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 64
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CHRISTIAN F. WIESE. Prominent among the leading agriculturists of Franklin Town- ship, and no less so as a citizen, stands the name of Christian F. Wiese, whose birth occurred in Prussia, Germany, December 18, 1838, his parents being Christian and Mary (Schakl) Wiese, also of Prussia. Not being satisfied with the financial prospects in the "Fatherland" they converted their effects into ready money and embarked for the United States, landing at Baltimore, Md., in 1850, from which place they came direct to Marion County, Ind., and purchased eighty acres of land in Franklin Township. Under their thrifty management this farm came soon to be regarded as one of the best improved in that section. Here the death of the father occurred December 10, 1878, at the age of seventy-five years, the mother surviving him until May 27, 1885, having passed the eighty- fifth milestone of her life, both having been members of the German Zion Church for many years. Their only surviving child is Christian F. Wiese who lent his aid as boy and man to improving the home place, considerably to the detriment of his educational advantages, his only knowledge of the world of books being acquired at night school. He has a naturally fine mind, however, and his views on all subjects relating to agricultural pursuits and on topics of general interest are sound and practical. June 11, 1865, he was united in marriage with Miss Carrie, daughter of Henry and Marie (Rohlfing) Blase, natives of Prussia, Germany, where Mrs. Wiese was born March 17, 1846. In 1856 her parents with their family left their native land for Amer- ica and although the husband and father was accidentally killed while at sea, the mother came on with her family and eventually settled in Marion County, Ind., and became the wife of Fred Struckman, who worked in a hardware store at Indianapolis, by whom she is the mother of one daughter, Mary, who married Henry Vehling of Indianapolis. After his marriage Mr. Wiese took up his residence on the old homestead where he lived for eight years, then made his home in Indianapolis for nine years, three years of which time he was a member of the police force of the city, in which position he acquitted himself with honor. He left the force
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with a good record and removed with bis family back to the farm, where he has since resided. He has a handsome residence, surrounded by a well kept lawn and fine cement walks, and everything about the place indicates that a man of thrift and energy is at the helm. His entire place is a model of careful farming and shows that his views are of a decidedly prac- tical nature. He and his wife have a family of eight children: Mary, born Angust 7, 1867; Christina, born August 11, 1869; Charles, born September 18, 1871; Henry, born October 10, 1873; Carrie, born December 14, 1876; Christian H., born November 29, 1878; Ella, born December 21, 1880, and Clara, born October 9, 1883, all of whom are living with the exception of Christian H., who on July 25, with a brother, was fighting a fire in a pasture, which started from the spark of a passing engine on the Big Four Railroad, but a thunder shower coming up he took refuge from the rain under a cottonwood tree, against which he rested his head. The tree was struck by lightning, the current passing from it through Christian's body killing him instantly. He was carried to the house by his brother Henry who was near him but all efforts to revive him were fruitless and his untimely death only proved the truth of the saying that "Death loves a shining mark," for he was a very prom. ising, upright young man, genial in disposition, energetic and faithful. Mr. Wiese and all his family are members of the German Lutheran Church, and he is a Democrat in his polit- ical views. He had a sister, Christina, who became the wife of Andy Franke, and after his death married his brother Henry. She bore her first husband three children: Mary, Charles (who died at the age of ten years) and Ella.
