History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 101

Author: Reifel, August J
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1648

USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 101

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The second wife of Samuel Goodwin, Mrs. Eleanor (Wiles) Moon, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, October 24, 1789. Her parents were John and Eleanor (McKinley) Wiles. Her maternal grandparents were Rodger and Eleanor (Shaw) Mckinley, who, with James McKinley, father of Rodger, removed to Ohio, locating near Lebanon. James McKinley was born in Ireland in 1708 and died in Ohio in 1812 at the remarkable age of one hun- dred and four years.

Samuel and Eleanor Goodwin were the parents of ten children, all of whom are deceased, namely : Eunice, Thomas Aiken, John Reeves, Mary, Eleanor, Martha W., Samuel Augustus, Samuel George, William R. and Robert J. Eunice was born July 20, 1817, and died September 6, of the same year. Thomas A. was born November 2, 1818, in Brookville, Indiana. He was the first out-of-town student in Asbury College and was graduated as valedictorian of the first class in 1840. He was teacher, editor and minister, being president of Brookville College ( 1862-63) and editor of the Brook- ville American ( 1853-56). He was a very popular minister in Brookville and the surrounding community and at one time had charge of a church in

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Indianapolis. On September 13, 1842, he married Content L. Craft and to this union were born eight children. Dr. John R. was the father of Charles F., with whom this narrative deals. Mary was born August 7, 1822, and died July 31, 1839. Eleanor was born May 13, 1824, and died November 24, 1843. Martha was born March 4, 1826, and married Wilson Morrow, an Indianapolis attorney. Samuel Augustus was born July II, 1828, and died March 17, 1829. Samuel George was born February 21, 1830, and resided in Indianapolis. William R. was born July 7, 1832, and was twice married. He first married Sue A. Keely and, later, Mrs. Mary (McAdams) Smith. He was also a Methodist minister and died in California. Robert J. was born January 29, 1834, and died July 2, 1884. He was an attorney of Indianapolis and was a brevet brigadier-general in the Civil War.

John Reeves Goodwin, the father of Charles F. Goodwin, was born in Brookville, Indiana, July 15, 1820, and spent his boyhood there, receiving his education at the Brookville schools, after which he attended Asbury Uni- versity, graduating in 1845. About two years later he graduated from the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati. During this period, on July 3, 1846, he married Rachel Goudie, the ceremony being pronounced by Rev. Thomas A. Goodwin, brother of Dr. John R. He began the practice of medicine in Brookville. During the Civil War he was surgeon of the Thirty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but most of the time he was detailed to the care of the principal hospital in Nashville, during a great part of which time his wife was with him, assisting him in the care of the wounded soldiers. He was made prisoner and held at Huntsville, Alabama, for four months, returning after the war to Brookville, Indiana. Under Presidents Johnson and Grant he served eight years in the department of the interior at Wash- ington, D. C. After his services at Washington, he returned to Brookville and engaged in the banking business until his death. In 1872 he purchased the Brookville National Bank, which was conducted by him and his son, Charles F., under the firm name of John R. Goodwin & Son until the part- nership of Charles F. and John Shirk was formed. He was the owner of five hundred acres of land east of Brookville, a tract of land which was entered upon as government land by Doctor Goodwin's father-in-law.

Rachel Goudie was the daughter of Joseph and Pamelia (Clarkson) Goudie and was born on December 28, 1826. To her union with John R. Goodwin were born three children, all of whom are now dead: Joseph G., who was born March 19, 1852, and died August 9, of the same year ; Charles Francis, whose history is here given ; and Edward R., who was born January 31, 1860, and died February 16, 1861.

Dr. John R. Goodwin was a very active Republican, often made cam-

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paign speeches and in 1872 carried the electoral votes to Washington. He endowed a chair in DePauw University and served as a trustee of the uni- versity until his death. He and his family were always loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

The maternal grandparents of Charles F. Goodwin were Joseph and Pamelia (Clarkson) Goudie. Joseph Goudie was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1795, and died September 29, 1879. In the spring of 1814 he moved with his parents to Franklin county, Indiana, where he lived until his death. They entered the land known as the Goudie farm, now the Goodwin farm, located five miles east of Brookville. Joseph Goudie's parents both died here, the father dying in 1836 and the mother in IS52. The land on which they located was a dense forest and was cleared by much hard labor on his part. Joseph Goudie and his parents were . among the first founders of the Mount Carmel Presbyterian church, which was founded in 1824, his membership being continued in that church until his removal to Brookville in 1849, where he was an elder until the time of his death, in 1879. On March 20, 1823. he was married to Pamelia Clark- son, who was the daughter of Richard P. and Mary Clarkson. She was born August 21, 1803, at Exeter, New Hampshire.

