History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc., Part 57

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 57

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Mr. and Mrs. Heldt are consistent mem- bers of the Lutheran church.

PETER HESS, an enterprising, public-spir- ited man, was born in Germany, January 4, 1826, being the son of Jacob and Catharine (Rhumme) Hess. He attended the public schools of his native country and then served in the army for nine months. In 1848 he emigrated from his native land, because of the revolution of that year, and coming to America, spent two years in the cities of the east. Reaching Evansville in 1850, he at at once established a meat market, having learned the butcher's trade in Germany, and has since continued in that business. Indus- try and close attention to business brought prosperity. His earnings were wisely in- vested in real estate in that portion of the city known as Independence. In 1887, he platted an enlargement to the city of Evans- ville, comprising ten acres, which is known as " Hess' enlargement." He has always been known as a progressive citizen, and has contributed much to the building up of his end of the city. His abilities and popularity were recognized by his fellow-citizens in 1871, when he was elected to the city coun- cil from the Fourth ward, where he served for three years. He is a member of Schiller Lodge, No. 138, I. O. O. F. July 4, 1854, he was married to Elizabeth Heilman, who was born in Germany, November 7, 1833. To this union thirteen children have been born, nine of whom survive, as follows: Will- iam, Mary, Catherine, Elizabeth, Annie, Til- lie, George, Charles and Henry.

The extensive stables and yards of the Cook brewing company are under the supervision of WILLIAM BAHR, a native of Holstein, Germany, born January 21, 1841. He came to Evansville when thirteen years of age, and worked as a farm laborer. July II, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, First Indi- ana cavalry, and served until August 22,

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1864, when he was honorably discharged as and efficient, he has become a valuable fac- a sergeant. Returning from the war he tor in the management of the roads. He was married in England, in 1863, to Miss Emily Ball, a native of Devonshire. They have four children: Edith, Louis, Clara and Ada. purchased a farm in Posey county, Ind., where he lived until 1872. At that time he removed to this city and was soon employed as superintendent of the Evansville Street railway, which position he filled satisfac- torily until 1877, when he connected himself with the brewery, where he has since con- tinued. He is a member of Farragut Post, G. A. R. July 6, 1865, he was married to Miss Mary E. Downen, daughter of John Downen, of Posey county, Ind. To this union four sons and one daughter have been born.

MANUEL BAWDEN, general superintendent of the Evansville & Terre Haute and Evans- ville & Indianapolis railroads, was born in England, January 1, 1838, being the son of William and Mary (Greenway) Bawden. At the age of ten years he left home to support himself, having had no educational advantages excepting a few months' school- ing, when a child, by which he learned to read and write. For four years he worked on a farm, and then served an apprentice- ship with a stone mason. Having learned that trade he worked at it in his native country until 1869, when he went to Quebec, Canada, and there entered the service of the Dominion government, as foreman of the construction of bridges for the Grand Trunk railroad. Later, he was employed in the construction of various railroads in the United States and, in 1874, became con- nected with the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad, building bridges, depots, etc. He was appointed superintendent of roadway in 1884, and when the Evansville & Indianapolis railroad was completed it was also placed under his charge. May 1, 1886, upon the promotion of Col. W. D. Ewing, he received the appointment of general superintendent of the two roads. Attentive to duty, skillful | born in Germany, in 1833, and emigrated to

Among the manufacturers of furniture in this city the firm of Stoltz & Karges takes high rank. The senior member of this firm, HENRY STOLTZ, was born in Hesse Darm- stadt, Germany, November 18, 1839, and came to Evansville in 1858. He followed the trade of a cabinet-maker until April, 1861, when he enlisted in the Federal army, joining Company G, Seventeenth Indiana infantry. After about seventeen months in the infantry service he was transferred to Company E, Fourth Kentucky cavalry, and was mustered out at Macon, Ga., August, 1864. At Franklin, Tenn., just after the battle of Stone River, he was taken prisoner and confined in Libby prison for about one month, when he was paroled. Returning to Evansville after the war, he went to work at his old trade. In 1870, in connection with other gentlemen, he established the Evans- ville Furniture company, remained with that concern ten years, at the end of that period entered the service of J. F. Reitz, and for five years was foreman for that gentleman. In 1885 he purchased the Nov- elty Chair Works, and started a bedstead factory. In the following year A. F. Karges was admitted to partnership. Mr. Stoltz is a member of Farragut Post, G. A. R., and the I. O. O. F. He was married in April, 1866, to Elizabeth Mann, a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. They have six children. The junior member of the firm, ALBERT F. KARGES, was born in German township, Vanderburgh county, Ind., November 3, 1861, and is the son of Ferdinand and Rosa (Dulty) Karges. Ferdinand Karges was

