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 7
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Mr. Wildy married, July II, 1902, at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Retta, the daughter of Benjamin E. Strickler. Mr. Wildy is a member of the Commercial Club, of Terre Haute.
RUDOLPH GAGG .- In reviewing the lives of others of the important citizens of Terre Haute much has been said concerning the city's varied industries, but in touching upon the life and achievements of Rudolph Gagg, its art industry, but little referred to previously, is brought into prominence. During many years he was one of its best known art dealers, loving his work for its own true worth, and he continued in the business here from the close of the Civil war until his death, in 1896.
Mr. Gagg was a native of Constance, Baden, Germany, born in 1832, and in his early life he received a liberal educational training in both the German and French languages. In 1857 he came to the United States and located in Indianapolis, Indiana, entering the business life of that city as an architect, and he remained there until his enlistment, in 1861, in the Thirty-third Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry for the Civil war. At the expiration of his first term of enlistment he veteranized in the Ninth Pennsylvania Battery of Light Artillery, and served with his com- mand until the close of the conflict. It was then that he came to Terre Haute and gratified his love for art by opening a store, and as above stated he remained in the business until his life's labors were ended by death.
On the 17th of September, 1863, Mr. Gagg married Georgiana Holtzerman, who was born in Piqua, Ohio, and yet survives her hus- band, residing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They became the parents of seven children : Major George A., Oscar L., Ernest G., August, Minna, Louis R. and Elise, the three eldest born in Indianapolis and the re- mainder in Terre Haute. Major George A. Gagg was engaged in the banking business in Terre Haute until 1902, when he went to New York city to become the manager of the Eastern Trust Company's branch, but after two years returned to this city and took charge of the Wabash Realty and Loan Company. Oscar L., the second son, is now in business in New York, where he resides, and his brother Ernest, is in the art business
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Astor, Lenex and Tilden Foundations. 1909
A.L. Shees
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in Knoxville Tennessee. August, the first of the children born in Terre Haute, is assistant cashier of a banking house in Denver, Colorado. Louis R. is a United States representative for foreign artists, with headquarters at Milwaukee and New York city. The two daughters, Minna and Elise. are with their mother in Milwaukee.
HOMER L. STEES has been engaged in the undertaking business in Terre Haute since 1891, but his industrial interests are many and varied. and he has achieved success in his business career. He was born in Auburn, Shawnee county, Kansas, June 10, 1861, a son of Reuben and Nancy (Hood) Stees. Reuben Stees was a native of Union county, Penn- sylvania, and became one of the pioneer school teachers of Huntington, Indiana, from whence, in 1859, he removed to Kansas and became a merchant and farmer at Auburn. There his son Homer was born and lived on the farm until he reached his fourteenth year. His mother died and from that time he has been obliged to hew his own pathway. His first employment was as a clerk in a clothing store, and he was but fifteen when he became a cowboy, riding the plains at that time. For four years he was on a cattle ranch, and then drifting into the mountains as a miner, he remained there for three summers, spend- ing the winter months in Denver, which was his headquarters. It was in that city that he obtained his first experience as an under- taker in the employ of J. J. Walley, with whom he remained until 1886. and he spent the following five years in Lafayette, Indiana, where he was engaged in the same business. In July, of 1891, he came to Terre Haute and remained in the employ of Isaac Ball for three years and a half. and on the first of March, 1895, entered into business as an undertaker for himself. He bought his present building in 1900, remodeled it and is pre- pared to conduct obsequies in the simplest or most elaborate manner. Mr. Stees is also quite extensively engaged in the raising and selling of horses, owning a stock farm in Clark county, Illinois, near Farmington. and he is a director of the American-German Trust Company.
Mr. Stees married Nellie Niemantsverdriet, who died June 11, 1806. and for his second wife he wedded in Lafayette, January 1, 1899. Hattie E. Dodson, of Terre Haute, daughter of Nicholas and Mary Dodson. Mr. Stees is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias orders, also the Red Men, Tribe of Ben Hur. Knights and Ladies of Honor, the Modern American Fraternal Vid. Ancient Order of United Workmen and Knights and Ladies of Security. Mr. Stees belongs to all the branches in Masonry, also in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Red Men. He is also a member of the Travelers' Protective Association.
