USA > Ohio > Memoirs of the lower Ohio valley, personal and genealogical : with portraits, Volume I > Part 29
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MATHIAS POSCHINGER, proprietor of the Louisville Ice Company and builder of its extensive plant, was born in Rettenbach, Germany, Feb. 7, 1849. He is the son of Mathias and Catherine (Breinbauer) Poschinger. His father was a well-to-do farmer in his native country. Mathias was reared on his father's farm, and received his education in the country schools. At the breaking out
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of the Franco-Prussian war he joined the Bavarian army and served his country throughout that war. He then went to work in a match factory in Switzerland. Here he afterwards learned the machinist trade, following this vocation for three years. In 1882 he came to America, locating in Frankfort, Ky., where he worked until 1884 as an engineer in a brewery. He then came to Louis- ville, where he was first employed as an engineer of an ice factory and then as a machinist in a machine shop. In 1894 he erected the extensive ice and refrigerator plant on East Main street, at a cost of $200,000. This plant is one of the most complete establish- ments of its kind in America. The building is of brick and pre- sents a fine appearance among the other manufacturing plants of the city. Mr. Poschinger was married Nov. II, 1894, to Elizabeth Schnell, daughter of Nicholas Schnell of the Texas family of Switz- erland. Mr. Poschinger is a Democrat and a member of the St. Boniface Catholic church.
JOHN FREDERICK OERTEL, pro- prietor of the Butchertown brewery, Story avenue, Louisville, Ky., was born in Baden, Germany, Feb. 25, 1855, and is the son of John and Maria (Schmitt) Oertel. He was reared in his native country, where he re- ceived a thorough high school education. Here he also served an apprenticeship of about six years at the brewer's trade. In 1880 he came to the United States, located in Louisville, Ky., where for the next seven years he was employed at his trade. In 1887, with Charles Hartmetz as a partner, he established the Butchertown brewery. This partnership lasted three years, and then Mr. Oertel became the sole proprietor by pur- chasing the interest of Mr. Hartmetz. From that time on he has conducted the business successfully by himself, employing thirty-two men. The brewery has a capacity of three hundred barrels of beer a day. Its product is of the best quality and has a large sale in the principal towns of Kentucky and the Lower Ohio Valley. Mr. Oertel was married in June, 1885, to Sarah, the daughter of Cornell and Francisca Kaisir, of Carrollton, Il1. The names of their four chil- dren are as follows: Josephine, Katie, Louise and John F., Jr. Mr. Oertel is one of the most progressive and enterprising citizens of
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Louisville. He is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church, the Young Men's Institute, St. Joseph Orphan society and Catholic Knights of America. He is also an active member of the following organizations: The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Fraternal Order of Eagles; the Benevolent Society of Gambrinus, the Sons of Herman, the Lieder- kranz, the Concordia and others. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.
SIMPSON SEATON MEDDIS, one of Louisville's most energetic and progressive citizens, was born May 21, 1837, on Frank- fort avenue, formerly known as the Louis- ville and Shelbyville turnpike, and now the Aubindale addition to the city of Louis- ville. He is the son of Matthew and Ap- phia (Seaton) Meddis. His father, born in Jefferson county, Ky., first came to Louis- ville in 1837, where he followed the voca- tion of contractor for several years. Then for several years he gave his attention to farming in Jefferson county. In 1850 he = returned to Louisville and embarked in the livery business at Sec- ond and Jefferson streets with Thomas Batman as partner. After conducting this business successfully for seven years, he purchased a farm on the Bardstown road, residing there until his death in 1882. Simpson's paternal grandfather was Godfrey Meddis, who was killed at the battle of New Orleans in the war of 1812. His maternal grandfather was George Seaton, a native of Kentucky and descendant of a prominent English family, whose son, Dr. John S. Seaton, was in his day one of the most eminent physicians of Kentucky. Later in life he was persuaded to visit California and Colorado to look after some mining interest in which he with others had made investments. These mines that he owned at his death were later estimated to be worth $100,000,000. Among them may be mentioned the celebrated Stratton mines at Cripple Creek, since developed. His heirs, how- ever, paid no attention to these properties and permitted them to pass by default into other hands. Simpson S. Meddis was educated in the private schools of Jefferson county, principally under the tutor- ship of Prof. W. F. Beach, a noted instructor of his day. He began his business career as deputy sheriff under sheriff Charles F. Quirey,
