History of Dearborn County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 61

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 61

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Mrs. Laura Ewan Kruse, the subject of this sketch, was born in Sparta on April 3, 1851. She is the daughter of Charles and Ann Augusta (King) Ewan, the former being a native of Victor, Ontario county, New York, born on April 9, 1810, and the latter, born on October 2, 1818, in Law- renceburg, Indiana.

Samuel Ewan, paternal grandfather of Mrs. Kruse, was a native of New York, where he made his home until the year 1822, when he migrated to Sparta township and took up government land, where he lived until his death. When his country called. Samuel Ewan shouldered his musket, and served in the War of 1812 until its close. He was a Whig, and adhered to the tenets of the Methodist Episcopal church. As a man and as a farmer, he was an important citizen in his time, and was highly respected by all who knew him. His wife, Mercy (Sprague) Ewan, was born in Rhode Island, and lived there until she was a young woman. After her marriage to J. Hawley, of New York, she moved to that state. By this marriage she had one child, Aseneth. Her first husband did not live long, and after his death, she again married, her second husband being Samuel Ewan, by whom she had eight children. These were: Mary, Charles (father of the subject of this sketch), Elizabeth, Levi, Mercy. Jane, Rebecca and John. Charles Ewan was about twelve years old when he came west with his parents, and locating near Cold Spring, they settled on government land. Here the young man lived with his parents

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until 1839, when on August 22, he was married to Ann King, the mother of Mrs. Kruse, and they purchased a farm adjoining that of her father, living there a few years. They then bought a farm near by, and remained on his wife's farm until the father's death, on August 10, 1885, their residence here having begun in 1850. Charles Ewan died at the age of seventy-five, after having been a farmer all of his life. It was his custom to load a flatboat with hay every winter, and take it to New Orleans to sell. He was strong in his Republicanism, and in his loyalty to the Odd Fellows lodge, of which he was a member.

Ann Augusta (King) Ewan was the daughter of Phineas Lonsbary and Clarissa H. (Thompson) King, both of whom were born in Poughkeepsie, New York, were married and came to Indiana, settling in this township on government land. Ann Augusta was educated in the Sparta schools, and at- tended school in Richmond, Indiana. She was a well-read woman. She was married on August 22, 1839, to Charles Ewan. To this union were born seven children, namely : Ezra H. and Columbus E., both deceased; N. Boneparte; Rosaline; Laura Helen, the subject of this sketch; Alice, and John deceased. N. Boneparte was married to Mary Bell, who lives in Moores Hill. They had four children, Caroline E., Laura Leigh (Mrs. McClure), Mary Myrtle, and Charles Carver, deceased. Rosaline was born on May 7, 1846, and was married to Carver Jones on January 18, 1870, in Geneva, New York. The Kings lived in Sparta until their death. Phineas King and Clarissa (Thomp- son) King were the parents of seven children, Amanda, Ann Augusta, Elmira. Isaac, John Dean, Henry and Milo Caleb.

Mrs. Kruse spent her girlhood days on the farm of her parents. There she was married to George W. Kruse, who was born on February 22, 1856, at Cold Springs. They have always lived on the old homestead.

The present home of Mr. and Mrs. Kruse is the center of much of the social life of the community, for Mrs. Kruse especially is fond of enter- taining, and many friends frequently accept her hospitality.

WILLIAM R. WHITEFORD.

As a man whose interests, while centering in the agricultural industry, are not limited to it, William R. Whiteford, farmer and politician, is one whose name deserves special mention in a publication of this kind, one of the func-

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tions of which is to pay tribute to those whose lives merit honor and respect. Mr. Whiteford is a native of Sparta township, having been born here on Feb- ruary 28, 1869, and is the son of Robert and Jane (Cunningham) Whiteford.

Robert Whiteford, born in County Antrim, Ireland, April 12, 1835, crossed the ocean with his parents when he was a mere lad, and came with them to Dearborn county, settling near Laughery. In those days it was not easy for those who did not possess land to make a living for themselves and their families, and Robert was still only a youth when he was required to earn his way through the world by his own efforts. He had quick success, how- ever, for soon after his marriage, he bought seventy-two acres of land in this township, where he still resides. In political affiliations he is a Democrat. Jane Cunningham, who became the mother of the subject of this sketch, was a native of the same Irish county as her husband, and also came to this country in her youth, settling in this county near Laughery creek. Mr. and Mrs. Whiteford became the parents of six children, as follow: Luella, Elizabeth, Anna (deceased), William, Jennie and Mulvina. Elizabeth married Frank McMahan, a prosperous farmer of Brown county, Kansas. Their children are Imes and Gertrude. Jennie married Isaac Smith, of Hogan township, and is the mother of Edna, Gladys, Mildred and Elizabeth.

