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 19
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little time for politics in the future. Capt. White has long been an at- tendant upon the First Presbyterian church, though liberal and charitable in his religious views. His kindness and open-handedness to all those who are distressed is as widely known as his name, and his quiet and unostentatious charity has made him beloved in many a humble home. Taken all in all, he is one of those self-made men who have the affection of their neighbors, and never loses an opportunity to serve them to the best of his ability.
Mention of the business interests of Fort Wayne would be incomplete without notice of the famous wholesale house of Gilbert E. Bursley & Co., wholesale grocers. The house was established in 1880, and now enjoys an extensive custom throughout a wide territory. The proprie- tors have a thorough knowledge of their intricate business, buy in the best markets, and have the brightest and most capable salesmen extend- ing their trade in the prosperous region tributary to Fort Wayne. The house occupies a four-story brick building at Nos. 129, 131 and 133 Calhoun street, having an area of 50x100 feet, and especially fitted for the business. Gilbert E. Bursley, the senior partner, was born at Barn- stable, Mass., April 9, 1837. His father, Joseph, son of Lemuel Bursley, a native of Massachusetts, was born in 1791, served in the war of 1812, and died in his native state in 1870. He married Deborah Lothrop, who died in 1840, aged about thirty-seven years. They had twelve children, of whom five are living, Gilbert being the youngest. He lived in Barnstable until sixteen years old, and then went to Boston to seek his fortune. He was first employed in a book store, and then by the Old Colony railroad, and enlisted in 1862, in Company B, One Hundred and Thirtieth New York infantry, and after one year's service, was dis- charged on account of ill health. He had visited Fort Wayne in 1861, and in 1868 he returned here and made the city his home. He was largely instrumental in organizing the Citizens' street railroad company, and superintended the construction of the road and the operation of it during the first ten years. A few months after the organization of the Fort Wayne organ company, in 1872, he became connected with that enterprise. and was general manager and the largest stockholder for ten years, during which he placed it upon a sound financial basis, and won for it an extensive business and high reputation. He married in 1861 Kate P. Smith, of West Virginia, who died in 1871, and in 1876, mar- ried Ellen R. Aldrich, of Providence, R. I.
James M. McKay, junior member of the above named firm, was born in Ontario, Canada, January 21, 1856. His father, Neil Mckay, was a native of Scotland, born May 6, 1823, and emigrated with his parents and settled in Ontario, where he was educated and resided, holding the position of " Reave" for several years, until he came to the United States in 1864. He settled at Fort Wayne in 1868, and followed his occupation of railroad contractor until his death, November 26, 1882. He was a man of great energy, and was connected with the construction of many of the railroads of this country. He married Nancy Young,
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who was born in Canada, December 29, 1833, and died in Fort Wayne, in May, 1872. They had eight children, three of whom are now living: James M., Nannie, wife of Neil Mclachlan, and Jennie E. Mr. McKay, in 1880, became a member of the firm of G. E. Bursley & Co., and has attained a high rank among the popular and active business men of Fort Wayne. His career has been entirely the result of personal application, and his success is noteworthy. October 1, 1885, he was married to Elizabeth J. McFee, a native of this county, and they have two children : Neil A. and William. He is a prominent republican and a member of the Morton club.
Louis Wolf was born in Germany, April 23, 1849, the son of Samuel and Fannie Wolf, who lived and died in their native land, the mother passing away at the age of fifty-nine years in 1881, the father in 1889, at the age of about seventy. There are nine children living, of whom Louis Wolf is the second. His childhood was spent in Germany, where he received his earliest education. In 1865 he immigrated and settled first at Warsaw, Ind., where he entered the dry goods business in the employ of Becker Brothers. Two years later he came to Fort Wayne, and for five years was employed by the firm of Frank & Thanhauser. He then went to Plymouth and embarked in dry goods on his own ac- count under the firm name of M. Becker & Co. This business was kept up for four years, at the end of which time he sold out, and re- turned to Fort Wayne and purchased the interest of Mr. Thanhauser in the firm which had formerly employed him. Two years later he bought out Mr. Frank and ever since he has managed the large and in- creasing trade. The retailing of dry goods, carpets and millinery is the principal department, though a considerable amount of wholesale busi- ness is done. The establishment is located at 54 Calhoun street, and employs fifty to sixty people. Through the indefatigable energy and exceptional business ability of Mr. Wolf the store has come to be widely known as one of the foremost in northern Indiana. He was married in 1880 to Rebecca, daughter of Joseph and Caroline Stiefel, prominent people of Angola, Ind. Mrs. Wolf was born at that town, in 1860. They have three children: Milton, Edgar and Florence. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf are members of the Hebrew church.