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of Jefferson county in 1853. Since then he has served under the ad- ministrations of S. S. Hamilton, W. S. D. Megowan and J. Wash Davis. After leaving the sheriff's office in 1862, he entered the employ of Hite & Small, Louisville, remaining with the firm about a year. In 1864 he entered the banking house of J. Q. A. Oder, as clerk at a salary of $30.00 per month, which was increased to $175.00 per month after four months' trial. In 1866 this bank was merged with the firm of Burnside, Taylor & Co., Mr. Meddis continuing with them until 1867. At this time he embarked in the real estate business, in which he has since successfully continued. At first he started in on his own account, but afterwards under the following firm names : Meddis & Miller, Meddis, Morris & Southwick, Meddis & South- wick. The firm of Meddis & Southwick did business successfully for seventeen years. The firm then became Meddis, Southwick & Co., Bruce Hoblitzell being the company. Mr. Southwick died in 1891, when the firm became Meddis & Co., Mr. Hoblitzell being the company. In 1892 Mr. Hoblitzell retired, and the business has since been conducted under the name of the S. S. Meddis Company, with S. S. Meddis as president and Geo. H. Fisher as secretary and treasurer. The firm handles every department of real estate transactions in city property of all kinds and in farm lands throughout Kentucky, under- taking for its clients everything that has to do with the purchase, sale or exchange of property. They also possess all organized facilities for the renting and management of all classes of property, the collec- tion of rentals and the care and management of estates of non-resi- dents. Taxes are paid, loan and real estate notes negotiated, making a specialty of selling real estate and live stock at auction. No other firm in the city is better equipped to guard and care for the interests of its customers than the S. S. Meddis Company. Mr. Meddis is considered to be one of the best auctioneers and the best informed men in this line of Louisville. On Nov. 16, 1861, Mr. Meddis mar- ried Eliza H., daughter of George W. and Eliza Ann (Hite) Small, of Louisville. They have two sons: Victor M., a prominent physi- cian of Louisville, and George Small Meddis, a lumber merchant, of Mobile, Ala. Mr. Meddis is a member of Calvary Episcopal church. Politically he always has been and still is a true Democrat.
WILLIAM KOPP, furniture manufacturer, and a prominent German-American citizen, of Louisville, Ky., was born at the city of Schramberg, in the province of Wurtemberg, Germany, Nov. 19, 1846, his parents being Joseph and Caroline (Fichter) Kopp,
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both natives of Wurtemberg. His father was a prominent manu- facturer of furniture at Schramberg for many years and there died. William received his education in the schools of his native city and after passing through the high school went into the factory of his father and learned the trade of cabinet-maker. In 1869 he came to America and soon after his arrival in this country located at Louis- ville, where for one year he worked as a journeyman at his trade. In 1875 he began the manufacture of furniture in a small way on his own account. At first his business was not large, but by close attention to it, and by safe and conservative business methods, he has built up a trade approximating $150,000 a year, and now operates a factory employing sixty-five skilled men. This growth has been entirely due to his careful study of the demands of the furniture market and turning his attention to the production of something that the people want. Mr. Kopp is popular in German social circles; is a permanent member of the Liederkranz society, of which he has been president for eight years, having been elected to his eighth term Dec. 27, 1904. Politically he is a Republican, and is one of the public spirited and progressive men of the Falls City. On Aug. 24, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Katie Schmitt, a native of Germany, and they have three children: Bettie, wife of August Miller; Carrie, wife of Harry Dunekake, and William Frederick.
FRANK WALTER, of the firm of John E. and Frank Walter, proprietors of the Clay street brewery, Louisville, Ky., was born in Louisville, July 25, 1859. He is a son of Conrad and Eva (Bessenbacher) Walter, both natives of Germany. His father, a distiller by trade, came to Amer- ica in 1846, locating in Louisville, Ky., where for several years he worked at the carpenters' trade and gardening. In 1858 he established the Clay street brewery, conducting the same successfully up to 1873, the year of his death. His widow continued in the business until 1890, when the sons, John E. and Frank Walter, became proprietors. The same firm has been con- tinued up to the present time, notwithstanding John E. died July 8, 1903. The brewery has a capacity of 112 barrels per day, gives steady employment to twenty-five men and places on the market
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a product of the very best quality. This institution has become one of the leading industries of Louisville and enjoys a large trade in the suburban towns of the city. Mr. Frank Walter, subject of this sketch, is a wide-a-awake, enterprising citizen, and is always ready and willing to contribute toward any movement that will benefit his native city. He is an active member of St. Martin's Catholic church and the Sons of Herman. In politics Mr. Walter is a stanch Democrat.
