USA > Indiana > A History of Indiana from its exploration to 1922 > Part 43
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of Chicago. In 1905 Mr. Klamer was united in marriage with Miss Mayme Hauck, of Evansville, and to this union there have been born five daughters: Mildred, Marie, Helen, Virginia and Betty Jane.
Henry A. Kollker. In the career of Henry A. Kollker, of Evansville, the ambitious youth starting out to make his own way without financial assistance or other advantages may find some- thing of an encouraging nature. When Mr. Kollker entered the field of business he had naught to depend upon save his own nat- ural resource and ambition, but these he has used so effectively that today he is one of the leading electricians of Evansville, where he has handled many large and important contracts. Mr. Kollker was born at Evansville, July 18, 1876, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Rees) Kollker. His father, a native of Germany, came to the United States in 1872 and first located at Evansville, Indi- ana, opening a merchant tailoring establishment on the present site of the Vendome Hotel, where he became eventually the lead- ing merchant tailor of his day, and continued to be identified with that line until his death in 1914. Mrs. Kollker, who died in 1906, was born at Evansville. Henry A. Kollker attended the public schools until reaching the age of fifteen years, when he became a clerk in the grocery of Rosenberger & Klein. He remained there until 1893, when he entered the Lockyear Business College, from which he was graduated in 1896. At that time he secured employ- ment at the Acme Hotel, then the leading hostelry of Evansville, where he waited on table for about one year, but resigned to be- come a clerk with the Val M. Smith Clothing Company. After two years he joined his father in the tailoring business, and for sev- eral years devoted his energies to the selling of clothing. In 1906 Mr. Kollker started his present business in a modest way. His original establishment was on Third Street, between Locust and Main, but his electrical contracting and supplies business grew tremendously the first year, and in 1907 he moved to his present location, at 309-311 Sycamore Street. Mr. Kollker has wired some of the largest buildings in the city. Among his recent contracts completed have been the Central High School, where he did a complete job of wiring and installed a power plant; the Coliseum, St. John's Church, the Hughes Building, the Peoples Saving Bank Building, and the residences of John Fendrich, Emma Bernardin, Daniel Wertz, Doctor Eichel and Phelps Darby, all at Evansville ; the Hotel Lawrence, B. P. O. Elks Lodge Hall, A. L. Maxwell Company's plant and the National Bank and Office Building, all at 'Lawrenceville, Illinois; the Wabash Valley Motor Company's plant at Robinson, Illinois; the Lymer Hotel, Herrin, Illinois; the East Side High School, Marion, Illinois; the Ferdinand State Bank, Ferdinand, Indiana; the First National Bank Building, Hunting- ton, Indiana; the high school building at Opdyke, Illinois; St. Michael's Church, at Cannelton, Indiana, and the plant of Saxe & Saxe, at Princeton, Indiana. He is reliable in the fulfillment of his
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contracts and the workmanship of every job undertaken is of the highest order. Mr. Kollker is a member of the B. P. O. Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Turners and the Chamber of Commerce. Politically a Republican, he is interested in city and county politics and an active worker in the ranks of his party. During the Spanish-American war Mr. Kollker enlisted in Captain Cutler's company, but was not called upon for active service. During the World War, he was a hard worker in behalf of all loan and other drives, and in various ways contributed to the move- ments which assisted in the success of American arms. In 1906, Mr. Kollker was united in marriage with Miss Amelia Kanzler, who was born at Evansville, a daughter of Christ Kanzler, and to this union there have been born seven children: Margaret and Ruth, who are attending the Evansville High School; Louise, Katherine and Helen, who are attending the public schools ; Esther Ann, who is deceased; and Henry, Jr.
