USA > Indiana > A History of Indiana from its exploration to 1922 > Part 32
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public streets, as well as the interest being taken in sporting events in which the bicycle figures. One of those who is watching the progress of the times, and is profiting thereby, as the proprietor of a flourishing bicycle and repair business, is Claude D. Beverly, of 801 Fulton Avenue, Evansville, who has devoted nearly a quarter of a century to this line, and who is, therefore, thoroughly acquainted with all its phases and particulars. Mr. Beverly was born at Elizabethtown, Hardin county, Illinois, June 16, 1875, a son of William H. and Molly (Foster) Beverly, the former born at Elizabethtown, Illinois, and the latter at Smithland, Kentucky. His grandfather on his father's side served as a soldier of the Union during the Civil war, while on his mother's side of the family his grandfather and an uncle met their deaths at the battle of Shiloh. William H. Beverly, who was a steam- boat captain during his active years, moved to Evansville in 1885, and here had his home during the remainder of his life. Claude D. Beverly was but ten years of age when brought to Evansville, and here his education was completed in the public schools. As a lad he showed himself of a mechanical turn, and became interested in the bicycle, the workings of which he soon mastered in all particulars. Eventually he decided to enter that field as a business, and in 1900 opened a small shop at 125-127 Locust Street. After about two years his quarters were found inadequate for his growing business, and he then moved to 702 Fulton Avenue, where he remained about sixteen years. Finally he moved to his present shop, at 801 Fulton Avenue, where he has a modern establishment, with a commodious show room and all equipment necessary for the repair of wheels. He acts as agent for several standard makes, and also handles a full line of modern accessories. Mr. Beverly has been the architect of his own fortunes and well deserves the success that has come to him. In poli- tics Mr. Beverly maintains an independent stand and only takes a public-spirited citizen's interest in politics or civic affairs. He is a member of St. John's Church. June 28, 1899, Mr. Beverly was united in marriage with Ethel E. Blair, daughter of James Mack and Mary E. (McDaniel) Blair, of Dale, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Blair were the parents of five children : Ethel E., Hattie, Carrie, Alvin and Beatrice. Mr. and Mrs. Beverly are the parents of one son : Oscar Ercell, who is associated with his father in business. He was born at Evansville, Indiana, July 2, 1902.
Watt A. Biggs, D. D. S. Among the various branches of pro- fessional knowledge on which civilized humanity is more or less de- pendent for the maintenance of healthful conditions and for exception from physical distress is the science of dental surgery. Careless habits of living and indulgence in articles of food and drink which are det- rimental to organs of the body and in those which are injurious to the teeth, have become so general that in all communities good dentists are indispensable factors. But, as in medicine and surgery, the science of dentistry is constantly developing new phases of usefulness, and in order to insure success the dentist of today must keep fully abreast of the latest achievements in his profession. He must add skill to thor-
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ough research and combine close application to his task with the abil- ity gained through experience. Such a practitioner of this art is Dr. Watt A. Biggs, who is connected with the staff of Walker Hospital, Evansville. Doctor Biggs was born February 27, 1894, at Sebree, Kentucky, where he received his early education in the public schools. He was graduated from Dixon High School with the class of 1912, and then entered the Louisville Dental College, being graduated there- from with the class of 1916. At that time he commenced practice in his native state, continuing until April, 1918, when he was called into the country's service. He underwent intensive training at Camp Tay- lor, whence he went overseas, arriving in France June 29, 1918. He remained with his command in Europe until June, 1919, when he returned to the United States and received his honorable discharge at Camp Sherman. He then resumed his practice in Kentucky, but December 1, 1920, came to Evansville and attached himself to the staff of Walker Hospital, with which he has since been identified. Doctor Biggs is a member of the Masonic order, the Newcomers Club and the Service Club, and his religious connection is with the First Baptist Church. His offices are situated at 712 South Fourth Street, and his pleasant home at No. 100 Bayard Park Drive. November 18, 1919, Doctor Biggs married Miss Edith Doris, of Dixon, Kentucky, and they are the parents of one child: Betty Jo.
