History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc., Part 20

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: [Madison, Wis.] : Brant & Fuller
Number of Pages: 714

USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 20

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MAJOR ALBERT C. ROSENCRANZ, member of the city council and manager of the Heil- man Plow Works, was born in Baerwalde near the city of Berlin, Prussia, October 26, 1842. His father, C. F. Rosencranz, a watchmaker by trade, was a man of promi- nence in his native village, and took an ac- tive part in the German revolution of 1848. Having taken up arms against the king, he was obliged to leave his native country, and in 1850, emigrating to America, settled near Evansville. About a year later he located in the city and resumed his business as a watchmaker. He returned to Europe in 1867 and died twenty years later. His wife, whose maiden name was Dorothea Nohse, died in 1884. Albert was educated in pri- vate schools, and at the age of twelve years learned the trade of a watchmaker under his father's directions, at the same time pursuing

his studies. When the civil war broke out he was engaged in his father's shop. In 186r he aided in the organization of Com- pany A, First Regiment Indiana Legion, and upon the muster in of the company be- came orderly sergeant. In July, 1862, he recruited Company F, Fourth Indiana Car- alry, and was commissioned first lieutenant, and in 1863 was promoted to the captaincy. His first service in the field was as body- guard to General Ebenezer Dumont, a Mex- ican officer of prominence. He followed the fortunes of his regiment, and was engaged in several important battles, notably among the number, Chickamauga. In March, 1864, the regiment was ordered to join Sherman on his famous march to the sea. Near Buzzard's Roost the brigade to which he was attached, while making a recon- noissance in front of the left flank of Sher- man's army, was attacked by the enemy and lost heavily. Eight officers were lost. Capt. Rosencranz was slightly wounded and captured; he was confined in rebel prisons at Macon and Savannah, Ga., Charleston and Columbia, S. C., and Charlotte, N. C. March 1, 1865, he was paroled, and on May 3 following, was exchanged. He rejoined his command and was mustered out June 29, 1865. During the winter of 1863-4, he had at times been in command of the regiment, and soon after his release from prison was commissioned major, his com- mission being dated May 1, 1865. Returning to Evansville he succeeded his father in business, in which he remained until 1868. In that year he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Hon. Wm. Heil- man, and shortly afterward took charge of the office business of the Heilman Machine Works. In 1873, his health became im- paired by overwork. On this account he went to Missouri and engaged in stock- raising, in which he was highly successful.

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Losing both his children by sudden death, he disposed of his interests there in 1876 and returned to Evansville. On the Ist of the following January he took charge of the works of the Heilman-Urie Plow Company. In 1878 Mr. Urie retired, since which time Maj. Rosencranz has been in exclusive con- trol of the business. His executive ability and his close attention to business have made his management eminently successful. The company is now manufacturing chilled plows, in addition to their steel goods, for which patents were obtained in 1888, and to meet the extensive demand the capacity of the works has been doubled. Maj. Rosencranz has not confined his abilities and energies to the prosecution of his own business enter- prises, but has taken a proper interest in all matters pertaining to the public good. In March, 1887, when the question of settling the city debt in some way was seriously disturbing the public mind, the city council appointed an advisory committee of promi- nent citizens to consider the subject. Maj. Rosencranz was placed on this committee and took a leading part in the discussions engaged in. His capacity for handling im- portant public questions was at once recog- nized, and in April following he was elected to the council from the Fifth ward. Upon the organization of the council he was made chairman of the finance committee. Here his skill as a financier soon showed itself, and he did much valuable service in shaping financial interests, and especially in making satisfactory arrangements for the payment of the city debt. He has also served as chairman of the water-works committee and in other important relations. His career as a public officer is beyond reproach; he performs every duty fearlessly in the man- ner suggested by his conscience and judg- ment; he places himself under obligations to no man or party of men, and acts always

for the public good. In politics he is a staunch republican, but by no means a ward politician in the common acceptance of that term. He is a prominent member of Farra- gut Post, No. 27, G. A. R.

