USA > Indiana > Posey County > History of Posey County, Indiana > Part 23
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 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
Capt. Winston Menzies, editor and proprietor of the "Evening and Weekly Sun," Mt. Vernon, is a native of Posey county, and a son of Maj. G. V. Menzies, born in Mt. Vernon November 22, 1876. He was educated in the public schools of Posey county and the New York
219
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
Military Academy at Cornwall-on-the Hudson, New York. Later he entered the University of Indiana at Bloomington, Ind., graduating in the class of 1897. He then took up newspaper work, and was reporter on the "Daily Democrat" one summer. He then went to St. Louis, and was employed on the "Republic" staff until the breaking out of the Spanish- American war. In April, 1898, he enlisted as a private in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Indiana infantry, and on July II, 1898, was transferred to the One Hundred and Sixty-first Indiana infantry, and commissioned captain of Company B. His regiment was sent South, as- signed to the Seventh army corps, under Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, and served through the entire Cuban campaign. To Captain Menzies belongs the distinction of being the youngest captain in the Seventh army corps. He received his commission before he was twenty-two. He was mustered out of the service in April, 1899, and returned to Mt. Vernon, again en- gaging in the newspaper work, this time as city editor of the "Demo- crat." In 1901 he went to Fort Wayne, in the employ of the United Boxboard & Paper Company, and remained there until 1905, when he went to Indianapolis for the same company. In 1907 he again returned to Mt. Vernon, and became managing editor of the "Evening Sun," which was organized at that time. In December, 1909, he bought the paper, and is now the sole owner. Captain Menzies was married April 30, 1901, to Miss Irma Wasem, eldest daughter of Louis Wasem, a prominent merchant of Mt. Vernon and Evansville. To Captain and Mrs. Menzies has been born one child: Esther Hovey, born at Fort Wayne, February 4, 1902. Captain Menzies is a member of Camp Fee, Spanish-American War Veterans; the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and the Press Club of Indianapolis.
George William Curtis, Sr., former clerk of the Eleventh judicial cir- cuit, popular citizen and breeder of pedigreed horses of National repu- tation, was born on the old Curtis farm in Black township, Posey county, Indiana, the son of William Boyd and Nancy Lucy (Harshman) Curtis. The family is of English descent, and was founded in the Virginia colony previous to the War of the Revolution, in which members of the family served with the Colonial troops. The first of the family to settle in In- diana was William Curtis, a native of Virginia, who came to Posey county previous to 1814, and located on land in what is now Black town- ship. He was accompanied by a son, Thomas Cottrell Curtis, who also located in Black township, and reached the advanced age of ninety-two years, and who resided on the same farm until his death. Both were farmers, acquired valuable properties, and were men of influence in the formative period of the county. William Curtis was the grandfather of the subject of this review. His son, William Boyd Curtis, was reared on the home farm, attended the schools of the period, and became one of the successful farmers of the county, and the owner of valuable lands.
220
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
He was a Democrat, took an active part in the work of his party, and was one of the influential men of his time. He married Nancy Lucy Harshman, the daughter of George and Dorcas Harshman, residents of the township, and pioneer settlers in the county. George William Curtis, Sr., acquired his education in the district schools of Black town- ship, and the academy in Mt. Vernon. Until 1862, he was employed on the home farm. From the year mentioned until 1867, he was a teacher in the schools of Indiana and Illinois. In the last named year he rented from his father a tract of land and began farming. On April 7, 1869, he married Miss Ruth Greathouse, the daughter of Lorenzo D. Greathouse, born in Posey county in 1818, the son of David Greathouse, a native of Pennsylvania, and founder of the family in Indiana. From that year until 1900, with the exception of eight years, in which he occupied the office of clerk of the Posey County Circuit Court, he was engaged in farming and the breeding and racing of pedigreed horses. His initial purchase of breeding stock was from the famous Belle Meade farm of Tennessee in 1883. The most notable of the performers which were bred on his farm were, Egmont, the sensation of the season of 1887, entered for the season of 1888, in stakes totaling over $80,000,.and sold by him in the spring of the last named year for $10,500; Topmast, who won the greatest number of races of any horse in America during the season of 1889; Gold Band, Red Cap and Silver Set. His animals were raced on the tracks at Louisville, Chicago, St. Louis, Lexington, New Orleans, Covington, Memphis and elsewhere. Mr. Curtis became one of the prominent and popular breeders of the country and his stable was a profitable one. Previous to his engaging in the breeding of racing stock, he was an active and influential factor in the political life of his county. He has been a lifelong Democrat. He was elected clerk of the Posey County Circuit Court in 1874, and re-elected in 1878. His administra- tion of the affairs of this office was such as to procure the highest com- mendation. In 1900, he became a resident of the city of Mt. Vernon, where he has since resided. He was appointed deputy circuit clerk of the Eleventh judicial circuit in 1904, and is still serving in that capacity. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis are the parents of the following children, viz .: Stella, born January 26, 1870, the widow of Silas O. Thomas, a farmer of Black township ; Olive Branch Curtis, born in 1874, and who died aged nine ; George William Curtis, Jr., personal mention of whom follows this article, and Ben Wilkes Curtis, born October 6, 1880, an employee of the Cumberland Telephone Company at New Harmony, Ind.
