USA > Indiana > A History of Indiana from its exploration to 1922 > Part 59
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
liam E. Meier, the store was conducted by Edward C. Becker and H. W. Meier, son of William E. Meier. In 1921, Mr. Becker pur- chased the business and has since been its sole owner. He has an excellent patronage, which has been built up through honest meth- ods and fair representation, and his good management and sound integrity have served to give him an excellent standing in business circles of his community. Mr. Becker has injected modern methods into the operation of his enterprise, and handles only high-grade merchandise, catering to the best class of trade. His establishment presents an attractive appearance, and prompt, efficient and cour- teous service forms one of its slogans. Mr. Becker is content with his business and his home and has few outside interests. He is not a politician, although a good citizen. With his family, he attends Trinity Lutheran Church, of which he has been a member since boyhood. In 1901 Mr. Becker married Emma, daughter of William E. Meier, who died in 1913, aged sixty-three years, after having been in business at Evansville for more than thirty years. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Becker : Martha H., who was born in August, 1907, and is now a sophomore at Evansville High School; and William Herman, born in August, 1911, who is attend- ing the graded schools.
Walter A. Beckerle. In one of the lines of business for which Evansville is notable, that of the manufacture and sale of furniture, one of the young and energetic business men of the city who is making rapid advancement is Walter A. Beckerle, vice-president of the Boyer-Sheridan Company. Mr. Beckerle, an overseas veteran of the World war, was connected with several other lines of activity prior to identifying himself with furniture, but his present business seems to be his proper sphere. He was born at Evansville, in 1896, and is a son of John F. Beckerle and a member of an old and hon- ored family of Vanderburgh county. His grandfather, John F. Beckerle, was born in Germany, and was a child of eight years when brought to the United States, the family settling in this county, where John F. Beckerle rounded out a long, useful and suc- cessful career as a farmer. John F. Beckerle, Jr., was born, reared and educated in this county, and after spending part of his early life in farming turned his attention to business affairs and was the organizer of the Evansville Metal Bed Company, with which he was identified until his death in 1919, when he was 55 years of age. He was twice married and by his first marriage had one son : John M., who is engaged in farming in Vanderburgh county. For his second wife he married Miss Elizabeth TePool, who survives him as a resident of this county, where she was born, and they had one son: Walter A. Walter A. Beckerle attended the public schools of Evansville and after his graduation from the Evansville High School in 1915, was variously employed until 1918. In that year he enlisted for service during the World war, and was sent to Paris Island, South Carolina, for intensive training. In August of that year he went overseas as a member of the Thirteenth Regi-
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ment, United States Marines, and saw active service until the sign- ing of the armistice, when his regiment accompanied the Army of Occupation. It returned to the United States in 1919, July 12, be- ing the date of Mr. Beckerle's honorable discharge. He immedi- ately returned to Evansville, where for a time he was identified with the automobile business, and then for one year sold insurance. These vocations, however, did not prove congenial, and in 1922 he became associated with his present concern. The Boyer-Sheridan Company was founded in 1920 by William P. Barbero, and in 1923 was incorporarted under its present style with the following offi- cers : William P. Barbero, president; Walter A. Beckerle, vice- president ; and H. H. Boyer, secretary. The plant is located at No. 2II South Second Street, and is fully equipped with all modern appurtenances. Through his energy, executive ability and enthu- siasm, Mr. Beckerle has contributed materially to the success of the business, to which he gives his undivided attention. He be- longs to the Optimist Club, and fraternally is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in the latter of which he was made exalted ruler of Lodge No. 116 in 1923. In 1920 Mr. Beckerle married Miss Maria J. Benecke, of St. Louis, Missouri, and to this union there has come one daughter : Betty Jeanne, who was born January 18, 1923. Mr. and Mrs. Beckerle are members of Assumption Catholic Church. They occupy a pleasant and attractive home at 124 Howard Street.
