HANSELL-NEIMEYER-SMITH-EWBANK-HALL HOME PLACE

(From the Chalmers, Indiana Centennial Book, 1973): "From 1811 to 1818 about one hundred families emigrated from Thirsk, Yorkshire, England, and settled around the East and West Fords (sic: Forks?) of Tanners Creek in southeast Indiana. They had heard that the government land could be purchased there for two dollars per acre, payable in four annual installments. These sturdy people crossed the Atlantic in sailing ships. After embarking at eastern ports, their possessions were loaded onto wagons drawn by horses or oxen to cross the Allegheny Mountains. Double or triple teams were used to go up the slopes and a log was dragged for a brake to go down. When a river was reached, possessions were put on flatboats to float down-stream to the desired location. The journey was continued overland for seven miles to reach the land for which they had contracted. Then began the task of clearing land and erecting buildings. Life was hard for these pioneers but they were a dedicated, disciplined people and reared their children to be upright citizens. Many of them had been followers of John Wesley in England so a Methodist class was organized. In 1821, a church, which is still in use, was built of native stone. Among the pioneers were David Ewbank Smith and Martha Grubbs who grew up and married as did Robert Hansell and Catherine Roberts. Evelyn, a daughter of the Smiths, and Grant, a son of the Hansells, moved to Sheldon, Ill. Here, the three children were born. They later moved to the Judd farm in the Chalmers [IN] community. The family saw a brick church being built in Chalmers. This building was to replace the frame Methodist one which had burned. They became active members of this church and interested in community affairs. For many years, they drove a horse drawn hack to transport school children over dirt roads. Stone roads were constructed later and a mail route was established in 1904. A 160 acre farm, which lay just west of where the family lived, was purchased. This was called "Hillcrest" because of the rolling terrain. On the farm is "Mt. Jackson", the highest point between Indianapolis and Chicago. An old frame schoolhouse on the property was moved to a better building site and remodeled into a modern home. The father died in 1911 before this project was completed. The mother and children worked hard to carry on the work and later added another 40 acres to the farm. Clarence married Mary Risinger in 1908. Their two daughters are Mary Kathryn, who married Paul Whitaker, and Jane Ann, married to Bogdon Mareachen. The Whitaker children are Beatrice, David, Allen, Richard, and Joseph. The Mareachen's daughters are Mary Ann, Jo Ann, Cathy, Juliet and Ruth. The Children of Beatrice and Donald Yoder are: Tony, Max, Michael, Randall, Terry, Kevin, Mark and Sidonna. Those of a second marriage to David Steere are Nadine, Scott and Thomas. Tony Yoder married Carla Perkins. They have a son Trevor. The sons of David and Donna Sheets Whitaker are: Douglas, Gregory and Kurtis. Allen married Evelyn Meier and their children are: Wayne, Linda and Robert. Richard and Beverly Arrington Whitaker are the parents of Darren, Jeffrey and Tracey. Joseph married Carolyn Winger and their daughter is Christina. Clyde married Audrey Piper who is deceased. Their children are Marilyn, Robert and Richard. Marilyn is married to Arthur Shenk and their daughters are Karen and Claire. Karen and husband Jack Custer have a daughter, Andrea. Claire is married to Steven Morrison. Robert Hansell married Noreen Lutz. In their family are Vicki, Barbara, Susan and Todd. The sons of Richard and Regina Minnicus Hansell are Lawrence, Ronald, Dennis and Mark. Lawrence's wife is the former Judith Schill and they have a son, Kenneth. Ronald married Rosemarie Niemeyer [sic: Neimeyer], Dennis--Meredith Willif [sic: Willis] and Mark--Elizabeth Jennings. The latter couple have a daughter, Bevin, and son Joshua.

Family Tree Maker Reports and Trees

• Ronald S Hansell - InterneTree


• User Home Page Genealogy Report: Descendants of Henry Bradrig


• User Home Page Genealogy Report: Descendants of Thomas Hansell


• User Home Page Genealogy Report: Descendants of Francis Hansell


• User Home Page Genealogy Report: Descendants of John Hansell


• User Home Page Genealogy Report: Descendants of Nicolai Minikus

Related Links

• R. Stephen Hansell Law Office Home Page & Added Attractions