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 24
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Henry Buhr, for many years a farmer of St. Joseph township, and lately an extensive dealer in feed, at No. 20 Harrison street, Fort Wayne, was born in France in 1844. He was brought to America in 1845 by his father Henry Buhr, who was also born in France. The father came directly to Fort Wayne, then a small village, and two years later removed to a farm in St. Joseph township, going first upon the Rudisill farm, where he remained five or six years. He subsequently occupied Judge Hanna's farm seven years, and then bought a farm of eighty acres in St. Joseph township, four and a half miles north from the city, on the St. Joseph river, where he now resides, in his seventy- eighth year. His wife died in 1871. To these parents nine children were born, two of them in France, and but two survive. Henry Buhr, one of these, was reared on the farm in St. Joseph township, and was educated at the public schools and the Brothers' school in Fort Wayne. In 1864, he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-third Indiana regiment, and served in the Seventeenth army corps with General Sherman, and was discharged at Indianapolis in 1865. In 1869 he began life for himself and has ever since been engaged in farming on his father's farm. He was married in 1865, to Lorinda Combs, by whom he had five children, of whom four are living, Charles Francis, George Edward, Catherine, and Henry Jacob. Their mother died in March, 1880, and subsequently Mr. Buhr was married to Mary Miller, by whom he has four children.
For more than ten years Henry Busching has been one of the well known grocers of Fort Wayne. He is a native of Germany, born Decem- ber 9, 1854, the son of Christian and Wilhelmina Busching. Until the age of seventeen he remained in his native country, attending school until he was fourteen, and then assisting his father in the latter's nur- sery until he was seventeen. At that age he emigrated to America, reaching New York about April 1, 1872. He at once came to Fort Wayne where he has since lived. During the first year here he was in the employ of the Hon. Holman Hamilton. For two years thereafter he was employed as laborer on the Pittsburgh railway, and then one year in a restaurant. For four years following this he was engaged as a clerk. In 1878 he embarked in the grocery business at No. 272 Hanna street, where he has ever since had a successful trade. Mr. Busching was married January II, ISSo, to Katie Garmann, a native of Allen- town, Penn., daughter of Adam and Katie Garmann, the former a native of England, the latter of America. They have three children: Rosa, Emma and Elnora. Mr. Busching and wife are members of Zion's German Lutheran church.
George W. Doswell, prominent as a wholesale and retail florist of Fort Wayne, is a native of Wisconsin, born September 20, 1854, the son of J. H. Doswell, elsewhere mentioned. Mr. Doswell began business in Fort Wayne in 1877, establishing a green house at his present place of business, on West Main street, near Lindenwood cemetery. He began on a small scale, with one house, 10x40 feet, with 400 feet of glass, but under his skillful management the business has prospered, and now
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about 8,000 feet of glass are required to cover his stock. He deals in cut flowers and plants exclusively, and has a trade which extends over a considerable territory outside of the city. His business amounts to about $2,500 annually, and he ranks among the leading florists. Mr. Doswell is a member of the Episcopal church, and of the Canton lodge, No. 14, I. O. O. F., and Sons of St. George, and several beneficiary societies. He was married in 1876 to Lucy Jocker of this city, who died in Octo- ber, 1881, leaving one child. In 1885 he was married to Mary Webb of this city, and to their union three children have been born, one of whom is deceased.
John C. Eckert, an enterprising citizen of Fort Wayne, and manu- facturer of cigars, was born in Dauphin county, Penn., April 22, 1836, the son of John C. and Sarah (Turner) Eckert, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father died about 1844, and the mother in April, 1871. John C. was reared in Harrisburg, Penn., and in 1851 he began the cigar maker's trade there and was engaged in it at that city until 1857. He then went to Ohio, but in 1859 returned to Harris- burg. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the state troops of Pennsylvania, joining the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh regiment, being one of the nineteen regiments called out by Governor Curtin for nine months' service. In May, 1863, he was mustered out, and in September following he came to Fort Wayne, where he has since resided. Upon locating in Fort Wayne he went to work at his trade, and in 1870, he opened an establishment of his own and began the manufacture of cigars, making a specialty of the brand "39", which has been widely popular for over nineteen years. His factory is at No. 39, and his place of business at No. 85 Calhoun street. Mr. Eckert is a member of Harmony lodge, No. 19, I. O. O. F. He was married February 8, 1857, to Rachel A. Walters, who was born in Dauphin county, Penn. To this union six children have been born: Charles H., born April 30, 1859; William, March 26, 1861; David, February 4, 1865; Jesse, June 13, 1868; Catherine G., July 19, 1870, and John C., May 8, 1874.
