Peter Hey, Jr.
Born of thrifty German parents, Peter Hey, Jr., while not equipped with wealth, was well provided with brains and brawn to enable him to make his way in the world. He first saw the light on September 23, 1843, in Millhofen, Germany, being the son of Peter Hey, Sr., who was born June 29, 1816, in the same town. The elder Hey took to wife Catherine Ottman, of the village of Nerderhorbach. She was born November 27, 1816, and died in Shelby township several years ago. He received his education in Germany and was a farmer there until he married in 1842. Some years later, in 1851 he bade farewell to the Faderland, and with his family started for free America. In those days the sailing vessel was the means of trans-oceanic travel, and Peter Hey and his little flock embarked for a three months voyage. It finally ended, and they disembarked at New Orleans, their port of entry. Continuing their travel by water the sturdy farmer and his family went up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati, where a home was established when he sought a home in Hoosierdom, settling in Addison township, Shelby county, and going to work for John DePrez on a farm. He stayed here for a year and then rented land for four years more. Later he obtained eighty acres of government land in section 13, Shelby Township. The land was heavy and wet, and largely covered with timber, but offered possibilities to the thrifty German. He chopped the trees that went into his log cabin and started to make a home for himself and family. By dint of hard work and saving he added onto this little farm until he accumulated two hundred and fifty acres. He cleared up about one hundred fifty acres and still lives on the place that he brought into cultivation. He has always been a farmer and applied his knowledge of agriculture to his ultimate success. He is a member of the German Evangelical Protestant church. While he has always taken more or less interest in politics and a Democrat in his political affiliations, he has never aspired to office. Peter Hey, Sr., was the father of eight children, as follows: Peter, Jr., the subject of this biography; Jacob, who married Amanda Ross, both being dead, one child, Catherine, surviving; Margaret, who married John Emerich, of Shelby township, has two children; George, who married Christina Parr, is a farmer of Rush county, and has two children; John, who is farming the old homestead in Shelby township, married Louisa Bates; Catherine married John Bird, of Rush county, and they have two children; Daniel married Samantha Schutt and lives in Shelby township and has eight children. The eighth child died in infancy.
Peter Hey, Jr., attended a German school two years and the common school of Shelby county, but owing to the circumstances surrounding him at the time had little chance to better his educational attainments. He lived at home until he was twenty-seven years old and married in 1872, to Minerva E. Maple, of Shelby Township. His bride was the daughter of David and Frances (Gore) Maple, he being a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Virginia. They came to Shelby county when mere children, and lived there all their days.
Peter Hey, Jr., had ten children as follows: William, single, living at home; Charles, a farmer in Noble township, married Frances Collins; they have one child. John, single, employed in the oil fields at Oil Center, California; Catherine, wife of Delman Clark, a farmer in Addison township, has one child; Minnie is the wife of Alvin Ray, a farmer in Shelby township, and has three children, Rufus, Mary and Carl. David married Nora Mohr, lives on a farm in Shelby township; George, Thomas, Martha and Daniel are all living at home.
Peter Hey, Jr., has always been engaged in farming, having entered that vocation soon after leaving home, on his own accord, and is still living in Shelby township in section 24. He acquired twenty-three acres of land, which was rough and untilled. He built a log cabin and a stable and in 1892 erected a fine farm home and made all the improvements as they stand today. As a result of his toil he has an excellent farm and surroundings, well stocked with sleek and thrifty-looking cattle, horses and swine. Mr. Hey never aspired to any political office, thought he has worked and affiliated with the Democratic party. He cast his religious lot with the Evangelical Lutheran church and is credited by his friends and neighbors as having lived the life of a useful citizen.
History of Shelby County, Indiana, by Edward H. Chadwick, B.A., assisted by well known local talent, 1909, pages 624-625.
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