REMI JEUNESSE, one of the leading contractors and builders of Louisville, Ky., was born at Nancy, in the department of Meurthe-et-Moselle, Lorraine, France, Oct. 4, 1840. In 1846 his parents, Jean and Annie (Grillott) Jeunesse, came to America and located at Louisville, where the father followed his trade of tailor until he fell a victim to the cholera epidemic of 1847. His mother also died with the chol- era at the same time. Of the children Etien died in New Orleans, La., after reaching womanhood; Virginia, Francois, Remi and Felix E. all grew to maturity and one died in early life. Remi Jeunesse was reared in the city of Louisville, attended the public schools, and afterward served an apprenticeship at carpenter- ing with John Story. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company C, First Kentucky Federal infantry, for the three months' service and at the close of that time re-enlisted for three years in the same company and regiment. He fought with his command at Stone River or Murfreesboro, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, and numerous minor engagements, but came out of the service without a scratch, being honorably discharged in 1864. Upon being mustered out of the army he returned to Louis- ville and went to work at his trade as a journeyman, in which he continued until 1867, when he embarked in business as a contractor and builder. For nearly forty years he has been connected with the growth and development of the city. In that time he has erected many of the finest residences in Louisville, the St. Boniface Catholic church, the First English Lutheran church, the Doerhoffer block, the Merchants' Refrigerator building, and many others of equal note. His career as a business man has always been marked by a prompt
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and faithful execution of all contracts, his old customers being his best friends. Mr. Jeunesse is one of the progressive men of the "Falls City," being a member of the Horse Show association, and interested in various movements for the betterment of the moral and commercial conditions. Politically he is a Democrat, but is not espe- cially active in political work. He is a member of George H. Thomas Post, No. 8, Grand Army of the Republic. On May 8, 1866, he married Amelia, daughter of Joseph and Genevieve (Cousins) Roe, of Erie, Mich., and five of the children born to this union grew to maturity : Annie Rosalie, now the wife of Louis Hueper; Francois, who died after reaching manhood; Charles F., Felix A., and Amelia A.
MICHAEL JOSEPH HICKEY, pro- prietor of "Hickey's Café," Louisville, Ky., was born in that city March II, 1866, his parents being James and Hannah (Moran) Hickey, both natives of County Cork, Ire- land. They came to America in 1860, located at Philadelphia, where the father conducted a dairy for about two years, and in 1863 came to Louisville. There he again engaged in the dairy business and continued in it until his death, which oc- · curred on Jan. 27, 1903. At the time of his death he had one of the largest and best appointed dairies about the "Falls City." The children of James and Hannah Hickey who grew to maturity were Mary, wife of William Wales; Michael J., James J., John T., Hannah, wife of Joseph Faust, and Nellie. Michael J. Hickey received his education in the public schools of his native city and upon leaving school assisted his father in the dairy business until 1892. He then opened his present café and billiard parlors at No. 248 West Main street, and has made it one of the most popular resorts in the city. The management of the place has always been under his personal supervi- sion and his infinite attention to the little details of the business ac- counts for the popularity of his café. His customers are always greeted with a pleasant smile and a kind word and upon their de- parture are invited to call again with such evident sincerity that they rarely fail to do so. Mr. Hickey is a Democrat in his political views and takes an interest in furthering the interests of his party. He is a
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member of No. I, Ancient Order Hibernians, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, of which he is president, and both himself and wife belong to the Cathedral of the Assumption, of Louisville. On Sept. 27, 1897, he married Miss Mary, daughter of James and Catherine (Sheridan) Moore, of Louisville. Her parents, like his own, are natives of Ireland.
