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 73
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OSCAR S. DEITCH, M. D., was born in Indianapolis, June 17, 1866, a son of Joseph L. and Rachel A. (Mullikin) Deitch, the former a native of France and the lattter of Indiana. The father was reared and educated in his native land and came to America in 1847 and located at Williamsburg, Ind., where he was married. In 1865 the family came to Indian- apolis, where Mr. Deitch engaged in the carriage business, at the same time carrying on a money brokerage business. He died in 1881. His wife survives him. Dr. Deitch was reared in Indianapolis and educated in the public schools, and at the age of fourteen became a clerk in a drug store. He took up the study of pharmacy systematically and later became a student in the Cincinnati Pharmaceutical College. In March, 1885, he established a drug store in Indianapolis, which he has since managed with much success, being located on West Washington Street. He began the study of medicine in 1887 under the preceptorship of Dr. Hodges. In 1888 he entered the Medical College of Indiana and was graduated therefrom in 1890. He at once entered upon a general practice which, in connection with his drug business, he has since conducted successfully. He is a member of the Marion County Med ical Society and the Indiana State Medical Society. In 1892 he was physician to the Marion County Jail, and secretary to the County Board of Health. At this time he is physician to the Marion County Asylum In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Jewish congregation of Indianapolis. June 30, 1889, Dr. Deitch married Emma Pence, a native of Indianapolis and a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Applegate) Pence of Ohio.
Othello L. Deitch, M. D., of Indianapolis, was born at Edinburgh, Ind., August 27, 1864, a son of Joseph L. and Rachel A. (Mullikin) Deitcb, and was about six years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Indianapolis. He was reared and educated in the. public schools and the high school of the city and, and at the age of fifteen, became a clerk in a drug store. After a study of pharmacy he began to read medicine with Dr. Eisenbeis. In September, 1886, he entered the Medical College of Indiana and was guaduated there- from in 1888 with the degree of M. D. Locating on New York Street, he practiced his pro- fession there for a few months until he purchased property in West Indianapolis, where he has since lived and had his office. He is a member of the Marion County Medical Society and of the Indiana State Medical Society. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a member
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of the K. of P., and is connected with other orders and organizations of prominence. Dr. Deitch was married February 15, 1893, to Paulina Jacobs, who was born in Boston, Mass., Jannary 14, 1873, a daughter of Samuel and Jennie Isaacs Jacobs.
NAHUM H. LOWE, SR. There are many enterprises which bear the relation of monuments to the energy and ambition of man in this country, and particularly is this true in regard to contracting and building. Few industries of Indianapolis are of more importance than this, and few men have made more of a success of this undertaking than Nahum H. Lowe, who is one of the foremost business men of the place. He is a native of the Pine Tree State, York County, born in Kennebunk, a town near the sea coast, January 9, 1818, and is a son of Samuel B. Lowe, also a native of Maine, born in Lyman. The elder Lowe and family moved to Springvale, Me., thence to Cambridge, Mass., and from there to Washington, R. I. He was a carpenter, woodworkman and cabinet-maker by trade and was thoroughly versed in his business. In politics he was first a Whig but upon the formation of the Republican party, joined its ranks and remained with it until his death, which occurred in 1888, when he had reached the advanced age of ninety-four years. His uncle, Squire John Lowe, was a member of Congress and when Gen. LaFayette visited America, he made the welcoming speech at Kennebunk, where he took dinner. This uncle served in the Revolutionary War, as did two other uncles, William and Thomas. The Lowe family came originally from Eng- land and the first members to venture to America, settled in Maine. Samuel B. Lowe married Miss Lydia P. Stagpool, also a native of Maine, and who was almost eighty years of age at the time of her death, in 1873. Sixteen children were born to this worthy couple, six sons and ten daughters, fourteen of whom grew to mature years. Five are now living, three daughters and two sons. . The original of this notice received his education in Kenne- bunk, Me., and learned his trade partly in his father's shop. When eighteen years of age he left home and went to Taunton, Mass., and was engaged in making calico for twelve
years. After this he was with the Providence & Worcester Railroad, then the Erie Railroad, in all one year, and subsequently engaged with Allen Holbrook in manufacturing an article, ", used in weaving cloth, our subject being foreman for the concern for
about one year. After this he engaged in car building three years in Cambridge, Mass., and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was engaged with George Peck, building rail- road cars by contract. Later he went to Madison, Ind., with Clough & Farnsworth in the same business, but eighteen months later came to Indianapolis where he established car shops for Farnsworth & Rockwood. A year later he started in business for himself, con- tracting, which he has since continued. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. In 1838 he married Miss Mary E. Porter, and in 1888 they celebrated their golden wedding. She was born in 1820, is seventy-three years of age, and enjoys comparatively good health. Three sons were the fruits of this union: Charles G., who is in the furniture department of a New York store; N. H., Jr., also a builder, is now with J. E. Shover as superintendent; and George P., a painter with J. R. Adams. Mr. Lowe is a member of Tippecanoe Club, and has lived in the same house where he now resides for thirty-nine years.