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HARVEY VALENTINE .- Many years have passed since the Valentine family became residents of Vigo county, and one of its representatives, Harvey Valentine, has won for the name an enviable distinction in the business life of Terre Haute, being now president of the Valentine Com- pany, and also a member of the city council. He was born at Greencastle, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, May 1. 1871, a son of Isaac F. Valen- tine, a native of Washington county, Maryland, born June 20, 1841, and he in turn is a son of David and Margaret (Crum) Valentine, both natives of Maryland. Both the Valentine and Crum families came originally from Germany.
Isaac Valentine attained to manhood's estate in the county of his nativity, and in September of 1864 he enlisted in Company M, Seventeenth Regiment of Pennsylvania Cavalry, for service in the Civil war. He enlisted at Chambersburg and served until the close of the conflict, having been mustered out at Cloud's Mill, Virginia, in 1865. After the war had closed he and his brother, John T., engaged in the milling business near Mercersburg. Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and about eight years after- ward left that city to engage in the same occupation in Martinsburg, West Virginia, where they remained for one year. Returning thence to Franklin county, Pennsylvania, they located at Greencastle, and there the brothers severed their business connection. Isaac engaging in the meat business, but it was not long before he left there and came to Middletown, Indiana, to engage in the same line of trade. It was in 1873 that he came west, and after four years in Middletown he purchased a farm in Delaware county, Indiana, and put in eight years as an agriculturist. Trading this land for a larger farm in Fairfield, Illinois, he removed to his new possessions, farming there for two years, and following this he bought and conducted a meat market in the town of Fairfield for a time. It was in 1887 that he located permanently in Terre Haute, and carried on the meat business until 1897, when ill health compelled him to retire.
Mr. Valentine married in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, Amanda Miller, born in that county February 3, 1847. to Daniel and Jane (Mowery) Miller, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Her paternal grandfather, Daniel Miller, as well as her maternal grandfather, Daniel Mowery, was from the Old Dominion state of Virginia. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Valentine: Edna. Harvey. Clara, Daisy. Ocie, Earl, LeRoy and Merl, but Earl and Merl are deceased.
Harvey Valentine received the principal part of his education in the public schools of Fairfield, Illinois, and he came with his parents to Terre Haute. He remained at home for some time after leaving school, helping his father in the store, and finally succeeded to the business in 1898. His is now one of the largest grocery and meat establishments on
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the east side, located at 1133 Poplar street, and his large double brick store room was erected in 1901. In April, 1906, the Valentine Com- pany was incorporated with Mr. Valentine as president. The company's slaughterhouse is located just across the river from Terre Haute, and does the largest business of any house of its kind in the city. Mr. Valentine was elected a member of the city council from the second ward in 1906. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and of the Sons of Veterans.
Mrs. Valentine bore the maiden name of Ida Dickey, and was born in Fairfield, Illinois, a daughter of Newton Dickey. Their three children are Lena, Mildred and Carl.
JOHN G. HEINL .- To John G. Heinl belongs the honor of being the pioneer florist of Terre Haute, but after many years of active participation with that business he is now living retired. He was born in Austria, in 1844, a son of Anton and Marie Annie (Gradl) Heinl. The family came to America in 1854, and two years afterward, in 1856, young Heinl en- tered the employ of a florist at Toledo, Ohio, with whom he continued for seven years, and in that time proved himself thoroughly competent to carry on the business on his own account. Accordingly, in 1863, he located in Terre Haute and established one of the first green houses of the city. From the beginning to the close of his career as a florist in Terre Haute he was successful and became recognized as one of the leaders in his line in this part of the state. In 1895 the firm of J. G. Heinl & Son was formed, and in 1901 the senior member retired, leaving his son Frederick to carry on the business which he had established and brought to such a high state of perfection, but business is still conducted under the old firm name.