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America when about eighteen years of age. He came direct to Evansville and followed the trade of cabinet-making. A short time previous to the late war he engaged in the manufacture of furniture with Christ. Miller, under the firm name of Miller, Karges & Co. Several years later he withdrew from this firm and assisted in forming the Evansville Furniture company. After ten years he withdrew from the company and commenced farming in White county, Ill., where he now resides. His wife, Rosa, was born in Ger- many about 1836, and died in 1868. Sub- sequently he married. Albert F. Karges was reared in Evansville, and received his education in the public schools, and at the commercial college. In 1879 he entered the employ of William Hughes, the well- known merchant. Six years later he en- tered the lumber business, and since 1886, has been in the firm of Stoltz & Karges. He is a member of the Business Men's as- sociation, is active, progressive and deeply interested in this city's advancement. He was married in December, 1885, to Lizzie Hauk, of Evansville, Ind., to whom one son, Arthur W., has been born.

Among the foundries established in re- cent year's is that of the F. Grote Manufac- turing company at the corner of First avenue and Ingle street. It was organized February 1, ISS7, and does general foundry work, but makes a speciality of pumps and radiators. The president and treasurer of the company, Fred Grote, was born in Prussia, May 4, 1847, and is the son of William and Laura (Koemann) Grote. The death of his father occurred in 1855 in Prussia. In the same year the mother with five children emigrated to America, coming direct to Vanderburgh county and reaching here July 2. She died twenty years later in this city. Fred Grote was reared on the farm of an uncle until sixteen years of age, |

except during one year when heresided with his mother in the city and attended school. At sixteen he went to work in the Evansville Woolen mills, where he remained eight years, in the meantime, however, spending one and a half years in the employ of Christian Decker. He had learnt the trade of an engineer, and after " following a thresher " for two years, was employed in the city water-works, as engineer. He was so engaged five years, when, in 1878, he established the Novelty Machine Works with John H. Maddox. After four years this was consolidated with the Hopkins & Roberts Machine company. In February, 1887, the F. Grote Manufacturing Com- pany was organized and Mr. Grote was chosen president and treasurer. He is a member of Reed Lodge, No. 316, F. & A. M., of the Evansville Stationery Engineers' Lodge, No. 7, and of the Business Men's association. He is actively interested in the city's advancement, and contributes largely to that end. He was married in 1876 to Miss Matilda Rahm, daughter of William Rahm, sr. To this ' union seven children have been born, four of whom survive.

The secretary of this company, W. H. MILLER, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, November 20, 1840, and is the son of Richard and Mary A. (Weaver) Miller, na- tives of Ohio. He was reared and educated in his native county, and receiving a com- mercial training, took charge of the books of Perine & Co., wholesale notion mer- chants in Dayton, Ohio. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company E, Twenty-fourth Ohio infantry, and served faithfully until September, 1864. He was thrice wounded in battle : at Greenbrier, W. Va., Pittsburgh Landing, Tenn., and at Chickamauga. His entire service was hon- orable and praiseworthy. In September,

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1864, he came to Evansville, and entered the employ of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad company, where, in the capacity of a machinist, he remained fifteen years He then entered the foundry business, in which he has been since engaged variously con- nected. He is an efficient business man and a popular citizen. In 1875, he was elected to the state legislature from Vanderburgh county on an independent ticket put out by a fusion of laboring men and democrats. He was married March 10, 1863, to Louise Blauth, of Evansville, Ind., to whom three children have been born.

