History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions, Part 105

Author: Richman, George J
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Indianapolis, Federal publishing co., inc.
Number of Pages: 1272

USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 105

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For thirteen years after his marriage Charles H. Roesener rented the old home place and after his father's death, he purchased the interests of the other heirs. The place has been greatly improved under his management, barns and out-buildings have been erected and the house remodeled to a comfortable seven-room residence. Mr. Roesener divides his attention between general farming and the raising of live stock, being uniformly successful in both under- takings. He feeds on an average of forty hogs for the market per year, favor- ing the Poland China breed. He keeps from eight to ten cows, mostly Jer- seys, and eight head of good grade Norman horses. By his second marriage Mr. Roesener has four children: Mamie, wife of William Roesener and the mother of three children : Arthur, Earl and Wilma, Lisetta, the second daugh-

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ter, resides in California : Edward married Hilda Markworth and has one child, Frederick, while Anton died when three months of age.

Mr. Roesener and his family are members of the German Lutheran church and in politics he is a Democrat. He is one of the life-long residents of Sugar Creek township who is held in the highest esteem by friends and neighbors.

ANTON W. SPILKER.

Among the successful and well-known citizens of Sugar Creek township Hancock county, Indiana, none are more respected than Anton W. Spilker. who is a life-long resident of this locality. His birth occurred on April 9, 1852, in Sugar Creek township, of this county, and he is the son of Christian and Sophia (Steinmeier) Spilker. Christian Spilker was born in 1812, in Germany, and immigrated to America when a young man, his marriage being solemnized in Sugar Creek township, of this county. The parents of Sophia Steinmeier were also pioneers of this locality. After his marriage, Christian Spilker purchased one hundred and twenty-nine and one-half acres of land. under the homestead law, located in the north half of section 7. in Sugar Creek township, and here established a home in which his death occurred. He built the original house of logs but later erected a three-room frame residence. His wife preceded him in death about seventeen years, her death having oc- curred in 1872. To them were born these children : Henry, who died in 1912: Christian, Charles ( deceased ) : Anton August, and two others who died in infancy.

Anton W. Spilker was born on the family homestead where his boyhood days were spent. receiving his education in the German school under the instruction of the Rev. J. G. Kunz. Subsequent to his student days he assisted his father with the work on the home place, which service fostered the desire to follow agricultural pursuits on an independent basis. On November 27. 1880. Anton Spilker and Ellen Rosener. daughter of Charles and Ellen Rose- ner, were united in marriage and to them were born the children whose names follow: Emma, wife of William Rodivald and the mother of one child, Mary : Charles, who married Elizabeth Rader. now deceased, and is the father of one child. Charles: Fredrick, who married and has one child. Virgie Waxwell : William became the husband of Luhn Schildmeier. and they are the parents of one child, Anton Fredrick: Mary. Albert. John, who married Malinda Cook: Nettie. Lula, who died at the age of eleven years; Walter and Lewis.

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Ellen (Rosener) Spilker was born on October 4, 1857. on the Rosener home- stead, one and one-half miles southwest of the town of New Palestine, Indiana. Her parents were natives of Germany and pioneers of Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana. The father is still living but her mother passed away in February, 1900. They were the parents of the children whose names follow: Christina, Ellen. Charles, Mary, Louisa, Henry, and two children who died in early childhood. Ellen, Charles, Mary and Henry are the only surviving children.

For twenty years after marriage Anton Spilker and his wife continued to reside on the old home place, eventually taking possession of the Rosener homestead which they had purchased prior to 1900. In addition to the farms which he owns in Sugar Creek township, of this county. Anton Spilker also possesses fifty acres in Decatur township, Marion county, Indiana, making his total holdings two hundred and sixty-eight acres. This property is largely devoted to diversified farming and to the raising of horses, cattle and hogs. His agricultural interests have been augmented by the operation of a thresh- ing machine which he has controlled for nearly fifteen years. Politically. he is a stanch advocate of Democratic principles and always votes that ticket. In religious matters he is a member of the German Lutheran church, which denomination he earnestly supports.

WILLIAM G. SPILKER.

