"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
HENRY BADER, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes at Tell City, was born in Canton, Zurich, Switzerland, March 25, 1851. He is one of five surviving children born to the marriage of John Bader and Regula Frohlich, who are also natives of Switzerland. Henry remained with his parents until he was twelve years old, when he went to work in a silk factory. In 1869 he came to the United States, and after a short residence at Tell City located at Henderson, Kentucky, where he remained until 1879. He then returned to Tell City, where he has since been engaged
in his present business. He has a good stock of goods in his line, and also the latest improved machinery for doing fine custom work. September 25, 1877, he was united in marriage with Frederika Lauber, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, who has borne him three children, two of whom, Emma F. and Ella C. are living Himself and wife are members of the Evangelical Church. He is also a member of the F. & A.M. and of the I.O.O.F. Encampment.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
FERDINAND BECKER, a prominent merchant of Tell City, was born in Canton Glarus, Switzerland, June 22, 1827. He is the oldest and only surviving member of a family of four children born to the marriage of Fredrick Becker and Elizabeth Grubermann, who were also natives of Switzerland. He grew to manhood in his native country, receiving a collegiate education in German and French. He was engaged with his father in mercantile pursuits until 1854, when he came to the United States, and was employed as a salesman in stores in Cincinnati and in Dubuque and Davenport,
Iowa, until 1858. In that year he came to Tell City as a member of the Colonization Society, and has since been prominently identified with the business interests of the town, although for a time he was engaged in merchandising at Morganfield, Ky., and farming in Kansas. For four years he was one of the proprietors of the woolen mills, and is now doing a large business in general merchandise. During its existence he was president of the National Bank, and is now treasurer of the Tell City Fire Insurance Company. He is recognized throughout the town and county
as one of the leading business men, and as an honorable, upright citizen. In 1861 he was united in marriage with Mary Gnau, a native of Cincinnati, but of German descent. They have had seven children - five sons and two daughters. One of the daughters is deceased.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
CHARLES BECKER, proprietor of a brewery at Tell City, is a native of Prussia, born July 15, 1830. He learned the baker's trade of his father, and later learned the brewery business. In 1855 he came to the United States, and worked in a brewery in Cincinnati until 1858, when he came to Tell City as a member of the Swiss Colonization Society. He opened the first brewery in the town, and has remained in the business ever since with good success. In 1860 he married Caroline Schoenhinz, a native of Wurtemburg, by whom he was the father of two children, Alois and Barbara
(deceased). Mr. Becker is one of the directors of the Tell City Fire Insurance Company, and is also a director and stockholder in the bank. He is one of a family of two sons and four daughters born to Theodore and Margaret (Osterdag) Becker, both natives of Prussia, where they passed their lives. He has always lived in the Catholic faith, and is highly respected as a courteous gentleman and a successful business man.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
MICHAEL BETTINGER, proprietor of the Tell City Woolen Mills, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, Septmeber 29, 1824. His parents were Martin and Juliana (Grisser) Bettinger, also natives of Germany. He remained at home on the farm until attaining his majority, when he entered the German army, in which he served two and a half years. In 1848 he came to America and located in Cincinnati, where he worked in a brewery, and later in partnership with his brother-in-law owned one. In 1857 he engaged in the hotel and saloon business in that city, and continued until 1859 when he
came to Tell City, and operated a saw-mill for a few years. He then bought the only hotel in the town, known as the Seigel Hotel which he conducted for one year. In March 1868, he bought an interest in the woolen mills, and two years later became sole owner. He conducted the business with great success until 1881, when the mills were entirely destroyed by fire, entailing a heavy loss upon him. He soon, however, replaced the old buildings with large brick structures, in which he placed the latest improved machinery. Mr. Bettinger is one of the town's most enterprising
and successful business men. He was formerly president of the First National Bank, and now occupies that position in the Tell City Bank. In 1849 he married Elizabeth Augst, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, and to their union have been born five children, Charles (deceased), Albert, Amelia, wife of Clay Switzer, William and Michael. He and family are members of the Catholic church.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
