USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 54
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The firm of Kiechle, Brentano & Ober- dorfer, whose foundry is located at the cor- ner of Ohio street and Seventh avenue, employs about seventy-five men, and trans- acts a large business, principally with the south. The senior member of the firm, FREDERICK KIECHLE, was born in Baden, Germany, March 2, 1831. His parents were George and Mary (Wieninger) Kiechle, both natives of Germany. At six years of age he lost his father by death, and was early thrown upon his own resources. His
meagre schooling was obtained in Germany, and while there he was variously employed until 1846, when, hearing of the splendid opportunities in the new world awaiting en- ergetic and ambitious men, he decided to leave the land of his nativity. Upon reach- ing America he proceeded to Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained three years industri- ously applying himself and learning the founder's trade. From Buffalo he jour- neyed to Akron, Ohio, thence to Cincinnati, and from there, in 1858, came to Evansville. From that time to the present he has been engaged in foundry work, except during three years of the civil war period, when he conducted with profit the business of a retail grocer. Endowed with an active and pro- gressive spirit, and possessing much busi- ness tact and ability, he has achieved success. In 1852 his marriage occurred, Miss Catherine Loch, a native of Germany, in 1849, becoming. his wife. Of this union eight children have been born: Frederick W., Mary C., Charles, Louisa, Henry, Ed- ward, Emma and Carrie.
Evansville is situated in the center of a great tobacco-growing country. That the manufacture of this natural product should be early engaged in, was to be expected. From a small beginning it has grown to large proportions. One of the leading cigar manufacturers and wholesale dealers in tobacco at this time is GEORGE LENNERT, who was born in Germany, March 4, 1840, being the fifth in a family of ten children born to Peter and Catherina (Schmittinger) Lennert, natives of Ger- many. His father was born in ISO1, and died in this city in the present year; his mother was born in 1802, and died in Evansville in 1885. The Lennerts came to the United States in 1852, and after a sojourn in Pennsylvania of one year's du-
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ration, they settled in Newburgh, Warrick county, Ind., then a very promising town. After a two years' residence at that place they removed to Evansville, where through- out a long residence they were highly re- spected people. George Lennert received a common school education, and when eighteen years of age, began learning the trade of a cigar-maker in the factory of William Koenig. Six years later he began business for himself, and has since con- tinued, meeting with much success. At the present time his business is quite ex- tensive. Ten or fifteen men are regularly employed, and from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 cigars are annually made. In 1874 he was married to Henrietta Schmoll, who was born in this city in 1850, the daughter of Martin and Elizabeth (Colp) Schmoll. Four children, Hettie, William, Edward and Oscar, compose his family. He and his wife are prominent members of the Catholic church, and are worthy and highly respected people.
For more than forty years the name of EDWARD BOWLES has been recognized as that of a leader in the livery business in this city. He descends from good pioneer stock. The Bowles family came to Evansville from Maine, in 1839. Joshua and Lucy (Water) Bowles, the parents of Edward, were born in Maine in 1785 and 1789, respectively. They were well-known as early residents of this city, and died here, the father in 1849, the mother in 1875. Edward Bowles was born at Wayne, in his father's native state; January 14, 1822. He received a good com- mon school education in the town of his nativ- ity. He was variously employed until twenty-five years of age, by which time he had accumulated enough capital to embark in business on his own account. His first stable, as remembered by the older residents of Evansville, was located on the alley be-
tween First and Second streets, and Main and Locust streets. In 1852 he moved over on Division street; in 1863 he built the house now occupied by Vickery Bros., and three years later moved into his present spacious and convenient quarters. Mr. Bowles is one of the oldest livery men in this part of the state, and his stable has always been recognized as one of the best to be found anywhere. In 1873 his stables were rebuilt. The building is of brick, two stories high, 51x150 feet. Mr. Bowles is a member of the I. O. O. F., and polit- ically a republican. He was married in IS52,' to Tabitha S. Holland, who was born in Kentucky in 1825, and died in this city in 1883, leaving two children, Joseph, born 1855, and William, born 1865. Mrs. Bowles was a resident of the city for forty- nine years. As a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and as a lov- able type of womanhood, she is kindly remembered by many friends.
