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 25
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Gottlieb Haller is a native of Switzerland, born November 6, 1849. He was the son of Gottlieb and Anna Haller, the latter of whom died when their son was but two years old and the former when he was eleven. He worked on a farm and attended school until he was four-
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teen, when he learned the butcher's trade, to which his attention has been given ever since. He pursued that business in his native country, later in Germany about six months, and in France about two years. In IS72 he emigrated to America and at once located at Fort Wayne. Here, after two years' employment, in 1874 he opened a market of his own and is now doing a prosperous business at 366 Calhoun street. Mr. Haller was married November 7, 1878, to Mollie, daughter of Anthony and Margarita Fischer, born in Fort Wayne, September 23, 1859. Mr. Haller and wife have one child, Anna, born November 8, 1885. They are members of the German Reformed church. Mr. Haller is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows lodge, the K. of P., and the Patriotic circle. He is a staunch republican in politics, and is a member of the Morton club. He is president of the local Butchers' union, and is a member of the Business men's exchange.
Jacob Hartman was born in Marion township, this county, Septem- ber II, 1862. His father, Joseph, was born in Germany, on February 2, 1834, and in 1851 came to Allen county and settled in Marion town- ship. The mother, whose maiden name was Caroline Hoffman, was born in 1839. Mr. Hartman remained on the farm, receiving a com- mon school education, until sixteen years of age, and was then until 1883, a clerk in a grocery store. In July of the latter year he embarked in the grocery and provision business, and in 1886 engaged in his present business at No. 267 East Wayne street. Mr. Hartman is a prominent member of the Catholic Benevolent legion. He has held different positions of honor, and has also taken active part in the Emmett commandery, No. 123, a branch of the order of the Knights of St. John, and is a member of St. Julian council, No. 89, and a faithful worker in the Catholic church.
He was married October 18, 1883, to Anna Aukenbruck, who was born in this city, September 17, 1862, daughter of Bernhard Aukenbruck. They have two children, Augusta and Andrew. Mr. Hartman is a democrat in politics.
John H. Hartman, a prominent grocer of Fort Wayne, whose place of business is at No. 126 East Washington street, was born in this city, April 15, 1855. He was the son of Herman and Anna Hartman, both natives of Germany. They sailed to America on the same ship, and were married in 1854, at Peru, Ind. In the following year they removed to Fort Wayne, a short time before John was born, and they have ever since resided in this city, being old and respected citizens. Their son, John H., learned the tinner's trade in his youth, devoting about two years to it. After this he was variously employed until 1875, when he engaged in the grocery trade, in which business he has remained and been quite successful. He began with very moderate means, and at the time was carrying an $800 debt. He has not only been able to free himself from indebtedness, but has accumulated much property. He erected his two story brick business block at No. 126 East Washing- ton street in -1885, and is also the owner of several residence properties from which he realizes a considerable income. Mr. Hartman was mar-
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ried October 24, 1876, to Louisa, daughter of Joseph and Amelia Aubrey. They have two children: Eve and Clements. Mr. Hartman and wife are members of St. Mary's Catholic church. He is a member of the Catholic Knights and the Catholic benevolent societies.
Joseph H. Hartman, of the grocery firm of Hartman Bros., is a native of Peru, Ind., born August 23, 1860. He is the son of Adolph and Theresa (Weachman) Hartman, both natives of Germany. When he was two years old his parents came to Fort Wayne, but a year later emigrated to Shakopee, Scott county, Minn., where they resided nearly
seven years. In 1872 they returned to Fort Wayne where the father died in 1883, and where the mother still resides. In his youth Joseph H. Hartman learned the butcher's trade. At eighteen he became a clerk in a grocery store and continued in that capacity about six years. On February 14, 1885, he engaged in the grocery business for himself, and he is now one of the leading grocers of Fort Wayne. In the spring of 1887 his brother Henry became a partner, the firm being known as Hartman Bros. He was married August 26, 1886, to Miss Josephine, daughter of Daniel Jennings. She is a native of Boston, Ind., born April 26, 1861. Mr. Hartman is the father of two children: Clementina and Charles H. Mr. Hartman and wife are members of the Catholic church, and he is a member of the Knights of St. Charles.
