USA > Indiana > A History of Indiana from its exploration to 1922 > Part 56
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ber of Commerce, and until December, 1922, was president of Walker Hospital. One of the active members of Grace Memorial Presbyterian church, he is an elder therein, and chairman of the board of directors of the Evansville Rescue Mission. He is chair- man of the board of directors of the Evansville School of Religious Education and director of Community Welfare and one of the of- fice committee also a member of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation Boys Work committee, and a member of the Round Table Club. He belongs to the American Legion, Funkhouser Post, of Evansville, and is now district committeeman for Indiana of the American Legion. Mr. Walker has a number of business con- nections and is vice president of the Peter Healey Brass Foundry, vice president of the Textile Manufacturing Company, vice presi- dent of the Stahlschmidt Piano Company and vice president of the Automotive Electric Corporation. He holds membership in the Evansville Country Club, and was one of the first treasurers under the new management ; and belongs also to the Quadrangle Club of Princeton University, the Princeton Engineering Society, the Ki- wanis Club, the Service Club and the Societe of 40 Hommes and 8 Cheveaux and the Quartermaster Society. June 17, 1909, Mr. Walker was united in marriage with Dorothy R. Griffith, of Evansville, daughter of the late Benjamin H. Griffith, one of the founders of the Orr-Griffith Company. Her mother, Annie (Mar- tin) Griffith, was a daughter of John E. Martin, who was president of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad. Mrs. Griffith survives her husband and makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Walker. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Walker: Ann G., born April 23, 1911 ; Henry B., Jr., born November 13, 1913; Lucy B., born September 4, 1916; and Dorothy R., born January 20, 1918. James Tyler Walker, one of the old and honored members of the Vanderburgh county bar, has had a career at Evansville ex- tending over practically a half a century of years. During this time he has been identified with many of the most notable and important cases that have come before the state and federal courts, in which he has established an unquestioned reputation for thorough work in his profession. Mr. Walker was born October 22, 1850, at Evansville, and is a son of James T. and Ann Charlotte (Burtis) Walker, and of Scotch-Irish extraction. His father was born April 15, 1806, at Salem, New Jersey, and as a young man came to Evansville, where he became prominent as a lawyer and in public life. For some years he was the incumbent of the auditor's office, served as justice of the peace for a period and in 1844 was elected to the Indiana Legislature, in which body he served one term. His death occurred May 1, 1877. Mrs. Walker was born in Vanderburgh county, March 2, 1822, and survived her husband until July, 1901. James Tyler Walker attended the public schools of Evansville, fol- lowing which he took one year at Wabash College and then entered Hanover College, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1870, this institution later conferring upon him
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the degree of Master of Arts. Upon graduation he returned to Evansville and for six months taught school, and then commenced the study of law in the offices of Denby & Kumler, an old-time Evansville law firm. He remained in this office as student and junior member for seven years, when he formed a partnership with Robert D. Richardson, who later became judge of the Circuit Court. In 1906, Henry B. Walker, the son of Mr. Walker, was ad- mitted to the firm. Mr. Walker is a director of the Old State Na- tional Bank and vice president of the Peoples Savings Bank, in addition to which he has numerous other connections, civic, frater- nal and professional. He has been counsel for some of the large industries and corporations of Evansville and elsewhere, and coupled with his acknowledged ability and learning is a regard for the ethics of his calling that has been one of the leading principles of his career. Mr. Walker is a Democrat, and has held two public offices. For twelve years he contributed to the cause of education as a member of the board of school trustees, and for four years served as a member of the board of safety. With his family he belongs to Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church. February 28, 1882, Mr. Walker was united in marriage with Lucy A. Babcock, of Evansville, daughter of Henry O. and Mary E. (Howser) Babcock, and to this union there have been born three children: Henry B., an Evansville attorney and business man, member of the firm of Walker & Walker a review of whose career appears elsewhere in this work; James Tyler, Jr., now deceased; and Mary H., now the wife of William A. Keys, Jr., of New York City.