In 1849 WILLIAM RAHM and his wife, Johanna M., whose maiden name was Schmachtenberg, natives of Germany, came to the United States and settled in this county. Their family consisted of nine children, all of whom are now living. Two of these, Emil and Ernst, are now proprietors of one of the principal shoe stores of the city. Emil was born in the town of Huekeswagen, near Ebberfeld, Prussia, May 16, 1842. Ernst was born in this city October 12, IS52. Emil attended the public schools here until fourteen years of age, and for eight years thereafter worked on the farm where his father now resides. Then for two years he taught a German Protestant congregational school. From 1864 to 1877 he was employed as book-keeper for Mat- thew Dalzell, at that time in the wholesale grocery trade. Being popular and compe- tent, in 1876 he was elected treasurer of the
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county, as the candidate of the democratic party, by a majority of 485 votes. His term of office expired October 1, 1879, from which time until I8SI he was employed as a book-keeper. Then in partnership with F. W. Herrenbruck, he engaged in the retail boot and shoe business. His partner dying in ISS4, he carried on the business alone until 1887, when his brother Ernst was ad- mitted to partnership. He was married in IS64 to Miss Selma Duchmann, born in Alsatia, Germany, in 1843, and is the father of one child, Selma E., born 1878. He is a mem- ber of the K. of H. and A. O. U. W. frater- nities, and he and his wife are members of the German Evangelical church. The younger brother, Ernst, was educated in the private and public schools of the city, in the high school, and at the commercial col- lege of Wells and Kleiner. From IS71 to 1887 he was employed as clerk and book- keeper in the business houses of his brothers, William, jr., and Emil. Since ISS7 his course has been indicated above. He was married May 4, 1876, to Miss Mary Els- felder, born in Vanderburgh county, Ind., May 12, 1855, daughter of Leonhard Els- felder, a native of Germany. His family contains five children: William E., Albert, Victor, Mary, and Oliver W. Mr. Rahm is a Knight of Honor. He and his wife are members of the German Evangelical church. Both Emil and Ernst Rahm are enterpris- ing and careful tradesmen and enjoy a high standing in business and social circles.
In the front rank of the enterprising retail merchants of Evansville stands PETER MARKER, who for many years has been closely identified with the business growth of the city, and particularly that of the boot and shoe trade. Mr. Marker was born in Ellweiler, Birkenfeld, Germany, November 9, 1843, and is the son of John Charles and Sophia (Brenner) Marker, both natives of
Germany, who lived and died in the father- land. His youth was spent in the land of his birth, and there were laid the founda- tions for his mental development. In I859, then indeed but a mere boy, he emigrated to the United States with a view of better- ing his condition, the new world at that time offering many allurements to the energetic and ambitious. Upon reaching America he proceeded with little delay to Rockport, Spencer county, Ind., and later moved from there to Boonville, in Warrick county. In IS62, when the nation needed men to put down armed rebellion in the south, young Marker responded to his country's call, and enlisted for three years' service or during the war, in Company E, Sixty- fifth Indiana Infantry volunteers. Going to the front he served faithfully until the close of the war, being honorably discharged in 1865. Returning from the war to engage in the pursuits of civil life, he located in Evansville, and for a time was engaged as a clerk. In 1867 he formed a copartnership with Mr. George Miller for the purpose of dealing in boots and shoes. The new house soon became popular, and because of the probity and energy of its pro- prietors, for twenty years maintained a high place in public esteem. Mr. Miller's death occurred in 1887. In January, IS88, a new partnership was formed by Mr. Marker and Gustave Weyand, which was terminated July 10, 1888, and the business is continued by Mr. Marker alone. Peter Marker was united in marriage in 1867, with Miss Lina Miller, of German descent, the daughter of George and Christina Miller, and of this union seven children have been born: Anna S., Charles G., Emil L., Arnold P., Oliver P., Walter S. and Zelda L. Mr. Marker affiliates with the republican party, is a mem- ber of the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F. frater- nities.
