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

MICHAEL A. EBERHARD, tobacco merchant of Troy, is a native of the town, born February 10, 1855. He is one of a family of four girls and three boys born to Frank J. and Clara (Biele) Eberhard, both natives of Germany. The father came to America about 1840, and located on a farm in Dubois County, Ind. In 1851 he removed to Troy, where he followed farming and teaming until his death in 1876. Michael was reared with his parents, receiving a fair English and German education. At the age of fourteen, he began working in a leaf tobacco factory at Gentryville, and later at Grandview. In the fall of 1881, he engaged in the business here, in company with William H. Salm, and has since continued with good success. He is a Democrat, a member of the Catholic Church, and one of the enterprising business men of the town.

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

DANIEL EICHLING, justice of the peace, Troy, Ind., is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, born September 5, 1841. He is one of ten children born to the marriage of Andrew Eichling and Catherine Rauscher, natives of Pennsylvania and Germany respectively. The former, who was a practical farmer, came to Spencer County in 1855, and located on a farm in Clay Township, where he resided until he became blind. He is now living a retired life with his son. Daniel grew to manhood on the farm, receiving a fair English education. He followed stationary engineering until the war when he enlisted as a private in Company E, Ninety-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served three years. After his return, he learned the cabinet-maker's trade, following it principally on the home farm until 1872, when he came to Troy and worked in a planing-mill until 1875. In that year he engaged in the undertaking business, and in 1879 he added the manufacture of furniture, in which combined enterprise he has since continued. December 23, 1869, Mary E. Crawford became his wife, and to this union two children have been born, Cora B. and Maggie F. He is a Democrat, and has held the office of magistrate for one year. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. (Encampment).

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

THEOBALD GAESSER, Jr., merchant of Troy, Ind., was born in the town where he now resides, February 7, 1861, being one of a family of four sons and four daughters born to the marriage of Theobald Gaesser and Fredericka Mellin, natives of Alsace, France (Now Germany), and Louisville, Ky., respectively. The father, who was born in 1832, came to America in 1854, with his parents, and located in Cincinnati, where he worked until 1855, when the family moved to Tennessee, and a year later to Keokuk, Iowa, and finally came to Perry County in 1857. The next year he came to Troy and learned the shoe-maker's trade, which he followed until 1881. Since that date he has had an interest in the mercantile business with his son. Theobald, Jr., received a good education, having attended the Tell City High School and St. Meinrad's College. In 1875 he went to Louisville, Ky., where he clerked in a drug store one year, and then attended the Louisville College of Pharmacy, from which he received his diploma in 1879. He clerked in that city until 1881 when he returned to Troy, and in company with his father bought the store of Ulrich Weber, which they restocked with a line of hardware, groceries and drugs. In October, 1883, they completed the commodious brick store-room in which they are now doing business. Theobold Jr., is secretary of the Troy school board, and is a member of the Indiana Pharmaceutical Association, of which he was vice-president in 1884. In April, 1885, he began the publication of the Troy Item, a bi-weekly newpaper devoted to local news and business interests chiefly. Mr. Gaesser and family are members of the Catholic Church, and are highly esteemed by the community.

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

GERTH & DECKERT, proprietors of the Troy Planing-Mill, built their mill and began business in the spring of 1885. They are doing a good business, and are actively engaged in building and contracting and in manufacturing all kinds of weather boarding, flooring, ceiling, molding, etc. Joseph P. Gerth, of the above firm, was born in Troy, April 14, 1850, being the youngest of three children born to Joseph P. and Frances (Gardner) Gerth. At the age of seventeen he learned the carpenter's trade at Mt. Vernon, Ind., and four years later returned to Troy, where he worked at his trade until 1881. He then engaged in the planing-mill business for about two years, after which he again worked at his trade until engaging in his present business. November 27, 1878, he was joined in marriage with Eva Deckert by whom he is the father of three children, Frances Y., Edith M. and Joseph P. (deceased). He is a member of the Catholic Church, and his wife is a Lutheran. Melchior C. Deckert, the other member of the above firm was born in Tell City, October 22, 1861. His father, Melchior Deckert, who was a cabinet-maker, came to the United States from Germany about the year 1848 or 1850, and followed his trade in Milwaukee, Wis., until 1859. In that year he came to Tell City where he ran a planing-mill until about 1870, when he engaged in the same business at Troy. His death occurred December 23, 1876. Melchior C. was reared in Tell City and Troy, receiving a fair English and German education. At the age of eighteen, he went to Evansville and learned the woodworker and machinist's trade. He worked in that city and at Henderson, Ky., until engaging in his present business. He is a Republican, and is a member of the Lutheran Church.

