History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 110

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

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after his marriage he and his wife located on a farm in Butler township, which comprised one hundred acres of land. He devotes his time and his property to diversified farming and with the able assistance of his competent helpmate has met with marked success.

John Kokenge was married on September 19, 1894, to Mrs. Anna Wirtz, the widow of Philip Wirtz, who had two children by her first marriage, John, who married Catherine Lithmann, and lives in White county, Indiana, where they have two children, Lenora and Omer, and Edward, who is single. The maiden name of Mrs. Kokenge was Anna Johnson, she being the daugh- ter of Henry and Anna (Kuhr) Johnson. The children of Henry Johnson and wife were Herman, William, Henry, Anna and Carrie, all of whom are living save Henry.

To Mr. and Mrs. John Kokenge have been born six children, Elizabeth, Henry, Herman, Carrie, Magdalena and Andrew, the last two named being twins. Carrie is deceased, while all the rest of the children are still single and living at home.

Mr. Kokenge and his family are members of the Catholic church, and in their lives seek to exemplify the teachings of their faith, in consequence of which they are held in the highest regard in the neighborhood in which they live and in the good works of which they take so deep an interest.

ADAM PFLUM.

One cannot long study the history of any community without being struck by the fact that many valuable personal characteristics are concealed under an every-day exterior. Rugged honesty, straightforward adhesion to the principles of Christianity and whole-hearted good nature are the characteristics most to be admired in Indiana's representative sons. These virtues are all developed to the full in Adam Pflum, one of the best known and most progressive of the farmers of Butler township, whose life story it is an agreeable task for the biographer here to present in this section of the history of Franklin county.

Born in Dearborn county, Indiana, December 5, 1850, Adam Pflum is a son of Cosmar and Mary (Ott) Pflum. He is one of a family of eight children, namely: Pierce, Lena, Joseph, Elizabeth, Adam, Mary, John and Eva. Cosmar Pflum was born in Germany, at Wittenburg. After his mar- riage to Mary Ott he came to America, settling immediately at St. Leon, in

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Dearborn county, Indiana. To his occupation of farming he added that of carpentering. Buying forty acres of land near St. Leon, he cultivated it for a time and then sold this tract and bought sixty acres in Butler township, Franklin county. Here he lived the rest of his life in happy and industrious cultivation of his farm. He and his wife were members of the Catholic church, belonging to St. Philomena church in Butler township. Never ac- tively engaged in politics, he gave his vote to the Democratic party. Of his children, Lena, Elizabeth and Adam are still living.

Adam Pflum is another of those successful men who received only a common school education. He has devoted his entire life to agriculture, hav- ing purchased the forty acres where he lives shortly after his marriage. Fortune has favored Mr. Pflum and he has added to his original holdings until he is now the owner of a fine place of three hundred and sixty acres, which is devoted to the culture of diversified crops and the raising of some excellent live stock, in which industry Mr. Pflum has been quite successful, being rated as among the most prosperous farmers of the county.

Mr. Pflum was married on October 28, 1875, to Catherine Scheller, the daughter of Valentine Scheller, a German Catholic who came to America after his marriage and settled in Brookville township, Franklin county, where he bought forty acres of land and reared his four children, Mary, Adelina, Margaret and Catherine. To Mr. and Mrs. Pflum eight children were born, Mary, Michael, Adam, Lena, Elizabeth, Catherine, Margaret and Edward (twins). Of these children Mary is married to Anthony Groeber, of Springfield, Ohio, and has four children, Edward, Andrew, Raphael and Agnes. Michael married Rosa Niedentheal, and lives in Butler township. He died December 3, 1914, leaving four children, Barbara, Francis, Philo- mena and Elmer. Adam is living in Butler township, this county, having married Mary Groeber, and has two children, Raymond and Arnold. Eliza- beth married Joseph Mangold and is living in Richmond, Indiana. Cather- ine is the wife of John Groeber, and lives at Springfield, Ohio, and is the mother of two children, Carl and Philip. The other children are still un- married and live at home, the daughters keeping house for their father. These ladies are of kindly disposition and Lena, especially, has developed sound business ability.

