USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 95
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On October 24. 1900, Augustus E. Smith was united in marriage to Pearl Wright, who was born in this county on January 13, 1879, third in order of birth of the five children born to her parents, James M. and Rachel C. ( Danaha) Wright, the former of whom, born on July 4. 1844, died on March 29, 1893, and the latter, born on November 14, 1846. died on October 20, 1912. their other children being as follow: Oda Fred, born on March 24, 1868: Walter, October 16. 1875, who died on July 9. 1802: Benjamin F .. June 3. 1883, and Hazel, September 25. 1888. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at MeCordsville and both she and her husband give proper attention to the good works of their home neighborhood.
FREDERICK C. LANDWEHR.
Frederick C. Landwehr, held in high repute as one of the foremost citi- zens of Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, and one of its most progressive farmers, is a native of the township where he has passed his en- tire life. He was born on the old Landwehr homestead, which was pre- empted by his grandfather from the government, and first saw the light of day on February 8. 1876, being a son of Frederick and Henrietta ( Bleck > Landwehr. Frederick, the elder, was also born in Sugar Creek township, on
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDLIN.1.
the old homestead. in 1843, and died on the same place when but thirty-three years of age. September 23, 1876, when the immediate subject of this sketch was but a small child. There were two other children in the family, Willie. who died when one year of age, and Lena, who became the wife of George Bardonner, and is now deceased.
Frederick Landwehr was a son of Carl and Louise Landwehr both of whom were natives of Germany, who emigrated to this country in the early days of this section. They came to Hancock county, where Carl Landwehr secured from the government the forty acres which formed the nucleus of the farm long known as the Landwehr homestead. This was then in the wil- derness and after laboring industriously for several years to clear and put it under cultivation, he later added seventy acres, the whole of which he farmed up to the time of his death. There were two children in Carl Landwehr's family. Frederick and Henry, both deceased.
Frederick Landwehr grew to manhood on the family homestead. being of much assistance to his father during his boyhood in getting the farm under cultivation, and there remained after marriage and until the time of his death. His wife was Henrietta Bleck, who was born in Germany, in 1853, a daugh- ter of August and Henrietta Bleck, who emigrated to this country in 1866 and settled permanently in Indianapolis. There they passed the remainder of their lives and reared their family of four children, Henrietta. Hannah. Minnie and Lena-Minnie being the only surviving member. After being widowed for two or three years, Henrietta (Bleck) Landwehr again mar- ried. her second husband being AAnton Resener, by whom she had four chil- dren, Emma, John, Eizabeth and Emil, all of whom are living, while the mother passed from this life September 10, 1895.
Frederick C. Landwehr passed his boyhood and youth on the old family homestead, receiving his education at the German school. After finishing his studies, he assisted in the farm work until nineteen years of age. when he started out in life for himself by securing work on neighboring farms. He remained employed in this manner until twenty-three years of age, at which time he was united in marriage on August 11, 1898, with Mary Geisel, born on December 2, 1879. a daughter of John and Christina ( Miller ) Geisel. Mary was the only child of this couple and passed her girlhood on the old John Geisel place, one mile west of New Palestine, where she has continued to make her home, for at the time of her marriage to Frederick C. Landwehr he rented the farm from her mother. At the death of hr mother. Mrs. Land- wehr inherited eighty acres of the home place, to which Mr. Landwehr added forty acres lying on the west and on that farm they make their home.
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The residence has been improved and is now a modern home of ten rooms, beautifully situated and surrounded by prosperous acres and farm buildings in keeping with the general appearance of the place. The main barn is seventy-four by forty feet, with a fourteen-foot shed and a silo with a capacity of fifty-five tons. Mr. Landwehr divides his attention between general farming as practiced in this section of the country, and the raising of some live stock. He prepares from thirty to forty hogs annually for the market, keeps fifteen or sixteen head of good grade Jersey cows and about ten head of good draft horses. In the management of his farm, Mr. Land- wehr displays marked business ability and is, therefore, succeeding well in his endeavors. In addition to the farin home, Mr. Landwehr owns seventy acres about one mile and a half northwest of where he lives, same being a portion of his father's farm.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Landwehr are members of the German Lutheran church, as is also their daughter, Hazel B., the only child of the family. She was born on November 10. 1900, and is a promising young girl. Mr. Land- wehr gives his political support to the Democratic party and is generally con- ceded to be among the leading citizens of his township and county.
