History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 78

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

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Mr. Skinner was united in marriage September 25, 1877, with Miss Susan Whiteman, born in Bath township, this county, and a daughter of Lewis and Sophia (Himelick) Whiteman, he a native of Virginia and she born at Seven Mile, Ohio. Further mention is made of her family in the sketch of P. F. Whiteman, appearing elsewhere in this volume. Sophia Whiteman was also a cousin of John Himelick, a short sketch of whose career will be found elsewhere within these covers. Lewis Whiteman, father of Mrs. Skinner, was twice married. His first wife was Nancy Himelick, who bore him two children, John and S. Perry. After her death he married a second time, his choice falling on Sophia Himelick, cousin of his first wife. She bore him a family of eight children, namely: Henry, Nancy, Margaret, George Willard, Susan (Mrs. Skinner), Jennie, Jacob and Frank. Lewis Whiteman was a mason, working at his trade throughout this vicinity all his life. Both he and his wife were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in that faith reared their family. He was a man much liked by a large circle of friends who held him in high regard because of his sterling worth and integrity.

Mr. and Mrs. Skinner have a family of three children, Matie, Ray- mond R., and Earle E., and the entire family is much interestd in the af-

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fairs of the United Brethren church, in which for many years Mr. Skinner has given active service. He is now serving the church organization as trustee and for a number of years past was steward. Besides attending to the work about his home, Mr. Skinner is a house painter and much work from his careful brush can be seen throughout this section. In addition to this heavier labor, he possesses quite a talent for drawing and with a pen turns out some specimens which might well do credit to one giving special study to such forms of art. Mr. Skinner is a man of sound and practical intelligence, keenly alert to everything relating to his interests and in fact with all that concerns the prosperity and advancement of the community. Because of his splendid personal characteristics and his genuine worth, he enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him, and is, therefore, eminently, entitled to representation in a work of the character of the one in hand.

WILLIAM H. POPPE.

America has been called the "melting pot" of the world, and it is truly a meeting place of the nations. In the political and civil makeup of the United States many nationalities have played a prominent part. Germany has contributed much that has been of the most lasting benefit to this coun- try. Its sons and daughters have always been considered of the most de- sirable citizens we have in this republic. They brought to this country their native traditions and have blended these into the American life, which has been of the greatest benefit to this country and its people in general. Among those living in Franklin county who are of German nativity or German descent is William H. Poppe, considered one of the substantial citizens of his community.

William H. Poppe was born in Brookville, Franklin county, January I, 1840. His parents were Henry and Louisa (Fisher) Poppe, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Germany. William H. Poppe was one of two children of Henry and Louisa Poppe, the other being a daughter named Mary.

In 1837 Henry Poppe and his wife left their native land and came to America. Henry Poppe, upon his arrival in this country, secured a job on the Whitewater canal, which was then in process of construction. After completing his work on this enterprise he came to Brookville, and in 1846 moved to the farm now occupied by his son. At that time this farm con- sisted of forty acres, to which Mr. Poppe gradually added other land which he acquired until he had two hundred and sixty acres. Most of the land

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was covered with a heavy growth of timber, which Mr. Poppe, with the assistance of his son William, soon cleared. Mr. Poppe lived on this farm for a number of years and became a man of substantial means before his death, which occurred at this place. He was of that industrious type of German, with native thrift and industry, who do so much for the general welfare. His life was one of the greatest activity, and in his later years he enjoyed that rest that comes from a well spent life.

William H. Hoppe was educated at the old seminary of Brookville, Franklin county, Indiana, also in the township schools. His entire life practically has been spent on the place of his birth. Here he operates one hundred and seventy acres to general farming. He is an advocate of up-to- date methods in farming and has erected new and modern buildings on his place. Mr. Poppe finds time for a few diversions despite his many interests, among which is violin making. Mr. Poppe is noted as a violin maker, mak- ing all parts from raw wood, shaping, assembling and finishing the complete instrument.

