USA > Indiana > A History of Indiana from its exploration to 1922 > Part 45
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John W. Lorenz, M. D. Hand in hand, in public usefulness, is the druggist associated with the physician and this mutual dependence is universally acknowledged as a condition of public safety. Out of the hands of the ignorant and superstitious the lawful administration of drugs has long since passed, and thus it is no unimportant position that a pharmacist holds in a community, where his personal standing is usually of the highest. Likewise, if, as in the case of Dr. Lorenz, the pharmacist be also a duly graduated physician, the community is doubly
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fortunate, the two callings being blended into a whole that cannot fail to be of great and lasting public service. Doctor Lorenz, who has been a resident of Evansville since 1885, was born at Highland, Illinois, September 4, 1857, and is a son of Frank and Louisa (Haeusli) Lorenz, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Switzerland. Frank Lorenz was born April 5, 1835, the son of a market gardener, and was brought to the United States during the early '50's, when the family first settled at South St. Louis, Missouri, now known as Carondelet. In 1856, the family moved to a farm one mile north of Highland, Illinois, and it was there that Frank Lorenz met and married Louisa Haeusli, who was born August 25, 1839, and brought to this country as a child. Mr. Lorenz engaged in farming until 1882, when he retired from active business and moved to Highland, Illinois, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their days. They were the parents of three children: Dr. John W .; Edward, who is a retired farmer now living at Highland, Illinois, and Lillie, wife of Louis Metz, who is also a retired farmer and resides at Highland, Illinois. Doctor John W. Lorenz acquired his early education in the public schools where he made good use of his time and opportunity, and, when still a youth, he began teaching in the district schools, and after having taught two terms he was publicly thanked by the people of the community for his excellent work and efficient and conscientious service. To further his education, he then enrolled as a student at the Southern Illinois Normal University, at Carbondale, and was graduated from that institution in 1881 with the second high honors of his class. While attending that institution he became a member of its military body, known as the Douglas Corps Cadets, in which he rose to be Captain of Company B. After completing this course he accepted the position as teacher in the Highland, Illinois, public schools, and followed this vocation for four years. In 1885 Dr. Lorenz came to Evansville, where, in July of that year, he accepted a position in the drug store of William Alexander, Jr., located at West Pennsylvania and Wabash Avenues. At the end of six months he severed his connection with Mr. Alexander and purchased a drug store at 913 West Franklin Street, which he successfully conducted until 1888 when he purchased a building at 925 West Franklin Street, and there continued the drug business for five years. In 1893 he built his present building at 1007 West Frank- lin Street, where he has since conducted his business, and where he owns and operates one of the most modern and up-to-date drug houses in the city. From early youth, Doctor Lorenz had entertained an in- tense desire to become a physician, but as he was without means for a medical education, this ambition was denied him until late in life. He early began the study for this profession which he continued for many years, and subsequently matriculated at the Louisville Medical Col- lege, where he took a thorough course, and was graduated from that institution in 1903 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Since that date he has been practicing his profession in connection with carrying on his drug business, and has built up an extensive practice from the best element of his community. He is a deep student, an original in-
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vestigator and keeps in close touch with all that research is bringing to light in the field of scientific knowledge. He has always main- tained the highest standards of professional ethics, and at all times his career has been loyal, energetic and circumspect. His professional service has ever been discharged with a keen sense of conscientious obligation, and his labors have merited and received the respect and homage of his professional colleagues as well as the general public. Doctor Lorenz is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and is a Shriner, holding membership in Hadi Temple. He is also a member of the West Side Nut Club, and is prominent in both social and business circles. He has a number of business interests, being a member of the executive board of the West Side Insurance and Real Estate Com- pany and also of the West Side Building Loan and Savings Associa- tion. Doctor Lorenz was married August 24, 1882, to Miss Sophie Wehrly, of Edgewood, Illinois, a daughter of Fred and Verena (Iberg) Wehrly, and they became the parents of two daughters : Julia Louisa, and Irene Frances, both of whom were graduated from the Central High School of Evansville. Irene Frances also graduated from the State Normal School, Terre Haute, Indiana, and for several years was engaged in teaching in the public schools of this city. In 1904, the eldest daughter, Julia Louisa, was married to Charles T. Pelz, who is a graduate of Purdue University School of Pharmacy, and is manager of Doctor Lorenz's drug store. She died in 1920, leav- ing two daughters: Irene Amelia, and Charlotte Lucille, and in 1921 Doctor Lorenz's youngest daughter Irene Frances, became the wife of Mr. Pelz.
