USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > History of the city of Evansville and Vanderburg County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 19
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HENRY E. HODGKINS.
Centuries ago the Greek philosopher, Epicharmus, said: "Earn thy reward; the Gods give naught to sloth," and the truth of this admonition has been verified in all the ages which have run their course since that time. Realizing that he must labor if he would win success, Henry E. Hodgkins has throughout his entire life put forth earnest effort, and his well directed industry has at length brought him to a creditable position in the commercial circles of Evansville, for he is now president of the Attic Furniture Company and sole owner with his sons, Bennie and Elbert, having purchased the business from his former partners September I, 1910.
His birth occurred in West Louisville, Kentucky, on the 14th of July, 1868, his parents being Joseph and Margaret Hodgkins. He attended the public schools of his native state until nineteen years of age and afterward engaged in clerking in a grocery store in Owensboro, Kentucky, until twenty-two years of age. He then bought a farm near West Louisville and carried on general agricultural pursuits for eight years, on the expira- tion of which period he returned to Owensboro and took charge of the boiler room of the Sellous War Ship Packing Factory, occupying that position for three years. He next came to Evansville, where he engaged as a cabinet-maker with the firm of Stoltz & Smith, furniture manufac- turers, with whom he continued for thirteen years, the length of his service being indicative of his fidelity as well as excellent workmanship. Desiring,
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HENRY E. HODGKINS
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however, that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he embarked in business on his own account in the manufacture of kitchen cabinets and has since developed and conducted a growing and important industry under the name of the Attic Furniture Company, of which he is president. He is continually making improvements in his product and turns out vari- ous kinds of cabinets, from the most simple to the most intricate in design. These find favor with the thrifty housewife, who recognizes not only the convenience of the cabinet as an article of kitchen furniture but also the economy of time and labor which it promotes. A number of workmen are now employed and the output of the factory is sent to all parts of the country.
Mr. Hodgkins was married in February, 1888, in West Louisville, Kentucky, to Miss Fidelia Hungate, and unto them have been born the fol- lowing children, namely: Elbert M., Ambrose, Ben Franklin, Mary Bertha, Melvin, Eddie and Alice Marie.
In his political views Mr. Hodgkins has always been a stalwart demo- crat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. In his fraternal relations he is connected with the Tribe of Ben Hur and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church. He may truly be called a self-made man, for he laid the foundation for his success in in- dustry and determination and has builded thereon through perseverance and good management.
EMORY H. HANNETT.
Emory H. Hannett, general agent at Evansville for the International Harvester Company of America, was born in Shepherd, Michigan, March 10, 1872, and is a son of Thomas and Carolina E. Hannett. His prelimin- ary education was acquired in the district schools, which he attended un- til he was sixteen years of age, after which he continued his studies in Alma College at Alma, Michigan, being graduated therefrom in 1889. He then returned to his native town and accepted a position as assistant cash- ier with Hannett, Ward & Company, bankers, with whom he remained until 1896. He then engaged as traveling collector in Michigan for the Deering Harvester Company of Chicago and so continued until 1898, at which time he was transferred to their Chicago office, where he had charge of collections for the state of Iowa for one year. At the end of that time, at his request, he was transferred to the sales department as blockman at Owosso, Michigan, and in 1900 he came to Evansville at general agent in charge of the Deering Harvester Company branch at this place, filling the position until 1903, in which year the International Harvester Company of America was organized, when he was transferred to Louisville, Ken- tucky, as collection agent for Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. He occupied that position until 1907, when he again returned to Evansville as general
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agent for the consolidated companies. In this connection he has been very successful, his territory covering sixteen counties in Kentucky, ten coun- ties in Indiana and nine counties in Illinois. The company handles the Champion, Deering, McCormick, Milwaukee, Osborne and Plano harvest- ing machines as well as many newer lines of agricultural implements and employs at this branch from fifty to sixty people according to the season. Upon the recommendation and at the earnest solicitation of Mr. Hannett, the International Harvester Company of America recently erected a three story brick and basement office and warehouse building with an area of fifty-three thousand square feet of floor space and equipped with all modern improvements for the conduct of a business of this character.
