History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 84

Author: Bradsby, Henry C
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : S.B. Nelson & co.
Number of Pages: 1032

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WILLIAM H. JOSLIN, Honey Creek township, P. O. Youngs- town, is the present trustee of Honey Creek township. His. busi- ness is that of a carpenter, contractor and builder, and he was born in Riley township, Vigo county, Ind., October 4, 1847, a son of Harrison and Dorothy (Singhurst) Joslin, natives of Indiana and of English descent. The father, who was a farmer all his life, came to Riley township this county, being among the early settlers. William H., who is the third in a family of seven children, was reared on the farm in Riley township, where he spent his child- hood and youth, attending the district school. Early in life he learned the carpenter's trade, and has made it, in connection with contracting and building, his life business. In 1864 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Regiment, Ind. V. I., and served until the close of the war. He is a member of the G. A. R., Post No. 158, and is vice-commander of same. He was united in marriage in this county, August 25, 1881, with Miss Nancy, daugh- ter of Isaac and Sarah (Risinger) Bragner, who were natives of Kentucky, and of English descent.

PETER KATZENBACH, undertaker, Terre Haute, was born in Germany, May 17, 1830, the third in a family of five children of Heury J. Katzenbach. He received his education in Germany, and in 1842 came to the United States. Revisiting Germany in 1845, he there learned the trade of cabinet-maker, and, returning to the United States in 1851, he worked at same at Mount Carmel, Ind., until 1852, in which year he came to Terre Haute, and continued his trade until 1867, when he made arrangements and opened a

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business for himself. He has made his own way in the world, and has won success. He is a man of but few words, strong in his con- victions, and possessed of the courage to follow them to the end. He contributes liberally to the church, is charitable to the poor and afflicted, and has made many warm friends. He is a member of the German Reformed Church, of the I. O. O. F., and of the A. O. U. W., and in his political preferments is a Democrat. Mr. Katzenbach was married in Germany, in June, 1851, to Miss Anna Maria, daughter of Jacob Best, which union has been blessed with nine children : Mary, wife of Philip May; Katie, wife of Theo. Kloer; Lottie, wife of Philip Mehrhof; Gussie, wife of George Mehrhof; Henry W., with his father in business; Helen, at home; Carrie, wife of Robert Wayne; Eleanor, at home; Louis, at home. Mrs. Katzenbach died January 14, 1884, a member of the German Reformed Church.

HENRY E. KAUFFMAN, druggist, Terre Haute, was born at Paris, Edgar Co., Ill., April 25, 1857, and is a son of Tobias M. and Barbara ( Brubaker) Kauffman, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin, who came west about 1854 and settled at Paris, Ill. His father was a carpenter and contractor, and reared his family in Illinois. Henry, who is the fourth in a family of seven children, received his education in the public schools of Illinois, and early in life entered a drug store, where he applied himself with diligence. In 1881 he came to Terre Haute, and was em- ployed as prescription clerk until 1886, when he opened his own drug store, and from the very beginning he has met with more than average success. He superintends all the details in person, and thus makes experiments a certainty. Mr. Kauffman was married in his native town June 6, 1884, to Miss Ida B., daughter of Z. F. and Julia Link, and born in Edgar county, Ill., of German descent. Their children are Howard .L., Arthur S. and Harry M. Mr. Kauffman votes for the man and not the party. He is a member of the K. of P.

JOHN P. KEATON, Prairie Creek, is a native of Vigo county, born on the farm where he now resides, May 4, 1845, a son of Joseph Z. and Margaret (Trueblood) Keaton, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, born in 1808 and 1818, respectively. Joseph Z. Keaton came to this county when a young man, and by occupation he was a farmer. He died in this county in 1878; his wife died in 1877. They were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom lived to be grown. Benoni Keaton, father of Joseph Z., was of English descent. John P., who is the eighth in the family, was reared in this county, and educated in the com- mon schools. October 18, 1866, he was married to Miss Sarah J.

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Clouse, who was born in Ohio in 1848, a daughter of John Clouse, who moved from Ohio to Sullivan county, and died one week after- ward, his wife having died in Ohio prior to his coming to Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Keaton are the parents of two children: Alva and Willie. Mr. Keaton has always been a farmer, except during the years 1878-79, when he was engaged in mercantile business at the village of Pleasant, in Sullivan county. He resides on the old homestead which is situated about thirteen miles south of the county seat, and contains seventy acres of well cultivated land. He was first elected assessor in 1886, and is now serving his fifth year and second term, proving himself an able and efficient officer. From 1884 to 1886 he served as supervisor of the district. He cast his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant, and still holds to the same political party. He is an honest and upright citizen. Mrs. Kea- ton is a member of the Baptist Church.

