USA > Indiana > Clark County > Baird's history of Clark County, Indiana > Part 3
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On September 1. 1904. Mr. Coll married his present wife, Mrs. Chrissie Anderson (nee Frank), the union being without issue.
RICHARD L. FLOOD.
At one time conditions in Ireland were such that large numbers of her citizens bade farewell to their native soil. bound for America, with the firm in- tention of making this land their permanent abiding place. Among the
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number were the ancestors of Richard L. Flood, one of the successful business men of Jeffersonville.
Mr. Flood was born in New Albany, Indiana. on the 21st of December. 1855, the son of Joseph and Alice ( Neary) Flood, both natives of Ireland, where they grew to maturity, having married before migrating to America. They arrived here in due time and after casting about at various places, finally took up tlieir abode at New Albany, where they lived out the remainder of their days, Mr. Flood departing this life in 1864, being survived by his wife until January 21, 1899.
Richard's boyhood days were spent under conditions that made him fa- miliar with the rugged pathway that lies before the boy that must largely make his own way in the world. He was the only son in the family. Of the sisters, the following survive: Bridget, wife of William A. Elllott, a contractor in Jeffersonville ; Mrs. Anna Gregg, a resident of Terre Haute: Kate, a trained nurse, having her home in Jeffersonville, being employed at the Mercy Hospi- tal; Mrs. Benjamin Stallings, now residing at Dallas, Texas.
When approaching manhood Richard engaged in any kind of manual labor at which he could find employment. This often meant exceedingly hard work and small pay, but he never shirked his duty, nor went out of his way to avoid facing a hard day's task. For some time he was engaged at the Casting Hall Glass Works. After 1884 he became a salesman, and in 1887 went into busi- ness on his own responsibility, and has continued so ever since.
On June 5, 1888, he was joined in marriage with Annie M. Eagan, born in Jeffersonville. She was reared and educated in Kentucky, near the town of Morganfield. She has become the mother of four sons and one daughter. viz: Mary A., Richard L., Jr., Robert E., William P., and James A. These chil- dren. according to the custom among these families, have been educated in the Catholic Parochial School. Robert is taking a course calculated to fit him for subsequent work in the business world at the Bryant and Stratton's Busi- ness College in Louisville.
Mr. Flood and family are members of St. Augustine's Roman Catholic , church, loyal in their support and zealous in their observance of all that their church represents. Our subject adheres, for the most part, to the tenets of the Democratic party, but has no aspirations for political preferment. His desires have rather been in harmony with the ideas consistent with an unassuming citizenship, believing that the ballot should be used only as an instrument for the advancement of the best interests of the community at large. He is a mem- ber of the Catholic Knights of America and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, being one of the charter members in the latter organization. He was the char- ter treasurer of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Jeffersonville, and is held in high esteem by all who have had opportunity to make his close acquaintance.
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AUSTIN FUNK, A. B., M. D.
This distinguished physician whose reputation is much more than local is a native of Harrison county, Indiana, born in the old historic town of Cory- don, where he also spent his childhood and early youth. His father, Joseph P. Funk, who was of German descent, devoted the greater part of his life to educational work and achieved marked success as a teacher and school official. He was the first superintendent of the.Lawrence county public schools, later served as superintendent of the schools of Corydon and for many years was principal of the New Albany high school, in which position he achieved much of his distinction as an educator. Mrs. Joseph P. Funk was of Scotch lineage and inherited many of the sterling qualities of head and heart for which that nationality has always been noted and which in a marked degree have been re- produced in her son, Austin.
Doctor Funk received his preliminary education in the public schools and after being graduated from the New Albany high school entered the State University, where he laid the intellectual foundation upon which his subsequent professional career has been buildied, yiekling to a desire of long standing by taking up the study of medicine. he became in due time a student of the med- ical department of the Louisville University and after completing the course of that institution began practice of his profession at New Albany, where his ability as a physician and surgeon soon brought him prominently before the public. Meanwhile the better to increase his efficiency in his chosen calling, he joined the Second Army Corps for service in the Spanish-American war. later was appointed acting assistant surgeon of the Marine Hospital at Cairo, Illinois, and afterwards was made a surgeon on S. S. Montreal of the British Naval Reserve during the Boer war.
