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 33
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 33
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WILLIAM A. MARKEE, dealer in drugs in Vincennes, Ind., is a son of Isaac N. and Mary A. (Pirtle) Markee, and was born in Sullivan County, Ind., May 12, 1857. The parents were natives respectively of Ohio and Indiana. William A. was raised in Carlisle, Sullivan Co., Ind., and secured a fair literary education. In 1876 he began learning the drug business and entered the employ of F. P. Parvin, of that place, remaining with him about two years. He then came to Knox County and established a branch drug store at Oaktown for Jenkins, Curtner & Co., which he managed successfully until the latter part of 1879, when he became clerk in a drug store in Princeton. In 1880 he went to Mattoon, Ill., and engaged as first clerk in the leading drug
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establishment of that city. In 1882 he contracted for a one-half interest in the drug firm of Bridwell & Curry, at Evansville, but on account of the financial difficulties of the firm he withdrew, the business was placed in the hands of a receiver and Mr. Markee was appointed manager to assist in closing out the same. July 15, 1882, he came to Vincennes and engaged in his present business, with W. Q. Rogers as partner. May 1, 1883, Mr. Markee purchased his partner's interest and has since conducted the business very successfully alone. That same year he engaged in the wholesale cigar business in connection with his drugs, and is doing an equally thriving trade in that line. November 9, 1882, he was united in matrimony to Abbie D. Daniels, a daugh- ter of W. D. Daniels, a prominent citizen of Patoka, Ind. They have one son, named Fred D. In politics Mr. Markee is a Repub- lican and one of the first business men of the city.
CAPT. ISAAC MASS, a well-known citizen of Vincennes, was born September 20, 1810, in Baltimore, Md., and is the youngest of nine children born to John and Mary (Essex) Mass. At nine years of age his mother died, and when twelve years old he began the coach-trimmer's trade, serving seven and a half years' apprenticeship. He worked in his native town and Newark, N. J., several months, but in February, 1832, embarked on board the ship "Congress," bound for Mexico, where he remained until December, 1833, working at his trade. He then returned to the United States, but later determined to again go to Mexico. Going overland through some Western States he stopped off at Vin- cennes, Ind., and through the instrumentality of the Masonic fraternity, of which he is an ardent member, he became acquainted with Col. John C. Clark, a prominent man of that day. Col. Clark induced him to take charge of his coach-trimming and repairing department, he at that time operating a line of mail stages, and some time later Mr. Mass was enabled to purchase the shops for himself. He here met Miss Emeline Mccutchen, who became his wife October 14, 1835. In 1843 his business was destroyed by fire, and he then served as deputy county sheriff until 1844, when he was elected principal to that office. In 1848 he embarked in merchandising and the pork-packing business, but in 1852 sold out. He built the first eleven miles of the Ohio
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& Mississippi Railroad east from Vincennes, and in 1854 erected the Star Flour-Mills at Vincennes, which he operated until 1856, when they were burned out. He then opened a general auction house and continued in that business until the late war, when, in July, 1862, he recruited a company for the Sixty-fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Mounted Infantry, of which he was chosen lieutenant. The same month he was elected captain of the company. He served one year in Kentucky, then became a part of Gen. Schofield's army corps and as such participated in nu- merous hard-fought engagements, notably among which was Knox- ville. Because of ill health he resigned April 30, 1864, and was then elected sutler of the Sixty-fifth Indiana Regiment, but never served in that capacity. Until the close of the war he had charge of the Government mess houses. January 1, 1866, he returned to Vincennes and embarked in the dry goods and grocery trade, but sold out shortly thereafter and established an eating house at the crossing of the railroads. In 1870 he was burned out, but the same year, in company with his present partner, L. L. Wat- son, he built the Union Depot Hotel; also being one of the principal movers in putting in the new gas works, of which he was made president. Although having received but little school- ing Capt. Mass has acquired an education above the average, and has contributed numerous articles on various topics to the press, which have attracted the attention of the more intelligent class of people. By his first wife he was the father of five children; only one (Mrs. W. S. Sterne) is now living. He wedded his present wife, Mary A. Thorn Raper, daughter of Hon. William Raper, October 7, 1847, and to their union seven children have been born-two sons and one daughter now living: Samuel, Lewis B. and Mary E .; Carrie, another daughter, died May 6, 1884. Capt. Mass is independent in his views on all topics, believing in politics that the man is the one to vote for and not the party, and that one should be governed by the broad principles of Christi- anity in religious matters instead of church creed or dogma.
