USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > History of Old Vincennes and Knox County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
36
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
numbered seven children, four daughters and three sons. The mother and one sister, Clara V., now live with Dr. Smadel in Vincennes, and two other sisters and one brother also survive.
In the public schools of his native city Dr. Smadel pursued his literary education and afterward began preparation for a professional career as a student in the medical department of the University of Louisville. He was graduated in 1896 and began practice in Vincennes, where he has continuously remained, his ability winning him a gratifying practice of large and satisfactory proportions. He holds membership in the Knox County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association and was president of the Knox County Medical Society from December, 1908, until December, 1909. He is also serving as health commissioner for Vincennes and he belongs to the Vin Lancent Club.
On the 27th of March, 1904, Dr. Smadel was married to Miss Clara S. Greene, a daughter of Edwin Greene, of Detroit. She died October 10, 1907, leaving a son, Joseph Edmund, who was born on the 10th of January of that year. Dr. Smadel belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Royal Arch degree. He has become widely and favorably known during his residence in Vincennes, covering a period of fourteen years, and as a successful practitioner and progressive citizen he has won the favorable regard of many with whom he has come in con- tact.
WILLIAM P. RITTERSKAMP.
William P. Ritterskamp, doing an extensive furniture business in Vin- cennes, his native city, where he has come to be recognized as one of the most active and progressive merchants, is now senior partner of the firm of William P. Ritterskamp & Company. The business had its beginning in 1887 and in the intervening years has been developed to large and profitable proportions owing to the correct business methods and unfalter- ing enterprise of him whose name introduces this review.
He was born March 5, 1856, a son of Peter and Julia (Storch) Ritter- skamp, the former for many years an old and respected resident of Knox county. In the public schools William P. Ritterskamp pursued his edu- cation until he had mastered the elemental branches of learning. Subse- quently he attended Vincennes University and afterward pursued a course in the Garvin & Heinley Business College at Terre Haute, Indiana. Since starting out in life on his own account he has been continually connected with commercial pursuits. After leaving school he was employed by Peter Pomil, a grocer, in the capacity of bookkeeper for seven years and later he had charge of a toll bridge for six years. During these periods
37
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
he carefully saved his earnings until his economical expenditure made it possible for him to embark in business on his own account.
In 1887, therefore, Mr. Ritterskamp, engaged in the house furnishings business in partnership with Otto G. Ritterskamp, under the firm style of W. P. Ritterskamp & Company. They began business on First street, between Main and Busseron, in a very small way with a stock worth only about one hundred and fifty dollars. But their trade grew rapidly and in a short time they removed to their present location on Main street. Mr. Ritterskamp leased the building for five years and then purchased it. From the beginning the trade has steadily grown until the house is today one of the most extensive of this character in Vincennes. A large line of furniture and house furnishings of every description is carried, the stock is thoroughly modern and reasonable prices and honorable dealing have made Mr. Ritterskamp one of the popular, respected and successful mer- chants of the city.
In 1877 Mr. Ritterskamp was married to Miss Doris Bushing, a na- tive of Hanover, Germany, who in her girlhood days came to Vincennes with her parents, Charles and Wilhelmina Bushing. Three children have been born of this marriage: Alma, who died at the age of two years; Paul, who is connected with his father in business; and Elsa. The son was married in Vincennes to Miss Elizabeth Harris, a daughter of George H. Harris, and has one daughter, Esther.
Mr. Ritterskamp has always been deeply interested in the welfare and progress of both the city and county and though he has never been an office seekers, he has been the stalwart champion of many progressive pub- lic movements. In 1910 he was appointed by Mayor McDowell a member of the board of public works and his political opinions are in accord with the principles of the democratic party. Religiously he is a member of the German Evangelical church, while fraternally he is associated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and with the Royal Arcanum. In all of its phases his life has been a commendable one, characterized by enterprise, diligence and perseverance in office, by loyalty and progres- siveness in citizenship and by faithfulness to the ties of home and friend- ship.
