USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Biographical cyclopedia of Vanderburgh County, Indiana : embracing biographies of many of the prominent men and families of the county > Part 10
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Dr. Bryan was united in marriage April 21, 1857. to Miss Irene Josephine Thomas, a native of Kentucky, who died May 25, 1880. Their union was blessed with eight children, five of whom survive. Ile married (second) October 5, 18SI, Mrs. Anna Eliza Neale, a native of Kentucky, who died July 19. 1894. He again married (third) Mrs. Naomi Turnock. a native of Evansville, and in their comfortable home at 209 Chestnut street, they are surrounded by every comfort and many of the luxuries of life.
THOMAS KERTH,
E X.SENATOR. A crowning glory of the United States is that the paths to wealth and to fame and to social dis- tinction are open to all-to the adopted as well as the native-born citizen; and there are few whose histories better illustrate what can be accomplished by energy and integrity, under republican institutions, than the subject of this sketch. Mr. Kerth was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1829, and came with his parents to this country in 1840, where they went to farming eight miles north of Evansville. His early years were
divided between attending school in the winter and working upon the farm dur- ing the summer. In 1846 he went into the grocery business with his brother, Jacob Kerth, on Water street, near the corner of Vine street. His brother had preceded the family to America, was one of the oldest settlers in the county and died in 1850. In 1848 the subject of this sketch went to Cincinnati and engaged in the butcher business for ten years. While in Cincinnati he married Miss Louisa Renner, and in the fall of 1858 returned to Evansville and entered into partnership with his brother-in-law in the leather and hide business, on Main street. The following year he erected the store at 219 Main street, and for twenty-four years successfully con- ducted that business. His political career is most interesting. In 1870 he was elected councilman from the old eighth ward (now the fifth) and during his term was appointed one of the water works trustees when the water works were being built. In ISSo he ran on the democratic ticket against J. August Lemcke, a political opponent of ele- phantine strength for sheriff and as- tonished his party by beating him 597 votes. He was renominated in 1882. and pitted against Chas. Schaum, whom he defeated by 919 votes. In IS88 he was nominated and elected state sena- tor, and made a most enviable record in the Upper House. All the bills that Evansville asked for were passed. He repealed the Intimidation act, passed the state school book law, obtained appropriations for the insane asylum and the right to issue bonds for the comple-
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tion of the court house; in short, his
William Dunham, the subject of this career as state senator will bear the sketch, at the age of eighteen years, highest eulogy. After leaving the sen- returned to Evansville, and for a ate, Mr. Kerth established with his son, number of years was employed as William G. Kerth, an insurance office clerk, first in the store of Parsons & at 2071/2 Upper Fourth street. Scoville and afterwards with Vielc. Stockwell & Co. In 1885 when Evans- ville was undergoing something of a panic and many persons were seeking WILLIAM MORRISON DUNHAM, the west believing they could better their condition Mr. Dunham went to Kansas City, Missouri, and for several years was there engaged in the hard- ware business, and later was manager of the Monehan Coal and Iron Company in that city. It was a very responsible position for so young a man as MIr. Dunham to hold, but he did it with dignity and credit to both himself and his employers. In 18gc he decided that Evansville was best for him and he re- turned and engaged in the bicycle busi- ness, which he has followed continually and successfully ever since.
T HE leading bicycle dealer of Evans- ville, was born in Uniontown, Kentucky, July 13, 1861, and received his early mental training from the com- mon schools of Union county. . His father, William Dunham, M. D .. was a native of Virginia, having left his native state when about eighteen years of age and located in Kentucky. He was one of the foremost men in the medical profession in Western Kentucky, and at Uniontown, where he practiced for years, enjoyed an extensive and lucra- tive practice. He was a man of the highest integrity and was loved, honored and respected by all who knew him. He married Miss Susan Hardin, whose ancestors were one of the first and best families of the state of Kentucky, and their union was blessed with twelve children of whom William M. was the first boy. The mother died in 1872 and the father in 1874, thus leaving William to fight life's battles alone. For a number of years William Dun- ham was engaged in the practice of medicine in Evansville in partnership with Dr. Casselberry, but removed to Uniontown when the partnership was dissolved.
