Biograhies
CASPAR H. ASBROCK was born in the kingdom of Hanover, November 11, 1832, and is the eldest of three children of David and Christina (Fromm) Asbrock. Caspar was raised in the old country, receiving a fair education, and in 1858 came to the United States, landing at New Orleans, and then almost immediately coming to this county, stopping at Troy. Since that date he has been a resident of this county. April 2, 1861, he married Elizabeth (Hagerdon) Krouse, and to this union seven children were born, of whom the following five are now living : Maggie, Katharine, John, Menia and William. One child died in infancy, and the other, Christina, when she was twenty-one years of age. Our subject has followed the occupation of farming, and now owns 400 acres of fine land. He and family are members of the Catholic Church. He is a Democrat, and an enterprising, respected neighbor.
CAPT. ANDREW P. BATSON was born in Sweden, October 16, 1824, the youngest of eight children of Andrew P. ami Magdalena (Dalsta) Batson. The entire family were sea-faring people, and our subject early encountered the pleasures and dangers of a sailor’s roving life. He made several trips to Rio Janeiro while young, and on the second was cruelly whipped by orders of the captain who had ordered him to bring his spectacles, which were afterward found over his forehead instead of lost. Young Batson then came to New Orleans, and from 1831 to 1846, was a sailor under the Stars and Stripes. He became second officer of the ship “Ondickee,” of Philadephia. December 15, 1846, he married Prudence, daughter of George Nixson, meeting her on his own ship while she, with her father, was en route to the United States. To this romantic marriage twelve children were born: Mary H. (wife of S\. H. Royal), Elizabeth A. (wife of James McDaniel), Partiney E. (wife of Albert Gengelbach), Andrew G., Isabel M. (wife of Nicholas Eigel), James B., Prudence (wife of Austin Thompson), John P., Anna M., Florence B., and two deceased—Josephine and Benjamin F. Christmas eve., 1846, Mr. Batson came to Perry County, and the following year located on his present farm. He was captain of the ” Legion ” four years ; is an Odd Fellow. Politically he is a Democrat. He was county sheriff one term ; is now pension agent, and has been township treasurer and trustee.
MICHAEL BRUNNER is a native of Germany, born February 23, 1840, the youngest of seven children of Frederick and Barbara (Moran) Brunner. His mother died when he was seven years old, and his father followed her six years later. Michael was reared to hard work with limited advantages, and in the year 1864, came to America, landing at New York, and coming directly to Cannelton. where he lived six years, then moved to his present residence. Two years before coming to America he was united in marriage with Barbara Poellein, who has borne him two cliildren, one, Jacob F., now living. February 17, 1882, Mrs. Brunner died, and August 26,1882, he married Magdalena Nuetzel, and by her he has one child, Andrew. For six years at Cannelton he mined coal, since which time he has followed farming, now owning 120 acres of land. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically he is a Republican. He is a good farmer, and one of the county’s best citizens.
EUGENE DEVILLEZ was born in the kingdom of Belgium, July 24, 1847, being the third of a family of eight children of Francis and Frances (Thery) Devillez, who came to this county about 1853, first locating in Leopold Township where they lived until their respective deaths. Eugene began life’s battle on his own account at the age of thirteen years, and two years later, or at the age of fifteen, enlisted in company G, Ninety-third Indiana Volunteers, and served until June 17, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He participated in the entire siege of Vicksburg and all the important movements around that city; was at Jackson, Miss., was captured at Guntown and then imprisoned at Mobile, Andersonville and Florence, and at the end of nine months’ confinement weighed ninety pounds thirty days after his release, instead of 172 pounds, his weight when captured. July 17, 1866, he married Mary A. Alvey who bore him ten children, nine now living: Emma, William, Mary E., Susanna, John, Eugene, James, Henry and Viola. Mr. Devillez is a farmer and stock-raiser, owns 300 acres, belongs to the G. A. R., is a Republican, and is a useful citizen.
