HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY                          59

Risley was of English descent and was a soldier in the Revolutionary
war, He was the father ot Judge Samuel Risley, who was associate
judge of Clay county for one term, and he was a soldier in the War of
1812,and was under the command of General William H. Harrison at
the battle of Tippecanoe, Indiana. Judge Samuel Risley was the father of
Huldah Parsons Risley, the mother of Davis Taylor Cromwell, and her
maternal grandfather was David Thomas, whose early progenitors were of
Welsh birth. David Thomas was the first white settler of Clay county,
and he was a son of Elisha Thomas who was also a soldier in the
Revolutionary war.
    A diligent scholar, fond of books from his youth up, Davis Taylor
Cromwell acquired a practical education in the public schools, and at
the age of twenty years embarked upon a professional career, for four-
teen terms, being eniployed as a teacher, serving first in Cass township,
and later in Washington, Jackson and Harrison townships. Then taking
upon himself the responsibilities of a married man he turned his attention
to both the teacher’s profession and agricultural pursuits, and in 1884
started a new business, becoming interested in mercantile pursuits. Since
that time he has been either a farmer, merchant or real estate dealer,
in his undertakings being reasonably prosperous. He was admitted to the
Indiana State Bar, under Judge Samuel M. McGregor, of the thirteenth
judicial district, January 9, 1889. In 1907 Mr. Cromwell was appointed
as superintendent of the John J. Baker gravel roads in the vicinity of
Clay City, and he faithfully tried to fulfill every detail of the contract
or specifications.
    On October 11, 1874, Mr. Cromwell married Rebecca A. Notter,
who was born in Jackson township, Indiana, September 18, 1857, a
daughter of David and Matilda (Murbarger) Notter. Mr. and Mrs.
Cromwell have seven children living, namely: May, born May 6,
1877; Elmina, born November 21, 1878; Robert Ingersoll, born Septem—
her 11, 1880; Beecher, born June 12, 1883; Victor Hugo, born April
8, 1885; Lucy Haves, born February 20, 1897; and Oliver, born March
9, 1899. Eunice, the oldest child, born August 31, 1875, died September
4, 1880, and Odena, born May 17, 1891, died October 7, 1894. Fra-
ternally Mr. Cromwell is a member and past noble grand of Martz Lodge,
No. 360. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both be and Mrs.
Cromwell belong to Mutual Love Lodge, No. 221, Daughters of Rebekab.
He was a charter member of Clay City Lodge, No. 131, Knights of
Pythias, also the father and originator of Odon Lodge, No. 272, of
Daviess county, Indiana. He was also a charter member of the Good
Citizens League, of which be is now one of the vice presidents.

    FRANK J. WEHRLE, of the well known and extensive dry goods and
boot and shoe business of Brazil, Indiana, is a native of Newark, Ohio,
where be was born September 3, 1849, son of Sebastian and Annie (Wool-
insnider) Webrle. The parents were both born in Germany and married
in Newark, Ohio. Sebastian Wehrle came to this country in 1832 and
settled in the northern part of Ohio. By trade he was a shoemaker. He
spent the latter years of his life in Ohio, except a few years which be
spent in Brazil, Indiana, being in business with his two sons—Frank
J.  and George S. They were manufacturers of boots and shoes. He
retired from business in 1873 and died the next year. He was a member
of the Romian Catholic church and in politics a Democrat. His wife died