USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Pictorial and biographical memoirs of Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana, together with biographies of many prominent men of other portions of the state, both living and dead > Part 16
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the Methodist Episcopal Church for fifty years and an official member for forty years. In the year 1851 Mr. Hosbrook was married to Miss Mary A. Hightshoe. His said wife having died he was married a second time in 1865 to Miss Louisa Hightshoe, a half sister of his first wife. He has two children living, namely: Frank Hosbrook and Clara Denny, wife of . Elmer Denny. The subject of our sketch had four brothers and five sisters, four of whom are still living, to-wit: Hervey Hosbrook, of Indianapolis, Ind .; John L. Hosbrook, Mablon Hosbrook, both of Hamilton County, Ohio, and Elizabeth Trost, wife of John Trost, of Marion County, Ind. Mr. Hosbrook is well known and highly respected by all on account of his sterling honesty, unswerving integrity and honorable and upright dealing through a long and useful life.
CHARLES RIEMAN. The occupation of the florist hias of late years been followed as a profession, and the growing desire to ornament lawns and gardens, and to grow flowers for ornamental decoration, makes the calling a highly important one. Not even in winter does the goddess Flora restrict her gifts, for in the conservatories and green-houses a constant supply of the most beautiful exotics is everywhere available. Indianapolis has acquired quite a reputation as a center of floriculture, and one of the most prominent names known in this connection is that of Rieman. Charles Rieman, one of the pioneer and long one of the most prominent florists of this city, was born in Germany, January 12, 1832, and first came to America before he was twenty years old, later becoming a legally naturalized citi- zen. He was educated in his native land, and before leaving there became familiar with floriculture. At the age of nineteen he became a steward on an ocean vessel, and in that capacity crossed the ocean seven times, gaining a valuable experience and finally remaining in the country which he conceived to offer better advantages to young and enterprising men than those afforded in Germany. Locating in Hamilton, Ohio, he naturally engaged in floriculture, and becoming well known as a florist, built up quite an extensive trade. In 1872 he came to Indianapolis, and before opening business on his own account, was for a time in the employ of the old-time florist, A. Wiegand. In partnership with Lewis Stone he began business in the Exposition building. They were driven out by fire, and Mr. Rie- man located on Tennessee Street, where he erected five very large green-houses. Thence lie removed in 1887 to Mississippi and Twenty-second Streets, and his establishment fronting 200 feet on Mississippi Street and extending back 180 feet on Twenty-second Streets, has become one of the landmarks of that part of the city. When the fact that Mr. Rieman started out in life a penniless boy, is considered in connection with the success he won, it must be admitted that he demonstrated unusual business capacity. Work was his watch- word, and he knew no leisure during all the years necessary to assure the permanency of his enterprise. He was in all things an admirable business man and a public spirited citizen, always doing his part nobly in any work having for its object the benefit of his fellow men. In politics he was a Republican, though he was not in the active sense a politician. He was a liberal and helpful member of Zion's Church, was a patron of the German Orphan Asylum, and was identified with the Knights of Honor, both as a member and an officer. Mr. Rie- man married Mary Agnes Deering, who died in 1863, leaving him two sons, John and Henry. In 1864 he married Barbara A. Wagner, who was born in Germany in 1847, a daughter of Andrew Wagner, a carriage-maker, who came to the United States in 1852, bringing his family and locating in Baltimore, where he died, and in 1857 the family removed to Hamilton, Ohio, where Miss Wagner met and married Mr. Rieman. Mrs. Wag- ner is 'still living at the advanced age of eighty-six years, a member of Mrs. Rieman's household. Mr. Rieman died January 24, 1890. By his second marriage he had two sons, Edward E. and Otto J. Rieman, and a danghter, Lydia, now the wife of George J. Gerzen- denner, of Indianapolis. Mrs. Rieman is a devout communicant of Zion's Church. The business established and conducted so long and so successfully by Mr. Rieman is now man- aged with equal success by his family. A distinct specialty is made of cut flowers and much attention is given to the bedding trade. This is one of the important industries of the kind in Indianapolis, and through the long years of its existence it has become firmly established and most popular.
