History of the Indiana democracy, 1816-1916, Part 139

Author: Stoll, John B., 1843-1926
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis : Indiana Democratic Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1104

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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916

MATTHIAS KIRSCH

Matthias Kirsch was born on the 17th day of August, 1856, in the village of Dossenheim, near Heidelberg, Germany. At the age of twelve years he was brought by his father to this country and settled with the family in Adams county, Indiana, where his education was continued. October 6, 1878, he was married to Miss Amanda Langenbacher, and, though not a holder of political office, has since been closely identified with the business life of the county. He is now president of the firm of Kirsch, Sellemeyer & Sons Company, dealers in lumber and building material; cashier of the People's Loan and Trust Company; treasurer of the Ward Manufacturing Company; president of the German Build- ing and Loan Association; member of the county council, and holds numerous other offices of trust for the county and for the German Reformed church of Decatur, of which he is a member.

CHARLES E. KISER

Widely known as a successful farmer of Whitley county and honored as a public official for integrity and zeal is Charles E. Kiser, former auditor of the county.

Mr. Kiser is a native Hoosier, born on the 25th day of December, 1867. His schooling was received in the public schools of Whitley county and later at the Valparaiso Normal School, from which he was graduated. He married Miss Mittie L. Livensparger and established his home at Columbia City.

In the fall of 1910 Mr. Kiser was nominated for the position of county auditor and was elected. During the four years which followed he devoted himself to the service of the commonwealth with conscientious zeal. Politically, he has stood firmly for the Democratic party and its principles, and his influence during the various campaigns has been a factor in the success of the local organization.

EDWARD S. KITCH

For many years a well-known citizen of Marshall county, and having served the commonwealth as a trusted official in various capacities in the past, the name of Edward S. Kitch is a familiar one to the residents of Plymouth and vicinity.

Mr. Kitch was born in northern Indiana on the 6th day of February, 1868. He attended the pub- lic schools of his district, and later continued his studies at the Valparaiso Normal School.

On the 18th day of December, 1892, was solem nized his marriage to Miss Della E. Bates, and the home then established by them has extended hospitality to a wide circle of friends.

In the year 1894, Mr. Kitch assumed the duties of town clerk of Bremen, and in this capacity served for two years. Later he was elected justice of the peace for German township, and the duties of this position were faithfully and conscientiously discharged for a term of ten years. In the fall of 1910, he was elected clerk of the circuit court, and he assumed the administration of af- fairs connected with this position on the first day of January, 1912, this term of service to expire on the first day of the year 1916; and the record which Mr. Kitch is daily establishing for progressive methods and conscientious service is testified to by a wide circle of acquaintances.

THOMAS F. KNOTTS

The first mayor of Gary, Ind., Thomas F. Knotts, has been so closely identified with the city that to many people mention of Gary suggests Mayor Knotts; and it would be impossible to consider the history of Gary, either as a municipality or as a business center, without reference to that enterprising and far-sighted citizen who about ten years ago stood in the midst of sand barrens and scrub oaks and helped plan and plat the lines along which the city has since grown.

Born in Highland county, Ohio, son of F. D. and Margaret K., who in 1866 by team and wagon left Ohio and established a new home on farm four miles from Laporte and later in Medaryville, Ind. Thos. F. Knotts received a common school education in Indiana and taught eight terms in this state and four years was superintendent of Indian school of Dakota territory; superintendent high schools at De Smets, Dakota territory. 1879 to 1884 Mr. Knotts studied at Valparaiso University and com- pleted work in commercial, teachers' and scientific courses. Was a successful teacher, that work, like all his undertakings, being pursued with a thorough energy and ability to get results which is characteristic of him.

