History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

Miles W. Thomas, influential citizen, successful farmer and trustee of Black township, was born on his father's farm near the city of Mt. Vernon on May 15, 1858, the son of David and Mary (Noles) Thomas. David Thomas was also a native of Posey county, his wife a native of Kentucky. Both died in 1864, when Miles was a lad of six years of age. He was reared in the family of his brother-in-law, John M. Gregory, a farmer of Black township, who removed in 1874 to Illinois. In the last named year, Miles Thomas became self-supporting. He secured employment as a farm hand and continued in this occupation until 1876, when he rented an eighty-acre farm in Marrs township. He remained a renter until 1893, when he purchased 180 acres of land in Marrs township, and which he has brought up to a high point of cultivation. He also owns forty-three acres in Black township, three miles east of Mt. Vernon, which he purchased in 1897. Since attaining his majority he has taken an active part in the political life of his township, and has been a consistent supporter of the policies of the Democratic party. He was elected to his present office, that of trustee of Black township, in 1908, and in the administration of its affairs he has proven the possession of sound business judgment and keen financial sense. Since taking up the duties of the office, he has built three modern school buildings, one in 1911, one in 1912, and one in 1913, at a total cost of $13,800; besides putting all of the older buildings in a thorough state of repair. The roads of Black township are conceded to be the best in the county, and represent close attention to this essential of the farmer by the trustee. A drainage ditch, costing $3,200, has also been completed under his supervision, and is one of the important improvements of the township under his administration. His election was by a majority of 176 in a township normally Republican by 100; a highly complimentary evidence of his standing as a citizen and reputation as a man of affairs. Mr. Thomas married in 1879 Miss Mary Lewis, the daughter of Thompson P. Lewis, farmer and influential citizen of Marrs township. To them have been born seven children, four of whom died in infancy, and the others are as follows: Lewis W., born July 3, 1880; Elizabeth, born November 27, 1888, and Thompson, born October 12, 1900. The family became residents of the city of Mt. Vernon in 1909, and are well and favorably known.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

Andrew A. Schenk, successful merchant, influential citizen, and treasurer of Posey county, is a native of the city of Mt. Vernon, where he was born on April 8,1857, the son of Eberhardt P. and Margaret (Deig) Schenk. The family was founded in Indiana by Frank Schenk, a native of Germany, who came to Posey county in January, 1837, and located on land in Marrs township. He died in 1846 and his wife in 1872. They were the parents of Eberhardt P. Schenk, who was born in Germany, in 1821, and who obtained a good education in that country. His early life was passed on his father's farm. In 1847 he settled on a farm of his own in Marrs township, which he operated profitably. In 1855 he, with his brother, Frank Schenk, built the Union Hotel on the southeast corner of Main and Second streets, which they conducted until 1861, when Eberhardt P. sold his interest and returned to his farm in Black township, resumed its operation and continued farming there until his death. Mr. Schenk was an active and influential factor in the political life of Posey county, a Democrat, and served acceptably as county commissioner for several years. He married Margaret Deig in 1847. They were the parents of the following children, viz.: Mary Ann (deceased), Katherine, Frank P., Andrew A., the subject of this article, Barbara, Margaret (deceased) and Elizabeth. The parents were communicants of the Catholic church, and the family were reared in that faith. Andrew A. Schenk was reared on his father's farm and educated in the schools of Marrs township. On attaining his majority he engaged in farming on his own account and remained in this occupation until 1892, when he removed to Mt. Vernon and engaged in the grocery business. He has since developed one of the most profitable enterprises in this line in the county. He possesses a reputation for honesty and fair dealing which combined with commercial ability of high order has enabled his to accumulate a competence. Like his father, he has been an active factor in the political life of his home township, and later in that of the county. He has ever been a consistent advocate of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, which honored him, in 1910, with nomination to the office of treasurer of Posey county, and elected him by a highly satisfactory majority. He was elected, to succeed himself, in 1912. In the administration of the affairs of this department of the county's business, Mr. Schenk has given the same close attention to detail which made for his success both as a farmer and merchant. The writer is persuaded to believe that for all round efficiency the office has never had a more able occupant. Mr. Schenk married, on September 18, 1884, Miss Katy Grabert, the daughter of Frederick Grabert, of Black township. They are the parents of five children, who are as follows: Fred E. Schenk, assistant treasurer of Posey county; William C. Schenk, manager of the Schenk grocery store; Carl O. Schenk, Arthur A. Schenk, and Raymond Schenk, the last three named being employed in various capacities in the store owned by their father. The family is popular in their home city, active in its social life, and the Schenk residence on Water street is one of the handsome homes of Mt. Vernon.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

Eberhardt B. Schenk, president of the E. B. Schenk Hardware Company, of Mt. Vernon, influential citizen and successful man of affairs, was born near Evansville, Ind., July 10, 1844. He was reared in St. Philip and Mt. Vernon, coming to the latter city with his parents in 1856. His education was acquired in the public schools and his first occupation was that of clerk in the Union Hotel of Mt. Vernon, built and conducted by his father and uncle. He initiated his first commercial venture in 1866, when he engaged in the pump business. In this he was successful. He engaged in the hardware business in 1873, doing business under the style of E. B. Schenk. Under his management this enterprise has grown to be the leading one of its line in Posey county. Mr. Schenk occupies the office of president and his son, John Schenk, that of secretary and treasurer. The company carries a complete line of hardware, plumbing materials, stoves and furnaces, sporting goods, cutlery, and implements. The stock carried represents by far the largest investment of any similar enterprise in the county, is the most comprehensive in assortment, and in point of volume of sales, exceeds by far any competitor in the city. Mr. Schenk is known to the hardware trade as being especially well informed in all the branches and details of the line. As a merchant, he is considered as one of the most successful in his section. He is a citizen of influence, and that influence he has consistently used in the support of those measures which have had for their object the development and betterment of the commercial, civil and religious life of his city and county. He is a Democrat, takes an active interest in the questions of the day, but has never had inclination for public office. He is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 277, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and a communicant of the Catholic church. Mr. Schenk married Miss Elizabeth Stahloefer, of Mt. Vernon.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