AUGUST G. MEISE.
August G. Meise, well known as a representative of commercial interests in Vincennes, his native city, where he is engaged in dealing in stoves and furniture, was born March 1, 1868. His father, Henry Meise, a native of Germany, came to Knox county in 1850 and for a time engaged in farm- ing but afterward put aside the plow and established his home in Vin- cennes where he turned his attention to the grocery business. He was associated with that line of trade for a number of years and then lived
.
38
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
retired, enjoying a well earned rest during the remainder of his life. He was married in Vincennes to Miss Sophie Schultze, a native of Germany, and they became the parents of a family of six sons and four daughters, of whom six are now living. The father died in the year 1900.
At the usual age August G. Meise entered the public schools and after- ward acquainted himself with the hardware business as an employe of the firm of Cross Brothers. Subsequently he was in the employ of W. P. Ritterskamp & Company, who added a hardware department to their furniture business and made Mr. Meise manager thereof. He capably controlled the business until 1895, when he embarked in commercial pur- suits on his own account, forming a partnership with Emil Rittterskamp, under the firm name of Ritterskamp & Meise. They began dealing in stoves and hardware and later added a stock of furniture. In 1899 Mr. Ritterskamp sold his interest to F. D. Sheid and in 1903 Mr. Meise pur- chased Mr. Shied's interest and has since been sole proprietor of the busi- ness which is constantly growing in volume and importance. His sales now reach a large annual figure and his careful management of his com- mercial interests ensures a continuance of the trade, for he follows meth- ods which commend him to the confidence and trust of his fellowmen.
On December 27, 1897, Mr. Meise was married to Miss Emily Loth, a na- tive of Cincinnati. They have many friends in Vincennes and Mr. Meise is a pupular member of the Masonic fraternity, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. In his political views he is a democrat, active in the work of the party, and for five years served as a member of the city council from the first ward, during which period he exercised his official prerogatives to materially further and improve the conditions of the city, seeking substantial benefit yet without the useless expenditure of the public funds. His social qualities render him a favorite in business, political and social circles.
HON. SAMUEL WARDELL WILLIAMS.
There is an old book which says, "If thou faint in adversity, thy strength is small." It requires exceptional ability to win one's way to the top in a large and intelligent community and the man who "faints" is not the one who occupies a position at the front of the battle. Samuel W. Williams, ever since his admission to the bar, more than a third of a century ago, has been found somewhere along the firing line, and in not a few instances has taken a leading place among the skirmishers whose effort it is to dislodge the enemy from a point of advantage or place of concealment. As an example of fear- lessness in attack and ability to hold his position when once taken, he stands almost unique in American politics of recent years. As a political speaker on lines of reform he has few equals, and as an organizer and worker he gained
S. W. WILLIAMS
41
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
a distinction which placed him upon the ticket of the populist as a candidate for vice president of the United States in the campaign of 1908. In his own state he has accomplished many changes in legislation which are now en- dorsed by all political parties as of substantial benefit to the great body of the people, and in all his political acts he has been guided by principles which he believes are of supreme importance to the perpetuity of the republic.
Samuel W. Williams was born at Mount Carmel, Illinois, February 7, 1851, and is the son of Fleming and Ella (Wardell) Williams, both natives of New York. Fleming Williams went with his father, Joseph Williams, to Albion, Edwards county, Illinois, when a child, the latter serving as post- master at that place for twenty-five years. In the meantime the son was edu- cated in the common schools, studied law and became a practitioner in Wa- bash county, Illinois, where for many years he continued in practice. For some years he filled the position of master in chancery. He was prominent as a lawyer and gained a reputation as a political speaker, in advocacy of the cause of the Douglas democracy. His son Samuel has inherited much of his father's ability as a public speaker. He died at Mount Carmel, Illinois, in 1880 and his wife departed this life in 1872. She was a woman of brilliant mind and high educational attainments. In the family were three children, only one of whom survives the subject of this sketch.
