History of Dearborn County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 69

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 69

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

It was a matter of great pride to Mr. Cobb, and a thing of far more importance than it might at first seem, that he was the first newspaper man in the state to open the columns of his paper for the full publication of local church news. This was a concession to the churches which was quickly followed by other papers throughout the state, and so general has become this practice that a paper without a church column is now the exception and not the rule.

Louis Willard Cobb was the second son of the late O. P. and Caroline (Foulk) Cobb, and through his father was a descendant of the noted Revolu- tionary War hero, William Crawford. Louis Willard Cobb was married on

Digitized by Google

701

DEARBORN COUNTY, INDIANA.

September 30, 1875, to Mary Emma McCreary, who, with three children, Inez S., Frank Mac and L. Willard, Jr., survive him. Since his death his widow, Mrs. Mary E. Cobb, and his daughter, Inez S., have continued the publication of the paper to which his life and interests had all been devoted.

JOSEPH RUSSELL HOUSTON, A. M.

The biography of a man of fine education and character serves as a photograph for future generations, and gives cause for regret in not having had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance. It provides food for thought for his descendants, and serves as the whip that urges them on to accomplish the best of which they are capable, and fit themselves to take their place in human affairs.

Joseph Russell Houston, superintendent of city schools, Aurora, Indiana, is a son of William and Jennie (Russell) Houston, and was born on February 29, 1864, at Sparta, Indiana, and was reared on his father's farm. His early education was obtained at the district school, and he later was graduated from Moores Hill College in 1893, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and two years later with the degree of Master of Arts. He began teaching when twenty years old, and has followed that vocation ever since. He was principal of the Cochran public schools four years, and was then ap- pointed superintendent of the Aurora public schools, which position he has held for the past nineteen years. Professor Houston is a loyal Democrat, and a member of the Baptist church. He belongs to Dearborn Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Woodmen of America.

William Houston, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and came to America when but twelve years old, with his parents, who settled in Sparta township, Dearborn county, In- diana, where he grew to manhood. His wife, Jennie (Russell) Houston. was eight years old when she came to America with her parents. After his marriage Mr. Houston rented farms for several years, and then bought a small tract on the Lawrenceburg and Aurora road, where they spent the remainder of their lives, Mr. Houston dying in May, 1913, and his wife in January of the same year, aged eighty-one and seventy-five years, respect- ively. Both were members of the Presbyterian church. To this union were born ten children, namely: Martha, Mary, Joseph R., Sarah, William,

Digitized by Google

702

DEARBORN COUNTY, INDIANA.

Samuel, Hattie, Frederick and two who died in infancy. Martha is the wife of W. J. French, and resides at Moores Hill, Indiana; Mary is now Mrs. Edward Adkins, and is also a resident of Moores Hill; Joseph R. makes his home at Aurora; Sarah became the wife of Henry Bobrink, of Lawrence- burg; William lives in Lawrenceburg township; Samuel is in business at Brownstown, Indiana; Hattie lives with her brother William, and Frederick lives at Brownstown.

The paternal grandfather was Samuel Houston, and his wife was May Houston. They settled in Sparta township in pioneer days, where they followed farming, and spent the remainder of their lives, dying at a good old age. They had a large family of children: Hugh, John, William, Thomas, Samuel, James, Martha, Mary, James, Margaret, and others.

The maternal grandfather was William Russell. Both he and his wife were natives of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish descent, and were early settlers in Sparta township, Dearborn county. Mr. Russell was a prominent member in the Sparta Presbyterian church. He died aged about fifty years, and his wife lived to an old age. To this union were born five children: Jennie, John, William, Martha and Joseph.

Joseph Russell Houston was married on August 11, 1897, to Daisy Holliday, daughter of William and Louisa (Gridley) Holliday. Mrs. Houston was born on January 23, 1875, at Wynn, Indiana. She is an earnest member of the Presbyterian church.

William Holliday, father of Mrs. Daisy Houston, was born in Indiana, and his wife, Louisa (Gridley) Holliday, was a native of Ohio. They were early settlers in Franklin county, where Mr. Holliday was engaged as a wagon maker, being located at Brookville. He was a soldier in the Civil War, serving in Company I, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving eight months at the close of the war. His death occurred January 7, 1903, aged fifty-two years. His wife is still living. Their children were: Edward, Nellie, Daisy, Mary, William and Frank.

