History of Dearborn County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 104

Author: Archibald Shaw
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1123

USA > Indiana > Dearborn County > History of Dearborn County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 104

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To Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Seifert were born the following children : John. Joseph. William. Peter. Benjamin. Stephen. Fronecke and Henry.

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William Seifert was married to Rosa Hiltz, and is now living in Kelso town- ship, where he is doing general farming; with the exception of the subject of this sketch, the others are all living at home.

Joseph Seifert was married to Elizabeth Nead, daughter of Patrick and Mary (Kelly) Nead, natives of Dearborn county. Mrs. Seifert was born on March 29, 1870, in Logan township. They have had five children, William, Robert, Loretta, Genevive and one who died in infancy.

The course which Mr. Seifert has always followed through life is highly commendable, and entitles him to the position which he now occupies in the estimation of his friends.

COL. JOHN JEREMIAH BACKMAN.

Colonel John Jeremiah Backman, who enjoys a prominent position in the commercial and business life of Aurora and Dearborn county, Indiana, is a native of Dearborn county, born at Aurora, September 13, 1864. His par- ents, John Jeremiah and Caroline (Sutton) Backman, were natives of Han- over, Pennsylvania, and of Indiana, respectively. The former was born on May 15, 1814, and died at Aurora, Indiana, January 12, 1874. The latter was born near New Trenton, Indiana, May 16, 1825, and died on August 27, 1882, at Aurora.

Colonel Backman's paternal grandparents were both natives of Germany, who came to America early in 1800 and located at Hanover, Pennsylvania. His maternal grandparents were George and Elizabeth (Ives) Sutton. the former of whom was born in England in March, 1787, and the latter was born at Camberwell, England, in 1788. In 1819 they came to America and, after spending a short time at Cincinnati, Ohio, moved to a farm in the Whitewater valley near New Trenton, Indiana. George Sutton died at Stamford, Canada, December 10, 1850, and his wife near New Tren- ton, Indiana. September 20, 1827. They were the parents of five children. George, Mrs. Elizabeth Beresford, Mrs. Charlotte Murdock, Mrs. Ann Gib- bons and Mrs. Caroline Backman.

Colonel Backman is one of four children born to his parents, the others being, Mrs. Lillian I. Lamar, of Brooklyn, New York; George S., deceased. and Mrs. Caroline C. Downey, of Atlanta, Georgia.

Born and reared in Aurora, Indiana. Colonel Backman was educated in the common schools of Aurora and in the Aurora high school, graduating from the latter institution in 1883. Two years later he was graduated from

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the Military Academy at Peekskill, New York, and in 1886, from the East- man Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York.

Upon finishing his education, he returned to his old home at Aurora, Dearborn county, and engaged in business. He is now a stockholder, a director, the secretary-treasurer and general manager of the Aurora Coffin Company, to which he devotes a considerable portion of his time. He is also vice-president and a member of the board of managers of the Riverview Cemetery Association. Colonel Backman's prominence in the business life of Aurora and his ability as a merchant and business man has been recog- nized by his fellow townsmen in a substantial way. He has been honored with the presidency of the Aurora Commercial Club and now holds that position.

He is prominent in the organizations connected with his line of business, being president of the Indiana Commercial League, and a member of the executive committee of The Casket Manufacturers' Association of America.

After two years of military training at the Military Academy at Peeks- kill, New York, Colonel Backman applied his military knowledge in the organization of Company F, Fourth Infantry, Indiana National Guard, in 1890, and was commissioned a first lieutenant. After three years of service in the National Guard, he was elected and commissioned captain of this com- pany and saw active service with his command during the miners' strike at Clark's Switch. Indiana. He also served three years as captain, and on October 7, 1896, was commissioned a major in the Fourth Infantry, Indiana National Guard.

When the Spanish-American War broke out, he was commis- sioned a major in the volunteer army and was placed in command of the second battalion of the One Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. which was mustered in at the fair grounds at Indian- apolis. This regiment saw one year of service and, during a part of the time, Colonel Backman was in command of the regiment. During the Spanish- American War, the regiment was stationed successively at Camp George H. Thomas, Chickamauga Park. Georgia; Camp Grant, Newport News. Vir- ginia : Camp Miles, Lexington, Kentucky; Camp Hamilton. Lexington, Ken- tucky ; Camp Conrad. Columbus. Georgia; and at Charleston, South Caro- lina, en route to Cuba. Still later the regiment was stationed at the military camp, District of Matanzas, Cuba, and, on April 25, 1899, was mustered out of service at Savannah, Georgia.

