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Below is a family biography included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published by Standard Publishing Company in 1913.  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 Henry Fogas, ex-secretary of the Indiana State Board of Pharmacy and well known druggist of Mt. Vernon, was born in that city on February 21, 1862, the son of Andrew C. and Mary (Heilman) Fogas, natives of Germany. The father was born in the Province of Hanover in 1837, and his wife in Hessen-Darmstadt in 1839. Andrew C. Fogas came to the United States with his parents in 1841, who located in New Orleans, La., and were stricken with yellow fever within a few months after their arrival, and died. Andrew, then a boy of four, was taken into the family of William Zimmerman, who had married his step-sister. The Zimmermans became residents of Evansville, Ind., and Andrew was apprenticed to the cigarmaker’s trade with John Rhinelander, of that city. In 1861 he came to Mt. Vernon and established the first cigar factory. He conducted this business until his death in 1904, a period of forty-three years. He was a successful business man, a popular and respected citizen, and an active factor in the commercial, civil and social life of the city. He was a Republican in politics, served as treasurer of the city of Mt. Vernon several terms, and took an active part in the campaigns. He was prominently identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and served as treasurer of the Mt. Vernon lodge for some thirty years. He married, when a young man, Miss Mary Heilman, the daughter of William Heilman, of Evansville. Mrs. Fogas died in 1906. They were the parents of nine children, four of whom are living: William H., the subject of this sketch; John T., retail druggist; George A. and Fred C., jewelers, all of Indianapolis; Mary Louise, the wife of Fred C. Schnur, of Mt. Vernon, died in 1887. Four children died in infancy. William Henry Fogas received his early educational discipline in the schools of his native city and graduated from its high school in 1878. While in the employ of McArthur & Company he completed a course in the St. Louis, Mo., College of Pharmacy, graduating with the class of 1884. Subsequent to his graduation he entered the employ of Joseph G. Gardiner, druggist, Mt. Vernon. He remained with Mr. Gardiner until his death in 1880. From 1880 to 1884 he clerked for William M. McArthur & Company, when he established his present business, which is, at this writing, 1913, the oldest in the city. His standing among the pharmacists of the State is attested by his appointment as a member of the Indiana State Board of Pharmacy in 1907 by Governor Hanly, re-appointed in 1908 and appointed by Governor Marshall in 1912. His present term expires in 1916. He served as secretary of this body in 1911. He is a Republican, takes an active part in the work of his party, and is a consistent supporter of those measures which have for their object the betterment of the community. He has attained the Knights Templars degree in Masonry, is a member of La Vallette Commandery and of Hadi Temple Shrine of Evansville; and is also a member of Criterion Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Fogas married on June 24, 1886, Miss Kate L. Black, the daughter of Hon. Asa M. Black, a prominent attorney of Terre Haute. They are the parents of one child, a daughter, Alice B. Fogas. She is a graduate of the Mt. Vernon High School, Tudor Hall School, Indianapolis, and attended for two years Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. The family have long been prominent in the social circles of their home city.

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This family biography is one of 232 biographies included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published in 1913 by Standard Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Posey County, Indiana History and Genealogy

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

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