On September 12, 1908, the family of Mr. Pflum suffered an irreparable loss in the death of the faithful and devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Pflum passing away on that date, her death being mourned not only by her stricken family but by the large circle of friends and acquaintances in which she ever had been held in the highest regard. Mrs. Pflum was born in Germany, Sep-

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tember 29, 1854, and came to America with her parents at the time they im- migrated from Mundenheim Rheinfalz, Banem.

Probably the most fitting thing that can be said of Adam Pflum in con- clusion is that he keeps his word, and such a conclusion of this brief sketch is designed to carry more weight than could possibly any one of the high- sounding phrases which might be used in capping the description of an hon- orable life.

FREDERICK HAAS.

That the farm offers a wonderful opportunity to the young man today 1 is conceded on every hand, and the repeated proofs of the ability of the farm to produce wealth in a healthful and interesting way is serving not only to stop the rush of the young man to the cities, but is the basis for a strong "back-to-the-land" movement, which is strongly augmented by an equally vigorous "stick-to-the-farm" movement which is designed to restrain the youth of the rural section of the state from flocking to the overcrowded cities.

One of the young men of Franklin county who realized the opportuni- ties which surrounded him is Frederick Haas, who was born on the farm which is now his home, in Highland township, on September 12, 1885. Mr. Haas is the son of Ferdolin and Katharine (Wiwi) Haas, both of whom were born in Germany, and is the ninth in order of birth of the ten children born to his parents, as follow: Louis, Emma, Mary, Cecelia, Herbert, Ollie, George, Ida, Fred and Pauline.

Although a more complete story of the life of Ferdolin Haas is found elsewhere in this volume, a short synopsis of the same will not be inappro- priate here. Born in Wurtemburg, Germany, on March 6, 1841, Ferdolin Haas was reared and educated in his native land. At the age of nineteen he came to America and after some time spent in Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio, finally purchased eighty acres of land in Highland township, Franklin county, where he made his home until 1910, in which year he retired and has since made his home in Cedar Grove.

Frederick Haas lived the typical life of the country boy, happy, healthy, and at all times unconsciously preparing himself to follow his father's voca- tion. Mr. Haas' education was received in the common schools of his neigh- borhood and after leaving school he remained on the home place, which has been his home ever since, and which he now owns and operates. The farm

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contains two hundred and twenty acres. Indiana weather and soil lend themselves most readily to general farming as opposed to specialized crops, so Mr. Haas varies his crops accordingly, although he specializes to a certain extent in high-grade stock.

In April, 1910, Mr. Haas married Louisa Wilhelm, and the two are the parents of two fine children, Beatrix and Talton. Louisa Wilhelm is the daughter of Jacob J. and Caroline (Meissmer) Wilhelm, the former being born in Dearborn county, Indiana, on February 15, 1858, and the latter in Franklin county May 9, 1855. The name of Jacob J. Wilhelm will be found at the head of one of the biographical sketches in this volume.

The Catholic church claims Mr. Haas as one of its faithful adherents, and the noble principles instilled by the church's teachings have not been dis- regarded by him in his daily life. Mr. Haas is up-to-date in his agricultural methods, welcoming any proved advance upon the older and less efficient manner of farming. Quietly considerate of others, generously warm hearted at all times, Mr. Haas enjoys his neighbors' sincere regard and very properly is considered one of the most progressive and influential of the younger men in his neighborhood, where he and Mrs. Haas are held in the highest esteem of all who know them.

JOHN KUNKEL.

A member of a family whose name has been prominent in Franklin county for years, John Kunkel creditably upholds the name and traditions of his forbears. Mr. Kunkel was born in Highland township January 16, 1874, the son of Adam and Lizzie (Reisert) Kunkel. To this couple were born eleven children, who are named as follow: Kate, Mary, Jacob, Joseph, Lizzie, Maggie, John, Lena, Adam, Emma, Frank. Frank died at the age of eighteen.

Adam Kunkel was born and reared in Germany. Immigrating to the United States he married and settled in Highland township, dying in April, 1914, at the age of eighty-four. A fuller account of his life will be found in this volume in the article devoted to his son, Jacob.

John Kunkel was educated in the schools of Brookville township. His training and inclinations pointing toward the farm, he accordingly rented a farm in Brookville township, where he remained until 1909, when he bought the farm on which he now lives. This place contains one hundred and

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twenty-eight acres, which are well fertilized, and large, well-kept buildings speak of prosperity.

