USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 11
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Morgan, Reed & Co., and excepting the period covered by his military service, re- mained with that firm six years, when he embarked in the boot and shoe trade with H. T. Chute. At the end of four years he removed to the country and engaged in
Charles T. Jenkins, clerk of the circuit court of Vanderburgh county, was born in | farming for eight years. Being popular and
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competent he was elected, in 1880, as the nominee of the republican party, to the office of county recorder, and four years later to his present office. A re-election in 1888 by a largely increased majority was a high testimonial to his popularity and worth. His official life has been one of the most satisfactory the county has ever known, and his widespread popularity is exceeded by that of but few men in this part of the state. His military career was brief but honorable. During the greater part of the civil war period, he was a youth, too young for ser- vice. In April, 1864, he enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry for four months, and after a faithful service, at the expiration of the term of his enlistment was honorably discharged. In 1865 he was united in mar- riage to Miss Diana M. Hall, of Carlisle, Ind., born April 18, 1845, daughter of John M. and Margaret Hall, natives of England. These parents have one son, Samuel M., born December 4, 1866. Mr. Jenkins is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., and G. A. R. fraternities, and actively interested in the progress of the city.
of 1860-I he taught a night school, his pupils being young mechanics and laborers, nearly all of whom enlisted in the cause of the Union when the war broke out. In July, IS61, he enlisted in Company F, Twenty- fourth Indiana Infantry, was appointed fifer of his company, and, in the following Feb- ruary, was promoted to principal musician of his regiment. He served until the close of the war, and, on returning home, was employed as book-keeper by Leich & Carls- stedt. With this firm he went to Cincinnati, and was there engaged for several years in the county auditor's office, and as a book- keeper in various business houses. He returned to Evansville in 1872, and for four- teen years was in the employ of Leich & Lemcke, of this city. In 1886 he was elected county treasurer, and re-elected in 1888. He is an efficient, accommodating and popu . lar officer. He has been prominently con- nected with the military companies organized here since the war, and is now a leading member of Farragut Post, G. A. R., of which he has been adjutant since its organi- zation in 1881. He is also a member of Knights of Pythias, Orion Lodge, No. 35, also Uniform Rank, Evansville Division, No. 4. Captain Leich was married January 12, 1889, to Miss Mathilde Klenk, daughter of Louis Klenk, an old citizen of Evansville.
Capt. August Leich, county treasurer of Vanderburgh county, was born in Prussia in the year r842, and, at the age of six years, removed to America with his parents. He is what may be termed a self-made man. He received a common school education, Louis Sihler, county recorder of Vander- burg county, was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, May 25, 1833, being the son of Louis and Agathe (Schleicher) Sihler, na- tives of Germany, born in 1800 and 1805, respectively. His parents died in their native country, the father December 19, 1832, the mother in 1867. Of three children, Louis Sihler is the only survivor. He grew to manhood and received a good education in the land of his birth. Early thrown upon his own resources, he developed the sterling and was then thrown on his own resources. At an early age he sold books and news- papers about the wharves and steamboats, and was known among the newsboys of that day as particularly enterprising. For a time he was employed as cabin boy and cook on Ohio and Mississippi river steamers, and later as a clerk in the post-offices at Evans- ville and Terre Haute, and in the drug store of his brother, Charles Leich. The work of a house and sign painter then engaged his attention for a time, and during the winter of | traits of character which have marked his
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conduct in the maturer years of his life. He served an apprenticeship of three years with a merchant in his native town, where his mother continued to reside after the death of her husband, and at the age of twenty years emigrated to the United States. Evansville was his objective point, and reach- ing here he was at once engaged as a clerk. From that time until 1866 he continued in the mercantile business, chiefly as a clerk. In 1872, having developed considerable tact in political work, and possessing the elements of popularity, he was appointed deputy recorder of Vanderburgh county. In this capacity he served faithfully for twelve years, at the end of which time he was elected by a ma- jority of 206 to the office where he had so long served as a deputy, being the candidate of the republican party. His efficiency and fidelity were rewarded in 1888, by an election to a second term. True to every trust, and in a manly way performing every duty as citizen and officer, he has attained a high place in popular esteem. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. His marriage occurred in 1860 to Charlotta Lixt, who was born in Germany in 1841. He is the father of five children, Henrietta, Charles, Lona, Margaret and Clara.
