132 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY Ulrich Schlatter attended school in both Owen and Clay counties, and when not occupied with his books helped his father on the farm. Beginning life as a miner at the age of seventeen, he followed mining almost continuously until 1907. Industrious, frugal and temperate. Mr. Schlatter harbored his resources, and ere long was enabled to buy a home in Harmony, where be was a resident for a number of years. He sub- sequently bought the farm he now owns, and which he has occupied since 1890. This farm, located in section twenty-three, Van Buren township, is well improved and is furnished with a good set of farm buildings. On July 31, 1879, Mr. Schlatter married Louisa Wilson, who was born in Van Buren township, Clay county, a daughter of John and Eliza- beth (Von Cannon) Wilson. Her father came here from Ohio when a boy, his parents being pioneer settlers of this part of the state,he died when Mrs. Schlatter was but three years old, and her mother subse- quently married William Craig. Mr. and Mrs Schlatter are the parents of eight children, namely Oscar, Ervin, William, O’Dell, Iven, Rosa, Elzie, and Howard. Oscar married Jennie Reberger, daughter of Ben- jamin and Anna (Ford) Reberger, and they have one child, Mary F. Ervin married Eunice Frost, daughter of Samuel A. and Emma (Ward) Frost, and they have one child, Ulrich A. William married Selma Rojohn, daughter of Edgar Rojohn, and they have one child, William K. O’Dell is the wife of Burt Hughes. Politically Mr. Schlatter is a strong Prohibitionist, and upholds the principles of his party at the polls. Mr. and Mrs. Schlatter are liberal in their religions beliefs, and although belonging to no church organization accept all true Christians as brothers and sisters. WILLIAM F. SONNEFFIELD.—Conspicuous among the successful farmers and extensive stock—growers of Clay county is William F. Sonnefield, who for many years has been actively identifed with the agricultural progress and prosperity of Cass township, owning and occu- pying one of the most magnificent farming estates within its limits. A native of Clay county, he was born July 26, 1852, in Washington town- ship, a son of Frederick Sonnefleld. He comes of thrifty German stock, his grandfather, William Sonnefield, having been born, bred and married in Germany. Coming with his parents from the Fatherland in 1833, Frederick Sonnefield lived for a few years in Ohio, and then with his parents came across the country with teams to Owen county, Indiana. After his mar- riage he bought land in Washington township, and after living there a few years sold out and bought a farm in Cass township, where he con— tinued as a tiller of the soil the remainder of his life. On February 21, 1850, he married Minnie Frank. She was born in Germany, and came with her parents, William and --- (Knippe) Frank, to Union county, Indiana, in 1837. Her parents subsequently removed to Owen county, this state, and there spent their remaining days. The only son in a family of seven children, of whom but four are now living, William F. Sonnefield remained at home until his marriage, attending the district schools in his boyhood, and obtaining a practical knowledge of agriculture. Buying then a portion of the parental home- stead, he erected a good set of buildings, including a two-story, eight- room house, barns, and other necessary outbuildings, and turned his attention to farming in earnest. Prosperity has followed his footsteps, smiling on his every effort. From time to time he has bought other land,