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

JACOB LEINGANG, merchant of Troy, is a native of Germany, born March 2, 1814. In 1836 he came to the United States and clerked in stores in Baltimore and Pirrsburgh for about five years. After farming one year in Dubois County, Ind., he came to Troy and engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he has followed here ever since, with the exception of one year when he was in Louisville. He has been very successful in business, and owns considerable property besides his store. In 1836 he married Margaret Mulder, a native of Germany, who died leaving one daughter, now Mrs. B. Miller. In 1849 he wedded Katharina Loranz, by whom he is the father of five children now living, one of whom, Phillip Leingang, was born in Dubois County, Ind., August 3, 1853. He received only a limited education in youth, but has improved it through business experience. In 1875 he engaged in the dry goods and grocery business in Troy, which he continued for four years, since which he has been dealing in produce and grain. He does quite an extensive business. In 1880 Anna Paulus, a native of Spencer County, became his wife. They have two children, Joseph P. and Nettie F. He and his father are among the most enterprising and influential business men of the town.

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

FRANK LINDEMANN, dealer in general merchandise at Troy, began business on a very small scale in 1861. He now carries about a $2,500 stock of goods, and does an annual business of about $6,000. The date of Mr. Lindemann's birth is not definitely known, but it was on March 13, about 1830. He is the son of Matthias and Mary A. (Lindemann) Lindemann, who emigrated to this county when he was quite young. After living in Cincinnati for several years, they removed to Dubois County, Ind., where the mother died. The father then returned to Cincinnati, where he passed the remainder of his days. Frank received no instruction in school, but obtained his education without the aid of a teacher. March 4, 1862, his marriage with Louisa Walker was solemnized, and to their union six children have been born. Himself and family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Lindemann began here with almost nothing, but by economy and close application to business he has succeeded in establishing a good trade.

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

NICHOLAS MARKS, of Troy, is a native of Alsace, where he was born December 23, 1816, when then that province belonged to France. He is the younger of two children born to Severin and Mary (Cuny) Marks, also natives of Alsace. He received a good education in German and French, and at the age of sixteen came to the United States with his parents. They lived in various cities, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, until March, 1837, when they came to this county, where our subject has since resided. In 1848 he was united in marriage with Mary Wright, who died in February, 1874. March 8, 1876, Susan Glickstein became his wife and by him the mother of three children, two of whom, Nicholas S. and Mary S. are living. Mr. Marks has been engaged in divers pursuits, having been a merchant, commission and produce dealer, and for over twenty years was manager of the wharf-boat. He is now the owner of a small farm, which he manages. Himself and family are members of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been justice of the peace for many years.

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

WILLIAM H. SALM, tobacco dealer, of Troy, is a native of Spencer County, born May 13, 1856. He was a small child when his parents came to Troy, where he has since resided. He attended the Indiana State University at Bloomington, and the business college at Evansville. He clerked in his father's store previous to engaging in his present business, which he did in 1880. A year later M.A. Eberhard became his partner,and the firm is now doing a good business, handling about 300,000 pounds of tobacco yearly. He married Hettie S. Connor, a native of Perry County. In politics he is a Republican, and has held various local offices as town clerk, treasurer and member of council. Mr. Salm's parents, Solomon and Margaret A. (Evans) Salm are natives of Germany. The father, who is of Jewish descent, was born February 6, 1816, and came to the United States about 1847. He soon after engaged in merchandising at New Boston, Spencer Co., Ind., where he remained about ten years. He has since been a resident of Troy, where he owns a store, now conducted by his son, Frank.

