Graf History

Settie Graf Locke (1868-1955) wrote this account in 1954. 

The effects of the Napoleonic wars were still felt keenly in Germany, which at that time was but a loose confederation of States ruled or presided over by Kings, Bishops Landgraves or others potentates, unorganized as a sovereign nation.  Not until Bismark in 1871, in the war with France, subdued their enemies did Wilhelm I become emperor.  Before that, foreign soldiers were quartered in every home until children learned another language.  Soon after this, Philip of Roggenhausen (July 7, 1824) was born in Bavaria, the eldest son.  The boy, of husky stature, grew to maturity and helped his parents till the small farm, and in winter he became a weaver of linens.  His brothers were allowed to learn more remunerative trades such as cabinetmakers.  Philip looked after their parents and provided the means for the brothers to emigrate to America, to avoid the draft.  Service in the army took seven years of the best years of every man selected.*  Before their majority they sent the boys to relatives in Indiana, which was then being hewed out of the wilderness.

China tea jar and pitcher

All of Valentine and Barbara Graf's belongings were packed in a trunk to make the voyage from Germany to America.  It is quite remarkable that these china pieces survived.  This pewter charger is stamped with the insignia of the maker.

Pewter charger with maker's insignia

When this had been done, Philip and his parents sold their beloved home and personal effects and prepared to follow the boys.  Their nearest route was through France and from the dock at Havre they took ship.  Their household effects, clothing, cooking utensils, pewter table service and food, all stored in cedar chests for the long passage.  Steamboats had not been invented nor airplanes, so they set sail and selecting the route favored by the trade winds.  Unfortunately a storm drove them out of their course and they were six weeks on the ocean, arriving at New York harbor 1853 to be welcomed by friends who had braved the voyage earlier.  Then by wagon and canal boat, drawn by mules on the tow path, the party came overland to Waupecong where they found refuge among relatives and joined John, Christian and Valentine who had all found employment.  

Now to establish a home and care for the father who was ailing was the next concern.  Having paid for their passage, they were able to purchase a farm of forty acres, improved with a hewed log house and a log barn and a well.  A formal garden was soon laid out with flower beds planted to tulips and hyacinths which had been stored in the cedar chests.  

Next an orchard was planted, as there was no other fruit in Indiana but wild grapes, wild plums and berries.  Every foot of soil was planted and tended by hand.  Grass for hay was cut with a scythe or a sickle.  Grain was thrashed with a flail.

Clay mud mixed with straw was tramped by horses or cattle to chink the cracks between logs.  The broad ax and adz were used to dress the floor of puncheon, since saw mills had not yet arrived.  Neighbors were friendly and using the sign language soon showed the Germans how to make maple sugar, which lasted a year. 

Cattle were allowed to roam at will, only the crops being fenced in.  The leader wore the cow bell which helped in the hunt.  Philip refused to eat butter when the cows ate ramps, since he disliked onions.  Cottage cheese and ball cheese were always to be seen on the family table.

The spinning wheel spun tow and wool for the linsey-woolsey which was the cloth from which every day clothing was made.  The broadcloth and embroidered silk vers of the fatherland were out of place in the crude life of Howard County in those days, but were used for his burial.

Settie Graf Locke, demonstrating spinning

 This is the Graf Family spinning wheel referred to in Settie's account.  Here, Settie is participating in a Pioneer Days reenactment.

According to holy writ, it was not good for man to live alone.  Philip’s mother, Barbara Wagner Graf, no longer young, welcomed the young and beautiful Caroline Schaaf who came from Ohio, to dress the garden of Graf, instead of Eden, and became the helpmate of Philip and to mother his children.  Times were hard when the Civil War broke out and their first child, Emma, was born in 1861.  The draft caught up with Philip, but being a farmer without help, he was deferred.  Privation and illness were the lot of the young family, but gifted with a singing voice and a love for flowers and a cheerful disposition they bore the loss of their sons as best they could.