Resuming his practice at New Albany on his return to the United States, Doctor Funk remained in that city until 1906, when he removed to Jefferson- ville, where he has since devoted his entire attention to the treatment of dis- cases peculiar to the eye, ear, nose and throat, fitting himself for special work by taking a course in the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital and in the Cen- tral London Throat and Ear Hospital, where he was instructed by some of the most distinguished specialists of the age.
Doctor Funk is a member of the Clark County Medical Society, the In- diana State Medical Association and the American Medical Association, taking an active interest in the deliberations of these distinguished bodies and con- tributing in no small degree to their influence in advancing the standard of pro- fessional efficiency. While devoted to his chosen calling and prosecuting his studies and researches with an enthusiasm characteristic of the man who aims to reach the highest possible standard in his profession and become a true healer of afflicted humanity he keeps in close touch with the trend of modern
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thought and activity. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic Order. and he also holds membership with the two college fraternities. the Phi Delta Theta, with which he united while a student of the Indiana State University, and the Phi Chi of the University of Louisville.
WILLIAM G. YOUNG.
This young business man, proprietor of one of the largest jewelry estab- lishments in the city of Jeffersonville, is a native of Kentucky and the older of two children. Their parents were John and Charlotte Young, the former born in Harrison county. Indiana, and the latter in Germany. John Young was reared to maturity in his native county and state and when a young man lo- cated in Louisville, where he learned the machinist's trade and where in due time he married Charlotte Kraushaar. He still follows his chosen calling in that city and with his wife is highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, being, a man of sterling worth and fully entitled to the confi- dence with which he is regarded. Besides William G. Mr. and Mrs. Young are the parents of a daughter who is the wife of Charles P. Crowder, a mail carrier of Louisville.
William G. Young was born. in the above named city on the 4th day of May. 1874, and spent his childhood and youth under the parental roof. at- tending meanwhile the public schools and receiving a good practical educa- tion. . It quite an early age he gave evidence of more than ordinary mechanical skill and having a decided liking for tools he began while still young to learn the jeweler's trade.
Animated by a determined purpose to become something more than a mere subordinate he addressed himself cheerfully to his labors and during the ensuing fifteen years was employed in Louisville and Jeffersonville and made substantial progress in his vocation. His great proficiency in the more skill- ful lines of work gave him an enviable reputation and within the period indi- cated his services were constantly in demand by the best jewelers of the city. with the result that he was never out of employment and always commanded the remuneration of an expert.
In 1903 he started the nucleus of his present establishment and within a comparatively brief period had all the work he could do in the way of re- pairing. besides building up quite a lucrative patronage in the commercial Fine. Of necessity he was obliged to begin in a somewhat modest way but it was not Jong until his business increased to such an extent that he was enabled to in- crease his stock and employ an assistant. Without detailing the growth of his business or noting specifically the various steps in his successful business career.
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his enterprise advanced not only steadily and substantially but rapidly until within the brief space of five years he became one of the leading jewelers of Jeffersonville, his establishment at this time being one of the largest and be stocked of the kind in the city and his patronage second to that of few others in the southern part of the state.
Mr. Young carries full and complete lines of watches, clocks table cutlery, all kinds of jewelry from the ordinary priced to the most valuable on the market. also a large and varied assortment of cut glass and fine hand painted china-ware. making a specialty of the finer repair work on watches and jewelry. A skilled artisan himself he employs none but the most proficient workmen and guaranteeing everything that goes from the repair department. it is not strange that the best people of the city are among his patrons or that his reputation has become much more than local. Keeping fully abreast of the times in all matters relating to his calling, he is well informed concerning the making of jewelry and time-pieces of all kinds and thoroughly familiar with the trade, being a careful and judicious buyer and a successful salesman as well as an artisan of great ability and much more than ordinary artistic talent. Few men have achieved such signal success within the brief space of five years, ad- vancing from a common work-bench and a kit of tools to become the head of one of the largest jewelry establishments in a populous center. His success financially has been commenstrate with the energy and ability displayed in his chosen sphere of endeavor and today though comparatively a young man with the greatest part of his life in the future he occupies a conspicuous place among the substantial business men of his city with prospects of still greater success as the years go by.
