USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 60
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 60
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 60
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 60
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removed to Rush county, where he found plenty of employment, as he was a natural mechanic, a carpenter and cabinet-maker. By nature a student, he devoted much time to reading and study, and finally fitted himself for the practice of medicine. After engaging in practice in this state for a period, he went to Center Point, Iowa, with the intention of sending for his family when he had become established, but he died suddenly, December 4, 1854. His widow lived for many years afterward, dying April 9, 1897, at the ripe age of eighty-four years, her death occurring in the dwelling which had been her home for fifty-two years. Their three sons and two daughters were: William S., Mrs. Margaret Johnson, of Indianapolis; Jacob E., also of that city; Huldah Ann, who married J. R. N. Pugh, and died in 1865; and Walter B., who enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-third Regi- ment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and fell in the famous charge at Atlanta, August 6, 1864.
The birthplace of William S .. Kaler is in Richland township, Rush county, within eight miles of his present home. The date of the event is August 16, 1835. When he was a lad of ten years the family removed to Andersonville, and a few years later he began learning the shoemaker's trade, which he followed here for forty years, almost continuously. At the beginning of the civil war he was employed as usual, and on the 18th of February, 1864, he enlisted as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment, the same one to which his unfortunate brother belonged. Upon the organization of the company he was made sergeant, but on the 19th of April, 1864, he was severely injured, the joint of his left. ankle being dislocated, so that he was unable to march or occupy his old post of duty, and from that time until the close of the war he served on detached duty, for some time having charge of the convalescents' camp at Cleveland, Tennessee, and being mustered out of the army while engaged as a clerk in the quartermaster's department there.
The first marriage of Mr. Kaler was to Mary Gulick, at Tiffin, Ohio, September 7, 1860. She was a native of Seneca county, Ohio, and her father, Ira Gulick, was from Vermont. Her death occurred July 18, 1862, and on the 10th of March, 1864, Mr. Kaler wedded Nora L. Busbey, who had been born in Putnam county, Indiana, and had come to Andersonville with her parents in 1859. Walter A., the eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Kaler, is engaged in the manufacture of wagons in Andersonville, and F. Wilson is the editor and proprietor of the Four County Herald, published here. Fred M., who was born in December, 1868, was accidentally drowned at Collett's Pond, May 17, 1894. Grace G., the only daughter, is the wife of Wilford J. Miller, of Rush county, Indiana.
In 1858 Mr. Kaler became identified with the Masonic fraternity, and
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belongs to Andersonville Lodge, No. 96, in which he has passed all the chairs, and of which he was the secretary for about twenty successive years. In Grand Army circles, as already mentioned, he stands high. A charter member of Thomas G. Hall Post, No. 304, which was organized April 1, 1883, he was chosen as its first commander, and has served as such many times, being the present incumbent of that office. This year (1899) he has completed the " Roster and History of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in the war of the Rebellion " and is the secretary and treasurer of the reunion association of the regiment.
During the administration of President Harrison Mr. Kaler was post- master of Andersonville, and for a number of years he lias officiated as a justice of the peace. Of late years he has been the local representative of the Home Insurance Company, of New York. He also owns and superintends the Point Lookout Poultry Yard, and the Maple Grove Apiary. Politically he is a stanch Republican, having voted for every one of its presidential candidates from Fremont to McKinley, inclusive. He and the members of his family are identified with the Christian church, and always are actively interested in "whatsoever things are true, and whatsoever things are of good report."
EDWARD HOPKINS.
The subject of this sketch is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Franklin county, Indiana, long identified with its agri- cultural interests. He was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, near Harrison, January 14, 1835, son of George and Mary (Clark) Hopkins, the former a native of Delaware and the latter of Boston, Massachusetts. Isaac Hopkins, the grandfather of Edward, came from his native state, Delaware, at an early day and, with his family, took up his abode at Cincinnati when that now busy mart was a small village. Later he came over into Indiana and in Franklin county made settlement on a tract of land, where a few acres had been cleared and a cabin built. Here he' devoted his energies to the improvement of his farm, and here he passed the rest of his life, his death occurring when he had attained the advanced age of ninety- five years. Politically he was a Whig. His family of children comprised the following meinbers: George, Isaac, Jr., Jane, Mary, Martha, Priscilla and Ellen. All united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and all became useful and respected citizens.