HENRY WILLIAM RIEMAN. The culture of flowers is one that adds much to the happiness and pleasure of the great majority of people, and this being a fact, an allwise Providence
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placed it within the power of nearly every one to cultivate this taste for the beautiful, for if they lack suitable conveniences in their own homes for their culture, the numerous floral establishments in all large cities will readily supply their wants. Henry W. Rieman is at the head of a well stocked establisement at 609 S. East Street, Indianapolis. He deals in all kinds of plants, flowers and designs, and his trade not only embraces all parts of the city, but also the surrounding country. Designs of all kinds suitable for weddings, funerals, parties, etc., are arranged on short notice and in the most satisfactory manner. Mr. Rieman is a native of the Province of Hanover, Germany, where he was born in 1857, a son of Henry Rieman, who was a florist for a nobleman in the Province of Hanover, and under his father's able instruction young Henry obtained his first knowledge of the business. The father came to the United States on a'visit though he did not remain here but a short time, and upon his return to the Fatherland once more entered the service of his former employer. Henry W. Rieman was educated in his native land, and at the age of twenty years came to the United States, and for some time made his home in Cincinnati, after which he spent two years in Connersville, and then became a resident of Indianapolis, which place has since been his home. He entered the employ of J. S. Hillbrandt, who is the owner of a small conserv- atory, for three years, and then became associated in the business with Charles Rieman, an uncle. This connection was severed soon after, and Mr. Rieman then entered the employ of Mr. A. Wiegand, with whom he remained four years. He then embarked in business for himself, and in the short interval of his business career, six years, he has built four green- houses. It was his intention, if he has not already done so, to build two more during the summer of 1893. His houses are stocked with most rare and beautiful flowers, and in the various flower shows that have been held he has carried off many premiums. At the flower show in Cincinnati in 1892 he took the silver medal and $50 premium for the second best seedling chrysanthemum when over 500 entries from different sections of the country had been made. He has also taken many premiums in Indianapolis. He belongs to the society of Indiana florists, being president of the local club, and he is also a member of the National Society of American Florists. In 1883 he was married to Miss Mary Richter, of Indianapolis, by whom he has two sons and two daughters. He and his wife are members of the Zion Church.
ARTHUR V. BROWN. Popular, efficient and faithful, such would be the verdict passed upon the character and the official standing of our subject by any good citizen of Indianapolis, of whom the question might be asked. Arthur V. Brown, the county attorney of Marion County, was born at New Bethel, Marion County, Ind., March 17, 1863, being the son of Dr. Samuel M. and Mahala (Brady) Brown, natives of South Carolina and of Marion County, Ind., respectively. The father came to Marion County about the year 1848, locating at New Bethel, is a graduate of the Cincinnati Medical College and practices at New Bethel. The maternal grandfather, Henry Brady, came to Marion County in 1819, settling about five miles east of what is now Indianapolis. He was a well known, intelligent and very popular gentleman. By profession lie was a surveyor and civil engineer and was elected several times to the house and the Senate of the Legislature of Indiana; was a member of the house when the new constitution was adopted. This accomplished gentleman was a soldier of the War of 1812. He died in the city of Indianapolis in the year 1885. One daughter of his is living, Mrs. Margaret Lingenfelter, of this city. Our subject is the fourth child of a family of nine and was brought up in New Bethel, where he attended the public schools and gradu- ated from the Butler University in 1885. At once he began the study of law with Harrison, Miller & Elam and was admitted to the bar in 1886. Beginning the practice alone he has built up a large business and a lucrative one. In September, 1891, he was appointed county attorney and was principal deputy prosecuting attorney under John W. Holtzman for two
years. In 1886 he was appointed by the county commissioners as attorney for poor prisoners, a position he held for two years. For a period of two years he was secretary of the Hendricks Club and during the past two years has been its treasurer. Mr. Brown is a very bright Mason, a thirty-second degree member and a member of the Mystic Shrine; also a member of the Sigma Chi society. Mr. Brown is a very bright and most promising young man, whose future is gilded with the sure promise of good things. He is a very ardent Democrat and most loyally stands by and works for the nominees of his party.
