History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 61

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

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JOSEPH FRANK HONECKER.

Very few inen have left their native heath for a new home and have there been crowned with the laurels of success, who do not look fondly upon the scenes of their childhood and think pleasantly of past days. The pub- lishers of this history are deeply indebted to Jos. F. Honecker, the eminent ornithologist, a native of Franklin county, Indiana, and. well-known student and friend of the birds, for several plates and a contributed article found in this volume.

Jos. F. Honecker, the well-known ornithologist of the United States government, was born four and one-half miles southwest of Brookville, Indiana, June 4, 1877, the son of Louis and Christina Honecker, the former born July 19, 1832, in Hesenburg, Germany, and the latter born January 6, 1840, in Bramer, Germany. Mr. Honecker's father died January 2, 1902, while his mother passed away May 19, 1895.

The paternal grandparents of Jos. F. Honecker were George and Eliza- beth Honecker. The former born July 18, 1798, in Kurhessen, Germany, and died March 4, 1875, near Brookville. The latter was born June 15, 1800, in Kahl Bayern, Germany, and died February 16, 1874, near Brook- ville, Indiana. The brothers and sisters of Jos. F. Honecker were Anna, who died August 28, 1895; John C. Honecker, who lives near Brookville, and

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Mrs. George M. Seipel, of Spokane, Washington. Mrs. Louis Ruwe, of Dayton, Kentucky, and Mrs. Lewis Molique, of Hamilton, Ohio, are step- sisters ; and Henry Obermeyer, of Lafayette, Indiana, is a step-brother of Mr. Honecker.

Like all successful men, Mr. Honecker has had an interesting history. He reluctantly consented to write a brief sketch of his life and we shall let him tell his own story.

"From June 4, 1877, the day I was born, to October 10, 1911, when I left the Hoosier state for my future home in the northwest, at Spokane, Washington, I lived in Franklin county, about four and one-half miles south- west of Brookville. My first boyhood years were spent while living on the farm owned at that time by Mr. and Mrs. William Bohlander, Sr. They had a daughter, Miss Lizzie, now Mrs. William Meeker, who is just one day older than I, and celebrates her birthday on June 3. We were together a great deal, and naturally became great friends. It is needless to say that we had our pleasures and joys, as well as our quarrels and fights.

"At the age of seven, I started to go to the Wolf Creek school, District No. 17, with Mr. Michael A. Jacob, of Brookville, as my first teacher. A few years later I attended the Oak Forest Catholic school, and the winter of 1891-92 I again returned to the Wolf Creek school, where I completed my school and college career, with Miss Mary Hornung, of Brookville, as teacher. At the age of fifteen, like many other ambitious boys, I had a great desire to enter some business college, but the lack of the proper funds prevented me from doing so. I am proud of the fact that my parents taught me how to work. Knowing that my school days were over, I left for Lafayette, Indiana, to work on the farm of my step-brother, Mr. Henry Obermeyer, during the summer of 1893, returning home in the fall. The following spring I started to work for Mr. Martin Weber, of Brookville, and worked seven years in his garden. The winter of 1901-02 I worked in Mr. Michael Seipel's clothing store in Brookville, and seven summers for Mr. Ed. R. Quick on his farm, one mile south of Brookville. It is Mr. Quick who taught me many valuable things in ornithology. I also spent two pleasant winters in the job- printing office of Mr. Benjamin F. Winans, of Brookville, where I learned the printing trade.

"Since I came to Spokane, Washington, I have devoted my time mostly to my favorite study, ornithology, and with the intention of starting a print- ing office some day in the future. I am now taking life in an easy manner. With the exception of the automatic steam whistle on the locomotive, which I invented some years ago, I have not done anything of importance in my

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past life. But hoping to do better in the future, I am the same, every-day Jos. F. Honecker, which my Franklin county friends knew. I am poor at writing my own life history, but at the request of the publishers of this book, I have done the best I could. I'd rather write about the birds."

Mr. Honecker now lives at 811 West Third Avenue, Spokane, Wash- ington. Politically, he is an adherent of the Republican party, and is natur- ally interested in public questions. He has been an active member of the Audubon Society for a number of years. Religiously, he is a devout and · earnest member of the Roman Catholic church. Jos. F. Honecker is still a young man. His friends in Franklin county are keenly interested in his career, and delighted with the progress which he has thus far made.