George William Curtis, influential lawyer of Posey county, senator from the First district of Indiana, and citizen of State-wide prominence, was born in Mt. Vernon, November 10, 1878, the son of George W. and Ruth (Greathouse) Curtis, a personal review of whom precedes this article. Senator Curtis received his early educational discipline in the
221
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
schools of his native city, and later entered the University of Indiana, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1900. He was admitted to the bar in Mt. Vernon in May, 1901, where he has since practiced his profession. Since October, 1910, he has been as- sociated in practice with William Espenschied, under the firm style of Espenchied & Curtis. The firm is recognized as one of the most success- ful in Southwestern Indiana, and they have appeared in connection with the most important litigations in both the State and Federal courts. In the practice of his profession Senator Curtis has attained recognition as a leader among his fellow members of the bar through his comprehen- sive knowledge of the law, his logic in argument, and as an orator of more than usual brilliance. His close attention to business and the hon- esty and fairness with which he has treated his clientage have won the support and respect of the citizens of his district. His political alle- giance has been given the Democratic party, and of his party and its policies he has ever been a consistent supporter. He was elected prose- cuting attorney of the Eleventh judicial circuit, composed of Posey and Gibson counties, in 1904. His record in the administration of the affairs of this office was such as to place him in line for the nomination to the senatorship from the First district, to which he was elected in 1910. His work as a member of the senate during the session of 1911, was such that his colleagues on the Democratic side unanimously selected him as pres- ident pro tempore and floor leader during the session of 1913. Much can be said of his labors in the last named session. He was identified as a leader in the framing and passage of the Public Utility Act. The voca- tional education bill, passed through his committee, and received his active support on the floor of the senate. He was the author of the uni- form high school text book law, and through much opposition and by his efforts it became a law. In its operation a large saving to the parents of the school children will obtain. As floor leader and president pro tem- pore, he labored not alone for himself, but by his accommodating disposi- tion was of great assistance to all who were working openly for pro- gressive Democratic legislation. Through both sessions in which he served he took an active part in those measures which were worth while, and was considered by his fellow members as one of the energetic and active leaders of his party therein. It is generally conceded that as a parliamentarian he ranks as a leader in his State; as an orator he has few equals, while his charming personality has endeared him to a wide acquaintanceship. He has always stood for the interests of the com- mon people, and to his constituents he has been loyal. He possesses abil- ity, honesty and courage, while his fairness is an added quality which de- serves honorable mention. At this writing, 1913, he has announced himself as a candidate for the office of attorney general. The com- ment of the press of the State succeeding his announcement shows a con-
222
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
census of opinion as to his qualifications for the office, which has seldom been equaled in its praise of a candidate for nomination. Senator Curtis is a member of the Masonic order and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Of the latter order he is vice-president for Indiana, and served during 1912 and 1913 as district deputy. Senator Curtis married, on September 16, 1903, Miss Rena Streeby, the daughter of Jay B. Streeby, of Mt. Vernon. Mrs. Curtis is a woman of wide acquaintance and popular in the social circles of her home city, in which she is a leader. She is a member of the Martha Hunter Guild. During the resi- dence of Senator Curtis and his wife at the State capitol Mrs. Curtis was known as one of the leaders of the official set, and her charm of per- sonality and mind assisted greatly in furthering the Senator's influence.
