Frehse, William Wesley “Wes” and Amelia Memorial Scholarship Fund

Donor Fund Story:

William Frehse was born in Enterprise, IL on March 23, 1880. Upon his mother’s death William was sent to live in Huntingburg where he stayed with various families. William met and married Amelia in Huntingburg, IN on September 13, 1903. They were blessed to have a son, Russell. Amelia was born in Huntingburg in March 1881. Mrs. Frehse attended school through the 8th grade. Amelia was a housewife while William was a farmer. The Frehse’s passed away in 1952; their trust is their legacy and is a perfect example of community support. It demonstrates that they value community development and sustainability.

Russell Frehse founded this scholarship in honor and memory of his parents, Wes and Amelia Frehse. Russell was a dedicated historian of Noble County. He was always in the Noble County Library and was on the library board. He was quite active in the Noble County Historical Society and he wanted to start a historical society in Kendallville, Indiana. Russell was one of the key people to get the genealogy department started and was always doing research in Kendallville and Albion in his later days. He was named Kendallville’s citizen of the year in 2003. He wrote “The Courthouse Book” and spent a lot of time on it. One of Russell’s greatest historical finds was how the name of Noble County came to be. He was asked to be County Historian, but he declined the position. His personality was considered quiet, but he was an interesting man to talk to.