USA > Ohio > Memoirs of the lower Ohio valley, personal and genealogical : with portraits, Volume I > Part 24
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re-elected two years later; and again in 1902; and in 1904 was nomi- inated for a fourth term. His record as prosecutor has received the highest endorsement of his constituents, as may be seen by his re- peated re-elections. He is able, conscientious and fearless, the three essential qualifications of a good prosecuting attorney. Mr. McIntyre is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was married March 8, 1894, to Miss Nellie Stevens of New Albany, and to this union there have been born two children: Mary, who died in infancy, and Ellen, now seven years of age.
THOMAS E. FOGLE, judge of the police court, New Albany, Ind., is a native of Pittsburg, Pa., where he was born on Jan. 3, 1855, his parents being John K. and Mary Jane (Stewart) Fogle. The father was born in Washington county, Pa., March 26, 1826, and the mother in what is now West Virginia, Nov. I, 1827. Both are yet living, now being residents of New Albany, where they have lived since August, 1867. For some time before that the father had been associated with the firm of S. W. Dougherty & Co., pension attorneys, now of Columbus, Ind. John K. and Mary Fogle had six children, only two of whom are now living -the subject of this sketch and Daniel S., who holds a responsible position with the great packing house of Armour & Co. of Chicago. At the time the family removed to New Albany, Judge Fogle was twelve years of age. In 1878 he graduated from the New Albany business college and the following year became the bookkeeper in the office of Thomas Baldwin, grand national secretary of the Inde- pendent Order of United Workmen of the United States. A little later he was bookkeeper for the firm of Fulton, Smith & Co., hub, spoke and wheel manufacturers of Louisville, remaining with them for two years. From 1882 to 1889 he was employed in the Ohio Falls Iron Works of New Albany. In 1889, through the influence of J. N. Huston, then United States treasurer, he was appointed to a position in the mail service on the Louisville and Evansville Packet Line. This position he held but nine months, however, resigning to return to the
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iron works. In 1892 he became manager of the Merchants' Ticket Register Company of New Albany, but six months later the plant was sold. For several years he was then associated with the building and decorating trades as carpenter and paperhanger. In November, 1902, he was elected justice of the peace of New Albany township, an office which he still holds, and in addition to those duties he was appointed police judge of the city by Mayor Frank L. Shrader, on Dec. 2, 1902. Judge Fogle is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar; a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in 1877 was the delegate from the State of Indiana to the national convention of the Order of American Mechanics, at Dayton, Ohio, and is also a member of the Tribe of Ben Hur. In June, 1891, he was a national delegate from New Albany Lodge to the assem- blage of Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers, at Pitts- burg, Pa. He was married on March 4, 1880, to Miss Belle V. Bryant, a native of New Albany, where she was born, of English parentage, April 15, 1856. To this union there have been born the following children: Carrie C., married, June 2, 1904, to Duke B. Tomlinson ; Jennie ; David H., married in April, 1904, to Miss Belle Wattam; William A., Diana B., George C. K. and Frank C. B.
FRANK H. WILCOX, M.D., a physician and surgeon of New Albany, Ind., was born in that city, April 21, 1870. His father, Dr. Seymour C. Wilcox, was born at Franklin, Delaware county, N. Y., in 1818; graduated from the Albany, N. Y., Medical college; practiced for more than sixty years; came to New Albany in 1869, and now lives a retired life in that city, being eighty-seven years of age. The mother of Dr. F. H. Wilcox was Miss Julia Daniels. She is still living, aged sixty-four. Dr. F. H. Wilcox has one brother, George D. Wil- cox of Rochester, N. Y. Doctor Wilcox received his general educa- tion in the New Albany public schools; took a course in the New Albany Business college; spent four years in the medical department of the University of Louisville, gradu- ating with the class of 1890. Locating in his native city he soon built up a lucrative practice, and is today regarded as one of the coming physicians of Southern Indiana. He is a mem- ber and ex-president of the Floyd County Medical society; belongs to the American Medical association; is surgeon of the Louisville & Southern Indiana Traction Company, the Kentucky & Indiana Bridge and Railroad Company, and has a large private practice. Politically
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he is a Democrat of the unwavering type, yet he numbers among his personal friends a large number of Republicans. For six years he was a member of the pension examining board and was for a similar length of time the representative of the Seventh ward in the city coun- cil. In his political positions, as in his professional career, his labors were marked by a strict adherence to correct business principles, an unswerving fidelity to the cause of those entrusting him with their affairs, and a conscientious and intelligent performance of duty. Doc- tor Wilcox was married in December, 1892, to Miss Portia May Ful- lenlove, the daughter of Martin Van Buren Fullenlove of New Albany, and they have two children: Ira F., aged eleven, and Frank Shirley, aged nine.
