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 46
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
tions. He was fully conscious that with what measure he meted out to others, it would be meted ont to him-as he judged he would be judged.
On December 12, 1865, William Storton and Margaret Clark were married by Dr. Sims, now a resident of Indianapolis. Three children blessed their home-Allen, Frank and Carrie. Mr. Storton was a member of Trinity M. E. church, and actively engaged in all Christian work connected with the church. Long did he labor in the choir of that congregation, being a lover of music, both instrumental and vocal. His vocal abilities were of no mean order. For a long time he was chorister of Simpson M. E. sunday school, as well as of Trinity. It was a real labor of love with him when engaged in Sunday school work with the children. He was an Odd Fellow, being a member of Morn- ing Star lodge, of this city. His death occurred March 9, 1896.
He was serupulously faithful in all his undertakings-a perfect man, if such could be found on earth. His chief object in life was to do right, and he was an example for others to pattern after. His influence will live forever in the young, whom he taught with such proper spirit the beautiful, hopeful songs of his Sunday school. When you met him, his greeting was with a smile instead of a frown. It was his greatest delight to make his home a little heaven. He neglected no aet to make others better and happier ; he loved to do good because it was right. So it is easy to see why he lived in the hearts of all around-a fact that was made doubly manifest by the cortege that fol- lowed his remains to the grave. All admired him; he shunned the very appearance of evil, and in his great Christian heart, there was charity for all. His goodness did not end with his family, which was the first thing on earth to him, but he blessed others with his intuitive kindness. Unlike most traveling men, his inquiry was, when away from home, for a church instead of a place of amusement. He had a hallowing, temporizing influence on all brother traveling men with whom he came in contact. Every moment of his life was rounded up and complete, and when the dread summons came, calling him home, he was ready; like Paul, he had run a good race and obtained the prize that lay at the end of the course.
THE GUMBERTS FAMILY.
Prominent in the commercial and social interests of the city ranks the Gumberts family. They are classed as leaders in Jewish circles.
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They have ever been identified with those business industries that re- quire tact, enterprise and push. They have been successful men.
Simon Gumberts was the first one of the name to locate in Evans- ville. He was born in Ratsweiler, Germany, about the year 1814, and emigrated to America in 1839, coming directly to this city. He was a man of shrewd business ability, and was prominent in the movements for the upward progress of the city. His great business activity continued almost up to the time of his death, which occurred March 18, 1892.
He was married twice, both of his wives being sisters and descend- ants of the Rothchilds, another eminent Hebrew family. The children of his first wife were Abraham, Saul, Charlotte (Mrs. Isaac Kahn), Heury S. and Mollie. The issue from his second wife were: Marx, Lonis, Rosa, Carrie, Leopold, Nathan, Bertha and Tilden. All of Simon's descendants are living except Saul, Tilden and Charlotte (Mrs. Isaac Kahn).
Some of the family have gone out into other parts of the country to dwell and to do business. Those who are living here yet are Abra- ham, Nathan, Marx, Louis and Leopold. The two latter are promin- ently connected with Evansville's commercial interests, being engaged in the jewelry and optical business. They inherited their father's keen business sagacity, and therefore have kept abreast of the times and prospered. They deserve the enjoyment of their prosperity.
FRANK MANSON GILBERT.
He who name heads this brief personal history was born at Mobile, Alabama, July 1, 1848. On the death of his mother in Evansville he was sent to Connecticut, where his father originally came from, and there he remained till he was six years old. Then he was returned to Evansville and placed in the public schools, where he remained till he was sixteen years old. At this period of his life he was set to work in his fathers' wholesale grocery store under the porter, and the fiat of his philosophical father was that he could "work up" or stay there under the porter till he was twenty-one. He soon "got the run" of the stock, became a salesman, and then went on the road as a commer- cial agent for his father's house, traveling steadily for nine years-by buggy and horseback. There were then only two railroads in this section of the country-the E. & T. H. and the Illinois Central into Cairo. He traveled in southern Illinois, and in winter-time made the
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
whole trip on horseback, often returning to Evansville only half a day in a month. After his father retired from business, he took charge of the books and settled up all his unfinished business affairs.
