History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 109

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 109

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The marriage of Herbert Haas and Clara Wilhelm was solemnized in August, 1900. The two have been the parents of the following children : Harry, Bertha, Louisa (dead), Joseph (dead), William, Raymond, May, Margaret and Francis Henry. Mrs. Haas is the daughter of Jacob J. Wil- helm, whose career has been described elsewhere in this volume.

Mr. Haas, as well as his family, belongs to the Catholic church, and he can always be relied upon to give his hearty support to worthy movements, either in church or civic affairs. Mr. Haas is modest and unpretending, at all times standing entirely on his own merits. He is well known throughout the county, and his opinion on any subject is heard with respect, for it is known that Mr. Haas endeavors to be open-minded and impartial.

EVAN LLOYD PATTERSON, M. D.

For the past twenty-five years Dr. Evan L. Patterson has been engaged in the practice of medicine in Brookville, Indiana. Born in Kentucky, he came to Indiana when a small boy and lived in Decatur county for a few years. The family then moved to Missouri, where they lived for five years, return- ing to Indiana in 1873. Doctor Patterson received a good education and taught school in his younger days, later engaging in the practice of medicine, and has been in the active practice of his profession since 1878. He has been prominent in Democratic circles in Franklin county for many years and has served in both the house and senate of the state legislature.

Dr. Evan L. Patterson, a son of Hiram and Susan (Day) Patterson, was born in Germantown, Mason county, Kentucky, March 26, 1853. His father was born in the same county October 29, 1824, and died in Indiana in 1889. His mother was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, in 1828, and died in Indiana in 1892.

Hiram Patterson was a son of Joseph and Sarah Patterson. Joseph Patterson was born in the northern part of Ireland and his wife was born in

EVAN L. PATTERSON, M. D.

II05

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

Scotland. They came to the United States after reaching their maturity and located in Kentucky. Joseph Patterson was a descendant of a family of noble birth, was one of two sons, and, unfortunately for him, the second son. Ac- cording to the law of his country, the elder brother received the estate and the younger son had to be content with whatever their father was willing to give him. Joseph Patterson received some money and immediately came to the United States and located near Lexington, Kentucky, where he invested in a distillery. Although he operated a distillery, he never drank a drop of liquor himself. He finally moved to Mason county, Kentucky, where he bought large tracts of land and became a large plantation owner. He was thrown from a wagon and killed while in middle life. He was a man of large build and heavy set and influential in the community where he re- sided. He and his family were loyal members of the Baptist church. Doctor Patterson's maternal grandparents were Asa and Sarah (Thompson) Day, the former of whom probably was born in Kentucky soon after his parents emigrated to that state from Pennsylvania. Sarah Thompson was born in Kentucky. Asa Day and his wife lived the remainder of their days in Bracken county, Kentucky.

Hiram Patterson learned the blacksmith's trade when a young man. His father believed that every one of his sons should learn a trade, so Hiram was taught the blacksmith's trade. However, early in life he became a to- bacco merchant, but an unfortunate investment caused him to lose all of his money. He set up a blacksmith shop and tool manufacturing plant for a time in Kentucky. In the fall of 1860 Hiram Patterson and family moved to Rush county, Indiana, and bought a farm near Clarksburg. The family lived there until 1868, and then moved to Missouri, where they remained until 1873. In that year Hiram Patterson brought his family back to Indiana and located again in Decatur county, where he farmed until his death.

Doctor Patterson was seven years of age when his parents moved to. Rush county, Indiana, and he received most of his elementary education in the district schools of this county. He was a student for some time in Rich- land Academy. He moved with his parents to Missouri, and after returning to Indiana began to teach school. He taught in Clarksburg in Decatur county, and at the same time studied medicine in the office of Dr. Thomas Johnson. He was admitted to the practice of his profession in 1878, and for the next two years was a partner of his former preceptor, Doctor Johnson. In 1880 he went to Metamora, Franklin county, where he remained for five years. In 1885 he went to Fairfield, Indiana, and practiced there until 1890. In that

(70)

II06

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

year he went to Richmond, Indiana, where for nine months he was assistant superintendent of the Eastern Indiana Hospital for the Insane. Upon leav- ing Richmond he located in Brookville, where he has remained in the con- tinuous practice of his profession down to the present time. He has built up a large and lucrative practice in Brookville and the surrounding com- munity and is regarded as one of the leading practitioners of the county.

