USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > Valley of the upper Maumee River, with historical account of Allen County and the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Volume II > Part 16
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Andrew R. Henderson, superintendent of the woolen mill operated under the name of French, Hanna & Co., was born near Auburn, Cayuga county, N. Y., March 31, 1826. His parents, Joel P. and Mary Ann (Rogers) Henderson, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Cayuga county, N. Y., removed, when he was a lad of twelve years, to Chautauqua county, N. Y., where at the age of thirteen he became apprenticed in a woolen mill. During almost his entire life he has been employed in woolen manufacture. In 1842 he took a position in a mill at Erie, Penn. In 1848 he went to Waterloo, N. Y. Subsequently he had charge of mills at North East, Penn .; Westfield, N. Y .; Kingsville, Ashtabula county, Ohio. In March, 1856, he came to Fort Wayne to manage the mill now owned by French, Hanna & Co., of which he has now been superintendent for about thirty-three years. Mr. Henderson was married in 1855 to Zervia Berdsley, who died in June, 1858. She was born in Rochester, N. Y. March 22, 1860, he was married to Miss Annetta E., daughter of Harvey M. and Elvira (Lampher) Putnam, natives of Lewis county, N. Y. Mr. Henderson and wife are the parents of an only son, Charles W. Henderson, who was born January
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17, 1861, and is now a bookkeeper in the office of the Pittsburg shops. Mr. Henderson is a Knight Templar, and politically he is a republican.
Martin L. Albrecht, carriage manufacturer, is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio. He was born June 6, 1847, the son of Rev. Christopher and Mary Ann (Conrad) Albrecht, who were natives, the former of Baden, Germany, and the latter of Fairfield county, Ohio. Christopher Albrecht was the son of Andrew Albrecht, with whom he came to America in 1832 and located in Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio, being one of the earliest settlers. Christopher Albrecht helped to construct the Wabash & Erie canal, and with the money thus earned he took a course in the Lutheran theological seminary at Columbus, Ohio. He then began his ministerial duties in Fairfield county, and labored as a minister for more than forty years, having but four different charges. For more than twenty-five years he was pastor of the Lutheran church at Miam- isburg, Ohio. He died near that place in 1887. The mother of Martin Albrecht died when he was but two years old, in Perry county, Ohio, whither his parents had moved. After her death he found a home with his grandfather, Andrew Albrecht, at Tiffin, with whom he remained until he was twenty-one. His education was received in the public schools of Tiffin and at Heidelberg college of that place, which he attended one year. During the greater part of his youth he was em- ployed as a clerk. At eighteen he entered upon an apprenticeship as a carriage painter and served three years. In 1868 he went from Tiffin to Indianapolis where, for a few months, he worked at his trade, after which, in October, he came to Fort Wayne. Here he worked two years for Stanley & Bieber. For six months thereafter he was the owner of a shop in which was done carriage painting. He then formed a partnership in the livery business with James Liggett, and to it his attention was given for a year and a half. For the past seventeen years he has been engaged in the manufacture of carriages, and he has now done a continuous business of that kind longer than any other man in the city. From November, 1876, to January, 1883, he was one of the proprietors of the City carriage works. For the past six years he has been the proprietor of his present establishment on the corner of Barr and Main streets. Mr. Albrecht was married May 10, 1870, to Miss Dora Bloom, a native of Germany, born in 1848, the daughter of Philip Bloom, with whom she came to America when a child. They have seven children: Frank L., Samuel W., Edward, Eva M., Fred, Dora S. and Christopher. Mr. Albrecht and wife are members of the German Lutheran church. He was the first president of the city hospital and is the present incumbent, having held the position for the past six years.
