USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 95
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Mr. Selm was married February 5, 1895, to Crescentia Wintering, who was born in Franklin county, Indiana, and who died December 7, 1901. To this union one son, Leo F., was born, his birth occurring January 25, 1896.
Mr. Selm was married, secondly, February 24, 1903, to Regina Efker, who was born in St. Peters, Franklin county, September 6, 1873, a daughter of John and Mary (Hilbert) Efker. To this second union have been born five children: Urban John, born June 18, 1904; Anthony, born January 17, 1906; Hilda Catherine, born December 31, 1907; Mary Agnes, born October 24, 1909, and Anna Gladys, born March 24, 1912.
The parents of Mrs. Selm were both born in Germany and came to Franklin county early in its history. Her father died in 1883 at the age of sixty-six and her mother in 1909 at the age of seventy-seven.
Mr. Selm and his family are all loyal members of the Catholic church
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at Brookville. The Democratic party has always received his hearty sup- port, but his farming interests have been such that he has never cared to be active in political affairs. Nevertheless, he gives his hearty support to all worthy measures of local concern and can always be counted upon to exert his influence in behalf of all measures having to do with the advancement of the general welfare of the community.
JOSEPH A. VAN CAMP.
One of the oldest farmers of Brookville township, Franklin county, Indiana, is Joseph A. Van Camp, who was born in this township and has spent his whole life within its limits. His active career has been devoted to general farming and stock raising and the results which have attended his efforts along these lines indicate that he has carefully planned his work and carried it forward to successful completion.
Joseph A. Van Camp, the son of Bartholomew and Charity (Merrell) Van Camp, was born in Brookville township November 15, 1847. His father was born in 1817 and his mother was born in Franklin county in 1823. Bartholomew Van Camp and wife were the parents of three sons, James, Joseph A. and Jolin G. The reader is referred to the sketch of John G. Van Camp elsewhere in this volume, which gives the family history in detail.
Joseph A. Van Camp was reared on his father's farm and educated in the district schools. Early in life he decided he would follow the vocation which his father before him had followed all of his life. Consequently he made it a point to learn all of the details of agricultural life, so that when he started in to farm for himself he knew how to manage from the begin- ning. He now owns one hundred and six acres of land, on which he car- ries on general farming and stock raising. He has given particular atten- tion to the breeding of Shorthorn cattle and his success along this line has been very satisfactory.
Mr. Van Camp was married June 28, 1878, to Mary Louise Glaub, who was born in Ohio, May 23, 1858, the daughter of Adam and Mary Hester (White) Glaub. Her father was born in Germany and her mother in Ohio. The parents of Mrs. Van Camp are both deceased, her mother dying in Ohio and her father in Brookville township in November, 1904.
To Joseph A. and Mary Louise (Glaub) Van Camp were born two children, Lora Irene, who died in infancy, and Charles S., born October 28, 1890. Mrs. Van Camp, the mother of these two children, died February
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12, 1910, mourned not only by her family, but by a large circle of admir- ing friends, among whom she was held in the highest esteem.
Mr. Van Camp has always given his support to the Republican party, but has never asked for any favors at its hands, preferring to give all of his time and attention to his farming interests, rather than to seek political office. He has obtained success through his own efforts, having been depend- ent practically upon his own resources since reaching manhood, and very properly is entitled to a considerable sense of satisfaction at the position he has acquired in the community, where he is regarded as one leading citizens.
. JOHN HOKEY.
By some power inherent to man he is capable of forging ahead in his life's vocation. There are many elements which make for success, of which industry is among the most important. The farmer especially must be in- dustrious to succeed, but in these latter days farmers are also dependent upon good management, a knowledge of soil, marketing facilities, prices, the skillful rotation of crops and the raising of good breeds of live stock. John Hokey, of Laurel, Franklin county, Indiana, is an enterprising and successful farmer, keenly alert to all the modern phases of successful farm- ing.
John Hokey was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, November 14, 1859, the son of Henry and Mary (Long) Hokey, both natives of Penn- sylvania. Henry Hokey and family came to Franklin county in the early eighties, his father and mother, George and Annie Hokey, coming here at the same time. Henry Hokey was a farmer and a member of the Catholic church. His wife was a member of the Lutheran church. They were the parents of three children, all of whom are living, John, Henry and Edward.