IREDELL SAWYER, who came to this section many years ago, was born in Guilford County, N. C., April 22, 1816, being the eldest living child born to John and Sallie (Tansy) Sawyer, both natives of the old North State, the father born in 1793. The parents were married in 1815, and in 1825 they came to the Hoosier State, where they passed the remain- der of their days, the father dying in 1876. Six children were born to their marriage, all of whom reached mature years: Iredell, subject; Reny, widow of John Jessup, who was the son of Timothy Jessup; Eli, who lived in Missouri, but disappeared during the Civil War, has not been heard from since; Nathan, deceased, who married Betsey Roberts; Betsy, widow of Nimrod Landers, and John, who married Phoebe Lindley. James Sawyer, the grandfather of these children, was born in North Carolina in 1772. The parents of our subject first located in Hendricks County, this State, and there resided for four or five years. From there they moved to Morgan County, settled near the Marion County line, and resided on rented land for about seven years. They then moved back to Hendricks County, and the father entered eighty acres of land, on which he lived until his death. The scholastic training of our subject was limited, for he attended school very little in his native State, and but little more after coming to Indiana. When his father returned to Hendricks County, our subject, who was about twenty-two years of age, remained in Morgan County in the employ and on the farm of William Landers, father of Jackson and Hon. Franklin Landers. He remained with Mr. Landers for five or six years, hauling wheat to Cincinnati and corn to Indianapolis, and for this received $10 per month. On February 28, 1839, he was married to Miss Mary Eliza Dollarhide, daughter of John and Winifred (Koontz) Dollarhide, and our subject made his home with the widowed mother of his wife, and carried on her farm of 160 acres for some time. He then purchased seventy acres of the heirs and his wife inherited ten acres. The first land our subject purchased was two acres of Dana Kime, on which he put up a little log cabin. Into this he moved, and the first winter it had no door, only a quilt hung up to keep out the cold. He and his wife lived in this for three years and he then moved on his mother-in-law's farm. The next tract of land he purchased was forty acres in Marion County, for which he paid $25 an acre. After this he purchased sixty six acres, and then 100 acres, paying for the latter, during war times, $75 per acre. Sometime previous to this Mr. Sawyer bought forty acres for $1,000. In 1886 he bought 130 acres, and afterward eighty acres. He has cleared about fifty acres, and has cleared out under- brush and stumps on 100 acres of land. He has a good residence, and everything about his place indicates to the beholder that an experienced hand is at the helm. In politics Mr. Sawyer is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson. He has remained with that party ever since. He was brought up in the Quaker faith, his father being also of that belief. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer have had three children, as follows: Nancy J. (who was born
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November 26, 1839, and was married to Henry J. Wilson, November 29, 1861, is the mother of five children: Flora, John Lida, William and Jesse), John Evans Sawyer (born December 4, 1844, died November 19, 1861, unmarried) and Iredell D. Sawyer (who was born August 13, 1850, was married September 13, 1871, to Miss Mary E. Plummer, daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Moon) Plummer, and is the father of three children: John T., Viola E. and Hurbie.
JOHN CONROY. The sons of Ireland are well represented in Marion County, Ind., and they hold conspicuous places in many pursuits, which make that county a substantial star in the galaxy of Indiana's many interesting counties. John Conroy, who is one of the promi- nent dairymen of the same, is a descendant of Irish ancestors on both sides of the house and 110 doubt inherited from these ancestors the push and enterprise which have characterized his efforts through life. His parents, Luke and Mary (McDonough) Conroy, were natives of the Emerald Isle and were there reared and married. In that country the mother's death occurred, and about 1865 the father crossed the ocean to the United States and died here the same year. He was a man possed of many sterling qualities and was well known for liis upright, honorable career. He and wife were the parents of six children, who were named as follows: Catherine, married William McDee, and now resides in New York; Mary, mar- ried Martin Otis and makes her home in the Empire State, as does Patrick, the third child; Bridget, the fourth child, married a Mr. Ward, and is also a resident of New York; Thomas passed his life in Ireland and is now deceased, and John, our subject. The latter learned the shoemaker's trade in his father's shop in Ireland and followed it in that country and this
for forty years. He then abandoned it to engage in the dairy business. From 1860 to 1890 he worked at his trade in Indianapolis, but since the latter date he has operated a fine dairy in the eastern part of the city. He has met with much success in this business enterprise and is reliable and trustworthy. During the Civil War Mr. Conroy was in the navy of the United States. He was on duty on the Mississippi River and was in some pretty hot places from 1863 to the close of the war. He is a member of the Major Anderson Post, G. A. R., and a member of the Catholic Church. Industrious and enterprising, Mr. Conroy is highly respected by all who know him. All his property has been accumulated by years of patient toil and he is now being rewarded by substantial results. He selected his wife in the person of Miss Eliza Feeley, daughter of James and Honore (Watters) Feeley, and their union was solemnized in the year 1864. He and wife liave no children
