USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 87
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Mr. Reister has been twice married, his first wife having been Mrs. Amanda (Cregar) Holliday, to which union was born one child, Maggie. His first marriage occurred in 1871 and five years later he was united in matrimony with Ella Mckeown, a native of this county and a daughter of John and Mary (Cole) Mckeown, the former of whom was born in Ire- land and the latter in New Jersey. The father of John McKeown was Patrick McKeown, who with his wife (Mary Ann Ecels) and family came to America about the year 1832 and first settled on Indian Creek in Butler county, Ohio. However, they did not long remain there, but finding a suit- able location on Whitewater river in this county, below Brookville, they purchased a tract of land, erected the little cabin of pioneer times, and there
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made their home for the balance of their lives. Their son John, father of Mrs. Reister, was a well grown youth when he accompanied his parents to this country and had received a good education before the family left the Emerald Isle. He remained on the old family homestead in Brookville township throughout his life, and there both he and his good wife died. They were the parents of nine children, Mrs. Reister being the fourth child in order of birth. The others are Robert, Francis, John, Mary Ann, Stephen, Margaret, Isabelle and Hester.
Mr. and Mrs. Reister are the parents of seven children, Mary Elizabeth, Robert Francis, Clara Agatha, George Washington, William Garrett, Joseph Leon and Elmer Marcus, all of whom are still living. Politically, Mr. Reis- ter is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and has always been more or less active in local political circles. He served as postmaster of Cedar Grove for four years, under the administrations of Presidents Mckinley and Roosevelt. At one time Mr. Reister was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, but is now located too far away from any post to hold a membership therein.
In all the relations of life Mr. Reister has proved himself a man among men and because of his sterling personal qualities and his stanch integrity is deserving of the confidence which has been reposed in him by his fellow men.
FERDINAND SCHNEIDER.
Franklin county, Indiana, attracted many of the German immigrants who came to America before the Civil War, hundreds of the best citizens of the county being descendants of those sterling German pioneers who located in the county in its early history. Ferdinand Schneider is a de- scendant of German parents and has engaged in farming and stock raising with excellent results. For several years he farmed in Ohio, but since 1902, he has made his home in Brookville township in this county.
Ferdinand Schneider, the son of Joseph and Catherine (Aug) Schnei- der, was born in Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana, March 15, 1868. His parents were both born in Germany, the father's birth occurring July 13, 1826, and his mother's on January 8, 1841. His parents reared a family of twelve children, John (deceased), Caroline, Charles, Mary, Rosa, Ferdinand, Jacob, George, John, Frank, Joseph and Anna. The father of these children died February 8, 1907, and the mother died February 14, 1904. In his early manhood George Schneider went to California in search
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of gold, but returned with more experience than gold, although, at that, he brought with him twelve hundred dollars in gold. He was a life-long Democrat and he and all his family were zealous members of the Catholic church.
The paternal grandparents of Ferdinand Schneider, Joseph and Cath- erine Schneider, came to America in 1838 and located in Kentucky, and later moved to Franklin county, Indiana, and settled in Highland township. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Schneider were Ferdinand and Anna Mary Aug, who also came from Germany and located in Franklin county in 1842. They made their home in Highland township after coming to this county and lived there the remainder of their lives.
Ferdinand Schneider was educated in the parochial schools and re- mained on his father's farm until he was eighteen years of age, at which time he left to work by the month. At the age of twenty-six he was married, after which time he rented land in Ohio for nine years and lived in that state. In 1902 he returned to Franklin county, Indiana, and bought the Hockenbury farm in Brookville township. He lived on this farm a few years and then sold it and bought the Kimball farm of two hundred and thirty acres, on which he is now residing. Though in many respects Mr. Schneider is essentially a self-made man, the property which he has accum- ulated being largely the result of his own initiative and well-planned ef- forts, he acknowledges with gratitude early financial assistance given both by his parents and those of his wife.
