USA > Indiana > A History of Indiana from its exploration to 1922 > Part 66
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ceased. They are members of Grace Presbyterian Church, and fra- ternally, Mr. Weintz is a Mason, a Knight Templar and an ex- charter member of the Knights of Pythias. A Republican in his political views, he has taken an active part in civic affairs, and has served as a member of the city council, as councilman-at-large and as a member of the board of Public Safety.
Jacob Weintz. Among the worthy and valued citizens of Ev- ansville who have left the impress of their individuality upon the industrial life of the city, none is more deserving of mention in the history of Vanderburgh county than the late Jacob Weintz, for half a century an honored resident of this city. His labors not only con- stitute a potent factor in the industrial affairs of Evansville, but his progressive spirit was evident in many ways, and even though he has long passed from the scene of earthly activities, he is remem- bered as one of the sterling pioneers of the city whose efforts not only contribute materially to the growth and development of the community, but in all matters tending to the public good, he was an active and unostentatious worker. Mr. Weintz was born in Al- big, Grand Duchy, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, November 21, 1830, and was a son of Peter Weintz, who was also a native of that coun- try and was born March 30, 1792. Peter Weintz was married in Germany to Mrs. Barbara (Wick) Heilman, widow of Valentine Heilman, and to this union were born two children; Jacob, the sub- ject of this review, and Elizabeth. To her former marriage with Mr. Heilman, who died early in life, Mrs. Weintz became the mother of four children: Elizabeth, William, Mary and Michael. In 1843, the family immigrated to the United States, touching first at New Orleans, thence by boat up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, where they remained for several months and then removed to Posey county, Indiana, where the father engaged in farming, dy- ing there January 28, 1846. The following year Mrs. Weintz re- moved with her family to Evansville, Indiana, where she after- wards maintained her home until her death, August 23, 1882, at the age of eighty years. Soon after the family settled at Evansville Jacob Weintz began as an apprentice at the tinners' trade under Louis Kollenberg, and after mastering the trade, he was employed for a time as store-keeper and in making tinware for Kratz & Heil- man. With a Mr. Schuleter, he later purchased a stove and tin- ware business at Grayville, Illinois, which he conducted for a time, but subsequently returned to Evansville where he became superin- tendent of the Kratz & Heilman Foundry and Machine Works, which had been financed by his mother and established in 1847. After the dissolution of this firm in 1866, he still retained his po- sition under the proprietorship of his half-brother, William Heil- man, and when the business was organized into a corporation in 1884, he became pecuniarily interested in the enterprise and con- tinued as superintendent. He was connected with the business through its period of growth to prosperity and its later great pro- portions, and the success of the enterprise may be attributed in no
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small degree to his quiet faithfulness and untiring efforts. A man of marked initiative, ability and resourcefulness, Mr. Weintz seemed to impregnate with the vital elements of worthy success every enterprise with which he was identified, and out of diverse elements, would work out harmony, resulting in success. He was closely and confidentially associated with his brother, and when the estate of Mr. Heilman was taken out of the court in 1893; he was appointed trustee and served in this capacity with honor to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. At the time of his death he was president of the Evansville Cotton Manufacturing Company and superintendent of the Heilman Machine Works, in which capacity he had served for many years with efficiency and probity. In busi- ness life he was alert, sagacious and reliable, and his honesty was of the type that would rather err to his own cost than do an injust- ice. His loyalty and high-minded conception of a man's duty to his fellow man and his quiet and unswerving allegiance to the prin- ciples of good citizenship were traits which especially distinguished him, and in his death, which occurred June 19, 1897, Evansville lost one of its most valued citizens. Thoroughly appreciative of the city of his adoption, Mr. Weintz was loyal and public-spirited in his civic attitude, and gave generously of his time and means to the furtherance of religious and charitable