History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 124

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

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Doctor Coffey has been married twice. On December 23, 1895, he married Nellie Allison, who died October 2, 1896. On October 17, 1897, Doctor Coffey married, secondly, Etta Ensminger, the daughter of Henry Ensminger. Having no children of their own, Doctor and Mrs. Coffey, in 1906, adopted Helen, who was then four years old, and who was as dear to them as if she were their daughter.

Taking high rank as a physician and surgeon, Doctor Coffey is at the same time a cultured gentleman and a deep student of human nature. Fra-

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ternally, he is a valued member of the Free and Accepted Masons. Doctor Coffey is the recipient of the gratitude of many in the locality he serves who cannot voice their sentiments and feel that they owe a debt which is beyond the power of money to repay.

HENRY CARTER METCALF.

That medicine in its form and practice is far different today from what it was fifty years ago is a fact of common knowledge. The wonders of mod- ern medicine and surgery are almost beyond the realms of the imagination, and new wonders are being produced every day. The allayed suffering and the lives saved are incalculable, while thousands of suffering ones bless the men who have devoted their lives to the cause of humanity in the healing arts.

One of these modern savants of medicine is Henry Carter Metcalf, who came into this world in Garrard county, Kentucky, on May 24, 1888, the son of Henry P. and Savannah (Lewis) Metcalf, both of whom were born in Laurel county, Kentucky. Henry P. Metcalf spent his youth in Kentucky, and was graduated from the University of Louisville with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and immediately, in 1883, took up the practice of medi- cine in his home town, Paint Lake, Kentucky, where he remained until about 1895. He then went to Mays, Indiana, and still later to Andersonville, In- diana, where he spent thirteen years, while the past three years have been spent in New Salem, Indiana.

The paternal great-grandparents of Doctor Metcalf were natives to Eng- land and they came to America and located in North Carolina, where they lived on a farm till death. Their son, Adorn Metcalf, married Mary Morgan, a native of Laurel county, Kentucky, whose brothers were Confederate sol- diers in the Civil war. Adorn Metcalf cultivated a Kentucky farm and died at the age of ninety-three, in April of 1913.

John Lewis, the maternal grandfather of Doctor Metcalf, was a Ken- tucky farmer, who became a Union soldier and received a scalp wound in the Civil War, which never healed, although it did not cause death.

The primary education of Doctor Metcalf was obtained in Anderson- ville, after which he attended the New Salem high school. After he was graduated from high school he elected to study at his father's alma mater, so he accordingly attended and was graduated from the University of Louis- ville, where he gained the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Immediately after graduation, in 1913, Doctor Metcalf went to Andersonville, Indiana, where

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he established the practice which has already grown to very respectable pro- portions.

On the IIth of December, 1913, the young doctor led to the hymeneal altar Alma Helman, who formerly made her home in Richland township, Rush county. She is a charming lady and makes a worthy partner to share the doctor's inevitable trials.

Doctor Metcalf is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and of the Improved Order of Red Men. Well versed in all the newer revelations of his science, Doctor Metcalf is a worthy representative of the "New Medi- cine" and has gained the affection and respect of both patients and fellow practitioners in the wide section of both this and the adjoining county which his extensive and growing practice covers.

SIMEON BARBER.

All praise to that man who gains an honorable competency by a series of victories and by the persistent application of the abilities with which he is endowed. True success is always gained in this way, just as a lofty struc- ture is erected, by slowly placing brick upon brick, the method being slow and with no apparently visible result, but the final result being impressive to the fullest extent.

Simeon Barber holds his present enviable position as a result of patience and persistence. He was born August 25, 1853, in Posey township, the son - of Daniel Barber, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The youth of Mr. Barber was spent under the beneficent influence of his father's rural home, during which time the boy was absorbing those elements of agricul- ture so essential to him who would follow agriculture as his life work. Educational advantages did not abound in those days as they do now, so Mr. Barber's education was confined to the instruction given in the common schools of Posey township. True to his early training, Mr. Barber decided to be a farmer and accordingly, in 1879, purchased a tract of one hundred and thirty acres in Posey township. He still makes his home on this farm, although the original tract of one hundred and thirty acres has been in- creased to a splendid farm of two hundred and fifty fertile acres. This land has been given over to the raising of diversified crops, with gratifying suc- cess. Mr. Barber has been retired for the last five years from the active labors of the farm and makes his home in Andersonville, this county, where he built a comfortable house in 1907.