Ernest C. Rurode is one of the successful business men of Fort Wayne, a member of the firm of Root & Co., a dry goods house whose exten- sive wholesale and retail operations make it one of the most prominent institutions of the city, and widely recognized as one of the leading business concerns of the country. The business was established by McDougal Root & Co., in 1860, the present firm succeeding in 1863. They moved into their present building in 1874; it is a three story brick 52x170, fronting on Calhoun street, and 30x50, fronting on Main street, all fitted with the most ingenius of modern contrivances for faciltating business. The wholesale trade is extensive throughout Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, and the firm, being direct importers, compete with all markets. The retail trade is very large, the custom of the house not
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being confined to the city alone, but extending over a territory of fifty miles in all directions. One hundred and fifteen persons are given employment by the firm. Ernest C. Rurode was first associated with the business in 1860 with the old firm, and in IS62 took an interest in the same. For twenty years he has managed the wholesale and retail departments, and under his careful and shrewd management the business has grown to its present magnitude; thereby Mr. Rurode has gained for himself the widespread reputation as one of the leaders in Fort Wayne's commercial life. Mr. Rurode was born in Hanover, Germany, and is the son of Henry and Catherine (Hier) Rurode, who livied and died in Germany. Mr. Rurode received his early education in his native land, came to America in 1854, and first settled at Terre Haute, Ind., where he was in the dry goods business until 1860. He was married in 1873 to Emma Pedecord, of Decatur, Ill., by whom he has three children. In politics, Mr. Rurode is a republican.
Carnahan & Co., wholesale dealers in boots, shoes and rubbers, is the title of a Fort Wayne house which has an extensive trade through- out four states. The house was established in 1872 by Carnahan, Skinner & Co., and this was succeeded in 1875, by Carnahan, Hanna & Co. In 1886, the present firm Carnahan & Co., composed of William L. Carnahan and Emmet H. McDonald, succeeded to the business. The establishment is located at Nos. 76, 78 and So Clinton street, a four- story brick building 60x60, and is stocked with a complete assortment of all grades of foot-wear, including boots, shoes, and India rubber goods. The purchases of the firm are made with such business acumen that the prices it offers are daily recommending it to dealers throughout the vast territory the salesmen of the firm are traversing. With annual sales of from $400,000 to $500,000, and a steady increasing patronage, the future of the firm is a very bright one. William L. Carnahan is the son of James G. and Margaret (Brown) Carnahan, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They removed to Indiana in 1833, becoming pioneers of Tippecanoe county. Settling at Lafayette, the father engaged there in merchandise. At that place William L. Carnahan was born March 5, 1837, and growing to manhood there, attended the city schools and prepared himself for entrance to the state university, at which he was graduated At the close of the year 1856, he went to Nebraska, and remained in that state three years, the greater part of the time in Dakota county, and the city of Omaha, in the latter place being engaged in merchandise, and as clerk in the land office. Mr. Carnahan returned to Indiana in 1860, and established himself in business at Delphi, where he was occupied for two years, after which he removed to Lafayette and embarked in the boot and shoe trade. ' Two years later he became a traveling salesman for the firm of Carnahan, Earl & Co., of Lafayette, in which capacity he acted for eighteen months, at the end of that period becoming a member of the firm, which did businens under the title of Carnahan Brothers & Co., wholesale dealers and manufacturers of boots and shoes. Attending to the wholesale trade, he spent seven
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years altogether on the road. In January, 1872, Mr. Carnahan made his home at Fort Wayne and established the business above referred to. Mr. Carnahan's long and successful business career gives him a high rank among the prominent men of the city. He was maried in 1864, to Clara L., daughter of James Bayliss Hanna, of Allen county, and to this union four children have been born.
