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 47
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the name of the Hanley-Ruddell Tent and Awning Company, of which he became vice president and general manager. Zalman Ruddell is presi- dent, with John F. Hanley as secretary and treasurer, and William S. and Patrick J. Hanley as directors, the last three being sons of John Hanley, the founder of the business.
In early manhood Mr. Hanley married Miss Margaret Scott, who was born in Ireland, and their children are three in number: John Francis, born in Terre Haute, was educated in the parochial and city schools and the Rose Polytechnic Institute ; he married Miss Jennie Gleeson. William Scott was also a student in the parochial and city schools and was grad- nated from the Rose Polytechnic Institute; he is now the head draughts- man for the Frisco Railroad system, and married Caroline Bloomer. Patrick John was educated in the parochial and city schools and is now a traveling salesman, representing a Chicago house. Mr. Hanley and his family are all communicants of the Catholic church and he is con- nected with the Hibernian Benevolent Society and the Commercial Club. What he has accomplished in the business world is the measure of his ability, for he started out in life at a very early age without assistance. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, while his close application to business and his excellent management have brought him the high degree of prosperity which is today his.
JOHN SCHINNERER, a farmer and trustee of Riley township, is a native of the township which he represents, where he was born on the 30th of November, 1862. His father, Christopher S. Schinnerer, was born in the town of Ipsheim, Bavaria, Germany, on the 30th of June, 1831. When a lad of sixteen he emigrated to the United States, first locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he passed through the terrible cholera epidemic, and alone of all his relatives escaped the pestilence. Thence he removed to Hamilton, Ohio, and learning the shoemaker's trade, followed it in that city for two years. Leaving Ohio he journeyed to Staunton, Indiana, and after engaging at his trade for another year, in 1858, pur- chased what is now known as the old Schinnerer farm in Riley township, a rich tract of one hundred and fifty-two acres. In time he cleared sixty acres of his farm and all of its improvements represent his industry and ability. He is a life-long Republican, but votes independently at local elections, and at one time served on the Republican committee of the township. He is a Mason and a member of the Lutheran church.
During his residence in Hamilton, Ohio, Christopher S. Schinnerer married Miss Elizabeth Price. She was also a Bavarian, born August I, 1825, and during her early womanhood came to Hamilton, Ohio, where
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she lived with her sister, Mrs. Fox. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schinnerer-two sons and eight daughters-five being born on the homestead farm in Riley township.
John Schinnerer was the ninth child in the family, and, with the ex- ception of one year spent in Arkansas, the old home farm has been his residence and the scene of his activities. He is now the owner of a valu- able estate of one hundred and fifty-two acres, most of which is thoroughly improved, and is one of the most popular and respected agriculturists of Riley township. His wife (formerly Miss Mamie Swinda) whom he married May 21, 1885, at Staunton, Indiana, was born in that city, March 20, 1866, and is of German descent. Her father, Herman Swinda, was a Staunton merchant. Three children-Hazel, Mark and Katherine- have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schinnerer, the youngest of whom is deceased. Mark and Katherine were born on the Riley township farm, while the elder daughter, Hazel, is a native of Arkansas and is the wife of Fland Price. All of the children were educated in the district schools of Riley township. Mr. Schinnerer has been a life-long Republican and an active worker in its local ranks. In 1904 he was elected trustee of Riley township and is still in office. He is an Odd Fellow and Red Man and also a member of the auxiliaries of those orders, the Rebekahs and Pocahontases, while his religious faith is of the Lutheran church.
EWING N. HARLAN, for a number of years officially connected with the financial administration of Vigo county, and at a later period a well known business man of Terre Haute, was born on the Patterson farm in Harrison township, this county, on the 26th of November, 1872, son of James and Harriet (Millikin) Harlan. He remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-one, in the meantime having completed the common school curriculum and a course at Calvin's Commercial College, graduating from that institution in 1896. During the four succeeding years he served as deputy treasurer of Vigo county and for six months of 1900 was deputy treasurer of Terre Haute. He was then head book- keeper for the Terre Haute Traction Company for four years, and in September, 1907, purchased the Miller livery at the corner of Ninth and Cherry streets, Terre Haute, having since continued and largely devel- oped the business. He is also the owner of two houses and lots in the city and ninety acres of land in Prairieton township. Vigo county, being altogether a prosperous citizen of substantial and high character.
