USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 129
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WILLIAM ALVIN GEORGE.
One of the earliest vocations plied in this country was that of the car- penter, whose labors always have been in great demand, but this occupation today differs greatly from the former state. A carpenter in the early days, when everything was done by hand, was expected to be a skilled workman, as he relied on his hands and not on machinery to do everything precisely as required. Often the trade of wood carving was combined with that of car- pentering, so that the early craftsmen of this trade had to be very skilled indeed. The meager demand for any craft or trade often necessitated the workman learning three or four trades, such as carpentering, blacksmithing
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and possibly wood carving, etc. The trade of the father in those days be- came the trade of the son, so that today we find many men engaged in the same occupation their grandfathers had followed before them. Among such is William Alvin George, of Springfield township, Franklin county, whose father was a well-known carpenter in the same community.
William Alvin George, the son of Michael George, was born at Mt. Carmel, Indiana, December 4, 1861, and was one of five children, the others being Richard, Mary Elizabeth, Charley and Frank. Of these children Rich- ard is deceased. Charley married Edna Jolliff, and is a rural mail carrier out of Anderson, Indiana. Frank married Grace East, and resides at River- side, California, where he is engaged in orange culture. Mary Elizabeth became the wife of John W. Seals, and resides in Springfield township, this county.
Michael George, the father of William A. George, was born in this county, and lived to be more than seventy years old, his death occurring September 20, 1905. He was a son of Jonathan George, who was born in Pennsylvania December 29, 1801, and who was one of the first settlers in this section of the country, where he followed the occupation of woodworker and carpenter and later engaged in farming. Michael George was one of nine children born to Jonathan George and wife, as follow: Enoch, born July 3, 1822; William, born July 18, 1824; Susannah, born July 22, 1826; Benjamin, born August 3, 1828; Nancy, born March 26, 1831; Franklin, born April 3, 1833; Michael, born July 3, 1835; Mary, born July 5, 1837; and Atwell, born November 7, 1839. . Michael George was reared to the life of a farmer, which vocation he followed throughout the greater part of his life, devoting part of the time to his trade as a carpenter, which trade he had learned from his father. His earlier life was spent on his father's farm, where he became inured to the hardships of farming in those days. He was in the service of the government as a revenue inspector, at which time he was located in the city of Lawrenceburg during President Cleveland's adminis- tration. Michael George was an enthusiastic member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to which fraternal order he was very devoted. He died in this county, his wife's death having occurred nine years before.
William A. George was educated in the common schools of his town- ship. After leaving school he engaged in carpenter work until he reached the age of twenty-five years, when he purchased his present farm of seventy- five acres in Springfield township, on which he carries on a general system of farming and stock raising.
Mr. George has been twice married, his first wife having been Emma
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Seals, the daughter of William Seals, and to this union one child was born, Lola May, who married Irwin Horning and lives at Mt. Healthy, Ohio, and is the mother of two children, Paul Cecil and Erma. After the death of his first wife, Mr. George was married to Clara Brackney, the daughter of Will- iam Brackney, a prominent resident of Springfield township. To this second marriage were born four children, Richard, Dorothy, Nancy and Willard, all of whoni are living at home.
Mr. George is a Democrat and has taken an active part in the affairs of his county, having served as road supervisor for a number of years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as was his father before him. Mr. George and his family are popular in their community and highly esteemed by all who know them.
HENRY FERNUNG.
Indiana was for a long time noted as a lumber center, but as new terri- tories were developed, it gradually had to give way in this industry to other states that were undeveloped and whose timber resources had not been exhausted. In this connection, the saw mill industry was for many years a leading industry in this state and among those engaged is Henry Fernung of this county.
Henry Fernung was born at Mt. Carmel, Indiana, April 3, 1862, the son of Andrew and Margaret (Betts) Fernung, to whom were born six children, Fred, Jacob, Henry, Andrew, Louise, and Charles. Of these Fred, Jacob and Louise are dead. Andrew is a farmer and lives at Kokomo, Indiana, and Charles lives at Mt. Carmel, Indiana, and works for Henry.
