USA > Indiana > A History of Indiana from its exploration to 1922 > Part 46
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Martin Mann. Viistors to the city of Evansville in search of hotel accommodations of a pleasing and modern nature find enter- tainment, shelter and an excellent cuisine at the Imperial Hotel, at 802 Main Street. This popular hostelry is under the capable man- agement of Martin Mann, who has had a career of a varied char- acter which has given him a broad outlook on life and has con- tributed materially to his equipment for the vocation which he now follows. Mr. Mann is a product of Indiana's agricultural com- munity, having been born on his father's farm in Posey county, September 26, 1852, a son of Martin and Elizabeth Mann, who passed their entire lives in Posey county and devoted themselves to tilling the soil. Mr. Mann acquired his education in the public schools of Posey county and was reared to farming, but in young manhood decided upon a business career. Accordingly, he left the parental roof and in 1874 took a position with Hodge & Company, whose establishment was situated at the corner of Water and Syca- more Streets, Evansville, Indiana. He remained with this enter- prise until 1879, in which year he was appointed assistant deputy county treasurer under Thomas P. Britton and when Mr. Britton's death caused a vacancy, Mr. Mann was appointed to fill out the term, which expired in 1883. In that year he went to Indianapolis and became a bookkeeper in Fletcher's Bank, with which institution he was identified for nine years. He then became a bookkeeper for the wholesale firm of Kipp Brothers Company, with which he re- mained seventeen years. During his residence in Indianapolis, Mr.
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Mann became principal owner of the Indianapolis Live Stock Journal, which was started in 1889. He conducted this enterprise until October, 1918, when he sold it to Robert Henkel. In April, 1910, Mr. Mann returned to Evansville and took charge of the Imperial Hotel, at 802 Main Street, of which he has since been the proprietor. He conducts a modern establishment, up-to-date in its equipment and service, which merits the popularity and pat- ronage which it enjoys. Mr. Mann's political views make him a Republican. He was formerly affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and at present belongs to the Evansville Cham- ber of Commerce. He has been a member of St. John's Church since his return to Evansville in 1910.
Richard E. Meier. One of the growing concerns of Evansville in the line of general insurance and automobile time sales notes is that operating under the style of the Interstate Finance Corpora- tion. Much of the success of this enterprise is due to the energy and executive ability of Richard E. Meier, who occupies the dual post of secretary and general manager. Mr. Meier is one of the native sons of Evansville who has made good in the business world of his home city. He was born March 15, 1897, a son of Rev. E. F. and Katherine (Koch) Meier. The family is one of the old and honored ones of Vanderburgh county, where E. F. Meier was born and received his early scholastic training. He was thoroughly edu- cated for the ministry, and, adopting the faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, has labored faithfully as a pastor. He has held numerous charges, and is now located at Nashville, Tennes- see, where he is the pastor of a large congregation. He and Mrs. Meier, who also survives, have been the parents of three children : Richard E., of this review; Ferdinand W., a resident of Decatur, Illinois ; and Mrs. S. E. Huser, of Okemah, Oklahoma. The early education of Richard E. Meier was secured in the common schools of Evansville, whence he went with his parents to Petersburg, Ilinois, to which point his father had been called. There he at- tended high school, and when the family moved to Nashville, the youth further prepared himself by pursuing a commercial course in Fall's Business College of that city. Later he received further in- struction at the Watkins' Institute, also at Nashville, and then be- came identified with his present company. The Interstate Finance Corporation has developed a large business in the way of general insurance, and in the other department, the discounting of automo- Bile time sales notes has been successful also. Mr. Meier has brought to the discharge of his duties an enthusiasm and vim that have assisted materially in a healthful growth of business, and is justly recognized by his associates as a young man of more than passing ability. The other officers of the company are: William J. Muensterman, president ; Frank J. Folz, vice president ; O. H. Kreuzberger, second vice president; and John O'Donnell, treas- urer. Mr. Meier has a number of business connections, and his ca- reer has been loyal, energetic and circumspect. He is an active
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church and Sunday school worker, being Deacon of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church, and assistant superintendent of its Sun- day-school.