JOHN W. PIERSON. It has been said that "a rolling stone gathers no moss," and in the main this observation is true, but the career of John W. Pierson is in direct refutation of this trite saying, for during his career as a man of business he has been engaged in various occu- pations, and has met with reasonable prosperity in them all. He is one of the enterprising and prominent citizens of West Indianapolis, of which place he has been a resident for the past seven years. He was born in Putnam County, Ind., September 20, 1831, a son of Ervin and Mary (Hunter) Pierson. who were born, reared and married in Shelby County, Ky., and in an early day became residents of Putnam County, Ind. The father was successfully engaged in tilling the soil near Greencastle for many years, but finally retired from the active duties of life, and spent the balance of his time at Coatesville, Hendricks County, and there died at the age of seventy-four years, his birth having occurred in 1806. His wife's death occurred some three or four years prior to his own. He was a Whig in politics until 1856, then voted for Fremont, and was ever after a Republican. He and his wife were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in that faith reared their ten children, of which large family John W. was the eldest. His early education was obtained in the primi- tive schools of Putnam County, and having become familiar with farming in his youth, he
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decided to make that liis occupation after commencing the battle of life for himself, and con- tinued to till the soil up to 1860. He then owned a drug and dry goods establishment at Filmore, but afterward moved to Coatesville, Hendricks County, Ind., where he followed various occupations such as stock trading, the furniture business, and connection with a woolen mill and tile factory, as well as others. He came to Indianapolis in 1881, and has since been actively engaged in the stock business, the last five years being spent in West Indianapolis, where he has become well known, and has gained a fair reputation for probity, business management and public spirit. The building up and progress of the city of Indian- apolis have ever been close to his heart, and in May, 1890, his numerous Republican friends elected him as a member of the board of trustees of West Indianapolis for a term of two years, during a part of which time he was president of the board, and at the expiration of his term he was elected to succeed himself. During his administration a great many improve- ments have been made, school-houses have been erected, water works and electric lights established, and electric cars, and in all of these undertakings Mr. Pierson has been one of the prime movers. The principal part of West Indianapolis has been built since his coming to the place, and in bringing about this most desirable state of affairs he has by no means taken a subordinate part. Socially he belongs to the A. M. In 1856 he was married to Miss Ann McDaniel, of Boone County, Ind., who died two years later, having become the mother of two children, only one of whom survives: Mrs. Elizabeth E. Elrod, of Clarke, S. Dak. Ira Emerson, a son of the eldest child, died in 1885, at which time he was married, and liv- ing in Terre Haute, Ind., where he was engaged in railroad business. He was in the United States mail service during Gen. Grant's administration, and was a useful and substantial citizen. On April 22, 1860, Mr. Pierson was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Newman, at that time a resident of Putnam County, Ind., but born in Kentucky in 1826. She is a mem- ber of the Christian Church, and very much respected.
