USA > Kentucky > Jefferson County > Louisville > The city of Louisville and a glimpse of Kentucky > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
Mr. Lindenberger, the President, is considered one of the safest and wisest financiers of this city. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, November 13, 1824. He came to Kentucky in 1839, and a year thereafter took service as a clerk in a wholesale drug business, to which he was admitted as a partner in 1846, being the junior partner in the firm of Rupert, Lindenberger & Co. to 1853, then Lindenberger & Co. to 1861, when he retired from mercantile business to become Cashier of the Merchants' Bank of Kentucky. Mr. Lindenberger brought to his new employment the reputation .of hav- ing been successful in mercantile affairs, besides a valuable experience and a practical and methodical system of man- agement, a most desirable quality in a bank officer, and one not to be acquired outside of a successful mercantile career. One of the chief reasons for Mr. Lindenberger's early and continued success as Cashier and President of this bank is to be found in his rapid insight into and quick decision upon all matters brought before him. His mind is commercial, financial, and legal. In short, it is a high order of the trained analytical mind. Mr. Lindenberger has filled many offices of trust, requiring the greatest sagacity. Under two administrations he was a member of the Directory of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. He was one of the organizers of the Board of Trade ; was a Director and Vice-President of the Southern Mutual (now the Mutual) Life Insurance Company ; helped organize the Fidelity Trust and Safety Vault Company, of which he was Vice-President ; was President of the Louisville Clearing House ; helped organize the great Southern Exposition of 1883, to which he rendered valuable service; and is now Treasurer of the John N. Norton Memorial Infirmary. Of late years the growth of the business of his bank and his congeniality with its work have prompted him to concentrate his time more upon the bank's interests. He has consequently with- drawn himself, so far as he consistently could, from service in other engagements.
144
Western Bank and Western Insurance Company.
7 THE WESTERN BANK is an institution that has had a successful career for more than twenty years. It was incorporated under the
laws of Kentucky in 1865, its name then being the Western Insur- ance aud Banking Company, with a capital stock of $250,000. In May, IS72, a new insurance law having been enacted, the banking business had to be separated from that of the insurance, and the bank became the WESTERN BANK, with a capital of $250,000, at which amount its stock is still capitalized, while the insurance business was still carried on, but with a capital distinct from that of the hauk. The first President of the company was Mr. C. Henry Fink, a prominent Geriau citizen. The pressure of other business required his resignation, and iu 1868 he was succeeded by Mr. A. F. Coldewey, who still holds the office.
The officers of the bank have always pursued a conservative policy, and have built up a large and eminently a safe business, confining the operations of the company to legitimate banking. Much of its business comes from the large German population of the city, the location of the institution being favorable to this strong element in the commerce of Louisville. The bank receives deposits, makes collections here and elsewhere, having a large correspondence throughout the South-west, solicits business from merchants and manufacturers in Louisville, and deals largely in foreign and domestic exchange. The bank has regularly A. F. COLDEWEY. paid large dividends, in one year, when the Louisville banks charged a high rate of interest, having paid sixteen per cent. It now pays a semi- annual dividend of four per cent. The success of the house is demonstrated by the extent of its deposits, which average about $750,000, and its surplus and undivided profits of $55.958.30, a large accumulation on its capital stock. The last statement of the bank, made June 30, 1887, is as follows :
ASSETS : Loans and discounts, $666,236.55 ; fixtures and furniture, $3,750; real estate, $4,000 ; cash on hand, $102,- 664.49 ; due from banks, $80, 115.61 ; bonds and stocks, $189,394.09; total, $1,046, 160.74.
LIABILITIES : Capital, $250,000 ; surplus and profits, $55,958.30; unpaid dividends, $468; deposits, $735,722.13 ; due to banks, $4,012.31 ; total, $1,046, 160.74.
The Directors of the bank are A. F. Coldewey, W. Krippenstapel, J. Dolfinger, Wm. Springer, C. Stege, H. Dune- kake, C. J. Raible, C. Jenne, and Fred W. Keisker. The first Cashier of the bank was Mr. Jacob Krieger. Mr. B. Frese now fills that office. He has been in the bank sixteen years ; was Teller eleven years, and was elected Cashier January 1, 1887, succeeding Mr. Heury Hurter, who died in the foregoing month and who was one of the most popular men in this city. Mr. Frese is well-known as one of the progressive young business men of Louisville, and is courte- ous and engaging in manuer, as well as enterprising in business.