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It is hard to place too great stress upon the importance of choosing a life-mate who will make home what it should be and be a constant source of inspiration. Mr. Barber indeed chose well when, in 1880, he married Henrietta Crowel, as she has at all times been an ideal wife. Henrietta Crowel was born in Posey township, Franklin county, Indiana, a daughter of Henry and Julia Ann (Osborn) Crowel. Henry Crowel came from Virginia and became a farmer in Posey township, this county, where he spent the remainder of his life. Julia Ann Osborn was born in Union county, Ohio, daughter of William Osborn and wife, who moved here in an early day. Mrs. Barber has spent her entire life in the township where she was born.

The gift of inspiring confidence in one's associates comes only as a result of an unsullied reputation and a true understanding of the strength and frailities of the human race. Mr. Barber understands human nature, he realizes that he is eventually judged altogether on his merits, and the esteem in which he is held is an eloquent testimonial to the excellence of his words and deeds.

MICHAEL ROSSFELD.

Farming, as a vocation, is a hard master. It requires the closest kind of application, much physical labor and long hours of service. It is said that "a woman's work is never done," but it is also true that a man's work is never done, no matter what his vocation. The most hopeful phase of farm- ing is that men like Michael Rossfeld, of Ray township, Franklin county, are able to perform the hard work connected with agriculture and at the same time retain their high spirits of optimism.

Michael Rossfeld was born July 12, 1861, in Highland township, Frank- lin county, the son of Harmon and Catherine (Geiger) Rossfeld. Harmon Rossfeld was born near the Rhine river in Germany and was brought to America by his mother, his father having died in Germany. Harmon Ross- feld was a carpenter and owned eighty acres of land in Highland township. He was a member of the Catholic church. He and his wife were the parents of six children: John, Elizabeth, Michael, Barbara, Catherine and Mary.

Harmon Rossfeld died rather early in life, and his widow married, sec- ondly, Barnhart Otten, to which union four children were born, Anna, Mar- garet, Harmon and Barnhart, the latter of whom is deceased.

Michael Rossfeld was educated in the common schools. He first went to work in a brickyard and after working there for some time began to farm.

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In 1902 he bought his present farm in Ray township, one hundred and sixty acres southeast of Oldenburg.

Mr. Rossfeld was married July 20, 1892, to Elizabeth Gehring, who is a sister of John B. Gehring, referred to elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Rossfeld are the parents of the following children: Clara, Loretta, Harmon, Leo, Helen and Louisa, all of whom are single and at home. An- other child, Carl, born after Leo, died at the age of four months.

Mr. Rossfeld is a Democrat and he and his wife are members of the Catholic church at Oldenburg. Mr. Rossfeld is an enterprising citizen in every respect. He owns a good farm, which is kept in a splendid state of re- pair with modern buildings and fences. He takes a keen interest in public questions and devotes considerable time to matters which have to do with the continued welfare of his community.

GEORGE MEID.

Occasionally a tiller of the soil is found who takes the fullest measure of satisfaction and contentment from his daily work, and the farmer who does this indeed lives in an earthly paradise. Such a man is George Meid, who takes a deep and sincere pleasure in the various operations required in the cultivation of his acres.

George Meid was born January 12, 1868, the son of Christian Meid and his wife, who also were the parents of seven other children, namely: Louis, Edward, Frank, Emma, Ann, Clara and Kate, the latter of whom is de- ceased. Christian Meid was born in Germany in 1833 and came to America at the age of twenty-five, and after a short stay in Cincinnati came to Frank- lin county. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Company F, Third Indiana Cavalry, which company was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Meid took part in McClellan's Peninsular campaign and in the battle of Antietam, and during a two months' sickness he was in the hospitals of Frederick, Maryland, and Baltimore, finally being sent to the convalescent camp at Alexandria. After recovery he rejoined his regiment and participated in the early part of General Grant's Virginia campaign, but, shortly after his regiment was mustered out by reason of the expiration of their three-year enlistment. Christian Meid then returned to Franklin county and was married in 1865 .. .

