USA > Ohio > Memoirs of the lower Ohio valley, personal and genealogical : with portraits, Volume II > Part 4
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THE KLEYMEYER & KLUTE BRICK AND TILE WORKS, one of the substantial business concerns of the city of Henderson, Ky., was founded in 1865 by Henry Kleymeyer, who conducted the business in a small way for three years, when he formed a partner- ship with Frederick Klute and increased the capacity of the plant.
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Since then the output has annually increased until now the trade extends over a radius of 150 miles from Henderson. Tile making was added to the brick manufacture and in both lines the Kleymeyer & Klute company stand at the head. The drain tile, which has a range of from two and a half to ten inches in diameter is of the best quality, owing to the fine character of the clays used in its construc- tion and the improved machinery employed in its manufacture. Dur- ing the year 1903 the company shipped 200 carloads of tiling and 6,000,000 brick more than 500,000 of the latter going outside the state. The brick made by this company are of a high grade building brick which have become favorites wherever introduced. From fifty to sixty men are constantly employed during the brickmaking season, and the company has 150 acres of land devoted to raising feed for the stock used at the plant. The company was incorporated in 1900, under the above name, with Henry Kleymeyer as president; F. C. Klute as secretary and treasurer; and F. Klute as superintendent. From the humble beginning, nearly forty years ago, this concern has worked its way to the front until it is regarded as one of Hender- son's leading industries. Its success is due to the thorough knowl- edge of the business possessed by its proprietors, and to the fair deal- ing which has distinguished all their transactions.
Henry Kleymeyer, the founder of this company was born in Ger- many, Jan. 29, 1841. When he was seventeen years of age he came to the United States and located at Evansville, Ind., where he learned the business of making brick. In 1865 he removed to Henderson and started a brick-yard there, which has since developed into the magnificent plant of the company of which he is the official head. Although he takes an interest in all matters affecting the public wel- fare he is independent in his political affiliations, and acknowledges the claims of no party to his suffrage. In 1870 he was married to Miss Louise Bruenig, a native of Germany, who came with her par- ents to America when she was about one year old. The family set- tled near Evansville, where her father was for many years a well known farmer. Mr, and Mrs. Kleymeyer have had the following children: Two who died in infancy; Carl, who died at the age of two years; Louise, now the wife of Rev. T. C. Tebour, one of the field workers of the Kentucky Sunday School association; Henry C., who lives in Evansville, Ind .; Mary, wife of T. Andes and lives in Henderson; Carrie, now Mrs. John Andes, residing in Evansville ; and Minnie and Alfred at home. All the children received gcod practical education to fit them for the duties of every day life. Mr.
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and Mrs. Kleymeyer are both members of the Evangelical Lutheran church.
Frederick Klute, who since 1868 has been identified with the growth and development of the brick and tile industry of Hender- son, was born in Westphalia, Germany, Nov. 3, 1843, his parents being Frederick and Mary (Forstmeyer) Klute. In 1856 he came with his parents to the United States on a sailing vessel, and after a tedious voyage of nine weeks landed in New Orleans. The family remained in that city one winter and then came north to Knox county, Ind., where the father bought a farm and both he and his wife there passed the remainder of their lives. The children still own the old home. In 1863 Frederick went to Evansville, where he learned the trade of brickmaker, and two years later located in Henderson. In 1868 he formed the partnership with Henry Kley- meyer, which has since become the Kleymeyer & Klute Brick and Tile Works. Mr. Klute was married on March 16, 1871, to Miss Caroline, daughter of Charles and Louise (Kruger) Brunine, who came from Germany when she was in her girlhood and located on a farm not far from the city of Evansville. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Klute are: Louise, wife of Herman Unverzaght, a butcher of Henderson; Frederick C., secretary and treasurer of the brick and tile works; Frederick and Caroline are twins, the latter is the wife of Jacob Zimbro, Jr., who is a dealer in harness and vehicles at Hen- derson; Henry, Carl, and Walter and Edward, who are twins. All the boys received good business training and give promise of becom- ing successful men in the affairs of life. Mr. Klute and his family belong to the Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he is one of the charter members and takes an active interest in promoting its good works. He and all his sons who are old enough to vote are advocates of Democratic principles and are affiliated with that party. Fred C. is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Honor. He married Miss Ann Neucks of Evansville, and has a family of three children.
