USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Greater Indianapolis : the history, the industries, the institutions, and the people of a city of homes > Part 66
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were such that payment would work intolera- ble hardship and that he could himself better afford to assume the entire responsibility. These generous acts were never made public and represented only the genuineness of his sympathy and the intrinsic kindliness of his nature, which made him the friend of the friendless, one who "remembered those who were forgotten".
As a citizen Mr. Kregelo was essentially progressive and public-spirited, and he was also earnest in the support of charitable and benevolent objects and institutions, liberal and sympathetic in his private benefactions and genial and courteous in his intercourse with his fellow men in all walks of life. He was especially interested in young men and was ever ready to aid them by advice and in- fluence as well as by the extending of tangible aid when the same was justified. He realized to the full the dire effects of indulgence in intoxicating liquors, and there are many men who are to-day honored and useful citizens and who owe their redemption from intem- perance to the kindly influence of Mr. Kregelo. He was never censorious in his ad- monition to such young men but he earnestly besought them to make the most of their lives, giving to them unqualified sympathy and good will and proving to them a veritable guide, counselor and friend. He never failed to remember when a contribution was needed from him in connection with the work of charitable institutions which were the regular recipients of his liberal benefactions, and even on the day prior to his death he men- tioned and directed the sending of a check to a local home for women. He had an in- tuitive appreciation of the oriental nature, and the Chinese of Indianapolis looked upon him as their valued friend and adviser. He was held in specially high regard by E. Lung, head of the local Chinese Masonic body. Mr. Kregelo was a prominent figure in business circles in Indianapolis for many years and he well merited the distinctive success which it was his to gain through his own well di- rected endeavors.
In politics, though never a seeker of official preferment. Mr. Kregelo gave a stalwart al- legiance to the Republican party. He was an earnest member of the Second Presbyte- rian Church, as is also his widow, but he was tolerant in his religious views, finding good in all denominations and being liberal in his support of all worthy causes. His genial and courteous personality gained to him stanch friends and made him distinctively popular in both business and social circles. In the Masonic fraternity he attained to the thirty-
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second degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and was also identified with the local temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was actively affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, besides which he held membership in such representative Indianapolis organizations as the Board of Trade, the Commercial Club, the Columbia Club and the Country Club.
The interests and affections of Mr. Kregelo centered in his home, whose associations, ideal in character, afforded him the most unequiv- ocal solace and delight, even as it has long been known for its generous hospitality. Ou the 6th of September, 1866, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Kregelo. to Miss Laura J. McCune, who was born and reared at Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of James and Susanna Catherine (Wills) McCune, both of whom were likewise natives of the old Keystone state and representatives of families that contributed valiant patriots to the Continen- tal forces in the War of the Revolution. By reason of such ancestral service in the cause of national independence Mrs. Kregelo is eligible for and holds membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution. Both the MeCune and Wills families have had many distinguished representatives in the various generations in America, and the lin- eage of Mrs. Kregelo is of essentially patri- cian order. She has been a prominent and popular factor in connection with social, re- ligious and charitable activities in Indian- apolis, where her circle of friends is limited only by that of her acquaintances. The old- est daughter, Carrie Wilson, was born in In- dianapolis on the 9th of November, 1868, and died in this city on the 4th of February, 1892, at the age of twenty-four years; the second, Katherine Louise, was born in Indianapolis on the 5th of May. 1874, and is now the wife of Harry Beckwith, of Cleveland, Ohio; and Charles Wilbur, the son, died in infancy. Katherine Louise has two children by her first marriage, Dorothy Kregelo Martin, born August 17, 1897, and Charles Kregelo Mar- tin, born April 7, 1899.
Mr. Kregelo was a man of many admirable traits and had a host of friends among whom it is safe to say are numbered all those whom he served in their time of sorrow. He digni- fied his calling and what better could be said of any man in any field of labor?