Frederick John Bernhardt, cashier of the Citizens National Bank and one of the capable and progressive young men of affairs of Evansville, is strictly a product of this city and its institutions. He was born at Evansville, October 12, 1892, and is a son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Marshall) Bernhardt, natives of Germany, the former born in 1859 and the latter in 1864. Henry Bernhardt came to the United States at the age of twenty-one years, and soon after his arrival at Evansville he became identified with the furniture business, and continued in that field of activity until 1910, when he embarked in the grocery business at 400 Geil Avenue, conducting a store at that place until August, 1922, when he retired from active business, the enterprise now being owned and conducted by his son, Henry F. Bernhardt. He is a member of the Zion Evangelical Church, of which was also his wife, who died in 1901. They were the parents of four children, all of whom reside at Evansville : Henry F. who married Miss Rose Haaga and is engaged in the gro- cery business; Frederick J., of this review; Emma is the wife of Alfred Mangold, who is engaged in the automobile business, and Hilda is the wife of David Pauli, a cabinetmaker of this city. Frederick J. Bernhardt attended the public schools, following which he took a course at the Lockyear Business College, from which he was graduated. At the age of seventeen years he entered the em- ploy of the Citizens National Bank, one of the old and stable finan- cial institutions of Vanderburgh county, in the capacity of bank messenger, and from that position he has advanced through every
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post in the bank to that of cashier, which office he attained in March, 1922. He is accurate, careful and methodical, an able bank- er and one who has the confidence alike of his associates and the banks depositors. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. With his family, he belongs to the Bethel Evangelical Church. November 16, 1921, Mr. Bern- hardt married Miss Luella Rheinhardt, of Evansville, and they have two children: Mildred Louise and Robert Frederick.
Adolph Bitterman. Among the men prominently identified with the jewelry business of Evansville few have gained so high a rep- utation for ability and honorable dealing as has Adolph Bitterman, executive head of Bitterman Brothers. He has been a resident of this city for nearly half a century, and no citizen of Evansville is more respected or enjoys the confidence of the people or more richly deserves the regard in which he is held. He has always maintained the highest standards of business ethics, and at all times his career has been loyal, energetic and circumspect. His standing as a citizen is firm and broad, and during the many ears of his residence here he has wielded definite and beneficient influ- ence, both as a citizen and as a man of splendid business ability. Mr. Bitterman was born in Germany, January 23, 1844, and ac- quired his education in the grammar and high schools of that coun- try. He early developed an aptitude for business, and when fifteen years of age began as an apprentice at the jeweler's trade, showing a proficiency that was out of the ordinary for a boy of that age. Although he had mastered the trade in much less time than usual, he remained with his employer for four years and was given his diploma as an expert and skilled workman. Like many young men of ambitious temperaments, Mr. Bitterman was not satisfied with the environment of his native country and, believing that America afforded better opportunities, he decided to come to this country. Accordingly, in 1863, when nineteen years of age, he bade adieu to the Fatherland and sailed for the United States. For a time after reaching this country Mr. Bitterman was engaged as watchmaker at various places. In 1867 he located at Vincennes, Indiana, where he established himself in business with his brother, Isaac Bitter- man, under the firm name of Bitterman Brothers. Owing to a rap- idly growing business they found that Vincennes was inadequate for an enterprise such as they wished to establish, and in 1874 the business was moved to Evansville, where Mr. Bitterman has since been an active factor in this field of activity. The name of Bitter- man Brothers in connection with the jewelry trade is widely known throughout the country, having its inception at Evansville forty- nine nears ago, and during 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. In 1885 Isaac Bitterman retired from the firm, going to New York City, where his death occurred in 1900. On attaining their man-
