USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 106
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GUSTAVE A. ROSER.
The recent great advancement in the arts and sciences in this country has been influenced in no small measure by that intellectual German element which is today so evident in the higher circles of education in America. To Germany we owe much and to the Germans, perhaps more than to the people of any other nation, do we owe our spendid material and intellectual progress of the last half-century. The German is thorough and painstaking in his undertakings, whether in the arts and sciences, in mercantile pursuits or in the tilling of the soil. He demonstrates a deep understanding of his task and willingly does the work that his hand finds to do. He contributes much to our national life and has contributed a great deal to the present social, moral and industrial status of Franklin county, where the Germans form a good percentage of the population. Among those of German descent living in this county few are better known than Gustave A. Roser of Whitewater town- ship.
Gustave A. Roser was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 2, 1867, the son of John and Elizabeth (Frick) Roser, and was one of six children in the family, the others being Elizabeth, who married George Myers and lives near Trenton, Indiana; Fredericka, who married J. D. Gold; Minnie, who mar- ried Lewis Cann and lives at Wellington, Kansas and John and Hermann, who are dead.
John Roser, father of Gustave Roser, was born in Germany, a son of Adam Roser, a famous civil engineer of that country. John Roser was the first, born of five children of Adam Roser, the others being Adam, Carl, Fredericka R. and Philopena, all of whom are now dead. John and Fredericka were the only children of Adam who came to America. John Roser, when
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only fifteen years of age, set sail for the new world and was fifty-six days making the passage, sailing vessels being the only means of travel in those days. He had but fifty cents in his pocket when he landed in this country, a very meager sum indeed with which to begin life in a new country. To add to his misfortune he was forced to sacrifice his trunk, as he did not have enough money to pay the freight charges on it. However, he was a bright youth, full of ambition, and he took courage and faced the future. Before long he had secured work and soon became accustomed to his new surround- ings. Coming west, John Roser soon arrived at Cincinnati, where so many Germans had located. From there he went to Oxford, Ohio, where he re- mained for four years. Just before the beginning of the Civil War he mar- ried Elizabeth Frick. He volunteered his services to the government when the war broke out and was assigned to the commissary department. This enlistment was for only six months, at the end of which time he returned to Cincinnati, where he remained for eighteen years, following the occupation of cabinetmaker. When Gustave Roser was but two years old, his father left Cincinnati and moved to Harrison, Ohio, and later purchased a farm of sixty-seven acres in Dearborn county. He spent the remainder of his life on this farm, dying in 1903 at the age of sixty-six years. He had lived a use- ful and honored life and had well served the community in which he resided in the position of township trustee. He was an active member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and he and his wife were devout members of the German Lutheran church.
Gustave Roser of Whitewater township inherited many of the fine traits of his father. Though his start in life was perhaps a little more promising than that of his father, Gustave Roser might also be called a self-made man. He received his early education in the public schools, after which he taught school for ten years, one of which was spent in the school in Bath township, Franklin county, the rest of the time in Harrison township, Dearborn county. He married Emeline Roudebush, a daughter of Henry Roudebush, of Dear- born county, Indiana. and moved to this county. In 1895 he purchased the farm on which he lives, subsequently buying the adjoining small farm, his entire farm at this time comprising two hundred and one acres, which he devotes to general farming, to which he applies his training in a very in- telligent manner, conducting the farm in the most business-like manner and by the most modern methods. He is an extensive raiser of Duroc-Jersey hogs and has an extensive chicken yard, making a specialty of Plymouth Rock chickens. To Mr. and Mrs. Roser three children have been born, Viola, Mary and Helen.
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Mr. Roser is an enthusiastic member of the order of Modern Wood- men. His wife is a member of the Christian church. They are noted for their many estimable qualities and admired for their many accomplishments, very properly being regarded as among the leaders in the neighborhood circle in which they move and in all the good works of which they take so active an interest.
JOHN F. SWIFT.
Franklin county being essentially an agricultural county, the history of its inhabitants is one of thrifty farmers, whose forefathers coming into this state at a very early date, saw the agricultural possibilities of this county and settled here. Here for generations, families have tilled the soil that was first turned by their forefathers. Among the descendants of those who were early farmers of this county is John F. Swift of Blooming Grove, Indiana.
