History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 83

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

USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 83

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Mr. Stenger, who is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church at St. Leon, is a man of high moral integrity and holds an enviable place in the regard of the community. By a life of industry he has earned considerable of this world's substance, as he owns, in South Gate alone, one and one- half acres divided into six lots. Between the years 1842 and 1846 Mr. Stenger was township trustee, and he has been the South Gate postmaster since 1878. Since February, 1909, Mr. Stenger has been treasurer of the Highland Fire Insurance Company, which does business almost exclusively with people of German extraction. The positions of trust and responsibility held by Mr. Stenger attest the confidence reposed in him, and the record of his life indeed warrants this confidence.

HERMAN W. SUHRE.

We are apt to think of the natives of Franklin county, as well as those of all other counties in Indiana, as distinctive Hoosiers, especially those who are engaged in farming. When one thinks of the term Hoosier, he usually associates it with those who early settled in Indiana, coming from the earlier settlements of the east, or of their descendants now living in the state. The fact is that there are many persons of foreign birth, living in Indiana, who are as strictly Hoosier as any in the state. The term Hoosier today implies more than it did formerly. The Hoosier of today is universally regarded as a brilliant American living in Indiana. One of the prominent Hoosiers living in Franklin county is Herman W. Suhre.

Herman W. Suhre was born in Germany, June 12, 1856. His parents were Earnest and Fredericka (Konerman) Suhre, both of whom were natives of Germany. Earnest Suhre was the son of Jacob Suhre, and during the greater part of his life in Germany, had followed farming with his father.

Earnest Suhre, father of Herman W. Suhre, was educated in Germany and aside from his duties on the farm of his father, he made wooden shoes, as his home was but one hundred miles distant from Holland, whose inhabit-

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ants were good customers of Mr. Suhre. In 1879 he came to America and located in Cincinnati. He was a man of fixed determination and had partici- pated in a short revolution in his native land, which, no doubt, had something to do with his coming to this country. Mr. and Mrs. Suhre lived in Cin- cinnati the remainder of their lives. To them were born the following chil- dren, Frederick, who was a soldier and died of cholera in 1866, during the war with Austria; Rudolph, who located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he fol- lowed the tanning business, dying in that city in 1902: Earnest, who died in Germany at the age of sixteen : William, who died when young; Fredericka, still living in Cincinnati; Minnie, who died in Germany; Henry F., of Cin- cinnati, and Herman W., of this county.

Herman W. Suhre received his early education in Germany and in 1872, when he was seventeen years of age came to Cincinnati. He was of an ` artistic temperament and started to learn free-hand drawing, studying in the evenings. He learned the trade of carving and stone-cutting, serving four years' apprenticeship at these trades, in addition to studying free-hand draw- ing. On November 1, 1877, he went to Germany, where he studied for six months. His profession in Germany is called "bildhauer." The work mainly consists of carving stone, following a given model and is a distinct phase of sculpturing. Mr. Suhre advanced to proficiency in his line of work, and as he had a natural bent for this work, he was soon regarded as a finished workman. He returned to America and established a monument business in Cincinnati. He again visited the old country in 1880. Many fine ex- amples of his handicraft are in evidence in the cemeteries of Cincinnati. He remained in this business for thirteen years, meeting with splendid success. He then purchased a farm in Ripley county, Indiana, to which he retired, owing to ill health at that time. This farm consisted of one hundred and twenty acres. He remained on this farm for seven years, devoting his time to general agricultural lines. He then moved to Rush county, Indiana, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of excellent farm land. remaining at this place for two years, after which he returned to Cincinnati and engaged in the newspaper business. In 1900 he came to Brookville township, Frank- lin county, Indiana, and purchased a tract of land on Blooming Grove pike, situated three and one-half miles north of Brookville. This place consisted of one hundred and twenty-seven acres. He immediately began to improve the place, adding new buildings and developing it in general. He occupied his time for four years in general farming and met with substantial success. He then engaged in the culture of bees and the production of honey on a large scale. He has five bee yards, two hundred and thirty-five colonies and

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six hundred hives, constituting one of the most extensive bee and honey in- dustries in the state.