DARIUS M. PURMAN, M. D. Even in a city as large as Indianapolis it does not take long for a man with exceptional ability to become well known in any art or profession in which he may be engaged, and perhaps in regard to the medical profession this is more pro- nounced than in any other. The prominent young physician whose name heads this sketch impresses even those who meet him in a casual way as a man who thoroughly understands his profession, and feels thoroughly at home in the position which he occupies. He has made no mistake in his calling. The unusual success he has achieved is the logical sequence of talent rightly used, together with energy and industry never misapplied. Dr. Darius M. Purman was born in Allen County, Ind., January 28, 1856. and is a son of Samuel and Rosanna (Champer) Purman, the former a native of Virginia and of Scotch descent, and the latter of Ohio and of German origin. The father settled in the Buckeye State, Carroll County, at an early date and engaged in merchandising which he continued until 1856. He then moved to Indiana, but after a residence there of only one year, returned to Ohio where he engaged extensively in stock raising. In 1868 be again came to Indiana, and in this State passed the remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1887. He was a pros- perous man and was the owner of several thousand acres of land in the Hoosier State. In 1874 he established the Caledonia Stave Company at Baltimore, Olio, the largest of the kind in the world, but he subsequently sold his interests and retired from active business. He was very generous and charitable, and in time of need many were the recipients of lis kindness. He paid out many thousand dollars as security debts. Although he had limited educational advantages in youth, and started out in life as a shoemaker with limited means, he was possessed of wonderful business acumen, and was successful in all his enterprises. A great worker, always engaged in some enterprise to further his vast interests, his death was directly due to hard work. The original of this notice was reared in his native county,
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and supplemented a good, practical education received in the public schools by taking a course in Taylor University, at Fort Wayne. Immediately after this he began the study of medicine at the latter place with Dr. B. S. Woodworth, and in 1874 entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Indianapolis, graduating two years later. After this he located at Fort Wayne and practiced his profession there for six years. In 1882 he came to Indian- apolis. He is one of the busiest of this busy class of men, and is well and fully prepared to meet any professional demand that may be made upon him, and met with flattering success from the start. Previous to coming to Indianapolis, in 1878, he attended Bellevue Hospital, New York, for a year. The Doctor is medical director of the Masonic Life Insurance Company, a position he has held seven years, and he is a thirty-second degree member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the Indianapolis Consistory. He is also a member of the Grand Lodge, K. of P., of Indiana. In the year 1881 he was married to Miss Mary White, a native of Kokomo, Ind., and daughter of Elijah F. and Abbie R. (Thornton) White. Dr. Purman and wife have one child, named Thomas Harvey. In politics the Doctor is a stanch Republican and an active worker for that party.
WILLIAM HADLEY (deceased). In the midst of the failures and disasters of life, it is a real pleasure to review the career of a man whose efforts were crowned with success, and whose life has been as honorable in every particular, as that of William Hadley. We all have strivings after a high ideal, but an ideal alone is of little value if not re-enforced by the example of those who, like ourselves have human frailties, yet have been enabled to so overcome them as to lead lives of usefulness, integrity and true godliness. William Hadley was born near Siler's Mills, North Carolina, June 30, 1823, but in early childhood moved with his parents to a farm near Mooresville, Morgan County, Ind., and assisted in cultivating this farm until twenty-one years of age. During this time he secured, under adverse circumstances, such academic advantages as the times afforded. Later he became principal of the Sulphur Springs Academy and organized a business college at Plainfield, Ind., the first in the State. In 1851 he embarked in manufacturing in Indianapolis, and was the operator and owner of the Underhill Flouring Mills and was also a pioneer in the wholesale grocery trade in that city, the firm name being Taylor, Wright & Hadley. He was one of the organizers and an active worker and member of the Friends Church, being for many years a teacher in the Sunday-school. For a number of years he was very prominent in anti-slavery work, as he was in all other enterprises of a benevolent and philanthropic character. In 1879 he engaged in the fire insurance business and continued this successfully until his death in 1889. We find no one more worthy of mention, or whose long life of usefulness is more worthy to be chronicled than this gentleman, whose honesty and integrity were proverbial in
the community. In politics he advocated the principles of the Republican party. From 1857 to 1858 he was elected a member of the city council and in 1864 he was elected city assessor, serving continuously, being elected for eight successive terms every two years at the popular elections. He was one of the founders of the Colored Orphan Asy- Inm in Indianapolis and president of its board of directors. Probably no man in the city was more favorably known as an active, diligent and straightforward business man. In 1848 he married Miss Hannah T. Wright, a lady of culture and refinement.
