USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Biographical cyclopedia of Vanderburgh County, Indiana : embracing biographies of many of the prominent men and families of the county > Part 15
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gerous feat of walking the whole dis. tance from New Orleans to Louisville. in those days when wolves were more numerous than domestic animals and Indians as common as Caucasians. Ile returned through what was then known as the Indian nation, and underwent some very thrilling, and to say the least, unpleasant experiences. At one time he found himself in close proximity with the Indians, and it was only by the shrewdest maneuvering that he escaped from them.
He was a manly boy, animated by a noble impulse and fortified by the moral courage which prompted him to accept any honorable employment that offered reasonable remuneration. Prior to 1820 he was employed by the government to assist in surveys of public land in Ala- bama, Florida and Mississippi. He served in the war with Great Britain, first as adjutant and was afterwards promoted to the rank of major. This was before he had reached his majority.
His father, Thomas Lowry, who married Miss Anne Johnson, removed to Posey county, Indiana, in 1819, and settled near Springfield. In 1820 the son joined him and for eight succeeding years lived in the vicinity of Spring- field, then the county seat of Posey county, and became one of the import- ant factors in the history and progress of that county. He was engaged in farming and trading and his efforts were crowned with gratifying success. In 1828 he removed to Mt. Vernon, Indi- ana, and embarked in mercantile pur- suits. For over a quarter of a century he remained in Mt. Vernon and in all
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of his transactions was eminently suc- cessful. . In 1855 he followed Mr. N. G. Nettleton, his wife's brother, to Cincin- nati and the firm of Nettleton & Lowry was formed to do a banking business in that city. The business grew and pros. pered until 1861, when Mr. Lowry removed with his family to Evansville. While residing in Evansville where most of his interests centered, he also served as president of the bank at Mt. Vernon from 1861 to 1864. He was the first president of the Evansville National Bank and the founder and senior member of the firm of W. J. Lowry & Company, organized to do a banking business in Evansville. He achieved prominence as a banker by familiarity with the principles of finance and the consistent management of fiscal institutions. He advanced continuously from the ranks of a wage-earner to one of the foremost business men and finan- ciers of Indiana. From the time he left his father's home he made his own way in the world, and achieved success with little financial assistance from any source. Ile possessed in a high degree those traits of character and disposition that qualify a man for the administra- tion of trusts and endears him to his friends. His personal integrity was never doubted and his honor was unsul- lied. He was a consistent and faithful member of the Trinity Methodist Epis- copal church for more than four decades and he was liberal in dispensing charity. generous towards all. He was a busy man, a man of means and affairs, but also found time to devote to the per- formance of his religious duties. The
characteristics of his religion were exhibited in his domestic, social and business life; gentleness in the rearing of children; kindliness in personal inter- course with others; honesty in dealing with men: thriftiness in accumulating property. His business continued with marked success and unbroken pros- perity up to the time of his death, which was brought about by an injury received
from a fail in 1872 He became widely known throughout the financial world and was able to amass a comfortable fortune. His life was quiet and unos- tentatious, but he accomplished much. He was always busy, always economi- cal, always thrifty. He wasted nothing, not even his time. He was large hearted and generous, modest in de- meanor and yet quietly relieving the wants and making provision for the unfortunate. His days were devoted to useful employment and his earnings invested so as to yield a good inercase. The end justified his sagacity. The present generation of men in the central- western states scarcely realize how much they owe to the sagacity and pro- gressive spirit of the pioneers, who endured the privation imposed upon frontier life to lay the foundation of ample fortune for their children, while building a great and prosperous com- monwealth.
W. J. Lowry was united in marriage in 1823 to Miss Sarah Nettleton, of Springfield, Illinois, whose Christian character, womanly sympathy and de- termination contributed in no small degree to the success of her husband and the happiness of the family.
