History of Posey County, Indiana, Part 20

Author: Leffel, John C., b. 1850. cn
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : Standard Publ. Co.
Number of Pages: 456


USA > Indiana > Posey County > History of Posey County, Indiana > Part 20


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In the spring of 1880 the people of Robb township voted the sum of $13,199 to aid the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville railway to build through the township, and the following year the amount of $16,000 was voted by New Harmony for a branch to that point. This road is now a part of the Illinois Central system. This completed the building of rail- roads in the county until the electric lines were built for the accommo- dation of those traveling short distances. Posey county is as well sup- plied with railroad facilities as any in the State. A drive of a very few miles from any farm in the county is required to reach a railroad market.


442


CENTRAL SCHOOL BUILDING Mt. Vernon


CHAPTER XIII.


MANUFACTURING AND COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES.


THEIR ORGANIZATION-DEVELOPMENT-OFFICERS AND PRODUCTS.


Keck-Gonnerman Company, the most important manufacturing enter- prise in Posey county, is the outgrowth of a small foundry business established in Mt. Vernon in 1873 by John C. and Winfield Woody. John Keck, president of the present organization, entered the business in 1877, purchasing the interest of Winfield Woody, who had recently died. The firm name then became Woody & Keck. Mr. John C. Woody retired from active labor in the business in 1880, owing to ill- ness ; the plant being managed by Mr. Keck until 1883, when John Onk, of Louisville, Ky., bought the Woody interest and the firm style became Keck & Onk. Preparations were made to engage in the manufacture of hollow ware, but not completed, Mr. Onk returning to Louisville and Messrs. William Gonnerman and Henry Kuebler secured each a one- third interest and the firm name was changed to Keck, Gonnerman & Company. Mr. Louis H. Keck entered the firm in 1885, purchasing the Kuebler interest. In 1901 the business was incorporated as the Keck- Gonnerman Company, with an authorized capital of $201,000, and the following officers elected : John Keck, president; William Gonnerman, vice-president; Louis H. Keck, secretary and treasurer, all of whom are still serving. In 1884 the firm began the manufacture of engines, threshers and portable saw mills and in 1904 added coal mining ma- chinery to the line. The business has enjoyed a steady and satisfactory growth, its products are recognized as of the highest standard, are marketed throughout the United States, while the officers are among the successful men of southwestern Indiana. The plant, situated in Mt. Vernon, covers about ten acres of ground, represents an investment of $250,000, and its equipment is modern. It distributes annually $150,000 in wages and employs over 200 hands-the largest pay roll in Mt. Ver- non. Eighty-five per cent. of the employes are skilled workmen, many of them own their own homes and are valued citizens of Mt. Vernon. In the operation of the business of the company Mr. John Keck man- ages the sales and buying departments, Mr. William Gonnerman the manufacturing department, and Mr. Louis H. Keck has charge of the finances and office.


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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY


Mt. Vernon Straw Board Company. The plant of this corporation is located in the western part of the city of Mt. Vernon and ranks second in importance from a pay roll standpoint among the manufacturing industries of Posey county. The organizers of the company were John M., Ferd A. and Joseph Funke, H. M. French and Frank Endress, all of Evansville, Ind., and the incorporation was effected in 1904. Its capital is $150,000, and its officers are John M. Funke, Evansville, president and treasurer; Ferd A. Funke, Mt. Vernon, vice-president and general manager; Joseph Funke, Mt. Vernon, secretary. Construction of the plant was begun in 1903 and completed the following year. The build- ings and ground used for the piling of raw materials cover an area of twenty-one acres. It is one of the best built and equipped plants devoted to the manufacture of straw board in the United States and represents an investment of $300,000. Employment is given to eighty hands, fifty per cent. of whom are skilled workmen who receive a wage totaling $50,000 per annum. Since its establishment in 1904 the plant has con- sumed 25,000 tons of straw per annum and of this amount one-half has been purchased from the farmers of Posey county, who have received for their straw an average of $125,000 yearly. Previous to the erection of this plant this was a waste material, usually destroyed by fire. In order to insure continuous operation of the plant, should there occur a shortage in straw, the company in 1913 began the manufacture of container board, made largely from old paper. This product is used in making shipping cases of all descriptions. The plant has averaged an annual output of 15,000 tons of straw board, which has been marketed through the Graham Paper Company, of St. Louis, Mo., its sales agents. The business of this company has been one of continuous and healthy growth, its products of the highest standard of quality, and as a factor in the development of Mt: Vernon, it is second to none. Personal men- tion of Ferd A. Funke, to whose management the success of this enter- prise is largely due, will be found in the biographical section of this work.