PROF. IRA G. STRUNK, proprietor of the business college at New Albany, Ind., was born in Center county, Pa., March 22, 1846. His parents, John and Nancy (Henry) Strunk, were both natives of the Keystone state, his father having been born in Berks county, Feb. 17, 1806, and the mother in North county, Oct. 30th of the same year. He died on July 17, 1884, and she on June 17, 1862. They had fifteen children, the dates and births of which follow: George H., Dec. 13, 1828; William, March 27, 1830; Mary Ann, Aug. 14, 1831; John F., Aug. 29, 1832; Margaret Jane, Nov. 27, 1833; James B., Jan. 30, 1835; Susan, April 14, 1836; Robert, Sept. 21, 1837; Thomas, March 16, 1839; Elizabeth Hays, Sept. 6, 1840; Peter W., May 19, 1842; Samuel C., Aug. 29, 1843; an infant daughter, Feb. 19, 1845, and died at the age of two days; Ira G., March 22, 1846, and Nancy C., Oct. 7, 1847. Of these children, nine boys and six girls, seven are still living. Mary Ann Holmes died Jan. 8, 1858, as the wife of John Holmes; James B. died Nov. 27, 1861, a private of the Seventh Pennsylvania cavalry, while in rendezvous at Williamsport, Pa. His was the first death in the regiment; Nancy C., died March 28, 1865; Margaret Jane Seyler, as the wife of John Seyler, died Feb. 22, 1900; Thomas, April 24, 1869; John F., Aug. 6, 1891; William, June 25, 1904. Five brothers of the nine served their country during the Civil war, viz .: James B., Samuel C., Peter W., Thomas and Rob- ert. Samuel C. joined the Seventh Pennsylvania cavalry to take the
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place of his brother, James B., who had died, and served his country continuously from the day of his enlistment to the close of the war. He was in the thickest of many battles, but always came out un- harmed. Ira G. Strunk was reared on the farm near Jacksonville, Center county; attended the village school about five months in the year, after which he went to the Jacksonville seminary, under the principalship of a Miss Brown, a graduate of Oxford college, Ohio. From this school he secured a teacher's license; he taught in the win- ter and attended normal school in the summer; entered Kentucky university in the fall of 1868, and "bached" the entire year that his scant means might permit him to take advantage of an education. At the close of the first year President Patterson offered him a tutorship in the Agricultural and Mechanical college, which was accepted. At the close of the second year he was forced to leave the university for lack of funds. He was given the school at Leesburg, Ky., and taught it two years, when he was offered six different schools. He declined them all, returned to Lexington, graduated from the Hollingsworth & Co.'s Business college, and was sent to New Albany, Sept. 2, 1872, as principal of one of their branch schools. On November Ist he pur- chased a half interest, and on the 18th bought the other half. His school continued to grow, and in May, 1876, he admitted Prof. D. M. Hammond as a partner. In May, 1886, he retired from the school on account of ill health, selling his interest to Professor Hammond. In May, 1887, he repurchased a half interest in the college. This part- nership lasted until June 18, 1904, when Professor Hammond retired on account of failing health, after a partnership of twenty-eight years. During this time they both labored persistently to keep the New Albany Business college well to the front among schools of its class, and today it enjoys a reputation second to none in the state. Professor Strunk is fitted by nature for the work before him, having had years of experience in the line of accounting, from which he gathered valua- ble points that were frequently presented in his class work, thereby giving his students the benefit of his experience. He has without doubt taught more students bookkeeping than any other teacher about the Ohio Falls. The longer he is in the work the more enthusi- astic he seems to get. He takes an individual interest in all his stu- dents, and if he can patronize one of them he will walk out of his way to do it. His students are notably successful and may be found as merchants, bankers, manufacturers, brokers, teachers, etc., filling offices of honor and trust all over the country. He believes that the mission of the business college is not to prepare the students for effect-
