USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 19
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later the business had increased to such an extent that increased facilities became abso- lutely necessary, and the firm built a com- modious brick shop and commenced using steam power. In 1854 they manufactured their first portable engine, and in 1859 their first thresher. Upon the breaking out of the war of the rebellion many of Mr. Heilman's business associates were in doubt as to the ultimate success of the Union armies. Mr. Heilman and his partner took a decided stand for the preservation of the union of the states, and it was here that that business forecast so essential to the success- ful business man was exhibited in its strong- est light. In 1864 Mr. Kratz, receiving for his interest $100,000, thus showing with what success they had worked up to that time, retired from the firm, since which time Mr. Heilman has conducted the business alone. Through his energy the establishment has grown to massive proportions, occupying nearly an entire block. While so deeply engrossed in business, matters of public im- port have always received Mr. Heilman's careful attention. In 1852 he was elected councilman, and for many years discharged the duties of that office with credit to him- self and to the entire satisfaction of his con- stituents. Mr. Heilman has always been a staunch republican. In 1870 he was elected to the state legislature, and in 1872 was nominated for congress, and although the dis- trict was democratic by 2500 votes, he reduced his opponent's majority to 112. In 1876 he was elected to the state senate, and while in Europe in 1878 the republicans of the First congressional district of Indiana again se- lected him as their standard bearer. He ac- cepted the proffered honor, and after a short stay in his native land, returned, and at the close of a spirited canvass of sixteen days, was elected by a flattering majority. In congress as everywhere else, Mr. Heilman evidenced
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that keen perception and sterling good sense which have been conspicuous in all his under- takings. In evidence of this fact, a portion of a speech delivered in the house in 1879, on the "Warner Coinage Bill," a measure intended to enrich the holders of silver bullion at the expense of the people, to the extent of 15 cents on the dollar is quoted below. Mr. Heilman was thoroughly convinced that the success of the important measure of resumption, then but a few months old, required nothing but letting alone. He insisted that "honesty is the best policy " in governmental matters as well as in everything else, and while denied a fin- ished education in books, he had always been an apt pupil in that other school in which the teachers are observation and experience. In his speech his business acumen asserted itself. He thus expressed his views on the bill: "I am strongly in favor of well con- sidered, practical legislation to benefit the agricultural and manufacturing interests, to increase our commerce and wealth, but by all means let us have some stability in our financial legislation. The condition of the country is at last surely, although perhaps slowly, getting better, and what commerce and finance need just now more than any- thing else is to be let alone.".
In congress he was noted for his keen foresight and watchful study of public affairs, and he was regarded by his fellow members as one of the best of business legislators. His views were always practical and his advice sound. While Mr. Heilman's polit- ical record is enviable, his pre-eminence lies in his career as a man of affairs, and it is safe to assert that what his enterprise and genius have done to advance and foster the commercial prosperity of the city of Evans- ville has not been excelled by the efforts of any other individual. The cotton mill owes its existence to his energy and capacity in
financial investments, and the same remarks will apply to many other important enter- prises. . Every project having for its object the advancement of the interests of the city of Evansville has always found in him a warm friend and supporter. To him the Latin phrase " faber suae fortunae" is em- inently applicable. Beginning with little more than his natural endowments as his capital, he has achieved success in all de- partments of life, and his course is worthy of emulation by all classes of young men. Commencing at the bottom round of the ladder with a borrowed capital of $500, he is now regarded as one of the wealthiest manufacturers of the state. His capacity for work has been great and his dispatch of business rapid. He is now sixty-four years of age, but is still an indefatigable worker and always punctual. These characteristics have contributed largely to the successful achievements of his life.
In 1848 Mr. Heilman was married to Miss Mary Jenner. She was born in Germany, and came to this country when nine years of age. The result of this union is a family of nine children. His sons, George P. and William A., are prominent business men, the former manager of the Heilman Hominy Mills and the latter associated with his father in the Heilman Machine Works. Mr. Heil- man has been a consistent member of St. John's Evangelical church since its organ- ization in 1851.