Mr. Kunkel was married September 14, 1897, to Amelia Messerschmidt, and to this union have been born the following five children, in the order of birth: Clarence, Homer, Jeanette, Esther, Edna.

Amelia Messerschmidt was born in Highland township, the daughter of John and Constance (Geiger) Messerschmidt, both of whom were born in Germany and came to America while still children. The former came at the age of twelve, the latter, with her parents, was one hundred and twelve days on the water.

Amelia Messerschmidt's paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Messer- schmidt, came from Germany and located. with her husband, on a farm in Highland township. The maternal grandparents, Othelia Geiger and her husband, also settled in Highland township.

The family of John Kunkel have been identified with Franklin county affairs for three generations, and have been members of St. Peter's Catholic church for the same period. John Kunkel is a man who is making himself felt by doing his share in the advancement of civilization and enlightenment, and he would be a welcomed and valuable addition to any community, his influence being thoroughly appreciated by his neighbors.

ADONIJAH WILEY.

It is a source of great personal pride to be descended from Revolution- ary stock; to be descended from forefathers who had so much to do with the history of this country during its formative period. It is a mark of great personal strength that those men, who transferred their allegiance to this country before the culmination of British aggressions, were willing to stake their lives on the issue of resistance to these aggressions. The Wiley family is one of the oldest families in America and can proudly point to Moses Wiley, the founder of the family in this country, who engaged in the struggle of the Colonies against Great Britain. Moses Wiley was a soldier under "Mad" Anthony Wayne and fought at the battle of Stony Point, where he received a wound from which he suffered during the remainder of his life. After the close of the Revolutionary War, he moved from Vir- ginia to Camp Washington, where the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, now stands and later located in the vicinity of Harrison, Ohio. His son, James Wiley,

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was the grandfather of Adonijah Wiley and a native of Frederick county, Virginia, who came to Indiana in 1812 and entered land now at the present site of Clarksburg. In November.' 1829, James Wiley moved from Decatur county to Franklin county, Indiana, and at one time owned one thousand acres of land. He lived in Laurel township for more than forty years, dying there in November, 1871. James Wiley was a Whig in the early days, but upon the formation of the Republican party became a member of that or- ganization.

Mr. and Mrs. James Wiley were the parents of five sons and a daugh- ter, all of whom have died. Adonijah, the eldest. married and had nine children, and John, the next, became the father of five.sons and two daugh- ters. Jerome, the third, when but four or five years old, started with his brother. John, through the dense forest on an errand to their father, who was engaged in clearing land. They lost their way and were found after a continuous search of five days. Little Jerome was dead and John was at the point of perishing from hunger. The child next younger than Jerome had been called James, but the mother desired that he should be called for her lost son and the result was that both names clung to him throughout his life. Spencer, a gallant soldier of the Civil War, was another son. Olive, the only daughter, married Jacob Allen and left three children at her death.

Jerome, or James, Wiley, the father of Adonijah Wiley, was born near Clarksburg, Decatur county, May 7, 1822, and from the time he was seven years of age until his death, with the exception of two years, 1841 and 1842, when he traveled extensively through the west and south, mainly on foot, he resided in this county. Jerome, or James, Wiley was married to Maria. the daughter of Reuben Hawkins, November 12, 1848. She was born at Cedar Grove. in Franklin county, September 20, 1825. They were the parents of two sons, Adonijah and George, the latter dying in 1857, and four daughters, Mary, Elizabeth and Sarah, who died with diphtheria in 1863, the surviving daughter, Caroline, being the wife of Edgar O'Hair, a prominent attorney of Brookville.

Jerome Wiley was a man of the highest integrity. He was clerk on an Ohio river steamboat for several years and subject to many temptations, al- though it is well known that he never used liquor in any form. He was very successful in business, a stanch Republican and a member of the Ma- sonic lodge. He died April 22, 1894, his wife having died previously on January 12, 1893.

