USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > History of the city of Evansville and Vanderburg County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 10
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allsitt Ranges
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURG COUNTY
At the usual age, Albert F. Karges entered the public schools, but be- gan work when thirteen years of age. In the meantime the family had removed to Memphis, Tennessee, but later returned to Evansville. His first service was as collector with the Evansville Furniture Company at a salary of one dollar and a half per week. He afterward occupied a position as clerk in a tailor shop for three years and received three dollars per week when in the employ of Fred Brokamp, who is still a resident of this city. Subsequently Mr. Karges was employed by William Hughes for six years in the capacity of bookkeeper, after which he embarked in business on his own account in 1885. He had carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had secured for him a capital of six hun- dred dollars, when he started out independently. For nine months he was engaged in the lumber business as a partner in the firm of Goeke & Karges, and afterward began the manufacture of furniture in a small warehouse as a partner of Henry Stoltz, under the firm style of Stoltz & Karges. For three years they conducted the business there success- fully, their trade growing rapidly until the business reached large pro- portions. At the end of that time Mr. Karges purchased his partner's interest, and in February, 1889, organized and incorporated the- business under the style of the Karges Furniture Company. The output is sold all over the world, and the trade is constantly growing. Mr. Karges is prac- tically sole proprietor of the business, which, carefully systematized and well managed, has become one of the most important productive indus- tries of the city. The plant is splendidly equipped, and the utmost care is taken to keep the goods up to the highest standard in manufacture, durability, finish, workmanship and style.
Mr. Karges has proven his worth in active management and as a di- recting force his cooperation has been sought in many other fields. He is now the president of the Globe Furniture Company, which was organ- ized in the latter part of 1899, and manufactures a different class of goods than that turned out by the Karges Furniture Company. He is likewise president of the Karges Wagon Company and is a director of the Bosse Furniture Company, the World Furniture Company, the Crescent Stove Works, the Evans Mirror Beveling Company, and the City National Bank -which are among the most important of the manufacturing, industrial and financial interests of the city. He is also extensively interested in real estate, having made judicious investments in Evansville property. To the field of railway operations he has also extended his efforts, and is now chairman of the board of directors of the Evansville Railways Company and president of the Evansville Terminal Railway Company. He is a director of the Jourdan Loesch Furniture Company; the Evans- ville Metal Bed Company; and the Metal Furniture Company; and is president of the Furniture Manufacturers Building Company; and of the National Furniture Association.
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In December, 1885, Mr. Karges was married to Miss Lizzie Hauck of this city, and they have three living children and have lost one. Those who survive are: Albert, eighteen years of age; Edwin F., who, at the age of fourteen years is a high school student; and Esther K., twelve years of age, also attending school. The family residence is at No. 1517 South Second street.
Mr. and Mrs. Karges are active and prominent members of the Pres- byterian church, in which he has served for many years as elder. He is also prominent in the Young Men's Christian Association, in which he is serving as director and second vice president. He usually votes with the republican party, but does not consider himself bound by party ties. His life in its varied phases and connections commends him to the con- fidence, esteem and honor of his fellowmen. His business interests have been extensive and of an important character as factors in the commer- cial and industrial circles of the city, and in positions of responsibility he has displayed keen executive force, bending his energies to constructive efforts which have resulted in the development of large and profitable concerns. He regards business, however, as but one phase of life, nor allows it to warp his finer sensibilities or claim his attention to the ex- clusion of outside interests. He fully recognizes his obligations to his fel- lowmen and meets every responsibility that devolves upon him.
JACOB B. HENN.
Jacob B. Henn, secretary of the Peerless Tank and Seat Company, which business he established in 1905, was born in the state of New Jersey, June 25, 1858. The name indicates his German origin. His parents, John and Lena Henn, were both natives of the fatherland and after coming to America in 1848, lived for a time in the east but are now residents of Evansville. The father is a carpenter by trade, devoting his entire life to building pursuits.
