History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 138

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 138


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Henry Vonderheide, the father of Ben H., was educated in the com- mon schools, and was a farmer throughout his life. He belonged to St. Marys Catholic church in Butler township, and was the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of land in the same township, eighty acres of which was the farm


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his father formerly owned. He died October 25, 1889, at the age of forty- five, his wife surviving him until December, 1907. They were the parents of the following children: John, Carrie, Ben H., Joseph, Frank, Catherine, Edward, William, Anna and Clara. The oldest of these children, John, is deceased.


Ben H. Vonderheide was educated in the public schools of his home township, and has always been a farmer. He is the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of land in Butler township, and is engaged in a general system of farming and stock raising, having met with a gratifying degree of success in his efforts.


Mr. Vonderheide was married to Elizabeth Christ, the daughter of Michael Christ, a resident of Butler township, and a carpenter by trade, and a devoted member of the Catholic church. To this union two children have been born, Walter and Raymond, both of whom are at home.


After his marriage Mr. Vonderheide rented the Schurmber farm for three years. He later bought the farm where he now lives. Mr. Vonder- heide is identified with the Democratic party. He was first appointed trustee in August, 1912, and was elected to this responsible position in November, 1914.


Mr. Vonderheide is not only a progressive farmer, but he is public spir- ited in the larger sense and is worthy of the responsibility placed in him by the citizens of his township.


LAWRENCE A. WILSON.


Franklin county has many enterprising young farmers who have suc- ceeded by close personal application to their vocation, but none have accom- plished more than Lawrence A. Wilson.


Lawrence A. Wilson was born in Blooming Grove, Franklin county, In- diana, in 1888, the son of Thomas and Carrie (Pratt) Wilson, both of whom were born in Blooming Grove township, in the same county.


The paternal grandparents of Lawrence A. Wilson were W. D. and Julia (Ford) Wilson, the former a native of Blooming Grove township and the latter a native of Madison county, this state. W. D. Wilson was a farmer and still lives in Blooming Grove. The maternal grandparents of Lawrence Wilson were John and Elizabeth Pratt, early settlers in Blooming Grove township.


Thomas Wilson first farmed for some time and still owns a farm in


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Blooming Grove township. Later in life he sold threshing machine attaclı- ments and engaged in road contracting. He has followed the latter occupa- tion for the last seven years. He was a school teacher for ten years before he began farming. He still resides in Blooming Grove. His children are Lawrence A., Robert E., Zella E., Arline M. and Magdalena. Mr. Wilson and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Blooming Grove and Mr. Wilson is a member of the Knights of Pythias.


Lawrence A. Wilson was educated in the public schools of Blooming Grove township. He was in the contracting business four years with his fa- ther and then moved to the farm where he now lives in Salt Creek township, having purchased it in 1909. He has a farm of one hundred and twelve acres and has improved it with excellent buildings. He engages in general farming.


Lawrence A. Wilson was married in 1910 to Nelle Klipple, the daughter of George Klipple, of Brookville township, and to this union one son, Gilbert C., has been born.


George Klipple was born in Fairfield township, October 19, 1849, the son of Jacob and Mary Jane (Harrel) Klipple, the former born in Germany and the latter in Fayette county, Indiana. Mr. Klipple's paternal grandpar- ents were George and Katherine (Metzer) Klipple, both born in Germany, from which country they came to America. They were twenty-two weeks on the water, landing in March, 1829, at Baltimore. Later they located in Cin- cinnati and still later in Fairfield township, Franklin county. The maternal grandparents of George Klipple were William Harrel and wife, early settlers in Jackson township, Fayette county, Indiana.


Jacob Klipple was educated in Germany and Franklin county. He was a farmer by occupation and owned seventy-five acres of land in Fairfield town- ship and there died. His wife was a member of the Baptist church, while he was a Lutheran. They were parents of the following children: Harriett, Margaret Jane, Lula, George, Katherine, John, Marietta, Elmira, Missouri and Ida.


