USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Indianapolis illustrated : the capital city of Indiana : its growth, resources, commerce, manufacturing interests, financial institutions, and prospects, also sketches of the leading business concerns which contribute to the city's progress and prosperity > Part 25
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S. BINZER.
One of the most noted and successful mercantile es- tablishments in Indianapolis is that of Mr. S. Binzer, wholesale and retail dealer in all kinds of merchandise,
at 286 and 288 South Illinois street. Mr. Binzer, who is a native of Austria, came to this country in 1881, at once taking up his residence in Indianapolis. Soon after he founded his present enterprise at 276 South Illinois street, and soon built up a large and permanent trade. In 1891, the continued growth of the business rendered a removal to more commodious quarters im- perative. Mr. Binzer now occupies a double store with basement, the combined frontage being 40 feet and a depth of 90 feet. The stock is large and comprehen- sive, embracing full lines of fancy and staple dry goods, notions, clothing, millinery goods, ladies' and gents' furnishings, boots and shoes, hats and caps, etc. Mr. Binzer also does a large business in stationery and office requisites, handles none but the best articles, and his prices are always the lowest. Five clerks are employed in the salesrooms, while a numerous force of skilled and artistic milliners are kept constantly busy. The trade is both wholesale and retail, and is derived from all parts of the city and surrounding country. Mr. Binzer is an enterprising and wide awake merchant, whose success is marked, and he is a member of the Order of Druids, an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias.
R. SAMUELS.
Standing in the front rank of houses devoted to sup- plying the people of Indianapolis with pure, fresh food supplies is that of Mr. R. Samuels, at 282 South Illinois street. Mr. Samuels, who was born in Russian Poland, has resided in the United States for over forty years, coming to this city in 1887. He founded this business in January, 1890, and Pogue's Run Grocery, as the house has since been known, has become the center of a brisk and active trade. The premises occupied comprise a ground floor and basement, each being 25x80 feet in dimensions. The store is attractively fitted up with plate glass front, and is provided with all modern con- veniences and facilities. Courteous assistants are in at- tendance under Mr. Samuels' personal supervision and goods are delivered free of charge. The stock is very large and carefully selected and includes the choicest brands of family flour and prepared cereals, pure fresh teas, coffees and spices, condiments and table delicacies, canned and bottled goods, bakers' and laundry supplies, orchard, garden and dairy products, fresh, salt and smoked meats, poultry and game in season, and all grocers' sundries. The lowest market prices arequoted and orders are filled promptly and carefully. Mr. Samuels enjoys an excellent reputation in business circles, and his standing in the financial world is of the soundest.
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INDIANAPOLIS ILLUSTRATED, THE CAPITAL CITY OF INDIANA.
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WEST SIDE PLANING MILL COMPANY.
This is the great lumber market for all Indiana, and among the latest additions to the ranks of the reliable and ably conducted concerns engaged in this direction is the West Side Planing Mill Company, whose office is at 1000 West New York street and Belt Railroad (tel- ephone call 1668). The West Side Planing Mill Company was organized in 1891, and has a capital stock of about
fourteen years of age drove four yoke of oxen hauling logs at Putnamville, Ind. He came to this city fifteen years ago, worked at different places, owned a saw mill at Purkinsville, Ind., and afterward became foreman of the Indianapolis Cabinet Works. He is a young, progressive business man, owns a considerable amount of real estate in this city clear of incumbrance, and is now the largest owner in the West Side Planing Mill Company, of which he is president. .
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$20,000. Its officers are all well and favorably known gentlemen of long and valuable experience in the lum- ber trade. They are as follows: B. D. Brooks, presi- dent ; C. Draut, treasurer ; L. H. Young, secretary, and J. A. Richter, foreman. C. Draut and J. A. Richter were formerly associated in a similar line of business in Batesville, Ind, and through the influence of Mr. Richter the Batesville bracket factory was started. The yard and mill are located at 1000 and 1002 West New York street, 1009 and 1011 West Vermont street, and 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 Coble street. The mill is a two-story building, 40x58 feet in dimensions, also a warehouse, having an area of 90x22 feet, and the com- pany have here a first-class planing mill and handle sash, doors and blinds, and are now laying plans to erect another large building. They employ a full force of skilled hands in the manufacture of mouldings, brackets, newels, scroll and mill work, siding, ceiling, flooring, etc, and a large stock is always carried of sash, doors, blinds, lumber, shingles, etc., and the company can at short notice meet the most exacting requirements of the trade. Mr. Brooks was born in Pennsylvania, raised on a farm, and when but
BAMBERGER'S NEW YORK HAT COMPANY.