Andrew Fernung, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was born in Germany and came to this country when only eighteen years of age. At that time Europe was continually in a state of turmoil and every country was on the verge of war. It was this condition that prompted young Fernung to come to America. Having distant relatives in Indiana, Andrew Fernung came to this state. He learned the shoemaking trade, which he followed throughout his life. He was a Mason and an Odd Fellow and took a very active part in politics. He died in this county, aged forty- five years.
Henry Fernung was educated in the county schools and during his early youth hired out at various jobs, gaining experience and earning enough money to get a start in life. On September 28, 1886, he was mar-
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ried to Belle Thomas, daughter of Milton and Mary (Bell) Thomas of this county. To them was born one child, whom they named Howard. He married Grace Davis, who lived in Okeana, Ohio. They make their home in Mt. Carmel also. Henry Fernung has been an industrious man his entire life and solely through his own efforts has become a man of considerable means. He owns three hundred and ten acres of land in Whitewater town- ship in this county. He also owns three houses and lots at Mt. Carmel and has extensive sawmill interests at Mt. Carmel and Brookville, in which busi- ness he has been interested for more than eighteen years.
Mr. Frenung is keenly alive to all the movements that affect the welfare of his home county and its people. He has always been a man of public spirit and besides his own personal success he has achieved distinction as a man of well-grounded views on most subjects of the day. Mr. Fernung and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church, in the various local bene- ficences of which they take an active interest.
ALBERT L. BIDDINGER.
It is the ambition of many men to own a home and, if fortune favors them, to acquire the home of their forefathers. In many countries it is the mark of special distinction to own and live on the ancestral estate. This country, despite its comparative newness, is no exception to the rule and here you find many persons living in the home, or possessing the farm, formerly occupied by their fathers and great-grandfathers. In this county we find many residents living in the homes of their ancestors, the latter of whom were the pioneers of the great unknown west of those days. Among such is' Albert L. Biddinger of this county.
Albert L. Biddinger was born in Whitewater township January 20, 1876, the son of Lewis and Sarah (Thompson) Biddinger. Mr. Biddinger was one of the five children as follows: Viola B., Cora A., who died, Albert L., Myrtle Marie and Mary Alma. Viola married John Dickson and lives at Indiana Harbor. Cora married Roland Hann and lived at Washington, D. C., where she died, and is survived by her husband. Myrtle Marie mar- ried James Merril and lives at Anderson, Indiana. Mary Alma lives with Mr. Biddinger.
Lewis Biddinger was of German descent, his grandfather migrating to this country from Germany. His father, Andrew Biddinger was born in Pennsylvania. Andrew Biddinger moved to this state where he married
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Malinda Lyons, and to them were born two children, Isabella and Lewis. Isabella married Alfred J. Beard. Lewis Biddinger was educated in the common schools and after leaving school engaged in farming with his father. At twenty-one years of age he was married to Sarah Orphia Thompson, daughter of John Thompson of this county. Lewis Biddinger and wife continued to live on their farm the rest of their lives, Mrs. Biddinger dying March 25, 1909. The father of Mrs. Lewis Biddinger died October 7, 1848. He was an Odd Fellow and a member of the Universalist church.
Andrew Biddinger, grandfather of Albert L. Biddinger, was born in Pennsylvania, the son of Frederick and Catherine Biddinger, Frederick Bid- dinger having been born in Germany, who came to this country, locating first in Pennsylvania and later moving to Ohio.
Andrew Biddinger came to Indiana, where he located 160 acres in Springfield township, Franklin county, and continued to live on this farm until his death, which occurred November 4, 1909. He was active in the civic and political affairs of this county during his life. He was a promoter of the early turn-pike system-and was-also active in the promotion of the Grange. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Albert L. Biddinger was educated in the common schools of this county and on October 28, 1902, was married to Sadie Farquer, daughter of Henry Farquer of Butler county, Ohio. He retired to his father's farm and assisted in farming this place until September 16, 1911, when he purchased one hun- dred and thirteen acres, which was the farm that belonged to his grandfather. Mr. Biddinger devotes his farm to general farming, but specializes to some extent in Poland-China hogs. Mr. and Mrs. Biddinger belong to the Christian church and he is a Democrat, taking a good citizen's part in the political affairs of the county.
