In the respect that is accorded to a man who has fought his own way to success through unfavorable environment we find an unconscious recognition of the intrinsic worth of a character, which can not only endure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. William Trail was born June15, 1830, in Fayette County, Indiana, the son of William and Sarah (McCawn) Trail. The father of the subject was a native of Maryland and was a slave. However at an early day he escaped from his master and went to South Carolina, where he grew to manhood. When he was about thirty years of age he had managed to save a little money and slipping away one day he bought a colt and on the back of that animal rode to Indiana, arriving here in 1812 or 1813. Shortly afterward his former owners arrested him and attempted to take him back. He for a time desponded of being able to secure his freedom, but finally did so, paving for it three hundred dollars, which a kind friend allowed him to work out. He came to Henry County in 1833 at a time when there were but a few log cabins in the county and very few other improvements. In this place he grew to manhood and was married, becoming the father of seven children, all boys. He entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government and by perseverance, industry and wise economy accumulated a fair competence, being worth at the time of his death between five thousand and six thousand dollars. One of his sons, William, the subject proper of these paragraphs, was reared at home and received his limited education of about one month in the common schools of his neighborhood and a boarding school in Randolph County, paying his own way. When the probability of a conflict between the North and the South became a terrible reality the subject offered his services, and his life if need be, in defense of his country. He enlisted in 1865 and gallantly performed his part in that awful strife. In recognition of his sufferings during that service he now receives a small pension from the government. After his return from the army he settled on the tract of land, which has since been his home. He had to go into debt for his first purchase, but by hard work and rigid economy was enabled to not only pay for this, but to also add to it other land until his present holdings amount to one hundred and sixty acres of land, worth probably about nine thousand dollars. All this has been gained as a result of his own earnest and unremitting efforts and Mr. Trail certainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished. In 1869 occurred the marriage of the subject to Miss Sarah J Johnson. She was a native, of Kentucky, but was freeborn and was early brought to Indiana, where she was reared and educated. This union was a most happy one and was blessed with the birth of the following children: Alcinda is the wife of George W. Holland; William C. married Almira Waldron; Isaac N. lives at home; Clara, who is unmarried and at home, is a teacher in the public schools of Vigo County. Mr. Trail keeps alive his old army associations by membership in Post No. 360, G. A. R., at Spiceland. In his political affiliations he was a Republican up to the election of 1896, since which time he has supported the Democratic Party. He is a gentleman who in all circumstances in which he has been placed has borne himself with that spirit which brings to a man the respect and esteem of the entire community. He has in all respects been the architect of his own fortunes and has builded wisely and well.

Submitted by: Lora
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920

It is always pleasant and profitable to contemplate the career of a man who has made a success of life and won the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such is the record of the well-known farmer whose name heads this sketch, than whom a more whole-souled or popular man it would be difficult to find within the limits of the township where he has his home. Martin Worl was born in Liberty Township, Henry County, Indiana, on the 22d of January 1855 and is the son of John and Mary A. (McShurley) Worl. His paternal ancestors were natives of Kentucky for several generations. The grandfather was there born, reared and married. Later he removed with his family to Indiana, locating in Wayne County. He bought a farm near Jacksonsburg and there spent the remainder of his days. His son and the father of the subject, John Worl, was reared upon the homestead in Wayne County, and there received his education in the common schools. He was remarkably proficient in mental mathematical calculations and could estimate the weight of a carload of livestock correctly before others would have fairly started in their calculations. Shortly after he had, attained his majority he came to Henry County, where he became acquainted with the lady who afterward became his wife, Miss Mary A. McShurley. The latter was a native of Henry County and her parents were of Irish extraction. At the time of his marriage John Worl was a poor man, but he was strong, energetic and ambitious, and by dint of hard work and wise economy was soon enabled to buy a farm of his own. It was located in the midst of dense woods, but nothing (taunted he went to work at once to create for himself and family a home. He was a good financier and husbanded his earnings so that in his later years he was recognized as one of the leading farmers of the county, being worth forty thousand or fifty thousand dollars. He was a devoted and faithful member of the Christian church and his purse was always open to the demands of the gospel or any other worthy object. He was highly regarded and served in the office of deacon of his church for many years. To him and his wife were born the following children: Elizabeth, the wife of Dr. J. A. Stafford; Amanda, the wife of A. J. Metsker; Joseph married Mrs. Elizabeth (Obole) Young and lives in Oklahoma; John married Sarah Mason; Mary J., deceased, and Martin, the subject Martin Won was born in the township in which he now resides and was reared upon the paternal homestead. He was early initiated into the mysteries of husbandry and chose that occupation for his life work. He attended the schools of his township and gained a good practical education. He remained with his father until he was twenty-six years old and his father rewarded his faithfulness by deeding to him at that time a one-hundred-acre farm, thus giving him a splendid start in life. He has since been successfully engaged in the pursuit of agriculture and that he is both practical and progressive is evidenced by the appearance of his property: Good, commodious buildings adorn the place and the entire farm has attained under his efforts the condition of improvement, which marks the thrifty husbandman and intelligent proprietor. In politics Mr. Worl is a stanch believer in the principles advocated in the platform of the Republican Party and is earnest in his advocacy of the same. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Worl are members of the First Christian church and are faithful and consistent in the performance of religious duties. His fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Pythias, holding membership in the subordinate lodge at Hagerstown. He is a stockholder in and the present treasurer of the Millville Telephone Company. Martin Worl was united in marriage with Miss Flora B. Brooks February 28, 1883. She was born March 11, 1863, in Wayne County, this state. Her parents, John and Mary A. (Johnson) Brooks, were natives of North Carolina, and moved from thence to Indiana with their parents when young. They were married in Morgan County and shortly afterwards settled in Wayne County, where they afterwards resided until death. The father was a well-to-do farmer and businessman and helped to organize the first bank in Hagerstown and was its first president, his son, J. W. Brooks, being the first cashier. Mr. And Mrs. Brooks were the parents of three children, mentioned as follows: Jesse W. is a graduate of a commercial college and is now manager of the sanitarium at Martinsville, this state. Emma is the wife of W. K. Bellis, of Indianapolis, and Flora B., the wife of the subject. To the union of the subject and his wife has been born one child, Wilbur B., born August 23, 1890. He is a bright little fellow, the pride of his parents, and is now attending the schools of New Castle. Mr. Worl is a man of pleasing personality and strength of character, which easily places him among the most influential residents of the county, and his zeal in whatever subject he espouses is the signal of its success. By his manly, straightforward course in the affairs of life Mr. Worl has earned the respect and esteem of his associates and because of the many eminent social qualities and general worth he and his wife have gained unto themselves a large circle of warm personal friends. A volume devoted to mention of the representative citizens of Henry County would not be complete with out mention of Mr. Worl.

