Bartholomew County IN Archives Biographies.....Oberlis, Daniel 1819 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 27, 2007, 6:33 pm Author: B. F. Bowen (1904) DANIEL OBERLIS. Daniel Oberlis is the oldest resident of German township, and is therefore entitled to representation in this, volume. He is also known as a man of genuine worth whose life has been active and honorable. He has always been a busy man, energetic and progressive in all that he has done and today is the owner of a valuable farm which he gained entirely through his own labors. His life is in many respects worthy of emulation, furnishing an excellent example to young men who wish to win success along agricultural lines. Mr. Oberlis was born in Germany, his natal day being December 12, 1819. He first opened his eyes to the light of day near Bellaburg, Prussia. He is the son of Paul and Elizabeth (Stark) Oberlis, who lived and died in the fatherland. They never left that country and Paul Oberlis there followed the occupation of farming, thus providing for his family. He was quite successful in his work and became the owner of three hundred acres of good land in Germany, which returned to him excellent crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon the place. Unto him and his wife were born six children: Elizabeth; Philip, Daniel (whose name introduces this sketch), Christian and Louisa, who reached maturity. Daniel Oberlis spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land, working under the parental roof during his minority. He attended the public schools in accordance with the laws of his native country and when fourteen years of age put aside his text books. At the age of fifteen years he began preparation for a business career by learning the shoemaker's trade, at which he served a regular apprenticeship. He followed that pursuit for fifteen years and then decided to try his fortune in the new world, having heard excellent reports concerning its opportunities and advantages. Accordingly he sailed for the United States, being at that time thirty years of age. It was in 1849 that he took passage upon a west-bound sailing vessel and after a long voyage landed in New York. Making his way westward, he established his home in German township, Bartholomew county, Indiana, and he is today, excepting William Hubbard, the oldest resident in this township, having almost reached the eighty-fifth milestone on life's journey. He became identified with farming interests and is the owner of a valuable tract of two hundred and ninety-three acres, of which he himself has cleared one hundred acres. He performed the arduous task of preparing the fields for the plow and in the course of time reaped abundant harvests. He has plowed, planted and harvested as the years have gone by and thus he has annually added to his income until to-day he is the possessor of a comfortable competence. He still gives his supervision to the management of the farm, although the more arduous duties of the fields he leaves to others. In 1854 Mr. Oberlis was united in marriage to Miss Priscilla Bozell, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (McKibbin) Bozell. The father was a native of Ohio and was a farmer by occupation. At an early date in the development of Indiana he left the Buckeye state and came to Bartholomew county, where he was soon recognized as a leading and influential citizen of German township. For many years he engaged in agricultural pursuits here and his life was so upright and honorable that he gained the high regard and confidence of his fellow men. He also bore an active part in the work of development and progress, especially assisting in reclaiming the wild lands for the purpose of civilization, and became the owner of large landed interests aggregating six hundred acres. His life was characterized by industry and perseverance and he carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. Such an example might well be followed by others, and not only did he leave a comfortable competence but also as a priceless heritage to his family he left an untarnished name. In his political views he was an earnest Republican, always supporting the men and measures of the party, and in religious faith he was a Baptist, shaping his life in accordance with the teachings of that denomination. Unto him and his wife were born ten children, namely: Louisa, Lydia, Martha, Mrs. Oberlis, Charlotte, Susana, Elizabeth (now deceased), Tabitha and two that died in infancy. The memory of Mr. Bozell is still cherished by many who knew him in pioneer times. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Oberlis has been blessed with six children: Elizabeth, who married William Cunningham, and died in the state of Kansas at the age of thirty years; Emma, who is the wife of Henry Fombell, a farmer and stock dealer at Sweetsprings, Saline county, Missouri; Frank, who married Ella B. Spalding and is a farmer and breeder of Bartholomew county; Daniel, who was a mechanic employed in the Reeves factory at Columbus, and who died at the comparative early age of thirty years; Mary, who died in childhood, and one who died in infancy. In his political affiliations Mr. Oberlis has been a Democrat since becoming a naturalized American citizen and is most loyal in his advocacy of the party and its principles. He belongs to the Taylorsville Christian church and in all of his life work has been honorable and upright, never taking advantage of his fellow men in any transaction. When he came to this county he cleared a small place on his farm in order to work thereon and as the years passed he added many improvements until today he has a well improved property, while his entire farm of two hundred and ninety-three acres is under a high state of cultivation. He has witnessed many changes that have occurred in the county as it has emerged from pioneer conditions to take its place among the leading counties of this great commonwealth. He has also aided in the work of improvement and development here and his labors have been of marked benefit to the community in this way. He is well known, and liked by all, and he has never had cause to regret his determination to secure a home in America for he found the business opportunities he sought and by improving these has steadily advanced to a position of affluence. No history of this county would be complete without mention of this venerable and honored gentleman. Additional Comments: Extracted from BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY INDIANA INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA ILLUSTRATED 1904 B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/oberlis822gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 7.1 Kb