Henry F. Hilgemann, who is a native of Fort Wayne, and has resided in the city continuously with the exception of three years and a half, was born January 31, 1851, the son of Henry and Frederika Hilge- mann, natives of Germany. For five years and a half after he was six- teen, he was employed in the Summit City woolen mills. He then held the position of shipping clerk three years in the wholesale house of A. S. Evans & Co. From 1875 to 1878 he resided at Huntington, Ind., and owned a half interest in a woolen mill. Returning to Fort Wayne, he was engaged until the spring of 1881 as shipping clerk for the notion firm of Hanna, Wiler & Co. For two or three years he was employed as general agent for the Chicago installment book company, and in the fall of 1884 he embarked in the grocery business at 121 West Jefferson street, where he has done a successful business. He has erected a busi- ness block at 123 West Jefferson, and now occupies both rooms. This additional room was necessary to accommodate his trade, which, though on the first day of business it amounted to only $4, increased to $13,000 in 1888. Mr. Hilgemann was married September 4, 1873, to Lisette F., daughter of Frederick and Sophia Bueker. She came from Germany with a brother in 1870. They have six children : Franklin H., Charles H., Oliver H., Walter H., Harry H. and Victor H., the first and last two of whom survive. Mr. Hilgemann and wife are members of the German Reformed church. In 1889 Mr. Hilgemann, who is a staunch democrat, was elected to the city council, and is now an honored member of that body.
John C. Hinton, a popular and successful restaurateur, proprietor of the Boston restaurant at 27012 Calhoun street, a native citizen
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of Fort Wayne, was for fifteen years connected with the railroad interests so important in the history of the city. In 1871 he entered the employment of the Pennsylvania railroad company, and for thirteen years was a freight conductor, earning a well-deserved reputation for efficiency and trustworthiness. In 1886 he left the road and engaged in his present business, in which he is quite successful, having made his restaurant very popular. He is in politics a republican, is a member of the Patriarchal circle and of the Conductors' Brotherhood. He was married January 10, 1889, to Anna J. Welton, daughter of J. W. Wel- ton, of this city. She is a member of the German Reformed church. Mr. Hinton was born October 18, 1852, son of Samuel and Johanna ( Smith ) Hinton. His father is a native of New York, his mother of Germany. They came to Fort Wayne at an early day, and yet reside here.
An enterprising business man of Fort Wayne, John T. Hunt, was born in this city, February 16, 1856. His parents, Henry and Ellen (Griffin) Hunt, were natives of Ireland, and emigrating, settled in Mas- sachusetts. About 1854 they came to Fort Wayne, where the father, who was a shoemaker by trade, died in 1856. His widow, who was born about 1838, is still living in this city. Mr. Hunt attended the Catholic Brothers' school while receiving his education. In 1878 he was married to Sarah Trout, who was born in Delaware county, Ohio, and they have an adopted son, Albert F. Mr. Hunt has been engaged for ten years in the refreshment business, and he also conducted a livery and sale stable. He bought his present place of business in 1886. He and wife are members of the Catholic church, and he is in politics a democrat. In 1886 he was elected a justice of the peace, receiving every vote in the township but five.
In 1852 Frederick and Louisa Kabisch, who became worthy and esteemed citizens of Fort Wayne, came to this city from Saxony, their native land, with their family. The father died, about the year 1868, and the mother in 1882. Their son, Rudolph Kabisch, now the pro- prietor of a popular meat inarket at No. 156 Fairfield avenue, was born in Saxony, August 29, 1836. He was in the butcher business three years before he learned the plasterer's trade which he learned soon after coming to Fort Wayne and worked at it about three years. He then turned his attention to the butcher's business and it has been his voca- tion ever since. In 1884 he engaged in the business for himself. Mr. Kabisch was married in July, 1860, to Miss Katharina Elett, who was born in Hesse, Germany, and came with her parents to America in about 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Kabisch have six children: Frederick C., John P., Louisa, Jeanetta, Rudolph and Katharina.