Calvin J. Winch, an old and honored citizen of Fort Wayne, and the founder of Winch & Sons' hub and spoke works, was born near Bur- lington, Vt., July 14, 1824, the son of Joseph and Almira (Murray) Winch, who were respectively natives of New Hampshire and Vermont. The grandfather, Joseph Winch, was a native of New Hampshire. He was reared to manhood on a farm in his native county, and received a
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common school education. In the latter part of his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade, and he pursued it for a great many years. In about 1845, he emigrated to Indiana and located in Monmouth, Adams county, where he conducted a blacksmith shop some ten years. He then erected a steam saw-mill at that place and operated it about three years. He then gave his attention to agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1864, at which time he removed to Leo, Allen county, Ind., having purchased a grist-, woolen- and saw-mill. He conducted that property about five years. In the spring of 1869 he came to Fort Wayne, and for about two years he was engaged in the building of gravel roads and streets. He then began the manufacture of hubs in connection with his son, H. D. Winch, the firm name being Winch & Son. The manufacture of spokes has been added, and the firm is now the owner of a large factory in Fort Wayne and another in Jay county, Ind. For two years their business was at Arcola, then at Geneva, Adams county, and still later at Briant, Jay county. The factory in Fort Wayne was started in Octo- ber, 1886. Another son, W. E. Winch, has been a member of the firm about five years. Mr. C. J. Winch was married when about twenty- years old, to Miss Phebe C., daughter of Calvin T. and Fannie (Bell) Dorwin, who were respectively natives of Vermont and New York. She was born in Richland county, Ohio, in 1834. Mr. C. J. Winch and wife have had eight children: Walter J., born March 9, 1850; Homer Dick, February 24, 1853; Willard E. and Mildred D., April 2, 1858; Sherman P., October 31, 1862; Fannie M., April 1, 1867; Jessie M., July 4, 1869; Howard T., October 29, 1872, all of whom are living ex- cept Walter J., who died in the fourth year of his age. Mr. Winch is an ardent temperance man and strongly opposed to monopolies. He is always active in public enterprises, is an honorable, upright man, and very highly respected.
John Pressler, proprietor of the Summit City galvanized iron works, was born at Chambersburg, Franklin county, Penn., October 25, 1845, the second of two children now living of George and Anna Press- ler, who were natives of Germany and immigrated to Pennsylvania and there died. In 1863 Mr. Pressler enlisted in Company L, Twenty-first Pennsylvania cavalry, William H. Boyd commanding, but being under age at the time, his father required his release and he was honorably discharged soon afterward. He learned the tinner's trade at Chambers- burg, and in 1868 came to Fort Wayne. For three years he was em- ployed in the P., Ft. W. & C. railroad shops, under Joseph Stillwagon, and for a time at the Wabash shops. He was then for some time oc- cupied in the tin and jobbing business, and in 1883 established his pres- ent business, which is the largest and most extensive in its line in the city. In 1885 he bought his present business property on the corner of Barr and Columbia streets, which he has greatly improved, to furnish room for his increased business. In addition to his manufacturing he deals in hot air furnaces and metalic shingles, and makes specialties of natural gas and other fittings, and grates and mantels. He was married
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July 18, 1868, to Amelia Menze, who was born in Fort Wayne, and they have six children: Rosa, Charles F., John A., Edith A., Carrie and George H. He and wife are members of the English Lutheran church. Mr. Pressler became a member of Sol D. Bayless lodge, F. & A. M., April 28, 1886, and in 1888 became a Scottish Rite Mason. He is an enter- prising, active business man, and though beginning in Fort Wayne with small means has prospered, and has a pleasant home on West Main street, which he purchased in 1886.
Sylvanus F. Bowser, a well-known citizen of Fort Wayne, is at the head of the firm of S. F. Bowser & Co., patentees and manufacturers of the Perfect Self-measuring oil tank, and perfecting siphon, also pumps and self-measuring oil wagons. He was born in Allen county, August 8, 1854. His parents, John H. and Eliza (Kieger) Bowser, came from their native state of Penusylvania to Allen county in 1833, and were among the sturdy pioneers, and followed farming in Perry township. The father was born April 15, 1812, and died March 10, 1879; the mother, who was born September 18, 1818, passed away Sep- tember 9, 1875. To them thirteen children were born, eight of whom survive. S. F. Bowser was reared on the farm of his parents, and re- ceived his education in the common schools. In 1882 he took a position as traveling salesman for the Chicago paper house of W. H. Wells & Bro., and was thus engaged until 1885, when he perfected the inven- tion above named, and began its manufacture. Beginning on a small scale, he continued the business until July 1, 1888, when the company was organized, by associating with him August Bowser and William F. Devilbiss. They erected the factory now in use, a three-story frame building, with 20,000 feet of floor space, and are doing a prosperous and rapidly increasing business. Mr. Bowser is a member of the First Baptist church. He was married October 9, 1878, to Sarah F. Russell, of Fort Wayne, and to them four children have been born.
