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 84
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CHARLES H. SCHOERSHUSEN. Few departments of industrial activity have attained greater perfection or a more deserved reputation in Indianapolis than that of contracting and building. The competition in this line is great, but the result has been satisfactory to the great public, as a higher standard of perfection has been attained. Prominent among the popular and successful contractors and builders of Indianapolis stands the name of Charles H. Schoershusen who has made a name for always discharging his obligations with truth to his promises, thus gaining a place in the first rank of contractors and builders. He was born in Germany. April 23, 1855, and is the son of Henry Schoershusen who was also born in Germany, and who was a working man and an industrious citizen. Our subject received his education in his native land and in 1880 he came to the United States to win fame and fortune on this side of the Atlantic. Previous to this he had worked a little at his trade in the old country, and after touching American soil he located at Benton, Iowa, where lie remained but a short time. He then came to Indianapolis and began working for William Kattan, of that city, and continued with him nine years, becoming foreman in that time, and erecting many of the finest buildings in the city. Later he commenced working for him - self, and success has crowned his efforts. He was first with William Phillips one season, and was then for some time by himself. He has erected many buildings in the city and is well known as a skillful and reliable workman. He came to this country with limited means and all his accumulations are the result of years of hard work and good management. He was married in his native country to Miss Dora Breihenn, also a native of Germany, and three children were born to their union, two sons living and a daughter deceased. Mr. Schoer- shusen is a member of the Contractors Association, and is a wide awake, thoroughgoing business man. He is identified with the Second Reform Church, and a liberal contributor to all worthy movements.
JOHN H. GASPER. The building up of Indianapolis has long been actively and prom- inently identified with the name of Gasper, as has the erection of many of her largest and stateliest edifices. John H. Gasper has been one of the foremost builders and contractors in Indianapolis since 1871, for from the start his exceptional business acumen, reliability and promptness in fulfilling his agreements, secured for him wide recognition and an iuflu- ential patronage. He has become widely known and respected in the city of his adoption, and may well look with pride on the monuments of his handiwork in all parts of Indianap- olis. Mr. Gasper was born in North Vernon, Jennings County, Ind., December 30, 1850, and no doubt inherits bis perseverance, industry and honorable business methods from his German ancestors, for his parents, John B. and Elizabeth Gasper, were natives of the Father- land. Mr. and Mrs. Gasper came to this country when single and were married in Madison, Ind. The father is still living, is seventy-four years of age, but still enjoys comparatively good health. He learned the stone-mason's trade in Germany, but after coming to the United States became a contractor, which he followed very extensively for years. He is
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now retired. He has always taken a part in politics and in the success of the Democratic party. John H. Gasper, the fourth in order of birth of nine children born to his parents, secured a fair education in the schools of North Vernon and subsequently served an appren- ticeship at the carpenter's trade. In 1871 he came to Indianapolis and worked at his trade for different parties for a number of years, after which he began contracting for himself. This he has continued ever since with the exception of one year when he was foreman for John R. Staples. As before stated, he has built some of this city's handsomest residences, and in his business relations will be found liberal, punctual and upright. In 1886 he moved to North Indianapolis where he now has a very pleasant home presided over by his estimable wife who was formerly Miss Mary F. Hatton. For some time Mr. Gasper was in partner- ship with William Weaver, but is now by himself. He is a deacon in the Christian Church. To his marriage has been born one child, a daughter.