ADAM BROMM, senior inember of the firm of A. Bromm & Co., manufacturers of candies and wholesale fancy grocers, at Nos. 18 and 20 Vine street, Evansville, was born at Rauschenberg, county of Kirchain, province of Hessen, Germany, May 1, 1855, and is the son of Karl and Clara (Klingelhoefer) Bromm, who emigrated to the Uni- ted States in 1881, located in Evans- ville, and still reside here. He was reared and educated in his native country, and at the age of fourteen years took a po- sition in the court-house, which he held for more than two years. He next served an apprenticeship to a grocer, and in 1873 came to Evansville, entering the employ of Louis Kollenberg, a dealer in candy, toys, etc., he remained over two years, and then engaged in the confectionery and fruit business for him- self, at the same time traveling for Jacob Heblich. In ISSo he formed a co-partner- ship with A. W. Henn, and continued in a comparatively small establishment, at business under the firm name of Bromm, Henn & Co., until the present firm of A. Bromm & Co. was formed, February I, 1887, to which about a year later, Philip Speck and Frank J. Daub were admitted as partners. His advancement in the business community has been continuous, a result of his intelligent and energetic prosecution of dealing and good management have brough

wise plans. Mr. Bromm is a member of the Business Men's association, and of the Indi- ana. Traveling Men's association. He was married February 3, 1880, to Lottie C. Hoffmann, of Evansville, to whom the follow- ing children have been born: Lizzie, Emma, Albert and Edward.

SAMUEL W. KEENE, a prominent and well-known merchant of Evansville, is a native of New Hampshire, born February I, 1852, and is the son of William and Eliz- abeth (Crawford) Keene, of English and Scotch descent, respectively. In 1855 his parents left their native state, New Hamp- shire, removed to New York state, and now reside there. Five children were born to them, four of whom survive. Samuel W. Keene was reared in western New York, and secured a good common school educa- tion. Attaining his majority, he started to the enterprising west to seek employment. He proceeded to Chicago, and there at once entered the employ of Field, Leiter & Co., then the largest dry-goods firm in the west, and now, as Marshall Field & Co., probably the largest house of the kind in the world. With this firm he remained seven years as a salesman, and then located in Madison, Jefferson county, Ind., where he engaged in the dry goods business for him- self during two years. His venture was successful, but desiring to establish him- self in a larger and more prosperous city, he came to Evansville. This was in 1879, and upon reaching here he opened No. 322 Main street, where he remained three years. His constantly increasing business demanded more commodious quarters, and in 1883, the large storehouse now occupied at No. 327 Main street, was opened. Business was then commenced on a scale second to no exclusively retail house in the city. Fair

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success. The volume of business done in this house, already large, is constantly in- creasing. Mr. Keene is recognized as a pushing, progressive, young man, being an active member of the Business Men's asso- ciation and deeply interested in the general advancement of the city. He is a member of the K. of H., A. O. U. W., and K. and L. of H. fraternities. He was married in 1879 to Sammie M. Victor, of Maysville, Ky., to whom three children have been born : Victor, Donald and Amy.

GEORGE W. GOODGE, contracting brick- layer and builder, was born in Evansville, Ind., December 18, 1841, and is the son of John S. and Matilda (Beidelman) Goodge. His boyhood was passed in this city, in the public schools, of which he obtained his ed- ucation. He first learned the trade of a marble-cutter, which he followed for two years. Ill health caused him to abandon this work. He then began as a brick-layer, and remained so occupied until 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, Forty-second In- diana infantry, and served until June, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. His service was praiseworthy throughout. He participated in the engagements at Perry- ville, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, and the Atlanta campaign. Returning home after the war, he began work at his trade, and soon became a con- tracting brick-layer and builder, at which he has continued to the present time. He is now one of the leading contractors in the city, having supervised the building of Blount's plow factory, Evans hall, Canal street school building, Masonic block, the Mackey building, the Mackey, Nisbet & Co. building, and is now engaged on the new opera-house of the Business Men's as- sociation. He was married November 21, 1865, to Miss Sarah G. Ruston, to whom five children have been born-three boys

and two girls -as follows: Marietta, James W., Susannah P., Edward B., Samuel B. Mr. Goodge is a member of the F. & A. M. order, and of Farragut Post, G. A. R. He and his wife are members of the Walnut Street Presbyterian church.

