USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 88
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FREDERICK GFELLER, JR.
In every community some men are known for their upright lives, strong common sense and industry, rather than for their wealth or political standing. Their neighbors and acquaintances respect them, and when they "wrap the drapery of their couches about them and lie down to pleasant dreams" posterity listens with reverence to the story of their quiet and useful lives. Among such men of a past generation in DeKalb county was the late Frederick Gfeller, Jr., who was not only a progressive man of affairs, successful in ma- terial pursuits, but a man of modest and unassuming demeanor, a fine type of the reliable, self-made American, a friend to the poor, charitable to the faults of his neighbors and who always stood ready to unite with them in every good work and active in the support of laudable public enterprises, a man who in every respect merited the high esteem in which he was held.
Frederick Gfeller, Jr., was born in the canton of Berne, Switzerland, on May 15, 1850, and was the son of Frederick, Sr., and Katherine Elizabeth (Schiba) Gfeller. When the subject was but two years old the family came to the United States, locating in Stark county, Ohio, where they lived for several years. They then came to Smithfield township, DeKalb county, Indiaan, locating just west of the Catholic church. \ year later they moved to the Hoffelder farm, remaining there two years. For a short time they then lived east of Waterloo, eventually returning to Smithfield township. where for eleven years the father engaged in farming. They then returned to the vicinity of Waterloo, the parents spending their last years in Union-
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town. They were the parents of four children, three sons and a daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, Frederick, Gottfried and Samuel .- >
Frederick Gfeller, Jr., remained with his parents until his marriage, in 1872, when he engaged in farming on his own account, leasing land from George Wolfe just east of the Catholic church, where he remained eleven years. While on that land, he bought thirteen acres of land adjoining, though he did not live on it. He next bought forty acres a short distance northeast of where he was renting, and four or five years later bought forty acres more just north of where he was farming, to which he moved two years later, mak- ing it his permanent home. In all, he accumulated two hundred and twelve acres of good land and was considered a very capable and successful business man.
Mr. Gfeller took a large interest in the welfare of the community in which he lived and was one of the original members of St. Michael's Catholic church. He served as road supervisor and as constahle, and was twice elected trustee of Smithfield township, being nominated for a third term, but dying before election day. He enjoyed a well-deserved popularity throughout the section of the county in which he lived, enjoying a wide acquaintance, among whom were many warm personal friends.
In October, 1872, Mr. Gfeller married Mary A. Mehr, who was born in Germany in 1854. the daughter of Johannes and Dora (Schoudel) Mehr. In August, 1871. Mary and her fifteen-year-old sister, Katherine, now Mrs. Frank P. Miller, came to the United States, and came at once to DeKalb county, Indiana, making their home in Smithfield township. Mary Mehr was seventeen years old and could talk no English. She secured work in private families, with whom she was employed for a number of years, and during this period acquired a thorough command of the English language. By her marriage with Frederick Gfeller she became the mother of four children, namely : Frederick, who lives near St. Michael's Catholic church, married Annie Shoudel, the daughter of M. L. Shoudel, and they have nine children, Fred, Dora, Matthias, Mary, Celia, Joseph, Herman and Christian. Mary is the wife of Thomas Smith, of Kosciusko county, Indiana, and they have one child. Genevieve. Frank, who lives on the old home place, married Anna Schiffli and to them were born four children, Olivia, who died at the age of ten weeks, Lauretta, Clarence and Raymond. Dora is the wife of Frank Walker, of Smithfield township, this county. The father of these children died on November 24, 1895, and two years afterwards his widow became the
(56)
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wife of John Hoffelder, also a resident of Smithfield township. However, she still spends much of her time with her children, by whom she is held in the most affectionate regard. Frederick Gfeller was a man of steady, in- dustrious habits. his success in life being due sosely to his own efforts, and he never violated in the slightest degree the confidence which his fellows reposed in him. A faithful husband, loving and affectionate father, faithful friend and loyal citizen, his death was considered a distinct loss to the com- munity which had been honored by his citizenship.
LEMUEL N. CHAPMAN.
