USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > History of the city of Evansville and Vanderburg County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 18
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At the age of six years Albert J. Veneman was sent as a pupil to the Catholic parochial schools, wherein he pursued his studies to the age of fourteen years. He was a lad of only ten years at the time of his father's death. On leaving school he secured a position as messenger with the Bradstreet Mercantile Agency, with which he was connected for two years. He then engaged with the Evansville Gas Light Company as collector from 1887 until 1890 and on the expiration of that period went to Chicago, where he entered the employ of the Ansonia Electric Company as traveling salesman. He also represented the Central Electric Company in the same manner and for two years was identified with those Chicago houses. Returning to Evans- ville, he entered the circulating department of the Evansville Courier and was thus identified with the paper until 1896. Desiring, however, to become a member of the bar, in January, 1897, he began reading law in the office and under the direction of Hon. H. M. Logsdon. In September of that
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year he matriculated in the Indiana State University at Bloomington, where he pursued his studies for a year, after which he again entered the office of Mr. Logsdon and supplemented technical training by practical experience in assisting Mr. Logsdon as well as studying under his direction. In June 1898, he was admitted to the bar and in the twelve years of his practice has been very successful. In 1906 he was appointed city attorney. He has won for himself very favorable criticism for the careful and systematic methods which he has followed and as an orator possesses more than or- dinary ability. The utmost care and precision characterizes his preparation of a case and has made him one of the successful attorneys of Evansville.
Mr. Veneman was married, in Bloomington, Indiana, in February, 1901, to Miss Anna Kelly. They are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Veneman is serving on the board of the parochial counselors of the Church of the Assumption. He belongs to the Knights of St. John and to the Knights of Columbus and is one of the officers of the latter organization.
Mr. Veneman's political allegiance is given to the democracy and he is recognized as one of the local leaders of the party, serving as chairman of the city democratic committee. Above all things else, however, he pre- fers to concentrate his energies upon his professional duties and his devo- tion to his clients' interests is proverbial.
MORITZ H. SCHELOSKY.
Evansville-growing and prosperous-numbers among its citizens many men of marked enterprise, whose business activity is contributing to the development and upbuilding of the city-men whose force of character and native ability have carried them from humble positions to places of prom- inence. To this class belongs Moritz H. Schelosky, the president of the Schelosky Table Company, in which connection he is the controlling factor is one of the important manufacturing industries of Evansville.
He was born in Breslau, Germany, March 30, 1848, and is a son of Friedrich William and Christiana Wilhelmina Schelosky. The father, also a native of Breslau, came to America in 1852 with a family of eight chil- dren, four sons and four daughters and made his way direct to Evans- ville. Soon afterward he took up farming in German township, Vander- burg county, and was thus identified with agricultural interests until his death.
Moritz H. Schelosky was but six years of age when he accompanied his parents on the emigration to the United States. The district schools afforded him his early educational privileges, his studies being continued until he reached the age of fifteen years, when he entered commercial cir- eles, going to Owensville, Indiana, where he secured a clerkship in the
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general mercantile store of W. A. Speck, with whom he remained for eight years. His broadening experience well qualified him for further respon- sibilities and upon his return to Evansville he entered the retail dry-goods house of Hudspeth & Miller, with which he remained as salesman for eighteen years. He afterward spent two years as a salesman in the em- ploy of John Gilbert, a retail dry goods merchant, but laudable ambition prompted him to engage in business on his own account and when his in- dustry and economy brought him sufficient capital to justify such a ven- ture, he organized the firm of Schelosky & Company in 1882 for the manu- facture of extension tables. He did not become an active factor in the management of the business, however, until 1891. The enterprise was established on a small scale, but the business has constantly grown and developed and the output today includes a general line of library and ex- tension tables of high grades. The business has been remarkably success- ful, as is indicated by the fact that they now employ sixty men, besides being represented by twenty sales agents throughout the United States and Canada. The business was incorporated in September, 1907, under the style of the Schelosky Table Company, with Moritz H. Schelosky as the president ; Adolph R. Schelosky, vice president ; and O. A. Klamer, sec- retary, treasurer and general manager. The plant of the company is now an extensive one, splendidly equipped with modern machinery, and a large force of workmen are employed, so that the industry is one of material benefit to the city as well as a source of gratifying income to the stock- holders.