William R. Whiteford, after his schooling in this township ·was com- pleted, continued farming with his father until his marriage, on December 6, 1893, to Anna C. Hoppmire, daughter of Ernest and Christina (Meyers) . Hoppmire. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Whiteford moved to their own farm of seventy-two acres, where they have led a busy, happy and useful life. Mr. Whiteford is a good farmer, studies the business from a scientific point of view, and his success gives proof of the efficiency of his methods.

Ernest Hoppmire, father of Mrs. Whiteford, was the son of Anton F. and Anna Maria Hoppmire, and came to America when a young man, taking up his home in New York City. He was born in Prussia, on November 7, 1827. He remained only a few years in New York, and then migrated to Indiana. where he purchased a farm in Manchester township, Dearborn county, and lived there until 1872. Moving to Hogan township, they continued farming on three hundred acres, and lived there until the death of Mr. Hoppmire, which occurred on March 29, 1907, at the age of seventy-nine years. He was a Democrat, and a member of the Lutheran church. Christina, his wife, was a native of Olfte Oberlubbe, Germany, being born on April 7, 1834. She died on the home farm on November 27, 1907, aged seventy-four years.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Hoppmire were eleven in num-

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ber, these being Caroline, Louisa, Frederick, Henry, William, Anna (Mrs. Whiteford), Ernest, and four who passed away in early childhood. Caroline is now Mrs. Lewis Wise, of Aurora, Indiana. Louisa married William Kim- ball, who lives in Hogan township. Their daughter is Edna P. Sheeter. Fred- erick is the husband of Viola Ragsdale, of Manchester, Indiana, and their chil- dren are named Lulu, George and Frank. Henry is the husband of Frances Smith, living on the homestead in Hogan township. Their only son is named Willis. William married Lillian Ragsdale, of Hogan township, and their chil- dren are Walter and Mabel. Ernest was united in marriage to Amy Roof. of Hogan township, where they still reside, and they are the parents of a daughter, Madonna. Anna was born on October 6, 1871, on a farm in Hogan township. Her only son is named Lawrence M., he being born in Sparta on May 11, 1897.

William R. Whiteford has taken for many years a deep interest in politics, and has found time to serve in public office. He is now a trustee, having been elected in November, 1914, for a term of four years. Being brought up in a home in which the political affiliation was with the Democratic party, may ac- count for his present membership in that party. Mr. Whiteford is an Odd Fel- low, being a past grand in that order. He is interested, too, in church work, and is a deacon in the Presbyterian church. It is because of his interest in public affairs, as well as in the farming industry, that Mr. Whiteford has be- come so widely and so favorably known in his community, where he has the esteem of friends, neighbors and acquaintances alike.

CHARLES H. NIEMAN.

After trying his hand at farming and various other pursuits, Charles H. Nieman has discovered that his particular talents lie in the direction of the leading business of the age, that of the automobile, and is very successfully conducting a salesroom and garage at Aurora. Mr. Nieman has worked his own way up, step by step, and the man who possesses such sterling quali- ties is a credit to any city fortunate enough to have him for a resident.

Charles H. Nieman was born on March 5, 1868, in Aurora, Indiana, and is a son of John Frederick and Clara (Eylar) Nieman. His education was ob- tained at the country and parochial schools. At the age of seven years his parents moved to a farm in Randolph township, Ohio county, where he (40)

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remained until twenty-two years old, when he learned the butter-making business, and conducted a creamery in Aurora for two years, after which he engaged in the ice business for a period of three years, changing from that to the grocery, and later opened a hardware store and handled farm machinery for about thirteen years, and after one or two other changes. finally went into partnership with J. C. Linkmeyer in the automobile and garage business, in which he is still interested. Mr. Nieman is an ardent Republican, and he is a member of the Lutheran church.

