USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > History of the city of Evansville and Vanderburg County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 21
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On June 14, 1893, Mr. Reddinger was married at Sheboygan, Wiscon- sin to Miss Catharine Schuley. Mr. and Mrs. Reddinger have many friends in Evansville and are actively identified with the Indiana Social Club.
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He is a member of Excelsior lodge, A. F. & A. M., Cincinnati, and also of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Liederkranz. In politics he affiliates with the republican party as the party which best ac- cords with the spirit of modern life, and he holds membership in the Luth- eran church. The work with which his life is identified is a beautiful art and ranks next to sculpture only because the materials used are not so enduring as bronze or marble. It represents in tangible form the ideal as it exists in the mind of the artist and its effects are always refining and elevating. Viewed in this light-which is the true one-men like Mr. Red- dinger, combining the business and artistic instinct, are a benediction to the world and their works will continue to exert a civilizing influence even long after the living representative has departed.
HENRY W. KAMMAN.
The distinguishing characteristic of men in all branches of professional or business life in America is the power of initiative. No other country of the world has produced so many men having the ability to perceive the opportunity and bravely to assume responsibilities which in the older coun- tries of Europe are the hereditary privileges of certain classes. Under the republic there is a free field and little favor, and any aspiring contestant may win provided he has within himself the resources to meet conditions as they arise and maintain his position in a race whose honors belong to the ablest and the strongest. The truth of the above facts are illustrated in numerous instances in the history of men in Evansville who are most prominent in public and business affairs. By their own effort have they made them- selves what they are. Among those who have attained an honorable place is Henry .W. Kamman, for ten years past a practicing attorney of this city.
He is a native of this state, having been born at Holland, Indiana, April 13, 1874, and is a son of H. W. and Sophie (Meyer) Kamman. The father was born at Osnabrück, Germany, August 15, 1839, but when he was five years of age his parents started for America, seeking for more favorable opportunities for themselves and their children. While at sea his mother was taken with a fatal illness and died before her eyes rested on the land to which she had fondly looked as a haven for her family. The ship's journey ended at the port of New Orleans and from that city the home- seekers came up the river by steamer to Cincinnati, finally locating in Jack- son county, Indiana, where Mr. Kamman engaged in the manufacture of wooden shoes, for which there was quite a demand in the years previous to the Civil war. He prospered in his business and in 1858 he removed to Dubois county, Indiana, where he assisted in founding the present town of Holland, where the subject of this sketch was born. The father be- came connected with the sawmill business, continuing until 1876, when he
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bought a farm and there he lived until he was called from earthly labors, June 29, 1904, at the age of three score and five years. The mother of our subject, who was born in Franklin county, Ohio, September 14, 1843, is still living on a farm near Holland.
Educated in the public schools, Henry W. Kamman began his active career as a district-school teacher. He taught for five years in Warrick and Posey counties, having in the meantime fixed his mind upon the law as his life profession. He became a student in the law department of the Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana, graduating with the degree of LL. B. in 1900. He at once opened an office in Evansville, having been admitted to practice in the state and federal courts. From the beginning of his career at the bar he has shown an energy and ability which has at- tracted clients and been productive of an increasing measure of success. Having early been taught the lessons of self-respect, self-control and self- reliance, he has fairly won the position he has attained among the most respected members of the bar in Vanderburg county.
On November 13, 1901, Mr. Kamman was united in marriage, at Evans- ville, to Miss Rickie Koch. Two children have blessed this union: Henry T., now eight years of age; and Marie, four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Kamman are members of the Lutheran church and are actively identified with social and religious movements whose aim it is to ameliorate the condition of those less fortunate than themselves. Mr. Kamman is an advocate of the principles of the republican party. His principal attention is devoted to his profession, in which he is in more than one respect suc- cessful and which calls for the undivided energies of every advocate who aspires to its higher honors.
JAMES W. KAMP.