In 1882, he was married to Mary Trenepohl who was a native of Cin- cinnati. To this union have been born the following children, Harry E., Tillie, Amelia, William, Walter and Elmer. Of these, the boys operate the farm and the girls assist in the household. The family are of the Protestant denomination.

Herman W. Suhre is Republican in politics and at one time was the choice of his party for the office of county auditor of Franklin county, being defeated by Charles Reifel. Mr. Suhre is regarded as an able and cultured gentleman, who has always stood for the highest ideals of citizenship. His life has been a succession of activities, devoted to the most worthy enterprises.

CHRISTIAN GESELL.

In the various wholesome activities of his community Christian Gesell has taken a prominent part and is rightly considered a substantial farmer of Springfield township, where he devotes his attention to the production of corn and wheat on his farm of eighty acres, also giving considerable attention to the raising of hogs, which he has found to be a profitable feature of the work of the farm.

Christian Gesell was born in Highland township, this county, east of Klemmes Corner, June 13, 1876, the son of Peter and Caroline (Lange) Gesell, and was one of a family of six children, the others being: Lewis, an infant, deceased; Josephine, Abbie, and another who also died in infancy. Peter Gesell started in life as an employe of his paternal uncle, starting to work on the farm on which Christian Gesell was born. He later bought this place, where he lived until 1909, in which year he sold out and moved to a farm near Liberty, Indiana, where his death occurred November 3, 1914. At the time of his death he was the owner of a farm containing two hundred and fifteen acres, located near Liberty, Indiana. Previously he had owned one hundred and eighty-eight acres near Klemmes Corner, but this had been sold.

The paternal great-grandparents of Mr. Gesell were Philip L. and Abbo- lina Gesell, who were natives of Germany, being what is known as High Ger- mans, and who came from the vicinity of Worms, Germany. After coming to the United States they decided to go west and first located at the place where Christian Gesell was born. To them were born three sons and three

CHRISTIAN GESELL AND FAMILY.

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daughters: John, Jacob, Philip, Margaret, Katherine and Angeline. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Gesell were John and Caroline (Bossert) Gesell, both of whom were born in Germany, and who married in America after com- ing here with their respective parents. In 1836 they came to Franklin county and located on the farm where Mr. Gesell was born. John and Caroline (Bossert) Gesell were the parents of nine children, Jacob, Philip, John, Peter, Christina, Angeline, Abraham, Henry and Anna, all of whom are still living with the exception of Peter, Angeline, Anna and Jacob, the last named of whom died in 1913. John Gesell was a prominent farmer in his section, first locating on one hundred and twenty acres, to which he afterward added eighty acres, all of which is now owned by one of his sons.

The maternal great-grandparents of Mr. Gesell were Christian and Dor- othy (Pose) Busse, natives of Germany, who came to this country and located near Manchester, Indiana, where Christian Busse followed the occupation of a farmer. They were what is commonly known as Low Germans. The ma- ternal grandparents of Mr. Gesell were Frederick and Hannah (Busse) Lange, who also were natives of Germany, and who, before their marriage, came to this country. with their respective parents. The father of Hannah Busse was an early Lutheran minister at Busse's church, located in this part of the state, and later he moved, with his son, on to Hogan creek, where he spent the rest of his life.

Christian Gesell was educated in the common schools of Franklin county and continued to farm on the old home place until 1903, in which year he moved to a farm of eighty acres in Springfield township, where he is now living, and which he purchased outright in 1913. Mr. Gesell specializes in corn and wheat, and is also a prominent breeder of stock, particularly hogs, in which line he has been quite successful.

On November 12, 1902, Mr. Gesell was married to Minnie C. Wendell, who was born in the vicinity of Klemmes Corner, and to this union have been born three children: Lester, born June 3, 1904; Ronald, born December 15, 1906, and Irene, born July 12, 1910.

Mrs. Gesell was a daughter of William and Louisa Jane (Mabis) Wen- dell, the former a native of Franklin county and the latter of Dearborn county, Indiana, both belonging to old families of the state. William Wendell was a farmer throughout his life and he and his wife were the parents of eight children, William, Charles, Anna, John Minnie, Fred, Alice and George, all of whom, save John, are still living. William Wendell died June 10, 1892, while his widow is still living on the old home place in Franklin county.