William G. Spilker is one of the progressive young agriculturists of this locality, and is well-known throughout Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana. His birth occurred on July 8, 1885, on the farm which he now owns, and he is the son of Anton and Ellen ( Rosener) Spilker, who are both natives of Sugar Creek township, in this county.

William G. Spilker spent his early childhood with his maternal grand- parents, resuming his abode under the parental roof after he had reached the age of eleven years. Until twenty years of age he continued to reside with his parents on the old home place, which is located one and one-half miles south of the town of Philadelphia, Indiana. Here he attended district school No. 2, his first teacher being Miss Everson. He also attended the German school for a period of three years, later returning to the school in Greenfield. Indiana. After the completion of his education he assisted his father with the work on the home place until twenty years of age, at which time he removed

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to Jennings county, Indiana, where he was employed by Walter Schildmeier for two years. The two years following he spent in Ashton, South Dakota, and the next winter in Seattle, Washington, subsequently residing in Cali- fornia and Colorado for two years, after which he returned to his home and operated the place for one year.

On November 26, 1913. William G. Spilker and Lulu M. Schildmeier, daughter of Anton F. and Catherine ( Weber) Schildmeier, were united in marriage and to them has been born one child, Anton Fredrick, whose birth occurred on February 2, 1915. Lulu (Schildmeier) Spilker is a native of Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, and was born on August 25. 1886. She is one of four children born to her parents, two of whom died in infancy. Walter is the other surviving child. By a second marriage Anton F. Schildmeier had a daughter, Maric. Almost immediately following his marriage, William G. Spilker took up his residence on the old home place where he has since continued to live. This place contains one hundred and twenty-eight acres of well improved land and is devoted to the raising of gen- eral crops, as well as to the raising of Percheron draft horses, cattle and hogs.

William G. Spilker is a member of the German Lutheran church, while his wife is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church of New Pales- tine, Indiana. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat and is active in all local elections.

CLARENCE R. STRICKLAND, M. D.

Dr. Clarence R. Strickland, one of the best-known and most successful young physicians in Indianapolis, is a native son of Hancock county, having been born in the city of Greenfield, this county, May 18, 1882, son of Hamlyn L. and Clara (New) Strickland, prominent residents of that city, the latter of whom is still living there and the former of whom died in the spring of 1905.

Hamlyn L. Strickland was born in the old town of Centerville, in Wayne county, Indiana. June 20, 1856, son of Richard and Ann (Hamlyn) Strick- land, the former of whom was a printer by trade, editor of a newspaper at Centerville and the publisher of various lodge papers. Hamlyn L. Strickland was trained in mercantile pursuits and in the late seventies came to Hancock county, settling at Greenfield, where he opened a grocery store which he con- ducted for some years, later becoming buyer for a grocery firm in Indianapo- lis and was thus engaged at the time of his death on March 28, 1905. he then

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being forty-nie years of age. Mr. Strickland was a man of wide interests in this county and a figure of considerable force in the community. Besides his extensive business interests in Greenfield he was the owner of a fine farm in Blue River township, this county, and was quite well-to-do. He was a public-spirited citizen and during his residence in Greenfield was one of that city's most energetic and consistent "boosters." He was a Republican and took an active interest in political affairs, but never was an aspirant for public office.

On February 1. 1880. Hamlyn L. Strickland was united in marriage to Clara E. New, who was born in Blue River township, this county. December 3. 1859. daughter of William and Margaret ( Sample ) New, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Virginia. William New was born in the town of Raleigh in the neighboring county of Rush, but most of his life was spent in Hancock county. He was a man of large interests, farmer, miller and stockman and for years was regarded as one of the leading citizens of this county. Ile was a Democrat and for many years served as a member of the board of county commissioners and in other ways contributed of his energies to the public welfare. He and his wife were members of the Christian Union church, the church building having been erected on their farm in Blue River township. The last twenty-five years of William New's life were spent in Greenfield, where he was active in the general affairs of that city. He and his wife were the parents of thirteen children. Andrew. James, John. Mary, Cinderella, Albert. Clara, Julia, Asa, Matilda, Laura, Thomas and one who died in infancy.