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In 1891 he became identified with Lake county, when he went to Hammond and engaged in real estate and fire insurance business. While in Hammond he was on police force and also police com- missioner. He was one of the first on the ground after plans had been formulated for establishment of a great industrial center at Gary. Resigning his position as police commissioner at Hammond he established his home at Gary. On May 4, 1906, his brother A. F. Knotts, who was connected with the steel corporation, opened the first real estate office and bought the first land outside that acquired by the steel corporation, and in July, 1906, Mr. Knotts was appointed the first postmaster of Gary, then fourth-class, serving only a few dozen patrons. Held this for over three years, being in the meantime otherwise honored. Elected member first town board, July, 1906; president of the board, till November, 1906, when was elected mayor of the new city corporation. Was repeatedly honored with the office until 1915. Head of Knotts-McRoberts Real Estate & Insurance Co., oldest of the kind at Gary and one of the largest.

JACOB C. KOLSEM

Jacob C. Kolsem, prominent in business circles of Terre Haute, Vigo county, and known throughout the State as an efficient and progressive legislator, is a native of Cologne, Germany. Here he was born on the 24th day of July, 1849, but when he reached the age of four years, was brought by his parents to America. They settled in the city of Pitts- burgh, Pa., where he received his education in the public and German schools of that city. While still in his boyhood, he obtained employment driving a mule in an adjacent coal mine, and later worked in the iron nail mills of that city. In the year 1868 he came to Greencastle, Ind., and here, also, he worked in the nail mills, going later to Terre Haute, which has since remained his home.

In 1878 he entered the employ of a firm of clothiers and four years later was manager of the When Clothing Store of Terre Haute, Ind., later known as Pixley & Co., Clothiers. In this position he continued for a period of twelve years. Meanwhile he had taken an active interest in municipal affairs and in 1881 was elected to membership in the common coun- cil of Terre Haute. Two years later he was re-elected for a further term. In 1885 the high honor of being elected Mayor of the city was conferred upon him, and after two years' in- cumbency of this office, he was re-elected. Following his retirement from this position in 1889, he was appointed chairman of the metropolitan police board by Governor Matthews, and for four years he discharged the duties of this office with characteristic diligence. Then followed his appointment to a commission to revise and codify the mining laws of the State; and these laws, arranged during the incumbency of Governor Durbin, are still in effect.

In the year 1890 he was elected president of the Terre Haute Water Works Co., and for two or three years he discharged the duties in connection with this position. Later, while still manager of the Pixley & Co. store, he invested a small amount of money in the coal business, and at a reorganization of the company in 1894 was elected secretary and treasurer and general manager of the Jackson Hill Coal and Coke Co., a corporation organized about 1890 and incorporated for $500,- 000, paid-up capital. This position of great responsibility he has since held, administering the com- pany's affairs in such manner as to promote a healthy, steady growth and increase in the business of the company.

For ten years, also, he served as president of the Indiana Bituminous Coal Operators' Associa- tion, but at the expiration of that period refused to continue in the office. During this time he presided over several international conventions of operators and miners, and at these times succeeded in maintaining harmony among the members and achieving satisfactory results. He has been a strong advocate of union labor and the mutual carrying out of all contracts entered into.

In the fall of 1912 he was elected to represent Vigo county in the State Senate, and in the as- semblies of 1913 and 1915 his work was noteworthy. In the former session he was chairman of

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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916

the Committee on Mines and Mining, and was the author of a bill to protect the lives and property of workmen engaged in the mining industries. This bill was known as the "Kolsem Bill." He was also the author of a bill passed for the improvement of roadways from the city limits to the town- ship line. He also was the author of a bill in the State Senate authorizing the Governor to appoint a commission of four men, two who are familiar with the mining industry from an operators' stand- point, and two who are familiar with the mining industry from a miners' standpoint, to re-codify the present mining laws to fit the improved and modern methods of mining of the present day, which was passed and signed by the Governor. He was otherwise active in forwarding party measures.

Mrs. Kolsem, to whom he was married May 18, 1874, was formerly Miss Mary F. Stakemann, and she has since been the presiding genius of his home.

JUDGE JOHANNES KOPELKE

Judge Johannes Kopelke, a prominent citizen of Crown Point and hold- ing high rank in the legal profession of northern Indiana, is a native of Germany. He was born in the province of Pomerania on the 14th day of June, 1854. Here his youth was spent and his schooling received. At the age of seventeen, however, having nearly completed a course in college, he emigrated to America and completed his collegiate work in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, taking, the full course in the law department.