The WESTERN INSURANCE COMPANY has a capital stock of $100,000 and a surplus of $60,000. A great deal of the fire insurance business of Louisville is done by local companies, which, though they have not the great capital of the Eastern and foreign companies, are equally as safe as they, since they do business only in a limited territory, in which they can make a personal inspection of the risks offered, and are not liable to write policies on buildings or goods that are unsafe, either from natural causes or because of the questionable character of their owner. The WESTERN INSUR- ANCE COMPANY does a business of this safe character, accepting insurance in only small amounts. The advantages of the system are apparent in the statements of the company, which moves along easily and prosperously while larger companies are crying out at the great losses they sustain, making it a serious question whether they can continue to operate on their present plan. The WESTERN does a purely local business, but last year wrote risks to the amount of $2,500,000, and its business is constantly increasing. It takes so few hazardous risks that in 1886 its losses were only $2,000. The company pays a semi-annual dividend of five per cent. Its officers and board of directors are the same as those who manage the affairs of the bank, with the exception of Mr. H. Miller, who is the solicitor for the insurance company. The company is also local agent for the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company of Springfield, Massachusetts.
The offices of the bank are located in its own building, at No. 309 West Market street, where it established itself in 1868, having before that done business on Main street.
The President of the bank, Mr. A. F. Coldewey, is one of the most prominent German citizens of Louisville. He was born in Oldenburg, Germany, in 1829 and came to America in 1849, at once locating in Louisville and engaging in the furniture business until 1865, by which time he had acquired a fortune sufficiently large to enable him to retire from business. But in 1868 he accepted the Presidency of this bank which he has so ably managed. The constant growth of the business of the institution is illustrated by the fact that since December, 1885, the deposits have increased about $200,000. This prosperity is due to the wise and conservative management of Mr. Coldewey, who is recognized as one of the safest as well as one of the most far-sighted business men in Louisville, and whose long career as the President and active manager of the bank has given him a commercial following that is of the first importance. The clerical force of the bank and insurance company is composed as follows ; Julius Hinzen, Jr., Teller ; John Henseler, Individual Book- keeper ; Harry Dunekake, Jr., General Ledger Book-keeper ; Oscar D. Coldewey, Insurance Book-keeper ; Carl Stege, Clerk.
145
The Crab Orchard Springs Company.
HE most popular summer resort in the South is CRAB ORCHARD SPRINGS, beautifully located among the foothills, which, further away in the shadowy distance, rise into the picturesque Cumberland mountains. The springs are on the Knoxville Division of the Lonisville & Nashville Railroad, 115 miles from Louisville, and one-quarter mile from the little village of Crab Orchard. The property of the company embraces seventy-seven acres, beautifully laid off with shady, romantic walks, charming woodland nooks, where overhanging rocks and rippling springs form grateful re- treats for those who have escaped from baking cities and driving care. The hotel is commodious and handsome, affording to the visitors every accommodation that can be had in the best-equipped establishment in any city. The springs are famous for the curative qualities of their waters, which, for certain ailments, are unequaled in the wide world.
For many years hundreds of people have annually sought pleasure, and rest, and health at CRAB ORCHARD SPRINGS ; but, until the springs passed into the hands of the present management, the visitors had to put up with more or less inconvenience. In 1882, however, the establishment passed into the hands of a company which completely reformed all this, making such changes as justify those acquainted with the resort in calling it the "Saratoga of the South." This company is organized as follows: W. T. Grant, President; W. N. Haldeman and Bennett H. Young, Directors. The natural advantages of the place and the handsome buildings made it easy for these gentlemen to make CRAB ORCHARD
VIEWS OF THE HOTEL, AMUSEMENT HALL, AND SPRINGS.
SPRINGS one of the most attractive places in America. Good fare, numerous amusements in and out of doors, a fine orchestra, and courteous attention have increased the reputation of the springs and attracted to them the fashion of the South and South-west.
