USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 135
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Henry Schmidt was educated in the common schools and spent five years at St. Xavier's College in Cincinnati, Ohio, preparing for the priesthood. He gave that up, and on August 23, 1881, was married to Theresa Heidlage, the daughter of John B. and Elizabeth (Stallo) Heidlage, who lived in Franklin county and reared a large family, their children being Francis, Clement, John, Henry, Frank, Theresa, Fredericka, Theodore and Josephine.
Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt have no children. Until last year Mr. Schmidt owned one hundred and twenty acres of land in Ray township, Franklin county, but is now living a retired life in Oldenburg, where he owns five lots in addition to his home. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers and Mer- chants Bank of Oldenburg.
Gerhardt Schmidt, the father of Henry, married the widow of Herman Henry Moorman, who had three children by her first marriage, Theodore, Charles and Caroline. The maiden name of Mrs. Gerhardt Schmidt was Catherine Vonderheide. She was born September 18, 1814, and died Au- gust 2, 1897.
John Henry Schmidt, the grandfather of Henry Schmidt, was a native of Germany, born in Hanover and died in April, 1862, at the age of seventy- three. He married Gertrude Billenkamp and to them were born four chil- dren: Bernard, who died in young manhood; Gerhardt, the father of our subject; Henry, who died at the age of fifteen, and Gertrude, deceased, who was the wife of John H. Wesling. John H. Schmidt came to America with his family in 1834, landing at Baltimore, from which place he came to Cin- cinnati, where he resided for three years. Finally he settled in Ripley county, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a devoted member of the Catholic church and a farmer.
After having been educated in his native land, Gerhardt Schmidt, the father of Henry, came to Franklin county in 1847. He had three children, Joseph, Henry and Anna. Of these children all are living except Joseph, who lives in Oldenburg, and Anna, who lives at Covington, Kentucky. Gerhardt Schmidt was a devoted member of the Catholic church. He owned one hun- dred and twenty acres of land in Franklin county in Ray township.
Earlier in life Henry Schmidt was active in political affairs, having served two terms as trustee of Ray township, the first from 1886 to 1890 and the other from 1901 to 1905. In this capacity he discharged his duties faith- fully and well and to the universal satisfaction of the people of that township.
Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt are loyal members of the Catholic church at Old- enburg. They are deeply interested in its welfare and are substantial con-
.
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tributors to the support of this faith. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt are much be- loved citizens of Oldenburg and Franklin county, where they are well and favorably known by almost everybody.
JOHN PISTNER.
John Pistner, an enterprising and successful farmer of Butler township, Franklin county, Indiana, enjoys the distinction of owning and operating the same farm his father and grandfather before him owned.
Mr. Pistner was born in Butler township, Franklin county, October 31, 1866, the son of Joseph and Catherine (Rudolf) Pistner, the former born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the latter a native of Germany, the daughter of George Rudolf, a native of Alsace.
The paternal grandfather of John Pistner was Conrad Pistner, who was born in Germany, and who brought his family to America. After his arrival in this country, Conrad Pistner lived for a time in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and from there came west to Ripley county, Indiana, and later moved to Franklin county, locating in Butler township, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres, on which he lived the remainder of his life. This farm later was owned by his son, Joseph, and still later by Joseph's son, John, with whom this narrative deals. Conrad Pistner was a Democrat in politics, and a devout member of the Catholic church.
Joseph Pistner was educated in the common schools and was always a farmer. He bought forty acres adjoining the farm which his father owned, which made a total of one hundred and twenty acres. His death occurred in 1889, at the age of fifty-five years. Joseph Pistner and wife were the par- ents of the following children: Mary, Joseph (deceased), John, Frances, Anthony, Carrie, Elizabeth, Anna, Harry, Clara. Of these children, Carrie is one of the sisters at the convent in Oldenburg, Indiana. Elizabeth became the wife of George Albauch, and lives in Minnesota. Anna is also living in Minnesota. Frances lives at Hamilton, Ohio, and is the wife of Stephen Bruner. The remainder of the children are single, Mary and Clara living on the old home place, where they keep house for their brother John, the subject of this sketch.
