USA > Indiana > Vigo County > Terre Haute > Greater Terre Haute and Vigo County : closing the first century's history of city and county, showing the growth of their people, industries and wealth > Part 12
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in this county in 1833, and his life record covered the span of years to July, 1906. He long survived his wife, who, like him, was a native of Vigo county and who died in 1887.
During the early boyhood of John O. Piety his parents removed to Clark county, Illinois, where he attended the common schools. Later he continued his studies in the Indiana State Normal at Terre Haute, in 1884. but prior to that year he had engaged in teaching school for a number of years and had devoted his evenings and leisure hours during that period to the study of law. The summer seasons were devoted to reading law in the office of Col. Thomas J. Golden, of Marshall, Illinois, and he was admitted to the bar on examination before the Illinois su- preme court in 1889.
Mr. Piety at once located for practice in Terre Haute, where he has since remained, and gradually he has won a place in the foremost rank of the representatives of the legal fraternity of this city. For a time he was in partnership with his brother, James Edward, which connection was continued until the latter was elected judge of the circuit court of Vigo county in 1896. Since that time John O. Piety has practiced alone. He served as city attorney from 1894 until 1896 and has been attorney for the city school board since 1905. He does a general practice in civil law in the courts of Vigo county and surrounding counties in the federal courts, giving but little attention to criminal cases. His devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial, yet he never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. and in his practice he maintains a high standard of professional ethics, which has won him the thorough respect of his fellow practitioners, who also acknowledge his ability in the presentation of his cause and in the application of legal principles thereto.
Mr. Piety was married to Miss Josephine, the daughter of Joseph Kent, formerly of Terre Haute, but now deceased. They have become parents of a son and daughter, John K. and Jane E. Mr. Piety belongs to the Young Business Men's Club of Terre Haute, while in profes- sional lines he is connected with the State Bar Association. He is de- votedly attached to his profession, is systematic and methodical in habit. sober and discreet in judgment, diligent in research and conscientious in the discharge of every duty.
JACOB C. KOLSEM .- One of the most successful business men of Terre Haute is Jacob C. Kolsem. Few men have been more prominently or widely known in this city, and his popularity is well deserved, for he is public spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote moral, intellectual and material advancement, and for many years he has been numbered among the city's most valued and honored citizens.
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Mr. Kolsem claims Prussia as the land of his nativity, born on the 24th of July, 1849. but since his earliest boyhood days he has been an American citizen, true to its interests and institutions. With their fam- ily his parents, Jacob and Catherine (Schnitzler) Kolsem, came to the United States in 1853 and located in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where the husband and father, an excellent mechanic, spent the remainder of his life and died in 1887. During his youth the son, Jacob, attended the public schools of Pittsburg, and after the completition of his education learned the nail-cutting trade and worked in the factories of Pittsburg until 1868. It was in that year that he came to Terre Haute, first work- ing at his trade for a time, and then learning the cooper's trade followed that for a short time, leaving it to accept a position as salesman in a hat store. In 1884 he became local manager for the clothing firm of H. D. Pixley & Company, and continued in that capacity until in 1894. Throughout the period of his residence in Terre Haute Mr. Kolsem has been prominently identified with its commercial interests, and being a man of excellent business and executive ability has not limited his efforts to one line, but has encouraged many enterprises and promoted the industrial activity of the city by his financial assistance and his ad- vice. He has served as president of the Terre Haute Water Works Company, as vice president and general manager of the Terre Haute District Telegraph Company, as a member of the board of directors of the Building and Loan Savings Association and as treasurer of the Vigo Loan and Savings Association. But perhaps the name of Jacob C. Kolsem is best known throughout Vigo county as the mayor of Terre Haute, for he served two terms in the highest of the offices within the gift of the citizens, and in his administration he was loyal to his duties. For two terms he was also a member of the city council. In the fraternal circles of the city he has reached a high degree in Masonry, being a past eminent commander of Commandery No. 16, Knights Templar, has received the thirty-second degree and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a past chancellor in the Knights of Pythias Order, Occidental Lodge, No. 18. In politics he is a Democrat.
