USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 82
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George Bauer and family are German Protestants, and in politics Mr. Bauer is a member of the Republican party, in whose affairs he is interested,
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but has never aspired to political office. Some time ago Mr. Bauer sold his farm to his son, Jacob, with whom he now makes his home.
Mr. and Mrs. Mergenthal are active members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Mergenthal is an adherent of the Democratic party, although he has never taken an active interest in political affairs.
ANDREW ARIENS.
The late Andrew Ariens was a native of Germany and came to Franklin county with his parents in 1833, since which time the various members of the family have taken an active part in every phase of the county's develop- ment. Mr. Ariens was reared in this county and was engaged in the manu- facture of brick and general farming during his active career. He never shrank from his duties as a public citizen and, however irksome they may have been, he never neglected to perform his part in the life of the com- munity about him. He was an advocate of wholesome living and cleanliness in politics and was always outspoken in his antipathy of wrong-doing.
The late Andrew Ariens was born in Germany in 1828 and died at his home in Franklin county, Indiana, in 1886. He was a son of Philip and Magdalena Ariens, both of whom were born in Germany. His parents came to Franklin county in 1833 and located near St. Peters. His father died in Brookville in 1860 at the age of seventy-nine. His wife later moved to Illi- nois to make her home with her son, Charles, and died in that state.
Andrew Ariens was only three years of age when his parents located in the county and. consequently, was reared under the pioneer conditions which prevailed during his boyhood days. He was reared on the farm and early knew what it was to engage in hard labor. After reaching man's estate, he became interested in the manufacture of brick and for many years followed this industry. He also followed farming and had a well-improved farm of forty acres. .
Andrew Ariens was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Wissel, a pioneer of Franklin county. To this first marriage were born three chil- dren, Conrad, Frank and Susan, deceased.
The second wife of Andrew Ariens was Mary Loechle, to whom he was married September 29, 1864. She was born in Germany, February 5, 1842 and was a daughter of Gephart and Louisa (Schneider) Loechle, both natives of Germany. Her father was born in Baden in 1807 and her mother was
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born in the same place in 1811. Mr. Loechle and his wife came to the United States in 1857 and settled near St. Peters, Franklin county, Indiana. He engaged in general farming and carpentering in this county until his death, December 25, 1871. His wife passed away September 1I, 1878. Gephart Loechle and wife were the parents of seven children, Richard, who died in Germany, Mary, Caroline, Francis, who died in Germany, Joseph, Frank and John.
Andrew Ariens and his second wife were the parents of a family of ten children, William, Joseph, Frederick, Michael, John, George, Charles, Mary, Lewis and Kate. All of these children are still living with the exception of John, Lewis, Joseph and Frederick. Mary Ariens, the eighth child of Andrew Ariens and his second wife, now lives with her mother on the old homestead. Mary was married January 16, 1907 to August Pelsor, who was born in Metamora township, May 28, 1875, a son of William and Sarah (Mofford) Pelsor. William Pelsor died about 1878 and his wife passed away in 1906 at the age of seventy-nine. August Pelsor is now farming the old Ariens homestead. He is a progressive farmer and ranks high among the enter- prising agriculturists of the county. In politics he is a Democrat and he and his wife are both members of the Catholic church. Mr. and Mrs. Pelsor have three children. Mary Agatha, Lewis Conrad and William August.
THOMAS H. ROBESON.
One of the oldest pioneers of Franklin county, Indiana, is Thomas H. Robeson, whose whole career of seventy-five years has been spent within the limits of this county. The family long have been identified with Franklin county history, and in everything which pertains to the welfare of the county they have taken an active interest. Mr. Robeson has followed agricultural pursuits for more than half a century, and most of this time he has been farming in Brookville township.
Thomas H. Robeson, the son of John and Sophronia (Herndon) Robe- son, was born in Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana, September 25, 1840. His father was born in Kentucky, January 2, 1809, and his mother was probably born in Franklin county, Indiana, in 1813. His parents had five children: Nancy, William, Thomas H., Sarah Ann, and one who died in infancy. The first wife of John Robeson died in 1855 and he later mar- ried Ann Catherine Lawrence, to which second union four children were
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born, James, Mary, George and Michael. George is the only one of the second marriage now living. The father of these children died in 1888.
