History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 91

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 91

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Jacob Wilhelm, Sr., was fifteen years old when he came to America. His father, Charles Wilhelm, lived to be one hundred years of age. Charles Wilhelm, a carpenter by trade, married Madeline Berger. He was employed for many years on the forts which formed a fortification on the frontier between Alsace-Lorraine and Germany. To this union were born five chil- dren, as follows: Peter, Jacob, Mary, Lizzie and Madeline, all of whom came to America while quite young with their father. His first wife having died, he was married to Mrs. Anna Fry, but by this marriage there were no children. The family settled in Dearborn county, Indiana, where Mr. Wil- helm died, at that time being the oldest Democrat in the county.

John J. Wilhelm was educated at the parochial school and at an early age started to learn the blacksmith's trade which he has continued for the greater part of his life at Cedar Grove. While he has industriously applied himself to his business, he has found some time to take part in the political affairs of this community. When twenty-two years of age he was married to Louisa Eschenbach, the daughter of John Eschenbach, of Cincinnati. There were no children to this union, and the absence of children in their

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household caused them to extend a motherly and fatherly care to Gerald Carlon, whom they took into their home when quite young. Mr. Wilhelm has accumulated considerable property in this community, at this time being the owner of two houses and lots and also the property occupied by his black- smith shop. He has served as justice of the peace at Cedar Grove for six years. His fraternal affiliation is with the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Wilhelm is a member of the Catholic church and, like his forefathers, has always been a faithful follower of its teachings and subscribes liberally to its upkeep.

HESTER E. GANT.

There are many families living in this county whose history presents the greatest interest to the student of Indiana history. The early history of this state is largely interwoven with the people of Franklin county. Among those who have contributed largely to the interest of Brookville history is the Holliday family, of whom Mrs. Hester E. Gant, of Springfield town- ship, is a direct descendant.

Hester E. Gant was, before her marriage, Hester Holliday, the daugh- ter of Samuel Holliday and Mary (Isgrigg) Holliday. Her father was born in Pennsylvania. Her mother was the daughter of Michael Isgrigg, who lived near Baltimore, Ohio. She was one of eight children, the others being, Francis, Elizabeth, Squire, Martin, Jane, John and William. Of these, Francis, Elizabeth, Jane, John and William are deceased. Squire married Mary Jane Hinds. Martin married Rebecca Eldon. Her four brothers, Squire, Martin, John and William, served in the Civil War. Squire was noted for distinguished service. John was taken prisoner at Murfreesboro and retained until the end of the war when he was liberated.

Samuel Holliday spent his early life in Pennsylvania where he learned the trade of wagon maker and blacksmith, the products of which were in great demand in those days. When he was eighteen years of age he moved to this vicinity, where he was married. He was very active in this com- munity, taking a prominent part in politics and in all of the affairs of his day. He served as township trustee and also as justice of the peace. He died October 30, 1889, his wife having pre-deceased him on February 18, 1874.

The grandfather of Hester (Holliday) Gant was John Holliday, who

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was also born in Pennsylvania, coming to Indiana at a very early day. He stopped at Cincinnati, Ohio, for some time where he engaged as a wagon marker, and later moved to this county where he took up one-half section of land. At that time he also owned land in Ohio. He married Mary Lynn and to them were born nine children, as follows: James, John, Paul, Lott, Eli, Hannah, Hester, Eliza and Samuel. John Holliday and wife were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and were very highly regarded by all who knew them.

