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

WILLIAM JOHNSON, an old resident of Spencer County, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, being the youngest son of Mathias and Martha (South) Johnson, both of whom were natives of New Jersey. His father who was a wagon-maker, moved to Ohio about 1814, where his death occurred in 1829. His mother survived until about 1855. William worked out as a day laborer in his youth and consequently acquired only a limited education. For several years he was engaged in farming in the Little Miami bottoms. October 25, 1844, he was joined in marriage with Mary A. Orwin, a native of Ireland, who came from that country with her parents in 1832. After marriage he continued farming in Ohio until 1854, when he came to Spencer County, and bought 200 acres of land near where Spring Station now is. He now lives on Section 31, Clay Township, where he owns forty-three acres. Both Mr. Johnson and wife are members of the Baptist Church. They have had a family of seven children, only three of whom, Joh I., Florence (now Mrs. Jospeph Gudgen), and Louisa, (now Mrs. John Murray), are living.

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

DAVID F. KENNEDY, a prominent farmer and native of Spencer County, was born January 16, 1857. He is the youngest son of John and Nancy L. Kennedy, both natives of the “Emerald Isle.” John Kennedy was born February 8, 1817. He removed to Scotland and thence to the United States, locating at Wheeling, W. Va., where he was married. In 1850 he came to Spencer County, and purchased a farm. His wife died February 8, 1857, and he has since been twice married. David F. received a good practical education, having attended the Huntingburgh High School for two years. At the age of twenty-one his father made him a present of 200 acres of land, and he has since been quite successful in his business of farming and stock-dealing. He has added 130 acres to that given him by his father. He is the present Trustee of Clay Township.

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

ALBERT KETTLER, an influential German farmer of Clay Township, was born in Hanover, Germany, December 18, 1823. He is the second son of Henry and Elizabeth (Topkin) Kettler, also natives of Germany. He received a good, practical education, and worked with his father until attaining his majority. He then resided for short times at various places, Bremen, Marbourg and Holstein. In November, 1850, he married Mary Pattler. Six years later he immigrated to the United States, and located at Cincinnati. After one year he came to Spencer County, and worked in a grist-mill for a short time. He them returned to Cincinnati, and remained two years, after which he again became a resident of Spencer County, where he still lives. In 1870 he bought eighty acres of land on Section 1, Clay Township. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., and both he and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. They have six children. Mr. Kettler cast his first vote for a Democratic president in 1884.

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

JAMES KILLIAN, one of the substantial farmers of the county, is a native of Decatur County, Ind., born December 30, 1833. At the age of twelve years he left the parental roof to seek his own fortune. He went to Louisville, Ky., where he established a small fruit stand, selling blackberries, oranges, etc. He continued in this business for about three years, when he hired as a cook on a flat-boat going from Louisville to New Orleans. Becoming tired of river life, he rented a farm in Spencer County, Ind., which he conducted several years. February 29, 1859, he was united in marriage with Nancy E. Burkhart, after which he rented a farm in Clay Township, and in connection with his farming bought tobacco for a wholesale house in New York. In 1868 he bought 120 acres of land on Section 29, where he has since resided, and to which he has added fifty acres. He is the father of six children, John M., Mary M., Anna N., Laura B., Robert W. and Myrtle. Mr. Killian’s parents, George W. and Mary A. (McCloud) Killian, were natives of North Carolina and Ireland respectively. They were married in Virginia and soon after removed to Decatur County, Ind., where they passed the remainder of their lives.

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

JOHN W. LAMAR, one of the earliest pioneers of Spencer County was born in that county December 9, 1822, and is the oldest son of John and Elizabeth (Woolen) Lamar, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Ohio. He received his education in the primitive log schoolhouse of the frontier, having attended at the same school where “Honest Abe” received his early education. He worked on the farm until reaching his majority. In his twenty-first year he was elected constable, and six months later was elected justice of the peace for a term of five years. He was elected for three succeeding terms, but did not finish the last one, as he resigned and was commissioned first lieutenant in the Home Guards. March 1, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Fifty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He remained in active service upward of twenty months, receiving his discharge in April, 1863, when he was commissioned captain of the Home Guards. After the war he was elected to the office of county commissioner. In 1870 he was appointed notary public, but in a short time (against his will) was elected justice of the peace, serving for eight years. He was again appointed notary, but resigned to accept the office of twonship trustee, which office he held for four years. In his business of farming he has been quite successful, and has succeeded in accumulating considerable property. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. March 12, 1846, he married Millie Barker, to whom eight children were born, seven of whom are living.

