USA > Indiana > Clark County > Baird's history of Clark County, Indiana > Part 25
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THOMAS J. LINDLEY.
The name above is familiar to everyone in Clark county as that of one of Jeffersonville's best and most successful business men. Left an orphan at an early age, deprived of the paternal advice so essential in boyhood, he overcame all obstacles and long before he had reached middle life had fully established himself in the commercial and financial world. In all of his under- takings, and they have been many, he has exhibited the same good judgment, the firm grasp on the laws of trade and fluctuations of the market, which are indispensable to the man who hopes to keep abreast with this progressive age. The result is that he has "made good" in every respect and enjoys high stand- ing among those at the head of Jeffersonville's industrial development. Mr. Lindley was born in Lawrence county, Arkansas, in 1858. His parents were Abraham and Maria (Curtis) Lindley, the former of Quaker ancestry and both born in Illinois, of Pennsylvania parents. After marriage in their native state they removed to New Orleans and later to Arkansas, where the father established a large pork packing plant, occupying an entire block. This section was overrun during the Civil war by soldiers of both armies and · business suffered much from these disturbing factors. Abraham Lindley died in 1865, and his wife six years later, after which Thomas J., then thirteen years old, came to Jeffersonville to make his home with a sister.
After leaving school he entered the employment of William H. Law- rence in the hardware business and remained with him until 1882, Mr. Lawrence having failed in business. Mr. Lindley obtained a position with the Perrin & Gaff Manufacturing Company as assistant shipping clerk. This firm was contractors at the Indiana Prison, South, making and supplying builders' hardware. After remaining with them three months Mr. Lindley formed a partnership with A. F. McNaughton and purchased the business of Mr. Lawrence, the location of which was a few doors south of Chestnut on Spring street, in Jeffersonville. In August, 1883, Mr. Lindley bought the interest of his partner and continued the business at the former location until 1892, when he built the block at the northeast corner of Spring and Maple streets, to which he removed his plant. In 1894 he established a farm imple-
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ments and seeds business two doors from his hardware business and in 1896 added lumber to his other enterprises, the building for this trade being located „on Maple street, east of the hardware store.
In 1884 Mr. Lindley married Estella M., daughter of William Thias, of Jeffersonville. They have four children, Claude, Frank, Clara and Grace. Mr. Lindley is a director of the First National Bank, trustee of Clark Lodge, No. 40, Free and Accepted Masons, and a member of Myrtle Lodge, No. 19, Knights of Pythias.
EPENETUS HOWES.
An examination into the ancestral records of the residents of Southern Indiana, or any other district contiguous to the Ohio river, reveals a very in- teresting intermingling of various streams of settlers during pioneer days. The movement of the emigrants from Virginia and the Carolinas was largely through the Cumberland Gap into Kentucky and Tennessee, spreading from there like a fan in the Middle West. Another stream crossed from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Southern New York and descended the Ohio river, dropping off here and there to find themselves homes in the virgin wil- derness. Still another stream moved from New England through the Mo- hawk Basin in New York state, traveling westward along the lake route to the agricultural regions farther on. Thus we find the Ohio Basin peopled with settlers who ranged from homes sometimes widely removed from one another. Clark county, Indiana, received its major portion from the southern stream, but there have come into this section goodly numbers from the states farther north. Among others, we make mention of the parents of the subject of this review, Epenetus Howes, who was born in Utica township, Clark county, Indiana, in June, 1849. He was the son of M. P. and Eliza (Parks) Howes, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Kentucky. They joined the stream that flowed steadily to the west and made their way down the usual route, stopping at last in the promising district of Clark county.
Epenetus Howes received his education in the township schools of Utica township and as soon as opportunity afforded turned his attention to fruit growing, devoting considerable care to this industry and in the course of time became an expert in the business. He has decided views on the question re- lating to the culture, production and development of high grade fruit and is recognized as a standard of authority' on many questions coming up at the present time. The fame of Southern Indiana as a fruit section has become a matter of more than local importance and it is to such men as Mr. Howes that the credit for these praiseworthy achievements should be given.
Mr. Howes was united in marriage September 29, 1870, to Virginia Cam-
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mack, who was born in Louisville on December 29, 1851. This union was blessed with the following children : Bettie, Fannie, deceased, and Julian E. The last named holds an important appointment in the post-office of Louis- ville, and he is reflecting considerable credit upon his parents as a result of close application to business and a polite and pleasant demeanor.
Mr. and Mrs. Howes are members of the Christian church, and are held in high esteem by their many friends and acquaintances.