The paternal grandparents of Thomas H. Robeson were James Robe- son and wife, the former of whom was born in North Carolina and came to Kentucky early in life, and later, about 1809, settled in Franklin county, Indiana, his death occurring in this county in 1871. Grandmother Robeson died in 1858 in Ripley county, Indiana, at the home of one of her daughters, Mrs. Nancy Wise. The maternal grandparents of Thomas H. Robeson were Thomas and Nancy (Keen) Herndon. Grandfather Herndon was born in Kentucky and was one of the early settlers in Franklin county, Indiana. He died in 1852, his wife having passed away the year previously.
Thomas H. Robeson received such education as was given in the sub- scription schools of his boyhood days. He never knew any other life than that of a farmer and his earliest recollections go back to the years when farming was carried on under difficulties. As a youth he handled the scythe and cradle to cut the grass and grain and has wielded the flail to thresh the grain after having cut it. In fact, during his long life he has noted the introduction of more and better improvements in farming than had ever before been devised in the history of agriculture. Mr. Robeson now owns forty acres of land in Brookville township, where he has made a comfortable living for himself and family.
Mr. Robeson was married September 26, 1861, to Rosa A. Schocke, and to this union eight children were born: William Holman, Alice Nora (de- ceased), Mrs. Nancy Isabel O'Brien (deceased), Mrs. Cora May Neuham, John Lewis, James Mason, Mrs. Rachael Daisy Smith and Mrs. Clara Althea Smith.
Mrs. Robeson was born in Franklin county December 25, 1843, and is a daughter of Louis and Rachel (Flohr) Schocke, both of whom were born in Germany. The Schockes were early settlers in Highland township, hav- ing been married in Cincinnati after coming to the United States. Louis Schocke died in Highland township in 1893, at the age of eighty-eight years and six months, and his wife died in 1896 at the age of eighty-two. Mr. Schocke was a Democrat in politics early in life, but later gave his support to the Republican party. He and his wife were both members of the Luth- eran church. Seven children were born to Louis Schocke and wife: John, Louis, Caroline, Rosa, Fred, William and George. All of these children, except John and George, are still living.
The Democratic party has received the support of Mr. Robeson since he has attained his majority. He and his family are members of the
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Christian church of Brookville. Mr. Robeson is one of those sturdy pion- eers whose history covers a large portion of the history of the county. He has been an active participant in everything pertaining to the welfare of his county, and can look back over a life which has been spent in the service of his fellow men. It is gratifying to note that he has a large circle of friends and acquaintances who admire him for his many kindly traits of head and heart, and it is safe to say that no man in the community enjoys to a greater degree the confidence of his fellow citizens.
ADAM PFAFF.
It is surprising to note the large number of farmers of Franklin county who are of German descent, and it is also gratifying to note that, without exception, they have been successful tillers of the soil. Adam Pfaff is one the many farmers of the county of German ancestry and his success as a farmer is indicated by his well improved farm of one hundred and thirty acres in Brookville township.
Adam Pfaff, the son of Christian and Mary (Bauman) Pfaff, was born in Brookville township, Franklin county, Indiana, December 18, 1876. His parents were born in Germany in 1832 and 1844, respectively. They are the parents of eight children: John, Katie, George, Wendall, Carrie, Bar- bara, Adam and Maggie. Only four of these children are now living, John, George, Barbara and Adam. The father of these children died March I, 1907, and the mother passed away June 5, 1905.
Christian Pfaff, the father of Adam, came to Franklin county, Indiana, about 1850 and his wife came with her parents, Adam and Barbara (Reece) Baumann, and located in this county. Her father died in 1898 at the age of eighty and her mother died November 23, 1908, at the age of eighty-nine. The parents of Adam Pfaff were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, and later came to Franklin county, where they lived the remainder of their lives. Christian Pfaff became the owner of two hundred acres of land. He was a Democrat and he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church.
Adam Pfaff was educated in the public schools of Brookville township, and after his marriage began farming near the old homestead. In addition to, raising all of the crops adapted to the soil of this section of the state he has devoted considerable attention to the raising of good live stock and added not a little to his annual income by the sale of live stock. His farm
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is well improved and he has a handsome residence surrounded by attractive and well kept grounds.
Adam Pfaff was married March 1, 1901, to Maggie Kolter, who was born at Highland Center, October 19, 1876, the daughter of Daniel and Mary (Poppe) Kolter. To this union have been born two children: Frederick, born February 13, 1903, and Mary, born April 19, 1906.
