Vanderburgh County
Biographies
GEN.
ROBERT
M.
EVANS.
The
author's
first
knowledge
and
acquaintance
of Gen. Robert M. Evans was
in February, 1837. At that time General Evans was a little past middle
age, but showed signs of the effect of camp life while engaged in the
war of 1812-1813 in suppressing the Indians that infested the territory
of Indiana, and the states of Kentucky and Illinois. He was a general
under General Harrison, whose headquarters at that time were at
Vincennes, Indiana. He was at the battle of Tippecanoe in command of a
regiment or brigade, and was on the staff of General William Henry
Harrison.
General
Evans
located
in
New
Harmony,
Indiana, about 1826 and kept a hotel at
that place. He came to Evansville a second time about 1828 and bought a
half interest in Hugh McGary's purchase, and laid out the city of
Evansville above Main street, known as the original plan of Evansville.
General
Harrison
and
General
Evans,
so
long as they both lived, were warm
friends, and in 1839 General Harrison visited him at Evansville.
This
country
was
then
full
of
military enthusiasm and there were three
substantially equipped volunteer companies, well-drilled in this city
and county.
Three
companies
escorted
General
William
Henry
Harrison and General Evans,
who went arm in arm from the Evans homestead through the various
streets of the city.
Not
many
years
after
this,
these
two great and distinguished patriots
passed to the beyond, beloved and respected by thousands.
It
is
said
that
in
the early part of 1827, Rev. Alexander Campbell visited
New Harmony and stopped at the community hotel, and while there General
Evans had a lively religious controversy with the celebrated divine.
General Evans' family consisted, at this time, of himself and wife, son
Cornelius and daughter, Miss Julia Evans, a beautiful young woman. His
brother's name was Leyl [sic], and his sisters were Mrs. Dr. Thompson
and Mrs. John Schnee. When he was a candidate for Congress he stumped
the district.
HENRY
FITCH
BLOUNT.
Henry
F.
Blount
was
born
in
Richmond, Ontario county, New York, May 1, 1829.
His father, Walter Blount, came to western New- York from Norwich,
Conn., when a boy, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. The family
came originally from England, late in the 17th century, and settled in
Massachusetts. Walter Blount, the father of Henry, was a woolen
manufacturer, carried on the business first in Ontario county, New
York, and in the winter of 1830 moved to Cattaraugus county, where he
bought a larger mill, and in which the son learned the rudiments of the
trade; and it was under the training and influence of his father, whose
methods were ever of the humanitarian order, that the sou was imbued
with that spirit of fair dealing with the men in his employ, which has
made his career as a manufacturer so successful.
On
the
death
of
the
father, which occurred in 1845, the son was placed in a
country store, (" commercial house," the young men of today would call
it) to learn the methods and principles of business; and it was a happy
circumstance that the father's training was supplemented by one equally
as favorable-in another department, for it was here that the more
mature lad learned those business methods which he ever after
practiced, and to which he attributes his success as a financier. After
three years and a quarter the young man concluded to take the advice of
Horace Greely, and "go west and grow up with the country." And so, in
the autumn 1849, he started, going via Lake Erie to Detroit, and from
there to New Buffalo by rail, and across the lake by steamer. There was
no railway running into Chicago from the east at that time. His first
winter was spent in Peoria, 111., the following summer in Iowa, from
whence he went to Worthington, Ind., in the autumn. Here he began his
first business life, as a partner with George W. Langworthy, with whom
he was associated for eight years.
Having
succeeded
far
beyond
his
expectations,
he sought the larger field of
business in the growing city on the Ohio river, where he spent the next
twenty-six years — from 1860 to 1886 — really all the remainder of his
active business life.
The
first
ten
years
of
his
life in Evansville was devoted to the foundry
business, as partner and financial manager in the firm of Roelker,
Blount & Co. He also became a partner, and was the financial
manager of the firm of James Urie & Co. in 1867. In the winter of
1869-70 he sold his interest in the foundry business, and six months
later became the sole owner of the Blount Plow Works (the successor to
the Urie Company.) This establishment, from the small dimensions which
it possessed in 1867, has grown to its present immense capacity by
virtue of that sort of genius which comprehends the capacity of every
one in his employ, and to put every man in the place he is best fitted
the fill, and above all to recognize in every workman a fellow man.
This alone is a good reason why a strike has never occurred in his
establishment. Mr. Blount was married while living at Worthington to
Martha Baird, by whom he had three children, two of whom are still
living, Frederick, the president of the Lone Star Salt Co., of Texas,
and Rose, who lives with her two children at Kalamazoo, Mich. She was
married to Samuel B. Nisbet, of Evansville. Martha died in 1862. The
second marriage was in 1864 to Lucia A. Eames, of Kalamazo, Mich. By
this marriage six children were born, four of whom are living, two
daughters and two sons.
In
the
summer
of
1886
Mr. Blount and family went to Europe, more especially to
study the French language, as he had become convinced that it was
practicably an impossibility for one taught a foreign language in this
country to speak it with any degree of fluency. They lived a year most
delightfully in a villa near the old city of Tours, in France, and
another at that charming old French-Swiss city, Geneva. In the autumn
of 1888 the family returned to America, and settled in Washington, and
have for a number of years lived at "the Oaks," the most charming of
the many famous old homes on Georgetown Heights. This grand old mansion
was built by the Beverlys, of Virginia, (the local historians of
Washington's time) in 1805, and was occupied by them till about 1821,
when it was bought by the Calhouns, John C. and his brother, who
occupied it till about 1832-33.
It
was
here
that
they
entertained Lafayette when he last visited this country.
The
life
in
Evansville
was
always
characteristic of the man ; ever ready to
advance the interests of his adopted city, whether in its business or
its literary improvement. When by the philanthropic gift of the Hon.
Willard Carpenter the library was built, Mr. Blount was chosen as the
president of its board of trustees, and held that position as long as
he remained in the city. He was also a member of the board of directors
of the Evansville National bank, and of the Old National for many
years, and was instrumental in organizing the first railway leading out
of the city to the east, and gave us our first direct connection with
Louisville through Southern Indiana. In politics Mr. Blount was a
republican, but in city affairs often cut loose from party, believing
that in municipal affairs party should give way for capability and
integrity. His church affiliation was with the Walnut Street
Presbyterian, but in his religious belief, like his political, his
range was not confined to the sect to which he had attached himself,
but believed that there "was good in all, but none all good." In his
new home in the nation's capitol, he seems to have carried the same
characteristics as pervaded his life in Evansville. He has been for a
number of years president of the board of trustees of the Industrial
Home School, is vice president of the Central Dispensary and Emergency
Hospital, chairman of the committee on parks and reservations of the
board of trade, and member of the executive committee of the American
Security and Trust Company, the largest monetary institution in the
city, except those of the government. And while his head shows the
effects of the frosts of a good many winters, his sixty-seven years
have not been able perceptibly to diminish the elasticity of his step,
or the cheerfulness of his disposition. His old friends, his business
associates, and his employees all extend to him the hand of welcome as
each year brings him to his old home to sit down with his workmen and
their families at the annual dinner which he provides for them on the
first day of May, his birthday. May he live long to do this.
CARL
F.
ROSENKRANZ.
Carl
F.
Rosenkrauz
was
born
in
Koenigsberg, Prussia, February 25, 1810. He
was the fourth son of a family of seven sons and two daughters,
children of Gottfried and Renate Rosenkranz. Six of the sons served in
the Prussian army ; the oldest afterwards received an appointment as
royal forrester. The second learned the trade of a blacksmith, while
the four others learned the trade of their father, who was a builder of
tower clocks long before machine-made clocks were thought of. The
mother of these boys and girls, all of whom inherited robust physiques,
was the daughter of a foundry man named Werner.
The
subject
of
this
sketch
served
as a member of a royal grenadier regiment
for a number of years after his first enlistment term of three years.
He then established himself in the business of watch-making at
Baerwalde, an old-time fortress, where on the 10th of February, 1840,
he married the widow of Samuel Speck, who was six years his senior and
the mother of two sons and two daughters. The oldest of these sons, Wm.
A. Speck, is an honored and well-to-do citizen of Owensville, in this
state, and the other, Samuel E. Speck, of Gray- ville, Illinois. On the
26th of October, 1842, the only child of this union was born and named
Albert Carl. The revolution of 1848 involved some of the relatives of
the Rosenkranz family, who, with many others, concluded that a change
-of climate would benefit them; and they left their native land for the
home of the free and the brave ; some settling in Texas, others in
Wisconsin.
In
the
early
spring
of
1850, Carl F. Rosenkranz and his wife sold their town
and farm property, and in May started, with their five children, from
Bremerhaven for the new home beyond the seas ; the north of Texas, by
way of New Orleans, being their destination.
After
a
tedious
voyage
of
nine
weeks on a crowded emigrant sailing vessel,
they reached New Orleans on the 5th of July, 1850. During this long
voyage a difference sprang up between those who were to form the Texas
colony, and they concluded to separate. Mr. Rosenkranz embarking with
his family on the first boat that left for the Ohio river, with no
definite plans as to where they would land. On shipboard they had
formed some acquaintance with a family who were going to join relatives
living near Evansville ; and their good account of this locality
induced them to stop here. Mosquitoes and prickly heat tortured the new
comers on their trip up the river, and all were glad when their long
journey came to an end and they could again rest on terra firma, though
strangers among people speaking a language they could not understand.
An independent life in a free country had been Mr. Rosenkranz's ideal ;
consequently he did not stop long in the very common-place village on
the Ohio ; and with the aid of Martin Schmoll, who made a business of
looking after newly arrived Germans, he bought a farm, near what is now
Inglefield, from James White; who, with many others, had caught the
California gold fever.
Farm
life
was
made
romantic
enough,
and here this son, Albert C., started to
learn the English language, in the rude country school where his
knowledge of arithmetic, geography and a little Latin caused him to be
regarded with wonder by the other scholars, who had thought all green
Dutchmen were stupid.
In
about
a
year
the romance of farm life gave way to the American spirit
of money-making ; and as watch-making in town seemed the better medium,
before long a modest sign " C. F. Rosenkranz, Watchmaker," appeared on
the window of a little house on Second street, between Main and
Sycamore streets. His skill brought him customers, and finding a buyer
in the person of Fred. Fenchler, who had recently removed here from New
Orleans, he sold the farm and invested the proceeds in the property
then owned by Harrington & Lockhart on Second street, adjoining the
present B. M. A. building. Here Mr. Rosenkranz labored with unremitting
industry for seventeen years, his son entering the business at the age
of thirteen, as an apprentice, in 1855, rendering valuable assistance
for six years until he entered the union army in 1862. At the close of
the war the son, then a major of the fourth Indiana cavalry regiment,
returned home and re-entered the business, which continued for two
years under the name of C. F. Rosenkranz & Son. The very close
attention given by Mr. Rosenkranz during so many years to business,
dwarfing in its effect on the mental and physical powers, with the
absence of congenial society, combined to produce a discontented state
of mind which culminated in a long visit to Europe by Mr. Rosenkranz.
His wife remained here where all her children were located and
prospering. Thus the family separated in 1868 and were never re-united.
Mr. Rosenkranz traveled extensively and finally entered to rest on the
1st day of January, 1886, in Baerwalde, Germany. His wife had gone
before him, on the 21st day of July, 1884. This short history of the
life of Carl F. Rosenkranz, as it relates to his connection with
Evansville, would be lacking if nothing were said about the character
of this man, which exerted an influence at the time and determined the
career of his son.
He
had
superior
intellectual
gifts,
was an ardent lover of nature, detested
shams of all kinds, was an agnostic in religion yet loved mankind. He
endeared himself to the few who knew him intimately. No son ever had a
more affectionate father and friend.
WILLIAM
A.
HESTER.
The
energetic
school
superintendent,
Professor
William
A. Hester, inherits
the talent and qualities of progress he possesses from a long line of
ancestors who have been in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal
church. His father, his grandfather and some of his relatives have been
teachers of God's sacred word, and at the same time were of that class
of pioneer men whose services to their fellow-men aided in the
development of the present state of education and civilization.
Mr.
Hester
was
born
in
Indianapolis,
on March 17, 1858. His father, at the
time, was pastor of one of the Methodist churches there. He was
graduated from DePauw university in 1881, and his scholarship there
ranked high. Previous to his graduation he had adopted the profession
of teacher. For four years he was a teacher in the schools of
southeastern Indiana, two of which years were immediately before he
received his degree from DePauw, and the other two immediately after.
Before the close of the year 1882, he was selected as principal of the
high school at Owensboro, a position he filled without intermission
from that time until he became connected with the schools of this city
in 1890, as principal of the Campbell Street school. His excellence in
his chosen work was so clear that in 1894 he was unanimously selected
by the school trustees as superintendent of the public schools here,
and he is still filling with credit to himself and profit to the
schools and satisfaction to the city this responsible and important
position. He has well demonstrated his thoroughness in his work, his
comprehensiveness of the best methods of developing the tender young
minds, his progressive ideas and approved system of teaching, and his
masterful attention to detail as well as routine work. He has had but
one general aim all along, and that is "forward." He has spared no
personal effort, he has shunned no reasonable sacrifice to make his
labors profitable to those under his supervision. He has not been
neglectful in applying every form of progress, every new and approved
educational method, every inductive plan that has been successfully
tried, every devised way that would enlist the beginner and hold the
attention and interest. In the primary department, where the best work
is done, he has been especially felicitous. It is here that a man's
superior powers of teaching are shown, or the lack of such powers are
disclosed ; it is here that so many teachers fail in their ability to
develop the active young intellect, seeking for new light and new
knowledge. Success here is success in every higher grade of learning.
The pupil is led up through the different grades so skillfully that the
art of literary expression becomes a delight and an ease. Expression,
by tongue or pencil, in this modern life is necessary, and correctness
of expression is a proud achievement. This has been one of the ultimate
objects of Mr. Hester's plan of education. He has associated with him
in this work a corps of competent and wide-awake teachers, and without
flattery to him or disparagement to any of his predecessors, it may be
said that the schools were never more ably taught than at the present.
The
high
school
is
separated
into
departments, with a specialist over each.
All the various schools throughout the city are successfully and
honestly taught.
It
may
be
said
of
Mr. Hester that he is a man of fine administrative ability.
His excellent scholarship, his deep earnestness, his conscientious
work, his gentlemanly qualities, his charitable disposition, his regard
for the feelings of others distinguished him at once as a man eminently
fitted for the great position he is so ably filling. He is
indefatigable in his labors, and never wearies in carrying out his
purposes and plans.
WILLIAM
HUGHES.
William
Hughes
arrived
in
New
York
from Ireland in 1837. After making quite a
tour of the country, he heard of a flourishing paper mill in Madison,
Indiana, which he hoped to secure. Failing in this, he embarked in the
dry goods business in that town with William Griffin. In 1839 he
married Miss Emelia Davidson, and shortly afterward moved to
Evansville. He built the brick store on Main street opposite the
Gilbert-Miller building, and opened one of the first dry goods houses
in the city. He afterwards sold the building to Richard Raleigh and
moved to the corner of Second and Main streets, where he conducted the
same business for many years. Moving into larger quarters as the city
improved, he combined wholesale and retail.
His
business
career
was
very
successful.
He was a clear-headed,
conservative business man. His honor was dearer to him than life, and
he adhered to the strictest integrity in all his transactions. Mr.
Hughes was much interested in the cause of education, actively using
his influence in promoting the establishment of the public schools, and
was one of the first board of trustees. He was a devoted and sincere
Christian — a member of the Catholic church, and always foremost in any
effort for the cause of religion. He passed away in his seventy- fifth
year, leaving a name honored and respected by all who knew him. Three
sons and two daughters survive him. Two of the sons continue the
business, Alfred and Reuben. The third is a successful merchant at
Marshall, Illinois.
SILAS
STEPHENS.
It
is
not
because
Silas
Stephens married the only daughter of General Robert
M. Evans — Julia Ann — that entitles him to public recognition in a
brief biographical sketch, but on account of his own worth and acts. In
1837 Mr. Stephens was the sole proprietor of the only saddlery in the
town. After disposing of his business to the author and his brother,
Dr. William M. Elliott, he engaged in the sawmill business on the river
front. He was the owner of the first steam sawmill built in Vanderburgh
county. Naturally he succeeded in this.
The
elements
of
success
were
in
him. Then he engaged in farming in Center
township, developing a rare tact for managing land to the best
advantage. A little past middle life he yielded to death. He was a man
held in great respect for his integrity and high manly principles. His
wife had entered upon her long rest shortly before him. Their only
daughter, Mrs. Jane E. Scantlin, is now living in this city.
CADWALADER M. GRIFFITH.
In
1837
Cadwalader
M.
Griffith opened the first regular hardware store in
the town. A man of thorough business qualities, he succeeded rapidly in
building up a large trade. His business career was cut off by death in
early life. A widow, daughter and two sons survived him.
His
daughter
afterward
became
Mrs.
Dr.
S. W. Thompson. His elder son is now
a partner in the Orr hardware store, of this city; the other son is a
farmer in Knox county, Ind. The death of Mr. Griffith was a loss to
business. He was universally respected, and was a member of the
Episcopal church, and a consistent Christian.
.
J.
B.
THOMAS.
The
subject
of
this
sketch
was
born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania,
March 28, 1821. At the age of twenty-five he embarked in the coal
business on the Monongahela river in Pennsylvania, loading coal in
barges and shipping the same to Cincinnati, Louisville, Memphis and New
Orleans. In 1854 he moved to Pittsburg, still operating his coal mines.
Five years later, with that shrewd business sagacity that would gain
the advantage of competition by reducing the expenses of
transportation, he opened up a large coal mine on Green river,
Kentucky, and shipped his coal to Memphis, Tennessee. In 1860 he
located in Evansville, still operating his coal mines on Green river,
near South Carrolton, Kentucky. He opened up a large new coal mine in
Spottsville, Kentucky, in 1862, and brought this coal to the Evansville
market. He brought the first Green river coal to this city that was
ever in the market. While in the coal business he owned and commanded
several steamboats. He purchased the First avenue coal mines, in this
city, in 1877, and operated the same up to the time of his death, which
occurred January 26, 1892.
He
was
married
to
Miss
Elizabeth Van Hook, who was also born in West Moreland
county, Pennsylvania. Their children are : Malisa, now Mrs. J. H.
Lozier, of Cleveland, Ohio ; C. C. Thomas, of Evansville, Indiana ; E.
R. Thomas, at present in the bicycle manufacturing business at Toronto,
Ontario, Canada; O. F. Thomas , and L. B. Thomas, both now in
Cleveland, Ohio ; and F. W. Thomas, in the railroad business in
Memphis, Tennessee. J. B. Thomas enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment
and served in the Mexican war. He was a man of fine business perception
and great activity, and while engrossed with heavy, pressing business
duties, he never forgot the qualities that make a gentleman, in the
best sense of that word. He was always an engaging man, gentle to his
family and kind to all. He was a most thorough man in all his
undertakings, and omitted no honorable opportunity that would
contribute to success.
All
his
life
he
had
been
a useful, successful man, and his death was a
source of great regret.
C.
C.
Thomas,
his
son,
became the successor of his father in the coal
business. He has had charge of the First avenue mines ever since his
father's death. He is an enterprising, industrious man, always having
an eye to business.
F.
H.
RAGON.
No
citizen
of
Evansville
was more endeared to the business public, or had
Won a more enduring and deserved reputation for honest business methods
and fair dealing and prime manhood than Mr. Ferdinand H. Ragon, a brief
sketch of whose life is presented in this connection.
