History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 90

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 90

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Frank McKee, the father of Clifford, was born in Whitewater township. March 23, 1857. His father was John McKee, who came from Butler county, Ohio, and was born October 11, 1833. Frank McKee early moved to Dearborn county, where he rented a farm and lived there for twenty- five years, moving to this county where he acquired one hundred and sixty- five acres, which he devoted to general farming. He remained active in his vocation until late in life and about three years ago retired from active

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farming and rents his farm. He is a member of the United Brethren church and his fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

John McKee, grandfather of Clifford McKee, was born in Butler county, Ohio, October II, 1833. He enlisted in the Civil War and was com- missioned as corporal of the Sixty-ninth Ohio Cavalry, and while in the service he contracted smallpox. In his day he achieved a reputation through- out the countryside as a famous woodchopper. In 1855 John McKee was married to Rebecca Whitehead, the daughter of John and Hettie ( Branden- burg) Whitehead. Her father was engaged in the distillery business. To them were born eleven children, as follow: Sarah Ann, Frank, Elizabeth (deceased), George, John, Hettie (deceased), William (deceased), Alice, Benjamin, Margaret and one who died in infancy. Sarah Ann married Jessie Thomas and lives at Meadville, Pennsylvania. George married Pearl Kaufmann and resides at Daleville, Indiana. John married Jennie Kauf- mann and lives at Daleville, Indiana. Alice married Jacob Hahn and resides in Butler county, Ohio. Benjamin married Leora Brown and lives near Dublin, Indiana.

The great-grandfather of Clifford McKee was George .Riley McKee, who came to this township at a very early age, and where he continued to reside most of his life. He was married to Hettie Meisner. He died in December, 1898, five years after the death of his wife, which occurred in 1893. Their children were as follow: Sarah, Jane. John, William, Lucinda, Anthony, Phoebe, Ellen and Thomas J. Of these, Anthony, Phoebe and Thomas J. are living. Anthony lives at Shandon, Ohio; Phoebe lives at St. Charles, Ohio; and Thomas J. at Hamilton, Ohio.

Mrs. Frank McKee, the mother of Clifford B. McKee, before her mar- riage to Frank McKee, which took place on February 20, 1881, was Ellen Goble, the daughter of Iden Goble. She was born in the province of Toron- to, close to London, Canada, August II, 1861. Her father, Iden Goble. was born in Kent, England, December 21, 1821, and died March 21, 1903. The father of Iden Goble was Samuel Goble, who was born in England and married Fanny Ellis. They followed the occupation of farmers in Eng- land. To Iden Goble and wife were born twelve children: Francis, Samuel, George, David, Fannie, Louisa, Ida, Ellen, Dora, Adelia, Lillie and Emma.

Iden Goble left his native land and came to America when nineteen years of age. He and his brother, Gideon, immigrated to Canada, where he took up land. In 1846 he was married to Harriet Keeler, the daughter of Court and Miriat· (Looker) Keeler. Iden Goble later settled in Dearborn county, where he purchased fifty acres of land. He was a very active mem-

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ber of the Methodist church. He died in this county, survived by his widow who is still living in Dearborn county, residing with her daughter.

Clifford B. McKee was educated in the common schools of Dearborn county and after leaving school remained on his father's farm and followed that occupation until young manhood. He was married November 26, 1908, to Opha Conrey. She was a daughter of William X. Conrey. The Conreys originally came from Ohio. The grandfather of William X. Conrey, Jon- athan Conrey, came from Ohio where he had lived most of his life. He moved to Indiana accompanied by his son, Jacob, and other members of the family. Jacob Conrey, his son, attended school in this state and followed the occupation of farmer. He was but four years of age when he accom- panied his father here and went to work at a very early age, helping to clear the land. He remained on his father's farm until his marriage to Margaret Jacobs. Jacob Conrey bought one hundred and sixteen acres which he owned before his death which occurred twenty-seven years ago. At that time he was sixty-two years of age. The children of Jacob Conrey and wife were Lottie, Olive, Phoebe, Laura, Kitty, Louise, William X., Della and Ford. Of these Olive, Kitty, Della and Ford are dead. Lottie married Silas Sering and lives in California. Phoebe remains single, residing in Michigan. Laura married John Faucett and lives at Milton, Indiana. Louise married William Fox and also lives in Michigan. William X. Con- rey, father of Mrs. McKee, was married to Amanda Schiltz, November 12, 1887. She was a daughter of J. P. and Elizabeth ( Stonebreaker) Schiltz. The children of J. P. Schiltz and wife were John, Amanda, Eliza and Maria. William X. Conrey settled in Whitewater township, in this county, in 1887 and purchased one hundred and sixteen acres which he devoted to general farming. His children were Opha, Helen, Hazel and Hugh. Hazel and Hugh live at home. Helen married James Bias and lives at Liberty, In- diana. They have one son, Paul. Hazel lives on the same farm with her parents and is married to Curtis Conrey and has one daughter, Roberta. William X. Conrey is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in which he is greatly interested. He is a member of the Methodist church and has served as county superintendent of Sunday schools. He is highly esteemed by all who know him.

