History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc., Part 53

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 53

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Leo Kevekordes, foreman of the machin- ery department, was born in Germany, August 7, 1849, and came to America when eighteen years of age. He had learned the trade of a cabine .- maker, and locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, spent two years working in that vocation. In 1869 he came to Evans- | been associated. He is a member of the

ville and for ten years was employed first at his trade and then as foreman in the furni- ture factory of Joseph F. Reitz. For two years he was employed at various places in Missouri, Tennessee, and this state. Return- ing to this city in ISSI, he became a member of the firm of L. Puster & Co., and was at once made foreman of the department now under his charge. He was married in 1875 to Catherine Schrader, daughter of Charles Schrader, a prominent citizen. Mrs. Keve- kordes died in December, 1885, leaving four children. He was again married in June, 1886, Louisa Tapper, daughter of E. Weber, saddler, of this city, becoming his wife. To this union one child has been born. Mr. Kevekordes is a member of Orion Lodge, K. of P., and Lessing Lodge, F. & A. M.

JOSEPH R. SAMPLE, local freight agent of the Louisville & Nashville railroad, was born in Jacksonville, Ils., February 27, 1848. His father, Charles Simple, is one of the oldest natives of Jacksonville, Ill., having been born there over seventy years ago, and is yet a prominent citizen of Jacksonville. He rendered effective service to his country in the One Hundred and First regiment, Illi- nois Infantry volunteers. Joseph Sample was reared and educated in the public schools of his native place. Since twenty years of age he has been employed as a tel- egraph operator, express agent, and in vari- ous forms of railroad service at Pekin, Ill.s, St. Louis, Mo., Guthrie and Nortonville, Ky., Carmi, Ills., and other places. For two years, from 1882, he was employed in this city. After a two years' service as station agent at East St. Louis, Ills., he returned to this city, and is now in charge of the yards and freight depot of the Louisville & Nashville railroad. By industry, economy and attention to busi- ness he has accumulate.l some property and earned the favor of all with whom he has

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K. of P. and K. & L. of H. He was mar- ried at Carmi, Ills., in 1877, to Miss Mollie Patrick, to whom two children have been born: Lena Howell and Joseph Earl.

R. E. GRAVES, manager of Dunn's Com- mercial agency at Evansville, Ind., was born in Boone county, Ky., February 27, 1855, and is the son of Rev. R. K. and Sarah E. (Mothershead) Graves. The father was born in Boone county, Ky., March 15, 1826, and died September II, 1877. The mother, a native of Owen county, Ky., born January 3, 1830, died June 25, 1881. The marriage of Rev. R. K. and Sarah Graves was solemnized May 15, 1849. The paternal grandfather, Ab- salom Graves, was a native of Virginia, born September 13, 1791, and the maternal grandfather, Alvin Mothershead, was born January 8, 1789. The paternal great- grandfather, Rev. Absalom Graves, was born in Culpeper county, Va., November 28, 1768, removed to Kentucky in 1797, settled in Boone county, and was the founder and pastor of the first Baptist church organized at Bullettsburg, in that county. His death occurred August 17, 1826. The ancestors of Mr. Graves for many generations were distinguished and prominent people in the localities where they resided. Until about seventeen years of age the immediate subject of mention resided on his father's farm and received his early mental training in the public schools of the county. Later his studies were pursued at Burlington academy at Burlington, Ky., and at Warsaw College, Warsaw, Ky. He taught school in 1872-3 in Kentucky, and then went to Cincinnati, where he was en- gaged for three years as a traveling sales- man. On October IS, 1877, he entered the Cincinnati office of R. G. Dunn & Co. as re- EDWARD GRILL, of the firm of Grill Bros., manufacturers and wholesale dealers porter, and was transferred to Evansville, on January 1, 1883, as manager, which po- | in cigars, was born in Rheinhess, Germany,

sition he has since occupied. The skill and uniform fairness with which he has con- ducted the affairs of the agency, have won him a high place in the esteem of the busi- ness public. His social position is equally gratifying. In 1877 he joined Myrtle Lodge, No. 5, Knights of Pythias, at Covington, Ky., and in 1883 identified himself with Orion Lodge, of this city. In the same year he entered the uniform rank, and in June, 1887, was made major of the First Regiment, Indiana Brigade, Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias. He has been trans- ferred to the same position in the Fifth reg- iment. He is also a Master Mason, being a member of Reed Lodge, No. 316, of this city, and belongs to La Valette Com . mandery, No. 15, Knights Templar. He has passed all the chairs in Orion Lodge.