CHARLES G. MATHESIE, assistant postmaster at Vincen- nes, Ind., was born in Lancaster, Penn., December 11, 1833, and is a son of Christian Mathesie, a native of Germany. The sub- ject of this sketch came to Indiana with his parents in 1839, and
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located in Evansville, where they died a short time before the war of the Rebellion. He was brought up by his parents prin- cipally in New Harmony and Evansville, receiving a fair education in common branches. At the age of sixteen he began clerking in a mercantile establishment, and continued in this employment until he was twenty years of age. In 1854 he came to Vincennes and accepted a position in the postoffice, which he held irregularly until Lincoln's election, engaging somewhat in general merchan- dising in the meantime. In 1861 he was elected city clerk, serv- ing in this office faithfully and efficiently four terms of two years each. In 1860 he was engaged in taking the census of Vincennes Township. In 1869 he accepted the position of deputy county treasurer and was elected to the office of treasurer of Knox County in 1870, serving by re-election until 1874. He was then engaged in general merchandising three and a half years, at the end of which time he again became deputy treasurer and acted until Hollingsworth was elected and installed. In January, 1885, he was appointed to his present position, and is now attending to his duties in a satisfactory manner, his long experience in public rendering him singularly fit for such duties. He was married, in 1857, to Amanda E. Colman, a native of Knox County, by whom he has had four children, two of whom are living: Cora L., the wife of E. H. Buck, and Nellie B. Mr. Mathesie has always been an active Democrat, and he is a member of the Masonic order and K. of H.
PETER R. MCCARTHY, son of Michael and Bridget McCar- thy, was born in County Clare, Ireland, March 10, 1849. In1860 he came with his father (his mother died in the old country ) to the United States, and first located in Hoboken, N. J., where he was put to work at the tinner's trade. In 1864 he came to Vincennes, Ind., and the following year began working as locomotive fireman for the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad Company. Two years later he was given charge of an engine upon that road, continuing until 1872. April 4, 1871, he was married to Ophelia, the accomplished daughter of H. H. and Lydia Dubois, a descendant of Capt. Toussaint Dubois, one of the early and wealthy French Canadians who were settlers at Vincennes prior to the Revolutionary war, and for whom the county of Dubois in this State is named. This
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union has been blessed with six children, five of whom are living. July 19, 1874, Mr. McCarthy began business with a very small capital, as a dealer in stoves and tinware, but by indomitable energy and business sagacity has made his small capital produce marvelous results. He has a beautiful residence, and the archi- tectural work alone excells any in Southern Indiana. He intro- duced the manufacture of galvanized iron work over a large scope of territory and is president and manager of the company. In 1879 he became a candidate for the office of city treasurer, and after a spirited contest defeated a very popular candidate. At the regular election he defeated the very popular Republican, Mr. Fred Miller, and at the succeeding election had no opposition. At the expiration of his terms, by his request, his accounts were examined by two expert book-keepers, who found the entire errors to amount to less than $1. In 1881 he was made chairman of the county Democratic Central Committee, and largely through his exertions the majority was handsomely increased. Mr. McCarthy is a member of the St. Francis Xavier congregation of the Cath- olic Church and is an earnest communicant, but of tolerant and liberal views. He is a zealous Democrat in politics and has been of incalculable value to his party. He possesses the grace, wit and fancy characteristic of his race, and is a favorite with all who know him. He is quite a philanthropist and takes a great interest in all enterprises for the welfare of mankind. His kindness of heart and charity are proverbial, and the needy and unfortunate were never known to apply to him for aid in vain. He is consid- ered by his countrymen as a considerate and helpful brother, and in business circles ranks very high as a man of clear and sound judgment and superior business ability.
CHARLES G. McCORD, attorney at law and examiner of titles at Vincennes, Ind., is a native of Knox County, born March 21, 1851, son of William R. McCord, who was born in Madison County, Ky., May 2, 1809. His parents removed to Lawrence County, Ill., in 1819 and there remained five years, and then came to Knox County, Ind., and located on a farm near the city. He was the eldest of twelve children, eight of whom are living. Mr. McCord was twice married; the first time to Mary A. Johnson, daughter of Judge Johnson, a prominent lawyer of Knox County.