Doctor Patterson was first married February 29, 1888, to Mary Black- lidge, who was born at Metamora in this county. She died in 1897, and on September 27, 1908, Doctor Patterson married Mrs. Amanda (Moore) Dob- bins, who was born in Kentucky.

Dr. Patterson and his wife are members of the Christian church, both being active workers in the local congregation, the Doctor being one of the trustees of the church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Ac- cepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been a loyal worker in the Democratic party and one of the leaders in county politics for many years. He served in the lower house of the Indiana General Assem- bly in 1897 and 1899, and in 1907 and 1909 served in the Senate. He is now a member of the school board of Brookville.

WILLIAM BOSSERT.

An honorable representative of one of the oldest families of Franklin county, Indiana, and a gentleman of high character and worthy ambitions is William Bossert, whose whole life thus far has been spent within the limits of this county. He is a splendid type of the intelligent, self-made American, and is regarded as worthy of the highest esteem of his fellow citizens. Early in his career farming appealed to him as the occupation which he wished to follow. Being born and reared on a farm, it was natural that his mind should turn towards the tilling of the soil and the success which has attended his efforts along agricultural lines shows that he has made no mistake in choosing this as his life work.

William Bossert, the son of Abraham and Nancy (Robinson) Bossert, was born August 15, 1857, in Highland township, at what was known as Klemme Corners. His father was born July 10, 1830, and died February 19, 1902. His mother was born September 10, 1837, and died June 20, 1914.

Abraham Bossert, Jr., the father of William, was a son of Abraham Bossert, Sr., a native of Germany, and an early settler in Indiana. Grand-

II07

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

father Bossert came to America in 1836, and at once settled in Franklin county, in Highland township, on an eighty-acre farm now owned by John Gesell. Abraham Bossert, Sr., the grandfather of William, was the father of eight children, Caroline, Martin, Jacob, Peter, Philip, Abraham, Elizabeth and Catherine.

The maternal grandfather of William Bossert was John Robinson, who was born in Highland township, in this county, and who married So- phronia Herndon. He was a son of James Robinson, who was one of the first settlers in Franklin county.

Abraham Bossert, Jr., the father of William, was educated in the com- mon schools and when a young lad learned the blacksmith trade. He operated a blacksmith shop and conducted a general store at Klemme Corners, in Highland township, for many years. He finally disposed of his store and bought the farm which Louis Klemme now owns, and there he lived until his death. His wife, Nancy Robinson, was a daughter of John Robinson. Abra- ham Bossert served for one year as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War.

William Bossert received a good, common school education in the schools of Highland township, and before reaching his majority started to "work out" by the day on farms in the immediate vicinity of his home. He was thus employed for three years, but as soon as he married he began to rent land, and for twenty years rented farms in Franklin county, living most of the time in Brookville township. In 1904 he bought his present farm of eighty acres in Highland township, and has since been successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising.

Mr. Bossert was married September 3, 1882, to Caroline Prifogle. the daughter of John and Eliza (Huber) Prifogle, and to this union have been born ten children, Nellie, Florence, Irwin, Parry, George, Roy, Harry, Nancy, Vina and Esther. All of these children are single and still at home, with the exception of Nellie, Florence and Nancy. Nellie is the wife of Charles Evans, a farmer of Brookville township, and has four children, Clifford, Elmer, Ethel and Carrie. Florence is the wife of Alexander Crawford, a farmer of Highland township, and has two children, Joseph and Marie. Nancy married Valentine Neidenthal, of Brookville township.

The father of Mrs. Bossert was born in Highland township in 1826 and died in October, 1903. John Prifogle, the father of Mrs. Bossert, was a Union soldier during the Civil War and he and his wife, Eliza Huber, were the parents of five children, George. John, Louisa, Michael and Caroline.

II08

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

John Prifogle, the father of these children, was a son of Peter and Phoebe (Gaul) Prifogle, and came to Indiana in 1820. John Prifogle was a stanch Democrat in politics and a member, of the Lutheran church.

