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 29
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Prussia, and came to America in 1870. To them have been born seven children, of whom five are living: William, Fred, Charles, Louisa and Gustave. He and wife are members of the Emanuel Lutheran church.
A well known contractor in masonry at Fort Wayne, Frederick Rippe, was born in Bremen, Germany, on May 5, 1845. He was edu- cated in the public schools of his native country and began the trade of brick and stone mason when fifteen years of age. This he followed in the old country until 1871, and then emigrated and came directly to Fort Wayne, where he has since resided. He began contracting about 1879 and was so occupied about three years. He was foreman for Henry Paul for five years and then resumed contracting. He was mar- ried in 1872, in Fort Wayne, to Adelheit Beyer, and to them seven chil- dren have been born, four of whom are living: Mr. and Mrs. Rippe are members of St. Paul's Lutheran church. Their children that are living are: Henry, Lizzie, Louis and Charles.
Among the enterprising men of Fort Wayne engaged in contract- ing and building, a creditable place is occupied by Henry A. Hoffman, who embarked in the business in 1879. Mr. Hoffman's father, Peter Hoffman, was a native of Germany, who was brought to Ohio in child- hood by his parents, who afterward removed to Adams county, Ind., where Peter Hoffman married Mary Fuhrman, of the same nativity. There their son Henry A., was born, November 15, 1847. In 1853, the family came to Allen county and settled at Mechanicsburg, a suburb of Fort Wayne, the father having rented the farm he had entered in Adams county. Peter Hoffman was employed at Fort Wayne as a carpenter until his death about 1855, and his widow then returned to the Adams county farm, where she now resides. These parents left seven children, one besides Henry A., residing in this city. The latter received his education in the Lutheran schools here and in Adams county, and at nineteen years of age began work as a carpenter's apprentice, and speedily became one of the leading men in his calling. He has been a resident of Fort Wayne since his fifteenth year, with the exception of a period during 1869-70, spent in the western states. He was married in 1874, to Emily Bly, of Adams county, and they have four children: Susan, Ellen, Louis and Anna. Mr. Hoffman and family are members of the Lutheran church.
John H. Coolman, contractor, a valued citizen of Fort Wayne, was born at Medina, Ohio, in 1850, and came to Fort Wayne when quite young, his parents making their home in Allen county in the same year. His father, William Coolman, a native of Ohio, being a farmer by occu- pation, purchased a farm four miles north of the city, where he lived until his death in 1863. After the death of his father, John H. Coolman returned to Ohio, and there learned his trade. He engaged in contract- ing in 1871, and has done an extensive business. From 1877 to 1879, he was in California, and was there engaged in the same business, and in 1881 made his home at Fort Wayne. Mr. Coolman was married in
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1874, to Mary J. Corderay. He is a member of the Cathedral Catholic church.
John Suelzer, one of the prominent contractors of Fort Wayne, embarked in that business in the spring of ISS2, and since then has built the Berghoff brewery, since the fire, St. Paul's Catholic church, the asylum for feeble-minded children, the Catholic church at Peru, school- houses in Columbia City, and Wabash, and Louis Fox's building. He was born near Cologne, on the German bank of the Rhine, November 26, 1853, the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Neuhauser ) Suelzer. He lost his mother when he was twenty-three weeks old, and his father when he was six years of age, so that he was at an early age dependent upon his own resources. When he was fifteen he learned the carpenter's trade, and at nineteen emigrated to the United States. Landing at New York, he immediately purchased a ticket for Dallas, Texas, at which place he spent twenty-two months. He was afterward engaged at Conway, Ark., Morrillton, Memphis, Cario, Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Kankakee, Ill., before coming to Fort Wayne. In September, 1881, he went to Germany and was married January 31, 1882, to Catherine Suelzer, who was born April 8, 1856, and then returned to Fort Wayne, which has since been his home. Mr. and Mrs. Suelzer, and their chil- dren, Agnes, Mary, John, Bertie and Annie, are members of St. Peter's Catholic church.