JOHN SHANKLIN, one of those whose honored names are imperishably written in the history of southern Indiana, had a career that is a notable illustration of the possibilities of life in a land of freedom to an energetic and indomitable spirit. When he was a babe of two years, the father, who bore the same name, fell in the Irish rebellion of 1798, fighting for the liberties of his native land. For this
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orphaned child, born at Carrick Magra, county Donegal, on the 17th of February, 1796, there surely could have been, in those troublous times, no augury of a prosperous future. At the tender age of thirteen years, after receiving such education as could then and there be obtained, he began the battle of life as an apprentice in a general store at Donegal, and remained there five years. Then the story of the new world drew him, and on the 5th of August, 1815, after a six weeks' voyage in a sailing vessel, he set foot on American soil at New York. His apprentice lessons then stood him in good stead, and he immediately began an engagement, which lasted three years, with Samuel & James Lambert, wholesale hard- ware merchants on Pearl street, New York. The end of this engagement was caused, again, by tidings of the promise for young men further west. He talked with a hard- ware dealer from Frankfort, Ky., a Mr. Miles, who invited young Shanklin to become a salesman for him, and the offer was accepted. At this new pioneer home, a great misfortune befell him, only a few days after his arrival, an accident which caused the amputation of his right foot. This at first seemed to force him to abandon business, and he essayed teaching, in which he had fair success, at Shelbyville and vicinity, for about three years. Then he went back to trade, entering the extensive auction store of Robert J. Ormsby, at Louisville. Ormsby proved to be a good friend, and established Mr. Shanklin in the dry-goods business at Newcastle, Ky. But the hopes of the young merchant were speedily crushed. Ormsby failed, and a nice sense of honor impelled the young man to send back to Louisville all the goods he had received. He had nothing of com- mercial value left but a horse and saddle and a good credit. The latter enabled him
to obtain a stock of goods at Shelbyville, Ky., and he established himself again in business, this time at Hardenburgh, Ky., with one Moffatt as partner. In a few months they moved to Evansville, beginning business life in this city, December 3d, 1823. Their stock was too large for the town, and the partner, Moffatt, took half the goods to Cynthiana. Under the firm name of Shank- lin & Moffatt, Mr. Shanklin conducted the business at the corner of Locust and Water streets until 1827, when the firm was dis- solved. Then for five years the firm name was Shanklin & Co., changing to Shanklin & Johnson in 1837, and afterward to Shank- lin & Reilly. Until 1853, the original busi- ness stand was occupied. On the first of January, 1872, Mr. Shanklin retired from trade, and devoted himself to the care of his private affairs, and five years later, on the 11th day of January, 1877, he was called to rest, peacefully closing a long life well spent. In business he was active and saga- cious. His enterprises were grand in scope and remarkably successful. For many years he engaged in shipping the agricultural pro- ducts of the region, first by flat-boat, and then by steamers, to New Orleans, and through- out the great region in which his trade ex- tended, his name was always untarnished and his honor and his credit unquestioned. Not only in business was he active, but in those enterprises which make men beloved of their fellow citizens, in those things which work for the general good, and in his atti- tude toward the religious and benevolent movements of society, he was ready, sym- pathetic and open-handed. His estimable wife was truly a helpmeet in these functions, and to her as the founder of the Sunday- school movement in Evansville, the com- munity of to-day owes a deep debt of grati- tude. IIer zealous, self-sacrificing spirit will be immortal here, in the good that she
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has done. As time rolls on, the memories of these two noble lives will grow fresher and sweeter, an inspiration to all earnest souls who would achieve honest success for themselves, and lend an ever-ready hand of aid and encouragement to others.
