FRED WALKER, dry good merchant, was born May 5, 1855, being the oldest but one in a family of eight children born to Richard A. and Amanda (Smith) Walker, appropriate mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. Our subject was raised in his native town by his parents, securing a fair education from the public schools in youth, which in later years was greatly increased by much desultory reading. At fourteen years of age he began clerking in a dry goods store in Rockport, but two years later went to Arkansas where he was engaged in clerking two years longer. Returning then to Rockport he was employed a year as a clerk, and as traveling salesman for Louisville shoe manufactory one year. At twenty-one years of age he embarked in the dry goods and gent's furnishing trade in Rockport, in which he has remained to the present time. He keeps a carfully selected and not over-large stock of goods, and by recommending only first-class goods, placing them for sale at reasonable figures and by gentlemanly conduct has made his business a decided success. June 24, 1880, Agnes Fisher, a native of Greencastle, Ind., became his wife, and by him the mother of one daughter - Nellie F. Mr. Walker is a Republican and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Ohio Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885

GEORGE WANDEL, Treasurer of Spencer County, is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, his birth occurring August 22, 1844. He is the youngest of six children born to the marriage of George Wandel and Catharine Motzer, who were also natives of Germany and where their respective deaths occurred in 1845 and 1858. Under the compulsory law of his native country, our subject attended school until fourteen years old, and then served a short time at the cooper's trade. In December, 1859, he left the land of his birth, and in February, 1860, landed in New Orleans, La., from whence he came direct to Rockport, Ind. He worked at this trade in Grandview and farmed until October, 1861, when he esoused the Union cause and enlisted in Company D, Forty-second Regiment Indiana Infantry as private. He served faithfully until the close of the war and at the battle of Resaca received a severe wound in the head. Returning to Grandview he clerked unitl 1869, then married, and began in the grocery trade from himself which he continued until 1872, when he engaged in the dry goods trade. In 1882, he traded his store for a farm and in 1883 took a trip to his birth-place in Wurtemberg. Returning to Indiana he farmed until November, 1884, when he was elected Treasurer of the county in which capacity he is now serving. Mr. Wandel is the owner of 400 acres of valuable land, is a prominent Democrat in county politics and is a member of the I.O.O.F., and Masonic fraternities. February 6, 1869, Amelia Brautigam, a native of Germany, became his wife and by him the mother of one son - John E., who died August 4 1880.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Ohio Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885

WILLIAM W. WELLS, a native of Brown County, Ohio, was born March 9, 1835. His parents, Jacob and Jemima (Rich) Wells, were natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. The father located in Brown County, Ohio, with his parents, where he was reared on a farm. He was married, and followed farming in that county until 1847, when he removed to this county, where he lived on a farm in Huff Township until his death in 1862. He was a true Christian gentleman, and himself and wife were members of the Christian Church. William W. Wells, the subject of this memoir, received a good education in youth and prepared himself for teaching, which occupation he followed for five or six years, and during vacation worked on a farm. In 1858 he was elected Surveyor of Spencer County, and filled the office for six years, after which he followed agricultural pursuits until 1868 when, in partnership with James Ross, he engaged in the grocery business at Rockport. In 1875, he sold his interest in the store, and was again elected to the office of county Surveyor, holding the position until 1884, since which he has given his attention to his small farm west of Rockport. December 15 1859, he wedded Elizabeth F. Stites, a daughter of George W. Stites, a prominent pioneer farmer of the county. Five children have been born to them, only three of whom, Herbert, George and May, are living. Mr. Wells has always been one of the leading Democrats in the county, and both he and wife are members of the Methodist Church.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Ohio Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885

