USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > A history of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Indiana : a complete and concise account from the earliest times to the present, embracing reminiscences of the pioneers and biographical sketches of the men who have been leaders in commercial and other enterprises > Part 35
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It is told with a good deal of amusement yet to-day by members of the family about the first piano he purchased for his family. He was a man very particular in his family comforts, and would not be behind in any of the convenienees possessed by his neighbors. Word came to the family that Mrs. Shanklin had one of the finest pianos that was made. Mr. Edmond always found great delight in music, and having a daughter who loved the charm of musical expression and harmony he ordered a very fine piano for his home. When the beautiful instrument reached Evansville, Mr. Edmond took a woodboat loaded with wood to Evansville and disposed of it and then took the piano
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back home on the woodboat. It served on the way home as a polished seat for the boat hands. One time during high water, the piano was put on stilts, as it were, to keep it out of the water in the room. The chickens collected from trees and other things above water, were put in the same room to keep them from drowning. The piano was well covered, but that did not keep the chickens from roosting on it. The "gunnels" or plank walks on stilts, were common things in that day, from the door step to the outer gate, which were used to walk upon out of the water. It may be said the piano stood upon a "gunnel" at the time of the incident mentioned.
After his second marriage he took the world easier, and attended to the happiness of those around him with seeming delight. About 1851 he turned the woodyard over to his son-in-law, Mr. Alexander Mad- dux, who had married his only daughter and only living child by his first wife. The son-in-law lived just below him, and he successfully operated the business for many years. He moved to Evansville in March, 1863, and the wood business went into other hands.
As to the character of John Edmond-He was strictly honorable, upright and righteous in all things, a man whose word was as good as his bond, a man whose principles were as invariable as the hills, a man who was beloved for his merits and for his truly exemplary life. He was a consistant and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and had been for many years previous to his death.
In the onsweeping changes of time the family of Edmond became scattered, and all the children of the grandfather, George, are dead except Michael, the youngest. Those of the descendants who are now living in this city are Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Maddux. Mr. Mad- dux was born in Meade county, Ky., May 7, 1820. His father, Thomas Maddux, was a native of Green Brier county, Virginia. When 14 years old he came to Perry county, Indiana, where his step- mother died shortly afterward. Following closely upon this sad event the bereaved husband went to Cloverport, Kentucky, with his family, where he died about a year later. Then Alexander Maddux farmed in Perry county, Indiana, for a year or two after his father's death. In 1845-6 he taught school in Clay county, Missouri, and afterward attended school at Hardinsburg, Kentucky. He clerked at Stevens- port, Kentucky, for a year and traveled for Dr. James Graves, of Louisville, for three years. His career as a son-in-law of John Ed- moud in the wood business has been previously told. Since coming to the city he has been served as a justice of the peace and one term
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as a member of the board of county commissioners. He is a mem- ber of the Baptist church and of the Odd Fellows.
The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Maddux was Talitha J. She was married to John J. Brose, by whom she is the mother of two lovely, bright daughters, Susie B. and Effie M. After the death of Mr. Brose on July 1, 1878, the wife was married to Dr. J. D. Fillinger, October 10, 1894. Dr. Fillinger came to Evansville seventeen years ago and began the practice of his profession as a dentist, and he has been suc- eessful and prosperous.
After Mr. Maddux eame to Evansville, William Brown, who had married Doreas, the sister of Alexander Maddux, also came to Evans- ville. Mr. Brown arrived here in 1852, on the steamer "Georgetown" from Hardinsburg, Breckinridge county, Kentucky. Mr. Brown was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and many of the houses built by his hands are still standing in this city. He died past middle age, loved, honored and respected, on October 20, 1876. He was born June 8, 1807. His wife was born December 11, 1812, and died February 14, 1880. Thomas Brown, a son, died January 25, 1873; Wm. Fletcher, another son, died February 15, 1864; Mattie, 8 years old, and Crit- tenden, 5 years old, both died in 1855; Horace B., born June 17, 1839, died January 10, 1888. Mrs. Richard W. Snider, a daughter, died July 5, 1876. Mrs. John Martin, another daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brown, died October, 1877. Mary E. Brown was born December 4, 1841, and was married to W. W. Myers, who died in 1884, at the age of 51 years. Miss Sue Brown was born April 10, 1843, and married John Payne, and to-day they are living in California. Miss Lucy E. Brown was born June 7, 1852, and was married to E. D. Wallace. She and her husband are at present living in this eity.