FOSTER FAMILY .- Judge Matthew Wat- son Foster, and his descendants, have occu- pied a conspicuous place in the annals of Vanderburgh county from very early times to the present. Judge Foster was born in Gilesfield, county of Durham, England, June 22, 1800. When a boy he was apprenticed to a bookseller, and through the opportun- ities thus afforded, became remarkably well informed both upon literary and legal topics. Leaving his native country he came to New York in 1812, five years later removed to Edwards county, Ill., and in 1819 settled in Pike county, Ind. He occupied a prom- inent place in the early annals of Pike county, and for several years served as as- sociate judge of the circuit court. He was engaged as a farmer, miller and merchant in that county until 1846, when he came to Evansville, then attaining sufficient promi- nence to claim recognition as a city. Here he resided until his death, which occurred April 13, 1863. Upon his arrival in Evans- ville he engaged actively in business, and immediately took a prominent position as a most enterprising, upright, enlightened and philanthropic citizen. Concerning every public enterprise his advice had great weight. The city's railroads, churches, free schools and public libraries were all aided by his generous heart and enlightened mind. When the civil war broke out his patriotism early proved itself. Too far advanced in life for personal service in the field, he was among the first to raise his voice and open his purse to secure recruits. Three of his sons enlisted in the federal army and ren- dered effective and distinguished service.
Judge Foster was one of the most prominent men of the city during his day, and contrib- uted largely to the general advancement of Evansville. In every relation of life his con- duct was characteristic of a true, pure and upright man. He was married June IS, 1829, to Miss Eleanor Johnson, who died September 22, 1849, aged thirty-seven years. To this union eight children were born. In 1851 he was married to Mrs. Sarah Kazar, widow of Nelson Kazar, who died in California in 1849. Two children were born of the second marriage: William M. Foster and Elizabeth Clifford. George Foster, eldest son of Judge Foster, now re- sides at San Diego, Cal. He was born in Pike county, Ind., about 1831, and from 1855 to 1863 was wholesale merchant and pork packer, doing a large business. Eliza, the second daughter of Judge Foster, is the wife of Guild Copeland, Esq., a prominent banker and broker of Passaic, N. J.
Col. John W. Foster, the third child, a distinguished citizen, soldier and diplomat, was born in Pike county, Ind., March 2, 1836. His early education was obtained in the schools of this city. He studied law and actively engaged in the practice, but when the civil war broke out he left his private affairs and went to the front. His service commenced with the Twenty-fifth Indiana Infantry-the first regiment that went out as a distinctively Vanderburgh county or- ganization. He was commissioned major, and April 30, 1862, was promoted to lieu- tenant-colonel. On the following August 4, he left the regiment to take command of the Sixty-fifth Indiana Infantry, as colonel of which organization he served until No- vember 10, 1864, when he was induced to resign because of physical disability. Re- cuperating his health somewhat, on May 21, 1864, he was commissioned colonel of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Indiana
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Infantry, and served through the campaign of that year, being mustered out with his regiment on November 10, 1864. Returning home he occupied a prominent place as a citizen, and in 1866, became interested in the Evansville fournal, as one of its editors and proprietors. In 1868, he was appointed postmaster of Evansville by Gen. Grant, which office he resigned later to enter the diplomatic service of the government. As minister of the United States to Mexico, Russia and Spain, he has rendered distin- guished service. Throughout his career he has been a staunch republican, a wise and judicious politician. His abilities are such that he was sent abroad by President Cleve- land to attend to particular matters of state, requiring the highest degree of skilled diplomacy for their proper settlement. He now resides in Washington, D. C., practic- ing international law, but is deeply inter- ested in the welfare of Evansville. He is a member of Farragut Post, G. A. R. He was married to Miss Mary Park McPherson, to whom four children have been born.
Eleanor, the second daughter and fourth child of Judge Foster, was born in Peters- burgh, and died in Little Rock, Ark ..
Alexander H. Foster, a leading citizen of Evansville, was born in Petersburgh, Ind., March 1, 1838. He was educated in the State University of Indiana. In July, 1861, he entered the federal army as regimental quartermaster of the Twenty-fifth In- diana Infantry, and served two years. Later, he was engaged in the wholesale grocery business in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Memphis, Tenn. He returned to Evansville in 1866, and engaged in the pork packing business. lle served three years as a member of the Evansville city council, and on January II, 1888, was appointed metropolitan police com- missioner of Evansville. In 1882, he began business as a grain broker, and has continued
the same up to present. Mr. Foster was married April 11, 1861, to Martha Hopkins, daughter of the late Hon. John S. Hopkins, one of the leading men of the city and state, and to this union four children have been born. John H., an attorney at law in this city; Frank, bank clerk in First National Bank; George, assistant city assessor, and Mary.
