USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 2 > Part 36
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eleven children were born. Arthur was born March 15. 1829. in Shelby county, just south of Middletown.
The farm now owned by Mr. Trees has quite an ancestral history, having descended from father to son for several generations. The original owner was Josiah Williams. Mrs. Trees' great-grandfather, who transferred it to Mr. Johnson, then to Mathias Floyd, her grandfather, and from him to his son. Arthur W., and finally to Alonzo N. Trees and wife. Here their first son. Forest E .. was born and still lives. Floyd, the second son, is now in the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music. Forest was graduated in the Shelby- ville high school, and is now a successful farmer. He married Ethel Mitten- dorf June 10. 1908, and they are the parents of a son born on the old home- stead May 15. 1909. Mrs. Trees was educated in the common schools of the county, and at the St. Paul and Shelbyville high schools. The family are members of the Christian church, of which Mr. Trees has been deacon and Mrs. Trees treasurer of the Mission Society for two years. Mr. Trees is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen at Shelbyville. while his wife belongs to the Royal Neighbors. Mr. Trees took an active part in the erection of the new church, and has long been regarded as one of its pillars. For fourteen years Mrs. Trees was organist at the Floyd church. and also acted as janitress during that time. There is no better family con- nection in Shelby county than that of the Treeses, who have filled worthily all the places to which they have been called and enjoy the reputation of being good citizens. Mostly farmers, they have done their full share in building up the agricultural reputation of "Old Shelby."
E. L. FRAZIER.
E. L. Frazier was born in Kentucky, and. after obtaining a common school education, entered in 1865 the Bible College, of Kentucky University. where he fitted himself for the Christian ministry. He entered actively upon the duties of his sacred office and within a comparatively brief period acquired a wide reputation as an able and eloquent preacher and successful evangelist. He has ministered to some of the largest and most influential congregations of the church which he represents, and his labors have taken a wide range. including prominent cities of several states, among which are the following : Champaign and Mattoon. Illinois: Kokomo. Franklin, Irvington, Marion and Morristown, Indiana: Dayton and Ashtabula. Ohio: Erie. Pennsylvania. and various other points. besides conducting large and successful meetings as an evangelist. He was instrumental in organizing churches and adding largely to their membership. erected a number of temples of worship, and in the course
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of years became one of the best known preachers of the large and growing brotherhood with which he is identified. \n able and scholarly divine, he is known today wherever the current reformation has gained a foothold, and. though well advanced in age, he bids tair to continue in his public work for many years to come.
Rev. E. L. Frazier now makes his home in Morristown, having been a resident here since 1907. To him belongs the unique distinction of being the original Prohibitionist of Indiana, having made out in 1872 a ticket based upon the principles of Prohibition and voted the same. This was not only the first vote of the kind ever cast in the state, but the only one of the kind in the year indicated. Since then he has been a strenuous foe of the saloon, and in nearly every succeeding campaign his voice has been heard in no uncertain sound as he eloquently portrayed the terrible evils of the liquor traffic and the ultimate happy condition of society and state, when the curse is forever driven from the land.
Rev. E. L. Frazier married Jennie Miller, and is the father of the follow- ing children : Bertha, wife of Walter Howe, of Indianapolis; Otis O., of this sketch : Bess B., now Mrs. Roy A. Potts, of Indianapolis.
S. F. Miller, father of Mrs. Frazier, lives at Arcola, Illinois, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-four years, and for one so old retains to a marked degree his physical and mental powers.
Rev. E. L. Frazier has a beautiful home of six acres in the suburbs of Morristown, where he raises chickens, cows and other live stock, and an abun- dance of fruit and vegetables, being well situated to enjoy his many materia! blessings. Although seventy years old he preaches every Lord's day and men- tally and physically appears as strong and vigorous as in the days of his prime.
HON. ADAM F. MAY.
