USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 59
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the state. Its prosperity and high standing in business circles are largely due to the personal effort of Mr. Verwayne. Politi- . cally, Mr. Verwayne is a democrat, though not acting a prominent part in his party's affairs. August 7, 1860, he was married to Miss Dina A. Gerwe, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who was born in Germany May 5, 1836; and to these parents five children have been born: John H., Henry, George, Edward and Joseph. The family belongs to the Catholic church.
In 1835 Weden and Mary Wiltshire left the state of Virginia and moved to Chilli- cothe, Ohio. They came thence to Evans- ville in 1858. Their family consisted of fifteen children, eight of whom are still liv- ing. The mother was born in 1797, and died in 1874. The father, born in 1798, died in 1886. As industrious, honest and respectable citizens they were well-known. The seventh of their children, JAMES W. WILTSHIRE, was born in Rockingham county, Va., November 28, 1829. He re- ceived some instruction in the rudimentary branches of learning in the schools of Chilli- cothe, but at the age of thirteen he was regularly employed to learn the trade of a cooper. Succeeding in this he continued to work at his trade until 1847, when, hearing of the rapid strides then being made by the promising young city in southern Indiana, he set out for Evansville. Arriving here, he con- tinued his work as a journeyman for four years, at the end of which time he formed a partnership with J. H. Kreipke, for the pur- pose of carrying on the coopering business. Success attended the efforts of these in- dustrious and practical workmen. They continued the business for thirty-five years, until the death of Mr. Kreipke, in 1887. Upon the death of his associate, Mr. Wiltshire permanently retired from the business which he had pursued with success
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for so long a time. During the entire period of this concern's existence the proprietors were classed among the most active and en- terprising men in the city. In politics Mr. Wiltshire is recognized as a staunch repub- lican. His career as a man of business in- duced the voters of his ward to give him a seat in the city council. In this capacity he served the public for three years, during 1866 1867 and 1868. Mr. Wiltshire has been twice married. In 1847 Miss Sarah A. Knouse became his wife. She was an estimable lady, and her death which occurred in 1880, was lamented by many relatives and friends. In 1881 Mr. Wiltshire was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth De- troy, who was born in Germany in 1861. Through a period of forty years Mr. Wilt- shire has been a resident of the city. By dealing fairly with his fellow men and by steady industry he has won success.
LANT & MORRIS .- The manufacture of brick is one of the great and growing indus- trtes of Evansville, and prominent among the manufactories, indeed, the largest pressed brick manufactory in the United States, is that of Lant & Morris, who do business under the firm name of the Evans- ville Pressed Brick company, with their works on the Belt railroad at junction of State road. This establishment was founded in May, 1887, by Jesse W. Walker and George Lant, sr., with Cave J. Morris as manager. The latter, upon the death of Mr. Walker, in 1888, became an equal partner in the firm, with Mr. Lant. To give an idea of the magnitude of the opera- tions of the firm, it should be stated that the factory has a daily capacity of 75,000 brick per day, all machine made. During the winter of 1887-8, contracts were made for 10,000,000 brick. From forty to fifty hands are employed, and a ready market is found for all products.
C. H. ELLERT is a prominent manufac- turer and repairer of leather and rubber belting, boot, shoe and gaiter uppers, deal- er in machine bolts, brass goods and general mill supplies, doing business at No. 13 Up- per First street, between Vine and Division streets. He was born in Louisville, Ky., July 4, 1851, and is the son of B. J. and E. M. (Rogge) Ellert, both of whom are deceased. He was reared in Louisville, and secured his early education in that city. At the age of about twelve years he entered a drug store and served an apprenticeship of three years, during which time he attended a medical school in order to fit himself for a pharma- cist. He next went to Syracuse, N. Y., and attended college for two years, pursuing a course of study embracing general litera- ture and pharmacy. After securing his diploma he returned to Louisville and for a time was employed as a traveling salesman for a house engaged in the same business. In 1880 he located in Evansville and opened his present establishment. He was married in this city in 1877, to Miss Minnie Spee- man, who was born and reared in New York city, and is the daughter of Frank Speeman, of New York. To this union six children have been born, five of whom survive. Mr. Ellert has taken an active in- terest in the advancement of Evansville, and was one of the charter members of the Business Men's association, and is now chairman of the committee of commerce. He is doing a large business, which is daily increasing.
