USA > Ohio > Memoirs of the lower Ohio valley, personal and genealogical : with portraits, Volume II > Part 9
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FREDERICK BOCKSTEGE, presi- dent of the Karges Furniture Company, Evansville, Ind., was born in Germany, April 16, 1862. He learned the trade of cabinet maker in his native land, and at the age of nineteen years came to America. For several months he worked at his trade at Akron, O., and from there went to St. Louis, Mo., where he remained for about six months, at the end of which time he came to Evansville. During the first three years he was in Evansville he was em- ployed as a cabinet maker in the furniture establishment of Joseph F. Reitz. Upon leaving Mr. Reitz he was for some time with George Mutschler in the planing mill, and when Mr. Mutschler was succeeded by Schnute, Dubber & Co. Mr. Bock- stege remained about a year with the new firm. From that time until Feb. 1, 1889, he was in the employ of Stoltz & Karges. He then, in connection with A. F. Karges and John Jourdan, Jr., formed what has since become widely known as the Karges Furniture Com- pany, of which he has been president ever since the organization. Mr. Bockstege started in life with the odds against him. When he came to America he knew no one in the country, and had no knowledge of the English language. A raw German boy, with no capital but his willingness to work and his mechanical skill, he has been almost phenomenally successful. His motto has ever been honest goods at reasonable prices, and the result is that the products of the Karges Furniture Company have found a ready sale on the market wherever they have been introduced. In 1898 Mr. Bockstege was one of the organizers of the Globe Furniture Com- pany, of which he has been vice-president for the last three years. The following year he organized the Bockstege Furniture Company and has been president of it ever since. He is also interested in the West Side Bank, the Evansville Mirror and Beveling Company, and the West Heights Land Company. Few men in the city of Evans- ville occupy a higher place in the general esteem of the citizens than Mr. Bockstege. His industry and capacity for business are worthy of the highest emulation of young men, who can learn a useful lesson from his perseverance, which has been the secret of his success. Mr. Bockstege has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united on Oct. 30, 1884, was Miss Alwena Langele, of Evansville.
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She died in 1887, leaving one child, and subsequently he was married to Miss Mena Seeger, also of Evansville. He has five sons and three daughters, viz .: Fred, Jr., Herman, Henry, John, Benjamin, Clara, Ida, and Anna. He is a member of the German Lutheran church of Evansville, and a liberal contributor to its good works.
JACOB MAYER, councilman at large, and one of the most popular caterers in the city of Evansville, Ind., was born at Rhein- pfalz, Rhenish Bavaria, Jan. 8, 1850. During his boyhood he attended the schools of his native town, after which he learned the bakers' trade. Hence it can be seen that from his youth Mr. Mayer has been brought up to his business. After several years in his native town he determined to come to America and the latter part of 1868 found him in Evansville, which city has ever since been his home. The first ten years of his life in this country were spent as journeyman, work- ing in the bakeries of Andrew Christ and Jacob Heblich. During that decade he saved his money and in 1878 started in the bakery business for himself at the corner of Second avenue and Ohio street. The genial German soon became popular with his customers and his business prospered in consequence. A few doors from his bakery he established a plant for making carbonated or mineral waters, which he operated for some time in connection with his bakery. Then he established the café and saloon at 317 Upper Second street, which soon came to demand so much of his time that he disposed of his other interests and devoted his whole attention to the café. While managing this popular resort Mr. Mayer formed acquaintances all over the city, and in 1897 he was induced to become a candidate for councilman at large on the Republican ticket. His service in the council added to his popularity and in 1901 he was re-elected for another term of four years, receiving the largest majority of any man on the Republican ticket. Mr. Mayer is one of the substantial citi- zens of Evansville and is the owner of considerable property. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, as well as some other fraternal organizations. Some years ago he was married to Elizabeth Schmidt of Evansville, and they have two chil-
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dren: Oscar and Carrie. The son is associated with his father in business, and Carrie lives at home with her parents.