No
pen
can
be
too
sympathetic or too heroic to picture the man in the fullness
he deserves or in the true, pure character he lived. His instincts, in
the first place, were right and had been rightly trained. His full and
conscious knowledge of humanity always led him to act justly and kindly
toward every one. His broad, liberal spirit — so endowed by nature —
considered men and their acts from the high standpoint of charity and
forgiveness. His whole life was exemplary, as this all-too-brief'
biography will reveal.
Mr.
Ragon's
native
town
was
Russellville,
Kentucky, and the year of his
nativity was 1826. There he received such education as country towns
then afforded, and laid the basis, at least in some degree, for his
subsequent successful business career. When quite a young man, indeed
in his eighteenth year, he started out to discover what life had in
store for him. Correct always in his habits and wants, the talent and
services of such a young man did not wait long for recognition or
employment. At Cadiz, Trigg county, Ky., he found employment as clerk
in the general mercantile store of Abner R. Terry. On the death of Mr.
Terry four years later, Mr. Ragon, by economy and thrift, had
accumulated enough money to go into the general mercantile business for
himself. This venture was made in 1848, and he continued in it there
till 1864. Fickle fortune never frowned upon him very long at a time,
and these sixteen years of business for himself in Cadiz brought him
neat and satisfactory returns. He felt the need of a larger field for
business, and he came to Evansville in 1864, in war times, when prices
were fluctuating in the business thermometer among the hundreds, so to
speak. In this new field he entered into the wholesale grocery
business. Here in Evansville, on entering the wholesale grocery
business, he associated with himself Mr. Ebenezer Dickey under the
firm name of Ragon & Dickey. Four years afterward — that was in
1868 — Capt. F. P. Carson took an interest in the firm, which now took
the firm name of Ragon, Dickey & Carson.
The
latter
gentleman
disposed
of
his
interest to Mr. E. G. Ragon, brother
of Mr. F. H. Ragon, and retired in 1870. The firm name was then changed
to Ragon, Dickey & Ragon. Three years afterward Mr. Dickey disposed
of his interest to the two brothers and withdrew, from which time on
the business was conducted under the firm name of Ragon Brothers. They
builded up a large trade in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Their punctuality, reliability and great desire to please those who
dealt with them won for them not only an enviable place in business
circles, but a splendid reputation for honesty and fair dealing. An eye
always to business, they came at length to read the market fluctuations
almost with prophetic insight and gave their customers the benefit of
this superior skill. Of course, such great application to business must
needs bring success. In their particular class of business they were
regarded as representative men, as commercial leaders, as setting the
business pace. Said the Evausville Courier at the time of Mr. F. H.
Ragon's death : ''The deceased, the founder of the establishment, was a
man of extraordinarily clear business qualifications, shrewdness and
commercial tact possessed by few in Evansville."
So
much
for
the
life of this man in the "busy mart of trade." No one can
be a successful business man without the requisite capital of geniality
and kindness. Mr. F. H. Ragon possessed these happy qualities in a
remarkable degree, and made it a rule of life to make no enemies if it
could be avoided. As a result of such a high and beautiful course in
life his friends were all who knew him. The inflexible realities of
business had not hardened his nature and rendered him stony and
unapproachable, but superior to such crystalizing influences, he seemed
to grow only the more cordial and entertaining, like one smiling at the
indurate hand of baffled fate. In his social family relations he was
greatly beloved, and his home was one of the happiest.
He
was
married
twice.
He
was the father of three children by his first wife,
whose death occurred in 1867. These children are Daniel S., Mallie
(Mrs. Rosser S. Rock) and Addie (Mrs. T. M. Carothers.) He was married
again in 1869, and to-him was born out of this union a son named Claude.
As
a
Christian
Mr.
Ragon
respected and revered the profound teachings of the
Bible. His great practical good sense would not allow him to entertain
flimsy views leading away from the well-known truth of the "man of his
counsel." Long years before, when a citizen of Cadiz, he united with
the Baptist church, in which denomination he always retained his
churchly relationship. However, being a warm friend of Rev. Dr. Martin,
of Grace Presbyterian church— of which his wife was a member — he
became a regular attendant on the services there in the latter part of
his life. His religious convictions were deep and abiding.
After
the
death
of
Mr.
F.
H. Ragon the business was continued by E. G. Ragon
and Daniel S. Ragon, son of the deceased. Mr. E. G. llagon was born at
Russellville, Ky., iu , and when a young man went to Cadiz, Ky., and
entered into business with his brother. There he prospered. He married
Miss Sallie McKinney,of that town. He came to Evansville in 1869, and
as previously stated, engaged in the wholesale grocery business with
his brother. From that time on it was no longer a question of business
prosperity, but a question of enlarging the volume of trade and
extending the territory of their transactions.
When
the
mantle
of
business
fell
on the shoulders of Mr. E. G. Ragou and
nephew, it was pushed on with the same old nerve and vigor, and
prosperity and satisfactory dividends were theirs. Daniel S. Ragon was
born at Cadiz, Ky., in 1857, and removed to Evansville with his father
in 1864. His schooling was secured in the public schools of this city.
In one capacity or another he has been connected with the firm of Ragon
Brothers ever since the adoption of that name. He married Miss Eva
Johnson, December, 1878.
As
a
concluding
word
it
may be added that no wholesale grocery house in the
city is more careful in filling and shipping its orders promptly, or
carries on a larger volume of business than the firm of Ragon Brothers.
It is a cardinal business principle with them to please their
customers, and therefore they never loose trade they have once secured.
THE
SHANKLIN
FAMILY.
A
merchant's
life
usually
is without positive incident. A mercantile
career, however, is an expression of the force of character and
intellect in him. It requires talent to succeed, and John Shanklin was
a prosperous merchant.
His
life
began
near
Derry,
Donegal
county, Ireland, on February 17, 1795.
His father before him perished in the Irish rebellion in 1798. The son,
named after his father, obtained the fragmentary education of an Irish
farmer boy. When thirteen years old he was apprenticed in a general
store in Donegal. After five years in the store, when eighteen, he
sailed for the United States, and in New York entered a wholesale
hardware establishment. Three years afterward he became a salesman for
a hardware dealer at Frankfort, Ky. The accidental loss of a foot at
this time necessitated his adoption of the profession of a school
teacher, which he followed for three years, most of the time at
Shelbyville (Ky.) and vicinity. He then entered the auction store of
Ormsby, at Louisville, as a clerk, and in a short time young Shanklin
was placed as manager of a branch house at Newcastle, Ky. On the
failure of Ormsby, the young man purchased a stock of goods at
Shelbyville, and one Moffatt was his partner. In six months they
removed to Evansville — December 3, 1823. But their stock of dry goods
was too large for the new location, and Moffatt took a half and located
at Cynthiana, Ind., while Shanklin continued in business here with the
other half. Their partnership was dissolved in 1827, and Shanklin
continued the business alone till 1832 ; then to 1837 as Shanklin &
Co.; then under other firm styles, until he retired from business on
January 1, 1872. His accounts on earth closed January 11, 1877. He was
an active, leading member of Walnut Street Presbyterian church. He was
a man of scrupulous integrity, valuing his honor and credit above
earthly estimate, and reflecting moral principles in his daily life.
This
is
the
first
early
ancestor
of five generations who have lived in this
city up to the present moment. Edith Wilson — nee Bradford — the
seventh generation from William Bradford, who came over in the historic
Mayflower, was the grandmother of John Shanklin's children; Major
Bezaleel Howe, of Revolutionary fame, was their great grand- uncle ;
their mother was Philura Fillmore French. The names of these children
are James Maynard Shanklin, Malvina French Shanklin, John Gilbert
Shanklin, George William Shanklin, and Osborne Henry Shanklin.
James
Maynard
Shauklin
in
early
life
disclosed marked mental acumen. The law
'was his profession, and at the time Fort Sumter was fired upon he was
prosecuting attorney of the circuit court. When the news of the
bombardment reached Evansville, it aroused the people and temporarily
suspended business. The patriotic young prosecutor, pale and excited,
in his tragic style, addressed the grand jury in these words : " There
is no more business for the grand jury to-day, and with the consent of
the court, Judge Parrett, I feel it my duty to request that the grand
jury and the court adjourn. At this moment matters of grave importance
await every patriot. Fort Sumter has been fired upon, the flag
dishonored, and all loyal eyes and hearts are turned in that direction.
I, for one. shall enter the conflict in defense of my country's flag."
And his army record is a brilliant one. As lieutenant-colonel of the
42d Indiana volunteer infantry, he took part in the battles of
Wartrace, Perryville and Stone River. He was wounded at Perryville, an
exploding shell tearing away part of the scalp. The wound was dressed,
he returned to the fight. He commanded his regiment at Stone River, and
was captured while leading a forlorn hope in the last day of the
battle. After confinement in prison at Atlanta and Libby — five months
in the latter place and two in the former — he was exchanged. After his
return home from the war, he died suddenly of acute laryngitis He left
a widow and son but two years old, who is now a member of the firm of
Shanklin & King, brokers and real estate agents, Chicago' Malvina
French Shanklin married John Marshal Harlan, now a justice of the
supreme court of the United States, appointed by President Hayes. The
date of her marriage was December 23, 1856.
Their
children
and
grand
children
were
: Edith Shanklin Harlan, who became
the wife of Frank Linus Child, of Worcester, Massachusetts. She died
leaving a daughter Edith Harlan Child, who lives with her grandparents,
Justice and Mrs. Harlan. Rev. Richard Davenport Harlan, of Rochester,
New York, married Margaret Prouty, of Geneva, New York. James Shanklin
Harlan is an unmarried lawyer of Chicago. John Maynard Harlan is a
lawyer also of Chicago, and he married Miss Elizabeth Flagg, of
Yonkers, New York. They have one daughter, Elizabeth, five years old.
John
Gilbert
Shanklin
was
educated
at
Kenyon college, Gambier, Ohio, and
afterwards took a course at the university of Berlin, Germany. He was
elected secretary of the state of Indiana in 1878, and served from 1879
to 1881. He was defeated for re-election- in 1880. This is the only
public office he has ever held. At present he is the owner and editor
of the Courier, and his editorials show critical analysis and broad
reading. They have the polish and tone of a close student of the
humanities, and are widely quoted for their profound penetration into
obstruse economical questions. Every editorial shows ripe scholarship
and skillful thinking. He married Miss Gertrude Arms Avery, and they
have two children, Susanna Avery Shanklin and Malvina Harlan Shanklin.
George
William
Shanklin
was
the
fourth
child of John and Philura Fillmore
Shanklin. He was always associated with his brother, John Gilbert, in
the business of the Courier. He bought the Courier in 1866, soon after
it was established. John Gilbert was then in Europe, traveling and
attending the Berlin university. He returned in 1868, and the brothers
sold, in 1869, to Messrs. Lauenstein. But in 1874 they repurchased the
plant, since which time they have controlled it. George William died a
bachelor in Washington City, D. C., February 6, 1897. His remains were
cremated and the ashes scattered on the graves of his parents in this
city.
Osborne
Henry
Shanklin
died
at
a
little over the age of four years
WILLIAM
REILLY.
William
Reilly,
born
in
Drutnmond,
county
Armagh, Ireland, August 12, 1813,
came to America in 1838, and he came directly to Evansville. He entered
the postoffice as a clerk under F. E. Goodsell, which position he
filled until the year 1840, when he opened a wholesale and retail
grocery on the corner of Main and Second streets, having formed a
partnership with his cousin, James Reilly, under the firm name of "J.
& W. Reilly." This business was carried on successfully for several
years, until the death of James Reilly in 1854, after which William
Reilly engaged in the commission business until his death in 1872. Mr.
Reilly married Mary French Willson, who survived him many years, her
death having occurred little more than a year ago.
Their
children
were
:
Mary
Osborne,
who died in infancy ; Edith Howe ; John
Shanklin, and Anna Hazelton.
Mr.
Reilly
was
a
man
of
quiet and unostentatious manner, simple habits and
large intelligence. He was a member of Trinity M. E church, and his
daily walk and conversation was that of a thoroughly honest and
honorable man. No higher encomium can be written upon any man's life.
It is the one attribute of humanity that lifts mankind to heaven.
THE
EDMOND
FAMILY.
One
of
the
most
enterprising
and
prosperous
original families of this county
was the Edmond family. George Edmond, the father of numerous race, came
from Germany and settled in Somerset county Pennsylvania, and about
1808 settled in Muhlenburgh county, Ky.
The
family
came
to
Evansville
in
1815. There were five sons and two
daughters born to George Edmond, as follows: John, Thomas, George,
William, Michael, Ann and Elizabeth. Michael was the only son born in
Evansville. John was born in 1800. Frank was a son , by a second wife.
When
the
family
came
to
Evansville
in 1815 they probably came in a flatboat,
on which was a house in which they lived. They settled at a a point
five miles below Evansville, at what has all along since been known as
the John Edmond homestead. John Edmond, being the oldest of the family,
soon began life for himself, and he made a prosperous career of it. He
was among the first who established a wood- yard and regularly
furnished wood to steamboats. As soon as the wood was cleared from the
land and sold he cultivated the virgin soil and it yielded abundantly.
The primitive crop of trees was converted into money and the crop from
the rich alluvial soil yielded a satisfactory profit. He secured in
time about 1,800 acres of fine land. The competition then, before the
days when coal was known and used, was active and sharp, and barges
were laden with wood and towed about to intercept steamboats and supply
them before they reached Edmond's woodyard. He pushed his business, and
in the cud became a wealthy man. He married Miss Talitha Sirkles, and
to them two children were born. The son died in infancy. Susan was born
May 9, 1826, in Vanderburgh county, Ind., and was married to Alexander
Maddux February 14, 1850. Mrs. Talitha (Sirkles) Edmond died April 13,
1858. And John Edmond married a second time, and Miss Sophia Burgdorf
became his wife on September 20, 1859. To them were born six children.
The living ones are John, Mrs. Augusta Kamp and Mrs. Ollie Varuer.
After a long, active and useful life John Edmond, Sr., died October 10,
1876.
It
is
told
with
a
good deal of amusement yet to-day by members of the family
about the first piano he purchased for his family. He was a man very
particular in his family comforts, and would not be behind in any of
the conveniences possessed by his neighbors. Word came to the family
that Mrs. Shanklin had one of the finest pianos that was made. Mr.
Edmond always found great delight in music, and having a daughter who
loved the charm of musical expression and harmony he ordered a very
fine piano for his home. When the beautiful instrument reached
Evansville, Mr. Edmond took a woodboat loaded with wood to Evansville
and disposed of it and then took the piano back home on the woodboat.
It served on the way home as a polished seat for the boat hands. One
time during high water, the piano was put on stilts, as it were, to
keep it out of the water in the room. The chickens collected from trees
and other things above water, were put in the same room to keep them
from drowning. The piano was well covered, but that did not keep the
chickens from roosting on it. The " gunnels" or plank walks on stilts,
were common things in that day, from the door step to the outer gate,
which were used to walk upon out of the water. It may be said the piano
stood upon a "gunnel" at the time of the incident mentioned.
After
his
second
marriage
he
took
the world easier, and attended to the
happiness of those around him with seeming delight. About 1851 he
turned the woodyard over to his son-in-law, Mr. Alexander Maddux, who
had married his only daughter and only living child by his first wife.
The son-in-law lived just below him, and he successfully operated the
business for many years. He moved to Evansvillc in March, 1863, and the
wood business went into other hands.
As
to
the
character
of
John Edmond — He was strictly honorable, upright and
righteous in all things, a man whose word was as good as his bond, a
man whose principles were as invariable as the hills, a man who was
beloved for his merits and for his truly exemplary life. He was a
consistant and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and
had been for many years previous to his death.
In
the
onsweeping
changes
of
time the family of Edmond became scattered, and
all the children of the grandfather, George, are dead except Michael,
the youngest. Those of the descendants who are now living in this city
are Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Maddux. Mr. Maddux was born in Meade county,
Ky., May 7, 1820. His father, Thomas Maddux, was a native of Green
Brier county, Virginia.
When
14
years
old
he
came
to Perry county, Indiana, where his stepmother
died shortly afterward. Following closely upon this sad event the
bereaved husband went to Cloverport, Kentucky, with his family, where
he died about a year later. Then Alexander Maddux farmed in Perry
county, Indiana, for a year or two after his father's death.
In
1845-6
he
taught
school in Clay county, Missouri, and afterward
attended school at Hardinsburg, Kentucky. He clerked at Stevens- port,
Kentucky, for a year and traveled for Dr. James Graves, of Louisville,
for three years. His career as a son-in-law of John Edmond in the wood
business has been previously told. Since coming to the city he has been
served as a justice of the peace and one term as a member of the board
of county commissioners.
He
is
a
member
of
the Baptist church and of the Odd Fellows. The only child
of Mr. and Mrs. Maddux was Talitha J. She was married to John J. Brose,
by whom she is the mother of two lovely, bright daughters, Susie B. and
Effie M. After the death of Mr. Brose on July 1, 1878, the wife was
married to Dr. J. D. Fillinger, October 10, 1894. Dr. Fillinger came to
Evansville seventeen years ago and began the practice of his profession
as a dentist, and he has been successful and prosperous.
After
Mr.
Maddux
came
to
Evansville,
William Brown, who had married Dorcas,
the sister of Alexander Maddux, also came to Evansville.
Mr.
Brown
arrived
here
in
1
852, on the steamer "Georgetown" from
Hardinsburg, Breckinridge county, Kentucky. Mr. Brown was a carpenter
and joiner by trade, and many of the houses built by his hands are
still standing in this city. He died past middle age, loved, honored
and respected, on October 20, 1876. He was born June 8, 1807. His wife
was born December 11, 1812, and died February 14, 1880. Thomas Brown, a
son, died January 25, 1873; Wm. Fletcher, another son, died February
15, 1864 ; Mattie, 8 years old, and Crit- tcnden, 5 years old, both
died in 1855; Horace B., born June 17, 1839, died January 10, 1888.
Mrs. Richard W. Snider, a daughter, died July 5, 1876. Mrs. John
Martin, another daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brown, died October, 1877.
Mary E. Brown was born December 4, 1841, and was married to W. W.
Myers, who died in 1884, at the age of 51 years. Miss Sue Brown was
born April 10, 1843, and married John Payne, and to-day they are living
in California. Miss Lucy E. Brown was born June 7, 1852, and was
married to E. D. Wallace. She and her husband are at present living in
this city.
All
the
members
of
this
numerous
family led useful, worthy and progressive
lives, and were people of strict principles and high moral precepts.
BEN
STINSON.
Ben
Stinson
is
the
son
of
John B. Stinson, who was born in Virginia, March
1, 1787, of English parents. He located in Kentucky, and in 1809 moved
to Indiana territory and built a log house at the foot of coal mine
hill, at the bend of the river, just below the site of Evausville. That
was in the days when the copper-colored Indians still infested the
country, and made life a dangerous affair, especially on the north side
of the Ohio river. Benoni Stinson, a brother of John B., afterwards
moved to this part of Indiana. He was an eloquent Free Will Baptist
preacher, whose labors extended over Vanderburgh, Posey, Gibson, Pike
and Warrick counties in Indiana, and three or four adjacent cpunties in
Kentucky.
Sometimes
John
B.
