USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Sketches of prominent citizens of 1876 : with a few of the pioneers of the city and county who have passed away > Part 28
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Although seven years have elapsed since the above was written, Mr. Wallace is as active in business as then, and seems to have lost none of his vigor and perseverence.
JOHN THALMAN
Was born in Wegihon, Canton Turgaus, in Switzerland, on the Ist of May, 1826. With his father's family he came to the United States in 1834. His father, Isaac Thalman, Sen., settled on a farm near Rock- ford, Jackson county. John remained with his father and worked on the farm nine years.
Not liking farm work he left home to carve out a living in a different sphere of life. He first went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he remained one year as a gardner, which he says was no improvement for ease on farm labor ; he returned home, thence to Indianapolis in October, 1844. This was before there were any railroads terminating in this city, so Mr. Thalman traveled on horseback.
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301
WILLIAM RILEY HOGSHIRE.
The first house he entered in the city was the one which he now lives in and owns, on North Alabama street, opposite the East Market, where his bakery is situated. He then engaged with Julius Nicolai, who was doing a large business in the bakery together with a variety store ; here he worked as a clerk in the establishment for five years, never being at a loss for work, but found it rather too plenty for com- fort. All the time he got to improve his education was on Sunday, his employer acting as teacher. The first year he worked for three dollars per month; out of the year's labor (thirty-six dollars) he managed to save some. At the end of five years he, in connection with William Evans, commenced business in a grocery and variety store, the name of the firm being Thalman & Evans. Mr. Thalman being young and inex- perienced, together with a kind and obliging disposition, credited too much, consequently they were unsuccessful.
He then engaged in a bakery on East Washington street with a partner, and did business there for six years, but without pecuniary suc- cess. · As his partnerships did not prove profitable he concluded that he would engage in business alone. He then commenced business where he yet is on North Alabama street, where he has been very successful, having a very large retail trade as well as keeping a first-class lunch house, where farmers and others attending market can have any thing in the refreshment line they may desire. He has his son for a partner, the firm being Thalman & Son. He is now the oldest baker in the city, and generally known as honest John. Thirty-two years of an acquaintance with the subject of this sketch justifies me in saying he is well worthy the sobriquet by which he is known. Mr. Thalman is the brother of Isaac Thalman, who was a working and efficient coun- cilman from the fourth ward for several years. Their father, Isaac Thalman, Sen., died the present year.
WILLIAM RILEY HOGSHIRE,
Eldest son of Riley B. Hogshire, was born at Northfield, Boone county, Indiana, on the 5th of April, 1835. During his early life he worked on his father's farm, and at intervals attended the common school of the village, receiving but a meager education.
Mr. Hogshire tells me that he, with his father, has hauled wheat to Madison and Lawrenceburg and sold it for thirty cents per bushel, taking in exchange salt and other articles necessary for family use. In 1858, through the friendship of the late William J. Brown, president of
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the board, Thomas McIntyre, superintendent, Dr. L. Dunlap, physician, and his particular friend, General James P. Drake, he was appointed stewart of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum. This position he held several years. During this time he was elected one of the board of managers. He then, in connection with John F. Council, bought the retail grocery store of J. J. Bradshaw, No. 25 West Washington street. After being in the grocery business some time, they formed a partnership with J. B. E. Reid, and converted their establishment into a wholesale and retail shoe store. After doing business several years Messrs. Council and Reid retired from the business.
Mr. Hogshire continued with George A. Reisner as partner and Willie Malone as principal clerk. Mr. Hogshire owns the building and is principal capitalist of the establishment. He is now erecting an addi- tion to his building, which will make it one of the most capacious of the kind in the city.
Mr. Hogshire is well acquainted throughout the county and State, and with many of the leading men, especially those of the Democratic faith, of which party he is an adherent and was its candidate for county auditor in 1864.
On the 5th of October, 1864, he was married to Miss Mary E. Johnson, daughter of Mr. James Johnson, one of the pioneers of Marion county. Mr. Hogshire has four children, two sons and two daughters.