GEORGE ELMER DENNETT.

There is a pecuilar satisfaction, which must be experienced to be realized and appreciated, in the knowledge that life has been lived in such a manner that a character is developed to its fullest extent and that the esteem and admiration of one's neighbors has been gained by persistent application and strict adherence to the cardinal virtues. Having once realized this praise- worthy satisfaction, one can indeed say to himself: "I have not lived in vain and my existence upon the earth is fully justified." George E. Dennett should fully enjoy this satisfaction, as he has lived the life which we have attempted to indicate as the ideal one.

George E. Dennett was born in Brookville, Franklin county, Indiana, on March 29, 1868. He is the son of John and Lucretia (Jones) Dennett. His father was born in New York city, August 15, 1837, and his mother was born in Carroll county, Ohio, February 9, 1839. George E. was one of eight children born to his parents. They are Anna, Mary, Harriet, George E., Lucretia, Francis, Edith and Thomas. Anna married Charles Blacklidge, a carpenter, of Brookville: Mary is the widow of Levi Urmston and lives in Boston, Massachusetts; Harriet married Dr. William Best, and resides in Indianapolis; Lucretia became the wife of George Moorman, editor of a newspaper in Greenwood, Indiana; Francis is a rural mail carrier in Brook- ville: Edith married Guy Jones, an attorney, of Newcastle, Indiana ; Thomas resides in Muncie, Indiana, and is a draughtsman in the Warner Gears Com- pany.

. John Dennett, the father of George, was the son of George and Harriet

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(Proctor) Dennett, both of whom were born in London, England. Grand- father Dennett was born in 1796, and died in 1870, and his wife was born in 1824, and lied in 1880. The paternal grandparents of John Dennett lived in London, as did his maternal grandparents. Grandfather Proctor was killed in the battle of Waterloo, where he fought as a private in Wellington's army. After his death his widow married a Mr. Ford and they immigrated to America, settling in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where they died.

John Dennett and his wife are a rare example of the happy, contented couple. They have a comfortable home, sufficient of this world's means, have reared an excellent family of eight children, and have reached the sum- mit of earthly content. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1911.

John Dennett received his early education in Elizabeth, New Jersey, after which he served an apprenticeship of three years at the painter's trade. He followed that trade as a journeyman in Elizabeth until he was twenty years of age. He went to Cincinnati in 1857, and worked at his trade for a time in that city, but later moved to Riley, Ohio, where he settled- as a painting contractor. In 1861 he came to Brookville and, here married, after which he returned to Riley, Ohio, where he remained until March 1, 1863. He then returned to Brookville and has lived here ever since, having built his present comfortable home in 1867. During his residence in Brookville he has been in the business of painting contracting and paper hanging. He is an expert grainer, being considered the best workman in that line in several counties around. He has always been an enthusiastic Republican in politics, but has never been an aspirant for public office. He and his wife belong to the Christian church, of which he is an elder. For forty-six years he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and for forty- eight years a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. He owns five houses in Brookville and some in other towns.

Mrs. John Dennett was the daughter of Joseph and Lilly ( Helm) Jones, who were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively. Her father was a physician, and upon coming west he first settled in Riley, Ohio. In 1860 he moved to Brookville, Indiana, and in 1869, to New Trenton, Indiana, living at the latter place the remainder of his days.

George E. Dennett received his education in the schools of Brookville. being graduated from the high school of that place in 1886. After his graduation he taught school in Franklin county for three years. On April 10, 1889, he became a bookkeeper in the Goodwin & Shirk private bank in Brookville, where he remained, in different capacities, as a capable and trusted

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employee until 1905. In that year the bank was reorganized under the name of the National Brookville Bank. Mr. Dennett was then made cashier of the bank, and has held that position ever since.

On June 28, 1893, he married Adah Colescott, who was born in Brook- ville township, Franklin county, Indiana, and was the daughter of John A. and Emma Colescott. Her father is now deceased, but her mother is still living in Chicago. Mrs. Dennett's father was a graduate of Miami Uni- versity, and was in the railway mail service for many years.

