Union Township Biographies

Township Histories & Biographies

Union Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Brant & Fuller. 1889

History — Biographies

Samuel Barker — Biography and Portrait

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Pages 643-645

Leopold A. Kamp was born in Prussia, January 9,1831, and is the son of Christopher L. and Renetta Kamp. In youth he was employed in his father's flouring mill, and was in the service of the government two years, guarding the government's woodlands. Since coming to the United States he has been farming, but has also taught German school two years. He was married May 2, 1864, to Sarah Lauer, who was born in Perry Township, December 19, 1845, a sister of James H. Lauer, postmaster at Evansville. She died March 10, 1865. August 28, 1867, Mr. Kamp was married to Elizabeth Bauer. She was born in German Township, July 10, 1846, and died January 13, 1871. On July 29, 1880, he married Mrs. Louisa Gaertner, who was born in Prussia, March 11, 1840, the daughter of Adolph Pepmiller. She immigrated with her parents by way of New Orleans, and while on the Mississippi River her mother died with cholera. Her father settled at Newburgh. September 18, 1858, Miss Pepmiller married Peter Gaertner, a native of Hesse, Germany, who died March 31, 1873. By his wife, Louisa, Mr. Kamp had two children, Katie B. A. and Louis W. (deceased). By her first husband Mrs. Kamp had eight.children: George (deceased), John, Louis, Caroline (deceased), Louisa (deceased), Augusta E. (deceased), and Catharine. Mr. and Mrs. Kamp are members of the German Lutheran Church. He is a member of the D.O.H. lodge. He was elected assessor in 1876, and served four years. He was again elected in 1886. He has been an active member of his Church, and has labored with the children in the Sabbath school almost every Sunday for many years.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 645

James L. King, member of the board of County Commissioners, was born in this Township February 17, 1844, the son of John F. and Judith B. (Neale) King. All his early life was spent on the old King homestead, where he was born. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Union army in Company H, Eighth Kentucky cavalry, with which he served nearly two months. February 6, 1864, he entered Company F, One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana, and served with this until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Raleigh, N.C., January 8, 1866, and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis a few days later. He was in the battles of Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and the campaign of Atlanta. He was married January 29, 1869, to Louisa L. Long. She is a native of Union Township, born September 12, 1847, the daughter of Simeon and Mary W. (Harrington) Long. They have had six children: Richard W. and Judith B. (twins), Ida M., Nettie A., Ora A. and Amy L., of whom Richard W., Judith B. and Ora A. are deceased. Mr. King is a member of the K. of H., the A.O.U.W. and the G.A.R., and in politics he is a republican. He served as justice of the peace ten years, and was elected County commissioner in November, 1886, and is performing the duties of that position in a creditable manner. His friends are only limited by his acquaintances, and his integrity and honesty of purpose are unquestioned.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Pages 645-646

Mrs. Sophie Edmond was born in Germany, September 20, 1836, and is the daughter of Julius and Christina (Evers) Burgdorf. Her father came to America in 1847, and his family joined him at Evansville in 1850, after a remarkably prolonged voyage. When Miss Sophie was fifteen years old she spent several months with an aunt at New Orleans, and while she was there her father removed to Posey County, soon, however, returning to this County. She was married to John Edmond, October 10, 1858. He was born in Somerset County, Penn., June 8, 1799, and was the son of George Edmond. In 1808, George Edmond moved with his family to Kentucky, and in 1815 to Vanderburgh County. They settled in Union Township, of which John Edmond was afterward an influential and honored citizen. He died October 12, 1876. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Edmond had six children: Lula C (deceased), John F., Julia W. (deceased), Augusta M., Olive L., and Mineola (deceased). Mrs. Edmond is a member of the Lutheran Church. She owns 108 acres of good land, and resides in a comfortable home.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 646

John F. Edmond was born in this Township May 15, 1862, the son of John and Sophie (Burgdorf) Edmond, above mentioned. He was born and grew to manhood on the old homestead. In the fall of 1879, he entered the Evansville Commercial College, in which he completed a business course and a course in penmanship. At the age of twenty-two he engaged in farming on his own account, and now owns 178 acres of good land in Union Township. He was married February 10, 1885, to Delia Cullin, who was born in Hardin County, Ky., April 1, 1861, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Tabor) Cullen. When she was eight years old her parents located in Gibson County, and in 1875, came to Union Township. Her mother is still living, in Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Edmond have two children: Bertram, born November 12, 1885, and John O., born October 29, 1887.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 646