FRANK TARDY, ship-chandler and dealer in flat-boats and barges, was born at Vevay, Switzerland county, Ind., June 24, 1846, and is the son of George F. and Matilda (Mar- tin) Tardy. The father was born in France and the mother at Colfax Court House, Va. Both parents are still living, and reside in
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Louisville, Ky. Frank Tardy was reared in Vevay until his twelfth year, and was ed- ucated at Hanover College, in this state. While quite young he ran away from school and home and took a place as cabin boy on a steamboat in the Ohio river trade. He continued steamboating from that time until 1880, occupying during that time all the different positions from cabin boy to captain, including pilot. In 18So he located in Evans- ville and opened a ship chandler's store, and has continued up to the present. Begin- ning on small capital, succeeding, and grad- ually increasing his business, he now has a large store. Mr. Tardy is a member of the Business Men's association, and of the Knights of Honor fraternity. He was mar- ried October 5, 1872, to Annie Yates, who was born in New Orleans in 1847. To this union three daughters have been born, all living.
SAUNDERS B. SANSOM, member of the firm of Schapker & Sansom, balers of hackled husks, and manufacturers of the electric steam renovator, of Evansville, Ind., is a na- tive of Huntingdonshire, England, born, April 7, 1843, and is the son of William and Sarah (Bedford) Sansom, both natives of Huntingdonshire, England. The father died in 1882, and the mother died in 1847. Our subject was reared in his native country, and attended the neighborhood schools. In 1858 he emigrated to America with a party of about twenty, and came direct to Evansville. He set in to learn the carpenter's trade with his uncle, Saunders Sansom. On June 6, 1861, he answered his country's call for troops to put down the rebellion, and enlisted in Company I, of the Fourteenth Indi- ana Volunteer infantry. Capt. Thomp- son's Company E, raised in Evansville for the Fourteenth Regiment, being full, he with others, went to Terre Haute, and was there mustered into Com-Ientered upon his present business in June,
pany I, with five others, and was accredite to Vermillion county, though being an Evansville volunteer. At the battle of Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863, he was wounded by a rifle ball in the knee, and re- mained on the field until the 13th of the same month, having been taken prisoner. He was then paroled and sent within the Union lines, and on the 15th his right leg was amputated in the field hospital. The amputation of the limb was the first surgical attention he received after being wounded, a period of twelve days. He remained in the field hospital until the 15th of June follow- ing, and was then sent to the hospital at Washington city. On July I, following, a second operation was performed, the limb being amputated near the middle of the thigh. He remained in the hospital at Washing- ton until his discharge in the spring of 1864. Returning to Evansville, he entered com- mercial college in order to prepare himself for indoor work, and for two years he en- gaged in the retail cigar business on Locust street, his health being too poor to admit of other employment. In 1868 he was elected by the republicans as city treasurer of Evans- ville, and in the following year was appointed deputy by Philip Helder, the republican city clerk, and remained there until January, 1871. He was then appointed United States store keeper, assigned to duty at Patoka, Gibson county, Ind., and was in the revenue service until August, 1872, when he was nominated by the republicans for the office of recorder of Vanderburgh county, but re- tained his commission as store keeper until his election as recorder in October of the same year. He was re-elected to the re- corder's office in 1876, and served altogether eight years, his term expiring in 1880. In April, 1881, he was again elected city treas- urer of Evansville and served until 1883. He
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1883, in copartnership with Bernhard Schap- ker. Mr. Sansom is a charter member of Far- ragut Post, No. 27, and is also a member of the Evansville Business Men's association. He was married on February 2, 1872, to Susan R. Dunk, who was born in Evansville. To this union three children have been born, two of whomsurvive. As a soldier, citizen, and public officer, Mr. Sansom has displayed the highest qualities of manliness, and de- serves the high place in the esteem of the people which it is his privilege to enjoy.