One of the most destructive fires for many years in the business part of Fort Wayne was the burning of the establishment of Louis Fox & Bro., dealers in foreign fruits, and manufacturers of confectionery and crackers. This fine four-story brick building, 145, 147 and 149 Calhoun, and I to II East Jefferson streets, was entirely destroyed on the morn- ing of February 16, 1889, entailing a loss of about $55,000. It had been erected but two years before. The Messrs. Fox with characteristic energy set to work to rebuild, and the walls of an equally extensive and elegant building were erected by autumn. The members of this firm, Louis and August Fox, are sons of Joseph R. Fox, of Fort Wayne. The father was born in Germany, March 3, 1820, and came to Fort Wayne in 1848. He followed farming in Adams township four years, then engaged in gardening in the city until 1863, when he began his business of confectioner and restauranteur at 25 East Main street, where he still does business. He was married in 1848 to Mary Schnetz, a native of Switzerland, by whom he had three sons, Joseph in addition to those already named.
Henry C. Graffe has been prominent in the business affairs of the city for many years. He is a native of Germany, where in the early part of this century Ludwick Graffe died at the age of thirty-four, leav- ing two sons, Frederick and Henry. The latter died in his native land at the age of seventy-four. Frederick, born in Brunswick, January 31, 1809, was married in 1837 to Mary Ann Stark, who was born in 1810, and in 1838, the young couple came to New York. May 28, 1840, they reached Fort Wayne. They brought with them their son, the sub- ject of this mention, who was born at Frankfort, March 1, 1838, the eldest of eight children, of whom six survive. Frederick Graffe was engaged in cabinet-making in the firm of Muhler & Graffe for twelve years, and then with the same partner for twelve years in the grocery business, until Mr. Muhler died. Mr. Graffe, sr., has since been en- gaged in the galvanized iron cornice, roofing and general tin business with his two sons George W. & C. M. His wife died in this city in 1882. Henry C. Graffe obtained a common school education, and in 1851 entered the jewelry house of Andrew Mayer, in this city, as an appren- tice for three years, and after three years' further service went to New York city, and was employed there three years in the same business. He returned to Fort Wayne, and after three years more with Mr. Mayer, went into business on his own account and was quite successful. In 1865 he became a partner with his former employer, the firm being known as Mayer & Graffe, a partnership which continued until the death of Mr. Mayer in December, 1875. The latter was a native of
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Germany, and immigrated to Dayton, thence to Fort Wayne in 1844, establishing his business at that date. The business has ever since been continued in the same block on Columbia street. November 17, 1859, Mr. Graffe was married to Eliza A. Myers, who was born at Lancaster, Ohio, March 3, 1838, and they have three children living out of nine born: May E., Cecilia and Harry C. Mr. and Mrs. Graffe are mem- bers of the Catholic church, and he is in politics a democrat. From 1874 to 1876 he was a member of the city council, and is now president of the electric light and power company.
Frederick Graffe, jr., a well-known jeweler, is a representative of one of the old and prominent families of Fort Wayne. He was born in the city, September 18, 1853, the youngest of six children of Frederic and Mary Ann Graffe. He gained his education in the Catholic schools and the commercial college of this city, and in 1871 entered the employ- ment of the firm of Mayer & Graffe, and served an apprenticeship of three years. He has since been connected with the same house and that of H. C. Graffe. For five years, from 1879, he had charge of a. branch house at Wabash. He was married in 1882 to Jennie Polk, the oldest child of the late Col. Richard Polk, an eminent soldier of the civil war, who died at Wabash in 1877. Mrs. Graffe was born at Wabash in 1858. They have two children: Verva and Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Graffe are members of the Catholic church, and he is in politics a democrat.
A. F. Siemon, founder of the old and widely known house of Siemon & Brother, dealers in books and stationery, was born in Saxony, Ger- many, at the city of Ziesar, September 18, 1821. His father, August Ferdinand Siemon, a native of Saxony, was a prominent man, a mer- chant at Ziesar, and postmaster and mayor of the city for a number of years. He died about 1860. His wife, whose maiden name was Caro- line Grams, died in 1821, eight days after the birth of her son. Mr. Siemon received a good education in his native town, completing it at the college of Brandenburg. In 1849 he came to America and traveled directly to Fort Wayne, intending to study at Concordia college. After an attendance there of about one year, he entered the employment of Towley & Freeman, as a clerk, and subsequently held similar positions with W. T. Abbott and Towley & Brother. He founded his present business in 1858, and in 1861 admitted his brother Rudolph as a partner, when the firm became known as Siemon & Bro. In 1885 the interest of Rudolph was transferred to Mr. A. F. Siemon, and the two sons, Henry and Herman, were admitted to the business as partners. At their present place of business, 50 Calhoun street, they have one of the most commodious store rooms in the city, occupying the entire four floors of the building, which is in dimensions 20x170 feet, and they carry a com- plete stock of books, stationery, wall paper, pictures and frames, doing an average annual business of $50,000 to $60,000. Mr. Siemon is one of the prominent men of Fort Wayne, a veteran in business and highly esteemed in all his relations with society. He is a member of St. Paul's
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Lutheran church, of which he was trustee five years. He was married in 1854, to Lisetta Berning, of Hanover, Germany, who died in 1859, leaving two sons. In 1861 he was married to Helena Strunk, who was born in Fort Wayne, and they have three children.
