USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > History of Old Vincennes and Knox County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 10
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F. W. QUANTZ.
If those who claim that fortune has favored certain individuals above others will but investigate the cause of success and failure, it will be found that the former is largely due to the improvement of opportunity, the latter to the neglect of it. Fortunate environments encompass nearly every man at some step of his career, but the strong man and the successful man is he who realizes that the proper moment has come, that the present and not the future holds his opportunity. The man who makes use of the advantages that arise may perhaps pass others who started out ahead of him. It is this quality in Mr. Quantz that has gained him an enviable position in the business world and brought him to his present prominent place in the business circles of Vincennes, where he is now general manager of the Empire Paper Company.
A native of Winchester, Virginia, Mr. Quantz was born on the IIth of September, 1855, of the marriage of Henry and Leonora L. (Specht) Quantz, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father's death was the result of a railroad accident when he was sixty-six years of age. The mother survived him until 1908, and reached the advanced age of ninety- two years.
In the private schools of his native city F. W. Quantz acquired his edu- cation, and then turned his attention to the business of manufacturing paper in the mill of Winchester. He afterward went to New York city, and that he had developed his powers and ability in this direction was indicated in the fact that he was given charge of a plant in the eastern metropolis. He after- ward occupied a position of responsibility in a paper manufactory at Tiffin, Ohio, and for thirteen years he had charge of the manufacturing plant of the American Straw Board Company on the eastern shore of Maryland. In 1904
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the Empire Paper Company was organized; a plant was built at Vincennes and operations were begun. In 1906 Mr. Quantz came to this city as gen- eral manager and has since remained in charge. The plant is a very exten- sive one, equipped with the latest improved machinery for paper manufacture and many improvements have been introduced under the regime of Mr. Quantz, whose experience well qualifies him for the onerous duties that devolved upon him in this connection. He is now managing the business, which under his control has grown in volume and importance, and consti- tutes one of the leading manufacturing interests of Vincennes, Indiana:
In 1888 Mr. Quantz was married to Miss Rosabel Schryock, a native of Virginia, and to them have been born two children: Fred P., and Carrie L. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested. While preeminently a successful business man, Mr. Quantz is well read on various subjects, having long been a close and discriminating student of history and current events. He is thoroughly independent in thought and not afraid to express his honest opinions. He is never bitterly aggressive however, but, because of his clearly defined ideas, is able to support his position by intelligent and often con- vincing argument. High purpose has stimulated him in all of his business career, and his record is another proof of the fact that success is ambition's answer.
WILLIAM H. DYER.
William H. Dyer, a well known and successful business man of Vin- cennes, who is recognized as one of its most capable and energetic captains of industry, is a native of Ohio, born in the town of of Hamilton, north of Cincinnati, in 1853. He comes of good fighting stock, Grandfather Dyer having valiantly defended the cause of the colonists at the time of the Revo- lution, also wearing a uniform as a soldier of his country in the war of 1812. The father, Elbridge Gerry Dyer, was born in Saco county, Maine, in 1815, and had passed the age for active service at the time of the Civil war, but he was a patriotic citizen and provided for numerous families whose heads he had influenced to enlist under the stars and stripes. He engaged in the manufacture of machinery and his plant at Hamilton was one of the largest and best equipped of the kind in the country during the time he was in charge. The mother of our subject was before her marriage Margaret Terrer and was born in Wales in 1824. There were eight children in the family, five of whom are now surviving: William H .; Abbie, the wife of Dr. E. T. Allen, of Chicago, and the mother of three children; Albion M., curator of the Cleveland public library, who married Ella Dunham and is the father of four children; Mabel, the wife of George A. Stickney, of Boston, and the mother of two children; and Margaret, the wife of D. R. Byard, of Hamilton, Ohio, and the mother of one daughter.
