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 3
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The discovery and development of natural gas was at that time attracting manufacturing interests to Findlay, Ohio, and Mr. Pfau vis-
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ited that city to investigate. There he fell in with Col. I. W. Richard- son, a practical glass manufacturer and at that time manager of the Hemingway Glass Company, of Covington, Kentucky, just across the Ohio river from Cincinnati. The two conceived the idea of establish- ing themselves in the glass industry in the natural gas belt, and in 1887 they organized the North Baltimore Bottle Glass Company, erecting their plant, on account of the high value of land in Findlay, eleven miles out from the city, at what is now North Baltimore, Ohio. And here it may be said that that town was laid out to a considerable extent by Messrs. Pfau and Richardson and they became large holders of its real estate. At the beginning the company was capitalized at fifty thousand dollars and furnished employment to sixty people, but owing largely to Colonel Richardson's practical experience their business prospered from the first and soon began to expand and enlarge. Mr. Pfau had charge of the financial business end of the firm and Col. W. Richardson the manu- facturing. At that time the latter's two sons, I. W., Jr., and David C., were also members of the company and had charge of its different departments.
But in 1895 the natural gas began to fail in the Findlay district, and not waiting for it to fail entirely the North Baltimore Glass Company moved its plant to the Indiana belt at Albany. Anticipating, however. that history relating to natural gas would repeat itself there, Mr. Pfau. in 1899, began looking about for a new and permanent location for the plant, and on account of the abundance of soft coal and railroad facili- ties, chose Terre Haute for its future location. In 1900 the company built its first factory in this city, and in 1902 a second factory was erected, and in 1905 the third. The company was incorporated under the Indiana laws with a capital of three hundred thousand dollars. with a surplus of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, with Mr. Pfau as president and treasurer. I. W. Richardson, Jr., secretary, and David C. Richardson, general manager, both of the latter having been with the company since its organization at North Baltimore, Ohio. With the passing years the business has grown to mammoth proportions. the company now furnishing employment to six hundred operatives. They have an annual payroll of six hundred thousand dollars and an annual output of over two thousand cars of beer bottles, equivalent to eight carloads a day. The North Baltimore bottles are known to the trade over the entire United States, shipments being made from seaboard to seabord and to all parts of the West, For the reason that the name "North Baltimore Bottles" has become so famous the appellation of the company has never been changed from its original form. notwithstand- ing the different removals. All of the buildings of the company are
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of structural steel and brick, and with slate roofs, and the entire plant is kept in such excellent condition that it is referred to by the trade as the "parlor plant." Mr. Pfau is a lover of fine blooded horses, and owns a number of noted saddle and harness animals, finding his recrea- tion in a spin or canter when business permits. He is a Knight Templar Mason, a Knight of Pythias, an Elk and a member of the Commercial, Manufacturers' and Young Business Men's clubs of Terre Haute, of the Columbia Club of Indianapolis, and of the Union League Club of Chicago.
Mr. Pfau married Miss Carrie L., the daughter of Joseph F. Jewett, of the old commercial houses of Jewett & Adams, Cincinati, and of Adams, Jewett & Company, of Cleveland and Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, manufacturers of paper boxes, burlap, twine, etc. To Mr. and Mrs. Pfau three children have been born: Albert L., Jr., George Harold and Lucy Margaret. The eldest is now a cadet at Culver Military Academy, Indiana, and the younger son is a student in the Terre Haute high school. Mr. Pfau erected his handsome home opposite Collett Park, Terre Haute, in 1903, surrounded by large trees and massive shrubbery, one of the beauty spots of the city.
GEORGE M. GLICK .- The name of Glick in Terre Haute at once suggests the manufacture of vehicles, for both father and sons have been prominently identified with the enterprise since its pioneer period, and their reputation extends throughout the country. The Glick family came to Terre Haute from Circleville, Ohio, but were originally from Penn- sylvania and are of Pennsylvania Dutch stock. Ananias N. Glick, the originator of the vehicle manufacturing industry in Terre Haute, was born in Ohio in 1834, and came from there to this city during its forma- tive period and continued the manufacture of wagons here until in 1875. He then traded his business for a farm near Salem, Illinois, and there engaged in farming and also operated a wagon factory in Salem until his death in 1883. He made a specialty of manufacturing two-horse wagons, and in all these years became well known in the industry. He was a strict and devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife bore the maiden name of Matilda Rowe.
