USA > Ohio > Memoirs of the lower Ohio valley, personal and genealogical : with portraits, Volume I > Part 35
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Charles Reisig, the finest in the city. After leaving Mr. Reisig he was with A. P. Jackson at Bowmanville for a little while, and then came back to Evansville. For the last nine years he has been engaged in the work of contracting for the building of roads, and the greater part of that time has held the position of road supervisor. Mr. Ruston is a Republican in politics, and at the Vanderburg county convention of his party in April, 1904, he was nominated over four popular candidates for the office of county commissioner from the First district. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- men, has gone through the chairs and served as delegate to the Grand Lodge twice. Mr. and Mrs. Ruston have three children: Annie May, wife of Will Carleton of the Associated Press; Florence Maud, wife of John Granelswith, and Inez May.
GEORGE GRIESBACHER, of the firm of Koch & Griesbacher, contractors of brickwork, Evansville, Ind., was born in that city in 1858. His father, Charles Griesbacher, was a native of Alsace-Lor- raine, Germany, but came to America in his early manhood. At one time he owned a lot in New York City where Madison Square garden is now located. About 1855 he came to Evansville, where he be- came one of the leading brick contractors, and followed that vocation until his death in 1884. George Griesbacher received his education in the parochial schools of Evansville, and at the age of thirteen years started in to learn the trade of bricklayer with his father. He continued to work with his father until the latter's death, and for the next ten years worked as a journeyman brick- layer for different employers. In 1894 he formed a partnership with John Koch which still exists. As both members of the firm are practical mechanics and take pride in the punctual execution of their contracts the new firm soon came to be one of the most prominent in its line in the city of Evansville. In recent years they have been entrusted with the erection of some of the largest pub- lic and private buildings in the city, and in every instance their work has been well done and done on time. (See sketch of John Koch for some of the most important structures.) Mr. Griesbacher is a mem- ber of the Builders' Exchange, the Business Men's association, and
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the Citizens' Alliance, and belongs to the Trinity German Lutheran church. He was married in 1884 to Miss Henrietta Weber, a daugh- ter of John Weber, one of the old residents of Evansville. He was born in Germany and settled in Evansville about the same time as the father of Mr. Griesbacher.
JOHN H. OSBORN, an old and well known resident of Evansville, Ind., has been for several years prominently identi- fied with the manufacturing interests of the Lower Ohio Valley. He was born in Boone county, Ill., but when three years of age came with his parents, William and Ann (Burrell) Osborn, to Cannelton, Ind., where he grew to manhood and obtained his education. He learned the trade of machinist, worked in different shops in Louisville and Owensboro, Ky., and for nearly fifteen years was connected with the cotton mills at Cannelton. In 1875 he came to Evansville as master mechanic of the Evansville Cotton Mills. Nine years later he was promoted to the responsible position of superintendent of the mills, which he has ever since held, his previous practical training giving him especially high qualifications for the place. Mr. Osborn was one of the organizers of the White Oak Handle Company, which was incorporated in 1902 with a capital stock of $35,000, and has been president of the company since the formation, W. H. Patrick being the secretary and treasurer. The company manufactures plow handles exclusively and the demand for its products is constantly in- creasing. Aside from his private business interests Mr. Osborn finds time to assist in the promotion of any enterprise tending to advance the commercial prosperity of Evansville, and to devote to public affairs. Although he is an ardent Republican, and has frequently been urged to accept a nomination for public office, the only political position he ever held was that of trustee of the Evansville water- works, being a member of the board at the present time. In 1875 he declined to accept the nomination for Congress, though in 1904 he was a delegate to the national Republican convention which nomi- nated Roosevelt and Fairbanks. It is therefore from no lack of loy- alty to his political convictions that he declines political honors, but simply from his devotion to his business undertakings. Mr. Osborn
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has served with marked ability as a director of the Central Trust and Savings Company, the Union Savings Company, and the Evans- ville Business Men's association. In fraternal circles he is a well known figure, being a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church and is a liberal contributor to the charitable work of his church. In June, 1878, Mr. Osborn was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. White, of Evansville.