Aime Racine, a prominent citizen of Fort Wayne,. has developed here the manufacture of horse collars on a large scale, and the "Racine" horse collar has a national reputation. In 1865 he fromed a partner- ship in this city for the manufacture of harness, to which was sub- sequently added the making of collars, and for more than twenty years he has conducted that business. The factory occupies a handsome three story brick building, at the corner of First and North Cass streets, which was erected by Mr. Racine several years ago. In the near vicinity Mr. Racine has two comfortable residence buildings, one of which he occupies. Mr. Racine is not wholly absorbed in his prosper- ous business, but takes and interest in public affairs, and is prominent as a republican. During two years he served as councilman from the ninth ward. He was born in Switzerland, March 16, 1834, son of John Jacob Racine. In 1849 he accompanied his parents to this country, and they settled first in Washington township, this county. He remained upon the farm until 1865, and then began an apprenticeship in the har- ness business in Fort Wayne. He worked as a journeyman in Chicago
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six months; at Lafayette, Ind., six years, and as foreman in a collar fac- tory in Toledo, two years. He was married in 1865, to Louisa Sawdy, of the latter city, and they have living two children: Ollie and Nellie. Mr. Racine is a member of the I. O. O. F.
Erastus B. Kunkle, member of the firm of E. B. Kunkle & Co., pro- prietors of the Fort Wayne safety valve works, was born at Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Penn., December 14, 1836, the son of Leonard and Harriet C. Kunkle, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respectively. In his youth he learned the trade of a machinist with his father, and has followed it during life. In 1862, he removed to Alliance, Ohio, where he was employed two years, and then in December, 1864, came to Fort Wayne. During eleven years he was employed in the locomotive department of the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago railroad shops, and since that period has turned his attention to invention and manufacture. He invented the celebrated Kunkle lock-up pop safety valve, upon which he received a patent May 4, 1875, and another July 24, 1877. In January, 1876, he began the manufacture of the valves, and as it is an article of much importance and solid merit, it finds an extensive sale over the continent. Mr. Kunkle has also manifested his skill and genius in mechanics by the invention of an egg beater, a water gauge, a gauge-cock, and a steam gauge, on all of which he has received patents. He is honored as a citizen, is one of the trustees of the English Lutheran church, of which he and wife are members, and served one year as a trustee of the water-works, to which position he was elected in 1887, but was compelled to resign on account of of his private busi- ness. He was married October 22, 1868, to Louisa E., daughter of Emanuel and Harriet Bostick, esteemed pioneer citizens. She was born in Lancaster county, Penn., October 25, 1845. They have these chil- dren: Ella A., Eva H., Frances C., Blanche M., Lulu S. and Edith P., all living except Frances, who died at the age of three years.
Jacob Klett, one of the leading citizens of Fort Wayne, of German birth, was born in Wurtemberg, in 1831. In his native land he was educated, and learned the potter's trade. In 1853 he immigrated and in the following year, settled at Fort Wayne. Four years later, he entered the employment of Andrews & Oakley, of Fort Wayne, in their planing- mill, and remained with them until 1860. He became engaged with Clark & Hurd, lumber dealers, in 1861, and continued with the succes- sors, Clark & Rhinesmith, and upon the organization of the lumber com- pany of the same name in 1871, he became a stockholder, and accepted the position of yard foreman and inspector. Having become thoroughly ยท acquainted with the business, he opened an extensive yard on his own account in 1877, and prospering in this business, added in ISS9, a large and complete planing-mill plant, and began the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds and general factory work. Mr. Klett's business experience has extended over thirty-one years, and he is one of the leading lumber men of the city. Socially, he has a wide circle of friends and acquain- tances. He was married July 6, 1858, to Louisa Sauter, a native of
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Germany, who came to this country at about the age of about five years, and they have had eight children, five of whom are living. J. A., the oldest son, is engaged with his father in the lumber business.
The management of the extensive lumber yards of Coombs & Co., of Fort Wayne, is entrusted to Nelson Thompson, who resides at No. 339 East Wayne street. He is a native of Sweden, born November 10, 1844. He remained on the farm with his parents until 1865, and then immigrated. He came west and located at Chicago, where he remained until 1867, and then came to Fort Wayne, where he has since resided. While in Chicago he was employed in laying Nicholson pave- ment, and he was engaged in that after coming to Fort Wayne until 1877, being occasionally in the employment of the city in repairing bridges, culverts, etc. In 1877 he entered the lumber yard of Coombs & Co., and in 1885 was made manager of the yards. Mr. Thompson is a member of the English Lutheran church. He was married in 1868 to Augustine Pichon, daughter of Alexander A. Pichon, a native of France, who settled in Fort Wayne about 1833, and is now in his seventy- sixth year, making his home with Mr. Thompson. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson three children have been born: Peter Alexander, John Will- iam and Charles Dollies. Mr. Thompson has been very successful in business, and has recently completed a handsome two-story residence on East Wayne street. In politics, he is a republican, and his religious affiliation is with the English Lutheran church.
