USA > Indiana > A History of Indiana from its exploration to 1922 > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
317
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
by Herrmann and Francis, the latter, however, remaining here but a short time before going to make his home in Dallas, Texas. At that time, Joseph took his place in Evansville. In the mean time, John Fendrich entered business for himself in Columbia, Pennsylvania, leaving Charles S. in possession of the Baltimore business and Herr- mann and Joseph in possession of that at Evansville. Charles S. Fend- rich has now retired from the Baltimore enterprise, and thus the Evansville concern is the only Fendrich factory doing business in the country at this time. The business was known as Fendrich Brothers (Herrmann and Joseph) until 1876. In that year, Joseph died and Herrmann bought his interest in the factory, continuing in its manage- ment alone, the name since that date having been H. Fendrich. Herr- mann Fendrich was married January 19, 1864 to Mary R. Reitz, the daughter of John A. Reitz, a prominent citizen of Evansville. To this marriage two children were born: John H. and Laura F. Laura F. Fendrich was educated at St. Mary's Academy and College at Notre . Dame, Indiana, and is now living in Chicago, the widow of the late Colonel D. E. McCarthy, who was long a leading citizen of that city. Herrmann Fendrich's life was brought to its close at Evansville June 26, 1889, while his wife survived him until August 10, 1908. John H. Fendrich, son of Herrmann Fendrich was given his preliminary scho- lastic training in the Evansville public schools, and then took a scien- tific course at the University of Notre Dame, attending that institution from 1880 to 1884. Returning to Evansville upon the completion of his college course, he became associated with his father in the cigar manufacturing business. In 1888, one year before his father's death, he assumed active management of the business, and has continued as its head to the present. In 1920 H. Fendrich was incorporated with John H. Fendrich as president; Laura F. McCarthy, vice-president ; Harry T. Rush, vice-president and general manager; Daniel F. Mc- Carthy, secretary and treasurer; and George H. Eggers, assistant treasurer. H. Fendrich is the most pronounced individual factor in the commercial life of Evansville, and its product, the La Fendrich and Charles Denby cigars are famous throughout the entire United States. The factory is a beautiful and modern brick structure, a monument to the ability and perseverance of the founder of the busi- ness. Mr. Fendrich, its president, is widely known for his advanced and efficient business methods and for his fairness to his many em- ployees. He is a member of the Church of the Assumption, and in political matters is an independent Republican. He is much interested in the welfare of Evansville and Vanderburgh county, and has done much toward its civic advancement. He was united in marriage Sep- tember 1, 1897 to Jeanette Buttriss, the daughter of John W. and Anna K. Buttriss of Evansville, and they have one daughter, Mary Josephine, a graduate of St. Mary-of-the-Woods college at Terre Haute.
Walter J. Foley. For approximately ten years Walter J. Foley has been before the people of Evansville as the incumbent of public office, and during this time has discharged his responsibilities in such
1
318
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
an able manner as to win the confidence not only of those with whom he has come into personal contact but also of the general public. At present he is city clerk of Evansville, a position in which he is establish- ing an excellent reputation for efficiency and conscientious service. Mr. Foley was born at Evansville, January 6, 1887, and is a son of James and Anna (Trimble) Foley. His father, who was born in Ireland, came to the United States in young manhood, and, settling at Evans- ville, after having held several other positions, joined the City Fire Department, with which he was connected for a period of thirty-three years. His death occurred in 1921. Mr. Foley was one of the most popular men in the Department, where he was respected for his fear- less courage and painstaking fidelity to duty. He is survived by Mrs. Foley, who makes her home at Evansville. They had three sons who served in the American army during the World war and saw overseas service, one of whom, James, was killed in action on the day before the signing of the armistice. Walter J. Foley attended the public and parochial schools of Evansville, and when still a lad was employed as a messenger boy by the Western Union Telegraph Company, a position which has served to give so many ambitious and enterprising youths their start toward a career. Energetic and faithful, and seizing every opportunity to improve himself and gain more knowledge, he was gradually advanced in the service of the company until he reached the position of cashier of his office. He resigned this position February 28, 1913, at whch time he was appointed Deputy Collector of the United States revenue service, by President Wilson, and placed in charge of the office at Evansville. Mr. Foley retained this post until May 15, 1921, at which time he was nominated for the office of city clerk of Evansville, and was duly elected thereto in the November which followed. Since