FREEMAN VAN CAMP.
When one looks about him and sees the modern improvements, the modern conveyances and the well-made roads and enjoys the modern com- forts of life he fails somehow to appreciate the difficulties that handicapped our forefathers, especially the pioneers who first cleared the forest. When they left the settlements in the east to plunge into the unknown west, they left every semblance of comfort behind. They had to build their roads as they went, chopping down giant trees, clearing away the thick underbrush, crossing treacherous rivers and repelling wild beasts and hostile Indians.
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The lot of the first settlers was indeed a hard one and we who have profited by their early sacrifices in establishing Indiana's first settlements owe a debt of gratitude to them. Among the descendants of one of the earlier families of pioneers that found its way to Indiana and to Franklin county, Freeman Van Camp, of Brookville township, is entitled to honorable mention in this volume.
Freeman Van Camp was born in Brookville township, this county, April 6, 1887, the son of John and Mary (Gant) Van Camp, and was one of the three children by this union, the others being Lillian and William.
John Van Camp, father of Freeman Van Camp, was born in Brook- ville township, this county, the son of Bartholomew and Charity (Merril) Van Camp, who had three sons, the others being Joseph and James. James enlisted in the Union army and served in the Civil War and was killed in battle at Nashville, Tennessee. Joseph still lives near the Little Cedar creek in this county. He was married when quite young. John was educated in the district schools of this county, after which he returned to his father's farm and assisted in the management of the farm until he married. After his marriage he acquired land of his own on which he located. He has by his native thrift and energy acquired a splendid farm of one hundred and fifty acres, upon which he still lives. His wife died in February, 1909. John Van Camp has inherited a great deal of the stamina that marked his hardy forefathers and has always been active in the affairs of this community. His father was one of the first settlers in this part of the country. Franklin county owes much to the fine type of her early settlers, none of whom stood higher than Bartholomew, father of John Van Camp.
Freeman Van Camp, son of John Van Camp, was educated in the com- mon schools of this county. Wishing to equip himself with the greatest amount of practical business knowledge possible, he entered a correspond- ence course of bookkeeping and business training with a correspondence school at Springfield, Massachusetts, from which he received his diploma. He continued to farm while studying and is regarded as a very practical farmer, applying his business training to the management of the farm. He was married on August 16. 1908, to Mary Davis, the daughter of Joseph Davis of this county.
Mr. Van Camp shares with his father's heirs in the possession of one hundred and eighty acres which is devoted to general farming. His brother William lives with him and assists in the management of the farm. His only sister, Lillian, lives with her father in Brookville township.
Freeman Van Camp has inherited many of the characteristic traits of the Van Camps, notable among which are energy and industry. Mr.
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Van Camp never believes in being satisfied with what is done. He always tries to do a little better the next time and improve over what has been done. He is a man of broad understanding and stands high in the estima- tion of all those who know him.
GEORGE W. HUNSINGER.
One of the very successful farmers of Franklin county, Indiana, who has succeeded almost wholly as a result of his own courage, good manage- ment and industry, is George W. Hunsinger, who has given a considerable portion of his time to movements of a public nature, and is well known in the community where he lives. He is enterprising, progressive and open- minded. His genial disposition has won him a large circle of friends who admire him for his many good qualities of head and heart.
George W. Hunsinger was born in Wapello county, Iowa, on Feb- ruary 25, 1857, the eldest son of Peter and Elizabeth (Maxwell) Hunsinger. Peter Hunsinger was born in Germany, February 5, 1836, and came to this country with his parents when he was ten years of age. On November 5, 1855, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Maxwell, to which union there were born seven children, two of whom preceded him in death. Peter Hunsinger is remembered in this county as a splendid business man and large landholder, well known for his honest and charitable nature.
