History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 96

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 96


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Dr. Monroe C. Armstrong, the son of James Smith and Elsie (Roszell) Armstrong, was born July 6, 1848, in Greensburg, Indiana. His father was born in Springfield township, Franklin county, Indiana, February 12, 1824, and died in Greensburg, Indiana, in 1884. His mother was born in Greens- burg in 1825, and died in that city in 1864. His parents reared a family of five children, Dr. Monroe C., of Brookville; Alice, who died at the age of twenty-five; Dora, the wife of William Roszell, a blacksmith of Sandusky, Indiana; Mattie, the wife of Alonzo Moffitt, both of whom are deceased; Lottie, the deceased wife of Herman Hackman, of Greensburg, Indiana.


James Smith Armstrong, the father of Dr. Monroe C. Armstrong, was


DR. MONROE C. ARMSTRONG.


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reared in Franklin county, and learned the blacksmith trade at Mt. Carmel with Sterritt Larue. When he was twenty-one years of age the family moved to Decatur county, Indiana and Mr. Armstrong worked for his grand- father Roszell in the blacksmith shop, remaining with him for several years, after which he started a wagon- and carriage-manufacturing shop of his own. He built up a successful business along this line, employing thirty men, and carried on this work for forty years in that city, continuing in active business until the day of his death. Some time before his death he moved to Ewing- ton, Indiana, where his death occurred. James Smith Armstrong was twice married, his first wife being Elsie Roszell, the children of whom already have been enumerated. After the death of his first wife he married Ellen Smalley, now deceased, and to this union four children were born, Bertha, deceased ; Ernest, a dentist living in Indianapolis; Albert, a blacksmith of Greensburg, Indiana, and Charles, who died at the age of two months, his mother dying at the same time.


The paternal grandparents of Doctor Armstrong settled in Franklin county, Indiana, about 1815 and entered government land in Springfield township. Great-grandfather Armstrong was born in Ireland, and upon coming to this country settled in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. In his old age, in the year 1815, he came to Indiana with his children. All of the family were stanch Presbyterians. Great-grandmother Armstrong lived to the advanced age of one hundred and two years, and is buried in the Mt. Carmel cemetery. About 1845 grandfather Armstrong with his family moved to Decatur county, Indiana, where he bought three hundred acres of land two miles west of Greensburg, and there he lived the remainder of his days. Five children were born to grandfather Armstrong and his wife.


The maternal grandparents of Doctor Armstrong were John Roszell and wife, who were natives of Kentucky. The Roszells were of French descent. In 1810 John Roszell moved with his family to Decatur county, Indiana, and entered land where now is located the county seat. He had his sugar camp on the present site of the court house in Greensburg and was one of the first blacksmiths in the village. He lived in Greensburg until he was ninety-nine years of age, late in life buying a farm adjoining the town. He was an earnest worker in the Methodist church, and early circuit riders made his home their headquarters for many years. Grandfather Roszell and wife reared a family of eight children.


Doctor Armstrong was educated in the public schools of Greensburg. Indiana, and when only fourteen years of age started to learn the dental pro-


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fession under Dr. C. C. Burns, of Greensburg. He worked with Doctor Burns for six years and was then compelled to leave the office on account of ill health. He spent two years and a half on his uncle's farm in Franklin county, and worked one year in the blacksmith shop at Milroy, Indiana. While there he married and in 1875 came to Brookville, where he since has been engaged in the active practice of his profession. In 1888 he bought his present house and office on Main street. This is the old Hitt house, built by a former Brookville banker.


Doctor Armstrong was married March II, 1874, to Flora Tyner, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 15, 1848, and who died in Brook- ville, November 4, 1914. She was a daughter of Thomas Jefferson and Margaret (Colescott) Tyner, both of whom were natives of Maryland. Her father was a dry goods merchant at Brookville for many years, was post- master of the city for eight years and an influential citizen during his entire life in that city, his death occurring in 1884. Doctor Armstrong and his wife have no children of their own, although they have one adopted daugh- ter, Florence, born August 5, 1899, who is now attending the Brookville high school. A niece of Doctor Armstrong, Elsie Moffitt, also makes her home with the family.


