History of Dearborn County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 70

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

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Amos Rees, the father, was born in Dearborn county in 1815, and spent his entire life on farms in Lawrenceburg township.' His death occurred in November, 1886. His wife was Mary Daniel, born in 1816. She belonged to the Methodist church. Her parents were William and Rebecca Daniel. They came from Virginia at an early day, and lived for some time near Dills- boro, Indiana.

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The paternal grandfather was David Rees, a Quaker, who came from Berkeley county, Virginia, to Indiana in 1807. He had previously made a trip in 1803. He lived to be about forty years old. His wife was Susanna Daniel, by whom he had the following children: Jacob, John, Amos, Martha, David, Rezin, and one who died in infancy. After her husband's death, Mrs. Susanna Rees was married a second time, to Joshua Sanks, and they were the parents of two sons, Samuel B. and William F., both deceased.

GEORGE HENRY MEYER.

Among the well-known and successful citizens of Lawrenceburg town- ship, Dearborn county, is George Henry Meyer, who is descended from one of the pioneer families of this neighborhood.

George Henry Meyer, son of John Frederick and Mary Sophia (Brasky) Meyer, was born on September 27, 1870, in what was then Miller township, now Lawrenceburg township. He has lived at his present address six years. He formerly owned a fine farm of one hundred and thirty-seven acres, which he improved and for which he was offered a good round sum. He accepted this offer and then bought another splendid farm of good size, which he also sold to an advantage. Becoming dissatisfied with farm life, Mr. Meyer made up his mind to get into something more to his liking, and his principal occupation at present is that of running a threshing machine outfit. He was appointed road supervisor, and served for two terms, ending in 1914. Mr Meyer is an ardent member of the Lutheran church.

John Frederick Meyer was born near Hanover, Germany, about 1821, and died in 1900. He came to America when he was eighteen years of age, and selected Dearborn county as his place of abode, where the most of his life was spent. His chief occupation was farming, in which he was very successful. In Dearborn county he owned about seven hundred and eighty acres of land, and in Ohio county he owned one hundred and twenty acres more, nearly one thousand acres in all. His eight children were as follow : Henry J., John F., William, Fred W., George H., Mrs. Dora Kaiser, of Aurora, Indiana; Mrs. Anna Randall, deceased; and Mary, deceased.

The paternal grandfather was John Henry Meyer, who was born near Hanover, Germany, in 1801, where he grew to manhood and was married.

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His occupation was that of a trader. After hearing the splendid reports from America he decided to pack up his belongings and bring his family here. They settled in Dearborn county, where they resided for a time, and later moved to Spencer county, where his wife died, and then he went to Ripley county and made his home for a time with his daughter, Mrs. Anna Bahlmer, and then went to the home of his son, John F., in Dearborn county, where he spent the last years of his life. He was about eighty years old when he died. They were the parents of the following children: John Frederick Meyer (called Frederick), Mrs. Anna Bahlmer and John Meyer.

On April 25, 1895, George Henry Meyer was united in marriage with Rosa Marguerite Elizabeth Wolber, daughter of Frederick Wolber and Mary (Butt) Wolber. She was born on January 1, 1872, in Lawrenceburg town- ship, where she grew up and received her early education at the German and district schools. She is a member of the German Lutheran church. To Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have been born two children, Louise Mary, now seventeen years old, and a son who died in infancy.

Frederick Wolber, father of Mrs. Meyer, was born in Clay township, February 20, 1850. His wife was born on April 13, 1848, at Sunman, Indi- ana. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Mrs. Katie Molter, Mrs. Mary Cramer, Anna, Mrs. Clara Molter, Henry, Mrs. Rosa Meyer, and one who died in infancy. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Meyer came from Germany, probably near Hanover.

ELLA JANE (BRUMBLAY) JOHNSTON.

Mrs. Ella Jane (Brumblay) Johnston, widow of Columbus Johnston, is one of the best-known and well-beloved citizens of Sparta township, this county, where she has long resided, and is now traveling life's path without the companionship of the husband who so carefully guarded her from all hardships and cares during their many years spent together. Being well educated, and springing from a good family, she made a suitable and intelli- gent life-partner for her husband, who was held in high estimation in his community, because of his high character for honesty and integrity.

Ella Jane Brumblay was born in Sparta township, Dearborn county, Indiana, on June 23, 1852, daughter of Davis M. and Sara Catherine (Givan) Brumblay. She received her early education in the public schools and later attended Moores Hill College, living at home until her marriage.