Michael Edmond, who is probably the oldest living native-born citizen of Vanderburgh County, was born within the present limits of Perry Township, near the site of Ingle's coal mine, about the middle of November, 1815. He is the son of George and Susan Edmond, who were born, reared and married in Pennsylvania, but who emigrated to Kentucky about 1808, and in 1815 came to Vanderburgh County. Mr. Edmond spent the greater part of his life in Union Township. He was married July 20, 1845, to Jane C. McCorkle; she was born in North Carolina, May 4, 1826, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Mclntyre) McCorkle, who, when she was but six weeks old, moved to Gibson County. Five or six years later they came to Vanderburgh County. Mr. and Mrs. Edmond have had ten children: Mary A. (deceased), William H., James A., John F. (deceased), Margaret E., Laura J., Michael L., Susan M., Robert W., and a daughter that died unnamed.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 646

Richard J. Gerard was born in this Township October 22, 1842, son of Hamilton and Arena (Shook) Gerard, both of whom were born in the vicinity of Lawrenceburg, Ind. He was reared on the old homestead, most of which he now owns. He was married to Mary M. Higgins, May 28, 1865. She was born in Georgia, June 6, 1845, daughter of John and Rebecca (Fain) Higgins. After his marriage his place of residence has been on the old homestead, except from February, 1883, to September, 1887, when he resided in Evansville. He owns about 160 acres of land in Union Township. He and wife have had a family of nine children: Murta (deceased), Shelby, Minnie (deceased), Douglas M. (deceased), Charles, John (deceased), Mary (deceased), Myrtle (deceased), and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Gerard are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Pages 646-647

Andrew Happe, a native of Germany, was born February 7, 1831, the son of John and Gertrude (Braker) Happe. At the age of twenty-two he came to America. A brother, Louis Happe, preceded him two years before, and a sister, Theresa, came with Andrew. Andrew came to Vanderburgh County, and located in German Township, but three years later removed to Union Township, where he has since resided. He owns 430 acres of first-class land, all in this Township, and is regarded as one of the substantial men of the County. He was married in November, 1858, to Gertrude Dornbush, who died December 25, 1863. About two years later he married Charlotte Becker, who died August 25, 1880. June 13, 1882, he married Christina Behr, now living. Mr. Happe has six children living: Peter, Anna, Lizzie, Lena, Diana and John. Mr. and Mrs. Happe are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Happe has been elected justice of the peace several times but always declined to serve.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 647

Berthold A. Kamp was born in Germany, March 24, 1845, the son of Christopher and Renetta (Schroeder) Kamp, with whom he came to America in 1853. In August, 1861, Berthold entered Company K, Thirty-second Indiana volunteers, and served three years and two months. He was in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, the Atlanta campaign, besides many other smaller engagements. He was taken prisoner at Stone River, December 31, 1863, and was confined for two months, about half that time in Libby prison. He was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, October, 1864. He then returned to Union Township, and for a number of years managed portable machinery, including a saw-mill. He also attended to his farming interests. As early as 1865, he and his brother Louis constructed from an old separator a corn-sheller, and from 1865 and 1879 several other machines of this kind were constructed by Berthold Kamp for his own use. In 1879, he invented and patented a new corn-sheller, and has since manufactured and sold this machine, which is known as the Kamp Corn-Sheller, and is one of the best. From 1884 to 18S8 his manufacturing was carried on in Evansville. He also attends to his farming land, nearly 400 acres, all in Union Township. Mr. Kamp was married December 17, 1869, to Susan E., daughter of James W. King. They have had five children: James W., Mattie, Minnie, Annie (deceased), and Nellie. Mr. Kamp is a member of the A.O.U.W. and the G.A.R., and is one of the influential and notable men of the County.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 647

Albert C. Kamp is a native of Prussia, born June 6, 1837, son of Christopher L. and Renetta Kamp, above referred to. The family immigrated, and reached New York August 28, 1853, arrived at Evansville September 16, and on the 8th of October settled on the farm Albert now occupies, in Union Township. There the father died in July, 1863, and the mother in September, 1878. Mr. Kamp owns 290 acres in Union Township, including the old Kamp homestead, his residence. Since 1863 Mr. Kamp has been all the time interested in saw-milling, more or less. He was married November 15, 1863, to Anna Gramm, born in Germany September 20, 1844, daughter of Dr. William and Harriet Gramm, with whom she immigrated in 1852, to Evansville. While in Evansville her father practiced medicine. In 1863 they removed to Union Township. Mr. and Mrs. Kamp have had ten children: William L., Lena I., Annette, Albert, Nettie, Otto, Walter, Romeo (deceased) Julia and Robert. The family are members of the German Lutheran Church. He is a member of the D.O.H., the F.&A.M., the A.O.U.W., and the Iron Hall lodges. He was elected trustee in 1880, and was re-elected in 1882.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Pages 647-648