John F. Swift was born in Metamora township, Franklin county, Indi- ana, September 21, 1856, a son of William P. and Mary A. (Roop) Swift. His father was a native of Maryland and his mother a native of Franklin county, Indiana.
William P. Swift, father of John F. Swift, was born in Maryland; October 30, 1819, and came to this county with his parents, traveling in a two-wheeled cart. They located at the place where C. C. Bolander now lives, arriving about 1825. William P. Swift followed farming throughout his life, his holding consisting of one hundred and twenty acres in Metamora township. John F. Swift had five brothers and four sisters. Harry and Richard served in the Civil War. Richard enlisted in the Sixty-eighth Indi- ana Volunteers. He died while returning to his home from the front. Harry, the other brother, served in the Eighteenth Indiana Volunteers. He was · captured by the Confederates and taken prisoner. While being removed to prison, he jumped off the train and was shot, but succeeded in escaping. He helped to hew the logs and build the old McKendrie church, of which he was Sunday school superintendent for over forty years.
The paternal grandparents of John F. Swift, were Richard and Emeline (Plumber) Swift, natives of Maryland, who came to this state in 1824. They located at Blooming Grove. They for many years occupied the house that in after years was known as the oldest house in Blooming Grove. They later used this as a stable, in the meantime having built a frame house which still stands. Richard Swift followed farming for many years, having owned
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the farm that is now the property of C. C. Bolander. Richard Swift and wife lived here until their death, and were a very highly respected couple during . their residence in this county.
The maternal grandparents of John F. Swift were Morgan and Nancy Roop, who came from the east and at a very early date located in Franklin county, Indiana. They settled on a farm near Mt. Carmel. Mr. Roop was one of the first notaries and squires of this county. Mr. Roop later moved to Blooming Grove township, Indiana, where he purchased a farm and later moved to Hope, Indiana, where he was killed by a train in the discharge of his duties as a constable.
John F. Swift was educated in the common schools of Franklin county, attending the Lonsberry school. Mr. Swift has followed farming the greater part of his life. He first worked for William Moore in Fayette county, Indi- ana, remaining there for seventeen years. He then moved to Posey township in Fayette county, where he remained for four years. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Blooming Grove township where he now lives, having owned this place since March, 27, 1907. He has added many im- provements to this farm, such as the erection of a new silo, barns, etc. He devotes this farm to general lines, specializing somewhat in potatoes, corn, wheat and clover.
On December 25, 1884, Mr. Swift was married to Elizabeth M. Riker of Brookville township. To this union were born four children, Goldie Fern, Wilbur Glenn, Earnest Ray and Myrtle May. The mother died March 23, 1897.
Mr. Swift married again on December 1, 1900. His second wife was Cora E. Fields, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Crawley) Fields, who were of Franklin and Fayette counties respectively.
The paternal grandparents of Mr. Swift's second wife were Joseph and Mary (Kingery) Fields. Joseph Fields was a native of Kentucky and his wife a native of Indiana. Joseph Fields came to Franklin county and en- gaged in farming, at a very early day.
William Fields, father of Cora E. Fields who is the second wife of John F. Swift, was a blacksmith by trade at which he worked for many years in Blooming Grove and Metamora. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in Company E, Seventy-fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded in the left shoulder at the battle of Dalton, Georgia.
The present wife of John F. Swift was first married to William Ellis, by whom she had one child, Dessie B. To Mr. Swift and his present wife have been born one child whom they named Ruth E.
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Mr. Swift and wife are members of the Methodist-Episcopal church, in which they are active members. Mr. Swift is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been affiliated with the Knights of Pythias for more than twenty-six years. Mr. Swift stands high in the estimation of all in this community. He is a man of responsibility and personal achievement. In addition to his own material attainments, Mr. Swift assumed his father's obligations at his death, and has acquitted himself of these with honor and credit.
ALONZO STEWARD.