Clem V. Schenk, a young business man of Mt. Vernon, who is successfully conducting a plumbing, heating and sheet metal enterprise, which ranks first in its line in Posey county, was born in Mt. Vernon on January 6, 1885, the son of Eberhardt E. Schenk, a review of whose life precedes this article. Clem V. Schenk received his education in the schools of his native city, supplemented by a two-year course in Jasper College, at Jasper, Ind. His first employment was in the store of his father, where for three years he was a salesman, eight years an employee in the plumbing and sheet iron department of the same store, and of which he became foreman. In June, 1911, he took over the shop end of his father's business, and has developed a successful enterprise. He occupies commodious quarters in a two-story brick building on West Second street, having a frontage of forty feet and running back ninety feet. His equipment comprises all needed machinery necessary for the carrying on of the business, and his stock of material is the largest and most varied of any in its line in the county. Mr. Schenk is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 277, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and takes an active interest in the political life of his city and State. He is a Democrat. Mr. Schenk married, on September 25, 1907, Miss Carrie Frielinghausen, the daughter of Antone Frielinghausen. The family are communicants of the Catholic church.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

John Herrmann, one of Posey county's most enterprising and intelligent citizens, was reared and educated in Germany, where he was born August 10, 1827, the fourth son of a family of six children born to John and Magdalena (Wagner) Herrmann, who were natives of Germany and lived and died in the Fatherland. He came to America in 1851, locating first in New York State, where he remained for one year. He then went to Ohio and on March 18, 1853, he located on a farm near Wadesville, Ind., remaining there until 1887, when he came to Mt. Vernon, John Herrmann made his own start in life, unselfishly leaving his share of the family estate to his widowed mother and brothers and sisters. By indomitable courage and energy he succeeded in acquiring 300 acres of very fine land, now under cultivation. His barn, which is the finest in the county, cost $6,000. He has an elegant residence and financially is one of the foremost farmers in the State. Mr. Herrmann is a member of the Lutheran church and is a Democrat and takes an active interest in politics. He held the office of justice of the peace sixteen years, and in all respects is worthy of the confidence reposed in him. He has been offered many positions of honor and trust by his political friends, which for various reasons he could not accept. He is prominent in the councils of his party and as a citizen takes a leading place in the community. In 1857 he removed from Wadesville to Mt. Vernon and after holding the office of county treasurer he retired. Mrs. Herrmann died in 1906, and since that time he has made his home with his son, John G. Herrmann. On August 20, 1851, occurred the marriage of John Herrmann and Margaret Hempfling and they became the parents of seven children: Barbara, deceased; Simon, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Christiana; Carolina, deceased; John G., and Sophia, deceased. John G. was born September 10, 1866. On September 7, 1890, he married Miss Tillie Stephens, daughter of Henry and Mollie (Vosloh) Stephens. The next year he removed to Mt. Vernon and engaged in farming. At the same time he was in the implement business with his brother-in-law, Joseph M. Stephens, from 1902 to 1912, when he purchased Mr. Stephens' interests in both farm and implement business. At present Mr. Herrmann is the proprietor of an up-to-date garage located on Main street and sells the Buick automobile and carries a full line of automobile accessories. The farm is known as the Little Island in the western part of Black township, and consists of 423 acres. Mr. Herrmann was also in the race horse business for three years. He belongs to the Masons, Odd Fellows and Elks.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

Enoch Beal Bixler, successful man of affairs and popular citizen of Cynthiana, was born on his father's farm in Armstrong township, Vanderburg county, Indiana, April 21, 1853, the son of John and Caroline (Lechner) Bixler, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, John Bixler having been born in Lebanon county on July 8, 1802, and his wife in Lewistown on September 1, 1815. They were married in Lewistown on March 27, 1834. Four years later, in 1838, John Bixler decided to seek his fortune in the West and, with a covered wagon, drawn by one horse, he set out for Indiana and eventually located in Vanderburg county, where he purchased land from the government, paying $1.25 per acre. In his new home he underwent the hardships common to the pioneer of that time, did his due share toward the development of his section and accumulated a competence. He was a man of some influence in his township, was held in esteem by his fellow citizens, and reared his children with a view to their becoming useful men and women. The original Bixler homestead, when purchased from the government a wilderness, through his efforts made a highly productive farm property and is still owned by one of his children. John and Caroline Bixler were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are living at this writing (1913) and are as follows: Benedict, Nancy J., the widow of Moses Wilkinson, who was a resident of Smith township, and in which she resides; Cornelia; Jonas T.; Enoch B., the subject of this review; Edson M. and Ella F. The deceased children are: Mary C., Virginia, John H. and Elias W. Enoch Beal Bixler was reared on the home farm in Vanderburg county and acquired his education in its district schools and in Cynthiana, being a pupil in the first school house erected in that town. Subsequently he engaged in teaching. He was engaged in this profession for eight years, six in Armstrong township, Vanderburg county, and two in Smith township, Posey county. He next engaged in farming and stock raising, an occupation in which he has been signally successful. His eight years as a teacher has had much to do with his desire to keep in touch with the advancement in agricultural methods, and the result of his studies along this line is seen in the results obtained in the management of his farm properties. As a stock raiser he ranks among the first in his section. His farm of 200 acres in Vanderburg county.is one of the most valuable in that section of the State, its improvements are modern, it is well stocked, and under his management is a profitable enterprise. He is president of the Mutual Telephone Company of Cynthiana and a director in the Evansville, Mt. Carmel & Olney Railroad Company, an organization chartered to build an electric line from Olney, Ill., through Mt. Carmel to Evansville, a distance of about sixty miles. A portion of the road has been completed and it is the expectation that it will be in operation from terminal to terminal within two years. It traverses a highly productive country, having an average population of 700 per square mile, and will stimulate development of the territory through which it runs. Mr. Bixler has been an active factor in the enterprise, not only in the organization of the company, but in the affairs of the company since incorporation. He has other investments of importance. His political affiliation has been with the Republican party and he is a consistent supporter of its principles and policies. Political office has never appealed to him. He is a member of the town council of Cynthiana, however, a case of the office seeking the man. He became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1883 and has been an active worker in his lodge. He is a member of the Christian church and served as moderator of the congregation at New Liberty for five years. In 1907 he built one of the most beautiful residences in Cynthiana, having seven acres of grounds, and the family have since resided in that city. Mr. Bixler married on September 26, 1885, Miss Nettie Newman, a daughter of William and Jane (Rutter) Newman, personal mention of whom will be found in the sketch of Schuyler C. Newman. Mrs. Bixler was born on the Newman farm in Armstrong township, Vanderburg county, and was educated in the schools of her home township and in Cynthiana. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bixler: Ivey Florence, deceased, and Edna E., born May 12, 1888. She is the wife of Ransom Ewing, a farmer of Cynthiana. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing are the parents of two children: Arvin K., born July 5, 1909, and Millage W., born February 13, 1913.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