George Hopkins, the father of Edward, was a young man at the time of their removal westward, and was married during their residence at Cin- cinnati. He and his family came with his parents to Franklin county, and here he, too, settled down to farming, and spent the whole of his life in agri- cultural pursuits. He died in April, 1883, at the age of eighty-four years.
-
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His wife's death occurred in 1884, at the same age. Of their children we record that William A. died at the age of twenty-three years; Edward, whose name initiates this sketch, was the next born; Isaac is a farmer in Boone county, Indiana; Emma is the wife of W. C. Hutchison; and Eliza- beth is the wife of Mr. D. Smith.
Edward Hopkins remained at the parental home until the time of his marriage, receiving his education in the common schools of the district, and at Mount Carmel. He was married in August, 1857, and settled on a rented farm. In 1859 he purchased a farm in Madison county and in 1862 moved to it. Nine months later he traded for an interest in the farm he now occu- pies, and immediately moved back to Franklin county.
During the days of civil war he enlisted in the Union army. It was at Sharptown, in 1864, and for the one hundred days' service that he enrolled his name, and as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, he went south, his command being made a part of the Army of the Tennessee. He was assigned to guard duty and his serv- ice was performed in Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. The latter part of his army life was marred by sickness, and after four months' absence from home he returned to Indianapolis, where he was mustered out and received an honorable discharge. He is now the recipient of a small pension.
After his return from the army Mr. Hopkins resumed farming, and remained on his farm in Franklin county till 1892, when he moved to Con- nersville, where he spent four years, at the end of that time returning to his farm. He operates this place as a stock farm, making a specialty of sheep and having a large herd of thoroughbred Shropshires.
In 1857 Mr. Hopkins wedded Miss Susanna Holowell, who was born and reared on the farm on which they now live, she being a daughter of John and Catherine (Sizelove) Holowell, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Holowell were married in Franklin county, Indiana. Thomas Holowell, the grandfather of Mrs. Hop- kins, was among the first settlers of Whitewater township, this county, and figured prominently in the frontier settlement. He was a member of the United Brethren church, and politically was a Democrat. His children numbered eleven, as follows: William, Peter, John, Hezekiah, Thomas, Joseph, Frank, Benjamin, Ada, Abigail and Mary A. John spent nearly the whole of his life in Franklin county. He bought the land upon which Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins now live when it was in its primitive state, cleared and made all the improvements upon it, and here he died, February 14, 1852, at the age of fifty years. His widow survived him and became the wife of Mr. Eli Ferguson. She died October 19, 1895. Her children, in order of birth, were Joseph, Herculus, Thomas, Hezekiah, Susanna, Martha J., Matilda
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and Daniel. To Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins have been born nine children, viz. : William A., a resident of Connersville, Indiana; John F., also of Conners- ville; Mary C., wife of James E. Hanson; Martha E., wife of Philip Shenkle; Eli C., of Connersville; Harry, who died at the age of five years; Guy, of Connersville; and Sarah E. and Emma F., at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, taking an enthusi- astic interest in public affairs, and has filled some minor offices.
WILLIAM HITE.
Following in the tide of emigration from Virginia to Indiana, the ances- tors of our subject came in the early part of this century. His grandfather, Jacob Hite, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and was with Wash- ington's army at the surrender of General Cornwallis. Notwithstanding the fact that he had nobly aided in achieving the independence of this country he was never allowed the right of suffrage until he was well along in years, and had left Virginia, where several generations of his family had lived, and had reached this state. The reason for this singular state of affairs was, that a law then in force in the Old Dominion gave to land-owners only the right to vote, and, being poor, he had no property.
It was in 1820 that Jacob Hite, Jr., then a young man, came to Indi- ana and located two hundred and forty acres of land for himself and eighty acres for his brother William. He then returned to his native state and in 1823 came back to settle upon his property, which was situated in Rush near the border of Franklin county. He was accompanied by his parents, who lived with him until death. Two other members of the family, Alexander and Polly, also came here at that time, and in the fall of 1827 two other brothers, William and George, joined them. John, the only other one of the family, remained in Virginia, passing his entire life there. The mother was a Miss Carper in her girlhood.