LAZ W. POWELL, clerk of the county court, Henderson, Ky., was born in that city, Jan. 19, 1865, and is a son of J. H. and Mary A. Powell. His father is the present mayor of Henderson. Laz W. received a good common school education and at the age of fifteen years started in life as an employe in the woolen mills. After three years in this occupation he went to the Henderson Mining and Manufacturing Company as a clerk. Four years later he became book-
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keeper for George S. Norris in the hardware store, and remained there until 1891, when he was elected constable of district No. 5. This office he filled in a creditable manner for one year, when he was appointed deputy clerk under Judge Hart. He held the position of deputy clerk for ten years, or until 1902, and was then elected clerk. Mr. Powell is a well known figure in the fraternal circles of Hen- derson, being a popular member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and the Modern Woodmen of the World. Mr. Powell was married in 1886 to Miss Kittie W., daughter of Randolph and Ellen F. Walbridge. Mrs. Powell is a native of Union county, but came with her parents to Henderson county, where her father followed farming until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Powell have six children, viz .: Lucy M., Mary A., Frances W., Robert A., James Henry, and Katherine W. Both parents are mem- bers of the Episcopal church. Mr. Powell is one of the sturdy Democrats of Henderson. To his activity and his unswerving sup- port of Democratic principles he owes, in some degree, his nomi- nation and election to the office of county clerk. But behind all mere political considerations stand his intrinsic merits, his superb qualifications that have come through his long experience in the office, and his uniform courteous treatment of those who have busi- ness to transact with him as a public official.
HERMAN MARSTALL, principal owner and general manager of The Mar- stall Furniture Company, of Henderson, Ky., was born in the northern part of Ger- many, May 22, 1855. His parents, Henry and Rosa Marstall, came to the United States in May, 1869, and located at Evans- ville, Ind., where his father followed the trade of cabinet maker until his old age. The last years of his life were spent with his family in Henderson, where he died in August, 1896. The mother is still living and makes her home with the subject of this sketch. Both parents were devout members of the Catholic church, and reared a family of four sons and two daughters in that faith. Herman Marstall learned the cabinet makers' trade in his
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youth, and afterward learned every detail of wood-working and fur- niture construction. His introduction to a furniture factory was in 1869, when he started in as a shaving-boy. From then on he worked his way up by his energy and close attention to his business until 1881, when he was selected from among fifty men for the position of superintendent of the Reitz & Schmits furniture factory in Evans- ville, which position he held until 1893, when he came to Henderson and leased the plant of the Henderson Furniture Manufacturing Company for four years. He started on a small capital, but by hon- est workmanship and a knowledge of what lines of furniture were most in demand, he soon came to be known to the furniture world. The factory was purchased at the expiration of the lease, new machinery being added which increased the capacity of the plant. The products of the Marstall Furniture Company are sold all over the United States, Mexico and Cuba; they make a specialty of oak and walnut wardrobes, ranging in price from six to thirty-five dol- lars, and do an annual business of over $110,000. Mr. Marstall was married in November, 1878, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of George and Elizabeth Feldhaus, of Evansville, Ind. Their children are G. Edward and Joseph J., who are with the furniture company, and Mary, Frank and Leona, all in school with the exception of the last named, who is but three years of age. While Mr. Marstall is nomi- nally a Democrat in his political belief he votes for principle rather than party name. He is a fine example of a self-made man, who enjoys the confidence and respect of his associates.