Ira L. Turman, a physician and surgeon of Cynthiana, Ind., belongs to an old established Indiana family rich in historical lore. His great-grandfather, Benjamin Turman, was of English descent and was born in Virginia, residing for a number of years in Bedford county, of that State,wvhere all of his children were born. He removed to Champaign county, Ohio, remaining there four years, thence to Sullivan county, Indiana, in the year 1810. In the year 1806 Mr. Benjamin Turman had, with a small party, explored the country on the Wabash near the mouth of what afterwards was called Turman’s creek, but at that time a settlement seemed too hazardous an undertaking. Four years later, on returning to the Wabash valley, he left his family at Carlisle, where a settlement had been made, while he, with his sons and a few soldiers, built a fort on the prairie where he had decided to locate his home. From that time the prairie, the creek, which joins the Wabash at that point, and the township took his name. He brought with him from Ohio his farm implements, furniture and a considerable number of horses, cattle and hogs. These were the first hogs in this section of the country and they were capable of subsisting on the natural products of the soil. The Indians still frequented the locality and sometimes were cross and impudent. This did not deter Mr. Turman from the purchase of a large tract of land from the government in 1816. He had the first dairy and first fruit tree nursery in that part of the State, and some of the trees planted nearly 100 years ago are still standing, one apple tree measuring three feet and three inches in diameter. He lived to see peace restored between the United States and England and the Indians driven from the Wabash Valley. His death occurred in his spacious dwelling, built of hewed logs, in 1818. Thomas Turman, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Bedford county, Virginia, August 18, 1796, and his wife, Susannah Lavina (White) Turman, was born in Roane county, Tennessee, November 1, 1801. They were married January 27, 1818, her grandfather, the Rev. Hezekiah James Balch, performing the ceremony. Rev. Balch was appointed on May 20, 1775, on a committee of three to draft and revise what was known as the Mecklenberg Declaration, which was the first Declaration of Independence made in America, and which was sent to the President of Congress in Philadelphia by Capt. James Jack. The Turmans produced large quantities of corn, for which there was no market nearer than New Orleans, and it is said that they were the first to propose transportation to that point by means of flat boats of home construction. Thomas Turman was one of the first to make the perilous journey, and opened up a trade that meant so much to the settlers all along the rivers and streams leading to the Mississippi from that time until the coming of railroads. The Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi rivers had many hidden rocks, dangerous sand bars and imbedded logs of immense size, which added greatly to the perils of the voyage, which often required months to make. However, Mr. Turman carried on a successful freighting business for many years, always accompanying his boats personally and superintending the sales of goods. In his absence his wife conducted the farming operations with such energy and good judgment that an ample crop was always awaiting transportation. On one of these trips he was gone so long that he was given up for lost, but returned just after the birth of a son, who was named Return Jonathan, and who was the father of Dr. Ira L. Turrnan, of this record. Thomas Turman died June 30, 1863, and his wife died March 28, 1875. Return Jonathan Turman was born July 6, 1837, attended the common schools and when old enough to do so he farmed and raised stock on Turman's prairie, where he still resides. He was married April 3, 1864, to Perlina A. Wible, and to them were born twelve children, our subject, Ira L., being the third. The family are distinguished for great natural musical ability. The wife and mother died February 2, 1890. Dr. Ira L. Turman was born at Graysville, Ind., February 13, 1869, and was raised a farmer boy. After finishing the common schools he attended the Union Christian College at Merom, Ind., after which he taught school for one year and then began the study of medicine under Dr. J. L. Durham, of Graysville. He entered the medical department of the University of Louisville, Ky., graduating with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1894. In May of that year he located for the practice of his profession at Cynthiana, where he has since remained and enjoys a lucrative practice. Dr. Turman belongs to the Posey County and Indiana State societies, and the American Medical Association. He was president for one year and secretary for two years, 1910-1911, of the Posey County Medical Society. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. The first marriage of Dr. Turman was on August 22, 1895, to Miss Agnes Bixler, daughter of Benedict R. and Martha (Boren) Bixler, natives of Vanderburg county, where they were engaged in farming and stock raising. Agnes Bixler was born and raised in Vanderburg county. She attended common and high schools and graduated from the normal school at Princeton, after which she taught several terms in the rural schools prior to her marriage. They had one child, Claud Kenneth, born December 14, 1896, a graduate of the Cynthiana High School, class of 1913, and now a teacher. The first wife died on October 26, 1904. On March 15, 1996, Dr. Turman married Grace Bixler (nee Emerson), daughter of John W. and Ellen (Yeager) Emerson, natives of Gibson county, where Grace Emerson was born and reared. She was a student of the Union Christian College at Merom, Ind. Mrs. Turman had one child by her first marriage, David Clair Bixler, born July 16, 1904. Dr. and Mrs. Turman have two children, Robert E., born February 2, 1908, and Agnes Lucile, born February 4, 1912. The Turman family are members of the Christian church.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