Clifford McKee is engaged in general farming, at this time having charge of three hundred and ten acres in Whitewater township. To Mr. and Mrs. McKee have been born two children, Mildred and Forest. Mr. and Mrs. McKee are energetic members in the Methodist church. Mrs. McKee is very active socially and Mr. McKee takes a prominent part in the affairs of the community and they are very highly regarded by a county- wide circle of friends.

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DAVID SCHULTZ.

One of the characteristics of the German people is the quality of patience, and to whatever occupation they turn their hand, they apply themselves to it with a thoroughness that often surprises persons of other nationalities. The German forges ahead, sometimes a little slower than other nationalities, but always a little more sure. Whether it is in the professions or in manu- facturing or farming the German acquires his training in a manner which brings results. The farmer in Germany has accomplished so much that farmers in other countries are endeavoring to learn and apply his methods to their farms. He works in a very intensive manner, growing almost as much on one acre as the average agriculturist will on two or three. A num- ber of farmers in Indiana are descendants of the early German settlers who came to this country and located in this state. They brought with them the traditions of their race and in their new homes applied their old-world training with very good results. Among the descendants of those early German settlers who came to this county, is David Schultz, of Springfield township.

David Schultz was born in Dryridge, Ohio, fifty-one years ago, the son of Peter Schultz. a native of Germany, who married Adeline Betcher. The elder Schultz came to America when a very young man and finally located in Ohio, in the vicinity of Dryridge. In his native land he had been engaged in wagon building and blacksmithing, as well as wood carving, having also had experience in farming on his father's estate. Peter Schultz and wife were the parents of three children, Lewis, Caroline and David. Lewis mar- ried Lena Wiwi, who died November 27, 1911. They were the parents of three children, Mary, Lewis and Theodore. Caroline married James For- ester, of Cedar Grove, and they have five children, Elizabeth, Frank. Elnora, Clara and Mary.

Peter Schultz, father of David Schultz, after emigrating to this coun- try, came directly to Ohio, where, no doubt, he had friends among his coun- trymen who had preceded him to that state. He secured employment on a farm, later coming to Indiana. locating near New Trenton, in Whitewater township. Peter Schultz was a man of military training and a strict dis- ciplinarian, having seen service in the German army in his native land. He was highly respected and was a man of thrifty and industrious habits. He had many of the good qualities of his race, which endeared him to all who knew him. He died in March, 1900, while his wife passed away when David, the son was nineteen years old.

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David Schultz received his education in the common schools of his home neighborhood, and on February 5, 1902, married Barbara Gehring, the daughter of Morton and Anna (Heintz) Gehring. Mrs. David Schultz was one of five children, who were as follow: George, Martin, Anna, Joseph and Barbara. George married Mary Miller and lives on the old home farm near Harrison, Ohio. Martin married Edna Smith, and lives in Oxford, Ohio, and to them were born three children, Anna, Margaret and Rose. Anna is the wife of Matthew Weber and resides at Fairfield, Indiana. Jos- eph married Lena Eucks and lives at Oxford, Ohio. Martin Gehring, the father of Mrs. David Schultz, came from Germany when a lad. He located in Ohio, where he engaged in farming, and was a prominent and influential citizen in his community. He was a veteran of the War of 1870 between France and Prussia. Martin Gehring and his family were members of the Catholic church, and earnest supporters of that denomination.

To David Schultz and wife have been born four children, Joseph, born November 5, 1902; Marie, November 3, 1903; Theodore, December 28, 1907; George, November 27, 1911. Mr. Schultz and family have a large circle of intimate. friends throughout the county.