John Pistner received his education in the common schools of his home township, and was reared to the life of a farmer. He purchased the old homestead in 1895, and is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good farming land, on which he carries on a diversified system of farming
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and stock raising, making a specialty of Holstein cattle and Poland China hogs, as well as being a well-known breeder of fine horses. He lately has added to his stud the fine Percheron stallion "Perch," No. 75363, registered with the Percheron Society of America, with a view to improving the strain of the horses thereabout.
Mr. Pistner is a Democrat, but has never taken an active part in political matters, preferring to devote his time and attention to his farming interests. He is a member of the Catholic church at Oldenburg and a devout and faith- ful adherent of this faith. Mr. Pistner is highly respected in the community where he lives, and enjoys the esteem of all who know him. He consistently takes a worthy part in all public enterprises having for their object the better- ment of his community.
JOHN B. GEHRING.
The land of the old homestead always has a fascination for those who have lived upon it that no other could have, so it is not cause for wonder that so many sons should choose to till the acres which belonged to their fathers and grandfathers before them. Especially is this true when the land is fertile, easily tilled, and offers a real opportunity to one who has energy and ambi- tion.
This was the case with John B. Gehring, who was born on the Ray town- ship homestead, on the outskirts of Oldenburg, on June 24, 1869, the son of William Gehring and Magdalena (Koch) Gehring, the former of whom was born in Germany in 1829, and died August 1, 1895, and the latter of whom died in 1883 at the age of thirty-eight. She was the daughter of Bernard Koch, who was a German Catholic, and who came to America and plied the shoemaker's trade. John B. Gehring is one of a family of nine children, the others being Elizabeth, Bernard (deceased), Frank (deceased), Veronica, Ida, William, Jr., Clara and Edward.
The paternal grandfather of John Gehring was Beatus Gehring, who was born in Baden, Germany, where he plied the brickmaker's trade. In 1852 he came to America and located in Cincinnati, where he worked at his trade for three years, then came to Ripley county, Indiana, where he remained for a short time and then went to Millhousen, Decatur county, Indiana, for a two- years' stay. Upon leaving there he came to Franklin county, where he passed the rest of his life. Here he bought the eighty acres of land which has been owned by members of the family ever since. He also established a brick fac-
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tory at Oldenburg. Beatus Gehring was a Catholic and was the father of seven children, William, Dominick, Lawrence, Joseph, Julia, Mary and Cath- arine. These children are all now dead.
Of the children mentioned immediately above, William, the father of the subject of this sketch, was educated in Germany and came to America at the age of twenty-one. He was a farmer and brickmaker and at the time of his death owned the eighty acres which had belonged to his father.
By training and inclination he became a farmer and brickmaker, as was his father before him, and he cultivated the eighty acres which had belonged to
John B. Gehring was educated in the common schools of Oldenburg. his father and grandfather, gradually increasing the eighty to one hundred and twenty. Mr. Gehring discontinued his brickmaking business five years ago. Mr. Gehring also does some dairying.
On May 22, 1901, Mr. Gehring married Ida Borchelt, who is the daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Muskerheide) Borchelt, and to this union five chil- dren have been born, Cleopha, Normanda, Mary, Martha and Edwina.
A member of the Catholic church, Mr. Gehring has a wide-spread repu- tation for veracity and stability, gained as a result of a life of consistent effort and painstaking application. Feeling that his support is of value when any vital issue is at stake, Mr. Gehring does not commit himself hastily to any propaganda without giving it just and thorough consideration.
W. W. JACKSON.
To England we owe much for our present state of society, both mate- rially and intellectually. Our laws in many instances are shaped after the code of England and many of our institutions have had their inspiration from English precedents. The early settlers in this country who came from England left an indelible imprint on the destinies of this country that have been of the greatest benefit. The fine example of the New England pilgrims has ever been pointed out to our school children as a fine example of heroic courage and self-sacrifice. While many of the citizens of Franklin county, Indiana, are of English descent by many generations removed, there are some who are of more recent connection with the "tight little, right little isle." Among these is William W. Jackson, of Metamora township, Franklin county, who is the son of a native of England who came to this country and settled in Franklin county.