Following his graduation, in 1876, he located in Crown Point and en- tered into the active practice of the law, and soon demonstrated marked ability in his chosen profession. In the year 1884 he was chosen presidential elector from his district and in the fall of 1890 was elected state senator from Lake and Porter counties, serving with conscientious zeal in the assemblies of 1891 and 1893, taking an active part in the deliberations and work of this body. In 1898, he was a candidate on the Democratic state ticket for judge of the appellate court. On the 23rd day of February, 1911, he was appointed by Governor Marshall a judge of the superior court of Lake county, and at the expiration of his term of service, in November, 1914, was a candidate for election as circuit judge on the Democratic ticket.

Politically, Judge Kopelke has been a stanch adherent to the principles of the Jeffersonian party and has given valuable service to the local and state organization.

BERNARD KORBLY

When Bernard Korbly left Madison, Indiana, in 1895, making the move to Indianapolis with his father, Charles A. Korbly, who had formed a law partnership with Alonzo Green Smith, it was for Bernard Korbly the beginning of the building of one of the best legal businesses enjoyed by any attorney in the state, and at the same time the start of one of the most active and continuous Dem- ocratic political workers in Indiana.

He had no sooner landed in Indianapolis than he became precinct committeeman. He served in this capacity in two different wards in which he located during the campaigns when Thomas Tag- gart was three times candidate for mayor of the city, each time being elected by a larger majority than the campaign preceding.

After five years' service as precinct committeeman, Mr. Korbly became ward committeeman, where he served another five years, becoming chairman of the district and a member of the state central committee from 1906 to 1910, after that time succeeding Joseph Fanning as Democratic state chairman. He served through the three campaigns of 1912, 1914 and 1916 as chairman of the state central committee, all being most interesting campaigns, the first two resulting in the success of the Democratic ticket and the last being a close race in results against the largest campaign fund which was ever spent in the state, the Republicans officially reporting a campaign fund of approximate- ly a quarter of a million dollars.

Because it was impossible for Mr. Korbly to give his attention longer to the state chairman- ship, on account of his extensive legal practice, he resigned as head of the Democratic state commit- tee in July, 1917, being succeeded by Charles A. Greathouse.

When the elder Korbly associated with Alonzo Green Smith as a legal firm, under the style of Smith & Korbly, Bernard Korbly took a position in the office, remaining in these same offices

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through several reorganizations for more than a quarter of a century. At the time of his father's death in 1900, the firm name remained the same, Bernard Korbly becoming the junior partner. This same association continued until a short time before the death of Mr. Smith in 1907.

After this time and until 1909, Mr. Korbly carried on the practice by himself, at this time forming a partnership with Judge Willard New in order to take care of the increasing business. From that time the firm of Korbly & New became and continued one of the best known and most suc- cessful in the entire state.

When Mr. Korbly first moved to Indianapolis he was very proficient in stenography, as his father had been, appreciating the advantage of this accomplishment in the practice of the legal profession.

Mr. Korbly has attended most of the national conventions as a state delegate since his first en- trance into politics. He is one of the most efficient organizers and directors of political campaigns in the state which has produced the greatest of political generals. In his capacity as delegate to national conventions he was associated with Thomas Taggart, who has always been one of the most influential factors in such gatherings in the line of shaping policies and selecting the candidates.

STANLEY MICHAEL KRIEG

Stanley Michael Krieg, a prominent attorney of Petersburg and an honored official in the service of the commonwealth, is a native of Pike county, his birth having oc- curred within its confines on the 16th day of July, 1872. He is, however, of German parentage, his father having come to this country in the year 1851 and his mother in 1839. He attended the schools of his district until he was nineteen years of age. Later he entered the Central Normal College of Danville, where he remained three years, and after completing the law course was admitted to the bar of Pike county and entered into the active practice of his profession. Here he has since remained, building for himself a lucrative practice and establishing a reputation for honesty, ability and sterling worth.

On the 30th day of November, 1904, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Effa Tislow, who has since presided over his home and dispensed its hospitality.

On the 3rd of November, 1914, he was elected to the position of prosecuting attorney for the 57th Judicial Circuit for a term of two years. He has been an active party worker, connected with the county organization since 1896.

