USA > Indiana > Dearborn County > History of Dearborn County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 77
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Sallie, Susan and Mary. John Kemp lived to a ripe old age, being for many years regarded as among the most influential farmers of his county. It was in Ohio county that William C. Kemp grew to manhood, and where he laid the foundation for the successful career which marked his life. He was reared to the life of a farmer and also learned the cooper's trade, which latter vocation, during a part of his life, he followed with considerable success. During the Civil War period Mr. Kemp carried the mail, in addition to his other activities. Farming was his principle vocation, however, and he event- ually became a large land holder. Mr. Kemp married Content L Hasting. daughter of Charles and Fanny (Athern) Hasting, natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers in Ohio county, Indiana, who were the parents of Charles. Content, Mollie, James, Taylor, Fanny, Harriet, Emma and Margaret. The Hasting family was one of the best known families in Ohio county, and the parents of the above children were held in high repute in the neighborhood in which they resided and where they lived to a good old age.
To William C. and Content L. (Hasting) Kemp eleven children were born: Laura (deceased), who was the wife of H. B. Sparks: John. de- ceased; Mollie J., the wife of M. D. Fisk, of Ohio county. Indiana: Olive deceased; James M., who resides at Indianapolis, Indiana : Charles O., who resides at Aurora, Indiana; Henry, of Indianapolis; Margaret, the wife of William Wade, of this county; Edward, of Ohio county; Lucian, of Illinois, and one who died in infancy. The mother of these children died in 1887, at the age of sixty-four years, the family at that time living near Rising Sun. Following his wife's death, Mr. Kemp came to Dearborn county, and the rest of his life was spent here, he making his home alternately with his several children who lived in this county, his death occurring in 1910, he being then eighty-seven years of age. Mrs. Kemp was a faithful and devoted member of the Presbyterian church, which church Mr. Kemp also attended. He was a good man, faithful in the discharge of all the duties of life, and was regarded as an influential citizen.
Charles. O. Kemp's early youth was spent in Switzerland county. he re- maining there until he was eleven years of age, at which time his parents moved to Ohio county, where he grew to manhood on the farm. His elemen- tary education was received in the district schools of his home neighborhood. to which he added further instruction in the schools of Rising Sun and Aurora, supplementing this with a course of one year in Wabash College, at Craw- fordsville, Indiana, after which he married and, renting a farm from his father, started upon his successful career as a farmer, remaining thus occu- pied for about thirty years. Coming into possession of the home farm, he
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remained there until 1907, in which year he retired from the farm and moved into the town of Aurora, where, for several years, he followed various pur- suits. In June, 1914, he bought a new stock of goods and established a hard- ware and implement business in Lawrenceburg, associating with him in this venture his son, William C., under the firm style of C. O. Kemp & Son, and has already built up a large trade, which gives every evidence of growing to much larger proportions, the popularity of this new firm having been quickly established in the county seat and throughout the community, which it serves in the line which it so effectively represents hereabout.
On December 7, 1876, Charles O. Kemp was united in marriage to Cora Gerhard, who was born in Hartford, Ohio county, Indiana, the daughter of Jonathan B. and Catherine (Merriman) Gerhard, both of whom, also, were natives of that county, and who were the parents of three children, Inez, Cora and Aaron. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gerhard, who were among the best known and most influential people in their neighborhood, long have been deceased. Jonathan B. Gerhard was the son of William Gerhard, one of the early set- tlers of Ohio county, who died there well along in years. He was a prom- inent farmer, and among his children who lived to impress their personalities upon that community were Dr. Jerome Gerhard, Jonathan B., Reese and Will- iam. Mrs. Kemp's maternal grandparents, the Merrimans, were early settlers in Ohio county, who lived there to an old age, and who were the parents of five children, Susan, Catherine, Mollie, Robert and Jane.
To Charles O. and Cora (Gerhard) Kemp eight children have been born, namely: Jonathan, who died at the age of nineteen years; Inez, who is a teacher in the public schools of this county; Lulu C., a teacher in the public schools at Dillsboro, Indiana; Katheryn, a stenographer and secretary at Indi- ana State University, at Bloomington; William C., who is in partnership with his father in the store in Lawrenceburg; Mollie, who is attending the high school at Aurora; Clyde, who died in his tenth year, and one who died in infancy.
