USA > Indiana > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the State of Indiana > Part 73
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owns eighty-five acres of well improved land. He united with the Blue River Baptist Church about forty-five years ago. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been honored with election to the offices of Township Trustee and Constable.
ALLEN T. DEWITT, a descendant of Peter DeWitt, the first settler of what is now Union Township, was born November 19, I85I, being the next eldest child and only one surviving of Robert Wesley and Milla ( Berry ) De Witt. Peter De Witt came to Shelby County and settled on Little Blue River, about 1821. His wife was Phœbe Cotton; they reared a family of six children, of whom but one is now living, Hiram. The family have, with one exception, made this and the adjoining county of Rush, their home. Robert Wesley De Witt was born March 5, 1824. He was united in mar-
riage with Milla Berry, October 14, 1849. They were the parents of four children: Phebe A., deceased, Allen T., Sarepta, de- ceased, Landa, deceased. He died January 13, 1876. His widow still survives him and has attained the good old age of about sixty years. Our immediate subject has always lived on the old home farm. He received a limited education, his help being needed on the farm, which he has greatly supplemented by reading and study and contact with business men in the affairs of life. March 23, 1879, his marriage with Elizabeth H. Gunning was solemnized. Mr. De Witt has always followed agricultural pursuits and he has. been quite successful. He now owns eighty acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the Blue River Baptist Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and he always manifests a good live interest in the political affair of the county and community in which he lives, where he enjoys the respect and esteem of those that know him.
JOHN GAHIMER, of Union Township, is a native of Rush County, born December 10, 1837, being the fourth in a family of eight children, born to Jacob and Mary (Deprez) Gahimer, who were both natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States about the year 1833, and came immediately to Rush County, where they settled, and where the former is still living. The latter died March 14, 1882. John remained at home and helped his parents on the farm until he attained the age of twenty- three years, receiving a very limited English education. March 26, 1851, his marriage with Barbara Hauck was solemnized, and to their union these six children have been born: John, Andrew, Mary, Jacob, Kate and Emma. In 1851, Mr. Gahimer located in Shelby County, where he has since lived. He has always made farming his occupation, and he has been very successful. He now owns 414 acres of well improved land. He and family, with the
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exception of one child, are members of the German Protestant Church. In politics he has always been a Democrat.
PHILIPP HAEHL is a native of Rheinpfalz, Germany, born November 10, 1831, being the youngest in a family of eleven chil- dren, born to George Michael and Maria Katrina (Becker) Haehl, who were also natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States and Shelby County in 1833, where they continued to live until their deaths: he died in 1850, and she in 1863. Our subject - always made his home with his parents until their deaths. He re- ceived a very limited education in his mother tongue. September 8, 1853, his marriage with Anna M. Kuhn was solemnized, and to their union six children have been born, these five now living: Mary Amelia, Julia A., deceased, John H., Emeline, Sophia L. and Daniel. Mr. Haehl has followed agricultural pursuits and he has been very successful. He now owns a fine, well improved farm of 17I acres. He and wife are members of St. Zion's German Pro- testant Church, and he is always a liberal contributor to the support of that organization, having donated the land on which the church is situated. In politics he is a Democrat.
GEORGE HAEHL, a native of Union Township, was born Janu- ary 6, 1849, the third in a family of five children, born to John and Mary C. (Zeisz) Haehl, who were both natives of Germany. Both emigrated with their parents to Shelby County, about 1829, and continued residents of the county ever afterward, he dying in 1855; his widow still survives him, and has attained the good age of sixty-one years. Our immediate subject remained at home and assisted his parents, until he attained the age of twenty-three years, receiving a common school education. December 7, 1871, his marriage with Catherine Kuhn was solemnized, and to their un- ion these eight children have been born: Polina O., Henry A., George W., Mary F., John R., Ida A., Ella C. and Laura L. Mr. Haehl has always made farming his occupation, and he has been very successful. Hle now owns 160 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of St. Zion's German Protestant Church, of which he is the present incumbent of the position of one of its Trustees. In politics he is a Democrat.