assuming charge of his official duties Mr. Foley has handled the affairs of the city clerkship in a capable man- ner, greatly gratifying to his felow-citizens. Mr. Foley is well known in fraternal circles, being president of Evansville Lodge No. 427, Fra- ternal Order of Eagles, and state trustee of this order, having been elected in June, 1922, for a term of three years. He also belongs to the Knights of Columbus and is very active in both orders. Politi- cally he is a stanch and unswerving democrat. Mr. Foley married Miss Erma Riedy, only daughter of Ferdinand and Caroline (Pfirr- man) Riedy, and they have one daughter : Victoria, born in 1911, and now attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Foley are members of the Assumption Catholic Church and are earnest, active workers in all worthy charitable causes
William G. French, M. D., who since his arrival at Evansville, in 1909 has succeeded in building up a large and representative prac- tice and in establishing himself firmly in professional standing and public confidence, was born at Newport, Kentucky, February 2, 1885, and is a son of M. R. and Sarah B. (Wood) French. Dr. M. R. French secured his medical degree in 1880 and for a number of years practiced at Chicago but is now living in retirement at Evansville. He is a native of Iowa, while Mrs. French, who also survives, was
319
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
.
born in Illinois. They are the parents of four children : Stella L. and William G., Robert L. and Stephen F. William G. French attended the common and high schools in his youth, and after his graduation from the latter, in 1900, began to prepare himself for the same profes- sion followed by his father. He pursued a course in the Hahnemann Medical College, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine as a member of the class of 1906, and for one year thereafter served as an interne at Grace Hospital, Chicago. In that city he was engaged in a general practice until locating at Evansville, May 19, 1909, and since his arrival has been specializing in Proctology. His success has been gratifying and he now has a large and lucrative prac- tice, maintaining offices in the Cleveland Life Insurance Company Building. In 1922 Doctor French was elected coroner of Evansville, and entered upon the duties of that office in 1923. He is a York Rite and Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine; belongs to the local lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; is a director of the Optimist Club; and belongs to the Press Club, the Chamber of Com- merce and the Evansville Country Club. His religious connection is with the Bethel Evangelical Church. In June, 1916, Doctor French was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Ellen Young, of Chicago, and to this union there have been born two children: Mildred Ellen and Russell Gayle.
Andrew R. Friedman, D. D. S. In professional circles of Evans- ville one of the well-known and highly esteemed figures is Dr. An- drew R. Friedman, who since his arrival in this city has built up a large and constantly-growing practice as a doctor of dental surgery. A man of broad and ripened experience, who is a close student of his calling and keeps fully abreast of all of the advancements made therein, he has attracted to him an enviable patronage of the best kind at the St. Louis Dental Parlors, of which he is one of the proprietors, his partner being Dr. George. Doctor Friedman was born October 4, 1874, at Jasper, Dubois county, Indiana, and is a son of George and Rosa (Roelle) Friedman. George Friedman, who was born in Dubois county, was engaged in the timber business, conducted a planing mill and also handled building material, and was one of the highly esteemed residents of Jasper. While a man of energy and marked business capacity, he did not live to realize his dreams of success, as his death occurred in 1890, before he had reached middle age. Mrs. Friedman was born in Switzerland and was only a child when she was brought to the United States. She still survives her husband in hale old age. Andrew R. Friedman acquired his early education in the public schools of Dubois county, but the death of his father, which occurred when the youth was sixteen years old, threatened the furtherance of his education. However, he managed to acquire a course at the Indiana Dental College, which he attended from 1898 to 1900, in the latter year receiving his degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. In the year of his graduation he went to Texas, which he had been informed promised a good field for an ambitious young dentist, but after three years, in
320
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
1904, he returned to his native state, settling at Evansville, which has since been his home and the scene of his professional and personal success. In 1920, Dr. L. P. George was admitted to partnership in the opening of the St. Louis Dental Parlors, at Fourth and Main Street. In politics, nationally, he is a Republican, but in local affairs prefers to use his own judgment in the choice of the man best suited for the office. He belongs to the Evansville Chamber of Commerce, and is an Elk and a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner. February 8, 1908 he married Clella, daughter of William and Mary Jarboe, of Huntingburg, Indiana.