In 1870 Mr. Poppe was married to Margaret Hollenbeck, a native of Germany. In 1895 he was married the second time; this time to Agnes M. Thole, of Cincinnati, who was a daughter of Henry and Mary (Albright) Thole. Henry Thole was a native of Holland and his wife was born in Buffalo, New York.

Henry Thole, father of Mrs. William H. Poppe, came to this country, accompanied by his brother, when he was eighteen years of age. He located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was married in that city, where he continued to live.

The maternal grandparents of Mrs. William H. Poppe were Conrad and Margaret (Klupenburg) Albright. They were born in Germany, and after coming to this country settled in Buffalo, New York, where Mr. Albright fol- lowed the trade of carpenter. They later moved from Buffalo to Glandorf, Ohio, where they lived the remainder of their lives. Mary Albright, their daughter, and the mother of Mrs. William H. Poppe, went to Cincinnati when she was eighteen years of age, traveling from Dayton, Ohio, on the old canal, a favorite route of those past days. She married in Cincinnati, where her husband followed the machinist trade. They lived at this place the remainder of their lives.

By a previous marriage Mrs. William Poppe had one son, Clarence Schreiber, who makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Poppe. They have a de- lightful home, where an atmosphere of happiness pervades. Mr. Poppe is a most estimable gentleman, with splendid business ideas and a fine conception of life in general. His wife is active in the social sphere of this community. They are of the many substantial families of this community.

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OSCAR SCOTT DUBOIS.

The immediate subject of this sketch is descended from families which long have been identified with this section and have been foremost among the ranks of its citizens who desired to bring about in this section the highest form of modern civilization and its attendant benefits. They have all been tillers of the soil and he, following worthily in their footsteps, today owns one of the best farms in this section.

Oscar Scott Dubois has passed his entire life in Bath township, Franklin county, Indiana, having been born on the paternal farm there on April 25, 1841, a son of Smith and Rachael (Kromb) Dubois, both of whom were na- tives of New Jersey, the former being born in the year 1804 and the latter in the year 1805. Smith Dubois was a son of William and Sarah Dubois, who came to Indiana from their original home in New Jersey bringing their chil- dren with them. They located in Union county, being among its earliest pioneers, and, as was the custom in those days, they secured land from the government and set about clearing it. They succeeded well in their under- taking and there passed the remainder of their lives, and both lie buried at Bath Springs. The farm which they owned is now the home of Joseph Mc- Mahan. Rachael (Kromb) Dubois, mother of Oscar S. Dubois, was a daugh- ter of William and Rachael Kromb, who also came from New Jersey. They made the journey to this section of the country mostly by water, coming down the Ohio river. Upon reaching this district they decided upon high ground for their future home, choosing a favorable site in Union county. On that farm the elder Krombs passed the balance of their lives and they too lie buried at Bath Springs.

Smith Dubois, father of the subject of this interesting biographical sketch, received most of his education in the early subscription schools of this section and most naturally turned to farming as his life vocation. Shortly after marriage he went to live on what is known now as the Ed Hyde farm in Bath township. There was on this place at that time a crude little cabin and he started out on the journey there with one horse and a sled, his worldly possessions on the sled and his wife on the horse, himself walking and driv- ing. The farm at that time comprised but forty acres, scarcely any of that being cleared, but he set to work with a cheerful heart, cleared up his original forty, put it in a good state of cultivation, and then purchased other land from time to time until at his death his farm contained one hundred and sixty acres. The cabin in a few years was replaced by a more pretentious frame dwelling, but shortly afterward was destroyed by fire and in 1856 Mr. Dubois

MR. AND MRS. OSCAR S. DUBOIS.

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built the frame house which is still standing there. Smith Dubois had a family of nine children, namely: William, John, George, Emily, Hazel, Abijah, Oscar Scott (the immediate subject of this sketch), Elizabeth and Jasper. Mrs. Dubois was a strict Presbyterian and in this faith reared her family. She was an excellent woman and a helpful neighbor in the days when neighbors were few and far between.

