USA > Indiana > Dearborn County > History of Dearborn County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 74
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Special mention is due Mr. Pieper in view of the fact that, although not a native-born son of our country, he proved himself as loyal as any when the integrity of the Nation was at stake, and served three years with the "boys in blue." He enlisted early in the beginning of hostilities, being a private in Company A, Seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was in some of the heaviest engagements of the war. Among them were the bat- tles of Winchester (Virginia), Fort Republic, Bull Run, South Mountain (Maryland), Antietam, Fredericksburg, Mine Run, the Wilderness, and others. He was especially fortunate to see so much active service and escape without serious wounds. In politics Mr. Pieper is a stanch Republican and has always been active in those ranks. While living in Switzerland county he served as township assessor for four years (from 1868 to 1872) and in Ripley county he was a county commissioner ( from 1881 to 1884) and since becoming a resident of Dillsboro, he has been a member of the city council. His religious membership is held in the Lutheran church, of which he is a faithful member, and his fraternal affiliation is with the Knights of Pythias and the Grand Army of the Republic through the local organizations at Dillsboro. Mr. Pieper is a most agreeable conversationalist. He has traveled extensively throughout the United States and is also considerable of a reader and student of human nature. He is a man of strong personal qualities and easily makes friends and retains them. He has earned for himself a place of prominence among the enterprising men of the county.
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DEARBORN COUNTY, INDIANA.
JAMES N. HOOPER.
James N. Hooper, senior member of the firm of J. N. Hooper & Son, dealers in hardware, etc., of Dillsboro, Dearborn county, Indiana, needs no introduction to the residents of this county in general as he is among its most respected and best-known citizens. However, there may be some interesting point of genealogy, or some struggle or accomplishment not generally known and which will add to the high respect and confidence in which he is held, therefore, it is hoped that in perusing the following lines, dedicated to the subject of this review, some new idea may present itself even to those who know and like him best.
James N. Hooper is a native of the Hoosier state, born in Hamilton county, November 26, 1858, being a son of William and Miranda (Chance) Hooper. William Hooper was born in Rush county, this state, on August 4, 1837, and divided his time between conducting the work of his farm home and preaching for the church of his choice, that branch of the Baptist church known as the Primitive Baptists. William Hooper was a man of strong con- victions and because of the love he held for his church and the appeal it made to him, he went from one point to another throughout Indiana and Illinois, preaching as he went. His home church was that society known as the "Antioch" church in Boone county, and that he made his headquarters. He never received any salary for his services, that being against his principles, and supported himself and family by the labor of his own hands and gifts received from admiring friends in the church. He died in February, 1913; at the age of seventy-five years. He had fought a good fight, being willing to live in a way of which most men would rapidly tire, because his con- victions prompted him to do so. For many years he was an earnest advo- cate of the principles of the Democratic party, although having very little time to devote to that question.
William Hooper was a son of James Hooper, whose wife was a Miss Baker, both born near Fayetteville, North Carolina, where they were farmers. They left their native state, going into Tennessee, where they remained but a short time, when they came on to the Hoosier state, settling first in Rush county. From there they went to Hamilton county, then to Boone county, and finally located in Wilson county, Kansas, where he died in 1906, a very old man. The entire journey from their home in North Carolina to this state was accomplished by a slow-going ox team and he also drove the entire distance to Kansas, however employing horses on that journey. He too was a Democrat, although taking no particular interest in politics. James Hooper
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was thrice married. By his first wife he had four children, William, Martha, James K. and Nancy. By the second wife he became the father of two daugh- ters, Adella and Ella. By the third wife he had three children, Anna, George and Charles.
Miranda Chance. mother of the immediate subject of this sketch, was a daughter of Jonathan and Hannah (Clearwater) Chance, both natives of Ohio, who came early in their married life to this state and settled near Eagle- town, where for many years they were farmers and where both passed the re- mainder of their days. They were the parents of four daughters and two sons, Jonathan and Ellis.