Harry Lowenthal, president and general manager of Holt & Brandon, a cold storage and ice firm at Evansville, has been promin- ently identified not only with business affairs but with fraternal life and civic matters since coming to Evansville. He was born at Leaven- worth, Kansas, November 30, 1863, and is a son of Simpson and Caroline (Weston) Lowenthal, natives of Germany. Simpson Lowen- thal was still a young man when he came to the United States and first located at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he resided several years. Dur- ing the late '40's, about the time of the gold rush to California, he started across the plains but stopped at Central City, Colorado, where he engaged in the dry goods business. Later he went to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he was carrying on business during the Civil war, and while he was too old for active service was a member of the Home Guards when that city was raided. Subsequently he moved to Shelby- ville, Kentucky, and continued to follow dry goods dealing as an occupation, and in 1880 located at Evansville, where for many years he was the proprietor of a mercantile establishment at the present site of the Triangle Overall Factory, 504-6-8 Fulton Avenue. In the evening of life he disposed of his business and retired from active affairs, his death occurring when he was, eighty-three years of age, in December, 1907. Mrs. Lowenthal, who is now eighty-six years old, survives him as a resident of San Francisco, California. Harry Lowenthal attended school in Kansas, and was about sixteen or sev-
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enteen years of age when he came to Evansville and secured a position with the firm of L. Lowenthal & Company, with which he was iden- tified for seven or eight years, this being a wholesale clothing line. His next venture was in the insurance business, but this did not hold him long, as in 1901 he bought into the Holt & Brandon Ice Company, which had been founded some years before by Milton C. Brandon, the original plant being located on Main Street. The original structure of the present plant, at 820 Walnut Street, was constructed in 1895, at which time Sterling R. Holt, of Indianapolis, became a partner of Mr. Brandon. Mr. Lowenthal bought Mr. Holt's interests in 1901, and when Mr. Brandon died, in 1909, he became president and has since had control of the business, which is still operated under the former business name, with himself as president and general manager. When Mr. Lowenthal came into the business it had a rated tonnage of thirty- five daily, while at the present time it has 180 tonnage daily. The company is noted for its prompt and efficient service, and operates a fleet of automobile trucks for deliveries. The plant is modern in every particular, and numerous up-to-date appliances have been in- stalled under the capable direction of Mr. Lowenthal. He has an excellent standing in the trade, and at this time is president of the Indiana Ice Dealers' Association. For many years Mr. Lowenthal has been a member of the B. P. O. Elks, and for three years served as exalted ruler thereof, during which time the new Elks building was erected at Evansville. In 1920 and 1921 he was president of the Rotary Club, and during this time was responsible for fostering the state convention of Rotarians. Mr. Lowenthal was vice-chairman of Red Cross work from the second year of the World war and was very active in all movements pertaining to wartime activities, as was also Mrs. Lowenthal, who was in charge of the surgical dressing and mending department of the Red Cross Chapter. Mr. Lowenthal is an independent voter, and his religious connection is with the Washington Avenue Temple. October 30, 1895, Mr. Lowenthal married Julia, daughter of Adolph and Racie (Ancker) Bitterman and they have four sons: Edwin, who is secretary and treasurer of Holt and Brand- on ; and Jack, Philip and Arthur, who reside with their parents. The members of this family are well and prominently known, and all enjoy widespread popularity. A review of the life of Mrs. Lowenthal's father, Adolph Bitterman, will be found elsewhere in this work.