Mr. Dennett is a Republican in politics and has been one of the few Republicans elected to the city council of Brookville, which usually has a large Democratic majority. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Brookville, having served as financial secretary of the church for fifteen years, and also for many years on the official board. He is a director of the Franklin Furniture Company. He is fraternally affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Encampment, having filled all the chairs in both branches of Oddfellowship. He is also a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and has attained all of the degrees in the Scottish Rite.

FRANK J. BAKER.

The Baker family, represented in this connection by Frank J. Baker, located in Franklin county, Indiana, about the beginning of the Civil War. Mr. Baker learned the cigar maker's trade when a young man, and for the past twenty-two years has been engaged in the cigar manufacturing business in Brookville. He started with a small shop, where he manufactured all of his cigars with his own hands. As his business grew, he added employees and now has from eight to ten men working in his factory all the time.

Frank J. Baker, the son of John and Cecelia (Bohl) Baker, was born in Brookville, Indiana, November 15, 1870. His father was born in Miens, in Bieron province, Germany, near the Rhine river, in 1836, and died at his home in Brookville, February 14, 1882. His mother was born in New York state, near New York City, October 13, 1839, and is still living in Brookville.

John Baker, the father of Frank J., was reared in Germany. His father, who was a sailor, died when his son, John, was a babe in arms. John Baker was eighteen years of age when he left his native land and sailed for America. He located in Cincinnati and, after working there for two years, he returned to Germany, and brought his mother back to this country with him. A few

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years later he made another trip to Germany and, at about the opening of the Civil War, he returned and located in Franklin county, Indiana. He found employment on the farm of Henry Fry, near Fairfield, and for several years worked as a farm hand, by the month, for different farmers throughout the county. After his marriage, in 1868, to Cecelia Bohl, he built a home in the northern part of Brookville and lived there the remainder of his life.

The maternal grandparents of Frank J. Baker were George J. and Mar- garet (Caton) Bohl, natives, respectively, of Rhineburgh and Ahlbier, Ger- many. After their marriage, in their native land, George J. Bohl and his wife came to America and located in New York City, about 1837. In 1844 they came to Indiana and located in Brookville, where Grandfather Bohl died, about 1848. His widow was left with a family of five children : Cecelia, the mother of Frank J .; George, who died at the age of twenty-six; Mar- garet, the wife of William Hydron; Matthew, who died at the age of eight; and Elizabeth, who died at the age of four and one-half years. In 1854 Grandmother Bohl and her children bought the home in Brookville where Mrs. Baker, the mother of Frank J., is now living.

Frank J. Baker was reared in Brookville and received his education in the parochial and public schools. While still a youth he began to learn the cigar-maker's trade under F. W. Hathaway, for whom he worked eight years and a half. In 1893 Mr. Baker himself started a cigar manufacturing business. With the thrift and energy which characterize the German peo- ple, he prospered from the start and, as his business increased, he added to his equipment in order to keep pace with the growing demands of his trade. In October, 1906, he built his present factory, at the rear of the lot on which his house stands, which is well equipped for the business for which it was intended. He now employs from eight to ten men in the making of his three brands of cigars, Baker's Perfectos, Chief Executive and La Falda, the latter being a ten-cent cigar.

Mr. Baker was married September 30, 1891, to Mary Sellmeyer. She was born in Oldenburg, Franklin county, Indiana, August 8, 1872, and is the daughter of Henry C. and Mary Sellmeyer, both of whom are still living. Mrs. Baker's father served as auditor of Franklin county for eight years, and is now engaged in the banking business in Knobel, Arkansas.

Mr. and Mrs. Baker are the parents of seven children, all of whom are still living, and who are: Evan, born January 14, 1892, now an employe in his father's cigar factory: Norbert, born December 16, 1893, a salesman in the Walkover Shoe Store in Indianapolis, Indiana; Lloyd, born October 2, 1895, an employe in the Middletown, Ohio, Cement Works; Charles, born

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May 19, 1899; Francis, born January 23, 1902 ; Urban, born August 9, 1904; and Mary Helen, born July 1, 1909.

Mr. Baker and his family are members of the St. Michael's Catholic church at Brookville. Mr. Baker is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the St. Peter's Benevolent Society. In 1891 Mr. Baker built a com- fortable home on the corner of Eleventh and High streets, and there the family is now located. Mr. Baker is a quiet and unostentatious citizen, in- terested in the welfare of his city, and a man who has earned the respect of all with whom he has been associated.