PATRICK KELLEY, Fayette township, P. O. St. Mary's, is among the oldest settlers of the township, and was born in Ireland in March, 1830, a son of Daniel Kelley, a farmer, who spent his life in Ireland, dying there in 1835. The mother dying the same year, left Patrick an orphan at the age of five, and he was edu- cated by the Sisters of Charity at the convent of Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland. He learned the tailor's trade, but never worked at it very much. He left his native country to seek his fortune in the New World, landing at New York City in 1852, being then but twenty-two years of age. He worked for a time at his trade in that city, but, being desirous of seeing more of the United States, he traveled, working at his trade in various places and different States. In 1864 he came to this county, locating on a farm in Fayette town- ship, and at present is the owner of eighty-three acres of land where he resides. Mr. Kelley was married at Greencastle, Ind., in 1859, to Miss Hanorah, daughter of William Conner, and also a native of Ireland. Their children now living are Daniel, a farmer ; Thomas, a workman in the tool factory, Terre Haute; Maggie; Francis; Mary Anne, Sister of Providence; Hanora and Hellen. The family are all members of the Catholic Church, of which he is a trustee, and in politics he is a Democrat.

JAMES KELLY (deceased). This gentleman spent many years of his life in Vigo county, and was among her most suc- cessful farmers. He was born in Ireland, August 12, 1810, and was a son of Patrick and Catherine Kelly, the second in order of birth in a large family. His childhood and youth were spent in Ireland, where he obtained a good education, and he came to this country when a young man. For a time worked on the canal, sub- sequently entering the employ of Chauncey Rose, with whom he

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

remained sixteen years. Mr. Kelly saved his money and invested it in real estate, also worked in the railroad office. His first wife was Miss Ann Dorlin, who died one year after marriage, leaving one son, Charles, who resides in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Kelly then married Mary, daughter of Henry Flagan, and born in Germany, January 15, 1825, being six years old when she came to this coun- try. Her father was born in Germany, May 12, 1798; her mother was born February 22, 1798, and is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly were married in Terre Haute, April 2, 1854, and they had three children: William (deceased), Mary, who is the wife of Charles Hyland. of Terre Haute, and James, who was born in this county, and obtained his schooling at Notre Dame College, Indiana. He was employed as a salesman in the mercantile trade until the death of his father, which occurred in 1881, since when he has had charge of the farm of 160 acres, and he has also 200 acres of his own. He is living with and caring for his aged, honored mother.

B. F. KESTER, proprietor of the Hotel Riley, Riley, he was born in Ohio August 26, 1840, and is a son of Jesse and Lydia E. ( Web- ster) Kester, natives of Pennsylvania, the father of German and the. mother of Scotch descent. The father removed from Ohio to Clay county, Ind., in 1847, and was a teacher and farmer by occupation ; he died in 1851. His family consisted of seven children, B. F. be- ing the fourth. Our subject was reared on the farm, obtaining his education in the common schools, and followed farming until 1883, when he embarked in the grocery trade. In 1887 he engaged in the butcher's trade, and has since carried on a meat market in Riley. He was married in Clay county, Ind., in 1865, to Miss Mary A., daughter of Samuel and Matilda Knight, her mother being of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Kester have three children: Laura A. (wife of Miller S. Ray), Clarence Almon and Leo Carl. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Kester enlisted in 1862, in the Eighty-fifth Ind. V. I., Company I, and served until the close of the war; he was taken prisoner at Thomp- son's Station, Tenn., and confined in Libby prison. He was in sev- eral battles and skirmishes, among others Peach Tree Creek, and all the battles under Gen. Sherman, until the fall of Atlanta, Ga. Politically he is a Republican.

JOHN D. E. KESTER, an enterprising citizen and farmer, of Prairieton, was born in this county March 3, 1826, and is a son of Ephram P. Kester, a native of Spencer county, Ky., born Septem- ber 1, 1795. His father, William Kester, died while Ephram P. was yet a boy; William died in Kentucky. The Kesters descended from two brothers, who came from England, settling in Philadel- phia, where one of them married, soon after coming to Kentucky,

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

where he settled and died. Ephram P. emigrated from Kentucky to this county about 1822, while yet single. He was a wheelwright, and once owned the ground where the National Bank of Terre Haute now stands. In 1825 he returned to Kentucky, and, in April of the same year, married Miss Margaret Stark, who was born in Kentucky in January, 1805, of German descent. She died in this county January 13, 1884; Mr. Kester died in May, 1850, also in this county. They reared six sons and three daughters, John D. E. being the eldest. The others were Candasee, deceased; Leander; Eunice A. ; Ephram S .; Daniel S .; Mary D .; William N. and Zachariah T. Our subject has had a good practical education, mostly obtained in the subscription schools of this county. After residing with his parents until he attained his majority, he began life for himself as a farmer, which occupation he has always followed, excepting four years when he was engaged in the mercantile trade. Two years he was in Terre Haute, and the remainder of the time at Roseville, Parke county, Ind.

