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 72
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excellent judgment and keen commercial instincts, he has met with a more than ordinary degree of success. Mr. Armantrout has always been deeply interested in politics and is a member of the Cleveland Club, of which he had charge during the inauguration of President Cleveland at Washington, D. C., upon his last election. In 1892 he was alternate delegate to the national Democratic convention at Chicago, and in various other ways he has aided this party. Socially he is a member of the Uniformed Rank in the K. of P. He is one of the leading and popular citizens of Indianapolis, is public spirited to a degree, and in commercial circles his name is highly honored. In 1872 he was married to Miss Louisa Wilson, at Frankfort, Ind., a native of Thorntown, Brown County, Ind., who in girlhood removed to Frankfort with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Armantrout are the parents of one son, Charles W., who was born July 19, 1874, and gives every promise of becoming a wide-awake and intelligent business man.
GEORGE F. SMITH. Among the useful and progressive men of affairs of Indianapolis, Ind., who is eminently worthy of mention in this volume is George F. Smith, who is presi- dlent of the Contractors and Builders Association, and is himself a highly successful and skillful builder, a calling which has received his attention the most of the time since he left school, although he for a number of years worked for others. The county of Rockland, N. Y., gave him birth on June 11, 1854, his father, Frederick Smith, and wife, Christiana Iske, were born in Germany, and married in New York city in 1851. In 1848 they came to this country and have resided here ever since. After coming to the United States, although a locksmith by trade, he gave his attention to the manufacture of brick for some time there- after. In 1859 he became a resident of the city of Indianapolis, and here followed the calling of a blacksmith. He died here in 1871, forty-three years of age. She is still living, seventy-six years of age. In the public schools of this city George F. Smith obtained a good education and he learned the details of his trade while serving an apprenticeship under Botcher & Nieman. After completing his knowledge of the builder's art he worked for all the principal contractors of the city at different times, and then commenced business on his own responsibility, as his thorough knowledge of his calling and his long experience emi - nently fitted him to do. The most of his attention has been given to the erection of residences, and in this branch of his business he has made a reputation for himself that has made his name well known to builders and real estate men throughout the city. That he is a thorough-going and practical builder is a fact that cannot be denied by his brother con- tractors, and they showed their recognition of his worth by electing him president of the Contractors and Builders Association. In May, 1879, he was united in the bonds of matri- mony with Miss Amelia Schmid, a danghter of J. C. Schmid, a prominent stone contractor of the city, a sketch of whom appears in this work. Mrs. Smith was born in Columbus, Ohio, and has borne her husband one son and two daughters: Doratha, Walter and Caroline. Mr. Smith is a member of the Center Lodge, No. 216, K. of P., and of Washington Lodge, No. 114, K. of H.
CHARLES N. KELLOGG. The introduction of machinery in the manufacture of furniture during the past few years, entirely revolutionized this important branch of industrial enter- prise. While it is not contended that the machine-made product is superior mechanically or in point of finish or durability to that made by hand, it is an indisputable fact that the cheapness and rapidity of mannfacture in the new era has made this class of furniture very popular and greatly in demand. Not one of the oldest, but certainly one of the best known manufactories of this line of goods in Indianapolis is that of C. N. Kellogg & Bro., who embarked in the business in July, 1893, at which time they purchased the planing and saw- mills which were owned and operated by M. Murray & Co., and established a number of years since by Charles Murray. The plant is an extensive one 160x150 feet in dimensions, and the ground occupied by them covers an area of nine lots. They give particular atten- tion to their planing mill and manufacture a cheap, but excellent line of furniture and have already a wide patronage. They give employment to about forty hands, who are all skilled in their line. Their plant and equipment are valued at about $40,000. Charles N. Kellogg was born in Dublin, Wayne County, Ind., June 24, 1851, but his father, Norman P. Kellogg, was a native of the State of New York, was a physician and surgeon for many years, and was very successful in his profession. He practiced for a number of years in Cincinnati, Ohio,
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prior to locating at Dublin, Ind., in 1850, but he later became a resident of Boone County. He has for some time been retired from active practice and makes his home with his son in Indianapolis. He was united in marriage to Sarah J. Avery, a native of New York, and a woman of much intelligence and kindness of heart. In Boone County, Ind., Charles N. Kel- logg was principally reared, and besides the common schools he received the advantages of an academic education. When twenty-one years of age he engaged in the saw-milling busi- ness in Boone County and a few years later associated with him his brother, Edwin P., and under their able management the business grew to extensive proportions. They carried on milling and the general lumber trade successfully until July, 1892, when they sold the same and a year later came to Indianapolis, where they have since been in business. Mr. Kellogg was married in 1973 to Miss La Borda Robinson, a native of Crestline, Ohio, and a daughter of John H. and Almira Robinson. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg are the parents of seven children : Belle, Myra, Lizzie, May, Edna, Norma and Minerva. Mr. Kellogg is a member of the I. O. R. M. ; in politics he is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Presby- terian Church. He and his brother are rated as gentlemen of untrammeled honor and in all their business transactions are looked upon with the utmost popular regard.