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WILLIAM M. AKIN, JR.,
NE little expects to find startling in- cidents in the life of a merchant, but he fails to comprehend the forces. which contribute to the advancement of the moral, social and political interests of our people who leaves the careful business man out of his reckonings. No history of Vanderburgh county would be complete that did not mention the part William M. Akin, Jr., has already played in public affairs, to say nothing of the possibilities of the future, even beyond his term of service as mayor of Evansville, which does not expire until April, 1899. His boyhood days were that of a typical Hoosier boy of the present and the immediate past. He was born December 31, 1855, at Carlisle, Indiana, and his elementary education was obtained from the district schools. He was ambitious and determined to seek a higher education than the com- mon schools afforded, and in 1873, he entered the old Asbury College, now DePauw University, and was graduated in 1878.
While earnest and persistent in the prosecution of his studies, his cordiality and social disposition gained him wide popularity among his fellow students. These qualities supported by magniti- cent physicial proportions gained him a leadership in college affairs. At the same time his methods and applications in study, supplemented by his facile comradeship with members of the faculty, furnished him with unusual breadth of qualification for executive work.
In 1865 Mr. Akin came to Evansville and in 1878 became a member of the firm of William Akin & Son, engaged in the pork packing business and the success of the concern, under the guid- ing hands of his father and himself, has been very gratifying and its operations have extended far and near. The house has a reputation for honesty and fair dealing second to none in the country. Mr. Akin has always affiliated with the democratic party and has been unswery- ing in his devotion to the interests thereof.
Prior to his election as Mayor of Evansville, he never held public office, with the exception of two terms as school trustee under the administration of Mayor Hawkins, which place he re- signed to accept the nomination for mayor. A man of his intelligence and ability could not, however, keep out of public life and he was induced to make the race for mayor of Evansville in the last campaign and was elected by the overwhelming majority of 2,785 votes. His administration has been highly cred- itable, evincing devotions to the interests of the city and comprehensive knowl- edge of its wants. He is prompt and untiring in his efforts to serve all with equability and without distinction, and in his daily administration is proving the wisdom of his constituents who placed him at the head of the municipal government of Evansville. Personally Mayor Akin is so genial in his manners, that whenever required to display force and resolution of purpose, he shows so much suavity and tact that he disarms criticism. He seldom offends and
WM. M. AKIN, JR.
H. J. WEISS.
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never loses a friendship once formed, socially or politically. Ilis rapid ad- vancement in public life has made no change in that modest, quiet demeanor. which characterized him as a business man before political honors were con- ferred on him. He is too level-headed to be puffed up by prosperity. His comprehension of human nature and keen incite into motive as the main- spring of human action, and his adapti- bility, without surrender of dignity or self-respect, qualify him in a high de- gree for success as an executive officer. Though strong in his views and inde- pendent in action he is careful not to offend others by pushing his opinions upon them.
William Akin, Sr., ( father) is a na- tive of Indiana, having been born in 1828. He married Miss Mary Davis, and to them seven children were born, the subject of this sketch being the third. As a business man and public spirited citizen, Mr. William Akin, Sr , has no superior. He is a man of ster- ling integrity and one who is loved, honored and respected by his fellow- men. Few men have had as success- ful a career. He is a man of discretion and pronounced virtues. He is well informed, beloved by his friends and re- spected by the community on account of his generosity, congenial manner and high integrity.
William M. Akin, Jr., is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the B. P. O. E. His convictions of duty are strong and unyielding. His ac- tivity is intense and unremitting whether in the prosecution of his private busi-
ness or in the discharge of public trust. During the entire period of his residence in town, Mr. Akin has been eminently identified with many of the public en- terprises which have affected favorably the growth and improvement of Evans- ville. He is in all the essentials of good citizenship-a leading and valua- ble citizen.
He was united in marriage 1886, to Miss Tillie Schlueter, a native of Il- linois, but a resident of Evansville since childhood. Their union has been blessed with five children, four of whom survive.
HENRY J. WEISS,
A SUCCESSFUL architect and valuable citizen, was born in Evansville July 17, 1860, and is the son of Jacob and Caroline Weiss.
Jacob Weiss, his father, was born in Darmstadt, on the Rhine, Germany, and was engaged in contracting and building. He came to America in 1847 and died in 1889. The mother was born in Berlin, Germany, and came to America in 1852. Their union was blessed with eleven children, of which the subject of this sketch was the sec- ond.
