USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > History of Old Vincennes and Knox County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 18
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Mr. Cunningham attended the Christian church of which his wife has been a member since the age of sixteen years. He died on the 22d of March, 1904, on the old family homestead where his birth occurred, and the prop- erty is still in possession of the family. He was then about sixty years of age and had spent his entire life upon the old home farm, which for many years had been the property of the Cunninghams. He was one of the three commissioners at the time of the building of the levee along the Wabash and faithfully performed the duties of that position. He was true to every trust given to his care, was straightforward in his business dealings and thus won uniform regard, so that his memory is still enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him.
JAMES B. ADAMS.
James B. Adams, who is known as one of the successful men of Knox county and belongs to that class recognized as self-made, who by their own energy and ability have carved for themselves a place in the world, was born at Salyersville, Kentucky, February 2, 1858, his parents being Gilbert and Mary (Cooper) Adams. The father, who was also a native of Ken- tucky, came to Harrison township, Knox county, where he lived as a farmer until his death in 1873. The mother was born in Kentucky and was married in her native state. She died in Knox county in 1864. There were eight children in the family: Celia, deceased; Preston, now a farmer of Harrison township; Taylor and Eliza Jane, both deceased; Emma, the wife of Wesley Hilderman, a farmer of Harrison township; James B., our subject ; and two children who died in infancy.
James B. Adams was educated in the common schools of Harrison township and, his father and mother both being called away while he was
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very young, he was early thrown upon his own resources and obliged to make his own way against the difficulties which are presented by contact with strangers. However, he was born with a brave heart and his courage never forsook him and the very difficulties that might have overcome others were the means by which he gained strength. From his earliest recollec- tion identified with the farming industry, he has ever since continued in the same line and about ten years ago he took up the live-stock business in connection with farming. That he has been successful in his various opera- tions is indicated by ownership of land in three different townships, Pal- myra, Steen and Harrison, all of this county. He is the owner of six acres of land in the suburbs of Monroe City and is interested in four business houses in the same place. He owns the beautiful home in which he lives, occupying as it does one-half acre of land, which has been highly improved by ornamental and shade trees, and he is also the owner of stock in the bank so that there is no danger but what he will be able in years to come to keep the wolf from the door.
On the 14th of December, 1881, Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Nettie McBride and one child, Grace, has blessed the union. She is the wife of Luther Wood, a farmer of Monroe City, and the mother of two children, Bessie and Ruth. Mr. Adams has made it a principle of his . life to concentrate his energies upon anything he undertakes, and that is one of the secrets of his success. He is recognized by his friends as a man of fine business judgment and his advice is often sought in business af- fairs. Politically he is an adherent of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to the welfare and advancement of the state and nation. Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows lodge of Mon- roe City and he can claim many friends in this organization. His estimable wife, who has proved a loving helpmeet, is a member of the Christian church. By her advice and encouragement he has been greatly assisted in his career. Their home is a center of hospitality, where friends are always assured of a cordial greeting.
CHARLES HENRY NABB.
Nearly twenty years' connection with railway service as a representa- tive of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company stands in unmistakable proof of loyalty, capability and fidelity on the part of Charles Henry Nabb, who was born near Lawrenceville, Illinois, June 24, 1816. In 1827 he ac- companied his parents, Charles Wesley and Eliza Nabb, on their removal to Mattoon, Illinois. The father was a merchant in that city where he be- came a prominent and well known citizen and attained a gratifying meas- ure of success through the conduct of his business interests.
Charles Henry Nabb was educated in Lebanon College, and on putting aside his text-books he entered his father's store, being interested in the
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business until coming to Vincennes. Here he accepted a position as book- keeper and served in that capacity until he turned his attention to railroad interests. He entered the employ of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, now the Baltimore & Ohio, when the road was opened through Vincennes in 1854, and throughout the remainder of his life was connected with that road. He was first employed as fuel agent, buying wood for the engines, then as passenger and ticket agent and later as passenger conductor. His record for honesty and kindness to those under his charge could not be excelled and he was one of the most trusted and reliable employes of the company.
