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

JOHN H. SCHERGENS, of Tell City, is a native of Prussia, born September 4, 1821. He came to the United States in 1848, and located at Cincinnati, where he followed his trade and engaged in the business for himself. In 1858 he came to Tell City as a member of the Colonizatin Society, and engaged in the cabinet-maker's and carpenter's trade. He was a member of the firm, Combs, Hartman & Co., manufacturing furniture and chairs for ten years, and then engaged in the undertaking and picture frame business, in which he has since remained. He is one of eight children born to the marriage of John H. Schergens and Marie Engel, both of whom lived and died in Prussia. He remained at home until reaching manhood, receiving a fair education in his native language. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and followed it until he came to America. In 1852 he married Catharine Reuber, a native of Germany and to this union have been born nine children: William, Mina (widow of Charles Bettinger), Anna (wife of Renig Einsiedler), Henry, Sophia (wfie of Henry Hetterich), Christina, Louisa (wife of Robert Haulsmann), August and Charles. His wife and daughter are engaged in a dry goods, millinery and notion business in Tell City. He is a Republican and a member of the I.O.O.F.

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

WILLIAM SCHERGENS, foreman of the Southwestern Furniture Company was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 18, 1852. He is a son of John H. Schergens, a sketch of whom appears in this work. William was reared at home and received his education in the schools of the town. At the age of fourteen he began working at the cabinet-maker's trade and worked as foreman for Combs, Hartman & Co., in which company hw owned an interest for two years. In 1879 he bought an interest in the Southwestern Furniture Company, and assumed the position which he has since held. July 29, 1875, he was united in marriage with Gertrude Lindauer, a native of Switzerland. The fruits of this union are three children: Amelia, Harry H. and William. Mr. Schergens is a Protestant in faith, but is not a member of any religious denomination. His wife is a member of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Republican, and was a member of the town council for two years.

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

AUGUST SCHREIBER, a prominent merchant of Tell City, is a native of Prussia, his birth occurring December 6, 1837. He is the eldest of three surviving sons born to the marriage of Henry Schreiber and Wilhelmina Colshorn, who were also natives of Prussia, where the mother died about the year 1846. The father, a manufacturer by trade, immigrated to the United States in 1854, locating first at Galena, Ill., but later removing to Dubuque, Iowa, where he died in 1876. The subject of this sketch was reared to early manhood in this native country, receiving a good high school education, also studying the French, English and Latin Languages. In 1855 he joined his father in America, clerking one year at Galena, and from that time to 1864 doing a similar work in Dubuque. For the succeeding two years he was engaged in the produce and commission business, shipping goods largely to New Orleans but in 1866 came to Tell City and embarked in the drug trade. Mr. Schreiber has ever since continued the business, and although at various times has had competitors in his line of business at Tell City, he has outlived them all, and at the present writing has the only drugstore in the place. This fact is largely due to Mr. Schreiber's courtesy, his large and well selected stock, and the uniform low price at which he diposes of his goods. He first embarked in the business with a limited capital, but economy and industry have brought about their legitimate reward in a comfortable and well-established income, which is the result. Mr. Schreiber has been one of the most active and enterprising men of the place since his location here, contributing liberally from his means in the support of all laudable public enterprises, and in various ways contributing to the advancement of his town, county and State. He belongs to the I.O.O.F., F.&A.M., and A.O.U.W. fraternities, being a charter member of the two latter and also a charter member of the I.O.O.F. (encampement), and the present Master of the Masonic Lodge at Tell City. Since 1876 he has held the position of Deputy Revenue Collector for this district. As as Republican in politics he has been honored at various times by nominations for Representative, but owing to the hopeless minority of his party in the county he has always been defeated. He is the present president of the town school board. Although a member of no church he is a Protestant in his religious views, his family being connected with the Evangelical Church. Mr. Schreiber was married August 25, 1861, to Miss Eva Schloth, a native of Saxony, Germany, by whom he is the father of two living children named Ida M. and Charles Robert Darwin.

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

FREDERICK W. SCHELLHASE, M.D., of Tell City, is a native of Prussia, born October 31, 1841. When he was a small lad his parents died, and he was reared by his relatives in his native country, receiving a good education. At the age of nineteen he began studying medicine, and four years later graduated from the Caethen Homeopathic Medical College. He practiced his profession in Prussia until 1870, when he came to the United States and practiced near Petersburg, Virginia, and later in Tennessee. In 1875 he received a diploma from the St. Louis Medical College, and came to Tell City the same year. He has a large share of the practice in the town and surrounding country, and is very successful. In 1881 he had the ad eunden degree of Doctor of Medicine conferred upon him by the St. Louis College of Homeopathic Physicians and Surgeons. February 20, 1876, Mary Kraus became his wife, and to their union have been born three children, William George, Edward J. and Nelda. Dr. Schellhase is a member of the I.O.O.F., and he and wife are members of the Evangelical Church.