John Hokey came to Franklin county in 1874, and for six years worked on the farm owned by Spencer Wiley. In 1902 he bought a farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres and is now engaged in general farming and stock raising.
John Hokey was married in 1884 to Louisa Hamen, of Metamora town- ship, the daughter of Rudolph and Anna (Long) Hamen, early settlers of Metamora township. Rudolph Hamen died November 13, 1912, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1894.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hokey six children have been born: Katie, Myrtle, Vern, Jennie (deceased), Lillian and Russell.
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In politics Mr. Hokey is an ardent adherent of the Democratic party and active in the councils of this party. He and his wife are devout mem- bers of the Catholic church and contribute liberally of their means to the support of this church. Mr. Hokey is an enterprising citizen, popular in the community where he lives and devoted to all public works, to which he gives a considerable portion of his time and attention, ever being found in the ranks of those who have the best interests of the community at heart.
JOHN G. VAN CAMP.
The whole life of John G. Van Camp has been spent on the farm in Brookville township on which he now lives. He has followed in the foot- steps of his worthy father and devoted his active life to farming and stock raising and has met with a degree of success in his life work commensurate with his invariable industry and energetic course. He is a man of sterling integrity and in all respects merits the approbation which he receives at the hands of his fellow citizens.
John G. Van Camp, the son of Bartholomew and Charity (Merrell) Van Camp, was born in Brookville township September 13, 1853. His father was born in New Jersey in 1817, and his mother was born in Frank- lin county, Indiana, in 1823. His parents had three children, James, Joseph A. and John G. James was a Union soldier in the Civil War and lost his life in the service of his country. The father of these children died in March, 1895, and their mother died in August, 1894.
The paternal grandfather of John G. Van Camp was Gilbert Van Camp, a native of New Jersey, whose wife was Mary Ann Van Werter, a native of the same state. Gilbert Van Camp and his wife came from New Jersey to Franklin county, Indiana, about 1823, and settled on a farm in Brookville township. Grandmother Van Camp died in this township, while Grand- father Van Camp died in Missouri. Gilbert Van Camp was twice married, his second wife being Polly Simmons, by whom there were no children. To his first marriage were born six children: James, Charles, Rebecca, Mar- garet, Ann and Bartholomew, the latter of whom was the father of John G. The maternal grandparents of John G. Van Camp were John and Betsy (Alexander) Merrell, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively. Betsy Alexander came to what is now Franklin county with her mother in 1816, her father having died in Pennsylvania, being drowned in that state.
John G. Van Camp was educated in the district schools of Brookville
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township and early in life decided to make farming his life work. As a result of his own industry and good management, he has accumulated a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres, and also has a third interest in the Van Camp estate of one hundred and eighty-five acres left by his father. His farm is well improved and by a scientific system of crop rotation he keeps it at the highest state of productivity.
Mr. Van Camp was married March 4, 1883, to Mary Gant, who was born in Whitewater township, April 6, 1853, a daughter of William and Mary (Mains) Gant, early settlers of Franklin county. To this union were born three children, Freeman, William and Lillian. The mother of these three children died February 26, 1909.
Mr. Van Camp is a stanch Republican, as was his father before him. The Methodist church receives his hearty support, it being the denomination to which his parents belonged. Mr. Van Camp is a man of pleasing per- sonality and by a life of right living has earned the esteem which he re- ceives from those who know him best, and very properly is regarded as among the leading residents of the community in which he has passed his entire life.
JONATHAN FRUITS.
No single phase of stock raising in this country has been so neglected, until recent years, as proper breeding. Stock raisers were ·strangely indif- ferent to the necessity of quality in their animals, and poor profits followed accordingly. So the breeder who gives proper attention to the value of the strains of his blooded stock does a service of great value by demonstrating the high practicability of his methods.
In the front rank of Franklin county's stock raisers stands Jonathan Fruits, who was born on Little Cedar creek, Brookville township, Franklin county, March 14, 1859, the son of James Martin and Catharine (Clear) Fruits, the former being born in Brookville township, January 9, 1831, and the latter in Preble county, Ohio, September 17, 1827.
