USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > History of Old Vincennes and Knox County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 15
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In 1904 our subject was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Rinebold, who was born at St. Francisville, Illinois, in 1883. She is a daughter of John and Julia (De Burssert) Rinebold. Her father was a merchant and is now deceased. Two sons have brightened the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kramer: Joseph Cletus, born March 19, 1907; and Robert George, born April 23, 1909.
Mr. Kramer is in sympathy with the democratic party and usually votes for its candidates, although in local affairs he sometimes casts his ballot independent of party ties. He is a valued member of the Catholic church and of affiliated organizations; the Knights of Columbus, and the St. John's Benevolent Society. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Foresters and the Harmonie Verein, and has many friends in those organizations. Always energetic and capable, perfectly reliable in his business dealings, Mr. Kramer belongs to that class of self-reliant men who are bound to succeed in whatsoever calling they may engage.
W. F. SMITH, M. D.
For nineteen years Dr. W. F. Smith has engaged in the practice of medicine in Vincennes and the fact that he has remained here for so long a period is at once proof that a liberal practice has been accorded him. He is numbered among Kentucky's native sons, his birth having occurred in the city of Uniontown on the 9th of July, 1853. His parents were Isaac and Matilda (Harris) Smith, the former a farmer who removed from Kentucky to Indiana and spent his remaining days in agricultural pursuits in this state. His widow still survives him and is now living in Owens- ville, Indiana.
At the age when most boys begin their education, Dr. Smith became a pupil in the country schools and prepared for college at Valparaiso, In- diana. He afterward engaged in teaching for a short period and later turned his attention to the drug business in Cynthiana, following that pur- suit for about three years. His interest was thus awakened in the study of medicine and, resolving to make its practice his life work, he began reading and later entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio,
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where he pursued the regular course and was graduated with the class of 1886. He then began practice in Cynthiana and subsequently came to Vincennes, where he has made his home continuously since 1891. He is deeply interested in everything that pertains to his profession and its prog- ress and by reading keeps in touch with the thought of its most advanced and progressive representatives.
Dr. Smith has been married twice. In 1873 he was joined in wedlock to Miss Rose Williams and unto them were born a son and daughter. Raymond, who is a graduate of Butler University of Indianapolis; of the Vincennes University; and of Yale University, and is now a minister of the gospel, married Miss Grace Clifford and has one son, Raymond C., now two years of age. The daughter, Minnie, is the wife of Henry Mer- chant. For his second wife Dr. Smith chose Sarepta Wise, and they have three children: Frank, a baker, who married Effie Williams and lives at Lawrenceville, Illinois; Estella, the wife of O. P. Church; and Lawrence, a baker, at Cairo, Illinois.
Dr. Smith and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and his life has ever conformed to its teachings. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and is in sympathy with all of the prin- ciples which tend to uplift man and promote forbearance, kindliness and helpfulness. These qualities are often manifest in his professional serv- ice, and it is well known that Dr. Smith will give generously of his time and professional aid where no remuneration is to be expected.
L. PARK COLENBAUGH. .
Among the prosperous business men of Vincennes who have attained a responsible and honorable position by their own efforts and may therefore be called self-made men is L. Park Colenbaugh, a well known wholesale con- fectioner and cigar dealer. He comes of good fighting stock, his grand- father Colenbaugh having taken an active part in both the Mexican and Civil wars. His father, Jeremiah Colenbaugh, was a native of Indiana, born on a farm in 1853 and was associated in recent years with his son in business. The mother, who was before her marriage Melissa Hubbell, was also born in Indiana in 1853 and was educated in the common schools and in a high school of Greene county. In the family were two children: L. Park, our subject ; and Zona Pearl, who became the wife of R. C. Hannum, and died in 1908.