Stinson
preached
in
the absence of his brother. He possessed
less "religious power," but was noted for his good, hurd, native
sense." The records of Vanderbnrgh county show that in 1818 Governor
Jonathan Jennings appointed John B. Stinson as sheriff, being the first
official of that character in the new county. He was elected probate
judge, and held the position one term. He decided the most celebrated
habeas-corpus case that ever came up in the county — the jurisdiction
of a minor child between mother and church. He was a leader in church
matters, and especially in all the "yearly associations." He, and his
brother Benoni, and Rev. Jesse Lane, brother of Governor Lane, united
with Amos Clark, James G. Jones, and Win. T. T. Jones, in signing a
circular in the George H. Proffit and Robert Dale Owen congressional
race, which defeated Owen.
The
three
reverend
gentlemen
signed
the
political document as " ministers
ot the Free Will Baptists." For this act John B. Stinson ever after
felt ashamed of himself. He died at the old home on the river below
Evansville, March 15, 1850. His wife, Matilda, died at the home of her
son Ben, in Evansville, July 4, 1864, aged seventy- four years and nine
months.
Ben
—
a
contraction
of
Benoni,
and
as he always writes it himself — was born
in Perry township, Vanderburgh county, Indiana, July 23, 1823, on his
father's forty -acre farm at the foot of what is called " Baby-town
hill," in a one-story, unhewed log house, standing within a few yards
of what ,was then called " Rattlesnake spring." Often some member of
the family would have to drive away the snakes before water could be
obtained to cook breakfast. The first school Ben Stinson attended was
taught by Miss Ann Rolin, in the upper part of the town. His second
teacher was Jefferson Ham, the father of Mrs. McCutchan, who was a
teacher herself in the public schools of Evansville.
At
the
age
of
seven
years his father's family moved to the farm, where the L.
& N. railroad shops now stand, adjoining Howell, and there his
schooling was secured in "subscription schools." Later he attended the
school of Alauson Chute, in Evansville. He also attended C. S. Weaver's
"high school." This was the extent of his schooling. He then took up
the study of law in the office of Lock- hart & Jones, and at length
was graduated from the Cincinnati law college. When S. T. Jenkins,
clerk of the Vanderburgh circuit court, died, Alvin P. Hovey, judge of
the court, appointed Ben Stinson to the vacancy, returning a favor for
a favor. Mr. Stinson had practically nominated Judge Lockhart to
congress, thus occasioning his resignation as judge of the circuit
court, and the appointment of Hovey to the place by Governor Joseph
Wright. President Pierce appointed Ben Stinson postmaster at
Evansville, and while serving in this position Judge Blackford, one of
the judges of the court of claims, had him appointed one of the
commissioners of this new court. Conrad Baker was the other
commissioner. When a justice of the peace he was appointed a
commissioner under the fugitive slave law. The single case that came
before him was disposed of by remanding the fugitives, an old man and
his wife, back to their " lawful master." He resigned a short time
afterwards, for the reason, as he said, " I was afraid of Chase, the
secretary of the treasury." Afterwards he declined the appointment as
commissioner of the United States court, a position now held by Captain
J. W. Wartmann. During the great Kansas- Nebraska discussion and the
trouble in Kansas over the two opposing constitutions, Mr. Stinson was
elected to the state legislature as representative, where he manifested
his singular power in persuading men to his opinions and leading them
to vote on measures as he suggested.
After
his
return
from
the
legislature
he was elected a justice of the peace,
a position he held over sixteen years. His first wife was Mary E.
Banks, of Lewistown, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Hon. Ephraim
Banks, auditor-general of Pennsylvania. To them were born two children.
She lies in Oak Hill cemetery, near Evansville.
His
second
wife
was
Caroline
C.
Cox, of Orange county, Indiana, who bore
him three children, all living in Paoli,» Indiana.
A
man
of
great
activity
and push, he is not without an experience in the
newspaper field. He purchased the printing office of Young- love &
Sullivan, and continued the daily paper they had been publishing.
Mr.
Stinson
writes
of
that
venture
in these humorous words: " My name stood
at the head of the paper as editor and publisher, but really Mr.
Hutchins, the foreman, was manager and editor. Horace Plummer, a young
lawyer, sent in paragraphs almost daily." Mr. Stinson's " Gentleman in
Black " was a surprising success to himself, the papers selling as high
as twenty-five cents each. He sold the paper to C. K. Drew, Sr., and he
sold it to a Mr. Baker. In time Mr. Stinson took the office back to
indemnify himself against loss.
The
paper
was
suspended,
and
the
printing material was nailed up.
Rev.
Mr.
Vaux,
an
Episcopal
minister,
printer and school teacher, opened a
job office and used the material for a time. It was at last sold to
Smith Gavitt, who in connection with a friend, started another daily.
But Mr. Stinson was still not entirely free from all newspaper
connections. At this time John B. Hall established the Enquirer,
Charles Denby writing the editorials. Willard & Whitehead got hold
of the plant, and Mr. Stinson in someway became surety on their notes,
which went into court, where he was released from the payment of the
same. A joint stock company received the Enquirer, purchasing Emil
Bishop's paper entitled "Reform," and merging the two papers into one.
Richard Raleigh, John A. Reitz, Ben Nurre, John Gavisk, Judge Parrett
and others cashed their stock subscriptions and put the venture on a
firm basis. They obtained Robert Spraul as their editor. Mr. Stinson
was again induced to go into the newspaper field, and this time he went
into the Enquirer office as business manager. He remained, however,
only about seven months. When Maynard and Captain Archer bought the
concern, Mr. Stinson also disposed of his interest in it. It was a
failing enterprise someway, and Maynard & Archer went under.
About
1871
Mr.
Stinson
went
to
Orange county, where his ceaseless activity
soon made him a leading citizen. He filled several county offices there
in a very creditable manner to himself and a most satisfactory way to
his friends and neighbors. He is at present living in Paoli, Indiana,
where he and his good wife are enjoying the riches of sweet mutual
confidences. For many years, ever since his term in the legislature, in
fact, Mr. Stinson has been a great sufferer from rheumatism. It has
been so severe and torturing as to render his lower extremities
entirely useless. But he is a patient sufferer and a firm believer in
the providences of an allwise God. He never belonged to any church, nor
to any secret or open society. And yet he has led a moral life,
trusting in the God of all life and being.
MAJOR
JOSEPH
B.
COX.
The
history
of
this
family
runs
back to the year 1809. They were probably
the first permanent white settlers of the Indiana territory. His
maternal ancestor lived in the state of Kentucky, where his mother,
Frances M. Miller, was born in 1805. Her parents, George and Elizabeth
Miller, moved from that state in 1809, and crossed the Ohio river at
the present site of Evansville. They found a log cabin on the bank of
the river, near where Vine street now is, and they occu- L •* ' pied it
several moutlis. They then moved to what is now known as Knight's hill,
near the lower Mt. Vernon road, three and a half miles west of
Evansville. They were compelled to cross the river into Kentucky
several times to get out of the way of savage Indians. His mother, Mrs.
Cox, afterward Mrs. David Stephens, died in October. 1886, having been
a continuous resident of Perry township for seventy- seven years. James
Cox, the father of Joseph B., was a native of Pennsylvania, born in
1800 and died in this county in 1834. He came to Vanderburgh county in
1818 with a brother, Joseph. They were potters by trade, and were
occupied for a while in that branch of business. When steamboats began
running on the river, using wood for fuel, they established a wood-yard
near Ingle's coal mines, and in connection with that they cleared and
cultivated land near their wood yard. James Cox was colonel of the
militia, and often called his regiment into camp for the purpose of
drilling. Major Joseph B. Cox was born in what is now Perry township,
this county, four miles west of Evansville, on the middle Mt. Vernon
road. The log cabin that he was born in is still standing, but somewhat
dilapidated. The date of his birth was the 8th day of September, 1830.
He was the fourth of five children, three daughters and two sons. His
boyhood days were spent on the farm, and in attending such schools as
were in his reach, which was usually about three mouths in the year.
The first school he attended was held in a small log cabin, one end of
which was used as a chimney, the other end for a door, and on each side
there was a log cut out for a window, and in place of glass greased
paper was pasted over the openings. Puncheons were used for seats. The
name of the teacher was Mr. Rice, and the next teacher's name was
Cotton. At the age of fourteen years he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and
entered the public schools as a pupil, and continued in these schools
for three years, after which he was promoted to the high school,
continued his studies for some time, then, entered St. Xavier college
and re- rVf1 mained for one term. He next entered Bacon's commercial
college and graduated, both institutions being in Cincinnati. After his
graduation he served as clerk on various steamboats plying between
Cincinnati and New Orleans. In August, 1859, he entered the sheriff's
office of Vanderburgh county as deputy for John S. Gavitt, and upon the
enlistment of Mr. Gavitt as major in the 1st Indiana cavalry, he was
appointed by the sheriff to fill out his unex- pired term of office.
The war of the rebellion being in progress, Major Cox raised a company,
which was made company F of the 60th regiment, Indiana infantry, and he
was selected captain, and served in the ranks until the 27th day of
May, 1862, when he was elected major of the regiment. He served as such
until the 30th of November, following, when he resigned on account of
ill health. Returning to Evans- ville he entered the county treasurer's
office as deputy with Leroy Calvert, and served for about two years. In
1880 he entered the sheriff's office as deputy for Thomas Kerth, and
served for four years. On August 7, 1885, he was appointed by President
Cleveland surveyor of customs for the term of four years. From early
manhood he has been interested in farming. In April, 1863, he was
married to Miss Amanda W. Sirkle, who was born in Vauderburgh couuty,
in 1833, and died in 1868, leaving one son, Dr. David A. Cox, of
Howell, Ind. He was married a second time, in 1870, to Martha J. Angel,
who was born in Vanderburgh county in 1849. To this union two sons were
born, Robert M., who is a lawyer, and Joseph B., who is a student in
Oakland City college. Both of his wives were members of the General
Baptist church. Mr. Cox is a man of great force of character, an
estimable citizen in all respects, and one whose life-record is
characterized by usefulness and fairness.
HON.
CHARLES
DENBY
Evansville
delights
to
honor
her
distinguished
citizen, Hon. Charles Denby, whose
reputation is far and wide, and whose public services have made him a
national historical character. This skillful lawyer and wise diplomat
was born in Botetourt couuty, Va., in 1830. He was a student three
years at Georgetown college, in the District of Columbia, and afterward
was graduated from the Virginia military institute with high honors.
His splendid mental attainments led him into the profession of a
teacher in the Masonic university at Salem, Ala., where he wore the
honors of a professor until he came to Evansville in 1853. Here he
edited the Daily Enquirer, and at the same time pursued the study of
law in the office of Conrad Baker, who was then only a practicing
attorney. Three years after his arrival in Evansville he was sent to
the legislature. When the war of the Union began, he felt called upon
to defend his country, and in 1861 he raised the 42d Indiana infantry
and became its lieutenant colonel. At Perry - ville his regiment took
an active part and suffered severely. His good military tact caused him
to be promoted to the colonelcy of the 80th Indiana regiment. His
services continued in the army till 1863 when he resigned because of
his health. He returned to this city and resumed the practice of law,
and for many years he unbrokenly pursued the practice of his
profession. In 1876, and again in 1884, he was a delegate at large from
Indiana to the national democratic convention. His party asked him
several times to accept the nomination for congress from this
congressional district, but he preferred rather to pursue his
profession than participate in the entanglements of politics. For many
years he was the senior member of the law firm of Denby & Kumlcr,
consisting of himself and Daniel B. Kuraler, who died early in 1893.
This firm had a large practice, and was markedly successful, which was
due to its carefulness, its broad knowledge of the law and its
application to cases considered and tried at its hands.. Mr. Denby was
first a careful, ceaseless student of the law, and next a man with deep
earnestness in his cases. He had few superiors at the bar, and perhaps
none excelled him in general information and belles-lettres. And in all
the elements that went to make up a man and the high character of a
spotless citizen, he was among the very first.. In the first year of
President Cleveland's first term in office Mr. Denby was appointed as
minister of the United States to China, and when President Harrison
came into office he did not find it necessary to displace him, so
excellent were his services there, in that land of the Celestials. He
continued in the same position through Cleveland's second term, and is
still there, in the beginning of President McKin- ley's term, 1897.
When the massacre of the Coolies occurred in the west of the United
States, difficult national complications arose, but he carried them
through to a successful termination. The law regulating Chinese
immigration to this country again strained the relations of the two
countries, but his fine diplomatic skill brought peace upon the
troubled waters. All the delicate duties arising out of these
imbroglios he has executed with consummate skill, and his handling of
all state matters demonstrates his peculiar fitness for the great
position he fills. In the national democratic convention of 1888, his
name was seriously considered by the Indiana delegates and others for
the second position on the ticket instead of the " Old Roman," A. G.
Thurman. He was married in 1858 to Maretea Fitch, daughter of Senator
Graham N. Fitch, of Logausport, Ind. Graham Fitch Denby, his son, is a
practicing attorney in this city to-day.
WILLIAM
HEILMAN.
One
of
Evansville's
most
respected
aud
honored
citizens was William Heilman.
His commercial and public career made him known to everybody. He was
born in Bermersheim, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, on October 11, 1824. His
father, Valentine Heilman, was a farmer, and died in 1826, when William
was but a child.
The
widowed
mother
married
Peter
Weintz.
William labored on the farm aud
also attended the school of his native village. This embraced the
extent of his education at school, but he was an observant man all his
life and his schooling went on continually. In 1843 the family
emigrated to the New World and lauded first at New Orleans. Then they
came up the river to St. Louis, and soon after located in Posey county,
Indiana, where Mr. Weintz pursued the occupation of a farmer. Here
young William labored, but the business was distasteful to him. Four
years afterward — that is, in 1847 — he engaged in the foundry business
in Evansville with his brother-in-law, Christian Kratz. Their small
machine shop on Pine street, was at first run by two blind horses.
Three years later their log shop was displaced by a brick one, and the
horses relieved by steam power. Their first work was dog-irons, cast
plows, stoves, etc. In 1854 they constructed their first portable
engine, and in 1859 their first thresher. The emergencies of rebellion
greatly enhanced their business, and they could scarcely fill their
orders, notwithstanding the enlarged capacity of their works.
When
Mr.
Kratz
retired
in
1864,
he received $100,000 for his interest in the
concern. Then through Mr. Heilman's untiring energy, the field of trade
was enlarged, the City Foundry enlarged so as to cover almost an entire
block, and the business made to prosper almost like magic.
When
the
war
for
the
Union
began Mr. Heilman took a very positive ground for
the preservation of the country in its entirety, and his faith and
convictions never varied. In 1852 he was first elected to the city
council, and served in that official capacity several terms well and
faithfully. His broad knowledge of things sent him to the state
legislature in 1870, and gave him the nomination for congress on the
republican ticket in 1872. In the congressional race he reduced his
opponent's majority from 2,500 to 112. In 1876 he was elected to the
state senate. While in Europe in 1878 he was nominated for congress
again, and returned and was elected after a short, spirited canvass.
In
congress,
as
everywhere,
Mr. Heilman exhibited his sterling good
practical sense. His speech on the Warner coinage bill in 1879, just
after the resumption measure had begun, shows his wisdom. He said: "I
am strongly in favor of well considered, practical legislation to
benefit the agricultural and manufacturing interests, to increase our
commerce and wealth, but by all means let us have some stability in our
financial legislation. The condition of the country is at last surely,
although perhaps slowly, getting better, and what commerce and finance
need just now more than anything else is to be let alone." This measure
would have enriched the silver bullion owners to the amount of fifteen
cents on the dollar at the expense of the people.
In
congress
his
keen
practical foresight placed him in the category of the
best business legislators. In business affairs he was an originator of
plants upon a large scale. His enterprise brought commercial prosperity
to Evansville. His wide grasp of affairs made him a director of the
state bank of Indiana, and also of its successor, the Evansville
national bank, as well as director of the horse railway company,
president of the gas company, and leader in many other useful
enterprises.
His
energy
and
capacity
in
financial
investment made him the principal
owner in the cotton mills. He was a man of remarkable capacity for
business, and great executive powers. Therefore success always attended
him. He always was the friend and supporter of everything good for
Evansville. His gifts to the poor were many and constant, his
benevolence toward every good work was a matter of general remark, his
large-hearted acts toward enterprises making for the good of his
fellow-creatures were but in evidence of the greatness of his warm
heart, his liberal gifts to all benevolent institutions were almost of
a lavish character, and his generosity never was appealed to in vain-
It need scarcely be said here that Mr. Heilman was a self-made man. His
mental capacities were exhibited in the broad sweep he took of business
and the success he attained in matters of trade. Not to seem to be
grasping round for fine phrases to apply to him, it may be added
truthfully that he was eminently "faber suae fortunae" as the trite
Latin phrase has it. His pathway to success is plain, and is worthy of
being followed by young men setting out in a long business career. For
one thing Mr. Heilman was an indefatigable worker and punctual in all
things.
In
1848
he
was
married to Mary Jenner, who came from Germany to this
country when she was nine years old. Nine children were born to them.
George P. and William A. are prominent business men here at this time.
From the organization of the St. John's Evangelical church in 1851, Mr.
Heilman wns a consistent member.
His
death
occurred
September
22,
1890,
and it threw a pall over the city.
His multitude of friends felt the loss as a sort of public calamity,
and thus wound up the useful career of one of Evausville's best and
most respected citizens.
JOHN
A.
REITZ.
One
of
the
most
enterprising
and
public-spirited
men of Evansville was John
August Reitz, and he is most deserving of the recognition given him by
this memoir. He was born in Dorlar, Prussia, on the 17th day of
December, 1815, and died in Evansville on the 13th day of May, 1891.
It
is
an
evidence
of
his fearless and enterprising spirit that he was the
first person to leave his own country, in Germany, and traverse the
wide seas to the inviting New World. He bade his friends and his
country adieu in 1836, and arrived in Evansville in December of the
same year. From the time he left school, at which he received a fair
and liberal German education, at the age of fifteen years, until he
left his home for the United States, at the age of twenty-one, he
supervised his father's farm, which consisted of about 600 acres; and
he also superintended his father's distillery, his flouring mill and
general store thereon. From seventy-five to eighty persons were
employed to cultivate the land and take care of the stock, which
consisted of 100 to 125 horses, 150 to 200 head of cattle, and 500 to
600 sheep. When he came to America, he traveled to various sections,
seeking a location wherein to cast his lot. When he began his career in
Evansville, it was a river village. He had at the time but one gold
piece of money in his pocket. Nothing daunted, however, but on the
contrary with a firm determination to succeed, and plenty of energy and
industry to back it, he began working for others in the manufacture of
lumber, but was engaged mostly with Lloyd Olmstead, on Pigeon creek, on
the Stringtown road, and with Judge Silas Stephens, on the bank of the
Ohio river, at the foot of Chandler avenue, until he erected his first
sawmill in 1845, against the advice of his best friends, who predicted
failure, because that was the bitter experience of all those who had
engaged in this business preceding him. Notwithstanding the well-meant
advice of his friends, his business prospered, and to-day the third
sawmill stands upon the same site, at the mouth of Pigeon creek. The
first mill was burned in 1855, ten years after its erection. The second
was built in the same year of the loss of the first, and was torn away
in 1873 for a third and more modern and improved mill; and * now it is
running at its full capacity, and has manufactured more hardwood lumber
for ten years — from 1883 to 1893 — than any other one sawmill in the
United States. It was operated when the elements permitted twenty-two
hours out of twenty-four and six days of the week.
Mr.
Reitz
continued
in
the
sawmill
business uninterrupted from 1845 until
his death, and since then the business has been conducted by his sons,
making, up to this time, fifty-two years of consecutive operation
without any interruption — probably the longest business career of any
firm in the state.