ADAM A. GAULD. The time has never been when the prescription druggist was not of as great importance to a community as the physician. Indeed, it would be difficult to name a branch of business that is more indispensably important than that devoted to the sale and importation of drugs and the preparation of prescriptions. No more is there any line of business demanding more ability and scientific knowledge. One of the eminent young drug- gists of North Indianapolis, Ind., is Adam A. Gauld, who was born in River John, Nova Scotia, June 5, 1864, his father, John Gauld, having been born in Scotland, September 21, 1795. He landed on American soil on his twenty-fourth birthday, and after some years spent as a Government surveyor, he opened a drug store at River John, Nova Scotia, which occupation he followed there and in other places until the time of his death in 1879. His wife, whose maiden name was Isabella Ross, was born in Nova Scotia and died January 26, 1892, at the age of sixty-six years. This worthy couple were earnest members of the Chris- tian Church, and in that faith reared their six children, five of whom are living at the pres- ent time. Adam A. Gauld was the fifth of this family in the order of his birth, and his early education was obtained in the grammar schools of his native town. His vacations and leisure time were spent in his father's drug store, and during this time he acquired a knowl- edge of the business and its requirements that he would have been long in gaining in any other way. In 1883, in company with J. D. Gauld, a brother, he came west and located in Indianapolis, where he was employed as a prescription clerk, until six years ago, at the end of which time he formed a partnership with his brother, A. B. Gauld, and together they opened a drug store in North Indianapolis. They have become widely known as the most honorable business men and have created a well-defined confidence in their many patrons. Their business is rapidly increasing and their handsome and attractive store is the head- quarters for drugs of all kinds, in fact, everything that goes to make up a well appointed store. The subject of this sketch has always taken a deep interest in the political affairs of the sections in which he has resided, and since locating in the city of Indianapolis, has been a delegate to city, county and State conventions, as a Republican, but has never aspired to public office. He is a notary public, appointed by Gov. A. P. Hovey, and is a member of Marion Lodge, No. 35, F. & A. M. of Indianapolis. January 21, 1892, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Schreck, of North Indianapolis.
NELSON A. RANDALL, a prominent printer and publisher of Indianapolis, Ind., for the past
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fifteen years, is one of the city's most successful business men, and has had a long experience in his line of trade. He started the Western Sportsman in 1878. In 1891 he sold this paper and February 4, 1893, started the paper he now publishes, called Randall's Horse Register. His office is at 20} North Delaware Street, and his home at the corner of Clifford Avenue and Watt Street, Indianapolis. At his home he has a large barn and keeps it well filled with the finest horses the country can afford, with a half-mile track for training pur- poses. Mr. Randall was born on the Wyandotte Reserve, Ohio, in 1828, and, like most of the natives of that State, he has inherited much of the sturdy spirit and noble generosity which so many who claim Ohio as a birthplace possess. His parents, Alfred and Martha Randall, were natives of the Old Bay State. When children, they came with their parents to the Buckeye State, and there grew to mature years and were married. On August 28, 1848, Nelson A. Randall was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Miss Rachel M. Arney, who was a native of that State, born at Lancaster, in 1826. Her parents, Daniel and Eliza (Bar- rack) Arney, were married in Lancaster, Ohio, within two miles of which city both were born and raised, and Mrs. Randall was the first of eleven children born to this union. The other children of this union are named as follows: Louisa, born in 1851, died at the age of thirteen years; George, born in 1853, died in 1875; Eliza, born in 1855, was married to Jarris Tillberry when twenty-two years of age but is now deceased; Jane, born in 1857 and married Frank Parker, of Ft. Wayne, Ind., she is now deceased; Elsie Ann, born in 1860, is now the wife of James Tillberry, of Ft. Wayne, Ind. ; Scott, now a resident of Ft. Wayne and Daniel, now living at the same place. The remainder of the children died in infancy. To our sub- ject and wife have been born one child, Berry, whose birth occurred September 6, 1849, and who is now living with his parents. He married Miss Laura Redmond and the fruits of this union were two children, Birdie, now twenty-one years of age, and Harry, nineteen years of age. Birdie married John Lehr. Mrs. Randall is a practical and intelligent woman and takes an active part in all the business matters in which her husband and herself are interested.