HOY C. BOAZ, osteopathic physician, of Henderson, Ky., was born in Simpson county of that state, March 4, 1868, his parents being Z. H. T. and Sarah Boaz, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky. The father was left an orphan in his boyhood, came to Kentucky in early life and finally, by his thrift and industry, became the largest landholder in Simpson county. He was a Democrat politically, was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and both himself and wife belonged to the Baptist church. He died in 1889 and his widow is still living at Franklin, the county seat of Simpson county. They had five children, viz .: Sally, widow of Dr. C. L. Barton; John H., a farmer at home; V. T., a physician in Kansas; Elizabeth, deceased, and the subject of this sketch. After acquiring a common school education Dr. Boaz attended Ogden college, Bowling Green, Ky., graduating in 1887. He then learned the trade of machinist and entered the employ of C. Aultman & Co.,
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of Canton, O., with whom he remained until 1899, part of the time as a traveling salesman in the United States and Canada. After severing his connection with this concern he took up the study of osteopathy and in 1900 was graduated from the Southern school of osteopathy at Franklin, Ky. He then located at Henderson, where he has built up a lucrative business. Dr. Boaz is a Democrat in his political affiliations; is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men, and both he and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church. He was married on Oct. 15, 1890, to Miss Sena Bogan, daughter of Ira and Sarah Bogan, of Simpson county. Her father is a farmer, a prominent citizen, and judge of the county court. Dr. Boaz and his wife have one son, Raymond, now seven years old.
ROBERT C. McFARLAND, one of the leading druggists of Henderson, Ky., was born in that county, near Hebbards- ville, June 16, 1847. He is a son of Dr. Robert M. and Catherine (Boswell) Mc- Farland, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Henderson county. The paternal grandfather, Joseph McFarland, was a native of North Caro- lina, but of Scotch descent. He came to Kentucky in 1806, settling first at Gris- som's Landing in Daviess county, where he bought and cleared six hundred acres of land. In 1815 he came to Henderson county, bought land near the city and there passed the remainder of his life. Dr. R. M. McFar- land studied medicine in Philadelphia, and was one of the pioneer doctors of Henderson county. He was also interested in agricul- tural pursuits and before the war owned a number of slaves. He was successful in both his farming and professional life and had a large circle of friends to mourn his death, which occurred in 1869. His wife survived until 1897. Both were members of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church. Dr. McFarland in his day was a Whig in his political opinions, took an active part in campaigns as a public speaker, but was never an office seeker. He was a stanch Union man on the questions that led to the Civil war and an opponent of secession. He and his wife had seven children, four of whom are now living, viz .: Robert C .; Mattie, Mrs. H. T. Priest, living near
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Hebbardsville ; Thomas M., lives on, the old homestead, as does Mary G., the eldest of the family. Robert C. McFarland received a good common school education in a Hebbardsville private school and then attended college for one year at Albion, N. Y. After completing his schooling he lived on the farm until 1885, farming and dealing in live stock, and then came to Henderson, where he engaged in the livery business. This vocation he followed with success for twelve years, when he sold out and associated himself with his son in the drug store, which had been started in 1893. Mr. McFarland still owns three fine farms in the county. He is a Republican in his political views and in early life was somewhat active. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and with his entire family to the Cum- berland Presbyterian church. In 1869 he was married to Elizabeth Schaeffer, a native of Henderson county, and they have three chil- dren: Robert M. is a graduate of the Philadelphia school of phar- macy and associated with his father in business; Annie Belle is the wife of W. H. Lewis, a farmer of Henderson county, and Catherine W. is the wife of Robert L. Zubrod, a druggist of Louisville.
