USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Biographical cyclopedia of Vanderburgh County, Indiana : embracing biographies of many of the prominent men and families of the county > Part 7
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CHAS. H. JOHANN.
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VANDERBURGH COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.
CHARLES H. JOHANN, .
P RESENT coroner of Vanderburgh county, was born in Evansville July 1, 1857, and is the second child of Albert and Barbara (Spies) Johann. Charles William Johann, (grandfather), a native of Prussia, came to America in 1848, locating at Cannelton, Indiana, where, after a long and busy life he died in July, 1875.
Albert Johann, (father), was born in Prussia July 16, 1831, and was schooled in his native country and he learned to be a carpenter. He has been engaged for over a quarter of a century in the undertaking business in Evansville. He began life a poor man, but by industry and economy has succeeded in accumu- lating a comfortable competence. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. & L. of H. fraternities. His affiliations are with the republican party and he has served the city as councilman one term. He was united in marriage in July. 1854, to Miss Barbara Spies and eight children have blessed their union.
Charles H. Johann, after receiving his education in the schools of Evansville, was apprenticed to a carpenter, but for the past twelve years has been engaged with his father in the undertaking busi- ness. being one of the most efficient embalmers in the state. In the fall of 1896 he was elected by the people as coroner of Vanderburgh county. That he is thoroughly competent all agree, and in his ability the people have un- questionable confidence. He stands at the commencement of his career, and measuring the future by the past, flatter-
ing predictions may be made. He is a member of Leni Leoti lodge, A. O. U. W., Wagner lodge, K. of P., Evans- ville lodge No. 1, D. of H., and the Evansville Press Club. He is a widower and has a son, Serle, sixteen years of age.
JACOB BIPPUS,
A FOREMOST contractor and builder of Evansville, was born in that city February 9, 1846, and as soon as his elementary education was completed, he started out to do something for him- self and decided to be a carpenter, which trade he learned at an early age. He is the son of Gottlieb and Katherine (Loeffler) Bippus, natives of Germany. There are very few contractors in Southern Indiana who are better known or more universally esteemed and re- spected than is Jacob Bippus. He is known by almost everybody and nearly every town in Southern Indiana is in- debted to him for some one or more handsome structures. We might men- tion a few of the most important build- ings which Mr. Bippus has superin- tended, as follows: Grace Presbyter- ian church of Princeton, Y. M C. A. of Evansville, Val. M. Schmitz' block, Gilbert Walker's residence, Fowler, Dick & Walker block, Postoffice block of Vincennes, residence of Wm. Decker, president of the German National Bank. He employes a great number of work- men and his treatment to them always gives assurance of his being able to secure all the help needed. His career
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has been charactized by enterprising came to Evansville in 1893 and has activity, able management and unyield- ing devotion to honorable methods. He has been efficient and trustworthy, and has earned by good work the ad- vancement made.
Mr. Bippus was united in marriage in 1867, to Miss Laura Mathias, and their union has been blessed with ten children.
Mr. Bippus is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and is also an active Knight of Pythias.
SILVESTER D. MUSGRAVE, M. D.,
NE of the younger members of the Evansville medical profession, was born in Boonville, Indiana, in 1864-and is the son of Benjamin and Rebecca Ann (Davis) Musgrave. His father was born in Kentucky in 1813 and came to Indiana at an early day and was successfully engaged in farming in Warrick county. He died at the age of eighty-three years. Mrs. Rebecca Ann (Davis) Musgrave, mother, was born in White county, Illinois, in 1829, and died in August, 1896. The subject of this sketch was the tenth of twelve children He spent his boyhood days on the farm and attended the high school in Boonville, Indiana. After completing his literary education he taught school until 1887, when he entered the Hah- neman College, of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1889, and for four years following practiced his profession in Newburgh, Indiana.
succeeded in building up a valuable and gratifying practice. He is a member of the Indiana Homeopathic Medical Society and for four years past has been one of the United States examining surgeons at Boonville. He is also a member of the Evansville Homeopathic Medical Society. He occupies a fore- most position among his medical brethren, and is everywhere recognized. not only as an able and successful physi- cian, but as a valuable citizen.
Dr. Musgrave was united in marriage in September, 1888, to Miss Katie B. Werry, daughter of Peter Werry, a native of Warrick county.