James H. Foster, youngest son of Judge M. W. and Eleanor Foster, was born in Pike county, Ind., March 12, 1844. He was graduated from the State University at Bloomington, Ind., in 1864, receiving the degree of A. M. and delivering the master's oration. A few months before his gradua- tion he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry, and served with that regiment until mustered out in September, 1864. For a time after the war he was engaged as a wholesale grocer in Cincinnati, Ohio; Memphis, Tenn .; and New Orleans, La. He remained in the south until 1884, engaged until 1872 in mercantile pursuits, and later as a planter in Mississippi. Coming to Evansville, he was elected city auditor in 1886, and was re- elected in ISS8. He is an efficient and pop- ular officer. He was married in 1868 to Miss Retta Riggs, daughter of Judge Riggs, of Sullivan county, Ind. Of this union three children have been born : Riggs, who died when twelve years of age; Guild C. and Matthew W. Mr. Foster is a re- publican in politics, and a member of the following fraternities : F. & A. M., K. of P., K. of II. and G. A. R.
SAMUEL ORR, an early merchant of Evans- ville, and prominently identified with the best interests of the city throughout a long and honorable career, was one of the enter- prising, benevolent and Christian citizens, to whom the city is indebted for much of its wealth, prosperity, and high commercial and
Ant Heilman
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social standing. He was born in the village of Newtownards, county Down, Ireland, in 1810. He married, in his native country, Miss Martha Lowry, and in 1833 the young couple came to America. Landing in Balti- more, they proceeded thence to Pittsburgh, where Mr. Orr obtained employment in the store of a Mr. Fairman. His ability, integrity, and industry soon made for him a reputation. Attracting the attention of the Messrs. Laughlin, of that city, they induced him, in 1835, to come to Evansville in their interest, where they began a pork and general mer- . chandise business. In the following year he became a partner in the concern, and for many years, with the Laughlins, carried on a wholesale grocery and iron trade. In 1855 the business was separated into two departments. In the grocery department, his son, James L. Orr, and Matthew Dalzell, were admitted as partners, and under the firm name of Orr, Dalzell & Co., business was transacted until the beginning of the war. The iron department was carried on in the name of Samuel Orr until 1866, when James Davidson and James L. Orr were admitted to an interest, and the firm style was changed to Samuel Orr & Co., by which it con- tinued until the change occasioned by the death of Mr. Orr. It is one of the oldest and largest iron houses in the west. Mr. Orr's integrity and high character permitted only the use of the most honorable methods in the conduct of all his business affairs, and because of this the reputation of the house for fair dealing has never been questioned. Its trade is large, extending in all directions throughout the surrounding country, and at all times it has been considered one of the soundest concerns in the city. The career of Samuel Orr as a business man was not confined to the house he founded. The imprint of his individuality is found on nearly all the great enterprises 9
of the city, for he was enterprising, pro- gressive and public spirited. He was one of the incorporators of what is now the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad Com- pany ; for many years was a director in the Evansville branch of the Bank of the State of Indiana, and one of the original directors of the Evansville National Bank (the suc- cessor of the old State Bank), which, as reorganized, is known as the Old National Bank. When the German National Bank secured its charter he was made its presi- dent and held the important position as its chief executive until his death. This brief outline of his business life shows his capacity and ability, but it was not in business alone that the best traits of his character displayed themselves. His kindness of heart, liber- ality and pure every-day conduct drew to him a vast number of friends, and probably no on eever lived in Evansville who was known and beloved by a greater number of people in all classes. His charity was pro- verbial. He used to say: "I love to help worthy objects. I love to give for the good it does me, as well as the good it does those receiving." His hand was ever ready to help the needy who were worthy objects of charity. He was a prominent member of the Walnut Street Presbyterian church and carried his religion into all the affairs of every-day life. The handsome parsonage of that church is a memorial to him and his wife, erected by a loving son and daughter. His was a long life of noble effort, and his death, which occurred February 8, 1882, was by all regarded as an irreparable loss. Mrs. Martha Lowry Orr was born in Ireland, and died in this city October 9, 1882, after a long life of usefulness, full of good and charitable acts. She was a true Christian, exemplifying in her life the ideals of perfect womanliness. Mr. and Mrs. Orr were the parents of three children, two of
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whom survive, Mrs. Martha J. Bayard and James L. Orr.