CHARLES A. OSTERMEIER.
Charles A. Ostermeier, one of the representative agriculturists of Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, is well and favorably known and his character and reputation are above reproach. He has been a lite- long resident of this section, his birth having occurred on May 9. 1852, 01 the Ostermeier homestead in this township and county. His parents were Gottlieb and Sophia ( Miller) Ostermeier, early settlers of this locality. Gottlieb Ostermeier was a native of Germany and was born in 1807, immi- grating to America after having received his education and training as a spinning-wheel maker. After nearly four months required in making the voyage. he was landed at Baltimore, Maryland, coming thence, by canal and the Ohio river, to Cincinnati and then to Hancock county, Indiana, where he located in Sugar Creek township. His home was established on eighty acres of unimproved land, purchased in the southeast quarter of section 13, where a small clearing was made and a log cabin and barn were erected. Subse- quent to his marriage with Mrs. Sophia ( Miller) Richman, who by her former union had three children, seven sons and daughters came to bless them,
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namely: Christian, Mary, Gottlieb. Christina. Charles .A .. Anton and Henry. The names of the children by the first union of Sophia ( Miller ) Richman are given as follow : William, Sophia and Louise. All of the children by both marriages have died with the exception of Henry and Charles A.
In 1860, Gottlieb Ostermeier purchased one hundred and sixty acres of partially improved land in sections 7 and 8, which property became the per- manent home of the family. A farm containing one hundred and twenty acres was also purchased, but was later soll, the home place alone being re- tained. In political life. Gottlieb Ostermeier was a stanch Democrat and in his religious relations he was a member of the old Hickory ( German Luth- eran ) church, of which his wife was also a member. His death occurred on April 1, 1872, his wife surviving him until in the spring of 1891, at which time she died at the age of seventy-two years.
Charles A. Ostermeier spent his early childhood on the original home- stead, just north of the German Lutheran church, and at the age of eight years moved with his parents to their permanent home, where his education was received in the old log school in the Adrian Rint woods. After com- pleting same, he attended the German school in Indianapolis, Indiana. for two winters, after which he continued to assist his father with the work on the home farm until twenty-five years of age. On July 25. 1877. Charles . 1. Ostermeier and Mary Breier were united in marriage and six children were horn of their union, namely: Charles Henry, who died in infancy : Emma. William. Christian, Henry Fredrick, who died at the age of fourteen, and Clara, who died when only eleven months of age. Mary ( Breier ) Ostermeier was born on March 24, 1852. on the ok! Breier homestead in Sugar Creek township, of this county, and was the daughter of William and Christina ( Deerburg ) Breier, both natives of Germany, who immigrated to America in 1840 and located in Sugar Creek township. William .A. Breier was born in Frilee, Germany, about 1800, and died in 1888. in his home which he had established on American soil.
Seeking his fortunes in the agricultural field, Charles A. Ostermeier. shortly after his marriage, rented the farm of Henry Rosener, on which he continued to reside for one year, thence removing to the Widow Meir's place on the National road. One year later he purchased his present farm of one hundred and three acres, to which he later added thirteen and one-half acres more. While this transaction was in process of adjustment he occupied the northwest eighty of the Breier homestead and the following year took pos- session of his own farm. This was in the spring of 1881. which establishes a record of more than thirty-three years that he has been a resident of the
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
ne place. The original house, which was used as a tavern in the stage-coach days, has been replaced by one containing seven rooms. The old house was destroyed by fire on July 10, 1891. A residence of nine rooms has also been built on the east side of the farm and all other buildings are in keeping with these edifices. The farm proper is devoted to the raising of corn, cattle and poultry, these being the principal sources of income. Politically, Charles .1. Ostermeier is a worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, and in his re- ligious life is affiliated with the German Lutheran church, of which he is an elder, and of which both he and his wife were ardent supporters. On March 7. 1910. Charles A. Ostermeier had the great misfortune to lose the faithful companion who had always been a devoted wife and mother.
THOMAS M. ENOCH.