Mr. Bossert is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. His wife is a loyal member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Bossert has given his support to the Democratic party since reaching his majority, but has never had any aspirations along the line of political preferment, preferring to give all of his time and attention to his agricultural interests. He is regarded as one of the most progressive farmers of his neighborhood and he and his wife are among the foremost in the good works of the community in which they live.

GEORGE HOLBERT.

There is an indescribable charm, and a continual lure about the fair acres of the old homestead, which causes men to long to till the fields where their fathers were born before them. George Holbert has felt this lure and answered it, as he now owns the farm which was formerly his father's, and on which he was born January 6, 1870. He is the son of Lewis and Mary (Wuessler) Holbert. This couple were the parents of seven children, John, Maggie, Mary, William, George, Susan, Mathew.

Lewis Holbert and his wife had been identified with the affairs of their community the greater portion of their lives. He first owned fifty acres of land, later adding fifty more and still later thirty-eight. He erected the sub- stantial buildings which now serve Mr: Holbert, and the old house which is standing on the farm was for a time used as a store. The venerable couple died on their land; Lewis in March, 1911, aged eighty-four, and his wife on April 16, 1910, aged seventy-two. They were members of the Lutheran Evangelical church.

The early education of Mr. Holbert was received in the old stone school house in Highland township. Familiar with farm work and methods, he naturally chose that his life should continue in its destined way, and has pur- chased all the land which his father owned, to which has been added fifty- four additional acres. Diversified crops are cultivated successfully.

Mr. Holbert married Lizzie Beneker on February 14, 1900, and to this union have been born three children: Clarence, Richard (dead), Ethel. Lizzie Beneker is the daughter of Henry and Caroline (Scheuck) Beneker.

1109

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

Her father was born on July 9, 1849, the son of Fred and Margaret (Beck- man) (Wolsterman) Beneker. He has always lived on the same place, which he has highly improved. He was married in 1872, and is the father of eight children, whose names are given in an article to be found elsewhere in this volume devoted to Henry Beneker.

Mr. Holbert is one of the really meritorious citizens of his township, and nothing but praise can be heard of him and his farm. He and his wife are devoted members of the Lutheran Evangelical church, and his watch- words are "business methods" and "strict integrity."

ADAM JOHN MUNCHEL.

The prosperity of Franklin county undoubtedly is due to the character of her rural residents, and the attributes which accrue to the county are those of her sons. Unswerving honesty, wise economy, persistent energy and straightforwardness are the predominant characteristics of the rural residents of Franklin county, as it is indeed of all such sections of the Hoosier state, and Adam J. Munchel, one of the best known farmers of Butler township, exemplifies these qualities in marked measure.

Adam John Munchel was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 4, 1854. He is a son of Adam and Magdalena (Wuest) Munchel, and is one of a fam- ily of five children, the others being Paul, John, George and Magdalena. Paul married Catherine Embers, and is living at Oldenburg, Indiana. John mar- ried, first, Mary Pflum, and after her death he chose as his second wife, Mary Deichler. John lives on a farm on Pipe creek, near St. Mary's. George and Magdalena are deceased. Adam Munchel, Sr., was born in Germany, Febru- ary 14, 1812. His father, Michael Munchel, was a native of Germany and lived there all of his life. He was a farmer by vocation, and a Catholic in faith. His wife's family name was Stenger. Adam Munchel, Sr., married while in Germany and afterwards brought his family to America. Landing at Quebec, Canada, they went at once to Rochester, New York, where they lived for six months. They then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they stayed for three years, at the expiration of which time, about 1855, they left that city and moved to Franklin county, where they purchased forty acres of land in Butler township. Mr. Munchel died June 20, 1900.

Equipped with a practical, common school education, Adam John Mun- chel took up the duties and pleasures of a farmer's life. After his marriage

IIIO

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

he settled on his father's farm, near St. Mary's, in this county, where he re- mained for four years, gradually adding to his savings until he was able to purchase his present farm of sixty-seven acres. Mr. Munchel specializes in no particular branch of farming, but rotates his crops in such a way as to maintain the fertility of the soil and has been quite successful.

On December 5, 1882, Adam J. Munchel married Catherine Kokenge, the daughter of Albert and Elizabeth (Tecka) Kokenge, who were among the early settlers of Franklin county, the former of whom died in 1886, while his widow survived him until February 2, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Kokenge were the parents of eight children. A more complete sketch of the Kokenge family is found elsewhere in this volume, in the interesting biographical sketch of John Kokenge.