Doctor Armstrong has been a life-long Democrat and served as mayor of Brookville for ten years and eight months. During the time he was in office the present system of water works and electric lights were installed in the city. The systematic construction of cement walks also was begun under his administration. He has been an active member of the Knights of Pythias since 1877 and also holds membership in the Improved Order of Red Men. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the welfare and ad- vancement of which he always has taken an active interest.


WILLIAM HENRY BONWELL.


One of the most highly respected and best known citizens of Franklin county, Indiana, was the late William Henry Bonwell, the third of his name, who was born in Brookville township, Franklin county, September 28, 1852, the son of William Henry and Caroline (Farmer) Bonwell. His father was born in Franklin county and his mother also was a native of Indiana.


The grandfather of William H. Bonwell was also William Henry Bon- well, a pioneer of Brookville, who came from Delaware and whose wife was Harriet Dorrell.


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William H. Bonwell, the subject of this sketch, was born on a farm and educated in the public schools, especially the old Independence schools. He was a farmer and during his life was regarded as one of the most successful men in Franklin county. Mr. Bonwell was married December 23, 1879, to Martha A. Jones, who was born in North Carolina, March 22, 1862, the daughter of Calvin and Mary (Frye) Jones, the former a native of North Carolina, born October 25, 1833, and the latter born July 12, 1834. They were married in North Carolina and came to Bartholomew county, Indiana, where he was a farmer. Mr. Jones served in the Confederate army. He was a Republican in politics and an adherent of the Moravian faith in re- ligion. His children were Louis A., John W., Martha A. and Franklin T., all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Jones spent the last twenty-four years of their lives in Franklin county with Mr. Bonwell, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Jones died in 1903 and his wife in 1913. To Mr. and Mrs. William H. Bonwell the following children were born, Ralph W., born September 16, 1888 : Mary C., born January 26, 1890: Josephine Rosa, born May 26, 1899 ;. and Dora Frances, born March 16, 1902, who died in infancy. Ralph W. was educated in the public schools of Franklin county, and still makes his home with his mother. Mary C. married James Klemme, a farmer who operates the home farm of two hundred acres in Brookville township. They have the following children, Howard William, Reva Frances, Ruth Melva and Martha Isabel. Josephine Rosa is still at home.


The mother of William H. Bonwell was born near Liberty, Union county, Indiana, about 1824, the daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Allen) Farmer. Her father was a native of Virginia, born in 1812. and her mother a native of the saine state, born in 1819. About 1823 he came to Ripley county with his parents, who spent their last days near Liberty with Mrs. Bonwell's father, Stephen B. Farmer.


Stephen B. Farmer was reared and educated in Ripley county, Indiana, and was married there. He then moved to a point near Liberty, Union county, where he owned a farm. From this place he came to Franklin county and settled in Brookville township in 1845 and died in Brookville in 1885. His wife died in Brookville in 1890.


Mr. Farmer was a Republican and was a member of the United Brethren church. To him and his wife the following children were born, Caroline, Eleanor, David, who died in infancy, John A., Frances M., Melissa, Lucretia, Milton, Nancy, Louis, Sarah L. and Andrew (twins), George and Mary Jane.


William H. Bonwell the father of the subject, was a farmer and a Repub- lican in politics. He and his wife were the parents of the following chil-


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dren : Harriet, William H., deceased, Francis M., Jasper, Josephine, deceased, and Myrtilla, who died in infancy.


Elizabeth Allen, the maternal grandmother of the subject, was born in Ticonderoga, New York, in 1819. Her parents came to Ripley county, Indi- ana, when she was a small child and lived here until their death.


Mr. Bonwell, the subject of this sketch, was a loyal and devoted member of the Methodist church. Fraternally, he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a man highly respected in the community where he lived and enjoyed the companionship of a large circle of friends.


SAMUEL SWIFT.


There are not many citizens of Franklin county who were born in Texas, and it is possible that to Samuel Swift may be accorded the distinction of being the only native of the Lone Star state now residing in this county. He lived in Texas until he was eight years of age and then moved to Fayette county, Indiana, for the purpose of attending school, and there made his home with his two aunts, Sarah Jane and Charlotte Swift, with whom he re- sided until he moved to Brookville, where he has since lived. As a youth he learned the plumber's trade, and for the last five years has been following this vocation in Brookville.