Now he began the life of a newspaper man, and first went on the Courier as river editor, then as city editor, and obtained all his knowl- edge of newspaper business from the late G. W. Shanklin. A desire to see more of the world led him west to Denver and Leadville. Here he saw quite a good deal of wild western life. Then he returned to Evansville, determined never to leave it again. In 1880 he and John J. Kleiner bought the Argus, and the next year Mr. Gilbert purchased Mr. Kleiner's interest in the plant. He ran this till he bought the Tribune in 1886, and since then he has never ceased to stand at the helm of this widely-read afternoon paper. By energy, industry, com- plaisance, and far-seeing policies he has made the Tribune one of the powers in progress of the city.
On October 20, 1881, he married Annie E. Hudspeth, daughter of the late J. M. Hudspeth. One child, Frank Manson Gilbert, Jr., graced this union.
Mr. Gilbert has always had an unwavering faith in the future of the city. He leaves no stone unturned that will in any way contribute to the general welfare of the crescent city. He has large real estate holdings, is a member of the orders of the K. of P., K. of H., Elks, and A. O. U. W., and has held high offices in all of them.
During the war for the union, when only a mere lad, he was drum- mer of the military organization known as the Evansville Rifles.
MECHANICS' FOUNDRY.
Over thirty years ago the Mechanics' foundry was established by the firm then composed of August Schultze, C'has. H. Thuman, John Thuman, Alexander Jack, Michael Becker, Ferdinand Holtz and Fred. W. Hoppe. They organized the firm in July, 1865. The build- ing, located at First street and Third avenue, in which they began business, is still the one they are occupying. Three of the original members of the firm are at present the owners of the plant, viz : August Schultze, Chas. H. Thuman and Alexander Jack-the others having died or withdrawn. Mr. Hoppe was only with the firm about four years, when he withdrew. He died in California some years ago. Mr. Becker and Mr. John Thuman are also dead. Mr. Holtz retired from the firm about 1875, and is still living in this eity.
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Mr. H. August Schultze was born in Prussia, April 19, 1831, and when eleven years old came to Evansville with his parents. At the age of sixteen he entered a foundry and labored for eighteen years. He was married to Martha Schulz, who died in 1873. To them were born five children. In 1879 he was married to Sarah Clark.
Mr. Charles H. Thuman was born in Baden, Germany, in 1831. With his parents he came to the United States in 1837 and to Evans- ville in 1851. Having learned the carpenter's trade under his father, he set in to pattern making in this city, and then became a member of the firm of the Mechanics' foundry. He was married to Barbara Fuchs in 1850, and eight children were born out of this union.
Mr. Alexander Jack was born in Scotland, at the city of Glasgow, in 1833. At the inexperienced age of seventeen he came to the United States alone, and in Pennsylvania learned the trade of a machinist and engineer. He assisted in putting up a pig iron furnace on Green river, in Muhlenburg county, Kentucky, and arrived in Evansville about 1859. Here he followed his trade and became a member of the present firm at its organization. He filled the office of water works trustee, being elected to that office at the city election in 1888. He is connected with several industrial enterprises, belongs to the Knights of Honor, and is a member of the First Cumberland Presbyterian church of this city. He married Elizabeth Snedden in 1854. She died July 21, 1887.
The Mechanics' foundry, in the course of its existence, has done a vast amount of work, aggregating many millions of dollars. They have all along mannfactured engine boilers, steamboat machinery, beam doctors or boiler feeders, circular saw mills and grist mills, all kinds of machinery and copper and sheet iron works. They are a trust-worthy, reliable firm, and rightly have the confidence of all the people with whom they ever did business.
OLMSTED FAMILY.
William Olmsted was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, June 29, 1778, and married Miss Rachael Laird in Westmoreland, New York, December 27, 1801. He came to Evansville in 1817, and his family in 1818. His death occurred near Evansville May 1, 1865. His wife was born in New Marlborough, Massachusetts, May 1784, and died near Evansville March 18, 1845. Samuel Laird Olmsted, their son, was born at Manlius, New York, January 12, 1805, and died near
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Evansville April 9, 1864. He married Edna Ann DeGarmo in 1847. They left three sons who are still living in this county: Samuel L., Matthew D., and Edward A. William Olmsted, son of William and Rachael, was born in Manlius, New York, June 18, 1807. His death occurred November 20, 1879. He was married April 1, 1832, to Hannah Fairchild. Their children still living are : Mrs. Geneva M. Fauquher, in this county; Mrs. Lucy C. Ayers, near Fort Branch, Ind., Mrs. Harriet H. Outlaw, in Alabama, Charles D. and William S., in this county, and Samuel L. in Gibson county, Ind. Alexander Hamilton Olmsted, also a son of William and Rachael, was born in Manlius, New York, April 13, 1809. He was employed by the gov- ernment as Indian agent, and he married among them and died in Washington, District of Columbia. Abby Maria Olmsted, daughter of William and Rachael, was born in Westmoreland, New York, April 11, 1818, and died October 27, 1885. She was married September 23, 1841, to Martin Van Dusen. They left four children who are still living in this county, namely: Mrs. Rachael O. Royston, Alexander M., Louis L., and Mrs. A. M. Hayden. Martin Van Dusen died March 15, 1879. Charles Goodrich Olmsted, son of William and Rachael, was born near Evansville November 1, 1823. He was killed at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862. He was captain of Company A., 42d Indiana regiment, at the time he was killed. He was married the first time to Antoinette Hedden Wood November 5, 1844, by whom he left one son, Charles G. Olmstead, yet living in this county. He was married a second time to Elizabeth E. Hopkins May 8, 1853, who is still living. Two of their children are living in this city, George W., and Ella Olmsted. Mrs. Olmsted taught school in 1863-4 at Olmsted school house, while the author of this book was trustee. She is now married to John M. Wright, of this city.
