Among the successful and well-known citizens of Sugar Creek township Hancock county, Indiana, none are more respected than Anton W. Spilker, who is a life-long resident of this locality. His birth occurred on April 9, 1852, in Sugar Creek township, of this county, and he is the son of Christian and Sophia (Steinmeier) Spilker. Christian Spilker was born in 1812, in Germany, and immigrated to America when a young man, his marriage being solemnized in Sugar Creek township, of this county. The parents of Sophia Steinmeier were also pioneers of this locality. After his marriage, Christian Spilker purchased one hundred and twenty-nine and one-half acres of land, under the homestead law, located in the north half of section 7, in Sugar Creek township, and here established a home in which his death occurred. He built the original house of logs but later erected a three-room frame residence. His wife preceded him in death about seventeen years, her death having occurred in 1872. To them were born these children: Henry, who died in 1912; Christina, Charles (deceased); Anton August, and two others who died in infancy.

Anton W. Spilker was born on the family homestead where his boyhood days were spent, receiving his education in the German school under the instruction of the Rev. J. G. Kunz. Subsequent to his student days he assisted his father with the work on the home place, which service fostered the desire to follow agricultural pursuits on an independent basis. On November 27,1880, Anton Spilker and Ellen Rosener, daughter of Charles and Ellen Rosener, were united in marriage and to them were born the children whose names follow: Emma, wife of William Rodivald and the mother of one child, Mary; Charles, who married Elizabeth Rader, now deceased, and is the father of one child, Charles; Fredrick, who maried and has one child, Virgie Waxwell; William became the husband of Lulu Schildmeier, and they are the parents of one child, Anton Fredrick; Mary, Albert, John, who married Malinda Cook; Nettie, Lula, who died at the age of eleven years; Walter and Lewis. Ellen (Rosener) Spilker was born on October 4, 1857, on the Rosener homestead, one and one-half miles southwest of the town of New Palestine, Indiana. Her parents were natives of Germany and pioneers of Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana. The father is still living but her mother passed away in February, 1900. They were the parents of the children whose names follow: Christina, Ellen, Charles, Mary, Louisa, Henry, and two children who died in early childhood. Ellen, Charles, Mary and Henry are the only surviving children.

For twenty years after marriage Anton Spilker and his wife continued to reside on the old home place, eventually taking possession of the Rosener homestead which they had purchased prior to 1900. In addition to the farms which he owns in Sugar Creek township, of this county, Anton Spilker also possess fifty acres in Decatur township, Marion county, Indiana, making his total holdings two hundred and sixty-eight acres. This property is largely devoted to diversified farming and to the raising of horses, cattle and hogs. His agricultural interests have been augmented by the operation of a threshing machine which he has controlled for nearly fifteen years. Politically, he is a stanch advocate of Democratic principles and always votes that ticket. In religious matters he is a member of the German Lutheran church, which denomination he earnestly supports.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Page 1076-1077.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI November 12, 2001.

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