Samuel Swift, the son of Marion Dale and Mary Ann ( Borcher) Swift, was born on Red River, in Texas, March 24, 1882. His father was born in Fayette county, Indiana, September 20, 1849, while his mother was a native of Ohio. Previous to her marriage to Marion D. Swift she was the wife of a Mr. Dosch and by her first marriage had one son, William, now deceased. Mr. Swift's mother died the year of his birth, and his father is now a resident of Oklahoma. He married again after the death of his first wife, his second wife dying in Oklahoma, and after her death he married a third time, to which last union one child has been born, Edward C.


The paternal grandparents of Samuel Swift were early settlers in Fay- ette county, locating there when there were only six houses in the city of Connersville. Grandfather Swift was born September 12, 1806, and died March 30, 1882, while his wife, whose maiden name was Maria Dale, was born October 18, 1817, and died September 26, 1849.


Samuel Swift lived in Texas with his father until he was eight years old, and then coming to Indiana to make his home with relatives, was edu-


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cated in the schools of Fayette county. Before reaching his majority he began to learn the plumber's trade, and worked at this occupation for several years in Connersville. In 1910 he moved to Brookville and established him- self in business there. He is a good business man and has the confidence of those with whom he is associated, in consequence of which his venture has proved quite successful.


Mr. Swift was married in 1905 to Mayme Chilton, of French Lick, Indi- ana, the daughter of Charles O. and Elizabeth Margarette ( Sutton) Chilton, both natives of Henry county, Kentucky. Mr. Chilton followed the occupa- tion of a farmer all his life in Orange county, Indiana. He and his wife were the parents of six children, Marcus, Katherine, Ellen, Oric, Mayme and Margarette, all of whom are living.


Mr. Swift is a Republican, but has never taken an active part in political affairs. However, he is a firm believer in good government and gives his hearty support to such measures as he believes will better local conditions. He and his wife are earnest and loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church, contributing liberally of their time and means to its support, and are very properly held in the highest esteem by all who know them.


JOHN E. SCHENKEL.


Among the prosperous and energetic young farmers of Franklin county, few are better known than is John E. Schenkel, who has spent his whole life within the limits of the county. For the past fifteen years he has been engaged in farming and stock raising in Brookville township and by industry and good management has accumulated a well-improved farm. He belongs to that class of enterprising citizens whose efforts are directed along well- defined channels and, consequently, his endeavors have been crowned with a very fair measure of success.


John E. Schenkel, the son of John E. and Mary (Schenkel) Schenkel, was born in Franklin county, Indiana, November 11, 1875. His father was born in Franklin county, his mother also being a native of Indiana, and they have reared a family of nine children. all of whom are still living, Carrie, Anna, Lizzie, Peter, John E., Jr., Edward, William, Otto and Mary.


The paternal grandfather of John E. Schenkel, Jr., came from Germany and located in Franklin county early in its history. He lived to be ninety- two years of age, dying about 1890. John E. Schenkel, Sr., has been a life-


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long farmer and stock raiser and has accumulated a comfortable home for himself and family. He is an independent voter while the whole family are active members of the Lutheran church.


John E. Schenkel, Jr., was educated in the public schools of his home township and after his marriage in 1899 he settled down to the life of a farmer. His early training was received under his father's tutelage and, consequently, he was abundantly able to manage a farm of his own when he started farming for himself. He bought a farm of fifty-five acres in Sep- tember, 1913, and is making some extensive improvements in order to bring it to a high state of cultivation and efficiency. He raises excellent crops and has good live stock on his farm, having found by experience that it pays to keep only the best grades of stock.


Mr. Schenkel was married December 6, 1899 to Lizzie Fritz, who was born January 28, 1877, in Highland township, the daughter of Jacob Fritz. To this union three children have been born, William John, born April 29, 1901; Ferdinand Jacob, born December 21, 1905; and Earl Edward, born December 12, 1914.


Mr. Schenkel always has given his support to the Republican party but has never felt any inclination to become a candidate for a public office. He is a member of the Lutheran church and his wife gives her support to the same denomination. Mr. Schenkel is a man of quiet and unassuming de- meanor and is held in high esteem by those who know him, very deservedly being regarded as one of the substantial men of the neighborhood in which he resides.


