AHERNS-Hein

Hein AHRENS

Beckwith, H. W. History of Fountain County, Indiana.
Chicago: H. H. Hill, 1881, p 205, 206

Hein AHRENS (deceased), Attica, was born in Hanover, December 5, 1831. His father was a farmer, and he was reared to the same pursuit. In 1849 he came to America on a visit, and was so pleased with the country, and the advantages it afforded to people to rise in the world, that he decided to remain. He stopped in Ohio and learned the trade of stone-cutting at Little Falls, between Piqua and Dayton. When the Wabash railroad was built to Attica he was employed to put up the piers for the bridge across the Wabash, and during his short residence conceived such a liking for the place that he settled here. He was engaged in stone-cutting and bridge-building as long as he lived; he did work on buildings and country bridges, but was chiefly employed by the railroad company. Mr. BARNHART, of Attica, who has succeeded to the extensive business which both of them carried on, learned his trade with him and was his partner the last fifteen or eighteen years of his life. They owned in company seventy-five acres of land on the west side of the river, on which was situated their quarry, from which was taken the best stone in this section of the country. Mr. AHRENS was married December 4, 1859, to Miss Augusta KEMPER, formerly of Ohio. The following children were born to them: John W., October 11, 1860; Frederick, May 6, 1863, died in infancy; Henry Otto, June 20, 1864; Charles L., November 28, 1866; Anna Matta, August 12, 1869; Kemper Crist, March 17, 1873; and Hein Rudolf, December 3, 1875. Mr. AHRENS was a consistent and devoted member of the Baptist church. His widow also belongs to the same society. He died very suddenly of brain disease, on January 13, 1879. He had provided well for his household and left his family in good circumstances. His life was insured in the Odd-Fellows Association for $2,500. He was an industrious, trustworthy, and highly respected citizen.