JOSEPH SCHAEFER, an undertaker and embalmer of Evansville, Ind., is of German lineage, his parents, Benedict and Katharine (Miller) Schaefer, both having been natives of the Fatherland. The father came to America in 1834, locating first at Pittsburg, Pa., where he remained for about three years, and where he was married. In 1837 he came down the Ohio river to Vanderburg county, Ind., where he obtained a farm in German township and followed farming until 1854, when he removed to Evansville and died there in 1860. The mother died in 1886. They had a family of four chil- dren, viz .: Martin, now a retired contractor living on Ingle street in Evansville; Katharine, who married Chris. Schulte, of Evansville, and died in 1898; Elizabeth, now the wife of Peter Leonard, of Evans- ville, and Joseph, the subject of this sketch. Joseph Schaefer was born on the farm in German township in 1841. He continued to live on the farm until he was almost nineteen years of age, securing such an education as the common schools of that day afforded. When he was nineteen years old he commenced serving an appren- ticeship at cabinet making, and subesquently learned the carpenters' trade, at which he worked until 1872. He then embarked in busi- ness for himself as a contractor and builder, later adding that of undertaking, and since 1883 has devoted all his time and attention to the latter branch of the business. In 1882 he took a course in the art of embalming under Professor Clark, of Cincinnati, and in 1897 took a course in the embalming school of that city, receiving his diploma on the second day of May. On July 12, 1901, he received an embalmer's license, which gives him the authority to prepare
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bodies for shipment as well as burial. He has the oldest under- taking establishment in the city and does an extensive business. On Oct. 5, 1863, Mr. Schaefer was married to Miss Elizabeth Bitz, a native of Germany, but who came to Warrick county, Ind., when she was but four years of age. To this marriage there have been born the following children: Mary, wife of Edward Mathews, a marble cutter, of Evansville; Anna T .; John A., a plumber of Evansville; Benjamin T., in St. Louis; Edward M., in partnership with his father in the undertaking establishment; Aurelia, wife of Olaf Olsen, who is em- ployed in the Chicago offices of the Illinois Central railroad. Mr. Schaefer is a member of the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic church.
J. RICHARD ANDERSON, general contractor and builder, of Evansville, Ind., was born at Springfield, Tenn., in 1863. His father, W. T. Anderson, was a farmer of Cedar Hill, in the same county as Springfield. The subject of this sketch obtained his education in the public schools and worked on a farm until he attained his majority. He then entered the employ of John S. McCorkle, with whom he served an apprenticeship at car- pentering, after which he came to Evans- ville, where he was for four years in the coach building department of the Evansville & Terre Haute rail- road shops. He left this position to take charge of the wood work- ing department of George T. Mesker's architectural iron works. Here he remained until about 1898, when he commenced contract- ing for himself. While Mr. Anderson can erect any kind of build- ing he makes a specialty of fine residences, and some of the most pretentious homes of Evansville owe their existence to his archi- tectural taste and skill. Among them may be mentioned the resi- dences of the late Jabez Wooley, at Fulton avenue and Maryland street ; O. C. Hauserman, on Campbell street; Henry Folz; Charles W. Wittenbraker, and Dr. Kelsay, as well as a number of others. Mr."Anderson does the greater part of his own designing and his large patronage is due to his exquisite taste in the arrangement and decoration of the home. He is a member of the Evansville Business Men's association, is a stockholder in the Princeton oil field, belongs
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to the First Baptist church in which he was an official for several years, and is one of the all round progressive men of Evansville. He was married on June 6, 1891, to Miss Annie Taylor, a native of Ken- tucky, but who was reared in Evansville. She died on Jan. 14, 1901, leaving one son, Roy Taylor.
