carries a $2,000 stock, and does an annual business of about $1,000. He has a first-class line of goods, and is doing a good trade. June 27, 1876, he married Miss P. Burger. They are the parents of two children: Joseph J. and Charles. Himself and family are members of the Catholic Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. He was postmaster for two years under Hayes’ administration, and has been a member of the town council five years.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

HENRY S. SERMERSHEIM, senior member of the firm of Sermersheim & Friedman, of Jasper, Ind., was born in the above place February 26, 1860, and is the sixth child in a family of eight children born to Joseph and Antony (Hurst) Sermersheim, who came from Germany at a very early day. Our subject, Henry, was raised in Jasper, and received a collegiate education at St. Meinrad. For some time after returning from college he clerked in his mother’s store, and afterward engaged in the clothing business for himself, continuing until July, 1884, when he began keeping a livery stable, and has made a comfortable competency. In October, 1881, he married Elizabeth Friedman, by whom he is the father of one living child, Henrietta. They have one child dead, named Clara. He and family are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

LOUIS SENG, Jr., is proprietor of the Depot Hotel, Jasper, Ind. The business was originally established by J.B. Kessner, and was subsequently owned by diverse parties until the year 1882, when it was purchased by its present proprietor, who was born in Dubois County, Ind., October 3, 1855, and is the fourth in a family of twelve children born to Louis and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Seng, who were natives of Germany and came to this country at a very early period. Louis worked on the farm until he was twenty-one years old and then worked at teaming one year, and then clerked for three years, and in 1880 entered into partnership with J. Lehrburger & Co., continuing with them until 1882 when he commenced his present business. He has been very successful and has a good trade. April 13, 1883, his marriage with Annie Bacher was solemnized. They became the parents of one child, Joseph L. Mr. Seng is a Catholic and his wife is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a Democrat and is well established in the common school branches.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

AUGUST SONDERMANN, of the firm of Sermersheim & Co., dealers in general merchandise at Jasper, Ind., was born March 19, 1836, and is one of four children born to Anton and Josepha Sondermann, natives of Germany, where the father died in 1839. The mother married again and came to the United States, locating in Ferdinand, Dubois Co., Ind., about 1875, where she died in 1880. August was raised in Germany and farmed there until 1854 when he came to the United States and farmed with an uncle two years and then began clerking in a store in Ferdinand, where he remained six years. In 1863 he came to Jasper and engaged in the brewery business with his father-in-law, and three years later he began clerking for him in the general merchandise business. Since the death of this father-in-law in 1876, he has conducted the business in connection with his mother-in-law. They have an excellent stock of goods and are doing a thriving business. In 1863 he married Maria Sermersheim, who died in 1873, leaving two children: Albert and Josephine. Mr. Sondermann is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic church.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

LEO F. SPAYD, dealer in tin, hardware, stoves, etc. established his business in Celestine, Ind., in 1876, and removed from there to Jasper in 1880. He carries a stock of $2,000 and does an annual business of $3,500. He was born in Spencer Co., this State, March 7, 1850, and is the eldest in a family of ten children born to Michael and Mary Spayd, who were natives of France and Germany, respectively. Leo F. remained at home until he attained his majority. He then began learning the tinner’s trade of Frank Semmiger, of Ferdinand, with whom he remained about two and a half years, and in 1876 embarked in business for himself as above stated; at which he has been very successful. In January, 1875, he married Catharine Giehl, by whom he is the father of five children, these four now living: Rosa, Tilly, Albert and Clara. He and family are members of the Catholic Church, and in politics he has always been a Democrat, and has held the office of postmaster at Celestine.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township

EDWARD STEPHENSON, a prominent citizen of Jasper, Ind., was born January 7, 1823, and is the eldest of seven children born to David and Catherine (Dickerson) Stephenson, who were natives of Maryland and Alabama, respectively. Edward remained at home with his parents until he attained the age of twenty years. He was educated in the common schools of the county, and also attended the Corydon Seminary for some time. In 1841 he began studying medicine with A.M. Jones, of Corydon, Ind., with whom he remained until 1843, when he removed to Crawford County and embarked in the practice of medicine for himself. In 1845 he came to Dubois County, of which he has been a resident ever since. In 1847 he gave up practicing his profession on account of poor health, and entered the county clerk’s office as deputy, serving there until January, 1850. April 18, 1850, his marriage with Missouri Edmonston was solemnized; to them were born ten children, only three of whom survive: Theodore, Edward E. and Solon. After marriage he again resumed his profession, but in 1860 he again abandoned it and removed to a farm northeast of Jasper where he has since resided. His wife died December 14, 1872. In politics he has always been an uncompromising Democrat; he was honored by an election to the office of county treasurer five terms. His name was very prominently mentioned in the papers throughout the State at one time as State treasurer. In 1853 he was commissioned treasurer of the Indiana Swamp Land Fund, by Gov. Joseph A. Wright.

"HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES, INDIANA" CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1885.
Bainbridge Township