USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > History of the city of Evansville and Vanderburg County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 13
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After a brief period spent in the Crescent city Mr. Storton continued his journey up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Evansville, and from that time afterward was a resident of this city, although his business interests kept him much of the time away from home. He had first accepted any employ- ment that would yield him an honest living, but improved every opportunity for advancement and at length entered the service of James Steele, who conducted a planing mill on the site of the Foster home on upper Second street. There he remained until he became connected with the Evansville Journal. He was with that paper for thirty years before his death, asso- ciating himself with the business department in 1866, from which time after- ward he contributed in no small degree to the success of the paper. His original position was that of mailing clerk and collector. He did efficient work in that connection for a few years, when he was appointed to the more
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responsible position of soliciting for the job and binding departments and general advertising. In that connection much of his time was necessarily spent upon the road in the interest of the business, and in his travels he made many warm friends in Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois and Indiana. He also gained a goodly business for the house, his long connection with the paper indicating the regard entertained for him and his ability by the company which he represented.
On the 12th of December, 1865, Mr. Storton was married to Miss Mar- garet Clark, and unto them were born three children, Allen, Frank and Carrie. Mr. Storton was ever devoted to the welfare of his home and family and found his greatest happiness in administering to their welfare and com- fort. He was also loyal in friendship and his social nature, genial manner and engaging personality won him friends wherever he went. He was a mem- ber of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church and ever held to a high moral standard in all of his social and business relations. Wherever he extended the trade of the house his word became recognized as thoroughly reliable and if he ever made mistakes they were errors of judgment and not of the heart. He had a kindly feeling for all mankind and in his life proved the truth of the Emersonian philosophy that, "the way to win a friend is to be one."
COLONEL CHARLES C. SCHREEDER.
Colonel Charles C. Schreeder, republican representative from Vander- burg county to the Indiana legislature, has the distinction of being the only citizen of the state ever elected for five consecutive terms to the general assembly, thereby becoming the dean of the sixty-sixth session of the law-making body of the state. He was first called to office when but twenty-one years of age and almost continuously since has been connected with the public service, a fact indicative of fidelity to duty, of loyalty to principle and to promise and of capability in the discharge of the official tasks that have devolved upon him.
Mr. Schreeder was born in Berlin, Germany, January 19, 1847, and was but five years of age when brought to America by his widowed mother, the father having died during the infancy of his son Charles. In 1853 he became a resident of Evansville and a pupil in the public schools, therein pursuing his studies to the age of fifteen years, when aroused by the spirit of patriotism that was spreading throughout the north, he enlisted as a pri- vate soldier in the Union army, doing active duty at the front until the close of hostilities.
After the close of the war Mr. Schreeder returned to Evansville and in the year in which he attained his majority was elected city assessor. Later he was chosen to the office of township assessor and subsequently
COL. C. C. SCHREEDER
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to the office of city clerk, and the prompt and faithful discharge of his duties won for him high commendation. In 1876 he removed to Hunting- burg, Dubois county, Indiana, where he served as postmaster during the administration of Presidents Hayes, Garfield, Arthur and Harrison. From early boyhood he has taken a deep interest in political affairs and has been active in his advocacy of party principles. He organized the first repub- lican county central committee in Dubois county, which was the demo- cratic stronghold, and served for twelve years as its chairman. In 1880 he established the first republican newspaper in that county and remained its publisher and editor until his return to Evansville in 1894. Long before he took his seat in the legislature as one of its duly elected members, he was a familiar figure in the house for in 1887, during the fifty-fifth ses- sion of the general assembly, he was principal doorkeeper of the house of representatives. In 1892 he was commissioned colonel on the staff of Governor Chase and was again commissioned in 1897 on the staff of Governor Mount. In 1901 he was recommissioned on the staff of Governor Durbin and again in 1905 by Governor Hanly.