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

FRANCIS SEDLETZKY, president and manager of the Southwestern Furniture Association of Tell City, is a native of Bohemia, born November 22, 1822. His parents, Wenzel and Johanna (Ritter) Sedletzky, were natives of Bohemia, where they lived and died. Francis remained at home until about fourteen years old, when he went to Vienna and learned the cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed there until 1852, with the exception of two years when he was in Italy and Tyrol. In 1852 he came to the United States, and worked at his trade in Cincinnati until 1859, when he came to Tell City as one of the stockholders of the Tell City Furniture Company, of which he was treasurer from 1860 to 1872. In the latter year he engaged in the furniture manufacturing business with George W. Lyon, and in 1876 they converted the firm into an incorporated association with Mr. Sdeletzky as president and general manager, which position he has since filled. In 1868 he married Mary Mautwitz, a native of Bohemia, by whom he was the father of four children, those living are Mary, Fanny and Ella. Mr. Sedletzky is a Republican, a member of the I.O.O.F., and one of the most influential and highly respected business men of the county.

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

HENRY STAEHELY, one of the directors of the Cabinet Makers' Union, is a native of Canton Thurgau, Switzerland, born September 25, 1836. He is one of four children in the family of George and Sabina (Pfeffer) Staehely, who are also natives of Switzerland, where they passed their lives. Henry grew to manhood in his native country, where he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1860 he came to the United States and worked on a farm near Cincinnati for three years. After working for a short time at his trade in Tennessee he came to Tell City, where he was engaged in contracting and building until 1881. In that year he bought an interest in the Cabinet Maker's Union, which he still owns. He is a Republican, and was member of the town council for one term. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Catharine Wlach. Three of the four children born to them are living. Their names are Rudolph F., Henry E. and Otto F. Mr. Staehely is an energetic business man, and is highly respected by the community.

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

HERMAN STALDER, a prominent merchant of Tell City, is a native of Canton Aargau, Switzerland, born November 26, 1833. He is one of fourteen children born to the marriage of Ludwig Stalder and Clara Herzog, who were also natives of Switzerland. Herman remained at home until he reached manhood. He learned the butcher's business in his native country, and in 1853 came to the United States and located in Cincinnati, where he followed his trade for one year. He also conducted a business for himself for two years, after which, in 1856, he went to California and was engaged in the same business at Sacramento until 1858. In that year he came to Tell City as a member of the Colonization Society, where he conducted the meat business until 1870. Meeting with an accident which disabled him for that business he, in 1871, built a brick store room which he stocked with general merchandise, and has since been successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1859, he married Eliza Gnau, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, by whom he is the father of five sons and three daughters. Himself and family are members of the Catholic Church. He is also a member of the F.& A.M., and I.O.O.F. In politics he is a republican, and has held various local offices.

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

CHARLES STEINAUER, a well known business man of Tell City, is a native of Switzerland, his birth occurring in Canton Schwytz, March 17, 1828. To his parents, Benedict and Gertrude (Effinger) Steinauer, both of whom were also natives of Switzerland, a family of five sons and two daughters were born. The mother dying in the old country the father, who was a goldsmith by trade, immigrated to the United States in 1854, where he died thirteen years later. Charles Steinauer was reared to manhood in the land of his birth, receiving a liberal education. At seventeen years of age he began farming for himself, at which he continued until 1852, when he bade friends and native land farewell, and crossing the ocean settled at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he learned and worked at the varnisher's trade until 1858. He then came to Tell City, Ind., and for two years, in company with his brother August, was engaged in the hotel business. They then engaged in the milling business, at which they have ever since continued with more than ordinary success. In 1884 they disposed of the old-fashioned stone buhrs, replacing them with the latest improved rolls, and otherwise refitting their property, until they now have one of the best mills for for its size in Southern Indiana. Mr. Steinauer is one of Tell City's most enterprising and wide-awake citizens; is a stanch Republican in politics, serving as commissioner of Perry County from 1881 to 1884, and also holding other positions of trust. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

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

FREDERICK STEINER (deceased), was a native of Canton St. Gallen, Switzerland, where he was born August 10, 1830. He received a finished education in German, French and English, and prepared himself for teaching. At the age of twenty-one he came to the United States, and lived successively in Chicago, Ill., New Orleans, La., nad Cape Girardeau, Mo., where he married Mrs. Augusta Graff, who died in 1881, having borne him nine children. He had, however, been previously married to Elizabeth Gabathuler, by whom he was the father of two daughters. In 1858 he came to Tell City, and was foremost in building up the town, being one of its most enterprising and successful citizens. He built the Steiner Hotel, and had an interest in the Southwestern Furniture Company, and also owned a wharf-boat for a number of years. His death, which occurred October 30, 1882, was a great loss to the community, who knew and respected his many excellent business and social qualities.

