USA > Indiana > Dearborn County > History of Dearborn County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 65
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John A. Bobrink was reared on the paternal farm in Lawrenceburg township, attending the district schools of that township and the Lawrence- burg high school. For fourteen years he drove a milk wagon in the interest of his father's dairy and for the past twenty-five years has been engaged in the grocery business in the Greendale section of Lawrenceburg, in which business he has been quite successful, the scrupulous care and attention which he from the very start of this enterprise gave to the wants of his customers having made his store one of the most popular in the city.
While thus engaged in business, Mr. Bobrink never neglected his duty as a citizen and was active in the political affairs of the city and county, his in- terest in good government forcing him to the front. In 1914 he was nominated by the Democrats of Dearborn county for the office of county treasurer, was successful in the ensuing election and is now serving very efficiently as treas- urer of the county, his fitness for this office being a matter of general recogni- tion throughout the county. This extension of his activities has not interfered with the business of his grocery, however, the store being continued at the same old stand, as for many years.
On September 4, 1901, John A. Bobrink was united in marriage with Mar- garet Ulrich, who was born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, the daughter of Chris- topher and Christina (Lommel) Ulrich, natives of Germany and early set- tlers in Lawrenceburg. Mrs. Bobrink's father and mother both are dead. They were the parents of a number of children, four of whom lived to ma- turity; Margaret, who married Mr. Bobrink; Frederick, of Lawrenceburg ; Louise, the wife of Prof. Earl T. Gold, superintendent of the Cincinnati, (Ohio) public schools; and Freda, who is a teacher in the public schools of Lawrenceburg. Mrs. Bobrink's paternal grandfather came to America after the death of his wife in Germany and died in Lawrenceburg. He was the father of Christina, Mrs. Kate Hoefer, of Cincinnati, Charles and Chris-
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topher. Her maternal grandfather, Peter Lommel, was a well-known resident of Lawrenceburg in an earlier day. He and his wife came to this country fol- lowing their marriage in Germany and reared a large family in this county.
To John A. and Margaret (Ulrich) Bobrink three children have been born, Irma Mary, John Henry and Charles Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Bobrink are members of the Zion Evangelical church and are raising their children in the faith of that church. Mr. Bobrink is a member of Dearborn Lodge No. 49, Knights of Pythias, and is an active participant in the affairs of that lodge.
Mr. and Mrs. Bobrink take a proper interest in the social affairs of the community and are deservedly popular in a large circle of social acquaint- ances, their friends according them the confidence and respect to which they are so justly entitled. Mr. Bobrink is a man of large public spirit and is doing well his part in the promotion of the best interests of the city and county, of which he is so prominent and influential a citizen. His counsel and advice on matters of public import are much sought and on more than one occasion have proved of value to the community, his sound business judgment and political acumen giving much weight to his suggestions in affairs relating to the common weal.
FREDERICK SCHMUTTE.
The gentleman whose biography is here presented has always followed the principle of doing whatever fell to his share, in the best possible manner of which he was capable, and has instilled into the minds of his children the same sound, sensible views.
Frederick Schmutte, president of the People's Building and Loan Com- pany, of West Aurora, Indiana, was born on February 7, 1847, in Hanover, Germany, and is a son of Frederick and Sophia (Fracking) Schmutte. He
was reared and educated in the land of his birth, coming to America in Octo- ber, 1866, at the age of nineteen years, and engaged his services on a farm in Jackson county, Indiana, near Seymour, receiving one hundred and eighty dollars a year, including board. At the end of the first year, he went to Cincinnati and did teaming for a short time, after which he went into a cigar factory, during which employment he was married, and on March 15, 1882, he brought his wife and two children to Cochran, now West Aurora, Indiana,
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where they have since resided. At this place Mr. Schmutte entered into part- nership with Herman Leive, John Franz and August Steinkamp, continuing for twenty-five years in the manufacture of chairs and rockers. The factory was then sold out to William E. Stark and Harry Schmutte, and has since been continued under the name of the Cochran Chair Company. Mr. Schmutte is a Republican, and has demonstrated his loyalty by serving one term as a member of the common council of Cochran. He served as presi- dent of the fire department for a number of years, and is at present a director in the following institutions : First National Bank, of Aurora; Dearborn Na- tional Bank, of Lawrenceburg; the Aurora Tool Works, and is also a director on the executive committee of the River View Cemetery Association. Mr. Schmutte belongs to Almania Lodge No. 334, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Both he and his wife are attentive members of the Evangelical Protestant church, on which board he officiates as president.