The father of Mrs. Pfaff was born in Germany in 1844 and her mother in Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana, in 1856. She was a daugh- ter of Frederick and Caroline (Hertel) Poppe, both natives of Germany and pioneer settlers in Franklin county. Daniel Kolter and wife were the parents of eight children: Carrie, Maggie, Jacob, William, Daniel, John, Eva and Frederick, deceased.
Mr. Pfaff and his family are members of the Lutheran church and generous contributors to its support. In politics he has always given his support to the Democratic party, although he has never felt inclined to take an active part in its councils.
GEORGE F. PULSKAMP.
Sweet memories cluster about the home of one's childhood, about the home where one was born and reared to manhood. George F. Pulskamp, of Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana, was born and reared on the farm where his father lived all of his life, the same farm which was entered by his grandfather when the tract on which it stands was a thick wilder- ness without a stick of timber cut and not even a sign of a building.
George F. Pulskamp was born November 13, 1884, the son of Gerhart and Margaret (Stallman) Pulskamp. His father was born in Hanover, Germany, and his mother at St. Peters, Indiana. Mr. Pulskamp's paternal grandparents were Herman H. and Katherine (Staenka) Pulskamp, both natives of Germany. His paternal great-grandfather was Bernard Puls- kamp, who never came to America and who died the year before Herman H. came to this country.
George F. Pulskamp was educated in the public schools of Blue Creek, after which he spent two years in the Catholic school at Bellevue, Ken- tucky. After completing his education there he returned to the farm in Highland township, and has since engaged in farming, adding eighty acres to the old home place owned by his father and grandfather.
Mr. Pulskamp was married January 10, 1906, to Elizabeth Meyer, who
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was born in Ripley county, the daughter of William Meyer and wife, now residing in Pennsylvaniaburg, Ripley county, Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Pulskamp one daughter,, Alma, has been born.
The maternal grandparents of George F. Pulskamp were Andrew and Elizabeth (Zimmerberg) Stallman, of Oldenburg, Germany, who came to America about 1840 and located at Cincinnati. Here he worked in a pork house. About 1843 he moved to St. Peters and was a farmer there when he died. Mr. Pulskamp's paternal grandfather came to America in 1845, when the father of George F. was eight years old. He came directly to the 'farm of eighty acres, which then was nothing but woods. He cleared the land, built log buildings where the present buildings stand and later put up. a brick house, in which George F. Pulskamp now lives. At this time St. Peters was a log church.
Mr. Pulskamp's father, Gerhart Pulskamp, was educated at St. Mary's. He learned the cooper's trade, but with the exception of two winters spent in Cincinnati engaging in this trade, has engaged in farming all his life. His wife died December 22, 1892, and he is still living.
George F. Pulskamp and family are members of St. Mary's Catholic church and are loyal and devoted to its interests and contribute liberally of their means to its support. Politically, Mr. Pulskamp is a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Pulskamp have a large circle of friends in their community and enjoy a large measure of popular esteem.
GEORGE M. WILHELM.
No matter what advance science may make, it is of no avail if the tiller of the soil does not keep abreast with it, for upon him and his products the whole civic structure is built. Prosperity comes and goes with the entire people exactly as it comes or goes with the farmer, therefore we are vitally interested in the story of men who are keeping abreast with the times in agricultural matters.
A thoroughly progressive farmer is George M. Wilhelm, who was born in St. Leon, Dearborn county, on July 30, 1857, the son of Joseph and Eve (Neuman) Wilhelm, both of whom were born in Germany, he in the year 1832.
The paternal great-grandfather of Mr. Wilhelm was Carl Wilhelm, who came to America from Germany about 1830 and entered eighty acres of land
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at St. Leon, where he lived until his death. Carl Wilhelm's son Peter, with his wife, who was Magdalena Leichman, migrated to America in 1840 and came through the forest to St. Leon, where they entered land, cleared it and erected buildings. Sawed-off logs were used as chairs. The first tract of land contained eighty acres, but by diligence and thrift these holdings were enlarged until one hundred and twenty acres was accumulated in all. Peter Wilhelm died on this farm.
Opportunity to gain an education was slight for Joseph Wilhelm, as he was forced to go five or six miles across woods and fields to reach school. Joseph Wilhelm lived on the homestead until his wife's death in December, 1912, after which he made his home with his son George.