In 1900 Mr. Schreeder was elected joint representative to the legisla- ture from the counties of Vanderburg, Gibson and Knox and in 1902 was reelected from Vanderburg county and again in 1904, 1906 and 1908, thus being five times consecutively a member of the house and was renominated for the sixth term in 1910, an honor which has not been conferred upon any other citizen of the state under the present constitution. By reason of these elections he served in the Sixty-second, Sixty-third, Sixty-fourth, Sixty-fifth and Sixty-sixth sessions of the general assembly and of the last was termed "dean." He has served on many important committees, includ- ing the ways and means, appropriation, banking, fees and salaries, the mili- tary and other committees. He is the author of several important bills which have become laws, securing the passage of a bill appropriating twenty-eight thousand dollars for the erection of twenty-two monuments on the battlefield of Shiloh in memory of the Indiana troops who partici- pated in the engagement there; another appropriating ten thousand dollars for the erection of a monument at Andersonville, Georgia, in memory of the Indiana soldiers who suffered and died in the Confederate prison stock- ade at that place; and an appropriation of fifteen thousand dollars for erect- ing monuments and markers on the battlefield of Antietam, Maryland, in memory of the Indiana troops who fought for the Union cause at that point. During his legislative career four United States senators have been elected. In 1903 he supported Hon. Charles W. Fairbanks, in 1905, Hon. A. J. Bev- eridge and Hon. James 'A'. Hemenway and in 1909 voted for the reelection of Mr. Hemenway. Colonel Schreeder has always been an active worker in the Grand Army of the Republic and has held numerous prominent posi- tions in that organization.
Colonel Schreeder was married in Huntingburg, Indiana, on the 12th of April, 1868, to Miss Louise C. Behrens, a daughter of an early merchant
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of that place. She died April 28, 1892, leaving two children : Emma Mary, now the wife of E. W. Nash of New Harmony, Indiana; and Walter D., at home. On the 27th of March, 1894, in Evansville, Colonel Schreeder was married to Mrs. Rebecca Keller, widow of the late Charles Keller, a prominent merchant here.
In whatever relation we find him-in government service, in political circles, in business or in social circles,-he is always the same honorable and honored gentleman whose worth well merits the high regard which is uniformly given him. That he is a man of broad intelligence and genuine public spirit has been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. Strong in his individuality, he never lacks the courage of his convictions, but there are as dominating elements in this individuality a lively human sympathy and a sterling integrity which have naturally gained for him the respect and confidence of men.
JAMES CAWSON.
Among the citizens of Evansville who have passed from the scene of earthly activities since the opening of the twentieth century was James Cawson, who died on the 30th of June, 1900. He was then seventy-five years of age, his birth having occurred in Devonshire, England, in 1825. The schools of his native country afforded him his educational privileges and he came to America in the later '40s in response to the desire of his aunt, Mrs. James Cawson, who after her husband's death sent for his nephew and namesake and his sister to come to the new world and make their home with her.
After arriving in Evansville James Cawson of this review entered the book store of a Mr. Connington, there remaining for a few years. Later he removed to Mount Vernon, Indiana, where he opened and conducted a book store on his own account and through the careful management and able direction of his business met with substantial success. His commer- cial methods were ever honorable and his well formulated plans were care- fully and systematically executed. He possessed determined purpose that enabled him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertook.
During his residence in Mount Vernon Mr. Cawson was married to Miss Wannegs, a daughter of Dr. Wannegs, but she only lived for a few years. For his second wife Mr. Cawson chose Miss Ellen J. Knowles, who was born in Scott township, Vanderburg county, a daughter of Charles Knowles and a grandaughter of William Knowles, who came to the United States from England when sailing vessels were used in crossing the Atlantic and when practically all westward travel across the continent was made by the water route. So wild and unsettled was the state that there
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was but one house in Evansville when he brought his family here. People tried to influence him to buy land now included within the present site of the city but it was so low and swampy that he regarded it as worthless and went back up in the hills and woods in Scott township. There he erected a log cabin and cleared a farm, continuing its development until his death, the place also remaining the family home for many years. He was indeed one of the pioneer settlers of this locality and aided in laying a broad foundation for the later development and upbuilding of this sec- tion of the state.
