USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > History of Old Vincennes and Knox County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 13
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Vincennes was still but a small town of little commercial or industrial importance during the boyhood of John B. La Plante, whose name intro- duces this review. He learned the saddler's trade in early life and followed it until twenty-one years of age, when he joined his brother in the estab- lishment and conduct of a grocery store. By hard work, earnest effort and unfaltering perseverance they succeeded in developing the store from a small beginning into one of the largest general mercantile establishments of this city. To the stock of groceries they added other lines from time to time and became leading representatives of commercial interests in Vincennes. John B. La Plante continued actively in the business until 1878, when he retired to devote his attention to the management of his different property holdings and investments in this city, for in the mean- time he had become a man of considerable wealth and his personal inter- ests were very extensive.
On the 7th of December, 1855, Mr. La Plante was married to Miss Malinda Scott, who died several years later. On the 28th of May, 1874, he married Catherine E. All, whose ancestors were among the pioneer settlers of Maryland. There were two children of this marriage: Mar- garet Mary, now deceased; and John Baptist Edmund, who is a law stu- dent of Columbia College.
The La Plante family have long been connected with St. Xavier Cath- olic church, of which Mr. La Plante was a devoted member. He died May 27, 1898, but many years will come and go ere he will cease to be remembered in Vincennes. His was a business record such as any man might be proud to possess. Although he started out in life with little, he gradually worked his way upward and achieved not only prosperity, but also an honored name, enjoying at all times the full confidence and high regard of colleagues and contemporaries. His life exemplified what may be accomplished through the wise use of time, talents and opportunities. His success proved the force of his character and the high regard in which he was uniformly held indicated the straightforward course which he ever followed.
SCHUYLER COLFAX BEARD, M. D.
Dr. Schuyler Colfax Beard has continuously engaged in practice in Vin- cennes since his graduation from the Bellevue Medical College, of New York city, with the class of 1885. He was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, June 20, 1864. His father, Dr. Ferdinand W. Beard, was a native of Harrison county, this state, but in 1874 removed to Vincennes. He received the ground work of his professional training in the Rush Medical College of Chicago and afterward entered Bellevue Medical College of New York, from which he was in due course of time graduated. He practiced a number of years in
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Springfield and Harrodsburg, Indiana, and gained eminence in his profes- sion but was not more highly honored and popular in professional circles than in private life. He made a specialty of surgery and gained much more than local fame in that connection. With comprehensive knowledge of anat- omy and the component parts of the human body, with steady hand and clear brain, he performed the work that devolved upon him in that connection and through operative surgery worked many notable cures. He died February II, 1891, at the age of fifty-six years, his birth having occurred February 12, 1835. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Gainey, was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, and died in 1880. They had but two children, the daughter, Jessie Beard, becoming the wife of Norbert Landgraf, of In- dianapolis.
Dr. Beard, whose name introduces this review, pursued his studies through successive grades in the public schools of Vincennes until graduated from the high school with the class of 1880, after which he spent two years as a student in the State University. He then took up the study of medicine and, like his father, became a student in the Bellevue Medical College of New York, wherein he completed his course with the class of 1885. He then began practicing with his father and so continued until the latter's death, since which time he has practiced alone. He is a member of various medical societies and also of the Lancet Club, of which he was the founder. When but twenty-two years of age he was chosen coroner and during President Harrison's administration he was a member of the board of pension examin- ers. He also filled the same position during President Mckinley's ad- ministration. In 1901 when the metropolitan police law went into effect in Vincennes he was appointed police commissioner and in this capacity assisted in inaugurating the new system in the city. Dr. Beard is a charter member of the Vincennes Lodge of Elks and is a past exalted ruler of same. He is a man of considerable literary ability, recognized as a clear and forceful writer on many subjects. The salient qualities of Dr. Schuyler Colfax Beard have ever been such as to commend him to the confidence and high regard of the general public, and the ethical standard to which he has adhered in his prac- tice has gained him the unfaltering regard and approval of his professional brethren.
