USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 85
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cleared with his own ax. Later in life he built the house on the farm in which his son, Theodore B., now lives. These holdings he gradually in- creased until at the time of his death he owned eighty-eight acres. There were nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wendel Schuck, as follows: Jacob W., Wendel, Henrietta, Margaret, Francis M., John, Christopher, Elizabeth and Theodore B. The members of the Schuck family always have been devout Catholics.
Theodore B. Schuck received all of the education which Highland township in his day had to offer. However, he did not stop here but con- tinued his own studies and learned much from observation. The greater part of his life has been spent in farm work, although he was a coachman in Cincinnati, Ohio, for four years. He also was in the employ of the gov- ernment at one time in the revenue service. Eight years of his life as a young man were spent on the home farm, where he worked faithfully, as- sisting his parents in the work of clearing the place. He then rented a small farm for a time and gradually becoming more prosperous, bought forty acres in Highland township and a short time afterwards added sixty more acres to this. His father bequeathed to him eight acres of the old home place and it is on this plot that Mr. Schuck now maintains his home. He has remodeled the house and has erected several fine buildings just across the road from the house. He is an extensive stock raiser, making a spec- ialty of breeding Jersey cattle.
Mr. Schuck was married April 20, 1904, to Elizabeth J. Graham and it is interesting to note that she was born in the same house as was Mr. Schuck. She is the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Meddel) Graham, both of whom came to this country from Germany and were married in Indiana. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Schuck were Germans, living and dying in Germany. Her maternal grandparents were Jacob and Eliza- beth (Geip) Meddel, both of whom were born in Germany and were among the earliest settlers in Whitewater township, where they lived near High- land Center. The father of Jacob Meddel also located in Highland town- ship, coming to America after his son had been here for a number of years. All these were among the most active and influential among the pioneers of that region and their memories live long after them in the community in which they wrought so usefully.
Mrs. Schuck's father followed the trade of a carpenter until his later days, when he bought eighty-two acres just west of Mr. Schuck's present location. The members of family always have been members of the German Lutheran church, and active in its various beneficences. Mr. and Mrs. Schuck are the parents of only one daughter, Marcella R.
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Mr. Schuck always has been active in politics, serving for many years as precinct committeeman and recently was elected township trustee on the Democratic ticket, to which he has always given his hearty support. He is the secretary of the Highland Insurance Company, the business of which is almost entirely transacted in German, and it is an interesting fact that his father was one of the founders of this company. Rising to a position of influence, respected and esteemed by all those who have the pleasure of his acquaintance, Mr. Schuck is an admirable example of that type of men who are known to the American people as self-made men.
JOHN C. HOFMANN.
The American Declaration of Independence was a message of freedom, not only to those who lived in this country, but to all who wished to come under its protection. It not only guaranteed national freedom but individual freedom also. The fathers of the Constitution and the Declaration of Inde- pendence laid the foundation for an asylum for the oppressed or for those of limited opportunities of all lands. Many nationalities have come and en- joyed the freedom guaranteed by our Declaration of Independence. Among those who are represented in this country in large numbers are the Germans, to which nationality John C. Hofmann, a prominent farmer of Franklin county, belongs.
John C. Hofmann was born in Germany. April 12, 1865, a son of Carl and Katherine Hofmann, both of whom were natives of Germany.
His paternal grandparents were Franz and Katherine (Falkhauer) Hof- mann, both of whom were born and died in Germany. Franz Hofmann was a linen weaver and in connection with his manufacturing business, he estab- lished a retail store where he sold linens and groceries. The maternal grand- parents of John C. Hofmann were also natives of Germany, where they were engaged in linen weaving and the cultivation of wine-grapes.
Carl Hofmann, father of John C. Hofmann, came to America in 1848, primarily to escape military duty as the war between Austria and Prussia had just been declared. He landed at New Orleans, Louisiana, and after stopping in that place for a short time he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he followed his trade of cooper. At the conclusion of the war between Prussia and Austria, he returned to his native land. He married and engaged in the wine-growing industry. At his death he was considered one of the
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first citizens of his town. He had held office on the town-board of his native town and was active in the public life of his village. The children born to Carl Hofmann and wife were Fred, Carl, John C., Mary and Philip, all of whom remained in Germany with the exception of John C.