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

SAMUEL WILSON, proprietor of Troy pottery, is a native of Staffordshire, England, born November 25, 1825. His parents, Samule and Anna (Dodds) Wilson, were both natives of England, where they passed their lives. Samuel received only a limited education in youth. He learned the potter's trade in his native country, and in 1849 came to the United States. He lived for two years in Cincinnati, after which , in company with others of his countrymen, he engaged in the pottery business, the firm being known as the Indiana Pottery Company. He is now the sole proprietor of the works which he erected in 1860, and is actively engaged in the manufacture of Rockingham and yellow ware, popularly known in southern Indiana as Troy ware. Mr. Wilson has met with good success financially, and now may be said to be in easy circumstances. In 1847 he married Anna Eld, who died in 1881, leaving three sons and one daughter. Six children are deceased. In 1882 he married Anna Wilson, his present wife.

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

ANDREW ACKARMAN, a pioneer of Perry County, is a native of Breckenridge County, Ky., where he was born in Hardinsburg, February 7, 1812. He is one of a family of five boys and three girls, born to the marriage of Andrew Ackarman and Maria Reinhart, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, who was a tanner, came to the United States in his youth, and located in Kentucky, whence he came, in 1822, to this county, where at the time of his death he owned several hundred acres of land. He died in the fall of 1846, and his wife followed him in the spring of 1848. The subject of this sketch remained at home, working on the farm, and assisting in a tannery, which his father operated, until he was thirty years of age. about 1838 he entered 120 acres in Section 35, Tobin Township, and after his marriage located upon it, where he lived for two years. He then sold out and bought the farm where he has since resided. December 29, 1844 he married Ruth Carr, a daughter of Eli and Rachel A. Carr, by whom he is the father of eight children, seven of whom are living. They are Hiram C., Eli C., Andrew J., Henry C., Hugh, Mary B. (wife of K. Deweese) and Rachel A. (wife of William Cinningham). Eli and Hugh are in the hardware business in Kansas, and the others are living at or near home. Mr. Ackarman is a man of sterling qualities, and is highly esteemed by the community in which he has so long lived.

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

HIRAM C. ACKARMAN, a prominent farmer of Perry County, was born in this county November 18, 1845. He is the oldest child of Andrew Ackarman, whose sketch appears in this work. He received a common school education, and worked at home until becoming of age, when he rented 200 acres of land of Hiram Carr, and began farming for himself. He met with reverses in this business, and lost a large amount of money. He therefore abandoned farming, and followed other pursuits, clerking in a mill and flat-boating until his marriage, which occurred April 4, 1869. He chose for a wfie Catharine Tobin, a native of the county, by whom he is the father of six children: Maud, Claude, Esther, Edna, Jennie and Kate. After marriage he bought the farm upon which he has since resided. He is a Democrat, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.

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

HENRY C. ACKARMAN, a farmer of Tobin Township, is a native of the county, born August 18, 1854. He is the fourth son of Andrew Ackarman (see sketch). He remained at home until September, 1875, when he went to Arkansas, and engaged in cutting timber and rafting it down the White and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, meeting with very good success. He was employed in this business about a year, and then returned home. December 15, 1878, he was united in marriage with Clara A. Reynolds, a native of the county, and located on a farm of 317 acres, on Sections 5 and 8, Tobin Township, where he has since lived. In March, 1883, he bought a one-half interest in a general merchandise store at Rome, which he still owns. The firm is known as Reynolds & Ackarman. In politics he is a Democrat, and is one of the rising young men of the county. He has two children: Raymond R. and Alma C.