Educated in the public schools, L. Park Colenbaugh was early attracted to a business career and became identified with a wholesale grocery firm for which he traveled for fourteen years, visiting various parts of the country and acquiring a knowledge of human nature and of business affairs which can- not be learned from books. In the meantime, however, he determined when opportunity presented to establish himself independently and in 1906 he re-
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tired from the road and opened a wholesale confectionery and cigar business at No. 321 North Second street, in which he has continued with steadily in- creasing success.
In 1896 Mr. Colenbaugh was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Lulu M. Balue, who was born in Illinois in 1875. Her father died during her childhood, but the beloved mother, Mrs. Mary Balue, is still living and makes her home with our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Colenbaugh are the par- ents of one son, Max, born December 27, 1898, and now preparing to enter the high school.
Mr. Colenbaugh has had unusually favorable opportunities for studying the political conditions in various states and as a result of his observation has become a stanch republican and is an earnest advocate of the principles of his party. He holds membership in the Methodist church and socially is identified with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the United Com- mercial Travelers Association and the Royal Arcanum. He has found in his wife a worthy helpmate who by sympathy and cooperation has greatly lightened the burdens of business life which the head of the family each day is obliged to assume. Mr. Colenbaugh by his energy, good judgment and pleasing address has built up a flourishing trade and he is justly esteemed by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances on account of his sterling qualities. He is recognized as an active and progressive citizen whose aim it is not only to advance his own interests but to assist to the extent of his ability in advancing the permanent welfare of the city and state.
ANTON SIMON.
Anton Simon, who is widely known as a brewer and business man of Vin- cennes, belongs among the citizens of foreign birth who have adopted America as their home. He first opened his eyes to the light of day in 1848. in the Province of Alsace, France, and is a son of Peter and Barbara (Rish) Simon, who were both natives of France, the father being a hotel keeper. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Simon; Anton, our subject; Leo of Vincennes, who is married and is the father of five children ; and Laura, who lives in Roumania.
Anton Simon was educated in his native country but after arriving at manhood he became convinced, from reading and by meeting countrymen who had visited America, that the land of the stars and stripes offered induce- ments to ambitious young men not found elsewhere in the world. His own province is one of the densely populated regions of Europe and there the son is expected to follow in the steps of the father and lines of distinction be- tween classes in society are sharply drawn. Anton Simon longed for inde- pendence and the opportunity of working out his own salvation through his innate ability. So in 1862, at the age of thirteen years, he bade farewell to
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friends and family scenes, and crossed the ocean, landing at New York, and proceding westward to Vincennes where he has since lived. At the time of his arrival the country was in the second year of the great Civil war and all lines of mercantile business had received an upward impulse which has con- tinued with temporary fluctuations ever since. Mr. Simon was employed in a dry-goods store for one year and then was identified with a confectionery establishment for a number of years, but entering the brewery business in partnership with Engene Hack in 1874, he has ever since been closely identi- fied with this branch of industry, to which he has devoted the principal ener- gies of his life. He is also connected with a number of other lines of activity and is at present vice president of the Vincennes Trust Company and a director of the Knox Building Association and the Hartman Plow Works. Mr. Simon is regarded by his business associates as a man of unusually safe judgment in financial matters and his advice is often sought by citizens and friends desiring to proceed along the most approved lines of investment.
In 1876 Mr. Simon was united in marriage to Miss Anna Weissenberger, who was born in 1856, a daughter of George W. and Anna (Fox) Weissen- berger, of this city. Four children brightened the household of Mr. and Mrs. Simon : Anna Clara, at home; Eugene A., a Catholic priest at Snake Run. near Fort Branch, this state ; Lonis J. and Marie Cecile, both at home.
Mr. Simon adheres to the democratic party, believing that its principles are best adapted for the perpetuity of a free government. He is a lifelong member of the Catholic church and also holds membership in the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks. As a business man and citizen he has made many friends during his experience of forty-eight years in this city. He has witnessed many important changes in Knox county and throughout this region and is now enjoying the advantages which have resulted from the great increase in population and wealth of the last half-century. Looking back over the past, Mr. Simon sees no reason to regret that he decided to make his home in America, offering as it does an asylum to millions who have here realized their dreams of financial independence.