All the members of this numerous family led useful, worthy and progressive lives, and were people of striet principles and high moral precepts.
BEN STINSON.
Ben Stinson is the son of John B. Stinson, who was born in Vir- ginia, March 1, 1787, of English parents. He located in Kentucky, and in 1809 moved to Indiana territory and built a log house at the foot of coal mine hill, at the bend of the river, just below the site of Evansville. That was in the days when the eopper-colored Indians still infested the country, and made life a dangerous affair, especially on the north side of the Ohio river.
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Benoni Stinson, a brother of John B., afterwards moved to this part of Indiana. He was an eloquent Free Will Baptist preacher, whose labors extended over Vanderburgh, Posey, Gibson, Pike and Warrick counties in Indiana, and three or four adjacent counties in Kentucky. Sometimes John B. Stinson preached in the absence of his brother. He possessed less "religions power," but was noted for his good, hard, native sense." The records of Vanderburgh county show that in 1818 Governor Jonathan Jennings appointed John B. Stinson as sheriff, being the first official of that character in the new county. He was elected probate judge, and held the position one term. He decided the most celebrated habeas-corpus case that ever came up in the county-the jurisdiction of a minor child between mother and church. He was a leader in church matters, and especially in all the "yearly associations." He, and his brother Benoni, and Rev. Jesse Lane, brother of Governor Lane, united with Amos Clark, James G. Jones, and Wm. T. T. Jones, in signing a circular in the George H. Proffit and Robert Dale Owen congressional race, which defeated Owen. The three reverend gentlemen signed the political document as "ministers of the Free Will Baptists." For this act John B. Stinson ever after felt ashamed of himself. He died at the old home on the river below Evansville, March 15, 1850. His wife, Matilda, died at the home of her son Ben, in Evansville, July 4, 1864, aged seventy- four years and nine months.
Ben-a contraction of Benoni, and as he always writes it himself- was born in Perry township, Vanderburgh county, Indiana, July 23, 1823, on his father's forty-acre farm at the foot of what is called " Baby-town hill," in a one-story, unhewed log house, standing within a few yards of what was then called " Rattlesnake spring." Often some member of the family would have to drive away the snakes before water could be obtained to cook breakfast. The first school Ben Stinson attended was taught by Miss Ann Rolin, in the upper part of the town. His second teacher was Jefferson Ham, the father of Mrs. McCutchan, who was a teacher herself in the public schools of Evans- ville. At the age of seven years his father's family moved to the farm, where the L. & N. railroad shops now stand, adjoining Howell, and there his schooling was secured in "subscription schools." Later he attended the school of Alanson Chute, in Evansville. He also attended C. S. Weaver's "high school." This was the extent of his schooling. He then took up the study of law in the office of Lock- hart & Jones, and at length was graduated from the Cincinnati law college. 232
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When S. T. Jenkins, clerk of the Vanderburgh circuit court, dicd, Alvin P. Hovey, judge of the court, appointed Ben Stinson to the vacancy, returning a favor for a favor. Mr. Stinson had practically nominated Judge Lockhart to congress, thus occasioning his resigna- tion as judge of the circuit court, and the appointment of Hovey to the place by Governor Joseph Wright. President Pierce appointed Ben Stinson postmaster at Evansville, and while serving in this posi- tion Judge Blackford, one of the judges of the court of claims, had ยท him appointed one of the commissioners of this new court. Conrad Baker was the other commissioner. When a justice of the peace he was appointed a commissioner under the fugitive slave law. The single case that came before him was disposed of by remanding the fugitives, an old man and his wife, back to their " lawful master." He resigned a short time afterwards, for the reason, as he said, " I was afraid of Chase, the secretary of the treasury." Afterwards he declined the appointment as commissioner of the United States court, a posi- tion now held by Captain J. W. Wartmann. During the great Kansas- Nebraska discussion and the trouble in Kansas over the two opposing constitutions, Mr. Stinson was elected to the state legislature as repre- sentative, where he manifested his singular power in persuading men to his opinions and leading them to vote on measures as he suggested. After his return from the legislature he was elected a justice of the peace, a position he held over sixteen years. His first wife was Mary E. Banks, of Lewistown, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Hon. Ephraim Banks, auditor-general of Pennsylvania. To them were born two children. She lies in Oak Hill cemetery, near Evansville. His second wife was Caroline C. Cox, of Orange county, Indiana, who bore him three children, all living in Paoli, Indiana.