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

FREDERICK VOELKE, proprietor of Tell City Brewery, is a native of Cassel, Germany, born August 30, 1832. He is the eldest child in a family of three daughters and two sons born to Frederick and Christine (Gebhardt) Voelke. The father, who was a brewer, followed the business in his native country unitl 1848, when he came to the United States, and worked in the glass works at Pittsburgh two years. In 1850 he came to Troy, Ind., and engaged in the brewery business, which he followed until his retirement in 1856. Frederick received a good literary and musical education in Prussia. He came to America with his parents, and traveled through the various States of the south and west, playing for theatrical companies, until 1856. In that year he took charge of this father's brewery at Troy, and in 1861 built the establishment which he has since conducted at Tell City. August 12, 1856, he was joined in marriage with Nancy A. Taylor, by whom he is the father of ten children, Amelia (wife of John Herrman), Ella (wife of Nicholas Greathouse), Frederick W. (deceased), Claudine, Esther, Henrietta (deceased), Frederick, Hetty, Maud and Hessie. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but now affiliates with the Democratic party. During the war he was a captain of the Home Guards.

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

ELISHA S. WEEDMAN, of the firm of Weedman & Miller, proprietors of a saw-mill, Tell City, is a native of the county, born September 7, 1849. He grew up on the farm, receiving an ordinary education. At the age of nineteen he began flat-boating and saw-logging on the river, which, in connection with saw-milling and stave-making, he has followed ever since. In July, 1884, he engaged in his present business at Tell City, and the firm are doing a good business. In addition to his property here Mr. Weedman also owns good farm in Clark Township. September 15, 1874, Letitia Jarboe, a native of Perry County, became his wife, and to their union five children have been born, namely, Norman B., Mark, Grace, Pearl and Leslie. Mr. Weedman is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is a son of Daniel and Nancy (Spurrier) Weedman, both natives of Kentucky. They came to Perry County about 1838, and located on a farm near Troy, and later on a farm on Anderson Creek, fifteen miles from Troy. The father died August 22, 1854, and the mother June 11, 1867. They had a family of seven sons and seven daughters.

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

JANUARY WEISENBERGER, foreman of the Chair Makers' Union of Tell City, was born in Baden, Germany, November 11, 1840. His parents, George and Lena (Meister) Weisenberger, died when he was a small lad, and he was reared by a widow, a friend of his parents. At the age of seventeen he learned the stone-cutter's trade, and in 1864 he came to the United States. In November of that year he located at Tell City, where he worked for two years in a foundry. He then worked for nine years at his trade with Henry Ludwig. In 1875 he bought an interest in the chair factory, and in 1880 was made foreman, a position which he has since held. In 1865 he wedded Mary Fuller, a native of Germany, by whom he is the father of four children, three of whom - Joseph, Frank and Mary P. - are living. Both he and family are members of the Catholic Church, of which he is one of the trustees.

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

REV. JOHN N. WERNICH, of Tell City, was born in the providence of Ermeland, Prussia, on February 21, 1846. He studied at the gymnasium in Elbing from 1855 to 1861, then in Braunsberg until 1864, having finished his theological studies in the Paderborn Seminary, and having received minor orders in 1868, he was ordained priest on September 30, 1868. He spent the first five years of his ministry on the missions of western Missouri. Having nearly destroyed his health there, he returned to his native country, and was appointed pastor of the parish of Olivia. The Prussian Government, not recognizing the bishop's appointment, he returned to this country, June 16, 1880. Two weeks after he became the pastor of St. Anne's, working hard, and in every way furthering the interests of his congregation. In February, 1884, he took charge of the Catholic Church at Tell City, and ever since then has remained in that place until the present time.

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

PETER WIEDMER, senior member of the firm of Wiedmer, Oboussier & Co., proprietors of foundry and machine shop at Tell City, was born in Switzerland in October, 1820. He is the second of seven children born to the marriage of Jacob Weidmer and Barbara Zaug, who were also natives of Switzerland, where they passed their lives. Peter grew to manhood in his native country, receiving an ordinary education. He learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a number of years, and also worked some as a machinist. In 1850 he came to the United States, and worked in machine shops until 1858, when he came to Tell City with a very limited capital. He rented a small tract of land near the town, and was engaged in farming for about two years. He then worked in various shops and foundries, and at any kind of manual labor he could procure until 1868, when he began his present business with Mr. Oboussier. In 1875, A. Roeser, an adopted son of Mr Wiedmer, was taken into the firm. They do a thriving business in the manufacture of steam engines, shingle machines, cane-mills, and all kinds of machinery. They employ eight hands, and find a local demand for most of their products. In 1846 Mr Wiedmer married Eliabeth Meier, a native of Switzerland. I politics he is a Republican, and is one of the prominent business men of the town.