Charles B. Froelich. Since the beginning of his career, Charles B. Froelich has been identified with the Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Company, of Evansville, of which he is now treasurer. In the working out of his business life thus far he has been successful in the attainment of several of his worthy and cherished ambitions, and his advancement has been rapid, for he is still a young man, in years if not in experience. Mr. Froelich was born at Evansville, February 20, 1895, and is a son of Charles F. and Anna (Schweitzer) Froelich. His paternal grandfather was engaged in transfer business at Ev- ansville for a number of years, while his maternal grandfather was one of the early members of the city fire department and lost his life while in the performance of duty. Charles F. Froelich was born at Evansville, March 27, 1862, and as a young man engaged in the print- ing business, conducting a small job shop for some years. Later he became foreman of the composing room at the Evansville Courier newspaper plant, and occupied that position until his death, February 27, 1920. He married Anna Schweitzer, who was born at Evansville, November 1, 1863, and still survives her husband, and they became the parents of four sons: Charles B .; Lauer J., who has the agency for Nash automobiles at Richmond, Indiana; John J., identified with the National Fire Proofing Company, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; and Claire S., a printer of Portland, Oregon, who learned his trade in the office of the Evansville Courier. Charles B. Froelich attended the public schools of Evansville, graduating in 1913, in February of which year he secured a position as collector with the Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Company. Four months later he was promoted to the office of assistant cashier, and two years later, in 1915, was made cashier of the company. This position he held until January 25, 1918, when he enlisted for service in the United States Army, during the World war, and was placed in the Motor Transport Corps. He was honorably discharged from the service in February, 1919, at which time he rejoined the company in his former position as cashier, and in 1920 was advanced to the post of treasurer, which he now holds. In the latter part of 1922 he was also made manager of the Securities Department, and is likewise filling this position with efficiency. Mr. Froelich has displaved the qualities of industry and executive capacity in the discharge of his responsibilities and has the unqualified confi- dence of his associates. He is a member of the Jefferson Avenue Cumberland Presbyterian Church, was president of the Brotherhood
.
321
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
in 1922, and has taken an active and helpful interest in Sunday school work. He also belongs to Reed Lodge of Masons, has advanced to the Scottish Rite, and is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine and a member of the Shrine Booster Club .. He likewise takes a commendable inter- est in civic affairs, in the furtherance of which he has always been ready to give his aid. April 17, 1919, Mr. Froelich was united in marriage with Miss Edwena Coleman, of Evansville, and to this union there has been born one son : Charles B., Jr.
Fred Geiger, Jr. While the nomenclature of several of Evans- ville's oldest and most representative business houses has changed several times, the direction of enterprises has continued to be vested in the same family, son succeeding father in the business. This is the case with the Geiger Transfer and Storage Company, which was founded many years ago by Fred Geiger, Sr., under his own name, later became Fred Geiger & Sons, Inc., and is now being carried on by members of the family, of whom Fred Geiger, Jr., is a worthy representative. The last-named has grown up in the business, to which he has devoted his best energies, and has also served in several positions of public trust. Fred Geiger, Jr., was born at Evansville, March 29, 1867, and is a son of Fred and Lissitta Geiger. Fred Geiger, Sr., was born at Evansville, June 5, 1847, and after arriving at manhood embarked in the furniture business in a modest way. To this, he subsequently added a moving depart- ment, and as the latter grew and developed, the business grad- ually became one of a storage and moving character, the furniture department being eventually eliminated. The enterprise was in- corporated in 1897, under the style of Fred Geiger & Sons, Inc., and this name was retained until after the death of the elder man, when, January I, 1922, a new corporation was formed, known as the Geiger Transfer and Storage Company, the concern consisting of Mrs. Lissitta Geiger, the widow, and her children, Edward, Fred, Jr., Marie and Louise Geiger. Thus the children are perpetuating the business founded by their honored father which they have seen grow from a small beginning to one of the substantial business enterprises of Evansville. The Misses Marie and Louise Geiger are unmarried. Edward Geiger married Ella, daughter of Michael Cricle, of Evansville, and has no children. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Evansville Chamber of Commerce. Fred Geiger, Jr., received his education in the public schools of Evansville, and after his graduation there- from became associated with his father in the then small but ambi- tious business. He has remained therein to the present, and has been one of the main factors in gaining its success. Mr. Geiger is not unknown to public life, having served as city clerk and city auditor of Evansville during the Hawkins administration. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, and as a fraternalist is affiliated with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Geiger married Minnie, daughter of Dr. John Laval, a well-known physician of Evansville. They have no children.