JOHN BEGERT, president of the Chair Maker's Union of Tell City, was born in Canton Bern, Switzerland, January 24, 1826. He is one of six children born to Nicholas and Mary (Weber) Begert, who were also natives of Switzerland. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade in his native country, and followed it there until 1856, when he came to the United States. He was engaged in saw-milling in Wisconsin between two and three years, after which he followed the same business at Tell City until the war. During the Rebellion he served his adopted country for over three years as a
private in the First Indiana Artillery. He then returned to Tell City, and in 1865 assisted in organizing the Chair-maker's Union, of which he has been president from the beginning, and its success has been largely due to his business ability. In 1864 he was united in marriage with Mary Milchi, a native of the same country as himself. Two children have been born to them, only one of whom, John is living. Mr. Begert is a Democrat in politics, and is one of the most enterprising and successful business men of the town.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
HENRY H. BIELEFELD, merchant of Tell City, is a native of the town, born January 12, 1861, being one of a family of two living children of Henry and Elizabeth (Lusky) Bielefeld, both natives of Germany. The father came to the United States in 1850, and worked at manual labor in various States until 1858 when he came to Tell City. He worked at manual labor and teaming, and later opened a small store which he conducted until December, 1884, when the business went into the hands of his son, Henry H. The latter received a fair German and English education in the town schools
and attended the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso for one year. In 1881 he went to Louisville, Ky., where he was employed as clerk in a store until assuming control of his present business, which he is conducting with good success. February 19, 1885, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Flamm, a native of Louisvile, Ky.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
JACOB BOLLINGER, a prominent citizen of Tell City, is a native of Canton Aargau, Switzerland, born March 11, 1818. He received a thorough education in his native country, and engaged in teaching there. in 1855 he came to the United States and located at Fort Smith, Arkansas, where two of his brothers had already located. He taught instrumental music at that place for one year, and then accepted the position of Professor of German in the Methodist College at Lebanon, Ill. After teaching there one year, and one year in St. Louis, he was engaged in the latter city in the
insurance business until 1861, when he came to Tell City and accepted the position of principal of schools which he held three years. Since that time he has been engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Tell City, with the exception of two years when he was United States Revenue Inspector for the First and Second Dirstrct of Indiana. In 1851 he married Anna Gautschi, a native of Switzerland, by whom he was the father of one child, Gotthold R., who died in Chicago, Ill., May 15, 1884. Mr. Bollinger is a Republican and a warm advocate of the principles of his
party. He has given considerable time and attention to the study of law, and is engaged in the practiceof the profession in connection with his other business. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., and himself 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
GEORGE F. BOTT, proprietor and publisher of the Tell City Anzeiger, was born in Ravensburg, Germany, July 23, 1842. His parents, George and Marie M. (Bauer) Bott, were also born in Germany. The father who was a tailor, came to the United States in 1854 and followed his trade in Ohio, Michigan and Iowa. In 1860 he came to Tell City, remained a short time and then went to Paducah, Ky. In 1863 he again came to Tell City where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1873, when he returned to his native country, where he died in August, 1875. His widow is still living
in Germany. George F. came to America with his mother in 1855, and joined his father. He learned the printer's trade at Dubugue, Iowa, and in 1861 he enlisted in Company D, First Nebraska Infantry, afterward Cavalry. He was with Grant at Donelson, Corinth, and many other of those well-known battles in which his division under Gen. Lew Wallace participated. July 1862, his regiment was placed west of the Mississippi, where it remained until the close of the war. It was made cavalry in November, 1863. During the service he was made orderly sergeant of Company B. At the close
of war, he came to Tell City and worked in the office of the Helvetia for a time. He afterward worked at his trade in Louisville, Indianapolis and Nashville. In August 1868 e bought one-half interest in the Anzeiger, of which since March 9, 1871, he has been sole proprietor. His paper is the only Republican organ in Perry County. Mr. Bott is a member of the F.& A.M., I.O.O.F., A.O.U.W., Druids and G.A.R. He was appointed postmaster at Tell City in 1869, and still holds that office. November 18, 1867, Babette Loeb became his wife, and to their union seven children