Mr. Schneider was married on May 1, 1894, to Mary Metzler, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 20, 1868, a daughter of Valentine and Elizabeth (Weidley) Metzler. Her father was a native of Germany, while her mother was born in Pennsylvania, their marriage occurring in Cincin- nati. Her father died July 27, 1899, at the age of sixty-six years, and her mother passed away August 10, 1892, at the age of fifty-six. Mr. Metzler and wife were the parents of a large family of children, John, Elizabeth, Baltzie, Catherine, Peter, Mary, Carrie, Emma and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider have one daughter, Cordelia, born September 20, 1896.
Mr. Schneider is an ardent follower of the principles of the Democratic party, in the local campaigns of which he always takes a proper degree of interest, though he never has been of the office-seeking class. He and his family are devoted members of the Catholic church and are counted as among the most earnest supporters of all movements of a local character having to do with the advancement of the best interests of their home com- munity.
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JOHN GEORGE NEUKAM.
A residence of fifty-five years in Brookville township gives John George Neukam a right to be classed as one of the oldest residents of the township. He is a representative of that large class of citizens of the county who are descendants of German parents. Early in life he decided to follow the voca- tion of a farmer, and his present well improved farm of ninety-six acres in Brookville township is sufficient evidence that his efforts along this line have been successful:
John George Neukam, the son of John and Maggie (Smith) Neukam, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 28, 1852. His parents were both born in Germany, his father being born in 1815, and his mother in 1824. They reared a family of nine children, John, Lizzie, John George, Henry J., Daniel, Fred, Martin, Frank and Margaret. Of these children John, Daniel and Martin are deceased. John G. and Henry J. were twins.
John Neukam, Sr., came from Germany to America when a young man and located in Cincinnati. His wife came to that city from Germany with her father in 1875, her mother having previously died in Germany. John Neukam was married in Cincinnati, and lived in that city until 1860. In that year they moved to Franklin county, Indiana, where they lived the remainder of their lives. He died February 6, 1890, and his wife passed away in January, 1897. In politics John Neukam was a Republican, while religiously, he and his family were all stanch members of the Lutheran church.
John George Neukam was eight years of age when the family located in Franklin county. He received part of his education in the schools of Cincinnati, and completed his educational training in Franklin county. His boyhood days were spent on the farm assisting in such work as usually falls to the lot of the average farmer lad. He followed in the footsteps of his father, and after his marriage settled down to farming and stock raising. He has accumulated a farm of ninety-six acres, on which he carries on a diversified system of grain and stock raising, giving due attention to both lines of activity. He has placed many improvements on his farm and now has it in such a condition that it yields a very satisfactory return year after year.
John G. Neukam was married June 24, 1879, to Josephine Poppe, who was born in Franklin county, February 18, 1859, a daughter of William and Margaret (Wolf) Poppe. Her father was a native of Franklin coun- ty, while her mother was born in Germany.
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The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Neukam were Henry Poppe and wife, pioneer settlers of Highland township, Franklin county. Her grand- father entered land and spent the remainder of his days on the farm. The parents of Mrs. Neukam moved to Illinois about fifty years ago, and her mother died in that state in 1867. She has not heard of her father for many years.
Mr. Neukam is a Republican in politics, but the demands of his own private interests have been such that he has felt that he never had the time to engage in political matters. However, he gives his unreserved support to all measures of general welfare, and in this acts well the part of the good American citizen. The Lutheran church receives the support of himself and wife, and they are actively interested in everything which pertains to its welfare as well as the general welfare of the community.
GEORGE W. WILLIAMS.
When we see the fertile farms of Franklin county and the splendid homes that line the highways of the commonwealth it is hard to realize that these farms once were mere wilderness stretches of timber and underbrush and that the fine homes have replaced the primitive log cabins and shacks which the forefathers so laboriously had erected. When we complain of the labor and struggle incident to modern ways of living it is well to recall the hard- ships of our pioneer fathers, then we appreciate what they accomplished and how great were their handicaps. One of the well known and successful farmers of Franklin county, a man who had done much for the early de- velopment of his community and who was dearly beloved by a large circle of acquaintances and friends was the late George W. Williams, whose mem- ory is dearly cherished by many in this county.
George W. Williams was born in Laurel township, Franklin county, Indiana, May 10, 1836, the son of Weden and Elizabeth (Fowler) Williams. His father was born in Butler county, Ohio, February 26, 1811, and his mother was born in North Carolina, November 17, 1810.