Though engaged in business in Lawrenceburg, Mr. Kemp continues to make his home in Aurora, where he has one of the pleasantest homes in that town, and where he and his family are held in the highest regard. They are members of the Methodist church, in the various beneficences of which they are actively interested, and are likewise concerned in all the good works of that community. Mr. Kemp still owns the old home farm, and is very well circumstanced as regards this world's goods. He is a Republican, and for years has taken a warm interest in the political affairs of his home county though never having been included in the office-seeking class, his concern
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being rather to insist upon good government than to be among those upon whose shoulders the duties of government are laid. He is a man of quiet and modest demeanor, known for his strict integrity of character and very properly has the respect and confidence of his friends and all those with whom he has business or social dealings.
ADAM K. HILL.
Few names are better known in general business circles in this part of the state than is the one the reader notes above. Prominent in the business. social and civil affairs of his home town, Mr. Hill for many years has been regarded as one of the leaders of the community life of Aurora, and is re- garded highly in general business circles throughout the whole of Dearborn county. As the head of the well-known firm of A. Hill & Sons, dealers in coal and salt, also for forty years proprietor of the wharf-boat at Aurora, Mr. Hill for many years has taken an active part in the affairs of his home town, and his business associates give him their unreserved confidence. He for- merly was a member of the Aurora city council, and in this capacity per- formed most excellent public service. He also for years was the vice-presi- dent and treasurer of the Dearborn County Agricultural Association, during which time he was indefatigable in promoting the best interests of the agri- cultural section of the county, his services in this connection still being re- membered with gratitude by all who were connected with him in that useful old association. A member of one of Dearborn county's oldest and best- known families, Mr. Hill ever has had the interests of his native county very dearly at heart, and never has spared himself in furthering these interests in all good and proper ways, in consequence of which he deservedly occupies a very high position in the general esteem hereabout.
Adam K. Hill was born on the old Kerr homestead in Hogan township, Dearborn county, Indiana, on December 27, 1848, son of Abram and Minerva (Kerr) Hill, both members of old and influential families in this county, for further details of which excellent families the reader is respectfully re- ferred to the biographical sketch relating to the late Abram Hill, presented elsewhere in this volume.
Though born on the old Kerr homestead, Adam K. Hill was reared prin- cipally on his father's farm in Manchester township, attending the district schools of that neighborhood, in which he received an excellent elementary
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education, which he supplemented by a course of three years in Moores Hill College, thus laying a substantial foundation for a business career. Upon completing his studies, Mr. Hill engaged in the live-stock business with his father, continuing thus occupied until his marriage, two years later, after which he moved onto his father's farm and for some time was successfully engaged in farming. He then became interested in the coal business with his father and located at Aurora, where he ever since has been actively identi- fied with the business interests of that thriving city. His father had acquired large wharfage rights at Aurora, and for nearly forty years the firm of A. Hill & Sons has owned the wharf-boat there, few names being better known up and down the river than theirs. In later years Mr. Hill also en- gaged in the salt and general drayage business and has been largely interested in other flourishing enterprises in and about Aurora. He is president of the Pittsburgh Coal Company, of Aurora, and he and his brother, Lew W. Hill, are proprietors of Cheeks Hill, one of the beautiful mounds on the north side of Aurora, abutting Sunnyside, containing thirty acres of most valuable home sites. Mr. Hill has given considerable attention to public affairs, and in 1888 and 1889 served his ward very acceptably in the Aurora city council. For several years he was vice-president and treasurer of the Dearborn County Agricultural Association, and is now a member of the executive board of the River View Cemetery Association.
On February 8, 1872, Adam K. Hill was united in marriage to Ella S. Worley, who was born in Center township, this county, daugther of Francis and Jane (Sanks) Worley, a well-known and influential family of that town- ship, she being the fourth daughter of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Worley came to this county at an early day and located in Center township, where for many years Mr. Worley was successfully engaged in farming. He died at the age of eighty years, his wife having died some years previously. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Elizabeth, the wife of John Wood; Martha, now deceased, who was the wife of George Vahn, of Boone county, Kentucky; Jennie, wife of John S. Cole, of Aurora, this county; Ella, who married Mr. Hill; Lillie, wife of Robert Griffin, of this county; Fannie, who died unmarried, and William and Frances.