George Klipple was educated in the public schools of Fairfield township and learned surveying after leaving school. He was elected county surveyor in 1876 and re-elected in 1878. Mr. Klipple made an enviable record in this office. He has been a Democrat all of his life and has just accepted a position on the advisory board of his township. On January 7, 1880, Mr. Klipple bought the farm where he now lives, a farm consisting of ninety-four acres. Since that time he has bought forty acres just west of his present farm and sixty-five acres elsewhere, the latter farm having been sold, however. During the winter months he has dealt much in timber. When he purchased his


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present farm there was only a small cabin on it. It is now well improved and has a good house, barn and other outbuildings.


George W. Klipple was married February 23, 1880, to Hermina E. Kieseler, of Brookville, Indiana, and to this union have been born six chil- dren: May, who is a student of Chicago University; Amelia, who is book- keeper in the Stuart Glass Company, of Indianapolis; Clarence, who lives in Missouri; Nelle, the wife of Lawrence A. Wilson; Graydon, a student in the agricultural department of Purdue University, and Annitta, a teacher in Fayette county, who was educated in the Franklin county common schools and was graduated from the Brookville high school, later spending two years in the Indiana State Normal.


Mrs. Klipple is a member of the Lutheran church, although the family attend the Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church.


Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence A. Wilson are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church and Mr. Wilson is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 134, of Blooming Grove.


ADAM GIGRICH.


There are few men in Franklin county, Indiana, who have, in the same length of time, accomplished more by farming than Adam Gigrich, of Salt Creek township. Mr. Gigrich, by patient industry, perseverance and econ- omy, as well as by good management, has acquired a large tract of land, not only in Franklin county, but in Decatur county as well, and today is ranked as one of the representative farmers of this section.


Adam Gigrich was born on the old home farm in Salt Creek township, July 28, 1857, a son of Ignatius and Gertrude (Schnabel) Gigrich, both na- tives of Germany, who were married in Germany and came to America, April 30, 1846, locating in Cincinnati. The elder Gigrich was born December 12, 1824, and his wife in 1825. After living in Cincinnati for some time they came to Enochburg, this county, where he worked at his trade, which was that of a wagon maker. He then moved to the old home place in Salt Creek township, where his son, John, now lives. His two sons, John and Adam, cleared and improved this place, developing it into a good farm. Ignatius Gigrich and wife were the parents of five children, Elizabeth, Adam, John, Annie and Kate.


Adam Gigrich received his education in the public schools at Hamburg and the parochial schools of Oldenburg, and upon reaching mature years


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began his life work as a farmer, in which vocation he has always been actively engaged. He bought the place where he now lives, consisting of eighty acres, in 1881, and has since added to his original holdings until he now owns one hundred and seventy acres, and also owns one hundred and twenty acres in Decatur county, Indiana. This land was originally covered with a dense woods, but it has been cleared and improved by the erection of splendid build- ings, good fencing, proper drainage, etc. Mr. Gigrich makes a specialty of stock raising, in which he has achieved a gratifying degree of success.


Adam Gigrich was married February 17, 1885, to Christina Hittel, who was born at Hamburg, November 16, 1865, and who is a sister of Peter Hittel, whose family is referred to elsewhere in this volume. To Adam and Chris- tina (Hittel) Gigrich have been born four children : George, born March 26, 1886; Anna, born July 16, 1888; John, born July 24, 1889, and Matilda, born November 29, 1902.


The family are all devoted members of the St. Anne Catholic church at Hamburg, and contribute generously of their time and means to its sup- port. Mr. Gigrich is identified with the Democratic party, but has never had the time to take an active part in political affairs, preferring rather to devote his attention to his agricultural interests. Not only has Mr. Gigrich made an unusual success of farming, but he has always commanded the respect and confidence of the people of the community where he lives, being an honorable citizen in every relation of life and extremely popular in his home township.


ELMER BERG.


The richest bequest one could make on departing from this life is an un- stained name and a life so lived that it will be an inspiration to one's descend- ants for generations. The most of Franklin county's inhabitants are descend- ed from good stock. Their forefathers were rich in the possession of those traits which build character and impart to coming generations a wholesome- ness of being that gives a race splendor and substance. The late Philip Berg, of Franklin county, was one of those whose lives are filled with good deeds and commendable achievements. His son Elmer Berg lives in Highland town- ship, this county, where he is a highly respected farmer.