Samuel Wardell Williams was educated in the common schools and at a theological seminary, believing that he should enter the Presbyterian ministry. As some of the doctrines of the church did not appeal acceptably to his judg- ment, he gave up the thought of becoming a clergyman and turned his atten- tion to other channels. Before arriving at voting age he was appointed deputy county clerk of Wabash county, Illinois. This gave him opportunity to observe the proceedings of the courts and he decided to follow in the foot- steps of his father as a lawyer. In 1870 he came to Vincennes as a student in the old Rank and Heinly College. As he had become self-supporting, the necessity for funds required a temporay change of plans and he went on the road as traveling salesman for a wholesale grocery house. He continued at this occupation for two years, carrying in one hand his traveling bag and grocers' samples and in the other a satchel filled with law books. We are reminded here of an ex-Confederate artillery officer who was a law student at the opening of the Civil war ; he carried his law books in the limber of his cannon. Such men can never be permanently stopped in any undertaking within the possibility of human accomplishment ; and among such men are the names the world holds highest. Entering the office of Cauthorn & Boyle, Mr. Williams continued the study of law and was admitted to the bar Feb- ruary 12, 1874. He at once began practice in Vincennes, where he has since remained. A politician almost from his youth, Mr. Williams has through- out his entire active career taken a lively interest in political affairs, local, state or national. He made his first political speech for Horace Greeley in 1872, when the great editor was a candidate for the presidency and supported by the liberal republican and democratic parties. He has been a political
42
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
speaker ever since and his voice has been heard in nearly every state of the Union.
In 1877 Mr. Williams was appointed prosecuting attorney of Knox county and served for two years. In 1882 a wider field presented and he was elected on the democratic ticket to the state legislature, where he continued for two terms and made a record for effective service which has scarcely been duplicated in this or any other state. During his period in the general as- sembly he was the author of the first attempt in any state legislature to regu- late the charges of public utilities corporations. The act was known as the Williams law, fixing the maximum rate for telephone charges. The law was ridiculed by the system from ocean to ocean and was hotly contested in the courts but the act was finally upheld. Attempts to ignore the law led to riots in several Indiana cities. The Williams law was a pathfinder in a new field of legislation, and laws, state and national, have been based upon it. He was the author of a bill reforming the life insurance business in Indiana and the irresponsible concerns were obliged, under its provision, to withdraw from the state. He also introduced and carried through successfully a bill simplifying the practice in probate courts and greatly lessening the costs in settlement of estates. In 1884, over much opposition, he led in a move- ment which established a separate circuit court in Knox county. At the same session of the legislature he was a candidate for speaker of the house but was defeated by Hon. Charles L. Jewett. In recognition of his dis- tinguished services and of the confidence of his fellow democrats he was made chairman of the house caucus and floor leader during the session. At the close of his legislative career he was proffered an appointment as deputy attorney general of the state. This he felt compelled to decline as he desired to return to private practice.
Finding himself out of alignment with the democratic party, Mr. Will- iams severed his connection with that organization in 1884 and has since been identified with the movement which culminated in the peoples party, made up of citizens in all the states, largely in agricultural districts. He as- sisted in the organization of the peoples party in 1890 and 1892 and also in writing the celebrated Omaha platform, which has been a pivot for all re- forms since 1892. In 1904 Mr. Williams' name was presented at the con- vention as the head of the national ticket but he was defeated in the conven- tion by Thomas E. Watson of Georgia. Four years later, in 1908, he made the race with Mr. Watson at the head of the ticket and himself in second place. He has visited many parts of the country during heated political cam- paigns and his addresses have been greeted by great audiences and made many converts to reform principles. He was a personal friend and admirer of the late Henry George and in 1886 and 1887 assisted in the anti-poverty crusade, stumping the state of New York in behalf of the great agitator, who was then a candidate for secretary of state of New York. At the peoples party convention at St. Louis, in 1896, he opposed fusion with the democrats, made a bitter speech against William J. Bryan and forced the nomination of
43
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
Watson for vice president as against Sewell of Maine. On August 8, 1904, Mr. Williams delivered the speech at Cooper Union, New York, notifying Thomas E. Watson of his nomination for the presidency. It is said to have been one of the masterful efforts of a life that has witnessed many gather- ings where oratory swayed the profoundest emotions of men. Even his bit- terest opponents have confessed that the orator from Indiana has at various times discovered the weak point in their armor and never stopped his terrific pounding as long as they remained within reach. Mr. Williams never has been a disciple of the school of nonresistance. He has always wielded a broadsword or a sledge hammer and so deep are his political convictions that his life has been in an important degree molded thereby.
