History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 105

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 105

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With his schooling obtained in the local schools, William Russell, in 1859, went to California, where he resided for seven years, after which he lived in Bozeman, Montana, for a year, and then came back to Franklin county, where he farmed seventy-seven acres of land in Whitewater town- ship. In 1871 William Russell married Cornelia Ann Liming and to this union the children enumerated in the second paragraph of this article were born.

Born in 1808, Enoch Liming, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Russell, married Catharine Dunn, the daughter of Samuel and Catharine (Bickle) Dunn. Samuel Dunn was born in Ireland, on July 15, 1777, and died Janu- ary 14, 1849, and his wife was born September II, 1789, and died July 14, 1849. Samuel Dunn, who was a stone mason, was married twice. His first wife, Mary Miller, was born in June. 1787, and died November 25, 1810. Two children were born to this first union, Elizabeth. born December 9, 1808,

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and Mary, born November 11, 1810. Mr. Dunn's second wife was Cath- arine Bickle, and the children of this union were: Sarah, born November 30, 1812: Susan, born May 19, 1815: Catharine, born October 25, 1811 ; Samuel, born March 29, 1819, died August 16, 1903: William, born July 10, 1822; Martha, born December 3. 1827, died April 6, 1909, and Julian, born June 4. 1830, died October 9, 1874.

Mr. Russell is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in all circles he is welcomed for his recognized intelligence and broad minded- ness, while he is considered one of the county's foremost agriculturists, specializing in the breeding of fine Jersey cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. In his neighborhood Mr. Russell is properly regarded as one of the men to be depended on in any crisis that may arise and is counted on to take his part in all the good works of the community. With a remarkable memory, Mr. Russell never forgets a face, and strangers often are pleasantly surprised by his cordial greeting, only to discover that he is a friend who remembered while they forgot.

HENRY L. GESELL.

We hear constantly, and very properly, of the manifold virtues of the mother, and of the world-wide influences of "the hand that rocks the cradle." While it is fully admitted that this is a subject which cannot be overdone, in all truth it is but fair to admit that the father is in proportion neglected. the limitless influence of the counsels of a wise father perhaps being accepted so much a matter of course as to become a negligible quantity in footing up the sum of the human virtues. All hail to that father, who, rearing a large and healthy familv. instills in these children the elements of those funda- mental virtues which make for wealth and happiness in later life. Henry L. Gesell, a well known farmer of Highland township, is not only a wise father. but one in whom the utmost confidence may be placed in his observance of all the relations of life.

Henry L. Gesell was born in Highland township, Franklin county, Indi- ana, on the farm where he is now living, on August 9. 1858. the son of John, Sr., and Caroline ( Bossert) Gesell. His parents were both natives of Ger- many, his father's birth occurring there on April 25, 1815, and his mother's on November 9, 1818, and to their union ten children were born, of whom Henry L. was the ninth in order of birth. The others were Jacob, born July 28. 1842 : Catherine, born October 9, 1843, who died at the age of two months ;

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Philip, born February 9. 1845; John, born January 11, 1847; Peter, born January 23. 1849; Christena, born September 30, 1851; Angeline, born September 7, 1853 ; Abraham, born July 30, 1856, and Anna, born March 23, 1862. Of these children, Jacob, Catherine, Peter, Angeline and Anna are now deceased. Jacob lived in this township, having married Sophia Dorn- mier, and his widow is still living on her farm. Philip married Christena Brossy, these two also being residents of Highland township. John mar- ried Mary Franzman, now deceased, and is a farmer in the same township. Peter lived in Highland township until six years before his death. His wife was Carrie Lange. Christina is the wife of William Beckman, a farmer of Highland township. Angeline became the wife of Henry Klemme, both of whom are now deceased. Abraham married Ravena Minneman and lives in Sidney, Ohio. Anna died at the age of twenty-one.