John Frederick Nieman was a native of Germany, where he was reared and educated. He came to America in 1863, and located first at Rising Sun. where he was employed on a farm for a short time, and then moved to Aurora and apprenticed himself in the cabinet-maker's and carpenter's trades, serving three years without pay in learning. He died in Aurora in 1902. In addition to his trades, Mr. Nieman was the owner of a small chair factory at Aurora, in which he employed a number of workmen. Mr. and Mrs. Nieman were members of the Lutheran church, and were the parents of twelve children, as follows: Ernest, who resides in Texas: Florentina, de- ceased, who was the wife of Henry Schumacher; Henry, deceased; Charles H., of Aurora, Indiana; Frederick, who resides at Paducah, Kentucky ; Clara, the wife of John C. Linkmeyer, partner of our subject; Wilhelmina, who became the wife of Henry Holtman, of Seymour, Indiana; Eliza, who died unmarried, and four who died young.

The paternal grandparents of our subject died in Germany. They had three children, John Frederick and two others.

The history of the maternal grandparents is lost, except that they were natives of Germany and died there, leaving four children, Clara (Mrs. Nieman), and three others.

Charles H. Nieman was married on February 18, 1897, to Magdalena Linkmeyer, daughter of John F. Linkmeyer, whose wife was a Miss Hilker. There is one son to this union, Stanley L. Mrs. Nieman was born in Cæsar Creek township in August, 1868.

John F. Linkmeyer, father of Mrs. Nieman, was born in Germany, and is still living on the home place. His wife died in 1875, and he was again married. By his first wife Mr. Linkmeyer had three children, Theodore. Magdalena and John C. His second wife was Anna Bocksicker, and to that union six children were born, Mary, Minnie, Clara, Catharine, Norma and Harry.

Mr. and Mrs. Nieman have many warm friends in Aurora, and Mr. Nie- man has built up a prosperous business in the city and surrounding territory.

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OSCAR LOTSHAW AND HANNAH LOTSHAW.

At the time when Oscar Lotshaw began his agricultural career, farming was carried on under very different and more difficult methods than it is today, and more hours were necessary in securing the same results. Mr. Lotshaw has noted the various changes and improvements, and is more capable of appreciating these advantages than those who have filled their allotted time and passed on, or those who have grown to maturity later, having had no personal experience with pioneer methods.

Oscar Lotshaw was born on May 5, 1854, in Ripley county, Indiana, and is a son of David and Mary Ann (Bell) Lotshaw. At the age of two months he came with his parents to Cold Springs, where he was educated, living at home until eighteen years of age, and then worked out by the month for several years. Later he rented two farms in Dearborn county, which he so successfully managed that he was enabled in a short time to buy a farm of twenty-eight acres near Arran, but which he soon sold, reserving three acres for himself.

David Lotshaw was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Ripley county, Indiana, at the age of twenty-three years, and here was united in marriage with Mary Ann Bell, daughter of John B. and Harriet Bell. She was born in Ireland, and came to the United States when eleven years old, with her parents, who settled in Ripley county, and lived there until they died. They were the parents of six children, Oscar, Ellen M., Mahaley, John B., Andrew and Elizabeth. Mr. Lotshaw moved from Ripley county to Cold Springs, Dearborn county, where he had lived eight years prior to the commencement of the Civil War. He enlisted in the Eighty-third Regiment, Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry, and died from an injury received while at Mulligan Bend, Louisiana, and lies buried there. He was a son of George W. Lotshaw.

George W. Lotshaw, the paternal grandfather, was born and reared in Pennsylvania.

John B. and Harriett Bell, the maternal grandparents, were born and reared in Ireland, coming to the United States at middle age, and settling in Ripley county, where they lived to an advanced age, and are buried there.

Oscar Lotshaw was united in marriage with Susan Peterman, daughter of William and Lucinda Peterman. She was born on July 4, 1855, in Ripley county, where she was reared, and lived until her death, which occurred in 1894. This union was blest with the following children: William W., John W., Benjamin B., David, Andrew, Bessie Ann and Oscar. Mr. Lotshaw

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was married, secondly, in Switzerland county, to Cassie Leonora Meade, a native of that county, by whom he had five children, Harry, Nora, Mamie, Francis and Loa. Cassie L. (Meade) Lotshaw died in 1904, and one year later, Mr. Lotshaw was married to Alice Webb, of Dearborn county, by whom he had two children, Wallace and Fay. Alice (Webb) Lotshaw died in a short time, and Mr. Lotshaw took unto himself a fourth wife, Mrs. Hannah (Shaffer) Collins, widow of Henry Collins, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Sells) Shaffer. She was married to Henry Collins in 1890, by whom she had one daughter, Ella Collins, who became the wife of Oscar Rhuble, and resides at Moores Hill. To Oscar and Hannah Lotshaw have been born three children, Emma J., Mamie L. and Ida H.

