History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 136

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 136

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JAMES E. JACKSON.

The inhabitants of Franklin county in the main are descendants from the early settlers of this part of the state. However, some of the most promi- nent of the citizens of this county are of families which have been here for only a generation or two. While many of Franklin county's citizens are Americans of long descent, there is a good representation of other nationali- ties. The Germans are represented in goodly numbers. Of course, many of the inhabitants are descendants of early settlers who came to America from England before the revolution, but there are a number of other inhabitants of this county who are only one generation removed from persons who were

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born in England and who came to this county. The Jackson family, of whom James E. Jackson, of Salt Creek township, is a prominent member, had its origin in England, where his family was prominent.

James E. Jackson was born on April 3, 1866, in Lancashire, England. His parents were James and Hannah (Dearden) Jackson, who were the par- ents of the following children: Robert, born November 19, 1851, died No- vember 28, 1861; Jane Elizabeth, born October 16, 1856, died February 16, 1888; James E., born April 3, 1866; Anna M., born May 18, 1868, married John Bates.

James Jackson, father of James E. Jackson, came to America in 1855, and after staying in this country for a time he returned to his native land. He remained in England for fifteen years and again came to America. He came to Indiana and located in Franklin county, settling on the line between Metamora and Salt Creek townships. He purchased seventy acres of land there and subsequently acquired thirty acres in addition. He was married in 1849 to Hannah Dearden, who was born November 13, 1829, and died No- vember 13, 1908. She was the daughter of William and Tabitha Dearden. While in England James Jackson was a member of the English Baptist church . and in America identified himself with the Christian church. The Jackson family were always noted for their very high sense of honor and integrity, both in business and personal conduct.

James E. Jackson was educated in the public schools of Salt Creek town- ship in Franklin county, attending what was known as the Swartz school. When a young man he started farming and has continued in that calling throughout his life. He owns a farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres in Salt Creek and Metamora townships. He makes his residence on the farm in Laurel township and is extensively engaged in general farming, in connec- tion with which he gives considerable attention to the live stock industry.

On September 25, 1892, Mr. Jackson was united in marriage with Anna Mary Bates, who was born January 5, 1872, a daughter of Justus and Mary Magdalena Bates. The origin of the Bates family was in Germany, where the name was Becht. Anna Mary Bates was one of the following children : Anna, John, Louise, Catherine, Mary Ann, Jesse, Henry, Martha, William H., Emma, Thomas, Louis, Minnie and Cora.

To James E. and Anna Mary (Bates) Jackson have been born two chil- dren, Walter, born April 5, 1893, and Ruth, October 25, 1903. Mr. Jackson is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. He is a Democrat and takes an active interest in the affairs of that party in this com- munity. He has served as school director for twelve years, has served on the

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township advisory board for four years and was superintendent of free gravel roads for twelve years. Mr. Jackson is numbered among the leading citizens of the county and is highly regarded by all who know him. His family is prominent in the social sphere of that section of the county in which they re- side.

CONRAD BRACK.

Conrad Brack undoubtedly is recognized as one of the energetic and well-known farmers of Salt Creek township, Franklin county, Indiana. By his enterprising and progressive methods he has contributed materially to the agricultural advancement of the locality where he lives. He enjoys a distinctive prestige among the representative men of his community, a pres- tige which in every way is deserved by him.

Conrad Brack was born in Franklin county, Indiana, in 1860, on the Ioth day of November, and is a son of Louis and Katherine (Hartley ) Brack, both of whom were natives of Germany, who came to Cincinnati before their marriage. They were married in that city, and afterward located near St. Marys, where the senior Brack bought forty acres of land that was partly cleared. He remained here about six years and then moved to Pipe Creek, in Butler township, where he owned and operated eighty acres of land, and where he died in 1880, his widow surviving him until 1889. They were the parents of six children: Louis, who lives in Bath township; Conrad, the immediate subject of this sketch; William, who lives at Frankfort, Indiana; Katherine, deceased; Christopher, of Batesville, and Margaret, of Hunters- ville.

The maternal grandfather of Conrad Brack was Valentine Hartley, who came to America from Germany, locating at Taylors Creek, Ohio, twelve miles this side of Cincinnati, where his death occurred.