REV. PETER HOMMES, father of St. Mark’s Catholic Church, was born in Germany, August 13, 1855, the youngest of seven children of Peter and Mary Ann (Goebel) Hommes. Our subject was reared in his native country, receiving a collegiate education, and in 1878 started westward across the ocean for America, landing first at New York. Early in youth he had resolved to dedicate his life in the interest of humanity, and upon his arrival in America, he came to St. Meinrad and began there the completion of the education that would fit him for his life’s duties. Three years at St. Meinrad’s College he devoted to pious and diligent study, and June 11, 1881, was formally and solemnly ordained a priest of the Catholic Church. For about four months he acted as assistant priest at Vincennes under the title of St. Francis Xavier. November 3, 1881, he took charge of St. Mark’s Church, and now also visits St. John’s and St. Peter’s congregations, ministering to about ninety families. He is doing an excellent work.
JOHN MILLER was born in Belmont County, Ohio, June 4, 1814, one of ten children of Robert and Mary (Walters) Miller. Our subject’s youth was passed without special event, learning in the meantime of his father the trade of millwright. October 7, 1835, he married Elizabeth Gray, and by her has ten children, only five now living, as follows: Amond (who married Lucinda Hendershot), Nelson (who married Elizabeth Luke), Elijah (whose present wife was Naomi Cromin), Louisa (wife of Samuel Burton), and Mary (wife of Jene McPeek). In 1869 Mr. Miller came to this county, locating first in Tobin Township, but in April 1880 coming to his present place. He now has a fine farm of 714 acres. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a Democrat, and is well respected.
ROBERT C. MOSBY was born in Perry County, Ind., August 5, 1824, one of eight children of Robert C. and Sarah E. (West) Mosby, who settled in Clark Township, this county, at the very early date of 1806. At that date there was scarcely a settler for miles around, and the woods abounded in bears, deer, and other wild animals. When our subject was three years old his father died, and he remained with his mother until the age of twenty-two, working hard and receiving no education. He worked many a month for $4. June 28, 1846, he was married to Catharine Alvey, and to this union nine children were born, seven now living: Francis M. (who married Jane Crumstock), Mary E. (wife of Scott Davis), Joseph H. (whose wife was America E. Hicks), Martha (now Mrs. August Devillez), George T. (who married Leonora Ray), Sarah C. and Willis H. Mr. Mosby has been successful in farming, now owning 572 acres. He is a Methodist and his wife a Catholic. In politics he is a Democrat, and is also one of the most prominent citizens of the township.
BENJAMIN PASSAGE was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., June 16, 1816, the eighth of eleven children of Christian and Elizabeth (Moore) Passage. When our subject was seventeen years old his father died, and at that time he was serving an apprenticeship in the tanner and currier trade. At the age of twenty-two he started West and first located in Michigan, remaining about one year, and then went to La Porte County, this State, in 1840. From that place he came to this county, where he has since resided, a useful and respected citizen. October 17, 1844, he married Tacy M. Niles, who has borne him seven children, four of whom are now living: Mary E., Charles C., David E. (who married Ann Niles) and Robert. July 10, 1875, Mrs. Passage died. Mr. Passage is a farmer by occupation, and is a Republican politically. He is one of the substantial men of the county.
JAMES PETER came to this country from Belgium, where he was born, when yet a boy. He was reared on a farm, and remained with his parents until the age of twenty-eight years. He received a collegiate education at St. Mary’s College, Kentucky, after which for two years he engaged in teaching. October 14, 18t>2, he married Harriet Goffinet and by her had four children, Mary E. (wife of L. A. Humbert), Elizabeth J. (wife of J. B. Graves), Catharine H. and August J. July 8, 1870, Mrs. Peter died. Mr. Peter is a prosperous farmer with 400 acres, and he and family are members of the Catholic Church. He is a Democrat, and in 1863 was elected county appraiser, in 1861 surveyor, in 1867 recorder, and re-elected in 1870, and in 1874 treasurer. He is a prominent and useful man. His birth occurred December 13, 1834, the first of seven to Andrew and Elizabeth (Graves) Peter, who immigrated here in 1841. Several other families came at the same time.
