"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Cannelton" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
REV. FREDERICK WILLIAM PEPERSACK, Catholic pastor of St. Patrick's and St. Michael's churches at Cannelton, was born March 21, 1822, at Dinklage, Oldenburg. He came to America in January, 1847, and for several years was engaged in teaching school at St. Wendel, Posey Co., Ind. He received the highest praise from the pastor, Father Weinzoepfel. He prepared for the university, and was ordained priest at Vincennes by Bishop de St. Palais on March 24, 1855. On the feast of the Seven Dolors, he celebrated his first mass at St. Wendel. He was appointed the first resident priest of St. James' in Gibson County immediately after this, and remained there until June 1866. He left it much improved and free of all indebtedness. From
June 1866 to October, 1870, he served as pastor of St. Nicholas, in Ripley County. At the last named date he became pastor of Millhousen, in Decatur County. There he found debts to the amount of $18,000, and church accounts badly kept. By skillful management he succeeded in greatly reducingthat, and also built a school for the larger boys, and thoroughly renovated the school for girls. He remained at Millhousen until his appointment at Cannelton, in March 1885. He was instrumental in building St. Joseph's at Princeton, Ind., in 1866, now one of the most flourishing in the diocese.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Cannelton" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
CHRISTIAN RAUSCHER, county commissioner, and a citizen of Cannelton, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, April 23, 1832. His parents were John and Catherine (Costanbader) Rauscher. All his education was obtained early in life in his native country. At the age of twelve years he left home and friends and started for the New World, where he landed at New Orleans in August, 1844. For about a year after that he was employed as baker in that city. From there he went to Louisville and learned the butcher's trade, and remained in that place until his settlement in Cannelton, in 1855. At that time he had but $10 and that sum he invested in two hogs, and from which he derived considerable profit. Ever since then he has bee engaged in
the butcher business in the town with good success. Frederica Idler became his wife inthe fall of 1853. She is also a native of Germany, and has borne him five children, these three now living: Mrs. Katie Keehorn, John and Mrs. Lizzie Cummings. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rauscher belong to the Lutheran Church, and he is a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry. Politically he is a Democrat, and in 1884, was elected county commissioner, which office he now holds.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Cannelton" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
WILLIAM L. SHALLCROSS, of Cannelton, was born in Louisville, Ky, March 18, 1830, and is a son of John and Mary (Lewis) Shallcross. The father was a native of Manchester, England, and came to America in 1812. Three years later he located at Louisville. He resided there until his death, in 1867, being at that time one of the most widely known business men in the West, and leaving a fortune valued at $250,000. Of his twelve children but six are now living. William L. is the fourth child, and was raised in his native city, where he received a good education, mostly from private tutors. At the age of sixteen years he began a wholesale grocery business, and two years later removed to Iron Mountain, Mo., where he was engaged as clerk
for the Iron Mountain Company. After three years more he returned to Louisville, and for fifteen years followed the milling business. Since October, 1870, he has been living in Cannelton, and acting treasurer of the American Cannel Coal Company. At Elizabethtown, Ky., on April 17, 1855, Mary Crutcher became his wife. She bore him seven children, these four now living: Mary S., Lillian, Eliza J. and James C. On January 6, 1876, Mrs. Shallcross, who was a member of the Episcopal Church, died. His second marriage occurred February 17, 1879, with Mary P. Claycomb. By her he is father of one child, named Marcia P. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and in politics is a liberal Democrat.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Cannelton" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
JOHN SILVEREISAN, proprietor of Phoenix Hotel, of Cannelton, is a native of Prussia, born Aptil 9, 1836, being the fifth of seven children in the family of William and Catharine (Dono) Silvereisan. When eight years old, he came with his parents to the United States, and located near Rome, in this county. Owing to the meager educational facilities of those times, he received but little school instruction. At the age of seventeen he went to Cincinnati and learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed as a journeyman in the shops of Lemon & Bro. and Newcomb & Co. for fourteen years. He then worked in the blacksmithing and repairing shop at the cotton-mill until July, 1879, when he engaged in his present business. November 27,
