USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > History of Old Vincennes and Knox County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 11
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road Hospital at Peru, Indiana, where he gained a great deal of practical knowledge which could not be learned from books.
In 1909 he came to Vincennes and opened a suite of offices at No. 217, Busseron street, where he has since continned. He keeps thoroughly in- formed concerning the latest methods and discoveries in his profession, both in this country and in Europe, being a close reader of the best medical magazines and reviews. He is actively connected with various medical or- ganizations, holding membership in the American Medical Association, the Indiana State Medical Society, the Knox County Medical Society, and the Sydenham Society, the latter being a local medical organization. Socially he is affiliated with the Phi Rho Sigma fraternity and the Modern Woodmen of America. From the beginning of his career Dr. McCormick has shown a judgment and discrimination that are highly creditable to the young prac- titioner, and as he possesses those qualities of character that attract friends. he is recognized as a prime favorite in both professional and social circles.
H. T. PHILLIPPE.
Among the practitioners of the schools of osteopathy who have gained an honorable reputation in Knox county, on account of their success in a noble calling, is Dr. H. T. Phillippe, of Vincennes. He is a native son of Indiana and was born in Knox county in 1879. The father, Martin J. Phil- lippe, was a farmer and came to Knox county in the early days and settled upon a farm in Washington township. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in Company H, Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was twice wounded but each time recovered and returned to his regiment, con- tinning until the end of the war, when he received his honorable discharge- now one of the cherished heirlooms of the family. Mrs. Phillippe was a native of Virginia and a member of one of the old families of that state, her maiden name being Catherine Hooper. She was the mother of eight chil- dren, seven of whom are living.
The subject of our review began his education in the common schools of Knox county, continuing until he had completed the regular course of the high school. In order to provide himself with resources for further study he taught school at various times, serving altogether for five years as a teacher in the common schools, during the course of which he continued his studies, delving considerably into general literature and the sciences. He entered a medical college at Louisville and continued there for two years, but, becoming convinced of the practical applicability of the principles of osteopathy in the relief and cure of diseases, he went to Kirksville, Mis- souri, where he entered the American School of Osteopathy and after a course of three years was graduated from that institution in 1905. After leaving the medical college he began practice at Washington, Indiana, but,
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desiring a wider field, he came to Vincennes in 1907 and here he has since continued. Having made thorough preparation for his profession, Dr. Phil- lippe has been remarkably successful in his practice and has become well established as a leading practitioner of the osteopathic school in western Indiana. He is remarkably well versed in anatomy and physiology and by skilful application of the system he has adopted has built up a well deserved reputation as an adept in the healing art.
In 1902 Dr. Phillippe was united in marriage to Miss Ethelyn Freeman, who was born in Knox county, in 1885, and is a daughter of Evan and Anna Freeman. Mrs. Phillipe spent about twelve years of her earlier life in Florida. She is a highly intelligent and well educated woman and has proven to her husband a most valuable helpmeet and companion.
Politically Dr. Phillippe is identified with the republican party and ac- cepts its teachings as superior to those of any other organization for the perpetuity of the Union. He holds membership in the Methodist church and is also identified with the F. & A. M. and the Modern Woodmen of America and by his genial address and pleasing manners has made many friends in Vincennes and the county of his birth.
EDWARD WEISERT.
Edward Weisert, justice of the peace of Vincennes and for many years one of its most respected citizens, is of German ancestry. He was born in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, July 21, 1839, and is a son of Karl Emanuel and Elizabeth (Stern) Weisert, the former of whom was born in 1801 and the latter in 1804. The father was a prominent attorney of Wur- temberg and a lover of liberty. In 1848 he was one of the revolutionary leaders of his district in the attempt to establish a republic in Germany. In the presence of a great audience he delivered a speech in which he de- clared that the king of Wurtemberg, Frederick Wilhelm, was a schurke (meaning a rascal). On account of this epithet he was disbarred by the king from pleading in the supreme court of Wurtemberg and proceedings were begun against him, which after seven years of legal contest led to his incarceration for ninety days in a political prison called Ashberg, on a high mountain near Ludwigsburg. It is interesting to note that many years after- ward our subject, while in Germany upon private business, visited the prison where his father had been confined. Karl Emanuel Weisert departed this life in October, 1858, his faithful wife having been called away November 7, 1846. They were the parents of the following children : Charles Andrew. born December 1, 1825, and now deceased; Eleanora, born in 1827 and now living in Wurtemberg; Amelia, born in 1831 and now deceased; Mary, who was born in 1833 and died in 1909; Carolina, born in 1835 and still living ; Edward, our subject; Catherine, born in 1840; Bayata ; Pauline, born in 1841 and a nun in Wurtemberg; and Christina, born in 1843 and now deceased.