In their family was George M. Glick, who was born on South Third street, Terre Haute, October 14, 1866, and after completing his educa- tion in the public schools of this city he began learning the wagon and carriage business under his father at Salem, Illinois. In 1885 he re- turned to his native city and began work for his brother, Philip A., who was in business at the corner of Twenty-fifth and Poplar streets for a number of years, and in 1887 he succeeded to his brother's business. The plant, however, was destroyed by fire in 1905, entailing a heavy loss
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to its owner, but he at once purchased the lot at the corner of Seventeenth and Poplar streets and erected his present manufactory, a large two- story building forty by seventy feet. Mr. Glick is not only a manti- facturer of and dealer in carriages, but also does general repair work and has won a reputation in the various departments which is not con- fined to the limits of Terre Haute or Vigo county. He is also a director in the Valentine Company, wholesale meat dealers.
He married a native daughter of Terre Haute, Miss Minnie Higdon. Her parents are Robert and Mary E. (Hoddie) Higdon, and the union has been blessed by the birth of two daughters, Edna May and Norma Merle. Mr. Glick is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity.
ROBERT T. McDONALD .- On the list of Terre Haute's honored dead appears the name of Robert T. McDonald, who was one of the native sons of the city, born on the 21st day of January, 1862. His life record cov- ered the comparatively brief span of forty-three years, his death occur- ring November 28, 1905. His father, Thomas McDonald, who for many years was a resident of this city, served his country as a soldier of the Union army, and in civic life was one of the employes of the Vandalia Railroad Company. He is now residing at Stewardson, Illinois.
Robert T. McDonald was reared and educated in the city of his na- tivity, and in early manhood here engaged in the livery business, while later he continued in the same line in St. Louis. He was afterward fore- man of a flour mill in Terre Haute, and later took up railroading in the employ of the Vandalia Railroad Company, performing his duties as a switchman at the time when he sustained injuries that caused his death.
Mr. McDonald was married in the year 1890 to Miss Katherine Sou- der, a native of Bedford. Indiana. Unto them were born two children, Leland and Avis, both of whom possess considerable musical talent. Mr. McDonald was a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, in which he attained the uniform rank. He was also connected with the Wood- men, the Red Men, the Foresters, and with the Switchmen's Union, and in all these organizations gained the esteem of his brethren, who rate a man not by his wealth but by the worth of his character and by the prin- ciples which govern his conduct. Mr. McDonald held membership with the Methodist church and shaped his life in accordance with its teach- ings, so that all who knew him respected him, and many gave to him warm friendship. Mrs. McDonald, residing with her sons in Terre Haute, is a lady of good business ability and attractive social qualities. She has recently erected one of the best apartment buildings of the city and from her property derives a good rental.
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HENRY T. BIEL is one of the leading photographers of Terre Haute, and has been identified with its interests throughout the entire period of his business career. Just one month before his sixteenth birthday he went into the studio of G. H. Wright in this city to learn the business, and under the able instructions of Mr. Wright he learned the art in its every department, and in 1886 was able to engage in the business for himself. He at that time purchased the studio of John Adams, and has ever since remained at that location, 419 Wabash avenue, his name having long stood in the front rank of photography in Terre Haute. He also owns considerable city real estate and is interested in other directions in the business life of this city.