Henry J. Weiss obtained his education in the schools of Evansville, and took a course in a commercial college, which prepared him for his active life. After finishing his education he began to do a contracting business, the following being some of the numerous buildings
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he has crected in Evansville: The city hall, the fire department building at the corner of Third and Walnut streets and he did the wood work in the Orr block, contract for the Eichel block, wood work on the county jail, contract for Gleisige's building, Major Rosencranz's plow works, contract for the Jenner block, F. W. Cook brewery, the Evans- ville Ice and Storage Co.'s building.
January 1, 1895, he began in the architect business and formed a partner- ship, which was dissolved June. 1897, since when he has worked alone. He made the plans for the Haynie drug store, residences of Andy Richardt, Ed. Nisbet and Joe Brentano, the Delaware street eight-room, two-story brick school building, addition to the Columbia street school and numerous other public and private buildings in Evansville and in adjoining cities.
Having had many years experience in practical as well as theoretical work, Mr. Weiss is, therefore, in position to serve the public in all forms of modern architecture. His business has pros- pered beyond expectation, apparently more than keeping pace with the rapid progress of the country. His capacity for work is great, and his dispatch of business rapid. He is an indefatigable worker and always punctual. These characteristics have contributed largely to the successful achievements of his life.
He was united in marriage Decem- ber 14, 1882, to Miss Ella E. Haskins, a native of Kentucky, and four children have blessed their union, two boys and two girls.
WILLIAM HENRY GILBERT, M. D.
T HE citizen of an intelligent commu- nity is usually worth the estimate placed upon him by his neighbors. If he is engaged in professional work they appreciate his ability and his honor, his integrity, fidelity and skill. Among the physicians held in high esteem in Evansville is Dr. William H. Gilbert. Ile started in life with no adventitious aids and has risen to an enviable posi- tion in his profession. lle was born in Evansville February 8, 1868.
James Gilbert (father) was born in Ireland and came to America with his parents when he was nine years of age. They moved to Canada and remained there until James was thirty years of age, when they removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they lived for six years. Then James Gilbert moved his family to Evansville, and he was engaged in the tailoring establishment of J. H. Schrichte & Co., with whom he remained until he retired from business in 1883. He was a man of the highest integrity, loved, honored and respected by all who knew him, and his death, which occurred June 20, 1893, was greatly deplored. James Gilbert married Miss Mary Jane Burrows, a native of Ireland, born August 16, 1829. She came to America when a child with her parents, who located in Canada. Her father, James Burrows, was a representative of the British government at that time. The death of Mary J. Gilbert occurred April I, IS95.
William H. Gilbert, the youngest of three children, received his clementary
DR. W. H. GILBERT.
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training in the common and high schools literature as well as medicine. As a of Evansville. In 1885 he entered the general practitioner he has not been less successful than in the special field of surgery, and in all departments of practice he holds a high rank among the physicians of Vanderburgh county. University of Michigan at Ann Harbor, where he took a classical and prepara- tory course. Then for two years he attended the Bellevue Hospital of New York, where he studied medicine and was graduated in 1SS9. In addition to the valuable instruction received in the university he pursued a special course of study in the New York Polyclinic and the Chicago Polyclinic, devoting CAPT. RICHARD T. WILLIAMS, particular attention to the diseases of women and surgery, taking special course under such able preceptors as Dr. Seen, of Chicago; J. Riddle and James Haw- ley Burten Shaw, of New York, and is now regarded as being among the more prominent surgeons of southern Indiana. He began the practice of his profession in Evansville March 23, 1889, and has succeeded in building up a most grati- fying practice.
Dr. Gilbert is a member and past chancellor commander of Orion lodge No. 35. K. of P., Reed lodge, F. & A. M., La Valette commandery, Knights Templar, and also an Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite thirty-second degree Ma- son. Ile is a member of the Vander- burgh Medical Society, the Mississippi Valley Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society, the Pan-Amer- ican Medical Society and American Medical Association. Ile was visiting physician at St. Mary's hospital from 1889 to 1893 and visiting surgeon to the Deaconess hospital for three years.