Julius C. Barter, successful farmer, influential citizen and descend- ant of two of Posey county's pioneer families, was born in the Barter home, Second and Walnut streets, Mt. Vernon, on December 30, 1857, the son of John L. and Jane (Templeton) Barter. The Barter family is of English origin and was founded in Posey county by John Barter, born May 14, 1797, in the village of Houl, Devonshire, England, who settled with his sons, John, Richard, William and James, in Black township pre- vious to 1820. James, the youngest of these sons, and the grandfather of our subject, Julius C. Barter, engaged in the general merchandise business in Mt. Vernon in 1825, shortly after it became the county seat. John L., the son of James, and father of our subject, was born in Mt. Vernon in 1830. He was also a merchant. He married when a young man, Jane Templeton, the daughter of Samuel L. Templeton, a pioneer of Black township. He was a native of North Carolina, and entered upon land two miles west of Mt. Vernon in 1825. He was a tanner and built and operated a tannery upon his farm. He also manufactured harness and saddles and later shoes. He was thrifty and became the owner of valu- able land interests. He was a member of the Methodist church, active in its support, and served as trustee for many years. He married Sally Curtis, the daughter of William G. Curtis, a native of North Carolina, who was also a pioneer settler of Posey county. Jane Templeton Barter was born in Posey county in 1835 and died on December 5, 1902. Her surviving children are as follows: Julius C., the subject of this sketch; Sally, the widow of Worth Templeton, former trustee of Black town- ship, and successful farmer, who resides in Los Angeles, Cal., and Harris, who is married and resides in Los Angeles. The eldest child, Mark Barter, born December 2, 1855, died in June, 1905. Julius Ceasar Barter was reared in the family of his grandfather Templeton, with whom his mother went to live when he was four years of age. He attended the district schools of Posey county and acquired a good common school education. Since early boyhood, farming has been his occupation, and in this line of endeavor he is recognized as authority.
223
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
He is the owner of a portion of the old Templeton farm, on which is situated "Barter's Grove," one of the favorite picnic grounds near Mt. Vernon, and which has been the scene of many enjoyable festivities. Mr. Barter has been a lifelong Democrat, has been active in the political life of the county, but has no inclination for public office. He cast his first vote for Samuel J. Tilden. He has never married.
John Lorenz Schultheis, clerk of the city of Mt. Vernon, is a native of Indiana, and was born in Haubstadt, Gibson county, on May 21, 1865. the son of Lambert and Elizabeth (Mauder) Schultheis. Lambert Schul- theis was born in Germany, September 24, 1838, and died on August 9, 1903. He came to the United States in 1844, with his father, Michael Schultheis, who had $800, considered a large sum for an emigrant at that time. He came to Gibson county, Indiana, and bought land. His resi- dence in the new land was short, however, as he died about three months after investing in Gibson county. Lambert, but six years of age at the time of his father's death, was reared in the family of Anton Schaefer, a distant relative, and later learned the cooper's trade. When seventeen years of age he secured employment, as a cooper, with Anton Raben, of St. Wendel, Posey county, remaining in his employ until 1872. From the last mentioned year until his death, which occurred in 1903, he fol- lowed the carpenter's trade. He was a Democrat in his political affilia- tions, and a devout member of the Catholic church. He married when a young man, Elizabeth Mauder, the daughter of Joseph and Margaret Mauder, of Haubstadt, Gibson county. She was born on May 8, 1839, and died on August 29, 1869. They were the parents of four children, two of whom survive: John Lorenz, the subject of this review, and Kate, who married Victor Knapp, M. D., a resident of Ferdinand, Ind. Mary, the eldest child, married August Wolf, who died, and she mar- ried Fred Schnautz, of Haubstadt. She died on April 30, 1901. Joseph M., the youngest of the children, died January 24, 1911, aged forty-two. Lambert Schultheis married for a second wife, Kate Handel, and of this union one son was born, Edmond, a resident of Mt. Carmel, and a cooper by trade. John Lorenz Schultheis received his educational training in the parochial school of Haubstadt, and was taught the carpenter's trade by his father, a line of occupation he followed until 1891, in the vicinity of Haubstadt until 1886, when he removed to Mt. Vernon, and until 1891, in the last named city. From 1891 to 1895, he was employed as clerk by William Melton, from 1895 until 1903, in a like capacity by Andrew A. Schenk, and from 1903 until January, 1906, as secretary and manager of the Mt. Vernon Opera House, by the late August Schieber. In 1905, he was elected treasurer of the city of Mt. Vernon, for a four-year term, which expired in January, 1910. His administration of the affairs of that office was such as to secure his election, in 1909, by a flattering majority, to the city clerkship, in which position he is now serving. He is a
224
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
Democrat, has been an active worker in his party's interests, and enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens. As a public official, his acts have been marked by honesty and fidelity, and the departments of the city's business over which he has had charge have been known for their effi- ciency. Mr. Schultheis is a member of Posey Aerie, No. 1717, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and of the German Aid Society of Mt. Vernon, of which he is secretary. Mr. Schultheis married, on November 1, 1898, Miss Anna Maus, the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Maus, of Mt. Vernon. Mr. Maus was a well known millwright and many of the flouring plants of Posey county were built under his supervision. Mrs. Schultheis was born on August 15, 1870. There is one child of this union, Ruth E. Schultheis, born August 22, 1899.
