USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 76
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Frank Hansel was born on the old Hansel farm on September 20, 1845,
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a son of David and Sarah (Phenis) Hansel, the former born on this same farm and the latter born on the Phenis farm, near Mixersville, which place is now owned and occupied by Everett Bourne. It does not often come about in this comparatively newly settled country that one homestead will be occu- pied by three or four successive generations of the same family, although this fact is not nearly so rare in the countries across the water. Mr. Hansel's paternal grandparents were Christopher and Elizabeth (Haynes) Hansel, both natives of Ohio. Christopher is known to have been born in Adams county, that state, and to have come to this district in 1808 with his young wife. They entered from the government the tract of one hundred and sixty acres, which has since been the family home. The land at that time was in a primitive state and bravely the young couple laid their plans for reclaiming it from the grasp of the wilderness. In due time they had done much toward making it a comfortable home for their growing family, log buildings had been erected, and much clearing done. They both finished their lives on the place and in a secluded corner of its broad acres both lie buried in the land they loved so well, resting well after the stern labors which their hands found to do.
David, the father of the subject of this sketch, was the child who made his home on the old farm. In his youth he had received the limited educa- tion possible only at that time in this district and when quite a young boy was doing a man's part in helping the father clear the land. It was David who erected the buildings now in use on the farm, which, however, originally sat farther back from the road, but which the present owner and occupant moved nearer to the public highway for convenience. David also passed his entire life on this farm, dying here in 1875.
Frank Hansel's mother also came from one of the older families of this section. Her father, Solomon Phenis, came to this county early in its history with his wife and located on a farm near Mixersville, the same farm on which Mr. Hansel's mother was born. It is thought that their original farm comprised some hundred and sixty acres and that they were among the first families of their day in this section. Both died on the farm where they had passed the active years of their lives.
Frank Hansel is one of a family of six children, being the second child in order of birth. The others are Hannah, John, Perry. Martha and Alice. When a youth, Mr. Hansel attended the public schools of Bath township and during vacations was instructed by his father in the elements of successful husbandry. He, in due time, assumed charge of the home farm and has given his attention to general farming.
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On October 1, 1878, Mr. Hansel was united in marriage with Miss Aurelia Jane Moore, a daughter of Jackson Moore, residing in Butler county, Ohio, near the city of Hamilton. Mr. and Mrs. Hansel have a family of two children, David and Orpha. Both Mrs. Hansel and her daughter are mem- bers of the Universalist church and are among the excellent women of the community. Mr. Hansel always has led a quiet, well-regulated and honest life, which has won for him a host of friends.
ARTHUR EARL MYERS.
Among those men who have, by virtue of their strong individual quali- ties, earned their way to a high standing in the estimation of their fellow citizens, having by sheer force of character and persistency won their way to a place of influence and prominence in the community where they are active in agricultural affairs, the subject of this sketch is entitled to special mention in a volume of this character.
Arthur Earl Myers, one of the younger generation of farmers of Frank- lin county, is a native of this section, having been born in Bath township, December 4, 1884, a son of Theodore and Laura E. (Schultz) Myers.
Mr. Myers received his education in the schools of Bath township and from early youth was acquainted with farm management, consequently it was but natural that he should turn in that direction to find his life work. He is one of the best agriculturists in this community, managing a farm of two hundred and eighteen acres, on which he carries on general farming and raises hogs for the market. He is highly successful in his undertaking, as he brings the best of judgment and intelligence to his task and has long since proved himself a man of no mean ability.
Mr. Myers was married on August II, 1906, to Miss Dora E. Van Aus- dall, a native of this township and a daughter of Ira M. Van Ausdall, a worthy representative of one of the old families of this region.
Mr. and Mrs. Myers are the parents of four children, Marvin, Helen, Ruby and Paul. Both Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Harmony Presbyterian church, of which they are active members and to the support of which they contribute liberally of their means. They are considered one of the representative families of their section, and both are wide-awake young people, well deserving of the popularity which they enjoy. Mrs. Myers is a descendant of some of the oldest and most influential families of the county.