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HON. MICHAEL A. DOWNING is a native of Scott County, Ind., and was born in 1835, a son of John Downing and grandson of Michael Downing, a man of warlike spirit who fought under Mad Anthony Wayne in the War for independence, helped conquer the Indians in the Northwest Territory and later took part in the Pigeon Roost battle in this State and in due order served his country in the War of 1812. The Downing family came to the western country from Virginia, by flatboat via the Kanawha and the Ohio Rivers, settling at the falls of the Ohio on the Indiana side. Mr. Downing's father located near New Frankfort, and when the immediate subject of this sketch was four years old removed to Burgess Ferry, Jackson County. There the boy was given every possible educational advantage. After leaving the common school, he entered that excellent old institution, Blue River Seminary in Washington County. Later he was a student at Greencastle and finished his education at Franklin College. During the few years preceding his college days and for a time after- ward Mr. Downing assisted his father in farming and store-keeping operations at Tampico, Jackson County. In 1856 he became the commercial representative of the A. Downing & Co., smelting works in Greene County. The following year found him a wholesale and retail grocer at Louisville, where he lived for twenty years and became known as an able and successful business man and a safe and reliable leader in public affairs. He was chosen to rep- resent his ward in the Louisville Board of Aldermen in 1860, and from that time until 1877, when he removed to Indianapolis, he was constantly in office as alderman, member of the Legislature or in some other prominent position. During his service in the Kentucky Leg- islature Dr. Norvin Green, president of the Western Union Telegraph Company, was one of his colleagues and during his first session his room mate, and during his second session Mr. Downing occupied a room in connection with Dr. E. D. Standiford, president of the Louis- ville and Nasliville Railroad. In 1876, after fourteen years successful management of the Louisville stockyards, Mr. Downing was induced to interest himself in the Belt Railway and stock yards projected in Indianapolis, an enterprise which a number of influential men had tried without avail to bring to a successful issue, and which, under his guidance, was soon made an assured success, though only after many difficulties had been overcome. Mr. Down- ing had its general management during the entire period of construction and retained it until in 1882, the line was leased to the Union Railway Company, and is now one of the prom- inent directors and stockholders in this institution so important to the leading interests of the city. In 1884, in connection with other Indianapolis capitalists, Mr. Downing bought the St. Louis and Florisant Narrow Gauge Railway, now after several changes of name, known as the St. Louis Cable and Western Railway, of which he was president through all of its vicissitudes, and in that capacity he secured the franchise for the first cable system constructed in St. Louis, though strenuously opposed in some influential quarters. By this achievement he secured to St. Louis a splendid system of rapid transit which has had much to do with the wonderful growth and development of that city since that time. The prop- erty with all its franchises was sold to a Boston syndicate most profitably by Mr. Downing and his associates. Next, in connection with Ex-Governor Evans of Colorado, W. N. Byers, formerly proprietor of the Rocky Mountain News and others, he built the first system of cable roads in successful operation in Denver, in which he had a large amount of stock and of which he was the general manager during its construction and until 1889 when he resigned and returned to his old home at Indianapolis. Upon his retirement the directors of the com- pany recorded in the archives of the corporation a set of resolutions thanking him sincerely for his efficient work as the builder and first general manager of these lines. Early in the administration of Governor Gray, Mr. Downing was appointed by that official one of the police commissioners of Indianapolis, but his private business was so pressing in ils demands upon him that he resigned after two years' service. He was also president of the State Board of Education appointed under the present law. He is a past master Mason and is a member of the Commercial Club and other popular and prominent organizations. He was married in 1854 to Susan L. Duncan, daughter of Johnson Duncan, of Hardin County, Ky., and has two sons and two daughters all of whom are well-known and honored residents of Indianapolis.
