History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 108

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

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the south and here he worked at various occupations, among which was the work of helping to clean out the bed of the Red river in order to make it navigable. At another time he worked for Captain Shreve, near Shreveport, Louisiana, Captain Shreve being employed in government work. He split the first rails at Shreveport, Louisiana, when Captain Shreve entered the land at that place. He engaged in the buying and selling of farms in Dearborn county, and eventually bought a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres in Highland township, Franklin county. He died in this county about 1888.

Jacob J. Wilhelm received his education in Dearborn county, Indiana. The first farm which he owned contained one hundred and fourteen acres, which was located in Highland township. This farm is now owned by Mich- ael De Fossett. He lived on this farm twenty-nine years, when he bought the farm where he now lives, later selling his first farm. His present farm con- tains one hundred and seventy acres.

On March 25, 1913, the date of the flood which devastated the middle west, occurred the great disaster of Mr. Wilhelm's life; one which was to try his mettle and prove him worthy of his steel. His house, barns, fences, grain and everything which he owned, except himself and family, were swept away by the disastrous flood. Rapidly recovering, however, he has since erected five new buildings. Mr. Wilhelm follows general farming with marked success. At one time he owned six hundred and forty acres in Washington township, Franklin county. Finding so much land rather cum- bersome he disposed of his extra holdings.

Mr. Wilhelm was married January 27, 1878, to Caroline Meisemer. She was born in Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana, May 9, 1855, and is the daughter of Christian Meisemer and wife, Elizabeth ( Wingerson) Meisemer. Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm have three children, Clara, William and Louise. Clara married Herbert Haas, Highland township. They are the parents of seven children, Harry, Bertha, William, Raymond, May, Mar- garet and Francis. William married Mary Feeler, and lives south of Jacob's residence. Louise married Fred Haas, Highland township. To this union two children have been born, Beatrice and Talton.

Christian Meisemer was born in Germany, his father dying in that country and his mother immigrating to America, where she located in Ohio. About sixty years ago she came to Indiana and settled in Highland town- ship. Here Christian Meisemer bought a farm. He mined coal near Pitts- burg, saving enough money eventually to buy a farm. He married Elizabeth WVingerson, who was a native of Germany, but met Christian after coming to America.

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Mr. Wilhelm is a member of the Catholic church; a Democrat respected in the councils of his party. He well stands before the coming generation as an example of what can be accomplished by energy and unconquerable perse- verance. His family have been identified with the affairs of Franklin county for years and many citizens remember gratefully the good which Mr. Wil- helm and his family have accomplished.

PHILIP BERG.

The achievements of yesterday are the stepping stones to what may be accomplished today. The builder of yesterday constructed the frame-work for the finished edifice of today. The pioneers who came to the wilderness and cleared the forests, laid the foundation of our present greatness as a state and nation. It should, therefore, be with the greatest reverence that we re- count the deeds of those who have passed away. Many of the sterling citizens of Franklin county of a generation ago are now laid away to rest after lives of fruitful endeavor. Among those who have passed away, leaving the im- press of their good deeds on the community, is the late Philip Berg, who in his lifetime was one of the well-known citizens of Franklin county.

Philip Berg was a native of Germany. He was born in the village of Hesse-Darmstadt, May 4, 1830. His parents were Bolser and Christina (Krugg) Berg, both of whom were natives of the same place.

In 1834 there was a steady exodus from the European countries to America, and heeding the call of the new world, Bolser Berg, with his family, migrated to this country, Philip Berg at that time being but four years of age. They located in Maryland and later moved to Virginia. They lived in Virginia for some time, the elder Berg following various occupations. There was a steady stream of migration to the new west about that time and the Berg family packed their belongings and once more joined the moving mass of immigrants, this time coming to Indiana. They eventually arrived in this state and located in Franklin county, where they purchased a farm in High- land township. This farm was located in the immediate vicinity of the place now occupied by the widow of Philip Berg. This farm consisted of eighty acres, on which was a dense growth of heavy timber. They cleared this land and erected the buildings which were common in those days. Mr. and Mrs. Bolser Berg lived at this place to the end of their days. They were of the

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finest type of German settlers, with the native honesty and thrift of their countrymen.