JOHN T. METSKER. It would be difficult to conceive of an industry which occupies a more important standing in the great business rush of the West than that allied to the brick trade. In this business millions of dollars are invested, while the number of persons employed counts np into the hundreds of thousands. One of the leading men engaged in the brick-making business in Indianapolis is John T. Metsker, who owns and operates a large brick-yard at the corner of Clifford Avenue and the Belt Railway. He has all the latest and best machinery for his business, and notwithstanding the dull season (1893), he has been able to sell all the brick he could manufacture. This is owing to the well-known fact that he manufactures the finest brick in the Indianapolis market and is a reliable and trustworthy business man. Mr. Metsker was born March 4, 1854, in Hamilton County, Ind., and his parents, James B. and Nancy (DeMoss) Metsker, were natives of that State also. Mr. and Mrs. Metsker were married at Noblesville, Ind., about 1850, and resided in that county until after the death of Mrs. Metsker, which occurred in 1884. Seven children were born to this worthy couple and named in the order of their births as follows: Henry, born in 1852, married Miss Flora Temple. He was an engineer on the L. N. A. & C. Ry., with his home at Monon, and was killed in a wreck at Broad Ripple, in 1893; John T., our subject; Frank, married Miss Laura Fertig, and now resides at Noblesville, Ind. ; Jane, resides at the same place, and is the wife of Stephen Mongole; Mattie, is the wife of Andrew Barnes, and resides at Noblesville, Ind .; Emma, also a resident of Noblesville, is yet single, and James E., residing in Noblesville, is also single. The original of this notice was married in the month of November, 1888, to Miss Sarah K. Sonneyfield, whose parents were Indiana people, and now reside in Marion County, of the Hoosier State. To Mr. and Mrs. Metsker have been born one child, Roy, who is now a fine, active little boy of four years, his birth occurring in 1889. Mr. Metsker was reared a farmer but at an early age learned the drug business. This was too confining and he soon abandoned it and engaged in his present busi- ness of making brick. He has made a complete success of this business, is a man of excel- lent qualities and is most thoroughly admired and respected by all who are favored with his acquaintance. He is now building for himself a handsome brick residence with all the modern improvements and conveniences. He has contracted to make 3,000,000 bricks during the season of 1894, and as his bricks are all burned with natural gas they are superior to all other kinds.
CHARLES MASON. Commerce makes common the various products of earth to every country, so that the inhabitants of the temperate zone can enjoy to the fullest the choicest viands of the tropics. Ships plow every sea bearing the foodstuffs of far away climes to this country, coffees, teas, jellies, fruits of divers kinds, green or dried. So, just as indus- triously is this broad continent searching for dainty and palatable foods for distribution over its territory. The result of this is that nothing in the mercantile line can be half so inviting as a grocer carrying a full line of dietary articles. Prominent among the dealers in that line in Brightwood, Ind., is Charles Mason, who though young in years, is possessed of any amount of push and energy. He was born in London, Shelby County, Ind., August 13, 1872, to the union of John and Sarah J. (Means) Mason who were born, reared and married in the Hoosier State. Their nuptials were celebrated in 1868 and after living there for sev- eral years (Shelby County) they moved to Marion County and now reside in Indianapolis. Of the six children born to their marriage, our subject is the eldest. The others were
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named as follows: Edgar, born in 1873, died in 1892; Anna, born in 1875; Mary, born in 1877; Harry, born in 1880, and Mellie, born in 1884. The last four are at home. The father of these children was a tobacconist by trade and followed this until a few years ago when he abandoned it for farming and has since been engaged in tilling the soil. Our sub- ject had his first training on a farm and from there went to Indianapolis where he engaged in merchandising. For the last three years he has been engaged in the grocery and feed business, and now has a flourishing establishment at No. 951 East Michigan Street, Indian- apolis. His store is a large one, well stocked and favorably situated. He attends to all the busines himself and is a wide-a-wake, thoroughgoing young business man. He was mar- ried January 13, 1891, to Miss Minnie Moore, a native of Boone County, Ind., born in 1872, and the daughter of Samuel Moore. To this happy couple has been born one child, Leo Dale, a fine, promising boy whose birth occurred Febuary 1, 1893. John Mason, the father of our subject, true to his name, has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since the age of twenty-three. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church, while our subject and his wife hold membership in the Christian Church.