To Adam K. and Ella S. (Worley) Hill one child has been born, Grace, who married Clifford J. Dils, of Aurora, to which union two children have been born, Eleanor MI. and Donald C. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are members of the Methodist church and ever have been active in the good works of their home community, being regarded as among the leaders in all measures de- signed to promote the general welfare. Mr. Hill is a member of Aurora.
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Lodge No. 51, Free and Accepted Masons, and is much interested in the affairs of that order. Though now nearing the three-score-and-ten mark in the jour- ney of life, Mr. Hill retains all his wonted interest in his extensive business affairs, as well as in the general interests of the public, and is still regarded as one of the most active and efficient members of the business community of Dearborn county ; a man fully entitled to and receiving, in full measure, the confidence and respect of his business associates generally.
ALBERT G. SHERROD.
Prominent among the well-known citizens of Lawrenceburg, and a mem- ber of one of its oldest families, is Albert G. Sherrod, stationary engineer for the Bauer Cooperage Company. He was born in Lawrenceburg on February 22, 1849, a son of James M. and Mary (Allison) Sherrod, both natives of this state .. James M. Sherrod was a son of John and Sarah (Green) Sherrod, the former a native of France and the latter of Ireland, who were among the earliest pioneers of Dearborn county, they having come here in 1815. John Sherrod was a ship carpenter by trade and died here at the age of fifty-six years. His widow survived him for many years, passing away at the ad- vanced age of eighty-three. They were the parents of thirteen children, six of whom lived to maturity, James M., Mary, Martha, Laura, George and. Calvin.
James M. Sherrod was reared in Lawrenceburg, receiving his education there. and when of suitable age was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade. He finished out his time and followed that trade for a number of years, after which he took up engineering and millwright work and erected a number of mills throughout Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and for a number of years operated a stationary engine. His death occurred in Cincinnati in 1890, when in his seventy-third year, his widow passing away one year later, at the age of seventy-one. He was a man prominent in the affairs of this community, had served as councilman at Lawrenceburg for a number of years and was also active in military circles, having received a commission as captain in the old state militia. Mary Allison was a daughter of John and Margaret (Young> Allison, both natives of Scotland and pioneers in this county, the former of whom was a veteran of the War of 1812 and died in mid-life, as did his wife also. There were three children in their family: Jane. Mary (mother of Albert G. Sherrod) and James Y.
Albert G. Sherrod is one of a family of six sons, three of whom lived
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to maturity, the other two being Edward E., of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and John, of Cincinnati, all being stationary engineers, as was their father before them. Mr. Sherrod's entire life has been spent in Lawrenceburg, with the exception of four years when he was employed in Cincinnati. He received his education in the public schools of Lawrenceburg, and at the age of thirteen began to learn stationary engineering in the engine room of the old Union factory. After mastering his chosen vocation he served in that capacity in the Lewis and Eichelberger flour-mill for two years, in the Union factory for nine years, with the Miami Valley Furniture Company for eight years and the four years spent in Cincinnati were passed in the engine room of the John Walker Brewing Company. After returning to Lawrenceburg, he was with the Garnier Brewing Company for seven years and by that time the construction of the Lawrenceburg electric plant was under way. He took an important part in the erection of the machinery for that plant and served as its superintendent for seven years. Six years ago he entered the engine room of the Bauer Cooperage Company and has been with that concern ever since.
On December 24, 1874, Albert G. Sherrod was united in marriage to Eva Knapp. a daughter of Ezekiel Knapp, to which union two children have been born, daughters, May and Nell. the former of whom is a teacher in the public schools of Lawrenceburg and the latter, instructor of art in Moores Hill College.
Mrs. Sherrod was born near Guilford on August 26, 1845, her parents being among the early settlers of this county, having come here from New York state. They spent the remainder of their lives in this county, both dying well along in years. They were the parents of nine children, Lucy, Albert, Joseph, Nancy, Mary, Rhoda, Eva, Jennie and Julie.