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The subject of this review grew up in the Buckeye state and received his education in the public schools of Hamilton, Ohio, and at Denison University of Granville, Ohio. After leaving the university, Mr. Dyer entered the shop of his father and there became thoroughly acquainted with the machinist's trade, continuing for about fifteen years and passing through various depart- ments during that time. He then became identified with a canning factory at Hamilton, with which he was also connected for fifteen years. Having gained a practical knowledge of the details of the canning industry and also of the markets and demands in various parts of the country and of the world, he decided to embark in business for himself. In 1907, having selected Vin- cennes as his headquarters, he leased a canning plant in this city, which he later purchased, and the business is now conducted under the title of the Dyer Packing Company and has attained a wide reputation. Seventy per- sons are employed at the plant and its capacity is twenty-five thousand cans daily all the year round, the operations being confined exclusively to pork and beans and catsup. The products of this factory find a ready market in the United States and foreign countries and the plant over which Mr. Dyer pre- sides is one of the most completely appointed institutions of the kind to be seen anywhere. The visitor may here note the operation of many features which are the direct result of Mr. Dyer's intimate knowledge of mechanics and his experience in the packing business. By his energy and progressive- ness he has added to the material wealth of the city and made it indeed a more pleasing place of abode.
In 1900 Mr. Dyer was united in marriage to Mrs. Isabella Parish, nee Bannerman, a native of Bradford, Canada, born in 1863. An adopted daugh- ter, Ruth, now nine years of age, is one of the pleasing members of the household.
Mr. Dyer is essentially a man of business, but he has devoted some at- tention to politics and as a result is an insurgent, believing that the indepen- dent voter is the hope of the country. He is a valued member of the Pres- byterian church and in his various duties and responsibilities has shown a fidelity and clear judgment which have been distinguishing characteristics of his entire life. He is a man whose cooperation may always be depended upon in any undertaking that aims to promote the general welfare and he is esteemed as a progressive and substantial force in the upbuilding of Vincennes.
JOHN H. PIEL.
The name of Piel has long been a familiar one in Vincennes and this part of the state and John H. Piel, whose name introduces this review, was long classed with the representatives and worthy citizens. He was born in Osna- bruck, Germany, in 1837 and was only seven years of age when he left that country and came to America with his parents, John Frederick and Mary
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(Kemper) Piel. Another branch of the family was established in Balti- more, Maryland, by a brother of John Frederick Piel and his descendants are still living in or near that city and are very prominent in the public life of the community. The family of John Frederick Piel settled in Wayne county, Indiana.
John H. Piel was reared in Wayne county and the public schools of that locality provided him his educational privileges. After he had put aside his text-books he went to Richmond, where he learned the carpenter's trade, becoming an expert workman in that line. The year 1865 witnessed his re- moval to Vincennes and not long afterward he began contracting, winning for himself a prominent position among the builders and contractors of this city. His ability and trustworthiness were such that his patronage made continuous demand upon his time and energies. He was one of the sub- contractors on the courthouse and under personal contract erected many of the large buildings in Vincennes, including the Vincennes University, the opera house, the county building on the poor farm and schoolhouse No. 2. As he started out in life a poor man he was likewise the architect and builder of his own fortunes and in time came to be ranked with the well-to- do residents of this city.
John H. Piel was united in marriage to Miss Anna Fraumann and they became the parents of eleven children: Anna, deceased; Ellen; John, who has also passed away ; Henry, who married Nora Wahl and has two children, Dorothy and Elizabeth ; Herman; George, of whom mention is made below ; and Louise, Edward, Dorothy, Mary and Caroline, all of whom are now deceased.
The family have long been prominent in the German Evangelical church and have taken an active and helpful part in all church affairs. The father held membership in that denomination and did everything in his power to promote its success, contributing generously of his means to its support and doing all in his power to further the various branches of church work. He likewise had thorough sympathy with the purposes and principles of the Royal Arcanum and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to both of which societies he belonged. He was a man of upright purpose and sterling worth who commanded the good will and confidence of all who knew him, and when he passed away on the 9th of August, 1887, his death was deeply regretted not only by his immediate family but also by many friends. His widow yet lives at the old home at No. 119 North Tenth street and is still enjoying good health.
