USA > Indiana > A History of Indiana from its exploration to 1922 > Part 62
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John C. Fischer. Prominently identified with the business in- terests of Evansville, John C. Fischer, secretary and treasurer of the Evansville Pure Milk Company, is also well and favorably
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known because of his activities in religious and philanthropic move- ments. A resident of the city almost continuously since boyhood, his acquaintance is large, and in the various enterprises that have commanded his attention he has so comported himself as to win the unquestioned confidence and esteem of those with whom he has been brought into contract. Mr. Fischer was born on a farm in Posey county, Indiana, in 1867, and as a child was brought by his parents to Evansville. Here he acquired his education in the paro- chial and public school and the Rank & Wright Business College. When fifteen years of age he secured a clerical position with the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Through his fidelity and in- dustry the youth won promotion with this concern, with which he remained about seventeen years, a part of which time he spent in the offices of the company at Indianapolis and Louisville, although the greater part of his service was at Evansville. After leaving this company he was associated with several firms as bookkeeper, and in 1906 he became identified with the Evansville Pure Milk Com- pany, a concern which had been founded the previous year. Sub- sequently he was made secretary and treasurer of the company, positions which he now holds. Mr. Fischer is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and has several other connections. As a child he joined the Zion Evangelical Church, in the work of which he has been exceptionally active, both in the church and the Sunday school, having been superintendent of the latter for about fifteen years. For a like period he has been a member of the Home Mis- sion Board of the Evangelical Synod of North America, for the In- diana District. When the National organization of the Evangelical Brotherhood was formed at Louisville, Kentucky, he was elected secretary and served in that capacity for seven years. He is also treasurer of the Deaconess Hospital Association, a position which he has occupied for ten years. Fraternally, Mr. Fischer is identi- fied with the Knights of Pythias. In 1891 Mr. Fischer was united in marriage with Miss Emma Hinspeter, of Evansville, and to this union there have been born two children: Louise, a graduate of Evansville High School, and the Western College for Women at Oxford, Ohio, now the wife of Prof. Carl E. Schneider, of Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, and Carl L., a graduate of Evansville High School, who spent one year at Purdue Univer- sity and graduated from the Ohio State University in 1922, after which he taught in the high school at Bedford, Ohio and in 1923 was appointed principal of the high school at West Unity, Ohio. He was married August 1, 1923, to Miss Margaret Hawn, of Niles, Ohio.
Reverend Henry Francis Flaherty. Dealing with the careers of men who have contributed to the upbuilding and prominence of the church and the great benevolent institutions of the country is a task every writer enjoys, for it leads through many and diverse avenues of usefulness, and gives truth and expression to the fact that those who have done most for their fellowmen and the up-
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lifting of humanity, are the ones who have lived unselfish and hon- est lives themselves. Few men have made a mode lasting impres- sion upon the citizens of Evansville, both for educational ability, and for the individuality of a personal character than has Reverend Henry Francis Flaherty, pastor of the Sacred Heart Church and founder of the Sacred Heart School. His history is written in the lives of those who come under his influence and follow his teach- ings, while in the splendid organization of his church, are the ties of mutual interest and devotion which bind him and the people of his parish together. Father Flaherty was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, August 19, 1886, and is a son of Thomas Flaherty and Isabel (Boyle) Flaherty, who were natives of Ireland and came to Indianapolis with their parents in early childhood. They were married in that city, and the mother still maintains her home there, the father having died in 1917. They were the parents of five chil- dren : John J., a coal merchant at Indianapolis ; Thomas A., (Chap, as he is commonly called) who is engaged in the real-estate busi- ness at Indianapolis, and who served as Captain in the United States Army Air Service during the World war, being overseas from 1917 to 1919; Mezza B., who is unmarried and lives with her mother ; Anna C., who is the wife of Edward D. Seitz, of Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania, and Henry