The loss of their daughter Carrie Kregelo proved an irreparable bereavement to Mr. and Mrs. Kregelo, and her gentle and beanti- ful character gained to her the affectionate
regard of all who came within the sphere of her gracious influence. From many tributes to her memory given at the time of her death it is possible to present in this brief sketch only one, that given by the late Frances E. Willard, the loved head of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and an intimate friend of the Kregelo family. This noble woman wrote as follows: "My Dear, Kind Friends :- In the great grief that has come to you so suddenly it seems almost an intru- sion to write or speak. Some sorrows set us apart and put a sacredness upon us that is felt by all around. Yours is of such a nature, for your lives have been happy, your home secure, your loved ones spared to you. But, after all, the only changeless thing is change. Here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come. The eternal stars shine out as soon as it is dark enough, and our Heavenly Father draws us by sorrow nearer to himself, if we but take it right. My own heart has learned by what it suffered to look up from the graveside of my dearest and best, saying, 'Some day we shall meet again, and for that day I will live'. May you have the help from on high to make that holy vow, so shall the grave not cheat you of the bright and loving spirit that has gone. The days fly fast, the years sweep by; our treasure is not here, it is in heaven."
JOHN S. BERRYHILL. For a period of more than thirty years has John S. Berryhill been engaged in the practice of his profession in Indianapolis and he is recognized as one of the able and essentially representative mem- bers of the Indiana bar. He has a secure place in the confidence and esteem of the com- munity that has so long represented his home and as a citizen he has ever stood exponent of the most unequivocal loyalty and public spirit.
Mr. Berryhill is a native of the City of La- fayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, which was a mere village at the time when he was there ushered into the world, on the 27th of December, 1849. He is a son of John S. and Irene (Fry) Berryhill. the former of whom was born in Ohio. a scion of an old and hon -. ored family of that historic commonwealth, and the latter was also born in Ohio; their marriage was solemnized at Lafayette, In- diana, and they there continued to reside un- til siunmoned to the life eternal. Of their two children one, a daughter, died at the age of fourteen years, so that the subject of this review is now the only living representative of the immediate family circle. John S. Berryhill, Sr., had the supervision of the con- struction of the old Wabash & Erie canal,
Resscard Vonnegus.
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and was its superintendent for a number of years after its completion. He was a man of marked ability and of sterling integrity of character, and he became one of the honored and influential citizens of his section of the state. At the time of his death he was can- didate for state senator, on the Democratic ticket. The latter part of his active career was devoted principally to the marble busi- ness, and his life was one of signal usefulness and uprightness. He died in 1849 and his devoted wife is still living at the age of eighty-one years, a consistent member of the Methodist Church, as was her husband.
John S. Berryhill, the immediate subject of this review, gained his early educational diseipline in the common schools of his na- tive town and thereafter entered old Asbury University, now De Pauw University, at Greencastle, Indiana, in which institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1873 and from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts and in 1879 the degree of Master of Arts from the same institution. After his graduation he was for one year principal of the public schools of Frankfort, Indiana, and he then returned to Lafayette, where he began reading law under the pre- ceptorship of James R. Carnahan, being thus engaged until April, 1876, when he came to Indianapolis and became a student and clerk in the law office of the firm of Hanna & Knefter, then one of the foremost in the capi- tal city. He was admitted to the bar in 1876 and in 1879 he became associated with his former preceptors as a partner in prac- tice, under the firm name of Hanna, Knefler & Berryhill. This alliance continued until the death of Mr. Hanna, in 1882, and there- after the firm of Knefler & Berryhill con- tinued in control of the large and represen- tative professional business until the death of the senior member of the firm, in about 1899, since which time Mr. Berryhill has conducted an individual practice, with offices in the Hereth building, 134 East Washington street. He has gained much prestige as an able and versatile trial lawyer and has been concerned in much important litigation in the state and federal courts, besides which he has been re- tained as counsel to a large and representa- tive clientage. The extent and importance of his business offers the most effective voucher for his ability and fidelity in the work of his chosen profession. He is a valued member of the Indianapolis Bar Association, is a stalwart adherent of the Republican party, though never imbued with ambitiou for political office, and both he and his wife
are members of Roberts Park Methodist Episcopal Church.