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Mr. Gesell is a prominent and active member of the Lutheran church, which has been the faith of his fathers for many generations. He is devoted to the moral welfare of the younger generation of his community, having acted for a number of years as superintendent of the Lutheran Sunday school at Klemmes Corner church. Germany contributed many good families to this country, not the least prominent of which is the Gesell family, the various members of which have long stood high in the esteem and confidence of their fellow citizens, being regarded as among the leaders in the good works of the neighborhood of which they form so valuable an integral part.

GEORGE ADAM WERNER.

The last thirty years has witnessed as great a transformation in farm- ing methods as is recorded in the entire history of agriculture previous to this period. Thirty years ago almost all the wonderful farm machinery in use today was in its infancy or vaguely dreamed of by the inventors. Silos, cream separators, crop rotation and scientific fertilization, were then attain- ing an insecure foothold.

A farmer who began his career at the beginning of this period of agri- cultural heyday is George Adam Werner, who was born at St. Leon, Dear- born county, Indiana, on September 1, 1860, the son of Michael and Lena (Hahn) Werner, and was one of eleven children, the others being Kath- arine, Charles, Adam, Barbara, John, Lena, Joseph, Emma, Louisa and Henry.

Michael and Lena Werner, both natives of Germany, came to America unmarried, and were married in Cincinnati, where Michael followed the carpenter's trade. After marriage they settled on a farm near St. Leon, in which place they belonged to St. Joseph's Catholic church.

Educated in Dearborn county, Mr. Werner early decided to make agri- culture his life work, and accordingly bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres near New Alsace, Indiana, which he cultivated for twelve years. At the end of that time his wife died. Some time later he remarried and located in Cedar Grove, where he conducted a saloon for eight years. At the end of this time he bought the eighty-seven-acre farm near South Gate . on which he now lives. Mr. Werner does general farming.

In 1881 Mr. Werner married Mary Gutzwiler, to which union three children were born: Emma, who lives at South Gate; Joseph, who is a student at the Indiana Business College, and Edward, who is a farmer.

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The second wife of Mr. Werner was Elizabeth Pflum, whom he mar- ried February 21, 1900. To this union were born the following children : Michael (deceased), George, Roman, Leo and Clarence. Mrs. Werner is the daughter of Benedict and Gertrude (Stenger) Pflum, of St. Leon. Ben- edict Pflum came to St. Leon with his parents at the age of nine, and now lives on the old farm of his father-in-law, Francis Stenger.

A member of St. Joseph's Catholic church at St. Leon, Mr. Werner's life is consistent with its teachings and his early training. His farm is neat and well kept, presenting a pleasing appearance and bearing evidence of its owner's thrift and industry. Mr. Werner is justly proud of his place, and is rightly regarded as one of the progressive men of his community.

. JOSEPH BLEILL.

The man who lives his life from day to day according to his best ability is certain to experience a deep content not otherwise obtainable, and this is especially true of the tiller of the soil. If the American farmer is at peace with his neighbors and with himself, he is truly a king, although a kindly one, for the environment of the farmer tends to sweeten his nature and make him considerate of man and beast.

The study of the life of Joseph Bleill illustrates the above. Mr. Bleill first saw the light of day on September 11, 1856, in South Gate, Indiana. He is the son of John and Elizabeth (Bagman) Bleill, both of whom were native to Germany.

Mr. Bliell's parents were unmarried when they came to America from Germany. Each located in Franklin county and here were married and set- tled on a farm. Some time later they cultivated a tract of land in Dear- born county, and still later located on the forty acres in Highland township, Franklin county, where Joseph Bleill now lives. John Bleill added to the original forty until it numbered seventy-four acres, and he erected the sub- stantial buildings now in use on the place. John Bleill and his wife both died on the farm.

Joseph Bleill spent his boyhood days on the farm and attending the parochial school in St. Leon. After reaching years of discretion he began to cultivate the soil as did his father before him, and he now tills the sev- enty-four acres which he inherited from his father. Mr. Bliell was married in 1879 to Kate Wilhelm and the following children blessed the union : John, Elizabeth, Anna, Minnie, Henry (deceased), Joseph, Minnie, William,

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Mary, Barbara and Anna. Joseph is a member of the United States regular army, and has been stationed in the Philippine Islands for some time.