ROBERT DAY, street commissioner of the city of Evansville, is a native of Lincoln- shire, England, and was born December 30, 1843. He is the son of Samuel and Ann (Ringham) Day. When he was a mere boy his father died in England, and in 1853 with his mother and a brother, Samuel, he came to America, landing in Buffalo, N. Y. The family remained there one year, and then removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where they resided until 1857. They then located in Princeton, Ind., and in the fall of 1859, came to Evansville, where they have all since resided. In December, 1859, Robert went to work for William Caldwell, with whom he remained until July, 1861, and then enlisted in the United States army, joining Company F, of the Twenty-fourth Regiment Indiana infantry. He served faithfully until September, 1864, with the armies of Mis- souri, Cumberland and Mississippi. In
the rear of Vicksburg, Miss., he was wounded on May I6, L863, by being shot through both thighs. He was then confined in the hospital until December 23, of the same year, when he joined his command at Baton Rouge, La. He was there mustered out, September 23, 1864. Returning home he again entered the em- ploy of William Caldwell, and continued with that gentleman for twenty years, and then engaged for himself for one year in the
grocery business on the corner of Sixth and Green streets. On April 16, 1887, he was appointed by the council as city street com- missioner of Evansville, and in April, ISS8, was reappointed. Mr. Day was married October 22, 1863, to Miss Elizabeth Davis, a native of England. To this union five children have been born, two of whom survive. Mr. Day is a member of the G. A. R., and a popular citizen.
HENRY HAYNIE, proprietor of Haynie's hotel, was born in Newburgh, Warrick county, Ind., March 25, 1851, and is the son of J. C. and Emily (Hastings) Haynie, both natives of Indiana, who died in 1883, the father at the age of fifty-one years, and the mother at the age of fifty years. Mr. Hay- nie was reared in Newburgh until 1862, when he came to Evansville and went to work for S. H. S. Cook. One year later he moved to Ingle's Station and worked on a farm during that season. Coming back to Evans- ville, he was engaged at the Washington house and the American house for some time, and then clerked for Coolidge Bros., in the "original New York store." For seven years thereafter he was engaged in railroading. Returning to the hotel business, he was employed for a time as steward of the Sherwood house, but subsequently returned to the employ of the railroad company. While serving as a train-boy, he controlled and operated a hotel in Rockville, Ind. He was engaged as a grocer in this city in 1885 and 1886, and on November 15 of the last named year opened the Haynie hotel on Locust street, where he has since continued. By wise management, a careful regard for the wants of the public, and close attention to business, he has won a good patronage for his house, and firmly established himself in popular favor. He was married, March 25, 1874, to Miss Rachel Hunnell, who was born in Evansville, and is the daughter of
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William Hunnell. One child has been born: Emma, October 25, 1875. Mr. Haynie was elected to the city council from the Sixth ward, and was re-elected the next year, defeating, by a majority of 71 votes, a man whose boots he blacked when a boy. He is a member of the K. of P., K. of H., A. O. U. W., Fraternal Legion, Select Knights, K. and L. of H., and United Order of Honor.
LORENZ FRITSCH, a very successful busi- ness man of Evansville, is a native of Ger- many, where he began to learn the business of a tailor. He removed to Paris, and there perfected himself in the art of cutting gar- ments, and was in that city during the Fran- co-Prussian war. In 1871 he came to America, and at first found employment in some of the leading establishments of Bos- ton. His first year in Evansville, was 1873, and for five years thereafter he was en- gaged as a cutter in the best shops in the city. In 1878 he began business for him- self, opening his establishment in a modest way in October of that year. He met with success from the first, and now has an es- tablishment that is a credit to his own busi- ness abilities as well as to the taste and ap- preciation of elegant apparel by the people of the city. He carries a large stock of fine cloths suitable to his trade, employs a considerable number of hands in his manu- facturing department, and his product has that indescribable and generally unattainable " style " that marks the work of a master in this important branch of industry.
