USA > Indiana > Indiana and Indianans : a history of aboriginal and territorial Indiana and the century of statehood, Volume V > Part 51
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John Props, founder of the family in Delaware County, was member of a large group of Virginia settlers who went there and founded homes at a time when every homemaker was a pioneer in the western advancement of the nation. John Props was born May 13, 1808, in Rockbridge County, near the Natural Bridge, was of
Jesper Proper
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German descent, learned the trade of black- smith, and as a young man was employed in the arsenal at Harper's Ferry. On com- ing to Indiana he did work for the con- tractors building the Wabash Canal. At Pendleton, in Madison County, marriage linked him with another pioneer family, when Eliza Janes became his wife on June 12, 1838. She was born in Logan County, Ohio, October 26, 1820, and died on her birthday in 1846. Her father, Zachariah Janes, was a soldier of the War of 1812 and a pioneer in Madison County, settling near Pendleton while the Indians were there and building a log cabin with a dirt floor. That was his home until the latter '50s, when he moved to the vicinity of Lexington, Missouri, and died there in 1867. By his wife. Nany George, who was born in Logan County, Ohio, in 1796 and died in Madison County in 1834, his children were Mrs. John Props, Mrs. Nancy Davis, Mrs. Mary Ann Hardman, Sarah Cravens, Mrs. Lucinda Maull and Mrs. Su- sanna Miller. The children of Mr. and Mrs. John Props were: John A., William Henry, James Madison and Lemuel Theo- dore. All these sons were soldiers in the Civil war and John A. died in the service. It is said that John Props built the first blacksmith shop in Marion, Grant County. He died in 1859.
William Henry Props, son of John Props, was born at Marion, Indiana, June 18, 1841. He was five years old when his mother died and he was cared for in the home of Burtney Ruley, and when seven years old went to live with Joel W. Long, who cared for him as his own child until he was grown to manhood. In the home of Mr. Long he was well trained for a life of usefulness. The first school he attended was kept in a log cabin on a corner of the home farm, and later he was pupil in a school located where the town of Eaton in Delaware County now stands. October 5, 1862, when a little past his majority, he enlisted at Muncie in Company B of the Sixty-Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry for three years' service. His first battle was at Richmond, Kentucky, on August 30th of the same year. He was shot through the right lung, was reported as dead by his captain and comrades, but had, in fact, been carried off the field by the nephews of James Yates, a slaveholder of the neigh- borhood, who disappeared on the approach
of the Union army. Some negroes also as- sisted in the rescue and the wounded man was carefully cared for in a negro cabin nearby until he was able to return home. He came as a joyful surprise to his friends, who had mourned him as dead and were even then arranging a memorial service. He was honorably discharged from the army on account of disability November 25, 1862.
For all the suffering he endured because of his service in the army, he was for many years successfully engaged in farming and stock raising, and was one of the intelligent farmers who were leaders in the agricul- tural development of Delaware County. His fine farm of 195 acres near Eaton is still considered a valuable property there. A republican, his early interest in politics recalls the incident that when he was only fifteen he and two other boy companions, John and Robert L. Brandt, cut, hauled and assisted in raising the flagpole for the first republican campaign when Fremont was candidate for President. He supported Lincoln and Grant by his early votes, then turned a greenbacker, voting for Peter Cooper and Weaver, became identified with the later organization of the people's party, and finally became a firm supporter of William J. Bryan. He was a charter mem- ber of John Brandt Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Eaton, named to commem- orate the services of his old comrade, John Brandt, who died as a result of wounds at Chickamauga. The sum of his life was one of well-spent activity, honorable actions and relations in every sphere, and he died June 8, 1907, respected and esteemed by family and friends alike. He and his wife were members of the Christian Church, lived and practiced Christianity as part of their daily life, where charitable to a fault and were constant and instant in acts of kindness. His good wife died July 3, 1902.
William H. Props married September 7, 1865. Sarah Lewis, who was born May 26, 1845, in Niles Township of Delaware County, daughter of John and Mary (Babb) Lewis. Her father was one of the original land entrants of Niles Township. The children of William H. Props and wife were: Mrs. Mary McFee, deceased ; Rachel Louella, whose first husband was Reuben Estep. and her second George Pickerill ; Joel W., who died June 21, 1905, at the age of thirty-six, leaving a small son, Emil
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W .; George Robert, who died at the age of nineteen; John Cooper, and Nettie B. Silers.