The paternal grandparents of Mr. Fruits were George and Sarah (Keefer) Fruits, the former a native of the Licking river region of Ken- tucky, and the latter was born near Brookville. Sarah Fruits' parents were pioneers in Brookville township.
Mr. Fruits' maternal grandparents were Peter and Barbara (Michael) 1 Clear, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in - Preble
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county, Ohio, in the early days. The pair died in St. Charles, Iowa. As an example of the longevity of the family, George Fruits died at the age of ninety-three, while an uncle of the grandfather of George, Sr., lived to the age of one hundred and fourteen, dying near Crawfordsville, Indiana.
It is told of George Fruits, Mr. Fruits' grandfather, that he came to Franklin county with his parents in pioneer days. Born in Kentucky, in January, 1800, George Fruits settled on a farm in Springfield township, Franklin county, and died in 1893, his wife having preceded him to the grave more than half a century, her death occurring in 1837.
James Martin Fruits was a prosperous Franklin county farmer, a Demo- crat, and an honored member of the Methodist church. He and Mrs. Fruits were the parents of Alexander, George, Jonathan and Jonathan. Alexander and the first Jonathan died in infancy, and George died July 16, 1878, aged twenty-four. James Martin Fruits died January 9, 1880, and his wife died in 1906.
Jonathan Fruits did not have a good opportunity to obtain an educa- tion, but obtained that offered by the local common schools. His early training prepared him for an agricultural career, so in 1875 he rented the old Judge Bery farm and continued to rent this farm until 1901, in which year he bought the place, specializing all the time in blooded Shorthorn cattle and Percheron horses. Mr. Fruits is now retired from active partici- pation in the labors of the farm, enjoying in calm retirement the fruits of his long and active career.
On June 17, 1880, Mr. Fruits married Susan M. Backhouse, who was born on Big Cedar creek, in new Cedar Grove, December 5, 1859, the daugh- ter of John B. and Annie M. (Bensing) Backhouse. Mr. Fruits died Jan- uary 25, 1895. To Jonathan and Susan M. (Backhouse) Fruits were born Perlie, Eva, Bertha, Effie and Charles Henry. Perlie was born January 3, 1881, and died aged six years and two days. Eva, born February 12, 1884, married Edward Clark, to which union were born two children, Dora Fern and Bertha Fay. Bertha, born October 16, 1886, died October 3, 1887. Effie, who was born November 28, 1888, died December 6, 1888. Charles Henry, born August 25, 1890, was educated in the common schools and the high school of Brookville, took up farming as a business and makes his home with his father. He has been appointed assessor.
John Henry Backhouse, the brother of Mrs. Fruits, was born at Big Cedar, Brookville township, on February 4, 1866. His father, John B. Backhouse, was a native of Highland township, born August 31, 1831, and his wife, Annie Backhouse, a native of Butler county, Ohio, was born April 12, 1838. The parents of John B. Backhouse were Allen and Susan (Blyler)
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Backhouse, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Franklin county in 1806, and settled in Highland township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. John H. Backhouse's maternal grandparents were Michael and Margaret (Everly) Bensing, the latter of whom was the widow of Henry Holbert. Michael was native to Wittenburg, Germany, and his wife to Hanover, Germany. They were early settlers in Franklin county, where they spent their lives. Politically, John B. Backhouse favored the Demo- cratic party, and he was liberal in his religious views. Married February 25, 1857, he was the father of Mathias, Susan and John, the first named of ' whom died in infancy. As are the other members of his family, John H. Backhouse is a farmer, owning two hundred and fourteen acres, which are devoted to general farming and stock raising. John H. Backhouse is a member of the Democratic party.
The subject of this article, Jonathan Fruits, is also a Democrat, and has been on the advisory board for a number of years, as well as having been elected county commissioner in 1912, which office he now holds. For nineteen years Mr. Fruits has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. It is hardly necessary to mention the sterling qualities which have given Mr. Fruits his enviable position in his community. He has blazed the way in good stock raising, and while in office has performed his duties with an ability and impartiality which are sufficient evidence of his integrity, as well as a mark of the earnest interest he takes in all matters having to do with the advancement of the best interests of the community in which he is held in such high regard by all who know him.