JOHN V. CARTER. Among the prominent and enterprising citizens of Marion County, Ind., no one is more worthy of note than he whom we here name, who is spending his later years in comfort and in the enjoyment of the result of his earlier labors. He was originally from Butler County, Ohio, born August 13, 1819, to the union of Mordecai and Ann (Cox) Carter, the former a native of Chatham County, N. C., born May 27, 1777, and the latter of the same State, born July 8, 1780. After marriage the parents moved to Warren County, Ohio, and thence to Butler County, that State, where Mr. Carter died December 13, 1820. He was a Quaker in bis religious views and a worthy and esteemed citizen. Nine children were born to this worthy couple, as follows: Edith; Ara, deceased; Aaron, deceased; Har- lan, deceased; Matilda, Dorinda, Lucinda, James W. and John V. The mother of these children died July 23, 1849. Samuel Carter, grandfather of our subject, was also born in the Old North State, about 1750, and was of the Quaker belief. He married and became the father of several children, among whom are the following: Mordecai, Samuel, Robert, Margaret, Elizabeth and Mary. John V. Carter was reared on the farm belonging to his parents in Ohio, and when not yet two years old was left fatherless. He attended the old- fashioned log school-house, with slab seats, big chimney, etc., and attended until about seventeen years of age, generally about three months in the year. He was married in Preble County, Ohio, in 1849, to Miss Diana Holtry, daughter of John and Sarah Holtry. and three years later, in 1852, he came to Marion County, Ind., and located in Wayne Township, where he bought 320 acres of land. On this he resided until 1888, when he came to Indian- apolis, and in this city he now resides, retired from the active duties of life. He cleared about fifty-five acres of land in Marion County and has passed a life of industry and useful- ness. In politics he has always advocated the principles of the Republican party and his first Presidential vote was cast for William H. Harrison. He belongs to the Methodist Epis- copal Church, of which he has served as officer for many years. To his marriage were born six children: Emma, died at the age of thirteen years; Fletcher married Mary A. Apple- gate, and they have two children. Wilbert and Earl; James W .; John H. married Miss Ida Belle Smith; Flora A. married Ezra L. Guthrie, and Mary, single. James W. Carter, the youngest but one of the children born to Mordecai and Ann (Cox) Carter, first saw the light of day in Butler County, Ohio, July 13, 1817, and he there made his home.until February, 1846, when he came to Marion County, Ind. He was married September 28, 1843, to Miss Susan Davies, daughter of Samuel and Susan (Elliott) Davies, both of whom were natives of the Keystone State. Mr. and Mrs. Davies moved to Ohio in 1803. and there passed the remainder of their days. James W. Carter bought 300 acres of land in Wayne Township, after his marriage, and on this resided until October, 1883, when he came to Indianapolis, where he now resides. Like his brother, Jolin V., he is a stanch Republican in his political views and has served twice as trustee of Wayne Township. He belongs to no church or society. To his marriage were born five children: Mary died in infancy; William died when twenty-five years of age; George enlisted in Company K, Seventieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Benjamin Harrison, and one year later was wounded at Resaca,
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dying in July of the following year. He was but twenty years of age and held the rank of corporal; Frances L. and John V., the latter of whom married Jennie Johnson, daughter of Henry Johnson.