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COLUMBUS JOHNSTON

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Davis M. Brumblay was born on May 6, 1828, in Sparta township, ob- taining his education at the district schools and taught school for two years. He remained on the farm and cared for his father until the latter's death, and then took over the farm, spending the rest of his life there. He was a son of John and Elizabeth (McGee) Brumblay, and was united in mar- riage on May 4, 1848, to Sara Catherine Givan, who was born on December 16, 1829, in Sparta township, daughter of Gilbert T. and Sara (Merrill) Givan. They lived on the old Givan home place until the death of Mr. Givan on June 22, 1903. To this union were born seven children, six of whom died in infancy, Davis M. being the only one who grew to maturity.

John and Elizabeth (McGee) Brumblay were both natives of Maryland and belonged to the Society of Friends. They came overland to Indiana by the wagon trail, when middle aged, and settled in Sparta township, this county, entering land from the government, on which they spent the rest of their lives, John Brumblay dying at the age of seventy-two years, and his wife at quite an advanced age. Their children were: John, Davis, Anna, Sarah, Elizabeth and Mary. John Brumblay married Anna Truet, and lived in Sparta township. They were the parents of eleven children, George R .. Albert, John, Frank, Gatch, Charlie, Elizabeth, Mary Jane, Hattie, Maggie, and one who died in infancy. Anna Brumblay became the wife of Robert Givan, and lived in Dearborn county. She died and he remarried and by the second marriage had seven children, George, Joseph, Matilda, Belle, Mollie, Aria and Hattie. Sarah Brumblay married John D. Johnson and lived in Dearborn county. Their children were Joseph, Benjamin, Wesley, Frank, Purnell, William, Anna, Mahaley and two who died in infancy. Elizabeth Brumblay married John Hines, who died, whereupon she married, secondly, Perry Miller, of Aurora, this county, and had two children, Perry and Frank- lyn, the latter dying in infancy. Mary Brumblay married John Hines and lived in Ripley county. They were the parents of Elizabeth, Mary Ann, John, James, Alfred, Emma and Frank.

Gilbert T. Givan was born on July 31, 1789, in Worcester county, Mary land, and his marriage took place on December 2, 1813, in Accomac county, Virginia. His wife was Sarah C. Merrill, daughter of George and Charlotte Merrill, born on September 6, 1795, in Accomac county, Virginia. Mr. Givan died on February 8, 1862, and his wife died on July 28, 1861. They were the parents of twelve children, Margaret M., Albert G., John W., Robert H., Elizabeth A., Maria J., George M., Sarah R., Adoniran J., Peter M., Al- fred B. and Sandford G.

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On January 4, 1870, Ella Jane Brumblay was married to Columbus Johnston, son of Joseph and Mary (Karney) Johnston. He was born Jan- uary 7, 1834. in Manchester township, Dearborn county, where he attended the public schools, receiving the best education afforded in those days, and later educated himself. Mr. Johnston was a stanch Democrat and served this district as representative for two terms in the state Legislature and as state senator four years. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Masonic Order and was at all times a public-spirited citizen.

To Columbus and Ella Jane (Brumblay ) Johnston were born two children, Edgar F. and Florence, the latter of whom died in infancy. Edgar Johnston was born in Sparta township. this county. in 1874, and was married to Elene Friedley. of Madison. Indiana. They reside at South Bend. Indiana, and have had five children. Friedley, William ( deceased). Frederick. Mary and Rob- ert. Mrs. Johnston also has an adopted daughter. whom she reared. Edna Harper. who married Lownes Runner. of Milan. Indiana, and has two chil- dren. George H. and Gladys E.

Mrs. Johnston numbers among her friends the entire community in which she resides.

GEORGE AUGUST DIETRICH.

George August Dietrich, a well-known farmer and dairyman of Law- renceburg township, Dearborn county, Indiana, who has been a resident of Dearborn county all his life thus far, was born on October 3, 1877. in Law- renceburg, Indiana, the son of August and Louise (Haspel) Dietrich. The father was a well-known cabinetmaker of Lawrenceburg, who, after coming to this country from Switzerland, first settled in Pittsburgh, and later moved to Cincinnati, and still later to Lawrenceburg. After coming to this city he was married to Louise Haspel, in Lawrenceburg, and made this city his home the balance of his life. There were six children born to August and Louise (Haspel) Dietrich, as follow: Mrs. Matilda Poehlman, Albert, George, Ar- thur, August and Carl. Mrs. Poehlman has had five children, Louzetta, Harry, Calanthia, and two deceased. Albert has three children, Chester, Don- ald and Isabelle. George has three children, Florine, Louise and Edwin. Arthur has three children, Harold, Robert and Ruth.