To Hamlyn L. and Clara E. (New) Strickland three sons were born, Clarence R .. the subject of this biographical sketch : Arthur E., a coal dealer with offices in the Traction Terminal building at Indianapolis and Russell Hamyln, of Greenfield, who is engaged in the manufacture of "Risco," a substitute for coffee. These three brothers are all college graduates and Rus- sell H. Strickland is the president of the Ilancock County Alumni Association of Indiana University. Mrs. Strickland still makes her home in Greenfield and is interested in all community good works. She is an earnest worker in the Bradley Methodist Episcopal church and is a past officer of several of the guilds of that church. She is a charter member of the locally influential Hesperian Club, has been president and vice-president of that club and one of its most active workers. She also is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, in the affairs of which for years she has taken a warm interest.

Clarence R. Strickland was reared in Greenfield and received his el- mentary education in the public schools of that city. Following his gradua-

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tion from the high school he entered Butler College, but after three months of attendance there transferred his attendance to DePauw University. After three years of schooling there he became an accountant in the state school for the blind at Indianapolis and was thus engaged for something more than two years, at the end of which time he entered Indiana University, from which he was graduated in 1910 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine. Upon receiving his diploma Doctor Strickland was appointed an interne in the Methodist hospital at Indianapolis, where he remained a year. He then took a post-graduate course in the Medico-Chirurgical College and the University of Pennsylvania. after which for six months he was engaged as resident physician at the famous French Lick Springs hotel. He then returned to Indianapolis, opened an office for the practice of his pro- fession in that city and has ever since been very successfully engaged in prac- tice there. Doctor Strickland has an admirably equipped office in the Hume- Mansur building in Ohio street, one of his most recent equipments being a bacteriological laboratory, the third such laboratory in the state of Indiana, for the propagation of bacteria in the preparation of anti-toxic serums. Doctor Strickland is a member of the Indiana State Medical Association and of the American Medical Association and in the affairs of these two bodies takes an active interest. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that organization. As a member of the faculty of the medical department of the University of Indiana, Doctor Strickland is a valuable member of the staffs of the various hospitals in Indianapolis and occupies a high place in the esteem of the medical profession in that city.

JAMES B. ELLINGWOOD, M. D.

James B. Ellingwood was born in Vernon township, two miles west of Fortville. September 29. 1881. a son of Oliver and Adeline (Morgan) Elling- wood, the former of whom was born at the old home place in Vernon town- ship, Hancock county, and the latter in Fall Creek township, Hamilton county. Indiana. The paternal grandfather was Joshua Ellingwood. The maternal grandparents were James and Sarah ( Manship) Morgan, both natives of North Carolina. They came to Indiana in 1828 and located on a tract of government land in Fall Creek township. Hamilton county. There they established a home and remained the rest of their days. James Morgan was an old-line Democrat and very active in the affairs of his party; he was also a prominent Baptist.

JB Ellingwood M. D.

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

The father of James Morgan, and great-grandfather on the maternal side, was Elias Morgan: his wife's maiden name was Elizabeth Stafford. both natives of Raleigh, North Carolina. They came to Indiana in 1828. and located on government land near Olio, Fall Creek township, Hamilton county. He was a soklier in the Revolutionary War, and also in the War of 1812; served in Marion's command in the south during the Revolution. He was an old-line Democrat before and after coming to Indiana, a firm believer in the political faith of his ancestors. The parents of Sarah ( Man- ship) Morgan were also natives of North Carolina, and came to Indiana in 1829, entering a tract of land adjoining that of the Morgans. Her father was also a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

Samuel Dilley, a soldier of the War of 1812, and the father of the pa- ternal grandmother, came from Ohio in 1830, and settled on a farm near Charlottesville, Indiana. He was wounded in action and was a cripple for life. The farm is now owned by his daughter. The grandmother of James B. Ellingwood was working at the present site of Fortville when the town was laid out by Cephus Fort. Her mother was a Fort.

Oliver Ellingwood, father of the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools and followed the occupation of farming. Until 1905 he lixed on the home place, a farm of eighty acres. Then he bought a farm of eighty acres north of Fortville. in Madison county, where he now lives. His wife died in August, 1914. Mr. Ellingwood uses modern methods in farming and makes a specialty of corn growing, in which he is an expert. His children are: James B., Sarah and Ernest, who is a teacher in Vernon township, Hancock county. Mr. Ellingwood is a member of the Christian church, as were his people before him.