William Hite, Sr., owned land in Virginia and there married Sarah Franker. In 1828 he made the long journey to Indiana with his wife and their three children,-Greenbury, Eliza and Mary. He sold the land which his brother had located for him and bought two hundred and eighty acres in Posey township, Franklin county. In 1831 he found it necessary to return to Virginia in order to obtain the money due him from the sale of his prop- erty there, and the long trip, about eleven hundred miles, was made by him , on foot. He was a blacksmith by trade, and is remembered as a man of wonderful mechanical genius, as he was able to fashion almost anything he desired out of iron or wood. During the war of 1812 he served his country faithfully, and at all times he was a loyal citizen. Both he and his wife
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lived to good old age, dying regretted by all who had known or been associated with them. After coming to this state, they had four children born to them, namely: Catherine, Williamn, Harriet and Joseph. Green- bury died in 1849 with smallpox. Mary, now Mrs. Watkins, resides in Illi- nois. Eliza is the wife of a Mr. McDaniel. Catherine is the wife of Daniel Barber, of Posey township. Harriet is Mrs. Joshua Watkins, of Fayette county. Joseph lives in Posey township.
William Hite, whose name heads this sketch, was born on the old Posey township homestead, but a short distance from his present home, November 7, 1831. His educational advantages amounted to naught, as he attended school but three weeks in his life. It is almost impossible for the favored people of this generation to form an idea of the disadvantages under which their elders labored in the early days. Old-fashioned wooden plows were used, and grain, cut with sickles, was threshed out by the treading of horses. William Hite learned all of these methods and at the age of sixteen was pro- ficient in the use of the scythe in the meadow and the cradle in the harvest- field. For a half century he continued to cradle grain, and when in his prime he had few equals in this direction. The valuable homestead which he owns and cultivates comprises two hundred and eighty-four acres, his home being on section 22, Posey township.
On the 28th of January, 1852, Mr. Hite married Nancy Elizabeth, daughter of Edward and Sarah (Higgins) Farthing, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Hite was born in November, 1831, in Rush county, Indiana, where her parents were pioneers. Of their children only four are now living. - Frances, Alfred, Joseph and Mrs. Hite, James and Alfred having died many years ago.
The eldest child of our subject and wife, Mrs. Frances Wilson, departed this life October 19, 1896, and of her six children but one, Charles, survives. Mary Ellen and Sarah Ellen (twins) died, the former in infancy and the lat- ter in August, 1896, at the age of twenty-five years. Lyda and William died
in babyhood and Mary when in her twenty-fourth year. The second child of our subject is Mary, wife of John Lewis and mother of three children, - William D., Edward and Hattie. The youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hite is Mrs. Sarah Hildreth, who has one child, Blanche. The family is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church and is highly honored in this locality.
GEORGE W. PHILLIPS.
George W. Phillips, an honored veteran of the civil war and for many years a valued citizen of Buena Vista, Franklin county, comes from one of the pioneer families of this county, and from his boyhood has been deeply interested in its growth and progress along all lines.
One of the twelve children of Isaac and Mary (Wilkins) Phillips, our sub-
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ject is a native of Pennsylvania, as were the other members of the family. He was born in Washington county, May 5, 1831, and was about ten years old when he came with his parents, brothers and sisters to this county. Locat- ing on land in Salt Creek township, the father, aided by his sons, improved a farm, and there he and his estimable wife passed the rest of their lives, both dying the same year. Eight of their children are still living, and of the entire number George W. and Eli represented the family in the Union army. The latter enlisted as a member of the Thirty-seventh Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, veteranized, and continued to serve throughout the war. He is now living in Tipton, Indiana.