CHARLES W. BENHAM, M. D.
Dr. Charles W. Benham, who for twenty years has been successfully engaged in practice in Knox county, fifteen years of which time have been spent in Vincennes, was born in this county, August 9, 1861, a son of James W. and Catherine (Weaver) Benham. His father, who died in 1868, was a farmer of Knox county and was a veteran of the Civil war. He en- listed in the Eightieth Indiana Regiment and participated in the battle of
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Antietam and many other engagements, continuing in the service to the close of the war. One of the great sorrows which Dr. Benham has known was the accidental death of his mother, at the early age of thirty-one years, by drowning. In the family were five children, three of whom are now living: Charles W., the subject of this sketch; Ella, now Mrs. E. B. Anderson, of Wheatland, Knox county; and Dr. James W., who married Grace Niblack and is now practicing at Columbus, Indiana.
Dr. Benham gained his early education in the common schools, and then attended the Vincennes high school. Having determined upon the medical profession, he entered the Louisville (Ky.) Medical College and at twenty-eight years of age was graduated with the class of 1889. As he had attained a high standing in his studies he was granted privileges of further study and also of practical application of principles of the art in the Louisville City Hospital. This work is a most important preparation for the physician and when Dr. Benham's term as interne had expired, he at once began active practice at Wheatland, where he continued for six years with a growing clientage. He permanently located in Vincennes in 1895 and here he has realized many of the aspirations of his earlier life and ranks as one of the most successful physicians in the county.
On the 27th of December, 1893, Dr. Benham was united in marriage to Miss Maud Dukate, a native of Wheatland. Her father, Dr. John D. Dukate, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky, is a practitioner of wide reputation and many years' standing. Her mother was a native of Ohio and previous to her marriage was Mary M. Wallace. Two children have been born unto Dr. and Mrs. Benham, a son and daughter: Gladys, born at Wheatland, October 1, 1894; and Charles Dukate, who was born in Vincennes, June 28, 1900.
Dr. Benham has been identified for a number of years with medical organizations, being a member of the American Medical Association, the Indiana State Medical Society, the District Medical Society, the Knox County Medical Society and the Lancet Club of Vincennes, of which he was one of the organizers. He has always been a close student of his profession, and is the owner of a choice library of the best medical works and a reader of the latest discoveries in a science which occupies the time and talents of many of the greatest minds in the world. He brought to his profession a power of discrimination and a clear judgment as to cause and effect, which have assisted him in a large degree on many occasions of emergency. Among his fellow practitioners his opinions are greatly respected, and his best friends are to be found among those whom he has assisted on the way to health. As secretary of the board of health of Vincennes he performed admirable service and made a record which his successors refer to with approbation. Politically he is allied with the re- publican party. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and in dis- charging the various responsibilities that devolve upon him as a citizen of
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established standing in the community, he has always attempted to per- form his duty. Born upon a farm and depending mainly upon his own exertions from an early age, he has clearly merited the honorable place which he holds in Knox county.
EDWARD BIERHAUS.
Edward Bierhaus, for many years one of the prominent business men of Vincennes, was born in Elberfeld, Prussia, August 4, 1832, and came to this country in 1848 with his parents, Karl and Fredericka Bierhaus, the family locating in Vincennes. In this city he was first employed in the American Hotel, which stood on the site of the department store formerly the La Plante House, at the corner of First and Main streets. In 1853 he embarked in the general merchandise business at Freelandsville, this county, but in 1865 sold his interests there and returned to Vincennes, where he was en- gaged in a pork packing business and also conducted a retail grocery store, his slaughter house being located at the corner of First and Nicholas streets. In 1878 Mr. Bierhaus bought out Gimbel Brothers' wholesale grocery on Main street, between First and Second, and conducted the same under the firm style of E. Bierhaus & Sons. Their business grew to such proportions that they soon erected the large and handsome three story wholesale house at the corner of Main and Fourth streets, in addition to which large ware- houses were constructed on First and Church streets. Mr. Bierhaus was the senior member of the firm until his retirement from active business some ten years before his death. Since that time the business has been conducted by his sons Charles and John.