EMERSON B. MORGAN, a member of the firm of Mackey, Nisbet & Co., the largest wholesale dry goods merchants in Evans- ville, was born in Springfield, Mass., Feb- ruary 19, 1844. His early life was spent in Meriden, Conn. In the public schools of that place and at Norwalk, in the same state, he received his education. When about sixteen years of age he went to New York city, and for five years was engaged as a book-keeper. In January, 1865, he came to Evansville with Isaac Keen, a prominent and well-known citizen of this place, and took a position in the dry goods house of that gen- tleman. He entered the house of Mackey, Nisbet & Co. as a book-keeper in 186S, and seven years later was admitted to the firm as a partner. His excellent business quali- fications have made him an influential fac- tor in working out the great degree of suc- cess achieved by this enterprising house. In social as well as business circles he enjoys an enviable prominence. As a member of the order of F. & A. M. he has attained the degrees of templarism. July 1, 1869, he was married to Miss Kate M. Laughlin, a native of Evansville, and the daughter of James Laughlin, a prominent man here in his day.

L. M. BAIRD, produce and commission merchant at No. 220 Upper Water street, was born in Spencer county, Ky., Septem- ber 22, 1831. His father, Stephen Baird, a Virginian, early moved to Kentucky, there married Mrs. Sarah Pierson, nec McDonald, a native of that state, owned a plantation worked by slave labor, and was prosperous. Selling his farm, he distributed some of his slaves among his children, took some to

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Vigo county, Ind., whither he moved, and gave them their freedom. Purchasing a tract of land near Terre Haute, he settled there in 1833, and remained until his death, which occurred six years later. Seven years after his father's death, at the age of fifteen, the subject of this mention accepted employ- ment as a clerk, and remained so engaged in various positions until October, 1851, when, yielding to the excitement caused by the rich discoveries of gold on the Pacific coast, in company with Robert N. Gilmore, he he went to California by New York and the Isthmus. Returning to Terre Haute in the spring of 1853, he entered the clothing store of Samuel Mack, where he remained until the beginning of the next year, when he embarked in the clothing business for himself at Worthington, Green county, Ind. At this place, on Christmas day, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss D. H. Blount, who, two years later, passed away, leaving a little daughter six months old. In May, 1859, he was married a second time, to Miss Ann E. Blount, a sister of his first wife. It was in April, 1861, that he moved to Evansville. After traveling about a year in the interest of Roelker, Blount & Co., he accepted a situation as book-keeper with W. M. Aikman & Co., at 220 Upper Water street, remaining in that capacity until the summer of 1865, when the firm failed in business, Mr. Baird buying the stock, etc. In September, 1865, he formed a copartner- ship with George H. Start, under the firm name of Baird & Start, which was dissolved after nine years of successful operation. For fourteen years past the business has .

The fruits of his efforts embrace, not only the commodities purchasable with money, but also the more valued comforts which a good reputation and a high standing in the community afford. In politics he is an ar- dent republican, always ably championing the principles of that party. During the campaign of 1888, as a clear and forcible card-writer, he contributed largely to the success of the triumphant party. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, having attained the degree of Knight Tem- plar. Mr. Baird's second wife died in Jan- uary, 1873. She was the mother of nine children, five of whom died in infancy. On December 25, 1873, his marriage to Mrs. Mary Peterson occurred. She was the mother of two children at the time of his marriage, since which six more have been born.

CAPT. CHARLES H. MYERIIOFF was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, March 10, 1842. His mother dying when he was but six years old he was sent to live with an uncle residing on a farm in Jackson county, Ind., with whom, and with John J. Cummins, a lawyer of the same county, he remained until 1856, when he returned to live with his father who had again married. His father's death occurring two years later, he hired to a gardener near Newport, Ky., but soon thereafter moved to Grandview, Ind., where he was occupied as a laborer. He made a trip to Vicksburg, Miss., on a flat- boat, and in 1859 started out in a sail-boat with three others to seek adventure and employment. A storm drove them to shore near Hickman, Ky., where they took possession of a cabin, and for so doing were set upon by a planter and his hounds. They were thought to be hard characters and were roundly abused by the irate

been continued by Mr. Baird alone, thus making more than twenty-six years of occu- pancy of the same building, first as book- keeper and then as proprietor. Industry, integrity and wise management have been planter, but when he learned the truth he the chief factors in building his prosperity. was profuse in his apologies and offered

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the men employment. The next morning all went to work in the woods, and while absent the cabin burned to the ground, by which mishap all their clothes were lost. Young Myerhoff was sent to interview the planter, who furnished what money they needed, declining to take a note for the amount, considering the young man's ver- bal promise to pay sufficient. After some hard work in the woods and in the employ of a store boatman, the young man retracing his steps reached Evansville, at the time carrying all his possessions in a bandanna. His brother, John H. Myerhoff, was foreman in the Armstrong Furniture Factory, and here he obtained employment, remaining until the tocsin of war was sounded in 1861. He attended the meeting in the old Cres- cent City hall, when the two first home guard companies were organized. His name was entered on Gen. Blythe's com - pany roll, but when Blythe Hynes moved down the aisle rapidly, vaulted upon the platform and announced that Dr. Noah S.