ROBERT DAVIS: Among all the industries that are carried on in the flourishing city of Indianapolis none succeed so well as the ones that are conducted by practical men. An instance in mind is the success attained to by Robert Davis, the most efficient and able man- ager and superintendent of the Adams' Manufacturing Brick Company. He is a native of Kentucky, born in Fleming County, November 28, 1840, and is the son of John N. and Jane (Harmon) Davis, natives, respectively, of Floyd County, Penn., and Kentucky. In the lat- ter State the nuptials of the parents were celebrated, and four children were the fruits of this union: Fleming, born in 1828, married Miss Melinda Plank, and now resides in Met- calf, Ill .; Lucinda, born in 1830, married John Hopkins in the Blue-Grass State, and died in 1859; Fletcher, born in 1832, married Miss Mariah Jane Mark, and now lives in Fleming County, Ky., and the youngest, Robert, is the subject of this sketch. Both father and mother of these children are deceased. They came to this State from Kentucky in 1865, and remained here until 1868, when they returned to the Blue-Grass State, where they passed the remainder of their days. In his native State the subject of this sketch passed his boy- hood and youth and received his education. There he was married in 1857 to Miss Caroline Dillou, daughter of Britton and Mary Dillon, who were natives of Kentucky, in which State they passed their entire days. After his marriage, or in 1865, Mr. Davis and wife moved to Marion County, Ind., and they have been residents of this county ever since. Four chil- dren have been born to this marriage: Fleming, born July 4, 1860, married Miss Bird Ellen Bartley, and now resides in this city; Mary Jane, born July 5, 1862, married Sherman How- terman, and resided in Indianapolis until her death in 1881; Melinda, born in 1865. married Charles Pugh, and now resides in this city, and Willie U. S. G., born in 1867, died when nine years of age. While residing in Kentucky Mr. Davis was engaged a part of the time in the service of the United States, carrying the mail from Maysville to Mount Sterling, Ky. He was thus engaged for eighteen months during the hottest part of the Civil War. and on one of these trips his horse was shot when about six miles north of Mount Sterling. Soon after this he met the Confederate Generals Kirby Smith, Longstreet, and Humphrey Marshall, all of whom he knew. He was reared a close neighbor to Gen. John Morgan, his father's farm lying close to the Morgan farm. As before mentioned, he came to Indiana in 1865, located in Indianapolis, and went to work for J. C. Adams in the brick business, and has continued in the same ever since. This company was organized in 1873, and Mr. Davis has been manager and superintendent of the same from that time np to the present. He has as many as 100 men working under him sometimes, and in the busy season makes 100,000 bricks per day. This company has a yard at Sheridan and one at South Indianapolis. Mr. Davis is a member of the order of Chosen Friends, and for many years has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been unusually suc- cessful in his enterprises, but much of his good luck is due to his good judgment and fine executive ability. He is a man of sterling integrity and deserves his success.
SAMUEL MILLER. One of the old-time citizens of Marion County, has been successful from a pecuniary standpoint, in the conduct of his affairs, and is a liberal, generous and high-minded gentleman whose correct mode of living has gathered about him a large circle
SEWALL
MIS T.A. HENDRICKS
MAY WRIGHT
MRS BENJAMIN HARRISON
MISS E.G. BROWNING
MISS M. E. AHERN.
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of friends and well-wishers. He was born in Frederick County, Md., January 21, 1819, and there continued to make his home until he was sixteen years of age obtaining a practical education in the subscription schools of that day. He came with his parents to Marion County, Ind., in 1835, with his father, driving through in a four-horse wagon and locating four miles northwest of Indianapolis on a farm of 320 acres, which his father, Henry Miller, purchased at that time for $5 per acre, which is now worth $140 per acre. Samuel being the eldest of seven children, was married January 3, 1843, when he led to the altar Mar- garet, daughter of George Klingensmith, the knot being tied by Rev. E. Rudisel, Lutheran minister, both belonging to the same church. Mrs. Miller was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., July 13, 1818, and after her marriage to Samuel Miller they removed to an eighty- acre tract of land which had been presented to the latter by his father, and was a portion of the old home farm and there they continued to make their home until the death of his wife, which took place August 13, 1868. From this marriage five children were born: H. W. Miller (the eldest); John, Laura A. Miller (now Meyers); and Henry Miller; Albert having died in infancy. The father made his home with his son, Hiram W. Miller, who married Miss Elizabeth Meyers, daughter of John H. Meyers. Hiram W. Miller is a large farmer, owning several farms in all containing nearly 800 acres, also having been in the brickmaking business for fifteen years, furnishing brick for some of the most prominent buildings in the city of Indianapolis. In politics he is a Democrat, holding several offices; was township trustee four years in his township, Wayne, and was also treasurer of Marion County two years, handling the funds of the county satisfactorily. He was also one of the incorporators, stockholders and directors in the State Bank of Indiana.