The health of Christian Meid was shattered. in the war and he has

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been afflicted with rheumatism for years. He is a member of John Secrest Post, Grand Army of the Republic, No. 384, and is a Republican.

The education of George Meid was obtained in the schools of Laurel township, and following his natural bent, he took up farming in the same township. Mr. Meid was married on December 25, 1893, and then moved onto the farm in Posey township, where he now lives. He operates ninety acres, and plants his fields with the various crops best adapted to his locality.

The marriage of George Meid to Anna M. Secrest has been regarded by each of them as mutually beneficial, and they have three children, Clara Ruth, Howard Henry and George Donald.

Anna M. Secrest was born on a farm adjoining her present home in Posey township, the daughter of Henry and Ruth (Bryson) Secrest, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter of whom was born in Salt Creek township, this county, the daughter of Hugh and Ruth Bryson. Hugh Bryson came to this part of the country from Virginia at a time when the Indians still roamed the forests of this section and was widely known as the slayer of Kilbuck, the renegade Indian who had killed so many white persons during his bloody career. Both Henry Secrest and Hugh Bryson were farmers in Franklin county for many years and were among the best known men in their respective neighborhoods.

In his political views, Mr. Meid favors the Republican party and has always taken an active part in local politics. He was township assessor betwen the years 1896 and 1900, and he is now township trustee. Mr. Meid is a faithful attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church and stands ready to aid any one or any cause worthy of his services. He has done much for his community and the compilation of such a volume as is this would not be complete without fitting reference to his public service.

WILLIAM A. COLE.

The farm is nearer Nature's great and interesting life than any city home, for there, though the lawns and shrubbery be green and beautiful, they do not have the variety of soil, leaf-mold, shade and moisture required. There, too, the quiet, sequestered nook so congenial to many of the animal kingdom is entirely wanting. Occasionally, these conditions appeal to man. Thus we find William A. Cole, who was born in such surroundings near Cedar Grove, Indiana, February, 1864, and thus lived the first thirteen years of his

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life in the midst of a heavily-timbered region, a region thickly inhabited with all the wild creatures native to Indiana, including a few prairie wolves, wild cats, an abundance of grouse and wild turkey and occasionally a deer. There, too, the pools and brooks served as feeding grounds for thousands of wild geese and ducks and the waters kept continually on the move by myriads of fish playing, seeking food and attempting to escape the dangerous charge of the shark-like pond fish or the numerous bass that inhabited these waters.

This region was not near Cedar Grove, however, but between the marshes of Black creek and Prairie creek, which lie in Knox and Daviess counties, in southwestern Indiana. Mr. Cole here attended what was known as the Sand Hill school, in which, according to custom, he committed the words of the Eclectic Speller and solved the problems in Ray's Book III three times before he was thirteen. His parents and elder brother were dead by the time he reached this age and Mr. Cole spent a year with his maternal grandparents, Joseph W. Whitney and wife, in Clark county, Illinois. These family ties were again broken in the year 1878 by the death of grandmother Whitney and William A. came back to Cedar Grove, Indiana, to live with his uncle, John Crawford, a half-brother to his father, and remained with him until he began teaching in 1883.

Mr. Cole attended school during summer vacations at various places. He was graduated from the National Normal College at Lebanon, Ohio, and later from the Indiana State Normal, teaching for a number of years both common and high school branches. He served fifteen years in this capacity at Cedar Grove, Brookville, Whitcomb, Bath and Blooming Grove.

In 1899 Mr. Cole was married to Catharine Klemme, then of Indianapo- lis, but whose parents now live in Brookville, Indiana.

In 1906 Mr. Cole purchased a farm in Bath township, Franklin county, and lived there four years. His wife's health began failing and he again began to teach, but her poor health continued until she died November 21, 1910, while Mr. Cole was serving as principal of the Bath township high school. She left him with one daughter, Mildred, then nine years of age. Mr. Cole and daughter have now returned to the farm in Bath. township, where they are preparing to engage quite extensively in fancy poultry and choice fruits.