Hester Holliday went to the common schools of this county and on August 17, 1855, she married George W. Gant, the son of Stephen and Susan (Milholland) Gant. . They settled in Whitewater, township and started farming. During the Civil War, Mr. Gant enlisted and his wife returned to her father's home to stay there during his absence. George Gant was one of eight children born to his parents, the others being: Margaret, Mary Jane, Sarah Catherine, Lottie, John, Stephen and William. Of these, George and John served in the Civil War and were noted for their valiant conduct. They were among the bravest in their regiment and were commended for their distinguished conduct. John was killed in battle a short time after enlisting. George Gant died July 14, 1855, in Raleigh, North Carolina, of typhoid fever, contracted during the progress of the war. George Gant and wife had two children, Fremont and Jennie. Fremont died on March 10, 1902, having lived with his mother on the farm until his death. Jennie is still single and is at home with her mother. They have an excellent farm of one hundred and thirty acres which they devote to the raising of Poland- China hogs. Mrs. Gant, after the death of her husband, assumed the re- sponsibility of rearing the family and readily adapted herself to the new conditions and has managed the farm to her credit and has made it a very successful proposition. She has lived in this place almost her entire life and has become very prosperous through her own efforts. She has displayed great skill and insight in the farming business and has been noted for her very progressive methods. There are many families in this county who have contributed greatly, not only to the history of their own county but to the history of the state and nation, and among these none stand higher in this respect than the Holliday and the Gant families who, in times of strife and battle, were at the front the same as they have been in peaceful pursuits. Mrs. Gant and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Gant is a descendant of the Holliday family that laid out the towns of Hollidaysburg and Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

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SPENCER WILEY.

One of the pioneer settlers of Franklin county, Indiana, was the late Spencer Wiley, who came to this county with his parents in 1829. He was a lifelong farmer and stock raiser and at his death left a well improved and valuable farm. He was a distinguished veteran of the Civil War, having served in the Army of the Cumberland for more than three years. He filled a large place in the ranks of the enterprising and public-spirited men of his day and generation and the many friends he left in this community who still cherish his memory recall that he never failed to give his hearty support to every worthy measure for the promotion of the best interests of his home county. He was one of those men who by his enterprise and unswerving integrity forced his way to the front and, while winning success for himself, helped to win for the grand old Hoosier commonwealth her present exalted rank among the sisterhood of states.

The late Spencer Wiley was born in Decatur county, Indiana, October 24, 1824. and died at his home in Franklin county, Indiana, December I, 1888. He was a son of James and Elizabeth (Williams) Wiley and was one of seven children born to his parents, the others being Adonijah, Oliver H., John, Jerome, James J. and Olive Elizabeth.

James Wiley, the father of Spencer, was born in Frederick county, Vir- ginia, in 1795, and died November 28, 1874. His wife, Elizabeth, was born near Charleston. North Carolina, in 1794 and died in February, 1874. James Wiley and his family came from Virginia to Brookville, Indiana, in 1811 and afterwards moved to Decatur county, where they lived a few years. In 1829 James Wiley returned to Franklin county and bought a farm of three hun- dred and twenty acres in Laurel township in the Whitewater valley. During an Indian uprising in Illinois, Mr. Wiley served as a volunteer and received a land warrant for his services, the land being located in Franklin county.

The paternal grandparents of Spencer Wiley were Moses Wiley and wife. Moses Wiley was born in Scotland and came to America about 1770. He served in the Revolutionary War under "Mad" Anthony Wayne and fought in the battle of Stony Point, receiving a bayonet wound from which he suffered the rest of his life. Sometime after the close of the Revolu- tionary War, Moses Wiley moved from Virginia to Camp Washington the site of the present city of Cincinnati, Ohio. Some time later he permanently located near Harrison, Ohio, along the Ohio river.

James Wiley, the father of Spencer, was an interesting man in many ways. At one time he was one of the largest land owners of Franklin

MR. AND MRS. SPENCER A. WILEY.

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county, owning tracts aggregating more than one thousand acres. His home was in section 27 in Laurel township. His seven children already have been mentioned and concerning one of them, Jerome, a pathetic story is told. When about four years of age Jerome started out with his brother, John, who was then about eight, to go on an errand to call his father to din- ner. They lost their way in the woods and were not found until five days later, by which time Jerome was frozen to death; John still being alive, but badly frostbitten. Another son was born to James Wiley and wife after this unfortunate incident and he was christened James, but the mother was desirous that he should be called after her lost child, Jerome, so he was known through life as James Jerome.

