USA > Indiana > A History of Indiana from its exploration to 1922 > Part 37
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taking business in Vanderburgh county. Mr. Greek was born at Evansville, August 26, 1872, and is a son of John and Mary Jane (Bullock) Greek, natives of Pennsylvania, both of whom are now deceased. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Greek was the founder of the family in this state, coming to Evansville in 1827, before the town was incorporated. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Greek, Boyd Bullock, was born in Ireland and came to the United States as a young man, locating first in Pennsylvania and moving later to Evansville, where he followed the business of jeweler and watchmaker. John Greek was ten years of age when brought to Evansville by his father, and here he grew up and became the owner of a property which at that time was known as Greekville. He served as wharfmaster and held various political offices at dif- ferent times, and was likewise the' owner and operator of a saw- mill and flour mill at Howell, Indiana, and engaged extensively in the commission business. He was a great church worker in the Vine Street Presbyterian Church, for the erection of which he made and hauled the brick. In his later years he retired from business affairs, and lived quietly until his death at eighty-one years of age, in 1899, when he was one of the oldest residents of the com- munity. Mrs. Greek passed away in 1908, at the age of seventy- seven years. They were the parents of eight children. Harry B. Greek was educated in the public schools, and after his graduation from the high school received his introduction to the undertaking business. He secured employment with the Robert Smith Under- taking Company, a concern which had been founded immediately following the close of the Civil war by John Henson, who was later succeeded by Robert Smith, who, in turn, was succeeded in the ownership of the business by Mr. Greek. This, the oldest establish- ment of its kind in Vanderburgh county, has won the confidence of the people. It maintains a modern establishment with chapel and the most up-to-date motor equipment. Mr. Greek has an ex- cellent reputation in business circles, and is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Optimist Club. Fraternally, he is a York Rite, Knight Templar and Scottish Rite Mason of ยท the thirty-second degree, as well as a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. A Republican in politics, he has been active in his party and in civic affairs, and during the World war period was identified with all the war drives in a helpful way. His religious connection is with the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church. In 1899, Mr. Greek mar- ried Rose F., daughter of Robert Smith, past owner of the present business, and they have one son : Robert L., who is associated with his father in the management of the undertaking establishment.
Louis C. Greiner, one of the capable and prominent men con- nected with Evansville's manufacturing interests occupies the posi- tion of the Imperial Desk Company, of which concern he was one of the organizers. Mr. Greiner has been identified with the manu- facture of furniture all of his life, and for a number of years has devoted himself more particularly to that branch of the business
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which pertains to office desks and tables, a field in which he has become widely known in trade circles. Mr. Greiner was born at Tell City, Perry county, Indiana, July 9, 1860, and is a son of Louis and Felicitas (Mitchler) Greiner, of Perry county, his father having been for many years engaged in the manufacture of furni- ture. Louis C. Greiner attended the public schools of his native county and on reaching young manhood was taken into the furni- ture manufacturing plant of his father, where he learned the busi- ness in all particulars. He was located at Tell City and other points until 1903, in which year he came to Evansville and assisted in the organization of the Evansville Desk Company, an enterprise with which he was identified for ten years. In 1912, he sold out his interests and was instrumental in reorganizing the Henderson Desk Company, at Henderson, Kentucky, which later became the Imperial Desk Company, and through his efforts, the business was transferred to Evansville, in the latter part of 1912. In the new organization Mr. Greiner became vice-president and treasurer and occupied these positions until 1923, when he was made president of the concern. The product of the Imperial Desk Company con- sists of office desks and tables, which are distributed through wholesale dealers all over the United States. The company also has some foreign trade, and the business throughout has shown a healthy and consistent growth under Mr. Greiner's able director- ship. Mr. Greiner belongs to the Evansville Chamber of Com- merce and is affiliated fraternally with the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. With his fam- ily, he belongs to St. Lucas' Church. The family home of Mr. Greiner is at 1611 Kentucky Avenue, while the manufacturing plant is situated at the corner of Devon and Florida Streets. The present Mrs. Greiner was formerly Miss Augusta Hartman. By a former marriage Mr. Greiner had four sons and one daughter : Norma, and Charles, who are deceased; Louis A., superintendent of plant No. I, of the Imperial Desk Company ; Harry J., treasurer of the Company ; and Walter, who is engaged in business opera- tions at Chicago.