Oscar Scott Dubois received rather a limited education at the school known as the Dubois school and was early trained in farm work. He re- mained with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, working for him without remuneration, but told his father that he would stay with him another year if he would buy him a nice buggy, the thing most desired by young men in rural localities in those days. The father agreed and the buggy was forthcoming at the close of the year, having cost one hundred and forty dollars at Liberty.

Mr. Dubois was married on December 31, 1863, to Miss Christina Cath- erine Murphy, born in Fairfield township, this county, and a daughter of Recompense and Susanna (Welty) Murphy, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter born in Virginia. Samuel and Elizabeth (Hitchner) Murphy, parents of Recompense Murphy, brought their family from New Jersey and located in this vicinity about the time the Dubois family first arrived, these families locating across the road from each other and remain- ing close friends through the long term of this neighborly relation. Susanna Welty was a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Fry) Welty, but the father died at their home in Virginia and it was the mother only who braved the long journey westward with her children. Recompense Murphy was one of the most successful men of his day in this vicinity, and he had the satisfaction of knowing he had won his own way in the world. He started out in life for himself with a blind horse as his sole possession and at his death owned a farm of two hundred and fifty acres, besides much valuable personal prop- erty. His first tract of land was covered with timber, which he cleared away and in later years erected a brick house, which was quite pretentious for those times, and in that house the wife of our subject was born and reared. Recom- pense Murphy was the father of nine children: Jonathan, Henry, Samuel, Elizabeth, Christina, Sarah, Phoebe, Mary and Caroline.

After his marriage Oscar Scott Dubois started farming for himself, and not long afterward he was drafted for service in the Union army, the Civil War at that time being in progress. However, he did not go to the front, deeming it better to remain home on account of certain cares and responsi-

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bilities, and instead sent a substitute. Some time afterward he purchased an eighty-acre farm from James Davis, located in Bath township, and there he lived until 1904, when he retired from active farm work and moved to Bath Station. He also owns a seventy-acre farm in Fairfield township, but since taking up his residence in Bath Station he has given his entire time and at- tention to the buying and selling of live stock, having associated with him his son Walter S., the two going under the firm name of O. S. Dubois & Son. They do a considerable business in the course of a year and have made for themselves more than a local reputation as shippers.

To Oscar Scott and Christina Catherine (Murphy) Dubois were born four children: Recompense Sheridan, who died young; Carrie May and Christopher Columbus, also deceased, and Walter Scott, the youngest of the family, who is associated with the father, as above stated. Walter S. was first married to LaFayette Hayward, who bore him one child, Donald M. His second wife was Mary Heard, and they have one child, Harold Heard.

The Dubois family always has stood for what is best in community life, and Mr. Dubois and his family are regarded as among the best citizens of this section. While they were among the pioneer settlers of this section, they can trace their family name back several centuries, and there is a Dubois fam- ily coat-of-arms which shows their origin lay in the nobility of France. From father to son has been handed down the worthy ambition for a clean and up- right life. Mr. and Mrs. Dubois are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Coulters Corners and live lives in true accord with its teachings. Politically, Mr. Dubois is a warm supporter of the Republican party, although he has never taken any particularly active interest in political affairs. Mr. Dubois has demonstrated that he is a man of good business ability, strict in- tegrity and fine personal address, and because of his genuine worth and ex- cellent character he has long enjoyed a splendid reputation in the community where he lives. He gives his support to all movements for the advancement of the welfare of his fellow citizens and is numbered among the representative men of this section.

A signal mark of the high esteem in which Mr. and Mrs. Dubois are held by their friends and neighbors was noted in connection with the recent celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of this excellent old couple. This "golden wedding" was celebrated at the pleasant Dubois home December 31, 1914, and the presentation of many handsome gifts of gold at- tested the warm regard in which the popular celebrants are held by those closely connected with them by ties either of blood or neighborly affection.

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HENRY APSLEY.

Maryland, like many of the other earlier settled states, furnished its quota of pioneer settlers of Franklin county, Indiana, many of whom have become prominent in the life and affairs of this county. Among those who were born in Maryland and who early migrated to Franklin county, Indiana, with his parents, was Henry Apsley, well known as a citizen and retired farmer of Blooming Grove township.