MILES COOKSEY DUNN, M.D., specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, of Henderson, Ky., was born in that county, Aug. 21, 1864. He is a son of George O. and Martha S. (Cook- sey) Dunn, both natives of Virginia, who came with their parents to Kentucky in their childhood. The paternal grandfather, David Dunn, came in the year 1829 and settled near Henderson, where he cleared a farm and in subsequent years became an influential citizen. George O. Dunn was a farmer all his life. Politically he was a Democrat and both himself and wife belonged to the Baptist church. He died in 1887 and she in 1895. They had seven children, of whom the doctor and Mrs. Crawley are the only ones living. Dr. Dunn attended the common schools in his boyhood, afterward was at normal school, read medicine with Dr. Robert Stuart of Zion, entered the medical department of the University of Louisville in 1889, and graduated in 1892. Soon after leaving college he located at Zion and practiced there until 1900. He then went to New York and took a post graduate course, having taken a similar course some time before,
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and in 1901 located in Henderson, where he has built up a success- ful practice in his specialties. He is a member of the American and State Medical associations, and a member and ex-president of the County Medical society. At the present time he is a member of the city school board and takes an interest in every thing calculated to promote the material interests of Henderson. In politics Dr. Dunn is a Democrat, but is not an active politician, preferring the more congenial work of his profession. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His prominence in his profession has been achieved by his own untiring energy and determination. As a young man he clerked in a dry goods and grocery store, and for some time he was in the drug business in Zion, Ky. But the great aim of his life has been to suc- ceed as a physician. In 1888 he was married to Miss Mary, daugh- ter of Dr. Robert and Sue E. (Read) Stuart, and a native of Hen- derson county. Her mother is dead and her father now lives at Spiceland, Ind. Her grandfather, great-grandfather, and great- great-grandfather were all Presbyterian ministers and she belongs to that denomination. Her grandfather, David Todd Stuart, founded the Stuart female college, at Shelbyville, Ky.
JOHN T. BETHEL, M.D., a well known physician and surgeon of Hender- son, Ky., was born near Ranger's Land- ing, in Henderson county, his parents being Peter and Ann (Wilson) Bethel, both natives of Virginia. His paternal grandparents came from Virginia in 1802 and settled in Henderson county. The grandfather bought three hundred acres of land on Green river, for two dollars an acre, cleared a farm and lived the life of a typical pioneer. He built a two story log house, the lumber in which was sawed with a whip saw, and his wife spun the yarn, wove the cloth, and made all the clothes worn by the family. It was on this farm that Peter Bethel grew to manhood and lived all his life. When his father died he inherited the place and died on the old homestead in 1892 at the age of ninety years. In his early years he was an active Whig, but after the dissolution of that party he affiliated with the Democrats. He was looked upon as one of the progressive farmers of his neigh-
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borhood and was an influential citizen. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Doctor Bethel was born on this old homestead, the third child in a family of twelve, and he, one sister and a half brother are now living in this county. He was educated in the public schools and the Corydon high school. In 1862 he commenced the study of medicine, and after reading two years under Doctors Powell and Dorsey, of Corydon, began practice in March, 1864, at Pooltown, Webster county, Ky. He remained there until 1893, when he removed to Henderson, where he has built up a lucrative business. His practice is of a general character and few physicians enjoy to a greater extent the confidence of their patients. He owns a nice residence and office in the city and until recently owned farm property in the county. Doctor Bethel is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, is a Democrat in his political opinions, and with his family belongs to the Methodist Church South. He has been twice married. In 1865 he was married to Miss Fannie Thurman of Ohio, and by this marriage has two children : Laura Adel is now Mrs. W. E. Royster, and John T., Jr., lives in Pudacah, Ky. The mother of these children died in 1882, and the following year Doctor Bethel was united in marriage to Belle Sullenger, a native of Hartford, Ky. Two children have been born to this union: Effie and Lila, both at home with the parents. All the children are well educated and Mrs. Royster is proficient in music.