James W. Kamp, residing in Union township, is known as one of the large farmers of Vanderburg county. He is the owner of three farms which he has brought from the original uncultivated state to a high degree of productiveness, thus showing a constructive talent that is one of the desirable traits in human nature and is absolutely necessary in the develop- ment of all important enterprises. Mr. Kamp is a native of Union town- ship, born September 25, 1870, and is a son of Bethel and Susan (King) Kamp, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in this county. Bethel Kamp came to America with his parents when he was eight years of age, the family locating in Indiana, where the son grew up and received his education. At the opening of the Civil war, when the great wave of patriotism swept over the north, Mr. Kamp, then only six- teen years of age, presented himself to the recruiting officer and was ac- cepted as a soldier for the Union. He served in the Indiana Volunteers
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and valiantly performed his duty through the entire war, at the close of which he received his honorable discharge which should ever be retained as a priceless heirloom by his descendants. After laying aside the im- plements of war, with which he had become familiar through four long years of marching and fighting, he returned to his native state, where he has since been engaged in farming.
The subject of this review grew up under the protective care of kind parents and in the atmosphere of the farm-the best place in the world for the development of an American boy. He received his education in the country schools and early began farming on his own account, increasing his acreage as his financial resources permitted until he is now one of the prosperous farmers of the county, although he has only reached middle life.
On February 29, 1892, Mr. Kamp was united in marriage to Miss Emeline Stroud, and three children have been born of this union: Helen, King and Susie. Mr. Kamp in his religious faith is identified with the Baptist church, of which he is a consistent member. He is a supporter of the republican party but has not devoted much time to politics, as his in- terests have been largely absorbed in his own private affairs. He has at- tained unusual success in his chosen vocation by diligence and close appli- cation, although good judgment has assisted in a very important degree, as without this faculty continued advancement in any calling would not be possible. His youthful dreams have been more than realized and in their fulfillment we see the reward of well directed energy.
LAWRENCE B. FINKE.
The name of Finke has come to be recognized as a synonym for marked business enterprise and unusual activity in commercial circles in Evansville. While a young man, having but just completed his third decade, Lawrence B. Finke is now widely known as secretary and treasurer of the Finke Furniture Company. He was born in Huntingburg, Indiana, September 6, 1880, and is a son of William H. and Mary C. Finke, the former a na- tive of Cincinnati, Ohio. While spending his youthful days in his par- ents' home Lawrence B. Finke entered the public schools of his native city and mastered the lessons taught in the consecutive grades until six- teen years of age.
He then came to Evansville and accepted the position of solicitor for the Lockyear Business College, in which connection he traveled through Indiana and Kentucky for two years. He afterward became division super- intendent for the International Correspondence School of Scranton, Penn- sylvania, and for three years of that time was also solicitor for the School. Five years brought him to his present connection with his brother, Charles E. Finke, who in that year established at No. 623, Main street, a store con-
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taining a general line of household goods of which Lawrence B. Finke was made manager. Admitted to a partnership with his brother under the style of C. E. & L. B. Finke, they continued the business under that organ- ization until 1907, when the Finke Furniture Company was incorporated with the elder brother as president and the younger brother as secretary and treasurer. This is a successful and growing enterprise and the pro- gressive business methods of the partners well entitle them to the pros- perity which they are enjoying.
Mr. Finke exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of public office have had no attraction for him. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp of Evansville and is a prominent and active worker in the Cenral Methodist Episcopal church, serving for five years as its Sun- day school superintendent. His attractive home life had its beginning in his marriage in this city on the 16th of November, 1901, to Miss Olive I. Daum. Unto them have been born two children, Harold, five years of age, and Mildred, in her first year. Mr. Finke is yet a young man with probably the greater part of his life before him and the salient character- istics which he has already displayed argue well for larger success in the future.
JOHN M. FUNKE.