Philip Leonard Gesell, the grandfather of Henry L. Gesell, was a native of Germany, who married Abbie Writter, the daughter of John Writter, and came to America in 1836. He and his family landed at New York harbor in that year and proceeded thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, shortly afterward locat- ing permanently in Franklin county, Indiana. His children were John, Jacob, Philip. Maggie, Catherine, Angeline, all of whom were born in Germany. While living in his native land Philip L. Gesell was a skilled weaver of linen. He never worked at his vocation after coming to the United States, but en- gaged in farming instead, entering one hundred acres of land from the gov- ernment in Highland township. Franklin county, on August 6, 1836. This land is now owned by John Kunkel. Philip L. Gesell and his family were devoted members of the German Lutheran church, in whose affairs they took an active part in the early days.

Henry L. Gesell received his education in the common schools of High- land township. Before his marriage he bought the farm he now occupies, consisting of one hundred and ninety-seven acres, and afterwards moved to this place. He devotes his time and attention to a general system of diversi- fied farming, but specializes in the raising of Jersey cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. .

On April 15, 1891, Mr. Gesell was married to Anna Engelking, a daugh- ter of Henry and Sophia (Wulber) Engelking, and to this union have been born nine children, all of whom are still living at home. These children in the order of birth, are Herman, Clemm, Ira, Beatta, Leroy, Emma, Alvin. Matilda and Harold.

Henry Engelking, the father of Mrs. Gesell, was a native of Germany, coming to America before his marriage. He was a practical farmer and

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settled near Manchester, in Dearborn county, Indiana, where he owned two hundred acres of land. He was a member of the Lutheran church, in the various beneficences of which he was very active. In his political sympathies he was a Republican and was well posted in all the current affairs of the day. He was twice married, his first wife being Sophia Wulber, and to this union were born six children, Mary, Louisa, Carrie, Anna, Catherine and John, of whom all survive save Carrie. Mr. Engelking's second wife was Mrs. Hannah (Busse) Lang, and to this second marriage were born Frederick, Henry and Clara, the latter of whom is deceased.

Mr. Gesell and his family are devoted members of the German Lutheran church, and their lives are lived in accordance with the teachings of that faith. Mr. Gesell has never participated actively in politics, but his politial affiliations are with the Republican party, in the local campaigns of which he takes an intelligent interest, and is likewise interested in all movements having as their object the public good.

WILLIAM E. LIMING.

Mankind in general like all animate life is migratory to a certain degree. The opening up of any new settlement, such as government reservations, at- tracts thousands of newcomers. A great many men change localities for the pure love of changing, others are bent on seeking newer and larger oppor- tunities to be found in opening settlements. In the earlier days of this nation there was one steady stream of humanity pouring over the Allegheny mountains into the promising land beyond. The favorite means of travel in those days was in the now obsolete "prairie schooner," a monster wagon, all covered over with a canvas top. The emigrants usually went in sufficient numbers to safeguard the expeditions from the dangers that then were so abundant. They were brave and hardy because only the brave and the hardy are of the pioneer breed. When we hear of three young men starting in that early day to walk the entire distance from New Jersey to Indiana, it must excite our admiration. William Liming and his two brothers, Thomas and Enoch Liming, were the three brave men who undertook and accomplished this perilous trip. William Liming, one of these, was the paternal grand- father of William E. Liming, one of the best known and most progressive farmers of Whitewater township, Franklin county.

William E. Liming, the descendant of this hardy pioneer, was born in Whitewater township, August 27, 1873, son of John A. Liming, also a native of this county, who was born February 23, 1845, the son of William and

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Charlotte ( Huff) Liming, pioneers of this section of the state, who were par- ents also of Jacob, John A. Jr., Ann, Lucy, Mary Jane and a daughter who died in infancy. John A. Liming has lived in this county his entire life and is one of the most honored and respected residents of the community in whose behalf he ever has taken such deep concern and in whose development he has taken such an active part. Enlisting in the service of the Union the day before he had reached the twentieth anniversary of his birth, he performed faithful service in behalf of his country in the dark hour of its trial in the sixties, incurring in that service disabilities from which he suffered all the rest of his life. Mr. Liming had learned the trade of blacksmith and was thus engaged when the Civil War broke out. On February 22, 1865, he en- listed in the service of the Union at Greensburg, Indiana, and was enrolled with Company H, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was hastily sent to the front. The Baltimore and Ohio railroad train on which he and many others were being dispatched to join the army in the east was wrecked some miles west of the Cumberland, in Maryland, many of the soldiers being killed and wounded. Mr. Liming was so seriously injured that he lay unconscious for twenty-four hours and in that condition was taken to Martinsburg, West Virginia, where for six weeks he lay in the hospital. From the injuries incurred in this wreck he never has fully re- covered. The injured soldier finally rejoined his regiment at Stephens Station, West Virginia, and for some time was one of the provost guards formed for duty during the election excitement of that year in that state, and later participated in the battle of Harpers Ferry.