His son, Charles Knowles, was reared amid pioneer surroundings and received but limited school privileges. His education was largely acquired through his own efforts, by private reading and study and by observation and experience as well. He was reared to the farm life, early became fa- miliar with the best methods of tilling the soil and carried on general agri- cultural pursuits for many years. Moreover he became a prominent factor in the affairs of the community and his influence was ever found on the side of right and progress. Having reached years of maturity, he wedded Miss Mary Ann Maidlow, whose father, G. F. Maidlow, also came from England in an early day and settled in Scott township, where he cleared a tract of land and improved a farm. Mrs. Cawson, daughter of Charles and Mary Ann (Maidlow) Knowles, has been a lifelong resident of Van- derburg county and has lived in Evansville since 1895, when Mr. Cawson retired from business and removed to this city.
He was a member of the Episcopal church and his political belief was indicated in the loyal support which he gave to the democracy. He did not seek nor desire office, however, as a reward for party fealty, being content to give his allegiance to the party because of his firm belief in its principles. From the time he came to America he continuously made his home in Indiana and in every relation of life his record measured up to the highest standard of honorable manhood.
THE KELLER-CRESCENT COMPANY.
The Keller-Crescent Company, one of the most extensive and important printing enterprises of Evansville, is now conducted under the above name. The business was founded by Captain W. H. Keller about twenty-five years ago and has grown from a small beginning to extensive proportions. At the outset there was but a small plant and limited quarters; today the firm has one of the best equipped plants in the state of Indiana and employs seventy-five people in the conduct of the business. The house is prepared to turn out work of the highest order and the catalogue and label work done by the company is shipped over a large territory. The company own their own building, which was erected especially for their purposes and therefore meets the demands of the trade.
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Emil Weil is the president of the company, a position to which he has attained through successive promotions from that of office boy. Enter- ing the house in the latter capacity, he has made himself master of every branch of the business, thoroughly understands the work of the operative department as well as that of the office from which point the business interests are managed, and upon the death of Captain Keller, in 1898, he became president. His partners in the enterprise are W. G. Burkert and H. B. Walton. The former became associated with the business as a young man of twenty years in the capacity of bookkeeper and has been advanced to the position of secretary. Mr. Walton entered the house about six years ago as bookkeeper and upon the death of Captain Keller was made treas- urer. Theirs is the only plant in the state that does its own half-tone and color work. The presses and other equipments are of the latest models and the company ever sustains the highest standard in the excellence of its out- put and in the character of service rendered to the public.
HENRY KORFF, SR.
Among the successful operators of Evansville, Henry Korff occupies a position as a man who won his way by his own exertions to the enviable place he occupies. He is a native of Unterlüebbe, by Prois Minden, Ger- many, born December 24, 1857. There he was educated but after arriving at the estate of manhood he yielded to the promptings which have urged so many young men to seek their fortune in a new country and came to America, landing in New York in October, 1878. He arrived in Evans- ville a few days later, having previously decided to make this city his home.
Here he was engaged in the brick and tile business for two years, at the end of which time he entered the teaming and coal business, with which he was identified for many years. In 1898 he associated with C. C. Thomas in operating a coal mine at Clay, Webster county, Kentucky. This enter- prise proved a total loss, but Mr. Korff had learned not to become dis- couraged on account of difficulties and he organized the Banner Coal Company, in which he attained a measure of success but closed out his interest and began mining on his own account near Boonville in Warrick county, this state. He owns the property on which these mines are located and under his efficient management the business has grown to very hand- some proportions. He also owns a great deal of property in Evansville and is identified with the lumber and sawmill business. He also has an improved farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres in Vanderburg County. As the result of many years of application and industry Mr. Korff has attained comparative financial independence and can truly sympathize with young men who are striving to attain the same end.