FRED BREMER. One of the most popular materials that enters into the construction of buildings of the present day is brick, for go where you will, in any large city that is the chief material used, and the most imposing edifices are made of it, with perhaps the ex- ception of the first few stories. It therefore follows that men who thoroughly understand their business should engage in the manufacture of this most important commodity, and that Fred Bremer is qualified to do so cannot be denied. In Germany he first saw the light in 1849, and in the schools of his native land he obtained a practical education. At the age of nineteen years he came to the United States, and for some time thereafter resided in Brooklyn, N. Y., in which place he clerked in a store for two years. He then came to Indianapolis, and as a means of livelihood he spent several summers laboring in a brick- yard and in the winter time turned his hand to anything honorable he could find to do, in order to gain a start. By laboring early and late, making the most of his opportunities, and by the exercise of the utmost good judgment and strict economy, he soon found him- self on a smooth sea and floating with a prosperous tide. He first manufactured brick in Irvington, then on the national road, after which he came to the place where he is now doing a prosperous business, and where he owns twenty-five acres of land, which is well adapted to the uses to which he puts it. He first purchased five acres and later the balance, and manufactures a most creditable article, which has gone into the construction of many of the finest buildings of Marion County. Through financial reverses he lost quite heav- ily, but with characteristic energy he continued to labor faithfully at his business and retrieved his losses almost wholly. He was married in this county to Miss Mary Hartman, and ·to them a son and daughter have been given, the former of whom is deceased, as is also the wife and mother. For his second wife Mr. Bremer espoused Metta Scheele, of this county but a native of Germany, and their union has resulted in the birth of a son and daughter. Mr. Bremer is a member of the Zion Evangelical Church, and politically is a Democrat.
JAMES B. MATLOCK. One of the industries always in demand, and daily growing more so by reason of the rapid growth of cities and towns, is that of contracting and building. A casual glance about us is all that is required to gain a conception of the immense amount of work done by men following that line of business. In this connection we would call attention to James B. Matlock, a prominent contractor and builder of Indianapolis, Ind., where he has followed his trade for the past seven years, building some of the finest houses in this rapidly growing city. He is a native of that good old mother of States, Virginia, born in Lee County, in 1839, to the union of Charles and Mary (Bray) Matlock, natives of the Blue-Grass State. When young the parents moved to the Old Dominion and there their marriage was solemnized. Eight children were the fruits of his union, viz .: John married Miss Mary Jane Dillon and now resides in Independence, Kan .; Sarah (deceased); James B., subject; George, who died when eleven years of age; Nelson Preston married Miss Sarah Crawford, but is now deceased; Sarah Jane, who died in infancy; Britton also died in
infancy; and The subject of this sketch came to Indiana when a young man and previous to that, in September, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service until cessation of hostilities. He served his country faithfully and as a memento of his services carries a Confederate ball in bis hip, receiving the same in the battle of Snow Hill, Tenn. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant. For many years he has been a contractor and builder and is now erecting for himself a fine residence and store- room combined for as soon as it is finished he expects to embark in the mercantile business on East Prospect Street, just east of the Circle railway. The store will be a grocery and he will carry such other stock as the neighborhood may demand. Mr. Matlock was married in Brown County, Ind., in 1867 with Miss Mary Jane Fleetwood, daughter of Hiram and Matilda (Hartman) Fleetwood who were born, reared and married in Kentucky. Five chil- dren have been born to this union and are named as follows: Louis Manson, born in April, 1868, married Miss Jennie Winters, and now resides in Indianapolis; Oliver P. Morton was born in 1869, died when twenty years of age; William, born in 1872, married Miss Flora
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Forester and resides in this city; George U. S., born in 1874, is now at home; and Bertie May, born in 1878, is also at home; Maud, born in 1882, died at the age of two years. Mr. Matlock was first married to Mary Jane Hamilton, and by her had two children: Nancy C., now living in this city, the wife of Peter M - and Charles, now deceased.