EUGENE HACK.
While preeminently a business man, his time being largely devoted to the successful conduct of a brewery, Mr. Hack is nevertheless an active fac- tor in public affairs of the community and has cooperated in many move- ments which have been directly beneficial to Vincennes. He has therefore come to be known as a citizen of worth and through the long years of his residence here he has gained many friends.
He was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, November 18, 1839, a son of Joseph and Anna .(Mischel) Hack. The schools of his native country af-
EUGENE HACK
BUILDINGS OF HACK & SIMON BREWING COMPANY
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forded him his educational privileges and after putting aside his text-books he turned his attention to merchandising. In 1867 he came to the United States and entered the employ of Edward Weisert, who had previously been a resident of Wurtemburg, Germany, and was well acquainted with the Hack family. It was through his influence that Eugene Hack came to the United States, Mr. Weisert reporting favorably concerning the oppor- tunities and advantages offered in this land. After seven years spent in the service of Mr. Weisert, Mr. Hack joined Anton Simon in organizing the Hack & Simon Brewing Company which was established on the Ist of Janu- ary, 1875. They began business in a small way and the trade of the house has increased until the firm name of Hack & Simon is now widely known be- cause of the superior order of their product. They have a well equipped plant, supplied with the latest improved machinery, while every attention is paid to cleanliness as well as to composition.
While a very busy man in connection with the conduct of the brewery, Mr. Hack finds time to interest himself in public affairs relating to the welfare of the city. He served for twelve years as a member of the city council and exercised his official prerogative in support of many measures introduced for the benefit of Vincennes. For fifteen years he has been a member of the school board and the cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion. While serving as alderman he was made a mem- ber of the building committee, and to Mr. Hack more than to any other man Vincennes is indebted for the erection of the fine city hall which is certainly a most creditable public building. Moreover, it was erected at a reasonable cost, Mr. Hack financing the proposition. He gave to it the same earnest attention and watchful care that he has manifested in the control of his pri- vate business interests and as a result there was no useless expenditure of time, labor or material.
In 1873 Mr. Hack was united in marriage to Miss Dorothy Hackman, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and unto them have been born the following children: Claire, who died at the age of two years; Clarissa, now the wife of C. E. Johnson, of this city ; Julius M., who is engaged in business with his father ; Otto A., who is a graduate of Princeton College and of the New York Law School, and is now a prosperous lawyer of this city; Cecelia ; Bertha ; and Mary. The children have all been liberally educated, Mr. Hack realiz- ing the advantage and value of broad mental training as a preparation for life's practical and responsible duties.
Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a fine type of the German-American citizen, is genial and kindly in manner, charitable and generous in disposition. Those who have had business dealings with him find him reliable while those who meet him so- cially entertain for him the utmost regard. Vincennes owes much to her citizens of German birth, many of whom in the various walks of civil, business and private life have conspicuously illustrated the peculiar characteristics of their native land and have won recognition in the home of their adoption as
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broad-minded and able men. Among this number Mr. Hack occupies a praiseworthy position as a type of the foreign born citizen, fully imbued with the spirit of American institutions and thoroughly devoted to the best interests of the community with which he has long been identified.
FREDERICK SAMONIAL.
Frederick Samonial remained throughout the period of his residence in Vincennes a representative and valued citizen, his life characterized by those faculties which bring success and many friendships. He was born in Louis- ville, Kentucky, in the year 1840, a son of Frederick and Margaret Samonial. The father was a tanner and leather manufacturer of Louisville, who ranked with the prominent and progressive business men of that city. The family moved to Mount Carmel, Illinois, and Mr. Samonial established a tannery in that city, which he conducted up to the time of his death.