Frank W. Griese. During recent years the people of the various cities of the country are seeking to elect to positions of public trust and responsibility men who have a practical knowledge as well as technical training for the duties of the office sought, and the same is true of the appointive positions in connection with the city government. When Frank W. Griese was made city comp- troller of Evansville, after his long and useful service in its city council, the better element felt satisfied that under his judicious management the funds of the taxpayers would be wisely safe- guarded, and he has justified the faith placed in him. He was born at Tell City, Indiana, October 25, 1870, son of Frank A. and Eva F. (Trott) Griese, both of whom were born in Germany, but were brought to the United States by their parents when young so that they were reared in this country. They were married at Indianap-
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olis, Indiana, and went from that city to Tell City, where he es- tablished himself as a manufacturer of furniture. In 1878, he transferred his business to Evansville, and continued it in this city for a long period, but lived in retirement for some years prior to his death which occurred when he was eighty-four. His wife passed away in 1912, aged seventy-five years. They were the parents of four sons and one daughter. In his political -faith he was a Republican and stanch in his support of party candidates. Both he and his excellent wife were life-long members of the Evangelical church. Frank W. Griese attended the public schools of Tell City and Evansville, and for a year was a student of Cen- tral Normal College at Danville, Indiana. His first connection with the business world came through his employment in a merchandise brokerage business, but he later left this line to become a manu- facturer, and his connections in this branch of industrial life have broadened until he is now president of Evansville Table Company, one of the dependable concerns of the city. He is also president of the Central Warehouse Company, of Evansville and is otherwise interested in local enterprises for he believes in investing his money at home. Very active in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, he is past exalted ruler of the Evansville lodge. Reared in the faith of the Evangelical church, he united with it, and has re- mained a member of the same church as his parents. In politics, he is a Democrat, and he has been active in party affairs, and for eight years has been a member of the city council, and was presi- dent of the council at the time of Mayor Bosse's death. As above stated his appointment as city comptroller met with popular ap- proval. In 1897, Mr. Griese was married to Miss Martha Helbich, of Evansville, and they have two daughters : Martha, who was grad- uated from the Evansville High School, is the wife of Herbert Hermsen; and Dorothy, who is a student of the Evansville High School.
Albert C. Grimm. The career of Albert C. Grimm, one of Ev- ansville's progressive business men, has been one of diversified activity, including in its scope participation in a number of varied industries. At present he is the proprietor of a planing mill and is in the enjoyment of a substantial and growing business. Mr. Grimm was born on a farm located four miles north of Evansville, in Vanderburgh county, June 22. 1882, and is a son of Christopher and Josephine (Harttman) Grimm. His grandfather, Peter Grimm, was born in Germany, and in 1833 came to the United States and settled on a virgin farm in Vanderburgh county, in the development and cultivation of which he passed the remaining years of his life. Christopher Grimm was but two years of age when brought by his parents to this country, and his boyhood and youth were passed on his father's place. On attaining manhood he followed in the footsteps of the elder man, adopting agricultural work as his calling, and for many years tilled the soil of Vanderburgh county, where he developed a productive farm. In his death, which oc-
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curred January 6, 1895, when he was sixty-four years of age, his community lost one of its good and reliable citizens. Mrs. Grimm died May 15, 1897. There were four children in the family: Albert C., Edward J. and George F., all of Evansville, and Martha, Mrs. George Taylor, of Indianapolis. The public schools of his native community furnished Albert C. Grimm with his educational train- ing, and until he was fifteen years of age he worked on the home farm. From his youth he had been a natural mechanic, and when he was but fifteen he was put in charge of a traction engine, which he operated until reaching the age of eighteen years. At that time he located at Evansville, where he secured employment with the Evansville Glass Company, but after a short period resigned and went to the Howell Car Shop, where he remained for three years, working both as a carpenter and as an engineer. Likewise, he worked for different contractors for three years, including Ben Hoffman, John Boehne and Edward Yates, and in 1910, started a contracting business of his own. For three years, also, he con- ducted the Service Concrete Block Company, in the manufacture of blocks, but in 1922 disposed of his interests therein and embarked in the planing mill business, in which he has since been engaged, his plant being located at 1102 North Governor Street. He has built up a good business in a comparatively short space of time and has maintained his standing as a business man of integrity and high principles. In his political views, Mr. Grimm is a Republican, but has not been an office seeker. Fraternally, he is a thirty- second degree Scottish Rite Mason and belongs to the Mystic Shrine. With his family, he holds membership in Zion Evangelical church. November 18, 1903, Mr. Grimm married Anna, daughter of John and Mary Weil, of Evansville, and to this union there have been born two children: Esther and Earl.
