USA > Indiana > Daviess County > History of Daviess County, Indiana : Its people, industries and institutions > Part 36
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The paternal grandfather of John P. Cavanaugh was John Cavanaugh, who died in Ireland. He had four children, Patrick, Daniel, Richard and Bridget, the latter of whom married a Mr. Keenan, of Cincinnati. She died in the latter city, leaving a son, J. J. Keenan, who was for some time employed in the Peoples store, of Cincinnati. The brothers of Patrick Cavanaugh disappeared, and their history is lost. Patrick spelled his sur- name with a K, while his wife spelled hers with a C, and they were not related.
The maternal grandfather of John P. Cavanaugh was James Cava -. naugh, who married Elizabeth Maloy in Ireland and came to America with two children. They started on the voyage, however, with three children, but one died in mid-ocean. They settled in Cincinnati in 1833, where he
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was employed as a bookkeeper, and here he spent the remainder of his life. After his death, his wife came to Daviess county, Indiana, where her death occurred in 1894, in her ninetieth year. They were the parents of five children, William, Dennis, Mary, Margaret and Sarah.
John P. Cavanaugh was reared by his grandmother on her farm, attend- ing the district schools of his home neighborhood. Later, he was a student in the parochial schools. Subsequently, he came to Washington and drove a mule in the coal mines for the firm of Cabel & Kauggman for some time. He next drove a delivery wagon for this same firm for three years, after which he was employed as a clerk in this company's store for a period of eighteen years. At the end of that time he conducted a general store in partnership with Leonard Farmwald and J. E. Crane, on the corner of Fourth and Main streets, Washington. Two years later Mr. Cavanaugh sold his interests in this store and moved to the corner of Fifth and Hefron streets, where he had formerly purchased a lot. At this time he opened a general store which he is still operating. The people who reared Mr. Cava- naugh, owned this property, and he purchased it later at a court house sale. He has been a resident of Washington for about forty-five years.
Mr. Cavanaugh's maternal grandmother married a second time, her second husband being Peter Fee, and to this union two children were born. John P. Cavanaugh was married, on the 10th of November, 1880, to Mary Riley, a daughter of Terrence and Bridget (Lenahan) Riley, and to this union eight children were born, William, Margaret, John, Clara, Joseph, George, John and Charles. The first four of these children died in infancy ; Joseph is connected with the Boston store in Chicago, and is unmarried ; George is employed in the store with his father; John is a student in the high school and Charles is a student in the parochial school.
Mrs. Cavanaugh was a native of County Mayo, Ireland, and her par- ents were also born there. They came to America during the Civil War and settled in Daviess county, where they lived the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of six children, Michael, Mary, Bridget, John, Anthony and William.
In addition to his mercantile business, Mr. Cavanaugh owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Washington township, in this county, to which he devotes considerable attention. He is also interested in the dairy business, and has made a notable success in this line.
Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh and family are devout members of the Catho- lic church, and contribute liberally to the support of this denomination. Mr. Cavanaugh belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order
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of Hibernians. He is identified with the Democratic party, but has never taken an active part in politics, and has never held nor aspired to office. He is devoted, primarily, to the welfare of his family and the interests of his business. In every respect, John P. Cavanaugh must be regarded as one of the best living citizens of Daviess county.
GEORGE J. KEITH.
The name Keith has long been connected with the progress and devel- opment of Daviess county, and the name has been borne by men who have reflected great credit upon the state and upon their respective communities. It is a well-attested maxim that the greatness of a community lies not in the machinery of government, nor even in its institutions; but rather in the sterling quality of the individual citizen in his capacity for high and unself- ish effort and his devotion to the public welfare. Among the citizens of Daviess county, who have not only won success and honor for themselves in their specific fields of endeavor, but who have also conferred honor on their respective communities, is George J. Keith, one of the prominent members of the Keith family, a substantial and successful farmer and a well-known banker. Although Mr. Keith resides in Washington, he owns nearly twelve hundred acres of land, and devotes a considerable amount of attention to the details of directing operations on this land.
Mr. Keith is a son of Jarit and Rhoda Jane (Lester) Keith, and was born on March 14, 1849, in Knox county, Indiana. His father and mother, natives of Daviess county, moved to Knox county, where they lived for about fifteen years, at the end of which time they returned to Daviess county, and in 1860 purchased from the heirs of Jarit Keith's father the farm in Washington township, still known as the Keith farm. Mrs. Keith died in 1902, and from that time until his death in 1913 Mr. Keith lived with his different children. At the time of his death he was nearly ninety- three years of age. He owned about two thousand acres of land.
