USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > History of the city of Evansville and Vanderburg County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 3
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WILLIAM D. DANIELS.
Throughout the period of his manhood William D. Daniels was a resident of Indiana and from 1891 until his death made his home in Evans- ville, where he was widely known in connection with the lumber trade. He was born in Marietta, Ohio, September II, 1834, and had back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished. On each side there were names that figured prominently upon the pages of history. His grandfather was sailing master on the sloop Hornet when she captured the English brig, Peacock, in the war of 1812 and history says it was due to the skilful hand- ling of the Hornet by its commander that the victory was achieved. Ste- phen Daniels, the father of William D. Daniels, was a railroad bridge builder who through much of his life was connected with the operative branch of the service. He married Sophia Warren, a direct descendent of General Joseph Warren, the gallant commander and hero of Bunker Hill. She was, however, directly related to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence ..
Spending his youthful days in his parents' home, William D. Daniels attended the public schools of Ohio and when a young man came to In- diana, settling at Princeton, where he joined his brother Joseph in building bridges. They continued in that business for a number of years and had
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the contract for constructing many of the bridges in Vanderburg and ad- joining counties. At length Mr. Daniels established a lumberyard at Princeton and as he prospered in that undertaking extended the field of his activities to include the conduct and management of lumber enterprises in Kentucky and Arkansas and the operation of sawmills in those states. He was the first man to introduce piling into this section of Indiana and met with a high degree of prosperity in that branch of his business. In 1891 he came to Evansville to live that he might better look after his piling work in Kentucky, the management of which occupied his attention until his demise. Whatever he undertook he carried resolutely forward to successful completion. His diligence was unfaltering, his judgment sound and his sagacity clear. Studying the indications of the piling trade he met the de- mands of the public and by honorable dealing secured an extensive and gratifying patronage.
In 1873 in Gibson county, Indiana, Mr. Daniels was united in mar- riage to Miss Katherine B. Hudelson, a daughter of James Hudelson, a merchant of that county, who later engaged in shipping produce to New Orleans. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Daniels was born one child, Bessie, now the wife of George Kruger.
In politics Mr. Daniels was always active as a supporter of the republi- can party, recognizing that it was the duty as well as the privilege of every American citizen to exercise his right of franchise in support of measures which he deemed most beneficial to the general weal. He was charitable and benevolent, ever ready to extend a helping hand and realizing from his own experience, for he was a self-made man, the difficulties of work- ing one's way upward; he often spoke an encouraging word or gave sub- stantial assistance to those who were endeavoring to secure honorable ad- vancement. He died August 7, 1905, and Evansville mourned the loss of a representative and valued citizen, widely recognized as a man of honor. and of strong force of character. He had passed the seventy-first mile- stone on life's journey and the years allotted to him were filled with good deeds and honorable acts.
JOSEPH H. BRANDIS
A residence of more than half a century in Vanderburg county has made Joseph H. Brandis well known to its settlers, and friends and neighbors regard him well worthy of their esteem and good will. He has made farming his life work and is carefully cultivating his fields, comprised within the boundaries of a well kept farm in Perry township. It was in this township that he was born September 27, 1858, his parents being Joseph H. and Maria Brandis. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood and youth. As his age and strength per-
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mitted he worked in the fields, following the plow or gathering the harvest in the summer months, while in the winter seasons he attended the public schools, acquainting himself with those branches of learning which are re- garded as indispensable factors in the conduct of business. After reaching man's estate he began farming on his own account and his time and energies are now devoted to the further development and improvement of a tract of land of forty-two acres, which he owns. In early spring he plants the seeds that in late autumn are gathered in a bounteous harvest. His work is dili- gently carried on and whatever success he has achieved and enjoyed is the result of his own labors.
On the 13th of March, 1888, Mr. Brandis was married to Miss Anna Sommers, a daughter of William and Mary Sommers, and unto them has been born a son, Walter S. Brandis, born October 30, 1889. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brandis are well known in the community and have the kindly regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. His political faith is that of the democratic party but, while he always votes for its men and measures, he does not seek office.
