History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc., Part 26

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 26

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his civil career, though honorable in all its parts, does not adequately mirror the char- acter of the man. It is supplemented by a bright military record. He went to the front with the first troops offered to the nation by Indiana. Enlisting in Co. H, Eleventh Indiana Volunteers, he served with that company until its muster-out Sometime later, he enlisted in Co. E, Seven- tieth Indiana Volunteers, and upon the organization of his company he was elected to a lieutenancy. He was detached and placed on staff duty with the Twenty-first Army Corps. Later he was stationed at Nashville, Tenn., as chief clerk in the quar- termaster's department, in which positton he remained until the close of his service. He was in the fights at Chicka- mauga, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain and Stone River, where he received a dis- abling wound. His service was honorable throughout. September 20, 1868, he was married to Miss Emma Steel, a native of this city, daughter of James and Mary Steel. a well-known citizen. But one child, Cora, has been born to this union, who graduated with high honors in the Evans- ville, Ind., high school, on June 15, ISSS. Her commencement essay attracted especial praise among a number of unusually creditable productions. A current publica- tion gave the essay in full, saying of it that it had a special charm because of its very graceful and broad treatment of an attract- ive and unique theme.

JOHN J. MARLETT, representative of a distinguished pioneer family, was born in the village of Evansville, June 14, 1841. His paternal grand-parents Henry and Jerusha (Potter) Marlett were natives of England, who in early days emigrated to Brooks county, Va., where they were num- bered among the most valuable pioneer 15, Knights Templar. This brief outline of citizens of that locality. Their children,

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four in number and bearing the names deservedly popular. January 8, 1873, he was married to Anna M. Bartlett of South Bend, Ind., a daughter of Josiah Bartlett and direct descendant of a signer of the Declaration of American Independence. Of this union six children have been born, Gilbert, Mary, John J., and Caroline, are now dead. The third of these was well- known in this city as an active business man of fine character and sterling worth. Born in New York state, January 28th, 1805, he early removed to Athens, Ohio, where in three of whom are living; Bessie Starr, 1829, he married Miss Martha Jane Starr, Fannie Bartlett, and Alice Louise. Mr. a native of Middletown, Conn., and a Marlett is a charter member of Eagle lodge, I. O. O. F. and for twenty-five years has been prominent in the order, having descendant of one of the best families of the state. Coming to Evansville in 1837, he at once embarked in business and for many passed through all the chairs. In politics he years was identified with the growth of the affiliates with the republican party. He and city, occupying a prominent place among his wife are members of Grace Presbyterian the active merchants of his day, doing much Church. to build up and develop the city, and hold- ing several offices of trust and honor. He enjoyed in a high degree the respect and confidence of the community. His death occurred May 20th, 1876, in the seventy- second year of his age. His industry and

business sagacity enabled him to accumulate ber yard in Evansville and became wealthy. a valuable property. Mrs. Marlett, much respected, remains a resident of the city, and is now 78 years of age. Their children were nine in number, four of whom are living: Mary J., Joanna A. (now Mrs. Sherwood), John J., and Mortimer S., all residents of this city, save the last named, who is a successful traveling salesman. The immediate subject of this mention passed his boyhood in this city attending school and rendering such assistance to his father as his age permitted. He twice enlisted in the union army, but at the earnest solicitations of his mother was not mustered. Since attaining his majority he has been connected with the business interests of the city, principally as a real estate agent and dealer. He has served two terms as city treasurer and one term as city assessor. His record as a public officer is clean and honorable. Possessing the qualities of true manliness he attracts many friends and is seventh Tennessee Infantry, the colonel of

MARCUS C. MCCUTCHAN, city surveyor, was born in McCutchanville, this county, June 5th, 1845. His father, Alexander McCutchan, was a native of New York state, and when a boy came to Indiana with his parents. He established the first lum . He was self educated, but fond of literature, especially of Roman history. He attained prominence in the city, held offices of trust and honor, and died in 1845. His wife, whose maiden name was Annie Atchison, belonged to a prominent family of that period, was highly respected and survived her husband but six years. Being thus left an orphan in infancy, Marcus was taken into the family of his uncle Thomas McCutchan. Here he was dissatisfied, and at the early age of thirteen years went out into the world to battle for himself. He first went to Chi- cago, Ills., thence to New Orleans, La., where he obtained employment as baggage- master on the Mississippi Central railroad. While so employed, the war of the rebellion was begun and when the confederacy ordered the impressment of all able-bodied white men between the ages of thirteen and fifty, he enlisted in Company HI, Twenty-