In these modern days of luxury and convenience we are all too apt to forget those who have made our present day civilization possible. It is well for us to pause at times and give thanks that those who were instrumental in shaping our destinies were men and women of such excellent characters and untiring industry. One of the families to whom we owe so much is the Steward family of Franklin county, who has been identified with the county's history for over a century. A representative of this family who well de- serves a place in this volume is Alonzo Steward.
Alonzo Steward was born in Franklin county on Yellow Bank creek, June 15, 1864. He was the son of Stephen and Margaret (Lyons) Steward, both of whom were born in Franklin county. Stephen Steward received his education in Franklin county and followed the occupation of farming, in his later years living at his home on four acres, in Blooming Grove township.
Alonzo Steward was educated in Franklin county in the public schools. For his life's work he chose agriculture and the result has more than justified his decision. At the present time he owns a farm of one hundred and fifty- seven acres which is devoted to general farming. In 1888 he married Violet Swift and to them have been born six children: Grace, living in Blooming Grove township; Charles, a member of the Knights of Pythias, lives at home ; Perry, also living at home; Edna, who lives in Connersville, Indiana; Susie and Edgar, both living at home.
Mr. Steward's maternal grandmother was Sarah (Higgs) Lyons, of North Carolina, who came to Franklin county at the age of three years with her parents, locating on a farm. Her future husband, Mr. Lyons, located nearby and their marriage grew out of a mutual acquaintance.
Mr. Steward's wife, Violet Swift, was born in Franklin county, in
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Blooming Grove township, the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Pippin) Swift. Her parents were both born in Maryland. Her paternal grand- parents came west and settled in Franklin county, Indiana, locating at the old homestead where Trustrum Swift now lives in Blooming Grove township. Mrs. Steward's maternal grandparents were early identified with the history of Franklin county and the history of her grandfather, William Pippin, will be found elsewhere in this volume. Her father received his education in the schools of his day, the school he attended being located on what is now C. C. Bolander's farm and after reaching manhood he assumed the trade of a potter which he learned at Connersville. He later took possession of the fifty-acre farm in Franklin county where his son, Trustrum, now lives. This farm was cleared and improved by his own hand.
Mr. Steward is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is foremost in all of its activities. He conducts his farm with an intelligent application of all that is best in agrculture. Mr. Steward is a very conscien- tious man and well deserves the position of high esteem in which he is held in his communtiy.
ISAAC HOPPER.
History is full of romance to those who read with understanding, and the story of the Hopper family abounds in interesting anecdotes. Three brothers, all bearing the name Hopper, were members of the Friends Society in England, and to avoid the severe persecution which was inflicted on their society, came to America about the year 1675, leaving their home in County Durham, England, with regret. They settled in Flushing, Long Island, and about 1700 moved to near Woodbury, New Jersey. The three brothers were John, Robert, and Christopher, and their valiant nature is inherited by those of whom we speak in this sketch.
Isaac Hopper came to Indiana from Pennsylvania, about 1820, bringing with him his son Samuel. Here Isaac remained until his death; he was buried in Bentonville, Indiana. Samuel, who was born in Pennsylvania, received a good education and learned the craft of the shoemaker, which trade he fol- lowed for many years. He became postmaster at Lewisville, Indiana, and during his service was afflicted with a stroke of paralysis, after which he lived but three years.
Samuel Hopper married Malinda C. Thistlewaite, also a native of Penn-
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sylvania, and to the union were born the following children: Inda, Ida, Alfred H., Anzy, Mary, Albert L.
Albert Lincoln Hopper was born in Lewisville, Henry county, Indiana, on November 12, 1860, and obtained his education in the same place. After leaving school he worked for eleven years in constructing telephone and tele- graph lines, assisting to build some of the first telephone lines in Indiana. For fourteen years Mr. Hopper was superintendent of the gas plant at Elwood, and he worked every available day of this time. After resigning from the posi- tion with the gas company, Mr. Hopper purchased the fifty acres in Madison county known as the John Noble farm, which land he cultivated until 1911, in which year Mr. Hopper and two brothers purchased the one hundred and fifty acres in Blooming Grove township, Franklin county, where Mr. Hopper still lives. The land is devoted to general farming.