Francis, the subject of this re- view. Father Flaherty was brought up under the directions of earnest and devout parents, and was early taught the value of in- dustry and education, the discipline being a valuable one during the formative period of his life. His education was obtained in the best schools of the country, and from early youth everything in his life tended to prepare and equip him for the work of the ministry. In addition to his special study for the clergy, his mind was en- riched and his experience enlarged in many ways. Study of varied sort, travel and acquaintance with noted men helped to broaden his intellect, and he began his ecclesiastical career well qualified. After receiving his rudimental training in the Parochial Schools of Indianapolis he attended St. Mary's College, St. Mary's, Kansas, and finished his education in Louvain University, Louvain, Bel- gium. He then returned to Indianapolis and on February 22, 1909 was ordained Priest at St. Mary's of the Woods. For the ensuing two years he served as instructor at this institution, and was then appointed assistant rector at the Church of the Assumption, Evans- ville, Indiana, and filled this position until October 23, 1912, when he was appointed pastor of the Sacred Heart Church of this city, a position he has since filled with fidelity and efficiency. During his incumbency at this church Father Flaherty has made various improvements, building up one of the best parochial schools in the city and improved the standard of the parish in many ways. He is most zealous in his work and is devoted to the cause which he pro- claims. His careful training and his zeal are the strong factors in the upbuilding of his church, and a just portion of the prosperity and popularity which the Sacred Heart Church and school today
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enjoys is due to his quiet faithfulness and untiring efforts. Al- though retiring in manner, Father Flaherty is recognized as a man of high ideals, and his humane sympathy and charities have brought men to him in the ties of strong friendship. He has always stood for the things that are right, and for the advancement of citizenship, and has done many acts of kindness, both to individuals and insti- tutions. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Press Club, Evansville Country Club and the Chamber of Commerce, and is prominent in both church and social circles.
Edward N. Frisse. The career of Edward N. Frisse, president of the Western Construction Company of Evansville, has been one of rapid rise and broad accomplishment. To have reached his pres- ent position within the space of a few years denotes the possession of abilities out of the ordinary and to maintain it and add to its im- portance has required constant industry and marked executive ca- pacity. Mr. Frisse was born at Evansville, October 3, 1889, and is a son of Fred and Elizabeth (Stout) Frisse, natives of Germany. Fred Frisse was sixteen years of age when he emigrated to the United States and located at Evansville, here applying himself to the trade of shoemaker. A man of industry, he eventually gained a business of his own, with which he continued to be identified until his death at the age of sixty-nine years. His widow survives him and is seventy-four years old. There were eight children in the family : Edward N., Charles M., Fred M., John P., Frank I., Eliza- beth, Sophia and Anna, now Mrs. Allen Dean, all of whom are resi- dents of Evansville, where the family is well and favorably known. Edward N. Frisse attended the local parochial school of his neigh- borhood during boyhood and the Carpenter public school, following which he entered Jasper College, where he pursued a business course. Graduated therefrom in 1905, he began work in the office of the superintendent of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, at Evansville, and remained with that line until 1910, in which year he accepted a position under Mayor Bosse. He was a member of both the board of public works and the board of park commission- ers, and was so engaged at the time the United States entered the World war. In August, 1918, he enlisted and went to the Officers' Training Camp, at Atlanta, Georgia, and remained in the service until 1919 when he became connected with the Western Construc- tion Company as manager of the Evansville branch. Subsequently, the main office of the concern was established at Evansville, where Mr. Frisse remained as manager until 1921, when he was elected vice-president of the company. In November, 1922, he succeeded. Fred Rankert as president of the concern. Under his direction it has grown and developed into one of the large and important busi- ness enterprises of Evansville. Mr. Frisse is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and in politics supports the principles of the Democratic party. He supports worthy civic movements, and shows his friendship toward education, religion and higher stand- ards of citizenship.
