USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Biographical cyclopedia of Vanderburgh County, Indiana : embracing biographies of many of the prominent men and families of the county > Part 12
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21. 1886, was ordained for the ministry. He at once entered upon the service and took charge of a congregation at Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania, remain- ing there until the fall of 1888. From there he went to Jefferson City, Missouri, where he took charge of the Centennial Evangelical church, which continued until the summer of 1893. He was principal of the Wabash, Mo., high school for two years, and in 1895 assumed the duties of pastor of Zion church, Evansville, on Fifth between Ingle and Bond streets. In connection with the church is a school house, which has been renovated under Rev. Schnei- der's administration Flis church has a large membership and the school build- ing is used for various meetings, the Deaconess and other socities holding their meetings there. September, 1886, Rev. Schneider was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Langtim, of St. Joe, Missouri, and three children, two boys and a girl, have blessed their union.
Rev. Schneider is secretary of the board of directors of the Protestant Deaconess Home and is a member of the board of home missions of the Indi- ana district of the Evangelical synod.
Besides his many duties as a minister and in other relations, Rev. Schneider contributes frequently to the theologica! periodical, "Theologische Zeitschrift," published at St. Louis, Missouri, and at present he is engaged in revising the Evangelical catechism.
During his ministry, and very largely under the inspiration of his faithful and enterprising labors, many additions to the church membership have been made
G. J. VENEMANN.
...
ISAAC CASSELBERRY.
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and many improvements accomplished. Rev. Schneider is a learned gentleman and greatly beloved by his congrega- tion, and his efforts are meeting with deserved success.
ISAAC CASSELBERRY, M. D.,
D' ECEASED, was born on his father's farm in Posey county, Indiana, November 26, 1821. The impartial historian who writes a complete record of southern Indiana cannot fail to accord proper place to the Casselberry family, who were important factors in the his- tory, and took a conspicuous part in the affairs of Posey and Vanderburgh counties.
Paul Casselberry, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was of German descent, and in 1806 removed from Norristown, Pennsylvania, to Posey county, Indiana, and his family was among the prominent pioneers of that county.
Thomas Evans Casselberry, his father, was a gentleman of the highest honor and integrity, and was one of the com- missioners who located the county seat of Vanderburgh county at Evansville. He married Miss Rachel J. Carson, daughter of Charles Carson, of Posey county. Their son, Isaac, was five years of age when the father died, and, therefore, the training of the boy de- volved upon the mother. She was a woman of unusually strong character, and reared a family of children who 13
were noted for their honor and truc citizenship.
Hamilton S. Casselberry, twin brother of Dr. Isaac Casselberry, represented Posey county in the state legislature in the session of 1848 and 1849.
Isaac Casselberry, after receiving an academic education from the Rev. Lamon, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal church, began the study of medicine, in 18.11, in the office of Dr. M. J. Bray, of Evansville. In 1843 he went to Cin- cinnati, where he continued his medical studies under the preceptorship of Dr. R. D. Mussey, and was graduated with honor from the Medical College of Ohio in 1845. Returning to Evans- ville, he entered upon the practice of his profession in partnership with his former preceptor, Dr. Bray. His efforts were crowned with gratifying success, and he obtained a large and lucrative practice in Vanderburgh and adjoining counties.
He was a strong Union man, and when the war broke out, volunteered his services. He was appointed surgeon of the First Indiana Cavalry, Twenty- eighth regiment, and in that capacity served until the close of the war. He received high commendations from his superior officers for his faithful and efficient service. While he was acting as surgeon general of the corps in which his regiment was incorporated he was taken prisoner at the battle of Mark's Mills, Arkansas, April, 1864. After his return to Evansville he was ap- pointed by President Jolinson as col- lector of customs for the port of Evans- ville, which position he sustained with
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dignity and credit until a change of Surgery, 1859; "Use of Iron"-Amer- administration took place. .
Dr. Casselberry filled the office of secretary of the board of health from the time Evansville was placed under sanitary regulations up to the time of his death. He was one of the founders of the Evansville Medical College, being one of its first trustees, and occupied the chair of Clinical Medicine and Phys- ical Diagnosis in that institution until he died. He was also one of the trus- tees of the Orphan Asylum. He was a member of the council in 1866 and was one of the school trustees in the same year.
