USA > Indiana > Memorial and genealogical record of Representative Citizens of Indiana > Part 35
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After the death of the elder Allison, the active management of the business fell to his sons, W. S., J. A. and D. C., who have faithfully carried out the plans inaugurated by their father, the business having constantly increased from year to year until it has now assumed great magnitude, one of the city's most exten- sive and successful enterprises, all departments being under a superb system and their products, owing to their exceptional merit and superior quality, finding a wide and ready market over an ever-widening territory. Herbert Allison, who was but eleven years old when his father died, is now actively connected with the company.
On June 26, 1870, Noah S. Allison was united in marriage with Myra Blaek in Flowerfield, Michigan. She is the daughter of Asbury and Rebecca (Dayhuff) Black. Her father's father came from Ireland and her father's mother from England, each having emigrated to America in an early day and here became well established. Asbury Black became a very prominent and wealthy man, and he was extensively engaged in several lines of business in Flowerfield, Michigan, the milling and marble business being the
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more important lines to which he gave his attention. He spent the latter part of his life in IJastings, Michigan, where he was also a leader in commercial and industrial affairs and there he spent the rest of his life. His large business interests in Grand Rapids was conducted by his son, Frank D. Black, with whom the mother now resides, having reached the ripe age of eighty-seven years. She is a woman of fraciona novennality and is well preserved retaining her faculties well and she recalls many interesting rem- iniseences of the pioneer days in Michigan and Indiana. Mrs. Allison's paternal grandmother, Rhoda (Skinner) Black, lived to the remarkable age of ninety-five years. Asbury Black was a man of pleasing personality, a man whom to know was to respect and admire, for his industry, honesty, obliging nature and his public spirit. He was held in the highest esteem wherever he was known. Mrs. Allison, a lady of refinement and a favorite with a wide cir- cle of friends, lives with her son, Cornelius, at her beautiful and modernly appointed home at No. 2815 Sutherland avenue.
The following children were born to Noah S. Allison and wife: W. S., who married Josephine Boorkman, of Aurora, Illinois, is secretary of the Allison Coupon Company, and he resides at No. 2738 Sutherland avenue; J. A., who is secretary and treasurer of the Prest-O-Lite Company, and secretary and treasurer of the Indianapolis Speedway, married Sarah Cornelius, of Indianapo- lis, and they reside in an attractive suburban home on the Cold Springs road; D. C. Allison, also interested in the Allison Coupon Company, married Anna Hamilton, of Indianapolis, and they have three children, John, Myra and Esther; they live at No. 2823 Sutherland avenue; Herbert Allison, who also is interested in the business founded by their father, married Winnifred Wilson, of Indianapolis; they live at No. 3218 Northwestern avenue, and have two children, Catharine Jane and Winnifred May; Helen May Allison married W. H. Adkinson, who is in charge of the branch office of the Prest-O-Lite Company at Chicago, in which city they reside; they are the parents of three children, Harry, James and Lawrence; Cornelius Allison is the youngest member of the family. These children were all well educated and are well established in life. The immediate family gathered at the pleas- ant home of the mother on Christmas day, 1911, and Mrs. Allison had a picture taken of the group. This has always been a family who enjoyed being together, and Noah S. Allison was never hap- pier than when he was in the midst of the family circle, with his
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books, in his quiet home, pervaded by the wholesome home atmos- phere which he ever insisted on, and, as a result of this commend- able training, his children all reflect much credit upon their par- ents and are most favorably known in business and social circles.
Noah S. Allison was a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but he preferred to spend his evenings with ms fannly rather than at the lodges or clubs and consequently was not active in fraternal circles. Politically, he was a Republican, but never sought publie leadership. He was of a literary turn of mind, and was widely read, familiar with the world's best books and he was a writer of no mean ability, and if he had directed his life work along literary channels no doubt he would have taken a high rank as a man of letters. He was a man of deep religious sentiment and believed in carrying his Chris- tianity into his every-day life, consequently he ever enjoyed the confidence and good will of his associates and acquaintances wherever he was known. He was a worthy and active member of Roberts Park Methodist Episcopal church and a liberal contribn- tor to church and charitable work, but in this, as in everything, he was entirely unassuming and avoided display, giving merely out of his fullness of heart, prompted purely by an altruistic spirit for his fellow men. Mrs. Allison has also long been active in the work of the church and charitably inclined, and they have thus scattered much sunshine along their life paths.