The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Houston was Samuel Holliday, and his wife was Mary (Isgreeg) Holliday, natives of Pennsylvania and Mary- land, respectively. Mr. Holliday was a wagon maker by trade. He and his wife lived to an advanced age, and had the following children: Squire. Elizabeth, Hester, Jane, Martin and William.

The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Houston was Francis Gridley, who married Caroline Du Vall, both natives of Ohio. Mr. Gridley followed farm- ing all his life, and died at the age of eighty-five years. His wife still

Digitized by Google

703

DEARBORN COUNTY, INDIANA.

survives him at the age of ninety years, hale and hearty. To this union were born the following children: Albert, Louisa, Ella, Clarissa, William C. and Mary.

Professor Houston has the satisfaction of knowing that he is one of the most valuable servants of the public, and that his work will remain a marker to his memory, long years after his usefulness has ceased.

GEORGE W. SAWDON.

Prominent among the names worthy of honorable mention is that of George W. Sawdon, whose ancestors, like hundreds of others, felt the call of the new world, and also like hundreds of others, were prepared to take their chance for success in the tide of emigration, the flow of which has lost none of its force as time has advanced. The father of the immediate subject of this sketch came from England, that "tight little isle" that has contributed such a large number of desirable citizens to this country.

George W. Sawdon, farmer, Washington township, Dearborn county, was born on May 7, 1846, on his father's farm in the township where he now resides. He is a son of William and Hannah (Cornforth) Sawdon. He was graduated from the public schools and remained at home until 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army in the Civil War, serving about six months, during which time he participated in many skirmishes. He was mustered in August 19, and was captured by Kirby Smith, at Richmond, September I, of that year, during some heavy fighting, and was in a number of other engagements, after which he returned, and was paroled in camp at Indianapolis. Immediately after the war, he returned home and entered school at Oberlin, Ohio, after which he completed his education at Cincinnati, Ohio. After his marriage Mr. Sawdon inherited a splendid farm from his father, and at once began the vocation of an agriculturist, which he has since followed. He has been a member of the Grange since 1873, and was repre- sentative at the state Grange on several occasions, and has held the offices of steward, overseer and chaplain Mr. Sawdon is a Master Mason, which order he joined in 1873, and in 1884 he became a Royal Arch Mason. He has always been a public-spirited man, and from 1874 to 1879 was township trustee.

William Sawdon, father of our subject, was born on December 24.

Digitized by Google

704

DEARBORN COUNTY, INDIANA.

1811, in Yorkshire, England, and was a son of William and Ann (Boddy) Sawdon, and was brought to America by an uncle, who reared and educated him. He was a bound apprentice to a shoemaker in England and worked at his trade in Cincinnati. He came to what is known as Sawdon Ridge, Miller township, Dearborn county, after the flood of 1832, and lived there until his death. Mr. Sawdon was married on March 4, 1835, to Hannah Cornforth, daughter of Robert and Jane Cornforth, natives of England, and came to America in the early thirties. To this union were born eight children. as follow : Thomas H., Robert C., Sarah J., Martha A., Mary E., George W., Hattie E. and Emma H. Mrs. William Sawdon was born on April 27, 1815, in England, and died on December 29, 1874, in Dearborn county. Mr. Sawdon was married, secondly, March 26, 1876, to Mrs. Eliza Ann Shoup, who was born on July 15, 1826, near Wilmington, Indiana, and was the mother of three children by her first husband, Edward, Thomas and James Shoup. Mr. Sawdon was eighty-four years old at the time of his death.

William Sawdon, Sr., the paternal grandfather, was born on March 21, 1786, in Yorkshire, England. His wife, Ann (Boddy) Sawdon, was also a native of England, and on account of her poor health, they started for America, but she died in June, 1830, while on the voyage, and was buried at seat. Mr. Sawdon settled in Dearborn county, and was married to Mary Liddle, who was born on October 16, 1807. On the farm where they lived was a block house for protection from Indians. The first school house in this part of the county was near the block house. There were five families living on the place. An Indian trail passed through the farm. He died on No- vember 27, 1870.

George W. Sawdon was united in marriage, in 1870, with Annie Miller, daughter of William B. and Sarah A. (Gullet) Miller. She was born on July 26, 1846, near Dillsboro, Indiana. They have four children, R. Adin, Charles Otto, Will Miller and Laura May.