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

JOHN MEIER, an influential farmer of Clay Township, was born May 12, 1820, being the eldest son of John and Anna Meier, both of whom were natives of Brunswick, Germany. The mother died July 16, 1860, but the father is yet living at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, engaged in agricultural pursuits. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Germany, where he was also born. He then farmed until 1849, , when he immigrated to the United States, residing two years at Lawrenceburg, Ind., then moving to Ripley County. In 1851 he married Margaret Banner, who died four months after marriage. He wedded Margaret Beafeldt November 3, 1852, who bore him four children, only one, John H., now living. In 1852 he moved back to Lawrenceburg, and three years later settled in Spencer County, where he has since resided. He owns 150 acres of land; is a Democrat; served in the war between Denmark and Prussia in 1847-48, and belonged to the Home Guards during the late war. He and wife belong to the Lutheran Church.

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

RICHARDSON MEIER, more generally known as “Dick” Meier, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 1, 1824, and is the only son of Willian and Margaret Meier, who were also natives of Hanover. His father was a day laborer in his native country until his death, about the year 1843. His mother died ten years later. The subject of our sketch was reared in his native country, and there received a common education. In 1853 he immigrated to the United States, and for two years worked at blacksmithing in Cincinnati, Ohio. He then moved to Spencer County, Ind., and purchasing eighty acres of land in Section 16, Clay Township, has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. About the year 1854 he married Lizzie Vehrman, by whom he is the father of five children: Anna, who is now a widow; Lizzie, Maggie, Henry F. and Mary. Mr. Meier is a Democrat. By close application he has secured for himself and family a comfortable home, and are among the township’s best citizens. They are members of the German Lutheran Church.

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

JOHN T. McDANIEL, a well-to-do farmer of Clay Township, was born in Nelson County, Ky., December 1, 1837, and is the oldest son of John W. and Susan (Anderson) McDaniel, both natives of Kentucky. In 1846 his father removed with the family to Spencer County, Ind., where he bought a farm in Clay Township. In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, Fifty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and fought in the battles before Vicksburg, and during a battle at Natchez he was taken sick and died. His body now lies in the National Cemetary at the latter place. John remained at home working on the farm for his father until 1855, when on August 29 he married Sarah Lattimore. He then located on a famr in this county. At the opening of the war he joined Company F, First Indiana Cavalry. He took part in the battles of Fredericktown, Mo., and Marks Mills, in the latter of which he was taken prisoner. He was confined in a Confederate prison at Tyler, Texas, where he remained nine months. During his imprisonment a pint of corn meal and a quarter pound of beef were allowed as a day’s rations, and twenty men were obliged to cook in a two-gallon kettle and one skillet. Upon being released he returned to this wife and family after an absence of four years. In 1878 he bought the farm on Section 14, Clay Township, where he now lives. Both he and wife are members of the Christian Church. They have had eleven children, only six of whom are living.