Mr. Biel is of German parentage and a native of Sheboygan, Wis- consin, born April 25, 1855, to Henry and Augusta (Hesland) Biel. In the fall of 1854 the family, consisting of father, mother and six children, came to the United States and located at Sheybogan, but ten years later they came from there to Terre Haute. The father was a blacksmith, and for many years was in the employ of the Vandalia Rail- road Company. He died in this city in 1885, in his seventy-second year, and his widow survived until 1898, dying when seventy-seven years of age. Both were members of the German Lutheran church, and in their family were the following children: Theresa, wife of Valentine Burget, of Terre Haute: Fred J., a tobacco merchant of this city : William, in the real estate business here; Fredericka, who became the wife of Charles Klaer, of Terre Haute, and both are now deceased ; Hanna, wife of W. S. Mahan, who has served as a deputy both in the sheriff and clerk's offices in Vigo county, and is now residing in Los Angeles, California: Mary, who married Robert Whittenburg, who was a dry goods merchant of Terre Haute, but now deceased ; Henry T., the subject of this review: Ferdinand, of this city, and Clara, who has never married and now resides in Los Angeles, California. Six of the children were born in the fatherland of Germany, and the remaining three in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Henry T. Biel received his educational training in both the schools of Sheboygan and Terre Haute, but his entire business career has been spent in this city. 'He is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and of the Retail Merchants' Association. He married Francina Bundy, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel K. Bundy.
EUGENE DUENWEG .- Throughout many years of his active life Eugene Duenweg was connected with many of the leading business institutions of Terre Haute, and his name therefore fills an important niche in the history of its industrial development. He was born in the Rhine
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province of Germany, March 15, 1844, but his death occurred in Terre Haute, the city in which he had so long lived and labored, March 20, 1902. In his native land he learned the carriage and harness maker's trade, and worked at those callings until he enlisted in the German army in 1862. In 1866 he served in the Austrian war, and in the following year. 1867. he came to the United States and to Terre Haute, where he first secured employment in the lumber yards of the Vandalia Railroad Company. Later he was with Bement & Company, a wholesale grocery house, for three years, was with the Hulman & Cox Company for one year, and then accepted the superintendency of the Moses Ester Brewing Company. This was the beginning of his later successful career as a brewer. It was during his deputyship in the city treasurer's office. to which he was appointed in 1877 and served for six years, that he accepted the position of manager for the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company's interests in Terre Haute, remaining with that corporation until the spring of 1897. In 1898 he became the manager of the Miller Brewing Company's interest in this city, and continued in that position until his death. This brewing com- pany was also of Milwaukee.
On the 8th of March, 1873, Mr. Duenweg married Minnie, the daughter of Fritz and Mary ( Frautner ) Glass, who were born in Germany, as was also Mrs. Duenweg, January 20, 1853, and she survives her husband. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Duenweg : Marie, Toni, Alma, Max J., Freda, Minnie, Eugene. Carl. Rudolph and Robert L. The eldest daughter, Marie, married Carl M. Reynolds and resides in Terre Haute. The second born is deceased.
Max J. Duenweg, the eldest son, was born in Terre Haute, Jan- mary 4, 1880. and after attending its graded and high schools pursued a course in the Commercial College. His first entrance into the business world was With the Central Manufacturing Company, under the super- vision of his uncle, Mr. Louis Duenweg. In 1898 he became an assistant to his father in the office of the Miller Brewing Company's agency, and succeeded the elder Mr. Duenweg at his death.
OSCAR PHILIP LEITH, senior partner of the firm of Leith & Avery. general merchants of Terre Haute, is a native of Effingham county, Illinois, born November 9. 1869. His parents were David Rank and Mary Jane ( Wilson ) Leith. The father was a native of Fairfieldl county. Ohio, born on the 27th of January, 1837, and his parents were James and Barbara (Rank) Leith, the former a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, the latter of Pennsylvania. In 1843 the Leith family left the Buckeye state and established their homes in Effingham county, Illinois, where the grandparents of our subject died. David R. Leith, the father, has followed
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farming throughout his entire business career but in recent years has retired from active life and since 1897 has enjoyed a well merited rest, making his home among his children. In that year he lost his wife, who died on the 8th of April, 1897, at the age of fifty-six years. She was born in the same county of Ohio in which her husband's birth occurred and was the daughter of William M. and Mary Elizabeth ( Snapp) Wilson.