On the 2nd of October, 1877, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Berryhill to Miss Mary L. Hanna, who was born in Greencastle, In- diana, and who is a daughter of John and Mahala (Sherfey) Hanna, both likewise na- tives of Indiana and members of honored pio- neer families of this commonwealth. Mr. Hanna, who was senior member of the firm of Hanna, Knefler & Berryhill, was for many years one of the leading members of the In- dianapolis bar and was a citizen of distinctive prominence and influence. He gained wide reputation as a trial lawyer and he served one term as a member of Congress from the Indianapolis district. Both he and his wife died in Greencastle. Mrs. Berryhill was a student in Asbury University at the same time as was her husband, and she was gradu- ated in that institution as a member of the class of 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Berryhill have two children, John H., who is superintendent of the Vulcan Plow Works, at Evansville, Indiana, and Irene, who is a graduate of De- Pauw University and who is now the wife of Earl E. Young, of Anderson, Indiana.
BERNARD VONNEGUT. Throughout the State of Indiana are left many enduring monuments to the technical skill and professional ability of Bernard Vounegut, who attained marked distinction as an architect and who was a man signally leal and loyal in all the relations of life. Apostacy from the strictest principles of integrity and honor never marked the career of this worthy and honored citizen of Indian- apolis, and his standing in the community was such as to render most consistent a brief trib- ute to his memory in this publication, devoted as it is to the fine city to whose civic and material upbuilding he contributed to the full- est of his splendid powers. He died at his home in Indianapolis, 618 East Thirteenth street, on Friday afternoon, August 7, 1908, and on the following day he would have cele- brated his fifty-third hirthday, so that he was called from the scene of life's endeavors at the very zenith of his strong and noble manhood. He was a native son of the Indiana capital, and its every interest ever lay close to his heart.
Bernard Vonnegut was born in Indian- apolis on the 8th of August, 1855, and was a son of Clemens and Katrina (Blank) Vonne- gut, the former of whom was a native of Prus- sia, whence he came to America when a young man, becoming one of the pioneer German settlers of Indianapolis, with whose business interests he was long identified. The father was a man of ability and sterling character,
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and he played well his part as a citizen of his adopted country. Both he and his wife con- tinued to reside in Indianapolis until their death. Bernard Vonnegut was indebted to the German-English schools of his native city for his early educational discipline, and later he continued his studies in what is now the Short- ridge high school. He early manifested a high artistic appreciation and marked creative talent, and he was signally favored in that he was afforded the best of opportunities for prepar- ing himself for the work of his chosen pro- fession. He studied architecture for several years in the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology, in the City of Boston, and supple- mented this by an effective course in the Poly- technic Institute of Hanover, Germany. Con- cerning his work as a student the following pertinent statement has been made: "At both of these schools he worked with distinction and developed fine ability as a technical as well as an artistic draughtsman. He was strong as an architectural water-colorist".
After his return from Germany Mr. Vonne- gut entered upon the practical work of his profession, and he wisely initiated the same in New York City, where he had the best op- portunity to expand and mature his powers. In the national metropolis he entered the of- fice of George B. Post, one of the leading architects of the east, and under the preceptor- ship and direction of Mr. Post he had oppor- tunity to work on the famous Vanderbilt houses, the Produce Exchange and other im- portant buildings. 'After remaining in the east for several years Mr. Vonnegut returned to Indianapolis, where, in 1888, he entered into partnership with Arthur Bohn, under the firm name of Vonnegut & Bohn. This grateful alli- ance continued until it was severed by the death of Mr. Vonnegut, and the firm attained to high rank, even as its senior member achieved marked distinction in his profession, as architect of his firm. He was the designer of many of the most ornate and important buildings in Indianapolis, as well as in other parts of the state. Among those that stand specifically as monuments to his genius may be mentioned the L. S. Ayres building, the Ger- man House, Pembroke Arcade, the Hollweg & Reese buildings in South Meridian street, and the Indianapolis Star building, all in Indian- apolis. as well as the students' building of the University of Indiana. and Eliza Fowler hall. at Purdue University. All of his work was carefully detailed and bore evidence of his scholarly tastes as an architect as well as of his superior technical ability. In a brief re- view of his career published in the Indian- apolis Star at the time of his death were found
the following words of appreciation: "Person- ally he was highly esteemed among the men in the building trades, by reason of his hon- esty and his honorable methods of practice". He was a member of the Architectural League of New York and the American Institute of Architeets. Loyal and liberal in his attitude as a citizen. Mr. Vonnegut took a deep in- terest in all that touched the welfare of his native city, and while never an aspirant for publie office he accorded a stanch allegiance to the cause of the Republican party. He was identified with various civic and social or- ganizations of representative character in In- dianapolis. In all of its expressions he was a lover of art, and he was more of a connois- seur than a dilettante in this connection, aside from the specific work of his profession, which represents one of the noblest forms of art ex- pression. In personality he was genial, demo- cratie and companionable, and he drew to him- self inviolable friendships in his associations socially and in a business way.
