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 82
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FURMAN STOUT. Agricultural pursuits have formed the chief occupation of this gentle- man, and the wide-awake manner in which he has taken advantage of every method and idea tending to the enhanced value of his property, has had considerable to do with his success in life. Born in Marion County, Wayne Township, Ind., November 9, 1850, he is a son of George
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W. and Sarah (Homan) Stout, who celebrated their nuptials in 1849. The father was a native of Illinois, born in 1825, and he there remained until six years of age, when he came with his parents to Marion County, Ind. His father, Thomas Stout, purchased 240 acres and on this passed the rest of his days. George W. Stout grew to manhood on this farm and secured a fair education in Marion County. His marriage resulted in the birth of six children, three of whom are living at the present time: Furman, our subject; Anna, who married Moses A. Williams, and Joseph C., who married and became the father of two chil- dren. Politically Mr. Stout is a Democrat. Although not a member of any church he was public spirited and contributed liberally to all worthy enterprises. His wife died in 1868 and he was married the second time. He was a soldier in the Mexican War. Thomas Stout, grandfather of our subject, was a man of education and filled many positions of trust and honor. He affiliated with the Democratic party and served in the State Senate and House of Representatives. He was also elected commissioner of Marion County, Ind., and filled that position many years. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. The subject of this sketch grew to mature years in his native county, received a fair education in the schools of Wayne Township and assisted his father on the farm until twenty-five years of age, when he cele- brated his nuptials with Miss Kansas Brown, daughter of Peter B. and Sophia (Holmes) Brown. In 1879 he and his family moved to Butler County, Kan., and he there tilled the soil until 1883, when he returned to Wayne Township, Marion County, Ind., satisfied to remain there. He bought 150 acres of the Brown heirs and on this he has since made his home. His marriage resulted in the birth of four children, as follows: George E., Everson, Walter and Ella. Like his father and grandfather, our subject is a Democrat in his political views and is quite prominent in local politics. In 1884 he was elected trustee of Wayne Township, and was re-elected to that position. In 1891 he was elected commissioner of Marion County, Ind., and that office he now holds to the entire satisfaction of all. Socially he is a Mason.
WILLIAM COSSELL. We present with pleasure a sketch of the life history of one of the best known farmers and citizens of Marion County, Ind., William Cossell, whose birth occurred in Butler County, Ohio, March 11, 1811. His parents, John and Mary (Holmes) Cossell, were married in Kentucky. The father was a native of Germany, born in 1764, and came to America about the time of the Revolutionary War. He first settled in Maryland, then in Kentucky, afterward in Ohio, and finally, in 1823, he made a perma- nent settlement in Indiana. There his death occurred about 1850. His marriage resulted in the birth of twelve children, two of whom died young: George (deceased), William (our subject), Frank (deceased), Polly, David (deceased), Martha, Peter (deceased), Betsy, Setb, Jane and Tiny (twins), and Sallie. The father of these children was a soldier in the War of 1812. In politics he was a Democrat. Our subject's grandfather, Peter Cossell, was a native of Germany, born in 1727, and came to America after his marriage. He was a soldier in the Revolution and died about 1817. William Cossell passed his youthful days on a farm, and came to Marion County, Ind., with his parents in 1823. For one year his parents resided in Indianapolis, but the next year they bought about 135 acres in Wayne Township, all green timber, aud on this farm our subject grew to mature years. His education was received in the primitive log school-house of pioneer days, in Wayne Township, and he also attended a school in Perry Township, about three miles from his
home. When sixteen years of age he left the school-room, but remained under the parental roof until twenty-five years of age. He selected his life companion in the person of Miss Hannah Hoover, daughter of Andrew Hoover, and this union was celebrated in 1836. After his marriage he moved on a tract of 160 acres he had purchased in Wayne Township for $900. Of this tract eight or nine acres were "bushwhacked," and a little log cabin erected. In this cabin Mr. and Mrs. Cossell resided for a year, and then a hewn log cabin, 18x16 feet was erected. Three years later Mr. Cossell erected the frame house in which he now lives. He has cleared about 100 acres and has ever been classed among the representative pioneer settlers of the county. Of the nine children born to his marriage four died when young. The others were named as follows: Abijah, who is single; Eliza married Samuel Corbeley and they have two children, Louisa and George; Mary married Isaac Julian, but is now deceased; Andrew married, first, Miss Mary Dyke, who
THOMAS TAGGART.