On the 12th of September, 1899, Mr. Harlan married Miss Edna Kyle, who was born at Brazil, Indiana, March 8, 1883. daughter of George A. and Phoebe (Chapman) Kyle. Mrs. Harlan's father, born June 4, 1857, is a son of Hezekiah and Elizabeth (Chapman) Kyle, the parents
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removing from Ohio to Olney. Illinois, where they resided the remainder of their lives. They had three children, of whom the first-born is de- ceased, and the youngest, Ella, married Fred Zimmerman and resides in Decatur, Illinois. George A., the second child, is a Terre Haute baker. Mrs. George .\. Kyle (nee Phoebe Chapman) was born September 19. 1855. and is a daughter of John and Matilda Chapman, both natives of New Jersey, who spent the last years of their lives at Olney, Illinois. Their five children were: Margaret, wife of George A. Hutsby, of Mat- toon, Illinois : Phoebe E., who became Mrs. George A. Harlan : George M., who married Mollie Lowe, and is a resident of Champaign, Illinois ; William P., who married Stella Barton and also lives in that city, and Edward Chapman, who is unmarried and lives in Los Angeles. Cali- fornia. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. George A. Kyle : Edna V., wife of Ewing N. Harlan; Larma, deceased, and Earl, who is at home. Mr. Harlan, of this sketch, gives his political support to the Democratic party. His fraternal relations are with the Modern Wood- men of America, Camp No. 800, and Moose Lodge, No. 3. of Terre Haute.
LINCOLN H. GUNN. the superintendent of the Vigo County Charity Asylum, was born in Lincoln township, of this county, September 23, 1860, and is a representative of one of its earliest and most prominent families. His father, Morgan S. Gunn, was born in Spencer, Kentucky, April 17. 1829, but as a boy he came with his parents to Vigo county, Indiana, and in after years became one of its best known and most suc- cessful farmers, owning at the time of his death a well improved farm of two hundred and twenty acres. He had received the twenty-second degree in the Masonic order and was a charter member of the Pimento lodge. in which he had also filled all of the offices. He was a Repub- lican politically. Mr. Gunn met an untimely death on the 16th of De- cember. 1875, when he was assassinated and killed in Linton township. His wife bore the maiden name of Candes Kester and was born in Linton township, Vigo county. Indiana. April 17. 1831. a daughter of Ephraim E. and Elizabeth (Stark) Kester, prominent early residents of this county. On the 15th of April. 1878. three years after the death of her husband. Mrs. Gunn was also laid to rest. Both were faithful and earnest mem- bers of the Baptist church .. In their family were eight children, namely : Rose, deceased : Alice, the wife of John S. Turner, of Linton township ; Oliver J., a contractor in Dallas, Texas; Hershel V .. the proprietor of a restaurant in Terre Haute: Lincoln H .. the subject of this review ; Charles Noble, deceased : Alvie B., the deputy treasurer of Vigo county, and a resident of Terre Haute, and Estella, the wife of Mr. Lloyd, a member of the teachers' profession in Oakland, California.
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Lincoln H. Gunn began life for himself at the age of eighteen years, just after his mother's death, and at the time the home estate was divided. From that time until reaching the age of twenty-one he worked at farm labor by the month and then selling his land purchased a store and em- barked in the mercantile business at Pimento, while later he added thereto the hay and grain trade. During his residence in that city he also served as the postmaster four years during the Harrison administration and one year during the presidency of Mckinley. After fifteen years of active connection with the industrial interests of Pimento Mr. Gunn sold his interests there and purchased a farm of fifty-eight acres in Linton town- township, Vigo county, and continued its cultivation for a year and a half, or until he assumed the duties of the office of superintendent of the Vigo County Charity Asylum, September 1. 1903, for a term of six years. Under his supervision the farm has proved remunerative and has returned to the county more money than ever before, and at the same time he has placed many needed improvements thereon. He has erected a new brick cell house, twenty by thirty feet, to accommodate twelve in- mates, and it is furnished with all the new and modern improvements. He has also brought the land up to a high state of cultivation and keeps one man constantly employed in hauling fertilizer from Terre Haute. With his wife he owns one hundred and eight acres in Linton township. now operated by his son.