have been born, five of whom Lillie, Hugo F., Otto, Hermann G. and Hedwig, are living.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
SURGEON MAGNUS BRUCKER (deceased), was a native of Germany born at the town of Haslach, in the county of Kinzigthale, in Baden, September 6, 1828. He was a graduate of the French University at Strassburg, having prepared himself for that institution at the celebrated University of Heidleburg. During the revolution of 1848 he espoused the cause of the revolutionists, and the rebellion being put down, he came as a refugee to the United States, having first made a tour of Italy. He came to this country in 1849 and located at Troy, Perry County, Ind., where he was engaged in the
practice of his profession for about twenty years, establishing both a good business and reputation. At the commencement of the late war he was a member of the State Legislature, and true to the instinct and ideas that caused him to leave his native country, he enlisted on the side of the North in the Twent-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry as regimental surgeon and went forth to the field of battle. Having served his time out with honor and devotion to the cause he had so warmly and patrioticall embraced, he returned home and was shortly afterward elected a second time to represent
his county in the legislature, which he did with honor and ability. Having served his second term in the legislature he resumed his profession at Troy where he remained four years and then located at Tell City. He died at the latter place October 23, 1874, and his remains were interred according to the rites and ceremonies of the respectives orders of Odd Fellows and Free Masons. The vast concourse of people gathered on that occasion manifested the appreciation and esteem felt for him, and bespoke an acknowledgement of the great loss which the community had sustained. He has a
family of three sons and four daughters, one of whom is Charles M. Brucker, M.D. He was born in Troy, Perry County, May 6, 1860. He received a good literary education at the Indiana University at Bloomington and graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati in 1882, since which he has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Tell City. He has a good business and is recognized as one of the best practitioners of the county. He is a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Society, the I.O.O.F. and the A.O.U.W., and is also a member of the Indiana Eclectic Medical
Association and an honorary member of the same in Ohio.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
NICHOLAS BURST, a prominent citizen of Tell City, is a son of John Burst a native of Baden, Germany, who came to the United States in 1830, and located a few years later in Cincinnati where he married Catharine Oliger. In 1849 he removed to Ripley County, Ind. where he lived about ten years. After another residence in Cincinnati he returned to Ripley County and later removed to Greensburg, Ind., where he now lives. Nicholas remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-four years old, when, with a partner, he engaged in the stave business for the Standard Oil Company in Brown,
Lawrence and Monroe Counties. In 1879 he came to Tell City in the interest of that company and in August, 1884 he engaged in the lumber and stave business for himself. He also owns a livery stable, the only one in the town. November 24, 1870, he married Mary L. Schrader, a native of Aurora, Ind., by whom he is the father of four children. The only one now living is Lulu. Mr. Burst is a Republican and is a member of the I.O.O.F. and K. of H. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 6, 1846.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
MICHAEL DERRENDINGER, distiller and farmer of Tell City, was born near Strassburg, Germany, January 24, 1853. He is a son of Michael and Gertrude Derrendinger who were also natives of Germany where the former died in 1878. The latter is still living. He remained at home on the farm with his parents until 1872 when he came to the United States and located at Tell City. He worked in a furniture factory for four years, after which, in company with his uncle John Blum, built the distillery which he still operates. He also owns and works a small farm near the city. In 1881 he was joined in
marriage with Mary Wink, a native of Spencer County, Ind., by whom he is the father of two children, Michael and Mary. Both himself and wife are members of the Catholic Church and are much respected by the community in which they live.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
ALBERT EHRENSPERGER, a stockholder of the Cabinet Makers' Union, of Tell City, is a native of Canton Surich, Switzerland, born June 15, 1852, being one of a family of three children born to Henry and Elizabeth (Phister) Ehrensperger. The father, who was a house-painter, came to the United States in 1854, and located in Dubuque, Iowa, where he followed his trade until 1858. In that year he came to Tell City, and worked for the Tell City Furniture Company, and later bought an interest in the Chair Makers' Union. In 1868 he bought an interest in the Cabinet Makers' Union, which he still owns.