Elmer Berg was born in Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana, April 27, 1880. His parents were Philip and Elizabeth (Probst) Berg.


Philip Berg was born May 4, 1830, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, a son of Bolser and Christina (Krugg) Berg, also natives of Hesse-Darmstadt.


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He came to this country with his parents and their other children when he was four years of age. The family located in the state of Maryland and later moved to Virginia, where they lived for some time. They later joined the steady stream of migration that was then moving towards the west, event- ually arriving in Franklin county, Indiana. Here, they purchased a farm in Highland township, which at that time was covered with heavy timber. They cleared the place and erected their home and other buildings and there Bolser Berg and wife spent the remainder of their lives. Philip Berg attended the county schools and received the limited education provided by the schools of that time. After leaving school he with his brothers engaged as thresher- men. He followed this occupation through its various stages of development, from the primitive method of tramping and treadmill to the steam thresher. He had the distinction of owning the first steam thresher used in this part of the state. His experience in this line covered a period from the time he was sixteen years of age until the later years of his life. He purchased seventy- seven acres of land in 1864 on which he erected buildings and made other extensive improvements. He was married on December 29, 1853, to Appa- lona Reddinger and to this union were born five children. He married, sec- ondly, May 9, 1872, Elizabeth Probst, of Kelso, Indiana, a daughter of John and Julia (Heisler) Probst, both of whom were natives of Germany and who came to this country before they were married. To this second mar- riage were born five children, John, Albert, Julia, Oscar and Elmer. . Philip Berg died June 8, 1913, honored and respected by all who knew him. Further details regarding this family are set out in the biographical sketch relating to Mrs. Elizabeth Berg, presented elsewhere in this volume.


Elmer Berg, the fourth son of Philip Berg, was educated in the district schools of Franklin county and spent his early youth assisting his father on the home farm. After Philip Berg, his father, retired from active life Elmer and his three brothers assumed their father's threshing business, which they followed until 1912, when Elmer retired and has since confined his activities to his farm. In 1911 he purchased one hundred and three acres of land in Highland township, on which he still lives. He has made many improvements since taking possession of this place, having remodelled the barn and other buildings. He has engaged extensively in the dairy business, gradually in- creasing this department of his farm, and has erected a specially constructed dairy barn, using the most approved methods of housing and caring for his herd of dairy cows. He has also been successful as a general farmer, and has had considerable success with live stock raising.


In 1907 Elmer Berg married Marie Schinkle, a daughter of Henry


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Schinkle and wife, of Whitewater township. To this union have been born two daughters, Elsie and Florence, who are living at home and attending the local schools. Mr. and Mrs. Berg are prominent members of the Lutheran church and are active in the social affairs of the community in which they reside.


Elmer Berg is a worthy son of his late father, ivho was a fine type of the German-American citizen, and has inherited many of his father's traits, notable among which are his industry and sterling integrity.


BENEDICT RICKE.


No office is nearer the people of a community than that of township trustee. Other public officials have important duties to perform, it is true, but the township trustee is personally identified with his constituents and his policies are closely connected with their everyday welfare-the schools which their children attend, the roads upon which they travel, certain drains which affect the productivity of their land and the care of the poor. These are vital interests in any community. When the township trustee is capable, efficient and farsighted, the interests of the people prosper, but when he is lacking in these things, their interests lag. The people of Salt Creek township, Franklin county, Indiana, chose wisely in electing Benedict Ricke township trustee.


Benedict Ricke was born in Hanover, Germany, September 1, 1870, the son of Benedict and Theresa (Theisling) Ricke, both natives of Hanover, who landed at Baltimore, September 1, 1881.


The paternal grandparents of Benedict Ricke were William and Anna Ricke, natives of Germany, where they followed the occupation of farming. They both lived all of their days in that country. The maternal grandparents of Benedict Ricke were Bernard and Marie (Krone) Theisling, of Hanover, Germany, where they died. Bernard Theisling's sons, Joseph and Bernard, are now (1915) doing service in the great European war.


