USA > Indiana > Washington County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 42
USA > Indiana > Harrison County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 42
USA > Indiana > Crawford County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 42
USA > Indiana > Clark County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 42
USA > Indiana > Scott County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 42
USA > Indiana > Floyd County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 42
USA > Indiana > Jennings County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 42
USA > Indiana > Jefferson County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 42
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He is a man of scholarly culture, an able
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public speaker, and possessed of the ele- ments for a successful and useful public career.
JACOB HESSING was born in Floyd county, Ind., November 27, 1862, and is a son of Jacoband Henrietta (Schreiver) Hessing ; the former a native of Germany, who emi- grated to this country in 1849, and settled in Louisville, where he remained a short time, when he removed to a farm in George- town township, near Edwardsville, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying December 10, 1883. The log house is still standing on the farm that was on it when he bought it, which was scarcely a farm then at all but a tract of woodland. But by patient industry and energy he improved it, and made the wilderness, figuratively, "re- joice and blossom as the rose." Here he and his good wife reared their large family of children, and here he lived out the measure of his days and passed to his reward.
Henrietta (Schreiver) Hessing, the mother of subject, was born in Germany in 1834, came to America in 1849, and in three years married Mr. Hessing. She was the mother of eleven children, viz : William H., Henry J., Sophia, Mary C., Jacob, Lizzie, Nettie, Amanda, Carrie, Anna and Edward ; all living in Floyd county. William lives in Georgetown township; Mary married Edward Perry, and lives in New Albany ; Amanda married William Schreiber, and lives in Lafayette township; the others are still at the old homestead with their mother, Henry, the only son of those at home, being married.
The subject of this sketch, Jacob Hess- ing, was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools of the county. He has always followed farming, and is one of Floyd county's most energetic and enter- prising young farmers. He and his brother,
who farms with him, make a speciality of small fruits, such as strawberries, grapes, etc. Everything about the farm indicates prosperity.
GEO. VAIL HOWK, one of the ex- judges of the Supreme Court of Indiana, and a resident of New Albany, was born in Charlestown, Clark county, Indiana, Sep- tember 21, 1824 and is the only surviving son of Isaac Howk, one of the pioneer law- yers of the State. The Howk family are of German origin, but settled in Massachu- setts early in the last century and engaged chiefly in agriculture. Isaac Howk, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born on a farm in Berkshire county, Massa- chusetts, in July, 1793, and was educated at Williams College in that county. In 1817 he settled in Charlestown, Ind., and engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1820 he married Miss Elvira Vail, a daughter of Doctor Gamaliel Vail, who had emigrated from Vermont to Indiana Territory in 1806. Their son George V. Howk grew to manhood in Charlestown. His father died in 1833, but his mother devoted the remainder of a long life to the education, comfort and happiness of her children. She died in New Albany, Ind., September 15, 1869. Judge Howk grad- nated from Indiana Asbury (now De Pauw College) in the class of 1846 under the Presidency of Matthew Simpson, widely known as one of the Bishops of the Method- ist Church. Some of his classmates were Newton Booth, ex-United States Senator from California ; James P. Luce, James M. Reynolds and Joseph Tingley, one of the Professors of the College. He studied law with Judge Charles Dewey, who was for ten years a judge of the Supreme Court and one of the ablest jurists the State has produced. He was admitted to the bar in
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1847, and settled in New Albany. Decem- ber 21, 1848, he married Miss Eleanor Dewey, late of Charlestown. Mrs. Howk died April 12, 1853, leaving two children. September 5, 1854, he married Miss Jane Simonson, eldest daughter of General John S. Simonson of the United States Army, who still survives. They have two children John S. and George V. Howk, Jr., and one daughter, Jane S. In 1852 and 1853 Judge Howk was City Judge of New Albany, and from 1850 to 1864, during most of the time, was a member of the City Council. In 1857 he was Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas of Floyd county; in 1863 he represented that county in the House, and from 1866 to 1870 he represented Floyd and Clark counties in the Senate of In- diana: He was chosen one of the Supreme Judges of Indiana at the General State Eiection in October, 1876. Soon after tak- ing his position on the bench, he gave promise of the great ability he has since displayed. His decisions are clear, con- cise and conclusive, taking rank with those of the ablest jurists of the State, and his suavity of manner toward all with whom he came in contact officially made him very popular with the attorneys practicing at the bar of the Supreme Court. He was re-elected Judge in 1882 and defeated in 1888. In politics Judge Howk is a Demo- crat. His mother was a Methodist, and he was educated in a Methodist College, but is not a member of any religious denomina- tion. His wife and children are Presby- terians.