DR. JACOB BUEHLER. The physician whose name heads this sketch is a native of Ger- many, born February 14, 1852, and is a son of Karl and Margueretta (Schwarz) Buehler, also natives of that country. The father received a liberal education in his native country and became a civil engineer, being employed by the German Government in that capacity for a number of years, but died in 1861 at the early age of thirty-seven years. His wife survives him and resides in Germany. The subject of this sketch reached mature years in his native country and secured a high-school education. When eighteen years of age he volunteered in the military service and remained in the same from 1870 to 1872, when he received medals from Germany and Baden and also received diplomas. During service lie received much instruction in a medical way and this was of much benefit when he began to take up medicine as a profession. He remained in his native country until 1882 and then came to America. With the exception of a short stop in Kansas City Dr. Buehler came direct to Indianapolis where he has resided since. In 1883 he began the study of medicine with Dr. E. F. Hodges, and the same year entered the Medical College of Indiana, where he took two 23
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courses during 1883 and 1885. He had to rely entirely on his own resources and had to earn the money to fit him for his profession. On this account and for other reasons he was unable to graduate in medicine until the spring of 1891, when he left the Indiana Medical College with the degree of M. D. He bas carried on a successful practice since. Dr. Buehler is a member of the Sydenham Society of the college. In October, 1875, the Doctor was married to Miss Anna Hoenig, a native of Baden, Germany, and they have one daughter. Socially the Doctor is a K. of H., and politically is independent, casting his vote for the man, irrespective of party.
HENRY F. HABENEY. Few, if any, of the various and many branches of commercial activity that contribute to the general aggregate of trade in the city of Indianapolis are of greater importance than the manufacture of boxes. A deservedly popular and prosperous man engaged in this line of business, and one who has always maintained a very enviable reputation for turning out first class goods and for honorable, straightforward dealings is Henry F. Habeney. At first he commenced on a small scale but he is now at the head of a flourishing establishment where employment is given to eighteen hands and an annual busi- ness of $35,000 is done. This has been accomplished not without close application and attention to business by Mr. Habeney, who is a man of more than ordinary business acumen. This gentleman was born in Indianapolis, May 16, 1853, and is a son of Henry F., Sr., and Christiana (Limberg) Hebeney, natives of Germany. The father crossed the ocean to America in 1846 and came direct to Indianapolis via Madison, where he was first engaged in the construction of Bee Line Railroad. Later he followed the construction of wells very successfully for a number of years and resided in Indianapolis until his death, July 24, 1874. The mother of our subject came to America in 1848 and was married in Indianapo- lis to Mr. Habeney. Six children were born to them, three of whom died in infancy. The others were named as follows: Louis A., died June 24, 1892; Henry F. (subject), and Amelia who married A. H. Russe. The subject of this sketch received his scholastic train- ing in the private and public schools of Indianapolis and subsequently took a course in com- mercial college. For over seven years after finishing his education he was employed by Schrader & Bro. in the Queensware and crockery business, and continued thus until 1877 when he embarked in business for himself. He engaged in the manufacture of boxes and from small beginnings has reached his present enviable position, all by his own ex- ertions. In May, 1893, Mr. Habeney was elected councilman at large to fill the unex- pired term of a deceased member. The election took place without his knowledge or consent and he served the city faithfully during the remainder of the term. During the election of October, 1893, he was a candidate for that office on the Democratic ticket but the entire Democratic ticket was defeated. Mr. Habeney is a member of the K. of H. and is a Master Mason and has passed all the official chairs of the former organi- zation. He is also a member of the Independent Turner Society, German Orphan So- ciety, and has been a member of the board of the latter for ten years. He has served as president two terms, vice-president two terms, and at present is chairman of the finance committee. Mr. Habeney is also a member of the German Park Association, formerly Indianapolis Shooting Target Association, and is a director of the Standard and Globe Building and Loan Associations. In choosing his companion for life Mr. Habeney selected Miss Emma S. Voigt, a native of Indianapolis and the daughter of Henry W. and Sophia Voigt, and their union was solemnized in February, 1878. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Habeney-Willie, Bertha, Henry F., Albert, and one unnamed. Mr. Habeney and wife are worthy and consistent members of the German Evangelical Zion Church.