John and Elizabeth (Sells) Shaffer were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Dearborn county two years after their marriage, in pioneer days.

Mrs. Hannah Lotshaw is a woman of great force of character, and is well known throughout Sparta township, and both she and Mr. Lotshaw have the respect of the community in which they reside.

HARRY ANDREWS KING, D. D.

Indiana has long been noted for high efficiency in its school system. It is said that the schools have reduced the illiteracy of the state until it now rep- resents but six-tenths of one per cent. of those ranging between the ages of ten and twenty. The state has shown in recent years a progressive spirit and materially strengthened its school system by providing uniform textbooks; by enacting a teachers' minimum wage law; by passing a compulsory education law, and by maintaining the high efficiency of its teachers and instructors.

Harry Andrews King was born on October 27, 1867, at Kansas City, Missouri, and is a son of David C. and Sarah L. (Andrews) King. He at- tended the public schools at Marshall, Illinois, graduating from the high school in 1885, after which he became bookkeeper in the office of the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad. In 1893, Mr. King moved to Baldwin, Kan- sas, and entered the Baker University as a freshman, graduating in 1897, and later entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, his first pastorate being at Belton, Missouri. He remained there one year and then went to Kan- sas City, in the same state, where he had charge of the Kansas Avenue and Oakley churches for three years. In the fall of 1901 he resigned that pastorate

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to enter the Boston University School of Theology, and was pastor of Egleston Square Methodist Episcopal church in Boston at the same time, serving three years, while attending the theological school, from which he was graduated in 1904, with the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology, having already re- ceived the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Baker University, and in 1900 he received from the same university the honorary degree of. Doctor of Divinity. In 1904 Doctor King was called to the pastorate of the Methodist Episcopal church at Kents Hill, Maine, serving one year, and then received his second call to the Oakley Methodist Episcopal church at Kansas City, in 1905. In 1907 he was elected educational secretary of Baker University, at Baldwin, Kansas, serving two years. On September 1, 1909, Doctor King was elected president of Moores Hill College, Moores Hill, Indiana, serving until Novem- ber, 1915, when he resigned, to accept the presidency of Clark University, at Atlanta, Georgia. In 1903 Doctor King made a bicycle tour of England, Scotland and the continent, and in 1905 he and his wife spent two months in Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland, France, Switzerland and Italy ..

David C. King, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Tennes- see, September 19, 1837, in a moving wagon, while the family was en route to Illinois from Virginia. He is a son of Valentine and Deborah Ann (Um- barger) King. His parents settled at Marshall, Clark county, Illinois, where he was educated, attending the Marshall College (now discontinued), where he was preparing for the ministry, but he was called to serve in the Civil War, going as lieutenant-colonel of Company F. Seventy-ninth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was twice wounded, and was in practically all the battles of the Army of the Cumberland, twenty-five or more. In 1865, David C. King was married to Sarah L. Andrews, daughter of Rev. Dean and Louisa (Shaw) Andrews. They moved to Kansas City, where Mr. King engaged in business as merchant and building contractor, which he followed until about 1890, when he retired from business. In 1910, because of poor health. he moved to Long Beach, California. where he died on May 19, 1915. Mr. King was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for years was an officer in the Grand Army of the Republic. Sara I .. (Andrews) King was born in 1844, at Marshall, Illinois, where she received her early education, graduating from the Terre Haute Seminary ( now discontinued ). She died in April. 1868. They were the parents of but one child, Harry Andrews King.

The paternal grandfather was Valentine King, and his wife was Deb- orah Ann (Umbarger) King. The former was born in 1837, near \'ythe-

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ville, Wythe county, Virginia. They came by wagon to Marshall, Illinois, in 1837, and were the parents of six children, David C., Harvey, Lyman, Strod- der, Louisa and Emma.

The maternal grandfather was the Rev. Dean Andrews, who was born in 1808, at Fryeburg, Maine. He was a minister and a graduate of Bowdoin College, Maine. He was the founder of the Congregational church, and also founder of Marshall College, both located at Marshall, Illinois. This college was celebrated for having turned out a number of prominent Illinois men. The Rev. Dean Andrews died in 1872, aged sixty-four years. His wife, Louisa (Shaw) Andrews, was born in the country, near Marshall, Illinois. Their children were Albert, Simon, Sarah and Mary. Rev. Dean Andrews was married, secondly, to Miss McMillen, of Rockville, Indiana. By this marriage there were three children, Fannie M., William M. (de- ceased), and Margaret (also deceased).