During the Rebellion he served nine months in the One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Albert received his education in the schools of the town, and at the age of fourteen years he began to learn the varnisher's trade in the Tell City Furniture Company's factory. He worked for the Southwestern Furniture Company for two years, and was then engaged in the spring mattress-business for two years. In 1876 he bought an interest in the Cabinet Makers' Union, and is now foreman of the varnishing department of that institution. January 4, 1876, he wedded Hannah Kieser, a native of
Perry County, by whom he is the father of three children: Henry A., Elizabeth and Lena M. Both he and wife are Protestants by faith, and he is a member of the I.O.O.F. and Encampment.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
REMIG EINSIEDLER, proprietor of Arbeiter Hall, Tell City, is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born February 14, 1854. He is the only son of Joseph and Benedicta (Benzinger) Einsiedler, natives of Bavaria and Switzerland respectively. The father came to America about 1848, and located in Cincinnati, where for several years he worked in a furniture factory. In 1858 he came to Tell City and worked in the factories at that place until 1872, when he built Arbeiter Hall, where he conducted a saloon until his death, June 6, 1880. He was recognized as an energetic, enterprising citizen who took an active
interest in all public enterprises. Renig was reared at home, receiving a good German and English education. He learned the harness-maker's trade, and followed it in Tell City, St. Joseph, Mo., and Louisville, Ky., for six years. In 1875 he returned home, and managed his father's business for himself. May 15, 1879, he married Anna Schlergens, a native of Cincinnati, and to this union have been born two children - Joseph and Lydia. Politically Mr. Einsiedler is a Republican. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., and the Druids.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
ALBERT P. FENN, agent for the Chair Makers' Union, of Tell City, was born in the town, April 13, 1861. He is one of five children in the family of Nicholas and Fredericka (Walter) Fenn, both natives of Germany. The father came to the United States in 1847, and worked in a pork-packing establishment at St. Louis for two years, and on a farm near the city until 1859 or 1860, when he came to Tell City. He has since been engaged as engineer for the Cabinet Makers' Union. Albert P., after learning the cabinet-makers' trade, and working at it until 1881, attended the Valparaiso Normal School for one
year. Reurning home he followed his trade until 1884, when he accepted his present position, which he is efficiently and acceptably filling. He is a stockholder and director of the Cabinet Makers' Union, and is one of the rising young business men of Perry County.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
JOHN FOERSTER, a director of the Cabinet Makers' Union of Tell City, is a native of Gross Grauden, Prussia, born November 13, 1828. He is the youngest of eight children born to Gottfried and Racena Foerster, who were natives of Prussia where they lived and died. John grew to manhood in his native country and learned the cabinet-maker's trade. In 1849 he came to the United States and followed his trade in New York City, Rock Island, Ill., and Danville, Ky., until 1865 when he came to Tell City. He worked at his trade, andin 1870 he bought an interest in the Cabinet Makers' Union of which company he
was secretary one term, and has been a director for several terms. In 1885 he was joined in marriage with Mary Kurz, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, who died January 26, 1870, having borne him eight children. Those living are Emma, William, Frederick, Bertha, Edward, John and Alvin. Mr. Foerster is a Republican and was a strong Union man during the war. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. and of the Evangelical Church.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
JOSHUA GROVES, superintendent of the Tell City Schools, was born in Perry County, February 26, 1849. He is one of a family of nine sons and two daughters born to the marriage of Samuel T. Groves and Eliza H. Huckaby, natives of Perry County and Breckenridge County, Ky., respectively. The father, who was a practical farmer lived in Tobin Township where he followed farming until his death, with the exception of three year's residence in Missouri just prior to the war, when he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. His death occurred in 1872. His widow still resides on the homestead farm where Joshua H. was