WILLIAM HEYNS, president of the Heyns Furniture Company, of Evansville, Ind., was born in Germany in the year 1848, his parents being Louis and Mary (Page) Heyns. In 1866 the family came to America and located at Evansville. Wil- liam began life as a cabinet maker and after coming to Evansville he found employment with the old firm of Bloomer & Honig, on Water street. Subsequently he was with Miller & Karges, now known as the Evansville Furniture Company, for about eighteen months, after which he went to St. Louis, where he was for two years with Aude Brothers. He then returned to Evansville and opened a retail grocery at the corner of Michigan street and Third avenue. Two years later he disposed of this business to accept a position as traveling sales- man for the firm of Bloomer, Schulte & Reitman, selling furniture through the South. After three years on the road he resigned his position to become owner of a hotel at St. Wendell, Ind., which he successfully conducted for five years, when he returned to Evansville and started in the retail furniture business at 226 to 230 West Franklin street. That was in 1885, and he has continued in the business, adding to his stock until today the Heyns Furniture Com- pany occupies the entire building from 224 to 230 West Franklin, besides a branch store at No. 208 Upper Third street. In the two establishments something like 60,000 square feet of floor space is occupied, and the stock of goods displayed is by far the largest and most varied of any similar concern in the city. The business was incorporated in 1901 with Mr. Heyns as president, and his son, John W., as secretary and treasurer. William Heyns and his chil- dren own all the stock with the exception of a small portion donated to the employes of the house. The growth of the Heyns Furniture Company has been remarkable, and it is mainly due to the thorough knowledge of the demands of the trade, the untiring industry and the high order of executive ability of Mr. Heyns. Besides the retail establishment the company also manufactures a line of high grade parlor furniture and is building up an extensive trade with the mer-
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chants in the surrounding towns. He was married in June, 1875, to Miss Anna Raben, daughter of Anton Raben. She died on Jan. 28, 1891, leaving the following children: Mary, John W., Lina, Winnie and Nettie. Mary is the wife of Ray Lannert; John W. is secretary and treasurer of the furniture company; and Winnie is an artist of more than ordinary ability, her natural talent having been aided by study in the Cincinnati Art school.
MARTIN KOEPKE, of Evansville, Ind., Indiana State agent for the Moun- tain Valley mineral waters, was born near the city of Berlin, Germany, Nov. 12, 1849. In 1865 he came to the United States and five years later located in Evansville, which city has ever since been his home. In early life he learned the trade of a harness maker, but in 1875 gave it up and embarked in the grocery and saloon busi- ness. Upon reaching his majority he cast in his lot with the Republican party, and has been an active worker in the cause of that organization. He was two years the councilman from the Third ward, and few men ever served in the city council who were more consistent, or more earnest in behalf of their constituents. In 1894 he was appointed deputy sheriff and in 1898 received the nomi- nation of his party for sheriff. He was elected and at the close of his first term was re-elected, making eight years in all that he was in the sheriff's office, four years as deputy and four years as principal. His second term expired in 1902 and he soon after- ward secured the local agency for the Mountain Valley waters, which come from a spring in the Ozark mountains, not far from Hot Springs, Ark., and have proved a fine remedy for stomach and kidney troubles, especially Bright's disease, as well as excellent for table use. His local trade grew to generous proportions and he was made state agent for the springs. By his energy and tact he is building up a good patronage throughout the state, particularly in the country adjacent to Evansville. Mr. Koepke is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Honor, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has been married three times, his first and second wives having died, and has five living children.
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HARRY N. COOK, president of the Cook Grocery Company, Evansville, Ind., was born in that city, Nov. 8, 1857, his parents being Henry A. and Caroline J. (Clark) Cook, both natives of the State of New York. The family came to Evansville in 1852, where the father was for many years the leading retail grocer of the city. In 1901 the Cook Grocery Company was incorporated, with Harry N. Cook as president and William L. Hardigg as secretary and treas- urer, and the official personnel of the company remains the same to the present time. The Cook Grocery Company is a model institu- tion of its kind. Not only is it the largest and best appointed retail grocery in the city of Evansville, but it is certain it has no superior and probably not an equal in the State of Indiana. This superb establishment stands as a monument to the fine business qualifica- tions, the indomitable energy, and the high integrity of character of Mr. Cook. In building up the concern Mr. Cook has given his city a wide advertisement and placed his name high on the roll of pro- gressive business men of the country. For two years he was presi- dent of the Retail Merchants' Association of the state, and during the past three years he has been president of the Retail Merchants' Association of Evansville.