A man of great activity and push, he is not without an experience in the newspaper field. He purchased the printing office of Young- love & Sullivan, and continued the daily paper they had been pub- lishing. Mr. Stinson writes of that venture in these humorous words: " My name stood at the head of the paper as editor and publisher, but really Mr. Hutchins, the foreman, was manager and editor. Horace Plummer, a young lawyer, sent in paragraphs almost daily." Mr. Stinson's " Gentleman in Black " was a surprising success to himself, the papers selling as high as twenty-five cents each. He sold the paper to C. K. Drew, Sr., and he sold it to a Mr. Baker. In time Mr. Stinson took the office back to indemnify himself against loss. The paper was suspended, and the printing material was nailed up. Rev. Mr. Vaux, an Episcopal minister, printer and school teacher,
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
opened a job office and used the material for a time. It was at last sold to Smith Gavitt, who in connection with a friend, started another daily. But Mr. Stinson was still not entirely free from all newspaper connections. At this time John B. Hall established the Enquirer, Charles Denby writing the editorials. Willard & Whitehead got hold of the plant, and Mr. Stinson in someway became surety on their notes, which went into court, where he was released from the payment of the same. A joint stock company received the Enquirer, purchasing Emil Bishop's paper entitled "Reform," and merging the two papers into one. Richard Raleigh, John A. Reitz, Ben Nurre, John Gavisk, Judge Parrett and others cashed their stock subscriptions and put the venture on a firm basis. They obtained Robert Spranl as their editor. Mr. Stinson was again induced to go into the newspaper field, and this time he went into the Enquirer office as business manager. He re- mained, however, only about seven months. When Maynard and Captain Archer bought the concern, Mr. Stinson also disposed of his interest in it. It was a failing enterprise someway, and Maynard & Archer went under.
About 1871 Mr. Stinson went to Orange county, where his ceaseless activity soon made him a leading citizen. He filled several county offices there in a very creditable manner to himself and a most satis- factory way to his friends and neighbors. He is at present living in Paoli, Indiana, where he and his good wife are enjoying the riches of sweet mutual confidences. For many years, ever since his term in the legislature, in fact, Mr. Stinson has been a great sufferer from rheuma- tism. It has been so severe and torturing as to render his lower ex- tremities entirely useless. But he is a patient sufferer and a firm believer in the providences of an allwise God. He never belonged to any church, nor to any secret or open society. And yet he has led a moral life, trusting in the God of all life and being.
MAJOR JOSEPH B. COX.
The history of this family runs back to the year 1809. They were prob- ably the first permanent white settlers of the Indiana territory. His maternal ancestor lived in the state of Kentucky, where his mother, Frances M. Miller, was born in 1805. Her parents, George and Eliz- abeth Miller, moved from that state in 1809, and crossed the Ohio river at the present site of Evansville. They found a log cabin on the bank of the river, near where Vine street now is, and they occu-
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pied it several months. They then moved to what is now known as Knight's hill, near the lower Mt. Vernon road, three and a half miles west of Evansville. They were compelled to cross the river into Kentucky several times to get out of the way of savage Indians. His mother, Mrs. Cox, afterward Mrs. David Stephens, died in October. 1886, having been a continuous resident of Perry township for sev- enty-seven years. James Cox, the father of Joseph B., was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1800 and died in this county in 1834. He came to Vauderburgh county in 1818 with a brother, Joseph. They were potters by trade, and were occupied for a while in that branch of bus- iness. When steamboats began running on the river, using wood for fuel, they established a wood-yard near Ingle's coal mines, and in connection with that they cleared and cultivated land near their wood yard.