Conrad Brack, as well as his brothers and sisters, was educated in the Clay Fork school, in Butler township, and after leaving school, took up the occupation of farming, which vocation he has always followed. In 1880 he bought the farm of two hundred and forty acres, where he now lives, in the southern part of Salt Creek township, and has erected upon it excellent build- ings. Mr. Brack makes a specialty of raising high-grade stock.

Conrad Brack was married November 8, 1888, to Amelia Grimme, a sister of Henry Grimme, who is referred to elsewhere in this volume. To this union two children have ben born, Albert and Ferdinand. Albert mar-

MR. AND MRS. CONRAD BRACK.

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ried Minnie Stirn and has a daughter, Norma. Ferdinand married Mattie Witkamper and lives in Salt Creek township.

The Brack family are devoted members of the Lutheran church and con- tribute liberally of their time and means to its support. Mr. Brack is identi- fied with the Republican party, but has not given much attention to political matters, preferring to devote his time to his agricultural interests. By pa- ient toil Mr. Brack has acquired a substantial competence in life, and is known in the community where he lives as a successful manager and a wise farmer. While he is unassuming and modest in manner, he has been known to be a man of strong convictions, a man not easily swayed by passing fancies, and is in every sense a representative farmer of Franklin county, who, with his good wife, is held in the highest regard by all who know him, the community in which they live freely according to them a distinctive place as among the foremost of those who are devoted to the neighborhood welfare in all its phases.

FRANCIS M. RUSSELL.

No farmer in Springfield township, Franklin county, is better known in the county than Francis M. Russell, who is an enterprising and progres- sive citizen, popular in the community and devoted to all worthy public move- ments.

Mr. Russell was born in the township one and one-half miles south of Palestine, December 28, 1861. He is a son of David and Hannah (Seal) Russell, the former a native of Tennessee, born in 1802, and the latter a na- tive of Franklin county, born in 1815, a daughter of James Seal, a pioneer of Franklin county. David Russell came to Franklin county in 1804 with his mother, Nancy Russell, and his father's father, his father having died in Ten- nessee. They settled near the Baptist church on Little Cedar, and near here the grandfather died. The grandmother died in Whitewater township.

David Russell was educated in the public schools of Brookville township and after leaving school worked in a still house owned by James Seal. He also was a farmer and owned land in Springfield township, where his death occurred January 14, 1881, his widow surviving him until 1894. They were the parents of fourteen children, James, Caroline, John, Joseph, Martha, Mary, William, David, Isabel, Jonathan, Enoch, Charles, Robert and Francis M., the immediate subject of this review.

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Francis M. Russell was educated in the public schools of Springfield town- ship, and lived on the old home farm. Most of his education was received in District No. I, of Springfield township. He is a farmer and also a car- penter by trade. In 1885 he came to Laurel township and settled on the old Williams farm, and with the exception of seven years, which he spent in Indianapolis, he has lived on this farm continuously since that time. He worked as a contractor two years, and worked at his trade for two years with Frank Meid, the firm name. being Meid & Russell. Mr. Russell is the owner of sixty acres of land within one mile of Laurel.

Mr. Russell has been twice married, his first wife having been Mollie Williams, a daughter of Milton Williams, who was a son of Weden Williams, whose history is given elsewhere in this volume. One child born to this union died in infancy, and Mrs. Russell died in 1889. In 1897 Mr. Russell married, secondly, Anna Meid, of Laurel township, a daughter of Christian and Sophia Meid. Mrs. Russell's father died in 1912, while his widow is still living in Laurel township. One child was born to Mr. Russell's second marriage, a son, Bayard, born May 28, 1898.

Mr. Russell is a Democrat, and has always been active in the councils of his party. He served as township trustee ten months by appointment and dis- charged his duties in a manner satisfactorily to all the citizens of the town- ship. Fraternally, Mr. Russell is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

JOHN W. STIRN.

One of the most prominent agriculturists and stock raisers in Franklin county is John W. Stirn, who has prospered in his vocation and at the same time has found time and opportunity to assist in the material and civic devel- opments of the county where he lives.

John W. Stirn was born on the old homestead in Salt Creek township, Franklin county, Indiana, December II, 1872, the son of Henry and Martha (Romer) Stirn, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume.