Frederick O. Weber, who has been identified with several of the leading business enterprises of Evansville ever since his school days. has worked his way through industry and ability to the presidency of the International Steel and Iron Company, giving employment to a large number of people and occupying a place of importance in the business life of the city. Mr. Weber was born June 18, 1885, at Evans- ville, a son of Charles and Mary (Tossettel) Weber. Charles Weber was born at Evansville, in 1857, and throughout his career was en- gaged in harness making. His death occurred in 1911. Mrs. Weber, also a native of Evansville, was born in 1861, and died in 1916. Of their six children, of whom five were daughters, three survive: Fred- erick O., Mrs. Lida E. Cain, of Hollywood, California, and Mrs. Wil- liam A. Ossenberg, of this city. Frederick O. Weber was educated in the graded and high schools of Evansville, and after his graduation from the latter, in 1903, secured employment with the Evansville firm of George L. Mesker & Company, with which he remained for six years. Desiring to enter business on his own account, he then borrowed $100.00, and, with Oscar J. Oehlkuch and Henry Bohnsack started the present business, the name of which subsequently became the Interna- tional Steel and Iron Company. About one year later Henry Decker became a member of the firm. Mr. Weber was vice-president of this fast-growing company until after the death, in 1918, of Mr. Oehlkuch, former president, when he assumed the office of president in which ca- pacity he has since served. Mr. Bohnsack becoming vice-president.
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The company which started in such a humble way, on borrowed capital, now has in its employ from 300 to 350 people, doing its business out of Evansville and shipping to far distant points, with customers abroad. Much of the success of the firm is due to the marked ability and pro- gressiveness of Mr. Weber, who is accounted a capable executive and a considerate employer of labor. He is a Republican in his political views, but has been too busy with business affairs to take other than a good citizen's part in politics. He is a member of the Rotary Club, in which he assists other constructive business and professional men in the inception and furtherance of worthy movements. As a fraternalist he affiliates with the B. P. O. Elks.
William Calvert Welborn, member of the reliable legal firm of Veneman, Welborn & Roberts, with offices at 306-10 Citizens National Bank Building, Evansville, is one of the able and resourceful attorneys practicing at the bar of Vanderburgh county. He was born on a farm in Posey county, Indiana, November 23, 1876, son of Joseph R. Wel- born, and a nephew of the late Judge O. M. Welborn, of Princeton, In- diana. After attending the public schools of Posey county, he was graduated from the Cynthiana High School, and then became a student of the University of Indiana, from which he was graduated in 1899 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1903 he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws from the same institution. That same year he es- tablished himself in the practice of his profession at Greenfield, Indi- ana, in partnership with James E. Mccullough. This connection was maintained until January, 1913, when Mr. Welborn came to Evansville and formed a partnership with A. J. Veneman, under the firm name of Veneman & Welborn. In November, 1919, Louis L. Roberts was taken into the firm and the name became Veneman, Welborn & Rob- erts. The members of this firm are recognized by the profession and public alike, to represent the best element in their calling, and their services are sought in some of the most important litigation in their part of the state. Mr. Welborn is a consistent member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church of Evansville. He belongs to the Kiwanis Club. In November, 1903, Mr. Welborn was married to Miss Edith Gauntt, of Marion, Indiana, and they have four daughters: Marion, Ruth, Dorothy and Frances. During the late war Mr. Welborn was one of the very effective speakers in behalf of the local activities. He served Greenfield as city attorney, but has held no public office since coming to Evansville, his time here being devoted to his profession, in which he has achieved distinction and financial success.
