Biography of Charles Elmer Frederick, pages 524/525.  History of DeKalb 
County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, 1914.



Charles Elmer Frederick



	Among the men of sturdy integrity and reliable traits of 
character who have contributed their quota to the advancement of the 
upbuilding of DeKalb county, mention may most consistently be made of 
him whose name appears above, who ranks among the leading public-
spirited citizens of Auburn, where he has maintained his home since 
September, 1907.

	Charles E. Frederick was born on February 25, 1879, at Hudson, 
Indiana, and is the son of Joseph A. and Addie (Chilson) Frederick.  
Joseph A. Frederick was also a native of Hudson, Steuben county, 
Indiana, and was a son of David and Mary (Fisher) Frederick. They came 
from Ohio in the early days and settled in the uncharted woods. Addie 
Chilson, who was also born on a farm near Hudson, is a daughter of 
Benjamin and Margaret (Hagerman) Chilson, who came from Pennsylvania to 
Indiana.

	Charles E. Frederick was reared on the home farm near Hudson, 
attending the public schools and the high schools at Hudson and Ashley. 
When about nineteen years old Mr. Frederick went into a hardware store 
at Hudson, where he was employed as a clerk for four years. Then during 
the following eight years he was a traveling salesman for the Van Camp 
Hardware and Iron Company, of Indianapolis, and upon severing his 
connection with this concern he became associated with the Standard 
Simmons Company, of Toledo, Ohio, as traveling salesman, whom he has 
represented during the last three years. Of good business ability, 
affable disposition and sterling integrity, Mr. Frederick has won 
friends wherever he has gone and has been eminently successful as a 
salesman for the companies he has represented.  He has gained friends 
wherever he has gone and is now one of the most popular residents of 
this community.

	On December 28, 1904, Mr. Frederick married Bertha Ketcham, of 
Hudson, Indiana, the daughter of Joseph and Frances (Grieves) Ketcham. 
She was born at Hudson and received her education there, residing with 
her parents until her marriage. In September, 1907, Mr. Frederick moved 
to Auburn, where he now resides.  He and his wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church at Auburn, and Mr. Frederick has been 
superintendent of the Sunday school there for the last three years.  To 
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick have been born two children, namely: Cortland 
K., born May 6, 1907, and Frances Louise, born February 26, 1912.

	Frances (Grieves) Ketcham was born in Huron county, Ohio, in 
1848, the daughter of Thomas and Jane (Insco) Greives.  When she was 
four years old the family came to Indiana, locating about four and one-
half miles north of Hudson in 1852, and there she was reared and 
remained until her marriage to Mr. Ketcham.  The latter engaged in 
teaching school both before and after marriage, though he was a 
shoemaker by vocation at times when shoes were all made to order, he 
having conducted a successful shoe store and was also postmaster of 
Hudson during President Cleveland’s administration. His death occurred 
in 1889, his wife dying in August, 1906. She was a member of the 
Methodist church, and he was secretary of the Sunday school connected 
with that society.  Joseph Ketcham was the son of Andrew Ingersol 
Ketcham and Mary M. (Guernsey) Ketcham. Mrs. Frederickis one of four 
children born to her parents, of whom two brothers, Albert and one not 
named, died in infancy.  Her sister, Ada G., is now the wife of Frank 
Strock, of Hudson, Steuben county, this state.  Mr. and Mrs. Frederick 
move in the best social circles of their community and enjoy well 
deserved popularity among those who know them, for they have evinced 
qualities of sterling worth and have at all times stood for the best 
interests of the community in every way possible. 



Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com