Mr. Williams has found time to cultivate the social amenities. For twenty years past he has filled the office of chief ranger of the Vincennes Court of Foresters. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World, the Tribe of Ben Hur and the Loyal Americans. While he is essentially a fighter, especially when his sense of justice is aroused, he is popular in the community where he has passed nearly all of his active life. This was shown in 1908 upon his return from the convention at which he was nominated for the vice presi- dency. Irrespective of party, the citizens assembled in the Vincennes Opera House and there gave to their fellow townsman a reception which for cor- diality and friendliness has never been excelled in any community. Mr. Will- iams was the organizer of the Knox County Bar Association and lawyers in all parts of the state recognize in him one of the stanchest and most faithful members of the profession. At fifty-nine years of age he is still "in the fight" and old friends and admirers declare that as long as he can be heard from a platform his voice will be raised in defense of the millions in the humbler walks of life and in defiance of every usurpation that threatens the princi- ples of liberty or the equality of opportunity, upon which the nation was founded.
HENRY VANDERBURGH SOMES.
When after years of long and earnest labor in honorable fields of busi- ness a man puts aside all cares to spend his remaining days in the quiet enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil, it is certainly a well deserved reward for his industry.
"How blest is he who crowns in shades like these A youth of labor with an age of ease"
wrote the poet and the world everywhere recognizes the justice of a season of rest following an active period of business life. Henry Van- derburgh Somes is now living retired at his pleasant home in Vincennes. and his history shows the accomplishment of well directed labor. For a number of years he was a civil engineer with the Baltimore & Ohio Rail-
44
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
road Company and at different times he has capably filled official positions, the duties of which have been most promptly and honorably discharged. Vincennes numbers him among her native sons for he was born in this city September 7, 1832, his parents being Dr. Joseph and Frances Sidney (Vanderburgh) Somes. The latter was a daughter of Henry Vander- burgh who at the age of sixteen was a lieutenant and at the age of eighteen a captain in Colonel Du Bois' regiment of Continental troops with which he served throughout the Revolutionary war. He afterward became a member of the Society of Cincinnati, composed of officers of the Ameri- can Revolution, and the certificate of his membership, signed by George Washington, president, and General Knox, secretary, is now in possession of his grandson, H. V. Somes, of this review-a cherished family heir- loom. He left the ranks of war to become prominent in shaping the his- tory of his country in civic connections, especially in the Mississippi val- ley. He was appointed the first Judge of the Northwest Territory and in this connection held court at Detroit, Michigan, Kaskaskia, Illinois, and Vincennes, Indiana, when those were the principal cities of the three states. To hold his court he had to make the trip on horseback through dense forests and over pathless prairies with Indian guides. This was long before not only the admission of the states into the Union but also before their division into territories. His death occurred about 1812.
Dr. Joseph Somes was of English birth and came to America about 1828. He had acquired his early education in his native country but after- ward attended Transylvania College at Lexington, Kentucky. For a short period he resided in Bowling Green, Kentucky, but later became a resi- dent of Vincennes. Since that time the name of Somes has figured in connection with the history of this city.