Mr. Schelosky was married in Evansville on the 22d of November 1877, to Miss Elizabeth Grese, and their attractive home is the center of many delightful social functions. Mr. Schelosky gives his political alle- giance to the republican party. He also holds membership in the Presby- terian church, of which he is a trustee and of which he has been elder. He belongs to that class to whom the world instinctively pays deference because of upright life and honorable purpose. At no time in the stress of business, in his relations as a citizen or in his associations in socal life does he ever forget the duties and obligations which he owes to his fel- lowmen, and his personal traits of character have won him high esteem.
CHRIST KANZLER.
A genius for organization and marked executive ability have gained for Christ Kanzler a prominent position in industrial and financial circles of Evansville. Many corporate interests feel the stimulus of his enterprise and cooperation but his time is given most largely to the interests of the Me- chanics Planing Mill. Of the company operating this industry he is the president and he is also senior partner in the well known firm of Christ Kanzler & Son, leading contractors of Evansville.
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A native of Baden, Germany, Mr. Kanzler was born on the 3d of January, 1850, and is a son of Charles and Marie Kanzler, also natives of that country. The father was born on the Ist of April, 1816, and in early manhood learned the cabinet maker's trade, which he followed throughout his entire life, his labors being ended in death on the 25th of February, 1886.
At the usual age Christ Kanzler entered the public schools, which he attended to the age of fourteen years in accordance with the educational lines of his native land. He afterward learned the cabinet making trade with his father, under whom he served an apprenticeship of four years, thoroughly acquainting himself with every department of the work and becoming an expert in that line. The favorable reports which he heard con- cerning America and its broader business opportunities led him, however, to seek a home in the new world and crossing the Atlantic he made his way direct to Evansville, where during five years he was employed by various contractors. On the expiration of that period he started in the building and contracting business in partnership with Jacob Pippus under the firm name of Pippus & Kanzler. This association was maintained until 1888, after which Mr. Kanzler was alone in business until 1904, when he admitted his son to a partnership under the firm name of C. Kanzler & Son. They conduct a general contracting business and have been identified with many of the important building operations of the city. Among the buildings they have erected are the Young Men's Christian Association building, the Louisville & Nashville Railroad depot, the Lincoln Cotton Mill, the Hercules Buggy Works, most of Cook's brewery, the building for the Sisters of the Poor, the courthouse at Spencer, Indiana, the postoffice at Jeffersonville, Indiana, and the roundhouse at Cairo, Illinois. In 1898 Mr. Kanzler was elected president of the Mechanics Planing Mill and as the chief executive officer has contributed much to the success of that enterprise which is one of the extensive, important and productive industries of the city. The plant is large and thoroughly equipped and the output finds a ready sale on the market. In addition to these interests Mr. Kanzler is a director of the American Trust Company, a director of the Evansville Railways Comany and a stock- holder in the Advance Works. His recognition of favorable opportunities in business has been one of the strong forces in a progress that has led him constantly forward until he stands today in the front rank among the suc- cessful business men of Evansville.
On the 24th of April, 1873, in this city, Mr. Kanzler was united in mar- riage to Miss Margaret Singer and unto them have been born eight children, five still living: August, who is secretary and treasurer of the Mechanics Planing Mill; Amelia, now the wife of Henry Kollker, of this city ; Margaret, a graduate of the high school and well known in musical circles ; Louise and Bessie, who are also high-school graduates.