Since the election he has established himself at New Albany in the practice of law, with his son as partner.
LOUIS C. HIPPLE was born at New Albany, Ind., Sept. 22, 1850. He was
educated in the public schools of the city until the age of 18 years, when he engaged with his father, a steamboat cabin builder, to learn the carpenter trade, continuing until his father went out of the business.
He was deputy wharf master under his father from 1875 to 1878, and after this engaged in teaming, during which occupa- tion he invented what is known as the Graff and Hipple Dump Wagon, which is now in use in many of the States, and is a very valuable invention, that with proper capital could be brought into general use through- out the entire country. At New Albany it is used by all the principal coal and brick dealers ; and the city, as well as at Cincin- nati and Louisville and Jeffersonville, and by the Government at its depot in the latter city; and its inventor has testimonials from all who have used it as to its efficiency in equalizing and dumping a load.
In 1885 he was elected City Marshal of New Albany, and re-elected in 1887. In the Primary Democratic Convention that nominated him in 1885, his majority over the highest man of the opponents was 356, and at the election it was 1,050. His ma- jority at his second election was 1,676. He is a self-made and self-respecting man, and has built himself up by his own indom- itable energy and untiring industry.
On January 5, 1881, he was married to Miss Jennie Eanse, of Floyd county, Ind., daughter of George H. Eanse, formerly of Virginia. He has one child, Frances D., born on Sept. 22, the same date of the birth of her father. He is a member of the Knights of Honor and of the Knights of Pythias, and is a Methodist by educa- tion and rearing.
He is a son of Daniel and Artemesia (Lightner) Hipple. His father was a native of the borough of Landerburg, Cum- berland county, Pa., born Feb. 3, 1812;
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and his mother of Clark county, Ind., born Oct. 22, 1818; and they located at New Albany in 1835. His father engaged in steamboat building, which he followed for a number of years. He was elected jailor under Sheriff Thomas Gwin, serving four years, from 1848 to 1852. He died March 17, 1878, leaving a wife and six children, George M., John W., Jacob L., Louis C., Carrie B. and Eliza E., all of whom are living. Mr. Hipple's mother came to New Albany in 1829, and married May 1, 1836.
CAPT. THOMAS HUMPHREYS, de- ceased, was born in Philadelphia, July 17, 1807, and died at New Albany, Ind., Janu- ary 19, 1881, aged 73 years and 6 months. In February, 1830, he took up his residence at New Albany, Ind., where he continued to reside to the day of his death.
He was twice married, the first time to Miss Dowerman and the second time to Miss Elizabeth Hangary. His first wife lived but two years. During his entire residence at New Albany, Capt. Thomas Humphreys was not only a good but a use- ful citizen.
For many years he was the head of the steamboat building firm of Dowerman & Humphreys his business sagacity and un- impeachable integrity giving to the firm a reputation as one of the first and most re- liable boat building firms in the West. Every steamboatman knows that Capt. Humphreys' word was as good as his bond, and the statements he made then in rela- tion to contracts were taken as established facts. It was his integrity that did more than any other single agency to give to New Albany the high fame the city once enjoyed as the most notable boat building lo- cality on the western rivers. From the estab- lishment with which he was connected was
turned out many of the most magnificent steamers that have navigated the rivers of the West and South.
Running through his entire life, like a line of polished brightness, was this princi- ple of integrity. It characterized every act of his life, and made for him friends of everyone with whom he came in business or social contact.
His morals were most exemplary, and his influence was wielded in favor of all movements that were for the advance- ment and elevation of his fellow-men. Yet he was modest and unobstrusive, and, while a man of strong convictions, never tried to force his views upon others, choos- ing rather the principles he advocated should illustrate and shine forth through his daily walk and conversation. He thus filled the measure of good citizenship.
For several months before his death he gave much thought to religion and prepar- ation for the change he knew was speedily to come. In his inquiries for light upon this important subject, he took counsel of such men as Rev. J. S. Wood and Peter R. Stoy, and when the messenger's summons came to him he was ready to depart in peace, his last days being full of light and joy.
He left a wife, one son and two daugh- ters, Mrs. S. M. Weir and Mrs. Dr. G. H. Cannon being the daughters. The surviv- ing son is Mr. Daniel Humphreys.
