My Genealogy Hound

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.

* * * *

GERTH & DECKERT, proprietors of the Troy Planing-Mill, built their mill and began business in the spring of 1885. They are doing a good business, and are actively engaged in building and contracting and in manufacturing all kinds of weather boarding, flooring, ceiling, molding, etc. Joseph P. Gerth, of the above firm, was born in Troy, April 14, 1850, being the youngest of three children born to Joseph P. and Frances (Gardner) Gerth. At the age of seventeen he learned the carpenter’s trade at Mt. Vernon, Ind., and four years later returned to Troy, where he worked at his trade until 1881. He then engaged in the planing-mill business for about two years, after which he again worked at his trade until engaging in his present business. November 27, 1878, he was joined in marriage with Eva Deckert by whom he is the father of three children, Frances Y., Edith M. and Joseph P. (deceased). He is a member of the Catholic Church, and his wife is a Lutheran. Melchior C. Deckert, the other member of the above firm was born in Tell City, October 22, 1861. His father, Melchior Deckert, who was a cabinet maker, came to the United States from Germany about the year 1848 or 1850, and followed his trade in Milwaukee, Wis., until 1859. In that year he came to Tell City where he ran a planing-mill until about 1870, when he engaged in the same business at Troy. His death occurred December 23, 1876. Melchior C. was reared in Tell City and Troy, receiving a fair English and German education. At the age of eighteen, he went to Evansville and learned the woodworker and machinist’s trade. He worked in that city and at Henderson, Ky., until engaging in his present business. He is a Republican, and is a member of the Lutheran Church.

* * * *

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

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.