USA > Indiana > Knox County > History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present; with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. ; together with an extended history of the colonial days of Vincennes, and its progress down to the formation of the state government > Part 31
USA > Indiana > Daviess County > History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present; with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. ; together with an extended history of the colonial days of Vincennes, and its progress down to the formation of the state government > Part 31
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JOHN T. GOODMAN, attorney at law and member of the firm Cobb, Cobb & Goodman, is a native of Knox County, Ind., where he was born March 1, 1861, and is a son of William and Mary (Pickle) Goodman. He is of Dutch-English descent, and his father was born in Knox County in 1834. He was a farmer by occupation, and was a resident of this county all his life. His death occurred in 1864. The mother was also a native of Knox County, born in 1840, and died here in 1878. The paternal grandfather, John Goodman, was a Kentuckian by birth, and came to Indiana about 1825, settling near Edwardsport, where he . died in 1850. The boyhood days of our subject were spent on the
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farm and in attending the district schools in his neighborhood. In 1878 he became a student at the Knox County Normal School, at Edwardsport, and in 1879 entered the Danville Central Normal College and remained there two years. In 1881 he began study- ing Blackstone in the law office of Cobb & Cobb, and was admit- ted to the Knox County bar in 1882. Since that time he has been actively practicing his profession. He is one of the leading attorneys of the county, and promises to rank among the first in his profession. In October, 1883, he became one of the firm of Cobb & Cobb, and has since continued. He is a Democrat in ยท politics, and has taken an active interest in politics for the last eight years, and has gained some reputation as a political speaker. He cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland. He is a Mason, and was married, December 13, 1883, to Mary E. Fuller, a native of the county, born October 28, 1865. They have one child-Charles O. Mrs. Goodman is a daughter of George W. Fuller, a prominent citizen of Bicknell, Knox Co., Ind.
CHARLES GRAETER, retired merchant, is a native of Alsace, Germany (formerly a French possession), born May 12, 1811. He is a son of August C. and Elizabeth Graeter, and is of French-German descent. His father was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1748, and died in his native land in 1820. His mother was born in the interior of France. The Graeter family has been known in what is now Knox County, Ind., since 1772. The first of the family who came to America was Frederick Graeter, an uncle of our subject. He was a fur trader, and served as justice of the peace a number of years. He died here in 1829. The second of the family who came to Indiana was Christian Graeter, a brother of our subject, who came prior to 1800. He was a tavern-keeper and merchant, and died about 1833. Charles Graeter came to America in 1837. He was educated in his native country, and in early manhood carried on a confectionery busi- ness. In 1838 he began keeping a bakery and confectionery store, and in 1842 he began general merchandising, and continued the same until 1875, when he retired from active business life. Since then he has been engaged in the real estate business, and in 1885 erected what is now one of the finest and most extensive business blocks in the city-54x132 feet and three and a half
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stories high, and cost $25,000. It is a great credit to the city and to the public spirit and enterprise of its owner. In politics Mr. Graeter is a Democrat, and has been a member of the city council. He is a Mason, and is liberal in his religious belief. He brought the first billiard table in the city from France to Vin- cennes. He is one of the leading men of the city.
FREDERICK GRAETER, JR. Among the men who were prominent in the mercantile business in Vincennes, from 1839 to 1860, none perhaps deserve more extensive notice than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Vincennes, November 20, 1815, and is the second of six sons born to Christian and Margaret (McClure) Graeter, and is of French-German descent. His father was born in Germany in 1777, and came to Knox County, Ind., in 1804. He was a soldier in the war 1812, and was in the battle of Tippecanoe, and commanded the First Division of Dragoons under Gen. Harrison. For many years after he was colonel of Indiana militia at Vincennes. He died here in 1832. The mother was born in Kentucky in 1787, and died in Knox County in 1822. Our subject spent his early boyhood in this city. In 1833 he left his native city and went to New Orleans, and there remained until 1838, when he returned to Vincennes, and the following year engaged in the grocery business, continu- ing successfully at that business until 1860, when he quit that work and engaged in a sale and livery stable, and also established an omnibus line in the city. In 1883 he became one of the prin- cipal owners of the Vincennes City Street Railway. For many years he dealt extensively in real estate. He was proprietor of the Grand Hotel, which burned in December, 1885. The building was erected in 1876, and cost $16,000. The marriage of Mr. Graeter took place in 1841, to Miss Mary Cardinal, a na- tive of Vincennes. To their union nine children were born, five of whom are living: Joseph, George, Samuel, and two daughters. Mrs. Graeter was formerly a Whig, but is now an ardent Repub- lican. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and a representa- tive of one of the first families of the county.