Subsequent to the war of the rebellion, in which he did patriotic service, Charles Ehrmann resumed the trade of blacksmithing. His apprenticeship was interrupted by enlistment, and he is now proprietor of an extensive establishment on West Main street, and ranks among the successful men of the city. He is a native of Bavaria, born July 21, 1842, son of John M. and Mary Ehrmann. The family came to America in 1852, and settled in this city, where his parents passed their lives. He enlisted in Company K, Eighty-ninth Indiana regiment, on August 16, 1862, and was mustered out at Mobile, July 22, 1865. Mr. Ehrmann was married January 21, 1867, to Mary Lahmeyer, and they have had thirteen children, of whom Louisa, Mary C., Charles, Wil- helmina, Herman, Ferdinand, Clara and Otto Herbert are living; and John, Matilda, Emma, and two others are deceased. Mr. Ehrmann is an Odd Fellow, a member of the G. A. R., and affiliates with the Ger-
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man Reformed church. In politics he is a republican. He is a valued citizen and a first-class mechanic.
One of the best known cigar manufacturers and dealers of Fort Wayne is August N. Ehle, who was born in Germany in 1825. He came to America in 1851, and first settled at Rochester, N. Y., where he remained four years. Coming to Allen county in 1855, he made his home upon a farm in Lake township, and was there engaged in 1865, when he was accidentally shot and in consequence of the wound lost his left leg. He subsequently removed to the city and learned the trade of cigar maker. He embarked in the manufacture for himself in 1867, and this has since been his occupation. Since 1870 his place of business has been at No. 178 Broadway, factory No. 128. His leading brands are the "No. 36," which has been a popular cigar for sixteen years, " No. 5," and the " Nightingale." He employs four men and does a flourishing wholesale and retail trade. Mr. Ehle is a member of the Emanuel church. He was married in 1853 to Christina Gahn, of Ger- many, and of their seven children born three are living: Frank, in busi- ness with his father; Henry and Ernst also with their father.
An enterprising citizen of Fort Wayne, Christian Entemann, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, May 17, 1840. His father, John George Entemann, was born in 1804, and took to wife Barbara Schneider. He was by occupation a glazier and painter. In 1852 they emigrated and settled at Toledo, where the mother died in the same year, and the father died in 1886. Christian was the second youngest of their five children. He received a common school education, and in 1861 engaged in business at Toledo, entering the wholesale and retail grocery business in IS65. This he continued for six years, and until 1877, was connected with the business interests of Toledo. He then removed to Fort Wayne, and in 1889, bought out the Globe chop-house, which he rechristened Entemann's restaurant, wholly remodeling and refurnishing it, and is now doing a prosperous business. Mr. Entemann was married in 1862, to Caroline Zimmer, born in Bavaria, May 9, 1840, and they have three children: Lena, born in Toledo in 1866; Ernst, born in Toledo, in 1875; and Charles, born in Fort Wayne in 1882. Mr. Entemann is a member of the I. O. O. F., Concordia lodge, No. 228, the Patriarchal circle, Fort Wayne temple, No. I, and Phoenix lodge, No. 10I, K. of P.
One of the valued mechanics of Fort Wayne, William A. Ersig, was born at St. Mary's, Ohio, September 13, 1856. He is the son of Chris- tian and Mary Ersig, both natives of Germany. They yet reside at St. Mary's, Ohio. The boyhood of Mr. Ersig was spent on a farm, and at sixteen he entered an apprenticeship in the carriage maker's trade at Fostoria, Ohio. He served four years, and then worked four years as a journeyman in Fostoria, Ohio, after' which, in September, 1879, he went to Dunkirk, Ohio, but in November following he came to Fort Wayne. Here his whole attention has been devoted to his trade, and since June, 1887, he has conducted a shop of his own on Harrison street. He makes a specialty of horseshoeing, and gives to it his exclu-
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sive attention. He was married in June, 1880, to Miss Caroline, daugh- ter of Frederick and Mary Smith, born in Fort Wayne, January 9, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Ersig have three children: Edward, Mamie and William H. Mr. Ersig is a member of the K. of P., and the Patriotic circle.