JAMES POWELL, a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., was born December 20, 1826, the third of seven children of William and Elizabeth (Godfrey) Powell, both also natives of the Keystone State, and of Scotch-English and High-German descent, respectively. The parents came from Troy Township in the fall of 1836. James passed his youth on his father’s farm with limited advantages. October 18,1845, he married Lydia A. Butler, who has borne him seven children, the following five now living: Paulina M. (wife of Robert Wilson), Abel (who married Polly Dunn), Mary S., Elizabeth F., and James U. Mr. Powell has followed the occupation of husbandman with success, and now owns 340 acres of good land, 120 in Perry and the remainder in Spencer County. He and wife are members of the Deer Creek Baptist Church. He belongs to the Grange, and politically is a Republican, and is a leading citizen, having served as county commissioner from 1861 to 1867, and as township trustee two terms. The county has no citizen of greater public spirit and usefulness.
NATHAN SANDAGE is a native of Union County, S. C., his birth occurring March 17, 1804. He is the oldest of seven children born to Thomas and Nancy (Simonson) Sandage, both of whom were of Irish extraction and natives of South Carolina. These parents settled in Tobin Township in 1812, and were preceded by only a few other families. The country at that time was a wilderness, the larger wild animals and Indians being every-day sights. Nathan worked on his father’s farm unti his majority. In 1824 he married Nancy Quick, who bore him eleven children, six now living: Lucinda, wife of Isaac Hicks; John F. who married Hulda Hiley; Armita, wife of Milton Hicks; James M., who married Charlotte Noble; Joshua, who married Rebecca J. Koontz ; Isaac P., who married Jane Drury. September 25, 1865, Mrs. Sandage died, and June 7, 1866, Mr. Sandage married Mary A. Hintori, who has borne him one child, George E. Mr. Sandage is a Republican, has been township trustee, and has made life a success, now owning 140 acres of land and a good home.
ERNST SCHRIEFER was born at Hanover, Germany, February 28, 1821, being next to the oldest in a family of ten children born to Henry and Elizabeth (Miller) Schriefer. In the year 1846 the family came to America, landing at Baltimore, thence went to Cincinnati, thence to Ripley County, this State, where they lived for about eleven years. They then moved to Spencer County this State, where the parents lived until their deaths. In 1872 our subject located upon his present farm. February 10, 1848, he married Racena Pettibone, who has borne him twelve children, of whom ten are now living; John, who married Jane Lincoln ; Sarah, wife of Fred Wilsman; Susan, now Mrs. Charles Nolte; James, Annie, Wesley, Rosa, Edward, Washington and Mandana. Mr. Schriefer is a successful farmer, and owns 400 acres. He is a Republican, and one of the most industrious and enterprising German residents of the county.
PHILLIP SMITH was born in Caledonia County, Vt., October 21, 1827, and is the third of five children of Francis and Nancy (Hartwell) Smith, both of whom were of English extraction. In 1837 the parents moved West to Wayne County, Ind. Phillip remained at home with his parents until the age of twenty-nine, at which time he settled on land bought two years before under the Graduation Act of Congress. Since that time he has been a resident of this county. In February, 1859, he married Mary E. Connor and by her has seven children, Ernest, Edward C., Elexia, Gertrude, Horace G., Mary and Owen. Edward and Elexia are dead. Our subject in youth served an apprenticeship at the printer’s trade. Since coming here he has followed farming, and now owns 600 acres of land. He was formerly a Republican but is now a Democrat, and has been the nominee of the last named party in this county for representative to the State Legislature twice. In 1848 he was associated with Rawson Vaile, of Kokomo, in the publication of the Free Territory Sentinel at Centerville, Wayne Co., Ind., which sheet assisted in the election of George W. Julian, the first anti-slavery member of congress from Indiana.