GEORGE W. GRAETER, superintendent of the Vincennes Street Railway Company, is a native of this city, born September 13, 1853, son of Frederick and Mary (Cardinal) Graeter, and is
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of French descent, and a representative of one of the early day families of the city. He was educated in the Vincennes Public School. In 1870 he engaged in the city omnibus and transfer business in this city, and continued the same business until 1883, when he was appointed to his present position, which he is filling very acceptably. July 3, 1878, he was married to Miss Fannie Fralick, a native of the city, born in October, 1861. They have two children: Alice and Fannie. Mr. Graeter's political pro- clivities are Republican. He cast his first presidential vote for Hayes. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and his wife is a Presbyterian. The family is highly respected, and our subject is a shrewd and popular business man.
JOHN L. GREEN was born in the city of Vincennes, Ind., September 17, 1846, and is a son of William and Hannah (Bart- lett) Green. He is of English descent and was educated at the Vincennes University. In 1868 he became connected with the Adam's Express Company and remained with them twelve years, nine of which were spent as express messenger. In October, 1880, he engaged in the ice and feed business, but four years later he quit dealing in ice, and devoted his time to the purchase and sale of grain and still continues in that business, doing an extensive grain and feed sale. In 1885 he handled 70,000 bushels of wheat. He was married, in 1875, to Miss Frank C. Markley, a native of Ohio, born September 17, 1852. They are the parents of these three children: Perry D., Bessie M. and an infant un- named. In politics he is a Republican and cast his first presi- dential vote for U. S. Grant. He is the leading grain dealer of the city and a representative of one of the oldest families of this county.
HENRY L. GRIFFITH is a native of Ohio, and was one of six children of James and Abiah (Stow) Griffith, natives of New York and Connecticut, respectively. The father was taken to Ohio when quite young. where he was reared and engaged in the lum- ber business for many years. He then moved to Iowa and was engaged in the same business. He died in that State. The mother died in Michigan, where the family lived a short time. Our subject was reared in his native State from the time of his birth, February 28, 1832, to years of manhood. At the age of
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eighteen he went to Illinois with his parents, where they lived a short time and then lived an unsettled life for several years, and at one time was in the employ of a large lumber firm at Chippewa Falls, Mich. From there he went to Iowa and two or three years later came to Decatur County, Ind., where he married and fol- lowed lumbering. He moved to Bartholomew County and about eight years later came to Knox County, and lived in Vincennes seven years. December 10, 1884, he began farming and has been very successful, and now owns 440 acres of land. June 8, 1862, he married Eunice B. Taylor, who has borne him six children, three now living: Harry L., Etta and John S. Mrs. Griffith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Griffith is a Republican and a member of the K. of H.
CADWALLADER M. GRIFFITH was born March 29, 1843, at Evansville, Ind., being the third of a family of four children of Cadwallader M. and Rachel P. (Harvey) Griffith, both natives of Pennsylvania. They moved to Vanderburg County, Ind., in about 1838, and lived and died there. Our subject was reared in Evansville and secured a limited education. He remained with his parents till they both died. The father died when our subject was but fourteen years old. He then was the support of the fam- ily till the death of the mother several years afterward. He was then engaged in United States mail service on the Ohio River, in which he continued about four years. He then removed to Mount Carmel, Ill., and engaged in the grocery trade for one and a half years. He then went to Indianapolis and for one year was in the grocery trade, thence to Vincennes, where he engaged in the dairy business, which he now conducts. He was married February 20, 1872, to Rosina E. Burnet, a native of Ohio and daughter of Stephen Burnet. The wife is a member of the Christian Church. Politically he is a Republican. He was in the late war four years, . in Company F, Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteers, and resigned- his commission of first lieutenant before the close of the war. He is known as an honorable and respectable citizen.
FREDERICK HALL, recorder of Knox County, Ind., was born in Madison County, Ind., January 16, 1850. He is a son of Henry and Anna A. (Harting) Hall, who were born in Hanover, Germany, March 28, 1796, and September 13, 1822, respectively.