American Hominy Company, Plant F, Mt. Vernon. This business was established in 1877 by Cooper, Hudnut & Warder and later incor- porated as The Hudnut Company. The original mill, erected in 1877, was destroyed by fire in 1893 and the present one was completed in 1894. It is considered one of the best equipped plants of its kind in the United States. On the organization of the American Hominy Company in 1901 the business of The Hudnut Company was one of those included in the merger; Theodore Hudnut and R. G. Jenks, his associate in business, having been active in the formation of the new organization. This mill is the most important factor in a cereal consuming way in Posey county. Over 1,000,000 bushels of corn are ground each year, fully half of which is raised in the county. The company pay out in


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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY


wages $20,000 annually and in addition disburse from $12,000 to $15,000 each year among residents of Mt. Vernon for freighting and hauling grain. They own and operate elevators at Upton and McGarvey, Ind., and Maunee, Ill., have buying stations at Epworth and Springfield and at the following river landings: Whitmans, Hagermans, Club House, Cottonwood Point, and Conlins. The plant is under the management of George H. Wilson, a native of Posey county, well and favorably known in connection with official affairs for many years.


Fuhrer-Ford Milling Company, one of the successful milling enter- prises of southwestern Indiana, was organized and incorporated in 1904 with a capital of $45,000. The flouring mill of the company is located in Mt. Vernon, has a daily capacity of 500 barrels, and is considered one of the best modern mills of the State. Their flour brands are "Dictator," "Monarch," "Senator," "Emperor," "Grace Darling" salt rising and "Sure" salt rising. The output is marketed principally in the Southeastern States. The company are also extensive grain dealers and operate eleva- tors at Springfield, Wadesville, Wilsons and Olivers on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railway and at Epworth, Caborns, New Haven and West Franklin on the Louisville & Nashville. Their plant and equip- ment represents an investment of over $100,000, they employ thirty-five hands and disburse in wages over $20,000 annually. They buy largely in Posey county and have elevator capacity of 450,000 bushels of wheat and 400,000 bushels of corn. The officers are: President, William C. Fuhrer, Mt. Vernon; vice-president, William M. Ford, New Harmony ; secretary, treasurer and manager, Eugene H. Fuhrer, Mt. Vernon. These officers and A. C. Thomas and J. N. Whitehead, of New Harmony, constitute the board of directors, personal mention of whom appears in the biographical section of this work.


Home Mill & Grain Company, Mt. Vernon, one of the successful milling and grain enterprises of Southwestern Indiana, was established in 1900. The original capital was $30,000, which was increased in 1904 to $50,000, to which has been added a surplus of $50,000. The company owns and operates elevators at Upton, Solitude, Olivers and Wadesville, Ind. The plant represents an investment of $70,000, has a capacity of 500 barrels of flour and 2,500 bushels of corn daily, consumes annually 400,000 bushels of wheat, 200,000 bushels of corn, employs twenty hands and pays out in wages over $17,000 yearly. Its flour brands are "Azile," "Nonesuch," "Home," "U-Knead-It," "Mt. Vernon," "Indiana," "Home Made," "New Life," self-rising, and "Buster Brown," self-rising. Its products are sold principally in the Southeastern States. Its officers are: President, Edward E. Highman; vice-president, Louis H. Keck; secretary and treasurer, Charles T. Johnson.


Sunlight Milling Company, Mt. Vernon, incorporated in 1902 with a capital of $35,000. The mill of this company has a daily capacity of 250


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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY


barrels of flour and consumes annually 150,000 bushels of wheat. Its flour brands are "Sunlight," "Best," "Sifted Snow," "Mascot," "Peach," "Belle of Mt. Vernon," "Ready," self-rising, and "Sunlight," self-rising. The officers of the company are: President and treasurer, Charles T. Johnson; secretary, Louis H. Keck; general manager, Charles T. John- son, Jr. Over $8,000 is paid out annually in wages.