The following obituary, presented to the Roberts Park Metho- dist Episcopal Sabbath school, January 4, 1891, by a committee of Levi Ritter, Mrs. L. A. Miller and James HI. Johnson, appointed to draw up an article on the death of Noah S. Allison, will show how he was reverenced in that body:
"Every life has its own mission. Every death gives its own instruction. Noah S. Allison departed this life on the 18th day of December, A. D. 1890, aged forty-two years. He was cut down by typhoid fever from the meridian of life, notwithstanding a vigorous constitution and otherwise the most perfect health. Two months before his death one of the most eminent physicians of the city pronounced him the best specimen of health and consti- tutional vigor he had ever examined. Who knoweth when the Master will call? At the morning's dawn, at noontide, or when the lengthening shadows proclaim the close of day.
"Every life is a struggle for food, raiment, home and com- fort for self, family and others. He had just become established
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in a good business. The conflict, doubt and failure seemed past. The future was bright with hope. At noon the strong arm fell; the brain that planned lay down, tired, to sleep and rest forever so far as this world's business is concerned. One soweth, another reapeth. 'Man cometh forth like a flower and is cut down; he fleeth also as a shadow and continueth not.'
"For more than thirty-one years he had been a member of the church and a constant attendant, at preaching, prayer and class service and the Sabbath school. For three years he had been a member of the Sabbath school board of this church. His life was one continuous lesson of cheerfulness. His smiling face and kind words spread joy wherever he went. His greatest delight was home, with wife and children, whom he so dearly loved. Ile often said that any place would be an earthly paradise if he could only be with them and see them happy. In this hour of great affliction we offer them our sincerest sympathy and condo- lence and truly 'Weep with those that weep! "
Also the following "In Memoriam" to the officers and mem- bers of Star Lodge No. 7, Knights of Pythias, of which Mr. Alli- son was a worthy member, will indicate his high standing in that body:
"Brothers: Your committee appointed to draft resolutions of condolence on the death of Brother Noah S. Allison, presents the following. The lodge feels with keen sorrow the loss of such a brother. He became a Knight on April 16, 1889, and worthily won the honors of knighthood. He was diligent in business, gen- ial in his friendship, true to his home, zealous in church work, and one of the rare men who had 'for' instead of 'against' en- graved in the palm of his right hand of fellowship. It was sad to see his manly form in life's prime go down so rapidly in death, so persistently did that treacherous disease overcome all opposition and baffle the appliances of medical skill, the watchful care of lov- ing wife and the kind offices of friends willing for any sacrifice. It is said that 'death loves a shining mark.' The target was surely polished for the unerring hurling of the fatal shaft. It is sad that one so loved among his fellow men, so genial, so happily sit- nated, should be taken from his family, his church and the lodge, but Providence moves in a mysterious way his wonders to per- for. We find that all our brother's efforts were well timed and in the path of honor; on all his garments is the frankincense of a true character distilled out of the ivory palace of an honest life.