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The family came to America at an early day and for a brief period lived in Hamilton County, Ohio. They then moved to Madison County, Ind., where the father died November 21, 1862. Three years later the family came to Knox County, Ind., and located in Harrison Township. Here our subject received a common school education and spent his boyhood days on the farm. In 1867 they moved to Vincennes and here the family have since resided. Frederick was appointed deputy auditor in 1869 and served in that capacity for ten years. He is a stanch Democrat, in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Horace Greeley. In 1878 he was elected county recorder and received the entire vote of the county, having no opposition. He was re-elected in 1882 by a majority of 1,099. He has filled the office to the entire satisfaction of the people, and is in every respect a tried and true officer.
GEORGE HALL, of the firm of Hall Bros., grocers, of Vin- cennes, Ind., was born in Madison County, Ind., November 29, 1852, son of Henry and Anna A. (Harting) Hall, natives of Ger- many. The father died in Madison County, Ind. The subject of this sketch came to Knox County with his mother shortly after the close of the war and lived with them on a farm until 1870, when he came to this city and clerked for Charles F. Baker until 1871 and then engaged in his present business. June 7, 1882, he married Lena Lackman, a native of the city. They have had born to them two children, who are both dead. Mr. Hall is a Democrat and a member of the German Lutheran Church.
HENRY HALL, brother and partner of George Hall, was born in Wayne County, Ind. He came to Knox County, Ind., with his people and worked at the carpenter's trade until 1871, when he engaged in the grocery business with his brothers as above stated. January 1, 1878, he married Dora A. Hamm, a na- tive of Vincennes. They have three children, named John F., Jesse E. and Frank H. Mr. Hall is of the same political belief as his brother, and a member of the St. John's Evangelical Church of the city. Their firm is composed of Charles, Henry and George Hall, and they established their grocery in 1871, but removed to different localities in the city until 1884, when they built their present commodious brick store-rooms, and carry the largest and best stock of fancy and staple groceries in the city.
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GEORGE HARRIS, wholesale dealer in imported and do- mestic queensware, glassware, etc., in Vincennes, Ind., was born in Staffordshire, England, February 22, 1834, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Cope) Harris, both natives of England. George was reared by his parents in his native country, and learned the pot- tery business. At the age of seventeen he came to the United States, locating at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he followed his trade a number of years. He lived for some time in Indianapolis, and then moved to Louisville, Ky. In 1862 he enlisted from Indian- apolis in the Seventy-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served in the war of the Rebellion until its close, being pro- moted during service to lieutenant. In 1865 he came to this city and engaged in his present business, on a smaller scale, and has continued in it, increasing his stock from time to time, until at present he carries the largest and best selected stock of goods in his line in the city, and commands the leading trade. In 1858 he married Eliza Cooper, a native of Ohio. They have eight children-six sons and two daughters. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of H. fra- ternities. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
FRANCIS M. HARRIS, M. D., of Vincennes, Ind., was born in Clermont County, Ohio, October 23, 1836, son of Boales and Elizabeth J. (Thompson) Harris, natives respectively of Penn- sylvania and Virginia. They removed to Harrison County, Ky., when our subject was an infant. He was reared on a farm, and received a limited education until he attained the age of nine- teen, when he attended a graded school in Kentucky, graduating when he was twenty-two years old. He then began the study of medicine under Dr. J. B. A. Risk (late professor of obstetrics in the Cincinnati Medical College), and remained with him until he attended the above named college, from which he graduated in 1863. He began practicing his profession in Butler, Ky., re- maining there until 1879, when he came to this city, where he has since remained. In July, 1863, the Doctor married Miss Kate M. Shaw, a native of Alexandria, Ky. They have three children: Albert E., Inez M. and Ralph R. Albert E. is a grad- uate of the Vincennes University, and is at present bookkeeper
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for J. & S. Emison, of this city. His daughter is a graduate of the same institution, and also of St. Mary's Institute, of Vigo County, Ind. The Doctor is a Democrat in politics, and has been a member of the board of health three years, and is presi- ident of the board of United States Examining Surgeons at this point. He is also a member of the Indiana State, Mississippi Valley and Knox County Medical Societies, and is a Knight Templar. He, wife and daughter are members of the Christian Church. Although not an old resident of the county, he is just- ly recognized as a useful citizen and successful medical practitioner.
