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 66
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culture, with the expectation of making it his life work. He went to Chicago and entered the employ of Miller & Hunt, florists, and during the three years that he was with this firm he mastered every detail of the business and upon his removal to Indianapolis began follow- ing it on his own responsibility, but after a time turned his attention to contracting, which calling has occupied his attention, uninterruptedly, up to the present time. He has built many private residences throughout the city and suburbs, and many of the most beautiful structures in this line which to-day ornament the fashionable quarters are due to his ability as a builder. He has also built some of the most noted business buildings of this city, among which may be mentioned the Rentsch Block on Virginia Avenue, which was built by Mr. Pumphrey out of St. Lawrence marble, pressed brick and terra cotta. The Pantzer Sani- tarium on Michigan and New Jersey Streets, and other buildings of equal note, testify to his skill and knowledge of his calling. He is prepared to enter into contracts for the erection of stores, factories, mills, residences of any kind or size in either wood, stone or brick, and his work is always sure to be substantially and thoroughly done. His well directed efforts have done much to adorn the city and in each and every one of his operations he has been the soul of honor. Mr. Pumphrey has been prominent in social as well as business circles, and is a member of Indianapolis Lodge, No. 56 K. of P., and Fifty-sixth division Uniform Rank. On December 24, 1884, he was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Lout, a daughter of Christian Lout, and in their pleasant home they dispense a generous and extended hospitality.
WILLIAM KRAAS. Among the contractors and most expert and successful exponents of the art of brick masonry may be mentioned William Kraas, who is a native German, his birth occurring in 1852. He possesses the most worthy characteristics of the German people, for he is strictly honorable, is energetic, intelligent and persevering, having inherited these worthy qualities from his father, Fred Kraas, who came to this country in 1872 and followed the occupation of brick laying and contracting, a calling to which he had given his attention quite extensively in his native land. He was called from life in this city in 1880 at the age of sixty-seven years. William Kraas was educated in the land of his birth and there also served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, but perfected himself in it after coming to the United States. After working with Henry Beerman for thirteen years he formed a part- nership with John Gruman and together they erected hundreds of handsome buildings in this city and numerous business blocks, among which were the Gem Laundry, the Shriever building, the Baschman residence, Clng, Kuhn, McBride and others. Since being associated these gentlemen have given employment to hundreds of men and have done a business of great magnitude and profit. About twelve years ago Mr. Kraas was united in marriage to Louisa Triselmann, who was also born in Germany, and to their union a son and two daughters have been given, two sons being deceased, both dying at about the age of four years. Mr. Kraas is a member of the Builders Exchange, the Contractors Association, the Indianapolis Planing Mill Company, and socially belongs to the K. of H., the Turners' Society and Beneficiary Association. When he came to the city of Indianapolis Mr. Kraas could not speak the English language, but notwithstanding this drawback, he has made a success of everything he has undertaken and is now in good circumstances. His associate in business, John Gruman, was born in Germany thirty years ago and when a young man seventeen years of age he came to the United States and began learning the carpenter's trade under Conrad Bender, became an exceptionally skillful mechanic, and his connection with Mr. Kraas was harmonious and successful. He was married to Miss Annie Metzker, of this city, by whom he became the father of two children, whom he left orphaned at his death in November, 1892. He was a member of the Builders Exchange, the Contractors Associa- tion and in the conduct of his business affairs was shrewd, practical and efficient. He possessed many fine traits of character and was exceptionally successful in handling the men in his employ. He and Mr. Kraas made one of the solid contracting firms of the city, and his death was a source of much regret to all who knew him. Since that time Mr. Kraas has been in business alone.