William W. Jackson was born in Metamora township, Franklin county,
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Indiana, in 1867. His parents were Robert P. and Mary J. (Clark) Jack- son, his father having been born in England. William W. Jackson was one of the following children born to Robert P. and Mary J. Jackson: James R., John T., William W., George W., Lettie M., Marcus E., Hettie L., Mary J. (deceased), Charles W., Clarence A. and Ella F.
Robert P. Jackson, father of William W. Jackson, was born in England in 1840 and died in this county, June 14, 1909. He was the son of Robert and Phoebe (Watson) Jackson. His parents came to this country with their three children, he at that time being quite young. The family settled in Iowa after coming to this country, and later moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where the elder Jackson embarked in the grocery business. After living in Cincinnati for a time they moved to Metamora township in Franklin county, Indiana. Robert P. Jackson was one of six children, William, Robert, Martha, Mary, James and Joseph. The elder Jackson was one of the most active members of the Christian church in Franklin county during his residence here. He at various times acted as preacher in the local church and was revered by all for his splendid character. Robert P. Jackson, Jr., attended the common schools of Metamora township and being of a studious nature, made the most of the limited school facilities of that day. After his graduation he became a school teacher, which important vocation he followed for thirty-three years. During his spare moments and vacations he worked on the farm and soon acquired a farm of his own in Metamora township. He married Mary J. Clark, a daugh- ter of John and Sussanah Clark. Robert P. Jackson and family also were strict adherents of the Christian church, of which church his father was a prominent leader. Robert P. Jackson was an active member in the councils of the Democratic party in this county and was a firm believer in the principles of that party. His fraternal affiliations were with the Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he was locally prominent. During his residence here Mr. Jackson was highly esteemed for his many admirable qualities.
William W. Jackson, the son of Robert E. Jackson, received his educa- tion in the schools of Metamora township, attending the Union schoolhouse. When he reached the state of manhood he engaged in farming, occupying a farm south of Metamora. He moved to his present farm on March 5, 1914. He rents the farm he now occupies but is the owner of another farm in Meta- mora township which consists of eighty acres. He devotes his farm to gen- eral production and is engaged to a limited extent in live stock raising.
On March 25, 1894, Mr. Jackson was married to Catherine Bunyard, a daughter of John and Miriam (Pelsor) Bunyard. Catherine Bunyard was one of seven children in her family, the others being Clayborne, Hamlin (de- ceased), Mary, Millard, Ethel and Blanche.
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To William E. and Catherine (Bunyard) Jackson one child has been born whom they named Roxa, born January 1, 1895, who remains at home. Mr. Jackson and family are members of the Christian church. Mr. Jackson is a Democrat in politics. He is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his wife and daughters are members of the aux- iliary lodge of the same, the Daughters of Rebekah. The Jackson family are popular in their neighborhood and are active in the social affairs of the community.
JOHN ANTHONY MEYER.
One of the youngest farmers of Butler township, Franklin county, Indiana, is John Anthony Meyer, who is now living on the farm where he was born. His parents were of German nativity and many years ago located in this county, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mr. Meyer has only started in his independent career, but such has been his success thus far that it is safe to predict a prosperous future for him. He is a wideawake young man. progressive in his ideas and is firmly convinced that the life of a farmer is the most enjoyable occupation in which a man can engage. He is a young man of high character and sterling ability, and is well esteemed in his com- munity, where he has spent his whole life thus far.
John A. Meyer, the son of John and Frances (Wehs) Meyer, was born on April 19, 1888, on his present farm in Butler township. His parents were born, reared and married in Germany, the father being a shepherd in his native land. Upon coming to America John Meyer, Sr., located at Cincinnati, Ohio, with his family, and while there worked in a foundry. A year later he brought his family to Franklin county and bought a farm of forty acres of land in Butler township, on which he lived until his death, April 20, 1908. His wife died January 5, 1907. They were members of the Catholic church at St. Marys, and deeply devoted to its welfare. John Meyer, Sr., and wife were the parents of eight children, Benjamin, Frank, Anna, Elizabeth (deceased), Henry, John A., Matilda and Marie. Benjamin is a farmer of Brookville township. He married Lena Boelling, and has four children, Albert, Eliza- beth, Arthur and Martha. Anna is the wife of Louis Blank, of Batesville, and has one son, Arnold. The other children, with the exception of John A., are still single. Frank is farming with his brother, John A., and makes his home with him, the brothers being in partnership on the farm.