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hood Mr. Bitterman admitted his sons to partnership in the firm, the officers of which at this time are as follows Adolph Bitterman, president; Jack A. Bitterman, vice-president, and Theodore Bitter- man secretary and treasurer. Arthur C. Bitterman, another son of Mr. Bitterman, having also served as vice-president of the firm un- til his death in 1922. The store, which is located at 202-204 Main Street, is one of the largest and most modern establishments of its kind in the state, and it enjoys the patronage of Evansville's lead- ing families. Although Mr. Bitterman has for many years passed the mile-stone of man's allotted three-score years and ten, he is to- day enjoying perfect health and complete mental activity at the remarkable age of seventy-nine years. He can usually be found at his place of business every day, and is a most courteous and affa- ble gentleman. Coming to Evansville and entering business life when a young man of thirty, Mr. Bitterman has essentially grown up with the commercial interests of the city during the period of its most marvelous development, and through pluck, perseverance and honorable dealing, he has become one of its substantial and valued citizens. He has seen Evansville grow from a community of nine- teen thousand souls to one of more than a hundred thousand pop- ulation, and in the development which has brought about, this ad- vancement he has played no small part. Besides his connection with the jewelry business, Mr. Bitterman also has many other cap- italistic interests, and his contribution to the world's work has been a valuable one. Thoroughly appreciative of the city of his adoption, he is loyal and public-spirited in his civic attitude, and gives gen- erously of his time and means to the furtherance of charitable movements and all matters tending to the public good. His ef- forts are not confined to lives resulting in indididual benefit, but are evident in those fields where general interests and public wel- fare are involved, and his activities have meant much to Evansville, in both civic and material progress. Mr. Bitterman was married at Cincinnati, Ohio, October 26, 1870, to Miss Racie Ancker, a woman of refinement and much beauty of character, and to this union were born six children : Julia, the wife of Harry Lowenthal, of Evansville; Jack A., who is associated with his father in busi- ness; Florence, who became the wife of Fred A. Gumberts, and is now deceased; Arthur C., who is also deceased; Delia, who is the wife of Clarence B. Kahn, of Evansville, and Theodore, who is also associated with his father in business.
J. M. Boner. Among the business establishments of Evansville which, by reason of proved reliability and long years of efficient, honorable and courteous service, have won the patronage and con- fidence of the people of the community, one of the best known is the J. M. Boner Jewelry Company. Founded more than twenty- seven years ago, this concern has steadfastly followed a policy of honest representation and straightforward dealing as outlined by the founder and present general manager of the business, J. M. Bo- ner. Mr. Boner was born in Warrick county, Indiana, in 1864, and
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was educated there in the public schools until reaching the age of eleven years, at which time he was brought by his parents to Ev- ansville. Here he attended high school, and upon the completion of his course began to learn the trade of jeweler in the establishment of Adolph Bitterman, one of the veteran jewelers of Evansville, who is still in business in this city as the head of the firm of Bitterman Brothers. Mr. Boner remained in the employ of Mr. Bitterman for a period of thirteen years, during which time he learned the busi- ness thoroughly. In 1896 he decided to embark in business on his own account, and accordingly opened an establishment. Under careful management the enterprise grew and developed, and in 1903 there was incorporated the firm of J. M. Boner Jewelry Com- pany, with the following officials: Roy R. Boner, president ; J. M. Boner, general manager; George G. Geissler, secretary and treas- urer. In 1907 Mr. Geissler was succeeded by Clarence N. Boner. The business is located at 225 Main Street and the company enjoys a liberal patronage, having among its patrons some of the leading families of the city. Mr. Boner is one of the solid, substantial and strictly reliable citizens of Evansville, public-spirited and progress- ive, and passessed of civic pride that causes him to support all worthy movements. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Masonic order. He occupies a pleasant home at 919 Blackford Avenue in one of the preferred residential districts of the city. In 1884 Mr. Boner married Miss Eliza Geissler, of Evansville, daughter of George G. Geissler, of Evansville, and to this union there have been born two sons: Roy R. and Clarence N. Roy R. Boner was born December 25, 1885, at Evansville, and after graduating from the high school as a member of the class of 1903, spent one year in Kandler's School of Engraving. In the same year he became asso- ciated with his father and brother in the jewelry business and has continued in the same line to the present, now being president of the company. He is a member of the Masonic order and of the Central Turners and has several civic and business connections. In 1910 he was united in marriage with Miss Elsie E. Mesker, of Evansville, and their home is located at 1100 Blackford Avenue. Clarence N. Boner was born at Evansville, July 17, 1888, and grad- uated from high school in 1907. He then attended Bradley's Poly- technic Institute, at Peoria, Illinois, for one year, and in 1903 be- came a member of the firm. In 1907 he succeeded George G. Geiss- ler in the capacity of secretary and treasurer. He belongs to sev- eral fraternal orders and social and civic bodies. In 1912 Mr. Bo- ner married Miss Ethel Knowles, of Evansville, and they have one daughter : Dorothy Jane, who was born February 21, 1916.