Samuel Benson Montgomery, physician and surgeon of Cynthiana, Ind., is a member of a family which has figured prominently in the history of the world since 944, the death of Yves de Bellesme, Count of Alencon, in Normandy, the first person recorded as bearing the name of Montgomery, occurring in that year. Since that time the Montgomerys have been heard of in France, England, Holland, Scotland, Ireland and America, his descendants having located in all those countries. It is from those that lived in Scotland and Ireland that we have the American line, and the antecedents of our subject. In 1605 Hugh Montgomery, of Braidstane, Scotland, was given title to one-third of the Con Oneil estate of Ireland for services rendered in Oneil's behalf in securing his pardon from King James. Mr. Montgomery at once set about to place a desirable class of emigrants on the large possessions he had secured. Of the first fifty-one families he brought there six families bore the name Montgomery, and within five years his colonization was so successful that he was able to report 1,000 men at his Majesty's service. Out of the amalgamation of the thousands of Scotch emigrants brought into Ireland by Hugh Montgomery and other knights, with the native Irish, came the Scotch-Irish family, many of whom have come to America, settling at first in Virginia and finally scattering in every State in the Union. Samuel Montgomery, Sr., a direct descendant of Hugh Montgomery, was born in Virginia about 1740, and served in the Revolutionary war. He was quiet, peace-loving, industrious and religious, and was highly esteemed by his neighbors. He was an elder in the old Presbyterian church in Kentucky, and in 1814, three years after coming to Indiana, he consented to assist in the organization of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. This he did at the earliest solicitation of Rev. William Barnett, and with them in the project was James Knowles, an elder in the Old School Presbyterian church. These three men formed the basis for the first Cumberland Presbyterian church of Indiana, and they formed the new organization without reordination or relinquishing any part of their former faith, and for the sole purpose of advancing the cause of Christ. Samuel Montgomery, Sr., married Polly McFarland , in Virginia, and later removed to Perryville, Ky. In 1811 he came with most of his family to Indiana and settled in Gibson county. The father of Samuel Montgomery, Sr., had slaves, and the son, being a religious man, did not believe it was right, and for that reason left home with his belongings, and came to Indiana, where he set his negroes free at Evansville, which at that time consisted of two log houses and a cornfield. He bought his land at $1.50 per acre. It is now worth $200 per acre. Samuel Montgomery, Jr., was born in Kentucky in 1794, the ninth and youngest child of Samuel Montgomery, Sr. At the age of seventeen years he belonged to the State militia, and at the time of the call of General Harrison for help at the battle of Tippecanoe, he was absent on a visit. Upon returning and learning that his company had joined General Harrison, he hastily followed on horseback, but met his company at Vincennes, on their return. He married Sarah Montgomery on November 15, 1814. She was born in 1793, and died in August, 1829. This was the thirty-eighth marriage license issued in Gibson county. Five children were born to this union. He was married the second time in 1833, when Nancy Robb, nee Davis, became his wife. Five children were born to this second marriage. Mr. Montgomery was drawn on the first jury in the county. Court was held in a small log cabin southwest of Princeton, on the McCurdy farm. Jesse M. Montgomery, the tenth and youngest child of Samuel Montgomery, Jr., was born May 5, 1845, in Gibson county, Indiana. He is a farmer by occupation, and a staunch Republican in politics, having represented Gibson county in the legislature in 1887. He now lives one mile north of Cynthiana, where he has one of the finest farms in the county. On November 22, 1866, he married Lemira Benson, a daughter of William Benson, of Montgomery township, Gibson county, and they became the parents of three children all of whom received college educations. Samuel B. Montgomery, the youngest child of Jesse M. and Lemira (Benson) Montgomery, was born on his father's farm in Gibson county, one mile north of Cynthiana, July 6, 1874. He was raised on the farm, completed the common schools and graduated from the Owensville High School in 1892. He attended Wabash College one year and then entered the medical department of the University of Louisville, where he graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1898. He located at Poseyville, Ind., for practice, remaining there one year. He then went to St. Wendel, where he remained three years, and although successful in both these places he decided to locate in Cynthiana, and came here in 1902. He enjoys a large and lucrative practice, and is a member of the Posey County and Indiana State Medical societies, and the American Medical Association. He belongs to the Christian church, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Court of Honor. Politically, he is a Progressive. On September 15, 1898, Dr. Montgomery married Miss Eva L. Boyle, daughter of Henry and Matilda (McReynolds) Boyle, both natives of Indiana, the father of Vanderburg county, and the mother of Posey county. Her parents are now retired, living in Cynthiana in the summer and in Florida in the winter. Mrs. Montgomery was born in Vanderburg county, July 17, 1879, and was educated in the common and high schools of Cynthiana, and at Owensboro College, Owensboro, Ky. They are the parents of two children: Mary Leona, born March 5, 1901, and Dorothy Mae, born March 16, 1905. Mrs. Montgomery is a member of the Presbyterian church, and active in its charities.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