Mrs. Sawdon has three sisters and five brothers: C. B. Miller, Doctor Miller, of Montana; J. G. Miller, a retired manufacturer, of Ft. Smith, Arkansas; Jennie, who died in infancy; Mary, deceased; Emma, who became the wife of H. Schmolsmire, and has had two children, Florence and Annetta, both graduates of DePauw University. Florence is married and Annetta is teaching school at Oklahoma.

Mr. and Mrs. Sawdon are among the leading farmers of Washington township, and are highly esteemed by their neighbors and acquaintances.

Digitized by Google

705

DEARBORN COUNTY, INDIANA.

MRS. EMMA C. BORGERDING.

We are accustomed to pay tribute to the man who, although handicapped by early disadvantages, has won a victory in the struggle for existence, a struggle so fierce and so relentless that in spite of the greatest effort, many go down to defeat. What, then, shall be the praise due a woman, who, with even greater handicaps, has shouldered the burden formerly borne by another, and has achieved success by force of will born of necessity? Such has been the achievement of Mrs. Emma C. Borgerding, owner and proprietor of a restaurant and confectionery store in Aurora. Twice left a widow, Mrs. Borgerding has assumed the duties of the bread winner. She was born in Aurora, which has been her home nearly all of her life, the date of birth being May 3, 1864.

The subject of this sketch is the daughter of Nicholas and Eliza (Leo- heide) Oester, both natives of Bavaria, the latter, of Hanover, Germany. The paternal grandparents, Nicholas Oester and his wife, both died of cholera within a few days, and further their history is unknown, except that their children were named Nicholas, Jr., John, Johaan, Mary, Caroline and Elizabeth. The grandfather on the mother's side was Frederick Leoheide. He and his wife, whose name is unknown, after coming to America, settled on a farm in Dearborn county, near Dillsboro, where he lived the greater part of his life, spending his later years, however, with the Oester family, at whose home on Third street, in Aurora, he died in March, 1885, when he had reached the age of eighty-three.

The father of Mrs. Borgerding, Nicholas Oester, came to this country with his parents, who settled in Cincinnati; where he grew to manhood. First taking up the trade of a cooper, he engaged in this occupation for several years, giving it up, however, to go into the wholesale liquor business in Aurora, and he afterwards became proprietor of the Greendale distillery in Lawrenceburg. He died in October, 1894, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife lived until April, 1913, and was seventy-six at the time of her death. Both belonged to the Lutheran church. Their family of children were eight in number, namely: Mary is the widow of Christopher Frederick San- ders, of Birmingham, Alabama; Louisa is also a widow, her husband having been John Lochner, of Chicago, Illinois; William is deceased; Charles is a resident of Lawrenceburg; Lena is Mrs. Wilkes A. Dorrell, of Aurora; Tillie is the wife of Dr. A. T. Fagaly, of Lawrenceburg; Lillie, wife of Harry Schmutte, of Aurora; and Mrs. Emma Borgerding.

(45)

Digitized by Google

706

DEARBORN COUNTY, INDIANA.

With the exception of a few years spent in Cincinnati, and six years' residence in Ashville. North Carolina. Mrs. Emma Borgerding has lived in Aurora, the place of her birth. Here it was that she attended the public schools. Her marriage to her first husband. August Sunderbruch. took place on June 3. 1885, and he passed away on August 11. 1896, when only thirty- two years of age. Mr. Sunderbruch, who was a competent gardener. was a native of Lawrenceburg, his parents living on what was known as the Ludlow hill. Mrs. Borgerding was married to Bernard H. Borgerding, of Newport, Kentucky, October 3. 1900. Mr. Borgerding was born in Cincinnati. Ohio. where he was for many years a shoe dealer. It was in 1902 that he came to Aurora, which became his home until his death on September 15. 1911. he being at the time forty-two years of age.

Since the death of her husband Mrs. Borgerding has continued the business which he started not long before his demise. In connection with the restaurant Mrs. Borgerding has built up a splendid trade in the line of confectionery, ice cream. and soda fountain, her attractive store being one of the popular places where the young people like to gather. especially on warm summer evenings.

Mrs. Borgerding has the qualities which go to make up a successful business woman, and in this capacity, as well as in her home life, she has won a large number of friends and acquaintances. She is a devoted member of the Lutheran church, this being the church of her parents, and althoughi her life is a busy one, Mrs. Borgerding finds time to devote to the welfare of her denomination.

HENRY F. LAUMAN.