Gottleib H. Bippus. It is not unusual to find, in a growing and constantly developing community, that the male members of a family will follow the same line of endeavor, the vocation becoming a sort of heritage and a distinguishing mark of the family name. An example of this is found in the Bippus family, three generations of whose members have been contractors at Evansville, where evidences abound of their skill and good workmanship. The representative of the pres- ent generation, Gottleib H. Bippus is a worthy follower of his father and grandfather, the latter of whom was a pioneer of Evansville, where he built one of the first German churches, a picture of which is still in the possession of his grandson. Gottleib H. Bippus was born at Evansville, December 22, 1872, and is a son of Jacob and Louise (Mathias) Bippus, the latter a native of Germany. Jacob Bippus was born at Evansville, February 8, 1846, and as a youth took up the business of his father, that of contracting, which he followed until the time of his retirement. He still survives, as does also Mrs. Bippus, whose birth date was April 30, 1857. They are the parents of the following children: Henry, who is deceased; Thomas P., of Evans- ville ; Alexander, Will, Gottleib H., Richard, Matt, Morris, Mame, now Mrs. Lem Wilson, of Posey county, Indiana ; and Ora, now Mrs. Henry Brockman, of Evansville. Gottleib H. Bippus attended the public schools of Evansville, following which he pursued a course at the Lockyear Business College and then entered the employ of the George L. Metzger Company. He remained with the latter only a short time before he joined his father, first as a carpenter, and later as a partner, and at the time of the elder man's retirement, in 1914, the . son assumed full charge of the business, which he has conducted with a
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full measure of success. Like his father and grandfather before him, he is a skilled mechanic, understanding every point in the way of con- struction, and likewise a man who takes a pride in his work and who can be satisfied only by the most substantial and finished workman- ship by his employes. These facts have given him an enviable reputa- tion, and, naturally, have increased his business materially. He is a director in the Mercantile-Commercial Bank, the North Side Realty and Investment Company, the Morris Plan Bank and the Union Build- ing and Loan Association. He belongs to Bethel Evangelical Church and in politics is a Democrat. At present he is serving as treasurer of Locust Hill Cemetery. Mr. Bippus is a Knight Templar and 32nd de- gree Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine, and also holds member- ship in the Knights of Pythias, the B. P. O. Elks, the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Manufacturers Association and the Country Club. February 23, 1896, Mr. Bippus was united in mar- riage with Miss Emma Houghland, of Evansville, daughter of Oscar and Mary Houghland, and to this union there have been born two children : Nadine and James L.
James O. Blythe, D. D. S. Gifted with a love for his chosen profession, quick of intuition, and generous and sympathetic in his work, Dr. James O. Blythe has won the respect and esteem of the people of Evansville, where he has a gratifyingly large patronage as a dental practitioner. Doctor Blythe was born in Gibson county, Indi- ana, in 1888, and as a youth attended the public schools of his native locality. He next attended the high school at Owensville, from which he was graduated, and then, having decided upon the profession of dentistry as his life work, enrolled as a student at the Indiana Dental College. There he pursued a full course, and in 1912 was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. In August of the same year he took up his residence at Evansville, where he opened an office, and this city has continued to be his home and the scene of his pro- fessional advancement. His well-appointed office, which includes the latest instruments and conveniences known to the dental profession, is situated at No. 414 1-2 Main Street, and the Doctor's home is at No. 501 Oakley Street. He belongs to the various organizations of his profession, and is a close student thereof, being interested in its every advancement, which he adopts for use in his own practice. As a fra- ternalist he holds membership in the local lodge of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, in which he has numerous friends. In March, 1915, Doctor Blythe was united in marriage with Miss Anna Schneider, of Evansville, and to this union there have been born three children: James O. Jr., Robert and William.