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JOHN N. McCoy, paymaster Louisville & Nashville railroad, is a native of Mississippi, born December 17, 1849. His parents, F. B. and Lovey (Capell) McCoy, natives of South Carolina, of Scotch-Irish des- cent, lived on a cotton plantation in Mississippi and died there during the civil war period. John spent his boyhood on the plantation and received his education in the public schools of his native state and in an academy at Clinton, La. For a short time he was engaged as a clerk in a gro- cery store at Clinton, but soon went into the service of a railroad company, first as a brakeman and later as conductor. This he continued until 1872, when he came north and entered the service of the Pullman Palace Car company, as a conductor, run- ning between Chicago and New York city. After two years he was employed in the office of the superintendent at the cen- tral depot in Chicago, Ill., remaining there until 1875, when he was appointed assist- ant superintendent of the company's office at Detroit, Mich. From there he was transfered to Cincinnati, Ohio, and later to Louisville, Ky. In August, ISSo, he left the Pullman company, and became associ- ated with the Louisville & Nashville rail- road company, first as chief clerk in the office of the superintendent, then as paymas- ter of the line between St. Louis, Mo., and Decatur, Ala. The duties of his position have been discharged with great faithfulness and efficiency. In 1872 he was married in Chicago, Ill., to Miss Jennie A. Covert, a native of Seneca county, N. Y., and daughter of David H. and Ann (Van Dorn) Covert. Of this union two children have been born; Emma and Frank.
York, Penn., June 12, 1846. Dr. Frederick Ehrman, his paternal grandfather, who emigrated from Germany, his native coun- try, to the United States, in 1833, and died at Liverpool, Penn., some sixteen years later, was well advanced in the science of medi- cine, and was one of the first advocates of homeopathy in this country. Five sons of this man were all successful homeopathic physicians. The youngest of these, Dr. E. J. Ehrman, well known here for many years, was born at Jaxthansen, Wurtemberg, Ger- many, October 29, 1819. He was educated in the schools of his native country, and in Pennsylvania, and at twenty years of age, commenced the study of medicine under his father's direction, and continued it for five years. In 1844, he entered upon the prac- tice of his profession in Liverpool, Penn., where he continued for some time. After attending lectures at the Homeopathic Med- ical College of Pennsylvania, at Philadel- phia, he graduated in 1852, and in the same year came to Evansville. He was the first physician in this city practic- ing in the new school. Because of strong prejudices then existing, several years elapsed before the foundation for homeopathy could be laid, but his practice grew, and in time he became one of the most successful practitioners in the city. His death occurred in this city No- vember 24, 1879. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Churchill, born in Switzerland in IS21, is still living. The im- . mediate subject of this mention is the eld- est of eight children, four of whom are now living. His education was obtained in the schools of this city, and at Asbury Univer- sity (now DePauw University), at Green- castle, Ind., where he spent three years. For twenty years, from 1863, he was em- ployed in one of the leading boot and shoe
One of the enterprising business men of Evansville, in the boot and shoe trade, and a representative of a leading family of earlier times, is FREDERICK J EHRMAN, born in business houses of the city, and here ob-
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tained valuable practical training. In 1883, he embarked in the boot and shoe business, where he is now located, in partnership with Mr. D. T. MacClement. This firm, by steady industry and honorable methods, have won prosperity. Mr. Ehrman was married at Cincinnati, Ohio, October 22, 1872, to Miss Hattie Scott, who is a native of Montreal, Canada. Three children, Charlotte E., Hattie E., and Ernst J., have been born of this union. Though pursuing his business interests steadfastly, Mr. Ehr- man has never neglected his social responsi- bilities. He is a charter member of St. George Lodge, No. 143, K. of P., and for many years has been one of the most ac- tive members of the order in this part of In- diana. He is a charter member of the Uniform Rank, and also a member of the Royal Arcanum. In all social relations he is deservedly popular.
The junior member of the firm of Ehr- man & MacClement, boot and shoe dealers, DAVID MACCLEMENT, was born in Philadel- phia, Penn., December 29, 1845. His pa- ternal grandfather, Thomas. MacClement, was a native of Galloway shire, Scotland, moved to County Down, Ireland, settled in Bangor, in that county, there married Sarah E. Jamieson, a native of the place, and raised a respectable family. His father's name was also Thomas, born at Bangor, in 18II. When twenty-two years of age, he came to America, and was for a time engaged 'as a merchant tailor in New York and Phila- delphia. In the latter city, early in 1845, he married Catharine J. R. VanDerslice, and eight years later, moved to Dayton, Ohio, having meanwhile lived one year at Read- ing, Penn. D. T. MacClement was edu- cated in the public schools of Dayton, Ohio, and at Philadelphia, Penn. At twelve years of age he started out in life to maintain him- self, and for some time was employed in a
wholesale book and stationery house in Dayton. When the war broke out he offered his services, and was accepted. His name was entered on the muster rolls of the First Ohio Volunteer infantry, but being under lawful age, his father had him released. He enlisted again in the Ninety-third Ohio infantry with the same result. Being determined to enter the service he finally enlisted in the OneHundred and Thirty-first Ohio infantry, under the name of T. V. Clement, and served faith- fully until August, 1864, when honorably discharged. Returning to Dayton, he en- tered the employ of the Grover & Baker Sewing Machine company, where he con- tinued as book-keeper until 1868, when forming a partnership with his brother-in- law, B. N. Rowe, he took the agency of the Howe Sewing Machine company at this place. He continued in this business until 1875. April 15th of this year he was mar- ried to Miss Annie E. Bennett, daughter of Bylers Bennett, and then occupied various positions as an accountant and book-keeper until 1886, when he purchased the interest of H. W. Lauer, in the firm of Lauer & Ehrman, and formed the partnership with F. J. Ehrman already mentioned. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., G. A. R. and Royal Arcanum.