movements and all matters tending to the public good. His efforts were not confined to lines resulting in individual benefit, but were evident in those fields where general interest and public welfare are involved, and his ac- vities meant much to Evansville, in both civic and material prog- ress. In every good work and enterprise for the welfare of the people and the prosperity of the city he not only had a good word, but a ready hand and an open purse. He was a plain man, unas- suming and modest and disliked ostentation or publicity. In re- gard to his business or social conduct it was a favorite saying of his that the "act would explain itself." He multiplied no words, where a good deed would explain better. His love of truth and right was a strong element in his nature, and he never swerved from these great cardinal principles. He had a kind heart and a gentle nature, particularly fond of children, and business was rarely so pressing that a child could not gain his sympathetic attentions. In his home, in social and in business life he was kind and courte- ous, and no citizen of Evansville was more respected or enjoyed the confidence of the people or more richly deserved the regard in which he was held. Mr. Weintz was thrice married, first on May 27, 1856, to Elizabeth Woll, daughter of Peter and Margaretha Woll, and a woman of sterling qualities and much beauty of char- acter. She was born August 27, 1837, and died January 29, 1866, leaving two sons and one daughter: Henry P., Clara E. and Wil- liam, the daughter being deceased, her death having occurred No- vember 13, 1873, when fifteen years of age. On June 22, 1869, Mr. Weintz married Elizabeth Kron, widow of Frederick Kron. Her death occurred September 7, 1877, and December 9, 1897, he wed-
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ded Charlotte Straub, a most estimable lady who contributed much to his comfort and happiness during his declining years. She was born December 14, 1839, and died November 20, 1904. To this union was born one son, Edward J. For a number of years Mr. Weintz was a member of St. John's Evangelical Church, of which he was one of the founders, but in later years he was affiliated with the First Avenue Presbyterian Church, and for many years served as a member of its board of trustees, of which he was president at the time of his death. In his political affiliations he was a Re- publican, though took no active part in politics aside from casting the weight of his influence in support of men and measures work- ing for the public good. His strong convictions regarding right and wrong and his fearlessness of criticism when he believed he was right, were traits which made him a strong factor in the fur- therance of any measure which had for its aim the advancement of the people or the betterment of existing conditions, and it is to the activity and public spirit of such men that Evansville owes its moral education and commercial growth.
William Weintz, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Woll) Weintz, was born in Evansville, Indiana, January 27, 1862. He was ed- ucated in the public schools of this city, graduating from the high school in January, 1879, a member of the first mid-winter class. He thereupon entered the office of his uncle, William Heilman, proprietor of the City Foundry and Machine Works, and when this business was incorporated in 1884 he, with his father and brother, became financially interested. Later he successively became sec- retary and president. Subsequently the business passed into the hands of Weintz Brothers, composed of Henry P., Edward J., and William Weintz. The subject of this sketch, like his brothers, has been a lifelong resident of Evansville and naturally interested in the welfare and progress of the city. Mr. Weintz was married on November 25, 1885, to Miss Ottilie Straub, eldest daughter of Fred P. Straub, a pioneer hardware merchant of this city, and to this union were born six children: Alma C., Ottilie E., Elizabeth E., William L., Jacob F., and Frederick S., who died in 1900 at the age of five years. Mrs. Weintz, the wife and mother, is a most lovable and estimable woman of exceptional character and ability. She has ever been active in church and charity, and for the past twenty-one years has been the efficient president of the Orphan Home Board. Mr. Weintz is a Mason, a Knight Templar, and was a charter member of Ben Hur Lodge Knights of Pythias. For a time he served as clerk of the First Avenue Presbyterian Church, but since his marriage he has been affiliated with St. John's Evan- gelical Protestant Church. Unassuming in manner, Mr. Weintz has many warm friends in business and social circles. The family home at 802 First Avenue, is a hospitable one, where their friends are always welcome.
