USA > Indiana > A History of Indiana from its exploration to 1922 > Part 39
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
-
341
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
continued until January 1, 1909, when Mr. Hatfield located at Evansville and joined the established firm of Spencer & Brill, which then became Spencer, Brill & Hatfield, and in 1912, when Mr. Spencer was elevated to the bench, John W. Brady, of Prince- ton, Indiana, was admitted to the firm, which then adopted the present style of Brill, Hatfield & Brady. Mr. Hatfield's practice is of a highly important character and the Supreme Court of the state of Indiana and the United States Supreme Court, where he has been connected with a number of cases which have attracted widespread attention and interest. He has served three consecu- tive terms as president of the Evansville Bar Association, and is a member of the board of managers of the Indiana Bar Associa- tion, in addition to which he holds membership in the American Bar Association. Mr. Hatfield is ex-president of the Evansville Rotary Club and ex-governor of the Twentieth District Rotary In- ternational, and now International Director. He is a member of the executive council of the Boy Scouts, and a trustee of Indiana State University, having been appointed to the last-named post by the State Board of Education. He also belongs to the Evans- ville Country Club and the Knights of Pythias, and while at college joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. His religious connection is with Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. At Bloomington, In- diana, in April, 1894, Mr. Hatfield was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Leas, and to this union there have been born two children : Jack L., aged twenty years, a student at Indiana Uni- versity ; and Joe S., aged fifteen years, who is attending the Evans- ville High School.
Lucian Hayden. It is not given to every man to succeed in di- vergent lines of human endeavor, for the same traits do not spell for achievement in all avenues of activity. However, there are to be found exceptions to this rule, as in the case of Lucian Hayden, of Evansville, who after spending twenty years in the successful practice of law, is now one of the leading wholesale coal mer- chants of his city. Mr. Hayden was born at New Harmony, Indi- ana, in August, 1877, and is a son of Henry and Mary Hayden, na- tives of the same community, the former born in 1841 and the latter in 1849. Henry Hayden grew up at New Harmony, where he received a public school education, and had not yet reached his majority when he enlisted in the Union army for service during the Civil war, becoming corporal in the First Indiana Cavalry, with which he served bravely and faithfully for three years, taking part in numerous engagements, which included the siege of Vicksburg. After his honorable discharge and muster out, he returned to his home place, where some time later he engaged in the hardware and agricultural implement business, a venture of which he made a suc- cess. After a busy and useful life he passed away in 1912. aged' seventy-one years. Mrs. Hayden survives him and is still a resi- dent of New Harmony. She is a daughter of a Union soldier who served in the Civil war. Lucian Hayden attended the public
342
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
schools of New Harmony, being graduated from high school in 1897, and immediately thereafter took up the study of law. Admit- ted to the bar, for some twenty years he was engaged in practice, building up a large and representative clientage and for a time serving as deputy prosecuting attorney of Posey county. While following his profession, Mr. Hayden came into contact with vari- ous business interests, and in 1915 gave up his law practice and came to Evansville, where he engaged in the coal business as a wholesaler, the company name being Hayden Coal Co., of which he is president. The company's mines are located at Muhlenberg, Kentucky, and are noted for the superior quality of the coal pro- duced, much of this product being used by the Illinois Central Railroad, while the remainder of the output is sent to the South, to northern Indiana and to Illinois. The vein is six feet thick and all the mining is done by electrical appliances. Mr. Hayden is also president of the Federal Security Company, of Indianapolis, a stock company engaged in the handling of commercial loans. He holds membership in the Evansville Chamber of Commerce, and as a fraternalist belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Masons. In religion he accepts the dictates of no sect or creed, but is ever ready to assist in promoting anything for the benefit of his fellow-man. In politics he maintains an independent stand. In June, 1912, Mr. Hayden was united in marriage with Audrey, daughter of Joseph and Emma (Richard) Stockekert, of Evansville, Mr. Stockekert being track manager for the Illinois Central Railroad at Evansville.