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Edward Weisert was educated in the schools of his native land and acquired mastery of the German and French languages while a resident of Wurtemberg and a student at the celebrated college of Heilbronn, where he also pursued the studies of English, Latin and Greek. His knowledge of these branches has enabled him to frequently act as interpreter in many important cases in the courts, while it has won him a large.clientage among the foreign-born population of Knox County, especially the French and German portion thereof. As he grew up he decided to seek his fortune under the more favoring circumstances of the American republic. Ac- cordingly, on May 15, 1857, when he was eighteen years of age he went aboard a steamer at Heilbronn, on the Neckar river, and traveled by water to Havre-de-Grace, where he became a passenger on the Helvetia, an English sailing vessel which was bound for the port of New York. He came to Vincennes about the middle of July, 1857, but shortly afterward went to Evansville, Indiana, where he studied the English language in a private school for a year. His first employment in America was as clerk in an importing mercantile house of New Orleans, which han- dled groceries, wines and liquors sent to this country from France, England, Spain, Switzerland and Germany. After some years of practical experience in New Orleans Mr. Weisert went to New York city, where he was for two years in the employ of Robert Hoe & Company, manufacturers of printing presses. He next went to Venango county, Pennsylvania, as superintendent of oil wells for Hovey & Saffer, of New York city. In 1866 he returned to Vincennes and in the following year entered the grocery business, later becoming a dealer in lumber and building materials. He retired from active business in 1882 and farmed for ten years and is yet farming. He was appointed justice of the peace in 1902, a position which he has ever since held. In his capacity as a judicial officer Mr. Weisert has performed his du- ties with strict fidelity and has gained the increasing confidence and re- spect of his fellow citizens as the years have passed.
On the 12th of March, 1867, Mr. Weisert was united in marriage at New Orleans to Miss Elizabeth Gerard, who was born in New Orleans August 15, 1848. She is a daughter of Charles and Margaret (Aneau) Gerard, both of whom were natives of France. Her father was an architect and built the church of St. Augustine in New Orleans. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Weisert, seven of whom are now living: Edward Emanuel, now head clerk of the Alabama Southern Railroad at Birmingham, Alabama ; Albert Joseph, of New York city, now foreman of the New York Press ; Clarissa, the wife of Warren Hill, of Vincennes; Elizabeth, the wife of Ned Zinkan, of Vincennes; Ethelinne, of St. Louis, Missouri, now a teacher of music ; Chlotilda, the wife of Herman Downing, claim agent of the Missouri Pacific Railroad at St. Louis; and Raymond, in the plumbing business in Vincennes. The mother of these children was called away February 26, 1900.
Politically Mr. Weisert is in sympathy with the democratic party and assists to the extent of his ability in advancing its interest. He is a member
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of the Catholic church and of the German Harmonie Society, but has never been connected with any secret organization. In 1861 when New Orleans, was for a time blockaded by the Federal blockade, he joined the Legion Fran- cais, a home guard of French citizens of New Orleans, which was organized for the purpose of protection against the negroes should they revolt if New Orleans be taken by Commodore Farragut and General Butler. By a life of integrity and helpfulness Mr. Weisert has won the respect of the entire community and no citizen stands higher in the confidence of the people of Vincennes. Coming to this country more than fifty-two years ago, he over- came numberless obstacles and won his way to a position of honor which he has filled with marked ability. The record of his life cannot fail to be an encouragement to younger men, for it teaches that patience and well applied industry when allied with high character are absolutely sure to receive just recognition.
