Wayne County IN Archives Biographies.....Stahr, William P. December 2, 1839 - ************************************************ 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: Glapha Cox rcoxfam@earthlink.net January 30, 2006, 10:13 am Author: History of Wayne County, Indiana;Volume II, (1884) Jackson Township p. 600 & 601 William P. Stahr.---Few men, with the limited advantages for attaining success in life that have fallen to the lot of the subject of this notice, have made better use of their opportunities, or displayed greater energy, persistence, and courage than Mr. Stahr. He was born in Germany, Dec. 2, 1839. His father was a schoolmaster, who, after pursuing his avocation faithfully for fifty years, was pensioned and honorably discharged by the Government; he died in 1863. William P. passed his boyhood at home, caring for a few acres of land owned by his father, until March 10, 1858, when he left his native country for America, contrary to the wishes of his father, though favored in his ambition by his mother. Arriving in New York April 26, 1858, a few days later he left the city, for La Crosse, Wis., where he was engaged as a farm laborer for one year. Becoming weary of the hardships of life in the “wild west” in May, 1859, he left for Indiana, arriving, in Cambridge City on the 13th. Thence he proceeded to Jacksonburg, where his cousin lived, walking and carrying about seventy-five pounds of baggage upon his back. He soon after entered the employ of John Kepler, a leading farmer, with whom he remained until 1862. His wages were $10 per month during the first year, $12 the next, and $14 the third. He next worked a year for Wm. Black. While working for Kepler and Black he gained a thorough knowledge of farm work, acquired the English language almost unconsciously and found time to attend school about three months. He was next engaged in November, 1863, as a driver for H. Ingerman, brewer; of Cambridge City, at $28 per month. Proving his aptitude for business by his diligence and quickness, he was soon promoted by his employer to a better position and his salary was advanced until he received $60 per month. He remained in the brewery until 1866, then purchased a small grocery for $750. A few months later he was robbed of two watches and a considerable sum of money. He next formed a partnership with J. Wise, baker and grocer, which did not long continue. In 1867 and 1868 he was again employed by the owners of the brewery, the property having changed hands. In March, 1868, he bought a lot of ground with a story and a half house and a one story back building upon it and engaged in the business of baker and confectioner. In 1869, April 30, he was robbed of $225. In 1871, having prospered in business, he removed the old building on his lot and erected a two-story brick structure. To this building he added a third story in 1875, then beginning the hotel business. He has since been making additions and improvements almost constantly, building an addition to the east end of the house in 1880, and to the west end in 1883. Stahr's Central Hotel is now one of the largest and best business buildings in the town, and its enterprising proprietor has the satisfaction of having earned and reared it himself, little by little. Mr. Stahr was married Dec. 2, 1861, to Miss Mary E. Michae1. They have a family of children whose names are-- -Francis G., Maggie, Berthie and J. Paul. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/wayne/bios/stahr308gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 3.8 Kb