R. W. HARDON, traveling freight agent for the L., E. & St. L. and C. & O. railroads, is a native of Boston, Mass., born June 17, I862. He was educated in the schools of his native city, and at the Technological In- stitute of Massachusetts, where he gradu- ated in 1883. He first engaged in mining for a year, and later entered the service of a railroad company, and has since occupied various positions in that branch of business. He first came to Evansville in 1883, and re- mained but a short time. He again located here in 1887, and has since occupied the po- sition which he now holds. He is thorough in his business methods and has won, through the character of his conduct, the esteem of railroad men and shippers. Having trav- eled extensively in this country and abroad, and possessing the polite accomplishments which adorn the polished gentleman, he has been received with favor into the highest social circles of the city.

JIN Compton

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December 6, 1848. His father, Col. John F. Grill, was a well-known citizen of this place for many years. He was a native of Germany, and in the revolution of 1848 took up arms against the king. Ile rose to the rank of captain and fought valiantly. Upon the success of the crown he was forced to leave his native country, and coming to America, settled in Evansville in the spring of 1849. He was a tanner by trade, and establishing a tannery in the sub- urbs of the city, conducted the business successfully until the war of 1861. He went out with the Twenty-fourth Indiana infantry as a captain, was promoted to the lieutenant colonelcy of the regiment, because of heroism displayed on the fields of battle, and returned home after achieving an honorable record. He then organized the One Hundred and Forty-third Regi- ment Indiana infantry, and went to the front as its colonel. He served with distinction until the close of the war, and was mustered out October 15, 1865. His military career brought him into a close intimacy with with Gens. U. S. Grant, Lew Wallace, and A. P. Hovey, and everywhere he com- manded the respect and confidence of his superiors, as well as the devoted loyalty and esteem of the officers whom he ranked. Returning to Evansville, he was engaged in merchandising for many years, and accumu- lated a fair competence. He was an ardent re- publican, attained an influential position in the party's councils, was several times trustee of Pigeon township, and was recognized as a good officer and valuable citizen. His death, which occurred April 6, ISSo, when he was fifty-six years old, was generally lamented. He was a member of St. John's Presbyterian church, and of the Harugari lodge. Be- fore leaving his native country, he was mar- ried to Margaret Kloninger, whose death occurred in this city, April 11, ISS6. His

family comprised six children, all of whom reside in this city, as follows: Edward, Philip F., John F., Minnie, Amelia (now the wife of Councilman F. J. Scholz), and Lizzie.

Edward Grill was reared in this city and educated in its public schools. He graduated in Behm's Commercial College. In 1864, when but fifteen years of age, he joined the federal army as quartermaster sergeant in the One Hundred and Forty- third Indiana infantry, and served faith- fully until honorably discharged, in October, 1865. For three years, during the adminis- tration of Col. John W. Foster as postmaster, he served as a clerk in the city postoffice and then accepted a position as traveling sales- man for I. & D. Heiman, wholesale grocers. Hle was next employed by Col. John Rhein- lander, and later by Bement & Seitz, as a salesman of cigars and tobacco, and was so engaged for several years. His experience on the road, his extensive acquaintance, and possession of a good trade, induced him to go into business for himself. In IS84, in partnership with his brothers, Philip F. and John F., he became a manufacturer and wholesale dealer in cigars and tobacco, the firm being styled Grill Bros. This business has since been successfully conducted. Mr. Grill is public-spirited, and has taken an ac- tive part in advancing the welfare of the city. He is a prominent member of the G. A. R., and was instrumental in bringing about the re-union of the Blue and the Gray in this city, in the summer of 1887, an oc- currence which attracted national attention. The part he took in the matter elicited the hearty commendation and praise of many distinguished officers. He was married in July, 1877, to Mattie, daughter of Alfred Kirkpatrick, a pioneer citizen of this city, who received a mortal wound while engaged in battle for his country.

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HARRISON & HARRISON .- The manufac- ture of jeans pants and bags was begun in Evansville ten years ago. At that time the firm of Harrison, Peckenpaugh & Harrison was formed and the work of manufacturing was commenced on a very small scale. The business has increased constantly until now it amounts annually to at least $250,000. The works give employment to about 300 hands, and the capacity is for 2,900 pairs of pants daily. Six years ago ago the original firm was dissolved, and the present firm name is that which heads this paragraph.

