USA > Indiana > Dearborn County > History of Dearborn County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 67
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(Duvall) Gridley, both of whom were natives of Ohio, the former born in Hamilton county and the latter in Muskingum county.
Francis Asbury Gridley was born at Belpre, Ohio, the son of Revilo and Louisa (Pease) Gridley, natives of New York state and early settlers of Hamilton county, Ohio, where they lived for many years and where their family was reared. Revilo Gridley died at Rockport, Indiana, and his wife died at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, both being well along in years when death overtook them. They were the parents of thirteen children, some of whom died in infancy or in early youth, but seven of whom lived to maturity and to make their impress upon the respective communities in which they lived, these being. beside the father of the immediate subject of this sketch, Cyprian, Chester, Mary, Sybil, Ethan and Henry.
Francis A. Gridley was reared on the paternal farm in Hamilton county, Ohio, receiving such education as the neighborhood schools afforded, to which was supplemented the careful instructions received from his educated and intelligent parents. He became a proficient carpenter and the exercise of this vocation took him, from time to time, to various places of residence. For a time he lived in Cincinnati, but his several moves never took him farther than thirty miles from the town of Cleves. He married Caroline Elizabeth Duvall, of Mukingum county, Ohio, the daughter of John and Priscilla (Standiford) Duvall, the former of whom was a native of Virginia and the latter of Maryland. John Duvall, who emigrated from Virginia to Mus- kingum county, Ohio, with his parents in the days of his early youth, was reared as a farmer of the pioneer period and died there well advanced in years. His wife lived to the great age of ninety-one years. John Duvall was a soldier of the War of 1812 and he and his wife were the parents of six children, Caroline E. Tolbert, who died unmarried, Priscilla Amanda, Nelson M., Harriet and Louisa.
To Francis Asbury and Caroline Elizabeth (Duvall) Gridley were born seven children : Albert T., the subject of this sketch; Ida, the wife of Will- iam D. Holliday, of Brookville, Indiana; Willie C., who died in the year 1911 ; Clara M. (deceased), who was the wife of Charles Roberts, and three who died in infancy. In 1882 the Gridleys moved to Aurora, this county, where Francis A. Gridley died in 1903, at the age of eighty-five years. His widow still is living there at the advanced age of ninety years.
Albert T. Gridley's early youth was spent in Hamilton county, Ohio, and he attended the public schools at Cincinnati, beginning early to make his own way by doing such work as his hands found to do. When the Civil
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War broke out his youthful heart was fired with patriotic zeal to aid the cause of the Union, but the war was drawing to a close before he found an opportu- nity to enlist, his tender years being a handicap to his ambition to be a soldier. At the age of seventeen, however, he succeeded in enlisting in Company I., Thirteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, but was assigned to Com- pany M, of the same regiment, in which company he served as first sergeant for a period of five months, being mustered out on July 4, 1865. Upon his return to the peaceful pursuits of life, young Mr. Gridley engaged in teaching school and for seventeen years followed this profession, meanwhile qualifying himself for the practical work of surveying and civil engineering. In 1882 Mr. Gridley was elected county surveyor of Dearborn county and for twenty years was retained by the people in this position of responsibility, in that time performing a great and permanent service for the county. Since his retire- ment from the public office of surveyor, Mr. Gridley has devoted his time and talents to such civil engineering work of a local character as he may be called upon to perform, his fine technical and practical knowledge of the require- ments of such work bringing his services in much demand. Mr. Gridley has been the city engineer of the city of Aurora for thirty-three years continuously and had charge of the construction of the first brick streets laid in that city. Mr. Gridley has given considerable attention to the study of economics, and is the author of an interesting book, entitled "Man-Neighbor-Brother," which has attracted considerable attention in thoughtful circles. In 1900 he compiled and published an atlas of Dearborn county, which has proved a very valuable work and which has stood as an authoritative work of reference in this county ever since.
On March 25, 1875, Albert T. Gridley was united in marriage to Anna Mary Jenkins, lovingly known to her friends as "Minnie," who was the daughter of Samuel Jenkins, of Franklin county, Indiana. To this union two children were born, both of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Gridley died on March 25, 1879, at the early age of twenty-two years, and in 1885, Mr. Grid- ley married, secondly, Flora Maud Johnson, daughter of Thomas Johnson, to which union there has been no issue.