DIETRICH F. STROHMEYER. Very few persons are now in existence who can remember the old-fashioned bake ovens that were used in former years, being built in the ground and sustained by piles of brick, beneath which fires were built and the tempting breadstuffs
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piled for baking. This has all changed now and the result is the modern bakery with its massive ovens and scores of busy men. The name of Strohmeyer's bakery, at 222 West Washington Street, is widely known in this connection. Dietrich F. Strohmeyer bears the honor of having been born in Germany, bis birth occurring April 22, 1868, and he is the son of Henry and Lotta (Roemke) Strohmeyer, who passed their entire lives in the old country, the former dying in 1875 and the latter in 1889. The father followed the occu- pation of a farmer and was fairly successful in this pursuit. Dietrich F. Strohmeyer reached mature years in his native country, received his education there and at an early age became familiar with the duties of the farm. He was left fatherless at the early age of seven years and from his fourteenth year on was obliged to hoe his own row in life. Many and varied were his experiences. For two years he was a sailor in the North Sea, about the English and French coasts, and he did not come to America until 1886, when he went direct to Indianapolis. After taking a course in a commercial college in this city he engaged in the bakery business, which he has carried on very successfully up to the pres- eut time, the firm name at present being Strohmeyer & Beck. Socially our subject is a member of the K. of P. and the I. O. O. F., in religion a Protestant and politically is a Republican. He does an annual business of about $12,000 and supplies Indianapolis with first-class goods. He is a young man of enterprise and acknowledged ability in his trade and has already proven a valuable acquisition to the business.
THOMAS J. CHRISTIAN. Indianapolis has always been considered a great center for hard- wood lumber. From its yards lumber has been taken for shipment to all parts of the United States as well as Europe. Very prominent among those engaged in the hardwood lumber business is Thomas J. Christian, a gentleman whose hustling abilities are well recognized in this city, as well as through the United States, in which he rank's as one of the most worthy representative people engaged in industrial life. He was a member of the firm of J. E. & T. J. Christian, which was established in 1891, which dealt exclusively in hardwood lumber. From this establishment shipments have been made everywhere that hardwood lumber is used. Our subject became sole proprietor of the business in 1892, and has since increased the business to a very large extent. He was born in Indianapolis, October 15, 1867, liis father, W. F. Christian, being a leading contractor and builder of this city for many years, who has for some years been retired. In the city of his birth Thomas J. was reared, and in the public schools of the same he received a thorough and practical education, which has fitted him for the active business life he has led since reaching man's estate. Upon leaving school he entered the employ of his uncle in 1887, to learn the lumber business, and con- tinned with bim until he was taken into partnership in 1891, and as above stated he has been alone in this business since 1892. On September 17, 1890, he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Holmes, a native of the city of Indianapolis, and a daughter of W. C. Holmes, by whom he is the father of one child: Wilmer, who was born January 17, 1893. Mr. Christian is a member in good standing of the F. & A. M., in which he has attained to the chapter, and politically be is a Democrat in principle but in local affairs is not parti- san. He is a loyal adherent to the law of probity, and in all his transactions he has proven himself a gentleman of honorable principles, and possesses the full trust of his patrons.
CHARLES WARREN FAIRBANKS is a native of Unionville Centre, Union County, Obio, bis birth occurring May 11, 1852. He is a son of Loreston M. and Mary A. (Smith) Fairbanks, who were natives, respectively, of Barnard, Vt., and Green River, Columbiana County, N. Y., who immigrated to the Darby Plains, in Union County, Ohio, late in the decade of the thirties. A mechanic by occupation, Loreston M. Fairbanks pursued the avocation of wagon maker for a number of years, but later engaged in farming near Unionville Centre, where the immediate subject of this sketch was born. The youth and early manhood of Charles W. Fairbanks were passed in assisting with the work on the home farm and in attending the district school, and later he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, which graduated him in 1872, when twenty years of age. During his senior year he edited the college paper known as the Western Collegian, and prior to his graduation he began the study of the law. Upon completing his course at college he resumed his legal studies with much diligence, and early in 1874 was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Ohio. While prosecuting the study of his chosen profession, and to aid him in so doing, he served
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as Associated Press agent at the cities of Pittsburg and Cleveland. Two events of much importance occurred to Mr. Fairbanks in the year 1874, being his marriage with Miss Cor- nelia, daughter of Judge P. B. Cole, of Marysville, Ohio, and his locating for the practice of law in Indianapolis, Ind. Mrs. Fairbanks is a graceful and accomplished lady, a gradu- ate of the same college as her husband, and is the mother of five children. Mr. Fairbanks for many years has been a trustee of the Ohio Wesleyan University, and gives with an unsparing hand for the good of his alma mater. He. takes a keen interest in all matters of a public nature, lends his aid in advancement of public enterprises, assists all measures cal- culated to improve the conditions of his neighbors, and is invariably found aiding every movement that tends to alleviate the sufferings or elevate the conditions of mankind. He has been an active director of the Consumers Gas Trust Company, created by the citizens to secure cheap fuel, and is a trustee of the Meridian Street Methodist Episcopal Church, although a member of no religious denomination. Mr. Fairbanks is a member of many literary clubs and societies, has delivered numerous addresses before universities and public assemblies, and in all has attained deserved distinction. Notable among his speeches is the address delivered on behalf of the board of trustees of the Ohio Wesleyan University upon the installation of the Rev. Dr. James W. Bashford as president. Other addresses that have attracted much attention are those on "Nihilism " and "Paternalism in Government," etc. Mr. Fairbanks has never held nor sought political preferment, and has declined many offers to enter public life, preferring to devote himself to his family and profession. An unswerving advocate of the doctrines of the Republican party, his services have been much in demand in Indiana and in other States. In 1892 he was chairman of the Republican State Convention, and delivered an address which was published as "The Campaign Key- note. " In 1893 he was unanimous choice of the Republicans for United States Senator in opposition to the Hon. David Turpie, who was the Democratic choice. Upon the return of President Harrison to Indianapolis at the expiration of his term of office Mr. Fairbanks delivered the formal address of welcome on behalf of the citizens of Indiana.