Frederick Samonial, whose name introduces this record, pursued his edu- cation in the public schools of Louisville and after putting aside his text- books worked with his father in the leather manufactory for a time, thus re- ceiving his initial business experience. He afterward went to Mount Car- mel, Illinois, where he assisted his father in the conduct of the tanyard, later moving to Vincennes, where he accepted a position with Frank Fay, who was engaged in the transfer business, as superintendent. Subsequently he pur- chased the business, which he conducted successfully on his own account. He afterward engaged in the coal business, which he conducted at the corner of First and Busseron streets in Vincennes, to which city he had removed about 1864. He was located there for some time and subsequently secured the location where the business is now conducted, where Main street is inter- sected by the Vandalia Railroad. He was very successful in the coal busi- ness, building up a splendid trade, his promptness, enterprise and thoroughly trustworthy methods constituting the secret of his prosperity.
In community affairs Mr. Samonial was always deeply interested and wherever possible gave his aid and cooperation to movements which he deemed essential to the public good. For two terms he was township trus- tee of Vincennes township and later was elected to the position of county commissioner of Knox county, in which office he was continued by re- election for eight years, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity and with unquestioned loyalty to the best interests of the community.
In 1872 Mr. Samonial was married to Miss Delia Quinn, a daughter of Patrick and Mary Quinn, both of whom were natives of Ireland but never left that land. Mrs. Samonial was born on the Emerald isle and came to America in 1865. By her marriage she became the mother of four children. Charles E., the only son, is now his father's successor in business. He was educated in Vincennes and after graduating from the high school became his
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father's assistant in managing and conducting the coal yard and upon him de- volved the control of the business upon the father's death. He has proved himself an enterprising business man, his capability being manifest in the large trade which is accorded him. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus and the Pastime and Harmony Clubs. Mayme, a graduate of St. Rose Academy, is at home. Margaret, who was also educated at St. Rose Academy, is the wife of Theo- dore Frank, a merchant tailor of Vincennes, and they have one child, Mary C. Helen, the youngest of the family, is the wife of Elmore Blann, a farmer of Oaktown.
While the children are all living, the family circle was broken by the hand of death on the 6th of February, 1909, when the husband and father passed away at the age of about sixty-nine. His personal qualities endeared him to those with whom he came in contact and those whom he met gave to him their friendship and warm regard.
C. L. BOYD, M. D.
Dr. C. L. Boyd, recognizing fully the obligations and responsibilities which devolve upon him in his professional capacity, discharges all duties with a sense of conscientious obligation that has made his professional work a matter of entire satisfaction to his many patrons. He is well known in Vin- cennes and throughout Knox county, where his ancestors have lived from pioneer times. He was born in Palmyra township, this county, on the 22d of October, 1877, and is of Scotch lineage. His grandfather, John T. Boyd, be- came one of the earliest settlers of this part of the state, removing with his family from Virginia and taking up his abode in Knox county when much of the land in this district was still in possession of the government and when the work of improvement and delevopment seemed scarcely begun. Among his children was Leroy Boyd, who became a farmer and stockman, owning and cultivating a good tract of land that constituted the farm upon which Dr. Boyd was born and reared. He married Volender Hornback and in order to provide for his family engaged in tilling the soil, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation.
Spending his youthful days in his parents' home, Dr. Boyd began his edu- cation in the district schools near the old farmstead and later continued his studies in the preparatory department of De Pauw University at Greencastle. He then took the regular college course and was graduated in 1899. His professional education was acquired in the New York University and Belle- vue Hospital, New York city, and broad practical experience came to him through two years' service as interne in the City Hospital of New York. He' was afterward interne in the New York Lying-In Hospital for a short period, after which he returned to his native county and settled in Vincennes,
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where he entered upon the active practice of his profession. He has made steady progress as his fellow townsmen have come to recognize his ability to cope with the involved and intricate problems that continually con- front the physician. He is very careful in the diagnosis of his cases and the excellent results which follow his professional labors show that his judgment is sound and that his methods are practical and resultant. He belongs to the local, county and state medical societies and also to the Lancet Club.