David Schultz has lived on the farm on which he now resides for twenty-six years. He is extensively engaged in the raising of hogs, usually raising more than a car load of hogs for shipment. He also breeds an ex- cellent strain of cattle on his farm, and has been very successful in all his farming operations.

LEWIS J. BROWN.

It is with no small satisfaction that we now take into consideration the life of the energetic and determined man whose name precedes this review. Nothing so quickly gains and indeed deserves the admiration of one's fellow- men as a refusal to acknowledge one's self defeated even under the most adverse circumstances. So we heartily welcome Lewis J. Brown to our pages as one of those strong-hearted men, especially as his entire life bears out the impression gained of him, after a study of his successful struggle against trying circumstances.

.Lewis J. Brown was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, January 4, 1854, the son of Christian and Mary (Stoll) Brown. His father was born in Prussia in 1824. and died in 1893. His mother was also born in Prussia in 1813, and died in 1904.

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The paternal grandparents of Lewis J. Brown lived all of their days in Germany, dying before he was born. His maternal grandparents also lived and died in Prussia, where they followed the occupation of farming. They were stanch adherents of the German Lutheran church.

Lewis J. Brown was one of a family of six children, the others being : Theodore, Henry, Loretta, Mary and one who died in infancy. The three elder children were born in Prussia, Loretta dying on the voyage to America. Theodore now lives east of Brookville and is trustee of Brookville town- ship. He has been married twice, first to Lizzie Schaffer and second to Harrietta Bonwald. Henry married Louisa Cerner and died thirty years ago. Mary married John Mode and lives in Brookville.

Christian Brown grew to maturity in Germany, where he learned the bricklayer's trade. He was married in that country and in 1850 he and his wife immigrated to New Orleans, Louisiana, the voyage occupying thirty-six days. They then came up the river to Cincinnati, where they lived for several years, the husband following the trade of a builder. A few years later they located in Dearborn county, Indiana, and for eight years he worked at his trade. He then bought a farm in Whitewater township, Franklin county, Indiana, where he and his wife subsequently died. He was drafted for service in the Civil War, but on account of a crippled knee was released. Theodore Brown, a brother of Lewis J., and whose history appears else- where in this volume. erected the first house in Brookville.

Lewis J. Brown received his education in the common schools of White- water township. He started his career as a farmer on a piece of ground in Whitewater township which he cultivated until twenty-five years ago. For twenty-five years previous to 1912 he was in the lumber and grain busi- ness at New Trenton, Indiana. In 1913 the flood washed away nine of his buildings, entailing a loss of thirty thousand dollars. Mr. Brown began again in Cedar Grove in the same business and is now having excellent success.

Mr. Brown was married October 17, 1878, to Himalaya Bower, the daughter of Jacob Bower. To this union have been born seven children, Cosie, Irene, Loretta, Grover, Omer, Bessie and Alfred. Cosie married Hoyt Maine, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and has one daughter, Bonnetta. Irene married Oscar Cooley, of Cambridge City, Indiana, and has one son, Glenn. Grover married Irene Delacroix and lives in New Trenton, Indi- ana. Omer is still single and is in business in New Trenton. Loretta, Bessie and Alfred are all at home.

Mr. Brown has been actively interested in politics and held the position

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of trustee of Whitewater township from 1900 to 1905, and was county com- missioner for several years. Mr. Brown and his family are members of the Lutheran church, he belonging to the church at Southgate, Indiana.

GILBERT G. ELDON.

Gilbert G. Eldon, a native of this county, was born at the old Eldon homestead July 29, 1841. He is of English descent, his father having im- migrated from England to this country at a very early date. He was a farmer by training and inclination as his family had been engaged in this industry for many generations. He has lived on the same farm all of his life, which was one of the first farms to be cleared in this part of the country.