John A. Meyer was given a good, common-school education and spent
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his boyhood days in the school room and doing such work as generally falls to the lot of the boy on the farm. In this way he mastered the rudiments of farming, and after his marriage in 1914 settled down on the old farm. He and his brother, Frank, farm together, the brothers having recently bought eighty acres adjoining the old home farm of forty acres, on which their father farmed. They are industrious and progressive young farmers, and are forg- ing to the front as successful tillers of the soil.
Mr. Meyer was married September 30, 1914, to Louisa Munchel, a daugh- ter of John and Mary (Ruh) Munchel, of Pipe Creek, Franklin county. The father of Mrs. Meyer is a substantial farmer and well known in his commu- nity. He and his family are members of the Catholic church.
The Democratic party has received the support of Mr. Meyer since he has been old enough to vote, but he has thus far not taken an active part in political matters. He and his wife are loyal members of the Catholic church at St. Marys and are deeply interested in its progress and welfare.
CHARLES AMBERGER.
Agriculture is the foundation of commerce, the agriculturist being the foundation of society. Therefore it is of the utmost importance that the na- tion's farms and farmers be of the highest quality and that every effort be made to maintain and improve this quality. The farms and tillers of the soil in Franklin county are indeed out of the ordinary in this respect, for it would be difficult to find a community where the ideals are higher.
A worthy representative of the Franklin county farmers is Charles Am- berger, who was born in Butler township on October 30, 1871, the son of Nicholas and Maggie (Joerg) Amberger, the former born in Germany and the latter a daughter of Paul Joerg, a former well-known Franklin county farmer and member of the Catholic church. Nicholas Amberger was brought to this country by his father when he was a small boy. The Ambergers came to Franklin county and located near St. Marys, where Nicholas now lives, and where he has farmed his entire life. He is a Democrat and a devoted ad- herent of the Catholic church.
Educated in the common schools at St. Marys, Charles Amberger early decided to become a tiller of the soil, and at the present time he owns ninety- seven acres of land about two miles southwest of St. Marys, which land is very fertile and is more level and unbroken than the surrounding land. Varied crops are cultivated. Part of the land was owned by Mr. Amberger before he
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married. After marriage he moved onto his land and has acquired the re- mainder since. In 1912 a commodious residence was built, and this, in con- junction with the neat appearance of the outbuildings and of the yard, renders the entire place one that reflects credit upon its owner and the neighborhood.
Seventeen years ago Mr. Amberger married Minnie Laker, the daughter of George and Catharine (Witte) Laker. One child, Aloysius, has been born to this union. Aloysius is now about seven years of age and lives at home.
Mr. Amberger and his wife are devout members of the Catholic church at St. Marys. Mr. Amberger is now serving the public as a member of the township advisory board. He is a hard-working man who has an enviable reputation for absolute honesty. He is slow to pronounce judgment upon any question of vital import, but he endeavors at all times to be fair and just.
JOHN MATHEWS.
Manhood is tested many times in many different ways. There is hardly a man who has reached a mature age, who has not been called on, at some time or other, to confront a situation which tested his manhood and courage to the limit. War is the greater maker of heroes, as the opportunities for heroic self-sacrifice is ever present on the battle field. The Civil War called to its standard the best manhood America had. The sons of the North and the sons of the South met in sanguinary conflict for more than four years. To the credit of the losers of this great struggle, let it be said they were worthy foemen. The victors of this well-earned victory returned amid the plaudits of their countrymen and again engaged in peaceful pursuits for "peace hath her victories no less renouned than war." Franklin county, Indiana, sent its quota of volunteers to the defense of its country and among the veterans of that great war now living in this county is John Matthews of Metamora township.
John Mathews was born December 21, 1843, in Metamora township, Franklin county, Indiana, the son of Samuel and Miriam (Sherwood) Mathews.