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

JAMES J. PAINTER, an enterprising farmer of Clay Township, is a native of Jefferson County, Ind., born January 5, 1838. He is the oldest son of Isaac and Mary A. Painter, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The father, who was a farmer, came to Indiana when a young man. In 1857 he located in Spencer County, where he has since lived. James J. Painter received a common school education, making his home with his parents until of age. November 21, 1858, he married Lyda J. Grigsby, after which he rented a farm for two years. In 1860 he bought forty acres of land, which he worked for two years. He then sold this and bought a one-half interest in a saw-mill in Grass Township, which he owned only a short time. After owning a farm in Hammond Township a few months, he sold his property and bought fifty-five acres in Section 19, Clay Township, where he now resides. He has since added forty acres to this. June 15, 1877, Mrs. Painter died, leaving a family of four children: Mary E., Lucy A. (now Mrs. Thomas Strassell), Sarah B., and Ella F. September 25, 1878, Mr. Painter was married to Eliza J. Shackleford. Himself, wife and three daughters are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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

STEPHEN PARKER, an old resident of Spencer County, settled in Hammond Township in 1855, where he followed farming. On July 21, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, First Indiana Cavalry. He participated in the battle of Fredericktown, Mo., but for disability was discharged in the following March. He returned home and joined the Home Guards, with whom he was badly wounded in the hand at a skirmish at Panther Creek, Ky. Druing the remainder of the war he served as provost-marshal, his primary business being to pursue and capture deserters. After the war he resumed farming, and still continues that vocation. On July 30, 1835, he was united in marriage with Susanna White, by whom he was the father of eleven children, eight of whom are now living. On September 27, 1877, Mrs. Parker died, and on the 28th of the following October he married Cornelia Harris. Three children, William L., Elsie A. and Alta M., have been born to this union. Both he and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Parker was born in Brown County, Ohio, March 31, 1816, being the youngest son of Stephen and Sarah Parker, both natives of the “Old Dominion.” After residing in Ohio for several years, they came to Clay County, Ind., where they passed the remainder of their days. The former was a farmer and a carpenter. He worked at his trade in Kentucky for several years previous to going to Ohio.

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

HENRY RIMSTIDT, a son of John G. and Adaline (Seveus) Rimstidt was born in Hanover, Germany, March 8, 1835. His father, who was a farmer and a shoe-maker, came to the United States and located in Dearborn County, Ind., in 1842. After a two year’s residence in that county he removed to Ripley County, where he remained until his death, which occurred March 5, 1883. Henry was reared at home, and received but a limited education. He never attended any school, and what learning he possesses was obtained from books and papers at home. He lived with his father until his marriage to Nancy Williams September 1, 1860, after which he came to Spencer County and bought eighty acres in Section 23, Clay Township, where he still resides. He is the father of twelve children, ten of whom are now living. They are Lincoln, Emma, George W., Elizabeth, Robert, Charles, Clara, Alma, John and Adaline.

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

BENJAMIN ROMINE, a prominent and enterprising farmer of Clay Township, is a native of Spencer County, Ind., his birth occurring March 4, 1841. He is the youngest son of John and Hannah Romine, the former a native of Harrison County, Ind., and the latter of Kentucky. Both parents are still living and enjoying the best of health. John Romine has been a resident of the county since he was fifteen years of age. Benjamin was reared and received his schooling in his native county. He lived at home until he reached the age of twenty-five years, when he bought 130 acres of land on Section 5, Clay Township. April 13, 1875, he married Mary Hevron. During the war he was a strong Union man, and was a member of the Home Guards. He now votes with the Democratic party.

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

JOHN ROUT, a highly respected farmer of Clay Township is a native of Hardin County, Ky., born March 19, 1829. His parents, Richard and Levisa Rout, natives of Kentucky, came to Spencer County about 1845, and located in Clay Township, where the former, now in his eighty-fifth year, still resides. His wife died about 1880. John remained at home working for his father until his marriage to Ellen Masterson in 1850. In 1861 he joined Company C, Fifty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which regiment he served until mustered out in July, 1865. He was present at the battles of Atlanta, Kenesaw Mountain, Hatchie River, Vicksburg, Jackson and others of less note. At the close of the war he bought eighty acres of land on Section 14, Clay Township, where he still resides. To Mr. Rout’s first marriage five children were born, only two of whom, Susanna (now Mrs. Garriot Harris) and James are now living. Mrs. Rout dying, he was a second time married in October, 1865, to Almira Wood. He is a member of the G.A.R. and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