Although the name of John G. Heinl is so prominently associated with the business interests of Terre Haute it is perhaps as well known for his benevolent and philanthropic work. He is a member of the board of managers of the Rose Orphans' Home, and also of the board of managers of the Rose Dispensary. He was one of the organizers of the Fort Harrison Savings Bank, having been elected the vice president of the institution at the time of the organization and he has so continued to the present time. He is a Mason of both the York and Scottish Rite branches.
I11 1870 Mr. Heinl was married to Marie Debbs, a daughter of Daniel Debbs, and two sons have been born to them ; Frederick and Robert. The younger son is a journalist on the editorial staff of the New York Sun.
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WILLIAM BRIGGS HICE is one of the prominent young members of the bar of Terre Haute, and was born on a farm in Harrison county, Indiana, May 30, 1874, a son of G. S. and Sarah J. (Briggs) Hice. G. S. Hice, the father, was born in central Pennsylvania in 1839, and came with his parents to Indiana at the close of the Civil war, living first at Greencastle, and from that city G. S. Hice went to New Albany, Indiana, where he has ever since resided, although he is now living a retired life. Mrs. Hice was born in Orange county, Indiana.
It was in New Albany, Indiana, that William B. Hice grew to years of maturity, receiving his literary training in its public schools and in a private preparatory school at Louisville, Kentucky. After he had thus laid a good foundation on which to erect his future life work he entered as a student, the law department of the University of Michigan, and graduated with the class of 1898. A short time was then spent in the prosecuting attorney's office at New Albany, and from there Mr. Hice came to Terre Haute and entered upon what time has proved a successful legal career. He is prominent as well in the political circles of the city and county, and has served as secretary of the Republican county and city committees. He is a member of the Young Business Men's Club, the Commercial Club, and of the Masonic, Knights of Pythias, Elks and Maccabees fraternities.
CHARLES W. HOFF has attained prestige in Terre Haute as a business man and public official, and although a native son of Germany, he has spent the most of his life in the United States, coming to America in 1857. with his parents at the age of seven years, and throughout his later years has been conspicuously identified with many interests which have subserved the material prosperity of Terre Haute. He entered upon his business career when a lad of twenty-one as a retail grocery merchant at the corner of First and Osborn streets, in this city, but after a year and a half he transferred his activities to the manufacture of brick, first on a small scale, but gradually his interests have broadened and expanded until he has now one of the largest and most complete plants in the state. His brick plant is strictly modern, being equipped with all the latest ma- chinery, and is located on Prairieton avenue, consisting of forty-five acres.
Mr. Hoff was born in Germany, March 7, 1849, a son of the late John H. and Marie Wilhelmina ( Trottier) Hoff, both of whom were also born in Germany. The mother was of French Huguenot descent, born in 1824, and she died in Terre Haute in 1861. John H. Hoff was born in 1812, and died in this city in 1898. They came to America in 1857 and Mr. Hoff was one of the early brick-makers of Terre Haute. With perhaps half a dozen others he was a charter member of the German Re- formed church and served as an official of the congregation. Their son
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY Aster, Lenox and THden Foundations. 1909
Dece leavin
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Charles continued the education begun in his native land in the Ger- man Reformed schools of this city, and, as above stated, when twenty-one entered upon his business career. In 1889 he was made a member of the city school board, and at the close of his three years' term was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of county assessor for a term of four years. In 1888 he was elected a trustee of the German Reformed church, and has held that office continuously to the present time, and was also president of the board when the present church edifice was erected. He is a member of Humboldt Lodge, No. 42, Free and Accepted Masons, of Terre Haute Chapter, No. 11, Royal Arch Masons, Terre Haute Commandery, No. 16, Knights Templars, Indianapolis Consistory, Scottish Rite, and of the Murat Temple of the Mystic Shrine, Indianapolis. In Odd Fellow- ship he is a member of the Goethe Lodge, No. 382, Vigo Encampment. No. 17, and of the Grand Lodge of Indiana. He is also a member of Paul Revere Lodge, No. 374, Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Hoff married, in 1872, Minnie S., a daughter of Louis and Mary Wilhelmina Koch, both born in Germany, the father in 1813, and the mother in 1818. They came to the United States May, 1851, and both died in Terre Haute, Mr. Koch in 1851, and his wife many years after- ward, in 1897. Two daughters, Minnie S. and Flora L., have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoff.