William Frier, cigar manufacturer, Mt. Vernon. This enterprise is one of the important factors in the manufacturing life of Posey county and especially to the city of Mt. Vernon, where it disburses annually in wages over $15,000, while its output of more than one million cigars per year are daily advertisements throughout southern Indiana and Illinois of the metropolis .of the county. The business was established in 1897 by William Frier and Frank Kahn, who constituted the original working force. Mr. Kahn retired in 1898 and the original business style -Mt. Vernon Cigar Company-was changed to its present reading. Under the ownership and management of Mr. Frier the business has had a steady growth, its products have become popular over a large territory and at the present writing, 1913, the sales total over one mil- lion cigars per annum. The trade brands of the factory are : "Highlife," "Gento," "King," the five-cent line, and "Quality" and "San Zeno" in the ten-cent line. Employment is given to thirty workmen and over $15,000 dollars is paid out each year in wages. The factory equipment represents an investment of $15,000. Mr. Frier and two others consti- tute the sales force, about seventy-five per cent. of the output being marketed by the owner. Personal mention of Mr. Frier appears in the biographical section of this work.


Whitmore Handle Company, the latest addition to the manufacturing enterprises of Mt. Vernon, was incorporated in 1912, has a capital of $5,000 and its business has been steadily growing since its establish- ment in Mt. Vernon. The officers of the company, W. E. Whitmore, president, and Jay M. Whitmore, secretary and treasurer, operated at Danville, Ill., a similar enterprise for some twenty years previous to their coming to Posey county. The credit for securing this plant as an added industry to Mt. Vernon rests with the Commercial Club and it is proving to be a most successful organization. The company man- ufactures handles of all kinds. Their output is sold throughout the Central States and is recognized by the trade and consumer, as well, to be of the highest standard as to material and workmanship. Ash and hickory are used exclusively and this raw material is purchased prin- cipally in Posey county, a part coming from nearby points in Illinois and Kentucky. Practically every dollar paid for raw material is ex- pended by the timber sellers among the merchants of Mt. Vernon. The plant is in continuous operation and over $10,000 was paid out in wages during its first year. The ·Whitmores are men of proven experi-


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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY


ence in this line of endeavor and their plant is a valuable factor in the activities of the county.


Industrial Brick Company, Mt. Vernon. The establishment of this enterprise dates from 1903, when the company was organized and incor- porated with a capital of $6,000. Its officers are: President, William Gonnerman ; secretary and treasurer, Louis A. Keck; and A. R. Cook, manager. At this writing, 1913, the plant represents an investment of $30,000, gives employment to twenty-five hands, pays out in wages annually over $10,000, and its output is about two millions of brick per annum. Its property includes twenty-one acres of land, building for housing equipment and stock, and work animals and wagons for haul- ing its products. Its trade territory is principally in southern Illinois.


John Moeller, manufacturer of cooperage, Mt. Vernon. Business es- tablished in 1864. The plant gives employment to fifteen hands, pays out in wages annually about $10,000, and represents an investment of $15,000. Its products are disposed of in the city of Mt. Vernon. The business was under the management of its founder, John Moeller, until 1905, when he retired, since which time his son, William G. Moeller, has been in charge. The buildings cover 140X140 feet of land situated along the Louisville & Nashville railway tracks, and are well equipped for the manufacture of cooperage products.


Consumers Ice & Cold Storage Company, Mt. Vernon. This enter- prise was organized and incorporated in 1901. Its promoters were the late August Scheiber, Theodore Raben and Allyn B. Hart. Its original stockholders included some twenty of the successful business men of Mt. Vernon and its original capital was $25,000. This amount being found in excess of the sum needed to engage in the manufacture of ice, the capital was reduced to $10,000. The first officers of the company were : President, August Scheiber ; vice-president, John Forthoffer; secretary, Theodore Raben; treasurer and general manager, Allyn B. Hart. The company purchased the plant of Lee Wolf, situated in the western part of the city, and its first output was manufactured in the spring of 1901. The original plant, built of wood and equipped with old style machinery, has been entirely replaced by modern buildings built of brick, and new equipment of the highest standard installed. It is considered a model plant by those in the trade and insures the manufacture of the highest grade of products. Its capacity is fifteen tons of ice per day. The plant has a storage capacity of three hundred and fifty tons. Over $5,000 is paid in wages annually; its employes numbering twelve to fifteen men during the season, which covers about eight months. It is prob- able that there is not a business enterprise within the county which is conducted upon a closer margin of profit. Profits from sales to the small consumer have not averaged over five cents per hundred pounds, as from eight to ten stops are made by the delivery wagons in selling this amount. Since the establishing of the business the average profits


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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY


per ton have not exceeded one dollar. The officers of the company at this writing, 1913, are: Theodore Raben, president; Louis Brettner, vice-president ; Allyn B. Hart, secretary, treasurer and general manager, personal mention of whom appears in the biographical section of this work.