Since the soil is the ultimate source of wealth. it may not be inappropriate to consider him who cultivates it as a public benefactor. It is by his toil that the nations of the earth live, and though his life may for the most part be unvaried by incident, it is not unimportant to the world at large as well as to the more intimate surroundings. Henry F. Lauman, who was born in this township on March 29, 1854, has followed the vocation of farming all of his life, as did his father before him, with the possible exception of a few years.

Henry Lauman's father. Adam Lauman, was born in Germany on August 17, 1828, and after his marriage to Mary (Angel) Lauman, left his

Digitized by Google

707

DEARBORN COUNTY, INDIANA.

native land for the new world when he was only twenty-five years of age. His birthplace was Hanover. Germany. There did not seem to be any open- ing in the line in which he was best versed in the vicinity of Cincinnati to which he first came, and for two years he became a laborer. He then began a more independent career by becoming the proprietor of twenty acres in this township, which he immediately began to cultivate. later adding an additional twenty acres. This property was near Cold Springs, and here he lived and labored until March 28. 1914, the date of his death, at which time he was eighty-six years of age. Mr. Lauman was a Democrat and a member of the Lutheran church. His wife. Mary Angel, was born in Ger- many. She came to this country with her husband, but did not live long. afterwards. Her three children were. Mary. Henry and one child who passed away in infancy. Mary Lauman was born in Germany. came to the United States and married George Mayer, who lived in Aurora. Their children were, Ella, Maurice. William. Colonel. and one child who died in infancy. After the death of his first wife. Adam Lauman married Louise Auftermasch. also a native of Germany, who came to Sparta while still a young woman. Henry F. Lauman attended school at Sparta, and later assisted his father on the farm until he married. in 1884. his bride being Catherine Zeigenbine. who was born in Clay township on August 22. 1855. She was the daughter of Christian and Sophia (Deitrich) Zeigenbine. both natives of Germany. who came to this country after their marriage. Their seven children were. Charlie, Mary, Minnie. Catherine, and three who died while quite young. Mary became the wife of Henry Licking. who lives on a farm in Clay town- ship. Their children are, Edward. Maggie, Laura. Sarah and Catherine. Minnie married Christian Licking. of Cæsar Creek township. is the mother of six children, Louis, Cora. William. Westly. Mabel and Herbert.

Henry F. Lauman attended school at Sparta, and later assisted his father on the farm until he married, in 1884. his bride being Catherin Zeigenbine. eighty acres at different times, making his land consist of one hundred and twenty acres in all. Besides his farming enterprises. Mr. Lauman is a suc- cessful stock raiser, and has sold large quantities of live-stock.

The three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lauman are, Anna. Frederick and Flora. The first daughter, who has achieved distinction as a nurse, was born on February 24, 1880. Anna Lauman now has charge of the Lutheran Hospital at Ft. Wayne, Indiana, having graduated from Moores Hill College. taught school and later graduated from the Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne. after which she did post-graduate work in Philadelphia. Miss Lauman is

Digitized by Google

708

DEARBORN COUNTY, INDIANA.

very popular in her chosen profession in which she has made signal success. Her brother Frederick was born on March 20, 1888, in this township. After attending the local schools he took a course at Moores Hill College, and later spent a winter studying in the animal husbandry department of Purdue University, at Lafayette, Indiana. The youngest daughter, Flora, who was born on February 26, 1891, in this township, is living with her parents. She has been a student of Moores Hill College and also took the course in do- mestic science at Purdue University.

Mr. and Mrs. Lauman believe in young people being thoroughly equipped for their work in the world, and therefore have given very careful attention to the education of their children, all of whom have been given rare opportunities for training in both practical and theoretical branches. These parents may justly be proud of the attainments already accomplished by their gifted children.

Mr. and Mrs. Lauman are active in the religious affairs of their com- munity, both being members of the Lutheran church of Cold Springs.

Mr. Lauman is a stanch Democrat, and a man much interested in politics and the questions of the day. He is noted for his honor as a business man, his devotion to his home and its interests, and his loyalty as a friend, neighbor and citizen.

THOMAS BENTON COTTINGHAM.

Much credit must be given to those farmers who for a number of years have worked steadily away at their chosen field of endeavor, giving their best thought and energy to the difficult problems of agricultural life, and who at the same time have not been blind to the various needs of their com- munity, but have made themselves felt as an influence for good among their fellows. Dearborn county has reason to be proud of the many true men she has produced, among whom is Thomas Benton Cottingham, a well-known farmer of Miller township.