An illustrious name in the history of Evansville is that of JOHN INGLE. For three generations the name has been borne by men of celebrity in their time. The first John Ingle that Evansville knew arrived here from England on the first Monday in August, 1818. He was born in Somersham, Hunt- ingdon, in 1788, where he had been raised to the career of a farmer and was in good circumstances until the close of the war with Napoleon of the allied powers. Having a strong belief in America, he had come to the new land. After his arrival at Evans- ville he chartered a wagon and proceeded to Princeton, where he purchased a house. Soon after, he returned to Vanderburgh county and bought a farm in Scott township, at the place now known as Inglefield. He was appointed postmaster by President Monroe and retained that office for over forty-five years. He was a hospitable gen- tleman, and "John Ingle's cabin" became known as a place where the latch-string was out for the itinerant preacher and the way- faring emigrant. Plain and simple in his habits, he lived to his eighty-sixth year. The eldest son, John Ingle, Jr., was born in Som- ersham, England, January 29, 1812. He attended for some time a "dame school," taught by an elderly lady who tried to keep the children out of mischief. After coming to this country, he was a student for a year and a half in the common schools of Prince- ton, and at home read over and over the small but select library of his father, while the wolves howled about the clearing. He applied himself to cabinet-making, and after learning his trade, started south in IS33 and first worked as a journeyman cabinet-maker at Vicksburg at the time of the great cholera excitement. Ile went on to New Orleans, worked there eight weeks, and then by a
steerage passage reached Philadelphia. For two weeks he walked the streets of the Quaker City seeking work, and no doubt attracting much attention with his hog-skin cap and clothing of Kentucky jeans. Finally he found employment, and then not satisfied with ten hours of labor daily, he managed to read law of evenings in an office where George R. Graham, afterward editor of Gruhami's Magazine, and Charles J. Peter- son, since publisher of Peterson's Magazine, were also students. Their preceptor, Thomas Armstrong, Jr., since celebrated in his pro- fession, was president of a debating society, in which John Ingle became noted for his skill in defending the unpopular side of many a knotty question. After three years of reading, he was admitted to the bar, in March, 1838. He came to Evansville and opened an office with Hon. James Lockhart, which partnership was dissolved a year later and he became associated with Charles I. Battell. His career as a lawyer was highly creditable to him, and he obtained a leading position. In 1846 he and E. Q. Wheeler became law partners, and in 1849 Asa Iglehart was admitted as a junior member. In 1850 Mr. Ingle turned away from the practice of law and devoted himself to the Evansville & Crawfordsville railroad en- terprise, which had been started by Judge Lockhart, Judge Jones, himself, and others. Judge Hall was afterward associated with the movement. That was a gloomy period for Evansville; the town was poor and un- promising in appearance, the canal had proven an utter failure, and something must be done for the town. Mr. Ingle was one of those who inspired the railroad movement with life and energy, and made it a success, by his indomitable courage and perseverance, in spite of unpromising surroundings. He was an invaluable superintendent, and as I president of the company he displayed finan-
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cial and executive talent of a rare degree of development. He was married in 1842 at Madison, Ind., to Miss Isabella C. Davidson, daughter of William Davidson, formerly of Scotland. Seven children were the fruit of this union. On account of failing health he resigned the railroad presidency in 1873, and his death occurred October 7, 1875. One of the far-reaching deeds of John Ingle, Jr., was the establishment, in 1866, of the firm of John Ingle & Co., miners and dealers in coal. The products of this famous firm are indeed the " black diamonds" in the crown of Evansville. Their business has assumed enormous proportions, and un- der the sagacious management of the third generation of the Ingle family, the head of the firm being John Ingle, son of John Ingle, Jr., there seems to be no limit to the future of the business. The firm possesses 542 acres of coal near the city limits, known as the "Ingleside" mine. From this are extracted annually 900,000 bushels of coal and $55,000 paid out annually in wages.
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