Charles I. Blomer. One of the principal industries of Evansville, and one which has added to the city's prestige as an industrial center of business activity is the manufacture of furniture. In this field of endeavor, one of the concerns which is making rapid strides toward a leading position is that operating under the co-partnership name of C. Graulich & Company, a wholesale firm which makes a specialty of highgrade dining room furniture. The president of this company is
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Charles I. Blomer, who for twenty years was well known in a number of the eastern states, although he traveled from his headquarters at Evansville. Mr. Blomer was born at Evansville, July 31, 1879, and is a son of Frank H. and Anna Mary Blomer. His father, born in Ger- many in 1857, was a lad when brought by his parents to the United States, the family settling at Evansville, where he secured his educa- tion and grew to manhood. As a youth he became identified with the lumber business, and after some years embarked on a venture of his own, which has been developed into the large and well-known firm of Blomer Lumber Company, Mr. Blomer's sons, Frank J. and Clem M., being associated with him in this enterprise. He has a high standing in business circles and is accounted one of the city's reliable and sub- stantial citizens. Mrs. Blomer is deceased. Charles I. Blomer at- tended the Evansville schools, and after his graduation from the Evanville High School, in 1895, secured a position with the Thom- son-Crook Company, of Boston, Massachusetts, his territory being from Indiana on the west and through the eastern states. For twen- ty years he continued as a knight of the grip, forming a wide acquaint- ance and becoming widely known as one of the best salesmen in his line on the road. After this long and faithful service he desired to become the proprietor of a business of his own, and accordingly, in December, 1920, settled down at his native city of Evansville, where he formed a partnership with C. Graulich, and organized the present firm of C. Graulich & Company, of which Mr. Blomer is president and Mr. Graulich secretary and treasurer. This is a wholesale concern only, manufacturing high grade furniture. its specialty being fine dining room furniture. The product is manufactured at the company's factory at Evansville, and finds a ready market all over the country, the trade name having been made a stand- ard of quality. Mr. Blomer is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and as a fraternalist affiliates with the Knights of Columbus. His religious connection is with St. Benedict's Catholic Church. Febru- ary 12, 1918, Mr. Blomer married Mary U., daughter of Theodore Kohl, of Evansville, and to this union have been born two sons, Charles and Clement.
William O. Bohannon, who is numbered among the strong and capable members of the Vanderburgh county bar, and the possessor of a gratifying practice at Evansville, is a native of this county, having been born on a farm in Scott township, February 23, 1881, a son of Jehu and Annie E. (Mossman) Bohannon. His father, a native of Warrick county, Indiana, has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all of his life, but is now more or less retired and still resides in Vander- burgh county, where he is enjoying the fruits of his early labors. Mrs. Bohannon died in 1917. There were three sons in the family : William O., Walter. deceased, who was engaged in agricultural opera- tions on the best farm in Scott township, of which he was the owner ; and Allen, manager of the Ohio Messenger and Telegraph Company, at Cincinnati, Ohio. William O. Bohannon attended the public schools of Vanderburgh county, and was but seventeen years of age
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when he graduated from the high school at McCutchanville, Indi- ana. He furthered his education by one year of attendance at Oakland City College, this being followed by two years of night school work. He next pursued a course at the University of Indiana, where he was given the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1906, and one year later re- ceived his law degree. During 1906 and 1907 Mr. Bohannon served as instructor in English at Bloomington (Indiana) High School and in the latter year took up his permanent residence at Evansville. His first connection here was as a student in the offices of Spencer & Brill, and he then commenced practice in association with Edgar Dur- re, now judge of the Superior Court. Mr. Bohannon was next in part- nership with Charles E. Harmon, as Harmon & Bohannon, this con- tinuing until about 1914. He next procured a law office of his own and built up a large and lucrative practice, to which he devoted himself uninterruptedly until becoming temporary judge of the Circuit Court, substituting for Judge Gould. His offices are located at 108 South Fourth Street. Mr. Bohannon belongs to the various organizations of his calling and has the confidence and esteem of his fellow-practition- ers. He is interested in fraternalism and holds membership in the B. P. O. Elks, Knights of Pythias, Tribe of Ben Hur and Lions. His religious connection is with the Evangelical church. June 4, 1920 Mr. Bohannon was united in marriage with Miss Lillian C. Amos.