WILLIAM AVINGTON SHRADER, carpenter, builder and millwright, Louisville, Ky., is a descendant of Revolutionary stock, who were among the early settlers of Kentucky. His great-grand- father, William Von Shrader, was a native of Alsace, a province of France, and was an ambassador from that country to Philadelphia at the time of the Revolution. He resigned his commission, took the oath of allegiance to the United States and entered the Conti- nental army. His son, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, also entered the army, rose to the rank of colonel, and was in some of the principal engagements of that historic struggle. After the war he received from the United States government a tract of land for his services. This land was located in what is now called Pewee Valley, where he settled in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and where both he and his father died. After coming to Kentucky he married Martha Hardin, sister of Ben. Hardin, the celebrated criminal lawyer of his day. Colby Shrader, the father of William A., was born in Pewee Valley, and upon reaching manhood learned the carpenters' trade, but spent most of his life in mercantile pursuits. He started the first wholesale liquor and grocery house in Louisville and later followed the river for some time, making fifty-two trips to New Orleans. Toward the close of his life he retired to a farm in Jefferson county, where he died and is buried at Goshen, in Oldham county. He married Martha Priest, whose father, Fielding L. Priest, was one of the pioneers of Louisville. He was a native of Culpeper county, Va., a carpenter by trade, and erected the first store house that was ever built in the city of Louisville. Colby and Martha Shrader were the parents of eight children, viz .: Fielding M., Wil- liam A., Josephine, Benjamin, Charles M., John O., Richard A., and Cornelius C. Of these Fielding, Josephine and Benjamin are de- ceased. William A. Shrader was born and reared in Kentucky, edu- cated in the common schools and at Goshen college, after which he served an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade. He has followed this vocation all his active business life, making a specialty of millwright work, in which he has won a reputation for being a skillful and
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ingenious workman. Mr. Shrader is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. While he takes a commendable interest in all questions touch- ing the public welfare, he does not belong to any political party to the extent that he always "votes his ticket straight." On the con- trary, he believes in doing his own thinking, and votes according to his judgment.'
JOHN M. ADAMS, for eight years magistrate for the Eleventh and Twelfth wards of the city of Louisville, Ky., was born in that city Dec. 8, 1852. He is a son of Wesley and Mary Jane (Dowdell) Adams, both natives of Louisville, where for many years the father was engaged in mercantile pursuits as the proprietor of a store on Main street. During the last sixteen years of his life he was gauger and inspector for the city, being repeatedly appointed by the city council. He died in 1875, leaving five children: Charles K., John M., Robert N., Frank G., and Lizzie. John M. Adams was educated in the public schools of his native city, and upon the death of his father he was appointed by the city council to fill out the unexpired term. After that he served twenty-two full terms, being elected by the city council for that number of times. In 1897 he was elected magistrate for the Eleventh and Twelfth wards, and was re-elected in 1901. During all these years he has been active in promoting the cause of Democracy and stands high in the councils of his party. Early in 1905 his name was prominently mentioned as a candidate for county assessor for Jefferson county. Mr. Adams is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Heptasophs, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Royal Arcanum, the Knights and Ladies of Honor, the Woodmen of the World, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the D. O. O. K., the Pathfinders and the Mose Green club. For two years he acted as county judge in the purging of registration and for seven years he was a member of the fiscal court. His long connection with official life and his membership in social and fraternal organizations have given him a wide acquaint- ance, so that he is one of the best known and also one of the most popular men in the city. On May 9, 1876, he married Miss Kath- erine, daughter of Henry and Magdalena Eberhardt, of Louisville.
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Her father was born in Germany. During the war he was a soldier in the Federal army and died of disease contracted while in the serv- ice. He rests in Cave Hill cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have the following children: Clara B., wife of Harlan Turpen, Wesley F., Andrew, Katie May, Mary Elizabeth, Edward Goddard and John Carson.
JOHN P. DANT, distiller, wholesale dealer and jobber of Ken- tucky whiskies, Louisville, was born in Marion county, Ky., Dec. 4, 1855. In this county his grandfather, John B. Dant, for many years farmed on an extensive scale and afterward removed to Davies county, where he died at the mature age of ninety-six years. He is the son of Joseph W. and Catherine (Ballard) Dant, both natives of Marion county. In 1836 Joseph W. Dant and Raymond Hayden embarked in the distilling business in Nelson county, Ky., operating that plant until 1850. For the next ten years Mr. Dant operated a distillery at the headwaters of Pottinger's creek in Marion county. Then he removed to Dant, Ky., a village named after him, where in 1860 he erected the well known Dant distillery, which he oper- ated until his death in 1890. Since that time this great plant has been operated by his sons under the name of the Dant Distilling Company. The output of this establishment amounts to 1,500 bar- rels of sour mash whisky of the finest quality, so fine that it has a national reputation for excellence and purity. John P. Dant was reared in Marion county and educated in its public schools. His first work in the distilling line was done as an employe of the estab- lishment located at Dant. After serving in this capacity for four- teen years he removed to Lebanon, Ky., where he conducted a retail liquor business for seven years. From 1891 to 1905 he was engaged in the retail liquor business in Louisville, but in the latter year he embarked in the wholesale and jobbers' trade, making a specialty of the celebrated Dant whisky, the product of the distillery established by his father. It can be truthfully said that Louisville has no more popular, progressive and enterprising citizen than John P. Dant. After having thoroughly mastered the distilling business, he made it a rule early in life to manufacture only the purest goods, knowing full well that he must build up a strong reputation if he would succeed, and the result is that his whiskies enjoy a reputation second to none throughout this country. He deserves success be- cause he has given his undivided attention to his business and has always striven to please his numerous customers. It is his full de-
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termination to improve his whiskies from year to year until they are pronounced the best manufactured in the country. In politics he is actively identified with the Democratic party, supporting it liber- ally in the way of donations, but never seeking an office. He is an ardent, earnest, consistent Catholic, taking a deep interest in every branch of the work of that great church. On Nov. 28, 1883, he married Miss Janie Smith, the daughter of William H. and Rosella (Lancaster) Smith, of Chicago, Ky. They have four children living, named Katie R., Louise, John P., Jr., and Marie.