Daniel P. Wertz. Like many of the business men who have arisen to prominence at Evansville, Daniel P. Wertz is a product
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of the rural districts of Indiana, and secured his first experience in an agricultural atmosphere. Today he is at the head of the Maley & Wertz Lumber Company, and identified with numerous other concerns of importance. Mr. Wertz was born in Shelby county, Indiana, January 1, 1864, a son of Mathias and Mary (Maley) Wertz, and on both sides of the family is descended from forebears who were farmers. Mathias Wertz was born in August, 1840, in Ohio, and was brought to Indiana as a child of eight years by his father. He followed farming throughout his life and died July 6, 1905. Mrs. Wertz was born in Germany in 1839, and was brought to Shelby county, Indiana, as a child of six years. She still sur- vives at the age of eighty-four years. There were seven sons in the family : Daniel P .; Henry, who met his death in an automobile accident in 1920; Walter, George, Jesse, Frank and Charles, the last-named of whom is associated with his brother, Daniel P., in the lumber business at Grammer, Indiana. Daniel P. Wertz was educated in the public schools, and started to work on the home farm when he was still a lad, in the meantime spending such time as he could in working in a sawmill, where he learned the business. At the age of twenty-four years he decided to embark in business on his own account, and first followed the custom of bringing out timber and having it cut for him. Two years later he formed a partnership with Bedna Young, under the firm style of Wertz & Young, and located first at Flat Rock, Indiana. In the following year they put up a mill at Grammer, Indiana, and worked as a com- bined partnership until March, 1899, when the combination was dis- solved and Mr. Wertz took the Grammer plant as his share of the business. April 3, 1901, Mr. Wertz and his uncle, Henry Maley, bought the Thompson-Bonnell Lumber Company, which was lo- cated at Evansville, but was in reality a Grand Rapids, Michigan, concern. In I903, Mr. Maley's son, Claude, bought out Henry Maley's interest. Claude Maley died in 1917 and no Maley is now connected with the enterprise, although the business was incorporated in 1920 as the Maley & Wertz Lumber Company, of which Mr. Wertz became president. Mr. Wertz has always been a great believer in life insurance and has made arrangements that whenever his death occurred his insurance cover his liabilities. He has always had an agreement of this kind with his partners, so that when Mr. Maley died he held a contract to the effect that the sur- viving partner should take over the business, and that the $25,000 insurance be used in settling up the estate. Thus, October 1, 1917, Mr. Wertz took over the business, of which he is now president, his son, Claude W., being secretary and treasurer. Mr. Wertz is a director of the Klamer Furniture Factories, a director of the Weymyss & Crown Furniture Company, president of the Wolflin West Side Lumber Company, director of the Evansville Top and Panel Company, director and chairman of the board of the Mercan- tile-Commercial Bank and director of the International Steel and Iron Company. In the latter company Mr. Wertz followed his
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usual custom of having the head of the business insure his life for $25,000 in favor of the company, and at his death this capital was available for the concern to make rapid progress. Mr. Wertz served by appointment as a member of the city council at large for a time, but resigned to join the school board, of which he is a mem- ber. A Democrat in politics, he served as a member of the board of county commissioners of Bartholomew county, Indiana, having been elected at the time of the election of President Mckinley. During the past thirty-five years he has been a member of the Knights of Pythias, and also holds membership in the Rotary Club. With his family he belongs to St. Mark's English Lutheran Church. April 25, 1895, Mr. Wertz was united in marriage with Susie Rand, of Grammer, Indiana, a daughter of Thomas and Fannie (Camp- bell) Rand, originally Kentuckians. Three daughters have been born to this union: Audrey, Mary Frances and Ruth ; and one son, Claude Wertz, who is secretary and treasurer of the Maley & Wertz Lumber Company, and who became associated with the concern in 1918.
