USA > Indiana > Clark County > Baird's history of Clark County, Indiana > Part 21
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E, One Hundred and Sixty-first Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served as sergeant under the command of Capt. Lewis C. Baird. . The regiment was located for several months at Havana, Cuba, and did its full share in the liberation of that unhappy isle. Returning from the front at the conclusion of hostilities, Mr. Meiboom became bookkeeper for the Reliance Manufacturing Company at the Reformatory, but after ten months in this position he went into the employ of the Big Four Railroad Company and spent five years in their offices at Louisville and Jeffersonville. He then re-entered the government service as an official in the quartermaster's depot at Jeffersonville, where he has charge of the sample room. As a side line he conducts a grocery store in the city and is regarded as a young man of good business ability. He was instrumental in organizing the third camp in the state of Spanish-American war veterans, the same being called the W. T. Durbin Camp, No. 37. This organization was succeeded by the Spanish War Veterans, which was later by amalgamation with other organizations, changed to the United Spanish War Veterans, of which Mr. Mieboom is department senior vice-commander. His fraternal relations are confined to membership in the Woodmen of the World and the Improved Order of Red Men.
JOSEPH M. HUTCHISON, D. D.
Originating in Scotland the Hutchison family came to America in Colonial days and located in Pennsylvania. During the first quarter of the nineteenth century James and Ann Hutchison removed to Knox county, Ohio, where they ended their days as representatives of the early pioneers. Their son, Joseph Miller Hutchison, was born at Fredricksburg, Ohio, in 1831, and in early boyhood decided to become a minister of the Gospel. At the age of sixteen he began teaching school near his native town and despite his youth was successful in his first venture into the field of pedagogics. When about eighteen years old he entered the United Presbyterian Seminary at Xenia, and later, after a term at Monmouth College in Illinois, was given the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Subsequently he had charge of a mission in West Philadelphia, but remained there only six months and then started on an extended trip to the Holy Land, which consumed over a year and proved of great educational benefit. While abroad he made the acquaintance of Mark Twain and formed a warm friendship for that celebrated author and humor- ist. After returning from Europe Dr. Hutchison spent a short time in Phila- delphia and was invited to Jeffersonville to preach for the congregation of the First Presbyterian church. He gave such satisfaction that he received a call as the regular pastor and remained in that capacity for nearly twenty-
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five years. He was of charitable disposition, kind and lovable, and during his long residence in Jeffersonville was perhaps the most popular of the city's pastors, being revered by his congregation and highly respected by all the citizens. For many years he was a trustee of Hanover College and exercised a strong influence in religious circles. His useful and blameless life was closed on April 2, 1896, and his funeral was the most largely attended of any ever held at Jeffersonville up to that time. August 21, 1883, Dr. Hutchison was united in marriage with Annie McCampbell, a lady of distinguished parentage and many graces of character. The only fruit of this union was a son, christened James Harvey Hutchison, who died when five years old.