Henry Korff, Sr. After passing their more active years in vari- ous lines of industry which call for a tax on physical strength, many men turn their attention in middle age or later to the real estate business, in which they can exercise their capacity for busi- ness affairs without exhausting bodily exertion. In this class is found Henry Korff, Sr., of Evansville, for many years known in connection with coal and lumber interests, who now applies him- self assiduously to looking after his important realty connections. Mr. Korff was born at Unterluebbe, Prues Minden, Germany, De- cember 24, 1857, and there received a public school education. He had not quite reached his majority when he emigrated to the United States and located at Evansville, where he was identified with the brick and tile business for a time, and then followed team- ing and the coal business. In 1898, with C. C. Thomas, he began the operation of a coal mine at Clay, Webster county, Kentucky, but this venture proved a total loss, as the coal buckled, and Mr. Korff lost a large part of the means which he had gotten together through years of thrift and industry. He did not, however, allow himself to become discouraged, and soon thereafter organized the Banner Coal Company, which proved more successful. When he closed out his interests in this concern he began mining on his own hook, near Boonville, Indiana, and also was interested in the lumber and sawmill business. In 1919 Mr. Korff retired from the coal business, selling out his mines and retail business to the Bosse Coal Company. Since then he has devoted his entire attention to the real estate business. He is now completing four bungalows, in Columbia and Governor Streets, and when completed will have the front of two blocks. Mr. Korff was one of the organizers and is a member of the board of directors of the North Side Bank, an organization with a capitalization of $100,000. He is very fond of travel, and in 1913, with Mrs. Korff, took a trip of three months to his old home in Germany, where he visited his kinfolk, and also spent some time in the Ruhr district, now occupying worldwide
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attention by reason of its occupation by the French. Mr. Korff has a number of social connections, as well as those of a business and civic character, and takes a keen interest in the welfare of his adopted city, although not in the role of an office seeker. In 1882 Mr. Korff was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Griese, a na- tive of Germany, and to this union there have been born the fol- lowing children : Henry, Jr., who has charge of the hauling for the Bosse Coal Company, married Lenora Schwiers; Fred, who is owner of the Belmont Transfer and Moving Company, on Main Street, Evansville, married Julia Boehne; Carrie, who is the wife of Benjamin Bartlett, now connected with the Korff-Bartlett Coal Company ; and Walter B., who is manager of the Bosse Coal Com- pany, married Alma Rahn.
Walter P. Krach. One of the leading industries of Evansville, which has made this thriving city a center of importance for the surrounding country, is the manufacture of a high grade of all kinds. A leading concern in this field is the Bockstege Furniture Company, the treasurer of which, Walter P. Krach, is well and favorably known in the trade. Mr. Krach is a native son of Evans- ville, and was born March 13, 1886, his parents being Charles and Christina Krach, natives of Germany, who came to Evansville when very young and were here married. Charles Krach spent the active years of his life at the carpenter's trade, but is now retired, and is a resident of Evansville, having reached his seventy-third year. Mrs. Krach died in 1907 when forty-six years old. Walter P. Krach received his education in the public schools, supple- mented by a course at a business college, and in 1900, when only fourteen years of age, embarked upon his independent career with the firm of Mackey Nisbet Co. He remained with this concern for only about one year when he transferred his services to the Bockstege Furniture Company, with which he has since been identified. His duties have been varied, and he has climbed the hard self-made road, gradually advancing in position and in the esteem of his associates through industry, initiative and fidelity. His first position was that of shipping clerk, from which he was advanced to stenographer and then to bookkeeper. Finally he re- ceived full recognition of his worth and abilities when he was ap- pointed secretary and then treasurer, his present title. Mr. Krach has contributed materially to the success of his concern and has formed a wide acquaintance in the furniture trade. Mr. Krach is not a party man in politics, giving his support to the candidate whom he considers best for the office, irrespective of party lines. He holds membership in the Chamber of Commerce and has sev- eral other connections. With his family, he belongs to the First Avenue Presbyterian Church. October 7, 1907, Mr. Krach was united in marriage with Hattie G., daughter of William G. Pelz, of Evansville, and to this union there have been born two children : Helen and Mary Ellen. Mr. Krach has one sister, Mrs. Clyde Smith, who resides at Evansville.