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To them was born one child, a daughter, who lived but a short time. Mrs. McCord's death occurred October 5, 1835; April 22, 1841, Mr. McCord took for his second wife Eliza J. Gibson, a Virginian by birth, who bore him four children: William (a grad- uate of Yale College), Dora (wife of Smiley H. Chambers), Mary wife of J. F. Harris), and Charles G., our subject. March 13, 1833, he became deputy circuit clerk and held that position with honor and credit to himself until November 5, 1838, when he was commissioned clerk by Gov. Wallace. He held the position four- teen years and was noted for his accuracy and painstaking. Later he engaged in mercantile pursuits and by his energy, honesty and trustworthiness, succeeded in amassing a handsome competency. His death occurred January 26, 1881. The mother died August 8, 1867. Charles G. McCord, our subject, was raised in Vincennes, and received his preliminary education in the Vincennes Univer- sity. At the age of fourteen, he entered his father's store, con- tinuing with him until 1870, when he entered Brown University of Providence, R. I., and graduated from that institution in 1873. After his return home, he became a student of Blackstone, with Judge F. W. Viehe, until 1875, when he began practicing law with Col. C. M. Allen as partner, continuing two years. Since that time he has practiced his profession by himself in the county courts and has given especial attention to making and examining abstracts of title, and has attained a degree of proficiency in this line, excelled by none other in the county. December. 22, 1881, Mr. McCord married Eleanor M. Drish, of Mattoon, Ill. He is a Mason and a Republican in politics, and in November, 1876, he was appointed commissioner of the circuit courts of the United States, and is now holding that position.
JOHN T. McJIMSEY was born in Montgomery, Ohio, July 14, 1840, son of John and Mary (Howser) McJimsey. The father was born in Miami County, Ohio, in 1799, and still resides in his native county. At the age of twenty-one John T. began life for himself and for a number of years dealt in stock. In 1863 he came to Greencastle, Ind., and engaged in the livery and sewing machine business, continuing until 1872, when he came to Vin- cennes as manager for the Singer Manufacturing Company, and remained such for two years. He then became a general dealer
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in sewing machines. In 1884 he erected a commodious barn and began keeping a livery stable. In December, 1885, the barn caught fire and was consumed with all its contents. About eight- een horses perished in the flames. In 1864 he was married to Miss Hannah Ames, of Greencastle, Ind., by whom he has one child, Guy A., born in 1866. Mrs. McJimsey died in 1873, and in 1874 Mr. McJimsey was married to Miss Araminta De Bolt, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born in 1844. Our subject is a Repub- lican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a member of the K. of P. He is a prominent man of the county and bids fair to retrieve his fallen fortunes.
ARCHIBALD B. McKEE, born November 30, 1808, in Vin- cennes, was the second of a family of two children born to Samuel and Nancy (Shannon) McKee. The father was born in Lexington, Ky., where he studied medicine, immigrating to this county in an early day as surgeon in an army, and remained here the first regu- lar American physician in Vincennes, being also one of the prom- inent men of his time. He died November 6, 1809. The mother was reared in Knox County, Ind., and died November 25, 1819. At the time she came to this county the Indians were very cruel and atrocious, and her mother was killed by them. After the death of his mother the subject of this sketch was reared by his guardian for two or three years, and then went to his uncle in Kentucky, where he remained until 1830, when he returned and settled upon this farm. Ever since settling here he has followed farming. He was assessor of the county in 1836, and was United States assistant assessor in the county in the time of the war. He was the second auditor of Knox County for a part of a term made vacant by the expulsion of the auditor. He has been a successful farmer and now owns about 700 acres of excel- lent land. His residence is a very commodious frame building in a beautiful location. This farm was first opened up by Col. Francis Vigo, who lived with our subject several years. Mr. McKee was married October 1, 1831, to Julia Ann Smith, a native of this county. To them there have been born eleven children, one of whom died in infancy and two after being grown to matur- ity and married. Eight are now living. John F., born August 8, 1832, and died in infancy; Samuel V., born October 27, 1833;
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Mary E., born April 25, 1835; Nancy A., born April 12, 1837; Sarah Anne, born February 15, 1839, and died after marriage, the mother of six children; David N., born March 7, 1841; Robert L., born March 15, 1843; Julia E., born April 14, 1845, and died after marriage, the mother of four children; Archibald S., born July 27, 1847; Dorcas L., born May 16, 1850, and James H., born September 22, 1852. All the family are members of the Presbyterian Church, the parents being very pious and zealous members. Politically he is a very firm Republican and earnest advocate for all principles of morality and integrity, and also of temperance. He has been a member of the Presbyterian Church sixty years, an elder many years, and is now treasurer of the Vin- cennes Presbyterian Church.