Oscar Grimwood. To the biographer the potency of an in- ventor's life is very significant and interesting, for he is the man who not only develops and puts into action many new and im- portant ideas, but is the one who is most valuable in the world's work for progress. His inventive genius has placed at the disposal of the public many labor and time saving, as well as amusement devices, and it is largely through his enterprise and activity that this country today enjoys its wonderful prosperity. If the general consumer pauses a moment to examine the smallest of the utilitar- ian articles which he commonly handles or continually makes use of, he finds these instruments so completely fitted for the use in- tended, that he may well be amazed, especially if he possesses no inventive talent himself. The invention of the first phonograph was a most wonderful work of ingenuity, but, to improve on this so as to supplant, practically, the first object of its kind, by one that can do the work more effectively and be produced at less cost, requires the possession of mechanical knowledge combined with inventive talent. In this connection mention is made of the La- tona Talking Machine, of which Oscar Grimwood of Evansville, is
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
one of the inventors and manufacturers. Although the Latona Talking Machine is a new invention, and has been before the pub- lic but a short time, it takes precedence over all similar devices, and is today the most popular instrument of its kind on the market. It not only sells at a popular price, but is notable for its beautiful tone and superiority in workmanship, and its sales extend to all points of the compass. In 1921 Mr. Grimwood began the manu- facture of cedar chests, which have become the leading product of his business. He makes a specialty of selling these chests from factory to home at a much lower price, and the business has devel- oped to large proportions. Mr. Grimwood was born at Owensville, Indiana, August 14, 1873, and is a son of Joseph and Amanda (Mc- Cray) Grimwood. His educational advantages were those af- forded by the public schools of his native town, in which he made good use of his time and opportunity. Soon after leaving school he engaged in the hardware and lumber business at Owensville, and was one of the active factors in this business at that place for about twenty years. In 1911 he came to Evansville, where he made a specialty of walnut veneering, taking stumps from the ground and using them in the manufacture of walnut veneer. In 1919 he and his brother, Thomas G. Grimwood, began the manu- facture of the Latona Talking Machine, having been the inventors of this instrument with Ira Hurst, one of their employes. Under Mr. Grimwood's able management the business has grown to large proportions, and is recognized as one of the notable enterprises of the city. The offices are situated at 103 Main Street, and the sales exceed the productions. Mr. Grimwood was married De- cember 14, 1898, to Miss Lucy Scott, of Riddle, Indiana, a daugh- ter of Frank and Mary (Carnes) Scott, and to this union there have been born three children : Helen, Mildred and Mary Lucille. The family home is at 1021 Blackford Avenue, and is a hospitable one, where their friends are always welcome.