The paternal grandparents of George W. Williams were Thomas and Margaret (Arnold) Williams, both natives of Tennessee, who settled in 1814 in Laurel township, Franklin county, where they both died after lives of use- ful toil and loving devotion to the community's weal. They had eight chil- dren, William, Weden, Margaret, Nellie, Jane, Minerva, Andrew and Lizzie.
Weden Williams was born in Butler county, Ohio, and came to Frank-
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lin county when a child and was educated in the public schools of his home district. He was a very successful farmer, a Democrat in politics and a member of the Methodist church, a power for good in the community. He died January 31, 1899, and his wife died January 19, 1895. They were the parents of the following children: Delilah, George W., Claiborn, Jonathan Milton, James and Susan. James is the only one of these children living. Susan Williams was married December 4, 1870, to Joseph Hooper, to which union two children were born, William W., who married Nora Robinson, and Maude E., who married Herbert A. Dawdy, to which latter union has been born a daughter, Mildred Laurel, a bright, beautiful child, now seven years of age.
George W. Williams was born and reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. He was married July 4, 1861, to Louisa Depuy, who was born in Laurel township, June 7, 1841, the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Scofield) Depuy. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of Franklin county. Joseph Depuy came to Franklin county when a young man and here married. He and his wife were the parents of the following children, Emaline, Louisa, Marietta, John and Viola, who is the only one living. Joseph Depuy was born in Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1813, the son of John and Mary Depuy, both born in Pennsylvania where they both died. Joseph Depuy came to Laurel township, Franklin county when a young man and in 1837, at Newport, Kentucky, married Rebecca Scofield, who was born in 1816 in Cedar Grove, Franklin county, Indiana, the daughter of James and Mary (Hyatt) Scofield, pioneers of Franklin county, Indiana. He and his wife had ten children, Rhoda, Jos- ephine, Rebecca, Thomas, Joseph, Caleb, Joshua, Sarah, Elizabeth and Mar- garet. Joseph Depuy was a blacksmith by trade and later in life a farmer. For a number of years he was proprietor of a hotel at old Somerset, near Laurel, and here he died in 1856, his wife surviving until 1874. In politics he was a Democrat. He and his wife were members of the Advent church and were strong influences for good in their neighborhood.
Marietta Depuy, the daughter of Joseph Depuy, was married in 1867, to William Steffey, a native of Laurel, born in 1842. She was born in 1845. William Steffey was a son of Louis and Millie (Snyder) Steffey, both na- tives of Maryland. Louis Steffey was a carpenter by trade and died in 1880 at the advanced age of seventy. His wife died a few years later at the age of seventy-two. They were the parents of the following children, Cornelia. William, Catherine, Matilda, Emma and Alice.
William Steffey was born and reared in Laurel township, Franklin
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county, and educated in the public schools of Laurel township. He was a grocer in Laurel, a member of the Democratic party and always active in its councils. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, Clarence, Carl, John, William, Forest, Cora and Herbert, all of whom are now de- ceased except Clarence, Cora and Herbert. Clarence married Emma Her- man. Forest, who died July 17, 1913, married Clara Geyer and had two children, Opal and William.
To Mr. and Mrs. George W. Williams eight children have been born, Kate, Minnie, George Rufus, Edith Viola, Emma Gertrude, Myrtle, Eliza- beth and Edna E. Minnie, George Rufus, Emma Gertrude and Elizabeth are deceased. Kate was educated in the public schools and the Indiana State Normal and has been a successful teacher. Edith Viola was educated in the Laurel public schools and at the Indiana State Normal and is also a teacher. Myrtle was educated in the common schools of Laurel, the Laurel high school and the Indiana State Normal and also was a teacher for a time. Edna E. is the wife of William Taylor of New Salem, Indiana. She also is a teacher, having graduated from the Laurel high school and attended the Indiana State Normal.
Kate, Edith and Myrtle live on the old homestead one and one-half miles south of Laurel, where their father and mother spent their lives after their marriage. Mr. Williams died November 17, 19II, his wife having preceded him to the grave October 28, 1907.