George W. Hunsinger came with his parents to Franklin county, Indiana, in 1858. They located on a farm in Laurel township, and here George W. received his early training in the science of farming. He received his edu- cation in the district schools of his home neighborhood, and early in life began farming, remaining on the home farm until 1886, when he moved to Laurel, and engaged in public business. He later moved to Milroy, Indiana, where he lived on a farm for two years, afterwards returning to the old home place of one hundred and fifty-four acres. He operated this place until 1911, when he engaged in the sawmill business, and in 1912 he also engaged in the hotel business, dividing his time between the sawmill, the hotel and his farm, where he makes a specialty of raising high-grade stock.
George W. Hunsinger was married in 1879 to Lydia Dice, who was born April 16, 1858, the daughter of Augustus and Christina (Shide) Dice, both of whom were natives of Germany. Mrs. Dice came to America when about twelve years of age, with her parents, who located in Cincin-
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nati, and both of whom died in that city. The trip across the ocean required one hundred and twenty days. Mrs. Hunsinger's mother was twice married. By her first marriage to Peter Kline she had two sons, Conrad and Peter Kline, both of whom served as soldiers in the Union army during the Civil War and both of whom still are living. To her union with Augustus Dice eight children were born, William, Frank, Augustus, Henry, Anna, Lydia, Margaret and Emily.
Mrs. Hunsinger's father was killed at the age of fifty years, while living in Laurel township, Franklin county. He came to America alone as a young man, first locating in Cincinnati. He was a farmer at this time. He married in Cincinnati and then moved to Laurel township, Franklin county, about 1858, and purchased a farm of eighty acres. His family were members of the Methodist church. His son, William Dice, was a soldier in the Civil War, and suffered cruelly from the exposure during his service in the war. To George and Lydia (Dice) Hunsinger seven children have been born, Cora, Jacob, Lily, Peter, William, Elizabeth and Ray. The Hunsinger family is prominent in Franklin county, and devoted to the best interests of the community where they live. The members of the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
THOMAS APPLETON.
A great many of the first settlers who crossed the Allegheny mountains came to Ohio and settled, a number of these stopping in Butler county, Ohio, and engaging in farming. Many of those who remained in Butler county later moved to Franklin county, Indiana, and a number of the descendants of the settlers of Butler county, Ohio, moved to this county also. Among those who settled in Butler county, Ohio, and later moved to Franklin county, Indiana, was the Appleton family, of which Thomas O. Appleton, of Springfield township, is a worthy representative of the present generation.
Thomas O. Appleton was born in Springfield township, Franklin county, Indiana, January 6, 1874. His father was James Appleton, who was also born in Springfield township, and his mother's maiden name was Mary A. Walling. Thomas O. Appleton has been a farmer in this com- munity for a great many years and always has been regarded as one of the foremost residents of this community.
James Appleton, the father of Thomas Appleton, was born in Spring-
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field township, this county, and worked on his father's farm for a few years, at the same time attending the school which was then known as Frog-pond school. He devoted almost his entire life to farming and was very active during his lifetime. He died when Thomas Appleton was but three months old. His wife died July 3, 1913. In his life Mr. Appleton owned the farm now occupied by William W. Appleton in Springfield town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Appleton were members of the Presbyterian church, of which they were very devoted members. They had but one son, Thomas. After the death of his father, Mr. Appleton's mother married A. R. Bid- dinger and they reside at Mt. Carmel, Indiana.
Thomas Appleton, the grandfather of Thomas O. Appleton, was a native of Butler county, Ohio, where he was born October 14, 1824, his father having been one of the very earliest settlers in that part of the state. He attended the schools of Butler county, later moving to Franklin county, Indiana. Here he acquired about five hundred acres of land, all heavily tim- bered. In politics he was a Democrat and took an active part in the councils of that party. He was honored by the Democratic party by being elected county commissioner and township trustee and also held other offices. He was a member of the Methodist church and was very active in its work. He died July 27, 1914, having survived his wife about nine years. Thomas Appleton was the son of Amos Appleton, who came to Ohio at a very early date and settled in Butler county. Amos Appleton married Sarah Grant and, besides Thomas, there were three children: William, Abbie and Gosian. All of the children of Amos and Sarah (Grant) Appleton are now dead.