The One Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. was one of the best volunteer regiments in the Spanish-American War. Dur-

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ing a great deal of time it was in service it was stationed and brigaded with troops of the regular army. This regiment enjoyed the reputation of being one which could be relied upon, and Colonel Backman has letters of commen- dation from every officer under whom he served during this war.

Upon the reorganization of the Indiana National Guard, after the Span- ish-American War, he was commissioned senior major of the Second Infantry. This position he held until November 29, 1905, when he was com- missioned . lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. In 1913, on account of his growing business and other duties, he tendered his resignation, and in orders issued by the adjutant-general of Indiana, was honorably discharged, placed on the retired list, and highly complimented for his twenty-three years of faithful and efficient services to his country and his state.

In 1894 Colonel Backman was elected city clerk of Aurora, Indiana, and four years later was re-elected to the same position. Altogether he served as city clerk of Aurora for a period of eight years.

On March 28, 1894, Col. John J. Backman was married to Lucie Emma Duchemin, who was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, April 24, 1865. Mrs. Back- man's father, William R. Duchemin, was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, August 13, 1837, and her mother, Mrs. Emma (Lambe) Duchemin, who is now liv- ing, was born in London, England, on May 1, 1838. Mrs. Backman's par- ents were married at Cincinnati, and after living there for seven years moved to Aurora, Indiana, where Mr. Duchemin died on April 19, 1884. Their chil- dren were Mrs. Mary Alice Sutton, Harry Alfred, Mrs. Lucie Emma Back- man, Francis Julian, and Elizabeth Margaret. Harry Alfred died in infancy and Francis Julian died at the age of fourteen years.

Mrs. Backman's paternal grandparents were Peter and Lucie (Davis) Duchemin, the former of whom was born on the Island of Jersey, English Channel, November 23, 1808, and the latter was a native of Ohio. They lived at Cincinnati, Ohio, where the two children, John W. and William R., were born. Mrs. Lucie (Davis) Duchemin died in Cincinnati, Ohio, when her children were still small. After the marriage of his son, William R., Peter Duchemin made his home with his son at Aurora, Indiana, and died there on April 24, 1880. Mrs. Backman's maternal grandparents were Jere- miah and Hannah (Turner) Lambe, the former of whom was born at Wick- ham, Buckinghamshire, England, January 21, 1800, and the latter was born at Derby, Derbyshire, England, in 1809. They were the parents of a large family, seven of whom lived to maturity, and three of whom are still living.

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Jeremiah Lambe died in Newport, Kentucky, January 21, 1876, and his wife at the same place in May, 1894.

Three children have been born to Colonel and Mrs. Backman, all of whom are single : John Jeremiah, Jr., born on April 23, 1895, was graduated from the Aurora high school and is now a member of the junior class at Yale University; Brunhilda, born September 16, 1898, is a member of the senior class of the Aurora high school, and William Duchemin, born February 21, 1902, is now a student in the Aurora public schools.

Colonel Backman has long been prominent in the Masonic circles of this state. He is a member of Aurora Lodge No. 51, Free and Accepted Masons; of Aurora Chapter No. 13, Royal Arch Masons, and of Aurora Commandery No. 17, Knights Templar. He is also a member of the Indiana Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, and of Murat Tem- ple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Among other organizations of which Col- onel Backman is a member may be mentioned the Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States, and the Dearborn and Country Clubs, of Aurora, Indiana.

ALBERT H. DIETRICH.

Albert H. Dietrich, the present township trustee at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, is descended from German stock on both his father's and his mother's side of the family. Educated as a pharmacist, Mr. Dietrich, after following this profession for many years, became connected with the Lawrenceburg postoffice, and was in charge of the mailing division for many years, until his election as township trustee, an office which he now holds, and which he is filling with exceptional credit to himself and to the people who elected him. He is a veteran of the Spanish-American War, having served in the field hos- pital, and having performed valuable service in behalf of his country during this war. A resident of Lawrenceburg and Dearborn county practically all his life, he is well known here as a young man of sincere purpose and indomit- able energy, wholly worthy of being honored with any trust which the people may see fit to bestow upon him.