Mr. Kolsem married, in May, 1874, Mary F. Stakeman, who was born in Terre Haute, of German parentage, and they have six children : Charles J., John H., Anna, Eva, Francis and Agnes.
WILSON NAYLOR .- Although many of Terre Haute's residents ante- date the arrival of Wilson Naylor, there are few if any of the citizens who have taken a more active and interested part in its development or had more at heart its welfare and progress. He was for more than a
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quarter of a century identified with the progressive steps which kept it apace with the trend of universal growth and improvement, and his public service, though done as a private citizen and not as an office- holder, made heavy demands upon his time and attention. None ques- tioned the sincerity of his purposes as a citizen or as a business man, while in the private walks of life he enjoyed in full measure the confi- dence and friendship of the great majority with whom he was brought in contact. He was born in Adams county, Ohio. December 5. 1828, his parents being James P. and Sarah ( Moore) Naylor, who were of English descent. In the year 1831 the family came to Indiana, settling first at Eugene, Vermilion county. The education of Wilson Naylor was limited to the opportunities offered by the schools of his day and thus his advan- tages were quite meager, but in the school of experience in later years he learned many valuable lessons. As a boy just entering his teens he found employment on a flat boat and made altogether fifteen different trips down the Wabash and Ohio and the Mississippi rivers to the New Orleans market. Later when the methods of navigation were somewhat changed he made several trips on steamboats. Following this experience he was for twenty-two years a dry goods merchant in Eugene and con- ducted a successful business there, which was beneficial to the city as well as a source of profit to himself. The year 1864 witnessed his arrival in Terre Haute, where he opened a grocery store on the corner of Fourth and Ohio streets. In 1882 the financial affairs of the old Terre Haute Opera House became involved. The public, including Mr. Naylor, had subscribed one hundred thousand dollars in stock to the company. The fine four-story stone structure erected at a cost of two hundred and eighty-three thousand dollars, and being heavily mortgaged to an east- ern firm, its affairs were brought into court. At this juncture Mr. Naylor purchased the property for one hundred thousand dollars and changed the name to the Naylor Opera House. This he conducted until his death, and following his demise his estate managed the opera house until it was destroyed by fire in 1896. On the site of the old building the estate of the late Benjamin G. Cox erected the handsome Naylor-Cox business block. which is one of the most conspicuous buildings in the city. In his business affairs Mr. Naylor displayed keen discernment and unfaltering enterprise and his efforts were crowned with a measure of success which can only be accomplished by unfaltering purpose and well directed activity.
In 1848 occurred the marriage of Wilson Naylor and Miss Florilla Shaw, a daughter of Benjamin Shaw. She was born near Eugene. Ver- milion county, Indiana, and lived in Terre Haute for forty years, her death occurring in this city, March 4, 1904. She was a leading member of the First Congregational church and for many years was one of the
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best known ladies of the city, occupying a prominent position in social circles, while her many good acts in connection with the church and charit- able work won her the esteem and love of all.
Mr. Naylor in his fraternal relations was identified with the lodge, the chapter, the council and the commandery of Masons and also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in his life exemplified the beneficent spirit of the order, which has as its basic element mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. His early political allegiance was given to the Whig party and he afterward became a stalwart Republican. He was postmaster at Eugene. Indiana, for sixteen years, holding com- missions bearing the signatures of Presidents Taylor, Fillmore, Lincoln, Johnson and Grant. In Terre Haute he never sought nor de- sired public office, but was recognized as one of the strongest inen of the community in his influence for the city's upbuilding and in his effort for its substantial improvement. He was connected with every move- ment instituted for its benefit through a long period and his co-operation could always be counted upon. Moreover he possessed many of the quali- ties of the able leader and the fact that he supported a measure usually gained to it additional support. Many who knew him cherish his men- ory, while his life record finds appropriate place upon the pages of the city's history because of what he did for its substantial improvement.
