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Below is a family biography included in The History of Warrick 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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WILLIAM GERHARD was born in Germany, February 8, 1830, being the youngest of ten children of John N. and Mary M. (Wagner) Gerhard, both natives of Germany, where they lived and died. Having received a good education in youth, our subject at the age of twenty-four years immigrated to America, locating in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1864, where he worked three years on a farm. He then came to Warrick County and bought a farm in Boon Township, upon which he lived until the war broke out. He enlisted in Company I, Fifty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and during his period of enlistment participated in the battle of Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, siege of Atlanta and the “march to the sea.” He was mustered out June, 1865. He sold his farm and bought another in Boon Township upon which he lived until 1873, when he embarked in the mercantile trade at Boonville, and is thus engaged at present. September 21, 1856, he married Elizabeth Smier, who was born in Germany, July 20, 1828. By this lady he was the father of eight children, only one now living—Annie E. He is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Church, both having joined in 1858. He is one of the county’s best citizens.

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This family biography is one of 274 biographies included in The History of Warrick 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: Warrick County, Indiana History and Genealogy

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

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