It is proper to judge of the success of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his family circle, in church, hear his views on public questions, observe the operation of his code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of society and civilization, and are, therefore, competent to judge of his merits and demerits. After a long course of years of such daily observa- tion, it would be out of the question for his neighbors not to know of his worth, for, as has been said, "actions speak louder than words." In this connection it is not too much to say that the subject of this sketch has passed a life of unusual honor, that he has been industrious and has the confidence of all who have the pleasure of his friendship.
Lemuel N. Chapman, an honored citizen 'and industrious farmer of Smithfield township, DeKalb county. Indiana, was born in that township on January 22, 1867, and is the son of Lewis and Mary (Duncan) Chapman. Lewis Chapman was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on July 17. 1832. the son of Lemuel and Ruth ( Harding ) Chapman. The Chapman family is of Eng- lish ancestry, the progenitors of the family having first settled in Pennsyl- vania. where they married into Pennsylvania Dutch stock. Lemtiel Chap- man, the paternal grandfather, became a prominent man in his day, being known as General Chapman in Ohio and commander of the state militia. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his death occurred in 1837. He was a man of many accomplishments, being a fine penman and well educated, as well as being powerful physically. Lewis Chapman was reared in Ohio, at- tending high school. and some time before the Civil war he came to DeKalb county. Indiana, and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land north of
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the east part of Waterloo. He also taught school during two winters. In 1861 he married Mary C. Duncan, who was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, in 1832, the daughter of George J. and Mary ( Baxter ) Duncan. When two years old her parents moved to Holmes county, Ohio, and later to Wayne county, Indiana, and in 1852 the family moved to DeKalb county, locating a short distance from where the Barker Methodist Episcopal church is now located in Smithfield township, where her parents built a home and lived the rest of their lives. George J. Duncan was both a shoemaker and a farmer, but his sons mostly followed farming. Mary Duncan lived on the home farm until her marriage, and some time prior thereto had taught school at the Center school and other schools in Smithfield township, and it is related that at one time when she went to the Center school house she saw six deer standing in the school yard, who, after looking at her for a moment, ran into the woods. For about fifteen years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Chap- man lived northeast of Waterloo, when they sold that farm and bought a tract south of Summit, and there lived until in old age, though during the past twelve years they had given up active farm work and lived with their chil- dren. Lewis Chapmani died on December 14. 1913, and Mary Chapman on December 17, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have been hard workers all their lives and have richly earned the prosperity which has resulted from their efforts. They reared seven children, all of whom grew to maturity, married and have children of their own. These children are as follows . May, widow of Albert Gramling, now deceased, lives one mile west of Summit, and is the mother of six children living, four sons and two daughters : Jennie is the wife of Jay Shaffer, of Smithfield township, and they have two children ; Lemuel N. lives in the northeastern part of Smithfieldl township and is the imme liate subject of this biographical review: Margaret, who is the wife of George Corbin, of the northeastern part of Smithfield township, has a daughter : Georgia is the wife of Isaac Barker, of Smithfield township: William H. lives in Manly, Iowa, where he is a successful carpenter and contractor, and is mar- ried and the father of four children ; L. Edward, who lives at Grand Islan 1. Nebraska, is married and the father of two children. Of the sisters of Lemuel N. Chapman, it is noteworthy that three of them have taught school, Jennie, Maggie and Georgia. The subject of this sketch, being the oldest son, was compelled to remain at home to assist his father, but benefited by that because he there learned how to work to advantage and imbibed those traits of character which have been instrumental in his later successes. He did much pioneer work, such as clearing land and draining.
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and, in the broadest sense of the term, he is self-made. He remained with his parents until twenty-six years of age and then engaged in farming his mother-in-law's place for twenty years. About 1904 Mr. Chapman bought one hundred and twenty acres of land and so well did he manage this tract that in four years he made enough on it to pay for the tract. It is a good farm in every respect and is handled to the best advantage, Mr. Chap- man adopting up-to-date methods in its cultivation and exercising personal supervision over every detail of its operation. It adjoins the Kegerreis farm, and he still 'lives there and operates both tracts. He has worked diligently and steadily at his vocation, losing no time and overlooking no opportunity to improve the farm and to turn things to the best advantage.