WILLIAM M. MEDCALF, M. D., of Vincennes, Ind., was born in Dale, Spencer Co., Ind., September 11, 1838, and was the son of Allen and Frances (Winkler) Medcalf, natives respectively of Maryland and North Carolina. The father, who was born September 23, 1791, removed in early life with his parents to Nelson County, Ky., where he followed farming. In the war of 1812 he was a soldier in a Kentucky regiment, and was engaged fighting the Indians at Vincennes and at Tippecanoe. After the war he resided in Daviess County, Ky., until 1828, whence after his marriage he immigrated to Spencer County, Ind. Here he fol- lowed the occupations of farmer, carpenter and millwright, paying most attention to the latter. He was the first trustee of the town- ship and served a number of years as justice of the peace. He was also postmaster at Dale for a long time. He was well known throughout that section of country as a man of ability, energy and integrity, and he was a ruling elder of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church. His death occurred May 29, 1876. The subject of this sketch was brought up by his parents in his native place on a farm until he was sixteen years old, securing an academic education, and studied Greek and Latin under a private tutor. He then took a course in theology and prepared himself for the ministry, and followed this calling in Monroe, Greene and Carroll Counties, Ind., and at Lincoln, Ill., Eldora and Iowa Center, Iowa. In 1872 he assumed charge of the congregation at Washington, Ind., and remained there two years. Having given some atten-
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tion to the study of medicine he now began the study of Homce- opathy under Dr. Goodhue. In 1874 he removed to Gibson County, Ind., locating in 1876 in Fort Branch, where he had charge of a congregation, still pursuing the study of medicine. In 1878 he graduated from the Missouri Homoeopathic College at St. Louis, and then took a course in the Missouri School of Mid- wifery, graduating and receiving the Franklin prize in surgery in his first college, being a member of Dr. E. C. Franklin's priv- ate class. Returning to Gibson County he entered regularly on the practice of medicine at Patoka and Fort Branch, remaining until February, 1884, when he came to this city, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession, meeting with well-deserved success. He is a member of the Indiana Institute of Homoeopathy. He received the ad eundem degree from hisalma mater in 1881. He was married, March 28, 1859, to Eugenia Leathco, a native of Kentucky, by whom he has five living child- ren: Ella J., William E., Thomas R., Carrie E. and Ireanius A. He is a Republican in politics, a Knight Templar, and though not actively engaged in the ministry, is a member of the Indiana Presbytery, still holding his credentials and frequently officiating as a minister. His son William E., a young man grown, is totally blind, from an accident early in youth. Notwithstanding this he has received a finished education at the State Asylum for the Blind, and is one of the most accomplished organists and pianists in the city or State.
LOUIS A. MEYER is a native of Hanover, Germany, where he was born April 21, 1852; son of Gottfreid and Sophia (Kuster) Meyer. He was educated in the schools of his native country, and attended the gymnasium at the city of Eimbeck, and gradu- ated from that institution in 1866. This same year he came to America, and landed at the city of New York, where he remained nine years. A portion of the time he was a dry goods clerk, and later became a shipping clerk. While in this city he attended the New York Evening High School. In 1876 he came to Knox County, Ind., and for five years was engaged in teaching school. He began reading law in 1876, and in 1880 he entered the law office of De Wolf & Chambers. He remained in the office one year, and in the fall of 1880 was admitted to the Knox County
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bar. Since that time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession. In January, 1882, he formed a law partnership with Benjamin M. Willoughby, and the firm is now known as Meyer & Willoughby. He is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Tilden. He practices law in both the English and Ger- man languages, and has met with excellent success. September 20, 1882, he was married to Emma E. Litterskamp, a native of Vincennes. They are leading members of the St. John's Ger- man Evangelical Church. He is the German correspondent for several leading German journals, and transacts the German con- sul's business for Knox County.