Mr. Gunn married, November 8. 1885, Mildred Kester, thus uniting two of the oldest and most honored pioneer families of Vigo county. She was born in Linton township. November 22, 1867, a daughter of John H. and Rose (Drake) Kester, both of whom still reside in the county in which they have so long lived and labored. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gunn. Harvey Verner, the elder, born August 14, 1886, married Margaret Harrison, a native daughter of Clinton, Indiana, and is farming his father's land in Linton township. He is a graduate of the Terre Haute high school and also attended a business college there. Boyle Morgan, the younger, was born July 14, 1895, and is at home. Mr. Gunn, Sr., votes with the Republican party and in fraternal circles he has attained the third degree in Masonry, belonging to Pimento lodge.
GEORGE J. NATTKEMPER, the senior member of the wholesale coal firm of Nattkemper & Connelly and a member of the city council of Terre Haute, was born in the village of Riley, Vigo county, Indiana, March 15, 1872, son of the late Louis Nattkemper, one of that county's pioneer tanners and millers. He was born in Prussia, June 11, 1826. and came to America in 1852, locating first at Detroit, Michigan, and in 1856 removed to St. Louis, Missouri, two years later coming to Lock-
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port, Riley township. There he was employed by Karcopp and Com- pany, and later purchased the business of the firm, for many years there- after carrying on a tanning, milling and general merchandise business. His wife (nee Elizabeth Asperger) was also a native of Germany, her deatlı occurring in 1894 and that of her husband in 1904.
The educational training of George J. Nattkemper was obtained in the schools of Riley township and Terre Haute, and during his early life he clerked in his father's store and pursued the study of telegraphy. In 1882 he was appointed the agent at Riley for the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad Company, spending one year in that position and then serving the company as relief agent all along its line. During one year he was also in the general office of the road at Evanston; for three years was chief clerk under J. R. Connelly ; later general agent of the road at Evansville, and was then appointed general freight agent of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, with headquarters at Terre Haute. For nine years Mr. Nattkemper continued in that position, finally en- gaging in the wholesale coal business at Terre Haute. In 1905 he was elected to represent the third ward in the city council, and is serving as chairman of the committee on judiciary and printing. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Knights of Pythias and Elks, and is identified with the Young Business Men's Club. Mr. Nattkemper's wife was for- merly Miss Nora E. Wallace, a daughter of David M. Wallace, of Terre Haute, and to them have been born Wayne Fenton and Mildred Elizabeth Nattkemper.
ORA D. DAVIS, nominated to the circuit bench of Vigo county in 1908, is a fine representative of the honorable ability of the Terre Haute bar and of that broad citizenship which has always given Indiana such a high standing among the American commonwealths. Prior to his nomi- nation to the bench he had largely specialized in real estate and business law and was well known as a Republican of large caliber and substantial legislative service. Judge Davis is numbered among the native sons of the Hoosier state, being born at Newport, Vermilion county, on the 30th of November, 1870, son of Samuel B. and Sarah (Canada) Davis, also natives of Indiana, the former born in Annapolis, Parke county, and the latter in Newport. The father was probably the oldest editor and news- paper publisher in the United States in point of continuous connection with one paper, as he edited and published the Hoosier State, at Newport, for more than forty years. At the time of the Civil war he was a firm Unionist and joined the army as a member of Company C, Eighteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. In his journalism he kept pace with the development of the modern newspaper, and had one of the best
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country papers of the middle west. His loyalty in citizenship was an unquestioned fact and was manifest in many tangible ways, including his fidelity and capability as treasurer of Vermilion county in early days. This good man and able and faithful citizen died at his old Newport home on the 2d of April, 1908.