John C. Hofmann was educated in Germany, where he was early appren- ticed to the cooper trade and also learned the culture of grapes and wine and brew making. In 1888 he came to America and located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained for ten years. He obtained employment in the Cincin- nati breweries, working in the various departments of this industry, his final employment being in the brew cellar known as "Beer Slauger." On May 8. 1897. he came to Blooming Grove township. Franklin county, Indiana, where he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty-seven acres, at which place he still lives. He had progressive ideas, and began to convert his hold- ing into a well-ordered. well-regulated farm. He erected a splendid residence, new barns and minor buildings, which greatly increased the appearance and value of his farm.
In 1890 he was married to 'Emma Haas, a daughter of Fredline Haas, of Cedar Grove, Franklin county, Indiana. To this union were born thirteen children, as follows: George, Richard, Mary, Hilda, Stella. John, Fredline, Erma, Magdelina, William and Arnold and two others who died in infancy.
Mr. Hofmann is a member of the German-Lutheran church and his wife and children are members of the Catholic church. The Hofmann family are prominent in the social affairs of this county and are held in the highest favor by all who know them. Mr. Hofmann is an industrious and well- grounded man, with the native thrift of his countrymen and stands high in the regard of his fellowmen.
HENRY FRANK.
Three score years have elapsed since Henry Frank was born in Brook- ville on the site of the land office. His boyhood days were spent in the town of Brookville and after reaching his majority he began farming and for nearly forty years has been engaged in farming and stock raising. For the past three years he also has been interested in the dairy business, in fact. giving most of his attention to this particular line of activity.
Henry Frank, the son of William and Catherine (Dietz) Frank, was born in Brookville. July 10, 1855. His parents were both born in Germany, his father in 1814 and his mother in 1816. They were married in their
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native land and William Frank came to Brookville about 1850, his wife not coming to this country until two years later. Six children were born to this worthy couple, Annie, Pauline, Amelia, Henry, Bena and William. All of the children are still living with the exception of Annie.
William Frank, the father of Henry, was a cabinet maker and under- taker and for many years was one of the most prominent business men of Brookville. He died in the county seat in 1879, his wife surviving him until 1890. They had been married in Germany in 1845. William Frank be- came a Republican after coming to this country while all the members of the family were attached to the Lutheran church.
Henry Frank was reared in Brookville and was given a good common- school education in the public schools. After reaching manhood he began farming in Brookville township and now owns one hundred and eighty - eight acres of land near the town of Brookville. He keeps a fine herd of Jersey cattle and is one of the most successful dairymen of the county. He also carries on general grain and stock raising with a degree of success com- mensurate with the intelligent efforts he has put forth in this direction.
Mr. Frank was married September 6, 1877, to Ida Van Meter and to this union have been born six children, Grace. Van Meter, Rupert, William H., Jewel J. and Earl James. Jewel J. married Blanch Kennedy and now lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Mrs. Frank was born near Blooming Grove, in this county, June 20, 1856, the daughter of Joel and Sarah (Skinner) Van Meter. Her parents were born in Ohio county, Virginia, her father in 1806 and her mother in 1814. He located in Fayette county, Indiana, about 1819 with his par- ents, Abraham Van Meter and wife, and they died in that county. Sarah Skinner, the mother of Mrs. Frank, was a daughter of Daniel and Nancy (Rickets) Skinner, natives of Virginia and early settlers of Franklin coun- ty. Indiana. Daniel Skinner was a son of Walter Skinner, a native of Mary- land and a soldier of the Revolutionary War. After the Revolutionary War. Walter Skinner moved to Pennsylvania and later to Ohio county, Virginia, where he died in 1785. The parents of Mrs. Frank had five children : Joseph, John, James, Helen and Ida. Joseph died while engaged in the service of his country in the Union army during the Civil War.