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Hunters for gold delve into the hidden pockets of earth's deep mines where the precious metal receives its value and changeless color; seckers of precious jewels penetrate beneath the sands of the sea where the diamond is coronated with its crown of inextin- guishable light, but after the close of a good and useful life as we tread over the seeming desolate fields of sorrow, we find rarer gems whose innate brilliancy reveals them to gladden our tearful eyes with the rich treasure find in the surrounding gloom. It seems doubly sad in these festival days, devoted to merry making and good cheer, to be deprived of the dear ones we expected to be with when the Christmas bells chime and we find them gone from us or hidden by the pall of death. The loving eyes eclipsed in the repose of that silence that tells of two hands that are folded and are still. We enter homes desolated by death, shrouded in sor- row and hung with the trappings of woe, standing by the open casket, in the presence of broken ties and sad farewells, the floral tributes of friends shedding their benediction of light, beauty and fragrance over the object of our sorrow, and we feel a comfort when we know that Christ has been in the home before the fatal arrow has flown. What a consolation to the stricken ones to know that these elegies of sorrow will be supplanted by the glad wel- come of heaven. These several ties shall be knit again. That while in the gathering gloom we say good night here, the response shall be good morning in the unsulled splendor beyond, and that with clearer vision we shall know each other whether we walk along the margin of the shining river or assemble in the palace of the King, and our affections expressed in the finished language of flowers, after the long bivouac of the grave, will breathe again the perfume of their tribute and live. In the death of our lament- ed brother Star Lodge loses a valuable member, the city a worthy citizen and good business man, the church a zealous worker and his deeply bereaved family a loving husband and kind father. The large cortege on the occasion of his obsequies tell better than any encomium of tongue or pen the high esteem in which our brother was held and how in accord with what we learn of his life were the musical selections. Chant, 'The Good Die Not,' fol- lowed by that grand hymn dear to so many wounded hearts, 'Come Ye Disconsolate,' with its sweet refrain, 'Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal,' closing with the request 'Meet Me at the Fountain.' So capable by its rythm of such melody on mor-
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tal tongue, what must be the rapture of its cadence when meas- ured by the compass of angel voices. Each returned eventide, as we sit in life's west window, beholding the rich autunmal tints in the serenity of life's twilight, will bring us nearer that 'one sweet day' with the response, 'Yes, we will meet you at the foun- tain," where the Author of our sublime faith in which we bury our dead, with His pierced hand, will present for our acceptance and satisfaction the death-wrought, golden-mounted chalice of llis love in which the libation IIe has poured is drawn from that fountain of which if a man drink he shall never, never thirst. Respectfully and fraternally submitted, Robert Clark, W. L. Heishell, F. A. Blanchard, Committee on Condolence."
JOHN EMHARDT.
The biographies of enterprising men, especially of good men, are instructive as guides and incentives to others The examples they furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of cach to accomplish, when they have courage and right principles to control their course of ac- tion. Some men belong to no exclusive class in life; apparently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ulti- mate renown. The instances of success in the face of adverse fate would seem almost to justify the conclusion that self-reliance, with a half chance, can accomplish any reasonable object. The late John Emhardt, one of the best known of the German-Ameri- can citizens of Indianapolis during the past generation, whose residence covered a period of over a quarter of a century, during which he was successfully engaged in numerous enterprises, was a man who lived to good purpose and achieved a much greater degree of success than falls to the lot of the average individual. By a straightforward and commendable course he made his way from a somewhat humble environment to a respectable position in the business world, winning the hearty admiration of the peo- ple of his adopted city and earning a reputation as an enterpris- ing, progressive man of affairs and a broad-minded, charitable and upright citizen which the public was not slow to recognize and appreciate, and there is much in his life record which could be studied with profit by the young man starting out into what writers frequently allude to as the battle of life.
Mr. Emhardt was born in Moehringen, Af de Fielder, Wurt- temberg, Germany, August 21, 1848, and there he grew to man- hood and received his early education in the schools of his native locality, passing through the regular city schools, also received a part of his education in a private school. He was a good stu- dent; in fact, it might be said he remained a student all his life, thus being a well informed man and a clear and independent thinker. He married in his home country and there spent the first half of his life, emigrating to America with his wife and five children in the year 1881, first locating in Philadelphia, where
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he remained one year, then removed his family from the Quaker City to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where he remained three years, identifying himself with the Yingling Brewing Company. This was a new line of work for him, for while in Germany he engaged in the manufacturing business and was also for some time host of the leading hotel in his native city, but he, nevertheless, soon acquainted himself with the brewing interests of Pottsville and remained there three years, then moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, in July, 1884. From the time of his initial bow in Hoosierdom he was actively identified with the business world of the capital city, and it is needless to say that he was successful in everything he undertook. lie was a merchant, in addition to which he was identified with numerous other enterprises. His accumulations in a financial way up to about 1905 made it possible for him to retire from active business cares and from that time until his death, March 8, 1911, he devoted most of his time to his home and family, to which he was greatly attached, never happier than when he was by his own fireside, being a loving husband and indulgent father, always taking an abiding pride in his cozy dwelling which he kept modernly furnished and attractive in appearance. Ile was charitably inclined and was always ready to assist those in need and to further any worthy movements having as their ob- ject the general good of the community. He was a genial, oblig- ing, hospitable gentleman whom to know was to admire and ac- cord the heartiest esteem and he numbered his friends only by the limits of his acquaintance, and but for his liberality in ex- tending a helpful hand in a financial way when occasion presented itself, he would have been a wealthier man at the time of his demise.