On the 30th of June, 1853, Mr. Bierhaus was united in marriage to Miss Louise Schuckman and on the 30th of June, 1903, they celebrated their golden wedding. Unto them were born eight children, six sons and two daughters, namely: Charles, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume; Henry, who married Lizzie Schroyer, of Newcastle, Indiana, and resides in Indianapolis; Frederick, who married Annie Rasche and lives in Vincennes ; Edward, who married Alice Danner and makes his home in Knightstown, Indiana; William C., who married Lottie Watkins, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, and lives in Vincennes ; John, who married Hannah Gibson and also resides in this city; Emma, the wife of Rudolph G. Geisler, of Chi- cago; and Anna, the wife of Edward Clark, of Vincennes.
Mr. Bierhaus died on the 21st of February, 1906, and his death was widely and deeply mourned. He was strictly a business man in every sense of the word and through his untiring energy and close application built up an immense business and accumulated a snug fortune. He had but a few hundred dollars when he embarked in business at Freelandsville, then known as Cross Roads, being the junction of two country roads, one running from
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Linton to Vincennes and the other from Carlisle to Edwardsport, but he built a log store and dwelling and soon built up a good trade among the farmers of the neighborhood. There was no other house at Cross Roads but the residence of Dr. Freeland, after whom the town was subsequently named. Mr. Bierhaus conducted a successful business there for thirteen years, dur- ing which time the village sprang up around his store. It was at this place he was thrown from a horse and received an injury which developed seriously a few years later and which was in a manner responsible for his death. The rapid growth of his business interests in Vincennes, consisting of pork pack- ing, wholesale grocery, wholesale poultry and egg business, is well known to the citizens of this locality and his trade extended for a great distance throughout the surrounding country.
Mr. Bierhaus was ever upright and honorable in all his dealings and was a consistent and faithful member of St. John's German Evangelical church. He never aspired to public office but attended strictly to his business interests and was successful to a degree beyond the attainments of most men.
JAMES WADE EMISON.
It is gratifying to meet a man prominent in life whose public and private acts have always contributed to the welfare of the community. Such a man is James Wade Emison, one of the leaders at the bar in Vincennes and a pub- lic-spirited citizen of the type that attempts to discharge its responsibilities in such a manner as to receive the approval of an educated conscience.
Mr. Emison is a native of Indiana, born in Bruceville, Knox county, Feb- ruary 7, 1859, and is a son of John W. and Sarah (Dunning) Emison, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. He received his preliminary education in the public schools of Bruceville and became a stu- dent of Asbury (now De Pauw) University, graduating from that institution at the age of twenty-one, in 1882, and receiving the degree of A. B. In 1885, upon invitation of the college faculty, he delivered the master's oration at the annual commencement exercises and was then awarded the higher degree of A. M. After graduating from the university Mr. Emison returned home and assumed partial charge of his father's business, which included farming. milling and merchandising, in which he continued for seven years. In the meantime, however, he had entered upon the study of law, was admitted to the bar in 1889 and began practice in the office of Captain George G. Reily at Vincennes. A year later a partnership was formed with Captain Reily, the firm being known as Reily & Emison. This association continued until it was terminated by the death of the senior partner in 1899. Mr. Emison practiced alone for a short time but in 1901 became connected with Judge William W. Moffett, as Emison & Moffett. The death of Judge Moffett in February, 1907, brought the partnership to a close and Mr. Emison has since
OHNEN
JAMES WADE EMISON
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practiced alone. He was exceedingly fortunate in his law partnerships, his associates in each instance being men of scholarly attainments, large ac- quaintance with the practice and principles of law and of unimpeachable character. Many important cases were entrusted to these firms and the sur- viving member gained a well established reputation by his untiring interest and efforts in behalf of clients. He is at present attorney for the First Na- tional Bank of Vincennes, a member of the board of directors of the Citizens Trust Company and is actively connected with many other business interests. Having been reared upon a farm, Mr. Emison has through life retained a lively appreciation of its advantages and he has continuously been identified with farming and live-stock affairs. For many years he acted as secretary of the Knox County Agricultural and Mechanical Society and few men in the county are better acquainted with its agricultural resources and pos- sibilities.