Mr. Frank is a member of the Republican party, but has never had any aspirations along political lines. The members of the family are at- tendants of the Methodist Episcopal church of Brookville and are generous contributors to its support. Mr. Frank is a man of genial personality and has that kindly disposition which endears him to everyone with whom he is associated.
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JAMES O. REDMOND.
One of the most successful of the younger agriculturists of Franklin county is James O. Redmond, who is now tilling a fine farm of two hundred acres. His whole career thus far has been within the limits of this county, the family having been residents of this county for several generations. Mr. Redmond belongs to that progressive type of young men who are doing so much for the agricultural interests of Indiana. It is a matter of satisfac- tion to feel that many of our best young men are returning to the farm, the "back to the soil" movement certainly having gained much force in recent years. There is no more independent career than that of farming, and as conditions are today an independent income in this honorable calling, man's first vocation, is always assured.
James O. Redmond, the son of David and Rebecca (Lewis) Redmond, was born in Metamora township, Franklin county, Indiana, October 24, 1883. His parents were both natives of this county, his grandparents be- ing pioneer settlers of the county. David Redmond and wife reared a fam- ily of seven children: William, Cassius, Tillie, Josephine, Cynthia, James O. and Jesse. The father of these children died May 17. 1891, at the age of forty-seven, while the mother passed away January 26, 1890, at the age of thirty-nine.
James O. Redmond received a good common-school education and re- mained at home until his marriage. He then began to farm for himself, and now is the owner of two hundred acres of well improved land in Brook- ville township. Since acquiring this farm he has built a large barn and otherwise improved the place in order to farm to better advantage.
Mr. Redmond was married October 25, 1905, to Martha Catherine Remy, who was born in Brookville township, Franklin county, Indiana, De- cember 5, 1877, a daughter of Moses and Susan (Jemison) Remy. Her father was born in Brookville township, June 17, 1849, and, her mother's birth occurred October 8, 1846.
Moses Remy, the father of Mrs. Redmond, was a son of Henry and Catherine (Corey) Remy. Henry Remy was a son of Henry Remy, Sr., who was an early settler of Brookville township in this county. Moses Remy, the father of Mrs. Redmond, died in February, 1905, at the age of fifty- seven, while his wife died in 1900 at the age of fifty-five. Moses Remy and wife were the parents of three children, Effie, William and Martha Catherine, the wife of Mr. Redmond.
Mr. and Mrs. Redmond are the parents of two children, Earl Lewis.
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born October 21, 1906, and Gail Rema, born August 24, 1912. Mr. Red- mond and his wife are both active workers in the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics, he has given his hearty support to the Republican party, although he has never been a candidate for office or held any aspirations along political lines, but is interested in good government and casts his ballot for such men as he believes will bring it about. He is a fine type of the good American citizen and his career thus far has been such as to reflect credit upon himself and honor upon the family whose name he bears.
FRANCIS KUEHN. ⑈
One of the oldest settlers of Brookville township, Franklin county, In- diana, is Francis Kuehn, who has spent his seventy-five years of active, use- ful life within the limits of this county. His parents were born in Germany and located in Franklin county about 1836, ever since which time the various imembers of the family have been prominently identified with the history of the county. Mr. Kuehn was a merchant in Brookville township for a score of years, while at the same time he has carried on general farming and stock raising. He has been active in politics and has held various official positions of public trust with entire satisfaction to his fellow citizens.
Francis Kuehn, the son of John and Catherine (Jacobs) Kuehn, was born in Highland township, April 27, 1839. His parents, who were born and married in Germany, came to America in 1836 and settled on a farm in Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana. John Kuehn died on No- vember 1, 1840, at the age of twenty-three and his widow later married Charles Samoniel, who died in Brookville in 1869. John Kuehn and wife were the parents of two children, Francis and Mary, the widow of Joseph A. Fries. To the second marriage of Mrs. Kuehn were born five children, Charles, Victor, Eliza, Eva and Theresa.