WILSON NAYLOR Cox .- Among the younger members of the Terre Haute bar who have forged to the front and displayed ability enabling them to cope with older and more experienced lawyers and win notable victories, is numbered Wilson Naylor Cox, who, since 1900, has been an active practitioner of law. Terre Haute numbers him among her native sons, whose record is creditable to the city. He was born November II. 1876, and is a son of Benjamin G. and Elizabeth (Naylor) Cox, and a grandson of Robert and Laura Elizabeth (More) Cox. Robert Cox was a prominent early merchant of Terre Haute and contributed in sub- stantial measure to the commercial development of the city during its formative period.
Benjamin Guille Cox. father of our subject, and now deceased, was one of Terre Haute's most prominent, influential and successful business men and citizens. For many years he was closely identified with com- mercial interests here and did much toward advancing the city's welfare and substantial improvement. His birth occurred in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 7. 1847. When a young man he entered the grocery house of E. P. Trenchard. of Cincinnati, securing a subordinate position, but gradually working his way upward by reason of his unwearied industry, capability and trustworthiness to a position of responsibility. While thus engaged
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he underwent a thorough schooling in business methods which made his subsequent career such an unqualified success. In 1867 he arrived in Terre Haute, where he entered the grocery house of Cox & Sons, which had been established some years before by his father (then deceased ) and at that time was being conducted by Robert Cox, Jr., and Mrs. Robert Cox, Sr. In 1869 Benjamin G. Cox purchased the old Bartlett book store, which was so prominent a feature in the early history of the town. Later the grocery houses of Hulman and Cox were consolidated and the wholesale grocery establishment was opened at the corner of Fifth and Main streets, under the firm style of Hulman & Cox. This house Benjamin G. Cox afterward entered as a clerk, later was made a traveling salesman and subsequently when Robert Cox, Jr., retired from the firm, became general manager. In 1885 the business was reorganized and B. G. Cox became one of the firm. He displayed exceedingly rare and substantial qualities in business. He was a thorough and systematic worker and such was the regard felt for his judgment and opinion that his decisions were always final even in the most trivial matters. The care and management of the large store devolved upon him and in this he exhibited the master hand with which he touched every subject. From a fertile brain he also evolved the system of bookkeeping which has been pronounced wonderful by experts from all sections of the country, and which was exclusively kept by the largest stores of the land. Mr. Cox had a combination of talent seldom found in one man. He was i thor- ough lawyer as well as an efficient business man and had all the qualifi- cations of a successful cattle raiser as well. More Park, the beautiful country place of Mr. Cox, was one of his chief delights. He purchased the farm in 1887 and at once began the process of beautifying and im- proving it until More Park soon became one of the show places of Vigo county. It was also a profitable investment when viewed from a pecu- niary standpoint and was always a source of pleasure to Mr. Cox, who took keen delight in the growth of the crops and any other work con- nected with agricultural development. He was a member of the Jersey Cattle Club and along more strictly social lines was connected with the Terre Haute Club, now the Columbia Club, of Indianapolis. He was likewise an honorary member of several New York social organizations.
On the 26th of August, 1870, Benjamin G. Cox was married to Miss Elizabeth Naylor, a daughter of the late Wilson Naylor, and unto them were born four children, Wilson Naylor, Eleanor, Laura and Newton, all yet living. The death of Mr. Cox occurred in Terre Haute, August 31. 1808. For two years prior to his demise he had been in ill health and in June of that year, accompanied by his friend. Frank Prox, sailed for Europe in the hope of receiving benefit from the journey and from medical
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treatment he expected to take while abroad. After a short stay in Eng- land he went to Germany, where he was treated by the best physicians in the city of Bremen. His condition did not improve, however, and finding the country less congenial than he had anticipated and pining for his own home, he soon decided to return. He did not long survive his arrival in America. The voyage home was a severe test on his strength and vitality and on several occasions it was feared that he could not live until the vessel reached New York. He survived, however, and his last hours were spent in Terre Haute. His death was the occasion of deep regret to many friends who had long known, esteemed and honored him.