John T. Crawford, contractor and builder at Fort Wayne, residing on the corner of Butler and Clinton streets, was born five miles west from Fort Wayne, on June 14, IS54, and is the son of James and Rachel (Mood) Crawford, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The parents came to Allen county in 1843 and located on a farm in Aboit township, and were among the pioneers of that region. The father died in 1883 at the age of fifty-seven years, and the mother died in 1885 at the age of fifty-three years. John T. Crawford was reared on the farm and attended the country schools. He came to Fort Wayne in 1878 and finished the carpenter's trade, and worked at the same until 1884, when he began the business of contractor and builder, at which he has since continued, meeting with success. Mr. Crawford was married in 1878 to Clara E. Crawford, who was born in Lowell, Ind., and to their union three daughters have been born: Ettie May, Nellie Blanch, and Alma Ethel. Both Mr. and Mrs. Crawford are members of the First United Brethren church.
A leading contractor and builder of Fort Wayne, Charles H. Schaper, was born in Adams township, Allen county, July 8, 1860, the son of Goodlet and Louisa ( Weese) Schaper. His parents, who are natives of Germany, on coming to this country, settled first at Fort Wayne and then removed to Adams township, where they have since resided. Mr. Shaper was reared on the farm, and received his early education in the country schools. He began the learning of the trade of carpenter in about 1878, and in 1881 he removed to Fort Wayne, and finished the acquirement of the trade. He worked as a carpenter until
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1884, and then began taking contracts, and being successful has since been engaged as a contractor. He did the carpenter work on the Fort Wayne Jenney electric light works, and was engaged in the re- building in 1889 and has been engaged on many other buildings, notably St. Paul's Lutheran church, the new Lutheran school building, and the large barn for Ryan Bros., and makes a specialty of heavy buildings, framing barns, etc. He employs on the average, fifteen men.
Well known as a contractor in the construction of brick and stone work, is Ambrose W. Kintz, member of the firm of Pratt & Kintz, of Fort Wayne. He was born in Ohio, February 22, 1842, the son of Alexander and Phœbe (Echenrode) Kintz. His parents were both of German descent, but natives of this country, and became residents of Allen county in 1844, first settling on a farm near the city. The father is a practical brick-mason, having followed that trade most of his life, and in 1846 he came to this city. He is now a resident of the ninth ward, in his seventy-first year, and his wife is aged sixty-nine. Mr. Kintz was reared in the city, attending the public schools, and when about seventeen years of age, learned the trade with his father. In 1885 he began contracting, and in 1886 formed the partnership with Benjamin Pratt. They are actively engaged in general contracting in brick and stone construction. In 1862 Mr. Kintz enlisted in Company E, Fifty- fifth regiment Indiana volunteers, and served both in that regiment and in the Ninety-first Indiana. He was married in 1874 to Lucia Miller, of Fort Wayne, and to them three children have been born: Daniel, Frank and Lulu. Mr. Kintz is a member of Fort Wayne lodge, K. of P., and of Sion S. Bass post, G. A. R.
One of the old settlers of Fort Wayne was Henry Schroeder, who was one of the pioneer marble cutters of the city, and a worthy and highly esteemed man. He was the proprietor of a marble yard for a number of years. He died in 1870 and his wife, Barbara Weipert, passed away nine years afterward. They were both natives of Ger- many. Herman C. Schroeder, son of the above, born at Fort Wayne, February 3, 1857, is the eldest of five children born, all of whom are living with one exception. He was educated in the Lutheran schools, and learned the carpenter's trade with Frederick Hostmeyer. He
worked at his trade until 1888, then embarking in the general contract- ing business, at which he is successful to a notable degree. Mr. Schroeder was married in 1885 to Anna Osterman, of Allen county, and they have one daughter, Lizzie. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church.