Came now the reconstruction days, illness and high taxes, muslin at 75 cents a yard, likewise calico.  Grandpa Graf sold hickory ax handles at 25 cents each, made brooms, bee hives, ladders, quilting frames and gates, grafted his own fruit trees, became a self-made veterinary and a Democrat.  In the home we enjoyed homemade cheese, smearkase, kraut, pickled beans, apple butter, cider, honey, liverwurst, maple syrup, pork, potatoes, bread and cakes made of yeast dough with a fruit topping.  Also flannel petticoats – home spun – and stockings knitted from home spun yarn, dyed analyne red, walnut brown, black or cochineal red.

Handmade sausage mill

Rag carpets soon gave the living room a festive appearance, muslin curtains and husk door mats showed the family to be progressive and the dance, the singing school, the taffy pulling, husking bees and the apple cutting for apple butter all afforded opportunity for the social life of the community.  Not to be overlooked was the spelling school and the barn raising and quilting bees for the ladies.

Happiness and contentment are a state of mind and do not depend upon worldly possessions.  Things which endure are those of the spirit.  To sit at the bedside of a sick neighbor, to officiate at a birth or death, to plant or harvest the grain of a bereaved widow, to sew for a motherless family, all help to cement a friendship, which nothing but adversity can make us appreciate.

We travel this road but once.  “Let us live in the house by the side of the road, and be a friend to man.”

                                                     Grandmother

                                                     May 17, 1954

* For a very well-researched account of military service, click here to read a post by
fellow blogger, Kathy Gosz. 

Philip and Caroline Graf, Settie's parents

Settie as a young girl

Settie Graf

Settie Graf Locke in 1950s, when she wrote this account

Martin School

Ross and Elsie Locke went to Martin School in Liberty Township.

2nd row: Elsie is 4th from left; Ross is 7th from left

Greentown High School

Ross and Elsie Locke went to Martin School in Liberty Township, then to Greentown High School.  Both graduated in 1912.  Even though Elsie was younger, she learned quickly sitting in a one-room school along with the older students, and skipped two grades.  Ross went on to study journalism at Indiana University and Elsie studied at Indiana State Normal School.

Freshman English Examination Book 1909

Report Card: Greentown High School
September 1908 - May 1912

Hoosier Homestead

Early Homes of Howard Township

A few years ago my mother wrote short narratives for many historic homes in Howard Township.  One summer day she and I drove to each of these homes and took photos, and by Christmas all the information was compiled and bound into a nice booklet.  This format will bring her work to a wider audience.  It was a fun collaboration...we were all involved.  My son, Ken, was technical advisor at every turn!  Nancy edited.  I compiled and did layout.  Mother was proud of all of us, and we of her!  Great memories.  Her account begins with this preface:

I have always loved old houses, and so the opportunity to learn a bit of the history of those early Howard Township homes represented here has been truly enjoyable.  The sketches of course are very brief, having been compiled from information gathered from former and current owners, and from the 1877 Howard County Atlas and later Plat Books.  The original owner and date of each home is designated where that information was available.  The current owners are identified in the accounts that follow.

I am grateful to all who shared information.  The conversations with friends and neighbors who added their memories have served to bring the past back to life.  There are so many cherished memories of my own childhood home - the Touby home. 

Virginia Touby Coan

December 2000

Dorothy's wedding 1942, west porch, Touby home

Early Homes of Howard Township

A measure of prosperity and the necessity for more living space for growing families created something of a building boom as landowners began to replace their original log cabins with larger, more comfortable dwellings.  Brick making industries in the area made this building material available, along with the abundance of native hardwoods.

Several of these sturdy historic homes are located in Howard Township and are lovingly cared for by their present owners.  Located on East Sycamore Road (100 North), as it winds its way along the Kokomo Reservoir where the Wildcat Creek once meandered along its course, are some of the finest old homes in Howard County.

Others were built along the Touby Pike, an early "corduroy road" which served as a route into Kokomo for the residents in the northern section of the township.  A few early homes remain near the Cassville area where the earliest known settlers in the township had located and lived among the Miami in their village.

There are of course other historic homes in the area.  Many turn-of-the-century farm homes were built, replacing original log structures.  Several of these would have historic interest, although many have been extensively remodeled and updated to make them more functional for the owners' lifestyles.  All homes speak of their own time and place in the history and development of the area.