Mr. Gridley has a large and interesting following of friends and is very popular with his large circle of acquaintances. He takes a proper share of re- sponsibility in the good works of the community and no man in Aurora is held in higher regard that he. Mr. Gridley is a Democrat and his long experience in public affairs and his sound judgment on matters of public policy give to his voice considerable weight in the councils of his party in Dearborn
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county and in the city of Aurora. He is a good citizen, in all that this much- abused term implies, and very rightly is held in the highest esteem throughout the county, not only in social and political circles, but in business circles, his advice on matters of business policy often being sought and accepted, while his early experience as a teacher has given a value to his suggestions along educational lines which even to this day is found profitable to the school au- thorities of the city and county. His, indeed, has been a well-rounded life. Possessed of the highest civic and political ideals, he has kept clear the vision which inspires higher ideals of government and now, in the calm and pleasant evening of his life, as sage counsellor and friend, he still is doing nobly his work in his home community, his life being an inspiration to the youth who are seeking only those things which are of good report.
REV. MARTIN ANDRES.
It is with peculiar pleasure that a writer approaches the task of recording something of the life and work of a man who has given himself in the service of humanity, for it is certain that such a life and work have left an ineradicable impress upon the. lives which it has touched. In reviewing even briefly the career of Rev. Martin Andres, the beloved priest of St. Joseph's church, at St. Leon, one is reminded of the words of an American who said: "Great hearts there are also among men; they carry a volume of manhood; their presence is sunshine; their coming changes our climate; they oil the bearings of life; their shadow always falls behind them; they make right living easy. Blessed are the happiness-makers. They represent the best forces in civilization. They are to the heart and home what the honeysuckle is to the door over which it clings. These embodied gospels interpret Christianity."
It will be of interest to preface this biographical sketch with a statement concerning the predecessors of the present priest in charge of St. Joseph's. In 1841 the Rev. Joseph Ferneding, of New Alsace, built a log church, placing it under the patronage of St. Joseph. After his departure, the church and young congregation were attended successively by Rev. Michael O'Rourke, of Dover, Indiana; Rev. William Engeln, of St. Peters; Rev. Martin Stahl, of New Alsace, and Rev. Andrew Bennett, of Dover, until 1853. The Rev. Aeg. Moeshall was the first resident pastor, from March till November, 1853. The next is Rev. Arnold Pinkers, in 1854, succeeded by the Rev. Henry
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Koering in 1855, remaining until the beginning of 1860. Under his auspices the present church was begun in 1859. The church is of brick. one hundred and twenty by fifty-six feet. Rev. L. Schneider came in 1860. remaining but six months. The Rev. Anthony Scheideler took charge in November, 1860. He completed the church, built a new school and erected a parsonage. On July 28, 1874, Rev. John Gabriel arrived at St. Joseph's and remained until 1897, when Rev. A. Feigen took charge. He built the present splendid new parsonage at the cost of four thousand dollars. Rev. A. Feigen died on April 28, 1902, and was buried in St. Joseph's cemetery on May 1. 1902. His successor was Reverend Andres.
Martin Andres was born at New Orleans, January 28, 1855, and is the son of Sebastian and Gertrucie (Sebastian) Andres. Sebastian Andres was born in Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, where he lived until he was thirty years old. After his marriage, which took place in his native country, he came to America, and settled in New Orleans, but remained there only six months. He then, with his family, migrated to Floyd county, Indiana, where, having purchased eighty acres of good farm land, he began the cultivation of the ground which furnished his livelihood the remainder of his life. He later added one hundred and forty acres. At the age of sixty-eight years he passed away in the year 1892. He was a Democrat, and a member of the St. Mary's church, of Floyd county. Gertrude Andres lived in Germany at the time of her marriage. She was a devout Catholic, bringing up her children in ac- cordance with the tenets of that church. Besides Martin Andres there were five children, namely : Elizabeth, William, Teressa, Nicholas and Peter.