JOHN M. HAWKINS is a native of the Kingdom of Bavaria, born at Baireith, May 17, 1834, being the youngest in a family of two children, born to George and Barbara (Myer) Hawkins. In 1838, the family emigrated to the United States, coming imme- diately to Indiana, reaching Shelby County, January 1, 1839, and set- tling in Union Township, where they continued to live until their deaths, the latter dying in 1852, and the former in 1856. John M. remained with and assisted his parents until their deaths, receiving
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a very limited German education, mostly all obtained by reading without the aid of a teacher. October 31, 1856, his marriage with Mary A. Kney was solemnized, and to their union five children have been born, these four now living: Mary A., Maggie, Carrie and Lizzie: the deceased child was George M. Mr. Hawkins has always made farming his occupation. and he has been very success- ful. He now owns 157 acres of well improved land, all the accumu- lation of his own industry and economy. He and family are mem- bers of the German Protestant Church. In politics he has always been a Democrat, but never sought political preferment.
JOHN HESTER, a native of Stokes County, N. C., was born August 31, 1813, the youngest and only surviving child of a family of nine children, born to John and Mildred (Crews) Hester, who were both natives of Granville County, N. C., where they were reared to man and womanhood, and married there. They remained residents of Stokes County until their deaths. Our imme- diate subject remained with his mother, his father having died when he was only a babe. until he attained the age twenty years, receiving a common school education, such as the facilities of those days afforded. December 25, 1833, his marriage with Ma- linda McCaleb was solemnized, and to their union six children were born, of whom these three are now living: Newton H., John H. and Sarah A. October, 1849, he suffered the bereavement of los- ing his beloved wife. October 22, 1850, his and Emaline (Linville) Zike's nuptials were celebrated, and to their union these four children have been born : Jacob, whose consort was Jennie Talbert; Benjamin F., who married Frances M. Hicks; Jasper, whose wife was Leona L. Fisher, and Clara F., now Mrs. Lee Rigsby. By a former marriage, Mrs. Hester had these two children : Joseph and John W. In 1845, Mr. Hester emigrated to and settled in this county where he has ever since lived, settling in Union Township. He has always made farming his occupation, and he has been quite successful. He now owns 235 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
EPHRAIM W. HESTER, a native of what was then Stokes County, N. C., was born September 28, 1825, the eldest in a family of eleven children born to James and Abigail (Workman) Hester, who were also natives of North Carolina, from whence they emi- grated to Indiana and Shelby County, in 1845, and they remained residents of this county until their deaths. Our immediate subject remained at home and assisted his parents until he attained his majority, receiving a limited education such as the facilities of those days afforded. December 18, 1850, his marriage with Mary J. Golding was solemnized, and to their union twelve children have
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been born, these six now living: Alonzo P., Amanda J., Dorothy J., John L., James E., and Effie M. Mr. Hester has always made farming his occupation, and he has been quite successful. He now owns 120 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity at Equity Lodge, at Manilla. In politics he is a Republican and was honored with an election to the office of Justice of the Peace for five terms, serving twenty-one years consecutively.
JOHN HOLBROOK, of Union Township, is a native of Stokes County, N, C., born July 13, 1813, the sixth, and only one now sur- viving, of a family of ten children born to William and Lucy (Crim) Holbrook, who were natives of North Carolina and Culpepper County, Va., respectively. They emigrated to Indiana and Shelby County, in IS26, and settled in Union Township, where they con- tinued to reside until their deaths. Our immediate subject remained at home and assisted his parents until he attained his majority. He received no education, being compelled to assist his father in the maintenance of the family. His father was addicted to the habit of drinking having formed the habit through the indulgence of his parents who were extensive slaveholders in that day. John com- menced life for himself as a laborer on the National road, in Wayne County, Ind., where he worked four months. He returned to Shelby County, and immediately proceeded to Mississippi, where he lived two years, then came back to this county where he has since , lived. February 11, 1836, his marriage with Mary A. Brown was solemnized, and to their union seven children have been born, these five now living: Robert W., William, Barbara, George W. and Levi. Mr. Holbrook has always made farming his occupation, and he has been quite successful. He now owns 280 acres of well im- proved land. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Democrat, casting his first vote for Andrew Jackson.