Frederick Kraft is a member of one of the early German families, that of Ernst and Louisa (Eichkoff) Kraft. Ernst Kraft came to Allen county about 1842 or '43, and worked on the old Wabash & Erie canal. He next purchased a piece of land of forty acres in Marion township, and in 1845 he returned to Germany and moved his family to his new farm home. He followed farming the balance of his life, and added to his original tract about fifty acres. His death occurred in 1849, in his
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fifty-fourth year, and the mother died in 1879 in her seventy-third year. To them five children were born, four of whom survive. One of these, Frederick Kraft, who was born in the south of Germany, January 28, 1841, is now a prominent contractor and builder. He received his edu- cation in the Lutheran schools, and remained on the farm until his twen- ty-fourth year, during the winters learning the carpenter's trade. In 1865 he removed to Fort Wayne and went to work at his trade. In 1870 he began contracting, at which he has been notably successful. Among the buildings which Mr. Kraft has erected are the Trentman block, Sidel's block and Bursley's block, on Calhoun street, Pixley & Long block on Berry street, L. M. Ninde's building on Berry and Har- rison streets, two foundry buildings for Mr. Bass, and the Olds' wheel works and many others. He was married March 5, 1865, to Lizzetta Mauzan, who was born in Allen county in 1848, and died in 1868, leav- ing one son, Henry, who has since died. He was married a second time, March 8, 1872, to Sophia Henning, who was born in Germany in 1850. To this union eight children have been born: Louisa, Charles, Minnie, William, Louis, Emma and Sophia. Fred, the fifth child, died in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Kraft are members of the Lutheran church.
Among the worthy German families that have become valued resi- dents of Allen county during the past forty years, is that of Christian and Mary (Huxoll) Gallmeier, who came to this country in the spring of 1850, and settled on a farm in Adams county. They passed their lives happily, the mother dying August 14, 1874, and the father December 3, 1887. Their son, Ernst Gallmeier, was born November 10, 1849, was about six months old when the parents settled in this county, and he grew up upon the farin, gaining his education in the public and Lutheran schools. In 1866 he came to Fort Wayne, and began learning the car- penter's trade, which has since been his occupation in this city. Mr. Gall- meier was married May 1, 1879, to Minerva Waldo, of Fort Wayne. He and wife are members of St. Paul's Lutheran church. Mr. Gall- meier is one of the capable and enterprising men in his business, and is a good citizen.
A well known contractor and builder of Fort Wayne, William Gall- meier, was born in North Germany, May 6, 1845, and emigrated to the United States in 1865. He was educated in the public schools of Ger- many, and then learned the carpenter's trade. Upon arriving in America, he located in Fort Wayne and obtained work at his trade. In 1872, he began contracting, forming a partnership with Frederick Korte, with whom he has continued in business. Mr. Gallmeier was married in 1870, to Eliza Meier, who was born in Hanover, Germany. To them nine children have been born, four of whom are dead. The living chil- dren are: Louisa, Frederick, Mary, Clara and Annie. Mr. Gallmeier and family are members of St. Paul's Lutheran church, of which he has been one of the trustees since about 1884.
One of the successful contractors of Fort Wayne, Gregory Lauer, first engaged in contracting in the spring of 1884, and is doing a good
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business, employing four men. Mr. Lauer is a native of Germany, born October 21, 1850, to John G. and Maggie (Hargerreiter) Lauer. The next year the father emigrated to New York to find a new home for his family. He settled in New York and sent for his wife, who started with her three children to join her husband, but she was taken sick at Havre, France, and died, leaving the children, the eldest of whom was sixteen, to make the voyage alone. After five years' residence at New York the father and children came to Allen county, where he purchased a farm about ten miles south of Fort Wayne. After twenty years of farming he sold his place and removed to the city, where he now lives. Gregory Lauer left the farm in his eighteenth year, and began learning the carpenter's trade at Fort Wayne. September 8, 1874, he was married to Catherine Trampe, a native of this county, and they have had seven children: George, Catherine, Gustave, Christina, Jesse (deceased), Jacob and Gregory. Mr. Lauer and family are members of the St. Mary's Catholic church.
One of the successful contractors and builders of Fort Wayne, Fred- erick Korte, was born in Westphalia, Germany, October 25, 1847. He emigrated to America in 1865, and came at once to Fort Wayne, where he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at the same until 1872, and then began contracting in partnership with William Gallmeier, with whom he has since continued in business. They have erected numer- ous buildings in the city, including both business and dwelling houses, and have met with much success. He was married May 6, 1870, to Sophia Berghorn, a native of Germany, and to them ten children have been born, six of whom survive: William, Elizabeth, Minnie, Sophia, Henry, and Ernst. Mr. Korte and family are members of St. Paul's Lutheran church, and in politics he is a republican.