MAJ. JAMES B. HARRISON, senior member of the firm, was born in LaFayette, Christian county, Ky., in 1840. His father, J. J. Harrison, was a native of Virginia, and located in Kentucky, at an early date, where his death occurred about 1868. His mother was Sarah A. White, also a native of Virginia, who died in IS55. To his parents seven children were born, three of whom survive. James B. was reared in Christian, Trigg and Ohio counties, Ky. He was educated in the subscription schools, secur- ing a good education. In 1861, five days after the firing on Fort Sumter, he enlisted in Company A, Seventeenth Kentucky in- fantry, U. S. A., and was made second lieu- tenant in the same year of his enlistment. On account of ill health he resigned in 1862, after the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and returned to Ohio county. The same year he organized a company for the Twelfth Regiment of Kentucky cavalry, and was made captain; was elected major of the regiment in 1863, and was in command two and a half years of the regiment's service. The regiment veteranized, and he continued with it, serving altogether four and a half years, and was honorably discharged at Louisville, Ky. After the war he went to

cery business, and next removed his business to Paducah, Ky., where he remained until I866. He then engaged in the river mail service, with his headquarters fixed at Evansville for six years. His attention was next devoted to the manufac- ture of hominy, meal, grits and bags in Evansville. In 1878 the firm of Harrison, Peckinpaugh & Harrison was formed for the manufacture of pants and bags. Peckinpaugh was bought out in 1882, and the firm became Harrison & Harrison in that branch, Mr. Ed Harrison being the other member. Mr. Harrison was married in 1881 to Miss Fannie Rudd, daughter of Capt. Rudd, one of the prominent citizens of Evansville. To this union one son and one daughter have been born, as follows: J. B., born April 16, ISS2, and Lucy Rudd, born November 10, 1884. Major Harrison is a member of the G. A. R., and of the Royal Arcanum, and Mrs. Harrison is a member of the C. P. church. Major Harrison has been a pro- gressive, prosperous and public-spirited man. He has not followed in beaten paths, but has established new industries and given employment to many people. He estab- lished the first hominy mill in the city, the first bag factory, and the first star overall factory. His executive ability, and his un- tiring energy have made his business ven- tures successful, while the integrity and gen- eral fairness which have characterized his conduct have made him popular with his employes and the business public generally.

ED HARRISON, junior member of the firm, was born in San Antonio, Texas, May 31, 1860, and is the son of Thomas S. and Mary Ann (Peckinpaugh) Harrison. His

father was a native of La Fayette, Christian county, Ky., where he was born in IS33, and is now a resident of Evansville. His mother was born in Crawford county, Ind., New Albany, Ind., and engaged in the gro- in 1833 and died in 1864. Mr. Harrison

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was reared in San Antonio, and was educat- ed in that city and Evansville. He came to Evansville in 1877, joined his uncle, Maj. J. B. Harrison, and in 1878 became a mem- ber of the firm of Harrison, Peckinpaugh & Harrison. He is now a full partner, own- ing a half interest in the business. He was married in December, ISSo, to Miss Pauline Wilson, daughter of Joseph Wilson, of Mi- ami, Mo., formerly of Texas. To this union two children have been born as follows: Thomas S., born August 27, 1881, and Ed McMahan born December 26, 1886. Mr. Harrison is a member of the Royal Ar- canum, and is president of Red Ribbon club, a temperance organization.

F. J. CONLEN, foreman and cutter for the firm of Harrison & Harrison, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., November 30, 1855, and is the son of Alex F. and Annie (Toner) Conlen. His father was born and raised in Philadelphia, and his mother was born in Ireland. His father died in 1881, and his mother is now a resident of Philadelphia. Mr. Conlen was educated in the public schools, and the commercial college of his native place, and there, about 1870, began to work at the trade which now engages his attention. He came west in 1879, and lo- cated in Cincinnati. In 1882 he removed to Evansville, and engaged with the firm of Harrison & Harrison, with which he has since been connected. He is a night cutter and is considered one of the best in the west. He was married August 4, 1872, to Martha W. Pearson, who was born in Philadelphia, October 12, 1854. To this union four child- ren have been born.