EDGAR MITCHELL LENTZ.
In the southern part of Indiana we find natural scenery which, though not. stupendous, is yet fascinating. It is in such a locality that we come upon the country residence belonging to Edgar Mitchell Lentz, whose home lies high above the beautiful stream whose meanderings are visible for miles as it lapses peacefully on towards its destination.
Mr. Lentz was born at Utica, Indiana, October 4, 1860. His father, Louis Lentz, who died in 1893, at the age of sixty-three years, was a farmer and was at one time a Justice of the Peace in Kentucky. The mother of our subject was Mary E. Parks, who was born in 1824 and passed to her reward in: 1873, twenty years before the death of her husband. The other children of the family, besides Edgar M., were Samuel, deceased; Osa W., Mamie E., and Ella, the latter dying when a child.
On February 10, 1892, Mr. Lentz was joined in marriage to Nannie Barbara Zinck, who was born at Utica, Indiana, on the 19th day of June, 1862. She was the daughter of John C. and Nancy (Summers) Zinck, the former being a native of Germany, born in 1816, and the latter of Clark county, In- diana, born in 1825. Her father was one of the industrious type so well known in this country as being among the best class of immigrants that have come to us from foreign lands. He was originally a cabinet-maker, but later turned his attention to farming. The other children of this family are: Marietta, now living in Chattanooga, Tennessee; George Leonard, who has a general store at Utica ; Elizabeth Eleanor; Charles Henry, John Edward, Alice Alma and Ida Ammon.
John George Summers, grandfather of Mrs. Lentz, wife of our subject, is dleserving of mention for his patriotic spirit and courageous conduct, having served as a drummer boy in the Continental Army during the Revolution. Later, on account of meritorious conduct, he was promoted to positions of greater responsibility, and fulfilled his obligations with praiseworthy integrity. He was a pioneer settler in this section of the county. Henry Summers, Mrs. Lentz's uncle, was for many years a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lentz: Alma Lorean, born August 29, 1893; Ruth Ashmore, October 12, 1895, and Allen Graham, March 7, 1899.
Mr. Lentz has made farming his chief occupation. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and affiliates with the Democratic party.
WILLIAM C. PFAU.
Among the prosperous business houses of Jeffersonville, none is better known than Pfau's Cut Rate Drug Store at 329 Spring street, owned and operated by William C. Pfau, one of the city's progressive citizens. Mr. Pfau was born in this city on the 24th of March, 1868, being the second son of George and Barbara (Fuhrman) Pfau, both natives of Germany. The former was one of the early business men of the city, having emigrated hither in an early day and was one of the number that laid the foundation for the later growth and prosperity of this thriving community. He has now retired from active business and with his wife is spending his days surrounded by the scenes made familiar through many years of pleasant associations. His business interests are being taken care of by two of the sons, George, Jr., and Alfred C. Pfau.
William C. Pfau was educated in the city schools, continuing in the regular work until he reached the junior year of the city high school. He then took up the study of pharmacy under Prof. C. Lewis Diehl, at the College of Pharmacy at Louisville, Kentucky. This preceptor has the degree of Master of Pharmacy, only three of which are extant in the United States. Mr. Pfau completed his course, graduating on March 7, 1890, and has since been in pro- fessional work. He started in business at his present location in January, 1893, and has continued there without interruption up to the present time.
His drug store is a model of its kind, being one of the best equipped in the southern part of the state. It stands for honest prices, being the pioneer in- stitution in the city among what are known as the "Cut Rate Stores." Mr. Pfau was the originator of the "cut rate" idea here and promoted the system in such a way as to enlist the co-operation of the local dealers, so that its inauguration was consummated without friction.
Turning to the domestic side of Mr. Pfau's biography, we find that he was first joined in marriage on October 4, 1893, to Nellie Bly Russell, of Leb- anon, Kentucky, daughter of A. Knox Russell and wife, who are now resi- dents of Louisville. After three years of this happy domestic union, death summoned Mrs. Pfau to her reward. She was the mother of one daughter, Madeline Charlotte. Mr. Pfau was married again on November 16, 1898,
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taking as his companion Viola Schrader, of New Albany, daughter of John and Mary (Hough) Schrader, both natives of New Albany. Mrs. Mary Schrader died when Viola was still an infant. No children have been born of this last union.