Frederick Schmatte, father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Germany, where he served as a soldier in the regular army. He died in Wach- enfeldt, aged over sixty years. He was a public-spirited man, and held various town offices. His wife, Sophia (Fracking) Schmutte, was also a native of Germany, and they were both members of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Schmutte died while still a young woman, and Frederick Schmutte is the only one of their children now living.
Both the names and history of the paternal grandparents are lost. They were farmers, and had four children, Frederick, Henry, Lena and Sophia.
The history of the maternal grandparents is also lost, except that they were natives of Germany, where they lived and died.
Frederick Schmutte was married on August 24, 1871, to Dora Steinkamp, daughter of Henry and Wilhelmina (Biermann) Steinkamp. She was born on February 15, 1845, in Enkter, Hanover, Germany. This union has been blessed with two children, Minnie and Harry. Minnie is the wife of Paul Smith. They reside at Aurora, and have two children, Irvin and Kenneth. Harry is the cashier of the First National Bank of Aurora, and is married to Lilly Oerster.
Henry and Wilhelmina (Biermann) Steinkamp were natives of Germany, the former dying there in 1862, aged fifty-two years. His widow came to America in 1867, and died at Cincinnati, March 3, 1905, aged ninety-one years and over. To this union were born eight children, as follow : Mary, William, Anna, Louis, Dora, Louisa, Henry and August.
Mr. Schmutte, through his systematic methods and straightforward deal-
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ings with his customers, has placed himself in a position of high esteem with the citizens of the community in which he lives. He lives retired although he assists in directing the concerns in which he is interested. He is still active in body and mind and is a highly intelligent and interesting gentleman who has. contributed greatly toward the advancement of this community and its people.
W. J. NEUKOM.
While the professional man makes his great and precious gift to his time, it must be recognized also that the American business man, by reason of his ability to organize, also is a benefactor. Especially is that man to be credited who is fair in his commercial transactions, honest in his purpose, and unselfish in his desire to contribute to the general good, as well as to build up his own individual fortune. The gentleman mentioned at the head of this bio- graphical sketch is one who recognizes such obligation, and therefore it is with satisfaction that the present publishers include him among those who have been a real benefit to the community in which they have made their homes. W. J. Neukom is secretary and treasurer of the Indianapolis Chair and Furniture Company, of Aurora, and a native of Indianapolis, having been born there on May 8, 1872.
W. J. Neukom is a son of Frank and Verona (Berner) Neukom, natives of Switzerland, who established. their home in this country, and to whom eight children were born. These were: William J., of Aurora; Frank, of Denver, Colorado; George, deceased; Grace, who married Edward Podmore, of Ander- son, Indiana; John and Walter, of Indianapolis; Sadie, wife of Thomas B. Campbell, of Indianapolis, and Robert, of Denver, Colorado.
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Neukom was Henry Neukom, and he and his wife, Barbara, lived to a ripe old age, their deaths taking place at Ful- ton, Missouri. Their children were Conrad, Melchior, Frederick, William, Jacob, John and Barbara.
The maternal grandfather was Rudolph Berner, his wife being Barbara (Conrad) Berner. The latter died while still a young woman, on shipboard coming to America. Mr. Berner, who was a silk weaver by trade, and later, kept a saloon, died in Indianapolis, at the age of eighty-six. He was survived by Verona, Barbara, Jacob, Samuel, Wilhelmina and John.
Frank Neukom came to this country when a lad with his parents, who
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settled in Fulton, Missouri, where he had lived three years when the Civil War broke out. As a private, serving under General Siegel, he was in many battles, his service covering three enlistments, and a period of four years and four months. He was enrolled in the Third Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry. The war over, Mr. Neukom made his livelihood in the baker's trade, later becoming proprietor of a first-class boarding house and saloon in Indi- anapolis. This was the old Chicago House, which he managed for many years. When he gave this up, he again became a baker. In 1900, when he had reached his fifty-eighth milestone he passed away, his wife who had shared all his joys and sorrows, having preceded him by six years, when she was forty-three. Both were at one time members of the Lutheran church, but in later years they were adherents of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Mr. Neukom belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic, and was a Republican all of his life.