Gideon W. Seavey, proprietor of one of the largest wholesale and retail hardware houses in the country, has in a business career of some- what varied occupation, shown a notable ability in his different enter- prises. In 1864, being seventeen years of age, he left the farm and entered Company D, One Hundred and Fortieth regiment Illinois infan- try, and served until the close of the rebellion. The next year he entered Michigan university, and graduated from that institution in 1871, with the degree of B. A., receiving two years later, the degree of Mas- ter of Arts. January Ist, 1872, he established the Hoopston (III.) Chronicle, which he conducted five years, making for it a wide reputa- tion as one of the ablest papers of eastern Illinois. His residence in Fort Wayne began in 1877, when he engaged in the practice of law with P. A. Randall. In ISSo, he engaged in the lumber business, which he subsequently disposed of to enter the hardware business in which he is now occupied. ยท He has been decidedly successful in his undertakings and is a valuable and enterprising citizen. Mr. Seavey's father was Winthrop Seavey, born in New Hampshire in 1802, son of Joshua Seavey of that state, who was a soldier in the war of 1812. The latter, who married a cousin of Daniel Webster, died in Illinois in 1862, at the age of ninety years. Winthrop Seavey married Elizabeth Curtis, of New York, who was born in 1809, and in 1834, they made the journey from New Hampshire to Illinois by wagon, in forty-five days, and became one of the pioneer families of Lee county. They died in Illinois, the mother in 1853, the father in 1865. They had six children, of whom Gideon was the youngest. He was born at Palmyra, Ill., February 14, 1848. In 1874 he married Amy C. Randall, born in 1853, at Avilla, Ind., daughter of Judge Edwin and Mary A. Randall. They have two children, Walter R. and Irma M.
Frank C. Cratsley, one of the prominent book firm of Renner, Cratsley & Co., is a native of Fowler, Trumbull Co., Ohio, born Decem- ber 29, 1856. He is the son of William and Sabrina (Kingsley) Crats- ley, the former a native of Onondaga county, N. Y., and the latter of Trumbull county, Ohio. He was reared to the age of sixteen on a farm. His early education was received in the public schools, and later he completed a course in a commercial school at Elyria, Ohio. In early manhood he taught school for six months at Oberlin, Ohio. In 1881 he took a position as bookkeeper with Brown, Eager & Hull, a wholesale and retail book and stationery firm at Toledo. He continued with them in the same capacity until June, 1888, when he came to Fort Wayne, and he has since been a member of the firm of Renner, Cratsley & Co. Mr. Cratsley was married in February, 1881, to Adella, daughter of James and Ann (Bates) Hull. Mr. Cratsley and wife are members of the Baptist church. He is a member of the National Union and Royal Adelphia societies.
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Henry B. Ayres, an esteemed and worthy citizen of Fort Wayne, and son of the late Dr. Henry P. Ayres, is one of the native busi- ness men of the city, having been born here on the 8th day of March, IS47. He has been associated with the drug business almost all his- life, having become initiated in it in the capacity of clerk as early as thirteen years of age. With one exception, he has been identified with this business longer than any druggist in the city, and he has built up an enviable reputation as an honest man and as a competent and reliable pharmacist. He was married in May, 1870, to Miss Margaret A. Kirk, by whom he is the father of two sons: Henry Cooper, born in July, 1872, and Kirk Banard, born in February, 1877. The social qualities of Mr. Ayres are admiraby well developed, and though of a retiring nature, he is, to his friends, most genial and companionable. He is a good man and his friends are numerous.