The father of Gilbert G. Eldon was one of five sons of John Eldon, of England, four of whom came to this country, Thomas coming in 1820, John and Joseph coming in 1821 and George in 1849. Their other brother, William, died in England. John Eldon, the father of Gilbert G. Eldon, after coming to America engaged as a school teacher in Canada, where he accumulated enough money to come to this county. He was a man of great industry and ambition, having made his own way in the world since he was ten years of age. His father died when he was only two days old and at the age of ten he became an apprentice to a bookkeeper, at which he served until he reached his majority, then coming to this country. In 1830 John Eldon was married to Mary Winn and to this union one child was born, dying in infancy and the mother dying in the same year. His second wife was Margaret Van Camp and to this union were born the following children : Thomas, born May 22, 1836, and died July 6. 1913; Gilbert G. Eldon, born July 29, 1841 ; Rebecca, born February 7, 1843. John Eldon continued to live on his farm of one hundred and twenty acres until his death, which oc- curred in 1882, being survived by his wife, who died in 1899. In politics, he was a Democrat and religiously followed the teachings of the Church of England, to which church his father and family belonged also.

His brothers lived here until their death. His brothers, Thomas and Joseph each farmed forty acres of land. Thomas remained single and Joseph married Nancy Terry, of this county, and continued to live on their farm. George Eldon, another brother, remained single and lived with his brothers.

Gilbert Eldon, at a very early age, learned the rudiments of farming and continued to follow that occupation, at this time his activities being de- voted to two hundred and eighty-nine acres. This farm includes the original

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one hundred and twenty acres entered by his father. He has thus lived seventy-four years, or his entire life, on-the old homestead. On November 9, 1869, he was married to Anna Gant, daughter of William and Mary Gant, both of this county. His wife died February 4, 1898. To this union were born three children : Eva, John and William. Eva was born August 27, 1870, and died December 4, of the same year. John was born October 3, 1871, and married Nora Minor, and to them was born one daughter, Marjorie. William was born May II, 1876, and married Augusta Clark, and to them were born four children, as follow: Virgie May, William Earl, Ruth M. and Rozella.

Mr. Eldon takes a keen interest in everything that pertains to the wel- fare of this county, and the history of this county would be most incomplete without a review of the Eldon family.

JOHN DOERFLEIN, SR.

Many poems have been written about the blacksmith, and one naturally pictures in his mind a man of strong build with brawny muscles, a man of honesty and with goodness beaming from his countenance. The vocation of smithing has always been one held in the highest esteem and from the earliest beginning of the craft, it has been regarded as typical of strength and honesty. John Doerflein, Sr., of this county, early learned the black- smith's trade which he followed for more than fifty years.

- John Doerflein, Sr., was born in Brookville, Indiana, January 16, 1844. His parents were John and Lucia (Vogel) Doerflein. His father was born in Germany and when a young man came to this country marrying after his arrival. He first located in Pennsylvania and from there he moved to St. Peters, Indiana, where he established himself and followed his trade of black- smithing. He later moved to Wolf Creek, where he died, John Doerflein, Sr., then being but three years of age. His wife survived him nineteen years. He was a devout member of the Catholic church, and deeply re- spected in his community.

John Doerflein, having been left fatherless at such an early age, grew up to be self-reliant. He early learned the blacksmith trade, thus following in the footsteps of his father and worked at this occupation in Dearborn county, Indiana, during the early years of his life. He moved to this com- munity forty-three years ago, locating at Cedar Grove. "Fifteen years ago

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he went into the hardware business, to which he has devoted a large share of his attention. He owns eighty-five acres of land in Highland township and has considerable property in Cedar Grove, including two houses.

Mr. Doerflein married Catherine Willhelm, daughter of Jacob Will- helm, and to this union there were born ten children: Frank, Thomas, Joseph, John R., Catharine, Anthony, Louisa, William, Jerome and Charles. Frank, of Indianapolis, married Ellie Schmitmire and has one daughter, Laura Thomas, of Cedar Grove, married Anna Osthimer and has six chil- dren : Raymond, Harold, May, Leon, Harry and Eugene. Joseph, of Cedar Grove, married Lillian Hattert and has four children: Marcella, George. Alma and Ella. John R., a farmer of Springfield township, married Mayme Reister and has three children, Ralph, Elmer and Robert. Catherine is still single and is a housekeeper for the Catholic priest at Connersville, Indi- ana. Anthony, a farmer of Whitewater township, married Catherine Meiers and has two children, Hilda and Clarence. Louisa married Frank Lang, of Cedar Grove, and has three children, Frank, Mary and Alvena. William, of Indianapolis, married Laura Osthimer and has one son, Howard. Jerome, who now lives in Ohio, is married, but no children have been born. Charles married Matilda Winstfeld and has two children, Sylvester and Virginia. Mrs. Doerflein died in 1905.

