History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 122

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 122

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).

After his marriage to Mary McCaw, the daughter of David McCaw, John W. McClure purchased a farm in Springfield township, on which George W. McClure, the subject of this sketch, was born and reared. John W. and Mary (McCaw) McClure were the parents of the following chil- dren : John P., who is deceased; Mary Ellen, Emma Frances, Charles Oscar, Alfred N., David O., and Anna May, deceased. Of these children Mary Ellen became the wife of Hervey M. King, and lives at Seattle, Washington. Emma Frances married Andrew Henning, and lives in this county, and is the mother of one child, Ralph. Charles Oscar is married and the father of two children, and lives in Starkville, Colorado. Alfred N., who married Edith King, now deceased, lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. David O. married Ruth Gaston, and lives in Kansas City, Missouri.

Though the opportunities for obtaining an education were not of the best in the days of his youth, George W. McClure was able to finish the common schools, and after leaving school he took up farming as his life vocation. After years of industry and careful management he has acquired a fine farm of two hundred and fifty-seven acres, located directly on the In- diana and Ohio state line. This farm is in a splendid state of cultivation, has been improved with a fine, modern house and a large and commodious barn and presents a very attractive appearance.

George W. McClure was married to Mary Bourne, and to this union there have been born two children, Harvey B. and Grace N. Harvey B. McClure was educated in the common schools of his home neighborhood and

(78)

1234

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

later spent two years in Purdue University, at Lafayette, Indiana, where he was a student in the agricultural department. He is a member of the Purdue Agricultural Society. On his return from college he assisted his father on the home farm until August 15, 1907, when he was married to Mabel Wehr, the daughter of Oscar and Olive J. (Conrey) Wehr, to which union has been born one child, Arthur Carl, born November 22, 1912. Harvey B. McClure is the owner of eighty acres of land, on which he does general farming and stock raising with a most gratifying degree of success. Mr. McClure's daughter, Grace N., was married March 1, 1910, to J. H. Miles. They have been living in New Mexico, but are now returning to make their home in Franklin county.

Mr. and Mrs. McClure are faithful and devoted members of the Har- mony Presbyterian church, in the various beneficences of which they take an active and interested part. In politics, Mr. McClure is a Republican. The family are and always have been highly respected and esteemed residents of the community where they are so well known. Mr. McClure is properly in- terested in all public questions and devotes a considerable part of his time to worthy local enterprises. He and his family belong to that class of people who are a distinct addition to the social and religious life of any community and are held in the highest regard throughout that whole region.

BERNARD LEISING, JR.

A community's greatness consists not so much in the character of its in- stitutions or the machinery of its government, but rather in the sterling qualities of individual citizens and in their capacity for unselfish devotion to public enterprises. Bernard Leising, Jr., one of the most successful farmers of Franklin county, has conferred honor and dignity upon his township, not only as an enterprising private citizen, but by the exercise of his progressive notions of community life, and his career is intimately associated with all the present-day progress of Franklin county.

Bernard Leising, Jr., was born north of Oldenburg, Indiana, in Ray township, January 2, 1879, the son of Bernard, Sr., and Josephine (Haver- kos) Leising. Bernard Leising, Sr., was born January 29, 1847, in Redding, Ohio, while his wife was born May II, 1852. She was a daughter of Henry and Mary (Lamping) Haverkos and died in 1889.

Mr. Leising's paternal grandparents were Henry and Mary (Knuya) Leising, both of whom were born in Holland. Shortly after their marriage

1235

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

in their native country they came to America, settling in Redding, Ohio, where Mr. Leising worked as a farm hand for six years, at the end of which time he rented a farm in Ohio, remaining in that state for eight or nine years. He then came to Franklin county, Indiana, where he bought a farm of eighty acres, later adding twenty acres to his original purchase, and here he lived the remainder of his life. He and his wife were the parents of two children : Mary, who married Benjamin Kemmann, and Bernard, the father of the sub- ject of this sketch.

