Biographical memoirs of Grant County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography with portraits of many national characters and well-known residents of Grant County, Indiana., Part 85

Author:
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago: Bowen
Number of Pages: 1000

USA > Indiana > Grant County > Biographical memoirs of Grant County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography with portraits of many national characters and well-known residents of Grant County, Indiana. > Part 85

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

661

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS.

ily linen." Yes, and if necessity required, they could shoulder the family rifle and go into the forest and return with a wild tur- key or other game with which to replenish the family larder, and then prepare a meal fit for a king. They could, and often did, stand by their husbands, and bravely de- fend their homes and loved ones against the attacks of hostile Indians, in which they showed themselves the "bravest of the brave."

Rev. Francis Smith has been identified with agricultural interests all his life. He has been quite an extensive dealer in Sims township lands, buying and selling, and at present owns a valuable farm near the town of Swayzee. But of late years he has re- tired from active business and spends his time in well-earned rest, and in a general superintendence of his affairs. For forty years he was a local minister of the Christian church and has always been a zealous worker in the cause of religion, his efforts being sec- onded by a devout and earnest Christian wife.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith had a family of twelve children born to them, two of whom have passed over the river. Of these the first born, whose name was Sarah Jane, died at the age of seven years. She was born September 15, 1843, and she was the first interred in the Thrailkill cemetery, in Sims township; Jane was born December 25, 1844. She has been thrice married, first to Louis Harter, second to Darius Pence, and she is now Mrs. Alkania Edwards; Andrew J. was born October 24, 1846; James W. was born July 23, 1848,. He is now a res- ident of Butler county, Missouri; Mary M., born March 4, 1851, is the wife of John Rich; Martha A., who was born September

15, 1852, is at home with her parents; Richard W., born March 4, 1853, died AAtt- gust 13, 1882 ; Lydia A., born May 28. 1855, is now Mrs. John Carroll, of South Marion, Indiana; John R., born December 7, 1856; Rebecca L., born May 10, 1859, is the wife of James Galbraith, of Swayzee; Emily E., born November 30, 1861, now Mrs. James Ward, of Blackford county, Indiana; Will- iam F., the youngest of the family, was born November 30, 1863, is now in business at Bippus, in Huntington county, Indiana. The children all received the advantage of the excellent public schools of Sims township and some had special opportunities for higher education. They are all worthy and exemplary citizens who are well situated in life, and are not ashamed to emphasize the Scriptural injunction to "Honor thy father and mother."

Mr. and Mrs. Smith each have a right to exultant pride in their ancestry. The in- stances are very rare, indeed, when a man and his wife are each eligible to member- ship in the distinguished organization known as "Sons and Daughters of the Revolution." This renowned ancestry demonstrates that "Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war," and that they engaged in laying deep and strong the foundations of an imper- ishable civilization of education, religion and law that has conferred upon the Nation tho "good name" which brightens as the years go by.

WILMER EVERETT PLACKAARD.

Wilmer E. Plackard, cashier of the Farm- ers' Banking Company, Limited, of Sway- zee, Indiana, and eldest son of Marion and

662

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS.

Demaris (Smith) Plackard, was born near Point Pleasant, Ohio, February 22, 1859. He was educated primarily in the public schools, taking higher training at the Na- tional Normal College at Lebanon, Ohio, and at the Central Normal School of Dan- ville, Indiana, the latter a teachers' and com- mercial course. From 1876 to 1890 he taught school in the public schools of Madi- son county and in Elwood. In the year last named, he accepted a position in the Dia- mond Plate Glass Works, of Elwood, Indi- ana, remaining there about eighteen months. He was then with the DePauw Glass Works, of Alexandria, Indiana, for nearly two years. In 1894 he accepted a position as bookkeeper ir the First National Bank at Elwood, re- maining there until he resigned to accept a place in the Farmers' Banking Association at Swayzee, which was established in 1896. Mr. Plackard became the assistant cashier, and in 1899 he was appointed to the posi- tion of cashier, where we now find him. His extensive business experience, together with his careful and systematic preparation em- inently qualify him for the duties of this responsible position.

Mr. Plackard was married August 28, 1887, the lady of his choice being Miss Tessa Clifford, a daughter of James and Jennie (Edson) Clifford. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Plackard is little Miss Mar- guerite, who was born September 4, 1893.