EDWIN J. CRANKSHAW.
Edwin J. Crankshaw, who has gained recognition as one of the energetic and straightforward business men of Vincennes, although he has been a resi- dent of the city only two years, is a native of Michigan and was born in Elba, June 5, 1884. He is the son of George Crankshaw, who was born in New York state about 1833 and became a farmer and carpenter, moving to Michi- gan, where he enlisted in Company F, Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, and served gallantly in the Civil war. The mother was before her marriage Clarrisa E. Cliff and was born at Waterloo, Canada. The American an- cestor of her family was of English parentage and ran away from home, coming to this country with British soldiers at the time of the Revolutionary war. Later he took up land in Canada and finally settled near New York city. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Crankshaw : Alfred M., who married Mary Colb and lives in Jackson, Michigan ; William G., who mar- ried Latilda Duescuit and lives in Detroit ; Geneva, now Mrs. A. L. Eddy, of Flint, Michigan ; Edwin J. ; and Milo F., also of Flint.
The subject of this review received his education in the public schools of Flint and early showed a decided talent for machinery, being able to run a stationary engine from the time he was fifteen years of age, so that it was very easy to see that his talents lay in the direction of mechanical pursuits, He began his active career in a machine-shop and next engaged as fireman in an electric light plant, continuing until 1904, when he entered the employ of the Buick Automobile Company. In 1906 he went to Detroit with the Sied- ler & Miner Company, manufacturers of automobiles, having charge of the repair shop of that company. In 1907 Mr. Crankshaw, having gained an expert knowledge of automobile construction, was placed in charge of the repair department of the Wabash Automobile Electric Company, coming to
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Vincennes August 21, 1908, as manager of the garage of F. P. Fox. On February 1, 1910, Mr. Crankshaw associated with James W. Haughton and purchased the garage of which he is now sole owner, having acquired the in- terest of his partner. Here he maintains a first class repair shop equipped with a complete outfit of modern machinery for all kinds of work connected with the automobile business and a tire plant for vulcanizing and retreading tires. He also conducts an extensive automobile rental business and has ac- quired a good reputation as a salesman of automobiles.
On March 27, 1909, Mr. Crankshaw was happily united in marriage to Mrs. Lena M. (Cullison) Day, who is a native of Knox county and has proven to her husband a faithful and loving helpmate. Mr. Crankshaw is politically identified with the democratic party and socially affiliates with the Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a firm believer in the authority of holy writ and holds membership in the Christian church which he accepts as a true exponent of the doctrines of the New Testament. In his various duties as a citizen and business man he has gained the confi- dence of those with whom he has come into contact and today he ranks as one of the representative and progressive citizens of the community.
W. H. PROPES.
W. H. Propes, president of the Vincennes branch of the Terre Haute Brewing Company and one of the active and wide-awake business men of the city, was born in Lawrence county, Illinois, March 1, 1862. He is the son of B. H. and Sarah Ann (Hamer) Propes, the former born in Allen county, Kentucky, in 1830, and the latter in Casey county of the same state in 1834. The father was an undertaker by profession and continued in that vocation many years but was living retired at the time of his decease in 1907 at the age of seventy-seven years. In his family were seven children, four of whom are now living: G. J., of Herrin, Illinois; M. A., of Bridgeport, Illi- nois ; Drettie, now Mrs. W. J. Harris, living near Allendale, Illinois ; and W. H., whose name appears at the head of this sketch.
Mr. Propes received his early education in the public schools of Lawrence- ville, Illinois, and after leaving school he engaged for some time in the un- dertaking business with his father. He early became interested in the polit- ical affairs of Lawrence county and was appointed deputy sheriff, serving for two years in that office. His adaptability to political life is also indicated by the fact that he acted for two years as marshal of the town of Lawrence- ville and for a similar length of time occupied a chair in the city council. However, he was destined for a business career and in 1890 he located in Vincennes, where for nineteen years he has been at the head of the Vincennes branch of the Terre Haute Brewing Company. Under his able manage- ment this company is doing a business of one hundred thousand dollars a
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year, its pay roll amounts to one thousand dollars a month and the company distributes in Vincennes and vicinity about thirty thousand dollars yearly. It will be seen that it is one of the important business enterprises and one whose prosperity is the evidence of the ability of its management.