JAMES MAGENNIS. Special adaptability to any particular calling in life is the one nec- essary adjunct to permanent success. No matter the vim and determination which charac- terizes a man's start in business, unless he is to the manor born, he will find to his sorrow that his line has been falsely cast, and the quicker he draws back and takes up another calling the better it will be for him. Mr. James Magennis, the veteran brickmaker of the county, has been in the business for thirty three years, and is one of the best in his line of business in this part of the State. It is said that the finger of time is one of the most satisfactory and reliable endorsers of a man's business career. Men in the various walks of life may with justification halt and refuse to listen to the solicitation of a beginner, but the voice of the old established business man always carries with it attention and respect. Mr. Magen- nis is a native of the Emerald Isle, born in 1846 to the marriage of Timothy M. and Frances (Frost) Magennis, who were born, reared and married in that country. About 1850 the parents crossed the ocean to America, and here passed the remainder of their days. Twelve children were born to their marriage, as follows: Mary Ann, deceased; Jane, deceased; Ellen, married George Maknew, and is now a resident of the State of New York; Sophia, single, resides in this city; Thomas is married and makes his home in Monroe County, Ind. ; Char- lotte, deceased; Frances, married James King, and resides in Cincinnati, Ohio; Anna, deceased; Octavia E., deceased; James, subject; Mattie, deceased, and George, resides in this city. As our subject was but four years of age when he came with his parents to America, he has a very dim memory of any other country, and all his interests are centered on this side of the Atlantic. He has been twice married, first to Miss Nancy Campbell, who bore him four children: Mary Ann, now deceased; Fannie, single and at home; Elmer, at home, and John, who now resides in Monroe County, Ind. After the death of his first wife Mr. Magen- nis married her sister, Jane, by whom he has one child, Herbert, now at home. Mr. Magen- nis had one brother, Thomas, in the Civil War. The latter enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as color bearer, and was wounded three times at the battle of Antietam. Socially our subject is a Mason, belonging to Center Lodge, No. 23, of Indian- apolis, and in all matters of public enterprise and improvement he takes a prominent part, especially in educational matters.
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THEODORE JOHNSON. Many of the best known farmers and residents of Marion County have been born here and in them we find men of stability and uprightness. . Theodore John- son is no exception to the rule for he was born in Belmont, now known as West Indian- apolis, May 15, 1833, and is one of the worthy and respected citizens of the county. He is a son of Theodore, Sr., and Nancy (Cool) Johnson, whose marriage occurred about 1824. The father was a native of New Jersey, born in 1804, and when about seventeen years of age he came with his parents to the Hoosier State and located in Marion County. There he finished his growth and grew to sturdy manhood. His wife was a daughter of William Cool, a substantial farmer of Marion County. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born eight children, six of whom grew to manhood and womanhood: Dana, died unmarried; Clarissa, married Wilkes Watters and now resides on Belmont Avenue, West Indianapolis; Theodore, our sub- ject; Isaac, married Martha Sellers; Julia, married William Curdy and resides in West Indianapolis. They have seven children, as follows: Esse, Walls, Victoria, Ann, Della William, Isaac and Ann, who married John Horton, became the mother of three children, two of whom are living: Charles and Richard. Ann married for her second husband Augus- tus Shafer. The father of these children passed away in 1853, and the mother survived him until August 17, 1893, dying at the advanced age of eighty-eight. For many years the father was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he was steward and class leader most of the time. In politics he was a Whig. Our subject's paternal grandfather was a native of New Jersey also. On his father's farm in Marion County Theodore Johnson, Jr., attained his growth and received his education in the old-fashioned log school-house of those early days. He generally attended about two months in the year but only until he was six- teen years of age. In 1864 he was married to Miss Barbara Hoover, and two children were the fruits of this union. In his political views Mr. Johnson is a Republican and his first vote was cast for John C. Fremont. Socially he is a member of the K. of H., the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W. Like his father he is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and contributes liberally of his means to its support.
JAMES JOHNSON (deceased). This well-known and much esteemed pioneer of Marion County, Ind., who was everywhere respected for his sterling worth, came originally from Virginia, his birth occurring in Grayson County, on May 8, 1801. His father, Samuel Johnson, was also a Virginian, born about 1780, and was a descendant of one of the well known families of that State. He was married there to Miss Ann Simcox, and the following children were born to them: James, John, William, Sallie (who married John Chill), Ann, and Mary (who married John Carson). Thomas Johnson, the great-grand- father of these children, was born in Virginia and passed his entire life there, dying about 1757. He married a Miss Anna Varnum, and became the father of nine children, among them being John, Samuel, Jesse, Isaac, Rachel, Susan, Rhoda, Elizabeth and Ann. The eldest of these children married Lydis Ballard, Samuel married Ann Simcox; Jesse married Jane Simcox (a sister to Samuel's wife), Susan married a Mr. Schooley, Elizabeth became the wife of Mr. Lundy, and Ann married Mr. Nordyke.