GEN. BENJAMIN HARRISON. ex- President of the United States, is a grandson of the famous hero of Tippecanoe, Gen. William Henry Harrison, the ninth President of the United States. His birth occurred at North Bend, Ohio, August 20, 1833, and his early education was ac- quired under the tutelage of a private instructor. At fourteen years of age he was sent to Cary's Academy, near Cincinnati, where he remained two years, then entered Miami Univer- sity, at Oxford, which graduated him in 1852. Having a predilection for legal pursuits he became a disciple of Blackstone at Cincinnati, and early in 1854 located for the profession at Indianapolis. Early in his professional career Mr. Harrison exhibited to a marked degree those characteristics which afterward made him famons as a great lawyer, and it was not long until he found himself the possessor of a large and fairly lucrative practice. The fall of 1860 he was elected reporter of the Supreme Court of the State and during his incumbency of this office published volumes XV and XVI of State Reporter. The war coming on, Mr. Harrison deemed that his country's welfare should become his first consideration, and accord- ingly resigning from his lucrative position he recruited Company A, of the Seventh Regiment of Indiana Infantry and immediately went into active service. He remained in the service of the Government until the close of the war, when he was mustered out as brevet brigadier- general. He led his command in the battle of Resaca, participated in the capture of Cass- ville, battles of New Hope and Golgotha Churches, Kenesaw Mountain and Peach Tree Creek, at the latter of which his gallantry so pleased Gen. Hooker that he wrote to the Secretary of War "to call the attention of the department to the claims of Col. Benjamin Harrison, of the Seventieth Indiana Volunteers, for promotion to the rank of brigadier-general of volun- teers." Participating at the Grand Review at Washington, Gen. Harrison returned home and resumed legal pursuits. In 1876 he was the unanimons choice of the Republicans for governor of Indiana, but was defeated at the polls. In 1879 he was appointed by President Hayes as a member of the Mississippi River commission; was chairman of the Indiana dele- gation to the Republican national convention in 1880, and on the ballot that nominated Gen. Garfield for the Presidency, cast the entire vote of his State for the successful candi- date. After this (from 1881 to 1887), he became United States Senator and became one of the most conspicuous figures in the nation. In 1888 he was nominated by the national
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Republican convention, at Chicago, for the Presidency of the United States. During the campaign he made numerous addresses, and although he had a vigilant enemy to combat, ready to distort or misconstrue his utterances, he did so remarkably well that not a single point was raised against bim. His four years of administration marked an era of prosperity for the country, and at the national convention of 1892 held at Minneapolis, he was re- nominated on the first ballot. At the succeeding election be was defeated for a second term by Mr. Cleveland, and has since resided at Indianapolis. Mr. Harrison, while a student at college, met and loved Miss Caroline L. Scott, who became his wife in 1853, and two children, both living, have blessed their union. The saddest event in the life of Mr. Harrison was the cleath of Mrs. Harrison in 1892.