James Cox was colonel of the militia, and often called his regiment into camp for the purpose of drilling. Major Joseph B. Cox was born in what is now Perry township, this county, four miles west of Evans- ville, on the middle Mt. Vernon road. The log cabin that he was born in is still standing, but somewhat dilapidated. The date of his birth was the 8th day of September, 1830. He was the fourth of five children, three daughters and two sons. His boyhood days were spent on the farm, and in attending such schools as were in his reach, which was usually about three months in the year. The first school he attended was held in a small log cabin, one end of which was used as a chimney, the other end for a door, and on each side there was a log cut out for a window, and in place of glass greased paper was pasted over the openings. Puncheons were used for seats. The name of the teacher was Mr. Rice, and the next teacher's name was Cotton. At the age of fourteen years he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and entered the public schools as a pupil, and continued in these schools for three years, after which he was promoted to the high school, continued his studies for some time, then entered St. Xavier college and re- mained for one term. He next entered Bacon's commercial college and graduated, hoth institutions being in Cincinnati.
After his graduation he served as clerk on various steamboats ply- ing between Cincinnati and New Orleans. In August, 1859, he entered the sheriff's office of Vauderburgh county as deputy for John S. Gavitt, and upon the enlistment of Mr. Gavitt as major in the 1st Indiana cavalry, he was appointed by the sheriff to fill out his unex- pired term of office. The war of the rebellion being in progress, Major Cox raised a company, which was made company F of the 60th regi-
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
ment, Indiana infantry, and he was selected captain, and served in the ranks until the 27th day of May, 1862, when he was elected major of the regiment. He served as such until the 30th of November, follow- ing, when he resigned on account of ill health. Returning to Evans- ville he entered the county treasurer's office as deputy with Leroy Calvert, and served for about two years. In 1880 he entered the sher- iff's office as deputy for Thomas Kerth, and served for four years. On August 7, 1885, he was appointed by President Cleveland surveyor of customs for the term of four years.
From early manhood he has been interested in farming. In April, 1863, he was married to Miss Amanda W. Sirkle, who was born in Vanderburgh county, in 1833, and died in 1868, leaving one son, Dr. David A. Cox, of Howell, Ind. He was married a second time, in 1870, to Martha J. Angel, who was born in Vanderburgh county in 1849. To this union two sons were born, Robert M., who is a law- yer, and Joseph B., who is a student in Oakland City college. Both of his wives were members of the General Baptist church.
Mr. Cox is a man of great force of character, an estimable citizen in all respects, and one whose life-record is characterized by usefulness and fairness.
HON. CHARLES DENBY
Evansville delights to honor her distinguished citizen, Hon. Charles Denby, whose reputation is far and wide, and whose public services have made him a national historical character. This skillful lawyer and wise diplomat was born in Botetourt county, Va., in 1830. He was a student three years at Georgetown college, in the District of Columbia, and afterward was graduated from the Virginia military institute with high honors. His splendid mental attainments led him into the profession of a teacher in the Masonic university at Salem, Ala., where he wore the honors of a professor until he came to Evans- ville in 1853. Here he edited the Daily Enquirer, and at the same time pursued the study of law in the office of Conrad Baker, who was then only a practicing attorney. Three years after his arrival in Ev- ansville he was sent to the legislature. When the war of the Union began, he felt called upon to defend his country, and in 1861 he raised the 42d Indiana infantry and became its lieutenant colonel. At Perry- ville his regiment took an active part and suffered severely. His good military tact caused him to be promoted to the colonelcy of the 80th Indiana regiment. His services continued in the army till 1863
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when he resigned because of his health. He returned to this city and resumed the practice of law, and for many years he unbrokenly pur- sued the practice of his profession. In 1876, and again in 1884, he was a delegate at large from Indiana to the national democratic cou- vention. His party asked him several times to accept the nomination for congress from this congressional district, but he preferred rather to pursue his profession than participate in the entanglements of politics. For many years he was the senior member of the law firm of Denby & Kumler, consisting of himself and Daniel B. Kumler, who died early in 1893. This firm had a large practice, and was markedly successful, which was due to its earefulness, its broad knowledge of the law and its application to cases considered and tried at its hands. Mr. Denby was first a careful, ceaseless student of the law, and next a man with deep earnestuess in his cases. He had few superiors at the bar, and perhaps none excelled him in general information and belles-lettres. And in all the elements that went to make up a man and the high character of a spotless eitizen, he was among the very first.