The subject of this sketch is one of a family of nine children, two of whom died in early infancy. The others are Alice, Maggie, William N., Ernest Burdett, Izora Ellen, John J. James N. was the eldest of this family. He received his early education in the common schools of Hamilton and Boone counties, this state, and in the winter of 1879-80 he had charge of a rural school in the latter county. The following year he attended Moores Hill Col- lege, taking the normal course at that institution and from that time on until the winter of 1893 he made it his custom to teach school in the winter and in the vacation periods to follow his trade, that of a carpenter. In 1895 he took up his residence on a farm and from that time on to 1909 he gave his atten- tion to agricultural work. He moved to Dillsboro in 1909 and purchased the hardware business owned by H. H. Brow, which he still operates in part- nership with his son.
James N. Hooper was married on August 9, 1882, to Clara B. Wright, and they started to housekeeping in Cochran, this county. Mrs. Hooper is a daughter of Henry F. Wright and Caroline (Buffington) Wright, the former a native of this county, born in Washington township. His father was a farmer and after living for a short time on another farm in the vicinity he returned to the old homestead. There were thirteen children born to the parents of Henry F. Wright, as follow: John, Emeline, George, Henry F., Comfort, David, Charity, Marguerite, Benjamin and others who died in infancy.
Henry F. Wright, who died at the age of thirty-eight years while at the front during the Civil War, was a man actively concerned in all the best interests of his home community. He was well educated and was first a teacher in the school of Cochran, was active in the building of the old Ohio & Mississippi railroad and was interested in public affairs generally. In politics he was a Democrat, active in the ranks of his party in local affairs and his religious membership he held with the Methodist Episcopal church.
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He was active in church circles and aided in building the church of that demonination at Aurora. His death occurred in September, 1864, at Mem- phis, Tennessee. He enlisted in the beginning of the war, being commissioned lieutenant, was later advanced to a captaincy and for a few months previous to his death he served with the rank of major. He was first with the Third and later with the Seventh Indiana Cavalry, Army of the Potomac, and served with distinction throughout his service. He was a son of Tra and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Wright, natives of New York and among the earliest pioneers of this county. Ira Wright was a man prominent in the develop- inent of this section.
Henry F. Wright was the father of seven children, of whom Mrs. Hooper is the youngest. The others are: Harriet, now Mrs. Trister, of Lin- coln, Nebraska, the mother of five children: Josiah C., the father of seven children; Henrietta was the wife of a Mr. Fullerton, both deceased, and the parents of one son, Charles F .; James B. and Amos M. are both deceased: and Emma.
Caroline Buffington was born in this county on North Hogan creek, near Aurora, on August 4, 1828. She was the daughter of Steven and Nancy (Flake) Buffington, the former also born on North Hogan creek, being one of the first children born in this section. The family lived in one of the pioneer block houses, employed by the early settlers as a protection against unfriendly Indians. As was the custom in those early days, they tilled the soil and cleared all the land possible. There were in that family six sons and one daughter and all passed their lives near North Hogan creek. The Flake family were also pioneers of the same time, coming from the same local- ity There were four children in the Flake family.
James N. Hooper has for many years been active in the ranks of the Democratic party and has the distinction of being the first Democratic trus- tee ever elected to any office in .Washington township. He served as town- ship trustee for four years, and in 1914 was elected city treasurer of Dillsboro. He has filled other minor offices with his party, such as committeeman.
James N. and Clara (Wright) Hooper are the parents of one child, a son, Orris R., who was born near Cochran, May 5, 1885. Orris R. received his elementary education in the schools of Cochran and later went to Aurora for high school work. He was a student at Moores Hill College for a time, where he took normal training, finishing his studies there in 1905. The fol- lowing two years he taught at the "Ebenezer" school near Aurora, giving instruction in all grades from primary to the end of the common branches. (48)
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In 1907 he came to Dillsboro and for three years acted as principal of the school here and also instructor in certain branches. About 1910 he became associated with his father in the hardware business, as hereinbefore stated. and in 1914 received the appointment to the postmastership of Dillsboro, hav- ing successfully passed the civil service examination covering such office.
Orris R. Hooper was married on August 1, 1905, to Alma F. Robbins, daughter of John T. and Ella R. (Trister) Robbins, the former born in Rockport, this state, October 24. 1859, and the latter born near Cochran, this state. November 25, 1859. They were united in marriage on February 2, 1881. For many years Mr. Robbins did teaming and later was engaged in the lumber and carpentering business at Aurora. He some time since removed to Ludlow, Kentucky, where he still resides.