HENRY SCHMINKE,
A PROMINENT business man of Evans. ville, head of the firmn of H. Schminke & Co., was born in Germany, April 12, 1854, and is the son of Bern- hart Schminke.
Henry Schminke came to America in 1855. Both of his parents expired when he was about ten years of age and he went to live with Mr. Martin Seibert, a farmer of Vanderburgh county. Here he worked for four years and occasionally attended the common schools. He was naturally ambitious and realized that he must make his own way in the world, so in 1865 he went to Grayville, Illinois, and there learned the tinner's trade, which he followed for about eighteen months He in Grayville. Then he returned to
DR. S. D. MUSGRAVE.
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JGL
H. SCHMINKE.
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VANDERBURGH COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.
Evansville and engaged his services to and is a useful and helpful member of Mr. John Scantlin, of Fulton avenue. that body. In 1869 he entered the firm of J. B. H. Schminke was united in marriage in October, 1879, to Miss Julia Bates, and four children have blessed their union. Mesker & Co., and when George Mes- ker succeeded his father, Mr. Schminke remained with the son. He was indus- trious, careful and economical, and Mr. Schminke is a member of the A. O. U. W., Improved German K. P. and Macabees. managed to save part of his earnings, and in nine years bought out the busi- ness of his employer, which he has con- ducted most successfully ever since, and which to-day is the leading stove and tinware house in Evansville. Mr. Schminke has not confined himself ALBERT W. FUNKHOUSER. alone to one enterprise. He was one COME men achieve distinction early in life, while to others the honors and the plaudits come later. Albert W. Funkhouser, a prominent member of the Evansville bar, belongs to the former class. His success in life is due to his own exertion and energy. He was born in Harrison county, Indiana, October 4, 1863, and is the son of Jacob and Mary L. (Winder) Funkhouser. of the incorporators of the Sunnyside Coal and Mining Company, and for two years served that institution as secre- tary and treasurer. He has been prom- inently engaged in teaming, owning a large number of horses and vehicles. He is an efficient business man and a popular citizen. He who starts empty- handed in the race of life and at his prime has gathered about him those things which bespeak successful en- deavor, may be said to have made his own way.
The success of Mr. Schminke has been due in a large measure to his un- tiring zeal, constant watchfulness and unswerving probity. A democrat in politics, faithfully exercising the rights of citizenship, he is never offensive to political opponents in the enunciation of his principles. A man of his intellect and experience could not possibly avoid getting into public life, and he was unanimously elected councilman from the third ward in April, 1895, and in 1897 was re-elected to that position,
The family was founded in America by John Funkhouser, who emigrated from near Zurich, Switzerland, and settled seven miles north of what is now Woodstock, Virginia, in 1682. He was one of that class of emigrants to which Mr. Cooke refers in his "History of Virginia," saying: "To this day the Germans constitute an important ele- ment of the population (of the Shenan- doah Valley) and in some places the language is spoken It was an excellent class of emigrants. Everywhere was the appearance of reality and thrift; well kept fields, fat cattle and huge red barns." A descendant, Moses Funk- houser, grandfather of the subject of
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this sketch, settled in Harrison county, Indiana, in the year of ISOS. While yet a lad of fourteen he took part in the battle of Tippecanoe as a member of a company organized at Corydon, known as the "Yellow Jackets."
Albert W. Funkhouser was reared on his father's farm in Harrison county. As a boy in school he was quick and bright. After completing the course of study at the public schools he entered DePauw University at Green Castle, Indiana, in September, 1881, as a mem- ber of the class of 1885. He took a high rank in college and was recognized as one of the strongest members of his class. In 1884 he represented the Platoneau Society in the Kinnear- Morette contest-the oldest as well as the most honorary forensic contest in that renowned school of learning.
After a thorough course of reading in the office of Messrs. W. N. and R. J. Tracewell at Corydon, he began the city. practice of law at Leavenworth in 1887, in partnership with Hon. Robert J. Tracewell, afterward a member of the Fifty-third congress from that district. The partnership lasted for nine years and was rewarded with a lucrative busi- ness and established a reputation for both members as able, conscientious lawyers.