Mr. Young is a married man and the father of four children, three of whom, Selma. Catherine and Dorothy are living, and one, a son, by the name of William G., died when eighteen months of age. Mrs. Young was formerly Dora Kreutzer, and the ceremony by which her name was changed to the one she now so worthily bears was solemnized on November 29th of the year 1898. She was born in New Albany. Indiana, and is the daughter of Jacob and Catherine ( Bornwasser) Kreutzer, of German descent and both deceased.
For a number of years Mr. Young has taken an active interest in Ma- sry. joining Lewis Lodge, No. 191. in Louisville, at the age of twenty- three Later in foot he transferred his membership to Jeffersonville Lodge. No. 340, and has since been one of its most active and influential members. besides being at intervals honored with important official positions, holding at the present time the high and responsible post of worshipful master, to which he was elected in 1904. He is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Hope Lodge, No. 83. at New Albany and his name also occupies a prominent place on the records of Hope Lodge, No. 13. Knights of Pythias, in Jeffersonville. Politically he is a Republican, of which party
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he is a recognized leader in the ward in which he resides. In 1905 he was elected to represent his ward in the City Council, of which body he is still a member, his term expiring January 1, 1910, and in which he has been faith- ful, laboring earnestly for the general welfare of the municipality.
CHARLES EDGAR POINDEXTER.
The ancestors of Mr. Poindexter were of that sterling type which should excite the admiration of everyone, and many of their noble traits have de- scended to the present generation of the Poindexters. Charles Edgar Poin- dexter was born in Jeffersonville, Indiana. December 4, 1853. the son of Gabriel and Mary F. (Willey) Poindexter. Barzillai Willey, grandfather of Charles Edgar, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. from Connecticut. His son. John F. Willey, was born in June, 1809, where the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. now stands, and the following year he was brought to Clark county, Indiana. his father having moved near Memphis. The family came down the Ohio river before steamboats were in common use and landed at Jeffersonville, the Poindexters having come from Louisa county, Virginia, a year or two pre- viously, this family having long been residents of the Old Dominion state. from which Clevias S. Poindexter's father. Gabriel Poindexter. Sr., went as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Both the Virginia and Connecticut branch of this family were well known and influential in their day, all people of genuine worth.
Charles E. Poindexter is one of a family of four children now living, namely : Harry C. is Judge of the City Court in Jeffersonville: Bertha F. is librarian of the Carnegie Public Library in Jeffersonville: Frank C. is in the postal services in Indianapolis. The following are deceased: Fountin W., who married Emma Willey. of Madison, Indiana. left two children ; Ella, who married Chester T. Berryman, and Randall; they both reside in Louis- ville. Mary A. married Dr. Edward L. Elrod, of Henryville, Clark couny : they both passed away early in 1908, leaving one daughter, Bertha Mary.
After leaving school Mr. Poindexter received his first business expe- rience in the employ of the Adams Express Company in Jeffersonville, in which he remained for eight years, most of that time acting as agent for the company. He then went to the Louisville & Cincinnati Mail Boat Line, in whose employ he remained for a period of six years, giving the same un- qualified satisfaction as he had his former employers, acting for the latter as cashier and agent in Louisville. After this he was freight agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad in the city of Jeffersonville for a period of eight years. Then in the year 1893 he was employed by the Citizen's National Bank of
BAIRD'S HISTORY OF CLARK CO., IND. 453
Jeffersonville as cashier, which responsible position he still very creditably fills, having done much to increase the prestige of this institution through his able and conscientious service and courteous treatment of its patrons.