Formerly a partner of Frederick Roth and S. Keller in the stone cutting business, and now engaged with the firm of Roth & Keller, Christian Keefer, of Fort Wayne, is well-known as one of the masters of his craft. He was born in Preble township, Adams county, Ind., March 4, 1845, the son of John N. and Sophia (Gabel) Keefer. His parents were natives of Prussia and came to Indiana in 1838 among the early settlers, settling first in Adams county. In 1861 they removed to Fort Wayne, where they died, the father in 1864 and the mother in 1874. To these parents three children were born, of whom one son is de- ceased. Christian Keefer was reared in Adams county, and came with his parents to this city in 1861. The next year he went west, and for nine months drove the stage and carried the United States mail between St. Joseph, Mo., and Council Bluffs, Iowa. Then returning to Fort Wayne he began learning the stone cutter's trade, which has since been his occupation. In 1870 he formed the partnership above referred to, under the title of S. Keller & Co., which was subsequently changed to Keefer & Roth. He retired from the firm in 1882. Mr. Keefer was married in 1873 to Louisa King, of Fort Wayne, and to them a son and daughter have been born, Edward and Emma. Mr. Keefer in XVI
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politics is a liberal democrat, and he is a member of Concordia lodge, No. 228, I. O. O. F.
John W. Muldoon, practical painter, located at No. 12 East Berry street, Fort Wayne, is a native of this county, born in Marion township, August II, 1858. His father, Patrick Muldoon, a prominent man among the early settlers, was born in Ireland in 1827, and immigrated to this country, and was for a while engaged in contracting, then for some time in the milling and grocery business at Williamsport, subsequently being occupied in agriculture, until his death, which occurred February 19, 1864, in Allen county. He was married on Jannary 30, 1851, to Margaret Killen, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1833, and now resides at 280 East Lewis street, this city. They have seven children, of whom four are now living, John Muldoon being the youngest. At twelve years he came to Fort Wayne, and when eighteen began to learn the painter's trade. When twenty-one years old he went to Chicago, and a year later returned to this city, and was for a year and a half in the employment of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago railroad, as fireman. In 1884 he resumed the painting business, and is now doing a good business, employing eight men, and has an extensive reputation as a skillful and accurate painter. Besides the general business he gives considerable attention to the finer branches of his art. He removed to his present location in March, 1889. He is a democrat, politically; is a member of the Catholic church, and of the Catholic Knights of America; and socially is one of the popular young men of the city.
Joseph H. Brimmer has been engaged in sign painting, giving atten- tion also to the finer departments of his art, such as the painting of pic- tures, banners for societies and the like, in Fort Wayne, since 1872, when he came to this city from Chicago, where for one year he had been occupied in his profession. He is now regarded as one of the leading artists in his line in this part of the state. Mr. Brimmer was born in Lancaster, Penn., February 13, 1850, son of Joseph and Mary (Hutch- inson ) Brimmer, natives of that state. His father, born in 1808, died in 1885; his mother now resides in Pennsylvania at the age of seventy- three. They had ten children, of whom three are living, Joseph being the second of these. In 1865 he began learning sign painting, and in 1868 embarked in the business, removing in 1871 to Chicago. He is a worthy citizen; politically is a republican; fraternally is a Mason of the degree of Knights Templar; and he and wife are members of the English Lutheran church. He was married in 1875 to Rhoda E. Buckles, a native of Ohio, and they have had these children: John E., Mary E. and Clara L., living, and one Joseph H., jr., deceased.
Henry Hild, a well known carriage and sign painter, has been a resi- dent of Fort Wayne since 1872, and has during that period achieved substantial success in his business and is held in esteem as a worthy and valuable citizen. He was born March 8, 1846, at Pittsburgh, Penn. His father was a native of Germany, born in 1813, who came to America in 1837, followed teaching as a profession, and died at Pitts-
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burgh in 1869. He married Elizabeth Marquardt, born in 1809, and died in Iowa, November, 1888, and they had five children, of whom three survive, Henry being the second of these in age. In 1862 Henry Hild began learning the painter's trade in Pittsburgh, and followed it there until 1872. In 1870 he was married to Caroline Schust, who was born in Germany in 1848, and came to this country when an infant with her parents, who settled at Fort Wayne. They have three children, Albert D., Otto G., and Emma W. Mr. Hild is a republican, and he and wife are members of the German Lutheran church.