CHARLES H. W. OTTE, a prominent young citizen of Evansville, and junior member of the firm of Nessler, Nackenhorst & Otte, one of the largest wholesale and importing firms of fancy goods and toys in Indiana, and the only one of the kind in Evansville, was born in Indianapolis, this state, April 2, 1859. His parents, William and Mary ( Heckman) Otte, natives of Germany, were born in 1825 and 1835, respectively. They emi- grated to America early in the '50's, were married at Pittsburgh, Penn., and now reside at Indianapolis, Ind., where the father, as a carpenter, is in the employ of the Pan Han- dle railroad company, with which company he has been employed for twenty-four years. Charles Otte was reared and educated in the city of Indianapolis. From 1872 to 1883 he was employed as a clerk in his na- tive city. In January of the last named year he formed a partnership with Louis Nessler and John F. Nackenhorst, and coming to Evansville, the three established their pres- ent business. With good management and fair dealing, an extensive trade and a high standing among the business concerns of the city have been secured. Mr. Otte is a member of Ben Hur Lodge, K. of P., and of the Traveling Men's association. He is energetic, capable, public-spirited and pop- ular.

E. F. OSLAGE, an old citizen and mer- chant of this city, was born in Prussia, Janu- ary 26, 1819. His parents, John H. and Catherine (Voss) Oslage, never left their native country. They were blessed with nine children, only four of whom grew to manhood, and three of these have since died

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Mr. Oslage came to America in 1841, land- ing at Baltimore, and going thence to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, where he remained thirteen years. From Cincinnati he removed to Du- bois county, Ind., and after a short time came to this county, locating on a farm. In 1866, he removed to the city, and with the firm of Blemker, Tillman & Co., started the third stove foundry established in Evansville. He remained with this company eleven years, withdrawing at the end of that period, erecting his present store building and beginning the business of a grocer. Since that time he has continued in the same business, meeting with much success. At 'Cincinnati, Ohio, May 10, 1849, he was mar- ried to Dorothea Siekemeyer, who was born in Germany, March 11, 1827, and came to America when twenty years of age. Of this union eleven children have been born, five of whom survive, as follows: Julia A., John H., Louisa M., Edward B., and Lydia D.

JOHN W. DINSMOOR, agent for Adams Express company, in this city, was born at Lowell, Mass., October 19, 1842. His par- ents, John B. and Caroline (Daw) Dins- moor, were natives of Massachusetts, and were prominent people in the community where they resided. His mother died at Haverhill, in that state, in 1843, and the father, coming west, died at Sterling, Ill., in 1873. His paternal grandfather, William Dinsmoor, was also a native of Massachu- setts, and died there, after an honorable career, about the year 1823. The immedi- ate subject of this mention was educated in the town of his nativity, and at Galesburg, Ill. When twenty years of age, his patriot- ism was appealed to by his country's need. Responding to that appeal, he enlisted in Company D, Eighty-eighth Illinois infantry, and served faithfully for three years, being honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., in 1865. At the close of his military service

he returned to Galesburg, and for a brief period was engaged in the hotel business. For six years, from 1867, he was employed in Cincinnati and St. Louis, principally with Sheehan & Lole, railroad contractors and builders. In 1873 he entered the ser- vice of the Southern Express company as a messenger, and at the end of three years, was made the company's agent at Birmingham, Ala., which position he held until 1881, when he accepted the agency of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad company at Chicago, Ill. Here he remained until 1882, when he went to Indianapolis, Ind., as agent of the Adams Express company, and two years later was transferred to take charge of the company's office in this city. In the four years of his residence here his uniform politeness and strict attention to business have commended him to the favor of all coming in business contact with him. While at Birmingham, Ala., he was made a mem- ber of Jefferson Valley Lodge, No. 1I, K. of P. In 1878 he was united in marriage to Mary E. Reinsmith, who died December 22, 1885, in the twenty-ninth year of her age. GEORGE BROSE, representing a pioneer family, and one of the leading millers of the city, was born in Evansville, January 9, 1847. His father, Daniel Brose, a native of Wur- temberg, Germany, was born February 15, 1815, and emigrated to the United States in 1837. His death occurred in 1864. His mother, Christina F. (Jenner) Brose was also a native of Wurtemberg, born Septem- ber 22, IS20, who came, in 1839, with her parents and settled on a farm in Vander- burgh county. The marriage of these pioneers was solemnized in 1842. George Brose grew to manhood in this city and, soon after his father's death, at the age of nineteen, he began business for himself. Forming a partnership with his brother, John Brose, he embarked in the grocery

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trade, and five years later the brothers estab- lished and began to operate a flour mill. This business relation continued until 1878, when John Brose died, being then thirty- four years of age. For the two years fol- lowing this death, Thomas Brose, a younger brother, was a partner in the concern, at the end of which time the entire property, now known as the Sunnyside Mills, passed into the possession of George Brose, with whom it has since remained. By upright and hon- orable conduct in his dealings with men, and by close attention to business, he has achieved success. He is a prominent mem- ber of Orion Lodge, No. 35, K. of P., and an active member of the Business Men's association. His marriage occurred in this city in 1874, when Lizzie Laval, daughter of Dr. John and Mary Laval, born in 1852, became his wife.