1858 he married Margaret Ruby, who died Febraury 14, 1872, leaving two children, Frederick L. and Lillian. He chose fo rhis second wife Amelia Beckwith, whom he married July 28, 1872. Mr. Silvereisan is very successful in the hotel business, and keeps a first-class house. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Cannelton" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
HON. JOSEPH F. SULZER, of the firm of J.F. Sulzer & Bro., was born in Louisville, Ly., September 20, 1837. He is the eldest of five children. His parents were Samuel and Magdalene (Herman) Sulzer. He may be said to have grown up behind the counter, as his father was a merchant. When seventeen years of age he began business for himself near Frankfort, Ky. At the end of one year he returned to the city, and for more than two was a "bright worker" in the tin business. In 1855 he located at Cannelton in trade. Since that time he has been one of the leading merchants of the place. Louise W. Kolb, of Cannelton, and native of Ohio, was married to him January 20, 1861. She has born him five children: Mabel, Frank K., Grace, Floy and
Raymond. They are members of the Episcopal Church, while he belongs to the Lutheran and the Masonic and Odd Fellows' lodges. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but for several years has been allied with the Republican party. In 1880 he was elected to the State Legislature against the strongest opposition. He takes an active interest in all public enerprises of his town. In company with his brother Samuel, he owns one of the best retail stores in southern Indiana, and in addition they have a branch house at Cloverport, Ky., and one at Troy, Ind.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Cannelton" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
JOHN SWEENEY, county sheriff, is a native of Ireland and was born May 6, 1849. Timothy and Mary (Walsh) Sweeney were his parents. In the early part of 1854 he came to America preceded by his mother, the father having died prior to that time. He landed at New Orleans and came at once to Cannelton. He received a common school education in the public schools of the town, and in 1865 began a year's course at St. Meinrad's College. After that he learned the trade of a saddler and harness-maker, which he followed until the early part of 1876. In that year he was elected county sheriff and was re-elected in 1878. Upon the expiration of his term in 1880 he was employed two years as foreman of a company of men in the quarries at Rock
Island. After that time he bought and sold stock, and speculated a little until April, 1884. He was then nominated by his party for sheriff without any solicitation on his part, and without opposition. He was elected and is now serving his third term in that capacity. This is of itself a sufficient recommend of the esteem in which he was held by his fellow citizens. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Cannelton" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
WILL N. UNDERWOOD, editor and proprietor of the Cannelton Enquirer and Reporter, is a native of New York, where he was born in Delaware County, September 16, 1841. He is the youngest child and only son in a fmily of six children born to the marriage of Nathaniel Underwood and Roxanna Cannon. When he was four years old his parents removed to Ostego County, of the same State, where he was reared and received a good education, graduating from the New Berlin Academy in the office of the Chenango Union. In the fall of 1860 he went to Janesville, Wis., and was engaged as pressman on the Democrat. In October, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the Sixteenth New York Heavy Artillery, with which regiment he served until
August, 1865. After his return from the war he was engaged inthe printing business at Pittsburgh, and later spent three years at Carlinville, Ill., where he married Etta Wargensted on March 7, 1869. From Carlinville he went to Topeka, Kan., and assumed the foremanship in the office of the State Record, remaining there until 1873. In that year he came to Cannelton and purchased an interest in the Enquirer, a few years later he became the sole owner, and in 1877 bought the Reporter and consolidated the two under the title of Enquirer and Reporter.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Cannelton" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
DOMINICK VANDERPOOL, manufacturer and dealer in leather and shoe findings, is a native of Holland, born in 18 1, being the oldest child in the family of Sibron and Julia A. (Deboer) Vanderpool. He was reared at home, receiving his education in the schools of his native country. In 1848 he came with his father to the United States, and after a two year's residence in Cincinnati came to this county, of which he has since been a resident. During his stay in Cincinnati he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed in Cannelton as a journeyman, previous to the establishment of his present business. He was senior member of the firm of Vanderpool & Gottschalk, tanners, and also for a time dealt quite extensively in hoop-poles.