The paternal grandfather of George J. Keith was George H. Keith, and his wife was Abbie (Perkins) Keith. They were natives of Kentucky and pioneers in Daviess county. They improved the old Keith farm in Washington township and there reared their family. George H. Keith died in Washington in 1858, at the age of seventy years. His wife survived him some twenty years, and died at the age of eighty-seven. George H.
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Keith was a very stout and hearty man, and died from a congestive chill two hours after he was attacked. He and his wife were the parents of a large family of children, as follow: Lucinda, Emily, Martha, Jarit, George, Ann, Wilson, Charles and two or three who died in infancy.
The maternal grandfather of George J. Keith was William, Lester, whose wife was Julia ( Wayman) Lester. They were both natives of Ken- tucky and were also pioneers in Daviess county. In fact, there were only three houses in the town of Washington when they arrived in Daviess county, and these three houses were built of logs. They settled in what was known as the Dutch settlement, seven miles northeast of Washington, and later moved farther north into Steele township, where he died well advanced in years. His wife survived him and lived to be eighty-five years old. They reared three children, Rhoda Jane, Louisa Ann and William Harrison.
George J. Keith was reared on his father's farm and attended the dis- trict school of Daviess county and also of Knox county, where he lived until he was twenty-four years old.
Mr. Keith rented a farm of his father in Knox county after his mar- riage and lived there two years, when Mrs. Keith died, and he then moved to Sugar Land, in Daviess county, on one of his father's farms. Eventually he purchased part of this farm and later inherited the remainder.
Mr. Keith's first marriage was to Mary Frances Carroll, the daughter of Benjamin Rufus and Harriet Carroll. She died in March, 1873, and left no children.
Again, on December 2, 1874. Mr. Keith was married to Martha A. Banta, daughter of Abram T. and Eliza Ann (Juvenall) Banta. Six sons were born to this union, Charles W., Ephraim J., Elmer F., James A., Oscar H. and Ray A. Charles W. is a farmer on the home place. He married Lucretia Parsons and they have two sons, Arthur and Benjamin; Ephraim J. is a farmer and real estate dealer in Sikeston, Missouri; he married Dicey Tommy and they have two children, Bonnie and William; Elmer is a farmer in Steele township and also a dairyman; he married Lilly McDonald; they have three children, Harley, Russell and Ruby; James is likewise a farmer in Steele township; he was formerly a locomotive engineer, and married Mildred Perine and they have one son, James Prime Keith; Oscar was in the navy for a time, but is now farming near Sikeston, Missouri, and is unmarried; Ray is farming in Sugar Land on his father's farm, and married Dicy Wilson.
Mrs. Martha A. (Banta) Keith was born in Sugar Land, Daviess
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county, but was reared in Barr township. She died on August 2, 1899, at the age of forty-six years and ten months. Her parents were born in Daviess county and died here. They had ten children, William, Dell, Martha, Etta, Dora, Henry, Eliza, Charles, Thomas, and another who died in infancy.
The husband of Betsey (Juvenall) Banta was a Mr. Banta, grandfather of Mrs. Martha (Banta) Keith. They were natives of Kentucky and pio- neers in Daviess county, and had a family consisting of the following chil- dren: Abram, John, Jackson and Margaret.
Mrs. Margaret Keith's maternal grandfather was a Mr. Juvenall, whose wife was Betsey (McCracken) Juvenall. They were natives of Ken- tucky and pioneers in Daviess county. He was a stage driver in the early days. They had only one child, Eliza A. Mr. Juvenall died some time after his marriage and his widow afterward married a man by the name of Peachy.
Mr. Keith was married the third time to Mrs. Jane Chad, whose maiden name was Potts. She died on October 31, 1909.
On January 10, 1912, Mr. Keith was married the fourth time to Mrs. Lola M. Underwood, the widow of Marshall Underwood and a daughter of Griffin and Mary Anna (Williams) MacKinney. She had three chil- dren by a former marriage, Corinne, Marshall K. and Lucile Underwood. Corinne married Fred S. Clapp, and died leaving one child, Alice Mary; Marshall K. died at the age of twenty years and ten months, and Lucille lives at home.
