"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Jackson Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
ADAM GERLACH, one of Jackson Township’s most prosperous farmers, was born February 1, 1838, and is the fourth in a family of eleven chidren born to Henry and Catharine Gerlach. These parents were natives of Germany, and in 1848 immigrated to the United States and settled in Vanderburgh County, Ind. Adam Gerlach received a good common school education, and when twenty-two years old began doing for himself, in that year enlisting in Company B, Twenty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was an active participant in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, seige of Corinth, Hatchie’s Run, Davis’ Mill and seige of Atlanta, and was honorably discharged I August, 1864, having faithfully served out his term of enlistment. Returning to Indiana he engaged in agricultural pursuits which he has since successfully followed, now owning 150 acres of land
where he now resides, and 160 acres near Evansville. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the G.A.R., and an enterprising and respected citizen. March 10, 1869, he united in wedlock with Catharine E. (Smith) Bender, and they are the parents of seven children, whose names are as follows: Henry, Charlie, George, Anthony, Ann, Mary and Gust.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Jackson Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
DANIEL HESSON, a native of the county in which he is yet a resident, was born June 29, 1839, being the fifth in a family of ten children born to Benjamin and Elizabeth (Tuley) Hesson, both parents being natives of Kentucky. He received a fair education in the common schools of his youth, and at that age of eighteen years began life’s battles on his own behalf. That he has made it a success no one can doubt, as he has secured by his own efforts a good farm comprising 200 acres, and what is much better an honored name and the respect of all who know him. March 18, 1856, he was united in matrimony with Margaret Cockrell who has borne him a family as follows: An infant that died unnamed, Mary E., William V., Rebecca V., Andrew J., S.E., Benjamin E. and Ada C. The parents are both consistent members of the Christian Church. MR. Hesson is a
thorough-going and enterprising citizen, favoring the advancement of all laudable public enterprises, and liberally contributing from hs means in the support of the same.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Jackson Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
WILL A. HILEY, son of John and Melvina (Christ) Hiley, was born October 7, 1858, and was raised by his parents to manhood. John Hiley, as was also his wife, were natives of Indiana, and for many years resided in Perry County. He moved from there to Gentryville, Spencer County, Ind., about the year 1863, and embarked in mercantile pursuits, but is now engaged in the tobacco traffic. Will A. attended the public schools of the district in youth, also the select school taught by Prof. Swan, and by dilligence and application has secured a good practical education. For the past few years he has handled large quantities of tobacco, and although yet young in years he has demonstrated beyond a doubt that he has but few equals in judging the quality of that product. In 1884-85 he handled in the neighborhood of 300,000 pounds, which he shipped largely
to Evansville. Previous to this he was employed two years by a tobacco company of Louisville, and during this time handled thousands of dollars belonging to this employers who have given him a high letter of recommendation, eulogizing his honesty and industry. Mr. Hiley is a young man of excellent habits, which coupled with his integrity and energy, will, in time, place him above the average of his fellow-men.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Jackson Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
W.W. KELLAMS, surveyor of Spencer County, Ind., was born December 9, 1857, and is the fifth in a family of eleven children born to the marriage of G.R. Kellams, who was born in this county June 6, 1828, and Maria Egnew. G.R. Kellams was a soldier of the late war, going out as first lieutenant of Company H, Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteers. He was promoted to captain, and from that successively to major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865, after participating in some of the most hotly contested battles of the war. He is a Democrat, a Mason, and at present is engaged in the practice of law and as collection agent at Gentryville. W.W. Kellams, subject of this sketch, after receiving a good common school education in youth, turned his attention to teaching at eighteen years of age, and after continuing
that five years, took a course in the State Normal at Terre Haute. In 1880 he began the study of law, and in 1883 was admitted to the bar at Indianapolis. He is a Democrat in politics, and the fall of 1884 was elected to this present position as Surveyor of Spencer County.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Jackson Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
HENRY KING, one of the well-to-do and enterprising citizens of Jackson Township, was born November 3, 1828, being the oldest but one in a family of six children, the parents of whom were natives of Germany. He received a fair education in common schools of his neighborhood, and in 1852 bade kindred and friends farewell, crossed the Atlantic Ocean and came to the United States, engaging in agricultural pursuits. He was also employed in factory, store and such work as he could get, and in this way secured means sufficient to begin business with. He was married at Louisville, Ky., about the year 1844, but was left a widower with one child. For his second wife he selected Caroline Wibking, and to their union nine children were born, six of whom are yet alive. Mr. King began his business at Gentryville, Ind., in 1871, in addition to which he has 125