In the manufacturing of and retail trade in hats, mens' furnishings and ladies fur garments, the name of Bam- berger's New York Hat Company will come first to mind as being the leading establishment of its kind in Indianapolis. Mr. H. Bamberger founded the business in 1880, in the premises still occupied by him at 50 East Washington street. From the outset it assumed large proportions, and the house has ever since been the center of a brisk and active trade. Mr. Bamberger occupies a ground floor and basement, each being 18x80 feet in dimensions, and both of which are utilized for the storage and display of the heavy and carefully selected stock that is always caried on hand. The display is very interesting and attractive, a wonderful variety being shown in every line, embracing all the styles of men's, youths' and boys' hats, the finest grades of furs, and every description of fur hats and caps. Here also are to be seen everything in the line of fur trimmings. this being the only house in the city that makes a speci- alty of altering, making over and repairing furs. The house is also headquarters for men's furnishings, and Mr. Bamberger is sole agent here for the sale of You-
man's celebrated hats. His trade is large and fashion- able and shows every sign of steady increase.
CHAS. C. WATSON.
There is probably no druggist in Indianapolis better or more favorably known than Mr. Chas. C. Watson, and there are certainly none who has secured a more enduring hold on public favor and confidence. Mr. Watson has been established in business in his present location at 511 Virginia avenue, corner Bismark street, for a period of twelve years. The store is 20x60 feet in dimensions, and is fitted up in a handsome attractive style in hard wood. A fine soda fountain of unique de- sign is an attractive feature of the store, also a well equipped laboratory, where physicians' prescriptions and family recipes are filled with promptitude and ac- curacy from pure, fresh drugs and medicines. There is also a full stock of proprietary preparations, pharma- ceuticals, tinctures, extracts, toilet requisites, fancy ar- ticles, surgical appliances, druggists sundries, perfumery, etc. Prescriptions are prepared at all hours, night calls receiving prompt response. His assistant, Lee W. Walcot, who is a native of Michigan, has resided in this city twenty-one years and is widely known. He is a prominent member of the Marion County Drug Associ- ation.
W. H. BARR.
A noteworthy and popular footwear emporium in this section of the city is the establishment of Mr. W. H. Barr, located at 228 East Washington street. Custom work is also done here in the highest style of the art at short notice, hand-sewed shoes for tender feet being a specialty, and all work to order is guaranteed to render satisfaction as to fit, finish, material and workmanship. Mr. Barr, who is a native of Ontario, Canada, has been a resident of Indianapolis since 1890. Shortly after his arrival here he founded this business, and he has met with marked and flattering success. He has built up a large permanent trade, which gives every promise of rapid and continuous increase. His store is 2 x70 feet in dimensions, neatly fitted up and arranged. The stock, which is large and varied, includes men's, women's, girls', youths', boys' and children's boots and shoes in all sizes, shapes, styles, widths and designs. both in fine and medium grades, also a fine line of sandals, slippers and rubbers. Repairing is also neatly done, and the footwear made to order here is the finest and most comfortable that can be obtained anywhere. Mr. Barr is an energetic and wide-awake business man.
Telephone 1668
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INDIANAPOLIS ILLUSTRATED, THE CAPITAL CITY OF INDIANA.
FLANNER & BUCHANAN.
A leading undertaking establishment in Indianapolis is that of Messrs. Flanner & Buchanan, located at 172 North Illinois street, between New York and Vermont. It was founded in 1880 by Messrs. Flanner & Hom- mown, who were succeeded seven years later by the present firm, composed of F. W. Flanner and C. J. Buchanan. Enterprise and energy, coupled with the ripe experience they have acquired in this line of business, assured the house of great success, and it is to-day one of the most prominent houses engaged in the business in this city. The store is neat and well appointed, and of ample dimensions, handsomely furnished and fitted up with every convenience. A well sele. ted assortment of caskets, coffins, trimmings, mountings, etc., is con- stantly carried, the firm having established connections with the leading manufacturers of this line of goods in the country. The embalming is under Mr. Buchanan's personal supervision; he is a practical and experienced man of acknowledged ability, and a graduate of Clark's School of Embalming of Cincinnati, Ohio. In their stables the firm have eight horses, three hearses and several carriages, and the office is open at all hours, the telephone call being 641. Every requisite for funerals is provided, while the prices charged are always fair and moderate. A morgue is operated in connection with the establishment. Both parties are natives of this state. Mr. Flanner is a Knight of Pythias, while Mr. Buchanan is a Mason and Odd Fellow.