The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Lola M. Keith was Archibald Mc- Kinney, whose wife was Margaret (Edwards) Mckinney. He was a Scotchman and his wife was of Welsh stock. They had five children, Archi- bald, Robert, Griffin, Margaret and Catherine. Mrs. Lola M. Keith's maternal grandfather was Vincent Williams, and his wife was Elizabeth (Hart) Williams.
After moving back to Sugar Land, Mr. Keith continued to farm there until 1909, when he rented out his farm and moved to Washington, where he purchased a comfortable home and where he now lives, at 507 North Meridian street. He owns four hundred and seventy-six acres of the home farm in Sugar Land, and also seven hundred acres in Steele township. Mr. Keith is vice-president and a director of the State Bank of Washington.
Mr. and Mrs. Keith are members of the Christian church of Washing- ton. He is one of the trustees of this church, and is identified with the Republican party. He is a member-at-large of the county council.
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George J. Keith is one of the very prominent farmers and stock men of Daviess and Knox counties, in both of which he is well known. He is. a man of engaging personality, and one who enjoys the esteem and confi- dence of all the people of Daviess and Knox counties, where he has lived,. and with whom he has come into contact.
WARREN VAN TREES.
It is frequently maintained by those accustomed to superficial think- ing that the history of so-called great men only is worthy of preservation, and that little merit exists among the masses to call forth the praises of the historian or the cheers and the appreciation of mankind. A greater mistake was never made. No man is great in all things, but many by a lucky stroke achieve lasting fame who, before that, had no reputation beyond the limits. of the immediate neighborhood. It is not a history of a lucky stroke which benefits humanity most, but the long study and effort that has made the lucky stroke possible. It is the preliminary work, the method, which serves as a guide for others. Among those of Daviess county who have achieved success by consistent, steady effort, is Warren Van Trees, a well-known druggist and pharmacist as well as a farmer of Washington.
Mr. Van Trees was born on February II, 1868, at Washington, and is the son of Thomas P. and Sarah Deane ( Albertson) Van Trees, natives of Washington, and Salem, Indiana, respectively. They have three chil- dren, Harry, deceased; Warren and Thomas, Jr., deceased.
Thomas P. Van Trees, the father of Warren, was reared in Washing- ton, where his father was a pork packer. Thomas P. was employed by his father to take pork and poultry down the White river and the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans. During the war he was a prospector in the mountains of Colorado and Mexico. He also ran a hotel in Denver when it was a small village. He finally returned to Washington and engaged in the milling business for a number of years after which time he moved to his father's farm in Washington township, just north of town, and died there in 1911, at the age of eighty-one years. His wife survived him and now is eighty-one years old. Mrs. Thomas P. Van Trees is a devoted mem- ber of the Presbyterian church as was also her deceased husband.
The paternal grandfather of Warren Van Trees was John Van Trees. His wife was Laura (Prentiss) Van Trees. The former was a native of
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Pennsylvania and the latter of Indiana, both of whom were pioneers in Daviess county, and where he purchased one hundred acres of land for one hundred dollars. This land had been sold for taxes amounting to nine dol- lars and eighty cents. Two hundred dollars an acre has lately been refused for this same land. John Van Trees owned several farms, but made his home in Washington, where he had a beautiful house and other property. He started a pork-packing business in Washington which he conducted for many years. He was also an extensive dealer in general merchandise and operated a store. John Van Trees was county clerk for twenty years. His penmanship was exceptional and almost like copper-plate. He lived to be ninety-one years old and his wife died at the age of sixty-eight. They had a large family of children as follow: Thomas P., John M., Charles R., Henry, Helen, Lydia G., Ann Eliza, Laura, Emma B., William, and one who died in infancy, the first born.
The maternal grandfather of Mr. Van Trees was Nathaniel Albertson, whose wife was Miss (Forsythe) Albertson. They were early settlers in southern Indiana, the wife having come from England to America in 1800. Nathaniel Albertson was a congressman from Floyd and Harrison counties, Indiana, and lived on a farm on the old turnpike near New Albany. His home was a stopping place for travelers hauling goods for which he charged them a picayune, worth about five cents. He died in the Rocky mountains at Central City, Colorado, while prospecting there, at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife lived to be ninety-one years of age. They had one son and five daughters, Eliza, Sarah Deane, Carrie, Laura, Alice and George.