Mr. Kester married, December 16, 1846, Miss Harriet W. True- blood, who was born in Jasper county, N. C., in 1827, a daughter of Binona and Bridget (Gregory) Trueblood, natives of North Carolina, and emigrants to this county, coming in November, 1827. They both died in this county, he having been a Baptist minister for forty years. Mr. and Mrs. Kester have had born to them chil- dren as follows (six of whom lived to maturity), viz .: Ephram, Cordelia A., Rabanna G., Margaret J. (deceased), Mary A. (de- ceased), Mary E. (deceased), Joseph N. (deceased), Marvin H., Rose and Early P. (who both died in infancy). Mr. Kester held the office of township assessor during the years 1861-62 and 1875- 76. In 1880 he was appointed to take the census of his township. He is a member of Prairieton Lodge No. 178, F. & A. M., and has pre- sided as Master Mason for five years. He is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Taylor. Mr. Kester owns 142 acres of land in the home farm, nearly all in cultivation, which farm was settled in 1818 by William Foster, who started a tannery about that time, said to have been the first in the county. Mr. Kester is an influential citizen.

WRIGHT L. KIDDER, merchant miller, Terre Haute, is among the most prominent merchant millers and successful busi- ness men in the State. He was born in Windham county, Vt., August 30, 1835, and is ą son of Ashbell and Mary (Sprague) Kidder, natives of Vermont, and of English descent. The father was a prosperous and leading farmer, who migrated to the West with his family in 1854, and settled in Illinois, where he died in 1865. He had a family of four children-two sons and two daugh-

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ters-Wright L. being next to the youngest. Our subject grew up as the average farmer's boy, working in the summer and attending the public schools in the winter. He commenced life as a farmer, and was in the grain business until 1865, when he turned his at- tention to milling. He came to Terre Haute in 1879, and, in com- pany with his brother, purchased the mill on Water street. He continued in business with his brother until 1883 when he sold his interest in that mill and bought the mill on Poplar street, and re- modeled and refitted it at a cost of $62,000. This mill was entirely destroyed by fire in 1890, and he had but a small insurance on it. In adjusting the insurance account an instance occurred that is an index to his business methods. His book-keeper had rendered the account, and the company proposed to pay the reckoning. Mr. Kidder, however, discovered an error, and returned $200 which had been overpaid. This is only mentioned because it characterizes all his transactions. Mr. Kidder enjoys the entire confidence of those

with whom he has dealings. This reputation he has thoroughly established, and it has been one of the causes of his prosperity. The life of this gentleman is a valuable object lesson to the youths of the land.

In 1887 he bought the "Imperial " mill on Wabash avenue, and thoroughly remodeled it at a large outlay, putting in all new machinery, etc., and continued the running of the two mills (Im- perial and Avenue) until the destruction by fire of the Avenue mill in 1890. The Imperial Mill (Wabash avenue) has a capacity of 1,000 barrels per day, and the mill that was destroyed had a capacity of 800 barrels per day, the product standing high in the markets of the world. Mr. Kidder is ably assisted in his business affairs by his oldest son. The Kidder Mill is one of the largest in the State. He is the owner of much valuable real estate, having 520 acres of land in the county, outside of the city, and 200 head of cattle and over 300 hogs on his farm. He is a director of the Vigo County National Bank, and the owner of several other interests in Terre Haute. In the mill and on the farm are employed about fifty men. At Hartford, Conn., he was married to Miss Elizabeth Albro, a lady of English descent, and they have two sons, viz .: Edson W. (actively engaged in the busi- ness ) and Frank L. In politics Mr. Kidder is a Republican. He is a Master Mason.

