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Below is a family biography included in The History of Perry 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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MICHAEL BETTINGER, proprietor of the Tell City Woolen Mills, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, September 29, 1824. His parents were Martin and Juliana (Grisser) Bettinger, also natives of Germany. He remained at home on the farm until attaining his majority, when he entered the German army, in which he served two and a half years. In 1848 he came to America and located at Cincinnati, where he worked in a brewery, and later in partnership with his brother-in-law, owned one. In 1857 he engaged in the hotel and saloon business in that city, and continued until 1859 when he came to Tell City, and operated a saw-mill for a few years. He then bought the only hotel in the town, known as the Seigel Hotel which he conducted for one year. In March 1868, he bought an interest in the woolen mills, and two years later became sole owner. He conducted the business with great success until 1881, when the mills were entirely destroyed by fire, entailing a heavy loss upon him. He soon, however, replaced the old buildings with large brick structures, in which he placed the latest improved machinery. Mr. Bettinger is one of the town’s most enterprising and successful business men. He was formerly president of the First National Bank, and now occupies that position in the Tell City Bank. In 1849 he married Elizabeth Augst, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, and to their union have been born five children, Charles (deceased), Albert, Amelia, wife of Clay Switzer, William and Michael. He and family are members of the Catholic Church.

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This family biography is one of 257 biographies included in The History of Perry 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: Perry County, Indiana History and Genealogy

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

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