CHARLES JACOB FEGENBUSH, magistrate for the Third magisterial dis- trict of Jefferson county, Ky., with offices in the city of Louisville, was born in that county Dec. 2, 1861. He is of German ancestry, his grandfather, Tobias Fegen- bush, coming from the Fatherland in 1814, and locating in Jefferson county, where he followed farming all his life. His wife's maiden name was Maria Mann. They reared a family of seven children, who grew to maturity, viz .: Tobias, Theodore, Daniel, John, Philip J., Joseph, and Eliza- beth, who married Joseph Schmeltz. Philip J. Fegenbush, the father of Charles J., was born in Jefferson county, Sept. 13, 1825, and fol- lowed farming all his life. His death occurred Jan. 20, 1904. He married M. Frederika Zucker, whose parents were natives of Ger- many, and they had the following children: John, Charles J., Caro- line, deceased, Mary M., George P., deceased, William F., Edward J., Emma, and Margaret, the last named being the wife of S. Edward Vogt. Charles J. Fegenbush was educated in the public schools, and began life as a farmer. In 1890 he left the farm and embarked in the life insurance business with the Ætna Life of Hartford, Conn. He remained in this vocation for ten years. In 1890 he was first elected to the office of magistrate for the Third district and has been three times re-elected. About the beginning of 1905 his name was prominently mentioned in connection with the office of county assessor as a candidate on the Democratic ticket, to which party he belongs. Mr. Fegenbush is a member of the Highland Baptist church, Pres- ton Lodge, No. 281, Free and Accepted Masons, and Pawnee Tribe, No. 42, Improved Order of Red Men. He has been twice married.
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His first wife was Miss Mary F. Hite, a member of the well known Louisville family of that name. His second wife, to whom he was married on Aug. 10, 1898, was Miss Minnie M., daughter of Joab and Elizabeth Rehm, of Louisville, and to this union there has been born one daughter, Dorothy E.
THE VERY REVEREND LAU- RENCE BAX, pastor of St. John's Cath- olic church of Louisville, Ky., was born at Leende in the Netherlands on April 15, 1828. He was educated at the seminary of St. Michael's and Haren, North Bra- bant. As soon as he had graduated he came with Archbishop Spaulding as a missionary to Kentucky in May, 1853, and for three years taught in St. Thomas' sem- inary. He was then appointed pastor of St. John's congregation of Louisville, in which capacity he is still serving. In 1858, by his indefatigable industry and untiring energy, he built the present church edifice, a magnificent structure, the priest's residence, the school house and all the other buildings that go to make up a com- plete establishment. All this has been accomplished without in- curring a single dollar of indebtedness. The church property is estimated to be worth fully $100,000, the interior of the church edifice being pure Gothic and the furnishings of the most precious char- acter, corresponding in every respect to the building itself. The school is, without a single exception, one of the most thorough in the city, and has an average attendance of 300 pupils. This great church has at present a membership of 300 families. In the years 1873-74 Father Bax occupied the chair of moral theology in Pres- ton Park seminary. At the golden jubilee celebration of his priest- hood in 1903, the most reverend archbishop of Cincinnati presiding, there were present fully 100 priests, representing as many different churches. Father Bax has visited his native country and Rome three times, in the years 1867, 1883 and 1900, and it is his intention to go there again in 1905. Although he is about seventy-seven years old he is considered a marvel of health and strength and still gives his personal attention to most of the work connected with the parish. When he took charge of the work in Louisville there was but one other English speaking Catholic church, whereas there are now
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