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

GEORGE SCHRIEFER, a pioneer of Clay Township, is a native of Hanover, Germany, born March 25, 1836, and is the youngest son of John H. and Elizabeth (Miller) Schriefer, also natives of Germany. George received his education in the pioneer log schoolhouse. At the age of fourteen he began working as a day-laborer in a brickyard, where he continued for five years. In 1855 he located in Ripley County, Ind., where he worked on the farm during the winter season, and in a brickyard at Cincinnati in the summer for ten years. In 1865 he came to Spencer County and bought eighty acres of land on Section 12, Clay Township, where he still resides. December 24, 1859, he was united in marriage with Anna Schierbaum, to which union ten children have been born, William F., Albert R., Daniel, Louis E., Franklin, Matilda, Samuel, Jessie and Edwin are living. Both he and wife are members of the German Methodist Church. He also belongs to the Old Settler’s Association.

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

ROBERT STOCKDALE, the eldest son of Thomas and Anna Stockdale, was born in Down County, Ireland, February 12, 1814. His father was a farmer and manufacturer of linen goods, in both of which he was quite successful. He died in 1845 and his widow in 1856. Robert at the age of sixteen learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed until 1840. In 1838 he came to the United States in company with his parents, two brothers and three sisters, and located in Guernsey County, Ohio. After abandoning his trade he engaged in farming, in which pursuit he is still engaged. He has 110 acres of land on Section 10, Clay Township. He came to Spencer County in 1848, where he remained five years. He then resided in Warrick County for eleven years, returning to Spencer County in 1864. April 14, 1840, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Ferguson, by whom he is the father of three children, two of whom Mary M. and John are living. Mrs. Stockdale died January 7, 1884. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

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

WILLIAM J. TEBLEMAN, son of Henry and Catharine Tebleman, is a native of Newport, Ky., born March 2, 1854. His father, who is a farmer, was born in Germany, from which country he immigrated to the United States at the age of sixteen. He located in Kentucky where he was married and remained upward of twenty years. He is now living in this county. William J. was reared at home and remained with his parents until his marriage, which event took place on March 9, 1878. He chose as a helpmate Sarah J. Hoops. In 1881 he bought eighty acres of land on Section 35, where he still resides. He was the father of two children, only one of whom, Theodore is now living. In politics Mr. Tebleman is very liberal in his views, voting for principle rather than for party, though he rather favors Republican ideas. Both he and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and are among the most highly esteemed people of the county.

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

ISAAC VARNER, one of the oldest pioneers of the county now living, was born in Spencer County, June 17, 1825. Of his parents, Jacob and Frances (Egnew) Varner, the former was native of the “Old Dominion” and the latter of Kentucky. Jacob Varner, who was a farmer, located in Spencer County when a young man and remained until his death which occurred January 15, 1842. His widow died April 15, 1872. Isaac received but a limited education in youth. At the age of nineteen his father died, and he was compelled to assist in the support of the family. October 16, 1856, he was united in marriage with Ida M. Alley. In 1847 he entered eighty acres of land which he has cleared, and to which he has added 160 acres. He has erected substantial buildings and has his farm in a good state of cultivation. Both he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. They have five children Jacob N., George W., Charlotte, William F. and Frances.

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

JAMES R. WEBB, M.D., a prominent physician of Clay Township, was born July 13, 1856, in Spencer County, Ind., and is the only son of Johnson M. and Mary J. Webb. The latter died in 1857, and the former married for his second wife Maria Sutton, by whom he was the father of two children, one of whom is yet living. He lived at Grandview until 1862, when he together with Capt. Chris. Mason organized a company of the Fourth Indiana Cavalry. During the same year, September 5, he fell on the field of battle, mortally wounded. James R. was reared by his step-mother at Grandview until 1876. He completed the course of study in the high school of that place, and entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati. After being in school one year he was married on September 11, 1878, to emma Wohler. He then re-entered the medical college and graduated in 1879. He then located at Troy, Perry County, where he remained until 1884, when he removed to Buffalo, Spencer County, his present location. He has three children: Harry E., Clarence and Maggie. Mrs. Webb is a member of the Lutheran Church.