Max L. Frankenstein, a prominent druggist at the corner of Wash- ington and Burr streets, Fort Wayne, was born in Olbernhau, Saxony, May 22, 1849, the son of Conrad C. and Julia S. (Fleischer) Franken- stein. He attended school in his native land until he reached the age of eighteen, when he began an apprenticeship at the drug trade, serving three years. He was then employed for three years as clerk in a drug store, after which he served one year in the German army. In April, 1875, he came to America, and proceeded to Chicago, where for four years, he was head clerk in the drug store of C. C. Clacius & Co. In 1879 he returned to Germany, and entered the university of Leipsic, and graduated there in the spring of ISSI. He then took a seven months' course in analytical chemistry, at Wiesbaden, Germany. In October, 1881, he took a position as manager of a large prescription store in Hamburg, and held that position until August 15, 1885. On the 22d of the same month he started to America again, and in January, 1886, engaged in the drug business at Fort Wayne. He first located at 66 West Jefferson street. In October, 1887, he became the proprie- tor of the handsome drug store where he is now doing a very successful business. He was married October 4, 1887, to Mrs. Bessie Fairman, nee Wilcox, who is a native of Toronto, Canada. They have two chil- dren: Edith R. and Beatrice, the former of whom was born to Mrs. Frankenstein by a former husband. In politics Mr. Frankenstein is an ardent republican. He has been thoroughly schooled in every branch of pharmacy and the drug trade, and is recognized as one of the most competent prescriptionists in the city.
August Freese, an enterprising grocer of Fort Wayne, whose busi- ness place is No. 184 Fairfield avenue, was born in Germany, Septem- ber 14, 1859. He is the son of Frederick and Dorothea Freese. He attended school until he was fourteen, after which he learned the miller's trade and worked at it in Germany until he was twenty-two. In 1882 he came to America, landing at New York, August II, and came directly to Fort Wayne, which has since been his home. In January, 1883, he became a clerk in a grocery store and held the position until November, 1884, when he set out for Germany to visit his parents. After an absence of four months, he arrived home, and on February 15, 1885, he became a partner in the grocery business. He was married May 31, ISS5, to Miss Christena, daughter of Henry Kiel. She came to America from Germany at the age of sixteen, in 1873. They have
three children: Frederick, August and Hermann. Mr. Freese and wife are members of Emanuel's German Lutheran church. In politics he is a democrat.
Ignatius Freiberger, foreman of J. B. White's fruit house, spent his childhood on the farm of his parents in Pleasant township, and at the
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age of thirteen, began his commercial life as a clerk for Gerardin Bros., with whom he remained five years, during that time also attending com- mercial school. For the past sixteen years he has been engaged with J. B. White, eleven years of the period as foreman of the famous estab- lishment to which his abilities have been devoted. Politically, Mr. Frei- berger is a democrat, and his religious affiliation is with the Catholic church, he and wife being valued members of St. Paul's, he also having a membership in the Catholic Knights of America. He was married in 1882, to Mary Schweiters, who was born in Allen country in 1859, and they have three children: Frank, born in 1883; Marcullus, born in 1885, and Amelia May, born in 1888. Mr. Freiberger is a native of France and was born September 16, 1854, came to this country with his parents in 1857, and since childhood, has made his own way in life. He is the son of Ignatius and Tracy (Gerardin) Freiberger, who were born in France, the father in 1816, the mother in 1819, and since 1885, have resided in this city.
Mendel Frank, proprietor of a grocery and provision store and meat market, is a native of Russian Poland, born October 15, 1852. He is the son of Abraham and Bessie (Joseph) Frank. The father of his mother lived to be one hundred and nine years of age. His grandfather, David Frank, was a man of great wealth and lived to the still more re- markable age of one hundred and nineteen. Abraham Frank, who was a contractor by occupation, lived to see the age of eighty-eight. Mendel Frank received a good Hebrew education, and at eleven years of age began to learn the trade of a stone and brick mason with his father. To this occupation his attention was devoted throughout his youth and early manhood. He was married in the early part of July, 1869, to Mollie Nauvelatsky, daughter of Levy and Jennie (Isreal) Nauvelatsky. In the spring of 1870 he emigrated to America, his wife joining him in this country about thirteen months later. Mr. Frank remained six months in New York city, and then came to Fort Wayne, and for sev- eral years worked at his trade in summer and did a huckster business in winter. In 1877 he engaged in a grocery and retail meat business which he has conducted ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Frank have seven children: Jennie, Bessie, Joseph, Rachel, Jacob, Lillie and Anna. All belong to the Hebrew church. Mr. Frank is a member of several secret orders and a democrat in politics. To the union of Mr. Frank's parents these children were born. Barney, Sarah, Levy, Asha, Mendel and Libbey. Sarah is the wife of Jacob Koffman, Asha of Harvey Provewinskey, and Libbey of Samuel Neiman. His father and mother departed this life at Lasday, Russian Poland.