acres of land. His mill has a capacity of 175 bushels of wheat and 120 bushels of corn daily, and turns out a superior quality of flour. During the late war he was a volunteer in his country’s cause, enlisting in Company G, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry in 1864, and receiving an honorable discharge in 1865.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Jackson Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
JAMES MARTIN, an old and well-known citizen of Spencer county and the present postmaster at Gentryville, was born on the 1st day of May, 1821, and is the eldest in a family of eight children born to the marriage of Woody Martin and Docia Alley. Woody Martin was a native of Halifax County, Va., and was a soldier of the second war between the United States and Great Britain. His wife was a native of North Carolina. James Martin, subject of this biography, was reared by his parents to manhood, and in youth received such education as the common schools of that day afforded. He was married on the 9th of August, 1841, to Levina Alley, and to their union two children have been born, named William H. and James W., only the last named now living. In May, 1864, Mr. Martin located in Gentryville, Ind., and embarked in the general merchandise business,
and Gentryville has since been his home. He has here contributed from his means in the support of all laudable public enterprises, is a Republican in politics, and an honorable, upright, Christian gentleman, and a member of the United Brethren Church.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Jackson Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
PERRY PHILLIPS, a descendant of one of the early pioneers of Indiana, was born November 16, 1834, in this county, and is the eldest child born to the marriage of Bennett Phillips and Malinda Stark, who were natives respectively of North Carolina and Kentucky. Perry was reared to years of maturity by his parents, and in youth obtained his education from the common schools of that early day, which in later years he has improved by his own efforts, to a good, practical education. When twenty years old he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Jones, and to their union a family of four children have been born, named Louisa M., James T., William and Bennett T. The mother dying, Mr. Phillips and Dora Cook were united in matrimony on the 14th of October, 1884, and are among the township’s best people. Mr. Phillips is a Democrat in politics, of the
Jeffersonian type, and is one of the successful business men and farmers of Spencer County, throughout which he is well known and respected. He is thoroughgoing, industrious, and a liberal supporter of all laudable public enterprises.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Jackson Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
JAMES W. ROBERTS, an enterprising and energetic young man of Jackson Township, is the eldest of the following named children born to the marriage of John Roberts and Louisa Tuley, both of whom were natives of Spencer County, Ind.: James W., Jacob J., Henry B., G.S., Elmore and Kelso K., the last named being deceased. James W. is now living in his native county, his birth occurring November 19, 1860. By attending the public schools of the district he has secured a fair knowledge of the lower branches of education. With the exception of brief intervals while in business in Gentryville, he has been engaged in farming. He has plenty of pluck and spirit, which, coupled with integrity, will make him one of the foremost young men in the county.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Jackson Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
JOHN T. SANDAGE, a native of Spencer County, Ind., was born November 11, 1827, and is the eldest but one in a family of eleven children born to the marriage of Nathan Sandage and Nancy Quick. John T. was raised by his parents to man’s estates, receiving only a common school education, which in later years he developed into a good practical education by observation and study. At twenty-three years of age he embarked on his own responsibility in life’s voyage, and notwithstanding the fact that he has encountered adverse storms on the way, it can be truly said that he has made it a reasonable success. While not overly supplied with an unusual quantity of this world’s goods, he possesses a comfortable and happy home, and a reasonably lucrative business. Like Vulcan, he is a worker of metals, and to Mr. Sandage’s credit it can be said there
is no better blacksmith in the surrounding country. In politics he is a Republican, and his wife belongs to the Missionary Baptist Church. July 24, 1851, he married Miss Huldah Hiley, and a family of nine children have blessed their union.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Jackson Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