Mr. Nabb was three times married and had several children but only two are now living: Charles, who wedded Mary Moore, of Louis- ville, Kentucky, and has four children, Ferry, Amelia, Estelle and Susan; and Mary Frances, who is a graduate of the University of Vincen- nes and now lives at home. The latter's mother was Mary Jane Welton Purley, who gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Nabb in 1853. She is a daughter of Ebenezer and Permelia (Parsons) Welton, who came to In- diana from Hardy county, Virginia. Her father belonged to one of the old and prominent families of that state and was a planter and a large slaveholder in the Old Dominion. Unto Charles H. and Mary J. Nabb were born six children, of whom four died in infancy, the others being : Harry, who was in the express business and died in 1901; and Mary Fran- ces. The daughter belongs to the Eastern Star, being entitled to member- ship through the fact that her father is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His life largely embodied the beneficent spirit of the order and he strongly endorsed its principles. His death occurred in 1873 when he was fifty-seven years of age and although many years have since come and gone he is still well remembered by older citizens. He was a prominent and active mem- ber of the First Methodist church for many years.
FRANK P. UTT.
There are men who achieve success in life notwithstanding the greatest obstacles. They are born with an ambition that never bows to difficulties and endowed with an energy and clear judgment that lead to certain vic- tory. Such a man is Frank P. Utt, the owner of a beautiful farm in Knox county and now serving as a member of the board of county commissioners. The story of his life should be an incentive to every young man who aspires to gain an honorable name. He was born in Knox county in July, 1868, and is a son of Alfred and Christina Utt, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The father was a pioneer of Indiana and suffered many of the hardships and inconveniences of a period of which we now have little con- ception. He was a brave and hardy man and by arduous labor acquired
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the means to purchase fifty acres of land which he cleared and upon which he lived until his death, in 1876. The mother was called away in 1875.
At eight years of age Frank P. Utt was left an orphan to fight alone his battles with the world. He had a stanch heart and, notwithstanding the difficulties that were before him, he never quailed. Nobly did he under- take to achieve his destiny. Even as a boy he hired out by the month as a farm hand and at seventeen years of age he began renting land upon his own account. He sowed no wild oats and in 1892, having by unflagging in- dustry and unfailing perseverance acquired a small capital, he purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land in Washington township, to which he later added sixty-five acres, and he is now the owner of one of the best improved farms in this part of Knox county. He not only raises cereals in abundance but he generally keeps on hand twenty-five to fifty head of cattle and fifteen to forty horses, all of good grade, and in condition to command a fair price in the market.
In 1893 Mr. Utt was united in marriage to Miss Flora Myers, a dauglı- ter of Lawson and Lavina Myers, the former of whom was a native of North Carolina and the latter of Ohio. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Utt: Ralph E., aged fifteen; Horace R., twelve years of age; and Ernest, aged six. Mr. Utt since arriving at the age of manhood has been a supporter of the democartic party and is quite promi- nent in its councils in Knox county. In the fall of 1909 he was elected county commissioner and has occupied that office since January 1, 1910. The term expires January 1, 1913, extending over a period of three years. It is one of the responsible positions in the gift of the voters of the county and Mr. Utt is discharging his duties with a fidelity that meets their warm approval. He and his family are connected with the Presbyterian church and he is a liberal contributor toward its support. Although he began as a boy under many disadvantages, he has steadily forged ahead and today is recognized in Knox county as one of its leading citizens, worthy of any honor to which he may aspire.
HENRY F. PIEPER.