Arthur H. Meyer. Numbered among the members of Vander- burgh county's legal fraternity who have attained prominence and position through the exercise of industry and native talent is Arthur H. Meyer, who has been located at Evansville since 1908. During this period he has made consistent advancement as a shrewd, capable and thoroughly reliable lawyer and has gained the rewards commensurate with such a standing. Mr. Meyer is a na- tive of the Hoosier state, having been born at Elberfeld, Warrick county, September 28, 1881, a son of George J. and Hannah (Neid- erhaus) Meyer. His father, who was born December 25, 1853, at Haubstadt, Gibson county, Indiana, followed farming for some years in his native community, where he also served as justice of the peace in 1885. In 1889 he embarked in the implement business at Elberfeld, where he resided until 1906, moving then to Evans- ville, where he has since resided at 1214 East Virginia Street with his worthy wife, both being hale and hearty. Mrs. Meyer was born November 26, 1857, in Scott township, Vanderburgh county. Arthur H. Meyer attended the public school at Elberfeld and for his high school education attended school at Haubstadt. He then entered the University of Indiana, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1907, and in 1908, continuing his studies at the same institution, was granted his degree of Bachelor of Laws. July 7 of the same year, having been admitted to the bar, he located at Evansville, where he has since been engaged in a remunerative practice. Mr. Meyer has figured prominently in a number of important cases which have come into the courts and has gained a substantial and honorable reputation for the posses- sion of excellent talent. He belongs to the various organizations of his calling and holds membership also in several fraternities and clubs. His religious faith is that of. the Evangelical church, he and his family attending the Synod at Evansville. In politics a Democrat, he has supported stanchly the candidates and principles of his party, but has not sought office. October 16, 1912, at Evans- ville, Mr. Meyer was united in marriage with Miss Edna H. Henn, of this city, daughter of Henry and Lena (Fischer) Henn, of Vanderburgh county, and to this union there has been born one child, a daughter, Jean, who was born February 17, 1916.
Gus C. Meyer. Among the old-time business men of Evans- ville who have borne a part in the development of the city's inter- ests, both civic and industrial, one whose long and honorable ca- reer reflects credit upon his abilities and integrity is Gus C. Meyer, former vice-president of the Sterling Products Company though now practically retired from active business. During a period of thirty years this reliable citizen was identified with the brewing industry of Evansville, and his associates have been men who have contributed greatly, as has Mr. Meyer, to the business
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prestige of the city. He was born at Evansville, in a house which was located in the same block as that in which the Louisville & Nashville Railroad station is now situated, November 10, 1857, and is a son of August and Fredericka Meyer, natives of Germany, the former born in 1817 and the latter in 1819. The parents were married in Germany, and at the time of the Revolution of the late "'4os in that country left the disturbed Fatherland and emigrated to the United States, locating at Evansville in 1848. In that same year August Meyer took out his first papers of citizenship, and in 1854 received his second papers. Mr. Meyer was a machinist and locksmith by trade and first started working at the machine shop of Kratz & Heilman, with which concern he remained until after the close of the Civil war. He then embarked in the portable saw- mill business in Union township, Vanderburgh county, where he purchased 600 acres of land for its timber, and continued in the same line of business until his death in 1878, which was caused by an accident in the mill. At one time Mr. Meyer was also interested in the paper mill business with the late Ferdinand Funke, father of the sons who now operate the paper mill of Funke & Sons. Mrs. Meyer died in 1898. There were four children in the family: Con- stant F., who died in March, 1922; Julia, now the widow of Gott- lieb Klocke; Caroline, who became the wife of Louis Ebert, and died in March, 1912, and Gus C., whose name heads this review. August Meyer, who was a very religious man, was one of the founders of the old Zion Church on Fifth Street, of which he was a generous supporter all the rest of his life. Gus C. Meyer attended the old Park school, located in John Law Park, the Carpenter school, and the old Methodist Church Building, on Fourth and Vine Streets, where he took what was then known as the second preparatory course. Entertaining Republican sympathies at that time, although not a voter, in 1875 he was given a position in the county auditor's office, under Philip Decker and served one term. He next spent one year in the employ of the Armstrong Furniture Company and two years as bookkeeper with the Southern Chair Works, at the corner of Fourth and Division Streets, in the old Armstrong factory. From May 1, 1880, Mr. Meyer was with the Heilman Plow Company for ten years as bookkeeper and for one year as traveling representative, and then became one of the orig- inators of the Evansville Brewing Company, at the corner of First Avenue and Ingle Street, the officers of which concern were : Hen- ry Weinberg, president ; Gus C. Meyer, secretary ; Henry Stock- fleth, treasurer ; Simon Bartholome, office manager; and Fred San- wald brewmaster. At the end of 1922 Mr. Meyer had completed thirty years in this business, in which he had made a record for splendid business ability, sterling integrity and constructive utili- zation of progressive methods, having served as vice-president of the Sterling Products Company until 1922, when he retired, a con- cern which is a combine of several of the old breweries at Evans- ville, engaged in the manufacture of non-alcoholic beverages. He
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is vice-president of the Lamasco Building and Loan Association, a director in the Lamasco Bank, vice president and a director of the National Furniture Manufacturing Company, and a director in the North Star Furniture Company. He has a number of social and fraternal connections and has taken an active interest in civic affairs. During the World War he was Captain of the "Pluggen- heimers," who were very active in selling Liberty Bonds and War Saving Stamps, and all the other civic drives since then. Novem- ber 22, 1919, Mr. Meyer was united in marriage with Miss Minnie F. Stedtfeld, of Evansville, daughter of Christian and Minnie Stedt- feld, who are both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer maintain a pleasant home at No. 5 Heinlein avenue, this city.