George D. Heilman, who has been engaged in the practice of law at Evansville for twenty-three years, and who is now serving his second term as prosecuting attorney of Vanderburgh county, is recognized as one of the capable attorneys of his city and county, and a courageous and industrious public servant. Mr. Heilman was born at Evansville, May 15, 1873, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Laubenheimer) Heilman, natives of Germany, the former of whom died in 1907, aged sixty-four years, while the latter still survives. Daniel Heilman was six years of age when brought by his parents to the United States, the family arriving at New Or- leans during the midst of a yellow fever epidemic. The grand- father of George D. Heilman contracted the dread disease, from which he died, and his widow brought the little family to Evans- ville. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Heilman died in Germany at the age of ninety-three years, and Mary Laubenheimer came to the United States to stay with her uncle, who was a resident of Wisconsin. She then visited relatives at Evansville, where she met and married Daniel Heilman, who was an employe of High- land Machine Works for many years, during a greater part of which time he held the post of superintendent and became one of the large stockholders in the company. Mr. George Heilman has a brother Henry who is engaged in the lumber business at New York City, and two sisters, Clara and Katharine who reside
343
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
with their mother in Evansville. George D. Heilman attended the public schools of Evansville and Lockyear Business College, sub- sequently pursuing a course at the Indiana State University, from which he was graduated in law in 1900. For several years he was associated in practice with Andrew J. Clark of Evansville, and at Mr. Clark's death formed a partnership with Iglehart, Taylor & Heilman, this association lasting for some fifteen years. In 1918 Mr. Heilman was elected prosecuting attorney of Vanderburgh county, and in 1921 was again chosen for that office, assuming his official duties for the second term in 1922. He has discharged the work of the prosecutor's office in an entirely satisfactory manner, much to the gratification of the law-abiding people of the com- munity. Mr. Heilman has been prominent in public and political affairs for some time. He was assistant clerk of the House of Representatives; was secretary for the state of Indiana, Lincoln League ; was associated with U. S. Senator New, on the national committee; and served as assistant secretary of the state central committee, being associated with Goodrich and Fred Sims. Al- ways a Republican, he has taken an active part in G. O. P. affairs, and was one of the prime movers in the formation of the Republi- can Club at the Indiana State University. His religious affiliation is with St. John's Evangelical Church. He belongs to the Delta Tau Delta and Phi Delta Phi fraternities; past master of Lessing Lodge 464, A. F. & A. M .; and past eminent commander of Com- mandery No. 15, K. T., of Masonry, a member of Hadi Temple Shriners. On August 4, 1910 Mr. Heilman was joined in marriage to Miss Rose Lohmeyer of Evansville, a woman of culture and refinement and prominent in church and social affairs, being one of the leading soprano singers of this city in church work and at the present time she is the soprano soloist at the First Baptist church.
Edwin C. Henning. A resident of Evansville since 1900, Edwin C. Henning has not only gained a prominent position among the strong and able attorneys of the city, but has also been active in business and fraternal circles. Mr. Henning was born at Cannel- ton, Perry county, Indiana, January 20, 1875, and is a son of Wil- liam and Sarah E. (Cleveland) Henning. William Henning was born in Pennsylvania, December 17, 1824, and was educated for the profession of law, which he followed at Cannelton for a period of fifty-five years. He conceived and installed the electric water plant at Cannelton and in other ways proved himself a progressive and useful citizen. After a successful career, he passed away at Cannelton, in 1898. Mr. Henning married Sarah E. Cleveland, who was born in Maine, July 3, 1843, and who survived him until 1919. They were the parents of the following children: William C., a manufacturer of St. Louis; Edwin C .; Guy T., now deceased ; Mrs. F. G. Petrie, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky; Mrs. W. E. Richey, of Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Byrd E. Pilcher, now deceased; Mrs. W. P. Whitson, of Fairfield, Alabama; Mrs. Marcus Lawson, of Terre
344
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGII COUNTY
Haute, Indiana; Mrs. E. K. Syrstad, of Springfield, Illinois ; John W., of Louisville, Kentucky; and Mary Irvin, of Cannelton, Indi- ana. Edwin C. Henning attended the public schools of Cannelton, and, deciding to follow in his father's footsteps, chose the law as his calling, and secured his training therefor at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1894 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He at once associated himself with his father, with whom he practiced until the elder man's death. In 1900 he came to Evansville, where he has since followed his profession with much success, his present offices being at 303 Citizens Bank Building. He is a director of the Webster Stone Company, at Irvington, Kentucky, and majority stockholder of the Yellow Taxicab Company at Evansville. Politically he is a Re- publican. Mr. Henning has been much interested in fraternal work, and for four consecutive years, from 1917 to 1921 was exalted ruler of the B. P. O. Elks. He holds membership in the Sigma Chi fraternity, the Chamber of Commerce, the Evansville Country Club and the Turn Verein. His religious connection is with the Episcopal church.