JAMES F. AND HIRAM M. LINDLEY .- Among the leading business men of Evans- ville, none, probably, are more conspic- uous in the retail trade than the Lindley Bros. Their father was Francis S. Lindley, who was a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, where he lived until he was twenty-one years of age, and then removed to Switzer-
land county, Ind., and was one of the first settlers of Vevay, the county seat of that county. He opened a tan-yard in that place, and remained there for over fifty years. He then removed to Greensburgh, Ind., where he resided until his death, in 1875, at the age of 84 years. His wife was Rebecca McKittrick, who was born near Lexington, Ky., in 1800, and died in 1839. Both parents were members of the Methodist church, and the father was one of six who organized the first Methodist church in Vevay, Ind. To the parents nine children were born, of whom five were sons and four daughters. Of the children four survive: J. F. Lindley, senior member of the firm of Lindley Bros, was born in Vevay, Ind., July 27, 1837. H. M. Lindley, junior member, was also born in Vevay, February 23, 1839. Upon the death of the mother both boys were taken by an uncle, James McKit- trick, who lived near Versailles, Ripley county, Ind. The brothers were edu- cated in the common schools, attend- ing the schools of Aurora, Ind., in winter and working on the farm in summer, their uncle having his winter residence in Aurora, and summer residence near Ver- sailles. The senior brother attended Wil- mington Seminary, in Dearborn county, two years, and the junior brother attended Moore's Hill college, the same county, for one year. James F. clerked for seven months with Chambers, Stevens & Co., of Aurora, and at the age of nineteen years, went to New Albany, Ind., and began clerking for Kent & Co., where he continued until March 1859, when he opened a dry goods store for himself in New Albany. Hiram M. joined his brother at New Albany, after leaving school, and five years later, was ad- mitted as a partner in the business, the firm being J. F. Lindley & Bro. In September, 1870, the brothers located in this city, and
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opened a dry goods house equal to any in size in the city at that time. In 1880, they added carpets to their line of goods, and now carry an average stock of $120,000, and do an av- erage annual business of about $250,000, em- ploying an average of twenty-five salesmen.
Their business building is at Nos. 305 and 307 Main street, is of brick, three stories high, 351/2x150 feet. The basement and third story are devoted to the wholesale dry goods trade, the first floor to the retail trade in the same line, and the second floor to the wholesale and retail trade in carpets, shawls and cloaks. Both brothers are active mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, the senior having joined the church at New Albany, in 1863, and the junior at Washing- ' ton, Ind., in 1861, he being at that time en- gaged in merchandising at that place. H. M. Lindley is steward of Trinity church, Evansville, and both have been active mem- bers of the Trinity congregation since their residence in this city. In January, 1887, James F. Lindley, jr., was admitted to the firm, the name remaining as before. James F. jr., was born in New Albany, Ind., October 7, 1862, and was educated in the public schools and at De Pauw University.
EDWARD BOETTICHER, senior member of the firm of Boetticher, Kellogg & Co., lead- ing wholesale dealers in hardware, cutlery, guns, etc., at No. 122 Upper First street Evansville, Ind., was born in Monroe county, Ohio, January 7, 1837, and is the son of Frederick W. and Elizabeth (Weppler) Boetticher, both natives of Germany. The father was born in 1798, and the mother in 1814. The father came to the United States in 1832, and the mother in 1834, and they were married near Wheeling, W. Va. The father was a minister of the German Protestant church and died in 1849. The mother is still living making her home in this city with her son Edward. Mr. Boet-
ticher spent most of his early life near Cincinnati, Ohio, and secured his edu- cation in private schools of that city. When thirteen years of age he took a posi- tion as clerk in a retail cigar store in Cincin- nati, Ohio, where he remained two years. He then entered the hardware store of Tyler, Davidson & Co., remaining five years. In 1857 he located in Evansville, and took a position with Charles S. Wells, hardware merchant, remaining with him until his death in 1863, and then continued with the new firm of Wells, Kellogg & Co., until 1864, at which time he became a partner in the firm. Three years later he and Mr. Kellogg took the business under the firm name of Boet- ticher, Kellogg & Co., which has continued to the present. Mr. Boetticher was married November 29, 1859, to Amelia S. Beste, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 27, 1839, and is the daughter of Henry A. Beste. To this union eight children have been born, three of whom survive, William H., Oscar and Frederick C. Mr. Boetticher is a member of the I. O. O. F., and F. & A. M. fraternities. He and his wife are mem- bers of St. John's German Protestant church.
