USA > Indiana > A History of Indiana from its exploration to 1922 > Part 50
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Brothers, at Rochester, Minnesota, and to further his preparation for his calling went to the Johns Hopkins University at Baltimore, Mary- land, the Chicago Polyclinic, and Tulane University, New Orleans. In April, 1922, Doctor Royster settled at Evansville, where he has since been engaged as a specialist in diseases of the eye, nose, throat and ear, with offices in the Citizens Trust Building and he now owns the residence of the late Alfred Green, at No. 1043 Riverside Avenue. He keeps fully abreast of the advancements being made constantly in his profession, and in the near future contemplates making an extended European tour, during which he will complete his education by attend- ance at the leading universities and medical schools. While at William Jewell College, Doctor Royster joined the Phi Gamma Delta literary fraternity and at Louisville became a member of the Phi Chi medical fraternity. He belongs to the Elks and the Country Club, and at Hen- derson was a member of the board of governors of the Henderson County Country Club. During the World war period he served as a member of the district board of medical examiners of Kentucky. Doc- tor Royster belongs to the First Baptist Church of Evansville. De- cember 29, 1908, Doctor Royster was united in marriage with Miss Ethel, daughter of Dr. J. R. and Jennie (Poole) Sigler, Doctor Sigler being a well-known physician of Corydon, Kentucky, where Mrs. Roy- ster was born. To Doctor and Mrs. Royster there have come three children : Ruth Evelyn, born May 27, 1910; George Martin, Jr., born January 1, 1912, and Robert Allyn, born August 31, 1913.
Henry J. Rusche. Few of those now engaged in the manu- facture of furniture at Evansville have a longer, and none a more hon- orable record than Henry J. Rusche. Becoming identified with this line of industry in early youth, he has maintained his connection there- with to the present, being manager, secretary and treasurer of the Specialty Furniture Company. Mr. Rusche was born in Germany, De- cember 23, 1862, and is a son of Herman and Magdaline (Berg- mann) Rusche. The family came to the United States in 1866 and at once located at Evansville, where Herman Rusche secured employ- ment with the Evansville Gas Company, later transferring his ser- ices to the Southwestern Broom Manufacturing Company, with which he was connected for many years. He died October 3, 1918, at the ad- vanced age of seventy-nine years, Mrs. Rusche having passed away in 1914, when seventy-six years of age. The only son of his parents, Henry J. Rusche was about three years of age when brought to Evans- ville, where he attended the parochial schools. His education was somewhat limited, as he began to work at an early age, but advanced his learning by attending night school while learning the trade of cab- inet maker in the plant of the Evansville Furniture Company. He remained with that concern until 1889, in which year he organized the Specialty Furniture Company, his associates being F. C. Meyer, M. W. Breger, Albert Doerschler and Louis Kuehn, the last two of whom have since died. The company's plant is located at No. 35 Elsas Ave- nue, and its product has a wide sale, being noted for its superior qual- ity and fine workmanship. Mr. Rusche has been the leading factor in
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the development and success of this concern and is widely known in trade circles, as well as in business life generally, being vice-president and a member of the board of directors of the Furniture Building. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and the Manufacturers' Asso- ciation, and is an independent voter in politics. May 21, 1889, Mr. Rusche was united in marriage with Rosetta, daughter of William and Carolina (Devalt) Reitz, and to this union there have been born six children : Matilda, William, Sylvester, Robert, Henry and Herman. The family belongs to Trinity Catholic Church.