Richard W. King, trustee of Union Township, was born in that Township near where he now resides, October 31, 1846, and is the son of John F. and Judith B. (Neal) King, both natives of West Virginia. In early manhood he took up the vocation of a farmer. He was married January 16, 1873, to Frances V. Rutter, born in Union Township January 30, 1850, daughter of Edmond and Priscilla (Long) Rutter, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania. She died March 2, 1880, leaving one child, Dora N. April 9, 1882, Mr. King was married to Mary Martin, born in Posey County, January 8, 1859, daughter of Henry and Lucinda (Schisenhall) Martin. Mr. King and his present wife have had four children: Noah H. (deceased), Essie, and Barney and Birdie (twins). Mr. King is a member of,the Masonic order of the rank of Knight Templar. In politics he is a republican. He was elected trustee in 1886, and was re-elected in 1888. He received a majority of twenty-six at the former, and a majority of fifty-two at the latter, election, though his party in Union Township is in the minority.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 648

Michael Kolb was born in Germany, January 3, 1848, son of John and Anna Barbara Kolb. His father died when Michael was four years old, and he was but fourteen when his mother died. At sixteen years of age he immigrated and came directly to Evansville. He was employed on a farm in Union Township for five years, and then crossed to Henderson County, Ky., and began farming for himself. He continued there seventeen years. On January 9, 1873, he was married to Amelia Deusner. She was born in Evansville August 23, 1853, daughter of Philip and Mary (Schaeffer) Deusner, natives of Germany. February 17, 1886, Mr. and Mrs. Kolb removed from Henderson County to Union Township, and they have since occupied their present home. Mr. Kolb owns 142 acres, about 130 of which are in cultivation. He and wife have had ten children: Philip W., Emma M., Ida L., Michael C., William A., Katie (deceased), Frederick G., Elizabeth M., Annie C., and Mary L. Mr. and Mrs. Kolb are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is an Odd Fellow.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 648

John A. Neale, a citizen of Union Township, was born on the farm he now occupies, July 1, 1854. He is the son of Shapleigh R. and Martha (King) Neale, both of whom were natives of Virginia. His father was born December 31, 1819, and was the son of James P. Neale. He was married to Martha King in 1844. Both the father and mother of our subject died in Union Township, the latter on the 29th of August, 1865, and the former on the 17th of September, 1878. John A. has thus far spent his life on a farm. When he was fourteen years old his father removed to Posey County, this state. Two years later he returned to his farm in Union Township, and a part of which is now owned by our subject, who gives his whole attention to farming, in which pursuit he is successful. He is a member of the Masonic lodge. He was elected trustee of his Township in the spring of 1884, and served in a satisfactory manner one term.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 648

John Robertson was born in Union Township, November 21, 1826, son of Anthony and Sarah (Kazy) Robertson. His boyhood and youth were spent in Union and Perry Townships. April, 1846, he became a soldier in the Mexican war, in Company K, Second Indiana volunteer infantry, commanded by Capt. Walker,who was killed in the battle of Buena Vista. He was discharged at New Orleans, in July, 1847. October, 1853, he was married to Willie Isabel Miller. She was born in Union Township, and was the daughter of John and Willie Miller. She died March 11, 1857. On the 14th of February, 1860, Mr. Robertson was married to Elizabeth Gerard. She was born near Lawrenceburg, this state, and was the daughter of William and Lo-vina (Reneau) Gerard. Mrs. Elizabeth Robertson died August 13, 1880. By his first wife, Mr. Robertson became the father of two children: John P. and James A., of whom the former is deceased. By his second wife he had four children: Willie, Olive, Rit, and Thomas, all deceased. Mr. Robertson is an honorable, upright man and one of the County's most worthy pioneers.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 649

Mrs. Anna B. Roth was born in Germany, March 10, 1837, the daughter of Heinrich and Eve Elizabeth (Bonner) Maenshaen. She was married to John Roth, March 6, 1858. He was a native of Germany, born February 19, 1834, and was the son of Adam Roth. In June, 1860, Mr. and Mrs. Roth emigrated to America. They took up their residence in Union Township, in which Mr. Roth pursued the vocation of a farmer until his death, on th e 9th day of December, 1884. Mr. Roth was successful as a farmer, and when he died he owned 267 acres of land. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church. Mrs. Roth has had a family of nine children: Elizabeth, Caroline, John B., Anna, Margaret, Henrietta, Adam, Wilhelmina and Anna. Mrs. Roth is a member of the German Lutheran Church, in which all her children have a membership.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 649