Anton Kalbacher is the fifth of ten children of Marx and Ursula (Dieringer) Kalbacher, who at the time of his birth, August 24, 1841, were living at their native place, Hohenzollern Hechingen, in Germany. All the famity are now deceased, save Anton and his sisters, Caroline and Matilda. The family emigrated from Germany in 1852, and settled at Delphos, Ohio, whence in 1855, they came to Fort Wayne, where
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the father died in 1886 in his seventy-eighth year. The mother died at Delphos in 1854, at the age forty-three. Anton was employed in a grocery store at Delphos, and after coming to Fort Wayne was so en- gaged for about seven years, when he entered the employment of Beaver & Dunham, flour and feed merchants, with whom he remained four years. He then spent two years in the wine and liquor business, and then embarked in the trade in flour, feed, grain and produce, in which he has since continued, with a marked degree of success, gaining a reputation as one of the enterprising men of the city. In 1878 he erected his grocery building on Grand street, and formed a partnership with John Sheffer. In 1882 he purchased the Sedgwick mills and re- moved the business to Columbia street, and sold out to H. W. Bond, in 1887. In 1882 he became associated with William Potthoff in his present business, under the firm name of A. Kalbacher & Co. He is a democrat and takes an active part in politics. In 1865 he was married to Jane Schobe, born in Fort Wayne in 1845, daughter of Eberhart and Maria Angela (Daman) Schobe. Mr. and Mrs. Kalbach have five children: Sister Aquineta, of the order of Sisters of Notre Dame, Kate, Theresa, Edward and Lenore. Both parents are members of the Catholic church.
Jacob Klett, one of the leading citizens of Fort Wayne, of German birth, was born in Wurtemburg in 1831. In his native land he was edu- cated, 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 plan- ing-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 company of the same name in 1871, he became a stockholder, and accepted the position of yard foreman and inspector. Having become thoroughly acquainted with the business, he opened a yard on his own account in 1877, and beginning without capital, has to a remarkable degree prospered in this business. He added in 1889 a large and com- plete planing-mill plant, and the establishment is equipped for 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. His business career has been successful through his adherence to honest and straightforward methods and now his word is as good as gold and his standing in the business world is unimpeachable. Socially, he has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Klett was married July 6, 1858, to Louisa Sauter, also a native of Wurtemberg, who came to this country at about the age of five years, and they have had eight children, five of whom are living. His sons, John A. and William B., are engaged with their father in the lumber business.
C. W. Kline, a native of Perry county, Penn., was born October 7, 1844, son of Benjamin and Catherine (Hicks) Kline, both natives of that state. The father died on the old Pennsylvania homestead in 1880,
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at the age of eighty years, and the mother, who was born in 1803, died in about 1870. His paternal grandfather, C. W. Kline, was born in Berks county, Penn., and died in the same county. The subject of this mention, who was next to the youngest of ten children, enlisted in 1864 in the Two Hundred and Eighth Pennsylvania regiment, in Com- pany F, and served until mustered out in June, 1865. He was after- ward engaged in business at various places, five years in Philadelphia, and afterward at Youngstown, Ohio, and Virginia City, Nev., return- ing to Philadelphia in 1876. In that year he settled at Lancaster, Ohio, and remained until 1884, when he came to Fort Wayne and engaged in the wine and liquor trade, at 242 Calhoun street. He is a member of the German lodge, K. of P., of Fort Wayne.
An enterprising young citizen and a leading florist, F. J. Knecht, is a son of one of the early settlers of this city from beyond the sea. His father, Dominick Knecht, a native of Switzerland, came to Fort Wayne about 1848, and was for a considerable period engaged in the manufac- ture of shingles, and later embarked in business as an undertaker, which he followed until his death in 1863, at the age of fifty-five years. His wife was Katherine Miller, a native of Germany, who died in 1875, at the age of forty-four years. Both were members of the St. Mary's Catholic church, and highly esteemed. Of their six children five are living. F. J. Knecht was born in this city, September 28, 1860. After receiving an early education in the St. Mary's Catholic schools, he began work in 1875 as a florist, and becoming proficient, in 1885 opened an es- tablishment of his own, and removed to his present place on the corner of East Wayne and Harmer streets, in 1887. His greenhouse is cov- ered by about 3,500 feet of glass, and he uses over half an acre for bedding purposes. Making a specialty of cut flowers and bedding plants, he finds a ready market in the city. Mr. Knecht was married in 1882 to Anna Zahn of this city, and they have two children. He and wife are members of St. Mary's Catholic church, and he is a member of the Catholic Knights.