Jacob Henn is one of a family of seven children, all of whom are yet living. His youthful days were devoted to the acquirement of an education in the public schools until he reached the age of eighteen years when he started out to earn his own living and secured a position as grocery clerk. He was employed in that way until he reachead the age of twenty-two years, when he went upon the road as a traveling salesman for a grocery house. Later he took out a special line of goods, representing a Cincinnati firm, Potter, Parlan & Company, his territory covering Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois. For fifteen years he continued upon the road in that connection and his long identification with the house indicates satisfaction on both the part of employer and employe. He succeeded in building up a good trade and wherever he went made friends among his patrons. Through the in- fluence of his younger brother, William A. Henn, who made some inventions
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along this line, Jacob B. Henn turned his attention to his present line of busi- ness in connection with the Sanitary Manufacturing Company of Hamilton, Indiana, his brother being at that time superintendent. Jacob B. Henn occu- pied the position of manager and superintendent for about seven years and then resigned to come to Evansville in 1905, in which year he organized the Peerless Tank and Seat Company. In the intervening years the business has grown steadily and rapidly until the trade now extends all over the United States and Mexico and the plant is being operated to its full capacity. The house is ever found reliable in all its business transactions and the honesty of its methods is undoubtedly one of the factors of its success.
In 1884 Mr. Henn was married to Miss Louisa Eisel, a native of Ohio, and they have become the parents of two daughters, Gertrude, now the wife of Julius H. Schuttler, and Margaret, at home. Mr. Henn presents in his life many of the sterling characteristics of his Teutonic ancestry, having the firm purpose and persevering spirit which have ever characterized the Ger- man race. He also seems imbued with a spirit of enterprise which has ever dominated the middle west and has so controlled and managed his business affairs that he is now at the head of a profitable manufacturing concern.
JOHN LAVAL.
While John Laval was widely known in Evansville through his business relations, his activities were never self-centered but reached out to those lines which touch the political, social, intellectual and moral progress of the community and work for the good of mankind. A man of broad mind and of public-spirited citizenship, Evansville availed herself of his cooperation in many ways to further her growth and promote her upbuilding. His judg- ment was sound, his insight keen and his sagacity far reaching, and his in- fluence was such that his name in support of any public project was the influence which drew to it the support of many others.
Mr. Laval was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, on the 24th of May, 1826, and had therefore passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey when he was called to his final rest on the 2d of September, 1899. His youthful days were spent under the parental roof in his native land. His father, who was forest master, died in the year 1841, after which the family removed to the city of Mainz. There he learned the druggist's trade and had gained an expert knowledge of the business when he sought the oppor- tunities of the new world, coming to Evansville in 1849. The following year he opened a drug store on Main street and later removed to the loca- tion where the business is still conducted by his sons. For almost forty years he continued successfully in the trade in Evansville, remaining as proprietor of the establishment until 1889, when he retired. He also en- gaged in the practice of medicine for twenty years and had comprehensive
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knowledge concerning the use of medicinal properties as well as expert skill in compounding them. He not only carried a large stock of goods but also maintained a store which was neat and attractive in its arrangement. His attention, however, was not confined merely to the drug trade, for in financial circles he was widely known and in 1870 was elected treasurer of the People's Savings Bank, which position he filled for seven years. At different times he invested in real estate until he was the owner of consid- erable property, including two large business blocks which he erected-the well known Laval building and another on West Franklin street. His judg- ment was seldom, if ever, at fault in matters of business and the same keen discrimination was manifest in the conduct of the duties of public offices to which he was called by his fellow townsmen. He served as county com- missioner in the '8os and for four years before his death filled the position of trustee in the Willard library.
Mr. Laval was united in marriage to Miss Mary Krou, of Evansville, and they became the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are now liv- ing, namely: Mrs. George Brose; Henry, who is engaged in the drug busi- ness ; William, a member of the medical profession; Mrs. Tom Brose; Mrs. Fred Geiger, Jr .; Mrs. Ed Nesbit; Otto, who is engaged in the real-estate business ; and Ed. One son, Charles F. H., who reached mature years, is now deceased, and George and Emma have also passed away.