WILLIAM HEBERD, wholesale and retail dealer in general hardware, is a native of Vincennes, having been born in that city September 30, 1827. He is a son of William J. and Charlotte (Burtch) Heberd, both natives of Connecticut. The father came to Knox County in 1820, where he began life as clerk, and later engaged in the general merchandising business, in which he con- tinued, meeting with good success, until his death, December 5, 1859. He was a Democrat in politics, but never aspired to office. In religion he was a Presbyterian, and he was favorably known as a moral and upright citizen. The subject of this sketch was brought up by his parents at Vincennes, receiving a fair educa- tion in the common schools. He was admitted to partnership with his father, under the firm name of W. J. Heberd & Son, and remained a member of the firm until his father's death, after which he and his brother, Ulysses, conducted the same business until 1860, when they sold out the dry goods department, and en- gaged exclusively in general hardware. Ulysses died about seven years ago, since which time our subject has conducted the business successfully alone. He is also proprietor of a large agricultural implement business conducted by his son, William . J., and Charles H. Miller. In April, 1854, Mr. Heberd married Irene Hanna, a native of Georgetown, Ky. They have had six children, four of whom are still living: Mattie (the wife of Thomas J. Cook), Mary A. (the wife of L. T. James, of Kansas City), William J. and Irene H. Mr. Heberd is a Democrat in politics, and is justly recognized as a successful and enterprising business man.
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ROBERT A. HENDERSON was born at Bedford, Lawrence Co., Ind., January 11, 1826, and is the eldest of seven children of John and Anne (Reid) Henderson. The father was born in Vir- ginia, in 1801. He moved to Knoxville, Tenn., and remained there with his parents a few years, and then came to Bedford, where he married the mother, who was a native of Kentucky, born in 1803. She moved to Lawrence County, Ind., in 1820, and there remained until a few years previous to her death, when she came to where our subject now lives, and died in 1880. The father was a farmer, and died about 1878. Robert A. secured the rearing and education of the average farmer's boy, and when twenty-one years old he married and settled near Bedford, where he followed farming, flat-boating and dealing in produce, until the war broke out. He farmed in Lawrence County until 1870, and then came to Knox County and located near Vincennes. He owns 260 acres of the very finest land on the Wabash bottoms, under good improvements. March 4, 1847, he was married to Emily J. Hoopingarner, who has borne him eight children, five now living: Isaac N., Cornelia A. (who died after being grown and married), Mary C., Thomas L., Sarah J. (who died at nine years of age), Susan C., Martha E. and Samuel R., who died at the age of sixteen. Mrs. Henderson is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and he is a Mason and a Democrat, po- litically, having cast his first vote for Cass. He takes an active interest in politics, and is recognized as a prominent man of the county. All his children are living near him.
ISAAC N. HENDERSON, an enterprising farmer of Knox County, Ind., is the eldest of Robert A. Henderson's family, and was born July 8, 1848, in Lawrence County, Ind. He was reared on a farm, secured a common school education and remained with his parents to the age of twenty-seven years, when he married and settled on a farm near his father. He owns 120 acres of fine bottom land, well cultivated and improved. He was married February 18, 1875, to Helen Hudson, a native of Wayne County, Ill. To them were born these four children: Cora L., Minnie M., Maud E. and Claud. Mr. Henderson is a member of the Demo- cratic party and is one of the successful young farmers of the county.
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J. H. HENSLEY, M. D., of Vincennes was born in Owen County, Ind., March 24, 1857, and was a son of John and Nancy (Steele) Hensley, natives respectively of Virginia and Owen County, Ind. The father came to Indiana with his parents as early as 1832 or 1833, locating in Owen County, where he has since resided, engaged in the occupation of farming and stock raising. Our subject was reared with his parents in his native county securing a good literary education, graduating from the Terre Haute Business College, then attending the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso nearly four years. In 1877 he began the study of medicine in Valparaiso under Dr. W. A. John, professor of chemistry and toxicology in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Chicago, continuing with him until he entered the medical department of the University of Louisville, Ky., from which he graduated in 1881. In March of that year he removed to this city, where he has since resided, engaged in the practice of his profession, having met with more than ordinary success. He is a member of the Mississippi Valley, National, In- diana State and Knox County Medical Societies, being treasurer of the latter. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and is a Republican in politics and unmarried. Besides being a success- ful physician he is recognized as a moral, upright and useful citizen.