HENRY BRUNS.
The Bruns family which is worthily represented in this county by Henry Bruns, was among the earliest of the numerous families of German settlers who came to Franklin county, Indiana, in the early days of the county's settle- ment. Mr. Bruns was born in this county and has been a continuous resident here for more than half a century. He has devoted most of his active career to farming, although he operated a canning factory at Brookville for several years, and still owns the factory building in the county seat.
Henry Bruns, the son of Henry and Minnie (Kuhlman) Bruns, was born in Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana, February II, 1852. Henry Bruns, Sr., and wife were the parents of four children, Fred H., Henry, Jr., Rosina and John, who also have a half brother, Frank.
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Henry Bruns, Sr., came from Germany when a young man and first located in Kentucky, where he worked a few years. He then moved to Franklin county, Indiana, settled in Highland township and operated a mill there for a few years. He owned two grist mills and eventually became an extensive land owner. He was very successful in everything to which he turned his attention, and at the time of his death in 1892, at the age of seventy-two, was one of the substantial men of Brookville township. His wife died in Dearborn county, Indiana, in 1862.
The paternal grandparents of Henry Bruns, Jr., were Herman and Christina Bruns, natives of Germany and early settlers in Franklin county, Indiana. They came here after Henry Bruns, Sr., located, and both of them passed the remainder of their lives in this county. Herman Bruns was a tailor by trade. He died in Highland township, while his wife passed away in Brookville township. The maternal grandparents of Henry Bruns, Jr., were William Kuhlman and wife, natives of Germany and early settlers of Franklin county, Indiana.
Henry Bruns, Jr., was reared on his father's farm in this county, and shortly after reaching his majority went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged in business in that city for three years. He then returned to Franklin county, and for ten years operated a canning factory in Brookville. However, most of his time and attention has been devoted to general farming and stock rais- ing, and he now owns one hundred and eighty-nine acres of excellent farming land in Brookville township. His farm is well improved and he has fine buildings of all kinds. Most of his land lies in the Whitewater river bottoms and is very fertile.
Henry Bruns was married January 31, 1878, to Adria E. Gordon, who was born in Franklin county, June 12, 1858, a daughter of Mahlon and Rebecca (McWhorter) Gordon. To this union were born four children, Bertha, Glenna, Mildred and Roy H., who are all living with the exception of Mildred.
Both parents of Mrs. Bruns were born at Metamora, Indiana, and the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Bruns was a pioneer settlers of the county, as was her maternal grandfather. The father of Mrs. Bruns died in 1904, at the age of seventy-eight, and her mother died in 1914 at the age of eighty- seven. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Bruns had fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters, all of whom grew to maturity, married and reared families of their own.
Mr. Bruns is a Republican in politics, but has never cared to take an active part in the political life of his community. He and his family are all
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loyal members of the Lutheran church, rendering it their hearty support at all times, and are accounted among the leaders in the community in all move- ments having to do with the advancement of the general welfare.
FRANK KOCHER.
One of the many enterprising farmers of German descent who have made their homes in Franklin county, Indiana, is Frank Kocher, who has been farming in Brookville township since 1894. During the score of years which he has been a resident of this county he has taken an active and intel- ligent part in the life of the community about him and has managed his af- fairs in such a way as to merit the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him.
Frank Kocher, the son of George and Mary (Folz) Kocher, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, December 15, 1855. His father was born in Germany April 23, 1827, and his mother in Pennsylvania in 1831. They reared a family of twelve children: John, Henry, Frank, Lizzie, Kate, George, Andrew, Mary, Wilhelm, Mary, Joseph and Jacob, of whom John, Frank, George, Wilhelm, Mary and Joseph are still living.
George Kocher, the father of Frank Kocher, came to America when he was nineteen years of age and located in Ohio. His father later came to America and located in Dearborn county, Indiana, and died in that county in 1880, at the age of seventy-five. George Kocher died in 1906 and his wife in 1903. The maternal grandmother of Frank Kocher was Mary Folz, a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler in Hamilton county, Ohio, and later of Dearborn county, Indiana.