CHARLES RIEMAN. (DECEASED. )
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bore him two children, Charley and Bert (his second marriage was with Miss Lizzie Armstrong, daughter of Thomas Armstrong); and Emily, deceased. Although not a strict partisan, Mr. Cossell generally votes with the Democratic party. He is not a member of any church, nor is he a member of any society, but he is public spirited and liberal, and contributes freely to all worthy causes. He had the misfortune to lose his wife in 1889.
ANDREW W. McOUAT. Like many of the prominent citizens of Marion County, Ind., Mr. Andrew W. McQuat is a native of the Blue-Grass regions of Kentucky, born in Lexing- ton, May 8, 1830, and when an infant came with his parents, Thomas and Jeanette S. (Lock- erbie) McOuat, to Indiana. The father was a native of Scotland, born in 1795, and remained in his native country until grown. He then crossed the ocean to America, located in Lex- ington, Ky., and was there married to Miss Lockerbie. About 1821 he moved with his fam- ily to the Hoosier State and located in Indianapolis, where he purchased property. To his marriage were born these children: Elizabeth A. (deceased), Ona Butler (deceased), George (died in 1872), Robert L. (deceased), Andrew W. (our subject), and Mary G. The father of these children died in 1838 leaving the family in limited circumstances. The son, George, assumed control of the family and greatly assisted his mother in rearing the younger mem- bers. He never married but, remained with his mother. For sixteen years he served as deputy United States marshal under different administrations and was a very popular man. In politics he was one of the leaders of the Democratic party in this section. He took a deeper interest in matters of a higher character than mere material things, and not only won an enviable reputation for public spirit, as shown in his various labors for the material and moral advancement of the county, but he was also admired and respected for personal and social qualities of the highest order. No better man made his home in this county. Andrew W. McOuat grew to manhood in Indianapolis and there received a good, practical education, being one of the "Old Seminary Boys." He was married in Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1853, to Miss Ellen M. McCrossin, daughter of Patrick McCrossin, a native of Dublin, Ireland. Previous to his marriage, in 1846, Mr. McQuat entered the employ of Jacob and Charles Cox and learned the turner's trade, serving a four years' apprenticeship. In 1851, he and his brother, Robert L., embarked in the stove and tinware business, and carried this on until 1870, when our subject retired. He was out of business until 1880 when he bought out his brother and carried on the business very successfully until 1887. He then retired and is now residing in a beautiful brick house on a farm of 245 acres in Wayne Town- ship. This land he purchased in 1883 and he has it well cultivated and well improved. Although not a member of any church or society he is liberal and generous in his support of all worthy enterprises and is a public-spirited citizen. Nine children were born to his first union, five of whom are now living: Thomas, George (who married Miss Jennie Wright), Mary F. (who married Clay Rockwell), Jennie (who married George Catterson), and Will- iam A. (who is single). Mr. McOuat married for his second wife Miss Barbara Nelp wlio bore him four children, as follows: John Paul, Malcolm, Kenneth and Donald. Like his brother George, our subject is a stanch supporter of Democratic principles, and his first presidential vote was cast for Franklin Pierce.
