USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > History of the city of Evansville and Vanderburg County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
As a public school student, Gaines A. Condit mastered the lessons that constitute the common curriculum, and at the age of twenty years he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for two years in Tennes- see. Returning to Indiana, he located first in Warrick county and taught in the district schools of Owen, Lane, Pigeon and Boone townships for ten years. Coming to Evansville, he has been continuously identified with in- surance interests in this city. He was first with the Prudential Life In-
408
HISTORY OF VANDERBURG COUNTY
surance Company as agent for a year, and was afterward made assistant superintendent at Evansville, so continuing until 1904. He then organized the Union. Mutual Insurance Company, of which he was elected vice presi- dent in 1905. This company consolidated with the Central Mutual Insur- ance Company of Evansville, and of the new organization he was chosen vice president. The company has met with substantial success, the busi- ness growing each year and its continued development is assured from the fact that it is carefully organized, is based upon well formulated plans and has at its head men capable of executing such plans.
On the 27th of April, 1890, Mr. Condit was married in Boonville, In- diana, to Miss Esther McCool and unto them have been born two chil- dren, Inez and Forrest, aged respectively eighteen and ten years, the former a student in the high school and the latter yet in the grades. The family attend the Baptist church and are. well known socially in this city, the hospitality of many of the best homes of Evansville being freely accorded them. Mr. Condit votes with the democratic party and is ever loyal to its interests, but does not seek nor desire political preferment. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and manifests not only in the organ- ization but in other relations of life, those genial qualities which win friend- ship and kindly regard.
CHARLES SCHOENBACHER.
Charles Schoenbacher, one of the prominent and successful dairymen of Vanderburg county, conducting a good business in Center township, was born in Switzerland, September 14, 1853, his parents being Joseph and Mary Schoenbacher, who were also natives of the land of the Alps. The father died in that country, after which the mother came with her son Charles to the new world, settling in Evansville.
Charles Schoenbacher was at that time twenty-eight years of age. His education was acquired in the schools of his native country and in early manhood the desire to come to the new world grew in him as he heard fa- vorable reports concerning the opportunities and advantages here offered. His brother had preceded him to the United States and after reaching this county he entered his brother's dairy and was employed in connection there- with for about ten years. During that period he carefully saved his earn- ings until 1891, when he felt that his capital was sufficient to enable him to engage in business on his own account. He then opened a dairy in High- land, Center township, and has since successfully conducted the business with the exception of a period of two years when he was engaged in buy- ing cattle. He now has a fine building and is conducting dairying inter- ests on an extensive scale. His brother died in 1906.
Mr. Schoenbacher has never married and has always made his home with his brother and his wife. He adheres to the religious faith of the
409
HISTORY OF VANDERBURG COUNTY
family, being a communicant of the Catholic church. He also belongs to Eagle Lodge, No. 427, of Evansville, and his political endorsement is given to the men and measures of the democratic party. He has never had occa- sion to regret his determination to come to the United States with its broader business opportunities, for as the years have passed he has progressed along the path of prosperity and is now at the head of an extensive and profitable business.
WILLIAM EISSLER.
Center township, within whose borders William Eissler now makes his home, was also the place of his birth, and his natal day was March 13, 1859. He has always followed farming and his perseverance, enterprise and determination have made him a representative agriculturist of the com- munity. His parents were Jacob and Mary (Steiger) Eissler, both of whom were natives of Germany. On coming to America they chose Evans- ville as a favorable place of location, arriving here in early days. The father purchased a farm of sixty-six acres and at once began to clear away the native forest growth with which his land was covered. It was an arduous task, but persistently he continued his labors until the work was accom- plished and the place was divided into productive and well tilled fields. In the midst of his farm he erected a good residence and other buildings, and as time passed on he added to his place a tract of eighty-six acres. His life was a busy and useful one, given to general agricultural interests until his death, which occurred in August, 1887. His wife passed away in 1884.