James Edward Gudgel, physician and surgeon of Cynthiana, Ind., belongs to a family which figures prominently in the history of Indiana. His great grandfather was named Andrew Gudgel, his grandfather, William Gudgel, and his father, Andrew Gudgel. We quote from the history of Gibson county, Indiana, published by James T. Tarlt & Company, concerning the Gudgel family: Andrew Gudgel, the grandfather of the present Andrew Gudgel, of Columbia township, was a man whose memory is worthy of record in this work. He was of German origin, and settled in Pennsylvania. He was married three times, and the father of seventeen children. The maiden name of the last wife was Elizabeth, and she was the grandmother of Andrew Gudgel, of Columbia township. After the Revolutionary war was over and peace declared, Mr. Gudgel, like many of that day, concluded to emigrate to the then far West, beyond the Alleghany mountains. In the year 1785 he set out with his family for Kentucky, a region then being wrested from the savages by Boone and his heroic companions. After a tedious and toilsome journey they arrived at their destination, and located on Silver creek, a strip of country which lies between the present cities of Lexington and Frankford, where he erected a cabin and subsequently built a grist mill on the creek. He operated this water mill for a number of years, to the great advantage of the settlers. Mills at that time were not numerous in the then wild West. Gudgel's mill was considered the best one in Kentucky. Owing to a defect in the title of his land, a farm of 600 acres, on which the mill was located, and which involved him in three law suits, he concluded in order to avoid further annoyance to leave that locality. He disposed of some of his property and removed to the Territory of Indiana, arriving here early in 1811. He settled in the timber on a tract of land about two miles east of where Owensville is now situated. Here, with the energy characteristic of the old settler, he cleared a small patch of ground, erected a log cabin, and subsequently made a farm, upon which he continued to reside until his death. Prior to his coming to Indiana, in consequence of exposure, he had practically lost the use of his legs; but he was a man of determined energy, and he would chop and clear up brush around his cabin for hours while sitting in a chair. The following incident will show the pluck of the old veteran. During the Indian troubles, which occurred about this time, his family all went to Fort Branch, which was a strong block house, erected as a rendezvous for the settlers of that locality. This plucky old pioneer would not go to the fort, but insisted on remaining at home in his cabin to take care of things. The Indians frequently come to his place, and while the old man was sitting in his chair, fearless of danger, the wily savages walked around him, frequently patting him on the head, and in their rude fashion complimented him on his bravery. It is one of the peculiarities of Indian character to admire bravery in those they regard as their foes. His third and last wife survived him a few years. By his last marriage he had a family of three children: Nancy, who married William Teel, and Hettie, who became the wife of Harrison McGary, a relative of whom was the first settler of what is now Evansville. Both Tee1 and McGary were old and prominent settlers in that part of the country and many of their descendants still live in and around the neighborhood of Owensville. The only son by the last marriage was William Gudgel, who was the father of Andrew Gudgel, of Columbia township, and he was the father of James Edward, our subject. The history continues about William Gudgel, the grandparent of our subject. He was born in the State of Kentucky in the year 1802, and came here with his parents in 1811. As will be observed, he was then a lad of ten years of age, and he, like most of the boys of the pioneers, was handy in assisting to clear away the bush and timber around the cabin home. As he grew to manhood he became quite a noted hunter, and by his skill he succeeded in killing a great deal of game. It is related of him by his son, Andrew, that it was no uncommon thing for him to sally out and on a single trip kill three or four deer and several turkeys, which were then very plentiful in the densely timbered districts of that neighborhood. The peculiarity of his fire arms is worthy of description. His rifle was what was then known as a sixty-bullet gun to the pound. It was a hammered barrel made by hand, flint lock, horn trigger, and very effective in doing its work. In the year 1824 William Gudgel married Lucy Thurman. They had born to them a family of twelve children, who grew to man and womanhood. Eleven are yet living (1884) and ten are residents of Gibson county and one of the State of Illinois. Five of the gallant sons of this old pioneer did service in the Union army during the late Rebellion. The names of the children of William and Lucy Gudgel in the order of their birth were: Andrew, the father of our subject; Henry T., who was a soldier in an Illinois regiment during the late war, died at Pine Bluff, Ark.; Martha, who became the wife of Henderson Pritchett; Nancy, wife of Lorenzo S. Douglas; Jacob; Edward; Sarah, wife of Rice Redman, now residing in White county, Illinois; Nicholas; John ; Caroline, the wife of Leroy Martin, and they reside in Fort Branch; Abraham, and Harriett, the wife of Henry Yeager. The last named are living on a farm a short distance from Owensville. William Gudgel was a farmer and was an industrious and enterprising man. He reared a large family, who are among the best citizens of the county. For many years he was an invalid. In politics he was identified with the Whig and Republican parties. His death took place in February, 1877. His widow survived him until 1888, and resided at the old homestead with her sons, John and Abraham. Andrew Gudgel, the father of our subject, was born in Gibson county, Indiana, February 19, 1825, the son of William and Lucy (Thurman) Gudgel, the grandson of Andrew and Elizabeth (Pane) Gudgel. His early education was such as could be obtained in the district schools of that period. He remained with his parents. working on the farm until September 3, 1846, when he was married to Elvira Wallace, the daughter of John Wallace. He held the office of justice of the peace for several years, and was a strong Republican, although never a man of political aspirations. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in Company A, Fifty-eighth regiment, Indiana volunteers, and participated in many battles, was severely wounded at the battle of Stone River, but he would not go to the hospital, and never was absent a day during his service of three years and three months. He had eight children, four boys and four girls. The four boys were all professional men, two lawyers and two doctors. James Edward Gudgel, our subject, was born in Gibson county, on the farm of his parents, on the tenth of March, 1858. His parents are of German descent, while his grandmother, Lucy (Thurman) Gudgel, was of Scotch-Irish extraction. A relic of the voyage they made across the ocean is still in Cynthiana. It is a pot, in which they cooked potatoes on the vessel during the voyage. The name was originally spelled Goodgell, but the Kentucky family spelled it Gudgell, and the Indiana family Gudgel. Parents on both sides were farmers and stick raisers, and his forefathers made their livelihood out of the wilderness of Indiana. Dr. Gudgel attended the district schools until he was about fifteen years old, when he entered the high school at Oakland City, Ind., and graduated with the class of 1879. At this time there was a normal school at Oakland City, which he attended, making about nine years in school at that place. He afterwards taught school four years in rural districts, and one year in the grammar grade at Booneville, Ind. After teaching school he attended Evansville Medical College, graduating with the degree of Doctor of Medicine as a member of the class of 1883, and during his last year was interne in the Evansville City Hospital. In 1883 he located at Cynthiana, Ind., where he has since remained in the practice of his profession, and is one of the three oldest men, in point of continuous service, in Posey county. He is a student, possesses a comprehensive library, and keeps in touch with the advancement in medicine and surgery. In 1888 he spent three months in post-graduate work in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at St. Louis. Dr. Gudgel has always taken an active part in the political life of his township, and is a consistent advocate of the principals and policies of the Republican party. He served one term as a trustee of the city of Cynthiana, and as health officer for two years. He is a director of the Cynthiana Banking Company. He is a member of the Posey County Medical Association, of which he was president in 1910. He is also a member of the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He was married September 3, 1886, to Lizzie T. Smith, a daughter of George W. and Mary J. (Calvert) Smith, natives of Smith township, Posey county. The grandfather of Dr. Gudgel's wife, Daniel Smith, was also a pioneer resident of Posey county, and lived near Poseyville. The family came to Indiana fiom Kentucky, but originally from North Carolina, coming to Posey county during the early days of the Eighteenth century. Dr. Gudgel's wife is the daughter of a farmer and stock raiser, and she was born and educated in Posey county, graduating from the Cynthiana High School in 1880. After her graduation she taught school one term in Owensville, two terms in Gibson county, and one term in Posey county. The family are members of the Presbyterian church. Four children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Gudgel: Harold Owen, born July 12, 1887, who completed a three-years course in the Indiana State University in 1908, subsequently was a teacher in the Cynthiana schools, and is now superintendent of the Maxwell Garage, Lawrenceville, Ill.; Helen, born December 28, 1897. Eva and Marjorie died in infancy.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

