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 40
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CHARLES L. WOLLENWEBER. The city of Indianapolis is peculiarly fortunate in ber builders and contractors who are among her most prosperous, energetic and enterprising citizens. A gentleman successfully engaged in this line of work since 1871 is Charles L. Wollenweber, who is a product of the city of Cincinnati, where he was born May 7, 1848, a son of William Wollenweber, who was born in Germany and there learned and followed the calling of a carpenter and cabinet maker. He came to the United States with his father when a young man of eighteen years, but after remaining here a very short time they returned to their native land. William, however, did not remain there long but returned to this country and up to 1849 resided in Cincinnati, at which time he moved to Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, where he was called from life April 19, 1893; at the age of sixty-eight years two months and twenty-five days. He was a successful man of affairs, and at the time of his death was in good circumstances financially. He was a Republican politically, and during the great Civil War of this country served the Government whose flag protected him, in the One Hun- dred and Sixty-seventh Ohio Volunteers, and was a faithful and fearless soldier. Charles L. Wollenweber was educated in the public schools of Hamilton, and may be said to have grown up in his father's shop, of whom he learned his trade. August 19, 1863, he joined Company D, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery and remained in the service until September 1, 1865, when he received his discharge at Camp Chase, Ohio, having been mustered out at Nashville, Tenn. At the close of the war he began working at his trade with his father, con- tinuing until 1867, when he began doing for himself. He came to Indianapolis in 1871, and three years later formed a partnership with Joseph Hoy, and the firm of Hoy & Wollen- weber was in existence for about nine years, during which time they filled some large con- tracts and made a name for themselves as reliable and trustworthy contractors and builders. After continuing business by himself for a time, he formed a partnership with George W. McClure, with whom he remained associated for three years. Since that time he has con- clucted his business alone and has erected some very fine buildings which are greatly to his credit. He erected the school-house on Twelth and Illinois Streets and the residence of Thomas H. Spann, one for Evan Lilly, the Marlow block and numerous other business blocks, residences, etc. The political questions of the day have always had great interest for him and the Democratic party has always received his support, but he has never been an aspirant for office. He is a member of the German-American Democratic Club, the Con- tractors' Association, and the secret organization, the K. of P., and has held official posi-
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tion in Capital City Lodge, No. 97. He has been married since 1881 to Miss Minnie Gramse, a native of Germany.
JAMES M. WATTS. Physicians of eminence testify that the existence of a well conducted drug shop is as necessary in the medical world as the advice and prescriptions of doctors. In fact it would be difficult to name a branch of business more important to the welfare of the community than that devoted to the sale and importation of drugs and chemicals, or one demanding more ability and scientific knowledge on the part of those engaged. A promi- nent druggist of Broad Ripple, Ind., is James M. Watts, who has been engaged in that business in this thriving town for the past six years, and has won an enviable reputation as a reliable and trustworthy business man. He was born September 9, 1847, in Marion County, Ind., and is a son of Aaron and Frances (Bunnell) Watts, natives of Ohio, the former born March 26, 1809, and the latter September 10, 1815. Both parents were early settlers of the Hoosier State, coming here about 1823, and in Marion County they celebrated their nuptials in 1832. The father is now deceased, his death occurring April 20, 1885, but the mother, who is well advanced in years, still lives and finds a comfortable home with her children. To this estimable couple were born ten children, as follows: Elias, born May 30. 