JOHN H. CARSON, M. D. The profession of the physician is perhaps one of the most trying on brain and body of any in the field of science, for it absorbs the attention of him who
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practices it conscientiously, both day and night and brings into play all the latent powers of his being. At an early age Dr. Carson manifested a decided taste and talent for the medical pro- fession-his kindly nature instinctively turning to that broad field of human suffering for his life work-a profession whose noiseless, yet ofttimes marvelous triumphs, are unknown to the multitude. He was born in Ontario, Canada, February 9, 1862, and is a son of James and Phobe (Wright) Carson, the former a native of the green isle of Erin and the latter of Canada but of Irish descent. Dr. Carson's early educational advantages were received in the common school and when but twelve years of age he started out to make his own way in life. For four years he clerked in a store after which he began teaching school and followed this profession for a number of years. In 1886 he entered the Northwestern University of Illinois, attended two years, and then entered De Pauw University at Greencastle where he continued one year. While securing an education he was obliged to work during vacation to get the necessary means for his schooling, and thus made the most of his time. He began the study of medicine with Ragan & Allen of Plainfield, and subsequently entered The Medical College of Indiana from which he graduated in 1892. Following this he began the general prac- tice of his profession in West Indianapolis and has been unusually successful, having acquired a large practice for a young physician. He has been registrar of the Medical College of Indiana for two years and is a member of Indiana State and Marion County Medical Societies. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and I. O. R. M., and also the A. O. U. W. In the month of June, 1885, he was married to Miss Gertrude Dietz, a native of Canada, and two children have blessed this union-Ingriffe D., and Gertrude Irene. Dr. and Mrs. Carson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is steward, and both are highly esteemed for their many estimable qualities.
JOHN J. CARRIGER. . The constant change in the ownership of property in the growing city of Indianapolis, and on account of the loans being always made and released on it neces- sitates those who make the deals and standing between buyer and seller, loaner and lessee, the real estate agent, to be possessed of the best judgment and knowledge. Among the repre- sentative men who have embarked in this line of business perhaps the most capable are John J. Carriger & Co. John J. Carriger has had a wide and successful experience in real estate and is active in every measure advanced for the general good of the city. He is also deeply interested in the insurance business and has been unusually successful in this. Mr. Carriger is a native of the Hoosier State, born in Boone County, near Jamestown, May 5, 1843, aud bis parents, George M. and Sarah D. (George) Carriger, were natives of Tennessee, the former born in Carter and the latter in Sullivan County. The parents celebrated their nuptials in their native State and in 1838 moved to Boone County, Ind., where they entered land. The father was the eldest of nine children, all now dead, and he passed to the silent majority March 10, 1891, when eighty-six years and nineteen days old. His wife still survives, and although over eighty years of age is in comparatively good health. He was one of the pioneers of Boone County and passed most of his life on the farm he had carved out of the
wilderness. He was a prosperous tiller of the soil and became the owner of 700 acres of land that was divided among his children. During the early days of Boone County Mr. Carriger farmed during the summer, but in the winter months taught school. The youth. ful days of our subject were passed on his father's farm and in attending the log cabin school where his father wielded the birch. On October 7, 1861, in company with his brother, Godfrey M., he enlisted in Company F, Fortieth Indiana Regiment as corporal, and while in camp at Lafayette was taken with measles. He returned home and as soon as well joined his regiment at Bardstown, Ky., and served continuously for three years and two months. He was in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Ky., Stanford, Ky., Silver Springs, Stone River and numerous other engagements. His regiment was foremost at the battle of Chattanooga and out of 125 days, ninety-seven days were passed under fire, in- cluding, besides the engagements already mentioned, Devil's Back Bone, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, etc., and serving through the Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee campaigns. He was present at the battle of Franklin but did not take part, being released. He was never wounded but had several narrow escapes. His brother, Godfrey M., was taken sick at Corinth but was sent from there to Evansville, Ind., and there died. Arriving home on December 9, 1864,
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John J. was engaged in farming with his father for one year and on Saturdays traded horses. During that year he relates he made $200 farming and $216 trading horses. On December 3, 1865, he went to Cincinnati, bought a stock of general merchandise and shipped the same to Jamestown where he engaged in business. He also carried on general trading in stock, grain and lumber, and until January 1, 1878, he shipped annually 600 or 700 cars. About that time he came to Indianapolis and continued in the same line of busi- nass until 1883 when he engaged in the real estate business which he has continued successfully since. Mr. Carriger was one of the charter members of the Board of Trade, and at present he is one of the members of the real estate committee. The annual business of Mr. Carriger amounts to a quarter of a million per year, in trades, real estate and exchange. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and has held all the offices of the subordinate lodge Prospect, No. 45. He is also a member of the Union Veteran League. Mr. Carriger selected his companion in life in the person of Miss Sarah F. Neff, a native of Hendricks County and daughter of Jacob and Augusta (Skinner) Neff, and their nuptials were celebrated Novem- ber 30, 1865. Six children have blessed this union: Theodore M .; Myrtle and Gertrude, twins, the former deceased; Harry, deceased; Grace and Charles E. In his political views Mr. Carriger is a stanch supporter of Republican principles.