William Emery McCool, M. D. For more than a quarter of a century Dr. William Emery McCool has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Evansville, where he is now the possessor of an excellent practice and a high standing in his profession. Fitted by training, temperament and inclination for his calling, he has brought to it enthusiasm and a fine human sympathy, both of which have aided him in making his career one of signal usefulness. Doctor McCool was born at Chandler, Indiana, December 22, 1868, and is a son of Emery and Anna (Cox) McCool. His father, who was born in 1838, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and his mother, born in 1842, was of Irish descent, but were both born in this country, where they passed
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their entire lives. They are now deceased. William Emery McCool passed his boyhood in the rural communities of Warrick county, In- diana, where he acquired his primary educational training in the coun- try school adjacent to his father's home, and this was supplemented by attendance at the Warrick County High School, situated at Boonville, where he pursued a complete course and was duly graduated. After some further preparation, having decided upon a career in medicine, he enrolled as a student at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and in the winter of 1890 was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He commenced his professional activities at Oakland City, Indiana, where he met with success during his residence of four and one-half years, and, thus encouraged, sought the broader field and wider oppor- tunities offered by the city of Evansville, where he has since fol- lowed his calling. As before noted, he has a large and representative practice, particularly in the field of surgery, and has kept abreast of the advancements made in his vocation, being known as a skilled practitioner of modern ideas and the most enlightened methods. After he graduated in medicine he took special post-graduate work at New York City and he has never given up his studies. Doctor McCool is local surgeon for the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad and be- longs to the surgical staff of Walker Hospital. He is a member of the Vanderburgh County Medical Society, Indiana State Medical So- ciety and the American Medical Association, and is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is also a thirty-second degree Mason, Knight Templar and member of the Mystic Shrine. Politically, he is a Republican, and his religious connection is with the Baptist church. December 24, 1890, Doctor McCool was united in marriage with Miss Cora Cosby, of Oakland City, Indiana, daughter of J. J. and Laura (Wilson) Cosby. They have two children : Joe and Burt, twins, both attending high school.
Harlan B. McCoy, who is prominently known at Evansville as a capable lawyer, county attorney, active Republican politician and promoter of athletics, was born in Spencer county, Indiana, July 13, 1884, and is a son of Dr. George W. and Jennie (Aley) McCoy, na- tives of the Hoosier state. Alfred Hill McCoy, his paternal grand- father, was captain of a company of Indiana volunteer infantry during the Civil war, as were two of his sons, Watson, who later became county recorder of Spencer county, and Franklin, who attained the rank of first lieutenant and died from the effect of a wound received at the battle of Shiloh. The other two sons, Dr. L. H. and Dr. George W. McCoy, were too young to enlist. The McCoys came to Indiana in 1803, the great-grandfather of Harlan B. McCoy being a Metho- dist preacher, as was also Alfred H. McCoy, who was also known as a "circuit rider." The youngest of his parents' four sons, Dr. George W. McCoy was born October 20, 1855, and received a remarkably thorough training for the profession of medicine, being a graduate of a number of medical institutions, in addition to which he constantly carried on post-graduate work. He was, perhaps, as well informed a man in medicine as any in his state during his day, but death called him
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when he was only forty-six years of age, May 16, 1902. In 1895 he came to Evansville and began the practice of his calling in association with G. W. Varner and this partnership lasted until his deplorable death, which was a loss to his county in medical and other ways. Mrs. McCoy, who still survives as a resident of Evansville, was born October 12, 1861, a daughter of J. V. Aley, a native of Indiana and a pioneer of Spencer county. Mr. McCoy is the eldest of his parents' three children, his sister being Mrs. Barrett H. Cochrum of Evans- ville. His brother was Alvin H. McCoy, who died in the spring of 1913, while engaged in the practice of law with Mr. McCoy. Harlan B. McCoy attended the public schools of Spencer county and Evans- ville, and after graduation from the high school in 1902, took a course at the Indiana State University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1906, and the Bachelor of Laws degree in 1908. He began practice with Philip C. Gould and this association continued until 1918, when Judge Gould was elevated to the bench of the Circuit Court. Since that time Mr. McCoy has practiced alone and now has offices in the Furniture Building. Mr. McCoy has maintained the traditions of the family by being a stanch Republican. He formerly was secretary of the first district Republican committee, city chairman and acting county chairman of the Republi- can party, and is now city chairman of the party and serving in the office of county attorney. He is a popular member of the local Elks Club and the Turnverein, and, being a great admirer of athletics, has been a constructive promoter and supporter of events of this kind. With his family, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. No- vember 22, 1916, Mr. McCoy was united in marriage with Mabel Frances Tupman, of Evansville, daughter of J. S. and Mary Frances (Vogt) Tupman, and a member of an old pioneer family of Vander- burgh county.