Thompson had received a commission as captain and orders to organize a volunter company to start for Washington, D. C., at once, to defend the capital, young Myerhoff arose from his seat and asked that his name be taken from the roll of the home guard. In a few minutes he presented himself to Capt. Thompson, offering to enlist, but was refused because he was too young and too frail. He persisted, however, and after an examination, in which he showed a familiar- ity with military tactics, was accepted, being the first accepted man in the first company that left Evansville for the war. While company drill was being conducted in Klausman's hall he was armed with a broomstick and detailed as guard at the front door of the building. His general bearing and sternness made such an mpression on the boys that when he

returned to the city as a first lieutenant in 1863, on recruiting service, they remem- bered him as the man who kept them from seeing the first soldiers in company drill. He was in all the battles participated in by the Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, except those fought while he was on recruiting service or in prison. He was appointed corporal; was promoted on Cheat Mountain to sergeant; to orderly ser- geant October 1, 1862; to first lieu- tenant May 7, 1863; was in command of the company in the famous charge of Car- roll's brigade on east Cemetery hill at Gettysburg; had command of Co. H in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna and Cold Harbor. Ot the

twenty-three that he started with on the 4th of May, 1864, only two were left to leave the works when the regiment's term of service expired on the 7th of June, 1864. Capt. Myerhoff was seriously wounded while in front of his men at Cold Harbor - the ball being still in his body-and was sent to hospital, where he effected some heroic reforms, for which he received the thanks of every patient. His regiment was mustered out long before he was able to leave the hospital. When at length he was discharged, he came to Evansville, and soon became interested in a saw-mill at Grand- view. But this work was too heavy for him because of his wounds, and he entered the employ of Philip Decker, who was then sutler of the Tenth Tennessee Infantry, sta- tioned at Nashville. While attempting to go to Nashville he was arrested four times on grave charges, but he was not long de- layed. He remained with Mr. Decker as a clerk until the war was over. Returning to Evansville, he entered the Commercial College of Jeremiah Behme and studied book keeping. In 1866 he entered the em- ployment of Keller & White as book-keeper,

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and in the next year went with Boetticher, Kellogg & Co. in the same capacity. Here he remained for nearly twenty-one years, and is now a member of the firm of Harri- son, Goodwin & Co., proprietors of the Evansville Stove Works. He is also sec- retary and treasurer of the Evansville Union Stock Yards Company. His civic promi- nence consists principally in his connection with drill organizations. He was elected three times successively as captain of the Evansville Light Guard, a prosperous organ- ization during his captaincy; was elected captain of Orion Drill Corps, K. of P., and was so thorough as an officer that the corps took three prizes, and he himself was awarded a magnificent gold medal as first prize for excellency as a commander at St. Louis, Mo., August 25, 1880. His drill companies, Red Shirts and Zouaves, in political processions, have attracted much favorable notice. As chief marshal of sev- eral large processions he has acquitted him- self with credit. He was on the staffs of National Commanders Kountz and Fair- child, of the G. A. R .: district delegate to the National Encampment of the G. A. R. at St. Louis, in 1887; was strongly urged for department commander of the G. A. R., in 1888; was the second commander of Far- ragut Post, and is now serving as officer of the day. Capt. Myerhoff was married De- cember 1, 1867, to Miss Jennie, daughter of Alexander Sharn, of Evansville. Two chil- dren have been born of this union, as fol- lows: Carl S., born September 22, 1868, and Zulma Lois, born October 17, ISSS. Misses Emma Wollner and Fannie Sharro have made their home with them for years.