Among the worthy German families of the city of Fort Wayne, is that of William and Charlotte Koenig, who arrived in this city from Ger- many, September 4, 1869. William Koenig was born June 11, 1830, son of Ernst and Margaret Koenig. He learned the blacksmith trade in his native land, and was married November 30, 1853, to Charlotte, daughter of Frederick and Wilhelmina Kammier. She was born May 3, 1831. Mr. Koenig's occupation in this city has been that of a boiler-maker. He and wife have had five children: William, who married Wilhelmina Rodenbeck; Henry, married to Sophia Rodenbeck; Frederick, married to Emma Haase; Christian, married to Mary Schweir; and Charles, married to Charlotte Haegermann. All of the family are members of the Lutheran church. Christian F. Koenig is a well-known grocer, having his store at the corner of East Washington and Harmer streets. He was born in Germany, December 3, 1859. He received his educa- tion at St. Paul's parochial schools and in his youth, worked somewhat XIV
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at the boiler-maker's trade and as a newsboy. He clerked in a grocery store two years, and then worked at the shoemaker's trade six years. He engaged in the grocery business January 8, 1883, and has since prospered, having a well stocked grocery and an excellent custom. Mr. Koenig was married March 7, 1886, to Mary, daughter of William Schweir, a native of Fort Wayne, and they have one child, Otto. They are members of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Koenig is an enter- prising young business man, and deserving of confidence.
In 1875, August Korn engaged in the grocery business at 194 Broadway, where he has ever since done a successful business. He was born in Germany, May 15, 1849, the son of Jacob Korn. In his native land he attended school until he was fourteen, and during his youth assisted his father at farm work a part of the time. In Novem- ber, 1869, he landed at New York, where, and at Union Hill, N. J., he remained three years. At Union Hill he learned the baker's trade. From New York he came to Fort Wayne in the spring of 1872. Here he was employed three years and a half as a baker. Mr. Korn was married in 1874 to Dora, daughter of George and Johanna Jacobs. She came with her father from Germany in 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Korn have had six children: Mary, George, Mamie, Henry, August and Edward, of whom the first four are deceased. They are members of St. John's German Lutheran church.
For several years, John Korn, of Fort Wayne, has been doing a prosperous business as proprietor of a meat market at No. 134 Fairfield avenue. He was born in Germany, October 21, 1853, the son of Jacob Korn. He was but two years old when his mother died. He attended school until he was fourteen, after which he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1871 he emigrated to America, and after spending six months in New York city he came to Fort Wayne. Six months later he returned to New York, but after a few months again came to Fort Wayne, where he has since lived. During the first years of his residence here he worked in a stone yard. In 1880 he engaged in the retail meat busi- ness, and he has been the proprietor of his present market ever since. He was married June 20, 1878, to Lizzie Bender, a native of Fort Wayne, born June 20, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Korn have had five children : Clara A., Carrie, Lillie, John W. and Henry A., of whom Clara A. died in infancy. Mr. Korn and wife are members of the German Lutheran church.
A well-known citizen of Fort Wayne, Herman Henry Ludwig Krohne, was born in Germany, October 27, 1847, the son of Ludwig and Mary Krohne. In his youth he clerked in a store in his native land three years, and in early manhood served four years in the Franco- Prussian war, participating in sixteen battles. . In 1874 he came to America and located in Fort Wayne. Here he worked a short time at the carpenter's trade, and subsequently for four years he was employed as driver on the street car line. In April, 1883, he became one of the proprietors of a gun and ammunition store, at No. 79 Calhoun street.
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His partner having since died, he has conducted the store alone. Mr .. Krohne was married April 14, 1887, to Lena Mary Rice, also a native of Germany, the daughter of William Rice. She came to America about 1882. Mr. Krohne and wife have one child, Arthur Henry, who . was born August 16, 1888. They are members of Emanuel's German : Lutheran church.
Henry Frederick William Krusy, a well-known dairyman of Fort: Wayne, was born on the Atlantic ocean while his parents were on their way from Germany to America, September 14, 1845. On reaching this country his father, William Krusy, came to Indiana, and he is now a venerable resident of Fort Wayne. His mother died before her son was a year old. When a small child he was bound out, and during his entire early life his home was among strangers, living at different times with five families. In early manhood he learned the carpenter's trade, and followed it several years, during the last few of which he was a con- tractor in Fort Wayne. For the past twelve years he has been engaged: in the dairy business and is now the proprietor of the City dairy. Mr. Krusy was married September 8, 1870, to Sophia' Wilhelmina, daughter of Christian and Sophia Kramer. She is a native of Fort Wayne, but her parents were born and married in Germany, and emi- grated to America on the same vessel that brought the parents of her husband. They have five children: William P. C., Frederick G., Frieda, Alma and Edmund. Mr. Krusy and wife are members of St. Paul's German Lutheran church.