But charming as is CRAB ORCHARD in its social aspects, it is as a health-giving resort that it makes the greatest claims on the public. CRAB ORCHARD water from the American Epsom spring has no counterpart in this country. For all troubles of the liver, its virtue is unsurpassed. It is almost a certain cure for indigestion, and is remedial in cases of Bright's disease, affections of the bladder, skin, bowels, neuralgia, convalescence from febrile diseases, and in cases of general debility. The analysis of the most famous of the five springs is as follows : Carbonate of lime, .506; carbonate of magnesia, .375 ; carbonate of iron, a trace; sulphate of magnesia, 2.989 ; sulphate of lime, 1.566; sulphate of potash, .298; sulphate of soda, .398; sulphate of sodium, 1.000; silica, .021 ; bromine, a trace; total, 7.153 grains. The carbonates are held in solution by carbonic acid. There are four other springs, of various strength, chaly- beate and sulphur.
These waters and the wholesome mountain air make CRAB ORCHARD SPRINGS a boon to invalids. Many people, those in health and those who are not, have such faith in the healing properties of the place that they return there year after year, while the young and the gay make the social attractions of CRAB ORCHARD second to those of no watering place in this country.
146
Mason Maury Architect.
7 'HE vast improvement in architecture in Louisville, which is partic- ularly noticeable in the residence portion of the city, is due in a large measure to the enterprise and aggressiveness of Mr. Mason Maury, who, within the past few years, has taken a leading positiou among the architects of this city. Up to the time when Mr. Maury started in business here, the style of architecture was very plain aud commonplace. He had spent two years in the East, had traveled ex- tensively, and had been a close reader of publications devoted to his profession, aud, believing that Louisville people were as appreciative of the beautiful and picturesque as any other people in the world, he deter- mined to introduce some new ideas with the hope that a general improve- ment might follow. The result is seen in the beauty and attractiveness of hundreds of modern-built houses which have been erected iu the southern portion of the city within the past five years.
The first house of this modern style built by Mr. Maury was for Mr. Charles E. Wood, on the Highlauds, in which he introduced the colo- uial style of architecture. This was fiuished throughout in hardwood cabinet work, and, at the time of its completion, was considered the most beautiful residence, hoth from an outside and inside view, in the city. This house established Mr. Maury's reputation as an architect. The next house designed and erected by him was that of W. F. Rubel, also beautiful residence on uow owned by Major J. street ; Mrs. C. M. Short,
MASON MAURY. on the Highlands. Then followed a Third street for the late O. T. Sutfield, W. Stine. He then designed and built the handsome residences of J. F. Smith, Second Fourth avenue; W. S. Matthews, Fourth avenue; K. W. Smith, Third street ; Judge Russell Houston, Weissinger avenue, and many others of wonderful beauty and completeness. The last two houses meutioned are undoubtedly the most beautiful residences in Louisville. The whole number of modern res- idences as built under Mr. Maury's supervision, since his first innovation, can not be given, but, while other architects have contributed to the vast improvement in architecture, he has done his share in the erection of hundreds of fine resi- dences which have sprung up as if by magic under the mod- eru idea. Until recently Mr. Maury gave his attention so exclusively to residences that he was not in demand for business structures. His opportunity came, however, when the erectiou of the Kenyon building was con- templated, and, having remodeled the Louisville Hotel two years ago, Mr. Henning, who is largely interested in the hotel, asked him for plans which resulted in the finest building iu the city, a view of which is given on this page. This elegant structure has stimulated a demand for modern business houses, and has already demonstrated the fact that money invested in business houses in Louisville will pay a large profit.
The Kenyon building was the creation of the young architect who was supposed to know very well how to put up a handsome residence, but who paid no attention to the erection of business houses. The prominence of the Kenyon build- ing, in the heart of the business portion of the city, brought Mr. Maury into notice and contrib- uted more to his fame than his fifty or sixty resi- detices.
Mr. Maury is a young man, a native of Louis- ville, and a graduate of the High School, and his success in his own home is a matter of pride to his numerous frieuds. His interests are identified with this city where he has acquired considerable property, besides some interests in important manufacturing enterprises.
Courier Journal Eng
KENYON BUILDING, MASON MAURY, ARCHITECT.