Mr. Plackard is a member of Quincy Lodge, No. 200, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Elwood. He has passed the principal official stations in his lodge, and represented the same in the grand lodge of Indiana and also the Encampment, in 1891, being a member of the state body at present. He also affiliates with the Independent Or- I

der of Foresters. He and his estimable wife are prominently identified with the social affairs of the town of Swayzee, where he sustains an enviable reputation as a leading citizen of the town. The genealogical his- tory of the Plackard family is not only pe- culiar, but very interesting. The founders of the family in America were two orphan brothers named Christian and John Plack- ard. They were Germans by birth, and be- ing desirous of emigrating to the new world, and not having the means to pay their pas- sage across the Atlantic, they came as "stow- aways," i. e., secreted themselves among the ship's cargo until well out to sea, when they made their presence known. They were taken into custody under the laws govern- ing such cases, and when the ship landed at Philadelphia their services were sold to the highest bidder for the transportation money. These were colonial times when money was scarce and labor cheap, hence the term of service was fixed at three years each, and they were put to work at their trade, which was that of distillers. Christian was the pa- ternal great-grandfather of our subject. He enlisted in the Continental army in 1776, and served throughout the Revolutionary war. He was with the Patriot army at Valley Forge and Long Island. He suf- fered with his comrades the terrible hard- ships of that long winter of suffering when the birth of the new republic was in doubt. But he survived the war, and married Miss Walters, with whom he reared a family of children.

Jacob Plackard, paternal grandfather of Wilmer Everett, was born December 25, 1807. He married Leaner Littleton, and they reared a family of eight children : Thomas, John, Marion, Benjamin, William,

663

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS.

Perry, Elizabeth and Catherine. The third born of this family was the father of our subject. He was married in Clearmont county, Ohio, in 1858, to Miss Demaris Smith, and they had two sons, of whom our subject is the eldest. The other son, whose name is Edgar S., married Minnie Gregory. They have two children, Harley and Marie.

After completing his term of service for passage money, Christian Plackard remained in Pennsylvania until the close of the Revo- lutionary war, after which he located in southern Ohio, where he died. The father of our subject was born in Ohio, where his early manhood years were spent. In 1872 he came to Indiana and located in Tipton coun- ty. He has followed agricultural pursuits, principally, through life, but in later years he has been engaged in the hardware busi- ness at Orestes, where he is also post- master. He also served in the Civil war- during 1864.

The Littleton family, as represented by subject's paternal grandmother, is also de- scended from Revolutionary stock. Her fa- ther, Thomas Littleton, settled in Virginia and later moved to Fleming county, Ken- tucky. During the Revolutionary war he was a small boy, but well remembered the stirring events of that period, and in his old · age delighted to relate them to his listening grandchildren.

John Plackard, brother of Christian, who founded the family in America, suffered a horrible death while working to pay his transportation fees to the new world. Be- ing employed in a distillery in Philadelphia, lie fell into a vat of boiling liquor and was scalded to death. From the foregoing out- line it will be seen that the Plackard family

is one of the oldest in America. Very few indeed have the proud distinction of tracing their genealogy to Revolutionary sires who assisted in founding the greatest and most prosperous republic on earth. While the an- cestors were especially honored by reason of their sufferings for humanity's sake, the succeeding generations have been equally honored in their exemplary lives and success- ful career in business.

BENJAMIN F. H. HANKINS.

Benjamin F. H. Hankins, deputy mar- shal of Swayzee, Grant county, Indiana, and a gallant ex-soldier of the Civil war, was born in Paulding county, Ohio, February 21, 1843, and is a son of Samuel S. and Ann P. (Gillett) Hankins, who were the parents of nine, viz .: Sarah (Mrs. G. W. Ayres) ; Charles; Rebecca (Mrs. Sherley) ; William, Isabelle (Mrs. Charles Hicks), Benjamin F. H., Amanda (Mrs. Gabriel Yensen), George W. and Eliza Jane (Mrs. T. T. Newton). The grandparents of this family were natives of New Jersey, whence they went to Ohio in 1838.

Benjamin F. H. Hankins attended the public schools of his native county until fif- teen years of age, and was then employed about the home place until April 18, 1861, when he enlisted for three months in Com- pany G, Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infan- try, at Shiloh, Ohio, and was mustered in at Cleveland. He took part in the battles of Philippi, Carrick's Ford and Laurel Hill, West Virginia, and was honorably dis- charged August 13, 1861. On his return he enlisted, October 22, 1861, in Company C,

664

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS.