In political questions Mr. Pfau usually espouses the Republican cause, but he lays no claim to political aspirations. The religious element of the home, community and personal life is not without attention on the part of our sub- ject and his wife. They are affiliated with the German Lutheran and Episcopal churches respectively. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Or- der of Elks, being on the charter roll of the local lodge, No. 362. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being past grand master of the Jeffersonville Lodge, No. 272. The lodge finds him a most excellent supporter and an enthusiastic exponent of all that these orders rep- resent. The Pfau home is one of the most attractive ones in the city, and is known to intimate friends as a center of warm associations and uplifting influences.
CORNELIUS BECK.
The ancestry of the Beck family is one of unusual interest and is de- serving of conspicuous notice as the following random items from the various life records of the subject's forebears will show. Cornelius Beck, whose date of birth is given as March 17, 1826, having been born on what in now known as the Wormald place on the Charlestown Pike, near Jeffersonville, was the son of Daniel and Esther (Sigmond). Beck. Felix Sigmond, father of the latter, was an uncle of the famous Gen. Marquis de LaFayette, making the subject's mother a cousin of that distinguished Frenchman.
When an infant Cornelius Beck was left an orphan, and after reaching the age of six years he was reared by Isaac Prather, a well known member of the numerous Prather family in Utica township. Cornelius began to learn the blacksmith trade near the village of Prather when fifteen years of age. Possibly a year later, when about sixteen years old, he came to Jefferson- ville and went to work for his brother-in-law, Joshua Phipps, making edge tools. He assisted in forging the first iron used on the old Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis Railroad, now a part of the Pennsylvania System. Later he went into the cooperage business and after a short time began clerk- ing for Reuben Dedrick in a store, which position he resigned after two or three years, and went into partnership in a wholesale and retail grocery busi- ness with Dan Dedrick, a nephew of his former employer. In 1870 Mr. Beck purchased the interest of his partner and continued the business alone until his death, which occurred July 1, 1896. having died very suddenly. He
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made a pronounced success of his chosen line of work, building up a very extensive trade and giving every evidence of a thorough business man. His death was very much regretted by the entire community for his had been a life of industry, integrity and resulted in good to the public. His store was located on Spring street.
Cornelius Beck was united in marriage with Harriett Christy in 1857. Her father was Francis M. Christy and her mother was known in her maiden- hood as Rosalinda Burett, daughter of Solomon Burett, who enlisted in the Revolutionary cause, under General La Fayette at Valley Forge and served with distinction in his command. Long after this, in the year 1824, when La Fayette made an address at Jeffersonville, he recognized his old and dear friend, Solomon Burett, and embraced and kissed him in the presence of a large audience, Mr. Burett being probably the only veteran of the Revolu- tionary war then living in Jeffersonville. He was buried in the old cemetery at the foot of Mulberry street in Jeffersonville. The Buretts were known as bright, highly educated people, William Burett, of Massachusetts having been a very versatile and prolific author. Solomon Burett and Felix Sigmond, La Fayette's relative, were both natives of France.
Cornelius Beck had the distinction of serving as a soldier in the Mexican war, having enlisted in Company C, Fourth Indiana Regiment, at New Al- bany, May 31, 1847, serving under Capt. Morgan L. Payne.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Beck consisted of the following children : Hattie, Emma, Ella, Stephen A. Douglas, Esther Rosalind, Anna Cornelia, Eugenia and Irene Virginia.
Cornelius Beck was a man who ever availed himself of an opportunity to serve his fellow citizens. He was several times Councilman in Jefferson- ville and always looked as carefully to the interests of the city as if he were managing his own private affairs; he also served as County Commissioner from 1872 to 1878, contributing to the removal of the court-house from Charlestown to Jeffersonville. He was one of the oldest members of Jefferson Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a regular attendant on the services of the Maple Street Methodist Episcopal church, South, and a liberal supporter of the same financially, and left behind him a noble heritage- a good name.
JESSE E. COLEMAN.
Mr. Coleman is a man of simple and unaffected tastes and has for many years been a trusted employe of the Walton boiler manufacturing concern. He is descended on his mother's side from one of Southern Indiana's most prominent pioneers, while his father's ancestry were staunch participants in the War of the Revolution.
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Jesse E. Coleman was born in Leavenworth, Crawford county, Indiana, on the 22d of December, 1866, and was the son of Charles W. Coleman and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Gray. Mrs. Coleman was the daughter of Thomas Gray, who settled in Crawford county early in the nineteenth century and was the prominent pioneer above referred to. A mem- ber of the Coleman family served through the Mexican war, and our subject's father was a member of Company E, First Indiana Cavalry, the first cavalry regiment to go to the front from Indiana during the Civil war. While yet a boy Jesse E. Coleman's parents moved to Jeffersonville, Clark county, and here he availed of the opportunity of attending the public schools. Before becoming of age he associated himself with the boiler manufacturing concern of C. J. Walton, now known as C. J. Walton & Son, and has continued ever since with the same firm. For nearly a quarter of a century his business ability and trustworthiness have been well tested and today he holds a high place among the older employes of the plant.