Charles F. Werner. Numbered among the able and successful members of the Vanderburgh county bar is Charles F. Werner, who is not only well known in professional circles, but in business and public life as well. Mr. Werner was born at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Decem- ber 7, 1878, and is a son of Charles and Mary (Guenther) Werner. Charles Werner was born in Germany and in young manhood came to the United States some time prior to the Civil war, all through which he served as a member of Company H, Fifth Regiment, Wisconsin Vol- unteer Infantry. After the war he engaged in the grocery business at Eau Claire, and continued therein until his death in 1883, when he was
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forty-nine years of age. Mrs. Werner, also a native of Germany, died in 1915, when sixty-two years of age. She and her husband were the parents of four children: Charles F .; Mrs. J. J. Mather, of Long Beach, California ; Mrs. N. L. Elkins, of Irvington, Alabama ; and Mrs. Herman Kasten, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Charles F. Werner at- tended the public schools of Eau Claire until reaching the age of eigh- teen years, at which time he went to Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where he attended a preparatory college. Following a period spent in teach- ing school, he enrolled as a student at the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and immediately came to Evansville, where he has since followed his profession alone, now having offices at 919 Citizens Trust Building. During his professional career, which has been one of constant advance- ment, Mr. Werner has become associated with a number of important business interests, and at this time is secretary-treasurer, attorney and a director of Park Hill Development Company, secretary and attorney of the North Side Realty Company, a director of the North Side Sav- ings and Loan Company and of the West Side Investment Company and attorney for the West Side Realty and Insurance Company. Po- litically a Republican, he has been twice a candidate for the Legislature and during the last election a candidate for prosecuting attorney, but has met with defeat on each occasion. He is now serving his second term as a deputy prosecutor under George D. Heilman. Fraternally Mr. Werner belongs to the Masons and to the Knights of Pythias, and also holds membership in the Chamber of Commerce and the West Side Nut Club. August 24, 1900, Mr. Werner was united in marriage with Miss Grace Kingsbury, daughter of Forrest W. and Sarah (Heigl) Kingsbury, and to this union there have been born four sons: Forrest K., Richard J., Daniel Walton and Charles F., Jr.
Henry F. Wilhelmus, D. D. S., since his arrival at Evansville in 1919, has been engaged in the practice of dental surgery and has estab- lished himself in the community as a man of skill and learning in his profession, and as a practical and useful citizen of constructive ideas. Doctor Wilhelmus was born near Rockport, Spencer county, Indiana, February 4, 1890, and is a son of Michael and Frances (Meyer) Wil- helmus. Michael Wilhelmus was born in Germany, whence he was brought as a lad to the United States by his parents, who settled in Spencer county. The first occupation in which the youth engaged after securing a common school education was that of stone cutting, a trade which he followed until he had saved sufficient capital to embark in a venture of his own, as the proprietor of a grocery business. This he conducted until about middle life, when he disposed of his holdings therein and embarked on agricultural pursuits, in which he was en- gaged at the time of his death in 1900, when he was sixty-four years of age. Mrs. Wilhelmus was also born in Germany, and came to the United States alone when she was still a young woman. She survived her husband two years, passing away in 1902. They were the parents of six children : Dr. Henry F .; Otto, who is deceased ; Dr. Charles, of Newburg, Indiana ; Fred, of Spencer county ; Clara, now Mrs. Brown, of Boonville, Indiana; and Miss Mary, also of Boonville. The boy-
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hood of Henry F. Wilhelmus was spent on his father's farm in Spencer county, where he received his early education in the rural schools. After some further preparation he entered the University of Louis- ville, which he attended from 1916 to 1919, in which latter year he re- ceived the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery and came to Evansville to engage in the practice of his profession. He has made a success of his calling and now has a large and representative practice, with offices at 307 Boehne Building. During the World war Doctor Wilhelmus joined the reserves in the United States Medical Corps, but was not called into active service. He is a Democrat in politics, but has not been an office seeker, his professional duties taking his time and atten- tion to the exclusion of other matters. When called upon, however, he has supported worthy movements and displayed a full measure of good citizenship. November 3, 1920, Doctor Wilhelmus was united in marriage at Evansville with Miss Clara Kratz, who was born in Vanderburgh county, a daughter of Chris and Minnie Kratz, both of whom are now deceased. Chris Kratz, who was an agriculturist by vocation, was also prominent in Republican politics, and at one time served as sheriff of Vanderburgh county.