Mrs. Hutchison, who is spending the evening of life in a beautiful home in Jeffersonville, fronting the Ohio river, enjoys the love and respect of her husband's old friends and is admired by all who are permitted to share her gracious hospitality. Her parents were James Harvey and Letitia (Meri- wether) Campbell, both names that recall many historic associations. Letitia was the daughter of Dr. Samuel Merriwether, a man of distinction, whose life left a strong impress upon the community in which he lived. He was the leader in founding the Presbyterian church, of which Dr. Hutchison be- came pastor, and for many years was its first and only elder and clerk. Dur- ing the War of 1812 he was a surgeon in the United States army and subse- quently was receiver of moneys for public lands sold in Indiana, acting as sub-treasurer at Jeffersonville. He was a descendant of Nicholas Meri- weather, who came from Wales six generations ago and became the founder of one of the most distinguished families in America. Representatives of this name served as soldiers during the Revolutionary war, and one of them was with Washington at the time that young major of the Virginia militia endeavored to save General Braddock from his disastrous defeat on the bloody field near Pittsburg. Still others were with Gen. George Rogers Clark at Vin- cennes and Kaskasia, one served as Governor of Kentucky and they rose to. places of distinction, both military and civil, under the Federal govern- ment and various states. Merriwether Lewis, one of the leaders in the his- toric exploration of the Northwest in 1803-04, known as the Lewis and Clark expedition, was a member of this distinguished family. James Har- vey McCampbell, father of Mrs. Hutchison, was born at Charlestown, Clark county, Indiana, in 1817. His parents being Samuel and Jane (Tilford) Mc- Campbell, both natives of Kentucky. He married Letitia Meriwether Octo- ber 6, 1840. He came to Jeffersonville in boyhood and after growing up engaged in the dry goods business with John D. Woodburn. Shortly after his marriage he abandoned dry goods and joined Walter Meriwether in the retail drug business. In 1848 he was elected secretary and treasurer of the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad and continued with the company until its lease to the Pennsylvania, when he assumed the position
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of cashier. At the organization of the First National Bank of Jefferson- ville in 1865, Mr. McCampbell was elected as the president. In 1880 he left the railroad service and from that time devoted his whole attention to super- vising and directing the business of the bank. He served for a while as mem- ber of the city council and under all circumstances proved to be a large- minded, public spirited citizen. Throughout life he was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian church, holding the position of elder from 1846 until . the time of his death, which ocurred February 16, 1888.
BASIL ROBINSON HOLMES,
Possessed of a strong individuality, endowed with an active brain, coupled with great energy, Basil Robinson Holmes, of Jeffersonville, is a true type of the successful business man of this day and age. He is an example well worthy of the emulation of the aspirant for honors in the world of commerce, who is now placing his foot on the first rung of the ladder that leads to fame and wealth, being identified with various gigantic interests, throughout the state of his nativity.
Basil Robinson Holmes was born in Jeffersonville December 2, 1862, the son of Hamilton and Mary Elizabeth ( Prather) Holmes. His mother is the daughter of William Prather and wife, who live between Jefferson- ville and Utica. He received a good education in the public schools of Jef- fersonville, but did not enter college, preferring to enter upon a business career at once, and he was well equipped therefor, when, at the age of twenty- one years, he opened a grocery at the corner of Chestnut and Graham streets, Jeffersonville. Ambitious, and imbued with a desire to enlarge his scope he gave very close attention to his business from the very start and the rigid honesty which characterized his dealings with his customers, eventually brought its reward in the shape of a rapidly expanding patronage, with the result that the facilities of the little store were increased until it developed into one of the largest establishments of the character in the city. About three years ago a disastrous fire completely wiped out Mr. Holmes' place of busi- ness, and instead of sitting down and bemoaning his fate, as many of his weaker fellow-men would have done, he began to take the initial steps toward rebuilding before the smoking ruins had fairly cooled. This in itself marked him as a man of undaunted. courage,
It was not long after the fire before a new structure, larger and more modern than its predecessor, stood upon the site of the old building, and the business that had been temporarily suspended, renewed with more vigor than ever. In this connection it may not be amiss to state that Mr. Holmes has
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been in the grocery business, without a change of site, longer than any other grocer in Jeffersonville. His store is very heavily stocked with commodities of a high grade, and he caters to the best class of people in Jeffersonville.
On May 12, 1887, Mr. Holmes wedded Emma Beck, daughter of Cor- nelius and Harriet Beck, of Jeffersonville. The father of Mrs. Holmes was always very active in politics, and held the office of County Commissioner for several terms. He was acting in that capacity when the county seat was moved from Charleston to Jeffersonville. He has also been a member of the Jeffersonville City Council.