Mr. Propes was united in marriage February 17, 1906, to Miss Anna Louise Shassere, who is a native of Knox county, born in 1873. She is a daughter of Jacob Shassere, who came from Germany to New Orleans and thence to Knox county, Indiana, and for many years was in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company.
Since ariving at years of maturity Mr. Propes has been in sympathy with the principles of the democratic party, although during recent years the de- mands of business have been such that he has been able to devote only a small portion of his time to politics. He was a charter member of the Vincennes Lodge of Elks and has continued as one of the active workers in that organi- zation. He is also affiliated with the Eagles, the Travelers Protective Asso- ciation, the Country Club, the Pastime Club and the Harmonie Verein. Mr. Propes has traveled extensively in various states in the course of his business operations and has many friends and acquaintances who have always found him genial and accommodating in a high degree, willing to assist those upon whom fortune may have temporarily frowned. Among his business asso- ciates he is recognized as an energetic and capable manager whose word is as good as his bond.
GEORGE BRUCE HAZELTON.
Among the prominent young lawyers of Knox county, now living in Vin- cennes, may be named George Bruce Hazelton, who was born in Wabash county, Illinois, in 1875. He is a son of Joseph N. Hazelton, also a native of Wabash county, where he was born in 1840, and identified himself with the farming interests. The mother, who before her marriage was Atlanta Thompson, was born in Wabash county in 1847. Ten children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hazelton, four of whom are now living : William A., who has two children living and is a widower; John, who mar- ried Ruth Milligan and has one child, a son ; George Bruce, our subject ; and Oliver, who married Pearl Hicks and has a daughter.
George B. Hazelton was born upon a farm and educated in the common schools, later becoming a student of the Normal School at Danville, Indiana, where he continued for three years, and afterward pursued the law course at the Central Normal School, Danville, receiving the degree of LL. B. in 1902. Upon being admitted to the bar Mr. Hazelton began practice in this state, but in 1905 went to Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he practiced for three years. However, he was attracted again to Indiana and since 1908 has been actively identified with the bar in this city. Mr. Hazelton has made a highly
GEORGE B. HAZELTON
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favorable impression wherever he has appeared and is well established in his profession in Knox county. Active, energetic and ambitions to succeed in a calling that demands the best talent of the country, he has most credit- ably acquitted himself both as a counsellor and as an advocate before court and jury and the future gives bright promise of a constantly widening sphere of usefulness.
In 1897 Mr. Hazelton was happily united in marriage to Miss Margaret Baldwin, who is a native of Monroe City, Knox County, where she was born in 1877. She is a daughter of William A. and Lydia (Ashcraft) Baldwin, her father having served as postmaster at Monroe City under President Cleveland's adminstration. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hazelton : Lydia, born January 3, 1902 ; and Howard, February 3, 1907.
Mr. Hazelton adheres to the democratic party as the political organization which in his opinion is best adapted for the perpetuity of the republic. He is affiliated with the Methodist church and is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Order of Ben Hur. He has many friends and acquaint- ances outside of these organizations who are greatly interested in his suc- cess. He early acquired habits of application and thoroughness in his studies and these habits he has brought to his profession, so that he is always well in- formed as to the law and precedents in any case in which he is interested. By conscientious discharge of his duties he has steadily advanced until he commands the respect not only of his brethren at the bar but of the men of business affairs and the community generally.
WILLIAM G. DUESTERBERG.
William G. Duesterberg, a bright young pharmacist of Vincennes, was born in this city, February 10, 1885. He is a son of Gerhard H. and Eliza- beth (Laugel) Duesterberg, both of whom were born in Vincennes, the for- mer about 1850 and the latter about 1853. The father was for many years identified with the grocery business, but is now living retired. The mother comes of a stanch patriotic family, two of her brothers having served in the Civil war from Vincennes. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Duester- berg: Lorena, the wife of Joseph Risch and the mother of five children ; Joseph, who married Agnes Recker and has two children; Catherine, the wife of John Weiler and the mother of one child; and William G., Frances and Louis, all living at home.