Bernard Leising, Sr., was educated in the Catholic schools at Oldenburg, and as a young man began work on the farm where he now lives. He owns one hundred and eighty acres, on which he does general farming and stock raising. He was twice married, to his first union five children being born : Frances, who became the wife of Matthew Futchman; Bernard, with whom this narrative deals; Catherine, who is the wife of Matthew Dill; Anna, who became the wife of Harry Erntes, and Bertha, who is the wife of George Schulte. In 1889 the mother of these children died, and in 1892 Mr. Leising married, secondly, Bernardine Punpt, who was born January 2, 1867, in Oldenburg, Germany. To this second union were born eight children : Joseph, Josephine, Hugo, Leona, Mamie, Alvina, Clara and Philomina. The family are all members of the Holy Family Catholic church at Oldenburg and now live on Mr. Leising's farm north of that city.

Bernard Leising, Jr., was educated in the public schools of Oldenburg, and as a young man worked for about six years at farm labor in Rush and Decatur counties, Indiana. In 1901 he was married to Agnes Haskamp, who was born on the farm where she now lives, September 9, 1877, the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Wielenberg) Haskamp, residents of Ray township in this county.

Joseph Haskamp, who is a half-brother of Henry Klein, of Oldenburg, this county, was born at Haverbeck, in Oldenburg, Germany, and died on the farm in the north edge of Ray township, this county, February 15, 1894, at the age of sixty-nine years. He came to America in infancy with his par- ents, who settled at Dry Ridge, near Cincinnati. His wife, who was Mary Wielenberg, also was born in Oldenburg, Germany, July 10, 1838, and died February 19, 1904, in her Ray township home, at the age of sixty-five. She came to Cincinnati with her parents when she was fifteen years old, her par- ents later locating on a farm near Oldenburg, this county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. During his residence in Cincinnati, Joseph Has- kamp learned shoemaking, at which trade he worked until his. marriage, after which he engaged in farming in this county, later buying a farm of eighty

I236

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

acres in Salt Creek township, still later buying the farm where Mr. Leising now lives, and here he farmed the rest of his life.

To Bernard and Agnes (Haskamp) Leising have been born six children : Marie, born April 13, 1902 ; Elmer, born August 1, 1904; John, born August 22, 1906; Clarence, born November 12, 1907; Thelma, born August 1, 1910, and Regina, born June 27, 1912.

In 1905 Mr. Leising bought the farm where he is now living, consisting of three hundred and forty-two acres, one hundred and eighty-two acres of which is in Ray township and one hundred and sixty acres in Salt Creek township. He engages in general farming and stock raising and is an ex- tensive breeder of Shorthorn cattle. In 1911 Mr. Leising remodeled his house, and now has one of the most attractive country homes in the vicinity, and is considered one of the substantial and progressive farmers of Ray town- ship. Mr. Leising and family are all devoted members of the Catholic church at Hamburg, to which they are liberal contributors of their time and means. He is a Democrat, but has never held office.

JOSEPH GIESTING.

Agriculture has long been an honored vocation and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses as well as those of energy and thrift have been patrons of husbandry. The free out-of-door life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop independence of mind and self-re- liance, which characterize true manhood. No truer blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature, in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the field. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the bone and sinew of the country, and the majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned statesmen and men of letters were born on the farm and were largely indebted to its early influence for the distinction which they have attained.

Franklin county has many enterprising young farmers, but none of them has shown a more progressive spirit than Joseph Giesting, of Ray township, who was born October 9, 1891, the son of John and Elizabeth (Bramlage) Giesting, the former a native of Germany, born in 1840, and the latter born in Ray township.

John Giesting came to America alone at the age of seventeen. He re- mained in Cincinnati two years and then came to Ray township, working in

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA. I237

the timber. He followed this occupation until his marriage at the age of forty. After his marriage he bought the farm where the subject of this sketch now lives, and which originally consisted of forty acres. Two years later he bought forty-four acres more, and in 1898 he bought forty-one acres adjoin- ing, making one hundred and twenty-five acres, the same comprising the present farm. He put all of the present buildings on the place. John Giest- ing died in 1901. He and his wife were the parents of the following chil- dren : Frederick, who married Catherine Brune; Anna, who married John Bedel; Carrie, who married Joseph Luesse; Frank, who is still single : John, who married Mary Macke; Joseph, whose history is here presented, and Mary, who is unmarried.

The children of John Geisting were all educated in the public schools at Oldenburg. Joseph, the subject of this sketch, lives on the home place with his mother and operates the farm. The family are members of the Catholic church at Oldenburg and all are highly respected, enterprising citizens, hold- ing the esteem of a large number of friends.