At the close of the war Mr. Liming returned to Franklin county, resum- ing the peaceful pursuits of a quiet neighborhood, and on September 27, 1866, was united in marriage with Miss Anna Kirk, who was born in Franklin county August 12, 1843, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Schofield) Kirk, and to this union were born two children, William E., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Eva Bell, who married Charles Fulton, of Glenwood, Indi- ana. In 1877 Mr. Liming bought one hundred acres of farm land in White- water township and is still making his home there. His wife died February 13, 1905, her death being the occasion of much mourning in the neighborhood in which she had spent her whole life and where she was the object of the universal regard of all who knew her.

Thomas Kirk, maternal grandfather of William E. Liming was a native of Yorkshire, England. He was married before he came to this country and was one of the first settlers in this part of the country. William Liming, paternal grandfather of William E. Liming was a native of New Jersey and

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with his brothers Enoch and Thomas walked the entire distance from New Jersey to Sharpstown, Indiana. They there entered a section of government land on which they remained two years and then returned to New Jersey, walking the entire way again. After remaining in New Jersey about one year, William returned to Franklin county, where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1850. He was a member of the Methodist church, of which he and his family were very strict attendants.

William E. Liming was educated in the common schools of this county, and with the exception of eight years has lived on the farm now owned by his father. He married Lillian Hopping, a daughter of George and Rebecca (Ireland) Hopping, who was born November 12, 1872. and who is one of six children, the others being William (deceased), Frank, Charles, Laura and Hattie. Her father, George Hopping, was born September 3, 1827, and died December 27, 1908, survived by his wife who is still living in Harris- burg, Ohio. George Hopping was a prominent farmer of Whitewater town- ship, Hamilton county, Ohio, and an active member of the Presbyterian church to which church his family is attached.

William E. Liming is a man of substantial means, owning, besides his farm interests, stock in the First National Bank of Okeana, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Liming are strict members of the Presbyterian church of Harrison, Ohio, and Mr. Liming is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. While no children have come to bless their union, Mr. and Mrs. Liming have adopted a little boy named Wilber Hopping, on whom they bestow the best of parental care. Mr. Liming and wife are very popular in the circle in which they move, and are concerned in all local movements looking to the improvement of conditions generally.

HENDERSON HOLLOWELL.

Among the front ranks of those men in Franklin county who carry on the battle for progress and enlightenment with very gratifying results, is found Henderson Hollowell, who was a child at the time of the Civil War and has played his full part in the wonderful reconstruction that followed.

Mr. Hollowell first saw the light of day on December 10, 1856, on the farm in Whitewater township which he now cultivates. Mr. Hollowell is the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Colman) Hollowell, the former of whom was born in Franklin county April 17, 1821, and the latter in Crawfordsville, Indiana, on March 5. 1825. the daughter of John Colman.

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New York was the native state of Mr. Hollowell's grandfather, Thomas Hollowell, and it was the state in which he received his education. Thomas married Martha Gold, the daughter of James Gold, who was native to New York state and later an Indiana pioneer. Soon after his marriage (about 1820) Thomas came to Indiana and entered one hundred and sixty acres in Whitewater township, Franklin county, where he spent the remainder of his life, farming and doing carpenter work. Mr. and Mrs. Hollowell were very active in church work, often holding services in their own home. They be- longed originally to the Baptist church, but later joined the United Brethren. The children of Thomas and Martha (Gold) Hollowell were John, William, Hezekiah, Peter, Thomas, Mary Ann. Abigail, Edith, Joseph, Benjamin and Francis, of whom the latter is the only one now living.