Sixty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and with this regiment participated in the bat- tles of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, and was at Crump's Landing at the time of the Pittsburg Landing (or Shiloh) fight, but was taken sick near Corinth and had been confined in hospital for some time ere he was sent to the hospital at Louisville, Ken- tucky, where he was again honorably dis- charged and sent home June 13, 1862. Here Mr. Hankins assisted in raising a company of national guards, which was mustered into the United States service at Lima, Ohio, May 2, 1864, and which took part in the siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Mr. Han- kins was again discharged September 10. 1864, but re-enlisted, this time in Company E. One Hundred and Ninety-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was appointed sergeant under Captain Thomas Harspen, took part in a few skirmishes in the Shenandoah val- ley, and was finally discharged at Winches- ter, Virginia, September 1, 1865.

On returning to his home Mr. Hankins embarked in merchandising at Shiloh, Ohio, and was thus engaged about twenty years, when he sold out to J. S. Lambert and went to Kansas, where he followed farming three years, then returned to Ohio and re-engaged in the merchandising business for two years, then emigrated to Missouri and for about two more years again followed farming. He next came to Indiana and passed a year in Kokomo at labor work. In November, 1895, he came to Swayzee, Grant county, and for a short time was employed at labor- work, but after having lived here about five months was elected deputy marshal, a posi- tion he has since filled in a most satisfactory manner.

B. F. H. Hankins was joined in mar-

riage February 25, 1865, with Miss Nancy Kniss, daughter of Benjamin and Catherine ( Mellinger ) Kniss, and this union has been blessed with seven children, viz. : Anna, born November 25, 1865, married to John A. Lucy, to whom she has borne the fol- lowing children-Maud, Grace, Gordon, Homer, Victor (deceased) and Harold; May, who was born in 1867, is now the wife of George W. Hart and is the mother of five children-Ward, Russell, Hollister, Howard I: (deceased) and Harold; Charles, born March 16, 1869; William, born June 12, 1871; Frank B .. born September 29, 1873; John C., born January 13, 1876; and Ray A., born March 21, 1878. Mr. Hankins and family are Adventists in religion, and polit- ically Mr. Hankins is a Republican.

Fraternally, Mr. Hankins was formerly a member of the Paulding Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Paulding, Ohio, but of late years has not affiliated with that order. He has been a Freemason since 1873, has served as junior warden of Paulding Lodge, No. 504, FF. & A. M., and at present is a member of the chapter at Defiance, Ohio.

Mr. Hankins, it will have been seen, has experienced many of the mutations of life, but has never sacrificed his integrity, and if not a fortune will leave his family what is paramount to riches, that is a spotless name.

GERTRUDE SIEBEN.

Mrs. Gertrude Sieben, who resides on and operates one of the best farms in Grant county, Indiana, has been a citizen of Mon- roe township since 1873. Her quiet, woman- ly traits have won her the esteem of all who

MICHAEL SIEBEN.

GERTRUDE SIEBEN.

665

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS.

know her, while her unusual business ability has gained for her respect and admiration. Left a widow with large business interests to be looked after, she gathered up the broken threads and so skillfully has she woven them together that it would be dif- ficult to tell where the untried hand had taken hold of the work.

Mrs. Siben's parents were natives of the Rhine province, Germany, and are still hon- ored residents of that place. Ottmer and Gertrude (Horn) Solems conducted a mer- cantile and butcher establishment at Hesse, and also engaged in farming. Later they moved to the vicinity of Mayence, which is ; noted for its productive vineries, and there engaged in the culture of grapes, which they convert yearly into the famous Rhine wine. Two sons and three daughters formed their household, the fourth being our sub- ject, Gertrude, who was born November 18, 1844. Of the four children now living, one sister remains in the mother country, while three crossed the Atlantic and found homes in America.

Mrs. Sieben remained in Germany until her twenty-sixth year, when she bade fare- well to friends and relatives and set sail for the land of stars and stripes. Leaving Bremen, Germany, November 18, 1871, it was not until eighteen days later that New York was sighted, their voyage having been a wild and stormy one, heavy winds forcing them back and out of their course. Two months were spent in New York City with a sister who had preceded her, when she took cars for the west and was soon steam- ing away towards Chicago. Her first view. of that city was the smoke which still rose from the ruins of the great fire that had !

but just finished its terrible devastation. The following year ( 1872) she was united in marriage with Michael Sieben, who was then working in Chicago.