The matrimonial chapter in the life history of Charles E. Poindexter began in April, 1884. when he united in the bonds of wedlock with Ophelia Read, of Port Fulton. She is the daughter of John F. Read, who was born in Washington, Daviess county, Indiana. October 4, 1822. He was educated at Hanover College, studied law with the noted Humphrey Marshall, of the same family as Chief Justice Marshall of the United States. He made a sub- sequent record at the bar, serving one term in the Legislature. He was in the United States land office at Jeffersonville for a period of eight years. He was not only prominent in legal affairs but also in business circles, having been at one time president of the Ford Plate Glass Company of Jeffersonville : also president of the Citizens' National Bank of that city. In 1840 he married Eliza Keigwin. who died in 1852. and in 1855 Mr. Read married Eliza Pratt. One child was born to the first union and nine to the latter, the wife of Charles E. Poindexter being the eldest. Mr. Read is deceased and his widow lives with Mr. and Mrs. Poindexter. Mr. Read was a very prominent man in his day and one of the most useful in this county in both public and business life.
One son. Tames Edgar, has brightened the home of Charles E. Poin- dexter and wife. He is individual bookkeeper in the Citizens' National Bank, and is a young man of much promise.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Poindexter is a member of Clark Lodge, No. 40, Free and Accepted Masons: Horeb Chapter. No. 66: Jeffersonville Commandery, No. 27. H is a member of the Presbyterian church.
A. RUDOLPH SCHIMPFF.
Jeffersonville has reason to be proud of her newspapers, among the most progressive and ably conducted in the city as well as in the southern part of the state, being the Jeffersonville Star, which under its present management, has made rapid strides to the front and met with popular favor of a cumula- tive order and became an unfailing index of the civic pride and commercial and industrial prestige of the city.
A. Rudolph Schimpff is a native of Jeffersonville, Indiana, where his birth occurred on the 14th of November. 1875, of German descent, his grand- parents on both sides of the family having been born in the Palatinate Rheumth, Bavaria. ITis father, Charles A. Schimpff, also a native of the Fatherland, came to the United States in 1858, at the age of eleven years and located with his mother, four brothers and three sisters, in Louisville,
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Kentucky, where he remained until his removal ten years later to Jeffersonville. where he engaged in the confectionary business and in due time became one of the substantial men of the city. He married in 1873, Alvina Rossler. daughter of Charles and Caroline Rossler, and became widely known. not only in business circles but as an energetic man who took pride in the growth of his adopted city and did all within his power to foster and encourage all enterprises tending to this and other latidable ends.
A Rudolph Schimpff was reared to maturity in Jeffersonville. enjoyed the best educational advantages the city schools afforded and at an early age entered the office of the Star, with which paper he was connected for a period of fourteen months, during which time he served on the editorial staff and became skilled in nearly every department of newspaper work. At the ex- piration of the time indicated he took charge of the city circulation of the Jef- fersonville Star and Clark County Republican, which position he held until January, 1903, when he became business manager of the two plants under the receivership.
In August, 1903, in partnership with Charles A. Schimpff. Mr. Schimpff purchased a half interest in the Star and Republican and on the Ioth of De- cember following became sole owner and publisher, this being the only Re- publican paper out of a total of nineteen in thirty-five years to weather the storms of discouragement and succeed. Under his able and judicious man- agement the Star has made steady and substantial progress, meeting with a favorable reception from the time of his taking charge of the office and prov- ing an alert, progressive and admirably conducted paper, attractive in make- up and latter press and an able exponent of the political principles to which it is pledged. Mr. Schimpff is not only an easy, graceful and forcible writer who impartially discussess the leading questions and issues of the day, whose editorials are widely quoted and copied, but is also an enthusiastic and enter- prising newspaper man who has made the Star a credit to himself and an honor to the city. He has an office thoroughly equipped with modern ma- chinery and appliances which with a large and constantly increasing circula- tion and a liberal advertising patronage. the plant is now one of the most valut- able of the kind in the county, with every prospect of continuous growth in power and influence Through the medium of his paper, Mr. Schimpf has advents' all worthy assures for the upbuilding of Jeffersonville and the advancement of Clark county.