In 1893 Mr. Chapman married Sarah May Kegerreis, the daughter of Joseph and Catherine (James) Kegerreis, who are mentioned elsewhere in this sketch, and to them have been born three children, namely: Inez, who is now in the last year of high school at Ashley, having attended three terms at Waterloo; Madge, who is in the second year of high school, and Maude, four years old. The mother of these children died on July 23, 1912, and was buried on July 25th, her birthday anniversary. She was a faithful and earnest member of the Barker Methodlist Episcopal church and active in its various avenues of usefulness from her childhood, living close to the teachings of the Bible all her life and proving a good wife and faithful and loving mothier. Mr. Chapman has also for many years been an active and faithful member of the Barker Methodist Episcopal church, contributing of his means to its sup- port and giving his attention to all its interests. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and in every avenue of life's activities in which he has engaged he has done his best, so that he has richly earned the high regard in which he is universally held throughout the community.
JOSEPH KEGERREIS.
Among the successful, self-made men of a past generation in DeKalb county. whose efforts and influence contributed to the material upbuilding of their respective communities, the late Joseph Kegerreis, of Smithfield town- ship, occupied a conspicuous place. He won for himself a place of promi- nence and honor as one of the world's honored army of workers and enjoyed to a notable degree the esteem and good. will of all who knew him.
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Joseph Kegerreis was born on July 14. 1838, in Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, and his death occurred at his home in the northeastern part of Smith- field township, DeKalb county, Indiana, on January 27, 1889. He was a son of Jacob and Sarah ( Smith) Kegerreis, who removed with their family to Columbiana county, Ohio. There, soon afterwards, the father died, and his widow eventually became the wife of Michael Mottinger. Some time later they came to DeKalb county, Indiana, locating in section 2. Smithfield town- ship, in 1850, when the subject of this sketch was twelve years old. Here the latter was reared and secured his education in the common schools. On April 1, 1873, Mr. Kegerreis moved to a tract of land, comprising one hundred and forty acres, which he had bought in section 2, Smithfield township, where he made his permanent home and where he remained until his death. He was an energetic and practical farmer, giving intelligent direction to his operations, so that he was enabled to leave his family in very comfortable circumstances.
On September 28, 1862, Joseph Kegerreis was united in marriage with Catherine James, who was born in Summit county, Ohio, on February 19. 1843, the daughter of Henry and Maria (Furry) James. When she was a baby of but six months, the family moved to Indiana, locating in Steuben township, Steuben county, just across the line from Smithfield township, DeKalb county. There for forty years her parents made their home, and then moved to Kansas, where they bought a farm and spent the rest of their lives, the mother dying in 1891 and the father in 1898. Mrs. Kegerreis was reared by her parents in Steuben county until her marriage to Mr. Kegerreis. and secured a good education in the public schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Kegerreis were born four children, namely: John, who was a young man of excellent habits and fine promise, died on September 10. 1882, at the age of nineteen years; Sarah May, who was the wife of L. N. Chapman, died on July 23, 1912, leaving three children; Dessa, who was the wife of Rolland S. Gramling, of Summit, this county, died on March 24, 1910, aged twenty- three years and ten months, leaving a daughter, Evelyn M. She was a grad- vate of the common schools, a successful teacher, and an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church from her youth up; Alta remains at home with her mother. Mrs. Kegerreis is a woman of many gracious qualities of head' and heart, which have endeared her to a host of warm personal friends.
Mr. Kegerreis was a kind and loving husband, an affectionate and in- dulgent father, and earned the respect and friendship of all who knew him, because of his high character and genial disposition. Large-hearted and gen- erous, he gave liberally to all worthy causes, especially in the spread of
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Christian work and to the relief of those in distress. In these things he was entirely unostentatious, many of his kindly acts being known only to himself and the recipients. Mr. Kegerreis was a soldier of the Civil war, having served faithfully and courageously as a member of the Seventy-ninth Regi-, ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He had been an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church for some years prior to his death and has taken a deep interest in religious matters, being a constant and thoughtful reader of religious literature. He exerted a beneficent influence on all who came into. contact with him and his career was rounded in its beautiful simplicity, for he did his, full duty in all the relations of life, which, after all is said, is. the sum total of real success.