Herman J. Meyer. While many changes have taken place in the industrial life of Evansville during the past quarter of a cen- tury, some of the old reliable concerns still have the advantage of being governed by members of the same family who were early identified with the business. The advantage of such conditions are easy to determine and are generally recognized, for interest is al- ways sustained and old standards maintained when no radical changes have been made in the management. In the conduct of the leather and leather findings and shoe store supplies business of Evansville, the G. Meyer Leather Company, now conducted by Herman J. Meyer, at 212 Locust Street, takes precedence over all other concerns of its kind in the City, both in prolonged period of operations and in the scope and importance of business controlled. Mr. Meyer was born at Louisville, Kentucky, March 27, 1889, and is a son of Gerhard and Christina Meyer, natives of Olden- berg, Germany. Gerhard Meyer came to the United States during the early seventies and settled at Louisville, Kentucky, where he later engaged in the leather and leather findings business. In 1898 he removed to Evansville, where he purchased the small leather and leather findings business conducted by Henry M. Stein. Through his able management, this enterprise prospered, and dur- ing the ensuing years its development and advancement have kept pace with the marvelous progress of the city, and its status has long been one of prominence in connection with the representative commercial activities of the country. For nearly a quarter of a century Mr. Meyer's time and energy were devoted to the building up of this splendid enterprise, and although recently forced by ill health to retire, he is remembered as one of the sterling business men of Evansville whose efforts not only contributed materially to the growth and development of the City, but in all matters tending to the public good he was an active and unostentatious worker, and his death, which occurred May II, 1923, removed from Evans- ville one of its most valued citizens. Upon his retirement from business, January 1, 1923, he was succeeded in management by his son, Herman J. Meyer, who is conducting the enterprise along the same progressive line as that of his father, and is recognized as a man of high ideals. He became associated with his father in busi-
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ness in 1914, and since that date has been actively identified with the enterprise, although did not assume control of the business until after his father's retirement.
Although the scope of his work has always been broad, and he gives close and loyal attention to his business, Mr. Meyer also finds time to get the most out of the finer social activities of life, and is affiliated with several social organizations of the city. He has always maintained the highest standards of business ethics, and at all times his career has been loyal, energetic and circumspect. In June, 1916, he was united in marriage with Miss Regina Snell, of Troy, Indiana, and to this union there have been born four child- ren : Herman G., John P., Laura A. and Helen L. The family home is at 1506 Mulberry Street, and is a hospitable one, where their friends are always welcome.