HIRAM E. READ was born at Princeton, Caldwell county, Ky., February 9, 1823. When he was three years of age his parents removed to Logan county, Ky., where they purchased a farm of several hundred acres,

on which Hiram was reared, working with fifty or sixty negroes belonging to the family. In the fall and winter months he attended a country school. In a few years thereafter his father, DeGrafton Read, who was born in Butler county, Ky., in 1802, and his mother, whose maiden name was Eliza May Hunter, of Logan county, Ky., born in 1805, built what was very familiarly known as the Rockspring male and female academy, and in 1834 purchased White Hall in Russellville, establishing a female academy, which had a large patronage from many of the southern states. DeGrafton Read was known in his day as a great educator, being thoroughly versed in general literature and the classics. His death occurred in 1838, after which Mrs. Read conducted the academy until her death in 1841. They were the parents of eight children -- three boys and five girls - Hiram being the eldest. At the academy conducted by his parents, facilities were afforded Hiram for obtaining a good English education. Later he was sent to the seminary taught by Prof. John P. French, in Russellville, where he completed his education, becoming thoroughly versed in the Greek and Latin classics. In 1839 he came to Evansville, and obtained a situation as salesman, with Robert Barnes, Esq., one of the principal dry goods merchants of the then flourishing town of Evansville, and remained with him until the death of his mother in 1841. He then went to Owensboro, Ky., to take charge of his younger brothers and sisters and bought a farm near that place. The farm was worked by negroes, and Hiram and a sister, Emma, taught school until the girls were nearly all married. He returned to Evans- ville in 1850, and taught an English school in the old Methodist church on Locust street. While 'so engaged, one day he whipped a boy for disobedience and idleness. At re- cess the boy went home and informed his

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uncle of the fact. The uncle came at once to demand an apology, instead of receiving which he was hustled into the street and badly beaten by the indignant school-master. Two law-suits were immediately brought against Mr. Read, one for whipping the man, and one for assault and battery on the boy. He paid the fines and costs in both cases, returned to the school-room, rang the bell "for books," gave each pupil an affec- tionate good-bye and dismissed school for the last time. Thus ended his career as a teacher. He then accepted a situation with J. H. Morgan, Esq., a retail dry goods mer- chant. The firm soon thereafter became Morgan & Keen, and later Morgan, Keen & Preston, wholesale dry goods and notions, and Mr. Read remained with them as prin- cipal salesman. The manner of his leaving the house was characteristic of the man, who never allows his rights to be trampled on. One day Mr. Read had shown a customer through the stock, when one of the propri- etors undertook to sell him what he wanted. Mr. Read claimed the customer and insisted on waiting on him; words passed, Mr. Read demanded his rights, was denied, then walked to the desk and asked for settlement. He left the house, and in thirty minutes had engaged his services to Merritt, Field & Co., then the largest wholesale dry goods and notion house in the city, at double his former salary, and afterward sold the customer whom he had shown through the stock of Mor- gan, Keen & Preston. Two years later Mr. Read accepted a situation in the large dry goods jobbing house of Conkling, Barnes & Shephard, of New York, where he had a large and profitable trade. In a short time Merritt, Field & Co. offered him the same salary he was receiving in New York, with an assurance of an interest in the house at the expiration of two years. He accepted the offer and returned to Evans-

ville. At the end of two years with J. S. Jaquess and H. C. Gwathney, he bought out the house in which he was employed and later sold his interest to his partners. The firm of Read & Burrow was then formed for transacting a wholesale boot and shoe business. This house was succeeded by Read & Lawrence, and this by Morgan, Read & Co. During the war the firm sold annually between $500,000 and $600,000 worth of boots, shoes and hats. At the close of the war a large stock of goods was on hand and the styles had changed. It became imperative to dispose of the stock as speedily as possible. For this purpose the house of Read, Morgan & Co. was established in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1866. After disposing of his interests in Cincinnati, Mr. Read returned to Evansville and re- entered the old firm of Morgan, Read & Co. He began then to enlarge his opera- tions, and for a time was engaged in buying leaf tobacco in Evansville, Louisville, and Paducah, his purchases in the three mar- kets often amounting to $10,000 per day. It was often said then that "it would take the largest bank in Evansville to run Hi Read." The closing of the Prussian and French ports to export tobacco during the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, caused a very heavy decline in tobacco that entailed a heavy loss on him, which was added to by heavy losses through the bankruptcies of his customers. He

tried hard to extricate himself from embar- rassment by selling between $75,000 and $100,000 worth of valuable real estate. Finally he sold out his interest to his partners, they obligating themselves to assume the indebtedness of the firm. He then accepted a situation as salesman in the wholesale dry goods house of Jaquess, Hudspeth & Co. for one year. At the expiration of that time he opened a real estate office in Evansville

