History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc., Part 28

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 28

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to those whom he knew to be in distress and by his financial aid and advice carried them to a place of safety. In his religious and political affiliations he is an Episcopalian and a republican. He has never aspired to po- litical preferment, choosing to devote his energies to the cares of his business, rather than mingle in political life. He has done a great work in the advancement of the moral and religious interests of Evansville and to him as much as to anyone else the church of St. Paul's is indebted, not only for the beauti- ful building that bears its name but for the prominent position it holds among the sister churches of the state. In 1845 Mr. Viele was married to Miss Mary J., daughter of Judge Edward Hopkins. Six children were the result of this union, of whom his sons George B., Walter S. and Edward N. are now living.

JOHN GILBERT, vice-president of the Old National Bank, was born in Chester county, Pa., April 20, 18IS. His ancestors were among the first settlers of New England, having arrived there with the Puritan fathers in the early part of the seventeenth century. His great-grandfather was one of the first to enlist in the revolutionary army, and was killed at Breed's Hill, the first bat- tle of the war. His parents, Joseph and Mary (Stewart) Gilbert, were natives of Pennsylvania, but early crossed the Alle- ghanies and settled on a farm about forty miles west of Columbus, Ohio, in Clark county. Here the boyhood of John Gilbert was spent, in the manner common to farmer's lads of that day. His opportunities for ob- taining an education were necessarily meagre, but he did not fail to take advantage of such as were afforded by the imperfect schools of the new country. Through the winter months of three years in his life, when his services were not needed on the farm, he was sent to school, where he was instructed

in the elementary branches of learning. He supplemented this instruction with much miscellaneous reading and study, which strengthened his mind and stored it with useful information. In 1836 he came to Indiana in the employ of the American Fur Company, at a salary of $15.00 per month. The company had a warehouse on the cor- ner of First and Division streets in this city, and engaged in the purchase, packing, and shipping of large quantities of furs and deer skins. The territory between Evansville and St. Louis, Mo., was " worked " by Mr. Gilbert for two years, during which time he learned the ways of the people and saw that he could better his condition by working for himself. This new west, then rapidly de- veloping, began to teem with opportunities for the young, energetic, and ambitious. He had saved his earnings and bought a team of horses. Clocks were about this time introduced to the pioneers of the west and were easily sold at good prices, but money was scarce and the vender was gen- erally required to sell on credit or take his pay in trade. Young Gilbert traded his horses for clocks and traded his clocks to the farmers for cattle, drove his cattle to the markets of St. Louis, and thus laid the foundation for his present splendid fortune. He then settled at Golconda, in Pope county, Ills., and be- gan the business of a general merchant, at the same time buying tobacco and other country produce. His restless activity, close attention to business, and steadfast adher- ence to honorable methods, gained for him wealth and high social position. His abili- ties as a manager grew with the increase of his capital. For twenty years he continued his mercantile pursuits at Golconda with success. During this time he embarked in the steamboat business, his first venture being in a line of steamers between Louis- ville, Ky., and New Orleans, La., and he

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has since been prominently identified with steamboat interests on various rivers of the west. During the civil war period he owned several boats in the service of the govern- ment, and was president of a line of steam- ers plying between this city and Cairo. At the close of the war he organized the Evansville & Tennessee River Packet Com- pany, and started the first boat on the line from Evansville to Florence, Ala. This line has ever since made regular trips between the two points. He has been connected with the Evansville and Cairo line of steam- boats since its organization, and was largely interested in the Evansville & New Orleans Packet Company while it existed. Since his connection with steamboat matters he has had built, either for himself or for the companies he represented, a number of steamboats, prominent among which are the "W. A. Johnson," "Silver Cloud," " Idle- wild," "Red Cloud," and "Joe Fowler." His vessel interests being centered princi- pally at Evansville, he removed here in IS72 and has since been identified with the vari- ous interests of the city. As originator and vice-president of the Citizens' Insurance company, vice-president of the Merchants' National bank, president of the Evansville Street Railway company, vice-president of the Old National bank, and as a stockholder in various other enterprises, he has exhib- ited rare skill and sagacity as a man of affairs. IIe is also president of the Paducah, Ky., gas company, and a large stockholder in the Citizens National bank of that place. During his residence at Golconda, Ill., he held the office of mayor of that city, and since coming to Evansville has been one of her most enterprising and public spirited citizens.