RANE CLAY WILKINSON, a well known and popular mem- ber of the bar of Evansville, Ind., was born in Gibson county of that state, his parents being Aaron B. and Lucinda Wilkinson. He was reared on a farm and received his elementary education in the com- mon schools of his native county. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in the Eighteenth Indiana infantry for "three years or during the war." His regiment was attached to General Schofield's division and during its three years of active service was in some of the hardest fought battles of the war. Mr. Wilkinson made an honorable record as a soldier, receiving four wounds while in the army. At Perry- ville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862, he was slightly wounded, but was soon again on duty. In the charge on the Confederate fortifications at Resaca, Ga., in May, 1864, he was shot three times within a few minutes and was left on the field for dead. His splendid constitution pulled him through, however, though he still carries a bullet in his right shoulder as a memento of that terrific charge. After the war he returned to Indiana, and for the next two years was a student in a select school, where he finished his education. He then took service with the Evans- ville Journal Company and remained in their employ for five years. At the end of that time he entered the law office of Mattison and Gilchrist as a student, and in due time was admitted to the bar. Shortly after his admission he formed a partnership with Maj. H. A. Mattison, and this association lasted until 1883, since which time Mr. Wilkinson has practiced alone. Mr. Wilkinson takes an interest in public questions, though he is not an active politician. During the administration of Gov. Alvin P. Hovey he was commissioned colonel and chief of staff, and accompanied the governor on his trip through Mexico. As an attorney Mr. Wilkinson stands well among the at- torneys of Southern Indiana, and as a citizen he is regarded as one of the representative men of Evansville.
C. E. LAUGHLIN, M.D., superintendent of the Southern Indiana hospital for the insane, at Evansville, was born in Lawrence county, Ind., in 1855. His father, Dr. E. D. Laughlin, was a practicing physician, and was for many years located at Orleans, in Orange
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county, where the subject of this sketch received his general educa- tion in the public schools. After a preliminary study with his father he entered the Miami Medical college, at Cincinnati, O., from which he graduated with the degree of M.D. in 1878. He began the practice of medicine at Orleans, where he was associated with his father, and soon won popularity by his close attention to business and his professional skill. Doctor Laughlin has been actively identi- fied with the Republican party ever since attaining his majority, and on June 1, 1903, he was appointed superintendent of the insane hos- pital, succeeding Doctor Stoner, who had held the position for two and one-half years. He is a firm believer in the efficacy of association as a means of promoting good feeling among physicians, and for the purpose of elevating the standard of professional ability. He is therefore a member of the American, the Indiana State, the Mississippi Valley, and the Ohio Valley Medical associations, and the medical society of Vanderburg county. While practicing at Orleans he was honored with the presidency of the Orange County Medical society, and he has frequently served on committees in other medical societies. Doctor Laughlin was married in 1878 to Miss Emma Brown, of Mitchell, Ind., and they have three children living: Ruth, Edward and Genevieve. Ruth is now Mrs. M. Mayer, of Covington ; Edward is in the railroad service, and Genevieve is at home.
EDWARD W. HOLTZ, vice-president of the Riechman Furniture Company, of Evansville, Ind., was born in that city in De- cember, 1872, and has there spent his entire life. He is a son of the late Henry Holtz, a native of Germany, who was for a num- ber of years one of the prominent figures in Evansville circles. The subject of this sketch attended the Evansville schools until he was about fourteen years of age, when he went to work for the Indiana Furniture Company and remained in their employ for about two years. He then went to the Karges Furniture Company, with which he was associated in various capacities for thirteen years. During that time he learned the furniture manufacturing business, and when the Riech- man Company was organized he was made vice-president. The company makes a specialty of wardrobes and kitchen cabinets and
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enjoys a large and constantly expanding trade. Evansville is noted far and wide for its furniture factories. Almost everything in the way of office and residence furnishings is manufactured in the city. Of the men who are active in turning out this immense product few are better qualified or more practical than Mr. Holtz. Ever since the company was organized he has discharged the duties of general superintendent, and the success of the company is due in a great measure to his able assistance, and to his motto: "Honesty is the best policy." Mr. Holtz takes a commendable interest in pub- lic affairs. Although he is a firm believer in Democratic principles he is not particularly active in politics, but he keeps in touch with public events and fearlessly discharges his duty as a citizen.