Mr.
Reitz
was
a
man
of
broad understanding and usefulness and possessed of
a public spirit of enterprise and helpfulness, and therefore his
services were required in a public way. He was for many years a member
of the board of the town of Lamasco, and president of its board of
trustees, until its consolidation with the city of Evans- ville.
Afterward for many years he was a member of the city council.
He
was
a
member
of
the board of directors of the Crescent City bank during its
entire existence, and at times was vice president and president.
He
was
a
stockholder
and
director of the Evansville, Indianapolis and
Cleveland Railroad Company, then popularly known as the " Straight Line
Railroad," and now as the Evansville and Indianapolis railroad, until
its liquidation caused by the panic in 1857. In 1856 he, together with
John A. Haney, purchased the foundry and machine shop then known as the
"Eggleston Foundry," and continued its operation until 1881, when he
sold it. He was one of the organizers of the Evansville, Carmi and
Paducah Railroad Company and its president until its consolidation with
the St. Louis and Southeastern Railway, now a part of the Louisville
and Nashville Railroad system, extending from Evansville to St. Louis.
He was one of the organizers and directors of the German National bank
of this city, and for many years its vice president, and at the time of
his death its president.
He
was
largely
engaged
in
buying and selling real estate on his own account,
and also with the late Willard Carpenter — buying a large number of
lots at different times and selling them off to laborers and mechanics
seeking a home, on long time and easy payments, often furnishing them
means to erect a home on the lot, giving them such time as they wanted
and needed to repay him. And in all these transactions, it is to be
said to his credit, he never sold one out to indemnify himself.
He
was
a
member
of
the board of trustees of Evans hall, and was one of the
board of erection, and president of the board of trustees of said hall
for many years. In 1862 he was elected to the state senate from
Vanderburgh and Posey counties, as a> democrat. In that stirring
war-time it was no small political victory and no little evidence of
popularity to be elected to the senate as a democrat.
In
1887
Mr.
Eeitz
purchased ground and erected thereon the "Home of the
Aged " for the Little Sisters of the Poor. It is a beautiful structure,
situated on the Newburgh road. At this home are received and maintained
during their natural lives the homeless aged — a most worthy purpose as
all must see. No distinction is made, it must be said further, in
regard to sex, color, nationality or religious creed — Jew or gentile.
He was a member of the first board of trustees that erected Trinity
Catholic church on Third street in 1848, and was a continuous member of
that board until within a few years of his death.
In
1889
he
erected
the Sacred Heart church in Independence, on the west
side of Pigeon creek, and presented it to the congregation as a house
of worship for their sole use and benefit.
While
firm
in
his
own
convictions
of right and wrong, he was most charitably
disposed toward others who differed from him. In truth he was liberal
and thoroughly American in his attitude toward all other organizations
and churches, and extended to them the same toleration he expected in
return. He contributed to every church in the city regardless of faith,
and was well-known for his liberality.
During
his
entire
business
career
he
was never in debt, never owed a dollar on
his own account, that he did not have the cash on hand with which to
pay. No prospective profit or business venture would induce him to
contract a debt or obligation that he could not pay on demand.
He
was
a
man
of
great energy and activity, and his powerful will force carried
him through many embarrassments and intricacies. It is almost
superfluous to add that he possessed great public spirit, and
encouraged everything that looked to the general welfare. His distinct
characteristic was his great executive ability, and he was therefore a
man of few words His business activity and deep comprehension of
commercial affairs are manifest in the success of every enterprise he
took hold of.
He
was
ever
ready
to
help any one in need and render assistance to the
destressed. Often when his judgment would tell him he was aiding at his
own cost, both mentally and pecuniarily, he followed the dictates of
his sympathies and his sense of benevolence and gave to those appealing
for help.
In
this
city
in
1839 he and Miss Gertrude PVisse were married. She
servived him only a few 'years. He was domestic in his tastes, and
never happier than when at home surrounded by his family. The names of
his children, in the order in which they were born, are as given here:
Francis J. Reitz, Julia, (Mrs. John A. Haney), Mary, ( Mrs. Herman
Fendrich), John A. Jr., Miss Christine, Miss Josephine, Miss
Wilhelmine, Miss Matilda, Edward C. and Miss Louise. All are living
except the last two.
John
A.
Reit/,
the
father
of
this family, always enjoyed good health until
his last illness. He was always 'a consistent and practical member of
the Roman Catholic church, both in faith and works. When the race of
life was completed for him, when the goal had been won, he passed to
his final rest with the easy and trustful conscience of one retiring to
sleep.
FREDERICK
LAUENSTEIN.
A
history
of
Evansville
and Vanderburgh county would not be complete
without biographical sketches of the newspaper publishers, who have
done so much to build up the city and help make history.
The
German
press
is
particularly
worthy
of good words. Ever since its
establishment it has been a power in bringing to the city some of those
who are now its very best people, so that at present the German element
forms considerably over half of the total population. This proves
conclusively that the German press has done its full duty in giving
information about Evausville to the Fatherland.
Mr.
Frederick
Lauenstein,
the
proprietor
and
publisher of the Demokrat,
which has been since its establishment the leading German paper here,
is the subject of this sketch. He is now one of the old citizens,
having resided here for thirty-one years. He was born in Hanover,
Germany, September 10, 1844. After attending the leading schools in his
native country, where he secured a good education, he came to the
United States in 1866. His first stopping place was Cincinnati, Ohio,
where he resided for only a few months, after which -he came direct to
Evansville, and went to work for the Demokrat. He remained in its
employ as a traveler for one year, and on March I6w> 1867, he and
his brother, Dr. Charles Lauenstein, purchased the paper- In April,
1869, Mr. Frederick Lauenstein bought the Evansville Courier and
conducted it in connection with the Demokrat, thus owning two papers,
both daily, one German and one English. By economy and enterprise they
rapily placed the Courier on a paying basis. but in 1872, having
received a good offer for it they sold it to Mr-'5' D. Terry and
devoted their combined abilities to the publication of tne Demokrat. In
1872 Dr. Charles Lauenstein sold his interest in the Demokrat to his
brother, Frederick, and returned to Germany, where he remained for
three years, after which time he returned and bought back his interest
In 1879 he died, and Mr. Frederick Lauenstein has since owned and
controlled the paper with the exception of one year when Messrs. H.
Schiller and H. Dietermann had an interest. This was from 18.83 to
1884. Mr. Lauenstein is descended from the best of old German stock
traced back to 1550, when the Lauensteins were merchants of Peine,
Hanover.
Mr.
Frederick
Lauenstein's
father
was
Wilhelm
Lauenstein, who lived on a
plantation in Griessen, Hanover, after a term of service as a
lieutenant in the Hanoverian army. He was a volunteer and fought at
Waterloo in 1815. He lived happily on the plantation, married a wife,
who was a native of Helpensen, in the same province, and raised a
family of nine children, six boys and three girls. The mother died at
the age of 66 and the father at that of 71. Young Frederick attended
the schools of his native province until he was 21 years old, when he
came to America, as has been stated in the first part of this article..
Mr. Lauenstein has held the very best position as a citizen every since
his arrival in Evansville. In 1871 he married Mi.ss Constance Schiller
and has had four children, two daughters and one son still living. He
ran for state senator on the democratic ticket in 1892 and was defeated
by only 40 votes. He was a delegate in 1884 from the first district of
Indiana to the National democratic convention at Chicago, that
nominated Mr. Cleveland. He has just been appointed a member of the
board of education of this city, by Mayor Akin, and is particularly
qualified to hold this position with credit to himself and benefit to
the interests of the schools.
In
1878
he
purchased
a handsome residence in Washington avenue where he
still resides, having added improvements from year rto year as required
by his increasing family. His son is now finishing his education at the
Indiana state university. The Demokrat has never wavered from the true
democratic faith and has always been a power in politics in Evansville.
Its circulation and influence have been greatly increased during the
last few years, so that at this time ( 1897) it is second to none in
the state of Indiana. All of this is due to the excellent judgment,
untiring industry and great ability of Mr. Frederick Lauenstein. In
1892 he purchased the present location of the Demokrat, a handsome and
substantial building at 403 Main street. His personal appearance is
very fine, being large and .well proportioned, over six feet in height,
dignified, agreeable, hospitable and benevolent, and with all, the most
successful newspaper publisher in Evansvillc.
THE
BABCOCK
FAMILY.
Oliver
Babcock
and
Anna
Hearth,
his
wife, lived in Utica, N. Y., and to them
were born eight children, four sons and four daughters. The sons were
Edward, Charles, Elisha Spurr and Henry O. The daughters were Emily,
Elizabeth, Ann and Mary. Elisha Spurr, Charles, Henry O., Emily, (Mrs.
Peter Sharpe) and Elizabeth, (Mrs. John Hoff) were long residents of
Evansville, and well known. Edward lived in Troy, N. Y., and Anna,
(Mrs. C. H. Edgar) dwelt at Easton, Pa. The only one of this family of
brothers and sisters now living is Mary, and her home is in Detroit,
Mich. Her husband's name is William H. Edgar, of Detroit. They resided
in Evansvillc at one time, and then Mr. Edgar was in partnership with
the Bab- cock Brothers. Elisha Spurr Babcock, Sr., was horn at Utica,
N. Y., August 10, 1815. In early life he located at Troy, N. Y., and
subsequently in New York city. He- came to Evansville in- 1837, and
entered into business with Charles and Henry O. Babcock, under the firm
name of Babcock Brothers. They carried on the grocery business, coupled
with hardware and saddlery. Elisha Spurr managed the grocery
department, and when the firm dissolved he retained this department for
his share of the business, and continued it for a number of years. In
time, however, he met with reverses, and he retired from business for
about two years. Then he entered the grain and commission business with
his oldest son, Oliver. He continued this business up to the time of
his departure for California.
He
married
Agnes
Southerland
Davidson, a native of Scotland, in May, 1844.
She was a very estimable lady. The result of this union was eight
children, as follows : Oliver, Louisa, Elisha Spurr, Jr., William D.,
Edgar, Frank, Amelia and John. Elisha Spurr, Jr., and William D. are
the only survivors of their children. Oliver married Mary Gibson Hodge,
a native of Kentucky, in 1872, and left two children at his death,
namely, Agnes Southerland and Mary Dixon Babcock, both now residing
with their mother at Los Angeles, Cal.
Elisha
Spurr
Babcock,
Jr.,
married
Isabella
Graham, a native of Cincinnati,
Ohio. They have two children surviving — Arnold and Graham Babcock.
Botli of these sons are married, but have no children.
Both
assist
their
father
in
his
vast business, and have also large inde-
dendent interests of their own. William B. Babcock married Harriet
Mclntyre in 1893, but has no issue. His residence is at Los Angeles. He
is a physician of large practice, making a specialty of the eye and ear.
Elisha
Spurr
Babcock,
Sr.,
closed
up
his business in Evansville, and moved to
San Diego, Cal., in 1887, where he assisted in the vast business of the
Coronado Beach company. His son, E. S. Babcock, Jr., is president and
chief stock-holder in this enterprise. The father died of senile
gangrene in 1890. Elisha Spurr Babcock, Jr , is one of the most
remarkable business men of his day. It would require a volume to record
the many enterprises he has carried to a successful completion. After
graduating from the high school of Evansville, he entered the service
of the E. & T. H. railroad company, commencing as a freight clerk
at the Evansville depot, and working himself up to the position of
general freight' agent of the road. He left the railroad service to
engage in developing the Bell telephone company, which controlled a
large territory, extending from Evansville to New Orleans, having at
the same time the sole ownership of the Eugene ice company, with some
five large houses and a number of agencies, and being a partner in the
firm of E. S. Babcock & Son. Since the death of Oliver Babcock, his
success marked him a man of distinctive mental character, a man of vast
resources in large commercial transactions.
In
1885
he
commenced
to close out all these industries with a view of
retiring from business. Regaining his health, he began a year later to
embark in the large enterprises in California that have since made him
known far and wide. He and three associates, in 1885, ; purchased the
property known as Coronado Beach, a tract of over 4.000 acres opposite
San Diego, being the peninsula that makes the bay of San Diego. They
organized the Coronado Beach company, of *••• which Mr. Babcock has
always been president and active manager.
They
laid
out
the
city
of
Coronado, sold $2,750,000 worth of property during
the boom, built the grand hotel, Del Coronado at a cost of $1,600,000 —
a building that is without a peer on this continent. They also built
the water works for both Coronado and San Diego, the street railway
lines, a railroad twenty-two miles long around the bay of San Diego, an
electric light plant, a shipyard and many other enterprises. At the
close of the boom Mr. Babcock bought out most of the other
stock-holders. John D. Spreckles and A. B. Spreckles, sons of the sugar
king, Glaus Spreckles, bought the balance of the stock.
These
three
rnen
became
the
sole
owners of the enterprises developed by Mr.
Babcock. Since then he has entered on his wider career, which has made
him one of the leading representative men of the Pacific slope. All the
great works, looking to the development of San Diego county, Cal., are
under his guidance. He is now engaged in the comprehensive development
of the water supplies of the San Diego bay region. To show up briefly
the result of his work since 1886, we may enumerate the following
enterprises, which he has given or developed in the city of San Diego :
Its water works, street railway system, electric light plant, a
railroad twenty-two miles long and many other public institutions.
The
Grand
Hotel
del
Coronado
is
a thing of his creation, as is also the
city of Coronado, with its tree-lined avenues and many beautiful parks,
filled with the flowers of the tropics, its electric railway and
railroad around the bay, its electric lights and ferry, its pure water
and drainage. He has, besides his great interests in the Coronado Beach
company, many investments outside. To his energy, grit and
pc'rseverence is due all the great projects of which he is at present
master. All the great schemes conceived by him have beeu carried to
completion, and success has crowned his efforts in all undertakings,
whether of public or private interest. He is in full vigor of body and
intellect, and evidently has a long career before him.
For
one
thing
among
many,
Mr.
Babcoek never sought public office, and lived
free from such an infection. His private and corporate interests are so
large that lie has hardly a moment he can call his own. If he wishes to
rest, he must leave home and conceal his whereabouts, as early and late
at his business offices and in his private room, he is sought after at
all hours by parties wishing his help or his information.
In
the
bay
region
roundabout
San Diego his name is a household word. You
cannot walk the streets or enter a public conveyance without hearing
his name and his projects discussed. He is very reticent about his
business and private affairs, and it would be very hard to make an
estimate of the amount of his fortune. The Coronado Beach company has a
capital of $3,000,000, and he and John D. Spreckles and A. B. Spreckles
are the sole owners. Though this is the largest business matter he is
engaged in, it is, however, but one of the many. It is not his fortune
so much as his great ability in opening up new sources of wealth to
himself and the consequent development of the country that has made him
so well known.
The
residences
of
the
living
members
of the family of E. S. Bab- cock, Sr.,
are as follows: Mrs. E. S. Babcoek, Sr., Mrs. Oliver Babcoek and her
two daughters, Agnes and Mary, Dr. W. D. Babcoek and wife — all
residents of Los Angeles; E. S. Babcoek, Jr., and wife and Graham
Babcoek, his son and wife, at the Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, Cal.;
Arnold Babcock, his other son, and wife, also have residence at
Coronado and a ranch at Julian, Cal.
Charles
Babcock,
who
for
many
years
was a leading business man of this city,
died July 22, 1894, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was
born December 10, 1812, in Utica, New York. He resided in Troy in the
same state until he was twenty-two years old, and then he went south to
Mobile, Alabama. For three years he was in business there. In 1839,
with the first upward move of Evans- ville he came here, and began an
active business career, which he continued the rest of his life. He was
a member of the firm of Babcock Brothers, having three separate stores
or departments — wholesale- groceries, wholesale hardware and wholesale
queensware. They were the first importers of the latter class of goods
in this city. On December 15, 1842, he was united in marriage to Miss
Amelia Hopkins, who with seven children survive him.
Shortly
after
his
arrival
here
in
1839, he was called upon to draw up papers to
be placed in the corner-stone of old St. Paul's Episcopal church ; and
when the new structure of this denomination replaced the old one, a
similar request was made of him, and again he cheerfully complied with
the pleasing duty. He was vestryman and treasurer of this church for
over thirty-five years, and a liberal contributor to all of its needs
during his long lifetime.
Henry
Oliver
Babcock
was
born
July
20, 1822. His grandfather was a
Revolutionary officer, and his mother traced her ancestors back to the
Mayflower. His father was a legislator of New York at one time. .And
Henry Oliver himself was the youngest of eight children.
His
parents
died
before
he
was
nine years old. He was graduated from
Brown's university at the age of eighteen, and soon after he went
south, spent two years in New Orleans, and then started in business in
San Antonio, or near there. Not long afterwards the settlement was
burned by the Indians. Losing all his goods in this calamity, he joined
the Texas volunteers, was taken prisoner, but after long and tedious
marching he managed to escape. Soon after the war was over he returned
to New Orleans, and accepted the position of bookkeeper in one of the
largest firms in the city. In 1845 he came to Evansville and entered
into partnership, with his brothers Charles and Elisha, in the
wholesale grocery, hardware and queensware business.
Many
of
their
goods
were
imported.
The business was a continued success, and
in 1858 it was divided, each brother taking a different department.
Henry took the hardware store, which he gradually changed into the seed
and agricultural implement business.
Mr.
Babcock
was
devoted
to
his
business and his family, and was always
deeply interested in the affairs of the city and nation. He was married
June 8, 1848, to Mary E. Howser. His home was the center in which his
love and devotion made perpetual sunshine. His life was full of
charity, and his broad views of humanity led him to help others without
boasting. He died September 10, 1879, leaving a wife and six children.
The names of his children living at the time of Mr. Babcock 's death
were . Henry Howser Babcock, Mary Kate Yeatch, Lucy Alice Walker,
Morgan Babcock, Howard Leigh Babcock and Guilford Carlisle Babcock.
Henry
H.
Babcock,
the
son
of
Henry O., succeed him in business, and extended
the same so that it covered many states. He displayed great business
tact and ability in the management of his affairs. He was a man of high
character, and had'many'qualities which attracted people to him, and
was a man of fine presence. He died in the full flush of business
success at the early age of forty-two 'years. He left surviving him his
widow — a daughter of Gillison Maghee — many years a resident of
Evansville, a son Gillisou and a daughter Mary.
THE
GAVITT
FAMILY.
In
many
respecte
the
several members of the Gavitt family have been
remarkable, not more for their patriotic services to their country than
for their singularly clear perception. No one but remembers John Smith
Gavitt, whose heroic death on the battle-field fired the hearts of all
who ever knew him and called forth commendations from General Grant and
others.
This
brief
history
of
the
Gavitts
is in no way commensurate with the
importance of the characters. It is difficult to trace their lineage
beyond the shores of America, so long have they been citizens here.
Indeed
they
were
in
at
the
founding of the republic, and have been among its
staunchest supporters ever since. On the Gavitt side they are of Scotch
and English extraction. The name seems originally to have been of
French origin, and at one time the family spelled it Gavit.
Rev.
William
Gavitt
was
a
Methodist
minister and died at Gran- ville, Ohio,
in 1837. Rev. Gavitt seems to have gone from Virginia to Ohio. His son,
John Gavitt, was born in 1 788. He married Miss Alice Smith on July 13,
1815. She was born at Fairfax Courthouse, Culpepper county, Virginia,
in 1793, and died in this city in August, 1867. They removed from
Virginia to Ohio, and then to Louisville, Kentucky. In the short stay
there John Gavitt died, February 28, 1832. To them seven children were
born. William was born January 21, 1824; John Smith was born March 18,
1826; Miriam married Dr. Isaac Hutchinson and both are now dead. Alice
married Captain Joel F. Sherwood, January, 1847, and she is now living
here, aged 69 years. Atlanta died at Madison, Indiana, April 27, 1816.