On March 31, 1909, Mr. Hopper married Laura (Noble) Bair, of Sum- mitville, Madison county, Indiana, who was born and reared on the farm of her parents, John and Catharine (Wiles) Noble. One child, Anna Catharine, has been born to Mr. Hopper and wife.
Mrs. Hopper's paternal grandparents, Peter and Lydia Noble, of Ohio, located on the farm where Mrs. Hopper was born, and which they bought of Wright Smith, who entered the land. Peter Noble lived and died on this farm, as did his son, John Noble.
John Noble and wife were the parents of the following children : Andrew, Peter, James, Emma, Elmer, Laura, and two others who died in infancy. Laura, the wife of Mr. Hopper, was first married to Jesse Bair, and by him was the mother of one child, Leonard.
Mrs. Hopper's maternal grandfather, Peter Wiles, was a native of Ohio, but located in Fayette county, Indiana, where he cultivated a farm at the place where Bentonville, Indiana, is now located. Peter Wiles was a minister of the Gospel.
Mr. Hopper's twin brother, A. H. Hopper, who is his partner in his present farming enterprise, is a blacksmith by trade and followed that pro- fession many years. He learned his trade in Lewisville, Indiana, and worked at it there for twenty years, and was then a blacksmith at Indianapolis for a couple of years and then went to Elwood, where he followed his trade tor eighteen years. He was married and has one son, George. A. H. Hopper makes his home with Isaac A. L. Hopper.
Mr. Hopper is influential in fraternal circles, belonging to the Free and Accepted Masons, and the Royal Arch, to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and to the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Hopper is affiliated to the Daugh-
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ters of the Eastern Star, to the Order of Rebekah, and to the Pythian Sisters. The Hopper family offer a happy example of the results of good blood, cor- rect environs, and high ideals. The present representative, Albert Hopper, is universally respected, and is the type of man who makes necessary the compilation of volumes such as this, in order that the story of a valuable life may be preserved to future generations.
HARRY C. STEINARD.
Patient, consistent and upright in all of his dealings, the full measure of praise is due to that man who starts from the bottom and works his way up step by step to his full share of success. Abraham Lincoln was such a man and the history of America is filled with the accounts of the lives of these men. We cannot think too highly of Harry C. Steinard, who was born in Bloom- ing Grove township. Franklin county, Indiana, May 7, 1886. He is the son of Jacob and Susie (Rodgers) Steinard, and was one of a family of four children, the others being May, Willard and Ray. Jacob Steinard was born in Warren county, Ohio, and his wife was sent from her native state, New York, to Franklin county as an orphan and was adopted and reared by a family in this county. She died March 19, 1898.
Jacob Steinard, the father of Harry C. Steinard, came to Franklin county as a young man and farmed here all of his life. He bought the farm, before his marriage in 1880, where Harry C. Steinard now lives. The farm com- prises one hundred and five acres and Jacob Steinard erected all of the build- ings which are on it at the present time.
Harry C. Steinard was educated in the public schools of Blooming Grove township and after leaving school he worked for the neighboring farmers for some time. He finally saved enough money to buy his father's farm where he has lived ever since.
Mr. Steinard was married October 4, 1906, to Maude Swift, who was the daughter of John T. Swift, of Blooming Grove township. To this union has been born one son, Cecil Cleotis.
Mr. Steinard is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. He is an up-to-date farmer and a typical example of the patriotic American citizen, applying himself earnestly and conscientiously at all times, he has established for himself not only a reputation but a character which is enviable to a large degree.
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JAMES THEODORE TAYLOR.
The Taylor family have been residents of Franklin county, Indiana, since 1811. and the grandfather of James T. Taylor helped to select the dele- gates who made the constitutional convention of 1816 for the state of Indi- ana. It is probable that James Taylor and his father have come in touch with more young people in Franklin county than any other two men. His father taught school for thirty years in this county, while Mr. Taylor him- self taught for more than ten years in the county. His father left the school room to engage in farming and the son, like the father, also left the school room in order to devote all of his time to general farming and stock raising.