1833, married Mary Irwin and resides in Indianapolis; Elizabeth, born in 1835, married Oakley Pursel (now deceased) and resides in Hamilton Connty, Ind .; Eliza A., born in 1836, married William M. Lanham and is living in Carmel, Ind .; Ezra, born December 7, 1838, married Amelia Heaton and makes his home in Madison County, Ind .; John E., born December 6, 1840, married Mary A. Heaton and lives in Indianapolis; Martha, born in 1843 and died in infancy; James M., our subject; Frances married John H. Thompson and died in July, 1887, when thirty-eight years of age; Aaron J., born July 15, 1852, died when nine years of age, and Cyrus, born August 20, 1854, married Nancy Morris and is now living on the home farm in this county. The old home farm was purchased by the father, Aaron Watts, in 1846, and is still held by the Watts family. The early life of our subject was passed in his native county and his scholastic training was received in the common schools. On September 7, 1867, he was married to Miss Lucinda Heaton, danghter of Ross and Hannah Heaton now living in Marion County, who died April 9, 1871, leaving three children, two of whom are still living: Edgar E., aged twenty-five years, resides in Chicago, is postal clerk on the Monon ronte, and is married to Miss Catherine L. Wheatsell, daughter of Jacob Wheatsell, of Marion County, and Aaron W., who is now twenty-two years of age, is single and resides in the State of Washington, engaged in teaching school, dealing in real estate and studying law. The other child, a twin to Aaron, died in infancy. James M. Watts was married again, September 17, 1873, to Miss Isabelle Ferguson, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Ferguson, who were natives of Kentucky. To this union five children were born, two sons and a daughter living: Thomas A., born in November, 1874, and died October, 1880; Frank E., born July 5, 1876, is at home attending high school; the third died at birth; Lula, born December 27, 1880, is at home attending school, and James A., born November 28, 1884, is also at home attending school. Since 1887 James M. Watts has been engaged in the drug business in Broad Ripple, and during that time he has met with the best of success. In 1888 he was elected trustee of Washington Township and served two years. He has the entire confidence and esteem of the community and is a popular member of society. During the Rebellion he enlisted in the Fourth Indiana Battery, October, 1864, and served until the close of the war, participating in the fight at. Nashville. Two of his brothers, Ezra and John E., were in Company F, Tenth Indiana Infantry, enlisting in 1861, and the former served three years. The latter was shot through the right lung in the battle of Chickamauga and was discharged for disability. This wound still troubles him and has to be dressed every day. Mr. Watts is a public-spirited citizen and gives his hearty support to all laudable enterprises.
REV. LUKE G. BUTTERFIELD, for many years a popular minister in the Chistian Church, is a native of the Empire State, born August 30, 1817, and the son of Rev. John and Johanna (Atwood) Butterfield, who were married in the Green Mountain regions of Vermont about 1803. The parents made their home in that State until 1812 and then moved to the State of New York where our subject was born. John Butterfield was one of the soldiers of the War of 1812 and from him his sons inherited the patriotism and self-reliance which have
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ever characterized them. Eleven children were born to this worthy couple, eight sons and three daughters, nine of whom, seven sons and two daughters, reached mature years. These children were: Valorus, born in 1805, is now living in Brooklyn, Ind., married Clarissa Badgely and by her had fourteen children; Merameo, born 1807, married Louisa Badgely and by her bad fourteen children, and is now deceased; John H., born 1809, married Frances Badgely, became the father of ten children and is now deceased; Silvia, born in 1811, died in infancy; William Sanders, born in 1812, grew to mature years but was never married, was a miller by trade and died from the effects of a fall in 1838; George Skinner, born in 1814, died in infancy; Freelove, born in 1815, now resides in Johnson County, Ind., and is the wife of James A. McAllister, by whom she has had a large family; Luke G., our sub- ject, and Seymour Atwood, born 1819, was a well known physician of Indianapolis for many years, died about 1891, was a man of more than ordinary ability and was recognized as one of the most successful physicians of his county, and his son, also a physician, resides in Indianapolis; John Butterfield, the father of these children, left New York and came to Indiana in 1819 and in this State two more children were born, Oliver H. P. and Jobanna. The former was born about 1832 and was drowned while returning from a visit to his intended wife, and Johanna, born in 1834, reached mature years and married Thomas Breedlove and made her home in Indianapolis until her death. The father of the above mentioned children was a popular and prominent minister in the Christian Church and was a man who had many warm friends. His son, our subject, came to the Hoosier State with bis parents in 1819, and here received his scholastic training. On June 13, 1839, he was married to Miss Pennelope A. Conduitt, daughter of Willis Conduitt, his parents having been married in Kentucky and moved from there to Indiana at an early date. No children were born to Mr. Butterfield's marriage and his wife died at Mooresville, Ind., in 1855. On May 