Mr. Sherrod is affiliated with the ancient order of Free and Accepted Masons, through Lawrenceburg Lodge No. 4. and politically he is a Repub- lican, who takes an active interest in the party's affairs. He served for six years as a member of the school board and for the same length of time was engineer for the fire department. This was a volunteer department and dur- ing that time he was employed regularly elsewhere. The Sherrod family home is at No. 215 Main street, Mr. Sherrod owning the residence, which his father erected in 1847. It is not given to every man to live his entire life among dear and familiar surroundings and perhaps the highest tribute which can be paid any man is that which may be truthfully said of Mr. Sherrod, that he is held in the very highest esteem by old and young alike, and has been so regarded throughout his entire life.
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EDWARD G. LOMMEL.
Edward G. Lommel, the superintendent of the James & Meyer Buggy Company, of Lawrenceburg, this county, belongs to one of the old and highly respected families of Dearborn county. His father was one of the organizers, in fact, almost personally affected the organization of the Lawrenceburg Fur- niture Manufacturing Company, one of the large industries of this county for many years, with which the elder Lommel was connected until his death. The Lommel family came from Germany and Edward G. Lommel is the second generation of the family living in this country, his father having established the family in America. Edward G. Lommel has been a school teacher, a civil engineer, the superintendent of a lumber company and has worked at various times for different concerns. He began his active business career with the James & Meyer Buggy Company, as traffic manager, and is now superinten- dent of the concern. Under normal conditions, this company's output is six thousand jobs annually and its goods are sold all over the world. Mr. I.om- mel's position, therefore, is a very responsible one.
Edward G. Lommel was born on February 19, 1879, in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, son of Christian and Magdelena (Kirsch) Lommel, both natives of Germany, the former of whom was born in 1834 and the latter in 1851.
Edward G. Lommel was reared in Lawrenceburg and has lived there all of his life. He attended the public schools of Lawrenceburg and was gradu- ated from the high school with the class of 1898. After that he taught school for one year and was then employed as a civil engineer in one of the depart- ments of the United States government service, after which he taught for two more years and then became superintendent of the Lawrenceburg Lumber Company, which position he held for one year. In 1901 he went to work for A. D. Cook in his office and remained with him for five years. After that he worked for the Fairbanks-Morse Company in Cincinnati. Returning from Cincinnati, he took a place with the James & Meyer Buggy Company, and has gradually risen from traffic manager to superintendent, the position which he now holds.
On September 14, 1904, Edward G. Lommel was married to Leora Webb Walker, who was born in Lawrenceburg in 1881, the daughter of James and Clara (Pierce) Walker, the former a native of Harrison, Ohio, and the latter of Lawrenceburg, this county, who are now living in Lawrenceburg. Of their children, only two are now living, Mrs. Lommel and Grace.
Edward G. Lommel is one of eight children born to his parents, four (50)
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sons and four daughters, namely : Louise, who is a teacher of music in Law- renceburg : Charles H., who died in 1906, and who was formerly cashier in the Peoples Bank and before that was employed with his father in the manu- facture of furniture, but at the time of his death was cashier in a bank at Aurora; Katherine, who is the wife of Rev. B. F. Wulfmann, of Springfield. Ohio; Amelia, who died in early childhood; Henry L., who is superintendent of the box factory of George H. Bishop & Company: Edward G., the imme- diate subject of this sketch; Tina, who is the wife of Lewis A. Lee. of Ham- mond. Indiana; and Arthur F., a druggist in Lawrenceburg.
The father of Edward G. Lommel was reared in Germany and remained there until he was seventeen years old. He received a good common school education in his native country and in 1851 came to America and located on a farm. Later he moved to Lawrenceburg and learned the carriage maker's trade, finally becoming superintendent of the Helfer Carriage Company. which position he held for some years. He also bought cattle for a time. In 1868 he organized the Lawrenceburg Furniture Manufacturing Company. one of the largest industries in that city, and was connected with that enter- prise until his death on September 22, 1899, at the age of sixty-five years. His widow still survives. She is a member of Zion Evangelical church, her husband also having been a member of that church, and during their active careers were leaders in the church. Christian Lommel belonged to the Ancient Order of Druids. He was a member of the city council for twelve or thirteen years and was also a member of the school board for a number of years. He was never defeated for any office. He took a very active interest in the welfare of his adopted city and was a man of proved integrity of character.