Gilbert H. Bosse. In its special field of endeavor, the manufac- ture of high-grade office desks and tables, the Imperial Desk Com- pany, of Evansville, occupies a high and prominent place. During the eleven years that it has been in existence, it has risen to the status of a necessary commercial adjunct, and much of the prestige which it now possesses has been secured through the capable management and effective energy of Gilbert H. Bosse, vice president, secretary and general manager, who has various other interests and is widely known in business circles of the city. Mr. Bosse was born April 10, 1890, on a farm in Scott township, Vanderburgh county, Indiana, and is a son of Frederick and Lydia (Graper) Bosse. The father passed his en- tire career in agricultural operations, and died at Ft .. Branch, Gibson county, Indiana, June 9, 1896. Mrs. Bosse still survives and makes her home with her son, Gilbert H. Bosse, at Kentucky Avenue and Ravenswood Drive, where she is surrounded by hosts of warm friends and is greatly admired for her sterling qualities. Gilbert H. Bosse acquired his early education in the public schools of Gibson county, and later attended the Elberfeld, Indiana schools, where he completed his eighth grade. In 1904 he moved with his mother to Evansville, Indiana, where he soon obtained employment in a furniture factory, and was thus engaged for about two years. He then entered Lock- year's Business College, where he completed a commercial course in 1907, and then secured a position as bookkeeper with the P. H. Red- dinger Manufacturing Company. Later he became associated with the World Furniture Company, which, in 1910, consolidated with the Globe & Bosse Furniture Company, becoming the Globe-Bosse-World Furniture Company. In 1912 Mr. Bosse severed his connection with
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this concern and with Benjamin Bosse and Louis C. Greiner founded the Imperial Desk Company, which was duly organized, taking over the interests of the Henderson Desk Company, of Henderson, Ken- tucky, in which the Messrs. Bosse had both been stockholders. This business was established at Evansville, with Benjamin Bosse as presi- dent ; Louis C. Greiner, vice president and treasurer ; and Gilbert H. Bosse, secretary and general manager. - On April 4, 1922 Benjamin Bosse passed away and on January 4, 1923, a new election of officers was held, and Louis C. Greiner became president; Gilbert H. Bosse, vice president, secretary and general manager; and H. C. Greiner, treasurer. The business is the manufacture of office desks and tables, of a high commercial grade, and its products extend to all points of the compass, a New York export office being maintained to handle the foreign orders. The main field, however, is the United States, principally in the larger industrial cities and the com- pany maintains its standing purely as manufacturers. The annual amount of business approximates $750,000, and 150 men are given employment in the plant, which has been gradually increased until it now has 140,000 square feet of floor space. The company has a num- ber of exclusive designs in desks, with patented features of construc- tion. In the manufacture of this office furniture, the company uses principally oak and mahogany imported from Africa, and also oak from the timber producing sections of Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee. In addition to the positions which he holds with this concern, Mr. Bosse is president of the Bosse Coal Company ; a direc- tor of the Indiana Mutual Casualty Company, an insurance company of Indianapolis ; a director of the West Side Bank and secretary of the Grocers Quality Baking Company, of Evansville. He is also a director of the Furniture Manufacturers' Association, of which he was presi- dent in 1919-1920; a director of the Deaconess Hospital and a director of the Chamber of Commerce, in addition to which he has held several important positions in civic movements. He belongs to the Kiwanis Club and several purely social bodies, and his religious connection is with St. Lucas Evangelical Church. Politically he is a Democrat, though takes no active part in politics aside from casting the weight of his influence in support of men and measures working for the pub- lic good. Mr. Bosse was married September 18, 1920, to Miss Mar- tha M. Woelker, of Evansville, a daughter of Fred L. and Elizabeth (Schauss) Woelker, and they have one son: Gilbert Frederick Ben- jamin, who was born March 14, 1923.
Harry E. Boyle. In naming the vocations which have an in- fluence for advancement and progress upon communities, one that stands pre-eminently for advancement and progress upon communities, one that stands pre-eminently toward the forefront is that of the archi- tect. The profession that fashions and directs the construction of the homes of industries and individuals is one that has its distinct influ- ence upon a city, and in the hands of the devotees of this calling, there- fore, lies the responsibility for a large part of their city's prowess and prestige. Evansville has been fortunate in the possession of a number
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of men skilled in the profession of architecture, and among these one of the most prominent is Harry E. Boyle, president of the firm of Harry E. Boyle & Company. Mr. Boyle was born at Greensburg, Decatur county, Indiana, August 19, 1881, and received his education in the public schools of his city, where he graduated from the high school in 1899, and at the Ohio Mechanics Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated after a course in architecture, in 1902. In the following year he commenced the practice of his calling at In- dianapolis, where he remained until 1907, in the latter year coming to Evansville as supervising architect in the erection of the Furniture Exchange Building. In 1910 he opened an office in that building, suite 405 and 406, and since then has carried through numerous big projects, at Evansville, and in the surrounding country. In 1913 he incorpor- ated his business under its present style, with the following officers : Harry E. Boyle, president and treasurer ; William Boyle, vice presi- dent ; Mrs. Jeannette Boyle, secretary ; and Mary Boyle. Mr. Boyle is a licensed architect for the state of Illinois ; a licensed profession- al engineer of the state of Indiana, and vice-president of the Indiana State Society of Architects. He has reached an exceptionally high position in his profession and has built up a large and representative clientele. He is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and belongs also to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Central Turnverein, the Kiwanis Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the Bayard Park Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1900 Mr. Boyle was united in marriage with Miss Jeannette Hatzell, of Red Key, Jay county, In- diana, and to this union there has been born one daughter: Ruby Alice, a graduate of the Evansville High School, who resides with her parents.