Henry Brinkmann, tile manufacturing plant, Mt. Vernon. The busi- ness was founded by Mr. Brinkmann in 1875 and since its establishment its products have been marketed in the vicinity of Mt. Vernon. The plant'is situated in the northeastern part of the city and represents an investment of about $7,000. Employment is given to six hands and $2,000 is paid in wages per annum. There is an abundant supply of clay on the twenty-five acres of land owned by Mr. Brinkmann, on which the plant is situated. The general use of its products, within the territory adjacent to Mt. Vernon, is proof of their high standard of quality. Since its establishment the business has been under the per- sonal management of Mr. Brinkmann, who, though in his eighty-eighth year, seldom allows a day to pass without visiting the works. Personal mention of Mr. Brinkmann, the nestor of Posey county's business men, appears in the biographical section of this work.


John Forthoffer, manufacturer of carbonated beverages, Mt. Vernon. The business was established by Mr. Forthoffer in 1883, and since its founding has been under the sole management of its owner. Within a trade territory which does not extend beyond a thirty-mile circle from Mt. Vernon he has built up a demand for his products which requires a factory output of 10,000 cases per annum. His products have always been of a high standard as to quality and the plant is one of those which are helping to make Mt. Vernon known in a manufacturing way. Two thousand dollars is distributed in wages annually. The factory em- ploys six hands during the season.


W. A. McGregor & Company, planing mill, Mt. Vernon. This mill does a general jobbing business, is well equipped, and has been operated by the present owner, William A. McGregor, since 1909. The plant rep- resents an investment of $20,000, offers employment to six hands, and pays out in wages $3,500 per year.


Poseyville Milling Company, flour manufacturers and merchant mil- lers, Poseyville. Incorporated in June, 1908, with a capital of $25,000. President, M. T. Dilger; vice-president, Joseph F. Schaefer ; secretary, treasurer and manager, Joseph L. Shafer. Plant is modern. Has a capacity of seventy-five barrels of flour per day. The company also operates a coal yard in connection with their milling business. The Poseyville Light and Power Company, incorporated in May, 1908, with a capital of $10,000, and having the same officers as the milling company, is operated jointly with the mill, the same building housing both. The joint plant represents an investment of $25,000, gives employment to six hands and about $4,000 is paid annually in wages.


CHAPTER XIV.


BANKS AND BANKING.


PIONEER BANKS- -LATER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS-THEIR ORGANIZATION, CAPITALIZATION AND OFFICERS.


The first bank to open for business in Posey county was established in 1854. It was a private enterprise founded by George E. Booker and A. S. Curtis and was conducted by them until 1857, when they disposed of their interests to William J. Lowery, Richard Barter, John A. Mann, Seth M. Leavenworth and Nelson G. Nettleton. During the '30s an attempt was made by G. S. Green, member of the legislature from Posey county, to establish a branch of the State Bank in the city of Mt. Ver- non, which was a failure and due to the lack of enterprise and fore- sight on the part of the substantial citizens. Evansville, which secured the prize, enjoyed a rapid growth after its establishment and secured a prestige which has enabled her to dwarf the development of Mt. Vernon. Seth M. Leavenworth and his associates took over the Curtis bank in 1857. Their published capital was $14,000. They did a general banking business, issued a limited quantity of bank's bills, and developed a suc- cessful and profitable enterprise. In the previous year, 1856, Enoch R. De Witt, Charles and Lawrence James founded the "Exchange Bank," with a capital of $15,000. They transacted a general banking business, issuing shinplasters, and remained in operation until 1863, when they retired. On the enactment of the national banking act in 1863, applica- tion was made by John G. Gardiner, Seth M. Leavenworth and associates for a charter to operate a national bank, which was granted, the title of the institution being "The First National Bank of Mt. Vernon, In- diana." The next enterprise was that of the Mt. Vernon Banking Com- pany, established as a private bank in 1867 by Seth M. Leavenworth, Joseph F. Wellborn, Edward T. Sullivan and Charles A. Parke. On Au- gust 27, 1883, the International Bank of Mt. Vernon was established. Its promoters were John B. Gardiner, Charles F. Leonard and Mark F. Leonard. In 1877 the New Harmony Banking Company, a private insti- tution, was established by the Owens, Horace P. Owen being the first cashier. Poseyville was the third town to enjoy banking facilities, a private bank being established there in 1884 by Virgil P. Bozeman and