It has been said that there is no better appointed horseshoeing establishment in the state than that of Henry Freistroffer, No. 41 West Main street, Fort Wayne. Mr. Freistroffer is a native of Colum- bus, Ohio, born September 17, 1854, son of Simon and Elizabeth Freistroffer, the former of whom was born in Lorraine, France, the lat- ter at Milheusen, in the same region. When Henry was four years old
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his parents came to Allen county, and located in Adams township, where his boyhood was spent on a farm. When he was fifteen they removed to Hesse Cassel, where they still reside. At nineteen he came to Fort Wayne and entered upon an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade and served over two years. His entire attention has ever since been given to this occupation, and since April 29, 1879, he has conducted a shop of his own, doing an exclusive horseshoeing business. He erected his pres- ent establishment, a substantial brick building, in 1884. Mr. Frei- stroffer was married October 23, 1879, to Mary E. Crouser, a native of Ohio, born January 18, 1860. She is the daughter of Victor Crouser, a native of Lorraine, France. They have one child, Charles S., born August 13, 1880. Mr. Freistroffer and wife are members of the Cath- olic church, and he is a member of the Catholic Knights of America.
Capt. George A. Gale, a prominent citizen of Fort Wayne, who has since January, 1889, been retired from active business, was born at Lon- don, Canada, November 1, 1839. His parents, Anthony and Rachel (Sawyer) Gale, were born and married in Ireland. They emigrated first to Hartford, Conn., and in 1831 removed to Livingston county, Michigan, thence to Canada, in 1839. In 1845 they moved to Buffalo, N. Y., and became residents of Fort Wayne in 1861. Here the mother died in 1870, and the father died at Buffalo in 1873. Capt. Gale received a good early education, and during his youth worked for several years as a printer, beginning at sixteen. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Union army, and on May 22, 1861, was mustered in Company G, Thirty-third New York regiment. Enlisting as a private, he was appointed first sergeant upon muster, and May 20, 1862, was promoted second lieuten- ant. He was promoted first lieutenant October 17, 1862, and captain December 20, 1862, which rank he held until muster-out, in June, 1863. He participated in fifteen engagements, among them the seven days' fight before Richmond, the second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antie- tam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. At the siege of Yorktown he was wounded by a ball in the left thigh, April 6, 1862. On leaving the army he was engaged as messenger by the United States express company five and a half years, and then acted two and. a half years as assistant division superintendent. He then became connected with the Chicago house of correction, acting six years as chief clerk, and nine years as deputy superintendent. In 1888 he returned to Fort Wayne, and for a few months was engaged in the grocery business, but was compelled by failing health to retire from business. He is a man of excellent business qualifications, and fine executive ability. He is a Mason, of the rank of Knight Templar. In 1873, Capt. Gale was mar- ried to Caroline M. Gable, a native of Adams county, and daughter of Christian and Mary Gable. He and wife are members of the Protest- ant Episcopal church.
Albert F. Gessler, an enterprising and successful young business man, is proprietor of one of the leading meat markets of the city, at No. 60 East Main street. He was born at Dayton, Ohio, September
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29, 1855, son of Frederick and Victoria (Schmidt) Gessler, both natives of Germany. In 1857 the family came to Fort Wayne, and the father was engaged here as a butcher until his death. The mother is still living in the city. Albert F. Gessler learned his father's trade early in life, and in June, 1877, purchased a meat market at his present stand, and has done business there for twelve years. His establishment is one of the largest and most attractive in the city, and his custom is quite large. Mr. Gessler was married May 29, ISS2, to Rosa, daughter of James and Mary King, formerly of Jefferson township, where she was born. Mr. and Mrs. Gessler have four children: Clar- ence F., Laura, Florence M. and Albert J. Mr. Gessler is a member of the Catholic Knights, and he and wife are members of St. Mary's church.