Warren Van Trees, the subject of this sketch, lived in Washington until seven years old and then grew to manhood on his father's farm where he lived until twenty-seven. He attended the district school and the Wash- ington public and high schools, and after leaving the farm he came to Wash- ington and clerked for his uncle, John A. Scudder, in the drug store of Scudder & Company, for several years. He then purchased the store him- self. He sold this store, finally, and was out of the business for seven years. Subsequently, he bought it back again and has continued in the drug business since that time.
Mr. Van Trees was married on December 14, 1910, to Mrs. Martha Glenn Morris, a widow of Robert Morris, and the daughter of John A. and Indiana (Mitchell) Chandler. Two children have been born to this union, Sarah Deane and Warren, Jr.
Mrs. Van Trees was born near Alfordsville, Indiana. Her parents were natives of this state and now live in Washington. They were the par-
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ents of the following children, Martha Glenn, Raleigh, Fred, Lillian, Mabel, Loran, Earl and Marie.
Mr. Van Trees is an ardent Democrat, but he has never taken an espe- cially active part in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Van Trees are members of the different churches. Mr. Van Trees is a Presbyterian, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
A large and flourishing drug business has been built by Mr. Van Trees in Washington. He enjoys, to the utmost, the confidence of his patrons and has always been kind and courteous to all his customers. He belongs to one of the old families in Daviess county, a family which has always stood for the very best things in the life of the community.
ERNEST G. RITTERSKAMP.
It is by no means an easy task to describe within the limits of this review a man who has led an active and eminently useful life, and who, by his own exertion, has reached a position of honor and trust in business with which his interests are allied. But biography finds justification, neverthe- less, in tracing and recording such a life history, since the public claims a certain interest in the career of every individual. The time invariably arises, therefore, when it becomes advisable to present the careers of men who are leaders in business enterprises. It is with a certain degree of satis- faction that the chronicler essays the task of touching briefly upon the career of Ernest G. Ritterskamp, who, for many years, has been a promi- nent and influential citizen of Daviess county.
Ernest G. Ritterskamp, a well-known furniture dealer of Washing- ton, was born on August 3, 1865, at Vincennes. He is the son of Fred and Louisa (Kercher) Ritterskamp, the former a native of Alberfeld and the latter a native of Mettmann, Germany. They had ten children, five of whom lived to maturity. Fred lives in Kansas City, Missouri; Otto is a furniture dealer in Vincennes; Emil is president of the Vincennes Furni- ture Company ; Ernest G. is the subject of this sketch; Louisa, who died in her twenty-sixth year, was the wife of Frank Berry.
Fred Ritterskamp, the father of these children, was reared and mar- ried in Germany. He came to America with his wife and located in Vin- cennes. Here he was a contractor and builder. He was a carpenter by trade. He died in Vincennes at the age of fifty-five years. His wife
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survived him and died on August 26, 1904, at the age of seventy-four. They belonged to the German Evangelical church. The paternal grandparents of Ernest G. Ritterskamp were born and lived and died in Germany. The maternal grandfather, who was Gottfried Kercher, also lived and died in Germany. He was a baker. He ran a bake shop at Mettmann. His wife was Louisa Kersher.
Ernest G. Ritterskamp was reared in Vincennes and attended the pub- lic schools of that city. Early in life, he learned the carpenter trade, which he followed until after his marriage. For some time he was also engaged in railroad work, and during this period was a fireman for the Iron Moun- tain railroad and lived at De Soto, Missouri.
Mr. Ritterskamp married Altha Jackson, a daughter of John Jackson. One daughter was born to this union and died in infancy. Mrs. Ritters- kamp died fifteen months after her marriage.
In January, 1891, Mr. Ritterskamp was married again to Amelia H. Schulte, the daughter of Fred and Mollie (Ritterskamp) Schulte. Ten chil- dren were born to this union, Viola, Ella, Otto, Walter, David, Oscar, Carl, and three who died young. All these children are now living at home.