HARRY STINSON, deputy auditor of Van- derburgh county, was born in Evansville, January 5, 1858. His parents, William H. and Elizabeth (McCorkle) Stinson, came to Vanderburgh county in the pioneer era. Indeed, the Stinson name is inseparably con- nected with the early annals of the city and county. William H. Stinson was a Ken- tuckian, and for many years was a well- known steamboat captain on the Ohio and Green rivers. His death occurred in this city in 1876. His wife, Elizabeth, an estimable lady, with the heroic qualities of
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the old-time folk, was born in North Caro- young men of the city hold him. At pres- lina in 1821, and after a long and useful ent he is first lieutenant of the Evansville Light Infantry, and is recognized a good officer. His marriage to Miss Julia Langley of Evansville, occurred August 20, 1885. She possessed many admirable traits of character, and her death in 1887 was greatly lamented. life, died in this city in 1885. Harry Stin- son is the eighth child in a family of eleven children. His home has always been in the city of his nativity. Though thrown upon his own resources early in life, he received a good common school education, and this, with good health and active intellect, fairly GEORGE LAFAYETTE MASTERS, a well- known business man of this city, was born on a farm near Boonville, August 25, 1845. He received his education in the schools at Boonville, and was yet within school age when the outbreak of the rebellion occurred. In September, 1861, in the sixteenth year of his age, he enlisted in the Forty-second Indiana Volunteer infantry, and served gal- lantly until near the close of the war, receiv- ing his discharge in February, 1865, on ac- count of a wound through the right lung. Returning home he went into business at Boonville in 1866. In 1877 he was ap- pointed postmaster at Boonville, and after eight years of service, highly satisfactory to the people, resigned March 5, 1885. He immediately assumed the management of the Cumberland Telephone and Telegraph company, making his home at Evansville. After a year's service in this position, he retired, and in August, 1886, engaged as a traveling salesman in Indiana, Illinois, Ken- tucky and Missouri, with headquarters at Evansville. equipped him for the battle of life. His career has had only its commencement, and what the future may hold in store for him, none can say with certainty, but favorable predictions are justified by the achieve- ments of the past. At the early age of twelve years he began to make his own way, and seeking employment, found a po- sition as a clerk, which he held for some time. As he grew older the thought of becoming a skilled artisan occurred to him, and with commendable industry he served an apprenticeship as a carpenter. Having learned the trade, he worked as a journey- man for about three years. About this time he attained his majority, and being deeply interested in politics, took an active part in the campaign of 18So, working for the success of the republican party. Leav- ing the workman's bench, he was connected with the public offices of the city for a few years, and in 1884 was appointed to a posi- tion in the railway mail service of the gov- ernment, which he held until October, 1886. Upon the ascent to power of the democ- JOHN W. ASHBY, proprietor of the Evans- ville wharf-boats, was born in Madison county, Ill., May 7th, 1846. His paternal grandfather, Robert Ashby, was a Virgin- ian, who, coming west, was for a time en- gaged as a contractor on the Wabash & Erie canal, and in 1846 moved to Illinois, where he died, after a long and useful career, in 1852. His parents were Joseph R. and Mary (Crabb) Ashby, sturdy peo- ple, who first came to Vanderburgh county racy he was removed for political reasons solely, no complaint having been made against his conduct as an official or his worth as a man. In June, 1887, he was appointed to his present position by County Auditor J. D. Parvin. His ability and po- liteness make of him an efficient and popular officer. In the local military companies he has held many commissions, attesting the esteem in which his associates among the