The J. J. Groeninger Company. One of Evansville's manu- facturing concerns of more than thirty years' standing is the J. J. Groeninger Company, workers in sheet metal and tin. This highly successful business has been carried on by the members of the same family since 1892, when it was established by J. J. Groeninger and J. F. Weigand, as a partnership. J. J. Groeninger was born in 1866, in Vanderburgh county, a son of Fred Groeninger, who was born in Germany and for some years was a carpenter contractor at Evansville. In his youth J. J. Groeninger learned the sheet metal worker's trade, which he followed independently until forming the alliance with Mr. Weigand, as noted above. The business was de- veloped skillfully, and in 1911 it was incorporated under its present style, Mr. Groeninger remaining as president and treasurer until his death, November 19, 1914. He was a democrat in his political affiliation and had served ten months as a member of the city coun- cil under Mayor Ben Bosse, when his death occurred. He had sev- eral other business connections and was interested in the Mer-
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cantile Commercial Bank. Mr. Groeninger married Millie Brown and to this union there were born four children: Fred H .; William E .; Eloise E., now Mrs. Kenneth R. Rice; and Margaret J., now Mrs. Ralph Hasten. Fred H. Groeninger, elder son of J. J. Groen- inger, was born July 12, 1890, at Evansville, where he acquired his education in the public schools and at Lockyear's Business College, at which latter he pursued a commercial course in bookkeeping. On his graduation he entered the business of his father, and at the time of the elder man's death was elected president and treasurer and also became a stockholder. The other officers of the concern are Mrs. Millie E. Groeninger, vice president; and William E. Groeninger, secretary. At present the company does all manner of sheet metal and tin work, manufacturing such articles as smoke- stacks, tanks, breechings, etc., and are agents for the American Furnace Company. The company belongs to the Evansville Manu- facturers' Association. November 12, 1912, Fred H. Groeninger married Miss Florence M. Wipf, who was born May 26, 1890, and to this union there has come one son, Frederick H., Jr., born in 1915, who is now attending school. William E. Groeninger, younger son of J. J. Groeninger, was born September 8, 1892, at Evansville, and acquired a public school education. Immediately upon leaving school he entered the father's business, in which he had formerly worked nights while attending school, and in 1914 became secretary of the company, a position which he continues to hold. He is a Democrat in his political tendencies and is frater- nally affiliated with the Loyal Order of Moose and the Improved Order of Red Men. June 11, 1912, Mr. Groeninger married Irene, daughter of E. Hess, of Evansville, who was bank boss of a coal mine. Mrs. Groeninger's grandfather, Peter Hess, was a Union soldier during the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Groeninger there has been born one daughter, Mary Dolores. They are members of the Sacred Heart Church.
Vincenzo Amoroso. Respected and trusted by all who knew him, reliable in his dealings with all with whom he was brought into contact, helpful in the work tending to the benefit of those around him, the late Vincenzo Amoroso was one of Evansville's honored citizens, of the type that the city cannot afford to lose. He was born in 1864, in Italy, where he acquired an ordinary edu- cational training, and about the year 1890 came to the United States, seeking the fortune that was said to be waiting him on these hospitable shores. Landing at New York City, he remained in the metropolis for about two years, during which time he gained an idea of American customs and the language of his adopted land, and in 1892 came to Evansville, where he found employment in the furniture business of Joseph F. Reitz, at the corner of Sec- ond Avenue and Ohio Street. Mr. Amoroso was industrious, thrifty and ambitious. He saved his earnings carefully and soon started a modest fruit business at Third and Main Streets. The enterprise flourished under his careful management and good
Vincenzo Amoroso
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
business tactics, and he eventually sold out advantageously and purchased a much larger place at Fifth and Main Streets. This continued to be his place of business for the following twenty-two years, and there were few men who were better or more favorably known in the locality. He was still conducting this establishment at the time of his death, which occurred January 4, 1920. A man of cheerful disposition, with a smile for all and a cheery word, he is still missed in the community in which he lived so long and lab- ored so honorably. Mr. Amaroso was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and he and his family belonged to the Catholic church. January 10, 1893, at Evansville, Mr. Amoroso was united in mar- riage with Miss Theresa Mancini, who was born in Italy and came to the United States when about ten years old, in 1886, settling with her mother and sister at Evansville. Her sister, Madaline, a girl of nineteen years at the time of her arrival, is now deceased. Twins were born to Mrs. Amoroso's parents at Evansville: Rose, now a resident of Memphis, Tennessee; and Sarah, of Evansville. Anthony Mancini, father of Mrs. Amoroso came to the United States in 1882, leaving his family in Italy, and soon left New York city for Evansville, where he engaged in the fruit business at 507 Main Street with his brother, Michael, who is still carrying on the business here. Mr. Mancini died in 1904, aged fifty-nine years, and his widow, who bore the maiden name of Lucy Gingobe, still survives him as a resident of Evansville. To Mr. and Mrs. Amo- roso there were born three children: Rachline, who was educated in the parochial schools of Evansville, and is unmarried; 'Lucile, educated in the parochial schools and at Lockyear's Business Col- lege, who was employed for a time as a stenographer, and is now Mrs. Ross A. Thomas, of Pittsburgh, with two sons, Ross A., Jr. and Jack; and Dominick, who was educated in the parochial schools and at Jasper College.