GEORGE W. JOHN, a citizen and native of Union Town- ship, was born November . 30, 1839, being the fifth in a family of eleven children born to William and Sarah ( Headlee) John, who were both natives of Green County, Penn., where they grew to man and womanhood and were married. They came to Shelby County about 1832, and first settled in Addison Township, where they lived for a short period, and then moved to Rush County, re- siding there between one and two years, then came to Union Township, where the former continued to reside until his death, which occurred in June, 1859. His widow survived him, and re- moved to Taylor County, Iowa, in 1868, and died there in May, ISS3. Our immediate subject remained with and assisted his
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mother until he attained the age of twenty-five, receiving a com- mon school education. January 12, 1865, his marriage with Julia F. Linville was solemnized, and to their union these eight children have been born: Clark L., William E., Nettie J., Cynthia P., Emma L., Wilbur D., Laura D. and Maggie. Mr. John's occu- pation has been principally farming, in connection with which, from the time he was eighteen years old, until he became thirty- five, he taught school at intervals. He was also engaged in the hardware and agricultural implement business at Manilla for a period of sixteen months, and in all has been quite successful. He now owns 320 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and he generally manifests a good live interest in the political affairs of the county and community in which he lives, where he enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens.
ANDREW KUHN, deceased. - He was a native of Rheinpfalz, Germany, where he was born, January 22, 1834. He was the son of Andrew and Maria (Theobald) Kuhn, who were also natives of Rheinpfalz. They came to Shelby County in the fall of 1847, and settled where their son Jacob now lives. Andrew re- mained at home and helped his parents on the farm until he at- tained the age of twenty-seven years. He received, for those times, a very good education, sufficient to enable him to teach, which he did for, however, only one term. February 28, 1861, his marriage with Margaret Gaheimer was solemnized, and this union was blessed with five children: these four now living are : Will- iam G., Frederick J., John A., and George A .; the deceased child, was Caroline, the eldest, who died at the age of three years. Mrs. Kuhn was born September 7, 1840. She was the daugh- ter of Jacob and Mary A. (Deprez) Gaheimer. Mr. Kuhn always followed agricultural pursuits, in which he was very successful, ranking as one of the leading farmers of the com- munity in which he lived, owning at the time of his death 200 acres of well improved land. He was, as are his wife and family, a member of the St. Zion's German Protestant Church, and he always endeavored to live a true and Christian life. He died January 28, 1881, and in his death the community lost an hon- ored and respected citizen, one whose memory will be revered for years to come.
GEORGE M. KUHN, a farmer of Union Township, is a native of Rheinpfalz, Bavaria, Germany, where he was born January 16, 1838, being the fourth in a family of eleven children, born to Andrew and Mary (Theobald) Kuhn. The family emigrated to the United States, coming immediately to Shelby County in 1847, settling in
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Union Township, where they ever afterward made their home and where the former died, January, IS70. George M. remained at home until he attained the age of twenty-three years, receiving a good common school education. December 25, 1861, his marriage with Mary C. Haug was solemnized, and to their union seven children have been born, these six now living: Mary C., now Mrs. Jacob Kuhn; Sarah, widow of Michael Bird; Edward, Charles, Emma and Richard. Mr. Kuhn has always made farming his occupation, and he has been very successful. He now owns 380 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of St. Zion's German Protestant Church, of which he filled the position of Trustee a number of terms. In politics he is a Republican, but never sought any political preferment.
DANIEL KUHN, of Union Township, is a native of Rheinpfalz, Germany, born April 25, 1842, the son of Andrew and Maria (Theobald) Kuhn, who were also born at Rheinpfalz. They came to the United States the latter part of 1847, coming immediately to Shelby County, and settled on the farm where their son Jacob now lives and where the father died. Daniel remained at home and assisted his parents until he attained the age of twenty-four years, receiving a common school education such as the schools of those days afforded. September 23, 1866, his marriage with Louisa Haehl was solemnized, and to their union six children have been born, these four now living: Otilda, Herman, Louisa and Nora. The deceased children were Julius and infant unnamed. Mr. Kuhn has always made farming his occupation, and he has been very suc- cessful. He now owns 240 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the St. Zion's German Protestant Church. In politics he is a staunch Republican.