JACOB S. HILDEBRAND
Was born in East Berlin, Adams county, Pennsylvania, on the 23d of February, 1823, and there received a common English education. He lived a short time in Carlisle, and returned to his native town, where he remained until February, 1854, at which time he came to Indianapo- lis. After he became a citizen of Indianapolis he followed milling one year. He then engaged with Mr. Vajen as a clerk in his hardware store, and was subsequently a partner. He is now engaged in the same business with Mr. Fugate, at No. 35 South [Meridian street, the firm being Hildebrand & Fugate. This is one of the largest wholesale and retail establishments of the kind in the State.
Mr. Hildebrand was married in 1844 to Miss Lydia A. Miller, daughter of Mr. Philip Miller, an old citizen of his native town. They have three children, two sons and a daughter. The eldest son was married a few years since to Miss Fry, of Crawfordsville. Mr. Hilde- brand resides on the same piece of ground where the first merchant,
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JOHN M. WOOD.
Daniel Shaffer, lived, and died in August, 1821. How changed the place. It is now covered by one of the finest residences in that part of the city-the junction of Madison avenue and Meridian street. Adjoin- ing the residence is a fine conservatory, where Mr. Hildebrand finds time apart from business to gratify his taste for the beautiful in the cul- tivation of nature's works.
THOMAS COTTRELL.
For several years Mr. Cottrell was one of the active business men of the city. He became a resident in 1849, his previous residence being Cleveland, Ohio. He immediately engaged in the manufacture of tin and sheet iron ware, and continued several years, in the meantime adding thereto the wholesale business of plate copper, sheet brass, sheet iron, Russia iron, sheet zinc, antimony and all articles usually kept in that business. After several years of successful business, he retired leaving it in the hands of his son, Thomas G. Cottrell.
In 1869 he, in connection with his then partner, Mr. John Knight, erected a fine business block on East Washington street, which has been occupied since its completion for city offices, court room and council chamber. For several years he represented the seventh ward in the city council, and was an active and energetic member. In 1870 he was the Democratic candidate for Congress in the Seventh district, but was defeated by the Hon. John Coburn. In 1876 he was Democratic elector for the same district, and cast the vote of it for Tilden and Hendricks.
Mr. Cottrell is a wiry, energetic and persevering man, and whatso- ever his hand findeth to do, he does with might and main. He pos- sesses business qualifications of the highest order.
Soon after he came to this city he was married to Miss Nannie, daughter of the late Samuel Goldsberry; they have three children, two sons and a daughter. The daughter is married to Mr. George Brooks, formerly of Washington City.
JOHN M. WOOD.
Mr. Wood was born at Maysville, Kentucky, on the 25th of May, 1815, and there lived until September, 1834, when with his father's family he came to Indianapolis. His father purchased what was then known as the Sanders farm, on what is now Shelby street; this farm has passed through the hands of many owners since that time, some of it
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having been sold at three or four thousand dollars per acre. Mr. Wood remained on that farm with his father until he was married, then removed to the city.
On the 14th of April, 1835, he commenced the livery business at the same place he now occupies. On the 14th of April, 1849, he took John E. Foudray as a partner, and they have continued the business jointly since that, the oldest firm of any kind now existing in Indiana- apolis. Mr. Wood has been continuously in the business over forty-two years; twenty-eight years in connection with Mr. Foudray. This firm furnished the government a large number of mules and horses for the use of the army during the rebellion. They own jointly some very valuable city as well as country property.
Mr. Wood, like his partner, can pick out the fine points or detect any imperfection in a horse at a glance, and I suppose he ha's handled and owned more fine horses than any man in the State. On the 2d of August, 1840, he was married to Miss Margaret Gresham, niece of the late Colonel A. W. Russell. Although thirty-seven years have passed and gone since that interesting and important event in their lives, they seem good for many more; their home has been blessed with plenty of "small Wood" to make their hearthstone cheerful. They have two daughters and four sons living. Mr. Wood's mother, now seventy-eight years old, makes her home with him; she can thread a fine needle or read the finest print without glasses.
The fact that Mr. Woods has continuously for forty-two years been in the same business and in the same place shows conclusively that he eschews "the rolling stone that gathers no moss," and by industry and economy has accumulated a fine property.
ALBERT GALL,
The eldest son of the late Doctor Alois D. Gall, was born at Green Bay, Wisconsin, on the 23d of November, 1842, and, with his father's family, came to Indianapolis during the summer of 1847.