The subject of this sketch began his business career as "bell-boy" at the Spencer House, having gone through the public schools of Indianapolis. Shifting about for employment, he found work at the old Indianapolis Chair Factory, and although that was thirty years ago, he has maintained connec- tions with the firm ever since. Coming to Aurora, Mr. Neukom organized a company composed of Edward Schulz, Clarence B. Wilson, John Ullrich, William L. Hoskins and himself, for the manufacture of chairs, and in this enterprise has been engaged ever since. The factory, which occupies a floor space of fifty-five thousand square feet, employs one hundred persons, and sells its products in all parts of the United States.
On May 18, 1898, W. J. Neukom married Cornelia Taylor, daughter of Alexander and Jean (Forrester) Taylor, of Indianapolis, in which city she was born, on March 6, 1874. Mrs. Neukom's parents were natives of Scot- land, the occupation of the father being the grain and fruit business. Both parents are now dead. Mrs. Neukom's brothers and sisters are Mary, Mar- garet, William, Alexander, Jennie, Annie and Edward. The daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Neukom is Jean Forrester Neukom.
Mr. and Mrs. Neukom have entered largely into the social life of the vicinity, and also have contributed much to the usefulness of the Presbyterian church, to which they belong. Mrs. Neukom is domestic in her tastes, and as a home-maker she has achieved the same degree of success that her husband has achieved in business.
Mr. Neukom is a man of many interests. He belongs to Marion Lodge No. 35, Free and Accepted Masons; to Keystone Chapter No. 6, Royal Arch
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Masons; also to the Knights of Pythias, Indianapolis Lodge No. 56; and to the Maccabees. As a Republican politician, he is known not only in Aurora, but in Indianapolis, where at one time, he was president of the city council.
Men possessing the sterling characteristics which are evinced by the life and work of the subject of this biography are of distinct value to the com- munity fortunate enough to have their citizenship. Having won for himself a conspicuous place among the leaders of men, Mr. Neukom has still been true to his ideals, and has thus enhanced the value of his example to the younger generation.
JOHN L. NOLTE.
John L. Nolte, the subject of this sketch, like the most of the country- men of his ancestors, began life in the business that presented the best induce- ments, namely, farming. Being forced to take charge of the farm at his father's death, he early learned the successful methods of agriculture, and was well qualified for his chosen vocation, of which he could not have made a better selection.
John L. Nolte, county commissioner, Dillsboro, Caesar Creek township, Dearborn county, Indiana, was born in that township, November 17, 1871, and is a son of Christian and Mary (Willman) Nolte. He was educated at the district and parochial schools, and remained on the farm, following agri- culture, under the instruction of his father. When John L. was nineteen years old, in 1891, his father died, and he was thrown upon his own responsibility in managing the farm. His mother died in 1896, and he bought out the heirs to the one-hundred-acre farm. Mr. Nolte has always been an ardent sup- porter of the Democratic party, and in 1912 was elected to the office of county commissioner from this section, being re-elected in 1914. He is an earnest member of the Lutheran church of Farmers Retreat, and to which he con- tributes liberally. Mr. Nolte is also president of the Farmers' Telephone Com- pany, with headquarters at Friendship, Indiana, and is a director of the Ger- man Mutual Fire Insurance Company, covering this section of the country, and of which his father was an organizer. Mr. Nolte was also township chair- man of the Democratic party in Caesar Creek township for six years.