James B. Ellingwood was educated in the public schools and in the high school of Fortville, from which he graduated in 1901. He attended the Tri- State Normal School for two years. He then entered the Physio-Medical College, at Indianapolis, and completed the course of study and graduated from that institution in 1907. Prior to that he had been engaged in teach- ing in Fall Creek township and other places for two years or more. After completing his medical course he was associated in the practice with physi- cians in Indianapolis for about three years, then came to Fortville and has since continued in the practice here.

On June 25, 1004. James B. Ellingwood was married to Louisa Gold- smith, of Fortville, a daughter of Cicero and Sarah Goldsmith, pioneer set- tlers of Fall Creek township. Hamilton county. The children of this union are : Ellen, Clarice. Myra and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Ellingwood are mem-

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bers of the Christian church. His fraternal affiliations are with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the National Physio-Medical Association, and also a member of the local board of pension examiners. In 1916 Doctor Ellingwood was a candidate for county commissioner on the Democratic ticket.

WILLIAM H. WAARRUM.

William H. Warrum was born in Green township, Hancock county, July 16. 1840, a son of James and Sarah ( New) Warrum, both born in Wayne county, Indiana. James Warrum's birthplace was in a blockhouse in use by the citizens of Wayne county during the War of 1812. The paternal grand- parents of William H. Warrum were Harmon and Sarah ( Butler ) Warrum. both natives of Kentucky. They came to Indiana in 1811 and settled in Wayne county on one hundred and sixty acres of government land. Mr. Warrum built a home here, cleared and improved the land and continued to live here until the death of his wife. Some time afterward he sold his land and was again married, and later moved to Hancock county, where he bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres. On it he built the first frame house in Hancock county, located on Bhie river, near Wolf's mill. Later he sold this land and bought two hundred and thirty acres in Green township. This land he afterward gave to his sons and bought another eighty acres in Center township, near Greenfield, where he spent the remainder of his days. The maiden name of his second wife was Marion Meek. Harmon Warrum was a soldier in the War of 1812.

The maternal grandparents were Daniel and Susan (King) New. both born in Pennsylvania. In 1813 they removed to Fayette county. Indiana, where they located on one hundred and sixty acres of government land. They remained there until about 1820, when they removed to Wayne county. Indiana, remaining there until about 1830, when they removed to Blue River township, Hancock county, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land. After the death of his wife Mr. New removed to Iowa and bought a farm about twelve miles west of Des Moines, and engaged in farming. He was again married : Rebecca Ring was the maiden name of his second wife. Both died at their home in lowa.

James Warrum, a brother of the paternal grandfather of William H. Warrum, took a boat load of mules from Wayne county, Indiana, to New

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Orleans in 1813, to sell to Southern planters. He went from there to South America, but was never heard from after leaving New Orleans and nothing is known as to the success of his hazardous undertaking.

James Warrum came to Hancock county with his parents when he was young. He was a farmer all his life. He had a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Green township. Hancock county, and died at his home on this farm. He was a straightforward, honest, industrious man, and had the respect of the community in which he spent his entire life. His children were : William H., Elizabeth, Harmon, Amanda, Mary, Louisa, James, Daniel Jack- son. Eliza and Serilda, who died at the age of twelve years.

William H. Warrum was educated in the public schools of Green and Center townships. He taught school for two years, 1862-63. at the Michigan school house in Green township. The remainder of his active life has been spent on the farm. In 1895 he turned his attention especially to dealing in fine breeds of horses, making a specialty of stallions, draft and race horses. In connection with this business he carried on farming on his farms in Green and Blue River townships, where he lived for about thirty years. In the spring of 1915 he retired from active business and is now living in Eden. Hancock county.

On March 9. 1861, William H. Warrum was married to Martha Fry. of Center township. Hancock county, a daughter of John Fry, one of the old citizens of that township. The children of this marriage are : Barry W .. John, Viola and James. Mr. and Mrs. Warrum were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Warrum died on September 9. 1909. Mr. Warrum's fraternal affiliation is with the Free and .Accepted Masons. Politi- cally, he is a Democrat, and was for fifteen years assessor of Green township, Hancock county.