As already indicated Mr. Schimpff is a Republican and by reason of his position as editor of the official organ of his party and vice-chairman of the County Central Committee, he has become one of its leaders in Clark county. and an influential factor in formulating and directing its policies, not only in local matters but in the larger and more extended affairs of district and state.
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In his religious faith Mr. Schimpff is a member of the German Evan- gelical Lutheran church, belonging to the local congregation in Jefferson- ville, known as St. Luke's church, his wife being identified with St. Augustine Roman Catholic church of this city. Fraternally he holds membership with Jeffersonville Lodge, No. 340. Free and Accepted Masons, Hope Lodge, No. 13. Knights of Pythias, in the latter of which he now holds the office of chan- cellor and for a number of years he has been one of the prominent workers in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Tabor Lodge. No. 92.
Margaret Fredricks, who became the wife of Mr. Schimpff on the 13th of April. 1898, was born at Port Fulton, Clark county, Indiana, August 20. 1880, being the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Fredricks. well known resi- «lents of Jeffersonville. The pledges of this union are two interesting children. who answer to the names of Margaret and Alvina.
JOHN GIENGER.
John Gienger, wholesale dealer in produce and feed at Jeffersonville. Indiana, is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, and the son of George and Katherine Gienger, both born and reared in that kingdom and descended from ancestors who, from time immemorial, lived and bore their parts in the affairs of the German nation and figured more or less conspicuously in their respective places of abode. George Gienger. in 1880, emigrated to the United States and settled at Jeffersonville. Indiana, where for seven years he conducted a suc- cessful dairy business, but at the expiration of that time disposed of his inter- ests in this city and moved to the state of Oregon, where he continued dairying until retiring from active life at a comparatively recent dlate. Having acquired a competency he sold out his business and with his good wife is now enjoying the fruits of his many years of toil and judicious management in a comfortable lome in the city of Portland.
John Gienger whose birth occurred on the 19th day of November. 1863. spent his early life in the land of his nativity and enjoyed the advantages of a good education in its schools. At the age of seventeen he accompanied his parents upon their removal to the New Workl and for some time thereafter assisted his father in the dairy at Jeffersonville. subsequently engaging in the produce trade upon his own responsibility and in due time building up a thriving business. Since the year 1887 he has devoted his attention to pro- duce and feed, which he handles in immense quantities, supplying the local market and shipping to a number of tradesmen in neighboring towns, his wholesale house at 303 Court avenue, being the largest and most extensively patr mized establishment of the kind in the city, and one of the best known
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in the southern part of the state. Mr. Gienger's business career has been eminently creditable and satisfactory, presenting a series of successes which have gained for him a conspicuous place among the progressive merchants of his city. He gives steady employment to five men every working day of the year and during the busy seasons it is found necessary to augment this force by several additional assistants, the demand for his goods being so great at times as to tax the establishment to its utmost capacity and keep the proprietor busy almost day and night in order to supply his numerous customers.
Mr. Gienger is a stalwart advocate of Democratic principles and policies and in the local ranks of his party he has been an active and valued worker. He has served in various positions of honor and trust and in very instance has proven worthy of the confidence of his fellow citizens as well as of the party to which he belongs. He represented his ward for some time in the City Council and as a member of that body was industrious and untiring in his efforts to promote the interests of the municipality. having introduced a number of important bills which became ordinances and in other ways made his influence felt as a safe and judicious local legislator. As a member of the local educational board he has done much to advance the schools of the city and make them among the best in the state. He is an active worker in the fraternity of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in religion subscribes to the creed of the German reformed church, holding at this time the position of elder in the local congregation with which he is identified.
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