On the 19th of August, 1902, Mr. Hannett was married in Evansville to Miss Maude F. Porter, and they have two children, Dorothy Virginia and Martha Alice, aged respectively six and four years. Mr. Hannett is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is popular not only with the brethren of that fraternity but also with those whom he meets in other social and business relations. His long connection with the trade has made him thoroughly familiar with the different phases of the business which is under his charge and his administrative direction and executive ability are strong features in the success which is attending the Evansville house.
BANKING IN EVANSVILLE.
By Henry Reis.
In the year 1834 the first bank was established in Evansville, it be- ing a brarich of the Old State Bank of Indiana. Its capital was eighty thousand dollars, part of which was owned by the state and the remainder by individual stockholders. This bank later became the branch of the Bank of the State of Indiana; then, in 1865, it was merged into the Evans- ville National Bank, which later, in 1885, was succeeded by the Old Na- tional Bank, whose charter expired December 22, 1904, and was succeeded by the present Old State National Bank of Evansville.
The Evansville Insurance Company was organized in 1850, and its charter contained insurance and banking privileges of a liberal character, which enabled it, under the free banking law of Indiana, to do business in the name of the Canal Bank. In 1863 this bank was incorporated as the First National Bank of Evansville and in 1883 its charter was extended for another twenty years. In 1902 the First National Bank was succeeded by the City National Bank.
The Citizens National Bank commenced business in 1874, at 121 Upper First street, as the successor to the banking house of W. J. Lowry & Com- pany, and later moved to its present quarters, corner of Second and Main streets.
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The German National Bank obtained a charter in 1873 and later was changed to the German Bank, and in turn was succeeded by the Evans- ville Trust & Savings Company, the three organizations having occupied the same location, corner of Third and Main streets.
The People's Savings Bank commenced business on May 5th, 1870, at 222 Main street, and has made no change in location up to the present time.
The Ohio Valley Trust Company has taken the place of the Bank of Commerce and was located in the B. M. A. building, corner of Second and Sycamore streets; both are now out of existence.
The Merchants National Bank (owned largely by the Bements and Captain Gilbert) was organized in 1865 and went into voluntary liquidation after a very successful career.
The directors of the West Side Bank held their first meeting October 28, 1902.
The American Trust & Savings Company commenced business Decem- ber I, 1904.
The Commercial Bank opened March 10, 1906.
The Farmers & Citizens Bank, Howell, was organized June 18, 1906.
The Mercantile National Bank and the Mercantile Trust & Savings Company opened for business January 2, 1907.
The Bankers National Bank opened on December 9, 1907.
The Exchange Bank opened a short time then closed up its affairs.
Of the banks and bankers who did business in Evansville in days gone by, I would mention the Crescent City Bank, which had for its cashier a very able man, William Baker, who later became mayor of Evansville. Mr. Baker was the brother of the Hon. Conrad Baker, governor of this state during the '60s.
The palm of seniority among private bankers should be given, I be- lieve, to Guild Copeland, the others being Messrs. W. J. Lowry & Com- pany, M. Lyon, Theodore Venneman & Sons, (dealers in foreign ex- change) and Messrs. Samuel M. Archer & Company. Should any name have been omitted in the haste of preparation the writer prays to be for- given.
In order to illustrate the progress of Evansville as indicated by the published bank statements, I would say that the banks of Evansville had in 1880 a combined capital of $2,000,000.00; surplus $545,000.00; loans $4,027,193.39; deposits $2,193,037.45. In 1890 we find the capital to be $1,450,000.00; surplus $593,800.00; loans $4,300,545.83; deposits $4,737,- 170.49. In 1900 the figures were: capital $1,450,000.00; surplus $443,- 250.00; loans $4,341,937.95; deposits $6,024,859.97.
By referring to the statements of 1907 we find twelve banks in Evans- ville, the bank at Howell being included, with a combined capital of $1,780,- 000.00; surplus $655,000.00; loans $9,712,751.51 ; deposits $13,869,533.64.
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Of the clearings of 1880 and 1890 we have no record. The clearings for 1900 were $47,279,043.70. The clearings for 1907 were $102,436,- 094.34.
The figures speak for themselves. The increase in deposits from two millions to thirteen millions and the increase in the clearings from forty- seven millions to one hundred two millions in eighteen years are the best evidence of the prosperity of the people of Evansville and the certain approach of what we are all working for-a "greater and better Evansville."