Frank Pritchett, sheriff of Vanderburgh county, is a native of Evansville, born April 14, 1853. His father, Seth Pritchett, was born in 1819, in the then petty village of Evansville, the Pritchett family being one of the earliest to settle in Vanderburgh county. He was one of the early blacksmiths of the town, and at one time was engaged in the carriage business. His wife, whose maiden name was Emma Grant, was born in England in 1829. These aged people are still re- spected residents of the city. They are the parents of three living children. The oldest of these, Frank, was reared in this city and was educated in the public schools. In early
manhood he learned the blacksmith trade, at which he worked until IS75, and for three years he was engaged in teaming. In 1878 he was appointed patrolman on the Evansville police force, and serving one year was ap- pointed deputy city marshal. In April, 1881, he was appointed deputy sheriff of Vander- burgh county under sheriff Thomas Kerth, and while so serving was made chief of the city police force. This position he filled so acceptably that when the bill providing for the " metropolitan system " became law he was appointed superinten- a dent of the newly organized force, which position he held until 1886. He was door-keeper of the state senate during the session of 1887, having made a successful candidacy against twenty-eight opposing applicants for the position. In September, ISSS, he was nominated by the democratic party for sheriff, receiving the unanimous support of the convention. His election by a majority of 634 votes was a personal tri- umph and a high testimonial of his popu- larity. October 14, 1878, he was married to Miss Louisa Kerth, who was born in this city in 1858. They have three children: Percy, Frank and Florence. Mr. Pritchett is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of H. fraternities. His courage and fearless dis- charge of every official duty have won him the reputation of being efficient and reliable.
August Pfafflin .- The exquisite beauty of mathematics reaches a high stage in its development in the science of civil engi- neering. The mind that masters its niceties must be above the ordinary. The importance of the office of county surveyor has always been recognized. Gen. Robert M. Evans was the first to perform its duties in this county. Its present occupant is August Pfafflin, a young man whose suc- cess in life has been largely of his own making. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio,
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December 16, 1857, his parents being August and Emily (Schneider ) Pfafflin, natives of Germany, who, emigrating to the United States in 1847, settled at Cincinnati, Ohio, and moved thence in 1869 to Evans- ville. August Pfafflin, the elder, was educated as a civil engineer and served by appointment and election as county surveyor for Vanderburgh county from 1871 to 1874. He was a well-known citizen, and died at his home in the city in 1882. The subject of this mention was educated in the public schools of the city and at the Evansville Commercial College. In 1877 he entered the Southern Machine Works and began to learn the trade of a machinist. After five years' service in these works, four years were spent in the shops of the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis Railroad and the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad. The practical instruction received in this admir- able school made of Mr. Pfafflin a thor- oughly skilled workman. In the spring of 1887 he was appointed deputy city surveyor, in which capacity he served the public until June, 1888, when he was appointed county surveyor, to which office he was elected by the people November 6, 1888. He was married November 17, 1885, to Miss Anna Steineker, who was born in Henderson, Ky., June 9, 1859. A daughter, Edna, was born of this union, September 17, 1887. He is a member of the K. of H., and in politics he is a republican.