Arillio
also
died
there
July
6,
1819. Hannah died at Little Rock, Arkansas. She
was married to David Swing, August, 1839.
After
the
death
of
the
father
Mrs. Gavitt took her family to Madison,
Indiana, and again changing her habitation came to Evansville in 1840.
She was long known here as "grandmother" Gavitt, and died here where
her children had grown up, and where she had raised her grandchildren,
Smith Gavitt's orphan boys, John, AVilliam and Joe, in August, 1867. It
may be said that Mrs. Alice Gavitt felt the hard lines of life in
common with all pioneers, and particularly the difficulties that widows
experience in rearing a large family in a respectable manner. She was a
good Christian mother, and loved her family, and they were devoted to
her.
William
married
Miss
Nancy
Burns
on
April 18, 1846, and she died in November,
1846. William was a dashing, fearless young man, and he joined Captain
Walkers' company and set out for the Mexican frontier. He was under
command of General Joseph Lane, and knew him intimately before he
became a soldier in his command. During this service William lost his
life in a singular manner. News traveled with a snail's pace in those
days, and it was some time before the fact was known to his family, and
the particulars of his death are very meagre. It seems that he and a
comrade named Walden, the son of a widow who lived in Cincinnati, were
detailed to capture and return two deserters. They succeeded in
capturing them, and were returning to the post with their prisoners.
While encamped in the woods,Walden, whose duty it was to stand guard
while Gavitt rested in sleep, also fell asleep. The prisoners, seeing
their opportunity, fell upon the two sleeping men and killed them. This
tragedy was enacted about October 15, 1848, near Sonora, Mexico. The
best evidences now point to this place as the spot of the horrible
fatality. As soon as John Smith Gavitt heard the shocking news of his
brother's awful death, he quickly packed his grip and without a word to
any one, except to his family to tell them not to mourn for him, as the
world was too small to hold him and the murderer of his brother, he
left. For two years not a word was heard of him. It is known that he
pursued the object of his search through every difficulty, neglected no
opportunity to find him, even cut down trees to cross streams that he
could not swim and kept his ceaseless purpose in view day and night. At
last he returned almost as unexpectedly as he had gone away. All he
ever revealed of his tireless search for vengeance was that "he was
satisfied." It was learned, however, in a half traditional way that he
killed the man in a ten pace duel somewhere in California.
John
Smith
Gavitt
was
born
at
Madison, Indiana. For a longtime he was
marshal of this city. He was also sheriff of Vanderburgh county, and a
faithful administrator of the law, and a terror to evil doers. They
both respected and feared him. When the civil war broke over the land
with a palsying shock and made all patriotic hearts beat with excited
rapidity, he was quick to answer the call to arms. In an eloquent and
stirring appeal to his friends to unite with him in defense of his
beloved country, he sounded a note of no uncertain character. His
stirring words had a powerful influence in those doubtful times and
undecided moments, and caused a tide to set in for the defense of the
Union. He was major of the 1st Indiana cavalry under Colonel Conrad
Baker. At Frederickstown, Missouri, while leading a gallant charge
against Brigadier-General Jeff Thompson's forces he fell, pierced by
five bullets. His death occurred on October 21, 1861. It was said that
he was utterly without fear, and fought with the coolness of one who
reckoned it sweet to die for his country. He fell fighting to the last.
His body was brought to this city and interred. As a tribute to him the
people assembled in one of the largest corteges ever witnessed here.
His valiant, triumphant death fired the hearts of the people of
Indiana. He was Evansville's famous and favorite character, and his
funeral was a historic event in this portion of the state. It cast over
all a gloom, and they seemed to go into mourning. He always had a large
place in the hearts of his countrymen, and even at this writing his
name is cherished and his fame is a proud memento of Indianians. In a
word, it is a part of national history. He was among the bravest in the
history of this country, and long hence his bravery and good character
will be mentioned with grateful pride. It is hoped that at an early
date the general government will erect a monument to his memory here in
this city. This would be a fitting tribute to him by a generous nation,
and is certainly due his record. The government owes it to him for his
services so willingly and readily given, and for the great sacrifice he
made on his country's altar. In truth, the yielding up of one's life is
the grandest sacrifice that can be made. He lives in the hearts of the
people, and a monument would be a just recognition of his supreme
services. The Gavitt family have made sacrifices for their country
which the government has been tardy to recognize and reward. They are
history makers. Every one who enjoys the blessings of this country
to-day owes something to the memory of this patriotic family.
He
was
popular
with
all
classes, and his frankness, open hearted- ness and
generosity were common remarks. Ot a kind disposition, quick to read
human nature, and correct in his conclusions, he was a man who would
unhesitatingly lay down his life for his friends. No one ever
approached him for aid and went away empty-handed. His generosity,
indeed, knew no bounds. His heart was as brave as a lion's and gentle
as a woman's. Both the rich and the poor loved him. He was always ready
to do whatever circumstances might demand. General U. S. Grant, in a
letter to Colonel J. B. Plummer, under date of October 27, 1861, states
: "But little doubt can be entertained of the success of our arms, when
not opposed by very superior numbers, and iu the action of
Frederickstown they have given proof of courage and determination which
shows that they would undergo any fatigue or hardship to meet our
rebellious brethren, even at great odds. The friends and relatives of
those who fell can congratulate themselves in the midst of their
affliction, that they fell in maintaining the cause of constitutional
freedom and the integrity of a flag erected in the first instance at a
sacrifice of many of the noblest lives that ever graced a nation."
(History of the Rebellion, vol. 3, page 209, issued by the war
department.)
General
J.
B.
Plummer,
in
his
report under date of October 31, 1861, in
speaking of Major Gavitt's death, says: "It was there that fell one of
Indiana's noblest and bravest sons." (History of the Rebellion, vol. 3.)
Colonel
Conrad
Baker,
in
his
report
dated October 22, 1861, says: " The death
of Major Gavitt cannot be too deeply regretted, but it is consoling to
know that he fell in the front of the battle gallantly defending the
flag of his country."
John
Smith
Gavitt
was
married
to
Frances A. Lamphere, in Gray- ville,
Illinois, July 2, 1850. This estimable wife and mother was of French
descent, and she died March 14, 1859. Out of this union was born three
children — John Smith, (nicknamed "Mitch,") on June 12, 1851, now
living in St. Louis; William, on June 19, 1855, now residing in this
city, and Joseph Don, on March 24, 1858 a present resident of Colorado
Springs, Colorado.
William
Gavitt
was
partly
educated
in
the public schools and St. John's school
of this city, and partly in college at Teutopolis, Illinois, and was a
student at Notre Dame, Indiana, and afterward electrician at that
celebrated institution of learning. When a mere boy he was upon the
western plains, during the Black Hills gold excitement, as one of the
advance telegraph operators. In 1887 he was appointed special agent for
the United States treasury department, in charge of St. George Island,
Behring Sea, one of the seal islands. He was complimented by the United
States senate in reports read before them and by Hon. C. S. Fairchild,
his superior officer, then secretary of the treasury. Mr. Gavitt's
efforts in behalf of the oppressed natives of Alaska have been well
known and have been properly complimented.
He
will
do
his
duty as he finds it, regardless of consequences. He was
arbitrator in the great railroad strikes here, when capital and labor
were in anger arrayed against each other. In brief, these sort of
differences, because of his high sense of fitness and justice, were
usually referred to him, and he did the public much good by his wise
decisions and timely services. He was a citizen who was well known.
It
is
a
characteristic
of
the Gavitt family that they never forget their
friends or their enemies. True to trust, they would scorn anything
dishonorable. They love their noble country and its glorious flag, and
its grand institutions. When right, they will go the end. Unfaltering
in purpose, unswerving in principle, always striving to be right, one
who aims, in the old Latin adage, "esse quam videri," William Gavitt is
one whose acquaintance and friendship are privileges to be desired.
JOHN
J.
PENNINGTON,
M.
D.
Dr.
Penniugton
was
born
in
1805
in Mecklenburg county Virginia, and came to
Indiana in 1818. The author first became acquainted with him in 1837.
The doctor was at that time living in Princeton, Indiana, and had an
extensive practice at that place. He also practiced at Evansville and
often made trips down here to see his patients. He had many friends and
the more they knew him the greater was their admiration for him. He was
very genial and we talked about old Virginia life whenever we met. Dr.
Pennington was a specimen of man in statue, was about six feet and one
inch iii height and finely proportioned, and was also a born orator,
his speeches being eloquent and intelligent. He bore a striking
resemblance to General Scott, and everybody who had known or seen the
general in Virginia noticed the likeness. The doctor said that he and
the general were raised in the same part of the country and had often
met.
The
author
spent
the
summer
of
1836 in Richmond, where he saw General Scott
at the Fourth of July celebration. The general headed the great
military procession on horseback, and was the center of attraction to
all the people. He was a fine specimen of an officer.
As
Doctor
Pennington
bore
a facial resemblance to General Scott, so he
resembled him in character. He was a brave, just, generous and
sympathetic man. His character was replete with all that is admirable
in human kind. He married Miss Elizabeth Ann Snethen, of Louisville,
Kentucky, in 1831, and settled at Princeton, Indiana. Their family
consisted of three sons and four daughters : Nicholas S., Walter B. and
Charles C. Pennington, and Miss Susan M. H., Miss Belle D., Mrs. B. L.
Groves (deceased) and Mrs. R. J. Harp.
Dr.
Pennington
came
to
Evansville
in
1855. His career was one of great
activity and application, conducting a large and successful medical
practice. During the civil war he was surgeon of the first general
hospital, for sick and wounded soldiers, established by the United
States government at Evansville. He departed this life in 1891, his
beloved wife having preceded him five years. He was a noble man and
mourned by all who knew him.
THE
HOPKINS
FAMILY.
The
Hopkins
race
came
orginally
from
England. Edward Hopkins, the pioneer
in Evansville, lived at Truxton, New York. He and his brother Stephen
eventually settled in the neighborhood of Evansville, when it was a
pioneer village. In those early days farming was the chief occupation
of the settlers, however, Edward, who with his family located in
Evansville in 1819, was a merchant trader.
His
son,
John
S.
Hopkins,
was
born in Truxton, New York, on the 28th day of
October, 1811, so that he was only eight years old when his father
settled in Evansville. Early in life he started in commercial affairs,
and all along in the history of the town he has been one of the
leading, public-spirited citizens, prominently identified with its
material growth from its very founding to the day of his death. His
schooling was secured in the imperfect schools of his early day, and it
was not such as the people of to-day obtain.
But
he
was
a
man
of
superior
intellect, and the experience of a busy life were
all valuable lessons, developing in him a vivid and clear conception of
men and affairs and fixing his great force of character.
His
course
towards
all
men
was
praiseworthy and gained him the esteem of
his friends and acquaintances. For many years he was actively engaged
in mercantile pursuits, and amassed a considerable fortune in that
business. A mind ever ready to receive imformation from whatsoever
source and open to every form of human activity and experience, he
gained a wide practical knowledge of all that pertained to the general
welfare of his fellowmen. Add to this his strong convictions of right
and his courage to defend them, he was natually placed in positions of
trust and honor.
He
was
elected
city
collector
in 1837. Three years later he a member of the
city council. Following this he was placed upon municipal board. These
were gradation steps to the higher position of mayor of Evansville, to
which place he was elected in April, 1 So3, his term of office lasting
for three years; In the times that men's souls — in 1861 — he was in
the Indiana legislature, and aga_i the same place in 1 879. His record
was honorable there and o a book.
He
retired
from
the
business of merchandising with a petence, but still
his business career was not closed. On the o zation of the First
National bank he was chosen its president which position he was
retained until January, 1879. Even \>^ this, it needs to be said, he
was president of the old Canal l^ Great ability characterizes his
thirty-three years' a dministratio x president of the Evansville, Cairo
and Memphis packet company in the last year of his life, when he had
retired from nearly all ness affairs, he served as director of several
corporations. In of the great enterprises of this city he was one of
the first promo and he was director of the Evansville & Terre Haute
railroad al from its inception. When the sands of life had nearly run
ou"fc him he forgot not his Creator, whom he had remembered in the of
his youth.
He
closed
his
earthly
pilgrimage on July 6, 1882. In regard to his
character it may be said that he never forgo* triend, and always
extended a liberal hand to the needy and the tutions around him that
were designed for the betterment of ma. He was jealous of the right and
strict in the performance of 'lls obligations to others. He neglected
no duty and he rewarded ev^ry benefit rendered to him. He was an honest
man and a benevoleUt citizen, and his place was never filled. in He was
married December 9, 1834 to Mary Ann Parrett, daughter of Rev. Robert
Parrett, the founder of Methodism in Evansville. To them were born :
Frank Hopkins, Mrs. Alexander H. Foster, John S. Hopkins, Mrs. Edward
Twombler, Robert P. Hopkins, Jr., Mrs. Frank P. Byrnes and Edward O.
Hopkins. The three sisters that survived him were Mrs. Charles Viele,
Mrs. Charles Babcock and Mrs. Eliza Wheeler.
THE
PARRETT
FAMILY.
As
heretofore
noted
Mary
Ann Parrett was the wife of John S. Hopkins, and
the mother of the present descendants bearing the Hopkins patronymic.
To recount briefly the Parrett family, as it related to the Hopkins
lineage, is the purpose here now.
Rev.
Robert
Parrett
was
of
English
parentage, and he himself was born in
England February 14, 1791. He was properly educated for a curacy, and
later a benefice in the church of England, but his liberal trend of
mind carried him to the doctrines of John Wesley.
With
his
family
he
emigrated
to
the United States about 1816, and began a
more active promulgation of his views and convictions. In 1819 he
located in Posey county, and settled to the task of a pioneer farmer
for the livelihood of his family, at the same time engaging in the work
of founding Methodism in this part of the state. Rev. Joseph Wheeler
and his brother Rev. Richard Wheeler, both educated men, united with
Rev. Robert Parrett and Rev. John Schrader in carrying the word of God
into the newly established village of Evansville.
Rev.
John
Schrader,
a
man
of
great enthusiasm and vast learning, a power in
the pulpit, whose eloquence was almost resistless, on Saturday,
December 12, 1819, in Hugh McGary's double-log warehouse, preached the
first Methodist sermon ever delivered in Evaus- ville. To attend this
enthusiastic service Joseph Wheeler walked in from " Blue Grass " and
heard Rev. Schrader. Rev. Parrett also attended the service. At this
meeting it was arranged that Rev. Robert Parrett and the two Wheeler
brothers should preach at this new point added to the Patoka circuit,
so that there would be service every two weeks. In 1825 Rev. Parrett
located permanently in Evansville, and never again lived elsewhere. On
Sunday, May 19, 1825, Mr. Parrett organized a class here, the first,
consisting of Mr. Parrett and his wife, Martha Parrett, Edward Hopkins
and his wife Mary Hopkins, Jane Lewis, Abraham P. Hutchinson, Arthur
Mc- Johnsou and his wife Mary McJohuson, Hannah Robinson, Jane Warner
and Mrs. Seaman.
Warner
and
Mrs.
Seaman.
When
the
first church was completed in 1839, it was
well-known that Mr. Parrett had done a liberal part * r indeed. His
farm, lying in what is now the southeastern part of the city, supplied
the brick which Mr. Parrett had burnt lor that purpose on his farm. In
this church he labored until the close of his useful life. He was a man
of unction, a master worker for 'good always, and had an unfaltering
faith in God and his eternal justice. His rare intellectual powers, his
close reasoning, his wonderful judgment, his constructive talent, made
him a man of power as well as of distinction. In civil matters he was a
man of wide reading and great comprehension, as his speech, in 1827, on
Adams and Jefferson, demonstrated.
His
long-time
friend,
Rev.
Joseph
AVheeler,
was born near Oxford, England,
in 1778. He was a man of great sweep of intellect, finely educated, and
a nobleman in the cause of Christ. Rev. Parrett died January 29, 1860.
About four years after his death Rev. Wheeler closed his earthly career
and passed to his reward.
The
children
of
Rev.
Robert
Parrett
were : Sons — Rev. John W., Richard
Watson, Robert Bond, William F., John De La Fletcher and Joseph
Parrett. Daughters — Mary Ann, wife of John S. Hopkins ; Sarah, wife of
Rev. Reed; Martha, wife of Rufus Roberts; Jane, wife of Alvah Johnson,
and Eva, wife of Union Bethell.
WATKINS
F.
NISBET.
The
man
who
was
to
achieve
distinction in many ways in Evansville traces
his ancestry back through a line of active men, who settled in Kentucky
from the Carolinas. The father of Watkius F. Nisbet was of Scotch-Irish
descent, and possessed all the excellent traits and unyielding energies
and splendid mental powers of that enterprising class of people. He
settled in Kentucky in an early day — indeed, was one of the pioneers.
Being skilled in the science of surveying, he helped survey and lay out
the larger part of Hopkins county. He secured a farm and devoted his
energies to the cultivation of the soil.
The
subject
of
this
biography
was
born in Madisonville, Hopkins county,
Ky., November 27, 1825, and reared upon a farm. There he learned the
broad precepts that nature teaches and builded up that fine energy
which in mature life carried him successfully through every business
enterprise he undertook.
At
about
the
time
of his majority, with some money he had accumulated
through his commendable habits of economy and thrift, he left the farm
and started upon a new career.
It
seems
that
this
career was not a dream, but a practical ambition,
coupled with a strong resolution to succeed. From the farm Mr. Nisbet
went to Madisonville, the county-seat of the county in which he had
lived all his life, and engaged in the general merchandise business,
about 1845. He remained in this business until the gold fever caught
him in 1849. He, with four others, went to California to seek their
fortunes in that great western state, which the "Pathfinder" had
previously captured from Mexico for the United States. Thev arrived at
San Francisco when " it was only a village of a few dugouts and plain,
low frame buildings — a real backwoods town. Without needless delay
they went into the mining districts, and for one year dug gold from the
mountains and the placers. Mr. Nisbet being a man of correct habits of
life and always exercising his splendid sense of economy, met with
fairly good success. But his partners dreamed of the ease at home,
found the life which Bret Harte describes in his " Luck of Roaring Camp
" distasteful, and decided to return to the " states." Mr. Nisbet, of
course, did not wish to be left alone in those tremendous wilds, and
concluded to return with them. In those days the pathway home was a
long one, far around. Many journeyed the perilous way there overland
across the alkali desert, but the usual way home was either down the
coast and across the Isthmus of Tehauntepec in Nicaragua, or far around
the point called Cape Horn. Vessels from Boston and the east carried
cargoes there, which were disposed of along the western coast, and •
returning, brought back passengers. Often these vessels were old
unseaworthy craft, and it was Mr. Nisbet's ill luck to take passage
home in one of that kind. The voyage was a hard and perilous one of
several months' duration. On the way they encountered several storms,
and suffered many hardships on account of the prolongation of the
journey. Their drinking water finally gave out, and their food supply
was exhausted. Then the tortures of hunger and thirst obliged the
passengers to pay almost any price for the seep water obtained from the
ship's hold. This was sold at so much a glass, just as drinks are sold
to-day over the bar. After a desperate struggle with wind and wave, and
battling for life against starvation and death, they finally landed at
British Honduras. They made an overland trip to the Gulf of Mexico,
crossed the gulf and then came up the Mississippi river. After arriving
at home, Mr. Nisbet again entered the business he had first begun. That
same business energy that always characterized him now brought him an
enlarged trade and better returns, if possible, than ever before. He
made his purchases for this Madison- ville store principally in
Philadelphia. There he made a trip every year. It was a long and
tedious journey. He went first to Henderson, thence up the Ohio river
to Pittsburgh and took stage over the Allegheny mountains to the City
of Brotherly Love. It was a long, wearysome journey then. Having
purchased a year's supply, or stock of goods, he returned home over the
same route he had gone. His freight, or. goods, followed him in the
same slow, tedious way.