29th, ISS7, was deeply lamented by the many friends whom the beauty of her char- acter had drawn about her. Of this union six children have been born: Henry C., Eliza, Fannie G., Mary, William and John. COL. JOHN RHEINLANDER, secretary and treasurer of the People's Savings Bank, has achieved an honorable record as citizen and soldier. April 26, 1828, and the city of Heilegenstadt, Germany, were the date and place of his birth. His parents, Godfried Rheinlander and wife, emigrated from Ger- many to this country in 1844. A year later they reached Evansville, having sojourned for a time at Cincinnati, Ohio. They were respectable people, with the simple ways and industrious habits of the pioneers of this section. The early training of Col. Rhein- lander was obtained in schools of his native country. Soon after reaching this city and at the very commencement of his young manhood he enlisted in the volunteer armies of the United States to assist in the campaign against Mexico. Going to the front he ren- dered efficient service. When the civil war broke out he raised a company - B of the Twenty-fifth Indiana Infantry - and at its organization was commissioned captain. Nine months later his valiant and faithful service won him the rank of lieutenant-col- onel, which he held until mustered out in the fall of 1864. In the battle of Hatchie River, Tenn., he received a gun shot wound through the right thigh and for a time was seriously disabled. His army record is lus- trous with heroism and patriotism. As a business man he has been enterprising and industrious. He began as a cigar manufacturer and for many years continued in that business successfully. His industry and good management constantly increased his business, and his integrity was always manifest in his dealings with his customers

January 6th, 1842, he was married to Miss Cornelia A. Bucklin, a native of Massachu- setts, whose death, occurring December and employes. He has served the public

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in many important relations, notably as county commissioner and county treasurer. In 1873 he was made a trustee and director in the savings bank, which important trust he continues to execute. In 1888 he was called to preside as chief executive of the bank. He is a member of the F. & A. M. and A. O. U. W. fraternities. Intelligent, manly and modest, he has attained an envi- able position in every relation of life. IIe has been married three times. In 1849 Miss Maria Darling became his wife. Four children, Eva, Alice, Florence, and John W. were born of this union. The death of this wife occurred in 1862, and three years later the Colonel was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Miss Margaret Barg, to whom one child, Alexander, was born. She died in 1872, and a few years afterward he married Miss Christine Hedderich, to whom two children have been born.

SAMUEL M. ARCHER, capitalist and banker, was born in Indiana Territory within the present limits of Gibson county, Febru- ary 24, 1809. He is the fourth son and only surviving child in a family of nine children. His father, Thomas Archer, of South Caro- lina, farmer, came to Indiana Territory in very early days, and settled in what is now Gibson county. He was instrumental in organizing that county, was one of the pio- neer citizens of character and influence, and took an active part in the public interests of that section. As a soldier in the Indian war, he rendered effective service for his country, being in the battle of Tippecanoe under General Harrison. The boyhood of Sam- uel Archer was spent upon his father's farm in the manner common to the pioneer lads of that day. His business career was be- gun at Princeton, Ind., where he entered the general merchandise store of Robert Stockwell, as clerk, in 1827. By dint of industry and economy the young man suc-

ceeded in gaining admission as a partner in the concern, in which relation and as sole proprietor, he continued twenty years. Coming to Evansville in 1855, he embarked in the wholesale dry goods business with D. J. Mackey, pursuing it successfully seven years. In 1867 he began a banking and in- surance business with John D. Roche as a partner. This partnership was dissolved by the death of Mr. Roche in 1870, when he sold the insurance business and de- devoted himself to his bank, which he has since conducted with marked ability and gratifying success. He has been a director in the Evansville (now Old) National bank, for twenty years; is a stockholder in the First National bank, and for some time served on its board of direc- tors. During the early part of his career as banker he met many heavy reverses, losing $10,000 in bonds by robbery, and sustaining heavy losses in the failure of the Evansville rolling mills. But being one of the best of financiers and possessing in a high degree all the qualities essential to the successful bus- iness man, he moved steadily forward, and by practicing honorable methods has attained a high rank among those noted for shrewdness and ability. He was married in 1845 to Miss Mary E. Snethen, a native of Maryland. Of this union three children have been born; Annie, Lucy and Charles S., all distinguished by accomplishments of a high order. Mr. Archer and his family are prominent members of Grace Presbyterian church.