Sebastian Henrich. Among the honored citizens of Evansville who have now passed to their final rest, one who is more than ordinarily worthy of mention is the late Sebastian Henrich. Mr. Henrich was a business man who carried into his activities prin- ciples of a character that served to make his name one that was respected and esteemed, and a citizen whose passing, Friday, Au- gust 12, 1922, caused by an attack of heart trouble, took from his native city a man who had always borne his full share of the re- sponsibilities of citizenship. Mr. Henrich was born at the west corner of First and Locust Streets, Evansville, February 6, 1846, and passed much of his boyhood in the grocery store of his father, which was located at the north corner of Second and Sycamore Streets. He attended the old parochial school which was located on the present site of the New Grand Theatre, and was instructed by a relative of Orestus A. Brownson, the great American phil- osopher. He was distinctively a product of Evansville's life, knew his native city as few men of his day knew it, and was an interest- ing talker regarding its earlier history. August 9, 1872, Mr. Her- rich began the difficult task of making a set of abstract books of Vanderburgh county, a work which he commenced in association with Joseph Hennel, whose interests he later purchased. He con- tinued this work until a short time prior to his death, when the in- firmities of age confined him to his home, but his two sons, Theo- dore and William, had long done the active work, which went on without interruption when he ceased to be active. Mr. Henrich was a pioneer in abstracting at Evansville, and when he began his labors in this direction was a young man who was well and favorably known throughout the city and county. His work in his abstract books soon became recognized as reliable and accurate, and for fifty years the name of "Bass" Henrich continued as well
345
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
known as that of any man in Vanderburgh county. While not a member of the bar, he acted extensively for widows and orphans in the matter of estate management and direction, and his aid to ambitious and capable young men in matters of education is known only to the beneficiaries, for he did not permit others to know it. His judgment on matters of land values was also safe and conser- vative at all times. No other man in the history of the county, at least in the memory of those living, seems to have been so recog- nized as a valuable citizen, one available, impartial and capable in handling various affairs in the life of the community. He saw men and things in their true light, freed from the disturbing environ- ment of bias, or of political, business, social or religious life. He was a Democrat in politics, but that fact did not appear to bias his judgment or friendship. He was a devoted Catholic in his religion. The Vanderburgh County Museum and Historical Society was organ- ized when he had expressed to a friend his desire to give to the public for permanent exhibition his splendid collection of Indian relics, the collection of which no doubt was one of his greatest pleasures during fifty years of his active life. His choice as first vice-president was unanimous and he held that office until his death. The relics still re- main on exhibition as "The Sebastian Henrich Collection." Mr. Hen- rich lived an unblemished life, leaving to his children and children's children the heritage of a worthy and useful career. Mr. Henrich married Miss Bertha Bochoff, who died in 1911, and surviving are one daughter, Minnie, and four sons, Fred, of Phoenix, Arizona; and Theodore, William and Francis, of Evansville.
Theodore Henrich, son of Sebastian and Bertha (Bochoff) Henrich, was born at Evansville, March 13, 1881, and received his education in the graded and high schools, graduating from the lat- ter in June, 1904. April 15, 1914 he married Miss Lillian Eisfelder, and to this union there has come one son, Paul, who was born July 5, 1916, and is now attending school. Theodore Henrich is a mem- ber of the Knights of Columbus and the Chamber of Commerce, and in politics is a democrat. His religious connection is with St. Benedict's Catholic Church. He took an active civilian's part dur- ing the World war.