This brings the family down to John Cooper Props, who was the sixth child of his father's family. He was born in Union Township of Delaware County March 20, 1877, and was well educated in the public schools of Eaton and for three summers attended the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. For five years he was a teacher in Delaware County. In May, 1899, he began work for the Muncie Star, and assisted in establishing that great In- diana newspaper. In 1902 he transferred his services to the Marion News-Tribune, but in 1903 left journalism to become a practical farmer at Wellington, Illinois, managing 320 acres owned by his wife's unele, Oliver P. Dunn, who is now presi- dent of the Props-Dunn Motor Company at Muncie.
In 1904 Mr. Props entered the real estate and insurance business at Eaton, and while there studied law and was admitted to the bar. Before fairly engaging in practice he took over the distribution of Ford and Studebaker automobiles for Delaware County in 1909. That business soon re- quired so much of his time that he was forced to give up all his other active in- terests except his farm, which he still op- erates.
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Mr. Props conducted the automobile ageney alone until the fall of 1912, when he took in one of his principal competi- tors, George J. Brooker, incorporating as the Props-Brooker Motor Company. The agency was established at Walnut and Sec- ond streets in Muncie. September 1, 1915, Mr. Props bought his partner's interest, and then changed the corporate name to Props-Dunn Motor Company. In the spring of 1916 a brick building 621/2 by 125 feet at Walnut and Gilbert streets in Muncie was bought and remodeled for the purpose of making it a permanent home for the business. Before it was ready for occupancy in the fall the business had out- grown its prospective location, and the com- pany was forced to retain its old location at Walnut and Second streets, which is used as a Ford service station and motor truck and tractor service station.
Mr. Props has been a live man in the motor car industry in many ways. He organized the first motor club in Muncie,
was its first president, and was also presi- dent of the first auto dealers' association in Delaware County.
His business record indicates that he is a man of initiative, and at the same time he has also shown and exhibited a com- mendable spirit of independence and de- votion to principle in politics and all civic affairs. He has adhered to principles which he believed to be right whether they were popular or not. As a young man he en- dured not a little persecution for advocat- ing the reform measures which have been adopted by both the leading political par- ties. Mr. Props is affiliated with all branches of Masonry, including the Knights Templar, the Scottish Rite and Mystic Shrine, and is also a member of the Elks and Odd Fellows.
April 9, 1902, in Union Township of Delaware County, he married Miss Beatrice Mckeever, who was born in Grant County of this state February 14, 1876, a daughter of Albert and Elmyra (Dunn) Mckeever. Her father was a carpenter at Jonesboro, Indiana. Mrs. Props was a small child when her mother died, leaving three chil- dren, Zelma R., Charles L. and Beatrice. Beatrice, from the age of four years, was reared and tenderly cared for by her uncle, Oliver P. Dunn. Mr. and Mrs. Props have three children : Isabella Dunn Props, born at Wellington, Illinois, September 15, 1903; William Oliver, born at Eaton May 10, 1910, now deceased, and Sarah, born Octo- ber 12, 1911.
REV. FRANCIS HENRY GAVISK. The cares and burdens of managing the largest Cath- olie church in Indiana has not prevented Rev. Francis H. Gavisk from assuming a share in benevolent and social work that gives his career almost a national reputa- tion. He is one of the broad minded and able Catholic clergymen who, while never subordinating the interests and welfare of their own church, have worked wholeheart- edly and constructively in the service of humanity, and have been frequently hon- ored and entrusted with responsibilities wherein they represent their church in the broad domain of state and nation.
Father Gavisk is a native of Indiana, born at Evansville April 6, 1856, son of Michael and Mary (Tierney) Gavisk. His parents came from Ireland. Father Ga- visk was educated in parochial schools at
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Evansville, and in 1874, at the age of eighteen, went to work as a reporter with the Evansville Courier. He remained with that journal as reporter and editor until 1880. He prepared for his chosen calling in St. Meinrad's College and Seminary in Spencer County, Indiana, where he com- pleted both the classical and theological courses. In the Abbey Church at St. Mein- rad's May 30, 1885, he was ordained to the priesthood by Rt. Rev. F. S. Chatard, Bishop of Indianapolis. In 1914 the Uni- versity of Notre Dame conferred upon Father Gavisk the honorary degree LL. D.