CHARLES L. PEARSON. The contractors and builders of Indianapolis, are, as a body unexcelled by those of almost any other city. Each succeeding year witnesses many marked improvements in this thriving business center, particularly in the way of handsome business blocks, residences, etc .; and to the contractor and builder, in effect, conjointly with the arch- itect, belongs the task of imparting to the city that appearance of solidity, wealth, refine- ment and comfort which at once stamps its citizens as progressive and enterprising. Charles L. Pearson, one of the well-known and popular contractors and builders of Indian- apolis, is a native of Oskaloosa, Iowa, born in 1856. His father, Silas D. Pearson, is a native of New York city, and there learned his trade of mill builder. He moved in 1848 to Wis- consin, from there to Steubenville, Ohio, thence to Oskaloosa, Iowa, and from then to Chi- cago, while at this place he enlisted in the Seventy-second Illinois Infantry, and after his term of service went to Wisconsin, where his family had preceeded him and now resides at Appleton. He has erected many of the largest buildings in the North and West and has been a successful business man. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. In 1861 he enlisted in the Seventy-second Illinois Infantry Volunteers, and was in service three years. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg and other engagements and at one time received a severe wound in the hip. He still feels the effect of that wound. Of the eleven children born to his marriage, eight are now living, six sons and two daughters. The original of this notice, Charles L. Pearson, was educated in the public schools of Appleton, Wis., and learned his trade under the tuition of his father. When fifteen years of age be left home and worked in Appleton and all over Outagamie County. Later he worked at his trade in Minneapolis, Minn., and in other States, and finally settled in Indianapolis, where he began working in the shops of the Atlas Engine Works. Later he began contracting for himself and has built most of the houses in the north part of Irvington, principally resi- dences. Starting in life with nothing but his trade, he has met with the best of success, all owing to his exceptional business ability, his reliability and promptness in carrying out his undertakings, and the liberal methods he adopts in dealing with the public. On July 19, 1883, he married Miss Sadie E. Chill, of Indianapolis, and to their union have been born four children, all sons. In politics Mr. Pearson is a Republican. He is a member of Lodge No 446, Carpenter Union.
ERNST H. G. DREIER. It is indeed a rule with very few exceptions that the prosperous and representative men of business of all large cities are rarely ever natives of the same. It is likewise a notable fact that vast numbers of the successful men who do business in the States are foreigners by nativity. This thought is brought about by the personality of Ernst H. G. Dreier, a native of Germany, and now a prominent member of Indianapolis' business circles. He first saw the light of day in 1842 and was reared and educated in the old coun- try. He there learned the brick-mason's trade, serving an apprenticeship, and later became a contractor. Seeing a better opening for his trade in the United States he crossed the ocean in 1872 and located in Indianapolis. Three days after his arrival he was taken sick with small-pox, and as he was ill seven weeks all his ready money was used up. Inheriting the perseverance and industry of his Teutonic ancestors he went to work as soon as able and his superior ability as a brick-mason soon became recognized. Work came in from all sides and he is now classed among the best brick contractors in the city. He is a member of the Builders Exchange and is thoroughly capable and reliable in all the duties that he under- takes. He has been engaged on many of the prominent buildings of the city, among them the Lutheran Church, on the corner of New Jersey and McCarty Streets, the German Inth- eran Orphan Asylum, on East Washington Street, and many other buildings. He was married in his native country to Miss Sophia Cook, who died in this city in January 3, 1885. Six children were born to this union, all now living. In 1885 Mr. Dreier married Miss Anna Denker, a native of Germany, and four children liave blessed this union. Mr. Dreier is an industrious, thorough-going business man and is well respected in the community.
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AUGUST BUTHE. Enterprising methods, when combined with study and ability, will put any man on a prominent road to success and gain an enviable reputation for the managers of the enterprise. August Buthe, who is a contractor of no ordinary ability and who has won an enviable reputation in that capacity, is a native of Germany, born in 1862 and the son of August Buthe, Sr., who passed his entire life in the old country. August Bnthe, Jr., like all the German children, attended school a certain length of time and then learned a trade, that of brick-laying and plastering. After serving an apprenticeship of four years be decided to seek his fortune in the United States and sailed for this country in 1871. After visiting all the principal cities of the United States, New Orleans, St. Louis, San Francisco, etc., and following his trade in the same, he came to Indianapolis in 1890 and engaged in the cement work here for the Acme Paving Company as their foreman. Later he commenced contracting for himself, and from the start has made a complete success of his business. He built the longest pavement in Indianapolis, extending from Twelfth Street to Twenty- sixth Street, a mile and three quarters, and he also built from Twelfth Street to Fourteenth Street on Meridian, besides numerous other pavements. He is a fine and skillful workman and his reputation for honorable business methods and integrity is unsurpassed. He came to this country with limited means and what he has accumulated is the result of energy, industry and good management on his part. He is a member of the Builders Exchange and is also a member of the I. O. O. F., Garden Lodge, No. 53. He was married in 1890 to Miss Annie Lamberg, a native of Newport, Ky., and a lady of much refinement.