322
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
Edward F. Goeke. The entire career of Edward F. Goeke has been passed at Evansville, where he has been identified with a number of business and financial institutions, all of which have benefitted by his association. Growing up in the grain business, he was connected therewith for twenty-one years, and the business that was founded by his father is now being carried on by his sons under the family name. Mr. Goeke was born at Evansville, Febru- ary 18, 1864, and is a son of Adolph and Fredericka (Allheide) Goeke. His father was born in Germany, whence he came to the United States as a lad of ten years, settling at Evansville, where as a young man he founded a small but ambitious grain business. To the development of this enterprise he devoted his whole business attention, but found time, likewise, to engage in other affairs, and was a member of the first board of police commissioners of Evans- ville. He was a man of deep religious nature, also, and with thir- teen others, organized St. Lucas Church, located at Baker and Virginia Streets, of which he later became president. In politics he was a Republican. In his death his community lost a worthy citizen and reliable business man. He and his wife were the par- ents of five children : Adolph, deceased, who up to his death was associated in the grain business with his father and brother : Harry ; Edward F .; Miss Lydia; and Anna, who is now Mrs. Herman Menke, of Evansville. Edward F. Goeke received his education in the public schools of Evansville, and began to learn the business of his father when he was still a lad. He was given wages of $7 a week to start and learned the business thoroughly, all the way to the top, being finally admitted to partnership. He continued to conduct this enterprise and to enlarge and better it, for twenty-one years, at which time he retired from the active management and turned it over to his two sons, Emil V. and Edward G., who are now its operators. Mr. Goeke has numerous other interests at Evansville, being a director in the Ideal Milk Company, vice-presi- dent of the North Side Bank, president of the North Side Develop- ment Company, vice-president of the North Side Loan and Savings Account Company, president of the Edward F. Goeke Realty Com- pany and president of the Edward F. Goeke Sons, feed manufac- turers. He belongs to St. Lucas Church, and in his political affil- iation is a Republican. In 1885, Mr. Goeke married Miss Ida Geiss, of Boonville, and to this union there were born four children : Emil V., Cora L., Edward G .; and Irene, now Mrs. Edward L. Moser, of Evansville, whose husband is assistant cashier of the North Side Bank. For his second wife Mr. Goeke married Miss Sadie Fitz- simons, who was born at Evansville, and to this union there have been born two children: Margaret E. and Mildred Ann.
Frank C. Grange, clerk of the Circuit Court of Vanderburgh county, has been known to the citizens of Evansville for many years, as this is his city of birth and here his entire career has been spent. While this is his first official post, he has discharged its duties in an entirely capable manner, thus vindicating the faith
323
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
placed in him when he was chosen out of a field of seven candidates who entered the primaries. Mr. Grange was born at Evansville, June 7, 1875, and is a son of W. H. and Mary (Young) Grange. His father, a native of England, was educated in that country, and came to the United States when a young man, locating at Evans- ville, where he was engaged in the teaming business. He and his wife, who was a native of Evansville, were members of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church and were active in its work. Both are now deceased. Frank C. Grange was educated in the public schools of Evansville, and when fifteen years of age began work as a messenger with the Evansville and Terre Haute Railroad Company. By industry and fidelity he worked his way upward through various positions until he became chief clerk of his company, and was so engaged until taking up the duties of clerk of the Circuit Court of Vanderburgh county, which position he has since occupied. He has been faithful and energetic in the handling of his responsibilities since assuming the office in 1920, and has added to the many friendships that he had before entering public life. Mr. Grange is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which he is popular. He also holds membership in the Chamber of Commerce. A Republican in politics, he has always been active in the ranks of his party. May 22, 1903, Mr. Grange was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Potter, who was born at Warrick, In- diana, and they occupy a pleasant home at 910 South Fourth Street.