One of the notable facts connected with his long service as a priest is that all the time he has been identified with St. John's Church at Indianapolis, recognized as the largest church of that denomination in the state. He was appointed assistant rector on June 20, 1885, and since 1890 has been rector, and in that capacity has had the active administration and has promoted in numberless ways the growth and prosper- ity of this splendid congregation. Since 1899 Father Gavisk has been chancellor of the Diocese of Indianapolis.
Outside of the honors and dignities con- ferred upon him by his church Father Gavisk is a member and from 1910 to 1915 was vice president and in 1915-16 president of the National Conference of Charities and Corrections. Since 1907, by appointment from the governor, he has been a member of the Board of State Chari- ties in Indiana and is a director of the Charity Organization Society of Indian- apolis, and in November, 1915, the gover- nor appointed him chairman of the Com- mission of Indiana to study questions of mental defectives. He is also a trustee of the Indianapolis Foundation, a member of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, the Indianapolis Art Association and the Indianapolis Literary Club. He has also been active in the American Red Cross, as member of the Executive Committee of Indiana, and has served on the Citizens Library Committee of the Indianapolis Public Library.
JOHN HENRY LENSMANN is a veteran merchant in Indianapolis. It would not be too much to claim for him that he has been identified with the grocery trade on the south side of the city for a longer period than any other of his contempo-
raries. As far back as May, 1865, fifty- three years ago, he did his first work in a south side grocery store, and for the greater part of the subsequent period has been an independent merchant. He has been steadily in his present place of busi- ness at 2022 Shelby Street since May 2, 1874. Mr. Lensmann is proprietor of a large hardware and grocery establishment, and has served more than a generation of customers in that locality. His store is in fact a landmark on the south side, one of the most familiar locations to all the people in that section.
Mr. Lensmann was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, October 4, 1846, son of Herman Henry and Katherine (Kranke) Lensmann. His parents spent all their lives in Germany. His father was an edu- cator and for a period of fifty-eight years was connected with the German public in- stitutions of education. In addition he also had the active supervision of a large gov- ernment farm. His parents were members of the Lutheran Church. Of their children three are still living : Catherine, unmarried, and living in Germany; Mrs. William Maschmeyer, of Indianapolis; and John Henry.
John Henry Lensmann was chiefly edu- cated in the schools taught by his father. When a youth he left his native land to seek the opportunities of the New World. He arrived in March, 1865, just about the close of the Civil war. What induced him to come to Indianapolis was the presence in this city of a friend named Herman Rosebruck, who at that time was a grocery merchant at East Street and Virginia Ave- nue. Mr. Lensmann first went to work for a local merchant named John Helm at Dav- idson and Michigan streets. Three months later he was working in the store of Henry Rodewald, where he remained fifteen months, and then took a new place with Fred Rosebruck at Bradshaw and Virginia Avenue. Four years later he was admitted to partnership, and they were in business together for two years. The firm was closed ont during the panic of 1873, and Mr. Lensmann had to begin all over again. He worked for a new start with John Koehler, but soon was in business again for himself at Prospect and Spruce streets, and, as already noted, in 1874 moved to his present location.
His has been a business career worthy of
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note in Indianapolis. He has succeeded by constant and straightforward effort, and has always done his best to avail himself of the opportunities to do well for himself and furnish a reliable service to the com- munity. After coming to the United States Mr. Lensmann in order the better to equip himself as an American business man at- tended a business college in Indianapolis and took a course in bookkeeping. This old business school was located just in the rear of the old Indianapolis postoffice. Soon after coming to Indianapolis Mr. Lensmann united with Zion's Evangelical Church and was one of the trustees of that church for twelve years. He and his fam- ily are now members of St. John's Evan. gelical Church, and for the past three years he has been church treasurer.
