W. H. Trentleman, of New Palestine, Indiana, was born on November 1, 1856, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was a son of Henry and Sophia (Pope) Trentleman. Henry Trentleman was born in 1826 in Germany. He came to America in 1844, at the age of eighteen years and located at Indianapolis. He worked during the summer at brick-moulding and in the winter he worked at the Ferguson slaughter house. In later years he became a well digger and in his declining years he followed various occupations. As a boy he had learned the tailor's trade, but he did not work at this after he came to America. A few years after he came to Indianapolis he married Sophia Pope. She was also born in Germany. She was the daughter of Christian Pope, who was born in Germany, as was also his wife. They immigrated to America when Sophia was but a small child. Mrs. Trentleman lived only a few years after her marriage and died in the spring of 1862, when W. H. Trantleman, subject of this sketch, was but six years of age. Henry and Sophia Trentleman were the parents of the following children: William H., Mary, who is the wife of J. B. Sage, of Indianapolis, and a baby who died in infancy. About two years after the death of his first wife, Henry Trentleman was married to Christina Heisler, also a native of Germany. She was the daughter of Jacob Heisler, of Indianapolis. To this second marriage were born the following children: Emma, Ella and Christina, who are all living.

W. H. Trentleman spent his childhood in Indianapolis and after his mother' death he went to live with his uncle, Fred Rosener. At the age of thirteen he began to shift for himself and for a few years he worked on the farm, in Sugar Creek township. Then, at the age of twenty-one, he took up the trade of a blacksmith in the shops of A. G. Smith, at New Palestine, and here he worked for six years. For a time following this he worked in various shops in Indianapolis and other towns. In 1882, with John Huber, be bought out the shop of his former employer, A. G. Smith, and in partnership they conducted the business for five years. At the end of five years Mr. Trentleman took up the work of house painting and for two years followed this trade. He then again went into the blacksmithing business and worked in the shop of Faut Brothers, in New Palestine. He held this position for twelve years. In 1899 he started a shop of his own, which he operated for fifteen years until March, 1914, when he bought the general blacksmith and repair shops of Charles H. Faut, which business he is still conducting. This is the largest shop and building in New Palestine. In addition to the shop there is an implement room, paint shop, printing office and postoffice in the same building. Mr. Trentleman operates his machinery by power and does a general blacksmithing and repair business.

At the age of twenty-eight, on November 6, 1884, W. H. Trentleman was married to Christina Mickle. She was born in New Palestine on November 7, 1858. She was the daughter of Henry and Adeline Mickle, who were both natives of Germany. She was one of eight children, only three of whom survive: Mary, Henry and Christina. On March 12, 1908, Mrs. Trentleman died.

Mr. Trentleman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is a steward of this church. He is also a member of the New Palestine Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He is a Democrat in politics and was for four years a member of the town board. He is one of New Palestine's best known and best respected citizens. He has been a resident of the county for practically all of fifty-three years and an immediate resident of New Palestine for over thirty years. He is a citizen of strong and sterling character and has numbers of friends.

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 1038-1039.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI October 31, 2001.

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