When but a boy he sought his fortune in the great El Dorado of the west (California), but returned without the fortune, but considerable ex- perience in the ways and means of acquiring it, which has been of in- estimable value to him since.
Soon after his return from California he engaged with J. Kraus & Co., as a clerk in their carpet store, on the southeast corner of Wash- ington and Delaware streets. He first purchased the interest of one
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PERCY HOSBROOK.
and then the other, and became sole proprietor of that immense estab- lishment.
After doing business at the old stand for several years, he removed to No. 19 West Washington street, where he is now doing the largest business in that line of any house in the State. This establishment is a credit to the city, an honor to the worthy proprietor.
Mr. Gall's success in business is mainly attributable to his pleasant and genial manners and accommodating disposition, which have secured for him hosts of personal friends and profitable customers.
On the 22d of October, 1865, he was married to Miss Louisa Ruschhaupt, of Indianapolis, and daughter of one of the early and highly respectable citizens who have passed away.
DOCTOR SAMPLE LOFTON.
Dr. Lofton is a native of North Carolina, born in Davidson county, on the 19th of June, 1823. In 1828, with his father's family, came to Indiana and settled in Pike township, Marion county, and was there educated. Having received a good English .education, he chose the profession of medicine, and studied with Drs. Sanders and Parry, of this city, and graduated at the Rush Medical College of Chicago, Illinois.
In 1848 he was married to Miss Margaret Patterson, by whom he has seven children. Although Dr. Lofton was a successful practitioner he has devoted but a small portion of his time to his profession, pre- ferring a trading or business life. He trades in stock in connection with farming to a considerable extent, and has accumulated quite a fortune. He has a fine farm in Wayne township where he resides, also a large stock farm in Edgar county, Illinois.
Dr. Lofton is a Democrat of the old or Jackson school, and exercises a considerable influence in the community in which he lives. For sev- eral years he has been engaged in packing pork in Noblesville, Hamil- ton county.
PERCY HOSBROOK.
Mr. Hosbrook was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, in February, 18II, and there received a good English education. After becoming of age, for several years built houses, taught school, and did considera- ble surveying until May, 1839, at which time he came to Indianapolis. Previous to his coming he secured an Ohio wife in the person of Phebe
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Duval, nee Phebe Flack, to whom he was married in 1836. Although Mr. Hosbrook has had no children of his own, he has raised several for other people, among whom are the Flack boys.
He was for several years surveyor of Marion county, during which time he has adjusted amicably many boundary disputes, and let persons know just how far they could go. He was representative in 1851, was also in the Senate during the sessions 1853 and 1855. He made a plain, common sense and efficient legislator, and was just such a member as looks to the interests of his constituents. He is a Democrat in whom there is no guile, casting his first Presidential vote for General Jackson, in 1832, and has adhered strictly to the Democratic faith ever since. Mr. Hosbrook is considered one of the firm and substantial farmers of central Indiana. Plain and unassuming in manner, he inspires with con- fidence all with whom he has intercourse.
L. W. MOSES,
The first optician to make Indianapolis his home, was born in Hart- ford, Connecticut, in 1826. When in his fourteenth year he engaged to learn his profession,and has been actively engaged in it since that time.
He became a resident of this city in 1856, and has furnished arti- ficial eyes to its citizens and others of the surrounding country since that time, indeed every person who wishes to improve his vision seeks Mr. Moses. So popular are his spectacles that peddlers personate him in selling such articles, although he refuses to sell his goods for the pur- pose of being resold again.
Mr. Moses is an amateur horseman ; he is frequently seen at our fairs behind some of the fastest horses of the day.
Before leaving his Yankee home he secured himself a first-class help- mate, of the true Connecticut style, in the person of Miss H. E. Hol- comb, who was also a native of Hartford. He is a small, wiry, active man, whose very appearance is indicative of business and energy.
WILMER F. CHRISTIAN
Was born in Stockton, Worcester county, Maryland, on the 4th of January, 1838; his father died when he was nine years old, his mother when he was thirteen years of age. The intervening four years, when he became seventeen years old, where spent in different places where best he could find a home.
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WILMER F. CHRISTIAN.