His carefully selected library suggests literary taste, and his liberal culture is a result of careful reading. Ile studies 17
A PROMINENT citizen of Evansville, and owner and master of the steamer J. C. Kerr, was born April 26, 1833, in Franklin county, Indiana, and is the son of Thomas and Hannah (Evans) Williams, who were natives of Ken- tucky. His father belonged to that large class of men of worth, who was born to the soil, and he was successfully engaged in farming. Thomas Williams removed with his family from Kentucky to Shelby county, Indiana, at an early day and entered a land claim. He was one of the pioneers of Shelby county and reared a family noted for their honor and true citizenship. He died in 1844, his wife surving him eight years.
Richard T. Williams was the oldest of six children and his boyhood days were spent in helping his father clear the land and cultivate the farm, which he did in summer, attending the then meagre schools which were in session about three months during the winter. In what was almost a wilderness he grew to manhood, and while his educa- tion was limited he was fortified and entrenched with abundant common sense and developed sterling traits of charac-
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ter ere he had reached his majority. The father having died it fell to his lot to maintain the family union and their support naturally devolved upon him. At the death of the mother, the boys, having reached the age of independence, started out to fight life's battles alone and Richard formed the purpose of carving out his own career and learned to be a carpenter. lle followed his trade as journeyman until 1870 when. having by hard work and close economy accumulated considerable means, he purchased a saw mill and later built a flour mill, operating both. This con- tinued until 1880 when he disposed of his milling interests and built a grist- mill boat which he operated in the Ohio River for some time. He then pur- chased the "Little Sandy," a small packet which he run in the trade be- tween Stephensport and Owensboro, Kentucky. His increasing trade de- manded a larger boat so he sold the "Little Sandy" and purchased the "Rosa Belle." He became very popular in the trade and his business increased with gratifying success until its propor- tions were so great as to call for still a larger boat and he sold the "Rosa Belle" and purchased the "Maggie Belle." He continued with the latter in the Ohio River trade until 1889 and then entered Green River. For eight years Capt. Williams has been catering to the transportation wants of the Green River territory. His popularity in that trade and the esteem in which he is held by the shipping and traveling pub- lic is amply attested by the fact that he has advanced continually from a smaller
to a larger packet until to-day he owns the elegant steamboat, the J. C. Kerr. which he runs semi-weekly Evansville to Woodbury, Kentucky, and return. Capt. Williams has a strong hold on the people of the Green River country and the confidence which they impose in him is well placed. He has done as much, if not more, than any man to promote the interests of his patrons and to maintain reasonable and indiscrim- inate transportation rates. Ile has spent a great deal of money in providing a comfortable and commodious steamer and is certainly deserving of the large patronage which has come to him
Since 1854 Capt. Williams has been an active and helpful member of the Masonic order, and in politics he affil- iates with the Republican party. He was united in marriage April 3, 1856, to Miss Patience Suddarth, a native of Perry county, Indiana, daughter of John Suddarth, a prosperous farmer. Their union has been blessed with ten children-five boys and five girls-nine of whom survive, one of the daughters having died in 1896. He is ably assisted in the operation of his steam- boat by his five sons, who serve as clerks, pilots and engineers.
Capt. Williams has been a resident of Evansville since ISS9 and is deeply interested in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the city. In all the essentials of good citizenship he is a valuable and worthy citizen. He bears up well under the weight of three score and four years and deserves in every way the great popularity which it is his fortune to enjoy.
PHILIP NONWEILER.
.