WESLEY ALLEN, M. D. Among those of Marion County, Ind., who successfully follow the "healing art," as a profession is Dr. Wesley Allen, who was born on a farm belonging to his father, Joseph Allen, consisting of 160 acres located two and a half miles northwest of West Newton, on March 26, 1836. 'On this farm he made his home until he was about twenty-four years of age, his early educational advantages having been received in the early subscription schools of his native township, from the time he was eight years old until he reached the age of nineteen. He then entered the "Friends' Boarding School " located at Richmond, Ind , now known as Earlham College, which he attended one winter session of six or seven months, and one-half of a summer session. He then commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Jesse Reagan, in West Newton, Ind., continuing his studies two years. In 1858 he taught one summer term in the common schools in West Newton and in August, 1861, commenced the practice of bis profession there, at the solicitation of his many friends and neighbors, before he had graduated from any school of medicine. After a time he commenced attending lectures in the Indiana Medical College, from which he afterward graduated, some of his classmates becoming eminent medical practitioners. After complet- ing his legal studies lie returned to West Newton and there has since made his home, a period of about thirty-two years. He has met with distinguished success in the practice of his noble but arduous profession, and is a member of the Marion County Medical Society, the State Medical Society, and the Mississippi Valley Medical Association. He was rejected for military service during the Civil War on account of a slight lameness. He is a member of and a trustee in the Methodist Episcopal Church and politically has always been a Republican and has ever taken an active interest in local politics. He was married October 20, 1861, to Rebecca A., daughter of Jesse and Ann (Whitson) Jones, and to their marriage three children were born as follows: Orpha; Alice, who married Lawrence V. Buskirk, of Bloomington, Ind., of which city he is now (1893) mayor, has one son, Allen V., and one child who died in infancy. The mother of these children died December 23, 1878, and Belle, the daughter of Homer and Mary (Paynter) Snodgrass, natives of Indiana, became his wife, to which union was born one son, Wesley, whose birth occurred February 1, 1886. Joseph Allen, the father of Dr. Allen, was born in Shenandoah County, Va., August 14, 1794, of Quaker stock, and there he was brought up and received the education common to that time, which was mainly in the Quaker Church. He was married near Xenia, Obio, in April, 1815, to Eliza- beth Cadwallader, a native of Virginia, born February 21, 1797, a danghter of Moses and Mary Cadwallader. He farmed in the vicinity of Xenia until 1824, then came to Indiana where he entered 160 acres of land in Decatur Township, Marion County, on which he lived until within a short time of his death which occurred in 1878. At the time of his purchase this land was covered with green timber, and his principal possessions consisted of a horse, a sack of flour and a cow, having spent bis entire amount of money, consisting of $100, in paying for his first eighty acres. Of this farm he and his sons cleared 100 acres. He was an old line Whig in politics, then became a Republican and supported this party until his death. He was a member of the Quaker Church and in this faith reared his children, eleven of whom grew to maturity: Mary (deceased) married Wilson Barnett and left four children : Allen, Louisa, Eli and Preston; Solomon first married Annie Cox and afterward Mary A. Forsba, by whom he had two children: Linton and Asbury; Preston (deceased) married Susannah Jessup. by whom he had three children: Maria, Dr. J. Quincy and Etta; Sallie, widow of Layton Mills, has four children: Elijah, Lizzie, Lona and Joseph; Ellen (deceased) became the wife of Israel Compton and had six children: Elijab, Eliza J., Sam-
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uel, Jasper, Wesley and Sallie; Huldah, first married Elijah Mills and after his death became the wife of Levi Ballard, by whom she had six children: Amos, Laura, Emma, Ella, Edward and Lizzie; Moses married Mary Jones (deceased), by whom he has three children: Jesse, Flora and Emma; Joseph married Esther Wilson, and to them three children were given: James, Elmer and Frederick; Dr. Wesley, the subject of this biography; Eliza, who married Rollin Hospins, with two children survives him, the names of the latter being Dr. Walter and Horace; and William, who married Mary Constable, has one son, Charles. The mother of these children was called from life October 31, 1876, and their father November 9, 1878. The paternal grandfather of Dr. Allen, Jackson Allen, was a Virginian, who was born about 1765. He lived in his native State until a few years before his death, which occurred at the home of his son, Solomon, in Parke County, Ind. He was a Quaker and was married to Sarah Bond by whom he had 12 children: Joseph, Solomon (deceased), Wesley, Benjamin, Sallie (Critz), Harmony (Bates), Rebecca (Woolman), Mary (Moody), Alice (Sanders), Anna (Laird), Edward Allen, and Ruth (Cox).