To Adam John and Catherine (Kokenge) Munchel were born four chil- dren, Magdalena, Albert, Frank and Aloysius. Of these children Magdalena is married to William Becker, a farmer of this township, and has six children, Eugene, Loretta, Marie, William, Emma and Adeline. Albert has been twice married, his first wife being Anna Lithmann, who died leaving one child, Lawrence. Albert afterward married Catherine Heithaus, and to this union one child has been born, John. Anthony Frank married, June 4, 1913, Clara Lithmann, and they have one child, Loretta. Frank and his wife live with Mr. Munchel and wife.

Mr. Munchel and his wife are devout members of the Catholic church, holding their membership in St. Philomena church. In politics, Mr. Munchel is an adherent of the Democratic party, but his farming interests have pre- vented his taking an active part in public affairs. He is a genial, whole- souled man and lives a simple and unaffected life, he and the members of his family enjoying the full confidence and esteem of all who know them.

ANTHONY J. RIPPERGER.

Nation, state or township, each must reckon its most valuable possessions not in terms of lands or gold, but must count itself opulent or otherwise in direct proportion to the worth of its citizens. If personal integrity or faith- ful public service can be accepted as standards, Anthony J. Ripperger is one of Highland township's most valuable men.

Anthony J. Ripperger was born at St. Peters, in Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana, March 20, 1856, the son of Isidor and Magdalena

IIII

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

(Herbert) Ripperger. Isidor was born in Baden, Germany, in 1833, and Magdalena in Dearborn county, Indiana. Anthony is one of a family of ten children, Alois, Conrad, Anthony, Mary, Elizabeth, Celia, Josephine, Jacob, Michael and Carrie. Alois married Mary Metz and resides in Iowa. Conrad, who married Eva Hoffman, lives in Elwood, Indiana. Mary became the wife of Theodore Shuck, and lives in Muncie, Indiana. Elizabeth mar- ried John Leoda, and now resides in Newport, Kentucky. Celia has been married twice, her first husband being John Plauden and her second, Wendell Reissert. She now lives in Cincinnati. Josephine, the wife of Benjamin Ewald, also lives in Cincinnati. Jacob married Catherine Boehle and makes his home at Southgate, Indiana. Michael married Matilda Boehle and re- sides in Cincinnati. Carrie became the wife of Benjamin Wentsel and also resides in Cincinnati.

Michael Ripperger, the grandfather of Anthony J., was born in Ger- many. He was a farmer who, believing in American opportunities, immi- grated to this country in 1839, bringing his family with him. He landed at New York, proceeded thence to Cincinnati and purchased one hundred and eighty acres in Mill Creek valley. Much of this land is now worth two and three hundred dollars per foot. However, Mr. Ripperger could not foresee this and he sold it after two years and came to Highland township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of government land, paying one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre for it. This land is still owned by the family. He took an active interest in the work of the Catholic church, of which he was a member. He contributed ten acres of land to St. Peter's church, part of which was used as a cemetery. He died in 1859, honored as one of Highland township's first settlers, and his body was buried beneath his beloved church. He was the father of nine children, Anthony, Adam, Michael, Alois, Isidor, George, Eva, Magdalena and Margaret, of whom Alois is the only one living.

Isidor Ripperger, the father of Anthony J., obtained a common school education and then followed the blacksmith's vocation in Cincinnati. After leaving Cincinnati, he established a blacksmith shop in St. Peters, the first in the neighborhood. He resided in St. Peters fifteen years, and then moved to Covington, Kentucky, where for six years he was employed in a plow factory. Returning to Southgate he purchased eighty acres of land, which he tilled for thirty years. He then sold this property and moved to St. Leon, where he lived a retired life. He was a faithful member of the St. Joseph's Catholic church at St. Leon. He was married to Magdalena Herbert, the daughter of Conrad Herbert, of St. Leon. Her father was born in Baden, Germany, and after his marriage immigrated to America and became one of the pioneer

III2

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

settlers of this county. He established and conducted a store at St. Leon. His children were John, Martin, August, Frank, Magdalena, Margaret, Francis, Anna and Clara. Frank, Magdalena and Anna are now deceased.