Wilson Naylor Cox, son of Benjamin G. Cox, and immediate subject of this sketch, began his education as a public school student and passed through consecutive grades until he was graduated from the city high school in 1895. He afterward spent two years at Exeter College, in New Hampshire, and subsequently was graduated from the law department of Columbia University, in New York city, as a member of the class of 1900. The same year he was admitted to the New York bar and later in that year was admitted to practice in the courts of Indiana. Locating in Terre Haute, he immediately opened an office here and entered upon his profes- sional career. He has met with success as one whose knowledge of the law is comprehensive and whose application thereof is broad and correct. He is accorded a liberal clientage and has also gained success in other lines. Aside from his profession he has many important interests, includ- ing the New York Mail Company, of which he is manager and part owner. This company has a contract with the federal government to handle the mail in New York city.
On the 10th of October, 1907, Mr. Cox was married to Miss Lassie Gardenhire, a daughter of Colonel Francis M. Gardenhire, of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The young couple are well known socially in this city and the hospitality of its best homes is freely accorded them. Mr. Cox is a member of the Terre Haute Lodge of Elks, the Young Business Men's Club, Coun- try Club, Terre Haute Gun Club, and the Columbia Club, of Indianapolis. He is a prominent and popular representative of old and leading families of this part of the county and by reason of his personal worth deserves representation in this volume.
PATRICK BERNARD WALSH .- When the historian of the future comes to tell the story of the growth and development of the city of Terre Haute and of the evolution of its municipal government, a large portion of that story between the years 1892 and 1910 will deal with that which pertains to the personal biography of Patrick B. Walsh, president of the board of public works.
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Born in Terre Haute December 25, 1863, he has resided here through- out his life, receiving his education in the parochial and public schools of the city, and making one of that numerous company of lively lads whose pranks are related yet today. After leaving school he engaged as clerk in the shoe store of John R. Miller, where he remained for three years. Later he worked for two years in the famous old Wabash Rolling Mills, and then he set up in the grocery business for himself. For many years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, making a success of his business by the conservatism and painstaking care with which he conducted his affairs.
That portion of his life, however, from 1892 until the present time is part of the history of the political life of the community. In that year, considerably against his will, he was nominated by the Democrats for councilman of the sixth ward and served for four years. In 1896 he determined to leave politics and notified his friends of his unwillingness to seek re-election, carding the papers to that effect, but in the face of this positive announcement the convention again named him by acclamation and a committee was appointed to notify him of the action of the conven- tion. Again he reluctantly accepted and again he was elected, serving until his resignation in 1899.
During these seven years the city council was composed of many of the strongest characters in the city, numbering among its most active mem- bers such men as A. J. Crawford, Dr. Stephen Young, Bert Rockwood, Lee Goodman and Henry Urban ; and during this period some important legislation was enacted and several important innovations were made. In all of this Mr. Walsh took an important part. As a member of the streets and alleys committee, the finance committee, the judiciary committee and the fire committee he did great service to his constituents and the citizens of the city generally.
One of the important things accomplished by the council, through a committee of which he was a prominent member, was the banishment of the slaughter houses from the city limits and the establishment of the Terre Haute abattoir. The presence of these slaughter houses had had an ill effect upon the health of the community and the city had been threatened with an epidemic. In conjunction with Dr. Young he worked out the solution of the difficulty and aided in the work which finally resulted in the establishment of a common slaughter house outside of the limits of the municipality. The growth of the city, likewise, con- fronted the community with the problem of proper collection and disposal of garbage, and again Mr. Walsh acted on the special committee which determined upon the crection of a crematory. These gentlemen traveled over the country studying the methods of garbage collection and disposal and as a result of their investigation a crematory was built which has served the city for many years.