The Walton Boiler Manufactory was first started in 1836 by Joseph Mitchell and was one of the first plants of its kind in the South. It made a specialty of steamboat boilers and furnished many for boats from the Howard shipyards. The Waltons control a widespread business extending to lumber mills in Florida and sugar plantations in Louisiana. The steel trust recently bought thirty-five boilers from the firm for use in their business in Alabama.
In December, 1888, Mr. Coleman married Josephine M. Runyon, daughter of Joseph and Ann Runyon, of Jeffersonville. Mrs. Runyon, whose maiden name was Ann Morgan, was the granddaughter of Ebenezer Mor- gan, one of Jeffersonville's early settlers. At the time of his arrival we are told that there were but three houses in the vicinity. He contemplated pur- chasing the tract of land on which the Galt house now stands on the Louis- ville side of the river, but owing to some unsatisfactory flaw in the title he contented himself by buying land on the Jeffersonville side. Ebenezer Mor- gan made his way from Connecticut, his native state, all the way on foot. Mrs. Runyon's father, Sylvester P. Morgan, was a Virginian and came of the opposite side of the family from Ebenezer; the two Morgan families being only related by marriage. He was a prominent citizen of Jeffersonville, and was a relative of Daniel Morgan of Revolutionary fame. A sister of Mrs. Coleman, Dr. Sallie Keller Runyon, is one of the best known lady dentists practicing in Southern Indiana. Her early life was spent on the family farm, and she attended the public schools in Jeffersonville and graduated from high school there. She then became a teacher for the space of eleven yars, until 1893. in the local public schools. At that time she resigned and entered the Ohio Dental College at Cincinnati. She graduated from the institution in 1896 and located in Louisville, where she has practiced with considerable suc- gess ever since. In September, 1897, she opened her present office at 723
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Third avenue, Louisville, which has been her headquarters ever since. For about ten years she was the only woman practicing denistry in Louisville and deserves much credit for succeeding so well in so large a city, where though practically unknown, she successfully overcame the Southern prejudice against women in public life.
Jesse E. Coleman and his wife have one son, Charles Walton Coleman. Mr. Coleman was formerly one of the most active members of the local Pres- byterian church and when a few years ago he removed across to Louisville, he continued his religious activity in connection with the Warren Memorial church of which he is an officer.
CLAYTES McHENRY MARBLE.
A brilliant and varied career as an educator, and accomplished as a scholar in many branches of learning, have made Professor Marble both a useful and interesting man. If it be true that the greatest benefactor is he who makes intelligent citizens by educating the people, he has strong claims to this high recognition. His whole adult life has been devoted to this high calling and the record will show that he has done his work well. The genealogy of this gentleman indicates a long line of worthy ancestors on both sides of the house. The paternal grandfather was Nathan Marble, one of the pioneer citizens of Ohio. His son, Ephraim P., married Elizabeth Mc- Henry, descended from a Scottish emigrant, who came to America at a very early day. Isaac McHenry moved to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, shortly after marriage with his first wife, Mary, who died after giving birth to an only son, named Joseph. The second wife of Isaac McHenry was Eliza- beth O'Neal, who became the mother of twelve children, including one named James. The latter married Eliza S. W. Gard, whose father served two terms in the Indiana Legislature. He took part in the War of 1812, being among the number surrendered to the British by General Hull at Detroit. James and Eliza (Gard) McHenry were the parents of Elizabeth, who afterwards be- came Mrs. Marble and the mother of our subject. In 1841 members of the McHenry family took the lead in rather a novel temperance movement which would hardly be possible in the changed conditions of modern times. The pastor of the Baptist church in Switzerland county was, it seems, an indulger in intoxicants to a degree that shocked the moral sentiment of some of his congregation. A faction of the church opposed going to extremes with their bibaceous pastor, but the McHenrys, unable to get rid of the minister, boldly led the way to the organization of another church, which stood for absolute temperance, and this was the last heard of the hard-drinking preacher in that section of the state.