REUBEN KING JENKS was born in Providence, R. I., in the year 1817, son of George B. R. Jenks, whose ancestors were of English origin. Subject's mother, Aljaha Newman, was a daughter of Nathaniel Newman, who was born in Massachusetts.
Subject was married in Montgomery
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county, Ohio, in 1840, to Miss Hope Graves, daughter of Zepheniah Graves, who was a native of Rhode Island. Mr. Jenks emi- grated from his native State to Ohio in 1829, thence to Indiana in about 1848. Subject and wife have raised eight children ; all lived to be grown: Amanda, George, Oscar, Zephenialı, Benjamin, Job W., Julia and Frank.
Our subject followed carpentering for some time, then clerked for a time. Was in United States service some three years during the late civil war. Four of his sons George, Oscar, Zephenialı and Benjamin were in the service with him.
He has filled some positions of profit and trust, but has never been an office seeker.
CHARLES L. JEWETT, lawyer, New Albany, Ind., was born October 6, 1848, in Hanover, Ind., being the only son of Jonathan and Mary (Wells) Reid. His father died when the boy was an infant, and his mother married Judge P. H. Jew- ett, who adopted him as a son, and by legal process had his name changed to Jewett. At the age of fifteen he entered the State University, at Bloomington, where he remained until 1866, when he was ad- mitted to the College at Hanover, and stud- ied for one year. His health failing, he left school, and moved to Montana Terri- tory, where he was successively prospector, gold miner, and Government surveyor. In the latter capacity he surveyed all the lands lying near the headwaters of the Missouri river. These two years of pio- neer life restored his health and secured for him a physical stamina and develop- ment, as well as a fund of experience. Returning to his native State in 1869, he prepared to enter upon the profession to which he had directed all his studies, and
toward which his efforts were now bent. He was admitted to the bar at New Alba- ny, October 6, of the same year; immedi- ately commenced practice. October 16, 1869, he was chosen Justice of the Peace, but he resigned within one year. In 1871 he was appointed Depnty Prosecuting At- torney of Scott county, and in 1872 was elected District Attorney for the district composed of Scott, Clark, Floyd, Wash- ington and Harrison counties. In March, 1873, he was appointed by Governor Hen- dricks Prosecutor for the Fifth Judicial Curcuit, and in October of that year was elected to the same office for a full term. He was re-elected in 1874, and continued to hold the position until October 22, 1877. In 1878 he was Democratic candidate for Judge of the Fifth Circuit. Mr. Jewett is one of the acknowledged leaders of the Democratic party in Indiana, having been a member of the State Central Com- mittee in 1876, Speaker of the House in session of 1884-5, chairman of County Cen- tral Committee and was the chairman of Democratic State Central Committee in Cleveland and Harrison campaign. He is an organizer of rare ability and tact, and an able lawyer.
HON. FRANKLIN C. JOHNSON, born near Holland Patent, Lewis county, New York, June 23, 1836. His parents were both natives of New York, but the family is of English origin. His father, Horace Johnson, was a farmer and served as pro- bate judge. His mother was Eliza Pratt. Mr. Johnson was reared in New York and educated at Lowville and Rome Academies, graduating from the latter after a four years' course, in 1851. In 1853 he located at New Albany, engaging as a clerk in the hardware store of Brooks & Brown, Brooks
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at the time being president of the New Al- bany & Salem (L., N. A. & C.) Railroad. In 1855 he became a partner with J. J. Brown and John E. Crane in the business, continuing 3 years. At the breaking out of the war he engaged in the nursery busi- ness, which he continued till 1876. In 1872 he was appointed by President Grant, on the nomination of Gov. Morton of In- diana, commissioner of the Philadelphia National Centennial, serving five years- In 1874 he was elected to the State Senate on the Democratic ticket for four years, and was chairman of the Committees on the State Reformatory and Benevolent Institu- tions. He drafted the bill making Mrs. T. A. Hendricks, Mrs. Roache and Mrs. Coffin trustees of the Women's Reformatory of Indiana. In 1878 he was appointed by President Hayes, to the Paris Exposition, and there served on the International Jury. He was appointed by Gov. Williams of Indiana a member of the International Congress that assembled in the Palace Crocadero, Paris, being the only member from the United States, being
a member with the Prince of Wales, who represented Great Britain. For ten years he was a member of the State Board of Agriculture from this District. In 1880 Mr. Johnson went to Colorado and engaged in the practice of law with his cousin, Ste- phen R. Pratt, and in 1882 was nominated a candidate for Secretary of State. He re- turned to New Albany in 1886, but while in Colorado organized the First National Bank at Gunnison, in which he is one of the largest stockholders. He served two terms as a member of the City Council from the first ward. In February, 1859, he was married to Mary E. Murray, a na- tive of Breckinridge county, Ky., and sister of ex-Gov. Eli H. Murray, of Utah, and a lady of rare accomplishments. Three
children were born of the marriage-Frank H. and Albert S., both now residents of Denver, Colo., and Eliza. Mr. Johnson owns about 150 lots in New Albany, and a fine farm in Clarke county, between New Albany and Jeffersonville.