Having received a very good common-school education, Joseph Hol- lowell taught school for some time. He was a leading member of the United Brethren church, as was his father, and in his political beliefs was a Repub- lican. His death occurred in 1885.

On July 4. 1853, Joseph Hollowell married Elizabeth Colman and the two became the parents of five children : Mary, Henderson, Julia, Jane, and Ellen, of whom Henderson is the only one who survives.

Equipped with a good common-school education, Henderson Hollowell early decided to spend his life in the cultivation of the soil, and the attractive power of strange places and farther boundaries has never lured him far afield, as, with the exception of one year when he and his wife lived at Mt. Carmel, he has lived his entire life on the place which he now occupies, cultivating one hundred and fifty-eight fertile acres which are planted to diversified crops with excellent results.

On January 26, 1888, Mr. Hollowell married Cora B. McDonald, the daughter of Peter and Josephine (Clement) McDonald, of Cincinnati, the former of whom served through the period of the Civil War as a Union soldier. Mrs. Hollowell has a brother, Harry, who married Eva Waltz and lives in Whitewater township, and a sister, Blanch, who married George Ingalls and resides in Middletown, Ohio.

Mr. Hollowell is fraternally affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his neighbors place a high estimate on his abilities and recognize his firm adherence to principle. A citizen of genuine worth, Mr. Hollowell is recognized as a· high-grade agriculturist and an American gentle- man, who is highly regarded in the community in which he resides and where he and his good wife ever are active in all good works, being earnestly con- cerned in such movements of a local character as have for their object the advancement of the common welfare.

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WESLEY SANDERS.

The Sanders family is one of the oldest families in Franklin county, having cleared one of the first tracts of land in Springfield township. Com- ing to this county at the age of eight years, Wesley Sanders lived his whole career here. He was a farmer all of his life and by hard work and good management accumulated an excellent farm of four hundred and sixty acres.

Wesley Sanders, the son of John and Jane Sanders, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky on November 15, 1819. His parents moved from Ken- tucky to Indiana, settling on a farm near Mount Carmel, Franklin county, where they lived to the end of their lives. They were the parents of five children, James, William, Wesley, John and Sally Ann. His paternal grand- father was Moses Sanders.

Wesley Sanders was only eight years of age when he came with his par- ents from Kentucky to Indiana. He and his brothers assisted their father in clearing the farm, which was one of the first tracts of land cleared in Spring- field township. When he was still quite young he entered upon an inde- pendent career, helping farmers in the vicinity to clear their land and receiv- ing only three dollars per month. He aided in clearing much of the land around Mt. Carmel and thus promoted the material welfare of the community and aided in its progress and improvement. When he had saved enough money to make an investment for himself, he bought forty acres, which was the nucleus of the farm which he later acquired in 1839. From time to time he added to his holdings until he was the owner of four hundred and sixty acres of fine farm land. He had erected several fine buildings on his farm and kept it in an excellent state of cultivation.

Mr. Sanders had been three times married. He was first married to Hannah N. Whittaker, who died ten years later. To this union were born four children, Reta, Charlotte, Wallace and Hannah, all of whom are now deceased except Hannah, who is the wife of James Jarvis, of Connersville, Indiana. Mr. Sanders was married the second time to Lydia Apsley, who lived only three years and died leaving one son, Henry A., of Laurel, Indiana. The third wife of Mr. Sanders was Sarah E. Wilson, who was a daughter of Robert and Rebecca (Downes) Wilson, both of whom were natives of Eng- land. To this third union were born two daughters, Ollie May and Arbertie, both of whom now reside on part of the old home place. Mr. Sanders died July 10, 1900, and his wife died February, 1901.

Mr. and Mrs. Sanders were always loyal members of the Methodist

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Episcopal church. Coming to this county in its pioneer days, he had but little opportunity to secure an education, but by the use of natural good sense and judgment he became one of the most successful farmers in the county. He had a large circle of friends and acquaintances throughout the county and was well liked and highly esteemed by all who knew him.

EDWARD M. GLASER, M. D.

The education of the modern physician demands several years of rigor- ous training, and there is no question that the physicians being graduated from our best colleges today are far superior in every way to those of the past generations. The state of Indiana boasts of one of the best medical schools in the country and the man who is graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine has received as good a medical training as the country affords. A graduate of this excellent institution is Dr. Edward M. Glaser, who has been practicing in Brookville since the fall of 1908.