THOMAS JEFFERSON MCCARTY.

The perusal of the history of almost any family of Franklin county is teeming with interest, as this county is one of the oldest settlements in In- diana. Its early settlers were prominent in their native states before coming to Indiana, some had seen service in the Continental Army during the Ameri- can Revolution, and many of the early settlers might well be recorded in the text histories of our schools. One of the most distinguished families that settled in Franklin county was the McCarty family, of which Thomas Jef- ferson McCarty, of Brookville, is a descendant. He has lived in this county during practically his entire life, and has achieved distinction as an educator and prominent citizen.

Thomas Jefferson McCarty was born in Brookville township, Franklin county, Indiana, August 13, 1866, the son of Washington Jackson and Eliza Jane (Evans) McCarty. Washington J. McCarty was twice married, his first wife having been Elizabeth Fay. To that union were born three chil- dren, Hadley and Amanda, who died while children, and Andrew J., who is a farmer in Brookville township. Thomas Jefferson McCarty was born after his father's second marriage, and was one of seven children, the others being George, a farmer living in Ohio; William M., ex-county treasurer of Franklin county ; James, a teacher, living in Franklin county; Isaac N., an attorney of Brookville ; Frank, of Union county, a rural delivery mail carrier ; and Ella, who is now Mrs. Ogle, and who lives in Connersville, Indiana.

Washington Jackson McCarty, father of Thomas J. McCarty, was reared in Brookville, Indiana, and educated in the common schools of this county. He was married to Eliza Jane Evans, who was born on a farm in this county, adjoining that of Isaac McCarty's, who was the father of Wash-

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ington Jackson McCarty. Isaac McCarty married Margaret Cooksey, and to them two children were born, Washington J., and Caroline. Washington McCarty bought a farm from his father-in-law and continued to live there the rest of his life. He became a preacher in the Christian church and held services in a school house, where he preached for more than twenty-five years. Washington McCarty early allied himself with the Democratic party and stood high in its councils. He died December 10, 1902, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife died in 1886, at the age of forty-eight.

The paternal great-grandfather of Thomas Jefferson McCarty was Benjamin McCarty, a native of Virginia, who came to this state and entered the first land in Franklin county. This land was known as section twenty- two, Whitewater township. The entry was made May 22, 1803, showing that the McCarty family were very early settlers in this county. Benjamin McCarty made several partially successful efforts to produce marketable salt from a salt spring, which flows into the Whitewater near New Trenton. The enterprise was abandoned after encountering fresh water. He was one of the founders of the Little Cedar Baptist church. Benjamin McCarty was a man of strong intellect.

He had five sons, who were Enoch, Jonathan, Monroe, Isaac and Abner. Abner was for years a farmer in Brooksville township. His son, Thomas J., was for a long time a druggist in Brookville, but later moved to Los Angeles, California, where he died. Enoch served as a member of the first state convention, and also was a member of the state Legislature for several sessions, and a judge of the Franklin circuit court. in the latter re- spect following in the footsteps of his father, who was one of the earlier judges in this county, serving in 1811, when the state had a territorial form of government. Enoch McCarty was a man of great executive ability, and was one of the group of early Indianians who shaped the destinies and in- stitutions of this state during its earlier days. He also had the distinction of serving as the first county clerk of this state, after its admission to the Union.

Jonathan McCarty, brother of Enoch, and as equally well-known, was a very prominent figure during his life. His influence was a potent factor in shaping the early destinies of this state. He represented Franklin county in the state Legislature and assisted in passing the law which laid out the county of Fayette. Subsequent to his services in the Legislature he was elected to, and served in. Congress, which office he filled in a very creditable manner for several years. He enjoyed a wide reputation as an orator of great ability, and his services were in demand for political stump speeches in all

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parts of the country. Jonathan McCarty later moved to Keokuk, Iowa, at which place he died.

Isaac W. McCarty, grandfather of. Thomas Jefferson McCarty, was born and reared in Franklin county, and for a number of years resided at Brookville. In 1870 he moved to Iowa, where he bought a farm. During his residence in this county, he was highly regarded because of his many pleasing ways. He was a man of modest demeanor and, while enthusiasti- cally alive to all the questions of the day, never took any demonstrative part in political activities. Isaac McCarty and family belonged to the Christian church. Mr. McCarty died in Iowa, survived by his widow, who remained in this county and later was married to William Baker, of this county.

