USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > History of Old Vincennes and Knox County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 30
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Educated in the public schools of his native land, the subject of this review early gained a thorough training in the principles which are so im- portant as a foundation for further intellectual advancement in after life. The habits of reading and study which he acquired as a boy have been carefully cultivated and he is today a man of unusual literary ability. He also possessed in his youth a laudable desire to make the best of his oppor- tunities and at fourteen years of age he bade farewell to familiar faces and scenes and started for America, landing in Baltimore, October 17, 1883. Traveling westward, he stopped at Indianapolis, where he remained for eleven years working at the tailor's trade. In 1894, still seeking to improve his financial condition, he came to Sandborn where he worked for six
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months under H. L. Renner. Having looked over the field and decided to cast his fortunes permanently with this community, he bought out the busi- ness of Wiley McGinnis, the firm name becoming Begeman & Roeder. After seven years, having in the meantime prospered handsomely, he pur- chased the general merchandise stock of William Van Meter, the firm be- coming Roeder & Ledgerwood. Two years later Mr. Ledgerwood retired and Mr. Roeder took into partnership Peter Hill, the title of the firm be- coming Roeder & Company, which still continues. The company owns a handsome store building twenty-two by eighty-eight feet in foundation area, with two rooms, and thoroughly adapted to meet the requirements of an increasing patronage. Mr. Roeder is now at the head of the largest mer- chandise business in Sandborn, the receipts of which now range from forty to fifty thusand dollars per year. It is evident that many of the fondest dreams of the German boy who landed under the stars and stripes to seek his fortune among strangers have been realized.
On the 15th of October, 1893, Mr. Roeder was united in marriage to Miss Clara M. Begeman, a daughter of August A. Begeman, a prominent farmer of Vigo township, this county. One child has blessed the home, Ruby R., now a student in the sophomore class of the high school. Mr. Roeder and his family are identified with the Methodist church in which they are active workers, and he is a member of the Tribe of Ben Hur, with which his wife is also connected. He holds membership in the blue lodge and chapter of the Masonic fraternity, the former of Sandborn and the lat- ter of Bicknell. The esteem in which he is held by his brethren is indicated by the fact that he has passed through all the chairs of the blue lodge, and it may also be stated that for sixteen years past he has filled the office of scribe in the local Ben Hur lodge, is secretary of the Knights of the Mac- cabees and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Roeder has always taken a vital interest in educational affairs and is at present serving as president of the school board. In all the relations of life he has shown an ability and fidelity that have won him the confidence and respect of the entire community.
REV. MEINRAD FLEISCHMANN.
Possessing the sterling qualities of a race ever noted for fearlessness and loyalty, Meinrad Fleischmann, a native of Lachen, Switzerland, elected to devote his life to the priesthood and since his ordination on the 21st of June, 1867, has labored earnestly, conscientiously and effectively for the upbuilding of the cause in which he so firmly believes. In 1897 he received appointment to St. John's church in Vincennes.
He was born on the Ioth of June, 1844, a son of Jacob Henry and Mari- anne Fleischmann. In 1847 his father came to the United States with the
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REV. MEINRAD FLEISCHMANN
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family, who settled first at Louisville, Kentucky, but afterward removed to Spencer county, Indiana. He died in March, 1877, at Brookville, Franklin county, and his wife passed away in September, 1876, the remains of both being interred in Brookville.
Father Fleischmann, of this review, pursued his preparation for the priesthood at St. Meinrad's College in Spencer county and took holy orders on the 21st of June, 1867, at St. Meinrad's, the ordination services being con- ducted by Bishop De Saint Palais. For a short time he was assistant priest at New Albany, Indiana, and on the 8th of December, 1868, was appointed to the pastorate of St. Michael's church of Brookville, Indiana. His brother Joseph, who died in Vincennes on the 6th of April, 1910, was his assistant in Brookville from 1874 until 1885.
Rev. Meinrad Fleischmann received appointment to St. John's church in Vincennes in 1897 and has since occupied that position in which he has been very active in promoting the work of the church in many departments, has made various improvements and has interested himself not only in the af- fairs of the parish but in affairs of general importance relative to the upbuild- ing and progress of the city. He is a cultured gentleman, popular with all creeds and particularly beloved by his own people.