GEORGE P. KIMMELL, coal merchant, office No. 501 North Ninth street, Terre Haute, is a native of Indiana county, Penn., born August 27, 1830, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Reed) Kimmell. The father was a native of Bavaria, Germany, and the mother of Pennsylvania, of English descent. William Kimmell

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had teams on a wagon route between the principal cities of Penn- sylvania, hauling freight, and had six teams, in all, engaged in the business. He died in Indiana county, Penn., November 11, 1847, in his fifty-sixth year; Mrs. Kimmell died in Terre Haute, Ind., in 1876, in her seventy-third year. George P., who is the fourth in a family of eleven children, was reared in his native home, and received a common-school education. When he was sixteen years of age he went to work on the Pennsylvania Canal, and worked there until 1852, when he came West with packet boats, for the trade between Terre Haute and Evansville. He continued on this line about only three months, when he went to work, in September, 1852, on the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad, as brakeman, and was promoted to freight conductor in 1855, continuing in that position until 1869, when he went on the Terre Haute, Alton & St. Louis Railroad as freight conductor. In the spring of 1870, he went South on the Evansville, Henderson & Nashville Railroad, and ran on that line as freight conductor about three months, when he was promoted to passenger conductor, a position he held about three years and nine months. He then ran on the Pan Handle, as conductor, about three months. Coming to Terre Haute he was with John Marshall in the coal trade, two years; then engaged in the business for himself, and has since followed it. He has had to depend on his own resources. Mr. Kimmell was first married, in Terre Haute, in September, 1859, to Miss Virginia, daughter of Alex and Nancy Sharra, natives of Pennsylvania; her father was in the canal boat business. Virginia was the elder of two children, and was born in Blairsville, Indiana Co., Penn., July 2, 1839. By this marriage Mr. Kimmell had one son, Frank A. Mr. Kimmell was married, the second time, November 12, 1885, to Laura A., daughter of E. and Mary Bitcher. Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity ; in politics he is a Republican.

J. W. KING, dairyman, Harrison township, P. O. Terre Haute, was born in Union county, Penn., in 1859, and is a son of Joseph and Maria King, who were the parents of seven children. Our sub- ject was reared on a farm, and has carried on agriculture, and raised and handled stock. He came to the West in 1882, and settled in Vigo county. Mr. King was married in Union county, Penn., in 1880, to Polly E. Hollenbaugh, also a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1862, and they are the parents of five children, as follows: Isaac, Annie, Robert, Irving and Johnnie. Mr. King is a man of great industry, and by his own efforts and the assistance of his life com- panion he has prospered well. He has over one hundred cows-a fine herd of Jerseys, Herefords and Holsteins, some of which are registered. Mr. King is a member of the F. M. B. A., and in poli- tics he is a Democrat. He is a highly respected citizen.

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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.

FRED C. KLATTE, P. O. Terre Haute. This enterprising farmer and dairyman of Honey Creek township was born in Ger- many, January 16, 1854, and is a son of William H. and Louise (Riechers) Klatte, also natives of Germany. He came to America with his parents in 1872, and his father, who was a dairyman, now resides in Terre Haute. The family consists of seven children, of whom Fred C., who is the eldest, was reared on the farm in Germany, receiving a good common-school education in his native place. He embarked in the dairy business, and bought a well-im- proved farm of seventy acres, where he keeps twenty-eight good cows, some of them being graded Jerseys. He is familiar with all the details of the dairy business, and has met with marked success. Mr. Klatte was married in Vigo county, Ind., January 21, 1876, to Helena Butler, daughter of Phillip and Kette ( Hallock) Klatte, and this union had been blessed with four children, viz .: Willie, Carl, Louise and Frieda. The parents are members of the German Reformed Church, and in politics Mr. Klatte is a Re- publican.

CYRUS KNAPP, Terre Haute, is superintendent and general manager for the enterprising firm of brick-makers, who manufact- ure by the steam process, the capacity of their works being 25,000 per day, each department being carried on systematically. Mr. Knapp was born in New Jersey, May 28, 1832, and is a son of Samuel C. and Delia A. (Smith) Knapp, former of whom was of German descent and a manufacturer of boots and shoes, latter being of Welsh origin. They were natives of New Jersey, where the father died in 1844. Our subject, who is the second in a family of eight children, passed his early life in New Jersey, where he attended the public schools. He learned the mason's and brick- layer's trade, which he followed until embarking in his present business. He came to Terre Haute in the year 1852, and has resided here since then. Mr. Knapp has been twice married, first to Eliza Conner, who died in 1864, and our subject afterward married Laura, daughter of John Estes, and who was a member of the Baptist Church. She lived only one year after marriage. In politics Mr. Knapp is a Republican. In 1864 he enlisted in the Thirty-first Ind. V. I., Company K, and served until the close of the war.