Philip Berg was educated in the schools of this county, which had not reached their present state of perfection and afforded little of the educational facilities of today. He left school at an early age and with his brothers en- gaged as threshermen. He followed this occupation from the time he was sixteen years of age until the later years of his life. He started when the methods of threshing were very primitive. The first means for threshing which he used was the tramping machine, and next came the tread power, which was a vast improvement over the tramping machines. When the steam- power thresher was invented. Philip Berg bought the first of these to be used in this county. When he had accumulated a sufficient amount of money, he purchased seventy-seven acres in 1864. He constructed the barn and erected an addition to the house which was there at the time of purchase. He bent his energy for the next few years after buying this property to converting it into a paying farm. He succeeded in this to his best expectations and had a farm, which for its size was not excelled by any in the county.

On November 29, 1853, he was married to Appalona Reddinger, of Dearborn county, and to them were born the following children: Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary (deceased), Joseph, Edward, William, Marion Francis and George Washington.

On May 9, 1872, he married again, this time to Elizabeth Probst, of Kelso, Dearborn county, a daughter of John and Julia ( Heisler) Probst. who were natives of Germany and came to this country, where they were married.

The paternal grandparents of Elizabeth (Probst) Berg were John. George and Margaret (Noos) Probst, who were born in Germany and later came to America. They settled in Dearborn county, Indiana, where Mr. Probst pursued the occupation of farming. They lived at this place until they died.

The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Philip Berg were also natives of Germany, where the maternal grandmother died. The maternal grandfather came to America and located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained to the end of his life. The father of Mrs. Philip Berg was a farmer of Dearborn county. He possessed forty acres of land near Dover, in that county, where he lived and died.

To Philip Berg and his second wife were born five children: John Henry, now a farmer and thresherman; Albert Herman Adrain, also a farmer

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and thresherman; Julia Christina Louise, who married Phillip Seider, now farming the home farm; Oscar Nelson, who follows the same occupation ; Elmer Phillip Benjamin, who is engaged in farming.

Philip Berg died June 8. 1913. He had lived an excellent life, full of busy years and died in the consciousness of a life's duty well done. His widow still remains on the home place with her daughter.

NICHOLAS FRIES.

It is a well known axiom that "Necessity is the mother of invention," but it may be said with equal truth that "Necessity is the mother of success." To gain the prizes which this world has to offer, we must at all times be- ready to adapt ourselves to changing conditions. We must be able to dis- tinguish between the genuine opportunity and the spurious imitation which is so apt to mislead us and make a waste of our lives. To the man who is able to recognize opportunty when she actually calls, who will meet all of her various requirements and who will combine with this faculty, persistence and courage. success will come in the fullest measure. Adaptable, energetic and straightforward, Nicholas Fries is well deserving of the rich reward which has been his.

Nicholas Fries was born in Germany, February 22, 1852, immigrating to America in 1853 with his parents, George Adam and Eve ( Hoke) Fries. Both his paternal and maternal grandparents were pure-blooded Germans. His father learned the trade of cooperage and beer brewing in Germany. In 1853 he came with his family to America, the land of opportunity, and located on a small farm which they bought on Blue creek. After remaining here a year, he moved to a farm between Lawrenceville and St. Peters, in Dearborn county. There were born to him and his wife three children, Josephine, Mary E. and Nicholas.

Nicholas Fries received his early education in the district schools of Dearborn county and later in the Catholic school at St. Peters. Believing that the life of a farmer offered the greatest opportunities in the future, he bought forty acres of the old homestead, which he farmed until 1874, when he came to Whitewater township, where he still lives. He owns an excellent farm of sixty-four acres a short distance from New Trenton. He has worked hard and the new house, barn and outbuildings and the general appearance of his farm certainly show that his labor has not been in vain. He engaged in the

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saloon business in New Trenton for a period of five years. In 1905 he con- ceived the idea of starting a summer camp on his farm and, accordingly, built three cottages and two other buildings, which can easily accommodate eighty people. The business has grown and has been a success in every way.