JAMES F. ARBUCKLE. The pursuits of life are as varied as are the tastes and capacities of men, and it is an interesting and useful study to observe the degree of their assimilation. Mr. James F. Arbuckle, a popular and skillful blacksmith of Indianapolis, Ind., has fol- lowed that calling the principal part of his life and is regarded as one of the best and most reliable workmen in this part of the city. He has not, perhaps, amassed the wealth that many men of less intelligence have done, but he has accumulated a fair share of this world's goods, is well respected by all who know him, and he and family are in the enjoyment of excellent health. What more could one ask for ? He is a productof this State, born in Jef- ferson County in 1833, and the son of Samuel and Nancy Arbuckle, the former a native of New York and the latter of Kentucky. The parents were married in Jefferson County, Ind., and there reared a family of nine children, as follows: James F., our subject; John, married a Miss Beavers and is now deceased; George, married Miss Vira Carr, and now resides in Scott County, Ind .; Caroline, married John Ferguson and makes her home in Jefferson County, Ind. ; Adeline, married Noah McFadden and is at home in Scott County, Ind .; Anna, married Jesse Law and is now deceased; Emma, married Mr. Busey and is now de- ceased; Louis, married Miss Artie Newton Davis and is a resident of Scott County, Ind., and one died in infancy. The original of this notice was reared in his native county and se- lected his life companion in the person of Miss Lena Hollenback, daughter of Andrew Hol- leuback, their nuptials being celebrated in 1856. An old-fashioned family of eleven chil- dren was the result of this union: Andrew, married Miss Sallie Phillips; George, married Miss Lydia Chesley; Laura, married William Brooks; Lee Anna, married Alfred Williams; James, married Miss Pledgie Spitz; William, married Miss Dora McOscar; Oscar is single; Effie and Eddie (twins) are single; Julia, married to Fred Lane, and Stella, single. All these children reside in Indianapolis except Laura, who is living in Crothersville, Ind. Mr. Arbuckle is a man whose uprightness and honesty have never been questioned and no better citizen finda his home in the city.
Louis LAITNER. Among the most important industries of Indianapolis is the brush manufactory owned and conducted by Louis Laitner, which business he has followed off and on since early manhood. He was born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1852, his parents being Francis Joseph and Sarah Josephine (Hill) Laitner, the former of whom was born in Germany and the later in England, although both were of Scotch descent. They were married in St. Louis, Mo., in 1845 and became the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the second in order of birth. The eldest child was born in 1848 and died at the age of three years. The third was Charles Francis who is now a resident of New Orleans,
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La., in which city he is engaged in the manufacture of brushes. He is married and is a sub- stautial business man, a law abiding citizen and the worthy head of a family. The fourth child, Augustus F., became a sailor and about fifteen years ago shipped with five other men for the China seas and has never since been heard from and is supposed to be dead. Louis Laiter was brought up and educated in St. Louis, and was there married on December 14, 1879, to Miss Adelia Stann, the daughter of Herman Stann of that city, and to their union an interesting and promising family of three children have been given: Alfred Noah, born June 22, 1883; Louis Fulton, born November 10, 1886, and Mildred born June 18, 1890. While growing up Mr. Laitner learned the art of brush making very thoroughly, under the competent direction of his father, who was engaged in that line of work for many years in the city of St. Louis. He came to the States from Montreal, Canada, in 1847, and immedi- ately after locating in St. Louis engaged in the manufacture of brushes, which business he continued to follow under the name of F. J. Laitner until 1873, when the firm became F. J. Laitner & Son. In 1876 it became Laitner Bros., and in 1885 became Louis Laitner. Six years ago the business was disposed of and Mr. Laitner went into the Masonic insurance business, and is well known to many people in Indianapolis in that capacity. After continu- ing in the business for eighteen months he opened a grocery store in North Indianapolis, in which portion of the city he has made his home for the past four years. He is now closing out this business and expects soon to re-engage in the manufacture of brushes in this city. A large company has been organized, with Mr. Laitner at its head, with ample capital to do all the work, and it is proposed to run the finest brush manufactory in the United States, if money, energy, push and practical experience can accomplish it. Mr. Laitner was assessor for St. Louis, Mo., for one term, and with his large business experience and strict integrity there is no reason why he should not be at the head of the brush manufacturing business in a very short time. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, is a pushing man of affairs, and is one of the most public-spirited business men of the hustling city of Indianapolis.