In 1850 James Nugent and his wife Kate, who had been a Tohill, natives of Ire- land, the former born about 1806 and the latter some ten years later, left the "Emerald Isle " and came to free America. They set- tled in Vanderburgh county and were highly respected members of the community. Ten children blessed their union, the oldest of whom was JOHN NUGENT, born December 20th, 1838, and known here as an enterpris- ing contractor and steamboatman ever since 1865, when he took up his residence in the city. His parents died here, the father in 1876, the mother in 1881. The early por- tion of his life was spent on the farm. It was there in the trying experiences common to all farm lads of that day, and in the district school of the country, that the foundations of his character and education were shaped. When twenty-seven years of age he moved from the farm to the city, and at once en- gaged in the business of a contractor, especially employing himself on the public works of the city and county. In connection

with his work in this line he has been en- gaged to some extent in the capacity of a steamboatman, particularly with the local tow-boats of the port. At present he is one of the contractors on the costly and elegant new court-house now in process of erec- tion. As a citizen he has always been pro- gressive, and in politics has affiliated with the republican party, in the achievement of whose successes he has wielded a large in- fluence. He was married in 1880 to Mary L. Jenner, a native of this city, daughter of Adam and Louise Jenner. Honesty of pur- pose and great business activity have characterized the life of John Nugent, and brought success as the fruit of his labors, and made him popular with his business and social acquaintances. In November, 1888, Mr. Nugent was elected on the republican ticket one of the representatives of Vanderburgh county in the general assembly of 1889, in which he served with marked ability.

WALTER J. LEWIS, secretary and treas- urer of the E. & T. H., P., D. & E., E. &. I., and Belt Line railroads, is a native of Illi- nois, born June 20, 1857. He was reared and educated in his native county, Clinton. Learning telegraphy, he was employed for a time by the Western Union com- pany. His experience as a railroad man commenced at Trenton, Ill., where he served for two years as station agent for the O. & M. railroad. In 1876 he was employed by the E. & T. H. railroad as clerk and telegraph operator, at Vincennes, Ind. His efficiency and close attention to business soon won a promotion to the chief clerkship of the company's offices at Terre Haute. From 1880 for two years he was freight agent at that place, and at the end of this time was transferred to this city to serve in the same capacity, the duties of passenger agent also being en-

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trusted to him soon thereafter. In Novem- ber, 1885, he was made secretary and treas- urer of the railroads above mentioned, ex- cept the P., D. & E., which road was added May I, 1887. Mr. Lewis is an expert ac- countant, a skillful manager, and faithful to every trust. He was married June 15, ISSI, to Miss Emma Stewart, a native of Vincennes, Ind., daughter of L. D. Stewart, a well-known citizen of that place. They have two children: Ewing B. and Walter J. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are members of Grace Presbyterian church.

CHARLES E. WOODS, a leading citizen of Evansville, Ind., and one of the best known house, sign and steamboat painters of the city, residing at 405 Canal street, was born in Lambertsville, N. J., March 12, 1840. When a child he removed with his parents to Daviess county, Ind., and then to Louis- ville, Ky., where he was reared, and was given a common school education. Men- tion of his parents is made more fully in sketch of William H. Woods. He located in Evansville in 1853, and when about four- teen years of age learned the painter's trade with his brother-in-law, William Summers. In 1859, he removed to Henderson, Ky., and in August, 1861, he enlisted in the con- federate army, joining Company B of the Fourth Regiment of Kentucky infantry, and served three years and nine months, and left the service as sergeant. In Web- ster county, Kentucky, at Shiloh meet- ing house, Mr. Woods was captured in 1862, and was turned over to the civil authorities for making a raid on West Frank- lin, and was imprisoned at Evansville, Ind., for about eight months, and then turned over to the military authorities and sent on special exchange. He was at Fort Donelson, Tenn., and was captured in the fall of the fort in 1862, and imprisoned at Camp Morton, near Indianapolis, from

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History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc., Part 57

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