By his first wife, for he was married twice, Mr. Holmes had one son, Clyde Holmes, who is a traveling salesman for the Peaslee-Gaulbert Com- pany, of Louisville, Kentucky, Mrs. Holmes died in July, 1889. Mr. Holmes, in 1891, married Ella Beck, a sister of his first wife, and to them were born two children, Richard, now aged nine years, and Emmogean, the latter being in the sixth year of her age. Mr. Holmes believes that secret orders exert a great influence for good, and he is an active member of the Odd Fellows. He also has firm religious convictions, and he and his wife are members of the Port Fulton Methodist Episcopal church. The interests of Mr. Holmes are by no means confined to the grocery business. He has funds invested in mines and stone quarries, is a shareholder in the Peyton Lumber & Realty Company, stock in the Princess Amusement Company, of Indianapolis, also in the Ben Harrison Gold & Copper Company, the Apex Mining Company, one-fourth interest in the U. S. T. Mining Company, and one-half interest in the Delmar Skating Rink. Some time ago he took stock in the Bloom- ington & Bedford Stone Company.
With these diversified interests it may well be imagined that Mr. Holmes is an unusually busy man. He has the reputation, however, of keep- ing a watchful eye on his business affairs, and his investments have usually been a source of revenue. Notwithstanding his close attention to the material things of life he is a man of social proclivities, and both he and his wife go much in society, where they are always warmly welcomed.
H. MONROE FRANK.
The study of such a life as Mr. Frank's cannot fail of interest as he is representative in his sphere of activity and has contributed in no small measure to the prosperity of the city in which he was born and reared and which always has been his home and the scene of his operations. H. Monroe Frank was born September 11, 1852, and is a brother of Adolph Frank, whose sketch appears elsewhere in these pages in connection with which the reader will also find, a brief general outline of the family history.
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As stated above Mr. Frank first saw the light of day in Jeffersonville in the public schools of which he received his educational training. Actuated by a desire to devote his life to commercial pursuits, he entered at the age of seventeen upon an apprenticeship to learn the dry goods business and in due time mastered the basic principles of the same, besides becoming a very efficient salesman. His ambition, however, was not to hold a subordinate position but to engage in business for himself and become an employer instead of an em- ployee. Accordingly after acquiring a practical knowledge of the dry goods trade he started in March, 1888, an establishment of his own at his present location. 355 Spring street, beginning with limited capital and in a modest way, but it was not long until his patronage grew to such proportions as to enable him to increase his stock and enlarge the building in which he met his customers.
Mr. Frank has spared no pains or expense in his efforts to please his customers and make his store the leading one of its kind in the city, both of which desires have long since been realized, as his present large and fully equipped establishment, the only exclusively dry goods house in the city, abundantly attests, carrying a stock conservatively estimated in excess of fifteen thousand dollars, and giving steady employment to five clerks, a force which he is frequently obliged to increase during busy and special seasons. Mr. Frank's early training and subsequent careful study of the dry goods business have been greatly in his favor in building up the large and lucrative trade which he now commands.
On the 22d day of October, 1885, Mr. Frank was united in marriage with Novella Fry, daughter of John F., and Mary E. Fry, of Utica township, representatives of two of the oldest and most respected pioneer families of Clark county. The Frys have been actively identified with this part of the state ever since its original settlement, where a number of them have become prominent in public affairs and acquired considerable wealth and a high social status. John F. Fry, father of Mrs. Frank, was for many years an enterpris- ing and successful farmer of the above township, but is now living a retired life in Jeffersonville. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank, the older of whom, Homer M., after being graduated from the Jeffersonville high school, entered DePauw University, where he earned an honorable record as a student; Graham M., the second in order of birth, is pursuing his studies in the public schools of his native city, and, like his brother, has a bright and promising future before him.
Mr. Frank and family are members of the Wall Street Methodist Episcopal church, and deeply interested in the success of the same, being among the most active and influential workers in the Sunday school, the Epworth League and other lines of endeavor, Mr. Frank holding at this time the position of trustee in the organization. He is an ardent member
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of the ancient and honorable order of Masonry, belonging to Clark Lodge, No. 40, and is also identified with Myrtle Lodge of the Knights of Pythias, in which he holds the title of past commander. In politics he has been a life-long Democrat, as was also his father, and with a single exception all of his brothers are pronounced in their allegiance to the same party. He keeps well informed on the great questions and issues of the day, notwithstand- ing which he has never aspired to office, having no time to devote to such matters and little taste for public life. With the exception of serving a short time as Police Commissioner he has held no public position though well qualified by nature and training for any office within the power of his fel- low citizens to bestow. He has been a member of the board of directors of the Carnegie Public Library of Jeffersonville ever since it was established.