WILLIAM SCHWEGMAN. In the early history of this country necessity goaded the wits of the handful of individuals from which the people of the United States sprung, and its effects have been manifest upon their descendants in the shape of great mental activity and ingenuity, which characterized them as a race. Such is the case with William Schwegman, who is the inventor and patentee of an improved pressure plate for veneer cutting machines. The advantages of this plate are many, and if it is investigated thoroughly any one will be convinced of its superiority above all others, no matter on what machine it may be used. Mr. Schwegman is a native of the Hoosier State, born in Franklin County August 20, 1853, and a son of Henry and Mary (Dapner) Schwegman, natives of Germany. The parenis came to America when young, and were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, about 1820. Six children were the result of this union: John Henry married Miss Kate Seaforth, and now resides in Franklin County, Ind .; Elizabeth, deceased; Harmon. deceased; Kate and Sophia, twins. now reside in Franklin County. The former married Edward Lang. and the latter Conrad Strausburger. and William, the subject of this sketch. The youthful days of the latter were passed in his native county, where he secured a good, practical education. On September 19, 1873, he was married to Miss Anna Lineman, daughter of Fred and Elizabeth (Mosel) Lineman, natives of the old country. Mr. and Mrs. Lineman were reared in their native country, but came to the United States at an early date, and were married in Cincinnati, Ohio. Our subject and wife celebrated their nuptials in Franklin County, Ind., and they are now the parents of two children: Elizabeth and Louis, both at home. When first starting out for himself Mr. Schwegman began tilling the soil, and continued this until twenty-three years of age, when he left the farm to learn the trade of veneerer, at which he worked for seventeen years. After that he engaged in merchandising at 300 Clifford Avenue, and is now running a fine grocery store at that place. In his business as well as social relations Mr. Schiwegman has proven himself to be a gentleman of his word, and is well respected by all. His improved pressure plate is sought after by all veneerers, and has a fine sale.
WILLIAM HAEBERLE. Few among the many excellent meat markets and groceries that attract the eye in Indianapolis have secured a more enduring hold upon public favor and confidence than the establishment conducted by William Haeberle. It is one of the best equipped stores of its kind in the city, where patrons can always rely upon getting a very
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superior article, satisfactory treatment and prompt attention. Mr. Haeberle was born in Germany, February, 1863, is a young man of pleasing manners, and combines push, enter- prise and excellent business qualities, and has before him a promising future. His parents, Gotleib and Frederika Haeberle, were natives of the old country but crossed the ocean to America in 1881 and settled in Indianapolis. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Gotlieb married Miss Mary Breiniger and is now living in Indianapolis; Frederika married Adolph Lentz and is also a resident of this city; Christian married Caroline Off and is a resident of this city; Christina married Carl Meiser and makes her home in Germany ; Carrie married John Beyer, of this city; Fredrick married Miss Amelia Kiefer and lives in Indianapolis, and William, the subject of this sketch. The latter was about eighteen years of age when he came with his parents to Indianapolis. He was married in February, 1885, to Miss Anna Kiefer, daughter of Jacob and Fredie Kiefer, both natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Kiefer came to America when single and were married in Indianapolis. Three children have been born to our subject and wife, Fredie, born August 15, 1886; Alma, born December 21, 1888, and Lula, born May 21, 1889. Our subject learned the butcher's trade of his father and for some time has been engaged in that business. For seven years he has been in business for himself and has a fine grocery store and meat market on Brookside Avenue and Jupiter Street, this city. In recogition of the class of people he caters to, Mr. Haeberle has made it bis aim to keep only the superior meats and the freshest and best groceries. His parents are living, but his wife's father and mother are both deceased. To the latter couple were born five children, as follows: William, single and residing in Kansas; Annie, wife of our subject; Jacob, single, residing in Indianapolis; Lonisa, married and lives in this city, and Amelia, married Fredrick Haeberle, brother of our subject, and lives in Indianapolis.
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