PETER ETTER, JR.

The true measure of individual success is determined by what one has accomplished. An enumeration of those men of the past generation who were successful in their life work and at the same time left the impress of their strong personalities upon the community, men who won honor and rec- ognition for themselves and at the same time conferred honor upon the lo- cality, would be incomplete should there be failure to make specific men- tion of the late Peter Etter, Jr., in this volume. Although Peter Etter is sleeping the sleep of the just, his influence still pervades the lives of those who were so fortunate as to enjoy his acquaintance. His life was an in- dustrious one, but he never permitted anything to interfere with his duties as a worthy Christian gentleman. Pure, constant and noble was the spiritual flame that burned in and illumined the life of Peter Etter, a kind father and a loving husband.

Peter Etter, Jr., was born October 12, 1840, in New Orleans, the son of Peter Etter, Sr., who was born in Germany and came to America before he was married. Peter Etter, Sr., was a farmer of two hundred acres of land in Franklin county. He came to Franklin county from New Orleans. He was a member of the Catholic church at Oldenburg. He and his wife were

1238

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

the parents of three children, Peter, Jr., the subject of this sketch; Louis and Philomena.

Peter Etter, Jr., was educated in the common schools and married Bar- bara Gauck, who was born in 1845, the daughter of John and Barbara Gauck. John Gauck was born and reared and married in Germany and came to Ripley county, Indiana, in pioneer times, probably about 1836. He was a farmer during the latter part of his life and lived in Oldenburg, Indiana.

Peter Etter, Jr., was brought to the farm, where his son Albert and wife now live, when eight months old. He lived on this farm the remainder of his life. He owned the two hundred acres that his father had owned before him and did general farming. He was a member of the Catholic church at Oldenburg and devout in his religious belief as well as active in his religious duties. He died December 27, 1913. The farm with which he was connected for so many years is now operated by his son.

Peter Etter, Jr., and wife were the parents of nine children: Michael. Mary, Carrie, Frank, Edward. Rosa, Anna, Albert and Clara. Of these children, Michael is living at Indianapolis, Indiana, and has been twice mar- ried, first to Theresa A. Oswald, now deceased, and secondly to Frances Eckstein. Two children were born to the first marriage, William and Marie, and two children also were born to the second union, Helen and Florence. Mary lives in Ray township, Franklin county, and is the wife of Martin Lampe. They have eight children : Clara, Rosa, Frank, Henry, Elmer, Mar- tin, Anna and Loretta. Carrie married Lewis Ferry, of Indianapolis, and has seven children: Marie, Irma, Ida, Albert, Lewis, Louisa and Clara, the two latter being twins. Frank, who now lives in Ohio, married Mary Straus- berger and has five children: Henry, Charles, Joseph, Albert and Robert. Edward, who married Anna Timmerman, resides in Benton county, Indiana, and has two children, Lutwina and Mercella. Rosa married Adam Fussner, of Indianapolis, and has eight children: Helen, Anna, Francis, Martha, Mary, Anthony, Bernard and Hilda. Anna married William Gehring, of Indianapolis, and has three children: Gertrude, Pauline and Edward. The other two children, Albert and Clara, are single. Albert, who is farming the home place for his mother, was born on this farm June 16, 1881. He is a member of the Catholic church at Oldenburg, was educated in the common schools and is a Democrat.

The Etter farm is one of the best in the community. It has splendid buildings and is kept in an excellent state of repair. The Etter family is well known and popular in the township where they live, and the various members are prominent in the good works of the community.

1239

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

BERNARD N. MIDDENDORF.

The best history of a community is that which deals with the lives of its people, especially those who by their own endeavor and indomitable energy have forged to the front and placed themselves where they deserve the title of progressive men. Bernard N. Middendorf, the subject of this sketch, has made a notable success in agriculture in the community in which he lives. His name is one that his fellow citizens delight to honor because of his upright life and his habits of thrift and energy.

Bernard N. Middendorf was born February 22, 1864, on the farm where he now lives in Ray township, Franklin county, Indiana; the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Prues) Middendorf, both of whom were natives of Germany, the father being born in 1824 and the mother in 1826.