LABAN HARDING. Although Marion County, Ind., is well known for the energy, enter- prise and push of its farmers, Laban Harding stands in the van in this industry, and has shown much wisdom and good judgment in the conduct of agricultural affairs, and through his own endeavors has won an enviable reputation. He is a native of the Hoosier State, born in Fayette County, near Connorsville, October 8, 1817, and at an early age became familiar with the duties of farm life. He was born on the farm belonging to his father, the same having been entered by his grandfather in 1816, and remained on the same until five years of age when he moved with his parents to Marion County, Ind. His father, Ede Harding, was born in Washington County, Ky., in 1793, and in 1806 moved with his parents to But- ler County, Ohio. There he remained until 1816 when he came to Fayette County, Ind., and there resided until 1822 when he moved to Marion County, this State. In the latter county he made his home until within a year or so of his death, which occurred in 1875, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Ray, of Hendricks County, Ind. He affiliated with the Democratic party up to the campaign of 1840, when he voted for Harrison and was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, with which he was ever afterward iden- tified. He was drafted into the War of 1812, but was discharged on account of deafness. For many years he was a worthy member of the Baptist Church, and was active in his sup- port of all worthy enterprises. To his marriage were born seven children, five of whom survive as follows: Laban (our subject), Lavina (who married first John McCray, and after his death, Ambrose Hume, by whom she had six children), Oliver (married Miss Lavina Cox, who bore him seven children), John (married Miss Luna Brown and they have three. chil- dren), and Sarah (who married first Harrison Ray, by whom she had two children, and after his death married Robert Spear). The mother of these children died in 1856 and the father subsequently married Rebecca Gowdy, nee Benn. Robert Harding, grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Washington County, Penn., about 1760, and was married in that State to Martha Wade. Soon after he emigrated to Kentucky and in 1808 moved from there to But- ler County, Ohio, and thence to Indiana, in 1821. There his death occurred the same year at the home of his son, Ede, father of our subject, in Fayette County. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, as were also four of his brothers. He was the father of a large fam- ily of children, thirteen of whom grew to mature years: John, Ruth, Avis, Martha, Nancy, Mary, Jemima, Elikum, Ede, Robert, Samuel, Israel and Laban. He was of English extrac- tion. The youthful days of our subject were passed on the farm of 117 acres purchased by his father in Wayne Township, and he received his scholastic training in the old-fashioned log school-house of that period, attending three months in the year, and going a distance of three miles. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age and assisted his father in the grist mill. On December 21, 1837, he was married to Miss Jemima McCray, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Lucas) McCray, and soon after moved on a farm in Wayne Township. This farm consisted of sixty-five acres, principally green timber, and for this he paid $11 per acre. Mr. Harding remained on this farm until 1866 and then moved to his present farm which consists of 100 acres. Since then he has added to the original tract until he now owns 225 acres, a good portion of which is well improved and well culti- vated. In his political views he is a Republican and cast his first presidential vote for W.
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H. Harrison. . He is a member of the Baptist Church and an earnest worker in the same. Of the eleven children born to bis marriage, all lived to mature years except Eliza A., who died when eight years of age. The remainder are as follows: John, enlisted in Company I, Seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served three years (he held the rank of corporal when mustered out; at Chancellorsville he was wounded by a piece of shell and died from the effects of the same at his home in November, 1865; he was single); Samuel E. (single), died in 1862; Mary E. (deceased), was a popular and well known teacher of Wayne Township, having followed that profession in the township for twenty-two years; Nancy, married Charles Montgomery and they have eight children, Ella, Myra, Mary, George, Samuel, Sarah, Flora and Kate); Elmira, married Christian Myers and died in 1868; William Newton married Mary McConnell, and they have one child, William; Minerva, married John McClelland and became the mother of six children (Raymond, Eleanor, Her- bert, Jemima, John and Louise); Kate ;. Henry, married Alma Duzan and is the father of one child, George Laban, and Lonella, married Thomas Craig.
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