When about ten years of age, James Johnson, subject of this sketch, went with his parents to Butler County, Ohio, and there made his home until eighteen years of age. He then came with his parents to Indianapolis, where he resided for about three years, when he went on a farm in Wayne Township. This farm his father had entered when first settling in Indianapolis, and on this our subject passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1882. All who knew this upright, honorable citizen revered and respected him. He married Miss Hannah Snively, and to them were born nine children, as follows: Samuel, single, died in 1844; Sarah A., single, is deceased; Henry S., deceased, married, first, Miss Margaret Var- ner, and afterward Miss Lucy Emerson; Catherine married William C. Holmes; John married Miss Mary Ann Carter; James married Miss Mary P. Crawford; William J. mar- ried Miss Mary Ida Quigg; Mary E. married William R. Hogshire; and Isaac B. (deceased), who married, first, Miss Mary Scudder and afterward Miss Mary E. Overholtz. The Democrat party commanded the devotion of Mr. Johnson, and he was ever a public-spirited citizen. His wife died in 1860. His daughter Catherine was married to William C. Holmes, on December 15, 1849, and eight children were given them, six of whom survive: Sarah A., wife of George W. Johnston; Mary E., unmarried; Martha A., married Frank
A. Q. JONES.
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F. Ferguson; Johnson C .; Catherine, who married Thomas J. Christian; and Rose H., un- married. The father of these children died in 1883. He was a son of William and Elizabeth (Lyons) Holmes. In politics he was a Republican. For many years he was a prominent business man of Indianapolis, but previous to that time had followed farming, milling and trading. He held membership in the Christian Church.
CHARLES T. KARRER. With the rapid and steady advance of Indianapolis, with the quick increase of her improvements, the trade of builder and contractor is one of primary impor- tance, and is one on which the first step of progress is dependent. To excel in this business requires years of close application and practical education in active service, and among those who take a foremost place in this respect are the brothers, Charles T. and Frederick Karrer. They sustain a wide reputation in their business, being reliable, painstaking and thoroughly satisfactory, as there is ample evidence to show. Charles T. Karrer was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1854, and is the son of George Karrer, who was born in Ger- many. The latter was a carpenter by trade, and after coming to America he followed that in the city of Indianapolis until his death. Charles T. Karrer was educated in the Indian- apolis schools, and learned his trade under his brother, Frederick Karrer, now his partner. with whom he remained five years. He then commenced journeyman work, and twelve years ago, in 1881, he commenced contracting for himself. Although he started with limited means, he was thorough master of his trade, and his superior work soon brought him all the employment he could conveniently attend to. He has erected many of the finest buildings in the city, and never lacks for work. On February 3, 1878, he was married to Miss Eliza- beth Baker, of this city, and a son and daughter have been given him. In his political views Mr. Karrer is a Republican, and socially a member of the I. O. O. F., Capital Lodge, No. 124. Frederick Karrer, who for ten years has been contracting and building in this city with his brother, Charles T., has in that time built up a trade and simultaneously with it a reputation, so that he will compare most favorably with any local contemporary. He is also a native of Lancaster County, Penn., born in 1844, and came to Indianapolis with his parents when twelve years of age. He learned his trade from his father and then commenced working for Christian & Shover as foreman, and was also in the rolling mill until ten years ago, when he entered into partnership with his brother Charles. He has been unusually successful and is a skillful, reliable workman. In the year 1871 he was married to Miss Emma Martin, of Indianapolis, and three children have been born to them, a son and two daughters. Mr. Karrer is a member of the Lincoln Avenue Methodist Church, and is trustee in the same. Socially he is a K. of H. Unlike his brother he is a Democrat in politics.
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