On the 15th of July, 1861, George W. Phillips enlisted as a private in Company F, Eighteenth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, continuing with them until August, of the following year, when he was discharged on account of physical disability, the result of a long and severe attack of the measles. Returning home, where he received needed care and comforts, he improved in general health, and on the Ist of December, 1863, again mani- fested his patriotism and loyalty to the stars and stripes, by his enlistment in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, being promoted from the ranks to the post of sergeant soon after- ward, and being color-bearer of the regiment for the greater part of his sec- ond term of service. On the 6th and 7th of March, 1862, he took part in the battle of Pea Ridge, and as a member of the One Hundred and Twenty- third he participated in some of the most important campaigns of the war, being in the Twenty-third Army Corps, and active in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Resaca, and being under the leadership of General Sherman, in the Atlanta campaign, and in that of Nashville and vicinity, under Gen- eral Thomas. Later Mr. Phillips, with his regiment, went to Washington, thence to Fort Fisher and Goldsboro, at the later place joining General Sher- man the day after the battle of Bentonville. Until July, 1865, they were stationed at various points in North Carolina, being honorably discharged on the 25th of the month named, at Lexington. Throughout his army life Mr. Phillips was faithful to the least as well as to the greatest of his duties, and his record is one of which he has just cause to be proud. Since his return from fighting his country's battles he has made his home in Buena Vista, for the most part, where he is highly regarded.
JOHN B. LANGFERMANN.
This prosperous German farmer and representative citizen of Butler township, Franklin county, respected alike for his industry and integrity, may properly be classed among the self-made men who have done so much toward developing the resources of this section of Indiana. He was entirely
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
dependent upon his own resources, having very little money when he landed on American soil, and was prepared to engage in any honest labor which his hands could find to do, but is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and six acres, to the improvement and cultivation of which he now devotes his energies with marked success.
Mr. Langfermann was born May 19, 1848, in Kreis Vechta, Groszher- zogthum Oldenburg, Germany, and his early life was devoted to farming and attending the common schools of his native land. His education, however, was completed by a course in a commercial college at Covington, Kentucky. It was in the summer of 1867 that he crossed the Atlantic to the New World, and first located in Covington, where he engaged in the grading and paving of streets. The following year, when joined by his parents, John and Mary Ann (Deothmann) Langfermann, who emigrated at that time to America, our subject came with them to Franklin county, Indiana, and located upon his present farm, in Butler township. Here the father, who was a sailor from the age of fourteen to sixty years, died June 4, 1892, aged eighty-three, and the mother passed away May 6, 1896, aged seventy-five years. Our subject has one brother and two sisters still living, namely: Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Resing, of Covington, Kentucky; Mary, wife of Hammond Jansing, of Newport, Kentucky, and August, who married Teresa Sailhorst and resides in Cincinnati, Ohio.
On the 15th of June, 1869, John B. Langfermann married Miss Kate Fleddermann, of Covington, Kentucky, who died November 1, 1878, leaving two children, Joe and Sophia. He was again married January 14, 1879, his second union being with Miss Anna Conlin, of St. Peters, Highland town- ship, Franklin county, a daughter of John Conlin, and to them have been born two children: Elizabeth and Bernard.
As one of the prominent and influential citizens of his community, Mr. Langfermann has been called upon to serve in several official positions of honor and trust. He was elected trustee of Butler township in 1884, at which time he filled the office for one term, and on the 24th of May, 1898, was appointed to fill a vacancy and still holds that position. He was also deputy assessor for five years and appraiser of real estate for two terms. In religious faith he is a Catholic and holds a membership in the church of St. Mary's of the Rocks.
CHRISTIAN MEID.
Christian Meid, who resides on his farm on section 20, in Laurel town- ship, Franklin county, Indiana, is a well known citizen and a veteran soldier of the war of the Rebellion.
Mr. Meid was born in Germany, in 1833. He was reared in his native
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land and at the age of twenty-five years came to America. After a short residence in Cincinnati, he came to Franklin county, Indiana, which has ever since been his home, except while in the army. When the civil war came on, Mr. Meid at once resolved to enter the service of his adopted country and fight for the preservation of the Union, and accordingly became a mem- ber of one of the early regiments that Indiana contributed to the war. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Third Indiana Cavalry, enlisting for a term of three years or during the war. The Third Cavalry was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and with his regiment Mr. Meid took part in McClellan's, Peninsula campaign, and later in the famous battle of Antietam. Subsequently to this he was off duty for about two months, on account of sickness. During this time he was first in hospital at Frederick, Maryland, then at Baltimore, and finally was sent to the convalescent camp at Alexan- dria. After he had sufficiently recovered he rejoined his regiment. He was a participant in the early part of General Grant's Virginia campaign. This campaign was in progress when Mr. Meid, with his regiment, was mustered out of the United States service, by reason of the expiration of his three years of enlistment.