William E. Ruston. In his capacities of business man and pub- lic official, William E. Ruston has contributed to the welfare and de- velopment of Evansville a sound, stable and growing business enter- prise, and executive capacity of a character sufficient to handle the duties of county commissioner. He has been the builder of his own business and the developer of his own official ability, and in each di- rection has displayed fitness and reliability. Mr. Ruston was born September 11, 1885, at Evansville, and is a son of Robert E. and Sarah (Thorne) Ruston, natives of England. The parents were mar- ried in their home community of Chattrice, and were about twenty- three years of age when they came to the United States and settled at Evansville, where the father died April 15, 1923, and the mother still makes her home. For a time after his arrival Mr. Ruston was em- ployed by Igleheart Brothers, then securing a position on the City Fire Department, and later on the city police force, was later made license officer, and finally served for some years as turnkey at the city jail and for four years prior to his death was pensioned by the city. Another one of the family to be prominent in public affairs was Mr. Ruston's uncle, Thomas Ruston, who served as a member of the board of county commissioners about 1912. There were eight children in the family of Robert E. and Sarah Ruston: William E .; Charles W., the proprietor of a bakery at Evansville; Reuben; Reginald; Claude; Ollie, now the wife of Robert Snedden, of Mount Carmel, IlInois; Pearl, now the wife of Sam Johnson, of Fort Worth, Texas; and Mrs. Bessie Voigt, of Evansville. William F. Ruston acquired his education in the public schools of Evansville and commenced his business career as a clerk in the grocery of Huff, Reider & Lamey. He was with this con- cern only a short time, when, at the age of twenty-one years, he de- cided to embark in business on his own account, and accordingly opened his present establishment at William Street and Morris Avenue. He now conducts a first-class grocery and meat market business and has built up a large and representative trade of the most desirable kind. Mr. Ruston is noted for his honest representation and fair dealing, qualities which have gained him friends, confidence and added patron- age. A Republican in politics, he has always been active in the ranks of his party, and since May, 1922, has served as a member of the board of commissioners of Vanderburgh county. He has already been re- elected for another term in this office, which will start in January, 1924. At all times Mr. Ruston has looked after the interests of his
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constituents, while at the same time protecting the interests of the county. Mr.Ruston is affiliated fraternally with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Owls and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in the work of which he takes an active interest. August 18, 1915, Mr. Ruston married Emma, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Rust, an old Evansville family whose members carried on truck gardening on Vir- ginia Street for more than thirty years. To this union there has been born one son: Henry William. Mr. and Mrs. Ruston are consistent members of St. Lucas' Church, and maintain a pleasant home on Wein- bach Avenue, R. R. S.
Warner A. Rutherford, supreme organizer of the Royal Order of Lions, with headquarters at Evansville, is an excellent example of the individual who, starting his career in one line of endeavor, recognizes opportunity when its presents itself and takes up a dif- ferent vocation, finding therein greater success and contentment. For some years Mr. Rutherford was a merchant, and, although making a success in this field of activity, his real forte was not discerned until he entered the work of organization. He was born at Pineville, West Virginia, April 21, 1887, and is a son of Felix and Nancy Jane (Laxton) Rutherford, natives of North Carolina. Mrs. Rutherford, who survives and resides in West Virginia, reared two sons: Warner A. and W. C., the latter of whom died in 1920, at New Orleans, Louisiana. Warner A. Rutherford secured his edu- cation in the public schools of West Virginia, and from 1905 until 1908 worked his way through high school by accepting such hon- orable employment as he could find outside of school hours. In 1908 he became manager of the Singer Company, at Bristol, Ten- nessee, holding that position until 1910, when he was made road manager for the Freeman Portrait Company, at Nashville, Ten- nessee. During the latter part of 1912 he embarked in business on his own account as a furniture and hardware merchant, and gradu- ally built up this enterprise until he was conducting a chain of stores at Hazard, Whitesburg and Neon, Kentucky. During the years that had passed, Mr. Rutherford had become more and more interested in fraternal work, as a spectator rather than a partici- pant. Eventually, in 1915, he decided to try his fortune in the work of organization, first with the Order of Owls of the United States, and so successful was he in this work that he became supreme supervisor of this order and at one time had 319 organizers under him. His work brought him to the forefront rapidly, as six months after he had started, as an untried hand, he was made district super- visor in charge of the states of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, and two months later had been made supreme supervisor. In 1920 he became connected with the Royal Order of Lions, as supreme director of the organization, opening headquarters at Knoxville. Tennessee and subsequently founding the order in nine southeastern states. In 1921 he came to Evansville, and in May, 1922, began a campaign which resulted in the securing of 5,600 members of both sexes. Mr. Rutherford possesses personality, persuasiveness, logic
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and oratory, and is an indefatigable worker. The order of which he is the representative has enjoyed a phenomenal growth and now operates in twenty-three states in the Union, with numerous new members being secured every day. Mr. Rutherford belongs to various fraternal societies, being a member of Perry Lodge No. 425, Knights of Pythias, Hazard, Kentucky; Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Hopewell, Virginia; Friendship Encampment of Odd Fellows, Lansing, Michigan; B. P. O. Elks Lodge No. 235, South Bend, Indiana; Council No. 8, Junior Order United Ameri- can Mechanics, Johnston City, Tennessee; Kingsport Camp, Mod- ern Woodmen of America, Kingsport, Tennessee ; Lodge No. 1526, Loyal Order of Moose, Knoxville, Tennessee; Tribe of Ben Hur, Johnson City, Tennessee ; and B. P. O. Stags, St. Louis, Missouri. In politics he is a Democrat, and his religious connection is with the Baptist church, he being a member of the congregation at Hud- son, North Carolina. While a resident of Tennessee, Mr. Ruther- ford was active in the work of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion. He takes an active interest in civic affairs and supports all enterprises that have the benefit of Evansville as their object. December 22, 1909, Mr. Rutherford was united in marriage with Anna, daughter of Dow M. and Ellen (Gilliam) Bruce, of Wise county, Virginia, an old and honored family of that State, and to this union there have been born two children : Marvin Bruce, born October 10, 1910; and Ellen Ruth Aileen, born April 26, 1912.