GORDON & HARMON.
The special attention of our readers is directed to the establishment of Messrs. Gordon & Harmon, dealers in engines, boilers, saw mills, farm machinery, etc., at 67 West Washington street, (telephone call 1004). This concern has been in operation since 1887, when it was founded by Mr. Willard Harmon, who was joined in 1892 by Mr. W. H. Gordon. The premises occupied comprise three floors and basement of a building hav- ing an area of 30x100 feet. The stock carried is large and varied and embraces a full assortment of the most approved engines and boilers for almost every purpose, saw mills and a general line of farm machinery, includ- iag reapers and binders, mowers, hay forks and loaders, hay rakes of every description, seed drills and planters, plows of the best make, harrows, cultivators, corn shel- lers, farm mills for grinding feed, etc., hay and straw cutters, thrashers and grain cleaning machines, etc. Messrs. Gordon & Harmon furnish estimates for the erection of saw mill plants, furnish every requisite, and
superintend the complete construction of the same. Traveling salesmen represent the house on the road. and the trade extends throughout Indiana and adjoining states. Illustrated catalogues and price lists are fur- nished on application. Mr. W. H. Gordon was born in Knightstown, Ind., and is a prominent member of the Masonic order, while Mr. Willard Harmon is a native of Johnson county, Ind, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Both gentlemen are in the prime of life, and during their business career have met with a success such is only accorded to those whose business is governed by correct, honorable principles.
WADDY & SON.
The well known and reliable house of Messrs. Waddy & Son, dealers in staple and fancy groceries, fruits. vegetables and meats, at 50 Clifford avenue, is a very flourishing concern. It was founded by Messrs. Perrine & Co., to whom the present firm succeeded by purchase in 1890, the latter being composed of Mr. J. B. Waddy and his son, H. O. Waddy. The premises utilized are of large proportions, extending from Clifford avenue to Brookside avenue, and comprising the ground floor and basement of a building 32x150 feet in dimensions. The store is handsomely fitted up and contains a well selected and heavy stock of fancy and staple groceries, embrac- ing choice teas and coffees, spices, sugars, canned and sealed goods, dried and green fruits, preserves, jellies, condiments, butter, cheese, eggs, prepared cereals, flour, vegetables, bakers' and laundry supplies, fresh, salt and smoked meats, fish, provisions of all kinds, and all grocers' and meat dealers' sundries. The house has a large city and country patronage, and several courteous assistants are in constant attendance. Tne telephone call is 1778. Both partners are natives of this county and among the best known merchants of Indianapolis. They are members of the Retail Grocers' Association, also of the American Collection Agency.
A. A. HELFER & SON.
The wholesale carriage trade of Indianapolis has a worthy representative in the firm of Messrs. A. A. Helfer & Son. They make in their own factory the best that American brains and labor can build and they buy or have for sale as agents the best that is produced elsewhere. This is the oldest business of the kind in town, having been founded away back in 1850, and after vari-
ous firm changes. Mr. A. A. Helfer became the pro- prietor in 1872, and subsequently took his son, Mr. E. T. Helfer, into co-partnership, under the existing name and style. Their repository and factory occupies the entire three-story building, 39 and 41 North Tennessee street, 53×20212 feet in dimensions, and here a large force of skilled workmen are steadily employed in the building of highest grades of carriages and vehicles of their make are maintained at the highest standard of ex- cellence. They make a magnificent display in their re- p sitory, not only of their own work, but also of other popular lines, they being agents for the Kauffman Buggy Company of Miamisburg, Ohio, also for the Favorite Carriage Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, and likewise for the Cortland Wagon Company of Cortland, N. Y. Here are all styles of elegant, well built carriages, and light traps as well, in fact, an infinite variety of almost everything that goes on wheels. The firm is noted for producing the latest styles and in the latest colors. Messrs. Helfer are natives of this state, for- merly residents of Lawrenceburg, Ind., and have ever retained the confidence of commercial cireles, and have won a great and legitimate success in the face of strong competition.