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in 1844. The father was born near Har- per's Ferry, Va., about 1820, and died in Evansville in 1866. The mother was a na- tive of Mansfield, Ohio, where she was born in 1827, and her death occurred in this city in 1865. John W. Ashby is the second in a family of nine children, five of whom are now living. His youth was spent in St. Louis, Mo., Henderson county, Ky., Madi- son county, Ill., and in this city, his father's business interests having caused his resi- dence in all of these places. The father's prosperity was not such as to prevent the necessity of efforts at self-maintenance on the young man's part at a very early age. He received a good common school educa- tion, and at the age of thirteen years com- menced the battle of life for himself. His first employment was on the steamer Greenville as clerk, at which he was engaged for some time. While thus occupied he learned the trade of a steamboat engineer, and was licensed as an engineer in 1863. Four years later he left the river and for six years was employed as book-keeper in the well-known houses of Baird & Start and White, Dun- kerson & Co. Later with the firm of George H. Start & Co., and continued in that relation about three years. After a two years' ser- vice as book-keeper for the Evansville Courier Co., he returned to the river, accepting a position on the wharf-boats of Bingham & Page. A few years later Mr. Page retired, and some time afterward when Mr. Bingham withdrew from the wharf-boat business on account of failing health, Mr. Ashby made the necessary purchases and assumed con- trol. He had now two wharf-boats, and no effort was spared not only to maintain the popularity gained by the old firm, but to in- crease it. In such a thorough, business- like way were the wharf-boat interests promoted during the following eight years that, at the end of that period, he was in a position to
purchase a half interest in the large modern wharf-boat which had but recently been brought to the city by that enterprising citizen, Capt. Frank Hop- kins. The firm was then known as Ashby & Hopkins, and it did business under that name until April 5, ISSS, when Mr. Ashby bought the entire interests, and now owns the three wharf-boats. The progress maintained in his successful business career has been gratifying to the many friends who have watched him with devoted interest. His prosperity is the result of honorable methods and untiring effort. Always cour- teous, his pleasing manners have made him exceedingly popular in business and social circles. He was married in 1865, to Miss Lucy A. Noll, of Kentucky, who was born in 1844, and is the father of one child, Edgar K.
HENRY W. LAUER, dealer in real estate and an aggressive citizen, was born in Cincin- nati, Ohio, on the 27th of September, IS36. His father, Rev. Henry W. Lauer, spent fifteen years of his life in the ministry of the German Lutheran church. He was born at Lustnau, Germany, in 1807, was educated at the University of Tuebingen, came to Evansville in 1836, and after a well-spent life died here in 1850. His mother Caro- line (Grissinger) Lauer was a native of Little York, Penn., born in ISOS, and after rearing a family in respectability died in this city in I874. Henry W. Lauer was the second in a family of nine children, five of whom are yet living. His youth was spent in this city, in the schools of which he obtained a good practical education. The spirit of enterprise and adventure early de- veloped itself and finding no adequate field for its display in the well advanced city of Evansville, in 1858 he removed to New Mexico. There for a time he engaged in the arduous business of transporting freight
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across the plains from Kansas City to New Mexico. Being quick in his perceptions and of retentive memory, he soon mastered the various languages used in the section fre- quented by the peoples of the two countries, Mexico and the United States. This posses- sion secured his employment in 1860 and 1861, as interpreter and official trans- lator for the territorial legislature of New Mexico, under Governor Connelly, in which capacity he rendered efficient and valuable service. His experience on the plains also fitted him for useful military ser- vice. In September, 1863, he was commis- sioned first lieutenant in the First Infantry of New Mexico volunteers, and was detailed as recruiting officer for the territory. His promotion soon followed. In 1864 he re- ceived a captain's commission, and was detailed as recruiting officer and acting pro- vost marshal for the territory, under Gen. James H. Carlton. He continued in the service until September, 1866, when he was honorably mustered out. Returning to Evansville in the following year, he began the business of a merchant, which he abandoned in 1869 to accept an appoint- ment as deputy sheriff of Vanderburgh county. One year later he commenced the operation of a mill, which was continued successfully for three years. From 1875 to 1886 he was engaged as a boot and shoe dealer, giving up which he entered his present occupation. Through a long career he has been an active and progressive busi- ness man. In the Masonic order he has at- tained a worthy prominence, early receiving the rank of Knight Templar. He has served the public acceptably in various relations, as a school trustee for three years. His mar- riage occurred May 2, 1867, to Miss Eliza- beth Willey, of Louisville, Ky., who was born in I842.
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