My Genealogy Hound

Reverend Charles G. Kettelhut, pastor of the Zion’s Evangelical church at Lippe, Robinson township, Posey county, Indiana, was born in Pomerania, Germany, February 19, 1866, son of William and Henrietta Kettelhut, natives of the same place. His parents came to America in the fall of 1880 and settled in Freelandville, Knox county, Indiana. Here they engaged in farming and stock raising, and Charles attended the common schools, getting his first lessons in English, although his early education had already been begun in the Fatherland. While going to school he worked on the farm with his parents, but on completing his elementary education he entered the preparatory college at Elmhurst, Ill., in the fall of 1887, graduating with the class of 1891. He was then transferred to Eden Theological Seminary of the Evangelical church at St. Louis, Mo., from which he graduated in 1894. After graduating from the seminary he returned to his home at Freeland, Ind., where he was ordained as a minister of the Zion Evangelical Church and was assigned to the charge at High Hill, Montgomery county, Missouri, in January, 1894, remaining about two years. From there he was called to fill the charge at New Palestine, Ind., remaining there until 1898, when he removed to Powhatan Point, Ohio. He had charge of that congregation until the fall of 1902, going from there to the congregation at Westphalia, Knox county, Indiana, remaining there until April 15, 1906, at which time he accepted the call of the church at Lippe, Robinson township, Posey county, where he has a large and wealthy congregation with a membership of about 100 families. Since his pastorate here the church has prospered and has one of the largest church buildings in the county with a parsonage of brick in connection. Rev. Kettelhut was married October 7, 1894, to Elizabeth R. Preiss, daughter of George and Catherine Preiss, both deceased. George Preiss was very prominent in St. Louis county, Missouri, where several other members of the Preiss family have received political honors. He died in the fall of 1908. He was born in Germany and came to this country with his father at the age of nine years. Mrs. Kettelhut was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, and attended the public schools. They have five children: Herbert, who graduated from the Mt. Vernon High School in 1913 and is now attending the Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Ill.; Freda and Hulda, graduates of the public schools, who are now taking a special course in music; Theophil and Gertrude, both attending the public schools of Robinson township at District No. 6. All the family are active church workers.