George B. Piel, the sixth member in the family of John H. Piel, was born in Vincennes on the 31st of December, 1875, on the location of his present home, and at the usual age was sent to the public schools, wherein he con- tinued his studies through successive grades until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1894. After entering business life he was. connected with the Daily Sun for a time and later was engaged in the in- surance business. Subsequently he became chief clerk for a coal company
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and this gave him his understanding of the trade and brought to him knowledge and experience well qualifying him for the successful conduct of the business which he now follows. In 1905 the firm by which he was employed sold out and Mr. Piel at that time purchased the business of the Harrisburg Coal Company. While he still retains the use of the old firm name, he is sole proprietor of the business, which is conducted on both whole- sale and retail lines, with a large yard at the corner of Locust and Sixth streets. In the management of this enterprise he displays excellent business ability, unfaltering purpose and laudable ambition and has built up a trade of large proportions. Fraternally he is well known and popular as a mem- ber of the Royal Arcanum and of the Foresters and his religious faith finds expression in his membership in the Presbyterian church.
JACOB S. SPIKER.
Jacob S. Spiker, a leading civil engineer of western Indiana and for twenty-seven years actively identified with Vincennes and Knox county, is a native of Illinois, born in Clay county, June 5, 1861, and is a son of John and Jane (Colclasure) Spiker. The father, who was born in Ohio in 1832, was a farmer and stockman and departed this life in 1890. The mother is a native of Clay county and has four children: Adda, who became the wife of A. D. Lancaster, now deceased, and is living at Painesville, Ohio; Jacob S., our subject ; a daughter who died in infancy; and John G,, of Oklahoma.
The subject of this review received his preliminary education in the common schools of Clay county, Illinois, after which he taught school for two years and then came to Vincennes, entering Vincennes University, from which he was graduated in 1887. After leaving the university he resumed teaching but at the end of one year was elected county surveyor of Knox county and filled the office for three years, resigning in order to have an op- portunity for further study of the profession to which he had decided to devote his life. He accordingly entered Purdue University at La Fayette, In- diana, as a student, taking a special course in civil engineering. Since leaving the university he has made his home in Vincennes and gives his attention with increasing effectiveness to his profession. He was a pioneer in ditch work for drainage in Knox county and has been connected with ditch and levee work in Sullivan, Lawrence, Gibson and Posey counties, serving for three years as civil engineer of Mount Carmel, during which time he in- augurated brick street paving and designed a storm and sanitary system of sewerage for the town. He was also for one year city engineer of Flera, Illinois, which is his native town, designing a system of waterworks and street paving and a storm and sanitary sewerage system. He is at present city engineer of Bridgeport, Illinois, and has prepared plans and specifica-
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tions for brick pavements, storm and sanitary sewers now under process of construction. He is city engineer of Oaktown, Knox county, where he has established street and sidewalk grades. During the last twelve years he has been bridge engineer for Knox county and in this capacity designed a bridge across the White river near Edwardsport. He is consulting engineer for the Gills Praire levee district of Sullivan county, Indiana, and has charge of plans and specifications of the William H. Brevoort levee in Knox county and all other levees along the Wabash and White rivers, making a total of about forty miles of levee construction in Knox county and about eighty miles in other counties of the state. In addition to these responsibili- ties, he has in charge many drainage propositions in Illinois and Missouri and has acquired an enviable reputation on account of his capability and good judgment.
In 1891 Mr. Spiker was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hollings- worth, of Bruceville, Knox county, who was born September 12, 1867. Her father, Thomas Hollingsworth, was a stationary engineer of this county. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Spiker; Noble, born Decem- ber 24, 1892, a graduate of Vincennes University and now a student of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, New York; and a daughter who died in infancy.