EDWIN C. HENNING.
Edwin C. Henning, a member of the Evansville bar since 1900 and a representative of the legal profession in Indiana since 1894, was born in Cannelton, this state, January 20, 1874. His father, William Henning, was a native of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, born on the 17th of December, 1824. He was educated in Germany, after which he returned to America at the age of twenty-two years, and, settling in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, he there engaged in the practice of law until 1866, when he removed to Can- nelton, Indiana. Opening his law office in that place he was soon estab- lished with a good clientage that enabled him to figure prominently in con- nection with the work of the courts of this state. His keen insight, his careful analysis, his inductive reasoning and his logical conclusions were strong forces in his success. His death occurred in 1899.
Spending his youthful days in his parents' home, Edwin C. Henning devoted his time largely to the acquirement of an education in the public and high schools, completing the course there by graduation with the class of 1887. He then attended the University of Michigan, pursuing his studies in both the literary and law departments and was graduated LL. B. on the 24th of June, 1894. Immediately afterward he returned to Cannel- ton and was admitted to practice in the district and supreme courts of Indiana and in the federal courts. He joined his father, with whom he was associated until the latter's death. He continued in practice in Can- nelton until 1900, when he removed to Evansville, where he has since been accorded a large and distinctively representative clientage. He has made a
EDWIN C. HENNING
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specialty of corporation and insurance law, and few men are better quali- fied in these departments of jurisprudence. His ability, his strength of character and his high qualifications are manifest in the results which fol- low his work in the courts, nor is his ability limited to the strict path of his profession, for in other business lines his judgment is sound, his dis- crimination keen and his plans practical. He is now president of the Web- ster Stone Company, of Webster, Kentucky, and one of the directors of the Newman Sewer Construction Company.
Mr. Henning belongs to the Vanderburg County Bar Association. His connection with the republican party and with St. Paul's Episcopal church indicate something of his interests in citizenship and the principles that govern his life. His time and talents have been used advantageously and his record is being written in tangible currents of success.
WILLIAM DAVIDSON.
Scotland, the land of the crag and glen, of mountain peak and mountain lake, of lowland hills and plains, of liberty, poetry and song, of religious educational zeal, the home of Wallace and Bruce, of Scott and Burns, whose heroes and airs have honored Britain's flag on every battlefield, has also been the ancestral home of many of America's best and most distinguished men. The conditions of today do not call for the heroism that was displayed on battlefields or in contests of clan with clan, but the same dominant spirit of loyalty, enterprise and perseverance are today manifest in the sons of bonny Scotland. These are the characteristics that were recognized as strongly marked traits in William Davidson, whose business ability brought him to a prominent position in the industrial circles of Evansville, where he continued his residence to the time of his death on the 22d of May, 1908.
His birth occurred in Perthshire, Scotland, December 19, 1831, his parents being William and Janet (Mitchell) Davidson. He continued a resident of his native country until after the death of his parents, when with his brothers and sisters he came to America in 1866, coming direct to the home of his uncle, Robert Mitchell of Princeton, Ind .. He entered the shop of Josiah Tichenor, at Princeton, where he learned the machinist's trade, and after completing his apprenticeship moved to Evansville. Here his ability, natural and acquired, enabled him to secure employment under Henry F. Blount, of the Blount Plow Company, and that he was capable, efficient and loyal is indicated by the fact that he remained with that house for thirty years, filling various positions from that of the subordinate helper to one of the managers. He was given a position of management in 1886 and he contributed not a little to the success of the business through his inventive genius and his recognition of the needs of the agricultural world. at times anticipating such needs and therefore meeting them as they arose.
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He studied every phase of the business and the conditions bearing upon the trade, and the company recognized his work in the promotion given him.