After
pursuing
this
line
of
business
for several years in a successful
manner, he enlarged the field of his labors. In the midst of a vast
tobacco region, he saw that he could deal in tobacco in connection with
his other business, and by that means enhance his net proceeds at the
end of the year. With persistent energy, surmounting every obstacle, he
turned everything to good account, and up to the opening of the mighty
civil conflict between the north and the south, he had accumulated
quite a little sum of money out of the mercantile and tobacco business
united. With the sound of arms and the tramp of armies over the land,
he observed that his sympathies for and with the Union were not in
general harmony with that of his friends and neighbor.*.
As
the
war
progressed
and
its bitterness increased and the red blood of human
veins dyed the soil a scarlet hue, his Union sentiments made his
situation uncomfortable to a certain degree. He looked upon his growing
family with a kind father's solicitude and desire for the welfare of
each one, and feeling the necessity of better educational advantages
for them, induced him to move to Evansville, in 1863. As far as is
known, he never denied the fact that his Union sentiments had something
to do with his change of location at that time.
And
now
as
a
citizen
of
Evansville, having previously carefully and fully
considered his course, he engaged in the dry goods business. His
unflagging application and masterful energies applied to business
always brought him success. He never undertook anything without having
first fully matured all its plans and considered it in its every
detail, and consequently he never encountered failure or even a
stagnant condition of trade. After several years of prosperous
wholesale mercantile business, he bought out his partner's interests
and joined in partnership with D. J. Mackey, under the firm name of
Mackey, Nis- bet & Co. Still continuing in this vast and increasing
business they also engaged in buying cotton and tobacco in large
quantities and shipping their purchase to New York and Liverpool. He
was the first man in Evansville to go up the Tennessee river at the
close of the war and buy cotton for the general market. He thus opened
up a new and profitable market to the cotton growers along the river,
and brought prosperity to their doors. It was like a blessing to those
poor, war- ravaged people, from whose ears the terrible boom of cannon
and tbe sound of the tramp of devasting armies had scarcely died out.
After several years of activity in the tobacco and cotton business, the
firm at length decided to discontinue further purchase of these
articles of commerce and devote its entire time to the wholesale dry
goods business.
They
possessed
large
interests
in
the
cotton mill, and turned their
attention now to its operation on a broader and more successful scale.
A
man
of
such
untiring
energy and resistless force, as Mr. Nisbet was, could
not be restrained to a single line of activity, nor be con- teuted with
a partial exercise of his business qualifications. So as might be
inferred, or perhaps expected, he found exercise for his ceaseless
activity in being at the head of other large public enterprises, or in
counseling and lending liberal pecuniary support to social and moral
movements. It was natural to find him in the van. He was a successful
general in business and in social reforms As an evidence or
illustration of this truth, it may be mentioned that he was the first
president of the Evansville, Rockport and Eastern Railroad. He was also
president of the Evansville, Paducah and Cairo Packet Company, and a
director in the Louisville and Evausville Mail Company.
His
high
moral
ideas
were
uot
simply exercised on Sunday in church but as
well in his affairs every day of his life. He was an elder in the First
Cumberland Presbyterian church of this city, and always took great and
unfaltering interest in its affairs, both spiritual and material.
He
was
one
of
the
largest contributors to the fund that built the large,
beautiful edifice on the corner of Second and Chestnut streets. His
moral activity was no less than his commercial energy; for he was a
member of the board of publication, and one of the founders of the
board of ministerial relief. This latter is one of the best, greatest,
and noblest of its kind in the country. He was one of the trustees of
Evans Hall, in the erection of which he took a prominent part. It would
require more space than is here to be disposed of in that manner to
recount his many private deeds of charity, or relate the many movements
for the general good in which he concerned himself.
Mr.
\V.
F.
Nisbet
and
Miss
Sarah F. Arnold were married November 23, 1852,
by Rev. Mr. Bone, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister in Madisonville,
Ky. She was a sweet and lovable lady, a true helpmeet all through his
life, faithful in every family duty, watchful of her family's
happiness, self-sacrificing for. their happiness, and devoted to every
good cause and work.
With
such
a
true
companion
life
was a unjoy instead of a burden, a summer
day instead of a winter night, a glory instead of a meaningless span of
days.
To
them
were
born
ten children, whose names are : David A., Sarah A. (Mrs.
Grammar), Samuel B., Edward A., Watkins F. (deceased), Jennie, (Mrs.
Zarecor), Robert K., Fannie, (Mrs. Holeman), and her twin brother Frank
\V. and Gus T. Mr. Nisbet was a man of extraordinary business energy.
His faculty was more to move business masses, which is to say, move
large com.' mercial transactions and set them in motion, than to dwell
upon mArvot affairs. And still no man had a clearer knowledge of the
miuutia. o* business or was more perfect in its details.
His
ability
to
handle
IsirgC
masses
of business did not interfere with his
watchful oversight c1 the minor matters of affairs. He was a man who
could and superintend a wonderful volume of trade, and at the same time
c its smallest detail. Exhaustless, tireless in business capacity, he
r» «3 ver flinched from any duty. It was one of his marked
traits to be sa.t>le quickly to concentrate his qualifications on
business.
His
about
the
result
of
a
movement in a commercial enterprise was erring.
It is not coarse praise to apply the flattering term of >c chant
prince" to him; for he was indeed that.
Mr.
Nisbet
was
a
man
of
very reserved nature, particularly
wl»«^n came to publicity regarding his own life or his
family affairs — a commendable and happy quality. He was always averse
to pub»l ish- ing anything about himself, and he shrank from
print just as would from a touch with something displeasing and
distressing, his family, no man was more considerate and kind than he.
His death, a truly business calamity, occurred July 7, 1886. wife
survived him eight years. She passed to the beyond 29, 1894. In a word,
she was a noble woman, connecting prominently with every good thing in
the city, and looking after poor in a substantial way. Many a load of
coal, or a sack of flot*^' piece of beef found its way to the home of
the discouraged poor no one knew of but herself. Her deep Christian
convictions led into active help of the needy. Her contributions to
worthy were liberal, and she was actuated by the sublime Christian
doctrit**1 not letting her right hand know what her left hand did. one
' '
JOHN
GEORGE
POTTS.
John
George
Potts,
one
of
the
best known farmers and citizens of Vanderburg
county, was born October 14, 1824, and died November 12, 1908, having
spent his entire life on the farm upon which he was born and which is
known as the Plympton place. He was the son of George and Mary Ann
(Maidlow) Potts. The father was a native of Lancashire, England, and in
1817 came to America, purchasing the homestead on which the son
resides. In 1820 he wedded Mary Ann Maidlow, a lady of sterling
character. He was better known as Dr. Potts. In the early '203 he went
to New Orleans. Knowing full well the dangers of the dreaded yellow
fever, he provided himself with the necessary preventatives which,
however, he gave to an afflicted comrade, whose life he thus saved but
lost his own for lack of medicine.
John
G.
Potts
was
a
man
of most excellent character and habits, thoroughly
honest in every way and charitable in every good cause. He fully
realized the benefits of education and frequently gave prizes to
scholars in the schools of his township for excellence in their
studies, thus stimulating them to earnest effort and close application
in the work of the schoolroom. For more than twenty years he served as
treasurer and trustee of the Erskine Benevolent Fund, was a director of
the old State National Bank for almost a half century and served as
township trustee for a number of terms. Being a self-educated man and
of studious turn of mind, he read law and was admitted to the bar of
Vanderburg county but never practiced.
Those
who
have
not
lived
to
advanced years can have no accurate conception of
the changes witnessed by Mr. Potts. The state was in its infancy, the
wilderness was almost unbroken, wild -animals and game were abundant
and the trail of the savage was still to be seen during his early youth
here, but with the years there came roads, farms and better conditions.
The home of Mr. Potts was one of the fine old places of the county
where through his many years the simple life was lived and hospitality
was generous and genuine but without ostentation. He was a very
valuable citizen, never seeking the public eye nor the prizes of
official life. He kept no inventory of his virtues but his life was the
incarnation of personal integrity. He was ever jealous of his country's
honor.
In
the
fall
of
1851
Mr. Potts was united in marriage to Susan Stephens, a
daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Stephens. Mrs. Potts was born in
Dartmouth, England, March 22, 1822, and with a brother emigrated to
America in 1849, locating in this county where their uncle and aunt,
James and Esther (Weeks) Causon, settled in 1818. The latter emigrated
to America the year previous but were detained in Pennsylvania, being
icebound during the winter of 1817-18. In the spring the ice broke up,
destroying their boat and in consequence many of their effects were
lost. A second boat was constructed and set afloat. In the same year
they landed in Evansville and made their settlement in Scott township,
where they continued for a number of years, remaining in this county
until death. However, they made several removals and in later life
visited their native England. A short time after Miss Stephens and her
brother came to this country she was married to Mr. Potts. To them were
born four children, Esther, Edith, John and Causon. Of these Edith and
John died in infancy. Esther was married to William H. Gudger,
attorney-at-law. Causon was born December 2, 1856, and died December
27, 1893. He was a graduate of De Pauw University and was married in
1878 to Jennie F. Hall. Of Mr. Potts it can be truthfully said:
None
knew
him
but
to
love
him,
None
named
him
but
to
praise.
WILLIAM
CLARKE.
For
more
than
a
quarter
of
a century William Clarke has been connected with
the house of Ragon Brothers, of which he is now secretary. Individual
business ability and laudable ambition have brought him to his present
enviable position, and he deserves much credit for what he has
accomplished. He was born in County Cork in the south of Ireland, a son
of William and Mary (Bateman) Clarke. The mother died during the
childhood of her son William and the father, who for many years was
engaged in the shoe business, passed away in 1869.
In
the
common
schools
of
his native land the subject of this review pursued
his education and in 1869, following his father's death, he crossed the
'Atlantic to the new world and resided with his brother in Cincinnati
for a short time. Coming to Evansville he secured the position of
bookkeeper for the firm of Vickery Brothers, with whom he remained for
thirteen years, representing that house for a part of the time at its
branch in Vincennes. In 1884 he became a representative of the
wholesale grocery firm of Ragon Brothers, being appointed bookkeeper,
in which capacity he displayed such capability, industry and fidelity
that promotion followed and advancement has now brought him to the
position of secretary of what is one of the most important commercial
concerns of Evansville. One of his salient characteristics is the
thoroughness with which he masters every duty that devolves upon him
and as he has advanced in his business career, each forward step has
brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. In his present
position he has bent his energies to administrative direction and
executive control and in constructive work is proving an element in the
upbuilding of the house and the extension of its trade relations.
In
1873
Mr.
Clarke
was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Dunkel of
Vincennes, Indiana, who died in 1906. They were the parents of four
sons and a daughter. The four sons have all died, one in infancy, but
the other three grew to manhood. They were educated in the public
schools of Evansville and were filling responsible and lucrative
positions at the time of their death. Samuel K. was assistant cashier
with the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, at the
time of his death in January, 1903. Will F., the eldest, died at home
in 1907, and George, the youngest, died at Denver, Colorado, in 1908,
and was buried in Evansville. Fannie, the daughter, is now living at
home. The family residence is at No. 1117 Washington avenue.
Mr.
Clarke
is
a
member
of
the Masonic fraternity, with which he has been
identified from the age of twenty-one years, and is a past master of
the blue lodge. He belongs to Trinity Methodist Episcopal church and
guides his life by its teachings. His has been an honorable record,
characterized by fidelity to duty in every relation. In his business
affairs he has never regarded any position as final but rather as the
starting point for further achievement. Thus gradually he has
progressed until he today occupies a prominent position in commercial
circles, being active in the affairs of one of the leading commercial
enterprises of Evansville.
ALBERT
J.
ROSECRANS.
Albert
J.
Rosecrans,
who
has
devoted
his entire life to farming, is now
engaged in the cultivation of a tract of two hundred and thirty acres
in Union township. He was born in Perry county, Indiana, on the iTth of
October, 1870, and his parents, Adam Francis and Elizabeth (Wheatly)
Rosecrans, were also natives of the same locality, where much of their
lives was passed. Both are now deceased, the father having been called
to his final rest in 1894, while the mother's death occurred in August,
1891. Mr. Rosecrans had followed farming throughout his entire life
save for the period of his service in the Civil war. In response to the
country's call for troops his patriotism prompted his enlistment and he
joined Company K of the Eighty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, doing
active duty at the front until wounded at the battle of Chickamauga.
Albert
J.
Rosecrans
acquired
his
early
education in the schools of Kentucky
and afterward attended the schools of Perry county, Indiana. He was
reared to farm life and early became familiar with the best methods of
cultivating the soil and caring for the crops. His attention has been
given to farm work from early boyhood and after his marriage he began
farming' on his own account. He now: rents and cultivates two hundred
and thirty acres of land, which he has brought under a high state of
improvement. His methods are practical, his industry unfaltering and
his well directed labors have brought him substantial returns.
On
the
7th
of
October,
1897, at Rockport, Spencer county, Indiana, Mr.
Rosecrans was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Stevens, a daughter of
Edward and Sarah (Butt) Stevens. The father, a native of Kentucky, is
still living but the mother has passed away. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Rosecrans have been born three children, two daughters and a son:
Blanch, eleven years of age; Hazel, a little maiden of ten summers; and
Albert J., fiv» years of age. The family have lived in Vanderburg
county since 1898 and are well known in this community where they have
a large circle of warm friends.
Both
Mr.
and
Mrs.
Rosecrans
attend
the Methodist Episcopal church and are
loyal to its teachings and generous in its support. His political views
accord with the principles of the republican party but he has neither
sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon
his business interests. Whatever success he has achieved is due to his
own labors for he has had no assistance from others depending entirely
upon his industry and capable management for the attainment of
prosperity.
WILLIAM
B.
LE
MASTERS.
William
B.
Le
Masters
has
been
a member of the Vanderburg bar since June, 1905.
He was born at Boonville, Cooper county, Missouri, November 27, 1879.
He is the son of Christopher C. and Sarah Le Masters and a grandson of
Benjamin, a French pioneer of the Northwest Territory. The father is a
native of Pike county, Indiana, while the mother's birth occurred in
Pulaski county, Kentucky. In 1870 they removed to Kansas City,
Missouri, where the father was engaged in business, while later they
removed to Boonville, Missouri, where Lee, as he is familiarly known,
was born. In 1882, the father's health becoming bad, they removed to
the father's old homestead in Pike county.
In
1890
our
subject
removed with his parents to Evansville, where he has
since resided, having been educated in the city schools. When the
Spanish-American w&r broke out he was a student in the Evansville
high school. His patriotic spirit aroused, he responded to the
country's call for troops, enlisting for service in Company E, One
Hundred and Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Near the close of
the war he was furloughed on account of illness, never rejoining his
command. The four years following the war with Spain he spent in the
west. Since his marriage in
June,
1904,
to
Miss
Lena
W.
Cuny, he has resided continuously in Evansville.
On
the
1st
of
January,
1908, he was appointed deputy prosecuting attorney for
the first judicial circuit. At the expiration of his term (January 1,
1912,) he will have served four years as assistant to Hon. O. R.
Luhring, He is appreciative of the duties as well as of the privileges
of citizenship* and his cooperation can be counted upon as a factor in
promoting projects and measures destined to improve and upbuild the
city and county.
GUS
KANZLER.
The
business
development
of
Evansville
is
attributable to the efforts of
such enterprising men as Gus Kanzler, the secretary and treasurer of
the Mechanics Planing Mill and also a partner in the contracting
business conducted under the name of C. Kanzler & Son. He is
numbered among those men who in the rapid and marvelous development and
growth of the city have come to the front because of their recognition
and utilization of opportunities which have arisen in connection with
the substantial expansion of industrial, commercial and financial
interests here. The impossibility of placing fictitious values upon
industry, determination and perseverance at once proves the worth of
the individual who must base his rise upon these qualities. These
elements have constituted the salient features in the advancement of
Mr. Kanzler, whose experience has been of wide range as he has advanced
from the outset of his business career to his present creditable
position.
A
native
of
this
city, he was born October 5, 1876, and is a son of
Christ and Margaret Kanzler. He was a pupil in the public schools to
the age of seventeen years and afterward attended the Evansville
Commercial College for a year and a half. He then engaged with his
father in learning the building contracting business and in 1903 was
admitted to a partnership under the name of C. Kanzler & Son. They
have been very successful, doing a general line of building
contracting, erecting the Hercules buggy works, the Lincoln cotton
mills, the Louisville & Nashville railroad station, the Southern
Stove Works and the fine residences of William Cook and Edward Keichle.
They now have in course of construction a one hundred thousand dollar
courthouse at Spencer, Indiana. They have recently completed a
five-stall roundhouse, boiler and engine room for the Cairo &
Thebes Railroad at Cairo, Illinois, and are engaged on the construction
of a sixty thousand dollar postoffice building at Jefferson, Indiana.
In 1905 Mr. Kanzler was elected secretary and treasurer of the
Mechanics Planing Mill and is thus closely associated with the
industrial activities of this city.
On
the
i8th
of
October,
1899, Mr. Kanzler was married in Evansville to Miss
Lilly Yost. They are members of St. John's Evangelical church and Mr.
Kaifeler belongs to Reed Lodge, No. 316, A. F. & A. M., the Elks,
Red Men, the Liederkranz and Turner societies. His political allegiance
is given to the republican party and, as every true American citizen
should do, he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the
day, but aside from that takes no active part in politics, feeling that
his business affairs make full demand upon his time and energies. He is
alert to the opportunities oflered in the fields in which he is
operating and as the years have gone by he has achieved substantial
success therein.
FRANK
P.
CONN.
Frank
P.
Conn,
devoting
his
time
and energies to general farming in Perry
township, was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, on the I2th of May,
1844. His father, Dr. Isaac T. Conn, was a native of Beaver,
Pennsylvania, who, after mastering the branches of learning, took up
the study of medicine with Dr. Barker of Beaver as his preceptor. Later
he was graduated from the Virginia Medical College, after which he
continued in active practice until the outbreak of the Civil war, when
he offered his services to the government as a surgeon and went to the
front with the First Indiana Heavy Artillery. Dr. Conn, howjever, was
engaged in active hospital service most of the time and after the close
of the war returned to Evansville, where he continued in practice until
his death in 1873. He wedded Miss Mary Jane Porter, of Beaver,
Pennsylvania, who, surviving him for almost twenty years, passed away
in 1892.
Frank
P.