Harry C. Wiggers. Not a few of the men who have contributed to the succes or business enterprises which have sustained Evans- ville's commercial prestige, and particularly among those of the younger generation, are individuals who have had their early train- ing in the midst of an agricultural atmosphere and have been at- tracted from the farm by the promise of larger awards and greater activities of the city. In this class is found Harry C. Wiggers, president and general manager of the A. B. Canter Company, wholesale dealers in produce, fruits and vegetables, and a veteran of the World war. Mr. Wiggers was born on a farm in Vander- burgh county, August 1, 1892, and is a son of John and Minnie (Schuerger) Wiggers. His paternal grandfather was Jacob Wig- gers, who came to Vanderburgh county at an early day in its his- tory and first settled in German township, but later moved to Stephenson, Knight township, and is now living in comfortable retirement in his pleasant home at 419 Elliott Street, Evansville. Harry C. Wiggers was reared on the home farm but received his education at Evansville, where he completed the high school course. Having decided upon a commercial career, he served as clerk and manager in several small general stores, and in 1916 came from Inglefield to Evansville and became associated with the firm of Ragon Brothers, wholesale grocers. He remained in the sales de- partment of this concern until May, 1917, when he enlisted in the United States Army for service in the World war, being sent to Jefferson Barracks and then to San Antonio, Texas, for training. At the latter point he was transferred to the Remount service, be- cause of his early experience with horses and cattle, and assigned to the Animal and Embarkation Depot, at Newport News, Vir- ginia, where he remained about eighteen months. He was then given a commission as second lieutenant, Quartermaster's Corps, and assigned to the Adjusant General's Department in the trans-
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port service, acting in the capacity of transport personnel adjutant on the U. S. S. "Ryndam," on which he made five complete trips to France and return. He received his honorable discharge at New York City, August 21, 1919, after having been in the service for twenty-seven months. With an excellent record for capable and faithful discharge of duty, Mr. Wiggers returned to Evansville, where he resumed his duties with Ragon Brothers, with which con- cern he remained until October, 1920. He then accepted a higher position with Neitert Produce Company, a concern with which he continued until July, 1922, when he took charge of the A. B. Canter Company, as president and general manager. Mr. Wiggers has been successful in the management of this concern, which is as- suming a leading position among the wholesale dealers in pro- duce, fruits and vegetables. He is a progressive and energetic, alert to take advantage of any opportunity, yet directing his com- pany along a policy of fair dealing and honorable transactions. He is a member of Lessing Lodge No. 464, F. & A. M .; and the Im- proved Order of Red Men, and also holds membership in the Opti- mist Club and the Central Turners Asociation. His religious con- nection is with Bethel Evangelical Church.
Gabriel Netter Worthington. Widely known at Evansville be- cause of his connection with journalism, Gabriel Netter Worth- ington, secretary, manager and one of the organizers of the Ab- stract and Title Guarantee Company, is also prominent because of his connection in the past with public and fraternal affairs. For nearly forty-five years he has resided continuously at Evansville and during this time has contributed to the general welfare in a number of ways. Mr. Worthington was born at Grandview, Spenc- er county, Indiana, July 30, 1862, and first came to Evansville with his parents as a child, here securing a public school education. As a youth he then accompanied the family to the West, but in 1879 returned to Evansville and later became a composer in the printing plant of the Evansville Journal. Subsequently he was made a re- porter and for about a quarter of a century remained on the staff of that publication, becoming widely known in journalistic circles. He was a persistent and capable news-gatherer and an able writer and did much to increase the popularity and circulation of his paper. In 1906 Mr. Worthington resigned from the newspaper with which he had been connected for so long a period and became identified with the Abstract and Title Guarantee Company, of which he is now secretary and manager. In his business undertakings Mr. Worthington has shown himself possessed of a thorough under- standing of the principles of finance and commercial transactions as carried on in the business of abstracts and titles, and his executive ability has been such as to gain him the full confidence of his asso- ciates. As a fraternalist Mr. Worthington belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and is a Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Knight Tem- plar Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. In 1915 he was elected commander of his Commandery of the Knights Templar,
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having previously served as High Priest of the Chapter and thrice Illustrious Master of the Council. He was one of the organizers and for years an official of the original Press Club and remained therewith until its disbandment. With his family, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. In January, 1884, Mr. Worthing- ton was united in marriage with Hattie McReynolds, who was born, reared and educated at Evansville, and is a daughter of Capt. Joseph and Mary (Nelson) McReynolds. Her father was a riverman and the captain of a steamboat at the time of his death, while her moth- er still survives as a resident of Evansville, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. To Mr. and Mrs. Worthington there have been born two children: Roy and Marie, the latter having died when eleven years of age. Roy, the son, received a public school educa- tion at Evansville, where he was formerly deputy local collector of internal revenue, and now is engaged in hotel work at Cleveland, Ohio. He married Miss Ruby Johnston, of Kansas City, Missouri, and has one daughter, Harriet Mae. Mr. Worthington has always taken a keen interest in civic affairs and at various times has ren- dered valued and valuable service to his community, particularly during the five years that he served as a member of the Board of Public Safety while Hon. Charles G. Cover was occupying the mayoralty chair.