Mr. Cole's grandfather was of English Quaker descent. He lived for a time in New Jersey and in the Quaker settlement in Pennsylvania. Mr. Cole's father, James P. Cole, was born at Flemington, New Jersey, and came with his father to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he died of typhoid fever. Grand- mother Cole then married Alexander Crawford and they lived near Cedar

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Grove in the early days of the old canal. James P., then a mere lad, was engaged to drag timbers for the old dam about two miles above Cedar Grove. While busy with this duty, he became entangled in the chain and the oxen ran off, crippling him for life.

Mr. Cole's maternal grandfather, Joseph Whitney, was a Baptist min- ister of the old "hard-shell" type. He preached at several places in western Indiana and eastern Illinois.

EDWARD W. ZACHARIAS.

The career of Edward W. Zacharias is replete with well-defined pur- pose, which has won for him an influential place in the ranks of the people of his community and a high personal standing among his fellow citizens. His life has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance. His sys- tematic and honorable methods have resulted in his gaining the confidence of those with whom he has had dealings and he is well and favorably known in the community where he lives.

Edward W. Zacharias was born December 23, 1868, at Laurel, Indiana, the son of the late Edward W. and Emma ( Deppermann) Zacharias, both of whom were born in Germany.

Edward W. Zacharias, Sr., died November 7, 1911, from the effects of uraemic poisoning. He was born in Brakel, Germany, October 28, 1829, and had reached the ripe age of eighty-two years when called by the death angel. He came to America in 1851 and lived eight years in New York, where he married Emma Deppermann, who still survives. After leaving New York, Mr. and Mrs. Zacharias came west, located for a short time in Everton, Indiana, and from this place they came to Laurel more than half a century ago. Edward W. Zacharias, Sr., was a cloth printer, house, sign and decorative painter. He brought to America a complete outfit of sten- cils for printing calicoes, which was unique in design and finish. He was a devout Catholic and was instrumental in the organization of the Catholic church at Laurel. He was survived by the following children : Mrs. Nellie Von Klein, of Chicago; Mrs. Henry Barnhorst, of Sydney, Ohio; and Ed- ward W. Zacharias, Jr., of Laurel, the subject of this sketch.

Edward W. Zacharias, Jr., learned the painter and paper hanging trade with his father and worked at it until 1906, when he became a rural route carrier on route No. 2 out of Laurel, which position he still holds. In 1912

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he bought one hundred and two acres three miles west of Laurel, which he has improved in many ways. Mr. Zacharias is a breeder of white Plymouth Rock chickens, having followed this business before leaving Laurel and has taken many prizes at Cincinnati and elsewhere. He also has a fine herd of thoroughbred Jersey cows and is engaged in dairying.

Mr. Zacharias was married to Rosa Friedericks, the daughter of Anton Friedericks, of Minster, Ohio, and to this union four children have been born, Hilda, Lewis, Joseph and Marie, the latter of whom died in infancy.

Mr. Zacharias is identified with the Democratic party and takes a good · citizen's interest in political affairs. He and his family are members of St. Raphael Catholic church at Laurel. They are highly respected citizens and popular where they live.

ATWELL MORGAN.

Although the qualities which go to make the successful merchant are manifold, perhaps none of them are so important as scrupulous honesty. This is daily proved by the examples offered of those merchants who, be- lieving that success can be gained by dishonest methods, or blinded by im- mediate gains, make a temporary success and then find their custom rapidly leaving them. A merchant who has gained widespread fame throughout his section of Franklin county because of his honesty is Atwell Morgan, who maintains 'a grocery and dry-goods store in Andersonville.

Atwell Morgan was born in the same town where he now lives, Ander- sonville, in the year 1843, the son of Torrence G. and Ruth (Jackman) Morgan, both of whom were natives of Franklin county. Clarence Morgan was educated in Franklin county and became a blacksmith at Andersonville, where he followed his trade his entire life and where he died.

Mr. Morgan's paternal grandparents were John and Hulda (Lewis) Morgan, who came from New York in the early days and located in Posey township. John Morgan farmed and preached the Gospel, as he was a min- ister in the United Brethren church. While he gained his livelihood from farming, he married many couples and preached at a great number of funerals.