In more strictly fraternal relations Dr. Boyd is connected with the Sigma Chi and also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks and the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Royal Arch degree. He has a wide acquaintance in this the county of his nativity and his stanchest friends are among those who have known him from his boyhood to the present.
ELLIS H. TADE, M. D.
Five years ago Dr. Ellis H. Tade began the practice of his profession in Knox county. He soon gained the confidence of the people and today he enjoys a lucrative practice which is constantly growing, and is in a high degree creditable to one so recently established. He is a native of this county and comes of a family of pioneers whose name has been well known in Knox and adjoining counties from the early days of the state. He was born here, October 27, 1879, a son of Samuel T. and Louisa C. (Williams) Tade, the former of whom was born at Bruceville, Indiana, January 22, 1854, and departed this life December 1, 1896. He received his education in the public schools and continued upon the home farm until he was twenty-three years of age and then began farming for himself. Later he learned the carpenter's trade and assisted very materially in the construction of houses in the community, being a man of energetic tem- perament and good judgment in anything he undertook. Politically, he affiliated with the democratic party, and socially he held membership in the Knights of Honor and was a thorough believer in the beautiful teach- ings of that order. He accepted the Bible as the inspired word, and for many years up to the time of his death was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. The grandfather of our subject was John Tade, also a native of Knox county. He married Mary A. Small and they were. among the first settlers in the vicinity of Bruceville. Mary Small as a girl came to Knox county with her parents at a time when the country, now occupied by beautiful farms, was covered with a dense forest, and there was little evidence that it would ever become one of the most flourishing districts in the state. The Tade family has performed an important part in subduing the wilderness and reducing nature to the uses of man. In In- diana the name will ever be held in the highest esteem, recalling as it does
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the trials and privations of the pioneers through whose efforts we are able to possess the comforts and conveniences of today. There were nine chil- dren in the family of which Samuel T. Tade was a member and he was the third in order of birth. He was married in 1877, the parents of his wife being John and Mary (Dellinger) Williams, who were identified for many years with the farming interests of the county and whose home was brightened by the arrival of seven children, five of whom are now living.
Dr. Tade received his early education in the district schools of Knox county and after attending the high school of Wheatland he entered the Medico-Chirurgical College of Kansas City, Missouri, where he remained for one year. Returning to his native state, he became a student in the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis, and after a course of three years in the various branches of medicine and surgery, he was graduated in 1905, with the degree of M. D. Upon leaving college he began practice in Knox county, and by the successful application of the principles of his profes- sion he has gained a large patronage in Steen, Harrison and Palmyra town- ships, as well as in portions of the adjoining county of Daviess. He owns his home in Wheatland and possesses an interest in forty-six acres of farming land in this county.
On August 17, 1904, Dr. Tade was united in marriage to Miss Ethel P. Black, a daughter of H. C. and Mandy (Donaldson) Black, of Knox county. Two children have blessed the union, Lillian Eltruda and Helen Marguerite.
The doctor is affiliated with the democratic party, and although he has not been an anxious seeker for official honors, he is now serving as trustee of the township, having entered upon a term of four years, beginning in 1909. Socially he is connected with Wheatland Lodge, No. 292, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, and Wheatland Lodge, No. 4930, Modern Woodmen of America. He is recognized as a man of high character, thor- oughly qualified for the difficult profession in which he is engaged, and he has fairly earned the honorable position which he occupies in the esti- mation of his fellow citizens.
PETER R. MCCARTHY.
Peter R. McCarthy, universally recognized in Vincennes as one of its most popular citizens, is a native of the Emerald isle. He was born in the parish of Fackle, County Clare, on the Ioth day of March, 1849, and is a son of Michael and Bridget (O'Connors) McCarthy. The mother died when our subject was in his early boyhood, and the father came to America with his children in 1860, seeking here opportunities for him- self and family which were not available in the old country. He was an honest, industrious man, and became section foreman of the Missouri Pa-
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