To Orris R. Hooper and wife have been born three sons, James Thomas, Orris Ray and John Wesley, all of whom are in school at Dillsboro. Orris R. Hooper is counted among the leading citizens of his town, where every movement for the public welfare finds in him a most earnest advocate. He owns property there and is in every way identified with the progress of the place. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of which he contributes liberally, and his fraternal affiliation is held with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows through Dillsboro Lodge No. 78.
James N. Hooper and his son are representatives of the best type of Americans, the men who do things. Both are pleasant and agreeable to meet and are held high in the esteem of their fellow citizens and a wide circle of friends.
ERNST H. HUESEMAN.
Among the thrifty and industrious farmers of Cæsar Creek township, Ernst H. Hueseman is entitled to his full share of honor and praise as a worthy and respected citizen, and, although a young man, he is working with a determination that admits of no failure. He is a man of ability, and is cheerful in the enjoyment of his well-earned comforts.
Ernst H. Hueseman, farmer, Dillsboro, Cæsar Creek township, Dearborn county, was born in the township where he resides, September 20, 1882, and is a son of Ernst H. and Caroline (Prante) Hueseman. He received his education at Farmers Retreat, and after leaving school remained on the farm and assisted his father until the time of his marriage, when he bought his father's farm and started in for himself in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Huese-
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man has always given his loyal support to the Democratic party, and he is a member of the Lutheran church.
Ernst H. Hueseman, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on February 4, 1838, in Germany, and came to the United States with his parents, who settled in Cæsar Creek township, where he was married. He bought a fine farm of eighty acres, and followed agriculture. He later bought eighty acres more on Laughery creek, and later bought ninety acres in Ohio county, to which he added twenty acres more adjoining in Cæsar Creek township. His wife was Caroline (Prante) Hueseman, by whom he had eleven children: Elizabeth (deceased), Emma, Louise, Minnie, Mary, Sophia, Henry, Anna, William, Ernst and John (deceased).
Ernst H. Hueseman was united in marriage on February 23, 1905, with Alma Fischvogt, daughter of George and Caroline (Buschman) Fischvogt, of Ohio county. She was born in Pike township, Ohio county, Indiana, No- vember 19, 1883, and received her education there, living in Pike township until her marriage. Three children have been born to this union: Laurena, born in 1908; Lulie, 1911 ; Norma, 19:4. Mrs. Hueseman is an earnest mem- ber of the Lutheran church.
George and Caroline (Buschman) Fischvogt, parents of Mrs. Ernst H. Hueseman, were natives of Pike township, Ohio county, Indiana, and lived there all their lives. Their children were three in number, Alma, Harry and William.
Ernst H. Hueseman is regarded as an extremely energetic farmer, to which occupation he gives his best attention. He and his wife have many warm and sincere friends in the township.
J. H. TRENNEPOHL.
Many helpful lessons can be learned from the biography of one who keeps abreast of the times, as has the subject of the following sketch. The trouble with many who follow agricultural pursuits is that they allow them- selves to get into a rut, and lose sight of the importance of keeping in touch with what is going on in the world. Mr. Trennepohl has rendered his natur- ally strenuous vocation far more interesting, and lessened his labors by his inter- est in what others were accomplishing and how they did it, and by always be- ing willing to profit by anything and everything of value in his line of work. He is public-spirited and progressive, taking a sincere interest in the welfare of the community in which he resides.