Mr. Frank was among the first to urge the necessity of such an institu- tion and from the time it was under the management of the township board to its present permanent standing he labored assiduously with others in its behalf, who communicated with Mr. Carnegie and induced great capitalists to contribute the liberal fund for the erection of the fine building in which it now has a home. He has always used his influence in many other ways to arouse and promote an interest in the enterprise of the city and anything for the conservation of the public good has met with his hearty co-operation and endorsement, giving freely of his time and means. He was one of the organizers of the Jeffersonville Commercial Club and has served as its presi- dent for the past five years, having been re-elected to that position four times.
DAVID COHEN, M. D.
Dr. Cohen is a native of the city in which he resides and an honorable representative of one of its prominent families. Louis Cohen, his father, was born in Germany, but came to the United States in early life and lived for some time at Newbern, North Carolina. Leaving that place a number of years ago he located at Jeffersonville, Indiana, where he worked for some time at his trade of cigar making, subsequently engaging in the real estate business, which he still carries on and in which he has achieved marked finan- cial success. Jeanette Graumer, wife of Louis Cohen and mother of the doctor was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and departed this life in the city of Jeffer- sonville. She was an estimable lady of high social standing and sterling worth, and is affectionately remembered, not only by her immediate friends, but by all who came within the influence of her gracious personality. The family of Louis and Jeanette Cohen consisted of seven children, four sons and three daughters, the doctor being the third in order of birth. Maurice, the
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oldest son, is engaged in the shoe business in Jeffersonville and is also secre- tary and treasurer of the Memphis & Sellersburg Canning Company, in which he owns a controlling interest; Herman is manager of a clothing store in Jeffersonville, and principal owner of the same, being one of the leading merchants of the city and widely known in business circles; George, a lawyer by profession, is a resident of Chicago, where he has built up a large and lucra- tive practice; Hulda married Lesser Jacobs and lives in Versailles, Kentucky ; Nannie, who is unmarried, is secretary of the canning company with which her brother is connected; and Dollie, the youngest of the number, is still a member of the home circle. By a subsequent marriage with Anna Eppstein, Mr. Cohen is the father of four children, namely Blanche, Melvin, Sultan and Armond,
Dr. David Cohen was born December 3, 1882, and grew to maturity in Jeffersonville, receiving his preliminary mental discipline in the public schools. Later he entered the Louisville University to prosecute his medical studies and in due time completed the prescribed course, graduating in the year 1903, with an horable record. Shortly after receiving his degree he effected a co- partnership with Dr. E. N. Flynn, of Jeffersonville, with whom he practiced three years and at the expiration of that time was made assistant physician at the Indiana State Reformatory to the duties of which position he devoted one year. Since severing his connection with the latter institution the doctor has been alone in the practice, the meanwhile building up a large and eminently successful professional business and forging rapidly to the front among the leading physicians of the city.
Doctor Cohen keeps abreast of the times in all matters relating to his chosen calling. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Indiana State Medical Society, the Third District Medical Society, in which he holds the office of secretary, and the Medical Society of Clark county, of which he is now the secretary and treasurer, taking an active interest in the deliberations of these several bodies and keeping pace with the advanced pro- fessional thought they inculcate.
Doctor Cohen recently took a post-graduate course in the Bellevue Medical Hospital of New York City, where he made a specialty of genito and urinary diseases. He is a member and medical examiner of the Modern Woodmen of Jeffersonville, and holds a similar position with several other fraternal organizations, including the Pathfinders, Knights and Ladies of Honor and Knights and Ladies of Security.
Doctor Cohen maintains an abiding interest in all worthy enterprises for the material advancement of the city and is thoroughly informed on the lead- ing questions of the times, being a Democrat in politics and an influential worker in the party, but not a partisan, much less a seeker after the honors and emoluments of office or public place. With other members of his family
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he is connected with the Reformed Jewish Synagogue in Louisville, and is not only one of the accomplished and popular leaders of his nationality in the city, but numbers his friends and admirers by the scores among all classes, irrespective of nationality or creed.