Thomas M. Enoch, son of John and Sarah ( McDonaldl) Enoch, was born on the farm on which he now lives, in Vernon township. Hancock county. September 16. 1854. His father was born in Miami county, Ohio, in 1815. and was married in that county, in 1836, to Sarah McDonald, who was also a native of Miami county. The paternal grandfather of Thomas Enoch was John Enoch, whose home was in Miami county, Ohio, and died there when John, Jr., was young.
John Enoch, father of the subject of this sketch, received his early edu- cation in Ohio, and when quite young was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade. He followed that trade in Ohio for several years and was married in that state. Three of his children were born while living in Ohio. About 1840 he came to Vernon township. Hancock county. Indiana, and bought eighty acres of land from a Mr. Arnett, paying two dollars and fifty cents an acre for the same. This is the farm on which Thomas M. Enoch now lives. but the condition of this land is very different from what it was when his father settled there in 1840. Then it was nearly all woods and swamp. The only house on the place at that time was an okt log cabin built of round poles. with clap-board covering held in place by weight poles. The land was covered with timber, much of it a thick, stubby growth, and a large part covered with wild swamp vegetation. By the application of great energy and labor this land was cleared of timber, the swampy places were ditched and drained and all brought in a condition for cultivation and the production of bountiful crops. Mrs. Sarah Enoch died in the home on this place when Thomas M.
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was six weeks old. His father was married, secondly, to Rebecca B. Blanton. There were seven children by the first marriage : none by the second.
Thomas M. Enoch was educated in the public school of Vernon town- ship. was reared and always lived on a farm. He built the house, in which he is at present living, in 1910. He was married on June 18, 1882, to Bettie Ellingwood, a daughter of Joshua Ellingwood. The children of this union are : Bertha. John. Gracie, Benjamin, Jimmie. Myrtle Delle. Reva Coclean and E. May. The family are members of the Christian church. Mr. Enoch's fraternal affiliations are with the Red Men and the Haymakers.
CHRISTIAN F. WILLIAM ORTEL.
Christian F. William Ortel, who is highly regarded as a citizen and a man throughout this section, was born on September 19. 1856. in Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, on the family homestead. He is the son of Fredrick and Louisa ( Deerberg) Ortel. both natives of Germany, who immigrated to this country in 1843. Fredrick Ortel was the son of Charles Ortel and wife who were also natives of Germany. Fredrick Ortel was a farmer and a pioneer of Hancock county and his large family were reared in the original home of logs, which was erected in 1852 and razed in June. 1905.
Christian F. William Ortel was reared on the home place and is in- debted to the German school, and to those of the district in which he lived. for the education which he received. John Weaver was his teacher in the district schools and Rev. J. G. Kunz. his teacher in the German school. The interim between his student days and his marriage was spent in the interests of his father and for five years he was an employee of the neighboring farmers, for two years working for John Geisel. On April 4, 1886, Christian F William Ortel was united in marriage to Amelia Weber, daughter of .Anton and Mary ( Stegman ) Weber, who were both natives of Germany. and to this union two children were born, namely. Christian, who resides in Heron, Montana. and Benone, who lives at home. Amelia ( Weber ) Ortel was born on July 3. 1867. in Buck Creek township, of this county, and died on Feb- TUary 11. 1888.
On March 3. 1889. Christian F. William Ortel was united in marriage to the sister of his first wife. Emma Weber, and to them has been born one child. Otto. Emma ( Weber ) was born on April 30. 1861. on the home place
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two miles north of of the town of Mohawk, Indiana, and is one of eleven chil- dren born to her parents. Seven of these children still survive, Henry, Chris- tian, Elnora, Louisa, Lena, Emma and Charles.
Christian F. William Ortel assumed entire charge of the home farm al- most immediately following his first marriage, having purchased the interests of the other heirs. And this place has since been his home. In 1806 forty acres of the original purchase were traded for another forty acres adjoining on the north, and this large and well managed tract is devoted to the raising of grain and hogs. However, about ten head of cattle are kept for farm use beside six head of draft horses. All of the buildings on this place are large and finely constructed and add much to the attractiveness of the farm. In church matters, Christian F. William Ortel, as well as his wife, is a member of the German Lutheran church and both are active in its support. he being a deacon in this denomination. Politically, he is a member of the Democratic party and votes that ticket on all issues.