On the 19th of September, 1883, Mr. Vonne- gut was married to Miss Nannie Schnull, who was born and reared in Indianapolis and who is a daughter of the late Henry Schnull, who was long a prominent wholesale merchant and influential citizen of the Indiana capital and metropolis. Mrs. Vonnegut still retains her residence in Indianapolis, as do also the three children,-Kurt, Alex and Irma.
ELIAS J. JACOBY was born on a farm near Marion, Ohio. He became a school teacher when seventeen and a half years old and taught three terms; entered the Ohio Wes- leyan University at Delaware, Ohio, from which he was graduated with the B. A. de- gree. While in the university he was a mem- ber of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity and became the Master of the Chapter in his senior year. He was one of the editors of the college paper and editor-in-chief of his fra- ternity journal. Five years later he received from the same University the degree of M. A. Immediately following his University course he entered the Law School of Cincinnati Col- lege from which he was gradnated with the degree of LL. B., and received the prize for forensic discussion.
On the day of his graduation from the Ohio Wesleyan he first met Hon. Charles W. Fairbanks, former vice president of the United States, who was then general attorney for a railway company with headquarters at Indianapolis. Mr. Fairbanks later invited him to a position in his office, which he ac- cepted immediately following his graduation from the Law School and soon thereafter be- came assistant general attorney of the rail-
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way company. He became general attorney of the T. H. & P. Ry. Company, operating one hundred and seventy-eight miles of road. He served for a number of years as one of the directors on several lines of railway ; was and is local trustee in some railway mortgages. During this same period he served as presi- dent of two manufacturing companies, cover- ing a period of seven years. He was actively associated with Mr. Fairbanks until the lat- ter became United States Senator and has been more or less associated with him ever since. Soon after taking service with the railway company he assisted in organizing The Railroadmen's Building and Savings As- sociation. He has served as attorney and director of that association ever since its or- ganization and for a number of years has also been its vice president. This institution is the largest of its kind in Indiana, having assets of over two million dollars. During the last two years he has assisted in the or- ganization of the Prudential Casualty Com- pany, a corporation under the laws of the State of Indiana with an authorized capital of one million dollars and of which more than one-half has been subscribed and with actual assets of more than a half million dol- lars. He is its president and counsel.
Mr. Jacoby is a Thirty-second Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Knight Templar. He was High Priest of Keystone Chapter No. 6, R. A. M., in 1905, was T. I. Master of In- dianapolis Council No. 2, R. and S. M., in 1907 and in the same year was Eminent Com- mander of Raper Commandery No. 1, K. T., of Indianapolis. He is Second Officer in St. James Conclave No. 16, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine. In 1910 he became Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter R. A. M. of Indiana. In Murat Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., he has served as Assistant Rab- ban three years, as Chief Rabban one year. and is now serving his fourth year as Illus- trions Potentate of the Temple. He has served his Temple five years as Representa- tive to the Imperial Council and at the Thir- tv-fifth Annual Session of that body, held in Louisville, Kentucky, in June, 1909, he was elected Imperial Outer Guard. In the order of succession he will become the principal officer in the National organization.