CHARLES HI. RITTER, paying teller of the First National bank, was born October 4, 1854, at Cassel, Germany. The only child of John D. and Elizabeth (Bernat) Ritter, natives of Germany, he was early thrown upon his own resources by being left an orphan. His father was a cabinet-maker and followed that vocation during the brief

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period which elapsed between his settlement here in 1859, and the breaking out of the civil war. Responding to the call of his but recently adopted country, he enlisted in Co. K, Thirty-Second Indiana Infantry. Upon the organization of this company he was elected to a lieutenancy and later was promoted, for valor and efficiency, to the rank of captain. On Chickamauga's battle- field he laid down his life, heroically leading his command. Early after his enlistment, in 1861, the death of his wife occurred. Charles Ritter was reared and educated by his uncle, Charles Ritter, now deceased. He early entered a dry goods store as a clerk, and at the age of fifteen was em- ployed in the First National bank as a mes- senger. His ability and integrity soon proved themselves. He rose rapidly, first to the place of assistant book-keeper, then to that of receiving teller and at length was promoted to his present important position. By industry and economy he has accumulated some valuable property, but perhaps the richest of his possessions, he being a young man with the best of his life's work before him, is his excellent reputation for capacity and honor. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. May 7th, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa M. Schmidt, a native of this city, daughter of Charles Schmidt, a well known citizen. They have two children: Fred D., and Marie Louise.

MICHAEL SCHAEFFER, the cashier of the People's Savings bank, is a young man whose attainments in the past bespeak for him a bright future. He was born July 10, 1861, in this city. His parents, Peter A. and Maria (Janz) Schaeffer, were natives of Germany, and now reside in Evansville. Of a family of nine children he is the only sur- vivor. He received a liberal education in the public schools, Trinity Catholic school, and the commercial college of Kleiner &

Wright. When sixteen years of age he was employed as a clerk. April 1, 1880, he was appointed cashier of the Savings bank, hav- ing previously served as a clerk and book- keeper for about two years. As an efficient accountant, an able manager, and a courte- ous gentleman, he has contributed largely to the success of the institution with which he is connected. He was married May 2, 1888, to Miss Kate Negele, a daughter of George Negele, a well known citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer are members of Trinity Catholic church.

REINHOLD F. SCHOR, chief book-keeper of the First National bank, was born in Prussia, March 25, 1844. His paternal grandfather, Fraugott Schor, was a school teacher in Germany. His parents, E. G. and Pauline S. (Boehmer) Schor, were na- tives of Schweidnitz, Prussia, and came to this city in 1854. E. G. Schor, born April 2, 1820, was a merchant tailor in his native country, and for some time followed that business after settling in Evansville. For thirteen years he was in the office of the Evansville Union, and for eleven years past has been engaged as a manufacturer of pot- tery and stone ware. He is the father of one son and two daughters: Reinhold F., Mary (now Mrs. John Groom ) and Martha (now Mrs. S. L. Bray). Reinhold Schor was educated in the public schools of his native country, and of this city, graduating from the high school in 1862. Since that time, by much miscellaneous reading and study he has attained a broad acquaintance with the best works in literature and science. In geology and conchology he is especially proficient. In ISS2, the city council ap- pointed him trustee of the public schools, which position he held for three years. When a young man he learned the printer's trade, and worked as a compositor for some time, and later served as deputy county

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auditor under Victor Bisch. He was then called by H. Q. Wheeler to take a position as clerk and book-keeper in the bank with which he is now connected. His long con- nection with the bank, his faithful attention to duty, and his unquestioned integrity con- nect his personal history with the annals of the bank. He is a member of the K. of P. and 1. O. O. F. fraternities. He was mar- ried August 16, 1868, to Miss Mary E. Schmutte, a native of this city, and daughter of the pioneer, Henry Schmutte. They have four children: Bertha N. (now Mrs. II. S. Haynes, of Owensboro, Ky., ). Ernest A., Annie, and Arthur H.

