USA > Ohio > Memoirs of the lower Ohio valley, personal and genealogical : with portraits, Volume I > Part 31
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 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
319
MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
school. On March 16, 1875, Doctor Daniel was united in marriage to Miss Frederica Martin, a daughter of Frederick and Barbara (Kel- ler) Martin, of Milltown, and to his marriage there have been born five children: Frederick Martin, a dentist at Elwood, Ind., and who married Caroline Clark of Indianapolis; Grace, wife of George W. Applegate, Jr., of Corydon; Catherine, now Mrs. Charles Buchanan, of Corydon; William Victor, deceased; and John Carleton, a student in school.
WALTER MUNDT, president of the Mundt & Hidden Candy Company, of Madison, Ind., was born in Germany in 1862. When he was about four years of age he came to America with his parents, Charles and Bertha (Krahn) Mundt. The family located at Cincinnati, O., where the father followed his trade as millwright until his death, which occurred at Lock- land, O., in 1881, in the forty-fifth year of his age. The mother returned to Germany after his death with her two sons, Walter and Edward. After a short visit Walter came back to this country, leaving his mother and brother in Ger- many. Walter started to learn the confectioners' trade at Coving- ton, Ky., in 1873. After working in that city for nine years he went to Cincinnati as foreman for the firm of A. & J. Doescher, manu- facturers of confectionery. While in this position he superintended the making of all the ice cream and confections used at the centen- nial exposition at Cincinnati. He then came to Madison and opened a retail store at 321 West Main street, which he conducted for ten years. After selling the business he organized the Mundt-Hidden candy company with a capital stock of $20,000. The officers of the company are: Walter Mundt, president; R. H. Hidden, vice-presi- dent; C. H. Robinson, secretary and treasurer, and Edward Mundt, director. The trade of the company is steadily growing owing to the high quality of their goods, and the disposition to treat their customers fairly. Mr. Mundt is a popular member of several secret and fraternal organizations, viz: the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows; Knights of Pythias; the Improved Order of Red Men; the Modern Woodmen and the Good Samaritans. Politically he is a Republican, but never neglects his business to become a participant
320
MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
in political work. He was married in Newport, Ky., to Annie Hid- den, and to this union there have been born four children: Lena, Bertha, Walter, Jr., and Richard.
ANDREW RIEDEL, a farmer on Ryker's Ridge, near Madison, Ind., was born in Germany in the year 1838. When he was about three years of age his par- ents, Martin and Barbara (Arnold) Riedel, came to the United States and located at Cincinnati, where the father was employed as a stonemason's helper in the construc- tion of the city water works. In 1848 the family came to Ryker's Ridge, where Mar- tin Riedel bought thirty-three acres of land and followed truck farming until his JOHN ORRILL. death, at the age of eighty years, his wife having died some years before. Andrew received the greater part of his education in the common schools of Madison township. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company E, Sixth Indiana infantry, which was the first company to be organized in Jefferson county, Ind. He served with this regiment through the three months service, tak- ing part in the battle of Philippi, W. Va., on June 7, 1861. At the end of three months he returned home but shortly afterward enlisted in the Thirteenth United States regular infantry for three years. His company was honored by being chosen to act as body guard to Ger- eral Sherman, and was in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Champion Hills, Black River, Jackson, Tenn., Colliersville, Tenn., and Mission Ridge, and several of lesser note. He was dis- charged in 1864. Mr. Riedel is a member of Bachman Post, No. 26, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Methodist Episcopal church. In political matters he is one of the unswerving Republicans of his township and county and always takes an interest in political campaigns. In 1869 Mr. Riedel was married to Kate Lott, a daugh- ter of Abner and Mary Frances (Orrill) Lott. Abner Lott was a descendant of an old Virginia family living in King and Queen county. His parents were John and Phoebe (Lott) Lott, his mater- nal grandfather having been a veteran of the Revolutionary war. Mary Frances Orrill was a daughter of John Orrill, whose portrait appears at the head of this sketch. He was a veteran of the war of 1812. Some of the Orrill family or their immediate relations have
321
MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
been in every war that ever occurred in the United States, or in which this nation was engaged. Mrs. Katharine (Bird) Orrill, the wife of John Orrill was the daughter of Philip Bird, who lost his life in the war of the Revolution. Her husband was in the war of 1812. She had one son in the Mexican war, three sons and four grandsons in the Civil war and a great-grandson in the Spanish-American war. She and her husband were from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Riedel have the following children : Annie Frances, Grace, Charles B., who served in the Seventh Ohio infantry in the Spanish-American war, and Clara Pearl, who married Edward Phillips, an Indianapolis machinist. They have one boy named Raymond Edward. The Lott family are noted for their longevity, Abner Lott dying in his seventy-ninth year and his grandfather living to be one hundred and three years old.