SAMUEL T. REEVE.
Samuel T. Reeve, an esteemed citizen of Edwardsport, was born near Brownstown, Jackson county, Indiana, November 13, 1831, and has now passed the seventy-ninth milestone of his life. He is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Ireland) Reeve. The grandfather, also named Joseph Reeve, was of Welsh extraction. He was a sea captain and was waylaid and killed for his money within a short distance of his home in Philadelphia while re- turning from a voyage. The robbers left Captain Reeve's compass which was handed down in the family for many years as a precious heirloom. After the death of her husband Grandmother Reeve came to Ohio and later to Jackson county, Indiana. The father of our subject was born in Phila- delphia in 1808. He was a farmer and lived in Ohio and at various points in Indiana, finally settling at Edwardsport in 1865, where he continued until his death, which occurred January 31, 1887. Politically he was a supporter of the democratic party until the war, but from that time he was an ardent republican and was always proud of the fact that he voted for General Grant for president of the United States. He was a firm believer in the Bible and for many years was an active worker in the Missionary Baptist church. The mother of our subject was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1810, and died February 3, 1863. There were eleven children in the family, six of whom grew to maturity : Samuel T., our subject; David, Louisa, Eliza- beth, Sarah and Lydia, all of whom are deceased. Joseph Reeve, the father,
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was a second time married, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth Ire- land, and of this union one child was born, Florence, the wife of Alex- ander Boyer, of Edwardsport.
Educated in the public schools, Samuel T. Reeve early became connected with farming interests and continued in this work without interruption until July 15, 1862, when he enlisted in Company C. Eightieth Indiana Regiment, to fight for the Union. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Resaca, Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville, and in many minor engagements of the Army of the West, performing his duties in such a way as to meet the warmest approval of the officers of his company. In September, 1863, he was commissioned duty sergeant and later was made orderly sergeant. Dur- ing the Atlanta campaign, the weather being extremely hot, he suffered from sunstroke, and his health has ever since been affected by this cause. On June 6, 1865, he was honorably discharged at Camp Dennison, Ohio, and, re- turning home, he began farming, but on account of his affliction he was obliged to give up that occupation and, settling in Edwardsport, he began business in March, 1867, as a cabinet-maker and undertaker with Ewald Villwock and in 1877 he became sole proprietor of the establishment in which he has ever since continued, being now one of the oldest business men in Knox county. He handles a large and select stock of furniture and house fixtures and has attained deserved success in his calling.
On the 29th day of October, 1854, Mr. Reeve was united in marriage to Miss Hulda Hargis, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Hargis, of Ed- wardsport. Three children were born of this union: William S., now in the rug machine business at Indianapolis ; Effie H., the wife of Charles Sen- sabaugh, of Bartow, Florida; and Joseph L., deceased. Mrs. Reeve having departed this life June 4, 1877, our subject was again married February 29, 1879, to Miss Anna Worth Johnson, a daughter of Jacob and Matilda Johnson. She was born in Illinois in December, 1848. Nine children have come to brighten the household of Mr. and Mrs. Reeve: Isaac and Alberta, deceased; Hulda, the wife of Charles Cochran, who is associated in busi- ness with the subject of this review ; Louisa, the wife of Albert Mabes, who is in the hardware business at Edwardsport; Birdie, the wife of Ernest Killion, a banker, of Plainville, Indiana; Samuel T., Jr., of Edwardsport; David F., also of Edwardsport; Glenn and Maude R., at home.
Mr. Reeve and his family make their home in one of the most commo- dious residences in Edwardsport. He also owns sixteen lots in the town and fifteen acres adjoining and is the owner of the building in which his busi- ness is carried on. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the Re- public and also of the Baptist Missionary church, to which the entire fam- ily belongs. His sons hold membership in the Masonic order and his daugh- ters and Mrs. Reeve are members of the order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Reeve has never sought public office, but he served for eight years as trustee of the township, declining at the end of that time to accept the po- sition any longer. He has all his life been active and energetic and has at-
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'tained the success in his business affairs to which he is entitled on account of the excellent judgment herein displayed. No less successful has he been as the head of a large family and he possesses in an eminent degree the love of his children and the respect of all with whom he is associated.