PHILIP M. KEPLEY, born near Green- ville, Floyd county, Ind., October 27, 1818. His parents were Andrew and Mary (Moser) Kepley, his father being a farmer and a mechanic.
Mr. Kepley was reared upon his father's farm, and educated in the common schools of the county, remaining upon a farm until he was 28 years old, when he removed to the city of New Albany and engaged in the grocery business, which he continued for some years.
He was twice elected county treasurer of Floyd county, and held the office for four years.
He has also served several terms as a member of the City Council of New Albany, and is at present a member of that body.
At the end of his term as county treas- urer, Mr. Kepley entered into the livery business, on State street, opposite the court house, and is at present engaged in that business.
In all the official stations lie has been called to fill, he has discharged his duties with fidelity to the interest of the people and with honor to himself.
He was married in 1842, to Miss Mary M. Cook, daughter of Philip Cook, of Floyd county. Of this marriage nine children were born, all of whom received collegi- ate educations, and all of whom have mar- ried; David M., Nancy I., John L., Mary E., Sarah, Anna B., Martha E., Charles A. and Fannie.
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FRED C. KISTNER was born in Louis- ville, December 5, 1856, and is a son of Joseph and Caroline (Falk) Kistner, natives of Germany, but who came to New Albany in 1857. His father has been in the cloth- ing business ever since his arrival in this country, and is an active and energetic business man.
The subject graduated in commercial school, and engaged in the clothing busi- ness with his father until 1884, when he entered into partnership with Mr. Paul Reising in the brewery business, and has given his full attention to it ever since.
In 1881 he was married to Miss Mary Reising.
Mr. Kistner is the Fifth Ward Commit- teeman on the Democratic County Central Committee.
GEORGE KRAFT, a native of France, was born in November, 1827, came to America in 1845, and located at New Albany. He immediately engaged at his trade, that of chair-making, and, being a fine workman and very genial and social, he made friends rapidly, and soon built up a most prosperous business. He was a man of enterprise as well as industry, and on April 21, 1856, added the furniture and undertaking business to his chair manufac- tory. This business he prosecuted suc- cessfully till his death, which occurred May 25, 1881, at the age of 54 years. He left a wife and five children-Frank A., Joseph H., Catharine, Ida M. and Mamie, Cath- arine dying June 14, 1885. Being very popular and well liked by all, he was fre- quently solicited to run for office. This he constantly refused to do. He was a mem- ber of several benevolent societies, being treasurer of one for eighteen years. He was also treasurer of several others. He was a striet member of the Catholic Church,
and having a fine tenor voice, took great interest in the church choirs and other vocal organizations. He was married in 1852 to Mary E. Terstegge, of New Albany, a cousin of Mr. J. J. Terstegge, the founder of the National Stove Works of New Albany.
Frank A. Kraft, his oldest son, was born at New Albany, Ind., Feb. 9, 1854, and was educated in the parochial and public schools and the New Albany Business Col- lege. He succeeded his father to the very large business left at his death, and this, by his energy, enterprise and popularity, he has very largely expanded. He is a member of the Catholic Church. On Oct. 28, 1879, he was married to Miss Minnie Ruppert, of New Albany. They have three children living-Bertha, George A. and Lula May.
HENRY LEGG, a native of London, England, was born September 9, 1833. He is a plate glass worker, and was foreman of the casting department of the Thames Plate Glass Works, of London, England, for twenty years. While thus employed he was engaged by Capt. John B. Ford to come to New Albany, Ind., and take charge, as foreman, of the casting department in the immense plate glass works now owned and operated by the W. C. DePauw Com- pany-the DePauw American Plate Glass Works. He left London and came to New Albany in 1872, and remained until 1874, when he returned to London for his family, returning with them. His family con- sisted of his wife and six children-John, Walter J., Edward, Henry, Elizabeth and Emma. He also brought over with him several skilled plate glass workers and their families, to be employed in the New Albany Plate Glass Works. Mr. Legg brought the box coal furnace to New Albany, and carried the first Dinas brick from Wales to
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New Albany, this brick being used for the caps of glass furnaces. They are now used everywhere in glass furnaces. He was mar- ried in December, 1857, to Miss Caroline Price, of London, England. He is a mem- ber of DePauw Masonic Lodge, and when but 21 years old joined the Duke of Bruns- wick Lodge, London, and is still a member in good standing. He visited this lodge while in London in 1888. He is also a member of the Knights of Honor and of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. He has filled the Master's, Senior and Junior Deacons' chairs in DePauw Masonic Lodge, at New Albany. He continues as foreman of the casting department of the W. C. DePauw Company-the DePauw American Glass Works.