September 4, 1863, he wedded Maria Birlenbach, and to their union have been born five children: Katharina, William, John, Susanna and Dominick. Mrs. Vanderpool and family are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically he is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in the political affairs of the county. He has served several terms as town treasurer, and is the present incumbent.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Cannelton" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
GOTTLIEB VOGEL, of Cannelton, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, January 4, 1830, being the youngest of ten children in the family of George H. and Dorothea (Ulichler) Vogel. He was reared in his native country, where he received a common school education. August 31, 1850, he embarked for America and arrived at New York, October 15, from whence he came to Ohio, where he remained about fifteen months. He then came to Cannelton, where he has since resided. He worked in the mines for over thirty-three years, and by economy and industry he has succeeded in accumulating considerable property. July 2, 1854, Louisa Schlemmer became his wife, and by him the mother of eleven children, only two of whom, August and Ernest are living. Mr. Vogel
and family are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Republican, and is the present trustee of his township.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Cannelton" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
GEORGE R. WAGNER, druggist and pharmacist, of Cannelton, is a native of the town where he now lives, and was born January 20, 1852. Her remained here until fifteen years of age, and then went to Madison, Ind., where he lived two years. In 1871 he went to Louisville, and there engaged in various occupations, among which was telegraphy, for about eighteen months. He began in the drug business in 1876, and two years later commenced a course in the Louisville College of Pharmacy. This he completed in 1880, receiving the medal for the best average. Immediately after this he began the retail drug trade in Cannelton, which he has successfully continued ever since. His parents were William and Catherine (Wolfram) Wagner, who raised a
family of six children. He married Emma E. Jacobs, January 31, 1882, and their only child is named Mabel. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and she of the Episcopal. Mr. Wagner is a member of the Knights of Honor.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Cannelton" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
EBEN WILDER, one of the old and prominent citizens of Cannelton, is a native of Rensselaer County, N.Y., and was born June 7, 1814. He is one of a family of four children born to Samuel and Amy (Cook) Wilber. His education was all obtained in his native place with the exception of one year's attendance at an academy at Lansingburg. At the age of thirteen he began clerking in his father's store at Schaghticoke, near Troy. For eight years he continued in this business, and then began working in the cotton-mills at Ballston Spa. He remained there six years, and had made such advancement in knowledge of the business that he was chosen to superintend the cotton-mills at Cannelton, which were built and put into operation under his
management. That was in October, 1850, and he has since been in charge of this institution. In November, 1853, he was married to Miss Margaret Jackson, who was at that time a resident of Cannelton. To their union five children have bee born named Mary A., Maggie J., Charles J., Henry H. and George J., of which only two, Henry and George, are now living. In religion, MR. Wilber was raised a Quaker, and his sentiments have always been with the church of his childhood. Mrs. Wilber and the children are members of the Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and takes a laudable interest in public affairs. He has never had time to be an office-seeker.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Cannelton" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
JACOB WITTMER, merchant, and proprietor of Rock Island Stone quarries, is a native of Canton Solothurn, Switzerland, born August 7, 1839, and is one of seven children in the family of John J. and Mary A. (Schleivley) Wittmer. The father died when Jacob was quite young, and at the age of thirteen, he came with his mother to the United States, locating on a farm in Union Township. After one year, he went to Louisville and learned the barber's trade which he followed in that city for seven years. He was afterward engaged as cook on a steamboat until the war, when he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving as cook for the medical department, and later for Gen. Stanley and staff. He was finally made chief
cook for a hospital, and after a service of over three years he returned to Perry County. He conducted a barber shop for a number of years, and for a time was proprietor of Phoenix Hotel. In 1879 he erected a store-house and dwelling upon a farm which he had previously bought east of Cannelton, and where he has since resided and conducted a lucrative mercantile business. He is also engaged in quarrying a sand stone of superior quality, for which he finds good demand. May 21, 1865, he married Elizabeth Garber, a native of Baden, and to them have been born five children now living. They are Phillip, Elizabeth, Charles, William and Amelia. Both himself and wife are members of the Catholic Church.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Cannelton" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
JOHN ZIMMERMAN, a native of Switzerland, was born January 6, 1843, and at the age of three years moved to the southern part of Norway where he remained until ten years old. In the spring of 1853, he came to America and landed at Quebec. Not long after with his family he went to Woonsocket, R.I., where he obtained all his education in the public schools. In the spring of 1858, they located at Cannelton, and for a short time was employed in the cotton-mill, and about one year as a clerk in a retail store. Later he worked at the gunsmith trade with Fred Miller. On October 5, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Forty-second Regiment, Indiana Infantry. In the battle of Perryville he was wounded, and was then transferred to the Mississippi
Marine Brigade, where he served until his discharge, January 26, 1865. He re-enlisted for one year in Hancock's Corps. At the end of that time he returned home and was engaged in various occupations until January 1868, when he enlisted in the regular army for three years in Battery G, Fourth Artillery. At the expiration of his term of service, he returned to Cannelton. March 26, 1871, he was united in matrimony to Mrs. Mary (Benus) Smith. To their union have been born six children, these five now living: Anna, Caroline, Liily, Salome and George. He belongs to the Masonic, I.O.O.F. and G.A.R. societies. Politically he is a Republican, and in 1880 was candidate for county treasurer. He is the present chairman of the County Central