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Her maternal grandfather, Abram B. Jones, was one of the leading men of the county in his day and did much to promote its welfare along all lines.
Ira M. Van Ausdall, father of Mrs. Myers, was a native of the state of Ohio, but born so near the state line as to almost have been a Hoosier His place of birth was in Riley township, Butler county, Ohio, where he first saw the light of day on January 11, 1862, and his death occurred on March 18, 1912. He was a son of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Hawk) Van Ausdall, who for many years resided near Riley, Ohio, having long been farmers of that section, and where both died and lie buried. They were the parents of nine children, George, Martha, Molly, Maggie, Emelie, Marion, Ira, Charles and Andrew. These children received their education in the local schools near the home and Ira farmed about Riley until the time of his marriage to Miss Laura E. Jones, daughter of Abram B. and Clarissa ( Bake) Jones, at which time they went to live on the old Jones homestead, where they passed the remainder of their lives, busily engaged in agricultural pursuits. They were the parents of two children, Dora E., born October 2, 1885, who is the wife of Arthur Earl Myers, the immediate subject of this sketch, and Mary E., born June 6, 1889, the wife of Harry Ray Myers, a short sketch of whose career appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Van Ausdall had the care and management of four hundred and thirty-two acres of land, which he handled in a most excellent manner. He made many improvements about the place, among them being the barn which he built and which is now in use on that part of the farm where his son-in-law lives. Religiously, he endorsed the be- lief of the Universalist church, which he attended and throughout his life was one of the leading men of this community, standing high in the regard of friends and neighbors.
Abram B. Jones, father of Mrs. Ira Van Ausdall and maternal grand- father of both Mrs. Arthur Earl Myers and Harry Ray Myers, was born early in the history of this section on October 19, 1829, on the land where Harry Ray Myers now resides, which was entered by his father from the government in 1808 and where he first made his home in 1810. Abram B. Jones was a son of Abraham and Sarah (Flack) Jones, the former a native of Maryland and the latter born in Pennsylvania. Abraham was a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Dowden) Jones, the former born on July 12, 1752, and in 1800 he moved to Pennsylvania. Shortly afterward he decided to emi- grate still further westward and embarked on the waters of the Ohio on a flat- boat. He landed at a point near Cincinnati, called Mount Lookout and. liking the location so well, he entered land from the government. On that same spot the Cincinnati observatory is now located. He improved his farm to the best
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of his ability and there made his home until the time of his death, which occurred in October of 1831, his wife having preceded him to the grave Aug- ust 18, 1828.
Abram Jones, the fifth child of Philip, was born on May 20, 1783, and was a small child when he was brought by his parents to the new home in the wilds of Ohio. He was a dutiful son and remained with the parents, assisting the father in establishing a home, until the time of his marriage, when he was twenty-seven years old. Two years before his marriage he had entered land in Bath township, Franklin county, this state, which was destined to become the home of his children through succeeding generations.
Upon first leaving home he went to Butler county, Ohio, just across the line from Indiana, and there took contracts to clear land, make rails and do other tasks that befell the lot of the pioneer in a new and timbered country. He did not remain at that task long, however, but returned to his father's home and not long afterwards his marriage occurred. However, before leav- ing Ohio he journeyed over into Franklin county, and liking the appearance of the land so much, decided to secure a tract with the intention of making it his future home. He borrowed money for the purpose and making the journey to Cincinnati, entered the land from the government, and there a short time afterwards he brought his bride. As was the custom in pioneer days, he built his cabin in the wilderness, and began the difficult task of clear- ing the broad acres and slowly one by one adding the comforts of life.
Abraham Jones was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and abil- ity, just such a man as would be active in assisting in the healthy growth and development of a new section. Politically, he was a Whig and was active in local political circles. He served several times as justice of the peace, held many other minor offices and was a leader in the organization of Bath town- ship. Religiously, he was a most faithful member of the Primitive Baptist church and contributed generously to its support. He was a delegate to its associations in all parts of the state and when the association met in his home church, he often entertained one hundred guests for three days, entertain- ment on such a scale being almost unknown in these days. He was a man of broad sympathies and very charitably inclined toward the worthy poor, being always ready with both heart and hand to help the man who was doing his best to help himself. He easily was the most influential and successful man of his day in Bath township, and his memory still is cherished throughout that whole region. He also won material success and had a fine brick house and many conveniences not common at that time. All his barns and outbuildings
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were good and substantial and he also during the succeeding years gradually added considerably to his original acreage.