Mr. Dietrich's mother, Mrs. Louise (Haspel) Dietrich, who was born in

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Germany, came to America when eight years old and settled first at Cincin- nati, and later at Lawrenceburg. Her parents, who were William and Louise Haspel, both died at Lawrenceburg. Mrs. Dietrich is still living at Lawrence- burg, a member of the St. Emanuels church and of the Rebekah lodge. Her husband died in 1884.

George August Dietrich, who attended the public and high schools of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, afterward learned the machinist's trade, and followed this trade fourteen years. For several years he has maintained a dairy in Lawrenceburg township, and supplies a large amount of dairy products to peo- ple living in Lawrenceburg. Mr. Dietrich has one of the most modern dairies to be found in Dearborn county, and during late years has built up a large patronage in the dairy business. His dairy is equipped with all the modern conveniences and devices for furnishing pure milk and butter to his patrons.

George August Dietrich was married on November 7, 1901, at the age of twenty-five, to Mollie Edith Baker, daughter of Z. Taylor and Mollie (Mul- lin) Baker. To this happy union have been born three children, Florine Now- lin, Edith Louise and Edwin Baker, all of whom are living at home with their parents. Mrs. Dietrich was born on August 4, 1881, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and was brought to Lawrenceburg, Indiana, when three months old, by her, parents. Here she attended the public schools, and afterwards completed her education by three years' study in the academy at Oldenburg, Indiana. Her father, who was born and reared at Manchester, Indiana, was a distiller and wholesale liquor dealer in Indianapolis for eight years. Coming to Man- chester in 1881, he lived here until his death, March 26, 1887. Mrs. Dietrich's mother, who was born in Ireland, and who came to Pennsylvania when a mere girl, removed to Indianapolis after her marriage and there died, November 18, 1881. She was the mother of three children, Mrs. Flora Belle Morton. Birchard Hayes and Mrs. Mollie Edith Dietrich. Mrs. Morton has had two children, Mrs. Jewell Wade Smith, and William, deceased.

The maternal grandparents were William Holmes and Margaret (Coll- ier) Baker, both of whom were natives of Dearborn county, where they lived all their lives. He died at the age of seventy-five and his wife at the age of seventy-three. The maternal great-grandmother, Mrs. William Collier, lived in Lawrenceburg and died here when past one hundred years of age.

George August Dietrich is a Republican in politics, and served as trus- tee of Greendale four years, 1900 to 1904. He belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of St. Emanuel's Lutheran church. Mrs. Dietrich is a member of the Presbyterian church.

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Not only has Mr. Dietrich made many friends in a business way in Law- renceburg and Lawrenceburg township where he lives, but he is popular per- sonally as a man of more than average ability and of genial pleasing personal- ity. He is possessed of an exceedingly active interest in the comfort and happiness of his neighbors, and is known as a good citizen.

THOMAS M. MILLER.

Thomas M. Miller, farmer, dairyman and evangelist, who is. one of the best-known citizens of Lawrenceburg township, Dearborn county, Indiana, with the exception of two years, has lived on the old homestead farm all his life. He has done considerable evangelistic work throughout the southern part of Indiana, and is especially well-known as a powerful and successful preacher.

Thomas M. Miller was born on April 24, 1871, on the homestead farm where he now lives. After completing the prescribed course in public schools of Lawrenceburg he attended Moores Hill College for some time, and this training has admirably fitted him, not only for farming, but for the ministry, to which a considerable portion of his life has been devoted.

