My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM R. PROTSMAN, farmer, Jefferson Township. The subject of this sketch, is one of the most enterprising farmers in Switzerland County. He first discovered the light of American liberty upon the section where he now resides, May 12, 1847. He was reared upon a farm and completed his education at Asbury University, Greencastle, Ind. His father, William Protsman, was born in Danville, Ky., February 5, 1801; his mother, Polly (Campbell) Protsman in Chillicothe, Ohio, April 10, 1809. They married in 1827, having moved to this county in 1814, where the father followed farming and milling, and where he died, in 1866, of cholera. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The maternal grandfather, William Campbell, was born in South Carolina in 1774; grandmother, Polly Brown, was born near Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, in 1781. They came to this county in 1814 He was a member of the Territorial Legislature, and went to Indianapolis on horseback to discharge the duties of his office. He also served as justice of the peace for years. Grandfather, John Protsman, was born in New Jersey; grandmother, Nancy (Rechner) Protsman, in Philadelphia, Penn., and came to Indiana in 1814. He was a teamster in the Revolutionary war. Grandmother’s father, Rechner, was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. In 1870 William R. Protsman went to France during the French and Prussian war. After visiting the places of note and accomplishing the object of his trip he returned to his native country and resumed his labors as a farmer. He was married, December 21, 1871, to Miss Lucille Jagers, a native of Vevay, and four children are the fruits of this marriage: Lullie Belle, Zellie, Tennie C. and Nellie. Mr. Protsman is an active politician and a zealous Republican. He is a ready writer, and many valuable and instructive articles from his pen have been given to the press. He owns a good farm and lives pleasantly at his home near Vevay.