The experiences of farm life were those which came to William Eissler in his youth. His time was divided between the work of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. In the sum- mer months he aided his father and after leaving school continued to work with him until twenty-five years of age, when he was married and started out independently. At that time he purchased forty acres of land, which he at once began to clear and improve. The results of his labors are seen in the fine crops which he gathers. He has extended the boundaries of his farm until it is now a tract of fifty-two and a half acres, equipped with modern conveniences. He uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields, and the entire place presents an attractive, neat and thrifty appearance. In the midst of the farm stands a comfortable resi- dence, a good barn and outbuildings that shelter grain and stock from in- clement weather.
It was in 1884 that Mr. Eissler was united in marriage to Miss Anna Sweitzer and unto them have been born eight children: Maggie and Clara, both of whom are married and live in Evansville; Willie, twenty-one years of age, who is now working as a farm hand; George, Edith, Lorin, Oliver
. 410
HISTORY OF VANDERBURG COUNTY
and John, aged respectively nineteen, seventeen, fifteen, thirteen and eleven years, and all yet at home.
The family are members of the Christian church, in the work of which they are active and interested. Mr. Eissler has guided his entire life by its teachings, and is regarded as an upright, honorable man, well worthy the high esteem which is uniformly accorded him. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, but he has never sought nor desired office, pre- ferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs.
NAPOLEON B. HAYWARD.
A man of strong character and marked individuality, Napoleon B. Hay- ward left his impress upon Evansville in its business development and in its factors of public concern. He was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, in 1825, and his life record scarcely covered a half century, for he passed away in 1874. His father, James Hayward, was a native of England and came to America, making his home for many years in Kentucky, removing from Jefferson county to Smithland. He was a man of broad education and of wide reading, prominent in the community where he made his home, and his great admiration for "the Little Corporal of France," is indicated by the name which he gave to the subject of this review. His business was that of buying and shipping cattle.
Following the removal of the family to Smithland, Kentucky, Na- poleon B. Hayward, then a small boy, soon afterward began his education in the schools there. He was still young when his father died and was thus left to shift for himself. Moreover, the responsibility of aiding in the support of his family devolved upon him. He early learned the trade of an engineer and followed engineering and kindred pursuits on the Tennes- see river and its tributaries for many years. When the division of the country concerning the slavery question arose, his sympathies were with the north, and the unpleasant conditions thus brought about made him leave his native state in 1868 and come to Evansville. Here he became a mem- ber of the firm of Harper, Hayward & Summers, wholesale dealers and manufacturers of tobacco on First street. But the river had long been his life, and he longed to get back to it. Accordingly he sold his mercantile interests in Evansville and became owner in partnership with Captain Thomas and Alfred Edwards of the steamer Glasgow, running on the Ohio and Cumberland rivers. It would be difficult to find a river man more thoroughly familiar with those streams. He knew every shoal and every turn, and to him there was a fascination and pleasure in that life which no commercial enterprise could afford him. He was, however, connected with Evansville's business interests as one of the organizers of the first
C
N. B. HAYWARD
413
HISTORY OF VANDERBURG COUNTY
building and loan association here, known as the Evansville Building & Loan Company.
Mr. Hayward first married Eliza Randall, by whom he had one daugh- ter, Mrs. S. A. Smith, now a resident of Shreveport, Louisiana. In Louis- ville, Kentucky, in 1857, he was married to Miss Virginia Quertermous, a native of Louisville and a daughter of T. J. Quertermous, a contractor of that state. Unto them were born eight children, of whom six are liv- ing : Mrs. L. Flickner, of Evansville; Walter S., who is in the west ; James T., of Seattle, Washington; Charles W., of this city; Bertha and Ruby, both at home. Mrs. Hayward and her family have made their home in Evansville since her husband's death, and are well known socially in this city.
He took an active interest in the welfare of the community in which he lived and was a devoted member of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church. He held membership in Reed Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and his father attained high rank in that order. His political endorsement was given to the democracy and he never faltered in his allegiance to a cause or prin- ciple in which he believed. He attained a comfortable share of this world's goods, being considered a wealthy man in his day. His strong character commanded respect, his genial qualities awakened admiration and regard, and his sterling traits gained for him the confidence of all with whom he came in contact.
WILLIAM V. COOPER.
William V. Cooper, filling the office of deputy county treasurer, was born in Vincennes, Indiana, July 7, 1872, a son of Elder and Hannah Cooper .. His father, who was born near Dublin, Ireland, in July, 1837, came to Evansville in 1857 when a young man of twenty years.