Mr. Bleill and his family are sincere members of St. Joseph's Catholic church at St. Leon, and Mr. Bleill's manner of living attests the fact that his religious vows are regarded as sacred obligations. A sick or discouraged neighbor is always sure of Mr. Bleill's aid and encouragement, while more inexperienced farmers come to him for advice, certain that he will assist them to the limit of his ability, in view of which facts the biographer feels amply justified in the statement that Mr. Bleill is deservedly one of the most popular residents of the community in which he has resided for so many years.

ORVILLE G. GREEN.

The farm of today combines many departments of interest that did not exist on the average farm of fifty years ago. Modern methods and modern machinery have revolutionized farm life. The farmer of today finds some time for pleasure or diversions and in the main enjoys himself as much as the well-to-do man of the city. Franklin county has many prosperous and up-to- date farmers, among whom is Orville G. Green of Fairfield township.

Orville G. Green was born in Metamora, Franklin county, Indiana, June 25, 1859. His parents were George W. and Elizabeth (Gordon) Green, natives of this state, he having been born in Aurora, Indiana, and she near Metamora. Orville Green was one of four children born to George W. and Elizabeth Green, as follows: Orville, Della May, William N. and Rolla D.

The paternal grandparents of Orville Green were James and Elizabeth (Sample) Green. who. in all probability, were natives of Scotland. They came to America and located first in New Richmond, Ohio, later coming to Metamora, Indiana. James Green was a cooper by trade, which he followed the greater part of his life. Mr. and Mrs. James Green lived in this county the remainder of their days and passed away at their home in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The maternal grandparents of Orville Green were Orville and Drusella ( Blackledge) Gordon of Maryland. The maternal great-grandfather of Mr. Green was William Gordon, a native of Maryland, who brought his family from Maryland, and settled near Metamora in this county. He was one of the very earliest farmers in this county.

George W. Green, father of Orville G. Green, attended school near

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Richmond, Ohio. He early in life learned the cooper trade and followed this trade for a number of years. After his marriage he engaged in farming near Metamora, Indiana, and while engaged in this occupation he bought the first commercial fertilizer that was sold in this county. He acquired two hundred and eighty acres of splendid farm land which he later disposed of and em- barked in the grain business. In the latter business, he maintained places at Milroy and Summitville, Indiana. He died on the place now occupied by his son, Orville Green. He was a man of splendid character, with sound business qualities and stood high in the estimation of his fellowmen.

Orville G. Green was educated in the district schools at Metamora, and in Blooming Grove township in this county. He was reared on a farm and thoroughly understands the various phases of farm life. His first active experience was as assistant in the management of his father's farm. He re- mained on the parental farm until 1904, at which time he purchased a farm on which he lives at the present time. This farm consists of two hundred and forty-five acres, located in Blooming Grove, Fairfield and Brookville townships. Mr. Green has perhaps achieved his greatest distinction as a stock-raiser and for this he is noted throughout the county.

In 1882, Mr. Green was married to Clara Guire of Laurel, Indiana, a daughter of Thomas Guire and to them nine children have been born, Lola, Cora, Harry, George, Emma, Charles, Mary, Mabel and Christina. The mother died November 24, 1910. Mr. Green and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in which they are very active. The Green family is one of the most delightful and popular families of this county where they have achieved deserved prominence.

ELMER EARL HEEB.

When one reads the history of Franklin county, one is impressed with the preponderance of the German element, who came to this part of the state in the early days. Among the descendants of these German families are found many of the prominent men and women of this county, whose . prominence extends much farther than the confines of Franklin county. Among the posterity of one of the early German settlers in this county is Elmer Earl Heeb, who belongs to one of the several branches of the Heeb family, who have always taken a conspicuous part in the affairs of this com- munity.

Elmer Earl Heeb was born on the old Heeb farm in Blooming Grove

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township, which is now occupied by Henry G. Heeb. He was born February II, 1878, and died January 30, 1915, the son of Peter and Abbie (Klemme) Heeb, and was one of four children born to that couple, as follows : Henry E., Nora, Molly and Elmer E.