John Willard Sappenfield. Like a number of his colleagues in the legal fraternity of Evansville, John Willard Sappenfield en- tered upon his career as a school teacher. Later he was engaged in newspaper work, and finally came his entrance upon the arena of law, where he has gained a marked success, and is now a mem- ber of the firm of Osborn & Sappenfield, one of the strong and capable combinations of the city. Mr. Sappenfield was born in Harrison county, Indiana, July 22, 1867, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Byrn) Sappenfield, natives of the same county, where the father died in the early '90's and the mother in 1906. Henry Sappenfield was a merchant, but died before he had the opportunity of accumulating any appreciable means. He left his . widow with three children: John Willard, Louis R. and Mrs. Ida Bracken, of Georgetown, Indiana. John Willard Sappenfield attended country schools in his youth, and while he was ambi- tious for a higher education and a professional career, he did not possess the funds necessary to carry him through college and ac- cordingly secured employment as a school teacher, being thus en- gaged, principally in the rural districts of Harrison, Posey and Vanderburgh counties, from 1884 to 1894. He was then able to pursue a course at Valparaiso University, from which he was grad- uated in 1896, and on leaving that institution became engaged in newspaper work on the Evansville Journal. During the eight years that he was thus occupied, he rose from reporter to the posi- tion of city editor, but in 1904 gave up journalism and became
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deputy city clerk under the administration of Mayor Boehne. During this time he applied himself to the study of law, and in 1910 was admitted to the bar. He commenced practice alone, and not long thereafter was elected prosecuting attorney, taking office in January, 1912. He was re-elected to this position, and was then succeeded by Lane B. Osborn. When Mr. Osborn's term ex- pired, a partnership was formed between him and Mr. Sappenfield, and the firm of Osborn & Sappenfield is considered one of the sound and reliable firms of the city, maintaining offices at 121 I-2 South Fourth Street. Mr. Sappenfield belongs to the various or- ganizations of his calling and observes its highest ethics. He is a Democrat in his political affiliations, while fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias. With his family he belongs to the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church. June 24, 1894 Mr. Sappenfield was united in marriage with Miss Clara E. Seward, who, prior to her marriage, had been engaged in teaching school at Evansville. She is a daughter of Edwin Seward, who was well known in this city. To Mr. and Mrs. Sappenfield there have been born five children: Elizabeth, of Evansville; Victor, also of this city : Venner, of Decatur, Illinois; Stanton, of San Benito, Texas ; and Wayne, of Evansville.