FRANK WILLIAM GFELLER.,
The subject of this review is a gentleman of high standing to whom has' not been denied a full measure of success. He is distinctively one of the' representative citizens of Smithfield township, and has long been a recog- nized factor of importance in connection with the agricultural interests of the county of DeKalb. Mr. Gfeller has been conspicuously identified with the material growth and prosperity of this part of the state and his life has been very closely interwoven with the history of the county where he has lived.
Frank William Gfeller was born on December 23, 1877, just east of St. Michael's church, in Smithfield township, DeKalb county, Indiana, and is a son of Frederick and Mary ( Mehr) Gfeller. When he was about three years of age the subject's parents moved to their present home, which is located a little over a half mile north of St. Michael's church, and there he has lived continuously since. He was reared to the life of a farmer and secured his education in the district schools of the community. He assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until the latter's death, when he bought out the interests of all the other heirs to the estate, except his mother's life inter- est in one hundred and seventy-two acres. He has devoted himself indefati- gably and persistently to the development, improvement and cultivation of the farm and that he has met with well deserved success is a matter of common knowledge in his locality. Among his fellow citizens he has earned the splendid reputation which he now enjoys by honest, intelligent effort and is eminently deserving of the splendid success which has crowned his efforts.
On October 27. 1898, Mr. Gfeller married Anna Schiffli, daughter of
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Anthony and Katherine ( Fetters) Schiffli, her birth having occurred in Alsace, France, now Germany, and being brought to the United States with her parents when but five years old. To Mr. and Mrs. Gfeller have been born three children living, Laurette, Clarence and Raymond, and one, Olivia, who died at the age of ten weeks.
Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Gfeller are earnest and loyal members of St. Michael's Catholic church, in the prosperity of which they are deeply interested, and they give their earnest support to every movement for the tiplift of their fellow beings. Mr. Gfeller is a man of wide knowledge, being a great reader, a deep thinker and a good conversationalist, and withal is a pleasant gentleman to meet. He possesses a personality that wins friends and all who know him speak in high terms of his many fine qualities and up- right conduct.
ANTHONY SCHIFFLI.
The biographer is glad to herein set forth the salient facts in the suc- cessful and honorable career of the well-remembered and highly esteemed citizen of DeKalb county whose name appears above, the last chapter in whose life record has been closed by the hand of death, but whose influence still pervades the lives of those with whom he came in contact. Those who knew him best could not help but recognize his many fine attributes and his efforts to inspire good citizenship and right living, because of which charac- teristics he won and retained the confidence and good will of all who had dealings with him in any way.
Anthony Schiffli was born in .Alsace, then a part of France, but now belonging to Germany, in December, 1825, and his death occurred at Garrett, DeKalb county, Indiana, on the 22d of August, 1898. He was a son of Christian and Gertrude Schiffli, both of whom also were born and lived in Alsace. He was reared to the life of a farmer in his native locality and after attaining manhood's years he married Katherine Fetters, who had been born and reared in the same neighborhood, the daughter of Ferdinand and Ger- trude Fetters. In 1880 Mr. Schiffli brought his family to the United States. after a very stormy voyage of two weeks landing at New York City. They came direct to DeKalb county, Indiana, locating at Summit, where Mr. Schiffli had relatives, his wife's brother, Ferdinand Fetters, and his own eldest daughter, Gertrude, who had married Louis Babst. Mr. Schiffli bought
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forty acres of land near the Maple Grove school house, about two miles west of Summit, where he established his home, living there for twenty years. His wife died in March, 1894. and he remained at home until in March, 1898. when he sold his farm and went to love with his daughter, Mrs. Magdalena Dapp, in Smithfield township. In August he was taken sick and went to stay with another daughter, Mrs. Theresa Faust, of Garrett, where his death oc- curred two weeks later.