Schuyler C. Newman, lumber merchant and former school teacher, came of an English family, and was born in Armstrong township, Vanderburg county, December 21, 1869, son of William and Jane (Rutter) Newman. His father is a native of Vanderburg county, and his mother was born in Posey county. His father was a successful farmer, and is now retired, and living in Cynthiana, where he and Mrs. Newman celebrated their golden wedding January 26, 1913, all of their six children being present. The father is seventy-seven and the mother seventy-eight years of age. Schuyler C. Newman was reared on his father's farm in Vanderburg county, and received his education in the district schools, Cynthiana High School, the normal school at Princeton, and the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute. After finishing his education he engaged in teaching for six years in the rural schools of Vanderburg county, farming the last two years of this time. He then gave up teaching and farmed for two years. About 1903 he bought a farm adjoining Cynthiana, and in 1905 he became a resident of that town, where he established a lumber business, which he still owns. In 1906 his brother was admitted to partnership in the firm, under the style of Newman Brothers. The firm carries a well assorted stock of lumber, sashes and doors, fence posts, cement, sand, lime, plaster and paints and oils. They also operate a planing mill. Their business is profitable, and the firm enjoys a reputation for honest and fair dealing. Mr. Newman is an active worker in the Presbyterian church, in which he has his membership. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but is now a Prohibitionist. He was married in Cynthiana on May 7. 1899, to Miss Ada Stewart, daughter of Frank and Martha Stewart, of Vanderburg county, where she was born and raised on her father's farm. Mr. and Mrs. Newman have two children: Iva S., born March 6, 1900, and Maurice T., born March 13, 1907, both now attending the Cvnthiana schools.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

Carlos B. Macy, superintendent of the city schools of Cynthiana, Ind., was born on a farm in Posey township, Rush county, Ind., November 29, 1882, son of Thomas B. and Lutitia (Pitts) Macy, natives of the same county. Our subject attended the common and high schools of Manilla, Ind., and then spent one year in the academy at Spiceland, Ind., after which he began teaching school in the rural districts, continuing his education in the University of Valparaiso in the summer months. He was also a student at Purdue, at the University of Indiana, and graduated from the Indiana State Normal, Terre Haute, in the class of 1912. After leaving Rush county he taught one year in Marion county, at New Augusta, and one year in Corydon, and one year at Wadesville. In 1910 he was appointed principal of the high school at Cynthiana, and in 1912 became superintendent. He is a member of the Quaker church and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. In 1908 Mr. Macy married Nelle Underwood, daughter of Joseph N. and Elizabeth Underwood, of Versailles, Ind., where her father was a merchant. Mrs. Macy was reared in the town, graduated from its high school in the class of 1901, and taught school for a number of years prior to her marriage. She is a member of the Baptist church. They are the parents of one child, a daughter, Mary Elizabeth.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

Henry Thomas Calvert, of Cynthiana, Ind., is a representative of a family long established in Southern Indiana, the first of that line to locate in this section having been Patrick Calvert, who was born in Tennessee in 1784. In 1804 he married Miss Sarah Martin, who was born in South Carolina in 1783. They came to Indiana in 1811 and settled near Owensville, in Gibson county. About this time the country was in the throes of war and Patrick Calvert, like a true patriotic citizen, assisted in bringing about peace, driving the Indians permanently from the fertile Wabash Valley. He was also a soldier under Gen. W. H. Harrison in the famous battle of Tippecanoe. After the war he returned to his farm, and in 1816 removed to Armstrong township, Vanderburg county, and purchased from the Government land which is still in possession of the family. Here he followed the occupation of a farmer until his death, in 1860. His wife died in 1840. Patrick Calvert was a man of rigid convictions on matters of right and wrong dealt justly and honorably with all and being always friendly and neighborly he was loved by all who knew him. Leroy Calvert, the seventh child of Patrick Calvert, was born on February 4, 1819. On January 13, 1843, he married Penelope Shelton, who was born in Mason county, Kentucky, September 24, 1821, coming to Indiana with her parents when two years of age. History records no stronger, cleaner character than the Hon. Leroy Calvert, father of our subject. He had strong religious convictions, and worked earnestly for the advancement of his country and community. His early life was spent in attending the common schools and in working on his father's farm, where he received strict training and high ideals of right and wrong, which later were so noticeable in his character in handling the important affairs of life intrusted to him by his friends and neighbors, and in his public service. Until 1876 Armstrong township had been without a church, and the one built at that time was called "Calvert's Chapel," in appreciation of the assistance of Mr. Calvert and of his worth to the community. The building is free to all Christian denominations. The political career of Leroy Calvert has been a notable one, and such as to reflect credit upon himself and family. He was a staunch Democrat until 1884, when he voted for St. John for President. Under the old constitution he served as clerk of the board of trustees, after which he held offices as follows. He was elected justice of the peace in 1848 and served two years, resigning to become a candidate for county commissioner, to which office he was elected in 1850. At the time of the building of the Vanderburg county court house, in 1852, he held the responsible position of president of the board. From 1856 to 1860, he served as township trustee, being in the latter year elected county treasurer. His execution of the duties of his office was so satisfactory that he was re-elected to the office. At the expiration of his second term he retired to his farm, but was chosen by the people of Armstrong township as their trustee once more, and in 1868 was elected representative in the general assembly. When in the session following his election, an attempt was made to pass the fifteenth amendment, Mr. Calvert, with fifty-five of his fellow Democratic members, resigned and returned to their homes. In the special election which was then called by Governor Baker, Mr. Calvert was re-elected and returned to the assembly, but the obnoxious attempt being made again at a special session he resigned a second time and came back home to stay. Upon his affiliation with the Prohibition party, in 1884, he was made their first nominee for Congress, in the First district, and was an exceptionally strong candidate. In 1888 he was placed upon the ticket as a candidate for presidential elector for the First district. His death occurred in 1898, and that of his wife in 1876. They had seven children, five girls and two boys, Henry T. Calvert, the sixth child, being our subject. Henry T. Calvert was born in Armstrong township, Vanderburg county, Indiana, April 25, 1855, son of Leroy and Penelope (Shelton) Calvert. He was reared in his native township, where he attended the common schools, first in an old frame school house of early construction, later attended the Fort Branch schools, and for several years went to school in Cynthiana. After leaving school he began farming, first with his father, and later for himself on a rented place. After his marriage he farmed the homestead, and his father lived with him until his death. Our subject farmed and raised stock for several years and lived on the farm until 1899, when he removed to Cynthiana and built a nice city home. In the fall of 1900 he became an employee of the Ziliak Schafer Milling Company's elevator at Cynthiana. He was engineer for four years and was then made manager of the elevator, which position he held until 1909, when he resigned to make a trip to California. He left Indiana in July, 1909, and remained through the next winter. Since his return to Cynthiana, Mr. Calvert has lived a retired life, still owning his farm and city property. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, in which he has always been an active worker. Until 1900 Mr. Calvert was a staunch Democrat, but since that time he has been a worker in the Prohibition party. His first Presidential vote was cast for Samuel J. Tilden. On October 1, 1879, Mr. Calvert married Marietta McConnell, daughter of Robert G. and Sarah (Kimball) McConnell, the former a native of Smith township, Posey county, and the latter of Gibson county. Robert G. McConnell was born about 1832, the son of John B. and Lucinda (McCrary) McConnell. John B. McConnell was born in Scotland, August 29, 1794, and his wife was of Irish descent. He was married December 23, 1817, to Lucinda McCrary, who was born July 7, 1800, and to them were born nine children: James C., born February 28, 1819; Alexander R., born December 7, 1821 ; Marinda K., born April 17, 1824; Ann E., born September 29, 1826; Miner G., born October 20, 1829; Robert G., born March 2, 1832 ; Zerelda C., born December 25, 1833 ; John C., born March 16, 1837, and Mary Ruth, born March 9, 1839. The mother of Mrs. Calvert died August 23, 1874, and her father died September 17, 1881. The mother was born November 12, 1837. John B. McConnell came to this country from Scotland, about the year 1800, and settled in North Carolina. He removed to Tennessee, where he remained only a short time before corning to Indiana and locating with his family in Posey county, where his son, Robert G., father of Mrs. Calvert, was born. Robert G. and Sarah E. McConnell became the parents of six children: Marietta, the wife of our subject, born June 28, 1857; Louella, born May 27, 1862; William G., born September 21, 1866; Eliza C., born January 7,1869; Lillian G., born September 16, 1871, now deceased; Sarah E., born August g, 1874. Mrs. Calvert attended the common schools of Posey county as a child. She and Mr. Calvert are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. To Mr. and Mrs. Calvert four children were born: Eva, born September 22, 1895 ; Maude, died in infancy; Ethel died aged eight years, and Edith died aged four years and six months.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