reared. All the educational instruction that he received was in the common schools, but by close application to study and much desultory reading he has acquired a superior education. He entered the profession in which he has since been engaged at the age of fifteen years, and is now recognized as one of the best and most efficient in this part of the State. September 26, 1870, he wedded Lucy F. Connor, a native of the county, and to this union have been born five children, Mary (deceased), John D., Tipton, Mary S. and Sidney K. Prof. Groves is a Republican and a member of the F. & A.M.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
JOHN C. HARRER, agent for the Tell City Furniture Company, is a native of Bavaria, born June 14, 1822, being the eldest of a family of two sons and two daughters born to George and Christina (Long) Harrer, also natives of Bavaria. He was reared at home in his native city, receiving a good education in his native language. At the age of fourteen he learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and followed it through various parts of Germany until 1846 when he came to the United States. After remaining a short time at Pittsburg, he removed to Cincinnati, where he followed his trade until 1859. In that year with
twenty-four co-laborers he organized the Tell City Furniture Company with a capital stock of $10,000. The company has increased its business and capital until it now has a capital stock of $50,000, and gives employment to sixty-five hands. They manufacture all kinds of furniture except chairs, finding a good market in the Southern States. Since 1872 Mr. Harrer has acted as agent for the company. In 1847 he married Eleanor Rohe who died in 1860, having borne him seven children, three of whom, Sophia, Anna and Joseph are now living. In 1864 he wedded Susan Hahnekrath, a native of Switzerland. They have
three children living. They are Flora, Emma and Edward. Mr. Harrer deserves great credit for the part he has taken in establishing the manufactures of Tell City, and it is mainly through his energy and business ability that his company stands at the head of that class of establishments in Indiana.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885
JOHN HARTMAN, of the firm Combs, Hartman & Co., chair manufacturers of Tell City, was born in Bremen, Germany, January 6, 1827. He is one of a family of three sons and two daughters born to the marriage of David and Augusta (Werzola) Hartman, both of whom resided in Germany all their lives. At the age of fifteen John was left an orphan. He worked in a cigar manufactory, packing and assorting cigars until 1853, when he came to the United States and worked at the same business for four years in New York and Baltimore. He was engaged in a general merchandise business at Pittsburg for a short time and in 1858
came to Tell City, where he pursued the same business until 183. In 1864 he engaged in the business he still continues. The firm originally manufactured chairs and furniture, but in 1877 their buildings were destroyed by fire, and since that date they have devoted themselves to chairs exclusively. They employ fifty or sixty hands making 120 dozen chairs per week. In 1856 Mr. Hartman married Ernstine Kauffeld, who died in September, 1863, having borne him four children. Those living are John, Mary (wife of Henry Nimsgren), and Augusta (wife of Adolph Schmidt). He married his second wife Ann Grein, and to
their union two children now living have been born, namely, Caroline and Matilda. Mr. Hartman is a Republican, and is 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
JACOB HAUSER, a prominent citizen of Tell City, was born in Canton Schaffhausen, Switzerland, August 31, 1830, being one of five children in the family of Adriam and Barbara (Hallauer) Hauser. He remained in his native country until 1851, when he came to the United States and worked at manual labor in New York and New Jersey for one year. He then went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he learned and worked at marble polishing three or four years, and later engaged in merchandising. In 1858 he came to Tell City, where he has since been engaged in various enterprises with the exception of three years, when he lived on a
farm in Anderson Township. He built the woolen mills and run them four or five years, rectified liquors one year, and has been for several years in the hotel and saloon business. Although he has met with several losses by fire and speculation, he has been generally successful and has accumulated quite a competency. In 1856 he wedded Susan Heill, a native of Switzerland, by whom he is the father of six children now living. They are Barta, Jacob, John, William, Eliza and Ida. Mr. Hauser was agent for the Swiss Colonization Society for several years. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Troy Township & Tell City" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885