Joseph Middendorf came to America when a young man. He stopped in Cincinnati and worked in a printing office there for eight or nine years. During this time he was married and a little later he bought the farm where Bernard N. now lives, consisting of two hundred acres in Ray township. This farm was purchased in 1856 and Joseph Middendorf and wife moved there at once. They were farmers the rest of their lives. Sixty acres were cleared when he came to the farm, and he cleared ten acres more. He built a barn and a splendid brick house and was engaged in general farming and stock raising. Joseph Middendorf and his wife were the parents of the fol- lowing children: Anna, born February 15, 1856, who married August Lamp- ing; Elizabeth, born February 14, 1858, who married Bernard Wanstried; Philomena, born June 11, 1860, who married George Werring; Mary, born July 13, 1862, who married Adam Kuntz; Bernard N., the subject of this sketch; Josephine, born April 9, 1866, who married Henry Kessing, and Rosa, born July 4, 1868, who married William Huser.

Bernard N. Middendorf was educated in the public school at Oldenburg and as a young man started on the farm where he now lives. He has never done any work except on this farm. After his father's death he farmed one year for his mother and then began for himself. He bought the farm where he now lives in 1899 and does general farming and stock raising. His house was remodeled and an addition built on to the same in 1914. Mr. Midden- dorf is constantly improving the appearance and productivities of the farm where he lives.

Mr. Middendorf was married April 20, 1896, to Bernardina Schulten, who was born near her present home November 1, 1866, the daughter of Johann Bernard and Catherine (Kersting) Schulten. To this union three

I240

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

children have been born: Elizabeth, born June 25, 1897; Catherine, born May 10, 1899, and Anna, born May 31, 1903.

Johann Bernard Schulten was born December 8, 1822, in Hanover, Ger- · many, and while a young man came to America and located in Cincinnati, where he was employed for a period of about eight years, at the end of which time he came to this county, settling at Oldenburg, where he married Cath- erine Kersting, who was born in Prussia, February 14, 1837. After his mar- riage Mr. Schulten bought a farm in the north part of Ray township, on which he lived and which he successfully operated until advancing years in- capacitated him for the hard labors of the farm, whereupon he retired, and his last years were spent in the town of Batesville, Indiana, where his death occurred November 1, 1909, at the age of eighty-six, his widow surviving him a little more than three years, her death occurring December 6, 1912.

The Middendorf family have always been members of the Catholic church and devoted to this faith. Mr. Middendorf is a Democrat, as was his father before him, and takes a proper interest in the county's political affairs. Mr. Middendorf is a man of genial disposition and is popular in the community where he lives.

ANTHONY BRANDES.

Farming is daily becoming more and more of a business proposition, requiring fully as much business ability as does merchandising or manufac- turing. A well-known Franklin county agriculturist who applies business principles to his work is Anthony Brandes, of Ray township. In combina- tion with the intelligence required to farm in this way, Mr. Brandes possesses a pleasing personality and an air of sociability which render him popular among a wide circle of friends.

Anthony Brandes was born August 14, 1856, near Oldenburg, the son of Henry and Catherine (Brock) Brandes, who also were the parents of two other children, Henry and Mary, both of whom now are deceased. Henry Brandes was born in Germany July 7, 1820, and died June 20, 1863. His wife also was a native of Germany. Henry Brandes came to America at the age of thirty-five and located in Cincinnati, where he worked at day labor and where he was married. A few years after his marriage he moved to Franklin county, where he settled on a farm near Oldenburg, and where he lived until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted in the Eighty- third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under General R. L. McCook, and died in

124I

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

the war from sickness incurred while on duty. He was a member of the Catholic church.

Educated in the common schools, Anthony Brandes has never felt a desire to wander afield in search of better opportunities, realizing that Frank- lin county is full of opportunity. Soon after marriage Mr. Brandes bought the forty acres on which he now lives, later adding twenty acres adjoining. The new residence which adorns the farm was built in 19II. Mr. Brandes does general farming, raising the fruits, cereals and forage crops best suited to his soil and to the Indiana climate.

Mr. Brandes was married February 6, 1884, to Mary T. Merchen, who was born March 10, 1863, and whose parents were William and Theresa (Grossman) Merchen, William being born in Germany in 1822 and dying February 16, 1892, and his wife dying November 12, 1900, aged fifty-seven years. William Merchen lived on a farm of eighty acres which he owned near St. Marys, Franklin county, and was a shoemaker. He and his family were members of the Catholic church.