Shelby McDowell. In the career of Shelby McDowell there is again found evidence that, given the will power, ambition, and inherent qualities of integrity and high principles, an individual may succeed in spite of all handicaps and disadvantages. Mr. McDowell was left an orphan at eight years of age, and his only assistance came from a public school education and such training as he could secure through a youth spent in the hard work and discipline of the farm. With these things as his capital he has won a place in public affairs and in the esteem and regard of his fellow-citizens. Mr. McDowell was born on a farm in Union township, Vanderburgh county, September 12, 1888, and is a son of William and Susan (Edmond) McDowell. William McDowell was born at Cincinnati, where his people had been early settlers, and as a young man came to Vanderburgh county, where he passed the rest of his short life as a farmer of Union township. He died in 1891, when his son was three years of age, while Mrs. McDowell survived him five years and was thirty-two years of age at the time of her demise. The only child of his parents, Shelby Mc- Dowell lost his mother when he was eight years of age and at that time went to live with his grandparents. Later he went to stay with
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his uncle, Henry Edmond, on the latter's farm in Vanderburgh county, and in the meantime attended the public school, where he applied him- self closely to his studies. He followed farming on his uncle's property until he was twenty-one years of age, at which time, having attained . his majority, he entered upon his independent career. From early manhood he was intensely interested in politics and public affairs, and in 1912 was elected precinct committeeman of the Republican party, an office in which he served until 1920. In the mean time, in 1914, he was elected road supervisor and acted in that capacity for two years. In January, 1920, Mr. McDowell was appointed a member of the board of county commissioners of Vanderburgh county to fill a vacancy, and in the fall of 1922 was elected for a term of three years to the same office. In his present position, as in the others in which he has served, Mr. McDowell is discharging his duties in a capable and con- scientious manner, fully vindicating the faith placed in him by the voters who placed him in office. He is energetic, able and far-sighted, with intelligent and constructive views and modern and enlightened ideas, these qualities combining to make him a valued and valuable public servant. He is accounted one of the strong men of the Re- publican party in his community, where his friends predict much higher honors for him in the future. January 18, 1910, Mr. McDowell was united in marriage with Miss Frances A. Lynn, of Mount Vernon, Indiana, and to this union were born three children, Helen E. and Shelby R., who are deceased, and Ronald G. Fraternally, Mr. Mc- Dowell is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which he has numerous friends. He also has several other con- nections, fraternal and social, and is a man whose activities have touched life on many sides.
Pierce Mckenzie, M. D. In the medical profession it happens not infrequently that a tendency will be shown by several successive generations of a family to follow the same calling. Evansville has a number of examples which prove this statement to be true, and a case in point is found in Dr. Pierce Mckenzie, the son of a capable prac- tioner and himself the possessor of a large and representative following. Doctor Mckenzie was born July 24, 1893, in Clinton county, Iowa, and is a son of Dr. Herbert M. and Emma (Pierce) Mckenzie, the former a native of Whiteside county, Illinois, and the latter of the state of New York. His grandfather was a pioneer settler of Illinois, where he passed his life in the pursuits of agriculture, accumulating a hand- some competence. and winning the regard and esteem of his neighbors. Herbert M. Mckenzie, having decided upon a career in medicine, com- pleted his studies at Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which he was duly graduated with his degree, and then went to Elwood, Iowa, where he still continues to carry on his practice with much success. He holds membership in the various organizations of his calling and is a man respected both in and outside of his calling. The fifth in order of birth of his parents' children, Pierce Mckenzie, attended the public schools of his native locality, then entering the University of Chicago, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1916. Follow --
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ing this, he entered Rush Medical College, from which he was grad- uated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1918, after making an excellent record in his classes. For two years after his graduation he served as an interne at the Presbyterian Hospital, Chicago, under Drs. J. C. Webster and B. W. Sippy, and with this preparation came to Evansville, where he has since carried on his profession, his offices being in the American Trust Building. He has made rapid strides in his calling and is accounted one of the rising young physicians of the city. He belongs to the American Medical Association, the Indiana Medical Society and the Vanderburgh County Medical Society, and is a man of sound judgment and enlightened views, not only in matters pertaining to his profession, but those relating to the civic welfare and general advancement along all modern lines.