Ora D. Davis was reared in Newport, and finished the common and high school courses in his native place, graduating from the latter in 1887. For a year thereafter he continued in the Newport high school as a post-graduate student, in order to perfect himself in certain branches. He then devoted himself to the reading and study of law; for two and a half years with Conley & Sawyer, the Newport lawyers, and for one year at the University of Michigan, graduating from that institution in 1891. On the 15th of December of the year named he was admitted to the Terre Haute bar, and practiced in that city alone until 1893, when he formed a partnership with Judge John E. Cox, continuing thus until the elevation of Judge Cox to the bench of the superior court in 1906. On the Ist of January, 1907, the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Davis maintained an independent practice until he ascended the circuit bench. He received the nomination at the Republican primaries, held May 22, 1908, his opponent being the present incumbent, Judge Piety. As intimated, while he has always enjoyed a large general practice, he has specialized to a considerable extent in professional work relating to real estate, building and loan associations, and the examination of ab- stracts, titles and conveyances. He virtually excludes criminal law client- age, and is recognized as a lawyer thoroughly versed in all branches of civil law.
Aside from his profession Mr. Davis is perhaps best known as one of the Republican leaders of his district, as is evident by his decisive majority at the judicial primaries. He has also been frequently mentioned by members of his party for Congress. In 1894 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the legislature from the joint district, composed of Vigo, Vermilion and Sullivan counties, being the first representative of his party to sit in the house from that district, and also the last, since it was afterward abolished by law. In 1895 Mr. Davis was married to Miss Mary B. Nixon, daughter of Robert H. Nixon, of Newport, In- diana. They have no living children, two having died in infancy. Mr. Davis is well known in fraternal work, being past master of Social Lodge. No .. 86, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, a member of the chapter and commandery, and past eminent commander of Terre Haute Com- mandery, No. 16, Knights of Pythias. He is likewise past exalted ruler of Terre Haute lodge of Elks, and is a member of Occidental Lodge, No. 18, and of Uniform Rank, No. 3, Knights of Pythias. His name is on
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the rolls of the Sons of Veterans, and he is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association, Young Business Men's Club and the Com- mercial Club.
CHARLES W. ABBOTT has for a third of a century been a resident of Terre Haute, where as a contractor and builder he has been continuously associateed with the improvement of the city. He was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, September 16, 1860. a son of Allen L. and Susan (Rahn ) Abbott. His mother died in 1869 and the family thus being broken up, Charles W. Abbott has since been dependent upon his own resources. He went to live with a Kentucky farmer, William German, who was an old Con- federate soldier and resided about eighteen miles from Cincinnati. For five years he continued with Mr. German, working upon the farm, but believing he would find some other pursuit more congenial. he began learn- ing the brickmason's trade in Cincinnati under the direction of John Eaton. now superintendent of the gas company of that city. He continued to follow his trade until 1875, when he came to Terre Haute, where he has now made his home for a third of a century. For four years he worked in Terre Haute in the employ of others, and then began contracting on his own account. He spent two years in the West at his trade and was very successful during that period, saving about $1,700. With this capital he returned to Terre Haute and re-entered business circles here as a con- tractor and builder. He has done much work in this and other cities and has been very successful. for the public recognizes his ability and trust- worthiness. He is always most loyal to the terms of a contract and his energy and strong purpose are recognized as salient characteristics of his business career. His advantages in youth were comparatively few. He had but a poor chance to acquire an education, but the knowledge gained in schools has been " rgely supplemented by experience, reading and ob- servation. He al: irsued a commercial course in Garven Commercial College, studying bookkeeping at night, and thus becoming much better qualified to carry on his business from the financial standpoint.
In 1886 Mr. Abbott was married to Miss Minnie Grosvener, and they are well known in Terre Haute, their home always being hospitably opened to their many friends. Mr. Abbott belongs to the Commercial Club and in Masonry has attained the Knight Templar degree. In poli- tics he is a stanch and stalwart Republican, but while he is thoroughly in sympathy with the principles and purposes of the party, he has no time for active co-operation in political work. On the contrary, his entire atten- tion is given to his business interests, wherein he is meeting with cred- itable prosperity, deriving substantial benefits from his labors. while Terre Haute has also been improved by his skill in the building art.