10, 1855, Mr. Butterfield was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Speers, whose parents were Ohio people. To this union were born two children, Amos Atwood and Mary L. The for- mer was born February 24, 1856, and is now living in this county, married Julia Johnson by whom he had four children, only one of whom, Lelia, is now living. Amos selected bis second wife in the person of Miss Mattie McLanghlin; they were married in February, 1888, and three children have blessed this union: Lourain, Albert G. and Paul. Mr. Butterfield's second child, Mary L., born in Ohio in 1857, is now living in Indianapolis, was married to Rufus Barr by whom she had one child, Walter Barr, now a young man, and is now a widow. Our subject's second wife died in Marion County, Ind., and on May 10, 1871, he was married to Miss Phoebe J. Haffield, daughter of Jolin and Phoebe (Godfrey) Haffield who were originally from the Buckeye State. By his third marriage Mr. Butterfield became the father of one child, Birdie, whose birth occurred May 16, 1872, and is now the wife of Dr. J. W. Bates, of Broad Ripple, Ind., to whom she was married April 22, 1890. Dr. Bates is the son of Ozro and Mary (Hartman) Bates, and the youngest of several children, as follows: Nathan S., Smith L., David, William M. and Susanna Katherine. Of these chil. dren, Smith L. is a very prominent physician and is now practicing in Missouri. Dr. J. W. Bates has almost the entire practice of the north part of Marion County and is a very suc- cessful practitioner. Dr. Bates and wife have two children, Modessa Lenore, born March 28, 1891, and Geneva, born July 13, 1893. In 1848 the subject of this sketch became a minister of the Christian Church and continued to minister to the spiritual wants of his fel- low man until old age compelled him to retire. He has been a church member since twenty - one years of age.
CONSTANTINE R. SCHAEFER, M. D. One of the young, well read and progressive physicians and surgeons of Indianapolis is Dr. Constantine R. Schaefer, who was born in Worms-on-the- Rhine, Germany, November 9, 1869, a son of Constantine and Anna (Thomas) Schaefer. His father was an editor of influence in Germany for many years and on coming to America, in 1881, connected himself with the German press of the United States and is at present an attache of the German Telegraph of Indianapolis. Dr. Schaefer was reared in Germany and received his primary education in the public schools. Later be spent four years in the preparatory school and in 1879 he entered the gymnasium where he took a thorough course in classical lore and continued during a period of three and a half years, after completing which he came to America in October, 1883, and, locating in Indianapolis, he was a student
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in the high school until May, 1884, when he secured employment in a drug store where he remained until September, 1891, meantime acquiring a thorough knowledge of pharmacy, and entering upon the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. H. S. Cunningham. He became a student in the Medical College of Indiana, from which institution he was graduated in March, 1890. In May following he represented the Marion County Medical Society as delegate to the American Medical Association at Nashville, Tenn., and in so doing became a member of the latter body. In September, 1891, he went to New York to take a post-graduate course in the medical department of Columbia College, which he com- pleted in June, 1892, graduating with honor. In the following October, he entered upon the practice of his profession in Indianapolis and at once met with most gratifying success, which has constantly increased until at this time he ranks among the leading young German physicians of the city. He is a member of the Marion County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society and, as has been seen, of the American Medical Association. He is a member of the order of K. & L. of H. and medical examiner for the lodge with which he is identified. The Doctor is a self-made man and has made his way to his present high position in his profession by his own individual effort, paying the expenses of his medical education and those incident to his beginning in practice out of money he earned as a druggist's clerk. Everything that he has done has been done thoroughly with an eye single to doing it as well as possible, as was evidenced by his standing in the post-graduate class at New York, out of the entire twenty-one members of which only six, including Dr. Schaefer, had conferred upon them the degree of M. D. In politics the Doctor is independ- ent, ever holding himself free to vote for any men or measures promising, in his opinion, to benefit his fellow citizens in the broadest and truest sense, without regard to party affiliations and with very little regard to political prominence. He was appointed assistant demonstra- tor of anatomy of the Medical College of Indiana in June, 1893.