Francis Kuehn was educated in the district schools of his home town- ship and received a very limited education. However, he has supplemented this by wide reading and close observation until now he is one of the best- informed men of his township. For twenty years he was a merchant at Blue Creek in Brookville township and was postmaster there for some years. He owns a farm of eighty acres in Brookville township on which he has carried on general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Kuehn has been twice married. He was first married in 1862 to Sarah Ann Geis, who was born in Philadelphia, the daughter of Frederick
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Geis. The first wife of Mr. Kuehn died in 1885 at the age of forty-three, leaving him with two children, Catherine, deceased, and Grover, who died at the age of twenty-four years.
Mr. Kuehn was married, secondly, in 1886 to Mary Strohmier, who was born in Highland township, the daughter of Frederick Strohmier. To this second union have been born five children: Edward, William, Benjamin, Harry and Anetia Mary, all of whom are still living.
Mr. Kuehn and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church. He has always taken a prominent part in Democratic politics and has served as constable and justice of the peace of his township and as commissioner of Franklin county. holding the latter position from December. 1882, to December. 1888. Mr. Kuehn always has taken an intelligent interest in everything which pertained to the good of his township and county and his support has always been cast for such measures as he thought would benefit those among whom he has spent his life.
WILLIAM R. OSBURN.
The Osburn family, worthily represented in Franklin county at the present time by William R. Osburn, was one of the very first families to lo- cate in Franklin county. In fact, the first members of the family located here in 1799, a year before Indiana was made a territory, fourteen years before Franklin county was organized and seventeen years before Indiana was admitted to the union. During this long period of one hundred and sixteen years succeeding generations of the family have been active partici- pants in every phase of development of the county. A complete history of the Osburn family and its connection with the various interests of the coun- ty would be, in a large measure, the history of Franklin county. In fact, the coming of this family to this county antedates the county organization many years. the Osburns having been among the earliest and most prominent settlers of this section.
William R. Osburn, son of George Riley and Martha F. (Sutfin) Os- burn. was born in Butler township, November 26. 1867 .. His father was born in the same township. September 26. 1828. and his mother was a native of the same township, the date of her birth being March 26. 1842. William R. Osburn is the only one of the nine children born to his parents who is now living.
George R. Osburn was educated in the public schools of his home
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township and remained at home until the opening of the Civil War. He enlisted January 1, 1862, in Company B. Fifty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until he was finally discharged from the service September 10, 1865, at Montgomery, Alabama. Among many other battles in which he was engaged, he participated in the engagement at Fort Donaldson, Nashville and Mobile. George R. Osburn was married in 1866 and the year following moved to Denver township, Richland county, Illinois, where he lived until 1901. He then returned to the old homestead in Brook- ville township, Franklin county, Indiana, and lived there until his death in 1909. His wife had preceded him to the grave several years, her death having occurred in Illinois in 1901.
William R. Osburn moved with his parents to Illinois before he was a year old and lived in Illinois until 1901. In that year he returned to this county with his father and settled down on the old homestead of two hun- dred and sixteen acres which he now owns. He has engaged in general farming and stock raising with such success as to entitle him to the name of a progressive farmer.
Mr. Osburn was married in 1894 to Susie Willhite, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Willhite, both of whom are deceased.
Mr. Osburn always has given his hearty support to the Republican party and has always taken an intelligent interest in political affairs, although he has never aspired to office. His wife is a member of the Methodist church and Mr. Osburn contributes to the support of this denomination. He is a Mason, a member of the Royal Arch degree, holding membership at Brook- ville. He is also an Odd Fellow. Mr. Osburn is a man well worthy of the high esteem in which he is held throughout the community and is a sterling representative of a family which has always been active in promot- ing the best interests of Franklin county.
In view of the fact that the Osburn family is one of the oldest families of the county, it seems particularly fitting that the following genealogical history of the family be here included. this history of the family not only being interesting from a personal standpoint but also valuable as throwing an interesting light on the early history of the county.
The paternal grandsire of the Osburn generation whose descendant settled in Franklin county, Indiana, was one of the first men in Kentucky, and was accidentally drowned in the Ohio river near the mouth of the Big Sandy. about 1796. This pioneer was of English nativity, his mother and father came from Wales and England and resided in Scott county, Virginia.