Committee. In 1871 he began his present merchandise business.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Cannelton" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
GEORGE F. ADYE, B.S., M.D., of Troy, Ind., was born in Jamestown, N.Y., March 11, 1837, being the youngest of seven children, born to the marriage of Auer Adye and Laura Witcher, natives of Vermont. The father who was a practical farmer and miller, located in Dubois County in 1839, living in that and Pike Counties until 1844. In that year he located in Spencer County and bought the mill, afterward known as the "Priest Mill" near St. Meinrad, which he successfully operated until his death, December 1, 1845. The mother died at the residence of a son in Iowa, March 6, 1875, at the age of seventy-four. Dr. Adye was reared at home, but spent a part of his time with an elder brother who had a store at Adyeville, Perry County. He there clerked
in the store, and a portion of the time managed the flat-boats on the river. At the age of eighteen, he had received but little education, and not feeling satisfied with his acquirements, entered school, where he paid his own board and tuition. By hard study he succeeded in preparing himself for college, and in 1858 entered the sophomore class of the Indiana University, from which institution he graduated in July, 1860. He then taught school and read medicine until October 1, 1863, when he entered the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, and graduated in 1865. He practiced his profession at Newtonville, until 1869, when he entered the Electic Medical College at Cincinnati and graduated the following year. He resumed his practice and
continued at the same place until 1883, when he came to Troy. He is one of the most successful practitioners of the county, and has accumulated considerable property. February 26, 1861, he married Elizabeth Dugan, by whom he is the father of eight children. Those living are Flora B., Ida M., Clarence H., Grace E. and Maud. Mr. Adye is a Republican, a Mason and he and wife and members of the Baptist Church.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township - Troy" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
PETER BACKER, a prominent citizen of Troy, Ind., was born in Dubois County, Ind., April 4, 1844, being one of six children born to Garrett and Francika Backer, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father who was a blacksmith came to the United States as early as 1835, an was married in Pennsylvania. He soon after came to Dubois County, Ind., and located at Ferdinand where he died in 1851. The mother afterward married Joseph Snyder, and died in 1879. Peter Backer lived with his parents at Ferdinand until his father's death, after which he went to Pittsburgh, Penn., with his mother and stepfather and remained six years, receiving a good education in English and German. In 1856 he returned to Perry County, and clerked and teamed at Troy
until 1870, when he engaged in the hotel, saloon and livery business in which he still continues. He keeps a good hotel, and commands the leading transient and local patronage. In addition to his property here he owns a good farm in Spencer County. October 19, 1869, Veronika Gramelzacher became his wife by whom he is the father of seven children. Those living are John, Frank and Anthony. Mr. Backer and family are members of the Catholic Church, and are hightly esteemed by the community in which they live.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township - Troy" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
HERMANN BAERTICH, merchant of Troy, was born in Prussia, December 11, 1835, being the only child of Gottfried and Christiana (Ahuer) Baertich, also natives of Prussia. When Hermann was a year old his father died, and his mother afterward married Eugene Von Reppert, with whom he lived, receiving a fair education. At the age of fourteen he began learning the tinner's trade. After completing his apprenticeship he engaged in the tin and hardware business until 1865 when he came to the United States. After following his trade for a few months at New Albany and Louisville he removed to Tell City and later to Troy, where he has since been engaged in the hardware business with the exception of a few months spent in Whitesides County, Ill. He has a good
stock of goods and commands the leading trade in the town. In 1861 he wedded Anna Starck, a native of Prussia by whom he has seven children, Juldah E. (wife of John Briggs); Otto J., Allen G., William S., Joseph H., Bertha H. and Frances A. Mr. Baertich is a member of the I.O.O.F. (Encampment), and himself and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township - Troy" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
BERGENROTH BROS. (Charles W., William H., John J. and August H.) proprietors of Troy wharf-boat steam tug "Louise" and Windy Creek Coal Mines, are sons of Louis L. and Louise Bergenroth, both natives of Germany. The father came to the United States in 1836, and located in Kentucky a few years later where his sons were born. In 1876 they engaged in coal mining in that State, and in the spring of 1882 they came to Troy and engaged in their present business which they are successfully conducting. They supply the river packets with coal from their mines, and do a rather extensive lumber and stave business in addition to the wharf-boat business. Charles W., manager of the wharf-boat was born July 25 1856, and married Lena Best, a native of Kentucky,
October 25, 1882. He has two children, Peter C. and Louis J. He is agent for Adams Express Company at Troy. John J., engineer and superintendent of the mines, was born February 11, 1860. The coal mines employ thrity men who get our from 1,200 to 1,500 bushels of coal daily.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township - Troy" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
ISAAC BRAMEL, deputy prosecuting attorney of the Second Judical Circuit, is a native of Troy, born February 6, 1853. He is the youngest child of Isaac S. and Eleanor M. (Carr) Bramel, both natives of Kentucky. The father who was a physician, came to Troy in 1847, and practiced his profession until his death, March 4, 1853. He was recognized as a successful and competent physician. The mother still resides with her son in Troy. Isaac received a fair education in youth, and learned the potter's trade, at which he worked for five years. He afterward worked for several years in a leaf tobacco factory in Troy, and in 1879 he began the study of law, with a view to making it a profession. He was admitted to the Perry County bar the same year, and to the
Spencer County bar in 1883. November 27, 1883, he was appointed deputy prosecutor, under S.B. Hatfield, and in 1884, to the same office under W.A. Land. He is now filling the office faithfully, effciently and to the satisfaction of the public.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township - Troy" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885