Hon. Hiram M. Logsdon, a native of Indiana, a descendant of that type of sturdy pioneer families which have placed this State in the front rank of the Nation, was born in Spencer county, June 28, 1852, and was the eldest of seven children of Samuel and Cyrene (Osborn) Logsdon. He finished his education at the Indiana State University, and was graduated there with the class of 1875, attain1- ing a high standing in his class and in the University. During his senior year he was the editor in chief of the "Indiana Student," a paper published in the University. He commenced the practice of law at Rockport, Indiana, in 1877, and entering into partnership with the late Hon. Henry Kramer, he continued the practice there until 1891. By reason of his earnest devotion to his profession, his recognized ability and integrity, his merit and power as an advo- cate, he, during that time, won a fine practice and became one of the leading members of the profession in that part of the State. In 1885 he made an extended European tour over the several na . tions of the continent, and in England, Scotland and Ireland, inter- esting accounts of which were given by him in letters published in his home papers. In May, 1891, he married Miss Kate Hyland, daughter of Wilmer Hyland, a leading merchant of Rockport, Ind., and they then removed to Chattanooga, Tenn .. where he practiced law for over two years. Then returning to the State of his nativity, their loved Hoosier State, they located at Evansville, Indiana, where he continued in the successful practice of his profession until January, 1913, when he was appointed Judge of the Probate Court of Vanderburgh county, Indiana, for which he was eminently fitted, and in which capacity he served until May, 1919. discharging his duties therein with great ability, and painstaking, and marked suc- cess. He then resumed the practice of his profession, and there- after made a specialty of probate law. Politically Mr. Logsdon was always a Democrat, a firm believer in Democratic principles, and
26 M Logodown
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an enthusiastic supporter of his party. He was of a Democratic an- cestry, his father being an ardent and uncompromising Democrat, and during the war of the Rebellion, the time "that tried men's souls," who were of the Democratic faith, so outspoken was he in his espousal of his political creed that he was arrested, as were many other Democrats in Indiana, and was tried by court-martial at Indianapolis, an account of which was given in a book published soon afterwards, entitled "The Arbitrary Arrests of Indiana." The son was ever as ardent politically as his father, but it was never charged against him as a crime. On the contrary, he not only won and held the high estimation of his own party, but commanded the respect and esteem of others as well. Attention was invited to him early in his professional career on account of his ability and good judgment of men and affairs; and by reason of his being gifted in speech and powers of persuasive argument-so much so that he was called the silvery-tongued orator of his county-his services on the rostrum and otherwise, were soon in demand by his party, and he ever responded to its call, ready and willing for every emer- gency. In 1886, he was elected to the Legislature of Indiana as State Senator from Spencer and Warrick counties on the Demo- cratic ticket, and in this his popularity was evidenced, as he was thus elected over Dr. Samuel F. Johnson, of Spencer county, a former Captain in the Union Army, an experienced Republican politician, and a strong and popular candidate, although the re- mainder of the Democratic ticket in both counties went down in defeat. It is interesting to note here the great results that some- times may flow from apparently small causes. It was during Mr. Logsdon's first session that almost the entire time of the Legisla- ture was occupied in the fierce contest for the United States Senate between the cohorts of Benjamin Harrison and David Turpie, those intellectual giants of their day, and favorite gladiators of their respective parties, in which finally Senator Turpie was elected by only a bare majority. Had Dr. Johnson defeated Mr. Logsdon in their race, it is probable that General Harrison would have been elected to succeed himself in the United States Senate, of which he was then a member, and in that event, his party would hardly have nominated him for President, as Isaac P. Gray, a Democrat, was then the Governor of Indiana, and in case of a vacancy in the U. S. Senatorship he would have appointed a Democrat in Senator Har- rison's place. So it would seem that except for the election of Mr. Logsdon to the State Senate Benjamin Harrison would not have become the President of the United States. By reason of his first experience in the legislature in this protracted election of United States Senator, Mr. Logsdon, being progressive and alert, and rec- ognizing the necessity of such reform, introduced during that ses- sion and procured its passage by the Indiana Senate, a concurrent resolution favoring an amendment to the constitution of the United States providing for the election of United States Senators by the direct vote of the people. This is said to be the first time such a
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resolution ever passed a legislative body. His foresight and wis- dom in this have been since vindicated by such an amendment of the constitution. This wholesome provision is now the law of the land, and legislatures may devote themselves to the business for which they are designed. Mr. Logsdon also participated actively in other important legislation during his term of office, among which might be mentioned the bill to repeal the so-called intimida- tion act, the School Book Law, the Australian Ballot Law, etc, etc. Both before and after his occupancy of the Bench, Mr. Logsdon was on numerous occasions called upon to serve as special judge and judge pro tem in both the Circuit and Superior courts of Van- derburgh county, and in other courts, where his courteous bearing, his legal learning, his judicial temperament, his fair and impartial disposition, his cool head and warm heart made him signally suc- cessful, and won the praise of the observing and a high place among the judiciary of the state. Mr. Logsdon was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and also of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the B. P. O. Elks. The death of Judge Logsdon at Evansville on September 12, 1923, was, in its sudden- ness, a great shock to the community, and bereft the city and state of one who ever carried the welfare of humanity close to his heart.