Christian Wunderlich, county commis- sioner of Vanderburgh county, was born in Prussia, January 24, 1843. His parents, Christian and Maria (Domheifer) Wunder- lich, natives of Prussia, born in 1814 and 1820, respectively, for many years were residents of Perry township, this county, where the father still lives, the mother hav- ing died November 19, 1888. His paternal
grandfather was Christian F. Wunderlich, born in Germany about 1756, and died in his native country about 1849. The father of the subject of this mention was a farmer by occupation, and coming to the United States in 1854 settled in Vanderburgh county, and two years later brought his family from the fatherland to this new country. Commis- sioner Wunderlich is the eldest in a family of seven children, five of whom are now living. He attended the schools of his na- tive land, and since coming to this country his education has been obtained in the prac- tical school of experience. When the life of the nation was threatened by armed re- bellion he responded promptly to the call to arms. July 26, 1861, he enlisted in the First Indiana Battery, and participated in the bat- tles at Pea Ridge, Magnolia Hill, Champion Hill, and Big Black River, the siege of Vicksburg and in the Red River campaign. He performed every duty with that patriotic zeal which characterizes the heroic soldier. He was honorably discharged at Indianap- olis, September 13, 1864. Coming home he worked on the farm until 1865, when he came to Evansville and learned the carpen- ter's trade. In December, 1866, he accept- ed a position on the police force of this city, and served until April, 1868, when he again employed himself at his trade. One year later, however, he was elected city marshal and held this office five years. In 1874 he was elected sheriff of the county by a majority of 777 votes, and two years later was re-elected, his majority being 659. He was appointed deputy United States mar- shal for Indiana in 1879, and served two years in that capacity. His first election as county commissioner of this county occurred in 1884, and his re-election in 1886. During his occupancy of this office important public im- provements have been inaugurated, and some completed. As a guardian of the
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people's interests, and yet as a progressive man of affairs, he has discharged his many official duties with great credit to himself and with advantage to the public. In the building of the magnificent new court-house he has ex- ercised rare good judgment, and his work in this connection will be to him a perpetual me- morial. He was married in 1865 to Miss Eliza- beth Grunner, born in Germany, February 17, 1844. Of this union eight children have been born: Emma, William C., Isabelle, Christian J., Frederick, John C., Elizabeth and Meta. Mr. Wunderlich is an earnest re- publican, and has taken an active part in the affairs of his party. He is a member of the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., and A. O. U. W. fraternities. Active and progressive, he has made his own way in life and is now one of the prominent men of the county.
John J. Hays, treasurer of Vanderburgh county from 1883 to 1887, was born in London, England, in 1834, of Irish parent- age, and was the second son of Thomas and Ann (Hurley) Hays. His parents emigrated to America before he was a year old, and set- tled for a few years in New York City, re- moving afterward to Indiana. Fort Wayne became the permanent residence of the family, and there his parents died, his father in 1863, and his mother the year after. The boys of the family, four in number, were early apprenticed to trades, John as a car- penter. Leaving home at the age of eighteen he set out for New Orleans, ex- pecting to go thence to California, but meet- ing disappointments in the south he retraced his steps and arrived in Evansville in March, 1853. He at once went to work in the car shops of the E. & C. R'y Co., and remained so employed until August 15, 1861, when he gave up his position to enlist in the war for the preservation of the Union. He had previously been a lieutenant of the Union Artillery Company. He started to St. Louis
to join the First Indiana Cavalry, the lieu- tenant-colonel of which, John Smith Gavitt, afterward killed in the war, was a warm personal friend, but the regiment had its full quota and he was compelled to look else- where for service. On September 1, 1861, he enlisted as an ordinary seaman on the gun-boat "Conestoga," was advanced to carpenter's mate in a short time; and in a few months was promoted to the position of acting carpenter, his commission emanating from the navy department and bearing the signature of Gideon Welles, secretary of the navy. On the "Conestoga," and later on the "Fort Hindman," he rendered daring and effective service. After the war he returned to peaceful pursuits, and was for a time in the employ of the Evans- ville & Terre Haute Railway. May 29, 1873, he was married to Miss Lucilla A. Mills, born in Evansville, October 2, 1852, daughter of Isaac R. and Susan R. Mills. Their union gave them two children, John, Jr., born March 21, 1877, and Perry M., born February 4, 1880. Mr. Hays was an active member of the G. A. R., and of the Masonic order. In 1882 he was the democratic candidate for treasurer of Van- derburgh county, and was elected by a ma- jority of 328. Two years later he was re-elected, on the independent ticket, by a majority of 202. In the year following the expiration of his term of office he died, June 13, 1888.
Anthony C. Hawkins, deputy clerk of the circuit court of Vanderburgh county, was born in Union county, Ky., August 31, 1851, and is the son of Anthony S. and Elizabeth J. (Hopgood) Hawkins, natives of Kentucky, born in 1814 and 1816, respectively. He was the fourth of seven children, six of whom survive. His boyhood was spent on the farm and in the country schools. At the age of eighteen years he entered Princeton
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Academy, and after three years' study, was engaged as a teacher for a short time. While at Princeton, Ky., he read law in the office of Judge William Bradley. Coming to Evansville in 1873 he entered the law office of Luke Wood, a prominent attorney at that time, and there continued his studies until admitted to the bar in 1874. A part- nership was then formed with his recent pre- ceptor, under the firm name of Wood & Hawkins, which was pleasantly and profit- ably continued for some time. For five years from 1876 Mr. Hawkins pursued the practice alone, and at the end of that period formed a partnership with S. R. Hornbrook, which continued until November, 1884, since which time he has served as deputy clerk. In politics he has always been a staunch republican, and a potent factor in the achievement of that party's successes. In May, 1876, he became a Knight of Pythias and has taken an active part in the work of the order. For five years he has been dis- trict deputy. He was married June 26, 1879, to Mollie E. Brown, born in Hamilton, Ohio, April 19, 1854, daughter of Lyman B. and Mary (Doellinger) Brown. Of this union two children have been born : Electa D., and Allen C.