FREDERICK MILLER, dealer in furs, hides and leather, is a native of Alsace, France (now Germany), born August 23, 1831, and son of Frederick and Dora (Schneider) Miller. His father was born in 1800, and died in Vincennes in 1873, the mother in 1842. Our subject, the eldest of four children, came to America in 1851, and settled in New York City, where he remained about three years; then went to Chicago, Ill., but stayed only a short time, when he returned to New York, where he remained until 1856. At that date he came to Vincennes, where he has since resided. He is a butcher by trade, and followed that occupation in this city about four years. In 1878 he engaged in the hide and leather business, having followed the same occupation for other parties since 1862. In 1884 he located in his present place of business, where he has since continued. He was married in 1857 to Sophia M. Zuber, born in the same place as himself in 1840. She came to this country when about three years of age. They have six children: Frederick C., Emma L., George A., Dora E., Ernest C. and Charles A. He belongs to the Republican party, and is a member of the K. of H. He has been a successful busi- ness man, and is esteemed by all.
JOHN F. MILLER, manufacturer of spring and road wag-' ons, buckboards, sulkies, buggies, etc., of Vincennes, Ind., is a native of the city, born April 27, 1840, the only child born to the marriage of John F. Miller and Mary E. Ostendorf, who were native Germans. They came to Vincennes, Ind., in 1838, where the father followed carpentering until his death, September 6, 1845, at the age of twenty-seven years. Subject secured a good
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education in the common branches. He was compelled to work hard not only to support himself, but also his widowed mother and two step-brothers. He aided in supporting his mother until her death, October 27, 1882. At the age of about twenty-four he began learning the wagon-maker's trade, and after having mastered it, he opened a small shop of his own, and began black- smithing, wagon-making and repairing. He persevered in his work, which he increased from time to time, until he now does a large and remunerative business. He has all the modern appli- ances for his work, and is among the foremost business men of the city. April 26, 1864, he married Hannah Thecklaw Eller- kamp, who died December 18, 1883, leaving these children: Frank A., Henry H., John H., Peter B., Louis F. Mary E. Jo- seph E., Hannah L. and Emma S. (deceased). Mr. Miller is a Democrat in politics, and he and family are members of the Catholic Church, the wife being a devout member until her death.
CHARLES S. MILLER. Among the leading young busi- ness men of Vincennes may be mentioned our subject, who is a dealer in choice drugs, medicines, paints, oils, etc. He was born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1859, and is a son of John G. and Ma- tilda (Stout) Miller. The Millers are of English descent, the father being born in England in 1810, and the mother in Clark County, Ohio, in 1817. The family came to Knox County in 1863, where they have since lived. Our subject was educated in the Vincennes public schools, and later attended the Vincennes University during the Centennial year. He entered the employ of the drug firm of Moon & Harris, and with them remained until 1883. During his service with this firm he read medicine under the direction of Dr. Moon. In 1883 he engaged in the drug business for himself, purchasing the store of Daven- port & Co. He has been and is doing a successful business be- yond his expectations. He is a Mason and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
G. I. NEPTUNE is one of the firm of R. Neptune & Co., dealers in tight barrel staves and heading. The business was es- tablished in this city in 1879, and has since continued, doing an extensive business. Their factory has a capacity of 12,000 pieces per day, and gives employment to twenty-five persons. Their
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manufactures are shipped to different parts of the country, espe- cially to California, and during 1885 amounted to $2,250,000, G. I. Neptune was born in Franklin County, Ind., April 14, 1853, son of Richard and Rhoda (De Camp) Neptune. His father was born in the same State and county as himself in 1831, and his mother in 1833. His paternal grandfather, Amos Neptune, was a Virginian by birth. Our subject came to Vincennes in 1879, and was married in 1878 to Miss Orra Comes, a native of Boone County; he was born in 1854. They became the parents of these three children: Carl I., Richard C. and Joseph C. He is a Re- publican in his political views. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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