Dr. Casselberry was a man of fine personal appearance and pleasing ad- dress, of kind disposition and sympa- thetic nature; a constant and diligent student, keeping pace with the advance- ment in medical science; was a member of the Indiana State Medical Society almost from the date of its organization, having united in 1852, and he was elected president of that body in May, 1873, at the annual meeting. He was a permanent member of the American Medical Association, and, aside from his many professional duties, found time to contribute largely to medical litera- ture, and was extensively known both in and out of the state as a strong and forcible writer.
A few of the important papers pre- pared by him were, "An Inquiry Into the Physiology of the Organic Nervous System " -- American Medical Journal, 1852; "Causes of Fever"-Ibid, 1856; "Ancient Marriage of Consanguinity" -- Nashville Journal of Medicine and
ican Medical Journal, 1858; "Use of Water in the Treatment of Fever"- American Medical Journal, 1857; a series of articles on "Historical Views of the Causes of Epidemics" -- Nashville Medical and Surgical Journal, 1857 to 1858. In 1857 Dr. Wright, of the Memphis Medical Recorder, made an able review of some of Dr. Cassel- berry's articles, in which he remarked " that much credit was due him for the boldness and industry with which he strove to throw life on pathological subjects.
In his professional career he at all times manifested those exalted virtues that assure success to the profession and honor to his calling. Endowed by nature with a keen perception and a logical mind which long experience had polished and a profound study had stored, to these he super-added the vir- tues of diligence, accuracy, patience, integrity and trustworthiness.
Dr. Casselberry was united in mar- riage at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1847, to Miss Louisa Garvin, daughter of John and Providence Garvin, and sister of Thomas E. Garvin. Their union was blessed with two children, one of whom survives, Mrs. Laura Dunkerson, wife of R. K. Dunkerson, a prominent citizen of Evansville.
Dr. Casselberry died July 9, 1873, and another link was broken which bound the history of that time to the carly history of southern Indiana, and in his death the community lost one to which many clung with loving remem- brance. For over a quarter of a century
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he practiced medicine in Evansville, a calling that required him to move along the private pathways of life that led within the home circle, and is associated with family affliction. There are no memories so tender as those which cling around the name of one who brings comfort to us at such a time.
The announcement of the death of Dr. Casselberry moved across the commu- nity like a shadow, and tears came even in eyes that were unused to the melting mood.
He was a modest, unassuming man. In all his surroundings, whether as citi- zen, physician, friend or father, he might have been taken as a model, and humanity would have been elevated by the pattern. Upon his monument it could be carved,
" The earth has lost a man Whom Heaven has claimed."
REV. SAMUEL A. JOHN,
PASTOR of St. Lucas Evangelical church on East Virginia street, Evansville, was born and reared in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the son of Rev. Dr. R. A. John, a native of Prussia, who came to America in 1842.
Stuttgart, in Wurtemburg, and their union was blessed with five children, the subject of this sketch being the second. An older son, brother of Rev. S. A. John, is pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical church in Chicago, while a younger brother is pastor of the First Evange- lical church at New Albany, Indiana.
Rev. R. A. John located at Washing- ton, Missouri, but removed from there to St. Louis, where for many years he had charge of a large parish. He is is now located in the country, near Trenton, Illinois, where, although eighty years of age, he still has charge of a congregation. He is a senior in the church, and is the oldest active pastor in the service. He is also editor of the church organ, an influential paper, "Friedensbote," published in St. Louis Missouri.