ELIAS E. WESSELER, born November 27, 1849, in Dubois County, Ind., is the youngest of six children of William and Elizabeth (Otting) Wesseler, both parents being natives of Germany. The father, who was a merchant tailor in his native country, came to the United States in 1836, residing two years at Baltimore, one year in Louisville, and until 1856 near Huntingburgh, Ind. In that year he entered into the ministry of the Evangelical Association, in which he has continued to a considerable extent to the present time, at present residing at Olney, Ill. His wife died at Elberfeld, Ind., March 1, 1880. At thirteen years of age our subject began farming in Illinois, at which he continued about three years. From 1865 to 1867 he attended the N.W. College at Painfield, Ill., and in the latter year went to Evansville, Ind., and attended the high school of that city five years, working during vacations to defray his expenses. In 1872 he began school teaching in Warrick County, and in 1873 attended Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, one term. He then came to Rockport, taught German two years in the town schools, and was principal of the High School during the term of 1876-77. In 1877 he engaged in the book, stationery, wall paper and picture-frame business, continuing alone until 1882, when the firm of Wesseler & Graham was organized. Mr. Wesseler is a stanch Republican and a member of the K. of P. June 18, 1877, he married Libbie Cotton, who died May 1, 1880, leaving one son - Walter W.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Ohio Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885

DR. ARTHUR WHITE, one of the leading physicians of Rockport, was born in the city of Baltimore, Md., February 20, 1832. He is a son of Samuel K. and Mary M. (Hoffman) White, the former being a native of Springfield, Mass., and of Puritan ancestors. The mother was a native of Baltimore, Md., and was married in her native city to our subject's father. Mr. White followed merchandising in various parts of Maryland with varied success, until his death near Baltimore, about the close of the Rebellion, his widow still living in that city. Dr. Arthur White in youth assisted his parents and attended the public schools, and later attended Allegheny County College, at Cumberland, Md., two years. He then read medicine under the tuition of Dr. Charles Ohr, of Cumberland, then netered the University of Baltimore, graduating from the medical department of that institution in 1854. Locating in West Virginia first, he there practiced nearly one year, and in December, 1854, came to Spencer County, Ind., arriving at Rockport on the 24th of that month. Here he has ever since remained in active practice, with the exception of the time while serving as surgeon of the Twenty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and today ranks among the ablest physicians of southern Indiana. October 16, 1856, he married Carline M. Mears, of Hamilton County, Ohio, by whom he is the father of four children, named Mary Abbie, Esther Charlotte, Charles Raymond and Genevieve. Dr. White is a stanch Republican in politics, and himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Ohio Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885

DANIEL P. WILLIAMSON, a prominent farmer of Ohio Township, came to Spencer Counmty in 1833, and worked as a wood-chopper in order to get money enought to enter a small tract of land near the place where he now resides. November 9, 1834, he was joined in marriage with Mary McKey, a native of Kentucky, and took up his residence on his land which he cleared and improved, undergoing the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. He started in life with no captial, and by hard labor and strict economy has succeeded in accumulating quite a competency. His wife died September 7, 1876, leaving three children: Mary E., widow of Robert Miller; Leafy S., wife of John Sanders; and Alice A., wife of Charles F. Niles. Two children are deceased. Mr. Williamson is a stanch Republican, and has been a consistent member of the Methodist Church for forty years. He was born in Hardin County, Ky., February 17, 1811, and grew to manhood in his native State. His father, a native of Ireland, came to the United States about 1800, and located in Pennsylvania, where he married Mary Martin. Later he moved to Virginia, thence to Hardin County, Ky., where he died in 1844. His wife died a year later.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Ohio Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885