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

FREEMAN ADAMS, was born in the county, February 7, 1823, and is the third son in a family of five sons and four daughters born to the marriage of Peter Adams and Nancy Rains, both natives of Kentucky. They came to Perry County soon after their marriage, and located in Polk's Bottom, Tobin Township. Our subject remained at home until he was seventeen years old, when he began flat-boating on the river, which he continued at intervals for ten or twelve years. July 16, 1848, he married Bathsheba Lamb, a native of the county, and located on a farm in Polk's Bottom, where he lived for several years. He then went to Cloverport, Ky., where he resided for three years, after which he returned to Perry County, and bought the farm where he has since resided. Mr. Adams is an industrious, hard-working man, and is highly respeted by the community in which he lives. He is the father of eleven children, eight of whom are living. They are Ann (wife of James Harris), Susan (wife of David Isom), Margaret (wife of W.J. Tate), Albert, Nancy, Grant, Dora and Aurora.

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

JEROME B. ANSON, mechanic and farmer, was born in Rome, Perry Co., Ind., October 7, 1820. He is a son of Montgomery Anson, a native of Quebec, who came to Perry County about 1819, and located on Bear Creek where he remained about fifteen years. He then went to Union Star, Ky., where he remained until his death which occurred April 24, 1854. He married Sylvia Little, a native of Ohio by whom he was the father of seven children. She died July 17, 1849. Jerome B. Anson received but little education in youth. At the age of fourteen he left home and hired out as a hand on a flat-boat, continuing for about three years, when he abandoned the river and learned the carpenter's trade. May 27, 1846, he wedded Lavina Cummings, a daughter of Eli Cummings, and about the same time began the study of law. He practiced the profession at Rome for about fifteen years, but when the county seat was removed to Cannelton he gave up law and bought the Waterbury Mill on Poison Creek. After operating the mill for about ten years he sold it and bought the farm where he has since resided. In 1800 he erected a saw-mill with a small grist-mill attached, and now operates them in addition to his other business. Mr. Anson is a skillful mechanic and built his mills, and put in the machinery without any assistance. He is the father of ten children, only two of whom William F. and Henry C. are living. In politics he has always been a Democrat, having cast his first vote for James K. Polk.

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

JOHN BARGER, an old resident of the county was born in Breckinridge County, Ky., June 2, 1812, and is one of twelve children born to George Barger and Susan Shelman, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father who was a farmer lived in his native county at the time of his marriage, and did not remove to Perry County till about 1837. His wife died in 1846, and after his second marraige he removed to Missouri where he died about 1859. John remained at home working for his father until he was twenty-six years old, when, in company with his brother Andrew, he bought the home farm and commenced his career as a farmer for himself. He and his brother worked together about four years when he sold his interest to Andrew, and came to this county where he bought the farm upon which he has since resided. August 6, 1848, he wedded Lavica Davis, a native of Spencer County, Ind., who died February 11, 1868, having borne him nine children, seven of whom are living. They are Mary L., now Mrs. Eli Cronin, William D., Levi S., Daniel W., John F., Winfield S. and America J., the last two of whom are at home. In connection with farming Mr. Barger operated a saw-mill on Deer Creek for about ten years. Besides his home trade he shipped large amounts of lumber to New Orleans. He has been financially successful, and now owns 520 acres of good land.

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

JAMES BOYLE, an early settler of Tobin Township, came to the United States with his parents from Ayrshire, Scotland in 1819. They located on a farm in Dearborn County where the father died in the summber of 1839. He was a man of much enterprise and business ability, and at his death was the owner of upward of 500 acres of land. He married Anna Belle Archibald,and reared a family of nine children. James Boyle was born June 3, 1813, and was therefore about five years old when his parents came to America. He remained at home working on the farm until attaining his majority, after which he followed blacksmithing and flat-boating for about four years. He then, in 1838, came to Perry County,and in company with his brother Hugh bought ninety-one acres of land upon which he has since resided. At the end of three years he bought his brother's interest, and has since added to it until he now has a farm of 251 acres. In June 1840 he was united in marriage with Ursula York, a native of Nelson County, Ky., who died December 25 1858, having borne him a family of nine children, five of whom are living. They are Jane (now Mrs. John S. Hargis), Mary, Jenette (wife of James S. Mitchell), Syntha A. (wife of George H. Mitchell), and David A. Mr. Boyle has never remarried, but since the death of his wife has lived with his children. In politics he is a Republican, and prior to the formation of that party was a Whig, having cast his first ballot for John Q. Adams.