William Merchen was twice married, his first wife having been Mary Fischer, to which union were born two children, Henry and John, the latter of whom is deceased. Upon the death of his first wife Mr. Merchen married, secondly, Theresa Grossman, to which union there were born eleven children : John, Charles, William, Conrad, Mary, Catherine, Elizabeth, Theresia, Anna, Rosa and Lena, of whom John William, Catherine and Theresia are deceased.

To Anthony and Mary T. (Merchen) Brandes were born thirteen chil- dren : William, born November 7, 1884; Henry, born April 24, 1886; John, born December 27, 1887; Lucia, born December 13, 1889; Edward, born April 4, 1891, died October 19, 1894; Mary Theresa, born January 19, 1893 ; Charles, born April 27, 1895 ; Joseph, born March 30, 1897; Theodore, born June 25, 1899; Anna, born February 28, 1902; Alma, born May 13, 1903; Marie, born July 30, 1905, and Emma, born March 20, 1910. Of these chil- dren, William is living in Chicago; he married Josephine Herbert, and has no children. Henry, who married Leah Barton, resides in West Branch, Mich- igan, and has two children, Bernice and Stanley. John, who married Ger- trude Lichtenstein, lives in Dunnington, Benton county, Indiana, and is the father of one child, John, Jr.

Mr. Brandes and his wife are valued members of the Catholic church of Oldenburg. He is a Democrat and is now road supervisor of his township. Kind to his family and the farm animals as well, Mr. Brandes is regarded as a progressive farmer and a cultured, intelligent gentleman. No history of Franklin county would be complete without mention of the significant part lie plays in the affairs of his neighborhood.

I242

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

PETER WAGNER.

Farming has been revolutionized within the last fifty years. The farmer of today knows few of those disadvantages which surrounded the pioneer farmer of this state. Scores of inventions have been put on the market which enable the farmer to lead a life of comparative ease. As a consequence of these improved devices an increasing number of our young men are remain- ing on the farm in preference to trying their fortunes in the city. Indiana is far famed as an agricultural state, and Franklin county has no mean sta- tion as an agricultural county. Among the prominent young farmers of Ray township, Franklin county, is Peter Wagner.

Peter Wagner was born at Napoleon, Ripley county, Indiana, July 31, 1873, the son of Frederick and Catherine (Fothover) Wagner, the former a native of Germany and the latter a native of Indiana. The father died in 1903. Frederick Wagner came to America at the age of nine, settling near Napoleon, in Ripley county. As a young man he started farming and en- gaged in this occupation all his life in Ripley county, where he owned a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Frederick Wagner and wife were the par- ents of eleven children: Frank, now deceased, married Frances Huff ; John married Julia Mehn; Catherine is the wife of Nicholas Kelch; Theresa is the wife of George Lustig; Frederick married Catherine Mehn; Andrew is un- married; Peter, with whom this narrative deals; Anna is the wife of George Stretchfus; Sophia is the wife of Joseph Brunner; Henry, single; Carrie is the wife of Charles Brunner.

Frederick Wagner's family are all members of the Catholic church, and all are Democrats.

Peter Wagner received his early education in the public schools of Leath- erwood and later attended the Catholic school at Napoleon, Indiana. As a young man he worked on the farm, coming to Ray township, Franklin county, in 1905, where he purchased a farm of one hundred acres, where he now lives. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising and has met with a fair measure of success in his efforts.

Mr. Wagner was married June 15, 1904, to Lena Ebner, who was born July 24, 1879, the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Rule) Ebner, who were residents of Napoleon, Indiana. Peter Wagner and wife are the parents of five children: Margaret, born June 24, 1905; Edwin, who died in infancy ; Lawrence, born July 14, 1909; Joseph, born August 8, 1910, and Alfred, born August 5, 1912.

Mr. Wagner is a stanch Democrat, but, being yet a young man, has not taken an active interest in political affairs, preferring to devote his time and

I243

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

attention to his agricultural interests. He and the members of his family are devout Catholics, belonging to the Church of the Holy Family at Olden- burg.

Mrs. Wagner is one of seven children, the others being as follows: Elizabeth, the wife of Frank Roesch; Theresa, a nun in the Franciscan con- vent; Emma, the wife of William Brunner; Matthew, unmarried; Matilda, wife of Harry Weber, and Joseph, who married Ethel Bingham.

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 122

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