Joseph C. Cromwell is one of the prominent factors in the great lumber industry of Fort Wayne, and has been connected with the busi- ness here since his coming to the city in 1872. His first employment was as bookkeeper and measurer for the lumber firm of Hoffman Brothers, and he remained with them until the summer of 1876, when he became engaged with Coombs & Co., hardware dealers, as entry clerk. In 1880 he assumed the position of chief clerk and head book- keeper with the Kerr Murray manufacturing company. After four years in this position, in 1884, he engaged in the lumber business on his own account, and now has an extensive trade, manufacturing lumber, and shipping that and logs to home and foreign markets. His mills are in Adams and Jay counties, with headquarters there and in Fort Wayne, and the annual business amounts to $20,000. Mr. Cromwell was born at Frederick City, Md., January 17, 1852, the son of Joseph W. Crom- well, now a worthy citizen of this city, elsewhere mentioned. He re- ceived his education in the schools of West Virginia, and in 1868 began his business career as a clerk at Frederick City. He was married in 1880 to Maggie C. Hardt, daughter of John C. Hardt, of the lumber firm of Hardt & Keefer, of Frederick City. She was born November 23, 1850. They have three children. Mr. Cromwell is a member of Sol. D. Bayless lodge, No. 359, F. & A. M., and of the First Presby- terian church.
- David Tagtmeyer, a leading lumber manufacturer, embarked in that business in 1861, in company with three partners, and so continued
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three years, when the mill was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt, but seemed fated, for two months later the boiler exploded, again destroying the building. A second time it was rebuilt but was subsequently sold. Afterward, Mr. Tagtmeyer and a partner purchased the property and operated it one year, then disposed of it. He was next engaged in the grocery business on Columbia street for one year, and then in 1868, purchased a half interest in the mill he now runs, gaining possession of the entire property five years later. He now manufactures hardwood lumber, the product being about 1,300,000 feet annually, which is mainly disposed of to the railroads. Mr. Tagtmeyer, though now a successful and prosperous manufacturer, started as a poor man. He was born in North Germany, February 5, 1834, and came to America alone in 1853. He came direct to Fort Wayne, disembarking from the canal boat which was his conveyance from Toledo, at the place where Monning's mill now stands. The first four months of his residence he worked upon the construction of the Wabash railroad, and next spent one winter in the woods of Adams county, the epidemic of cholera having brought affairs to a stand-still in Fort Wayne. Mr. Tagtmeyer was married July, 1862, to Caroline Kaysar, who was born in Prussia, in 1834, and died in 1871, leaving two children, of whom one survives. In 1873, he was married a second time, to Sophy Axt, who was born at this city, in 1843. She died in June, 1875, leaving one child, and in November, 1876, he married Christine Tilking, who is a native of Prussia, born in I854, and they have had five children. Mr. Tagtmeyer is a member of the Lutheran church.
The secretary of the Hoffman lumber company, Milton P. Long- acre, is a native of Chester county, Pa., born January 14, I851. He is the oldest of five living children of David and Hannah B. (Rhinehart) Longacre, natives of Pennsylvania, the father born about 1827 and the mother about 1831. His father is now engaged in farming and stock- raising in Chester county, where the mother died June 14, 1870. Mr. Longacre was educated in the public schools at his home, and remained there until twenty-one years of age, when he went to Pittsburgh and was for six months in the employment of the Wheeler & Wilson sewing machine company. In August, IS72, he came to Fort Wayne, and served four years in the freight department of the Pennsylvania com- pany, under J. C. Davis. He entered the employment of Hoffman Brothers in the fall of 1876, and since the organization of the company has held his present position, becoming favorably known as an alert and capable business man. May 1, 1873, he was married to Rachel Lilly, of Perry county, Penn., born January 3, 1852, who died in March, 1876, leaving one child, Bertha L., born September 20, 1874. September 20, ISSo, he was married to Caroline Schlatter, who was born in Allen county, July 12, 1853, and they have four children: Milton G., born November 2, ISS2; Hazel I., born October 29, 1884; David S., born March 1, ISS6; and Leon R., born February 19, 1889. He and wife are members of the First Presbyterian church.