Submitted by: Lora
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920

There have come to Indiana from other states many men of limited financial resources, but imbued with sturdy independence and a laudable ambition to succeed, and who have taken advantage of the wonderful possibilities afforded here and gradually step by step have risen to places of prominence in business circles. The career of the well-known gentleman whose name appears at the beginning of this biographical notice illustrates most forcibly the possibilities that are open to a man who possesses intelligence and natural business qualifications combined with integrity and honor. It proves that success is not a thing to be inherited but to be won by sheer force of energy directed and controlled by correct moral principles: it also proves that neither wealth nor social position nor the assistance of influential friends are at times requisite in placing an individual on the high road to prosperity and honorable station. David L. Hinshaw is the son of Benjamin and Annas (Bowman) Hinshaw and was born in North Carolina on the 26th of September. 1826. He was the tenth in order of birth in a family of twelve children. He passed his early life up to the age of eighteen years upon a farm, in the meantime obtaining in the public schools a fair knowledge of the common branches of learning. Upon leaving the farm he commenced to learn the trade of a blacksmith. In 1832 he accompanied his parents upon their removal to Indiana. They first located in Wayne County, but in 1834 came to Henry County, and here he worked at his trade for eleven years. He was married in 1850 and in 1855 he bought the nucleus of the farm on which he now resides. He first purchased eighty acres, but so successful was he in its operation and so wise his business management that by subsequent additions he has now in his possession three hundred and thirty acres, valued at twenty thousand dollars. All of this has been acquired by hard work and now Mr. Hinshaw can view with a large degree of satisfaction the result of his past years of arduous labor. On the 18th of August, 1850, Mr. Hinshaw was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Emeline Adams whose parents came to this state from Ohio, the mother having been a native of Kentucky. Mrs. Hinshaw was born in Ripley County Indiana was reared upon a farm and received the benefit of a fair common-school education. She is a most estimable lady and has nobly stood by the side of her husband in his efforts to gain a comfortable home and a competence. They are faithful and consistent members of the Society of Friends. In politics the subject was formerly a Whig, but since the dissolution of that party he has cast his ballot and influence in favor of the Republican Party, believing the policies of that party to be those most conductive to the welfare of the American people. He has never had a desire for public office, but was at one time prevailed upon to accept the office of supervisor of his township. Ranking with the most progressive agriculturists of the county, and enjoying the reputation of a successful financier, he is also one who takes a leading part in all measures for the common welfare and supports every movement whereby his community may be benefited. He is an honorable man, honest in all his business transactions, and not a dollar in his possession but has been earned by legitimate and straightforward methods. Throughout his community he is held in high esteem and his career as a neighbor and a citizen has always been above reproach. His aim is to be on the moral side of any question and to the best of his judgment and ability he has exerted his influence with this end in view. Greensboro Township can boast of no better citizen and Henry County has been greatly benefited by his long period of residence therein.

Submitted by: Lora
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920

This gentleman is the most popular merchant tailor in New Castle, Henry County, Indiana, and carries the fullest and best-selected stock of fabrics to be found in any similar establishment in the county. His taste is exquisite, and as a cutter he stands unexcelled, while his charges are as low as is consistent with good business policy. Mr. Frederick was born in Laurenceburg, Dearborn county, Indiana, November 3, 1862, was there first apprenticed to his trade, which he finished at Indianapolis, and this latter fact may account for the metropolitan style and taste which characterizes every garment lie makes to order. He began his apprenticeship when a lad of fourteen years, when his mind was easily impressed with whatever was elegant, served three years and then worked as a journeyman three years in Indianapolis. His next step was to come to New Castle and on opening business here at once secured the best class of patrons in the town, and they, being well pleased with his tasteful work, have steadfastly adhered to him ever since, and this fact has brought him many new customers who are equally well pleased. He now employs six workmen, and these are the best to be found. He is located at 114 North Main Street, an excellent part of the town. Mr. Frederick was joined in matrimony, December 28, 1887, with Miss Lizzie Krauer, daughter of Andrew F. Krauer, of New Castle, and this union has been blessed with one son, Karl A., born December 18, 1888. In politics Mr. Frederick is a Democrat, but is not particularly active as a politician. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias and a Red Man, and as a citizen he leads a commendable and useful life.

Submitted by: Lora
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920