In 1874 Mr. Davidson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Ruston, a daughter of William Ruston, who came from England when a young man and engaged in the grocery business in Evansville, spending the remainder of his days in this city. Here he married Miss Martha Peck, also a native of England. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Davidson there were born four sons and two daughters : William R., a practicing physician ; Harry R .; John M .; Tom R .; Mrs. William E. Baker; and Mrs. Harry Johnson.
Mr. Davidson was always recognized as a noble Christian, whose life was in consistent harmony with his profession as a member of the Walnut street Presbyterian church. He was active in the welfare of the city, cooperating in many measures for the general good, and while he was a worker in political circles in support of the republican party, he was never an aspirant for office. His labors were given freely in support of the principles in which he believed, his rectitude of character, his unfaltering diligence, his loyalty to friendship all combining to make him one of the valued and respected residents of his adopted city.
OTTO L. KLAUSS.
Otto L. Klauss, filling the office of county treasurer, to which position he was elected in 1906, is one of Evansville's native sons, whose life record stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for Mr. Klauss has so directed his efforts and energies here that his fellow townsmen accord him confidence and re- spect and proved their willingness to trust him with important public duties by electing him to the office which he now fills.
His parents were Captain Martin and Fredericka Klauss. The name indi- cates the German origin of the family. The father was born in the Rhine province of Germany in January, 1836, and pursued his education in that country. In accordance with the military laws of his native land he served in the German army and in 1848 came to the United States, choosing Evans- ville as his place of location. He became identified with the business in- terests of the city as proprietor of a hotel at the corner of Seventh and Locust streets and continued in that field of labor until the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861, when he organized the First Indiana Battery. His previous military experience now served him in good stead and enabled him to soon develope discipline and skill among new recruits. He served until 1865, participating in some of the hotly contested engagements of the war, and throughout the entire period never faltered in his allegiance to the cause he espoused. Following his return home he became one of the active factors in political circles and held some of the local offices, including that of justice
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of the peace, in which position he continued until his death in 1891. His decisions were strictly fair and impartial and made his record as judge of the justice court a most creditable one.
At the usual age Otto L. Klauss entered the public schools, wherein he pursued his studies until he left the high school at the age of sixteen years to enter the old National Bank as messenger. There he worked his way upward to the position of teller, in which capacity he was serving when, in 1890, he resigned and went to St. Louis, where he became receiving teller in the Continental National Bank. After four years he returned and for four years filled the office of deputy under County Treasurer Laval, also under Philip Euler until 1898 and four years under John P. Walker. In 1906 he was elected to the position of county treasurer and has since con- tinued in the office, for which he was well qualified by his years of previous experience as deputy. He has proved himself a most faithful custodian of the public funds and during his term interest has been turned back to the city and county, amounting to fifty thousand dollars or more, so that the office is now much more than self sustaining. He has been allied with the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and while he possesses a landable ambition, which is the incentive for faithful service in public office, he is also a believer in that ideal party organization which has its root in the belief that such an organization should be formed of those who band themselves together for the promotion of the common good.
On the 29th of June, 1904, Mr. Klauss was married, in Evansville, to Miss Myrtle Stewart. They attend the Protestant churches of the city and Mr. Klauss is a member of the Masonic and Elks lodges, his affiliation being with Reed lodge, F. & A. M., and Reed chapter, R. A. M. With the excep- tion of a brief period spent in St. Louis he has remained continuously a resident of this city, and the record which he has made throughout the entire period is such a one as has engraved his name creditably and honorably upon the pages of business and political history in Vanderburg county.
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CHARLES E. LAUGHLIN, M. D.
A capable member of the medical profession, the work which Dr. Charles E. Laughlin is today accomplishing as medical superintendent of the state insane asylum at Evansville entitles him to more than passing notice and recognition. The special study which he had made of mental disorders well qualified him for the work which he undertook, and in its accomplishment he has constantly manifested a progressive spirit that has placed the institution in advance of many which are caring for this class of unfortunates. He was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, October 12, 1855. His father, Dr. Edmund D. Laughlin, still living at the age of eighty-
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three years, was one of the pioneer physicians of Orleans, Indiana, who, after graduation from the Miami Medical College and Bellevue Hospital Medical College, practiced for years at Orleans but is now living retired. His wife died only a few months ago at the age of eighty years.