John W. Stirn was reared on the homestead farm and educated in the public schools. He is now located on a farm belonging to David Hawkins, where he has lived for fourteen years. This farm comprises five hundred and twenty acres and requires twelve horses to carry on the work. Mr. Stirn is an up-to-date farmer and an extensive stock raiser. His success is eminently proved by the long period during which he has remained on the present farm.

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Mr. Stirn also does a large business in threshing, shredding and hulling clover seed.

Mr. Stirn was married to Rose Huddleston, of Franklin county, the daughter of John and Nancy Huddleston, of Salt Creek township. Her father is deceased while her mother is still living, at the age of seventy. Mr. Hud- dleston and wife were the parents of five children, Ella, Grace, Bertha, Harry and Ersel, deceased. Mr. Huddleston was a farmer and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

To John W. and Rose (Huddleston) Stirn five children, all living, have been born, Earl, Roy, Arnold, Florence and Norma.

Mr. Stirn is still a comparatively young man and has a splendid promise for the future. He is a representative farmer in every respect and popular in the community where he lives.

GEORGE W. KRAUS.

We are but following the dictates of a natural desire when we undertake to honor those to whom honor is due. There is no better way of judging of the work of our fellow man than to take the chronicles of his daily life and, setting them before us in their entirety, to discern the traits and abilities which have been the deciding factors in building the moral and mental structure of the successful man. At no time is this more true than when taking into consid- eration those elements which have gone into the make-up of those around us, because we are enabled to study the finished product at first hand and from him gain an inspiration and a knowledge how to better ourselves.

One of those men who, invariably, by their example better those around them is George W. Kraus, who was born at New Trenton, Indiana, in 1871, a worthy descendant of William and Christina Kraus, both of whom were natives of Germany. William Kraus, when still a young man and un- married, came to America and, locating in this county, near New Trenton, cul- tivated a small farm there, at the same time making shoes, a trade which he probably learned in Germany. Besides operating his farm of seven and one-half acres on the edge of the village of New Trenton, he owned a house in New Trenton. He died January 16, 1882. He crossed the ocean three times, each time in a sailing vessel, one trip taking nine weeks to make the passage. His wife, Christina Luhrman, came to America with her sister, the latter residing in Cincinnati.

To the union of William and Christina Kraus were born eight children,

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William, Charles, Henry, Maggie, Mary, George, Ephraim and John, and it is to George that this sketch is devoted. His brother, William, was born January 17, 1861, at New Trenton, Indiana, received his education in the schools of New Trenton, and in 1898 married Maggie Paul, to which union were born four children, Annetta, Elza, Christina and Floyd. William Kraus and family are members of the Methodist church and active in the various phases of church work.

George W. Kraus was educated in the schools at New Trenton. With rare foresight he engaged in farming while still a young man. He purchased the farm on which he is now located on July 6, 1902. The farm then con- sisted of two hundred and twenty-four acres, to which he has since added twenty acres. Since the original purchase of the farm an excellent barn has been built, as well as a tenant house, and the place is well improved in every respect. Mr. Kraus devotes his time and attention to general farming and stock raising, although it may be said that he specializes in the raising of truck, and has been very successful. He also raises tobacco.

Mr. Kraus was married in 1894 to Anna Blackburn, and they are rearing an interesting family of seven children: Antha, Marie, Kenneth, William, Curtis, Margaret and Alfred. The family have long been identified with. the Methodist church and are prominent participants in all its various activ- ities.

Mr. Kraus has never taken an active part in politics, but being friendly and well liked, he is highly esteemed by all his neighbors and is a man in whom the utmost confidence can be reposed.

HENRY STIRN.

Among the successful German farmers of Franklin county, who have contributed so much to the development of agriculture in this favored section of the state of Indiana, the name of Henry Stirn occupies a conspicuous place. Mr. Stirn has succeeded in life as a consequence largely of his own personal efforts, his industry, his frugality and his careful and wise manage- ment covering a long period of years.