Spencer Wiley was only five years of age when the family located in Franklin county, Indiana. He worked at the homestead until he was mar- ried and then bought a farm in Laurel township, where he lived for forty years. He inherited one hundred acres from his father and added to this until he had a fine farm of goodly proportion. He enlisted in the Civil War as a member of Company B. Thirty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry and served under Generals Thomas and Rosencrans for more than three years. Among the many battles in which he participated were those at Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain. Chickamauga, Stone River and others of lesser importance.

Spencer Wiley was married December 3, 1848, to Henrietta Hoffman, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, September 28, 1830, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (George) Hoffman, the former of whom was born in York county, Pennsylvania, and the latter in Lancaster county, in the same state. Mrs. Wiley's father died in October, 1874, at the age of eighty- eight years and five months and her mother died in February, 1875, at the age of sixty-nine years and eight months.

Daniel Hoffman, the father of Mrs. Spencer Wiley, was an orphan boy and was bound out to a tailor to learn the trade. He served an apprentice- ship of four years and after his marriage at Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to Sarah George, he worked at his trade until the spring of 1833. He then went to Preble county, Ohio, by wagon and canal and then by canal and the Ohio river to Cincinnati, finally landing at the town of Camden, Ohio, where he lived until 1839. In August of that year he moved to Franklin county, Indiana, and located on Stipps Hill, buying a farm in Ray and Salt Creek townships. He lived on this farm until his death, farming and also working at his trade as a tailor. Nine children were born to Daniel

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and Sarah (George) Hoffman : Henry, who died in 1843 at the age of seven- teen; Amos, who died in 1864; John, a wagon maker of Rushville, Indiana; George, who gave his life for the Union in the Civil War; Uriah, who died in 1895; Henrietta, the wife of Spencer Wiley; Mary, the wife of James Harley, a farmer of Laurel township and now eighty-two years of age; Emeline, the wife of Louis Ward, a farmer of Rock Falls, Illinois, this worthy couple having been married sixty years, and Sarah, the wife of Joseph Wolf, both deceased.

After the death of her husband, Mrs. Spencer Wiley continued to reside on the old homestead for a few years. In 1891 she built a home in Meta- mora, where she now lives at the age of eighty-five. She is hale and hearty and is able to read fine print without glasses. Mrs. Wiley is a woman of unusual attainments and great strength of character. While her husband was in the Civil War she designed and built a fine farmhouse on the old homestead, constructing it after her own plans and specifications. She is still able to sew and despite her many years can turn as neat a hem as any young girl.

Spencer Wiley was a lifelong Republican but never cared to take an active part in political affairs. He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His life and labors were worthy because they contributed to the advancement of civilization along all lines of community life and it seems particularly fitting that this brief resume of his career be recorded in the annals of his county's history.

FRANK HEARD.

Franklin county has many sons who have spent their whole lives within its boundaries. To have lived in a county for more than a half century and to have won the respect and esteem of one's neighbors is an honor that ought to be highly regarded. One of Franklin county's farmers who has lived here all his life, and who is known throughout the county for his sterling integrity is Frank Heard, who is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, a very material evidence of his industry and careful manage- ment. Having gained a competence, Mr. Heard was able to retire in 1911, in which year he moved to Brookville, where he now lives, enjoying the com- forts to which his long labors so properly entitle him.

Frank Heard was born in Springfield-township, Franklin county, Indi-

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ana, May 26, 1862, the son of William T. and Mary Ann (Luse) Heard. William T. Heard, a native of Butler county, Ohio, was a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Montgomery) Heard. Peter Heard was a native of New Jersey, while his wife was born in Butler county, Ohio. They were pioneers in that state, and both are buried near Riley, Ohio. The wife of William T. Heard was a daughter of Hiram and Rebecca (Rynearson) Luse, who came to Franklin county very early in its history, and settled in Springfield township, where they spent the remainder of their lives, and in which neigh- borhood they were held in the highest regard. Peter Heard, the grand- father of Frank Heard, was a farmer all his life, a Democrat and a member of the Presbyterian church. William T. Heard was the only child of his parents. He also was a farmer and began his life as such on the old home- stead in Springfield township. In 1872 he went back to Butler county, Ohio, and there his death occurred. His widow survived him many years, her death not occurring until May, 1912. He also was a Democrat and a member of the Presbyterian church. To William Heard and wife four chil- dren were born. Addie May, now the wife of Frank Updike, of Butler county, Ohio, resides on the old Heard homestead in that county. They have one child, William Elijah. The second child of William Heard and wife is Frank, the immediate subject of this sketch. Peter, of Butler county, Ohio, married Hattie Salmon, and is the father of one child, Carl William. Hiram Luse, of Butler county, Ohio, married Pansy Evans, the youngest child, and has one child, Frank Edward.