John Henry Trennepohl was born on March 6, 1868, in Ripley county,
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and is a son of Frederick and Mary (Brandt) Trennepohl. He grew to man- hood on the home farm, and at an early date left Ripley county and engaged his services in Center township for one year, after which he was employed by Henry P. Busse for a period of ten years at Wilmington, during which time he saved enough to buy a good farm in Hogan township, consisting of one hundred and thirty-four acres. Through hard work and honest dealings, his credit was of the best, and by his own industry and good character, he succeeded where others had failed, who had started out with better prospects than he. After living on his farm about six years, he sold it to J. WV. Clem- ents, and bought another tract of ninety-three acres, located on the Moores Hill and Aurora pike. The only improvements on this place consisted of a barn and an old shop building. The barn was remodeled, and many new and valuable improvements were put on the place, including an attractive and com- fortable new house, a silo added to the barn, corn crib, etc., and Mr. Tren- nepohl now has one of the most attractive homes in the township. He has continued to add to his acreage until he now owns one hundred and eight acres, all in a good state of cultivation, with the exception of a portion which has been left for a woods pasture. He has held various township offices, and is at present superintendent of the Moores Hill and Aurora pike; has served as a director of the Farmers Co-operative Telephone Company, and was elected in 1914 a member of the Hogan township advisory board.
Frederick Trennepohl was born in Germany, and came to this country with his parents when quite small. They located in Ripley county, where he grew up and was educated. Mr. Trennepohl was an ardent member of the Lutheran church. His death occurred March 6, 1883. Mr. Trennepohl was united in marriage with Mary Brandt, daughter of Henry and Adeline (Heit- man) Brandt. She was born on August 2, 1845, in Ripley county, Indiana, and died in the same county, in 1910. She survived her husband many years, and was again married, to John Harves, living the remainder of her life in Ripley county. Frederick and Mary (Brandt) Trennepohl were the parents of seven children : John Henry, Frederick, John D., Christ, Harmon; Annie, wife of George Bauman; and Maggie, who became the wife of Adolph Herbst. By her second marriage, Mrs. Trennepohl (Mrs. Harves) was the mother of two children, Edward and Lulu, who is the wife of Frank Drandt.
John Henry Trennepohl was united in marriage on April 28, 1897, with Adeline Annie Peters, daughter of Frederick and Annie (Meyer) Peters. She was born on November 23, 1870, in Hogan township, Dearborn county. They have three children, Fred John Henry, Alma Mary and Laura Anna Elizabeth. The entire family belong to the Lutheran church at Aurora.
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Frederick Peters, father of Mrs. Trennepohl, was born in Germany, and his wife, Annie (Meyer) Peters, is a native of Ripley county. Mr. Peters has followed agriculture for a great many years, and is now living a retired life in West Aurora, Indiana.
Through his up-to-date methods, Mr. Trennepohl has brought his fine farm to a perfect state of cultivation, thus giving him the reputation of being a thoroughly successful and prosperous farmer.
MRS. ELIZABETH CANFIELD.
Mrs. Elizabeth (Bainum) Canfield, whose name introduces this sketch, comes from early pioneer ancestry, and has personally been a witness to the wonderful changes wrought by human hands since the forests were filled with wild beasts and Indians. Her parents and grandparents were all well educated and people of unusual refinement. They were zealous church work- ers, and were among the most progressive people of those times.
Elizabeth Bainum was born in 1833, in Hogan township, and is a daugh- ter of Conway and Sarah (Deshiell) Bainum. She lived with her parents until the death of her mother, when she made her home with her brother and sister until the time of her marriage.
Conway Bainum, father of Mrs. Canfield, was born on August 9, 1809, in West Virginia, and was a son of William and Elizabeth (Bryan) Bainum. He was one year old when his parents settled in Hogan township, in 1810. Here he grew to manhood, and was married on April 11, 1833, to Sarah Deshiell, who was born on February 10, 1812, in Maryland, and was a daugh- ter of Charles Deshiell. She came west with her parents at an early day. Mr. Bainum was engaged at farming in the summer, and carried on a flat- boat trade during the winter. He lived for a time between Aurora and Wil- mington. In 1840 he moved on the Hogan pike, south of North Hogan creek, at the east edge of Hogan township, at which place he bought a farm of about one hundred and thirty-five acres, living here until he passed to the "great beyond." Mr. Bainum always followed farming, giving a portion of his attention to the raising of live stock. Mr. and Mrs. Bainum were the parents of four children, Elizabeth, Alfred, Mary J. and Charles. Alfred Bainum was a farmer, but is now retired, spending a great deal of his time in travel. He has a son who is engaged in the banking business at Vincennes,
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Indiana; Conway Bainum died in 1898, and his widow died in 1868. They were both united with the Methodist church.