O. P. Leith pursued a public school education in the county of his nativity, where he was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the boy who is reared amid rural environments. Desiring a commercial career, however, he has since 1903. been associated with William R. Avery in general merchandis- ing. in Terre Haute, and the firm is recognized as a strong one, with a growing and profitable trade. In 1897 he came to Terre Haute and for a few months engaged in clerking. In July, 1898, he purchased a half in- terest in the store in which he was employed and which at the time of his earliest connection with it, was located on the northwest corner of Seventeenth street and Wabash avenue. When he became a partner the store was located just across the street in the place.now occupied by Leith & Avery. As stated, William Avery came into the firm in 1903 and the style of Leith & Avery has since been maintained. The business from the beginning has enjoyed a steady growth and has long since become a profitable investment.
In June, 1900. Mr. Leith was married to Miss Fannie May Carter, who was born in Riley township, Vigo county, a daughter of John B. and Jane (Sankey) Carter. Mr. Leith is a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 217, Mason, Illinois, and he and his wife are faithful and interested members of the Central Christian church. Their circle of friends is extensive and is constantly widening as the circle of their acquaintance increases. Having no children of their own, they are now rearing a little niece. Cootie Ruth Carter. There have been no exciting chapters in the life record of Mr. Leith but his history is that of a citizen who has ever been faithful to his duty, has eagerly embraced his opportunities and by persistent, honorable effort has worked his way steadily upward.
EDGAR B. SCHMIDT, civil engineer, who is now occupying a position of city engineer in Terre Haute, belongs to that class whose lives are proof of the attractiveness of Vigo county as a place of residence, inasmuch as they have always resided within its borders and yet are not lacking the ambition to establish homes elsewhere, if this locality were behind other districts in its advantages and equipments. Mr. Schmidt first opened his eyes to the light of day in Terre Haute, March 12, 1869. His father, Frank F. Schmidt, was one of the city's pioneer German residents and became
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a prominent and influential factor in its business circles, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume.
The son, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, was sent at the usual age to the public schools, and mastering the branches of learning therein taught, he passed from grade to grade until he was grad- uated from the high school with the class of 1886. He afterward attended the Rose Polytechnic Institute, of this city, for four years and lacked but a few months of completing the regular course. He left college in 1890, however, and started upon his business career as a civil engineer, by accepting the position of assistant city engineer. In 1893 he entered the civil engineering department of the Cincinnati Southern Railroad Com- pany in the original Choctaw system, now a part of the Frisco system, but in 1896 he returned to Terre Haute and as engineer took charge of the construction of the big belt sewer, on which work he was engaged for two years, faithfully executing his task in this connection. In 1898 he became superintendent of the Peters Construction Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio, in charge of sewer construction at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania and Fort Wayne, Indiana. At this he was engaged for one year. In 1899 he became assistant division engineer of the Indiana Southern Railroad and superintendent of concrete construction, the duties of which position occupied his attention until 1903. He was next superintendent of concrete construction for the Cairo (Illinois) division of the Big Four Railroad Company and on the Ist of September, 1906, he was appointed to his present responsible position as city engineer of Terre Haute. In the line of his chosen profession he has established an excellent reputation, proving his powers equal to those who occupy positions of leadership in this field of labor.
On the 15th of June. 1904, occurred the marriage of Edgar B. Schmidt and Miss Emma Kenens, a daughter of Jacob Kenens, one of the old residents of Terre Haute. Mr. Schmidt belongs to Euclid Lodge. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and to the Terre Haute lodge of Elks and is a welcome member at their meetings. In this country where the road to success is open to all and where "labor 's king," Mr. Schmidt has made advancement, the years bringing to him increased ability with increased experience. The positions which he has filled have been of an important character and he is now well qualified for the onerous duties that devolve upon him, while his fidelity in office is unassailable.