Charles W. Bradley, M. D. It is scarcely possible, in these modern days, for a man to be a successful physician without being also a man of learning and of solid, scientific acquirements. Often the youth who feels the inspiration that ultimately leads him into the medical profession finds his progress one of difficulty from lack of encouragement, opportunity or capital, and when all these drawbacks are overcome, through personal effort, battles have been won that make firm the foundations of character. Among the capable medical men of Evansville, one who early had to depend upon his own efforts for the attainment of his ambitions is Dr. Charles W. Bradley. He was born at Boonville, Warrick county, Indiana, February 28, 1875, and there acquired his early education in the graded and high schools. Later he attended the Oakland City College, being graduated in 1899, and next the medical department of the University of Louisville. Eventually, he graduated from the Illinois Medical College as a mem- ber of the class of 1908. In the meantime, in order to secure his live- lihood and to meet the expenses of his education, he engaged in teach- ing school from 1896'to 1908, spending eight years in the graded schools and four years in the high schools. He began practice in January, 1909, at Gentryville, Indiana, where he remained until 1916,
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then coming to Evansville, which has since been his home and the scene of his success. He carries on a general practice, with offices in the Boehne Building, his successful treatment of complicated cases have created a gratifying demand for his services and laid the founda- tion of what has proven to be a career of exceptional breadth and use- fulness. Doctor Bradley is a member of the Vanderburgh County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and Noble of the Mystic Shrine, belongs to all branches of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Modern Woodmen of America, and holds membership in the Evansville Chamber of Commerce. His re- ligious connection is with the Central Methodist Episcopal Church. In September, 1899, Doctor Bradley· married Miss Mattie C. Robin- son, of Warrick county, Indiana, and to this union there have come two children: Opal G., who graduated from the Evansville High School in 1920 and is now a junior at Evansville College; and Charles Clayton, a junior at the Evansville High School.
Sol A. Brentano, treasurer of the Midland Furniture Company, has led an active and interesting career, culminating in his attainment of a position as one of the prominent business men of Evansville. He was born in this city, November 30, 1879, and is a son of August and Mahala (Kahn) Brentano, the former a native of Austria and the latter of Evansville. For some time after his arrival at Evansville, in young manhood, August Brentano was identified with the wholesale clothing firm of Loewenthal & Company, and later became one of the leading and prominent business men of the city, a position which he maintained until his death in 1922, his wife having passed away the year previous. He was the organizer of the Southern Stove Works and of the United States Furniture Company, and was the first secretary of the Evansville Business Men's Association, which later became the Evansville Chamber of Commerce. He served in the capacity of city councilman for some years and as chairman of the first district, and for a long period was a member of the school board, a position in which he gave strong evidence of his friendship for the cause of education. His political views coincided with the principles of the Republican party. He and his worthy wife were the parents of six children: Clara, who is deceased: Freida, now Mrs. Sidney Schenhauser; Nestor, president of the Midland Furniture Company. who married Flora Loewenstein, who died in 1919; Florence, who is a resident of Newburg, Indiana ; Sol A., and Theresa, who is the wife of J. H. Enrich, engaged in the brokerage business in New York City. Sol A. Brentano attended the public schools of Evansville, graduating from the high school in 1898, and later spent thre years at the Rose Polytechnic Institute, from which he received the degree of Civil En- gineer in 1903. He next took a bridge engineer's course from the International Correspondence Schools, Scranton, Pennsylvania, grad- uating in 1905. During a period of seventeen years Mr. Brentano was engaged as a construction engineer and in this time traveled exten- sively in following his profession. He spent two years at Los Angeles,
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