FRANK W. BRUNS.


An enterprising farmer and stock raiser of Brookville township, Frank- lin county, Indiana, is Frank. W. Bruns, whose whole life has been spent on the farm within the limits of this county, his boyhood days in learning those details which go to make up the life of the successful farmer, while his later years have been spent in their application. As a stock raiser he ranks among the best in the county and his herds of cattle, sheep and swine are among the best to be found within the county.


Frank W. Bruns, the son of Henry and Sophia ( Bossert) Bruns, was born in Brookville township, December 27, 1870. He is the only son of his father's second marriage. His mother was the widow of Peter Bossert, whose history appears elsewhere in this volume in the sketch of Jacob Bossert.


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The maiden name of Mr. Bruns' mother was Beckman, she being a daughter of Herman Beckman, a pioneer of Franklin county.


Frank W. Bruns was reared on his father's farm in Brookville town- ship, and his early boyhood days were spent in attending school in the winter time and working on the home farm during the summer seasons. In this way he became thoroughly acquainted with all of the different phases of farm life by the time he married and was ready to begin farming for himself. He has been particularly interested in the breeding of Poland China hogs, Hamp- shire Downs sheep and Jersey cattle, and handles high class stock. He also is engaged extensively in the raising of tobacco, and has met with success in the tobacco raising industry. He keeps his farm well improved and by care- ful attention to details, always has it in a condition to present an attractive appearance.


Mr. Bruns was married October 11, 1893. to Mary Fritz, to which union have been born two children, May and Erna Rachel. May, who was born November 13, 1894. is the wife of Frank Keopple, a farmer of Blooming Grove township, this county. Erna Rachel, the younger daughter, was born December 4, 1897.


Mrs. Bruns was born in Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana, March 2, 1875, and is a daughter of Jacob Fritz, whose history is given else- where in this volume.


Mr. Bruns always has identified himself with the Republican party, but has never had any political aspirations. The Lutheran church receives the hearty support of himself and family, and in its various activities they have always taken an interested part, always being counted on to take their share in any movement which has as its object the advancement of the interests of the community in which they live.


FRANK E. SCHUCK.


One of the sterling citizens of Brookville township, Franklin county, Indiana, who has attained to a prominent place in his county is Frank E. Schuck, whose whole life thus far has been spent within this county. For many years he was engaged in the mercantile business at Cedar Grove and now gives all of his time and attention to farming and stock raising. The ownership of a large farm is now strong evidence that a man has been suc- cessful in the line of activity to which he has devoted himself, and especially


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the man who has accumulated this land through his own unaided efforts. Such a man is Mr. Schuck and he therefore is eminently entitled to repre- sentation in the biographical section of the history of his county.


Frank E. Schuck, the son of Jacob and Rebecca (Fread) Schuck, was born in Highland township, Franklin county, Indiana, January 24, 1867. His father was born in Germany, May 15, 1836, while his mother was born in Franklin county, Indiana, in December, 1839. His parents reared a family of six children, Frank E., Charles, William, Mollie, Annie and John. The father of these children died March 12, 1910, and their mother is still living. The mother of these children was previously married to Wallace Cotteral, to which first union was born one daughter, Nettie.


The paternal grandparents of Frank E. Schuck were Wendall and Henri- etta Schuck, natives of Germany and early settlers in Highland township. The maternal grandparents of Frank E. Schuck were Samuel and Sarah Fread, early settlers of Franklin county.


Frank E. Schuck was educated in the district schools of Highland town- ship and spent his boyhood days and early manhood on the old home farm, where he learned those habits of industry which have made him so successful in his later career. For several years he operated a general store at Cedar Grove, in this county, but since 1905, when he moved to Brookville township, he has given all of his time and attention to general farming and stock rais- ing. He first purchased sixty acres and later added ninety-one acres at one time and thirty acres at another, so that he now has a tract of land comprising one hundred and eighty-one acres. In 1912 he built a large barn in order to take care of his live stock and provide suitable storage room for his crops.