Abraham Jones married Miss Sarah Flack, a daughter of Robert Flack, an honored pioneer of Ohio and an early settler of Union county, this state. Robert Flack, although a native-born American, was a son of Irish parentage. He entered land before coming to Union county, where he developed a fine home place and spent the balance of his life. He was twice married, his daughter, Sarah (Mrs. Abraham Jones), being the only child of his first mar- riage, while by his second wife he had four children: David, John, Eliza- beth and William. He and his good wife were both members of the Baptist church and stood high in the esteem of those who knew them.
Abraham Jones' useful life on earth was closed on July 2, 1863, his wife having preceded him into the Great Beyond on March 2, 1856. They were the parents of thirteen children, namely : Mary, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Robert F., Nancy, Philip T., Matilda, Malinda, Nathaniel D., Sarah, Abram B., Emily and Phoebe.
Abram B. Jones was married in 1857 and remained on the home farm his entire life. He there reared his family, in the meantime clearing con- siderable of the land and also adding to it about one hundred and forty acres. Politically, he was originally a Whig, but soon after the birth of the Republi- can party he aligned himself with its leaders and endorsed its platform the balance of his life. He was active in local political circles and for years was one of the party leaders in Franklin county. He also filled various offices and was township trustee for ten years. Previously, he had served three years as township assessor and had been elected for a fourth year, when he resigned to become trustee. Throughout his life he was active in whatever movement had as its object the betterment of any phase of community life and was well worthy of the high regard in which he was held throughout this county. In addition to his home duties and the time he gave to public affairs, he also was interested in the First National Bank of Oxford, Ohio, serving as one of its directors.
He chose as his wife Miss Clarissa Bake, who was born in Bath town- ship on October 21, 1832, a daughter of William and Mary (Thurston) Bake, who came as young married people to Bath township, where they se- cured land and made a comfortable home, on which they spent the remainder of their days. They were both members of the Universalist church and in politics Mr. Bake was a Democrat and active in local political circles. They reared an interesting family of twelve children: Elizabeth, who became Mrs. P. Farr : John, Samuel, Perry, Jacob, Henry, Clarissa, who became the wife
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of Abram B. Jones; Julia (Mrs. F. Morrical) ; Sarah (Mrs. P. Morrical) ; Catherine (Mrs. F. Kimble) ; James K., mentioned elsewhere in this volume, and Phoebe, who died at the early age of eighteen years.
Abram B. Jones and his wife, Clarissa Bake, were the parents of three children. Their eldest, William B., died at the age of three years; Elmer died when but one year old and the youngest of the family was their daughter Laura E., who married Ira M. Van Ausdall. Mrs. Jones was a devout mem- ber of the Universalist church, in which faith she had been reared, while Mr. Jones had been reared a Baptist and earlier in life attended the services of that church. However, he later became an attendant at the Universalist church, but never united with any church organization. Abram B. Jones passed his entire life on the farm where he was born and where his death oc- curred. He was one of the excellent men of his day and filled his place in the life of the community as faithfully as did his forbears in their time. We of the present day never can be sufficiently grateful to the brave men and women of pioneer times, because we can never appreciate the hardships and privations of their lives. It is difficult for us to understand how very little they had of the comforts which we take quite as a matter of course and it is not often we stop to consider that most of what we have today we owe to the ambition, the high ideals and grit and energy of the men and women who laid well the foundations of our matchless commonwealth in the little pioneer cabin homes set deep in the primeval forests.
HARVEY HAMILTON SAYERS.