George M. Wilhelm attended the common schools in St. Leon, and after his marriage in 1881 began farming at his present location near South Gate. At the time of purchase the place contained eighty acres; now its boundaries embrace one hundred and eighty acres. Excellent buildings have been erected and the farm is known as the South Gate Improved Stock Farm, as Mr. Wilhelm, though he does general farming, specializes in high-grade stock.
Mr. Wilhelm married Louisa Stenger, of St. Leon, the daughter of John C. and Kunigunda (Knecht) Stenger, both of whom were natives of Germany. To George M. and Louisa (Stenger) Wilhelm were born the following children: Roman Steven, Amelia, Joseph B., Mary, George A., Johannah, Edith, Helen, Emma, who died in infancy, and Carl.
Mrs. Wilhelm's paternal grandparents were native to Germany, com- ing to St. Leon in 1840, where they entered one hundred and sixty acres and where they spent the remainder of their lives. The maternal grand- father. John Knecht, of Germany, located near St. Peters in the early days and lived as a pioneer farmer.
John C. Stenger was a blacksmith in St. Leon, later conducting a grist mill in the same town until his wife's death in 1900, when he went to Greens- burg, Indiana, and there lived with his eldest daughter until his death in 1903. John Stenger and his wife are buried in St. Leon.
Mr. Wilhelm and his wife are active members of the St. Joseph's Cath- olic church at St. Leon. As an evidence of the respect and confidence re- posed in Mr. Wilhelm, he held the office of supervisor within the years 1896-1900, and of township trustee from 1904 until 1908. Mr. Wilhelm is a progressive man, who heartily welcomes any genuine improvement on present methods, and he is invariably found in league with the forces mak- ing for the advancement of the best interests of his community.
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JOSEPH MORGAN.
To have reared a large family to lives of individual usefulness and to have seen the members of this family grow up to sturdy manhood and gentle womanhood surely is compensation for all the struggles and trials which such a labor of love involves. Joseph Morgan has enjoyed the satisfaction not only of rearing many children, but of rearing children who in his de- clining years are wont to rise up and bless him. Mr. Morgan himself has led an active and useful life, which should be and is an inspiration to his children and grandchildren who are to take up the work after him.
Joseph Morgan was born September II, 1844, at Lawrenceville, the son of Anthony and Mary Anna (Sumstein) Morgan, both of whom were born in Germany.
Joseph Morgan was educated in the public schools of Lawrenceville, and after leaving school began farming as an occupation. He bought a farm of ninety acres in Highland township in 1874, and here he still lives. He erected the house and other buildings which are on the farm and now has one of the most comfortable farm homes in the county.
Mr. Morgan was married in 1867 to Francisca Schneider, of Sunman, Indiana, the daughter of Mathew Schneider, a native of Germany, who came to America and located in Sunman. To Mr. and Mrs. Morgan the following children were born: Charles, Andrew, Marion, Katherine, all deceased ; Eva, Marion, Elizabeth, Anna and Charles.
Mr. Morgan was married a second time in 1884 to Crescentia Geisler, who was born at Yorkville, Indiana, the daughter of John and Mary (Fruit) Geisler, both of whom were born in Germany and came to America in 1855, locating at Yorkville. Mr. Geisler was a farmer. To Mr. Morgan and his second wife the following children were born: John, Lewis, Michael, Susan, Pauline and Martha.
John Morgan was born August 31, 1885. on the farm where he still lives with his father. He was educated in the public schools and the St. Peter's Catholic school. He operates the home place and is engaged in gen- eral farming. John Morgan was married in 1907 to Nettie Hahn, of St. Peters, and they have one daughter, Catherine.
The maternal grandparents of Joseph Morgan were Jacob and Maggie Sumstein, who were born and lived in Germany all of their lives. Jacob Sumstein was a teamster in that country.
Anthony Morgan, the father of Joseph, married in Germany,- where he was a farmer. He came to America and settled in Lawrenceville in
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1836, when that place was nothing but a woods. He took up twenty-three acres of government land, cleared it and put up the first buildings. About twelve years before his death he sold out and moved to New Alsace, where he bought a house and lot. Here he and his wife died.
In politics, Joseph Morgan is identified with the Democratic party. He and his family are members of St. Peters Catholic church. Mr. Morgan is a man of genial personality and eminently deserves the distinction which he enjoys of being one of the most respected citizens of Franklin county. He has a wide circle of friends, gained through a long life of honesty and square dealings with his fellow citizens.