At the latter age he was bound by the county authorities to Frank Morris, of Snow Hill, Maryland, to learn the carpenter's trade ; he remained with Mr. Morris until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1861 went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he worked at his trade until February, 1865, then came west; arrived in Indianapolis on the first of March of the same year; the balance of 1865 he worked in this city as a journeyman.
On the Ist of January, 1866, went into partnership with James E. Shover, the name of the firm being Shover & Christian, for the purpose of carrying on the carpenter, contracting and building business.
On the 18th of December, 1867, he was married to Miss Margaret J. Moore, daughter of Mr. Thomas Moore, a pioneer of Marion county, and at this time a prominent and wealthy farmer living two miles east of the city on the Rushville State road.
Messrs. Shover & Christian have added to their business and deal in all kinds of building material, at their shop and office, 124 East Ver- mont street. Since their partnership they have built many fine residences and business blocks which are ornaments to the city. A dwelling house for James Hasson, finishing the Second Presbyterian church and building spire, residences for George Lowe, Colonel James Harper and V. T. Malott, saw factory for H. Knippenberg, Shaw's carriage factory on Georgia street, residence for David Macy, depot and water stations on Vincennes railroad, Deloss Root's business block on East Wash- ington street, Spiegel, Thoms & Co.'s store and warehouse on West Washington street, Calvin Fletcher's residence at Spencer, Indiana, remodeled the Bates House, fitted up the Singer sewing machine office and sale rooms, Frederick Baggs' row of residences, Shaw's carriage factory south of the city, Braden block, West Washington street, H. Bates, Jr's, block, North Pennsylvania street, Braden & Burford's block, West Washington street, John M. Talbott's block, Henry Frank's residence, Aquilla Jones' residence, B. C. Shaw's residence, Herman Bamberger's residence, Judge J. E. McDonald's residence, Hervey Bates' residence, North Delaware street, General Ben Harrison's resi- dence, Delaware street, A. H. Pettit's residence, North Meridian street. During this time they have erected sixteen buildings for themselves, eleven of which they have sold. In 1875 they bought the ground and built that elegant block on Massachusetts avenue known as the Enter- prise Hotel. This building has six fine business rooms on the first floor, and seventy-eight above for hotel purposes. I have enumerated the buildings this firm have built merely to show the enterprise of the men
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SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
and the part they have taken in building up Indianapolis. The build- ings spoken of comprise some of the finest residences and business houses in the city, nearly all of which belong to leading citizens and business men.
Mr. Christian's residence is at No. 146 East Vermont street, where he takes great pride as an amateur chicken fancier, raising the Buff Cochin, one of the largest stock of chickens that are raised. He showed me one of the male gender he had paid fifty dollars for ; another of his own raising, but six months old, he had refused the same amount for. The arrangement of Mr. Christian's carriage houses, stables and chicken house speaks more for the domestic qualities of the man than anything I can say in this short sketch; they are models that those wishing to build should look at.
Mr. Christian's success is certainly a great incentive to other poor young men to go and do likewise.
THEODORE F. HOLLAND.
. Mr. Holland was born in Indianapolis on the 28th of March, 1838. He was educated at the county seminary situated on what is now known as University square ..
At the age of sixteen he engaged with his father as clerk in his store, and has been engaged with him since that time, now as the actual partner of his father in the wholesale grocery business on South Merid- ian street, his father having retired from personal attention to the busi- ness, the name of the firm being T. F. Holland & Co.
Mr. Holland was married on the 31st of May, 1861, to Miss Julia, only daughter of the late Thomas M. Smith.
In October, 1874, he became a member of Roberts Park Methodist Episcopal Church, which he says he values above every other import- · ant event of his life. Mr. Holland is the eldest son of John W. Hol- land, who has been identified with the mercantile business of Indianapo- lis since 1830.
MOSES G. McLAIN.
Mr. McLain was born on the 9th of January, 1844, at the old home- stead, seven miles southeast of Indianapolis. His father, John Mc- Lain, came to Marion county in 1826, from Kentucky. Moses resided with his father until July, 1862, when he enlisted in company G, 70th regiment Indiana volunteers, commanded by Colonel Ben Harrison.
309
JOHN D. CONDIT.
He served with the regiment until the battle of Resacca, on the 15th of May, where he was wounded and lost his right arm.