Harry Andrews King was united in marriage September 1, 1891, with Susie A. Newgent, daughter of Col. A. G. and Susan (Bullene) Newgent. She was born on June 13, 1874, at Kansas City, Missouri, and received her education at Kansas City and Independence, Missouri. To this union have been born four children, as follow: Marie S., born on October 15, 1893; Susie N., November 19, 1895; Martha, November 24, 1900, and died on November 9, 1901 ; Sarah Elizabeth, September 17, 1906.

Col. A. G. Newgent, father of Mrs. King, was born in Clark county, Indiana, and his wife, Susan (Bullene) Newgent, was a native of New York state.

Doctor King has reached a high rank in his profession, and through the good work accomplished in this community came to be highly esteemed.

WELDON E. HOWREY.

Weldon E. Howrey, a farmer of Manchester township, Dearborn county, Indiana, was born in the same township where he now resides, August 23. 1859, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Gass) Howrey. Daniel Howrey was born in Germany, August 17, 1827, and was brought to this country by his parents when a small boy. They came directly to this section and settled on a farm near Hogan Hill in Manchester township, and in the early schools of that district Daniel received his education. He worked with his father

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on the family homestead, for the land had to be put into proper condition for cultivation, and the removal of the forests meant an immense amount of labor. He remained with his father until the time of his marriage to Elizabeth Gass, January 3, 1850, when he started out in life for himself by renting a farm north of Hogan Hill, near his parents, which land he after- ward purchased.

After farming near Hogan Hill for a few years, Daniel Howrey dis- posed of his holdings there and moved to Douglas county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and continued to live there until the death of his wife. He then sold out and went to Oregon, where he made his home until the time of his death, about thirty years later. He never remarried, and the last three months of his life he lived with Ezra Dixon, an old-time friend, dying in that home on March 24, 1901. He was a man who was universally liked and respected, and was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he was a Democrat, although never taking any particular interest in political matters.

Elizabeth (Gass) Howrey, mother of the immediate subject of this sketch, and wife of Daniel Howrey, was a daughter of Anthony Gass, and was born in Manchester township, March 23, 1830. She received her edu- cation in the early schools of her home district and remained with her parents until the time of her marriage. Both her parents were born in Germany and directly after their marriage they immigrated to America. They came di- rectly to this township, and here passed the remainder of their lives. There were five children in their family, the eldest of whom was Joseph. Elizabeth was the second child in order of birth. Then followed Muzella (Mrs. Wilson), late of Ripley county, and Mary and Martha, who died young. Joseph is still living in Louisville, Kentucky, where he is a cigar-maker.

Weldon E. Howrey is the third child of his parents, there being four children in the family. The eldest was Henry E., who died young. Martha A. is the wife of a Mr. Langley, a retired farmer of Illinois. She is the mother of five children, Otto, (deceased), Oller, Cora, Nellie and Albert. Marion E. is in the tile business in Fountain county, this state. He has been twice married, his first wife being Mary Cox, by whom he had one child, Clarence E. His second wife was Anna Cuppy, and there are no children to that marriage.

When quite a young boy, Weldon E. Howrey went with his parents to Douglas county. Illinois, and was but seven years old at the time of the death of his mother. After his father sold out and started west, Weldon

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was sent back to this county and was taken into the home of Andrew Sims, where he lived for about two and one-half years. He then made his home with William Morton, at Manchester, for a short time and for the following eight years lived with W. Rumsey and worked for him on his farm. His first independent business venture was the rental of a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he tended for a year previous to the time of his marriage, November 10, 1881, to Anna I. Walser. They first went to house- keeping in Manchester. and then for one year they lived on the Ellis farm of eighty acres, and then for the following three years they lived on the. Rumsey farm of one hundred and forty acres. Their next move was to Union Ridge, this county, where they rented and farmed a tract of fifty acres, remaining there two years. From Union Ridge they went to near Kyle Station, where they lived for a number of years on a farm of one hun- dred and twenty-four acres and then in 1901 they again moved to Manchester, purchasing a farm containing eighty acres. The place was at that time in a badly run-down condition and they have made considerable improvement in it. There was on the farm an old brick dwelling which subject has re- modeled and made a fine modern home out of it. The land, too, has been put in excellent condition and altogether the farm is one of the most up-to- date in the community.

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History of Dearborn County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 61

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

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