In the first year of President Cleveland's first term in .office Mr. Denby was appointed as minister of the United States to China, and when President Harrison came into office he did not find it necessary to displace him, so excellent were his services there, in that land of the Celestials. He continued in the same position through Cleveland's second term, and is still there, in the beginning of President MeKin- ley's term, 1897. When the massacre of the Coolies occurred in the west of the United States, difficult national complications arose, but he carried them through to a successful termination. The law regulating Chinese immigration to this eountry again strained the relations of the two countries, but his fine diplomatic skill brought peace upon the troubled waters. All the delicate duties arising out of these imbroglios he has executed with consummate skill, and his handling of all state matters demonstrates his peculiar fitness for the great position he fills.
In the national democratic convention of 1888, his name was seri- ously considered by the Indiana delegates and others for the second position on the ticket instead of the " Old Roman," A. G. Thurman.
He was married in 1858 to Maretea Fitch, daughter of Senator Graham N. Fitch, of Logansport, Ind. Graham Fitch Denby, his son, is a practicing attorney in this city to-day.
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
WILLIAM HEILMAN.
Que of Evansville's most respected and honored citizens was William Heilman. His commercial and public career made him known to everybody. He was born in Bermersheim, Hesse-Darm- stadt, Germany, on October 11, 1824. His father, Valentine Heil- man, was a farmer, and died in 1826, when William was but a child. The widowed mother married Peter Weintz. William labored on the farm and also attended the school of his native village. This embraced the extent of his education at school, but he was an observant man all his life and his schooling went on continually. In 1843 the family emigrated to the New World and landed first at New Orleans. Theu they came up the river to St. Louis, and soon after located in Posey county, Indiana, where Mr. Weintz pursned the occupation of a farmer. Here young William labored, but the business was distaste- ful to him. Four years afterward-that is, in 1847-he engaged in the foundry business in Evansville with his brother-in-law, Christian Kratz. Their small machine shop on Pine street, was at first run by two blind horses. Three years later their log shop was displaced by a brick one, and the horses relieved by steam power. Their first work was dog-irons, cast plows, stoves, &c. In 1854 they constructed their first portable engine, and in 1859 their first thresher. The emergencies of rebellion greatly enhanced their business, and they could scarcely fill their orders, notwithstanding the enlarged capacity of their works. When Mr. Kratz retired in 1864, he received $100,000 for his interest in the concern. Then through Mr. Heilman's untiring energy, the field of trade was enlarged, the City Foundry enlarged so as to cover almost au entire block, and the business made to prosper almost like magic.
When the war for the Union began Mr. Heilman took a very posi- tive ground for the preservation of the country in its entirety, and his faith and convictions never varied. In 1852 he was first elected to the city council, and served in that official capacity several terms well and faithfully. His broad knowledge of things sent him to the state legislature in 1870, and gave him the nomination for congress on the republican ticket in 1872. In the congressional race he reduced his opponent's majority from 2,500 to 112. In 1876 he was elected to the state senate. While in Europe in 1878 he was nominated for cou- gress again, and returned and was elected after a short, spirited can- vass. In congress, as everywhere, Mr. Heilman exhibited his sterling good practical sense. His speech on the Warner coinage bill in 1879,
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just after the resumption measure had begun, shows his wisdom. He said: "I am strongly in favor of well considered, practical legislation to benefit the agricultural and manufacturing interests, to increase our commerce and wealth, but by all means let us have some stability in our financial legislation. The condition of the country is at last surely, although perhaps slowly, getting better, and what commerce and finance need just now more than anything else is to be let alone."
This measure would have enriched the silver bullion owners to the amount of fifteen cents on the dollar at the expense of the people. In congress his keen practical foresight placed him in the category of the best business legislators. In business affairs he was an originator of plants upon a large scale. His enterprise brought commercial pros- perity to Evansville. His wide grasp of affairs made him a director of the state bank of Indiana, and also of its successor, the Evansville national bank, as well as director of the horse railway company, pres- ident of the gas company, and leader in many other useful enterprises. His energy and capacity in financial investment made him the principal owner in the cotton mills. He was a man of remarkable capacity for business, and great executive powers. Therefore success always attended him. He always was the friend and supporter of everything good for Evansville. His gifts to the poor were many and constant, his benevolence toward every good work was a matter of general remark, his large-hearted acts toward enterprises making for the good of his fellow-creatures were but in evidence of the greatness of his warm heart, his liberal gifts to all benevolent institutions were almost of a lavish character, and his generosity never was appealed to in vain-
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