William V. Cooper pursued his education through successive grades in the public and high schools of Vincennes and Evansville until 1887, after which he attended the Cumick & Rank Business College for a period of nine months, acquainting himself with methods in vogue in the business world. He afterward became a salesman for the firm of Switzer, Calwell & Company, wholesale dealers in notions, with whom he remained for three and a half years. He next entered the employ of William Hughes, who was engaged in the wholesale millinery business, acting as salesman of that house for three years. The succeeding period of four years was devoted to service as deputy state oil inspector, and for two years he was with the A. P. Henrickson Hat Company as salesman. On the expiration of that period he was appointed by O. L. Klauss to the position of deputy in the county treasurer's office and has since continued in this position, dis- charging his duties with capability and fidelity that leads to his retention in the office.
414
HISTORY OF VANDERBURG COUNTY
Mr. Cooper belongs to the National Union, to the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and to the Methodist church, while his political allegiance is always given to the republican party. His has been a well spent life, and sterling worth and attractive social qualities as well as his business ability have gained him a firm hold on the regard of many friends.
ALBERT E. SWOPE.
Albert E. Swope is the proprietor of the Elm Grove Stock and Poultry Farm, a valuable property equipped with modern improvements and de- voted largely to the raising of fine stock and poultry. He is a business man of practical ideas and enterprising spirit and his firm determination enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he un- dertakes. He was born in Evansville, December 16, 1870, and is a son of Albert.and Sarah A. (Hornby) Swope, who were likewise natives of Vanderburg county, where the family has been represented from an early day. When a young man, the father learned the carpenter's trade, and eventually engaged in contracting, but afterward returned to agricultural life, purchasing one hundred and ten acres of land in Center township. It was covered with timber, but with characteristic energy he began to clear away the trees, burning the brush and preparing the fields for culti- vation. His labors were soon manifest in the excellent appearance of the place, which indicated the careful supervision of a practical and progres- sive owner. He erected thereon a fine residence, substantial barns and commodious outbuildings and carried on farming with success until 1893, when he returned to Evansville and again engaged in the contracting busi- ness. His skill and knowledge in that line enabled him to command a liberal patronage and he always employed good workmen, so that in the execution of contracts he met the desires of his patrons and won satis- factory returns. He continued in that business until his death, which oc- curred in January, 1904. For more than a quarter of a century he had survived his wife, who died in 1875. They were numbered among the highly respected residents of their native county, their good qualities gain- ing them the friendship of all with whom they came in contact.
Albert E. Swope remained at home until seventeen years of age, when he entered Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Indiana, attending school there for two terms. He then returned to Evansville and secured a position in the postoffice, where he was employed for four years. At the end of that time he fell heir to one hundred and fifty acres, all in Center town- ship, and took up his abode upon the farm, which he has since owned and operated. He has doubled the value of his land by tiling and draining, thus greatly enhancing its productiveness. He has also put up good outbuild- ings for the shelter of grain and stock and his place, known as the Elm
415
HISTORY OF VANDERBURG COUNTY
Grove Stock and Poultry Farm, is considered one of the model properties in every respect. He gives his attention largely to the raising of high grade stock and poultry, and in this connection has done not a little to improve the grade of stock handled in the county. His farm is lacking in none of the modern accessories, and the machinery which he uses is al- ways of the latest pattern.
Mr. Swope was united in marriage to Miss Katie M. Young, a daughter of Benjamin and Harriet Young, natives of England and Indiana, re- spectively. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Swope have been born seven children: Mary A., nineteen years of age, who is now engaged in teaching school; Ralph, aged seventeen years, who is learning the jewelry trade in Terre Haute, Indiana; C. Elnora, fifteen years of age; Laura H., aged ten; Katherine S., seven years; Alice E., four; and A. Isabelle, two years of age.