WILBO BERGMANN .- The German-American element has always been an important one in our citizenship, for the representatives of the Teutonic race in this as in other lands, have been foremost in planting the seeds of civilization, in developing the natural resources of the country and
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in furthering the ends of trade and commerce. A worthy member of this class of citizenship in Terre Haute is Wilbo Bergmann, who has been identified with the brick manufacturing industry here for a period of more than thirty years, and is now proprietor of the Park brick plant, at No. 1100 North First street. He was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, on the 5th of September. 1846, his parents being William and Gretchen ( Heikes) Bergmann, both of whom were natives of Hanover, where they were reared, educated and married. In the spring of 1847. with their only child, Wilbo, they crossed the Atlantic to the new world, making the voyage in a sailing vessel, which dropped anchor in the harbor of New Orleans after sixteen weeks. From the Crescent city they made their way northward by steamboat to Evansville, Indiana, and thence by canal to Terre Haute, which was their destination when they left the old country. The father had followed farming in Germany, but in America turned his attention to industrial pursuits, securing employment in a brick yard in Terre Haute. He was thus engaged through the sum- mer months and in the winter season was employed in a pork packing house, his attention being given to the dual pursuit for many years. Gradually through his unwearied industry and careful expenditure he secured funds sufficient to enable him in 1871, to purchase the old brick plant at what is now No. 1625 South First street. There he began the manufacture of brick on his own account and successfully and perse- veringly conducted the business up to the time of his death, which was occasioned by the big distillery explosion on October 20, 1880. His wife had passed away the previous year. In the family of this worthy couple were seven children, namely: Wilbo, the subject of this review ; John and Jacob, who were drowned in the Wabash river at the age of sixteen and fourteen years respectively ; Daniel, who has also passed away; Enos, of Terre Haute : Minnie, the deceased wife of William Stout, a resident of Crawfordsville, Indiana; and Chris, who is engaged in blacksmithing in St. Louis, Missouri.
Wilbo Bergmann was only six months old when the family came to Terre Haute, so that he has practically spent his entire life in this city and has been closely associated with its interests. The public school system here afforded him his educational privileges and when a boy he gained a knowledge of brick manufacture through the assistance which he rendered in his father's brickyard. Being the eldest child, he remained with his parents until their deaths, and at his father's demise succeeded to the brick manufacturing business. His previous training and expe- rience well qualified him for its successful conduct and improvement and as the years have passed he has enlarged the enterprise in its scope and in its output. In 1890 he removed the yard to a point south of Wabash avenue
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Aster , Lenox and Tilden Foundations. 1909
JAMES S. MILLER
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but four years later, in 1894, he removed to his present location at No. 1100 North First street, where he has one of the most extensive and best equipped plants for the manufacture of brick in this city, with a daily capacity of thirteen thousand. He owns altogether sixty-seven acres of clay land, practically all in one body, and he is well equipped for the continuance of his business, which is conducted along most pro- gressive lines. He uses the latest improved machinery in manufacture and everything about the place shows the owner to be an alert, energetic man. persistent and capable in his business and in administrative direction.
In 1876 Mr. Bergmann was married to Miss Mary R. Fredericks. who was born in Terre Haute, a daughter of Richard R. Fredericks, who for more than thirty years was an expert blacksmith in the Vandalia Rail- road shops of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Bergmann have become the parents of four children: William R., who was born in Terre Haute and married Elizabeth Woods, by whom he has four children, Willard. Lawrence, Clyde and Russell : Richard, who was also born in Terre Haute, married Mame Johnson, by whom he has two daughters, Helen and Mary; and Hilda and Frederick, still under the parental roof.
In municipal affairs Mr. Bergmann is deeply interested and his aid has been a valuable element in promoting many public movements which have proven of marked benefit to the city. He has positive views on all public matters and is not afraid to express his opinions. He is not aggres- sive, however, in doing so, yet his position is never an equivocal one. The honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him nor does he feel himself bound by party ties at local elections, being connected rather with that movement which regards the fitness of the candidate rather than his political allegiance. IIe is well known in the city, where his entire life has been passed and here has a circle of friends almost co- extensive with his circle of acquaintance. His salient qualities of energy, determination and commendable ambition might well serve to encourage others who sometimes find the path to success a hard and difficult one to travel.
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