Christian Nolte, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was born on November 12, 1833, in Hanover, Germany, and came to the United States with his parents when but five years old. He was a son of Charles Nolte, and
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his early education was secured in Caesar Creek township, after which he as- sisted his father in agricultural pursuits until his marriage. Mr. Nolte was a stanch Democrat, and served as road supervisor for many years, being later elected trustee, in which office he served two terms. His death occurred on May 23, 1891, aged fifty-eight years. His wife, Mary (Willman) Nolte, was born in Hanover, Germany, coming to the United States with her brothers and sisters at the age of twelve years. They settled on Bear creek, Switzer- land county. There were two sisters and three brothers, Frederick, Henry, Florence, William and Mary. Mary Willman was educated in Switzerland county. To Mr. and Mrs. Christian Nolte were born nine children, Frederick, Elizabeth, Louisa, William, Henry, Mary, Minnie, John, and Henry, who died in infancy. Frederick was married to Annie Heiderman, and lives at Aurora. They have two children, Clara and Marie. Louisa became the wife of John Windhorst, and lives at Seymour, Indiana. She is the mother of three chil- dren, Alma, Harry and one deceased. William died single at the age of thirty- nine years. Henry was married to Carrie Shicle, and is living in Nebraska. They have a large family. Minnie is the wife of Benjamin Rueter, and resides in Scott county, Illinois. They have six children, Martin, Irvin, Harvey, Elmer, Jessie, and Matilda, who is deceased.
Charles Nolte, the paternal grandfather, was born in Hanover, Germany. He came to the United States and settled in Caesar Creek township, a little southeast of Farmers Retreat, on a farm of one hundred acres, in 1844, where he spent the remainder of his life.
The maternal grandparents were natives of Hanover, Germany, and died in that country.
John L. Nolte was united in marriage on November 9, 1898, with Miss Amelia Miller, daughter of Rudolf and Mary (Honsmeyer) Miller. She was born on October 6, 1875, in Pike township, Ohio county, where she was edu- cated and lived until her marriage. To this union have been born four chil- dren, Edith, Clifford, Norma and Gilbert; the three younger of whom are going to school.
Rudolf Miller, father of Mrs. John L. Nolte, is a native of Hanover, Germany, and came to the United States when seven years of age, with his parents, Henry and Minnie (Huhlmire) Miller. His wife, Mary (Hons- meyer) Miller, was a daughter of Fred Honsmeyer. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were the parents of nine children, John, George, Louisa, Christian (deceased), Edward (deceased), Theodore, and Christina (deceased). John was married to Anna Offencamp, and lives in Caesar Creek township. They have three
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children, Alfred, Myrtle and Wilmer. George was married to Amelia Wich- man, and lives in Johnson township, Ripley county, Indiana. They have one child-Mabel. Louisa became the wife of William Bushman, and resides in Washington township, Ripley county. Theodore is employed in Pike town- ship, Ohio county, Indiana.
Henry and Minnie (Huhlmire) Miller, paternal grandparents of Mrs. John L. Nolte, were natives of Germany, and were early settlers at Cincinnati, moving later to Pike township, Ohio county, Indiana.
John L. Nolte resides on a splendid farm of one hundred and seventy- two acres, where he has won for himself a place in the front rahk among the farmers of the county, and where he has many warm and admiring friends.
JOHN F. MEYER.
The love of freedom, so dominant a passion in the breasts of all people of the Teutonic division of the human race, has given to America many of this nation's best and most patriotic citizens. One of the best-known and most influential residents of Dearborn county, the gentleman whose name the biographer takes pleasure in calling to the attention of the reader at this point, is the son of a German immigrant who fled from his native country at the age of nineteen to escape the oppressions under which his people were groaning at that time incident to the perpetual wars which were being waged in that coun- try, and who, with no outside influence, but spurred on constantly by his in- domitable energy and perseverance, to which was joined the spirit of thrift for which his countrymen are so noted, became one of the largest and wealthiest landowners in Dearborn county, and a man of wide influence in the section of the county in which he lived.
John F. Meyer was born on a farm in Miller township, this county, ad- joining the farm on which he now makes his residence, December 24, 1854, the son of John F. and Mary (Basker) Meyer, both natives of Hanover, Ger- many.
The senior John F. Meyer was the son of Henry Meyer, a small farmer in Hanover. Oppressed by the sense of dependence under which the German people were suffering at that time by reason of the militaristic passion of the governing classes. John F. Meyer borrowed enough money to insure his pas- sage to America and, at the age of nineteen, came to this country, seeking
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freedom and a larger opportunity than any he reasonably could ever hope for in the Fatherland. Upon arriving in this country, he presently made his way to this county and, in company with John Garnier, began working for Colonel Ferris for the munificent wage of seven dollars a month. At the time he ar- rived in this county he could not speak the English language, but he quickly acquired not only the speech, but the customs and the manners of his dopted country. Realizing the better advantages which awaited anyone of thrift and industry on this side of the water, John F. Meyer presently borrowed enough money to bring his parents to this side, and Henry Meyer and his wife joined their son in this county, remaining here the remainder of their lives, dying on the farm home which John F. Meyer was not long in establishing after he found himself on the upward course of things in this county. Henry Meyer was eighty years of age at the time of his death. The death of his wife had occurred some years previously. Both these old people were highly respected by their neighbors in Miller township during the time of their residence there.