ANTON F. ROSENER.
Anton F. Rosener, a prominent farmer of Sugar Creek township, was born in this township on March 23. 1853. the son of William L. and Chris- tena (Brademeier) Rosener. Anton F. Rosener was born on his father's farm in the little three-room frame house that had been erected some time before by the father. Here he spent his childhood and attended the Ger- man school. After completing his education he continued to assist with the work on the farm until he was married.
On June 25, 1875. Anton F. Rosener was united in marriage to Ma- linda Miller, who was born on the old Miller homestead, on February 27. 1857. She was the daughter of Charles and Mary ( Rosener ) Miller.
After his marriage Mr. Rosener rented a neighboring farm for one year, after having been employed by the neighbors as a farm hand for a time. For two years he was on the farm of Mrs. Anton Mier, after which he rented the place of his sister, Mrs. Louise Knoop, where he remained for four years. He then bought a farm of seventy acres of his brother, William. three acres of which he later sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany. He later bought nine acres of another tract, making him a farm of seventy-six acres. The farm had been improved by a combination frame and log house, which had in earlier days been used as a tavern. being sit-
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
uated on the National road. There was also a good new frame barn. In 1893 Mr. Rosener erected a beautiful eight-room house, a double corn-crib. a granary, hog-house and other outbuildings, making the surroundings most attractive and convenient.
On July 30. 1893. occurred the death of Mrs. Rosener, a woman who was admired and respected by all who knew her. To Mr. and Mrs. Rosener were born the following children: Emma, Ida. Rosetta, Amelia. William, Albert and Mary. Emma is the wife of Charles Custer, of Sugar Creek township: Ida and Rosetta are deceased. the former dying at the age of three years and the latter at the age of six months: Amelia is the wife of Edward Stevenson, of Ordway, Colorado, and they are the parents of three children, Ronald. Walter and Vern: William, deceased, was the husband of Mabel Domanget; Albert married Emma Schildmeier and resides in Sugar Creek township: Mary is the wife of William Spilker, and they are the parents of two children. Ruth and Adelbert.
Anton Rosener retired from active business in 1911. His life has been an active and successful one, much of his success being due to his ability in raising cattle and horses. Mr. Rosener is an active member of the German Lutheran church and was for a time one of the trustees. His wife was also an active member and his children are also members of the denomination. Politically, Mr. Rosener is a Democrat, but has not been an office-seeker. having confined his efforts to the selection of good men for office. He is one of the well-known citizens of the township and the county. being highly respected by all who know him.
LEWIS F. RICHMAN.
In the following lines a brief sketch is given of the life of one of Sugar Creek township, Hancock county's, most substantial citizens, and one who has passed his entire life within its borders. Lewis F. Richman was born on his father's farm in Sugar Creek township. February 15. 1844. being a son of Anton Louis and Louisa ( Boehne ) Richman, both natives of Germany, the former born in Westphalia in 1807.
Anton Louis Richman spent his youth and early manhood in the place where he was born, laboring at farming, and in 1835, when twenty-eight years of age. he set out for America in company with others of his land. The voy- age was made on a sailing vessel, taking seven weeks to cross and in the same
MR. AND MRS. LEWIS F. RICHMAN
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company was Louisa Bochne, who afterwards became his wife, Their ship docked at Baltimore and from that point they journeyed to Wheeling, West Virginia, by wagon, thence by boat down the Ohio to Cinemati, from there to Dayton by canal and the final lap of their journey to Greenfield, this county. by wagon. They left their native land on April 1, 1835, and arrived at their destination June 10. of the same year.
Anton Louis Richman promptly entered eighty acres of land, being the west half of the northeast quarter of section 18. Sugar Creek township, the same being covered by virgin forest .. He made the small clearing and erected the small cabin of the early pioneer and was then married, bringing his bride to their rude home in the wilderness. The first year he cleared and cultivated six acres of his farm and something like two years later traded with William Rosener for another eighty-acre tract in Sugar Creek township, being the southeast quarter of section 17. The elder Richman farmed there for about eighteen months when both he and his wife were overcome by sickness and were taken to the home of Jacob Schramm, where they remained for some two or three years. They later traded their second farm for eighty acres in sections 13 and 18 of Sugar Creek township, which latter place had a good log house and stable upon it and about fifteen acres under the plow. Later the east forty in section 18 was sold and forty acres lying to the north of the home pur- chased, but Anton Louis Richman did not live long after this latter transaction, his death occurring about five years later, in 1858, when he was fifty-one years of age. It is related that the first work he did for others after coming to this section was the flailing of rye. He walked eight miles each day, going to Mars station and received for his labor a bushel of rye per day, making about twelve bushels in all.