Prominent among the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Shelby county is the widely known and deservedly popular citizen whose career is set forth in the following lines. Hon. Adam F. May, of Washington township, is a native of Indiana and a representative of one of the old and highly respected fami- lies of Bartholomew county, where his maternal grandparents settled in a very early day, his paternal ancestors moving in a little later on. George W. May. grandfather of the subject, was a Virginian by birth, but many years ago moved to Pennsylvania and later to Warren county, Ohio, thence in 1836 to Bartholomew county. Indiana, located about six miles east of Columbus, in Clay township, where he purchased land and became a successful farmer.
His son, George W., Jr., settled in Bartholomew county three years pre-
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vious to the above date, and in due time met and married Miss Susanna Mc- Fall, whose father. William MeFall, came to America from Scotland in a very early day, later moving to Bartholomew county, Indiana, locating on the south bank of Clifty creek, when the site now occupied by the flourishing city of Columbus was covered with a dense forest. After residing a number of years in this state he migrated to Iowa, where his death subsequently occurred.
George W. and Susanna May reared a family of eleven children, all of whom grew to maturity, the following still living. viz : William J., and Mrs. Julany Vickery, of Columbus: Anna, wife of Charles Spaugh, who resides at Hartsville: Eva married Goodson MeCalip and lives near the town of llope, and Adam F., whose name introduces this sketch.
Adam F. May was born May 29, 1861, spent his early life on a farm in Bartholomew county, receiving his education discipline in the public schools and in the State Normal at Terre Haute. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and has devoted his life to that honorable calling, owning at this time a fine farm of one hundred and twenty-three acres in Washington township. Shelby county, and enjoying worthy prestige as an enterprising and successful farmer and tiller of the soil. He became a resident of Shelby county in 1886. since which time his life and interests have been closely identified with the township in which he now resides, and in all that makes for the material prosperity and general welfare of the community his name and influence have ever been foremost. In connection with agriculture, he has achieved a wide reputation in the matter of fine live stock, giving especial attention to high grade Poland China hogs, in the breeding and raising of which he has not only been remarkably successful, but is considered an authority in his own and other counties. For a number of years Mr. May has been actively inter- ested in agriculture and all means for promoting the same, and has been in- fluential in inducing the farmers of his township to improve their breeds of live stock. He was a leading spirit in promoting the interests of the Shelby County Joint Stock Agricultural .Association, which he served for some time as a director, later was elected vice-president, and in February, 1909. was made president, in which capacity he has already formulated plans for bring- ing the enterprise to a higher standard of efficiency than has characterized it heretofore. His familiarity with swine is so thorough that at all shows and exhibits of hogs at county and state fairs he is invariably chosen judge. and such is the confidence reposed in his knowledge and impartiality that his decisions have been accepted without dissent, being free from prejudice and eminently just to all concerned.
Mr. May, on June 26, 1883, was united in marriage with Mary E. Glick. of Bartholomew county, who died after a brief but mutually happy wedded experience of six months and six days. Later, October 28, 1885, he con- tracted a matrimonial alliance with Lillie Sidener, of Hope, Indiana, who was
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born July 12, 1867, in Bartholomew county, and educated in the public schools of the same. Mrs. May is the daughter of J. D. and M. J. Sidener, her father having been born in Kentucky in 1817. moving to Indiana and settling on a farm near Hope at the age of ten years. Mrs. May's mother was born and reared in Bartholomew county. Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Sidener spent their lives on a farm and were very successful. Mr. Sidener owning at the time of his death several fine farms near Hope, Indiana.
Four children have resulted from Mr. May's second marriage, viz : Maude A., born May 13. 1886: Fausta I, born .August 15. 1887: Edna I .. July 15. 1891, and Allen F .. who was born June 18. 1896. the oldest being deceased. The daughters living are well educated. the two older being grad- uates of the high school and young ladies of much more than average intelli- gence and culture: Edna finished the common school course at the early age of twelve years, and in i9cg was graduated from the high school of Hope.
Mr. May is a Democrat of the old Jeffersonian school, and has long been influential in local and state politics, having represented Shelby county in the General Assembly from 1899 to 1903. inclusive, and carned an honorable rec- ord as an able and conscientious legislator, as well as the distinction of being the only person in Shelby county who served two successive terms. He is a mem- ber of Byron Lodge, No. 108, Knights of Pythias, at Hope, Indiana. in which he holds the title of past chancellor. besides representing it in the Grand Lodge at different times. He also belongs to the Masonic lodge at Norristown, Indiana, known as Farmers' Lodge. No. 147.