Benjamin Bosse. In speaking editorially of Benjamin Bosse, whose death at Evansville, Indiana, April 4, 1922, shocked the en- tire country, the Evansville Courier said that "his interests were so diversified, his activities so numerous, his sphere of influence so all-embracing that one approaches the task of discussing the man and his work with no small degree of trepedition. In his case su-
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perlatives are essential, naught else will suffice. His genius for finance was amazing. His business vision seemed to border closely upon the supernatural. No man grasped the details of a proposi- tion more readily nor pursued its logic more unerringly. * * Business, politics, city building, religion, child welfare, better hous- ing, education, civic undertakings of every kind, all found in him an enthusiastic supporter, yea, even more than supporter, he was lead- er. He was advocate, logician, strategist and organizer. Combined with it all, and accounting in large measure for his achievements, he was a tireless worker ; his enthusiasm and his energy recognizing no bounds." Mr. Bosse was born November 1, 1874, near Hornville in Scott township, the son of Henry F. and Caroline (Schlensker) Bosse, both of whom were born in Germany, the father September 16, 1839, and the mother July 4, 1841. The father farmed in Scott township for many years, and he and his wife, both of whom are deceased, having passed away August 15, 1898, and January 14, 1915, respectively, were the parents of twelve children : William A., John Frederick, John Henry, Henry F., Louis, Benjamin, George, August, Louisa (Mrs. Fred Schwake), Anna Mary, Mrs. Eleanor Bredencamp, of California, and Amelia, of whom John Frederick, Benjamin, August, Louisa and Anna Mary are deceased. Benjamin Bosse attended the Scott township schools in his youth and helped his father on the home farm until he reached the age of fifteen years. At that time he began working for his brother, William A., in the grocery business, working on the farm in the summer months and augmenting his educational train- ing by attendance at night schools for a few years. He then, in partnership with his brother Henry, took over the grocery business under the name of Bosse Brothers, located at No. 1610 Main street, a concern which he conducted for ten years. It was at this time that he took the step that led directly to his future financial suc- cess and his power for good in the community. In 1899 opportunity offered for him to become a partner in the Globe Furniture Com- pany, and under Mr. Bosse's able guidance it rapidly developed into one of the leaders in the industry. Once familiar with the possi- bilities of the business in which he had engaged he branched out rapidly and established the Bosse Furniture Company and the World Furniture Company. On July 28, 1910, he brought about a consolidation of these interests which launched the greatest buying and selling organization in the furniture world at that time, the Globe-Bosse-World Furniture Company resulting from the merger. Success marked practically every one of his undertakings, and his business interests grew to be enormous. He was president of the Globe-Bosse-World Furniture Company, and held a like position with the Evansville Furniture Company, Evansville Top and Panel Company, Imperial Desk Company, the West Side Bank, the Ben- nett-Hutchinson Insurance Company, the Bosse Realty Company, the Evansville Courier Inc., the Bosse Coal Company and the Ven- dome Hotel Company. He was largely interested in the National
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City Bank, Graham Brothers Motor Truck Company, the Ohio Valley Roofing Company, the Chero-Cola Bottling Company and the Furniture Building Company, as well as many other enterprises. But while he was occupying so prominent a place in the world of commerce, he was also exercising an equally great influence in the realm of politics and public service. Mr. Bosse was a Democrat and ivas for some time active in ward and precinct politics, but his first public office came in 1906, when he was made a member of the board of public safety under Mayor J. W. Boehne. In the fall of 1913 he defeated Charles Heilman for mayor, and entered upon his second term in that office in 1918, having defeated Bert Messick, a Republican opponent. In November, 1921, he defeated Stuart Hop- kins in the mayoralty campaign and was serving his third consecu- tive term as mayor at the time of his death. He stood high in the councils of the Democratic party in state and nation, and served as chairman of the Indiana Democratic State Committee and found difficulty in avoiding high political honors; preferring to serve the people of his own city. To recount in detail the many achievements of Mayor Bosse were a monumental task, so varied and multifarious were his accomplishments. But some of them are so outstanding in their character that they will forever endure to serve the public and as a monument to the vision of