WILLIAM G. LIGHTNER, born at St. Louis, Mo., February 9, 1827. His parents located in New Albany, Ind., when he was seven years old, where he was educated in the common schools. After leaving school he learned blacksmithing with his father.
In 1845 he went on the river to learn steamboat engineering, and this business he continued until 1865. The first boat he was on was the Greenwood, running in the New Orleans and Yazoo river trade ; he was on several steamers running in the New Orleans and Yazoo river trade. Quitting the river in 1865, he engaged in the barrel, stave and shingle manufacture in Clark county, Ind., doing a large business.
In 1873 he returned to New Albany and took the position of chief engineer at the New Albany Woolen and Cotton Mills, which he still fills, being in all respects a first- class engineer.
In 1854 he was married to Miss Adkin- son, of New Albany, a native of Nashville, Tenn. They have no children.
He has been a member of the I. O. O. F., both the Subordinate Lodge and the En- campment, since 1853. Both he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.
His father was Jacob Lightner, a native of Pennsylvania; and his mother was Eleanor Brown, a native of Kentucky. His father, who was a soldier of the War of 1812, died at New Albany, 1847. His mother died in 1884, age 83. They left five chil- dren, all now living: Artemesia, widow of Daniel Hipple, resides at Memphis, Tenn .; George W. married at Evansville, Ind .; Elizabeth, wife of Peter Mann, on a farm near New Albany; William G., residing on a farm near New Albany; Laura B., wife of W. B. Smith, of New Albany.
JACOB LOESCH, a native of Floyd county, Ind., was born June 4, 1844, five miles west of New Albany. His father, John Loesch, was a native of Prussia, and came to Floyd county in 1843. His mother, Cath- arine Fox, was a native of Germany. The subject of this sketch remained upon his father's farm until he was eighteen years old, when he was apprenticed and served three years at blacksmithing, at the end of which time he entered upon his trade at Georgetown, conducting the business from 1867 to 1880. During the war he tried to enlist in the army, but was rejected on account of his bad health. In 1880 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff by Sheriff H. R. W. Meyer, serving through the two terms of that officer. In 1884 he was elected Sheriff, and was re-elected in 1886. The county of Floyd never had a more upright, energetic or faithful officer, as his eight years in the public service attests. In No- vember, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret J. Knittle, of Floyd county, but a native of Harrison county, Ind., and
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daughter of Samuel Knittle, a native of Pennsylvania. One child has been born of this marriage-Agatha Catharine. Mr. Loesch is a decided Democrat in politics, and in religion a member of the Catholic Church.
JOHN J. LYONS, a native of Warrens- burg, Warren county, N. Y., was born March 15, 1856, but when quite small his parents removed to New York City, where they remained one year and then located at Sharpsburg, Pa., five miles from Pitts- burgh, where they resided three years. Not satisfied with the location after a three years' residence, they removed to Kentucky, and thence to New Albany, Ind.
John J. Lyons attended the public schools in which he was educated. After coming to New Albany he worked eleven years in the rolling mills. In 1879 he went to Jef- ferson county, Kentucky, and engaged in the grocery business. Being an energetic and pushing business man he prospered, but in 1881 sold out and returned to New Albany, where, with John Russell as part- ner, he engaged in the hotel, livery and feed business, keeping the West End Ho- tel, at the corner of West Main and Seventh streets.
Mr. Lyons is a very popular man and thorough in business methods as well as public-spirited.
He was married in August, 1878, to Miss Malissa Martin, of Jefferson county, Ky., and they have three children-Mary, Cath- erine and Emily.
He is a member of the Catholic Knights of America, the Ancient Order of Hiber- nians, and the Catholic Church. His par- ents, Michael and Mary Lyons, were both natives of County Cork, Ireland. His father died when he was a child. His mother married again to Edward Dumphy.
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