Although Henry F. Pieper, of Bicknell, is a native of Germany, he fought for the Union at the time of the Civil war as bravely as any man who wore the blue and won the praise which is due to those who offered their lives in order that a free government might continue to exist. His eyes first opened to the light of day in a little village near Dapmolt, Germany, February 8, 1838, his parents being Antone and Dora (Hilker) Pieper. The father came with his family to America in 1848, at a time when many liberty- loving Germans were obliged to seek safety in foreign lands. They landed from the steamer at New Orleans and came up the Mississippi river on the
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same boat with the soldiers who were returning from the Mexican war. Mr. Pieper located on a farm in Knox county, Indiana, about halfway between Freelandville and Bicknell. Here he continued until his death which oc- curred when he was eighty-eight years of age. He was an inteligent man of many noble characteristics and served for six years in the German army in early manhood, where he observed many things which made him keenly alive to the blessings of liberty. He cast his first vote as an American citi- zen for President Pierce and was later an earnest republican. A thorough believer in the Bible, he gave his adherence to the German Evangelical church. He was a cabinet-maker in the old country and followed his trade to some extent in Knox county, although his principal energies were devoted to farm- ing. The mother was also a native of Germany and departed this life at the family home in Knox county in 1873. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pieper eight chil- dren were born: Henry F., our subject ; Conrad, who served two and one- half years in the Eightieth Indiana Infantry and is now living in Reno county, Kansas ; Herman, a farmer of Platt county, Kansas; Theodore, liv- ing on the home place; Charles, a farmer of Knox county, now deceased; and Lewis, Henry and Minnie, who died in infancy.
Henry F. Pieper attended the schools of Germany and later became a student in the district schools of Knox county. He assisted upon the home farm until October 23, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in the Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The regiment participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth and Stone River in the early part of the war and was de- tailed upon a raid in the rear of General Bragg's army, engaging the enemy at Day's Gap, Crooked Creek, Blunt's Point and Rome, Georgia. In the battle last named Mr. Pieper and a number of his comrades were captured and later sent to Belle Isle and Libby prison, being confined for fourteen days in the latter place. After being released, our subject returned to his regi- ment and took part in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. He went aboard a transport on the Mississippi river, the objective point being San Antonio, Texas, where he received his honorable discharge December 13, 1865. He was a good soldier and always responded to the call of duty. Although he was never wounded he had many narrow escapes. At one time a ball passed through his haversack, striking a package of writing paper, so that it glanced and lodged in the coat sleeve of a comrade who was standing near. At an- other time while the regiment was making a charge, the canteen of Mr. Pie- per was struck by a bullet, but the canteen being full of water, the missle was deflected and once more the life of the valiant soldier was saved. At the time of his discharge he was first ranking duty sergeant of his company, being elected sergeant in January, 1863.
Returning to Knox county after a journey of one month from San An- tonio, Mr. Pieper resumed peaceful occupations, purchasing a tract of timber land in the primeval forest of Knox county. He remembers when the only marks of the previous presence of white men in the neighborrood were those made in the trees by the axes of bee hunters. For twenty years he success-
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fully cultivated his farm, but in 1887 he came to Bicknell, having purchased a site overlooking the town, which afterward was destined to become the center of the residence portion. Here he erected a commodious residence and later platted an addition to Bicknell, thus identifying himself with the up- building of the community. Besides a large real-estate holder in Bicknell, he owns one hundred and thirty acres of land adjoining the town, which is each year increasing in value. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Bicknell, serving on its board of directors, also being an organizer and member of the board of directors of the Building & Loan Association of Bicknell.
On February 25, 1866, Mr. Pieper was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie W. Williams, who has proven to him a true and loving companion. Her par- ents were Leonard W. and Lucy ( Hooper) Williams, natives of North Caro- lina. Her father died when she was only three years old, but her mother lived to an advanced age of eighty-eight years, passing away on the 6th of December, 1898.
In politics Mr. Pieper is identified with the republican party, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln as president of the United States. Although frequently urged to do so, he has never become a candidate for public of- fice. He and his estimable wife are worthy members of the Baptist church and he is a prominent worker in the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic. He tried to perform his duty in behalf of his adopted country when he was a young inan and he has never departed from the principles of honor and integrity which he then exhibited. As a result he has attained deserved success not only financially but also in the development of a worthy character-the crowning attribute of a noble life.