Henry Apsley was born in Queen Ann's county, Maryland, May 28, 184I. His parents were William and Rebecca (Knotts) Apsley, both of whom were natives of Maryland.

The paternal grandparents and maternal grandparents of Henry Aps- ley were early settlers in Maryland, where they became quite prominent. They lived in Maryland practically their entire lives, dying when William Apsley was a mere lad.

William Apsley, father of Henry Apsley, attended the early schools of Maryland, sharing in the common hardships of the frontier days and know- ing few of the luxuries of the boyhood of today. He cherished the mem- ory of these days, however, and often stated that his best Christmas present received was a pair of shoes, a rare article of apparel for a boy in those days. In 1843, with his family, William Apsley migrated to Indiana. His family at that time consisted of his wife and two children. They came over- land to this state, riding in a cart drawn by one horse. They remained in Ohio about one month and then came to Franklin county, Indiana, where Mrs. Apsley had a sister living. They located in Blooming Grove at the place now occupied by Thomas Ellis. After establishing his family in Blooming Grove, William Apsley engaged as a logging team driver, which he followed for two years. He then rented a farm which is now occupied by Charles Bolander. He remained on this farm for some time, after which he rented a larger farm and engaged in farming on a rather extensive scale. On August 27, 1859, William Apsley died, survived by his wife and chil- dren. After his death the family of William Apsley moved back to their original farm in this county, known then as the Swift farm, where Mrs. Apsley remained the balance of her life, with the exception of three years which she spent with her children. They were splendid people, who lived an industrious and God-fearing life, and were honored and respected by their neighbors.

Henry Apsley was a small boy when his father died and a great part of his father's responsibilities were thrown on his shoulders. However, he

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assumed the task with a willing heart and ready hand, and in every instance proved worthy of the trust imposed in him. He remained on the Swift farm for twenty-nine years. In 1889 he purchased the farm on which he now lives. This consisted of one hundred and fourteen acres, on which were a number of old buildings situated in the middle of the farm. Mr. Apsley dis- mantled these buildings and erected the splendid substantial buildings that face the road on his farm. He had, up to his recent retirement, been devot- ing his time to general farming.

In 1867 he was married to Mary E. Morgan, of Blooming Grove, a daughter of John W. Morgan, who was one of the early settlers in Bloom- ing Grove township. To this union have been born six children, as follows: Missouri (deceased), Ella (deceased), Lewis (deceased), Sallie Alma, Myr- tle and Lina. Mr. Apsley and family are members of the Methodist-Epis- copal church and are active in all its works. The Apsley family may well be proud of their family history. It is interesting in its lessons of industry, honesty and patience.

HENRY E. HEEB.

Among the many prominent farmers of German extraction living in Franklin county is Henry E. Heeb, whose progenitors were natives of Ger- many and after coming to this country located in Franklin county, where Henry E. Heeb has lived practically all his life.

Henry E. Heeb was born in Blooming Grove township October I, 1858, the son of Peter and Abbie (Klemme) Heeb. Peter Heeb was a na- tive of Germany and his wife was born in Highland township in this county. To Peter Heeb and wife were born four children, Nora, Molly, Henry E. and Elmer.

Peter Heeb, father of Henry E. Heeb, was educated in Germany in his native village of Darmstadt, and also attended school in Franklin county, Indiana. He came to this country with his parents, who were natives of Darmstadt, Germany, and who located in this county. His early life was spent on his father's farm in this county. After his marriage to Abbie Klemme he bought his father's farm, on which he lived for many years. He later moved to Brookville, in Franklin county, where he lived until his death. He was a highly regarded man, very industrious and well liked by all who knew him.

The paternal grandparents of Henry Heeb were Henry and Anna (Fri- day) Heeb, who left their native village of Darmstadt, Germany, and came

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to this country about the year 1843. They first located at Cincinnati, Ohio, which was a German settlement, living at that place but a short time. They then came to Franklin county, where they bought sixty acres in Blooming Grove township, later increasing this to one hundred and eighty acres. At the time of their locating here there was a log house on the farm and the surroundings were very primitive. They soon had the ground cleared and gradually developed their land into a splendid farm. This property still remains in the possession of their descendants.