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ive office work alone, but if possible to make them honest, influential, public-spirited men and women. Professor Strunk is a member of the Second Presbyterian church; belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member in good standing of the National Federation of Commer- cial Teachers' association and has just paid his thirtieth year's mem- bership assessment in the Young Men's Christian association, in which he feels a deep interest. He is fond of outdoor sports, and espe- cially outdoor work, and is never happier than when planting trees or shrubbery to embellish his home, on Silver Hills, which he has named "Poplar Slope." Any one who had seen these grounds six years ago, with their luxuriant growth of green briars, blackberry bushes, sassa- fras and black locust, and see it today, knows that it was the industri- ous, skillful hand which touched nature that caused the transforma- tion. Today the carefully trimmed hedge, the well kept lawn, the meandering walks, the shaded nooks, the wide verandas, impress the passer-by on a hot summer day that this air of retirement, restfulness and comfort is nearest to the simple life. It is here that Professor Strunk hopes to spend his declining years.
CHARLES UMBREIT, beef and pork packer of New Albany, Ind., was born at Darmstadt, Germany, Feb. 1, 1861. When he was five years of age his parents, John Christ and Mary Umbreit, came to the United States and soon after their arrival in this country they located in New Albany, where both died. Ever since that time Charles has been a resident of New Albany. He left school in his teens and learned the butchers' trade, which has been his vocation through life. During the twenty-one years that he has been in the business he has sold many a pound of meat to the people of New Albany, and none of his customers have ever yet made a complaint as to its quality or its short weight. When Mr. Umbreit commenced business for himself he had but fifty dollars for a working capital. Unable to hire a carpen- ter, he tore down the kitchen to his little home and with his own hands converted it into a butcher shop. From the outset his motto has been the best possible goods for the least margin of profit. In recent years he has branched out into the packing business, and today he has one of the best equipped plants of its size in the country, and runs two large wagons constantly to supply the local demand. The kitchen to his house has been replaced by a more modern one, and his packing house at present bears no resemblance to the humble shop in which he began business. He lives at No. 1513 North State street, where
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he has a comfortable home, and on the premises adjoining his resi- dence is his packing house, fitted up with all the latest improved appli- ances for dressing and curing meats. The success of Mr. Umbreit is entirely due to his industrious habits, his thorough knowledge of his business, his courteous treatment of his patrons, and, above all, his sterling honesty. Not a pound of bad meat has ever been sold over his counter or delivered to one of his customers with his knowledge, and few men are better known or have a higher standing with the meat trade of New Albany than Charles Umbreit. Mr. Umbreit is a Democrat in political matters, and is a member of the Lutheran church. He was married, Nov. 8, 1888, to Mary Arnold, a daughter of John and Mary (Weller) Arnold, the former of whom is now deceased. To this mar- riage there were born two sons: William, Aug. 4, 1889, and Herman, July 16, 1892. His first wife died on Nov. 6, 1899, and on the follow- ing New Year's day he was married to Miss Lillian Arnold, a sister of his former wife. By the second marriage he has one son, Otto, born Oct. 25, 1903.