William H. Cutler. One of the well-known and old-established business enterprises of Evansville which has been developed along legitimate channels and through honest representation and honorable dealing is the Evansville Coffin Company, of which William H. Cutler, a son of one of the founders, is vice-president. Mr. Cutler was born June 9, 1859, in a house at 209 Chestnut Street, Evansville, and is a son of the late James H. and Lorain M. (Dean) Cutler. James H. Cutler was one of the prominent business men of the city during his day and was of the self-made type. In association with the late Judson T. Burtis he founded the Evansville Coffin Company and started to manufacture a small line of varnish goods, with a force of ten men. Mr. Burtis was president of the concern and Mr. Cutler vice-president, the latter continuing to occupy this position until his death in August, 1907. As the business was developed Mr. Cutler extended his inter- ests, and in addition to other connections was vice-president of the City National Bank. He saw the business which he had assisted to found become one of the important manufacturing concerns in its line, and at all times insisted on the maintenance of high standards, honest workmanship and honorable principles. He was a contributor to the building fund of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church, of which he was a trustee for many years, and a member of the board of trustees of the Rathborn Memorial Home. An exemplary citizen, he contrib- uted materially to the welfare of his city, to which his death was a real loss. William H. Cutler received a high school education and as a youth started his career as a grocery clerk. He watched the building of the factory of the Evansville Coffin Company, and in 1881 became identified with the business in a minor capacity, subsequently mastering
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every detail. Eventually he became secretary and treasurer, positions which he held for some years, and at the time of his father's death succeeded the elder man as vice-president. With the son of Mr. Burtis, who is president, he continues to conduct the business along the same progressive and honorable lines that have always formed the company's policy. More than forty men are now employed in the modern plant at 1600 Main Street, where a complete line of coffins are manufactured, the concern's trade territory extending over a wide area. Mr. Cutler is secretary of the board of trustees of the Rathborn Memorial Home. He is a charter member of the B. P. O. Elks, having been the fourth member to join that order at Evansville, and is the oldest active member, in point of membership. Politically he is a Republican, and his religious connection is with the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church. October 1, 1885, Mr. Cutler married Miss Sally Eastlen, who was born at Owensboro, Kentucky, a daughter of Andrew and Anna Eastlen, both now deceased, who were well known and highly respected at Evansville. To this union there have been born two daughters: Mrs. Adolph E. Geiss and Miss Lorain D., both of Evansville.