Frank Heard was educated in the public schools of his home township, and early in life decided to follow the occupation of his fathers. He now is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of fine farming land in Springfield township, which he has cultivated and improved until it is one of the best and most productive farms in the township. In 1911 Mr. Heard retired from active farm life and moved to Brookville, where he is now living, surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences of modern life in his pleasant home on Cliff street.

In 1883 Mr. Heard was married to Anna McClure, who was born in Franklin county, in August, 1861, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Parvis) McClure. Henry McClure is a son of James McClure, who is referred to elsewhere in this volume. Henry McClure died in 1872, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1863. He was a farmer and car- penter. Mr. and Mrs. McClure were the parents of six children, of whom John, the first born, and Indiana, the youngest, are now living, William, James, Thomas and Jesse being deceased.

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To Frank and Anna (McClure) Heard have been born two children, Ethel May, born May 15, 1884, the wife of Horatio Talbert, of Hamilton, Ohio, and Mary Edna, born in 1885, the wife of Walter S. Dubois, of Frank- lin county. Mr. and Mrs. Dubois have one son, Harold Heard, who was born January 29, 1910.

Mr. and Mrs. Heard are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and take an active and interested part in its various beneficences. Mr. Heard is a Republican, but has never aspired to office, preferring to exercise his right as an American citizen without holding office. Mr. and Mrs. Heard are among the most highly esteemed citizens of Franklin county, where they are known widely and much beloved for their many good works.

FRANK A. ROSENBERGER.

A successful retail meat merchant of Brookville, Indiana, is Frank A. Rosenberger, who has been engaged in this line of activity in the county seat since 1910. As a business man he possesses those qualities of integrity, industry and perseverance which always insure success. He has always dis- charged his public and private duties as they appeared to him honestly and fearlessly and has always been ready to assist whenever he sees that aid is needed.

Frank A. Rosenberger, the son of Aloysius and Mary (Geis) Rosen- berger, was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, January 9, 1881. His par- ents were both born in the same county, his father being born in 1859. Twelve children were born to his parents, Mary, Frank A., John, Flora, Rose, Charles, Lena, Joseph, Clara, Stanley, Harry and Leonard, all of whom are still living with the exception of Leonard.

The paternal grandparents of Frank A. Rosenberger were John and Elizabeth (Bishop) Rosenberger, natives of Germany and early settlers in Dearborn county, Indiana, where they passed the remainder of their days. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Rosenberger were George Geis and wife, pioneers of Dearborn county, who have long since passed to their reward.

Frank A. Rosenberger was reared on a farm in Dearborn county, and educated in the parochial schools. He removed with his parents to Frank- lin county, and worked on his father's farm in Whitewater township, near Cedar Grove, until he began for himself. When fifteen years of age he began to learn the butcher's trade, and was engaged in this business at Cedar

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Grove from 1902 until 1907. In the latter year he bought a farm in Brook- ville township, on which he lived for two years." He then sold this farm and rented another farm near New Trenton in Whitewater township and con- tinued to farm until February 1, 1910, when he established his present retail meat market in Brookville. He has been very successful and now has two meat markets on Main street.

Mr. Rosenberger was married on Thanksgiving day, 1903, to Elizabeth Ratz and to this union have been born five children, Albert, Elsie, Howard, Sylvester and Mildred. Mrs. Rosenberger was born in Brookville town- ship, and is a daughter of Joseph and Kate ( Metzler) Ratz. Her mother is deceased, and her father now lives at Cedar Grove with his daughter, Mrs. Mary Schuck.