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George L. Krauss. The ability to plan, to look ahead and note the demands to be made in the future, and to be ready for such special calls upon his resources, have been concomitants in the success of George L. Krauss, proprietor of one of the leading laundry establishments of Evansville, in which are included special features that made it a valuable community asset. Mr. Krauss was born at Frankfort, Germany, February 4, 1882, and is a son of George Krauss. His father, born in 1841, was twenty years of age when he emigrated to the United States, arriving just in time to take part in the Civil war as a Union soldier. Later he returned to Germany, where he married Margaret Fisher and in the '70s again came to America, only to return to Germany for the second time after several years. Finally, with his family, he came to the United States to stay. He first worked for the Daudistle Meat Market, at Evansville, for some years, and then was identified with the Seltzer Market for a time. Finally, in 1890, he opened a business of his own, a retail meat market on the present site of the College Inn, and this he conducted successfully until he was incapacitated for further work by an old wound which he had received during the Civil war, and which had never healed properly. His death occurred in 1897, when his community lost a reliable, useful citizen of the highest integrity. George L. Krauss attended the public schools of Evansville until he had reached the fifth grade, when the illness of his father made it necessary that he contribute to the support of the family, and at the tender age of eleven years he became a newsboy at the old Air Line Depot, later changing his stand to the Southern Railroad Depot. In 1894 he became an accredited news agent for the Union News Company, but gave up this work to enter the employ of the Indiana Egg Case Company, which occu- pied the present site of Mr. Krauss's laundry, in the old Cody Cooper Shop Building. After serving about eight months he en- tered grocery work with H. A. Cook, with whom he remained three years, and then returned to the news agent business on the Southern Railroad, traveling as train "butcher" between Evansville and Louisville, Kentucky. One year of this work sufficed him, and after five or six years of experience in various other lines, he engaged in the laundry business, in 1909 taking over the old Im- perial Laundry, operated by Smith, Rush & Loftus, at 622 Main Street. This he operated until 1911 when he moved to the Cooper Shop Building in order to secure larger quarters to accommodate his increasing business needs. After several years of successful business, he found it expedient to again enlarge his equipment, and he accordingly purchased the Kohinoor Laundry, in which he car- ried on his business as best he might, while he had the old Cooper Building torn down and rebuilt. He now has a modern plant in every particular, with fifteen times its former capacity, and in- cluding the best and latest equipment of all kinds with which to do high-class laundry work. Several years ago Mr. Krauss added a cleaning and pressing department, known as the Faultless Cleaners
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and Dyers, which has tripled its volume of business after the first year. Upon the suggestion of his patrons, Mr. Krauss opened a shoe repairing department, as well as a rug department, in which latter, rugs and carpets are thoroughly sterilized and cleaned. Mr. Krauss is now able to take care of all interior cleaning of house- hold furnishings, and to clean and repair any article of personal wearing apparel from hat to shoes. This is one of the largest con- cerns of its kind not only in Evansville, but in this part of the state, and its development is a tribute and monument to Mr. Krauss's foresight, judgment, industry and general business abil- ity. Mr. Krauss is a thirty-second degree Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine and belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He also holds membership in the Chamber of Commerce and the Optimist Club. His religious connection is with Bethel Evangelical Church, in which he is president of the Men's Bible Class. In 1906 Mr. Krauss married Ida L. Vogt, of Evansville, daughter of Chris Vogt, formerly employed by the Evansville Police Department .. They are the parents of three sons: George Benjamin, born in 1907; Ralph William, born in 1909; and Norman Owen, born in 1913.
O. H. Kreuzberger, since locating at Evansville, has gained a reputation as one of the forceful lawyers of the local bar. Mr. Kreuzberger was born at Logansport, Cass county, Indiana, Janu- ary 13, 1887, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Meyer) Kreuz- berger. His early education was acquired in the public schools of his native city, following which he was sent to Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, where he gained the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He next entered the University of Michigan, from which institution he acquired the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and im- mediately thereafter, being admitted to the state and federal courts of Indiana, began practicing at Evansville, which has since been his home and the scene of his well-deserved success. Mr. Kreuz- berger is a member of the Indiana Bar Association, the Knights of Columbus and the Gamma Eta Gamma college fraternity. In pol- itics he supports the principles of the Democratic party. His re- ligious faith is that of the Catholic church. May 15, 1915, Mr. Kreuzberger was united in marriage with Cornelia, daughter of Charles and Rosa (Jochim) Beckman, of Ferdinand, Indiana, and to this union there have been born three children: Rosemary, who was born in 1916; Lucille, born in 1918, and Helen, born in 1920.