William Dunham is a young man holding an enviable position in the busi- ness and social circles of Evansville, and if we are to judge the future by the past, some flattering predictions might be made. He is a member of the Court of Honor, the Y. M. C. A., and the Bicycle Club, and takes an active and energetic part in all of them.
He was united in marriage April 11, 1882, to Miss Nettie Reavis daughter of William Reavis, a prominent citizen of Evansville, and two children-girls -Pansy and Mazelle, bless their union.
To William Dunham much credit is due for the great interest that is to-day taken in cycling in Southern Indiana. He
HON. J. J. NOLAN.
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was the pioneer in the business in Evans- ville, having in connection with Mr. Will Paine opened the first bicycle store in Evansville. Mr. Dunham was mainly instrumental in organizing the Cycle Club of Evansville, and has done much ro keep that institution alive.
in Evansville is more popular nor more respected.
Mr. Breger was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Steinhauser, of Jasper, Indiana, in 1887, and their union has been blessed with two children -boys, one nine and the other seven years of age.
MICHAEL W. BREGER,
C OUNCILMAN-AT-LARGE of Evansville, was born in 1861, at No. 19 East Delaware street, and has ever resided in the place wherein he was born. He is the son of John and Rosa Breger, and his education was obtained from the schools of Evansville. He is a self-made man in all that the term implies. He has by hard work and perseverance raised himself from the ranks of a laborer to the presidency of one of the most important industries in Evansville. And he is still a worker, giving all his time to his business and to the interests of the people of his native city. He served as councilman two terms, and hir career in that capacity in 1889-91 is remembered by all, and especially by the taxpayers. He was a prominent and useful member of many important committees, and his counsel was sought by his colleagues. He voted against granting a forty years' franchise to the street railway company some years ago. He was in attendance at the midnight meeting of the council when the ordi- nance was reseinded. He is fearless and expresses his views on any subject with emphasis and decision. No man II
MICHAEL SCHMITT,
A'
PROSPEROUS farmer of Center town- ship in Vanderburgh county, was born February 18, IS19, in Germany, and came to America in 1842. He was educated in Germany, and located first in Ohio, where he was engaged working in a foundry, Mr. Schmitt came to Evansville in 1857, and thus for four decades has been identified among the successful farmers of Van- derburgh county.
He married Miss Christina Schmitt. a native of Germany, but not related to him prior to their marriage. The wife died about eight years ago. Their union was blessed with seven children, six of whom survive. His sons, Michael, Jr., and Jacob, aged about thirty-tive and thirty-two respectively, reside on the farm and operate it.
Mr. Schmitt affiliates with the re- publican party, but has never sought nor accepted public office. He is a member of the German Presbyterian church.
Michael Schmitt's life has been a use- ful one and now, when nearly three score summers have passed over his head, he.can look back over the past
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with a keen satisfaction of having done hisduty. He is an honored and respected citizen in his community.
HON. JOHN J. NOLAN,
P RESENT postmaster of Evansville, was born in Evansville September I, 1859, and is the son of William J. and Anne (Roche) Nolan. His elementary education was obtained in the public schools of Evansville, and at an early age he entered the service of the West- ern Union Telegraph Company as mes- senger boy, picked up telegraphing while filling that position, and fourteen years of his life were spent in the ser- vice, and in course of time he became receiver of the Associated Press dis- patches. In 1886 he was nominated by the democratic party as representative to the legislature. It was a republican year, however, and while he ran 700 votes ahead of his ticket, he was de- feated, and in 1SSS he was again nomi- nated and elected to that office. He introduced a bill for the repeal of the Intimidation law, which was passed after a hard fight.
In 1890 he was renominated for the legislature by acclamation and elected. During his second term lie succeeded in getting through what is now famous in local history, under the title of the "Nolan Bill." The bill prevented the street car company from getting an extension of their old franchise, limited the franchises of all corporations in Indiana to twenty-five years, and pro- moted to Major and saw active and
vided that the city receive no less than two per cent of the gross receipts of all corporations receiving franchises. In addition to the above, he had passed numerous other bills, among them the metropolitan police and fire department bill.
He returned to Evansville at the expiration of his teri, and for some time occupied his old position with the Western Union, and later was appointed general manager of the People's Electric Light and Power Company. May 23. 1893, President Cleveland commissioned him postmaster of Evansville.