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that regiment, C. H. Williams, being then president of the Memphis & Charleston railroad. In his heart this young soldier was loyal to his country, but he rendered against his wishes, a service of sixteen months in the army of the south. At Shiloh he was wounded in the head and thigh, but not seriously. He marched with his com- pany to Corinth, was in the siege at that place, and in the fight at Farmington. His wounds had now become so irritable that he was sent to hospital. From here he was sent to Granada, by Major Anderson, who little suspected his intention of deserting the colors which he had been forced to support and from this place he made his escape to the union lines, walking 140 miles to Mem- phis, that city then being held by the northern forces. Here he took the oath of allegiance to the union and came back to the home of his childhood, reaching Evansville in the fall of 1862. In the following February he en- listed in Colonel Wilder's Seventeenth Indiana Mounted Infantry, and served faith- fully until the close of the war, being honor- ably discharged at Indianapolis in August, 1865. Ile was in all the battles participated in by the gallant command to which he be- longed, and rendered heroic service. Re- turning to Evansville, he spent some time in school and for several years thereafter was engaged as a teacher. At length he went back to railroading, being in the employ of the Straight Line, Pensacola & Atlantic, various branches of the L. & N., and serving as a contractor, surveyor and superintendent of construction on the new Ohio Valley road. April 7, 1887, he was elected on the republican ticket, to his present office. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. In June, 1869, he was married to Miss Amelia Voigt, a native of Germany, daughter of August and Julia (Cotton) Voigt, an estimable lady who died in 1881, leaving five children;

Minnie (now Mrs. William Walters of Cheyenne, Wyoming Ter.), Eleanor, Anna, Julia, and William.

ADOLPH GOEKE, police commissioner, was born in Prussia, September 16, 1839, being the youngest of six children, born to Henry and Frederica (Brinkmeyer) Goeke, natives of Prussia, who emigrated to this country in 1848, and died in Evansville in IS73 and 1863, respectively. The family was well known as industrious German pioneers. During his boyhood, Adolph attended the public schools of the city, and in 1868 began the grocery business and has continued the same ever since. Later he combined with this the commission and grain business, and by the exercise of economy and good judgment, has succeeded in pos- sessing himself of a large quantity of real estate and a comfortable home. Politically he is a republican, having been faithful to that party ever since casting his first vote, which was for Abraham Lincoln for presi- dent. In 1886 he was appointed police com- missioner by Governor Gray, and has dis- charged the trying duties of his office with entire satisfaction to the public. He and his wife are members of the German Protestant church. His marriage occurred April 7, 1863, to Frederica Althida, who was born in Prussia in 1846. To this union five children have been born: Edward F., Adolph W., Lida, Anna, and Harry. Adolph Goeke began life with no possessions but a sound body, a good character, and a strong will. He has overcome many obstacles and won success. The lesson of his life may be studied with profit by the young and am- bitious.

CHRISTOPHER J. MURPHY, United States Inspector of Hulls, of the Evansville district, and a prominent citizen of the city, is a na- tive of Dublin, Ireland, born June 19, 1844, the third of four children - three daughters