ALFRED BERNARDIN, president of the In- diana Canning company, and also of the Bernardin Bottle Cap company, two of the leading industries of Evansville, Ind., and a prominent citizen, is a native of France, born in 1845. Coming to America in 1856,

he located at Portsmouth, Ohio, where he remained until 1873, and then came to Evansville, since when he has been a citizen of the place. He was married in 1870, to Emma Keough, of Ohio, and to their union two sons and one daughter have been born. Upon locating in Evansville, Mr. Bernardin engaged in the manufacture of mineral waters. Having invented an ingenious bot- tle cap, and having secured a patent for the same in 1885, he established the Bernandin Bottle Cap company, for the manufacture of the same. This invention is in the nature of a metallic cap and fastener combined, to re- tain corks that are under pressure, avoiding the old method of wire fastenings, and at the same time putting on an attractive finish to the bottle. The machinery for the man- ufacture of the bottle cap is of Mr. Ber- nardin's own devising and is also patented. The plant and products are the only ones in the United States. The machinery is most remarkable, and its operation partakes of the marvelous. It is constructed on scientific principles, and while it was in course of construction, Mr. Bernardin made twenty-two trips to Brooklyn, N. Y., to secure its perfection. The capacity of the plant is 75,000 complete caps per day, and thirty-five hands, principally girls, are employed. The Bottle Cap company is a stock concern with A. Bernardin as presi- dent and treasurer, and F. W. Cook as sec- retary. About $25,000 capital is invested in the plant and business. The bottle cap is in general use in Evansville, Cincinnati, New York, Boston, New Orleans, St. Louis, San Antonio, Dallas and all the cities throughout the United States. The canning company was organized and opened in March, 1887. This, industry is the only one of the kind in the city, and has a daily capacity of 20,000 cans. All kinds of vegetables and fruits are canned, and from 250

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to 300 hands are employed during the season. About $60,000 capital is invested in the establishment, and the stock company is as follows: A. Bernardin, president; L. Seitz, vice-president; F. W. Cook, jr., secretary and treasurer; Ezra Lyon, manager. Other stockholders are: Dr. A. M. Owen, D. J. Mackey, F. W. Cook, sr., C. R. Bement, Theo. R. McFerson and M. W. Foster.

PHILIP SPIEGEL, trustee of Pigeon town- ship, was born in Bavaria, near the river Rhine, on the 17th of January, 1832. His parents, Paul and Cleopha (Bogenshuetz) Spiegel, lived and died in Germany, their native country. At eleven years of age he was " bound out" for two years, according to the custom of the country. At the early age of fifteen years he left his native land, and making his way to America, settled in Evansville, where he has since remained, a period of forty-one years. His early edu- cation was not wholly neglected, but it was necessarily meagre. When he reached here he began learning the cooper's trade, and having served his apprenticeship continued at that work until 1854, when he entered the employ of Babcock Bros., the well- known hardware dealers, where he remained until 18S2. For a time he engaged in the grocery business. In 1886 he was nomi- nated by the democratic party, with which he had long affiliated, for the office of town- ship trustee of Pigeon township, and was elected by a majority of 185. In ISS8 he was re-elected to the same office by a ma- jority of 766 votes. He is a popular and efficient officer, and a good citizen. He has been four times married and is the father of four children.

JOHN J. FARRAR, general manager at Evansville for the Singer Manufacturing company, was born in Louisville, Ky., Feb- ruary 28, 1853, and is the son of John M.

and Caroline J. (Jarvis) Farrar. His fa- ther, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1825, at the age of eight years, moved with his par- ents to Louisville, where he has since re- sided, for many years past being a promi- nent member of the bar at that place. His mother was born at Brighton, England, in 1832, came to the United States when a child, and died in Louisville, Ky., in 1865. John Farrar is the oldest of five children, four of whom are living. He was educated in the private school of Prof. B. B. Hun- toon, now superintendent of the Kentucky State Asylum for the Blind. Finishing his studies in 1871, in December of that year he entered the employ of the Louisville In- surance and Banking company. About a year later he entered the sewing ma- chine business, and for twelve years past has been with the Singer Manufactur- ing company. He has held several import- ant positions, and assumed charge of the company's offices at this place in 1888. His capacity and executive ability have al- ready exhibited themselves. The fine art display made in the company's offices soon after his arrival here attracted general no- tice and favorable comment. Mr. Farrar is a member of Preston Lodge, No. 2SI, F. & A. M., of Louisville, Ky. He was married in 1876 to Miss Clarissa J. Hertsch, a native of Leipsic, Saxony, born October 9, 1857. Of this union one child, Walter T., has been born.

The Indiana Stove Works, located on Seventh avenue between Indiana and Illinois streets, is one of the leading institutions of its kind in the city of Evansville. It was in- corporated in 1887, being the successor of the firm of Schrader, Fischer & Boehne, which firm was established in ISSI, made up in the first place of substantial citizens and practical workmen.