ERNEST J. SHERLOCK, a farmer located near Madison, Ind., was born in that city, Feb. 14, 1855. His parents, Henry E. and Eugenia (Barchall) Sherlock, were both natives of Hanover, Ger- many. His maternal grandfather died in Germany, at the age of one hundred and three years, and his grandmother came to America, bringing her family. His mother also came to America with her father and his parents were married at Cincinnati. Eugenia Sher- lock died at the age of seventy-two years, and her husband is still living in Indianapolis at the age of eighty-one. The paternal grand- mother of Ernest lived to the age of ninety-one years. Ernest J. Sherlock was educated in the public schools and has been a farmer the greater part of his life. He is now engaged as a truck farmer and has a highly cultivated farm of a little over twenty-eight acres, on the Ryker's Ridge road, two and a half miles from Madison. Mr. Sher- lock is a member of the Methodist. Episcopal church and is a Repub- lican in his political affiliations. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen. In the fall of 1876 Mr. Sherlock was united in marriage to Miss Annie Fewell, daughter of William Fewell, who was a native of Madison. To Mr. and Mrs. Sherlock there have been born two children: George, aged twenty-six, and John Hodges, aged twenty- four. George is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. John Hodges married Sallie Coch- ran, a daughter of Edward Cochran, a resident of Jefferson county, Ind. Mr. Sherlock has all the industrious habits and thrift that dis- tinguish the German people, and is one of the prosperous farmers and worthy citizens of his locality.
I-21 .
322
MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
ORRIN MARSHALL (deceased), for many years a well-known citizen of Mad- ison, Ind., was born in the city of Cincin- nati, O., in the year 1827, and died on his farm near Madison, of pneumonia, in Jan- uary, 1904, aged seventy-seven years. He was a son of Addison and Margaret (Pat- ten) Marshall, the father being a native of Virginia, who came to Cincinnati in early manhood and was for a long time a steam- boat engineer on the Ohio river. When the subject of this sketch was about three years of age the family settled in Madison, where he received his education, after which he adopted his father's calling and became an engineer on the river. He was the first engi- neer on the ill-fated United States, at the time that vessel collided with the America, which resulted in the loss of several lives. Later he was first engineer on the General Lytle, one of the largest and finest boats on the river. In 1882 he gave up the business of engineer and established a laundry at Madison, which he conducted for sixteen years. At the end of that time he removed to his farm, a short distance from the city, and lived there until his death. On both sides his parents lived to a good old age. His father died at the age of seventy-seven, and his mother died in 1890 at the age of eighty-four. In 1857 Mr. Marshall was married to Julia, daughter of C. A. and Huldah (Hall) Wise. Her father was a native of Jeffer- son county, Ind., and was for a number of years in the livery business in Madison. After disposing of this business he went to Louisville, where he was for a long time manager of the St. Cloud and Alex- andria hotels. At the time of his death he was seventy-six years old, his wife having died some time before at the age of fifty-nine. Mrs. Marshall was the eldest of nine children, all of whom survived their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall had the following children: Car- rie; Frank B., a boiler inspector at Cincinnati; George B., who died at the age of twenty-five years; Charles E .; Virginia, who married B. T. Millican and has three children; Nadine, aged fifteen; Jean, aged twelve; and Mary, aged nine. Orrin Marshall, the youngest of the family, and who bears his father's name, is now the proprietor of the laundry his father established years ago. During his life Mr. Mar- shall was a stanch Democrat, an honored member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and enjoyed the confidence and
323
MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
esteem of a large number of friends. His widow still lives and is loved by many for her amiable and womanly qualities.