Mr. Meid returned to Franklin county at the close of his term of service in the army, and in 1865 was married. He and his wife have had eight chil- dren, seven of whom are living, namely: Louis, George, Edward, Frank, Emma, Ann and Clara. They lost a daughter, Kate.
Mr. Meid's health was shattered in the army and he has never fully recovered. For years he has been greatly afflicted with rheumatism. He is a member of John Secrest Post, No. 384, G. A. R., and politically has always affiliated with the Republican party. He has a good farm and pleas- ant home and is comfortably situated.
REV. MARTIN ANDRES.
Rev. Martin Andres is pastor of the Catholic church known as St. Mary's of the Rocks. This church is located in Butler township, Franklin county, and it is recorded that the first services in this vicinity were held in 1837, by the Rev. Joseph Ferneding, who visited the locality three or four times each year. In 1844 a log church was erected through the instrumentality of the Rev. William Engel, the pastor of St. Peter's, in the same county. The first resident pastor of St. Mary's was Rev. Januarius Weissenberger, who took . charge of the congregation in 1857 and in 1859 laid the foundation of the present fine brick church. In December of the same year Father Weissen- berger was succeeded by the Rev. John P. Gillig, who completed the church, which was blessed by Bishop de St. Palais, on September S, 1862. Father Gillig's pastorate ended in June, 1863, and the church was thereafter visited'
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for some time by the Rev. Leo Osredkar, O. S. F., residing at St. Peters, Franklin county. The next resident priest was the Rev. Joseph Kaufmann, who was pastor from 1866 until 1868, and was succeeded by Rev. A. Nonnen- macher, who remained in charge until 1871. The latter erected the present brick parsonage, a very comfortable residence, and up to that time the priest had occupied the frame house built in 1844, by Rev. Engel, for the use of the teacher. From 1871 until 1873 Rev. Joseph Roesch was the pastor and he was followed by Rev. John M. Gabriel, who was at St. Mary's from January until August, 1874. On the 23d of October of that year, his successor, Rev. Francis X. Girolt, took charge, and to him the church is indebted for its fine organ and beautiful main altar. He was succeeded, July 5, 1888, by Father Andres, who has since been the loved and honored pastor of St. Mary's of the Rocks.
ยท Rev. Martin Andres, like his predecessors, also has charge of St. Phile- mon's church, at Oak Forest, in the same township. There also is a fine brick church building and brick school-house, which were erected through the efforts of Father F. X. Girolt. The congregation of St. Mary's of the Rocks is composed of about sixty-five families and that of St. Philemon's of about fifty-five families. Excellent schools are supported at both places.
Rev. Martin Andres, the esteemed pastor of these congregations, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, January 28, 1855. He completed his studies at St. Meinrad and was ordained by Bishop Chatard as follows: Tonsure, September, 18, 1878; minor orders, September 21, 1878; subdeacon, May 23, 1880; deacon, May 27, of the same year; and priest, June II, 1881. In July of that year he took charge of the congregation of St. Bernard's church, at Frenchtown, Indiana, a new church which was founded during the pastorate of his predecessor, Rev. Charles Bilger. The house of worship was completed under Father Andres and blessed by Bishop Chatard, Novem- ber 1, 1881. During his pastorate at St. Bernard's, he also attended an auxiliary church, -St. Joseph's, -in Crawford county.
As stated, Father Andres became pastor of St. Mary's of the Rocks, in July, 1888. His faithful labors in the interests of the congregation over which he presides is manifest in the kindly words and expressions of esteem that accompany the mention of his name in the community where he lives and among the people of the congregration whose spiritual welfare is in his keeping.
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