Frank Kocher received a common-school education in the schools of Harrison, Ohio, and Dearborn county, Indiana. He was reared to manhood in the latter county, and farmed there for several years. In 1894 he came with his family to Franklin county and located in Brookville township, where he lived for a number of years on a rented farm. In September, 1905, he bought his present farm of one hundred and fifty-one acres and has placed many improvements upon it since that time.
Mr. Kocher was married in 1882 to Margaret Hoffmeyer, who was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, October 24, 1860, a daughter of Mathias and Agnes (Wise) Hoffmeyer. Her father was born in Switzerland, Octo- ber 27, 1826, while her mother was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, Febru- ary 2, 1825. The Hoffmeyer family came to America, first locating in
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Cincinnati, Ohio, where they lived for a time, later became pioneer resi- dents of Dearborn county, Indiana, and still later came to Franklin county and located in Highland township, where Mr. Hoffmeyer died in 1908, his wife having passed away in 1904. Mr. Kocher and wife are the parents of fourteen children: Louis, Rosa, Jacob, Lena, Leo, Elizabeth, Frank and Joseph (twins), Dennis, Mary, Aloysius, Otto, Philip and Christina. Of these children, Jacob and Aloysius are deceased, while the others are still living.
Mr. Kocher and his family are all loyal members of the Catholic church. Politically, he has always given his support to the Democratic party, but owing to the close attention he gives to his farming interests has never been inclined to take an active part in the political life of his county. He is a highly esteemed citizen, a man of quiet and unassuming demeanor, and is one of those sturdy citizens who are a credit to any community.
CHARLES F. ARIENS.
A lifelong resident of Brookville township, Franklin county, Indiana, is Charles F. Ariens, who has never been seized with the desire to roam from his native county. He has engaged in general farming and stock raising and he and his brothers now own one of the best improved farms in the county. In fact, there are few farms in the state that have finer improvements in every way than the farm now owned by the Ariens brothers, in Brookville township.
Charles F. Ariens, the seventh child of a family of ten, was born in Brookville township, Franklin county, Indiana, July 30, 1877. He is the son of Andrew Ariens and wife, his father being a prominent farmer and brick manufacturer of the county. Charles F. Ariens was reared on his father's farm and educated in the public schools of his home neighborhood. He and his brothers, Michael and George, own the old Wiley homestead of one hun- dred and ninety-eight acres in Brookville township and they are farming this in partnership. They have placed upon the farm, up-to-date buildings of all kinds. They have a beautiful brick residence and fine barns, everything about the place indicating that the brothers intend to make this one of the finest farms of the county. They engage in general farming and give considerable attention to stock raising, annually raising as much stock as they can feed from the produce of their own farm.
Charles F. Ariens was married April 29, 1914 to Clara Wocher, who
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was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 11, 1889, a daughter of Leopold and Clara (Wagner) Wocher. Her parents were both born in Cincinnati and reared two children in that city, Edward and Clara.
The father of Mrs. Ariens died in 1893 and his widow later married John Leurck, to which second union were born five children, Catherine, Joseph, Margaret, Herbert and Raymond. The mother of these children died in 1913 and her youngest son, Raymond, is now being cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Ariens. The brothers of Charles F. Ariens, Michael and George, are unmarried.
Mr. Ariens and his wife are members of the Catholic church and stanch supporters of the various activities of that church. The brothers are all Democrats but have never cared to take an active part in the political life of the county. They all plan for the best interests of their community and every measure that they feel will benefit it in any way receives their hearty approval.
DR. MONROE C. ARMSTRONG.
For the past forty years Dr. Monroe C. Armstrong has been practicing dentistry in Brookville, and it is probably safe to say that he has relieved as much pain and suffering in that length of time as any other man in the county. He not only has been a credit to his profession, but he has not neglected to take an active part in the civic, moral and social life of his com- munity. For many years he was mayor of Brookville, and during his in- cumbency, numerous movements having to do with public improvements were inaugurated. In all respects Doctor Armstrong has measured up to a high standard of American citizenship and it seems eminently fitting that this brief resume of his career be recorded in the annals of his county's history.
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