CHARLES H. KELLOGG, a prominent citi- zen and member of the firm of Boetticher, Kellogg & Co., wholesale dealers in hard- ware, cutlery, guns, etc., was born in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, June 25, 1835. His father was Henry S. Kellogg, who was born in the state of New York, near Troy, in 1800, and was of English descent. His mother was Margaret E. Cochran, who was born in Ireland about 1807, and came to the United States when quite young. From New York state the father removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1832, and engaged in the hardware business in that city. Later he located in Cambridge City, where he en- gaged in the same business for two years, and in 1847 removed to Indianap-
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olis. Establishing a store there, he hardware house. Mr. Kellogg is a member of the Walnut Street Presbyterian church. His wife and son are members of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church.
was one of the leading pioneer hardware men of that city. At that early time there were no railroads in Indianapolis, and Mr. Kellogg introduced the first dray in the city, taking the vehicle from Cambridge City. He died in 1862 and his wife in 1876. To these parents eight children were born, five of whom survive. Charles was reared in the various cities where his parents re- sided, and attended their public schools. He was a student of the old Marion county seminary at a time when a large number of the men who later attained prominence in the state attended there. In 1855 he was taken into his father's business as a partner, the firm being Henry S. Kellogg & Son. Three years later he came to Evansville, having sold out the business in Indianapolis, and en- gaged in the capacity of book-keeper with Charles S. Wells, and continued until 1863, when Mr. Wells died. A brother of the old proprietor, H. K. Wells, of Cleveland, Ohio, Edward Boetticher and Mr. Kellogg, then bought out the business, and formed the firm of Wells, Kellogg & Co. That firm continued until 1866, when it was dis- solved by the withdrawal of H. K. Wells. The two remaining partners from that time to the present have continued business under the firm name of Boetticher, Kellogg & Co. The firm is recognized as one of the most progressive, substantial and successful in the city of Evansville. In working out its success the business qualifications, untiring zeal and integrity of Mr. Kellogg have played an important part. Mr. Kellogg was married, in 1862, to Susan H. Oakley, who was born in Paris, Tenn, and is the daughter of James Oakley, a Tennesseean by birth, who early removed to Evansville, and was one of the old merchants of the city. To this union one son has been born - Oakley H., now
R. H. KELLOGG, one of the leading hard- ware merchants of Evansville, Ind., doing business at No. 215 Main street, was born in Madison, Ind., September 21, IS37, and is the son of Henry S. and Margaret (Coch- ran) Kellogg. The father was a native of Washington county, N. Y., and died in 1860. The mother was born in Ireland, and died in 1873; she came with her parents to the United States when a child. The father came west to Indiana at a very early date, and about 1840 removed to Indianapo- lis, where he engaged in the hardware busi- ness until his death. On July 4, 1864, the subject of this mention came to Evans- ville and entered the store of his brother (now of the firm of Boetticher, Kellogg & Co., where he remained about sixteen years, during which time he was employed as a traveling salesman and in various other capacities. In 1870 he began the hardware business for himself, and has continued it to the present. He carries a general line of hardware and novelties, his stock amounting to about $10,000, and does an average annual busi- ness of about $25,000. He was married in November, 1870, to Mary, daughter of Stephen Knight, of Mt. Carmel, Ill., who was born in 1855. To this union three sons have been born: Hugh, born in 1879; Henry, born 1883, and Robert, born 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg are members of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church.
JACOB ARNOLD, a leading German citizen of Evansville, Ind., and one of the principal contractors of city street paving, was born in Evansville, Ind., January 16, 1853, and is the son of Bernhard and Sarah ( Baumgart- twenty-five years of age, and a salesman in the ner) Arnold, His parents were both
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natives of Germany, and came to the United States in 1853. Landing at New Orleans, they came direct to Evansville, where they located. The father was a stone contractor and for many years was engaged in bridge building and street contracting, having paved most of the streets of this city. His death occurred on December 25, 1885, at the age of sixty-five years. The mother is still living at the age of sixty-four years. To these parents ten children were born, all of whom survive and now reside in this city. JACOB ARNOLD was reared in Evans- ville and attended the city schools, receiving a good education. After leaving school he learned the stone-cutter's trade, and then joined his father in his con- tracting. In 1880 he began contract- ing for himself, since when he has been actively at work, and has had some large contracts, among which were the Stringtown and Fulton avenue bridges, the paving of many of the principal streets in this city, the macadamizing of the public square at Boonville, Ind., and numerous other large contracts. In politics Mr. Arnold has always been a republican. He is a member of the K. of P. and Iron Hall fraternities.
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