MARTIN EMIG, JR., proprietor of the Manhattan saloon, Evansville, Ind., was born in Germany, July 15, 1856. His father, John Emig, was a nail smith by trade, but in his later years followed farm- ing. He died when Martin was but four years of age. The mother died in Ger- many in 1903 at the age of eighty-two years. While still in his boyhood Martin came to America and landed at Evansville on July 27, 1871, one day before he was fifteen years old. He had commenced to learn the blacksmiths' trade in his native land, but being young and rather small for his age, he was unable to obtain work in that line, so he sought and obtained a position as clerk in a dry goods store. He continued in this occupation for about eight years in Evansville, and in 1879 went to Piopolis, Ham- ilton county, Ill., where he conducted a general store for three years. At the end of that time he returned to Evansville and engaged in the retail grocery business for about five years, when he
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sold out to become a traveling salesman. On New Year's day, 1889, he opened a saloon on the corner of Third and Vine streets in Evansville. In 1894 he sold his business and for some time was a partner in a cigar manufactory. He then for some time had charge of Germania Hall, on Fourth street, and in 1899 purchased the ele- gant Manhattan saloon at No. 501 Main street, where he has since conducted one of the finest establishments of the kind to be found anywhere. Mr. Emig is a Democrat in his political associations and is always ready to do what he can to further the interests of his party. He is a member of the Catholic church, the Catholic Knights of America, and the Knights of St. John. As captain of the local com- pany of the Uniform Rank, Knights of St. John, he won the first prize at the competitive drill at Columbus, Ohio, in 1903, and his company has frequently been awarded smaller prizes for its pro- ficiency. He was married on May II, 1881, to Miss Mary Jost, of Evansville, and they have five living children: Eva Catherine, Louisa, Rosa Barbara, Ferdinand J., and Henry A., all at home. Two chil- dren, Joseph N., and Leo, are deceased, the former dying at the age of six years and the latter at the age of seven and a half.
JOHN H. HUSTON, vice-president of the Kohinoor Laundry Company, of Evans- ville, Ind., was born on a farm in Miami county, O., June 9, 1840, his parents being David and Susanna Huston, both of whom are now deceased. He was reared on his father's farm in Miami county, receiving his education in the common schools. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Ninety-fourth Ohio infantry, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out and discharged at Columbus in Au- gust, 1865, the regiment being one of the last to return home. While in the army he took part in the Atlanta campaign and in the famous march to the sea. At the close of the war he returned to the home of his parents, who had in the meantime removed to Paris, Ill., and for four years was a clerk in a grocery store there. He was then employed for about three years in the engineering department of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Com- pany. In 1874 he came to Evansville, his brother, E. P. Huston, being at that time the proprietor of the St. George hotel, the lead-
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ing hostelry of the city. John H. Huston assisted his brother in the management of this house until the latter was made president of the Bank of Commerce of Evansville, when he assumed the entire man- agement of the hotel. E. P. Huston finally sold his hotel interests and the subject of this sketch retired from the house when the new proprietor took charge. For several years he has been the vice- president of the Kohinoor Laundry Company, at No. 214 Locust street, one of the best equipped laundries in the country. Mr. Hus- ton is a Republican in politics, and while his views on political ques- tions are no secret, he has a host of friends among those of the opposite political faith. He is a member of the Evansville Business Men's association and is always ready to do his part in furthering any scheme for the advancement of the city's material welfare. He also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and to the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks.