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and has so continued since except for about he gives up business. Mr. Read has been married three times. In 1846 Miss Torisa A. Jones became his wife. She died in IS53, leaving three sons. In 1856 he was married to Miss Angie A. Combs, of Evans- ville, Ind. Of this union thirteen children were born. The death of his second wife occurred in 1876. His marriage to Miss Virginia Conn, of Evansville, was solem- nized in I878. three years, when he was disabled by a stroke of paralysis. The character of the man, his progressive spirit, his activity and boldness, his honesty and philosophical acceptance of reverses, are shown in this narrative of the chief events of his career. His efforts for the public good illustrate another important phase of his character. In 1880 a tax league was formed by the business men of Evansville LABAN M. RICE, one of the leading cot- ton and tobacco commission merchants of Evansville, doing business at No. 414 Water street, is a native of Webster county, Ky., born March 6, 1838, and is the son of James R. and Elizabeth ( Nichols ) Rice. His father was born in North Carolina in 1790, and when a young man emigrated to Kentucky, settling in what is now Webster county, where he was engaged in agricultural pur- suits until his death, which occurred in 1852. His mother was born in Caldwell county, Ky., in 1807, and was the daughter of Noah Nichols, a Virginian who moved to Ken- tucky in the pioneer era. She died in 1873, after a long and useful life. Their family consisted of eight children, four of whom survive. Laban M. Rice was reared on his father's farm and was forced to depend on the imperfect neighborhood schools of early days for his mental training. However, to check the lavish expenditure of the public funds by the board of county commissioners. Mr. Read was appointed by the league to watch the actions of the board and stop questionable allowances. It was not an uncommon occurrence for two or three injunctions to be taken out daily. As a result of his watchfulness many improper allowances were prevented and much money saved to the public. Mr. Read is now sixty-five years of age and seems as buoyant and as ambitious as a young man, to sell property and in every way to keep pace with this progressive age. He has used all his influence to make Evansville a railroad center, and every effort to advance the general good has found in him a ready, willing and influential sup- porter. Mr. Read was once passing around a petition with the view of getting 100 free- holders to sign it, asking the city council to possessing studious habits, he obtained a order an election to take stock in the Peoria, fair education. When the civil war was Decatur & Evansville Railroad to the commenced his sympathies were with the south, and acting upon the honest convic- tions of his conscience he enlisted as a private in the First Kentucky Cavalry and for about fifteen months served faithfully with that organization. Returning home after the war, he engaged in merchandise at Dixon, Ky., for about ten years. During that period he was also engaged as a banker and dealer in leaf tobacco. In October, 1878, he located in Evansville and began the amount of $125,000. He accosted a prom- inent citizen and asked for his signature. " No!" said the man. "I would like to shoot about half a dozen men who have run us in debt so for railroads." " I hope," said Read, "you would let me pass." " No, sir, I would shoot you the first man," was the quick reply. He is perfectly alive to the interests of Evansville, and fondly hopes to see 100,000 inhabitants of the city before

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cotton and tobacco commission business with the firm of Rice, Givens & Headley, of which he was the senior member. In 1885 Messrs. Givens & Headley retired, since which time Mr. Rice has conducted the business alone, being ably assisted by his sons. His sagacity and the honorable methods pursued in the conduct of his business have won for him a high rank among the able merchants of the city. Mr. Rice has been married three times. First, in November, 1860, to Ann E. Wilson, of Webster county, Ky., who died in August, 1861, leaving one child, John T. In March, 1866, he was united in marriage to Mattie M. Lacy, of Providence, Ky., who died February 15, ISS2, leaving five children as follows: Her- schel T., Lacy L., C. G., Goldie N., and Cottie M., all of whom are living. In April, 1883, he was married to Goldie N. Lacy of this city, to whom one child, now deceased, has been born.

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History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc., Part 20

Author: Publication date: 1889 Publisher: [Madison, Wis.] : Brant & Fuller Number of Pages: 714

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: [Madison, Wis.] : Brant & Fuller
Number of Pages: 714