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

LOUIS F. WEISS, merchant at Santa Fe, is a native of Spencer County, born June 13, 1857. He is the fifth son of John and Mary C. (Schneider) Weiss, both natives of Germany. His father, a farmer, came to the United States in 1846, locating in Spencer County, Ind., where he still resides. Louis remained at home until his marriage, which event occurred on his birthday, June 13, 1880. He led to the altar Caroline Eigenmann, by whom he is the father of one child, Walter J. After marriage he erected a building and opened the store which he still conducts. He has a first-class stock of goods and has succeeded in building up a good trade. He and wife are members of the German Lutheran Church. He affiliates with the Republican parth, and is postmaster in the village where he lives.

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

CHRISTIAN WINKELMANN came to Spencer County in 1856, and bought forty acres of land where he now lives. After building a house, he returned to Ohio, where he had previously lived for about a year, and on March 12, 1857, he married Adaline Meire, who died February 12, 1864, leaving one child, John. In June of the same year, he was again joined in marriage with Louisa Lamback. To this union nine children have been born, five of whom are living. September 29, 1864, he was drafted for service in the United States Army, and was assigned to Company C, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, with which he remained until receiving his discharge in August, 1865. Since the war he has added eighty acres to his first purchase of land, and now has a good home. Mr. Winkelmann was born in Prussia, August 5, 1823, and is the only son of Franklin and Anna (Berg) Winkelmann, both natives of Germany, where they passed their lives. The death of the former occurred in September, and of the latter in April, 1854.

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

THOMAS R. AUSTIN, M.D., was born in what is now Schuyler County, N.Y., April 27, 1842, being the fourth in a family of six children born to David R. and Lydia (Rhodes) Austin, who were natives, respectively, of New York and Pennsylvania. His parents dying when he was quite young, our subject was raised to manhood by an uncle, securing a good English education. In August, 1862, he became a volunteer private in Company G, One Hundred and Ninth Regiment, New York Infantry, and serving under Gen. Grant through the entire campaign, from the Wilderness to the reduction of Petersburg inclusive, he was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He taught schools ome before and after the war, and November 29, 1867, married Frances Parshall, by whom he is the father of three children: George H., Annie and Fannie (deceased). Two years subsequent to this marriage, Mr. Austin removed to Iowa, and for a number of years was superintendent of a large farm belonging to this father-in-law. In 1873 he began reading medicine, and the winters of 1875-76 and 1876-77 attended the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, which graduated him January 23, 1877. Dr. Austin was engaged in the practice of his profession at various places until 1880, when he located at Chrisney, where he has an established and constantly increasing practice. He is a Democrat, and Mrs. Austin belongs to the Reformed Church.

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

WILLIAM O. AYER, a prominent citizen of Grass Township, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born April 22, 1827, the fourth in a family of nine children born to Isaiah and Sarah (Martin) Ayer, who were natives of Maine and Virginia respectively, and who came to Ohio in company with their parents when quite young. The father of Isaiah and grandfather of William was a ship-carpenter by trade, operating the first ship yard west of Pittsburgh and constructing the hulls of some of the first steamboats that ran on the Ohio River in 1812. Isaiah was a farmer by occupation, and William was raised on the farm, where he remained assisting his parents until he attained his majority, receiving a common education, such as the schools of his day afforded. October 15, 1848, he married Mary J. Stanberry, and to them have been born five children, one now living, Robert H., who married Minerva C. Butler. In 1853 he came to Spencer County, Ind., settling on the farm where he now lives, when the entire place was yet in timber, and where he had to clear a place on whcih to build his cabin. Two years after his removal to this county, he invented the half shovel plow for new ground, out of which gre what is now called the diamond shovel plow. The neighbors, who had with difficulty used the full shovel plow, came from far and near to witness the working of the new patterned plow. He never had it patented, preferring to give his friends the privelege of constructing and using it themselves. Mr. Ayer has made farming his occupation through life, and has been very successful, owning 200 acres of wel improved land. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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