JOSEPH 11. SNEPP.
Among the large number from the Buckeye state who have come to Shelby county, Indiana, and materially aided in the development of the same through the investment of capital and indomitable energy applied to the natural resources found here is the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this biographical review, as was his father before. John and Catherine ( Neible ) Snepp. parents of Joseph H., were born in Ohio, grew to maturity and married in that state. and in March, 1845. migrated to Jackson township. Shelby county. Indiana, where they located in the neighborhood where Joseph H. now resides. They purchased one hundred and sixty acres, which was added to through the thrift and economy of those sterling pioneers until they had a very valuable farm of two hundred and five acres. John Snepp also managed very successfully an extensive nursery for a period of thirty years. He nule money rapidly. He was born August 5. 1812, and his wife on April 10, 1815. The date of their marriage was January 31. 1833. The former's death oc-
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
curred July 7. 1881, and that of the latter January 3. 1875. John Soopp was a strong Democrat and he and his wife were church members. To them the following children were born : Elizabeth. December 23. 1833: William. Octo- ber 21. 1835 : Mariah, July 16, 1837 : Sarah .A., July 19. 1838; Joseph \ .. April 23. 1841: David J., May 20, 1842. These children were all born in Ohio. Mary J. born May 5, 1847. in Shelby county. Indiana. Of these children Joseph H. and William are living.
Joseph 1. Snepp's birthplace was Montgomery county, Ohio, on the date mentioned above, and was brought to Shelby county by his parents when about four years old. It was here he was reared, attended the common schools and received a fairly good education.
Mr. Snepp was married on December 30, 1862, to Mrs. Elizabeth ( Mul- lendore) Legate, widow of John Legate, and daughter of Jacob Mullendore. and a sister of David and George Mullendore. She was educated in the com- mon schools. To this union four children were born. namely : Loren W .. November 28, 1863; Luetta M .. January 7. 1867: 1. C., February 18, 1870; John W .. April 12, 1880. Loren W. and I. C. are graduates of the Edinburg high school. Lnetta M. married Charles Billingsley, of Shelbyville. Indiana. Mrs. Snepp was married to John Legate November 7. 1854. his death occur- ring May 4. 1857. To this union two children were born, Ivory H .. August 21. 1855, and Laura Alice, October 9. 1857. The latter became the wife of David R. Webb.
Mr. Snepp is the owner of an excellent farm of eighty-eight acres in section 31. Jackson township, which is under a high state of cultivation, and on it stand modern and substantial buildings with attractive surroundings. In politics Mr. Snepp is a Democrat, and he and his family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. This family bears an excellent reputation in this community.
PHILO MUTZ.
This well known farmer and substantial citizen of Shelby county was born on the farm where he now lives in Jackson township. May 17. 1861. the son of Jacob and Mariah ( Snepp) Mutz, the former a native of Berks comy. Pennsylvania, who came to Shelby county. Indiana, when a young man and married here. He was a blacksmith by trade and was regarded as a very skilled workman, a large hearted and kindly disposed man. His wife fell heir to some land. To them ten children were born, six of whom are living at this writing, namely : Charles. Oscar, Philo, Catherine, Etoile and Emma.
Philo Mutz was reared on a farm and he grew to manhood under condi- tions conducive to health. both of body and mind. He worked on the farm
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CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
during the summer months and attended the district schools during the winter He attended Purdue University at Lafayette, Indiana, for one year.
Mr. Mutz was married to Mary E. Reed, who was born in Bartholomew county, this state, September 29. 1801, the daughter of Leven C. and Mahala (Smock ) Reed. She was reared on a farm and received a common school education. To this union the following children were born: Orville J., born in February, 1886, died October 2. 1907; he was a young man of unusual promise, and was a junior in Purdue University when he died. Millie .1. was born October 7, 1887 ; she is a graduate of the Edinburg high school, and in 1909 is a junior in Franklin College. Carl S .. born December 21, 1889, is a student in the Edinburg high school. These children are being given every opportunity by their parents, who are believers in education and wholesome home environment, and all of the children have bright futures before them.