James F. Saunders, a citizen of Union Township, was born in Perry Township, this County, April 15, 1839. He was the son of William C. and Lydia E. (Fauquher) Saunders, the former of whom was a native of Vanderburgh County, and the latter of Kentucky. His father was born September 22, 1815, and was the son of Ezekiel and Isabel (Willis) Saunders, who were among the first settlers of Vanderburgh County. William C. Saunders was married to Lydia E. Fauquher September 10, 1834. She was born March 12, 1814, and was the daughter of James F. and Margaret Fauquher, who were early settlers of German Township, this County. James F. Saunders spent his boyhood and youth on a farm in his native Township. At twenty years of age he went to Union Township, where he has resided since and engaged in agriculture for himself, and he has since given his undivided attention to farming. He began life for himself without means, and nearly all of his property is the product of hard work and good management. He owns 300 acres of excellent land, all in Union Township. He was married March 9, 1870, to Haidee Upfield. She was born in Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio, January 22, 1850, and is the daughter of William and Martha (Wilson) Upfield. Mrs. and Mrs. Saunders have had four children: Ida M., George, Ruth, and one that died in infancy unnamed. In politics, Mr. Saunders is a democrat, and has served his Township as Assessor, and two terms as trustee, and was County Commissioner three years, in all of which he was a faithful and judicious public servant.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 649

Andrew J. Sirkle was born in the Township in which he resides, February 12, 1835, and is the son of Andrew and Nancy (Long) Sirkle, both of whom were natives of Virginia. His father and mother were among the earliest settlers of Union Township, in which both spent the last years of their lives. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on the old Sirkle homestead, of a part of which he is now in possession. From 1875 to 1880, he was a resident of Posey County. His life occupation is farming, and his efforts have been liberally rewarded. He owns 444 acres of land. Mr. Sirkle was married June 8, 1865, to Kate E. Deusner. She was born in the city of Evansville, April 4, 1847, and was the daughter of Philip and Amelia Deusner, both of whom were natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Sirkle have had ten children, as follows: Philip (deceased) and Amelia, twins, Andrew J., Lula A., William, Luke (deceased) and Lois E., twins, Joseph (deceased) and Fred, twins, and Walter. The wife of Mr. Sirkle is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a prosperous farmer and a man in whom the public has full confidence.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Pages 649-650

Calvin H. Stroud, late of Union Township, was born near Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, Ind., September 28, 1822, and was the son of Joshua and Mary (Gaw) Stroud. Joshua Stroud was born in South Carolina, January 5, 1780, and his wife, Mary Gaw, was born in North Carolina, April 23, 1784. They were married November 5, 1801, and became the parents of fourteen children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the eleventh. Calvin H. Stroud, who spent his youth on the old homestead which his father entered in Union Township. He spent a considerable portion of his life on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. There was probably no flat-boatman on the River, better or more favorably known than Mr. Stroud. He was married September 28, 1852, to Emeline Cox. Mrs. Stroud died October 15, 1855, leaving one child, Mary F., who was born September 11, 1853. On the 12th day of April, 1860, Mr. Stroud was married to Miss Helen M. Kelsey. She was born in Knight Township, this County, January 20, 1839, and is the daughter of Loren A. and Mary M. (Williams) Kelsey, the former of whom was born in Genesee County, N. Y., March 31, 1816. Her paternal grandparents were Ambrose and Maria (Marsh) Kelsey, both of whom died in this County. Loren A. Kelsey was married to Mary M. Williams, February 4, 1838. She was born in Knight Township, March 2, 1817, and was the daughter of Oliver H. and Delight (Cumstock) Williams. Mrs. Mary M. Kelsey died July 31, 1843. Mr. Kelsey died July 9, 1870. The second marriage of Mr. Stroud resulted in the birth of six children: Robert J., born June 14, 1861; Emeline, born September 20, 1863; two daughters that died unnamed; Helen A., born June 18, 1883, died February 28, 1883; and Mary, born June 12, 1875. Mr. Stroud died May 7, 1884. His widow and three children who survive him, still occupy the old homestead. Mrs. Stroud owns 105 acres of land. Her only son, Robert J. Stroud, owns in all, 295 acres of land.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 650

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