William S. Henrich, another son of Sebastian and Bertha (Bochoff) Henrich, was born at Evansville, November 13, 1884, and graduated from the Evansville High School in 1905. In the meantime he had gained a knowledge of the abstract business by working in association with his father during the vacation periods. October 3, 1912, he was united in marriage with Mary A., daughter of Jacob Folz, and they are the parents of two daughters: Mary Rose, aged nine years; and Alma M., aged five years. Mr. Hen- rich belongs to the West Side Nut Club and is a Democrat in his political allegiance. He and Mrs. Henrich belong to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Miss Minnie Henrich, the only daughter of Sebastian and Ber- tha (Bochoff) Henrich, was born March II, 1890, at Evansville,
346
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
and received her early education at Trinity School, following which she attended St. Mary-of-the-Woods, near Terre Haute, Indiana, and was graduated from that well-known institution in 1907. Fol- lowing her mother's death she remained at home, caring for her father until his death, when she became associated with her broth- ers, Theodore and William, in the operation of the abstract office, which was incorporated in June, 1922, under the corporate name of The Sebastian Abstract Company of Evansville.
John Henze. The career of John Henze has been one of suc- cessful agricultural effort and worthy service in public office. For years he has tilled the soil of German township, where he is now the owner of 160 acres of well-cultivated and productive land, and during the latter part of his life he has filled public posts efficiently, now being a member of the board of county commissioners of Vanderburgh county. Mr. Henze was born on a farm in German township, January 7, 1864, and is a son of William and Mary (Lohmeier) Henze. His father, a native of Germany, was twenty- four years of age when he immigrated to the United States, settling in German township, where he was engaged in farming during the greater part of his life. At the time of his arrival he purchased forty acres of timber land, which he improved, and later added forty acres more. He died in 1910 at the age of eighty-three years, while his second wife, the mother of John Henze, who was a native of Evansville, passed away in 1902, when sixty-four years old. By his two marriages William Henze had ten children. Of the first marriage one child survives: Minnie. Of the second marriage, John is the subject of this review ; William is superintendent of the Old People's Home, at Chicago ; Kathryn is now Mrs. Jacob Groen- inger; Hannah is now Mrs. Fred Schrader, of Posey county, this state ; Mary is now Mrs. Norbert Happe, of German township; and Louisa, deceased, was the wife of Jacob Reisinger, of German township. John Henze received his education in the public schools, and was reared to the pursuits of the farm. For many years he worked in his father's employ, and when the elder man was ready to retire the younger man took over the property by purchase, and has since added thereto until he now has 160 acres, improved with good buildings and modern machinery. Mr. Henze has been suc- cessful as a farmer and business man, and his honorable manner of carrying on transactions has always gained him the respect of his fellow-citizens. He still resides in the same house that was erected by his father, and that, in spite of being seventy years old, is still in good repair. A stanch Republican, Mr. Henze has always been active in politics and for a number of years was precinct chairman of his party in German township. In 1914 he was elected a mem- ber of the township board of trustees, serving four years, and was then elected for a second term, acting in that capacity until De- cember 24, 1919, when he was appointed a member of the board of county commissioners of Vanderburgh county to fill out an unex- pired term of one year and two months. At the following general
Fr. Backstage
347
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
election he was elected to the same office for the regular three- year term, and in this capacity, as in others, he is discharging his duties in an entirely efficient and conscientious manner. April 4, 1894, Mr. Henze was united in marriage with Miss Annie Pampe, of Evansville, and to this union there have been born six children : Frank, John, Herman, Arthur, deceased; Annie, now Mrs. Walter Lutwig; and Hilda, who resides with her parents. Mr. Henze and the members of his family belong to the Evangelical church.