HENRY KORFF, SR.
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In 1882 Mr. Korff was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Griese, who was born in Germany in the same region from which he came. Their living children are: Henry Korff, Jr., who married Lenora Schwiersch; Fred, who married Julia Boehne; and Carrie Louise Charlotte and Walter B., who are twins. Walter B. is superintendent of his father's mines, while Carrie is secretary to her father and has charge of his books and personal affairs.
Mr. Korff belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran church, and is a mem- ber of that branch of the denomination worshipping at St. Paul's church in Evansville. By his sterling integrity and rectitude of character, he has gained a high reputation in the community-a reputation that is worth in the end more than all that money can buy. The foundation of his suc- cess was established in a strong determination and unfaltering enterprise that would not admit of failure, and a confidence in himself that no dis- aster can shake. Such a foundation is invincible.
JOSEPH HUMMEL.
Earnest and persistent labor has brought Joseph Hummel to a position among the representative and successful farmers of Center township. His labors have at all times been practical and the spirit of progress has char- acterized him in all of his work. He was born in Bavaria, December 27, 1846, and his parents, Lawrence and Ernestine Hummel, were also natives of that country, where they resided until 1851, when they came to the new world, hoping to enjoy better opportunities on the western hemisphere. They landed at New York city and there remained for some time. The father was a wagon maker by trade and followed that pursuit in the eastern metropolis until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he felt that his chief duty was to his adopted country and joined the army, serving for three years in defense of the Union. During that period he participated in a number of important battles and made a creditable military record. When the war was over he returned to his home in the east and in 1869 brought his family to Indiana. Here he resumed work at the wagon-mak- ing trade, which he followed for eleven years, when his life's labors were ended in death in September, 1880. About ten years later his wife passed away, her death occurring in April, 1890.
Joseph Hummel was a little lad of four summers when his parents left the fatherland for the United States. The schools of New York city afforded him his educational priviliges and in his teens he began working at the wagon-maker's trade and afterward entered into partnership with his father in that line. Their business relations continued until 1877, when they dissolved partnership and Joseph Hummel started alone in business. For twenty-eight years he continued to engage in wagon making in the
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east and then came to Evansville, where he worked at his trade for a few years, but the opportunities of the agriculturist interested him and believ- ing that he would find farm life congenial and the cultivation of the fields profitable he removed to Center township, where he purchased eighty acres. He at once set about clearing the land, erected a house thereon and also put up barns, sheds and other outbuildings necessary for the shelter of grain and stock. Each year has witnessed changes for the better in the appearance of his place, which is now a finely improved farm, equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences. The carefully tilled fields respond in goodly harvests and he also keeps high grade stock upon his place.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Hummel was found among the boys in blue, for four years wearing the nation's uniform as he participated in the long hard marches or met the enemy in battle in defense of the Union cause. It was in December, 1861, that he enlisted and in December, 1865, he was honorably discharged, having in the intervening years experienced all of the hardships and rigors of war.
In October, 1875, Mr. Hummel was united in marriage to Miss Annie Tempel, a daughter of John and Dorothea Tempel, who were natives of Germany. Her father died in 1906, but her mother is now living in Perry county, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Hummel have become parents of twelve children ; Mary, a resident of Vanderburg county; Rosalia, who died July 10, 1895; John, living at home; Maggie, of Evansville; Charles, twenty- seven years of age, who aids in carrying on the home farm; and Aurelia, twenty-five years of age, Josephine, twenty-three, Catherine, twenty-one, Annie, nineteen, Caroline, seventeen, Joseph, fifteen, and Frank eleven years of age. The family are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Hummel is a republican in his political views. He is as true and loyal in the discharge of his duties of citizenship today as when he followed the old flag upon southern battlefields. However, he deserves much credit as one of the veterans of the Civil war and is, moreover, deserving of respect because of his well spent, active and useful life.
