History of Dearborn County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 88

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 88

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).

The paternal grandparents of Mary (Lawrence) Harrison were William and Margarette (Maulton) Harrison, natives of England, where they both died.

In 1895 Mr. Slater built an attractive and comfortable house at Moores Hill, where he and his wife have formed a host of friends and acquaintances, and where they are honored and highly esteemed.

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CLIFFORD J. DILS.

Clifford J. Dils is a true son of Indiana. having been born in Dearborn county, received his education and later learning the agricultural methods of that state, it proved to be the magnet that drew him back within her limits, after testing the opportunities which he had imagined might be more advan- tageous in a neighboring state. He not only abandoned the new state, but the business of farming, trying still another state and a new line of business, in which he felt better satisfied for several years, but the call of Dearborn county proving too strong for him. he returned and settled permanently in Aurora, which move, in view of his business success, has been a thoroughly satis- factory one.

Clifford J. Dils was born in Manchester township, Dearborn county, October 20, 1874. and is a son of John and Louise ( House) Dils. He was reared on his father's farm, and his education was secured at the district schools. When he arrived at the age of young manhood he went to Illinois and engaged his services for two years on a farm, after which he went to Cincinnati, where he was employed on the railroad for twelve years. He saved his money while here, and had enough to enable him to go into the hay and grain business at Aurora, in partnership with his brother, Hugh H., and in five years bought the entire interest, and has since been running the business alone. Mr. Dils has been a Republican. He is a member of the Baptist church, of which he is a regular attendant.

John Dils, father of Clifford J., was born on March 44, 1845, in Man- chester township, Dearborn county, Indiana. His wife, Louise (House) Dils, was also a native of Dearborn county. Mr. Dils was a farmer in Man- chester township, and spent his remaining years here. When he died he owned over two hundred acres of land. His death occurred on April 1, 1909, at the age of sixty-four years. His wife survives him, and is living at Aurora, aged sixty-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Dils have been life-long members of the Bap- tist church, as have also their children, who were six in number, as follow : Hugh H., of Gary, Indiana; William, who resides at Aurora; Clifford J., of Aurora; Fletcher, who is still on the old home place; John, a druggist in In- dianapolis; and Floyd, who resides at Lawrenceburg.

The paternal grandfather was William Dils, and his wife was Ann (Mor- gan) Dils. They were natives of the New England states, and were of Eng- lish lineage. They were pioneers in Dearborn county, and the towns of Dills- boro was named for the family, who originally spelled the name "Dills." Mr. Dils was a farmer all his life, and died in Manchester township at an old

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age. They had the following children : Judson, William, Hattie, Carrie, Til- lie, Mrs. Louise Kerr, Mollie Harvey, Elizabeth, Frankland and John.

The maternal grandfather was William House, and his wife was Mary Ann (Wilson) House. They came from London, England, in 1828, and were pioneers in Dearborn county, emigrating from Cincinnati, where Mr. House followed the carpenter's trade for a short time. He later followed farming. He lived to a good old age, and was killed by the falling of a tree. Their chil- dren were as follow: John, William, George, Lizzie, Mary and Louise.

Clifford J. Dils was married on October 20, 1901, to Grace Greenwood Hill, daughter of Adam and Ella (Worley) Hill. She was born on July 15, 1874, on a farm near Aurora, and has always been a member of the Methodist church. This union has been blessed with two children, Eleanor Maude and Donald Clifford.

For the history of the parents of Mrs. Clifford J. Dils the reader is re- ferred to the sketch of Adam K. Hill, presented elsewhere in this volume.

Through hard work and good business management, Mr. Dils stands as one of the leading and representative business men of Aurora, where he has established a good-paying hay and grain business.

JOHN PROBST.

John Probst, a native of Dearborn county, Indiana, born on October 5, 1842, farmer and blacksmith by occupation, has served twenty years as justice of the peace in this county and is, therefore, well known to all the citi- zens of the county. Mr. Probst has a long and honorable military record, hav, ing enlisted in 1862. in Company H. Eighty-third Regiment. Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, in which he served for about three years as a private. He participated in many hard-fought battles of the Civil War and, at the siege and surrender of Vicksburg. his regiment made two charges on the entrench- ments about that city. He also served in the battles of Missionary Ridge. Arkansas Post. Kenesaw Mountain. Iuka and in many minor engagements. Dearborn county has been his home for seventy-three years except for the period he spent as a soldier in the Union army.