David S. Farley

1862

Built of brick made on the farm, the 1862 home of David S. Farley was the first brick house in the township.  Located on Sycamore Road at 3634 East, it was at one time the residence of the Charles Hunter family and later the Clarence Obermeyer family.  In 1979, Keith and Judy Lausch bought the home.  Although no longer living there, the Lausches are the current owners.  There have been several modifications made throughout the years.

James Miller
circa 1862

The James Miller house, thought to have been built about 1862, is located at 4758 East, 100 North.  It is believed that Mr. Miller, farmer and tile factory proprietor, made the bricks for several of the large brick homes in this area.  Now owned and carefully maintained by the Gordon Dell family, this lovely old home stands like a sentinel among others as much as 100 years younger.  Its original shutters and the scrolled canopy above the entrance are still in place.  The surrounding walkway includes many Kokomo bricks.  Beautiful Victorian furnishings throughout the house, along with many family antiques, have made the Dells' home a showcase of the charm of earlier times.

George Miller
1882

Located at 1622 North 400 East is what was, for many years, known as the George Miller home.  The house is believed to have been built by Mr. Miller's father, Joe Miller, who had dropped the first part of the family name, Brunnenmiller, and was known in the community as "Brunno" Miller.  This once sturdy house was built in 1882, the date recorded in the design on the slate roof.  On the opposite side of the roof are the initials "BM."  A single "M" is on the front roof.  Current owners of the house and land are Tom Maher and John E. Maher II.

David Smith

Across from the entrance to Wildcat Creek Reservoir Park, on what was once known as the "Float Section," is the original home of David Smith.  It was at this location that the Vermont Covered Bridge spanned the Wildcat Creek.  The 1877 Howard County Atlas records the first crop of corn in the township was grown on this farm by Jacob Good about 1842.  For many years the farm and home of the Ross Smith family, the house is now owned by John Christenson.  The portico and shutters have been removed from the square brick structure.  Otherwise, it looks essentially as it did many years ago.

Jacob Brunk

circa 1860

The original Jacob Brunk home, later acquired by the James Miller family, and for many years known as the Miller home, is located at 5130 East, 100 North.  According to the 1877 Howard County Atlas, the village of Vermont was originally laid out on this farm.  The home is now owned by the Bob Mickelsons, who have restored it with true sensitivity.  The date is uncertain, but it was probably built in the 1860s.  The spacious L-shaped porch was added sometime after the house was built.  Recent modernization includes an attached garage at the rear of the house.  The grounds are beautifully landscaped.

Passers-by cannot help but notice the Mail Pouch Tobacco advertising sign authentically copied on the barn, certainly reminiscent of by-gone days.

Christopher Collins Willits

1865

The Willits-Kurtz home at 5859 East, 100 North was built in 1865 for the C. C. Willits family.  The farmland, part of which was deeded to Chief Richardville of the Miami Indians, was purchased in 1853.  Designated a "Hoosier Homestead" by the State of Indiana, it has been kept in the family for well over 140 years.  The large, square frame dwelling, with back extension, features an interesting two-door front entrance.  There is no central hall.  The original hall and open stairway were eliminated when the house was remodeled in about 1920.  Each door opens into separate rooms at the front of the house.  Shirley Drew and Don Kurtz, children of Lester T. Kurtz, and great-grandchildren of C. C. Willits, are the current owners of the home and the farmland situated on the south side of the road.  Michael Jackson, great-great-grandson of C. C. Willits, owns the farmland lying on the north side of the road.  There are many fond memories of our family visits in this home with my Aunt Allie and Uncle Harley Kurtz, and our cousins Agnes, Jeanette, and Lester.

D. Markland

1880

The Markland home, built in 1880, is located on road 200 North at 5532 East.  The square, brick structure features a back extension with side door entrance.  The front door opens directly into the living room.  The exterior of the house is essentially unchanged from its original appearance, except for a sun room which was recently added on the east side.  The home and grounds have been beautifully cared for by Joan and Ned Hullinger, who purchased the farm from the Marklands in 1970, after having lived there and farmed the ground since 1943.