IamBand

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and one son - born to Michael and Ann (McDonald) Murphy. His parents were natives of Ireland, where the father was born in 1816 and the mother in 1820. They emigrated to America about 1848, and landed at New York. A short time after- ward they removed to Rome, N. Y., and thence in 1850, to Madison, Ind., near which place, in Jefferson county, they settled on a farm. The mother died in 1851, but the father survived her until 1880. After the death of his mother, Mr. Murphy's early life was spent in various places. He was edu- cated in the Catholic schools, and before the age of seventeen years, in May, 1861, enlisted in the service of the United States, at Mad- ison, Ind., joining Company D, of the Thir- teenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was with his command until July, 1864, when he was mustered out at Indianapolis, having been in active and continuous service from his enlistment, in Shield's division of the Army of Virginia, Gilmore's division in South Carolina, and Butler's corps up James river. He was in the battles of Green Brier, Win- chester, and the sieges of Suffolk and of Charleston. At the latter siege was the heaviest cannonading of the war - the old line-of-battle ship Ironsides, seven monitors, a large mortar fleet, over two hundred siege pieces, and the 100 to 300-pounders on Mor- ris Island, all at one time directing their fire against Forts Sumter, Gregg, Wagner, Moultrie, Johnson, and the city of Charles- ton; and the rebel fortifications vigorously returning the fire. He was at Harrison's Landing after the seven days fight; was in some of the hard fighting in front of Peters- burg, Va., in Foster's farm charge, and in various skirmishes and fatiguing marches through West Virginia, Maryland, Florida, and North and South Carolinas. Ile re- turned to Evansville in 1864, and was then the victim of fevers and ill-health for over

a year, although in camp he had enjoyed excellent health. On recovering health, he served as a licensed engineer on various steamers running out of Evansville. Leav- ing the river in 1873, he entered the em- ploy of the Evansville Cotton Mills, where he became assistant foreman, and upon the establishment of IIermann's lumber manufac- tory in 1879, he was made superintending engineer of that concern. After three years, he took the position of superintend- ent of the Electric Light Co., starting the first plant of the company. The following year he became interested in the Evansville Pump Co., as a stockholder and director, and was elected secretary and treasurer. In 1884 he was nominated by the Vander- burgh county democrats for representative in the assembly, and was elected after a hotly contested campaign by the close ma- jority of thirty-three votes, over John HI. Roelker, one of the leading German repub- licans of the city. At the same time the candidates for county office on the same ticket were defeated by large majorities, thus demonstrating Mr. Murphy's popular- ity and strength. He served through the session of 1885, with credit to himself and party. On March 13, 1886, he was ap- pointed by President Cleveland, inspector of hulls, a position he has since held, dis- charging the duties of his trust with fidelity and marked ability. Mr. Murphy is a mem- ber of Farragut Post, No. 27, G. A. R., and is now the post commander. In 1879, he organized a branch, No. 46, of the Catholic Knights of America, that being the first branch organization in the city. For this order he has served three times as pres- ident, and represented the order in state and national councils. He also organized Camp Farragut, No. 117, Sons of Veterans. In religion he and wife are members of the Catholic Church, and he is now treasurer of

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the Church of the Assumption. Mr. Murphy was married in 1870 to Miss Maggie McInerny, who was born in Evansville, Jan- uary II, 1852, daughter of M. C. McInerny, one of the early settlers of Evansville. To this union two sons and two daughters have been born: Anna, born March 1, 1872; Charles, born October 7, 1874; Mamie, born August 14, 1877; Christopher, born August 9, 1881.

the Yazoo river, whence he returned to Evansville. From that time he was in the service of the Evansville & Cairo Packet Co., until he was appointed by President Cleveland, March 14, 1885, inspector of boilers. Mr. Moore is a member of Morn- ing Star lodge, No. 7, I. O. O. F., has filled all the chairs, and in 1888 was chosen rep- resentative to grand lodge. He was mar- ried, in October, 1865, to Columbia Daniels, who is a native of Kentucky, daughter of Captain Marine Daniels, an old steamboat man of the Ohio and Cumberland rivers. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have had four children born unto them, three sons and one daugh- ter, all of whom are still living excepting Walter, the youngest, who died July 10, I875.