THEODORE E. RAUSCHENBACH, president of the Anchor Roofing and Paving Company, of Evansville, Ind., was born in the city of St. Louis, Mo., in 1868. His father, August Rauschenbach, was a native of Germany. He came to St. Louis in 1854, and there followed his profession of civil engineer. For forty-five years he was city engineer of St. Louis, and at the time of his death, in May, 1900, was actively connected with municipal affairs. Theodore re- ceived his education in the schools of his native city. After complet- ing the course in the grammar schools he attended Toensfeld's Mili- tary academy for young men, and then took a course in telegraphy, shorthand and typewriting. For two years he was in the main office of the Western Union Telegraph Company as money order clerk, and following that was for two years in the commission department of a wholesale grocery house. In 1887 he went into the cement business in St. Louis and continued in that line until 1896, when he came to Evansville, where he was associated with the Anchor Supply Company until 1902. In that year he and H. D. Baldwin bought out the paving business and on Jan. 1, 1904, in company with Arthur Funkhouser and R. Baumgartner, organized the Anchor Roofing and Paving Company, with a capital stock of $10,000. Mr. Rauschenbach was made president and Mr. Baldwin secretary. The company does a large business in cement work, many of the side- walks in Evansville being of their construction. Mr. Rauschenbach is a member of the National Union and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was married in 1895 to Miss Nettie Parmley, of Mount Vernon, Il1.
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EDWARD R. SMITH, vice-president, secretary and manager of the E. Q. Smith Chair Company, of Evansville, Ind., was born and reared in that city, the only son of Edward Q. and Marian W. (Ray) Smith. His father was born at Hunter, Green county, N. Y., Feb. 7, 1828. Be- ginning at the age of fourteen years he learned the trade of millwright with his father, Jeremialı Smith, who was a skilled mechanic, and in 1848 started west to seek his fortunes. Some time was spent EDWARD Q. SMITH. in Milwaukee and the pineries of Wiscon- sin, after which he wended his way south- ward, working in both Memphis and St. Louis. From the latter city he went to Cincinnati to assist in building the ma- chinery for the first machine chair fac- tory in the west. He next went to De- troit, where he remained for about two years. On March 29, 1852, he was mar- ried to Marian W., daughter of Elijah Ray, of Vermont, and for the next six years lived in Cincinnati, where he had charge of the largest chair factory in the city. In that time he enlarged the plant EDWARD R. SMITH. so that the capacity was doubled, and invented three machines that have since been generally adopted by chair manufacturers. In 1857 he came to Evansville, and there established the first steam chair factory west of Cincinnati. From that time until his death, March 10, 1903, his business career was a part of the warp and woof of the industrial and commercial life of the city. His first factory was located on the canal, at the corner of Ohio and Indiana streets, where he remained until 1866, when he built a new one at the corner of Third and Division streets. In 1880 he acquired the property at the corner of Oak and Waters streets and there erected a sawmill for the purpose of supplying the materials for chair manufacture. Ten years later he built the factory adjoining the sawmill, where the business is still conducted. In 1888 the E. Q. Smith Chair Company was incorporated with himself as president and his son, Edward R., as vice-president and manager. Since the death of the founder of I-24
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this business his widow has succeeded to the presidency. Edward R. Smith was educated in the Evansville schools, and from the time he left school, with the exception of one year, he has been identified with the chair factory. He began at the bottom of the industry and has worked his way up, step by step, through every process of chair manufacture. There is not a piece of machinery in the establishment with which he is not perfectly familiar, and he can take the timber "from the stump" and convert it into a chair of any style or quality as well and as quickly as any skilled artisan in the country. His company makes all grades of chairs, from the cheapest wood seats to the finest polished and upholstered rockers. Mr. Smith is a member of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, and like his father before him is prominent in Masonic circles, both attaining the degree of Knight Templar. He was married in 1889 to Miss Amelia Neekamp, and to this union there have been born two children: Edward and Floyd.