He was united in marriage October 18, 1887, to Miss Vallie Fitzwilliams, of St. Louis, and two children-boys- have blessed their union.
DAVID A. COX, M. D.,
A SCHOLARLY and able physician of Howell, Ind., was born October I, 1865, in Vanderburgh county. A true and impartial history of Vanderburgh county could not be written without mention being made of the Cox family, who have been prominently identified with the county since its infancy. The subject of this sketch is the son of Major Joseph B. Cox, a prominent farmer and distinguished soldier, and who was at one time surveyor of United States cus- toms for the Evansville district and at various times served the county as pub- lic officer. He raised a company for service in the civil war, was soon pro-
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DR. D. A. COX.
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valuable service until ill-health caused him to tender his resignation. .
James Cox (grandfather ) was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1Soo and died in Vanderburgh county in -1834. He came with his brother Joseph, to Van- derburgh county in 1818, and was one of the pioneer farmers. They lodged in a log cabin in a dense forest about where the site of Evansville now is which at that early day was a wilderness.
David A. Cox received his early mental training from the public schools of Evansville and in the fall of 1884 en- tered the Indiana University from which he was graduated in ISS8. He attended the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, graduating March 6, 1890. He at once located in Howell, Indiana, and began the practice of his profession, where he has since been successfully engaged. Dr. Cox occupies the im- portant post of consulting physician of St. Mary's Hospital and delivers lec- tures on chemistry to the school of nurses and is the medical examiner at Howell for the leading life insurance companies. He is a member of the Masonic order, Reed Lodge, No. 316, F. & A. M., also of LaValette Com- mandery No. 15, Knights Templar.
Dr. Cox belongs to that class of men who achieve success early in life, and if we are to judge the future by the past some flattering predictions might be made.
He was united in marriage Septem- ber 26, 1894, to Miss Gertrude Alma Walsh, daughter of Thomas Walsh, a prominent and representative citizen of Howell, Indiana.
Dr. Cox is a member of the Howell Land Company, which laid off and started the building of houses in Howell. He has always taken an active interest in the welfare of its citizens, and was the first one to urge the people to in- corporate Howell as a town.
COL. CHARLES C. SCHREEDER,
A PROMINENT, enterprising citizen of Evansville, was born in Berlin, Ger- many, January 19, 1847, and is the son of Frederick Schreeder, a native of Germany.
In 1852 the subject of this sketch came to America with his widowed mother, who located at Huntingburg, Ind., being induced to locate there by relatives. In the spring of 1853 the mother was united in marriage to the Rev. Frederick Weithaup, minister of the German Evangelical association, who was stationed in Evansville, where he had charge of a congregation. This caused the removal of the family to Evansville. The mother died on Decem- ber 26, 1890. During the pastorship of Rev. Weithaup the church, which now stands at the corner of Eighth and Division streets, was erected.
Col. Schreeder's father was one of the German Revolutionists in 1848, and died of cholera in 1849. The early mental training of Col. Schreeder was obtained in the common schools. He was but thirteen years of age when the war dogs began to bay, and at the age of fifteen he enlisted in Company D,
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Second Ohio Volunteers, and for nearly three years saw active service. In Sep- tember, 1864, he was discharged on account of disabilities and came to Evansville to recuperate his health. When he was again able he re-enlisted, January, 1865, in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-third Regiment In- diana Volunteers, and was mustered out October 23, 1865. Then he returned again to Evansville to live. He early manifested an active interest in politics and was chosen city assessor when but twenty-one years of age. Subsequently he was elected township assessor and afterwards chosen to fill the important office of city clerk, and it is a notable fact that he was the youngest man that had ever been elected to that office. He removed to Huntingburg, Ind., in 1876, where he was soon afterwards appointed postmaster, holding the office under Presidents Hayes, Garfield, Arthur and Harrison. He was commissioned lieu- tenant-colonel of artillery, Indiana Le- gion, in 1892, by Governor Chase. Shortly afterwards he was promoted to chief of ordinance, with the full rank of colonel, on the Governor's staff. April 27, 1897, he was recommissioned by Governor Mount as colonel of engineers on the Governor's staff. He served five terms as commander of Shively Post, G. A. R., at Huntingburg, which he organized in 1881. He represented the Second Congressional district at the National encampment at St. Louis in ISS7, and at Indianapolis in 1893. He served as aide de camp of the staff of the late Commander-in-Chief Fairchild, ex-Commanders-in-Chief Rhea, Palmer,
Adams and Walker, and is now serving as aide de camp on the staff of Com. mander-in-Chief Clarkson. His record in this capacity is a brilliant one, and we doubt if any other man has served as long and with as much credit and dignity.