Mr. Funkhouser was admitted as a member of the bar of the supreme court of Indiana in 1892. He has always been an ardent but a liberal republican politically. In 1894 he was his party's unanimous choice for prosecuting attorney of the third circuit, and was elected by the handsome majority of
498. leading the ticket by JOS votes. As a prosecutor he was fearless, ener. getic and clean, and was endorsed by the opposition press as having served "with credit to himself and to the dis. trict." Though strongly solicited by the people of all parties to make the race for a second term, he declined in order to accept a partnership with his brother, Arthur F. Funkhouser, at Evansville in November, 1896. The firm of A. W. and A. F. Funkhouser enjoys an extensive and growing prac- tice, and is recognized as one of the strongest among . the younger class at the bar. Their prospects are second to none. .
Mr. Funkhouser was united in mar- riage January 28, 1891, to Miss Alta Craig and two children - boys-Albert C. and Paul T., have blessed their union. Their home, No. S42 Washington ave- nue, is one of the most beatiful in the .
GEORGE W. LOWRANCE,
P ROMINENT citizen and proprietor of the popular Sycamore street livery stable, was born in Warrick county April 10, 1852. Jas. W. Lowrance, (father), was born in South Carolina and came to Warrick county with his parents when he was three years old. He grew up to be a farmer and was very prosperous as such and died August 27, 1896, on his farm in Warrick county, where he lived for fifty-five years. He married Miss Fuquay, a native of Warrick county, and their union was
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ALBERT W. FUNKHOUSER.
CHAS. SIHLER.
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VANDERBURGH COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.
blessed with seven children, the subject of this sketch being the fifth. James W. Lowrance was a most popular and highly respected citizen in the commun- ity in which he resided.
George W. Lowrance received his elementary education in the common schools of Warrick county, going to school in the winter and working on his father's farm in the summer, and when nineteen years of age started out on his own account to fight the battles of life. His first move was to engage in the livery business at Newburgh, Indiana, where he formed a partnership with Mr. Albert Alexander. In 1883, having spent twelve years prosperously at New- burgh and having become known all over Southern Indiana as livery men of ability, they began to look out for a larger and better field, selecting Evans- ville as their future abode, moving there in that year and commenced a livery and feed stable business on Sycamore street, the business continuing success- fully and about five years ago Mr. Low- rance, keeping pace with the rapid growth of Evansville, purchased the ground and erected a handsome livery stable on Sycamore street, between Fourth and Fifth, which he at present occupies. It is one of the best in the city, having a capacity for sixty-five head of horses. Mr. Lowrance owns sixteen to twenty head himself, fifteen to twenty vehicles, has thirty to thirty- five boarders and employs regularly five to ten men.
"Duck" Lowrance as he is familiarly called by his friends and acquaintances stands to-day a peer to livery men in 8
Southern Indiana. He is one of the most genial, popular and progressive men in Evansville. He is a man of sterling integrity, loyal and public spirited and numbers his friends by the score.
CHARLES SIHLER,
C LERK of Vanderburgh county, was born in Evansville in 1869, and re- ceived his elementary education there in the public schools. Louis Sihler, (father), was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, May 25, 1833, and was a son of L. Sihler, who married Agatha Schleicher, both natives of Germany. Louis Sihler received a good education in Germany, was thrown upon his own resources and developed sterling traits of character, which marked his conduct through life, emigrated to the United States in 1853, locating in Evansville. He was engaged in merchandising for a number of years, when in 1872 he was appointed deputy recorder of Van- derburgh county, and served in that capacity twelve years, when he was elected by a handsome majority to the office of county recorder; was re-elected in 1888. In 1860 he was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Sixt, a native of Germany, born in 1841, and their union was blessed with five children, as follows: Henrietta, Charles, Lona, Margaret and Clara. Louis Sihler died January 11, 1890.
Charles Sihler served as deputy clerk under Charles Jenkins and also under Mr. Boepple. He served as clerk in
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VANDERBURGH COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.
the recorder's office under his father, university and continued his study at made a race for that office in 1890, but with all other republicans met defeat ; then he served a year in the treasurer's office and then went into the clerk's office. In the fall of '96 he was elected county clerk and in that capacity has demonstrated the wisdom of his con- stituents in placing him there. When but a boy Charles Sihler was serving the people as deputy clerk and so apparent were his abilities and so acceptable his service that it was pre- dicted that he would attain the highest position of trust in Vanderburgh county. He is a man of correct business habits, well qualified, efficient, trust-worthy and popular with the masses. Charles Sihler was united in marriage to Miss Maria Haas in 1895, and one child has blessed their union.