Michael Sieben was also a native of Hesse and was born in 1842. His father was a man of means, but like all thrifty Ger- mans he taught his son a good trade and gave him a good education. At the age of twenty Michael determined to come to this county and carve for himself a fortune. Leaving home with but enough money to pay his passage across, he landed in New ! York ready to begin at the very beginning and win his way to the top. Rolls being necessary with which to work, he borrowed twenty-five dollars for their purchase. Be- ing thrifty and industrious, he was not long idle and was soon busy at piece work. In the meantime he lost no opportunity in ac- quainting himself with the new language and in time became a fluent linguist. As he was a skilled workman his services were soon in demand and he was employed to do the fine work on passenger coaches. Ten years had passed when he was married to Miss Solems and one year later, in 1873, they came to Upland, where he had extensive lumber interests. He owned a saw-mill and purchased lumber in large quantities, giv- ing employment to a large number of men. He was a popular man among his employes and his genial manner and generous heart soon endeared him to the entire community. He was never tired of performing deeds of quiet charity, when the right hand knew not what the left hand gave, and his dis- interested public spirit was the promoter of many schemes that tended to the upbuilding of this vicinity. Probably no man has done

666

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS.

more for the commonwealth than Mr. Sie- ben. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word and many a poor man whose large family made steady work a necessity has had reason to bless the benevolent and kind- hearted employer, whose sympathy was of the most substantial kind. He was a Repub- lican and might have had any office in the gift of the people, but his time was devoted to his business and the emoluments of office did not appeal to him. He purchased two hundred and seventy-two acres of land in Jefferson and Monroe townships, which is the present home of our subject. The beauti- ful residence, surrounded by substantial out- buildings and other improvements in keep- ing, is an ideal home, and it appears almost increditable that it was once a swamp cov- ered with a heavy growth of forest and brush, yet such was the case and the magic hands that converted it into its present lovli- ness were Mr. and Mrs. Sieben's. Timber and brush was cleared off, low lands drained and tiled, the once waste land is reclaimed and to-day is one of the most valuable farms in the county. While they were improving this property they contributed liberally to the erection of several churches.

Upright and honorable in every transac- tion, Mr. Sieben was honored and respected by all who knew him, and his death, which occurred November 7, 1897, was felt to be a public loss. He was laid to rest in Jeffer- son cemetery in the most beautiful and costly casket ever placed in that silent city of the dead. Mrs. Sieben has lived in this neighborhood for twenty-seven years and occupies an enviable place in the regard of her neighbors. Her industrious and me- thodical habits have caused her to be re- garded as a model housewife and her advice

in these matters have been much sought. Kind and pleasant, she has a cheery word for each, and her bright, hearty manner is contagious.

FRANK O. HOPPENRATH.

The subject of this review was a native of Bavaria, Germany, where he was born May 19, 1847. Like most of the thrifty Germans, he received a good common- school education in his native language, and at the age of eighteen he accompanied his parents to America. After living for a short time in several places the family settled in Madison county, Indiana, where they en- gaged in general farming. The parents were William and Mary Hoppenrath-both na- tives of Germany. Frank O. remained at the parental home until his marriage in 1870, when he engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account. Mr. Hoppenrath was twice married, his first wife having been Miss Eveline Fausett, who died in 1884, leaving four children, viz. : William, Charles, Otis and Catherine.

On the 8th of December, 1889. he was united in marriage with Miss Ella Langley, who survives him. For full history of her family see the sketch of her father. Isaac Langley, in this volume. By this union Mr. and Mrs. Hoppenrath had one daughter, Miss Gretna Pearl, who was born January 17. 1892.

Frank O. Hoppenrath was a most highly esteemed and well-known citizen. His crowning virtue and most distinguishing feature was his unwavering honesty and business integrity. He was industrious and frugal, relying upon the work of his hands

667

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS.

rather than any speculative disposition, and in this way he accumulated a fair competence. Mr. Hoppenrath was prominently identified with the I. O. O. F., being a member of the lodge at Elwood, in which he was popular as an officer and a worthy and hard-work- ing member. After his death Mrs. Hop- penrath moved to Swayzee, where she now lives. She is a most exemplary lady who holds in high regard the memory of her de- ceased husband. Their lives were congenial and happy, and she feels her loneliness more than words can express. She owns seventy- eight acres of land in Madison county, In- diana, and a residence property in Swayzee. In religion she is a member of the Christian church, and is a highly respected member of the community in which she lives.

