JOHN FREDERICK AHLEMEYER, late of Cass township, Clay county,
was for many years known throughout this vicinity as an industrious and
enterprising farmer, a faithful citizen, a kind neighbor and a loving bus—
band and father. He was born in Prussia. Germany, September 21, 1823,
and his death, which occurred August 17, 1898, at the homestead where he
had so long resided, was a cause of general regret. His parents, William
and Elizabeth (Labedach) Ahlemeyer, emigrated with their family from
Germany to Maryland in 1832. The following year they settled in Cin-
cinnati, Ohio, from there coming a few years later to Wayne county,
Indiana, near Philoma Postoffice, and thence to Cass township, Clay
county, where they bought at first eighty acres of wild land. They subse-
quently bought other land, and on the homestead they improved spent the
remainder of their lives, his death occurring in January, 1850, and hers the
following August.
    The only child of his parents, John Frederick Ahlemeyer succeeded
to the ownership of the homestead which he had assisted in clearing, and
for thirty years after his marriage lived in the house which his father
built. In 1881 he built the pleasant two-story, eight-room house, which
is advantageously located, having an extensive view, and, with its beau-
tiful grove of pine and ornamental trees, enhances the value and attrac-
tiveness of the landscape. The homestead is known as “The Ahlemeyers.”
Inheriting in a marked degree the industry and thrift characteristic of
his German ancestors, he was very successful in his agricultural labors,
adding to the area of his farm until he became owner of three hundred
and seventy-five acres of rich and fertile land, a large part of which he
placed under cultivation. In addition to general farming, Mr. Ahlemeyer
raised fine horses, mules, Hereford cattle, sheep and Poland-China hogs,
as a stock-raiser being fortunate. A man of sterling integrity and worth,
he was held in high esteem by his many friends and associates, of whom a
very large number followed his body to its last resting place in the
Reformed Church cemetery, one mile south of Poland.
    On October 23, 1851, Mr. Ahlemeyer married Hannah Sonnefield,
who was born January 1, 1831, in Prussia, Germany. Her father, William
Sonnefield, was born December 12, 1791, and her mother, whose maiden
name was Catherine Ahlemeyer, was born in 1792 and died in 1851.
    These children were born of the union of Mr, and Mrs. Ahlemeyer,
namely: Cornelia, Edward, Otto, Theodore F., William Calvin, George
Emmo, Laura Lenora, Oscar, Nora Amelia, and Lafayette B. Seven of
these children have passed to the higher life, and three are living:
George E., Nora A. and Lafayette B. George E. Ahlemeyer, born March
20, 1863, married, March 25, 1888, Clara C. Tapy, by whom he had three
children, namely: Paul R., born March 4, 1890; Ruth Elmira and Carl A.,
twins, born September 24, 1897. His wife died March 2, 1899, and since
that time Mr. Ahlemeyer has resided on the home farm with his widowed
mother. Nora Amelia, born September 21, 1869, married, August 12,
1892, William O. Tapy. For five years thereafter she resided in Terre
Haute, and then went to Denver, Colorado, where the death of Mr. Tapy
occurred on December 3, 1899. Since that time she and her only living
child, Virgil Harold Tapy, born February 6, 1896, have resided with her
mother on the Ahlemeyer homestead. One child, Clayborn A., died Sep-
tember 17, 1899, aged almost three years. Lafayette B. Ahlemeyer, born
July 31, 1878, resides on the old homestead, assisting in its management.
    Cornelia, the oldest child of Mr, and Mrs. Ahlemeyer, born August
22, 1852, died March 2, 1883. She married Albert Nees, and of their five
children but one is living, Armeda Aletta, wife of Edward Frazier.
Edward Ahlemeyer, born June 6, 1854, died July 24, 1857. Otto, born
August 16, 1856, died April 3. 1882. Theodore F. born October 31, 1858,
died December 16, 1880. William Calvin, born December 2, 1860, died
August 18, 1888. He married, November 18, 1883, Mary Ann Pierce,
who was born in Vigo county, Indiana, December 7, 1862, a daughter of
Alvin and Adeline (Cashner) Pierce, natives respectively of New York
and Pennsvlvania, and they became the parents of three children, namely:
Victor Odell, born September 6, 1884; Edith Lenora, born August 22,
1886, wife of Walter Shopmeyer, of Illinois; and Otis Frederick, born
December 31, 1887, lives in Terre Haute, Since the death of her hus-
band Mrs. Mary Ann (Pierce) Ahlemeyer makes her home with her
mother-in-law on the Ahlemeyer homestead. Carl Ambrose, twin brother
of George E., died eleven days after his birth. Laura Lenora, born Sep-
tember 24, 1865, married Rev. Otto Jorvis, and died October 1, 1885,
leaving no children. Oscar, born October 21. 1867, died November 20.
1868. Mr. Ahlemeyer was a strong Democrat in politics, and for several
terms rendered excellent service as township trustee. Religiously he was
a valued member of the German Reformed church. Socially he was an
active member of the local grange while it was in existence.