John Doerflein and family are devout members of the Catholic church and liberal contributors to its upkeep, and stand high in the estimation of all in the community.

JOHN FOHL.

The occupation of brewer is a very ancient one, as the history of nearly every country from the very earliest times makes mention of the pursuit of this occupation. Before the establishment of the public brewery, many well- to-do persons retained their own breweries and it is a matter of history in this country that some of the foremost pioneers of the country brewed their own beer. This industry is followed to a greater extent in Germany than any other country in the world and the best brewers are of that nationality. A descendant of one of the early brewers of this country is John Fohl, of this county, whose grandfather and father were engaged in that industry.

John Fohl was born in Dearborn county, March 7. 1855, the son of Martin and Eva (Rosenberg) Fohl and was one of four children, the others being : Elizabeth, Anna and Caspar. Elizabeth was married to Paul Cots

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and moved to Springfield, Ohio, where he died. Anna married John Hauck and lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. Caspar married Nettie Cotrell and resides at Cedar Grove. Mr. Fohl's mother is still living in Brookville township. After the death of her first husband, she married Lewis Dehner and to her second marriage were born four children, as follows: Joseph, Rose, Mary and Valentine. Joseph married Emma Graff and lives in Brookville township. Rose married Anthony Preller and resides at Springfield, Ohio. Mary mar- ried August Eipple and lives at Springfield, Ohio. Valentine is still single and lives at home with his mother.

Martin Fohl learned the brewery business in his early manhood and followed that business until after his marriage. He then farmed in addition to following his regular trade. He owned forty acres at the time of his death. Martin Fohl died at the early age of thirty-three years. He was a member of the Catholic church. The grandfather of John Fohl, after com- ing to Indiana, located in Dearborn county. Here he engaged in the brewery business and, no doubt, as was the custom in those days he operated what was known as a custom brewery. He died in this state.

John Fohl was educated in the district schools and went to work at a very early age in a general store. He was married to Catherine Barnhart on November 24, 1876. She was the daughter of Michael and Otilia (Kuntz) Barnhart. To this union were born two children, Charles and Catherine. Charles married Mary Rosenburger and lives in in Brookville. Michael Barnhart was a brickmaker for many years and lived at Cedar Grove. He was also a farmer. He served in the Civil War and moved to Cedar Grove in 1878. Mr. Fohl conducted a general store at Cedar Grove for eight years, which he sold in 1888. He bought a farm of eighty- two acres in Brookville township. He sold this farm recently and still owns ten acres in Highland township and also property in Cedar Grove. Aside from his other activities, he was engaged with his brother in the grist mill business from 1896 to 1902.

To Mr. and Mrs. Fohl have been born seven children, as follow : Frank, Michael, Charles, Casper, Jacob Henry, Clara and Aloysius. Michael married Mary Becker and lives at Cedar Grove. Charles married Rose Schuck and lives at Cedar Grove. Casper married Effie Stinger and also resides at Cedar Grove. Frank, Clara, Jacob Henry and Aloysius are still at home.

Mr. Fohl and family are members of the Catholic church at Cedar Grove, and are generous of their means to its support. He has served as councilman of the town of Cedar Grove and also on the advisory board of

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this township. Mr. Fohl is a member of the board of directors of the High- land Township Fire and Insurance Company. He was one of the first officers of the town of Cedar Grove, and assisted to locate the boundary lines and was president of the board for six years.

JOHN J. WILHELM.

In the smaller towns where modern machinery has not invaded the in- dustries, some of the vocations are operated in much the same manner in which they were in the days of our grandfathers. The blacksmith's mode is much the same and the farmers come and have their wagons repaired and their tires tightened as was the custom many years ago. A familiar figure at the forge at Cedar Grove for many years was that of John J. Wilhelm, who for more than forty years has conducted a blacksmith shop at this place.

John J. Wilhelm was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, September 23, 1853, the son of Jacob and Caroline (Fry) Wilhelm. His father was born in France and his mother in this country. He was one of seven children born to his parents, the others being Joseph, Charles, Mary, Katherine, Jacob and Caroline. All are deceased except John J. and Jacob, who married Caroline Messmer.

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 90

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