HON. H. M. LOGSDON,
EMINENT lawyer, member of the Ev- ansville bar, was born in Spencer county, Indiana, June 28, 1852, and is the son of Samuel Logsdon. The boy- hood days of Mr, Logsdon were spent on his father's farm in Spencer county, Indiana, where he worked in summer and attended the common schools in winter. By diligence he obtained a fair education, and for some time taught school in the neighboring districts, but having higher aims in view, decided to enter the State University, which he did in 1871, and from which he was gradu- ated in 1875. He studied law at the
Rockport, Indiana, in the law office of Hatfield, DeBruler & Thomas, and in 1877 was admitted to the bar at Rock- port, Indiana. For fourteen years he practiced law in the courts of that thriving little town. He not only won the respect of the courts and the mem- bers of the legal profession, but also obtained a substantial and lucrative practice. Although Mr. Logsdon can- not be said to be an active politician, he has always affiliated with the demo- cratic party, and for two years was chairman of the Democratic Central Committee. In the fall of 1886 he was elected state senator from Spencer and Warrick counties, and it is a remarkable fact that, with him as an exception, the entire democratic ticket that year went down to defeat. No representative in the state had a better reputation as a public officer, or secured more universal and hearty assistance from his associates than did Mr. Logsdon, during the four years of his service as senator. He was appointed a member of the Judiciary Committee, and to Senator Barrett, of Wayne county, and himself, was due the credit for drafting the state election law, which Mr. Logsdon ably and espe- cially championed. He was mainly instrumental in assisting in having passed legislation which had been asked for by Vanderburgh county. He took an active part in the repeal of the Intimidation law.
For two years, from 1891 to 1893. Mr. Logsdon practiced law in Chatta- nooga, Tennessee, but foreseeing, as he believed, that Evansville was destined
H. M. LOGSDON.
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W. S. HURST.
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VANDERBURGH COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.
to become the first metropolis of He was united in marriage to Miss Indiana, he located here in. the fall of Phæbe Brinton, a native of Dubois county, who expired in 1847. 1893, and later formed a partnership with Hon. Henry Mason, under the firm name of Logsdon & Mason.
Mr. Logsdon has attained a position at the bar in the very front ranks of the best lawyers in the state of Indiana. He is thoroughly in love with his profession and entertains an exalted idea of the character of a lawyer.
He was united in marriage, May 20, 1891, to Miss Katie Hyland, an accom- plished and highly intelligent young woman, daughter of Wilmer Hyland, a prominent business man, of Rockport, Indiana.
Mr. Logsdon is an active and helpful member of the Masonic order, the Elks and Knights of Pythias.
In 1885 he made an extensive trip through Europe, spending four months traveling in that country.
· WESLEY S. HURST,
A TTORNEY at law and member of the Evansville bar, was born November 9, 1846, in Dubois county, Indiana. He started in life with the odds against him, succeeded in obtaining an educa- tion which he most desired, studied law and to-day enjoys a gratifying practice.
Ira Hurst (father) was a Virginian, and came to Dubois county at an early date and afterwards moved to Gibson county. He was a prominent farmer and carpenter, a man much loved and highly respected by all who knew him.
Mr. Hurst obtained his early mental training from the common schools of Dubois county, which he attended in winter, working on a farm in summer, and in 1861 he engaged to work in a printing office at Jasper, Indiana. About that time the war dogs began to bay, and Mr. Hurst quit the printing office, picked up his drum and entered the Union army as drummer boy in com- pany E, Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry. In that capacity he served faithfully one year, when, on account of ill-health, he was honorably discharged and returned home. He at once entered the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, and remained there until 1868, graduating in that year in both literature and law. His great aim was an education, and being of meagre means, and being a firm believer in the gospel of industry and the dignity of labor, he paid his own way through the university by acting as janitor in that institution. To meet his demands while establishing a prac- tice amid all the competition of the day, he readily recognized would be impossi- ble. Therefore, he deferred beginning the practice of law until he could earn sufficient capital to carry him, which he did by teaching school in Pike, Gibson and Warrick counties until 1872. In that year he was admitted to the bar and began to practice law at Vincennes, Indiana, remaining there two years. He removed to Petersburg, Indiana, and in 1883 located in Evansville, where he has continually practiced his profession
,
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VANDERBURGH COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.
since, and has been eminently successful, building and contracting. He moved to as a man must who is in love with his Evansville in 1868, and up to the time profession. He is studious, energetic and industrious in his habits. of his death, in 1887, was a prominent contractor in Evansville, and did a great Mr. Hurst was appointed city attor- ney December 18, 1895, and served one term. deal of work in building up the city. He married Miss Frances Rice, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and their union was blessed with nine children, the subject of this sketch being the eighth.