Christian Lommel was a son of Henry and Christina (Briar) Lommel. the former of whom was born in 1807 and died in 1884 and the latter born in 1806, died in 1877, both spending their last days in Lawrenceburg. Henry Lommel began life as a farmer and even after coming to America followed that occupation. Later in life he became a grocer in Lawrenceburg. He and his wife were the parents of two daughters and three sons: Christian, Minnie, Nettie, Louis, who died as a soldier during the Civil War, and Charles. Magdelena Kirsch was the daughter of John and Margaretha (Beckman) Kirsch, natives of Germany, the former born in 1804 and died in 1883; the latter born in 1808 and died in 1886. John Kirsch was a well-to-do German farmer and after coming to America owned a large vineyard. He and his wife were the parents of the following children : John, George, Jacob, Valen- tine, Magdelena, Katherine and Henry, the latter of whom died on the battle- field in the Civil War.
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Edward G. Lommel, therefore, is descended from German ancestors on both sides of his family and he himself possesses the sterling traits of char- acter which belong to that people. Mrs. Lommel is a member of the Pres- byterian church, but Mr. Lommel is a member of the Zion Evangelical church. He is a member of Union Lodge No. 8, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a Democrat.
JOSEPH PHILIP FEIST.
Joseph P. Feist, bookkeeper for the Bauer Cooperage Company. of Law- renceburg. has been a resident of that city for forty-nine years, and has seen the city of Lawrenceburg grow from a straggling village to a thriving city. where the hum of industry may be heard on every hand. Mr. Feist's paternal ancestry is German and his wife's ancestry on both sides extends back to the Fatherland. Born in Lawrenceburg Joseph P. Feist received a good edu- cation, not only in the public and parochial schools of his home town, but also in a business college, where he prepared for his profession. For many years he was engaged in railroad work, but during the past fifteen years has held his present position as bookkeeper for the Bauer Cooperage Company.
Jacob Philip Feist was born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, on October 13, 1866, the son of John B. and Mary Anna (Lipps) Feist, the former a native of Baden, Germany, and the latter a native of Madison, Indiana. John B. Feist was reared and educated in Germany, and was a truck gardener in the old country. Coming to America in 1848, he located first in Cincinnati, and in the early sixties came to this county, locating at Lawrenceburg. In 1867 he became superintendent of the Greendale cemetery, and held that position until 1888, since which time he has lived retired among his children. He is now residing near Greensburg, Indiana, with his two daughters and a son-in-law. A Union soldier during the Civil War, in which he served two years as a pri- vate, John B. Feist has a splendid military record. He served several terms as councilman of Greendale. To John B. and Mary Anna (Lipps) Feist were born the following children: Andrew J., the present superintendent of the Greendale cemetery ; John, a farmer south of Greensburg, Indiana ; Joseph P., of Lawrenceburg; Rosa M., who is unmarried and lives at Greensburg; Frank E., deceased, and Cora E., wife of Harry G. Boese, who lives five miles north of Greensburg.
The paternal grandfather of Joseph Philip Feist, Paul Feist, spent his entire life in Germany, dying in his native land. The maternal grandfather,
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Ferdinand Lipps, was a pioneer in Madison, Indiana, and died in that city. He lived to rear a family of eight children, Mary, Kate, Maggie, Barbara, Rachel, Theresa, Mathias and John.
Joseph P. Feist was reared in Lawrenceburg, and there attended the pub- lic and parochial schools. Later he entered the Cincinnati Business College at Cincinnati, and upon completing the course prescribed by that institution, took up office work at Lawrenceburg Junction, in the offices of the Big Four railroad, and was in the employ of that company continuously from 1888 until 1901, a period of thirteen years, at the end of which time he accepted a position with the Bauer Cooperage Company, which position he now holds.
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