John Probst's parents. John and Julia ( Heisler) Probst, were natives of Bavaria, Germany, the former of whom, after being reared and educated in Germany, came to America at the age of twenty-one. in 1832. and located first at Cincinnati. Ohio, where he lived for a few years. On coming to Dearborn

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county, Indiana, he settled on a farm of forty acres, a part of the tract of land purchased by his father, and here he reared his family. He died in 1858, at the age of forty-seven years, and his wife died four years previously, at the age of thirty-six. Both were devout members of the Lutheran church. They reared a family of seven children: John, the subject of this sketch; Michael, of Montgomery county, Illinois; Louisa, the widow of John Mettel, of Connersville, Indiana; Elizabeth, the widow of Philip Berk, of Cedar Grove, Franklin county, Indiana; Mary, who is the widow of David Kaster, of Indi- anapolis; Nicholas, of Miller township, and Catherine, who is the widow of Michael Haag, of Greendale.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Probst were John George and Mar- garet (Neus) Probst, who came to America in 1835 and, after landing at New Orleans, came up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati, whence they came to Dearborn county, Indiana. After buying a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in Kelso township, they engaged in farming. Both died on the home farm, the grandfather at the age of eighty-six and the grand- mother at the age of seventy-eight or seventy-nine. They had four children, John, Jr., George. Elizabeth and Jacob.

The maternal grandfather of Mr. Probst was John Heisler, whose wife died in Germany. After her death he came to America in company with John Probst and, being a cooper by trade. worked at this trade in Cincinnati for a number of years, dying there at a very advanced age. Of his children Mrs. Julia Probst was the only one who came to this country.

Born in Kelso township. Dearborn county. Indiana, and reared to man- hood on his father's farm. John Probst began learning the blacksmith's trade at the age of sixteen years. since which time he has made his own way in the world. He followed his trade until his enlistment in the Union army at the beginning of the Civil War. After the war he returned home and, being discharged at Indianapolis, resumed blacksmithing in Kelso township. There, until 1868. he operated a blacksmith shop and a saw-mill. During this time he was elected justice of the peace and was also appointed township trustee. Coming to Lawrenceburg, Indiana. in 1886. after his election as county treasurer. he lived here for four years during his term in this office. Mr. Probst was in his day one of the most capable treasurers in the history of Dearborn county. He made an honorable and efficient record in this office, and at the end of his first term was triumphantly elected to the second, an evidence not only of his efficiency in the office. but of a good will which he enjoys from the people of Dearborn county. In the meantime he had pur- chased the home at 208 West High street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and here

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he has continued to live since that time. Immediately after returning from the office of county treasurer he began farming in Lawrenceburg township, just west of the corporation line and farmed until 1907, when he rented; the farm, comprising now about sixty-two acres. During that time, however, he had been elected justice of the peace, in which office he has now served for twenty years.

In February, 1868, John Probst was married to Amelia Fender, the daughter of Jacob Fender. Mrs. Probst died in 1869, at the age of about twenty years. Born in Franklin county, she was the daughter of German par- ents, both of whom died in Franklin county, Indiana. Jacob Fender and wife had six children, Edmund, Jacob, Amelia, Catherine, Elizabeth, and one who died in infancy. At her death Mrs. Amelia Probst left one son, Edwin John Jacob. In August, 1869, John Probst was married to Christina E. Bussard, the daughter of Martin and Elizabeth (Fender) Bussard. Mrs. Christina Probst died on March 16, 1911, at the age of sixty-one, leaving no children. She was a native of Franklin county, Indiana.

A lifelong member of the German Lutheran church, John Probst has been an active member in this denomination. Both of his wives were members of the Lutheran church. He is a member of Union Lodge No. 8, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also of the encampment. He has belonged to this lodge since 1886. He also belongs to Robert Huff Post No. 89, Grand Army of the Republic, and has been quartermaster for many years. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party.

By diligent and unceasing industry Mr. Probst has been able to acquire a substantial competence. Although his life has been devoted to many enter- prises, he is recognized as a man of no mean business ability, an interesting conversationalist, a broad-minded. intelligent citizen.