Among the well-known farmers of Bath township, Franklin county, In- diana. is the man whose name appears above. He has made his influence felt for good in his community, being a man of sterling worth whose life has been closely interwoven with the history of his section. While he naturally has put forth his best efforts to promote the welfare of himself and family, he is one of those public-spirited men who realize the responsibility which good citizenship imposes and always has been willing to perform his full duty in this line. In view of the well-regulated life he has led, he is well worthy of representation in a work of this character
Harvey Hamilton Sayers was born in the township in which he has resided all his life, on July 18, 1869, a son of Stephen and Margaret (Camp- bell) Sayers, of whom mention has been made at length in the sketch of the career of Charles E. Sayers, brother of the immediate subject of this sketch.
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Harvey Sayers received his education at the Mixerville school and early began his career as an agriculturist. In 1907 he purchased the farm where he now resides and has since made that his home. He carries on general farming, paying strict attention to proper rotation of crops and the scientific nurture of the soil and is regarded as among the better class of farmers of this section. His place contains sixty-eight acres, all in an excellent state of cultivation.
Mr. Sayers' marriage took place in 1893, in which year he was joined in matrimony with Miss Orpha Whiteman, who was born in Bath township, a daughter of S. Perry and Mary A. (Smalley) Whiteman, the former of whom were born near Coulter's Corners and the latter near Union. S. Perry Whiteman was a son of Lewis Whiteman, one of the best known resi- dents of that section of the state.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sayers have been born an interesting family of seven children, namely: Edna, Bessie, Lena, Perry, Florence, Glenn and Donald. Mr. Sayers' political preference is with the Democratic party and he has always been more or less interested in the local campaigns of that party. For one term he served Bath township as township supervisor, discharging his duties in a manner satisfactory to all. In all the relations of life, Mr. Sayers has proved himself to be a man among men and because of his sterling personal qualities and his stanch integrity, he is deserving the confidence which has been placed in him by his fellowmen.
PETER F. WHITEMAN.
Peter F. Whiteman, one of the well-known and progressive farmers of Bath township, Franklin county, Indiana, was born on the farm where he now lives on July 20, 1867, being a son of Lewis and Sophia (Himelick) White- man, the father a native of Virginia, the mother having been born and reared in this county.
For a short time during his young manhood Lewis Whiteman, father of Peter F. Whiteman, was employed by a railroad company, but soon decided to give up railroading and settle down as a farmer. He secured the tract of land in Bath township on which Peter F. Whiteman now resides, and there passed the remainder of his life, being well known and highly regarded by a large circle of friends. At the time he lived on this farm the house was located quite a distance back from the road.
MR. AND MRS. PETER F. WHITEMAN.
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When a youth, Peter F. Whiteman attended the old Shuman school, District No. 5, of Bath township, and while still quite a young man was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade. He entered upon this work when twenty years old and followed that calling for twelve years, at the end of which time he decided the life of the farm, such as he had been accustomed to when a boy, was the ideal life. Following this thought to its logical con- clusion, he purchased the old Whiteman homestead, which was still in the family, and took up his residence on the place where he was born and where his parents had lived for so many years. He built a new house on the county-line road and made some other improvements which added still more to the comfort and convenience of the place. There are eighty acres in his farm and in addition to raising the usual crops of grain, etc., adapted to the soil of this section, Mr. Whiteman gives special attention to raising the big type of Poland-China hogs, usually keeping from fifty to seven-five head on the place. He is highly successful in this latter undertaking and finds it much more lucrative than the method of farming pursued by the tillers of the soil of a generation or so ago.
Mr. Whiteman was married March 31, 1891, to Miss Kate L. Goble, of Union township, Union county, this state, daughter of Washington and Susan (Gray) Goble, who were farmer folk near there. To their union two children have been born, Cecil and Chloe, both of whom remain at home with their parents.
Washington and Susan (Gray) Goble, the parents of Mrs. Whiteman, were the parents of nine children, all of whom are still living and who, with their children form a most substantial addition to the several communities in which they reside. Washington Goble was one of the best known farmers of Union county, where he followed farming and stock raising all his life. He died November 12, 1910, and his homestead is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Whiteman, who also town the old Whiteman homestead, a total of one hundred and eighty acres of choice land.