John F. Meyer, Sr., married Mary Basker, the daughter of Frederick and Sophia Basker, who also were immigrants from Hanover, who lived to ripe old ages in this county, the latter living to be eighty-eight years of age, and who had but two children, both daughters, Mary and Dora. Spurred to greater endeavors by his marriage, John F. Meyer, Sr., presently bought a farm of two hundred acres, a part of the Roland tract in Miller township, and began farming on an extensive scale. He prospered and from time to time added to his original holdings until he owned thirteen hundred acres of as fine land as was embraced within the confines of Dearborn county. He lived on the original farm for many years, but late in life moved over onto the Law- renceburg and Indianapolis state road, where he died, in. April, 1900, at the age of seventy-two years. His widow survived him nine years, her death not occurring until the year 1909, she then being seventy-four years of age, the home in which this faithful and devoted old couple passed their last days still being known as "Three-Mile House." The senior Meyers were devoted mem- bers of the Lutheran church and reared their children in the faith of that church. They were the parents of eight children, to each of whom they gave deeds for good-sized farms when the children were ready to start out for them- selves. These children were: Anna (deceased), who married Leonard Ran- dall, a Dearborn county farmer ; John F., the immediate subject of this sketch; Henry J .; William; Dora, who married Henry Kaiser, a farmer in Ohio county, this state; Frederick W., who owns two hundred and forty-five acres in this county; George, of Lawrenceburg township, who at one time owned,
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but later sold the old homestead; and Mary, who died unmarried, in 1899. The senior John F. Meyer and his wife were prominent in all good works in their community and were generous contributors to all worthy causes. Their devotion to the Lutheran church was pronounced, and they helped to build ser- eral churches and school houses.
John F. Meyer, Jr., was reared on the paternal farm, in what then was a portion of Miller township, receiving his education in the district schools of his neighborhood. He remained at home until his marriage, at the age of twenty-three years, when he worked at farming on rented land, and on his father's death became the owner of one hundred and forty-five acres of the home farm. To this farm he has since added, until he now owns a fine farm of three hundred and forty-five acres of fine land in Lawrenceburg township, and is regarded as one of the most substantial and influential residents of this county.
On February 4, 1877, John F. Meyer was united in marriage with Mar- garet Behlmer, who was born in Ripley county, Indiana, January 27, 1857, the daughter of Court and Adeline (Studebach) Behlmer, natives of Hanover, Germany, and early settlers in Ripley county, the former of whom died at the age of seventy-five, and the latter at the age of sixty-two, and who were the parents of six children, Albert, Margaret, Anna, Henry, Lena and Dora. Court Behlmer was one of five children born to his parents, the others being Henry, Diederick, Albert and Margaret. His wife, Adeline Studebach, was the only child of her parents who grew to maturity.
To John F. and Margaret (Behlmer) Meyer have been born four chil- dren, as follow : Charles F., who married Elsie Schweps, and is farming one of his father's farms; Lena Adeline, who married J. J. Ott, and also lives on the paternal farm; Clara Mary Dora and Margaret Anna, both of whom are at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are members of the Luth- eran church, and their children have been reared in the faith of that church, the family being active workers in the same.
Mr. Meyer is a Democrat and for years has taken an active interest in the political affairs of the county. For thirteen years he was supervisor of roads in his home township, and for two terms served the public very acceptably as a member of the county council, his sound business judgment and far-seeing knowledge of the needs of the people proving of much value to the public while he was serving in that capacity. Mr. Meyer is a public-spirited citizen. and ever has been one of the foremost promoters of all measures for the bet- terment of local conditions. He is'a man of large influence in the community and is held in the very highest regard by all who know him.
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