The paternal grandparents of Elmer Heeb were Henry and Anna (Fri- day) Heeb, who came to this country from Darmstadt, Germany, about 1843. They came to Cincinnati, Ohio, where there were a great many Ger- mans. They remained at this place but a short time and then came to Frank- lin county, Indiana, where they purchased sixty-one acres of land and later bought one hundred and twenty acres in addition. They erected a new home in the place of the log cabin which was on the land when they arrived. They remained at this place the remainder of their lives, and this homestead is still in the possession of their descendants.

The maternal grandparents of Elmer Earl Heeb were Frederick and Mary Charlotte (Welhausen) Klemme, of Kamerschein, Germany. Fred- erick Klemme was a prominent man in his native village, and was honored with several public offices, among which was treasurer of his native town. He migrated to this country in 1837, coming to Franklin county, Indiana, and located about six miles southeast of Brookville. He purchased one hundred and forty acres, paying $4.50 an acre. When he arrived at this place wild deer were numerous and other wild game, also. There was a primitive log cabin standing on this ground when Mr. Klemme arrived, which served as a temporary habitation. He later erected new buildings and converted the place into a well regulated and substantial paying farm. Mr. Klemme and his family lived here for many years, Mr. Klemme passing away on the homestead at the age of ninety years. To Mr. Klemme and wife were born the following children: Frederick, William, Charles, John, Rossanna, Abbie and Mary. The Klemme family were devout members of the German Lutheran church.

Peter Heeb, father of Elmer Earl Heeb, was a native of Darmstadt, Germany. His early education was received in that village. He came to this county with his parents when a very young boy and finished his school- ing in this county. His early youth was spent on his father's farm. After · his marriage to Abbie Klemme he purchased his father's farm, on which he lived for many years. He later moved to Brookville, Indiana, in this county, where he remained the rest of his life. He was a man of splendid attain- ments, industrious and intelligent. He was popular with all who knew him.

Elmer E. Heeb was educated at the Salem school in this county and at an early age engaged in farming. In September. 1913, he purchased the

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farm of one hundred and thirty-nine acres on which he resided until his death, which occurred in Union county, of heart trouble while pleasure rid- ing with an old friend. This farm is located in Blooming Grove township, and is considered an exceptionally good holding, which under the skilful management of Mr. Heeb, developed into a substantial paying proposition.

Mr. Heeb was active in fraternal societies. He was prominently con- nected with the membership of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Heeb was conspicuously identified in all move- ments for the public betterment and in all respects was a worthy member of the Heeb family, one of the oldest and most respected families of this county.

HENRY LAAGE.

Franklin county owes no small share of its solid prosperity directly to the thrift and industry of its citizens of German birth or ancestry, and the children of future generations of these persons of Teutonic origin will look back gratefully to those sturdy men and women who gave them not only their strong minds and bodies, but an inheritance of fertile and well-im- proved acres resulting from the wise methods of farming now in use.

One of these progressive agriculturists is Henry Laage, who was born in Prussia, Germany, February 17, 1844, the son of Henry Laage. Mr. Laage received the practical education which is afforded by the excellent schools of Germany, and at the age of nineteen came to America, going di- rectly to Illinois, where he remained for two years. Mr. Laage then went to Cincinnati, where he remained for a number of years, working in a foun- dry. Mr. Laage finally left Cincinnati and came to Chapel Ridge, Franklin county, Indiana, where he bought a fine place of eighty acres. About 1885 Mr. Laage removed to South Gate, Franklin county, where he purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on which he still lives.

In November of 1874 Mr. Laage married Florentina Obermeier, whom he met during his stay in Cincinnati. Mrs. Laage, who died August 1, 1889, was the daughter of Henry Obermeier, who was born and reared in Ger- many, immigrating to America and locating in Haymond, Indiana, where his daughter Florentina was born.

Henry and Florentina (Obermeier) Laage were the parents of a fine family of children, whose names, in the order of their birth, are as follows : Elizabeth, born November 26, 1875, is still living in Cincinnati; Joseph, born September 4, 1877, died December 1, 1882 ; William, born October IT. 1878,

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 83

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