Rev. Samuel A. John attended the Parochial schools in St. Louis until he was twelve years of age and spent three years in the public schools of that city. He then entered the Smith Academy in St. Louis, and afterwards for two years, 1873-5, attended the Washington University in St. Louis. He went to Chicago and took a pre- paratory course, attending the Elmhurst Seminary, from where he was gradu- ated in ISS4, when he returned to St. Louis and entered Eden Theological Seminary of the Evangelical church, graduating at the end of a three years' course. He at once entered upon the service as minister and his first appoint- ment was in Cincinnati, where he organized the St. Matthews church at
Rev. R. A. John was educated in his native land and was graduated from the university at Breslau and also from the university at Berlin, He completed his theological education and served as pastor before coming to America, He married Christina Koph, a native of Elmwood place, under the auspices of
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the Evangelical Mission Board. He ents, and his education was obtained in remained there three years when he re- turned to St. Louis to take charge of the Ebenezer Evangelical church, which he served as pastor for four years. He then came to Evansville and assumed the duties of his present charge, St. Lucas Evangelical church, which has a membership of ISo families. Aside from his many duties as pastor Rev. John finds time to devote to literature and frequently contributes to the relig- ious journals. and he publishes a local church paper called the St. Lucas Herald. Rev. S. A. John was united in marriage May 28. 1889, to Miss Emma Tuxhorn, a native of Edwards- ville, Illinois, and their union has been blessed with three children. As a man and citizen Rev. John stands in high esteem, respected by all denominations for his religious tolerance, and loved by all his parishioners He is a man of large mental attainments and ranks among the best pulpit orators in Southern Indiana.
GOTTLEIB WILLIAM BAUMANN,
ENTERPRISING citizen of Center town- ship, in Vanderburgh county, was born May 18, 1849, in Switzerland, and came to America when four years of age, with his parents, who located at Evansville. His father, Rudolph Bau- mann, was a carpenter, and died about twelve years ago.
the public schools of Evansville. His mother having died when he was five years of age, he was bound out to another family to remain until he reached his majority, but at the age of nineteen left his adopted home and went to Posey county, Indiana, and there learned the trade of blacksmithing. For four years he lived in Kentucky, and then returned to Evansville and for eleven years was engaged with the Blount Plow Company. In March, 1883, he purchased ten acres of land where he now resides in Center town- ship, and also bought the blacksmith shop there, which he runs at the pres- ent time. Mr. Baumann's home and small farm is a model and is one of the most attractive places on the String- town road.
Mr. Baumann is a member of the A. O. U. W., Center Lodge No. 42, and in politics he affiliates with the republi- can party, and has always taken an active interest in the welfare thereof. He is one of the school directors of Hooker school house, which position he had filled eight years before. Hon- est, hard working and conscientious. he has achieved a position of high standing in his community, and by close economy succeeded in acquiring a com- fortable competence.
Mr. Baumann was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Reichett, of Evansville, and five children, four of whom survive. have blessed their union. The living children are: Willie, age twenty-three; Virginia, age seventeen; Allen, age
The subject of this sketch was the second youngest child born to his par- twelve, and Oliver, age nine.
O. M. ADAE.
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CHARLES T. SHERMAN,
'TTHE leading house decorator of Evans- ville, was born in Oliver, New York, in 1858, and is the son of William J. and Charlotte (Morris) Sherman. The father, born in IS29, was prosper- ously engaged in farming and also in the hotel business, and both parents are still living.
Charles Sherman's education was received in the eastern schools, and his boyhood days were spent in different parts of New York and in the oil regions of Pennsylvania. In 1879 he became connected with the oil wells in Pennsyl- vania which continued for a term of three years. He then went to New York city, and afterwards spent two years in Batavia, and for five years lived in Rochester, New York. He came to Evansville in 1890, and was engaged by William E. French as manager and decorator, and by close application and strict economy succeeded in accumu- lating considerable means, which after- wards led to his embarking in business on his own account. The decorating and wall paper business of Mr. Sher- man, which is carried on at 513 Main street, has grown and prospered under his guiding hand until it has taken the lead in that line of trade. He decorated the Borman residence and business house, Muschler's residence on Third avenue, Court Place, Wilhemeyer's res- idence on First avenue, Poor Clare Monastery, and made improvements in the Vanderburgh court house.
Mr. Sherman was united in marriage September, 1882, to Miss Katie An-
drews, of Alexandria, New York, and their union has been blessed with three children, Harry, age fourteen; Carl, age ten, and Howard, age six.
Early thrown upon his own resources, the strength of his character was devel- oped in the rough experience common to all men who make their own way in life. Ile began to maintain himself when he was not yet of age. His can- dor and congenial manners have made him popular, while sagacity and qualifi- cation have gained him prominence as a valuable citizen.
He is a member of the Masonic order and is a Knight Templar.
