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Below is a family biography included in The History of Spencer County, Indiana published by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co. in 1885.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HENRY MAAS, blacksmith and wagon-maker, was born April 21, 1840, in Baden, Germany. To his parents, Jacob and Eva Catharine (Shoemaker) Maas, there were three children born, the second one being our subject. The father was a boot and shoe-maker by trade, following that occupation in the old country until his death about the year 1844. In 1848 the mother and family immigrated to the United States and settled at Rockport, Ind., where Henry was raised and educated. When eighteen years old he went to Newburgh and worked two years at the blacksmith trade, and one year at the same occupation in Evansville. He then worked at his trade in the country of this county until he enlisted for the war in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was honorably discharged in September, 1865. He embarked in business in Rockport at the close of the war and has continued to the present time. Mr. Maas has made his business a success and is in all respects a self-made man. Beginning with but $500 capital at the close of the war, he has by untiring energy, economy and enterprise, succeeded in acquiring valuable property and in establishing a wide trade for the buggies, wagons, plows, etc., which he manufactures. In politics he is a Republican, having served two terms as town councilman, and is a member of the Evangelical Association and the Albright Church. April 15, 1866, he married Catharine Fundes, a native of Germany, by whom he is the father of six children, these four yet living: Henry, Annie, John and Catharine.

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This family biography is one of 344 biographies included in The History of Spencer County, Indiana portion of the book: History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties Indiana published in 1885 by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Spencer County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Spencer County, Indiana family biographies here: Spencer County, Indiana Biographies

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