Hon. F. Harold Van Orman. In recent years there has come to the forefront at Evansville no more virile or useful citizen than the Hon. F. Harold Van Orman, state senator from Vanderburgh county. Prominent alike in business, politics, fraternal activities and civic mat- ters, he has bent his best energies toward the fostering and carrying through of measures and enterprises that will aid his city and county, and in so doing has installed himself in the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens, who have recognized and appreciated his efforts upon their behalf. Sen. Van Orman was born at Flint, Michigan, Sep- tember 26, 1884, and is a son of Fred and Demaris ( Paddock) Van Orman. He is of Holland Dutch descent, the family tracing its an- cestry back to the sturdy Meinheers who settled in New York long prior to the outbreak of the Revolutionary war, in which struggle a number of the Van Ormans participated. The grandfather of Sen. Van Orman came from the Empire state to Michigan and settled at Kalamazoo, where, March 17, 1860, was born Fred Van Orman, who may be accurately called "the father of the chain hotel system in the United States." Fred Van Orman began his career as a traveling salesman for W. G. Gould, out of Detroit, Michigan, but in 1887 turned his attention to the hotel business. His first venture was the Murdock Hotel, at Logansport, Indiana, and under his management it proved an immediate success. He was not content to devote all of his time to this enterprise, however, but with excellent foresight saw the possibilities of the hotel business, as operated under the chain sys- tem and began immediately to extend and develop his operations. These soon began to assume large proportions, including the Coulter House, at Frankfort, Indiana ; the Lahr Hotel, at Lafayette ; the West- cott, at Richmond, and the St. George Hotel, at Evansville, of which
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he was the proprietor in 1900. In addition to these Indiana hotels, he operated the Ruffner Hotel, at Charleston, West Virginia ; the Otsego Hotel, Jackson, Michigan; and the Doxy Hotel, Anderson, Indiana. He now operates the Shawnee Hotel, at Springfield, Ohio; the Or- lando Hotel, Decatur, Illinois ; the McCurdy Hotel, Evansville ; and the Hotel Victoria, Chicago, Illinois. He has had hotels in seven different states which have been directed from Evansville. Mrs. Van Orman, who also survives, is a native of Coldwater, Michigan. F. Harold Van Orman, after attending high school at Evansville for one year, spent two years at Phillips-Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire, and a like period at the Stone School, Boston, Massachusetts, his education being completed by a course at Harvard University, from which insti- tution he was graduated with the class of 1908. At that time he re- turned to Evansville, where at once he entered the hotel business with his father, and has shown himself an entirely capable and energetic business man. Mr. Van Orman is what is known as a "go-getter," in the parlance of the day. What he seeks to achieve he invariably accom- plishes and in a way that allows no doubt as to his success. No call upon him is too severe for him to answer in behalf of Vanderburgh county or Evansville and their people, and he has supported constantly all movements making for good citizenship, morality and education. In 1920 he was elected state senator from Vanderburgh county for a four-year term, and his actions in the senatorial body have been of a constructive and beneficial character. In July, 1922, Sen. Van Orman was re-elected president of the Hotel Men's Benefit Association of the United States and Canada, the largest and oldest hotel men's associa- tion in America. He is a director of the Evansville Chamber of Com- merce, ex-president of the Rotary Club, assistant raban of Evansville Temple of the Mystic Shrine and past exalted ruler of the B. P. O. Elks. September 26, 1913, Sen. Van Orman was united in marriage with Susie, daughter of Dr. Jerome and Florence (Barrett) Beeler, and to this union there have been born three children: F. Harold, Jr., Jerome Beeler and William Henry. A review of the career of Dr. Je- rome Beeler will be found on another page of this work.