In 1865, the same year he came to In- dianapolis, Mr. Lensmann married Fred- ericka Rogge, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, and came to the United States at the age of sixteen. They have one son and one daughter, Henry and Louise. Henry is a carpenter and builder at In- dianapolis. Louise is now organist for St. John's Evangelical Church.
WILLIAM RATHERT is an Indianapolis business man and citizen whose record is one of business accomplishment and clear and straightforward citizenship throughout the more than forty years he has lived here. He is head of William Rathert & Sons and is president of the Sanitary Milk Products Company.
Mr. Rathert was born in Germany May 14, 1852, son of Christian and Eleanor (Prange) Rathert. His father was a far- mer and land owner in Germany, and both parents spent all their lives there. Strange to say, Mr. Rathert never returned to his native land.
Reared and educated in Germany, Wil- liam Rathert was a boy of fifteen when in company with Frederick J. Meyer and others he started for America. He had relatives in this country, including his uncle, Fred Prange, a well known early contractor of Indianapolis, and had another relative living near Cumberland, Indiana. The journey to America was an eventful one. Storms beset the vessel and kept it back from its course, and even when the boat was going into port danger was not
over, since the signal gun exploded and killed a number of passengers grouped nearby.
William Rathert had little knowledge of American life and ways, had practically no capital, but had all the energy necessary to put him ahead in whatever line of work he chose. His first employment was with his uncle, Fred Prange, as an apprentice in the building trades. His wages the first year were $7 a month and the next year $12 a month. He thus acquired an expert knowledge of the carpenter's trade, and while working during the day he supple- mented his education by attending night school. He finally acquired a partnership with his uncle.
From the building business Mr. Rathert in 1875 became associated with his wife's father as a grocery merchant. They began selling goods at the same place where the William Rathert & Sons establishment now is, 749-751 Southı Meridian Street. It is probable that only one other merchant on the south side of Indianapolis has been do- ing business longer than Mr. Rathert. This old timer is Mr. Schrader on Virginia Ave- nue. Mr. Rathert's early partner in the grocery business was Charles Schwomeyer. After his death Mr. Rathert conducted the business alone until his sons, William F. and Paul E., reached an age where they were admitted to partnership.
As a successful merchant Mr. Rathert's interests and co-operation have been sought in other business affairs. He was one of the organizers of the Grocers Baking Com- pany, was a member of its Building Com- mittee, and was also one of the organizers and on the Building Committee of the San- itary Milk Products Company, now one of the flourishing concerns of the city.
On coming to Indianapolis he became identified with Zion's Evangelical Church, served it as a member of its Board of Trus- tees and as treasurer, and six years ago, when Friedens Church .was organized, he became a charter member, and has since been active in all its affairs. He was a member of the Building Committee, and was formerly treasurer and is now secre- tary of the church. He has been a member of the Protestant Orphans Society since 1878, and for a number of years has be- longed to the Deacons Society. He was a member of the Building Committee of the
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Independent Turnverein. In earlier years he usually voted the democratic ticket but latterly has been independent.
In 1875 Mr. Rathert married Louisa Schwomeyer, daughter of Charles Schwo- meyer. Mrs. Rathert was born only a block from her present home. Of the four chil- dren born to them, Carl died at the age of nineteen and Clara in early childhood. The two surviving sons are William F. and Paul E., both capable business men and associated with their father in the William Rathert & Sons Store.
CHARLES D. LEGG, sole proprietor of one of the leading grocery establishments of Anderson, is the type of American citizen who makes his own opportunities in life and has a sound foundation in experience and ability for every promotion and in- crease in his prosperity.
He was born in Benton Township of Pike County, Ohio, in 1875, son of Edward Allen and Elizabeth (Day) Legg. His English ancestors settled in Virginia dur- ing colonial times, and some members of the family fought as soldiers in the Revolu- tion.
The early experiences of life came to Charles D. Legg on his father's farm in Pike County, Ohio. He had a public school education and also acknowledges the valu- able training received during his work in the county treasurer's office for a time. After coming to Indiana he worked on a farm two years at monthly wages. He farmed in White County from 1909 to 1915, and arrived in Anderson in October of that year. He soon formed a partner- ship with his brother Christopher E., and the firm of Legg Brothers soon made a sub- stantial showing among the mercantile houses of Anderson, both being men of great energy and extending the facilities of their firm to a large proportion of the homes of the city. In November, 1918, Mr. Legg bought ont his brother and has since been sole proprietor, and has continued the business under equally prosperous auspices.