Politically, Mr. Emhardt was a Democrat and was loyal in his support of the party, and during his younger days and ever throughout his life he was active in public affairs, making his in- fluence felt among the German element of the city for the good of the party and the general public. However, he was never ambi- tions to hold office, but gave his support and assistance to those whom he deemed best qualified for the various offices songht. Re- ligiously, he was a worthy member of the German Evangelical church and a liberal supporter of the same. His family also hold membership with this organization. He was very active in the various German clubs of the city in which he held membership, having assisted in the organization of many of them. Ile was
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also a member of the German Alliance of Indiana. His attractive home at No. 1612 South East street, Indianapolis, was the fre- quent gathering place for the many friends of himself and family.
John Emhardt was the youngest of a family of five children, born to Frederick and (Schumacher) Emhardt. The par- ents spent their lives in Germany, where they died, never having made a trip to America. Only one of their children is living at this writing, Gottlob Emhardt, who is one of the prominent busi- ness men of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Emhardt was married in Feignen, Germany, to Caroline W. Brommer, daughter of Jacob and Magdaline (Metzger) Brom- mer, a highly respected family. Mrs. Emhardt received a good common school education in her native land and grew to woman- hood there. She still lives at the old home on South East street and has a host of warm friends.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Emhardt, named as follows: Paul, the eldest of the family, married Ida Dowell and resides in Indianapolis; Charles D., the second child, married Lillie DeLury, of Indianapolis; Pauline, who married J. C. McKay, of Indianapolis, has two children, Cornelia and Dorothy; Adolph G., who married Alma Bernd, of Indianapolis, is one of the promising young attorneys of the city, and was a candidate for police judge on the Democratie ticket during the last city election, and in 1912 he was a candidate for proseenting attorney of Marion county; he has three children: Ruth, Adolph G., Jr., and Clifford. Julius E. Emhardt, who married Ann Toll, a native of Germany, while on a visit to this city, where they met, has one son, John T .; Christian J., who is also one of the able at- torneys of Indianapolis, with offices at Nos. 318-320 Unity build- ing, lives at home and, like his honored father before him, is active in politics; at this writing he officiates as justice of the peace of Center township. Marie C. Emhardt, who married Frederick W. Dierdorf, has one child, Millburn; Mr. Dierdorf is president of the Jolin Dierdorf Piano Company, his business offices being lo- cated at No. 235 East Ohio street. John W. Emhardt, the young- est of the children, is a practicing physician with offices at No. 1617 South East street, Indianapolis; he was graduated from the medical department of the University of Indiana, at Blooming- ton, taking high honors, also in passing the state examination; he has been very successful from the start and has a future of great promise.
JACOB TRAUGOTT.
