230                 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

Subsequently, assuming the responsibilities of a married man, he located
in Owen county, where for two years he operated a saw mill. Returning
then to Harrison township, he was for a number of years engaged in
agricultural pursuits, at the same time operating a threshing machine.
Coming to Clay City in 1890, Mr. Schauwecker embarked in business as
a dealer in furniture and hardware, and has continued until the present
time, his son-in-law, George P. Crabtree, being now associated with him.
This enterprising firm has built up an extensive and lucrative business,
carrying a full line of furniture, heavy and shelf hardware, stoves, car-
riages, and farm implements of all descriptions, and having a trade in
these goods that is not surpassed in this part of the state.
    Mr. Schauwecker was married, in 1874, to Hannah Gonser. She
was born in Bowen county, Indiana, a daughter of Eli and Ellen Gonser,
both of whom were born in Pennsylvania, of Dutch ancestry. Mr. and
Mrs. Schauwecker are the parents of four children, namely: Nora B.,
Catherine A., William M. and Edgar J.

    GEORGE CHARLES HOFFMAN.—Coming from thrifty and substantial
German ancestry, and the representative of a prominent pioneer agricul-
turist of Clay county, George C. Hoffman has during his entire life been
intimately associated with the farming interests of this part of Indiana.
Energetic and enterprising, be is carrying on his chosen vocation in a
businesslike manner, his well cultivated farm, with its substantial dwelling
and good barn and outbuildings, being indicative of his industry and good
management. A son of Conrad Hoffman, be was born March 19, 1854, in
Posey township, Clay county. His grandparents on the paternal side were
lifelong residents of Bavaria, the only members of their family to emi-
grate to this country having been their sons, Charles and Conrad. Charles
located in Posey township, and there spent the remainder of his life, em-
ployed in tilling the soil.
    Born in Bavaria, Conrad Hoffman came to America in 1853, being
nine weeks in sailing across the Atlantic. Locating immediately in Clay
county, be bought one hundred acres of land in Posey township, in
section twelve, and in the log cabin which had previously been built his
son George Charles was subsequently born. Brazil was then a mere
hamlet, and the surrounding country was a wilderness. The railroads
had been very recently built, and the railway station was a small log
cabin standing in the midst of the thick woods. When he first came
here he used to take his grist to the mill at Cloverland on horseback, fol-
lowing a path made by blazed trees. Clearing a good homestead, he
resided here until his death, at the age of sixty-two years. His wife,
whose maiden name was Eve Falcott, was also born and bred in Bavaria.
She came to this country on the same sailing vessel that he did, and they
were married immediately after landing. She died in December, 1900,
in Posey township. She bore her husband five children, namely: George
C., Annie B., Annie Catherine, John P. and Barbara.
    Beginning as a boy to assist his father in clearing a homestead,
George Charles Hoffman remained beneath the parental roof-tree until
ready to set up an establishment of his own. When he married his
father gave him seventy-four acres of land in section fourteen, Perry
township, land that is included in his present farm. Moving with his
bride into the log cabin, with its frame addition, be lived there five years.
Capable and industrious, Mr. Hoffman met with success from the first,