147
The Louisville Gas Company.
7 "HE LOUISVILLE GAS COMPANY was chartered in 1836, and a year or two later began to distribute gas to the citizens of Louisville. The original charter granted the exclusive privilege of making gas in the city of Louisville for thirty years. In 1869 the charter was renewed with the exclusive privilege for twenty years. This privilege was grauted in view of the fact that the city owned about one-third of the stock and got its streets lighted at actual cost. The company has been in active operation for fifty years, and during that time has made gas continuously except for two nights in February, 1883, when the flood put out the fires and the city was left in total darkness. In the following year the water rose higher by several inches, hut precautions had been taken and the company did not have to stop work.
The capital stock of the company is now $2,500,000, of which the city owns $900,000. The city elects four of the nine Directors. The officers are George W. Morris, President ; Thomas L. Barret, Vice-President ; A. H. Barret, Eugin- eer ; W. P. Lee, Treasurer ; E. S. Porter, Secretary ; John S. Morris, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer. The Directors are George W. Morris, John M. Atherton, Thomas L. Barret, A. H. Barret, J. L. Smyser, and the following gentlemen on the part of the city : James A. Leach, Harry Bishop, E. W. McDonald, and Johu M. Robinson.
Mr. Morris succeeded the late John G. Baxter to the Presidency of the company in April, 1885, having been a Direc- tor active in its affairs for ten years previous to that time. Since Mr. Morris has come into the office, the policy of the company has heen broadened and efforts have been made to satisfy the demands of the public in every possible way. The quality of the gas has been greatly improved and the service been in many ways rendered more efficient. The capacity of the works has been continuously increased, and, within the last two years, the company has speut $150,000 in introducing modern machinery and improvements. The manufacture of gas by means of these improvements is too intricate to be goue into here. It is only necessary to say the company keeps apace with the times and furnishes the citizens of Louisville with as fine an illuminating gas as is made anywhere in the country, and that the service is as nearly perfect as it can be made. Mr. Barret, the engineer in charge of the works, has had long experience in gas man- ufacture aud is thoroughly skilled in his science.
Louisville is not as large a consumer of gas as its population would lead one to suppose, the wide spread of the city
THE LOUISVILLE GAS COMPANY'S WORKS
taking it at present impracticable to lay mains to some of the ont-lying districts. These are illuminated hy means of oil lamps in the streets. But as fast as a district becomes sufficiently settled, the gas company lays its pipes. The annual product is 375,000,000 cubic feet, to make which there is a consumption of over a million bushels of coal, the coal used being Pittsburgh with some Cannel mixed with it to give the gas a greater illuminating power. The productive capacity of the works is two million feet of gas per day, the maximum cousumption being 1,600,000 feet. This capacity is to he greatly increased within the next year or two.
The company employs 150 meu, exclusive of those engaged in laying pipes iu the streets. There are 125 miles of street mains, and new ones are constantly put down in localities to which they have not hitherto heen extended. There are 3,000 street lamps in the city, for lighting which the city pays no tax whatever. Throughout the city there are 7,500 consumers, and there are ahout 10,000 service pipe connections, going from the mains to the houses. At the gas works are two enormous holders, and another is located in Portland. A fourth one will be built within the near future. These great tanks cost something like $100,000 each, and on account of this expense in building them it would he poor financiering to store gas for future consumption, it being much cheaper to make the necessary supply from day to day.
Of course, the LOUISVILLE GAS COMPANY, like every similar institution, has come in for its share of abuse from the public. Where is the gas company that has not? But within the last few years the complaints have grown less and less frequent as the service has been improved by means of modern machinery and through the efforts of the officers and directors, who have studiously endeavored to avoid all canse of grievauce. There is no more capable business man in this community than Mr. George W. Morris, and no man has the confidence of the public to a greater degree.
148
Buchanan 5 Bro.