PROF. THOMAS CARR HOWE, one of Marion County's prominent educators, is a gentle- man of rare culture and attainments, and discharges his duties with highly commendable zeal and ability. He is a native of the Hoosier State, born in Charleston August 5, 1867, and was there reared and attended the schools until seventeen years of age. He then entered Butler University, in the third preparatory class, and graduated in 1889 with the degree of A. B. After that he took the position of assistant language teacher in the university, and held that position one year, or until the spring of 1890, when he was elected to the Armstrong Chair of Germanic Languages, created in that year and endowed by
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his father-in-law, Addison F. Armstrong, of Kokomo, Ind. He has filled that chair since, and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. Prof. Howe was married in June, 1890, to Miss Jennie E. Armstrong, daughter of A. F. Armstrong, and he and his bride left immedi- ately for Europe, where the Professor was in the University of Berlin for two years, study- ing Germanic philology. He is a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He is not much of a politician but voted for Harrison. Robert L. Howe, father of the Professor, like many of the prominent men of the county, was a native of the Buckeye State, born in Clinton County in 1833. He was a minister in the Christian Church. In 1860 he came to Indiana and followed his ministerial duties in Clark County for eighteen years. In the fall of 1884 he came to Irvington, Ind., to educate his children, and was a resident of this town until his death, March 22, 1892, having been in the ministry over thirty years. He was married May 24, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth E. Carr, daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Drummond) Carr, and three children were given them: Thomas C., our subject; William D., unmarried, a graduate of Butler University in the class of 1893; and Carrie R., at home. Thomas Howe the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania.
JAMES SHEA. That " Honesty is the best policy " is clearly demonstrated in the success of those firms that pursue a straightforward way of doing business. The favor of the pub- lic will rest upon those who merit its confidence by dealing fairly. Few indeed are those who so well deserve a high place in public opinion as James Shea, for he has been in busi - ness in this country but a short time and has built up a trade in the general mercantile business which is meeting his most sanguine expectations. He was born in County Kerry, Ireland, May 1, 1857, his father being Cornelius Shea, also a native of County Kerry, Ireland, where he followed the occupation of farming throughout life and there eventually drew his last breath. The early educational training of James Shea was acquired in the Isle of Erin, many of his evenings at home being spent in pursuing the paths of learning. Upon commencing the battle of life for himself he went to Wales and began working in the iron works of that country, but later made his way to the city of London, where he secured a position of conductor on a street car, which occupation he followed for seven years. At the end of this time the United States became the goal of his ambition, and after crossing the broad Atlantic he came directly to Indianapolis, in the suburbs of which place he turned his attention to farming and gardening, his efforts in this line meeting with reasonable suc-
cess. Later he began making his home in West Indianapolis and began extensively to engage in the building business and in all has put up about thirty-seven houses, nearly all of which were for himself. This branch of human endeavor continued to occupy his time and attention for a considerable period, and owing to his keen discernment and shrewd but always honorable business. management it proved an exceedingly profitable source of revenue. In 1890 he laid in a stock of general merchandise and opened his present establishment and as he has conducted it on strict business principles and with the utmost integrity he is fully entitled to the success that he has won and which is constantly growing under his wise and honorable commercial policy. He deserves much credit for the way in which he has bent the force of circumstances to his will, for upon his arrival in this country he had little or no money and was a stranger in a strange land. It is through his energy that he has made what he has and by his unswerving determination to treat his patrons fairly and with consideration. He was married in London about 1880 to Miss Georgia Caroline Franklin, a native of Hampshire, England, but he was called upon to mourn her death March 16, 1893. She bore him three sons and two daughters, one of the latter being deceased. Mr. Shea is a member of the Catholic Church and socially belongs to the Ancient Order of Hiber- nians. Since coming to the United States Mr. Shea has identified himself with the inter- ests of his adopted country and has proven himself a useful and law-abiding citizen.
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