Dr. Edward M. Glaser, the son of John F. and Mary (Schuck) Glaser, was born in St. Peters, Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana, July I, 1882. His parents, both of whom are still living, were born in the same township July 10, 1860, and January 13, 1862, respectively.

John F. Glaser, the father of Doctor Glaser, was reared in Highland township and began to learn the trade of a blacksmith while still a boy. Be- fore reaching his majority he was operating a shop of his own and so con- tinued until after the death of his father. He then gave part of his attention to farming and still maintains a close supervision over his farm. However, he has continued to operate his blacksmith shop in St. Peters in addition to looking after his farm.

The paternal grandparents of Doctor Glaser were Frederick and Cath- erine (Scherger) Glaser, both of whom were born in Bavaria, Germany, on the river Rhine. They came to the United States when young with their parents. The great-grandfather of Doctor Glaser came to this country with his father and landed at New Orleans and lived in that city for a short time. In fact, some of his children made that city their permanent home. How- ever, the great-grandfather of Doctor Glaser shortly afterward came up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers and finally settled in Franklin county, Indiana, in Highland township, where he became a substantial farmer. The Scherger family stopped for a time in New York upon coming to America and later settled in Franklin county. Indiana. At the time of the cholera plague in

EDWARD M. GLASER, M. D.

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this state in 1848 Grandfather Glaser was engaged in shipping on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.

The maternal grandparents of Doctor Glaser were John and Johanna Schuck. The former died at the age of thirty-five and his widow later mar- ried Stephen Metz. Grandmother Schuck was born in Canton Zurich, Switz- erland, and came to the United States with her parents and located with them at Newport, Kentucky, when about six years of age. Grandfather Schuck was born in Indiana, his parents being early settlers of the Hoosier state. After their marriage John Schuck and wife located in Highland township and for many years he had a general store at St. Peters.

Dr. Edward M. Glaser attended the St. Peters school and later the Brookville high school. He then attended the Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana, for one year and followed this with four years of teaching in his home township. He next entered the State Normal School at Terre Haute, and after spending one year there started to make medicine his life work. In the fall of 1903 he entered the Indiana Medical College at Indian- apolis and spent the following two years in that institution. The next year he spent in the Ohio Medical College and then returned to Indianapolis and was graduated the following year from the medical department of Indiana University, receiving his degree in the spring of 1907. While he was in col- lege he was a member of the medical fraternity Omega Epsilon Phi.

Immediately after graduating from the university he accepted an intern- ship in St. Anthony's hospital at Terre Haute, Indiana, and remained there for thirteen months. He was then appointed assistant surgeon on the Senora railroad in Mexico, but decided not to accept the appointment. In August, 1908, Doctor Glaser returned to his home county and settled in Brookville, where he has since been practicing. He is a member of the American Medical Association, as well as the Franklin County and Indiana State Medical Asso- ciations.

Doctor Glaser was married November 10, 1909, to Lydia Hoff, who was born October 17, 1884, at Lawrenceville, Indiana, the daughter of Charles and Henrietta (Bolsey) Hoff, the former of whom is still living, but the latter of whom died in January, 1915. Mrs. Glaser's father was born July 24, 1838, in the United States, while her mother was a native of Germany. Mr. Hoff is a retired farmer and now makes his home in Lawrenceville, Indiana. Doc- tor and Mrs. Glaser have two children: Robert Edward, born October 6, 1910, and Marjorie Alice, born December 3, 1914. .

Doctor Glaser and wife are members of the Catholic church in Brook-

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ville. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Peter's Benevo- lent Society. In politics, he is a Democrat, taking an intelligent interest in political affairs, and has served the public very acceptably as county health commissioner. His father has been influential in local Democratic circles for many years and is now serving as trustee of Highland township. Doctor Glaser is still a young man and has made a fine beginning in his chosen life work. He has those requisite qualities that are demanded of the modern physician, and it is safe to say that his career will be such as to reflect honor upon himself and give satisfaction to those among whom he lives.

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 105

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