From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

page 678

Herman Freygang, harness-maker, Angola, Ind., was born in Uniontown, Stark Co., Ohio, March 4, 1840, a son of Charles J. and Fredericka (Weicht) Freygang. In 1836 Charles Freygang came to the United Stateds from Saxony, Germany. At the time of his landing in New York the Presidential campaign of Clay and Jackson was at white heat. He informed himself on the questions and formed his political opinions, remaining ever after true to the Democratic party. He remained in New York a short time, then went to Bridgeport, Conn., and later to Ohio, where he met and married Fredericka Weicht, a native of Baden, Germany. In 1845 he moved to Steuben County, Ind., and located in Angola, where he opened the first harness shop in the place. He died in August, 1868. His family consisted of six children -- Herman; Elizabeth, wife of George E. Young; Edward; Amelia, wife of Henry P. Hathaway; Julius, and Tillie, the wife of Major Joseph Burch. Herman Freygang received a liberal education and when a young man learned the trade of his father. He has been identified with the interests of the county forty years. At the time his parents settled in Angola there was but one general store in the place. Since his remembrance the county seat of Steuben County has gown to be one of the most properous towns in Northeastern Indiana, log cabins giving place to large and substantial residences, and a thinly settled settlement to a thriving business town. In 1859 Mr. Freygang was married in Branch County, Mich., to Irene Wakefield, daughter of H. A. Wakefield. To them have been born four children; three are living -- Leon, Edward and Charles. Mr. Freygang is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Angola Lodge, No. 236; Angola Chapter, No. 57, and Angola Council, No. 27.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com