D. Curtis Williams, superintendent for the Evansville district of the Prudential Life Insurance Company, has been connected with this kind of work since a period early in his career and has advanced himself through steady application and the acceptance of all opportu- nities that have come his way. Mr. Williams was born at Hawesville, Kentucky, April 7, 1868, and is a son of William H. and Nancy R. (Mitchell) Williams, the latter of whom was born in the Blue Grass state. William H. Williams was born in Virginia and was taken as an infant to Kentucky by his parents who died on their farm when their son was still a child. He grew up to be a farmer, in addition to which he was a plasterer contractor and did a large and profitable business. He also won a place in the confidence of his fellow-citizens and he was appointed and elected justice of the peace, or "squire", on several occa- sions. He died in 1905, at the age of seventy-five years, six months, while his worthy wife passed away January 26, 1912, aged eighty-one vears, eleven months. Of their children: Henderson is a resident of Hawesville, Kentucky; Charles H. lives at Jacksonville, Florida ; D. Curtis is the subject of this review ; one daughter died in infancy; and Mollie, who became the wife of James R. Alexander, died at the age of twenty-seven years, a teacher of Bowling Green, Kentucky. D. Curtis Williams attended the public schools of his native place, and was graduated from the high school in 1886. He then spent three years in working on the home farm in association with his father, after which he went to Henderson, Kentucky, there finding employment as clerk in a grocery. It was while thus engaged that he became interested in the insurance business, taking a position as agent with the Prudential In- surance Company at Henderson. His first efforts proving prolific of results, he was transferred to the broader field of the city of Louisville,
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after six months, and there spent a like period, after which he was ap- pointed assistant superintendent at Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1893 he was made assistant superintendent at Owensboro, Kentucky, where he remained until April, 1902, at which time he was promoted to su- perintendent at Vincennes, Indiana. After something more than four years he was transferred to Evansville, August 13, 1906, and has remained to the present time as superintendent of the Evansville dis- trict. Mr. Williams has been successful in building up the business of the company considerably, and has advanced himself in business cir- cles. In politics, while generally an independent voter, he is apt to lean toward the Democratic party when other things are equal. With his family, he belongs to the First Christian Church. Mr. Williams is a Scottish Rite and York Rite Mason, a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and a member of the B. P. O. Elks, the Chamber of Commerce and the Country Club. He takes an active interest in civic affairs, and sup- ports constructive movements generously. June 7, 1893, Mr. Williams married Miss Sallie A. Ireland, of Hawesville, Kentucky, and to this union there have been born six children: Ara B., who resides at home; Vida I., now Mrs. McGill, of Evansville; Leslie D., of Co- coa, Florida ; Evalyn M., a student at the Indiana American Gym- nasium College; and Agnes M. and Sarah Curtis, at home.
Charles F. Wilson, D. C., who enjoys the distinction of being the pioneer chiropractor in point of service at Evansville, has been engaged in the practice of his profession here since 1911 and now has a large and representative clientele. Chiropractic is defined as a philosophy, science and art of things natural, and a system of adjusting the subluxated vertebrae of the spinal column, by hand, for the restoration of health. Doctor Wilson is a thorough master of his calling and has a record of numerous cures in supposedly hopeless cases. He was born at Prairie Point, Iowa, February 28, 1869, a son of Reason Elmer and Mary M. (Halcroft) Wilson. The father, a native of Ripley county, Indiana, died in 1914, while the mother is still living. The third eldest in a family of fourteen children, Charles F. Wilson attended the public schools and in his youth became identified with the contracting and building busi- ness, which he followed for a period of seventeen years. He then became attracted to the science of chiropractic, and eventually entered the Palmer School of Chiropractic, from which he was grad- uated in 1908. He took up practice immediately at Arnold, Nebraska, where he remained three years, and in 1911 came to Evansville, where he introduced the science. Since that time his practice has grown steadily and he now has a large clientele, his offices being situated at present at 408 1-2 Main Street. Doctor Wilson is a Scottish Rite and Chapter Mason and Shriner and belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
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