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Philip H. Hyman, a prominent citizen of Fort Wanye, is a native of Germany, born March 19, 1841. In 1852 he accompanied his parents, William and Anna M. Hyman, to America, and the family settled in Huron county, Ohio. In 1866 he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Kirby, Wyandotte county, Ohio, and was so occupied six years. In 1872 he removed to Columbia City, Ind., and was engaged in the lumber and stave business, to which his whole attention has since been given. In 1873 he removed to Portland, Ind .; in 1875 to Versailles, Ohio; to New Washington, Ohio, in 1876; in 1877 to Tiffin, Ohio, changing his resi- dence frequently with the opening of new railroads. In 1882 he came to Fort Wayne. His lumber and stave interests at present are at Payne, Ohio. Mr. Hyman was married August 11, 1868, to Cassie Jetter, who was born in Philadelphia, March 13, 1851, daughter of Jacob and Anna Jetter. They have had nine children: William J., Isabel L., Philip H., Edward A., Minnette E., Arthur F., Estella C., Wanetta J. and Anna M., of whom William J., Isabel L. and Minnette E. are dead. Mr. Hyman and wife are members of the German Reform church. In politics he is a republican.
Samuel D. Bitler, manufacture of cooper's truss hoops, corner of East, Wayne and Schick streets, Fort Wayne, was born in Berks county, Penn., November 23, 1845, son of Daniel and Eve (Frees) Bitler. The father was one of seven sons of Daniel Bitler, also a native of Pennsylvania, who was the son of John Bitler, a native of Switzerland, who emigrated to America between 1740 and 1750, and became a soldier of the revo- lutionary war. He was married to an English lady in Philadelphia. Daniel, father of Samuel D., was a blacksmith and farmer; he died in August, 1867, at the age of seventy years. Eve Frees, the mother, was born in Berks county, of German descent, and died in 1863. Samuel D. Bitler left the farm in 1870, and spent a year with an engineering force sur- veying the Wilmington railroad. In 1872 he came to Fort Wayne, and for a year and a half was in the employ of N. G. Olds & Son. In June, 1875, he became a member of the firm of H. Stephan & Co., in the manufacture of cooper's truss hoops, and upon the death of Mr. Stephan in January, 1883, became sole proprietor of the business. His trade extends over the entire country, shipments being made to St. Louis, San Francisco, New Orleans, New York, Nashville, and even to Cuba and Germany. Mr. Bitler was married February 9, 1885, to Mary Beidler, of Birdsboro, Penn., and they have one child. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. Was a charter member of Constoga lodge of Morganstown, Penn.
A. C. Beaver, for many years an honored citizen of Fort Wayne, hat witnessed the growth of the city from 1,500 to 40,000 inhabitants, and meanwhile has contributed in a decided manner to this advancement by active and enterprising business operations. He has been uniformly successful in business, and enjoys a well-founded reputation for integrity as well as talent for the successful accomplishment of his undertakings. He was born near Hagerstown, Md., April 19, 1822, the son of John and
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Dorothy (Mowen) Beaver, both natives of Franklin county, Penn. The mother died in 1837 and the father subsequently married Elizabeth Best. The family left Maryland in 1842, settled first in Preble county and then in Montgomery county, Ohio, where the father was surveyor for the county for four years, with his residence at Dayton. The father came to Fort Wayne in 1860 and here died about ISSI. His widow is now living at Columbus, Ohio. A. C. Beaver started from Preble county for Fort Wayne on foot in February, 1844, and walked the en- tire distance, arriving here March 1, 1844, with a total capital of 75 cents. He worked at the carpenter's trade, which he had learned in Ohio, until 1852, when he began contracting, at which he was occupied until he went into the lumber business in 1867, with Jeptha Mitchell, of the well-known firm of Mitchell & Rowland, of Cincinnati, as a partner. The business here with a capital of $10,000 , was conducted in Mr. Beaver's name for three years, when the latter purchased the interest of Mr. Mitchell, and organized the Beaver-Miller lumber company, still in business, with a capital of $24,000. After the panic of 1873 Mr. Beaver retired from that firm as an active partner, and organized the Fort Wayne lumber company, with a capital of about $10,000 devoted to wholesale trade. The retail business was added in ISSS and the cap- ital increased to $20,000. Mr. Beaver was married in 1848 to Mary Maples, daughter of D. W. Maples, a pioneer of Fort Wayne. She died in 1853, leaving three children: Catherine, Mary E. and Elizabeth, of whom the first only is living. In 1855 he was married to Caroline Spence, a native of Leeds, England, who died in 1858, leaving one child, Clara E., wife of Frank Miller, of Sacramento, Cal. In 1861 Mr. Beaver married Emily Parks, born at North Bend, Ind., and they have two children: Florence E. and Montgomery G., the latter now as- sociated with his father in business. Mr. Beaver united with the Pres- byterian church some forty years ago, but recently became a member of the First Baptist church.
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