Mr. Swope and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he and his wife hold membership. For eighteen years he has been a member of the Woodmen of the World, and he is also active and promi- nent in other public interests, being now chairman of the Vanderburg Farmers Institute, a position which he has filled for four years, while for six years he was its secretary. In this connection he puts forth every effort possible to stimulate an interest and pride in the farm and its methods of progressive development. Politically he is a republican and for four years served on the township advisory board. His interests have never been self- centered, but have reached out into those fields where the social, intel- lectual, material and moral welfare is involved, and his aid and coopera- tion are always given on the side of reform, improvement and progress.
RAGON BROTHERS.
Around the name of Ragon Brothers centers much of the commercial history of Evansville, for the firm has long occupied a leading position in the business circles of the city, conducting an extensive wholesale grocery house. Their establishment is indeed one of the landmarks of Evans- ville, and the name has long been regarded as a synonym of enterprise, business integrity and excellence.
The Ragons are among the oldest families of Evansville. They came from Kentucky after the war and established a wholesale grocery house under the firm name of Ragon Brothers, the founders and partners being Edward G. and F. H. Ragon. They were both men of undaunted energy and unfaltering perseverance, and they established the business along safe, conservative lines which have since been followed, the policy which they inaugurated having been continued throughout forty-five years, in which without a day's interruption this house has gone steadily forward. Ferd.
416
HISTORY OF VANDERBURG COUNTY
H. Ragon died a number of years ago, but his brother continued at the head of the business for a quarter of a century and then passed away on the 27th of February, 1902. Not only did he rank with the city's most enterprising and progressive business men but was always a willing con- tributor to any project or movement which he deemed of value in pro- moting the city's welfare.
Since his death Chester L. Ragon has become the active head of the house, and in 1902 the business was incorporated. The officers are C. L. Ragon as president; H. R. Dunavan, vice president; and William Clarke, secretary. All have been connected with the business for many years, so that long experience made them familiar with the most advanced commer- cial methods, with the demands of the public and the possibilities for the enlargement of the trade.
MAJOR ALBERT C. ROSENCRANZ.
Major Albert C. Rosencranz, president of the Vulcan Plow Company of Evansville, Indiana, is no more widely and favorably known because of his business interests, which, however, are extensive and important, and constitute a prominent element in the industrial activity of Evansville, than for his philanthropy and public spirit. He was born in Baerwalde, near the city of Berlin, Prussia, October 26, 1842. His father, C. F. Rosencranz, was a watchmaker by trade and a man of some prominence in the affairs of his native village. He left Prussia on account of his con- nection with the revolution of 1848 and came with his wife and children to America in 1850, settling first near Evansville, Indiana, while later he became a resident of the city and resumed work at his trade. His love for his native land, however, led him to return to Europe in 1867, and he passed away there twenty years later, having for about three years survived his wife, Mrs. Dorothea (Nohse) Rosencranz, who died in 1884.
Albert C. Rosencranz acquired his education in private schools, and in his youthful days was taught the watchmaker's trade by his father. At the outbreak of the Civil war he assisted in organizing Company A of the First Regiment of the Indiana Legion, of which he was made orderly ser- geant, and on the 4th of August, 1862, was mustered into the United States service, having been commissioned first lieutenant of Company F, Fourth Cavalry (Seventy-seventh) Regiment Indiana Volunteers, for three years' service. He was promoted to the captaincy February 25, 1863, and was commissioned major May 1, 1865, but was never mustered in with the rank of major. His muster out was at Nashville, Tennessee, June 29, 1865. His military record is a highly honorable one. He was in command of General Ebenezer Dumont's bodyguard from September, 1862, until January, 1863; in March, 1863, he was detailed for courier service under General Rose-
417
HISTORY OF VANDERBURG COUNTY
crans between Nashville and Murfreesboro, and Murfreesboro and Wood- bury, Tennessee, and acted in that capacity until June, 1863. He next took part in the Tullahoma and Chattanooga campaigns, terminating in the battle of Chickamauga, and afterward moved with his regiment in pur- suit of General Wheeler's forces and then proceeded to the relief of Gen- eral Burnside in East Tennessee. His command spent the winter in that locality, holding the advanced position in all the cavalry movements and engaging in numerous skirmishes, notably at Mossy Creek, Talbot's, Dan- dridge and Fair Garden, where Captain Rosencranz commanded the Second Battalion of the Fourth in most gallant manner. While in East Tennessee the regiment was forced to live off the devastated country for two months and nearly starved to death. In March, 1864, the command was ordered to join Sherman's army and took part in the famous Atlanta campaign. Cap- tain Rosencranz was wounded in the foot and captured six miles north of Dalton, Georgia, on May 9, 1864, being in command at the time of a bat- talion of five companies of his regiment engaged in making a reconnois- sance as part of the Second Cavalry Brigade under command of General O. F. LaGrange, who was also taken prisoner. He was held a prisoner for ten months at Macon and Savannah, Georgia ; Charleston and Colum- bia, South Carolina. When at Charleston he was one of the six hundred federal officers whom the enemy designed to keep within the range of the Union fire for three months. He was afterward sent to Columbia, South Carolina, and was finally held at Charlotte, North Carolina, until March, 1865, when he was paroled at Goldsboro and once more entered the federal lines near Wilmington, North Carolina. He was then sent home from Annapolis on a thirty days' furlough, reporting at Camp Chase, Ohio, where he was eventually exchanged May 3, 1865. He then rejoined his regiment on the march in Georgia and was mustered out with it in June, as above stated.