Col. Schreeder's affiliations are with the republican party, and for sixteen years he was recognized as the leader of that party in the Second Congressional district of Indiana. For twelve years he was chairman of the republican cen- tral committee of Dubois county, him- self organizing the first republican central committee in that county. He also represented the Second district on the republican state and was a delegate to national conventions in 18So and IS84. He was elected in 1887 chief door- keeper of the Indiana house of repre. sentatives, this being the first session that met in the new building, and also one made famous by the terrific scenes caused by the robbing of Lieut. Robin- son of his place as presiding officer of the senate by the democratic majority.
In ISSo Col. Schreeder, appreciating a long-felt want of the republicans of Dubois county, established the Hunt- ingburg Argus, a weekly paper which strongly championed the cause of repub- licanism, and which he edited and was the proprietor of during the time he remained there.
Col. Schreeder is one of the most enterprising men of Evansville, and stands in the front ranks of those who are instrumental in making the Cres- cent City. He is a man of means and affairs, a large property owner in Evans.
COL. C. C. SCHREEDER.
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MRS. C. C. SCHREEDER.
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ville and elsewhere. He is identified his wife's property interests, which are largely centered in Evansville. with the best interests of Evansville and is known as one of her most public- Col. Schreeder is second vice-presi- spirited citizens. Ile is a man of fine dent and a director of the North personal appearance and pleasing ad- American Benefit Association of Evans- ville dress, of kind disposition and sympa- thetic nature. He is a careful and diligent reader, keeping pace with the advancement of the times. He is a member of Farragut Post, G. A. R., in REBECCA SCHREEDER, Evansville, and also one of its trustees. W IFE of Col. C. C. Schreeder, of He is a member of the Business Men's Evansville, was bornat Portsmouth, Ohio, May 31, 1845, and is the daugh- ter of Rev. John and Margreta Hoppen. association, the Press club, and the Vanderburgh club. Col. Schreeder was united in marriage in 1868 to Miss Louisa C. Behrens, of Huntingburg, with whom he lived happily until her death in 1892. Their union was blessed with two children: Emma M. and Wal- ter D. He was married ( second ) March 27, 1894, to Mrs. Rebecca Keller, of Evansville, and at their beautiful home at 710 Locust street they are surrounded by every comfort and many luxuries. Success is like a pyramid, broad at the base as the thronging millions that crowd it, towering upward its point narrows; scattered along its sides are the men who have achieved something more than usual prominence in the world's affairs. At the top are the few who have grandly succeeded, their forms lit up by the sunshine of merited fame. Among those who have achieved a place in the history of Southern Indiana is the subject of this sketch, Col. C. C. Schreeder. He is still in the prime of life, and it is the hope of all who know him that he may long be spared as an example of good citizenship. He is kept very busy in looking after his and
Rev. Jolin Hoppen was one of the pioneer ministers of the German Meth- odist church, and died at Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was pastor, Septem- ber 10, 1861. The mother died in Evansville February 10, 1859.
Rebecca Hoppen lived with her par- ents, and her father's calling varied their residence, which at different times was in the following cities: Evansville, Mad- ison, Indiana; Evert street, Cincin- nati, Dayton, Pittsburgh, Wheeling, Race street, Cincinnati; Clay street. Louisville, where Rev. Hoppen had a charge as pastor, and he was presiding elder in the Evansville district.
After the death of Rev. Hoppen, the subject of this sketch returned to Evans- ville, where she has resided continu- ously since. She was united in marriage August 13, 1879, to the late Mr. Charles Keller, in his day a prominent and influ- ential citizen of Evansville. Their union was blessed with two children, Carl P. and Oscar II. At his death, February 10, 1892, Mr. Keller left his family a handsome estate.
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Mrs. Rebecca Keller was married (second) March 27. 1894, to Col. C. C. Schreeder, whose biography appears in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Schreeder are the head of a delightful home, where the happiest relations are main- tained, and where their four bright and cheerful children play a conspicuous part with charming cordiality.