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Claytes McHenry Marble was born at Rising Sun, Indiana, February 22, 1857. He passed through the common schools finishing in the high school at Rising Sun, and then entered the National Normal University, where he was graduated in 1885 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. In 1900 the University of Chicago conferred on him the degree of Bachelor of Peda- gogy and seven years later he received from Hanover College the degree of Master of Arts. Beginning in 1878 he taught for five years in the common schools of Ohio county, and for two years held the office of County Superin- tendent of Schools. Later he was elected principal of the Poseyville (In- diana) schools and served in that capacity for one year. After his third term in college he served two years as principal of the Rising Sun high school. In 1887 he was chosen principal of the Jeffersonville high school, and after hold- ing this office until February 27, 1904, was appointed superintendent of the city schools, which position he has held up to the present time. His long tenure of these important positions furnishes ample proof of Professor Marble's efficiency and popularity. He is a man of easy address, amiable manner and entertaining conversation.
In August, 1887 Professor Marble married Louise Haines, daughter of Hugh S. and Abigail (Haines) Espey, and by this union there are two chil- dren, Hugh McHenry and Abby May. The family are members of the Wall Street Methodist church, and Professor Marble's fraternal relations are with the Odd Fellows, Clark Lodge 40, Free and Accepted Masons, the Golden Cross and Modern Woodmen.
ARTHUR LOOMIS.
Though of New England origin, the Loomis family became identified with Southern Indiana before the Civil war and the name has been made famous by the genius of several of those who bore it. A talent for mathe- matics ran through the whole male line and it has been in the arts based on this noble science that they have achieved their best results. Dr. John Loomis, progenitor of the Clark county branch of this notable family, was born in Massachusetts, but came to Indiana nearly fifty years ago. He descended from a long line of ancestors, many of whom were prominent in the various walks of life, and few families have more just reason to boast of their geneal- ogy. In the sketch of Doctor Loomis, appearing elsewhere in this volume, fuller particulars will be found in this subject. Arthur Loomis, son of the doctor, was born at Westfield, Massachusetts, and in youth was brought by his parents to Clark county, Indiana. After the usual routine in the public schools he learned engineering and architecture. His real career began when
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in 1876 he entered an architect's office in Louisville to learn the details and technique of the profession to which he had determined to devote his life. By 1891 he was able to become a partner in this establishment under the firm name of Clark & Loomis. Since the death of the senior partner in 1908, Mr. Loomis has continued his business alone. Though his office is in Louisville, he makes his residence in Jeffersonville, and has an exhaustive acquaintance in both cities. His achievements in architecture have not only been extensive but distinguished. In Jeffersonville he designed the Episcopal church, the public library, the Citizens' Bank, the Trust Building and the new cell-house at the Indiana Reformatory, this declared by experts to be the largest and most modern establishment of the kind in the United States. It contains six hundred cells, is original in design and embodies the very latest ideas and discoveries connected with prison architecture. To Mr. Loomis' skill and taste Jeffersonville is also indebted for the new school-house on Spring Hill and many of her finest residences. He also made the plans for some of the principal buildings in Louisville. Among them are included the Louisville Medical College, Levi Brothers' store building, Bacon & Sons' large depart- ment store, St. Paul's Evangelical church, the German Reformed Evangelical church, St. Matthew's, St. Peter's, and the First Presbyterian church at Fourth and York streets. Mr. Loomis also designed the Todd building, the largest office building at the time of construction in Kentucky, and the first steel frame fire-proof structure in Louisville. The fire-proof storage building on Green street stands as a monument to Mr. Loomis's architectural ability, as it combines in a remarkable degree artistic excellence with utility of service. Perhaps, however, the most striking example of his achievements is the new Whiteside Bakery, which is a marvel of the ornamental combined with the use- ful. and of the beautiful in its adaption with the practical. It is indeed a wonderful plant, which must be seen to be appreciated, and if Mr. Loomis had done nothing else, this great building would be sufficient to perpetuate his name. The Armstrong residence, on Third avenue, is regarded as one of the best examples of Italian Renaissance in the city. Another gem in the architectural wreath that adorns the brow of Mr. Loomis is a beautiful stone structure, the Conrad residence, situated in St. James Court. Mr. Loomis was associated as architect with Carrere H. Hastings, of New York, in build- ing the J. Ross Todd residence at Cherokee Park. The style is Italian Renais- sance, and it is easily the finest residential establishment in the limits of the Kentucky metropolis. Mr. Loomis is erecting the residence for Capt. Clyde Howard, of Jeffersonville, on Third avenue, Louisville, which will be of un- usual design and attraction.
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