Fraternally, he is allied with the Modern Woodmen of America and Improved Order of Red Men; in religion he is a member of the Presbyterian church.

DR. EDWARD HERMAN KRUSE

The name of Dr. Edward Herman Kruse is well known throughout Al- len county and to the medical profession of the state, being that of a lead- ing physician and surgeon of Ft. Wayne and an honored official in the serv- ice of the county.

Dr. Kruse is a native Hoosier, born on the 15th day of June, 1884. He attended Concordia College, Ft. Wayne. In the year 1902 he entered the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis for a course in medical science. and after his graduation from this institution pursued his studies abroad, attending medical colleges of Berlin and Vienna. This course was com- pleted in the year 1907 and in the same year he entered into the active practice of his profession in the city of Ft. Wayne. Here a lucrative prac- tice soon came to him and a reputation was established for skill and con- scientious service.

In the fall of 1912 he was elected to the position of coroner of the county, his term of service to expire in 1916. In this work also he has maintained the reputation established in his private practice, serving the public with conscientious diligence.

Politically, he is an adherent of the tenets of Jefferson, voting and working for the furtherance of the cause of Democracy.

His marriage to Miss Geneva Maxfield, of Angola, Ind., was solemnized in the year 1912, and together they have drawn about them a circle of charming friends.

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INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916

PETER J. KRUYER

Peter J. Kruyer is a native of Indiana, born in Plymouth, March 27, 1861. After receiving a common school education he took a commercial course. For 22 years Mr. Kruyer was connected with the Hon. Daniel McDonald in the printing business in Plymouth. Mr. Kruyer was twice elected city clerk and once to the city council. In 1884 was nominated without opposition for clerk of the circuit court in Marshall county on the Democratic ticket. At the election there was a Republican landslide and Mr. Kruyer was defeated as was the entire ticket. Mr. Kruyer served as a jury commissioner in Marshall county for fourteen years.

On January 19, 1914, Mr. Kruyer received from President Wilson the appointment of internal revenue collector for the sixth district of Indiana, and has the distinction of being the first federal appointee in the history of the nation who was confirmed by the Senate within fifteen minutes after the nomination was reported.

Mr. Kruyer was married in Plymouth May 2, 1882, to Jennie M. Schoner. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kruyer seven children, four of whom survive-one daughter, Lor- etto, and three sons, Cletus H., Wilfred and Walter. Mr. Kruyer with his family resides at 615 Port- age avenue, South Bend.

JOHN W. KURTZ

John W. Kurtz, who is prominently identified with municipal and business affairs in the town of Knox, was born in the state of Ohio on December 2, 1862; but was brought by his parents in infancy to Starke county. His early schooling was received in the public schools of that county and he later pursued a college course.

In the year 1901 Mr. Kurtz assumed the duties of auditor of Starke county, and in this capacity served until 1904. The following year he became connected with the Farmers' State Bank of Knox, holding the position of cashier of that institution, and in this capacity has since served.

In 1890 Mr. Kurtz was united in marriage to Miss Mary Eigenmann.

MOSES B. LAIRY

Judge Moses B. Lairy, formerly of Logansport, now a resident of Indianapolis, is a man of extended education and broad experience and has marked the imprint of his influence upon his surroundings and upon the legal profession through- out the state.

Judge Lairy was born in this state on the 13th day of August, 1859, and spent his childhood upon a farm, attend- ing the district schools and laying the foundation for that clearness of vision and soundness of judgment which has characterized his decisions from the bench. Following a course at the normal school at Valparaiso he taught school for a period of ten years, beginning in 1878, during which time his vacations were spent largely in the law office of Judge Dudley H. Chase of Logansport, reading law, and in June, 1889, he was enabled to graduate from the law depart- ment of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. The en- suing six years were spent in the practice of law at Logans- port and so rapidly did he advance in his chosen profession that in 1895 he was appointed by Governor Matthews to fill the unexpired term of Judge D. B. McConnell, retiring in 1896. The succeeding fourteen years were spent in active practice, in partnership with M. F. Mahoney, a part of which time he served as county attorney of Cass county.