Robert Ogden, in 1858, having just immigrated from England, came to Fort Wayne, and embarked here in the business of plumber, which had been the trade of his father and grandfather in the old coun- try, and which he had thoroughly learned. In October, 1859, he re- moved to Dayton, Ohio, and in 1870 returned to this city, which has since been his home. He conducts a large plumbing business, with his establishment at 26 East Berry street, and has achieved an honorable reputation. He was the first plumber to establish himself at Fort Wayne. Mr. Ogden was born near Manchester, England, January 9, I825, son of John and Alice Ogden, and when a small boy began learn- ing his trade with his father. He has been three times married. His present wife, to whom he was married July 3, 1888, is Agnes H., daughter of John Fowles of this city. She is a member of the First Presbyterian church. Mr. Ogden is a member of the Episcopal church, and is a prominent Mason, being a Knight Templar and a member of the lodge of Perfection. He is also connected with the Sons of St. George. He is a republican and a charter member of the Morton club. He stands high in both business and social circles.
One of the leaders in the musical instrument trade in northern Indiana is Philemon Dickinson manager in this city for D. H. Baldwin & Co. He learned the jewelry trade early in life, with his father, and after the war he engaged in the jewelry business at Richmond, Ind., where previous to the war period he had dealt in musical instruments. In 1866 he removed to Des Moines, Iowa, and was engaged in jewlery two years, then going to Troy, Ohio, where he was in business four years, adding musical instruments to his former stock. These two branches of business he continued from 1873 to 1875, at Richmond, Ind., and in the latter year he removed to Indianapolis, and next year became associated with the firm of D. H. Baldwin & Co., of that city, a business alliance that has since continued. In February, 1885, he came to this city and took charge of the large establishment of the firm at 98 Calhoun street, and has since successfully conducted it. Mr. Dickinson was born at Richmond, Ind., September 15, 1839, son
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* of Charles A. and Sarah A. (McCoy) Dickinson, who were pioneers of Wayne county. In June, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company I, Eighty-fourth regiment, Indiana infantry, and served with the same company in the line for twenty-six months. He was then promoted first lieutenant, and transferred to Company H, One Hundred and Fortieth Indiana, and served as acting quartermaster until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Dalton and those incident to the Atlanta campaign, and was mustered out at Greensborough, N. C. Mr. Dickinson was married April 29, 1862, to Olivia Lefevre, who died in June, 1872, leaving two children, Clarence and Laura May. He was married December 15, 1873, to Emma Thompson, by whom he has one child, Mary Olivia. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson are members of the Third Presbyterian church, and he is a comrade of the G. A. R.
John Gilbert, a business man of the city, was born in Bohemia, March 9, 1833. In 1846, he came to the United States, and made his home at New York city, where he remained until 1854. He then removed to Canada West, where he served an apprenticeship as a pharmacist. A year later, his brother having gone to Rockford, Ill., he followed him there, and was engaged eight years at that city at the drug business. He came to Fort Wayne in 1866, and for fourteen years held the responsible position of manager of the wholesale and retail departments of the famous drug house of Meyer Bros. & Co. In 1880 he was appointed manager for the Standard Oil company, at Fort Wayne, and now has charge of their immense business at this point. Mr. Gilbert was married at Rockford, Ill., in 1861, to Harriet P. Mande- ville, a native of New York state, and daughter of Michael Mandeville, a pioneer of Winnebago county, Ill., who died in 1885, at the age of ninety-four years. Mr. Gilbert is a member of Sol. D. Bayless lodge, F. & A. M., and is a charter member of Plymouth Congregational church.
John W. Orr, a prominent gentleman, who is now engaged in the oil business with Joseph Hughes & Co., was born in Brooke county, W. Va., May 2, 1829. When ten years of age he removed with his parents to Belmont county, Ohio, and there most of his boyhood was spent. He was educated at Barnesville academy, in that county, under Professor Thomas Merrill, now president of the Newton (Iowa) college, and Pro- fessor N. R. Smith, formerly of Boston. After leaving school he went to Wheeling, W. Va., and served an apprenticeship as machinist. After four or five years he returned to Ohio, following his trade and clerked in a store. About 1860 he went to Illinois and followed farming and school teaching for two years. October 1, 1862, he came to Fort Wayne and engaged as a machinist with the P., Ft. W. & C. railroad company, and later was in charge of an engine on the same road. In 1868 he took an engine on the Wabash railroad under W. F. Ray, mas- ter mechanic, and was so engaged until 1872, when he entered the Wabash round-house as assistant foreman, and was promoted foreman
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