FRANK PRITCHETT.
As far back as it is possible now to trace the Pritchett family, we are led to the conclusion that they came originally from Wales to Virginia. One branch of this numerous race located in Evansville about the time, or perhaps a little before, the organization of Vander- burgh county into a civil district. There were two brothers, John H. and Noah. George was the son of the latter, while Seth and Noah were the sons of John H. Noah died early, when only about twenty years old. Seth was born here in Evansville iu 1819, and died
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here when about sixty-eight years old. He was a large man, weighing abont two hundred pounds, and was peaccable and in- ยท dustrious. As one of the earliest inhabitants in this county he was acquainted with the trials and privations of pioneers. He was a skilled blacksmith and did excellent work, and also engaged in the carriage business for a time. He married Miss Emma Grant, danghter of John Grant, the successful arehiteet and builder. She was born in England in 1829. To them were born five children, of whom Frank was the oldest. Alexander and George S. are the other sons living- two sons died young.
Frank Pritchett was born here April 14, 1853, and was reared in this city and educated in the publie schools. In early manhood he learned the trade of his father, at which he worked till 1875. For two years thereafter he engaged in teaming. In his youth he was of a busy turn, and his industry was an evidence of his native energy. He had winning ways, was a trustworthy friend, and possessed a splendid physique. He was always naturally an orderly citizen and seemed fitted to command order and the observance of the laws in others. In 1878 he beeame patrolman on the police force in this eity, and thereafter his promotion was rapid and deserving. The next year he was appointed deputy eity marshal. In April, 1881, he was made deputy sheriff of Vanderburgh county under Thomas Kerth, sheriff. While serving in this eapacity he was made chief of the city police force. In all these difficult positions he proved himself eminently qualified and a most efficient officer. When the metropolitan police system became a law, he was naturally qualified as superintendent of the newly organized force, and so acceptable were his services that he held this position till 1886. Notwithstanding that he had twenty- eight opposing candidates for doorkeeper of the state senate in 1887, he was chosen over all to that position. It was a time when it required a man of nerve and brawn to fill the place, for there was a contest between the president elect of the senate, a democrat, and the lieuten- ant-governor, a republican, as to which one should preside over the senate, and there were exciting seenes sometimes. He was elected sheriff of this eounty in 1888 by the democratic party, and his major- ity was a sort of personal vietory, following as it did upon the struggle in the state senate. He was appointed chief of police in April, 1897, a position he is now filling.
On October 14, 1878, he was married to Miss Louisa Kerth, daugh- ter of Thomas Kerth. This estimable lady was born in this eity in
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1858. To them were born six children, as follows: Percy, Frank Florence, Ralph, Myrtle and Lydia Norwood.
Mr. Pritchett is an Odd Fellow, a member of the Knights of Honor, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. Socially he is a man whose kindly acts makes him many friends. When it comes to the performance of what he considers his duty and the right, no obstacles can be put in his way to deter him.
JOHN L. BITTROLFF, SR.