JAMES H. HULS. The hotel is a modern invention and is practically limited to enlight- ened countries. The ancient caravansary of the East was merely a place where travelers and their camels, donkeys and horses might rest together in one great common apartment, no board being supplied, and they were usually owned by the city or country. In many self-styled civilized countries to-day dependence for food and shelter is had upon private families. The modern hotel is a product of the age and is in keeping with its dignity and importance. It is a marvel of comfort, luxury and ease. Among the hotels of Indianapolis may be mentioned the "Castle Hotel," situated at 283 Massachusetts Avenue, the proprietor being James H. Huls, who is a bright, cheerful, social gentleman, who looks after the wants of his guests with careful attention. It is not every man who " knows how to keep a hotel," and many have been disappointed in the experience. The successful hotel keeper must be a good judge of human nature; must know how to make his guests feel at home without being fussy ; must be a connoisseur in the matter of good things to eat and supply them; must know how to hear the complaints of cranks, and of men and women who have never been much at hotels, without being disturbed. Mr. and Mrs. Huls are very competent hotel managers, and
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keep a well-equipped house. Cleanliness, which is said to be next to godliness, is apparent everywhere, and this house is a popular stopping place with the traveling public. Mr. Huls was born in Wayne Township, Marion County, Ind., in 1845, and was reared on a farm-a good place to develop good muscle and correct habits. It was this young man's habit to teach school in winter and work on his father's farm in summer. Later he came to Indian- apolis and engaged in several lines of business which he carried on very successfully. He selected his wife in the person of Miss Mary V. Deputy, daughter of George Deputy. She is a lady of much force of character, and fills well her position in life. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Huls engaged in the grocery business for five years, at the corner of North and Douglas Streets, and kept boarders for a number of years. Mr. Huls was for a time assist- ant superintendent of the county infirmary. The experience of our subject and wife in the boarding-house was a good schooling for their present position. The Castle Hotel is a new house, botlı as to building and furniture, and from top to bottom it is in "apple pie order." Joseph Huls, father of our subject, was a native Kentuckian, born in Fleming County, No. vember 21, 1821, where he lived on a farm until fifteen years of age, attending school in Flemingsburg. In 1836 he came with his parents to Indiana and located in Marion County, Wayne Township, where he made his home until 1878, after which he moved over the line into Hendricks County. He remained under the parental roof until 1844, when he married Miss Elizabeth Nun, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Olinger) Nun, and subsequently rented what is known as the McDowell farm, which he cultivated for twenty-five years. In 1875 he bought the farm in Hendricks County and there he resides at the present time. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Christian Church. Five children were born to his marriage, as follows: James H., our subject; Mary J., wife of James Wills, is the mother of three children, Edith, George and William; George W. ; Harrison F., who mar- ried Miss Victoria Mitchell, and they have two children, Willard and Ernest; and Charles B. The mother of those children passed away in February, 1890. Thomas Hnls, grand- father of subject, was a native of the Keystone State, born in 1783, and was married in Ken- tucky to Miss Elizabeth Miller. In 1836 he came to the Hoosier State where he died about 1856. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His wife died in 1879. . They were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom lived to mature years, as follows: Henry, deceased; Mary, deceased; Alexander; Joseph; Richard, who enlisted in the Seventieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, and died while in service; Sanders; James, deceased, was a soldier in the Civil War, and his death was the result of wounds received while in service; John, also a soldier, died while in service; Rachel; and Alfred, deceased. He was a soldier in the Seventh Regiment, Indiana Infantry, and died in 1888. Our sub- ject's paternal great-grandfather was Richard Huls, and his great-great-great-grandfather Huls was born in Germany. His great- grandfather on the maternal side, William Miller, was a soldier in the Revolution.
