Gerhard Fette

    Gerhard Fette, proprietor of the New Alsace Flouring mills, Kelso Township, was born at New Alsace, Indiana, October 6, 1841. His parents were Frank and Mary A. (Volmering) Fette, both natives of Germany, where they were born, the father January 6, 1811, and the mother September 20, 1812. They were united in marriage in Germany, and from thence, in 1839, immigrated to the United states, landing at Baltimore, from which city they came to Cincinnati, and about one year later moved to New Alsace, Dearborn County, where the father worked at his trade, he being a blacksmith. In 1840 he moved to Oldenburg, Franklin County, this State, and in 1852 moved to New Alsace, where he afterward resided until death, which occurred June 11, 1877. His wife still survives, and resides at New Alsace. They were the parents of seven children: Henry (deceased), Gerhard, Annie, Agnes (deceased), Elizabeth, Mary and Rosa.

    Gerhard, our subject, the second member of the family, learned the blacksmith trade and carriage-making  with his father when a young man, and afterward engaged in the business for a number of year. He was untied in marriage at New Alsace, November 28, 1865 to Elizabeth Klee, who was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, September 1, 1846, and was a daughter of Nichols and Margaret (Hartig) Klee. After his marriage he first settled at Weisburg, this county, where he carried on blacksmithing. In 1872 he moved to Washington, Daviess County, Indiana, and from thence in 1874 to Weisburg, and in 1878 to Ripley County, Indiana, and purchased a mill and engaged in milling two years, then moved his mille to New Alsace and erected the building where it now stands. He is doing an extensive business at present. He is an estimable man, and is well respected by all who know him, They have had born to them ten children: George T., Nicholas H., Frank J., Andrew E., John H., Mary C., Dora M., Margaret M., Martin I., Anthony A. Mr. Fette and family are members of the Catholic Church.

Source: History of Dearborn and Ohio Counties, Indiana by F.E. Weakley & Co., 1885.