JERE HERSHEY, city civil engineer of Vincennes, Ind., was born in Martinsburg, Penn., October 15, 1839. His parents, Joseph M. and Catharine (Sias) Hershey, were born in Pennsyl- vania and are of German descent. They moved to Wabash County, Ill., when Jere was a small lad. Here he was reared and worked at wagon-making and blacksmithing, the latter being his father's trade. He secured a good English education and at the age of nineteen began teaching school in that county, continuing until 1864, when he came to Knox County, Ind., and taught in the public schools of Edwardsport and this city until 1868, when he engaged at surveying with C. S. Kabler, an able and experienced surveyor, who graduated in the class with Jubal Early and Gen. Robert E. Lee. Mr. Hershey studied and worked under this gentleman about a year and was appointed county surveyor to fill an unexpired term of Mr. Kabler, who resigned to go West. In
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1871 he was elected city civil engineer and resigned the former office to accept the latter, which he has filled in a highly efficient and faithful manner. In 1863 he married Martha J. Jackman. They have one son, named Joseph B. He is a Democrat in politics and has taken an active part in political affairs of the city and county. He is a member of the Baptist Church and his wife of the Christian Church. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, Sixty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving less than a year in the war of the Rebellion, when he was honorably discharged from the service.
CHRISTIAN HOFFMAN, ex-county treasurer, of Knox County, Ind., is a son of Adam and Justenia (Bedo) Hoffman, who were of German and French descent, born in 1811 and 1828 respectively. The Hoffman family came to America in 1828, and for a time settled in St. Louis, Mo., and then came to Vincennes and here the father died, March 25, 1867. The mother is still a resident of this city. By occupation the father was a butcher, and for many years was one of the leading ones in the city. Our subject was born in Knox County, in 1846, and in early life learned the butcher's trade of his father, and began this business for himself in 1865, and continued until 1878, when he was elected treasurer of this county, and was re-elected in 1880. He filled the office with much credit to himself and to the general satisfac- tion of the people. In 1883 he resumed the butchering business and continues to follow that occupation. In 1870 he took for his companion through life Miss Mary Schockamiller, a native of Germany, born in 1853. They have six children: Rosa, Ida, Adam, Christian H., Frederick and Cora. Mr. Hoffman's politi- cal views are Democratic. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Evangelical Church.
SHERIDAN H. ISAACS, assistant cashier of the Vincennes National Bank, is a son of Abraham and Sophia (Rogers) Isaacs, and was born November 10, 1855. His father was born in Manches- ter, England, in 1807. He was a fine scholar, and was professor of languages in a London college, and was afterward principal of a school for boys in Coalbrookdale, England. He died in Califor- nia in 1867. The mother was born in Shrewsbury, England, and died in Terre Haute July 3, 1860. Subject was reared by his
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brother-in-law, Wilson J. Williams, who took the place of a father to him. He was educated in the private school of Mrs. Massey and Miss Ann Decker, and at the Vincennes University, and later attended the Evansville Commercial College. In 1871 he entered the employ of Herman J. Watjen as drug clerk, and remained with him one year. He then accepted a position in the Vincennes National Bank, and for about four years has been assistant cash- ier. He is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for that illustrious man, James A. Garfield. He became a Mason in 1884, K. T. degree, and is a member of the Episcopal Church.
WILLIAM H. JACKSON, justice of the peace, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 14, 1823, son of Charles and Mary (Jocelyn) Jackson, and is of German-Irish descent. The parents died when our subject was about five years of age, and he was brought by his grandfather, Jackson, to Paoli, Orange County, Ind., where he was reared and educated. At the age of fourteen he began learning the printer's trade in the Indiana Patriot office, at Paoli, and completed his trade in the Banner office, at Madison. He came to Vincennes in 1840, and became one of the proprietors of The News of the Day, and afterward published the Vincennes Times. In 1861 he enlisted in Company G, Fourteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served his country nearly two years. He was discharged in 1863, on account of physical disability. After his return home he published the Vincennes Gazette for eighteen months, and again published the Vincennes Times for a short time. He was foreman of the Sun office more than six years. He is politically a Republican, and was elected justice of the peace in 1881, and was re-elected in 1884, and still retains the position. He was married, in 1841, to Helen Cooper, a native of Virginia, to whom were born nine children, four of whom are living: Clar- ence W., Horace K., Cyrus A. and Nellie. Mrs. Jackson died September 10, 1872.
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