Walter J. Lang. The great corporation known as the Standard Oil Company operates so extensively in every section of the coun- try that it has been found advisable, even necessary, to separate its operations into states and districts as per its incorporation papers. In the choice of the men to act as district managers the company naturally is careful to secure only those whose past ac- tivities have shown them to be men of energy, resource and initia- tive, and such an individual has been secured as district manager for Southern Indiana and Southern Illinois, Walter J. Lang, of Evansville. Mr. Lang was born at Evansville, August 30, 1884,
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and is a son of John W. and Mamie (Jaucht) Lang. His father was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1864, and was about eighteen years of age when he located at Evansville, finding employment at his trade of varnisher with a number of furniture factories. For many years he was a foreman of varnishers, but during the last several years, because of advancing years, has merely been employed as a workman. Mrs. Lang died February 2, 1921, when fifty-six years of age. There were two sons in the family: H. A., who is assist- ant manager of the firm of A. L. Maxwell & Company, of Evans- ville; and Walter J., who graduated from the Evansville High School as a member of the class of 1903. He commenced work for the Standard Oil Company, February 3, 1905, as a stenographer, a position which he filled for four years. Later he was engaged in work in other departments of the company, winning promotion through his fidelity and industry, backed by inherent ability, and filled practically every position until becoming chief clerk, May 15, IgII. He was made assistant manager September 16, 1913, and July 1, 1918, became manager, a position which he has retained to the present. Mr. Lang's district is a most important one, necessi- tating constant vigilance and conscientious attention to details. A broad-minded man, he is strictly just in his dealings with his employes, with whom he is very popular, and, always radiating a friendly attitude, has made many warm friends among his busi- ness associates. Mr. Lang is interested in fraternal affairs to the extent of being a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner ; also holds membership in the Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Turners and the Press Club. His political beliefs made him an adherent of the principles of the Republican party, but he has shown no political ambitions. As a citizen he has been a consistent supporter of movements making for progress and the general civic welfare. June 25, 1918, Mr. Lang was united in marriage with Fredericka, daughter of Christian and Anna Wuetherich of Evansville.
Henry Nicholas Lannert, president and treasurer of the 'Lan- nert Manufacturing Company, is a man who has had a very con- structive influence upon the life of Evansville, and his company is numbered among the solid concerns of Vanderburgh county. He is a native son of Evansville, where he was born December 15, 1863. His father, John G. Lannert was born in Germany in 1836, and came to Evansville when he was about eighteen years old. A cabinetmaker by trade he worked at his calling for a few years, and then about 1866 began manufacturing carriages, but subse- quently turned his attention to the making of delivery wagons, and continued to produce them until his death which occurred in 1907. The business was originally conducted under the name of Lannert & Barenfanger, but the name was later changed to Lan- nert & Erthal, and still later became J. G. Lannert & Son. In 1908 the business was incorporated under the present name, with
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Henry N. Lannert as president and treasurer; his mother, Mrs. Margaret Lannert as vice president; and Louise Lannert, his daughter, as secretary. Mrs. Lannert continued in the business for about four years after the death of her husband, but John A. Lannert is now vice president; and Harry N. Lannert, a son of President Lannert, is secretary. Mrs. Lannert, whose maiden name was Moll, was born in Germany in 1839, and was brought to Evansville when she was about seven years old, and there she and John G. Lannert were married. They had a family of eleven children, eight of whom lived to reach maturity, and six are now living. John G. Lannert was a Democrat, and he and his family belonged to the Catholic church. Henry N. Lannert attended a parochial school, and also took a commercial course. At the age of fourteen years he began working in his father's business, and has worked his way up. About 1890 he began to own stock in the company, was later taken into partnership, and finally became its head. The plant is located at 208-210 South Sixth street. Both his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Barbara Lannert and his maternal grandfather Henry Moll were Germans by birth, and came to Vanderburgh county, and she settled at, Evansville with her son, John