Thomas M. Miller is the son of Job and Rachel Miller, the former of whom was born on June 2, 1832, in Hardentown, Dearborn county, Indiana. and who died on March 4, 1912. A farmer by occupation he also operated a flour-mill, located on the present site of the Greendale distillery. He owned a section of land in Lawrenceburg township, and here he lived during his en- tire life. His wife, Rachel (Whipple) Miller, was one of a family of thirteen children. The others were Isaac, Job, Thomas M., Mrs. Carrie Halverstadt, all of whom are living, Mrs. Abigail Suit and Mrs. Harriett Fitzpatrick, de- ceased, besides seven who died without leaving families. Of these children, Isaac married Lulu Knowles and they had one child, Isaac. Mrs. Carrie Hal- verstadt has four children, Anthony, Rie, Rachel and Opal. Mrs. Abigail Suit had four children, Mrs. Carrie Martin, Anthony, and two deceased. Mrs. Harriett Fitzpatrick had three children, Thomas, Charles and Job. Job Mil- ler's father was Job Miller, Sr., who married Sarah Morrison. He was a native of Pennsylvania who came to Dearborn county when the land was covered with timber, settling on a government claim, part of which is in the hands of the present generation. He was a farmer all his life, and quite

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successful. He was married twice. The second wife, Sarah Morrison, was the grandmother of Thomas M., the subject of this sketch. Her parents came from Pennsylvania. They were highly cultured people and quite well-to-do for their day and generation. Mrs. Sarah (Morrison) Miller's father and mother are deceased.

On February 3, 1893, Thomas M. Miller was married to Alice T. Hayes, the daughter of Omer and Minerva Hayes, the former of whom was the son of Jacob and Leah Hayes, early settlers in Dearborn county. Mrs. Miller was born and reared in Dearborn county and educated in the public schools. She was one of a family of seven children. The others are Charles, George, Mrs. Margaret Weisenbach, Walter, Mrs. Cora Whiteford and Thomas. Charles married Matilda Walters, and they had one child, Paul. Walter married May Barrows, and they have three children, Jennie, Odettic and Katherine. Mrs. Cora Whiteford has three children living, Ruth, Lucille and Edna, and two are deceased. Thomas has one child, Alice.

To. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Miller have been born four children, Harriett, Thomas, Arnold and Ruth. Harriett is a school teacher in Harden- town, and Thomas is a student in the last year of high school.

The Miller family is popular in Lawrenceburg township, where Mr. Mil- ler owns a farm of a hundred and fifty acres, and a dairy with forty cattle. Guided by a keen and predominant religious impulse, Mr. Miller has been of great service in promoting religious living in the community where he lives. He is a man who believes strongly in the efficacy of the Christian gospel and is one of its able and ardent exponents.

EDWARD C. CLEMENZ.

Every community must have its enterprising, far-sighted business men, for upon them depends much of its material prosperity. The man whose name appears at the head of this biographical record has long been a resident of this county, having taken upon himself the business interests of his father when the latter died. He was born in Ripley county, near Penntown, on July 17, 1882, and is the son of George, Jr., and Mary ( Hornberger) Clem- enz.

Among those earnest, hopeful young poeple who in the early days sought the shores of America, were George Clemenz, Sr., and his wife, Lizzie (Ale)

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Clemenz, having been married a short time before the journey from their native Germany. They finally decided to make their home in Ripley coun- ty, where they lived until the death of the husband and father which took place in 1888. George Clemenz became a well-known farmer although his holdings included only eighty acres. Their children were six in number, these being Fred, John, George, Henry, Louisa (Mrs. Mosmeier) and Carolina. In Ripley county this family of children were born and brought up. Until his marriage, George lived with his parents, but soon after his wedding day, he rented a farm in the same county, living there until he and his wife removed to Lawrenceburg, Indiana, which was about the year 1893. In this year, he changed his occupation from that of farmer to saloon keeper, in which busi- ness he remained until his death. He was a Democrat, and an influential committeeman in that party. He and his wife were members of the Blue Creek Lutheran church. Mary (Hornberger) Clemenz, mother of the sub- ject, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended school there, removing later to Ripley county with her parents. It was here that she met and married George Clemenz. In her girlhood home, there were nine brothers and sis- ters, as follow : Emma married George Roehme, a contractor of Terre Haute, Indiana, and they have seven children, Esther, Julia, Eugene, Hellen, Ethel, Paul and Ruth; John, who married Susan Huber, is a farmer of Louisville, and they became the parents of Grace, Francis, Pauline and Goldie; Ida, now deceased, married George Hill, a railroad man of Cleves, Ohio; Gertrude married Edward Heibeck, a carpenter of Terre Haute; Edward, Albert Clara, Lillian and Harry are single.