FREDERICK H. HARMENING.

Frederick H. Harmening. a native of Germany, was born on December 12, 1873. the son of Frederick Louis and Philabena Elnora ( Schwartz) Har- mening. Frederick Louis Harmening was born on November 8, 1835. in Ger- many, and died in Sugar Creek township, June 23, 1907. He was the son of Louis and Christina Harmening, both of whom lived and died in Germany. Louis Harmening and wife were the parents of three children: Frederick Louis, Christian and Christena. Frederick Louis was the only one of the family that came to America.

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Frederick Louis Harmening spent his early life in his native country where he was engaged in farming. There he was married to Philabena E. Schwartz, who was born on October 31, 1842, and died on May I. 1904, in Sugar Creek township. She was one of three children, two girls and one boy. The brother met his death in an accident with a team of horses.

Mr. Harmening spent several years fishing on the Holland coast, where he was successful, but believing in the opportunities of the United States he and his family came to America in July of 1880. After landing in New York they came directly to Indianapolis where the father was engaged for a time in a planing-mill. He later moved to Julietta where he was employed by the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Company. He remained there for six years at which time he bought twelve acres in Sugar Creek township. He made this his home until his death on June 23, 1907, his wife had died on May I, 1904.

To Frederick Louis Harmening and wife were born the following chil- dren : Frederick H., Christian, Christina, Mary and Henry. Mary died in infancy while Christian died in early childhood; Christina is the wife of Samuel E. Arthur.

Frederick H. Harmening at the age of seven years came with his parents to the United States. He attended his first school in Germany, the remainder of his education being received in Indianapolis and in the schools of Hancock county. As soon as he was old enough he was engaged by the farmers in the neighborhood. He later was engaged in threshing for twelve years. On December 14. 1902, he was married to Minnie Mary Roesener, who was born on August 20, 1884. in Sugar Creek township. She is the daughter of Chris- tian F. L. and Ida Elnora Sophia (Miller) Roesener. Her father is a native of Sugar Creek township where he was born on April 24, 1847, being the son of Christian and Sophia (Harmening) Roesener, both of whom were born in Germany where they were married. Shortly after their marriage Christian and Sophia Roesener came to America and settled in Sugar Creek township where they were among the earliest settlers. Here they entered land and made this their home for some years, after which they moved to near Irvington, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

To Christian and Sophia Roesener were born the following children : Christina, Christian F. L .. Henry, Herman, Louisa ( deceased). Sophia, Fred- erick and William. The last two died in early childhood. Christian F. L. Roesener spent his childhood on the farm. When his parents moved to Irvington he accompanied them and at their death he returned to Sugar Creek township where he was married to Ida Elnora Sophia Miller, who was born in

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Indianapolis, March 9. 1851, the daughter of Carl and Mary ( Roesener ) Miller, both of whom were born in Germany. Carl and Mary Miller, after coming to America, settled in Sugar Creek township. They entered land and were among the early settlers, and here they made their home the remain- der of their lives. They were the parents of the following children: Ida Elnora Sophia, Malinda, Mary, Matilda and Frederick. The family are all dead with the exception of Matilda.

After the marriage of Christian F. L. Roesener he bought the farm where Frederick H. Harmening now lives and it is here that Mr. Roesener has made his home since the death of his wife on July 15, 1900. To this union were born the following children : Amelia, who died at the age of four years ; Carl. whose death occurred at the age of seven months ; Julius, who died at the age of two years, and Minnie Mary, the wife of Frederick H. Harmening.

Since the marriage of Frederick H. Harmening he and his wife have lived on the home farm of Mr. Roesener. In 1903 he bought thirty-four acres in section 19, and in 1911 he and his wife bought the home place of thirty-seven acres. llere he does general farming and stock raising. Ile raises and fat- tens about thirty hogs each year, besides his cattle and horses.

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History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions, Part 105

Author: Richman, George J Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Indianapolis, Federal publishing co., inc. Number of Pages: 1272

Author: Richman, George J
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Indianapolis, Federal publishing co., inc.
Number of Pages: 1272