Mr. Whiteman is one of those practical and conscientious men who care- fully perform whatever task confronts them. In his duties about his farm he exercises all possible care and judgment and sees that each task is prop- erly and promptly performed. This same characteristic was in evidence in his work as a carpenter, and there are many buildings in this vicinity which testify to the substantial character of his work in that line. While working at his trade he, in company with William H. Jones, built the Methodist Epis- copal church at Coulters Corners.
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Politically, Mr. Whiteman always has given his adherence to the Demo- cratic party, though never having been an office-seeker. He is a quiet, unas- suming man and it is unnecessary to add that he is respected by all who know him throughout the locality where he lives and where he has spent practically his entire life, in all the relations of which he has been found faithful to every trust.
Because of his sterling worth, uncompromising integrity, courteous man- ners and pleasant disposition, he has won and retains the warm regard of all with whom he associates, the latter including the best people of this locality.
ANTHONY RENYER.
Although the subject of this sketch has been a resident of Franklin county but a comparatively short time, he has, nevertheless, won for himself an enviable place in the esteem of the community. Of exemplary habits, quiet and unassuming, Mr. Reyner is a valuable addition to the citizenship of any community and already has firmly established himself in his new location.
Anthony Renyer is a native of the Hoosier state, born in Jackson town- ship, Dearborn county, December 4, 1861, a son of Michael and Margaret (Yager) Reyner, both of whom were natives of Germany. His paternal grandparents were Michael and Gertrude Renyer, both born and reared in Germany, where the latter also died. After her death Michael, together with his son and the latter's wife, Margaret Yager, emigrated to America. The elder Michael always had been of the farming class in the Fatherland, but he retired from active labor when he came to America and passed his re- maining years in quiet living. It was about the year 1854 that he came to this country, locating in Kelso township, Dearborn county, this state. In that locality Michael, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, started out in life for himself, and, beginning with nothing except a firm determina- tion to succeed, he had accumulated considerable personal property and was the owner of one hundred and thirty acres of land at the time of his death. Religiously, the Renyer family are communicants of the Catholic church and Michael was a devout member of that faith. Both he and his good wife had many friends throughout their community and were known as honest and hard-working people who succeeded well in life by close application to duty and habits of thrift.
Anthony Renyer was one of a family of ten children, the others being
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Katherine, Michael, Christ, Gust, John, Adam, Eve, Mary and Margaret, Anthony being the ninth child in order of birth. With his brothers and sis- ters, Anthony received his education in the schools of Dearborn county and early in life decided to give himself to the vocation of farming. He suc- ceeded well in his endeavor and came to be the owner of one hundred and sixty-four acres of land in Dearborn county. It was on November 15, 1913, that Mr. Renyer came to Franklin county and in Bath township purchased a farm containing ninety-five acres, where he has since made his home and where he intends to reside in the future, having disposed of his interests in Dearborn county. The farm home of Mr. Renyer is well improved in every respect, having good buildings and bearing a general appearance of prosper- ity. Here he carries on general farming and raises some live stock, succeed- ing well in whatever he undertakes, for he is a man of good practical judg- ment and untiring energy. Mr. Renyer has a fine family of nine children, namely : Maggie, Mary, Lizzie, Katherine, Anna, Peter, Andy, John and Rosa.
Mr. Renyer was united in marriage September 4, 1883, with Miss Maggie Schantz, a native of Dearborn county and a daughter of Adam and Margaret (Clergy) Schantz, the father a native of Germany and the mother born of German parentage at Yorkville, in Dearborn county. Adam Schantz's parents never came to this county, but both passed their entire lives in their native land. Adam was but a youth of sixteen years when he emigrated to America and found a home with friends of his people in Dearborn county. Here he became a farmer and one of the best known men in that district. He was the father of a family of nine children, namely: Lena, John, Joseph, Maggie, who is Mrs. Renyer; Christina, Mary, Jacob, Katherine and Peter. Mrs. Renyer's mother's parents, who were John and Matilda (Agner) Clergy, doubtless were both natives of Alsace-Lorraine, who came to this country about 1842 and settled near Yorkville, where their family was born and reared. They were farmers all their lives and succeeded so well that they were able to pass their declining years in peace and plenty.
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