COL. CHARLES DENBY, lawyer, author and diplomat, late of Evansville, Ind., was born in Botetourt county, Va., June 13, 1830, and died suddenly of heart trouble at Jamestown, N. Y., while on a lecturing tour, Jan. 13, 1904. He gradu- ated from the Virginia military academy in 1850 and came to Evansville three years later, where he made his first public address in 1854. His earnest manner, and the knowledge of public questions dis- played in that speech, soon brought him into prominence, and for half a century he was a part of the warp and woof of the political events of his state and the nation. When the general assembly of Indiana met, in 1855, he was elected to a clerkship, and the following year he was elected to a membership in the lower branch of the Indiana legis- lature. During the latter part of President Buchanan's administra- tion he was surveyor of the local port of Evansville for about two years, and in that position made an enviable record. Before coming to Indiana he had taken up the study of law, and after his admis- sion to the bar he forged his way rapidly upward in his profession, being one of the popular lawyers in Southwestern Indiana within a very short time, meantime becoming interested in journalism in con- nection with John B. Hall, the publisher of the Evansville Daily
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Inquirer. When the first mutterings of the Civil war were heard, before actual hostilities had begun, or a call for troops had been issued, Colonel Denby manifested his loyalty by organizing a com- pany of home guards to be ready for any emergency that might arise. In September, 1861, this company was mustered into the Federal service as part of the Forty-second Indiana infantry, with Colonel Denby as lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. He served in that capacity until Oct. 10, 1863, when he was made colonel of the Eightieth regiment. While with the Forty-second he was in several severe engagements. At the battle of Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862, he was wounded on the lip and in the leg, had his horse shot from under him, and his clothing pierced by a number of balls that for- tunately did him no further harm. He remained in command of the Eightieth regiment until his surgeon recommended his retire- ment from the service on account of disability, when he resigned and returned to Evansville, where he resumed the practice of law. Colonel Denby now became actively identified with the Democratic party and in every campaign was much sought after as a public speaker, because of his wide information concerning public ques- tions, his forcible logic, and his earnest and convincing oratory. In his law practice in the years succeeding the war he was for some time in partnership with Daniel B. Kumler, the partnership, being dissolved by the appointment of Colonel Denby as minister to China by President Cleveland, May 29, 1885. It was in this position that Colonel Denby's name became known from one end of the civ- ilized world to the other. Assuming the duties of the position with- out a knowledge of the Chinese language or the customs of the people he soon won for himself a reputation unparalleled in the his- tory of the diplomatic corps of the United States. Within three years he had so won his way to the hearts of the people of the Celes- tial Empire that when President Harrison was inaugurated, and after Colonel Denby had tendered his resignation to the new admin- istration, the Chinese and the American citizens having interests in China were united in requesting the retention of Colonel Denby. His resignation, therefore, was never accepted and he continued to serve as the Chinese minister during the entire administration of President Harrison, and when Mr. Cleveland was again elected to the presi- dency in 1892 he was reappointed for four years more. After the inauguration of President McKinley he was retained in the posi- tion for over a year, so that his service as minister covers a period of more than thirteen years. The relations brought about between
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the United States and China by his efforts are like the pebble in the stream. The widening circles will keep growing until the utter- most parts of the two countries will be benefited by the friendly spirit that grows up out of the conditions established by his superb diplo- macy. After retiring from the Chinese mission Colonel Denby was not permitted to long enjoy the quietude of a private life. He was a member of the President's commission to investigate the conduct of the Spanish-American war, and was appointed by President Mc- Kinley a member of the first Philippine commission in 1899. While in China Colonel Denby made a careful study of the laws, customs, commerce, and institutions of the Chinese, upon which subjects and the Philippine question he delivered many lectures in different parts of the United States, and contributed numerous articles to the leading magazines, by which future generations may enjoy the fruits of his labor. Colonel Denby's life was one of labor, and his work was not fruitless. Aside from the personal honors he reaped the world will long profit by his learning and diplomacy. His death came swift and probably painless, which to one of his active habits was a boon, avoiding the sufferings of a long illness and the galling stings