He whose name is mentioned above was born in Durlach, Arch- Dukedom of Baden, Germany, the 2d day of January, 1791. He was a valiant soldier in the German army, under General BIncher, at the storming of Strausburgh, just before the battle of Waterloo, and was wounded in the engagement. His rank in the army was that of orderly sergeant. In 1832 he emigrated from Germany to America, landing at Baltimore, Md., with his family. For two years he lived at Youngstown, Pa., and then came to Evansville-1834. He now moved to Princeton, Ind., but returned to Evansville in 1837. In the hope of bettering himself and family, he moved to Herman, Mo., in 1839. Evansville was still the one spot that seemed best after all, and in the spring of 1841, he returned here and never again left. His death occurred in 1875, at the age of eighty-four years. He was a man of wonderful intelligence, and as a jeweler, was ambitious and enterpris- ing. His sons were taught his trade. During the Mexican war the military fever ran high here, and Mr. Bittrolff soon found himself in command of a German company, sixty strong. All his commands were given in the German language, according to the tactics of the German army. His company had some old veterans in it, who had served under Wellington, and some from Napoleon's majestic army. It was one of the best drilled companies ever seen in Evansville. When troops were called for Captain Bittrolff wanted his company to enlist. It will be remembered that the war divided the people, many believ- ing it was a war for the extension of slavery. One day, after a hard drill, when assembled at the green court house, they left it to a majority to decide whether they should go to the war as a body or remain at home. The vote stood one majority against going. Then Captain Bittrolff made an excited speech in his venacular tongue to the men, and he declared the majority were not true citizens, or they would respond to their country's call. The company never drilled again
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
after that. Immediately afterward Captain Walker raised a company and they went to Mexico. Captain Bittrolff's two sons, George A. and J. Louis, were drummers in the company, one beating the bass drum and the other the tenor drum. Both of these sons are yet living in this city.
JOHN GROSCURTH.
The subject of this sketch was born in Hamburg, Germany, in the year 1844, and emigrated to this country in 1864. He served his apprenticeship for the term of five years in Hamburg as a shoemaker. He commenced operations in that line of business in this city in 1866 on Third street, where he has continued to carry on business up to the present time. Those of the eitizens of Evansville who have become familiar with him through business or social intercourse, have but one opinion of John Groscurth, and that is that he is an honest, upright citizen, conscientious in all his dealings, and a credit to the community. The author of this work takes pleasure in being able to endorse the general opinion of those who have had dealings with Mr. Groseurth and who know him well, and Evansville can conscientiously embrace him in her list of reputable citizens.
CHARLES KELLER.
The subject of this sketch was one of our best known business men. He was strictly a self-made man, one who arose from the humblest stage of life, won for himself an honorable position, and carved out his own fortune. He was for many years so closely identified with the business interests of this eity that a history of Evansville, which did not mention him, would be very incomplete. Charles Keller was born in Barkenfeld, Groszberzogthum Oldenberg, Germany, in the year 1824. When he was four years old his father died, after which his mother married a man named Siegel. In the fall of 1841 he accompanied his parents to this country. They came directly to this city, landing in Evansville on New Year's day. For some time he worked on a farm near Boonville, Warriek county, and from there he went into the employ of a Mr. Foster, at that time a prominent mer- chant of Newburgh. At the age of twenty he removed to this city and embarked in the gunsmith business in a small way in an unpretentious frame structure on Second street, near Sycamore, on the present site of the Acme hotel, and from there he removed his business to Main street, 30 .
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where the Val. M. Schmitz & Co's. clothing house now stands. In 1852 he purchased ground and crected a store adjoining the alley be- tweeu Main and Fourth streets, now No. 315. Here he success- fully continued business until his demise. For some years he also conducted a stove and tiu store on Second between Main and Syca- more streets. In 1845 he was married to Eva Schneider, with whom he lived happily until the spring of 1879, when she died. In August, 1879, he married Rebecca Hoppen, who survived him, as did also bis two children, Oscar and Carl. Mr. Keller was a member of the Ger- man Methodist church, having become associated with the church iu 1845. He served on the church board of directors and held different offices in the church for many years. He was well known by the older and younger citizens of Evansville. His death occurcd Febru- ary 10, 1892.
HORACE CONKEY.
The subject of this sketch was born in Syracuse, N. Y., on the 1st day of January, 1843. He cast his lot amongst us as a citizen of Evansville in the summer of 1880, being one of the contractors in the construction of the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville railway. Following the completion of this road, he engaged in the same line of business, and was prominently connected with the construction of the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis railway, the Evansville & Indianapolis rail- way, (commonly called the "Straight line") and the Evansville & Richmond railroad. Succeeding those enterprises, he identified him- self with the lumber interests of Evansville, being a prominent factor in the firms and corporations of the Crisle-Coukey land company and Conkey & Moore. In addition to his other commercial enterprises, he also took an active part in real estate interests, and by frugal and honest management, acquired a comfortable competeuce, which he was about to enjoy when death removed him from our midst, on February 13, 1897.
