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Switzerland County Biographies

Jacob Buchanan
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, by Brant & Fuller 1889.
Transcription by Robert W. Scott.

JOHN A. HEADY, farmer, was born in March, 1815, in Switzerland County Co., Ind. where he was also reared, and is the second of the nine children of Benjamin and Lydia (STEWART) Heady, both natives of Ky. and pioneers of this county, whither they removed in 1852 and located in Smallwood Township when the land was drear and waste, and where they passed away - the father in 1870, and the mother in 1872. John A. Heady married in 1843, Miss Phebe, daughter of Abijah GRIMES, a large farmer and stock raiser who died in Vicksburg about 1868. This union produced four children, Lois, Lydia, Benjamin A. and T.C. (deceased). Mrs. Heady died in 1854, a member of the M.E. Church. Mr. Heady after renting land for several years, purchased, in 1852, eighty acres of his present farm, then in a wild and barren state; but he has now reclaimed and improved 160 acres, making a home of convenience and of value. He is a practical man and a much respected farmer.
History of Cumberland, Jasper & Richland Counties Illinois, by B.A. Battery & Co., Chicago 1884.
Transcription by Ruth A. Hoggatt.

PHILIP RAMSEYER, farmer and blacksmith of Prairie Twp., Tipton Co., was born in Switzerland Co., Ind. Dec 19, 1827 and is the second in a family of eleven children born to Daniel and Martha (HAWKINS) Ramseyer. In the year 1848, Philip came to this county, then known as the Indian Reserve, on a prospecting tour, but made no purchases. In 1853, he returned and settled in Howard Co.; he remained there about fourteen years, working at his trade, that of a blacksmith, and manufactured the first breaking plow ever made in the county. In order to learn his trade, he, at the age of seventeen, apprenticed himself to William MALCOMBSON, of his native county, with whom he worked for four years before settling up for himself. After residing for the time above mentioned in Howard Co., he sold his interest there and removing to Prairie Twp., Tipton Co., purchased forty acres of land situated in the woods, which he has since cleared and put in a fine state of cultivation and supplied with all the necessary buildings, implements etc. He still works at his trade, at which he makes about $600 per annum, while his sons manage the affairs of the farm. He was married Dec. 31, 1855, to Eunice A ROBY, a native of Indiana, the third of a family of 7 children born to John and Hannah (CHESTERSON) Roby, natives of Ohio, and supposed to be of English descent. Their marriage has been blessed with seven children, of whom five are living -Arpecia, John Casper, James M., Cebern, Laura; also Arthur and Eurelean, deceased. His education was received at the common schools; he never had any assistance in a financial way, but has accumulated his present property by hard work. Politically, he is an uncompromising apostle of the Democratic creed, and one of the most active workers in his party.
The Heady Family Newsletter, and from Howard and Tipton County, Indiana History.
Transcription by Ruth A. Hoggatt.

FREDERIC RAMSEYER, the present Surveyor of Tipton Co., was born in Switzerland Co. Nov. 5, 1826. His parents were Daniel and Martha (HAWKINS) Ramseyer. The former, who came to this country in 1813 and died in Switzerland Co. at the age of 78, was a native of the Republic of Switzerland and was a nephew of the celebrated Marshal Murat of France. The latter, of English descent, is still living, at the advanced age of 81 years. Our subject is the oldest of a family of eleven children, eight of whom are still living. He was reared on a farm, and when he had reached his twentieth year he enlisted in the Third Regiment Indiana Vol. for the Mexican War. He served one year and during that time participated in the battle of Buena Vista and several minor engagements, and returned home in July of 1847. After this, he spent his time in teaching and traveling until the year 1856, when he was united in marriage to Miss Adelia HEATON, daughter of Joseph W. Heaton of Howard Co., Ind. Their marriage has been crowned by the birth of eight children -Oscar V., Flora, Philip E., Abigail, Daniel, Ada B. (died May 2, 1877), John and Simon P. Frederick removed to the township of Prairie, county of Tipton, in the year 1859, and located on the farm he now owns, which then was a comparative wilderness. By persistent effort and close economy, he has succeeded in accumulating a competency. As a citizen, he is universally esteemed, and possesses a large circle of friends. He has always been a Democrat, and was elected in 1882 to the office of Surveyor, the duties of which he is now discharging with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents.
The Heady Family Newsletter, and from Howard and Tipton County, Indiana History.
Transcription by Ruth A. Hoggatt.

OBADIAH RAMSEYER, farmer and blacksmith of Prairie Twp., Tipton Co., Ind., is a native of Switzerland Co., Ind., where he was born June 29, 1832. He is a son of Daniel and Martha Ramseyer. Obadiah was reared on a farm, and resided with his parents until he attained his majority (sic). At that time he was married to Miss Susanna POSTEN, daughter of Levi Posten, of Jefferson Co., Ind. They have a family of nine children: Daniel, died at the age of nine; William and Preston (twins), Nancy A., George B. McClellan, Elizabeth and James A. After his marriage, he removed to Howard Co., Ind., and worked at his trade (blacksmith), which he had learned in his youth. In the year 1859, he removed to Prairie Twp., Tipton Co., Ind., where he now resides, engaged in farming and working at his trade. He served one year in the United States Army during the late Civil War, and participated in several engagements, principal of which was the siege of Mobile. Politically, Mr. Ramseyer is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for James Buchanan for President. At present he is filling the position of Postmaster at Groomsville, Tipton Co., which he has occupied for eight years. As a citizen, he stands high in the estimation of his fellows.
The Heady Family Newsletter, and from Howard and Tipton County, Indiana History, p. 368 (1883)..
Transcription by Ruth A. Hoggatt.

BENJAMIN R. SMITH, Physician and surgeon, was born in Switzerland County, Ind., June 26, 1844, and was reared on a farm. He enlisted in September, 1862, in the Ninety-third Indiana Infantry, and served three years. In 1867, he entered as a student in Starling College, Columbus, Ohio, and graduated March 1, 1870. He then practiced at Evansville, Ind., for eighteen months, at Fairview for eighteen months and in Buchanan County, Mo., eighteen months. He came to Nebraska May 1, 1875. Practiced in Steele City for eight months and also carried on a drug store. Afterward in Belleville, Republic Co, Kan., until February, 1876, when he came to Hebron, since which time he has practiced his profession at this point. He is examining surgeon of several life insurance companies.
*Hebron is located in Thayer Co., Nebraska. Transcription by Brenda Busing. History of Nebraska, copyright 1882. The Western Historical Company. A.T. Andreas, Proprietor, Chicago.