In 1874 he married Elizabeth Weber and to this union have been born six children, John, Mary, Ella, Rosa, Edward and Sophia. Mrs. Fries is one of a family of eight children, Henrietta, Anna, John, Anthony, Mary, Char- lotte, Elizabeth and Katherine.

John Peter Weber, the father of Mrs. Fries, was a sturdy native of Germany, the son of John Peter and Mary Weber, both of whom were born in Germany. John Peter Weber, Sr., came to America and located in Ohio, where he engaged in tailoring, later moving to Indiana and locating on the farm which is now occupied by Mr. Fries. He and his wife spent the re- maining years of their lives on this farm. Here he was engaged in various enterprises, consisting of farming. operating a ferry and assisting his brothers run a grist-mill on the farm. The mill was built by a man named Menke and after having been partially destroyed by water in 1858 the remainder was moved to Braysville. His wife's maiden name was Elizabeth Linkmeyer. She was born in Ohio, the daughter of parents who were born at Minton, Germany, and who located in Ohio.

Mr. Fries and his ancestors have always been members of the Catholic church. It is hard to imagine an influence more beneficial to the develop- ment of a county than that brought to bear by the constant association and interest of such a family as that of Mr. Fries.

ALBERT H. KASER.

American citizens of German blood gravitate rather naturally to the land, and, no matter what crops are raised, they are almost invariably suc- cessful because they have no fear of hard work, and are infinitely thorough in everything they undertake, giving an attention to detail that is beyond the patience of those of other races. And life is always enjoyed to the utmost, as it should be, pessimism finding no place in the hearty German life.

The above statements will be substantiated by a review of the life of Albert Kaser, who was born in Cincinnati, December 28, 1870, the son of Valentine and Caroline (Kenberger) Kaser, who were reared and married in Germany, immigrating to America before the Civil War, in which Valen-

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tine Kaser served as a Union soldier. Valentine Kaser located in Cincinnati and secured employment in a box factory, later moving to Bracken county, Kentucky, where he bought and tilled thirty-three acres of land. Some time later he returned to Cincinnati, where he died.

The Kentucky farm and the common school nearby were the scenes of Albert Kaser's youth. Mr. Kaser remained on his father's farm until 1908, in which year he came to Indiana and purchased the farm in Highland town- ship, Franklin county, on which he now lives. The original purchase con- tained sixty acres. With characteristic German thrift Mr. Kaser soon accu- mulated sufficient capital to make an additional purchase of forty-three acres, and as he is a very good judge of land, the farm he is now on is highly fertile and is kept so by judicious use of fertilizers.

The buildings on Mr. Kaser's property were erected by him, and he is especially proud of the tobacco barn which was built in 1911. Mr. Kaser makes a specialty of tobacco raising, as he learned its culture in Kentucky on his father's farm. Mr. Kaser is recognized as an authority, in his neighbor- hood, on tobacco culture.

A man who can always be relied upon to do exactly as he promises, Mr. Kaser commands the complete confidence and sincere respect of all those with whom he comes in touch. Keeping himself well informed of the latest approved scientific methods of tobacco growing, Mr. Kaser is progressive and ready to aid his neighbors to similar knowledge and agricultural advance- ment.

WILLARD STEINARD.

The agricultural development of the United States combined with the wonderful and unprecedented development of our railway system, arouses the admiration of the entire world and it may come as a surprise to many persons to know that the American merchant marine is the second largest in the world. To watch and participate in the growth of these wonderful industries is an opportunity which must be experienced to be appreciated. Worker, builder and agriculturist, Willard Steinard has taken an active part in the development of all three of these great branches of our nation's progress.

Willard Steinard was born in Blooming Grove township, Franklin county, Indiana, February 24, 1884. He is the son of Jacob and Susie (Rodgers) Steinard, the history of whom is given elsewhere in this volume.

Willard Steinard was educated in Blooming Grove township and lived

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the life of a country boy. When still a young man he went to Michigan where he remained ten years, taking an active part in the development of the state in railroad construction. Later he undertook the arduous labor of a marine fireman on the Great Lakes which served to develop his character be- cause of the rigorous nature of his work. Tiring of this life he returned to Blooming Grove township in 1911 and bought the farm which he now owns. This farm consists of eighty acres of productive land which each year bountifully rewards its owner for his labors.