There were nine children in the family of Anton Louis Richman, namely : Mary. Charley. Anton. Lewis, Lonisa. William, Hermon, Henry and George, all deceased except Charley, Lewis, Henry and George. After the death of the father, the mother continued to manage the homestead and during the Civil . War purchased forty acres lying to the west of her home from the heirs of "Uncle" William Richman. She survived her husband some thirty years. passing away in July of 1893, when in her eightieth year. Both Anton Louis Richman and wife were members of the German Evangelical church and were among the sturdiest of the early pioneers.
Lewis F. Richman grew up on his father's farm, receiving such education as was obtainable at the old log school house of district No. 3. his first teacher being John Kaylor. Lewis Richman in his boyhood knew by experience of the limitations and privations of pioneer life and has been permitted to see this
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rich section of the state develop from primitive conditions to the present high state of civilization and culture.
Mr. Richinan is a veteran of the Civil War. having enlisted on August 10. 1862, when seventeen years of age, in Company B. Ninety-ninth Regiment. Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. James H. Carr, First Lieut. George Teague and Second Lieut. Robert P. Andis. He served until the close of the war, practically three years, being assigned to the Fifteenth Army Corps, Army of Western Tennessee, under Gen. John A. Logan, this being General Grant's old command. Mr. Richman was in some of the important engagements of the war, among them being the siege of Jackson, Mississippi ; the battles of Big Black River, Missionary Ridge, New Hope Church, Dalton, King's Moun- tain, Marietta, Kenesaw Mountain and the siege of Atlanta. On the 22nd of July, 1864. he was wounded in the arin at the latter place and lay in the lios- pital at Marietta for three weeks, after which he was sent home on a thirty day furlough. He rejoined his regiment at East Point Station, six miles from Atlanta and from that point was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. His regiment from there was transferred by boat to Beaufort. and when they were within a few days march of Raleigh. Lee surrendered. They then went on to Washington and took part in the Grand Review before Presi- dent Lincoln in May, and about June 1. Lewis Richman was mustered out of service, receiving his honorable discharge at Indianapolis on June 13, 1865.
After returning home he managed the home place in company with his three younger brothers, and when twenty-nine years old was united in marriage with Sophia Steinmeier, born in Sugar Creek township. December 27, 1853. a daughter of Christian and Christina ( Kruse) Steinmeier, both natives of Ger- many. Christian Steinmeier, at the age of fourteen, came to America on the same boat which carried Anton Lewis Richman, and the two families had been close friends ever since that time. Christian was with his father and two sis- ters and the family located about three-fourths of a mile northeast of the Rich- man home. Some years later the father lost his life in Kansas and the sisters spent their declining years with Lewis Richman's family.
Mr. Richman's mother lived to an advanced age, passing away in July, 1893, and on December 31, of the same year, he purchased the home place, con- sisting of one hundred and twenty acres of some of Hancock county's best land. In the face of many discouragements in the way of fire and sickness, Mr. Rich- man has kept steadily on in his plans for the improvement of his home farm, and today has it brought to a high state of cultivation.
To Mr. and Mrs. Richman were born eight children : Louisa, Louis, Ben- jamin 11 .. Emma, Mary. Annie. Maggie and Clara, who died in infancy, and all
BIOGRAPHICAL.
are deceased except Emma, Mary, Annie and Maggie. Mrs. Richman died on November 10, 1910, and throughout her life she was a member of the Ger- man Lutheran church, as he also is. Many years ago Mr. Richman became a member of Henry Kirkhoff Post, of New Palestine, Grand Army of the Repub- lic, and in politics gives his support to the Republican party. His entire life has been passed in the one community and no higher tribute can be paid a man under those conditions than to state he has the confidence and respect of all who know him.
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