George Green Thomas, auditor of Posey county, is a native of Lynn township, and was born on his father's farm November 25, 1855, the son of James E. and Margaret (Duckworth) Thomas. James E. Thomas was born in Waverley, Humphries county, Tennessee, February 22, 1820. He came to Posey county in 1839 and entered on land in Lynn town- ship. Here he cleared away the forest and developed a fine farming property. He underwent the hardships incident to the pioneer of that period, labored successfully with the problems at hand, and became a man of influence in his township. He was a Democrat, served in town- ship office, and was an active supporter of those measures which had for their object the betterment of the community. He was a member of the Baptist church and gave generously to its support. He married in 1840 Miss Margaret Duckworth, the daughter of William Duckworth, a pioneer settler of Black township. She was born in Posey county in 1821. The Duckworth family came from North Carolina; and Absalom Duckworth entered land in Black township in 1811, Thomas and James in 1817. James E. Thomas died in 1895, and his wife in 1879. Three children were born of this union: George G., the subject of this review; Cornelia, the wife of Robert Campbell, owner of extensive ranch prop- erty and a resident of Spokane, Wash., and Margaret S., the wife of David J. Noel, of Carmi, Ill., grandson of John Noel, one of the early settlers of Posey county, who died in Mt. Vernon, aged ninety-five. Previous to his marriage to Miss Duckworth, Mr. Thomas had married Miss May Robinson and of this union one daughter was born: Louisa J., the widow of Harrison C. Stout, who was a farmer of Black town- ship. She is a resident of Carmi, Ill. George Green Thomas acquired his education in the public schools of Lynn township and Mt. Vernon. Reared on his father's farm, he has been engaged in farming since boy- hood, and is recognized as one of the successful agriculturists of his county. His farm property, which consists of the old Thomas farm in Lynn township, to which he has added by purchase, has improvements that are modern in all respects, is well stocked, and is operated at a sat-
225
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
isfactory profit. Mr. Thomas has been a lifelong Democrat. His first public office was that of trustee of Lynn township, to which he was elected in 1890. He carried the township by a majority of sixty, although it had a normal Republican majority of fifteen. In 1906 he was elected recorder of Posey county, and was re-elected in 1910. He took office January 1, 1908, and his present term expires January 1, 1916. He has made an efficient and courteous official and his administration of the business of his office has won the esteem of the citizens of his county. Mr. Thomas married on October 23, 1879, Miss Margaret N. Weir, the daughter of James Weir, a prominent farmer of Lynn township, and member of one of the oldest families in the county. The family was founded in Posey county by William Weir, a native of Virginia, who settled in Black township in 1807. She is also a granddaughter of John Noel, early settler and one of the most prominent citizens of his time. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are the parents of one child, a son, Archie Lee Thomas. He was educated in the schools of Lynn township and Mt. Vernon, and completed a course in Perkins & Herpel's Commer- cial College, St. Louis, in 1901. He is the manager of his father's farm interests. Mr. Thomas is in all respects a high type of the con- servative, unassuming American, diligent in his various duties and busi- ness affairs and conscientious in all things. He is rich in the possession of personal popularity and the esteem which comes from honorable living.
Thomas Jefferson Johnson, surveyor of Posey county, is a native of Harmony township and was born on his father's farm, four miles east of New Harmony, on January II, 1845, the son of Moses and Elizabeth (Johnson) Johnson. The family was founded in Posey county by Thomas Johnson, a native of North Carolina, later a resident of Ken- tucky, who settled in Harmony township prior to 1816. He was a blacksmith, an occupation which he followed while a resident of Posey county. He removed to Clay county, Illinois, about 1840, where he died. Moses Johnson was born in Harmony township in 1817. He was a farmer and surveyor. He was a Democrat and was elected county surveyor in 1853 and in 1872, and died in 1874 while in office. He was a member of the Regular Baptist church. He married Elizabeth John- son, a distant relative, who was born in Kentucky in 1813. She died in April, 1889. They were the parents of five children, four of whom survive: Cynthia, the wife of Orvis S. Endicott, a farmer of New Haven, Ind .; Susan, the widow of Martin Williams, who was a farmer of Robb township, Posey county; she is a resident of Evansville; Thomas J., the subject of this review; and Mary, the widow of Jeddy Pitts, who was a well known farmer of Mt. Vernon; she is a resident of Pomona, Cal. Thomas Jefferson Johnson received his early educational training in the district schools of Harmony township, later attended the Uni-
.