W. F. Geller, confectioner and baker, was born in Fort Wayne, March 27, 1859, the son of Peter and Catherine ( Martin) Geller, natives of Germany. His father was born in 1839 and came to this country at fifteen years of age, settling in New York city. Three or four years later he visited Fort Wayne, remaining a few weeks, but returned to New York and did not settle in this city until ten years later. He served eighteen months in Company H, Seventh New York infantry. His wife was born in 1839 and died in Fort Wayne in 1872. Five of their children are living, of whom W. F. is the oldest. He received a com- mon school education, and in 1874 began learning the baker's trade. He embarked in business on his own account in 1881 at 104 and 106 Broadway, and in 1886 bought his present business house at the corner of Broadway and Washington, a three-story brick building, 30x100, a well situated and valuable property. Here he has an extensive and lucrative business, and employs fifteen to twenty people. Mr. Geller is ranked as one of the leading bakers and confectioners of the city. He was married in 1881 to Cecilia Neal, a native of Darke county, Ohio, and they have one child, Mabel V., born July 15, 1888. They are. members of the Lutheran church.
Fourteen years' experience as a retail grocer, has given John Michael Gruber a well earned prominence in the business circles of Fort Wayne. Mr. Gruber is a native of Germany, born September 5, I828, son of Frank and Rachel ( Henry) Gruber. He was reared in his native country, and attended school until he was fourteen, after which he learned the tailor's trade and followed it until IS52, when he immigrated, landing at New York June 5. He remained in that city, working as a tailor until the next fall when he came to Fort Wayne, arriving Novem- ber 8. Here he continued the tailor's trade with the exception of one year, during which he was employed in the Pittsburgh shops, until Sep- tember 13, IS75. Since that date he has been engaged in the grocery business at No. 16 Wilt street, and has enjoyed a good trade. Mr. Gruber was married July 31, 1855, to Veronika, daughter of Vitus and Elizabeth Huhn. Mrs. Gruber came from Germany in 1852, landing early in July. They have had eleven children: Mary M., John W.,
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Mary E., Charles, Frank J., John Jacob, Veronika, Edward J., Michael, Caroline and a son that died unnamed. Mary M., John W. and Charles are also dead. Mr. Gruber and wife are members of the Catholic church. He is a member of the Catholic Relief society.
Though one of the young business men of Fort Wayne, George Wallace Haiber, has devoted many years to the retail grocery trade and none in that line are better informed. He is a native of Massillon, Ohio, born April 7, 1860. 3 He is the son of Frederick and Margaret (Good) Haiber, the former a native of Germany, who came to America about 1852, and the latter a native of Ohio. In 1863 the family came to Fort Wayne. Mr. Haiber received his early education in the German Luth- eran school and the city schools. During his boyhood he worked two summers at gardening, after which at the early age of eleven, he was employed one year as clerk in the grocery store of George Heger. Afterward he took a position in the Fruit house, and for ten years was in the employ of Hon. J. B. White. He began as a cash boy but was regularly promoted order boy, clerk, produce buyer, and finally he was given charge of the stock. In ISSI, he engaged in the grocery business for himself, and is now the proprietor of a well-stocked grocery and provision store, and in connection with it conducts a meat market and deals in flour and feed. He was married May 17, 1881, to Miss Mary Kaiser, who came with her parents from Germany, when seven years old. They have four children: Edward Frederick, Bertha Mary, Eleanora Theresa, and Lorenz Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Haiber are members of the Catholic church, he having joined it at the age of nine- teen. He is a member of the Butchers' national protective association of the United States, and of the Catholic Benevolent Legion.
Charles F. Haiber, grocer and proprietor of a meat market at No. I22 Wells, and another at No. 15 High street, was born in Stark county, Ohio, August 21, IS58, the son of Frederick and Margaret Haiber, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. When he was six years old his parents came to Fort Wayne, where they still reside. October 2, 1877, he opened a meat market at No. IIO Wells street, and he has since remained in that business. January I, 1889, he added a stock of groceries. He was married April 25, 1881, to Mary Ellen Clark, who died April 21, 1882, and was buried just one year from her wedding day. He was married March 8, 1885, to Alice A. Kelsey, his present wife. By the latter marriage he has two chil- dren, Edna B. and Byron C. Mr. Haiber is a member of the A. O. U. W., and he is a republican in politics. In May, 1886, he was elected a mem- ber of the city council by a majority of 225, a great testimonial to his worth, as the democratic majority in the ward ranges from 225 to 250. In May, 1888, he was re-elected, and is now serving his second term.
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