ODELL WEAVER, M. D., a specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, August 1, 1870, a son of John Perry and Sarah Belle ( Bolles) Weaver. The father was a Baptist clergyman, and for forty-two years was stationed at Murfreesboro and Nashville. The Doctor was reared in both cities, and at the age of twenty. in 1890, he graduated from the Vanderbilt University, where for two years he served as a demonstrator of anatomy. In 1891 he graduated from the New York Polyclinic, while later he pursued post-graduate work in both the Chicago and New York Polyclinics, and for seventeen years he has been a member of the medical profession. During fifteen years of that time he has practiced in Terre Haute, where native talent and acquired ability have won him high standing, and as an eye, ear, nose and throat specialist he has few equals.
ELLSWORTH LAWRENCE .- In examining into the causes of success and failure two things are particularly noticeable: One is that the great majority do not heed the opportunities which are open to all; and the other is that the great number fail for lack of that persisteney of purpose which is the basis of all success. In an analyzation of the life and work of Ellsworth Lawrence it will be noticed that he is lacking in neither essential.
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and thus he has worked his way steadily upward in the business world until he is now meeting with gratifying prosperity as secretary and man- ager of the Terre Haute Casket Company. He was born upon a farm in Clay county, Indiana, October 8. 1862, his parents being Etna and Eliza (Wickiser) Lawrence, both of whom were natives of Ohio, but for the past fifteen years have resided in Terre Haute. For a long period they were residents of Clay county, where the father was interested in gen- eral agricultural pursuits and in the manufacture of half-bushel measures. He is now traveling salesman for the Terre Haute Casket Company.
In the county of his nativity Ellsworth Lawrence was reared to the age of fifteen years, when he came to Terre Haute to attend the high school, therein pursuing his studies until he was graduated with the class of 1882. He afterward engaged in teaching in the country schools for a brief period, and then accepted a position with the Central Manu- facturing Company, of Terre Haute, which in addition to other products were manufacturing caskets. While in the employ of that company Mr. Lawrence gained his first practical experience in the manufacture of caskets, and thus laid the foundation for the success which he is now enjoying. He remained with the Central Manufacturing Company until 1898, in which year the Terre Haute Casket Company was organized. It was incorporated as a stock company on the 14th of February, with F. W. Hertwig as president ; L. D. Bledsoe as vice president ; and Ellsworth Lawrence as secretary and manager, and these officers have continued without change. Mr. Lawrence was active in the organization of the company, and from the beginning has capably managed the business so as to increase its output and bring constantly growing success to the enterprise. The company manufactures burial caskets and undertakers' supplies, and is the only concern of the kind in Terre Haute.
In 1886 occurred the marriage of Mr. Lawrence and Miss Catherine Holmes, a daughter of B. Holmes, a prominent real estate dealer of this city. They occupy an enviable position in social circles, and the hospitality of their home is one of its most attractive features. Mr. Lawrence is a member of the Order of Knights of Pythias, belonging to both the sub- ordinate lodge and the Uniform Rank, in the latter serving as first lieutenant. He is an active official member of the Liberty Avenue Metho- dist Episcopal church, generous in its support and a liberal contributor toward the building of the church edifice. His religion is not a matter of Sunday observance but a factor in his every day life, and his allegiance to high principles is a fact uniformly recognized by all who know him.
HARRY H. HUTTON, junior partner of the firm of Ford & Hutton, clothiers, has resided in Terre Haute since 1886, coming to this city as a
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young man of eighteen years. He was born in Grandview, Illinois, May 5, 1868, and while spending his boyhood and youth there pursued a public school education. When he arrived in Terre Haute he accepted a position as bundle boy in the clothing house of A. C. Bryce & Company, and his fidelity and industry won him promotion, so that in the course of time he became a salesman. He continued with that house for twelve years or more as one of its most faithful and reliable representatives. 'He was afterward with Tune Brothers for five years and represented that house as head salesman, having also attained that responsible posi- tion with his first employers. Ambitious to engage in business on his own account he purchased the interest of the junior partner in the firm of Ford & Overstreete, and the present firm of Ford & Hutton was then formed. They have a large and well appointed store, in which they carry a carefully selected line of clothing, hats and men's furnishing goods, and also con- duct a merchant tailoring establishment. They are now well established in trade with a constantly growing and profitable patronage, and both part- ners are recognized as alert, enterprising and progressive men of the city.