In nearly every community have lived individuals who by innato ability and sheer forer of character have risen above their fellows and won for themselves conspicuous places in public es- teem. Such a man was the late Jacob Trangott, of Indianapolis, who for many years was intimately identified with the industrial history of his adopted city, his career as a progressive man of affairs having been synonymous with all that was upright and honorable in citizenship. He contributed freely to the mainte- nance of his church and other institutions which he deemed would make for the general good, using his influence in every way possi- ble to advance the prosperity of those with whom he was asso- ciated. He was a public-spirited citizen and a whole-souled gen- tleman, whom to know was to admire and respect, and he not only delighted in public improvements, but liked to see also the pro- motion of such interests as were conducive to the comfort and happiness of his fellow citizens. There was probably not another man in the German element of this locality who was held in higher esteem by the population, regardless of all sects, politics or profession. His life most happily illustrated what one may ac- complish by faithful and persistent effort in carrying out noble purposes, even in the face of discouraging circumstances. It is a story of a life that has made the world better for his having lived, for his actions sprung from a heart filled with love and good feeling for humanity, and was a blessing to all who were within range of his influence. Personally, Mr. Traugott was a clean, pure man, according to those who knew him well, his pri- vate character having always been unassailable. His life may be safely imitated by the young, and the great amount of good which he did, while laboring for his own advancement and that of his family, will never be fully known until the last great day when the book of life shall be opened on high and every man receive due credit for his works, his actions and his influence.
Mr. Traugott, as the name implies and as his thrifty habits would indicate, was of Germanie blood, and he was born in Aus- tria in 1858, the seion of an excellent old family. He grew to manhood in his native land and there received his educational
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training. Having long heard of the advantages awaiting the youth of ambition and willing hands in the great republic of the West, he set sail for America when he was twenty-eight years old and here spent the rest of his life. Although he came here with no large capital, he was well fortified for life's serious activ- ities, being a man of rare intellectual attainments, commanding four languages, which he spoke ilently. German. English. Polish and Hebrew. He was by nature a business man of unusual abil- ity, and, after getting a start, his rise was rapid and continuous, successfully following in the footsteps of his father, who was one of the leaders of the business world in his locality in the father- land.
Jacob Traugott's voyage to our shores was a long and tedious one, in a sailing vessel which required several weeks. Landing in New Orleans, Louisiana, he remained in the Southern metrop- olis one year, then came north and took up his residence in Chi- cago, where he spent three years, then came to Indianapolis, where he spent the rest of his life, being sunnnoned to his rest, after a useful, successful and honorable career, on February 10, 1910.
Mr. Traugott was one of the best known merchants in In- dianapolis for many years, having engaged in the clothing and shoe business at No. 407 West Washington street, building up a large and lucrative business through close application, careful management and honest dealings, always carrying a large, up-to- date and carefully selected stock of goods, and the fact that many of his customers were of many years' standing, having made his store their purchasing place for the lines he handled from the early days of his career until the last, is proof of his honorable dealing and of his ability to make and retain friends. His sons are still conducting the business which he inaugurated at the old stand, Leon and Lonis Traugott, under the firm name of Traugott Brothers.
The subject was the son of Jacob and Freda Traugott, both natives of Germany, where they spent their lives, being now de- ceased; they never came to America. The father was in the coal mining business, and was one of the very wealthy men of his country. Louis Traugott, the paternal grandfather of the sub- ject of this memoir, was a noted man in his country, having been the first rabbi in his part of Germany. The only one of this fam-
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ily now living in Indianapolis is Mrs. Dora Binzer, whose resi- dence is on Ashland avenue.
Jacob Traugott, of this sketch, was married to Lea Bross, on February 22d, fifty years ago, in Germany, and they emigrated to the United States shortly afterwards. She is the daughter of Moses and Ella (Altbauer) Bross, both now deceased, having passed away in Germany, where they were very highly respected, Mr. Bross having been a prosperous merchant in the city in which Mrs. Traugott was born. She was the youngest of a fam- ily of ten children. She is living at the pleasant and attractive family home in Indianapolis. She is a lady of many praiseworthy endowments of head and heart and has many friends.
The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Traugott: Louis and Leon, who, as stated above, are at the head of the extensive business started by their father, live at home, and they have remained single; Edward lives in Chicago, and is associated with the Fair department store; Fannie, who recently married David Lurvey, well known young business man of this city, lives on Central avenue, Indianapolis; Amelia lives at home, No. 1858 Talbott avenue.
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