GEORGE D. SCHWAB, one of the best known and most popular young busi- ness men of Madison, Ind., was born in that city, Nov. 21, 1874, his parents being William A. and Margaret (Thorne) Schwab. William Schwab was born in Würtemberg, Germany, in 1838. When he was but six years of age he came with his parents to America, stopping for a few years in New York, but coming to Mad- ison in 1850, where he was reared and educated. In 1861 he enlisted in the Fourth Indiana cavalry and after a month's service received a wound which necessitated his discharge. He died in 1875 at the age of thirty-seven years. His widow and all of their six children are still living, the children being Margaret, Lenora, Emma, William, Stella and George D. Emma is the wife of G. L. Spaulding, a photographer of Madison; William lives at Seattle, and the others are at home. George D., the youngest of the family and the subject of this sketch, received his education in the schools of his native city and at the age of twenty-one embarked in the dry goods business for himself. In 1896 he formed a partnership with George M. Daily, under the firm name of Daily & Schwab. Later he dis- posed of this business, went to Marietta, Ohio, where he was employed in a dry goods house until 1900; returned to Madison and for two years was deputy sheriff of Jefferson county; then engaged in the laundry business for about two years, and is now in charge of a corps of men engaged in placing on the market the products of the Sulzer Medical company of Madison. Mr. Schwab is also the owner of the formula for a preparation known as Dr. Langee's nerve tonic, which he is making arrangements to place on the market, having pur- chased the rights and good will of the former proprietor. In his political views Mr. Schwab is a firm Republican and in fraternal cir- cles he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In all these societies he is a popular fellow, because of his genial dispo- sition and generous nature. He is brim full of energy, has rare tact and ability in what he undertakes, is not easily discouraged, and it is
324
MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
safe to say that he will make his mark alongside the progressive men of his day.
CHARLES AUGUST JAHRRIES, a popular merchant tailor of Madison, Ind., was born in that city, Feb. 7, 1874. His grandfather, Frederick Jahrries, was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1812; came in his early manhood to the United States; lo- cated at Madison, where he worked at the trade of stonemason until his death, which occurred in 1883 in the seventy-second year of his age. He was married at Mad- ison in 1846 to Dorothy Geyer, a native of Baden-Baden, who died in 1903, aged sev- enty-seven, leaving four children: Fred- erick, the father of the subject; Louise, now Mrs. Charles Hahn, of Louisville; Henrietta and William, both now living at Denver, Col. Frederic Jahrries, the father, was born in the city of Madison, May 23, 1847; there grew to manhood and received his education; learned the trade of harness maker, which is still his occupation, and lives in one of the handsomest residences in Madison. He married Ann M. Klein, who was born in Madison on May 9, 1853. She is a daughter of the late Ferdinand Klein, a native of Germany and a merchant tailor, who spent the greater part of his life in Madison, where he was well known, being a Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, and an active Democrat. He died in 1896, aged sixty- two. Frederick and Ann Jahrries have reared a family of six chil- dren, viz .: Charles, Frederick, Albert, Howard, Franklin and Mary. Frederick, the second son, was a soldier in the Spanish-American war and spent a year in the Philippines. Charles A. Jahrries received his education in the Madison public schools and at the age of seven- teen years started in to learn the tailors' trade. He soon mastered the intricacies of the business and since going into business for him- self has built up a good patronage: He displays good taste in the selection of goods, takes pride in giving his customers a good fit in every instance, and has acquired a reputation for honest work. Politically he is a Republican though he can hardly be called an active worker in political contests. In religious matters he is a member of the Lutheran church.