Richard P. Clarkson came with his family to Franklin county, Indiana, in 1819. He became the first postmaster in Springfield township. His daughter, Pamelia, married Joseph Goudie and she and her husband were both ardent Presbyterians, of which church Joseph Goudie was a ruling elder from 1840 to 1849. She died October 23. 1873.

Charles F. Goodwin was born in Brookville township, Franklin county, Indiana, November 6, 1849. He received his early education in the district schools of Brookville township and early decided to get the best education attainable. He, accordingly, attended Brookville Collège, graduating in 1866. He then attended what is now DePauw University, then known as Asbury University, graduating in the class of 1871 and acquiring early busi- ness training during summer vacation as clerk with his father in the interior department in Washington, D. C. The year after his graduation, he took up the banking business, as the one best fitted to his ability, entering the Brook- ville National Bank, of which his father was proprietor, and he was soon made assistant cashier. He eventually became a partner in 1879 when the bank, after a voluntary liquidation, was organized into the Brookville Bank, private. He and his father were partners until the latter's death. In 1885 John C. Shirk, who had been employed as clerk in the bank since 1881, was admitted as partner with Charles F. Goodwin, this partnership being con-

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tinued until the death of Mr. Goodwin, January 12, 1896. After his death, Mr. Goodwin's widow kept his interest in the bank until 1905, when the bank was reorganized into the National Brookville Bank.

Charles F. Goodwin married Martha Shirk, November 17, 1874, the ceremony being performed by Rev. J. L. Roop. She was born in Spring- field township, Franklin county, Indiana, and was a daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Wright) Shirk, a complete sketch of whose family is given under the article devoted to J. C. Shirk. To this union have been born two children, Mary and John Pemberton. Mary married Allen Buchanan, April 15, 1903. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Mary- land, and was born in Evansville, Indiana. He is a lieutenant-commander in the United States navy. He was in the Spanish-American War as an ensign on the flagship "New York" and served throughout the war. They now reside in Washington, D. C., and have one son, Charles, born in 1904.

John Pemberton Goodwin, the second child of Charles F. Goodwin and wife, was born February 26, 1880, in Brookville, Indiana. He attended the Brookville public schools, graduating from the high school in 1897. He then entered DePauw University, where he graduated in 1901. While in college he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, representing the third generation of Goodwins in this college organization, in which his grand- father, John R. Goodwin, was a charter member. He then attended Columbia University for one year, after which he spent a year with the Outing Publish- ing Company, in New York city. The following two years he spent in Arizona.

In 1905, when the National Brookville Bank was organized, John P. Goodwin was made vice-president, a position which he still holds. He has been actively engaged with the business of the bank since that time. He is a director of the .Dean Orchard Company of Clark county, Indiana. He is also a director of the Brookville Telephone Company and of the Franklin Furniture Company.

John Goodwin was married, February 26, 1913, to Margaret A. Rock- wood, of Indianapolis, a daughter of William P. and Margaret (Anderson) Rockwood. Her father, who is now dead, was the president and founder of the Rockwood Manufacturing Company, which business is still conducted by his three sons. Mr. Goodwin is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of the blue lodge at Brookville, the Indianapolis Consistory and Murat Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He also holds his membership in the University Club and the Dramatic Club of Indianapolis.

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MICHAEL KUHN.

Among the enterprising agriculturists of Brookville township, Franklin county, Indiana, may be mentioned Michael Kuhn, whose whole life thus far has been spent in this county. He belongs to that class of sterling citizens whose ancestors came from Germany and in his life has exemplified those traits of character which have made the Germans such valuable citizens of this country. Since reaching his majority he has been engaged in general farming and stock raising for himself and now owns a well-improved farm in Brookville township.