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HENRY J. ADAMS, prominently identified with the agricultural inter- ests of Nevins township, was born on a farm a half mile north of where he now resides July 28, 1857, a son of Joel J. and Matilda (White) Adams, both of whom were born in Kentucky, and both are now deceased. The father came with his parents to this township when but a boy, and after his marriage here he rented land for some time, finally purchasing eighty acres of the two hundred and forty-acre farm which he owned at the time of his death. He was a lifelong farmer, and died at the age of forty-four years. His wife, Matilda, reached the advanced age of eighty- four years. She was a daughter of John W. White, who came from his native state of Kentucky to Indiana during the early girlhood days of his daughter Matilda, entering a large tract of land, and his estate finally numbered four hundred acres. Mr. Adams was a Republican and a mem- ber of the Christian church, of which he was an earnest and faithful member and a deacon. In his family were twelve children: Martha Ann, Hester and Ellen, all deceased ; Susan, the wife of Alexander Lucas, and a resident of Nevins township ; John, Addison and Miles P., also deceased ; Samuel H., who married Josephine Beanchamp, and his home is in Mon- tana ; Henry J., of this review ; Filmore, who married first Adaline Grin- nell, and after her death Rosana Compton, and he is living in Nevins township; Thomas, who married Laura Lawson, and is deceased ; and Frank, who married first Cynthia Bryant, and after her death Lutias Stultz.
Henry J. Adams remained on the home farm until his marriage, and he then farmed as a renter in Nevins township for eighteen years, finally purchasing his present estate of thirty-seven acres, on which he has made his home since 1900. He formerly worked to some extent in the mines, but now devotes his time and attention to teaming and farming. He is a Republican in his political affiliations, and in 1904 was elected the as- sessor of his township, having the distinction of bein first Republican assessor of Nevins township.
His marriage was celebrated on the 4th of November, 1880, when Mary A. Beauchamp, the widow of William Fequay, and the daughter of Willis and Catherine (Peters) Beauchamp, became his wife. She was born on the 27th of December, 1853, and the union has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Clark L., born December 10, 1881. married Bessie Willoughby, and resided in Fontanet until the memorable mine explosion, since which time he has lived with his parents ; Winni- fred G., born October 25, 1884, is the wife of Fred Wood, and is also living at home with her parents ; and Rosella J., born January 24. 1887. died September 16, 1906. Both Mr. and Mrs. Adams are members of the Christian church.
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WILLIAM ANDREW HUNTER .- The distinctive and specific office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave a record establishing his worth by the consensus of public opinion. Throughout the community in which he lives Mr. Hunter is regarded not only as an enterprising business man, but as one thoroughly reliable, while in citizenship he stands for progress, re- form and improvement. He was born in South Second street, Terre Haute, on the 23d of June, 1866. His father, William Rebert Hunter, now deceased, was for many years a prominent and influential citizen and business man, universally known as Colonel Hunter. His birth occurred in McMinnville, Warren county, Tennessee, September II, 1830, and he was a son of William and Emily ( Higginbottom) Hunter. The grandfa- ther, William Hunter, was born in Virginia, January 5, 1802, and was the son of John Hunter, whose birth occurred in the Old Dominion in 1767. He was the son of a Scotch Hunter, who prior to the Revolutionary war, with three brothers, crossed the Atlantic to America, settled in Vir- ginia, founded the American branch of the family and eventually partici- pated in the first conflict with England. John Hunter, the paternal great- grandfather, married Susan Kelham and moved from Virginia to Ten- nessee, where their son, William Robert, was born. At a very early age seven of the sons came north and settled in Putnam county, Indiana, four years later removing to Clay's Prairie, Illinois-so named from the fact that they purchased their farms from Henry Clay. The district now known as Hunter township was named in honor of the Hunters, pioneers who contributed in substantial measure to the early development and progress of that region.
Col. William Robert Hunter, the father, engaged in general farming and the live stock business in Illinois prior to his removal to Terre Haute. He left the farm in 1861 to enlist in Company F, Twenty-first Illinois In- fantry Regiment (General Grant's old command) and served throughout the period of hostilities, or for three years, three months and four days. During the last eighteen months of his service he was quartermaster ser- geant and assistant quartermaster of his regiment. Participating in a number of important battles, he returned home with a most creditable mil- itary record, and soon after the close of the war located in Terre Haute. Here (1866) he purchased the interest of John J. Fouts in the livery and sales stable owned by the firm of Fouts Brothers. This business had been established in 1864 by Andrew B. and John J. Fouts, the former the father-in-law of Colonel Hunter. With the change in the partnership the firm style of Fouts & Hunter was assumed, and under their guidance the business was developed into one of the most extensive of its character in the country. They dealt in horses and mules, making large sales and
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