CHRISTIAN DUNMEYER is one of those strictly honorable and upright German citizens for which Indiana, and especially Marion County, has become well known, and possesses all the characteristics for which those of his nativity have become well known-unbounded energy, sterling honesty and much public spirit. He is one of the most prominent farmers of this section and there is no one who more fully illustrates in his career the above men- tioned characteristics than does he. Mr. Dunmeyer was born in Germany August 21, 1831, and there attained his growth, attending school from the age of six to fourteen. After leav- ing school he herded sheep until 1851, when he decided that he could better his condition, financially and otherwise, by making his home in the "land of the free." He sailed from Bremen with his married sister, Louisa, and her husband, and with them landed in New York city four weeks and two days after sailing. From there they went to Buffalo and thence to Sandusky, Ohio, thence to Cincinnati, from there to Madison, Ind., and then to Indianapolis. In the latter city young Dunmeyer went to work for Austin Morris and later worked in a grist-mill for Gen. T. A. Morris' father for about a year. After this he drove a dray for his brother, Fred Dunmeyer, for six months, and then began driving it for himself, continuing this for two years. Later he entered F. P. Rush's feed store, was thus employed for two years, and then for three years was engaged in street contracting in Indianapolis. After this he worked in Phillips' grist-mill for nine months and there lost his right arm in the machinery. On recovering, a year later, the Civil War broke out and he took a contract to furnish wood to the Government for Camp Morton. This he did for eighteen months. On May 5, 1863, he was married to Miss Sarah Miller, daughter of Jacob Miller, a native of Pennsylvania. After marriage this ambitions young couple began keeping boarding-house in Indianapolis and carried this on successfully for two years .. Then Mr. Dunmeyer embarked in the ice business in Indianapolis with Matthew Garver and carried that on until 1882, when he moved on his farm in Perry Township, and on this he now resides. In his political views Mr. Dunmeyer affiliates with the Democrats and has ever been in harmony with that party. He has been a member of the Lutheran Church, but does not now belong to any, although he attends the Lutheran. Three children have been born to our subject and wife: Nettie, Harry, and Elsie, who died at the age or two months. Nettie; who married Freeman Woolery, of Sidney, Ohio, is the mother of two children-Harry .C. and Roland A., and resides in Indianapolis; Harry D., who married Miss Mary Jones, of Indianapolis, resides
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in Perry Township. William Dunmeyer, father of our subject, was a native of Germany and there passed his entire life. To his marriage were born six children, five of whom are now living: Henry, who resides in Germany; Frederick, of Indianapolis; Louisa, who mar- ried Louis Poehler; Charles S., Christian, and Anthony, who is deceased, all of Indianapolis. The mother of these children is also deceased. Mrs. Dunmeyer's parents, Jacob and Maria (Seiner) Miller, had born to their marriage seven children, the following now living: David Miller; Elizabeth, who married Samuel Shafer, and they live Hamilton County, Ind .; and Sarah, now Mrs. Dunmeyer. The parents of these children are both deceased. Both were natives of the Keystone State and the father was a soldier in the War of 1812, receiving a land warrant for eighty acres for his services.
JAMES A. HOUSER, M. D. The inscription on the old Grecian temples, "know thyself," is written in the hearts of men of this generation who devote their lives to the healing of the sick and the prevention of disease. So earnestly and so persistently and so scientifically have they pursued their investigations, and so generously have they imparted their knowl- edge each to the other, that it now really seems as though the power of life and death were in the hands of the live and progressive physicians of to-day. Their operations in surgery their discovery of inoculation for the prevention of given maladies and their general success in practice combine to give to the profession the distinction of greatest among the great. In the number of those who have labored earnestly and patiently for this knowledge is Dr. James A. Houser, of Indianapolis, whose life is a record of steady seeking after that which would give him power over the enemy of the physical man. He was born in Ohio, March 22, 1847, being the son of George H. and Ruannah (Stanton) Houser, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Maryland. The father was a miller by occupation at an early period of his life, and also devoted many years to preaching. He now lives retired from active work. Our subject was reared in his native State until he was about twenty years of age, receiving his education in the public schools. At that time his parents moved to Indiana. In 1867 our subject began the study of medicine, a few years after taking his first course of lectures in the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis. Continuing his studies along with the practice, later graduating from both the old and new schools of medicine. Believing there was much good in both, availed himself of this advantage to be better pre- pared to aid the afflicted. After thoroughly preparing himself for his work, Dr. Hauser made a special study of diseases of the lungs and kindred ailments and soon found many patients in his wide field of acquaintance gained while lecturing upon subjects pertaining to human life. To meet the demands of the numbers that visited him at Arcadia, Ind., a small town where he first located, the Doctor soon found it necessary to procure larger buildings