In the year 1910 Judge Lairy was elected to the Indiana appellate bench for the second district.

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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916

During his tenure of office Judge Lairy devoted his time conscientiously and diligently to the duties of the bench, giving to each case his best thought and unbiased judgment, bringing to his work a singleness of purpose and withal a dignity of conduct which raised him to a high plane in the es- timation of the profession and of the people at large. Therefore, in 1914, it was no occasion for sur- prise to his friends when he received the nomination and was subsequently elected to the position of judge of the supreme court.

Although Judge Lairy has been honored with positions of great responsibility, he has still found time to take an active interest in all movements tending to the betterment of the community at large; and in this connection it may be noted that he is a member of the Commercial Club of Indianapolis. The feeling of brotherhood which is inspired by the associations of the fraternal organization has also made its appeal to him, and he has taken an active part in the affairs of the Masonic order, and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

In all these various relations, we find him to be a man of culture, honor and integrity, keenly alive to his opportunities and his responsibilities, performing to the best of his ability the duties that fall to him in the various phases of his life and work.

SAMUEL A. LAMBERT

Samuel A. Lambert, for many years an active and enthusiastic worker in the ranks of the Democratic party in Laporte county, is also widely known as a successful contractor and builder.

Mr. Lambert is a native of this state, born on the 13th day of August, 1857. His education was received in the public schools of Fulton county. Later he located in Laporte county and there engaged in business, ever since taking an active interest in the business life of the community and enlarging his own interests as the years have passed. In the year 1886 he married Miss Lydia Parker.

In the year 1898 Mr. Lambert was elected city councilman for a term of two years, and in this capacity served with much credit to himself and his constituents. In the fall of 1910 he was elected to the still greater responsibilities of county commissioner, and assumed the duties of the office on the first day of the following January.

GEORGE L. LANEY

George L. Laney enjoys the political distinction of being the first Dem- ocratic clerk elected in Parke county for 65 years, and receiving the largest vote ever cast for a Democrat for a Parke county office. He was born in Illinois, April 8, 1863, and received his education in the common schools of Parke county, finishing at the Central Normal at Ladoga in 1884. He then taught in the county schools for eight years, worked in the coal mines at Rosedale, Ind., for five years, and then became a builder and contractor. After this he became supervisor of agencies for the Meridian Life Insurance Company of Indianapolis from 1900 to 1904. Was elected township (Flor- ida) trustee in 1904, and at the same time ran a small farm, He resigned as township trustee to run for clerk of Parke county, being elected by the largest vote ever given a Democrat in this county. He refused a renomina- tion for clerk, in 1912. He was elected clerk and treasurer of the town of Rockville in 1913, to serve from January, 1914, to 1916.

Mr. Laney has a strong and pleasing personality, and enjoys the fullest confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, being one of the promoters and builders of the Rockville opera house, and has been secretary of the company since its organization. He might be aptly termed a "jiner," which may have had something to do with his popularity, for he is an active member of Parke Lodge No. 8, F. & A. M .; Parke Chapter No. 37, Indianapolis Consistory A. and A. Rite; 32nd degree member Murat Temple Nobles Mystic Shrine, Indianapolis; I. O. O. F., Rockville Encampment; Knights of Pythias, and the Pythian Sisters and Rebekahs.

Mr. Laney married Miss Rosanna Parker October 9, 1888. He is at present engaged extensively in the lumber industry, owning and operating a saw and planing mill, and is a large operator in North- ern Michigan and Southern States timber. He is thoroughly in tune with the high principles of his party and ever ready to give it his best aid financially and otherwise.

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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916

JOHN B. LAWLER

The gentleman whose photo appears herewith is well known in the city of Madi- son, having been for a number of years an active worker in the ranks of the Demo- cratic party in Jefferson county, and having held various positions of responsibility in the service of the public.

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History of the Indiana democracy, 1816-1916, Part 139

Author: Stoll, John B., 1843-1926 Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Indianapolis : Indiana Democratic Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Stoll, John B., 1843-1926
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis : Indiana Democratic Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1104