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Perhaps the most momentous work with which Mr. Walsh's council- manic experience deals is the formation of the present city charter which has been vindicated by experience. He was one of the committee from the council which acted in conjunction with a committee of citizens in this constructive work. This committee made a thorough investigation of the best forms of municipal government and the present city charter was the result.
When the charter went into effect, in 1899, thereby giving birth to the board of public works, he was invited by Mayor Steeg to accept the important position of president of the board, and resigning his seat in the council, he accepted this post and remained in this position con- tinuously until the expiration of Mayor Steeg's last term, in September, I904.
When Mayor Bidaman came into power Mr. Walsh retired to private life, acting. however, for a brief time. as clerk of the school board. When Mayor Lyons came into office, in September. 1906, Mr. Walsh was again asked to take the presidency of the board of public works, and it is presumable that he will remain in this position until January, 1910, making sixteen years of service in the employ of the city.
President Walsh is recognized as one of the most thorough students of municipal problems in the city or state. In the discharge of his duties on the board he has always been actuated by the idea of serving the public, has always been noted for his fairness, impartiality, unimpeachable integrity, courtesy and conscientiousness. The desire of Mayor Lyons to make his administration stand for progress and public improvement probably had something to do with Mr. Walsh's re-appointment, and the present board will likely go down in municipal history as the one that has done more for the material advancement of the city than any other in the history of the community. And in view of the unprecedented amount of street and sewer building that is being done by the board and adminis- tration it is scarcely probable that the record will be equaled for many years. At any rate a high standing is being set and one that will be hard to surpass. During the first year under the Lyons administration, the board of works, under the presidency of Mr. Walsh built more paved streets than have ever been built in any four years combined, more sewers than in any three or four years combined, and more cement side- walks than in any six years combined in the history of Terre Haute. And this too, at a less cost to property owners.
Under the presidency of Mr. Walsh all the public business of the board of public works is done in the open, no star chamber or secret sessions being held. The records are kept in such a way that any tax payer can learn, now or in the future, every step taken in a public im-
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Aster, Lenox and Tiden Foundations. 1909
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provement. Every bid submitted, and every penny paid into this depart- ment is accounted for on the records and published in annual reports.
Mr. Walsh is a prominent figure in the Democratic politics of the city and county. He is also prominent in lodge circles, having acted in every official capacity in the Ancient Order of Hibernians, in the county, and during the last eight years as state treasurer of the order. This latter honor indicates his standing for probity, carefulness and integrity. He was one of the founders of the Phoenix Building and Loan Association sixteen years ago and is still one of the board of directors and one of the board of appraisers. He is also a member of the Order of Red Men, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
He was united in marriage to Miss Winifred Connolly, then a teacher in the public schools, on July 6, 1891.
Personally "Pat" Walsh is genial, companionable, loyal to his friends. He is an ardent sportsman and for years he made one of a party which included Eugene V. Debs, which spent a portion of the hunting season on the prairies of Illinois.
WILLIAM C. DORSEY, a general contractor on public works, with an office in Terre Haute, occupies a leading and influential position in in- dustrial circles. In the paternal line he represents an old southern family, his grandfather being Samuel Dorsey, a native of Baltimore, Maryland. His father, A. J. Dorsey, was a native of Ohio, where his parents located. After arriving at years of maturity he wedded Sarah C. Butler, a native of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and a daughter of Capt. William Butler, an officer in the English navy, who was stationed at Prince Edward Island for a number of years. In the support of his family A. J. Dorsey engaged in the foundry business for a number of years and his last days were passed in Terre Haute, where he died in 1885, his widow still surviving, yet makes her home in this city.
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