for their accommodation. To meet this demand he purchased the largest building in the town, built additions, refitted and arranged it for his patients, where he continued his prac- tice until in 1889, when his ever increasing practice, with the augmented number coming to see him made it necessary to seek a larger place where hotel accommodations could always be had, so in that year he moved to Indianapolis, where he continues his practice which, perhaps, is as large as that enjoyed by any physician in the State. Dr. Houser's success in his chosen field of lung disease is second to that of no man on either continent. His case books show that over 100.000 patients have consulted him. His patients come from every part of the United States, and in a few instances the Doctor has had the rare honor of having patients consult him from England, Scotland, Germany, Mexico and South America. Our subject has always been a hard worker both as a student and physician. Amid his very busy life he has found time to fill many lecture engagements and do a great deal of literary work. As a lecturer, Dr. Houser has visited many States of the Union and everywhere created a profound impression for both learning and eloquence, often receiving ovations that have but few parallels. A leading journal says of the Doctor's lectures: "Dr Houser is the Demosthenes of human science. He is doubtless the most eloquent, charm- ing and delightful talker this age has given to the cause of humanity. Arising from poverty and daily toil in digging ditches, he has made himself one of the most learned in the field of human nature our country ever produced. Receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine from both the old and new schools, is what few poor boys have ever done." In the last fif- teen years our subject has given the public a number of pamphlets on social and political
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subjects, and each has had a very large circulation, reaching a total of over 1,000,000 copies. His last and most pretentious, is a work of fiction, a novel, first published in the Indianapolis Sunday Sentinel as a serial, under the title of "Out of Darkness into Light," and has enjoyed a wider reading than any of his previous publications. It is characterized by bold, fearless originality, a beauty of description, a charm in its delicate touch of human passion that give it a high placein the brain work of the country. As a writer of verses the Doctor has produced some gems of pathos and beauty. The masterpiece in this line is, likely his poem, "Immortality" that first appeared in the Western Christian Advocate. View- ing our subject's varied work that has given him success as a physician, lecturer and writer in a field whose limits are not bounded by his own country, and all the outgrowth of his own energy, patience and perseverance, it may justly be said that few men have worked harder or had less idle days. Though interested in politics the Doctor never aspired to office. He was nominated by the People's party in 1892 for lieutenant-governor, but declined to make the race. The Doctor was married May 30, 1873, to Miss Juliet Pettijohn, a native of Ham- ilton County, Ind., a daughter of Dr. Amos and Nancy A. Pettijohn, natives of Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Houser are the parents of five children, namely: Lula W., Fred, Bert., Annie and Ben H., all living and with their parents in their lovely city home. The Doctor and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which body they are earnest, de- vout and helpful workers. Dr. Houser is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and of the Western Writers' Association, and several orders and lodges, including the Masonic; but at lodge time can usually be found at his desk writing or busy professionally. He has a wide acquaintance in Indianapolis and is highly esteemed in this city, being regarded as a very skillful physician, an eloquent speaker, a brilliant and versatile writer, and a kind and considerate neighbor and friend.
SOLON K. HOUSER, M. D. Although only about ten years since he began his career as a practitioner of the "healing art," Dr. Houser has won an enviable reputation, second to but few physicians in Indianapolis. He is well read and well posted on all matters relating to his profession, has a paying practice, and is in truth a physician of thorough learning and experience. The Doctor claims Ohio as his native State and first saw the light of day at New Salem on February 3, 1853. His parents, George H. and Ruannah (Stanton) Houser, were for many years residents of the Buckeye State, but about 1863 they moved to Indiana and settled near Logansport where the father was engaged in milling. Our subject was educated in the schools of that town and later learned the miller's trade with his father. After following this business for sixteen years at Scipio, Ind., he decided that a change would be beneficial and disposing of his milling interests in 1883 he began the study of medicine with his brother, Dr. J. A. Houser. Later he entered the Kentucky School of Medicine and graduated from that well known institution in June, 1892. From the time he began the study of medicine, 1883, he has been associated with his brother, looking after his general business interests, professional and otherwise, and is at present engaged in practice with this brother. The happy domestic life of our subject began on February 9, 1889, when lie led to the altar Mrs. Elizabeth (Correll) Bartholomew, a native of Arcadia, Ind., and the daughter of John S. and Leah (Gosho) Correll, natives of the Keystone State. Dr. and Mrs. Houser are members of the Christian Church, and he is a member of the A. O. U. W. In politics he advocates the principles and policy of the Republican party.
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