ADAM BRUCE.

Having traveled considerably through his own country and with an ex- tended trip abroad, visiting all the principal European countries. Adam Bruce, whose name introduces this sketch, is a successful farmer who has profited by his observation of the experiences of others. He has a large fund of general information, is keenly alive to the advantage of conducting his fine farm along the most approved lines, and takes a deep interest in the newest methods of producing goods of the highest quality. He is a breeder

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of fine stock and true lover of outdoor sport, having always been a fine marksman.

Adam Bruce was born on March 9, 1852, on Short Ridge, in Hogan township, this county, on the old Aleck place. His parents were John and Jane (Ross) Bruce. He was reared in the community in which he now re- sicles. and has followed farming. In the fall of 1879 Mr. Bruce moved to Kansas, where he spent two and one-half years in agricultural pursuits, at the end of which time he returned and resumed farming in his old home neigh- borhood. Here Mr. Bruce has a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-eight acres. In 1888 he went on a tour through Europe, visiting Hamburg, Ger- many ; and from there went to Laving Station, in Denmark, where his brother- in-law, Mr. Dam, at one time made his home. From there he returned to Hamburg and crossed to Havre, France; and thence to Southampton, Eng- land, and on to London, Liverpool, to Belfast, Ireland; and to Glasgow, Scotland: the latter being the point from which his grandfather started for America. From Glasgow Mr. Bruce went to Larne, Ireland, and after a short stay there returned home. Mr. Bruce is a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist church and a member of the Knights of. Pythias. With a number of friends and neighbors he formed the North Hogan Gun Club, which has always been a source of great pleasure, and where he has made splendid scores, breaking sixty-two out of sixty-three balls, and even though out of practice at present, can make eighteen out of twenty-five, and has always owned fine guns. Mr. Bruce is engaged in the dairy business, with a herd of about thirty cattle. principally Jerseys. He owns a pure-bred Jersey bull, and has recently purchased another of even better record. with a view to building up a herd of excellent stock.

John Bruce, father of Adam Bruce, was born on November 17, 1806, on North Hogan creek, near where Adam Bruce now lives. After growing to manhood he started in with a forty-acre farm on Short Ridge, and was later presented by his father with eighty acres more, to which he continued to add until he owned about three hundred acres. He was a farmer, trader and flatboat pilot. making twenty-three trips to New Orleans. He led an honest and successful life, and his word is said to have been as good as his bond. He was united in marriage on April 25. 1841. with Jane Ross, daughter of Amos L. and Eleanor (Shumaker) Ross. She was born on July 26. 1820. Mr. John Bruce died on November 10. 1870. and his wife in 1890. To this union were born eight children. as follow: Louisa, born on July 2. 1842. died on January 4. 1883 : became the wife of William Chisman: John. Jr .. November 29. 1843, died on April 24. 1846: Amos. December 3. 1845, died on August

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8, 1847; Amor L., November 8, 1847, and resides on Hogan creek, in Hogan township; Adam, of Hogan township; Sarah E., October 23, 1854, is now the wife of Frank C. Dam and lives at Homestead, Lawrenceburg; Landy H., April 24, 1857, and resides near Mulvane, Kansas; Calvin R., April 25, 1861, lived at Blackwell, Oklahoma, and died on November 15, 1914.

The paternal grandparents were Amor and Catharine Bruce; he a native of Scotland and his wife a native of Germany, who settled in America in the last decade of the eighteenth century. They lived in New York state for a time, but later came to Dearborn county, and were among the first pioneers in their part of the county. He entered land from the government and lived among the Indians in the days of log cabins. He later built a brick-kiln and made the brick for a good brick dwelling, to which he moved his family. Adam Bruce is now living in the same dwelling. He increased his acreage until he owned about nine hundred acres. Mr. Bruce was a lover of nature and enjoyed his wild surroundings in pioneer days, when the panther and wild cat were plentiful, as were also the wild turkeys and deer. He had a large family of children.