JAMES H. CUTLER .- Among those deserv- ing special mention in this chapter is Mr. James H. Cutler, cashier of the First Na- tional Bank of Evansville. He was born in Highgate, Franklin county, Vt., December 12, 1829. His father, Jesse Cutler, was a manufacturer and farmer and a gentleman of prominence and influence. He was a suc- cessful business man and quite largely iden- tified with local politics. He represented his district in the general assembly and filled other positions of trust and responsibility. James H. was reared on his father's farm and received an academical education. While yet in his teens he began life as a clerk in a general store in his native village. His em- ployment was not wholly uncongenial, but the rigorous climate so impaired his health that a change of locality seemed imperative, and in 1854 he decided to remove to St. Louis, Mo., but learning of the superior ad- vantages offered for settlement in Evans- ville, which at this time had begun to assume prominence as a commercial center, he de- cided to make it his future home. Although he had just passed his majority he had already laid the substructure of a sound business education, and in a little time he accepted a position as book-keeper in the

house of Johnson & French. In 1860 he began his career as a banker in the old Canal bank, which at the time was one of the most important financial institutions in the southern part of the state. Upon its reorganization as a national bank, in 1863, Mr. Cutler retained his former position. His industry, integrity, and sound views on finance soon made his services almost indis- pensable to the bank's success, and in 1865 he became its cashier, which position he still retains. Those familiar with the history of this bank assert that its success and the enviable position it holds among the sub- stantial and successful banks of the state is due largely to Mr. Cutler's efforts, and that among the bankers of the city very few if any have a more extended knowledge of monetary matters or possess in a greater de- gree the esteem and confidence of the busi- ness men of the city. In his religious and political affiliations he is a Presbyterian and a republican. In 1857 Mr. Cutler was married to Miss Lorrain M., daughter of Deacon Asa Dean, one of the prominent and substantial citizens of Bakersfield, Frank- lin county, Vt. Three children have been born to them: Alberta L., William H., and Adelbert J.

WILLIAM L. SWORMSTEDT, cashier of the Citizen's National bank, was born at Chicago, Ill., September 27th, 1862. His father, Leroy Swormstedt, a native of Ohio, was for many years a merchant in Chicago, Ill., and a planter in Louisiana, his health caus- ing him to spend his winters in the south and his summers in the north. He was well- known in this city, where for some time he lived as an invalid, his death occurring in March, ISSS. The mother of William Swormstedt, whose maiden name was Mary E. Lowry, was a daughter of William J. Lowry, at one time one of the most promi- nent of Evansville's citizens. William re-

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ceived a good education and was well fitted for a business career. He entered the Citi- zens National bank in 1882 as a book- keeper, in the next year became assistant cashier, and in January, IS84, was elected cashier, which responsible position he has since held, discharging its duties with rare good judgment and to the entire satisfaction of the directory of the bank. He is also

engaged in the general insurance business, is treasurer of the Germania building asso- ciation and holds important offices of trust in some of the lodges to which he belongs. He is an active and influential member of the F. & A. M., and K. of P. fraternities, having attained the degrees of Templarism in the former and the Uniform Rank in the latter.

CHAPTER VII.

BY M. J. BRAY, M. D.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - EARLY PRACTITIONERS - HARDSHIPS OF THE PRACTICE-

DISEASES MOST PREVALENT IN PIONEER TIMES - MEDICAL SOCIETIES - HOSPITALS -COLLEGES - THE PHYSICIANS OF THE PAST - PRESENT PRACTITIONerS.

HEREVER frail man has lived and suffered, in the earliest times as well as to-day, the vocation of the phys- ician has ranked among the most important of human pursuits. Who is more eagerly welcomed than he, when the pale messenger casts his shadow over the household ? But experience teaches, and the opinion will pre- vail that,

"God and the doctor we alike adore, Just on the brink of danger, not before. The danger past, both are alike requited. God is forgotten and the doctor slighted."