The family attend St. John's church, of which Mr. Laval was also a communicant. His political allegiance was given to the republican party but while probably not without that ambition which is the incentive for faithful service on the part of public officers, he regarded the pursuits of private life as abundantly worthy of his best efforts. He was, however, always active in the interests of a greater Evansville and his rare aptitude and ability in achieving results made him constantly sought and often brought him into prominence in public connections. There is probably not a man of large private interests in this city that has felt a more hearty con- cern for the public welfare.
VALENTINE SCHENK.
Valentine Schenk is the owner of a good farm of fifty acres in Center township. It is in this township that he was born on the 25th of February, 1871. He is of German descent, as the surname indicates, his parents having been Valentine and Gertrude Schenk, both of whom were born in Germany. Indians were still living in this section of the state when they crossed the Atlantic and took up their abode in Vanderburg county. The land was nearly all wild and unimproved and many districts were covered with a dense forest. The father purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land from the government, paying the usual price of a dollar and a quarter per acre. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon
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the place, but with characteristic energy he began its development and con- verted it into a good property, upon which he made his home until his death, which occurred on the 12th of October, 1880. He is still survived by his widow, who is now living with her son Valentine. The father was an enterprising farmer and a respected and worthy citizen.
Valentine Schenk was reared under the parental roof to the age of eighteen years, attending the public schools in the winter months while in the summer seasons he assisted in the work of the fields. At the age of eighteen he started out in life on his own account and has since provided for his support by earnest, persistent and honorable labor. He began by working as a farm hand by the month and was thus employed for about two years, when he returned home and purchased the old homestead, which he has since been cultivating. He has made a number of improvements upon the place and now has fifty acres of land devoted to the raising of the crops best adapted to soil and climate. He annually gathers good harvests as the reward of his labors and is persistently and energetically carrying on business.
In August, 1901, Mr. Schenk was united in marriage to Miss Lena Ochsner, a daughter of Frank and Lena Ochsner, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Kentucky. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schenk have been born three children, Raymond, Rosie and Catherine, aged respectively eight, seven and five years. Mr. Schenk makes it the purpose of his life to provide a good living for his family and to this end he is carefully cul- tivating his farm. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, but never seeks nor desires office. Both he and his wife attend the Cath- olic church and it was in the German Catholic schools that he was edu- cated. They are rearing their children in that faith, for they are loyal ad- herents of the church. Mr. Schenk has always lived in Vanderburg county and those who have known him from boyhood recognize the fact that his his life has displayed many sterling characteristics which have merited the warm regard in which he is uniformly held.
WILLIAM S. FLEENER.
William S. Fleener started in business for himself by renting land. Now he is the owner of a good farm which is proof of the fact that his life has been well spent, his energy and industry bringing him to a position among the well-to-do residents of Center township. He was born in this state July 13, 1858, and his parents, John J. and Eliza (Bilderback) Fleener, were also natives of Indiana. The father was widely and favorably known as a leading merchant of Pleasantville, Indiana, for about thirty years, but at length withdrew from commercial circles and turned his attention to farming. In this connection he dealt largely in tobacco but at the present
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time is living retired, although he still makes his home on a farm near Pleasantville, Indiana. His wife died in the year 1890.
The youthful days of William S. Fleener were spent under the parental roof, and the lessons of energy, economy and industry which were instilled into his mind by his father's foresight, have since borne rich fruit. At the age of twenty-three years he left home to establish a home of his own in his marriage to Miss Martha M. Moye, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Campbell) Moye, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. The young couple began their domestic life upon a tract of land which he rented, and for ten years he continued to cultivate leased land, but during that period carefully saved his earnings until his economical expenditure and industry made it possible for him to purchase a farm. He then invested in land in Pike county and about the same time his wife inherited a farm in Posey county. They took up their abode upon the latter and there lived for a number of years, after which they removed to Evansville, where they re- mained for three years. On the expiration of that period Mr. Fleener bought a farm in Water county, and operated it for six years, after which he traded that property for another farm and in 1909 purchased forty-one acres of land in Center township. His time and attention are given to the cultivation and improvement of this property and to the work of the min- istry. He became an ordained minister of the Baptist church in 1903, and has since been preaching, dividing his time between the work of the farm and his efforts to promote the interests of the church.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fleener have been born three children: Ida L., who is married and lives in Evansville; Minnie M., who is married and lives at home; and Louise, who died in 1892. Mr. Fleener has always voted with the democratic party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. His family are members of the Baptist church and his efforts are proving of considerable potency in extending the influence of the church in this part of the state. All who know him entertain for him the highest regard because of his upright, honorable life and his de- votion to duty.