Rev. Jacob U. Schneider, who has been continuously identified with the Zion Evangelical Church at Evansville as pastor for twenty- eight years, is one of the most distinguished and influential leaders of that denomination in Indiana. He was born at Shanesville, Tuscara- was County, Ohio, August 5, 1859, and is a son of George and Mar- garet (Troxell) Schneider. George Schneider was born in Witten- burg, Germany, November 30, 1840, and was eighteen years of age when he came to the United States. In his youth he had learned the trade of blacksmithing and this he followed in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, until the year 1871, when he took his family to a Nebraska fron- tier farm, in Richardson county, where he passed the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits. His death occurred December 1, 1916. Mr. Schneider married Margaret Troxell, who was born Mav 5, 1841, in Switzerland and was fourteen years of age when brought to the United States by her parents, the family settling in Ohio, where they passed the rest of their lives in farming. Mrs. Schneider did not sur- vive long after arriving in Nebraska, her death occurring March 17, 1872. She and her husband were the parents of the following children : Rev. Jacob U .; George Edward, of Hemingford, Nebraska, president of the Farmers Bank ; Mrs. Elizabeth Garver, of Sabetha, Kansas : and Mrs. Mary Freiburghaus, who died at the age of twenty-six years. The early educational advantages of Jacob U. Schneider were confined to attendance at the old country schools of Richardson county, Nebras- ka, where he had been taken as a small boy, and later he took a course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College, St. Louis, Missouri. He pur- sued his classical studies at Elmhurst College, near Chicago, and in 1886 graduated from the Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, and was ordained, in 1886, a minister of the Evangelical Church. His first pastorate was at Castle Shannon, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and two years later he went to Jefferson City, Missouri, as pastor of the Evangelical church of that city, serving it capably and effectively for five years. After that he was principal of the high school at Washing- ton, Missouri, and in 1895 came to Evansville to accept the pastorate of Zion Evangelical Church. This church was founded January 1, 1849, by the Reverend Toelke, an organizer and traveling preacher, who
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served on and off for two years, when the Rev. Christ Schrenk became pastor and served as such for thirty year's, still retaining the pulpit at the time of his demise. During this time there was an intermission, after twenty years of service, when Rev. Lenschau served the congre- gation for five years, but at the end of that period Reverend Schrenk returned and completed another ten years in the pulpit. Following the death of the latter, the pulpit was served for twelve years by the Rev. John Frick, who was succeeded by Reverend Schneider, who has not only maintained a large and prosperous church organization, but has interested himself in all that makes for a better city. He was a mem- ber of the Board of Education from 1910 to 1918, and served as its secretary and treasurer, and was also a member of the Playground Commission. He has been president of the board of directors of the Protestant Deaconess Hospital since 1906. In the larger affairs of his church he is known as chairman of the Synodical Literary Board, chair- man of the Board of Examiners of Candidates for the Ministry, and chairman of the Committee on Relations of the Synod to other Chris- tian bodies. In 1886 Rev. Mr. Schneider married Rosa L. Langtim, who was born at St. Joseph, Missouri, a daughter of Ernest and Min- nie (Clausen) Langtim, and they have every reason to be proud of their family of children, three in number, named Carl, Selma and Her- bert. Carl Schneider graduated from Evansville High School and at- tended Elmhurst College, and following the example of his father en- tered the Eden Theological Seminary at St. Louis, of which he is a graduate. Beyond that, he continued his preparations abroad, a stu- dent in the Theological Seminary at Tubingen, in the University of Leipzig and in the University of Berlin. He is now professor of Re- ligious Education at Eden Seminary. Carl Schneider married Louise Fischer, and they have one son: Carl, Jr. The daughter, Selma, a graduate of Evansville High School and of DePauw University, at Greencastle, Indiana, after leaving college engaged in social service work at Sleighton Farm, the seat of the Pennsylvania Reform School for Girls, and subsequently taught at Marshall College, Huntington, West Virginia. She then took a post-graduate course at the Univer- sity of Chicago, from which she received the degree of Master of Arts, and is now teaching at the University of Minnesota, at Minne- apolis. Herbert Schneider is a graduate of the Evansville Central High School. After taking a collegiate course at Valparaiso, Indiana, he engaged in newspaper work at Evansville with the Evansville Cour- ier. June 24, 1918, he entered the United States Service and went to Europe as a member of Company C of the Three Hundred and Ninth Engineers. On his return from France he again took up newspaper work, and was city editor of the Pittsburgh Dispatch until the spring of 1923, when he took a position on the Ohio State Journal as telegraph editor. He was united in marriage with Miss Gladys Davis, of Ev- ansville, Indiana, and at this writing resides at Columbus, Ohio.