Mr. Schuck was married in 1893 to Kate Folk, of Dearborn county, In- diana, to which union was born one daughter, Bertha. The first wife of Mr. Schuck died in 1903 and he married, secondly, November 6, 1904, Mary Rosenberger, who was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, May 5, 1879, a daughter of Alvesus and Mary (Geis) Rosenberger, early pioneer settlers of Dearborn county. To this second union have been born three children, Helen Frances, born December 31, 1908; Alvesus John, born November 14, 1912; and Clara Rosella, born September 6, 1914.


Mr. Schuck and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church. The Democratic party receives his support, although he has never taken a prominent part in its deliberations. Nevertheless, he believes in good govern- ment and always sanctions such measures as he thinks will bring it about. He is a man of kindly disposition and has a host of friends throughout the township and county, who hold him in the highest esteem.


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JOSEPH A. DUDLEY.


From time immemorial the occupation of the farmer has been the most independent career a man could follow. The ownership of land gives a man a certain independence which he can find in no other line of activity, while there is no gainsaying the fact that the farmer is the backbone of the life of any nation. It is fair to presume that the farmers in any county in the state are largely responsible for whatever prosperity has come to it. Franklin county has many excellent farmers and among them Joseph A. Dudley, of Brookville township, occupies a prominent place.


Joseph A. Dudley was born in Highland township, Franklin county, Indi- ana, January 15, 1876. He is a son of John A. and Mary ( Ripberger) Dud- ley, both of whom were born in the same township. His father was born in 1840 and his mother two years later. His parents have reared a family of nine children, of whom Joseph A. is the second in order of birth, and all of whom are still living, the others being, Lizzie, Andrew, John A., Jr., Charles, Leo, Otto, Ida and Cecelia.


John A. Dudley, the father of Joseph A., was reared on the old Dudley homestead in Highland township and became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land which was acquired through his own efforts. He was a Democrat in politics while all the members of the family are stanch Catholics.


The paternal grandparents of Joseph A. Dudley were George Dudley and wife, natives of Germany. They were married in Germany and came to Franklin county, locating in Highland township early in its history. The maternal grandparents of Joseph A. Dudley were Peter and Barbara (Smith) Ripberger. both of whom were born in Germany. They came to Highland township early in its history and lived here the remainder of their lives.


Joseph A. Dudley was reared on the home farm and educated in the parochial schools at St. Peters. After his marriage he lived for nearly three years in Indianapolis, after which he rented the Waters farm of three hun- dred and fifteen acres in Brookville township, remaining on this farm for four years. He then rented the Charles Jones farm of two hundred and forty-seven acres and continued to reside on this farm until 1914. In that year he bought his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres and moved on to the same in February, 1915.


Mr. Dudley was married August 18, 1903, to Lena E. Kunkel, who was born in Brookville township January 12, 1877, the daughter of Adam Kunkel. Mr. and Mrs. Dudley have three children, Herbert George, born June 2, 1904;


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Frieda Clara, born January 10, 1908: and Eugene Carl Anthony, born July 24, 1912.


Mr. Dudley and his family are active members of the Catholic church at St. Peters. He always has been a stanch Republican but has never cared to participate in political matters. He is a man of domestic tastes and is never happier than when seated by his own fireside and surrounded by his immediate family.


PETER JOSEPH SPAETH.


The Spaeth family have been residents of Franklin county, Indiana, since 1835, in which year the father of Peter J. Spaeth first came into the county. The family are of German descent and, in common with all of the citizens of the county of German extraction, are thrifty people. Mr. Spaeth belongs to that class of enterprising farmers who have made a success of their chosen lifework. His fine farm of three hundred and fifty acres in Brookville town- ship bears ample witness to the fact that his farming has been directed along well-planned channels.


Peter Joseph Spaeth, the son of Peter Joseph and Mary (Traggesen) Spaeth, was born in Franklin county, Indiana, November 9, 1853. His father was born in Germany, August 10, 1810, while his mother was born in the same country on December 16, of the same year. They were married in Franklin county and reared a family of five children, Josephine, Mary, Eliza- beth, Lawrence and Peter Joseph, of whom all are living save Elizabeth and Lawrence. The father of these children died September 21, 1879, their mother surviving the death of her husband by several years, her death not occurring until May 3, 1885.




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