CHARLES E. JETT.
Charles E. Jett, president and general manager of the Jett-White Elec- tric Company, dealers in electrical supplies and machinery, was born in Lawrence county, Illinois, September 5, 1877, and is a son of J. B. and Amanda Elizabeth Jett. While spending his boyhood days in his parents' home he pursued his education in the public schools, continuing his studies until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he began traveling for the Western Union Telegraph Company, thus making his initial step in the business world. He was employed in installing telegraph stations and
CHARLES E. JETT
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building telegraph lines for three and a half years and on the expiration of that period went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he engaged with the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company as construction foreman for five years.
The succeeding year was spent as a vacation at his home in Lawrence county, Illinois, after which Mr. Jett went to Vincennes, Indiana, where he was connected with the Vincennes Light & Power Company as manager of the electric department for two years. Later he came to Evansville and engaged with the D. E. Berry Electric Company as general manager for two and a half years. Mr. Jett then succeeded Mr. Berry in business, admitted Elmer S. White to a partnership, and under the firm style of the Jett-White Electric Company they have since conducted a profitable busi- ness as manufacturers and wholesale and retail dealers in electric supplies and machinery, with offices and plant at No. 30 Main street.
On the 13th of October, 1900, in Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Jett was united in marriage to Miss Iva Harvey, and they have three children, Thelma, Catharine and Charles Melburn, aged respectively nine, five and three years. In his political views Mr. Jett is a republican and while he cares nothing for office is always loyal in his support of the principles in which he believes. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his religious faith is manifest by his membership in the Baptist church. His life has in a way been quietly passed but it has been characterized by fidelity to duty and by the honorable improvement of oppor- tunity, and in that way he has gradually worked upward in the business world.
LEO KEVEKORDES.
With aptitude for successful management, Leo Kevekordes is now con- trolling the interests of the Buehner Chair Company as its president, to which position he was called in July, 1907. He was born in Cologne, Ger- many, August 7, 1849, and is a son of Clemens and Catharine Kevekordes. The father, also a native of Germany, died in 1882.
After pursuing his early education in the public schools to the age of fourteen years, Leo Kevekordes attended a trade school for nine months and then came to America, seeking the broader business opportunities of the new world. He made his way direct to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he followed cabinet-making until 1869, when he came to Evansville-a young man of twenty years. With the trade interests of this city he has been closely identified for many years, excepting only a brief period spent in Vincennes. On his arrival here he engaged with the Armstrong Furniture Company as cabinet-maker, occupying that position until 1874. He afterward became an employe of the Joseph F. Reitz Furniture Company, having charge of the plant until 1879. In the latter year he went to Vincennes, Indiana, as
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foreman of the factory of the Spiegel & Roberts Furniture Company for two years. Returning to Evansville, Mr. Kevekordes with others organ- ized the Indiana Furniture Company, of which he was general manager. Later he was elected secretary and manager and so continued until he sold out in December, 1906. In July, 1907, he became extensively interested financially in the Buehner Chair Company, of which he was elected presi- dent. This enterprise has since been successfully conducted and now fur- nishes employment to sixty-five men in the manufacture of straight and rocking chairs. Their product is shipped to all parts of the United States and their business has grown along substantial lines, making theirs one of the important industries of the city. Every well regulated and honorably conducted business enterprise is a benefit to the community in which it is located and the source of the city's commercial prosperity and Mr. Kevek- ordes as president of the Buehner Chair Company is now classed with the prominent and valued business men of the city.