Edward C. Clemenz is now owner and manager of a saloon and harness shop, and is very well-known in this community. He was educated in the county of his birth, and in Lawrenceville. Indiana, having completed . the course in the graded schools. At his father's death, it became necessary for him to earn the main part of the living for his younger brothers and sisters, and it was then that he began the management of the business that he still retains. In 1895, he bought a harness and saddlery shop in Lawrenceville, and since that time has been prosperous in his undertaking. He also operates a threshing machine, hiring the workmen, and contracting for most of the threshing that is done in the northern part of Jackson township. Mr. Clemenz is proud of his blooded horses in which he takes a great interest. He is also the owner of several Percherons, including "Duke" 5122 and a registered jack. "Black Joe" 20688. Mr. Clemenz is an enthusiast in matters relating to

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horses and horse racing, and such an expert has he become in judging, that his opinions are always respected by his associates. Like his father, he is a Democrat and a Lutheran, and contributes liberally of his means to the party and church of his adoption.

JOHN HORNBERGER.

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch belongs to one of the old- est and best-known families of Dearborn county, Indiana, and he, person- ally, is one of the foremost citizens of Jackson township, as well as being one of the wealthiest farmers in Dearborn county. His success came through put- ting his entire thoughts and best efforts into the work which he very wisely selected as a vocation, when starting out to shift for himself, on arriving at the age of young manhood; and from the splendid results, and the fine farm which stands as a monument to his ability, it would be safe to say he is well satisfied with his selection.

John Hornberger was born on August 28, 1849, and is a son of Jacob and Rachel (Klein) Hornberger. He was educated in the district schools, and remained on the farm until twenty-one years of age .. He was then married, and bought for himself eighty acres of good farm land, near the old home- stead, to which he later added eighty acres more, dividing his time and at- tention between general farming and stock raising, and also did threshing for over forty years. He was probably the first in the business in his section of the county, using horse power at first, and later changing to steam. Mr. Hornberger is a Democrat, and has officiated in some of the township offices, holding among others, that of township trustee from 1889 to 1894. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Lawrenceville, Indiana.

For the history of Jacob and Rachel ( Klein) Hornberger, the reader is referred to the sketch of William Hornberger presented elsewhere in this volume.

John Hornberger was united in marriage on May 9, 1870, with Anna Sophia Kretzmeier, daughter of Henry and Dorothy ( Lomeier) Kretzmeier, natives of Germany. and pioneer farmers near New Alsace, Jackson township. Mrs. Hornberger was born in Jackson township. near New Alsace, February 20. 1854, where she was educated. Mr. and Mrs. Hornberger have had six children. as follow : Emma, married Henry Westerman, and lives in Ripley county on a farm; John married Anna Huber, is farming in Jackson township,

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and they have three children, Raymond, Sophia, and Henry; Minnie, married Philip Berg, lives in Jackson township on a farm, and is the mother of two children, Irvin and Esther; Edward married Anna Probst, is also a farmer in Jackson township, and three children have blessed this union, Paul, Helen, and Mildred; Lydia married Albert Huber, who is a farmer in Jackson town- ship; and one child who died in infancy.

Mr. Hornberger is now living a retired life on his fine farm of one hun- dren and sixty acres, where he enjoys the high esteem of the citizens of his community.

HENRY FABER.

The parents of the immediate subject of this biography set up their cabin home in what is now Jackson township when it was an unbroken wilder- ness, and at a time when Indians were their neighbors. Deer and other wild animals made their way through the forest close to the primitive home of George Allen Faber and his wife, Mary Elizabeth, the parents of Henry Faber, whose name appears above. The latter was born in Jackson town- ship on November 26, 1848, twenty years after his parents, leaving their home in Muhlberg, Germany, had sought the shores of America.

George Faber was born in 1795, and when still a young man first made his home in Pittsburgh after landing in New York. In Pittsburgh he learned the glass-blower's trade, and worked at it for awhile. After living for two years in Cincinnati, he came to this county, buying eighty acres of government land at one dollar and twenty-five cents an acre, on June 15. 1833. The land was a trackless forest except for the foot-prints of wild animals and In- dians, but he went to work with a will, and with his faithful wife attending to the home and its daily needs, he cleared and cultivated the farm which he afterwards handed down to his children. His death occurred in 1858. He was a Republican and a devout member of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Faber's maiden name was Ansttenstd, and she was still a girl of fourteen years when her parents brought her to America. Her marriage took place in Pittsburgh, in 1829. To this union nine children were born, the names and dates of birth being as follow: George Adams, born on December 30, 1830; Jacob, October II, 1833; Mary, February 21, 1835; Elizabeth, July 18, 1837; Martin, March

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History of Dearborn County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 70

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

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