Mr. Mutz is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and fifty-two acres in section 32, Jackson township. It is under a high state of improvement and reflects much credit upon the owner, who is an excellent manager and a hard worker. He carries on a general farming and stock raising business, always having about him some stock of fine variety and quality. He also devotes con- siderable attention to the growing of melons. His home is a beautiful and modern one. nicely furnished. All of Mr. Mutz's family are members of the German Evangelical Lutheran church, Mr. Muiz having been deacon of the same for a period of eight years. Mrs. Mutz is an active worker in the church, being assistant leader of the King's Messengers of the church. Mr. Mutz is a member of the Edinburg Masonic Lodge, No. 100. In politics he is a Democrat and an active member of the County Central Committee, also a member of the Township Advisory Board. He is regarded as one of the leading citizens of Jackson township.
FREDERICH FEITIG.
Among the well known and highly respected citizens of Liberty township. Shelby county. is Frederich Feitig, now spending the evening of his very active life in honorable retirement, enjoying a well earned respite, surrounded by many of the evidences of his years of industry. His birth occurred in Bavaria, Germany, July 13, 1845. the son of Nicholas and Margaret ( Feitig ) Feitig. Although of the same name, they were not related. They were both natives of Bavaria. where the father carried on farming on an extensive scale, being especially interested in large vineyards in the Rhine river country. He was the oldest son in a family of ten children, and he lived and died in Ger- many, his death occurring at the age of seventy-two years. His wife also spent her life in the Fatherland. dying at the age of seventy-three years.
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Frederich Feitig was reared in his native country, where he received a liberal education. He was the oldest son in a family of five children, four sons and one daughter. Frederich assisted with the work on the home farm until he was twenty-one years old, when he left Bavaria for America in order to escape military service. He was fourteen days in making the trip from llam- burg to New York, landing in the latter city on July 21. 1866, at the time of the cholera epidemic here. There were three hundred and forty-five young men on the steamer. all leaving Germany on account of the compulsory mili- tary service. Frederich remained in New York for a period of six months. working in a powder and shot factory. In the meantime his father bought his son's release from military service and desired that he should return home, but Frederich desired to see more of America before returning to his own country. This resulted in his remaining here permanently. Penetrating into the in- terior, he came to Cincinnati, Ohio. where he secured employment with a plow manufacturing concern, with which he remained for several years. Being of frugal habits he saved his carnings and in time became a partner in the firm. which was known as the Raymond. Hilsinger & Feitig Plow Manufacturing Company, the outgrowth of one of the pioneer concerns, established by Mr. Raymond in 1837. This business developed to large proportions and was very successful in a financial way, the products of the plant becoming known all over the country. Mr. Feitig remained part owner of the same for a period of twenty-seven years, during which time he accumulated a competency, dis- posing of his interest in 1887. since which time he has lived practically retired from active business. He acquired valuable property interests in Cincinnati. which he still holds, including real estate and buildings. He has since his re- tirement looked after this property. In 1904 he bought land in Shelby county. on which he built a fine modern residence adjoining Waldron. It is hand- somely furnished and located in the midst of attractive surroundings ; in fact. it is one of the finest homes in the county, and a place where hospitality and good cheer ever prevail, consequently the many friends of this family delight to gather here from time to time.
Mr. Feitig was first married in 1884 to Margaret ( Friday ) Hilsinger, widow of Jacob Hilsinger. of Cincinnati, and daughter of Valentine and Eliz- abeth (Metzer) Friday, natives of Germany. His first wife passed away in 1894. Mr. Feitig was married a second time, which union was blessed with the birth of one child, which died in infancy. the mother also passing away in !898. The subject's third marriage was to Rose Schoenebaum, a native of Cincinnati, the daughter of John Henry and Elizabeth ( Weismiller) Schoene- baum, natives of Hanover, Germany, who came to the United States in 1852 in a sailing vessel. the voyage requiring eighteen wecks. They located in Cin- cinnati, where they were married in 1854. Several families who came over with them also located in Cincinnati. Mr. Schoenebaum secured employment
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in a large commission house, he being then a young man. His promotion was rapid and he in time became manager of the same, which position he retained for a period of thirty-eight years. He and his wife have lived retired for a number of years, still making their home in Cincinnati.