The maternal grandparents of Thomas Jefferson McCarty were Louis G. and Susan (Brumbarger) Evans. Mr. Evans was born in Virginia and early settled in this county, where he owned extensive farms and where he died in 1875, at the age of sixty years. At the time of his death he was a very large land owner, his holdings at one time amounting to about eleven hundred acres. In his early life, Mr. Evans ran a boat to Cincinnati, on the Whitewater canal.

Thomas Jefferson McCarty attended district school No. II, in Brook- ville township. He then attended a summer normal course and began teach- ing school. He later attended the Normal Training School at Hope, Indiana, after which he attended the normal school at Danville, Indiana. For twenty- three years he taught school in Franklin county, and for three years was principal of the Mt. Carmel schools. Being very industrious, he followed the painter's trade during his vacations. In June. 1909, he was elected county superintendent of schools of Franklin county, and still occupies that position. On May 13, 1894, he was married to Anna Belle Alexander. of Napoleon, Indiana, a daughter of Bushrod and Mary (Watterson) Alexander. Mr. Alexander was a farmer and was a native of Virginia. His wife was born in Ripley county, Indiana. He died in 1908, and she in 1914. Mr. Alexan- der was seventy-eight years of age at the time of his death, and his wife was sixty-eight years old when she died.

After his marriage, Thomas J. McCarty erected a splendid home on Twelfth street, in Brookville. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. McCarty were born two children : Harry Raymond, born April 5, 1895, now teaching his first term in school, and Mary Mildred, born September II, 1901, who lives at home.

Mr. McCarty and family belong to the Christian church and are very active members. Mr. McCarty is a member of the Independent Order of

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Odd Fellows and takes a great interest in that order. The history of the McCarty family is indeed an interesting one, and Thomas Jefferson Mc- Carty has fully kept alive the traditions of his family.

CHARLES A. STINGER.

Among the representative men of Springfield township, Franklin county, Indiana, is Charles A. Stinger, who is prominently identified with the farm- ing and stock raising interests of his township. As a self-made man he stands as a fine example of industry and good management, and his fine farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres is ample evidence that he has not labored in vain. He takes an intelligent interest in the life of the community about him and in this way does his duty as a public-spirited citizen.

Charles A. Stinger, the son of Andrew and Charity (Vanausdall) Stinger, was born in Springfield township, February II, 1872. His father was a native of Ohio and came with his parents to Franklin county, Indiana, early in its history. Andrew Stinger had one brother, Benjamin, who served in the Civil War with distinction. Benjamin survived all the hardships of the war, but was accidentally shot in the hip after his return from the war. He still lives at Oxford, Ohio.

Andrew Stinger, the father of Charles A., was educated in the com- mon schools and engaged in farming during his active career. He lived in Butler township in Butler county, Ohio, for many years, and took a prom- inent part in Democratic politics in that county, serving as assessor of Riley township for nine years. Andrew Stinger died about twenty-two years ago and his widow is now living in Franklin county with her daughter, Mrs. Frank Demrick. Andrew Stinger and wife were the parents of eight children : Lillie, of Plainfield, Indiana ; who married Trier Gossett, and has two sons, Cecil and Forrest; Edward of Brookville; Laura, deceased ; Joseph, deceased ; Charles A., with whom this narrative deals; Orris, deceased ; Clif- ford, a farmer of Springfield township, who married Nettie Timberman; Flossie, who married Frank Demrick, a grain dealer of Bath station; Belle, who is the wife of Richard Applegate, a farmer of Springfield township.

Charles A. Stinger secured his education in the district schools of But- ler county, Ohio, whence his father moved with his family when Charles was but three weeks old. He worked with his father on the home farm in that county during his summer vacations, and by the time he was married

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MR. AND MRS. CHARLES A. STINGER.

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was thoroughly acquainted with all the different phases of agriculture so that he was competent to manage a farm of his own. In the fall of 1900 Mr. Stinger bought his present farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres and has placed many extensive improvements upon the farm since acquiring it. He has built a house and barn, and has one of the most attractive looking country places in the county. In addition to raising excellent crops of grain, he gives considerable attention to the raising of Duroc hogs, and he has found this to be a profitable venture.

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 61

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