T. B. Cottingham was born at Logan Cross Roads, Dearborn county, Indiana, on April 3, 1846. He is the son of Thomas and Sarah Mills (Stohmes) Cottingham, natives of Yorkshire, England, and Ohio, respect- ively.

Thomas Cottingham, Sr., was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1810, and at an early age emigrated with his parents to America. They settled near

Digitized by Google

709

DEARBORN COUNTY, INDIANA.

Baltimore, Maryland. A short time after the death of the father, Thomas Cottingham, Sr., came with his mother to Cincinnati. Here he received the rudiments of a common-school education and learned the blacksmith's trade by apprenticeship. Later removing to Dearborn county and settling on a farm at Logan Cross Roads, he built a shop and followed his trade as a blacksmith. The farm where he located was obtained from Alford Stohmes, his brother- in-law, for whom he assumed certain financial obligations. Thomas Cot- tingham was married to Sarah Mills Stohmes, a native of Delhi, Ohio, born in 1815. To this union were born nine children, as follow: Eliza, Charlotte, deceased; Alonzo, Sarah Amelia, Jacob, deceased; Thomas B., the subject of this sketch; Matilda, deceased; Louisa, deceased; and one child who died in infancy. The mother of these children, Sarah Mills (Stohmes) Cot- tingham, died on the farm, in Harrison township, in 1850, at the early age of thirty-five years. The father, Thomas Cottingham, Sr., after operating his ninety-acre farm in Harrison township and following his blacksmith's trade for a number of years, spent the last fifteen years of his life with a daughter, Mrs. Liddle, of Bright, Indiana. He died at the ripe old age of nearly eighty-seven years. He was an active Democrat, having served as trustee of Harrison township one term.

T. B. Cottingham, the subject of this sketch, grew up in Harrison town- ship, Dearborn county, Indiana, and received a common-school education in the district township schools. He remained on the home farm until eighteen years of age, when he worked out at different places for himself. Reared a farmer, he chose his vocation as such, and, with the exception of three or four years in which he was engaged in the general mercantile business at Bright, Indiana, in partnership with W. S. Fagaley, he has followed farming all his life. After his marriage, in 1874. he continued in the mercantile business for about a year, and then sold his interest and bought a farm of seventy-five acres in Miller township. After living here for about six years he sold the farm and bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he moved in 1881, and where he has continued to reside. Mr. Cottingham has a beautiful farm, kept in excellent shape, and, located on high ground, his place commands a magnificent view of the surrounding country.

On June 24. 1874, T. B. Cottingham was married to Louisa Langdale, a native of Miller township, Dearborn county, Indiana, who was born on January 29, 1844. She was the daughter of Robert Hill and Martha (Colvin) Langdale. To this happy union were born three children, Stanley L., de-

Digitized by Google

710

DEARBORN COUNTY, INDIANA.

ceased; Howard and Edna A. Howard married Elizabeth Renck and operates the home farm. They have three children, Agnes, Clayton and Albert S. Edna married J. D. Moore, and lives at Charleston, West Vir- ginia, and they have three children, Rossebell, Louisa and Thomas Benton. Mrs. Louisa (Langdale) Cottingham died, May 1, 1911, a loving wife and devoted mother and loved by all who knew her.

Mr. Cottingham, as was his beloved wife, is an ardent member of the Christian church. He has been an elder in the church at Bright, Indiana, since its organization, and has always taken an active interest in its work. Mr. Cottingham is not affiliated with any lodges, and, although an active Democrat, he has not held public office. T. B. Cottingham, who is now practically retired, is a fair type of the prosperous and progressive farmer. He is a companionable man of cheery disposition, genteel and sociable. A man who stands for what he thinks is right and just, he is favorably known and looked upon as an honorable citizen.

MARTHA AND MARY E. REES.

In their comfortable farm home, located on the crest of a gently-sloping hill, overlooking the beautiful Ohio valley, live Martha and Mary E. Rees worthy representatives of one of the pioneer families of Lawrenceburg town- ship. The Misses Rees have done well their part in advancing the best inter- ests of this neighborhood, and have a host of friends hereabout.

Mary and Martha Rees. daughters of Amos and Mary (Daniel) Rees, were born and reared in Dearborn county, near Lawrenceburg. Their mother died while they were still young, and they were reared by their father's sister. Martha Rees. They still live at the old homestead, which embraces two hundred and forty acres of land in Lawrenceburg township. In addition to this they own another farm of about twenty-nine acres in the same township. They are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Lawrenceburg, and take an active part in the church work.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Dearborn County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 69

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

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