Henry Stirn was born February I, 1839, at Wittenburg, Crispenhofen, Kunselsau, Germany, the son of Michael and Eva (Romig) Stirn, natives of Germany, the former of whom was born April 16, 1806, and the latter on No- vember 11, 1816. They came to America, locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 22, 1852, and on October 23, 1853, came to Franklin county, settling in Salt

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Creek township, where Michael Stirn purchased forty acres of land. This land was later sold and Mr. Stirn bought one hundred and sixty acres, where Henry Stirn now lives. Michael Stirn died on this farm in May, 1884, and his wife died in April, 1869. He was a member of the Lutheran church and was a Democrat. To Mr. and Mrs. Michael Stirn six children were born, Henry and Andrew, who were born in Germany and the latter of whom is now deceased, and Rosina, Louis, Christina and George, all born in Franklin county, the two latter dying in infancy.

Henry Stirn was educated in Germany and was thirteen years old when brought to Cincinnati with his parents. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres in Salt Creek township which his father formerly owned.

Henry Stirn was married in 1872 to Anna Martha Romer, who was born in Germany, September 27, 1851. Her father and mother both died in Germany, and she came to America with the father of John Romer, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Stirn died in 1884. To Henry and Anna Martha (Romer) Stirn were born seven children, John W., William, George Henry, Anna, Louis Frederick, Frederick George and Martha Eliza- beth.

Of these children, John W. was born December II, 1872, and married Rosa Huddleston, of Franklin county. He is a farmer living in Salt Creek township, this county. They are the parents of five children, Earl, Roy, Arnold, Florence and Norma. William, born May 5, 1874, married Augusta Pepper and is also a farmer in Salt Creek township. They have two chil- dren, Allen and Caroline. George Henry, born January 22, 1876, married Anna Becker and is a farmer in Metamora township. Anna, born March 23, 1877, is the wife of Louis Schunneman, a farmer of Salt Creek township, and has six children, Goldie, Martha (deceased), Lottie, Thelma, Paul and Helen. Louis Frederick, born March 16, 1879, married Anna Stirn and is a farmer in Salt Creek township. Frederick George, born December 7, 1880, married Catherine Wesling, February 8, 1910. She is the daughter of Barney and Catherine (Herbert) Wesling, of Salt Creek township. They are the parents of two children, Leonard Woodrow and Dorothy May. Martha Elizabeth, born February 4, 1883, married Henry Sumann, a farmer of Rush county, and has three children, Freda, Franklin and Walter.

Mr. Stirn is a devoted member of the Lutheran church and has always been a Democrat. While he has never been active in the councils of that party to the point of seeking office, yet he is a devoted adherent of the prin- ciples announced by Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Stirn is well and favorably known in the community where he lives.

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JOHN REIDENBACH.

The best history of a community is the one which deals with the lives and activities of its people and especially those who by their own endeavor have forged to the front and placed themselves where they deserve the title of progressive men. Franklin county has an unusually large number of citi- zens of German descent and without exception they have become leaders in whatever profession they have chosen in which to direct their energies. John Reidenbach is one of the sterling representatives of the farmers of his county and has all of those marked characteristics which dominate the people of German birth. He keeps in close touch with all of the latest advances in agri- culture and his farm shows that he keeps well abreast of modern agricultural methods.

John Reidenbach, the son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Miller) Reiden- bach, was born in Brookville township, August 10, 1857. His parents were both born in Germany, his father in 1815 and his mother in 1825. They reared a family of seven children, Jacob, Frederick, Caroline, Thomas, John, William and Bena. Of these children the first three mentioned are deceased. Elizabeth (Miller) Reidenbach was the daughter of Jacob and Mary Miller, natives of Germany who came to Franklin county from Pennsylvania, where they married.

Nicholas Reidenbach came to Franklin county, Indiana, from Germany before his marriage and later located in Brookville township. He married in Brookville township and settled on the farm which his son now owns. He died in 1898 and his wife passed away two years previously.

John Reidenbach was reared on the paternal farm in Brookville town- ship and has made this township his lifelong residence. He was given a good elementary education and during his boyhood days learned to do all of those things which are necessary for a farmer lad to do. In this way he ac- quired an intimate knowledge of the various duties connected with farming and his farm of today is sufficient proof that he had applied these principles in a satisfactory manner. By dividing his attention between grain and stock raising he has accumulated a comfortable competency for himself and family. He owns one hundred and one acres of land on which he has placed many improvements, while by a scientific system of crop rotation he manages to keep his soil at the highest state of productivity.

