Martin Ungerer

    Martin Ungerer, one of the successful and thoroughgoing farmers now tilling the fertile soil of Sullivan County, Indiana, whose farm home is situated within Jefferson Township, is a native of France, born near the city of Paris September 20, 1852. His parents were Michael and Elizabeth (Rucher) Ungerer, both born in France, but came to the United States when young people. They returned to their native land after their marriage, which occurred in Buffalo, New York. While in this country the father was employed in a factory, but upon his return to France he engaged in farming. He lived but a short time after going back, and was but forty-five years of age at the time of his decease. His wife returned to America a few years after her husband's death and located at Indianapolis, Indiana, where she died in 1895, aged eighty-seven years. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ungerer were as follows:

• Michael Jr., a resident of Haddon Township.

• George, of Ohio, who married Carrie  Pilotbracker, who is now deceased.

• John, of Haddon Township, who married Catherine Lake.

• Martin, who will form the subject of this biographical review.

• Elizabeth, deceased.

• Barbara, residing in Indianapolis, and who married Michael Lindbuyer.

• Katherine, of Indianapolis, who married Henry Hockerty.

    Martin Ungerer came to this country alone when aged fourteen years. He obtained the greater part of his education in lh8is native country. He went to Columbus, Ohio, where he remained one year and then to Sullivan County, Indiana, where he has lived ever since. It was in 1867 when Mr. Ungerer first arrived in this country, and the next seven years he spent as a farm laborer, doing his work faithfully and well, and he was never without profitable employment. At the end of that period he commenced farming on his own account, when he at once became more forehanded and independent. He farmed in Haddon Township five years and then purchased a twenty acre tract of land in Jefferson Township, to which he soon added twenty more. Subsequently he added to his farm sufficient to make it eighty-one acres, its present size. This valuable property is situated five miles southeast of Carlisle, and here he carries on his farm operations, which consist chiefly in the production of grain and hogs. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and in his religious faith adheres to that of the Methodist Episcopal Church as does his wife. Believing in the policy of protecting his family he is numbered in the great membership of the Modern Woodmen of America, his lodge being No. 3332 at Carlisle, Indiana.

    Mr. Ungerer was united in marriage, October 22, 1874, to Viola J. Deiss, born in Ohio, may 8, 1857. She is the daughter of John F. and Wilhelmina (Heifner) Deiss, both of whom are now deceased. The children of this union are:

• Rosa W., who married Burt Hart and they reside in Terre Haute.

• Luella May, who married Fred McCammon and resides in Knox County, Indiana.

• Albert N., at home, unmarried.

• Barney E., unmarried and at home.

• Eva C., wedded Curtis Critchlow and resides in Terre Haute.

• Garrette Martin, a home.

• Ivan Oakley, at home.

    Albert and Barney are both members of the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp 3332, at Carlisle, Indiana.

    Mr. Ungerer has purchased a residence in Haddon Township and will move there for retirement, leaving the farm in charge of his sons.

Source: A History of Sullivan County, Indiana. Closing of the first century’s history of the county and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth. Thomas J. Wolfe, Editor. The Lewis Publishing Company, 1909, page 357-358.