In 1892 Mr. Hutton was married to Miss Sarah C. Black, of Terre Hante. In church matters they are deeply interested, and are prominent in the social circles of the city, having many warm friends here. Mr. Hut- ton exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, but is not an aspirant for office. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks, while in more specifically commercial lines he is connected with the Retail Men's Association and the Young Business Men's Club, being vice president of the latter. What his hands find to do he does with all his might and with a sense of conscientious obligation whether it is some service in connection with the public welfare, with his fraternal interests, with his business affairs or his social relations.
He is past esquire of the Elks, Terre Haute Lodge, No. 86, and now chairman of the membership committee and also holds the office of esteemed lecturing knight. He is also one of the building committee of the Elks' new one hundred and twenty thousand dollar home.
WILLIAM E. MCKEEVER has throughout the entire period of his business career been connected with the railroad service, and at the present time is filling the position of ticket agent at Terre Haute, where he is known as an obliging, courteous and capable representative of railroad interests. One of Terre Haute's native sons, he was born June 27, 1858. His father, John McKeever, a retired engineer of the Vandalia line, was born August 8, 1829, in New Hampshire, and was a son of John and Nancy (Collins) Mckeever. John McKeever was a native of Ireland
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and after coming to America followed boating on the Merrimac river, con- tinuing a resident of New Hampshire until his demise. His wife was born in the old Granite state but spent her last days in Terre Haute.
John McKeever was the second of a family of nine children and was reared in the state of his nativity, where he acquired a common school education. He worked as a section man on the railroad and then going to New York, continued to work in the railroad employ. After two years spent in the Empire state, he removed westward to Ohio, where he engaged in railroad construction work and later took up his abode in Crestline, Ohio, about which time he was made a fireman on the Ohio & Indiana Railroad. When a year had passed he removed to Chicago, where he operated a stationary engine for a short time and then went to Iowa, where he was again engaged at railroad construction. The year 1856 witnessed his arrival in Terre Haute and he accepted the position of engineer on the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad, continuing in that ca- pacity for seven years, when he became engineer on the Vandalia Railroad. His association with the latter was of long duration and was discontinued only a few years ago, when he retired to private life. He was one of the most careful, trustworthy and reliable engineers of the line and had the entire confidence of the company which he represented.
Mr. Mckeever was married in Evansville, Indiana, September 21, 1857, to Miss Themis A. Chambers, a daughter of Clarence and Malinda (Revis) Chambers, the former a native of New York and the latter of In- diana. The father was a farmer by occupation in early life but after- ward became a prominent railroad man and a leading citizen of Princeton, Indiana. Mrs. McKeever was born in Gibson county, Indiana, February 3. 1838. At a recent date Mr. and Mrs. John McKeever celebrated their golden wedding, an occasion long to be remembered by all who partici- pated therein and who wish for this couple many more happy anniversaries. They are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist church and Mr. McKeever is a Royal Arch Mason, loyal to the teachings of the craft. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party. Unto him and his wife have been born the following named; William E., Clarence O., George E., Fred, Jessie, Mattie, Grace and Frank.
William E. Mckeever was reared in Terre Haute and pursued his early education in the public schools, while later he attended Garvin's Commercial College. Since the Ist of September, 1873, or for a period of thirty-five years, he has been with the Vandalia Railroad Company. He entered their service as a messenger boy in the auditing department, at different times was connected with the assistant's office and for twenty years was local freight agent. During the last six years, however, he has been ticket agent at Terre Haute for the Vandalia, his promotions coming in recognition of merit and ability.
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