Posted on: Randolph Co. Indiana Biographies
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Surname: Aukerman
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History of the Aukerman Family
from Randolph County, Indiana, Past & Present by John Smith and Lee L.
Driver, 1914
Submitted by Danell Aukerman, Corvallis, OR
The name of AUKERMAN has been an honored one in Randolph county for forty
years, and the gentleman of that name who is the immediate subject of this
sketch is richly deserving of the universal respect which is accorded him
by all with whom he is acquinted. He is one of the painstaking and energetic
farmers of Jackson township; still in the fullness of years, he is to be
found at the helm of a large and growing agricultural business.
Manford AUKERMAN was born in German township, Darke county, Ohio, April
25, 1868. He is a son of Daniel AUKERMAN who was born in Darke county,
Ohio, in 1834, there spent his early life, married Sarah Elizabeth SPENCER,
who was born in that county, September 5, 1837., a daughter of William
& Margaret (ERWIN) SPENCER. The father of William SPENCER was Frank SPENCER.
Daniel AUKERMAN finally moved with his family, in 1873, to Randolf county,
Indiana, and located on a farm, now owned and occupied by his only child,
Manford AUKERMAN. The father cleared and improved this farm and devoted
his life to general farmig. His death occurred in 1895. HIs wife died December
5, 1910. They both spent their last years with our subject. They were excellent
people, honest, hard-working and hospitable. Lewis AUKERMAN, father of
Daniel AUKERMAN, was an early pioneer of Germantown, Darke county, Ohio,
and there he spent the rest of his life. He married Elizabeth BROWER. The
AUKERMAN family is of German origin.
Manford AUKERMAN was five years old when he moved with his parents from
Ohio to Randolph county, Indiana, and here he grew to manhood on the homestead
which he assisted his father to develop from the wilds. He received a common
school education. He has remained on the home farm which consists of seventy
acres, and is located in the northeastern corner of the county. He has
kept the place well improved and well cultivated and has a good set of
buildings.
Mr. AUKERMAN was married May 22, 1887, to Anna Jane WELBOURN who was born
in Mississineawa township, Darke county, Ohio, february 9, 1864. She is
the daughter of George J. and Sarah Ann WELBURN, who are still living on
a farm in Ohio, of which state they were natives and in which they have
always resided. They are of English ancestry.
To Mr. and Mrs. AUKERMAN the following children have been born: Bessie
F., born May 28, 1888, married Wesley WHITACRE, a brick mason by trade,
and they reside in Chicago; Lewis C., born June 25, 1893, is attending
Normal school at Muncie, preparing himself for a teacher; Oliver M., born
May 28, 1896; Marshall G., born February 28, 1899. These children have
received excellent educational advantages.
Mr. AUKERMAN and his three sons are members of the Mississinewa Valley
band, which was organized forur years ago and is regarded as one of the
leading bands of the county. This family has much natural ability as musicians.
Our subject has been leader of the choir in the local United Brethren church
for the past fifteen years, and his sons are also members of this choir.
He has attended this church since he was five years old or ever since the
family came to this locality. His father was a leader in the Zion church
choir for many years. Our subject has taught vocal music very successfuly
for several years. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, and politically he is a Democrat. He is a member of the United
Brethren church.