325
MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
JOHN C. ELLSPERMANN, a florist, located at No. 2005 East Virginia street, Evansville, Ind., was born in that city in 1857, his parents being Martin and Cath- erine (Magin) Ellspermann. His father was a native of Germany, married in the Fatherland, and came to the United States about 1850 with his wife and three children -George, Catherine and Adam. The last named now lives in Evansville and the other two are deceased. After settling near Evansville, where the father followed the occupation of market gardener, four more children were born to them, viz .: Daniel, Joseph, John C., and Mary, all of whom are yet living, John C. being the subject of this sketch, and Mary the wife of Philip Seitz. The father of these chil- dren died in 1892 at the age of seventy-one years and the mother on Aug. 10,. 1900, in her seventy-eighth year. John C. Ellspermann was educated at St. Mary's school at Evansville and upon leaving school started in to learn the trade of florist with J. D. Carmody. After thirteen years with Mr. Carmody he went into business for himself, not far from his present location. He has been successful and his success is due to his thorough knowledge of his business, his fair deal- ing and his untiring industry. Mr. Ellspermann was married to Miss Katie, daughter of Rupert Buchenberger, who was for many years · connected with the brewing interests of Evansville. He was a native of Germany, came with his parents to America in his boyhood, mar- ried Mary Eva Wintz in Evansville, who came from Germany three years after he did. He died in 1875, aged forty-five years, and his wife died in 1900 in her seventy-first year. They had four children, Mrs. Ellspermann being the youngest of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Ellspermann have the following children: Joseph, born June 20, 1883; Mary, born March 27, 1885; Carl, born Jan. 25, 1889; and Theobald, born Sept. 3, 1891. Mr. Ellspermann is a Republican in his political affiliations, a member of the Catholic church, St. Boniface and St. Michael's societies, and the Sunrise Benevolent Society.
THEODORE KEVEKORDES, of Evansville, Ind., recorder of Vanderburg county, was born in that city in the year 1875 and is the son of Leo Kevekordes, one of Evansville's substantial business men. Theodore was educated in the public schools of his native city
326
MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
and after graduating from the high school there attended DePauw university during the years 1893-4, and later attended Butler college at Indianapolis, now the classical department of the University of Indianapolis. Upon leaving school he established himself in the music business in Evansville, in which he continued for about four years, after which he became associated with his father in the furni- ture business. Upon retiring from the furniture store he was em- ployed in the office of the city water-works for eighteen months and during this time became somewhat active in political work with the result that in 1902 he was elected recorder of the county for a term of four years, taking the office on the first of January, 1903. Mr. Kevekordes is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is one of the official board of St. John's Evangelical church, in which he is one of the active members. He is a fine example of the German-American citizen. Educated to love the traditions of the Fatherland, he is at the same time a loyal American citizen, fully im- bued with the spirit of this country's free institutions and always ready to do his part to insure their perpetuation. He is what is gen- erally called a "good mixer" and owes his political preferment to his genial disposition, his persevering spirit and the high order of his executive ability.
MARK GRANT, a prominent contractor and builder of Evansville, Ind., and one of the commissioners of Vanderburg county, was born in London, England, July 24, 1827. When he was five years of age he came with his parents to this country. After six months in New York the family removed to Cleveland, where they lived for three and a half years and then came to Evansville. Here Mark was educated in the common schools, learned the trade of car- penter and has assisted in the erection of some of the largest buildings in the county. For over thirty years he has been in the business of contracting and building for himself. He framed the structure at the salt-wells, near the Maryland street bridge, and has built many of the finest resi- dences in Evansville. When the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Indi- ana infantry was organized during the Civil war he enlisted as a private in Company C and served until the close of the war, being
327
MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
most of the time with Hancock in the Shenandoah Valley. Mr. Grant has always taken a commendable interest in public affairs, served two years as a member of the Evansville city council, was elected county commissioner in 1898, and is now serving his second term in that position. He is a member of Farragut Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Old Soldiers' Republican club. In 1855 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Pritchett, of Evansville, who died about two years after their union. In 1858 he was married to Miss Nancy A. Bell, of Evansville, and they have four children living. Jeannette is the wife of William A. Gillett, a carpenter of Evansville; Samuel N. is in the plumbing business in that city; U. S. is assistant chief of the Evansville fire department, and Dora is the wife of Frank Britton, the custodian of the Vander- burg county court house.