Martin Andres had in early childhood and youth the environment and training necessary to prepare him for the priesthood, for the religious at- mosphere of the home was supplemented by denominational schools. Coming to Floyd county with his parents, he first attended the parochial schools located near his home at Floyd Knobs, until 1872. Next his studies were continued at St. Meinrad's Seminary, in Spencer county, Indiana, and he was ordained on June 11, 1881, by Rt. Rev. Francis Silas Chatard, D. D., bishop of Indi- anapolis. At that time he was appointed to a charge in Frenchtown, Indiana. at St. Bernard's church, where he remained until July, 1888, when he was transferred to Haymond, Franklin county, Indiana, the church being St. Mary's of the Rocks. Here he served until June, 1902, when he was sent to be the pastor of St. Joseph's church, at St. Leon, where he is living at pres- ent. Father Andres has since his pastorate here built up the material welfare, as well as the spiritual life of the parish.
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Rev. Martin Andres is a man of marked mental attainments, as well as of forceful character, and as he goes about among his people, has won their respect, their admiration and their love.
DANIEL E. McKINZIE.
Prominent for many years in the councils of the Democratic party in Dearborn county, and popular alike among the leaders and the rank and file of that party, as well as with the people of the county generally, Daniel E. Mc- Kinzie, the present sheriff of Dearborn county, is making a splendid record in the office of which he took charge on January 1, 1915. Dearborn county is well known among its sister commonwealths of Indiana for its stanch Democracy, and Mr. McKinzie, undaunted by his defeat by a narrow margin of ninety-eight votes at the first primary in which he participated, received, in his second canvass, a plurality of seven hundred and thirty-six votes and was triumphantly elected, at the general election in 1914, by a plurality of nine hundred and seventy-six.
Daniel E. McKinzie is one of a family of seven sons born to Daniel E. and Tabitha (Giffin) McKinzie. Of these sons, Joseph is deceased; Jacob lives at Aurora; Samuel is deceased : Clarence lives at Cincinnati ; Daniel E., Jr., is the subject of this sketch: Charles and Harry live at Aurora. Daniel E. McKinzie, Jr., was born on the old Doc Swayles farm in Logan township. this county, on March 27. 1863. His father, who was reared near Dover, Indiana, and who was a laborer and farmer. removed from Petersburg, Kentucky, to Aurora, this county, in 1871, and lived there until his death in 1889. he then being sixty-five years of age. His widow, who is still living, at the age of eighty-five. is a member of the Methodist church.
Mr. McKinzie's paternal grandfather also was Daniel E. McKinzie, and his maternal grandfather was Samuel Giffin. The latter was a native of Indiana and lived in Dearborn county and died at Aurora. He was the father of seven children, as follow: Kate, Tabitha, Sarah. Charles. Samuel, David and John.
When David E. McKinzie was seven years old his parents moved from Petersburg. Kentucky, to Aurora, and the latter city continued to be his home until January 1. 1915. when he moved to Lawrenceburg and took charge of the office of sheriff. Sheriff McKinzie was first engaged in the ice business
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at Aurora, subsequently being engaged in the restaurant business for a period of seven years, at the end of which time he engaged in the livery business and still owns a livery barn in Aurora, having operated this barn for a period of six years before his election as sheriff. He prospered in this business and became, during his residence in Aurora, a well-known citizen, not only of Aurora, but of all Dearborn county.
Daniel E. Mckenzie married Ella Cox, daughter of Hiram and Nancy (Kerr) Cox, and herself a native of Indiana, whose father died in 1890, at the age of sixty-seven years, after having reared seven children, the other six being Elias, James, Jacob, John, Paul and Emma. Mrs. Hiram Cox is still living and is now past eighty-five years of age. Hiram Cox was a flat- boatman during the Civil War, and a pilot on one of the Federal gun boats, performing distinguished service in behalf of the Union. He was one of three children born to his parents, the others being Jacob and James. Mrs. Hiram Cox was one of several children, among others being Nancy, Aron, James and Mary.
To Mr. and Mrs. McKinzie have been born one son and one daughter, Paul and Pearl. Paul McKinzie is now deputy sheriff of Dearborn county and is unmarried. Pearl died at the age of eight months.
Sheriff McKinzie is a member of the Royal Arcanum. His son, Paul, belongs to the Knights of Pythias and is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. Since going to Lawrenceburg, the McKinzie family have become popular socially in that city, where they maintain a comfortable and refined home. Already the recipient of a high honor from the Democracy of Dearborn county, Sheriff McKinzie's friends predict for him even greater honors in a public way.
CHARLES MOSMEIER.