Mrs. Schreeder is a consistent and helpful member of the German Metho- dist Episcopal church, with which she has been continuously related since her youth, having joined at about the age of ten years. She is also an active and energetic member of Farragut Corps No IS, of the Woman's Relief Corps, an auxiliary to the G. A. R.
the city of Evansville as attorney from IS92 to 1897.
Mr. Cunningham was united in mar- riage November, 1881, to Miss Susan S. Garvin, daughter of Hon. Thomas E. Garvin, of Evansville, and three children have blessed their union.
Ile is a man of much application and greatly devoted to the interests of those who entrust their business to him. He is distinctively a lawyer, and stands in the front rank of the members of the Evans- ville bar. His practice has been very large and general, and his knowledge of the law is not confined to any one branch, but extends through all. He has always been a close student and a hard worker. His achievements are proof of his ability.
GEORGE A. CUNNINGHAM,
PROMINENT attorney at law, member of the Evansville bar, was born in Gibson county, Indiana, April 4, 1855, and is the son of Joseph and Mary J. Cunningham. Ilis father was a pros- perous Gibson county farmer, born in 1807, and George spent his boyhood days there, where he worked on the farm and attended the common schools of Gibson county alternately. In IS74 he entered the old Asbury College, now DePauw University, and remained one year, and there fitted himself for teaching, which he followed for a num- ber of years in Gibson county. In 1877 he came to Evansville, and was admitted to the bar in 1878. His affiliations are with the republican party, and he served
THOMAS EDGAR GARVIN.
A EMINENT lawyer of Evansville, was born in Gettysburg, Pennsyl- vania, September 15, 1826. His father, John Garvin, was descended from the Scotch and married Mrs. Providence Summers, February 21, IS21. Their union was blessed with five children, as follows: Laura, Louisa, Thomas Edgar, Jane and John Reuben.
Thomas E. Garvin graduated from Mount St. Mary's College at Emmetts- burg, Maryland, after a number of years' hard study. He came to Evans- ville in the fall of 1844, and has watched the city grow from an isolated acorn to a staunch and hearty oak. He wanted to be a lawyer and soon after coming
yours truly
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to Evansville began to read law in the office of Hon. Conrad Baker, Governor of Indiana, and a leading and forcible lawyer of his day, and who afterwards became a relative of Mr. Garvin. He taught school and thereby earned suffi- cient means to meet his obligations and prosecute his studies. He managed by close application and frugal living to finish his law course and was duly ad- mitted to the bar March 27, 1846, and he at once formed a partnership with Hon. Conrad Baker, under the firm name of Baker & Garvin. For eleven years this partnership continued suc- cessfully. In 1876 his Alma Mater Mount St. Mary's College conferred upon him the degree of L. L. D., a dis. tinction rarely granted. In 1862 he was elected representative of Vanderburgh county to the State legislature. He is not only a lawyer of ability, but a man of affairs and means. He was one of the first stockholders of the First Na- tional Bank of Evansville, a director therein for a long period. He has been for many years actively engaged in real estate. He is an able and profound scholar, deeply interested in literature and natural history. Was one of the first trustees of Willard Library and one of the board to whom the property was deeded, and for many years has been president of that institution. Mr. Gar- vin was state commissioner at the Cen- tennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876 and National Commissioner at the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893.
He was married November 11. 1849, at Penn Yan, New York. to Miss Corne- lia M. Morris, a descendant of the
Morris family of Morristown, New York, a family of revolutionary fame. This union has been blessed with eight children, five of whom are living, as follows: Thomas Edgar, Ford Morris. Susan Shaw, Cornelia Imogen and Isaac Casselberry.
JOHN A. REITZ.
Tr ws the fortune of John A. Reitz to realize the fruits of a successful career whose course had been guided by honor and integrity. His ability was recog- nized by all while he was living, and in his death there were left behind him none but the most pleasant recollections and the tenderest sorrow. His gener- osity as a citizen, affability as a gentle- man, and kindly treatment of all with whom he came in contact, were alone sufficient traits to have drawn to him warm friends, while his energy and per- severence left an indelible stamp upon the business and social community of this section.
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