PERRY ZIRKLE.

Perry Zirkle,a prominent business man of Swayzee, Grant county, Indiana, was born in Clark county, Ohio, on the IIth of April, 1854. When a child of six years he accompanied his parents to Sims township, Grant county, Indiana, and has lived here since. He is a son of Willis and Amanda Zirkle, who came to this county in 1858 and here the father died in February, 1881, and the mother is now the wife of Frederick Strausburg.

Our subject received a good common- school education and began life's duties on his own account as a farmer and stock- raiser. 'This vocation he followed success- fully until 1887, when he rented his farm and removed to Swayzee, where he embarked in the livery business, with which he has

been identified to the present time. In March, 1900, Mr. Zirkle sold his farm and has since established another flourishing livery business at Matthews, Indiana. But notwithstanding these extensive businesses, Mr. Zirkle has been identified with other business affairs in the town of Swayzee. He purchased stock in the Continental Bot- tle Company, of which concern he was elected trustee and secretary holding these positions at present. Mr. Zirkle has been successful financially, and owns some valuable property in Swayzee, besides having a comfortable bank account and other productive securities.

On the 14th of February, 1874, Perry Zirkle was married, choosing for his life companion Miss Martha J. Paulus, daughter of William and Ellen (Creviston) Paulus. Mrs. Zirkle is a lady of high social standing and praiseworthy accomplishments. Mr. and Mrs. Zirkle have three children, of whom Lora is the eldest, born September 10, 1875. Tressie was born September 25, 1877. She is the happy wife of Edward Edwards; they have one little son, Harold DeCamp, born in April, 1898. William Victor, the only son and youngest of the three, was born February 23, 1879. He is associated in business with his father and has charge of their livery business at Matthews.

Mr. Zirkle has been prominently identi- fied with the public affairs of his town and township, and has served as trustee and treasurer of the school board for several years. He was one of the charter members of Swayzee Lodge, No. 625, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which was organized July 19, 1896.

The Zirkle family is traceable to German ancestors, established in America prior to the Revolutionary war, in which they were

668

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS.

identified as soldiers, as they were, also, in the war of 1812 and in the great Civil war. Tradition has it that three brothers came to America and located in the Shenandoah val- ley, in Virginia. For purposes of identifica- tion these were locally designated as "Big," "Little" and "Black" Zirkle-titles which, though lacking in euphony, no doubt served the purpose .for which used.

The paternal grandfather of Perry Zirkle, Michael Zirkle, came to Ohio in 1820, thence to Sims township, Grant county, Indiana, when Perry was six years old. Here he ended his days.

Perry Zirkle is a gentleman of high so- cial and financial standing in the community where his life has thus far been spent. He sustains an enviable reputation as an up- right, honorable and trustworthy citizen, and in the years to come this sketch will be treasured by his posterity as a sacred heir- loom in the family archives.

JOHN THOMAS FRIERMOOD.

John Thomas Friermood resides on his farm one-half mile south of the village of Swayzee, in Grant county, Indiana, and is the type of man to whom the citizens proudly point as one of the most enterprising and substantial farmers. He was born in Sims township this county, May 11, 1853, and his life from that time has been an open book. His parents were Jacob an | Eliza- beth ( Baker) Friermood, both of German extraction. The paternal great-great-grand- father came from Germany and located in the state of Virginia, but whether he after- ward made his home in Kentucky is not

'known; yet he was united in marriage to one of the belles of Kentucky-Miss Patty Hill-whose fair complexion, jet black hair and bright blue eyes won his admiration and love. The family finally migrated to Ohio, where he settled in Clark county, and one of the sons, John, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was located in a block house at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he served throughout the war. Another soldier who was stationed in the same block house and fought in company with him was John Baker, the maternal grandfather of John T. Friermood, a man who knew no fear and whose jovial disposition helped to while away many an hour in dreary camp life. One of the diversions of which he was fond was to capture Indians and make them dance and jump for the amusement of the soldiers. In 1851 the parents of Mr. Friermood came to Grant county and settled in Sims town- ship at a time when this settlement was comparatively new. Here the mother passed away. The father returned to Clark coun- ty, Ohio, where he met his death.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Biographical memoirs of Grant County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography with portraits of many national characters and well-known residents of Grant County, Indiana., Part 85

Author: Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago: Bowen Number of Pages: 1000

Author:
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago: Bowen
Number of Pages: 1000