James R. Caldwell

Early settlers in the northern sections of Howard Township soon recognized the need for a main route into Kokomo.  Thus, they banded together in the construction of what became known as the Touby Pike, taking its name from pioneer Peter Touby, who was instrumental in its building.  Its many twists and turns reflected the necessity to follow the higher ground in what was in those days a very swampy area.  One of the outstanding homes along this route was that of James R. Caldwell, located at 3246 North Touby Pike.  Constructed of double and triple-thick red brick walls, it certainly speaks of strength and stability.  In 1912, T. W. Underwood purchased the farm and made several changes and additions to the house before his family moved there in about 1915.  Other modernizations followed through the years.  The home is now owned by the Underwoods' grandson, Ronald Schafer.  Recent interior decorating lends a warm, Victorian charm to the home.

Jesse C. Yager

As the Touby Pike reaches 400 North, it turns more directly eastward.  At 250 East, the site of the old flowing well, the Yager-Smith family home can be seen back the lane.  Through family succession, the farm became the home of Bertha (Yager) and Clarence C. Smith and was commonly known as the Smith farm.  Many fond memories are recalled: ice skating on the frozen creek, the summer threshing operation with Mr. Smith's big steam engine, family reunions, and picnics by the well.

The date of the house is uncertain.  A colonial-style front entry with central hall leads to rooms on either side.  The curving stairway to the second floor has been beautifully restored by the current owner, Barry Kratzer, descendant of early Howard Township pioneer, Lewis Kratzer.  Work is continuing on the restoration and modernization of this historic home.

Lawrence M. Yager

circa 1895

Continuing on road 400 North to 2817 East is the lane leading to the home built for Jesse C. Yager's son, Lawrence M. Yager, and his wife Leora Touby Yager.  The date of the house is thought to be about 1895.  The style and plan are so similar to that of the Albert C. Touby house, that is believed to have been built by the same carpenter.  Albert C. Touby and Leora Touby Yager were brother and sister.

There is evidence of the Eastlake influence in the craftsmanship.  The interior woodwork of open grain oak features the carved wheat and bull's eye blocks used trim above the doors and windows.  The porch posts and arched brackets are of a style used in both the Touby and Yager homes as well as others of the period.  Uncle Lawrence and Aunt Leora and their daughter, Mary Belle, were the hosts of many family gatherings in their home.

There have been some minor changes, but essentially the house appears as it originally did more than 100 years ago.  It is now the home of Gary and Kay Yager, both descendants of Jesse C. Yager.

Albert C. Touby

1898

North of the Touby Pike on Road 500 North at 2315 East stands the large frame dweling built by my grandfather, Albert C. Touby, son of Peter and Jane C. Touby.  Built in 1898 of lumber from the farm, it is finished with beautiful golden oak interior woodwork.  An interesting feature of the house was the acetylene gas lighting system which was piped into fittings in the lower floor rooms, quite a convenience for the time.

Upon the retirement of my grandparents, Kate and Albert Touby, my parents, Emmett and Elsie, moved into the big farm house.  Here they raised their family and lovingly cared for the Touby Homestead for many years.  In 1976 the farm was sold to the Stites family and is now the residence of Ronald and Mary Stites.  Some modifications were made, however it still retains a quiet dignity.

The Touby Homestead

This was my home.  It was here I was born and grew to young womanhood with my four sisters Louise, Dorothy, Frances, and Joan.  My father often told of the building of the house and of moving from the log cabin where he was born into their new home when he was ten years old.  Here he grew to manhood, working with his father on the farm.  With the retirement of my grandparents, Kate and Albert Touby, my mother and father moved from the smaller tenant house, which had been built for them at the time of their marriage, into the "big house."  The farm became known as the "Touby Homestead" and their loving care was evident in the attention to the land and the beautifying of the home.  The words of an old song come back to me...How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood...as I think about the woods where we gathered wildflowers, the large pasture where horses and cattle grazed, our pet lambs, the hickory tree beside the creek, Mother's beautiful flowers, carrying water to my father as he worked in the fields, and singing together as we rested on the porch on summer evenings.  These memories will always remain dear to my heart.  The lessons of sharing and caring, for responsibility and good citizenship were learned here with my family.

When each of my sisters and I were married, we chose to have weddings in our home.  And even as we were "settling in" and establishing our own families, this home continued to be the center of celebrations for as long as our parents were able to host the gatherings.  Wonderful Sunday dinners with family and friends, birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas were all joyful occasions.  We can never go back, but we shall never forget the love that enveloped us in our home.