Michael Kuhn, the son of Michael and Minnie (Emerine) Kuhn, was born in Franklin county, October 18, 1858. His parents were both born in Germany in 1820 and 1828, respectively. They reared a family of six children, Michael, Adam, Kate, Margaret, Barbara and Rose, all of whom are still living.

Michael Kuhn, Sr., came to America with his parents, Adam and Mary Kuhn, in 1833. and settled in this township on the farm which is now owned by Michael Kuhn, Jr. Michael Kuhn, Sr., died in 1884, and his wife died in this county when she was about seventy-five years of age. Michael Kuhn, Sr., was twice married. His first wife was Mary Adams, and to this union three children were born, Henry, Mary, and Lizzie, the son being deceased.

The maternal grandparents of Michael Kuhn, Jr., were Michael Emerine and his wife, the latter of whom was a Getrout, both of whom were natives of Germany. The Emerine family came to Franklin county, Indiana, about 1843, and spent the remainder of their lives in this county. He died at the age of eighty and his wife was seventy-seven when she passed away.

Michael Kuhn, Jr., was reared on his father's farm in this county and received such education as was given by the schools in his home town- ship. Early in his life he decided to follow the occupation of farming, and with this intention industriously applied himself to assisting his father with the various duties on the farm. In this way he was well qualified to manage a farm of his own after his marriage. He now owns one hundred and four acres of land in Brookville township, where he carries on general farming and stock raising in the latest and most approved style.

Mr. Kuhn was married in 1900 to Kate Gingley, who was born in Franklin county, the daughter of Peter and Getrout Gingley. Mrs. Kuhn's mother is deceased and her father is living in Brookville township. Mr.' and Mrs. Kuhn have three children, Raymond, Edward and Marie.

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Politically, Mr. Kuhn gives his support to the Democratic party, but has never cared to be a candidate for any public office, preferring to devote all of his time and attention to his farming interests. He and his family are all loyal members of the Catholic church and render it their hearty support at all times, being among the active participants in the good works of their neighborhood.

CHARLES C. BOHLANDER.

The family name of Bohlander has long been identified with the history of the growth of Franklin county and Charles C. Bohlander is indeed a worthy descendant of his ancestors. He is one of the representative farmers of the county and younger and less experienced tillers of the soil frequently seek him out for advice and guidance in agricultural matters. A man of laudable views and ambition, Charles C. Bohlander is an inspiring subject for the historian.

Charles C. Bohlander was born October 1, 1869, on Dutch Wolf creek, near Brookville, Franklin county, Indiana. He was the son of William and Fredricka (Lohrey) Bohlander. His father was born in Germany and his mother within a half mile of Dutch Wolf creek.

The paternal grandparents of Charles C. Bohlander were Henry and Margaret (Bohlander) Bohlander, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to America in 1850 and located on a tract of land between Wolf creek and Blue creek, which is now occupied by George Hertel. This farm comprised about seventy acres of good land, and it was here they lived until their death.

Charles C. Bohlander received all of his education in the school of district No. 17, in Brookville township. His education was not extensive, but backed up by natural intelligence and extraordinary good sense, it has played its part in placing Mr. Bohlander well up in the ranks of Blooming Grove township's leading men. He took up the occupation of an agriculturist. locating on a farm in Brookville township. One year after his marriage he came to the farm on which he is now located in Blooming Grove township. This is one of the garden spots of the township, containing one hundred and forty-five acres. He has lived on the same tract of land for twenty years and a visit will show that in its cultivation he has applied his best intelligence and the foremost agricultural methods of the present day. The barn which. at the time he first came, was forty by twenty-six feet, now measures forty

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by seventy-four feet. All of the buildings have been remodeled and a tenant house has been erected. The land is devoted to general farming.

Charles C. Bohlander was married February 6, 1894, to Mary Irrgang. Although born in Germany she was reared on Yellow Bank creek, coming to America at the age of three years with her parents.

In contemplating the life of Mr. Bohlander, the fact which stands out most prominently is that he recognized the farm as a proper sphere for intelligent endeavor and close application. His broad acres are well fertilized and their produce increases from year to year. Mr. Bohlander is one of those solid, dependable citizens, whose influence is felt throughout the com- munity.

