My Genealogy Hound

MICHAEL SPAYD, one of Carter Township’s best farmers and citizens, was born April 26, 1825, in France, and is one of seven children born to the marriage of Jacob Spayd and Mary Ehrhold, who were also of French birth. In 1827 the family immigrated to the United States and settled at Oil City, Penn., when it was a village. They resided in different portions of the Keystone State until April, 1846, then removed to Spencer County, Ind., locating in Carter Township, and engaging in agricultural pursuits. Jacob Spayd was an energetic, economical farmer, and by industry amassed a comfortable fortune. He died July 20, 1857, and his widow January 15, 1877. Michael Spayd inherited much of his parents’ thrift and enterprise, which accounts for the 400 acres of valuable land and other property he owns. For four years he operated a horse-mill in Dubois County, but the greater part of his life has been passed in farming. He has served as township assessor and real-estate appraiser a good many years, and his record as a Democratic official is without blemish. To his marriage with Miss Mary Hipp, which occurred December 30, 1848, a family of ten children have been born, the following named yet living: Leo, Henry, Jacob, Amelia (who married Simon Basler), Ann and Tillie. Both parents belong to the German Catholic Church at Maria Hill, Mr. Spayd having contributed from his means most liberally in the erection of that structure. For nearly a quarter century Mr. Spayd has cried sales in the surrounding country.