When the election for township assessor was held in this township in 1914, the man elected to fill the office by an overwhelming majority was Charles Mosmeier, the subject of this sketch. Long residence in the neigh- borhood contributed to the cause of the election, but this particular selection was the result of personal popularity and public confidence in the man.
Charles Mosmeier was born in Adams township, Ripley county, March 2, 1865, and is the son of John Mosmeier and Katherine (Christian) Mos- meier. The former is still living, a hale and hearty man of eighty-one years.
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Like many other thrifty early settlers of this section of the country, John Mosmeier was born in Germany, the date being April 30, 1834. Being some- what adventurous in his tastes, he early sought his fortune in the new world, coming to America when a lad of nineteen. Landing at New York, he trav- eled overland to Cincinnati, and later lived in Ripley county, where he began the new life on forty acres in Adams township. It was about this time that his marriage occurred, soon after which he purchased forty acres adjoining his place, later adding another forty, and then twenty more, so that he now has one hundred. and forty acres. Besides farming, Mr. Mosmeier has been interested in politics, being a Democrat, and is a prominent member of the Lutheran church at Penn Town, Ripley county. He has a brother and sister, Michael and Elizabeth, both living in the United States. Katherine (Chris- tian) Mosmeier, mother of the subject of this sketch, was a woman of such beautiful character that her memory is hallowed by all who knew her. She was born in Franklin county, in 1841, and lived with her parents until her marriage to John Mosmeier, having received her education in the local schools. In the building up of his material success, Mrs. Mosmeier co-operated with her husband, and until her death, August 17, 1902, she was a loyal and devoted wife. Hers was a life of unusual unselfishness. She was ever ready to forget self in ministering to the needs of others. She was a devoted wife and mother, and for her family and its happiness, no sacrifice was too great. It was characteristic that during her last illness, which lasted nearly a year, she fre- quently spoke of the kindness of those who ministered to her needs, and although she was a great sufferer, she bore her sufferings patiently and with- out complaint.
The children born to John and Katherine Mosmeier were six in number : John, Charlie, Michael, William, Frank, and one who died an infant. John died at the age of twenty, Michael when a child of two, and William passed away at the age of thirty-four. Frank married Reca Guinter, born in Ripley county, Adams township, and their children are Harvey, Harris and Godfred.
After his schooling was completed, the subject of this sketch continued his farm work on the home place, helping his father until twenty-one years of age. On April 12, 1888, the ceremony which united Charles Mosmeier in mar- riage to Louise Clemence was performed, his bride having been born on April 6, 1868, in Ripley county. She was educated in the local schools, and lived at home until her marriage. Mrs. Mosmeier's parents, George and Eliza- beth (Ale) Clemence, were both natives of Germany, but came to Ripley county, and were married there. Their children, other than Mrs. Mosmeier,
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were Fred, deceased, George, John, Henry, Carrie, died an infant, and Louise. George married Mary Hornberger, who lives in Lawrenceville, Indiana, and is the mother of nine children, Emma, John, Edward, Ida, Albert, Lillian, Gertrude, Clara and Harry. John married Maggie Conrad, living in Willard, Minnesota, two of their children being Harry and Lula. Henry, husband of Louise Gutapfel, is residing in Sunman, Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Mosmeier continued to live in Ripley county for three years, after which they purchased eighty acres in Dearborn county, two miles south- east of Lawrenceville, their present home. In 1909 Mr. Mosmeier bought an additional eighty acres in Ripley county adjoining his home, and improved this land until it became one of the best farms in the county. Besides farming, Mr. Mosmeier owns and operates a corn shredder, and is interested in the Farmers National Bank of Sunman.
Mr. and Mrs. Mosmeier are the parents of three children, namely : Clara, born on March 15, 1889, is the wife of Fred Tegler, a farmer of Ripley county ; Lewis, August 14, 1894, and Esther, November 6, 1903.
Mr. Mosmeier is known throughout the neighborhood for his strong Democratic principles. He has been more or less active in the party in which he has many warm friends and admirers. Both he and Mrs. Mosmeier are well known and well liked in the community in which they live.
HENRY H. RULLMANN.