SCHWARTZ'S PHARMACY.
One of the most popular and liberally patronized pharmacies in Indianapolis is that of Mr. Maurice Schwartz, at 500 North Alabama street. It was founded in 1890 by Mr. D. W. Butler, to whom Mr. Schwartz succeeded in 1892. Physicions' prescriptions and family recipes are here prepared in the most careful manner from pure, fresh ingredients, while the prices are of the most reasonable character. The store is desirably situ- ated and has an area of 20x60 feet. It is neatly fitted up and provided with all modern improvements and appli- ances, including an elegant and massive soda water fountain. Several assistants are employed. Mr. Schwartz exercises close personal supervision over the laboratory. The stock is large and selected with care. and comprises besides drugs, chemicals and medicines of every description, standard proprietary remedies, herbs, barks, roots, seeds and spices, sanitary preparations, pure medicinal wines, liquors, and mineral waters, im- ported and domestic cigars. fancy and toilet articles and all druggists' sundries. Mr. Schwartz was born in Lawrenceburg, Ind .. and has resided in this city since 1891. He is a member of the Marion County Drug Association and a business man of marked enterprise and ability.
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INDIANAPOLIS ILLUSTRATED, THE CAPITAL CITY OF INDIANA.
INDIANAPOLIS BRUSH WORKS.
Among the many manufacturing concerns which give to Indianapolis its well deserved prominence as an in- dustrial center and to which its citizens refer with par- donable pride, that of the Indianapolis Brush Works is especially deserving of mention. These works were es- tablished in 1890 by Messrs. G. E. Pohlman and J. C. Wood, the former becoming sole proprietor January 1, 1893. A large trade was built up from the outset, which to-day covers all the territory east to and including Pennsylvania, also the Western and Southern states. The premises occupied are located at 735 West Wash- ington street, an eligible two-story frame structure, 30x 100 feet in dimensions, replete with all the latest im- proved machinery. Some twenty-five expert hands are constantly employed and the output is of five to six gross of brushes a day. The range of production embraces all kinds of brushes, hair, clothing, shoe, scrub, etc., and a specialty is made of door mats and shoe scrapers. The goods of the Indianapolis Brush Works are noted for the high quality of the materials that enter into their confec- tion, their superior workmanship, and unsurpassed dura- bility. Mr. Pohlman was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is one of our leading popular business men and citizens.
JAS. L. KEACH.
An old established and leading mercantile house in Indianapolis is that of Mr. Jas. L. Keach, wholesale fruits and produce commission merchant, at 62 South Delaware street. It was founded by Mr. Keach in 1879 and from the start acquired a widespread and enviable reputation. The premises utilized are located in a cen- tral part of the business district, and are commodious and well adapted to the purposes to which it is devoted. Ample cold storage is provided and unrivaled facilities are at hand for the efficient handling and storage of the large and heavy consignments always on hand. A gen- eral wholesale produce commission business is carried, fruits being the leading specialty, also vegetables, apples, potatoes and watermelons, while mention may be made that this house is the largest potato dealers in the West, from one to eight car-loads being handled weekly. Mr. Keach has from ten to fifteen huckster wagons in constant service. He receives consignments from all of the best producing sections, many growers and shippers consigning exclusively to him. Liberal ad- vances are made on consignments, prompt account of sales is made and proceeds are instantly remitted. Mr. Keach refers to Messrs. Fletcher & Churchman, the
bankers, and to all mercantile agencies. He is a native of this city, where he is highly esteemed for his honor- able dealings, honesty of purpose and strict integrity.
H. TECHENTIN & CO.
One of the oldest as well as most notable establishments of its kind in this city is that of the firm of H. Techen- tin & Co., manufacturers and wholesale and retail dealers in harness, saddlery and all kinds of horse requisites. The business was originally established by Messrs. H. C. Schultz & Co., from whom the present firm pur- chased it in 1881. The premises occupy two floors and basement, each 20x50 feet in area in the building 22 South Meridian street. The firm make a special business of manufacturing harness of all kinds, single and double to order, finished in any style of mountings required and fully guarantees their workmanship in every respect as well as quality of materials. In the store a fine display is made of coach, carriage, driving, track and work har- ness, also whips, saddlery goods, robes, blankets and horse equipments of every description. Mr. H. Tech- entin, the active co-partner, is a native of Germany, and came to Indianapolis twenty years ago. He is popu- larly known as a business man and is a practical harness- maker of many years experience.