Upon leaving the army he returned to his home in Evansville, where he engaged in the jewelry business until 1868. In that year he married Miss Mary, daughter of William Heilman, and became office manager for the William Heilman Machine Works, which position he retained for five years. Confinement to office work, however, impaired his general health, and in 1873 he went to Missouri, where he engaged in stock-raising. Losing both of his children within four weeks at Kirksville, Missouri, he leased his interests there in December, 1876, and returned to Evansville. Here, on the Ist of January, 1877, he took charge of the Heilman-Urie Plow Company and two years later bought out the Urie interests, the business being continued under the name of the Heilman Plow Company until the death of Mr. Heilman in September, 1890. The factory was a small con- cern when he assumed control, but he has since more than quadrupled the capacity of the plant, adding the manufacture of chilled plows to their steel products. Upon the death of Mr. Heilman, his father-in-law, in 1890, his interest was inherited by Mrs. Rosencranz and the works were incorporated
418
HISTORY OF VANDERBURG COUNTY
under the name of the Heilman Plow Company, with Major Rosencranz as president. He has held the office since that date, and in 1898 changed the name to the Vulcan Plow Company. He is planning extensive im- provements in the works and recently increased the capital stock from one hundred and fifty thousand to four hundred thousand dollars. Improve- ments are planned for many years to come and will be vigorously prose- cuted, making the enterprise one of the most important industrial interests of the Ohio valley. The business has long since become recognized as one of the leading undertakings of this character and its rapid and substantial growth in recent years is attributable to the efforts and sound business judgment of Major Rosencranz.
Though his extensive business interests have occupied much of his time, Major Rosencranz is an exceedingly public-spirited citizen and in various ways has contributed to the general welfare and to public progress. He has never sought political office, yet served as a member of the city council from the fifth ward and was made chairman of its finance committee, in which connection he materially assisted in bringing about a satisfactory adjustment of the city debt. He also served as chairman of the waterworks committee. He is a member and ex-president of the Business Men's As- sociation and also a member and director of the Manufacturers' Association. He contributed most liberally toward the erection of the building for the Young Men's Christian Association in 1890, served as treasurer of the building committee, and has since been treasurer of the board of trustees. In 1909 he provided a home for the colored Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation at the corner of Seventh and Cherry streets, which was dedicated to Major and Mrs. Rosencranz, and from a small community this has grown rapidly with great prospects of doing much good among the colored people. This, together with the splendid work of the colored manual train- ing school and the enlarged domestic science course for the colored girls, will make the coming generations more useful and happy. Major Rosen- cranz is a zealous member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, yet there is no narrow sectarian bias in his religion, and he is deeply and helpfully interested in various projects which are the embodiment of humanitarian- ism and Christianity. He belongs to Indiana Commandery of the Loyal Legion ; Farragut Post, No. 27, G. A. R., of which he has been commander ; La Vallette Commandery, No. 15, K. T .; and takes an active interest in promoting the welfare of all these organizations. In the matter of politics he is affiliated with the republican party.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.