James Theodore Taylor, the son of John Templeton and Phoebe (Jinks) Taylor, was born at Warren, Huntington county, Indiana, in 1869. His father was born in Blooming Grove township, Franklin county, Indiana, and his mother in Laurel township this county. His parents reared a family of six children, Richard Samuel, of Brookville: Edmond Elsworth, of Union county, Indiana ; Flora May, who is still at home; William M., of Skidmore. Missouri; James Theodore, with whom this narrative deals, and Mrs. Maude Muller Gratebatch of Indianapolis.
John T. Taylor, the father of James T. received his elementary educa- tion in the schools of Franklin county, and later attended a business college in Indianapolis. He began teaching when he was about twenty-one years of age, and continued in the school room as an instructor until he was about fifty years old. During his long career as a teacher thousands of children have benefited by his instructions and influence, and have cause to revere his name. When he was about fifty years of age he retired from school work and purchased the farm of forty acres on which his son, James T., is now living, and continued to farm until his death.
The paternal grandparents of James T. Taylor were Richard and Jane (Mckinney) Taylor. Grandfather Taylor was born in North Carolina, and came to Blooming Grove township, Franklin county, Indiana, about 1810, three years before the county was formerly organized, and six years before Indiana was admitted to the Union. The maternal grandparents of James T. Taylor were Samuel and Lura (Marsh) Jinks, natives of New York and Ohio, respectively. Samuel Jinks was a son of Stephen and Anna (Sales) Jinks, both of whom were born in the east. Lura Marsh, the maternal grandmother of Mr. Taylor, was a daughter of Samuel Marsh. Samuel Jinks and his family located first on the Ohio river, and later came up-White
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river and settled in Laurel township, Franklin county. The sons of Samuel. Jinks, Richard and Samuel, were soldiers in the Civil War, Richard dying while in the service.
James T. Taylor was educated in the public schools and started teaching when he was nineteen years of age. He remained in the school room con- tinuously with the exception of three years until 1901, teaching all the time in Franklin county. During this time he farmed some in the summer sea- sons, and since 1901, has devoted all of his time and attention to farming and stock raising. He not only owns the forty acres of the old home place, but has purchased the one hundred and sixty acres adjoining, which gives him a total of two hundred acres. He has placed many improvements upon the farm, and is well known as a progressive farmer in every respect.
Mr. Taylor is a member of the Democratic party, and has always taken an intelligent and active part in the affairs of his party. He has served as assessor of his township, and in the administration of the duties connected with this office, gave conscientious service to his fellow citizens. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
MATTHEW PHELAN.
No sturdier or better citizens have ever come to our shores than have those sons of Ireland who have made their homes in this country. Fortunate is the community which receives these people and incorporates them in her body politic, for wherever they are found they are always industrious, up- right and willing to do their share toward the advancement of the welfare of the community in which they reside. In the old country they learned those habits of industry which insure success, and upon locating in this coun- try they never fail to develop those same habits which made them independent in their old homes.
Matthew Phelan, a prosperous farmer and stock feeder of Franklin county, is a son of Irish parents and in him are found those sturdy qualities which characterize the people of that race. He is a son of Patrick and Mar- garet (Maloney) Phelan, and was born in Liberty, Union county, Indiana, November 25, 1870. His parents, who were both born in Ireland, came to this country before their marriage and were married in Cincinnati in 1865. They came to Union county, Indiana, after the war and located at Liberty, where Patrick Phelan was engaged on public work for a time. Later he en-
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· gaged in the buying and shipping of live stock, which occupation he had fol- lowed in his native land. He bought stock in the eastern part of Indiana and drove it to Cincinnait.
Patrick Phelan and his wife have now been married nearly half a cen- tury and are still enjoying good health. He has always been famous as a horseback rider, and, although he is now an old man, can ride a horse as well as a man of younger years. He has a well improved farm of fifty acres adjoining his son, Matthew, but has now retired from active work. Patrick Phelan and wife are the parents of six children, all of whom are still living, Matthew. Patrick, William, Richard, Mrs. Mary Welch and Margaret, now Mrs. Joseph Loher.
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