COL. JAMES S. WRIGHT, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Ohio Township, was born June 7, 1832, in Spence Co., Ind., being the youngest of four children born to Jeffry and Narcissis (Barnett) Wright. The father was a native of Kentucky, but came with his parents to what is now Spencer County, Ind., in 1808, locating nearly a mile from the river and two and a half miles below the present site of Rockport. Here Jeffry Wright was reared, and here his parents died. After his marriage with the daughter of John N. Barnett, one of the earliest pioneers of this locality, he was, for a number of years an associate Judge of the Probate Court. He continued to reside in Ohio Township until 1840, when he sold out, moved to White County, Ill., but six years later returned to this county and farmed on Section 24 in Ohio Township until his death, March 12, 1868. Our subject's mother died when he was two and a half years old, his father afterward marrying a Miss Nancy Sallee, who bore him five children and died. Mrs. Emelie Roberts became Jeffry Wright's third wife, and by him the mother of four children. James S. Wright, the immediate subject of this biography, was raised on a farm to manhood, receiving a good ordinary education. Preparing himself for the teacher's profession, he made that his occupation until 1861, when he helped recruit the first company raised in Spencer County for the war. He was elected first lieutenant, and the company was designated E, of the Twenty-fifth Indiana Regiment Volunteer Infantry, a detailed history of which is given elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Wright served his country with fidelity and distinction until the close of the war, having been promoted from his first position to the captaincy of Company H, then major and then lieutenant-colonel of his regiment. After the war he followed flat-boating on the river a number of years, and also for six years during the time was engaged in merchandising at Rockport. In 1876 and 1877 he was government storekeeper under Gen. Veatch, his old corps commander, who was internal revenue collector for this district, but in the last-named year began farming, at which he has since continued with considerable success. November 30, 1867, Col. Wright wedded Clara Williamson, who died of small pox, December 3, 1871, the only death of that disease in Rockport, after bearing one son - Will M. He was married December 20, 1877, to Elizabeth Gentry, his present wife, by whom he is the father of one son - James G. Mr. Wright is a stanch Republican in politics, and at the close of the war was elected to represent his county in the lower house of the State Legislature. He is enterprising and thorough going in all his efforts, and himself and wife belong tothe Methodist Episcopal Church.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Ohio Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885

ISAAC WRIGHT, a prominent pioneer citizen, is the only living representative of a family of five children born to the marriage of Isaac B. Wright and Clarissa Berry. The father came to Spencer County with his mother about the beginning of the present century, and located two miles southwest of the present site of Rockport. He was lieutenant of militia in the war of 1812, and was one of the first merchants of Rockport, where he continued in business until his death in 1825. The mother was a daughter of Capt. William Berry, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and one of the prominent early settlers of this county. She died in 1842, as the widow of Peregrine Alpha, whom she married a few years after her first husband's death. Isaac lived for a number of years with Richard Brown, and at the age or fourteen began boating on the river, and later in the Gulf of Mexico. He thus aided his mother in supporting herself and the children left by her second husband. After a few years he returned to this county, and engaged in farming on land entered by his father. In 1841 he married Eliza B. Hall, who died three years later, having borne him two children, both of whom died in infancy. Two or three years later he wedded Amanda Greathouse, who only lived one year. In 1850 he went to California as a gold seeker, where he met with fair success. In 1852 he returned to Spencer County and married Eliza J. Woodruff, and lived on a river farm until 1865, when he bought the place where he now resides. By his last marriage Mr. Wright is the father of six living children. He has been very successful in business, and now owns over 600 acres of land. He is a Republican, and a member of the I.O.O.F. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Ohio Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885

JACOB YOUNG (deceased) was born in Hardin County, Ky., in 1801, and was a son of Adam and Rachel (Uncel) Young. He came to Spencer County when about twelve or fourteen years old, and lived on the farm with his borther-in-law, Barney Miller, until his marriage. That event took place October 3, 1834, when he wedded Phebe Hamilton, a daughter of Samuel Hamilton, and a native of the county. After marriage he located on a farm near Rockport, where he followed farming until his death, which occurred December 11, 1877. He was well known throughout the county as a very successful farmer, and an honest, upright citizen. He left a wife and five children: Parisade (now Mrs. John Harvey), Mary J. (wfie of Miles H. Hamilton), Andrew J., James P. and Margaret R., wife of Edward Enoch. Mrs. Young is still living on her farm on Section 29, Ohio Township, with her son-in-law, Mr. Enoch, who manages the place.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Ohio Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885