Elva C. Macer, M. D. The connection of Dr. Elva C. Macer with the professional life of Evansville is that of a reliable, learned and experienced physician. As a citizen he has been constructive and progressive, and in the dual capacity of doctor and man of enlightened views and tendencies he has done much for the welfare of the community of his adoption. Doctor Macer was born in Warrick coun- ty, Indiana, June 14, 1876, and is a son of Joseph W. and Agnes L. (French) Macer. His grandfather, Thomas Macer, was born at Chattres, England, February 2, 1818. He married Mary A. Robinson, who was born in the same city, May 8, 1823, and the day following their wedding they embarked for the United States, coming direct to Evansville, where old English friends, named Woodruff. had settled a few years before. An aunt of Mrs. Macer had already located at Inglefield, while Rose Ann Darrow, of a prominent English family, had settled at Evansville in 1844. Thomas Macer's brother-in-law, John Skinner, and the latter's wife, accompanied the Macers on their journey to the new country, the trip consuming six weeks by sailing vessel. Thomas Macer was a Baptist preacher, but also followed sev- eral lines of business and in 1865 turned his attention to farming in Warrick county, near a little town named Lynnville. There he passed the balance of his life, dying August 14, 1902, at the age of eighty-five years. His widow then removed to Evansville to live with her daugh- ter, Mrs. Mary E. Little, and died December 28, 1909, aged eighty- seven years. There were four children in the family: Joseph W., Mary E., Thomas and Anna M., all living in 1923. Joseph W. Macer was reared to the pursuits of agriculture, in which he continued to be en- gaged until the death of his worthy wife, which occurred May 15, 1905, when she left six sons and one daughter. She was the daughter of a Union soldier who fought through the Civil war and took part in Gen- eral Sherman's famous March to the Sea. After the death of his wife, Mr. Macer went to Boonville, Indiana, where he was variously em- ployed for two years, in 1907 settling at Evansville, where he opened the Virginia Street office of the S. W. Little Coal Company. He continued to be identified with that business for several years, then as- sociating himself with the Southern Indiana Coal Bureau, with which he continued until the office was abandoned in 1922. Mr. Macer is
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now practically retired from active business affairs. The second in order of birth of his parents' children, Elva C. Macer attended the public schools of Warrick county, and, like many of his profession, entered upon his career as an educator. After five years of school teaching, he took up the study of medicine, and eventually entered the Louisville Medical College, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1902, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. He began the practice of his calling near Oakland City, Gibson county, Indiana, but after one year located at Evansville, where he has remained, building up a large and lucrative practice and gaining the good will, confidence and esteem of the people of his community. Doctor Macer belongs to the Vanderburgh Medical Society, the In- diana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, the Lancet Club and the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the staff of St. Mary's Hospitals. In 1911, he was elected coroner of Vander- burgh county, the first Democrat to be so elected in twenty-four years, and served in that capacity for two years. In October, 1910, Doctor Macer married Miss Rema R. Rust, whose mother died when she was but seven years of age, at which time she came to Evansville and made her home with her aunt. She taught in the Evansville schools for some time prior to her marriage, and is a woman of intellectual attain- ments. She and her husband are the parents of two children: Eliza- beth and Edward C. They maintain a pleasant home at 1001 Lincoln avenue.
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