HE real estate firm of BUCHANAN & BRO. is the leading firm of that line of business in this city. Both members, whose pictures are here shown, are native Ken- tuckians, and have lived in Louisville siuce early hoyhood. The business was started by Mr. James Buchanan in 1872 and in 1879 he was joined by his brother, Mr. John W. Buch- anan, at which time the firm name of BUCHANAN & BRO. was adopted, and it so contin- ues to-day. Their office is where it was fifteen years ago, No. 404 West Main street, two doors below Fourth, in the business center of the city. No two gentlemen are better known in Louisville than are James and John Buchanau. JAMES BUCHANAN. They are men of education, JOHN W BUCHANAN and occupy high positions in all the relations of life. Cautious, but at the same time farsighted and progressive, and realizing that the value of real estate depends on the prosperity of the city, they are always interested in matters of public concern, and are prompt in assisting any enterprise the purpose of which is to bring Louisville to the front.
Their long residence in Louisville and the immense business they have done iu real estate have familiarized them thoroughly with the growth and development of the city, and with values of all classes of property, both improved aud unimproved. Their perfect knowledge of values and their known integrity give them the confidence of bath buyer and seller and enable them to market property when other agents fail. While these gentlemen have in their offices the most complete maps of all the property in the city and county, they scarcely find it necessary to consult them, so inti- mate is their knowledge of locations and values.
A marked feature in the business of the firm is the handling of investment and trust funds ; more large and impor- tant trusts are confided to their management than to any other firm in the city. Such is the confidence reposed in their integrity and ability by the leading lawyers and by the judges of our courts that their opinion is authority on all matters pertaining to real estate, and they are appointed by the higher courts to appraise and divide large estates of decedents.
Their knowledge both of the value of real estate and of the credit and solvency of borrowers has given tbem the leading position in the city as lenders of money on real estate security. It is a fact, perhaps without a precedent in such a business, that of the many thousands of dollars lent on mortgages by this firm in the past fifteen years but two or three of the mortgages have ever been foreclosed, and ou these the mortgage creditors realized from the sales their debts with interest and costs in full.
When it is remembered that within the period of this firm's existence the legal rate of interest in Kentucky was at one time as high as ten per cent. per annum, presenting to lenders of money a strong temptation to run great risks by taking inadequate security, it is apparent that remarkably cool judgment was displayed by these gentlemen in their selection of only the best of loans, both in respect to the character and standing of the horrower and the value of the property sought to he mortgaged as security.
The opinion of these gentlemen is sought hy large operators in real estate, it heing well known that they do not buy and sell on their own account, hence their advice is untrammeled hy personal interest. Strangers and others wishing to make inquiries in regard to real estate are made welcome at the office of this firm, and always receive prompt and reli- able information. They perhaps have for sale mare property thau any other agency in the city ; nearly every dwelling for sale in Louisville is in their hands. Their acquaintance is such that they are eminently successful in selling such property. Their list of unimproved lots suitable for residences, business, or factory purposes is larger than that of any other agency ; anything in the line of improved revenue-paying property can also be found at their office. They do a large business in the sale of suburbau residences-most of the changes in ownership of country seats which have occurred in the last decade have been brought about through them. They do a large business in the sale of farm lands, not only in this ( Jefferson) county but in the Bluegrass counties of Kentucky ; their facilities, in connection with local corre- spondents, for the handling of this class of property, are not surpassed by any individual or firm.
In short, the firm of BUCHANAN & BRO., as we have said at the outset, is the leading real estate firm in Louisville, and their success has been attained by the possession of those qualities that always command success in all departments of life-industry, energy, intelligence, and integrity.
149
J. Henry Doerr.
m R. J. HENRY DOERR is a photographer of the highest reputa- tion, and his work is widely known in the West, South, and South-west, many people preferring it to that of the famous photographers of New York and Chicago. He has one of the finest pho- tographic studios in the country, his building having been erected by him for this express nse and being equipped with every device that could facil- itate his art. It is located at Twelfth and Market streets, is three stories high, and has a frontage of forty-two, with a depth of 104 feet. The en- tire third floor is used as a studio, and is arranged for the comfort of Mr. Doerr's patrons, as well as to obtain the best results in photography. The reception rooms occupy the width of the building, and are deep enough to make very handsome parlors. They are decorated with some of the finest specimens of Mr. Doerr's work, and are elegantly furnished. Leading from these are the toilet rooms for ladies and gentlemen, those for ladies affording every facility for making the most elaborate toilet with comfort and elegance.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.