CHARLES B. ANDERSON, a druggist of Grandview is a native of Taylorville, Spencer Co., Ky. He was born June 10, 1850, being one of a family of five children only of whom besides himself is living. Their parents were Charles W. and Mary A. (Brown) Anderson both natives of Kentucky. The former who was a celebrated medical and literary man lived in Louisville the greater part of his life. His reputation in law, literature and medicine was almost national and he numbered among his personal friends such men as George D. Prentice, Horace Greeley, and others equally noted. Just before the late war he removed to Uniontown, Ky., where he made the practice of medicine his sole occupation, acquiring a large and extensive practice. He died August 8, 1866, in the forty-fifth year of his age. His widow died at the residence of her son April 20, 1885. She, also, had considerable literary ability and both were upright and zealous members of the Presbyterian Church. Charles B. received a good literary education. At an early age he embarked in the drug business, and as clerk, traveling salesman and proprietor has followed it ever since. His store is handsomely furnished and well-stocked, and he controls a good trade. September 8, 1874, he married Ella Spalding, a native of Union County, Ky. They have had two children, both of whom are deceased.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885

HIRAM G. BANKS, an early pioner of Spencer County, was born October 22, 1832, in Hamilton County, Ohio. He received his education in the common schools and at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware. He also took a six months' course in medicine at Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, and finished the course at the Miami Medical College of the same city in 1852. March 22, 1853, he married Mary C. Martin, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, to whom five children, Mrs. John Jeffrey, Ida, Mrs. William Jeffrey, Justin H. and Evertt G., have been born. After his marriage he practiced his profession at Cherry Grove, Ohio, for about four years. In 1857 he came to Spencer County locating in Hammond Township where he owned 160 acres of land. Since that time he has practiced medicine and carried on his farm, until within a few years. He is now living a retired life. Politically he is very liberal in his ideas, always voting for principles rather than party. He was township trustee from 1858 to 1864. Both he and wife are members of the United Brethern Church.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885

JOHN BIEDENKOPF, a native of Zanesville, Ohio, was born January 29, 1839, being next to the youngest in the family of six children born to William and Eva (Maygold) Biedenkopf, both natives of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. The former who was a stone-mason in his native country, came to America and located in Maryland. He afterwards resided in Pennsylvania, Cincinnati and Zanesville, Ohio, and Indianapolis. In the spring of 1854 he came to Spencer County, Ind., and located on a farm in Grass Township, where he lived until his death in March, 1858. His wife died about fifteen months later. John Biedenkopf received a very good education in both English and German in the schools of Cincinnati. He came with his parents to Spencer County and followed farming on his father's place until 1860 when he engaged in the dry goods and grocery business in Centreville one year. In 1862 he came to Grandview where he was engaged in the grocery business, with the exception of one year when he was engaged in grist and saw-milling at Eureka, until 1879. Since the latter date he has beenin the real estate and insurance business, and has devoted considerable attention to farming. He resides upon a small but valuable farm within the corporation, and owns some other good farming land in the township. He also owns several of the best business blocks and vacant lots in Grandview and valuable property in Rockport. December 24, 1859, he married Elizabeth Shoemaker, a native of Spencer County. They have seven children, six of whom, Grace C., William H., Alice R., Joseph W., Anna and Christian, are living. In politics Mr. Biedenkopf is a Democrat, and he has taken an active interest inthe political affairs of the county. In 1870 he was the nominee of his party for sheriff and 1882 for treasurer. He is a member of both the A.F. & A.M. and I.O.O.F., and is one of Spencer County's most successful men.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885