OTTO M. ADAE,
SECRETARY and manager of the Evans- ville Ice and Storage Company, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, and came to America when sixteen years of age. His ancestors were a patrician family from the free city of Ulm. His father was a physician and for many years member of the Reichstag. Mr. Adae's first engagement was with his uncle, C. F. Adae, engaged in banking in Cincinnati, and also consul for all German states. He remained there until his twenty-fifth year, when he went to Chicago and was with the Union National bank of that city for some time. Later he was engaged in the manufacturing business, operating a bent wood factory in East Tennessec. He was afterwards connected with the Cin- cinnati Ice Machine Company, and in
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ISSS came to Evansville and was the prime mover in establishing the Evans- ville Ice and Storage Company. At the time of its organization it was the largest plant of the kind in the world and it was an attestation of the confi- dence of Mr. Adae in the future of Evansville. The business has grown and prospered under his guiding hand and its success is largely due his energy and untiring zeal.
JOE V. WALZ,
P RESIDENT of the Walz Seed Com. pany of Evansville, was born in Evansville January 20, 1860, and is the son of Vital and Fredericka Walz. His father was a native of Germany and was one of the pioneers of Evansville, and a man loved, honored and re- spected by all.
Joc V. Walz was educated in the Catholic schools of Evansville, and as he grew to manhood formed the pur- pose of carving out his own career. He took up the study of telegraphy and in 1876 took a position as telegraph orperator on the St. Louis and South- eastern Railroad, worked for many years in that capacity and in 1884 entered the employ of the E. & T. H. R. R. as ticket agent at Evansville, which position he filled ably and with satisfaction up to July, 1897, when it became necessary for him to resign and to give his entire attention to seed and and agricultural implement business, which was established in 1895 and which
has grown prosperous even beyond his most sanguine expectations. The busi- ness is located at 418 and 419 Fourth street, where all kinds of field and garden seeds and everything in the way of agricultural implements, phaetons. etc., are handled.
Mr. Walz is a consistent member of St. Mary's church. He married Miss Minnie Folz, daughter of Jacob Folz. Sr., and four children, three girls and one boy have blessed their union. Honorable and upright in all life's rela- tions Joe Walz commands universal re- spect, and not a small element in the causes of his success is his power of making and holding friends. From his youth he has made his own way in life and has been eminently successful. His life has been one of industry and con- stant effort, and the success which has come to him has been well deserved.
HON. FRANK B. POSEY
Was born at Petersburg, Pike county,
Indiana. April 28, 1848. He re- ceived his earlier education in the public schools and academy of his native county. At the age of sixteen he be- came a student of DePauw University and Indiana University law school.
Mr. Posey entered the legal profession in 1869 and enjoyed a lucrative practice from that time, escaping the "starvation period" usually experienced by young lawyers. In 1872 he was appointed district attorney for the counties of Knox, Pike, Davies and Martin, in
J. V. WALZ.
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which position he acquired an enviable was only prevented from receiving the reputation as a criminal lawyer. From his first appearance in public he has been acknowledged an orator of more than ordinary ability. In his chosen profession as a trial lawyer and advocate he occupies a position sought by many but achieved by few.
"Frank Posey," as he is familiarly known in Southern Indiana, has from boyhood been an enthusiastie republi- can; he was elector in 1880; delegate to the National convention in 1884, and soon after chosen chairman of the re- publican executive committte of the First Congressional District. At all times, in all cases and under all circum- stances, he proved himself a careful, earnest, intelligent representative of the people. In 1888 Mr. Posey was nom- inated for congressman of the First Congressional District, which for forty years, had been considered democratic. After a hotly contested campaign the usual majority of 2,000 was reduced to 21 in a total vote of 40,000. Two months after the regular election, a vacancy having occurred by the resigna- tion of Gen. Hovey, Mr. Posey was elected for the unexpired term by a majority of 1,100 over his foriner opponent. Having served with dis- tinction for the unexpired term he re- turned to his home and to the practice of his profession.