On the 17th of June, 1874, in Evansville, Mr. Kevekordes was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Schrader, who died in December, 1886, leav- ing four children: Clemens, now thirty-three years of age; Theodore, aged thirty-one; Mrs. Margaret Stahlman; and Leo, who died when twelve years old. In June, 1887, Mr. Kevekordes was again married in Evansville, his second union being with Mrs. Louise Weber, and they now have three children : Louis Puster, twenty-three years of age, who is shipping clerk for the Buehner Chair Company; Carl, seventeen years of age, also with the company; and Minnie, a young lady of sixteen years, now attending high school.
In his political views Mr. Kevekordes is a republican and in religious faith a Catholic. He became a member of the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity in 1876 and he belongs to Lessing Lodge of Masons. His energy and enterprise are unfaltering and along lines of well directed business activity he has advanced far toward the goal of success.
WILLARD CARPENTER.
On the roll of Evansville's honored dead appears the name of Willard Carpenter, who in every relation of life bore himself with signal dignity and honor. His activity in business contributed to the material development of the city and as he prospered he experienced the joy of generous giving, for his open-handed liberality constituted a beneficial factor in the existence of various charities and benevolent institutions. A native of Vermont, he was born in Strafford, March 15, 1803. His father, Willard Carpenter, Sr., was born April 3, 1767, and died on the 14th of November, 1854. He was mar- ried in Woodstock, Connecticut, February 23, 1791, to Miss Polly Bacon, whose birth occurred March 15, 1769, and who passed away on the 4th of
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March, 1860. Their family of twelve children were all born and reared on the same farm. Mrs. Polly Carpenter lived to have around her twelve chil- dren, fifty-two grandchildren, fifty-three great-grandchildren and one great- great grandchild-one hundred and eighteen lineal descendants.
The life history of Willard Carpenter, of this review, is the thrilling story of a man who carved out his own fortune. Endowed by nature with strong mentality, possessing the thrift and energy characteristic of New England, combined with great powers of physical endurance and pluck, he gradually advanced from a place of poverty through the stages of successful financial development until he obtained not only the plane of affluence but also that of wealth. His youthful days were spent upon the home farm with the three winter months devoted to the acquirement of an education in the little log school house near his father's home. He remained under the parental roof until eighteen years of age, and even in his boyhood days manifested the strong and admirable business qualifications which wrought for success in later years. His first earnings-twenty-five cents-were secured by digging snake root. This money he put out at interest until it amounted to seven dollars. He then determined to go west and, slinging his possessions in a bundle over his shoulder, he made his way to Mohawk and on through Troy, New York, about the time of the great fire in that city in 1822. Upon reaching Albany he invested his little capital in notions and with his stock in trade worked up the Mohawk valley toward Buffalo. He then proceeded westward along the lake shore of Ontario and of Erie as far as Salem, Ohio, where, having disposed of his notions, he rested for a time with an uncle. Indolence and idleness, however, were truly foreign to his nature and as he could not content himself without some work to do, in the summer and autumn of 1822 he was employed in the woods and with two companions cleared eighty acres of forest land. His wages for this labor were five dol- lars per acre, but owing to the scarcity of currency he was given notes of hand, payable in grain. After disposing of his notes he turned to the profes- sion of teaching, taking charge of a district school. By spring his salary amounted to one hundred and forty dollars and he was again paid in grain notes. About that time he began learning the tanner's and shoemaker's trades, but six months convinced him that the pursuits were not congenial to his taste. He then went back to the state of New York and secured a posi- tion in connection with the building of the Erie canal. The wages and work were satisfactory, but the accommodations furnished were so poor that he gave up that position and accepted a school at Glenfield Corners. In 1824 his father, in order to induce him to return home, offered him a farm and six hundred dollars, but this he refused, being determined to make his own way unaided. Two years later he visited his father and with his brother John went to Troy, New York, where they engaged in merchandising. This partnership was afterward dissolved, and with another brother, Willard Car- penter continued in the business for ten years.
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