IRA BROSHEARS, a native of Hardin County, Ky., was born at Elizabethtown, July 6, 1843. He was the fifth child born to Jeremiah and Ruth (Sullivan) Broshears, natives of France and Tennessee respectively. Ira was reared on a farm in his native county, receiving a very limited education. In 1860 he came to Spencer County, Ind., having no other capital than his muscle and good health with which to begin life. November 3, 1864, his marriage with Elizabeth (York) Woods was solemnized. To them have been born four children, Jackson, born January 30, 1866; James, born February 29, 1868; George T., born October 20, 1870; and Annie, born May 5, 1877. August 1, 1862, Mr. Broshears replied to his country's call for assistance and enlisted in Company D, Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He participated in all the engagements at which his company was present until he was taken prisoner, near Greenville, Tenn. He was confined at Belle Isle for two months and is acquainted with all the horrors incident to confinement in a rebel prison. His brother, Jackson, who was in the same company, died from the effects of his treatment while in prison. Mr. Broshears was discharged at Knoxville, Tenn., May 12, 1865. He has always followed the business of farming and has been quite successful. He is a member of the Masonic order, and holds a final card from the I.O.O.F.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885

CHARLES COX, a prominent farmer of Hammond Township, was born August 22, 1824, in Breckenridge County, Ky. He is a son of John and Lucy (Seaton) Cox, both natives of Virginia. They lived in Breckenridge County, Ky., upward of twenty years after their marriage. In 1838 they moved to Meade County, Ky. In 1844 the former entered into the mercantile business in connection with his farming, but two years later was killed by lightning. His widow survived him until about 1875. Charles Cox was reared at home, receiving a limited education, being compelled to go four and five miles to receive his instruction. After leaving home he entered a dry goods store in West Point, Ky., as clerk, where he remained about a year, having become in the meantime an equal partner in the business. He then sold his interest, and for some time after followed various pursuits, clerking, working in a hotel, attending business college, etc. October 8, 1852, he married Julia Thompson, a native of Indiana. Seven children were born to this union, as follows: Mary, (wife of John Q. Anderson), Drusa, Charles, Ana, (wife of William Anderson), Arthur, Hawn and Grace. In the latter part of 1852 he went to Mississippi and became overseer of a cotton plantation, remaining one year. He then entered 160 acres of government land in Arkansas. In 1855 he removed to Perry County, Ind., where he lived for fifteen years. After a short residence in Meade County, Ky., he again returned to Perry County where he remained until 1881, when he came to Spencer County and located at Grandview. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Eighty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for a year, when he was discharged on account of sickness. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the A.F. & A.M., also he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885

HIRAM M. CURREY, physician and surgeon, at Newtonville, was born in Brown County, Ohio, September 23, 1827. His father died when he was quite young, and he remained at home with his mother until he reached the age of sixteen. He received an academical education, having attended the Maysville College, Mason County, Ky., and the Shurtliff College, Upper Alton, Ill. He then engaged in teaching, which vocation he followed at intervals for a time. In 1849 he began reading medicine with W. B. Thompson, of Fayettsville, Ohio, with whom he remained for about three years, during which time he took a course in the Ohio Medical College. He then went to Alton, Ind., and taught a term of school, after which he formed a partnership with Dr. Drumb, of Leopold, with who he practiced for two years. He then assumed the entire practice. One year subsequently he removed to Rome, Perry County, where he was elected to fill out an unexpired term of one year as auditor of that county. He then again attended Shurtliff College for one year. In 1857 he graduated in medicine and resumed the practice of his profession at Rono, Perry County, Ind., where he remained until 1862. From that time until 1878 he was located at Grandview. In the latter year he went to Baton Rouge, La., and remained five years. Since the expiration of that time he has practiced at this present location. May 18, 1855, he was united in marriage with Julia A. Hatfield, to whom were born three children. Two, Leonidas and Eugene, are living. Mrs. Currey died May 7, 1862. October 1864, his marriage with Letitia Lamar was celebrated, and to this union five children were born, of whom John W. and Alfred A. are living. On their trip to the South in 1878 his wife and youngest child died of the dread scourge, yellow fever. In July, 1883, Mr. Currey was again married to Fannie W. Smith. One child, Ethel W., has blessed this union. Mr. Currey's parents were William and Hannah (Adkins) Currey, natives respectively of Virginia and New York. They were both pioneers of Ohio.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885

Deb Murray