Samuel Mathews, the father, was born in New York state, the son of John and Phoebe (Pond) Mathews. When he was a small boy his parents left their native state of New York and moved to Indiana, where they located in Metamora township, in Franklin county. They settled on a farm where they lived for many years. The other children of John and Phoebe Mathews were Stephen, Vincent, Henry, James, Arvilla, Mary, Elizabeth and Emily.
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Samuel was educated in the public schools of Metamora township and also attended the Butler township schools. When he attained young manhood he began life as a farm laborer, working by the day. He was married twice, his first wife being Miriam Sherwood. Shortly after his marriage to Miss Sher- wood he purchased forty acres of land to which he moved. By this mar- riage he had the following children: John, Charlotta and Eliza Jane. After the death of his first wife he married Catherine Amack and to this marriage were born the following children: William, Stephen, David, Maria, Samuel, Catherine, Ella, Phoebe Ann, who died young; Elizabeth (deceased), and Belle. Samuel Mathews died January 5, 1885. He was an active man during his lifetime and was gifted with great energy. He was a devoted husband, a good father and revered by all his neighbors.
John Mathews was educated in the public schools of Metamora township. At the age of eighteen he answered his country's call for volunteers and on August 19, 1862, he enlisted in the Sixty-eighth Indiana Regiment Volunteer Infantry. On December 16, 1862, by order of the war department he was transferred to the Nineteenth United States Infantry, and served in Company A and then in Company C of that regiment. He participated in the battles of Munfordsville, Kentucky, Hover's Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buz- zard's Roost, Kenesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta and Jonesboro. He was never absent from active service during these engagements. During the battle of Chickamauga a shell burst directly over him, a fragment of which grazed his skull and rendered him insensible. His captain thought he was killed but in a short time he had regained his feet and again staggered into the battle in spite of orders to go to the rear. This was a deed of courage for which he was afterwards warmly commended by his superiors. He has never fully recovered from this injury and the shock received at that time. In 1865 he received his honorable discharge. This discharge was given him on Lookout Mountain, the place of a famous battle. Incorporated in this discharge was mention of his honorable and courageous service and valiant conduct on the field of battle. While in the battle of Munfordsville, Ken- tucky, he was taken prisoner, but was soon exchanged and returned to service.
After the close of the war, John Mathews returned to the home of his father, with whom he lived for six years. He married Evelyn Cooper, of Charlestown, Illinois, who was born December 20, 1847. Her parents were Jeremiah and Talitha (Hughlin) Cooper. Her father was born in North Carolina, was married three times and was the father of fifteen children and lived to be one hundred and eight years old.
To John and Evelyn (Cooper) Mathews were born: Elmer E., born in 1872, died in infancy ; Samuel, born in 1873, died in infancy ; James Monroe,
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born in 1874, died at the age of thirty-six. James M. was married twice, his first wife being Anna Jones, to which union were born two children-Myrtle Belle and Harold M. The second wife of James M. Mathews was Catherine Wybrew, to whom was born one child, Mary Marie. Oscar A., the fourth child of John Mathews, was born December 30, 1876; Flora (deceased), was born February, 1879, and married William Maley and had the following children : Roy, Blanche E. and Golda. Walter F., the sixth child of John Mathews, was born August 17, 1880, and married Amy Smith, to whom were born two children, Roland L. and Ralph.
John Mathews has owned the farm he now lives on, which consists of eighty acres in Metmora township, for nearly thirty years. Mr. Mathews has an interesting personality. He is beloved by all who know him. He loves to recount the stirring tales of the days when the boys in blue rushed into the fire of the enemy and he recalls vividly many stirring incidents of the great battles of the war. He remembers the minutest details of every battle in which he participated and delights to recall those stirring days which tested the hearts and courage of Columbia's sons and daughters. Mr. Mathews, it is needless to say, is very popular throughout Franklin county, where he is held in the highest regard by a vast number of friends.
His family tree shows several remarkable facts .. On January 3, 1915, was born William Loyd Hofer, a great-grandson of John Mathews and wife. He is a son of August and Myrtle B. (Mathews) Hofer. Myrtle B. is a daughter of James Monroe Mathews, a son of John Mathews. The great- grandchild has living three great-grandfathers and three great-grandmothers, and the other great-grandfather and great-grandmother died only recently, the ages of those living aggregating over four hundred years.
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