Elizabeth Bainum was united in marriage in 1890, with Alfred Canfield, who was born in Hogan township, Dearborn county, in 1822, and was a son of Noyes Canfield. He followed the vocation of a farmer all his life, and previous to his marriage with our subject, he had been married and had five children by his first wife. After his second marriage, he lived in Iowa for a time, and then moved to Hogan township, where he bought a small farm near the home of his father-in-law, and about a year prior to the death of Mrs. Canfield's father, they moved in with him and cared for him until he died. Mr. Canfield died in 1904. His religious membership was with the Methodist church, of which Mrs. Canfield is also a member.
William and Elizabeth Bainum, paternal grandparents of Mrs. Canfield, were natives of Wilmington, Delaware. The former was born on February 29, 1765, and the latter in October, 1790. They came to this county in 1810, where Mr. Bainum followed farming all his life. It is supposed they got their land from the government.
The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Canfield were Charles Deshiell and wife, who came from Maryland at an early day, locating just east of Moores Hill, where they bought a farm, which is now a part of Moores Hill. They lived here until quite old, when they sold out and moved to Illinois. Mr. Deshiell was a man of good education, and at one time had taught school.
Mrs. Canfield continues to reside on the farm where her father lived and died. She is one of the best known citizens of the township, where she has many loyal friends among the young people as well as among those of more mature years.
MARTIN V. BRUCE.
One of the most interesting citizens of Hogan township is the subject of this sketch, having gone through the most thrilling and exciting battles of our Civil War. His account of his experiences is of unusual interest, and it is a matter of deep regret that limited space prevents a more complete review of them. Although amply qualified for filling a position of high honor, he declined the commission as captain, being satisfied with the duties already under his charge.
Martin V. Bruce was born on February 18, 1841, in Hogan township, Dearborn county, where he now resides, his birthplace being a log cabin
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just east of where he now lives. He is a son of William and Lovey (Dur- ham) Bruce. After attending the public schools of the district and com- pleting his education, Mr. Bruce followed farming on the home place until March 5, 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, Third Indiana Cavalry, and the service he saw was sufficient to satisfy the most ambitious in the line of wars and battles, participating in some fifty or more of the most important of the latter. His regiment was under command of General Custer and Gen. George H. Chapman, serving in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, in the Army of the Potomac. He was in the battles of Gettysburg, Antietam. the Wilderness, Petersburg and others. While at Antietam he was engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle with a southern major-general, and being hard pressed, on account of his foes having cut off the hand-guard at the hilt of his saber, Mr. Bruce drew his pistol, which was empty, and pointing it, de- manded that his foe surrender. The general dropped his sword and gave up, and Mr. Bruce brought him into camp with his horse and sword, the latter of which he has always retained as a trophy. Soon after this he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and a little later was virtually put in com- mand of the company, but would not take commission as captain. While at South Mountain, he was taken prisoner, and although the weather was at freezing point, his shoes and socks were taken from him, and he was placed on a pony behind a southern soldier, who rode along in the night and went to sleep and snored while riding. Mr. Bruce saw his chance and slipped off into the bushes, escaping barefooted over the frozen ground to a negro cabin, where he secured food and a guide to go along, traveling by night and sleep- ing by day until he reached Fredericksburg. From a darkey he met en route. he secured a pair of shoes. He was honorably discharged on March 28, 1865, after which he returned home.
Mr. Bruce resumed the occupation of farming in the southwest corner of Hogan township, where he remained nearly twenty-five years, when he sold his property and bought one hundred and sixty acres in the northwest corner of the same township, a little north of Mt. Sinai, where he lived for eighteen years. After disposing of this second tract Mr. Bruce bought a small place of forty acres on the Aurora and Moores Hill pike, where he has since resided, his children having aff married. He is a Democrat, and his re- ligious membership is with the Methodist church. He belongs to Dearborn Lodge No. 536, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Wilmington, Indiana, and Bethlehem Encampment No. 3, Aurora, and in the Grand Army of the Republic, belongs to John A. Platter Post No. 82, at Aurora. He has been
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