The family attend the St. John's Evangelical church, of which Mr. Kanz- ler is a member. He is also identified through membership relations with Lessing Lodge, A. F. & A. M., the Knights of Pythias lodge, the Lieder-
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kranz and the Turners. His political allegiance has been given to the republi- can party since he became a naturalized American citizen, and his interest in public affairs is manifest by active and helpful cooperation in all those movements which he deems of benefit to the city. Coming to Evansville in early manhood, with no capital save a knowledge of his trade and firm deter- mination, he has gradually worked his way upward and is regarded as one of the prominent men in business circles whose judgment is sound, whose insight is keen and whose business integrity none question.
SAMUEL G. RICKWOOD.
The commercial and financial concerns, the social, political and religious interests which constitute the chief features in the life of every city, have all profited by the spirit of cooperation of Samuel G. Rickwood. While he has been successful in business his life has never been self-centered, but has reached out to the broader interests which affect mankind, and at all times has cast the weight of his influence and aid on the side of progress, reform and improvement. He is today a factor in the successful control of a number of important business concerns in Evansville where the greater part of his life has been passed, although he was born at Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, England, October 1, 1858. His parents were Samuel and Sarah (Wright) Rickwood. The father came to the new world to investigate its opportuni- ties and advantages, and believing that he might provide better for his family in this country than in his native land, he was joined by his wife and children and the grandfather, arriving in Evansville, Indiana, in 1859. In the meantime Samuel Rickwood had become connected with the Ingle Coal Company and was thus prepared to care for those dependent upon him for support.
Samuel G. Rickwood was not yet a year old when the mother crossed the Atlantic. At the usual age he entered the public schools and had become a pupil in the high school when, at the age of fifteen years, he put aside his text-books to enter upon an apprenticeship under George Brinkman, who was engaged in the monument business. He learned stone-cutting and at the age of twenty-four years formed a partnership with Adam Lannert, in the building stone business. They also engaged in contracting and erected many buildings which are still substantial structures in this city. The firm was succeeded by the Ohio Valley Stone Company, Mr. Rickwood and Mr. Lan- nert becoming the principal stockholders with headquarters at Pennsylvania and Oakley streets. The enterprise has been incorporated and they conduct a general stone contracting business, their trade now having reached exten- sive proportions. Mr. Rickwood has not limited his efforts to this field alone, however, but has become an active factor in the successful management and conduct of other business concerns. He was for four years engaged in the
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slate and tile roofing business and is vice president of the Ohio Valley Roof- ing Company. In positions of a more public nature he has done creditable service acting for the past ten years as secretary of the Evansville Manufac- turer's Association, while for two years prior to that time he was its presi- dent. He was for three years president of the Builders Exchange but re- signed in January, 1910, in order to accept appointment to a position on the board of public works of the city of Evansville, of which he is now president.
On the 6th of October, 1880, Mr. Rickwood was married to Miss Louise Alt, of Evansville, a daughter of John and Louise (Bastion) Alt. The family were pioneer people of Evansville, where for many years Mr. Alt continued business as a contracting painter. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rickwood have been born eight children, of whom two sons and two daughters passed away in childhood. The surviving members are: Mabel L., the wife of W. E. Miller, of Augusta, Indiana : Ruth A., who wedded Charles H. Hitch, of Patoka, Indiana; Roland L., born June 11, 1892, who is a high school graduate and is now in the employ of the Vulcan Plow Company ; and Lela, who was born September 7, 1894, and is now a high school student.
The family hold membership in the Presbyterian church and Mr. Rick- wood is also connected with the Tribe of Ben Hur and the Court of Honor. He is one of the directors and the first vice president of the Young Men's Christian Association and he gives his political support to the republican party. He has long been a close student of the sociological, economic and political condition of the country and is greatly interested in questions which he regards as of vital significance to the public. His interest in all concerns relative to the city's welfare is ever sincere and wherever substantial aid will further public progress it is freely given.
LOUIS FRITSCH.