GEORGE LAUT, for more than half a century a resident of Evansville, Ind., was born in Huntingdonshire, England, in March, 1828. He is one of five children born to William and Jemima Laut. The three daughters died in England and the two sons, William and George, came to America while they were still young men. In January, 1851, George Laut came to Evansville, and ever since that time he has been a resident of the city and an active mem- ber of its business population. Before coming to this country he had been a sub-contractor under the British government, and after coming to Evansville he took up the work of bricklaying, soon becom- ing a contractor of all kinds of brickwork. He built the first brick school house in Evansville, as well as the first brick structure to be used for mercantile purposes and the first brick sewer. During his long and active career he has probably participated in the erection of more buildings in Evansville than any other man now living in the city. In 1885 he established the brick manufacturing plant now known as the Evansville Pressed Brick Company, which he conducted until his retirement from active business affairs in 1901. Mr. Laut is a member of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church and has for years been a contributor to its charitable works. He has been twice married. In 1853 he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Stratton, who died in 1864. Three of the children born to that marriage are yet living: Elizabeth, now the wife of Elisha Stevens; Emma, wife of William Vickery, a grocer of Evansville, and Alice. In the fall
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of 1865 Mr. Laut was married to Elizabeth Storton and they have three children living: Charles S., Herbert S., and Fannie. Charles S. is at home; Herbert S. is president of the brick company, and Fan- nie is the wife of George Daum, bookkeeper in the Old National bank.
Herbert S. Laut was born in the city of Evansville in the year 1871. After obtaining his education in the public schools he learned the brick manufacturing business with his father, and when the company of which he is now president was incorporated in 1901 he was elected president and W. S. Gilbert was elected secretary. The company makes a specialty of bricks for street paving and for foundations in heavy buildings. Their trade extends over Southern Indiana and Illinois, but their principal market is St. Louis. Mr. Laut is thoroughly familiar with every detail of brick making and he does not permit any inferior goods to leave the factory, a fact to which the popularity of the Evansville pressed brick is largely due. His thoroughness and energy have placed him among the foremost and most progressive business men of Evansville. He is a member of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church and the Knights of Pythias. In 1893 he was united in marriage to Miss Delia Smith, daughter of the late Edward Q. Smith, whose sketch appears else- where in this work. To this marriage there has been born one daugh- ter, named Winifred.
JOHN A. SCHWAN, vice-president of the Eli D. Miller Furniture Company of Evansville, Ind., is a native of Fayette county, Ill. His father, Charles Schwan, was a farmer, a native of Germany, but came to America in his early life, settled first at Mayville, Wis., then in Fayette county, Ill., and there lived until his death, which occurred in 1878. John A. Schwan grew to manhood in Fayette county, receiving his education in the public and parochial schools. In 1892 he came to Evansville, where he learned the trade of cabinet maker with the Karges Furniture Company. He remained with this company for eleven years, or until 1903, when he formed a partnership with Eli D. Miller for the manu- facture of folding beds. Later the business was incorporated and
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Mr. Schwan was made treasurer of the concern, a position he held until the beginning of the year 1904, when he was elected vice-presi- dent. The first factory of the company was located at 1307-1309 Main street. The new factory is located at the corner of Elsas avenue and Morgan street, and is a two-story brick, 128 by 150 feet, where seventy-five skilled workmen are employed. The offices are at the corner of Main and Franklin streets. As both Mr. Schwan and Mr. Miller are practical furniture men, with an ambi- tion to build up a successful business, it is safe to say that no imper- fect or inferior goods are sent out from their works. Mr. Schwan is a member of the German Lutheran Trinity church, of Evans- ville.
LOUIS KRAMER, president and man- ager of the New York Dimension Sup- ply Company, of Evansville, Ind., was born in the city of New York in 1852. His father, Frank Kramer, was a native of Germany, who came in his early man- hood to America. During the Civil war he served in a New Jersey regiment and died soon after being discharged from the service, his death being precipitated by the hardships encountered and wounds received while in the army. Louis Kra- mer was educated in the public schools of New York and in 1872 came to Evansville, where he has ever since been engaged in the lumber business in some form. For two years immediately after coming to Indiana he was interested in a saw- mill on Green river, Ky. In 1896 the Dimension Supply Company was organized and incorporated under the laws of New York, for the purpose of manufacturing all grades of wood mantels, the wood- work for all kinds of plumbers' fixtures, and extension tables, all of which is finished in the white and the greater part of which is shipped to eastern markets. The capital stock was fixed at $5,000 and Mr. Kramer was elected president. The mills and lumber yards of the company are located at Evansville. Mr. Kramer takes a keen interest in every movement for the advancement of Evansville's com- mercial and material prosperity. He is a member and was for some time a director in the Evansville Business Men's association ; a direc- tor in the traffic bureau; and a member of the Tri-State Fair associa-
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