226
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
versity of Indiana, where he completed a two-year course in the law department, being a member of the class of 1865. He subsequently practiced his profession in Posey county. From the days of his early manhood he took an active interest in his father's work as a surveyor and became proficient in this line of endeavor. He also was an active participant in the political life of his section and an ardent Democrat. His first public office was that of assessor of Harmony township. He was elected surveyor of Posey county in 1870 and appointed in 1874 to fill out the unexpired term of his father, who had succeeded him. From 1875 until 1881 he farmed in Harmony township. In 1880 he was elected to his former office, that of county surveyor, and was re-elected in 1882, 1884, 1886 and 1888, serving until January, 1891, when he became auditor of the county, having been elected the previous fall. He was re-elected to this office in 1894 and served until March, 1899. From the last-named year until 1903 he farmed in Center and Point townships. In 1902 he was again elected surveyor of Posey county, his seventh election to this office. He was re-elected in 1906, 1908, 1910 and 1912, his term expiring in January, 1914, and the eleventh which he has served As a public official, Mr. Johnson has won the respect and esteem of the citizens of his county and his administration of the affairs of his office has been marked by honesty, fidelity and high efficiency. In point of years of service, few county officials of the State of Indiana have ever equalled him, as he will have concluded, when his present term expires in 1914, twenty-nine years of public duty, of which twenty-one have been passed in the office of surveyor. Mr. Johnson married on March 18, 1869, Miss Caroline Barrett, of Harmony township, who died De- cember 18, 1881.
William Henry Fogas, ex-secretary of the Indiana State Board of Pharmacy and well known druggist of Mt. Vernon, was born in that city on February 21, 1862, the son of Andrew C. and Mary (Heilman) Fogas, natives of Germany. The father was born in the Province of Hanover in 1837, and his wife in Hessen-Darmstadt in 1839. Andrew C. Fogas came to the United States with his parents in 1841, who located in New Orleans, La., and were stricken with yellow fever within a few months after their arrival, and died. Andrew, then a boy of four, was taken into the family of William Zimmerman, who had married his step-sister. The Zimmermans became residents of Evansville, Ind., and Andrew was apprenticed to the cigarmaker's trade with John Rhine- lander, of that city. In 1861 he came to Mt. Vernon and established the first cigar factory. He conducted this business until his death in 1904, a period of forty-three years. He was a successful business man, a popular and respected citizen, and an active factor in the commercial, civil and social life of the city. He was a Republican in politics, served as treasurer of the city of Mt. Vernon several terms, and took an active
227
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
part in the campaigns. He was prominently identified with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and served as treasurer of the Mt. Vernon lodge for some thirty years. He married, when a young man, Miss Mary Heilman, the daughter of William Heilman, of Evansville. Mrs. Fogas died in 1906. They were the parents of nine children, four of whom are living: William H., the subject of this sketch; John T., retail druggist; George A. and Fred C., jewelers, all of Indianapolis; Mary Louise, the wife of Fred C. Schnur, of Mt. Vernon, died in 1887. Four children died in infancy. William Henry Fogas received his early educational discipline in the schools of his native city and graduated from its high school in 1878. While in the employ of McArthur & Company he completed a course in the St. Louis, Mo., College of Pharmacy, graduating with the class of 1884. Subsequent to his gradu- ation he entered the employ of Joseph G. Gardiner, druggist, Mt. Ver- non. He remained with Mr. Gardiner until his death in 1880. From 1880 to 1884 he clerked for William M. McArthur & Company, when he established his present business, which is, at this writing, 1913, the oldest in the city. His standing among the pharmacists of the State is attested by his appointment as a member of the Indiana State Board of Pharmacy in 1907 by Governor Hanly, re-appointed in 1908 and appointed by Governor Marshall in 1912. His present term expires in 1916. He served as secretary of this body in 1911. He is a Republican, takes an active part in the work of his party, and is a consistent sup- porter of those measures which have for their object the betterment of the community. He has attained the Knights Templars degree in Ma- sonry, is a member of La Vallette Commandery and of Hadi Temple Shrine of Evansville; and is also a member of Criterion Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Fogas married on June 24, 1886, Miss Kate L. Black, the daughter of Hon. Asa M. Black, a prominent attorney of Terre Haute. They are the parents of one child, a daughter, Alice B. Fogas. She is a graduate of the Mt. Vernon High School, Tudor Hall School, Indianapolis, and attended for two years Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. The family have long been prominent in the social circles of their home city.
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.