CHARLES F. SCHMIDT.
Music touches a responsive chord in the breast of almost every individual. It is a universal language through which individuals may speak to those of alien race. It is the most universally understood and cultivated of all the arts and every community recognizes its debt to those who promote musical taste and talent, or contribute to public pleasure through this avenue. Promi- nent not only in the musical circles of Evansville but throughout the state, Charles F. Schmidt is numbered. This city claims him as one of her native sons, his birth here having occurred October 27, 1854. His youthful days
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were not marked by any event of special importance, being largely devoted to the tasks assigned to him as a public school student.
At the age of sixteen Mr. Schmidt entered the employ of the Merchants National Bank, but the routine of this life was obnoxious to him and after several years devoted to clerical work he entered the field in which he was destined to rise to prominence and fame. A musical paper called "Trumpet Notes," published in August, 1886, designated him as "one of the best known band masters in the country-a gentleman whose intelligent efforts and phe- nominal success in his chosen calling have gained him the significant and well earned appellation of 'the Gilmore of the west.' . . Although the youngest of band masters in the country," the paper continued, "his career has been one continuous line of unbroken success and his record for the past seven years is one of which many veterans in the work would be proud to boast. At the age of seventeen years he was occupying a prominent position in a leading banking house, but his predilection for a musical life overcame his mercantile instincts and he abandoned his lucrative position to enter a music store at a considerably reduced salary. There he remained for a year and at the same time was leader of a small but good orchestra of six pieces. At the age of twenty years he purchased and established a music business and thus started out for himself. At that time he was a proficient performer on any band instrument, but his preference was for the cornet, which he had no difficulty in playing the first time that he touched it." It was not long after this that Mr. Schmidt organized and instructed a band of ten pieces, the members developing so rapidly in skill under his direction that soon the band ranked second to none in this section. Although a fine theoretical and practical musician, his immense energy and executive ability found their greatest scope in the series of annual band tournaments which he instituted in Evansville, and which have served to make his name so widely known among western band men. He planned for the first of these tournaments in 1880, and although only four bands participated, it was a creditable and enjoyable occasion. That the initial performance attracted wide attention is indicated by the fact that in 1881 eight bands were in at- tendance, while in 1882 there was a still larger number. It was about that time that he formulated the plan of massing them all together. His next tournament, held in 1883, attracted widespread attention from the public press, and was a leading topic of discussion in musical journals throughout the country, sixteen well trained western bands participating. Still he had not reached his ideal in this field of work. In 1884 the greatest tournament ever seen in the west was held, eighteen bands and two hundred and seventy- eight men participating. The street parade alone was over one mile long and the music rendered on that occasion was of the highest possible order. Another tournament was held in 1885 at which time three hundred and fifty dollars in prizes were given. The occasion of these tournaments constituted a gala period in the life of Evansville, and not only gave proof of the city's musical talent and love for the art, but also served to bring the city in other
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connections into public prominence, attracting here a large number of visitors. Professor Schmidt's ideal did not stop short of perfection. He believed that each year should see greater progress in the musical organizations over the country, and he constantly stimulated the members of his own band by his zeal, interest in and devotion to the art.
In August, 1878, Professor Schmidt was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Elles, a daughter of Captain August Elles, one of the oldest citizens of Evansville. Professor Schimdt's fraternal relations were with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Masons, and in the latter connection he became a Knight Templar. He also belonged to St. John's church. There are those who have contributed to the material upbuilding of Evansville through business operations, but none have con- tributed more largely to the joy and pleasure of her citizens than did Pro- fessor Schmidt, whose death on the 19th of November, 1886, was received as a public calamity. Almost every Evansville citizen felt a sense of personal bereavement. They had long been interested in his life work and felt that he belonged to them. It is a question if he whose art uplifts men above the drudgery of the workaday world does not do more for the race than he who ministers to material comfort through the development of extensive business projects.
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