Gus A. Schelosky. An active and successful career that has brought him to a prominent position among the business men of Evansville, has been that of Gus A. Schelosky, who is identified with several leading commercial ventures in the line of manu- facture. Essentially a business man, with large and important in- terests, he has found time to interest himself in affairs affecting the community and his co-operation with other public-spirited men has been conducive to the advancement of the city. Mr. Schelosky was born at Evansville, August 21, 1886, and is a son of Adolph R. and Louisa M. (Grese) Schelosky. His grandfather, William Schelosky, was born in Germany, where he followed the vocation of gardener, and brought the family to the United States in 1853. settling in Vanderburgh county, five miles north of Evansville. There he followed farming during the remainder of his life, devel- oping a good property and becoming one of the substantial and
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highly esteemed men of the community. Adolph R. Schelosky was four years of age when brought to the United States by his parents, having been born November 23, 1849, in Germany. He grew up on the farm, received a country school education, and assisted his father until he was eighteen years of age, at which time he began to work for what is now the Advance Stove Works. Lat- er he was occupied at Evansville as a painting contractor, and in 1883 founded the Schelosky Table Company, with which he was identified, principally as president, until January 1, 1923, when he retired from active life. He married Louisa M. Grese, who was born at Evansville, December 12, 1855, a daughter of William Grese, and to this union there have been born six children: Wil- liam M., Gus A., Herman, Arthur, Laura, (Mrs. C. H. Breden- kamp) and Louise, (Mrs. Herbert Evans), all of Evansville. Gus A. Schelosky acquired his education in the Evansville schools, and after his graduation from high school, in 1904, was employed as a bookkeeper. After a short time he became a stenographer for the George L. Mesker Company, but in 1906 resigned his position and went to St. Louis, where he was employed for one year by the May Company. Returning to Evansville in 1907, he commenced keep- ing books for the Indiana Tie Company, this being his occupation until 1912, May Ist of which year he became one of the founders of the present concern, the Small & Schelosky Company, dealers in rugs, linoleum and furniture. In 1918 Mr. Schelosky began oper- ating the Universal Furniture Company, of which he is president, and in 1922 organized the Gilbert Furniture Company, which makes a specialty of living room suites. Mr. Schelosky is a man of progressive views and energetic capability and has won fairly the success that has come to him. A stanch Republican, he is inter- ested in politics and active in civic affairs. He belongs to the Evansville Chamber of Commerce and the Country Club, and re- ligiously is identified with St. John's Evangelical Protestant Church, Reverend Dresel's congregation. May 20, 1912 Mr. Schel- osky was united in marriage with Helen E., daughter of Philip and Emily (Kramer) Grill of Evansville, and to this union there have been born two children, Helen and Mildred.
William M. Schelosky, secretary-treasurer of the Schelosky Table Company, has made rapid strides in the furniture manu- facturing industry of Evansville since joining his present firm in 1910. He has made the most of the opportunities that have been offered him in the way of advancement. and while aiding his own interests and those of his company has found time to register him- self as a good and constructive citizen. Mr. Schelosky was born at Evansville, September 28, 1882, and is a son of Adolph R. and Louisa M. (Grese) Schelosky, and a grandson of William Schel- osky, a native of Germany. William Schelosky was a gardener in his native land, and on coming to the United States in 1853 settled five miles north of Evansville, in Vanderburgh county, where he followed farming during the remainder of his life, developing a
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valuable and productive property and becoming known as one of the substantial and honorable men of his locality. Adolph R. Schelosky was born November 23, 1849, in Germany, and was four years of age when brought to the United States by his parents. He grew up on the home farm, in the neighborhood of which he acquired his education in the district schools, and assisted his father in the cultivation of the home acres until reaching the age of eighteen years, when he secured employment at the Advance Stove Works. Later he was engaged as a painting contractor at Evansville, but in 1883 founded the Schelosky Table Company, with which concern he was identified, as president, until January I, 1923, when he retired from active life. Mr. Schelosky married Louisa M. Grese, who was born at Evansville, December 12, 1855, daughter of William Grese, and to this union there have been born six children: William M., Gus A., Herman, Arthur, Laura, now Mrs. C. H. Bredenkamp; and Mrs. Herbert Evans, all of Evans- ville. William M. Schelosky was educated in the graded and high schools of Evansville, and at the age of seventeen years left the latter and started to work for the Evansville and Terre Haute Rail- road in the capacity of apprentice machinist. After spending three years in the shops he was made a locomotive fireman, a position which he held for a like period, and when twenty-three years of age first took a position with the old Schelosky Table Company. After one year he left to go to work in the post office, during the Covert administration, and, starting at the general delivery window, won advancement to the money order department. He left the mail service January 1, 1910, to join the Schelosky Table Company, which had been incorporated in 1907 as one of the Klamer fac- tories, starting as foreman of the mill room. Mr. Schelosky has been advanced to secretary-treasurer of this concern, which is one of the important ones in its field of activity, employing from ninety to one hundred mechanics. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Evansville, the Country Club and Reed Lodge of the Masonic order, and takes a keen interest in civic affairs. In national politics he supports the Republican party, but in local af- fairs considers the man rather than the party. With his family he belongs to Reverend Dresel's St. John's Evangelical Protestant Church. July 6, 1909, Mr. Schelosky married Freda, daughter of John and Lena (Herscher) Fendel, members of old Indiana pio- neer families, and to this union there have been born three children: Allen A., who died in infancy; William M., Jr. and Robert Clarence.
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