Among the worthy citizens of German birth should be mentioned Henry Schultz, a well known contractor and plasterer. He was born in Prussia, November 18, 1840, and immigrated to the United States in 1864, coming directly to Fort Wayne from New York. While in the old country he learned the trade of mason, but after arriving in this country he engaged in plastering, to which he has since given his attention. He began contracting in about 1879. Mr. Schultz was married in 1869 to Henrietta Brink Kroager, who was born in Prussia. To their union ten children have been born, eight of whom survive: Louisa, William, Caro- line, Sophia, Henrietta, Katie, Henry, Frederick and Albert. Mr. Schultz and family are members of St. Paul's Lutheran church.
In the business of slate and tin roofing and manufacture of tin and galvanized iron work, John Baker, of Fort Wayne, is conspicuous. He was born in this city April 24, 1849, son of Conrad and Bridget (O'Donnell) Baker. The father was a native of Germany, and was born in 1821. He emigrated to America and afterward came to Fort Wayne. He was a shoemaker by trade, and followed that occu- pation for a number of years. He served as street commissioner of Fort Wayne two years, and was afterward in the saw-mill' business at Decatur, Ind. His death occurred in this city, April 11, 1884. His widow, who was born in Ireland in 1821, and was married to him at Pittsburgh, Penn., now makes her home on West Berry street, this city. John Baker was reared in Fort Wayne, and was educated in the Catho- lic schools. In 1865 he set in to learn the slate roofing and tin and gal- vanized iron work, and has followed that trade ever since. He began contracting in 1871, forming a partnership with John H. Welch, with whom he continued in business until December, 1886, when the firm was dissolved, Mr. Baker buying the business. In February, 1887, he sold out to T. O. Gerow, and subsequently re-engaged in business, and continues at contracting. Mr. Baker was married September 14, 1875, to Fanny Welch, who was born in Ohio. Both are members of the Catholic cathedral.
In 1858 Robert Ogden, who had 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 buiness, with his
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establishment at No. 26 East Berry street, and has achieved an honor- able reputation. He was the first plumber to establish himself in Fort Wayne. Mr. Ogden was born near Manchester, England, January 9, 1825, to John and Alice Ogden, and when a small boy began learning his trade with his father. He has been three times married. His pres- ent 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 Presbyter- ian 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.
James D. Madden, a prominent plumber of Fort Wayne, was born in county Derry, Ireland, March 25, 1856, the son of Patrick and Rose (McGuigan) Madden. He was reared in his native land until he reached the age of seventeen, when he came to America, and shortly after reach- ing this country entered upon an apprenticeship with Hoolihan & Barry, of Philadelphia, with whom he spent five years learning the plumbing business. In the spring of 1878 he opened a plumbing establishment on the corner of Second and Vine streets, Philadelphia, and two years later came to Fort Wayne. He is now the proprietor of a handsome plumbing establishment at IOI Calhoun street, and enjoys a large cus- tom. He is industrious in business, is full of energy and enterprise and possesses more than ordinary tact and ability. He married in Philadel- phia, February 12, 1877, to Ellen Crilly, who died August 22, 1877. He was married to Hannah Lyons, his present wife, September 9, 1882, by whom he has three children: Lawrence, Rose and Patrick Henry. Mr. Madden and wife are members of the Catholic church. In politics he is a republican.
Among the leading plumbers of the city is enrolled C. W. Bruns, one of the enterprising young business men of Fort Wayne. He was born in this city, November 24, 1865, the son of William and Rosa Bruns, who reside at 130 Gay street. He. received his early education at the German Lutheran schools, and between the ages of fourteen and seven- teen, learned the trade of painter. At the age of eighteen he gradu- ated from the Fort Wayne business college, and then turned his atten- tion to plumbing. He spent a year and a half with the firm of McLachlin & Bowen, and was then employed four years as bookkeeper for Robert Ogden. In the fall of 1888 he opened a plumbing and gas fitting establishment at 166 Calhoun street, and is laying substantial foundations for business success.
M. Baltes, a well-known German citizen of Fort Wayne, and a man- ufacturer of white lime and dealer in lime, stone, cement, sewer pipes, fire brick, clay, etc., at No. 3 Harrison street, residence at No. 63 Har- rison, was born in Prussia in 1836. In 1854 he emigrated, landed at New York city, and came at once to Indiana and for several years worked in the neighborhood of Huntington. He next engaged in wheat
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