Born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, March 11, 1876, Albert H. Dietrich is the son of August and Louisa (Haspel) Dietrich, both of whom were natives of Germany, and who were the parents of the following children, all of whom except Arthur, who lives in Indianapolis, live in Dearborn county. Of these children, Matilda married H. M. Poehlman, of Lawrenceburg. Albert H.,

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George and August all live in Lawrenceburg, and Carl, the twin brother of August, died in infancy. August Dietrich, after having been reared in Ger- many, came to America when a young man and located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where he worked in a furniture factory for some time. He has been dead for many years. His wife, the mother of Albert H. Dietrich, still lives in Lawrenceburg. She is a member of the St. Immanuel's Lutheran church, as was her husband during his lifetime.

Mr. Dietrich's paternal grandparents never came to this country, having lived and died in their native land. The maternal grandfather, Henry Has- pel, who was one of the early settlers in Lawrenceburg, and a gardener by occupation, lived here most of his life. He and his wife died at ripe old ages, after having reared four children, William, Louisa, Minnie and another.

Albert H. Dietrich's early education was obtained in the public schools of Lawrenceburg in Dearborn county. About the time he was finishing the course in the common schools he started to take up pharmacy as a profes- sion. Entering the College of Pharmacy, of Cincinnati, Ohio, he was grad- uated with the class of 1893. In the meantime, however, he had been a clerk in the store of C. A. Harrison, at Lawrenceburg, from the time he was fifteen years old until the time of his graduation. He continued with Mr. Harrison some two years after his graduation, at which time the Spanish- American War broke out, and Mr. Dietrich enlisted for the service in connec- tion with the field hospital of the regular army, and served under Lieutenant Darnell. From the time the Spanish-American War ended until about 1907 Mr. Dietrich was engaged in the drug business, first as an employee of Chester Miller in a drug store at Lawrenceburg, where he served for several years. Purchasing a drug store in Newton, Mr. Dietrich operated this for several years, and then sold it to L. Lommel, and worked as an employee for him for several years.

About 1907 Mr. Dietrich took a place in the Lawrenceburg postoffice, as a mailing clerk, and served continuously in this capacity until August 31, 1914, when he was elected township trustee. Mr. Dietrich is now serving his first year in this office, but he has served long enough to prove to the people his capacity for the office to which he was elected. He is naturally interested in educational questions, and since the duties of the township trustee are largely in supervising certain public schools Mr. Dietrich was especially well qualified for the office of township trustee.

Albert H. Dietrich was married on August 11, 1897, to Cora Johnson, daughter of Andrew J. and Sarah J. (Cunningham) Johnson. Three chil- dren have been born to this union, Chester, Donald and Isabelle.

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Mrs. Dietrich, whose parents were born in Pennsboro, West Virginia, where she also was born, is one of seven children. The others are Benjamin, Charles, Arthur, Ida, Maude and Homer. Mrs. Dietrich's paternal grandpar- ents were natives of Virginia and died in that state.

Albert H. Dietrich is a member of Union Lodge No. 8, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Dearborn Lodge No. 49, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Dietrich is a stanch member of the Lutheran church, and Mrs. Dietrich is a member of the Baptist church. During his entire lifetime Mr. Dietrich has been an ardent and enthusiastic member of the Republican party, and in this section of the state has contributed much to the success of the party. Though a comparatively young man Mr. Dietrich has taken a prominent place in the political and civic life of Dearborn county. He is looked upon today as one of its leading citizens and one of the most influential residents of the county. It must be admitted that he well deserves the confidence of his fellow townsmen, and the confidence which the people of his township have reposed in him.

ROGER WILLIAM LOWE, SR.

Roger William Lowe, Sr., the subject of this short biographical sketch, is one of the well-known men in the vicinity of Lawrenceburg, Dearborn county, Indiana, being best known perhaps through his trade, that of a brick and stone mason. In addition to working at his trade, Mr. Lowe conducts farm- ing on his tract of eighty-two acres, lying just north of the fair grounds at Lawrenceburg, and being part of sections 1 and 2, in the land plat of Law- renceburg township, the residence being on Canal road.