Louis H. Legler, deputy county auditor, of Vanderburgh county, was born at Berlin, Canada, December 21, 1855. His parents were Dr. Henry T. and Augusta (Pfeiffer) Leg- ler, natives of Saxony and Mayence, Ger- many, respectively. Dr. Legler practiced his profession in Canada for some years, and coming to the United States about the com- mencement of the civil war offered his ser- vices to the government. He was attached to the medical staff of a New York regi- ment, and rendered a valuable service extending throughout the war, being mustered out at its close as a surgeon. At the end of his service he emigrated
west and located in Evansville, where he was known as a successful practioner from 1866 to 1876. He is now at Oakland, Cali- fornia. Louis Legler was educated in the public schools of this city and at Wells & Rank's Commercial College. At fifteen years of age he entered the employ of F. Hopkins & Co., and remained with that well known house as a salesman for twelve years. At the end of this time he was offered, and accepted, the position of deputy city treasurer, which he held under Treas- urers Marlett and Sansom. Thereafter for two and a half years he served as book- keeper for the Novelty Machine Works, and left that position to accept his present place, upon the election of Auditor Parvin in 1886. In every relation his ability and integrity have been manifest, while his affable man- ners and uniform courtesy have made him popular .: Mr. Legler is a young man with the greater part of his career before him, but the honorable record already achieved justifies the most favorable predictions for the future. He has been twice married. July 13, 1876, Miss Eva Phar, daughter of Jonathan Phar, a prominent private citizen of Knight township, became his wife. To this union four children were born, two of whom are now living. The death of Mrs. Legler occurred May 18, 1887. Mr. Leg- ler's second marriage occurred October 10, 18SS, when he was married to Miss Marion Bonnel, daughter of Warren Bonnel.
William A. Page, deputy sheriff of Van- derburgh county, was born at Mt. Carmel, Ill., April 2, 1841. His father, W. T. Page, was a native of Rutland, Vt., and died sev- eral years ago at Philadelphia, Pa. His mother, Anna E. Page, was born in Mar- garafeth, Ireland, came to America about 1830, and is now living at Chicago, Ill. To these parents five children were born, as follows: Emma P. (afterward Mrs. Borden,
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now deceased), Fanny V. (now Mrs. Col- burn, of Portland, Ore.), Mary E. (now Mrs. Hodge, of Philadelphia, Pa.), Char- lotte P. (now Mrs. Borden, of Chicago, Ill.), and William A. The only son, William A., lived in his native place until ten years of age, and has since resided in Evansville. Being thrown upon his own resources early in life his education was only such as could be obtained in the public schools. At the age of twelve years he began the battle of life for himself, and since that time has made his own way. At the age of thirteen, he entered the employ of the Canal Bank, and was subsequently promoted teller, being the youngest man to fill that position in Evans- ville. In July, 1862, he enlisted in the Fed- eral Army, and in August following, was promoted to be adjutant of the Sixty-fifth Indiana Infantry. He served faithfully until the spring of 1865, when he was honorably
discharged because of physical disability. After the close of the war he resided in St. St. Louis one year, having charge of the Inland Insurance Department of the Home Insurance Company of New York. After- ward, representing the same company and others, he made his home for two years at Vicksburg, Miss. From November, 1882, he has been deputy sheriff of the county and has fearlessly discharged the du- ties of his position. He is a member of the following fraternities: W. H. Stearn Lodge No. I, F. & A. M., of Vicksburg, Miss., Ben Hur Lodge No 197, K. of P., of this city, Excelsior Lodge No. 38, A. O. U. W., and Farragut Post, G. A. R. He was mar- ried December 15, 1869, at Madison, Ind., to Miss Annie Davidson. Of this union five children have been born: Alexander G. (now of San Diego, Cal.), Victoria, Marion, Emma and Annie.