No professional record is found of the healing art as practiced in this vicinity before 1820, and all that is known prior to that time is purely traditional. Previous to IS12 the southwestern part of Indiana, now called the "Pocket," was a dense wilder- ness, and it was not until about 1815 that there was an opportunity for a physician to practice his profession, owing to the country heing so sparsely settled. Those who were residents at that time were obliged to rely upon the roots and herbs indigenous to the soil for a means of cure for such diseases as were common. The pioneer physician was generally without a medical education, and if he attained success it was the result of experience. Few knew anything of materia medica, and in surgery their knowledge was confined to a few of the minor operations, such as blood-letting, extracting teeth, and lancing a superficial abcess. Dr. Hornby,

an Englishman, was the first to settle with- in the present limits of Vanderburgh county. Ile came in ISIS, made his home near McCutchanville, and gave to the people of that vicinity the benefit of such medical knowledge as he possessed. He was not a graduate of any medical school; what knowledge of medicine he had was obtained in an apothecary shop. Ile entered a tract of wild land and made for himself and fam- ily a comfortable home. He was a good citizen and neighbor and died about 1832.

Dr. William Trafton, who came in 1820 from Lewiston, Maine, was the pioneer physician of Evansville. He had attended medical lectures at Dartmouth medical col- lege and was well qualified for a frontier physician. Bold and decided in his opinions and untiring in the pursuit of his profession, he had but little respect for the opinions of others or the dogmas of medicine, unless based on common sense. He originated new views upon the pathology of disease and inaugurated a new mode of treat- ment. Discontinuing the practice of treating remittent fevers with emetics, cathartics and calomel, he introduced the present mode of giving quinine. After a protracted illness his death oc- curred in 1857. Contemporaneous with Dr. Trafton was Dr. Shaw, whose frail consti- tution was unable to endure the severe labor and exposure incident to the practice at that

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time, and he died shortly after his settle- ment. In 1822 Dr. Harvey Phillips came from New York and settled in Evansville. He had a superior mind, and had studied under some of the best medical teachers in New York city. He ligated the brachial artery just above the arm for aneurism, caused by blood-letting, it being the first capital operation in surgery performed in the county. He was just in middle life when he came, and died about 1825.

In 1833, two brothers, A. P. and Isaac Hutchinson, located in Evansville. They were steam or botanical practitioners, and were graduates of a botanical institute in Cincinnati. They were valuable citizens, and had a reputable practice. Isaac was appointed collector of the port of Evansville, in 1857. His death occurred in the follow- ing year; that of his brother in 1841. Dr. Lane, from Kentucky, and a relative of Gen. Joseph Lane, hung out his shingle in 1834. He was self-educated, and an excel- lent practitioner of medicine. He had the confidence of the community, and was a fine type of the frontier gentleman. He wrote upon politics and medicine, and was a good speaker and a ready debater. He was a regimental surgeon during the war with Mexico, where he contracted a disease of which he died soon after his return.

Dr. Bray came to the county in 1835, and the following year a bright galaxy of medical gentlemen, all well educated, refined and accomplished, gathered in the then flourish- ing town. Among them were Drs. G. B. Walker, Daniel Morgan, L. L. Laycock, Lindley, and William Trafton.

water dug-outs were used in cross- the creeks, and when belated or, as frequently happened, the physician got lost in the woods, he made a pillow of his saddle and wrapping his blanket around him, lay down under the spreading branches of a tree and passed the night as best he could. The nearest drug store until 1836 was at Louisville, 200 miles away, and the physician carried his own medicines. People were poor, money was difficult to obtain, and the pioneers called the physician only in extreme cases, each family supply- ing itself with barks, roots and herbs which were administered in the simpler forms of disease.

Early Diseases .- In the early days the most common forms of disease were remit- ting and intermitting fevers, epidemic ery- sipelas, pneumonia and bowel complaints. The year 1836 was very sickly. Intermit- tent and remittent fevers prevailed in an epidemic form. In the win- ter of 1837 and 1838 epidemic pneumonia prevailed and more than fifty people died. The disease was caused by cold rain and snow. The snow was more than a foot deep and there was sleighing three or more weeks. In about the year 1842 erysipelas visited this locality, prevailing in certain districts in an endemic form. The people called it black tongue. It was sudden in its attack and ran its course rapidly, generally. proving fatal.

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History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc., Part 28

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