JACOB FISCHER, president of the com-

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pany, was born in Germany in 1848, and coming to America, settled in Evansville in December, IS69. He was a moulder by trade, and, upon coming to Evansville, went to work in a foundry and continued so en- gaged until ISSI, when he became a mem- ber of the firm of Shrader, Fischer & Boehne. Upon the incorporation of the firm in 1887, he was made president, and now holds that position. In 1871 he was mar- ried to Lena Martin, who was born in Ger- many, and is the daughter of William Mar- tin, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Fischer are members of St. Boniface Catholic church, of Independence. He is a member of St. Boniface Benevolent society and the Catho- lic Knights of America.

J. WILLIAM BOEHNE, secretary, treasurer, and general manager of the works, was born on a farm in the northern part of Vander- burgh county, October 28, 1856, and is the son of Gerhard H. and Elizabeth Boehne. His father emigrated from Germany to America, in 1842, and came direct to the west, settling on a farm in what is now Scott township, Vanderburgh county. He followed farming all his life, and died in 1886, at the age of sixty-two years. His mother was also a native of Germany and came to Amer- ica in 1845. His parents were married in 1847. Mrs. Boehne is still living, residing on the old home place in Scott township. To these parents eight children were born, of whom six survive. J. William Boehne was reared on the farm until his sixteenth year, and · during his boyhood attended the public and church schools. In 1873 he came to Evansville and for two years clerked for his uncle in a grocery store, during which time he attended commercial college at night. Completing his course of studies, in the fall of 1875 he took a position with Thomas Scantlin & Son as book-keeper, and remained with that firm until December, ISSI, when, in company

with Charles Schrader, Jacob Fischer, and Mrs. A. Vermilion, organized the firm of Schrader, Fischer, Boehne & Co., and began the manufacture of stoves and ranges. When the firm was incorporated in 1887 he became secretary, treasurer, and general manager. Much of the success of the com- pany is due to his ability as a manager and his close attention to business. He was mar- ried in ISSo to Louise Karges, a native of Evansville, and the daughter of Ferdinand Karges. Mrs. Boehne died June 23, 1883, at the age of twenty-four years. In 1885 he was again married to Emilie Ide, who was born in Evansville, and is the daughter of Henry Ide. To this union one son has been born. Mr. and Mrs. Boehne are members of the Lutheran church (Trinity).

CHARLES SCHRADER was born August 6, IS21, in Prussia, Germany. He farmed in his native country until 1846, when he came to America, landing at Galveston, Texas, thence he went to New Orleans, and then participated in the Mexican war as teamster, being so engaged two years. Returning to New Orleans, he went into the dairy busi- ness for two years- then he moved to Perry county, Ind., and settled upon a farm, where he remained until the spring of 1864. He then moved to Evansville, and was employed by Brinkmeyer, Helbling & Co., in their store, and remained in their service one year; then for three years he was book- keeper for J. B. Mesker. After leaving the employ of Mr. Mesker he engaged in the manufacture of vinegar, which he left to become traveling salesman for Thomas Scantlin & Son. At this he was occupied until the organization of the firm of Schrader, Fischer & Boehne, which has now adopted the name of the Indiana Stove Works, with the same membership. He was married in 1848 to Elizabeth Ubrich, who was born in Germany in 1819. They are the parents of

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four children, only one of whom, Minnie, survives. She married John H. Rosen- berger. The family are members of St. John's Presbyterian church. Politically Mr. Schrader is a republican.

CHARLES A. SLAYBACK, chief engineer of the "Mackey system, "was born November 2, 1829, in Hamilton county, Ohio. His father Dr. Abel Slayback, was a prominent phy- sician in Cincinnati, Ohio. He received a good common school education and com- pleted his studies at Woodward college. For five years he was employed as a civil en- gineer on the Wabash & Erie canal, and for some time as a railroad contractor. His work causing him to make Princeton, Ind., his place of residence, he was postmaster of that town from 1860 to 1865. He has been engaged as an engineer on the Cincinnati Southern and other railroads, and for several years has satisfactorily filled his present position. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. born in 1828, who came to the United States and in politics a republican. In 1857 he was married to his first wife, Eva, a native of New York, whose death occurred in 1883. Of this union two children were born Clinton S. and Susan L., both mar- ried. January 25, 1887, he was married to Miss Lida O. Steel, a native of Philadelphia, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Slayback are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church at Prince- ton, Ind., their place of residence.

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History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc., Part 53

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