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Moses Goldman. Not a few of the men who have won success and position at Evansville are of foreign birth, and this applies to those in all lines of business and in the professions. In the real estate and loans class this category is represented worthily by Moses Goldman, who has experienced the ups and downs of busi- ness and finance, but who, as an independent, self-made man, has accepted life as he has found it, and, making the most of his oppor- tunities has eventually attained a well-merited success. Mr. Gold- man was born in Russia, February 15, 1873, and there received an ordinary education and learned the shoemaker's trade. After serv- ing four years in the Russian army, he managed to finance a trip to the United States, arriving in this country in 1896. Work at his trade was scarce and he finally joined the United States Army for service during the Spanish-American war, and when he received his honorable discharge began to work at shoemaking and repair- ing at Chicago. Hearing of a business opportunity at Evansville, he came to this city in 1898 and started a small store in Fischer's Livery Stable. By December 1, 1902, so great had been his indus- try and thrift that he had accumulated $1,200. In that year he be- came an American citizen, but longed for a sight of his parents and other loved ones in his native land, and accordingly made a trip to Russia, where he remained several months. When he returned to Evansville in the same year he was practically without funds, about where he started, but made a trip to Chicago, and on his return brought with him $600 which he had borrowed from a brother. This sum he invested in a shoe business at 323 Locust Street, which he conducted for sixteen years, in the meantime, in 1905, buying two residences on Seventh Street, in the 500 block. In 1919 Mr. Goldman disposed of his interests in the shoe business and turned his attention to real estate, to which he subsequently added loans, under the style of the Olympic Loan Company. He is now the owner of a large and prosperous business, and occupies a place among the substantial men of the city, his office and store being located at 408 South Fourth Street. Mr. Goldman is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and is interested in the Mercantile Bank, the Morris Plan Bank and the Finance Bank. He also has connections of a social and civic character and has not failed to give his support to worthy movements inaugurated for the better- ment of Evansville and its people. July 5, 1895, Mr. Goldman was united in marriage with Miss Dora Zarutsky, and to this union there have been born four children: Ellis, his father's assistant in the office, who married Sadie Shavitz; Rose, who lives with her parents; Abe, who is attending Evansville College and assisting in the operation of his father's business; and Sarah, who lives with her parents.
Frank C. Gore. For twenty-eight years Frank C. Gore has been a potent factor in the legal profession of Evansville, and no lawyer practicing at the bar of Vanderburgh county has a better record for straightforward and high professional conduct. He has always
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maintained the highest standards of professional 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 years of his residence here he has wielded definite influence, both as a citizen and as a man of splendid professional ability. Mr. Gore was born in Washington, D. C., September 30, 1873, a son of Michael and Rebecca (Snyder) Gore, and comes of old established Mary- land families which date back to the colonial epoch in American history, the paternal progenitor being Michael Gore, who emigrated from England and settled in Baltimore county about 1683. Michael Gore, father of Frank C. Gore, continues hale and hearty, at the re- markable age of ninety-four years, and is surrounded by all of the pleasures of life at his comfortable home at Baltimore, his wife having died February 15, 1898. Frank C. Gore acquired his early education in the grammar and high schools of Washington, D. C., and at the age of eighteen years, he matriculated at the National Law School, and was graduated from this institution in 1893, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. To further his education he later took a post-graduate course at the same school and received the de- gree of Master of Laws. In 1895 he came to Evansville, where he established himself in the practice of his profession, and for a num- ber of years practiced alone. About 1910 he formed a partnership with ex-circuit Judge Hamilton A. Mattison, and this alliance con- tinued until the death of Judge Mattison in 1915. Since then Mr. Gore has practiced alone, and maintains his office in the Mercan- tile Bank Building. He is known as a strong trial lawyer and an able advocate, and his clientage has been drawn from representative corporations and prominent business men. His practice extends to all the courts, and he enjoys the esteem and confidence of his pro- fessional colleagues as well as the general public. He is public- spirited in his civic attitude, and gives generously of his time and means to all matters which have for their aim the advancement of citizenship and existing conditions. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat of the old school, while his religious faith is that of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married October 24, 1899, to Miss Rebecca Allison Thomas, a daughter of Robert and Susan (Fenley) Thomas, of Henderson, Kentucky, and whose ancestors settled in Virginia, and they have one son: Robert C., who was born August 18, 1907, and is now attending the Evansville High School.