WILLIAM HENRY OVERBY, attor- ney at law, and a prominent Republican of Henderson, Ky., was born in Henderson county, Nov. 8, 1859. He is a son of Wil- liam H. and Mary Jane (Hicks) Overby, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Henderson county. The father came to Kentucky in 1836 and bought a farm near Zion. He was a hatter by trade and followed that occupation for a short time after coming to the state, after which he gave attention to his farming interests until his death. The last years of his life were spent in the city of Henderson, where he died on April 23, 1895. His widow is still living in Henderson. Both were members of the Baptist church and during his life he was by no means a partisan in II-4
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politics, but at all times an independent voter. The Overby family is of English extraction, the first of the family in America settling in Virginia. Alexander Overby, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to Kentucky late in life and passed the remainder of his days near Henderson. William Henry Overby is the fourth child in a family of nine children, four of whom are still living. He received his primary education in the common schools and then took the high school course in the Henderson high school. Then, after teaching for a year, he entered the Hopkins grammar school, at New Haven Conn., where he prepared for Yale university, and took the classical course in that institution. He completed his education in 1885, returned to Kentucky, and for the next two years was prin- cipal of the Union academy, at Morganfield. He was then elected principal of the high school at Henderson and taught there for two years, when he was appointed deputy collector of United States internal revenue. After eight months in this position he was ap- pointed postmaster at Henderson and served four years in that capac- ity. In 1898 he was again appointed deputy collector of internal revenue and held that office until July, 1904. Mr. Overby studied law while still a young man and in 1894 was admitted to the bar. Since that time he has devoted the greater part of his time to the practice of his profession. For several years he has been active in political matters and stands high in the councils of the Republican party. In 1895 he was nominated for state senator and in 1904 he was the Republican candidate for Congress from the Second district. In 1887 he was married, at Franklin, Ky., to Miss Fannie B. Moore, a native of Todd county. Three of the children born to this mar- riage are living, viz .: Harry Moore, Yeaman Moore and William Henry, Jr., the first two dying in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Overby are both attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church, and take a commendable interest in its good works.
N. POWELL TAYLOR, attorney at law, Henderson, Ky., and county attorney for Henderson county, was born on a farm in that county, Jan. 2, 1864. He is a son of William H. and Mary (Powell) Taylor, the former a native of Tallahassee, Fla., and the latter of Henderson county. John S. Taylor, the grandfather, was a native of Virginia, but went to Florida soon after his marriage, lived there until some time in the forties, when he came to Henderson county, there bought a farm and passed the remainder of his life. One of his brothers, B. Waller Taylor, was one of the first United States
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senators from the State of Indiana. Upon the death of John S. Taylor his son, William H., took charge of the farm and still con- ducts it, being regarded as one of the successful farmers of his neighborhood. His wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, died in 1900. She was a devoted member of the Baptist church, to which her husband still belongs. They had two children: J. Stokes, a farmer of Henderson county, and N. Powell. After obtaining a high school education in Henderson, N. Powell Taylor entered the law office of Judge J. L. Dorsey of that city and read under him from 1886 to 1889, when he was admitted to the bar. He commenced practice at Henderson and has won for himself an honorable position at the bar by his industry and native ability. Like his father before him he is a Democrat and takes an active part in shaping the affairs of his party. In 1895. he was elected to the state senate, where he made an enviable record, and in 1897 was elected county attorney. To this latter office he was re-elected in 1901 and again in 1904. These repeated re-elections to an important position attest his fidelity and popularity better than any complimentary language that could be used in writ- ing a sketch of his career. Mr. Taylor was married in 1897 to Miss Alice, daughter of George and Alice Augusta (Thompson) Part- ridge. Her father is a wholesale oil merchant. To this marriage there has been born one son, N. Powell, Jr., now in his third year. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men, and both he and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church.
WILLIAM W. W. WILSON, M.D., a promising young physician of Henderson, Ky., was born at Mount Sterling, in that state, Dec. 27, 1878. He is a son of Henry C. and Frances (Barnett) Wilson, the father a native of Mount Sterling and the mother of Virginia. The grandfather, George R. Wilson, was a Virginian, who came to Kentucky in pioneer days and for many years operated a distillery, accumulating considerable property. Doctor Wilson's father is a farmer and stockman, now living at Roachdale, Ind., retired from the active cares of business. He is a Democrat in his political faith and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Three children were born to Henry C. Wilson and his wife, all of whom are living. George is in the Klondike, Charles is a contractor and builder at Ladoga, Ind., and the subject of this sketch. Doctor Wilson received his primary education in the common schools of Barnard, Ind., after
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