Benedict Ricke, Sr., brought his family to America in 1881 and located at Hamburg on a farm. They remained there one year and then removed to another farm upon which Benedict Ricke, Jr., now lives. Mr. Ricke, Sr., owned one hundred and ten acres in Salt Creek township, where he died January 31, 1914. his wife having died, December 8, 1906. They were the parents of four children, Caroline, Frank, Benedict and Josephine, all of whom live nearby, except Josephine, who lives in Indianapolis.


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Benedict Ricke, Jr., was educated in Germany, but after coming to America spent four years in the Hamburg parish school. He has always lived on the home farm in Salt Creek township and is engaged in general farming and stock raising.


Benedict Ricke, Jr., was married in 1899 to Elizabeth Stockinger, the daughter of Michael Stockinger, of Oldenburg, and to this union six children have been born, Otto, Carl, Clara, Hilda, Clarence and Raymond.


Mr. Ricke is a Democrat and, since arriving at his majority, has been prominent in the councils of his party. He and his family are members of the St. Anne Catholic church at Hamburg and contribute liberally to the support of that church. Mr. Ricke has made remarkable progress since com- ing to this country and as a result of industry, economy and good manage- ment has acquired a comfortable competence and is regarded as one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Franklin county.


HENRY D. WEHR.


Formerly, farming was considered a hard occupation, devoid of much of the interest that would attract anyone to it as a matter of choice. How- ever, this feeling has gradually disappeared and farming has developed into one of the sciences, until at the present time it is not uncommonly referred to as a profession. This is because modern methods have raised the occupa- tion of a farmer to a distinguished position in the industries of the world and scientific methods have made such a vocation interesting to many who formerly thought only of mercantile pursuits. We now find many highly- educated men turning their attention to agriculture and it is undoubted that the occupation of the farmer is one of the largest factors in the business life of this country. This county has many progressive farmers, among whom Henry D. Wehr, of Springfield township, occupies high rank, his farm being pointed out as representative of the most progressive methods of modern farming.


Henry D. Wehr was born in Butler county, Ohio, January 26, 1864, the son of John and Nancy (Pearson) Wehr, and was one of eleven children born to this union, the others being M. H., Sarah Ann, David L., Maggie, Steits M., John, Parry, Cora, Raymond and Lorilla, all of whom are living. M. H. has been married twice, his first wife having been Lida Freeland. After her death he moved to Hendricks county, where he married. secondly. Margaret Freeland. Sarah is living in Springfield township and is still single.


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David, who resides in Springfield township, also has been married twice, the first time to Elizabeth Vanness and the second time to Rebecca Wolober. Steits M. married Catherine Monohan. John married Flo Burges. Maggie married Sylvester Wall and lives in Madison county, Indiana. Parry is single and resides in Springfield township. Cora is still single and also lives in that township. Raymond married Elizabeth Hawk and lives in Springfield town- ship. Lorilla married Otis Miller and lives in Bath township.


John Wehr, the father of Henry D. Wehr, was born in Butler county, Ohio, where he attended school and after leaving school he assisted his. father on the farm. He was drafted for service in the Civil War but did not go. While in Ohio he owned one hundred and ninety-two acres in Butler county, which he devoted to general farming. After his marriage he con- tinued to live on this farm, where he spent the rest of his life. He died De- cember 17, 1891, at the age of sixty-four years, ten months and nineteen days. His wife died November 10, 1892, at the age of sixty-two years, ten months and twenty-two days.


John Wehr, grandfather of Henry D. Wehr, came from Pennsylvania at a very early date and settled in Ohio, where he located on one hundred and ninety-two acres and was married in that state to Sarah Anne Lovell. To this union were born seven children: Sarah Ann, Elizabeth, Lorenzo, Luther, Henry, John and Jackson, all of whom are now deceased. Grandfather Wehr was a very highly respected citizen of his community. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. He was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and died January 25, 1853, aged seventy-three years, one month and seventeen days, his wife, Sarah, dying May 12, 1866, in the seventy-seventh year of her age.