JACOB KUHN, SR., of Union Township, is a native of Rheinpfalz, Germany, born October 2, 1843, the next youngest in a family of nine children, born to Andrew and Anna Maria (Theobald) Kuhn, who were also natives of Rheinpfalz. They came to the United States in 1847, and settled on the farm where our subject now lives, in March 1848, and they ever since continued residents of this county. The father died January, 1870; his widow still survives him and has attained the good old age of seventy-eight years. Jacob has always lived at the old homestead. He received a common school education. November 9, 1873, his marriage with Elizabeth Kney, was solemnized, and to their union seven children have been born, these six now living: Anna M., Andrew J., Edward P., Elbert C., Katie and Walter H. Mr. Kuhn has always made farm- ing his occupation, and he has been very successful. He now owns 218 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members
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of the St. Zion's German Protestant Church. In politics he is a Re- publican.
JACOB KUIN, JR., an enterprising citizen of Union Township, is a native of Rheinpfalz, Germany, born August 4, 1849, the youngest in a family of four children, born to George M. and Sophia (Silbemeger) Kuhn, who were also born in Rheinpfalz. They came to the United States in 1853, coming immediately to Shelby County, and settled in Union Township, where they ever since made their home, the father dying February 24, 1886, the mother is still living and has attained the good old age of seventy- six years. He received a common school education, such as the schools of the vicinity afforded. November 7, 1878, his marriage with Mary Louisa Kuhn was solemnized, and to their union six children have been born, these four now living: Arno Michael, Sophia Maria, Reinhold George and Lillie May. Mr. Kuhn has always made farming his occupation, and he has been quite success- ful. He now owns 167 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the St. Zion's German Protestant Church. In pol- itics he is a Democrat.
JACOB KEPPEL, a prominent citizen and native of Union Town- ship, was born April 11, 1841, the second in a family of three children born to John G. and Susan (Carpenter) Keppel, who were natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively. They came to Shelby County about 1833, and settled on the farm where Jacob now lives, and where they lived until their deaths, he dying in 1861, and she in 1874. Our subject has always resided at the old home- stead, receiving a limited education in consequence of the poor facilities of those days. February 28, 1866, his marriage with Mary C. Coers was solemnized, and to their union ten children were born, of whom these seven are now living: William E., Mary E., Jacob D., John H., George C., Charles F., and Bar- bara E. June 14, 1881, he suffered the bereavement of losing his beloved wife. Mr. Keppel has always followed agricultural pur- suits and he has been very successful. He now owns IIo acres of well improved land. He belongs to St. Zion's German Protest- ant Church, having served as Trustee in that organization. In poli- tics he is a Democrat, and for the past five years has had the direc- tion of the school for his district.
LEWIS LINVILLE, an old citizen of Union Township, is a native of Stokes County, N. C., born September 28, ISIS, the eldest in a family of six children born to John and Frances (Crim) Linville, who were also natives of North Carolina. They came to Shelby County in 1829, and settled in Union Township, remaining, with the exception of four years, when they lived in Howard County, resi-
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dents of this county, until their deaths. Lewis remained with and assisted his parents until he attained his majority, receiving a very limited education, mostly obtained in the primitive log school-houses of those days. November, 1839, his marriage with Sarah Zike was solemnized and to their union nine children were born, these six now living: James M., Nancy (Rhodes), Lorenzo, Hester (Nigh), George and John. September, 1869, he lost his wife by death. June 2, 1870, his and Alice DeBell's nuptials were cele- brated, and two children have blessed their union, Elbert, born March 20, 1871, and Charles, born May 6, 1875. In 1861, Mr. Linville enlisted in Company F, Fifty-first Indiana Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, where he served for three years, and was hon- orably discharged at Nashville in 1864. He was present and par- ticipated in the following important engagements: Shiloh, Stone River, Chattanooga and first day's fight at Nashville, and numerous minor skirmishes. Mr. Linville has always made farming his oc- cupation and he has been reasonably successful. He now owns 100 acres. He is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Republican.