VOLZ BROTHERS.
We desire to call attention to the prosperous and re- liable establishment of Messrs. Volz Brothers, proprie- tors of the Granger Harness Store, and manufacturers of and dealers in harness, saddles, collars, whips, etc., located at 169 West Washington street. This business was originally established in 1883 by F. W. Arnhotter, who conducted it until January, 1891, when the present proprietors succeeded to the management. They occupy a commodious store with workshop attached, having an area of 20x85 feet, and employment is furnished a suffi- cient force of workmen. Their stores contain a full and complete assortment of light and heavy, single and double wagon, truck, coach, carriage, buggy, dray and truck harness, saddles and bridles of their own superior production. The stock also embraces whips, robes, blankets, and everything in the line of horse furnishing goods and repairing is promptly and neatly executed. Messrs. L. and H. A. Volz are both natives of this state and thorough mechanics. They are pleasant, affable gentlemen and enjoy the confidence of all who know them.
CHRISTIAN OFF & CO.
A prosperous business establishment in Indianapolis is that of Messrs. Christian Off & Co., practical tin, copper and sheet iron workers, roofers, etc. This busi- ness was originally established in 1862 by Wiggins & Donnan, and in 1882 came under the control of Mr. D. Off. In 1890 Christian and Weir Off succeeded to the business, since when under their able management the facilities and the trade have been increased. Premises 20x90 feet are occupied at 230 East Washington street, which are equipped in a superior manner, everything being provided for conducting operations on a large scale. The firm execute orders for all kinds tin, cop- . per and sheet iron work, also tin, iron and slate roofing, repair stoves, and pay particular attention to gas fitting. Estimates are furnished, contracts entered into, and all work is fully warranted. The firm are moderate in their prices and always prompt in attending to orders. The Messrs Off are both natives of Germany, and have resided in Indianapolis since 1852. Mr. C. Off is an active member of the Odd Fellows.
INDIANAPOLIS BOX FACTORY,
The manufacture of wooden boxes and packing cases for all purposes is well represented in Indianapolis by the Indianapolis Box Factory, of which Mr. Fred. Dietz is the able and popular proprietor. Mr. Dietz is a native of Germany, who came to this city in 1847. In 1869 he embarked in his present line of business and so rapid and marked was his success that he soon found it neces- sary to increase his plant. In 1871 therefore he erected his present three-story brick factory, which is 60x106 and two-story annex 40x75 feet in dimensions. The premises utilized cover an area of three and one-half acres at the south end of Delaware street, along the track of the P. C. C. & St. L. Ry. Company. The fac- tory is equipped with the latest improved machinery, including three printing machines, run by a sixty horse- power engine fed by three boilers of modern make. These works are a model of their kind and a thorough system of organization is enforced by Mr. Dietz, who is noted for sound judgment and marked executive capacity. From forty to fifty skilled hands are employed and the output is large, necessitating the consumption of 15,000 feet of lumber a day, the total cutting capacity being 20,000 feet. He is a prominent member of the Board of Trade, an active Mason and Forester, an Odd Fellow, Pioneer and a member of the Ancient Order of Druids.
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INDIANAPOLIS ILLUSTRATED, THE CAPITAL CITY OF INDIANA.
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HENRY RUSSE.
Among the most enterprising houses in this commu- nity is that of Mr. Henry Russe, dealer in grain, seeds, flour and feed, located at 23 and 25 North Tennessee street. This business was inaugurated in 1889 by the present proprietor, and from the start the house received a liberal patronage, which has ever since been on the
increase. The premises occupied comprise a three-story brick building, the main and second floors being utilized by this firm, 85x100 feet, fully equipped with every fa- cility. Mr. Russe handles large quantities of grain, all the best brands of family flour, and every description of animal provender, on his own account, and is pre- pared to fill orders of any magnitude. He makes a specialty of farm and garden seeds, and carries a most carefully selected stock from the most reliable producers in the country. Mr. Russe is a native of Germany, and has resided in this city since 1873. He is an active member of the Board of Trade, holds the position of School Commissioner, and is popular with all those with whom he has dealings. Telephone 340.
O. C. WILGUS.
A favorite source of food supply with the citizens of Indianapolis is the ably conducted establishment of Mr. O. C. Wilgus, dealer in fancy and staple groceries, pro-
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