of inactivity. While in the legislature in 1855 Colonel Denby formed the acquaintance of Miss Martha Fitch, of Logansport, Ind., a daugh- ter of Graham N. Fitch, then United States senator, and in 1858 they were united in marriage. The widow and six children survive. Graham Fitch Denby, the eldest son, is a prominent attorney of Evansville. He married Olga Reis and they have one child, Martha Reis, born Aug. 16, 1901. Charles is now in Tien Tsin, China, as the representative of a firm of American manufacturers, and is also foreign adviser to the viceroy of the province of Pechili. He married Martha Orr of Evansville, and they have three sons: James, Charles and Edwin. Harriet Ethel is the widow of Gilbert Wilkes, who was a naval officer at the time of her marriage to him. He was com- mander of the Michigan naval reserves during the entire Spanish- American war on board the Yosemite. Later he became an elec- trical engineer at Detroit, Mich. He left two sons, Charles Denby and Gilbert. Wythe is a mining engineer at Juneau, Alaska. He married Lucia Hayes, of Milwaukee, Wis. Edwin is an attorney at Detroit, Mich., has been a member of the Michigan legislature, and was elected to Congress in 1904 from the Detroit District. He was also one of the reserves on the Yosemite during the Spanish-Amer- ican war. Thomas Garvin, the youngest of the family, is connected with the Detroit branch of the Solway-Process Company and married
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Esther Strong of that city. Although the widow and her children mourn the loss of the husband and father they have the consolation of knowing that he lived an untarnished life, and "joined the innu- merable caravan" having the full confidence and esteem of his fel- low-men.
Mrs. Martha Fitch Denby, the widow of Colonel Denby, now resides in the old homestead at No. 809 Upper Second street, Evans- ville. She was well fitted by nature to be the helpmate of such a husband, and to all of Colonel Denby's public functions she lent grace and dignity. At once the daughter and widow of two of Indiana's distinguished sons, she lives a retired life in the old home, hallowed by its cherished recollections, beloved by all her acquaintances, and a much sought for guest at all of Evansville's most exclusive society events.
THE HERCULES BUGGY COMPANY, of Evansville, Ind., with a capital stock of $300,000, and officered by W. H. McCurdy, president; W. L. B. Hawes, vice-president; Fred M. Hills, secretary
and treasurer, and John D. Craft, superintendent, was located at Evansville, in 1902, removing from Cincinnati, O. Before making this move, Mr. McCurdy and his able lieutenants made exhaustive investigations. After summing up their findings Evansville offered greater advantages as a place in which to locate a carriage factory in the way of cheap fuel, labor conditions and railroad facilities than any other point. Evansville is the only point east of the Mississippi
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river where the Southern, Southwestern, Western, Illinois and official classification applies, making it very advantageous in the way of rates in shipping out their finished product. The main factory of this company is 85 feet wide and 530 feet long, three stories high, built of brick. The warehouse is 114 feet wide and 130 feet long, three stories high, built of brick, making a total floor space of 180,000 feet, or nearly four acres. The factory is so located that switches from the Evansville & Terre Haute and Southern Railroad com- panies run on either side the full length of the factory. Every appliance in machinery, every method and every plan that works out economy in a carriage factory is already installed in this mam- moth plant. The output of this company is placed in all parts of the United States, enabling them to keep the plant running the year around, as the off season in one locality means the season of heavy trade in another. The capacity of this concern is 150 jobs per day, or a complete vehicle every four minutes. Their normal output for the entire season through, however, is 35,000 jobs. It is predicted by those who ought to know best, that within three years the capac- ity of this company will be doubled, and it bids fair to be much the largest carriage factory in the world within a very short time.
W. H. McCURDY is of Scotch descent. He acquired a common school education, and then entered what was known in that day as an "academy for boys and girls." His early ambition was to be a mechanic. He served a short apprenticeship with a mill- wright, going to the top of the ladder within much less time than his associates. He continued at this trade until twenty- two years of age, then becoming tired of what he considered the "hum-drum" life of a mechanic, at so much per day, he locked his tool chest, never to be opened by him again. He quit his position, which was paying him good wages, and went forth to seek possibilities that might satisfy his ambitious desires. He filled many different positions, always leaving them of his own accord. He was very successful as a traveling salesman. It was in this capacity that he discovered his ability to take a fair measurement of men on meeting them, which has since been of great service to him during his business career. In 1879 he went West, and settled in Kansas
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