Henry H. Rullmann, flour miller, Aurora, Indiana, is a son of Ernest H. and Louisa (Westerfeld) Rullmann, and was born on October 23, 1861, in Dearborn county, three miles west of Dillsboro, and was reared on his father's farm in Clay township. His education was obtained at the district and German Lutheran schools, and after finishing school, he remained at home until nineteen years of age, when he learned the miller's trade, which he has since followed, covering a period of thirty-four years. He was first employed by Droege & Doenselman, remaining with them five years, being later engaged by Langtree, McGuire & Company, in the same mill. In 1891, Mr. Rullman organized the Star Milling Company, of which he was manager until 1897, when he sold his interest. He then did some prospecting for a new site. visiting different locations, but soon made up his mind, and at once set to work on the erection of the Acme Flour Mill, of which he and his brothers and A. H. Ebel are the proprietors, and of which he is the manager.
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The responsibility and care necessitated by his undertakings told upon his health, and he was finally compelled to take a rest, covering a period of twenty- one months, when he went to Colorado, where he spent six months in an en- deavor to recuperate his health. Mr. Rullmann is an independent Democrat, and was elected councilman on the Citizen's ticket, and is serving his first term. He is a director of the Wymond Cooperage Company, in which he owns considerable stock, and is also a director in the Commercial Club.
Ernest H. Rullmann, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Ger- many, coming to America with his parents when but four years old. They settled on a farm near Dillsboro, where he spent his entire life, until about a year before his death, when he moved to Dillsboro, retiring from work. Dur- ing his farm life he accumulated considerable wealth, and owned a splendid tract of land in Clay township, the most of which was cleared by himself and his brothers. Mr. Rullmann died in Dillsboro, in 1900, aged sixty-two years. His wife, Louisa (Westerfeld) Rullmann, was also a native of Germany, and came to the United States at the age of fourteen years. They were married in Clay township, and were the parents of eight children: Henry H., of Aurora; Louis H., who resides at Louisville, Kentucky; William H., Herman H., and Charles E., all reside at Aurora, Indiana; Anna, who became the wife of William F. Knollman, of Aurora, and two who died young. Mrs. Rull- mann died in 1910, aged about sixty-eight years. They were both members of the Lutheran church.
The paternal grandfather was Herman H. Rullmann, whose wife was Maria Elizabeth (Bussman) Rullmann, both natives of Germany, and both dying in Clay township, Dearborn county, Mr. Rullmann at the age of ninety- one years, and his wife some years younger. To this union were born four children, Henry H., Ernest H., Margaret and Catherine.
The maternal grandfather was William Westerfeld, and his wife was Angeline (Meyers) Westerfeld, natives of Germany, where they both died. To this union were born two children, Louisa and Elizabeth. Mr. Wester- feld was twice married, and by his second wife had three children, Minnie, Anna and Louisa.
Henry H. Rullmann was married on August 23, 1883, to Minnie K. Bosse, born near Farmers Retreat, Dearborn county, and is a daughter of Henry and Catherine Bosse, by whom he has had six children, namely: Vina, William, Pauline, Walter, Alvin and Harry. Vina is a stenographer in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, where she has been for the past ten years; William is married to Ida Vinup, and is also employed as a (44)
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stenographer; Pauline lives at home; Walter is clerking in the office of the Baltimore & Ohio Railway, at Aurora; Alvin and Harry are in high school.
Henry and Catherine Bosse, parents of Mrs. Rullmann, were born in Germany, and are both dead. They had a family of four children, Sophia, Minnie K., Hannah and Helena. Mr. Bosse was married twice, his first wife being a Miss Droege. They had seven children, Frederick, Henry, William. Garrett, Herman, Elizabeth and Mary.
Mr. Rullman has, with the exception of the six months spent in Colorado, always lived in Dearborn county, throughout which he has a large acquain- tance. He has been eminently successful, and has the confidence and respect of everybody. In his manner, he is quiet and modest, and believes a man should show his character through his works, rather than through his words.
AMBROSE E. STARK.
The following brief sketch of the life of Ambrose E. Stark will scarcely do justice to his character, or the ability with which he has handled the op- portunities as they have come to him thus far in life. Being well educated, and having the inherent qualifications, he was fully equipped to take up the work in early life to which he has ever since given his undivided time and at- tention, and in which he has met with remarkable success. The Cochran Chair Company, of Aurora, with which he is connected. is one of the most prosperous concerns of its kind in the surrounding country.
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