Fred W. Bockstege. If the career of Fred W. Bockstege may be taken as a criterion, this is essentially a young man's era, for upon the shoulders of this youthful and energetic business man of Evansville rest responsibilities that formerly would have been asked to be borne only by men many years his senior. President and treasurer of the Bockstege Furniture Company, and vice presi- dent of the West Side Bank, he occupies an important place in business circles, and also has done his due share in promoting the interests of his native city. Mr. Bockstege was born at Evansville, July 10, 1890, and is a son of Fred W. and Wilhelmina (Seeger) Bockstege, the latter a native of Evansville, born August 25, 1861. Fred W. Bockstege the elder was born at Herne, Westphalia, Ger- many, April 6, 1860, and in his youth received a common school education and learned the trade of cabinet maker. He was but six- teen years of age when he emigrated to the United States and first settled at Akron, Ohio. That city, however, did not suit him and he pushed on to Evansville, where he found employment as a cabinet maker with the old Schnute-Mutchler planing mill, at Illinois Street and Fourth Avenue. Later he gave up this position and joined the Stoltz-Karges Furniture Company, at Water Street and Fulton Avenue, soon thereafter being advanced to the fore- manship over the cabinet makers employed by the company. Mr. Bockstege was not only thrifty but also ambitious, and, having al- lowed some of his wages to remain in the hands of his employers, he borrowed $600 from P. Y. McCoy, the proprietor of a local gro- cery, and with this capital was admitted to membership in the firm. Later he became president of this enterprise and held the position for a term of twenty-three years, building up the old Karges Furniture Company to be one of the leading plants of the state, from which almost all the present factories are offshoots. The Bockstege Furniture Company was organized and incorpor- ated in 1900. Mr. Bockstege continued to be interested in the busi- ness until his final illness, which caused his death, March 6, 1910. He was a man of the highest and strictest integrity and one who enjoyed the confidence and friendship of many of the leading citi- zens of Evansville. He and his worthy wife were the parents of five sons and four daughters: Fred W., Herman H., Henry R., John H., Benjamin, Clara, Ida, now Mrs. E. Feix, of Evansville ; Anna and Marie. Fred W. Bockstege attended only the common schools, as he started in to assist in the support of the family when still a youth, at a time when his father was temporarily disabled
348
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
by a broken leg. He also acted as representative for several fur- niture companies, and then became secretary of the Bockstege Furniture Company. He was only twenty-one years of age when his father died, but at that time became president and treasurer of the company, positions which he has since retained. He is also vice president of the West Side Bank, a position in which he also succeeded his father, and a director and stockholder of a number of other institutions at Evansville. His social connections include membership in the Country Club, the Turners and the Crescent Club, while in politics he votes the Republican ticket in national elections, but is a Democrat locally. He is unmarried.
Darwin M. Heston. In the highly specialized field of selling bonds, certain qualifications are necessary that are not requisite in other lines. That these qualities are present in the make-up of Darwin M. Heston would seem to be indicated by the success that he has already attained, and by other connections which make him one of the rising young business men of Evansville. Mr. Heston was born at Princeton, Indiana, October 23, 1896, and is a son of Samuel T. and Sarah (Faith) Heston, the latter a native of Michi- gan. Samuel T. Heston, a native of Indiana, is vice-president of the Citizens Bank and a leading business citizen of Evansville, and a review of his career will be found elsewhere in this work. Dar- win M. Heston attended the public schools of Princeton, and after his graduation from the high school, in 1915, went to Wabash Col- lege for one year. He then spent another year at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and in 1917 entered the employ of the Citizens Trust and Savings Bank, where he remained for four years. During this period he spent four months of the year 1918 * in the training camp at Camp Taylor, but was not called for ser- vice in the World war, as the armistice was signed before his con- tingent had completed their preparations. On his return to Evans- ville, he went back to the trust department of the Citizens Trust and Savings Bank, as bookkeeper and teller, and on leaving that institution spent eight months in the employ of the Evansville Nurseries Company. Mr. Heston then took a position with Dillon, Read & Company of Chicago representing them in Southern Indi- ana with offices in Evansville, a concern with which he remained one year, following which he resigned and joined the firm of Mitchell-Hutchins Company, also of Chicago. This firm he now represents as a bond salesman. A real live wire, Mr. Heston has already built up a large and important clientele, and is laying a firm foundation for a successful future in his chosen line of endeavor, for which he has unusual aptitude. In addition to this, he is a di- rector of the Evansville Nurseries Company. Fraternally, Mr. Heston is affiliated with the B. P. O. Elks and is a Scottish Rite Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He also holds member- ship in the American Legion, the Evansville Chamber of Com- merce, the Country Club and the Crescent Club. In politics he is a Democrat but has taken only a good citizen's interest in politics.
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.