CHARLES NUERGE. Nothing is more true than that good management, fair dealing and application to business will result in profit to the parties at interest. Failure rarely if ever comes, unless as the sequent of negligence, rash speculation or dishonesty. We are led to these reflections by a glance at the career of Mr. Charles Nuerge, senior member of the firm of Nuerge & Reinking, building contractors. By a most thorough knowledge of his trade, gained step by step under one of the most reliable of workmen, and through his own experience, Mr. Nuerge has made one of the widest reputations and has a pat- ronage of very satisfactory proportions. He has been identified with the construction of many of the prominent buildings in the city, and in partnership with Mr. Henry Reinking built the Jamison & Mallott structure, Arcade Clothing House, John W. Schmidt's resi- dence, A. C. Harris' residence, Catholic school-house on Noble and North Streets, W. P. Fishback's residence, Home Brewing Company's buildings, some of the buildings at St. Mary's in the Woods (near Terre Haute, Ind.), Starch Works (in Des Moines), the last a $130,000 contract, and they rebuilt Progress Clothing and many other buildings too numer- ous to mention. This firm's contracts extend to some of the largest cities, and in all their operations they have proven themselves gentlemen of sterling integrity, their work invari- ably proving satisfactory. Mr. Nuerge was born in Adams County, Ind., June 12, 1850, to the union of Charles and Minnie (David) Nuerge, natives of Germany, the father born in 1819. About 1844 the parents decided to settle on this side of the Atlantic, and they first located in Adams County, Ind., on land in the woods. He became a successful farmer, and added to the sixty acres he first purchased eighty acres, which made him a very good farm. There he died in 1872. Of the seven children born to this marriage, the eldest was a native of Germany. Of these children three were sons and four daughters, but only two, daughters, besides our subject, are now living. The father served his time in the German army before coming to America. The original of this notice was educated in Adams County, Ind., and learned the carpenter's trade in all its details there. In 1871 he came to Indianapolis, in company with Henry Reinking, and commenced working for George H. Hoereth, an old and prominent builder of the city. Six years later he com- menced building as a contractor himself, and he received his first contract from Henry C. Wilson. Later he formed a partnership with Frank Mowwe, of this city, and was witlı him until 1882. One year later he formed the partnership with Henry Reinking, and they are classed among the prominent and reliable contractors of the city. Mr. Nuerge is a member of the German Lutheran Church and one of the directors of the German Orphan Asylum of East Washington Street, also the Builders Exchange and Contractors Association. In 1872 he was married to Miss Louisa Schildmeyer, of Indianapolis. She died in 1883, leaving two children, a son and daughter. His second marriage was with Mrs. Pierson,
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daughter of Herman Schophorst, of Adams County, this State. Two daughters have been born to this union, both living.
ROBERT MIETHKE. The practical value of shrewdness and discrimination, combined with strict probity is exemplified in the prosperous condition of those who transact business on these principles, and of these Robert Miethke is one of the most prominent. He is one of the, successful florists of Indianapolis, Ind., and the ever expanding wealth and luxurious tastes of the citizens of the place have done much to make his business a prosperous one. His trade has also been augmented by the fact that he is the soul of honesty in all of his busi- ness transactions, is anxious to please his patrons and that their orders are carried out promptly and to the letter. He makes a specialty of cut flower designs and pot plants, in the arrangement of which he shows a refined and artistic taste. He has followed this busi- ness in Indianapolis for the past five years and founded the establishment of which he is now the proprietor at the corner of South Meridian and Walnut Streets. He is a product of Germany, where he was born in 1857, and in the land of his birth he received his educa- tion and became a well informed young man. He has been a resident of the United States since 1882, and for some time after reaching this country he was a resident of Detroit, Mich., where he followed his trade which he had thoroughly learned in Germany. From Detroit he went to Chicago and from the "Windy City" to Indianapolis, and here, at first, was for some time in the employ of A. Weigand, after which he engaged in business for himself and has met with a success that is in every way satisfactory and to his credit. He was married here in 1888 to Miss Elizabeth Seraphine and to them two sons have been given. Mr. and Mrs. Miethke are members of the German Methodist Church and are honorable and highly respected citizens. Mr. Miethke has worked at his trade in the principal cities of the United States, and being very practical in his ideas his services have been in demand in many of the principal green-houses in the United States. It is but just to "give honor where honor is due," and to say that he is a gentleman of high character and of excellent business reputa- tion is but simply speaking the truth.
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