Mr. Williams was a well-informed man, having had a thorough educa- tion in the public schools. In politics, he was an active Democrat and took an intelligent part in the campaigns of his party in this county, his excellent judgment and sound reasoning proving of value to the party managers. He was an earnest, aggressive and influential citizen, always being active in the good works of the community and he and his good wife left memories which will long be cherished in the neighborhood in which they wrought so success- fully.
James Salyer Williams, a brother of George W., was born in Laurel township, Franklin county, Indiana, October 7, 1843. He was reared in Laurel township and educated in the public schools. He owned seventy acres of land, a part of the old homestead, but now lives a retired life in Lau- rel. In politics, he is a Democrat and has been active in the councils of his party, having served as supervisor. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. James S. Williams was married February 22, 1869, to Missouri G. Ross, who was born in Laurel township in 1852, the daughter of John P. and Maria (Wilson) Ross, early settlers of Franklin
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county, where they both died. To Mr. and Mrs. S. Williams has been born one son, Clyde C., born February 5, 1870. He was educated in Brook- ville and Laurel and was a printer by trade, though for some time he en- gaged in the drug business in Laurel. He was never married and died in March, 1901.
The Williams family has always been highly respected in Franklin county, a family which it is a delight to honor by extended personal mention in such a work as this, the historian finding pleasure in presenting here this brief epitome of the lives of these members of the family in order that fu- ture generations may have the proper information regarding one of the leading factors in the development of the neighborhood in which the Wil- liams family for so many years has been prominent and influential.
GEORGE E. WHITE.
The prosperity and welfare of a community depend very largely upon the character and enterprise of its leading citizens. History is simply a record of what men do and were it possible to have a community where the inhabitants did nothing it would not be possible for such a community to have a history. For that reason we have no history of savage communities or communities of uncivilized people. No county in Indiana has turned out as many important men in proportion to the size of the county as has Franklin county. Its sons have become prominent in every phase of our nation's life and the names of Franklin county citizens have been found in all phases of the world's activities. It is no small honor to be born in such a county. George E. White has spent his whole life of nearly half a century within the limits of this county and such has been the character of his life that it seems eminently fitting that something regarding it be recorded in the annals of his county's history.
George E. White, the son of Charles and Maria (Jones) White, was born in Butler township, Franklin county, Indiana, March 6, 1866. His father was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1818, and his mother was born in the same state in 1825. Nine children were born to Charles White and wife, Sylvester, William, John, Daniel, George E., Ella, Sceola, Maggie and Florence.
Charles White, the father of George E., spent his boyhood days in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and later came to Franklin county, Indiana.
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After coming to this county he married Maria Jones, whose parents were early settlers in Franklin county.
The paternal grandparents of George E. White were William White and wife, who had five children, Thomas, Robert, Charles, Kate, Ann and Susan. Of these children, Robert, who died in July, 1898, married Kate Lawrence, a native of Dearborn county, to which union were born nine children, John, James Wesley, Mary Jane, Harvey, Frank, George, William, Maggie and Ellis. All of these children are now living in Franklin county except James W., Mary Jane, Harvey and Ellis. Thomas, an uncle of George E., married Rebecca Lawrence and has seven children, William, Willis, Sarah, Mary, Frank, Sylvester and Hester.
George E. White received his education in the schools of Butler town- ship and remained at home until his marriage. He then rented a farm and has since given his attention to general farming and stock raising. He also owns a threshing outfit and conducts it in season and adds not a little to his annual income in this way.
George E. White was married January 3, 1893, to Rosa Jones, of Deca- tur county, Indiana, to which union have been born five children, Alice M., Esther, Herbert, Gladys Geneva and Amanda, who died in infancy. Herbert is also deceased.
Mr. White is a stanch Democrat in politics, but has confined his political activity to the casting of his ballot for the candidates of his party. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are interested in all the good works of the community, being highly regarded by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
EDWARD M. PETTY.
Franklin county ranks among the best agricultural counties of the state and some of the finest farming lands to be found anywhere lies in the valley of Whitewater. One of the most successful farmers and stock raisers of Brookville township is Edward M. Petty, who is the owner of three hun- dred and fifty-six acres of well-improved land. He has given particular attention to the live-stock industry and the success which has attended his efforts along this line proves that he knows how to handle stock. His family is one of the oldest of the county, its members having been prominently identified with its history for more than three-quarters of a century.