Roger William Lowe was born on Stone street in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 15, 1858, a son of Lewis D. (commonly known as "Jacob") and Marga- ret M. (Davis) Lowe, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter from Ohio. There were in all five children in this family, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only one living, the others having died young. "Jacob" Lowe was raised on a farm where he remained until maturity, and shortly after starting out in life for himself, the Mexican War broke out and he enlisted in the cause, serving under "Jim" Leave. After the close of the war he became a "cub" pilot on boats plying the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and in due time became a licensed pilot on those waters, serving in this connection for the balance of his life. He became a resident of Lawrenceburg when he first took to the river life and considered this his home, although his death

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occurred in the South about 1900, when he was eighty-eight years old. His wife survived him three years, passing away at the age of eighty-one. They had a wide acquaintance in Lawrenceburg and vicinity, where they were known as most excellent people. She was a devout member of the Christian church and while he never united with any church society, he was a most enthusiastic member of the order of Free and Accepted Masons and lived his life in accordance with its tenets. In politics he was a Democrat.

"Jacob" Lowe was a son of James and Anna (Trinmary) Lowe, both natives of Virginia, the former of English parentage and the latter of Welsh descent. They were among the early settlers of Ripley county, and farmed for many years on Turkey creek. He died and was buried there when past middle age and after being widowed, Mrs. Lowe moved to Iowa where she had two married daughters living near Keokuk and there passed the remain- ing years of her life, dying when well along in years. There were seven children in their family, namely : George, William, Lewis D., Kate (wife of William Watson), Mrs. Abraham Persinger, Mrs. Stage and another.

Margaret M. (Davis) Lowe was early left an orphan. Her father passed from life when she was a very small child, not much more than an infant. The family at that time lived at New Haven, Ohio, and after the father's death the mother married a Mr. Rhoades, a shoemaker, and took her little daughter to Elizabethtown, Ohio, to live, and there the mother's death occurred when Margaret was eight years old. After the mother's death she was taken into the home of a Mrs. Elizabeth Mills, a most excel- lent woman (for whom the town of Elizabethtown was named) and on this account Mrs. Lowe was never able to learn very much of her mother's family history.

Roger William Lowe, the subject of this sketch, was raised in Lawrence- burg and vicinity, his early boyhood being spent in the country and his youth and young manhood in Lawrenceburg. He first attended the public schools in the country and after coming to Lawrenceburg in 1873, completed his studies here. His first employment was with the Lawrenceburg furniture factory, where he learned the art of finishing furniture and where he remained for about four and one-half years, and then for a few months worked on furniture machinery. He then began mason tending on the Big Four rail- road, and afterwards became a mason for the road and in the discharge of these duties and others in following his trade, he worked in not only va- rious portions of this state, but also Illinois, Tennessee and Kentucky ; after which he returned to Lawrenceburg and followed his trade up to 1910. At

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that time he took up his residence on the farm where he now makes his home, and in addition to his trade he manages the farm home.

This homestead consists of eighty-two acres and in addition to this Mr. Lowe also owns several residence properties in Lawrenceburg and Green- dale and also some vacant lots in Hamilton, Ohio. In conducting the work of his farm, Mr. Lowe takes pleasure in employing the latest appliances and was the man who introduced into this section the mould-board gang plow. This plow consists of a set of five plows, each weighing five hundred and sev- enty-five pounds and they plow six feet to the cut. This plow also has a harrow attached and does both the plowing and harrowing at one time and so rapid and thorough is it in its work, that a field of seventeen acres can be put in proper condition for planting in ten hours. This is a wonderful invention, a great improvement over the method employed for so many, years. Mr. Lowe takes great delight in the management of his farm home and is emi- nently entitled to all the benefits which have become his. Being of an opti- mistic temperament and possessed of industrious habits, Mr. Lowe has been able to see much of the brighter side of life and has accumulated a fair portion of this world's goods.

On the 28th of December, 1886, Roger William Lowe was united in marriage with Eva Wilson, a daughter of Arvah D. and Seraphine (Dorsch) Wilson, and to this union have been born two sons, Roger William, Jr., and Howard H., both remaining with the parents, and attending the Lawrence- burg high school. Mrs. Lowe was born at Milan, Ripley county, this state, on June 12, 1866. Her father, who was a native of Ohio, died in October of 1868 when she was but fourteen months of age and her mother passed away on June 12, 1874, Mrs. Lowe's eighth birthday. It is a remarkable coincidence that both the mother and wife of the subject passed through prac- tically the same experiences of orphanhood, and fortunately both were well cared for by others.

Mrs. Lowe's paternal grandfather was Obed Wilson, his wife being Roxanna Gibbs, both natives of Maine and early settlers in Ohio, who after- ward came into Ripley county. Both died in that county, she in middle life and he at the ripe old age of eighty-four. There were eight children in their family, namely : Oliver, Artis, Oran, Obed, Roxanna, Sallie, Elam and Arva.