GEORGE F. WEIKEL,
A LEADING builder and contractor of Evansville. was born in Evansville, Indiana, April 23, 1868. At an early age he learned to be a brick mason, and before he was twenty-five years of age, was doing an extensive contracting and building business. His first contract was the building of the Keller printing house, and in 1896 he erected the mag- nificent structure known as the Dela- ware street school building. He was also awarded, in December, 1896, the contract for building the new monastery, on Kentucky avenue, in Evansville, a magnificent structure which was com- pleted in June, 1897. In this work Mr. Weikel was his own architect and super- intendent, and had entire charge of the work, personally supervising it in every detail, and it is a fact that the building gave entire satisfaction to all concerned.
George Weikel has the reputation of being one of the most " go ahead" men of this section. He stands to-day at the beginning of his career, and, if we shall judge the future by the past, some very flattering predictions might be made.
Frank Weikel ( father ) was born in ' Pennsylvania, and was engaged in of his death, in the summer of 1890.
George F. Weikel is one of the young men who has achieved prominence early in life. He is always busy, and gives employment to thirty-five or forty men, in various capacities. He is a consist- ent member of Assumption church. He is a young man of sterling worth, and is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him.
ALBERT F. KARGES,
SECRETARY and treasurer of the Karges Furniture Company, a prominent and enterprising citizen of Evansville, was born in German township in Novem- ber, 1861.
His father, Ferdinand Karges, came 1 to America in 1851, coming direct to Evansville, where he followed his trade. that of cabinet-making. About 1865 he was engaged with Christ Miller in the manufacture of furniture, under the firm name of Miller, Karges & Co .. which was dissolved some years later, when Mr Karges assisted in forming the Evansville Furniture Company. Ten years later he withdrew from the latter concern and engaged in farming in White county, Illinois, up to the time
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D
GEO. F. WEIKEL ..
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A. F. KARGES.
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VANDERBURGH COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.
He married Miss Rosa Dulty, born in the Business Men's Association and is a Germany in 1836, and she died in prominent member of the Manufacturers' Evansville in 1868. Their union was blessed with four children, Albert F, Will T .. member of the firm of Karges & Wimberg, and two daughters, one of whom married Mr. J. W. Boehne, of the Indiana Stove Works, and the other is also married and lives in Vanderburgh county. Ferdinand Karges was married (second) to Miss Mary Bohleber.
A. F. Karges received his elementary education in the public schools of Evans- ville, and took a course in the Rankin & Wright Commercial College. Setting out to fight life's battles alone, he entered the employment of Fred. Bro- kamp, merchant tailor of Evansville, and remained with him three years. In August, 1879, Mr. Karges engaged as bookkeeper with William Hughes in the dry goods business, where for six years he filled creditably that responsible position. Leaving there, he was for some months in the lumber business. and in the fall of 1885, he became interested with Mr. Henry Stolz in the manu- facture of furniture, under the firm name of Stolz & Karges. This part- nership continued prosperously until February, 1889, when Mr. Karges, in connection with two others, bought out the interest of Mr. Stolz and organized the Karges Furniture Company, to-day one of the foremost furniture manufact- uring establishments in the country, with an ever increasing trade, extending not only all over the United States, but reaching far into other countries, notably South Africa and South America. Mr. Karges was at one time a member of
Association of Evansville, having been the second vice president elected to preside over that body, and was strongly solicited to serve as president, which, for good and sufficient reasons, he declined. He is an elder in the Jeffer- son Avenue Presbyterian church, of which he has for many years been an active and helpful worker. In his con- tributions to this and kindred organiza- tions for the maintenance and propaga- tion of Christianity, Mr. Karges has been very liberal.
Albert F. Karges is a self-made man, having begun his career without means or influence in his favor, and he has, by hard work and close economy, attained a comfortable competence.
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