ERNST HUKRIEDE. One of the most beautiful and appropriate ideas in the decorations for house parties and other entertainments is the use of flowers, and among those who follow the occupation of growing them in Indianapolis is Ernst Hukriede who has aided largely in the cult- ure of its inhabitants by placing at their disposal large quantities of the choicest and most beau- tiful cut flowers at reasonable prices. He shows the utmost taste and skill in his arrangement of floral designs, and in the matter of decorations he shows undoubted artistic talent. He has a well stocked green house located on State Avenue and Sycamore Street, near the German Orphan Asylum, and his retail store is at 528 Virginia Avenue. Mr. Hukriede is a German by nativity, his birth occurring in Prussia, August 26, 1837, and on the farm belonging to his father, Henry Hukriede, who died in Prussia about 1862, he was reared and learned lessons of industry, honesty, and economy, which have since been of great benefit to him in his walks through life. The early education of Mr. Hukreide was not neglected and in the schools of his native land he acquired a sufficient knowledge of books to enable him to successfully battle with the world when he left home and friends to seek his fortune beyond the Atlantic. He landed in the city of New York on November 25, 1864, the day after Thanksgiving, and he at once came west as far as Cincinnati, and during the year that he remained in that city, he did what his hands found to do, and did it with all his might. Being pleased with this country he determined to make it his future home, and in order to further any business enter-
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prise he might undertake he determined to learn to read and write, as well as speak, the Eng- lish language, and pursued his studies with such earnestness and zeal that he is how profi- cient with the Anglo-Saxon language. The various occupations that he had followed have been those of brick making, paper-making and railroading, being for twenty-one years connected with the passenger service of the Vandalia Railroad. While still connected with this road he built a green-house at 37 Henry Street, but after a time sold this property and erected his present commodious and substantial green-house, which is well located and has a paying patronage, which has been built up through the energy and fair dealing of Mr. Hukriede and his son, Frederick R., who has been associated with him for some time. Mr. Hukriede is an Independent in politics, and votes rather for the man than the party. He is a liberal patron of the German Orphan Asylum. In 1870 he was married to Miss Johanna Schellenberg, a native of the same place as himself. She died June 25, 1876, leaving three children, Freder- ick R., being the only surviving member. His present wife was Miss Sophia Martin, who was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, and both are members of the church and are liberal con- tributors to enterprises of a worthy nature. Mr. Hukriede may be termed a self-made man, for upon his arrival in Cincinnati he had just 5 cents, in money, and what he now has, has been earned by his own efforts since that time, a fact greatly to his credit.
MRS. ELLEN BUTCHER, florist. The calling of the florist is one for which women seem to be naturally adapted, for their love of the beautiful and their finely developed artistic sense, as well as their industry and vigilance (without which the business would be a fail- ure), are essential to success in this line of work. Mrs. Butcher's home and green-house are at Irvington, Ind., but she keeps a well supplied stand at the market-house, also a large supply of all kinds of fresh vegetables during the season. She has followed the calling of a florist for some fifteen years, but commenced with a very limited stock, which she gradu- ally but continuously increased, until she now has three large green-houses, surrounding which are seven acres of ground, a large portion of which she uses for bedding plants. She also formerly dealt in small fruit, but her flowers and vegetables now occupy most of her time and attention, although she raises sufficient fruit for her own use. Her place is noted far and wide for its beauty and for the fact that every nook and cranny of it is utilized and kept in the neatest possible manner. Mrs. Butcher was born in Germany, that country that has given to the United States so many of her most estimable, enterprising, thrifty and industrious citizens, and in girlhood came to this country with her parents and settled with them in Blair County, Penn. In that State the father was called from life, but the mother's death occurred in Marion County, Ind., at the home of Mrs. Butcher, near the city of Indianapolis. Mrs. Butcher attended the common schools of Pennsylvania, where she obtained a practical education. She has always had a great fondness for flowers, but never raised them only for her own pleasure until she commenced in earnest some fifteen years ago. She is the only florist that has a stand in the market place, and conseqently makes large sales there. She raises everything that there is a demand for, and has many rare and beautiful plants, her green-houses being "bowers of beauty." She is assisted in her labors by her daughter, and deserves much credit for the way in which she has bent the force of circumstances to her will, and for the competence which she has gained. She is a member of the Indiana Society of Florists and has long been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Irvington, Ind., in which she has been trustee. She has been a class leader, a Sunday-school teacher, and for years has taken a deep interest in church affairs. She is held in high esteem by all who know her, and her good name and honor are above reproach.