Dr. Charles E. Laughlin, after mastering the branches of study in the public schools of Orleans, began preparation for the profession, which he is now following, as a student in the Miami Medical College, and later was associated with his father in practice until the Ist of June, 1903.
On that date he came to Evansville, having been solicited to take charge, as medical superintendent, of the state insane asylum. He found the in- stitution in bad shape, but the work of change and improvement was at once begun, according to a high standard which he had set up. He had made a study of insanity and recognized that many former methods of treatment had become antiquated and should be relegated to the regions of the past; that study and investigation have brought to light new truths concerning the treatment of the mentally disordered and that surroundings contribut- ing to the upbuilding of the general health must of necessity constitute a feature in the cures which it is hoped may be effected. He at once changed the old order of serving meals to the patients in the wards by establishing a congregate dining room, installing two new dining rooms which are mod- ern in every respect, each seating three hundred and twenty people at one time. He improved the entire heating system, installing a first class steam heating plant. He also installed a new power plant and this with the heat- ing plant has a ten hundred and fifty horse power engine. Electrical appli- ances and dynamos for lighting have been introduced and two new direct motion pumps, each pumping one hundred and seventy-five thousand gal- lons of water daily through a softening tank. He built a model laundry in which the work is done by electrical machinery, even electric irons being used. He built a fine new modern bakery, supplied with electrical mixing machines, while all baking, roasting, etc., are done here. He likewise in- stalled a septic sewage disposal plant, using bacteria consumption, and plans are now completed for the erection of a new hospital for the sick with appliances for the application of modern treatment for acute cases of in- sanity, an appropriation of sixty thousand dollars having been made for this purpose. Dr. Laughlin has also let a contract for a model sanitary dairy, plans to purchase a herd of Holstein cattle which he will place upon an eighty acre tract of land that has been added to the farm for this pur- pose, and has constantly been building to and improving the institution since coming here. He has built a sanitary pig pen, which has entirely done away with sickness among the hogs. In fact he has put forth every effort to promote health conditions that every available aid to the care of the patients may be used.
In 1878, in Mitchell, Indiana, Dr. Laughlin was married to Miss Emma Brown, and they now have three chilren and two grandchildren. Their daughter Ruth is the wife of Michael Mayer, of Covington, Indiana. Their
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son, Dr. Edmund Laughlin, is a practicing dentist of Evansville, and the younger daughter Genevieve is at home.
The family are members of the Christian church and Dr. Laughlin is a republican in his political views, always giving stalwart support to the party. He stands as a splendid representative of that class of physicians to whom the profession makes strong appeal from other than the commercial side. He is in thorough sympathy with the movements to disseminate knowledge that shall prevent disease and hasten its extermination, and the humanitarian principles which prevail in the Evansville asylum mark him as one whose sympathy for his fellowmen is of a deep and practical character.
JOSEPH H. MILLER.
The constant watchfulness and executive ability which Joseph H. Miller displays as general superintendent of the Blount Plow Works has won him classification with the representative business men of Evansville. He has been thus connected with industrial interests in this city since June 20, 1908. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, December 4, 1868, and is a son of Joseph H. and Catharine Miller, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in Lancaster and the latter in Reading. The father removed from the Keystone state to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1861 and became superinten- dent for the house of Altman, Taylor & Company, manufacturers of engines and harvest machinery. Later the plant was removed to Mansfield, Ohio, and he continued in connection therewith until his death, which occurred when he was forty-seven years of age.