Horace Conkey's character was as near that of one of "nature's noblemen" as the human nature of man permits one to become. The writer had been intimately associated with him in days of adversity as well as prosperity, and he can truthfully assert that there was no swerving from his natural, noble self. His friendship was of that character ever sought after by the sterling representative citizen, and his acts were the correct index to his aim in life-an honest record. No epitaph could be more appropriately inscribed on his tombstone
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than the simple words, "He lived and strived for the welfare and happiness of others." He was generous to a fanlt, kind and affable under all circumstances, choosing rather to bury the shortcomings of others, loving to approve rather than to criticise. Indeed, we could occupy pages in extolling this man's good qualities. In his domestic relations, he filled to overflowing the requisites of son, husband and father, and his death, in manhood's prime, was a public calamity. Memory's tablet can never become dimmed in the recollection of such a man among those who knew him.
THEOPHILUS CURNICK.
The author had the great pleasure of becoming acquainted with Theophilus Curnick immediately on his arrival in this city in the year 1855. I fully endorse all that has been said of him by the biographer who wrote what is appended hereto. His death was indeed a great loss to the church, for he was an exemplary man, an unflinching Christian ever, whose light was not under a bushel, but was always brightly burning. Whatever the loved dead had to say in public in the church, was always listened to with great interest and profound attention by all who had the good fortune to hear him. He seemed to have a holy influence upon those who heard him. He was in every way an aid and a checr to the weak, weary and discouraged Christian. His words and influence entered the heart of the listener, who was lifted up and made better thereby. The following well written biography was prepared for the daily press at the time of his death, May 1, 1887, by his son, S. N. Curnick, president of the commercial college of this city:
" Theophilus Curnick was born in Bristol, England, October 26, 1814. His father was a professional accountant, and as Theophilus was his oldest son, it was according to usage that he should follow in the steps of his father, consequently at the age of twelve years he was placed in an office to learn his adopted profession. He became quite proficient, so that at the age when young men now begin to think of Icarning a profession or trade he was doing a man's work in an office and getting a man's pay. Before he was twenty years of age he was married and he soon had a large family around him. When about forty years old he concluded that he would try the new world. He accordingly came to America in the fall of 1855, coming at once to Evansville, where he located. He was soon followed by his family,
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and ever since this city has been his home. How worthily he has filled the position of citizen in every capacity let those who know him best testify. Mr. Curnick was a remarkable man in many respects. No one could look into his face and see the striking features there shown without feeling that they were gazing at no ordinary man. In his youth and prime he was a fine specimen of handsome, refined intellec- tual manhood. What he seemed to the looker-on to be, he was. He was a man of varied attainments, well read in all modern and ecclesi- astical history, knew enough of Greek and Latin to give him familiar- ity with all quotations and ordinary sentences in those languages, and was well posted in all political and general news, being a great reader of the daily papers from his youth up. He was unusually well posted in everything relating to his profession, having had almost sixty years of uninterrupted experience. He was recognized as an authority in all matters pertaining to it. He was very methodical and uniform in his habits. His time for going to the office and leaving it for his meals were regular to the minute. So much so was this the case that when he was observed by housekeepers passing their homes they would know the time without looking at the clock. He was careful and exact in his work and never allowed himself to be excited or put out in the doing of it. The writer remembers once asking him why he did not do a certain thing in another way than what he was accustomed to. He replied, "I cannot afford to make a mistake," and that was characteristic of all his work-carefulness and correctness. He was prompt iu all engagements and daily duties and nothing was more calculated to upset him than to have a person behind in filling an en- gagement. He used to tell an experience when a young man of how this habit of his of being on time did him great good. He had a very important engagement with a gentleman who was desirous of engaging his services, and who was willing to pay him very liberally for them. The interview was to be at noon sharp. He rang the door bell just as the town clock was striking 12. The gentleman said, "Mr. Curnick, you are very punctual, sir." He replied, "That is my habit, sir." The interview ended in a very advantageous business engagement. He was very conservative in all business matters, leaning always to the side of caution. He detested anything and everything in the way of wild speculations, futures, margins, &c. His advice was sought and generally followed in all business matters with which he had to do. As one used to say, "He was a balance-wheel," and his suggestions were mostly followed. He was a good citizen, an example of a law abiding, patriotic, moral, Christian gentleman. He was in politics a
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