Mr. Spiker since attaining his majority has been identified with the democratic party and served as councilman from 1898 to 1902. His wife and son are affiliated with the Methodist church. His success in his profes- sion has been due to a thorough study of each problem as it has arisen, the application of correct principles and the conscientious discharge of his responsibilities. He has been a hard worker and is recognized by members of his profession as one of the best informed engineers in the middle west. his operations having taken a wide range, but as he acquired a good founda- tion for his profession under competent instruction, he has possessed very excellent advantages. The work he has already accomplished is an endur- ing monument to his ability as an engineer. As a result of his highly success- ful record and his interest in the public welfare it may be stated without exaggeration that he possesses in an unusual degree the confidence, good-will and esteem of all classes of people in Vincennes and Knox county.
JOSEPH J. RISCH.
The name of Joseph J. Risch has come to stand in the business circles of Vincennes as a synonym for progressiveness and enterprise in connection with general merchandising. The attainment of success but indicates the possibilities for future advancement, and throughout his business career Mr. Risch has never regarded any position as final, but rather as the starting point for further accomplishment. He has always lived in the middle west and his life is typical of the spirit of advancement which characterizes this
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section of the country. He was born in Westport, Lawrence county, Indiana, in 1873, and is the son of Sebastian and Anne Helen Risch. The father was a native of Germany and acquired his education in the schools of that coun- try, coming as a young man to the new world. He became a factor in the commercial circles of Vincennes, where for many years he was known and honored as a leading and prosperous merchant. He died in the year 1903, and his wife passed away in 1902.
Joseph J. Risch accompanied his parents on their removal to Vincennes when a small boy, and in the schools of this city pursued his education, while his business training was received under the direction of his father in the old Risch store at the corner of Tenth and Main streets. He is now located at No. 927 North Seventh street, where he has erected a three story brick build- ing all of which is occupied by the stock which makes his one of the best stores in the city. Seeing the opportunity for the extension of trade into other sections, he established a store on Swartzel street to meet the north end trade, and another branch at the corner of Mckinley and Fairground avenue. These stores are well stocked with a large line of general merchandise and groceries. In all of his business life Mr. Risch has maintained high stand- aids in the personnel of his stores, in the line of goods carried and in the methods of trade. He demands courtesy on the part of his employes toward the patrons, and above all absolute integrity in business methods. He recognizes that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement, and he holds his trade by carrying attractive and thoroughly modern lines of goods.
In 1900 Mr. Risch was married to Miss Lorina Deusterberg, and they have five children : Marie, Raymond and Sebastian who are in school; and Cletus and Walter at home.
The name of Joseph J. Risch is on the membership rolls of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Knights of Columbus. He is also a member of Hammond Club and of the Chippecoke Boat Club-asso- ciations which indicate much of the nature of his relaxation. He is a man of genial disposition, whose social qualities render him popular, and he enjoys the companionship of his friends. However, he is preeminently a business man, and his commercial relations make heavy demand upon his time and attention because of the continued growth of his commercial interests.
GEORGE R. THURGOOD.
George R. Thurgood carved his name deeply upon the business records of Vincennes, where for almost forty years he was prominently identified with milling interests as proprietor of the Vigo Mill. For four decades he bore an unsullied reputation for business integrity and a spirit of enterprise and progress characterized his work at all times. His is the record of a con-
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scientious man who by his upright life won the confidence and good-will of all, so that his memory is cherished and revered by many who knew him.
His life record spanned the period between the 2d of December, 1834, and the year 1902. On the former date he first opened his eyes to the light of day, his birth occurring in Ohio, where his parents, Isaac and Catharine (Norris) Thurgood, had settled on coming from England. They were natives of that country and while in England Isaac Thurgood learned and followed the miller's trade. From time to time reports reached him con- cerning the advantages to be enjoyed in the new world and, thinking to provide a better living for his family on this side the Atlantic, he severed home ties and started for the United States, making the journey across the briny deep in one of the old-time sailing vessels. He was accompanied by his wife and children and established a home for them in Ohio, whence he after- ward made his way to Vincennes.