Mr. Emison is a supporter of the principles of the republican party and has always taken a great interest in its success, both locally and nationally, being a delegate to the republican national convention in 1908. He believes it is the duty of every citizen to adhere to some party and use his influence personally in its support. Although not a seeker for office he served for several years as city attorney of Vincennes, and as county attorney of Knox county he accomplished a good work in inspiring a wholesome respect for the law. In all his relations as public officer, counsellor or advocate at the bar he has proven his skill in arriving at right conclusions and his ability in solv- ing intricate legal problems. No man stands higher at the bar of Knox county and few have greater influence before judge or jury. This ability is the result of more than twenty years of close application and also of a solid foundation which was acquired in the university and in actual affairs of busi- ness life.
Not only in professional but in social circles is Mr. Emison well known He has for many years been a member of the Masonic order and belongs to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery. He is also a member of the Elks and his name is upon the rolls of the Pastime Club, of Vincennes. In re- ligious faith he is a Presbyterian and he is a member of the board of trus- tees of the First Presbyterian church.
On the 27th of November, 1890, Mr. Emison was united in marriage to Sada Ross Rabb, a daughter of Dr. John H. and Susan E. Rabb, of Vin- cennes. Dr. Rabb, who was for many years president of the First National Bank of this city, was a man of high character and standing in Vincennes and Knox county and one who had the confidence and respect of all who knew him. He and his wife came here from Kentucky in the early 50's. Four children have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Emison : Ewing, James Wade, Jr., Susan Rabb and John Rabb.
Their home is one of the happiest in the city and the head of the family is never in a more grateful frame of mind than when in the quiet of the domestic circle, surrounded by his family or dispensing a hospitality that has
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made the household known as a center for the highest type of American citi- zenship. Born under favoring anspices, reared under every advantage that the best type of modern life can desire, educated in a great university and by contact with the brightest minds, Mr. Emison has now reached the prime of a useful career. In the opinion of his friends he has fairly earned the hon- orable position he now occupies and may be confidently expected in the years to come to win new victories in the extension of a beneficent influence which has always been exerted in the best interests of his fellowmen.
MATHIAS ZAEPFEL.
Mathias Zaepfel, formerly engaged in the wine and cigar business but now living retired, makes his home at No. 614 Barnet street in Vincennes. The surname indicates his German nativity, his birth having occurred in the fatherland on the 24th of April, 1852. His parents were Frank and Anna (Mneller) Zaepfel. The father was a farmer and barber, devoting his life to those two pursuits.
Mathias Zaepfel spent his youthful days in his native country and is in- debted to its public school system for the educational advantages which he enjoyed and which fitted him for life's practical and responsible duties. He remained a resident of Germany until twenty years of age and then started for the new world, hoping to benefit by the business conditions which he heard existed here. He did not tarry long on the Atlantic coast but made his way direct to Vincennes, his choice of a location being influenced by the fact that he had an uncle living in this city. He had no capital and his financial condition rendered it imperative that he secure and obtain immediate em- ployment. He was willing to accept any position that would gain him an honorable living. For nine years he was employed at the hardware trade, during which period he carefully saved his earnings until his capital was sufficient to enable him to engage in the retail wine and cigar business. He started on a small scale, however, but built up a large trade until his was one of the most extensive and leading enterprises of this character in the city. At one time he purchased farm land, which he owned until about five years ago, when he sold out. His close application, unabating energy and un- faltering perseverance were the strong elements in his success and when he had acquired a substantial competence he retired from business life. He has never selfishly wished to have more than would enable him to live com- fortably and he has also been generous in sharing with others the prosperity that he has attained.