William T. Graves, district manager for southern Illinois and southern Indiana of the Public Savings Insurance Company, with headquarters at Evansville, has had a somewhat varied and in- teresting career, which, in his younger years, included a great deal of travel and numerous interesting experiences. In his present line of business he is accounted one of the capable and reliable insur- ance men of his locality and has a wide acquaintance in life in- surance circles. Mr. Graves was born at Canton, Madison county, Mississippi, January 30, 1866, and is a son of Richard E. and Martha (Brock) Graves. Mrs. Graves was a direct descendant of Sir Isaac Brock, a British military commander, who was born at Guernsey, October 6, 1769. He suppressed a threatened mutiny in Canada in 1802, and in 1810 was made lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada. In 1812, he took Detroit from the Americans under General Hull, and October 13 of the same year was killed at the battle of Queenstown. A monument to his memory stands on the west bank of the Niagara river near Niagara Falls. Richard E. Graves was born in Virginia and as a lad was taken by his parents to Louisiana, whence he later removed to Mississippi. Throughout his career he followed the vocation of cotton planting, but did not live long enough to achieve great success, his death occurring when he was forty-eight years of age, while Mrs. Graves had passed away when forty years old, her son, William T., being at that time eleven years old. He attended country schools and the Central Academy, and after the death of his father made his
324
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
home with a half-brother until reaching the age of seventeen years. At that time he secured employment on the Cunard line of steam- ships running to England, for eight years being thus employed, and then returning to the United States in 1886. During his expe- rience in this direction he had learned the art of cooking, and when he gave up the sea obtained a position as chef at the Far Rock- away Hotel, Long Island, New York. Later he followed the same business at Chicago for a time, went then to Denver, Colorado, as chef at the Brown Palace Hotel, and subsequently held a like position at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco; the Midland Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri; the Gayso Hotel, Memphis, Tennessee ; and the Southern Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri. In all, he followed this line of work for about four years. The nature of the work and the confinement attached thereto finally broke down his health, and, in order that he might have more exercise of an outdoor char- acter he joined the forces of the Prudential Insurance Company, at Louisville, Kentucky. He was later stationed at Richmond, In- diana, and finally at Detroit, Michigan, being with this company for seventeen years. Mr. Graves then assisted in the promotion and organization of the Cleveland Life Insurance Company, at Cleveland, Ohio, and the Toledo Life Insurance Company, at To- ledo, Ohio, after which he was one of the promoters of the Old Dominion Life Insurance Company, at Norfolk, Virginia. In March, 1913, Mr. Graves joined the Public Savings Life Insurance Company, at Indianapolis, where he remained until October 5, 1915, locating then at Evansville, where he has since been district manager for the same company of southern Illinois and southern Indiana. Mr. Graves is a Democrat in his political views, and his fraternal affiliation is with the Masons. In 1887, he married Miss Mary Horn, a native of Ireland, and to this union there has been born one daughter: Kathryn, who is cashier in the district office of the Public Savings Insurance Company, at Evansville, Indiana.
Harry B. Greek. There has been no period in recorded his- tory when the care of the dead has not been a feature of even savage life and the ceremonies have been of a character that have marked by the measure of civilization. Study habits and customs of every nation and it will be found that a reverence has been paid to the dead, oftentimes such as was not given to the living and even the most brutal savage tribes in the deepest wilderness, even those who still make human sacrifices as a part of religious rites, can point to their stone crypts, their burning temples, their funeral barks or their tree-top burials. There never has been, however, a time when the proper, dignified, sanitary conduct of funeral obsequies and disposal of the remains of those whose life work has ended has been so complete as at present. Funeral di- rectors and undertakers of the present day in America are no longer mere mechanics, but, on the other hand, are carefully trained in this profession. A leading member in this calling is Harry B. Greek, of Evansville, proprietor of the oldest-established under-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.