It was here that Henry Vanderburgh Somes acquired his early educa- tion, which he supplemented by study at St. Gabriels, Indiana. He after- ward continued his studies at Anderson Academy in New Albany, Indiana, and completed his school life in Bloomington. He became connected with the Ohio & Mississippi, now the Baltimore & Ohio, Railroad Company, in the department of civil engineering but afterward went to Europe, remaining abroad for a year. He went to Central America during the Walker expedition but became ill with fever and returned to the north. He afterward took up the study of law under Judge Bowman and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1861. He did not engage, however, in active prac- tice. The Civil war was then in progress and during the period of hos- tilities he held a lieutenant's commission and organized a company here, but on account of ill health he was obliged to turn the company over to another. While he could not serve at the front he did active work in charge of a government hospital, and in 1863 was called to municipal ser- vice in his election to the office of mayor, in which he served for four years. He carefully safeguarded the interests of Vincennes during that period, giving a business-like and public-spirited administration and seek-
45
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
ing ever to strictly maintain law and order during the troublous times in the latter part of the Civil war and just following the close of hostilities. Later he held numerous town offices, the duties of which he discharged with the same fidelity and trustworthiness that had marked his record as mayor. In later years he has lived retired, enjoying well earned rest at his pleasant home in Knox county.
On the 9th of February, 1864, Mr. Somes was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Bayard, a representative of the well known Bayard family of this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Somes have been born seven children : Dr. Joseph F. Somes, a practicing physician of Vincennes, who is mar- ried and has one son, Charles; Henry V., who married Bertha O'Daniel and has three children, Joseph V., Mary E. and Martha B .; Bayard, who wedded Louise C. Muth and has a son, Bayard V .; John S., who married Caroline Welton and has a daughter, Dorothy Jane; Mary Elizabeth, who is the wife of William F. Calverly and has two sons, Walter and Howard; Sidney Alice, who died at the age of sixteen years; and Charles, who has also passed away.
Mr. Somes is a member of the Catholic church and to its teachings has ever been loyal. His has been an honorable record, characterized by ability in business, by promptness and fidelity in the discharge of official duties and by loyalty at all times to honorable, manly principles. In the evening of life he is now living quietly and the esteem and good will of his fellowmen are freely extended to him.
GEORGE W. BISHOP.
George W. Bishop, who during the years of an active business life followed both farming and merchandising but is now living retired, his home being at No. 612 North Sixth street, was born on the 18th of January, 1843, near the city of Warsaw in Kosciusko county, Indiana, his parents being James H. and Mary (Roudebush) Bishop. The family has been established in Indiana from pioneer times. The father was the builder of the first house in Kosciusko county, to which place he removed from Clark county, Ohio. He became a very prominent and influential farmer of that part of the state, being justly regarded as a man of the utmost re- liability, while his sound judgment and public spirit well qualified him for the position of leadership that was accorded him. He died in 1880 and was buried at Leesburg, Indiana, near the old home farm. His wife was also laid to rest in the same place.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for George W. Bishop in his boyhood and youth. He attended the common schools and worked upon the home farm during the periods of vacation and also in the mornings and evenings attended to the chores and
46
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
aided in the cultivation of the fields when his time was not occupied with his lessons. He was about thirty-seven years of age when with his brothers he purchased the old homestead, remaining one of the owners until 1882, when he sold his interest in that place and removed just across the river into Illinois. There he made an investment in one hundred and fifty acres of land, upon which he resided for eleven years, although in the meantime he extended the boundaries of his place until it comprised two hundred and four acres. Season after season he carefully tilled the soil, and the land-naturally rich and arable-responded readily to the care and cultivation which he bestowed upon it. About 1893, however, he disposed of that property and bought two hundred and sixty acres on the White river in Harrison township, Knox county. This is all fine land, constituting one of the best farms in the county. It still remains in his possession, although he is not actively engaged in the cultivation of the fields, for he has put aside business cares and is enjoying well earned and well merited rest.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.