J. E. BELL. Youth is not a bar to promotion, for the American people have learned that ability is not measured by the length of time a man has spent upon earth. Some men might live a thousand years and never know anything and others are bright and able to take their places among men long before they have arrived at mature manhood. The subject of our sketch belongs to the latter class, for he was bright at school, brilliant as a student of law and now that he is a member of the bar has a good practice, which rapidly increases from year to year. J. E. Bell, the deputy city attorney of Indianapolis, was born in Union County, Ind., November 28, 1865, being the son of John M. and Mary J. (Luse) Bell, natives, respectively, of Juniata County, Penn., and of Butler County, Ohio. The father came to Indiana when about fifteen years old and settled at Billingsville, Union County, where he learned the trade of a carpenter; but soon relinquished that and took up with farming, which he still follows. Still a resident of Union County, he is a very prominent man of that section, having represented the counties of Union, Franklin and Ripley in the State Legislature. The great-grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and was with Washington one winter at Valley Forge. Our subject is one of six children and was reared in Union County, attending the common schools of that county and the high school of Liberty ; after which he attended the normal school, at Lebanon, Ohio, and finally, graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1888. Brought up on the farm, he attended school during the winter and worked during the summer; at the age of seventeen, instead of being a pupil in the winter he taught school, and to the satisfaction of pupils and patrons. This he repeated for the next three winters. After graduating in 1888 he went home and harvested his wheat crop and in the following fall he came to Indian- apolis, where he was a perfect stranger, not knowing a single soul in the whole city. Judge Swift, then judge of the circuit court of Union County, accompanied him and intro- duced him to John R. Wilson, the present county clerk into whose office he went for a few months, in order to get acquainted. Subsequently Mr. Bell opened an office and began the practice alone, and continued alone at No. 83 North Pennsylvania Street (except during the session of the General Assembly of 1889 when he was reading clerk of the House of Repre- sentatives) until January, 1893, when he moved to the office of Ayres & Jones, being appointed by Mr. Jones as deputy city attorney. He was formerly under Leon O. Bailey, in the same position, but resigned it. Mr. Bell is very popular, having the happy faculty of making and holding friends. He is a member of the Masonic order and of the Odd Fellows, in both of which organizations he is greatly esteemed. Our subject was married in 1888 to Miss Anna L. Miller, who, as is her husband, is a member of the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, he being a member of the Board of Deacons. Mr. Bell worked his own way through school and is in every sense of the word a self-made man. Every dollar he made while pur- suing his studies went to the defraying of his expenses and his sturdy self reliance and calm purpose, united with his signal ability, stamp him a man who cannot fail to make his way through life along paths that are high. 7
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RANDALL J. ABRAMS. The subject of our sketch has won his way alone and unaided to the position of honor and trust he recently held as city clerk of Indianapolis. He was born in Baltimore, Md., September 22, 1857, and is the son of John and Ann (Condon) Abrams, natives of Yorkshire, England, and of Dublin, Ireland, respectively. The parents came to this country before their marriage, their union taking place in Baltimore. The father of our subject was a farmer and gardener while residing at Baltimore. The father came to Indianapolis in 1890 and now resides here. The maternal grandfather, Edward Condon, came to America, and settled at Baltimore at an early day, where he died at the age of ninety-three. The grandmother Condon (Elizabeth) died at the age of eighty-one. The subject of our sketch is one of eleven children, five of whom are living, namely: Aun, Ran- dall J., Belle, Charles and Wallace. Randall J. was reared at Baltimore, where he was educated in the public schools. Learning the sawmaker's trade, he served his full time and followed it until 1888, when he was appointed custodian of the State capitol, holding that position until his election as city clerk, in October, 1891, which office he acceptably filled. Mr. Abrams came to this city an entire stranger, but now his friends are legion, for every one likes him. He is a popular member of the Knights of Pythias and a stanch and active supporter of the Democratic party in every contest. Our subject was married in February, 1889, to Miss Ella M. Leeds, of this city, who, with her husband, is a member of the Baptist Church.
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