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PHILIP NONWEILER,
MANAGER of the Evansville Furniture Company, and a prominent citizen of Evansville, was born in Rhine Prov- ince, in Prussia, February 11, 1840. He wasschooled in his native land, where he obtained a splendid education. Be- fore coming to America in 1857 he served an apprenticeship as salesman and bookkeeper. Upon arriving in New York city he came to Evansville imme- diately and for several years was em- ployed as clerk with Mr. Henry Stock- fleth, who was engaged in the grocery business. When the wolves of war began to howl in 1861, Mr. Nonweiler laid aside his pen and bravely took up his musket in the defense of his country and on August 3. 1861. enlisted in the First Indiana Battery Light Artillery and in September went to Missouri, where he was assigned to General Jeffer- son C. Davis' brigade. He saw active service at Springfield, Pea Ridge, Helena and also at Milligan's Bend where he was assigned to General Grant's army; was in the Vicksburg, Mississippi, cam- paign and after the fall of that city par- ticipated in the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, and afterwards returned to Vicksburg. where he resigned on ac- count of ill-health, having served for over two years. He entered as quarter- master sergeant and left the service as first lieutenant. He commanded the battery at the battle of Jackson and dis- charged the duties with dignity and credit.
After he returned from the war he was for a number of years engaged as
bookkeeper, first for Keller & White, wholesale druggists, and afterwards for Roelker, Blount & Co. He served in that capacity for five years for Henry F. Blount.
He assumed the management of the Evansville Furniture Company in Sep- tember, 1870, and thus for over a quar- ter of a century has been the mainstay of that institution, one of the most important manufactories in the city of Evansville. He is the principal stock- holder and is ably assisted in the office by his two sons, Philip, Jr., and Gustave Nonweiler, two young business men of very promising future. Aside from Mr. Nonweiler's extensive duties in the management of the business of which he is the head, he finds time to devote to matters of public import; he is a member of the Basiness Men's Associa- tion and always displays an active inter. est in any cause intended to advance the welfare of Evansville and her people.
Ile was a charter member of Lessing lodge No. 464, F. & A. M., and has passed through all the chairs of that lodge. He is also a member of Farra- gut post No. 27, G. A. R. Mr. Non- weiler does not take an active part in politics, but is always interested in the character of the men who are to fill responsible positions of public trusts. His affiliations are with the republican party.
Mr. Nonweiler was united in mar- riage July 17, 1867, to Miss Bertha Mueller, who was born in the Rhine Province in 1847. Their union has been blessed with three children, as follows: Philip. Gustave and Berthold.
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Evansville is well adapted to the fur- niture business, and the great trade in this line which she enjoys is a source of gratification to every enterprising citi- zen, and it is doing more to advertise and make Evansville than probably anything else. Great credit is due the men who have so untiringly pushed the furniture industry to the front, and among those who have, by their energy, honest business methods and strict integrity, been instrumental in accom- plishing the coveted results stands Philip Nonweiler. He is a man of rare business ability, and has the furniture business at his finger's end.
PROFESSOR SIMON HECHT,
INSTRUCTOR of German and Semitic languages, was born March S, 182S, in Northeim. Bavaria, and is the son of David Hecht, also a native of Bavaria. The early education of Simon Hecht was obtained in his native country. He studied Hebrew and Talmudical litera- ture in Wuerzburg under the direction of Professor aud Rabbi S. Bamberger. He passed the state examination at Kaisers Lautern in the Rheinpfalz. He attended the Royal Teacher's Institute in Wuerzburg, Bavaria, 1843 and 1845. Before coming to America in 1866, he taught in Bavaria, Oldenburg and Schwerin. For five years, from 1866 to 1871, he was Rabbi of the Jewish Synagogue Temple and was connected with the Congregational schools as in-
structor. Then he was appointed prin. cipal of German schools in Henderson and Mt. Vernon, and in that capacity served four years. Then he returned to Evansville and has been engaged up to the present time in the Evansville Public schools. Professor Hecht has written and published several books. notably among them "The Confirmand" which was issued in two editions. It was a worthy effort and was well taken. It is used in the Jewish schools in this country where German is taught. An- other production of Professor Hecht is "Jewish Hymns," for Sunday schools and families, published in 1878. It met with deserved popularity and is now published by the Bloch Publishing company, of Cincinnati. He has com- posed some very beautiful songs, notably among them being one entitled "How Sweet Upon the Sacred Day," and another, "Where Is My Home?" For these songs Professor Cintura. of Evansville composed the music. Pro- fessor Hecht has written many poems which have appeared in the past in the Evansville Demokrat and in the De- borah, of Cincinnati. 1Ie occasionally corresponds with some of the papers of his native land.
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