John Reidenbach was married in 1885 to Mary Lohrey. She was born in Brookville township in 1864, the daughter of Ernest and Kate (Baumann) Lohrey, early settlers of Franklin county. Her father died in 1914 and her

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mother is living in Brookville township. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, Mrs. Reidenbach, Carrie (deceased), George, Thomas (deceased), William, Barbara, John and Adam. Mrs. Reidenbach's material grandparents were Adam and Barbara (Reis) Baumann, natives of Germany, where they married. They came to Cincinnati, thence to Highland township, Franklin county, thence to Brookville township, where they died. Mrs. Reidenbach's paternal grandparents were John and Kundel Lohrey, both natives of Germany who came to Brookville township where they died.

Eight children, all of whom are living, have been born to John and Mary (Lohrey) Reidenbach, Elizabeth, William, Jacob, Caroline, George, Fred- erick, Edward and Kate. Elizabeth married George Stang and they are the parents of three children, Mabel, Harry and Elmer John, deceased.

Mr. Reidenbach and his family are members of the Lutheran church and are interested in everything which pertains to its advancement. In poli- tics, he has always supported the Republican ticket but has never felt inclined to become active in the councils of his party. Mr. Reidenbach is a man of quiet manner, genial in disposition and has so conducted himself and his affairs as to merit the high esteem in which he is held.

QUIREN WALLPE.

Quiren Wallpe has long been one of the most active as well as one of the leading citizens connected with the agricultural and stock-raising inter- ests in Butler township, Franklin county, Indiana. His labors have been an important force in promoting the best interests of this favored agricul- tural region. For many years he has carried on general farming and has gradually improved his place and at the same time he has not neglected the opportunity to assist in the material and civic development of his town- ship and county.

Quiren Wallpe was born November 30, 1860, in Butler township, Franklin county, the son of John and Bridget (Funch) Wallpe. John Wallpe came to America from Germany while still single and for many years he was a stone mason in Butler township. Mrs. Wallpe died in Sep- tember, 1914, at the age of eighty-three. Besides being a stone mason, John Wallpe was also a farmer and owned eighty acres of land in Butler township. He was drafted for service during the Civil War, but sent a substitute. He and his family were members of the St. Marys Catholic church. Mr. and Mrs. Wallpe were the parents of the following chil-

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dren: Margaret (deceased), Valentine, Bridget, John, Michael, Quiren, Jacob, Joseph, Sophia, Mary (deceased), Mary and Anna.

Quiren Wallpe was educated in the common schools and has always been a farmer and owns one hundred and sixty acres of land. He and his wife are devoted to the interest of agriculture. Mr. Wallpe was mar- ried October 22, 1890, to Margaret Pulskamp, the daughter of Gerhart Pulskamp, a farmer of Highland township, Franklin county. To this union nine children have been born-Dorothy, Elmer, Vincent, Laura, Marie, Arthur (deceased), Alphonse, Raphael (deceased), and Paul, none of whom are married.

Mr. Wallpe is a Republican and has always taken an active interest in political affairs. At present he is a school director. Religiously, Mr. Wallpe and family are members of the St. Marys Catholic church. Throughout their married life, Mrs. Wallpe has been a decided help to her husband and is de- voted to the interest of her home and family. Mr. Wallpe is a good manager, frugal and thrifty in his habits, yet liberal with all.

JOHN BATES.

The best citizens of most every country of the world are products of the farm. The isolation of life on the farm gives to one the surroundings that are most conducive to good character. Living close to nature imparts to the farmer a keen observation, wholesome thoughts and splendid health. The duties of the farm are such as to give to the farmer that rugged constitution which fits him to endure the hardships of life. Many, if not most, of the eminent citizens of almost every city in every state in the Union have sprung from the farm. In the halls of Congress may be found many sons of the soil and in every walk of life the farmer's son may be found in the front rank. Many of our farmers have come from Germany. The native of Ger- many is well adapted to the life of the farmer. The Germans who have come to this country and engaged in farming have become one of the leading fac- tors in that industry. Their natural thrift and resourcefulness are their great assets and these are found in the fullest measure among the German-American farmers. One of the prominent farmers of Franklin county who is of German descent is John Bates, of Metamora township, who is well known throughout the county.

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 136

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