JAMES H. HOAG, M. D.
Dr. James H. Hoag, the subject of this review, is a successful practitioner who has made it the business of his life to control circumstances as far as possible, to gain all the comfort that is to be had from an upright life and to endeavor to do all the good to others he could accomplish as he went along. In furtherance of this object he is now at the head of a sanitarium for the cure of patients who have yielded to the liquor or drug habit. Here he has found a field that is at once philanthropical and lucrative and that promises many years of usefulness and honor.
Our subject comes of an old New York family and was born in Greene county in 1854, a son of Henry G. and Deborah (Hawley) Hoag. The father was born near the Hudson river in New York in 1828 and engaged in farming. He settled in Michigan and was one of the valiant defenders of the stars and stripes in the Civil war, serving in the Eleventh Michigan In- fantry, known as the "Bloody Eleventh," and was honorably mustered out
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at the close of the Rebellion. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoag: James H .; Jennie, who became the wife of William Dancer, of Stock- bridge, Michigan; and Edward G., who married Nina Sweetland and has two children.
The subject of our review received his preliminary education in the pub- lic schools and having decided to enter the medical profession, he studied for a time in the medical department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and afterward entered Hahnemann Medical College, at Chicago, from which he was graduated with the title of M. D. in 1883. After leaving college he began the practice of his profession at Kingman, Kansas, and later practiced in Oxford, Indiana, and Fife Lake, Michigan, coming to Vin- cennes in 1907. In his practice Dr. Hoag has kept fully abreast with the times and has met with a success that is the result of conscientious and well directed application.
In 1901 Dr. Hoag was united in marriage to Miss Anna Seekamp, who was born in Indianapolis in 1862, a daughter of John and Sarah Seekamp and a lady of fine mental attainments who has proven to her husband a loving helpmate.
Politically Dr. Hoag is identified with the republican party and although he has not aspired to public office, he acceptably filled the position of health officer at Oxford, Indiana. He is a valuable member of the Methodist church and is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight Templar and Shriner. A man of liberal education and large experience, Dr. Hoag has social qualities that invite sympathetic companionship and he has made many friends in Vin- cennes. Devoted to his profession, he is a patriotic citizen and willingly lends his assistance to any worthy cause that will add to the happiness and useful- ness of his fellowmen. In him the medical profession has a zealous disciple who ably upholds its banner and who while advancing his own interest never does so in such a way as to injure others.
CORTES B. REEL.
Among the prosperous citizens of Knox county is Cortes B. Reel, who is the fortunate owner of a fine farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres in one of the most productive regions of the state. He is a native of this county and has passed his entire life here, having been born on the farm where he now lives October 16, 1854, his parents being Alfred and Nancy J. (Meyers) Reel. The father was born in Palmyra township, May 17, 1825, and passed his life in this county. He engaged in the grain business in Vincennes and, being a man of clear judgment, accumulated a fortune and became recognized as a strong factor in this county. He was an ardent supporter of the principles of the democratic party and while he did not
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seek political honors himself, he was always ready to assist his friends in realizing their ambition for public recognition. He departed this life July 21, 1891. The grandfather of our subject, Absalom Reel, was also a citizen of Knox county and was one of its honored pioneers. The mother was a native of this county and was called away November 5, 1869, when the subject of this review was fifteen years of age. There were eleven chil- dren in the family : Absalom and James, deceased; Anna, the wife of John Campbell, of Monroe City; Florence, of Pike county, Indiana; Cortes B., our subject; Charles, of Monroe City; William M., a farmer of Palmyra township; James, 2d, a machinist now living in San Francisco; Alfred, de- ceased; Dora, the wife of C. J. Thompson, of Vincennes; and G. L., deceased.