ADAM STENGER.
A member of a sturdy German family, whose representatives have aided in shaping the destinies of Franklin county for two generations, Adam Stenger has demonstrated his inherent qualities by gradually advancing to a position of influence in his community.
Mr. Stenger is of German birth, his birth occurring January 12, 1840, and he is the son of Francis and Gertrude (Roell) Stenger, both of whom were natives of Germany, and who came with their family to America in 1841. Mr. Stenger is one of a family of eight children, namely: John A., who was taught the shoemaker's trade and remained in his father's shop until he was twenty-one, now deceased; Christopher, also now deceased, also learned the shoemaker's trade and continued his father's business; Anna died at the age of seven; Adam is mentioned above; Gertrude is now Mrs. Benedict Pflum, of St. Leon; Henry, who was a brickmaker, is now dead; Mary is dead, and Leonard, who learned the shoemaker's trade from his brother Adam, is also dead.
Mr. Stenger's maternal grandparents, who were also of German origin, came to America and made their home at St. Leon, Indiana. Francis Sten- ger, who had learned the trade of making shoes in Germany, on coming to America went directly to St. Leon, Dearborn county, and established the first shoemaking shop there, going to Dover, Dearborn county, to learn the craft of pegging shoes, in which he had no experience. When Mr. Stenger arrived at St. Leon he had only $5, which he used to buy flour for his family. He then went to Dover and worked one month for the shoe- maker in that place, earning $9. With the $9 thus obtained Mr. Stenger returned to St. Leon and established the shoe shop, which later grew to very
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respectable proportions, with three sons and hired shoemakers working at the bench. When the shop was sold to Christopher Stenger the business had netted $5,000. At the time of his retirement, Francis Stenger was about seventy-five years of age. After that time he made his home with his chil- dren, dying at the home of his son Adam at the age of eighty-seven.
Adam Stenger received a common-school education at St. Leon and then learned shoemaking under his father's instruction, after his father's retirement remaining in the old shop in the employ of his brother Chris- topher.
Later Mr. Stenger went to Cincinnati, where he obtained employment at his trade, doing piece work. However, Mr. Stenger contracted typhoid fever and remained in Cincinnati only one year, at the end of which time he established a shoe shop at New Trenton, Indiana. After maintaining this shop for ten months Mr. Stenger returned to St. Leon, and after a few months bought property in St. Peters, Franklin county. This property was soon afterward sold and Mr. Stenger returned to St. Leon, where property was purchased and the old business resumed. After four years at St. Leon, Mr. Stenger, in 1868, traded his place for property in South Gate, where he still lives. After this home was acquired the house was remodeled and a workshop erected. In 1878 Mr. Stenger established a harness-making shop, hiring a man to work for him and to teach him the trade. A large harness- making business has been carried on since, to which, in the later eighties, a retail shoe store was added and is still conducted, ready-made harness being sold and the repair of shoes and harness undertaken for the local custom.
After recovery from the attack of typhoid in Cincinnati, Adam Sten- ger married, on February 9, 1864, Mary Wilmann, who was born near New Ellsworth, Dearborn county, and had made her own living in Cincinnati since the age of twelve. Mrs. Stenger was the daughter of Joseph Wil- man. To the marriage of Adam and Mary (Wilmann) Stenger the follow- ing children were born: Emma G., who is still at home: Frank Edward, who for eight years was recorder of Franklin county, is now serving as a clerk in the office of the Indiana State Tax Commission at Indianapolis; Joseph H., a well-known Highland township farmer; Mary Ottilia, the wife of Jacob Schuck, of South Gate; Johannah J., the wife of Peter Wilhelm, of Brookville township; Leonard A., deceased; Jacob V., a well-known farmer of Springfield township; Roman Albert, a Dearborn county farmer ; Eliza- bear M., deceased; John G. lives in Florida; George F. is in business at South Gate, and Frank X. is a professor in a business college at Anderson, Indiana.
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Mrs. Stenger's parents were natives of Germany, who came to America and settled in the early days near Morris, Ripley county, Indiana, where the wife died. Some time after her death Joseph Wilmann married again, and after his second wife's death he was again married, and died some time later, survived by his widow. Mr. Wilmann was a farmer and clockmaker, which trade he learned in Swartzwaldt, Baden, Germany.
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