Zion Evangelical Church. The church was organized on the first day of January, 1849, when the constitution was signed by thirty-five charter members. They were men only, having attained the age of twenty-one years or more. Services were held in the
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old court house and a small log cabin on Sycamore Street during the years 1849 to 1851, then in a small frame church erected on the present site of the church. In 1855 a large brick church was erect- ed without a steeple. The cost of construction was approximately $4,500, and the building at that time was the largest of its kind in the city. The steeple, school house and parsonage then followed in the order given. The steeple planned by Mursinna, entailed a cost of $4,000, the parsonage $4,000, the school building $4,000 and the bells $1,300. In the course of time other Evangelical churches were organized by members of Zion Church. In 1888 St. Lucas Church was founded and it grew rapidly to the proportions of a large church. Rev. Herbert Pister is the pastor of this church. In 1895 an appeal coming from St. Peter's Reformed Church on the West Side engaged the attention of Zion Church. St. Peter's Church was reorganized taking the name Evangelical St. Paul's Church. Rev. Theo. L. Haas is the present pastor of this church, which has gained a large membership and influence on the West Side. To this reorganized church Zion also contributed a large number of members. Indeed, for a time so many flocked to these two newly organized churches that some members of Zion became very much alarmed as to the future of their own church. But the establishment of additional churches was not a hindrance to Zion, for the officials and members of the church applied themselves to their labors with greater energy, and Zion continued to grow in membership and influence. The cause of the Kingdom of God was enhanced very materially in the city of Evansville. Zion Church learned to take pride in the organization and development of other denominational churches in the city, and looked forward to the future without misgivings, notwithstanding the sacrifices she had made in the organization and development of other churches. In due time two additional churches were organized by members of Zion Church: Bethel Evangelical, located on Jefferson Avenue, and St. Matthew's Church on Outer First Avenue. Bethel Church has attained a large membership, and is reckoned as one of the largest and most influential churches in the city. Three pastors have served Bethel Church-Rev. Theo. Schlundt, Rev. Paul Pief- fer, and Rev. Ewald Kockritz-pastor at this writing. St. Mat- thew's Church was served five years by the pastor of Zion Church. Rev. Walter Scheer was St. Matthew's pastor for the last four years during which time the church made satisfactory progress; Rev. Karl M. Kindt is the successor to Rev. Scheer, and now in charge of St. Matthew's. Nor did Zion Church lag in benevolent enterprises. From the very beginning of the Deaconess work in Evansville the church took an active interest in this undertaking, contributing large sums of money to the building fund and equip- ment of the institution from time to time. The pastor and several members of the church were constantly on the hospital board. In addition to the obligations assumed to the Protestant Deaconess Hospital, the church cheerfully and consistently supported the proj- ect to establish a Protestant Old People's Home in Evansville, and
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it is a safe prediction that she will prove true to her past in the unselfish support of this benevolent enterprise in the days and years to come. The total amount contributed to benevolences in the last years have been from six to eight thousand dollars. Not- withstanding her efforts in the interest of others, the church found ways and means to improve her own equipments for more efficient service. A large Sunday school hall was built and a modern pipe organ installed in the church in 1917 at a total cost of $35,000. These improvements represent a present day value of approx- imately $70,000. In the course of the seventy-five years, seven pas- tors have served Zion Church, as follows: Rev. Henry Toelke, 1849-1850; Rev. Gerhardt H. Zumpe, 1850-1852; Rev. Christian Schrenk, 1852-1858; Rev. John Henry Mengert, Feb. 1858-July, 1858; Rev. F. Lenschau, July, 1858-1863; Rev. Christian Schrenk (second time) 1863-April 26, 1882 (date of death), Rev. John Frick, 1882-1895 ; Rev. J. U. Schneider, 1895 -. The church officers are: Charles H. Espenlaub, president; John J. Ehrhardt, secretary ; Wolfgang Miller, treasurer: Henry Haas, financial secretary. El- ders: Edw. A. Nussmeier, Gustav Weber, Edw. J. Schlundt, Chas. H. Espenlaub, Deacons : Walter P. Fuchs, W. M. G. Meyer, Eli G. Huber, Conrad Schuble, Wolfgang Miller, Wm. Rech, J. C. Fisch- er, Harry Ashworth, Henry Haas, John J. Ehrhardt, Miss Anna Richardt, and George Albrecht. Trustees: Charles H. Espenlaub, Phil. Werkmann, Wm. Rech, and Edward J. Schlundt. Statistics for the seventy-five years of the church are as follows: Baptisms, 3,932 ; confirmed, 2,061 ; marriages, 1,705; burials, 2,350. A great portion of the labors achieved during this period of the church's history can not be reckoned. Many thousands were nourished with the bread of life, and the full extent of the blessings distrib- uted through the ministrations of the church and her servants to the honor of God and the well-being of men will not be revealed until the end of time when the works of all men will be made manifest.
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