Adonijah Wiley was born on the old homestead owned by his parents in Laurel township, January 21, 1850. When he reached manhood he fol-

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lowed the example his father had set and for two years traveled extensively in the West. His educational advantages were not the best, but by mingling with people and by going from place to place, he acquired a wide knowledge of human nature and of many things not to be found in books. He was one of the best informed men in his community.

Adonijah Wiley was married April 20, 1875, to Amanda Jinks, who died September 6, of the same year. He was married again, February 28, 1879, to Elizabeth J. Ailes, a daughter of Jehu Ailes. She was born near Buena Vista, Franklin county, July 28, 1851. Four children were born to this couple, Jerome C., born December 1, 1879; Robert A., born August 18, 1881, married, 1911, Clara Meid; Mary M., born August 25, 1883; and Nora L., born March 15, 1887.

Mr. Wiley died at his home, one and one-fourth miles southwest of Laurel, March 4, 1904. Mrs. Wiley and the family still reside on this farm. At the time of his death, Mr. Wiley was trustee of Laurel township, having held the office four years. The Wiley family are all members of the Christian church and have a wide circle of friends throughout Franklin county. Mr. Wiley held membership with the Masons, Elks and Knights of Pythias.

JOHN H. COOK.

One rarely sees large families these days. A generation or two ago it was not an uncommon thing to see families that contained as many as fifteen or more children. It is not only a patriotic duty to raise large families, but the community as well as the nation in which such families live is immeasure- ably indebted to the parents who rear so many sons and daughters to man- hood's and womanhood's estate. It is estimated that each person who proves a useful citizen is worth so much in dollars and cents, but when so many members of one family combine so much usefulness and good influence they have indeed contributed much that can not even be measured in money. Such a family was the Cook family, of which John Cook, of this county, is a member.

John H. Cook was born in Dearborn county May 5, 1862, and was one of thirteen children born to Henry and Mary (Cook) Cook, who, though bearing the same family name, were of no previous relation. The children born to this union were George, Charles, Isabella, Anna, Catherine, Lewis, Jacob, Mary, John, Elizabeth, Edward, Caroline and William. Of these, Isabella died; George located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he is now living;

JOHN H. COOK.

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Charles lives at Miami, Ohio; Anna lives at Ottawa, Illinois; Catherine lives at Rushville, Indiana; Lewis lives at Lawrenceburg, Indiana; Jacob lives in Whitewater township, Franklin county; Mary at Cincinnati; Elizabeth in Portland, Oregon; Edward at Cincinnati; Caroline at Rushville, Indiana, and William in Portland, Oregon.

Henry J., father of John H. Cook, was a native of Germany. When he was but nine years of age his father brought him to America, where they settled at Cincinnati, Ohio, where so many of their countrymen had pre- ceded them. Like most of the immigrants who come to this country, the Cook family were not possessed of much of this world's goods, and Henry at an early age was compelled by force of circumstances to assist in securing a livelihood. Before he was fifteen years of age he "hired out" as a canal- boat driver, an occupation that was followed by a great many boys in those days. This was the occupation that James A. Garfield, who afterward be- came President, followed in his boyhood, and he often referred to it with great pride as having been honorable labor. Young Cook was employed on the canal between Dayton, Ohio, and Cincinnati, Ohio, a much traveled canal in those days, used as a means both of travel and transportation. This early training was vigorous and imparted to young Cook a large measure of the self-reliance that served him so well in after life. After his marriage he moved to Dearborn county, Indiana. He was drafted for service in the Civil War, but was later excused for service on account of physical disability. He settled on a farm, where he passed the remainder of his days. He died at the age of seventy-six and was survived by his wife, who lived to be eighty-four years of age. They were both members of the Catholic church and were highly respected throughout the community in which they lived. Mr. Cook was very devoted to the land of his adoption, having spent the greater part of his life in this country, and ever did all in his power to ad- vance the welfare of the community in which he so long resided.

John H. Cook, one of the thirteen children of Henry Cook, was edu- cated in the common schools, his attendance on the same not covering a period of more than thirty-three months altogether. Educational facilities are much more extensive in Indiana today than they were a generation ago, and the boy of today may avail himself of these wonderful opportunities without un- dergoing the inconvenience that confronted his father. School terms years ago did not extend to more than two or three months of the year, and the schools were few and far between. However, with a comparatively meager education, John H. Cook has, with his natural endowments, forged ahead and acquired considerable substance, being rated as a well-to-do man, broad in

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understanding and progressive in spirit. Mr. Cook is above all else a prac- tical farmer and would sooner be known as a successful farmer than almost anything else.