Various corporate interests have felt the stimulus of the business en- terprise and progressive methods of John M. Funke, and he is now asso- ciated with a number of the most important industrial, financial and commercial concerns of this part of the state. It is true that at the outset of his career he entered upon a business already established, but he did not rely upon parental influence to secure him promotion and in enlarging and controlling the industry of which he is now one of the owners he has given proof of his business sagacity, determination and honorable methods.
Evansville is proud to number Mr. Funke among her native sons. He was born here, July 14, 1865, a son of Ferdinand and Mary Ann (Kuntz) Funke, early German residents of Evansville, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. He attended the parochial school conducted in connection with the Trinity Catholic church under Professor Drewes and afterward became a student in the commercial college of Evansville, thus being trained for the active duties of a business life. At the age of seventeen he became identified with the paper manufacturing business which had been established by his father. He continued to work with his father and. to familiarize himself with every department of the business until 1893, when the father retired and John M. Funke and his brothers took charge of the plant. Following the father's death in 1895 the business was re-
JOHN M. FUNKE
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organized on a copartnership basis in January, 1896, under the firm name of Ferdinand Funke Sons. They have a well equipped paper mill, sup- plied with the latest improved machinery in their line, and the factory is now turning out an extensixe product and has a desirable reputation for the excellence of the output.
Into other business lines Mr. Funke has also extended his efforts, for he is a man of resourceful ability and his activity and ambition have sought scope in other fields. In 1904 he became the organizer of the Mount Vernon Straw Board Company of Mount Vernon, Indiana, of which he is the president and treasurer, with himself and brothers as the principal stockholders. He is also vice president of the Evansville & Mount Vernon Electric Railway and a director of the Evansville Railways Company. In banking circles he is well known as the president of the Commercial Bank of Evansville, to which position he was elected on its organization in 1906, and as a director of the Citizens Bank of Newburg, Indiana.
On the 12th of August, 1890, in Evansville, Mr. Funke was married to Miss Sarah Ann Margaret La Rue, a daughter of H. P. and Ann (Chambers) La Rue, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of At- tica, Indiana. They removed to Evansville from Attica. Mr. and Mrs. Funke are the parents of twelve children, five sons and seven daughters: John F., nineteen years of age; Henry C., seventeen years of age; Marie, fifteen; Cornelius, fourteen; Ursula, thirteen; Catharine, twelve; Paul, eleven ; Laura, nine; Margaret, seven; Rudolph, six; Josephine, four; and Alberta, one.
The family are communicants of the Catholic church and Mr. Funke is a member of the German Catholic Federated Society, the Catholic Knights of America, which he has represented as state delegate to the national convention several times, the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of St. John. He is also identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and his military record covered service as first lieutenant in Com- pany G, of the Indiana Legion, under Colonel Ewing. His interests and activities are sufficiently varied to make him a well balanced man and at the same time he occupies a prominent position in business circles, his native powers and well developed talents being evidenced in his initiative spirit and capable management.
BAXTER BEGLEY, M. D.
Among the prosperous and fortunate citizens of Vanderburg county, who apparently possesses the ability to make a success of anything he might undertake, is Dr. Baxter Begley. He was born in Henderson county, Kentucky, February 10, 1856, and is a son of John and Frances (Hughes) Begley, the former of whom was a native of Ireland and the latter of
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Kentucky. John Begley arrived in America in quest of a home under the favoring conditions of a free government, in 1849, and located in Hender- son county, Kentucky, where he bought two hundred acres of land which he at once began with great care to clear and improve. Here he erected a comfortable dwelling and other buildings of convenience in operating the farm and continued successfully until 1868 when he sold out and re- moved to Evansville, Indiana. When the Evansville Foundry Association was formed Mr. Begley became a stockholder and went upon the road as a traveling salesman, proving quite successful in this line of business, as in anything else he undertook. In 1882 he disposed of his interests in the foundry and entered the tobacco business at Cairo, Kentucky, where he was associated with his son-in-law for two years. At the end of this time he returned to Evansville and formed a partnership with Mr. Healey, as Begley & Healey, and bought out a brass foundry which was then in oper- ation, continuing at the head of the firm until his death, which occurred in November, 1886. He was a man of sound judgment and good business ability and always made many friends wherever he was known. Mrs. Begley has survived her husband and at the age of seventy-nine years is still in fair possession of her faculties, making her home with the subject of this review.