Louis Fritsch, a popular and enterprising florist of Evansville, who is recognized by his business associates as thoroughly capable in his special line, is a son of Joseph and Johanna (Neu) Fritsch, the former of whom was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. There is a romance in the history of the family and one of the chief actors in this romance is at the head of the household where the subject of this review makes his home. The story begins at East Friesland, Germany, in 1835, when a girl was born whose father was an officer to the imperial government. The daughter grew to be a graceful and beautiful girl of fifteen, when she was married to Count Van Der Var, of noble ancestry, and started upon a life that gave promise of long years in the midst of affluence and luxury. The Count and his bride started upon a tour of the world and after visiting various places in Europe came to New York, finally arriving in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the husband was seized with a fatal illness and died, leaving his wife among-
LOUIS FRITSCH
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strangers and in a strange land. Dr. Ludwig Fritsch, a native of Bielefeld, Prussia, and a graduate of the medical department of the University of Bonn, was attending physician at the time of the husband's death and later he and the widow were united in marriage, Joseph Fritsch, the father of our subject, being the result of this union. The family came to Evans- ville, where the son was educated in the public schools and later he and his father established a florist business under the title of Ludwig Fritsch & Son. In June, 1900, Dr. Fritsch was called to his final rest and was suc- ceeded in business by his son, who was the father of two children, Louis and Paulina.
Louis Fritsch grew up in Evansville and after the death of his parents he and his sister were adopted by Mrs. Dr. Fritsch, by whom they were educated. In 1908 he entered the business which his father had laid aside and in his work has been highly successful. Being a lover of plants and flowers and also a man of fine business qualifications, he has developed the business and enlarged operations until it produces substantial returns and is one of the well established institutions of Evansville.
CLIFFORD T. CURRY.
Clifford T. Curry, engaged in the practice of law in Evansville for thirteen years, being now an associate of Edgar Durre, was born in Bath county, Kentucky, in May, 1873, a son of George M. and Lou Curry. The father was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, in 1847, and was graduated at Morris Hill College and supplemented his literary education by study in the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, from which he was graduated with the M. D. degree. He afterward removed to Bath county, Kentucky, where he continued in the practice of medicine until 1890, when he became a resident of Lebanon, Ohio, where he is still successfully following his profession.
Spending his youthful days in his parents' home, Clifford T. Curry de- voted much of his time to the acquirement of an education in the graded and high schools of his native city until seventeen years of age, when he entered the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, and therein pursued his studies to the age of twenty-one. Determining upon the prac- tice of law as a life work, he matriculated in the Columbian University now known as George Washington University of Washington, D. C., and was graduated in 1897 with the LL. B. degree. Having thus qualified for the practice of law he came to Evansville and opened an office in connection with two other young men who in that year had been admitted to the bar. In 1899 he was appointed deputy prosecuting attorney by Edgar Durre and so continued until 1901 when he received the appointment of city judge from Mayor Covert and served upon the municipal bench until 1906. His
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decisions were strictly fair and impartial and on the whole won the en- dorsement and approval of the members of the bar. During this period Mr. Curry also practiced law in connection with Hamilton A. Mattison until March, 1910. In June following he formed a partnership with Mr. Durre and is now devoting his entire attention to the private practice of the law, in which connection he has gained a large and distinctively representative clientage. His devotion to the interests of those whom he represents in the courts is proverbial and yet he never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the Majesty over all. He is strong and forceful in his plead- ings and in argument, his deductions are logical, and his application of legal principles correct.
On the 28th of July, 1900, Mr. Curry was married in Evansville to Miss Carolyn Reavis and unto them has been born a son, George, who at the age of nine years is a pupil in the public schools. The parents hold mem- bership in the Presbyterian church and are interested in its work and up- building.
Mr. Curry gives his political allegiance to the republican party but while he is a stanch advocate of its principles, he has never sought office outside of the strict path of his profession. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Eagles and with Reed Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and is loyal to the teachings and purposes of these organ- izations. His friends, and they are many, find him a man of social, genial nature, while in his chosen field of labor he is recognized as a strong and able advocate and counselor.
CARL SCHULTZE.