G. Lannert, and this city continued her home until her death. Henry Moll secured government land in Vanderburgh county and became one of the early farmers of this region. Both the Lannert and Moll families have always been held in the highest esteem and their representatives are to be found in different parts of this and adjoining counties, and are always people of substantial worth. Henry N. Lannert belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of St. John. May 10, 1887 he was married to Miss Emma Gosker, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Evansville, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Lannert have had five children born to them: Louise, who is the wife of Henry Klass, has five children, Henrietta, Walter, Charles, Emma and Raymond; Aurelia, who is the wife of Philip Kesler, has four children : Isabel, Philip, Robert and Wilford; Harry N., who married Marie Lapp, has two children, Henry and Mary Ruth; and Joseph George, who married Leona Stater, of Evans- ville. Mr. Lannert maintains a comfortable home at 421 E. Frank- lin street. His business cares have been too absorbing for Mr. Lannert to find much time or to develop the inclination for public affairs, but he does take an intelligent interest in the city's prog- ress and his company is one of the substantial and prosperous con- cerns of this city, made so through his excellent judgment and honorable policies.
Frederick W. Lauenstein. The reputation of the capable in- vestment bankers of the country is not made in a day, unusual ability in this highly specialized field of endeavor demanding not only natural abilities, but the most thorough preparation and strenuous, continuous and intense application and industry. Broad education and extensive knowledge of business, commercial and industrial principles and conditions are requisites for success.
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Commencing business some years ago, Frederick W. Lauenstein has steadily advanced to the front in reputation at Evansville and to the legitimate rewards of such a standing. Mr. Lauenstein was born at Evansville, February 6, 1879, and is a son of Frederick B. and Constanze (Scheller) Lauenstein, natives of Germany. The parents immigrated to the United States previous to their mar- riage and took up their residence at Evansville, where they rounded out long and useful careers. Frederick W. Lauenstein at- tended the public schools of Evansville and St. Louis Academy, following which, in 1896, he entered Indiana University, where he pursued a literary course. After his graduation he engaged in business and has gradually built up one of the leading investment banking enterprises in the city, with a large and constantly-grow- ing list of clients. He has several other business connections, and is identified with a number of civic, fraternal and social organiza- tions. Politically he supports the Democratic party, while his religious connection is with St. John's Evangelical Church. March 2, 1902, Mr. Lauenstein was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- beth F. Fares, of Evansville, a daughter of John and Margaret (Emrich) Fares, and to this union there has been born one child : Margaret C.
Henry Levy belongs to the group of business men of Evans- ville who may be termed truly as being self made. This title, too often, is given indiscriminately to men who have reached the heights, but who have had assistance and encouragement on the way. In Mr. Levy's case, however, the title is well merited, for the present proprietor of the big haberdashery business which is conducted under the business name of "The Hub" has worked out his own success, unaided, from early youth. He is a product of Evansville, having been born in a house on Division Street, be- tween Fifth and Sixth, a son of Mayer and Dora (Selz) Levy, natives of Europe. Mayer Levy emigrated to the United States in 1865 and took up his residence at Evansville, where he resided until his death, July 7, 1910. Mrs. Levy survived him until August 29, 1917. Henry Levy displayed his ambition and business in- stinct when he was only ten years of age, when it became his custom to purchase small books, at the rate of twelve for fifteen cents, and to dispose of them to passengers on the boats on the Ohio river, at the rate of two for five cents. When eleven years of ag he began working during the vacation months in the general store of Denebeim Brothers, and when he left school, at thirteen years of age, began to work regularly for this concern, with which he remained for about two years. At the age of sixteen years he entered the employ of Strouse Brothers, whom he left temporarily at the end of two years in order to attend the Curnick's Business Col- lege, but at the end of ten weeks had completed his course and re- turned to the same employer as bookkeeper. When his employers took a trip to Europe, they left the business in his care, and on their return he was given further responsibilities and promotion
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