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Wishing to seek a home in the West, the father was bringing his fam- ily to Kentucky when he lost his life by his canoe upsetting. His widow and only son, James T. Osburn, Jr., who was aged ten years, continued west- ward to the town of Boonsboro, Kentucky, where they remained one year, returning to Virginia in 1797.
In the spring of 1798, this young man and his mother came west the second time, traveling overland on horseback, his four sisters accompanying them. They started from Abington, Virginia, on the banks of the Clinch river, and finally after enduring many hardships reached Fort Washington, later on named Cincinnati, going from there to Boonsboro, Kentucky, a por- tion of this lonesome and wearisome journey being only a blazed trail, and the wilderness of timber through which they journeyed being inhabited by wandering Indians.
In the summer of 1799 these pioneers along with other emigrants came to the wilds of Indiana territory, and located temporarily on a tract of land near Metamora. The territorial lands had not at that early day been thrown open for entry or even taken as a homestead until September of 1804.
Something over one hundred years ago, this part of Indiana was not generally settled; there was plenty of land and only small colonies and set- tlements. It was fashionable to get married early in life, have large fami- lies and populate the country, for then a home could be secured almost for the asking and at not to exceed one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre.
In the autumn of 1809, James T. Osburn, Jr., who had passed his twentieth birthday anniversary, along with seven other young men of the West Fork community decided their happiness would be increased by com- mitting matrimony by wholesale and creating a little excitement and fresh material for the gossips to digest.
Therefore, by a special agreement, the young men took their sweet- . hearts horseback behind them and struck the trail leading to Big Cedar creek, to the home of Elder DeWeese, where they had their hearts and hands welded in matrimony. This itinerant preacher did not make any charge for his services because the Good Book suggested that mankind multiply and replenish.
This pioneer and his faithful wife set up housekeeping near the site of St. Mary's church at Haymond, Indiana, and during his lifetime was prom- inently connected in the affairs of his community and county. He was a typical Virginian and prided himself on assisting the needy and distressed and demonstrating his hospitality. He considered a good name preferable to riches, yet he is said to have possessed both.
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The result of James T. Osburn's venture and matrimonial union was eleven children, six sons and five daughters.
Just here will state for the Osburn descendants (who are numerous) that Captain James T. Osburn was a militia captain under General Noble.
It is related that Capt. James T. Osburn, who was a crack shot with a rifle, killed four black bears while going to a neighbor's cabin a few miles from Haymond. This frontiersman, while out hunting for deer one au- tumn, killed one of the largest timber rattlesnakes ever seen in Franklin county. It measured twenty-four inches in circumference and had twenty- four rattles, hence it could give warning if disturbed; he was an athlete and expert wrestler, and often mingled with the Indians and shot with a bow and arrow and with his trusty rifle at a mark.
Mrs. Jane Harvey, wife of Squire Harvey and eldest daughter of Capt. James T. Osburn and wife, furnished many thrilling incidents of her girl- hood days. She related that her father when he went out on a hunting tour to be absent several days, carried punk and flint to start a fire, for matches had not been invented; a large needle, and thread made of catgut, plenty of powder, bullets and patching for his gun, a hunting knife, hand- axe, corn-pone bread, salt and pepper, and a turkey caller which composed his outfit. On one occasion, when he had his hunting dog along and had wounded a fine buck that had taken refuge in a hole of water in Pipe creek the dog swam to the deer and it ripped the dog open, its entrails protruding. After dispatching the deer, Mr. Osburn turned his attention to his only com- panion, the dog, sewed up the wound and the dog lived three years. Mrs. Harvey told how in early days, about 1829. the settlers put bells on the stock running at large. They had a herd of cattle in the woods ; the wolves got after the cattle and they headed for home, the howling of the wolves and bells clanging on frightened cattle made a medley of sounds most dis- cordant to the ear. The wolves killed one of the best heifers and devoured the animal. Captain Osburn with the help of neighbors erected a wolf trap and next night had the satisfaction of finding three full-grown wolves in the pen. Mrs. Harvey accompanied her father to the trap.
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