Carl Schultze, president and general manager of the Evansville Broom Company and also identified with other business interests of this city, was born in Westphalia, Germany, June 30, 1857, his parents being Theodore and Frederica (Miller) Schultze. He was a pupil in the public schools until fifteen years of age, when he began learning the brass molding and casing business, in which he continued for three years. On the expiration of that period he came to Evansville, where he entered the employ of his uncle, who was senior member of the firm of Schultze, Thuman & Com- pany. For seventeen years he remained with that house in the molding de- partment and then turned his attention to the saloon business, in which he has been engaged since that time. In 1906 he became one of the organizers of the Evansville Broom Company and was elected to the vice presidency, being made president and general manager in 1910. This enterprise has proved a successful one, the growth of the business being manifest in the fact that twenty-five people are now employed. The output finds a ready sale in the local market and throughout the United States, and the plant
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is thoroughly equipped with modern machinery to facilitate the work. Mr. Schultze is also a member of the executive board of the Advance Stove Works and is regarded as one of the progressive business men of this city, possessing the energy and determination that enable him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
In November, 1883, Mr. Schultze was married in Evansville to Miss Frederica Reiser, who died in January, 1901, and on the 30th of June, 1907, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Lottie Haus- man. They have two children : Freda, two years of age; and Helen, who is yet in her first year.
Mr. Schultze is a member of several fraternal organizations. He be- longs to the Elks Lodge, No. 116; the Fraternal Order of Eagles; the Knights of Honor; and the Knights of Fidelity. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. Dependent upon his own resources from the age of fifteen years, he has worked his way upward, and whatever suc- cess he has achieved in business is attributable to his own labors. He has been found diligent, determined and reliable, and gradually has gained a substantial measure of success since he crossed the threshold of the business world.
JAMES W. WILTSHIRE.
When Evansville was a small town of little commercial or industrial importance James W. Wiltshire cast in his lot with its early setters, ar- riving in the year 1848. He was then a young man of nineteen, his birth having occurred in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1829. His father, Weeden Wiltshire, also a native of the Old Dominion, came to Evans- ville in 1858. He was a cooper by trade but did not engage in business af- ter removing to Indiana. The mother, Mary (Travis) Wiltshire, was also born in the Old Dominion. They became the parents of fifteen chil- dren of whom only two are now living, Benjamin S. and Pembroke.
The public schools of his native state afforded James W. Wiltshire his educational privileges, and he afterward learned the cooper's trade, which he followed in the south until 1848. Arriving in Evansville, he at once engaged in coopering as a traveling man, and later entered into a partner- ship with Henry Kreipke, opening a shop at the corner of Third avenue and Pennsylvania street. Their trade grew rapidly and for many years they carried on a general cooperage business on an extensive scale. Mr. Wiltshire was also for a time engaged in the draying business with his son-in-law, John Peltz, but retired a few years prior to his demise, en- joying in his last days the fruits of former toil and carefully directed busi- ness affairs.
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Mr. Wiltshire was married twice. He first wedded Miss Sarah Ann Knaus, who at her death left a family of one son and four daughters, namely : Smith Wiltshire, Mrs. John Peltz, Mrs. Theodore Pffling, Mrs. Laura Van Dyke, and Almire, the wife of Dr. Charles Evarts, of Indian- apolis. For his second wife Mr. Wiltshire chose Elizabeth De Troy and they have three children, two sons and a daughter: Sadie, now the wife of Oscar Weiss; James D., of Indianapolis; and Blaine, a resident of Evansville.
The death of Mr. Wiltshire occurred November 25, 1906. Mrs. Wilt- shire still resides in the old home on First avenue, where they have lived for many years. His political endorsement was given to the republican party and for two terms he served as a member of the board of public works under Mayor Aikens. He was greatly interested in the welfare and upbuilding of Evansville and his labors in behalf of the city were al- ways of a practical and resultant character, given unselfishly for the ben- efit of the city. His life was a busy, active and useful one, and his recti- tude of character and integrity of business gained him the honor of his fellowmen.
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