CHARLES A. PHILLIPPE.
The name Phillippe is well known in Knox county and no member of the family has attracted in a higher degree the respect of his fellowmen than Charles A. Phillippe, an active business man of Bicknell. He was born near Bicknell, on the 29th of January, 1871, and is a son of John and Catherine (Thompson) Phillippe. The father is also a native of Knox county and a son of Peter and Mary (Fox) Phillippe, the former of whom was born in Wythe county, Virginia. John Phillippe is now living retired near Bicknell, the faithful wife and mother having been called to her re- ward in 1897. There were six children in the family: Adam, now living on a farm near Vincennes; Charles A., our subject; Edgar, in the furniture and undertaking business at Bicknell; Maude, the wife of Dal Vaught, liv- ing on the home place; Robert, a farmer of Knox county; and James C., a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Charles A. Phillippe received his early education in the public schools, later attending the State Normal School and the old university at Vin- cennes. He also spent two years at the Indiana university in Bloomington. He taught school for seven years, being superintendent of the Bicknell schools for three years, but ten years ago retired from that vocation and entered the grain business at Bicknell, now owning a mammoth elevator and auxiliary buildings in central Bicknell, surrounded by four lots. He has attained great success in his business and is one of the most extensive grain dealers in Knox county. He is also identified with the farming in- terests and is one-half owner in two hundred and twenty-five acres of land near Bicknell and the sole owner of fifty acres adjoining the corporation. He has assisted greatly in promoting the growth of the town, laying out the Ball Park addition, and is the owner of half interest in fifty lots in that tract.
In 1907 Mr. Phillippe was united in marriage to Miss Frances Adelia Scudder, who is a daughter of Jacob Scudder, of Edwardsport, this county, and is one of the estimable ladies of Bicknell, always assisting to the ex- tent of her ability in forwarding every worthy movement. Mr. Phillippe is a member of the Methodist church, while his wife is affiliated with the Christian church, and they are both liberal contributors to religious work. Politically Mr. Phillippe is in sympathy with the democratic party and fraternally he is identified with the blue lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic order. He is now serving as high priest of the chapter at
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Bicknell. He is recognized as a man of keen foresight and good judgment -a man who has a large measure of business sagacity and perseverance- two elements that contribute greatly to business success. The honorable position which he has attained is due to his own efforts and, therefore, he may truly be called a self-made man.
AUGUST A. BEGEMAN.
August A. Begeman, now living retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest after many years of earnest and successful labor, is of Teu- tonic ancestry and was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, March 29, 1836. He is a son of Herman H. and Louisa (Freitag) Begeman. The father of our subject held a government position in Germany and was identified with the farming interests. He came to this country in 1848, seeking more favorable conditions for his children, and located in this county just across the valley from the home of our subject in Vigo township. Here he lived until his death, which occurred in 1852. The mother was called away in September, 1863. Of their children all are deceased except the subject of this review, their names being William, Henry, Herman, John C., Carl, August A., Ernest, Louisa, Sophia and Helen.
August A. Begeman crossed the ocean in an old sailing vessel, which required eight weeks and three days for the voyage, now accomplished in five or six days. He was then in his boyhood and many of the scenes of this eventful trip made an impression which has remained vividly through life. Landing at New Orleans, the travelers came by water to Evansville, this part of the journey requiring seven days. Although a mere lad, our subject began to work in earnest immediately after arriving at his new home and he had very limited advantages of education, attending the dis- trict school only three months. However, he applied himself industriously during evenings at home and learned to read and write in both the English and German languages. Through life he has been a close student and ob- server and he is known as a well read man. He began for himself as a farmer by purchasing forty acres of swamp land and during the first win- ter he made six thousand rails, which he sold at fifty cents per hundred, turning out a like amount during the winter following, so that he eventu- ally was able to pay for the land. In the course of years he accumulated about three hundred acres and cleared off three different farms. He sold a goodly portion of his land and is now the owner of ninety acres, upon which there stands a comfortable dwelling and other modern improve- ments. He also owns real estate in Sandborn, and two or three business buildings, and is a stockholder in the Sandborn Bank, of which he was a charter member. When the railroad was being built through this region he was made foreman of thirty-seven men and also was appointed to re-
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ceive timber for the road and make out pay rolls, being virtually in charge of the construction of the line between Sandborn and Westphalia. At one time he was appointed by the county commissioners to replat Vigo town- ship, the taxpayers having got the plat mixed up. He succeeded in straightening out the tangle to the satisfaction of everybody concerned and in business affairs generally has always shown an ability that reflected upon him the highest credit.