Adam Bruce was married on March 6, 1892, to Nora Sellers, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Givan) Sellers. She was born on March 10, 1869, on the ridge north of Wilmington, in Hogan township, and has always been an earnest member of the Methodist church. To this union have been born three children : Robert E., born on December 10, 1892; Elvin Leroy, January 12, 1895; Irma Loral, January 27, 1898, all of whom are still at home.

The parents of Mrs. Adam Bruce were Thomas and Mary (Givan) Sellers, early members of the Hogan Hill Baptist church, and Wilmington Methodist Episcopal church, the former being a son of Benjamin Sellers, a pioneer settler in Hogan township, where he followed agriculture and carried on the trade of a gunsmith. Thomas Sellers lived about one and one-half mile west of Wilmington, and was a life-long farmer. Mrs. Mary (Givan) Sellers was a sister of Judge Noah S. Givan, whose biography is presented elsewhere in this volume.

MRS. AMELIA ELLENBROOK STEUVER.

Devoting all her best energies to the duties which devolve upon her as wife, mother and home-maker, giving the best years of her life to this sacred calling, there is not much to record of the life of the average woman beyond

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the pleasing fact that she filled her place faithfully and well. The essential work of woman is spoken of as lowly when the truth is that the well-being of any community or nation depends, primarily, upon the character and ability of the mothers and home-makers. No man can put his unqualified best into any undertaking unless his home is all that the word implies, and no young man is properly fitted to wage a successful fight with the world and its trials and temptations unless he has been blessed with a good mother. So when it is said of the immediate subject of this sketch that she well fills her woman's place in the world. much has been said and full praise given.

Amelia Ellerbrook was born in Cincinnati. Ohio, being a daughter of George F. and Louisa (Von Seggern) Ellerbrook. Her birth occurred on June 7, 1863, and she is of German descent, her grandparents having come from the Fatherland. Louisa Von Seggern was also born in Cincinnati, her birth occurring on August 17, 1841. She was a daughter of Herman Von Seg- gern and Catherine Kruese. his wife, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Germany. Harmon was born on December 17. 1812, and came to this country when a young man. He eventually settled in Cincinnati and there passed the remainder of his life, having been engaged during all the years of his resi- dence there in the retail drug business in the capacity of clerk. His death occurred in 1884. when in the seventy-third year of his age. He came of a small family, there being but two other children. both sisters, neither one of which ever left their native land. Harmon von Seggern was married in Cin- cinnati, to Catherine Kruese. She was brought to this country when quite young by her parents and was one of a family of nine children, having four sisters and four brothers. One of her sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Kruese Stephens, is still residing at Sunman, this county, at quite an advanced age. Catherine died rather early in life, passing away in 1850. at the age of thirty-three years.

George F. Ellerbrook was born in Hanover, Germany. January 28, 1837, and came to Cincinnati when a youth of fifteen. He had received the founda- tion for a good education in his native city and before coming to this coun- try had mastered some of the secrets of the cabinet-maker's trade. After taking up his residence in Cincinnati, he turned to this trade as his means of support, and worked steadily at it until 1875, when with his wife and family he moved to Dillsboro and was there engaged in the huckster business until the time of his retirement from active affairs. George F. Ellerbrook was one of the substantial men of Dillsboro, being one of its citizens who had great faith in the future of the town. Any movement which had for its object the advancement of any phase of community life, found in him a most willing sup-

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porter. In politics he was a Republican and was a faithful member of the Lutheran church, serving his local society as trustee for a number of years. George F. and Louisa Ellerbrook were married in Cincinnati in 1860, and to their union were born eight children, three of whom died in infancy. Amelia, the immediate subject of this sketch. is the eldest of the family living. and then follow George, Albert. Louisa and Alma.

George Ellerbrook chose Emma Siefert as his wife and their union has been blessed with four daughters, Dorothy, Helen, Gladys and Esther. Albert married Carrie Siefert and is the father of two children, Elizabeth and Edward. Louisa became the wife of Louis Wolf, of Cincinnati, and has two sons, Lester and Paul. Alma remains at home. caring for the mother who is now enjoying the peace and quiet of a ripe old age. George F. Ellerbrook's death occurred on October 10, 1908, at the age of seventy-one years and he was laid to rest in Oakdale cemetery, Dillsboro. His sons. George and Albert. are still carrying on the huckster business which their father started so many years ago, covering considerable territory throughout this section in following their affairs, having long since won the confidence and esteem of their many patrons.