He was instrumental in organizing The In- dianapolis Masonic Temple Association, com- posed of eleven Masonic bodies. He drafted the law that was passed by the legislature authorizing such a corporation. He served as chairman of the Building Committee of that Association, which with the Grand Lodge of Indiana erected the new Masonic Temple in
Indianapolis at a total cost of over six hun- dred thousand dollars. That Temple was dedicated on May 24, 1909. For two years he has served as president of that Temple Association.
At a Ceremonial Session of Murat Temple in April, 1908, without previously consulting anyone, he proposed the erection of a Temple of the Mystic Shrine. The proposal met with enthusiastic favor. He then organized Murat Temple Association of which he was made president, and which association holds the title to the property purchased for the Tem- ple. Plans were adopted and work was begun in the late fall of 1908. The corner stone of Murat Temple situated at the corner of New Jersey and Michigan streets in the City of Indianapolis, was laid on March 13, 1909, that being the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Charter of Murat Temple. This Temple was dedicated on May 16th, 1910. The entire cost of the property was over four hundred thousand dollars.
WILLIAM D. ALLISON has been identified with manufacturing interests in Indianapolis for a quarter of a century and is now the prime factor and sole owner of the business conducted under the title of the W. D. Alli- son Company. This industrial enterprise is that of manufacturing physician's furniture, and as the products of its plant go into all sections of the Union and many foreign coun- tries, it contributes its quota to the commer- cial prestige of "Greater Indianapolis", in whose continued advancement along civic and industrial lines Mr. Allison has unbounded confidence.
William David Allison was born on a farm in Coles County, Illinois, on the 10th of February, 1854, and is a son of Andrew H. and Hannah E. (Dryden) Allison. His father was a native of North Carolina and died at the age of forty-one years. The mother was born in Tennessee and now main- tains her home in Coles County, Illinois, be- ing eighty-seven years of age at the time of this writing, in the autumn of 1909. After availing himself of the advantages of the public schools of his native state the subject of this review continued his studies in Lee's Academy, at Loxa, Illinois, and later was for two years a student in the University of Wis- consin, in the beautiful little lake city of Madison.
After leaving the university Mr. Allison engaged in the musical-instrument business at Mattoon, Illinois. where he continued to be identified with this line of enterprise abont eight years, at the expiration of which, in 1884, he took up his residence in Indianapo-
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lis, where he has since maintained his home and where he has been successful in the build- ing up of a prosperous and important indus- trial enterprise. In September of the year mentioned he here became associated with Joseph H. Clark in the manufacturing of a high grade of physician's furniture, includ- ing operating chairs, under the title of J. H. Clark & Company. In 1886 Richard B. Rob- erts purchased Mr. Clark's interest in the business, and thereafter the firm was known as Roberts & Allison until 1891, when Mr. Allison bought his partner's interest. He then adopted the title of the W. D. Allison Company, which has since been maintained, and under which the enterprise has been ably advanced to a position of definite priority in its line. The original location of the plant was near the old Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad depot, where opera- tions were continued until 1902, when the present eligible and finely equipped plant was secured, at 905-15 North Alabama street, where employment is now given to about seventy workmen, the greater proportion of whom are skilled mechanics. In addition to a trade extending into the most diverse sec- tions of the United States a constantly ex- panding foreign business is controlled.
As a citizen Mr. Allison is intrinsically loyal and public-spirited, and in politics his allegiance is given to the Republican party. In April, 1907, he was appointed a member of the board of trustees of the state reformatory by Governor Hanley, for a term of four years. He is a valued member of the Com- mercial Club and has served as a member of its board of directors. He and his wife hold membership in the Memorial Presbyterian Church, and in the Masonic fraternity his affiliations are as here noted : Oriental Lodge No. 500, Free and Accepted Masons; Key- stone Chapter No. 6, Royal Arch Masons; Raper Commandery No. 1, Knights Templar ; Murat Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and Indiana Sovereign Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite, in which he has attained to the thirty-second degree.
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