JOHNH. MOORE, United States Inspector of Boilers for the Evansville district, is a na- tive of Kentucky, born in Louisville, Feb- ruary 14, 1838. He is the third of five children born to Joseph and Mary (McHenry) Moore. His father was an early settler in Kentucky, and removed thence to New Orleans, where he was en- gaged in business, until burned out during The name of JAMES D. SAUNDERS has been associated with the profession of civil engineer and surveyor for the past thirty-three years in the city of Evansville. Two men of that name, father and son, have occupied the position of city engineer and county surveyor many terms during that period. The elder was born in Manchester, Eng., November 2, 1829. His father being å civil engineer, he was educated in that profession. He was married in 1850 to Mary Sweeney, a native of the county of Donegal, Ireland, whose father was also an engineer employed on the ordnance survey of Ireland. They emi- grated to the United States in the same year and located at Bloomington, Ind., where Mr. Saunders had accepted a situation as engineer on the construction of what was then known as the New Albany & Salem railroad. In 1854 he came to Evansville and was em- ployed in a like capacity on the Evansville, Indianapolis & Cleveland railroad, more commonly known as the "Straight Line." In the following year he was elected sur- veyor of Vanderburgh county, and in 1857 the large and disastrous conflagration which visited that city during the thirties. From New Orleans he removed to Ohio, where he was in business for ten or twelve years, afterward going to Virginia, where he was in trade until his death, which occurred in 1852. His mother was a native of Virginia, and was the daughter of John McHenry. Her death occurred at Wheeling, W. Va. At the latter city John H. Moore spent most of his youth, and there gained his ed- ucation in the public schools. At the age of nineteen he was apprenticed to a machinist at Wheeling, and after three years he came west on the steamer, "Charles C. Hillman," upon which he had placed the machinery. For several years he followed steamboating between St. Louis and Nashville. At the breaking out of the civil war he was in Nashville and there remained until the place was occupied by the union army. There- after he was engaged in carrying supplies for the union forces between Louisville and Nashville. Afterward he went to Memphis and was next occupied in the expedition to | he was elected city engineer and surveyor,

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and from then he held the position until 1861, when he resigned, having enlisted in Company D, Forty-second Regiment Indi- ana Volunteers. He was appointed first lieutenant and afterward promoted to cap- tain. He resigned in 1862, returned to Evansville, was elected city engineer, and from that time until his death he was almost constantly employed as city engineer or county surveyor. At the time of his death, which occurred June 6, ISSo, he occupied the position of city engineer, having been elected in April of that year. His wife, four sons, and two daughters are still residents of this city. Three of the sons, James D., George W., and Miles S., are civil engineers. James D. Saunders, the younger, was the second child in a family of nine children. He was born in Bloomington, Ind., Decem- ber 4, 1853, received a common school edu- cation, and under his father's instructions studied the science of civil engineering. In 1876 and again two years later he was elected county surveyor, which office he re- signed in ISSo to accept the position of city engineer, to which he had been appointed by the city council upon the death of his father. He was elected by the people in the following year and at each election for that office until ISS7, at which election he was defeated by about 200 majority, as at that election the democratic party, of which Mr. Saunders is an active member, was de- feated on the vote for councilmen by nearly 1,400 majority. At present he does the gen- eral business of a civil engineer. That he is thoroughly competent all agree, and in his ability the people have unquestioned con- fidence. He stands at the commencement of his career, and measuring the future by the past, flattering predictions may be safely made. He is a member of the K. of P. and I. O. O. F. fraternities and the Business Men's Association. He was united in mar-

riage, in 1886, to Lizzie McQuigg, of Iron- ton, Ohio, and of this union one child has been born: William M.

ALBERT JOHANN, carpenter and under- taker, was born in Prussia, July 16, 1831, being the oldest son in a family of nine children. His father, Charles William Johann, a harness-maker, came to the United States in 1848, and after living a few years in this city removed to Cannelton, Ind., where after a long and busy life he died in July, 1875, at the age of seventy- four years. His mother still resides at Cannelton at the advanced age of eighty- three years. Albert Johann received his schooling in his native country, and when a young man learned the trade of a moulder. His health did not permit him to work at this trade and he learned that of a house carpenter, at which he worked occasionally, in connection with other business, until ISSo. Since 1865 he has been engaged as an un- dertaker. He began life as a poor man. When he began business he bought a small house but was able to make a cash payment of only $25.00. By industry and economy he has accumulated a comfortable property. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. and L. of H. fraternities. He is a republi- can in politics, and his popularity is evidenced by the fact that for two years past he has represented his ward in the city council. He was married in July, 1854, to Miss Barbara Spies, a native of Germany, and daughter of Henry Spies. Of this union eight children have been born; Amelia K., Charles H., Lydia (who died at the age of twenty-one years in 1880), Emma L., Albert H., Edward W., Mary A., and Eva A.