Amelia Ellerbrook received her elementary education in the common schools of Cincinnati. later attending the schools of Dillsboro, after being brought here by her parents. On October 25, 1883. when twenty years of age, she was united in marriage with John C. Steuver. of Dillsboro, who was born in Cincinnati, August 8. 1858. John C. Steuver is a son of William F. and Maria (Schroder) Steuver, both of whom were born in Hanover. Germany. William F. Steuver came to this country when a young man, locating among old friends at Cincinnati, and there for a number of years he was employed in various ways. He was united in marriage in Cincinnati with Maria Schroder, who came to this country when a young woman, and to their union was born a family of six children : William, John, Matilda. Charles, Mary and Edward. In 1872 Mr. Steuver brought his family to Dillsboro and opened up a general store, later going into the produce business with his son. During the years of his residence here he came to be highly respected by a large circle of friends and his loss was felt when death removed him in 1890, at the age of sixty-three years.

John C. Steuver received his education in the schools of Cincinnati and came to this section with his parents in 1872. He learned the cabinet-making business by the time he was eighteen, but gave up following that trade to en- gage in the huckstering business with his father, and this he followed alone after the death of his parent. John C. Steuver was a Republican in politics.

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one of the faithful members of the party in this section and gave valuable ser- vice to Clay township as trustee for a number of years. He was interested in all enterprises for the advancement of public interests and was a prominent member of the Lutheran church, serving the local society as trustee and treas- urer for years. His fraternal affiliation was held with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the local society of Dillsboro. No children were ever born to Mr. and Mrs. Steuver, but they adopted and reared a daughter who is now Mrs. Agatha Palmer, wife of John Palmer, of Dillsboro.

Such well-balanced, useful lives lend their influence to any community and make for the stability and glory of a nation.

CLIFFORD S. DIEHL.

Although still a young man, the subject of this sketch is a fine example of business thrift and enterprise. Coming from good old Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry, and possessing a splendid education, he is equipped in a manner that augurs success. From his early youth, he has shown a venturesome, speculative spirit, and has never been handicapped by that fear of failure that hangs over many. Starting out well informed on matters of general interest, Mr. Diehl has forged ahead until now he finds himself at the head of a thoroughly established and remunerative business.

Clifford S. Diehl was born on April 29, 1883, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a son of Thomas and Caroline (Myers) Diehl. At the age of nine years, he started to school at Cincinnati, going later to New York City, where he graduated from high school, after which he entered Cornell University, and was graduated in 1907, when he returned to Lawrenceburg, where his father had established a plant for the manufacture of fireworks. After his father's death, Mr. Diehl became president of the company, where they now employ about sixty people, with offices at Nowlin avenue, Greendale, Lawrenceburg. His residence is at 516 Ridge avenue. Mr. Diehl is a loyal supporter of the Republican policies, and is affiliated with Lawrenceburg Lodge No. 4, Free and Accepted Masons.

Thomas Diehl, father of Clifford S., was a native of Pennsylvania, and his wife, Caroline (Myers) Diehl, a native of Ohio. Mr. Diehl was reared at Reading, Pennsylvania, where he learned the plumber's trade, and after- wards, about 1875, moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lived until 1890, when he moved his family to New York City and became the president of

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the Consolidated Fireworks Company of America. He later, in 1901, estab- lished an independent business in Lawrenceburg and moved back to Cincin- nati in 1907, and died there in 1911, aged sixty-two years. His wife still survives him. Mr. Diehl was a drummer boy in the Civil War. They had two children, Clifford S. and Helen Alice, who lives at Cincinnati.

The paternal grandfather Diehl and his wife were natives of Pennsyl- vania, and were of German lineage. Both lived to a ripe old age, and left the following children: Howard, Samuel, Harry, Mary, Thomas and Amanda.

The maternal grandfather was John Myers, and his wife was Mary (Crowder) Myers. They were natives of Germany, who came to the United States at an early day, settling at Cincinnati, Ohio, where they both died well advanced in years, leaving the following children : Albert, Alice, John, Alvin, Laura, Bertha, Rose and Caroline.

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History of Dearborn County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 88

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

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