PETER RAYMOND STOY (deceased), son of Peter and Mary Stoy, was born in the city of New Albany, Ind., Feb. 25, 1825, and died there, July 19, 1892. During his long life of more than three- score and seven years he was a useful member of society and was active in promoting all those institutions that contribute to the health, morals and general prosperity of the people. He served fourteen years as a member of the city council, his first election to that body being in 1850; was city commissioner for two years, and county commissioner for three years; as county commissioner he secured the erection of the county asylum, which is a model institution of its kind; was a member of the city school board at the time of his death, and was a potent factor in securing the erec- tion of some of the finest school buildings in the city. Outside of his native city he was known far and wide as a friend to religion and edu- cation. Joining the Wesley Methodist Episcopal church at the age of eighteen, he was ever afterward one of its most prominent and active members; for thirty years he was superintendent of the Sunday school; was trustee and treasurer of the church for over forty-five years; served as trustee of the old Asbury university for several years, and after it changed its name to DePauw university he was one of the trustees until his death; frequently served as a lay delegate to the Indiana conference and to the state Sunday school conventions. In business matters he was no less prominent. In 1873 he became one
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of the directors of the Ohio Falls Iron Works, and it was largely due to his tact, ability and industry that this great concern was kept from disaster during the troublous times that followed the panic of that year. For many years he was a stockholder and director in the First National bank, but in later years transferred his interests to the New Albany National, of which he was a director at the time of his death. But the institution with which he was most inseparably connected is the old established hardware house of P. R. Stoy & Sons, which is still in existence, and is one of the leading hardware houses of South- ern Indiana. This concern he founded in 1848, and was associated with it until his death. In all his business transactions he was actu- ated by a high sense of justice and humanity. While vice-president and manager of the iron works, he often kept the mills running when there was little demand for the product, simply to keep his employes from suffering the stings of idleness and poverty. This was charac- teristic of his whole life-always a consideration for the comfort and happiness of others. Mr. Stoy was married on May 16, 1850, to Ellen J. Beeler, of New Albany, and to this union there were born ten children. Mary died in infancy; Edward was drowned in 1882; Minnie E. passed to her rest in 1902; Louis R. is now the head of the hard- ware firm of P. R. Stoy & Sons; William H. died in 1880; Frank M. died in 1897; Walter E. lives at Pittsburg, Pa .; Raymond was killed in a railroad accident in 1898; Julia E. is now Mrs. R. Brude of El- wood, Ind., and Ellen died in 1900.
LOUIS R. STOY was born in New Albany, March 26, 1857; was educated in the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1872; began life as a clerk in his father's hardware store the same fall, and remained there until 1887; was then admitted to partnership, though he had practically managed the business for five years previous, his father being man- ager of the iron works. Upon the death of his father Louis was retained by the estate to settle up the affairs, and by his superb business business training under his father he built up the business of the old house of P. R. Stoy & Sons, until it occupies a position second to none in New Albany commercial circles. Politically Mr. Stoy is a Repub-
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lican, though he is by no means what can be called an active politician. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is interested in its good works. On June 6, 1882, he was married to Miss Lillie G., daughter of the late William Jones, who in his day was a well known steamboat builder of New Albany. Mr. and Mrs. Stoy have no children living. For almost a century some of the Stoy family have resided in New Albany. In 1814 Peter and Mary (Wicks) Stoy, the grandparents of Louis R., came from Kensington, Pa., and settled in the city "just below the Falls." During the three genera- tions the Stoys have been a part of the warp and woof of the business, social, religious and educational life of New Albany, and have always been noted for their public spirit and enterprise. The mother of Louis R. Stoy is still living, esteemed and respected by a large circle of friends.