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

RICHARD WINDPFENNIG, of Tell City, came to the United States in 1865, and was employed as traveling salesman for a wholesale tobacco house in Pitsburgh, Penn., for two years. Afterward he was engaged in the saloon business in St. Louis until 1872, when he came to Tell City and managed the hotel and saloon of William Stolts, until the latter's death. In October, 1875, he married the widow of his former employer. He enlarged the hotel, making it the best hostelry in the town, and conducted it until 1878, when he again went to St. Louis. He returned to Tell City in 1881, and has since been engaged in the saloon business. He also gives some attention to his farm north of town. It has a coal mine upon it, which supplies a great part of the town with a good quality of bituminous coal. Mr. Windpfennig is a Democrat, a member ofthe I.O.O.F. and A.O.U.W., and an enterprising business man. He was born in Berlin, Prussia, January 15, 1845, being one of eight children born to the marriage of Adolph Windpfennig and Bertha Reiman. The father died in Prussia in 1883. The mother still survives him.

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

LEANDER YARITO, a prominent teacher of Tell City, was born in San Antonio, Mex., September 9, 1840, being one of a family of six children in the family of Francisco and Guadalupe Yarito, natives of Spain and Mexico respectively. Leander, at the age of eight years, left his parents and came with Capt. Isaac Wright to Spencer County. He lived with Capt. Wright until attaining his majority, receiving only a limited education. He afterward educated himself with a view to making teaching a profession. He attended Rockport Seminary, Franklin College, Ladoga, Ind., Seminary, and the State Uniersity at Bloomington, where he completed the sophomore year. In the meantime he had taught school in Spencer and Perry Counties, and upon his return he taught at Dale, Cannelton, and in 1872 came to Tell City. He has taught in the town and district schools ever since, and is recognized as one of the best instructors in the county. In 1873 he married Josephine Batson, a native of Perry County, who died in 1881, leaving one child - Guy L. In 1882 he wedded Lydia Powell, by whom he is the father of one child - Mabel. Mr. Yarito is a Democrat in politics, and will probably be appointed United States gauger and store-keeper for Tell City, to succeed Maj. Lamb.

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

CHRISTIAN ZOERCHER, president and foreman of the Cabinet Makers' Union, was born in Bavaria September 5, 1832. He was reared at home on the farm, receiving a fair German education. In 1851 he came to the United States and learned the cabinet-maker's trade, working in New York City and Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He afterward worked for a number of years at his trade, and in machine shops in Cincinnati. In 1868 he came to Tell City, and worked in various factories in town for two years. He then bought an interest in the Cabinet Makers' Union, which he still owns. He is one of seven children born to the marriage of Henry Zoercher and Mary Bolander, native of the same country as himself, where they passed their lives. May 25, 1859, he married Mary Christ, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and to their union have been born eight children. Those now living are Catharine, Jacob, Henry, Phillip, Anno, Christena and Louis. Both he and wife are members of the Evangelical Church. He is also a member of the I.O.O.F., and in politics is a Democrat.

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

MILLARD F. BABBITT, a natives of Hawesville, Ky., was born October 27, 1857. Stephen B. Babbitt, his father, was a native of Warren County, Penn.; moved to Kentucky years ago, and during the late war served three years in the Twenty-seventh Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. Martha M. Nichols was the name of our subject's mother, and she was born in Hancock County, Ky. Millard F. Babbitt, when a child attended the county schools of his native State, but received the better part of his education at Cannelton, Ind., under the instruction of Professors Wetheroll and Meunier. When eighteen years old he began teaching school, and from that time to the summer of 1885 followed that profession, the last three years having had charge of the grammar department of the Cannelton schools. He is now engaged in the insurance business, and represents the Germania, North America and Hartford Fire Insurance Companies, and the New York and Equitable Life Companies. Mr. BAbbitt is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, the F. & A.M. and the I.O.O.F. Of the last-named fraternity he is the present Noble Grand.

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

MARTIN V. BURNETT, a merchant of Cannelton, is a native of Breckinridge County, Ky., and was born August 31, 1827. His parents were Green B. and Nancy (Gibson) Burnett, who raised a family of eleven children. Our subject received but a limited education in the schools of his native State, and was reared to the life of a farmer until the age of twenty-two years. He then came to Cannelton, where he has ever since been engaged in a general merchandise trade with the exception of the first two years. On February 17, 1846, he was married to Ruth E. Stephens. Her death occurred two years later, and his second marriage was July 5, 1849, when Mary Wadkins became his wife. In early life he was a Democrat, but in 1856 voted for Fillmore. Since that time he has been identified with the Republican party. He was two years a member of the Town Board. Both Mr. and Mrs. Burnett are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and contribute their full share to the support of that and all other charitable institutions. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and has attained the Royal Arch degree.

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