GEORGE W. NEWITT, superintendent of police, was born in the town of Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, England, July 23, 1847. His father, William G. Newitt, a native of En-

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gland, came to Evansville, directly from his native land, in 1859. While here he was engaged as a florist, and attained a high standing in social and business circles. From this city he removed to Chicago, Ill., where he now figures as one of the most prominent florists of that city. In 1865 his wife, whose maiden name was Louisa Eaton, a native of England, died in this city. Later, his marriage to Miss Mattie Mat- thews was solemnized. George W. Newitt is the oldest son in a family of eleven chil- dren, all living. He was educated princi- pally in the schools of this city, and under

his father's instruction, learned the business of a florist, which he pursued until 1873. At that time he became identified with the police force of this city. He has passed through all the grades of the service, and is recognized as a most efficient officer. His political affiliations are with the democratic party. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. fraternities. May 22, 1873, he was married to Miss Leanna Earl, a native of this city, daughter of Robert Earl, a well known citizen. They have been blessed with three children: Flora L., George W., and Celia.

CHAPTER VI.

BANKS - THE PIONEER HOUSE - NATIONAL BANK SYSTEM - EVANSVILLE NATIONAL - FIRST NATIONAL - GERMAN NATIONAL - CITIZENS' NATIONAL - MERCHANTS' NATIONAL - PEOPLE'S SAVINGS BANK - PRIVATE HOUSES - BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS.

RIOR to 1834 Evansville was without banking facilities, and, indeed, up to that time there had been no pressing demand in the little village for the conveni- ences necessary to rapid and extensive mone- tary transactions. When, that year, the State Bank of Indiana was established, and a branch was located at Evansville, it was considered a bold undertaking on the part of its pro- prietors. Subsequent events, however, showed that their wisdom was not less than their faith in the future of the town. The banking business was inaugurated in a small building on Main street, where the cashier, besides keeping all the books, acted as porter and janitor as well. From this modest beginning the business has grown to vast proportions, occupying some of the largest and handsomest business buildings in the city and enlisting in its service many of the most acute intellects of the day. Capital being the foundation of every kind of business, there can be no better witness of the prosperity and importance of the city at any time than the amount of capital pos- sessed by the banking institutions and used by the business concerns in the transaction of their affairs. The advance of business and growth of the community is probably more accurately demonstrated by the growth of the banking interest than by any other one standard that can be followed with equal precision. The branch of the old State Bank of Indiana, established here in IS34, had a capital, including state deposits and

individual stock, of $80,000. In 1843 this capital was increased to $150,000, of which $73,000 were state deposits. In 1850 the banking capital here was re-enforced by the establishment of the Canal Bank, which operated under the charter of the Evans- ville Insurance Company, the entire capital of the bank and insurance company being $250,000. Allowing one half of this sum to the bank would show the entire banking capital of the city to have been $202,000, not including state deposits in the State Bank; which sufficed until 1857, when a branch of the Bank of the State of Indiana was established, with a capital of $100,000, which increased the total banking capital to $225,000, at which sum it remained for six years. The capital of the branch of the old State Bank, it will be observed, is omitted from the aggregate mentioned as in use in I857, that institution having been succeeded by the branch of the Bank of the State of Indiana.

In 1863, the First National Bank was es- tablished, with a capital stock of $500,000, and in the ten years that followed the bank- ing capital, through the establishment of new banks, private and national, grew to about $2,400,000. At that time, the begin- ning of the year 1873, in addition to the regular bank stock, there was a surplus of $610,000.00 divided among the several National banks of the city, making the total banking capital about $3,000,000.00. The panic of 1873 caused many convulsions in

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monetary circles, but no bank in Evansville was seriously affected. The city has never had a bank failure. Safety and stability have been preserved by careful and conserv- ative management. Depositors have never had occasion for alarm and the greatest confidence is placed in all of the city banks by the general public. At the present time Evansville has four national, one savings and several private banks, all of which are doing a large business, the combined capital being in excess of $3,000,000.00, a sum consider- ably greater per capita of population than can be found in many of the principal cities of the country. At the close of business October 4, ISS8, the loans and discounts of the four national banks amounted to

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History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc., Part 26

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