Anthony Ripperger attended the common schools of Highland township and at the age of twenty-one, entered a commercial college at Covington, Kentucky, where he studied for six months. He returned to Southgate and soon after moved to St. Peters, where he engaged in the butcher business. He also purchased live stock, selling the same in Cincinnati. He later and for three years maintained a butcher shop in Cedar Grove, having moved there from St. Peters. He then returned to St. Peters and after some time rented a farm at Peppertown, Indiana, which he operated for three years. His ac- cumulated savings were then used to purchase the eighty acres on Blue creek, where he is now located, and where he has lived the past sixteen years.

On July 4, 1878, Mr. Ripperger married Mary Holbert, the daughter of Lewis and Mary (Vosler) Holbert. Her father was born in Hamilton, Ohio, of German ancestry. After his marriage he continued for some time to live at Hamilton, later moving to Highland township, Franklin county, In- diana, where he purchased one hundred and forty acres of land, on which farm he spent the remainder of his life. He was drafted for service in the Union army during the Civil War, but secured a substitute. He and his wife were consistent members of the German Evangelical church. She died April 15, 1907, and he died March 7, 1908. Lewis and Mary (Vosler) Herbert were the parents of six children, Maggie, John, Mary, George, Susan and Matthew, of whom Maggie, John and Susan are now deceased.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ripperger have been born fourteen children, Michael, Carrie, Eva, Emma, Joseph, Elizabeth, Catherine, Gertrude, Anthony, Ma- tilda, John, Charles, Magdalena and Margaret. Elizabeth and John are now dead. Michael who married Matilda Sanders, lives in Highland township, and is the father of three children, Marie, Esther and Edward, the latter of whom is deceased. Carrie married James B. Hollingsworth and resides in Indianapolis. They have one daughter, Crystal. Eva married twice, her first husband being John Boyle and her second Roy Kemp. By her first mar- riage there was one son, Curtis. Emma married Roy Robinson, of Brook- ville township, and has one son, Howard. Joseph is still single. Catherine married Edward Kuehn, of Brookville township, and has two daughters, Dorothy and Viola. Gertrude married Harvey Grimme. The others are still at home with their parents.

Mr. Ripperger is a Democrat and has been actively identified with local politics. He was twice elected township assessor, once deputy assessor, was

III3

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

township constable for twelve years, has held the office of deputy sheriff and filled other minor offices. He and his wife are members of St. Peter's Catholic church, in the various active beneficences of which they are deeply interested and they are ever found ready to take their part in all the good works of their neighborhood, a community in which they are held in the highest esteem.

JOHN KOKENGE.

Representing the best in the agricultural life of Franklin county and foremost among those who are engaged in farming is John Kokenge, of Butler township, Franklin county, Indiana, and this work would be incom- plete without an account of his life.

John Kokenge was born September 27, 1847, in Oldenburg, Germany. His father was Albert Kokenge, and his mother was Elizabeth Tecka. He is one of a family of eight children, of whom the others are Mary, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Catherine, Josephine, Henry and Magdalena. Mary married Henry Inwalle, and lives in Cincinnati. Benjamin is a Catholic priest of the Jesuit order, and is stationed in the city hospital at Chicago. Elizabeth is the widow of William Niles, and now lives in Butler township. Catherine is the wife of John Adam Munchel, a farmer of Butler township, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume. Josephine became the wife of Anthony Bruns, and lives in Butler township, this county. Henry, now deceased, mar- ried Matilda Rice, who is living in Cincinnati. Magdalena married Andrew Lorenz, a farmer of Butler township.

Albert Kokenge, the father of John, was born in Oldenberg, Germany, in 1816. He married Elizabeth Tecka, coming to America some years after- wards. He, with his family, landed at New Orleans, coming directly on to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they remained one year, then moved to Franklin county, Indiana, where Mr. Kokenge bought fifty-six acres of land, and on this farm spent the remainder of his life. He died in March, 1896, and his widow survived him until February 2, 1914, being ninety-four years of age at the time of her death. Albert Kokenge and his family were firm adherents of the Catholic faith and took a sincere and active interest in the work of the church.

John Kokenge was educated in the common schools of Butler township. Trained from childhood in the deep and abiding laws of nature it was but natural that he should decide upon the vocation of a tiller of the soil. Shortly

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 109

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