On the 5th of September, 1882, Mr. Zaepfel was married to Miss Mary Reinbold, a daughter of Andrew and Rosa Reinbold. They have become parents of a daughter and son: Anna, who is the wife of John Ueding and
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the mother of two children, Mary Louise and Jolin Anthony ; and Anthony, fifteen years of age, who is employed in a drug store in this city.
Mr. Zaepfel is very prominent among people of his own nationality and belongs to all of the leading German societies of the city. He holds member- ship with St. John's church, also in St. John's Harmony Club and is a mem- ber of the Travelers Protective Association. He possesses many of the ster- ling characteristics of the German race and is numbered among the worthy representatives of the fatherland in Vincennes.
CHARLES BIERHAUS.
Charles (originally Karl) Bierhaus, one of the well known citizens of Vin- cennes and for more than thirty-five years actively identified with its busi- ness interests, was born in Knox county in 1855 and is a son of Edward and Louisa (Schuckman) Bierhaus, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.
After receiving a common-school education in Vincennes, Charles Bier- haus immediately became identified with his father in the pork packing and poultry and egg business, which had previously been established by the head of the family. In 1878 he also became interested in a large wholesale gro- cery house and he and his brother John still retain the business which their father founded many years ago. In his business career Mr. Bierhaus has shown an interest and an ability which always makes for success and in the course of many years, living as he has in a community where he has been known all his life, he has built up a reputation for sound judgment and in- tegrity that is worth more in the final summing up than all the rewards of wealth. His industry has met with favorable returns and he has acquired a competence represented by good paying investments in Vincennes.
In 1877 Mr. Bierhaus was united in marriage to Miss Helen Busse, also a native of Knox county, born September 19, 1854, and a daughter of William and Sophia (Helle) Busse. Her father was a native of Germany and was a baker and confectioner by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Bierhaus are the parents of two daughters; Ida, who is the widow of Clarence M. Zener and the mother of three children, Karl, Katharine and Clarence; and Helen, who is living at home with her parents.
Mr. Bierhaus has witnessed many changes in Vincennes and Knox county and many of his former friends and business associates have been called to their reward. He has always been a man of good habits and con- servative judgment and has never been in sympathy with men who lose all they have by speculations in the stock market or in a wild venture to get rich quick. He has found that steady hard work, persistence and a good strong faith in one's self are the milestones that mark the road to success and in the course of his advancement in the business world he has always kept those
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milestones in sight. He has many lifelong associates who look to him for advice in times of emergency and those less fortunate than himself have never sought his aid in vain. It is the solid and substantial men of this char- acter that constitute the backbone of every community.
HUGH A. EMISON.
As assistant postmaster of Vincennes for the past thirteen years, the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this review is well known here and is recognized as one of its valuable citizens. He has gained the position he occupies in the estimation of the business men and patrons of the office by conscientious attention to the duties of his position, thorough knowledge of the intricacies of the service and an adaptability as a public official which has assisted him very materially in his work.
Mr. Emison comes of a Kentucky family, which originally spelled its name Emerson and whose descendants are now living in Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri and Texas. The first member of the family to locate in Knox county was Thomas Emison, who settled on Mariah Creek, in 1804, on coming from Kentucky. William W. C. Emison, the eldest son of Thomas Emison, . married Elizabeth Posey and their son John W. Emison was the father of our subject. The old Posey homestead in this county has been in possession of the Posey and Emison families for more than one hundred years and is greatly valued on account of its associations. The mother of our subject was Sarah (Dunning) Emison, a daughter of Spear S. and Emily (Bishop) Dun- ning, both early residents of Vincennes. There are five living children in the family, Hugh A. being the fourth in order of birth. The other mem- bers of the family are: James Wade, now a well known lawyer of Vin- cennes ; John W., now postmaster of Vincennes ; and Mrs. Mattie Barr and Mrs. Elizabeth Harris, both residents of Princeton, Indiana.
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