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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY


George J. Waters. The Cynthiana Banking Company, a private insti- tution, was established in 1899 by Frank and Z. T. Emmerson. Wades- ville was the last town in the county in which a bank has been organ- ized, the Farmers National Bank of Wadesville having been granted a charter in 1907. The history of Posey county's financial institutions is creditable to those who have filled administrative positions, the various directorates have been composed of the most successful men the county has produced, and the policy of the various executives has been to fos- ter development, in so far as sound banking would permit, of manufac- turing and commercial enterprises. A brief review of the institutions now doing business in the county follows :


The First National Bank of Mt. Vernon, charter No. 366, was organ- ized and began business in 1863, its original capital being $50,000, which was increased in 1865 to $100,000. John B. Gardiner was its first presi- dent and Seth M. Leavenworth its first cashier. Its stock was held by the following, viz .: John M. Lockwood, Milton Black, Richard Barter, M. A. Weir, S. S. Dryden, Charles Luening, John A. Mann, A. G. Crutchfield, James F. Welborn, John R. Evertson, W. M. McArthur, James Carson, Aaron Lichtenberger, John M. Lockwood and Seth M. Leavenworth. Its statement of condition, issued August 9, 1913, shows a capital of $100,000, surplus and undivided profits of $38,899.45, and deposits of $401,007.55. Its officers are: Edward E. Highman, presi- dent; Louis H. Keck, vice-president; John W. Turner, cashier ; who, with the following, constitute its board of directors, viz .: Lemuel T. Osborn, Louis Wasem, Charles T. Johnson, Robert W. Highman, Allyn B. Hart and Jacob M. Harlem. John M. Lockwood, one of Posey county's early financiers, served for many years as president, as did the late Asa C. Williams. E. W. Rosenkrans and Manuel Cronbach filled the position of cashier, each of whom served in this capacity with credit.


The Mt. Vernon National Bank. This institution was organized in 1905. Its capital was $50,000 and it had a paid-in surplus of $5,000. This institution succeeded to the business of the Mt. Vernon Banking Com- pany, which was established in 1867 by Joseph F. Welborn, Seth M. Leavenworth, Edward T. Sullivan and Charles A. Parke, as a private bank. Mr. Welborn was its first president and Mr. Parke its cashier. In 1876 Alfred Dale, William H., Eugene F. and Horace P. Owen, all of New Harmony, purchased a considerable interest in the institution and in 1883 Charles A. Parke became president and Alfred Dale Owen cashier. In 1887 the business of the International Bank of Mt. Vernon was absorbed by the Mt. Vernon Banking Company and John B. Gar- diner, who was president of the first named institution, was elected pres- ident of the last named, Mr. Owen continuing as cashier and William E. Holton became assistant cashier. Upon the death of Mr. Gardiner Mr. Parke was elected president and served until his death in 1900, when


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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY


William M. Ford, of New Harmony, was elected to succeed him. In 1898 Mr. Owen resigned as cashier and he was succeeded by William E. Holton. At the present writing, 1913, the institution has a capital of $50,000, surplus of $50,000 and deposits of $350,000. Its officers are William H. Ford, president; Fred P. Leonard, vice president ; William E. Holton, cashier, and H. B. Fitton, assistant cashier, who, with the following, constitute its board of directors, viz .: Eugene H. Furher, Henry Brinkmann, Alfred Ribeyre and Horace P. Owen. The business of this institution has had a satisfactory growth, it has been profitable to its stockholders, its management has been highly creditable to execu- tives and directorate, and it has the distinction of having, in 1904, estab- lished the first savings department in connection with its regular busi- ness of any bank in the county.


Peoples Bank & Trust Company, Mt. Vernon. This institution was organized and incorporated in 1907 with a capital of $50,000 and began business on March 9, 1908. Its first officers and directors were as fol- lows: Charles A. Greathouse, president; William Gonnerman, vice-pres- ident; Joseph E. Kelley, secretary ; R. V. Stinson, David Rosenbaum, Alanzo K. Grant, Paul Maier, A. A. Schenk, John Forthoffer and Herdis F. Clements. R. V. Stinson was elected president in 19- and Dr. R. E. Wilson to the board in place of John Forthoffer. Its capital in 1913 is $50,000, it has a surplus and undivided profits of $10,000, and deposits of $325,000. Its officers and directors are all residents of Mt. Vernon. The business of the institution has been ably conducted and its growth satis- factory to the stockholders.




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