 Joe Ross

circa 1880

At 300 East, 400 North, the Touby Pike straightens its course past the Kokomo Airport.  Across the road and back the lane on the north is the home once belonging to Joe Ross.  The 1877 Atlas records this tract of land as a part of the farm of G. W. Hooker.  The large brick home may have been built during the time of his ownership, perhaps circa 1880.  The ownership of the farm has changed several times, having for a time been held by Kokomo industrialist Max Gerber, who made some changes and additions to the house.  It is now the residence of the David Schafer family.  Recent restoration of the arched window panes in the second story have added beauty to the facade.

 Edward J. Troyer

circa 1865

Continuing east to Road 450 and turning north onto what is often called the Strawtown Pike, the road borders farms still kept in the families of early pioneers Troyer, Grau, and Metz.  The Edward J. Troyer house at 4585 North is believed to be nearly 130 years old.  It was built by Aaron Sipe, who purchased the land in 1865.  Edward Troyer, Jr. remembered his father telling that the house was moved from back in the field to its present location on the west side of the road after the farm was acquired from the Sipe family in 1905.  A kitchen extension and porches were added at that time.  A huge sycamore tree has grown from what was then a mere sprout and still stands in front of the house.  Jeff and Joe Troyer, great-grandsons of Edward J. Troyer, Sr., now reside in this family home.

Henry Metz

1894

Located at 4141 East on road 500 North is the Henry Metz home.  The house was built in 1894, replacing a log cabin.  For many years the home of the family of Edwin Schafer, son of Henry and Katie (Metz) Schafer, it is now owned by Orval and Sharon Gingerich.  (Sharon was formerly married to Harold Schafer.)  Original windows have been replaced and other changes made to the century-old home.

C. C. Yoder

circa 1880

Just beyond 500 North on 450 East is the stately brick Yoder-Helmuth home.  Acquired by Joseph J. Helmuth in 1906, it has been beautifully maintained through the years.  The house was built in 1880 with many details revealing the finest workmanship of the period.  Examples of Victorian architecture are the ornate exterior cornices above all windows and doors, the scrolled brackets at the roof line, the 9 1/2 foot ceilings with transoms in every room, and the beautiful interior woodwork.

Farmed by J. J. Helmuth's son, Dewey, for many years, it is now the home of Dewey and Mildred Helmuth's daughter, Mary Lou, and her husband, Ronald Rich. 

About the Author

Virginia Touby Coan was born at the Touby home on August 28, 1923.  After graduating from Howard Township High School in 1941, she went on to Ball State Teachers College, majoring in music education.  She married Arthur J. Coan on June 22, 1946.  In February of 1947 they settled on the Locke farm where Virginia's grandparents, George L. Locke and Settie Graf Locke, had begun their lives together many years before.  The farm was named Liberty Grove because of its lush grove of maples and oaks on 160 acres in Liberty Township.  Virginia taught music at Greentown High School, then for many years at Howard Township School, as well as private piano lessons.  Arthur farmed both the Touby and Locke farms.  In 1965, he and Virginia purchased Liberty Grove Farm, which in 1989 was designated a Hoosier Homestead Farm, having been in the family for over 100 years.  Arthur and Virginia are members of Northview Christian Church.  They both take great pleasure in maintaining the family home and grounds.

Arthur and Virginia Coan, Liberty Grove Farm, Locke home

Liberty Grove Farm

George and Settie Locke were married March 18, 1891.  They settled in Liberty Township, Howard County, Indiana.  The original deed to the property was to Peter Hersleb by way of treaty with the Miami Indians and was signed and sealed by President Polk's secretary.  George and Settie built this house in 1902. 

Ross and Elsie grew up on this farm.  [More history to follow.]

Philip Roscoe and Elsie Locke

In 1947 Virginia and Arthur moved to the farm house and Arthur farmed the 160 acres. They later chose to name the property Liberty Grove Farm.

c. 1957

The farm is staying in the family!  Skipping generations: Settie and George are Virginia's grandparents; Virginia and Arthur are Jason's grandparents.  Jason and Shay purchased six acres including the grove and buildings.  Construction on the new home began in Spring of 2010.

Virginia with Jason and Shay

A bit sad to see the old house go...