Mrs. Amelia H. Ritterskamp was born at Evansville, this state. Her parents were natives of Germany, who came to America and settled there early in life. Here they were married after which they moved to Freelands- ville, Indiana. The father died in Freelandsville, in 1909, but his wife is still living. They had a number of children, among whom were: Amelia H., William, Fred, Emma, Clara, Lydia and Louisa. Mrs. Amelia Ritters- kamp's paternal grandfather was Christ Schulte. Her maternal grandfather was William Ritterskamp, whose wife was Amelia H. Ritterskamp. Their children were Fred, Harriet and Mollie.
Mr. and Mrs. Ritterskamp are members of the United Brethren church. Fraternally, Mr. Ritterskamp is a member of Pythagoras Lodge No. 118, Knights of Pythias; also the Woodmen of the World, the Ben-Hur Society, and the Modern Woodmen of America. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ritterskamp are members of the Knights and Ladies of Security. Ernest G. Ritters- kamp carries a large stock of furniture, stoves, etc., and does a large busi- ness in Washington, and in Daviess county. He is well respected as a busi- ness man and in every respect is a good citizen of Daviess county. Mr. Ritterskamp has never been active in political affairs, but has devoted his attention rather to his own private business and to the welfare and comfort of his family, to which he is very much devoted.
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LUTHER JOHNSON.
Among the well-known young business men of Daviess county whose enterprise and industry have won him distinctive prestige in the business circles of this county is Luther Johnson, a well-known clerk for the' I. W. Lutz & Son Furniture Company. None stands higher in the life of Wash- ington and vicinity or higher in the esteem and confidence of this community than Mr. Johnson.
Luther Johnson was born on May 8, 1872, in Washington township, Daviess county, the son of Milford D. and Osee (Wise) Johnson, both natives of Indiana. They had six children, Ola, the wife of Otto Oberst, of near Evansville; Mollie, who died in early childhood; Stella, the wife of William Solomon, of Herrington, Kansas; Luther, of Washington; Edward H., who died at the age of fourteen years, and Pearl, who is the wife of W. B. Allen, of Washington township.
Milford D. Johnson, the father of these children, was reared in Daviess county, and was a carpenter by trade. He lived on a farm in Washington township until a few years before his death. He died in 1900, and his wife is still living at the age of seventy-three. Mrs. Johnson and her deceased husband were members of the Baptist church, as are all the family. Milford D. Johnson was in the service of the Union army during the Civil War as a bridge carpenter.
The paternal grandparents of Luther Johnson were Edward H. and Nancy (Murphy) Johnson, natives of Kentucky and early settlers in Daviess county, where they were farmers. They both died in this county well advanced in years, and were the parents of five children, Milford D., Anthony, Robert, Susan and Flora. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Johnson were John and Della Wise, who were also early settlers in Daviess county and were farmers. They had seven children, Henry, William, Alfred, John, Mary Ann, Lucinda and Osa.
Luther Johnson was reared on the farm and attended the district schools. He lived at home until grown and then came to Washington and worked for a transfer company for three or four years. Finally he began clerking in the furniture store of F. B. Fornwald, who recently sold out to C. W. Keach, and where he worked for several months when he left this employment and entered the store of I. W. Lutz & Sons. Mr. Johnson has been in this store for fourteen years, and is well known for his courteous dealings with the public and his upright, honorable conduct in all of his business relations.
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Luther Johnson was married on June 25, 1905, to Nettie Whayne, the daughter of Nathan and Alice (Haynes) Whayne. One daughter, Thelma, has been born to this union. Mrs. Johnson was born in Kentucky. Her parents were natives of that state and came to Daviess county about 1888. They are now living in Washington. They have three children, Nettie, Eunice and Lucile. Mrs. Johnson's paternal grandparents were natives of Kentucky, where they died.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Baptist church. Fraternally, Mr. Johnson is a member of the Royal Arcanum and is an ardent Repub- lican.
JOHN W. DILLARD.
Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Daviess county within the pages of this book, citizens who have figured in the growth and development of this favored locality and whose interests are identified with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Among this number is John W. Dillard, peculiar interest attaching to his career from the fact that for quite a number of years he has been prominently identified with the real estate and insurance business in Washington, during which time he has also taken a prominent part in the civic and moral advancement of his community.
John W. Dillard was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, November 20, 1856, the son of Henry and Mary (Combs) Dillard, natives of Ken- tucky. They were the parents of five children, Fannie, deceased; John W., of Washington; Ida, deceased, who was the wife of William Gleason; Will- iam, of Terre Haute, and Addie, deceased.
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