Harvey C. Green. Another exemplification of the accuracy of the adage pertaining to the winning of success through persistence and industry when directed along proper channels is found in the life and achievements of Harvey C. Green, manager of the Evans- ville branch of the Advance Paint Company, of Evansville. En- tering upon his career with only the advantages of a hastily gained public school education, through natural ability and perseverance he has overcome all obstacles and gained a place for himself among the substantial business men of his city. Mr. Green was born at
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Millersburg, Warrick county, Indiana, January 29, 1874, and at- tended the public schools of that community until fourteen years of age, when, being compelled to make his own way, he secured em- ployment in coal mines. This work agreed neither with his health nor ambitions and he came to Evansville and was given work in the varnishing department of the Evansville Furniture Factory. Later he changed to the Crescent Furniture Factory, where his work was so satisfactory that when he was only nineteen years of age he was made foreman of the varnishing department. He held this position for two years, when he accepted a position with the Price Brothers Furniture Company, at Owensboro, Kentucky, re- maining with that concern eight years, then engaged with the Globe-Bosse-World Furniture Company, remaining with them six years, having served as foreman at the two latter places. In 1912 he became associated with the Advance Paint Company as sales- man. In 1920, when the Evansville branch of this Indianapolis concern was established at Evansville, Mr. Green was made man- ager, a position which he has since held. The officers of this con- cern, which is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, are located at 400 Wests Maryland Street. Mr. Green is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He also belongs to the Young Mens' Christian Association and is a member of the finance committee of the Christian church. Politic- ally a Republican, he is not an aspirant for public office. On April 27, 1902, Mr. Green married Miss Elizabeth Cowell, of Richland, Spencer county, Indiana, and they maintain a pleasant home at 1500 Eichel Avenue.
Carl Byron Hart was born in Warrick county on a farm, four and one-half miles west of Boonville, Warrick county, Indiana, February 23, 1876. He comes of prominent, old established fam- ilies of North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky, which date back to the colonial epoch in American history. He is the son of Thompson B. Hart and Susan Katherine (Stone) Hart. His fa- ther, Thompson B. Hart, was born in Warrick county, five miles north of Boonville, Indiana, near the Hart township line, in 1837; his mother, Susan Katherine (Stone) Hart, was born in Cumber- land county, Kentucky, in 1844. She came across the Ohio river at Newburg, with her parents in an emigrant wagon when she was four years old, her family settling in Warrick county. Mr. Hart's father was one of a family of ten children, six boys, four girls. His mother was a member of eleven children, five boys, and six girls. Mr. Hart comes from a family of nine children, five boys and four girls ; seven of whom grew to maturity. Mr. Hart's paternal grand- father, William Hart, was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, in 1794; his paternal grandmother, Sarah (Farmer) Hart was born in North Carolina in 1806; his maternal grandfather, Jehu Hunter Stone, was born in Henry county, Virginia, in 1814; his maternal grandmother, Amanda (Carter) Stone, was born in 1817, in Cum- berland county, Kentucky. They were married in Cumberland
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county, Kentucky, and emigrated to Indiana in 1848. The paternal and maternal branches of the Hart family pioneering their way in the early history of Warrick county, settled in the hill part of said county in the early part of the last century, becauses of the un- healthy conditions of the bottom land at that time. The following is a list of Mr. Hart's immediate family in order of their ages : Nina Blanche Hart, William Jehu Hart, Zora Belle Hart, Edmund H. Hart, Carl B. Hart, Alice Dean Hart, Thompson B. Hart, Jr., DeWitt Talmadge Hart and Evangeline Hart. Nina B. Hart, who was a graduate nurse, died in Waycross, Georgia, in 1910, where she was superintendent of the Kings Daughters Hospital; William Jehu Hart, who was a physician, died at the age of twenty-eight at Oakland City, Indiana, in 1897, where he was practicing medicine ; Thompson Bates Hart, Jr., and Evangeline Hart both died in in- fancy ; his two brothers, Edmund H. Hart and DeWitt Talmadge Hart, are at this time in business in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida ; his sister, Zora Belle (Hart) Hopkins, wife of John T. Hopkins, is the mother of seven children ; she lives at Waycross, Georgia; his sis- ter, Alice Dean (Hart) Ingle, lives in this city, being the widow of the late Dr. Sherman Ingle; she has one son, Thomas Hart In- gle. It is with this sister and her son