Frank E. Lewis, editor and publisher and former minister of the Christian church, of Cynthiana, Ind., was born in Jasper county, Ill., January 5, 1871, son of James and Joan (Woodward) Lewis, mother a native of Kentucky and the father a native of Jasper county, where he was chief engineer of the light plant at Newton, Ill. Frank Lewis was raised in Newton and attended the common and high schools, after which he began work in a newspaper office at the age of fourteen years. He learned the printer's trade, which he followed until 1906, when he was ordained a minister of the Christian denomination. He located at Danville, Ill., where he had several churches on a circuit, and remained here until April I, 1912, when he bought the Cynthiana “Argusy” and took charge of the paper, which he has since edited and published. He is a Democrat in politics and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. On July 3, 1891, Mr. Lewis married Miss Maude Johnson, daughter of Harry D. and Belle (Phillips) Johnson, of Noble, Richland county, Illinois, where her parents were born and where her father was proprietor of a hotel. Here Mrs. Lewis was born and educated. They became the parents of five children: Lucile, Aden, Hershey, Isabelle and Harry T., the last deceased. Aden and Hershey are attending school in Cynthiana and Lucile is assistant in the "Argus" office. The family are members of the Christian church.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

David C. Alcorn, a prominent farmer of Smith township, Posey county, Indiana, was born in the same place where he now lives on October 3, 1868. He is the son of James T. and Anne (Boren) Alcorn, both born in Gibson county, Indiana. The great-grandparents of our subject settled in Indiana at an early date and the family helped wrest the land from the Indians and wild beasts and develop it into what it has now become. The grandfather, also James T. Alcorn, married a Miss Haines. The family have always been farmers. The father of David C. died November 7, 1870, when the latter was but two years old and his mother married R. J. Brown and still lives, residing in Poseyville. David was reared on a farm, attended common school, later graduating from the schools of Poseyville. He then took a course in a commercial college at Terre Haute, Ind., graduating in 1888. He then obtained a position as bookkeeper in the Calvert & Bozeman Lumber Company, of Poseyville, Ind. He had a small piece of land containing thirty-three and one-third acres near town and decided to farm it, so he gave up his position and lived on his farm, "batching" for one season. He then thought he would like to be a commercial traveler, but as he expressed it in his own language, "After spending money for two beds in one night and not having time to get either of them warm," decided once more to return to the farm. His experiences at first were not so pleasant, as he did his own farm work and housekeeping for the first four years, until he got a start. On October 27, 1894, he married Ella Saulmon. Mrs. Alcorn was born in Gibson county and was raised in Posey county, where she was educated, and was married in her twenty-sixth year. Two years after his marriage Mr. Alcorn discontinued the old way of farming and began with new methods, breeding hogs for the market. By adding good blooded stock to keep his drove up to the standard and by exercising care not to over-fatten his animals he made a great success of the business. Mr. Alcorn is one of the most scientific farmers in Posey county. He runs his farm on business principles, taking an invoice each year. His land is well improved, having tile drainage and other conveniences. He keeps strict account of each investment, which enables him to stick to the most profitable ones. He is active among the hog breeders of the county and has taken a trip west into Kansas to study the cattle feeding business, in which he is now engaged to some extent. From his start of thirty-three and one-third acres Mr. Alcorn has, by scientific methods, close study, industry and economy amassed a comfortable fortune, now owning 370 acres of land. He is a director in the Poseyville Mutual Telephone Association. Mr. and Mrs. Alcorn have two children: Corry A., born June 26, 1897, and Alma, born December 18, 1899. Corry A. is a freshman in the Poseyville High School. He raised fifty acres of corn last year, made eighty-one bushels to the acre. This field was the best reported in the county and he sold more than 200 bushels for seed. Alma is now attending school in Poseyville. The family belongs to the Christian church, Mr. Alcorn being an elder in the church.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