Educated in the common schools of the county and at Vincennes, the subject of this review grew up under the directing influence of his father, from whom he received numberless suggestions that have been of inesti- mable value to him in his business career. At the age of twenty-four years he began farming on the home place, where he now resides. The resi- dence, a handsome large brick building, was erected by his father and is one of the most convenient and attractive homes in the entire region. The farm is provided with every facility for the cultivation of the soil and the raising of good grades of live stock. Under the management of its owner, who is familiar with every detail of the work, it yields an ample income.
On April 9, 1882, Mr. Reel was united in marriage to Miss Clara West- fall, who was born in Harrison township, this county, December 14, 1861, and is a daughter of Abraham and Margaret (Barekman) Westfall. She was the oldest of ten children, the other members of the family being: Dora, the wife of John Penington, of Linton, Indiana; Laura, now Mrs. Charles Byers, of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Abraham, who is a farmer of Johnson township, this county, and is ex-sheriff of Knox county; Mar- garet, the wife of Henry Hoalt of Vincennes; an infant, deceased; Eliza- beth, the wife of Alonzo Woodward of Vincennes; Eunice, the widow of Ed Henry, who died October 28, 1910; and Perry and Archibald, both of Vincennes. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reel were born three sons and three daughters: Jesse C., attending medical college in St. Louis, who is mar- ried and has one son, Alton, now four years old; Guy A., who is married and lives in Los Angeles, California; Georgia, the wife of Roy L. Mail of Vincennes; Paul A., at home; and two daughters who died in infancy.
Politically Mr. Reel is in sympathy with the platforms and tendencies of the democratic party. He is a firm believer in the authority of the Bible and he and his estimable wife are active members of the Presby- terian church. He has never been obliged to pass through the trials of one who has been obliged to make his own way in the world unaided, but he has succeeded in holding possession of the property left by his father, increasing it largely in value. As a farmer he ranks with the best in the
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county. In all his business affairs he has displayed a sound judgment that enables him to carry forward successfully whatever he has undertaken. As an upright citizen he has no superior, and no man in Knox county is more highly respected.
JOHN G. FRISZ.
John G. Frisz is a wholesale and retail grower and shipper of vegetables, making a specialty of lettuce, in which connection he has built up an exten- sive business that has long since reached profitable proportions. He was born on January 13, 1861, and is the son of C. H., and Barbara (Drot) Frisz. The father was a native of France, and while still in that country served in the French army with the marines, acting as a gunner. He was twenty-eight years of age when he left the old world and sailed for the United States, landing at New Orleans, whence he made his way up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Madison, Indiana, and joined his family at North Vernon, Indiana, for his father, mother and brothers and sisters had previously come to the new world, locating upon a farm at North Vernon. It was upon that farm, which is still known as the Frisz homestead, that John G. Frisz of this review was born. C. H. Frisz became an engineer in a sawmill and in 1858 removed from his first location to Vincennes where he secured the position of engineer in a distillery. He was ambitious to engage in business on his own account however, and as soon as oppor- tunity offered he started out independently, establishing a bottling busi- ness which he conducted for sometime. He afterward made investment in what is known as the Old Home place in Knox county, securing at first twenty-four acres of land to which he afterward added until the farm was fifty-three acres in extent. Both he and his wife are now deceased.
John G. Frisz pursued his education in the parish schools, conducted under the auspices of the German Catholic church, but is largely a self- educated man and in the school of experience has learned many valuable lessons which have produced practical and substantial results in business life. He became connected with his father in growing and shipping vege- tables, and has since continued in this line of activity, which he has found a very profitable source of income. Particular attention is paid to the quality of vegetables raised so that his products find a ready sale on the market and command the highest prices. Mr. Frisz is making a specialty of the raising of lettuce and his shipments thereof are most extensive. He took over the business in 1898 and has since successfully managed and conducted it. He works untiringly and his diligence and determination con- stitute the basic features of a gratifying prosperity.
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