that Mr. Hart makes his home. The object and purpose of the above family history is only to show that Mr. Hart comes of a family of pioneer people, who reared large families, and who, during the last one hundred years have not settled permanently in any section of the country, but have blazed the way of pioneers and that he and his antecedents have been trained in the rugged experience of such life. While none of his people have been extremely wealthy, they have all been successful and well-to-do citizens of the community, in which they lived. All the branches of the family have been reared on the prin- ciples of thrift and energy and the sound business principle of pay- ing for what they received and giving value for what they sold. Thompson B. Hart, the father of Carl B. Hart, was born and spent his entire life in Warrick county. He engaged in farming and the raising of stock, as well a sbuying and selling live stock, in all of which he was successful. He was one of the highly esteemed men in his community, having represented his county in Indiana State Senate for one term, beginning in 1885. After an honorable and useful life, he past to his final rest in 1893 at the age of fifty-seven years. Susan Katherine (Stone) Hart, mother of Carl B. Hart, was a very intellectual woman, very active in church affairs, and espe- cially interested in the development and welfare of Presbyterianism in Boonville and community ; very few persons having done more in the early history of that denomination to build the foundation of a permanent Presbyterian church in that community. Israel Hem- enway, father of the late Senator James A. Hemenway, was the founder of the Presbyterian church at Boonville. In after years during the long struggles of hardships to maintain the church in that community, "Aunt Sue" Hart, as she was commonly known,
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was the good substantial, wholesome personage that did as much as any one person to keep Presbyterianism alive. She was a wo- man of strong physique and wonderful stability. Every one loved her and she has left an influence in that community which will nev- er be lost. Her death occurred in 1912. After attending the pub- lic schools of Warrick county, Carl B. Hart spent one year in the University at Bloomington and embarked upon his career as a teacher, spending ten years in this vocation in his home county. During this period, he employed the time not spent in the school- room in farming and raising stock and like his father, achieved suc- cess in that line. After the death of his mother in 1912 he came to Evansville, where he engaged in the real estate business, in which he is now prominent. He is the promoter of Hart Place, having organized the Hart Realty Co., of which he is the head, and started this beautiful suburb called "Hart Place." This property was for- merly the Tri-State Fair Grounds, upon which race track some of the fastest horses of the country have sped, including Nancy Hanks and Joe Patchen. Now instead of a race track there is a beautiful boulevard through Hart Place, where automobiles pass in continui- ous procession. Along this boulevard a mile long, on either side beautiful homes are being built, under careful supervision and re- strictions. The boulevard is 75 feet wide with a parking strip through the center. All homes are required to be thirty-five feet back from the front property line. The addition was bought June 21, 1913, from the Tri-State Fair Association at something more than $1000 an acre. The price was considered high at that time, but Mr. Hart considered that only a means toward attaining the ma- terialization of his dream of a high-class addition. So the fifty- five acres comprising the tract was sub-divided and work started in development. The company up to the present time having spent more than $200,000 in the work. Hart Place is now one of the most beautiful additions in the Eastern part of the city and probably the most exclusive. One must see the lay-out to readily appreciate the work that has been done and the nicety of the Hart Place plan. In the center of Hart Place is Akin Park, which consists of ten acres, sold to the City of Evansville by the Hart Realty Co. in 1914. This park was named in honor of the late William M. Akin, who for many years was president of the Tri-State Fair Association, and was one of Mr. Harts partners in the promotion of Hart Place. In 1922 Mr. Hart was president of the Evansville Real Estate Board and promoted the first Home Complete Exposition which was held from October 23 to 28. This was the first thing of this kind ever held in Evansville and it is to Mr. Hart's credit that it was under- taken. This Exposition showed every article used in the building and furnishing of the home, such as lumber, cement, nails, plas- ter, brick, stoves, furniture, plumbing, etc. Calling attention to the numerous industries actually engaged in building and equipping the modern home. He has handled numerous other transactions and his interests cover a broad area. Mr. Hart was the first vice-
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