Baxter Begley was reared in Evansville where he made good use of the advantages of education presented by the public schools, remaining at the parental home until he was twenty years of age. He matriculated in the Evansville Medical College and was graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D. in 1876. He located at Inglefield, Indiana, the same year and entered upon the practice of his profession in which he has ever since been actively engaged and in which he has been eminently successful. Preferring the country to city life, he lives upon a well im- proved farm of fifty-three acres and judging by the appearance of the farm he is as successful in the pursuit of agriculture as he has been in the practice of the healing art. He is a member of the American Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society, the Vanderburg County Med- ical Society, and the Ohio Valley Medical Association. Politically he is identified with the democratic party although, as a man of liberal tenden- cies, he recognizes merit even though it bear the stamp of the opposing party. He is a member of the board of directors of the Commercial Bank of Evansville and is secretary and treasurer of the Inglefield Milling Com- pany. He is a stockholder of the Inglefield Creamery Company and holds membership in the Elks lodge of Evansville and the Knights of Honor, and in every movement that seeks to advance the interests of the com- munity he is always to be found.
In 1877 Dr. Begley was united in marriage to Miss Susan Ingle, a . daughter of Joseph and Nancy Ingle, both of whom were born in Indiana. The union has been blessed by the arrival of four children: Mary, now the wife of Dr. Welborn, of Evansville; Helen, who is married and lives
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in Corydon, Kentucky; Cora, who is married and lives in the Panama Canal zone; and John, who died in 1886. Mrs. Begley, who was a mem- ber of the Methodist church and a true companion and helpmate to her husband during all the years of her married life, passed away in 1901.
Dr. Begley, the possessor of a fine home and commanding the respect of his fellowmen, has indeed much that makes life desirable. He is an independent gentleman of broad outlook and is always one of the first in the neighborhood to extend a helping hand to those less fortunate than himself. It is this type of men that reflect credit upon the state and assist most in advancing the permanent interests of society.
GUSTAV A. NONWEILER.
It is a noticeable fact that young men are coming forward in important lines of business and occupy places of honor and responsibility that in times past were held almost exclusively by older heads. The change is accounted for in many instances by the improved systems of education through which young men are early prepared for larger responsibilities. In other instances the sons have succeeded their fathers and are successfully administering enterprises which are firmly established and have become permanent fac- tors in the business world. In the latter class belongs Gustav A. Non- weiler, head of the Evansville Furniture Company, one of the well known manufacturing enterprises of this city.
A native of Evansville, Mr. Nonweiler was born August 27, 1872, and is a son of Philip and Bertha Nonweiler. His father was born at Kirn, Germany, February II, 1840; was educated in the fatherland; and came to America in response to the call that has induced thousands of the most active and promising sons of Germany to seek greater freedom and larger opportunity under the stars and stripes. He arrived at Evansville in 1860, just before the outbreak of the great rebellion, and found employment as clerk in the Stockfleth grocery. There he continued until after the call for soldiers to fight for the Union in 1861. He was made of good fight- ing stock and did not hesitate when his adopted country was in peril. He enlisted in the First Indiana Battery and served during the war without once asking for leave of absence from a post which he regarded as a post of duty, not to be relinquished until the enemy had been conquered. His faithfulness received recognition and he was advanced until he be- came first lieutenant of the battery.