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CHAPTER IV:
THE CITY OF EVANSVILLE -- COL. HUGH MCGARY, THE FIRST PERMANENT SETTLER- THE WARRICK COUNTY SEAT - DISASTROUS LEGISLATION - THE RENAISSANCE OF 1817-18, UNDER EVANS, JONES AND MCGARY - SEAT OF A NEW COUNTY - EVANS- VILLE OF 1820 - HARD TIMES AND SICKNESS -- THE TOWN OF 1831 - DISASTERS OF 1832 - DAY BEGINS TO DAWN - THE WABASH AND ERIE CANAL PHANTOM - BIRTH OF RIVER COMMERCE - THE TOWN OF 1835-37 - CRISIS OF 1837 - THE BOOM IN THE 'FORTIES - THE FIRST RAILROADS - THE WAR PERIOD -- DEPRES- SION AND PANIC -THE RAILROAD ERA -- THE PRESENT CITY -ITS BOUNDLESS ENERGIES AND LIMITLESS RESOURCES.
CCASIONALLY an individual attains distinction through circumstances which he has no hand in shaping, though more often he molds the events and creates the means by which prominence among his fellows is secured. He whose name is inseparably connected with the early annals of the now extensive and prosperous city of Evansville was not the creation of adventitious surroundings. His iron will and dauntless courage were forced to over- come many serious obstacles. Had he yielded to adversity, a city might have grown up near where Evansville now is, forced into existence and fastened by the great natural advantages of the location, but with a dif- ferent name and history. Speculations as to such a result do not lessen the importance of the achievements of Col. Hugh McGary, the founder and preserver of a village, which by a process of gradual development, has be- come a commercial and manufacturing metropolis, well known throughout the Mis- sissippi valley-a city standing abreast of the age, in the possession of its varied im- provements and enlightening influences, and holding in its hand the welfare and happi- ness of more than 50,000 souls.
Col. McGary, a sturdy pioneer, early emigrated from Kentucky to the new Indiana territory and settled in what is now Gibson county. Leaving his inland cabin he made his way to the banks of the Ohio river and purchased from the government, on March 27, 1812, the land now covered by the city of Evansville. He was not the first pioneer to visit this point. Others of the Anglo-Saxon race had preceded him into the trackless forest, not only as pursuers of the wild fur-bearing animals that infested the country, but as prospective settlers, seeking new homes for themselves and their de- scendants. Previous to McGary's settlement and for some years afterward, an Indian vil- lage of the Shawnee tribe occupied the lands near the mouth of Pigeon creek. At times these aborigines were quite troublesome.
A temporary settlement had been made by 'some white adventurer before the com- ing of McGary, near the spot where he afterward built his home. In 1809, George Miller, with his family, came here from Kentucky. When the rude raft of this pioneer was landed on the northern shore of the river, his attention was attracted at once by a deserted cabin standing in the vicinity
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of the present corner of Vine and Water streets. The cabin, made of newly cut timbers, appeared to have been built but recently, and about it, in the unbroken forest, there was no apparent evidence of any other attempt at settlement. This cabin was a welcome sight to the adventurer. Beneath its roof his family found a shelter far more comfortable than they had antici- pated. However, they were not allowed to remain unmolested, being visited by the Indians, whose demonstrations of hostility drove them back to the Kentucky shore more than once. With the courage and de- termination characteristic of pioneers, they returned persistently, and at length were allowed to occupy the cabin in comparative peace. Here they remained a few months, and then pushed forward, in search of a permanent home, to a point three or four miles west of the city, where, in what is now Perry township, they settled, and for many years were numbered among the most re- spectable members of the community.
In other parts of the county settlers' cabins had been erected previously, and in many places the woodman's ax was filling the wild forest with its resounding music of industry and progress.
The seeds of civilization had been scat- tered, though but thinly, and here and there in the wilderness the bright flowers, lifting their heads above the dead leaves of barbar- ism, were ripening a rich fruitage. Along the banks of the river opposite Henderson, or Red Banks, as it was then called, further eastward opposite the mouth of Green river, along the course of Pigeon creek, and in various other localities, the pioneers, drifting here singly and in small groups, had formed limited settlements. One of the first houses, and perhaps the first (for after the lapse of eighty years, in the absence of any recorded evidence, it is impossible to determine with
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