In 1893 he removed to Evansville and has since been a member of the law firm of Posey & Chappel. In 1896 he was a prominent and popular can- didate before the republican state con- vention for Governor of Indiana and 14
nomination for that office by reason of the location of candidates for offices, notwithstanding he immediately entered into the campaign and labored unceas- ingly for his party's cause until his work helped to achieve a great State and National victory for his party, During this campaign Mr. Posey spoke in all the principal cities of his state, and in many places in other states. There was no more eloquent and earnest orator in this campaign than Mr. Posey. His services as an advocate, orator and lecturer are in constant demand, not only in Indiana, but adjoining states. As a citizen, lawyer and statesman, Mr. Posey has a made a reputation which is a credit to himself and an honor to the state.
REV. JULIUS BLASS,
PASTOR of the German Evangelical Protestant, St. John's church, of Evansville, was born in Erie, Pennsyl- vania. May 1, 1861, and is the son of Rev. Jacob Blass, a native of Germany. who came to America in 1859, and who had studied for the ministry at Heidel- berg, Germany, and Utrecht, Holland. Ile married Catherine Barthel, a native of Rhenish, Bavaria, and the subject of this sketch was the first of eight children born to them. The father died in 1890, in Erie, Pennsylvania. The mother is still living and resides with her son in Evansville.
Rev. Julius Blass received his early education in the public schools of Penn-
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sylvania, and in 1877 entered the Theo- logical school at Meadville, Pennsylvania. from where he was graduated in IS82. Having taken a post-graduate course of one year in the same school, he was ordained for the ministry at Meadville, 1883, and began in the service immedi- ately. Hle located at Jackson, Mich- igan, and there had charge of the First Unitarian church. After remaining there two years he removed to Mill- bury, Massachusetts, and for four years was pastor of the First Unitarian church there.
He came to Evansville in 1889, and for one year was assistant to Rev. Runck, who had charge of the German Evangelical Protestant St. John's church. When Rev. Runck was called to his reward in 1890, Rev. Blass was elected as his successor. This church has the largest membership of any church in Evansville, comprising about 630 fami- lies. Rev. Blass is admirably fitted for his responsible position. He adds to his knowledge a spirit of retirement, and to his zeal an excellent judgment. His ability as a scholar and his worth as a man have given him a strong hold upon the affections of the people.
De WITT Q. CHAPPELL,
A TTORNEY at law, was born in Pike, county, Indiana, January 22, 1861. His early life was spent on the paternal farm near Petersburgh, Indiana, where he also attended the common schools of the county. As he grew older he went to the State Normal School at Terre
Haute, which course was supplemented by additional training at the State Uni- versity at Bloomington, Indiana. His father dying about this time Mr. Chap- pell was obliged to quit school and manage the family estate. This inter- ruption in his studies, however, did not cripple the young man's spirit, and though much of his time was taken up by the management of the farm, he pushed onward bravely, devoting all his spare hours to study, and thereby acquiring those habits of close applica- tion, which form the basis of his sub- sequent success in life.
After leaving college he was appointed principal of the schools of Stendal, a town of his native county, which posi- tion he filled with distinction.
In 1885 he removed to Evansville, where he read law in the office of J. S. and C. Buchanan. Returning to Peters- burg in 1887, he was admitted to the bar of the Pike Circuit Court. It was but a short time until the fellow-citizens of Mr. Chappell recognized his abilities. and hence entrusted to him a fair quota of their legal business. The skill and assiduity the young attorney evinced in the management of these affairs showed that their confidence in him was rightly placed. His practice began rapidly to increase, and his reputation as a "safe" counselor and skillful advocate soon be- came firmly established.
In 1889 Mr. Chappell was united in marriage to Miss Anna F. Summerville, of Vincennes. Indiana.
In the following year he formed a partnership with Hon. Francis B. Posey. which partnership still exists. In 1894
DEWITT Q. CHAPPELL.
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C. A BREHMER.
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Mr. Chappell was urged to make the young, locating at Tonawanda, New race for the lower branch of the legisla- ture on the democratic ticket. The times, however, were not favorable to that party's success, and he, like so many others of his political complexion, was defeated. In the same year he be- came a member of the law firm of Mattison, Posey & Chappell, in Evans- ville, still, however, remaining in charge of the Petersburg office.
Two years later be removed with his family to Evansville, the occasion of this change being the election of the Hon. Hamilton A. Mattison, the senior mem- ber of the firm, as Judge of the Vander- burgh Circuit Court. Since 1896 Mr. Chappell has been a member of the firm of Posey & Chappell.
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