Philip C. Nonweiler. In the specialized field of public account- ing and auditing, Philip C. Nonweiler has gained a recognized position at Evansville, where he has been a resident all his life. He was born May 17, 1868, at Evansville, a son of Philip and Bertha (Mueller) Nonweiler. His father, a native of Germany, immigrated to the United States at the age of sixteen years and shortly thereafter took up his residence at Evansville, where he became identified with the furniture industry. During the Civil war he enlisted in the First Indiana Bat- tery, in which he became a first lieutenant, and served with gallantry throughout the struggle. At the close of his military service he re- turned to Evansville and the furniture business, in which he was engaged until his death in 1870. His widow survived him some years and passed away at Evansville. There were three children in the family : Philip C .; Gus, who is deceased ; and Bert. Philip C. Non- weiler attended the public schools of Evansville, following which he received instruction from a private tutor, and when a young man en- tered the employ of the Evansville Furniture Company, in a clerical capacity. He was advanced from time to time until he occupied the office of auditor of the company, a position which he held for thirty- five years, but in 1919 resigned his office to embark upon an independ- ent venture as a public accountant and auditor, with offices at 301 Lions Building. Mr. Nonweiler has built up an excellent clientele, among his patrons being some of the most prominent business men and corporations of the city. Mr. Nonweiler has been twice married, his first wife, who was Miss Louise Sterm, a member of an old and honored family of Evansville, having died. The present Mrs. Non- weiler was formerly Miss Amelia Louise Schaluch, of Evansville, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schaluch, who were also of an old and highly respected Evansville family. Mr. Nonweiler has had five children, of whom three survive: Arthur, of New York; Bertha,
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now Mrs. Zinz, of Terre Haute, Indiana; and Alvin, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. In his political allegiance Mr. Nonweiler favors the Re- publican party, but is apt to act independently on occasion, and at such times does not respect party lines. He is a Christian Scientist in religious faith, and fraternally is affiliated with the Masons.
Christ Kanzler, president of C. Kanzler & Son Company, Con- tractors, Incorporated, is one of the men of Evansville who is finding in this important line of activity congenial employment for his abilities, and at the same time he is aiding in a very important manner the de- velopment of this localty. He was born in Germany, January 3, 1850, and was twenty years old when he came to Evansville, where he at once began working at the carpenter trade to which he had served an apprenticeship in his native country. Like the majority of hard- working men he desired a business of his own, and in 1880 he and Jacob Bippus formed the firm of Bippus & Kanzler, and this associa- tion was maintained until 1891, when the partnership was dissolved and each one went into a business of his own. Mr. Kanzler continued alone until 1902 when he took his son, Gus, into partnership with him under the firm name of C. Kanzler & Son, but in August, 1920, the business was incorporated under the present caption, with Mr. Kanz- ler as president, and his son as vice-president. Mr. Kanzler is also president of the Mechanics Planing Mill, and he is a director of the Advance Stove Works, and the Evansville, Suburban & Newburg Railroad. Bethel Evangelical Church of Evansville holds his member- ship. In 1873 Mr. Kanzler was married to Miss Margaret Singer, of Evansville, who died May 13, 1919, aged sixty-six years, having born her husband eight children: William, who died at the age of nineteen years ; Gus, who is mentioned below; Amelia; Edward, who died at the age of five years; Margaret; Louise; Elizabeth ; and Alvin, who died at the age of eleven months. Gus Kanzler was born at Evansville, October 5, 1876, and his education was acquired in the public schools of his native city and a business college. His schooldays ended, he became associated with his father in business, and this connection is still maintained. The company is one of the leading ones of its kind in Vanderburgh county, and both father and son stand deservedly high in popular esteem for they are honorable in their business transactions, and good citizens in all that the term implies. Gus Kanzler is vice- president of the Mechanics Planing Mill, and is otherwise interested in local concerns. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and his father is a Mason and Knights of Pythias. The son also is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, and he and the father take great pleasure in their affiliations with these orders. In 1899 Gus Kanzler was married to Lillian Yost of Evansville. Mr. and Mrs. Gus Kanzler belong to St. Lucas Evangelical Church. Through his membership with the Evans- ville Chamber of Commerce and the Optimist Club Mr. Kanzler keeps in close touch with the progress in his home community, and is proud of the city and county, and of the fact that his father has played so important a part in its growth during the past half a century.