Mr. Begeman has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Anna Sedlemeier. One child was born to this union, Clara S., now the wife of Lawrence Roeder, of Sandborn, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Begeman having been called away in 1874, our subject was again married in 1894 to Miss Alice Carroll, who has proved to him a faithful and loving companion. Politically Mr. Begeman affiliates with the democratic party, whose principles he heartily endorses. Although he has not been a seeker for public office, he has filled the positions of asses- sor of Vigo township and deputy sheriff of Knox county with great accept- ance to the people. Socially he holds membership in Sandborn lodge, I. O .. O. F., and in the encampment, having passed through the chairs of this or- ganization. In all the relations of life, public and private, he has shown an integrity and trustworthiness that have justly placed him among the honored citizens of Knox county.
A. L. BROCKSMITH.
A. L. Brocksmith is one of Bicknell's most influential and prosperous citizens. His birth occurred near Freelandville, Knox county, Indiana, on the 5th of November, 1859, his parents being Henry and Henrietta (Drei- man) Brocksmith. A sketch of the father appears on another page of this work. A. L. Brocksmith attended both the German and English schools in his youthful years and subsequently spent four years in travel, covering about a thousand miles a year. He then settled in Freelandville and was engaged in the saloon business for three and a half years, on the expira- tion of which period he traded his establishment for a farm in the southern part of Knox county.
Two years later he came to Bicknell and here embarked in general mer- chandising, successfully conducting a store of that character for thirteen years. At the end of that time he took over the management of the Linn Coal Company, having a controlling interest therein. Five years ago he organized the Bicknell Light & Power Company, lighting the streets two years before the town was incorporated. He was also one of the organizers of the Bicknell Building & Loan Association and one of its directors. He is an extensive real-estate owner, having a number of lots and buildings in Bicknell as well as property holdings elsewhere. He not only became
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manager of the Linn Coal Company but was the man who developed the mine nine years ago. It has a capacity of from five to six hundred tons per day and from ninety to one hundred men are employed in its operation. Mr. Brocksmith again manifested his progressive spirit by installing the first direct connected dynamo for cutting coal in the state. He well merits the proud American title of a self-made man, for his present prosperity is attributable entirely to his own efforts, splendid executive ability, untiring perseverance and pluck.
In 1887 Mr. Brocksmith was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Robbins, by whom he has six children, as follows: Eva, the wife of Clarence Wamp- ler ; Chester, Rachel, Steen, Robert and Charles, all at home.
In politics Mr. Brocksmith is an independent democrat, while fratern- ally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Christian church. He possesses many of the strong characteristics of his Teutonic ancestry, especially that spirit of determination which enables him to unfalteringly pursue a course that he has marked out until it reaches its culmination in success. Knox county has always been his home and he has many friends within its borders.
CHARLES W. COCHRAN.
Charles W. Cochran is one of the younger business men of Edwards- port, who has attained an honorable place in the estimation of the com- munity. He was born at Freelandville, Knox county, October 7, 1880, and is a son of Michael R. and Eliza Jane (Winkler) Cochran. The father was born in Indiana and has devoted his entire life to farming. The mother is a native of Knox county. There were two children in the fam- ily: Charles W .; and George N., who is a harness maker of Sandborn, Indiana.