Frederick Lenz, though not long, comparatively, in business, has. prospered in his enterprise. He is a native of Germany, born Novem- ber 27, 1855, son of Joseph Lenz. His mother died when he was but three years old. In 1866 he accompanied his father and step-mother to America. On reaching this country the family came directly to Fort Wayne, where they have since resided. He quit school at thirteen and learned the shoemaker's trade, working at it four years. Between the ages of seventeen and twenty-eight he was in the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad company, being employed two years in the yard and for nine years in the shop oiling line shafts. In June, 1884, he engaged in the retail meat business and has ever since been the pro- prietor of a market at No. 170 Hanna street. Mr. Lenz was married November 28, 1879, to Miss Louisa Mannawich, who is a native of Fort Wayne, born May 20, 1861, daughter of Frederick Mannawich. They have four children: Frederick, Louisa, George and Oscar. Mr. Lenz and wife are members of the German Lutheran church.
Since the year 1858, John Nicholas Leykauf, a reliable business man,. has been a citizen of Fort Wayne. He is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born May 20, 1830, the son of Nicholas and Catherine Leykauf. The. latter died when their son was five years old, and the former died when he was twelve. He attended school until his fourteenth year, after which he learned the baker's trade and followed it in Germany until 1858, when he emigrated to America. The first work he did here was
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butchering, which he followed about a year. He then resumed the baker's trade. In 1862 he became employed in the Pittsburgh shops. He resumed his trade in 1864, and from April of that year until Novem- ber, 1865, he conducted a bakery business for himself. In 1866, he made a visit in Germany, and on his return, resumed work in the Pitts- burg shops, and continued there until March, 1872. Since then he has conducted a bakery at No. 209 Broadway. Since 1875, he has also carried a stock of groceries, and has done a poultry business. Mr. Leykauf was married August 24, 1863, to Mrs. Charlotte (Blume) Bolman, by whom he is the father of three children: Henry, Elizabeth, and John N. By her first husband, Christian Bolman, Mrs. Leykauf had these children: Theodore, Christian F., Frederick W., Bertha, Char- lotte, Albert, and Otto, all living. Mr. and Mrs. Leykauf are members of St. John's German Lutheran church.
On August 14, 1888, Nicholas R. McNiece, an energetic young busi- ness man, became one of the grocery firm of Markey & McNiece, at Fort Wayne. He is a native of Porter county, Ind., born January 18, 1861. His parents, William H. and Elizabeth McNiece, were both natives of Pennsylvania. When he was a small child his parents removed to Valparaiso, where his boyhood was spent. At fifteen he accompanied his parents to Hobart, Ind., but soon afterward he returned to Valparaiso and there learned telegraphy. He took a position as operator at Wana- tah, Ind., and continued in that capacity in several of the states during ten years. He then, in June, 1886, engaged in the grocery business at Lake Elmo, Minn. His store was destroyed by fire in February, 1888, and in June, of that year, he came to Fort Wayne, and subsequently he engaged in the grocery business with Albert C. Markey. Mr. McNeice was married June 16, 1883, to Miss Delilah A. Hively, a native of Whit- ley county, Ind. They have one child, Ora L., born October 17, 1884. While a resident of Lake Elmo, Minn., Mr. McNiece served as post- master eight months, resigning the position when he was burned out.
Albert C. Markey, an enterprising young business man of Fort Wayne, of the grocery firm of Markey & McNiece, is a native of New York city, born October 18, 1864. His parents, Lawrence and Eliza Markey, came to Fort Wayne in 1869, and still reside in this city. Mr. Markey's early education was obtained in the Fort Wayne schools, and later he pursued the studies of German, French and Latin in Calvary college of Wisconsin. During five years of his early manhood he was in the employ of different railroad companies, his work being of a cler- ical character. For more than three years past his attention has been given to the grocery business and he is now one of the members of the firm of Markey & McNiece, at No. 356 South Calhoun street. Mr. Markey is a member of the Catholic church.
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