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

DAVID A. BOYLE, an enterprising farmer of Tobin Township, was born in this county, January 16, 1855, and is one of ten children in the family of James and Ursula (York) Boyle, the former a native of Scotland, and the latter of Perry County. David A. was reared at home and received a good English education, having attended the academy at Rome and at Patriot, Switzerland County. At the age of seventeen he entered the teacher's profession, and has taught eleven winter terms, all but one of which hav been in this county. March 10, 1875, he married Sarah M. Groves, a daughter of Jacob Groves, after which he rented and worked his father's farm for two years. In 1877 he moved to Sumner County, Kas., and entered 160 acres of land, upon which he erected a house. Owing to the delicate health of his wife in their new home, he returned to his native county at the end of two years, and bought the farm upon which he has since resided. Mr. Boyle is an active, energetic farmer, and fully up with the modern ideas of agriculture. He is the father of six children, only two of whom, James K. and Ansel B. are now living.

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

ELIAS BREWER, a prominent farmer of Tobin Township, came to Indiana from his native State, the Old Dominion," with his parents when he was a lad of about six summers. They located in Jennings County, and he remained at home until he was seventeen years of age. He then began flat-boating, and continued with good success for upward of twenty-one years. In 1858 he came to Perry County, and bought the farm upon which he has since resided. June 9, 1842, he married Mary Cox, a native of Dearborn County, Ind., and to them have been born nine children. Those now living are Jacob J., Catharine A., wife of John McGinty, Adaline, wife of Samuel Bryant, James H., George McClellan, and Sarah F., wife of John C. Chatfield. Mr. Brewer was born April 4, 1818, being one of a family of six sons and three daughters born to the marriage of Jacob J. Brewer and Anna Wilson, the former a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., and the latter of Virginia. They were married in the latter State and came to Jennings County, Ind., about 1824. The mother died in the fall of 1865, and the father the following spring.

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

JOSEPH D. BRASHEAR, a farmer of Tobin Township, was born in the county July 30, 1850. He is a son of Joseph Brashear, a native of Breckenridge County, Ky., who began life as a clerk in a store, but in after years followed farming. He married Emily J. Hildwine, a native of Clark County, Ind., and located on Section 12, Tobin Township, where he remained until his death, which occurred on July 11, 1854. His widow is still living at the old homestead with her son. They had a family of two sons and two daughters. Joseph D. received a common school education, and at the age of fourteen he assumed charge of the farm, his father having died when he was only about four years old. He has ever since worked and managed the farm with good success. He is energetic and enterprising and stands high in the estimation of the community in which he lives. December 23, 1877, he married Mary M. Hyde, a native of Perry County. They have two children, Linie L. and Mannie M. Politically Mr. Brashear is a Democrat.

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

JOHN CARR, one of the leading farmers of Tobin Township, was born in Perry County, Ind., April 18, 1831. Hiram Carr, his father, who was a native of Kentucky, came to Perry County a few years after his marriage, and bought a farm in Tobin Township. He married Delila Claycomb, who bore him a family of three sons and three daughters. He died in October, 1837, and his widow on the day following. Thus, at the age of six years the subject of this sketch was left to grow to manhood without a mother's love or a father's care and guidance. He went to live with Pryor Trenary, with whom he remained for twelve years. September 11, 1849, he married Dorotha A. Foster, a native of Hardin County, Ky., after which he bought seventy acres of land, where he has since resided, and to which he has added from time to time, until he now owns 575 acres. In 1883 he opened a general merchandise store which he still conducts. Mr. Carr bgan life without a dollar but by his enterprise and energy, has placed himself in the front rank of the farmers of the county. Of the seven children born to him six are now living. They are Mary E. (wife of John W. Trainer), Hiram T., Delila (wife of Robert Connor), Eliza, Dorotha A. and William H. Louis died when three years of age. In politics Mr. Carr was formerly a Whig, but since its organization has been identified with the Republican party.

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