ROBERT W. WAITE, vice-president and treasurer of the Louisville & South- ern Indiana Traction Company, and also of the United Gas & Electric Company, of New Albany, Ind., was born at Buda, Bureau county, Ill., March 6, 1870, his father being Benjamin F. Waite, a well- known resident of that place. After at- tending the public schools of his native town Robert took a full course in stenog- raphy in the Eclectic shorthand school of Chicago and began his business life as a stenographer in the Buda Foundry & Machine Works, which soon afterward removed to Harvey, a suburb of Chicago. He remained with this concern for three years, then went to Omaha, Neb., as stenographer for the wholesale brokerage firm of John H. Leslie & Co .; a year later went to the Omaha Coal, Coke and Lime Company as bookkeeper; caught the gold fever and went to Cripple Creek, Col., where he remained for a few weeks, and then returned to Chicago. Next he took a position with the Edison Elec- tric Company as a substitute stenographer; soon obtained a perma- nent position with the company; one promotion after another fol- lowed, until he was made credit man and head of the mercantile branch of the accounting department; became confidential assistant to the general officers, and one of the most useful men connected with the company. When the president of the company, Samuel Insull, in
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company with the Trobridge & Niver Company, also of Chicago, be- came interested in the gas and electric interests of New Albany and Jeffersonville, in March, 1902, Mr. Waite was made vice-president and treasurer of the company controlling these properties. Since then the company has absorbed the light, heat and power company, and the gas light and coke company of New Albany; the Jeffersonville Light and Water Company and the electric light, gas, heating and coke company of that city. The traction company operates the New Al- bany street railway under a lease; has built and equipped the Jefferson- ville street railway; also the interurban road connecting the two cities; rebuilt a large portion of the tracks in New Albany ; opened "Glenwood Park," on the bank of Silver creek, between the two cities, which is fast becoming a popular resort for the people of all three of the cities about the Falls; rebuilt the power plant at a cost of more than $200,- 000; introduced the most modern cars in the street railway service; has a leased contract over the Big Four bridge connecting Jefferson- ville with Louisville; also a franchise for landing its passengers in the latter city, and as soon as the approaches to the bridge are completed will run its cars to the corner of Third and Market streets, in Louis- ville. Besides all this, the company has under contemplation the build- ing of interurban lines to Corydon, French Lick, Sellersburg, Colum- bus and Madison, Ind. Large improvements have also been made in the gas plants controlled by the company, and since the advent of Mr. Waite as vice-president the quantity of gas has been doubled and the quality improved. Much of this progress is due to the untir- ing energy, the sagacity, tact, and superb qualifications of Mr. Waite. The official roster of the company is Samuel Insull, president; R. W. Waite, vice-president and treasurer; J. O. English, secretary. Mr. Waite belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, which is the only fraternal organization to claim him as a member.
AUGUST BARTH, deceased, founder of the August Barth Leather Company of New Albany, Ind., was born in Germany in the year 1835. In his native land he learned the tanners' trade, and at the age of nine- teen years came to the United States. After a few years in New York and Chicago, he came to Louisville, Ky., and a year or two later he, in company with C. Groscurth, located in New Albany and established the business that still bears his name. The partnership continued until 1885, when Mr. Barth became the sole proprietor. The business prospered from the beginning, owing to the excellent quality of goods turned out by the tannery, the grades of leather being hand-stuffed
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oak harness, fair saddle seating, whole hide russet collar leather, and the different grades of light bridle leather. Mr. Barth died on Jan. 31, 1902, and on the IIth of February following the business was incor- porated by his four surviving sons, with Ernest F. as president, August, Jr., as vice-president, Hugh A. as secretary and treasurer, and Oscar C. as superintendent. Ernest was born Oct. 30, 1872, Oscar in 1873, Hugh A. in 1875 and August in 1879. Thus it will be seen that the plant is now in the hands of young men full of energy and thor- oughly acquainted with every branch of the business. The buildings of the company are six in number, two and three stories high, all built of brick and fireproof. A 120 horse power boiler and a ninety horse power and three smaller engines furnish the power to the latest im- proved machinery for producing leather, while from forty to fifty skilled workmen are employed, the annual capacity of the tannery being 30,000 hides. Ernest F. Barth, the president of the concern, completed the course in the New Albany public schools, took a course in bookkeeping in the business college there, and attended the Ken- tucky Military institute for two years. He is a gentleman of fine edu- cational attainments and possesses a high order of executive ability. On July 18, 1900, he was united in marriage to Miss Florence Lee of Louisville, and they have three interesting children: Mary Lee, born May 30, 1901; Lucy, born Aug. 20, 1902, and Ernest F., born April 26, 1904.
EDWARD T. SLIDER, one of the largest dealers in coal, lime, sand and cement, etc., about the Falls of the Ohio, was born in the city of New Albany, where he now resides, March 4, 1866, and is a son of John T. Slider, a well- known resident and retail coal dealer .. After attending the public schools until he was fourteen years of age he began his business career as the driver of one of his father's teams. The first money he ever earned was as a driver for the. Terstegge & Gohmann Stove Foundry. After two years with this concern he bought two teams of his own, hired drivers, unloaded grain in summer and hauled coal in winter, meanwhile attending business college at night until he graduated. Since then his rise in the business world has been almost phenomenal ..
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