Henry D. Wehr was educated in the common schools of Butler county and has made his home on the farm practically his entire life. When he was twenty-four years of age he was married to Martha Doty, the daughter of John Doty. After his marriage he rented land in this county and continued farming there for five years. He then bought sixty acres of land and moved onto it in 1896. He later added seventy-four acres to this farm, making one hundred and thirty-four acres. He is reputed to be a very successful farmer and one who takes especial pride in the upbuilding of his place, ever being on the lookout for something new to apply to his farm methods. He believes in using all modern inventions that are practical and he secures his best re- sults by these progressive methods. He also specializes in stock and markets his own products.


Mr. and Mrs. Wehr have four children-Hazel, Dale, Fern D. and


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Forest P. All are living except Dale, who died in the year 1892, aged fourteen months. Hazel married Theron Cross and lives near Oxford, Ohio. The other children are single and live with their parents. In 1906 Mr. Wehr built a new house and barn, at the same time making many other improvements, and altogether his farm is one of the most attractive in the township. Mr. Wehr and family are active in all of the social affairs of the neighborhood and are highly esteemed as neighbors, being held in the highest regard by all who know them.


MICHAEL SEIBEL.


The agricultural advancement in Franklin county has been due largely to the untiring struggle and success of the German citizens of this county, some of whom came with their parents to build homes in the great land of freedom, others of whom have been born here after the arrival of their par- ents. The German citizens, whether native or foreign born, have proved to be splendid men and women who are interested in the welfare of the com- munity where they live and always loyal to the country of their birth or adop- tion.


Michael Seibel was born in Hamburg, Franklin county, Indiana, April 5, 1866, the son of Daniel and Gertrude (Nuneyar) Seibel, both natives of Germany, the former born April 19, 1840, and the latter born December 5, 1839. Daniel Seibel died November 10, 1909, his wife having preceded him to the grave just two years, her death having occurred November II, 1907.


The paternal grandparents of Michael Seibel were John and Christina Seibel, both natives of Germany, who came to America when Daniel Seibel was eight years old. They located first at St. Marys, this county, and later moved to Hamburg, where he died and is buried. His wife died later at Huntersville and is buried there. He was a cooper by trade and followed this occupation all his life.


Michael Seibel's maternal grandparents were Frank and Gertrude Nune- yar, both natives of Germany, who came to America on the same boat with Michael Seibel's paternal grandparents. They located at St. Mary's, in this county, and remained there the rest of their lives, being among the best known farming people of that thriving neighborhood.


Daniel Seibel was educated in the St. Mary's parish school and entered the Union army at the age of eighteen years, serving in the Twenty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for four years. He fought in the bat-


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tle of Gettysburg and participated in seven bayonet charges in that battle. After the war he returned to Franklin county and lived until sixty-seven years old. He took up farming at Hamburg and owned eighty-eight acres at the time of his death. Both he and his wife died in Hamburg.


Michael Seibel was educated in the Hamburg parish school and took up farming early in life. In 1893 he purchased the place where he now lives, which consists of eighty acres in Salt Creek township, where he is engaged in general farming.


Michael Seibel was married June 15, 1895, to Louisa Walterman, the daughter of John Henry Walterman, of Salt Creek township.


Mr. Seibel and wife are members of the Church of Christ and are highly respected in the community where they live. By their labor, thrift and good management they have added much to the agricultural life in their section of Franklin county.


FRANK P. HUBER.


A well known farmer and veterinarian of Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana, is Frank P. Huber, who was born on the farm where he now resides. His whole career thus far has been spent in this township with the exception of a short period when he was living in Muncie, Indiana. His father was a well-educated man and was one of the first veterinary surgeons in Indiana, having been one of the first to practice that profession west of the Alleghany mountains. The family has been connected with the history of Franklin county since 1833 and during the many years that have elapsed since that time its various members have never failed to stand for every measure that would benefit the county in any way. Mr. Huber is a sterling citizen and has a host of friends throughout the township and county.


Frank P. Huber, the son of Godfrey and Margaret (Zeigler) Huber, was born on his present farm in Highland township December 17, 1856. He was one of fifteen children born to his parents, the others being Peter, Fred- erick, Michael, Henry, Lewis, Jacob, George, Godfrey, Jr., Charles, Louisa, Catherine, Margaret, Julia and Mary. Of these children the following are deceased: Peter, Michael, Henry, Lewis, George, Louisa and Catherine.




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