Ferd A. Gumberts. Not a few of the men who have succeeded in business affairs at Evansville, and particularly in the line of furniture manufacture, are native sons of the city who have passed their lives within its borders, and who have contributed to its de- velopment and growth while advancing their own interests. In this class is found Ferd A. Gumberts, president and treasurer of the Rosenthal & Gumberts Furniture Company, who was born March 26, 1871, at Evansville, a son of Abram and Priscilla (Dink- elspeel) Gumberts. Abram Gumberts, who located at Evansville as early as 1842, was a clothing manufacturer at First and Syca- more Streets during the greater part of his business career and was a man of industry and integrity, who had the respect of his asso- ciates and the friendship of his neighbors. He died March 6, 1915, when seventy-five years of age, while Mrs. Gumberts, who was born October 8, 1846, died in 1920. They were the parents of six children, of whom four live at Evansville: Mrs. M. N. Gross, Mrs. I. Rosenthal, Mrs. Sydney S. Hirsheimer and Ferd A. Ferd A. Gumberts attended the graded and high schools of Evansville,
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through which he passed with honorable mention, and graduated from the latter in 1887. At that time he secured a position with Skahn's Sons, as a bill clerk, being remunerated to the extent of $2.50 per week, but left this post to take a position as bookkeeper with the Bank of Commerce, with which institution he remained for four years. He was connected with the Sunnyside Coal Com- pany from 1899 until 1901, and then secured by purchase the Gug- enheim store at 110-II2 Main Street. This was maintained at that location until 1903, then removed to 116-118 Main Street, or- ganized under the name of the Rosenthal & Gumberts Furniture Company. The company was incorporated in 1915, with Mr. Ros- enthal as president and Mr. Gumberts as vice president and treas- urer, and at the time of Mr. Rosenthal's death, in 1919, Mr. Gum- berts assumed the presidency and continued with the treasurership. Under his direction and by reason of his initiative, foresight and energy, the business has developed a wholesome growth, which has advanced it to a prominent position in business circles of Evansville. Mr. Gumberts is a fair-minded citizen, with a full measure of civic pride and public spirit, and has been identified with a number of movements which have promised to be of benefit to his native city. His political views make him a supporter of the principles and candidates of the Republican party, but his connection with politics has only been that of a voter, as he has had no desire for public office. September II, 1905, Mr. Gumberts was united in marriage with Miss Florence Bitterman, of Evansville, who died February 14, 1915, leaving three children : Richard, Helen and William. Mr. Gumberts is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and belongs to the Chamber of Com- merce.
Joe Haas. For nearly a quarter of a century the grocery business of Joe Haas has been accounted one of the necessary commercial adjuncts of the Main Street community of Evansville, where this popular citizen and capable business man started operations in 1900. While he still centers his interest in the business which was his initial venture, his connections have developed and grown to large proportions and now a number of important enterprises have the benefit of his abilities. Mr. Haas was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, May 25, 1875, and is a son of Frank and Katherine (Folz) Haas, the former born in 1854 and the latter in 1855. Frank Haas passed the active years of his later life as a farmer in Vanderburgh county and was a man of integrity and good citizenship. Joe Haas was still a child when brought by hsi parents to Vanderburgh county and his education was acquired in the public schools of Evansville. He was variously employed until 1900, in which year he founded his present grocery business, known as the Joe Haas Grocery Com- pany, located at 1105-1107 Main Street. At its inception this was a modest venture, but under the energy and ability of the proprietor it has developed into a modern establishment, carrying a full line of high grade staple and fancy groceries and catering to a large and
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