VINCENT SMITH is the next to the youngest of a family of five born to Vincent and Ann (Grandon) Smith, who came from Ohio to this State in November, 1854, locating in Anderson Township. January 13, 1842, our subject was born in Noble County, Ohio. His home was the same as his parents until their respective deaths. He passed his youth at work on a farm, and October 4, 1863, married Martha J. Carsell, and to this union nine children were born, of whom six are now living: John, Maggie, Daisy D., Oliver H., William V. and Manson C. October 11, 1861, Mr. Smith enlisted in Company E, Forty-ninth Indiana Regiment, and served until the bloody battle of Chickasaw Bayou, where he was badly wounded in the leg, necessitating amputation and his discharge March 16, 1863. After his recovery he was a merchant at Tell City for a time, but since then has farmed. He owns 320 acres of land. He is a Democrat, an Odd Fellow, and he and wife are Baptists.
DR. JAMES J. TAYLOR is a native of Daviess County, Ky., born December 25, 1814, the fifth of twelve children of Manuel and Rebecca (Lee) Taylor, who were natives of New Jersey and Kentucky respectively. The parents came to this State in 1826, and lived here until their deaths, except a few years spent in Illinois, where the mother died. Our subject was educated at the subscription schools, and passed his youth without events of note. He married Phebe Niles, March 10, 1836, and by her had eight children, of whom two are yet living: William L. (who married Mary Secil), and Mary (wife of William Cails). August 15, 1860, Mrs. Taylor died, and July 7,1861, he married Permelia A. Wright, who bore him one child, Emma R. In 1842 Mr. Taylor began reading medicine with Lytle Howard, of Dubois County, continuing to study and practice under him until 1848, when he came to practice in this county. From 1864 to 1879 he practiced at Cannelton, and since 1879 has practiced in this township, though lately he has retired. He has farmed in connection with his practice. He is a Mason, a Republican, has served as township officer, and belongs to the Christian Church, and his wife to the Methodist Church. His son Charles lost his life in the service of his country.
ELIAS TERRY was born in Botecourt County, Va., September 15, 1807, the twelfth of fourteen children of John and Esther (Brown) Terry. When our subject was a boy, his parents moved on pack horses to Indiana about 1815. At that time the woods were full of wild animals, and occasionally Indians were seen. Elias rode on the horse in front of his mother during the trip, which consumed several weeks. He was reared on the farm, and at the age of twenty years married Eleanor Sandage, who bore him ten children, five now living, as follows: Esther (wife of Harvey Barger), Cynthia A. (now Mrs. William Bray), Matilda (widow of Benjamin Marshall), Francis M. (who married Nancy Sands), and Judge E. (who married Jane Walters). March 12, 1850, Mrs. Terry died, and soon afterward he married Martha Sandage, who bore him three children, all now deceased. She likewise died, and in 1863 he married Margaret A. Tull, who bore him one child—Virginia, now Mrs. Humphrey. This wife also died, and in 1865 he married Mary E. Bradshaw, who has presented her husband with four children: Mary E., Emily J., Leora and Herman. Mr. Terry owns 180 acres of land. He is a Republican, and in earlier years killed six deer in one day.
ROBERT WILSON is an Englishman, and was born in Durham County, October 24, 1840, being one of the family of Andrew and Anna Wilson. In 1842 the family immigrated to the United States, where the father had preceded them about a year. For some time they lived at several places—Hawesville, Ky., St. Louis, Mo., etc., where Mr. Wilson could get work at coal mining. Our subject, Robert, remained at home until his majority. October 20, 1867, he married Milbern Paulina Powell, who has borne him nine children, eight of whom are now living, as follows : James U., Andrew E., Charles F., Bunnie E., William R., Lydia A., Harry O. and Paulina G. The deceased child was Sarah S. November 21, 1861, Mr. Wilson enlisted in Company E, Forty-ninth Regiment Indiana Infantry, and served until March, 1863. At Chickasaw Bluffs he was severely wounded in the leg, in consequence of which the entire limb was amputated. After that for a time he followed harnessmaking, but has since farmed, now owning 140 acres. He draws a pension of $30 per month. He is a member of the Grange, and of the Methodist Church, while his wife belongs to the Baptist Church. He is a Republican. After coming home from the army he was drafted, probably through mistake.
Source: History of Warrick, Spencer, and Perry Counties, Indiana: Goodspeed Bros 1885