As evidence of the friendly relations existing between the business as- sociations of Evansville and its banks I have only to recall to your minds the voluntary and kindly resolutions passed by the E. B. A., the E. M. A. and the R. M. A. during the panic of 1907.
I will not attempt to give any new theories upon banking, only to say that in addition to our national banks there might be established a "cen- tral bank" with a large capital, which could be owned by the present na- tional banks and held by them in amounts proportioned to their capital. This central bank, being a governmental bank, would have power to largely increase its circulation in times of great money stringency and thus be helpful to the national banks by rediscounting paper or otherwise render- ing assistance as occasion might require. The central bank would not do business direct with the people but would confine its transactions to busi- ness with banks and thus prove of great benefit at all times, and by its helpfulness preventing panics and thus removing an element of recurring or periodical danger.
In this connection I would mention that in foreign countries this central bank idea largely prevails in some form, with charters granting various privileges, but in the main the general principles governing the business are the same.
As these central banks are largely under government control, and in some few countries are actually owned by the governments, it is therefore easily seen that a very large proportion of the government money finds its way into these banks and thus becomes available to some extent at least for assisting the smaller banks when these have a greater demand for money than they are able to supply.
THE OLD STATE NATIONAL BANK.
The Old State National Bank of Evansville, Indiana, which commenced business under its present name on December 23, 1904, is the successor of the Old National Bank, one of the oldest and best financial institutions in the state. It began business in 1834, when a charter was granted to the State Bank of Indiana. For the first three years the bank was located at the corner of Main and Water streets, but in 1837 it was removed to the
OLD STATE NATIONAL BANK
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site now occupied by the present bank. The State Bank of Indiana was succeeded in 1855 by the branch of the Bank of the State of Indiana and the business was conducted under this name until 1865, when it was re- organized as the Evansville National Bank under the national banking act and chartered for twenty years. Upon the expiration of the charter the bank was again reorganized and rechartered as the Old National Bank, which occupied the same quarters at Nos. 20-22 Main street. For many years the bank has been recognized as one of the substantial concerns of the city of Evansville, and as the new institution is in good hands, it is safe to predict for it the same prosperity and conservatism that marked the career of its predecessors.
The capital of the bank is five hundred thousand dollars, surplus and undivided profits, two hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars. The offi- cers of the new bank are: Henry Reis, president; H. H. Ogden, cashier. The directors are James L. Orr, Alexander Gilchrist, William H. McCurdy, Marcus S. Sonntag, Allen Gray, W. M. Akin, Henry Wimberg, Sidney L. Ichenhauser, George Brose, Henry Reis and H. H. Ogden. The bank has a larger capitalization than any similar institution in southern Indiana, has exceptional strength and established facilities. Its policy enables it to extend every accommodation for business consistent with sound methods and it is the depository for the United States, the state of Indiana, the county of Vanderburg and the city of Evansville.
LOUIS W. WINTERNHEIMER.
Louis W. Winternheimer, who for a quarter of a century has lived in Vanderburg county, now makes his home in Knight township upon one of its fine farms devoted to the cultivation of grain and to the raising of stock. In the latter connection he has become widely known, especially in the breeding of draft and coach horses. He was born in Posey county, Indiana, in 1861 and obtained his education in the schools of that locality while spending his youthful days upon his father's farm.
His father, Louis Winternheimer, Sr., came from Germany to America when a young man, settled in Posey county and through the careful con- duct of business interests and judicious speculation became one of the rich- est residents of that locality, at one time owning a thousand acres of land. He was also the owner of a flour mill at Blainesville, Indiana, and always took an active interest in the affairs of his county, seeking advancement and progress along the lines where the best interests of the county were con- served. His earthly pilgrimage was a long one, terminated by death in September, 1903, when he had reached the age of eighty-eight years. His wife had passed away on the 22nd of September of the previous year, at the age of eighty-one. In their family were three sons and a daughter but the latter is deceased.