In August, 1911, Mr. Steinard married Pearl Swank, of Blooming Grove township, who had proved herself to be a steadfast and loyal helpmate. Mr. Steinard has always identified himself with all movements which he thought were for the best in the political, business and moral life of his community and he is held in high esteem by all those with whom he is connected.

LEWIS J. MEYER.

Community pride is a powerful force for good at all times, and among our farmers it is evidenced by the expressed belief that the land which they and their neighbors are cultivating is as fertile and attractive as can be found in any other section. It is this commendable pride in the home acres and in the social life of the locality which operates to keep the boys on the farm, as opposed to the emigration to the cities, which has been so marked within the last ten years.

It was his belief in the possibilities of his own location that kept Lewis J. Meyer at home. Mr. Meyer was born on the farm in Highland township, where he still lives, on May 1, 1880. John and Mary (Wiwi) Meyer were Mr. Meyer's parents, as well as the parents of the following children : Mich- ael, Philip, Mary, Anna.

John Meyer was born in Germany in 1832, the son of Nicholas and Anna (Feller) Meyer, both of whom were natives of Germany, where he died. His wife came to America in 1854. John Meyer came to America in 1852, locating in Cincinnati, where he did day labor for two years and then came to Highland township and bought forty acres of land, which was event- ually increased to one hundred and eighty acres. John Meyer's wife died April 25, 1906.

As a lad, Lewis J. Meyer attended the local school, at the same time receiving careful training in agricultural methods, which training aided him

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through life and enabled him to purchase the home place in 1912, the fields of which are devoted to general farming.

In 1910 Mr. Meyer married Katharine Hoffman, and the two became the parents of three children, Anthony, Leo, George.

Michael Meyer, a brother of Lewis, was born on January 7, 1862, within one-half mile of the place where he now lives. Michael was educated in the common schools of South Gate, and has at all times found opportunities in plenty without leaving the neighborhood. Buying eighty acres of his present place in 1849, he has since accumulated one hundred and sixty acres. In 1914 he erected a tobacco barn, in which the tobacco raised on the place, is cured. Although specializing to a certain extent in tobacco, Mr. Meyer also carries on general farming. Phillip lives in Cincinnati, having moved there from Brookville seven years ago. Mary married Charles Senefeld, of Brookville. Anna married Henry Wiwi, of Highland township.

Michael Meyer and Mary Meyer were united in marriage in November, 1887. Mary Meyer is the daughter of Jacob and Ferona (Andrews) Meyer, the former being born in Germany and the latter in Dearborn county, Indiana.

The Catholic church at Cedar Grove has the steady support of Lewis Meyer and his brother Michael, and they exhibit those solid qualities at all times which are peculiar to Teuton blood, namely, thoroughness, industry and an intelligent interest in all questions vital to the public welfare.

HENRY WIWI.

That necessity is the mother of invention, is a trite observation which most of us have proved to be true. The necessity for broader opportunities gave to America many German citizens who have given to this country the lasting benefit of their influence. Throughout the entire country may be found persons of German nativity or the descendants of natives of that coun- try. Wherever found, they are active and energetic. They are usually among the most substantial people of a community and on account of their native thrift are rarely found without substance. There are many Germans in Franklin county, Indiana, and many who are of German descent. Among the latter is Henry Wiwi, of Highland township, who still lives on the farm that was the place of his birth.

Henry Wiwi was born in Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana,

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September 30, 1872, a son of Michael and Regina (Denk) Wiwi, both of whom were natives of Germany.

The paternal grandparents of Henry Wiwi were George and Marie (Hoffman) Wiwi, who were born in Germany and came to this country in 1854. They located near New Trenton, Indiana, later moving to Highland township, Franklin county. They purchased a tract of land consisting of one hundred and ten acres, located about one mile west of the farm now occupied by Henry Wiwi. They cleared this place of its heavy timber, erected a home and lived at this place until they died. During their residence in this com- munity they enjoyed the highest esteem of their neighbors.

The maternal grandparents of Henry Wiwi were Leonard and Barbara (Peters) Denk, who came to America from Germany in the early fifties. They also came to Franklin county, Indiana, where Mr. Denk became a truck gardener and accumulated a substantial substance. Mr. and Mrs. Denk lived near Brookville, where they remained until they died.