In 1905 he married Miss Dora Ander- son. They have two bright young children, Donald A. and Lucile. Mr. Legg is a thor- oughly publie spirited citizen, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, of the Mer- chants Association, and has wielded con- siderable influence in local politics as a
democrat. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias.
JAMES S. CRUSE has achieved almost the dignity of being the dean of the real estate profession in Indianapolis, and he acquired his early knowledge of real estate values when Indianapolis was a comparatively small city and has been in business for him- self fully thirty years. Mr. Cruse is essen- tially a business man, though he also finds time to lend a hand in the various public movements in which Indianapolis has a part.
He was born at New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana, July 16, 1858, son of John P. and Annie M. (Dudley) Cruse, the former a native of Philadelphia and the latter of Virginia. His parents married at New Albany, and in 1862 removed to In- dianapolis, where they spent the rest of their days. The father was formerly a con- tractor and builder, but his later years were spent as a brick manufacturer and dealer. James S. Cruse was the only son. and his sister, Mary, became the wife of Henry J. Wiethe of Indianapolis.
From the age of four years James S. Cruse has lived in Indianapolis. He was educated in the public schools, and his first regular work was done in his father's brick yard. He did some of the heavy manual toil as well as looking after books and ac- counts. His life work was opened to him during his employment as clerk in the ab- stract office of John H. Batty. After the death of Mr. Batty he remained with the successor of the business, and the experi- ence gave him a thorough knowledge of real estate values in this part of the state. Later he was connected with the real estate rental agency of Giles S. Bradley, later with Dain & McCullongh and subsequently with Mr. Dain alone. On the death of this real estate man Mr. Cruse bought the busi- ness and has condneted it successfully now for over thirty years. December 19, 1908, it was incorporated as the J. S. Cruse Realty Company, with Mr. Cruse as presi- dent. It is one of the larger real estate firms of the city and has a number of departments with facilities and organiza- tions furnishing a perfect service as a rent- ing agency in the general handling and care of large properties and also for the
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execution of real estate transactions in- volving outside suburban and farm prop- erty.
Mr. Cruse is also president of the Mar- ion Tile Guarantee Company of Indian- apolis. He is a republican voter and a member of the Columbia, Commercial and Marion Clubs, the Indianapolis Board of Trade, and in Masonry has attained the thirty-second degree of Scottish Rite and belongs to the Mystic Shrine. In 1896 he married Miss Fannie Jones, daughter of the late William H. Jones of Indianapolis.
T. TALMADGE CULVER is proprietor of the Culver Dairy Creamery at Richmond, a business he established a few years ago and has built up to successful proportions. Mr. Culver, a man of versatile talents, and who has appeared on the stage from coast to coast as reader and singer, has found both a congenial and satisfying business in sup- plying the finest grades of pure milk and cream to this Indiana community.
He was born at Dayton, Ohio, in 1892, son of A. L. and Minnie Josephine (Beery- hill) Culver. The Culvers are an old Eng- lish family, long established in America. His father is now an orange grower at Boynton, Florida.
T. Talmadge Culver attended the com- mon schools and worked his way to pay for his expenses while in high school and college. He graduated from high school in 1910 and in 1913 entered the Northwest- ern University at Chicago, graduating in 1915 from the School of Oratory and tak- ing post-graduate work in both music and oratory. For three years Mr. Culver was with the Redpath Lyceum Bureau on the Chautauqua Circuit as a reader. While in university he was a member of the Glee Club as reader and tenor, and traveled from coast to coast and also visited the Panama Canal zone.
Mr. Culver married Miss Laura Brooks, daughter of Joseph and Pauline Brooks of Wisconsin. She was a graduate of Northwestern University. They have one daughter, Dorothy May, born August 16, 1917.
For four months Mr. Culver helped his father on the orange grove in Florida and in September, 1916, came to Richmond and opened his present creamery business. He manufactures butter, buttermilk and cot- tage cheese, and supplies a large retail
trade. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Richmond, is a member of the First Christian Church, and in politics is independent.
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