Conn
of
this
review
was a youth of fifteen when his parents removed
from his native city to Evansville. His education, begun in the public
schools of Wheeling, was continued in this city. Later he engaged in
teaching school in Vanderburg and Posey counties for a number of years,
proving a capable educator whose labors were an important element in
advancing the educational interests of the state. For a time he
occupied the position of deputy in the office of the state
superintendent of schools. In 1874 Mr. Conn was elected county
superintendent of schools in Vanderburg county, filling the position
for eight years, during which period he instituted many needed reforms
and progressive measures. His labors were at all times practical and
produced satisfactory results. He was reporter on the Courier for some
time and also a contributor on educational and politiical topics. In
1886 Mr. Conn took up a tract of unimproved land in Perry township,
four miles west of Evansville, and by patient industry cleared it and
erected a comfortable home Jhereon. This place, on the Red bank, (then
an unfrequented road) is one of the most eligible and attractive
situations about Evansville—a city noted for many lovely sites among
the hills north and westward.
In
September,
1877,
in
Evansville, Mr. Conn was united in marriage to Miss
Anna Burbank, a daughter of Bradford Burbank, a native of Hartford,
Connecticut. Her father was engaged in the wholesale mercantile
business in Evansville and was a prominent figure in commercial
circles. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Conn have been born two sons and two
daughters: Charles B., now a resident of Pittsbtirg, Pennsylvania;
Virginia, at home; Isaac P., also in Pittsburg; and Helen M., at home.
The
family
attend
the
Christian
church.
Mr. Conn gives active political
support to the democratic party. He has been a cooperant factor in many
progressive measures for the general good, has been active in extending
the city limits of Evansville on the Perry township side and his labors
have at all times been of a helpful and valuable character. He is
widely known and his sterling qualities have gained him high regard. %
JACOB
H.
WEBER.
Among
the
young
men
who
are
forging their w&y to the front in business
circles of Evansville, winning a creditable place and name through
energy, ability and determination, Jacob H. Weber is numbered. He is
now the secretary of the Forest Product Manufacturing Company, to which
position he wtas chosen December 29, 1909. He was born in Evansville,
July 22, 1883, his parents being Fred W. and Catharine Weber. Like a
large majority of the citizens who came to Evansville in the middle of
the nineteenth century, he was of German birth, his natal day being
August i, 1854. He arrived in Evansville in 1866 and afterward
established a beer bottling business, the first of the kind in the
city. In this he continued successfully until 1889, when he turned his
capital into other channels and became foreman of the Evansville Hoop
Company, with which he was associated until 1907. In that year he
became one of the organizers of the Forest Product Company, of which he
was elected treasurer and is still active in the management and conduct
of that business, being a worthy representative of the German-American
citizens who have been the upbuilders and promoters of Evansville's
business development.
Jacob
H.
Weber
attended
the
Catholic
parochial schools until fourteen years
of age, at which time he became a pupil in the Spencerian Business
College, where he continued his studies for two years, thus qualifying
by thorough training for the duties which come as one commences
business life. He then accepted a clerical position in the local
freight office of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad Company,
with which he was connected for seven years, his long continuance in
the position proving his capability, efficiency and faithfulness. At
the end of that time he became a salesman for the Evansville Hoop &
Stave Company, with which he was associated until December, 1909, when
he was elected secretary of the Forest Product Company. This has been
very successful from the beginning, the" trade growing along
substantial and healthful lines, bringing a good return for the capital
invested and for the industry put forth.
On
the
i6th
of
January,
1907, Mr. Weber was married in this city to Miss
Minnie Boyer, and they have one child, Mary Denis, now a year old. Mr.
Weber is a Catholic in religious faith and holds membership with the
Knights of Columbus. In political thought he is independent, nor holds
to the leading of any party but casts his ballot as his judgment
dictates. He is a young man well known in Evansville and has many
friends with whom he has been acquainted from his boyhood days.
JOHN
F.
OILMAN.
Seventy
years
ago
John
F.
Oilman,
who is a well known real-estate man and
builder of Evansville, first saw the light of day. He was born in this
city in a house that stood at the corner of Main and Second streets in
1840. Few men now living are better acquainted with the development of
the city and the wonderful changes which have taken place on the Ohio
river, which was formerly the great artery over which floated the
products of the early factories and mills on their way to market at St.
Louis, New Orleans and the intervening cities. Over this route, in
boats which they had built with their own hands, came thousands of
settlers who established homes along the water courses or at the edge
of the prairie in Indiana and Illinois, many pushing their way westward
until they found a resting place on the shores of the Pacific. Mr.
Oilman has watched Evansville grow from a village to a thriving city
and has seen the rude log cabin of the pioneer transformed into a
modern dwelling with all the comforts and elegancies that appeal to the
cultivated taste of the present day. He saw the steamboat superseded by
the locomotive, the prairie schooner by the Pullman palace car and the
hand sickle and cradle, so common in the harvest fields of the pioneer
period, succeeded by the wonderful reapers and binders that have
assisted so materially in making scientific farming a reality and have
marked a new era in the peaceful achievements of men. Here as a young
man he saw the soldiers going to fight for the Union; he saw them
return and resume the vocations of peace that have changed a vast,
undeveloped country into the most flourishing portion of the globe.
Through all this experience has he lived and in the same degree has he
been of it a part.
The
parents
of
our
subject,
John
and Mary Oilman, came to Evansville in
1832. They gave their son the advantages of an education in the public
schools and later he became a student in a business college where he
was inducted into subjects of practical application in his future
career. After leaving school he became self-supporting as a clerk and
bookkeeper, but for many years he has been engaged in handling real
estate and also as a building contractor. By diligence and good
judgment he acquired a competence and he is now enjoying the fruits
which are usually the results of conscientious application.
In
1864
Mr.
Oilman
was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Alice
Spencer, a daughter of Hon. Charles Spencer, of Memphis, Tennessee.
Before her marriage she was principal of one of the public schools of
Memphis. Two daughters were born of the union: Ursula and Theo.
Mr.
Oilman
is
recognized
as
a
substantial representative citizen by those
with wfhom he has long been associated and one who has always been
deeply interested in the material, mental and moral welfare of the
community. By his integrity and honesty in all business dealings he
attained a standing which is to any man of inestimable value and in the
long run is worth much more than all the honors that could be purchased
by the use of money.
GAINES
A.
CONDIT.
Gaines
A.
Condit,
vice
'president
and
general manager of the Central Mutual
Insurance Company, was born in Boonville, Indiana, December 17, 1864,
his parents being Rev. Byram E. L. and Asenath Condit. The father was
born in 1832 upon a farm at Livermore, Kentucky. He was sixteen years
of age when his parents died. He then went to the home of an uncle at
Millersburg, Indiana, and afterward served as mail carrier on the old
canal. His education was largely acquired through his own efforts
without the assistance of others. While acting as mail carrier he took
up the study of theology, for he had determined to devote his life to
the work of the Christian ministry, and in 1862 he was ordained in the
Baptist church. On the 3d of August, 1851, he had married Asenath
Osborn, who was born near Boonville, Indiana, in 1833. His ancestors
came to this country about 1678, settling first at what is now Newark,
New Jersey, while later representatives of the family went to Ohio and
afterward others went to Kentucky. Both the Rev. B. E. L. Condit and
his wife are still living, and in many places where they have resided
their labors have proven a most potent element in moral development and
progress. For many years the father officiated as minister of the
Pleasant Ridge Baptist church near Boonville, Indiana.
As
a
public
school
student,
Gaines A. Gondit mastered the lessons that
constitute the common curriculum, and at the age of twenty years he
took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for two years in
Tennessee. Returning to Indiana, he located first in Warrick county and
taught in the district schools of Owen, Lane, Pigeon and Boone
townships for ten years. Coming to Evansville, he has been continuously
identified with insurance interests in this city. He was first with the
Prudential Life In surance Company as agent for a year, and was
afterward made assistant superintendent at Evansville, so continuing
until 1904. He then organized the Union Mutual Insurance Company, of
which he was elected vice president in 1905. This company consolidated
with the Central Mutual Insurance Company of Evansville, and of the new
organization he was chosen vice president. The company has met with
substantial success, the business growing each year and its continued
development is assured from the fact that it is carefully organized, is
based upon well formulated plans and has at its head men capable of
executing such plans.
On
the
27th
of
April,
1890, Mr. Condit was married in Boonville, Indiana, to
Miss Esther McCool and unto them have been born two children, Inez and
Forrest, aged respectively eighteen and ten years, the former a student
in the high school and the latter yet in the grades. The family attend
the Baptist church and are well known socially in this city, the
hospitality of many of the best homes of Evansville being freely
accorded them. Mr. Condit votes with the democratic party and is ever
loyal to its interests, but does not seek nor desire political
preferment. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and
manifests not only in the organization but in other relations of life,
those genial qualities which win friendship and kindly regard.
CHARLES
SCHOENBACHER.
Charles
Schoenbacher,
one
of
the
prominent
and successful dairymen of
Vanderburg county, conducting a good business in Center township, was
born in Switzerland, September 14, 1853, his parents being Joseph and
Mary Schoenbacher, w)ho were also natives of the land of the Alps. The
father died in that country, after which the mother came with her son
Charles to the new world, settling in Evansville.
Charles
Schoenbacher
was
at
that
time
twenty-eight years of age. His education
was acquired in the schools of his native country and in early manhood
the desire to come to the new world grew in him as he heard favorable
reports concerning the opportunities and advantages here offered. His
brother had preceded him to the United States and after reaching this
county he entered his brother's dairy and was employed in connection
therewith for about ten years. During that period he carefully saved
his earnings until 1891, when he felt that his capital was sufficient
to enable him to engage in business on his own account. He then opened
a dairy in Highland, Center township, and has since successfully
conducted the business with the exception of a period of two years when
he was engaged in buying cattle. He now has a fine building and is
conducting dairying interests on an extensive scale. His brother died
in 1906.
Mr.
Schoenbacher
has
never
married
and
has always made his home with his
brother and his wife. He adheres to the religious faith of thte family,
being a communicant of the Catholic church. He also belongs to Eagle
Lodge, No. 427, of Evansville, and his political endorsement is given
to the men and measures of the democratic party. He has never had
occasion to regret his determination to come to the United States with
its broader business opportunities, for as the years have passed he has
progressed along the path of prosperity and is now at the head of an
extensive and profitable business.
WILLIAM
EISSLER.
Center
township,
within
whose
borders
William
Eissler now makes his home, was
also the place of his birth, and his natal day was March 13, 1859. He
has always followed farming and his perseverance, enterprise and
determination have made him a representative agriculturist of the
community. His parents were Jacob and Mary (Steiger) Eissler, both of
whom were natives of Germany. On coming to America they chose
Evansville as a favorable place of location, arriving here in early
days. The father purchased a farm of sixty-six acres and at once began
to clear away the native forest growth with which his land was covered.
It was an arduous task, but persistently he continued his labors until
the work was accomplished and the place was divided into productive and
well tilled fields. In the midst of his farm he erected a good
residence and other buildings, and as time passed on he added to his
place a tract of eighty-six acres. His life was a busy and useful one,
given to general agricultural interests until his death, which occurred
in August, 1887. His wife passed away in 1884.
The
experiences
of
farm
life
were
those which came to William Eissler in
his youth. His time was divided between the work of the fields, the
duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. In the
summer months he aided his father and after leaving school continued to
work with him until twenty-five years of age, when he was married and
started out independently. At that time he purchased forty acres of
land, which he at once began to clear and improve. The results of his
labors are seen in the fine crops which he gathers. He has extended the
boundaries of his farm until it is now a tract of fifty-two and a half
acres, equippedvwith modern conveniences. He uses the latest improved
machinery to facilitate the work of the fields, and the entire place
presents an attractive, neat and thrifty appearance. In the midst of
the farm stands a comfortable residence, a good barn and outbuildings
that shelter grain and stock from inclement weather.
It
was
in
1884
that
Mr. Eissler was united in marriage to Miss Anna Sweitzer
and unto them have been born eight children: Maggie and Clara, both of
whom are married and live in Evansville; Willie, twenty-one years of
age, who is now working as a farm hand; George, Edith, Lorin, Oliver
and John, aged respectively nineteen, seventeen, fifteen, thirteen and
eleven years, and all yet at home.
The
family
are
members
of
the
Christian church, in the work of which they
are active and interested. Mr. Eissler has guided his entire life by
its teachings, and is regarded as an upright, honorable man, well
worthy the high esteem which is uniformly accorded him. His political
allegiance is given to the democracy, but he has never sought nor
desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his
business affairs.
NAPOLEON
B.
HAYWARD.
A
man
of
strong
character
and marked individuality, Napoleon B. Hayward left
his impress upon Evansville in its business development and in its
factors of public concern. He was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky,
in 1825, and his life record scarcely covered a half century, for he
passed away in 1874. His father, James Hayward, was a native of England
and came to America, making his home for many years in Kentucky,
removing from Jefferson county to Smithland. He was a man of broad
education and of wide reading, prominent in the community where he made
his home, and his great admiration for "the Little Corporal of France,"
is indicated by the name which he gave to the subject of this review.
His business was that of buying and shipping cattle.
Following
the
removal
of
the
family
to Smithland, Kentucky, Napoleon B. Hayward,
then a small boy, soon afterward began his education in the schools
there. He was still young when his father died and was thus left to
shift for himself. Moreover, the responsibility of aiding in the
support of his family devolved upon him. He early learned the trade of
an engineer and followed engineering and kindred pursuits on the
Tennessee river and its tributaries for many years. When the division
of the country concerning the slavery question arose, his sympathies
were with the north, and the unpleasant conditions thus brought about
made him leave his native state in 1868 and come to Evansville. Here he
became a member of the firm of Harper, Hayward & Summers, wholesale
dealers and manufacturers of tobacco on First street. But the river had
long been his life, and he longed to get back to it. Accordingly he
sold his mercantile interests in Evansville and became owner in
partnership with Captain Thomas and Alfred Edwards of the steamer
Glasgow, running on the Ohio and Cumberland rivers. It would be
difficult to find a river man more thoroughly familiar with those
streams. He knew every shoal and every turn, and to him there was a
fascination and pleasure in that life which no commercial enterprise
could afford him. He was, however, connected with Evansville's business
interests as one of the organizers of the first building and loan
association here, known as the Evansville Building & Loan Company.
Mr.
Hayward
first
married
Eliza
Randall,
by whom he had one daughter, Mrs.
S. A. Smith, now a resident of Shreveport, Louisiana. In Louisville,
Kentucky, in 1857, he was married to Miss Virginia Quertermous, a
native of Louisville and a daughter of T. J. Quertermous, a contractor
of that state. Unto them were born eight children, of whom six are
living: Mrs. L. Flickner, of Evansville; Walter S., who is in the west;
James T., of Seattle, Washington; Charles W., of this city; Bertha and
Ruby, both at home. Mrs. Hayward and her family have made their home in
Evansville since her husband's death, and are well known socially in
this city.
He
took
an
active
interest in the welfare of the community in which he
lived and was a devoted member of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal
church. He held membership in Reed Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and his
father attained high rank in that order. His political endorsement was
given to the democracy and he never faltered in his allegiance to a
cause or principle in which he believed. He attained a comfortable
share of this world's goods, being considered a wealthy man in his day.
His strong character commanded respect, his genial qualities awakened
admiration and regard, and his sterling traits gained for him the
confidence of all with whom he came in contact.
WILLIAM
V.
COOPER.
William
V.
Cooper,
filling
the
office
of deputy county treasurer, was born in
Vincennes, Indiana, July 7, 1872, a son of Elder and Hannah Cooper. His
father, who was born near Dublin, Ireland, in July, 1837, came to
Evansville in 1857 when a young man of twenty years.
William
V.
Cooper
pursued
his
education
through successive grades in the public
and high schools of Vincennes and Evansville until 1887, after which he
attended the Cumick & Rank Business College for a period of nine
months, acquainting himself with methods in vogue in the business
world. He afterward became a salesman for the firm of Switzer, Calwell
& Company, wholesale dealers in notions, with whom he remained for
three and a half years. He next entered the employ of William Hughes,
who was engaged in the wholesale millinery business, acting as salesman
of that house for three years. The succeeding period of four years was
devoted to service as deputy state oil inspector, and for two years he
was with the A. P. Henrickson Hat Company as salesman. On the
expiration of that period he was appointed by O. L. Klauss to the
position of deputy in the county treasurer's office and has since
continued in this position, discharging his duties with capability and
fidelity that leads to his retention in the office.
Mr.
Cooper
belongs
to
the
National
Union, to the Military Order of the
Loyal Legion, and to the Methodist church, while his political
allegiance is always given to the republican party. His has been a well
spent life, and sterling worth and attractive social qualities as well
as his business ability have gained him a firm hold on the regard of
many friends.
ALBERT
E.
SWOPE.
Albert
E.
Swope
is
the
proprietor
of the Elm Grove Stock and Poultry Farm, a
valuable property equipped with modern improvements and devoted largely
to the raising of fine stock and poultry. He is a business man of
practical ideas and enterprising spirit and his firm determination
enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he
undertakes. He was born in Evansville, December 16, 1870, and is a son
of Albert and Sarah A. (Hornby) Swope, who were likewise natives of
Vanderburg county, where the family has been represented from an early
day. When a young man, the father learned the carpenter's trade, and
eventually engaged in contracting, but afterward returned to
agricultural life, purchasing one hundred and ten acres of land in
Center township. It was covered with timber, but with characteristic
energy he began to clear away the trees, burning the brush and
preparing the fields for cultivation. His labors were soon manifest in
the excellent appearance of the place, which indicated the careful
supervision of a practical and progressive owner. He erected thereon a
fine residence, substantial barns and commodious outbuildings and
carried on farming with success until 1893, when he returned to
Evansville and again engaged in the contracting business. His skill and
knowledge in that line enabled him to command a liberal patronage and
he always employed good workmen, so that in the execution of contracts
he met the desires of his patrons and won satisfactory returns. He
continued in that business until his death, which occurred in January,
1904. For more than a quarter of a century he had survived his wife,
who died in 1875. They were numbered among the highly respected
residents of their native county, their good qualities gaining them the
friendship of all with whom they came in contact.
Albert
E.
Swope
remained
at
home
until seventeen years of age, when he entered
Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Indiana, attending school there for
two terms. He then returned to Evansville and secured a position in the
postoffice, where he was employed for four years. At the end of that
time he fell heir to one hundred and fifty acres, all in Center
township, and took up his abode upon the farm, which he has since owned
and operated. He has doubled the value of his land by tiling and
draining, thus greatly enhancing its productiveness. He has also put up
good outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock and his place,
known as the Elm Grove Stock and Poultry Farm, is considered one of the
model properties in every respect. He gives his attention largely to
the raising of high grade stock and poultry, and in this connection has
done not a little to improve the grade of stock handled in the county.
His farm is lacking in none of the modern accessories, and the
machinery which he uses is always of the latest pattern.
Mr.
Swope
was
united
in
marriage
to Miss Katie M. Young, a daughter of
Benjamin and Harriet Young, natives of England and Indiana,
respectively. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Swope have been born seven children:
Mary A., nineteen years of age, who is now engaged in teaching school;
Ralph, aged seventeen years, who is learning the jewelry trade in Terre
Haute, Indiana; C. Elnora, fifteen years of age; Laura H., aged ten;
Katherine S., seven years; Alice E., four; and A. Isabelle, two years
of age.
Mr.
Swope
and
his
family
attend
the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he
and his wife hold membership. For eighteen years he has been a member
of the Woodmen of the World, and he is also active and prominent in
other public interests, being now chairman of the Vanderburg Farmers
Institute, a position which he has filled for four years, while for six
years he was its secretary. In this connection he puts forth every
effort possible to stimulate an interest and pride in the farm and its
methods of progressive development. Politically he is a republican and
for four years served on the township advisory board. His interests
have never been selfcentered, but have reached out into those fields
where the social, intellectual, material and moral welfare is involved,
and his aid and cooperation are always given on the side of reform,
improvement and progress.