George R. Thurgood spent the entire period of his minority in Ohio, was indebted to the public school system of that state for the educational privi- leges he enjoyed and continued his residence there until he reached the age of twenty-three years, coming to Vincennes about 1857. He was employed by others for a time and then embarked in business on his own account, join- ing with his brother in the purchase of the old Cook mills, while later he be- came sole proprietor by purchasing his brother's interest. This was about 1863. His enterprise was known as the Vigo Mill and was devoted to the manufacture of flour and corn meal. The business is still carried on and is one of the oldest enterprises of the city. For about four decades George R. Thurgood remained at its head and during that period introduced many changes and improvements which were manifest in the quality of the output of the mills.
On the 14th of January, 1858, Mr. Thurgood was married at Mount Car- mel, Illinois, to Miss Mary Roberts, a daughter of William F. and Rachel Ann (Copeland) Roberts and a representative of a very old family of Mount Carmel. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thurgood were born the following children : William, George V., Clyde and Salina, all of whom are deceased; Mary, who is the wife of S. D. Knaub and has two children, Maurice and Mary Frances ; Catherine, who is the wife of Clifford Bartholomai and the mother of three children-Ruth, Carl and Edith ; Charles R., a mill proprietor, who is married and has five children ; Harry, at home; Bentley, who wedded Miss Lulu Nor- man, by whom he has two children, Dorothy and Pauline; Clarence, who married Miss Ollie Becker and has one child, Keturia ; and Grace, Elizabeth, Mabel and Irene, all at home.
The family has long been prominent in the Methodist Episcopal church of Vincennes, of which Mr. Thurgood was for many years a devoted and con- sistent member, exemplifying in his life its principles and teachings. He also belonged to Mount Carmel Lodge, I. O. O. F. He had been a resident of Vincennes for forty-five years when he was called to his final rest and throughout that period had been classed with the prominent and influential
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business men of the city. His many substantial qualities had gained him high esteem and warm friendship and his demise was widely and deeply mourned. His stern integrity and honesty of principle led him to despise all unworthy or questionable means to secure success in any undertaking or for any pur- pose or to promote his own advancement in any direction.
HUBERT DONALD McCORMICK, M. D.
The medical fraternity of Vincennes and Knox county can truly claim many conscientious and able physicians well prepared for their responsible vocation and applying themselves with a zeal that is worthy of the greatest praise. They recognize their responsibilities and bring to bear every aid that modern science has made known for the alleviation of the ills of hu- manity. Among the number of efficient physicians now practicing in Vin- cennes is the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this review. Al- though he has been a resident of this city only a little more than a year he has made a highly favorable impression and is apparently well started upon a lucrative and growing practice.
Dr. McCormick is a native of Knox county. He was born on a farm in Johnson township February 23, 1883, and is a son of John McCormick, also a native of Knox county, born in 1844. He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, serving for six months, and was honorably mustered out in 1864. The family is one of the pioneer families of this county and the name has been a familiar one throughout this region for nearly one hundred years. The mother of our subject, Sarah Smithmeyer, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1850. Nine children of John and Sarah McCormick are now living : John E., who married Minnie Rhodarmel and has six children; Annie E., at home; Margaret, now Mrs. E. B. Price, and the mother of two chil- dren ; Pearl, the wife of J. L. Trueblood, and the mother of three children; Hubert Donald, of this review; Jasper and Shuler, twins, the former of whom married Mina Johnson and is the father of one child, while the latter married Edythe Pinkstaff and is the father of one son, Charles Donald : Blanche, the wife of Maurice Stangle and the mother of one child; and Phyllis, at home.
The subject of this review received his preliminary education in the public schools and, having decided upon a professional career, became a student at Vincennes University. After leaving this institution he entered the medical department of the Indiana University at Indianapolis and was graduated in 1908 with the degree of M. D. Having stood high in his class he was given the advantages of interneship in the state college hospital and dispensary, which is a highly important accessory in the education of the physician. He also filled the position of house surgeon in the Wabash Rail-
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