Edward M. Petty, the son of Reuben M. and Elizabeth (Johnson)
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Petty, was born in Highland township, May 2, 1870. He is one of five children born to his parents, the others being John S., Edwin Roscoe, Ella and Emma, the latter being deceased.
Reuben M. Petty was born in South Carolina, October 4, 1815, and his wife, Elizabeth Johnson, was born in Pennsylvania, July 3, 1828. Reuben M. Petty was twice married, the mother of Edward M., with whom this narrative deals, being his second wife. His first wife was Sarah Childers and to this union were born four children, Winfield, Louisa, Allen and Vina. Reuben M. Petty came to this county with his parents when he was about six years of age and lived the life of a farmer here until his death in 1890. His second wife died in 1884. The paternal grandparents of Edward M. Petty were Samuel Petty and wife, natives of South Carolina and early settlers in Franklin county, coming here from their southern home about 1821. They located in Brookville township and later moved to Highland township where they spent the remainder of their days. The maternal grandparents of Edward M. Petty were born and reared in Penn- sylvania and came to Franklin county early in its history. Edward M. Petty was educated in the public schools of Highland township and his early training was in preparation for the vocation of a farmer. After his mar- riage in 1891 he began farming for himself and the success which has at- tended his efforts is shown by the fact that he now owns three hundred and fifty-six acres of land. He is an extensive stock raiser and, like most farm- ers of the present time, makes most of his money in stock raising.
Mr. Petty was married in 1891 to Alpha Jeffries, a member of one of the old families of the county, who died in 1909. On February 18, 1913, Mr. Petty was married, secondly. to Miss Peninnah S. Duffey, who was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, the daughter of Eli F. and Nancy J. (Benbow) Duffey. To this second union has been born one son, Luke Edward, born January 3, 1914.
The father of Mrs. Petty was born in Brown county, Ohio, and her mother at Amo, Hendricks county, Indiana. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Petty was Michael Duffey and his wife was Aby Masters. The paternal great-grandfather of Mrs. Petty was a soldier of the Revolutionary War in a Pennsylvania regiment. After the war he moved to Ohio, and for many years was one of the most influential residents of Brown county. The parents of Mrs. Petty are now living at Acton, Indiana. Her father gave his services to the Union during the Civil War and one brother was killed at the battle of Atlanta.
Mr. Petty is an independent voter and prefers to cast his ballot for the
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best man, irrespective of his political affiliations. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and gives it his hearty support at all times, both he and Mrs. Petty being active in all the good works of the community, to whose welfare they are unselfishly devoted.
MICHAEL KREMP.
The valley of the Whitewater contains some of the finest farming land in the state, and in Brookville township, Franklin county, may be found some of the best farmers of the good old Hoosier state. One of the enter- prising tillers of the soil who has been identified with the history of this township for many years is Michael Kremp, who has been a resident of this county since 1879. He has accumulated a farm of eighty acres solely by his own initiative and industry and has thereby won for himself the right to be classed among the successful farmers of his community.
Michael Kremp, the son of Frank and Philomena (Molter) Kremp, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 11, 1863. His parents were both born in Germany, his father in 1834, and his mother in 1839. Frank Kremp and wife were the parents of six children, Michael, Frank, Katherine, Maggie, Augustus and Elizabeth, of whom Frank, Katherine and Maggie are de- ceased.
The father of Michael Kremp was a tanner by trade and came to America before his marriage and located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Some years later he located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked with U. S. Grant near Portsmouth, Ohio, in a tannery which was owned by U. S. Grant's father, who was at that time in the tanning business. He died in Cincinnati in 1879, and his widow and children later located in Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana. Frank Kremp was a member of the Catholic church, while his wife was a Lutheran in religious belief. She was a daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth Molter, natives of Germany, who came to Franklin county, Indiana, about 1849. Mr. Molter died in 1884, at the age of seventy- two years, while his widow lived to the advanced age of ninety-four.
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