WILLIAM H. WENDEL.

Those of us who courageously accept life as we find it, who follow out our destinies with a cheery faith in the ultimate realization of our hopes, have no place for worry or pessimism, and are very likely to find life simply a wonderful adventure after all. Therefore we can be reasonably certain that William H. Wendel is enjoying life to the utmost.

William H. Wendel was born in Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana, April 21, 1877, and was a son of William and Louisa Jane (Mabis) Wendel. William Wendel, Sr., also was a native of Highland township, this county, his birth having occurred near Southgate, Indiana. His wife was a daughter of William Mabis, and to their union seven children were born, of whom William H. was the eldest. The others were: Charles, a farmer of Bath township, this county, who married Christina Gesell; Anna, who became the wife of Lewis Smith and lives in New Trenton, Indiana; Minnie became the wife of Christian Gesell and lives on a farm in this county; Alice is living with her mother on the farm in Highland township; George is also living with his mother; Frederick married Matilda Beckman, and lives in this county.

Mr. Wendel's paternal grandfather, Lewis Wendel, was born in Ger- many. He came to America about 1845 with some of his older brothers and sisters, and here he married and was the father of four children: William, John, Elizabeth and Henry. Of these children, Elizabeth, who lives in Shelby county, Indiana, is the only survivor. Lewis Wendel was the owner of one hundred and sixty fertile acres of land located near Southgate, in this county, on which he lived the greater part of his life, dying there in 1859.

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In the schools of Highland township, Franklin county, William Wendel, Sr., received a common school education, and upon leaving school commenced to farm on his own account eighty acres of land in Highland township, and here he lived and worked the remainder of his life, his death occurring June 10, 1892.

Receiving a common-school education, William H. Wendel early began the cultivation of the soil. After marrying Margaret Gesell, a daughter of Philip Gesell, of Highland township, on December 31, 1902, Mr. Wendel rented land for eleven years. He was on the Samuel Davis farm ten of the eleven years, and in 1912, after accumulating sufficient capital by steady application, he bought one hundred and fifty-four acres in Whitewater town- ship, where he is living today. To Mr. and Mrs. Wendel one child was born, a son, who bears the same name as his father, William. The wife and mother died August 28, 1913.

There is no secret to the present-day success to which Mr. Wendel has attained. It is the result of infinite effort and untiring energy, and each upward step has been attained only by patient application. Mr. Wendel is a progressive farmer and a man whom it is a pleasure to meet, his neighbors and friends all holding him in the highest regard.

HENRY STROHMIER.

A face familiar to the residents of Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana, is that of Henry Strohmier and his approach is always welcomed because of the certainty of the words of optimistic cheer which he will utter, this optimisite spirit being based upon his realization of the fact that a life properly lived is always generously rewarded.

Henry Strohmier was born in Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana, March 4, 1868. He is a son of Frederick and Ernestina (Licke) Strohmier, and is one of a family of six children, of whom he was the fifth in order of birth, the others being Frederick, Charles, Minnie, Mary and Emma. Frederick married Mary Butler and makes his home in Brookville. Charles married Mary Marlan and lives at Scipio, Indiana. Minnie became the wife of George Fath, a farmer of Brookville township. Mary is the wife of Frank Keen and lives in Brookville. Emma is the wife of George McKee and lives at Connersville, Indiana.

Frederick Strohmier, the father of Henry, was born in Germany and came to America in 1849, first settling in Ohio, near Cincinnati, later moving

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to Venice, Indiana. In his native land he was a harness maker and followed his trade after coming to the United States. He owned twenty. acres of land near Youngs, Indiana. His marriage to Ernestina Licke occurred soon after his arrival in America. He was a consistent follower of the teachings of the German Lutheran church. He died in March, 1901, while his widow survived him until in December, 1907.

Henry Strohmier was educated in the common schools of his home township, assisting his father at farm work until his marriage, after which he rented land and engaged in farming for himself in Ohio. In 1909 he bought his present farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres, and has since added eighty acres to his holdings. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising and has made a very creditable success of his life work.