William G. Duesterberg received his preliminary education in St. John's parochial schools, after which he entered the Winona College of Pharmacy at Indianapolis, a well known institution, which is connected with the Tech- nical Institute of that city. After pursuing the regular course of study Mr. Duesterberg was graduated with the degree of Ph. G. in 1906. Upon leav- ing college Mr. Duesterberg returned home and associated with Otto F.
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Kramer in the drug business, opening a store at Third and Main streets, which he has since conducted with high credit to himself and his asociates and worthily ranks among the capable and ambitious young business men who are rapidly coming to the front, ultimately to assume the places of their elders in the business world. From the beginning of his career Mr. Duester- berg has shown a capability that gives promise of a life of usefulness in his chosen vocation. He has a pleasing address and, being thoroughly equipped by a good education, he may safely be depended upon as one of the substan- tial acquisitions to the progressive life of the city. He is politically in sym- pathy with the democratic party, whose principles he stanchly supports. He is a member of St. John's Catholic church and is a liberal contributor toward its many beneficences. He also holds membership in the Knights of Colum- bus and the Harmonie Verein and in those organizations has many friends, who are acquainted with his high character and have perfect confidence in his staying qualities and prophesy for him an active and successful career.
BENJAMIN B. GRIFFITH, M. D.
Possessing advantages of education and training at the best medical institutions of the country and having engaged successfully in practice for more than twenty-five years, Dr. Benjamin B. Griffith has gained a well earned reputation as a practitioner of clear judgment and high standing. Seeking to know the cause of his success, we find that it has been gained through concentration, energy, a persistent purpose and unquestioned in- tegrity. The application of the principles here named have enabled him to attain a record in every way worthy of emulation.
Dr. Griffith was born at Paducah, Kentucky, on the 10th of October, 1861. He is a son of George and Mary F. (Young) Griffith, the former born on a farm ten miles from Paducah, McCracken county, Kentucky, in 1825. Mrs. Griffith was born in North Carolina, in 1831. The father was a valiant soldier of the Civil war and served in the Second Kentucky Regiment of volunteers. He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh and died within twenty-four hours from the effect of his wounds. The grand- fathers of Dr. Griffith on both sides of the house served in the patriot army in the Revolutionary war, one as an officer and the other as a private. Grandmother Young's brother, Dr. Benjamin Boland, was also made of good fighting material. A little girl named Jett was murdered by an In- dian at an early day in the history of Kentucky near the present town of Bandana, Kentucky. Dr. Boland, alone and fully armed, took up the trail of the murderer and followed him into Missouri and into the cane-brakes of Arkansas and there captured the Indian, the circumstances of the pur- suit and capture being one of the interesting stories in the annals of the border. The brave Dr. Boland brought his prisoner back to the scene of
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the murder in Kentucky, where the prisoner was tried by a jury of white men, confessed to his crime and was there executed. Thus is outlined in a few sentences one of the thrilling occurrences of early life in Kentucky, which conveys an idea of the resolution and courage of the remarkable men of those times. Three children were born of the marriage of George and Mary Griffith: Benjamin B., the subject of this review; Reese, who died at the age of twelve years; and William G., who married Alma Lang- ston and is the father of two children-Urey and Isabella.
Dr. Griffith received his preliminary education in the public schools of Paducah, Kentucky, and in the high school at Lebanon, Ohio. Having a strong inclination for the pursuit of medicine, he entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1883. A similar title was granted by the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis in 1884, his regular medical studies being followed by post-graduate work extending over three years in New York, Philadelphia and Chicago, serving in the Willard Hospital of New York city, the Chicago Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, and the St. Joseph Infirmary of Chicago. After having thoroughly prepared for his profes- sion by contact with the greatest medical teachers in America, and also by practical application of the principles of medicine and surgery in the great hospitals, Dr. Griffith began practice at Paducah and, taking up spe- cial work, came to Vincennes, September 15, 1909, and opened a suite of offices in the La Plante building, where he has since continued.
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