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The usual experiences of farm life in Posey county constituted the record of Louis W. Winternheimer until he reached the age of twenty- four years, when in 1885 he came to Vanderburg county and purchased one hundred and ten acres in Armstrong township. With characteristic energy he at once began to clear the land, enhanced its productiveness by draining the fields and put many improvements upon the place. After liv- ing there for some time he sold the property and purchased a half interest in the Imperial Hotel in Evansville and also one hundred and sixty acres of land in Knight township, where he built a fine home and a large and substantial barn. It is upon this place, to which he has added other im- provements, that he is now making his home and here he has since fol- lowed farming and stock-raising. He organized a company and sold im- ported horses and has the reputation of having raised some of the finest draft horses of the county, while his attention is now given to the raising of coach horses.
In 1885, in Posey county, Mr. Winternheimer was married to Miss Elizabeth Mann, a daughter of Martin Mann, a prominent and wealthy citizen of that county. They became the parents of four children: Will- iam L. and Edgar F., both of whom are in Evansville; Lena F .; and Mar- tin J. The wife and mother died March 21, 1908, and her loss was deeply deplored by many friends as well as her immediate family.
Mr. Winternheimer belongs to St. John's church. In politics he has always been a republican and his personal popularity is indicated in the fact that he is the only man in his township that has been elected to office on the republican ticket in thirty-two years, he having been chosen trustee two years ago. While always interested in the political situations and keep- ing well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he prefers to give his undivided attention to his business affairs and the twenty-five years of his residence in this county have proven the worth of his opinions and methods of business operation.
HARVEY C. WEBER.
Harvey C. Weber, city clerk of Evansville, is one of the promising young men whose life has been spent in this city and who occupies a posi- tion of honor and responsibility by the vote of many who have known him almost from his boyhood. He was born July 28, 1879, and is a son of August J. and Frances Weber. His father, now living in Evansville, is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, where he was born June 5, 1848. He was educated at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and in 1860 came to Evansville, having resided in this city for fifty years. He is a harnessmaker by trade and is now engaged in that business, to which he has devoted many years.
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Harvey C. Weber received his education in the public schools and the high school of Evansville, graduating from the latter at sixteen years of age. He was an apt student and soon after graduating he entered the service of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad as stenographer and thus con- tinued for five years. He then joined his father in the harness business and became a partner in the firm, theirs being one of the long standing and successful enterprises of the city. For a number of years Mr. Weber has been interested in politics and his services were recognized in 1909 by his nomination on the republican ticket as city clerk. He was elected to this office in November, 1909, and since January 1, 1910, has filled the posi- tion with credit to himself and his supporters.
On the 15th of April, 1903, Mr. Weber was united in marriage to Miss Della Wahnsiedler, of this city, and two children have blessed this union: Florence Olga, now four years of age; and Mildred Louise, two years of age.
Mr. Weber is a member of the First Ward Republican Club and has for a number of years held membership in the Methodist church. In fraternal circles he is well known, being identified with the Elks, Eagles, Owls and Foot Lake Fishing Club. His connection with these organizations is in- dicative of social characteristics which are well developed and make him a prime favorite among his associates. In business circles of Evansville he is also favorably known on account of his recognized ability and a genial disposition, which makes friends wherever he is known.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN GILLETT.
Benjamin Franklin Gillett, deceased, was a representative of one of the early families of this city and his upright life gained him a firm hold upon the affections of his fellow townsmen. His name was ever an honored one for he guided his conduct in harmony with the teachings and principles of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was long a devoted and con- sistent member. Though more than a third of a century has come and gone since he passed away, his memory is yet cherished and revered by all who knew him. One of the native sons of Evansville, he was born Au- gust 24, 1837. His father and grandfather were among the early settlers here and took an active part in the pioneer development and upbuilding of the city. The grandfather built a log schoolhouse on what is now upper First street-the first in the city, and with other work and events which have left their impress upon the history of Evansville the name of Gillett is closely associated.
At the usual age Benjamin F. Gillett entered the public schools, but when still quite young became a factor in business life and from that time afterward was dependent upon his own resources, labor and ability for
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maintenance and success. He drove the first city express wagon in Evans- ville and for many years was connected with the postoffice service as mail carrier. He was always an active man, performing the duties that lay nearest his hand, and at the time of the Civil war he espoused the cause of the Union, joining the boys in blue of the Twenty-fourth Indiana In- fantry, with which regiment he went to the front. Later he was trans- ferred to the Fourth Cavalry, serving until the close of the war with the rank of corporal.
