My Genealogy Hound

Earnest Willman, a farmer living near Mt. Vernon, Ind., was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., November 30, 1845, son of Earnest and Katherine Willman, natives of Germany, who came to Pennsylvania and later removed to Posey county, Indiana, when their son, Earnest, was about a year old. They made the trip from Pittsburgh by boat, there being no railroads. They located in the woods at St. Philip, and built a log hut. For more than a year Mrs. Willman baked bread in a skillet. Earnest attended the common schools, and remained at home, working on the farm, until thirty years of age, when he bought a farm of his own. He still owns this place, adjoining his present home. On September 22, 1877, occurred the marriage of Earnest Willman and Miss Johana Elderbrook, daughter of Henry and Sophia (Leonard) Elderbrook, natives of Hanover, Germany, who came to America in 1872, and located in Gibson county, Indiana, where Mr. Elderbrook engaged in farming and stock raising. Johana was born in Hanover in 1854, and attended school in Germany, coming to America with her parents at the age of eighteen. Mr. and Mrs. Willman have seven children: Folney, who married Barbie Winter; Earnest, married Carry Roiddle; George, married Louise Reinghie; Frederick, married Annie Dempersenier; Louise and Tillie. All five boys are farming in Posey county. The children are all graduates of the common schools. The family are all members of the Lutheran church.