SAMUEL W. COCHRANE. As a discriminating and competent man of affairs and as an effi- cient and thoroughly posted contractor and builder, Samuel W. Cochrane has not his supe- rior. He was born in the city of New York in 1835, a son of Robert Cochrane, who was a native of Scotland, who learned the calling of a contractor and builder and when a middle aged man came to the United States and located in the city of New York. He became the superintendent for an extensive contractor there, doing public work, and after a time moved to Richmond, Va., where he engaged in contracting for himself. In 1850 he took up his residence in Madison, Ind., where he was later called from life. In the public schools of Richmond, Va., Samuel W. obtained a good practical education as he grew up, and at odd times worked under his father at the carpenter's trade, thoroughly learning the details of 29
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the business, and after he had reached a suitable age he and a brother became their father's associate in business. Later Samuel W. branched out for himself and coming to the city of Indianapolis in 1864 to build a house, he decided to remain and here has made his home ever since. For a short time he was in the Fifty-fifth Indiana Regiment as first lieutenant and was a participant in the battle of Richmond, Ky., where by a miracle he escaped death. He was wounded on the head by a passing cannon ball, but fortunately not severely. In this city he built the fourth and ninth ward school-houses, the Wyandotte block, the Holli- day block and many other business blocks, as well as numerous handsome and costly private residences. For four years he was engaged in farming in Jefferson County, but with that exception his time and attention has been given to contracting, in which he may be said to have been remarkably successful and commands his full share of work. He was married in 1858 to Eliza Taylor of Jefferson County, Ind., by whom he has two daughters. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and is trustee of Meridian Lodge, No. 480 of that order. He is a member of Chapman Post of the G. A. R., is a member of the Builders Exchange and the Contractors Association. He is an agreeable and affable gentleman, courteous and kind hearted, and his friends are legion.
GEORGE S. HENRY. If any firm in Indianapolis possesses a monument to its progress it is the firm of Henry & Worthington, contractors, for their name is identified with the erec- tion of some of the noblest structures in the city. George S. Henry, the senior member of the firm, was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 1839, and is the son of John Henry, who was a successful farmer near that city. Our subject received his education in Parma, N. Y., and partly served an apprenticeship before the war. Filled with a patriotic desire to serve his country, he enlisted August 5, 1862, in the One Hundred and Eighth New York Volunteers, and was afterward transferred to the Regulars, Fifteenth United States Infantry, with which he remained three years and six months, lacking the time he was with the former company. His command was at Lookout Mountain when the war closed but he was stationed at Mobile, Ala., until December 13, 1865. He was in many battles, the most prominent being Sharps- burg, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and the fight from Dalton to Atlanta. At the close of service he came to Indianapolis, and began working at his trade. He has been contracting most of the time since then and for some time was in partnership with Charles L. Wollen- weber, James Williams and recently with Mr. Worthington, his present partner. It is hardly necessary to state that Mr. Henry is one of the most popular and reliable con- tractors in the city, and is well liked by all who have dealings with him. In politics he is a stanch Republican.
ROBERT WORTHINGTON, junior member of the above mentioned and well-known firm is a product of Mooresville, Morgan County, Ind., born November 20, 1861, and the son of J. M. Worthington, who was a native of the Empire State. The father came west many years ago and sold goods to the Indians. He was a partner of Samuel Moore who was the founder of Mooresville, and passed the remainder of his days in Morgan County, this State, his death occurring in 1877, when sixty-eight years of age. For many years he was a farmer and was very successful in that occupation. He held a number of public offices and was sheriff of Morgan County two terms, just prior to the war. In religion he was a Methodist and in politics he was a Republican. Robert Worthington was the youngest of nine children and his education was received in the schools of Mooresville, from which he graduated. In 1879 he came to Indianapolis and started to learn his trade, first in the car works. Later he went to Streator, Ill., and was under R. C. Meyer, the father of Billy Meyer, the pugilist, serving an apprenticeship of three years. After that he embarked in business there, con- tracting, and remained in that place for four years when he returned to Indianapolis and opened a restaurant at 156 West Washington Street. This he followed for nearly four years and having made considerable money, he quit business and went back to the old trade. For some time he was foreman for J. E. Shover, but subsequently he formed a partnership with Mr. Henry and has continued with him since. Mr. Worthington is a popular business man, and is abundantly worthy of the large measure of success attending his efforts. Polit- ically he is a Republican, and socially a member of the K. of P., Lodge No. 56.
LOUIS L. LANGE. Among the most popular and successful painters, grainers and paper- hangers of the city of Indianapolis, the name of Louis L. Lange stands prominent, and as
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