On the 3d of March, 1859, Mr. Gillett was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Crofts, a daughter of John Crofts, who came to America from England, his native country, and when a young man began to work for the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad Company, filling the position of night man at the depot for forty years. He was always faithful to his duty and enjoyed the unqualified confidence of the company which he represented. He married Hannah Skinner, and ere death claimed them they celebrated their golden wedding. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gillett were born four children: Fannie, whose birth occurred February 1I, 1860, was married in 1882 to William Fisher and died March 13, 1887, leaving a daughter, Ida Bessie, who is now the wife of Thomas Jordan and has one son, Thomas T. Jordan; Franklin, the only son, born October 10, 1862, is deceased; Katie Lillian, born April 30, 1868, became the wife of Jesse Ellis Clark on the 6th of May, 1896, and has one child, Bernice Gillett Clark, born November 1, 1900; Susie Gertrude, the youngest member of the family, was born February 22, 1870, and has now passed away. For about thirty-five years after the death of her husband Mrs. Gillett was employed as a nurse.
In his political views Mr. Gillett was always a stanch republican, join- ing the party soon after its organization, for at that time age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Socially he was connected with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. His entire life was permeated by an uplifting religious faith, for in young manhood he joined the Methodist church, in which he became an earnest and untiring worker, acting as one of the first Sunday school superintendents of the Kingsley Methodist church. His life was ever noble in purpose, honorable in action and loyal to duty, whether in his relations to family, friends or the general public.
DAVID HEIMANN.
Through the successive stages of an orderly progression in business, David Heimann has reached a creditable position, having for seven years engaged in the electrical supply business, in which his labors are meeting with substantial results. Evansville is his native city and his natal day was May 20, 1857. His parents were Isaac and Louise Heimann, and the family name indicates the German nativity of the father, who on emigrat-
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ing to the new world came to Evansville in the early '50s, walking all the way from New York, carrying with him a peddler's stock, which he sold en route. After reaching Evansville he established and conducted a lunch stand on the wharf and later engaged in the bakery business on Water street. Gradually his close application, energy and capable management brought him substantial reward for his labor and enabled him to extend the scope of his activities so that in 1853 he engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business. In 1870 he moved to First and Vine streets, where he established a wholesale grocery and liquor business, meeting with suc- cess in the undertaking. Later he sold a half interest to S. Kahn and some time afterward disposed of his remaining interest in the business and re- tired to private life. His death occurred in 1894 and thus was closed the life record of one who had long been closely associated with commercial interests in Evansville and who by untiring thrift and diligence had gained for himself a creditable position in commercial circles.
David Heimann was a pupil in the public schools of Evansville to the age of fifteen years, after which he filled a clerical position with the firm of Bush & Hink, general insurance agents for a year and a half. He then joined his father in the grocery business and after working in the store for two years went upon the road as a traveling salesman, thus represent- ing the house until 1879. He next engaged with the Adams Express Com- pany as messenger on the Louisville packet Rainbow for four months, and later for nine and a half years on the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad as expressman and baggageman. In 1887 he began traveling for the Edge- wood Distillery Company, which he represented until the fall of 1888, when he became messenger for the Adams Express Company and baggageman for the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad, filling the dual position until 1890. He afterward traveled for three different firms selling cigars and liquors until May 1, 1892, when he took a position with the Evansville Street Railway Company as time keeper and pay master, during the time of the change from mule cars to electric. He was the first superintendent of electric cars in this city and so continued until January 1, 1893, when he engaged as traveling salesman for Grill Brothers, wholesale cigar deal- ers, with whom he was connected until 1895. In that year he entered the service of H. Gumbert & Sons, wholesale liquor dealers, as salesman, and when six years had thus passed he went with The Thixton & Millet Whole- sale Liquor Company, of Owensboro, Kentucky, as salesman. He spent a year in that employ and a similar period with the H. Straus Cigar Com- pany of Cincinnati, after which he returned to Evansville and for six months was assistant water works clerk under Frank Calwell, water com- missioner. He afterward worked as general utility man in the city hall for a year, at the end of which time he took up the general electric contract- ing and supply business, which he has conducted successfully for seven years, receiving a good patronage in this connection.
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