Mrs. Lowe's mother was a daughter of John and Catherine (Risinger) Dorsch, both born in the state of Ohio and early in their married life they came into Ripley county, where they farmed for a great many years. She died in her forty-sixth year and he passed away in 1872, at the age of sev-

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enty-two years. There were five children in their family, namely : Cather- ine, Jacob, John, Seraphine and Albert.

The religious membership of both Mr. and Mrs. Lowe is held with the Ninth Street Christian church in Cincinnati. In politics Mr. Lowe votes the Prohibition ticket, in the success of which party he takes a live interest and in all the affairs of life he is a man among men. He is a man of genial disposition and enjoys a large popularity in the city and vicinity where he has spent practically his entire life.

J. W. PARROTT.

James W. Parrott is descended from a fine old Kentucky family whose ancestors settled there when trails were blazed. and homes were dug and chopped out of the wilderness; but feeling that the future awaited him with brigher prospects in other localities Mr. Parrott packed his trunk and began the pilgrimage which ended at Aurora, Indiana, where he is optimistically and quietly enjoying the blessings that come his way. Mr. Parrott, having lived beyond the day when he is physically able to battle in the strenuous life, is now proprietor of a first-class boarding house, a very essential institution in every community.

James W. Parrott, proprietor of the Parrott boarding house, Aurora, is a son of John and Catherine Jane (Lester) Parrott. He was born on October 23, 1839, in Carroll county, Kentucky, where he lived until sixteen years of age. After going through the common schools of his home dis- trict he went to Missouri with his parents in 1856, locating in Adair county, where he continued his education, and later taught school four or five terms. After finishing his school work, Mr. Parrott returned to Kentucky and took charge of his mother's farm for a number of years, during which time he was married to his first wife. Mr. Parrott went to the Civil War in Com- pany K, Third Cavalry Missouri Volunteers, serving almost three years. He was a non-commissioned officer, and participated in many skirmishes. among which was the battle of Little Rock. Politically, Mr. Parrott is a stanch Democrat. His religious sympathies are with the Church of Christ at Lawrenceburg, and fraternally, he belongs to John Platter Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and Aurora Lodge No. 51, Free and Accepted Masons.

John and Catherine Jane (Lester) Parrott, parents of the subject of this sketch, were natives of Kentucky. Mr. Parrott was born and reared in

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Carroll county, where he followed farming all his life, dying there in 1871, aged fifty-two years. To this union were born six children, namely : James W., of Aurora; Moses S., deceased; Lucinda, now the wife of Edward Ber- sot, of Ghent, Kentucky; Joshua W., who makes his home in Missouri; Matilda, deceased, who was the wife of James Bowie, and Ethel.

The paternal grandfather was Richard Parrott. His wife's name is lost. They died in middle age, and were the parents of five children, Par- melia, Betsey, John, William and Henry.

The maternal grandfather was James Lester, whose wife was Damsel (Cogbill) Lester, natives of Kentucky. They lived in Carroll county, Ken tucky, where Mr. Lester followed the vocation of a farmer, and where he died at an advanced age. Their children were, Matilda, Nancy, Catharine J., Lucinda, John, William, and some who died young.

James W. Parrott was united in marriage on November 26, 1876, with Mary E. Bowie. She died in 1884, aged thirty-four years. To this union were born two children, Allie and James Malone Parrott. Allie became the wife of Leonard Swango, both now deceased. They were the parents of three children, Ethel; Vernon, of Switzerland county, Indiana, and Leona, who lives at Aurora.

James W. Parrott was married, secondly, April 3, 1895, to Mrs. Ruth McLane, widow of Lewis McLane, and daughter of Samuel Fuller and Catharine (Kittle) Fuller. Mrs. Ruth Parrott was born on June 9, 1855. near Rising Sun, Ohio county, Indiana. No children have come to bless this union. By her first husband, Mrs. Parrott was the mother of three children, Ida, John and Charles. Ida became the wife of Thomas Neal, of Aurora. John is a finisher in a coffin factory. His wife was May Rollins. Charles is a painter by trade. Mrs. Ruth Parrott is an earnest member of the Baptist church at Aurora.

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History of Dearborn County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 104

Author: Archibald Shaw Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1123

Author: Archibald Shaw
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1123