Sent as a pupil to the public schools, Joseph H. Miller therein continued his studies until he had completed the high-school course at the age of seventeen years. Going to Canton, Ohio, he was employed at the grain elevator of John Patten for four months and later secured a position in the foundry of the Bucher & Gibbs Plow Company. Realizing the fact that there is no excellence without labor, he determined to win promotion by making his services of value to his employers. He thoroughly mastered every task assigned to him and his efficiency and faithfulness gained him advancement from time to time until he was made superintendent, acting in that capacity until 1908. The latter year witnessed his arrival in Evansville, where he became general superintendent of the Blount Plow Works. His service in this connection has been entirely satisfactory to the officers of the company, which manufactures a line of plows and riding cultivators. In this connection Mr. Miller has supervision over one hundred workmen. Under his care the conditions of the factory have been greatly improved, new machinery has been installed and the company is now adding to its present line of implements, extending its output to include riding and walking sulky plows. Their business extends all over the United States and into foreign
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lands as well. Mr. Miller's practical experience in mechanical lines well qualifies him to direct the labors of others who are engaged in such work. Moreover, he has the ability to harmonize discordant elements and to coordi- nate forces, and in his management he loses sight of no detail of the business.
On the 19th of April 1892, Mr. Miller was married in Canton, Ohio to Miss Wagoner, and they have two children, Laura Louise and Joseph H., aged respectively ten and four years, the former now a student in the schools of Evansville.
The parents have become well known here during their brief residence in the city and have already gained many friends. Mr. Miller belongs to Reed Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and also holds membership relations with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Foresters. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has voted with the republican party and believes that its principles contain the best elements of good gov- ernment. The position to which he has attained in the business world rep- resents the fit utilization of his time, talents and opportunities and proves that success is ambition's answer.
HON. JOHN W. BOEHNE.
The life of the Hon. John W. Boehne stands in contradistinction to the old adage that "A prophet is never without honor save in his own country," for in the county of his nativity, where he has always resided, Mr. Boehne has so directed his labors and improved his time and purpose that he has gained an enviable position in the public regard and has won honors that are only conferred in recognition of true worth and merit. He is today a prominent factor in both business and political circles, being vice president of the Indiana Stove Works and member of congress from his district.
His birth occurred in Scott township, Vanderburg county, on the 28th of October, 1856, his parents being Gerhard and Elizabeth Boehne. The father was born in Hanover, Germany, November 2, 1824, and in 1842 came to America with his parents, crossing the Atlantic in one of the old time sailing vessels, which dropped anchor in the harbor of Baltimore. From that point they proceeded westward, going by canal to Pittsburg and then floating down the Ohio river with Evansville as their destination. Soon afterward they settled in the northern part of the county and Ger- hard Boehne there became the owner of land upon which he lived and carried on general farming until his death, which occurred on the Ist of June, 1886. He was one of the early settlers of the county and for more than four decades was associated with its agricultural interests and devel- opment.
John W. Boehne pursued his education in the district schools and in the parochial school of the Lutheran church until fifteen years of age, when
JOHN W. BOEHNE
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he began work upon his father's farm. In vacation periods he had prev- iously become somewhat familiar with the labors of the fields and he con- tinned to assist his father until sixteen years of age, when, believing that he would find city life and commercial interests more congenial, he came to Evansville in June, 1873, and secured a position in a grocery store, acting as driver on the delivery wagon and also as clerk. He received in compensation for his services ten dollars per month and his board until 1875. He then secured a more lucrative and responsible position with Thomas Scantlin & Son, who were engaged in the foundry business, Mr. Boehne remaining with them as bookkeeper until 1881, when his initiative spirit found expression in the organization of the firm of Shrader, Fischer & Boehne for the purpose of manufacturing stoves. This business has since been carried on although reorganized under the name of the Indiana Stove Works. Mr. Boehne was elected vice president in January, 1887. He has since bent his energies to administrative direction and executive control and the growth and success of the enterprise is attributable largely to his well formulated plans, his initiative spirit, and his careful direction of the interests of the house both in the operative and sales department.
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