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Gus Kanzler. The business development of Evansville is at- tributable to the efforts of such enterprising men as Gus Kanzler, the secretary and treasurer of the Mechanics Planing Mill and also a part- ner in the contracting business conducted under the name of C. Kanz- ler & Son. He is numbered among those men who in the rapid and marvelous development and growth of the city have come to the front because of their recognition and utilization of opportunities which have arisen in connection with the substantial expansion of industrial, commercial and financial interests here. The impossibility of placing fictitious values upon industry, determination and perseverance at once proves the worth of the individual who must base his rise upon these qualities. These elements have constituted the salient features in the advancement of Mr. Kanzler, whose experience has been of wide range as he has advanced from the outset of his business career to his present creditable position. A native of this city, he was born October 5, 1876, and is a son of Christ and Margaret Kanzler. He was a pupil in the public schools to the age of seventeen years and afterward attended the Evansville Commercial College for a year and a half. He then engaged with his father in learning the building contracting business and in 1903 was admitted to a partnership under the name of C. Kanzler & Son. They have been very successful, doing a general line of building contracting, erecting the Hercules buggy works, the Lincoln cotton mills, the Louisville & Nashville railroad station, the Southern Stove Works and the fine residences of William Cook and Edward Keichle. They had in charge the construction of the hundred thou- sand dollar courthouse at Spencer, Indiana. They have also erect- ed a five-stall roundhouse, boiler and engine room for the Cairo & Thebes Railroad at Cairo, Illinois, and were engaged on the construc- tion of a sixty thousand dollar postoffice building at Jefferson, Indiana. In 1905 Mr. Kanzler was elected secretary and treasurer of the Me- chanics Planing Mill and is thus closely associated with the industrial activities of this city. On the 18th of October, 1899, Mr. Kanzler was married in Evansville to Miss Lilly Yost. They are members of St. John's Evangelical church and Mr. Kanzler belongs to Reed Lodge, No. 316, A. F. & A. M., the Elks, Red Men, the Liederkranz and Turner societies. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and, as every true American citizen should do, he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but aside from that takes no active part in politics, feeling that his business affairs make full demand upon his time and energies. He is alert to the opportuni- ties offered in the fields in which he is operating and as the years have gone by he has achieved substantial success therein.
Rev. Michael P. Seter, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church at Evansville, was born at Chicago, Illinois on February 2, 1875, the son of Peter and Susanna Seter, both natives of Chicago. His father died in 1919 at the age of seventy-four years, one of the early settlers of Chicago, but his mother is still living. Rev. Seter's grandfather, Frank Seter, was born in Germany, but early in life came to Chicago where he worked at his trade of stone mason. Peter Seter was a
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boiler maker, and followed that trade for forty-five years. Rev. Seter has one brother, James, and two sisters, Theresa and Susie. Father Seter was educated in a Jesuit college, and then went to Europe, where he studied at the University of Louvain from 1896 to 1899. He then returned to the United States and for five years was assistant pastor at Lawrenceburg, Indiana. In 1905, he was appointed pastor of missions for Fountain, Carbon and Diamond, and was located near Terre Haute. His next charge was as pastor at Haubstadt, Indiana, where he remained seven years, but in 1917 he came to Evansville as pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. In the parish parochial school there are 430 children who are given excellent instruction in the common branches of learning. St. Joseph's parish was founded in 1906 by Father Patrick Rowan, who built the present school. He started with one hundred families, and the parish has increased until there are now five hundred families who are members of the church. Father Rowan was succeeded by Father Othmar, a Benedictine priest who stayed two years. Father William Moss was the next pastor. He remained two years and was followed by Rev. John T. O'Hare, under whom the school was much enlarged. He was appointed irremovable director at Washington, Indiana, and at that time Father Seter assumed the pas- toral charge of St. Joseph's. Since coming to the parish, Father Seter has put in a portable school, and has perfected plans for the erection of a $100,000 church edifice, the foundations of which will be completed in the latter part of 1923. Father Seter is assisted in his labors by Rev. Leon Wersing of Indianapolis, who completed his studies at St. Mein- rad, Indiana and came as assistant to Father Seter in 1921. The Catholic high school is likewise under the superintendence of Father Seter, who is recognized not only as an able educator but as an in- fluential factor in the religious and moral life of the city.
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