HENRY SCHAFER, the leading merchant at Gentryville, was born December 22, 1838, and is a son of Christian and Mary (Myer) Schafer, who were natives of Germany. At an early day they immigrated to this country, and in 1852 they settled at New Albany, where they resided many years. Our subject obtained a good common school education in youth, and at the age of sixteen years began life’s battle on his own responsibility as a merchant’s clerk. For twelve years he continued clerking, and by the time had sufficient means to embark in mercantile pursuits for himself, which he did at Haysville, Dubois County, where he remained a period of seven years. He then moved to Loogootee, where he remained nearly two years, then removed to Gentryville, Ind., and established his present business. Mr. Schafer possesses all the requirements that become a
successful merchant. He is kind and courteous to all alike; is energetic, enterprising, a first-class salesman, a good buyer and a careful dealer. Mr. Schafer, in politics, is what might be termed a liberal Democrat, is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married in January, 1867, to Miss Sallie Brace, and by her he is the father of the following named children, all living: Florence, Annie, Maggie and Walter.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Jackson Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
WILLIAM A. TULEY, farmer and stock-raiser, was born February 7, 1846, in Jackson Township, Spencer Co., Ind., and is the fourth in a family of six children born to John and Nancy (Hesson) Tuley, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. He received a common education from the public schools, assisted his parents until he attained majority, and when twenty-two years old, was united in marriage with Elizabeth Wright, by whom he is the father of three children, named Alice, George W. and John H. Mr. Tuley selected farming as his vocation through life, and now owns a valuable piece of lad comprising sixty acres. When treason threatened the downfall of the Union, he valiantly volunteered in his country’s cause, but by reason of defective eye-sight was rejected. Mr. Tuley is a member of the Baptist Church, a stalwart Democrat in politics, and
an agreeable, enterprising gentleman. He and family are known as among the best in Jackson Township.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Jackson Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
F.W. WIBKING, born June 8, 1842, in Jackson Township, Spencer Co., Ind., is the youngest but one in a family of three children born to Frederick and Louisa Wibking, who were natives of Germany. In 1838 the family braved the perils of a long ocean voyage, and leaving kindred and native land behind, immigrated to the United States, where they found a home and abundance of friends. The subject of this memoir, F.W. Wibking, was educated in the country schools of the neighborhood in which his father resided, and on the breaking out of treason in the Southern States in 1861, bravely volunteered his services in his country’s cause, and August 25, was enrolled. He participated in several pitched battles and numerous lesser engagements without receiving a wound, and was honorably discharged October 17, 1864. With the exception of about three
years, while in Missouri, Mr. Wibking has resided in Spence County, Ind., since the war, and the greater part of his time has been devoted to farming and milling, the latter especially, which is his present occupation, occupying the greater part of his attention. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican, is a member of the G.A.R. and Masonic fraternities, and is the present Trustee of Jackson Township, having been elected in the spring of 1884. He was married, March 6, 1868, to Miss N. Cook, and by her is the father of three children - O.R., L.B. and C.H.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Jackson Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
Thomas, usually called "Jeff", was born Oct 20, 1841, in Vevay, Ind., Switzerland Co. The son of Thomas Jefferson Bays Sr., and Sarah Ann Waltz.Who married Aug 13,1832, in Switzerland Co, Ind. Thomas and Sarah had eight children. Thomas Jr. married Sarah Ann Fahy, who was born May 14, 1846. The daughter, and only child, of John and Catherine Fahy. John was born in Ireland. They probably married in Spencer county. Because her parents, John and Catherine Fahy owned a farm, east of Chrisney, Indiana, and Jeff and Sarah's sons were born there:Washington Bays; Nathaniel Amerithus Bays (Mack); Louis Edward Bays; and John Jefferson. Thomas J. Sr. owned land in and near Grandview, Ind. Thomas Jr. owned land in and near Chrisney, Ind. Thomas J. Sr. and wife are buried at Beasley Cemetery. Also John and Catherine Fahy, and Washington Bays
(son of Thomas J. Jr.) Thomas J. Jr. and wife are buried at Oakhill Cemetery.As are their sons, Louis, John J., and Nathaniel "Mack". Mack Bays, and wife, Anna, lived in Chrisney, Ind. My memory only goes back to "Mack" Bays. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of Thomas J. Jr., or personal info. Except that his family was proud of his service in the Civil War, with Co H, 42 Indiana Infantry. They recorded facts of him serving under Capt. Allen Gentry, and Gen. Philip Sheridan. And that he was at Chickamauga Park, and Chattanooga, Tenn. He mustered in on March 8,1864, and was discharged on July 21,1865, probably at Louisville, Ky. His son, Washington was born in Dec of 1867, and died on Feb 13,1868, in Spencer county, Ind; age 2 months, 21 days. Life during the war had surely been hard. Life upon returning home must have been a blessing.
It seems cruel that his happiness was once again shattered, within three years of returning home. But Thomas had three more sons, and remained a good father. His grandchildren spoke kindly of him.
Sumitted by: Carol Brumley