In 1865 he entered the Asbury University at Greencastle, and grad- uated from that institution on the' Ist of July, 1869. He was elected State librarian, and entered upon the duties of his office on the Ist of April, 1869, and served two years. At the special session of the Legis- lature in 1872 he was elected assistant clerk of the House of Repre- . sentatives, and was continued at the regular session. He is now engaged in the practice of law in this city.
After the loss of his right arm he learned to write with his left hand. He writes rapidly a good business hand. I fear if Mr. McLain does not find some lady soon whom he is willing to make Mrs. Mc- Lain, that he will' be amenable to the charge of being an old bachelor.
WILLIAM D. SEATON
Was born in Centerville, Wayne county, Indiana, on the 28th of Octo- ber, 1845. Mr. Seaton is the son of Mr. Myers Seaton, who was a former dry goods merchant of this city, being of the firm of Seaton & Holman.
William D. Seaton received his education at Keokuk, Iowa. He came to Indianapolis and engaged with his father as a clerk in his hat store ; from the junior clerk he has now become the sole proprietor of the establishment at No. 25 North Pennsylvania street. He has been in the same room for eleven years, and expects to remain as many more.
In 1872 he was married to Miss Alice M. Howland, daughter of ex-county commissioner Charles A. Howland and granddaughter of Powell Howland and Hiram Bacon, two of the oldest and most respected farmers of the county. Mr. Seaton has one child, a son whom he de- lights to call William D. Seaton, Junior; this scion Mr. Seaton expects to train up in the way he should go, i. e., in the hatting business. I hope the young shoot may be as successful as the parent stem, and 'live to sell hats during the next centennial year.
JOHN D. CONDIT.
Mr. Condit was born in Hanover, Morris county, New Jersey, on the 17th of September, 1825. With his parents, Daniel D. and Char- lotte Condit, removed to Indiana in 183 , and settled in Terre Haute, where he received his primary education, and finished it at Wabash
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College, Crawfordsville. On the 8th of March, 1855, he was married to Miss Maria B., daughter of the Hon. James T. Moffatt, of Terre Haute.
Mr. Condit was engaged in the dry goods business sixteen years in the latter city. In 1862 he removed to Indianapolis, where he owned a large business as well as private property. His mother is the sister of the late Judge Blackford, and was his legal heir. Mr. Condit lives in one of the palatial residences on North Meridian street, and owns the fine business property known as the Blackford block, on the southeast . corner of Washington and Meridian streets. Although at present in very delicate health, he is cheerful and hopeful.
GIDEON B. THOMPSON.
Mr. Thompson was born near Winchester, Ohio, in 1840. His father, the Rev. Aaron Thompson, a Presbyterian preacher, is yet in the min- istry in Illinois. His mother, originally Miss Catharine Harris, died before the subject of this sketch was twelve months old. His education was received in the common schools of the country, with the exception of what is considered the best practical education a boy can get, which is obtained in a printing office.
At the age of fifteen Mr. Thompson left his home and traveled through the west, finally settling in this city. In 1857 he finished his trade as a printer in the office of the Daily Sentinel, and worked at his business in the different establishments of the city until 1861 ; on the first call for troops he enlisted in the IIth Indiana regiment. During his service in the army was the correspondent of the Indianapolis Jour- nal, a fact that has aided him as a journalist, but, as he says, damned him when it came to promotion in the army.
In 1863 he returned and was married to Miss Sarah J., daughter of L. C. Cash, Esq., of Danville, Hendricks county, and resumed the labors of the printing office as compositor, but for several years was so debili- tated from disease contracted in the army that he was unable to work at the printing case. This fact induced him to join the reportorial corps upon the Journal, but in six months he again went to type setting the second time. In 1871 he took charge of the city department of the Sentinel as its editor ; two years later he resigned for a similar position on the Evening News.
Mr. Thompson is considered by newspaper men one of the best local editors of the city press; very few items of news escape his attention. He is well known throughout the city ; his genial and gentlemanly bear-
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JONATHAN ELLIOTT.
ing give him advantages for obtaining information from the courts and officials generally that perhaps would be denied one less courteous. In his contributions to the Journal during the war he was known by the nom de plume of "Snacks," and is yet familiarly called so by his many friends-in fact, many know no other name for him. Mr. Thompson in height is about six feet, spare made, fair complexion and light hair.
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