To Mr. and Mrs. Schiffli seven children were born, as follows: (1) Gertrude, the wife of Louis Babst, of Garrett. (2) Caroline was the wife of Michael Freelinger and lived at Albion, Michigan, where her death occurred on March 18, 1892. (3) Magdalena is the wife of Henry Dapp, of Smith- field township, this county. (4) Anthony lived at Garrett until his death, on January 26, 1903. (5) Mrs. Theresa Faust lives in Garrett. (6) Ignatius lives in Garrett, and (7) Anna is the wife of Frank Gfeller, of Smithfield town- ship.
In addition to his long and creditable career as a farmer, Mr. Schiffli also proved an honorable member of the body politic; rising in the confidence and esteem of the public. he never fell below the dignity of true manhood nor in any way resorted to methods that invited criticism, so that those who were favored with an intimate acquaintance with him were profuse in their praise of his manly virtues and upright character, that of the true gentleman.
VERNE E. BUCHANAN.
Among the men of purpose and upright life who are demonstrating busi- ness and executive ability of a high order in the management of the affairs entrusted to them, the subject of this sketch takes high rank. As general manager for the Auburn Printing Company, he is successfully carrying on the work so auspiciously begun by his father, the late J. Edgar Buchanan, and today he is numbered among the influential men of his community. Verne E. Buchanan was born on January 31, 1892, at Auburn, DeKalb county, Indi- ana, and is the only son of John Edgar and Nellie D. (Brecbill ) Buchanan. J. Edgar Buchanan is represented elsewhere in this work by a personal re- view, therefore further space will not be given to the subject's ancestral history at this point. Verne E. Buchanan received a good common school education in Noble and DeKalb counties, completing his public school study at the high
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school at Auburn. He then spent two years in the study of journalism in the University of Wisconsin at Madison, after which he returned to Auburn, being called upon at the time of his father's death to assume the management of the Auburn Printing Company. This company issues the Auburn Dispatch and the Auburn Courier, semi-weekly publications, and also the Evening Star, a daily paper, the three publications having large circulations throughout De- Kalb county, and being numbered among the leading newspapers of this sec- tion of the state. Mr. Buchanan is a busy man, giving his personal attention to every detail of the business, managing the affairs of the company so as to win the commendation of his associates in the concern. The Auburn Print- ing Company is capitalized at twenty-five thousand dollars, the majority of the stock being owned by the subject of this sketch and his mother. Its entire operation is entrusted to him, and he is proving a business man of sound judgment and wise discrimination. Mr. Buchanan holds positive opinions regarding the great questions of the day, being a close reader and keen ob- server of men and events. He is genial in his relations with his fellowmen, and those who know him best appreciate most highly his excellent qualities of character.
THEODORE REMPIS.
Among the farmers of DeKalb county, Indiana, who believe in following twentieth-century methods is Theodore Rempis, of the vicinity of Smithfield township. He comes of a splendid family, one that has always been strong for right living and industrial habits, for education and morality, and for all that contributes to the welfare of the commonwealth. Such people are wel- comed in any community, for they are empire builders and as such have pushed the frontier of civilization ever westward and onward, leaving the green. wide-reaching wilderness and the far-stretching plains populous with con- tented people and beautiful with green fields: they have constituted that sterling horde which caused the great Bishop Whipple to write the memorable line. "Westward the course of empire takes its way."
Theodore Rempis was born on May 9, 1861, on section 32. Smithfield township, DeKalb county, Indiana, the son of Charles Lewis and Elizabeth (Middleton) Rempis. The father was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born March 21, 1830, and at an early day emigrated with his parents, Louis and Louisa (Berg) Rempis, to America, locating first at Massillon, Ohio.
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In 1853 they came to DeKalb county, purchasing a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Smithfield township, where the father built a log house and barn, clearing forty acres of the place, and through his strenuous efforts lost his health. His death occurred in December, 1859. His wife survived him several years.
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