WILLIAM G. MACY, of Union Township, is a native of Iredell County, N. C., and was born September 28, 1836, being the seventh in a family of eleven children, born to William and Rachel ( Worth) Macy, the former a native of Stokes County, N. C., and the latter of Yadkin County, N. C., the former born December 6, 1797, and the latter born December 7, 1804; they were married in our sub- ject's native county. William G. grew to manhood in that county, re- maining with his parents until he attained the age of twenty-four years, receiving a common school education, what would now be termed a rather limited one. In 1860, he emigrated to Indiana, stopping for a period of twelve months in Wayne County, coming to Shelby County, in 1861, where he has since made his home, with the ex- ception of about six years when he resided in Rush County. March 5, 1871, his marriage with Caroline Barnard was solemnized, and to their union five children have been born, these three now living: Ida L., Carey F. and Jesse E. Mr. Macy has always made farm- ing his occupation, and he has been quite successful. He now owns 140 acres of well improved land, all the accumulation of his own industry and economy. He and family are members of the Friends Church. In politics he is a Republican, and under the law of 1882, he was honored with an appointment of Road Master. March 15, 1878, the mother of our subject died in North Carolina, and the father the following December, came to this county, to finish his days with his children, and died January 25, 1887. Thomas Macy of the seventh generation counting from the birth of
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the subject, was the first white settler on the Island of Nantucket. In line of succession was John, Jabez, Jethro, Gayer, William.
DANIEL MELTZER, of Union Township, is a native of Dear- born County, Ind., born February 26, 1849, being the fourth in a family of twelve children born to John F. and Sallie (Fuchs) Meltzer, who were both natives of Germany. They came to the United States in 1841. They returned from Ohio to Shelby County in 1842. Daniel remained at home and assisted his parents until he attained the age of twenty-three years, receiving a com- mon school education. December 25, 1873, his marriage with Lavina Fuchs was solemnized, and to their union these four chil- dren have been born: Jacob D., Frederick W., Maggie F. and Minnie. For twelve years Mr. Meltzer followed carpentering, but since his marriage he has made farming his occupation, and he has been quite successful. He now owns seventy-four and one-half acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the St. Zion's German Protestant Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
THOMAS MOBERLY, a citizen of Union Township, is a native of Madison County, Ky., and was born January 20, 1821, being the next eldest in a family of three children born to William and Martha (Robertson) Moberly, who were natives of North Carolina and Madison County, Ky., respectively, of whom both died in Ken- tucky, the latter when Thomas was about three years of age. James Robertson, uncle of our subject, came to Shelby County about 1822. After the death of Thomas's mother, when he was about four years old, he came to live with his uncle, Robertson, by whom he was reared to manhood, receiving, what was for those days, a good education. February, 1842, his marriage with Miss Julilah Barnes was solemnized, and to their union these six children have been born: John M., who married Miss Mary De- Witt: William, whose wife was Missouri Woodan; James, Mary, now Mrs. Dr. A. M. Pherson; Martha, and Edward, whose con- sort was Carrie Yarling. Mr. Moberly has always made farming his occupation, and he has been quite successful. He now owns 150 acres of land; he originally had about 400 acres, but started each of his children in life with some land, all the accumulation of his own industry and economy. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. In politics, he is a Republican, and he has been honored with an election to the office of Justice of the Peace. for nine successive terms of four years each.
H. C. PITTS, a prominent citizen of Union Township, is a native of Forsythe County, North Carolina, near Kennersville, where he was born February 21, 1850, being the eldest in a family of ten children born to Branson and Luzena (Coffin) Pitts, who
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were both also natives of North Carolina. They emigrated from their native State to Indiana and Shelby County, August, 1864 They settled in Union Township, where the father died July, 1884. His widow still survives him and lives at the old homestead. H. C. remained at home until he attained the age of thirty-two years, receiving a collegiate education at Spiceland, '72, '73, and North- ern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, the summers of '78 and '79. April 30, 1832, his marriage with Florella E. Rigsbee, was solemnized, and to their union these two children have been born: Lois V. and Wendell H. For the past five years his principal occupation has been farming and stock raising, prior to that he taught school at intervals for ten years. Mr. Pitts is quite a stu- dent, has a large private library of miscellaneous books. He and family are members of the Friends Church. In politics he is a Republican, and was honored in 1884, with an election to the office of Township Trustee, and re-elected in 1886, and is the present incumbent of that position. From a business point of view he has been quite successful. He now owns 104 acres, mostly the ac- cumulation of his own industry and economy.
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