James Cale, a member of one of the pioneer families of Kentucky and Indiana, was born April 3, 1829, son of Ellison and Margaret Cale, natives of Kentucky, who came to Posey county, Indiana, where James was born and reared. After finishing common school he began farming and accumulated a large fortune before his death. He bought his farm in Smith township in 1849, and on May 2 of the next year married Jane Jolly, daughter of Maxie and Nancy (Price) Jolly, natives of South Carolina, who came to Posey county in 1804, and are said to have been the first settlers near Stewartsville, where they located in the midst of the forest, there being no road, or even trail, near their home. Here a small clearing was made and a cabin built. The clearing was added to from time to time and the land farmed. Eight years after his location here Mr. Jolly joined the army of Gen. W. H. Harrison and helped drive out the Indians in the Wabash valley. Upon the restoration of peace he returned to his home and continued farming and stock raising. He was a blacksmith by trade, and being the only skilled workman in the vicinity, he had plenty of this kind of work. He helped build the first church in Posey county, which was located in the grove where Stewartsville now stands. In the erection of the building a log fell and killed a little boy, and his was the first grave in the church yard. This cemetery in the church yard is now said to the largest in the county. Mrs. James Cale is the sixth child in a family of eleven children, of whom only herself and one sister are living. She was born April 14, 1825, and attended such schools as were in those days available. The first one was held in her father's kitchen, before any school building had been erected in the county, and the first teacher was James Wasson. When school buildings finally were erected they were of logs with puncheon seats and no ceiling except the boards of the roof. Heat was furnished by large fire-places. In those days the woods of Indiana were full of Indians and wild animals. The Jolly family had a neighbor by the name of Parks who was a bee hunter, and who had three children whom he was accustomed to take with him on his expeditions into the woods. One day when he had just cut down a bee tree on the Wabash the Indians came up and killed him and took his children captives. When they did not return the neighbors went to look for them, finding the body of Mr. Parks, but before they got it home they were ordered to Vincennes for the War of 1812. At that time there were no towns of New Harmony, Mt. Vernon or Evansville, and Mr. Jolly went to Red Banks, now Henderson, to trade. This was through woods uninhabited except by wild animals and Indians. Mr. and Mrs. Cale became the parents of five children: Annie, Sidney (deceased), Della (deceased), Oscar, and Maxie (deceased). Annie married James Kimball and they live in Gibson county. They have no children. Sidney married Joseph Davis and lived in Gibson county until her death. Joseph Davis and Sidney Cale had five children - Mabel, Della, James, Ewell K. and Lois. Della Cale married Dr. Thomas Young, of Poseyville and they had one child, Morris, who was two years of age when his mother died and who was raised by his grandmother Cale.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

Oscar Cale, banker and landowner of Poseyville, Ind., was born in Smith township, same county, March 5, 1862, son of James and Jane (Jolly) Cale (see sketch). He attended school in Smith and Robb townships, after which he entered college at Valparaiso, Ind. Upon completing his education Mr. Cale returned home and engaged in farming and stock raising. After his marriage, in 1884, he went to Gibson county, Indiana. Here he remained for about six years, and in August, 1890, he located in Smith township, Posey county, on a farm, where he has since lived. Mr. Cale is president of the First National Bank, in which he is also a director. He was one of the first stockholders of the institution. He is also the largest landowner in his township. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Cale married Mary J. Young, daughter of Thomas and Martha (McFadden) Young, on October 26, 1884. The grandparents of Mrs. Cale on her mother's side were among the first settlers of Mt. Vernon, Ind. Both parents were natives of Posey county, where they were engaged in farming and stock raising. Mrs. Cale was born in Smith township, August 28, 1863. She attended the common schools of her native township and of Robb township. Mr. and Mrs. Cale became the parents of four children: Mattie, born August 31, 1885; Lena, born February 26, 1890; Mary, born September 22, 1901, and one that died in infancy. Mattie married Kern A. Williams and lives in Poseyville, Ind. Lena and Mary are at home with their parents. The family are members of the Christian church.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913

James W. Wiggins, a successful farmer of Poseyville, Ind., was born in Saline county, Illinois, March 10, 1865, son of John M. and Emily (Endicott) Wiggins, the mother a native of Virginia and the father of Kentucky. They came to Illinois in 1867, removed to Gibson county, Indiana. John M. Wiggins was the son of Thurin Wiggins and his wife was the daughter of John H. Endicott. A short time after John M. came to Indiana his father located in Montgomery county, this State. Thurin Wiggins had six sons and one daughter, of whom John was the fifth child. Three of the boys, Charles, Newton and David, were in the Civil war. Two of them were killed. John Wiggins was born April 23, 1827, and died March 5, 1885. Emily Endicott was born April 16, 1830, and died March 21, 1887. They were married in Saline county, Illinois, where they engaged in farming and stock raising, and where our subject was born. They removed to Gibson county, Illinois, and after two or three years came to Indiana and located in Smith township, Posey county, in 1869. They became the parents of ten children: Leoma M. (deceased), Mary E. (deceased), Sarah E., John N., Kesiah F. (deceased), Matilda F., James W., Emily M. (deceased), David S. and Elam G. James Wiggins attended the country schools and the high school at Cynthiana until his father's death, when he was called upon to look after the farm. Two years later the mother died. At that time two of the children were married and three were dead, and our subject remained at home with Matilda F., Emily M., David S. and Elam G. The first of those remaining to marry was David S., who went to farming for himself in Smith township. The next was our subject, who marred Miss Emma E. Martin, daughter of Ellison L. and Mariah (McDonald) Martin, of Posey county, the wedding occurring May 7, 1892. Her father was a son of Harrison and Mary (Russell) Martin, and her mother was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Graves) McDonald. Ellison L. was a native of Armstrong township, Vanderburg county, Indiana. Mrs. Wiggins was born in Vanderburg county, January 14, 1869, but while she was still a child her parents removed to Posey county, where she attended the country schools and the Poseyville High School. Mr. and Mrs. James Wiggins have two children: Jesse E. resides at home and is a graduate of the common schools and is working on the farm with his parents, and Oma A., a graduate of high school, is also at home. The family are members of the Christian church at Poseyville, in which organization Mr. Wiggins is an elder. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and in politics is a Prohibitionist.

History of Posey county, Indiana
John C. Leffel, Editor
Standard Publishing Company
Chicago 1913