HARRY W. STAHLHEFER, city clerk of Evansville, Ind., is a native of that city and is a son of the late Joseph Stahl- hefer, who was born in Germany, but came to America in early manhood and who was one of the builders of Evansville. Harry has lived all his life in Evansville, was there educated in the public schools, after which he entered his father's store. Ever since reaching his majority he has been in- terested in political work. In 1896 he was appointed deputy sheriff and continued in this position for about five years. In the city election in the spring of 1901 he was chosen vice chairman of the Republican city central committee and had charge of some important work during the campaign. After having helped conduct a successful campaign he was elected by the city council to the office he now holds. Mr. Stahlhefer is also, by virtue of his office, the clerk of the police court and of the board of public safety. In the several official positions that he has occupied his work has been distinguished by promptness, correctness and simplicity. His records are always kept up to date and in such a way that any one who can read can under- stand them. Personally Mr. Stahlhefer is a gentleman of pleasant demeanor, one of the sort that people like to meet a second time, and the longer one knows him the better he is liked. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, is always a welcome
.
328
MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
figure at the club house of that society because of his genial disposi- tion, and is a ready and cheerful participant in the order's numerous and worthy charities.
EBEN C. POOLE, justice of the peace, Evansville, Ind., is a native of Bangor, Me., and comes of that old New England stock that played so important a part in the early history of this country. When sixteen years of age his parents removed to Boston, Mass. When he was about twenty-five years of age he went to Jersey City, N. J., and engaged in business with his brother. He left this position to be- come a Pullman conductor, and for the next twelve years he traveled in that capac- ity nearly all over the United States. His first visit to Evansville was on the occasion of a reunion of the Blue and the Gray. Liking the city and its people, he made up his mind to become a resident of the place, and a few months later found him installed there as the local agent of the Monarch Palace Car company. Since that time he has continued to live in Evansville, where he has made friends by his genial ways, his correct habits, and his many sterling qualities of both head and heart. Some time after taking up his residence in that city he began to take an interest in political affairs, and the result has been his election for three successive terms of four years each to the office of justice of the peace. He conducts the affairs of his court with a dignity and decorum that would reflect credit on some of the higher judicial officers. His decisions have been distinguished for their simple justice and close adherence to well established precedents. Mr. Poole is a Knight of Pythias, a Buffalo, and a charter member of Pioneer Court of Honor, and charter mem- ber of No. 122, Tribe of Ben Hur, as well as several other social organizations.
WILLIAM J. HARRIS, senior member of the firm of Harris & Shopbell, architects, Evansville, Ind., was born in the city of Louis- ville, Ky. His father, Edwin Harris, a retired business man of Louis- ville, was born in California. William J. received his education in the Louisville public schools, graduating from the high school in 1887. Upon completing his education he entered the office of one of the
329
MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
leading architects, where he was employed for six years. During that period he had ample opportunity to become thoroughly acquainted with all lines of architectural work. He improved his chances, and at the end of his apprenticeship, if such it might be called, he pos- sessed a technical knowledge of architecture that few men excel. For several years he traveled over the country, working in the offices of prominent architects in different cities, going across the continent in his travels, and in 1895 located in Evansville, where he opened an office of his own. Two years later he formed the partnership with Clifford Shopbell, which is still in existence. (See sketch of Mr. Shopbell.) Many of the finest churches in the state have been built according to designs furnished by this firm. Nine Carnegie library buildings have been erected under their supervision, that at Shelby- ville, Ind., being regarded by many as being the finest in the state, if not in the United States. Both members of this firm are practical men, both are thoroughly in love with their profession, and conse- quently keep themselves fully informed as to new methods of con- struction, etc., which marks them as being progressive and competent architects. Mr. Harris is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was married in 1894 to Miss Bell Hawley, of Louisville.
CLIFFORD SHOPBELL, junior mem- ber of the firm of Harris & Shopbell, ar- chitects, Evansville, Ind., was born at Princeton, in that state, Dec. 8, 1871. His father, George W. Shopbell, was born in the city of Fort Wayne, and followed the business of contractor and builder, so that the son from his childhood has been sur- rounded by an atmosphere of architecture. After graduating from the Princeton high school, in the class of 1889, Clifford went to Indianapolis, where he was for five years in the office of W. Scott Moore, one of the leading architects of that city, and one year with the Big Four railroad company. In 1894 he returned to Evansville and became associated with C. A. Brehmer in architectural work. This associa- tion continued until 1897, when the firm of Harris & Shopbell was formed. From the start they have given their attention to the design- ing and erection of public buildings, and numerous churches, school
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.