Mr. and Mrs. Frederich Feitig are members of the German Evangelical church in Cincinnati, the former having been active in the same for seventeen years, having been elder prior to his removal to Shelby county. Since retiring from active business Mr. Feitig has taken a great deal of interest in charitable work in Cincinnati, having given liberally of both his time and money to fur- ther this laudable undertaking, but it has always been done in an unostenta- tious manner. Mr. Feitig being prompted solely by humanitarian principles, rather than by any desire at public display. He was chairman of the board of the Children's and Orphans' Home, being a charter member of the association which established the home, and he was also a member of the building commit- tec, and the pronounced success of this great institution is due in no small measure to his efforts.
Mr. Feitig in his fraternal relations belongs to Helsinmann Lodge. No. 208, Masonic Order. Cincinnati. He is also a member of Germania Lodge. No. 113. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been officially connected with both, and a charter member of the latter. Although a staunch Repub- lican, he has never aspired to positions of public trust in a political way : how- ever he takes an interest in both local and national affairs. He is a man who deserves a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished. having achieved his success unaided. When he landed on our shores he could not speak a word of English, and had no knowledge of any special line of business, but he went to work with a will, and the energy and foresight which he exercised brought substantial rewards in due course of time. Personally he and his wife are pleasant people to know.
ALBERT C. MILLER.
Among the native born citizens of Hanover township. Shelby county. Indiana, who have profited by remaining in their own communities. Albert C. Miller should receive specific mention here, for his life has been a very busy one and led in such a manner as to gain the respect and friendship of all with whom he has come in contact. He was born June 7, 1859. the son of Peter and Minerva J. ( Colclazier ) Miller. Peter Miller, the son of John Miller. was a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Indiana about 1834. After re- maining here a short time he removed to Illinois, in which state he remained only a short time, when he moved back to Indiana, settling in Van Buren township. Shelby county. Later he moved to Hanover township, where he
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spent the remainder of his life. He was a hard worker and became a pros perous farmer, owning a fine farm of two hundred acres at the time of his death, February 17. 1893. He was a poor man when he was married, but by economy and good management he laid up a valuable estate.
To Mr. and Mrs. Peter Miller thirteen children were born, six of whom are living at this writing, namely : Louis F., Emanuel W., Eunice A., Mary E .. A. C. and Eliza J.
Albert C. Miller was educated in the common schools, where he so ap plied himself as to gain a fairly good education, working in the meantime on the home place, remaining under the parental roof until he was twenty-five. years old, when he rented a farm and married, on October 16, 1884. Prudence Cooper, who was born March 2. 1865. the daughter of William H. and Mary (Coller) Cooper. She is a descendant of sturdy Scotch ancestry, her grand- father. Richard Cooper, having been a native of Scotland. His wife was Mary Frazier, a native of England, both having emigrated to America with their parents, locating in Pennsylvania, in which state Richard Cooper and Mary Frazier were married. William II. Cooper, father of Mrs. Miller, was born in Pennsylvania. December 1. 1821, and he died November 23. 1901. Mary Cobler was born in 1836, and she passed to her rest June 16, 1901. They were married March 31, 1859. They came from Pennsylvania and located in Shelby county, Indiana. Four children were born to them, namely : Ephraim, born in 1860, lives in Illinois : James R., born in 1861, lives in Kan- sas; Prudence, wife of our subject : Frank lives in Indianapolis. He was born in 1870. Mrs. Miller was reared on the farm and received a good common school education.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Albert C. Miller, namely : Flossie L., born December 17, 1885, graduated from the common school and spent one year in the high school and one year in school in Danville, Indiana ; Laura I., born April 8, 1887. received the same amount of schooling as Flossie, and studied some music: Guy, who was born July 1, 1889, graduated from the Morristown high school: Otis R., who was born January 24. 1892, at- tended the Morristown high school.
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