George L. Gegner 1842-1913
A bio on George L. Gegner (the following taken from copy my father got from two books in Ridgeville, Randolph Co., Indiana.)
I don't know what book the following is from. All it says on the top of the copied page is Franklin Township.
"George L. Gegner, harness-maker, Ridgeville, was born in Germany November
29, 1842, and came to the United States when six months of age; his parents,
George and Johanna Gegner, were both natives of Germany; his father died at
Cincinnati, Ohio, December 4, 1877. George L. received a good common-school
education at Cincinnati; he came to Randolph County, Ind., in 1869, and has
ever since been engaged in the harness business at Ridgeville; he enlisted
in Company A, Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the Union army, at the
first call for three months' volunteers, and re-enlisted in the One Hundred
and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry Regiment for three years, working his way
from the ranks to the office of First Lieutenant. He participated in the
battles of Resaca, Buzzard Roost, Rocky Face Ridge, Lost Mountain, Pine
Mountain, Kenesaw, Neal Dow Church, Decatur, Alatoona, Jonesboro, Lovejoy's,
Nashville, Tenn., Smithfield, N.C., and others. On the 8th of March, 1866,
he married Elizabeth Wayman, who was born at New Castle, Ind., December 2,
1842; her father, Milton Wayman, was born in Kentucky; he entered the
ministryof the Methodist Episcopal Church at Middletown, Md., and has been
thus engaged for twenty-six years; he is now sixty-seven years of age. Mr.
Gegner and wife have five children, viz.: Charles M., Mary, Jennie R.,
William L. and John W. Mr. Gegner has succeeded well in business, and is now
in comfortable circumstances, having a good business block and residence.
His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was identified
with the schools of Howard and Madison Counties as a teacher."
The following article talks about George's business, and a little about
George. Again, I don't know what book this is from but it says State of
Indiana Pg. 190 at the top:
"George L. Gegner, Harness, Saddles, Collars, Bridles, Etc., This well known
house was opened to the public fully a quarter of a century ago, by a Mr.
Mills, and is now one of the oldest established houses of the kind in the
county. Mr. Mills was succeeded by H. Dungan, and he by the present
proprietor, about 15 years ago. The premises occupied include a salesroom
18x50 feet in size for the display of finished work, etc., and a shop 18x24
feet in dimensions for manufacture and repair room.Fine, light, single and
double harness, bridles, collars, hames, blankets, brushes, robes, whips,
harness oils, etc., are kept constantly in stock, and prices will compare
favorably with any similar house in Eastern Indiana. The trade of the house,
since Mr. Gegner assumed control, has been fully trebled, it now amounting
to about $3,000 annually. He usually employs one assistant, during the busy
season, and guarantees first-class workmanship, every article warranted as
to be as presented. Geo. L. Gegner is a practical harness-maker, and a
native of Germany, but was brought to America by his parents when but six
months old. He was raised in Cincinnati, O., where his parents first
located. In February, 1861, he enlisted in the first call for 75,000
volunteers, in Co. B, ad Ohio Vol, Inf., serving three months. In February,
1864, he re-enlisted in the 130th Indiana Vol. Inf., in which he served
nearly two years. He participated in the memorable Georgia campaign
including Sherman's famous March to the Sea as far as Atlanta, and after the
engagement of Atlanta his corps was sent to re-enforce Gen. Thomas. and the
battle of Nashville was his next severe engagement. For honorable and
meritorious conduct he was promoted to first lieutenant by Gov. Morton,
October 15th, 1865, and was mustered out and honorably discharged December
14, 1865, coming to this city in 1869."
George L. Gegner was born November 19, 1842 in Germany, and died November 4,
1913, Ridgeville, Randolph Co., Indiana.
I also have a black and white picture of George as an older man, taken from
a newspaper.
Betty