On October 19, 1898, Johin H. Cook was married to Pearl Ludlow, the daughter of Pierce and Mary (Morrison) Ludlow, of this county, the for- mer of whom died when the daughter was three years old. Fourteen years ago Mr. Cook moved to his present farm, which at that time comprised nine- ty-five acres. Previous to locating at this place he had rented a farm at Sharptown, Indiana. With characteristic energy he began to improve the new place, erecting new buildings and remodeling all old ones. Six years ago he purchased three hundred and twenty acres in Alberta, Canada, which he has devoted to the raising of wheat. Aside from his agricultural interests, Mr. Cook takes an active interest in public and religious life. For two years he served as county chairman of the farmers' institute. He also served for nine years as chairman of the Sunday School Association of this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Cook were born three children: Morris, born February 3, 1900; Ford, born December 31, 1906, and J. Forrest, born April 6, 1903, and died February 10, 1904. Mr. Cook and family are members of the Methodist church and take an active concern in the affairs of the local con- gregation. There are many families in this county whose forefathers helped lay the cornerstone of the notable progress that since has been noted, but to none of these does the community owe a greater debt of gratitude than is owed to the family of Henry Cook, of whom John H. Cook is a member. Not the least of this large family of sons and daughters, who have, each in his respective community, lent the value of his good influence, is John Cook, warmly esteemed by all who know him and highly respected for his sterling qualities, his good judgment and splendid achievements.

WILLIAM BECKMAN.

Society has been likened to a living organism, in that it must be con- tinually repaired or it will deteriorate. And this repairing process has to do with not only mentality and morality, but with capital as well, so he who rebuilds or creates new capital has a highly useful mission in life. To this class belong the carpenters, the masons, the structural engineers, and their work is good or poor exactly as they take pains with it.

A carpenter who put his heart in his work was William Beckman, who was born September 23, 1841, on the same place where he now makes his

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home. He is the son of Henry D. and Christina (Weidekuehn) Beckman, both of whom were born in Hanover, Germany. Mr. Beckman is one of a family of seven children, the first three of whom were born in Germany, the others in America. In the order of their birth they are: Wilhelmina, Christina, Sophia, Margaret, Mary, John, William and Caroline. Caroline died at the age of seven.

Henry D. Beckman was born, educated and married in Germany, where he farmed until 1832, when he came to America. Living one year in Balti- more and four years in Cincinnati, he entered eighty acres in Highland town- ship in August, 1836. With the exception of forty acres sold to a brother- in-law, John Quante, this land is still owned by Mr. Beckman. At the time of his settlement this land was covered with timber, and the only building was a log cabin which was erected according to a contract made before Mr. Beckman left Cincinnati. Henry Beckman cleared this land and lived on it until his death, which occurred October 16, 1853. His wife died July 30, 1892, aged ninety-two years, seven months and eight days. The two helped to organize and build the early German Protestant church at Klemme's Corners.

Contented to live on the homestead, William Beckman has improved it wonderfully, the present building having been built by him. Mr. Beckman received his education in the local schools, and at the age of fourteen began to learn the carpenter trade with his brother-in-law, Philip Bossert. This trade has been followed through life, and after Mr. Beckman's brother, John, retired from the carpenter business, Mr. Beckman took contracts and hired men to fulfill them, the sons working on the farm until they grew old enough to help their father in his work. The majority of the barns in the neighborhood have been built by Mr. Beckman, although he has now re- tired and the work is carried on by his sons, John, Henry, Cornelius and William.

The money made in carpentering has been invested in land, until Mr. Beckman now owns one hundred and eighty acres in the same neighborhood. The home tract is included in one hundred and forty acres, which are nearly in one body.

On May 5, 1870, Mr. Beckman married Christina Gesell, and to this union have been born the following children: John, Henry, Cornelius, · George, William, Matilda, Edgar and Ralph. Christina Gosell was born in Highland township, on the place where her brother Henry now resides, at Klemme's Corners.

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 110

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