EBERTS BROTHERS.
This widely known and influential firm composed of Jacob and Conrad Eberts, operate the flouring mills at. Henryville and Charleston and do a large and continually growing business, being among the most enterprising and progressive men of those places, besides holding worthy prestige in other lines of trade and enjoying an honorable reputation in commercial circles throughout Indiana and the neighboring state of Kentucky. As the name indicates, the Eberts family is of German origin, the father, Conrad Eberts, Sr., having been born in Hesse, Darmstadt, of which Grand Duchy and two sons are also natives.
In the year 1853 the elder Eberts, with his two sons and widowed mother, immigrated to the United States, landing in May of that year at New Orleans and proceeded thence to St. Louis, Missouri, where Conrad, Jr., remained during the ensuing thirteen years.
Conrad Eberts, Jr., was born on the 5th day of August, 1844, and was nine years of age when he became a resident of the country with which his subsequent life has been so closely identified and in which he has achieved such signal success as an enterprising, broad-minded man of affairs. Leav- ing St. Louis in 1866, he went to Cincinnati, but after spending a brief time in that city, proceeded to Louisville, Kentucky, where he worked at his trade of currier and leather dresser for many years. At the breaking out of the Civil war he joined the First Missouri Infantry, with which he served for a period of thirteen months, at the expiration of which time he resumed his trade and continued the same at various places, until 1870, when, in partner- ship with his brother, Jacob, he engaged in the tannery business at Shep- herdsville, Kentucky.
The firm of Eberts Brothers, after remaining three years at the latter place, purchased a plant at Henryville, Clark county, which they operated with gratifying success until its destruction by fire in 1884, when they erected a flouring mill in the same town, which also fell a victim of the flames within less than three years after its completion. Nothing daunted by these disasters, they located at Jeffersonville and immediately began rebuilding but upon a more extensive scale. In January, 1887, the new mill was finished and in operation since which time the business has grown rapidly in magnitude and
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importance, until their milling interests are now the largest of the kind in Clark county, the daily output of the plant at Jeffersonville averaging three hundred barrels of high-grade flour, for which there is a wide demand by both the local and general trades. They also own and operate a second mill at Charlestown, with a daily capacity of one hundred barrels, both plants being thoroughly equipped by the latest and most approved machinery for the manufacture of flour by the roller process, the two properties representing a capital considerably in excess of sixty-five thousand dollars, and affording steady employment to about twenty-four men every working day of the year.
In addition to the large and increasing business interests of the Eberts Brothers at Jeffersonville and Charlestown, they also own and operate a cne hundred barrel mill at North Vernon, Indiana, valued at twenty thousand dollars, and an ice plant at the same place, conservatively estimated at fifteen thousand dollars, besides doing a successful coal business with a stock ranging from three thousand dollars to five thousand dollars, their various enterprises being extensively patronized and giving them a reputation in business circles second to that of no other man or firm in Southern Indiana similarly engaged. To meet the steadily growing demand for their products the Eberts Brothers are obliged to operate their mills at their full capacity, the number of men employed in these and their other lines of effort averaging about fifty.
While maintaining somewhat of a conservative policy and making no special efforts to give their business undue publicity, the character of the output and honorable dealing on the part of the proprietors furnishing their best advertisement. The Eberts Brothers have contributed largely to the material advancement of Clark county and to the upbuilding of the towns where their interests are located.
Conrad Eberts was married at St. Louis in the year 1875 to Margaret G. Lall, a native of that city, the union being blessed with four children, namely : Olga C., wife of Charles Gallrein, a shoe merchant of Jefferson- ville; Edward C .; Minnie, wife of Horner F. McNaughton, manager of the business at North Vernon, and Otto J., a student in the manual training school of Louisville. Edward C., the elder son, is a young man of intelli- gence and business standing, being at this time general manager of the large and growing interests of the firm. He married Estella Schwaninger and has an interesting family of three children.
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