this city build- er. Garvin Park was purchased through his efforts during his first administration and improvements in the park, the Bosse Field sta- dium and play grounds, amounting to $140,000 were made. During the entire period of his services as mayor Mr. Bosse returned his salary and much more to the city in the form of gifts of pools and playground equipment for children. Practically all of the play- ground equipment in the public parks is the personal gift of Mr. and Mrs. Bosse. It was during his administration that the city ac- quired 212 acres of land which comprises Mesker Park, the finest picnic park in this section of Indiana. This acreage is exclusive of that donated by George L. Mesker, and with improvement cost about $75,000. Among the last acts of his life was the planning and preliminary work connected with the acquisition of 176 acres of land adjoining Mesker Park, which is known as Helfrich Field and which is being developed into one of the finest municipal play- grounds in the country, including a magnificent municipal golf course. Under his direction Evansville developed a wonderful system of asphalt streets and made many other improvements that contributed to the health, welfare and happiness of the citizens. No movement that was calculated to promote the best interests of the city lacked the support of Mr. Bosse, who drove to a successful conclusion the campaign to raise $500,000 for the erection of Evans- ville College, and his efforts were largely instrumental in securing a new building for the Y. M. C. A., as were they in the erection of the Coliseum, Francis Joseph Reitz high school and generous addi- tions to local hospitals. Among his last official acts was the ac- quirement of a site for a splendid east side high school, which has
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since been named the Benjamin Bosse High School in respect to his memory. During the World war he was unusually energetic in every activity that had for its purpose the winning of the war, and in no small measure the credit is his for the fact that every local financial drive was crowned with success and every call met with a 100 per cent. response on the part of Evansville. In addition to his other activities Mr. Bosse found time to devote to the work of the German Lutheran church, of which he was a member, his ac- tivities extending to the work of the organization in high places, and for several years prior to his death he had been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. Mr. Bosse was united in marriage September 2, 1896, to Miss Anna Riechmann, the daughter of Fred and Anna Riechmann, old and esteemed residents of Evansville. In his home Mr. Bosse found that peace and comfort which served as a foil to his activities in the business world, and Mrs. Bosse was ever her husband's con- fidant and counsellor. He lived a full and successful life and left its lasting impress upon the community which he loved. "Benja- min Bosse gave his life for his fellow men. He died as he had lived, with the welfare of his neighbors uppermost in his mind, and a prayer upon his lips."
Harley H. Boyer. One of the flourishing furniture establish- ments which has made rapid advancement during the past four years in the business life of Evansville is that operating under the style of the Boyer-Sheridan Company. One of the principal fac- tors in the success of this enterprise has been Harley H. Boyer, one of the organizers, who is now acting in the capacity of secretary and treasurer and is known as one of the energetic and progressive business men of the city. Mr. Boyer was born in December, 1884, at Gentryville, Spencer county, Indiana, where he attended the public schools. He entered upon his career early in life, as he was but sixteen years of age when he obtained a position with a whole- sale commission firm at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and there remained for five years. He had just attained his majority, in 1905, when he came to Evansville, and here was given the opportunity of showing his ability as a traveling salesman for a stove manufacturing con- cern, and from the start "made good." He continued on the road for a period of thirteen years, and then for two years was office sales manager for the Southern Stove Works. In 1920 he became one of the founders of the Boyer-Sheridan Company, of which con- cern he has since been secretary and treasurer, his fellow officials in this enterprise being: William P. Barbero, president; and Wal- ter A. Beckerle, vice-president. The establishment of this concern is located at 211 South Second Street, and presents a complete line of up-to-date furniture of all kinds for discriminating buyers. Mr. Boyer is prominently known in business circles of Evansville be- cause of his connection with several organizations, which include the Evansville Advertising Club, of which he is president; the Chamber of Commerce, in which he is a director of the Retail Bu-
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