RAGON
BROTHERS.
Around
the
name
of
Ragon
Brothers
centers much of the commercial history of
Evansville, for the firm has long occupied a leading position in the
business circles of the city, conducting an extensive wholesale grocery
house. Their establishment is indeed one of the landmarks of
Evansville, and the name has long been regarded as a synonym of
enterprise, business integrity and excellence.
The
Ragons
are
among
the
oldest
families of Evansville. They came from
Kentucky after the war and established a wholesale grocery house under
the firm name of Ragon Brothers, the founders and partners being Edward
G. and F. H. Ragon. They were both men of undaunted energy and
unfaltering perseverance, and they established the business along safe,
conservative lines which have since been followed, the policy which
they inaugurated having been continued throughout forty-five years, in
which without a day's interruption this house has gone steadily
forward. Ferd. H. Ragon died a number of years ago, but his brother
continued aPthe head of the business for a quarter of a century and
then passed away on the 27th of February, 1902. Not only did he rank
with the city's most enterprising and progressive business men but was
always a willing contributor to any project or movement which he deemed
of value in promoting the city's welfare.
Since
his
death
Chester
L.
Ragon
has become the active head of the house, and
in 1902 the business was incorporated. The officers are C. L. Ragon as
president; H. R. Dunavan, vice president; and William Clarke,
secretary. All have been connected with the business for many years, so
that long experience made them familiar with the most advanced
commercial methods, with the demands of the public and the
possibilities for the enlargement of the trade.
MAJOR
ALBERT
C.
ROSENCRANZ.
Major
Albert
C.
Rosencranz,
president
of
the Vulcan Plow Company of
Evansville, Indiana, is no more widely and favorably known because of
his business interests, which, however, are extensive and important,
and constitute a prominent element in the industrial activity of
Evansville, than for his philanthropy and public spirit. He was born in
Baerwalde, near the city of Berlin, Prussia, October 26, 1842. His
father, C. F. Rosencranz, was a watchmaker by trade and a man of some
prominence in the affairs of his native village. He left Prussia on
account of his connection with the revolution of 1848 and came with his
wife and children to America in 1850, settling first near Evansville,
Indiana, while later he became a resident of the city and resumed work
at his trade. His love for his native land, however, led him to return
to Europe in 1867, and he passed away there twenty years later, having
for about three years survived his wife, Mrs. Dorothea (Nohse)
Rosencranz, who died in 1884.
Albert
C.
Rosencranz
acquired
his
education
in private schools, and in his
youthful days was taught the watchmaker's trade by his father. At the
outbreak of the Civil war he assisted in organizing Company A of the
First Regiment of the Indiana Legion, of which he was made orderly
sergeant, and on the 4th of August, 1862, was mustered into the United
States service, having been commissioned first lieutenant of Company F,
Fourth Cavalry (Seventy-seventh) Regiment Indiana Volunteers, for three
years' service. He was promoted to the captaincy February 25, 1863, and
was commissioned major May I, 1865, but was never mustered in with the
rank of major. His muster out was at Nashville, Tennessee, June 29,
1865. His military record is a highly honorable one. He was in command
of General Ebenezer Dumont's bodyguard from September, 1862, until
January, 1863 ; in March, 1863, he was detailed for courier service
under General Rosecrans between Nashville and Murfreesboro, and
Murfreesboro and Woodbury, Tennessee, and acted in that capacity until
June, 1863. He next took part in the Tullahoma and Chattanooga
campaigns, terminating in the battle of Chickamauga, and afterward
moved with his regiment in pursuit of General Wheeler's forces and then
proceeded to the relief of General Burnside in East Tennessee. His
command spent the winter in that locality, holding the advanced
position in all the cavalry movements and engaging in numerous
skirmishes, notably at Mossy Creek, Talbot's, Dandridge and Fair
Garden, where Captain Rosencranz commanded the Second Battalion of the
Fourth in most gallant manner. While in East Tennessee the regiment was
forced to live off the devastated country for two months and nearly
starved to death. In March, 1864, the command was ordered to join
Sherman's army and took part in the famous Atlanta campaign. Captain
Rosencranz was wounded in the foot and captured six miles north of
Dalton, Georgia, on May 9, 1864, being in command at the time of a
battalion of five companies of his regiment engaged in making a
reconnoissance as part of the Second Cavalry Brigade under command of
General O. F. LaGrange, who was also taken prisoner. He was held a
prisoner for ten months at Macon and Savannah, Georgia; Charleston and
Columbia, South Carolina. When at Charleston he was one of the six
hundred federal officers whom the enemy designed to keep within the
range of the Union fire for three months. He was afterward sent to
Columbia, South Carolina, and was finally held at Charlotte, North
Carolina, until March, 1865, when he was paroled at Goldsboro and once
more entered the federal lines near Wilmington, North Carolina. He was
then sent home from Annapolis on a thirty days' furlough, reporting at
Camp Chase, Ohio, where he was eventually exchanged May 3, 1865. He
then rejoined his regiment on the march in Georgia and was mustered out
with it in June, as above stated.
Upon
leaving
the
army
he
returned
to his home in Evansville, where he
engaged in the jewelry business until 1868. In that year he married
Miss Mary, daughter of William Heilman, and became office manager for
the William Heilman Machine Works, which position he retained for five
years. Confinement to office work, however, impaired his general
health, and in 1873 ne went to Missouri, where he engaged in
stock-raising. Losing both of his children within four weeks at
Kirksville, Missouri, he leased his interests there in December, 1876,
and returned to Evansville. Here, on the ist of January, 1877, he took
charge of the Heilman-Urie Plow Company and two years later bought out
the Urie interests, the business being continued under the name of the
Heilman Plow Company until the death of Mr. Heilman in September, 1890.
The factory was a small concern when he assumed control, but he has
since more than quadrupled the capacity of the plant, adding the
manufacture of chilled plows to their steel products. Upon the death of
Mr. Heilman, his father-in-law, in 1890, his interest was inherited by
Mrs. Rosencranz and the works were incorporated under the name of the
Heilman Plow Company, with Major Rosencranz as president. He has held
the office since that date, and in 1898 changed the name to the Vulcan
Plow Company. He is planning extensive improvements in the works and
recently increased the capital stock from one hundred and fifty
thousand to four hundred thousand dollars. Improvements are planned for
many years to come and will be vigorously prosecuted, making the
enterprise one of the most important industrial interests of the Ohio
valley. The business has long since become recognized as one of the
leading undertakings of this character and its rapid and substantial
growth in recent years is attributable to the efforts and sound
business judgment of Major Rosencranz.
Though
his
extensive
business
interests
have
occupied much of his time, Major
Rosencranz is an exceedingly public-spirited citizen and in various
ways has contributed to the general welfare and to public progress. He
has never sought political office, yet served as a member of the city
council from the fifth ward and was made chairman of its finance
committee, in which connection he materially assisted in bringing about
a satisfactory adjustment of the city debt. He also served as chairman
of the waterworks committee. He is a member and ex-president of the
Business Men's Association and also a member and director of the
Manufacturers' Association. He contributed most liberally toward the
erection of the building for the Young Men's Christian Association in
1890, served as treasurer of the building committee, and has since been
treasurer of the board of trustees. In 1909 he provided a home for the
colored Young Men's Christian Association at the corner of Seventh and
Cherry streets, which was dedicated to Major and Mrs. Rosencranz, and
from a small community this has grown rapidly with great prospects of
doing much good among the colored people. This, together with the
splendid work of the colored manual training school and the enlarged
domestic science course for the colored girls, will make the coming
generations more useful and happy. Major Rosencranz is a zealous member
of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, yet there is no narrow sectarian
bias in his religion, and he is deeply and helpfully interested in
various projects which are the embodiment of humanitarianism and
Christianity. He belongs to Indiana Commandery of the Loyal Legion;
Farragut Post, No. 27, G. A. R., of which he has been commander; La
Vallette Commandery, No. 15, K. T.; and takes an active interest in
promoting the welfare of all these organizations. In the matter of
politics he is affiliated with the republican party.
Major
and
Mrs.
Rosencranz
have
three
living children, Olive, Richard and
Gertrude, each of whom has received every advantage arising from a
cultured home and university training. Major Rosencranz has always been
deeply interested in the cause of education, and since 1906 has been
president of the school board of Evansville. During that time notable
advance has been made for the extension of industrial training and for
the concentration of the seventh and eighth grades of the present high
school. Suitable buildings have been erected and the interest aroused
in the school system has brought about good work in modernizing the
sanitary system and in adding to and improving the school grounds.
After seven years spent in urging the addition of a manual training
school without enlisting the support of the community, Major and Mrs.
Rosencranz donated from their own funds the cost of establishing the
manual training school, and today several hundred students are being
instructed in that splendid institution. He is deeply interested in all
the grave and important problems—political, sociological and
economic—which are attracting the attention of the best thinking men of
the age. During the last two years he has given especial attention to
the problem of furnishing better homes to people of moderate means and
building apartment houses to be rented at low rates. More of the same
work is being planned on lines similar to that which is being carried
out in Washington, D. C., and New York, by General Sternberg and
others. Major Rosencranz is also making investment of considerable sums
of money for the working girls' association. Last year he purchased a
home for this association in a suitable location—the Setchell homestead
on Second street. Mrs. Rosencranz is very actively connected with him
in this work. They have recently purchased the George Lorenz homestead,
adjoining the other, and are now planning to greatly extend the
facilities of the association. Few men have seemed to recognize so
fully the obligations and responsibilities of wealth. Believing in the
brotherhood of mankind, Major Rosencranz has put forth most effective
effort to alleviate the hard conditions of life and to give to the
workers of the world opportunity for advancement, for usefulness and
for happiness. His labors find their monument in many tangible results
as seen in the lives of those who have been benefited by his efforts.
JULIUS
NIEDNAGEL.
Julius
Niednagel,
a
successful
florist
of
Evansville, and a student of nature
who has devoted his life to the cultivation of her most beautiful
forms, is of German parentage and was born in Kaleb, Baden, Germany. He
was educated in the public schools, and even as a youth, was attracted
to the study of floriculture, in which he has attained a remarkable
pn> ficiency, very largely through his own observation and
experience. While he was still in his boyhood he began learning the
florist's business in his native village and in 1869, when he came to
America, he had already decided to devote his life to that pursuit. He
remained for a time in New York, engaging in different vocations, but
in 1887 came to Evansville, where he entered the employ of J. D.
Camody, on Water street, continuing in that connection for two years.
Having
become
thoroughly
acquainted
with
the
situation and believing that the
time had arrived to establish himself permanently, he became associated
with a Mr. Halback in the florist and greenhouse business, performing
his part with such ability that four years later he had acquired
sufficient capital to establish a greenhouse for himself on Walnut
Hill. Here his success was even more pronounced, and in 1901 he
purchased a tract of seven acres at his present location, No. 927
Lincoln avenue, where he built greenhouses and where he now maintains
one of the most extensive plants of the kind in the city. The air of
neatness and order that prevails throughout the entire plant and the
many facilities that are at hand for assisting in carrying forward the
business, indicate good management and thorough attention to every
detail.
In
1873
Mr.
Niednagel
was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Meta Meyer,
and they became the parents of nine children. The three sons are
following in the footsteps of their father and assist him in his
business, while the daughters are living at the family home. Eight
years ago, in 1902, Mr. Niednagel met with the greatest sorrow of his
life in the death of his faithful companion.
In
the
various
duties
of
householder, citizen and business man, Mr. Niednagel
has always attempted to perform his part. His business interests have
been of such a character as to add materially to the beauty of the city
and to enhance the happiness of every lover of nature, increasing not
only his individual fortune but adding to the permanent welfare of a
large community. He does not belong to that class of men who require
their work to be laid out for them. He is an originator, and as a
leader would have attained an enviable reputation in anything that
engaged his attention. He belongs to a race that for hundreds of years
has done a large part of the original thinking for the world, and in
applying his own ideas in the course of his business, he has uniformly
met with gratifying returns. His life has been characterized by
principles that command respect, and in all his dealings he has shown a
probity that reflects upon him the highest credit.
FREDERICK
BOCKSTEGE.
Evansville
is
fast
becoming
one
of
the centers of furniture manufacturing in this
country. Its business interests of this character have increased
manifold in the last few years, and the men who are at the head of such
industries may well be counted among the promoters and upbuilders of
the city. Diligent and determined, Frederick Bockstege since entering
business life has steadily worked his way upward, and since 1901 has
occupied the position of president of the Bockstege Furniture Company.
He is numbered among the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished tp
the United States. His birth occurred in Prussia, April 16, 1862, his
parents being Henry and Elizabeth Bockstege, who were also natives of
the same locality. The father was born in 1825 and became a miller by
trade. Subsequently he took charge of the washing of coal in the mines
and lived the life of an industrious, hard working man. His death
occurred in 1900.
Frederick
Bockstege
was
a
pupil
in
the public schools of Germany to the age of
fourteen years and then started out in life on his own account, so that
whatever success he has since achieved is attributable entirely to his
own labors, justly entitling him to the proud American title of a
"selfmade man." He served an apprenticeship of five years at the
cabinetmaker's trade and then sought the opportunities of the new world
in business lines. Crossing the Atlantic, he made his way to Akron,
Ohio, where he was employed as carpenter for four months. He afterward
spent four months as a cabinet-maker in St. Louis, and on the
expiration of that period came to Evansville. Here he secured a
position as cabinet-maker in the furniture manufacturing house of
Joseph F. Puty, with whom he remained for three years, while later he
was connected with the Smith & Holtman Planing Mill for two years.
For one year he was in the employ of the firm of Stuhls & Karges,
and at the end of that time he joined Mr. Karges in organizing the
Karges Furniture Company, of which Mr. Bockstege was the president
until January, 1910. In 1901 he organized the Bockstege Furniture
Company and was elected its president, since which time he has remained
as its chief executive officer. They employ seventy men in the
manufacture of fine tables, and the product which they turn out,
because of its excellence, finds a ready sale upon the market. The
record of the business is written in terms of profit, and Mr. Bockstege
is regarded as a valuable asset in business circles in Evansville.
Other business interests have also profited by his keen discernment and
capable direction. He is now financially interested in various
corporate enterprises and is vice president of the Globe Furniture
Company, a director of the Crescent Stove Works, a director of the
Huser Battery Company, vice president of the Auto Travelers'
Association, and a director of the Evansville Beveled Glass Company.
In
August,
1887,
Mr.
Bockstege was married in this city to Miss Mina
Seeger, and they have become the parents of nine children: Clara,
twentythree years of age, at home; Fred, twenty-two years of age, who
is secretary of the Bockstege Furniture Company and manager of the
exhibit in the furniture building; Herman, twenty years of age, who is
with the Adams Express Company; Henry, eighteen years of age, who is
with his father in the office; John, sixteen years of age, who is
learning the trade of furniture manufacturing; Ida, Anna and Benjamin,
aged respectively thirteen, eleven and seven years, all pupils in the
public schools; and Mary, four years of age.
While
the
stress
of
circumstances
forced
Frederick Bockstege to become a
factor in life's activities when but fourteen years of age, no mere
environment or condition was strong enough to keep him in the
background. Through the inherent force of character and his marked
ability he gradually advanced in business circles until his position as
one of the leading manufacturers and business men of Evansville is
established by his own worth and by the consensus of public opinion.
Source:
History
of
the
City
of
Evansville and Vanderburg County, Indiana:
Biographical By Frank M. Gilbert
JAMES
BETHEL
GRESHAM,
James
Bethel
Gresham
Corporal,
Sixteenth
Infantry
The first American to give
his life on the battlefields of France after the armed forces of the
United States began military operations against Germany was a Hoosier
lad, James Bethel Gresham, of Evansville, Indiana. The impressive
ceremonies held at the time of his funeral, and that of the two
comrades who fell during the same raid that caused Corporal Gresham's
death, are particularly appropriate to Indiana's Gold Star Volume.
General Bordeaux, the French commander of the sector in which the raid
occurred, near Bathelemont, accompanied by his full staff, infantry,
artillery, and engineer chiefs, and a representative of the French
Corps commander, had charge of the ceremonies. As the bodies of these
first heroes were lowered in the graves, a company of United States
Infantry fired three volleys, and the trumpeter sounded taps. General
Bordeaux delivered the following address: "In the name of the
Eighteenth Division, in the name of the French Army, and in the name of
France, I bid farewell to Corporal Gresham, Private Enright, and
Private Hay, of the Sixteenth Infantry, American Army."
Of
their
own
free
will
they
had left their happy and prosperous country to
come over here. They knew that the war continued in Europe; they knew
that the forces fighting for honor, love, justice, civilization, were
still checked by the long-prepared forces which are serving the powers
of brutal domination, oppression, barbarity. They knew that an effort
was still necessary."
They
ignored
nothing
of
the
circumstances.
Nothing had been concealed from
them neither the length nor hardships of this war, nor the violence of
the battle, nor the dreadfulness of the new weapons, nor in the perfidy
of the foe. Nothing stopped them. They had the perfidy of the foe.
Nothing stopped them. They had accepted to lead a hard and strenuous
life; they had crossed the ocean despite great peril; they had taken
their place on the front by our side; they have fallen facing the foe
in a hard and desperate hand-to-hand fight. Honor to them! Their
families, their friends, and their fellow-citizens will be proud when
they learn of their death."
Men:
These
graves,
the
first
to
be dug in our national soil, at but a short
distance from the enemy, are as a mark of the mighty hand of our
allies, firmly clinging to the common task, confirming the will of the
people and Army of the United States to fight with us to a finish ;
ready to sacrifice as long as it will be necessary, until final victory
for the noblest of causes that of liberty of nations, the
weak as well as the mighty."
Thus
the
death
of
this
humble
corporal and of these two private soldiers
appears to us with extraordinary grandeur. We will therefore ask that
the mortal remains of these young men be left here — be left to us
forever. We will inscribe on their tombs: 'Here lie the first soldiers
of the United States Republic to fall on the soil of France for Justice
and Liberty. The passer by will stop and uncover his head.
The
travelers
of
France,
of
the
allied countries, of America, the men of
heart who will come to visit our battle-field of Lorraine, will
go out of their way to come here, to bring to these graves
the tribute of their respect and of their gratefulness. "Corporal
Gresham, Private Enright, Private Hay: In the name of France, I
thank you. God receive your souls. Farewell!"
DENBY,
Edwin
DENBY,
Edwin,
lawyer,
member
of Congress; born, Evansville, Ind., (Vanderburgh
Co) Feb. 18, 1870; son of Charles and Martha (Fitch) Denby; educated in
Evansville High School, University of Michigan, LL.B., Law Department,
1896; unmarried. Went to China, 1885, with his father, then U.S.
minister; joined Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs Service, June 1887,
and served seven years; returned to U. S., 1894; resigned from customs
service, 1897. Admitted to bar in Michigan, 1896, and has since
practiced in Detroit; member law firm of Chamberlain, May, Denby &
Webster; president Pacific Era Publishing Co. Gunner's mate U. S. Navy,
war with Spain. Republican; elected to Michigan legislature, 1902;
member of Congress, 1st district, 1905-07. Episcopalian. Clubs:
Detroit, University, Detroit Boat. Office: Moffat Bldg. Residence: 402
Jefferson Av.
Submitted by Christine Walters Source: "The Book of Detroiters by
Albert Nelson Marquis 1908"