Philip Gemmer

    Philip Gemmer, Treasurer of Warren County, was born November 8, 1832, in Nassau, Prussia. His father, Justus Gemmer, was twice married -first to Christina Beck, who bore him one son, Philip, and died in the old country, after which Mr. Gemmer married Gratia Kincel.

    Philip, in 1846, emigrated with his father and step-mother to the Untied States, locating first in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Thence the parents removed to Wabash County, Indiana, and there died. The spring of 1850, Philip Gemmer came from Ohio to La Gro, Wabash County, Indiana, and for two years was engaged in cabinet- making, afterward going to La Fayette, where he continued this business for some time. He then came to West Lebanon, Warren County, whence he moved to Marshfield two years later. At that place he enlisted in April, 1861, in Company B, Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry for three months, and during this time was engaged in the battle of Rich Mountain. After his discharge, he enlisted, August 4, 1862, in the Eighty-sixth Regiment,. and was elected First Lieutenant of Company E. Before being mustered into service, he was promoted Captain of his company, and a short time before starting on the Atlanta campaign was commissioned Major of the Eighty-sixth. He was actively engaged in the battles of Painesville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga,  Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, and in the pursuit and capture of Bragg's army. Major Gemmer received his discharge June 11, 1865.

    After the war, he engaged at Marshfield two years at merchandising, and then in a warehouse at Williamsport. He afterward moved on a farm near the county seat. He was elected to the Treasurership of the county in 1878, and re-elected serving in all four years. Maj. Gemmer is a Republican, a member of the Masonic Order and the G. A .R., and has been three times married. His first wife, Maggie Moore, bore him one son, Frederick L.; and his second wife, Lydia E. Smith, two children -William H. and Lydia E. His present wife was Minerva E. Fleming, and the result of their union is one son, George A.

Source: Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. F.A. Battey & Co., 1883.