On February 12, 1894. Mr. Strohmier was married to Mary Miller, a native of Whitewater township, a daughter of William Miller, and to this. union have been born Elmer, Clarence, Mabel, Lona, Magdalena, Leonard and Harry. All of these children are still single and living at home.

Mr. Strohmier is a valued member of the Lutheran church and his politi- cal sympathies incline toward the Republican party, in the local councils of which his voice always carries weight, his sound business judgment and fine executive ability giving him influence. He has been trustee of Whitewater township for six years. Mr. Strohmier's first capital was pluck and energy. and the wise expenditure of these valuable assets has produced his present well-tilled and beautiful country place. A happy fireside is Mr. Strohmier's and a contented life, well worthy of emulation.

AUGUST H. WIGGERS.

Men occasionally lead such lives as prove to others what may be ac- complished under adverse circumstances, in the surmounting of these circum- stances creating an example which safely may be emulated by those who follow. To the credit of August H. Wiggers it can truthfully be said that his is just such a life as the biographer here has touched on. his life and the example he has set before men having created for him a place in the com- munity in which he now resides second to that of none in his neighborhood, all holding him in the highest regard.

August H. Wiggers was born September 13, 1862, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Herman Henry and Emily (Darnemeyer) Wiggers, and was one

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of a family of six children, the others being Richard S., Frank L., H. H., E. S. and Robert G. Of these children Richard, Frank L. and Robert G. are deceased. H. H. and E. S. are living in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The paternal grandfather of Mr. Wiggers was H. L. Wiggers, a native of Germany, who came to America at the age of seventy-two years to spend his declining years and located in Cincinnati. By trade he was a wood carver, and during the latter days of his life was afflicted with blindness.

Herman Henry Wiggers, the father of August H. Wiggers, came to the United States as a young man and received most of his education in this country. He engaged in the furniture business in Cincinnati for a time, and during his residence in that city attained a very prominent place in civic and political affairs. He was president of the City Hall Bank for some years and also was very active in church work, being a member of the German Luth- eran church, having been president and treasurer of his local church at one time. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted for service in the Union army, and served for three months at the front, when the ammunition wagon which he was driving ran over him, disabling him for service. His wife was Emily Darnemeyer, the daughter of August H. Darnemeyer. Mr. Wiggers was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the affairs of which fraternal order he was actively interested.

The excellent public schools of Cincinnati were the source of the early education of August H. Wiggers. He engaged in the furniture business in Cincinnati, as did his father, but on account of ill health, was compelled to close out his business and move to his farm in 1911 in the hope of regaining his health, and is now living on his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Whitewater township.

Mr. Wiggers was married on April 7, 1886, to Augusta Frese, the daughter of Rudolph and Christena ( Besta) Frese, to which union have been born four children, Jennie, Emily, Ruth and Frank. Jennie is the wife of Edward Lewis and has one child, Dorothy, and makes her home in Cincinnati. Emily became the wife of Paul Furstenau, and has three children, Elroy, Vir- ginia and John, and also lives in Cincinnati. The other two children, Ruth and Frank, are still unmarried and living at home.

The father of Mrs. Wiggers, Rudolph Frese, married Christina Besta, and to this union were born five children, Frederick, William, Minnie, Louisa and Augusta. Of these children Frederick married Anna Priest and is living in , Cincinnati. William married Jennie Casavant, and also makes her home in Cincinnati. Minnie became the wife of John Lohmann and lives in Cin- cinnati. Louisa, who is the wife of Frederick Hieman, also makes her home

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in Cincinnati. Rudolph Frese was a Union soldier in the Civil War and for three years after his return from the army he was a police officer in the city of Cincinnati. He now lives at the National Soldiers' Home at Dayton, Ohio.

THOMAS HYNES.

America furnishes a refuge for the oppressed people of every clime, and to these shores have flocked millions from the various countries of Europe. The Emerald Isle has contributed thousands of excellent citizens for Indiana, and their descendants may be found in every county of the good old Hoosier state. In the person of Thomas Hynes, a prosperous farmer of Whitewater township, Franklin county, Indiana, may be seen a worthy son of Irish par- ents. He has been living on his present farm since childhood, or 1854, and has won an enviable reputation as a farmer and stock raiser.

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 101

Author: Reifel, August J Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1648

Author: Reifel, August J
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1648