The subject of this review was educated at Freelandville and also at the State Normal College of Terre Haute, Indiana, spending three terms in the preparation for teaching. After leaving the college he taught for three years in the common schools and at twenty-two years of age, having decided to change his occupation, he became identified with harness mak- ing, the furniture business and embalming. In the meantime he had taken unto himself a wife and they both attended the Cincinnati School of Em- balming and both hold state licenses as embalmers, their services often being called for throughout a wide region surrounding Edwardsport.
On the 10th of April, 1902, Mr. Cochran was united in marriage to Miss Hulda R. Reeve, and to this union one child, Ruth, was born May 16, 1904. Politically Mr. Cochran is in sympathy with the principles and can- didates of the republican party. Fraternally he is identified with the Ma- sonic order and now holds the office of junior warden in the local lodge. He
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is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the en- campment, and he and his wife are connected with the Order of the East- ern Star, of which he is worthy patron, and the Rebekahs. Mr. Cochran has been largely blessed in his marriage, as his wife is a woman of ex- cellent judgment and has been of the greatest assistance to him in all the interests in which he is associated. They have many friends in Edwards- port and vicinity, whom they have attracted by qualities of usefulness and unselfishness that seldom fail to meet deserved recognition.
HENRY BROCKSMITH.
Henry Brocksmith, who has lived retired at Bicknell since the fall of 1902, was formerly actively and successfully identified with the agricul- tural and mercantile interests of Knox county. His birth occurred in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, on the 6th of December, 1833, his parents be- ing Lewis and Wilhelmina ( Fricke) Brocksmith, who were born, reared and married in that country. In 1848 the father crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Freelandville, Knox county, Indiana, which was then all covered with timber. He purchased land from the government and prepared it for cultivation, carrying on general agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest in 1883. The period of his residence in this county covered more than a third of a century and he gained an extensive ac- quaintance within its borders. His wife passed away in Knox county in 1874. Their children were three in number, namely: Lewis and Louise, who are deceased; and Henry, of this review.
The last named, who obtained his education in the schools of the father- land, accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. Dur- ing the early period of the family's residence in this county the trustees of Widner township rented a large smokehouse belonging to Lewis Brock- smith and conducted a free school therein for six weeks. When twenty- five years of age Henry Brocksmith was married and began farming the old homestead place independently, continuing to reside thereon until 1869. He then disposed of the property and embarked in business as a general merchant of Freelandville, conducting the enterprise for five years. On the expiration of that period he once more became identified with farming interests and was actively engaged in the work of the fields until the fall of 1902, when he came to Bicknell, here erecting one of the most beautiful residences that the town boasts. He also owns another commodious resi- dence and is widely recognized as one of the substantial and respected residents of the community.
In 1859 Mr. Brocksmith was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Drei- man, by whom he has eight children, as follows: August L., who is one of the leading coal operators in Knox county ; Henry F., who follows farm-
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ing near Vincennes ; Louisa, at home; Lena, the wife of Henry Shookman; Otto, an electrician of Linton, Indiana; Lewis, who is a merchant; Edith, the wife of John Linn, of Bicknell, Indiana; and Frank, who is likewise engaged in merchandising.
In politics Mr. Brocksmith is independent, supporting men and meas- ures rather than party. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Brethren church. He has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey and receives the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pil- grimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable. For more than six decades he has made his home in Knox county and is there- fore largely familiar with its annals from pioneer times down to the present.
JOHN KROGGEL.
The United States owes a great deal to Germany on account of the many sturdy sons and daughters of the fatherland who have crossed the ocean and established prosperous homes under the favoring influences of the American republic. Among the number should be named John Kroggel, now engaged in the mercantile business at Westphalia, Knox county. He was born in the northern part of Germany, February 3, 1866, and is a son of John and Minnie (Ruedneck) Kroggel. The father came to this coun- try and spent the last seventeen years of his life. He was twice married. three children being the result of the first union, all of whom are still living in the old country. By his second marriage there were two chil- dren : John, our subject, and Herman, a farmer living near Sandborn. The mother was also married twice, her first husband being a Mr. Albright, by whom she had two children: Fred, a resident of Mississippi; and Wil- liam, now living in Widner township, Knox county. The mother is still living and makes her home with our subject.
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