Mr. Rosenberger and his family are all devout members of the Catholic church, and gave it their hearty support. In politics, he is a Democrat, but thus far has never taken an active part in the councils of his party. In his career there is much that is commendable, and his life forcibly illustrates what a man of energy can accomplish when his plans are rightly laid and actions governed by right principles and noble aims.

JOHN H. KIMBLE.

To be successful in many things is not only a mark of versatility, but likewise an evidence of an active mind and body. In every community today there are always a few men who, because of their native ability and their capacity for rising to the limits of their opportunities stand forth in the sun- shine of the life of the community in which they reside. One of the most widely and most favorably known men in Franklin county is John H. Kim- ble, former postmaster at Brookville. Mr. Kimble comes from a long line of English ancestors, his father and his grandfather having been residents of Franklin county practically all of their lives. To have been honored by a community where one's father and grandfather lived practically all their lives, and where one has been born, is truly a mark of distinction. Mr. Kimble being a man of that type, it is a pleasure for the biographer here to present a brief sketch of his career.

John H. Kimble was born in Franklin county, Indiana, October 25, 1866, a son of Henry Clay and Mary R. (Klemme) Kimble, the former a native of Brookville, born November 16, 1832, and the latter also a native

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of Franklin county, born in 1840. Henry Clay Kimble was a man of wide prominence in southern Indiana. He began early in life to earn his own way, his education being very limited. He began work with a milling firm which was in possession of the mill formerly owned by his father, this firm havng purchased his father's milling property. In 1853 he started a stove and tinware business and was thus engaged until 1855, when he formed a business partnership with T. J. Tyner, under the firm name of Tyner & Company. This partnership continued until 1857, in which year Mr. Kim- ble sold his interests and opened a grocery store, in which line of endeavor he remained engaged until 1861, after which he became interested in the Whitewater Railroad Company as a contractor, but in 1871, when his third child, John H. Kimble, was five years old, he purchased the flour mill form- erly owned by his father and was still engaged in this business when John H. Kimble arrived at manhood's estate.

John H. Kimble was educated in the public schools and high school of Brookville, after which he spent two years in Indiana University. After leaving college he was engaged with his father in the milling business until 1909, when he was appointed postmaster of Brookville, his term expiring in 1913. Since this time he has lived a retired life. Mr. Kimble has been prominent in fraternal circles all his life. He is a member of the Masonic order, having attained to the Scottish Rite and the Shrine, and also is a member of the Knights of Pythias, taking a warm interest in the affairs of both these popular ritualistic orders.

On June 17, 1895, Mr. Kimble was married to Kathryn Irwin, who was born in Fairfield township in this county, February 23, 1872, a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Burk) Irwin, the former of whom was born in Butler county, Ohio, Mr. Irwin's father having been an early settler of that community. Robert Irwin was a merchant with his brother, Thomas, in Fairfield township, and died in 1905, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1875. Mrs. Kimble was the only child born to her parents.

To Mr. and Mrs. Kimble one daughter has been born, Margaret, born June 14, 1897, who is now a senior in the Brookville high school.

Mr. Kimble's paternal grandfather was George W. Kimble, a native of Maryland, who came to Franklin county from that state and here married Maria Campbell. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Kimble lived on a farm in Brookville township and died near Laurel. Mr. Kimble originally was a Whig, but became a Republican later in life. Among the children of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Kimble are mentioned Thomas, Maria, Sarah, George, Catherine and Henry C. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Kimble also was

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an early settler of Franklin county, his residence having been in Highland township. Henry Clay Kimble, the father of John H., at one time owned eleven hundred acres of land, all of which was in Brookville township, Franklin county. He was very successful in business and was one of the leading factors in the organization of the Whitewater Railway Company. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clay Kimble were the parents of six children, all of whom are still living, Rose, Mame, John H., Harriet, George and Nellie.

John H. Kimble always has been an active Republican. He was ap- pointed postmaster by President Roosevelt, an evidence of his activity in the ranks of his party. Mr. Kimble is not only known widely throughout this region by reason of active public life, but he is also known for the stead- fastness with which his friends are attached to him, and he is regarded as one of the most influential men in this section of the state.

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 91

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