Thomas O. Appleton attended the schools of this county and later entered Hanover College, where he studied for two years, leaving there in 1892. While at college he achieved a reputation as leader of the college athletics. He played half-back on the football team and was prominent in all of the sports of the school. He was especially interested in literature and joined most of the literary societies during his college days and is still active in the literary societies of Franklin county. He was married on De- cember 4, 1893, to Ettie V. Hamilton, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Jane) Hamilton. Mr. Appleton is the owner of eighty acres of excellent farm land which he devotes to general farming and specializes in Poland-China hogs, which he raised on a large scale until recently. Mr. Appleton erected all of the buildings which are now on his farm, which is a model of conven- ience, everything being well arranged to harmonize with modern ideas.
In its various branches the Appleton family is well represented in Franklin county, and all are people of the highest attainment, Thomas Appleton and wife being leaders in the circle in which they move.
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LEWIS BRACK.
Although denied the advantage of an extensive education, such as many of our youth of today enjoy, Lewis Brack, like many others who have been deprived of the advantages of a liberal education, has by means of thrift and natural intelligence forged ahead and become a substantial citizen and an owner of extensive land holdings. His life has been one of vigorous work, starting in at the age of twelve years, when he assisted in clearing up the farm of undergrowth, until the present day, still taking a part in the active affairs of life.
Lewis Brack was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 28, 1859, the son of Lewis and Catherine (Hartley) Brack, both natives of Germany, the former of whom was born in Hesse-Darmstadt and the latter at Reinlab. They emigrated to this country, where they met and were married. To this union were born six children, Lewis, Conrad, Kate, William, Christian and Margaret. Lewis Brack, Sr., was the only one of his father's family who came to America, locating in Cincinnati, where he worked at brick mak- ing, which was a very flourishing industry at that time. Among the struc- tures for which he made the brick is the Peppertown Hotel. He later moved to Peppertown, where he engaged in the business of farming, which occupa- tion he followed until his death, and at which time he was the owner of eighty acres. His wife also died at Peppertown. He and his family were of the Lutheran faith, of which church they were very stanch members.
The maternal grandparents of Lewis Brack, Nicholas Hartley and wife, were natives of Germany, the latter of whom died in her native land. Two. of the sons came to America, one of whom located in Cincinnati, where he was later joined by their father and three sisters. Any knowledge of the other son has been lost.
Lewis Brack at the age of twelve began to assist his father in clearing his land, and this training inured him to the hardships of early farming and prepared him for the vigorous career that followed. He remained on the home place, assisting in its development until he reached the age of twenty- five years. After leaving his father's farm in 1889 he purchased eighty acres in Bath township. Later, or in 1909, he bought one hundred and ninety-eight acres in Bath township, where he now resides. This place is noted for its excellent barns and equipment and is well improved in every way. Mr. Brack is noted as an extensive breeder of all kinds of live stock, particularly cattle, mules and hogs. He is also engaged extensively in the production of corn and wheat.
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At the age of twenty-five years Mr. Brack was married to Emma Grim- mie, of Clemme Corners, this county, and to this union have been born Anna, Henry, Elmer and Oscar, the first named and the latter of whom are still at home.
Mr. Brack and his wife are loyal and earnest members of the Lutheran church, while his children are all adherents of the same church. He votes the Democratic ticket, although he never has taken an active part in politics.
WILLIAM ANSPACH.
Among the many persons of German nativity who came to the shores of America to participate in the larger opportunities afforded in this country, were the ancestors of William Anspach, a popular and widely known citizen of Franklin county.
William Anspach was born in Shiffard, Ohio, August 30, 1855, the son of William and Philipina (Schinkal) Anspach, both of whom were natives of Germany, and to whom were born thirteen children, Minnie, Mary, Wil -. liam, Molly, Flora, Lena, Charles and six others who died when young.
The paternal grandparents of William Anspach were natives of Ger- many, where the paternal grandfather followed the vocation of tanner. His maternal grandparents also were natives of Germany and were engaged in farming in that country.
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