My Genealogy Hound

JOHN P. FREDRICK, farmer; P. O. Castine; is the son of Peter Fredrick, who came from Germany to America in 1842; there were ten in the family when they crossed the ocean, and it required sixty-three days to make the trip; they landed in New York City in August, and came on West to Montgomery Co., Ohio, coming by water to Columbus, and then by wagon to Dayton, where they arrived after a three-weeks journey; the same season, they came to Darke County and settled in Harrison Township, near the lake; the subject of this sketch remained on the farm with his parents until he had attained his majority; then went to Indiana and worked at the carpenter trade. Was married there Jan. 25, 1852, to Rebecca, daughter of Wm. McFarland, who was an early settler of Butler Township and made the first clearing on the George Coblentz farm; afterward he removed to Randolph Co., Ind.; Rebecca was born in Butler Township, Darke County, March 18, 1833, and was about 3 years old when her parents moved to Indiana; after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick began housekeeping in Randolph County, he working at the carpenter trade there several years; also dealt in merchandise a short time. In 1861, he enlisted in the 40th O. V. I., and was elected 1st Lieutenant of Co. F; after about eighteen months’ service he resigned and returned home, and in 1863 purchased a farm, and has followed farming ever since; in October, 1870, they removed to Darke County, and he purchased a farm in Sec 4, where they resided until the spring of 1875, when they removed to their present farm, known as the Aaron De Camp farm, which he had purchased the previous December. Mr. Fredrick is a substantial, respected citizen, a member of the order of F. & A. M., and both he and his amiable wife are respected members of society. They are the parents of five children, two of whom died in infancy, and three are now living— Flora E., now Mrs. C. F. Bell, of Arcanum; George W. and John E., both at home; a little orphan niece, Iva Murray, also lives with them.