The maternal grandparents of Mr. Morgan were Atwell and Nancy (Walker) Jackman, who came from North Carolina and located in Franklin county near Andersonville, where Mr. Jackman cultivated a farm. He was a merchant in Andersonville for some time, and he died in the same town.

Mr. Atwell Morgan received only the common school education offered

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by the schools of Posey township, but it was sound and practical and was continually supplemented by the broader lessons of experience. At the age of twenty-two Mr. Morgan became a clerk in a store in Andersonville and some time later he began the operation of his own store. The establishment then founded is the same as that conducted by Mr. Morgan today.

The presence of a loving wife in the home serves to smooth life's rough- est roads, and Mr. Morgan chose wisely when, in 1865, he married Esther E. Hall, who has stood at his side through sunshine and shadow and borne her full share of Mr. Morgan's troubles. To Atwell and Esther E. (Hall) Morgan three children were born, Sarah A., Benjamin and Sidney.

Ever watching the progress of his community with deep interest, Mr. Morgan does all in his power to elevate the standard of civic life. At one time he was township trustee, in the administration of the affairs of which office he did much good for his township. Mr. Morgan is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. His kindly face is seen almost daily by his neighbors as he stands behind his counter and is respected alike for his en- terprise and for his integrity.

JAMES FREEMAN MILES.

One of the younger farmers of Springfield township, Franklin county, Indiana, is James Freeman Miles, whose career thus far has been identified with this township. In fact, the family for many years have been influential factors in every phase of the development of Springfield township, his father having been born in this same township. There has been a renewed interest in farming in the past few years. In pioneer times farming was often a drudgery but, with the modern improvements which the farmer now enjoys. is relieved of much of the hard work which was a portion of his forefather's. Farming has undoubtedly arisen in dignity and is now often referred to as a profession rather than as an occupation.

James F. Miles, the son of John P. and Mary (James) Miles, was born in Springfield township April 1, 1883. The reader is referred to the history of his father elsewhere in this volume for further interesting information concerning the family.

James F. Miles received his elementary training in the district schools of Springfield township and remained at home until he reached his majority. He then married and located on his father's farm of one hundred and seventy

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acres. He has been managing this farm since his marriage and has been very successful in all phases of general farming. The paternal estate is well improved and has as its center a beautiful country residence and large and commodious barns.

Mr. Miles was married in 1904 to Nellie Morrow, the daughter of Isaac Morrow. To this union have been born three children, Lois C. B., Howard LeRoy and Evelyn E.

Mr. Miles and his wife are members of the Methodist church. He is a Republican, but this far has not taken an active part in political matters.

JOHN C. GIRE.

Among the farmers of Brookville township, Franklin county, Indiana, who have accumulated a farm by their own efforts may be mentioned John C. Gire, who started in with nothing, and yet by his own efforts has accumu- lated a farm of one hundred acres. It takes no little effort to do this at the present time. The man who accumulates one hundred acres now could easily have bought one thousand acres in the early history of the county for what he has to pay now for one hundred acres. It is true that the farmer of today makes more money than his forefathers did; nevertheless, it is becoming in- creasingly difficult to buy land and pay for it from the proceeds of the soil. This Mr. Gire has been able to do, consequently he is well deserving of the esteem in which he is held in the community.

John C. Gire, the son of Amos and Amoretta (Cummins) Gire, was born in Brookville township, December 29, 1869. His parents had three children, John, Ada and Dora. Ada married Charles Fry, and now lives in Kentucky. Dora is the wife of Benson Masters, a farmer of Union county, Indiana. The mother of these three children died in 1908.

Amos Gire, the father of John C., was born in Brookville township and when a small lad lost both of his parents by death. He was then taken to rear by John Wright, of Brookville, and lived with him until the opening of the Civil War. He was a member of the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but was in the service only a short time. After returning from the war Amos Gire settled down to the life of a farmer in Brookville township, where he remained many years, but is now living a retired life in Indianapolis. His wife, Amoretta Cummins, was a daughter of Allison B. and Angeline (Woodward) Cummins, a farmer of

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 124

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