Michael Wiwi, father of Henry Wiwi, came to America when a young man. Wishing to broaden his opportunities, which were very limited in his native country, he, at the age of seventeen years, sailed for the United States, where so many of his fellow countrymen had preceded him. He came to Franklin county, Indiana, and secured a job on an old canal boat. He worked at this occupation for some time, after which he established a soap factory and operated this for some years. He then purchased a farm on Goble creek, consisting of one hundred and forty acres. In 1870 he purchased the farm of one hundred and ten acres, which is now occupied by his son, Henry. He lived at this place until his death, survived by his widow, who resides in Cedar Grove. Mr. Wiwi and wife belonged to the Catholic church, of which Mrs. Wiwi is still a devout member. Michael Wiwi lived a life that was a credit to himself, to the community and to the land of his nativity. He took some active part in public life, having served as school director. Of the four- teen children born to Michael Wiwi and wife twelve were reared to maturity.

Henry Wiwi was educated in the schools of Highland township and learned the rudiments of farming under the direction of his father. After reaching manhood he assumed the management of the homestead farm, on which he was born and on which he has lived almost his entire life. This consists of the original one hundred and ten acres, which Mr. Wiwi devoted to general farming. He is also engaged in live stock raising, increasing this branch of his industry each year. His farm is a well-ordered one, and his buildings are of the most substantial type.

In 1898 he was married to Anna Meyer, of Highland township, Frank-

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lin county, a daughter of John and Mrs. Meyer. To this union there have been born five children, Henry Lewis. Theodore Michael, Sylvester Joseph, Alphonse Francis, Stanley Freodline. Mr. Wiwi and family are stanch mem- bers of the Catholic church. They are prominent in the social sphere and are popular among their acquaintances in this community. Mr. Wiwi takes an active interest in public matters, but has never sought political preferment.

HERBERT HAAS.

It always must be gratifying to parents when their children are pos- sessed of sound minds in sound bodies. A splendid example of these es- sentials is to be found in the personality of Herbert Haas, who was born on the homestead now occupied by Fred Haas. Herbert was born March 15. 1876, the son of Ferdolin and Katherine (Wiwi) Haas, both of whom were natives of Germany. Herbert Haas is one of a family of ten children, namely : Lula. Hannah, Emma, Cecilia. Herbert. Ollie. George, Ida, Fred, Pauline.

A short account of the life of Ferdolin Haas is given here, although given in more detail in the article devoted to him in this volume. Ferdolin Haas was born in Wurtemburg. Germany, March 6, 1841, the son of Joseph and Barin (Hevaa) Haas. Ferdolin came to America at the age of nineteen and after some time spent in Dayton, Ohio, and Cincinnati, he purchased a farm in Highland township, where he lived until 1910, when he retired to Cedar Grove, leaving Fred Haas on the old place.

Herbert Haas' maternal grandparents, George and Elizabeth Wiwi, im- migrated from Germany, bringing their children with them. They purchased the farm now occupied by Herbert Haas, and they cleared the land and built the stone house in which Mr. Haas now lives. George Wiwi acquired his property by renting and buying a small tract at a time.

Another of the prosperous men who attended the old stone school house number seven is Herbert Haas. ' Reared on the home place, Mr. Haas did farm work for neighboring farmers for six years, at the end of which time he married and began tilling rented land, living on three different places during a period of six years. Gradually, by steady effort, growing more prosperous, Mr. Haas bought one hundred and forty acres of the place which is now his home, adding thirty additional acres in 1908. Mr. Haas has im- proved the property by erecting a modern, commodious barn and a fine gran- ary. also by enlarging and improving the house. The soil has been built up

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by the application of fertilizers and the fence rows have been cleaned out. Besides all this, six hundred rods of woven wire fence has been built. Four years ago Mr. Haas organized a cream route and has hauled cream to Cedar Grove since then. For three years Mr. Haas has driven the wagon which is used in hauling the school children to the central school in Cedar Grove. Mr. Haas grows varied crops and also sells the cream produced by his fine cows the year round.

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 108

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