Returning to Evansville, Lieutenant Nonweiler, who three years before was an untried German boy, starting out bravely to meet the world with all its temptations and difficulties, was now a soldier, tried and true. He had performed his part in establishing the perpetuity of the republic and
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the freedom of men in the greatest and fiercest conflict the world has ever known. Like tens of thousands of patriotic citizens, he laid aside the trap- pings of war and began without delay to cultivate the arts of peace with the same earnestness he had displayed as a soldier. He first served as bookkeeper for Keller & White, druggists, and then engaged for several years in the same capacity with the Roelker Stove Works. He next en- tered the employ of the Blount Plow Works, continuing as bookkeeper and as manager until 1869. Having shown business capacity beyond the ordinary, Mr. Nonweiler was asked to identify himself with the Evans- ville Furniture Company. He served as secretary and manager until 1872 and was then elected president, continuing in that position until his death while visiting his old home in Germany in 1908. Mr. Nonweiler was a brave soldier, an energetic and capable business man and a citizen of which any municipality or state might justly be proud. It is an inspiration and a pleasure to know of the history of his life.
Gustav A. Nonweiler was educated in the public and high schools of Evansville and after graduating from the latter at sixteen years of age he attended Curnicks Business College for one year. He then acted as stenographer for the F. W. Cook Brewing Company for a short time and for one and a half years was stenographer and weigher for the commis- sion house of William Fields. For a year he was bookkeeper for the Ashby Wharf Boat Company, and at the end of this period, having now gained much practical knowledge of various lines of business, he was made fore- man of the packing room of the Evansville Furniture Company, of which his father was president. He advanced through various departments as shipping clerk, traveling man, stenographer in the office and assistant to his father and in 1906 was elected vice president. In 1907 he had full charge of the factory and after the death of his father was made president of the company. Having had thorough experience in all details of the business, from the purchase of the raw materials to the final disposition of the finished product, he was prepared to discharge any responsibility that might appear. This he has done and the business of the company has shown a gratifying increase. The company manufactures a line of cham- ber suites, chiffoniers and odd dressers that meet with general acceptance from the trade.
Mr. Nonweiler was united in marriage August 3, 1898, to Miss Frieda M. Frick, a daughter of Rev. J. Frick, formerly pastor of Zion church, Evansville. They have two children. Gustav P., now ten years of age; and Karl H., seven years of age.
Mr. Nonweiler is affiliated with the republican party and is a member of St. John's Evangelical church. He is an active worker in fraternity circles as is evidenced by membership in Lessing Lodge, No. 464, A. F. & A. M .; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of a number of clubs and social organizations, among which
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are the Country Club, the Crescent Club, the Turn Verein, Liederkranz, the Travelers Protective Association and the Indiana Commercial Men's Association. He finds recreation in golf and the automobile and is known among his friends as a genial and affable gentleman, who, like his father, endeavors to perform his part in anything he undertakes.
CHARLES F. ARTES.
The fact to which the casual observer has perhaps given little atten- tion is that the Teutonic element has been an important one in the up- building and progress of the new world. Many are the native sons of Germany who have found available opportunities along business lines and in their improvement have contributed substantially to the commercial development of given communities as well as to individual success. To this class belongs Charles F. Artes, who for forty-six years has been con- nected with the jewelry trade in Evansville and throughout the entire period has maintained an unassailable reputation for the integrity as well as the progressiveness of his business methods.
He was born in Limbach, Saxe-Meiningen, Germany, March 31, 1847, a son of professor Casper F. and Catherine (Bierschenk) Artes. The father was born March 29, 1816, and was liberally educated in both literature and art. The development of his musical talents gained him high place in musical circles. His sympathies were with the revolutionists in the war in Germany in 1848-49 and, like many others who participated in that uprising, he sought a home in America when it was found that the liberties which they desired were to be denied them in the fatherland. He emigrated to the new world in 1851 and, locating in Henderson, Kentucky, became a teacher in a female academy there. A few years later he was appointed organist in St. Paul's church of Henderson and filled the position con- tinuously for thirty years, being in attendance each Sunday during that period. He ever remained a most interested scholar in the field of music and attained a degree of proficiency that placed him among the masters in his part of the country. His last days were spent in Evansville, where he died in November, 1886. His wife was born in Germany, in 1821.
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