The maternal grandparents of Henry Heeb were Frederick and Mary Charlotte (Welhausen) Klemme, natives of Kamersheim, Germany. Fred- erick Klemme was a prominent man in his native village, having served as treasurer of his village for eight years. He came to America in 1837 and located in Franklin county, Indiana, about six miles southeast of Brookville. He bought one hundred and forty acres at $4.50 per acre. At the time of his arrival there were still wild deer running about this section of the state. There was a primitive log-cabin standing on this place when Mr. Klemme arrived. He soon made this habitable and began to clear the land. After a part of the land had been cleared Mr. Klemme erected a new log house, which is still standing on the place. Mr. Klemme and family lived on this place for many years, he dying at the age of ninety years. To Mr. and Mrs. Klemme were born the following children : Frederick, William, Charles, John, Rossanna, Abbie and Mary. They were all members of the German- Lutheran church, of which they were devout attendants.

Henry Heeb was educated in the district schools of Blooming Grove township. His early youth was spent on the old home place, where he fol- lowed farming during his spare time from school. From the time he was twenty years of age until he had attained the age of fifty-five years he re- mained on the home place. He then bought thirty acres in the vicinity of Brookville, on Blooming Grove pike, which had been known for a number of years as the Haman place. Mr. Heeb devotes this place to general lines, also pastures stock and operates a small dairy. He utilizes his farm to the greatest advantage, making every acre pay the greatest amount possible. On July 9, 1885, he was married to Sarah Cornelia Smith, who was born in Brookville, Franklin county, and who at the time of her marriage was a resident of Blooming Grove township. She was educated at the same schools in which her husband attended. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Heeb have been born the following children: Mabel, Bessie, Edna, Beulah, Helen, Clifford, Abbie, Bontella and Ross. Of these Edna is deaf and was educated for ten years at the Indianapolis (Indiana) institute for the deaf.

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Mr. and Mrs. Heeb and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which they are prominently identified. The Heeb family has always been numbered among the substantial German families of this county and have always been noted for their industry. Henry Heeb and family stand well in this community, as have the various generations of Heebs before them.

JACOB URBAN, JR.

Like many of those who came west to settle in the early days of the country the progenitors of Jacob Urban settled for awhile in Ohio. Jacob Urban was born at Riley, Butler county, Ohio, March, 1861, the son of Jacob and Gertrude (Gehring) Urban, both natives of Bavaria. Jacob Ur- ban, at the age of twenty years, decided to seek fame and fortune in the new world and embarked for America. At that time local tradesmen trav- eled about the county a great deal, as the settlements were few and far be- tween and the population was not large enough to justify a tradesman's permanent location at one settlement. Jacob Urban, Sr., a shoemaker by trade, went throughout the country working at his trade and found his services in great demand, as he was a skilled workman. There being no manufacturers of boots and shoes in those days, the trade of a journeyman shoemaker was a very important one indeed. In the meantime, there had come to this country Gertrude Gehring, a native of Bavaria, the birthplace of Jacob Urban. These two united in marriage and finally settled at Ven- ice, Ohio. The wife of Jacob Urban was a very industrious woman, a characteristic of most of her countrywomen, and before her marriage to Jacob Urban had worked hard and saved enough money to send for her sister who presently came and joined her in her new home in this country.

From Riley, Ohio, Mr. Urban and his wife moved to Mixersville, Indi- ana, and from there they moved to Bath, now known as Coulter's Corner. Here he erected a primitive log cabin, where he resided until 1874. This log cabin still stands and is used for a barn on. the farm of James Smith at Coulter's Corner. To the original section of forty acres, Mr. Urban added seventy-six adjoining acres lying west, subsequently acquiring various farms in Madison county. Mrs. Urban still lives, residing at the old home- stead located on the original farm of forty acres. The children of this union are: Elizabeth; Lottie, who died in infancy; Jacob, Mary, Lydia and Laura.

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 78

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