M. E. KNOWLES, State veterinary surgeon, Terre Haute, was born at Clinton, Vermillion Co., Ind., April 24, 1862, and is a son of James E. and Pluma ( Willcox) Knowles, former a native of Indiana, latter of Ohio, and both of English origin. The father was a farmer in early life, and now resides in Clinton, Ver- million Co., Ind., having retired from the active duties of life.

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Our subject was reared on the farm in Vermillion county, where he attended the district school, subsequently entering DePauw Uni- versity: His medical education was obtained at New York City, where he graduated in the American Veterinary College in 1884. He then engaged in practice, and has met with merited success. He stands at the head of his profession in this country, and is ably assisted by Dr. John Mitchell, who graduated at the same in- stitution in 1889. The ailments of the finest horses in America demand the services of the firm on all critical occasions, in fact Dr. Knowles has an extended reputation. In 1888 he was profes- sionally called to California by G. Valensin, owner of Sidney, and while on the coast he treated other valuable horses with entire suc- cess. In 1889 he was appointed State veterinary surgeon for Indiana. Dr. Knowles is a Republican; a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the K. of P. He was united in marriage at Terre Haute, in 1884, with Miss Lillie, daughter of E. M. Davis, and of English descent. They have one child, Frank.

ALFRED S. KOHL. This gentleman is the book-keeper in H. Hulman's wholesale store, Terre Haute, which in itself attests to his expertness and ability in his profession. Mr. Kohl is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, born April 27, 1858, and is a son of John and Agnes (Kunzer) Kohl, natives of Germany, who came to America with their parents when they were children, and settled in Cleveland, where they were married in 1848. The father was a merchant tailor in early life, but subsequently engaged extensively in leather tanning at Cleveland. Alfred S., who is the third in a family of ten children, received his education, first in a private school, and then graduated from the Cleveland high school, after which he obtained a position in that city as book-keeper, in which capacity he continued until 1881, when he came to Terre Haute and entered the employ of Mr. Hulman. Mr. Kohl was united in mar- riage at Cleveland, Ohio, August 16, 1880, with Miss Jennie, daugh- ter of Michael Russel, and born in London, England. Of their children there are now living the following: Fred W., John A. and an infant not named. The family are members of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Kohl is a member of the K. of P. Mr. and Mrs. Kohl have many friends among the best people of Terre Haute.

HON. JACOB C. KOLSEM, ex-mayor of Terre Haute, and manager for H. D. Pixley, Son & Co., Terre Haute, was born in Prussia, July 24, 1849, and is a. son of Jacob and Catharine (Schitzler) Kolsem, natives of Germany, who came to America and settled at Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1853. The father, who was a me- chanic, spent the remaining portion of his days in Pittsburgh, dying in 1887. His family consisted of three sons and one daughter, of

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whom Jacob C. is the eldest. Our subject attended the schools in Pittsburgh, and in early life learned the trade of nail cutter, work- ing in the factories at Pittsburgh until he came to Terre Haute, in 1868. He was thus employed here until 1871, when he learned the trade of cooper, which he followed for a short time, when he accepted a position as salesman in a hat store. He was employed in that capacity in different establishments until 1884, when he was appointed to his present position. The firm carry a large stock of clothing, and employ ten salesmen, Mr. Kolsem having the entire management of the concern; and his taste and skill are evinced by the general display of the house. Mr. Kolsem was married in Terre Haute, Ind., in May, 1874, to Mary F. Stakeman, who was born in Terre Haute of German parentage, which union has been blessed with six children, as follows: Charles J., John H., Anna, Eva, Francis and Agnes. The family usually attend the Episcopal Church. Mr. Kolsem is a Democrat, and served two terms as a member of the city council of Terre Haute, and two terms as mayor of the city. He is a prominent member of the K. of P., of the Ma- sonic fraternity, and is past chancellor of Occidental Lodge, No. 18; he is past eminent commander of the Knights Templar of Terre Haute, Commandery No. 16, of Indiana, and a thirty-second degree Mason, also a member of Murat Temple of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Indiana, at Indianapolis. He is president of the Terre Haute Water Works Company, probably the most important corpo- ration in the city ; also vice-president and general manager of the Terre Haute District Telegraph Company, and is a member of the board of directors of three of the leading building, loan & sav- ings associations of Terre Haute, and treasurer of the Vigo Loan & Savings Association, which has a capital stock of $1,000,000, and of which association he was one of the originators in 1889.

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History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections, Part 84

Author: Bradsby, Henry C Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago : S.B. Nelson & co. Number of Pages: 1032

Author: Bradsby, Henry C
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : S.B. Nelson & co.
Number of Pages: 1032